Tuesday, March 30, 2010
People I Know
Suprise! You're Still a Runner
That's what I found out at the race on Saturday. I wasn't sure. I've only dabbled in running since Els was born. Oh, who am I kidding? Since I found out I was pregnant with her, just short of two years ago. I certainly have not trained for anything. But, lo and behold, I ran a pretty respectable (to me-I was still just 10th in my age group) time at the Beaufort Twilight Run and, afterwards, fun was had by all. I'm pretty sure I owe if all to Uncle Tony, as my sister and I refer to him. Still, I don't do P90X everyday, just 3 or 4 days a week with 1 or 2 runs mixed in there.
All that to say, I've caught the bug now. I want to do more races. The thing that I really love about racing is the people. Just like any other big event, races bring out all sorts of folks. There are the seriously trained, you-know-before-the-race-starts-that-they're-gonna-be-first-or-second people. They're usually on mile two of their warm-ups as I cruise into the parking lot, finishing my last gummy worm. There's the dress ups. You know, the people wearing Batman costumes, or American flag spandex shorts. At this race there was a whole group of dudes wearing button up tiger print shirts. (Side note; one time, the picture company got my race number mixed up with the guy dressed up like Batman's and I got his race pictures in the mail.) There are the women in full make-up and jewelry, the growing number of people with iPods, and the pre-pubescent boys who sprint for 400 meters and then walk over and over again but still end up averaging 6:30 miles. The most disturbing (to me) people are the race t-shirt wearers. No, not previous race t-shirts, the race they're currently running's t-shirt. There is no bigger race party foul. You don't wear the shirt 'til you've crossed the finish line, people. It's a badge of honor.
Anyway, I wrote and meant to post this a whole week ago, but I've been away from the computer. I got my race pictures by email two days ago and will not be ordering any. Running pictures of me have always been disgusting. But I still want to keep running and getting better. Pictures or not.
All that to say, I've caught the bug now. I want to do more races. The thing that I really love about racing is the people. Just like any other big event, races bring out all sorts of folks. There are the seriously trained, you-know-before-the-race-starts-that-they're-gonna-be-first-or-second people. They're usually on mile two of their warm-ups as I cruise into the parking lot, finishing my last gummy worm. There's the dress ups. You know, the people wearing Batman costumes, or American flag spandex shorts. At this race there was a whole group of dudes wearing button up tiger print shirts. (Side note; one time, the picture company got my race number mixed up with the guy dressed up like Batman's and I got his race pictures in the mail.) There are the women in full make-up and jewelry, the growing number of people with iPods, and the pre-pubescent boys who sprint for 400 meters and then walk over and over again but still end up averaging 6:30 miles. The most disturbing (to me) people are the race t-shirt wearers. No, not previous race t-shirts, the race they're currently running's t-shirt. There is no bigger race party foul. You don't wear the shirt 'til you've crossed the finish line, people. It's a badge of honor.
Anyway, I wrote and meant to post this a whole week ago, but I've been away from the computer. I got my race pictures by email two days ago and will not be ordering any. Running pictures of me have always been disgusting. But I still want to keep running and getting better. Pictures or not.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Rambling Thoughts
Two years ago, I remember thinking about how I was loving "spring forward" for the first time ever. I was working at the Classic Center in Athens and it was a beautiful morning. Never have I had an appreciation for this phenomenon like I do now. That is because spring forward equals it's 8:30am and Els is still snoozing. Now, don't get me wrong, I love that girl more than anything, but making and drinking my first cup of coffee without her begging for puffs and bananas ('nanas') is something I could get used to. Something tells me that she'll adjust sooner or later and this blissful hour will end. (Or, I'll have to get up earlier to have it, and if you know me, you're not holding your breath for that one. ha.)
Onto other things. We are mildly settled back into life again. B is in the job that he'll hopefully do for a year before he is moved again. The wedding shower that my sister, mom, and I hosted this past weekend was a success. Not the kind of success where there are a lot of people there, but the kind where there are people that love each other together and everyone has a great time. We had a blast with the bride and groom for the whole weekend. I just wish I was better with taking pictures.
And speaking of, Els had her one year photo shoot with the very talented Cindy Streams. I can't wait to see the finished product. She was her little stoic self at the beginning, but then warmed up and gave us some priceless faces. That girl has a mind of her own. Heaven help me.
Tomorrow, I will begin my second Bible Study of the year and I'm way too excited about it. Also, on a total whim, I'm running an 8K this weekend. It's in the evening and is followed by an oyster roast, so it should be a good time even if I'm not close to prepared to race 4.9 miles.
Whew! Well, enough about me. How about you?
Onto other things. We are mildly settled back into life again. B is in the job that he'll hopefully do for a year before he is moved again. The wedding shower that my sister, mom, and I hosted this past weekend was a success. Not the kind of success where there are a lot of people there, but the kind where there are people that love each other together and everyone has a great time. We had a blast with the bride and groom for the whole weekend. I just wish I was better with taking pictures.
And speaking of, Els had her one year photo shoot with the very talented Cindy Streams. I can't wait to see the finished product. She was her little stoic self at the beginning, but then warmed up and gave us some priceless faces. That girl has a mind of her own. Heaven help me.
Tomorrow, I will begin my second Bible Study of the year and I'm way too excited about it. Also, on a total whim, I'm running an 8K this weekend. It's in the evening and is followed by an oyster roast, so it should be a good time even if I'm not close to prepared to race 4.9 miles.
Whew! Well, enough about me. How about you?
Thursday, March 04, 2010
This and That
Ours is a bit of a revolving door these days. Whether it's us leaving or others coming, we haven't had a "regular" weekend since January. This leaves me either cleaning furiously or packing hurriedly on all but a few days of the week. And the events, oh the events, they are wonderful, but my mother and I are planning several of them this spring. There was Els' birthday last weekend, a wedding shower next weekend, and an upcoming family reunion in April. Also in the mix are several weddings which we are happily not planning. (This year at least.)
Don't get me wrong. I love planning, I love cooking, and, well, I don't really mind cleaning. I relish being in a house full of people that I love, but it all goes by so fast, like flashes before my eyes. Life at this pace doesn't leave a lot of time for reflection and certainly less time for blogging. So, I guess I'm writing about it today because I want to enjoy all of this "together" time. I want to be able to hit the pause button and have meaningful conversations with everyone I see. I want to be able to write for you what I'm learning through it all, I'm just not sure what that is right now.
In addition, B is going through some crazy changes at work. He jokes that he feels like a ping pong ball, hit back and forth by the whims and purposes of the powers that be. I tend to think of his work situation as a roulette wheel where he's the ball. Where will he land when the wheel stops turning? (4? 8? 15? 16? 23? 42?, but I digress...)
As I pondered all of this before going to sleep last night, the thought occurred to me, "What if I really believed that a loving God was in control of all this? I mean REALLY in control. How would I live?" A lot more confidently, I think. So, that's my prayer for our little family right now. That we would learn to live confidently because of a loving God that has us hemmed in, behind and before.
Don't get me wrong. I love planning, I love cooking, and, well, I don't really mind cleaning. I relish being in a house full of people that I love, but it all goes by so fast, like flashes before my eyes. Life at this pace doesn't leave a lot of time for reflection and certainly less time for blogging. So, I guess I'm writing about it today because I want to enjoy all of this "together" time. I want to be able to hit the pause button and have meaningful conversations with everyone I see. I want to be able to write for you what I'm learning through it all, I'm just not sure what that is right now.
In addition, B is going through some crazy changes at work. He jokes that he feels like a ping pong ball, hit back and forth by the whims and purposes of the powers that be. I tend to think of his work situation as a roulette wheel where he's the ball. Where will he land when the wheel stops turning? (4? 8? 15? 16? 23? 42?, but I digress...)
As I pondered all of this before going to sleep last night, the thought occurred to me, "What if I really believed that a loving God was in control of all this? I mean REALLY in control. How would I live?" A lot more confidently, I think. So, that's my prayer for our little family right now. That we would learn to live confidently because of a loving God that has us hemmed in, behind and before.
P.S. I love this shot of my girl on her birthday. At one you're still unafraid to show how you feel. Even at your birthday party!
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