October is my most favorite month. I love everything about it - the cool autumn air (yes, we get that in Florida, too), the brightly colored leaves, pumpkin flavored food and drinks, birthdays galore, the beginning of basketball season, the promise of the holiday season approaching. This year, October was AWESOME! It surpassed every other October in my 33 years.
First, my tri training rocked. I kid you not. My mileage was lower than I had planned, but the workouts were tough and fun at the same time. I found a fantastic group to train with earlier this summer - the A-Train - and I looked forward to our weekly brick workouts every weekend. The athletes in this group are amazing. Not only are they terrific competitors, they are also marvelous teachers. They patiently taught me how to draft, pulled me along when I was falling off, and encouraged me to tri harder. Because of them, I feel good for my race this weekend. I am not currently anything but excited about lining up for my first half-iron distance triathlon on Sunday morning. I am sure the nerves will creep in, as they always do, but I am confidant. I am sure. I am ready.
Second, I had the opportunity to spend an entire weekend with my family. My sweet nephew Joey was being baptized, and we all traveled to the City of Brotherly Love to celebrate. It also happened to be my birthday weekend - so not only did I get to stroll through Philadelphia's cool autumn air with Chad, but I received the BEST birthday present I could have ever wanted. Two whole days with everyone that I love. Well, almost everyone. Obviously my dad was only there in spirit, and my grandpap couldn't make the trip, etc. My sister-in-law Leigh took me to run 8 miles around Chestnut Hill and through the woods at Tavern on the Green. Oh, how I miss trail running! My brother-in-law Brian and my sister Lauren spent an entire day preparing a delicious birthday meal for Bob (my brother) and I (and the rest of the family). I got to hold both Nolan and Joey together for the first time, and my heart expanded every time the boys laughed and giggled and grabbed onto my fingers with their chubby little hands.
The very next week, on what would have been my dad's 64th birthday, I got the surprise of my life.
Chad asked me to marry him! I was 100% surprised - I didn't see it coming, and I had no idea. Not even when he said "I have something to ask you" did I think it was THE question. I of course said YES. We are planning a July 2013 wedding. Yep, right in the middle of triathlon season :-) I am really excited to plan a special day to kick off our new life as Mr. & Mrs., and I am very grateful for all of the help I will have - planning a wedding is tough! So many decisions to make!!!
My basketball team is blossoming. The girls are working hard, and smiling on the court. We have a lot of work to do (A LOT), but we'll get there. Their confidence is growing, slowly but surely, day by day. It's a beautiful thing to watch unfold.
Work . . . well . . . I am trying to view it as triathlon or marathon training, making daily tasks my "training" swims/bikes/runs with the "event" being the year-end review. I don't enjoy it all that much - I'd rather be teaching, or doing something a little more constructive - but I am working on changing the way I see things. I heard a song on the radio this morning that said something about taking for granted what was once a blessing . . . another simple reminder that I am living a good life.
And so I run . . .
