Great news...my race today was awesome! I participated in the 1st Inaugural Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon in Fredericksburg. I ran the 13.1 miles in a time of 1:52:23 (8:35 splits). I was on cloud nine. My primary goal was to get under 2 hours, and 1:52 was my optimum goal. I improved tenfold and beat my previous half marathon PR by 12 minutes. I placed 762/3822 finishers. Detailed results: http://results.active.com/pages/searchform.jsp?rsID=61900
The race was well run, the fan suppot was phenomenal, and the course was scenic, as Fredericksburg is a historic colonial town. People sat out on their front lawns and cheered. One guy yelled at the 5-mile mark, "You're almost done." Everyone chorused back, "You're a bad liar." One smart aleck bystander had a sign that said, "Runners, better you than me." Ha...true.
It was quite a patriotic event, which I expected. There were lots of random Ooorahs, and during the first/last mile, we ran through 2 fire trucks with the ladders raised and a huge American flag stretched between, while they played "Proud to be an American." What a motivating moment. There was a lot of entertainment during the race, including a band of children drummers, an Indian Pow Wow, colonial ballroom dancers, and a harpist. Strange, but hey, it helped keep my mind off my aching feet.
The course was hillier than I expected and the uphill climb in the end was brutal, but I knew I was on track to make the 1:52 goal if I just pushed it a tad harder. There were three Marines in boots and utes that I joked with and ran part of the race with. They were ahead of me the last mile and I just had to beat them, given they ran the race in military boots. I respect their ambition (but I personally won't be running any races in boots any time soon!)
Brian and Caden cheered me on during the last mile. It meant a lot to have them there. Brian has been my number one supporter and coach. He believed in me when I didn't and planted the seed in my head that I needed to set my goal faster than 2 hours. Brian, I'm glad I listened to you (can't believe I'm saying that...).
Brian is still diligently training and his next race is in 2 weeks. He has a lot of TADs coming up, including trips to Ohio, California, Hawaii, and Arizona.
Caden has been irritable as he's fighting off a summer cold. But that's understandable. He's becoming increasingly independent and has recently become "Daddy's Boy." It started around Mother's Day when he decided he wanted nothing to do with me all day. How ironic. I guess he didn't get the memo that it was MOTHER'S day. He has been clingy to Brian ever since.
We've noticed that he wants to emulate adult activities, like feeding himself entirely on his own using our forks and spoons. He throws food too...grrrrr...our carpet is a disaster. He prefers sitting by himself in our chairs. It's really quite amazing the things he picks up that we do. He tried to put a DVD in the DVD player yesterday, he likes to help set the table, and he knows that before we "Go" outside, he needs to put on his socks and shoes. When he hugs us, he pats our back like we pat his...it's so sweet. He still loves to snatch our cell phones and accidentally called Grandma Bernitta yesterday. We'll pretend it was on purpose. We recently bought him a basketball hoop so he's our little hoopster in training. But really, it's just more for Brian and I to play the game HORSE in the house. (I am currently up, 4 games to 1. YESSSSSSSS.)
Video of Caden attempting to play basketball
This kid adores corn
Having his morning coffee and newspaper on the porch
Oooo sand...something else I can throw
Always willing to share, especially after it's already been in his mouth
This kid adores corn
Having his morning coffee and newspaper on the porch
Oooo sand...something else I can throw
Always willing to share, especially after it's already been in his mouth
We hope all you Moms had nice Mother's Days. Brian treated me to breakfast in bed and Caden colored a picture for me. We bought some beautiful flowers too. Summer is here...yay!
