2009 The Cowtown Marathon

WHAT A DAY! It all started with Glenn returning home at 2am from a camp-out with Ben. He left Ben with the 11-year old Scouts; someone would bring him home later this afternoon.

Glenn got a bit of sleep and then we left to pick-up Greg and Debbie (running buddy) at 5:30am. We headed to Fort Worth, along with 17,000 other runners! Talk about a sea of people! Along with a marathon, there was an ultra, a 1/2 marathon, a 10K, a 5K and a Kid's 5K... there were 920 who completed the marathon. I was the 279th runner that finished. (Before I went to bed last night, Nick (7) told me, "Mom, just try to get 1st okay?!") Well, I tried! I did get 9th (out of 42) in my age category!

Christopher's baseball coach was picking him up at 9 for practice. Practice would last till 10:30 and then he would bring him home. Zachary's basketball coach was picking him up for the season tournament at 11 and then brought him home. We have such WONDERFUL coaches! I was happy that Nicholas did not have a gymnastics meet. And Emma had nothing either. So, in the back of my mind, while running in the 33 degree weather, with a 23mph wind gusting I was just praying that all my children would be safe at home when I got back! (Christopher's baseball practice was cancelled due to high wind and cold temps!)

The Marathon was AWESOME! I was on par for the 1st half with an 8:36 mile pace. I fell on the 2nd half with a 9:39 mile pace. (I needed to maintain an 8:50 pace in order to qualify.) They had an 8:50 pacer, but he ended up coming in AFTER me - good thing I didn't follow him! We were actually following the 8:40 pacer for a good portion of the race!

Glenn and Greg kept me entertained along the way! I would never know where I would see them next. They had brought bikes and were here-and-there and EVERYWHERE along the way! Talk about supportive husbands! Debbie and I are both lucky!

You see, my goal was trying to qualify to run in the Boston Marathon with my SIL! It was an enormous goal for me SINCE I HAVE NEVER RUN A MARATHON! I needed a 3:50 but fell short with a 3:59! Considering the elements (wind and temp) I was very very pleased! I feel as if I had did my best! That's a good feeling! I never walked once, except for here:

So, I just need to shave 9 minutes off my next marathon - did I really say that - and maybe still meet her in Boston! And maybe I can drum up a few other SILs to join us too!

Lord Of The Rings

Nick is known as Lord Of The Rings on his gymnastics team. Here's why:




Yesterday afternoon he competed in the Metroplex Challenge at the Dallas Convention Center. He had a great time! He received 1st in the Pommel, Vault and Rings. He received 2nd in the High Bar. 6th in the Parallel Bars and 7th in Floor. He did receive 1st place in the All-Around. Nice Job Nick! Eagle Gymnastics (the team he practices with) received 2nd overall.

He has two more meets before the State Competition at the end of March. One of the two meets falls on a Sunday, so he'll take a break, BUT KEEP PRACTICING!

Check out Nick Thomas' blog on the side for more events...

NO SCHOOL TODAY!

Last night we had an ice storm! We could hear the ice pellets hit the windows.

It was the best sound ever!

Saturday Nick Live

Nick Does It Again

Nick met-up with some stiff competition this week at the Empire Gymnastics Invitational.

This time, he and Glenn went down to Euless TX. Zach went along too; it's only about a 40 minute drive. With Ben just getting his appendix out earlier this week, we felt it best that Mom stays home. (I was up at 5 to run a 20-miler with Debbie and I'm happy to say we did GREAT! It may have been challenging to get up and down the bleachers at the invitational anyway!)

There were only 25 boys ages 6 to 7 in his age level. He received 2nd place in the All-Around (88.2). Nick received 3rd in the floor exercise (tie-14.6). Pommel horse 2nd (14.2). Rings 1st (15.4). Vault 1st (14.9). Parallel bars 2nd (14.7). High Bar 5th (14.4). Eagle Gymnastics brought home 2nd place in the Level 4 bracket.

He now has a one week break... back to practice, practice, practice... something that Nick really enjoys!

Happy B-Day To ME

Thursday early morning at 3am Ben came downstairs complaining that his lower abdomen really hurt. Now, for Ben to get out of a warm bed in the middle of the night is unheard of. I can not even tell you the last time I saw Ben out of bed in the middle of the night. I questioned him for about 10 minutes (what did you eat, when was the last time you went to the restroom, did someone hit you by accident, etc, etc). We could not come up with an answer.

I got Glenn up and he did some research on the internet about the appendix. Ben and I just laid in bed and he finally fell asleep. Glenn shared some interesting info about his findings, but I kinda' forgot about it all since Ben was asleep. Anyway, I was to be up at 5am to go run with Debbie so I just got dressed and left. Glenn went back to bed.

When I pulled into the driveway at 6:30am, nearly all the house lights were on. I thought to myself, "WOW! They remembered my birthday! They must be making me a birthday breakfast!" I got half-way up the driveway and Glenn came out of the house and shouted, just leave the truck right there. I thought he shouted, "Stay right there." Well sure, they weren't quite prepared inside, so I'll just wait outside for a bit. Little did I know that Ben awoke after I had left with more severe pains. Glenn was ready to take him to the ER and once again, I was dragging my feet. "Let's wait till the sun comes up and the Urgent Care Center opens. It's much closer." Glenn insisted and when I saw Ben all huntched over, I told them to go.

They went to one hospital and were told they would wait at least 5 hours. They went to another hospital and walked right in. They did some blood work and the white blood count was off. They then ran him through the CAT Scan and noticed an inflamed appendix (not ruptured).

By 2:30pm Ben was appendix-free and in his room. Amy came over to stay with the kids (and put them to bed) while I headed off to the hospital. Glenn is staying overnight and he should be discharged in the morning. All is well!

As for my birthday I really didn't make out THAT bad:
* Dinner with my husband in a quiet setting (dinner that I did not have to prepare)
* Children fed and put to bed by Amy (Thank You)
* Dinner brought in to the kids by Debbie (plus left-overs for tomorrow) THANK YOU
* Time to chat with my husband with no interruptions (Ben was sleeping)
* Unlimited popsicles with Ben after he awoke (a successful surgery too)
* Plus, so many more offers of assistance for tomorrow and the next few days!

Happy Birthday To Me!

Cool Picture

I just love this picture of Nicholas! One of the Mom's at last Saturday's meet snapped it and it came out perfect - pointed toes and all! Go Nick!