After a long and emotional weekend of coaching at my last IE Champs with the Tri City Channel Cats, (will post soon about plans...) I find myself seated quietly at my favorite Starbucks.
This bright, busy neighborhood of Richland is my favorite place to gaze out toward a busy street and watch the cars flow around the corner. There always seems to be a slight breeze dancing through the sun soaked trees, grabbing my attention to every little leaf, individually, making up this rarity of green amongst the desert region of Washington State.
These trees remind me of my Viuhkola family's fish dock in Oregon, which happens to be one of my favorite places in the world.
I used to visit this Starbucks every single morning before heading off to work, to spend up to 2 hours reading from my half-finished pile of books that are stacked up in my windowsill . I'm not sure I was ever here to find out what Rosemary was doing in Fitzgerald's Tender Is the Night, or to decipher what Hawking's brilliant mind was trying to tell me about relativity and quantum theory, but to find this quiet start to my very loud and energy-filled profession which is Swim Coaching.
This morning I realized, however, that this is the first time this summer that I have gotten a chance to seek this quiet time with myself. I immediately reverted from this very happy place to some stages of sadness, which didn't seem appropriate. Being July 28, how could I have let my summer months run away from me? Oh, and not to mention THE TOUR DE FRANCE IS OVER!!!
But NO! I did do amazing things this summer. Things that I (literally) haven't done in 10 years- and actually, some things I have never seen or done before. So here is my summer in two minutes of scrolling down.
Had my normal beautiful bikes through wine country. This is a photo of one of my favorite rides.
Every morning started with a couple hours of working with these guys. Starting the day right.
The Court Club and the necessities in my purse: watch, dry erase, green apple, sunglasses, workout cliff bar, oh and of course Starbucks.
Went to PDX, OR with the mother
Spent the first time in a LONG TIME with JUST the mother and sister and I.
Went on a hike just minutes off the highway through the Gorge.
We even spent over 30 hours just the three of us. Obviously I have class and manners.
And some more desert biking in lovely Tri Cities. Biked the third Finley hill...which I had never done before.
And more coaching. We always have a few rainy days over the summer.
Went camping in Bend, OR for the first time in over 10 years.
Found my Cali Poppies I have been searching for since seeing them from the car on the highway to Eugene last year.
Took advantage of the opportunity to press them.
Five Hundred Friday with the Masters. Lucky me- with the crazy work schedule I still got to see them 4 days a week before commuting over to Pasco for the kids- then BACK to the Court Club for more classes and clients.
A couple swim meets. The kids did phenomenal this summer. Glad to see the hard work paying off.
A trip to Moscow, ID
Lots of this.
However, was paid with this on the whole way home.
And some more time with the pup in-between work.
I did spend a lot of time on the west side of the Mountains in Seattle area and along the Sound
This is such an interesting and new place to me. It's a shame I've lived here my whole life and feel like such an alien figuring out exactly what it is and what is where....I feel like such a kid sometimes.
Got to see the high school from 10 Things I Hate About You. I used to watch this movie almost everyday in-between morning and afternoon practice when I was 13 and 14. Oh Heath Ledger...
Gig Harbor stole my heart.
And back home spending more time with the dog. I either felt like I was going 100 miles an hour or lying flat on my back. Perfect summer.
Our bonding time this summer.
My mother and I picked some cherries. I love picking fruit and we happened to find a patch literally 3 miles from our house.
....and more work with these little ones. Seriously they steal my heart.
I did get some quality time this summer with the Blue. I was happy to bust out a couple 80s and even a 90ish mile ride (starting at 12pm heat) mostly solo. I was super excited that I was able to accomplish this smiling and loving it. This has been a huge change for me- as the long rides used to involve a lot of anxiety and some tears. :)
Spent some more time in Seattle area- this time a short trip with Todd
Had an awesome run along the water. Love experiencing the city this way.
Went up and watched the beautiful Shelia E compete in her first Ironman in Couer d' Alene. Her persistence and heart through her training was unparalleled- and she will always serve as one of my biggest heroes and inspirations. Amazing woman.
She truly is amazing.
Spent some time down in Pacific City, OR camping through the 4th of July
Paddle boarded with grey whales and enjoyed my first really long run sans music and loved every second of it.
Along hwy 101
Had awesome Mahi Mahi tacos at Chico's in Kennewick.
Bike broke- luckily the Court Club had my back and spent some time solo group riding.
And more swim meets- this one in Pendleton, OR
And then my busiest week of the year. Biggest training week- and busiest work schedule ever.
Loved my midday long rides
It was just crazy. Just amazing what you are capable of when you don't give your mind the option of quit.
Another trip to Seattle to watch James compete in Fat Salmon which is a 5k in Lake Washington. Beautiful area of Seattle. Awesome to watch an athlete's hard work and dedication materialize into results. Amazing athlete. More amazing person. Always an inspiration and an absolute privilege to work with.
Saw my first jellyfish in its live habitat.
Swam with the kids one last time. 17 years of being a Channel Cat later.
Last Channel Cat meet with these awesome coaches. Jen (left) got Coach of the Year for the entire IES- she absolutely deserved this as her dedication to not only the kids, but fellow coaches, former swimmers, and parents is absolutely outstanding. She puts in so much of her heart and energy- I am so lucky to have her as a mentor and friend.
Got to spend some time with the Walla coach Zack this weekend too. He has been doing an amazing job with his team.
And here we are: the last couple weeks of my job here in Tri Cities. Excited and a little nervous for the next changes. But in order to see growth and change you need to seek these uncomfortable changes.
Heres to a crazy summer.
Onward autumn.
Love, Erin
No comments:
Post a Comment