24 February 2008
Hang in there. . . spring’s almost here!
Posted by Deborah Pieri under: Deborah Pieri .
This is the third time this week that I sat down to try to write a post. It has been a tough week for me. I had conferences which always makes for an extra busy and exhausting week. I was so busy all week that it was very difficult to get my scheduled runs in, let alone write a post!
So here’s a quick catch up on the training. Last weekend, my husband, Tim and I were keeping an eye on the weather. Knowing that freezing rain and all forms of nasty weather was forcast for last Sunday, we decided to make Saturday our long run day. We took off from our house, deciding to do the hills on O’Brien, and then loop back around for a 12 mile run. It was cold, but beautifully sunny. As we were making our way up one of those lovely hills, Tim suddenly stopped and pointed to a field just off the road. There were about two dozen deer just hanging out, looking curiously at us. It was an amazing sight. We stood quietly watching them until I coughed and they scattered. It was such a beautiful day! I don’t know how many times one of us said how great it was to be out experiencing winter instead of being cooped up inside.
One of my favorite parts of running is all the adventures we have along the way. Tim and I have had quite a few! Two weeks ago when we were running along the river through downtown, we encountered a low spot, where water had seeped over the path and frozen or so we thought. Tim thought the ice was solid, but I thought we better backtrack. Tim plowed forward and promptly broke through the ice and was wet to mid shin. Instead of turning back, he kept going forward somehow thinking the ice would get thicker. . . it didn’t, he got wetter. I backtracked and went around! I worried about his feet freezing as we were only two miles into a long run, but he did OK.
A few years ago, I was running this same path along the river with my friend Joann. It was 5 o’clock in the morning and there were quite a few fishermen out. One of them had just landed a large trout and was taking him off the line. I suppose he didn’t expect to see two women running along the river because he heaved the fish behind him. Joann yelled, “Jump!” I leapt into the air, the huge thing just missing me. The guy apologized, we said “no big deal” and just kept running, laughing about all the things you have to watch out for when you’re running. . . . . weirdos, snow, ice, branches, potholes, cracks in the sidewalk, dogs . . . . and you know. . . . flying fish!
So as I said it was tough getting my running in during the week. I managed to get 3 miles in Tuesday night after conferences, did a spin class Wednesday night, and 4 and a half miles Friday. I was feeling really bummed out that I wasn’t able to meet my goals for the week until I decided to just let it go, knowing that with conferences behind me, next week will be much better. Yesterday, I ran with rungazelle. We left from Aquinas at 8 AM with a little bit of sunshine and a balmy 4 degrees. Yes, it was cold, but I enjoyed my run. I ran with a group that was doing the 10 mile loop. I enjoyed running and chatting with you Gail! When we arrived back at Aquinas I was feeling like I had more in me so I ran two more miles, finishing with 12 for the day. This made me feel better about the week.
This afternoon I’ll meet with my fellow road warriors and run around Reed’s Lake, knowing that I’ll be starting the week off right. Do I have other things to do? Heck yes!!! But I am committed to running this race and running it well and that means training even when you are too busy, too tired, or just not feeling like it. These are difficult days to run when it’s so cold, but we have to forge ahead, knowing that those beautiful spring days are right around the corner. So don’t lose heart, keep running, and know that you are not alone. Others are struggling to get through the slump as well. Our combined energies will get us through!
And finally, it has been over a week since we received a letter from our 19-year old son, Sam who is in San Diego at Marine boot camp. In the letter he told us that he has pnuemonia and has been put on bed rest. I was concerned and found moms of marines online. I wrote a post asking if they take good care of the recruits who get ill. Last weekend, I received over 50 responses of encouragement. Over and over I heard about how common pnuemonia is at boot camp. I was also assured that he would be receiving good care. It has been a difficult week for me, not hearing anything from him, returning home from school everyday, hoping for a letter. Hopefully we will hear something this coming week. These marine moms are amazing. What a support group!
Happy running and watch your footing!
Deb
2 Comments so far...
Rachel Says:
24 February 2008 at 3:14 pm.
Wow mom i guess its a blessing i’m sitting in nowheresville Pennsylvania because i finally have a chance to sit down and read all your blogs. You are an amazing women, i am so happy that i have a mother who is such an inspiration to me and everyone who has ever met you. In the past few minutes of reading i have laughed alot, (because that is such a dad thing to do) and also gotten very teary eyed. I am very worried about sam too. I have to keep telling myself he is a grown man and not our little sammy anymore. I do the same in thinking back to the springy brown curls bouncing off his head. The important thing to remember in all of this is how lucky we are to have one another. I feel so blessed knowing what a wonderful supportive family that i have behind me. Two loving parents who would do about anything for me and 4 great brothers each really wonderful in their own ways and of course my sister who i could not live without. Sam will get through this, and we will all be here to love and support him once he does. I love you and will be over Thursday when i get back in town. 
Bob Says:
24 February 2008 at 7:42 pm.
Deb, I have a friend who is also a Marine in Basic Training. He somehow contracted Bacterial Spinal meningitis. I don’t say this to scare you. Quite the contrary, while he was very ill, The Corps took excellent care of him and he is now working towards completing his training. I pray Sam will be also be fine. Semper Fidalis = Always faithful. Keep the faith Mother Marine.