The Place

It's not a secret. 

Life with teens is not my favorite season of parenthood. Despite the fact that my teens are kind and empathetic and, for the most part, good young people...parenting teenagers is hard. Like, really hard.

To be honest, I don't think it's easy being a teen in this day and age, either. 

Last night I was organizing some files in my office and four teens come into the house (three of whom are not of my own creation) and I just listen...

"OMG I need to use the bathroom."

"Hurry up, I'm next!"

"Oooooh, strawberries! Can I have some?"

...and I smile. 

Next, all four of them run into my office. One gives me kisses and the other three say "Hi Mom!" while one hands me a teddy bear to snuggle (that's a whole other story).

Then they're gone. Off to the basement to play video games or Foosball. I can hear them laughing and carrying on through the floor. 

...and I smile. 

As difficult as it is to live with teens and as much as I dislike so much of teenagehood--the pressure, the attitude, the hormones, the opinions, the pushing of boundaries, the attitude should be mentioned twice--there is joy. 

Some days I have to look really hard, but it's there.

When a gaggle of near fully grown humans arrive feeling welcome to the facilities, the snacks, the space and, most importantly, feeling welcome to relax and just be themselves...

I'm happy to be The Place.

Half and Half Marathon

The Half and Half Marathon in Tulsa, Oklahoma was December 9.  I suppose it's kind of good that I'm delinquent in writing my race recap as the old blog is gone now.

This was a quick weekend trip to Tulsa.  Sarah and I left on Friday, December 7 after work.

If you've been following for a while, you may remember Sarah.  She was with me for the back to back Portland adventure.  It was all her idea, actually.  I can't link to the post since it's gone but take my word for it: it was epic.  And awful.  And awesome.

Back to Tulsa.  We arrived late Friday night and went right to the hotel.

Saturday morning, we went to packet pick up at Runner's World Tulsa, a local running store.  When I registered for the race, I assumed it was Runner's World Magazine associated with it.  

Nope.  Runner's World the store.

The Marathon started on Sunday at 9.  Sarah and I took the shuttle from the hotel to Turkey Mountain where the race started.

Before we had any idea what we were in for.

There were roughly 300 participants at this event.  By Columbus standards, it was teeny tiny.  I like to describe it as a "ready set go!" race.  No cannons.  No fireworks.  Not even an air horn.  Just the race director saying "ready, set, go!"

As I collect more and more race experiences, my favorites are the ready, set go races.

This marathon was half trail and half road.  Half and Half. 

We were told that the trail half "wasn't very technical".

That turned out to be not very accurate. Ha.

This is what most of the first half looked like.  Some sections were completely covered with fallen leaves that we couldn't run for fear of stepping in a hole or rolling an ankle on a rock.

Not that it mattered.  I rolled an ankle around mile 9.  I walked it off for a sec, then was able to keep going.  It was sore, but ok for the next 10 miles.  Then it really started to hurt.  And my giveashit began to dwindle.

Elevation map for the first 13.1 miles.
Up and down, up and down that damn Turkey Mountain.

Photo taken and originally posted by Runner's World Tulsa

We passed this section of trail 4 times.  There was a small group of spectators gathered here with cowbells.  They were a welcome sight.

Let's take a minute to talk about the outfit.  Everything I'm wearing is a go-to article of clothing.  It was cold when we started so I have a few layers on.  All Skirt Sports.  Of course.  First the Go the Distance Tights, the blue shirt is a heavier weight long sleeve but not insulated: the Tough Chick Top.  The pink shirt underneath is the Runner's Dream.  I wear this ALL THE TIME.  If I had to pick a favorite shirt of all time, it's the Runner's Dream.  Of course nothing matches.  I rarely match.

Elevation for the second 13.1

When we finished with the first half, it had warmed up a little so I took off my top layer and added a short sleeve instead.  This helps keep my core warm but lets my elbows breathe.  No one likes elbow sweat.

Around mile 19, my ankle really started bothering me.  With every step, I had pain shooting toward my toes.  While we were on the bike path, I'm pretty sure I asked a guy who was rollerblading for a piggy back ride.  He declined.

At mile 21.5, we had to pass the finish line and run a 5ish mile out and back.  Seriously.  Who does that?!  I told Sarah that I wanted to stop.  DNF at mile 21.5.

Now, this needs to be said.  Usually, I'm the one pushing to keep going.  The one encouraging everyone else to get the job done.  But, I'll tell you...when it was my time to get all needy, Sarah stepped up.  She was the voice of reason.  "No, Jamie.  No one DNFs at mile 21.5.  Do you know how mad you'll be as soon as you sit down?"

Of course she was right.

Fine.  But I'm never running again after this.  Ever.  (Lies)

Hallelujah we're done!

We checked Oklahoma off the list!  My ankle was sore for several days but 10 days later when I ran again, it was fine.

The Half and Half Marathon was one of the most well-run events I've done.  We ran by an aid station every 3ish miles and each station was well-stocked.  Even toward the end.  I love Coke in the later miles of a marathon and I love candy at any time.  Both were plentiful.  One station in particular was prepared for anything with french toast and Fireball.

For as awful as I felt for the last 7ish miles, I sure did smile a lot.

I do recommend this event to anyone looking for a challenge.

But this hold true:

How we feel about Turkey Mountain

Starting Over

Well....my old blog was accidentally deleted.

When I realized I was panicked. 

Then I was pissed.

Then I accepted. 

Or, I thought I did.  But it's 3am and I can't sleep because my blog was deleted!  10 years of blog posts...so much work...the documentation of so many memories...gone.

So here I am.  Starting over.