Saturday, November 29, 2008

The Best Laid Plans

On a weekend when the surf is up, it's a given that my husband is gonna want to go take advantage of the waves.

But because its the weekend, its a given that I'm gonna want to go ride my bike.*

This poses a little issue when there's a newborn that needs a parent to take care of her. Since I did 100% of the 'taking care of' while she was growing in my uterus, my awesome husband has agreed to give me the priority on the weekend fun stuff, at least for a while. I expect this is his way of providing some sort of repayment for my baby growing services.

I always think that its good to keep both parents happy... my firm belief is that having the opportunity to do the things that make you whole as a person allow you to be a better parent. So I wouldn't want Scott to not be able to surf on a weekend when its big. But I'm not going to give up my ride either. So we came up with a plan.

Since the beach that he likes to surf at is about 35 miles from our house, the plan was for me to ride there while he drives up with the baby. Pack the jogger in the back of the X-Terra along with my running stuff, throw the surfboard on the roof rack, and everybody wins! I get to ride 35 miles, then run a few while my husband gets to surf... Moana is taken care of all day and gets to hang at the beach... we'll have lunch together as a family on the north shore before driving home... a perfect plan for a Saturday.

Except that we live in Hawaii and its winter, which means that at any given moment it can start raining. A lot. Very wet. And cold. And windy. Really windy. I toughed it out and rode my 35 miles, even while leaves were blowing across the road and getting stuck in my spokes. I stopped twice to remove said leaves.

Scott toughed it out and packed up all the gear in/on the X-Terra (sweet- now he knows how much work it is to get the baby out of the house!) and drove up to Haleiwa. It was raining as we each arrived, but we figured the front might pass as quickly as it arrived, so we met at Starbucks to wait it out. I figured that after those wet windy miles I deserved my once yearly $5 and 500 calorie peppermint mocha soy latte. Call it a Holiday Treat.

Too bad the storm was of the 'all day variety'. All that wind made the waves quite unappealing to Scott. They tried to hold the Roxy Pro surf competition at Sunset Beach today, and while the place was packed with folks trying to watch the pro women rip it up, not much surfing was going on since the waves were so blown out. Bummer.

So Scott drove all the way up there with all of that gear and didn't even get to surf. He was a good sport about it though. I was appreciative that he was there with the car to drive me home because riding back today would have been a nightmare.

In return for his sherpa services today, he'll go by himself tomorrow in the early morning since the winds are supposed to calm down and switch direction, which will likely mean perfect waves.

I'll spend tomorrow cleaning my bike.

*Photo credit goes to my friend Kristen who is so good on her bike that she can take a picture over her shoulder while cruising along at 20 mph!

10 comments:

Angela and David said...

Looks like you guys have a good routine. Only in Hawaii could a winter routine involve biking and surfing. Our winter routine involves waiting until the roads are plowed.

Frayed Laces said...

Ugh I was on the windward side today and it was downright dreary--I can't believe you biked in that! It rained all day townside. Glad I'm tapering!

Allison Chapple said...

Jason and I have a similar tag-team going on. Isn't it awesome to have a spouse who "gets it?"

Glad you're getting back out there on the bike. I bet you guys have some awesome riding there.

Clare said...

that's so cool! i'm still enthralled with the whole idea of living in hawaii...it's snowing here in CT today! but your plan sounds like the perfect compromise, i hope my husband and i are as good about it!

N.D. said...

I love your pics! And the compromising that is going on - this is great!! great plan there, sorry it had to rain, but nice that you got your bike in and holiday treat!!! : ) You guys are doing great with the parenting thing! And you are not being slowed down at all by it! It is inspiring!

cat. said...

i love hearing about how y'all are putting it all together. : ))

btw, what saddle do you have on your soloist? i ride the same bike, but have had trouble finding a saddle that works.

thanks!
cat.

Rebecca DeWire said...

Hi there,
I found your blog through Angela's. Your routine sounds like what my husband and I did when we were really training earlier in the year. And I totally agree with your statement that it is best to keep both parents happy.
Rebecca

Mnowac said...

That's great! You have a perfect routine set up. I am envious, living here in OH, who knows what we'll work out! But i love the idea of having the hubby drive somewhere while I bike to meet them!

X-Country2 said...

What a great system you two have worked out. Hopefully the weather brightens up.

Ordinarylife said...

Photo's at 20mph - I'd love to just go that speed never mind be able to take photos!

Great routine.

We are supposed to be having summer here now, but your bike ride sounds like my last one. Wet and windy - not nice!