Half Marathon

It's all done and over with. What a day, what a time and I can't wait to do it all again. My time?? 3:02:32 Fabulous!! I woke at 5 am to be able to shower, get ready, have some breakfast before the 7:30 am start. I was tired and grumpy. To top off the early morning it was raining!! It had been sunny straight for an entire week, and we wake up run morning and it is raining!! Blah! There is nothing that I hate more then rain...I live in a very rainy climate too. I headed out and got to town about an hour early. Enough time to walk to warm up, and check out all the activity. Stuart had started the full marathon at 6:30 am. I missed the start cause I was standing under a shelter! Start line was exciting with the whole group of 4020 were waiting to head out. We counted down from ten and then were off! I walked for the first k, and then hit a light run for awhile. I walked whenever I wanted and ran whenever I wanted. I just wanted to finish. I had some minor pain in my right leg and both of my knees. It was cold and raining-my hands were numb for the majority of the race. I forgot Kleenex to blow with...I am sure that all the people around me that heard me sniffing wish that I had brought some!! I was tired around 10k- the most I have ever ran, but I kept going. People were passing me, I was passing people. I chatted with a few, then saw the oldest lady in the race who I talked to two days before when I picked up my race pack. She was 83 and walking the half marathon! What an inspiration. I welled up with tears of joy for her and only wish that I will be that active when I hit my 80's. I saw a father pushing a stroller on the side of the road quickly removing the rain gear off of the stroller so that his son could watch and cheer for his mom as she raced along. I had a few inspirations along the way. I saw the race coordinator while I was picking up my package two nights before. It was Stuart and I am all the kids in tow. He looked at me and said 'Wow, you have already run more than a few marathons...Beautiful family'. I am proud of myself in both my athletic and family goals. I am doing the best that I can in both raising my family and also finding some time to achieve another goal that I so set out to achieve. I have achieved my goal of running in a half marathon, and do realize now that I can do it. I would like to do it again, and will for many years to come. My body aches, I can barely walk down and up stairs, but I am proud of myself. I do get to go for a wonderful massage tomorrow too! The city seems to come alive with the Royal Victoria Marathon. It has been a yearly event for 27 years. http://www.royalvictoriamarathon.com/index.php With approx 10,000 people running and walking in all of the events-8k, half marathon, marathon and kids runs. The finish line is amazing. The people cheering and encouraging you along the whole route. What an amazing experience...one that I will not soon forget.

Madeline

Madeline is almost four and always has so much to say. She is full of love, hugs, words, energy, smiles... She is a real girly girl. All pink-skirts and dresses. She loves to sing and dance, and gets embarassed when you catch her doing it by herself. Madeline loves to bake, shop, read, do arts and crafts. She loves to swim and play at the beach. She tries to act like she is older then she really is. She likes to hang around with the older girls in the neighbourhood. She is shy when meeting new people, but will quickly warm up to everyone. Her smiles is heavenly, and her pout stops you in your tracks. Madeline can be stubborn, tough, but also very understanding. She is easy to reason with and generous.