11.26.2005

Much to be Thankful For -- A Thanksgiving ReCap

This week really was amazing & disastrous all at the same. And this year for Thanksgiving I am most thankful that, so far, I have simply survived it.
The week started off well enough. I made my plan for the fitness realm of my superhero world -- 19 miles to log this week. My Early AM superhero gang (Enviro-man, CamperBoy, Mara'thong Mama & Me!) started the week off on Monday with a nice 2 mile run. The family realm of my superhero world was going to be very busy...my brother was coming in from the West Coast & we were taking the whole family (my parents, Superspouse & the Kids) to Fall Creek Falls State Park. I was so excited, I had made big plans to maintain my running routine, & thankful to be getting away for a few days -- everything was going well until...2am on Tuesday Kid #4 wakes up puking!!!!



ARRGGGHHHHH!! It was a long night.

I abandoned Tuesday's planned 2 mile run thinking I could make it up later in the week & knowing I would need my strength for later in the day. A quick trip to the pediatrician confirmed #4 had a stomach virus. The remainder of Tuesday was spent packing up food, supplies & gear for 9 people for 3 days -- all the while with #4 wrapped around my leg saying, "Hold Me, Mommie, Hold Me!" & puking into a bucket. He did, however, sleep well that night. For that, I was thankful.


Wednesday morning was good. But COLD. After weeks of unusually high temps, it finally decided to feel like November. My brother & I worked out at the Y with 'Thong & had bagels at Panera. I logged 1.25m on the treadmill. We returned to my house in time to see SuperSpouse off for his 1/2 day of work & start loading up the van. #4 was still sick. & clingy. Finally about 3pm, we were off to Fall Creek Falls for 3 days of FUN, FUN, FUN. We got there, got unpacked, & had a great dinner. #4 was perking up...things were on an uphill swing. My dad treated us all to his famous Hummingbird Cake. For that, I was very thankful.

Thanksgiving Day dawned crisp & clear. We were staying in a Fisherman's Cabin & I watched the sunrise over the water. The kids fed the ducks off the deck. #4 woke up feeling great!!! Yea!!! We went for a fantastic 2 hour hike. The scenery was fabulous. We all came back, cleaned up & went to the lodge for a tremendous Thanksgiving Feast. We ran into some old friends from home & had a great visit. When we got back to the cabin we all played games. My #1 Kid won the Monopoly game. The day really couldn't have been more perfect. I had much, much , much to be thankful for until...about 11:30 Superspouse starts PUKING!!!

ARRGGGHHHHH!!!!!!! It was a very long night.

Friday was much cooler than Thursday. My superhero brother & I managed a 5 mile run in the near freezing temp. The run was so nice & probably the highlight of the whole trip for me. This was only the 3rd time in our entire lives that we have run together. Our main run prior to this was the Half Marathon in SanFrancisco in July. (I will blog about that soon, I promise.) It was neat for him to see how much stronger I've gotten as a runner even since then. I set & kept a steady pace & didn't whine once. When we got back to the cabin, all the kids were up & ready to go. SuperSpouse was still yucky. So my superhero brother & I took the kids for a bike ride around the lake. It really is so much fun now that they're old enough to really do stuff. #4 was in a seat on the back of the bike usually reserved for SuperSpouse & my quads burned like heck when we finally got back but it was good. Of course the kids were still raring to go...they hadn't gotten up at the crack of dawn to run...so after lunch we were off for more hiking. We hiked to 2 different waterfalls & we hiked to the base of Fall Creek Falls. By the time we were back at the cabin for the evening I was thankful just to still be moving my legs. SuperSpouse was starting to feel better. He was able to join us for dinner & we all spent the rest of the evening just lounging in front of the fireplace. I was so thankful to have all of my family (extended & immediate) under the same roof. We all went to bed with big plans for our last day at Fall Creek Falls. The night was calm until... Kid #2 AND Kid #3 wake up PUKING!!!!!

ARRGGGHHHHH!!!!!! It was a very, very, long night.

I was not able to run this morning with my brother. I was barely coherent. There is nothing worse, or not many things anyway, than being awaken from a deep sleep by the splat of vomit. Especially dueling splats. I was, and am, very thankful that SuperSpouse is, indeed, the Superhero of all spouses. His valiant efforts in comforting & cleaning up after our sick kids have kept me sane today. With his help, we cleaned up the cabin, loaded up all persons- sick & well, supplies & gear and got back home. It is here I sit & blog. Kids #2 & 3 are still very sick. And, since I began this entry, Kid #1 has started to complain of his stomach hurting. I am, of course, very thankful that this is just a 24 hour virus. By tomorrow night all of this should be behind us. And, sadly, my brother will be on a plane taking him far away. I am very thankful that, as crazy as things were, he got to experience my superhero life for a few days.

Superhero friends, while I am disappointed that I only logged 8.25 miles this week, instead of the 19 miles planned, with all the hiking, biking & puking going on ....I really am just thankful to have simply survived it all!!!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I hate to hear that the Fam was sick last week. I hope that you had a great holiday despite the stomach bug. The Enviro-family had a great time padding Mickey's pockets w/20s, 50s and $100 bills. We really had a great time and the weather was awesome.
I do have some bad news though, Enviro-man is on the disabled list.
No not the knee but the shoulder. I just got back from the ER and have a suspected "rotator cuff issue". I'll probably have an MRI in the near future after I see a specialist, hopefully this week. Needless to say I won't be hangin' at the Y anytime soon. I might come and soak in the hot tub one morning and then scarf down a bagel or three.

Triathamom said...

Some people will use any little thing as an excuse to slack off.