The ING NYC Marathon

Gamma brought her homemade spinach lasagna for J.T.'s special pre-race dinner.

"Go Daddy!" J.T. is the 2nd runner in this photo (blue tank top).

We enjoyed a post-race dinner down the street from our apartment at a Greek restaurant (in honor of our 2010 Greece marathon trip with 7 close friends).

From Wikipedia: "The New York City Marathon (branded ING New York City Marathon for sponsorship reasons) is a major annual marathon (42.195
km/26.219 mi) that courses through the five boroughs of New York City.
It is one of the largest marathons in the world."

"The 2011 Marathon was held on November 6. The men's event was won by
Kenyan athlete Geoffrey Mutai in a time of 2:05:05, breaking the
ten-year-old course record. Firehiwot Dado of Ethiopia won the women's
race in a time of 2:23:15.
Edison Peña, famous for keeping up his running routine during the 69
days he was trapped in the 2010 Copiapó mining accident, ran the
race."


This was J.T.'s 16th marathon. He qualified for the race in
February's Myrtle Beach Marathon.
The first New York City Marathon was held in 1970, the year J.T. was
born. He filed this race report:

Finished in 3:11:40, my third fastest. I was very pleased with results.

Bobby you nailed it in your analysis, in many ways I ran the same race
you did a few weeks ago. Was a bit hot on pace in early middle miles,
but felt like I intentionally pushed and consistently challenged
myself to take what was available by course, crowd and how I felt. I
passed people throughout. Wanted to give myself a shot at a PR, and
stayed on that through 18 I believe. Fairly challenging course
(though nothing like Athens) which seemed to always be slightly up or
down, with a few tough bridges. I was real encouraged through 14.
15 was long heavy uphill on lower level of Queensboro bridge with only
sound the feet and breathing of other runners, I backed it down a lot
but began getting concerned as I descended into mile 16 and didn't
feel any better while emerging into the full throated 5+ deep crowd at
mile 16 on First Avenue. By 17 and 18 I could tell it was going to be
a really hard last hour as legs felt deadened and stride was faltering
when I hit an uneven spot and I realized a PR was out of question but
math was not working as well in my head ... Decided to just see if I
could hang around through 22, and seemed to hold it together pretty
well. But by 23 it was really rugged and I thought I would be winning
the struggle to hold 8 MPM, particularly when all of 24 was a slow
uphill with my family waiting at the top. Somehow as I descended
through 25 in Central Park I "rose up on wings like Eagles", saw a
virtual Herr Booze come rapidly into view, and surged through one of
my fastest miles of the day into an exultant slightly rising finish.
Alive!

Some memorable scenes:
- the African-American church at mile 12-ish in Brooklyn which had a
mass choir on the steps singing Glorious!
- the hard rocking band in the Orthodox Jewish section with the
beards, dark jackets and the Shalom and Be Kosher! sign behind them
- the lady with the sign "Black Toenails are SO COOL!"
- the classic sign "Run like you stole something!" which somehow took
on added meaning in the middle of Harlem.

Really remarkable event here in NYC, just tremendous environment,
following the best marathoners in the world through classic scenery of
all five boroughs (the day started with a ferry ride past the Statue
of Liberty at sunrise ... Incredible, goose bumps. From race start by
crossing the Verazanno-Narrows bridge to mile 17 running up first
avenue in Manhattan and miles 20-24 down 5th ave before finishing
through Central Park), cheered on by huge crowds (biggest I've ever
seen - 2 million reported), thick field of quick runners surrounding
you the whole way (45,000 in all), perfect sunny cool weather with
just a bit of swirling wind.

All in all a great day and great trip.
Headed to see Ellis Island and Lady Liberty tomorrow.

Thought of our Greek group as we had a Greek dinner tonight ... No Ouzo however!

NYC Family Trip Nov. 2011

We met J.T.'s parents in NYC for a 5-night stay in this apartment just west of Central Park on 95th Steet.

Sightseeing is not all fun and games.

We enjoyed the view from "The Top of the Rock" at Rockefeller Center.

J.T. with his dad.

We stopped for lunch and a cupcake then we stopped by the American Girl store with Gamma.

We visited Wall Street (above) and passed through the Occupy Wall Street protest there (below) en route to the 9-11 Memorial.

The Popover Shop.

We brake for all pressed penny souvenir machines.

We toured the Natural History Museum the day before J.T.'s marathon. Trivia: We went back to the apartment that afternoon and watched the movie of this place called "Night at The Museum."

J.T. and Lydia attended the museum's special butterfly exhibition.

Lydia and Russell playing together in Central Park.

This sign caught our eye.

On our way to watch J.T.'s race, we spent some time with the grandparents at The Met (The Metropolitan Museum of Art). They treated us to enormous pretzels from a street vendor there.

The day after the marathon, J.T. made it out to Ellis Island with us.

We wrapped up our NYC experience with another visit to Times Square and a visit to the M and M's store.

Russell reading one of his very first books to Pa at bedtime.

As we left the city, this airport sign stopped us in our merry tracks.

NYC 9-11 Memorial

We were fortunate to obtain tickets to the 9-11 Memorial that opened this September. Lydia (age 9) searched and found the name of the mother of a boy who is one year ahead of her at her school. Sandy Bradshaw of Greensboro was a flight attendant on United Flight 93.

Russell (age 5) was drawn to the name "Thomas" above.

Russell Summer 2011

Russell (Spiderman) in his car seat with our friend Tyler

We can't bear to correct these:

I'd like to drink some "root beard", please.

(While traveling) Lets roll our "soup cases" into the "hootel"

"It's almost quite done" (Russell reported to Mom about a model that Ross was building for him).

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He told a playmate not to wrestle with him any longer because it gives him a headache, adding, "you should write that down so you'll remember it!"

Russell to Austin: For the third time, my sister's name is Lydia!
Austin to Russell: Can I just call her Olivia?
Mom to Russell: You guys are funny!
Russell to Mom: Yes, yes we are!

Our Small Group Meets at the Park

Most weekends, we can be found with a small group of men who run 5 miles and women who walk around a lake. We've been a part of this open and supportive group for 10 years.

These friends are a "village". We push each others' strollers as needed. Scotty lends us her books on cd for our journeys. In the photo above, Russell is holding the leash of her sweet "Sheba."

Adults: J.T., David P., Raleigh H. Roger C. Steve K, Ross T., Preston M., Chip V., Laura V., Julie C., Scotty H. Kids: Samantha P., Tatum C., Lydia T., Russell T., Emily P., Morgan M.

Family Camp at Windy Gap

Lydia and a friend pose in front of the organic Black Bird tavern in Black Mountain, NC en route to family camp. Just a few weeks prior, I had visited my dear friend Pam (from Maryland) and her family who staying in one of these superb getaway "tree houses" (photo below):

My Superman (Russell) played basketball with our family and several others during our semi-annual trip to Young Life's family camp at Windy Gap (it's near Asheville, NC). Below, our team worked hard on their assigned push-ups during the scavenger hunt.

Easter in WV

My dear Dad and Mom with Ross. My parents still live in the home of my youth. We have a tradition (pictured) of making cinnamon rolls for holidays.

Wrapping up a fun day at the Clay Science Center in Charleston, WV.
Pictured: Dad, Me, Russell, Barrett, Skye, Lydia, Christina (neighbor) and Ross (in the back).

Quickly assembled out front on our way to church.

Dad and Mom with our three kids.

Russell Turns 5

Russell asked for more of the cake that Grandmother Thomas kindly made for him last weekend. He commented on how good the icing is. He just went off to play and I found the whole piece of cake on his plate... with no icing left on it. :)Russell shows his (lack of) age with his logic. He just asked me, "Mom, can we get a new house because the floors in this one are always making me slip?"

Two memories from our hospital stay when Russell was born:
1) J.T. stepped out to get a special dinner for us. He returned with food from a nearby Macaroni Grill. We enjoyed their dish with chicken, artichokes, and pasta. We returned there for a date around Russell's first birthday and enjoyed that dish again.

2) We were in the hospital enjoying our sweet little bundle of joy (we had 2 nights in the hospital). I was using my new smart phone to call and vote while watching American Idol on the TV in our hospital room. I had never voted during a reality show but I knew Chris Daughtry because he was one of the service guys in our local Honda dealership. I went to Wikipedia to confirm my memory and found this:


A Birthday Letter From Dad:

Russell's 5!

Wow buddy, where did my baby boy go?
I so love when you want to curl up and read, even if it is mostly comic books and super heroes you choose, I've been struck by several times you wanting to choose the Bible - and not the kids one either.

You are very strong and active, turning somersaults and cartwheels on the couch, bouncing and climbing everywhere and rarely sitting still. And smart too, you've figured out just how to get then shows you want on the replay computer, something most adults give up on. You are fascinated by putting together different combinations of Lego men. You seem to be a natural leader as you set the agenda for your friends and cousins when they come around . You are very full of confidence, declaring you know how to swim, though I fear you are just getting comfortable dog-paddling with a life vest on.

You surprise those around you with your vocabulary and talkativeness ... You are certainly not shy, regularly telling complete strangers about something that interests you.

I enjoyed taking you to breakfast recently and sitting together, and letting you play at Chick-fil-a ... You were a perfect gentleman, sitting and conversing earnestly about whatever came into your mind.

You touched my heart with your care and concern and sharing recently ... I was trying to pull together a breakfast on the way out the door to drive Ross and Lydia to Claxton, then on to work, and I asked Mom if we had any yogurt, which we didn't ... you immediately piped up that I should take your Trix yogurt, when I tried to decline since it was you last one, you insisted, oh no Daddy, you will like it, it's raspberry. And I did. That container is sitting on my desk (along with some Father's day crafts you made and the fill in the blank that I weigh 600 pounds) to remind me of what a sweet and caring boy you can be.

Russell, I love you forever and for always, from the moment I received you from your mother and cut there cord it knew you would be a special treat, full of surprises and bound to blossom in unique ways. I really enjoy sharing time with you and watching you grow. Can't wait to see how God will shape and mold you through our family and the experiences of your life!

I love you my little man!
Daddy


A Birthday Letter From Mom:
Dear Russell,

I told you today that your birthday is the day you were born. You seemed to already know that. 5 years ago.... Yes, that feels about right. My memories of that precious day with your father and Aunt Liz are within reach but distant by the passing of long days and short years.
I reminded Dad that you were our only child who came out of the womb and began to EXPLORE. When they laid you near my neck, your head was resting on the hospital sheet. You stuck out your tongue and checked out the sheet for a minute or so. You seem to be a curious little fellow.

I want you to know how much I love you. I'm proud of the young man you're becoming and can't wait to see your other traits unfold.

Memories I'll always hold from this past year as your parent include: Pushing you to and from school in your jogging stroller, watching you learn to ride a 2-wheeled Razor scooter like the big kids (although you don't even like to ride your bike because the training wheels are "too tippy"), pushing you down Michigan Avenue in Chicago in your stroller, pushing you in your stroller along the course of Lydia's first 5K. Do you notice the stroller theme? You are a champ to roll along with our plans.

You’ll learn about life at your own pace. Right now, I'm glad to watch you play with your Legos and make truck noises. We're just signed you up for Kindergarten. Are you ready for that? I'm not sure if I am but you do seem to be eager to read.

This letter may not mean much to you. Maybe you’d rather have some colorful card I bought at the drugstore. In the future, though, as you grow up, you’ll always have the
memories that come with this letter.

Even though I may read this letter to you now, I’m really writing it for the
grown-up person you’re in the process of becoming. I’ll TRY TO do this every year and
one day, you’ll have a chronological catalog of my caring.

I bet you’ll always be able to remember the time when we all got the rabies shot series because an unvited bat spent the night in our house.

At school, right now you really enjoy going to the prize box and playing with your buddy Dominick M.

You’ll grow, develop, and change in the years ahead, for sure. Right now,
though, as I see who you already are, I can imagine that you’ll grow to be the
kind of person who takes care of others, negotiates well, and explores the unknown.

During the year ahead, one of the things I’ll focus on as your parent is helping you learn to swim and ride your bike. Dad will help me out with that. You have a wonderful, involved Daddy who loves me well, too. We couldn't ask for anything better.

Love,
Mom

Russell Spring 2011

Russell said he'd show me how to draw the number 11. Then he paused.
Russell: "Do you know how to draw it?"
Mom: "Yes."
Russell: "Ok I'll show you anyway."

He wants to make Superhero movies. Tonight, he said that he'd download our dinner prayer for us... if we had WiFi for him.

I could relate to this comment from Russell: "I'm tired of looking for things I've lost."

My Russell (4) reads out the letters he sees on EVERYTHING, asking "What spells..." He tends to confuse the letters M and W. This created a pregnant pause on my part when he read the bottle of dishwashing liquid (the one that takes grease out of your way) and he asked, "What spells D..A..M..N?"

Russell advised his friend not to enter Russell's big brother's bedroom: "He will get mad. His face will turn red." (This sounds like the voice of experience.)

Russell just got a big bed. I told him that we're going to look for some other furniture to go in his bedroom. He sat quietly for a few minutes and my mind had moved on to other topics when Russell asked, "Like a toilet?"

Russell was wandering around with wet hands in a public restroom. He had never seen a hand dryer before. I told him that we'd use the one on the wall and he asked with dismay, "Use the hair blower?"

Russell is so excited to have aged up into the older kids' babysitting room at our local YMCA. The room has several Wii stations and a dance pad. It's called the 'Energy Factory' but Russell calls it the 'Injury Factory'. I know some orthopedists might agree with him.

While unwrapping a Hershey's kiss, he asked me: "Have you noticed how good these taste?"

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I sent this in an email to my sister-in-law:

Russell sends this message to Barrett: I'm looking for some Space Legos for you for the next time I see you in Charleston or in the pirate house. I hope you're having a good time. I really love Barrett and I really love that pirate house. When we woke them up one morning, Mimi and DadDad said we can go to that great house after my birthday. Can't wait!

Love to all-
Jen (and Russell)