OKC Half Recap and A Crazy Week

I was really happy with my finish today at the Oklahoma City Memorial Half Marathon. This was my second time running the race, and I felt a little more prepared than last year. My finish time was 2:18:38, and my goal was 2:20, so I’ll take that! I had planned to stay with the 2:20 pace group for the first 10 or 11 miles, but jokes on me, there were so many people in the starting corral that I never even saw them.

I was glad I talked Kayleigh into running this race again with me. She did opt for the Quarter marathon but its better than not having her! We both groan while trying to find a place to park in the morning and then shuffle shoulder to shoulder at the start, but the course is great and the support is top notch. People line the route cheering and even set up their own support stations along the way. They dress in costumes, make great signs, and some even offer adult beverages for a little liquid encouragement! I stick with the donut holes, LOL.

For months, I’ve known what this Sunday would look like. As I’ve already said, it’s been a crazy week, full of enthusiasm and pride, Alex’s City Tennis title, surprise, Daryl announcing he was going to prom on Saturday and needed some “stuff,” and sadness when we learned Wednesday morning that Jeff’s mom passed away in her sleep. Pattie had been in good health and had recently hosted all five of her kids for dinner, so it was a shock to all of us.

Despite the roller coaster of activity and emotions, things didn’t go off the rails. Everyone still made it where they needed to be, including me, to the race this morning. Afterward, I met Jeff and his kids in Wichita for tonight’s rosary, and tomorrow we will celebrate Pattie’s life at her funeral.

When I get home, I can’t wait to hear how prom went. The pictures so far look like they had a great time.

My friend Karen took what is probably my best race picture! Thank you for coming to cheer for me!! 

Getting to the course when a lot of streets are closed is not easy. I appreciate you hugging me at mile 9 when I was beyond gross! LOL 

Asked a runner to take our after picture, I'm so glad she caught us discussing what we wanted to do. This is us trying to take a picture every time. 

Cousins!

So glad Grandma was already lined up for this weekend. So when we all found out Daryl was going to prom he had someone to take his picture. So handsome! 

Salina CrossRoads Race Review

Yesterday I ran the Salina Crossroads Half Marathon with some of my running friends. It was a great weekend of running and talking about running. We all agreed it needs to become a yearly thing.

Because of the long runs I did with Laura and Aron, I met my goal for this race. I wanted a 2:19 time or better. My gun time was 2:18:04, and my chip time was 2:16:06. The chip time is what I care about most because that’s when I actually crossed the start line. Since it was such a big race, it took me almost two minutes to start after the starting gun was fired.

My chip pace was 10:23, which is my best in recent memory. The temperature was cool, and it didn’t get windy until about an hour in. That’s pretty good because I was afraid it would be windy the entire time. Because I never bothered to look at the elevation chart, I was very surprised by one big hill and one long hill during the race. The funny part about the huge hill in the middle of the race was that they had bagpipers at the top of it. It felt like we were going into battle in Scotland.

Salina did a great job hosting a fun half marathon. The line for breakfast pizza was too long, but I did enjoy my slice of pie.

This was my last half of 2025, and I’m glad I was so happy with my race!

I always love a race with a free finish line photo!

The running gang 

One of my favorite hobbies is talking Kayleigh into half marathons!

I almost never take pictures mid race but this mural on the grain elevator made me get my phone out!

I'm so glad this race was Saturday and not Sunday. We beat the cold by one day!

Middle School Band and more!

We made it to our second Topeka High Football game of the year. Alex and the rest of the 7th and 8th grade middle school band performed a pre game show with the Topeka High marching band. They did great! 

I really hope that Alex continues with band in High School, it is fun to watch and listen to. 

On Saturday, Alex had a tennis lesson, Aaron had roller derby and I had an 11-mile long run. Felt like we all accomplished a lot. Oh ya, and Jeff finished the install of a light in the sewing room so it is more functional when I don't have bright sunlight. Yay! Now I need to get in there sometime this week after work and try it out. 

Mittens wants to remind everyone he is still around. He is getting brave and coming upstairs at night. 

 

Let there be light! 

May Goal Update

Well it's June. Let the summer lack of routine struggles begin! May was so full of activity I am actually ready for a lull to get some stuff done around the house. We are all moved in but our storage room in the basement is a disaster. I also want to spend some quality time with my sewing machine! Happy Summer, Y'all!  

Read 24 Books 8/24

I had two fantastic reads in May. I recommend both titles! 

The Starless Sea, by Erin Morgenstern was my first book of the month. It could have been my only book because it is longer and it is so beautifully written you really want to savor the story. Morgenstern is the writer of one of my favorite books The Night Circus. To me The Night Circus will stay my favorite by Morgenstern but The Starless Sea is still such a unique read, I will read it again. I had to reread the first couple of chapters just to confirm the ending was what I thought it was! So this one is a keeper and is going on the shelf. 

By The Fire We Carry, by Rebecca Nagle was also a wonderful read that I almost finished in one day. I started it on Memorial Day and the weather was perfect for staying in with a book and a coffee. This book is the American History that I was never taught, the history of how Native American tribes were conned and evicted from their home lands in the south and resettled in what is now Oklahoma. It then talks about how time and time again they get the raw end of the US legal and political system. The author has a family connection to the generations-long fight for land and tribal sovereignty. Her story comes together in the outcomes of recent supreme court cases. It was highly addictive. 

Run 650 Miles 231/650

I ran 61 miles in May. I had planned to run 70 but it was really wet for the last part of the month so longer outside runs turned into shorter inside runs. I had a half marathon on the last day of the month, and while I didn't feel as prepared as I should have been, I still shaved off 4 minutes from my last race. I was also unprepared for that one! Next race on the books isn't until November, so hopefully I can stick to a training plan for the first time this year.  

Money Goals

Fund 3-6 month ER Fund- Done April 2025! Yay for selling my house! 

Pay off Car - Done April 2025! Yay for selling my house! 

UFOs (unfinished objects) that need Finished 

T-Shirt Quilt (have the shirts)

Alpaca Quilt I now have the pattern and fabric thanks to a lovely quilt shop, Fabric Bash in La Vista, NE. I cut some squares in May, then I got intimidated by the first block I was supposed to make! I plan to overcome my worries and do some sewing in June.   

Placemats - Done April 2025 

Alex and Daryl Photo Books 2021-I got both boys 2021 books done in May! 2022, 2023

This one is going on my shelf, you need to read this one!

Too pretty not to share!

Ok hear me out, this looks easy but I am already having to watch Youtube videos to figure out the blocks!

Just a couple of kids waiting to run a half marathon!

Oklahoma City "Run to Remember" Half Marathon

 My cousin and I moved our yearly half marathon from Topeka to Oklahoma City this year. It was the 25th running of the Oklahoma City, Run to Remember, Marathon and Half Marathon. It was the biggest race I've ever participated in and I'm so glad we did it. 

We had signed up to do a challenge of a 5K on Saturday and the Half on Sunday. However, there was rain and lightening on Saturday so the 5K was delayed to Sunday. Since we were already running, we only ran one race. That was ok by me, I don't like running in the rain. Once your feet are soaked, it's just not enjoyable. 

That did make for a very relaxing Saturday and I enjoyed just catching up with Kayleigh, watching some TV and exploring the Brickyard district of OKC. 

This was my slowest half but I was doing intervals for most of the race. I'm not crazy about my time of 2:26:58 but it is what it is. I didn't think the course would be as hilly as it was and the humidity didn't help either. The vibe on the course was top notch! The course was full of great signs, cheering spectators and snacks, I even had pancakes in one of the neighborhoods! (Not kidding, a nice lady had a plate full of dollar size pancakes for runners and I took two!) There were lots of places runners could get a Jell-O shot or a mimosa. While that made me chuckle, I did not partake. I stuck to the water and Gatorade. 

I'm trying to talk Kayleigh into the Salina race in November. She doesn't love the half marathon distance but she beat me this year!! 

Our after race photo! So glad to have this done! 

At the starting line, so many runners you can't even see the start line. 

It's hard to catch the lazer light show in a photo but it was very cool! 

The race expo was very good!

I earned my newest sticker! 

A Busy Weekend!

 We had nice weather for the weekend so we had to take advantage of it! Started the day with a ten mile run. That's not a brag, but the longest run I have to do for my half marathon training plan. Glad to have it behind me.  Alex and I went to Lawrence for my haircut after my run and then we stopped at a few shops. When we got home we looked for a new tennis racquet but he finally decided he shouldn't switch racquets in the middle of the season. 

Anna had a home Roller Derby bought. The other team was from Oklahoma City and the Topeka team won! Anna did great and it was fun to watch her do her thing. 

On Sunday we spent so much time outside I was done by 6pm. We have been waiting for nice weather, we are not going to waste it now! 

Alex came with me to get my haircut, he had a nice nap!

Of course we had to hit up the Lawrence Joanns

Anna had a Roller Derby bought and they won! She is #7

We went for a hike at Burnett's mound. Joseph found a fun place to sit. LOL

Alex won all of his matches on Monday!

He might be good at Tennis but he is excellent at Pickleball!

Daryl is fun to play with until he gets competitive! 

The sewing room is up and going! So happy to have a place to sew again.

Goal Update (Better late than Never)

 I do have goals for 2025 and it feels like the year is finally starting to settle. I'm at a new address and still working on unpacking but am learning the best places to run and the coziest spots to read and stitch. I am very happy that my sewing desk will be coming (in pieces) this week. Hopefully this coming weekend I will have a space to sew again! 

There are three spots in the house that Jeff and I are working on that will set us up for some success. We have a screened in porch that needs some furniture. That will be a great spot to read and relax while watching the dogs and kids spend time outside. 

In the basement we have room for an in home gym! A treadmill for me and a bike for Jeff will eliminate all of our excuses about getting in some workout time. We already have the weights and a bench and the rest is on the way. 

Lastly, the aforementioned sewing room. Our house was marketed as having a formal living room and cozy living room. Since we don't meet guests in the parlor, I'm making the formal living room into a sewing room/office. It's a little unconventional but I'm ready to have a dedicated space to sew again!

So be on the lookout as we create these spots that are going to make our bustling household a little more workable for us. It will get there. 

2025 Goals   

Read 24 Books 4/24

For January and February I read 4 books. So I'm right on track there. 

Parable of the Sower I don't know why I keep reading these dystopian future books. They don't seem like fiction anymore. Published in 1993 it talks about a failed government, wild fires and drought all along the west coast and gangs of poverty stricken people that terrorize cities. It's a good book but getting a little too close to reality for my comfort. 

Community Board was the fun read that I needed. A woman in the monotony of everyday life has her whole world turned upside down. She returns to her childhood home and has a great story of aligning her past life and new life. It was a light read when I needed one! 

Year of Wonders great book I recommend about the plague in England and how one small village fights it. 

Too Good To Be True while I enjoyed reading it I didn't remember much about it just two weeks later. So it won't be earning a place on the bookshelf. It is a mystery book that jumps from a past story to present day until you see how the two are connected. A little predictable. 

Run 650 Miles 60/650

The running has been off to a slow start. Still doesn't change the fact that I sign up for a half marathon at the end of April. So ready or not here I go. 

January- 45 miles

February- 15 miles (I don't really want to talk about it. LOL) 

Money Goals

Fund 3-6 month ER Fund

Pay off Car 

UFOs (unfinished objects) that need Finished 

T-Shirt Quilt (have the shirts)

Alpaca Quilt (have the pattern) 

Placemats

Alex and Daryl Photo Books 2021, 2022, 2023

My year has been off to a slow start but it can only go up from here! 

Where the home gym is going. I wonder who put a piano there...

The sewing room/office is still full of boxes.
But my sewing table did arrive and is built!

The screened in porch just ready for some chairs. Can't wait!

Last week Anna was in her middle school musical. 
It was such a great show and all the kiddos put on a fun show!

Happy Birthday, Mud Races and Catrick!

The picture I requested last night for his last day of being 15!

 Today my baby is officially my boy. On his last night of being 15 I called him my baby and he said "I'm too old for that, I'm your boy now." If you are wondering 16 is when that title changes ;-) 

He is with his dad this week so we are doing our celebration on Sunday. Last night I also asked Alex to give Daryl and big birthday hug from me. Alex reported that he did, and they didn't even fight about it. Look forward to some pictures of my 16 year old in my next post. I hope he has a great day today!! 

I do have pictures from the Mudgirl obstacle race I did with my cousin, Kayleigh, last Saturday! It was the first obstacle race for both of us and it was sooooo much fun! It was women/girls only and it wasn't timed so there was no pressure on pace. We are both racers, so of course we timed ourselves! There were 5,000 racers in Colorado Springs and it was very well organized. 

We had so much fun we have already signed up for another one in 2025! Yay cousin races! 

We finished!

Our Before picture

We went Egg hunting in Colorado Springs!

Accidently found a Greek Food festival, YES PLEASE!

On the way down I did spend a night with Catrick, he is a great host!

Running With the Cows

 My Mother's Day gift to myself was a half marathon entry. I'm not sure why I thought I would beat my time from the TopCity Half but I thought positive thoughts alone would make me fast. Didn't really work. Turns out not following a training plan is starting to affect my race times. Who knew?! 

I'm still glad I ran the race. Running With the Cows is always a fun event with lots of volunteer support and great post race food. I lined up with the 2:15 pacers and they were great. But at mile 8 I had to walk a little, next thing I knew the 2:20 pacers passed me. I finished with a time of 2:22. For hitting a wall so quickly I'm just glad I finished. My next race is a 10K so maybe I should start training for that. LOL 

On Mother's Day the boys agreed I could pick the place to eat and they walked around the zoo with me. It was a nice afternoon and they didn't fight too much. That's about the most I can ask these days. On Friday I planted some flowers around my house and on Sunday I mowed and cleaned up the yard. It was a good weekend to catch up on house things! 

We are getting good use out of our family pass. 
This was Daryl and I's second zoo trip of the weekend!

My lunch pick was Jason's Deli, we all like different
ice cream. 

Wishing my flowers good luck!

Daryl took this picture but cropped himself out
because he didn't like his hair. LOL