Oh How We Love Summer!

Reeds Lake Run 2008

I ran the 10K Reeds Lake Run for the first time this weekend! It was great! My friend, Kim, and I left right after our Friday night shift and made it down to East Grand Rapids just in time to pick up her packet, watch our friend Joleigh finish the 5K race and walk to the starting line.

Once we weaseled our way into the crowd for a place at the start, I saw my friend Monica walking up on the EGR football field... and realized that her husband, Brad, was standing right next to me. It was his first race ever (congrats, Brad!), as he and Monica prepare to run the Chicago Half Marathon in August.

The clouds parted and the sun came out, just as we started the race Saturday morning... it was very muggy, but I was so glad it didn't rain! Somewhere in that first mile, Kim's husband, Dave, caught up and surprised us... Kim knew that he was coming to watch, but instead he ran with her! Nice one, Dave!

The race was unremarkable, except for the fact that I felt pretty good running it, which I had not expected after working 12 hours through the night.

Mom and Dad came down to watch me, and I saw them THREE times over the course of the race... that was GREAT! What a nice energy boost to have them waving and cheering me on... thanks, guys! That was perfect!

The last time I saw them was right before the finish, and our family friend, Shane, was there with her kids, watching her husband run... she managed to snap these pictures of me as I dashed (trudged?) toward the finish line. I was smiling and waving at my mom, who was smiling, waving and cheering back!

It was a good time, and I was pleased with my performance, all things considered. Official chip time: 52:44. I finished 26th in my age group and division... goal for next year: somewhere in the top 25 for age and division.

Tired.

And it's raining.

But I did manage a good run at the gym today. I find the treadmill much more tedious, but it gets the job done. Inching closer to my goal for the month...


Here's a funny to brighten all our days:





Reminds me a bit of our flight to Las Vegas last week... after several debacles, we eventually made it there, a mere 7 1/2 hours behind schedule.

We were supposed to arrive in Vegas at 4:00 in the afternoon... this is the sunset at Chicago-O'Hare.
Smiling through it all... my friends Tenille and Denice.

Pushing the Limits

Training for the River Bank Run was great preparation for the undertaking of a marathon, but I'm beginning to realize that I'll need to push my body and my mind much further this time. There will inevitably be those off-days, and the occasional illness, that slow me down. But I have no choice other than to pick myself back up and get back at it again, even harder than before...

It's tough to keep up this level of motivation and dedication, and I'm struggling with a little more fear than usual this week. I have no reason thus far to doubt myself, yet I can't help but wonder if I'm truly capable of this massive feat. What if it's a repeat of last year's Chicago Marathon, with sweltering heat in the upper 80's, forcing the race to shut down before most runners could finish? Nightmare! All that training and hard work for nothing. What if conditions are perfect but I become injured and am unable to participate? What if I'm just not able to make it across the finish line?

But, no.

I find the inspiration I need in those around me, and, this week, specifically in my training buddies, Natasha and Kim. Natasha has once again talked me into a Saturday race... we'll compete together this weekend in the Reeds Lake Run, after working together Friday night. Ha ha! Not the best race preparation, but a healthy reminder that we also do this for fun and because it feels GOOD! And Kim, who was very recently surprised to learn that she is expecting her 6th child next February, but has decided to go ahead with her marathon training, and take it one day at a time. With 5 little boys at home and an unwaveringly great attitude at work, Kim is the epitome of inspiration. She's also the one who led me to raise funds and run for World Vision, from which I draw great mountains of hope and motivation. We're running for a bigger cause!

Sometimes I like to think of the line from "Finding Nemo", with a twist:

Just keep running, just keep running, just keep running.....

Before and After All Around

It was time.

Michael had his cut in preparation for Festival... long overdue!

Welcome to the Beginning

Note to self: begin journaling effort at some point in the 13-15 hours of the day before 10:45 pm, when all thoughts cease to present themselves in orderly fashion.

In lieu of my own words of inspiration...



Can you see why I'm so touched (and a little bit freaked out) every time I think about running for this great cause? It makes me want to go out and RUN!

Well, okay. It's a little late for that.

Did you notice that I'm inching closer to my 150 miles this month? That'll be a first! ---->

Here is one of my runs for today... I broke them up for one of the Nike+ challenges I'm in.



Until tomorrow...

The Annual Before... and After!

Jacob's Golf Camp Haircut 2008

What a handsome kid!

Just a Taste

Here are a few shots from the past months...

Micah's 6th Birthday!
(February 18)

The boys on Christmas 2007

The 5/3 River Bank Run 2008!

I had a big first this year... the 5/3 River Bank Run on May 10!!!
I accomplished my first goal: running (albeit slowly at times) the whole 25K (15.5 miles). To top it off, I surpassed my goal of finishing in 2 1/2 hours, by quite a bit: my official chip time was 2:15:32!!!
Now, here's to joining the 2 hour club next year!

Thanks to Tina for being a great training buddy... I'm so glad we did it together!
Thanks to Kristal for being our cheerleader and photographer!

The top photo is of me with my friends, Tina (L) and Naomi,
who both did a great job in the Race too!

Above is the view from our hotel window the morning of the race... we had gorgeous sunshine streaming in and a perfect view of the gathering crowds and the start of the 10K race... it was very exciting!

Below is the picture Kristal managed to snap as I neared the finish line... I swear, I'm RUNning! It just doesn't really look like it...Next race: Chicago Marathon, October 12, 2008!!!!
Oh my.

Festival of the Arts 2008

Michael had a big first this year... an art booth at the Grand Rapids Festival of the Arts! He's been preparing for months, and had to pass the approval of a jury to be accepted. It was a fun and stormy weekend, and he was very pleased with the turnout and response that he received!

The boys visited Festival with Pake and Beppe (my mom and dad)... the had a great time with the kid's activities and each had their face painted. Jacob's was especially appropriate: a cloud and lightning bolt.