Saturday morning was my second
Cooper River Bridge Run. It was a much different experience than last year... the excitement and nervousness in the days before the race weren't there like last year. After my half marathon, I had planned on working on my pace so I could run the bridge much faster than last year. However, one of my IT bands (my knee) started acting up (
ITBS), and that stopped my speed training. I was a little unsure as to whether I should run the bridge and even considered giving up my number to someone else, but I figured that I could run as much as my knee allowed and walk the rest.
My running partner this year was Tracey (Miss T), a great friend of mine from grad school and Jackson & Harris' favorite babysitter. I have admired how fit she is for a long time (she does triathalons, too!), and I am always bombarding her with training questions. To finally run with her was like a milestone for me!! Dad was here for the race again this year, and he was a huge help in getting us to and from the race and being our cheering section.
There was definitely the pre-race excitement the morning of the run... up at 5:45, at the start at 6:45, waiting around watching all of the people. We saw lots of craziness like last year... people dressed like bananas, the UPS man with a package, brides, lots of Forrest Gump followers, bowling pins, men in speedos, etc. Again, I wish I had my camera!!
I think there were over 28,000 people running this year, down from last year, but it didn't seem like any less. As we started up over the bridge, the body heat from all of the people around us was amazing! Five lanes of people "traffic" converged into two, and Tracey and I thought we were going to melt!! We were dodging people left and right the entire 6 miles of the race.
We were doing really well for about 4 miles, running strong and getting faster with each mile (including the one going up the bridge). At about 4.5 miles, my knee decided it was finished. However, my mind and the rest of my body didn't think so. I knew that I really needed to walk, and I did for a minute here and there, but my pride and my competitive spirit would not let me walk across the finish line. So, in a ton of pain, I hobbled the last mile or so, slow as all get out, hoping not to see my dad. I knew if I saw him I would have started crying and would have quit right there on the spot!
I did finish the race (running), and I finished it in 1:05:00, a little over a minute faster than last year (my goal was to finish in under an hour). Tracey did great and finished in just over an hour. I think I am finished running for the next two weeks as I let my knee begin to heal again. If I take good care of it, I should be back in business in 2-4 weeks. It is really hard not to get out and run, but after how I felt on Saturday, I know it is the best thing. Soooooooo, I guess I have a goal for next year's race: to run healthy and to finish in under an hour!!
Thanks Dad, for all of the support, getting up before the sun, the sweet flowers, and for being there... I appreciate all of it!
Thanks Tracey, for running with me and pushing me to do more than I think I can. You are a great motivator, and I look forward to running with you more and eventually finishing a tri with you!!
I missed you tons this year, Caroline, but I know that you will be up there with me next year!!
I'm sorry this is a little late (couldn't post from Atlanta!), but you deserve to be wished a very happy birthday! You are a wonderful father and Papa, and we thank you for all you do. We are looking forward to celebrating your big day when you are here at the end of the month. Jackson & Harris have tons of hugs in store for you!
We hope you had a super-fun birthday today, and we are so glad we were able to spend most of the day with you! We love you lots, Connor!
Saturday morning was my second Cooper River Bridge Run. It was a much different experience than last year... the excitement and nervousness in the days before the race weren't there like last year. After my half marathon, I had planned on working on my pace so I could run the bridge much faster than last year. However, one of my IT bands (my knee) started acting up (ITBS), and that stopped my speed training. I was a little unsure as to whether I should run the bridge and even considered giving up my number to someone else, but I figured that I could run as much as my knee allowed and walk the rest.
We were doing really well for about 4 miles, running strong and getting faster with each mile (including the one going up the bridge). At about 4.5 miles, my knee decided it was finished. However, my mind and the rest of my body didn't think so. I knew that I really needed to walk, and I did for a minute here and there, but my pride and my competitive spirit would not let me walk across the finish line. So, in a ton of pain, I hobbled the last mile or so, slow as all get out, hoping not to see my dad. I knew if I saw him I would have started crying and would have quit right there on the spot! 
Thanks Dad, for all of the support, getting up before the sun, the sweet flowers, and for being there... I appreciate all of it! 
Saturday afternoon was our first annual Easter Egg Hunt, hosted by Jackson & Harris, Reeves, Fordham & Pinckney, Mary Kathryn & Anne, DuBose & Mills, and Spencer & Eliza. It was a beautiful afternoon, and the location was perfect (thanks Aileen!!). Each child invited their friends and classmates, and there were probably 70 children there, each ready to hunt as many eggs as possible!
There were more than 800 eggs hidden in the yard... all of the little ones were super-excited as they drove in and saw all of the colorful eggs.
We had lots of yummy treats, including cupcakes topped with peeps (I loved how they looked with all of the bright colors!).
Jackson and Harris both loved the egg decorations hanging from the trees. Jackson was a huge help in replacing any eggs that had fallen off of the tree.
The kids played hard before the hunt started, and the sandbox was a hit with both of my boys. Here Jackson plays with Fordham and Mills.
Jackson shows Anna, one of his classmates, where all of the Easter Baskets are... we think it is love!
DuBose was the first eager little one to greet the Easter Bunny.
Fordham followed closely behind and was never far from the bunny... he was sure the bunny got lots of hugs!! Jackson and Harris both kept their distance.
Harris and Jackson both had their first taste or Peeps... neither was quite sure if they liked them! 
DuBose and Fordham digging in the driveway... so much for clean Easter clothes! Harris was digging with them and came home covered, head to toe, in dirt!
We had such a great afternoon, and I think all of the kids loved the party. I think we owe our success to all of the productive planning sessions we had (and to all of the creativity and hard work of the mommies, of course!!). Thanks to all... I think we have started a wonderful tradition that will create many memories for each of our children. Love ya!
Dad did a fabulous job as the Easter Bunny... he was a huge hit. He waved to the kids, he hugged them, he posed for lots of pictures and held lots of babies. The kids loved him and continued to hug him and show him their eggs up until the final moments. Thanks so much, Dad... you were great!!
This is the work shed and also where the travel trailer is hiding. The trailer worked great as a place to sleep and relax when we weren't running through the woods, exploring, or playing in the dirt. 
The view from the shed... it really is out in the middle of nowhere! It is so quiet, and all you hear are the birds singing or woodpeckers knocking. Such a peaceful place.
Hanna and I went for a quick walk at dusk in hopes of seeing some wildlife, but the only wildlife I saw were the two little boys running to me as we got back!!
This had to be the best thing for the boys... playing with cars in the dirt. As we walked along the dirt roads, they were constantly stopping to play in whatever new pile they could find. These boys were full of dirt when we got home... I'm not sure I have ever seen them so dirty! They had the best time out there, checking out the woods and collecting treasures. 
Harris loved the tractor... especially checking out the tires. He looks so tiny next to this one!
Jason and I shot skeet for awhile before lunch on Saturday. It was the first time I had shot my new shotgun, and while I can hit a stationary target, I'm not so hot with the skeet. I did hit a few, but far more broke when they landed than by being shot! Practice, practice, practice.
I was so impressed by all that Jason has done out there and by all of the plans he has to really make it his place. I am sure that we (especially the boys) will have many great times out there in the future. Jason has lots of plans to get the boys out there and working as soon as he can!!
Jackson and I went to Little School's annual Easter Egg Hunt on Friday and had such a great time. It was a beautiful morning and such a perfect way to spend some QT with my big boy. While Jackson was a little nervous about it in the beginning, he quickly warmed up to his friends and had so much fun. The majority of his classmates were there, all ready to hunt for the suprise-filled eggs. 
Before the hunt began, there was an egg relay with the other 3's class. Each child had to carry an egg on a spoon, across the lawn and back. Jackson's class had clearly practiced the day before, as they carried those eggs like champs and won easily!!
Oops!! After a rocky start and a little help from Miss Ann Harris, Jackson got his egg on his spoon and got going.
The anticipation for the hunt builds...
And they're off!!
The best part... the cupcakes and cookies to refuel after all of the running and hunting! 
