I AM AN IRON GIRL!!

Last year I was registered to run the half marathon for the Iron Girl event.

However, I was injured and could only walk the 5K.

I was determined to run the half marathon this year.
 

I trained well with no injuries.
 For the longer training runs I joined 
the Sunshine Soul Sisters (SSS) in Belleair.
It sure helped to have running buddies and
water stops for those long runs!

 Ten Mile Run

 Eleven Mile Run

 As race day drew near I was so excited

about the weather report for race day - 

starting temp: low to mid 50s.

I am a member of two running groups and

they both had a presence at the race 

(3rd & 4th place teams).

We started before sunrise!

Since the weather was so great

I decided to keep up with the 2hr 30 min pacer.

 I finished in front of the pace setter at 

2 hours 28 minutes!!

 This may be my last half marathon.

I am thrilled to have achieved a PR!
I am not saying 'never',

but I believe I would like to end 

my half marathon career on that positive note.

EGG DROP

There was an egg drop at the Primavera Music Festival in Safety Harbor a few weeks ago.

I was disappointed when we arrived at the roped off egg drop site.

There were already eggs on the ground!

I thought we had missed the action.

We learned that 35,000 eggs were on the ground and

two helicopters would be dropping an additional 10,000 eggs.

It was suggested that I take some practice video shots

 before the helicopters arrived for the actual egg drop.

So I did!

I was successful with one video of the egg drop.

You have to look closely for the blips which are the actual eggs!

A second helicopter dropped eggs right overhead and

 I thought I was shooting excellent video.

Alas, when all the action was over and

 I reviewed my video 

I had completely missed the second helicopter egg drop.

I think I need a little more practice using my phone to take videos.

Do You Have A Green Thumb??

After reading an article in the Sunday paper which featured 

a resident who did front yard gardening  

we decided to attend a local farmer's market.

The resident was at the market each week and

his garden was within walking distance.

We were intrigued!

 It was a beautiful day for going to market

and walking around town.

Here is what we saw.

 Hubby's garden follows a more traditional approach.

The yield has been plentiful!!

 Other results of hubby's green thumb . . . . .

Happy Gardening!!!

 

CARDINALS

A few weeks ago the cardinals worked really hard building this nest

in the same tree where three baby cardinals hatched last year.

Mama cardinal took several days to build and test out the nest.

Papa cardinal would periodically stop by to check progress.

Mama and Papa have continued to check the nest periodically,

but there have not been any eggs.

 We will keep you posted!!

TWO FOR ONE

I ran two races at one time!

I was asked by a friend to participate in the Baycare 5K/10K.

I chose the 10K so that I could also complete a virtual run -  

The Sweetheart Run. 

I missed participating in the Sweetheart Run with my running group

due to being out of town.

Here are some of my crazy running buddies.

Our coach's hubby gave roses to all the gals.

I am sorry I missed such a fun event!

 

The morning of the Baycare event was perfect for running!

 I had a PR (personal record) for a 10K and

placed third in my age group - old ladies!!

 Half of my group placed in our appropriate age groups!!

 I was not expecting to run so well, 

but it was a perfect day for running.

Until next time . . . . . . .

 

 

I LOVE GRANDCHILDREN!

The grandchildren are so creative!

This is the welcome sign on the bedroom door where we sleep when visiting them.

Morning playtime - 

at the table and in the bedroom.

Showing off the work gear.

 Solving work problems.

 It is Tea Time!!

 On Saturday we walked to the local park for gymnastics class.

The adults had to stay in the hallway 

so they did not disrupt class.

I managed to take a few pictures of the warm up stretches.

 Quackles Rides Again!

I spent many hours pushing Quackles 

around the house when the kids were young.

He rides again with grandchildren.

Looking forward to seeing this awesome family again!!