So, if I were to open up a little "window" into my life, you would see the reasons for my running hiatus and consequently the lack of blog postings. Two weeks ago, my hubby's maternal (meaning, mother of hub's mom) grandmother passed away. It was a wednesday. I woke up at 5:30 am, as I usually do, and got myself ready to meet Chica for our mid-week run. This wednesday morning was different from all the others and had somewhat of a solemn start. When I turned off my alarm that morning I noticed I had a text from my MIL (mother in law), the fact that she texted me was not at all weird, she is after all becoming quite the techy mom, it was the time stamp that was really strange. It came in at midnight, and MIL never texts or calls late at night. It said "Please call when you can. It's about Grandma." I instantly knew... hubby's grandma had passed. I woke up the hubs and told him about the text but he was still half asleep, and I don't think he really even understood what I said. Running out of time, I decided that this could probably wait until after my run. My heart felt heavy and I was so thankful for the release one gets when running, not to mention being able to vent to a fabulous running partner. It was a good and easy 2 mile run, and during that time, Chica and I talked, we talked about family, death and what happens after death, it felt like our conversation was just preparing me for what awaited me at home and as we said our goodbyes her eyes told me I had her sympathy. On the way home, I called the hubs and told him about the text and he said he wanted to wait until I came home to call his mom. I was glad that he waited, since I already assumed he would be getting bad news, and I wanted to be there for him. So, you know that moment when you see someone on the phone receive bad news? Even though you don't know the words being heard you can literally see it all over their face. Their face goes from normal or happy to just completely "fallen" and their voice drops to an almost whisper. This is what I saw and heard this particular wednesday morning. I knew... After hugging it out for a bit, me holding back the tears and hubby telling me it was "all okay," (a bit backwards, I know, but those who know me know that I am a very emotional person) we took a deep breath and prepared ourselves for the task of revealing this sad news to our 8-year old son. It broke our hearts to see his face also "fall" at the news. We told him what we believe about the afterlife and he took solace in the fact that Grandma's spirit is now "free." The text and later phone call started a whirl wind week for us. Online searching. Buying. Cleaning. Planing. Packing. Double Checking. No Sleeping. Driving. Flying. All in less than 24 hours! We made it! Phew!!! Luckily all of hub's siblings, spouses and offspring were able to make it too, and while the occasion was a sad and unfortunate one, it brought the whole family together under one roof. There were a lot of tears, hugs and laughter as we remembered Grandma during that short week-long visit and talking about her just made me feel honored to have known her. It's amazing how someone becomes a permanent part of your heart when all you have is the time and years to connect you. As my wonderful hubby said at the funeral service, "Grandma will always be a legend, artist and hero in our house." Yes, yes she will!
The hubs and I had the greatest of intentions in keeping loyal and true to our fitness regimen and we packed accordingly. Our plan was for me to continue the running program and the hubs to join me in my runs. Unfortunately, we got sick and the weather was not cooperating. So, where did this impromptu trip take us to, you may ask? Ohio! And friends, it was dang cold. Coming from wonderful warm Island "winter" weather to actual, real and true winter weather, did a number on our immune systems. Icy roads, freezing weather plus the start of a very bad cold did not equal running. It hardly equaled getting out of the house unless absolutely necessary. That is exactly what we did. We stayed in, pumped our bodies full of Vitamin C, Echinacia and Sambucus and hoped that we could fight off whatever nastiness was trying to get us down. Unfortunately, our immune systems failed us miserably and still today we are battling this hellish cold (if we believed there was a hell, I am certain this is where this cold originated from.) Some people lose their appetite when they get sick. Well, not me. My appetite somehow increases and for some reason eat like I am trying to win an eating contest. But, because "bikini" season is fast approaching (at least here on the "Island of Enchantment") and because I know eventually I will have to once again reveal my secret and sacred numbers to YOU, I got out there and ran. As sick as I was (and believe me, I still feel like absolute sh!t) I got out there and did a couple of short and easy runs (hoping the calories burned will cancel out the extra calories I ate.) I am hoping on everything that makes wishes come true and fingers crossed, that I am better by this coming Tuesday, and Chica and I can get back to training hard for our 1/2 marathon. Why am I crossing fingers and hoping...well, because it is:
76 Days Until the PR 1/2 Marathon...Eeek!
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| At least I had this view... |
It's happening, people. The day is fast approaching! I know I must get back on my feet and running again and can't wait to do so, but these past couple of weeks have shown me that life happens, it does not stop and consider anything, much less the fact that you are in the midst of trying to achieve certain goals. Sickness comes, situations arise and it is how one chooses to deal with those hiccups that really matter. I know Chica and I will complete the 1/2 marathon in May, but we must also prepare ourselves for the unexpected and focus on making the best of all that life throws our way. Since the start of all of this we have always said that we just want to finish, even if by the skin of of our teeth, we just want to finish. I know we will finish!
As I finish this post, I humbly ask for YOU to send healing and positive vibes my way so I can get better soon and back at kicking some pavement ass!!!!
Love&Hugs,
Bella
P.S. Remember how I mention that I would love to hear from YOU, well, here is your chance. How do YOU deal with hiccups in your training schedule?
Bella! Again, I am so sorry about your hubby's Gma, and about how sick y'all were. I felt awful for what y'all had to go through. I'm SO glad that we're back on the track and running! You're such a champ, and I'm über proud of you, girly! You're the BEST!!
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