Cross Country Anna

 Look at her go!

Pumpkin Run 2021

 Another Pumpkin Run in the books!

5k.2

Last Saturday we met at the Guenther's house to run a 5k with a bunch of friends. Martin had signed up to do the Tinman Triathlon that day, but it was cancelled because of COVID-19.

I've been running for a couple months and this was the day I'd finish up...I even put "Run a 5k" on the summer bucket list! Anna decided that morning that she wanted to come run as well. I didn't think much of it because she is young and has loads of energy.

We started off the run and about a quarter mile into it, she got a stitch in her side and needed to walk. Then we walked some more and eventually we were just walking. She felt bad and I felt stressed.  I know how hard it is to run with a stitch and I also really wanted to reach my goal. So we called Mathew and had him come pick her up on the route and I finished up.

But I just couldn't bring myself to check it off the summer bucket list. I walked at least half of it. Mark is the best and he could see how disappointed I felt about it.

So we got up early this morning and ran the same route together.

We finished in 30.20...that's my best time ever!

And cute Mari wrote this at the finish line!

Ahhh.....closure.

The Pumpkin Run...

Anna worked so hard to get ready for this run. She set goals and ran her little heart out each Monday afternoon. She was pumped. 

I was totally willing to run by her and suffer through the stitch that I get every single time I move my legs faster than a leisurely stroll. 

It was SOO cold on the morning of the run! We briefly considered staying home in our warm covers. But there is no way we could wast all that preparation she'd done. So we bundled up and added many layers. Mark went along to do some cheering! The other kids opted out (lazy bones!)

The Sunrunner numbers were pretty slim this year...but I'm pretty sure the freezing temperatures effectively weeded out the wimpy ones.

I love this super sweet girl of mine. She's tough and she challenges herself to do things that do come easy.  I'll never look at a set of monkey bars without thinking about her working at it over several months, gaining strength and adding one bar at a time until she could do the whole thing with no problem. She's going to move mountains, this one. 

Color Run!

Well, I'm not sure how colorful it ended up being, but we did have a good time and we participated.

That's pretty much our only parameters for success these days.

Dumb Decisions

So, I committed to participate in a Triathlon. The entire thing was a bit of a mess.

Well, actually, I did really enjoy the biking practice with friends in the morning. It was a lot of fun and almost made the end goal worth it.

Almost.

The swim was SOOOO awful. I was lucky not to drown. And because I started first (I had to because I am so slow), I had an audience to my misery and ineptitude. Let's stop talking about it. I'm still hoping I can block the memory.

Then the bike.

Little tip: don't do a triathlon on a "mom bike". It's stupid hard.

And then....the run.

So I look happy? No...I do not.

The best part of this whole experience was driving home.

Never ever EVER AGAIN!

Pumpkin Run 2017

We came. We ran. We ate bananas.

Say Goodbye to Cross Country

Let's be real here. Megan has discovered one very important thing from her participation in cross country. 

She hates running. 

That's a problem when someone is strapping a timing chip to your shoe. 

Megan stands on the sidelines waiting with her friend, Leandra. The race is imminent. Her body language is not screaming "I'm so excited for this!" Let's zoom in...

Oh dear. This is about the last place she wants to be. I'm getting the feeling my dreams for her and track are drifting far far away.

The race starts! Oh look! She's got a huge smile! Maybe I misunderstood! She's loving every minute!

Uh oh. Pain face. I see the pain face. And I recognize that particular posture.. those legs have "side cramp" written all over them.

But she's a trooper and musters a winning smile as she passes us. Way to rally, my girl!

But the pain face wins in the end. Running is awful. There's no way around it. The only cure is....

A massive donut. 

You did it, lady. And you most likely will never have to do it again.

Cross Country Megan

Megan has a love/hate relationship with running. I think she is proud of it, but she really dislikes the actual running.

But the hanging out with friends beforehand part is pretty cool!

We definitely enjoy the starting pistol and the made dash to get ahead.

And then the disappear somewhere behind the school. That's where the true grit and suffering takes place.

And suddenly...she's rounding the bend!

She has the pain face. Running is horrible! Why did she sign up for this? How many more races are there, anyway?!?

I have a feeling she might not sign up for cross country next year.

Daddy's away...

Mark is out of town. He's been gone since Sunday and he'll be gone for another 4. He is at a Microsoft Conference in Altanta for 5 days (yay! Free stuff! Nerdy toys and little gadgets!) Then he comes home for a few hours and leaves for Springfield to complete his Crossfit L1 certification for two days. 

He went to Atlanta with his co-worker, Carl. He is very funny and cool. I was happy for Mark when I found out he would have a friend to enjoy the week with instead of an awkward associate that he would have to make small talk with. 

There were lots of classes. And lots of products and vendors.

But there were also guitars....

And there were other guys that could hold their own on the stage...

I think it was the highlight of his week.

While he was gone, we tried to get through each day as calmly as possible. As fight-free as possible. And by Wednesday we were exhausted. I sometimes joke that having Mark out of town isn't that much different than having him here. We are both so busy with kids and work and church callings, we largely move in our own spheres of responsibility.

But it isn't true.

I miss him.  He makes my life easier in hundreds of ways that become very clear when he isn't around. Not to mention I just really miss him. Filling his shoes made the week feel like a tall order.

Monday we went to Ethan's Marching Band Festival.  (He's the trumpet player right in front of the far right sousaphone.)

I cried. That seems to be a new thing for me. Crying to the marching band. The kids were cold and luckily Mathew found a blanket and a beach towel in the trunk. That gave us just enough material to fight over.

Tuesday was youth night at the church.  The boys played ultimate frisbee and the girls had a talent show.

Laney read the first chapter of her book

Megan played 'The Entertainer'

Wednesday we had homework backlog to take care of.

Did I mention it was my week to drive to Seminary? And preschool?

Come home, Mark!!

We took a bike ride down the Indian Creek Trail to get a little unstructured time together.

The field was locked when we arrived at South High School so we ended up playing in the parking lot. Girls played fetch.

Boys played football.

There was a high level of sassiness and mean remarks made between siblings. I won't name names...but there was a need for a dancing apology when we arrived back home.

Thursday is Everly's preschool, after-school play practice, Ethan does childcare at crossfit and my quartet is coming over for rehearsal.

Friday we see Mark!!! Yay!!! Then he leaves (boo!!!) for his L1 Crossfit certification. (So proud of him.)

Saturday we have the Pumpkin Run and marching band practice and birthday party.....and somehow we need to listen to General Conference. How will we do this?

I do not know.

I need sleep.

Pumpkin Run 2015

Pumpkin Run Time!

Meg, Mat, Dad, and Ethan's time: 37 minutes

Mom, Laney, Anna and Everly's time: Sooo much longer than that.