marathon pics and a Happy Birthday Wish!

First off, Happy Birthday to Susan!  Hope you have a wonderful day!!

Next, hope you enjoy some of the pics from Paula.  I will be putting up the slide show from Dennis later today......

26.2 Miles!

I did it!  After approximately 11 months of training, off and on, the day finally arrived and now it's all behind me!  The day couldn't have been better, weather wise, and I was so happy to have such a great cheering section around me.  The first 13 miles were fairly smooth sailing.  I was feeling good and keeping a good pace.  It was right around the time that all the half-marathoners turned off to their finish line that it hit me: "I have to go another 13 miles!"  I began doing my running/walking after this point, but I think the more I walked, the more my legs were telling me, "STOP!!"  At around mile 17 1/2 both thighs cramped up so bad I couldn't walk, but I pushed through, taking one step at a time and trying to stretch them out.  All the while thinking of Rochelle pushing through on out Half Dome hike during her cramps.  Thankfully they went away, but the rest of the run was slow going.  Matt, my brother-in-law, joined me around mile 18 1/2 and that couldn't have been a better encouragement.  He continued to go at my pace, but encouraged me to keep going even what I felt like just walking the entire rest of the way.  

After 5 long hours and 12 minutes I crossed the finish line and was cheered on by all.  The boys were especially cute, giving me hugs and kisses.  We enjoyed pizza and a variety of desserts following the race back at our house.  Then after everyone went home I enjoyed resting on the couch, reading, watching t.v., and napping.  

Today I am feeling pretty good.  A little sore, but not as bad as I anticipated.  So I am off to help in Kevin's class and then go to work for a few hours.  No time to sit around!  Thanks to everyone for your encouragement over the past year!!  I could not have done it alone!!

Happy Halloween

The boys had a great day and night.  Zach had a harvest festival at his school, which Garrett and Kevin were able to go to (Kevin had no school, but I had to work).  After I got home from work we carved pumpkins and then the boys went out trick-or-treating around 6:30 and we didn't get back until 8:00.  They are having a very special night as they are still awake, watching t.v. in mommy and daddy's room.   I hate to end the festivities, but I think I need to get to sleep too!

Halloween Disney

Two Sundays ago we took yet another trip down to Disneyland.  It was super crowded, but luckily there are enough things to do there without actually going on rides.  We did manage to go on Nightmare Before Christmas, Pirates of the Carribean, and Snow White.  We also went to an area where they were carving pumpkins and Kevin was especially amazed by their carving talents. 

A carving of Lady and the Tramp in a pumpkin

Nightmare Before Christmas ride

And I will leave you with a video.  The boys had a great day, without any strollers, up until the time we were leaving and Zach had a small meltdown.....

1 WEEK LEFT!

It was a little more than a year ago that I decided that I wanted to run a marathon.  At the time it seemed like I had forever to train.  Now, I have 1 week left before the marathon!!  I went out yesterday for a 10 mile run, my last long one before the REAL DEAL!  So this week I will be taking it easy, enjoying all the Halloween festivities, and trying to gear up mentally for this challenge.......

"I'm Growing Up, Mom!"

We bought some face paint the other day so that we would have it for Zach's Halloween costume.  Kevin's been dying to play around with it, so I finally said that he could paint his face yesterday.  When I asked what he wanted to do on his face, he showed me a picture he had drawn that he wanted to do.  It was supposed to be scary, with scars and blood dripping down.  When I saw the picture I said, "That's kind of scary Kevin, don't you want to paint something cute?"  He responded with, 

"I'm growing up, Mom!"

Happy Birthday Graham!

Since I'm terrible at remembering to send actual cards, I had to post a birthday wish to my big brother.  I'm so excited that he and his family, along with my parents will be coming down here for Thanksgiving this year.  We don't spend nearly enough time together!  

Hope you have a great day Graham!!