Disney World Princess Half Marathon

Every step was definitely a trial during this race! I went into this with not the best of training as I should've had. I am thankful that I completed the Family Fun 5k the morning before as it was a good warm up to the half marathon.

At 6:15ish am, I crossed over the start line on Sunday, 2/27/11. I was pumped! Ready to run the 13.1 miles to the finish line. The race started outside EPCOT and trekked towards the Magic Kingdom, going into that park and looping around so that it allowed us to run through the entrance to Cinderella's Castle. After existing the park the route went back towards EPCOT and it was on this stretch where doubt, fear and exhaustion started to take over.

"Just walk over to the side, sit down and have a cry. Then pick yourself up, call a race person over and ask to be driven to the finish line." this is what my me was telling me to do. To just give up. I had about 4 miles or so left at that point with the sun beating down and still needing to go over the last two dreaded uphill off ramps. At the top of the first off ramp I could see the pace cars in the distance and about panicked. I started to pick up my legs and eventually caught up to my mom who had started in the corral ahead of me. We ran into EPCOT together and crossed the finish line at the exact same time! I had done it! I had finished this crazy race!

Tears immediately formed in my eyes, but honestly it doesn't take much for me to tear up these days.

I am excited to say that I have signed up for the Disneyland Half Marathon in September this year in an attempt for the Coast-to-Coast medal. I do plan on training to prepare for that one and don't ever plan on being in a race where I haven't trained. Cause believe me, it's no fun!

Final times:
Holly 3:21
Mom 3:30

Another Family Update

I've been getting daily/weekly calls and emails from my mom as to how it's going with my grandparents which I'm vert thankfully for. Though I've been asked to not blog specifics about the daily happenings that my mom experiences with her folks since moving in with them. I respect that and will only let you all know somewhat non-specific info.

My grandma's dementia is rapidly increasing and she has less moments of knowing who anyone is. She is constantly transported into the past, but every so often will have a moment of clarity and remember who my mom is.

My grandpa is doing much better since returning home, though there were moments with him as well with the adjustment to my mom being there. He's eager for spring to start so he can get back outside to his garden.

So for now, this is all I can share. I'm hoping to get back to there house in March and praying the snow leaves soon so I can get over the pass safely. Thank you to everyone that has sent me kind and uplifting words as well as your thoughts and prayers.

Take care.

In my next blog update ...Walt Disney World Princess Half Marathon 2011 !!!

Family Update

As some of you know, and if you ready past posts, the family aspect of my life is crazy.  Well, within the last 30 days it got even crazier.  First of all, just to refresh your memories, my grandparents were moved into an assisted living home as my grandma has developed dementia and her and my grandpa basically stopped eating.  My uncle and aunt live on their property and have done the best they can to take care of them, but it was too much and sustain full time employment. 

I went and visited with my mom for Christmas and saw how sad it had gotten with my grandparents losing so much weight and my grandma not remember who any of us were most of the time.  After long talks and brainstorming, my mom decided to quit her job and move in with them to provide 24 hour care in their home.  We are hoping that getting them back into their own environment will help.  I went to their house this past weekend and helped my mom clean their house before they came home.  It was a very long and tiring ordeal, but finally they came home on Friday. 

Here's where I start to cry because we went to visit them on Thursday and my grandpa said he hasn't seen me in years!  I was just there at Christmas! He had forgotten and when we went to get them on Friday he kept asking my Aunt Barbara who I was and that I look like Paula (my mom).  He didn't say these things in his typical joking ways and was very serious.  Finally after a time of us visiting, it came back to him.  It's hard for one grandparent to forget who you are, but for both of them to do this was one of the most difficult things for me to face.  Dementia is a very cruel disease and I sympathize with anyone who has had to deal with it. 

I have the highest respect and love for my mom as she begins this new chapter in her life and pray for her everyday as takes care of her parents.  I love my grandparents dearly and can't imagine my life without them.  I'm going to do my best to visit them often, and it's a 5 hour drive one way.  I should look into taking the train.

I hope to post more updates on their progress now that they are home and want to say thanks to those I've poured my heart and tears out to ... you know who you are.