Yep, it happened

There was something I've always been quite sure would never happen, yet it did.  I never planned on making it to 40 - it was just too far.  There were times I seemed to strive to make sure it wouldn't happen in my 20s (hitching a ride back from Matamoros, Mexico in a panel van driven by strangers and rappelling off a 70 foot bridge, for instance).  But it happened.

I turned 40.  And it wasn't so bad.  My family brought me home and helped me celebrate in grand fashion, including a 4.0 mile run with my sisters - who are the ones who dragged me back into the running world after the Army.  (My folks, brothers in law, 8 nephews, and niece were 'also rans!')  Here I am with the 2025ish Packers offensive line and coaching crew...

 And they gave me 40 gifts over the past weeks - which were a welcome break among the race entries.  The last was a lovely book of thoughts from friends and family from over the years.  It is very sweet - you guys clearly do not understand the mess of a crazy running chicken zombie I am, but I read it to cure myself of those afflictions.

And, so, here was my debut as a master runner.  Being a master sure didn't make me any faster or any un-sweaty-er.  That is a word in my world.

Freeda's 5K -- 3.0 miles to go

 

I honestly have NO idea what I was doing here - maybe explaining my theory on how to achieve world peace?  (because it only makes sense on a run, or while drinking wine)

Okay, this can only be described as prancercising.  Note the horrified runners to my left, house right.

Luckily, I snapped back into crazy running chicken mode.  Bok. Bok.
And I finished - worst time ever in my 40s.  And my masters PR - see how that works?

After the race, I enjoyed paletas and cervecas - and pimped my race. 

If you are not registered for the Women's 5K - fair warning:  I will find you, drag my 40-year-old butt to your house and crazy chicken prancercise all over your driveway.  And, this being Texas, I'm obviously trying to make turning 41 not happen.

Thanks to Ceci, IAAP, TimC, Belinda, and Scottydog for the pics!

 

GREEN BAY!

Ah, what a game!  Here I was at Cowboy Stadium back in September, predicting the outcome:

 (marking the spot where Nelson needed to land for his 4th quarter TD)

(and showing the refs what they would be doing, repeatedly)

I retired the Favre jersey in favor of a Matthews one for last night's game.  My buddies did ask just how old my dusted-off cheesehead was (circa 2001, after I lost my first cheesehead in the divorce settlement).  But, after a rough season, my boys did it and brought home the Lombardi trophy.  And it was great. 

I've been getting messages from friends far and wide that they thought of me when they watched the Packers win.  I'm sure it's not because I'm an obsessed, crazed fan.  I'm just like all the other Packers fans - appropriately and vehemently obsessed and crazed.

Today at the dentist, the doc asked me where I was from.  When I said "Milwaukee, mostly," he said "you must be a very happy girl today."  Yes, I am!  And, he showed me his (properly date stamped and documented on Facebook) pre-game predictions: 

"Dr. Austin's Super Bowl XLV Pick...
Packers 33 Steelers 27. Take the over. Aaron Rodgers will be the MVP. Steelers will have 3 turnovers which will be the difference in the game. On the defensive side, BJ Raji will have a field day with the Steelers patchwork offensive line."

Other than Raji's field day, he was dang close!  As I deal with the end of another football season, albeit a wonderful one, I guess I'll just have to run some more races to fill my empty football spaces.  Next up:  Fuego 5k Saturday.

Stock Show & Rodeo Stampede 4 miler

Well, it was a frosty start (but at least I'd had a hot shower beforehand) for this 4 miler Saturday.  I couldn't feel my feet until about the 1.5 mile mark, rounding the Red Berry Mansion.  Then, it was back into the rodeo grounds for a finish of biscuits and gravy and Lone Star Lite.

(pic from Andy Bujanos Photos)

And today is SUPERBOWL.  For the first time in my lifetime, I get to watch the Packers play in the Superbowl in primetime (rather than at about midnight overseas).  I dusted off my cheesehead just for tonight. 

GO PACKERS!

no race weekend

But still fun.  I traveled to Southeastern Wisconsin this weekend for my Grandma's 80th birthday celebration, hosted by my folks in Waukesha (unfortunately, I did not find my camera until Sunday).  It was great to see many, many family members, even though the high temperature was around 20 degrees - when I departed. 

Grandma was suffering from some sort of bug, but was still vivacious and spry as always.  I'm hoping some family members who snapped pics from Fri-Sat send me them or a link (a-hem?).

After the fabulous birthday celebrations, we had brunch (and I found my camera) - to prepare us for the Packers's and Steelers's victories.  My future offensive line was ready to rumble.

not to be outdone, Lena rocked (well, swung) her Packers gear

Because they are already in the hard core future-Packers offensive line training program, the boys camped out - in Dad's golf room

and, then, we enjoyed watching the Packers's conference win.  Even when Peppers made a dirty, dirty hit against Rodgers (my sister made sure that all of the boys understood that THAT was a dirty hit that REAL players don't do - so we'll continue to play a clean game).  Next stop - Lombardi trophy.  With a race or two in between.

My bodyguard and future linebacker

I got home today and watched this on the news:

http://www.woai.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=81cbd219-7a0f-42df-9e33-f10c9520e566

I'm not sure where exactly on Babcock the man attempted to kidnap the two women, but I do know that I ran up Babcock, past the Shell station, and back on Saturday for my ill-advised run to work. One of the women outran the man, which I hope that I too would be able to do.

So, today I wasn't taking any chances and ran with my bodyguard, Gwen the pitoodle. We set out for 3 miles but it was hot and, apparently, it's even hotter when you are dark grey and furry. I got the look which was previously posted below in the reenactment. So, we trotted about 2 miles and returned to the yard, where Gwen got her new toy - a football.

She really tore into it. Literally - it's pretty flat right now. I'm not sure whether it was her reaction to Brett Favre asking to be released by the Packers or whether she was practicing so that she could join her "cousins" in the 2025 Packers starting offensive line. Here are her future teammates.

Just don't discriminate against her 'cause she's a girl. She can really tuck the ball and run.