Birthday Bunch

We normally have four fall birthdays in our family, and this year we added two guest birthday people.

I meant for us to be in order of our birthdays but forgot when we took the picture, it would be backwards. The names are listed right to left in order of birthdates:  Me, Kiah, Ruth, Lani, and Amy.

I started the fall birthday lineup with my carrot cake.

 Kiah (on the left) turned 23 on September 20.
She made herself a Lemoncello (sp?) cake.

Ruth (far right) stayed with us for three weeks.  

She chose to go hiking on her birthday. 

Ruth turned 25 on September 23rd. 

Kiah and Anna made her a Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake 

Lani (top right) chose a day in Duluth with her sisters. 

First we went hiking at Amnicon Falls State Park.

 

 A week later Amy turned sixteen on October 5th.

Kiah and Anna made two cakes - Six Layer Red Velvet

Cake and a Key Lime Chocolate Pie 

We celebrated our Daughter-in-law's birthday for the first time. 

Rachel (on the right) turned 23 on October 15th. 

Though we're thankful to celebrate our special days together,

We're all glad birthdays are done for awhile. 

Whistlestop 10K

The nice thing about having kids who do interesting things is that I can write blog posts about fun stuff without actually having to do those things myself. 

Kiah ran her first marathon and hoped to do it again this year. Last May her hip started hurting and she hasn't been able to run much since. She hoped her hip could handle a 10K run. She talked our daughter-in-law Rachel into driving up from Iowa to join her. Christina and a co-worker also signed up. 

Rachel trained the most, Kiah, because of her injury, trained the least. Christina trained sporadically. 

They arrived at 7:00 am and the race began at 8:00 am.  

(Yes - this is a bad picture but it's the only before race one we have)

Whistlestop hosts a full and half marathon, along with a 5 and 10K race called, "Crusin' the Corridor."

Keith missed Kiah's finish last year and hasn't heard the end of it, so this year we made sure to be at the finish line.  

Our four runners started out together, and Kiah and Shea quickly got ahead. They separated at mile three when Kiah stopped to stretch her legs.  Rachel and Christina stayed together and encouraged each other to keep going. 

Shea finished first.

Kiah crossed the line one minute later. 

(This brings back bad memories of taking pictures at Kiah's high school track meets. I never mastered the art of taking decent pictures of people running.)

Thirteen minutes later, Kiah and Rachel finished. We like Rachel's cute wave.

They had a time of 1:08

 Warming up afterwards

Colorful runners are easy to keep track of in a crowd.

Wearing the nice gray running shirts 

they received for running the race. 

We're proud of all of them for finishing.

"Everyone is an athlete. The only difference is that some of us are in training, and some are not."  --Dr. George Sheehan.--

Pride Goes Before a Fall

Or alternately titled:   
Why I Love Fall But Not Falling

One never knows when their mother will fall flat on her face.

Last Sunday, gorgeous weather and Autumn-colored trees lured us outside. I took four girls and Tucker (our dog) hiking at St. Peter’s Dome. I love doing things I love with people I love.

The overflowing parking lot meant others had the same bright idea. I hoped the top of the trail wouldn’t be congested. We like to sit quietly up there and drink in the awesome view. Tucker would probably put a kink in our mountaintop cogitations. Taking a number might further dilute the experience.

Ruth (Christina’s friend) took off running. I cannot fathom running a hike. Running is for track meets and pottytraining toddlers, not for trails that start out wide and easy and gradually get narrow and difficult. I assumed she’d run the easy part and walk the hard part. (Turns out she ran the whole way, doubled back to meet Kiah and Anna, then walked back up again.)

Kiah, Anna, and Tucker took off at a brisk pace. Christina walked with me.  

I love the forest. Fresh air. The soft, sweet scent of pine. Creek sounds. Crackling leaves. Gnarled roots. Wildflowers. The contrast of blue sky and autumn leaves.

I always struggle the second mile and wonder if it’s worth it. I’m thankful to be twenty pounds lighter than my last hike there. Last year, my elbows, hips, and knees hurt. This year they don’t.  

The North Country (hiking/backpacking) Trail goes through this forest. I can’t imagine navigating those narrow, twisting trails, stones, roots, and drop-offs with a backpack on.

After carefully picking my way through an extended maze of black tree roots and fording a shallow creek, I commented to Christina, “Too bad the forest service doesn’t put boardwalk through these hard parts. They’re inaccessible for many people.”

We reached the top, and yes, it’s definitely worth it. The view is always amazing, but even more so with fall colors. More people than normal sat at the top but everyone except Tucker understood that this was a quiet spot.

Kiah said she was proud of me. “You’re in good shape and you’re holding up well. I’m glad you came.”

I swelled with pride. Yes, hiking felt good. Yes, I was holding up. Yes, I went with the girls, unlike their Dad who stayed home to watch football.

On the way down, Ruth ran off again. Kiah and Anna went ahead and Christina hung back. I told her she didn’t need to wait for me.

“I’m staying with you,” she said firmly. “I want to make sure you’re okay.”

Hmmpf!! That didn’t sit well. For twenty-seven years I had looked out for them. Since when had things switched and now I needed to be looked out for?

Five minutes later,after walking two miles up and one mile back, and being uber careful through the obviously tricky parts, on an easy downhill incline, I tripped over a small protruding rock and smashed hard into the ground.

IT HURT!!! I could hardly breathe. For once, I didn’t care if anyone saw me fall. Pain overruled other thoughts, and I desperately hoped nothing had broken.

Christina yelled down the trail, “Kiah! Get back here now!”

Christina knelt beside me. “Don’t move until I check everything.” she commanded. First born, second-year nursing students are like that.

My left knee hurt the worse. At first I couldn’t move my knee or think around the pain. I had also smashed my right hand trying to brace myself.

Kiah and Anna ran back, alarmed to see their mother crumpled on the trail, lying on her side, with her head pointing downhill. Approaching hikers stopped to help.

The group helped me get up, and though it hurt something fierce, I could walk. Christina found me a walking stick and I limped the last mile. All three girls stayed close by. Christina said, “See, Mom. This is why I wanted to keep an eye on you. I’m also thinking we need to carry a first-aid kit on future hikes.”

Kiah drove home and I limped into the house and collapsed on the couch. My knee had swollen and I had a headache. I took a bath and Ibuprofen. My knee could barely bend and I needed help getting dressed and upstairs.

I spent Monday in bed with a headache and all-over soreness. I limped until Friday and each day feels a little better, though it’s still hard doing stairs and getting in and out of cars.   

Definitely a humbling experience. To go, in a matter of seconds, from the exhilaration of fall hiking and being outdoors to smashed knee, road rash, and lying in the dirt. To make it through the hard part, only to fall in an easy part. To be annoyed at Christina for watching out for me, then to need her help this week.

I’m thankful I didn’t fall on the way up because we would have turned back and missed the view. I’m thankful Christina was nearby. She’s gifted with the ability to take charge in emergencies and quickly assess what needs done. I’m thankful I didn’t need to be carried that last mile. I’m thankful my family took good care of me this week.

I fractured my left knee years ago, so I’m glad I didn’t mess up my good right knee. I’m thankful my kids are old enough to fend for themselves, so I could convalesce without our house falling apart.

I’m thankful I got hurt doing something fun. I could have tripped in the grocery store.  Or taking out garbage, or mowing the lawn. At least I got hurt doing something I enjoy.

I’m bummed to miss the rest of fall hiking. The girls went hiking again today and I took a nap. Last week I felt fifty, this week I feel sixty.

I’ll just need to be more careful from now on. Even if it means wearing bubble wrap to hike, I’m hoping there are many more fall-free hikes in my future.

Camping Angel

For He will give His angels charge concerning you, 
To guard you in all your ways.

--Psalm 91:11--

(I hesitate to share this story lest people think I'm flaky. After reading this, you can draw your own conclusions.)

Ours is a mixed marriage. I like camping, Keith doesn’t. I think it’s wonderful, he thinks it’s chaotic. I finally started taking the kids camping by myself.

To our delight, when we still lived in Iowa, we discovered Palisades State Park in Garretson, South Dakota, just an hour from home. 

Garretson resembles Northwest Iowa. After driving through miles of cornfields - we weren’t quite sure what to expect. Then we found the park and and were properly awed. The park hugs a river that cuts a fascinating path through a few miles of cool red rock. We loved the rock formations and fun nooks and crannies. 

In September, 2006, the four youngest girls and I camped there for the first time. 

Trying to figure out which tent pole goes where

They're easily entertained.

Proud to have put up the tent by themselves for the first time.

They absolutely loved crawling all over that park. Hiking doesn’t accurately describe their approach. They climbed, crawled, hung over edges, waded, and stopped to look, talk, take pictures, throw rocks, sing, read signs, and pick up shells, rocks, or pinecones. Lots of fun and fresh air, but probably not much exercise. 

Amy (10), Erica (14), Lani (8), Anna (12)

Anna

Amy

Erica

Amy, Lani, and Erica

I couldn’t sleep the first night and kept tossing and turning. The weather forecast called for a 40% chance of thunderstorms. One of my quirks is a big fear of severe thunderstorms. I didn’t want to be in a tent in a bad storm. I heard thunder in the distance and prayed it wouldn’t come our way. The wind picked up a little and I couldn’t drop off.

The girls slept peacefully, oblivious to their mother’s insomnia. About 1:00 a.m., I prayed, “God, please help me get to sleep.”

Shortly after, I heard a car drive up. I peeked out of the tent and saw my husband’s car and thought, “How sweet. He came to check on us.”

He walked over and unzipped the tent. I wondered where to put him since we were already cozy. I scooched over a sleeping child, and unzipped a sleeping bag to lay over Keith and I. He laid down beside me, wrapped his arm around me, and I snuggled into his embrace and quickly fell into a deep sleep.

Thankfully the storm went around us. The next morning I woke up and didn't see Keith. Dazed, I sat up and looked all around the tent but he simply wasn’t there. Erica saw my confusion and asked, “What are you doing?”

“Where’s Dad?”

She looked at me like I was crazy. “Most likely at home.”

“No, he came. Last night, after you girls went to sleep. He must have went to the bathroom.”

I peeked out of the tent and his car wasn’t there. I used a cell phone to call him. He was home, and had been all night. He suggested that I had probably been dreaming.

I couldn’t have been. It was so real. I don’t remember before or since having such a vivid dream. Who had come to my tent?

The next night, there was no wind or distant thunder and I had no trouble sleeping. When I got home I described the “dream” to Keith. I wondered if it had been an angel.

Keith said, “I don’t know what happened, but you asked God to help you get to sleep and He did.”

Maybe this was a God thing, or maybe it wasn’t. In any case, I like to think there are a few angels in heaven who like camping. If the angels could visit the shepherds “camping” in the fields after Jesus’ birth, surely they could find Garretson, South Dakota. 

I love these two verses from Taps. 

(Picture this accompanied by a mournful trumpet.)

Taps

Day is done,
gone the sun,
From the hills,
from the lake,
From the skies.
All is well,
safely rest,
God is nigh

Thanks and praise,
For our days,
'Neath the sun,
Neath the stars,
'Neath the sky,
As we go,
This we know,
God is nigh. 

I'm linking up with Jennifer at Getting Down With Jesus.

Hard Work

Fall

By Kiah Vik

Age10

Dad wants us to work

And rake the yard.

But who wants to rake,

The works too hard.

But if he should say

Go out and play

We rake and rake

and "work" all day.

You must rake for quite awhile

To get the perfect jumping pile.

Two Tortoises and No Hares

Kiah shared in the last post about her desire to run the Whistlestop Marathon. She continues sharing about the journey.

After all the summer fun and vacations were over I hit the pavement hard in mid August with the only friend that that could be roped into doing it with me - Kathy of the skunk, skydiving, and garbage can fame.    

With nine weeks until the marathon, we depended heavily on weekend “long-runs.”  A long run is several miles longer than you’re used to running, and it’s ran at a slightly slower pace.  

August 20 - 8 miles 

The first long run rolled around bright and early. Kathy and I ran separately. Super tired at 7.5 miles I thought, “How in the world can I run 18 more of these!?”  To my surprise I wasn’t sore at all the next morning.

August 27 - 10.5 miles   

Kathy and I set out from the coffee shop in Washburn to Pikes Bay Marina in Bayfield. It took us 1:39 minutes.  Beautiful weather, great company, and a satisfying finish.  Conquering a distance I had never run before gave me new found courage to continue to aspire to run a distance I wasn’t quite yet sure I could run. Again, I was hardly sore the next day.

  

September 3 - 12 miles

Guest runner?!  I jokingly asked our friend Nathan if he wanted to run 12 miles with Kathy and I.  Being athletic, and game for just about anything he agreed without any hesitation.  We rode the bus to Washburn and ran back to Ashland.  At the beginning I felt really good, but by the end I felt dizzy and chilled.  Being chilled when it’s really hot and humid is never a good sign, so again I wondered if I was physically able to run 26 miles.  Still I was hardly sore the next day.

  

 Nathan, our adopted Canadian college student is 
smiling in this BEFORE picture. He wasn't so happy 
afterwards and limped for a few days.

I couldn't have asked for a better marathon buddy! 

September 3rd bus ride to Washburn

 

September 9 - 14 miles 

Kathy and I ran separately again.  I took a super pretty route that looped around in the country northwest of Washburn.  In order to avoid heat exhaustion again I had purchased a hydration belt.  Drinking during the run made all of the difference in the world and I finished feeling on top of the world.  The half marathon was no longer an option because I knew I could run that far.  I still wasn’t 100% that I could run a full marathon.  I was a little more creaky the next day, but by the second day was back to normal.

September 17 - 15 miles

I meant to run 16 miles.  I extended my loop from the previous week a few more miles because I had liked that route so well.  My good time made me suspicious that the route might not have been as long as I thought it was.  I hopped in my car and to my dismay found that I’d only ran 15!  I was mortified because I’d been extremely tired, and didn’t think I could’ve made it 16 miles...let alone tack on 10 more miles for a nice even 26!  

September 23. 18 miles

After the discouragement of coming up a mile short on the last run, I was determined to make 18 miles if it killed me.  I mapped out an exact there-and-back route.  After almost 3 hours of running I ran back into Washburn, high off the fact that I had just ran 18 miles!!  I had felt really great on the run, and had logged a really great time.  After this run I knew I could do the marathon. Now it was just a matter of how well I could do the marathon.

October 1 - 22 miles

30 degrees. Brrr!!! With the sun just starting to come up Kathy and I began our final training long run of 22 miles. We ran from Ashland to Bayfield and averaged a 9:45 minute/mile pace. With over 3 1/2 hours of running BEFORE noon we felt pretty accomplished and TIRED afterwards!

Carb loading the night before our 22 mile long-run.

Kathy resurrected a childhood backpack to carry Gatorade

Oct. 1 - Stretching at 6:45 am for our 22 mile run.

Again smiling BEFORE the run!

Preventative measures

A hydration belt takes all the credit for 
keeping me alive during these grueling long-runs

Starting off

Two weeks until the real deal of the Whistlestop marathon!! 
WOOOO HOOOO!!

Red Rover, Red Rover, Let Kiah Come Over

Kiah, at age four, would stop, get a determined look on her face, ball her hands into fists, take a runner’s stance, and say, “I'm gonna do Rover.  Mark, Set, Go!” Then she’d zip off.

Rover? We were mystified. Who or what was Rover? Her explanations didn't make sense. She did this for years and we didn't know why.

At age 16, she saw me showing an Amazing Bible video to my Sunday School class. Her face brightened, and she said with nostalgia, “Rover.”

 

At long last, a clue. She said the mouse in the movie was named Rover and ran everywhere.

Ah ha! The mouse named Revver liked to run and she liked to run. Her four-year-old brain had heard Rover, hence the years of confusion.

Mystery solved. Case closed.

She still runs, mostly alone since the rest of us don't want to, and often at night, which worries her parents, but she’s 22 so what can we do?

Last year she set her sights on running the local fall Whistlestop Marathon. I tried talking sense to her.

         

“Honey, that’s so far.” (Duh!)

“You’ve never done one before.” (Double Duh!) 
“Why don’t you start out with something shorter? Like a 5k or a 10k?”

Not to be dissuaded, she found a running partner, and forged ahead.

I’ll let her finish the post. 

Rover signing in here.

I was 12 the first time I realized that I could run.  Being homeschooled we didn’t have a fancy gym at our disposal for PE class, so Mom frequently took us outdoors for afternoon walks.  Our rural roads were straight and graveled.  Most of Iowa’s roads are on a mile grid system so each country block has a four mile circumference. 

Rather than go around the four mile block, we usually walked south on a there-and-back route.  Landmarks along the way marked certain distances.  When we got to the creek, I knew we had walked a half mile.  One day I wanted to see if I could run home from the creek. 

To my great surprise I actually did it!?  The excitement and astonishment left me breathing hard at the end of our driveway, waiting for the rest of the family to catch up, and it also started me on a decade of running that I don’t think anyone expected. 

I ran year round all through junior high and high school.  Freshman year of track was a lot of fun, and by the end of the season I had reached my goal time for the 800 meter. 

400 Meter Hurdles (I'm in the black and red)

My sophomore year I decided to log 300 miles before track season started because I was determined to better my 800 time.  I made my 300 mile quota, and in my first track meet, I bested my fastest 800 time from the previous year by ten seconds!  I will never forget how good it felt to be told after my race how much I’d improved.  Again, I did it.  I actually did it!  The hard work of running in subzero January and February weather had actually paid off.  This realization of cause and effect helped set the stage for bigger and better things to come.

I took a “break” from running after high school.  I played volleyball at a community college, but after the season didn’t make an effort to stay in shape.  A year went by without running and I felt...fat, sluggish, and unhealthy so I decided to start running again. 

To my dismay I was winded by a quarter mile, and ready to stop by a half a mile. I determined to stick with it, but two weeks later my right knee started to hurt when I ran.  I hoped a break from running would help but it didn’t.  For a year I tried different knee braces and strengthening exercises to let me get back into running. 

In July of 2010 I worked at a church camp for six weeks in Southwestern, Minnesota.  I determined to lose weight and start running again, and I did.  Unlike the first time when I had tried to pick up running after being dormant for a while, I started out slow. It was frustrating to be so slow at something I used to be good at, but I figured it was better than the alternative of being a “blob.”

I moved back home with the family in Wisconsin in August 2010.  I attended the local community college, and got a part-time job as a barista at a coffee shop.  Being new to the area I didn’t have many friends, the transition of moving back home wasn’t going so hot, school and work weren’t enough of a time spender, so the most logical thing to do with my extra time was run!  To my delight, slow and steady had worked and I was now able to run 4 miles before feeling tired. 

I was working at the coffee shop on a Saturday morning in mid-October.  My boss popped in for a few minutes and in passing said, “It might be a little busier this afternoon because of the WhistleStop going on over in Ashland.” 

To this I replied, “What’s the WhistleStop?” 

“It’s just the marathon that’s run from Iron River to Ashland every year”  she said absentmindedly, looking for something on a high shelf.  The seed was planted and I determined in my heart right then and there that, Lord willing, come next year I would run the WhistleStop Marathon.

To be continued...

Monday Mugs - Things to Do in October

Are you in need of a mindless Monday Blog post? Are you struggling to deal with the weekend being over and can't muster the strength to type a single word? Well, Monday Mugs is for YOU!

Mondays are hard! Blogging on Mondays shouldn't be!

Today's theme for Monday Mugs is:
Oh the Things We Do in October

Earlier this month we had two weeks of gorgeous fall weather. Anna's roommate did a photo shoot with Anna and her friend Bailey. Hannah edited these pictures with Picnik and I love how they turned out. I like the contrast of Bailey's blonde hair and Anna's dark hair. 

Visit Heather at Oswald Cuties for more Monday Mugs.