New Inspiration

My Mother-in-law has been visiting us for a few weeks now (from Croatia) and she continues to amaze me with her talent. This is her new creation. My husband asked if she could make us a painting for our living room. and this is what she made today.

It was meant to be ~13.1

 The day of the race arrived (September 22) and I was experiencing  a mixture of emotions. I felt nervous, anxious , happy and sad.

 Nervous: because I worked the day before the race and I only had two hours to drive downtown to pick up my race number and make it in time for the inspirational dinner that evening.

Anxious: being my first race I didn't know what to expect.

Happy: because I didn't quit my training and at least I was trying for a half-marathon.

Sad: wasn't sure if my family could make it to the city to see me at the finish line.

But guess what?

All those emotions melted away when I began the race.

I was smiling

the whole course of the race!

You can see here for yourself.

Hubby made it and met me at the finish line ( Beli was at home with my Mother-in-law)

I ran the entire 13.1 miles and finished at 2:34:48. Not the best not the worst.

My knee was hurting around mile 8 but I knew I could make it another 5 miles. 

 so hubby asked what was next after the race and of course I replied , " next year bring on the 26.2 miles"!

But of course I will take my training more slowly to avoid Runner's Knee!

~

thank you for your words of support

I was very close to quitting

but

I was meant to run this race:

Let me explain. 

When I signed up with TNT

I knew this team was not only raising awareness but also financial support for leukemia ( I had no direct connection to the cause but I thought it was a good cause so I signed up immediately).

and I knew that it  was a rock and roll series event,

but what I  didn't know

 was that this race was in benefit 

of the

Prostate Cancer Foundation

the cancer

my Grandfather has

and so..

I was meant to race

this race.

not 

only for myself

but also 

for 

so many 

affected

by 

cancer.

Eating out on our balcony

 ~roasting chiles

 jalapeno plant 

 looking for tomatoes

 found a perfect red one

 see?

This summer we have enjoyed eating out on our balcony!

-

tomatoes

they 

are 

good

for you.

Summer in Texas

Peach tree from my grandparents backyard

A pinata for our first ever family reunion, it was a hit!

Balmorhea State Park, Texas

_

Highlights from the month of August:

My parents came to visit us  to our Colorado home for the first time

I successfully made my first solo road trip (13 hours)with Beli.

There were 62 attendees at our family reunion ( and there were hundreds who did not make it)

I will probably have to step down and only run 1/2 marathon

I'm one year older and wiser??

-

So how are you doing my friends?

How are you spending your last weeks of Summer?

In the meantime ~ hay que seguir viviendo y trabajando

Can you believe this?

August is almost here. 

I will be another year older

Will I accomplish what I set out to do?

My knee is in bad shape, has been hurting

for the past weeks (going to the Dr to see what's going on)

My goal is to run a marathon by end of September.

After our vacation in California (I'm still behind in sharing photos with you!)

Beli and I went to Texas to visit my grandparents (his chemotherapy is more aggressive now)

but still holding up.

Upon our return home we all went back to our routine.

the month of July flew by and it feels all I've been doing is:

Work

Sleep

Run

Repeat

Work

Sleep 

Run

I'm exhausted by the time I return home after work

and the little energy I have is reserved for Beli.

Hopefully seen you soon!

~have a family reunion coming up in Texas in a couple of weeks

Any suggestions for games? ( I've never been to a family reunion)

About 84 people expected to attend.

Have a wonderful Sunday my friends!

La Jolla

Sunday afternoon at La Jolla was one our favorite days from our trip.

 They say where there are seals sharks are nearby, luckily we didn't see any!

The June Gloom in California

 we were warned about the cloudy, overcast skies.

but it didn't stop us from enjoying a day in Solana Beach.

The fierce roar of the waves was actually relaxing.

-

-

Do you like the sound of waves?

A world of dolphins and whales

After  driving along the Pacific Coast Highway for 5 hours ( we stopped about every 1/2 hour to take photos) we made it to Seaworld around 3pm. 
We woke Beli up as she had fallen asleep during the drive.

a quinceanera?

She asked, " is this San Diego?"

I had printed the show times and there were scheduled about every 1/2 hour, but after arriving at the park I realized it would be impossible to attend them all, the park was big!  So I asked Beli what she wanted to see first. 

 "the dolphins," she replied.

She was so proud of herself that she was able to interact with the dolphins.

 Then we saw Shamu.

I think I was more excited about seeing the whales than Beli. I just can't imagine how they can be trained to perform.

-----

Have you been to Seaworld before? do you have a favorite show?