Friday, September 30, 2016

I had a great race, last weekend. Komen for the Cure in downtown Toledo is always a well supported event. This year, I had Jim, my sister & a 4-H mom/breast cancer survivor with me. It makes a world of difference having people with you at an event! I wanted to do well for "them" as well as for me. My pace was ok- not my best time at a race but still "good". I haven't raced in so long that I got a bit "heave-ish" after a couple of small inclines. I train at an easy pace. I do no speed work: track work, fartleks or strides. I try to add some inclines where I can but it's hard to find good elevation changes in Pancake, Ohio. 😜 I would have liked low 8 min/miles; I got 8:23-ish including the pausing for heaves (twice). Today, I saw my race time from 2 years prior. (I didn't do it, last year, because Jim was in a coma.) My time was just shy of 9 minute miles. While my progress is slower than some, numbers don't lie. I AM making my own progress.

As Jim regains strength, we are planning his first 5K!!! It's a race in Cleveland. It also is in connection with the Cleveland Browns. We finish in the stadium. He is SO excited! I am excited FOR him! This year has been surreal. We have both significantly changed. It is the first time I am completely letting my guard down. I'm enjoying getting a "second chance" with him. 💕

As he progresses, I'm adding races, again. I'm also adding swimming lessons, again! Life is about enjoying the ride. I was so serious, before all of this. I'm still serious but I'm doing stuff I like, now. That's pretty great.

The girls are doing well in high school & college. Life is good, right now, so I'd like to ride that wave as long as we can...

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

I've been active on Facebook. I'm getting more active on twitter ( @nomorewallflowr ). I haven't been so active, here. Life has been busy in a good way. Jim is really rebounding & the girls are both taking college credit plus classes at the University of Toledo. Compared to high school, they LOVE it! Neither of the girls has a driver's license; so, we are driving them around, daily-- a LOT. It's a pain; but, it gives me one-on-one time to talk with them. It has also allowed me to squeak a half hour of weightlifting, again, twice a week, while waiting for a campus pick up, then ride home.

While my life is revolving around the rest of my family, my running has continued. My mileage has NOT increased to ultra marathon distances but I'm consoled knowing my family is coming first. I gave up many out of town races, this year. Jillian works so hard on her college work. I hate to pull her out of her routine, out of focus, out of her element. School doesn't come easily to her. She works so  hard to focus & finish her work. So I console myself knowing I'm not disrupting the schedule by hauling the family out of town to a hotel so that I can race. --I was satisfied "enough" until Jim was notified of a 5K in Cleveland. The finish is on the 50 yard line in the Cleveland Browns' Stadium! Jim was so excited; he asked me to sign us up! I certainly did!!! He now has a goal race. His mileage has been two miles but he is quite capable to move to 2 1/2, now. I also know the elevation around the stadium. We'll need add some elevation changes to prep him. I am excited for both of us. We plan on running, together. We won't be racing. It's too early for Jim to race. The goal will be to finish strong.  I know he has it in him. -Now, he has a date to shoot for... 👍🏼


Monday, September 5, 2016

 We interrupt your Labor Day activities to bring you this important announcement: REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR THE MERCY HEALTH GLASS CITY MARATHON weekend of races.



Sunday, September 4, 2016

14 miles, today, at Oak Openings. The weather was cooler & a bit chilly at the start. That quickly faded to "comfortable." Met up with a former high school classmate to run. I love introducing people to the trails at Oak Openings. There is often trepidation when you start trail running. "Will I fall?" "Will I get lost?" "Will a scary person hurt me out there?" Yes, you could fall-- but tripping is more likely. Lost? Trails are usually marked & a turn could be missed if you don't look up at some point. Scary people are not usual at the Metropark. Most are there to exercise as well. Lisa complimented me but I honestly told her she got me on a good day. My breathing (allergy induced asthma) was the best it's been in awhile (Ragweed pollen is going down). I was highly caffeinated & had just been to the chiropractor on Friday. The planets were "aligned". 😜 We separated after mile 10. I did a few more miles. Stopped for photos of mushrooms & thinking about some upcoming races. I will not be doing Woodstock & Detroit this year. Part of me is sad. Part of me is relieved of the pressure. It's still hard to haul the family out of town for me, solo, to race, then come straight home. It throws everyone out of their routines- for homework & pets, housework & secular work. I'll finish this year, "locally" with The Oak Openings Stampede, Churchill's, Run For Your Life & Komen. I'm feeling good about us as a family; but our life is far from "settled". I'm running & racing enough to fill what little "extra" time I have. Training for longer races isn't feasible until these girls are driving themselves to school/college. I'm kind of okay with that... I know there will be a time when they won't need me driving them around. For now, I can run & still hear about lab partners, teachers, college classmates & projects... I'm willing to take that trade off.

Saturday, September 3, 2016


"Do you think I can do it?" Jim asked me.
"YES!"

I'm normally the one questioning my abilities & getting sick with anxiety before a long run. Here I am helping to quiet his doubts.

As the one year anniversary of Jim getting sick, approaches, we are finally (PHYSICALLY) on the road to recovery. Jim did, INDEED, run two miles, tonight. I don't foresee three being difficult in the near future. He doesn't have the leg strength he once had; but, he is definitely making a strong come back. I am so happy to have a front row seat to this recovery. While it has been a year since Jim's illness, it has only been since April that the infection was finally discovered & treated. In a few months, he has gained his appetite, stability, energy & weight... As all of these have returned, running was added. I am SO EXCITED to have a running companion, again! Hoping he adds miles quickly to run often with me. :)
REGISTER!!!

Labor Day is the start of registration for the 2017 Mercy Health Glass City Marathon race weekend!