My friend, and training partner, Bryce has a story that sums up parenting pretty well. One day, after raising a child for a few years, he approaches his parents:
I figured you guys out! You had no idea what you were doing!
I've shared this story with many people, because it's true. There is no right way to parent.
The past month has been rough, in my parenting realm. The phrase I use to describe Savannah (my oldest) the most is "She is fiercely independent". It doesn't take being around her too long before you recognize it.
I used this same phrase in an email that I sent the YMCA yesterday.
Savannah has not had much exposure to swimming pools, or non bathwater water. She's also my daughter, which is already a genetic hit against being a good swimmer. With that in mind we signed her up for swim lessons. She started on the first Tuesday of February.
The first class separated the pikes from the polliwogs. Literally. That's what they're called. The test was jumping into the pool. When it came to Savannah's turn she did not jump. She did get in the water though. She now has a label: pike. That was the only time she got in the pool for the entire first half hour class. Following class she asked the teacher "can we do what I want now?" When we quickly hushed her she had a good sized toddler freak out. Aimee vowed to not go to another lesson. People say things like that in high emotion situations. We had some work to do...
Before the next class, we went to the gym early and I worked with her on getting into the pool. One side of the pool is 2 to 3 ft. After 15 to 20 minutes of prodding she walked down the ramp to get in the water. She loved it. She was jumping up and down and laughing hysterically. Life was good. We had three solid weeks of great pre class swimming, and attentive and excited learning in class. When the teacher asked for volunteers, and sometimes when she didn't, she yelled "ME ME MEEEE!!!" When it came to the exercises she didn't do the best in the class. She made up for it with spunk and tenacity. Then came the last week of class. Two days ago...
Tuesday morning I received an email from the YMCA alerting me of changes to that night's class. There would be a special guest instructor, to show the existing teachers some new "tricks". She came with 30+ years of experience!!! What could go wrong?
Class started good enough. Jumping kangaroo game. Kicking exercises with the paddle board (Savannah takes in some water and coughs a bunch but she recovers). Then come the "magic thumbs". It's Savannah's turn and the teacher takes her out for some paddling/kicking exercises. Savannah has a little floating mechanism the size of a half loaf of bread and the teacher just holds her by her "magic thumbs". Here's when it turned; the magic thumbs disappear!! So does Savannah. Wearing Tony Soprano cement shoes, Savannah goes under. Sitting there watching her eyes OVERFLOW with fear. Nerves hit me. The teacher grabs her and gets her back to the edge of the pool. Savannah sits on her turtle and is crying and shaking but she continues with the exercises when it comes back to her turn. This time each trip in the water is filled with screams and shock. I go up behind her and put my arms around her, just to let her know we are here and she is safe. Anytime she looks back I have a smile on my face...
The overprotective parent in me wants to pick her up and leave.
The strong male figure in me wants to sit there and assure my wife that everything is going to be OK.
The realist in me realizes that Savannah isn't great at swimming and this was bound to happen.
The anarchist in me wants to kick a foam turtle into the instructors 30+ years of experience face or show a different magic finger. (Pray for me)
I just hide it behind a never ending smile that never takes away her fear. It's the best option.
Class is over and her normal teacher, Michele, comes up and apologizes to Savannah for not being there and congratulated her on jumping in the pool twice. She shows each child the same amount of attention in the pool but hasn't spoke with the parents much. I wasn't sure about her at first but this spoke VOLUMES about her character. To be honest with you, even writing about it now evokes emotions in me. Savannah won't remember the exchange but I won't soon forget.
I wrote an email about my fiercely independent daughter to the director of the swimming program (replying to the Tuesday morning email). My email is to commend Michele for being an amazing instructor, and more importantly, person. I mention the series of events (minus kicking turtles or magic fingers) to the director but don't pass blame onto the teacher. This was her first time with Savannah. If she had been with her from the start she may not have let go.
I talked to Savannah tonight before class, "Are you excited for your last swim lesson? You're going to have your old teacher back!" Her reply "I want my last teacher to be my last swim lesson" (later Tuesday night Savannah told her Aunt, on FaceTime, "I don't like magic thumbs"). We went early, like normal, to get some pool time with Savannah. She comes in the water but doesn't act too excited. She doesn't want me to hold her on her back and she won't blow bubbles.
Class starts and Savannah gets in to do the kangaroo game. That's it. She doesn't go back in the entire class. Completely reverted back to day 1. The trust built was gone. Gobbled up by fear. I keep the smile on. The smile is always there...
She gets a completion certificate but the teacher's recommendation is back to pike level. In the locker room I talk to her about fear and she says "where is fear? I don't see it".
Good lord I love her so much.
Time to rebuild.
Thanks for reading...
P.S. There is no right way to parent, but there sure are wrong ways. Some of these ways include being on your phone, playing games, during the entire half hour swim lesson while your kid makes strides in the pool. Also, when your daughter is waiving to you and saying "Hi daddy", put DOWN your phone. Your email can wait. Acknowledge your child's existence. It's a half hour kids swimming class. That smile on their face will change your life more than clearing the spam out of your inbox.
I have been holding that in for the entire month. Thank you for allowing me to vent...
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Friday, February 21, 2014
Two Steps Forward. Three Steps Back.
Myself, and the city of Richmond, have been on a roller coaster ride as of late.
For example, last week I had to work from home because we had almost six inches of snow (snow shuts this city down for DAYS). The last couple days it's been in the 60s..
Leading up to the Richmond Snowpocalypse I was working out everyday. I became a member of the USA Triathlon Organization. I was scouting out races (even a half ironman). I continued with my "waking up at 430 and working out" thing. This week I worked out once. Tonight I ate a large amount of pizza...
What a difference a snowstorm makes...
Side note, my one trip to the gym was eventful. While I was running on the treadmill a gentleman walked by singing the Kansas classic "Carry On Wayward Son". Aimee was walking on the treadmill next to me and finished first. A couple minutes after heading to the locker room, the Kansas cover band lead singer (Maybe the band is called Noise and Confusion) walked up to the neighboring treadmill. The following is most of an actual conversation, or as much as my brain is allowing me to remember...
Kansas: Dude! How long did you do? About 20 minutes?
Me: Ran about 25 to 30 minutes
Kansas: No wonder you have bulging calfs! How many wives do you have with those!?
Me: Ha, just one. I'm good with one.
Kansas: I see you don't have your wedding ring either!
Me (mild interruption): Yeah, I lost it on vacation
Kansas (regaining his lead role in the conversation): How does that saying go? Familiarity breeds contempt? My wife had me destroy my ring!
After some random pleasantries like "thanks" and "have a good one" we went on with our lives. I will be changed forever...
ANYWAY!
I was on a good rhythm of going to the gym and the snow storm shut down the YMCA for 2 days. That's right, 2 days (even Dunkin Donuts was closed). Now every morning I wake up at the first alarm of 4:20. Then again at 4:30. Then again at 6:00 (after I've shut off the pre 5 am alarms). This is an every day occurrence. How do you get your tired self to NOT go back to sleep? I feel like Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde without any of the brains and many more trans fats.
The wife and I took a Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University class last year and have been slacking as of late. This week we put together a complete budget and it took a lot of the wind out of my race sail. To the point where doing a big race seems completely out of the question. Maybe this year will be a quieter one.
Still looking for gainful employment...
For example, last week I had to work from home because we had almost six inches of snow (snow shuts this city down for DAYS). The last couple days it's been in the 60s..
Leading up to the Richmond Snowpocalypse I was working out everyday. I became a member of the USA Triathlon Organization. I was scouting out races (even a half ironman). I continued with my "waking up at 430 and working out" thing. This week I worked out once. Tonight I ate a large amount of pizza...
What a difference a snowstorm makes...
Side note, my one trip to the gym was eventful. While I was running on the treadmill a gentleman walked by singing the Kansas classic "Carry On Wayward Son". Aimee was walking on the treadmill next to me and finished first. A couple minutes after heading to the locker room, the Kansas cover band lead singer (Maybe the band is called Noise and Confusion) walked up to the neighboring treadmill. The following is most of an actual conversation, or as much as my brain is allowing me to remember...
Kansas: Dude! How long did you do? About 20 minutes?
Me: Ran about 25 to 30 minutes
Kansas: No wonder you have bulging calfs! How many wives do you have with those!?
Me: Ha, just one. I'm good with one.
Kansas: I see you don't have your wedding ring either!
Me (mild interruption): Yeah, I lost it on vacation
Kansas (regaining his lead role in the conversation): How does that saying go? Familiarity breeds contempt? My wife had me destroy my ring!
After some random pleasantries like "thanks" and "have a good one" we went on with our lives. I will be changed forever...
ANYWAY!
I was on a good rhythm of going to the gym and the snow storm shut down the YMCA for 2 days. That's right, 2 days (even Dunkin Donuts was closed). Now every morning I wake up at the first alarm of 4:20. Then again at 4:30. Then again at 6:00 (after I've shut off the pre 5 am alarms). This is an every day occurrence. How do you get your tired self to NOT go back to sleep? I feel like Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde without any of the brains and many more trans fats.
The wife and I took a Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University class last year and have been slacking as of late. This week we put together a complete budget and it took a lot of the wind out of my race sail. To the point where doing a big race seems completely out of the question. Maybe this year will be a quieter one.
Still looking for gainful employment...
Sunday, February 9, 2014
YMCA
I'm sitting at my computer on a Sunday morning at 10 am. I should be in "get myself and my family ready for church" mode but I'm sitting in front of a computer screen. My two daughters have noses running like the river Nile and my wife is in full on hibernation mode. When boredom strikes, I blog!
I signed our family up for a YMCA membership. The gym is a mile down the road and is equipped with two gymnasiums, multiple fitness areas, and 2 pools. Oh yeah. 2 pools! I've been going 5 - 6 days a week for the past three weeks, even waking up most mornings at 4:30 to get a swim lane. That feeling of being healthy is creeping back. Savannah has even started swim lessons. I need an entire blog post to talk about that though...
The misses and I have also gotten back into logging all of our food on My Fitness Pal. Staying within a certain amount of calories transforms the way you eat. You decide that instead of starving yourself you're going to find healthier foods, and eat much more of them. We've even purchased quinoa. It's been sitting in our cabinet for two weeks but hey, we bought it!
The gym has also reminded me of how much I sweat. Over the past couple weeks I'll wear a hoodie while I'm working out. Friday afternoon I was there with the misses and it was disgusting. I think I even heard murmurs from someone else about the amount of perspiration. Something along the lines of "is that the machine or him?" The reason I say "I think" I heard murmurs was because why would a stair master machine be spewing out liquids? Maybe I imagined it all..
Anyway, yesterday I went to do a sprint tri workout, sans hoodie. I thought this would minimize the sweat but man was I wrong. The hoodie was actually trapping the sweat so it couldn't get out and gross out all the middle aged women on ellipticals. As the sweat was beading on all parts of my body I got a little self conscious.
***GROSS SENTENCE WARNING. DO NOT READ THE NEXT FEW SENTENCES IF YOU BECOME QUEAZY EASILY (say queazy easily ten times fast)***
I was looking for dry parts of my AW running shirt and I had no luck. Not sure why I did it but the next thing I did was wring out my shirt. Sweat drenched my shorts (and I wonder why people don't read my blog...) I'm really looking forward to having an actual bike in April when I bring it back.
Right now I'm signed up for the Hall of Fame marathon in Canton but I'm really not feeling it. Now that I've got so much cross training at my disposal running alone doesn't get me out the door. Perhaps the Akron marathon isn't as lost in my mind as I'd like it to be. Maybe not having my running crew is draining me of any running enjoyment. The most I've done in one session is 8 miles. I think I could still complete the marathon if I became disciplined with running the miles. My final decision will be made by the end of the month. I'd hate to waste a free race entry but I'd also like to enjoy what I'm doing. If anything, a free race entry is making it easier to not run. The thought of requesting a race change, to the half, has also crossed my mind. Hmmmm.
There are some sprint tris on my radar. My goal is to do a few open water races to build up confidence. Maybe even do an Olympic. I'm going through races trying to find the open water swims that have the least amount of turns. A point to point swim would be best. That's the fear creeping back in. The Richmond Tri Club has open water swim training coming up in the next few months and I'm going to join in. The distance isn't worrying me. It's the depth. One day I need to just jump into the deep end and tread water as long as I can. I feel kinda silly being 28 years old and I can't stay afloat without swimming.
In April my wife, and the girls, are going to Ohio for a month. I'll join them for the first week and then be in VA for three weeks. By myself. I can already feel the boredom setting in. Maybe I'll get ripped. Maybe I'll go for a hike. Maybe I'll just eat spaghetti-os straight out of a can and scroll through Facebook till my brain hurts. Maybe I'll blog!! (maybe not..)
I signed our family up for a YMCA membership. The gym is a mile down the road and is equipped with two gymnasiums, multiple fitness areas, and 2 pools. Oh yeah. 2 pools! I've been going 5 - 6 days a week for the past three weeks, even waking up most mornings at 4:30 to get a swim lane. That feeling of being healthy is creeping back. Savannah has even started swim lessons. I need an entire blog post to talk about that though...
 |
| POOL! |
The misses and I have also gotten back into logging all of our food on My Fitness Pal. Staying within a certain amount of calories transforms the way you eat. You decide that instead of starving yourself you're going to find healthier foods, and eat much more of them. We've even purchased quinoa. It's been sitting in our cabinet for two weeks but hey, we bought it!
The gym has also reminded me of how much I sweat. Over the past couple weeks I'll wear a hoodie while I'm working out. Friday afternoon I was there with the misses and it was disgusting. I think I even heard murmurs from someone else about the amount of perspiration. Something along the lines of "is that the machine or him?" The reason I say "I think" I heard murmurs was because why would a stair master machine be spewing out liquids? Maybe I imagined it all..
Anyway, yesterday I went to do a sprint tri workout, sans hoodie. I thought this would minimize the sweat but man was I wrong. The hoodie was actually trapping the sweat so it couldn't get out and gross out all the middle aged women on ellipticals. As the sweat was beading on all parts of my body I got a little self conscious.
***GROSS SENTENCE WARNING. DO NOT READ THE NEXT FEW SENTENCES IF YOU BECOME QUEAZY EASILY (say queazy easily ten times fast)***
I was looking for dry parts of my AW running shirt and I had no luck. Not sure why I did it but the next thing I did was wring out my shirt. Sweat drenched my shorts (and I wonder why people don't read my blog...) I'm really looking forward to having an actual bike in April when I bring it back.
Right now I'm signed up for the Hall of Fame marathon in Canton but I'm really not feeling it. Now that I've got so much cross training at my disposal running alone doesn't get me out the door. Perhaps the Akron marathon isn't as lost in my mind as I'd like it to be. Maybe not having my running crew is draining me of any running enjoyment. The most I've done in one session is 8 miles. I think I could still complete the marathon if I became disciplined with running the miles. My final decision will be made by the end of the month. I'd hate to waste a free race entry but I'd also like to enjoy what I'm doing. If anything, a free race entry is making it easier to not run. The thought of requesting a race change, to the half, has also crossed my mind. Hmmmm.
There are some sprint tris on my radar. My goal is to do a few open water races to build up confidence. Maybe even do an Olympic. I'm going through races trying to find the open water swims that have the least amount of turns. A point to point swim would be best. That's the fear creeping back in. The Richmond Tri Club has open water swim training coming up in the next few months and I'm going to join in. The distance isn't worrying me. It's the depth. One day I need to just jump into the deep end and tread water as long as I can. I feel kinda silly being 28 years old and I can't stay afloat without swimming.
In April my wife, and the girls, are going to Ohio for a month. I'll join them for the first week and then be in VA for three weeks. By myself. I can already feel the boredom setting in. Maybe I'll get ripped. Maybe I'll go for a hike. Maybe I'll just eat spaghetti-os straight out of a can and scroll through Facebook till my brain hurts. Maybe I'll blog!! (maybe not..)
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Another Day, Another Marathon Training Starts
As I promised in my last post, I am ready to go over the goals I set for myself in 2013. I sat down and cleared a good half an hour for research.
Step 1: Find the post showing my 2013 goals
Well.. It turns out I didn't write one...
I did, however, write a post of the races I was going to do in 2013. Aside from not completing an Olympic triathlon, I ran every race I had planned. Booyah!!
Enough talking about 2013. That crappy year is crap. It's over. Done. Why revisit it? We move FORWARD!
My marathon training started today. 4 miles. Boom. Nailed it. It was pretty chilly. Single digit wind chill when yesterday it was in the 40s/50s. It wasn't too bad, actually. I sweat a little less in the Arctic Vortex, but not by much. After my run I did the usual "walk up to my wife and try to hug or kiss her and she gives me a disgusted look". Classic Aimee. What usually follows is a trip to the shower and this time my youngest daughter came up, gave me a hug, and put her head on me. I asked my oldest for a hug "eww stinky!" while waiving her hand in front of her nose. At least Addison loves me. Pretty bold statement from a kid who pooped in her pants no more than a year ago...
Let's put down a goal that I can look back at in 2015! I have the normal hopes of running a better marathon and getting better at swimming. Throw in there wanting to do some local races and meet some fellow runners/triathletes in the area. Those are all well and good but there's been something on my mind lately.
I want to be a better father.
In Donald Miller's "To Own a Dragon" he writes about living fatherless. I didn't live fatherless until I was 17 but I felt the pain. One part is about the kids of the father comparing their fatherless, or damaged father relationship, to their relationship with God. It makes sense. God is referenced as the father many times throughout the Bible so what word would hit you the hardest after living a life without proper fathering? I look at my few years as a father and I feel like I'm doing alright. Most of the time I have no idea what I'm doing, which is supposedly what parenting is all about, but I still think there's room for improvement. I know that no one is perfect but there could be less training runs when I could be spending time with my wife and kids. I could be more patient and not jump from 1 to 10 on the drop of a hat (or the throw of a toy). I could turn off the TV or get away from the computer/phone to read or color with my girls. I could not skip going to church to do a race. I could be a better husband to my wife. I could be in the Bible more and I could be a better spiritual leader of my home.
I say "I could" on all of those items. In 2015 I will look back and say "I did". Keep me accountable. If you have a goal, and you want accountability, I'll do the same for you.
Thank you for reading. Let's kick 2014's arse.
Step 1: Find the post showing my 2013 goals
Well.. It turns out I didn't write one...
I did, however, write a post of the races I was going to do in 2013. Aside from not completing an Olympic triathlon, I ran every race I had planned. Booyah!!
Enough talking about 2013. That crappy year is crap. It's over. Done. Why revisit it? We move FORWARD!
My marathon training started today. 4 miles. Boom. Nailed it. It was pretty chilly. Single digit wind chill when yesterday it was in the 40s/50s. It wasn't too bad, actually. I sweat a little less in the Arctic Vortex, but not by much. After my run I did the usual "walk up to my wife and try to hug or kiss her and she gives me a disgusted look". Classic Aimee. What usually follows is a trip to the shower and this time my youngest daughter came up, gave me a hug, and put her head on me. I asked my oldest for a hug "eww stinky!" while waiving her hand in front of her nose. At least Addison loves me. Pretty bold statement from a kid who pooped in her pants no more than a year ago...
Let's put down a goal that I can look back at in 2015! I have the normal hopes of running a better marathon and getting better at swimming. Throw in there wanting to do some local races and meet some fellow runners/triathletes in the area. Those are all well and good but there's been something on my mind lately.
I want to be a better father.
In Donald Miller's "To Own a Dragon" he writes about living fatherless. I didn't live fatherless until I was 17 but I felt the pain. One part is about the kids of the father comparing their fatherless, or damaged father relationship, to their relationship with God. It makes sense. God is referenced as the father many times throughout the Bible so what word would hit you the hardest after living a life without proper fathering? I look at my few years as a father and I feel like I'm doing alright. Most of the time I have no idea what I'm doing, which is supposedly what parenting is all about, but I still think there's room for improvement. I know that no one is perfect but there could be less training runs when I could be spending time with my wife and kids. I could be more patient and not jump from 1 to 10 on the drop of a hat (or the throw of a toy). I could turn off the TV or get away from the computer/phone to read or color with my girls. I could not skip going to church to do a race. I could be a better husband to my wife. I could be in the Bible more and I could be a better spiritual leader of my home.
I say "I could" on all of those items. In 2015 I will look back and say "I did". Keep me accountable. If you have a goal, and you want accountability, I'll do the same for you.
Thank you for reading. Let's kick 2014's arse.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Cleaning Off The Dust
Pheeeeww!
Life's been pretty distracting lately.
Bought a van
Went to Ohio for Thanksgiving
Transmission goes out in van
Being sick
Not running
Sitting at car dealership
Sitting at car dealership
Not running
Sitting at car dealership
Questioning every decision I've made this year
Sitting at car dealership
Finally having working vehicle
Not running
Thinking about running
Working overtime
Not running
There's a rundown for you.
Our trip to Ohio was a blast. There was snow, family, friends, fun, turkey, a 5k, my birthday, and more fun. Some of the highs were spending Thanksgiving with my mom, going to lunch with Jermaine, my wife getting me Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and The Worlds End on blu-ray (and a blu-ray player to actually be able to watch them), and the turkey trot. The only low was the transmission going out in the van a few hours from home. After I shut the van off and started it back up I was able to drive without much issue (except going up hill).
Back to the highs, specifically the turkey trot. It was down right frigid. In the teens, without the wind chill (my beard had persperationcicles). I made a mental note to pack my hat and gloves, which means I forgot to bring them. Physical notes trump mental notes every time. I bought a winter hat (and Darth Vader goblet) and my friend Adam was gracious enough to let me borrow a pair of gloves that didn't seem to work until a mile and a half in. I'm talking completely numb fingers.
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| Adam "I wear running tights without shorts over them" Buttacavoli |
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| Bryce "Running next to a guy he doesn't know but is wearing almost the exact same thing minus the gloves" York |
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| James "On the far left, killin' it all day every day" Monroe |
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| Scott "Lovin' the hat and sunglasses combo" Suarez |
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| Thomas "I'm getting beat by someone dressed as a turkey" Costello |
I did some marathon training prep and found out that my training plan starts January 6th for the April 27th Hall of Fame Marathon, in Canton. This frightens me a little bit. I want to make this my best marathon yet, but that alone isn't motivating me. I could sit here and blame the stress of the past couple months, not knowing the area that well, or living on a busier street as reasons why I'm not running. So I will!
Just kidding.
I don't know where my motivation has gone. It's about time I find it again though. I've asked some running co-workers if they want to meet up. That's always kept me accountable in the past, mostly.
The bike didn't make it's way back to Ohio. There wasn't as much room as I had hoped. We have family coming down for Christmas next week and I asked if they could bring the bike. Unfortunately, they have a new car and don't want to scratch it. Which I completely understand. I'd be pretty perturbed if I scratched up my new(ish) scion xB. Unless a bike falls from the sky I don't see myself doing any triathlons next year so right now this marathon is all I've got to look forward to, race wise. With our higher cost of living and the addition of a car payment I don't foresee any changes to my upcoming race schedule.
Looking WAY ahead to 2015 I'll be running on one of the legs of Daren Wendell's run across the United States. Doing 100 marathons in 100 days. It'll most likely be the second to last run but we haven't firmly decided. If you want to read more about Daren's run click on the links to the top right. Run Daren Run is the name you want.
I'm already starting to think about my next blog post. It's going to review my 2013 goals and how many were accomplished. The thought of looking at my 2013 goals frightens me. My gut is telling me I didn't do too hot.
We'll see soon....
Thanks for reading! Maybe I'll make this blogging thing a regularly scheduled event!?
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
My First Marathon!!*
Hello!
You may or may not know this, but I live in Richmond, Virginia.
If you didn't know that you probably don't know that I used to live in Canton, Ohio.
If you didn't know the first part, but knew the second, then you may know me personally and decided to finally click that link I share on my Facebook periodically.
If you didn't know either of those things this may be your first time visiting my blog. In that case, WELCOME!
If you knew both of those first two things than I'm sorry for putting you through all that.
Just trying to catch everyone up.
Well, since I moved to Richmond I've noticed something: It's an active city. A day doesn't go by that I don't see someone running or cycling. They also put on a swell marathon each year. By the time I knew this, and was moving to Richmond, it cost 110 bucks to run a half marathon. WOAH! I'm way too cheap for that...
The price afforded me the opportunity of volunteering. Since I've started running races I've thought of volunteering. Even going so far as to sign up to volunteer for the first Canton Marathon (which I then ended up running because I couldn't miss my city's first marathon). When I got the job in Richmond the thought of volunteering was still fresh on my mind. Then one fateful Sunday had me at a new church for the first time. I talked to one of the friendly church volunteers and I asked what they do in the community. He told me they volunteer at the Richmond Marathon. Wooooaaaah! Perfecto!
So with all that said, the Richmond Marathon was this past Saturday. I was there holding down mile 16.6 with my fellow Wave RVA peeps. The plan for Saturday was to set up a stage for the worship band to play and set up a water station to hydrate some runners. All week the weatherman called for a beautiful race day!
It rained...
Lots...
When it wasn't raining, it was a gentle mist. Just enough to electrocute someone playing an electric guitar. With that in mind, we turned into a water stop and the worship team members were able to rearrange their trailer.
Side note: All of the contents of the Sunday service are in the trailer because we are currently renting a hall each week. I knew they rented the place (which is funny because the location is actually called The Place) but I didn't know they unloaded and loaded a truck each week. The set up is pretty involved too: screens, sound boards, stages, lights, and even the kids room equipment.
Being that I'm a sub-par seasoned marathoner I felt like I was prepared for the water stop duties. I helped with the logistics of the set up and helped teach some good cup holding methods. We also had some good free child labor volunteering from some of the kids who came with their parents! They filled the cups and handed them to the runners.
The first pack of 3 runners was a sight to see. They were moving! I've seen fast runners on TV but never in person. Wow. They're much faster than me. About 20 people in we had our first taker of h2o and it didn't slow down for a few hours.
I've always tried my best to thank volunteers at races (or if you're at the later part of the race I'll grunt something incoherently that I think is me saying thank you). Honestly, because it's the right thing to do. They took time out of their lives to come out and help. While I'm being honest, I'll also say that I didn't think volunteering was that tough before Saturday. I was wrong. Would I say it's as tough as being one of the runners? No. I will say that after the race I was POOPED. I have a new respect for the people on the sidelines.
A couple hours in I was tired of saying the same motivating phrases like "you've got this!" and "you're in the single digits!" and I started personalizing it. The bibs had runner's names on them, so I would call out to everyone individually. I even gave water to someone named Jesus. It was much funnier sharing this with fellow believers, for obvious reasons. Towards the end someone confessed to me that they first wondered how I knew so many people on the course, ha. I did know one person, a co-worker of mine. Her goal was to beat Oprah's marathon time of 4:29 and she was only about 9 minutes off. Not too shabby though!
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| Good times had by all. Middle right is me showing a 3 year old how it's done! |
On the way home I was immediately in traffic. Since I don't know the city all that well it took me an hour and a half to get home. Live and learn.
I'm going back to Ohio at the end of this week for the rest of November. Stoked to see all our friends and family. Feels like it's been forever.
Till next time!
*My first marathon volunteering
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Rabble-rousing
Hello all.
It's been a while since I've felt the blogging bug.
I share a lot of what I'm doing on Facebook (if I think it's funny) but there's a lot you may not know about me.
Here are a few things that went down since my last blog post:
-I've actually run! I have 7 miles down this week (last Sunday and Tuesday). I haven't done any exercise since Wednesday though. A nasty head cold and foot pain kept me indoors. Also, on Wednesday, I got word of a weight loss competition starting Monday in my new department. It sounds disgusting and cheap but I haven't watched what I've been eating AT ALL. It's definitely not a good feeling. Tomorrow starts my journey to avenge my 1% loss.
About weight loss. Since about June I haven't been logging any food or exercise. Around that time I was close to 40 lbs down for the year. Right now I'm at 29 lbs down for the year. Considering all the changes in life, and not eating great, I'm happy with only being 10 lbs in the hole. Before finding out about this competition I was logging all of my food and exercise for the week. I can flip the eating right and working out switch at this season of life.
-We're as settled in as we're going to be. We have a second vehicle (2007 Nissan Quest mini van). We've gotten into a church community. We've even had guests over!! We're having another couple come over this upcoming weekend.
-Having no obligations (or friends) has brought my family closer together. Every weekend we've gone out and done things as a family. A few weeks back we went apple picking.
Went to the park.
And yesterday we went to a park that also had a kids petting zoo and nature observatory.
It's been a while since I've felt the blogging bug.
I share a lot of what I'm doing on Facebook (if I think it's funny) but there's a lot you may not know about me.
Here are a few things that went down since my last blog post:
-I've actually run! I have 7 miles down this week (last Sunday and Tuesday). I haven't done any exercise since Wednesday though. A nasty head cold and foot pain kept me indoors. Also, on Wednesday, I got word of a weight loss competition starting Monday in my new department. It sounds disgusting and cheap but I haven't watched what I've been eating AT ALL. It's definitely not a good feeling. Tomorrow starts my journey to avenge my 1% loss.
About weight loss. Since about June I haven't been logging any food or exercise. Around that time I was close to 40 lbs down for the year. Right now I'm at 29 lbs down for the year. Considering all the changes in life, and not eating great, I'm happy with only being 10 lbs in the hole. Before finding out about this competition I was logging all of my food and exercise for the week. I can flip the eating right and working out switch at this season of life.
-We're as settled in as we're going to be. We have a second vehicle (2007 Nissan Quest mini van). We've gotten into a church community. We've even had guests over!! We're having another couple come over this upcoming weekend.
-Having no obligations (or friends) has brought my family closer together. Every weekend we've gone out and done things as a family. A few weeks back we went apple picking.
Went to the park.
And yesterday we went to a park that also had a kids petting zoo and nature observatory.
 |
| My wife is a talented photographer |
We go almost everywhere together. I've had a couple toddler tantrums while taking the kids to the store with me but the good has outweighed the bad.
-I went on a historical trolley tour of Richmond with my department. The city is rich with history, especially the Civil War. The losing side of the Civil War. Northerners RUUUULE!!
ANYWAY
With the limited facts I remembered I took Aimee down Monument ave last night to show her the monuments. All Confederate heroes (and Arthur Ashe). It's an awesome street. Million dollar homes and trees shadow the street.
-I'm volunteering at the Richmond Marathon this upcoming weekend with Wave Church. We're going to be on mile 17 cheering and giving out water. This will be my first race volunteering. I'm extremely excited. It'll be interesting seeing it from the other side.
-Lastly, we've started to meet people. We thought it would happen eventually but that doesn't happen. You have to go out there and make connections. Once we stopped being sick, we had a couple over from our church, who also happen to be the pastors of the church. This upcoming weekend another couple from church is coming over. One of the hopes I had is that we could find a church with people who can be real with us. We aren't in the mindset of replacing High Mill or our friends. Heck no. People from Ohio can't get rid of me that easily. We just want to have good friends here. Friends that make it hard moving back to Ohio one day.
Now that we're settled I think I'll blog a little more regularly. Especially with running associated events like the volunteering coming up. We're also going to be in Ohio two weeks from today (Wooo!!)
Have a good one everybody!
-I went on a historical trolley tour of Richmond with my department. The city is rich with history, especially the Civil War. The losing side of the Civil War. Northerners RUUUULE!!
ANYWAY
With the limited facts I remembered I took Aimee down Monument ave last night to show her the monuments. All Confederate heroes (and Arthur Ashe). It's an awesome street. Million dollar homes and trees shadow the street.
 |
| Photo from tourfrog.com Just as impressive on the road level |
-I'm volunteering at the Richmond Marathon this upcoming weekend with Wave Church. We're going to be on mile 17 cheering and giving out water. This will be my first race volunteering. I'm extremely excited. It'll be interesting seeing it from the other side.
-Lastly, we've started to meet people. We thought it would happen eventually but that doesn't happen. You have to go out there and make connections. Once we stopped being sick, we had a couple over from our church, who also happen to be the pastors of the church. This upcoming weekend another couple from church is coming over. One of the hopes I had is that we could find a church with people who can be real with us. We aren't in the mindset of replacing High Mill or our friends. Heck no. People from Ohio can't get rid of me that easily. We just want to have good friends here. Friends that make it hard moving back to Ohio one day.
Now that we're settled I think I'll blog a little more regularly. Especially with running associated events like the volunteering coming up. We're also going to be in Ohio two weeks from today (Wooo!!)
Have a good one everybody!
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