Marathon - check!

Success!

Anne and I completed our first marathon! Oddly enough - we enjoyed it! I'd strongly recommend running 26.2 miles, then spending great time with wonderful friends, all while drinking and eating good food/drink as a wonderful date weekend for anyone.

It was emotional for both of us. One - the feeling of personal accomplishment was great. We had both been happily surprised into the decision to run and a little interested to see what our bodies were capable of. Crossing the finish line was validating - it proved we could do it. Now, Anne had already birthed our three beautiful kiddies - so she's already physically accomplished. But, for me, this was clearly my pinnacle (so far).

Two - That we ran this race as a team left both of us feeling so connected. I have to admit, I was surprised. Since we run at different paces and Anne would rather stab herself in the eye with a fork than listen to me talk for 26.2 miles; we ran separately. But seeing her cross the finish line and leaping some sort of guardrails to hug and kiss her - it became very clear that we accomplished this TOGETHER. I love you, Anne - and I am so proud of us both!

Here's a picture of us - many glasses of champagne post race -



Many thanks to Charlie and Andrea for hosting us - they have a wonderful future as race concierges (examples - I ate out of a real cereal bowl in my hotel room! And champagne was waiting for me after!) Unfortunately, the one skill where they are lacking is photography - although Andrea excels at carrying around a camera and taking very few pictures. Still - Vazacs - we love you!

Carvin O'Pumpkin

The annual Eric Gough pumpkin carving afternoon! Three really big cheers for Eric!

This might explain the pigs flying...

James and I have registered to run a marathon in California on December 6th. Now, James running a marathon is something that won't shock people, but I'm pretty sure that everyone I've told so far thought I was joking. I'm not. I might not break any speed records, but I've got it into my thick skull that I want to finish this race.

It all started because I was jealous that James was going to have a"get-a-way" weekend with Charlie and so I said - "Well, I'd love to be able to do something like that too, you know." And James said. "Great!" We'll do it together." And I thought - oops. What just happened here? There are SOOOO many better ways to guilt James into taking me on a little vacation. Not well played, Anne. Not well played at all.

But the truth is, we're working hard at staying in shape over the winter and this seemed like a good way to stay motivated (or terrified). So far so good. I've finished runs of 7, 10 and 15 miles on my own (something I would have thought impossible a few years ago) and it was very empowering.

On Saturday during my long run I was thinking about how having kids has changed me on so many levels. I was never a serious, competitive athlete (I was a slow swimmer and decent golfer but that's about it). In fact I was mostly a wimp when it came to endurance sort of workouts. Obviously being pregnant and going through labor changed me forever - but in one way I would have never expected.

I learned I was gritty and determined. Pregnancy taught me how to pay attention to my body, how to pay attention to what and why I eat and fundamentally appreciate how amazing our bodies really are. During labor, I discovered I knew how to channel my energy, how to truly focus on the task at hand, and maybe for the first time in my life I was really proud of what me and my body could do. I can say all of these things because I had healthy, uncomplicated pregnancies and deliveries (I was very lucky). But its a funny thing to realize that my kids really introduced me to my inner athlete - and she is having a pretty good time getting out.

My mom started running competitively later in life (another way I am so much like my mom). My mom, dad and several of my siblings have finished marathons and so I'm hoping to join the ranks. But for me even though the athlete is coming out, my competitive edge is still as sharp as a down pillow. The joy of running is not about going fast, but in just the act of getting out, having a quiet mind, and feeling my heart pump. Hello, Lady, it's nice to meet you.

Julie & Bert Love Fest

No one loves "My Godmother" more than us! I'm so sorry that I don't have a picture of Finn and "Bert" - the running joke was pretty precious.

MJ & Finn

Paula babysat last night while Bob and I went for a run. When I got home she asked me if MJ and Finn were always so wild together. This is some proof that they aren't always wrestling and getting into trouble. As I'm writing this I can hear them giggling in the hallway about who knows what. This morning Finn read to MJ while she was on the toilet (have I mentioned how much I LOVE that she is potty trained) - if you can get past the grossness of it, it's kinda cute.

Seamus Birthday Pictures