My first 5k - Done!

Well I accomplished my goal to run the Shamrock Run, 5k portion. I really enjoyed the running part. The crowd and standing there in the cold, morning rain was probably my least favorite but comes along with the territory. :-)

Thanks to my dad for taking this cool shot of me starting the race, just so you know I really did end with a smile too! And yes, I LOVE my pink shirt!

We decided to take the Max train downtown b/c there was no way we were going to find parking available. Well there was so many people on our train that we literally stalled the train at the convention center. The conductor came over the radio and told us that too many people were standing in areas that were not supposed to be stood on, but evidently it set off something, and he had to shut off the whole train! So it all went dark and everybody was shocked. We were all packed in there like sardines and No power. It was almost enough to make me not ever want to take the train, ever again! But he got the power on and we coasted into downtown to Waterfront park with no further problems. :-) Phew!

I prepared myself for the race and my family went on ahead of the start line while I found myself a place amongst the 9-10 minute mile crowd. I knew that wasn't my best time but I honestly didn't want to go too far from people I knew. In Portland's best style it began drizzling heavily for the 20 minutes while we stood there waiting to start, but as soon as we started past the start line it stopped raining, I waved at my husband and kiddo's and entered my magical world whenever I run. Have I ever mentioned that my mind actually stops thinking about "stuff" and I actually relax and just enjoy the breeze on my face when I run? It went very well, I had to walk at one point to wait for an Amtrak train to zoom by, and then I had to walk up the hill in downtown towards the end of the race, it was an exhausting point for a hill! At last I finally crossed the finish line. In the end, I had run 3.1 miles in 36 minutes and 59 seconds! I was ecstatic because that was my best time! ( I averaged running a mile in just under 12 minutes)

I then proceeded to wander waterfront park for about 20-25 minutes looking for my family. One very nice lady finally let me use her phone to call my dad and Jonny to tell them where I was, however I only reached my dad but he told Jonny where to find me. So about 25 minutes after i crossed the finish line I found my family, my dad gave me hugs and left to go on to church. Then the four of us stood in line to get some free smoked salmon chowder. It was literally the best chowder in the world!!!

We boarded a Max train downtown and got back to our truck then headed home. I changed into normal clothes then went out for a celebratory lunch to an awesome Italian restaurant on Troutdale. It was a totally awesome morning, and one I will never forget!

I am actively seeking to find my next race, and hoping that I don't have to run by myself this next time. :-) Thank you everyone for all your support!

Excited and nervous

Josiah started his new "school" last Monday. That is the easiest way for us to explain this new program to him. He is still trying to understand why he has to go to the new place but the good thing is that he isn't mad at us anymore about it and has accepted that this is his new school for now. I think his understanding so far is that he needs to go here so they can help him learn new ways of handling school and his own behavior, which is pretty right on. So far, the first day was the worst. We'll just say that he has learned that he cannot run away from them, nor hit or kick at them. I think there will come a time (maybe soon) where he will test those boundaries again and once again find out what happens when he does that. Until then, he is getting some school work done in class, which is GREAT, and we really like his new therapist, she's totally awesome!!! I look forward the changes we have yet to see. I know their is a very bright future for our son and we see that glimmer on the horizon.

In one week I will be running the 3.1 mile race in downtown Portland. It starts early Sunday morning and I am feeling nervous and excited all at the same time. I'm not quite sure what to expect as it's my first race like this, so on one hand I can't wait for it to be over, but on the other I am excited to see this through and accomplish my goal! I am confident that I can run it (with some short walk breaks) and that was my goal as well.

I look forward to starting my next book "The Hunger Games". My sister lent me her copy and I would like to read it and then go see the movie with her when it comes to theaters. My reading list for this year is growing still so I plan to get going on it after my race.

Thanks for hanging in their with me, blessings to you.

A new day...and new challenges to face

Today Josiah started the day treatment program with Trillium Family services and I'm having a hard morning. It feels very clinical to me and I have had to take a step back and let them do their job. Meaning I don't walk him to class, which is a major difference for our morning routine, and he stays there for 6 hrs a day, which is also a big difference, since he had been attending school for only 3 hrs a day. (Another big change is the half hour drive to get to the school building, then drive home, and back again in the afternoon. That's 2 hrs a day on the road for Jacob and I. yeah the $4 for a gallon a gas now is REALLY sucking!!!) (This also means no more preschool for Jacob.) I am so anxious to hear how Josiah's day is going, but I will have to wait till pick up this afternoon at 2:45. Sometime very soon I should be getting a call from his therapist there to set up an appt with me to meet with her later this week. (Have I ever told you that I'm not a very patient person? waiting seriously sucks!) Anyway, after Josiah did some whining and complaining this morning I was able to get him dressed and out the door on time. I then walked up to the front door of the building, and left him with a guy that helped Josiah to his classroom. I said goodbye and he waved, then Jacob and I turned and walked away. That walk was one of the hardest things I've had to do in the past several weeks! I'll keep you updated.

Today my goal is to get back to working out every day since my 5k run is in 2 weeks! I have been able to go to the gym a couple days a week, and walk with the kids when I couldn't, but I really need to step up my game this week if I'm gonna be ready to run 3.1 miles by March 18th! Wish me luck!

Oh, and I've finished 2 books lately that have really inspired me in my running. I encourage you to pick up the books sometime. "The Walk" and "Miles to Go" by Richard Paul Evans. Really good books! I've done some serious soul searching as I've read them, it's been good for me.

Until next time, be blessed!