Sunday, June 21, 2009

WHO'S YER DADDY...and other thoughts!

Today is Father's Day. If you are a good father, or if you have a good father, or if you're married to a man who is a good father: these are some of the best things! Happy Father's Day to those who do it right, and to those who will one day.

We didn't take pictures today...it was enough to be together, though the two 20 y/o boys were not with us. We did have the most delicious brunch, and a very peaceful visit. My daddy wasn't quite right, which worries me. Most of you know he did the pneumonia/hospital thing not that long ago, and that this cold/flu thing has been with him for the past 3 weeks. My mommy was distressed, which distresses me...but I have big shoulders! My butthead sis went home with back issues. It was quiet, and nice.

I am starting to stress Seattle, and I'm so excited I'm counting the days! I will have my darling friends there, but they are doing the half and I'm gonna have to hustle my ass to beat my SD time. As I sit here typing, I'm loading music on the ipod I bought ages ago to connect with that fancy nike+ sensor. My brain is in pack mode and my head is pounding. IF you're wondering about my Seattle plans, I'm there for NO TIME AT ALL! Arrive Friday morning and head to the Expo to p/u race packet...wander through Pike Place on the way back to the hotel, then to the pasta party and back to the room to lay out clothes for the race. Saturday morning: 4am shuttles to buses to Tukwila for start line...marathon starts at 7am. Finish race, suck down water/bananas/BEER/everything in site...back to hotel for a cold shower, soma and a nap. Saturday evening: Tini Bigs for a bloody mary martini (Lisa, you would LOVE this place), Belltown pizza for a house pie with my friend Laura, and asleep by WHENEVER! Sunday: wander downtown, and leave way too early...my heart will break. Better 2 days than none at all!

xo

Thursday, June 4, 2009

MARATHONS ARE FOR CRAZY PEOPLE...

San Diego R&R marathon recap: Long before I actually finish a marathon, my body is complaining. My hips hurt, my feet hurt, I can't get out of my own head, Becka's knee is swollen to an unnatural size...and yet we continue. Because I can't believe how blessed I am to be able to do this. Because I have great friends to do this with. Because this little 22,000 person race raised over $8 million for LLS research and patient services. Because until there is NO CANCER of any kind on this earth, I must support. Because it helps to make my ass smaller.

Becka and I finished our race in 6:30:10, which was just about our goal. It was her first full, and my second. And we finished just before our dear friend and awesome walking coach Jeri. I meet the coolest people through TnT! We did 5:2 intervals for about 13 miles, before my body started screaming in protest!

I actually took m's&m's from a person with a bowl full of them, and pretzels from a little girl with a bowl full...I would NEVER think to do such a thing normally, but at some point my brain ceased to function...and everything became laughable! I forgot names, and mile markers and and when Becka said we had to run at the end...I almost forgot how to do that!

Cross the finish line...cry and hug your girls! This is required...who will be there to hug me at the end of Seattle? Grab your medal, grab 2 waters and guzzle. Grab the best tasting banana you've ever had and EAT! Find the TnT tent to check in...then find the beer garden (2 free, please and thank you). Back to the TnT tent for yummy chips and delicious pb&j, then to the car to completely change clothing before hitting SONIC (my first ever) and then driving home. Home by 7:15pm, shower soma and percocet, in bed by 8:00 and asleep instantly...aaahhhh!

However, today is 4 days post-race and I'm still in tired, recovery mode...and gearing up for Seattle on June 27th. I love this life.

And on a side note: I have to buy a new car, and I'm having some issues and life is more than a little stressful. I'm somewhere between really okay and really not, and coping is marginal. If we're talking and I seem distracted, it isn't you...it is me. I'm working pretty hard to hang on, and am trying to let go of the things I can't control...which is impossible for me. Every day I say silent prayers and send white light: for the people I love, and for people who don't have it so great, and for people who are deserving of prayers...I never really thought I'd need my own prayers, but here I am. This isn't a whine, this is just me at the moment.

Overall, I'm fairly blessed!
xo