The Frankfurt 10K

{June 3, 2012}

I DID IT!!!! I survived the Frankfurt 10K run! ;) It was intense with the amount of rain we had to run in but thankfully it was still a fun experience! The week leading up to the race, I started to get a bit nervous and apprehensive. Especially since I hadn't been doing a whole lot of running the previous two weeks leading up to the race. The only time I ran in Garmisch was the day after we arrived and the air was much too hard for me to run again at it's higher elevation. It was nice to have a vacation and relax though! And then during the last week before the race, I ran a few 3 milers and that was it. I still figured that if I could run these distances, I could do 6 miles too. It would, without question, be a bit more tiring. (And it was!!!) The day we received our race packets, it felt more real than ever! I knew there was no time to turn around and back out now. It's so hard for me to believe that just 5 months ago, running wasn't even a thought. My how things have changed!!! :)

{Race shirt}

The morning of the race, I got up and randomly checked the weather. It looked questionable outside and I wanted to have an idea of what to prepare for and what to wear with my race shirt. There on the screen it showed that we were facing 100% chance of rain. Lovely! And thunderstorms were predicted right on time: when the race was to begin at 1pm! Go figure! This news did NOT help calm my nerves one bit but I just prepared mentally the best that I could and went along with it. I figured if they felt the need to cancel the race, then that's what would happen. But I wasn't going to make the decision to not go on with the race! This rain was NOT going to stop me! And like John always tells me when I want to go for a run and it's raining, "the rain isn't going to make you melt!" :)

After a hearty breakfast, I had John take a quick picture with me and the children. The very children that have helped me get to this race day to begin with. I owe a lot to these cuties - for Aubrey watching them many times after school so I could get a run in and their never failing support and encouragement! Just love these guys of mine!! We then headed straight over to our friend's house. They were so sweet in watching them for us while John and I ran. I don't know who was more excited to spend the few hours together - them or the kids! :) And if it weren't raining, they would have likely been downtown cheering us on. I have to say, with it raining, my excitement was starting to fade. I was sad that they couldn't be there!

Around 11:30am, John and I met up with a group of us Marines and Marine spouses that had signed up to run the race. We got our running chips strung onto our shoes and this is when the rain began. My first race ever was going to be interesting! I hadn't run in the rain and cold weather really at all, I was a bit sad my children wouldn't be at the finish line waiting for me and cheering me on and I was planning on taking my iPhone to the race with me so I could take photos. John didn't think it was going to be a good idea to do that with the heavy rain. And I knew he was partly right. But being the stubborn person that I am and still insisting on some photos....I found a quick and temporary fix: a ziplock bag! Just shoved the phone inside the bag and viola! Problem fixed! :)

{Off to the train station! Just 5 stops or so and we were there!}

And this pretty much summed up what the path for the race looked like...Rain and slick!

And more rain...

And some MORE rain!!!!

BMW was one of the main sponsors - I love how all the balloons were tied to the bikes.

Me before running my FIRST race ever!

To escape the rain, our group ran inside McDonalds and sat and talked until it was time to head to the starting line. Not only was it pouring down rain but it was getting really cold too. These next few pictures were taken before the race on the way to the port-a-potties and before the rain started to come down really hard. 

Here's the start and finish line. The 10K route started from here, ran through the city to another point, came back here and did another round finishing up here.

The white BMW drove around with the clock time on it. Before we ran, there was a 5K race going on.

SportScheck was the company that oversaw the race - lots of emergency personnel out to keep an eye on all of us runners.

Our group!

Another sponsor for the race: some yummy tomatoes!!! We ate some after the run and they were so so good! (Along with the delicious apples and pretzels. If it hadn't been raining, I would have taken a photo for sure!)

So my nerves were all over the place before the race began. It wasn't really that I was nervous per say...I was just extremely excited for a race I had never run before. Especially six miles I had never run before! We left McDonalds about 20 minutes before the race was to start. Last minute bathroom breaks and getting to the lineup area to stretch and get ready. Oh how I wonder how this day would have been had it NOT been raining! I will say I was a bit concerned with the path we were scheduled to run on. It looked slippery and very wet! I made sure I wasn't standing at the front of the line. I'm not one that wants to hurry and go too fast at the start. They counted down from 10 in German and then we were OFF! Well, 30 seconds later we were actually moving and going somewhere! :) Before the race started, I had stuck my ziplocked phone into the back zipper pocket of my pants - but after running a short distance with it bouncing up and down and being uncomfortable, I ran a bit slower while trying to get it out of my pocket. That was interesting! So I have learned not to put anything heaver than a key or ID card in there ever again! :) 

I had heard before race day how fans cheering for you on the sideline can often times help keep you pumped up and moving - but we didn't have that experience this time. And I don't blame them for not being there! I wouldn't have been either if I wasn't scheduled to run. It was cold and terribly wet! And as the weather had been predicted, it didn't take long after we started the race for the rain to come down in buckets! I am not exaggerating! We were soaked from head to foot! Initially, I was glad I had slipped on a dry-fit shirt under the racing shirt. But I sort of regretted that decision when it was making me extra cold and wet!!! 

Running in that extreme amount of rain was challenging to say the least. I started to shiver, my breathing was not steady as I was breathing harder than normal to compensate for being cold and my feet were drenched with all the puddles I couldn't dodge! I remember John mentioning to me that his feet were squishing around in his shoes and I told him that being a true Oregonian, that he should be used to that sort of thing! Hahaha

When I signed up for this race, I also signed up John to run it with me. I of course had his full permission and consent in doing so but being a newbie in running, I felt better knowing he'd be there to run it with me. I mentioned to him that running the race with me didn't mean he actually had to RUN the race WITH me. But he insisted on running the race at my pace and by my side every step of the way! I felt happy and sad at the same time. Happy he wanted to be with me and encourage me and sad that he wouldn't be running it at his own and much faster pace! So with that said, I gave him many chances to change his mind if he really wanted to run ahead...that I really would have been fine. But he stuck by me the entire way! xo

Running with my phone in hand and not in my pocket made things go so much easier. (Especially when John ran with it!) I didn't have music to listen to which I normally do while running but I at least had John to talk to. And thankfully, I had a piece of gum to chew (thanks, Christi)! :) Things were going well and I was running past people at a comfortable speed. I think with it raining, I was actually running a little faster. Maybe to get done quicker? Maybe because I wasn't getting as warm? I honestly don't know. From time to time, John would ask me how I was doing. So sweet of him, I know. But after he kept asking and talking about the race, I had to ask him to change the subject so I could focus on something more pleasant. I don't think I hydrated myself very well before hand and was starting to get a side cramp. I was a little edgy but I kept quiet and made small talk. When we were close to the point of making our first turn to head back, John said, "I don't think it's raining hard enough, do you?" And not too much after he said that, it began to come down even HARDER! How that's even possible, I do not know! 

When we reached our halfway mark, I was starting to lose my energy. I was running still at a good pace and making good time according to how I felt and from what my watch was showing. My watch that didn't work the minute the race began because it didn't find a satellite in time. Thank goodness my running chip detected my overall time! :) Volunteers were holding out water cups and a half of a granola bar. I grabbed both. Drank the water quickly and disposed of the cup. And then tried eating the granola bar. I had gum and because of the rain, it wasn't staying in my hand and I didn't want to liter so I swallowed it. Yeah. I know. Gross. It reminded me why I don't do that. But eating that granola bar wasn't worth losing my piece of gym, let me tell you! And do you realize how hard it is to chew and run at the same time? Boy, that was another interesting experience. I ended up choking on my one bite of the granola bar. I didn't care at this point...I threw the bar on the ground over to the side so no one would trip on it. And it was then that I realized I had another 3 miles, while coughing and choking, without gum! 

John asked me if I was okay. I told him, "yes, I'm just choking!" And he laughed and said, "it's hard to run and eat at the same time, isn't it!" No sooner he took a bite of his own granola bar and started to choke as well. He now knew what he was talking about and we both chuckled as we ran. 

As I said, I hadn't prepared for this race as much as I would have liked. As I started running the second lap around, I let doubt creep in. I was starting to get fatigued and I began wondering "why on Earth did I sign up for this thing???" Tears started to fall down my cheeks but I was trying to fight them back. My breathing started to go out of whack as I was trying to hold back the tears AND the coldness from the rain was making me hyperventilate a little bit. My teeth were chattering and I was shivering from the rain. John noticed that I was starting to struggle with the run and coached me into focusing on my breathing and getting it balanced again. So I focused on that and then laughed about crying and being ridiculous - but part of laughing was because nobody could see that I was crying with all of the rain that was going on. John then said, "and nobody can see the snot running down my face!" Ha!!! Guess the rain had it's advantages! :)

We were heading back towards the finish line when I told John that I needed to slow down a little or....And he said, "or....what?" And I said, "stop!" He said, "stop, what?" And I said, "no....the word STOP!! I will STOP if we don't slow down!" So he started chanting, "Go Go Go!!!" And I said, "stop!" We both laughed. It was good he was keeping up the jokes and making me laugh so I could take my mind off the run for the time being. We then heard loud music up ahead so I knew the finish line was getting closer! I started running a little faster again knowing that the run was almost done and that really carried me to the finish line. And then we did it...moments later, we crossed the finish line and were greeted by our friends from our group!!! I was so happy I about cried again! :) Especially when I saw our time. I ran without having a goal other than to finish. Maybe deep down, my goal was also to finish before an hour. So I was really pleased with how I did. John crossed the finish line 1 second sooner than me....here's our stats:

Leslie

Placed: #81/305 women

#14 of age group/ W30

Time: 53:10 

(About 8 1/2 minute mile)

John

Placed: #424/603 men

#58 of age group/ M30

Time: 53:09

We made it!!!

I had such mixed emotions after crossing the finish line. 

Relief.

Happiness.
Emotional.

I completed a goal I set out to achieve! What a feeling that is! :)

At this moment, I'm not sure I'll sign up to run another race but I may consider it at one point so I can continue making running fun and something exciting! And to help a cause.

After greeted by friends and warm hugs and high fives, we immediately walked over and got in line for some drinks and food. And they didn't disappoint! While holding my phone, I had room to grab a water, a few cherry tomatoes and a pretzel. John grabbed, well, I actually lost count. 5 apples (1 he gave me and it was the best tasting apple I've ever had!), maybe 5 pretzels, a few waters....yeah, he was feeling pretty blah after that! :)

{Me + Christi! We rock!! - she finished #10 of our age group (4 before me)}

{Friends!}

{All of the guys}

{All of the ladies}

I'm so happy we did this! A few from our group were getting ready to move back to the States so it was one of our last fun times out together. So....we shall see what's next! I can already tell you I will never run a marathon. But a 1/2 marathon is doable. Anything less than a 1/2 will be fine by me! Today I'm not considering anything. But tomorrow's a new day so who knows! I really never thought I'd ever see the day that I would run. And enjoy it nonetheless! But I'm glad I started it at 32. I probably would have done really well starting in my 20's but averaging 8.5 minute miles right now is pretty good in my book! Running is definitely still happening though - race or no race! :)

A Real Friend

{Found image on Pinterest}

As I've gotten older and have moved to a few different places in my lifetime, I have learned who my true friends are and who my true friends aren't. And that really is okay when all is said and done...because you can't be friends with everyone! You can be friendly to everyone, of course! But some people you click with better than others. Or you may have more in common with than others. I am also okay with having a few close knit friends vs. a million. Moving around has it's perks but one of the downfalls of moving frequently is having to leave the good ones behind to venture out to the unknown to find new ones and well, that can be downright hard! And sometimes unbearable! Some days I want to throw the towel in and say "FORGET IT! It's just not worth my heart being crushed a thousand times putting myself out there to meeting people that end up hurting me." Sometimes I feel that I have enough friends and don't need anymore. It's hard when you realize when a friend wasn't really a friend at all - the pain and sadness that usually comes along with that realization. Growing up, I had more guy friends than girl friends for that reason alone: I couldn't take all the drama and the heart ache. I still feel that way today. But, along with the few rotten eggs you run into and the pain they may cause, I believe it is worth it when you extend yourself and end up meeting and forming healthy relationships with the good eggs. After all, you can't very well love and appreciate the good eggs so much without coming across the bad ones. 

I'm so grateful for my husband - who also happens to be my best friend! I couldn't have asked for a better man. He amazes me and always makes me smile and laugh. He's always there for me (as I am for him) and I never ever have to question his intentions as they are honest and sincere. I was having a rough time the other day and I'd like to share a little of what I wrote to him:

"Thank you for being my constant and true love & friend in a lifetime of pain and let downs around me. Thank you for loving me, believing in me and finding me. I know life gets busy and some days just down right hard and unbearable - but because I have you, I know I will make it and be stronger for it. I would be lost without you. Thank you so much for taking care of me and our family. You are amazing and I can't think of a better person to be with than you! You are my hero!!!!"

I've been fortunate for the most part since moving here. I have met and become friends with a handful of some really nice and friendly people. With that said though, I have also come to find a few "friends" actually turn out not really earning that worthy title. It's really made me pause and think of what a true friend really is! To re-evaluate some relationships in my life that were becoming toxic and I had to make the decision to end it knowing that letting go of the negative would give me peace again. To realize that not every friend in your life stays a forever friend. In some cases, wonderful friends end up being situational friends. Friends that you had during a certain time in your life that you lose touch with for one reason or another when one of you moves away. Or friends that you needed to have during a hardship and were a blessing but you both went your separate ways when life dealt you a different hand of cards to play. Then there's the friends that no matter the time and distance you've had between the two of you, you can pick right back up where you left off as if time stood still and years hadn't gone by. So thankful for the internet (not something I say a lot!) and being able to stay connected to so many friends and family that live afar. How lost I would feel without those wonderful friendships in my life even if they don't live around the corner anymore! It was really hard getting close to another Marine Corps Spouse that happened to also be my downstairs neighbor for a few months just to watch her up and move away 2.5 years earlier than planned (we moved here around the same time) BUT thankfully she's considered one of those forever friends that no matter where we are living, we will always stay in each other's lives!

So thank you to all my REAL friends! For being there for me as I have for you. For the good times and the laughs we've had; for the hard times and the hugs we've shared. You are loved and cherished and I hope you know that you are so very important to me - no matter how far away we live from one another! How much you are missed!!! What I'd give to see you more than we do and to have lunch together or take our kids to the park or go on a trip to the beach together! (Or in this case, Paris!!!!) :)

A REAL friend makes life more bearable!

Quite simply, to have a friend...you need to BE one! :)

To The One I Love...

"Happy Birthday, honey! ;)"

Another year of happy and sad moments (baby born/ moving away from friends)...but I seriously couldn't have done it without my husband by my side! He's amazing and I count myself lucky to be his each and every single day!!! I feel truly blessed!

Some things that I love about him:

1.) He's an amazing father to our four sweet children! I love seeing him read and play and interact with them and how much they love him in return!

2.) He is supportive in all that I do. Especially if he knows it will help me be a better person, he's my personal cheerleader.

3.) Awesome cook!! His breakfast burritos are to die for - among some other favorite dishes! If (and when) he offers to cook, I usually don't turn it down! :) One of our goals is to take cooking lessons together.

4.) He puts up with me reading with the light on at night from time to time. It doesn't appear to bother his sleep any - but if it does, he never complains!

5.) Part of him being happy is making sure that his wife and children are taken care of and are happy too! He's always making sure that I'm okay and he's there for me at the drop of a hat if I need him. However big or small it may be. He knows me and loves me and I couldn't have asked for a truer or better best friend if I tried.

And the list really does goes on and on...:)

xoxo

Happy 31st Birthday John!

I love you sooooooooo much!!

And here's to another year of great memories!!!

Saying Goodbye...

For seven months - is not an easy task!!!

Especially with three children and one on the way. Being a military spouse, there is always the chance of taking care of the home-front on your own sometimes. But that doesn't ever make it easier or something that we are expected to do with a smile or something we are really ever all the way prepared for. There are always chances in life for a lot of things to occur. A lot of painful things! But it doesn't make it any easier! Proud of my husband who serves our Country and military? Supportive of what he does? Yes! Proud I have to stay home and do it alone for seven months? No! But it's one of those things that I don't have a choice in really. And I don't feel that I have any room to complain having friends gone through this even more than once. Still doesn't make it easier or less painful! I have three, almost four, reasons to get up each morning, make the most of my (and their) day and take care of a bazillion things and then at the end of the day, know that I did my best and that's all I can do. 

I still vividly remember the phone call a few months back. John telling me that he was going to be deployed soon. That he ASKED, of all things, to be deployed! That was a hard thing for me to swallow. I had recently found out that we were expecting another baby so this wasn't exactly music to my ears. I was worried that he wouldn't be home for the birth and more worried about him not being here like he always has been. This would not only be his first time deploying, but his first time being away while I've been pregnant. He told me that him deploying would actually help his chances to get promoted down the road. That, in fact, him getting passed up in a previous promotion board was due to him not ever being deployed. Kind of a hard thing to do when he's been attached to a nondeploying unit for quite some time. So it came down to him asking (begging?) to get sent out. I didn't like this, but I knew it would help his career and we could make it through somehow someway. I knew this was important to him - to our family - and fully supported his decision!

{Three months pregnant}

September 1st arrived faster than I would have liked. This day hung over us like a dark cloud in a storm. We knew it would be here sooner or later but boy were we sadder than sad when we woke up to realize this was the day! The flight was in the evening so we had most of the day to be together. I was so grateful for that!! We took Aubrey out of school and had lunch at Red Robin - one of our family favorite hangouts. 

And then we made the long dreaded drive up to Dulles Airport. We checked in his bags and sat around outside of the gate...spending every single spare minute we had together. The kids and I had previously written him letters so we used this time to shower him with our love. Lots of tears were shed and hugs exchanged. We really didn't want to say goodbye. It would finalize our reality of something that felt like a nightmare. Without one of us around, we don't feel complete! But I had to stay strong for my children. And boy is that harder than it sounds! First, I have to be strong! For myself...in order to be strong for them. The time finally came for him to get to his gate so we gave a huge group hug and watched as he made his way to the escalator. It was a blurry sight might I add. I had tears welled up in my eyes as I watched my best friend leave. My heart was so full. We both looked at each other until we could no longer see one another and then all four of us stood there and cried. Kids wanted to run after him! A few minutes later, we made our way back to the car. Which, with the usually construction on the highway, took us almost three hours to get home. Wow! What an overly emotional day! I'm sooooo going to miss him! We are going to miss him and very much look forward to his return!

I'm thankful I'm getting through this deployment time while being pregnant as at the end of the day, I'm exhausted and pass out - unable to sit around in silence after the kids go to bed. And I believe that's the only reason I'm thankful I'm pregnant without my hubby home sharing this time with me - as our baby grows inside my belly. Being tired and not able to let my mind wander...wondering if he's safe while in Iraq, etc. It's a good blessing I don't get a lot of alone time to reflect and worry! I just hope he gets home before the baby is born. If not, not the end of the world. But it would be a wonderful thing to have him back in time.

I often get comments like, "Wow! You're SO strong to do this alone! I don't know HOW you do it and stay strong!" Well. It's like this. For one, I know I'm not alone. I am surrounded by many loving and supportive people. Long distance family + friends, nearby friends and close neighbors. I also have the Lord in my life and I know without a doubt that he's there for me and my family - watching over us and protecting us. And last but not least, even though my husband is far far away...he is still 100% there for me! You don't know how strong you are until you HAVE to do something. Something very very hard and something you never expected you had to do until it needed to be done. As painful and hard as it is....if it doesn't kill you, it usually makes you stronger! Boy do I know this one well! I can't sit around and wallow in my sorrows or curl up and cry all day and throw a self pity party. (Not that I would anyways.) I have my children to focus on and take care of and oh how thankful I am for that! And some days, I can't think past the current day. Most of the time I am distracted with all that I have on my plate to get done in a days time. Growing a new life inside me and taking care of both of our needs are hugely important and being healthy for myself and my children is at my utmost priority! I have to create a healthy network of friends and family around me and keep out the negative ones. I'm, in a lot of ways, in survival-mode. Mostly to protect myself and my family so we can make these next seven months without my husband/ their father present. It's not easy by any stretch of the imagination...and every day doesn't really get easier. We just know how to handle our pain a little better. 


My lesson in this isn't how to be independent. I've had that one down for a long time. I'm thankful I can be self-reliant and know how to do pretty much anything on my own. With that said though, I think my lesson is learning and allowing others to help me in my time of need. To give others a chance to serve someone that is having a hard time and needs help. Even if it's just a lunch date with a friend. Or a phone call from someone checking in on us. Or someone offering to watch the kids so I can get through the grocery store with more ease and less stress. I'm learning to accept these offers as I also know that the Lord works through other people in our lives to help answer our prayers. To decline a helpful hand can potentially deny not only them feeling helpful and useful but can make things difficult for me and my family too.

We were finally able to Skype with John today. The kids were beyond happy to see their Daddy on the computer screen! They tried with all their might to tickle him through the camera and give him far away kisses. Such funny kids they are. It was such a sweet moment to see him again as well as being  comforted in knowing he got there safely! Two days down...and many, many more to go. Too many, I'm not keeping track! That would just make me lose my mind! :)

So for now, I'm content in seeing these three sweet faces and smiles every day - and knowing that even though my heart aches to not have John by my side right now, it will be okay and we will make the best of it. Having been gone from them last month for a week, I know on a small scale what it's like to not see them every day and can only imagine how John must feel and how hard it may be. All the things he's going to miss (all 3 kids birthdays, 1st day of school for the girls, soccer games, holidays, etc). So we do all that we can to make him feel loved from afar. Lots of letters, pictures and care packages as well as Skype 20-30 minutes on just about every single day while he's away. I can't express how much that helps! My heart is full of pain and love and anxiety and just about every emotion out there...but I know it will carry us through until we are together again!

I love you, John!
The kids love you!
We all do....so much!
xoxoxoxo

Backyard Project: Pergola

Another backyard task completed! The pergola is UP! Here are some pictures from start to finish.

{Right before I took this photo, Andrew wedged himself between me and the sliding glass door and tossed one of his books onto the back patio. Stinker! Trying to find any way he can to get out there and be with his daddy while hard at work! :)}

{"Ohhh Daddy...what's this?"}

{"Do you need it?"}

{"Never mind. It may come in handy while I play in the dirt!"}

{A view from the backyard.}

John has done such an amazing job! I'm very pleased with how great it all looks. Just a few more things to do and the backyard will be usable again - and looking better than ever!

P.S. And here's motivation to get it done FAST so we can use it! :)

Backyard Project: Patio

Our backyard is, little by little, getting done and looking how we want it. John has spent many long hours (some Saturdays as long at 14 hours) on our backyard renovation and I must say it's looking so much better than when we bought the place! Right after the fence was put up, the guys spent a few more hours trying to break up the concrete patio slab - until it started to down poor with thunder and lightning. Needless to say, they got a lot done regardless of the not so favorable weather. I think much of the motivation to get it done was the hefty cost of the 1 day rental tool! And then the following weekend catches us up to speed to bring us to this Saturday as John spent the day with a co-worker digging out the perimeter of the new patio. It was miserable - another hot and humid day out. I haven't seen so many empty water and Gatorade bottles in a LONG time! But they did awesome! Without further ado, here are the "hard-at-work" pictures:

Patio (PART ONE):

{They originally started with a sledge hammer. The jack hammer ended up working better AND faster! Don't mind his look...I have to take pictures of the project, right? :)}

{The re-bar was very hard for them to pull up. Here's the beginning of digging out the dirt and rock to prepare for the pavers to be set.}

{Andrew watching Daddy hard at work - and probably wishing he was out there with him! :)}

{"Good-bye jack hammer. It was nice working with you! (Minus the cost of course!)"}

{All ready and prepped for the new patio}

Patio (PART TWO):

{Rock and gravel packed down}

{Sand packed down}

{Pavers going in}

{Daughter #1 relieving me to help transport pavers while I took some photos}

{John and I agreed on the "running bond" design. I like the multi-colors!}

{And the patio is IN! Just a little cutting to fit around beams and air conditioning and it's complete!}

Next up: The Pergola

I can't WAIT to have a BBQ when our backyard is DONE! :)