Each Day Is a Gift

A LOUD thunder storm woke me up.  Hadn't slept much the last few nights anyway.  We went to Church in Ankeny where Eric and Marianne lived for 2.5 years while he was attending school at DMU.  It was great for them to see their friends again, although only to have to say goodbye. 

After church we all went to the condo where they used to live and have a farewell BBQ.  It is the last time they'll see each other for a long long long time as everyone is going off to their Residency programs all over the country.

We began our long drive to Cleveland at 2pm.  Eric would lead the way driving the yellow Penske truck.  Marianne and I would take turn driving the Sonata followed by Larry driving the Infiniti.  It was more challenging to keep Emi happy strapped in a carseat than to drive.  We arrived at Joliet, Illinois a little after 8pm, exhausted and hungry.  Ate dinner at a restaurant very close to the hotel, the Jn Michaels, good food and friendly service.

It being Sunday, I tried to call my other children, Jeff, David and Bryan, but only got their voice mail. :(

Slept in till 6:45.  Grabbed a quick breakfast while Eric impatiently ushered us out of the hotel to continue our drive to Cleveland.  The drive wasn't too bad except for the annoying toll booths we had to go thru each time we exit and enter the freeway or between statelines.  I drove through Indiana.  It was awesome to see many flags, big and small flown along the route, many farm lands and beautiful country.  The temperature got warmer and warmer as we head further east.

At long last, we arrived at their new home in Parma, OH around 2pm.  

Emi is so happy to have a backyard and deck...

and open basement to run around in! :)

Then began the hard work of unloading the truck's content into the house!!!

Finally, the last and heaviest piece of furniture is moved in!  We were so tired and exhausted!

Eric drove us to the Cleveland Clinic's HUMONGOUS campus/compoud!  WOW!!!  We were impressed!  Then we went back to Parma and shopped for grocery.  We filled up 3 carts and finally got back to the house at 9pm to have dinner.  We were starving and did I mention exhausted?!!! :)

One of the many buildings at Cleveland Clinic

I think this is going to be a great Residency program for Eric.

Got in a short run early before leaving for the airport.  Ran around the neighborhood on sidewalks.  The roads were very narrow.  Had to watch for folks driving out of driveways for work.  Very hot (70F) and humid, sweating buckets!

Barely made it to the gate for the flights home.  Hubby was on different flights which got delayed in Dallas for over 3 hours!  Legs were stiff and sore.  Already missing Emi! :-(

Slept in, checked the mail and email.  Ate breakfast.  Did laundry.  Good to be home but I'm missing my kids and grandkids terribly! :(  Could not find the motivation to run.

But today being National Run Day (I think) and smack in the middle of the two marathons (Ogden and UVM); plus it's first day of the month, I'd better get a run in whether I feel like it or not.  Finally headed out just before noon, very warm, windy with overcast sky.

The legs were stiff, tired and heavy.  The right patellar tendon protested immediately.  I could not get in a good rhythm.  The pace was slower than tar.  Could not get the left footfall to quiet down.  It was as if a rock was embedded in the sole.  I even checked it twice.  Drank from the f.o.y at mile 5, 9, 11.  Ate 3 shot blocks left over from Ogden at mile 5.

The only good part of the run was the surrounding beautiful mountains and valley.  I saw many horses, 3 camels, 1 mule, mothers jogging with strollers and children at Field Day and Dance Festival.  

How am I going to run UVM in 10 days?  It's gonna be a very LONG painful one, I'm afraid! :(

AM:  Ran easy with Karen.  Good thing Karen reminded me to take my inhaler.  It was very windy and I started coughing one mile into the run and had to use the inhaler.  A bit cooler than yesterday.  Legs still dead!  :(

Easy run with Karen.  Yesterday I talked her ears off.  Today was her turn! :)

FUN FUN FUN run with three beautiful friends!!! MANY THANKS to Toby for the invite and for packing our drinks!!!  :)  MUCHO thanks to RAD for the fun chats!!! :)

Drove Karen to the PRT where we met Toby and RAD at 6:30am.  The PRT is perfect for a 12 miler, just the right amount of rollers and up/downgrade, and beautiful vista of the valley in the base of Traverse Mountain!!! Weather was GREAT!  The company were SUPERB!!!!  What else can a girl ask for?!!! Except may be time for breakfast afterwards! :)

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The knee is still bugging!  I am not fully recovered from Ogden.  I will do some serious rolling and stretching this week; tape up the darn knee and hope I finish UVM upright!  But I will have FUN and find JOY!!!  The journey and friendships, the joy and pain in overcoming my limitations and weaknesses is why I run; and the marathon facilitates that beautifully!!!  :) :) :)