The Long Run

Well, I have completed 3 weeks of training for the marathon. For those of you who don't know how it works, I generally do 2-3 shorter runs and one long run each week.

On week 1, my long run was 8 miles. I never thought it was possible, but somehow I did it. The next week my long run was 9 miles. I planned my run so it would end at our favorite breakfast place. Maybe that's why my pace improved a bit. This week's long run was 10 miles, and I'm pleased to say I completed it at my best pace, yet...even with all the hills!! I didn't have to walk at all on any of my long runs so far.

Kristina has been my coach, trainer, alarm clock, water supplier and overall support system. On all 3 long runs, she's met me at Mile 5 with water. There is no way I could do this without her.

This week's run was particularly emotional because I'm at my favorite place in the world with my family. We're at the Lake in Minnesota, and the route around the Lake is exactly 10 miles. How's that for a coincidence?! For those of you who have never been here, going around the Lake seems like it would be more than 10 miles, so it seemed daunting.

Kristina, my mom, my sister and my 13 month old nephew met me at Mile 5 for my water break and parked at Miles 6, 7 and 8 to watch me run by them (prepared with more water in case I needed it...I didn't). When I finished, I was overcome with emotion, and walked down to the dock to see the Lake I had just run around, and a bald eagle flew by as if to congratulate me.

Then, Kristina and I stretched together on the dock while watching birds all around us. It was an amazing experience overall! I wish I could train here all summer!

Here's a map of my 10 mile route around the Lake.

Christopher

Random Act of Kindness

Kristina and I are definitely not too proud to put our future baby in used clothes. Hand-me-downs and yard/garage/rummage sales are our new best friends. So, last weekend, we went "yard-saling" in search of baby stuff and maternity clothes. We got some pretty good bargains on baby carriers and baby clothes. One sale had tons of stuff for $0.10-$2.00.

As we searched through clothes, we picked out stuff based on the size (usually given in months) and whether it would be appropriate for the baby's age at a given time of year (no sweaters at 9 months in July). Well, most clothes have age ranges (0-3, 3-6, 6-9 months, etc.), but we encountered several that simply said 6 months or 9 months. We started debating out loud what that might mean.

Fortunately, a "mom" came to our rescue. She said she couldn't help overhearing us, and told us that it indicates the age the average baby would be growing out of the clothes. She gave us some good advice and showed us her newest baby (number 3). Anyway, we continued to plow through the piles of clothes pulling aside the ones we liked so we could compare and decide what to buy.

During our rummaging (hey, that must be how these sales got their name!), I noticed her walking away pushing her stroller. About 5 minutes later, the woman running the rummage sale told us the lady had told her to apply her change to whatever we buy so cost wouldn't keep us from getting anything we wanted. But the lady didn't want us to know until after she left. This woman we had just met bought $12.75 in baby clothes for us, and we didn't even get a chance to thank her! We were stunned!

I guess we can consider it a matching gift because we spent another $13 on clothes!

Here's our rummage sale haul from last weekend.

Christopher

Houston

Just got back from my trip to Houston. I was visiting my good friend (since I was 5) Sarah Hart. She has three beautiful children and a new home. Here is a picture of Iris with her big sister Eloise:



Here is a picture of me at 18 weeks:



And a picture of my family (plus Jeff) showing off their winnings from the Dynamo's game:




Go here to see all the pictures from my Houston trip:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11044310@N07/sets/72157605386519557

Kristina