Happy Easter!

Hubby and I ran our 5k yesterday. We did this race together. On the way home he shared some running goals he has. We will need to learn to communicate better to schedule training around family activities. It's all good and I'm glad he wants to start running again.

2006



 

 

2007

 

2008

 

 

 

2009





 

 

2010

 

 

2011

 

 

 

2012  

 

 

 2013

 

 

 

Happy Easter!

 

5k in the AM

Or hubby quickly found impromptu  childcare for tomorrow morning... so we are doing a 5k race.

He says I'm going to run fast..... I'm wondering.... fast compared to?????

Anyway, I'm game... anytime the DAD arranges childcare.... I say it's worth going with the flow.

Bald Eagle

Last summer we drove across the country to Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.

I think it must be one of the most beautiful places on earth.

We took a guided raft float trip down the Snake River. Our guide was very excited each time we saw a Bald Eagle. Rightfully so. They used to be endangered. My kids understand about endangered animals. But I kept thinking about how we can go right down the road to the James River (versus across the country) to see Bald Eagles. Not that we've ever seen one along the James. Only the baby chick nest on the web cam on the Internet last spring. 

Not our actual guide.

 

 

Also not our guide.

 

 

On Monday I realized we had a very large $$ amount Living Social deal for a restaurant along the James River which was going to expire on Tuesday. So in spite of the fact that I never intended to take the kids to that "sort of pricey" restaurant, we headed there anyway.

 

We dined by the river, 2 stories in the air.

We watched a Bald Eagle glide by and circle around.

Very cool.

I told the kids about how when I was their age they were on the endangered list and I didn't think my children would ever see one. They think I'm really old.   

 



Grand Teton Bald Eagle.

New Goals...

My first real thought of ever completing a marathon was last year on mile 4 of a twelve mile training run for my first half marathon. I had just reached mile 4, it was starting to rain, and it was my birthday. Birthday's seem like a more appropriate time to set goals then New Years to me. I decided on my 43rd birthday that I'd like to do a marathon before my 44th birthday.

 

Yesterday I turned 44. Yes, that is either gray or sliver icing on that cake. Apparently it was the only one with "butter cream" icing the store had. Of course it's not really butter, it's Crisco. Heaven forbid that we don't get enough Crisco with our cake at this house! 

 



 

I'm not 431 years old. I'm 43 + 1 = 44. We didn't already have two #4 candles... we will spend the money for the # candles for the kids... but apparently not the grown ups. I'm OK with that. The appearance of the cake was surprise enough.

 

  

I didn't ask or wish for it, but I got snow for my birthday.

 

 

Anyway, my birthday goals......

 

Yup. That is me. Mile 19 of the marathon. Eating a banana and talking with my mouth full. (I was in a hurry!)

 

 

A week before the marathon my daughter starting asking me what I was going to do with the blog after the marathon. She suggested that I train for longer races and continue raising funds for lupus.

 

No. To the longer races part at least.

 

My niece asked if I would run another marathon. Not now. My body needs to rest. My family needs me. (But maybe someday.)

 

I'll be cheering for my husband and my friend at the Monument Ave 10k in April. I'm scheduled to do a Color Me Rad race on a team in April.  Hubby suggested a 5k next weekend, but we haven't signed up for it and yea, it just snowed... I would love to do another Half sooner than later.

 

I have another idea for the blog though. Because you know... my marathon is over. But my niece still has Lupus. So does my co-worker/friend, my friend's sister in-law, my other friend's college roommate, the guy on facebook who graduated from high school a year before me.... (see Alys, you are not alone!) Because there is currently no cure for Lupus.... but there is the hope and goal for being in remission!

 

 

It's time to address the obvious. The weight.

 

So my next goal to to take off some of the weight. I'm going to start with 26.2 pounds in 26.2 weeks.

 

Totally doable.

Easily doable, right?

Yes, except I haven't done it. 

 

 So for extra motivation I will blog about this process. Then if I loose 26.2 pounds in 26.2 weeks we will donate $10 for each pound to the Lupus Foundation. Yup, we will send off $262 to the Lupus Foundation if I'm successful.

 

Butter cream birthday cake be damned!

 

 

Also, unrelated, for the grandparents....

last Friday was the Pinewood Derby....

 

He designed the car himself. Yes, it's cheese and a mouse. He won for "Most unusual." 

 

Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who supported me, traveled with me, ran with me, prayed for me, cheered for me, gave me gifts and cards, and donated to the Lupus Foundation.

 

Thank you!

 

 

I needed to see my parents, nieces, sister, brother in-law, husband, kids, Rosemargaret, Angelia, and Jill (& kids) on the course. All of you.

Kimberly, Debby, and Susan I felt your prayers that morning.

Thank you Amy for waiting in the cold to see me finish.

 

We raised

$2,503.60

for the Lupus Foundation.

 

That is more than I dreamed of.

Thank you.  

 



More Runners

I wasn't the only one among my friends and family who ran last weekend.

My brother in-law ran the 8k and crushed it! He hoped to come in under 45 minutes and his time was 42 minutes, 3 seconds. Way to go, Kevin!

 

 

My kids did get their 25.2 miles completed before race day. They ran the final mile of their marathon on Saturday. Their 26.2 miles ended at the marathon finish line on the boardwalk!

 

 

My boy and his friend have their game faces on. Yes, they ran dressed like this. Shades, hats and green mustaches! Nothing about them that isn't cool.

 



Happy everyone made it to the starting line. My daughter, niece and two friends who are rocking the Lupus shirts!

 

  

My girl at the finish with her finisher's medal! She said this is the best race she's ever done. See what training for a marathon will do for you!

 

 

Niece, Abby, is all smiles with her medal.

 

 

 

 My friend ran her second marathon with her hubby who finished his first. They made it into the party tent afterwards. Looking good!

 

 

The guy who got us all running. He finished his.... I have no idea how many he's done. Many many marathons and a few ultras!

 

 

Finally, bib #100. I don't know him, but this was his 100th marathon. And he's rocking pink facial hair and a kilt! ShamRock on, dude! (I think a purple Lupus shirt would have made the outfit!)

 



Wordless Wednesday

 

 

 

 

(You can beat a leprechaun.)