Limberlost #2: the snag

**see part 1 here**

March.

it was nearing the end.

training was going well.

the boy was still positive he wanted to run Limberlost.

so i sat down one afternoon to register him and i.

my husband didn't know yet which race he'd be running.

I registered myself for The 2017 Limberlost Challenge 14km...

I went to register the boy...

'You need to be 12 to register for this event.'

i stared at the screen on my computer and felt my gut drop.

12?

i had checked everywhere on the site for a minimum age.

i hadn't seen one.

but i might have missed it.

with all the info that a site like that needs i may have missed it.

my boy looked at my computer screen and asked what that meant.

i had to tell him that he is too young.

you see my boy is 9.

He will be 10 in August, but that's still too young.

i did actually see tears in his eyes.

i understand age limits,

that's why i looked.

it's quite a distance for someone of his age to run,

and it's a safety and health concern if they have a course full of kids thinking they can run 14km,

and not being able to run it.

i understand completely.

but i told him i would just ask and see if there was a possibility.

i wrote to the coordinator and told him our situation.

i asked if there was any chance he could register,
but i completely understood if he couldn't.

rules are there for a reason.

i then went to talk to the boy.

i told him to keep training.

we'd hear back and no matter what..

if he could race, great.

if he couldn't, we'd go run the trail anyway at a different day.

he was good with that.

so we waited.

he continued to train with his dad.

not crazy distances yet.

his longest is currently 4km on a road.

he was quite tired, but i ran it the next day and was worse off than him.

we have a one km trail we
(i say we, but is was the boy and his dad)
made out back.

when they first made it last summer i referred to it as:
 the whole 14km Limberlost hills compacted into 1km.

it's tough.

quite steep and quite technical.

i find it exhausting.

and the snow and ice on it doesn't make it any easier.

it is a great training trail.

i received an email in response

the email was copied to the men who would make the final decision for the boy.
and there was an apology for not finding the age requirement,
as the website had just been revamped..
it did look amazing by the way.

but, we waited.

My excitement for his dream, and my race partner, was dwindling.

my fears that we were pushing him, were growing.

that he would not be able to do it and would be discouraged.

he is only 9.

should i have encouraged him?

i love watching him run, he is so happy to be doing it... but could he run 14km?

i know that trail...

the uphills drain the soul out of you...

ok, not really, but i wanted to make you know how i really feel about them.

i don't like waiting, 

but i did like that if he wasn't allowed to run it, it was from others, not me.

and if he was allowed, i'd sign him up.

i spent a lot of prayer about him and his dream ever since his training has begun.

i want him to be able to push past the frustration, and discouragement, and even some pain that comes with training for a long distance, without pushing his 9 year old body too far.

my husband and i had agreed to wait for the decision.
if it was yes, we'd sign him up, 

and encourage him.

but for now...

2km trail run time.

...to be continued

XC Ski

i have a boy.

last winter we obtained xc skis, poles and boots for him.

his daddy took him out and taught him basics of xc skiing.

we had an excited boy.

fast forward to this winter.

he could not wait to do some xc skiing when the snow came.

his daddy and he went skiing a few times, and this year he began to improve on his classic skiing and also began to learn how to skate ski.

so excited.

he was loving it.

then the opportunity came for him to sign up for an elementary school XC ski race.

at the end of january he raced in a classic race with other grades 3/4 boys.

he finished 33rd out of 68 boys.

he did his 2km loop in 16:35.

he had so much fun.

he didn't care if he came in first, or even in the top ten.

he loved being out on the trail, doing something he has grown to love.

and the weather was spectacular as well.

beautiful sunshine.

last friday he had the opportunity to do his second race.

chilly day.

cloudy, and that wind...

brrrrr.

we forgot his ski boots.

the rental ones didn't fit comfortably...

we live 5 minutes away and we had time so i headed home and got his boots   

-sitting right where his skis had been-

when i made it back he still had plenty of time to play around before the 1/2 boys and girls raced.

then it was his time.

this race was classic and skate.

he said he would just classic, 

but then as he watched the 1/2s race he said he may do a little skate, 

since that's a lot of fun.

i waited for him at the finish line.

there were kids coming in that i thought he could have been in before, 

so i wondered how he was doing.

was he too tired?

did he fall?

was he  having a rough time?

finally i saw my little man skiing along.

he finished 57th out of 64 grade 3/4 boys.

finishing his 2km in 23:13

did he have a rough time?  

nope.

he was so happy when he finished.

he was tired, but i got to hear his adventure.

he told me that the basket on the end of his pole fell off.

when he noticed he was about half way.  

he turned around and went back to look for it.

he said it was back where the 1/2s turn off and head to the finish.

then he put the basket back on. 

and continued on his way.

what a kid.

he didn't want to lose the basket.

*he didn't know that his dad had an extra pole at the house, or that his teacher would have gone out to look for it after the races*

he skied a lot further than his race distance, 

and still had fun.

and then still went and played around with all the other kids.

i am so proud of this kid.

he enjoyed the races.

i loved watching him.

he loved finding out how fast he did it in.

he loves figuring out what position he came in.

he would like to one day win, but he wants to have fun.

he wants to enjoy the races.

he knows some kids will be fast.

he knows some kids will do the sport a lot and train a lot.

after one of his friends raced, he had to go find him to tell him good job.

way to go kid.

no school today

today is yet another bus cancellation day here in Muskoka.

i think in the month of January, we have had 4 bus cancellation days.

i don't say snow days because not all of them were truly snow days.

i don't consider it a snow day if it's not due to snow.

i can't do it.

*ok, sometimes i do, 'snow day!' sounds more exciting than 'bus cancellation day!'*

we have had snow day, horrible gross road day.

we have had possibility of a butt load of snow day

and today we have a freezing rain day.

*i have a friend that had fog day before Christmas, we haven't had that one...yet*

last night i heard the weather report for today.

there was a freezing rain warning for our area that would begin in the morning then turn to snow and back to freezing rain in the afternoon.

we have had days predicted like that and had the buses still drive.

sometimes the buses had no issues for the freezing rain came after the after school bus time.  and people were so happy the buses didn't get cancelled.

sometimes the buses were good before school but after school the roads were treacherous, and people were furious the buses didn't get cancelled.

we have had days predicted like that and the buses were cancelled.

sometimes the buses had no issues for the freezing rain didn't come until later in the evening.  people were furious that the buses were cancelled.

sometimes the buses were good before school but after school the roads were treacherous and people were glad the buses were cancelled.

see what i'm getting at?

anyone?

bueller?

no matter the decision made, someone out there will probably have an issue with it.

i, for one, take it as it comes.

sure, some days i go "seriously?  why are the buses not driving?  oh well.  do i want to drive them in?"  

sometimes yes i do, sometimes no i don't.

some days i go "seriously? i can't believe they are not cancelled...Lord keep our bus drivers safe out there as they transport my kidlets to and from school, thank you for them"

i'm not perfect and we do not have perfect happy-go-lucky snow days, all the time.

i'm blessed to be able to be home for my kids, so snow days don't hinder us.  

i don't need to find babysitting, or call in sick to work when a snow day happens.  

i live close enough to the school that i could drive my kids in if i needed to that day.  

they have come to appointments with me when buses were cancelled.

i know that on a snow day the work load is not the normal at school.

there's a lot more review as well as a variety of extra activities since the population of the school is so small on those days.

so i know my kids aren't missing learning something new on a snow day, they won't be behind.

last week we had 3 bus cancellation days.

last week was the first week back after Christmas holidays HAHA!

oh Muskoka, you always amuse me.

am i always this optimistic?

nope.

but a lot of times i am verbally positive while my brain is cringing and wanting to complain.

i find when i make an effort to not complain and to find the positive, the blessing, the fun in the situation i am able to allow God to turn my complaining, grumbling, frustration into thankfulness.

it helps me refocus.

the people making the decision are making this decision to keep my children safe.

(i don't care if their reason is to avoid lawsuits or genuine concern for my kids, if the safety concern is number one, i'm all for it)

so, 

thank you people in charge of making the decision.

i've said it before i'll say it again...

i'm glad i am not you.

*Jan 2014 snow day post*

slacklining, archery and trail running

Easter Sunday was a beautiful sunshiny day.

we went to church in the morning.

a friend asked if the trails at Limberlost would be good for running, or still too snow covered.

that got us thinking about possibly checking them out.

i had been fighting a fever, sore throat, headache all weekend so my wonderful husband decided that to make lunch easier (and less cleanup) he'd make it over a campfire.

he got the fire going and found a grill to put over it.

i sliced the ham, and potatoes, and opened the canned corn.  

we headed outside to enjoy the afternoon.

he had the slackline set up, 

an archery target,

our little girl bought this with her Easter money from her Papa

and the gt was also available - which my boy was taking full advantage of it in his shorts and t-shirt.

while the meal cooked we enjoyed the sunshine, campfire, and the activities listed above.

my boy bought this multi-tool with his easter money

it was a beautiful day.

even with snow in the yard it was so nice to be out there.

i had barefeet in my winter boots - - as i do most of the winter - - but that day it was specifically so i could enjoy the slackline.

we were talking about checking out the Limberlost trails, later in the afternoon.

we began to get excited about going... hopefully the kids would feel the same.

waiting for lunch to be ready

about an hour before going we told the kids that we were going to go for a hike.

the girl was excited.

the boy not so much.

until he heard where we were going.

off we went.

running shoes - not boots.

we were going, hopeful about the conditions.

we headed out on the trail, 

walking and talking.

then it became short runs here and there.

then longer runs.

the kids just wanted to run!

i wanted to run (no matter how lousy i felt)- - i know, without a doubt, my husband wanted to run.

our plan had been to do just under half the trail and then turn around..

we ran and hiked the whole trail.

and had so much fun.
*the guide estimates about 13km for the whole trail.  we're pretty sure it's actually about 7.5-8km*

the kids took turns leading the way, setting the pace.

i asked my boy if he'd missed running on trails.

he said he had.

boy: "know what i love about running trails?

us: "what?"

boy: "running on trails.  know what i don't like about running on trails?"

us: no time to respond

boy: "nothing.  i like the trees, the hills, i like it all.  what would you rather... race on a trail or road?"

all four of us were unanimous with our answer of racing on a trail.

my girl told me that she wanted to do a trail race around a lake, then she could see the water the whole time.

as we were running i began thinking about my childhood.

i was thinking about my brother and i running ahead of our parents.

running and playing, imagining.  

it also got me thinking about my trip to Arkansas one year with 3 good friends.

my one friend and i ran a trail - we were Last of the Mohicans.. we were pretending we were riding horses like Monty Python and the Holy Grail.  but we were running it to Ponca!

when we are children we ran trails.  

we would run and jump and hide and laugh and imagine.

we go for hikes often...
but i love that i have the ability to run when the kids want to run..

i loved running that trail with my kids.

we weren't going too fast to enjoy it.

we walked when we wanted, but we ran and laughed, and slipped, and got wet feet.

we ran all downhills 

(i walked a couple, i'll be honest - - i didn't want to fall)

we had a blast.

no complaining, no arguing.

we stopped to enjoy the beauty.
we stopped on a bench barely uncovered from the snow for a photo op.

we stopped for some fruit snacks.

we chewed on wintergreen.

i love hiking with the kids.

and i love trail running with the kids.

sunshine, warmth, campfire, slacklining, archery,  GTing, trail running and cereal for dinner.

it was a perfect way to end our long weekend before dan went back to work on monday.

*all photos taken by me

with Gertie.

except for the one of my barefoot on the slackline.

that was taken with Chester.

mommy, who inspired you to snowboard?

there was fresh snow.

we were out back at our sled hill.

my girl and hubby were down at the bottom.

i was walking up the hill, carrying my ancient snowboard.

my son was sitting at the top putting his board back on so he could take another run down the hill.

we were chatting as i got closer.

i told him how i loved watching his sister ski and him board.

i informed him that i didn't learn to snowboard until i was about 21.

and that was after only downhill skiing a couple times in my life - which i hadn't really enjoyed.

i told him i loved that he was starting out young.

he asked me if i was a good snowboarder..good like him.

i laughed and told him i could stay up - most of the time.  i was good.

then he continued and asked me a question that has stuck with me since that moment.

"mommy, who inspired you to snowboard?"

i told him i couldn't pick anyone specific, but when i first saw the sport i loved it.  

i hadn't like skiing and it looked like skateboarding on snow.  

**i had always wanted to skateboard - but i'm chicken.  

i used to watch the guys (and girls) skate and always wanted to learn but didn't want to get hurt.  

i didn't want to fail. those were some thoughts that passed through my mind but didn't make it to words**

i told him i liked that my feet were together - unlike skiing.

and then i went to college and snowboarding was an activity encouraged and instructed a little and i loved it.

i told him that since i met daddy that he has inspired me to keep trying.

i asked him who inspires him to snowboard?

he shrugged.

i asked if his daddy does.

he smiled his big smile and nodded.  

then down the hill he went.

what a great question.

not just who inspires me to snowboard but, 

who inspires me?

i have actually been thinking about that question for a few weeks and his asking of it has given me the idea.

over the next little while i am going to write a few posts about people who have inspired me in some way or another.

some may be in crazy huge ways, 

others may be some small thing that has stuck with me, 

or some may be just about enjoying this silly thing called life.

i hope as you follow me on this journey it will bring to mind those people who have been an inspiration in your life.

So, as i begin i guess you can say that this post was about the one who inspired me to pursue these future entries.

MY BOY!

thanks kid.

i probably won't share about my husband or my dad - - 

i have told you many times how i've been inspired by them, but who knows where i'll go with this mini series.

*photo taken by me, 

with Gertie.

*just less than* 4 months to go

last wednesday i realized that i had 4 months exactly until my 40K run.

that's not very long.

i had been slacking in my running schedule so that realization hit hard.  

i had just run 11K the weekend before.  

that was a difficult run, i was pretty worn out after.  

so the thought of running 40K began to scare me.

yet, not enough to abandon the plan.

i ran 12.3K this past weekend 

- it was supposed to be a 13K run, but i missed a section - 

completely forgot about it once i got out there running.  

but man, i felt good.

tired and worn out but felt strong most of the run.

my 6k this morning was a little tiring.  

may have something to do with the fresh wet snow that we got overnight.

or may have something to do with 12.3k did tire me out.

and snowshoeing with the family yesterday added to my body tiredness.

but the fact that i checked my schedule this morning and said to myself

"oh, it's just a 6K"

ya.. just a 6K.

i had to check myself and realize i truly did think it's JUST a 6K, that a 6K is an easier run for me now.

that encouraged me as i have less than 4 months until my 40K.  6K better feel easier.

in 2 months my husband is running his first 50Mile race.

the Cayuga50.  it looks like it will be an amazing day:  check it out

we have just booked our campsite for our trip.  

i am so excited for him.  He is training so hard for this race.

and i'm excited for myself... 

i'm bringing my camera so while he runs i will be hiking and adventuring with my beloved Gertie.  

in 2 and a half months i am running my first ever half marathon here at home: check it out here

*note my toque in above picture. got it for registering early*

yes, the thought currently scares me but i know i can do it. 

i will do it.

so instead of focusing on my 40Km run i'm needing to focus on my half marathon.  

it's a smaller goal.  

it is in line with my training for the 40K so i just need to think of the half and concentrate on being able to do it.

i pray that my new found love for running is an encouragement to my kids, and husband. 

yes, i took this upside-down and it's staying that way

for my family and friends.  

i'm doing something i never thought possible... actually i never thought about it at all.

i'm excited to have this goal.

yes, there are other things out there in life and the world that are more important than a lady wanting to run 40KM.  i get it.  

this is not a world changing event.  

but this is a personal decision, a personal goal.  

a goal to be healthier, to encourage others, to be proud of the woman God made me.  

to push a physical limit, and rely on God to give me strength, courage, determination.  

i can't do it without Him.  

my running has been a gift from Him.

i feel better about myself after a run.  i wrestle with Him during a run sometimes.

He has gifted me with the ability to run.  

He has given me a husband who loves to run and it has been amazing to be able to be encouraged by my husband and to encourage him through our runs.  

i get it when he wants to go for a run to clear his head.  or to do a 50M race.  

sure 50M is crazy... but i get it.  

and to run on a trail in the middle of our favorite place to be - the woods.

running has given me the ability to grow my endurance.  

i can hike out back with the kids and be the last in line because they want daddy to lead 

- not because mommy is worn out and needs to walk slower for a bit.  

my kids are both running at Band on the Run too.  and they are excited about it.  

so no, i'm not going to solve the world's issues with my run.

but i believe that for me it is making me a better wife and mother.  

and that, my friends, is very important to me.   

*unfortunately i will not be doing my 3rd Tough Mudder in Aug as i had hoped.  

maybe i'll be back at it next year.

forgive me.

a few weeks ago we had a PA day here.

i was so excited for that day with the kids. 

we were going to bring dan and his co-workers some muffins.

then we were going to go to Tim Hortons for lunch.

and finally we'd head to Arrowhead Provincial Park for some skating and maybe snowshoeing or tubing.

those were the plans for the day.

the morning was spent playing in the living room, in jammies.

then time to get ready.

that's when it is now a blur of activity.

i can't recall exactly how and when things began to go downhill.

it just did.

clothes were not being put on... then snowpants etc were not going on.

arguing about everything was happening.

yes, they still wanted to go skating...

i snapped.

i screamed

i yelled.

i threw something.

i stomped up the stairs.

i slammed a door.

i ran to my room.

i cried.

i had a tantrum.

then i heard my boy (on his way to his room - where i had sent them) yell at his sister.

i stomped back downstairs

threw open his door.

pointed my finger in his face and told him not to scream at his sister like that.

i left his room and went back to my room in tears.

i wept.

i just did everything i tell the kids not to do.

i deserved that time out i was giving myself.

i saw my boy afraid when i pointed in his face.

why wouldn't he yell at his sister after the way i had just acted.

he was tired, scared, mad, frustrated too.

i sent dan a text to say we may not be there with the muffins for lunch.

he thought the kids were freaking out.

i let him know it was me.

and we'd be there when we could.

when i calmed down 

i took some deep breaths, asked God for some strength and headed down the stairs.

first to my girl's room.

i knocked and asked if i could enter.

when given permission i opened the door and saw my daughter sitting on her bed, 

surrounded by her stuffies, crying.

i sat facing her.

"i am so sorry."  

i told her i knew what i had done was wrong.

i mentioned that i know it's all the things we ask them not to do when they're tired and get frustrated.  

i apologized again 

(all the while, crying)

and asked my girl to forgive me for how i acted. 

she told me she forgave me and gave me the tightest hug ever.

i told her i love her.  she kissed me and told me she loves me.

she headed back to the basement to get her snow stuff on so we could go out still.

into the boy's room.

the tears were subsiding now.

i knocked on his door.

i heard his tiny voice tell me i could come in.

he was up on his loft bed.

i climbed the ladder and saw him curled up with his stuffies.  

puffy red eyes from crying.

i apologized to him.

i said similar things i had said to the girl.

except i added something for him.

'i am so sorry i pointed my finger in your face.  i saw how scared you were and i am so sorry for that."  we talked a little more.

i asked him to forgive me.

he hugged me and told me he did and he loves me.

i love him so much too.

i didn't bring up what made me frustrated in the first place.  

i didn't need to.

i needed to apologize to my kids. 

i sent myself to my room for a time out until i was ready to talk to them and apologize.

it was such a hard experience.

i had to apologize to my kids. 

i had to admit my fault.  and in no way pass the blame.

they weren't listening, sure.

but it was my choice to react as i did.  and i chose wrong.

i did not make the wise choice that day.

thankfully i did acknowledge it and humbly cried to God and then went to my kids.

the afternoon with the kids turned out amazing.

we had so much fun together.

i stopped stressing about schedule and allowed the day to happen as it would.

the girl and i skated one lap, then our toes were cold so we walked lap 2 while the boy skated.

carrying her skates on our walk around the skating loop.

time for some snowshoeing.

having fun on the snowshoe trail.

 that day has been a constant reminder for me. 

i was scared to tell anyone about it at first.

i felt like it was a failure as a mom... 

as a praying, Christ-loving/following mom.

here i do Bible time with the kids, pray with them, encourage them to make wise choices...

and i have a tantrum like a 2-3 year old.

i shared it with my small group in the thursday women's bible study.

they encouraged me.

it is not a failure.

the tantrum was not the right choice.

but the apologizing was. 

the asking for forgiveness was.

the example i was to my kids is most important.

admitting my wrong was the right thing to do.

but, wow, it was not easy.

it's a new year.

Happy New Year.

Today is the 2nd day of 2015.

the sky is shining brightly behind the layer of clouds.

the grass and flowers are sleeping snugly under the thick blanket of snow.

the trees are cloaked with beautiful snow.

*this was actually taken Jan 1*

new years eve we had friends over.

we had a sledding night.

the snow came that afternoon and didn't stop until last night some time.

the sled hill was perfect.

then it was inside for play, games, snacks and movies.

yesterday, 

new years day,

we went outside in the morn and enjoyed the sledhill.

also bringing out the boy's snowboard and the girl's skis.

for the late afternoon/eve we went to friends' and snowshoed through amazing thick powdery snow.

then sledding after dark.

today.

i went for a 5K run.

then came home and got right back into my pj pants.  

the kids are in their pjs.

watching movies.

playing Lego.

my husband slept in, read, napped, and is now reading again.

it's that kind of day.

i love it.

i don't know what joys or pains 2015 will hold

but, for our little family, it has begun with fun, friends, and lots of snow.

and a couple late nights.

still winter

the date: Wednesday March 26 2014.

the temperature: -5*C in the sun.  that sun is a trickster.  

when i woke this morning the voice on the radio said it was -22*C

we received more snow yesterday.

i don't shovel anymore.

we haven't for a few weeks now.   

except for when we needed to clear a parking spot for my parents - in an area that no one had parked all winter.  

the sides of the parking spot were taller than the car.

i woke up saturday planning to run 11K.

i looked out the window.

overcast and snowing.  

*sigh*shoulder slump*

i couldn't do it.

i ran on sunday instead.

bright sunshine, had the best run all year so far.  and the farthest.

then the temps dropped again.

like i said earlier...

it snowed yesterday.

beautiful large snowflakes.

but the fact that it was snowing was the problem.

no matter how beautiful they were, they were coming at the end of march.

we've had snow since our first snowfall at the beginning of November.

we've had a lot of snow.

it has been bitter cold or snowing.

it's been a long winter.

my cat wants to go out when the sun is shining through the window.

then i open the door and he gets this confused look and turns and walks away - "not yet"

the sun is shining more.

i've been listening to the birds singing more often, and hear them playing in the branches.

that first robin i have not seen though.

less layers are needed most days.

i have tried to not complain about the winter.

it is a blessing having the 4 seasons to enjoy.

i am thankful for where i live, knowing full well that winter is a part of it, a huge part of it.

we have a ski hill 15 minutes away, we need winter here.

but we are primarily cottage country... we need summer too.

this has been a long winter for those whose employment is geared to no snow.

i just want spring.

i want to wear my birks...without freezing my piggies off.

i laughed the other day because i walked into the house and had muddy shoes...

i had mud on my shoes

not snow!

then it snowed again.

i can feel the warmth of the sun.

i know it is slowly beginning to feel like the beginning of spring.

i watch the icicles melt.

then reform overnight.

i see our canoe that got crushed by the amount of snow we received, and am thankful it was the old, already patched one anyway.  but look longingly at the other one who stood the test of winter.

i love the sparkles of light on the snow...there's so much snow, they're everywhere.

we laugh that our girl walked over and picked off the icicle dripping into the rainbarrel...she walked on snow the same level as the top of the rainbarrel.

winter is beautiful. 

i am thankful for the winter memories i have from this long winter.

quinzee sleeping, the girl learning to ski, the boy snowboarding, sledding parties, skating, hiking out back, getting out to take frosty photos, skijoring lessons for the dog, watching the dog slide down the hill because he loves snow, running on the snowy days, and enjoying that they're not bitter cold.  being inside with the family on a bitter cold day watching a movie, eating popcorn, watching the kids play- even in the bitter cold - while waiting for the bus, and the temp, not affecting them, snow days.

spring is beautiful.

i'm ready to be barefoot outside again.

i'm ready to run on grass.

i'm ready to have a picnic outside without snowpants and mitts.

i'm ready for thunderstorms, and showers.

i'm ready for rain coats, spring jackets, rain boots.

i'm just ready.

***

running selfies:

*all photos taken by me

with Gertie

edited in photoshop elements

hey guess what...more running selfies. oh well.

  haha my selfies are back!  

that's right.  

another post dedicated to...ME! 

these are always taken at the end of the run.

my face usually lets you know how the run went.

i've found myself figuring out what face i'm going to make before i even get home.

that's right, i make multiple faces in the last kilometer, as i figure out how i felt about the run.

when i think about how i look, as i'm doing that, i begin laughing.

my run usually ends on a high note because i make myself laugh, even when i'm worn out, exhausted, sore, tired...

i took this one...

just because.

why not.

i did 9K... i'll make whatever face i want.

i glanced in the window as i was about to take this photo.

my little girl was watching me as she ate her breakfast.

i made a face at her then snapped it as my selfie.

it was a good run, this face tells you nothing about it.

the wind was COLD.

and a lot of it.  

it was trying to stop my forward momentum.

i won.

but it froze my face.

 *all photos taken by me

with Gertie.

edited with Photoshop Elements