Running...

So today was a little on the weird side for me.  First of all, my hair.  Blah.  I can always tell when either Gabi or I are coming down with something because no matter what we do our hair looks a mess.  

Mine looked a mess today.  

Then I began to feel my swollen eyes sink farther and farther into my weary head.  Then I started to feel a bit dizzy.  Then I realized I was sitting at my desk staring at my screen unable to accomplish anything at work, with bad hair.  But I persevered, for it was only 10 o' clock, and my time off is a coveted thing that I do not give up easily.  But as the hours passed I was becoming more unwell by the minute.

I left work.  An hour early.

I raced home with visions of pillows and blankets.  

Upon opening the front door and and lunging for the jammie drawer there lied an option.  Though I could see myself literally diving effortlessly into those oh so wonderful lounge pants and taking two steps backward into my dreamy bed, I could not overlook my running shorts.  There they were, right there as if they knew I needed them all day long.  I gave myself a few smacks on the cheeks and took a few jumps in the air.  Is this even possible?  I was convinced 20 minutes ago that I might hurl in the car...

Next thing I knew I was on the road.  I ran six miles, to the lake and back.  And fast.

Energy restored.  Happiness restored.  Eyeballs better.  Color back.  Smile back.  

Not sick.

hallelujah for exercise.

 Every morning is the same, it goes a little something like this...

Alarm rings at 5am.  

I race out of bed and dart into the living room to turn it off.  The alarm being located in the next room is intentional.

It is super dark.

I check the weather app on my phone and also look out to see if it is raining. Sometimes they have conflicting forecasts.

It looks good to go.

I begin to pace.

10% of the time I end up back in bed.

Most of the time I throw my shoes on and head out.

Today... I paced and paced.  I put my socks on and then took them off.  I sat on the bed and then went back to the kitchen.  I poured some cereal then poured it back in the bag.  

It is dark at 5am.  It is chilly too.  and I am so so tired...

But, I have a mantra.  I will feel better if I go, better than if I go back to bed...

And let me tell you, today, it was worth it!

The fog was out in full form...

Even over the lake which I usually do not see...

 

Then the sun began to rise and it wasn't so dark.

 And this treasured sight, the Farm Barn...  

It always takes my breath when i see it...

especially on a foggy morning...

 and I ran six miles... to the lake and back.  I feel perfectly sore and much better than if I had fallen back into bed.  I went home and showered and got myself ready and on my way to work...  An hour later Mr. Witt emails me... did you run today?  He sleeps so soundly thru my rustlings in the early morning hours.

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Children are still away.  I miss them terribly.  All the quiet, we as Mothers, look for... 

well, once you get it...

can be deafening.

SO.... I have rediscovered an old passion.  I will be posting on my happenings soon.  Cannot wait to show you what I have been up to.  wink, wink...

For the love of FOG

The landscapes that this Earth has to offer is nothing short of spectacular.  Even the barren southwest caught my attention and tugged on my heart a few times.  There were the 1000+ drives up and down Carefree Highway that gave a good stage for the desert beauty to reveal itself.  

The sunsets...ah the sunsets...

Vermont has its own beauty to offer, obviously!!! And there is so much too mention that I will just focus on my favorite so far...

FOG.

This is my 5am running route, thru Shelburne Farms.  I am in love with this sacred space.  It is filled with sentient animals, spectacular wild birds, and this lovely lovely fog...

I saw the fog for the first time last fall on the outskirts of the Green Mountain National Forest.  

It was love at first sight.

Part Two...

So...

7:45 on race day and it began to rain.  But it didn't matter.  Despite the damp air the energy was high. Eight o' clock sharp they began...
 

Our girls are in the white hats!!

I can only imagine the excitement to be a runner on this day, but we on the sidelines were having a lovely time!  Husbands, children, and friends were all super excited!

 Matthew and Andy; the Mr. runners.  The gentlemen whom have watched their ladies run before the sun came up, every Saturday morning, and probably in their sleep once or twice!

My favorite spot to cheer!  Not only were we on a lovely patch of grass with full view of the runners but we were directly across from the oh so amazing DRUMS!

I mean look at this set up, perfectly placed at the base of a very difficult hill at mile 16!

So we saw our runners here....

And we saw them there....

And if I am honest, watching then run really built up an appetite.  So we, as spectators, spent the day keeping fueled!

First stop of course; COFFEE!  And in the iced form...

And a second breakfast for the little Witt's.

Side Note:  Gabrielle loves being a vegetarian, that is, unless bacon is being served...

 

And then a quick power nap.  I think we may have had iced coffee, bacon and eggs, and a nap before mile 3.  Just sayin'...

,

It is important, when you take your children to full day events, to feed them every hour, no matter the cost.  It keeps up morale and deters breakdowns.  When our sushi place was closed for our EARLY lunch, and a tear was forming in their wee eyes, only one thing to do: 

pre lunch ICE CREAM.

There we go, smiles are back.  

But what??? 

No sushi?  

darn it.  

Next best thing; Mexican food!

 Bueno Y Sano!

Now off to the waterfront to see the runners to the end; or will it be the end of the runners??  Yikes!

Bri practically ignored us due to intense concentration.  In fact, I am not sure if she remembered knowing us at mile 26 and i don't think I can blame her!

 Catherine remembered us and even looked up and wouldn't you know it, can't find the picture!!  I am going to dig though, and get it up here soon!

Now, seeing runners strewn through the park curled up in balls wrapped in alien paper was not as inspiring as the starting line!  It really told the story of brave individuals pushing themselves to do something great; despite the pain.

It is so awesome to witness.  It makes you want to endure the pain and be great too.

This picture says "oh my god, did I just do that?"

This one says "oh my god, is this child really on my legs right now because I can't feel a thing!"

 I was sad not to have seen Cat after her run, but as tired as these runners were you would think my 9 and 7 year old had just run a marathon too and so we headed home pretty quick...

and this is what we all looked like...

 So we napped, all of us I think!  And I told Matt he should run it next year, a half perhaps, and he is going to think about it!  I think he will look like this...

Pretty Rock n' roll right?

So that was our big weekend event and I have to say it was an awesome one.  I have had friends run in these before and don't know why, for the life of me, why I never went to watch.  But now I have and glad I did.

  Well done ladies.  It was an honor to share in your day!

Thank you.

Part One...

May 30th, 2011

The Burlington Marathon

3 friends running, husbands and children watching, thousands cheering!

Meet two of the runners:  Mrs. Brianne Taylor and Mrs. Catherine Collette!

 

These girls (along with friend Roxanne who is not pictured) trained for 16 long weeks to participate in a most inspiring event; a run spanning 26.2 miles.  How Amazing are they??

To get ready, CARBS!

Like running wasn't enough for Ms. Cat this weekend, she also hosted a carb load party to prepare everyone for the day ahead.  Homemade spaghetti with sauce and a local organic salad brought by her darling sister.

Friends and family joined in on the meal and spoke of the training, the nerves and the utter excitement that was buzzing around!

Cheers to the participants!

  T-shirts were presented to show encouraging support!  Mr. Witt and I were lucky enough to receive on of these to wear on race day.  Pictures will be shown later!

The girls were also presented with a certificate for drinks that they may enjoy after the race; we all know they will be needing one!

I was so thrilled to have my mother joining us for this big weekend.  Athletic events like these are right up her ally and the more excitement the better!  She helped with packing up necessities, getting out the door in the wee hours of the morning, and keeping up morale with the Witt spectators of the smaller kind!






The evening was winding down and all went home for some much needed rest before the major event!  

 Marathon coverage to follow shortly...