A Strange Season

Glenda personifies the current oddness of life

Since my last installment, pretty much everything that was on the calendar for 2020 was cancelled...but that doesn't mean we just gave up.  Sometimes you have to embrace the strange and do what you can with it. So this blog is a catching up for this strange season an there will be more focused posts going forward. I think it mainly goes to show that life changes, but at least for me the REALLY important things haven't stopped (just maybe gone a bit virtual).

VIRTUAL VACATION SHENANIGANS

In June, we took a virtual running cruise to Alaska!  It was appropriate, since Alaska is one of our favorite places to go...and running cruises are one of our favorite ways to travel.  The "trip" included a FaceBook page where there were several activities such as telling jokes on hump day and karaoke on friday as well as just general sharing.  

We definitely went all in on the jokes...here's an example

There was also Karaoke and other photos and videos. 

And at the end of the cruise we got an "Oscar" for all our shenanigans...and Shenanigans Studios was born.  (A bit more on that later)

And of course there were virtual races.

The first virtual Alaska was the Moosehead 5k.  We repped for Bullwinkle Moose's alma mater (and it was my latest 5k so far this season)

Who better for a treasure hunt than a pirate and a prospector

A couple of well-fed Ravens (in honor of the Skinny Raven running store in Anchorage) ran a trail predictor race the "Ward Lake Loop"

Claiming to be "Fittish" for the final 5k 

MORE VIRTUAL RACES (AND ONE REAL ONE!)

Besides the Alaska Races, there have been a number of other virtual races including a Summer series put on by some of the same people that do the Virtual (and real, when it is possible) running cruises.  As such they each had a different way to win the race, which I find very appealing. 

The Summer 5 x 5k series

Race #1 was a patriotic themed "treasure hunt" that we did on July 4. (I also added on to complete the Have a Blast 4-miler)

Race #2 was the Lemonade 5k...a prediction race (I never predict well!) So of course we were lemony!

Race #3 was the Ice Cream 5k, to win you had to have the median time.  I was slower and Glenda was faster, but we definitely had the ice cream gear

Race #4  The Lightning But was all about speed (and Glenda won!)...we ran in at dusk with firefly skirts and blinking lights

And finally, race #5...the Roller Coaster.  Cue the hills, the rollercoaster skirt and the silly shirts

Plus 2 Virtual 5ks, a Du and a Tri (or 2)

Also in the last couple of months, I did a couple of other virtual 5ks which appealed to me, the 2nd in my progressive Du series, and a Virtual Triathlon that replace a travel race slated for October.  I also did another tri, but I'll talk about that later. 

On July 13 I did my second du of the year, one I completely made up, based on one I did years ago...The Suellen's a Tough Cookie Du

On July 28, I repped for Wisconsin in the Big Ten Network 5k, a race I've been meaning to do for awhile that was virtual this year

On August 7, I completed the Ramblin' Rose Virtual Tri (250 yds/9 mile bike/2 mile run) which took the place of the race I was to have done in Chapel Hill, NC.  Incidentally, I got one of my favorite run pictures of the year so far

August 18, 2020 was the hundredth anniversary of the passage of the 19th amendment "Women's Suffrage" ...I ran a 5k to honor the day.

And a racetastrophy

And then there was the real life Du that wasn't.  I signed up for the Screw City Du months and months ago.  It was actually held on the 26th of July (after a postponement from May).  There were lots of precautions in place and masks were required except while actually racing.  The day came and the heat index at the 8 am start was over 90 degrees and the heat was oppressive.  By the end of the first run I knew it wasn't my day...so I dropped to the 2 mile run option.  Probably my worst race day ever. 

Masks and medals at the hottest race(s) ever

A BIG BIRTHDAY REIMAGINED

On July 8, 2020 my Mom turned 90 years old.  Originally we had planned for a big party, but COVID-19 put a stop to that. So the family "divided and conquered" to come together

The birthday girl on her 90th...doesn't she look great?

First came the "card shower" before the birthday...she got cards and letters from many.  There were signs in her yard and on her door into the hall in her condo. 

On the day of her birthday, my son's family brought candy and the girls made a giant card, my brother and his wife brought her a steak dinner, and later we stopped by with cake. 

A few days later there was a firetruck parade, photos, another cake and a family Zoom meeting with special guest appearances by several old friends and co-workers. After all of this Mom declared herself more than sufficiently celebrated.

SUCKING IT UP FOR MY KIDDO

On July 21, 2020 my daughter. Melanie was scheduled for back surgery to extend her spinal fusion.  She was allowed one support person and I was elected.  

I hadn't been able to see Mel for some time as for several weeks her group home was being very careful about visitors. But once the surgery was scheduled, I attended her last two pre-op appointments. I also spent the night in a hotel the night before the surgery and sat in the hospital most of the day of surgery.

I was glad to do those things for her, but the anxiety about these visit was pretty overwhelming. 

Pre-surgery photo in her stylish chapeau. After a month, she is healing well, through inpatient rehab and back home.  Surgery appears to have been a success.

TAKING A CHANCE WITH A SHORT TRIP

We had MANY trips cancelled this year.  One of them was a trip with our granddaughters and their parents to Branson, MO in July.  At that point the virus was high in our area and blowing up in that area of Missouri/Arkansas, and none of us was comfortable with the trip.  

So we decided that we needed to try to find something safer.  We settled on a big house in Door County, WI with amenities that meant that we didn't have to interact with the rest of the world any more than we wanted. We were fortunately able to be quite certain that no one had the virus before we went.

There was fishing both in Sturgeon Bay (directly behind the house) and the stocked swimming/and fishing pond in the front of the house. 

Fisher Ellie

Fisher Maeve

Some of the fisher crew

Swimming was another favorite activity

The pond had a floating dock

And we put on our own triathlons,  one for us and one for the kids

Ellie finishes the tri

Maeve dashes to the finish

Glenda and I preparing to start our tri

And of course, there were s'more...because, s'mores!

S'mores!

BECOMING UNRETIRED

About 18 months ago I announced my retirement from adjunct teaching,  mostly because helping to deal with all of Melanie's issues before, during and after her major bladder surgery was consuming. Between that and our athletic and travel pursuits I couldn't really give my work the time and energy it deserved.  But I really never fully adjusted to being retired, I frankly did not like it.

Once Melanie was settled not quite a year ago, I told just one school (that I'd been adjunct for for almost 9 years at that point), that I might be willing to teach again. I early August they contacted me to see if I would teach a class...and by the time all was said and done I was teaching two, and have been assigned two more for the Spring. 

MORE SHENANIGANS AHEAD!

So what's next?  Lots of things.  For instance starting August 30 we will be doing another virtual cruise...this time Hawaii! And there will be more videos and races and general goofiness. All of our videos are now "credited" to Shenanigans Studios, an idea born in the wake of our Alaska videos. 

2019 in Review

A few weeks ago we ended a year (and a decade).  If I tried to do a decade in review, it would take you all day to read it!  But there is certainly time for a year in review...and so without further ado....

ATHLETIC (the good and the bad)

Let's start with races...I attempted 36 races in the course of 2019.  I finished 33, but I don't consider any of the ones I didn't finish a fail.  Lets talk about those first.

If late January and early February, we took a Caribbean Running Cruise, in the course of the trip (including the pre-cruise event) there were 6 events.  The trail race event was on Roatan Honduras and billed as "hill-ish" (a major understatement).  I bailed after the first major hill (as did several others)...and I still felt like a winner for conquering that hill! 

Up the hill

Down the hill

We won that hill~Didn't need any more!

A few days later in Cozumel we had an pirate adventure amazing race.  We started out, but we already knew we were tired and planned to make it our own.  So ran a couple of miles and found a great spot to take photos of others and share them with the group. So while we did not technically finish a race we started, we had a successful outing. 

ARR! We made the pirate race our own

Finally, in July I attempted the Door County Sprint Tri.  Just as we started the breeze came up and the waves on the bay in Lake Michigan became unmanageable for me and I was pulled.  But I went ahead and had one of the best (and longest) bike rides of my triathlon career.  I started the run, but decided that I did not have to finish, as I would not have an official time and dropped. But that bike ride...oh, that ride!

Happy on the bike

Otherwise in running, I completed seventeen 5ks in 8 states plus the Bahamas, one 1 miler that was part of the Temptations Challenge at the Detroit Free Press Races, one 5.5 miler (in Costa Maya), one 8k, two 10ks (in 2 states), one quarter marathon, and one half marathon.  

Some highlights are below:

Winning the costume contest at the Heroes in Disguise 5k in St. George, Utah

 

I really enjoyed running several races this year alongside my friend Christine Miller

 

Love this photo, love the backdrop, love when I get to run with my honey

 

Melanie's first 5k after many years...great moment for her, proud moment for me

Maybe a bit esoteric, but Crowley and Aziraphael was my favorite costume of the year (and got re-tweeted by Neil Gaiman)

I also did 2 half marathon relays, 1 marathon relay and one triathlon relay.

 

Glenda and I had a blast with Polly Hamner at the Rockin' Brews Half in August (we also introduced her to the joys of themed outfits...and I did my tri relay with Polly as well)

 

Marathon relay with Chritian Borchardt, Glenda, me and Amy Borchardt at the Detroit Free Press in October

 

Finished the year with a half marathon relay in Atlanta with Glenda

And in the triathlon world I did 2 indoor tris and 3 triathlons of various distances.

 

Glenda and I crossed paths doing different distances at the Elkhart Lake Tri

 

Crossing the finish at Naperville...my goal triathlon of the season

Undoubtedly my biggest accomplishment of the year for 2019 was finishing the challenge I had set for myself to run a race of at least 5k in each of the 50 states plus Washington DC.  I concluded the challenge in Missoula, Montana by doing the half marathon. It was made extra special in a number of ways.  Glenda ran the race with me and we reminisced about all the other races along the way, which was an incredible way to make the miles go by.  I had the opportunity to meet a number of wonderful people who are members of the Challenge 365 online group that I belong to, and many have become even better friends.  And randomly at mile 8, Glenda was contacted by Nicole DeBoom, the founder of Skirt Sports (we are both ambassadors and had won the Dynamic Duo award earlier in the year...another highlight!), she wanted to feature us in an Instagram story on the company site that morning. My 50th state became a part of that story, as she featured us!

Around mile 12

Mission accomplished!

The last thing I want to say about athletics in 2019 is that coaching can be important, no matter what your talent level, but that "fit" is incredibly important.  I was lucky to work with 3 talented and very different coaches.  All were good and all were knowledgeable.  The first was an unfortunately poor fit for me despite being a very good coach, the second was better fit and also a very good coach and got me through the goal triathlon...the third is someone I'd wanted to work with for a long time and I am even more happy than expected. I feel like she gets me and I look forward to working together for a long time.  So I end the year as a member of the Fleet Feet running club, the Prairie Athletic Tri Team and being coached by C.C. Rowe of WTF Endurance out of Austin, TX.

IN THE WORLD OF WORK

Last year I actually retired.  I thought I'd love it.  I WANTED to love it.  I don't. There are some nice perks of course...but I miss the feeling of making a difference. And although I have a retirement income, saved over the years, I somehow miss the connection between my money and my work.  I know I earned it...but it seems out of sync somehow.  

I  do still work part time  on an irregular schedule as a photo editor for Focal Flame Photography...and love it! I am exploring other part time options, and ideas for irregular work, but more on that in my next blog post!

IN THE FAMILY

Glenda and I celebrated 22 years together last year.  This always amazes me to think about it.  I was married before.  Twice. Eight years each.  My kids are from my first marriage. And I learned a lot from the other relationships I had in my life.  But nothing compares to life with Glenda.  Here's to another 22 years (and then some)! 

I enjoy living close to my son, his wife and my granddaughters, as well as my mother, and my brother's family. I used to live close to my daughter too.  But her living situation is the biggest change in the family.  Melanie is a paraplegic with several health issues and requires some help.  The state of Wisconsin helps with her living situation, and after a stretch of particularly bad health she found her living situation inadequate and spent several months in a nursing home.  When the state was able to find her an appropriate situation (a group home) it was 80 miles away. I protested, but she wanted to try it...telling me that she thought she might never really become independent if she could easily rely on me.  After 4 months in the new situation, I readily admit...she was right. I had for years told her various doctors and social workers that I wanted to be Melanie's mother, not her social worker/medical manager/caregiver etc.  In the last quarter  of 2019, I became just mom again.  It has changed my life in some unexpected ways...but I have to say, I like it!

LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR AND BEYOND

I will soon be sharing my "vision" for next year. But I look forward to seeing what comes in 2020 and beyond!

Goals 2019

"Do not be afraid to fail. Be afraid to accept that who you are right now is all you are going to be." --John Bingham Running for Mortals

The time has come that having reflected back on the last year, people traditionally set goals for the next year. After some consideration, I have keyed on four words to define the coming year: LEARNING, GROWTH, CONFIDENCE  and JOY.

At 62, I think I could probably rest on my laurels, but what fun is that?  That's why the above quote from one of my running role-models is important.

Work/Professional goals

My work is really in 3 pieces: Teaching, photo editing and my side gig. 

My goal for the teaching piece of my professional life is to be a "quitter."  I retired last May, only to find myself saying yes to a class in the fall and another in the spring.  So while I am still semi-retired, I'd like to take another shot at being fully retired.  I have decided that, although I like to keep my hand in a bit, one class per year would be plenty. So, I am teaching my spring semester course....and practicing saying "no" firmly to more.

I am still enjoying my very part time job rating and editing race photos for a local photo team (shout out to Focal Flame!).  And short term, I'd like to keep doing what I'm doing for them.  Longer term, I'd maybe like to learn more about photography.  Down the road, when I'm not running every race...maybe even shoot some backdrop photos. Presumably knowing more will make me a better rater and editor, so for now I just want to spend some time reading and trying things.

Finally, my "side gig."  I have an etsy shop called Mimi's Folly. It is mostly for fun.  I like to craft and try new things, and this is a way to entertain myself and make a few dollars.  I want to keep it fun. My goal for this piece of my "work", is to avoid setting goals and just let it be fun. 

Athletic goals

“It isn’t a matter of getting the body you want, it’s a matter of doing the most you can with the body you have.”   John Bingham,  No Need for Speed.  

In thinking about my athletic goals, I have been thinking about what I really want out of it.  Of course, I'm interested in fitness and weight control and blood sugar control. Naturally doing well in some races is nice, too.  But honestly, at the end of the day I am looking for two things...confidence and joy.   These are, I think, the same things that people of all ages get from all kinds of play.  So I guess I want to keep playing. 

"The only magic in our lives as runners is the magic of consistency. Not every run will make you feel great."John Bingham,  No Need for Speed. 

Step one to confidence for me has got to be consistency, I've done pretty well the last part of this year...but it will be important to keep it up.  To that end I have hired a triathlon coach and set a goal to do 3 sprint distance triathlons this year (as well as finishing the last 3 states in my quest to run in all 50--Nebraska, West Virginia and Montana).  I think I can get there...but it will require consistency and a trust in the process.  

“Focus on where you are instead of where you wish you were. The joy will follow.”--John  Bingham, No Need for Speed   

And step one to joy, is to stop worrying about comparisons with others, with where I used to be (as I age, I may not be there again) and with where I want to be.  Rather, my goal is to be present with where I am and be grateful for what my body will do. My best races have always been the ones where I felt grateful and present (often in costume and aware of the smiles of others...and my own).  They may or may not be the fastest, but they are the ones that bring joy...and that is where I want to go this year.  So keep on doing what I'm doing and learn to really be there for myself.

General/other goals

“Trying harder doesn’t always equal more success; it leads to more frustration, less satisfaction, and giving up.” --John Bingham,  No Need for Speed

When it comes to many of the other important things in my life (my family, my relationships, and all the things that I worry about day to day), I realized recently the phrase that often goes through my brain is, "but I try so hard."  

My response to this feeling is to attempt to try even harder...until I hit that point of "I can't even...."

So this year I am going to try to learn new coping strategies.  I do try hard, I don't think that is going to change...I think the growth will come from learning when to try harder and when to be confident that I have done what I can do. I expect to be a work in progress for a long, long time.  But I'm hoping some investment in relaxation, meditation and therapy will lead to less frustration, more satisfaction and less "I can't even."

So looking at all of this is a tall order.  Some of it is quite specific, while some is still nebulous.  If I had to choose one thing to sum it all up, I guess it would be to remember to approach the new year with an openness of attitude, that will let me learn and grow in confidence and joy.