The Next Chapter

There has been lots and lots and lots of time since my last post.  And there have been reasons.  After running my first marathon, I got back to the business of catching up on a million things I'd neglected while training.  I know that I'm making it sound like I trained 24/7, but I didn't.  However, the physical training was only part of it.  There was a whole all-encompassing mental thing that snuck up on me.  It took awhile to re-connect with my life.  It was a positive experience and really life-changing.

Then, almost right away, I started training for Tough Mudder Wisconsin 2013 with a wonderfully extended team.  Why did I choose to do this 12-mile / 22-obstacle gut-clencher for a second time? Because I'm crazy.  Also, I love it.  The workouts were nuts, and I felt so alive.  That took place the first week of September.

Being a part of a team is important, especially when one really needs the team to complete the challenge.

It's also good to remember that there are people in my corner.  Being reminded of that is a good thing.

And in case you wondered, this is me getting help with a 12-foot wall (with no toe holds) from some of my fabulous Tough Mudder teammates.  The pictures here serve as a metaphor for something I need to remember:  Please let other key people in my life help me when the going gets tough (read:  impossible) rather than try to go it alone.

Wow.  What a difference it makes to trust people who can be trusted.  Really.

In between Wisconsin Marathon and Tough Mudder, there was a crazy amount of fastpitch softball (Delaney)

and Little League baseball (Aidan).  (And a parade collided with baseball.)

It was a great summer.  We were busy with the things and people we love.  

The warm weather wrapped up with the Miller Park Half Marathon at the end of September.  Now, we are enjoying a long autumn.  This is the first real autumn we've enjoyed in a few years.

Life is changing.  My mom is declining heavily with her frontotemporal dementia.  We are sadly hoping she finds her peace soon.  The kids are getting bigger and are into bigger kid activities.  I'm working on a few projects having to do with knitting, writing, and a combination of the two.  One of them that a good friend is letting me get in on is here, and there will be a couple of other fun things coming up.  Rob is seeking a new path in his professional life.  I continue to run and train for the next fun physical challenge.  Life is good.  We just have to remember that and live it.  And remember that the choice for happiness is ours for the taking.

Personal and family upheaval is time consuming and soul consuming.  I've missed my blog and the normalcy it helps me to realize.  Since all the change is happening around me, I'm going to change it up for myself too.  A rolling stone gathers no moss, after all.

Welcome to the next chapter.