1/2 Marathon

I once thought I'd train to run a marathon before I hit the big   __0. Didn't happen - after reaching 8 miles in workouts the knees didn't like me, so I caved. I also had a six, four, and three year old needing my time. Yeah, that's it, uhhhh......

 Today I was given the opportunity to say yes to training for a 1/2 marathon with a friend. I at first turned it down. Then later  realized that the Commander had already mentioned trying the Bataan Death March Memorial again next March. We didn't make it this year. I texted my friend, Shannon, and jumped on board with her. If I can do the 1/2 this fall, then doing a whole next March might not seem so daunting.  It's a bit scary, thou, I really haven't ran much at all these last few years because of the morton's neuroma pain. I actually can't do three miles yet (a big hill is most of that problem) so getting up to 13.1 in 13 weeks will be a challenge. I'm working tonight on devouring a few given workout plans off the internet and suiting them to our time frame.

Concerning the last entry and the coaching job. Coach D. told me no way would he hire the other coach. We will just work around the vaso-vagal syncope and driving issues. I on the other hand get to work on recruiting and fund raising. Deal.

***
We dropped Herogian off at  Cub Creek Science Camp on Sunday. We last saw him joining a group of five young ladies headed for the dining hall before the incoming class of campers arrived. No hug, no wave goodbye, his ears weren't registering our pleads.  LOL.  He is an Animal Supervisor In Training (ASIT) for two weeks.

Feeling at Peace

Little things have come to mind lately, a comment here, a messed up dream there, a talk with Coach D. and then Wednesday and THursday while spending time working on a fundraiser for the track team, God spoke to my heart.

Wednesday night I met another soccer mom who stated she had a medical condition that wouldn't allow her to drive over 45 miles per hour. She doesn't drive into Kansas City for soccer games. I mentioned that I don't like to drive anymore because I'm afraid of passing out. She said that's exactly what she has. Made me feel so much better that yes, someone else does deal with this issue, and I'm not totally crazy in the head. The panic attacks are real, but I don't know how to stop them, or if I ever will be able to. They just come out of the blue. Usually, when I'm not feeling very comfortable about going someplace, but they have happened on the way home - when I should be thrilled to be headed home. Weird.
Anyhow, Wednesday evening I talked to Commander a bit, about feeling uncomfortable about driving the CC/Track team to meets. Coach had recently given me two CC meets in September and October that I would be responsible for driving the van of women. After our talk, I emailed him about this, and offered some suggestion as to how it could be taken care of, to include splitting the salary between me and our other coach (volunteer) to see if she would drive for him. I immediately felt relief and that we had done the right thing.

THursday while cutting out stickers for a "Make your own School Spirit Shirt" I had a lot of time to talk and listen.
I felt I was being told by God to let Coach D. hire another coach that he has spoke about in our last few conversations. I believe now that he needs someone more ambitious about being the head coach when the team has to be split, and he needs someone who really knows how to  recruit. I felt the push to release Coach from his commitment to me so that he can do what it best for the team. I wrote him an email and told him so. I feel at ease, again I feel like I was led to do what is right for the team. Yeah, it will probably drop me back to a volunteer position, but if I can help the throwers again this year, it will be fun. If it doesn't work out, I know God has bigger plans for me in the future. I'm also hoping a friend gets a job with the school system that will allow her to work closer to home. If that happens, the boys and I might get to babysit for her in the mornings. That would be a plus for all of us.

Our life might be changing next year when Commander finally retires for real. God knows what will be taking place and he knows what needs to be done now for us to be ready for His next assignment for us.

OKAY - I wanted to post this verse but blanked entirely as to where to find it in the Bible, so I searched the concordance. It didn't help. I couldn't believe it. So I saved this draft, click on the search engine for a Bible verse search program, and right in front of me on the screen two verses kept flip-flopping. The verse I wanted was right in front of my eyes. How Cool!

Jeremiah 29: 11 For I know the plans I have for you," declared the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

And, He gives the peace that surpasses all understanding.
Have a blessed weekend.

Raining down blessings

Last night at soccer practice we might have received 10-12 rain drops on the windshield. OH. I've been praying for rain, as a lot of people in the midwest have been doing, and last night we received a blessed answer to our prayers. There was about 1/2 and inch of water in the tub sitting on the back porch. Thank you, Lord. It is so parched and dry that we have to water our deck. That's right - the deck post have shifted enough that we can't fully shut the door. We have to bump it hard enough to get it to stick, and move furniture in front of it at night.

It was still sprinkling this morning when I joined Shannon A. for a bike ride. It was so refreshing to have overcast skies, the sprinkles bypassing my glasses to hit me in the eyes. The wide road that soon left suburbia to be surrounded by horse ranches and pastures with moo cows.  I love the wide open spaces of the midwest. I'm getting better about liking the rolling hills - Kansas isn't all flat.
This type of ride (hard workout 8.83 miles) this morning....

felt like this with the refreshing spirit of the Lord raining down on us. 

It has been so nice to have a companion for workouts. THanks Mrs. Shannon.

Conserving resources, Pergola shade

Thank goodness I wasn't here for this conversation between Commander and Herogian. I probably would have shot milk out my nose.
"Hey, bub, you stink."
The boys had just returned inside from playing an airsoft war in 95+ degree heat with full camo suits, face mask, and armor of assorted styles.
"It's Saturday, Dad, I'm conserving resources. I didn't put any on this morning."
"That's the wrong kind of resource to conserve. We're trying to save the world, not fumigate it . Go put on some deodorant."
"Oh... all... right."

*****
THe day room has really been heating us this summer. Last summer I stretchd a thin blue polyester type material across the beams to block out some of the heat, but it didn't look good. So come fall I yanked it back down.  Now I'm putting the sewing machine to use, doing grommet holes and hooks. It will make a big difference in the look and in the heat.

This is ceiling in early morning before the sun hits.

This is with pergola shade.

A story on the material.  I went to a bargain outlet and found the roll of material. It was 5 feet in length. The ladies working there had all kinds of stuff on their cutting table. I tried to engage the main one in charge with a little conversation about how Commander wanted to me find material with clouds on it. She immediately said she had to go to the bathroom and left. Hawk came back over from his wandering around and said he liked my choice. The problem now was that we needed to pull this five foot roll of material off the shelf and get 11 yards from it. It was on half price for $3.00 a yard. I was planning to do just one layer of material for each strip between the beams. WELLLLLL, Mrs. "I gotta go to the bathroom" had returned along with another woman who has cut material for me before. I turned and said Ladies, I need to get 11 yards off this roll. Mrs. "I gotta go", lifted an eyebrow and starred at me, then said,  "I sale you the whole roll for $10.00."

I couldn't believe it. "YEs, that would be great. Thank you."

I measured the material when I returned home. 19 yards of material. I have been able to do double strips instead of just single by getting three stips side by side. That was our bargain for the week.

wrinkled egg to become a walnut

This was found by Herogian last week while I was away at the clinic. I'm so glad he saved it for me.

One of our chickens layed this wrinkled egg. I plan to paint it with modge podge then once hardened, try to carefully blow out the inside so we can keep the shell. It looks like an walnut. Don't you think?


The Level 2 coaching clinic went well. I passed Sports Pyschology, Sports Physiology, Training Theory and Biomechanics, and Combined Events (decathlon/heptathlon training). My brain is overflowing and needs time to organize all the information they crammed into our skulls last week. Las Vegas hit 115 degrees while there. I have been in hotter, 121 in Tucson, AZ. But once over 110 in such dry heat, it all fries you the same.

Running again

Yesterday and today were blessed days.  Mrs. Shannon A. and I have been able to meet together for running time. This is the picture she posted at Altic's Quiver. I thought it was perfect.

Mrs. Shannon has always had long flowing RED hair, and I, as you know from previous post, keep cutting mine short.

Yesterday, we met at Piper High School. You know, one of those public school systems that has so much tax money that their new football, track field is to DIE for.  Well, it is also closed to the public due to kids trying to vandalize the new equipment. Jerks.  So we circled the parking lots for the two school buildings. Each lap gradually got a little shorter as the corners were cut. As we rounded one of the last corners, I thought to myself, that if she wants to do another lap, I'd be good with running the sidewalks right along side the building, forget these large parking lots. We did four laps, 55 minutes. I was pleased with the feet, they hung in there and only cried to be iced after returning home.

This morning, we ran in Willow Park again. This is the soccer fields with a creek by the back fields. The trees overhanging the area keep the temperature down by at least 5 degrees. It feels really good to be in the shade. I once had the fields measured at somewhere just short of a half mile loop. So we did six loops today along with 4 x 60m strides. Striding with purposeful - pick the knees up, kick the butt cycling of the legs helps to improve the stride length.

I'm sleeping very well at night, thank you.

Would appreciate your prayers about the track clinic I'm attending next week. Getting nervous, excited... I don't know. I can pass the online questions with the modules, but am concerned with the case study type questions.

It's sad.....

when the nurses in the hospital E.R. recognize you.

"I know you, oh, and you, too."

They greated us with this Sunday night. Commander ended up having his appendix removed at midnight. Two of our church elders and our youth director showed up to sit with me during the procedure. How awesome was that!

 The nurse called me at 10 the next morning to come get him. He is doing good, cleaning and helping out around the house. Getting bored.   The doctor is giving him two weeks off work. He will be back at the office before then, we can tell.  But the kitchen is cleaned from top shelf down. Wow.  The other thing God took care of by having this appendix flare at this time. Commander will be off work and home next week while I'm in Las Vegas taking exams learning how to coach multi-events better.
Have a GREAT 4th of July. Stay Free and Independent America.