Run For The Dream Half Marathon Recap #rftd2015

Man, what a weekend.  Sometimes I don't know how I got so lucky.  Earlier in the week, I got sick (in turn got my whole family sick) and I got dehydrated.  Not only was worried about my race, I was more worried about my family.  Thank god everyone got better and we could still go camping for part of the weekend.  Lori and I had planned to go camping the whole weekend.  It would of been the first true camping trips for Avery, Tim and Lori.  But we decided to rest up and just go up to Williamsburg on Saturday and camp one night.  It was super hot this weekend but it was still fun.

The KOA in Williamsburg was really nice and clean.  We got a shaded spot and that was a bonus.  I forgot how wonderful it is to sleep two adults on a full air mattress (said no one).  But we loved it.  We made Avery's first s'mores.  We even set up the pack-n-play in the tent and Avery slept wonderful.  I think I was the only one who didn't.  But that was more nerves.  They also had a ton of things for kids to do.  A great pool at that too.

We had dinner with one of my fellow #trainjanda teammates, Joanna and her husband, Derek.  We went to Sal's by Victors in Williamsburg.  I highly recommend it.  Dinner and company was awesome.  We also stopped at DoG Street Pub.  Great beer selection.  

The race itself was fun.  Great course.  Difficulty level is pretty high for average runners.  Flatout Events is a great running company.  They do a good job of representing on the Pennisula.  I would run that course anyday.  I knew it was going to be hilly but it isn't a great combination with the race being after Memorial Day in Hampton Roads.  I only had two issues: change it to early April and have a shaded after party.  It was way to hot for the race and way to hot to enjoy the after party with the sun beating down.  But having a race in Colonial Williamsburg is pretty fun.  It was great running and seeing all the runners I knew.  Great job Flatout Events!

Oh yeah, I PR'ed by 16 minutes.  I ran the half in 1:54.  I pushed really hard the past two months.  Did back to back mileage of 115 and 133.  I deserved this race.  But the best part was coming to the finish and seeing my awesome wife, my son and my daughter smiling at me, cheering me on.  They are the reason I have made the changes in my life.  They are the reason I want to be a better me.  So thanks babe.

Time for a break from big races.

I also want to say thanks to #teamawesome, #trainjanda and #deezrunninghoez for keeping me motivated.  I also want to thank #runningetc for being the best damn local running store.

The People In Your Life

Everybody always tells me that I am so lucky to have had my four grandparents my whole life.  And I was.  I was really lucky.  All four of my grandparents got to meet Avery and got to be at my wedding.  Last week my Grandma finally passed away after fighting a quick fight with cancer.  Instead of having a painful drawn out fight, my grandma passed away beautifully with my grandfather by her side.  I think there is no better way to go than to be next to the man you have been married to for 63 years.

Here is a little bit about my Grams and I.  I spent at minimum at least one week a year with my Pap and Grandma.  Sometimes multiple weeks, ranging from winter break to spring break to summer.  My Grandma would always take us grand kids somewhere cool like the Children's Museum or the Good Ship Lollipop.  I spent my best moments of my childhood running around my grandparent's backyard or at their summer place on the Allegheny River.  Outside my cousins who lived nearby, I spent the most with my grandparents.

My Grandma was also the one who took care of me when my Mom had breast cancer and was going through Chemo.  I remember fondly not wanting to leave my mom and go to school and jumping on top of my parent's station wagon so my Grandma couldn't drive off.

My Grandma was a sweet lady.  She was loving.  When Lori and I found out we were having a girl, we decided to give Avery her middle name after my Grandma.  I joked with Lori that we would just call her Lil' Betty.  My daughter is pretty lucky to have had such awesome great grandmas.

Last week was the first funeral that I have been to in a very long time.  I don't know if you call it luck or whatever but I was just fortunate.

If you want inspiration for love, last week was the moment.  Watching my Pap talk about my Grandma and watching him grieve is my inspiration.  63 years of marriage, 4 kids, 12 grand kids, and 8 great grand kids, Korean War, broken back, good times and bad times, and healthy and unhealthy days is what is my inspiration.  My Pap told me, you can never tell your wife enough how much you love her.  So, to keep my Grandma in my memory, I say this.

I love you Lori.  Thank you for being there during the worst of times and the best of times.  We have 60 more years of memories together.

And I will always miss you Grandma.