Stockholm Marathon--

Marathons always feel like I'm running with angels.  It seems when my physical body is pushed to its limits I am pulled into a space where my heart and soul takes over and connects to a world beyond me....  I think that can be said about all hard things we experience--- meaningful, profound learning can hurt and be exhilarating -- sometimes just moments apart.  I wonder if without the hurt could it truly be exhilarating..

I always hope my dad is along for the ride but this time Ruby, Mary Melinda, Mary and Kjerste are   my running angels.

Map and directions to the race that arrived in the mail--  in Swedish no wait that is German?!  Oy!

Miracles along the way...  We arrived in Sweden!  Our flight was delayed in Switzerland and we were certain that we wouldn't make our connecting flight in Germany--  We ran to the gate just in time to board.  Kelli kept saying, "How is that possible, I can't believe that we made that flight!"  With my heart rate just coming down we began to wonder if our bags would make it.  It seemed impossible for them to have made the transition.  Kelli, my friend and race buddy began to say things like, "They will get them on the next flight and we'll have them first thing in the morning!" "We'll just fill out a form of where we are staying and they'll get them to us."  I thought about throwing my running shoes into my backpack- thinking everything else was replaceable, but I didn't---  Next miracle....  we arrived to claim our bags and they are the first ones off!!  We looked at each other and just shook our heads--- how did they make it?!  We repeated those words all the way to our hotel--

Feeling looked after with a plane that waits and luggage that arrives!
Arriving and meeting the locals!!

When I started training for the marathon I began looking for a story and my mom found one.  A story of women in my family that link back to a beginning, a sort of once upon a time place and a young girl named Kjerste who believed.  This story even has a prop that my mom sent to me in the mail-- a pair of wooden clogs...  Kjerste left Sweden in the night and began a journey to America where she walked to Utah wearing a pair of wooden shoes..  She ran for me and today I was going to run for her!

You can get lost in a race like this-- it was huge!  21,000 runners started the race and about 15,000 would finish...  It had the usual race story-- long lines to the porta potty, race chip, and race jitters--  There were so many people that they had staggered start times.  I stood squashed in the middle of a group of runners in what race officials called the, "F", group.  I heard different languages all around me---  That moment made me think of all the different places, backgrounds, training schedules, and running pace, heading to the same place with the same map-- (I never did get my map in English)  All trying to make it home....  It really is an International journey home--

A noon start--- and it was warm.  I left Switzerland in a cold downpour but starting a race at noon with warm temperatures had me a little worried..  An hour into the race and clouds rolled in and it started to mist.  Couldn't have asked for anything better!  I was wishing I had brought my Garmin running watch along.  The race was measured in km.  My body can kind of mentally adjust for miles but these random km signs were hard to measure my progress..  Half way through and it begin to rain, steady and hard.  An ambulance takes someone from those rainy streets...  A variety of bands and music along the way-- made me smile a little but hard to enjoy with legs that ached with so much further to go. 

Utah and home seemed so far away as I was trying to make my way to the finish line.  I'm not sure I even understand the kind of courage it takes to leave your home without a cell phone, debit card, plane ticket, and google earth to find you way to a place not really even established on a map.  The map that Kjerste must of had was full of light and whispers that gave hope and cheers.  I ran hoping that I was one of her pacers at one time.  I ran through the old city and across bridges and wondered if Kjerste had done the same.  30 Km in and the tears would come and go--

Race food along the way became part of the entertainment, wonder what would come next.  The usual of water, gatorade, bananas were handed out.  Later in the race came pickles, powdery sugar cubes with race volunteers handing them out wearing surgical gloves-- that can't be good.  Later in the race soup, chicken type broth-- that actually hit the spot, cola, and coffee.  Then at the finish line there was beer and hot dogs!  They know how to celebrate--

I found the course challenging.  It was a two loop course full of ups and down.  It was an up hill climb to the finish.  One km to go and I was really wishing I could stop here--  In a storm we entered the Olympic Stadium with runner's faces on the big screen... one lap around as we headed to the finish.  One lap for a few of my heroes.

Dixie, Ruby, Mary Melinda, Mary and Kjerste--  a woman's pull that I am part of.....  wishing my pacers were not too far away... 

Cooling those muscles at the Ice Bar in the hotel with a little Orange Juice-- really made of ice--

A Sunday in Stockholm to stroll and enjoy this beautiful city.  I walked wondering what my life would be like if those before us had made different choices...  Funny how you can feel connected to a place and people you a have never met but seem to know, understand, and love.  Impossible to repay those that gave you a gift that needs to be nourished but brings such light, joy, and knowledge that continues to heal me and encourages me to be better.   To Kjerste in Swedish I say thank you, "Tack"

As Grandma Robbins would say, "Bless your heart!"

"Oysters are a lot like women.  It's how we survive the hurts in life that brings us strength and gives us our beauty."  (Saving CeeCee Honeycutt)

Amsterdam!

A four day weekend, and an invitation to visit The Netherlands...  I'm in!  Jill and her two children, Maddie and Will, and I head out on a road trip....  Music, food, and laughter as we make our way.  You know when you are in a European McDonalds when....  dog friendly!

Our first stop was to see the legendary Holland tulips and they did not disappoint!  The images as we drove in....  an audible gasp----  a river of red tulips was like rolling out the red carpet on our way in.

We got lucky- with a forecast for rain-- a sunny afternoon sneaked in--  The colors, varieties, over flowing gardens left me thinking we had walked into a magical place...  We found something beautiful to eat as we strolled in awe!

I could never decide on a favorite but I think I will always love tulips-----  ah spring!  Next stop Amsterdam--  I loved this city.  I think it is one of my very favorites that I have been to so far--  I've decided that if the store Anthropologie had a city it would be Amsterdam-- stylish, unique, artsy, and oh so charming... I fell in love with those canal houses... had to buy a ceramic one to bring home.

The city that bikes and we joined in!  I felt like a crazy NYC taxi driver as we dodged cars, traffic lights, and other bikers as we made our way around---  It was both thrilling and frightening at the same time.  Happy to report no injuries and no stolen bikes!

With a map in hand, sorted out how to use the Fort Knox bike lock system, we are ready to hit the museums.  We stopped at the Rijksmuseum to see Rembrandt and Vermeer!  It is good to remember how much can be taken in within those quiet moments looking at an artist's perspective.  Remembering that in the details lies the heart...  Those details filled my heart with wonder and hope.

Van Gogh Museum--- wow, a life's work in an enormous space.   It was fascinating to see an artist's work more as a whole...  it was represented as he grew as an artist and with each floor I could see how he became.  A beautiful thought to think of our lives and our growth represented as art pieces-- every little bit matters---

A highlight for me was The Anne Frank House-- a museum with a story.  It was a rainy evening as we stood in line.  The church bells ringing in the background set the stage for our tour.  Inside we learned that Anne listened to those bells as she wrote.... 

"One day this terrible war will be over.  The time will come when we'll be people again and not just Jews!"

"We have to whisper and tread lightly during the day, otherwise the people in the warehouse might hear us."

"Kugler, who at times finds the enormous responsibility for the eight of us overwhelming, can hardly talk from the pent-up tension and strain."

"Now our Secret Annexe has truly become secret.  Mr. Kugler thought it would be better to have a bookcase built in front of the entrance to our hiding place."

"During the day our curtains can't be opened, not even an inch."

"I long to ride a bike, dance, whistle, look at the world, feel young and know that I'm free."

"When I write I can shake off all my cares, my sorrow disappears, my spirits are revived!"

Anne's words filled this house, and were our tour guide as we walked in silence with the rain coming down.  The photos of film stars on her walls, marks on the wall measuring how they grew as they hid, and the small tight spaces left me in awe of what the human spirit can endure.  Like the Van Gogh and Vermeer of yesterday her words were art revealing in the details a heart with sorrow, wonder, and love to learn from.  I picked up a new copy of The Diary of Anne Frank, now seeing her with new understanding.  It's important to hear each other's stories and thinking-- even from long ago---- growing together is growing taller....

Time to take in markets, food, canal boat ride and leaving with the promise to return! 

Funny how a bit of travel makes me feel more connected and smaller at the same time. The world is a big place but seeing new places and people--- offers a new way of thinking and being within me.  It reminds me that it makes no sense to compare ourselves to each other.  Each life should be viewed for it's beauty and detail like an artist's canvas. It never entered my mind to sort out which was the better artist Van Gogh or Rembrandt--  I think from now on when I think my simple life has no meaning --- that is the moment I buy a plane ticket and travel.  To be reminded that the world is full of diversity and beauty---- where it's not about a competetive world of getting to the top but enhancing and sharing our gifts with each other---


Our lives
will twist and twist
intermingling the old and the new
until it doesn't matter
which is which--  "Inside out and Back Again"

Lessons from a unique one of a kind city with stories---  Amsterdam!