Slacker in so many ways!

Well, the blog has obviously gone by the wayside of late. I guess life just takes over sometimes.

I have been to LA, Seattle, Spokane and back again since the last writings. Have dropped out of a race, had some fantastic runs, and some others that just didn't go as planned. I can't make excuses for it - it isn't worth it - just have to keep running on.

I had probably my biggest running week ever prior to my trip home - about 65 miles, which is a lot for me! I also did my first 20+ run in over three years, which actually felt pretty dang good, and I was pleased with myself. This week came at a good time, as I had had a not good race that I just couldn't talk myself into finishing the week before. Poor performance, and too much on the brain - I need to get over that, and come to a place where I can push on when things get hard. It is like sometimes I don't think it should be hard, and am surprised when it is. I know, it isn't good.

But that was a good next week with some really good, hard runs in there. Then the trip home set me back a bit, I think, as some of the runs just couldn't or didn't get done. I am sure it pushes me back, making it so two months from now, the goal might be that much less likely to be attained. But I have to maintain hope and work hard after it.

The trip home was SO good though, and I just had the best time ever. I started with a quick pitstop in LA to see NF and MB, which was great fun - an evening at the Cork with delirium setting in. Then to SEA to meet JM and take part in a fantastic wedding with the wine flowing like beer and dancing like a fool a necessity.

Then a lovely drive to Spokane and good family time. Both of the brothers were there, as was my niece, and we really packed the week with time at the lake, time at the waterpark, time at Silverwood, some great food, a fun concert, BBQ, a night at the mountain with a heated Cranium game, friends, fun and so much sunshine!! I think JMjr and NM had a really fun time, and I know that Dad loved having all of us there together. It was just such a relaxing and enjoyable time - easy and fun without some of the tensions that sometimes come with time at home.

Time with JM for me was amazing!! We just enjoyed all of our time together, and it was fantastic. We rounded out the long, exhausting week with a fun day out at the lake for the annual whiffleball shenanigans. Man, what a time!!

So, needless to say, the running has been a struggle, but the laughs and good times have been aplenty, and sometimes I think this is more what i need to keep going. Time with dad was so positive, and while I really worry that his health has declined some since I was there 6 weeks ago, I hope that this gave him a good boost to keep him going. I can't bear thinking about not being back for 4 whole months, and the gears are going a mile a minute trying to sort out my plans for the future - London, Spokane, all of it. Watch this space! And thank goodness for a much-needed summer boost provided by my loving friends and family in the USA!