Jingle All the Way

So I ran the Jingle Bell Run again this year. It's always cold and always fun. SI said he would run again with me. I warned him I was going to keep and 8 - 8:30 pace. He was fine with that. I wasn't, well for him, I know he can run much faster. Even with his break from training.

We warmed up, it was good. The sun was out. The sky was clear. There was wind but the buildings were blocking it. Ok, I was ready.

Off we went. It looked like just about everyone was dressed up in some type of holiday attire. SI had Santa shorts with hohoho on the back and a cap. I had on a red and green t-shirt with moose antlers. I must confess I wore the get up for the sole purpose of getting in Chicago Athlete magazine. Yes, I know, shameless.

About a half mile into the run I started asking myself when an 8 minute mile pace got so difficult. We passed the 1st mile marker. Try to keep it up I kept telling myself.

Then, SI starts talking, this was a leisurely pace for him. The conversation was light, nothing deep but what he was saying hit me. I could relate to what he was saying and for some strange reason I choked up. My eyes actually got tears in them, well maybe that was from the cold. Good thing I was out of breath while running the now 8:30 pace cause I almost started to cry. My one word, one breath answers hid my emotions well.

At the 2 mile mark I was able to swallow the lump in my throat and just be completely annoyed that I still had 1.1 miles left. It was just shortly after that that SI asked if we had passed any mile markers yet. Now I'm laughing and tell him yes, we passed 2. "Oh, I was to busy talking to notice" he says. And I thanked him for the distracting conversation.

We can see the finish now and I don't have it in me to remind him they moved the finish, we have a little farther to go than it looks. Then our photo op arrives. We get ready and just as the photog is going to take the picture, a woman in a sequenced Santa hat runs right in front of us, she's laughing and smiling. UGH - I wore this get up for nothing. OK, next year for sure.

A picture was snapped at the finish line and that was when I realized the smile on my face was frozen, for real. In the past I have written that it felt like it was frozen but Sunday morning it really was. I couldn't move my face. DOUBLE UGH! I'm afraid to see what the pic is gonna look like. Maybe it's a good thing sequent Santa ran in front of us a 1/4 mile earlier.

I finished the run with an 8:26 pace. (Now you don't have to stalk the time Dennis :) )

So we walk in the Mart and get our gear bags and find a seat. I love this race for the fact that after the run you can sit in the lobby of the Merchandise Mart and just relax. SI starts to change his shirt and "modestly" tells me not to look, so of course I turn, but not just my head I move my whole body and end up knocking over a lamp. So I didn't see him but the entire south section of the Mart got a good look at him. SORRY! Luckily the lamp wasn't broken. The girl stretching at the table next to us got a good laugh.

In the end we all enjoyed some hot chocolate that Rich's wife brought, none of us won a raffle prize - although I don't know how that happened since they kept calling number after number - oh well, next year for that too. Tom took 1st in his age group and so did Laura, oh yeah!!! Scott would have placed if he didn't run with me. Rich took 6th and believe it or not, I podiumed for the first time this year - I came in 3rd in my a/g.

Breakfast was good. And I was ready for a nap during the drive home.

I'm already strategizing for next year. The plan is to get in that goofy magazine and to keep up with SI so he can get his medal. :):)

Life is good.

Gracie

Dear Friends and Family -

Thank you for all your prayers, phone calls, emails and text messages. Gracie surgery took 30 minutes tops and she's home and doing well. We are truly blessed to have you for our friends.

Love, Pam

The Queen of Worry

If worrying were an Olympic event I would win the gold. I would win the gold every 4 years probably until I died and then there would be a statue made in my likeness because I am so good at worrying. I would write books on how to worry and how to improve your worrying skills. Yes, I would be rich and famous all for how well I worry.

At first I thought I was good at hiding it until I started hearing Laura comment on me worrying. Why bother hiding it. I should wear it proudly. YES world I am a worrier.

According to Webster's dictionary the definition for worrying is ....
to feel or experience concern or anxiety : fret

Yup, that's what I do alright and all right.

Gracie is getting her tonsils out along with her adenoids and having tubes put in her ears. So of course I am worrying.

When she was 15 months old she had trouble breathing. We spent the night in the ER and she was admitted to the hospital by 6 a.m. the following morning. The doc came in and told me if she continued to struggle the way she was she would be transferred to the teaching hospital he was affiliated with. She seemed to be getting a little better. Scott came by and told me to go home and shower. I felt funny leaving but I did. While I was gone Gracie felt so relaxed laying in her daddy's arms that she took a deep breath in and let it all out and then forget to breath in again. All Scott remembers is alarms going off and the the doc and nurses rushing in. All I remember is the sound of the helicopter taking her away. Following that helicopter was the longest half hour drive I've ever driven.

Obviously Grace is fine now. And I know in my heart she will be fine Wednesday evening when the surgery is over. Until then I will sharpen my worry skills and say extra prayers.

Happy Thanksgiving 2008

I'm an hour and 54 minutes into the House marathon. I thought I would take a break and write a couple of things. Oh, and I am feeling a little disappointed/cheated. I just learned that the marathon is only 23 hours not 24 like I thought. Oh, well.

What am I thankful for ....


Good health.

My husband and children - my whole family.

The belly ache laugh Laura and I had on our way home Tuesday.

The conversation Caroline and I had Wednesday morning.

Running with Barbara and Jane.

My big legs that help me run and bike.

Water. Food. Cold Coca Cola - hot cinnimon tea.

This is going to sound strange, even selfish but I'm thankful that my trimates, the moo crew experienced burnout. This was a tough year for me. Oddly, having Tom, SI and even Dennis (to a certain extent) go thru went I was going thru made it a little more bareable. Actually it sucked and it's nice to see all of slowly coming out of it.

I'm thankful for Rockman. It taught me I really can finish what ever I put my mind to. I'm not a quiter. It also taught me I'm an idiot for going and doing a 1/2 Ironman with no training. That only prolonged the burnout I was feeling. I learned a lot this year.

What is Gracie thankful for? ....

The world.

For her mom. :)

My brother.

My teddy bear.

My family.

Thanksgiving.

and most of all I am thankful for my world.

What is Zak thankful for? ....

My mom. :) :)

My house.

My car.

My heart.

My vacation to Disney World.

My family.

And I'm thankful for God.

Happy Thanksgiving. :)

O M G! We Won't Be at Dinner

Dear Patty -

I am sorry but Scott and I won't be at Thanksgiving dinner this year. Mom is coming by to pick up the kids. Please make sure they put their napkin on their lap and don't give them anything unless they say please and finish with thank you.

Scott and I will be spending all day and all night in front of the TV. I just learned there is a House marathon on USA network. If you could send some dinner over, oh lets say around 2 that would be great. You know what I like, Scott likes dark meat, potatoes, green beans and stuffing.

Just send dessert with the kids when mom brings them home.

I know you'll understand us not being there and all. This is a once in a life time 24 hours we just can't miss.

Love,

me

Just Because You Can - Does That Mean You Should?

I found myself asking that question on Sunday.

Ugh, as usual I've been fighting a cold but I decided to meet the gang Sunday morning. We have had a great turnout lately. I've gone the last 2 weeks with the intention of running just a few miles and ended up doing almost 6 each time, so this week I vowed to only run 2, a mile out and a mile back and then walk the steps until my friends returned.

Well, we got started and I was checking the Garmin about every other minute. I reached my mile mark just about mid way up the first twisting climbing miserable hill. SO, did I stop? Nope. I can't stop on a hill. I kept going. I thought, well, Barbara said she wanted to run 3 miles. I would run another 1/2 mile and turn around with her.

I'm still checking my Garmin. But now I'm talking to Ken. We have a nice conversation. I stop checking the Garmin. Before I know it we're at 104th avenue. Pat is cracking me up and I realize I have gone well over what I said I was going to do. I'm thinking that's ok, I'm keeping pace with these guys there's no reason I can't do 5.75 this morning and then my voice of reason starts screaming at me -

"HEY, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING? YOU HAVEN'T EAT'N BREAKFAST, YOU HAVE NO WATER WITH YOU AND YOU'RE GETTING OVER YET ANOTHER COLD!!! GET OFF THIS TRAIL AND STICK TO YOUR PLAN!!! NOW!!!"

So, I decided to listen. I took a huge short cut and went just about 4 miles. I walked the last 1/2 mile and then did 3 turns on the steps. And I felt great afterwards. Last night I wasn't stiff at all and this morning same thing. No stiffness, no stuffy head just a little cough.

I wanted to beat myself up when I broke away from the group and shortened my route. I felt like an idiot walking up those steps but I kept telling myself this is what I need to do. And this morning I'm really glad I did. :)

Friends / Enemies

My Friends ....

My family. I'm not one of those mom's that wants to be friends with my kids but I don't want to be a tyrant either. Of course the hubby is my best friend.

Here's my brother, me and my sister. Patty is my best friend. I think twins just kind of automatically become best friends when they are born. And now that my brother and I are older I feel like our friendship has grown. At 13 I would have never said that :)

Good Old Debs. I call her my best friend. Wait didn't I just call my hubby and sister my BFF?

Yes, I'm 44 and I still use that expression. I'm a creature of habit. Look, I'm dripping water on her and she still smiling for my picture.

Caroline and Dennis. My trail BFF's. I'm starting to notice I throw Best Friend around a lot.

My bed. Well, that's not my bed. My bed's not made right now so you have settle for looking at this one.

Ah, cinnamon tea, there's no better morning best friend.

I am a time obsessed person. I could never live without this watch. The indaglo helps me check the time at night cause I can't see the alarm clock. So, it stands to reason, there is no better night time best friend! Well, for telling time.

My Enemies .....

Let's be honest. Is there anyone out there that thinks this is there friend?

Actually, this is only my enemy on a bad day running, swimming, cycling, during a sleepless night, or if I'm running late for something, which is usually everyday.

Yes, when I'm swimming in Lake Michigan, sometimes the waves do feel this big. This picture makes me want to learn how to surf. :)

In case you were wondering, that's a picture of wind. Well, wheat blowing in the wind. This is probably one of my worst enemies. It keeps me up at night, cause it scares the kids and it has made for some very difficult rides.


It's sad to say but this is one of my biggest enemies. I think this is why I hate my first enemy so much. But you know that line from the Godfather.... "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer". Well, that's what I'm doing with this enemy. :)

So what's the point of all this?

Well, I'm not sure. I couldn't sleep the other night. And I started thinking .... you know what never mind what I was thinking. Life is good.