Keeping Pace

Keeping Pace

Archives for August 2006

Relief

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I woke up hungry. My stomach hurt and my head ached. I went about my business, hoping the feeling would pass as I got some food into my stomach, if only just a little bit. BoBo was dropped off; I filled up my gas tank, and dropped YaYa off at the on-site childcare. On a chance that I might speak with his teacher, I walked over towards the classroom. No teacher in sight, so I returned to my van.

It wouldn’t start. Actually, it started but then quickly died. I took some deep breaths. My headache was building. Why was this happening to me? I just can’t go on wondering where I will be stranded. The van finally started. I began driving to the freeway with both relief and nervousness. By the time I got to the freeway, glanced at the line-up of cars, I decided that I just couldn’t take it any more. I am sick – sick of wondering if my van will stall and leave me stranded, and sick with a stomach and headache.

So I took the van immediately to the dealership where I met up with Brian. Brain was a little caught up in the fact that, although I purchased my van at his dealership, I did not take my van there for regular servicing. It just isn’t convenient. It’s close to home, but when I am near home I need my van. He talked the talk about customer service and gave me a “90% accurate” diagnosis. Whatever. I just hoped it wasn’t going to cost me an arm and a leg.

Apparently, there is a valve that regulates the mixture of the gas and air as it enters the engine. Or something like that. If the improper amounts of air enter the engine, the van is unhappy and dies. It sounded vaguely familiar – like when I run too hard, or too long and I can’t seem to get the proper mixture of air and fuel to fuel my hardworking heart and muscles. That’s when my body dies. I think I understand.

I waited an excruciating amount of time for the friendly courtesy shuttle to give me a ride home. I watched the odometer closely to determine if I could run back to pick up the van when it was ready. I just couldn’t bear to wait again. I wasn’t buying Brian’s theory that his dealership was better than the one by my work.

It turns out that Brian’s diagnosis was accurate. Not only did he figure out the issue based on my verbal description, he also determined that I had an extended warranty. That was $400+ that I did NOT have to pay. Okay, that *is* good service.

I happily run 3.02 miles to pick up my van and satisfy my training schedule. My stomach remains a little iffy, but my head is happily relieved.

Fan Support

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Tom and I got up extra early this morning to prepare a special 1st Day of School breakfast for the boys. Thank goodness we’d prepared for this last night.

The boys both had their school clothes laid out and the backpacks loaded for the day. I had the lunches packed too. Aside from the missing class schedule, they were ready to go.

Tom cooked up sausage for both boys, and eggs for BoBo. Since YaYa professes to hate eggs, I made him some French toast. Two large glasses of OJ and, ta-da, a perfect breakfast.

We were off without much incident. I took the yearly first day of school photo and we were in the car heading to the high school by 7 am. One by one, I dropped them off and wished them a good day.

Now, I sit and wait to find out how their days went. It’s hard to say how much information BoBo will provide, being a teenager and all, but I anticipate YaYa having a thing or two to say about his day.

This is my way of being a spectator/supporter for them. They are not on a race course, but they are on a journey. I am on the sidelines cheering away, offering them some nutrition or hydration, and then waiting at the end of each milestone just in case I am needed for something.

Just as I do better when they are on the sidelines for me, I know that my being there is important even if I am never needed for anything. I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Do You Know The Way To Algebra?

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Instead of doing my strength workout, I was attending to a family crisis of sorts. We were out on combing the streets this evening, looking for my son’s high school class schedule. With flashlights in hand, BoBo and I walked up and down the sidewalk and street between our house and Tim’s. I have no idea how he could have lost it in a walk that is less than a block long. He did though.

I was frustrated and mad at him at first. We were on our way to locating his classes – something that he should have done on his own this past week. He didn’t though.

Over the weekend I found an old video of him when he was about 2 years old. He was playing with his toys in the backyard. He was so small and sweet. Now he is taller than me and rapidly catching up to me in weight too. While we were getting ready to locate his classes (the ritual that I have done with him since he was in Kindergarten) I thought about how much he has grown up and how much he has left to do. I have to remind myself that he is still young. He is still learning his way.

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Sweatin’ Up a Storm

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I held my head down as I pedaled away on the road to nowhere. Actually, it is hard to go anywhere when your bicycle is connected to the stationary trainer. With my iTunes playing, I pedaled to the music. A nice quick tempo took me on a hard ride. Sweat beaded up on my shoulders and all down my arms. It rolled from my forehead, downward along my face and into my eyes. It dripped from my nose and mouth; I closed my eyes, held tight to the beat of the music, and tasted the salt as it crept into my closed mouth.

In 35 minutes, I’d soaked my shirt, sportbra and cycling shorts with sweat. I took it as a sign that I’d done well, though I probably didn’t undo my extra caloric intake of the day. The darn chips and salsa were my downfall. They are always my downfall. But they sure are good.

The Not-So Long Run

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We all survived the Birthday Bash. For a small celebration, it sure took it out of me. The gang of boys was late in getting settled in the tent. I stayed up a bit longer to be sure that all of the little boys were asleep and happily dreaming. The dog sat guard outside the tent all night long. I had high hopes that these boys would sleep in a bit, but no such luck.

At 7 am, I heard the sliding glass door open and all four of them came into the house. It’s funny how those little bodies can make so much noise when the walk. It sounded much like a stampede might sound. I made my way downstairs to be parental, but was more like a sleepy child until the 2nd cup of coffee kicked in.

I was tired and my eyes hurt. By 10 am, I was ready for it all to be over and began to worry that the parents would not be coming for their offspring any time soon. These kids sure had energy. They were back at it – tackling each other in the tent, playing tag, and doors were slamming shut all over. I gathered up each child’s things and piled them together with the “goodie bag.” I wanted to be ready when the time came for each to depart.

My head was swirling, and I was figuring in my head how I would get the required 6 miles done. Thank goodness that this week is a step-back week. 6 miles is not a hard thing to fit in and I planned for YaYa to ride his bike as I ran behind him on the bike trail. But, I didn’t have to do that even.

Things were nice a quite after the last kid left and my husband agreed to stay home with the kids. They were planning to go through the neighborhood selling the coupons that the football team has to sell – $200 worth – due on Monday!

Anyhow, I went to the bike trail anyways and managed to fit in a 5 1/2 mile run before my JC appointment. I kept trying to remind myself that this was supposed to be at “long run” pace even though the run was no long at all. I didn’t pay much attention to the pace reading on garminia, but watched the distance and the time of day closely so as not to miss my appointment.

I tried not to be too upset when the girl in turquoise blew past me in the last mile. I heard her coming; her footsteps were quick. After she passed, I marveled at her defined arm muscles and made a note to be more diligent in getting my strength workouts completed.

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