Run the Mounds

Run the Mounds - at the start of the race

Last weekend at the Muncie Mini the cutest old man sparked a conversation with John and I in our Boston jackets. He ran Boston several times (many years ago) and we really enjoyed swapping running stories with him. Turns out, he runs with a local running club, Anderson Road Runners, and shared information about a 5 mile trail run on Sunday - sounded perfect to me!! I have been intrigued by the idea of trail running for a few years now and really think it is the 'next step' in my running.
John ended up injuring his hip at the mini so he agreed to come out and take pictures. Jackson wanted to try the 5 mile run so I signed up the two of us (Mya had orchestra).
Turned out to be a beautiful fall day - cool, bright, windy. The hills were crazy hard - I'll never disrespect the flat Indiana roads we run on again!

I took first place in the women's masters division (yup...over 40 age group -- affectionately referred to as the 'old lady age group') - took home a cool medal, new back pack, and sweat towel.

Jackson has been fighting a cold all week and didn't do as well as he wanted...but a PR for him as it was his first 5 mile race -- and a tough one at that!

Muncie Mini and 5K

Roz came down to spend a few days with us over Fall Break. John and Roz usually set up an 'away' Badger game to attend each fall but they couldn't fit it in to their busy schedules this year. So...he ended up just coming to 'hang' with us for a few days, run a local event, and watch the Badger game on TV.
The Muncie Mini is a 13.1 mile course that runs by several local landmarks - Ball Memorial Hospital, through Ball State campus, Cardinal Greenway, Minnetrista, River Greenway. It is a double loop and one that John and I know very well.
It was a beautiful morning for a run and we enjoyed seeing a lot of our running 'buddies' on the course - both as participants and volunteers. I was surprised by my PR of 1:40:17 - it felt awesome! John had an outstanding run as well with 1:29:41. Both times qualify us for the New York City Marathon which is on our bucket list - pretty cool! But, next fall is going to be very busy with Jackson graduating from basic training so I'm not sure we are going to commit yet to the marathon - we'll see...
Roz had a great race also and came in about 30 seconds behind John. Roz was in the lead for the first part of the race but John caught him at the beginning of the second loop. Roz was telling us before the race that he never wins anything at races - that whoever he races with, usually comes home with some hardware...but never him. So, we were super excited for him (as was he!!) when we heard his name called for winning his age division. He went up to the podium, received his 1st place ball jar award, and had his picture taken. But then...just a few seconds later, one of the race directors came over to him and told him their was a mistake and he didn't really win the position...so, they took the award/prize back. He was crushed -- but then took three race shirts home!! :)

 So proud of him!!

Jackson ran the 5K and took 2nd place! The medal ceremony was presented while we were still on the course so he had a stranger take a picture of him on the stand because he knew his mom would want a picture (so thoughtful...and correct!). We really enjoyed standing around with him after the race and bragging about our son's finish to the rest of our running crew.

Jackson with his medal - the rest of us with t-shirts! 

Puck with Jackson's medal

We enjoyed a quiet evening at home with the Badger game, a good dinner, and drinks...of course!

Labor Day Weekend

Wow - what a great weekend!

Mya and I were suppose to do the Indianapolis Women's Half Marathon (and 5K) together but she was invited to go camping with a girlfriend for the weekend...you can guess where she ended up. She had a blast with Lauren in Kentucky celebrating Lauren's 16th birthday! So once again, John was support crew for another event...he's really getting good at it! We were up before the sun on Saturday to get to the start line in downtown Indy. It was a 'women only' event and was really geared to the celebration of our gender. I have to admit that being on the course with only women brought out  a more competitive side in me -- kind of rocked me a bit especially because I didn't train for this event like I should have. But overall, I was happy with the outcome. I'd love to do the event again next year with some of the teachers in my building and maybe some other local gals -- hopefully John will be game to chauffeur and take pictures! :)

After the event, John and I spent the day hitting some of our favorite Indy spots...Circle City Mall, lunch at California Pizza Kitchen, Trader Joe's, and Meijer to pick up dinner for the evening. We made a fabulous dinner at home (with roasted Brussel sprouts - yum!) and had some great conversation with Jackson while we hung out in the kitchen together. The evening was topped off with a movie, Source Code.

We spent most of Sunday morning organizing kitchen cupboards and such...one of John's favorite things to do when he is avoiding the real work of school -- I brought a trunk load to Goodwill! We took Jackson out to dinner and watched a movie at home, Jane Eyre.

Finished off Monday by going in to school for almost 4 hours to get organized and ready for the week. And under the guides of living vicariously through his son...for dinner, John made beer battered Johnsonville brats and homemade fries (in oil!!) - yummy! We had turkey burgers and baked potatoes.

Finishing up!

                                  

                                             93rd  out of 1500 women and 15th out of 226 in my age group

                                            

                                                           Margharita pizza and a diet coke - well worth it!!

First day of the last year in HS - crazy!

Well, the final year of school for Jackson is here - just can't believe it! We had a bit of a bumpy start due to problems with his schedule but everything is ironed out and he is on his way! :) The most exciting part of his schedule is that he gets to leave school every day at noon to go to MACC (Muncie Area Career Center) for welding.

My GREAT Birthday Day

Really, really enjoyed my birthday day with John and the kids! Just a nice simple day with time together and dinner made to order. My all time favorite food is pizza (I think...it's so hard to pick just one!). John made up a barbecue chicken pizza and a taco pizza - they were both delish! He also perfected a pear martini that we had last month down in Broad Ripple - my new favorite drink.

As a mom, birthday days are just kind of weird for me - celebrate me? Really? I feel guilty. I am really so blessed and to get a whole day to myself just seems excessive. This year in particular it just really hit me how fortunate I am and how all I really want is for those that I love to be happy and content. I know it sounds sappy...but, it's true! For me...the greatest gift today was to see Jackson smile at me, to talk with and engage in meaningful conversation with Mya, and for John to take pride in the family we created! 

Happy Birthday to ME! 

Hangin' in the kitchen with mya-girl...one of our favorite ways to spend an evening!

Sophomore Year

Can it be true? Our baby is starting 10th grade? She'll turn 16 this year? She'll be driving? Please, please tell me how to stop time!!

When we received Mya's class schedule at registration - she cried...I know, kind of dramatic but this girl has a plan and it didn't fit in her plans!! After several phone calls and meetings with the guidance counselor, we were finally able to come up with a compromise. But, wow - she is going to be busy!! She is taking two math classes - Geometry and Algebra II Honors, Chemistry, Pre-AP English 10, Spanish II, Band, and Speech...with her brother - Uugh!! Lord, help us all. She has been telling me for years (yes, years...I  just haven't been listening) that she wants a challenge with math. It really comes easy to her and most years she earns above 100% in her math classes. Well, this year she is going to really let us know what she's made of - Go Mya - show them all what you've got, girl!!

Mya 'Tri's Indy

We spent an awesome day together with Mya at the Tri Indy event in downtown Indy. All three of us were suppose to do the event but John was given orders by the sport doc to stop running for four weeks - so, he stepped up as event photographer, coach, cheerleader, and our own personal wrench...he was awesome!

Mya has asked to do triathlons but I've been reluctant due to the open water swim (I have had a few panic attacks in the water...yikes!). But at this particular event you swim in the canal that runs through Indy and it's only 4ft deep! So, I thought....let's give it a 'tri' -- especially if I can swim right behind her! 

Our 'coach' dropped us off at the registration tent so we could pick up our packets with the timing chip and running bib. As John went and parked the car, we went to the transition area to set up our gear and bikes. We were not on the same rack and when I came back to check on Mya her bag was gone along with her running bib. There is always some drama on race morning - this was our drama - so, we went back to the tent to get new numbers...we were all set!

As we walked down the canal to the swim start, John was giving last minute advice and strategies to her. She was pretty quiet. But, man - when she hit the water, she was off! The swim was really cool because John could walk right alongside us on the canal - snapping pictures the whole way. She did great and I was not able to make up the 2 second difference between us - in fact she gained on me pretty easily.

She exited the water first (phew...glad that part was over!) and ran to the bike. I caught a glimpse of her in transition and just reminded her that I'd be right behind her! :) I was able to catch her about two miles into the bike course...this time it was 'Hey, hot stuff...it'd be easier if you rode at a higher cadence'. To which she replied "...ugh...Mom, go away!' I was just trying to be helpful!! I ended up feeling really good on the bike (the tandem riding with John has helped) and having a pretty good run.

She looked great at the finish line...super strong and fit - just like a true triathlete...which she is!

...at the swim start

Swimming in the canal

finishing up the bike portion

And here comes Mya

Feeling good 

Doesn't she look like a pro?

So proud of this girl!