Someone at our house is

Todd's birthday is today, and he is 30! Wow, that seems so old. I will be 30 soon as well, but I'm sure then I won't say it is old : )

I decided I wanted to make it really special this year. So, 30 days ago, I started giving him gifts. Now, I must confess, I wasn't the best at it, and some of them were pretty small or not even really a gift, but more of a gesture. 30 things are hard. If you ever attempt something like this, I highly suggest you have it all planned out ahead of time, because as it went on, I sort of ran out of ideas. Here were a few of them though-
I started with a weekend of no yardwork. I had arranged to have all the leaves raked and bagged by the time he came home Friday afternoon. I also got him things for the computer- travel case, cooling stand. A few of his gifts were geared toward the triathalon training or goal- I guess we haven't officially started training yet. So, I got him a helmet, some swim goggles etc. Like I said, some gifts were small- so one day was his favorite candy bar. One gift was a 20 minute back rub. I got him some new dress socks. I met him at work one day for lunch. You get the idea. Again, to forewarn you, if you decide to try something like this, it can get expensive if you do a lot of gifts.

Speaking of gifts, I am pretty excited to give him his gift tonight. Last night I surprised him with dinner with our friends. Tonight we are going to a hotel to swim, but first, I am going to show him this-

So, this isn't the exact one, but I'm sure all you ladies (and I'm guessing it is mostly ladies that read this) don't really care about the specs. You all know what our winters are like. It seems like pretty much all of our neighbors have snowblowers or a plow service. For the first couple years after we moved in, I think they felt sorry for us and would do our driveway once in a while, but not as much the last couple of years (and I don't blame them). So, we were due. Hopefully, he will think it is pretty cool.

Well, have a great Thanksgiving and here is to getting some more snow!!!

Oh, and I love you very much Todd. I am so happy to be your wife and to be celebrating your 30 years of life- almost half of which I have been a part of!!

Back at it?

A while ago, I wrote a blog post titled To run or not to run. I had been training for a 1/2 marathon but had been having trouble with my knee and couldn't continue. During my training I did run 13.1 miles, but I really wanted to do the actual race. I guess I still do. The problem is, I really don't like running. And, I'm not very good at it. Really. But, I watched Todd run his 6th 1/2 marathon (I counted the full marathon as 2) on Sunday. He did so great! For hardly training, I was surprised at how well he did- 1 hour 56 minutes. Anyway, for Todd, running isn't necessarily easy, but he obviously enjoys it. I'm sure it has to do with the feeling you get afterwards, and to some extent I experienced that in training too. It really is an accomplishment. The problem is, my knee. I had originally injured it in high school and never really did much about it. I know with some weight training and getting strength to my muscles around my ligaments (most likely the issue) that would help. But, I wonder if it would be enough. With repetitive motion and impact for such long periods of time (and it takes me a long time!) I know it is just getting inflammed and irritated. I don't think I am doing it more damage (that I know of), and maybe I just need to suck it up! However, if I do decide to start running again, I need a support person. Last year, I had my sister. She and I did a lot of our long runs together. She lives just a bit too far for that now. Todd said he would run with me- which I think is so sweet considering he could run laps around me. But, how do we do that with the kids? I guess a double jogging stroller may be in our future (that is if I decide to run again).

As you've probably noticed, I have ended a lot of my posts lately with questions. This one is no different. This time I want to know-
How do I get better at running? What do you think I should do about my knee? Any advice on good jogging strollers that won't break the bank?




Actually- i have a little update. The lastest is Todd want me to do a triathalon with him next summer. Not the real/full one. His brother Scott is doing that next month though (Iron Man) in WI. We can't wait to go cheer him on. Ours would be much smaller- 0.4mi swim, 12.4mi bike, and 3.1mi run. I am considering it but not commiting yet.

26.2!!!!!!!

Todd did it- he ran the Chicago Marathon (there was never any doubt he would). We are so proud of him. His sister Sara also completed the Marathon and did awesome as well. Here are some pictures, and I am going to let Todd describe the experience for you.







The marathon was definitely one of the most difficult things I have ever done. I'll give the good first and then the bad. It was a lot of fun to run through the different streets in Chicago and view the scenery. The spectators were amazing and were a nice distraction from the actually running. However, the race condition rating went from green at the beginning to red at the end. Which means that the heat and humidity were very high. One more level and the race would have been stopped. Another negative was when I had to dash to the side of the course and throw up in a garbage can at about mile 21. Luckily, I was able to go on.

All in all, it was an accomplishment. I learned a lot. I haven't decided yet when my next one will be (or when Jenny will let me). The training is a lot work and a big time commitment. I plan to keep running, but it will be nice to not have to put in such long distances or time.

What Todd has been up to

Todd has had quite a busy and active summer. He joined our church's (Woodcrest) softball team this Spring and has had games every Friday evening- many of which Anna and I went to watch. He also participated in a tournament last weekend in which he played 7 games in 2 days.

Many of you know he has also been running and training for the Chicago Marathon. So, many evenings and weekends he has been out running the trails by our house or around some of the lakes in Minneapolis.

And today, he completed his first 1/2 marathon race. It was called the Urban Wildland and was in Richfield. Anna and I went to watch along with my Dad. It was fun to cheer him on. We are so proud of him for finishing. I think he had a great time of 1 hour 52 min. He would have liked it to be a little faster, but he said he learned a lot from this. One thing that made it kind of hard was he started pretty quick and lost a little steam toward the end. Also, at his tournament last weekend he got hit in the calf with a ball when he was pitching. So, that didn't help when it tightened up during the race.

He did enjoy joking with some fellow runners about the "greenness" of the event (it was a no waste event meaning all materials used were recycled, reused, or composted). For instance, his bib number was imbedded with black eyed susan flowers, so when he started sweating, he was a little nervous that they would start to grow. Many runners lost their bibs, so maybe next week the streets will be lined with pretty flowers. The course was nice and flat, and it was a perfect weather, with a nice rain at the end to cool everyone off. Todd said it was cool to run through the woods and in this one nature preserve until he got a rock in his shoe from the trail.

All in all, it was a great experience for him, and he got some good practice in for his next couple races- Aug 22nd Minneapolis 1/2 where he is running for World Vision (you can sponsor him by going here http://twv.convio.net/site/TR/TeamWorldVision/General?px=1111103&pg=personal&fr_id=1130
and Sept 11- White Bear Lake 20 mile and of course the Chicago Marathon Oct 10th.

Here are some pictures of his activites. Notice the sign in the picture of him before the race- I said to him, "I hope this sign isn't indicative of the race."

10.10.10 325 20

What do these numbers mean?

10.10.10 is the date of the Chicago marathon which Todd is signed up for.
325 is the number of miles he has already ran (and he still has over 3 months left!)
20 is the number of pounds he has lost- it might be closer to 25 now. He looks great but has had to buy new pants and shorts.

To run or not to run

Some of you may or may not know that Todd and I have been running/training the past couple months. Neither of us have really ever done any long distance running, so this is all new to us. Todd's goal is the Chicago marathon in October. Mine was the New Prague 1/2 marathon May 8th. I say was because despite trying to ignore it, my left knee has been hurting too bad to continue. I was planning to run with my sister, and she and I have been doing many of our long runs together thus far. Actually a couple weekends ago we went to New Prague and ran the actual course- so at least I can say I did the full 13.1 miles! Now, I get to cheer Todd on. He is already doing great. He is very disciplined in his training, and I know he will do well. Let's just hope he stays healthy and no injuries for him.