Omak Orchard Bloom Run

Today is the day I've been waiting for for the last 4 months.  Omak Orchard Bloom 1/2 Marathon Race Day.

I trained....I tried....I finished.  That's the jist of it.

For more details, read on.

I was so hyped up.  Rob warned me not to start out too quickly.  I warned myself not to start out too quickly.  But I didn't listen.  I had trained at 9.5-10 minute miles....but mostly 10.  When running with my friend on mid week runs, mostly, we trained at 11-12 minute miles and I was okay with that.  I LOVE running with someone else and chatting.  Makes things SO MUCH EASIER.

I told myself over and over again to just run my race.  10 minute miles was all I needed to do.  But like I said...I didn't listen.

After finishing the first 7-8 miles in 9 minutes each I was beat and knew I was going to burn out.  I hate the half way point.  HATE IT!  I always feel terrible knowing I still have half way to go...doesn't matter the distance.  The next few miles were somewhere around 10-11 minutes each (I stopped looking because I didn't want to focus on time anymore...just finishing).  At 10 miles I hit a terrible wall.  I had pushed it too hard, too fast, and I was out of steam.  And...I had never trained past 10 miles.  I didn't think I could do three more.  I walked.  I swore to myself that I wouldn't walk but I just couldn't keep it up.  For half a mile I wasn't sure what to do...not sure I could finish....but, just like natural child birth, I couldn't go back.  I had to go forward.  1/2 mile down the road was a water station.  I voiced my woes and they were so kind and boosted my spirits.  One grandpa gave me a goal to reach, "once you reach that sign....start running again"...so I did.  There was also a lady at that station playing music on a keyboard.  I thanked them for bolstering up my confidence again.

Just around the next corner my good friend (and running partner in crime) was there to cheer me on.  I told her I was dying and asked her to come along for a bit.  So she did.  Jeans and all (at least she had her running shoes on).  She stuck with me to the end.  So glad she did.  Not sure I could have kept going without her.

We got to mile 12 and I mistakenly thought it was mile 13.  Talk about a crushing blow.  I seriously almost started crying.  But....Shonta kept me going.  One foot in front of the other.

So glad I did.

I finished.  Once I saw that finish line (up over ONE LAST ROLLING HILL) I was able to pick myself up.  Shonta phased out at the last bit  (you'll see in the video) and I finished off...with Roberto and some of the kiddos cheering me on (the others were playing in a field).  And...of course I finished off with the Family Circus Finish-line Cartwheel (FCFC).  My signature move. 

The End

IT'S DONE!  YEAY!

Will I do another one?  Will I train for a full marathon?

Just like I felt after having Eleanor naturally, it might take me a few days to answer this question.

Here's some proof:

Friends Rebecca and Troy

My cheering section

Totally happy to be cheering

Signature Move "The Cartwheel"

The Finish Line

 

7 weeks and counting....

Time for more pictures....

Peaceful!

Play time.  She kept trying to lick him.  he he he...

Little Lady Bug and Mr. Kiki

Snooze time with daddy

Love!

Be sure to watch the very end of the video.  Eleanor says her first word.  he he he....
 

More Kids Art

I love it when the kids draw pictures. I love it even more that we have a scanner and can preserve all their many drawing on the computer and the internet. Saves a lot of space. Here's a few from the last few months.

Isaac's depiction of Virginia Granger Elementary School

Along with a hand writing sample

Family Portrait by Cael--October 2013

Sign For Eleanor's Homecoming--Nov 2013

2013 Santa letters

Their Santa letters get funnier every year!

 He he he...even the ones Rob helped with are a bit...grammatically challenged.  Love it.

Gotta get them in the mail today...oh...and I should probably start shopping, too.


 

Mamma's BIG helpers

This is a pretty typical scene at our house.  Cael absolutely ADORES Eleanor and will ask to hold her about every 5 seconds.  Sometimes it's a little overwhelming...but most of the time it is quite helpful.

Yesterday I was on the phone with VISA and my bank, working through some fraudulent charges that had posted to our account.  To say I was stressed is an extreme understatement.  Eleanor was up from a nap and was a little fussy when, all of a sudden, she broke down and started screaming.  I was totally frazzled and ready to pull my hair out.  I called for Gabe, pointed to the pacifier, and requested he take her in the other room and do what he could to take care of her until I was done.  

I came out 30 minutes later and found her fast asleep in Isaac's arms.  What???

Apparently Gabe had handed her off to Cael within seconds of leaving the room.  Cael had worked his patient magic and calmed her down.  After she had fallen asleep he handed her off to Isaac who continued to snuggle and love her until I came out.

I was shocked. 

One, because in a stress panic I handed her off to one of my boys and proceeded to forget all about her (I must have REALLY been desperate) and two, that the boys had handled the situation so marvelously.

Thank goodness for good help.  This is SUCH a different experience than last time.  Having a few years on the boys makes a HUGE difference. 

Feeling very grateful.