Mad Manatee Mentors 2013: CLOSED (exc/ Pop Tart bribes) (Page 257)

Thanks guys

The fun part is that there are a series of bike shots that show me passing that other rider  Ahhh the memories

Sorry, Joanne, that sucks.    I can tell you that when I was injured and not running, my swimming improved immensely .  Not that it will help you with marathon training, but it is a silver lining...

Just want to share something that's been heavy on my heart for a while but is especially keen right now.

It's been a season of passing for me, and some seasons are like that. A good friend from high school, Chris, just lost his two-year-old baby girl Paige to acute myeloid leukemia, which she was diagnosed with at 6mos.

It's pretty much a universal truth that watching a beloved child suffer and pass away is the worst thing that can happen to you. I cannot even begin to imagine his grief.

We've been in better touch the last year than the 20 before it, mainly because of Paige. She was an incredibly cheerful, strong, and giggly girl and was astonishingly resilient throughout their entire struggle. He and his family spent much of that time encouraging and inspiring others--mostly those in similar difficulty, but actually, pretty much everyone. Through it all he remembered my races and always wrote to cheer me on. He wrote me on the day of her death, before she passed away, to tell me how well I was doing and wish me luck for Japan.

"Humbling" does not begin to describe what that's like.

Sports and other external and internal accomplishments are awesome, but in the end, to be like Chris is what I aspire to.

It is also THE major holiday in Indonesia right now, Eid al Fitr, the celebrations marking the end of Ramadhan, the holy month of fasting. It's like Thanksgiving Christmas New Year's all rolled into a three-day extravaganza. It's just huge.

It is also our first Eid without Pa. He loved this holiday and we always had a big bash at the house. Of course you have to eat with every fresh wave of guests that arrive. :) It's like an overfood survival endurance holiday! On other days, you make the rounds visiting other people's houses. Of course you must eat at each place you go to, as well.

I'm watching the lovely fireworks going off all over the city from my window, and enjoying many happy memories, and knowing that loved ones all over the country and world in fact are celebrating. Still, it's a bit sad and quiet ... no fest this year, no siblings and spouses and children and the hundreds of relatives and friends ... only me, Mutti, Kristin, and one guard at our Crazy Castle.

{{{hugs}}}

Just want to share something that's been heavy on my heart for a while but is especially keen right now.

It's been a season of passing for me, and some seasons are like that. A good friend from high school, Chris, just lost his two-year-old baby girl Paige to acute myeloid leukemia, which she was diagnosed with at 6mos.

It's pretty much a universal truth that watching a beloved child suffer and pass away is the worst thing that can happen to you. I cannot even begin to imagine his grief.

We've been in better touch the last year than the 20 before it, mainly because of Paige. She was an incredibly cheerful, strong, and giggly girl and was astonishingly resilient throughout their entire struggle. He and his family spent much of that time encouraging and inspiring others--mostly those in similar difficulty, but actually, pretty much everyone. Through it all he remembered my races and always wrote to cheer me on. He wrote me on the day of her death, before she passed away, to tell me how well I was doing and wish me luck for Japan.

"Humbling" does not begin to describe what that's like.

Sports and other external and internal accomplishments are awesome, but in the end, to be like Chris is what I aspire to.

It is also THE major holiday in Indonesia right now, Eid al Fitr, the celebrations marking the end of Ramadhan, the holy month of fasting. It's like Thanksgiving Christmas New Year's all rolled into a three-day extravaganza. It's just huge.

It is also our first Eid without Pa. He loved this holiday and we always had a big bash at the house. Of course you have to eat with every fresh wave of guests that arrive. It's like an overfood survival endurance holiday! On other days, you make the rounds visiting other people's houses. Of course you must eat at each place you go to, as well.

I'm watching the lovely fireworks going off all over the city from my window, and enjoying many happy memories, and knowing that loved ones all over the country and world in fact are celebrating. Still, it's a bit sad and quiet ... no fest this year, no siblings and spouses and children and the hundreds of relatives and friends ... only me, Mutti, Kristin, and one guard at our Crazy Castle.

Are cyber stalkers as good as sherpas?

FYI - don't joke with the people at security that your bike box is actually transporting a dead body.  They don't appreciate the humour, and you get your own private visit to their special security/screening room. 

Second FYI - don't do it twice. 

Aw, honey, do you need someone to take care of you?

(I can probably bring you anything you don't want to schlepp)

Just want to share something that's been heavy on my heart for a while but is especially keen right now.

It's been a season of passing for me, and some seasons are like that. A good friend from high school, Chris, just lost his two-year-old baby girl Paige to acute myeloid leukemia, which she was diagnosed with at 6mos.

It's pretty much a universal truth that watching a beloved child suffer and pass away is the worst thing that can happen to you. I cannot even begin to imagine his grief.

We've been in better touch the last year than the 20 before it, mainly because of Paige. She was an incredibly cheerful, strong, and giggly girl and was astonishingly resilient throughout their entire struggle. He and his family spent much of that time encouraging and inspiring others--mostly those in similar difficulty, but actually, pretty much everyone. Through it all he remembered my races and always wrote to cheer me on. He wrote me on the day of her death, before she passed away, to tell me how well I was doing and wish me luck for Japan.

"Humbling" does not begin to describe what that's like.

Sports and other external and internal accomplishments are awesome, but in the end, to be like Chris is what I aspire to.

It is also THE major holiday in Indonesia right now, Eid al Fitr, the celebrations marking the end of Ramadhan, the holy month of fasting. It's like Thanksgiving Christmas New Year's all rolled into a three-day extravaganza. It's just huge.

It is also our first Eid without Pa. He loved this holiday and we always had a big bash at the house. Of course you have to eat with every fresh wave of guests that arrive. It's like an overfood survival endurance holiday! On other days, you make the rounds visiting other people's houses. Of course you must eat at each place you go to, as well.

I'm watching the lovely fireworks going off all over the city from my window, and enjoying many happy memories, and knowing that loved ones all over the country and world in fact are celebrating. Still, it's a bit sad and quiet ... no fest this year, no siblings and spouses and children and the hundreds of relatives and friends ... only me, Mutti, Kristin, and one guard at our Crazy Castle.

Yes! Haha I forgot what a shyte-show I am. How does one forget these kinds of things?

Tell me about it! What am I going to do with the 11-page Sherpa's Spreadsheet and additional handouts?!

However, I do know three little piglets who are all also traveling to Japan alone, so we've bonded in our orphan loneliness and will probably form a little pack there. Also, I will have a car and am the only one who speaks any (very little, but just enough) Japanese at all.

3d times a charm!