Life Without Limits Half-Marathon

Kelly & me

Yesterday morning, Kelly and I got up at 4:00 to drive to Florence, AL, to run a half-marathon. I know, we're crazy! We picked up a sweet friend who rode over with us. This was my third half and am sad to say my worst! My time was better than St. Jude last December, but the experience was worse! The temperature was freezing at start but felt great after about a mile. The course was beautiful, and I really enjoyed looking out on the water, seeing the fisherman on their boats in the morning fog, running the trails through the woods with the changing colors of the fall leaves. What I didn't like were the hills and the 1 1/2 mile long caged bridge! I have to say that the first 9 miles were awesome! I felt super, running a good steady pace right under a 10 minute mile, but then my knee started hurting! It locked and stiffened up on me really out of nowhere. I have had no trouble at all, except for the occasional aches during long runs. It was really difficult to run through it, and I had to completely stop and stretch it a few times. I honestly wanted to cry several times, and almost did between mile 12-to the finish. That was the longest stretch of time, and I didn't think it was ever going to end! I did push through and finished, but the clock said 2:16, I had missed my goal by a minute! I was so upset and hurting so bad, I just went over to the curb and sat. Kelly found me, checked on me, got me an ice pack and water. I am so proud of Kelly! His time was 2:07, not a PR, but under the circumstances of his week, it was an awesome time! I am amazed by his strength, stamina, and endurance. Not only has he been working incredibly hard on his campaign, he is training for his first full marathon! He is physically exhausted! As a matter of fact, he left the race to go to 3 events yesterday afternoon! After resting and icing my knee for about 20 minutes, I went and found Jimmy, Roan and Esther, who all ran an amazing race! Roan met her goal and all 3 had a PR time! I am so happy for them! We enjoyed some post-race snacks, checked out the official posted results, and to my surprise I actually met my goal! Yeah! My official time was 2:15: 45! I did feel some better! We went to the award ceremony, where Esther won female masters! We all enjoyed the ride home with some good conversations!

Esther, Roan & me before the race

These two ladies amaze me!

St. Jude is only 5 weeks out! Run, run, run!!!!

Holly Farms

This morning Lesley and I took the children to the pumpkin patch. Unfortunately, we were minus Jared, who was at school. Thankfully, his class traveled to the Blue Mountain patch last week. This year we decided we would try out Holly Farms. We were not disappointed! The weather was gorgeous, and the kids had a great time! There was lots to do there to keep the kids busy!

John Ashford

Carson

Avery

John Parker

This old truck with the 30 foot super, rumble slide was a hit with all the children! They loved it!
They slid backwards, forwards, upside down and any other way they could come up with!

Very innovative way to "recycle!"

Their next favorite was the huge rope swing! They would swing back and forth from the huge hay bales!

There was also a corn maze, corn crib, barrel train, play ground, country store, a great concessions area, and most importantly the wagon ride to the pumpkin patch!

All the kids on the train!

Carson swimming in the corn crib!

Lesley, John Ashford & Ella Joan getting ready for the wagon ride

Our guide on the way down to the patch stopped to give us a little history lesson!

He did a wonderful job!

Look at those faces! Poor Ella is just saying somebody save me please!

We all had a great time! After working up an appetite we went to Chick-Fil-A for a yummy lunch!