Famous... or....Infamous ???

I have been absent from the Blogging world lately.  I have neither read nor posted for nearly a year.  Work, Grandkids, running, and the house renovation have just consumed me.  Work,  has gotten so busy.  If anyone in the Medical Field knows about CPOE and MU, they know what I'm talking about.  But, I did have some time on my hands the other evening, and read some of my favorites Blogs on my Dashboard.

Let me clarify.....I do not like conflict.  This has been a subject at work lately.

So, I really surprised myself when I responded very negatively to a Blog Post.  But I had a personal opinion and needed to get it off my chest.  I won't go in to detail because the blogger removed the post just a few minutes after I posted my comment.  But in that short time, I must have gotten someone's attention because I got 280 views of my blog in one day.  In comparison, I think that I got 20 view all last year!!!

I'm sure everyone who read my comments wanted to know what kind of crazy woman is responding negatively to someone who usually has such positive things to say.

I did realize, that my Blog had not been updated in a while.   AND more importantly, if people are going to check back in now and then - I need to have something for them to see.  It's like cleaning the house before company comes over.

The weather is supposed to be rainy this weekend - Lots of opportunities for a couple catch-up blogs

2013 Rock N Roll New Orleans

February 24, 2013

I was not planning on running  Rock n Roll New Orleans.  I am looking at the budget and spending money on select races.  Since I am doing 2 cruises this year, travel money only goes so far.  But my friend, Rosalyn, was doing her first marathon at this race.  Because we have run together so much for training, she really wanted me to run the first part of the race with her.  The course splits  near the finish area at City Park, so we would be together for over 12 miles.  So, I said, Yes, and registered.  Then a month before the race, she gets injured and can not run.

Luckily, my daughter, Jennifer and friend Brandy were planning on running together. I had run with them at the Army 10 Miler in October and sort of paced them along the way. Their goal was to finish under 3:00.  So, I volunteered to pace them for this race

We watch the weather reports for the week before the race.  Rain looked like it was going to be in the picture, but the temperature was going to be in the 60's.  Not too bad, but not my preferred running weather.  I do not like to be cold, and 60 degrees is cold to me.

Luckily, we escaped the rain, but it was very windy.  Making it feel colder.  But I planned accordingly.  I alway try to remember and bring trash bags.


Jennifer, Brandy, and Fran before the race
(borrowed from the website until I can buy)

 Jennifer and I were very familiar with the warmth of a trash bag.  At the 2010 Walt Disney half marathon, we ran with trash bags for 3 miles when the weather was in the 20's.  Brandy had never had to wear a trash bag - she said that it was a life saver.

We started in Coral 18 and I had a strategy to finish the race under 3:00.  At about mile 7, I was having a hard time doing long division in my head and thought that we wouldn't finish under 3:00.  I probably picked up the pace a little - but we had actually been fine.  We finished in 2:51:43 - Goal met.

It was still a little cool for running for me.  When we finished, we weren't interested in post run festivities or the beer, just walked nearly a mile to catch the bus back to downtown.  I wish the buses could be a little closer, but the process worked very well.  Corrals were build for runners to enter and 5 buses loaded simultaneously.  Very good Rock n Roll.  There were plenty of buses - just lots of people to ride them.




More Bling to add to the collection

Long drive back to Leesville.  I would not have minded resting a day leisurly in New Orleans - but needed to get back to work. Overall - good race - I love to run in New Orleans.  In fact we will be back in New Orleans in 5 weeks to run the Crescent City Classic before getting on the cruise.

What is in store for 2013?

Is 2013 going to be different, better, or worse?  Who knows, but the one thing that I know for sure is that this is going to be the first time in 30 years that I am not going to be able to check the Married box on my tax return.

Tomorrow is the 15th month anniversary of Steve being killed.  If nothing else, life is different.  Certainly not better.

But the thing that really keeps me going is running.  It's the only thing in my life that still seems the same. Since Steve didn't do any running after he retired from the Army, I would run alone or with other friends.  He was at many races and events as my support person though.  If I traveled and he didn't want to come, he would call me afterwards to see how I did.  I miss talking to him so much.  It is pretty much a one sided conversation now.

I have been working hard trying to get my Half Marathon time under 2:05 and my 5K time under 26:00.  I can run forever at a slow pace, but I may just not have enough fast twitch fibers to go any faster.  So, those continue to be my goals for 2013

As of now, this is what is planned so far for 2013

January 20 - Louisiana Marathon -  Baton Rouge, LA - Support person for Jennifer, Brandy, and Lindsay

February 2 - Park to Park Half Marathon - Sulphur, LA

February 9 - Mumbo Gumbo Mardi Gras 5k - Leesville, LA -

Febrary 24 - New Orleans Rock N Roll Half Marathon - New Orleans, LA

March 9 - Red River Run (10K) - Alexandria, LA

March 20 - Crescent City Classic (10K) - New Orleans, LA

March 30 - April 6 - Caribbean Cruise with family

May 4 - Armadillo Stampede (5K) - Leesville, LA

June 1 - Hospital Hill Half Marathon - Kansas City, MO (tentative - was going to run with Jodi - but she won't be able to run this year)

September - Alaska Cruise with friends

There will be a few Triathlons - but haven't decided which ones

I am also looking for a new Fall half marathon - I need to stay focused and train or I will blimp out on the 2 cruises I am taking this year.

There will also be time for babies - the Twins are 10 days old now and new grandson is due the end of February.

12-12-12 - Celebrating an Anniversary Alone

I have always been fascinated by repeating dates.  I reenlisted in the Army once on 7-7-77.  So I have kept my eye on repeating dates as they approached.  A couple of years ago, I realized that our wedding anniversary would be 12-12-12.  I just thought that it would be some sort of magical day.  How many marriages last 31 years??  I even began to notice the Louisiana State Inspection Sticker on my car in 2007.  The inspection sticker said 8-8 (it would expire in August 2008).  So I strategically got my car inspected on the first date of the month after it was due.  My goal was to keep the car until at least December 2012.  So each year, I was so proud of myself as the stickers began: 9-9, 10-10, 11-11.

Then when Steve died, the significance sort of died also.  It wasn't as fun any more.  I have a 12-12 sticker now, but the next one is sort of a let down.  If I get it this month, it will read 12-13 or I could wait until January and the sticker will be 1-14.   Not any numerical significance with either choice. Theoretically, doing this for 10 years has saved me a whopping $10.00.

So this day has been kind of rough, several mini meltdowns.  For some reason this year has been harder than last year.  We probably wouldn't have done anything today since it is in the middle of the week.  But, I know that I would have gotten flowers or a plant.  And Steve would have figured out something to get me that I would have really enjoyed even though I would have told him not to get me anything.  He has gotten me great presents over the years.

So when a plant arrived today, the tears just started flowing.

Obviously, it was from someone who knew me well.  My daughter, Jennifer, had sent me a plant.

Daughters just don't get any better than this.

ANOTHER Catch Up Blog......

Time flies even when you aren't having fun.  10 weeks since the last time that I blogged.  Unfortunately, this is becoming a bad habit. I try to keep busy.  Keeping busy helps with depression, but then all of a sudden out of the blue something hits me hard and I just start crying.  I usually snap out of it quickly.  Life is still so hard without Steve.  I do find comfort every week reading Widows Speak Up!  There I have a network of women who really understand what it is like to loose their husband.


Jim from 50 after 40, met my daughter, Jennifer, at Team RWB at the Baton Rouge Half Marathon Expo.  He was kind enough to mention my blog in his.  That sort of puts pressure on me to keep mine up.  This post has been in draft form for a while, finally getting the pictures in. 


October 6, 2012 - Geaux Blue Triathlon, Lake Charles, LA

1st Triathlon ever held by McNeese University.  Overall, was very good especially for 1st timers.  Only had 1 or 2 people run the wrong route on the run. My friend Julie did her 2nd Triathlon and her twin sister Jennifer (15) won her age group.

October 18 - 21, 2012 - Army Ten Miler and trip to Philadelphia

The Army Ten Miler is one of my favorite races.  I love running in DC.  Plus the trip gives me an opportunity to visit something historical.  Jennifer and Brandy wanted to visit cupcake bakeries in Georgetown.  I went for a few - then had enough calories.  I headed over to Arlington National Cemetary to see the Women in Military Service Memorial.  We just happened to arrive when they were having the 15 year anniversary ceremony.  For any woman who has worn a military uniform, this has to be on your "must do" list.

I had originally had a goal of finishing the ATM  in 1:45, but my training just hadn't been what it needed to be.  So I thought what a good opportunity to run with my daughter and just run for fun and see the sights.  I had a good time running with Snow White.


 



I look like I am in pain - Jennifer and Brandy are happy

After running, we hit the Hooah Tents, but the Gumbo was all gone.  We showered then caught the Metro downtown and took Amtrak to Philadelphia for a short 2 day visit.  I love traveling by train.

Fran, Jennifer, and Rita (Steve's Mother)

October 27, 2012 - Steve "Hootie" Gibson Memorial Poker Run

My daughter Jennifer, and members of the CVMA organized a Memorial Poker Run in Steve's honor.  The poker run was an overwhelming success and raised nerly $8,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project and the Fort Polk Warrior Transition Unit.

Vanessa Price's painting of my husband took me by suprise.



Jennifer did a great job organizing the Poker Run.
We are wearing the T-shirt that she designed.

Thanks Mike for the kind words



Sign at the Infirmary, one of the stops of the poker run



November 5, 2012 - Philadelphia Eagles vs New Orleans Saints

One of the raffle items at the poker run were 3 box seat tickets behind the Philadelphia Eagle sidelines for the Monday Night football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and New Orleans Saints.  Of Course, since Steve was from Philadelphia, we have always been Eagles fans.  I bid on the tickets and WON!! This year has not been good.  This was a game where maybe the Eagles could turn there season around.  Well it was not to happen.  We did have a great time at the game, even if they did loose.

November 17, 2012 - CenLa Fall Festival Half Marathon

I was trying so hard for a PR.  I have been trying to get under 2:05 for the last 3 half marathons.  I keep missing the PR.  Something messes up my training.  Usually an injury but lately I just didn't feel like doing some of the training runs. 

My friend, Linsay, offered to run with me.  She is an awsome runner and so much faster than me.  So I think that I started out a little too fast, but felt good.  By the time I hit Miles 7 - 9 , I just couldn't keep the same pace.  I ended up running 2:06:20 - just need to work on 80 seconds.

Lindsay and me before the CenLa Half
Perfect weather  for a run

At Mile 9, I am slowing down, but Lindsay looks like she could run forever. 
Yes, she carried the flag the entire half marathon

December 1, 2012 - City of Lights 5k, Natchitoches, LA

Still trying to get a PR in the 5K.  This is the perfect course.  Along the Cane River in Natchitoches - completely flat.  We started out great and I felt fine until a little after the 2 mile point.  Had to slow down.  Julie was feeling better than me so took off.  My time was 27:28. 

Julie & me before the City of Light 5K
I grabbed a random stranger to take our picture

Besides having very lofty goals of PRing in the 5K and the Half Marathon within the next few months, both of my sons are expecting additions to their families.  Scott and his wife are expecting TWIN girls and Chris and his wife are expecting a boy.  Plenty to keep Grannie Frannie busy.  Plans are to blog a little more often.  As I tell Lindsay when she is adding weights to my routine, "We'll see."