Iron Girl's!

I like to run.  I've taken to it again in the last couple of years after a 25 year absence. Actually, I have a love/hate relationship with running.  I'm probably not the only one that does.  It has so many benefits, with a few let's say - inconveniences. It is challenging, helps my arthritis, keeps me feeling younger (a challenge in itself at my age) and helps me clear my head and think in solitude for longer than 2 minutes. Then there is the practical advantage -burning calories - love that.  I even have this really cool toy (GPS watch) I run with that tracks my pace, distance, time, calories, workout history etc.  It's awesome!  But, on the downside, running can be a bit painful at times.  

Usually I run alone, so sometimes it can get a little monotonous.  I've never gotten into the music thing so much, so my ipod, if I bring it, usually consists of talks or books on tape. Fridays are an exception though.  I love Fridays!  I get to run with a good friend, and I look forward to it each week.  I get to talk to her for a whole hour while we run the streets.  I love our conversations.  They are helpful and uplifting.  Every conversation with her is.  She is the kind of person that makes you feel you are a hundred times better than you really are, so you find yourself trying really hard to be that person. Hopefully you know the kind; they are priceless.  

Last Saturday, this friend and I took our daughters, and ran the Iron Girl 5K race at Tempe Town Lake together.  You could run individually or as a mother/daughter team. We opted for the 5K rather than 10 mile, but I told Allie that maybe we could shoot for the longer one next year - she wasn't so sure.  It was a blast.  I love sharing that experience with Allie.  She is so athletic and always ready for an adventure.  She was a great sport too since she hadn't even trained for it.  I wanted her to feel what it's like at these big race events.  It is such an exciting atmosphere.  There was even breakfast after the race for all the participants and lots of free stuff at the booths. She loved it. Maybe it will spark something in her and eventually, I'll get a full-time running

partner.  If that were the case, I might be hard pressed finding much of a downside to this running gig.  

Torreon

We have a small cabin in the White Mountains, about 2 1/2 hours from our home.  We have spent almost every weekend there this summer and a few this fall with our family and sometimes with some extended family and friends.  I love it there.  My husband affectionately calls it his "Happy Place". It is a time for our family to get away.  We leave the hectic schedule that inevitably surrounds us - from a plethora of sports practices, meets and games to piano, work, cub scouts, laundry, carpools, etc. Oh, and especially a time to escape the heat!  It has made a tremendous difference in our family's lives.  I love all the activities we do there together; the tennis, golf, swimming, running, the gym, fishing, eating, and endless hours of swinging on the swings at the playground.  I love the traditions that we have created there from movie nights and late night work outs at the gym to the candy bar game, homemade ice cream, and family football or whiffle ball on the huge lawns.  But, I especially love the memories that we are creating as a family, and the feelings that come as we share and laugh, and yes - compete together.  It has been one of the greatest blessings for our family and I am profoundly grateful for it.  (Sometimes I wonder if the Lord is becoming weary of my constant expressions of that gratitude!)  Our summer and fall has been such a memorable one because of the opportunity we have had to spend time there this year.  We have had this cabin for over 3 years, but this is the first summer we have really been able to use it well.  I know things change so much from year to year with schedules, work and children, but I am just so thankful to have had this summer to take advantage of it and enjoy it to the fullest.  

 

An old dog learning new tricks

Life is full of surprises. For all my family and friends this family blog is definately one of them. However, I feel a great desire to preserve and record the priceless memories of my quickly growing family. Time is running through my fingers like a handful of sand; the tighter I grip it and hold it all in, the more I realize how quickly it will be gone. So this will be my attempt to remember. Remember what we did together, remember my thoughts, feelings, frustrations, trials, experiences and of course all the joy; but most of all, remember the great blessings and growth that come to our family each day and give thanks for all of it. It will be a family journal of sorts - for our records, and also a way to stay connected to our family and closest friends. I'll give it my best shot and see what happens. Wish me luck!