January in Walla Walla

This year started, once again, with the boys welcoming in 2011 in the blue chair! However, one boy...Nicholas, likes to do New York time and then go to bed. The other boy...Jacob, likes to do New York time too, but this year INSISTED that he could make until midnight. We decided to let him. He had a hard time that last hour and he couldn't believe that the same ball dropped 3 hours earlier...I think it was a let down for him. But, he now has bragging rights! He also got to watch some TV with us, that he wouldn't normally watch. That kid has got the same sense of humor as his dad.




As is typical of Walla Walla, January is dreary and windy! Lots of fog, clouds and tons of wind. This year, we had many icy days too, which made for plenty of days spent indoors. Lots of movies, Wii, DSi and air hockey! We spent a lot of time cooking together. And with all of this time spent indoors, comes all of us getting ants in our pants. I started reflecting on my shoes....




I have a lot of running shoes. These aren't even all of them. These shoes have carried me many, many miles. In fact, the total is close to 7,500 miles. These shoes have caught joy, tears, sweat (a LOT of sweat), a little blood and countless treats left by nature and its' inhabitants if you know what I mean. This time of year gives me so much time to think. To think of possibilities. To think of what my body and mind are capable of. Enter....the marathon.
I had thought about not racing this year. That might not be in anyone's best interest....I NEED a goal. But, to accomplish a marathon, it truly takes EVERYONE being on board. After MUCH, and I mean serious conversations with husband, children and parents, I had the support from them all. So, I went ahead and pressed the button. I'm going to train for the Eugene marathon.
Now, this isn't your average training plan this time around. I know I can go the distance. But, I want to keep the pace and hit my current goal of qualifying for Boston. Yes, I need a 3:45:59 and NO MORE. I know that there will be tweaking to this plan. I know there will be days where someone isn't happy that I'm heading out the door. But I know I can. We're one week in and so far, so good. I'm training a little different this time...more purpose than usual. So, there may be posts about running coming up. Because it truly IS a family affair. The boys are looking forward to the weather warming up so we can go to the track for speed work. We're hitting the Y together once a week for swimming/spinning/weights. And everyone seems excited about the trip to Eugene. We always make marathon weekends an all out trip.
When we got up this morning it was POURING. The boys decided it was a good day to pull out the hide-a-bed and snuggle in. Of course, Jesse wouldn't miss out on that! Fortunately however, around 1:30 the sun peaked through the clouds and it was almost 60* out! The boys helped daddy wash the cars, clean the garage and they even got in a few hoops!
We are thankful that Michael has been kept on at his job, and although they haven't made him permanent yet, things seem to be pointing in the right direction. We have gotten a LOT of home projects done the last 3 weekends which has been great, because soon enough, the yard will be calling our names!