Sunday, September 21, 2008

River Trail With Gabrielle (hey that rhymes!)

You know how the night before marathons (or other big events in life) you can't sleep well? Last night I had the same dream TWICE - I dreamed that I missed my run this morning with Gabrielle! I would have croaked had that been true, because I was sooooo excited to have the chance to run with a fellow blogger. And an Arkansan blogger to boot! :)

So at 7 AM at the North Little Rock side of the River Trail, I had the chance to meet trucker extraordinaire Gabrielle from Searcy, Arkansas. Like most runners, we clicked instantly! I warned her previously that doing 11 miles with me would be the slowest experience of her life. She kindly said that was quite alright, since she has been having hamstring issues. So off we went!

Yackety, yackety, yack -- that was us. The next thing I knew we were at the Big Dam Bridge. Walking up it is quite a bit easier than running or cycling up it, I assure you. Ha! We walked the entire time out there. Since I am pregnant, I have a cyclical pattern of walk, potty break, eat. Gabrielle was a trooper about it!

The next thing I knew we were almost done. Whoa! Gosh it is good to go with a partner! I forgot to turn my Garmin back on after an eating break, so I can report per Gabrielle's Garmin that we went 11.77 miles (extra mileage!) in 3:33:57. Hooray!

Here we are afterwards. Gabrielle has some VERY enviable gams (that means legs, by the way).

Once I made it back to the hotel and got showered, we hit the road for home. I slept about the last hundred miles. I was worn out! I am definitely looking forward to cutting back my mileage after the Worldwide Half Marathon.

On Friday we knew that our friends Scott and Lisa were in the delivery room. I received a photo of Baby Ryder on my phone on Saturday. I never dreamed they'd all be home today already, especially since Lisa had a C-section. We were on our way to their house to pick up Maggie the dog (remember her?) to give them a bit of 'relief' for the first days of parenthood when Chasen called just to check in. And they were home! So guess who I got to hold...

Over-ecstatic Susan with handsome little Ryder -- all 8 pounds 6 ounces of him!

"Miss Susan, may I come to your house? You put me right to sleep."

Maggie-dog will have to do for now...

7 comments:

lizzie lee said...

In no time you will be posting a beautiful picture of a beautiful baby of your own.. A runner already!!!!!!!

keep running

mrjwhit~ said...

You have some of the best blogs. Thanks for sharing and being the first to comment on my page. (That didn't rhyme)

Petraruns said...

Love those piccies - a good run and then a baby to squeeze - life doesn't get much sweeter...

Jenn said...

Awesome about being published in RR. You already look like a natural Mommy. 11 miles at 18 weeks...you really are a true inspiration. You got the spunk girl! Hope you have a great week.

ShirleyPerly said...

Always fun to run with a new friend. And I must admit that I looked at the photos of you with the baby before I read the details and thought, whoa, that was fast :-)

Nice pictures!

Bev said...

Oh my goodness, what a sweet little bundle. You look so happy. Just a few more months and we'll all get to meet your little bundle.

Unknown said...

Aw, thanks for the compliments! And I do believe that I initiated at least 2 of those bathroom stops. I had a great time and the pic of us turned out very well. You're going to be an awesome mommy!

Gab