A Whole Lot of Miles

After much discussion, this year for Thanksgiving we decided to go to my older sister's house in Florida. My parents and younger sister and her 3 daughters were already going, so we thought it would be a nice way to spend Thanksgiving. My schedule was not as cooperative as I had hoped, but we did manage to leave "somewhat" early on Tuesday morning. Oh how I wish we would have left Monday - any time, even late, but I didn't get a chance to pack or get anything ready, plus I had obligations pretty much all day Monday.

So, 4:30 am on Tuesday I am up and getting ready, getting the car packed, basically running around in no orderly fashion. By 6:00 am we are on the road. By 6:15am I am putting on a movie for a little girl who will not go back to sleep. The drive down went fairly well for most of it, though there seemed to be a perpetual cloud overhead the entire way down. We stopped at a Cracker Barrel in Kentucky just to walk around, then back on the road. In Chattanooga, we ran into some traffic, but nothing terrible. It really wasn't until we hit Atlanta around 4:00pm that we hit any major traffic, and by that time it was raining and getting dark and people were driving extra crazy.

Once we got through Atlanta, it was smooth sailing, but still rainy and dark. We arrived in Warner Robins, Georgia and met my sister so we could get on base (her husband is in the Air Force). We finally arrived at our destination, just an hour later than expected.

The next day, we headed for Florida, but we didn't get on the road until close to 10am. It was only a 6 - 7 hour drive, so we thought it would be okay.

Nope.

It started out okay, but by the time we hit Ocala, Florida on 75, it was a traffic nightmare. After several miles of backup and stop and go, we decided to jump off and follow a route parallel - at least we were moving. We eventually jumped back onto 75, but probably later than we should. We eventually arrived, but once again, later than anticipated - by about 2 hours this time.

I actually packed running clothes and got out for a run Wednesday morning on base. Then had plans for a nice long run on Thursday before dinner, but I was exhausted. Friday though, I got out and ran in the humidity - ugh. It was not a good run by any means. After that it was more driving (and more of the same traffic) back to Georgia, then back to Indiana from there. Traffic was actually at its worst on Sunday night and we did not arrive home until 10:30pm. 1300+ miles of driving and about 7-8 miles running...

But we had a great time at the beaches.

Being A Dad

I can't think of a more wonder thing to be than a Dad. Sure, there are times when you get frustrated with your child, but all that is erased when they laugh or hug you.

Reflecting on just the last few days sums it all up. The other night Lilli helped me make banana nut bread. She went and got her trusty step stool and was standing at the counter helped mix it all up. She loves to help out in the kitchen.

Saturday was a family Thanksgiving Party and she was having so much fun running around, giggling with her cousins (needless to say she fell asleep in 6 seconds flat that night).

Yesterday, she was a big help with raking leaves (in her own way of course). She wanted to help, so she got her Little Tikes shovels and used them as rakes (quite creative). Unfortunately she raked away from the pile, but its the thought that counts. Then when we were picking up leaves to put in the bag, she would spread it out on the lawn instead - "to help the grass grow" she said - hard to argue with that.

Then last night we got her suitcase and backpack out to get her ready for our trip to Florida. She actually started folding her clothes and placing them in the suitcase! With some additional help from Mom, it got packed. Then Lilli filled her back pack up with dolls and toys then proceeded to walk around the house with back pack on, pulling the suitcase behind saying that she was ready to go, even though we aren't leaving for a couple of more days.

Moments like these make being a Dad such a wonderful experience. These are the memories I'll have to remember the rest of my life.

The First Meeting

I met with some friends today who happen to organize races. I walked away a little overwhelmed, but they've broken it down into some easy to manage steps. The first step to making this race a reality and the hardest part, is to determine the race type/size, exact date and location - by Christmas. Once that's decided, then it will  be time to make the next round of decisions - i.e. how much do we want to take on ourselves, etc.

We want this to be successful and we want it to raise a lot of money and awareness and not to mention grow it each year. We need to think about potential sponsors, set up a timetable to make decisions and get things done. It sounds like there are a lot of companies that will donate supplies, etc. to not for profit organizations, so that will be important to get those contacts.

Other items to figure out - Race name, T-shirt design, banners, advertising? and many, many more things...

Stay tuned...

Locked IN

My house is plotting against me.

Really.

Just when I think I am free and clear of any projects, something comes up. Installing a sliding screen to the back door? Oh, well the threshold is rotten and so is some of the surrounding trim and not sure if there is any water intrusion... Gotta paint the trim? No problem, except that some if it is rotten too and needs replaced.

Yesterday morning was a little different though. I actually got up early to go for a run. I got dressed, I quietly made my way through the house, making sure I didn't wake anyone up. Got to the door, unlocked it and I still couldn't open the door. I tried locking and unlocking it again, but the knob would not turn! I thought about just leaving it and dealing with it later, but I feared the worst - a fire could break out and everyone could get trapped because the door wouldn't open -- granted there were 2 other doors, but it could happen. So I grabbed a screwdriver and pulled the knob off the inside and pushed it out on the other. I tried pulling the latch mechanism open, but it would not budge. So I went out the front door, got into the garage, got a bigger screwdriver and then came in and pried the latch open. Now I had a door with no knob that would not latch. What to do?

I thought quickly.

It was 6:30 am.

What is open at that time of morning? Lowe's wouldn't be open for another half hour and I had to still get ready for work. Walmart is the closest store and it was open. Wasn't sure if they'd have anything, but had to try. I hopped in my car and went in and, low and behold, I found want I needed! I got back home and found Steph and Lilli awake. They had no idea what had happened - they thought I had gone to work already.  I pulled the lock-set out of the box and then had to mortise int he new latch mechanism. 20 minutes later, the new knob was installed, and surprisingly it was much better than the low grade knob the builder installed in this house! Now I might replace all the exterior knobs... another project to add to the list. But before I start on that, I hope to get a run in!

a quick 5 miles at sunset

After a busy weekend, I was able to break away for a quick 5 mile run. The temperature was perfect and the sunset was just starting to set, but I felt awful... yet somehow I pulled out an 8:33/mile average. Running seems to be going well this week, so we'll see how it goes. I'd like to keep building on the recent "successes" I've been having. My pace has all been sub 9:00's this week, which has been great. Just need to keep that up as I stretch out the mileage from here on out.