Folks, I apologize for the delayed posting of this report. This report was typed and ready however I was sidetracked by my mom’s surgery and hospital stay.  I’m happy to report that she’s doing much better.  I love you mom!

If someone were to ask me what I do in my spare time, as if I really have any, I’d have to say that I run.  A LOT.  Take Saturday 10/17/09, for instance….

Saturday morning, we were up at 6:15 in the morning and by 7:30 we were headed to Walker for a cross country meet with Blake (leaving Camren behind because he had Beta Club obligations).  I proudly watched my son and the rest of the Catholic High Cross Country team run their race in the worst conditions so far this year.  Every time I watch these guys, I’m awe struck and inspired and as parents of these boys, we all have many blessings.  The most important blessing is that those boys are healthy, strong and are able to run.

We left the meet thinking Camren would be ready to be picked up from his Beta Club event.  He wasn’t so we went home only to have him call me once we drove up in the driveway.  So I dropped Paul and Blake off and “ran” back out to get Cam.  Then Cam and I “ran” to Wal-Mart to pick up some warm clothes because we planned to be outside later that night.  After that, we “ran” home. 

After we got home, I started thinking about when Paul and I would be able to get our long run in.  We had planned to run the Mockler Beverage 3 miler that night and I really wanted to be able to sleep in Sunday morning.  So….I sheepishly asked Paul around 2:00 if he would mind getting a quick 10 mile run in with me.  And that’s just what we did!  We ran between 2:00-3:45.  It was painful and miserable and I wondered what in the world I was thinking.  How could I run 10 miles at 2:00 then run 3 miles at 6:00?  I spent 2 hours and 45 minutes running and worrying about it then we returned home, took showers, cleaned up and THEN we “ran” out to the Mockler Beverage facility to meet up with the Hutchinsons and Mr Jimmy (the original Mr Xctmnt). Why?  To run again! 

And thank you Christine!  Without you, there is no way I would’ve been able to run those 3 miles.  My feet hurt so bad from standing several hours at the track meet and then running 10 miles that I was unsure if I would be able to even put those Nikes on.  But that was one of the most pleasant runs I’ve ever had, the weather was great and it was so nice to visit with one of my favorite people (I rarely talk when I run).  When we finished, I was shocked to learn that Blake finished the race in a lightening fast, incredible time.  Where does he get it from?  Not from his mama.  I turned around and “ran” back to meet Camren and finish his run with him.  He didn’t need me…he was coming around the corner with a steady pace and a big smile on his face.  He volunteered to run this 3 miler and he did it with a great attitude and a lot of heart.

We spent the next hour or two eating sausage poboys and drinking a few “recovery” drinks.  And I learned that I’m still young enough to use my feminine charms to get my way.  I think Christine, Lara and I had more fun trying to talk the Mockler guys out of a couple of cheap ice chests….and you know what?  It worked!  I would classify Saturday 10/17/09 as a successful day.

This is Flash and I’m running on faith that I’ll have more good days like that on the road to training for the St Jude marathon.