Lima Oh-Hi-No

I apologize for the lack of posts for the past few days, I’ve been flighting the flu since Thursday and still dealing with some stress, of which yesterday did not help.

I think I mentioned at some point last week that I was supposed to be going to Lima, OH for work for a few days.

Yesterday I arrived at the airport at 4am (I called a cab early because of the blizzard and wanted to make sure I arrived on time) for my 6:30am flight. However, since I was still fighting the flu I’d been awake on and off since about 1am, so I was functioning on very little sleep.

Everything was great going through security and I decided to try eating a plain bagel and hope I’d be able to keep that down, as I knew I should probably eat something.

We all boarded the plane no problem and I was pumped to find out I was in a row all by myself so I moved from the aisle to the window to get a better sleep (I was originally bummed to find out I was in an aisle seat because I knew I’d fall asleep easier at the window) and then we waited.

And waited.

And waited.

About an hour after boarding we pushed back from the gate to get de-iced.

Then we waited some more.

The pilot came on to let us know the runway would be closed in 15 minutes for plowing, so he’d do his best to get us on our way quickly.

Twenty minutes went by and the pilot came on to let us know one engine wouldn’t start and he was trouble-shooting with Chicago (United headquarters).

Then we waited some more.

A maintenance dude came out with a heater to try to heat up the engine to get it to turn over, except the heater didn’t work, so maintenance went off to get a new one. After heating the engine it still wouldn’t start.

At 9:30 we were towed back to the gate so we could get off the plane while maintenance tried to figure out what to do.

I immediately got in line as unless we left almost immediately at 9:30, I was going to miss my connecting flight. I stood in line and called the corporate travel agency to see what they recommended (rebook with them or talk to the gate agent).

The wait, sick and fatigue might have resulted in a teeny bit of a meltdown in the middle of the airport. Umm, oops? I hate crying at the best of times, but in the middle of the airport? Totally not cool. I’m still a bit embarrassed about it. Since I was melting down I called a friend and he was supportive and let me know I was probably freaking out over nothing.

When he called me back two hours later to see what had been decided, I was still waiting in line.

In the meantime I also communicated with my boss. The purpose of my trip was to be at an inventory count at 7am today, so if I couldn’t make it for 7am today, there wasn’t much point in going on the trip.

When I finally (yay!) got to the gate agent, I asked if there was any way to get me to Ohio by Monday evening. The answer? Nope. So I cancelled my tickets, got myself a $16 meal voucher and hung out in the waiting area while they offloaded my bags so I could go home.

At 1:30 I got my bag, hopped in a cab at 2pm and was home by 3pm.

Eleven hours and I didn’t even go anywhere.

I’m a bit bummed I lost out on a chance to go to Trader Joe’s as I was looking forward to picking up some fun goodies for Christmas presents (I found some awesome things when I went to NYC last year), but I obviously wasn’t meant to go to Lima.

Tell me: What’s the worst travel experience you’ve had?

Souvenirs

Two years ago I travelled to Anaheim with friends and ended up spending a day at Disneyland and California Adventure. On the way home I grabbed a coffee in the airport and saw Starbucks had awesome California and LA mugs.

Of course I bought them.

Once has since meet an untimely death; however, that hasn’t stopped me from purchasing Starbucks mugs everywhere I travel.

Houston, TX

Denver, CO

New York, New York

London (Okay, I didn’t go, but a friend brought them back for me)

Vancouver, BC

In the upcoming year I plan on adding the following to my collection:

• Orlando, FL
• Jacksonville, FL (if they make Jacksonville mugs!)
• St Louis, MO
• Chicago, IL
• Las Vegas, NV

Places I’ve traveled to wherein I forgot to buy mugs (or just don’t have them):

• Halifax, NS
• Toronto, ON
• Victoria, BC
• Kelowna, BC

I also don’t yet have a Calgary, Alberta OR a Banff mug, so I’ll be on the lookout for those as well.

I also have some awesome unclassified Starbucks mugs.

Christmas 2012

A fox! (because FOX!)

Anniversary 2013

I’m not sure where I’m going to store all my mugs, but I’m going to keep adding to my collection – I love the idea of being able to use something every day that can remind me of a trip.

Here’s what my collection currently looks like:

Do you collect items from your travels?

#SeaWheeze: What I learned

Are you sick of me talking about my awesome weekend?

Wait.

Don’t answer that.

Moving on.

I really felt like I learned a LOT this weekend. I wasn’t expecting to, but isn’t that how these things work?!

1. Everything works out. My original plans may have fallen through, but I really did make the best of the situation. (Okay, I totally pouted, THEN I made the best of it). I was able to meet an awesome gal who is now an awesome friend (Hi, Lexie!), go to two yoga sessions (beach! sunset! 2000 people!) and enjoy an outdoor concert.
2. I’m good with me. When my plans fell through my first (selfish) thought was But what will I dooooooo?! (yeah, I totally whined). I’m good with me. I really am. I went out to eat by myself, wandered by myself, took pictures. I’m good with me. I’m a 50/50 introvert/extrovert and this weekend really showed me the best of both.
3. I can be outgoing when I need to. I’m not normally good at striking up conversations with people I don’t know, but I was able to make friends on the airplane (both flights!) and make a friend while walking to pick up my package. Amy’s husband was in charge of the YouTube videos and she flew in with 120 other people from Austin, TX for the race. So cool! Lexie and I chilled in line for about an hour with Amy while we waited to pick up our packages. I normally worry FAR too much about striking up conversations with people I don’t know, but I did it ALL THE TIME this weekend. I survived.
4. Learn from your mistakes. I’d head a LOT of criticism about the 2012 SeaWheeze race: lack of organization, etc, but this year? I saw no issues. There were 10,000 people there and it was great. Were there lines? Yup. But there were 10,000 people there; lines are a given.
5. I’m crazy. Today restarts my marathon training. Yup. 8 weeks until my marathon. Pardon me while I freak out a bit. 8 weeks?! Yup. Crazy.
6. Mind over matter. There were times in the race where I hurt; where I wanted to walk; where I didn’t know if I could push through, but I did. Yes, I was gunning for a 1:55, but I set three goals 1) 1:55, 2) PR (which I DID!), 3) have fun (met this one too!). I was really sore after my race, so sore I thought I actually injured my hip pretty badly, but it’s feeling good today. I didn’t let it get me down. Attitude is everything, my friends.

#SeaWheeze Day 1

#SeaWheeze Day 2

#SeaWheeze: The other stuff

#SeaWheeze – The other stuff

I’ll bet you thought after the shopping and running I’d be done with posting? Nope. Not a chance 🙂 Vancouver is such an amazing city, I wanted to include a post about the other stuff I did – although there is so much more than what I did!

Sunday morning I slept in a bit, laid in bed for a bit, and then took myself on a walk for brunch at Chewies in Kitsalino. Chewies came recommended by both the Food Network and by lululemon, so I definitely wanted to give it a try! I had the crab cake eggs benedict for breakfast and it didn’t disappoint. They also have an oyster bar, but I wasn’t feeling oysters at 10:30am 🙂

While i was eating it started raining buckets. Boo. I managed to find a Car2Go car nearby and debated between heading to the hotel or to Van Dusen Gardens. Thankfully the rain started to let up as I was driving so I decided to risk it and head to the gardens. I’m super pumped I drove in Vancouver and didn’t get lost! I picked the perfect time to head to Van Dusen as the rain scared everyone away and the lighting was truly amazing.

I walked around for two hours and took over 300 pictures of the flowers in the gardens. It was such a peaceful way to spend part of my Sunday.

After Van Dusen I drove back to my hotel, dropped off my big camera and headed down Robson. I had shopped myself out on Friday, but if you’re looking to shop in Vancouver, Robson is the place to do it for sure! My trip was to pick up some oils at Saje Wellness and peanut butter at Whole Foods. Man, oh man, do I ever wish Calgary had a Whole Foods. We do have a health food market, but it is nothing like the amazingness of Whole Foods!

After walking myself out, I chilled in my hotel room for a bit before researching places for dinner. Whenever I travel I do my best to eat a local restaurnts and avoid the chains. Not that chain restaurants are bad, but I do like trying local fare whenever possible, and in Vancouver, that means seafood!

The Mill came recommended by lululemon AND it was located on the seawall. Local dinner outside? Done!

I enjoyed two beer cocktails: cucumber blonde (cucumber, gin, lemonade and blonde lager) and a golden callidac (Grand Marnier, OJ, honey lager and a salted rim) alongside my seafood pasta. (In case you’re wondering, yes, I do eat ALL THE FOOD the day after a race!).

After dinner I went to Bella Gelateria. I had seen a HUGE line up on Saturday evening, so I KNEW the gelato had to be good. It was amazing. I had a two scoop dish with lavender and an east indian flavour with rosewater, saffron and pistachio. (It was so good I went back on Monday before heading back to the airport and had lavender and earl grey!).

There is FAR more to do in Vancouver than the little I did. I’d really like to try paddleboarding or even paddleboard yoga (Kelowna has paddleboard yoga, so I might have to check that out over Labour Day) next time I’m in town.

And now? Time to head home to my bed and my kitty 🙂

#SeaWheeze Day 1: The Goods

It’s currently 3pm Vancouver time and I had originally hoped to be napping right now, but my body just isn’t cooperating. Instead of going to bed at a decent hour last night, I stayed up until nearly 1am and was up at 5:30am to catch my flight to Vancouver. Whoops. That didn’t go exactly as planned. Instead of napping, I’m waiting to digest a delicious lunch of fish tacos before I head up for a quick run to warm up my legs for the race tomorrow. Ack! Tomorrow!!

I’m also chilling in VanCity by myself for the next few days. Originally I was supposed to have some company on this trip, but life happens (actually, work happens) and it didn’t work out, so I’m making the best of it 🙂

After landing I made friends (who are also running and are also staying at my hotel) and we took transit into downtown (and later learned it would have been cheaper for the 4 of us to split a cab, but only a few dollars per person, but still……) and we were all able to check into our rooms before 10am. Hooray!

I immediately headed to the Convention Centre as I heard rumours of super long lines. On the way I made another friend, and we chatted the whole walk there and also hung out in line together. For an hour. Seriously. Thankfully my dear friend Lexie was able to get there a bit earlier and we skipped a portion of wait. Thanks Lexie!

I heard grumblings about it being disorganized, but aside from having to usher 10,014 people through package pick up, I didn’t notice any disorganization at all. After picking up our race packages, which include an awesome wristband instead of a bib (yay!) we hoped in the line for the store. (Let’s face it, that’s what we care about, right?!)

The store all set up Thursday night in preparation for today. So pretty!

All-in-all it took about 2 hours to go from arriving at the Convention Centre to walking out of the store with our goods, so I’d say that wasn’t terribly bad at all.

I did hear stories about the store selling out early last year and noticed a few items in the more popular sizes were already quite low by noon on Saturday, but there was a 15 item limit and, aside from a few, it looked like people were honouring those limits.

Leading up to SeaWheeze not a whole lot of people were loving the sneak peeks of the colourways and items, but I have to say, I’m absolutely thrilled with my haul!

The whole shebang! 🙂

I know, I know. I’m 30 and I’m wearing a striped hoodie that a 6-year old could wear. I’m cool with it. In fact, I’m wearing it right now 🙂

Yes, that’s a yoga mat that says SeaWheeze in the right corner – i need something for yoga on the beach tonight and yoga in the park tomorrow!

 

I am so in love with navy right now, you have NO idea. I’m even semi considering breaking the cardinal running rule and wearing something new on race day. Yikes!

No, I’m not as angry as I look in this picture, but I am as tired as I look!

 

On the schedule for the rest of today is a quick run, a stop at Whole Foods for a light dinner (hooray for Whole Foods!), yoga on the beach and then SLEEP!

I don’t expect to have much in the way of pictures of the race tomorrow as I plan on running, but I have fun things planned for Saturday after the race and on Sunday.

Man, I just love Vancouver.