10 + 0r - a mile
I am so relaxed and thrilled that my 10 mile run went so well this morning. I am so blessed to have a husband that will sacrifice the first early morning hours for me. I love running, and my half-marathon is in 2 weeks, out at the loop. Ten miles was the longest run I would finish before my race. I am so excited, and although it is hardly possible, I am even more excited about the holiday season. I can't wait to put up the tree and hang the lights, but I will hold out until after Thanksgiving. Life is just a big bundle of fun and excitement right now.
We had a ladies night out the other day, and it really was a good time. In the morning, I spent some time in the Spa with two good friends, and the temperature was hot, so there was steam hovering above the water in the cool, moisture rich air. When we got too hot we went for a dip in the pool. Although the cold, drizzly rain that fell on our heads kept us cool for the most part, as we sat relaxing, enjoying each others conversation and company. It was so relaxing, and what a lovely memory. I felt like I was in a European spa. It really was quite an experience!
Love is not a loss of freedom, it gives it meaning.
Love is not a loss of freedom, it gives it meaning.
I have been waiting for days to blog, and just haven't gotten around to it. Maybe I too just needed to gather my thoughts. I keep hearing that, while reading other thoughts online. I don't know really. Originally this blog was untitled. I just want to write to solidify thoughts. I read quite a bit of Jessica, Robert's, girlfriend's blog, which I accessed through Roberts, through Tera's. Anyways, I use to be a rink rat at the Santa Fe, and I'm not saying she was one, but I knew her from there, but never really new her. I always wondered what ethnicity she was, she really is a beautiful girl. Anyways, I think I learned that she is German, her grandmother is in Germany, as well as some of her other family. I learned some things I might not have learned about her just talking to her, but I am inspired to talk to her all that much more. However, at the same time I feel like I just read, well I did basically read her diary. Although, she did put it out there to be read. Otherwise she would have written in a paper journal that she kept between her mattress and box spring. I thought their writing (Robert and Jessica's) was beautiful, and they seem to really be in love. Heck, they've made it past the year mark and are still together after the doubting season that I know Adam and I had to travel through before we were comfortable and ready to commit to each other for a lifetime. I just thought what I spent pretty much all afternoon reading was so beautiful. It reminded me of the letters between John and Elizabeth Adams, that I enjoyed from an American Literature class. I wanted a romance like that, someone to hold as my equal, that I could bounce ideas off of, and share parts of myself that I wouldn't share with others. I since have found that in Adam and it is so much more than what I even imagined.
Running has been extraordinary. I actually sort of took a rest day of sorts today. I walked 3 miles at a good pace, instead of running it. This should have been a scheduled day off, but I took one earlier in the week and felt like running today. I know rest is good, because it gives my muscles time to rebuild. I have mentioned this before, but I dread building muscle, because I know it will eventually turn to fat when I stop running. I am leaning toward walking after I complete my marathon, whenever that will be. I can still walk half-marathons, maybe even whole marathons. I swear that I read that you can walk the rock n' run in San Diego. Who knows? No, seriously if you know the answer to that question, please answer it for me in the comment section.
This is my final paragraph, we have gotten to know some acquaintances, that I am thrilled to be calling friends, and I thank God for them. You know God always seems to amaze me with His impecable (however you spell it) timing. O.K. as with many of my paragraphs the contents are not true to the theme of my paragraph. I am rambling and how do you ramble in proper paragraph form four to eight sentences to a paragraph, minus run-on sentences that I seem to be so fond of? Anyways, Victoria has a cold and she keeps telling me her nose is stuck. She introduced herself to a little boy at the park the other day and she said, "My name is VICtoria, but you can call me Tori, if you want." Sebastian doesn't want a haircut. I can't blame him he is so darn cute. I feel bad when people think we have two girls. In case you didn't know we have a girl and a BOY! Did you ever have one of those uncles that weren't really your uncle, but you still called them that, well my "Uncle Jim" who did actually use to be my uncle and I still think of him as one as well. He said, "Two girls," when I stopped to see him the other day while clocking mileage, when he was out in the yard unloading feed. Now that is someone I grew up with mind you that I don't see a lot, but I was a nanny for his daughter, my cousin's are his children, and I always send a Christmas card, and often a jar of my jelly or some other holiday concoction. Well, O.K. I didn't do anything last year, all of my addresses and everything else Adam I are entrusted with on this earth, was locked up in storage at Oceanview Storage in Harbor-Brookings, Oregon. I really miss that place sometimes. I mostly miss the people, but the scenery wasn't half bad either. Well, Sebastian just handed me a stuffed baseball and asked me to play hitball with him. He has a little velcro glove that rocks. I know he isn't really catching the ball, but it gives him the confidence he needs as a little tike, and it makes playing catch with him, probably a lot more fun. Oh, any game with a ball is hitball. I guess though it's always about HITTING a ball right, whether with a foot, hand, racket, or bat. I can't wait to see him skate, maybe he'll enjoy it and want to try hockey? I do love hockey. Well, for now I am off to play hitball with my son.
Better Late Than Never
I ran sprint intervals last night. So, prayer was not out of the question, but I saved it for an extra cool down lap through the neighborhood, and as I approached our home I spotted an ambulance. One of my neighbors that I only know by one of the occupants faces, was whisked away in the ambulance. I prayed for their quick return and healing. I should know my neighbors better!
I reallized when I got passed the crisis situation that while thanking God for some pretty amazing things, that I forgot to thank Him for my food at dinner time. I reallized that God just wants us to be thankful. I don't think He cares so much about my ritual of saying it before I eat. I just know that sometimes I probably would get so carried away with my day that I would forget to be thankful if I wasn't when my food was starring me in the face. I thanked God for my food during my cool down as well as many other things last night. I know I am so blessed. I know I need to share with everyone all the wonderful blessings in my life, (when it's the right time of coarse.) If she would understand me, I would thank Ella for the blessing she is in my life. Sometimes I think it's hard to think that other children besides my own can be such a blessing. I think it's pride, and I need to get over it. God has given me two beautiful children in every which way, and I am so thankful. God has also blessed me with so many wonderful friends with extraordinary children. Last night while sitting with Ella, during her dinner I said that looks so yummy. She offered me a piece of her chicken and pasta. Throughout the night she continued to share with me, her joy! She giggled with me and smiled. She leaned over in her chair as far as she could to see Gene coming through the door. I found a piece of her shared pasta in the dogs fur near her face, so I am sure that Ella was probably trying to share the wealth, and just was a little off target. All in all it was a night of Ella's joy, at least for me. Oh, and a close second was the blessing of Lisa's awesome chocolate pudding!!!
Zion
My family had an awesome weekend, that we were able to share with friends, thanks to one lovely individual. We drove for approximately three hours to a deer enchanted place near Zion. I am from Wisconsin and have never seen that many deer in one place. My children were giddy. We stayed a nice resort, with a 9 hole golf coarse right on the grounds. They didn't wait up for us, but they left our key out for us taped to the office door. We were glad to see two familiar faces as we pulled into the parking lot. We all had patios, which we congregated on as long as it wasn't too cold. I had some awesome runs amongst the high peaking, beautiful red rocks, which reminded me of one of my favorite places in Vegas, where I will be running my next race. We slept well in our comfortable bouncy beds. I had fun just talking with Cheryl and Meghann the first night, and the next day was filled with activities. We visited a movie set place, which the kids really enjoyed, especially pretending to hang at the gallows, and getting locked up in jail. What's the matter with kids today. Our next stop was the sand dunes. It was my first trip to sand dunes, and what an experience. It was really windy so we had sand everywhere. I think I am still picking sand out of my eyes and ears, but it was awesome! The kids could climb and roll down the dunes without getting hurt. It really was quite beautiful as well. The fine sand and giant rolling hills, carved out by wind and other weather. The best part was that we were barefoot! It was a little cool, but so comfortable. Then we left the dunes, where my daughter tried to take sand, which is against the rules at a national park, however if I would have been smart I would have found a way to extract it from our bodies and have saved it for her. After lunch, we headed into Zion to hike with the kids and I learned always to stop at the fork in the trail to wait for the rest of your party to catch up, before you continue on. We raced down the trail to our cars to get to the hotel where I finially saw everyone who made the trip. Then we all went to dinner together. Jeremy and Lori even made it that night, after getting lost the night before, but I'm sure they had a nice time as a family during the day. After yummy Mexican food, in our own section of the restaurant, with awesome server's who actually played ring-around-the-rosies with our kids we headed back to the hotel. WE HAVE THE BEST KIDS AT APEX! Caitlynn and Jessie, (sorry if I spelled those wrong) are the cream of the crop, watching the kids so the adults could have time together. We all hung out and talked, laughed, and learned more about each other. I really enjoyed the time we had together. Sunday morning I woke up at 7 Utah time instead of Vegas time, so I was a little tired, but I had a great run that morning. The cows and I had some good moosation and prayer time rocked in a new light enviroment where I was praying for more than safety, from the night. I am transtioning to a.m. running, which I hate that it has to involve more fumes and exhaust. Oh well! We had a breakfast gathering, and I learned more about myself and some others as well. On the way home we were going to try and hike with the Ohls that we missed haning out with the day before, but it was raining and I thought chillier. So, instead we headed back, looked for the Ohl's car, with the Carder crew and the Ma... O.K. I won't even attempt to spell John and Sara's last name. We unfortuneately must have missed them! We used the walkie talkies all day again, but instead of having conversations with only the Carder van we also got to converse with John and Sara. Next time we need to find our other two talkies and have anyone who has some bring them. They were a lot of fun. We were going to stop for pie, but the restaurant sold out and no longer exhisted so we had A&W instead. I guess rootbeer tastes like Icelandic toothepaste. I need to start shipping in my toothpaste. The weather was a little tricky on the way home, and I was a little, O.K. a lot crabby for a while there. I apologize to my husband and anyone else who felt my wrath. Anyways, the weekend rocked and we came home and hung out together as a family, O.K. we didn't hang out but we relaxed and caught a flick. Ah life, 'tis so sweet!
Training
Training for my race makes me reallize, you cannot train for a race without working hard. Well, you can't take it easy and expect to finish well. You could still run the race, but would you feel good about it after your finish?
I have taken this into account when I think about THE ULTIMATE RACE that I am running. If I don't turn to my coach, I get hurt. I have to study the "how to" guide, and enjoy talking to others on the same route, learning about pitfalls to avoid or pleasantries along the way. Stretching myself beyond my comfort zone helps to keep me limber and not stiff. It's always good to learn new things that can help along the way, and even the most experienced of us can always learn something new, usually from someone more experienced and sometimes from someone less experienced. I love running, but it is definately more work than being a spectator. However, I am a stronger person because of running, I'm healthier, and happier as well.
