New Jersey Fall Trip - Part 1

I try to visit Tom, Stacie and the kids at least twice a year usually in the Spring and Fall and that is how it worked out again this year. Last year when I went to New Jersey, it was almost the same date and a good bit of the Fall changes had come and gone. This year when I arrived they were just starting so I got to see the changes daily on my runs. It was beautiful again this year.

Typical Fall Runs in New Jersey 2014

Jersey Racing

Like the majority of my trips to see the kids, this one involved racing for Stacie, Tom and I. The first weekend there Stacie and I ran the Steeplechase Distance Race 5K and the second weekend Tom and I went to Sandy Hook and raced the Jersey Shore Half Marathon. Both races turned out surprisingly well because both Tom and Stacie had been sick before I arrived and were still sick to varying degrees when they ran. In spite of their illness they both ran well. For the first time, Stacie beat me in a race and I couldn't have been prouder if I had won the whole race myself. At about 2 1/2 miles there was only one runner between her and I and the last mile was mostly uphill. On the hill she passed about 15 additional runners, it was fun to watch. I was really proud of her. 

In the half Tom ran his personal best for the distance and I surprised myself by running my fastest half marathon since April 2012. It was a beautiful course and I think that motivated both of us. 

The best part of my trip was spending time with Haley and Chase. I got the opportunity to watch both of their soccer practices, Chase's soccer game and Chase's hockey practice. Every time I see them they seem to have grown so fast. 

Between school and activities the kids keep everyone busy. I'll share more about that in another post about this trip.