Historic Tour

We're on day four of a historic tour, having seen Antietam, Williamsburg, Yorktown and Jamestown (settlement and historic). I've taken lots of photos, so many they can't be posted here. But they are visible on my facebook page: www.facebook.com/anieta.mccracken. When Butch and I return, I'll try to post at least a few of them. For now, however, perhaps you'd enjoy seeing a couple turkeys at least. (That's Butch on the left).

Road Trip

Butch and I are headed east -- first to Antietam for a five mile race tomorrow (Saturday). We're both hoping for a good finish, but facing reality as well. His calf is bothering him and I'm still struggling just to do three miles. Even a minor bout of pneumonia knocks the wind out of you -- literally!

After the race we're going to tour Jamestown, Yorktown, Williamsburg and Virginia Beach where we plan to do a little sight seeing, but mostly relax, rest and recover. I am so very tired.

We'll return in time for me to attend a meeting on Thursday, the official start of a new term at school. I'm not feeling prepared for that either as I'm teaching seven classes this term. I don't even have the books for one class yet, although that should be the easiest of the seven to teach. I have taught the class several times before; I'll just most likely be using new books. I have read all the other texts except for a criminal law class, which I'm taking with me. I should be able to finish it before Monday, the first day of class.

So prepared or not, the next term will come. And I wonder if a person ever really feels adequately prepared for the next project, term, responsibility? I think not. I think that's where faith comes in. We do all we can to keep some margin in our life and to prepare for tomorrow, but in reality we're never really prepared and have to just trust that everything will be okay somehow.

Dog Days 5K

Ran Gypsy's Hill Dog Days 5K yesterday. Before the race we looked at the records posted on the board. I was surprised to find my name among the top ten finishers in the 46 to 55 year category, having run the race in 26:16 last year and earning the distinction of being fifth in the list.

Instead of being excited as I should have been, I was immediately depressed because the post-pneumonia me can't run anywhere near that fast now. But I determined to savor the knowledge of having been a fifth place record holder, run the best I could today, and to just enjoy this year's race. Overall I'm getting better even though I had a second minor bout of pneumonia two weeks ago, just two days after getting a pneumonia vaccine.

Anyway I ran as well as I could. I was pleasantly surprised that the hill that used to beat me when I first started running the hills of Staunton no longer seemed daunting; I just raced right up it. I laughed to myself as I remembered the number of times I had walked that hill during training runs when I lived in Staunton.

I watched the time and hoped for a sub-30 minute run. I hit the finish line at 28:27 according to my watch. That's my best post-pneumonia 5K run time, so I was quite pleased.

Then came the awards ceremony and the calling of the 46-55 year old female winners. The third place winner had a slower time than me, as did the second place winner. It didn't sink in that I had won the age group until they called my name. The trophy is now sitting on the shelf with other running awards. Am I ever glad I didn't let discouragement dictate my race pace.

A visit to see the NY kids. . .