Saying goodbye is never easy

Grandma W went to the hospital on Tuesday and had peripheral bypass surgery. In the spring of this year she had suffered a heart attack and had stents put in.  The Dr told her that she needed to get the bypass surgery because her circulation was bad in her legs and it needed to be repaired.  It took quite awhile for her to gain her strength back and get her blood and other various levels correct to have this surgery done.

On Monday, Grandpa went to a rehab facility for assisted care while Grandma was in the hospital.  She would join him at the rehab facility after the hospital until she was feeling able to care for Grandpa, and they would both go back home.  At least that was the plan.

On Tuesday the surgery went well, but she suffered another heart attack after the surgery.  On Wednesday she had a ventilator put in because she was not able to breath deep enough.  On Thursday and Friday they tried to take the ventilator tube back out, but she was strong enough to breath on her own properly without it.

Saturday was the family party at our house.  We decided it was best to have the party as planned because Grandpa was excited about going, the plans were made, and even Grandma had supplied us with shrimp and chocolates for the party, knowing that she would be in the hospital instead of at the party.  The party started at noon, and guests started to arrive.  Shortly after that, we got word that Grandma was awake (she had been sedated all week) and was mad.  She wanted the tube out, and she wanted to see Grandpa.  This did not sound good.  She had a DNR order and also made it known that she did not want any artificial means of support.

Grandpa was taken to the hospital and Alan went to.  Soon we heard that they would be taking the tube out, so all of the adults went to the hospital.  We left Rocco and Kyle in charge of the kids.  Our visit at the hospital extended into the early evening.  We were all able to say our goodbyes to Grandma, because the Drs said she would probably not make it without the ventilator and a temporary pacemaker that she also had.

Before she passed, she gave Grandpa a kiss and told him that she loved him.  It was very heartwarming, but yet sad, to see.

The family holding Grandma's hand.  She was a strong woman, with a strong family.


Alan and his sisters stayed with her at the hospital until the very end.  She passed away on December 20th.  They had been by her side all week, and with her in the end.  I think she was happy with the comfort of her loving family close to her.  It's hard to say goodbye, especially when it is so unexpected.  We love you Grandma!

Inspiration board

My "board of inspiration" is done!  I love looking at my quotes and seeing what I have accomplished.  Now I need to get the one for Alan finished.  I just hope we can fit all of Alan's medals on there.  He has so many!!  :)

Ch-ch-ch-changes

Something weird happens around 11 years old... for the most part you have a responsible child, and not a little kid anymore!  This year Sydney has been bestowed the honor that many an older child gets - to "babysit" their younger sibling. Although we never call it babysitting, it is an important job for her to have. It becomes especially important when school is not in session for some reason. Today was a teacher inservice day and I needed to go to work. I've come up with a schedule for them to do on a full day like that, and they seem to enjoy it quite a bit. Sydney is a lot like me and likes to have everything planned. The  schedule takes care of everything from chores, to homework, crafts, TV time and game time. 

Since I work right down the road it's easy to help them out if any issues ever come up, and our security camera gives me piece of mind that I know they are safe :)

Columbus Marathon recap

Columbus... here we are again!  Columbus is like visiting an old friend.  Good memories and it never seems to fail to create more!  This year I ran the half marathon again, and Alan did the full.  I just wasn't up for a full marathon again and had planned on this being my "A" goal for a half this year.  In short, it turned out to be a super great, and special race :)





























We drove down to Columbus on Saturday after dropping the kids off with my parents.  The OSU traffic and construction was terrible, but eventually we made it.  We spent an hour or so at Easton checking out Trader Joes, Athleta and visiting the Apple Store.  That place is packed full of every store you can imagine.  It would be a place I could get lost in all day, if I had lots of money to spend!  It did end up being a windy, chilly, drizzly day which was starting to put some doubt in my selection of race clothes and what Sunday held in store for us.
After shopping we checked in to our hotel, the Red Roof Inn, which was super conveniently located in walking distance to the expo.  That was our first time staying there and I was quite pleased with it and how close it was to everything.  We zipped through the expo, not spending a whole lot of time there.  We ran into some friends and chatted at the Cleveland marathon booth and the Toledo Glass City marathon booth.  We have friends in the industry!!

I was more than a bit disappointed by the race shirts though.  They have a seriously low v-neck, which is so not my style.  Even though they are Nike dry fit, they feel more like just a plain old t-shirt.  boo.

We then headed over to Bravo for dinner with all of our runner friends who were in town (and some lived there).  Dinner was good and we stuffed ourselves with loaves of bread and lasagne.  Yum yum yum.   As per our race traditions, we watched Run Fatboy, Run back at the hotel.  It was hard staying awake until 11pm though with our bellies so filled up!  Soon it was lights out and we were mostly sound asleep.

Due to our close proximity to the race start, we decided to sleep in until 5:20am, although I did wake up around 5:00am.  We dressed and headed over to meet some friends at the YMCA at 6:15.  Since the temperature was 46, I decided to wear a skirt with compression shorts and a short sleeve t-shirt.  Yep, that *same* t-shirt I wear EVERY race.  I really need a new shirt.  I also wore the same arm warmers, which are made out of socks.  I wore them last year, and wore them again here, since they were so warm and cozy - not to mention, fashionable!

We met a group of friends at the YMCA and with my odd collection of throw away clothes, I looked like a homeless person.  I'm so glad they took this picture and tagged me so all of my FB friends could see!  [NOT! I removed this from my timeline.  Seriously, I don't need to be reminded of this ugly outfit]  The YMCA is a great place to hang out before the race.  Very nice and clean and ample restrooms.

We headed down to the start area around 6:45.  Alan was running with a friend and they were both making an attempt for a sub 3 hr marathon.  The friend, Ron, seemed a bit nervous and really wanted to get in the corrals early so they got the right place.  I checked a bag at bag drop, and then Ron took Alan to get in the corrals.  It was a bit fast for me and I was sad for the first time at race, not being able to give Alan much of a send off before his big race and being left behind :(  I wandered over to the corrals myself and used the porta potties for the last time.  I was pretty cold waiting there, but I took off my sweatshirt before the start because the sweatshirt was so big.

For some reason this race didn't get me nervous or excited like they usually do.  I think it may have been because I wasn't sure how well I would do.  The week before the race I was having a recurring "pinch" in my left glute and it haunted me at night when I slept.  I didn't want to hurt it any worse and I was relieved to find that it wasn't hurting me on race morning.  However, when they started the race festivities - and especially when they played "For those about to rock" - I got that rush of adrenaline!  I was super excited about racing and to see what I could do.  The gun went off, and we were racing!
The new start area was super cool, and even though it was uphill, it was exciting.  When I was making my way around mile 2, a spectator called out "You're looking good.  This is YOUR day!!".  It's cheesy, but I really took that comment to heart and kept thinking throughout the race "This IS going to be my day!".  I was pumped.

This is one of the funniest race pictures I've seen of me in awhile. Me vs that 14 year old boy!!  In the end, he was the one laughing because he finished 3 minutes before I did!

My goal was to get a sub 1:50, since I got 1:51:20 last year.  I thought it was doable, although the pace of under 8:22 got me nervous just thinking about it.  But I plugged it in as my pacer on my Garmin and just went with it.  I didn't spend any time obsessing about my pace, but only knew the 1:50 pace group was behind me and my watch said I was ahead of my pacer.  Good enough.  Just run it and feel good, like it's a comfortable hard race, like it should be.  I was super duper pleased to look down at my pace on most miles and see it was ticking off low 8's like 8:02, 8:05.  Woohoo!  One time I even saw a 7:58.  Again, this IS going to be my day!  I took advantage of the downhills and tried to bank time, and then took the hills relatively easy so I didn't tire out.  The miles clicked off, and I was cruising right along.

Oh happy happy day!!  I think this shot really shows my enthusiasm during the race :)

When I got to the end mile, we made the turn into the finish area.  In past years, you make the turn, and it's all downhill to the finish line.  With this new finish area, I didn't know what to expect!  I knew I still had at least a half mile to go, but I couldn't figure out where the finish line was.  As I found out, the new course goes downhill like before, but then ends *uphill*.  I was not too pleased about that, and that finish line seemed like it was miles away!  ughhhh  Finally, I crossed the line at 1:48:20.  OMG, that was a 3 minute PR!

I was so excited by my performance.  Yeah me!  We all got herded through the finish chute - blankets, water, photos, bags of food... but wait.  Where the heck were the medals?  I kept glancing at the other runners.  Did I somehow miss that part?  Then we reached the end of the athletes area.  Still no medals.  Hmmmmm.  Eventually the word got out that there was a glich in ordering and the medals weren't there yet.  Oh man, really??  There is just the oddest feeling when you run so hard and don't get a medal at the end.  It's a bummer really.  Oh well, it was now time to bang the PR gong, rest a little, and track Alan!

Bang that gong!!

It was the first time I had used the bag check, but I think I will use it in the future because it was nice to warm up in a jacket and have my cell phone.  I was able to find out that Alan was still on his goal.

Here comes Alan!  He is so awesome!! :)

I took a place near the finish line and waited for him to arrive.
Pretty soon the 3 hour pacer group appeared.  Just the two of them, and there was no Alan.  I got nervous.  Then, Alan appeared, trailing them, but not within reach. 

Where's the finish line??
What's up with all of those warm clothes you half marathoners??

Even more nervous now!  The announced called out, and said "here comes the 3 hour mark!".  And he started a count down.  5! 4! 3! 2! 1! I really couldn't tell if Alan had made it.  I was far away and I couldn't see the clock.  However, right at the second it happened, I got a text.  Alan had crossed the finish line at 2:59:59!!! OMG!!!  One second to spare!!  What an awesome feeling!  I raced over (in a slow, slightly pained, running kind of way!) to the finish area to tell him.
When I saw Alan, he looked exhausted, in pain, and just a bit confused or maybe unhappy.  I ran up to him and told him the great news.  "One second???  One $%##% second???  Oh my god!!!"  Needless to say, he was ecstatic!  Based on the time of his watch, and the starting time, he really had no idea if he made it or not.  

Whew!!  That was a close call!

We rested for a bit, and then went over to bang the PR gong again, and get my medal.

Unfortunately his running buddy did not make the sub 3 goal.  He fell back around mile 17 when he couldn't keep the pace.  

But for Alan and I, it was a day of celebration.  We all had lunch together (big greasy burgers with cheese and bacon, and lots of beer!) at the Rusty Bucket.
It was a great day and one we won't ever forget!!

Erie Marathon

We talked about this race being the "perfect storm" for me.  Flat course.  Perfect weather.  Great training cycle.  And you know what, there was something special about this race.  Of course the pressure was on - this race would qualify for 2015 AND 2016 Boston marathons.  That's like a BOGO free deal!  And, the hotel room is already booked in Boston.  AND, we already have our flights booked.  *AND*, the Boston marathon falls on my birthday next year!  Just two weeks earlier I found out Alan would indeed be my pacer again at this race.  That was a huge relief for me because I just wasn't confident I would keep up my pace, and not walk.  I ran a half marathon just a couple of weeks ago and really stunk it up.  Walking, walking, and more walking.  Not a confidence boost.  So, here is what went down....

We drove to Erie and the kids stayed at Grandma & Grandpa's house.  We arrived just in time to unpack at the hotel, I mean, Red Roof Inn motel, and head over to the packet pick up.  Presque Isle is a beautiful peninsula and a state park.

This is Perry's monument.  The same Oliver Hazard Perry in our own Perrysburg.  What a coincidence!  I was looking forward to seeing the monument tomorrow because it would be around mile 11 and mile 22.  That means I'll be almost done the 2nd time around!!




















It was a very small race pickup area, with a handful of vendors with items for sale ranging from running gear to handmade jewelry and baskets.  I did see a really good shirt - "If you can read this, you didn't train either".  That would be a good one to see on race day!

We had purchased tickets for the pasta dinner put on by the race directors.  It was right at the expo area.  It was all-you-care-to-eat pasta with salads, bread, and dessert.  I started with a huge plate of spaghetti.  We grabbed a seat at a table with other runners and got to know them.  One lady was 70 years old (she looked awesome) and was also attempting a BQ.  She said she started running at 50!  She had to cut 6 mins off her time, and get a 4:40.  After she left, we realized she had left her purse at the table and I rushed out to find her.  She was so happy I tracked her down.  She said "Now you're for sure going to get that BQ" in response to my good deed.  :)

Here I am, shoveling in a big plate of spaghetti.  I don't think I have ever eaten so much spaghetti before!  That chick behind me wasn't too happy about my pasta eating I guess...

After the dinner we headed back to the hotel for some relaxation (that's code for spending lots of time on Facebook and watching TV).  Sure enough, I think that huge plate of spaghetti put me in a food coma and I was ready for bed by 9pm.

I think I did turn give in and fell asleep around 10pm.  I had no problem sleeping, although I did have a dream before I woke up that I got a BQ, and I was so super excited, then I realized I hadn't done it yet and still had to run the race.  Ugggh, that was a let down.

We got up at 4:30 am and had to be at the park at 5:45.  There was a lot of traffic going into the park, but it was super well organized and we parked shortly after 6:00am.  It was cold at the hotel (49 degrees) so I had put on capris for the race, but at the park it was 59!  So off came the capris and I put on my skirt.  We walked over to the race start in the dark, following the glow sticks they had laid along the trail.  The parking lot was .25 miles away, and it looked quite magical!  Soon enough it was 7am and the race started.

The goal was to run the first few miles slower than goal pace (8:50) and then to run around 12 miles at 8:40.  We made our first loop around the course and that plan was working out well.  Alan told me when to change my pace, and I banked a few minutes for use later when I would fade.  Somewhere around mile 16 I mentioned to Alan that my glute pain was a "6" on a scale to 10.  I had worried about that pain because it was haunting me the whole week of rest before the race.  Around mile 17 I put my music on to get some motivation.  I was shocked that I didn't once feel like stopping and walking.  Yeah me!!!  After that time, Alan kept counting the "kills" (people we were passing).  He said he lost count after 50!  So, things were going well indeed.
I had dedicated miles to my friends and as I reached those miles I kept thinking about them being part of my race and what they would say if they jumped into the race with me.  That was a fun distraction.  By mile 23 my glute level was around a 7, but still, nothing that was going to stop me!
When I reached mile 25, Alan mentioned that we could possibly get under the goal time of 3:51 if I gave it my all and really pushed it.  I agreed to try and off we went.  Well, my mind was going off, but my body was rejecting me!  I was in such pain and exhausted that I could barely move my legs.  And instead of getting faster, I was rapidly getting slower and was watching my time cushion just disappear!  That was the worst feeling ever, like I would be wasting all that hard work in the last 1/2 mile of the race.  At that point I think I was cussing, and crying, and pleading to Alan that I just couldn't go any farther.  Luckily, I did, and we crossed the finish in 3:53:27.

We crossed the finish line holding hands, which was really cool.  After the finish line I went to hug Alan and my legs just collapsed.  I couldn't stand up any more and I had started to hyperventilate due to all of the excitement!  Then came the familiar shaking and blue lips.  The race volunteers helped me over to chair and gave me a drink and food.  It took me a really long time to get settled down.

Happy happy, joy joy!!

When I finally did calm down, another runner came and spoke to us.  She had recognized Alan's Boston Runners World t-shirt from dinner last night.  That was surprising - but also super annoying because I just wanted to go lay down and she kept carrying on a conversation with Alan!  I tried to be nice, but I felt like punching her in the face :)  I blame that on post-race hormones.  haha  I finally did make a break for it and got to the grass area to lay down.  I didn't think I was ever going to make it back up.  Then we had to make the trip to the car.  It was only .25 miles, but I walked like a zombie and every single step pained me more and more.  That was the longest walk ever!!

Other than the last mile, I don't think the race could have gone any better.  I will always remember this day!  I'm so excited to go to Boston next year!

Cheers!!!!!

And I did!

BTS 2014. The: "Whoa! My kids are getting big" edition.

It's that day all of the stay at home Moms look forward to every year... Back to School!  And to be honest, I do like the routine of school.  And the new school supplies!!  But getting lunches packed and Sydney out the door for a 6:56am bus stop?  Not so much.  Oh well, such is life.

 

The kids are on separate buses again this year, so Zack will be able to sleep in at least an hour longer than Sydney.  Lucky kid!  But this morning we did wake him up extra early so he could get his picture taken with his sister.

Sydney had quite the "first day of school outfit" drama last night, but with a quick trip to the mall we got the situation all worked out with the purchase of several new items of clothes to keep her nicely dressed for at least her first few weeks of school :)

 

Zack opted to use last year's backpack because it was still in great condition and he loved it.  We are starting to get quite a collection of "slightly used" backpacks, so I'm all about that!

 

Big tears of sadness that school is back in session!

 

And since it's Thursday, here is a Throwback Thursday photo... from 2009 when Sydney went to first grade.  They've changed just a little :)

2014 Glass City Marathon race recap

Glass City Marathon!!  Here's the good news:  I got a new PR by at least 3 mins, 3:56:02 and I got 2nd place in my age group (out of 22).  I was shocked, and excited by that!!

I look back at this race with mixed emotions. Even though I kicked some butt and got some great accomplishments, it somehow feels bittersweet when an "A" goal is missed.  I am speaking of my elusive goal to qualify for Boston.  It's just out of my reach, again.  And once again I felt it slip through my fingers.  But I digress... let's get into this race recap!

Saturday night was spent looking for a restaurant for pasta at the last minute.  The kids spent the night at Grandma & Grandpa's house, so we had a night to ourselves.  Woohoo!  After calling several restaurants, we ended up going to LaScola.  Dinner was good, but service was slow.  Perhaps they weren't expecting a ton of runners to be carb loading for the race??  I got my outfit picked out and bib pinned on.  I took a chance by wearing my new Athleta skirt.  I really love that skirt, and I am happy to report, it was a total winner!  I think I even got to bed before 11pm and I had no problems sleeping.

We were up at 4:50am, and out the door almost on time at 5:45ish.  The parking was easy - over by the law buildings at UT.  It was quite chilly (38) and I'm glad I had my hat, gloves and throw away shirt.  Still, my legs were freezing.  We chatted with our friends before the race and wished everyone well.  Alan wished he had worn some warmer clothes for the pre-race wait!

 

 

Soon it was time to line up, and we waited in our corral.  I thought the corrals worked out very well and we did not get trampled on (or us trampling anyone else).  The starting gun went off, I fumbled with my watch (which had tape on it so I couldn't see what my time was), and we were running a marathon!!  With my pacer at my side, the sun shining down, and the temps nice and cool, this race had the hopes of all things great in the world. :)

 

My trusty pacer Alan kept me in line with the plan and even told me to slow down a little at least 5 times in the first half.  He was doing a great job especially considering he had just finished the Boston Marathon 6 days ago!  At each mile marker I counted down..  25 more miles to go.  23 miles.  And soon enough, we were down to 13 miles to go! 

 

Alan decided he would not carry water for us, but he would get my water for me.  That worked out well and I was able to take my GU's right around 5, 10, 15 and 20 miles.  I sucked them down right before the water tables many times and that worked just fine.  Those salted caramel GU's are the best!!

 

My goal pace per mile was 8:50.  Early on I described my pace as "comfortably difficult".  I was not in pain, not breathing heavy, and not listening to my music, just having good conversations with random folks and enjoying the race.  I would say it was around mile 18 when it started being "no fun".  Honestly if I could have just stopped running and finished, my first thoughts were around 18.  I turned on my headphones and let the music give me some energy.  It was exciting to see all of the relay runners on the course and at their hand off points because it gave me an opportunity to see some of our neighbors and get some cheering.  I was happy to see that even though I was starting to struggle, I kept on going and we made our way into Wildwood park.

 

Wildwood was a crucial point in the race for me.  I knew I would see a 21 mile banner at that point.  When I saw it the first time around I smiled to think of how excited I would be so be seeing it again!  Unfortunately we had to run up a hill to get to it.  And there were tons of people standing there, so there was no way I was walking up that hill!  However, when I got to the top I had to walk.  And so it began.  The struggle to make my legs move and not give in to that little voice in my head that says "go ahead, walk a little, it will make you feel better!".  Ugggh.  That stupid voice.  Each time I stopped, I got so mad, but I really felt there was nothing better I could do.

We had a small pack of runners with us around mile 16 who were also using Alan as their pacer.  By 21 only one remained.  One got ahead of us and the other one dropped back.  As we entered on the UT park trail, our other runner dropped back too.  I guess that was a good thing that I was stronger than those other guys.

 

The University was in sight now, and we could even hear the finish line crowds.  That was also when a headwind slowed me down (or maybe just aggravated me) and a few more times I walked.  I kept telling myself - "only 3 more miles to go.  That's the shortest distance I ever run.  I can do this".  I saw the official 3:55 pacer group passed me up, and I just couldn't get moving that fast again.

 

On the home stretch Alan urged me to "sprint", and I tried my darndest!  We crossed the finish line at 3:56:02, just shy of our goal.  Waaaaaaaa! 

 

Here's my splits:

1	08:47.8
2	08:34.7
3	08:34.7
4	08:28.9
5	08:41.3
6	08:47.9
7	08:42.7
8	08:46.2
9	08:41.1
10	08:40.9
11	08:42.9
12	08:43.8
13	08:42.1
14	08:41.8
15	08:42.2
16	08:55.8
17	08:50.3
18	08:52.0
19	08:59.5
20	09:03.4
21	09:05.2
22	09:32.4
23	09:23.3
24	09:21.5
25	09:49.1
26	09:41.5
27	06:32.7

I started my watch a little bit after the start line, and then forgot to turn my watch off when I crossed, but you get the idea.  Going down after mile 20....

 

In my post race accessment I have decided a few things:

1) I will try again (even though I said I would never run a marathon again at the finish line!)

2) 26.2 miles is reaaaaaaaaly long.  I know, this is a shock.

3) I did some great things in my training - I got a new PR!

4) Maybe my exercises and weight lifting has helped - I did not have sore glutes.

5) I will run more races during my training, so get in the "zone".  I didn't get a change to run any during the winter and I think it could help me.

6) Despite my lack of love for the marathon, I do still love running.

 

My next marathon will be in September, in Erie PA I think.  It has been suggested to me by several people as a flat, good qualifying race.  I've got to give it another try, I think I have it in me!

Some Runners Workouts

Here are some good runner's workouts.  I'm putting them here so I can pin this to my Pinterest board!

Me, at the Boston Marathon Finish line.  Booyah!!

Runners World Rapid Muscle Response


Runners World IronStrength