Eddie and Melissa's Half Marathon Blog: Success in Solvang

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Success in Solvang

Our second half marathon is complete! We both managed to set personal records despite a more difficult course. Eddie's time in Vegas was 2:27 and mine was 2:45. Eddie worked hard and his preparation paid off. By a sheer miracle, I ran faster than my previous time. I ran up until the 11th mile and walked/ran. Eddie and I both agreed the last two miles were the toughest. The course was mostly flat with some hills to make it interesting. Highlights of the race, well organized, beautiful vineyards, cows up close and personal, an elderly couple - husband on his tractor and wife by his side cheering us on, a darling town with cottages in Los Olivos, horses running along side us as we climbed up our first hill, a young man with a guitar singing his heart out, and the volunteers who encouraged us at every mile mark which was marked very clearly.

We even recovered quicker this time. After the Wine and Music Festival, where Eddie sampled some beer, we went back to the hotel to clean up and eat (chicken drumsticks, chicken flatbread, pasta, and quesadillas, yum!) and headed to Michael Jackson's previously Neverland Ranch located in an almost eerily remote area. Fortunately, our trusty TomTom confirmed we were in the right place. We turned off our car, walked up to the gates, and we heard nothing but the sounds of birds and insects. Tranquil and peaceful, we headed out for a sushi dinner.

On a side note, we saw yet another housewife on our trip, Vickie from Orange County and her husband Don. Briana, her daughter, married Ryan who walked right past us at our hotel, and they had their ceremony the same day we were there. We can't seem to take a trip without spotting someone on TV!