Who is YOUR inspiration?

 

Who is YOUR inspiration?  I've been thinking about this question over the last few days.... when I'm swimming laps at the community pool, I can't help but notice the record boards on the wall.  I probably should be kicking faster during my kickboard sets, but I find myself gazing over at the wall  and looking at the record board.  I'm so proud of my kids and their success during the swim season (it's not over - they still have Zones and Regionals --- 2 of the biggest meets of the season!).  They are my inspiration.  I confess - BOTH my boys can probably beat me in every distance and every stroke--- even the long distance events.  Graham was just 1 second away from breaking a team and pool record on Saturday at their last home swim meet -- -he swam a blazing 6:32 for 500 yards!   I see their focus and determination in practice and during the swim meets and it makes me smile.  They have been working so hard and it's really paying off - I love to see that!

 

 On Friday night, I hosted another record-breaking pizza and honey buns party --- each time they break a record this season, I have agreed to host a party for them.  This time we had the party at the pool.  They decided to practice their relay transitions a few more times before Saturday's meet :)  and I think this practice paid off - during the meet on Saturday - they broke the pool record by 6 seconds in the 200 Free Relay........ and now I'll be hosting ANOTHER party :)

 ... and some fun on the diving board - jayden

 graham diving ...

 not only do my kids inspire me athletically - but every once and a while, they make my heart smile knowing that I might actually be doing a few parenting things right --- Graham and Helen put out lunch today with little labels for each person's food items and a special note

 a few more things from my LA marathon --- I came home to these lovely flowers from Ross, bathrooms freshly cleaned, my car washed, and the laundry done :)

 I rode this bike along the beach in LA on Saturday morning --- not exactly aero bars --- but a nice ride :)

 my LA marathon bib number was very close to my Boston bib number from last spring --- 15871   22871

 who's the tall chick on the left???? never realized I was that tall!

selfie just before the start of the marathon  --- my friend, Maritza and I ran the race together

the LA Marathon finish!!!

 

very happy with my 16 mile run today ---- 7:24 overall pace (I was aiming for a 7:26 overall pace) --- temperatures were in the teens today and the wind was fierce!  ran a somewhat hilly route too.  feeling great after completing the marathon  just 1 week ago.

On March 11, Matilda Jane lost a beautiful lady - a wife and mother - Chelsa lost her battle with cancer.  I know that words cannot describe how her friends and family are feeling right now.  I briefly met Chelsa last summer at our trunk keeper's conference.  Just before I ran the NYC marathon we had exchanged emails for business reasons and she ended her email to me by saying that I was such an inspiration to her ----- and I responded to her that SHE was my inspiration.  Last summer, I believe she was cancer-free but this fall things changed with her health. 

I love this quote from her:
"There is something good in every single day that we are given; sometimes we just have to look a little harder."    ~Chelsa

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