Derby Half Marathon

Since Jennifer has gotten a big interest in running I have joined with her in running races. After the Disney marathon she decided to run one a little closer to home. We signed up for the Derby mini-marathon which is run the weekend before the Kentucky Derby. The course runs through downtown Louisville and up to Churchill Downs before heading back downtown.

We headed to Louisville the night before the race to pick up our race packets and bibs. 

We got up bright and early to run our 13.1 miles. When we woke up that morning we got an email saying that the race was postponed 30 minutes due to possible bad weather. So, we got to the start line ready to run with a new start time of 8:00.

However, there were still some storms in the area at 8:00, so they told everyone to take cover and wait for further instruction. We ended up having to wait another hour before they decided to try and start the race.  

At 9:00 they let the first group of runners go and then it started to rain. I was getting mentally prepared for an interesting and wet run. However, after about 5 minutes the rain stopped and I only felt an occasional raindrop. 

This is the motivation that I had for running this race. These are initials of some of the kids that I have taken care of with cancer. I have taken care of so many children with cancer and I struggled picking only 13. Some of these kids are still fighting today and others are unfortunately no longer with us. For whatever number mile I was on I thought about that kid and their family. I said prayers for them and reminiscenced about the memories that I had with them. They helped me through each of the 13.1 miles and helped me take my mind off the boring act of running.

Ready to start! Jennifer and I were placed in different corrals so we decided to run separately today unlike what we did at our full marathon. 

Right after the start of the race we headed right past this big golden statue. I decided that I would try to get a picture while on the move. 

We also passed by the Louisville Slugger Museum where they make so many of the professional baseball bats. Sometime we will have to go back so that we can actually take the tour. 

Around mile six I noticed a familiar building. It was West End Baptist Church. This is the church where my sister was married just a few years ago. I snapped this picture and sent it to her to see if she recognized this place.

Two miles later we reached Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby! 

We headed down the ramps to the infield on the run too. I had been down these ramps once before during my only trip to the Kentucky Derby. Funny that it rained both times that I went to the infield. 

Not a great picture, but there are the famous twin spires. 

I was just a week too early. By the time the Derby is ready to start on Saturday this place will be filled with thousands of people ready to watch the fastest horses in the world. Pretty cool that the fastest 2 minutes in sports happens in the great state of Kentucky! 

Jennifer ended up finishing just a little over a minute after me. I am so proud of her for all the hard work that she has been putting into running. She has now finished her first half marathon.

As you can clearly see from the above pictures that we ran past the statue and this huge baseball bat. Well, Jennifer had no idea that we ran past them. I tell her this all the time, but sometimes she is completely oblivious.

The kids were so excited to see us when we got home. Or maybe they were just excited to see our medals!

After we got home I took a look at my runner's app to see what my splits were. My goal had been to run close to 2 hours and I started off feeling great and was on pace. However, about half way into mile 2 my right leg started to cramp up a little. I pushed through, but it wasn't long before my left leg started to cramp up a bit. At that point I really was just wanting to survive and I threw my time out the window. Mile 4 I had to stop for a bathroom break. I have no idea what happened on mile 10, but it was not good. I recovered though and ran slightly faster the last couple of miles. 

I think this picture is priceless! Every time I saw the photographers along the course I was sure to put my L down. I had a few of the photographers give me a little head nod as I passed them.

I did set a race day PR of 2:32:01, but it was no where close to what I thought that I could do. I guess that gives me room for improvement in future races. I believe that it won't be too long before Jennifer signs us up for our next race. Thanks for reading and God bless! 

Christmas 2016

This past Christmas was a whirlwind of a time for our family. We started decorating the house right after Thanksgiving just like any other year. Then half way through December is when my father became ill and had to be hospitalized. So, for the next few weeks I was off from work and spent almost all my time at the hospital with my father. We tried to get in as much of our holiday traditions as possible, but it was difficult because we were not at home.

Decorating our annual gingerbread house.

Brinley decorating her side of the house.

Elam reading the night before Christmas to Landon and Brinley.

Jennifer's family at MiMi's to take some Christmas card pictures.

We even made a trip up to the Newport Aqurium for a visit with Scuba Santa.

We even got a picture in the sleigh.

Since we were already so close at the aquarium we also made a quick little trip over to see the Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo.

Brinley and Frosty at the Festival of Lights.

Landon at his Christmas party at preschool.

Since we were away from home my cousin Tricia graciously allowed Jennifer and the kids to stay at their place. So, one day Jennifer and I decided to celebrate Christmas with the kids with the gifts that Santa brought them. The night before they left out some cookies for Santa and even put some reindeer food outside too. Since we hadn't really finished all our Christmas shopping, we just brought the few gifts that the kids had asked for from Santa.

Landon opening up his gifts.

The kids and us with their gifts from Santa. Landon and his dinosaur and Brinley with her Anna doll.

The kids playing pie face with their cousins.

The kids with grandpa on Christmas day while he was still in the ICU.

The kids also got to celebrate with their great grandparents.

When we were finally able to come back to our house when my father was better then we celebrated with the kids and gave them the big gift that Jennifer and I got them. Jennifer and I also got to exchange some gifts as well.

The kids loved their dune racer. 

Myself and the kids opening a few gifts.

Family picture with our Christmas PJs.

My girls opening mommy's gift.

Jennifer did a great job with the kids homemade hand print ornaments this year.

The kids opening some gifts while they were celebrating Christmas with Jennifer's family.

Landon and Elam opening gifts at MiMi's house.

So, even with everything that was going on we were able to get around and visit with quite a bit of family. If nothing else was learned this holiday season then it was to appreciate all the time that you have with your loved ones because at any moment they can be taken from you. Fortunately for us my dad was able to recover and we will hopefully get to spend many more Christmas' with him. Thanks for reading and God bless!

Home Depot Builders

The Home Depot has a pretty awesome little builders program. It is held on Saturdays, which isn't the most ideal time for someone that only works on weekends, but I really enjoy getting to take the kids when I can. We have been able to attend three workshops so far and they have all been a big success.

Brinley working on her hammering skills.

Landon with his hammering.

Landon with his built helicopter. I usually let them start out building it, but in the end I do most of the work.

The kids enjoy getting to paint their new craft too. They like it because they get to pick out whatever colors they want.

Brinley's painting while she is also enjoying her most favorite part of the experience, snacks.

The kids with their finished helicopters that they made around veterans day.

Our next time that we were able to attend we were building rain gauges.

Brinley nailing the roof on her rain gauge

Brinley painting.

Landon is always concentrating so hard when painting.

The kids like doing the project, but the snacks are definitely the hit of the day.

We are so thankful that the Home Depot has a program that is geared towards kids that allow them to experience something that they normally wouldn't be able to do. It has been a lot of fun for me to take them and I can't wait to see what we get to build next! Thanks for reading and God bless!