Let the Record Show

In my last post I failed to mention that THOMAS also ran at the Greenland Independence race.  He ran the 100 yard sprint and came in first.  Congratulations, Thomas!

I haven't been blogging lately, and I haven't been running much, either.  I keep saying that this week I'll be back on the ball, but I really mean it this week.  I can't use the new work schedule as an excuse: since I'm working relief, my work schedule will never be one I can get used to.

Any situation can be either an excuse to fail, or a reason to succeed.

My goal will be to get back in the habit of running every other day.  I will just have to learn to plan ahead to fit my runs in with my work schedule and other obligations.  "Somebody busier than you is running right now."  So true!

So, that's the latest on me!

I finally got through all the training and started my new job last night.  My first shift was graveyard, 9pm to 7am.  So far it seems I will do well adapting to a varying day/night schedule.  I hope that is always the case!

I ran yesterday.  It was almost four miles and was really not easy.  It has been several weeks since I've kept up with a regular running schedule, so I guess I'm going to be in no condition to do serious training.  That's okay, running just for the fun and exercise is still productive.  I may be running the Ontonagon Outback next weekend.  I'll almost definitely be running the Ed Hansen.  And then that will probably be all there is to my racing season this year.

I never wrote up a race report for the Greenland Independence Run, Walk, and Roll.  Robert, Raechel, and I ran the 5k distance; Joseph ran the 1 mile; Mary and Lucy kinda-sorta ran the 50-yard dash, although that ended in tears for both of them after only about 10 yards.  (I still feel bad for that poor boy Mary knocked heads with...)  My time was just a little slower than last year, but I was still the First (and only) in my age division.  Go Me!

So, since I'm not focusing on racing this summer, I should be able to get back on track with losing some of the poundage I picked up through the winter.  It's discouraging how slow it comes off and how quickly it comes back on.

Back in the Saddle

Chuck and I went for a beautiful ride today.  The day was perfect and the route was just right- not too easy but not too tough.

I love you!

After the 19 miles we did today, Chuck is more than halfway to his goal of 500 miles this year.  I'm so proud of him!

I would write more but my butt is tired of sitting.  ;-)

Loss

I've had good reason to avoid blogging these last few weeks.  You see, I was pregnant. 

Was. 

And we hadn't decided to tell anybody yet, and so it was a great big fun surprise. 

Was. 

And then we found out the baby had died a few weeks ago.  Probably about the time I had stopped taking the pregnancy test (okay, tests: there were three of them) out of my sock drawer to stare at it in disbelief.  Probably before I developed any symptoms.  Just as soon as I accepted there was a baby, the baby was gone.  But my body didn't know that yet.  Oh, no, my body didn't get the message so I stayed pregnant an extra six or so weeks; feeling sick and exhausted, feeling my tummy round out, even imaging I felt the earliest flutters of a baby's acrobatics.

There are things to be thankful for, always.  I am glad the baby's tiny (so tiny!) body wasn't lost; we were able to give the child a proper burial and a name:  Francis.  I am glad my body needed only a gentle nudge to let the pregnancy go naturally at home and avoid surgery.  I am so thankful for the support of my wonderful husband, and grateful for my children.  Finally, I am thankful that although I missed the chance to bring this baby into the world, my husband and I were able to usher a new soul into heaven.  I really believe that is my most important job as a mother; to receive the children God blesses me with and to return them to Him (in His time) with gratitude and awe, as well as sorrow.

So, I am doing okay, just sad.  Soon I will be back to running, training for races and writing up glowing race reports in no time.

Breakers to Bay 2012 Photo Album

The Oskar Dome doesn't look like a dome to me.

We don't know who that is.

Here's me, down the hill toward the finish!

Waiting on the slow ones.

There she is, in the sand trap.

Back home, with a Personal Best and a new shirt.

Breakers to Bay 2012

Well, I did it.  That's about all I can say for today's race.  Considering how crappy I was feeling last night, that's saying a lot.

First, we got there in time for me to catch the last bus, which means I made it to the start of the race with just enough time to potty and line up for the start.  The first two miles of the race are hilly, and that was really tough without any warm up.  I was taking walk breaks almost from the beginning.

The third and fourth miles were great- beautiful scenery and more down hill or flat.  I easily hit my stride and got my breathing under control.  Then that last mile, up another hill and then into gravel and eventually sand.  I really do not like running in sand!

So, I finished about one minute faster than last year.  I think my time was 53:14, but I will have to double check that when the times are posted to the website tomorrow.  I also have pictures that I can put up, hopefully soon.

I can't say enough positive things about the race itself.  The course, the volunteers, and everything about the set-up is just great.  Breakers to Bay was my very first race, and I think it will always be my favorite!

Just real quick..

It's almost time for me to leave for work, but I just wanted to leave a quick note.  I haven't got time for like, a real blog post or anything, just this.

oh.  hi.