Columbus Half Marathon

I didn't know whether I would run The Columbus Half with a few of the girls who were serious or with another group that kind of hadn't trained as hard and were injured.  I opted for the second...BUT only because the idea of stopping to take a pic with each Champion child along the way and soaking in the streets just lined with people was something I wanted to do.  And it was a good choice.  We made those kids feel like super stars and it completely warmed my heart!
They started this race with fireworks for each Corrall and there was a total of 18,000 runners!  It was huge and I loved every second of it!  Great race and definitely one any runner should experience!  Great cause as well...for the Nationwide Children's Hospital.  In fact, you pass this hospital on route where the kids are watching from their windows.  How heartfelt is that!  Love Love Love!  The weather was not as bad as I had thought it was going to be.  Probably upper 30's lower 40's and sunny.  I was glad the wind died down. But to know that I was uncomfortable for just over 2 hours and these kids are uncomfortable probably most of their lives fighting to stay strong made it all worth it.

Miles 1-5

Miles 6-10

And then there was the Angel Mile...where families of those kids that have lost their battles stand with signs and pictures and cheer us on.  I shed many tears down that mile.

Miles 11-15
For some reason we missed little Ben and the finish came up quicker than expected...

Columbus Half Marathon - Saturday Night

This weekend was a busy one.  Had this half marathon planned for a year.  Since my girlfriend, Heather Swander, came and did my first half last year with me at Sunburst, I decided to go and do her favorite half with her and her running friends.  Something I totally am jealous over....such sweet girls!  Loved them all!  Ben and I drove to Clyde, Ohio to Heather's home where Ben stayed with Shawn and their son, Max and Heather and I met up with the other girls and headed to Columbus for an overnight stay.  The Expo was amazing!
The girls....from left to right....Jen Beaudet Elsasser and Ann Miller (sisters), Lynsey Hook-Fairbanks, Heather, Janelle Ray, Angela Dell Gillmore and me :)
The other two girls would meet up with us in the morning for the race...Jordan Rebecca and Amanda Brown

5 Months

Had to throw these pics in here.  Papa bought her the camo onesie and couldn't pass up a little camera session with a couple of "pumpkins"
Can't believe this pumpkin is 5 months old already!  And I love when this sweet pea holds my hand when I feed her the bottle.

Cheer Bonding Party

We kicked off the weekend with a Cheer Bonding Party at Coach Alyssa's house.  Didn't get many pics on my phone but had a great time connecting with and meeting the members of the Bethel Cheer Team!  They did a devotion, ate some great food and had a pumpkin carving contest.  Gabi and Journei were partners for the pumpkin carving contest.

First Injury

So I got a call on Tuesday evening from Gabi at cheer practice saying she was headed to the ER...her first serious INJURY ever in the xxx amount of years she has been cheering.  Her coach explained that while in a stunt, Gabi fell, hitting one of the base's cheekbones and cutting open Gabi's chin/face and had a sore neck from the blow.  She was pretty certain Gabi would need stitches.  And she did...6 to be exact.  Gabi was a trooper though!  And we will take this injury...only out of practice a week and she will be back at it.  Thank God no broken bones...

Aunt Julie's 60th Birthday

Been talking about this one since Waffle Farms....Ryan and Brandon rented a party bus for family and friends of Aunt Julie for her 60th birthday yesterday to hit the winery trail in Michigan.  We hit Tabor Hill, Round Barn and Red Top.  We were certainly the crowd! Started at 11 am and ended back at Uncle Rusty/Aunt Julie's house at 5 for pizza and cake.  Fun time with everyone!