First Annual "Harding Family Circus" Run

Our trip to Utah this year was definitely not all that we had hoped for.  With puking boys, a puking baby girl, a puking mama, a daddy who was taking care of everyone and a terribly timed thunder/lightning storm, most of our plans were significantly washed out.  Literally.  Sigh....

However, the main event planned for our trip was the first ever HARDING FAMILY CIRCUS RUN.  What originally started out as an idea to run a 1/2 marathon with my sis Stacy, blossomed into a family race/event......1/2 marathon, 10k, 5k and 1 mile walk, COMPLETE with t-shirts, and a celebratory finish line feast. 

Well...that was the plan, anyway. 

Because the week had been a disaster and I had been totally puking the day prior to race day, the grand event was downgraded, last minute, to a 1 mi FUN-RUN (which was totally enough for me...cold sweats and all).  The t-shirts my parents spent so much time and money on were bubbly and (semi) peeling, and a the grand feast became a bring- your- own- food- for- your- family- because- I- didn't- get- anything- else- organized- sack lunch. 

Oh well. 

I all worked out and totally lived up to it's name of "FAMILY CIRCUS".  Complete 3 rings, out of control, crazy, and yet, a LOT of FAMILY FUN! 

I wouldn't have it any other way.

Gabe even did me the greatest of honors, after completing an additional 2 mile walk/run with Rob and a few of the other older XY's, of crossing the finish line at the park with my signature move, "the cartwheel" (yeah, I wasn't feeling up to it, go figure). 

I was one very proud mama.  Made me feel kinda choked up like.....like I must be doing something right.  Yeah.  It was that kinda feeling.  What an awesome kid!  (I only wish I had gotten it on tape.  Boo!)

Great times.  Great memories.  Hopefully a greater success NEXT YEAR (right, guys?)

 THE HARDING FAMILY CIRCUS

(minus 5 adults and 9 children)

The HARDING FAMILY---THREE GENERATIONS OF CIRCUS FUN

Generation #3 (plus Leesa).  What will this circus be like when THESE guys and gals start adding to "the lot"?

Oh...another note worthy tidbit:  Before the race started Eleanor was seized by a coughing fit that triggered her barely recovered from the stomach flu gag reflex and she puked big time all over Roberto (oh....and herself....and the sidewalk...and.....).  It was lovely.  :)

Isn't Mi Roberto crazy handsome, even with that look of barely contained frustration, and barf dripping off of him?  I think so.  :)

For additional insight into the "Family Circus" and "The Cartwheel" see here and here and here.

 

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.