Day 5.

Spent yet another evening at our home away from home: The Virginia Beach Field House.

There I watched my son play a wicked game of indoor soccer... they beat the other team 14-0. I started to feel a little sorry for the boys on the other team. Another goal. Whoop dee doo.

But my boy scored one and made several assists when he wasn't playing defense. So, yes. Whoop dee doo.

And this was how he felt on our long (10 minute) drive home:

zzzzzzzzzzz.

Day 4.

It's been a while since I've been on a date. 

We discussed this recently, and decided that MAYBE it was about time.

Of course my spouse's ideal date includes putting his feet up, sipping beer and watching a movie without saying a word to me. This is what a 22 year old relationship brings you.

But I have ants in my pants these days and I don't want to sit on my butt watching an overpriced movie. So I protested the proposal.

So he got the hint and decided to take me to a "surprise destination."

And we arrived at our local rock climbing gym.

On his way to a nose bleed.

Rock climbing is extremely romantic when you know the premise behind it: he knows I want to develop my upper body strength so I can become a stronger swimmer for my half ironman.

Awwwwwwwwwwwww.

I knew I married well.

Day 3.

Do not, I repeat DO NOT, neglect your pet's toenails.

This is unacceptable and horrific.

And yes, the photo is horrific too. My cell phone wanted to focus on my hand and not the spirally, grotesque nails on this poor little Chihuahua.

But it's one to remember, anyway... so it's my photo of the day.

And yes. The nails are trimmed and the doggie can walk now.

Crisis alleviated.

Day 2.

This is Nanuk.

He's a humungous Malamute. 

He's old and arthritic, so we see him often for cold laser therapy.

He always seems to have a big ol' smile on his face.

365 Project '13; Day One

So here we go again with my next attempt at a 365 photo project.

Maybe if I'm okay using my cell phone it'll actually happen.

Day One:

Driving back from my New Year's Day bike ride, I saw a ramshackle house with a bunch of junk out on the front yard with a big "For Sale" sign in front.

And there was the pizza man. Leaning up against some India-style elephant planter, pizza tray absent from his very capable hand. In the cold January rain.

Got pizza? No.

I don't know why he caught my eye and I felt the urge to pull my car onto the roadside so I can capture his nonchalant smirk.

But I did.

Lost But Found

Well, it's been about a month since my last posting, so I figured it was time to get with the program again! I may seem like I got lost there for a while... but I'm found again.

About a week after the OBX Marathon the family packed their suitcases for a Thanksgiving holiday south of the border. We spent a week at the southern tip of the Baja peninsula with family... where the weather was warm, the ocean was aqua blue, and the margaritas were perfect. Definitely a reason to be thankful, huh?

I did not forget my training and ran while I was there. However, this was what I probably looked like (imagine a pony tail):

 The heat, the terrain (mucho hills, baby), and the recovering muscles all posed a challenge for me and I was pretty disappointed with my performance... but that's okay. I tried my best with my goals in mind and at least I can say I gave it what I could.

I also kind of took my "portrait photographer" hat off for a while and just turned into a tourist. In fact, most of the photos I took were of the kids splashing in the surf, my husband flying around on a jetski, the family chowing down on a big plate of nachos. I wasn't thinking about fresh angles, or backgrounds, or anything. Just enjoying the moments as best as I could without worrying so much about whether I was capturing them perfectly in photographs. Sometimes you just have to stop worrying so much about things and soak it in. While you can.

I did catch a few (very few) shots that I considered kinda "cool":

Sunrise sky with cactus silhouettes.

"THE" margarita in Todos Santos.

Pretty church window in Todos Santos.

My adorable niece, 13 months old now.

Baby girl and her Daddy.

Another sunrise shot. Always a lovely beginning to the day.

Back at home now and somewhat recovered, I'm trying very hard to fall back into a routine.

The holidays are so busy and demanding for everyone that I haven't had any requests for picture taking. I was kind of hoping I'd have a few projects lined up for Christmas card photos, but I made two realizations:

1) I haven't even had time to take portraits of my own kids for our cards. My OWN kids! It's just too hard to find the extra time.

2) Christmas cards are rapidly declining in popularity. I've only received 5 with a little over a week until Christmas. With the use of email and Facebook, people are going "green" and resisting the age-old tradition of the physical card, envelope, and stamp.

Who can blame them? I didn't send out cards last year. I was lucky enough this year to find an acceptable picture, run out to Wal-Mart and get those one-hour-pre-made-budget jobs.

But even though things are slow going in the photo-taking department, things are picking up in the training department.

I have now attended two Team In Training group runs, and I am sooooo enjoying it! It's motivating to have others around you with a common goal and purpose... it just propels you along. I've found a partner (of sorts; I just try to keep up with him) who I will use as a pacer to reach my goal in the marathon, and we've had two great long runs on the trail. I'm beginning to feel really optimistic about my performance in March, which is what I really hope for. To run my best... not for myself, but for others who need the support.

As far as fundraising, I've hit a bit of a lull. I expected this since the holidays tend to be a time when a lot of extra dimes aren't really lying around. I was so thrilled, however, at the response to the "spare change" jar at our veterinary hospital. In the first week I raised $20 in donations. So sweet! And so appreciated!

GO TEAM!

...and have a wonderful holiday. Soak in the meaning of our celebration.

 If you are in the spirit of making a donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society during this season of giving, please click on my donation page where you can donate safely and securely. If you have already donated I thank you so very much.

The Long Run

Just wanted to post a bit of an update on how things are going.

 To quickly summarize, I joined The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's local chapter of Team in Training last month. I chose an endurance event (The Shamrock Marathon here in Virginia Beach in March, 2012) and over the next few months I will attempt to train and raise money for the organization and run in honor of my late cousin, his family, and all of those who have been affected by this disease. And as extra incentive for support, I am offering to take portrait photographs in exchange for donations.

For those of you that know me, running has become a staple part of my life and it may seem not such a great feat to run another 26.2 miles when I have already managed to cross the finish line before. Perhaps it might seem to be "just another race" for me. I have a few people in my life who think running crazy long distances is just that... crazy.

Perhaps they are right... but I do have a little background story for those who are interested in how I became "crazy."

Just a few short years ago I was the very definition of the anti-runner. Besides having a history of hating running since my early days in high school (I even cried once during a one mile run and was ridiculed for my emotional breakdown), I was the typical run-down middle-aged person trying to juggle a demanding job, marriage, motherhood, and domestic needs... leaving very little time for anything else, especially exercise (or so I thought). Besides, who would want to do something that makes your body ache and brings you to tears? No way. Not for me.

But two things happened in 2008: my cousin became ill with leukemia and I realized I was unhealthy in my own way, and I had a choice while he didn't. I made the "crazy" and out-of-character decision to start training for a half marathon... not just a 5K or 8K to get my feet wet. I signed up for the Virginia Beach Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon with my sister, and we collectively raised money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It was my way of coping with the circumstances.

Training was so hard. I struggled to breathe, it was hot outside, my legs ached and I never, ever felt a "runner's high"... but I made a commitment so I just did what I could. I started to see little bits of progress. I confess I never felt great. Running was still a struggle, but I started to see that I was starting to gain more endurance than I had in my teenage years. Who would have thought that possible? If that isn't motivation in of itself I don't know what is. 

But the biggest realization I made was that running was a fight for me. It symbolized a battle, and I refused to lose. I hated it, but I didn't want it to win. I thought of those who have REAL battles in their lives and they stay strong and refuse to give in to defeat and weakness. They get knocked down, but then they just get back up and fight on.

So I ran that half marathon. I sure didn't break any records, but I finished and the feeling of overcoming   that enormous belief that I was never capable of such a feat could not be put into words. 

And then I was hooked. I was ready to keep on fighting. Other things happened along the way... I became healthier in mind, body and spirit. My immunity improved, my fatigue became less and less, and I was just in a better mood. I started to realize that this journey has put me on a better path. I started raising the bar for myself, believing that even though I am getting older, I still can get better. It's never too late to fight for wellness and strength, however you can achieve it.

When my cousin lost his battle to leukemia earlier this year, running has never meant more to me. He was one of the biggest reasons that I started this journey, and I often think of him and his AMAZING attitude during the height of his illness. When I am at a low point during my run and my body feels weak, his face appears in my mind and I remind myself that there is strength within if you refuse to give in to the voice that tells you to quit. 

So...

Last weekend I was in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, running my second full marathon.

Here we are, approaching the Wright's Memorial with the rising sun in the background...

 And being that I considered this "just a training run" for my performance at the Shamrock, I was so proud to wear that Team in Training shirt for the first time.

Because, Shamrock will be different, and not "just another race." This time I will officially wear the jersey and make this the strongest performance I can possibly do. I'm going to give it all I can.

Any donations towards the fight against blood cancers is sincerely appreciated. Some of us run, but running isn't for everybody and we all have our own ways of "not giving up." There's a cure... an answer out there somewhere that can end this disease and secure a brighter future for those fighting it.

Thanks for reading this and if you're inclined to support my efforts, then come and visit my fundraising page.