My Amazon Favorites

3 of my favorite things from Amazon.com! You can click on the items below directly or you can shop all of Amazon using my link: https://amzn.to/3hBiJPg.

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1) High Waisted Leggings with pockets. I wear a size XL, and its super comfy and full of stretch. These were under 10$ for me but the price changes often.

2) My favorite baby carrier in Grey and the best deal is usually in the grey.  I paid under $80.00 for it, and the price changes often.

3) By far the best deal you will find for a child's embroidered dress online, it ships back and is full of color!

Work from Home, Remote Learning with breastfeeding Tips during #covidcrisis (written 3/27/2020)

On March 27^th after our first full week of distance learning I wrote the below. And, I am going to post it as is. But, its crazy to see how my thoughts, mind set and expectations have been altered so much from then to now.  

 Let me preface with, I am a grateful. (Just a few hours ago, I did not have a preface to this.) But, today at recess while the entire family was outside playing ball and writing on the sidewalk with chalk, my 90 something year old neighbor stopped me to say (in social distance of course), “Cathy, you have the perfect family and your little girl is one of your biggest blessings. I just thank you for all that you have done for me all these years.”

I don’t know why, but for some reason, her saying this got me to stop and think. Perspective: My husband and I are not on the front lines, we are not doctor’s or nurses who have to wake up each morning and be exposed, then come home each day and run the risk of exposing our children. These front line employees don’t have a choice, they can’t be home to home school their children and watch them prosper and grow thru this new distance learning thing. They can’t take a recess break with their children and watch Rolly Pollies and butterflies outside during these beautiful spring days.  I know if they were given a choice, they’d take our place in an instant. So, we are blessed, we are strong and we need to stick together in this time of need. Thank your friends who are front line employees: the doctors, the nurses, the grocery store workers, the bus drivers and so many more.  They are taking a risk by walking outside of their homes and going to work each day. I am not on the front line, while I feel like I am sometimes. I am on the other side, the work my day job at home, while having the privilege to be home with my children at the same time. But, also I am the teacher, maintenance team, lunch lady, PE coach and more. I say privilege, because, yes IT IS. But with that comes a lot of agony, tired days, teary eyes, and lots of coffee. And, I miss my mommy!
Below is what I have been doing to help with the day in and day out.

1)      Keep the children close if you try to spread them throughout the house during their school time, it will be impossible to cater to their needs while you are trying to monitor your work emails, conference calls, on demand instant messages and keep your baby entertained. Our classroom is my bedroom, all school related activities take place in the “Classroom.”

2)      Create a written schedule for our sanity, NOT necessarily to ALWAYS follow. It’s essential to see what the day looks like for each of your children to team up and help each other stay on task. Also, if another parent pops in to help, they can see what is left on the schedule. Plus, the children enjoy marking things as completed!

3)      Multi-task  For those that have an infant, when your infant is eating meals and snacks in her high chair, bring the chair to the classroom if needed. Sit by the infant with your laptop. If you are a breastfeeding mom, if your baby needs to nurse, keep your laptop nearby and nurse and work.

4)      Be prepared to walk away. Sometimes the day will not go as planned, the baby will spill your coffee all over the bedroom floor, or your students will get frustrated because their computer is loading to slow, or the online assignment is acting up. My son was so frustrated with an online portal, and I was witness, he was putting in the correct answer and it kept marking it wrong. (ahem.. learning.com) He of course is our perfectionist in the classroom. For all of the above and more, walk away and regroup.  End the day if necessary, don’t be afraid to start fresh the following day. If you think this is bothering YOU- imagine how your children may feel.  

5)      Be honest with your employer.  I know this may not be an option for all, but let your employer know how your day will be. Or if you need to step away to help your children join a Zoom classroom etc. Honesty will make you feel so much less stressed too.

6)      Document.   Let’s face it, we and our children are part of history, THIS has never happened. You have the opportunity to be with your children 24/7 for God knows how many days, and you have been blessed to be employed, and home ALL- at the same. Take pictures, videos, write down memories, but you are part of HISTORY so document it!

7)      Close your eyes and ears! When you see “standard” work from home tips or general advice from parents with no children at home. Cover your eyes, and ears and move forward.  These tips and advice may work in normal operating times but not in a #COVIDCRISIS. YOU DO YOU and follow your own lead.

8)      YOU ARE IN CHARGE of what you make of this crisis, so move on and move up and remember we are #INTHISTOGETHER.

Never say Never: I am a NICU mom who almost failed at Breastfeeding

I never thought I would be a NICU mom.

I never thought I would be labeled as a "failure at breastfeeding."

It was day 7 of 2019 and the titles began. The first being: NICU Mom. At 1:07 pm on January 7th, my daughter was delivered via C-section and the first sound I heard was her cry. I immediately told my husband that her cry was different from her brothers’. She was later diagnosed with anemia at birth and this led to her abnormal breathing and her ability to not let out a “normal” baby cry to clear her lungs properly. Motherly instinct at its finest.

While I was on the operating table, my OB flashed her in front of me then she was instantly taken to the NICU by the doctors in “white suits” that filled the room. This was unexpected and frightening as our sons both had no complications at birth. The lead doctor came to my bedside and asked if was OK to feed her formula, if needed. I researched the hospital and knew it was the city's only Mother and Baby hospital. Knowing this, the answer was no. I explained my desire to nurse her or have donor breast milk. (He seemed surprised that I knew exactly how I wanted to feed my daughter.) I did not get to nurse or see my baby until 10 that evening. Post recovery, I hand expressed colostrum for her to be tube-fed.

Fast forward to day 3 of her life, my second title was earned: Failure at Breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is a gift I have given both my sons, they self-weaned (20 months and 30 months). When the doctor said I was failing my daughter, I felt torn, sad, and defeated. I was 3 days postpartum, tired from walking to the NICU every 3 hours for the last 72 hours to nurse, and still in pain from my C-section. Miserable and at my lowest point, I listened to the doctor explain that I needed to give her formula and my situation was not one in which donor milk could be used. She was 12% below her birth weight and would not leave the hospital until her weight increased. In his opinion, she was starving because my breast milk was not filling her and thereby making her lose calories and energy. The doctor flat out said, “You are failing at breastfeeding.”

At this point, I could not stand, speak nor think. My C-section pain had now increased to a level 9 out of 10. I asked my husband to take the lead on the care plan discussion. I desperately needed a warm shower and was not capable of conversation. We agreed that we would say and do what they asked, anything to be home where we could breastfeed on demand and not be trapped by their orders. And, we continued to push for donor milk over formula.

After my heavenly shower, my husband came in and helped me dress and towel dry. The plan was to pump, then bottle feed with my milk or donor milk. The nurse fought for us so we would not need to use formula. Baby would not be allowed to breastfeed due to the energy it was taking from her. I cried as I felt my nursing relationship was going to end because she needed to be on the breast in order to keep stimulating milk. But, I knew in order to have her discharged, we needed to follow the doctor’s orders. That night, those wooden floors in the NICU soaked up a lot of my tears.

But we survived.

I woke up the next morning to our lactation nurse. She began to apologize about the orders being reversed and let me know that she spoke to the lead doctor and the orders were back to breast first, then pump, then supplement. Her words were angelic. My lactation nurse saved our breastfeeding journey from failure. We were discharged from the NICU the next day.

One month later, baby girl is still 100% breastmilk and gaining weight. We are working through some obstacles but I am praying for success!

Lastly, I offer some advice: Know your hospital. Is donor milk an option? Have a plan and voice it to all hospital staff. Make them aware of your wishes, don’t let them form assumptions.

Sometimes, it's best to follow doctor’s orders so you can go home. Even if you don't agree with them.

Sometimes, you have to ask more than once. We continued to ask for donor milk and we finally received it.

Never promise your older children they will be able to see the new baby after birth. Don't be me and have to see the smiles fade on your 4- and 6-year old’s faces when they walk in expecting to see their baby sister and could not. THIS thought still makes me cry. Prepare your children for the "what if" and you will be glad you did.

And finally, never say never!

We understand doctors have a job of sending healthy children home and sometimes this can block their judgement. The things they could have reconsidered were their timing and choice of words─the formula discussion should NOT have happened in the middle of me lying with my insides outside of me on the operating table and no one should be called a "failure"─especially a woman who is at a most vulnerable state and merely days of postpartum.

While this hospital could have easily made my nursing relationship with my daughter suffer tremendously, I know my daughter received the best care she could have possibly received out of all the NICU hospitals in the city, and for this, we are blessed.

Weeks 4-18- Mommy's Pregnant with Baby 3 & The Kindergartener (soon to be 1st grader) is doing well too!

Photos by KianaKaitlynPhotography

This blog was originally started to chronologize my very FIRST pregnancy and running while pregnant, hence the original blog name, RunCrazedPreggo.  But, its changed. Last month I came out with the true story about my son, Lincoln's allergies & sensitivties, and our struggles surrounding those.  An update: He is still going strong and we have the exczema controlled.  We all enjoyed a summer with vacations, swimming pools, summer camp, birthday parties and GOOD NEWS!


Mommy is pregant with Baby #3!  The pregnancy test was positive on May 28th, Memorial Day.
We could have taken the test earlier, but waited, because frankly, I did not believe I was pregnant!  I am "that mom" who never thought she would EVER have 3 children. But, then one day it hit me. We need to try for one more and I really want to be pregnant just one last time. It's not like I get this time back later in life. I would have always wondered, you know?

This pregnancy has been VERY different for me! I've had sore nipples, excessive peeing early on, EXTREME fatigue (like knocked out for days on the couch fatigue), extreme itching, tingling teeth, & morning sickness w/ vomit!

Photos by KianaKaitlynPhotography

Photos by KianaKaitlynPhotography

At week 3, my nipples were super (super is an understatement) sore, like the children would barely lay on me and they felt like razor blades ripping through them.  I thought it was PMS but the pain lingered and has not left!  At weeks 4 and 5 I started waking up in the middle of the night to pee.

With both boys, I ran a half marathon at 7 months pregnant and a marathon at 8 weeks pregant. This time- NEITHER of those will happen. When I found out about my 2 previous pregnancies, I was deep into marathon training, but this time I was at about 5-6 miles, but once the tiredness hit, the only way I could run/walk a 5k was if I was asleep for the rest of the day after running the 5K.

In the first trimester, I managed to run (5) 5K races (Week 8, 9, 10, & 15) and about 6.5 miles during Beach to Bay (Week 5). But, sadly no more running this pregnancy. Walking, yes, but running- not-so-much. I was scheduled to run the Rock and Roll Chicago Half (Week 15) in July over my birthday week, but I moved down to not the 10k, just the 5k. I didn't want to risk being tired for one full day of vacation. Luckily I was great after the 5k- I managed to run most of it and still had a day full of activities.  So while I will not live up to my runcrazedpreggo name for this last pregnancy, I will enjoy the heck out of this pregnancy and try my best to write every few weeks so I remember.

Let's see, cravings- early on I craved milkshakes, like literally I did a 2 a day trip to Chick Fil A for their limited edition orange shake, which they now stopped serving. Also, McDonald's milk shakes were a favorite in Weeks I am now craving Chili's A TON, pickles and potatoes!

Our families were so super excited to find out. (9 weeks) Craig, my brother-in-law was excited because he was looking forward to open bar at our baby shower. The boys are wanting a sister really badly but said any baby will be a good baby.  Girl-fever is for sure running through the minds of all my family and friends and myself. However, watching my baby boys grow has brought me complete JOY and I will be happy with a healthy baby. Though,I am not sure if I will be able to control my reaction when I find out the gender. 

On a sweet sweet note- Wrigley prays for the baby every night and Lincoln kisses and pets my belly often.  Lincoln often wants to kiss my belly before he leaves for school each morning.

Other pregnancy weirdness- I started to get intense itching on my feet and all over my body. (Week 14) I thought it was a pregnancy induced liver issue but once I got the blood testing all checked out fine. 

Since I am over the age of 35, my OB recommended I see a specialist for possible blood testing to find abnormalities, etc. My friends had the blood testing done & said they were 50/50 on the testing and had other reasons for getting their tests. I really only wanted to get it to find out the gender early, but other than that Chris and I agreed not to test. We have our first sonogram this Tuesday so God- willing we will find out the gender! I am on the fence of doing an actual reveal party. I kind of want to since it will be my last pregnancy, but am not sure if I want to put all of the things together to have a party. 

I am taking week by week photos of this pregnancy and trying not to miss a week. We did a baby reveal photo session so that was super fun as well! And, we will likely do a gender reveal photo session for social media as well. Stay tuned!

My Allergic Kindergartner

My name is Cathy and my kindergartner is allergic to milk, wheat, gluten, chocolate, bread, eggs, cats, dogs and tree nuts. He also has tested positive for all the items listed on the South Texas Seasonal Allergy panel.

Oh- and, he has severe eczema.

Do you want to know how we found out? Well, I’ll tell ya.

First, let me preface by saying that being his mom is pretty darn awesome. But, there are times that I have felt like the worst mom ever!

Like the time my kindergartener was 4 years old. We recently found out that gluten was causing his intense eczema and removed it from his diet. Picture this: A very typical birthday party with pizza, cake, cupcakes, and a piñata filled with candy. (Well, of course a piñata一it’s a party!) Unfortunately for our kindergartner, he cannot eat any of this food. And, while there are many parents who are strict with their children’s diet and give them “cheat days” as we do with our non-allergic 3-year old, fortunately (or unfortunately), this kindergartner does not have that choice.

Now for the Worst Mom Ever Award: I forgot to pack his pizza and cookie. You know―the dairy-free, gluten-free, egg-free pizza and cookie that dad worked hard in the kitchen to make? Yes, THIS mom left it at the house on the counter.

At the party, this mom is in the “food room” helping her then 2-year old gobble his pizza quickly while dad took the hard part of being in the back room, calming his son and helping him realize that mom made a mistake. To this day, I still remember his yell and that sad face when he realized I had forgotten his food. Worst Mom Ever Award, indeed.

This scenario is very typical for us, minus the part where mom forgets the food. We are now professionals at packing his special food, snack, and even his eczema cream depending on the type of event we will attend. So, every birthday party, wedding, festival, play date, special snack or food day at school, field trip, movie theatre trip, zoo day, the list goes on... We have it covered: Lunch box for the win!

But the truth is, even when we DON’T forget his food, it is still really difficult to watch him. Whenever people offer him food, now he knows and politely says, “No, thank you.” And, if/when they insist, he says, “I am allergic.”

In the summer of 2017, I took him to get his blood drawn. We picked some very specific panels that could not be found in some of the skin prick panels. My kindergartener was the tough one. He asked the nurse how many needles and how long it would take and she answered him. He bravely said, “Okay” and looked up at me with his slightly puffy eyes and said, “Mom, it’s OKAY. I will be okay.” I still remember how tiny his arm looked and me staring at his little body that barely took up ¼ of the chair he was sitting in. He squeezed my hand as the blood was taken. It was a total of about 4 and a half minutes but felt like an eternity. I cried inside but kept my strong face for him.

I cannot count the number of times people have asked, “What is wrong with him? Why is he all scratched up, banged up, beat up, red, bruised…?” You name it, we’ve heard it. Oh and the “You-need-to-see-a-different-doctor” replies. The list goes on. But we’ve learned to stay strong; nod, listen, and keep a straight face. (see before photos below)

His 5th Birthday w/ Bestie Noah

At his school happy with dad! 

Selfie with mom! 

 

The bottom line is, you have to listen to your heart. And I cannot thank God more for a better partner in life to face these struggles with than my husband who has become even more of our master chef these last 2 years.

You see, the kindergartner attends Montessori School and they have a Cultural Luncheon a few times a year where they celebrate different cultures. At the end of every cultural study, they have a catered lunch of that country’s food. So, the husband has mastered the traditional Irish Stew with soda bread, Peruvian Arroz Chaufa,  Brazilian food, Jamaican food, and more. And they’re all free and clear so the kindergartner can eat as much as he wants. Oh, and let’s not forget the “Muffins with Mom” and “Donuts with Dad” days of the year. The husbands specialty donuts and muffins beat Shipley’s any day! They are always fresh and melt in your mouth each time!!!

Flashback to two weeks into my now kindergartner’s 2nd year of “real” school: He is 4 years old and the year is 2015. We get a call from the school nurse that went something like, “His face, legs and basically entire body are very itchy and inflamed. He is scratching so hard that the back of his knees are now covered in blood.” To relieve his pain, she applied ice and bandages and sent him back to the classroom. Three days later, as I pick him up, he is limping towards me and has two large pieces of white gauze wrapped around his little legs. He tells me, “Mommy, it only hurts a little but I am trying not to itch!”

He suffered from eczema on and off from about 4 months old until about 2 years old. But, at 4 years old, it came back in full force and NEVER went.

There’s more to the story….

After the bandage incident, I checked him out of school the next day and took him to the allergist. At this point, his entire body is inflamed, he has bandages on his legs and over the tops of his hands. His face is scabbing and is basically covered in redness and scars. I suggest to the allergist (of course after doing my own research) that maybe it is something he is eating combined with seasonal allergies. Allergist says, “No, if what he is eating has never affected him before, then that is not what it is now. Here are some steroids and antibiotics to help him not get staph. He can take the meds and it will be gone. This type of thing happens from time to time with children his age.”

Immediately, I feel my insides drop and want to hit the allergist over his head with my purse. But I digress. I take in what he says, take the meds and get on my way to get a second opinion. The kindergartner takes the meds, clears for maybe a two week time frame and it’s back!!!

We ended up taking him to a nutritionist/naturopath, someone who is NOT A DOCTOR. My older brother is the all-organic hipster type; free of this, free of that, and he had been under this person’s care for a while. In about a year, he lost 60 lbs., changed his eating habits and was much healthier. So, I took his recommendation out of desperation.

The recommendation was life changing. The naturopath did “muscle testing” on Lincoln and all sorts of other tests. We found out that he was extremely sensitive to wheat and heavy metals, so we needed to remove those items from his diet immediately. He also recommended a cabinet full of supplements, we bought those but that was not the route we stayed with.

We continued to stick with food elimination. His first initial spout of bleeding, itching and redness cleared within a month of removing gluten. Then, at a Cultural Luncheon, he ate a piece of bread by accident―a tiny piece―and that started the itching again.

We also finally found a dermatologist (thank God for my sister in law, Chels leading us to her) within that time frame and she gave him some blends of meds to help alleviate the infection. She also did a biopsy―yes, we allowed a doctor to poke two holes into our son’s tiny leg in order to try and solve what was wrong with him. Ugh. But $700 later, the biopsy results showed he tested negative for Celiac Disease and they confirmed that he has severe eczema.

In March of 2018, he had another severe breakout and we went off the suggestion of a friend to take a “pinnertest” which tests for sensitivities. We found that Lincoln was sensitive to dairy, so we officially removed that from his diet as well. In April of 2018, his skin started showing clear signs.

We are now in June of 2018 and he is still clear. I mean, we have minor itching and very minor redness but we can say he is clear! We will not add any of his triggers back into his diet anytime soon, and we will continue to pray that his skin continues to heal! We ask that you pray WITH us.

See now pics below!

Enjoying Fiesta with brother and bestie, Macy!

While he is the allergic kindergartner at birthday parties and at school, it is not a feat to him or any of his friends or family members. Some of his classmates know his exact allergies and rally with him while they are shopping with their own parents…

“Mom, maybe we shouldn’t get that because Lincoln can’t eat that and I don’t want to get him sick.”

- Macy Jayne

“Mom, Lincoln won’t be able to eat that ice cream at my birthday party. You should get him his own.”

-Alessandra

And the cute comments that I hear from parents regarding him keep coming. I just pray to God that he continues to heal and we continue to stay strong with him! I mean, come on, think back―what did you used to eat when you were in kindergarten?  

His Kinder Graduation!!! 

I can tell story after story about the struggle it has taken us as parents to get to where we are… and after all this time, I’d still say that the struggle was worth it. We made choices for our child. Choices that some doctors, family members, friends and probably so many around us did not believe in. But, you have to know that only YOU know your child, and that journey is yours to take with them. So, do not ever let anyone take that journey away from you.

Keep it REAL in 2018

I did not expect my first spends of 2018 to be on trips to the med clinic, followed by tamiflu, followed by a trip to the pediatric urgent care this morning.

Yup, I tested negative for the flu but still was put on tamiflu and thank goodness for the tamiflu. I can now get up without assistance.

Now, a day later Wrigley looked beat down and tired and feverish.

This morning he is positive for the flu.

As I write sitting on my couch recliner watching Wrigley watch a robot show on Netflix, I am still grateful for this January day in 2018.

Grateful that we are both on a path to recovery. Because it could be worse.

Although this sickness definitely has taken  me down hill faster than a speeding el train. Literally, this weekend I was cheering on Lincoln to score his first baskets in his basketball game. And Sunday night, I was torn to pieces with a fever of 101.1 and a shivering body that could not get up from bed no matter how hard I tried.

Most first blogs of the year are about fitness goals or people posting their top 9! I will get to those later, but for now I'm keeping it real in 2018.

Because it could be worse.

I'm here. I'm alive. I'm writing.

2014 throw back- Just days before our family became 4!

Make today awesome don’t wait until tomorrow

Did you make it to the Girls on the Run Bexar County 5K this morning? I did!

Waking up this morning was hard. I’ve been sick all week, so I didn’t want to get out of bed early on a Saturday. But, anything for Girls on the Run Bexar County, right?!

I rolled out of bed put on my blue Heart and Sole shirt, my colorful tights and coffee in hand I made way to Comanche Park. Upon arrival, there it was, that adrenaline boost, that boost that only a race as special as the Girls on the Run 5K can bring! All the daughters with their moms, dads, coaches, guardians and mentors at their sides lining up for the start. The smiles, the laughter, the pure JOY is addicting.

I am the Marketing team lead for this wonderful organization. I chose to take on this volunteer role to get Project Management experience and I not only am getting that, but I fell, FELL deep in LOVE with the idea, the mission and the purpose of this organization.

You see, I have two boys, 3 and 5- no girls. But, a niece and some close younger cousins that I cannot wait until it is there turn to cross that Girls on the Run finish line! Like, I am literally counting the days.

I say this organization and race is amazing and if you are still wondering why, here’s more. Today at the race, a young girl showed up after the race had started, she was there to run a 5k, but the 5k had left without her. But, do not fret, our fearless leader, Executive Director, Minka Misangyi without hesitation, raced by her side.  She stayed by her side every moment of the race. The race may have started without her, but Minka made sure this young girl made it to the finish line. If this doesn’t get you, then I have more.  

A young girl was running out on the course today, she fell hard during the route was bleeding and bruised. They taped up her leg and asked her if she was done, she was not done, she wanted to finish. With a white bandage wrapped around her knee, a slight limp across the finish, and a fellow runner at her side, she finished the race. It didn’t matter the time, she made it!  The courage these young girls show every step of the way, makes me the most proud to be a part of Girls on the Run Bexar County.

Now, it’s your turn, come race with us in May or join the fun and volunteer with us! You will be GLAD you did! 

Riverside Bliss at Maricopa

This place was such a gem, I must brag about it. My family and I stayed at Maricopa Riverside Lodge in Canyon Lake, Texas over Fourth of July weekend.
We stayed in room 120, the Deluxe Balcony Suite. We were pleasantly surprised to walk out a to a 20x20 ish private balcony. (Shared with room 121) It was equipped with a two person rocker, (2) recliner style chairs, a picnic table and a George Foreman Grill. There was also electricity! And, if you listen closely at night you can hear the tunes from Whitewater Amphitheater while gazing at the stars from the comforts of your own balcony
The rooms was nice, super clean, and perfect for out getaway weekend.  If you are expecting fluffy comforters and a 4-5 star property, then look elsewhere. The listing states limit 4 guests, however there is a pull out futon in the front room, so if your children are small enough that they fit in your bed, there may be room for another person. The only odd thing about the room was that the shower was not actually behind a wall! We made it work, though.
The price for the room was $275.00 (this includes tax) per night, however for the 4th of July weekend and for being right on the Guadalupe River (with a pool) it was expected.
I looked at renting river houses, but a lot of them were booked and were $500.00 plus per night, and many were not riverside and did not have swimming pools. All of which Maricopa DID have!
The swimming pool started at 2.5 feet and went up to 5 feet which was perfect for my 2 and 5 year old children!
The Guadalupe River was at our fingertips, we were able to get in quickly and easily with our personal tubes while we watched the long lines at the public entrances. We floated on by from the Maricopas's private entrance and saved plenty of time.
They also had two playground sets one for bigger kids with swings and a slide facing the water and another for younger kids with small swings, and a seesaw.
Another plus, the office has ice for purchase, so we never had to leave the comforts of our suite! Our room had a mini fridge as well as a microwave which was just what we needed for the kiddos.

Mom Time

shallow streams 

Last, the river access near the lodge had access to flowing streams and a neat waterfall too. And, there were plenty of shallow points in walking distance. Perfect to have some mom time or bring the kiddos too.
If your planning your next staycation getaway weekend and want to have a happy family, choose Maricopa! I'm glad I did!

 http://www.maricopariversidelodge.com/

Private balcony for rooms 120 and 121, grill and recliner chairs, picnic table too! 

My favorite deluxe rocking chair !

Let your little one be the lucky one to fill this chair! (poolside)

Beach to Bay I love you- but won't make it this year!!

I have ran Beach to Bay for the last 11 years, most of those as Team Captain. But, today I am not leaving work early to head to the island because we had some team injuries, my sister in law will welcome a new baby soon, and other circumstances. So, I decided to put together this blog with items I have learned the last 11 years.

My suggestions are as follows:

1)   Have a team meeting where the discussion includes

a.    Each leg should be told the mileage and leg they will run, and each member should give the captain their predicted “very best” time they will run the mileage in so the captain and the team member they are handing the baton to will know what time they need to be waiting at the hand off point.

b.    Have a plan for how you are going to get to each hand off two vehicles or more is highly suggested. (see details per leg below) Prepare the team to wake up early, this well depend on the leg and where they are staying, but just let them know early is always best!

c.    Have a plan in case your team is not able to find their handoff person at the designated spot. As captain, I have all phone numbers and know estimated finish times and each time a person finishes they call my cell phone directly or send me a text. Usually calling is best because text messages sometimes do not go thru with all the phones in use. I then alert the person waiting at the next hand off point so they know their person has taken off and can determine how much time they have. My first year running when I was not the captain, a runner on my team could not find the other runner so he ran both legs. The other runner was disappointed because he had paid to run, etc etc but if there was a plan this could have been avoided.

d.    Will anyone be at the finish? It’s a great party and social time for everyone. We always purchase a tent, so we do not end up in the sun,  and we bring the kids and party until they kick us out. But, I know some teams don’t make it to the finish at all. To each is own, but we enjoy getting that team photo at the finish line and celebrating!!

 

e.    Be prepared for bus delays, full buses or buses stopping all together.

2)   Have each team member carry something that will stand out in the crowd so incoming runners can find their team member easily. There are 1,000s of runners looking for their team member. I often see runners very frustrated because they cannot find their runner. Swimming noodles and American flags are very common, so think outside the box. We used the bright colored fishing nets that we found the CVS on the island, because we had forgot to purchase something in advance. They were perfect!  

 

We have also used those tropical themed yard signs that they sell at the dollar tree. And, pinwheels you can reuse in your garden after.

3)   Leg 4 and 6 should carry a water belt of some kind as the water stops are sparse and the water is often hot.

 

Example of How to get runners to each legs: (options depend on where you are staying and how many cars available) Make sure you are aware of the time buses are leaving or available (this information is on the website or the website).

http://www.beachtobayrelay.com/run/legs-transportation/

It is always better arrive to your legs early and waiting than missing the bus, etc. We have missed buses for being late and risked getting our cars towed because where we had to park to make our start times! (keep these items in mind)

*Note, these are only suggestions based on what we have done before. You can message me if you want more specifics, but after reading below, main point is that a plan must be in place, you cannot expect to wake up in the morning and everyone know where they should be like magic.

Legs 1 and 2 runners, need to be over the bridge by race start, so if you are staying in CC (Corpus Christi), the two that are running need to leave about 4am-5:30am in order to make it to the buses that take you to the starting line. Legs 1 and 2 should have one car together.  If you are staying on the island, you can have someone drop off 1 and 2 to the closest point they can get or you can walk, depending on how close you are to the start. We often walked because the traffic is congested.

 Leg 3 (runs over the bridge)/Leg 4- runs the base- the handoff for Leg 3 is at Flour Bluff.  Leg 3 can drop off Leg 4 early, and then drive to their handoff immediately after. Or Leg 3 can drop off Leg 5 early and then go park at their handoff. Leg 3 needs to get to their buses before 6:30am.

Leg 3 will have driven to the leg so they will have their car with them. Leg 3 can then drive to Leg 4 finish and pick up Leg 4 or Leg 4 can get on the bus and the bus will take them to the parking lot that Leg 3 is in. However, the buses may be full, not available etc. at Leg 4 finish. So, it probably is best if Leg 3 goes to pick up Leg 4 and they drive together to the finish. Leg 4 will need to walk to the Texas A&M parking lot which is about 1.5 miles from their finish, but it’s not a bad walk and a lot of people are walking as well.

·      If you run into a bind and need to park at the start of Leg 3, Leg 2 will need to pick up the car, as your car will be covered by the tide coming in, if not.

Leg 5/Leg 6- Leg 5 can drive to their hand of on their own and hand off their keys to Leg 4, and Leg 4 can drive to Leg 5 finish and pick them up or (what we usually do) Leg 5 take the keys from Leg 6 and drive their car to the finish. And, leg 4 drives to the finish in Leg 5’s car.

Leg 6- can drop off Leg 5 at their start (early of course, because traffic begins to build) and then drive themselves to their hand off point after.

Or, Leg 6 can drive themselves to the hand off and can also drop off Leg 4 or drop off no one at all.  Leg 6 hands keys to Leg 5 and Leg 5 drives to the finish.

Note, Leg 5 hand off is not far from Bayfront hotel or emerald beach. But, what we do is leg 6 drives themselves to the hand off for leg 6, then leg 5, gives the car keys to Leg 5, and Leg 5 drives to the finish.  And, leg 6 finishes and that is a short walk to Bayfront and emerald beach hotels.

 Advice: When handing off you can either hand write a note of where you parked to tell the other runner or stop and tell them or have sent them a text prior with a photo of where the care is, etc. 

 

If you made it to the end of this post, most importantly, have fun, stay hydrated and celebrate the finish!