Each Day Is a Gift

Practice swim drill.  Such a gorgeous day...I should've been running...blah!!!

Decorate the Christmas tree.....

This morning while contemplating what to do, Karen texted me:  "No messages yet from you ladies.  Are we bagging running today?  Is it too nice and warm in bed?.... :)"  Yah, should've stayed lazily in the warm and cozy bed!  Hubby and I ran to meet Karen.  Wendy went to clean the temple.  At least one of us is industrious!  Haha!!! :)

With two days of no running I thought the knee is good to go.  Nope!... at mile 2 it started to nag, then when I stopped for a mere 2 seconds to wait for Karen to get a little rock out of her shoe, the knee hurt immediately when I started back up.  It was ok for the remainder of the run (avoided any decline/downhill or sudden stopping).  Passed the house just a little shy of 7 miles so I kept going (silly OCD!)  Then I immediately stopped running as soon as the Garmin says 7 miles and proceeded to walk home.  WHAM!!!  I was hit with a sharp pain and had to limp home (thankfully it was only 0.15 mile)! :(  When I reached the garage I wanted to stretch the quads but couldn't bend the knee without pain.  Aaaaagh!!!! :( :( :(

Changed clothes quickly and went to the pool with hubby.  Karen got there before us. The limping really slow things down, lol :)  Spent 45 min practicing drills and swam 4 laps. 

Myrtle 10 reps. 

Goucher/Flanagan core w/ Swiss ball. 

Pfitz's CSE. 

So I want to be a good girl and refrained from running or any exercise that might aggravate the injury. Went to the pool only to have it overtaken by busloads of Jr High kids! Sigh! I was able to practice TI drills at the shallow end of the regular pool. I could feel the tugging ache even with just flutter kick (very little knee bend).

Karen was so kind! She asked what I'd like to do afterward, spin or water aerobics! I didn't think the knee would let me spin and didn't feel like doing water aerobics. Trying really hard to be positive and think of what I CAN do... Sigh!

AM:

30 min elliptical.

Walk 1 mile on TM at 3-5 incline.

Myrtle

3 circuits Pftiz's CSE.

Goucher/Flanagan CSE.

Foam roll.

PM: TI drill

Walked with Wendy and Diane meandering east thru the 28th, 23rd, 33rd wards to 1200 E then north onto Canal Trail where we crossed path with Karen running with Sky. Turned south thru 45th and 43rd wards back to "bishops lane" to Diane's house and thru 400E in the middle of 8th ward, our ward! I LOVE the people in my Stake! :)

The morning started with a light misty fog, then the sun peeked over the mountains and clouds. What a beautiful sight: snow capped mountains against a crisp blue sky, calm, clean air and mild temp. Is it really Dec? I LOVE living here!:)

Every 2nd Thursday of the month my friends of 33+ years meet and attend the temple and have lunch in the temple cafeteria together. Every Dec (today) we (there're 8 of us) have our Christmas luncheon at Cathy's house after the temple. We have been doing this for nearly 20 years. Such dear and abiding friendship is a precious blessing! We all moved to the same neighborhood as young mothers, shared each others' joy and sorrow, watched over each others' children, served and grew together! Most of us have moved away but every time we meet at Cathy's (who still lives there) we feel that special love, remember the wonderment and joy of those years and beloved hearths and homes! We feel as though we have not aged, just our children have grown. Today in the prayer and blessing of the food, Nancy said: "...and we are so thankful that our husbands are still with us!". We let out an affirmative Amen followed by huge smiles!!! :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

I was SO excited about the prospect of running this morning that I woke up before 6 and just laid there quietly so as not to wake hubby. A few min. later I sneaked out of bed and got a whole bunch of morning chores done. Kissed hubby goodbye to let him know I'm meeting Karen and Wendy...then out the door I ran like a kid on Christmas morning! :) Naughty but nice! :)

We ran east to Alpine greeted by a beautiful sunrise! It was a bit breezy but running uphill felt wonderful! We stopped at the everflowing fountain to drink and gu. The return trip was fine until we hit the downhill...the entire right lower leg was NOT happy! When we stopped at the traffic light briefly and resumed running across the Timp. Hwy my knee really complained! Stink!!! The last mile home was tough. Wendy's neuroma was bothering her too so was Karen's heel. We were quite a happy hurting trio! :).

Foam roll and stretch but no ice massage because I was freezing! :/

Went to the outlet mall to do some Christmas shopping. Legs felt like I've run a marathon. Sitting for a late lunch made the knee hurt bad! I am going to be horizontal while I fold laundry and watch movies this evening! :)

45 min practice TI swim drills! Could feel slight tug on the right leg laterally.

Viewing and funeral of an elect lady of 101 years old, the mother of our Stake's patriot. She looked as beautiful as when she was a young bride just a few more wrinkles! Her husband passed away 7 years ago. Together they left an amazing legacy. I still chuckled over the tidbit of their honeymoon and their first home was completely paid for...it was a tent in Boulder City where her husband was engineer working on the Hoover Dam! At the age of 85 she hiked the Angel's Landing with her family! Back in the 1930s she and family did lots of camping and hiking. She collected rocks and built a "rock monument" in one of the canyons in southern Utah. Years later other hikers added more rocks to that monument! Reminds me of "Charlie's Monument". I love all the stories she used to tell me of her life...simple, carefree, industrious, and always adventurous! :). She was truly an example of one who loves life, her family, the Lord and epiphany of what it means to endure to the end! :)

I was too wimpy to accept Karen's invitation to run with her and Lori ( who runs like a gazelle ) out on the snowy slippery road! Hubby went skiing so I invited Wendy to go to the LC with me! We got there early enough to get a pass for the tread class! I'm glad we did. It was so fun! The instructor said she usually sees me running on the road while she was driving to the Rec center! :) So she was expecting me to blow pass everyone! ha! The ladies in front and next to my mill happen to be friends from my neighboring ward! It was fun to chat with them during the "recoverries". :) They are triathletes and were very complimentary on my running! I did have to slow down when we vamped the incline to 10 and I felt dizzy! Legs felt fine during the run! The only annoying thing is the TM quit at 60 min and I had jogged 10 min before class and had to restart the thing!

Then we went down to the pool. I did 40 min of TI drills while Wendy swam leisurely! I love the feeling of my body gliding smoothly, long and slippery in the pool! Then we sat in the warm jetted spa, just the two of us, watching the snow gently coming down to cover the world outside! :)

Jogged 2 miles then swam with Karen!

Mailed off Christmas gifts to kids and grandkids! Postage price is outrageous! And the postal workers are like the DMV workers...sadly stressed/burned out...SO I gave them a good dose of "smoothie smiles and cheers"! :) :) :)

For 12/12/12 I thought about running 12 miles. That thought lasted for 12 seconds! :) I was up at 12:12am this morning (er was it last night) praying and thanking the Lord for 12 specific blessings! ;)

Wendy, Karen and I ran easy chatty miles heading east first into the wind and a beautiful sunrise. Hubby peeled off after 1 mile. We got on the canal trail from Smith's trail to avoid the tunnel. The lateral side of the right leg complained from mile 2 on. But the conversation and wonderful company helped take the edge off. Every time Karen stopped to tie shoe or take little rock out, I would keep walking and that seemed to work better so the knee won't lock up. After saying goodbye to Karen at the corner, she ran home while Wendy and I walked home! How blessed I am to have such wonderful friends! :)

We decided to not go to the pool today so that gave me time to do some thorough foam rolling, stretching and core exercises. So surprised to discover during the foam rolling that my left leg particulary the calf has much more knots (pain) than the right (the "injured" one). I realize I had been babying the right leg and neglected the "good" leg. And the fact that just because there is no pain while running doesn't mean "all is well" with the body! Wow! I need to be more diligent with the little things that is so important to help the body recover especially at my age where I am loosing flexibility, muscle strength and overall fitness!

Oh! I took a 12 min shower ending at 12:12 and proceeded to give hubby 12 kisses! :)

Happy 12/12/12 to all!!! :) :) :)

Two miles on the track lapping hubby 3 times! :). Then 45 min in the leisure pool. :)

45 min in the leisure pool.

Wogged on the TM while watching "Gifts of the Magi"...so sweet! :)

I tried to run but the leg protested immediately, stink!

Busy all morning with vt and visiting widows.

45 min TI drills and swim late afternoon.

Baked and delivered 10 loaves of coconut bread. Laundry and packed. No time for any exercises.

3 quick TM miles. Finish packing and off to the airport.

Had a long long flight (8 hrs-) yesterday! It was very warm, 80s and humid! All the grandkids except baby Jett were already in bed! Got up bright and early to get the kids off to school this morning!

Easy jog with hubby on the Greenbelt Trail around King's Manor. Temp was in the low 30s and breezy! This is crazy Texas weather!

Went to Luke's preschool Christmas party. He won "pin the carrot on the snowman" because he didn't cheat and pinned the carrot farthest away! So funny! :)

Made over 150 Christmas wantons with Larissa for her friends and neighbors!

Went to packet pick up at 3pm. There were only 2 people (one was the RD) handing out bibs so the line was long but no one was complaining, in fact people were very friendly and even helped us watch Jett who was exploring the rocks, bushes and wandering in and out of people's legs! :) We got a nice duffle bag, running hat and shirt. Those running the End of the World got black/gray duffle bags, hats and shirts. Those running the DAY AFTER the End of the World got cheerful yellow duffle bags, hats and purple shirts. I am glad I signed up for the optimistic cheerful event! :)

Went to Larissa's ward Relief Society Christmas social!

I ate WAY TOO MUCH!!!

We went for a short walk before going to the kids school party. Then Larissa and I went shopping. While she stayed at the school to help with Jade's class and teachers appriation party, I made another 110 Christmas wontons and played with Luke and Jett while papa napped and relaxed!

Stayed up too late watching movie with the grandkids!

Forecast from my iPad's app showed temps in the 60s in the morning! I am going to trust Larissa's forcast that it is going to be in the 40s!

legs tired but no knee pain so hopefully I can finish the marathon tomorrow!

This race was staged in Humble TX right off Townsend Blvd. in a condo complex/building project that was started but not completed perhaps due to the economy the last few years.  Some of the buildings shows signs of decay which just adds to the ambiance of the END of the World.  I signed up for this race (back in April for $65) because I planned to spend Christmas with my daughter whose house is only a 15min drive to the race.  The RDs (Steve and Paula Boone, organizers of the Texas Marathon) are some of the funniest people. :)

The race info had me laughing so hard: "Answers to frequently asked questions:
Is it okay to wear headphones, IPODs, MP3, Zune, and whatever device that sends music rattling around in our head? You are welcome to use it as long as it does not distract your attention from the race, jeopardize your safety or jeopardize the safety of the other participants. Remember that zombies, aliens, and Mayans are known to like loud music.  Certification: The course is not USATF certified and is not a Boston qualifier because Boston 2013 will not take place because of the end of the world.           Is there a time limit? This event is walker and velocity challenged participant friendly.  Time limit is 9 hours.  An early start is not necessary because there is no reason to hurry to the end of the world.  You must be finished by sunset because we will all be tired by then and you won’t stand a chance in the dark with zombies.
Can we bring our club tent and banner? We encourage marathon-gating. Bring your tent, banners, comfy chairs and enthusiastic spectators..  I knew I'd be in for a very fun time! :)

The course is on dirt trail with sections of loose sand, mud, dry grass and small section of private road.  It loops around two small lakes and ponds in the woods.  The map on the website shows a 3+miles route that was cleverly looped (like two figure-8s that you get to pass the same 3 aid stations and the start/end area 8 times (4 loops for the Full marathon, 2 loops for the Half).  There were humorous signs posting along the course:  Prefontaine's Car pointing to a discarded junked auto in the woods, Alien's Trip Wire on downed tree/branch/root, End of World Shelter next to a cement silo.  The aid stations had aliens, zombies, skull/skeleton bones on the table dividing the water from the gatorade.  The good part is you get to pass and high-five fellow runners and families numerous times.  The bad part is you're very tempted to quit each time you run to the start/end where the volunteer direct you to either go left to the finish shute or right to run another loop of 6.8 miles!  :)

 We got to the start with 45 min to pick up the chips, use the pop and mingle with friends and fellow runners.  Temp was 34, calm and the sun was rising as a layer of fog drifted over the ponds.  The announcer was enthusiastic and mentioned that those ran yesterday on the END of the World Marathon got a taste of running an ultra as the course was 2 miles longER and many "crazies" are back for the DAY AFTER end of the World!

Me and Larissa's friends who all ran their very first half-marathon ever!

The Marathon started on time at 8am after Ms. Waverly Walker (very appropriate name) sang the National Anthems, followed by the Half at 8:15.  I jumped in a minute later towards the back of the pack. 

No one seemed to be in a hurry.  In fact we came to a dead stop of traffic jam when we dropped down thru a single tract of packed mud. :)  The course was marked with arrows and orange tapes but I just followed the throng of people in front of me.  The mile markers were few and not helpful.  We reached the east side of the lake before mile 2 and could hear the start of the Half.  Mile 4 was at the east and back side of the condo and as I rounded the building I saw hubby sitting in a lawn chair.  I was confused thinking that the first loop was so short but then quickly realized that it was just half of the figure 8 loop!  I dropped off my jacket and head band to hubby as the temp rose!

There were many sections of loose dirt and fine sand that caused blisters to form on my big toes.  When I reached the end of the first loop back to the start area, I sat on hubby's chair to doctor the feet.  Had to do this two more times.

Start of 2nd loop (mile 7), 3 more loops to go! :)  WaHooo!

The End of the World race shirt is black shown on this guy whereas the Day AFTER End of the W. shirt is purple and the hat shown on me is a cheery bright yellow! :)

Larissa caught up to me after I stopped at the aid station.  We ran 2+ miles together and I let her go when she had 5K left to go.  She finished in 2:13, 3rd in her AG.  I am so proud of her.  This is her very first half marathon.  She just wanted to run it for fun with me! :)

Brandon cheered Larissa in at the finish then left to take the kids home and to the airport to pick up David.  Here's my beautiful daughter with that gigantic medal! :) 

Julianna, Beth, and Jill (not pictured here) finished around 3:04.  I got to high five them 3 times as they ran pass on the opposite direction.  So proud of these young mothers! :)

Fueling with half of a PB&J sandwitch, orange slices and water at the start/end aid station.  Half way done!  YaHOOO!!! 

I found the pops behind the condo vacant each time I ran by so I went in for a 60 sec break (4 times) ! :)  Hubby waited for me (after the first loop) at the aid station on the west side of the lake to run the mile in to the finish with me.  He did this three times! :) My legs were fried and my right ITB started to hurt from mile 15 on.  I did the run/walk 4/1 min thing and walked thru the aid station every mile.  Me and the two amigos around mile 19.  I was so looking forward to sitting down in a chair to empty the sand/dirt off my socks and shoes! 

 At mile 20+ the volunteer shouted out directions to go left for the finish or right for another 6.8 mile loop.  Each time he saw me go right, he'd cheered enthusiastically.  This time, hubby urged me to go left.  But I was too stubborn.  My watch showed that I've run exactly 4 hours.  It was very tempting to call it quit.  But I was determined to FINISH this thing even if I had to crawl.   Hubby and daughter were questioning my sanity or lack of it! :) 

My knee hurt so bad that I desperately needed some drug.  I was in such a delirious state that I forgot about the stash I had put in my shirt pocket the night before.  I asked a pack of three runners passing me if they had any ibuprofen.  The guy in bright pockadots tights gave me two Tylenol.  :) 

My shins started to cramp with 5K to go.  I ran past a guy who was struggling.  So I encouraged him to jog with me.  He is in the Army and this is his second marathon.  He is from Alabama.  His brother lives in Salt Lake.  Chatting with him about what motivated him to run and about his 2013 running goals helped both of us finish together without walking other than thru the aid stations.

I was so HAPPY to see hubby at the last aid station with a mile to go.  He ran me in to the finish together! :)  That gigantic medal came in a silk lined box weighing 1.1 pound. 

 There were hot pizza, cookies and soda for all to enjoy at the finish.  I had a lot of fun running this, my 10th marathon of the year.  Larissa waited patiently for me and even took video of me and her dad running together to the finish. 

 They also gave us smiley squeezies with our finish positions written on the back.  Although we both placed in our individual divisions...As stated on the race website:  There are no age group awards because every runner is special.  

It was a fun day yesterday running the marathon.  We went to a Cafe East, an all you can eat Asian/American/Italian/Mexican restaurant!  Jade ate 5 heaping plates of crawfish! silly girl!

I had a restless night.  Every time I turned or moved, my knee pain would wake me up.  I literally rolled out of bed; then hobbled around.  Walked with one straight leg!  Larissa and her friends weren't even sore!  Granted they're in their early 30s and ran half while I'm an old granny!  Hahaha!

Church was very nice!  Larissa played the violin musical number, Gesu Bambino.  A mother and daughter spoke of Christ!  The Men Choir sang two beautiful numbers, a young girl sang "O Holy Night".

The legs felt better today.  Larissa, Julianna, Angela, Jade and I went for a walk pushing baby Jett in the jogging stroller.  It was fun to hear everyone recap their race.

Larissa and I took the children to the park to play then to the movie, "Rise of A Guardian" while the big boys (Larry, Brandon, David and Bryan) went to see "The Hobbits".  Then we went for a bike ride.  There were butterflies fluttering around and squirrels squirrying around....on Christmas Eve?!!!....ONLY in Kingwood, TX!!!!  The weather has been so crazy since we were here.  It's warm one day (in the 60s-70s) then very cold (in the 20s-30s) the next day. 

After a fun day playing outside, Larissa and I were too tired to cook so Brandon treated us to Chick-fil-A!!!!

Then the family did the Nativity complete with angel (Jade), Mary (Larissa), Joseph (Lex) Baby Jesus (Jett), Shepherd (Luke), and the donkey (David).  Then we opened one present, pajamas.  Then the children did the reindeer dance out on the lawn.  We then had hot cocoa and set out food for Santa and the reindeers! :)

Shortly after Santa came and the children opened their presents and stockings, the power went out just as Larissa and I were about to put the turkey in the oven!!!  A tornado came through Houston snapping down trees and power poles in Kingwood.  We waited and waited for the power to come back on.  After couple of hours, Larissa called the power company from her cell phone and got a voice message that the power outage may last until Thursday night!  Aaaaaghhhh!!!!

Because they experienced Hurricane Ike couple years ago, they were prepared with oil lamps, flash lights, hand-crank radio and a corded phone.  Some of their neighbors went to the movies when they found out the theater has power.  But because we needed to stay home to wait for our missionary son to call us from Taiwan, we sat anxiously waiting all the while trying to figure how to cook the Christmas dinner without electricity/oven. 

Steven finally called and we were able to talk to him one at a time on this rudimentary corded phone.  He only had 45 min. for the call and with 5 min left, Luke unknowingly pressed the button and hung up on him.  You should've seen the disappointed look on everyone's face!  Luckily he called back 2 min. later so we could say goodbye!  I HATE goodbyes!  It was so good to hear his voice although he spoke Mandarin pretty much the whole time.  He sounded happy and healthy! :)  Within 5 min. of talking to him, the phone line went completely dead!  What a Christmas miracle that the phone worked when he called! :) :) :)

We made this dinner on the barbeque (there was just enough propane to finish cooking the roast and dinner rolls) and gas stove which Larissa and Brandon recently bought!  Thank God for a new gas stove!!!  We put most of the perishable food including the 20lb turkey outside since the temperature was in the low 30s.  Crazy how yesterday was so warm that we played in the park chasing butterflies and squirrels and today was SO COLD!!!!  Baby Jett was SO ready for dinner, it was 3pm! :)

We quickly cleaned up before it got dark, thank goodness there's hot water.  With no electricity nor internet service nor heat, we bundled up in blankies, sat around the piano with Larissa playing, we sang Christmas songs, told stories, played hide and seek and went to bed early.  We feel so very grateful for the simple things of life, for health and for family!!! :)

The power was still out this morning so we all went for an easy jog.  It was sunny, a bit breezy, not as cold as yesterday.  The stillness of the morning was disrupted by the sound of generators' humming in this otherwise quiet neighborhood.

All of our cell phone batteries were dead or dying so we went to the mall which luckily escaped the power outage.  While the big boys tried on shoes and shirts,  we roamed the mall looking for electric outlets to plug in our 5 phones!!!  The mall was so crowded.  We are not a mall-going family so we left. 

We had promised the children that we would have a combined birthdays party today for David, Jett and Brandon.  David's birthday was yesterday.  Yep, he was my best Christmas present, born at 3am Christmas morning 27 years ago.  Baby Jett was born 5 weeks early on Dec 27, 2010; and Brandon's birthday is on Dec. 30th.  The children want to go to Chuck-e-cheese.  We were there for three hours...just enough time to get all the phones charged up!!! 

Me and baby Jett riding on a giant painted pony!

Today is travel day back to Utah.  But not before we celebrate Jett's 2nd birthday with cake and all.  Thankfully the power came back on.  We had the turkey dinner complete with all the trimmings that we were supposed to have on Christmas.  Larissa was worried that the turkey would be spoiled since it was left outside for more than 2 days.

We flew above snow clouds on our flight home yesterday afternoon/evening.  It was so cool to see the mountains, roof tops and lawns completely blanketed with the white stuff.  It was close to 10 pm by the time we unpacked and got our ski gear ready.  We got up early and were at the ski resort before the lift opens at 9am.  Our car temp was 14F!!!! BRRRRR!!!!!

FUN FUN day skiing!!!

My boys and some of their cousins!  It's Asian Invasion on the Solitude ski slope!!!! :) :)

A bit warmer today!  Yesterday we skied powder.  Today we skied corduroy. It was more crowded today than yesterday.  We're first on the lift again as usual.  Imagine our joy and delight when we got off the ski lift on our second run and saw Karen and Mark!

May be in couple years, baby Skylar will be skiing!

It was 4 degrees this morning!!! Hubby got up early and ready to go skiing!!!  I slept in and went to the LC.  Everyone and their dogs were at the rec. center.  All the cardio machines were taken.  Karen and her sister and bro-in-law had already run 18 laps on the track when I jumped in.  The track was crowded too.  It was fun to pass some of the ladies in my Stake.  They thought I was some teenager until I turned to say hello to them!  They sure made me feel good! Hehehe!  :)

Saw Melany on my way down to the pool.  We talked about how tough it is to train in this winter weather and road condition for Spring marathons.  She is an AWESOME and AMAZING runner!  Swam for 45 min.

We held our traditional NYEve's family party at my nephew's house this year.  For the last 30 years we've had it in a hotel's conference room.  It is so much better in a home!  :)  The highlight of the family program was watching my nephew's video of his summit climb on Mt. Denali in Alaska this past summer with his youngest brother.  Wow!!! It's so breath-taking beautiful, so dangerous and adventurous!  They captured the avalanche that took the life of two Japanese tourists that fateful summer day.  I can only dream of such extreme sport!

2012 has been a good year.  Even with two stress fractures I was able to finish the season with decent amount of marathons.  I had fun this year making memories and new friends in the running community.  On a sad note, a neighbor was put on life support (and died on Jan 2 unexpectedly).  She was only 49.  Had a minor knee surgery, came home and collapsed on Sat. as a result of a stroke secondary to pulmonary embolus.  She was a healthy runner, a loving mother and grandmother.  Her whole family played the role of Lehi's family in our Stake's Book of Mormon Fireside this past Nov.  Her youngest sons are age 10 and 7.  I feel so sad for them! :(  Life is fragile.  Family is precious!