One Done!

Beautiful sunrise over Mt. Magazine

One of the gorgeous, sparkly, dew kissed fields we passed early in the race.

Just going to go lay down over there...cemetery #4 at mile 25.

Almost there...really.

Another medal.

I've shared a lot of finishes with this gal. I love her so.

My very first marathon was a miserable rainy and 50 degrees. My second, an even more miserable 17 degrees. The third time was a charm, I suppose, because my most recent race was a perfectly gorgeous 47 degrees at the start, 60 by the finish. The Arkansas Marathon was small, with less than 50 running the full marathon. I was the only person in my age division, therefore, I came in first...and last in my age group, ha! I ran through three towns, Booneville, Magazine, & Blue Mountain, passing 4 or 5 cemeteries (I always find this mildly amusing during a race). I ran over more roadkill than I have ever seen in my life x2 (it was a there and back course). The road was long and hilly, but the views were stunning. Fellow race participants were supportive. Volunteers were sweet and helpful. I especially loved the little old men manning an aid station in front of the funeral home at mile 24--again, my tired mind thought it all very funny. All in all, it was a great experience.

I had planned to travel to and run this race alone, as my favorite running buddy is still battling a back injury. A week before the race, she called and said, "I'm signed up for the half!" I can't tell you how much better these things are if you can share them with a friend. We didn't even get caught up with our respective stories before her turn around came, but sharing those few miles with her made a huge difference in the rest of my day. She was cheering for me at the finish and drove the whole way home. I owe her big time.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! Running this race knowing that more than $6,000 has already been donated to the Gayle Ross Memorial Campership Fund, made the 26.2 long and grueling miles a complete joy. I am humbled, honored by the support I have received from so many. But my goal is far from complete! 17 more days until race #2. 45 days until race #3. I would love to add a few more camperships to this total before race #3!

Please consider sponsoring me as I run for the Gayle Ross Campership Fund at Camp Lutherhoma. If you are moved to do so, send your donation to:

Camp Lutherhoma

PO Box 1672

Tahlequah, OK 74465

Please make sure to write Campership/run on the memo line

or you can donate online by visiting:

http://lutherhoma.com/Support/donationtypes.php

Scroll down to the Gayle Ross Campership Fund section and follow the link to Paypal.

THANK YOU.

The Short Version: Family Trip, Birthday, Run & Blizzard

I guess it takes a blizzard depositing 14+ inches of snow on my house to force me to sit down and update our blog. We are warm and dry here, and pray for God's protection over those who are not.

On to the update.

Family Trip: Texas Roadtrip Dec 27-Jan 2

First Stop: Dallas

The Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine. The kids LOVE this place. They spent three days water park-ing, Magic Quest-ing, and in general doing whatever they pleased.

In the hub-bub of Lu dying and trip preparations, I forgot Addie's birthday presents. So, on her birthday we sent her to Scoops for a little spa time. She thought it was the best thing to ever happen to her.

Stop 2: San Antonio

You can tell the kids really got into the Alamo.

We made it into town just in time for the boys to go to the OSU bowl game. Jackson was excited to see all the orange all over town.

The girls snuggling on the river boat tour.

Stop 3: Corpus Christi

Torpedo tots at the USS Lexington

My grandpa served on the Lexington during WWII. Jackson is pointing to his name. He was very proud to see Opa's name, picture, & jacket in the museum.

Certain parts of the day were hard for the girl to take.



Posing for a picture for Opa.

Right next to the Lexington was an aquarium. We went there. It was fun. :)

Stop 4: North Padre Island (National Park)

It was windy and cool. The kids didn't care. They frolicked in the water like it was 80 degrees out. We had fun picking up trash, finding seashells, jelly fish, and other beach treasures.

Homeward bound...a few stops along the way

That's our boy. UT Stadium, Austin
Baylor Stadium, Waco

Last Call: Birthday Party, January 9

Addie celebrated her birthday at a small party with her closest friends. It was a great day.

Cake!

Aramco Houston Half Marathon, January 30

I was as proud of this finish as my full marathon finish. I wasn't able to run a mile on Friday's 5K warm-up run, and afterward David had to help me take my shoes off while I writhed in pain. The day before the race I doubted whether or not I would be able to even START as I was in so much pain from the IT band injury. The morning of the race I KT taped my knee, took 1600mg of Ibuprofen, and pushed positive dialogue through my head. By some miracle I experienced very little pain until around mile 10. I started getting emotional at mile 11, because I knew I was going to make it to the finish...and only 15 minutes off of my pre-injury target pace. My time: 2:33. You can see me crossing the finish here. I am wearing a blue tank top & a white hat.

The day after the run was not pretty. I had a hard time getting around, but I was just so tickled that I got to finish the race.

I spent the weekend with my friend Liz, who also ran the half. After the race we craved coffee (yay, Antidote!), played with her girls (I forget how lovely it is to spend time with OTHER people's children!), and just spent time reconnecting. It was the highlight of the trip. Thanks, Liz!

No pain, no gain? Post race leg.

Blizzard 2011!

Behind...again

To say we've been busy is an understatement. I have had little time to do anything but drive the kids from point A to point B. I know some of you out there know exactly what I'm talking about.

So here's some of the things going on in the Ross house:

Soccer. Jack LOVES playing soccer. He LOVES his coach (Dad).

Addie finally graduated to a big girl bed. Mom cried. Addie is adjusting well to the change.

Jackson shed his training wheels.

Still time for dress up.

Addie "Lubs" ballet & tap. She doesn't lub posing for pictures.

And last but not least...

Addie started school!

In other news, My friend Liz and I got into the Aramco Houston Half Marathon (via lottery) and will be training for that this winter.

Heavenly Weekend

Despite being completely filled with activity, this weekend was so much fun. We woke up EARLY Saturday and ran in the Aquarium Run fun run with the kiddos. They were SO excited. Jackson ran the entire time and was so proud of himself. I think one mile is probably at least the equivalent to a 5K for those little legs.

Pre-race juicing (orange)

Running

Jack slows down for a photo op

Addie running

At the finish line

After post-race jupiter jumping

We spent Saturday evening with our dear friends, Linda & Jesse. Eating, laughing, playing pingpong, and watching our kids play together made the evening pass way too quickly.

Sunday morning we skipped church. I know, I know. Can I tell you I didn't feel one bit guilty sitting in my backyard in the 60 degree sunshine watching my kiddos do this:

They are crazy...I was cold just watching them. I turned to David and said, "I hope this is what Heaven is like...60 degrees, sun shining, with the sounds of kids giggling!" Hope you had a great weekend, too!

Gorgeous Day for a Run: Week 4

This has been a strange week. We were not able to get out and run any of our "short" runs this week due to the weather/icy roads...but Saturday was a BEAUTIFUL 64 degrees out and we enjoyed running our EIGHT miles along the Arkansas River in SHORTS. It is a crazy thing for me to think back to only a few months ago when running 3 miles seemed like an unattainable goal.

So part of our training is developing a positive outlook as we run. The instructors suggest that after every negative thing that enters your brain you counter it with "...but it doesn't matter." I'm getting pretty good at doing this while running and yesterday I got tickled as I ran down a particularly rough stretch of our route when I heard this going on in my head:

"ouch, my knee/hip/side hurts...but it doesn't matter." (this one was repeated a couple of times)
"my hair is in my face...but it doesn't matter."
"I'm sweaty...but it doesn't matter."
"A seagull!...but it doesn't matter."

I laughed out loud and startled the guy running in front of me. My brain seems to attach that "doesn't matter" bit to EVERYTHING not just the negative stuff, which probably isn't a bad thing. On to week 5...

A Big Week

Last week was a big week for everyone. David and I ran SEVEN miles on a day so cold that the water in my water bottle froze as I ran. It took awhile for the feeling to return to the skin that had been exposed. It's so funny that we look forward to the long run more than any other day in our training week. Thanks to all of you who have sent words of encouragement, we really do appreciate it!!!

Addie got her first hair cut. I didn't have my camera with me to capture the moment, but she looks much better without her baby-mullet. She also went to the bathroom on the big girl toilet--#1 & #2! No pictures of that either (it's bad enough that I posted the info!)

Jackson has been playing solo in his room this week after I finally got around to hanging all those airplanes from his ceiling. Hanging ten of them wore me out because Jackson was so particular about the height and angle of each airplane. He enjoys identifying all the airplanes with the many airplane encyclopedias he owns. We had a few gorgeous days this week. The kids spent some much needed time playing outside. Addie insisted on the tutu and told her brother that she was a "ballerine."

The haircut. She was not in a posing mood.

Marathon Training Continues: Week 3

I didn't post our week three running journal, but we're still going strong. Tomorrow, our longest run of the week, we will be running SEVEN miles. Mother Nature has welcomed our pending milestone with this forecast. We are getting many opportunities to put our positive thinking strategies to work and so far, amazingly, we've not succumbed to frost bite! I will let you know how the run goes. Our family and friends have been SO supportive and will play a huge role in us finishing our goal in April. Thank you!

Check back soon for a new kid post!!!

Week TWO:Marathon Training Continues!

I am going to clump all four entries for this week's training into one post. I'll keep it up here at the top, but make sure to look down below for NEW posts & pictures of the kiddos!

Day 1: Three miles--it was 19 degrees this morning. I love running in the cold--but 19+ N wind is really cold. This is usually an easy run since I've been running 3 miles at least three or four times a week since August. HOWEVER, today was pretty tough. Between the cold, wind, and extra miles I am logging it was a real challenge for me to keep my mind focused and the legs going. It was fun to witness the early morning goings-on in the neighborhood and made my 6 laps around the hood not so, well, boring.

Day 2: Four miles--check! 27 degrees SO much better than 19! Smooth run...except for one "stop" (catch my drift, Nikki?) D & I are both chugging along, trying to keep the number 26 out of our minds for now. It is daunting to think about running 26 miles when 4 can be challenging, but we are so excited about each day's progress.

Day 3: Three miles--I wimped out last night, but David ran his three miles even though it was 7 degrees out. Go David!!! My run was much warmer this morning and because I got up so early, I got to see the sun rise! Those of you who know me know that THAT doesn't happen very often. Looking forward to our long run tomorrow morning, and happy it won't be spent orbiting the neighborhood!

Day 4: Six miles--This was the best run of the week. We ran from Hunter Park to Riverside and then back on the Creek Trail. It was a challenging run, but I think we both enjoyed ourselves even more than last week. On to week #3!

St. Louis Marathon Website

Day Four: Five Miles

Today was the long run of our four day training week. We dropped the kids off at Grandma & Grandpa's and hit the Creek Trail for our five mile run. Lots of hills and very cold wind...but we did it! Monday will mark the start of week two!

Day Two: Four Miles

So day 2 of our 16 week training is under our belts. Running four miles was a milestone for both of us. Go Team Ross!

Day 1: "I Can't Feel My Face!"

I really thought that after the official start of my marathon training I would have something more poetic to say...but tonight after running three very cold miles, when David asked me "how'd it go?", that is exactly what I had to say.

So yes. Marathon. St. Louis. April 19. I'll keep you posted on the training.

I imagine the poetic stuff will keep on coming...

Racing into the New Year

back home celebrating our victory with Ben & Jerry

To celebrate New Year's and our new love (or at least tolerance) of running, we ran in the Race into the New Year 5K. The race started at 11:45pm and at 12:00am we watched fireworks and drank champagne at the halfway point on the course. We even saw some couples manage a kiss as they ran--both of us a little accident prone, didn't attempt that! As far as races go, it was a little bit of a slow start with 769 people all squeezing in a five foot wide running trail, but the atmosphere was exciting and totally worth the slower time! Here's our stats:

David
Age Group rank: 18/28
Open rank: 282/600
Guy rank: 173/294
Time: 32:34

Sarah
Age Group rank: 8/33
Open rank: 281/600
Gals rank:109/300
Time: 32:33

Results Website