Road Trip – The Beginning – Badlands, South Dakota

Our vacation started on a Friday, the day after the boys were done with school.  We set out on our 10 day adventure.  Where we were going?  Not quite sure except we knew Monday we would end up in Longmont, CO at Kyla’s house.  We had no plans, no reservations, no anxieties.  It was fabulous.  We drove a lot on Friday.  Ended up getting in late in Sioux City, woke and found a doughnut joint (and a Starbucks!), and set out for the Badlands.  This was a destination Matt and I had in the back of our minds to hit either going to Colorado, or coming back.  Crazily, Kyla was also taking the weekend and visiting South Dakota.  Our lives are always crossing like this.  Saturday we got into Wall, South Dakota.  Home of the famous (not quite sure why?) Wall Drug.  We found a cabin to hunker down in for the night, woke early the next morning to a leftover doughnut breakfast, and headed to see the Badlands.

The boys thought it was SO cool.

Boys First View

Matt and I had to agree.

Badlands

More Badlands

Matt and the boys went off exploring rocks, while I went running Castle trail.  wanted to do the full 5 and back, but I was afraid I was going to get lost.  The trail was flooded out and muddy as hell.  Then at one point I found myself running through the high grass to get back on the trail.  At that point I realized I should head back, they don’t tell you to stay out of the high grass for no reason.  Rattlers are prevalent.  So, I found my guys and we went around to the other end of the trail.  This side was a bit better marked, but eventually I lost track of those markers too.  I hopped around running the rocks for awhile, but never made it all the way back and forth on the trail.  It was such a blast.  I was muddy and exhilarated.  I hope I get a chance to beat that trail.  I have a feeling we will be back there again sometime.  This time lets hope Brodie doesn’t almost lose his shoe in a sink hole…

Bad Ass Running Badlands

Must Find Race

With my race cancelled, I was aching to race.  Months of training could not go to waste.  Since the 10K was officially cancelled, not to be rescheduled, I was on the hunt for another opportunity.  Sometimes that is when the perfect opportunity falls into your lap.  I was taking Perry to the doctor and there posted on the door to the offices was a 5K sponsored by my doctor’s medical group.  The organization hosting the 5K, Celebrate Differences.  It is a charity started by a mom who had twins and, unbeknownst to her, one had Down’s Syndrome.  She started this organization to help children with all sorts of disabilities, as well as their families.  This was the second year for this 5K and would be held right down the road from my doctor’s office.

1. A race!
2. Close by.
3. Perfect charity to support considering our family is the exact kind of family who utilizes this organization.
4. 9 am start, which means we are not dragging kids out of bed at the break of dawn.
5. And best of all… A kids’ dash!  My kids love the dashes!

Seemed fated.  I looked up the results of last year’s race and it was a small turn out (about 200 people) and not too terribly competitive.  I was excited.

Race day weather was chilly, but good for running.  I started out a bit too fast and paid for it on mile 3, but still had enough for a kick at the end.  Matt got this picture of me heading towards the finish line.  I love it because you can see Marley’s arm cheering me on.

GO Mama!

More than anything else that is what I will remember.  As I came around the bend and all my guys saw me coming I could hear their cheers, “GO Mama!!!  You are first girl!  GOOOOOOO!”  And I went.  It may be the only time I ever win the overall female spot, which in and of itself will be memorable, but those cheers and the pride they had for me surpasses any of that.

They ran their own dash.  Unfortunately, I have no pictures of that because we all ran, including Perry.  It was an amazing day that I will carry with me forever.

Romp

Our school held it’s second annual 1 mile run this year.  There was a HUGE turn out.  The kids love it.  I love it.

Cale took one of the PE teachers phones and started taking pictures.  LOVE our teachers.  They just roll with it.  And then send me copies of the pics…

Dedication

No Amount of Dedication – 109/365

Runners as a group are dedicated individuals.  Some times we fall of track or life gets the best of us, but in general we strive to do what we love to do as much as possible.

We push ourselves.
We run in snow.
We feel the rain pitter pattering on our backs.
We run with the moon.
We curse the 90 degree sun.
We watch our miles.
We monitor our pace.
We plan our course.
We schedule our long runs.
We follow with recovery runs.
We do hill sprints.
We do strides in the grass before an upcoming race.
We don winter hats and gloves.
We wrap our shirts around us only 20 minutes into a hot August tempo run.
We run laps around the local track.
We avoid train tracks so we don’t have to stop.
We carry water around our waist.
We suck down some weird goo concoction or eat gummy things to fuel our muscles.
We analyze our weight.
We give up certain delectable treats.
We go at it day in and day out.

No matter how much we may dread the start of a run, by mile 3 it is fun.  This dedication is part of what makes runners, runners.  It is what brings us together as a community. But no matter the dedication no runner can change the weather.  I was sad to find out that because of flooding in our area my race on Sunday was cancelled.  It seems minimal compared to all the rest of the running news this week. However, my dedication has been towards this race.  This dedication was pushing me to face the fear that I may not PR and, therefore, disappoint myself.

More than anything I was excited to run with a group of runners.  To take back the race.  To not allow those with hatred take away our spirit.  To rejoice in being with thousands of people who love doing what I also love doing.

Running.

Heading Home

and not much to do for 10 hours, but take pictures.

Family Car Portrait

Getting closer

Chi-town

Getting later

Might As Well Shoot

Within Reach

Nothing Else To Do

No Surprises Here

Each of my boys loved the finger game, where my fingers would creep across the table and … ATTACK.  Perry is no exception.

Finger Attack

Hand Tossed

We always have a pizza night on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.  And usually one other night during the week we will have pizza too.  This family loves pizza.  Every once and awhile I will indulge in a glass of wine while I make the pizzas.

One of my favorite things to do is hand toss pizza dough.  It is very calming.  The kids always love it too.

Maybe it is just that we all know the deliciousness that will soon follow…

Good Morning

Start the Day – 56/365

Still sick, but I am trying to use my head. I know running will tear down my body and send my immune system to repair. I keep telling myself, if I allow my immune system to focus I will probably get better quicker. Yes, a 4 or 5 mile run today would have been possible. But it would also have kept me where I am at. A HARD run in a couple of days, once I am feeling better will advance me farther. That’s what I want. Better, faster, farther…

I Can Feel it Coming

A cold.

I am trying to head it off by drinking lots of water, drinking airborne, and even taking the weekend off. I missed a great run today even though I know I could have done it. I just wanted to give my immune system a fighting chance. I am back to training tomorrow cold or no cold. I am hoping for the latter.

Brand Loyal

Everyone has Adidas.  Well, not everyone…

Kickin’ It Old School – 49/365

Which Abrew is missing?
That someone needs to get with the program.