Marathon Success!

Here is a picture of me running around Lambeau Field - home of the Green Bay Packers. The last .2 miles of the 26.2 marathon was through the tunnel that the Packers run through to run onto the field, then around Lambeau field. I also drug my hand on the End Zone mats that you can see behind me.

I improved my finish time by about 5 minutes from my first marathon, running this one in 4:17:15. My legs are a bit sore today, but nothing unusual. The day was SO fun! We came to Wisconsin to visit Jim's sister & family, and our brother-in-law had also trained for the marathon to run with us. This was Jim & Robert's first marathon, so they were so excited to have the first one under their belts, and they are looking forward to doing another one.

Jim's sister & nephews were there to cheer us on. They were at the starting line, then went to mile 6 and had made signs in the meantime!! They will likely never know just how much it meant to Jim & I to be there cheering us on, especially making the very funny signs that meant so much and were so appropriate for us - very inspiring & funny. We laughed a few times during the race just thinking about them! Then they went to about mile 17 to cheer us on from there too - great to see them again!!! The next time we saw them was in Lambeau Field....they were in the bleachers cheering & waving those signs. Again, seeing them gave me the motivation to pick up the pace & just get to the finish. It is great to have your own personal cheering section!!

We are having a blast in Wisconsin, it is beautiful here! Robert's friend, Andy, took us fishing on the Wisconsin River. The scenery was beautiful & I caught more fish than I ever have at one time!

We have eaten WAY too much while we have been here - Jim's sister is a fabulous cook. We also attended the 150th Stevens Point birthday party, took their bassets & had a picnic. We are enjoying the 50 & 60 degree weather here since it is already in the 80s & 90s in Orlando.

We enjoyed ice cream at a local favorite, Belts - a Snickers flurry - YUM. We also ate lunch at Hilltop Restaurant, sat outside & ate yummy beer batter fries.

We are going to a cheese factory tomorrow morning before we venture back to the airport to fly back to Orlando. I have had a wonderful time here; lots of great conversation, lots of laughter, naps, great food & just good quality time with family. Who could ask for anything more?

Vacation can't get here soon enough!!

I cannot wait!!! Jim & I are going to Wisconsin to see Jim's sister & family for nearly a week. As I have mentioned in previous posts, we are going there to run the Green Bay marathon - but that isn't even the highlight for me. I love hanging out with the fam & am looking forward to just relaxing with lots of laughs & talking. I am also really looking forward to my 2nd marathon - and the brats that will follow! And - last but not least - I am looking forward to NOT checking my blackberry for a whole week!! I will be turning it off for sure.

Jim & I are in the taper phase which is good, since it is getting so hot here! I know I know - nothing to complain about yet. But 80s is too hot to run in. Last weekend was our last long run (22 miles) before the marathon.

I have issues

Proximity issues. Jim & I went to Universal Studios a couple of Fridays ago & had a blast together! But what is not fun is the standing in line part. Granted, with it being the 'off season' and most folks are still in school, lines are not long at all, relatively speaking. But I have come to realize that I have a much different proximity parameter than a lot of people...at least people that go to Universal. I swear, every line we got in, we would have kids RIGHT behind us, literally - on our feet or brushing up against us or bumping into us. I don't know about you - but I tend to STOP a couple of steps behind the person in front of me. It wasn't even just kids...it was adults too! I literally had an adult LEAN on me in line for the wild river raft ride. Because it was one of the last rides we rode, I was at my proximity limit - so I actually said "Excuse me" to her. She jumped back & said - oh sorry - i thought you were someone else. HUH???

Another exhibit of my proximity issue is on an airplane. I am all for sharing that skinny 1 inch armrest that sits in between my fellow passengers and I....but I don't want my arm touching yours or clothing, etc. I don't want your coat hanging over on my lap or leg. Stay in your space & I will stay in mine! On my last flight to or from DC, I had a very nice older gentleman sitting next to me who was decent with the armrest sharing. But you know how old guy arms are....crazy hair. So I was attacked by rogue arm hair the whole flight. ICK!