WOW! What a week it’s been. I finally feel like I have a minute to breathe.
Last weekend, my dad arrived on Friday to visit with us for the weekend. On Saturday, I ran 7 miles with my good friend whom I haven’t run with in what seems like forever. It was so nice to reconnect with her. We had some good talks, and I might have pushed her harder than she should have gone. But it felt good and we were both happy at the end of the run. 🙂
On Sunday I had the honor of volunteering at a local race. Seven of us from a local running group got together and manned a water station at mile 7 of a 10-miler. I somehow ended up as the garbage girl with another friend, which was actually quite fun. The runners had a sense of humor and would try to toss the cups into the garbage bag. It was kind of a game. Being at mile 7 is pivotal for runners in a 10-miler. We provided the comic relief, the friendly smile, and the reminder that a mere 5K remained of the race. Many of the runners were grateful for us being so upbeat and encouraging. Some of the runners were serious and down to business. A few of the runners didn’t stop. I’ve been in all three of those stages of a run before. It was interesting to see from the other side of the table, so to speak. We were paired up with a few girls from a local high school soccer team. They were crazy and young, but they had a good time and I think the runners were thankful for their youth and excitement.
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| Team We Run CLE — Mile 7 Crew |
My husband told me his boss was running the 10-miler and that I should keep an eye out for him. Supposedly he was going to harass me about moving away from the CLE, but he didn’t. 😉 It was nice to meet him in person, and to cheer him on for the remaining 5K.
I’m looking forward to the next opportunity to volunteer. Truth be told, I was kind of happy I wasn’t on the other side, having to run 10 miles that day. After the race, I hurried home, and we took the kids to the zoo with my dad. It was exhausting but fun, and that’s what matters.
On Monday, I took my dad to the airport. My best friend that I’ve known since kindergarten came over to visit for the afternoon and evening. She was in town for a few days visiting her brother for his birthday. It was so awesome to see her. I made her run 3 miles with me on Tuesday morning, which was fantastic. I might have also pushed her harder than she should have gone, but it was fun and she felt good at the end. 🙂 (Why does this seem to be a common theme when I run with friends?) The ironic part is that we met up at a local park where we used to go hang out in high school and get into lots of juvenile trouble there. Fast forward 15 years and we were meeting up to run! Ah, how the tides have turned.
After our run we went back to my house and hung out for a bit. Then we said goodbye. (Tear.) After she left, all hell brooke loose as my husband and I frantically tried to do laundry, pack, and clean our house for our vaca.
And now here we are in Indiana. Where I went for a run this morning. And almost got lost. Next to cornfields.
PHEW!!!
Who is exhausted from this week?! THIS GIRL!!!! I’m looking forward to going out with my husband and some of his friends this evening, and then a possible (grown-up) trip to Bloomington tomorrow.
I’m not gonna lie. I’m still really shaken by the untimely death of Robin Williams. I think about it every 20 minutes or so. I’m just so sad that someone so talented, intelligent, and funny was so bothered by inner demons and no one of this world could help him. It doesn’t seem fair. It doesn’t seem fair that a genuine, kind-hearted soul was so tortured that he made everyone around him feel love, warmth, and gave the gift of laughter, yet he himself was the saddest man on Earth. I hope he finds peace, wherever he is.
I hope you have had a wonderful week, my friends. Enjoy this time.
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Have you volunteered to help out a race? What was your job?
Running on vacation: love it or hate it?
