THIS WEEKEND'S EVENTS, FOR ME, WAS A PERFECT BOOK END TO THE LAST SEVEN MONTHS. AS YOU ALL KNOW BY NOW, JUST SEVEN MONTHS AGO I HAD BRAIN SURGERY (A CRANIOTOMY). I WOKE UP FROM SURGERY LATER THE NEXT DAY AND NOTICED I COULDN'T SEE THE HUGE CANVAS PICTURE OF MY KIDS THAT THEY PROMISED TO PUT AT THE END OF MY BED, SO THAT THEY WERE THE FIRST THING I SAW WHEN I WOKE UP. I WAS HALF BLIND, AND BEGAN TO PANIC. THEN, I OVERHEARD THE DR'S TELLING MY HUSBAND THAT ALTHOUGH THE SURGERY WAS A SUCCESS, IT HADN'T GONE EXACTLY AS PLANNED, SO THEY HAD TO GO BACK IN AND DO ANOTHER VASCULAR SURGERY (COILING) JUST 7 WEEKS LATER, AFTER I RECOVERED A BIT FROM THE CRANIOTOMY. WHAT A BLOW. IT'S BEEN QUITE A JOURNEY, AND THERE'VE BEEN SOME REALLY TOUGH MOMENTS. BUT, WE GRASP ON TO THE THINGS WE CAN, LIKE: THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT; THE DINNERS THAT WERE DELIVERED BY FRIENDS FROM ALL PARTS OF OUR LIVES FROM AUGUST 30 THROUGH DECEMBER 1; THE PRAYERS AND MESSAGES AND FLOWERS AND CARDS AND EMAILS AND CARINGBRIDGE SITE MESSAGES AND VISITS AND WALKS AND RIDES AND LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP AND DID I MENTION ALL THE PRAYERS??? THE BEST GIFT OF ALL, THE PRAYERS. WE TAKE THE GOOD WITH THE BAD, AND MUST FORCE OURSELVES (AT TIMES) TO MAKE A CHOICE: BE BETTER OR BE BITTER.
I CHOSE TO BE BETTER. I CHOSE TO SEE ALL THE BLESSINGS. I CHOSE TO BE GRATEFUL. AND, I CHOSE TO TAKE WHAT I COULD GET. I COULD RUN. I WAS ABLE TO RUN, AFTER 3 MONTHS OF RECOVERY. SO, I RAN.
NOW, I DON'T MEAN TO MAKE THIS SEEM EASY. IT WASN'T. IT RARELY IS. AND, I COULD NEVER HAVE HAD THE STRENGTH TO MAKE THIS DECISION ON MY OWN. IT WAS BC OF ALL THE PRAYERS AND LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP OF ALL OF YOU, MANY OF WHOM ARE COMPLETE STRANGERS, THAT GAVE ME STRENGTH.
IT WAS BC OF MARK KNUTSON. HE HAD CONFIDENCE IN ME, WHEN HE ASKED ME TO GIVE THE SPEECH DURING THE PASTA FEED LAST FRIDAY NIGHT. MARK BELIEVED IN ME, WELL BEFORE I THOUGHT I'D BE STRONG ENOUGH TO CARRY OUT HIS REQUEST. MARK ASKED ME TO DO THIS MANY MONTHS AGO, BEFORE I HAD EVEN DECIDED TO DO THE MARATHON, ANY PART OF IT! MARK SAW IN ME SOMETHING I HADNT SEEN IN MYSELF AT THAT POINT. MARK HELPED GIVE ME HOPE AND TO BELIEVE IN MYSELF. HIS REQUEST WAS A GIFT, AND I AM GRATEFUL.
I WANT TO THANK EACH OF YOU FOR KEEPING TABS ON MY PROGRESS AND FOR CHECKING THIS BLOG. I AM GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR YOUR KIND WORDS, YOUR SUPPORT AND YOUR PATIENCE, AS YOU READ THROUGH SOME LONG ENTRIES. :)
I WANT TO CONGRATULATE ALL OF YOU ON YOUR PERSONAL VICTORIES LAST WEEKEND. AND, I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO KEEP BEING KIND. IT'S A WONDERFUL GIFT. YOU'VE BEEN KIND TO ME, AND YOU NEVER KNOW HOW THAT KINDNESS WILL IMPACT ANOTHER PERSON.
YOUR KINDNESS HELPED ME REACH THAT FINISH LINE. I PROMISE YOU, IT GOT ME THERE THROUGH SOME VERY TOUGH MILES AND SOME SEVERE LEG CRAMPING, STARTING AT MILE 10!!! YIKES. BUT, I THOUGHT OF OUR COMMUNITY AND SOME OF THE STRANGERS WHO I'VE MET AND SPOKEN TO THIS PAST WEEKEND AT THE EXPO OR THE PASTA DINNER ON FRIDAY NIGHT. YOUR WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND KINDNESS RANG THROUGH MY HEAD THROUGHOUT THE 24 MILES (I WAS DELERIOUS AFTER MILE 24 AND VERY WEEPY, SO I'D BE LYING IF SAID I REMEMBER WHAT I WAS THINKING ABOUT THEN!!!).
MY SISTER-IN-LAW HAS A SIGN IN HER HOUSE THAT READS, "BECAUSE NICE MATTERS..." IT DOES, AND YOU ARE. I AM HUMBLED BY THE OVERWHELMING COVERAGE AND SUPPORT I'VE RECIEVED THROUGHOUT THIS JOURNEY. I AM GRATEFUL, TOO. AND, BLESSED.
THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF MY STORY, AND FOR SHARING YOURS. NOW, WHAT BETTER WAY TO BOOK END THIS LAST SEVEN MONTHS....
WITH LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP AND THANKSGIVING,
KATHLEEN
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
HARPER'S FIRST RACE!
THIS IS HER PICTURE FACE! WHEN SHE SEES A CAMERA, SHE BREAKS OUT THE SMILES. :) APPLE DOESN'T FALL FAR FROM THE TREE, I'M AFRAID. IT'S IN HER DNA. HOPEFULLY, I LOOK AS HAPPY PULLING INTO THE DOME TOMORROW AFTERNOON. HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY...MUST GO PREPARE FOR TONIGHT. THIS IS JUST NUTS. HOPE I'M NOT DEHYDRATED TOMORROW BC OF ALL THE TEARS I'VE SHED THIS WEEK. PEOPLE ARE STOPPING ME IN TARGET AND WISHING ME LUCK WITH ALL SORTS OF BEAUTIFUL KIND WORDS. IT'S A BIT OVERWHELMING. OURS IS A SPECIAL COMMUNITY. THANK YOU...
BRING YOUR OWN STORIES TO THE LINE-UP TOMORROW. EVERYONE'S STORY MATTERS AND THEY'LL GET YOU TO VICTORY.
WE ARE BLESSED. I LOVE FARGO!
KATHLEEN
CONGRATULATIONS, KIDS!
THE KIDS RACE WAS SUPER! WELL ORGANIZED. FUN. FLAT. FRIENDLY. ALL THE ADJECTIVES MARK AND HIS TEAM BOAST ABOUT!
ALL THREE OF OUR KIDS AND MY NIECE AND NEPHEW COMPETED. YES, EVEN HARPER (WHO IS ONLY TWO) RAN HER FIRST RACE. AND...SHE DIDN'T WEAR HER PRINCESS SHOES.
MANY PARENTS I TALKED TO MENTIONED THE WAIT, BUT ONLY IN PASSING. THEY WEREN'T COMPLAINING. WE TALKED ABOUT THE DETAILS THAT GO IN TO PLANNING SUCH AN EVENT WITH SO MANY CHILDREN OF DIFFERENT AGES AND THE SAFETY REASONS BEHIND SOME OF THE STRICT RULES. THEY WANT OUR KIDS TO HAVE A FUN EXPERIENCE, WHILE KEEPING THEM SAFE AND PROTECTED.
EVERYONE WAS HAPPY. EVERYONE WAS IN THE SPIRIT! ALL HAD A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE!
THANK YOU MARK AND TEAM! YOU'RE REALLY PHENOMENAL!
KATHLEEN
ALL THREE OF OUR KIDS AND MY NIECE AND NEPHEW COMPETED. YES, EVEN HARPER (WHO IS ONLY TWO) RAN HER FIRST RACE. AND...SHE DIDN'T WEAR HER PRINCESS SHOES.
MANY PARENTS I TALKED TO MENTIONED THE WAIT, BUT ONLY IN PASSING. THEY WEREN'T COMPLAINING. WE TALKED ABOUT THE DETAILS THAT GO IN TO PLANNING SUCH AN EVENT WITH SO MANY CHILDREN OF DIFFERENT AGES AND THE SAFETY REASONS BEHIND SOME OF THE STRICT RULES. THEY WANT OUR KIDS TO HAVE A FUN EXPERIENCE, WHILE KEEPING THEM SAFE AND PROTECTED.
EVERYONE WAS HAPPY. EVERYONE WAS IN THE SPIRIT! ALL HAD A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE!
THANK YOU MARK AND TEAM! YOU'RE REALLY PHENOMENAL!
KATHLEEN
Thursday, May 20, 2010
KIDS' RACE
GOOD LUCK, KIDDOS! OUR 9, 7 1/2 AND EVEN THE 2 YEAR OLD ARE RUNNING TONIGHT...HOPEFULLY WITHOUT HER PRINCESS SHOES.
HAVE A NICE RUN!
HAVE A NICE RUN!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
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Tuesday, May 18, 2010
WEAR YOUR GLASS SLIPPERS AND ENJOY THE JOURNEY...
WE'RE ALL NERVOUS, RIGHT? I MEAN, I KNOW I'M THE ONLY ONE OF US SPEAKING TO 700 PEOPLE ON FRIDAY NIGHT (GULP) BUT, WE'RE ALL CLOSELY WATCHING WEATHER.COM AND TRYING TO GAGE THE WIND AND THE TIMING OF THE THUNDER STORMS THEY'RE PREDICTING. I HAVE TO ADMIT: I'M MORE NERVOUS TO SPEAK THAN I AM TO RUN. THERE I SAID IT. AND, THIS WEEK'S BEEN MORE BUSY THAN MOST: HUSTLING KIDS AROUND, FIGHTING A TERRIBLE COLD, SHUFFLING SCHEDULES TO DO PRESS INTERVIEWS (AGAIN,HELLO, OUT OF MY BOX!).
SO...I'VE BECOME RATHER SHORT-TEMPERED (AT TIMES) AND IMPATIENT WITH MY KIDDOS. THE TWO OLDER ARE ROLLING WITH IT, AND REALIZE THIS STRESS WILL ALL BE OVER SOON, AND VICTORY AWAITS US ALL.
BUT, FOR A TWO YEAR OLD, IT'S TOUGHER TO UNDERSTAND ALL THE HUB-BUB.
I HAD A CRAZY BUSY MORNING PLANNED. AND, DREW'S OUT OF TOWN AGAIN. BUT, BEFORE I COULD GET TO ANYTHING ON THE LIST, AND AFTER DROPPING KIDS OFF AT SCHOOL, HARPER AND I NEEDED TO STOP BY THE GROCERY STORE.
HARPER IS TWO. SHE LOVES ANYTHING "PINCESS" (PRINCESS, FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T TALK 2 YR OLD). AND, WELL, SHE'S HER DADDY'S GIRL: SHE'S STUBBORN AND LOUD. :) SHE INSISTED ON WEARING THOSE GLASS SLIPPERS INTO THE STORE. AND, WALKING ALONE ACROSS THE PARKING LOT AND THROUGH THE STORE TO SHOW THEM OFF! AGAIN, DADDY! :) HELLO: MOM'S ON A STRICT, CALCULATED SCHEDULE HERE, HONEY!!!!
AT FIRST, I STARTED TO PICK HER UP. THIS WAS GOING TO TAKE FOR-EVER!! THERE'S NO TIME FOR PRINCESS SHOES THIS MORNING. THEN, I REALIZED: THIS IS SO DANG CUTE. SHE IS VOICING HER INDEPENDENCE. SHE'S PROUD OF THOSE SUCKERS. LET HER CLICK CLACK HER WAY THROUGH THAT STORE AND HOLD HER TINY HAND, MOM!! DO IT! THIS MOMENT WILL PASS TOO SOON.
AS WE MADE OUR WAY THROUGH THE STORE, SHE STOPPED TO CHIT CHAT WITH ALL HER ADMIRERS. AND, THOSE WHO DIDN'T STOP WERE WAVED TO, JUST LIKE A PRINCESS. I COULDN'T HELP BUT TO COMPARE OUR JOURNEY IN THE GLASS SLIPPERS TO THE JOURNEY OF OUR TRAINING AND THE TAPERING WEEK BEFORE THE MARATHON.
WE NEED TO SAVOR THIS WEEK. EMBRACE THE FACT THAT I, AND OTHERS WHO ARE DOING SO, GET TO HONOR SO MANY WHO CAN'T EVER OR WON'T RUN A MARATHON (IN MY CASE BC THEY'VE SUFFERED FROM A BRAIN ANEURYSM). I GET TO TELL THEIR STORIES. PEOPLE ARE ASKING TO HEAR. AND, THEY'RE LISTENING.
SO, WHATEVER YOUR WEEK LOOKS LIKE, HOWEVER BUSY YOU ARE--AND WE ALL ARE--SAVOR THIS WEEK. YOU'VE SPENT FOUR MONTHS TRAINING FOR THIS WEEKEND; YOU'RE SO READY.
THIS IS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT...
SO, WEAR THE DANG PRINCESS SHOES AND FLAUNT THEM AND DRINK IN EVERY OUNCE OF THIS WEEK. IT'LL BE OVER SOON, AND WE'LL BE SITTING PRETTY FROM HEAD TO TOE...WITH OUR PRINCESS SHOES AND OUR FINISHERS MEDAL DANGLING AROUND OUR NECKS.
ENJOY THE JOURNEY...
KATHLEEN
PRINCESS HARPER'S MOMMY
SO...I'VE BECOME RATHER SHORT-TEMPERED (AT TIMES) AND IMPATIENT WITH MY KIDDOS. THE TWO OLDER ARE ROLLING WITH IT, AND REALIZE THIS STRESS WILL ALL BE OVER SOON, AND VICTORY AWAITS US ALL.
BUT, FOR A TWO YEAR OLD, IT'S TOUGHER TO UNDERSTAND ALL THE HUB-BUB.
I HAD A CRAZY BUSY MORNING PLANNED. AND, DREW'S OUT OF TOWN AGAIN. BUT, BEFORE I COULD GET TO ANYTHING ON THE LIST, AND AFTER DROPPING KIDS OFF AT SCHOOL, HARPER AND I NEEDED TO STOP BY THE GROCERY STORE.
HARPER IS TWO. SHE LOVES ANYTHING "PINCESS" (PRINCESS, FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T TALK 2 YR OLD). AND, WELL, SHE'S HER DADDY'S GIRL: SHE'S STUBBORN AND LOUD. :) SHE INSISTED ON WEARING THOSE GLASS SLIPPERS INTO THE STORE. AND, WALKING ALONE ACROSS THE PARKING LOT AND THROUGH THE STORE TO SHOW THEM OFF! AGAIN, DADDY! :) HELLO: MOM'S ON A STRICT, CALCULATED SCHEDULE HERE, HONEY!!!!
AT FIRST, I STARTED TO PICK HER UP. THIS WAS GOING TO TAKE FOR-EVER!! THERE'S NO TIME FOR PRINCESS SHOES THIS MORNING. THEN, I REALIZED: THIS IS SO DANG CUTE. SHE IS VOICING HER INDEPENDENCE. SHE'S PROUD OF THOSE SUCKERS. LET HER CLICK CLACK HER WAY THROUGH THAT STORE AND HOLD HER TINY HAND, MOM!! DO IT! THIS MOMENT WILL PASS TOO SOON.
AS WE MADE OUR WAY THROUGH THE STORE, SHE STOPPED TO CHIT CHAT WITH ALL HER ADMIRERS. AND, THOSE WHO DIDN'T STOP WERE WAVED TO, JUST LIKE A PRINCESS. I COULDN'T HELP BUT TO COMPARE OUR JOURNEY IN THE GLASS SLIPPERS TO THE JOURNEY OF OUR TRAINING AND THE TAPERING WEEK BEFORE THE MARATHON.
WE NEED TO SAVOR THIS WEEK. EMBRACE THE FACT THAT I, AND OTHERS WHO ARE DOING SO, GET TO HONOR SO MANY WHO CAN'T EVER OR WON'T RUN A MARATHON (IN MY CASE BC THEY'VE SUFFERED FROM A BRAIN ANEURYSM). I GET TO TELL THEIR STORIES. PEOPLE ARE ASKING TO HEAR. AND, THEY'RE LISTENING.
SO, WHATEVER YOUR WEEK LOOKS LIKE, HOWEVER BUSY YOU ARE--AND WE ALL ARE--SAVOR THIS WEEK. YOU'VE SPENT FOUR MONTHS TRAINING FOR THIS WEEKEND; YOU'RE SO READY.
THIS IS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT...
SO, WEAR THE DANG PRINCESS SHOES AND FLAUNT THEM AND DRINK IN EVERY OUNCE OF THIS WEEK. IT'LL BE OVER SOON, AND WE'LL BE SITTING PRETTY FROM HEAD TO TOE...WITH OUR PRINCESS SHOES AND OUR FINISHERS MEDAL DANGLING AROUND OUR NECKS.
ENJOY THE JOURNEY...
KATHLEEN
PRINCESS HARPER'S MOMMY
Sunday, May 16, 2010
6 DAYS TO GO...
OK, SO TWO OUT OF THREE OF MY KIDS ARE SICK. PATRICK IS HEALTHY, BUT SORE AFTER HE NEARLY CUT HIS FINGER OFF WITH HIS NEW BOY SCOUT KNIFE HIS DADDY GIFTED HIM YESTERDAY. HE HAD IT, APPROXIMATELY, 2 HOURS BEFORE HE TEARFULLY CAME RUNNING IN THE HOUSE TO TELL ME HE "MADE A BAD CHOICE." HE WAS GOOFING AROUND WITH IT, AND SLICED HIS POINTER. I WAS FINE, UNTIL I NOTICED THE TRAIL OF BLOOD HE LEFT ALL OVER THE HOUSE, AND THE ARM-LOAD OF BLOOD-SOAKED PAPER TOWELS HE TOSSED IN THE GARBAGE CAN! I REMAINED CALM, AND WAS PRETTY IMPRESSED WITH THE TURNOKIT HE MADE FOR HIMSELF WHILE SEARCHING THE HOUSE FOR ME (I WAS IN THE BASEMENT CHANGING THE SPARE BEDROOM SHEETS FOR OUT MARATHON GUESTS...MY FOLKS FROM PHILLY...YAHOO!).
SO, I WASHED HIS OWIE AND TRIED NOT TO LET ON HOW SHOCKED I WAS BY ITS LENGTH AND DEPTH. NOT LONG AFTER, WE TREKKED TO THE E.R. BUT THE SWEETEST MOMENT WAS WHEN HE SADLY SAID, "I'M SO MAD AT MYSELF, MOMMY. I'M AFRAID YOU AND DAD ARE GONNA THINK I'M"...ARE YOU READY..."IN-RESPONSIBLE!!!" IN-REPSONISBLE. I LOVE WHEN THEY TRY TO USE BIG WORDS AND THEY COME OUT ALL JUMBLED. WELL, I TRIED TO HIDE MY PRIDE AND STOPPED MYSELF FROM EATING THIS CHILD UP RIGHT THEN AND THERE, AND EXPLAINED THAT HIS KNIFE IS A TOOL NOT A TOY, AND THAT HE SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAD IT OUTSIDE AND THAT I DON'T THINK HE'S IN-RESPONISLBLE (WHAT? I LOVE THAT WORD. I DON'T WANT TO GIVE HIM A COMPLEX AND CORRECT HIM. PRIORITIES, PEOPLE!). ANYWAY, HE SAID, HE THOUGHT HE WAS "IN-RESPONSIBLE AND WAS SORRY." LITTLE BUGGER.
HE'S FINE AND HAS BEEN GARNERING MUCH ATTENTION SINCE HIS E.R. VISIT. BIG SISTER HAS BEEN COLLECTING THE NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS AND TAKING THEM ON A TOUR OF THE BLOOD SPLATTERS, TRYING TO PIECE THE SCENE TOGETHER. AT LEAST SHE'S NOT SELLING TICKETS. I WOULDN'T PUT IT PAST HER.
SO, THAT'S HOW OUR TAPERING WEEKEND WENT AT THE WRIGLEY HOUSEHOLD. THE GIRLS ARE COUGHING AND SNEEZING ALL OVER MOMMY. DADDY'S STEERING CLEAR OF THEM. AND, MOM'S STARTING WITH HER OWN STUFFY NOSE AND ACHES. PERFECT TIMING...
SO, I WASHED HIS OWIE AND TRIED NOT TO LET ON HOW SHOCKED I WAS BY ITS LENGTH AND DEPTH. NOT LONG AFTER, WE TREKKED TO THE E.R. BUT THE SWEETEST MOMENT WAS WHEN HE SADLY SAID, "I'M SO MAD AT MYSELF, MOMMY. I'M AFRAID YOU AND DAD ARE GONNA THINK I'M"...ARE YOU READY..."IN-RESPONSIBLE!!!" IN-REPSONISBLE. I LOVE WHEN THEY TRY TO USE BIG WORDS AND THEY COME OUT ALL JUMBLED. WELL, I TRIED TO HIDE MY PRIDE AND STOPPED MYSELF FROM EATING THIS CHILD UP RIGHT THEN AND THERE, AND EXPLAINED THAT HIS KNIFE IS A TOOL NOT A TOY, AND THAT HE SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAD IT OUTSIDE AND THAT I DON'T THINK HE'S IN-RESPONISLBLE (WHAT? I LOVE THAT WORD. I DON'T WANT TO GIVE HIM A COMPLEX AND CORRECT HIM. PRIORITIES, PEOPLE!). ANYWAY, HE SAID, HE THOUGHT HE WAS "IN-RESPONSIBLE AND WAS SORRY." LITTLE BUGGER.
HE'S FINE AND HAS BEEN GARNERING MUCH ATTENTION SINCE HIS E.R. VISIT. BIG SISTER HAS BEEN COLLECTING THE NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS AND TAKING THEM ON A TOUR OF THE BLOOD SPLATTERS, TRYING TO PIECE THE SCENE TOGETHER. AT LEAST SHE'S NOT SELLING TICKETS. I WOULDN'T PUT IT PAST HER.
SO, THAT'S HOW OUR TAPERING WEEKEND WENT AT THE WRIGLEY HOUSEHOLD. THE GIRLS ARE COUGHING AND SNEEZING ALL OVER MOMMY. DADDY'S STEERING CLEAR OF THEM. AND, MOM'S STARTING WITH HER OWN STUFFY NOSE AND ACHES. PERFECT TIMING...
Saturday, May 15, 2010
DID YOU KNOW...
*AN ESTIMATED 6 MILLION PEOPLE ARE LIVING WITH AND WALKING AROUND WITH AN UNRUPTURED BRAIN ANEURYSM...TO PUT THAT INTO PERSPECTIVE----THAT'S 1 IN 50!!!!!
*AN ESTIMATED 25,000 RUPTURES WILL HAPPEN THIS YEAR, PUTTING THOSE PATIENTS IN SERIOUS LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION
*40% OF THOSE PATIENTS WILL DIE!!!
*OF THOSE WHO SURVIVE 4 OUT OF 7 WILL LIVE WITH SOME TYPE OF DISABILITY!!!
*BRAIN ANEURYSMS ARE MOST PREVALENT IN PEOPLE BETWEEN THE AGES 35-60!!! TAKE NOTE: THAT'S VERY SIMILAR TO THE DEMOGRAPHIC OF PEOPLE WHO RUN MARATHONS.
*ANEURYSMS ARE USUALLY DETECTED IN THE 3RD OR 4TH DECADE OF LIFE: I WAS 34, WHEN I HAD MY FIRST VASCULAR (COILING) SURGERY IN MARCH 2004...MY BABIES WERE JUST 3 AND 1 1/2 YEARS OLD.
*AND, WOMEN ARE MORE LIKELY THAN MEN TO HAVE AN ANEURYSM, AT A RATIO OF 3:2!!!
*FINALLY, RUPTURED, OR BURST ANEURYSMS, ACCOUNT FOR 3-5% OF ALL NEW STROKES!!!
HELP!
GO TO THIS LINK (OR CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW WILL BRING YOU RIGHT TO THE SITE:
www.healtheast.org/foundation/foundation-donation.html
CLICK ON: NATIONAL BRAIN ANEURYSM CENTER & ST. JOSEPHS'S NEUROSCIENCES FUND to donate. Please specify "In honor of Kathleen Wrigley," so I can keep track of proper thank yous.
Every dollar helps! As I mentioned in previous posts, I'm not comfortable pounding the pavement for donations, but this is important to me.
Thank you for reading this blog over the four month course of our training. Thank you for sharing in my journey. Thank you...
Kathleen
www.healtheast.org/foundation/foundation-donation.html
CLICK ON: NATIONAL BRAIN ANEURYSM CENTER & ST. JOSEPHS'S NEUROSCIENCES FUND to donate. Please specify "In honor of Kathleen Wrigley," so I can keep track of proper thank yous.
Every dollar helps! As I mentioned in previous posts, I'm not comfortable pounding the pavement for donations, but this is important to me.
Thank you for reading this blog over the four month course of our training. Thank you for sharing in my journey. Thank you...
Kathleen
Friday, May 14, 2010
FOR THEM...
THE FOLLOWING LIST OF PEOPLE HAVE EITHER DIED OR SUFFERED FROM A BRAIN ANEURYSM. THEIR STORIES MATTER, AND I WILL HONOR THEM AND THEIR JOURNEYS ON MAY 22ND. TOGETHER, WE HAVE A VOICE. AND, TOGETHER WE'LL RUN 26.2 MILES
Shirley Bakke
Becky Pfau
Joe O’Connell
Joan Samuels Briggs
Chris Sutton
Linda Wanttie
Kari Okerlund-Wolf
Shirley Kuhn
Clark Coleman
Terry Shanley
Barbara Ladd McNamara
Loren E. Smith
Peggy Wolf
Megan Grady
Bill Kelliher
Diane Arthurs
Gwen Sannes
Mark Milligan
Mary Lou Cote
Scott Toenies
John Mastel
Mark Johnson
Sam Dubois
Sharon Steinbach
Terry Lalonde
Shirley Kuhn
Yvonne Torvik
Mary Ann Bonniwell
Cindy Kirkorsky
Chris T
Margaret Ann Shotwell
Jean Schnell-Vickie
My Aunt, Kathleen Riley
Bernice Malone
Tena Shultz
Barbara Bertel
Terri Lalonde
Linda Wanttie
Mary Kelliher
Danny Grady
John Grady
Terri Reick
Marie Kellett
Flo Harty
Brad Bergum
Mary Beth Schuchard
Bernie Gordon
Lynette Oswald
Bernard Sattler
Gene Sieben
Sharon Stone
Bret Michaels
Stess Sletten
Elaine Schwandt
Delia Williams
Howard Clemens
Leroy Clemens
Florri McMillan
Kathryn Wilhelm
Sharon Knutson
Amber Bonander
Casey Leitch
Betsy Rodiles – 2007 Fargo Marathon Finisher
Shirley Bakke
Becky Pfau
Joe O’Connell
Joan Samuels Briggs
Chris Sutton
Linda Wanttie
Kari Okerlund-Wolf
Shirley Kuhn
Clark Coleman
Terry Shanley
Barbara Ladd McNamara
Loren E. Smith
Peggy Wolf
Megan Grady
Bill Kelliher
Diane Arthurs
Gwen Sannes
Mark Milligan
Mary Lou Cote
Scott Toenies
John Mastel
Mark Johnson
Sam Dubois
Sharon Steinbach
Terry Lalonde
Shirley Kuhn
Yvonne Torvik
Mary Ann Bonniwell
Cindy Kirkorsky
Chris T
Margaret Ann Shotwell
Jean Schnell-Vickie
My Aunt, Kathleen Riley
Bernice Malone
Tena Shultz
Barbara Bertel
Terri Lalonde
Linda Wanttie
Mary Kelliher
Danny Grady
John Grady
Terri Reick
Marie Kellett
Flo Harty
Brad Bergum
Mary Beth Schuchard
Bernie Gordon
Lynette Oswald
Bernard Sattler
Gene Sieben
Sharon Stone
Bret Michaels
Stess Sletten
Elaine Schwandt
Delia Williams
Howard Clemens
Leroy Clemens
Florri McMillan
Kathryn Wilhelm
Sharon Knutson
Amber Bonander
Casey Leitch
Betsy Rodiles – 2007 Fargo Marathon Finisher
EIGHT DAYS...
OK. SO I GOT AHEAD OF MYSELF...
I HAD THIS SPUR-OF-THE-MOMENT IDEA THAT I'D DO A CUTE LITTLE DIDDY OF THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS, WHILE COUNTING DOWN OUR DAYS LEFT BEFORE THE FARGO MARATHON. I ONLY DID TWO BLOGS, AND THEY WEREN'T CUTE...OR FUNNY. I HAVE NO CREATIVE JUICES LEFT, AND WASN'T BLESSED WITH A HEARTLY LOAD TO BEGIN WITH...
CLEARLY, I'M NO SONG-WRITER. AND, ONCE THE MARATHON'S OVER AND THE BLOGGING STOPS AND ALL THE COMMITMENTS CEASE, I'LL GO BACK TO MY FULL-TIME DAY JOB: MOM AND WRITER FOR MY COLUMN IN "ON THE MINDS OF MOMS!" UH HUH, YOU LIKE HOW I WORK A PLUG IN THERE, SHERI AND DANI?! TO THE THREE PEOPLE WHO READ THIS BLOG, CHECK IT OUT: WWW.ONTHEMINDSOFMOMS.COM!! I'VE GOT YOUR BACK, GIRLFRIENDS.
ANNNYWAY, IN CASE YOU'RE UNAWARE: THERE ARE EIGHT DAYS LEFT...EIGHT DAYS...
BY THIS TIME NEXT WEEK, MY SPEECH WILL BE SAID. TEARS WILL BE SHED. AND, I'LL NEED TO SHAKE OUT SOME SERIOUS LEAD...FOR 26.2 MILES OF SMILES. WHAT? IT'S THE BEST I CAN COME UP WITH.
I ASSURE YOU I WON'T TRY TO RHYME OR SING ON FRIDAY NIGHT, DURING MY SPEECH. I MIGHT HYPERVENTILATE FROM NERVES, BUT YOU HAVE MY WORD...NO POEMS, SONGS OR DIDDYS.
NOW IS THE TIME I GO. DREW'S NEARLY HOME FROM THE AIRPORT, AFTER BEING GONE ALL WEEK. HIP HIP HOORAY! WE'RE SET TO WATCH 20/20, AND READY TO SETTLE INTO A NICE GLASS OF WINE. NO, WE'RE NOT 80. WE JUST FEEL LIKE IT.
ENJOY THE SUN!
KATHLEEN
I HAD THIS SPUR-OF-THE-MOMENT IDEA THAT I'D DO A CUTE LITTLE DIDDY OF THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS, WHILE COUNTING DOWN OUR DAYS LEFT BEFORE THE FARGO MARATHON. I ONLY DID TWO BLOGS, AND THEY WEREN'T CUTE...OR FUNNY. I HAVE NO CREATIVE JUICES LEFT, AND WASN'T BLESSED WITH A HEARTLY LOAD TO BEGIN WITH...
CLEARLY, I'M NO SONG-WRITER. AND, ONCE THE MARATHON'S OVER AND THE BLOGGING STOPS AND ALL THE COMMITMENTS CEASE, I'LL GO BACK TO MY FULL-TIME DAY JOB: MOM AND WRITER FOR MY COLUMN IN "ON THE MINDS OF MOMS!" UH HUH, YOU LIKE HOW I WORK A PLUG IN THERE, SHERI AND DANI?! TO THE THREE PEOPLE WHO READ THIS BLOG, CHECK IT OUT: WWW.ONTHEMINDSOFMOMS.COM!! I'VE GOT YOUR BACK, GIRLFRIENDS.
ANNNYWAY, IN CASE YOU'RE UNAWARE: THERE ARE EIGHT DAYS LEFT...EIGHT DAYS...
BY THIS TIME NEXT WEEK, MY SPEECH WILL BE SAID. TEARS WILL BE SHED. AND, I'LL NEED TO SHAKE OUT SOME SERIOUS LEAD...FOR 26.2 MILES OF SMILES. WHAT? IT'S THE BEST I CAN COME UP WITH.
I ASSURE YOU I WON'T TRY TO RHYME OR SING ON FRIDAY NIGHT, DURING MY SPEECH. I MIGHT HYPERVENTILATE FROM NERVES, BUT YOU HAVE MY WORD...NO POEMS, SONGS OR DIDDYS.
NOW IS THE TIME I GO. DREW'S NEARLY HOME FROM THE AIRPORT, AFTER BEING GONE ALL WEEK. HIP HIP HOORAY! WE'RE SET TO WATCH 20/20, AND READY TO SETTLE INTO A NICE GLASS OF WINE. NO, WE'RE NOT 80. WE JUST FEEL LIKE IT.
ENJOY THE SUN!
KATHLEEN
Thursday, May 13, 2010
ON THE NINTH DAY BEFORE THE FARGO MARATHON...
MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME...NOTHIN. HE'S IN NEW ORLEANS FOR WORK ALL WEEK. BLAH.
I'VE GOT TWO SICK KIDS COUGHING ALL OVER ME. WAHHHHHHHH...I'M PRACTICALLY BATHING ALL OF US IN HAND SANITIZER! I DON'T WANT THE SNIFFLES OR THE COUGHS. YUCK.
NINE MORE DAYS.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
I'VE GOT TWO SICK KIDS COUGHING ALL OVER ME. WAHHHHHHHH...I'M PRACTICALLY BATHING ALL OF US IN HAND SANITIZER! I DON'T WANT THE SNIFFLES OR THE COUGHS. YUCK.
NINE MORE DAYS.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
NAMES AND PICTURES, PLEASE
HELLO! I'M WORKING ON MY SLIDE SHOW. SO, IF YOU KNOW OF ANYONE WHO HAS DIED OR HAS SUFFERED FROM A BRAIN ANEURYSM, PLEASE PASS THEIR NAMES ON TO ME. IT WOULD BE MY HONOR TO RUN FOR THEM AND TO INCORPORATE THEIR NAMES AND PICTURES INTO MY SLIDE SHOW FOR THE SPEECH AT THE PASTA FEED, FRIDAY, MAY 22ND...WHICH, BY THE WAY, I'M MORE NERVOUS ABOUT THAN ACTUALLY RUNNING THE MARATHON. GULP. NO THROWING TOMATOES.
MY DEADLINE FOR PICTURES AND NAMES IS MONDAY AFTERNOON!
TOODLES!
KATHLEEN
MY DEADLINE FOR PICTURES AND NAMES IS MONDAY AFTERNOON!
TOODLES!
KATHLEEN
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
ON THE TENTH DAY OF THE FARGO MARATHON COUNTDOWN...
MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME...GONE ALL WEEK WITH THREE LITTLE KIDS AND A PASTA FEED SPEECH TO WRITE...ALLLLLLL BY MY SELF......
Monday, May 10, 2010
THE TAPER...
TOMORROW'S MY LAST SPEED WORKOUT! HIP HIP HOORAY! ACTUALLY, I'VE ENJOYED THE SPEED. IT'S HELPED ME GET MY ENDURANCE BACK, AND HAS EASED SOME OF THE BOREDOM THAT ACCOMPANIES "MILL" TRAINING FOR SPRING MARATHONS. BUT, I CAN'T SAY THAT I'LL DO IT FOR FUN.
TAPERING IS TOUGHER THAN IT SOUNDS. IF YOU'VE DONE IT, YOU KNOW. IF IT'S YOUR FIRST RACE, YOU'LL SEE. AND, IF YOU'RE ANYTHING LIKE ME, YOU'LL HAVE A LOVE-HATE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE TAPERING PHASE OF OUR TRAINING. I LOVE TRAINING...AND EATING! GOBBLE GOBBLE. YOU KNOW IT'S BAD WHEN MY KIDS WON'T DARE LEAVE THEIR PLATES AT THE DINNER TABLE, EVEN TO GO TO THE BATHROOM! BUT, AS WE TAPER, WE MUST WATCH OUR CALORIC INPUT. THE LAST THING WE WANT TO DO IS CARRY A FEW EXTRA CHEESEBURGERS (OR SHAKES, OR BLIZZARDS, OR SOFT PRETZELS, OR APPLE PIE ALA MODES...MMMMMMM) WITH US FOR 26.2, OR 13.1 OR EVEN 3 MILES. BE WEARY OF THE TAPER...
EAT RESPONSIBLY :)
TAPERING IS TOUGHER THAN IT SOUNDS. IF YOU'VE DONE IT, YOU KNOW. IF IT'S YOUR FIRST RACE, YOU'LL SEE. AND, IF YOU'RE ANYTHING LIKE ME, YOU'LL HAVE A LOVE-HATE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE TAPERING PHASE OF OUR TRAINING. I LOVE TRAINING...AND EATING! GOBBLE GOBBLE. YOU KNOW IT'S BAD WHEN MY KIDS WON'T DARE LEAVE THEIR PLATES AT THE DINNER TABLE, EVEN TO GO TO THE BATHROOM! BUT, AS WE TAPER, WE MUST WATCH OUR CALORIC INPUT. THE LAST THING WE WANT TO DO IS CARRY A FEW EXTRA CHEESEBURGERS (OR SHAKES, OR BLIZZARDS, OR SOFT PRETZELS, OR APPLE PIE ALA MODES...MMMMMMM) WITH US FOR 26.2, OR 13.1 OR EVEN 3 MILES. BE WEARY OF THE TAPER...
EAT RESPONSIBLY :)
Saturday, May 8, 2010
15 MILES=BAD DAY
OK. SORRY TO BE A WENDY WHINER, BUT IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY.
SOMEWHERE AROUND MILE 6, I STARTED TO FEEL BAD TUMMY PROBLEMS SETTLING IN (GIRL STUFF). THEN, AT MILE 11.5, I DECIDED "FINE, I'LL GO THE EXTRA DISTANCE AND PUSH IT TO 15." LISTEN TO YOUR BODIES!!!!!!! I DIDN'T TODAY. IT HAS MADE FOR A VERY LONG DAY.
I'M SMARTER THAN I ACTED TODAY. I'M MORE EXPERIENCED THAN I BEHAVED TODAY. PLEASE TAKE MY ADVICE AND DONT' PUSH IT. THIS IS A FUN RUN, RIGHT? THIS IS RECREATIONAL? YES! CROSSING THE FINISH LINE AND FEELING GOOD IS OUR GOAL...AMEN!
I'M FINALLY UPRIGHT. MY ELECTROLYTES ARE BACK WHERE THEY SHOULD BE, AND I'M FEELING MUCH BETTER. NOTHING ABOUT TODAY HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH MY BRAIN. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT. NOTHING. UNLESS, OF COURSE, YOU COUNT THE NOT-BEING-SMART-THING. JUST A DEHYDRATION DEAL.
LISTEN TO YOUR BODIES. BE PREPARED TO REPLENISH. AND, HAVE FUN.
SOMEWHERE AROUND MILE 6, I STARTED TO FEEL BAD TUMMY PROBLEMS SETTLING IN (GIRL STUFF). THEN, AT MILE 11.5, I DECIDED "FINE, I'LL GO THE EXTRA DISTANCE AND PUSH IT TO 15." LISTEN TO YOUR BODIES!!!!!!! I DIDN'T TODAY. IT HAS MADE FOR A VERY LONG DAY.
I'M SMARTER THAN I ACTED TODAY. I'M MORE EXPERIENCED THAN I BEHAVED TODAY. PLEASE TAKE MY ADVICE AND DONT' PUSH IT. THIS IS A FUN RUN, RIGHT? THIS IS RECREATIONAL? YES! CROSSING THE FINISH LINE AND FEELING GOOD IS OUR GOAL...AMEN!
I'M FINALLY UPRIGHT. MY ELECTROLYTES ARE BACK WHERE THEY SHOULD BE, AND I'M FEELING MUCH BETTER. NOTHING ABOUT TODAY HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH MY BRAIN. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT. NOTHING. UNLESS, OF COURSE, YOU COUNT THE NOT-BEING-SMART-THING. JUST A DEHYDRATION DEAL.
LISTEN TO YOUR BODIES. BE PREPARED TO REPLENISH. AND, HAVE FUN.
HERE WE GO...
15 MILES, OR IS IT 12? I THOUGHT I WAS GOING 12, ACCORDING TO MY PLAN, BUT SOME ARE GOING 15. WHAT'S 3 MORE MILES, RIGHT? I'LL MAKE MY DECISION AT MILE 11 1/2, MOST LIKELY.
HAVE A REALLY GREAT MOTHER'S DAY, IF I DON'T CATCH UP WITH YOU BEFORE TOMORROW!
OOOOHHHHHHHHHHH THE SUN'S OUT. HOORAY!
KATHLEEN
HAVE A REALLY GREAT MOTHER'S DAY, IF I DON'T CATCH UP WITH YOU BEFORE TOMORROW!
OOOOHHHHHHHHHHH THE SUN'S OUT. HOORAY!
KATHLEEN
Friday, May 7, 2010
BAPTISM BY FIRE...
Pictured: 2 wks post-surgery in my favorite t-shirt (thank you, Karen!) It reads: "NOT TONIGHT DEAR, I HAD A CRANIOTOMY." :)
HI FRIENDS. OK. I THINK AFTER ALL THESE MONTHS READING MY POSTS, I CAN CALL YOU FRIENDS, CAN'T I?... WITHOUT SOUNDING LIKE JOHN McCAIN? SORRY, BUT THOUGHT I'D START WITH SOMETHING LIGHT AND FUN.
ANNNNYWAY, IT'S BEEN QUITE A WEEK. IN THESE TWO WEEKS LEADING UP TO THE BIG DAY, MAY 22ND, I FEEL LIKE I'M RUNNING A DIFFERENT SORT OF MARATHON: THE MEDIATHON. I AM SURPRISED BY HOW MANY MEDIA OUTLETS HAVE THOUGHT THIS STORY INTERESTING ENOUGH TO REPORT ON IT. AT FIRST, I HAVE TO ADMIT, I WAS FEELING VERY UNCOMFORTABLE. THIS IS WAAAY OUT OF MY BOX! AFTER ALL, THERE ARE MORE THAN 16,500 (SO FAR) PARTICIPANTS TAKING ON SOME PART OF MARATHON WEEKEND. THERE ARE 16,500 DIFFERENT STORIES & DIFFERENT FACTS.
BUT, WHEN I DECIDED TO (ATTEMPT) TO CONQUER ALL 26.2 MILES SO SOON AFTER SURGERY, I SIGNED ON TO BE OPEN ABOUT MY OWN STORY (GULP) AND TO CARRY THE NAMES OF THOSE WHO HAVE SUFFERED OR DIED FROM A BRAIN ANEURYSM WITH ME DURING THE MARATHON. TOGETHER WE'D HAVE A VOICE. TOGETHER WE'D MAKE A DIFFERENCE. WE WANT TO EDUCATE PEOPLE ABOUT BRAIN ANEURYSMS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF FACILITIES, LIKE THE NATIONAL BRAIN ANEURYSM CENTER IN ST PAUL, WHERE THEY SAVE AND IMPACT LIVES EVERY SINGLE DAY. YES, THE DOCTORS AND NURSES DO THE HEAVY-LIFTING, BUT THEY RELY ON RESEARCH AND RESEARCH TAKES FUNDING. THERE IS MUCH WORK TO DO IN THAT FIELD. THEY NEED OUR HELP, OUR FINANCIAL HELP, TO SAVE LIVES. THEREIN LIES MY RESPONSIBILITY TO DO WHAT I CAN TO HELP RAISE AWARENESS OF BRAIN ANEURYSMS AND TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO DONATE.
IT'S SOMETHING I'M NOT OVERLY COMFORTABLE ABOUT DOING, BOTH SPEAKING PUBLICLY ABOUT THIS JOURNEY OR ASKING PEOPLE FOR DONATIONS.
BRAIN ANEURYSMS ARE (RELATIVLEY) EASIER TO FIX, IF DETECTED EARLY. HOWEVER, MOST OFTEN, THEY'RE NOT DETECTED UNTIL THEY BURST AND BECOME DEVESTATING. DETECTION IS EASY, BUT IS COSTLY AND ISN'T ALWAYS COVERED UNDER OUR INSURANCE. I AM NOT GETTING INTO ANY POLITICAL DISCUSSION HERE, BELIEVE ME, AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE THE ANSWERS LIE. IN A PERFECT WORLD, WE'D ALL GET A QUICK & EASY SCAN AT OUR LOCAL GROCERY STORE, HORNBACHER'S, AT THE CHECK-OUT, TO BE SURE OUR BRAINS ARE SAFE AND THERE AREN'T ANY BALLOON-SIZED VESSLES READY TO BLOW.
BUT NOTHING'S PERFECT. SO, UNTIL THEN, I WILL DO MY (SMALL) PART AND USE MY EXPERIENCE TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO TAKE A PRO-ACTIVE ROLE IN THEIR OWN HEALTHCARE AND ASK YOU TO LISTEN TO YOUR BODIES. SEEK A DOCTOR'S OPINION, FOR ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY. BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE & DON'T BACK DOWN.
I'M ALSO GOING TO ASK THAT YOU HELP ME, HELP OTHERS. PLEASE CONSDER MAKING A TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TO THE NATIONAL BRAIN ANEURYSM CENTER, SO THAT NEWER, BETTER, PROGRESSIVE TREATMENTS AND TOOLS FOR DIAGNOSIS CAN BE FOUND, THEREBY SAVING LIVES AND AVOIDING TRAGIC OUTCOMES.
SO, I END THIS WEEK HAVING LIVED COMPLETELY OUT OF MY BOX. I'VE GIVEN TWO SPEECHES (BOTH WITHOUT HYPERVENTILATING!), THREE INTERVIEWS, AND SCHEDULED FOUR MORE, AND MET MY DEADLINE FOR MY COLUMN IN "ON THE MINDS OF MOMS." BY TOMORROW, I WILL HAVE LOGGED 33 MILES OF RUNNING (TAPERING...AHHHHH LOVE THAT WORD), AND KEPT MY THREE BABIES ALIVE AND HAPPY. THAT'S BAPTISM BY FIRE, FOR THIS STAY-AT-HOME MOMMA.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF THIS JOURNEY WITH ME...
KATHLEEN
TO DONATE, CLICK ON, OR CUT AND PASTE:
www.healtheast.org/foundation/foundation-donation.html and click on the link: National Brain Aneurysm Center & St. Joseph’s Neurosciences Fund to donate. Please specify “In honor of Kathleen Wrigley,” just so I can send a proper thank you!
Saturday, May 1, 2010
TWENTY-ONE FOR TWENTY-ONE
TWENTY-ONE MILES WITH ONLY TWENTY-ONE DAYS LEFT BEFORE RACE DAY!
GOOD RUN WITH GREAT FRIENDS!
KRISTI, TOM, JODI, KIM, LIZZIE, RYAN, CORY, NICOLE, AND EVEN NEW-GUY, JEFF, JUMPED IN FOR A FEW (S)MILES OF FUN!
GREAT RUN, DESPITE THE WIND GUSTS AND RAIN. I HAPPEN TO LOVE RUNNING IN RAIN, SO I DON'T NECESSARILY MIND BEING WET, BUT COULD DO WITHOUT THE WIND! SO IT GOES. TRAINING IN FARGO. FLAT, FRIENDLY, FAST AND WINDY.
"TO WIN, YOU'VE GOT TO STAY IN THE GAME..." CLAUDE BRISTOL.
WE'RE IN THIS NOW. THERE'S NO OFF-RAMP. STAY ON COURSE, AND EAT YOUR CARBS...
SEE YOU IN THE DOME.
KATHLEEN
GOOD RUN WITH GREAT FRIENDS!
KRISTI, TOM, JODI, KIM, LIZZIE, RYAN, CORY, NICOLE, AND EVEN NEW-GUY, JEFF, JUMPED IN FOR A FEW (S)MILES OF FUN!
GREAT RUN, DESPITE THE WIND GUSTS AND RAIN. I HAPPEN TO LOVE RUNNING IN RAIN, SO I DON'T NECESSARILY MIND BEING WET, BUT COULD DO WITHOUT THE WIND! SO IT GOES. TRAINING IN FARGO. FLAT, FRIENDLY, FAST AND WINDY.
"TO WIN, YOU'VE GOT TO STAY IN THE GAME..." CLAUDE BRISTOL.
WE'RE IN THIS NOW. THERE'S NO OFF-RAMP. STAY ON COURSE, AND EAT YOUR CARBS...
SEE YOU IN THE DOME.
KATHLEEN
HAPPY MAY DAY!
OK. FIRST OF ALL, WHO THOUGHT-UP MAY DAY? HELLO. I LOVE ALL THE KID STUFF. I GET INTO HALLOWEEN, MUCH TO MY KIDS' DISMAY. I'M THEIR ROOM-MOM AT SCHOOL AND DRESS-UP ACCORDINGLY (MICKEY MOUSE-QUINN WAS MINNIE; MARY AND HER LITTLE LAMB NAMED HARPER; EVEN LAURA BUSH ONE YEAR),BUT MAY DAY? CANDY? JUST ANOTHER THING FOR PARENTS TO DO.
OK. SO, MAYBE I'VE BEEN A BIT PREOCCUPIED THIS YEAR. OK. CLEARLY, I WAS A BIT PREOCCUPIED THIS YEAR. IT WASN'T UNTIL MILE 6, 7, OR WAS IT 5...ANYWAY, SOMEWHERE IN THE BEGINNIGN OF OUR RUN, I DISCOVERED IT WAS INDEED MAY 1. MAY DAY. CANDY DAY. WOW. WHAT HAPPENED TO APRIL? THAT MIGHT EXPLAIN MY PARTY-POOPER ATTITUDE: I FORGOT. I WAS UNPREPARED. I HAD NO CANDY. SHOOT. MY KIDS WOULD BE DISAPPOINTED. BAD MOMMY.
SOOOO, AFTER 21 MILES, I CALLED DREW ON MY WAY HOME AND ORDERED HIM TO GO BUY CANDY AND CUTE CUPS, FOR MAY DAY. LOTS. WE USUALLY DISTRIBUTE 60, OF THOSE SUCKERS, I MEAN BASKETS. WE HAVE TONS OF LITTLE TYKES IN OUR DEVELOPMENT. HE THREW THE KIDS IN THE CAR, AND DUTIFULLY OBLIGED.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: WE ASSEMBLED THOSE PUPPIES WHEN I GOT HOME AND SHOWERED, THREW THEM INTO OUR WAGON, AND FOUGHT THE WIND AND SPRITZ OF RAIN TO RING DOOR BELLS AND RUN FOR THE HILLS FROM THE SMOOCHES AND HUGS. WHO'S IDEA WAS THIS AGAIN?
I SHOULD MENTION THAT LITTLE HARPER, WHO IS JUST 2, DOESN'T QUITE UNDERSTAND MAY DAY, EITHER. WELL, EXCEPT THE "TANDY" PART. IT WAS TOUGH FOR HER TO HAND-IT-OVER, AFTER RINGING THE BELL. I HAD TO GUIDE HER TINY HAND TO GIVE UP THE GOODS, THEN SHE STOOD THERE PERPLEXED BY THE HUGS AND KISSES BESTOWED ON HER. "MY TURN," SHE YELLED AS WE WALKED AWAY FROM THE HOUSES. FOR HARPER, IT IS BETTER TO RECIEVE THAN TO GIVE. WHO GIVES "TANDY" AWAY...FOR A LOUSY HUG AND KISS.
HARPER THOUGHT MAY DAY WAS A RIP OFF...UNTIL SHE REALIZED ALL THE BASKETS LINING OUR FRONT PORCH. "OOOOHHHHHH MOMMMMMMEEEEE YOOK AT DAT. HA-PA'S HOUSE."
SCORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OK. SO, MAYBE I'VE BEEN A BIT PREOCCUPIED THIS YEAR. OK. CLEARLY, I WAS A BIT PREOCCUPIED THIS YEAR. IT WASN'T UNTIL MILE 6, 7, OR WAS IT 5...ANYWAY, SOMEWHERE IN THE BEGINNIGN OF OUR RUN, I DISCOVERED IT WAS INDEED MAY 1. MAY DAY. CANDY DAY. WOW. WHAT HAPPENED TO APRIL? THAT MIGHT EXPLAIN MY PARTY-POOPER ATTITUDE: I FORGOT. I WAS UNPREPARED. I HAD NO CANDY. SHOOT. MY KIDS WOULD BE DISAPPOINTED. BAD MOMMY.
SOOOO, AFTER 21 MILES, I CALLED DREW ON MY WAY HOME AND ORDERED HIM TO GO BUY CANDY AND CUTE CUPS, FOR MAY DAY. LOTS. WE USUALLY DISTRIBUTE 60, OF THOSE SUCKERS, I MEAN BASKETS. WE HAVE TONS OF LITTLE TYKES IN OUR DEVELOPMENT. HE THREW THE KIDS IN THE CAR, AND DUTIFULLY OBLIGED.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: WE ASSEMBLED THOSE PUPPIES WHEN I GOT HOME AND SHOWERED, THREW THEM INTO OUR WAGON, AND FOUGHT THE WIND AND SPRITZ OF RAIN TO RING DOOR BELLS AND RUN FOR THE HILLS FROM THE SMOOCHES AND HUGS. WHO'S IDEA WAS THIS AGAIN?
I SHOULD MENTION THAT LITTLE HARPER, WHO IS JUST 2, DOESN'T QUITE UNDERSTAND MAY DAY, EITHER. WELL, EXCEPT THE "TANDY" PART. IT WAS TOUGH FOR HER TO HAND-IT-OVER, AFTER RINGING THE BELL. I HAD TO GUIDE HER TINY HAND TO GIVE UP THE GOODS, THEN SHE STOOD THERE PERPLEXED BY THE HUGS AND KISSES BESTOWED ON HER. "MY TURN," SHE YELLED AS WE WALKED AWAY FROM THE HOUSES. FOR HARPER, IT IS BETTER TO RECIEVE THAN TO GIVE. WHO GIVES "TANDY" AWAY...FOR A LOUSY HUG AND KISS.
HARPER THOUGHT MAY DAY WAS A RIP OFF...UNTIL SHE REALIZED ALL THE BASKETS LINING OUR FRONT PORCH. "OOOOHHHHHH MOMMMMMMEEEEE YOOK AT DAT. HA-PA'S HOUSE."
SCORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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