Hailey, Idaho 4th of July parade and bike race

Running a Marathon.....It takes a Village

I might have said I would never run another marathon, but when someone pays your entry fee as a birthday gift I guess you can’t say no (Thanks Devri). I wish someone else would have offered to train and run the marathon for me, that would have been a nice gift. It was difficult to work around Remi's training schedule. I wouldn’t have been able to prepare for the LA Marathon without the help of some wonderful babysitters. Thanks Betsy, LaLa, and John. I rarely even had to ask them to watch the kids. They would call and offer to watch the kids so I could run.

My first day of training was Dec. 1. I woke up to 7 inches of snow. I also woke up to a recorded message from the school district. The message was in Spanish, but I knew what it meant, “Snow Day.” Yes the district was very embarrassed that every employee and parent in the district received two early morning calls that day, one in Spanish and one in English. I was just happy to have the day off.

I thought the winter training would be difficult, but once I actually got out there and started running it wasn’t too bad. I enjoyed the crisp air and the crunch of snow under my feet. I’m a creature of habit, so I always ran on the Greenbelt. It is nice that my parents live exactly 6 miles from my house on the Greenbelt. Their house made a great bathroom/water stop. On my 16 mile run I was thankful for the Nutterbutter cookies.

After 4 months of training, race weekend was here. I was really looking forward to not being a mom for a few days. I only had to pack for myself and going through airport security was a lot easier without 2 little kids and a stroller. I actually finished reading a book. Devri and Ryan picked me up at the airport and right away the laughing started. We went out to lunch and then headed to the race expo to pick up our race numbers and t-shirts. Then to our hotel to relax and try to figure out where we needed to be at 6 in the morning for the shuttle.

The night before the race Ryan and his girlfriend Lauren took us to a great little Italian restaurant. Then we went back to the hotel to try to get some sleep. First Devri had to put pain and titanium patches all over her legs. If she was in that much pain maybe she shouldn't be running a marathon. We watched several weather forecasts for the next day and each one made the rain storm that was coming sound worse. We weren’t looking forward to running in the rain, but we crossed our fingers hoping it would hold off until after the race.

Race Day! Getting to Dodger Stadium for the 7:20 start was actually pretty smooth and dry! We had to wait for about 45 minutes for the race to start. Then the countdown and everyone threw off their sweatshirts and jackets and started running. It was crazy, 25,000 people running across the Dodger Stadium parking lot, not sure where to go. Right after the start there were about 20 guys going to the bathroom on the stadium. Devri decided she had to join them. Then we were off again and the rain started. I tried to keep up with Devri, but I just couldn’t do it. I watched her hat fade away with the crowd.

It was great seeing all of the sites of LA. The crowds were great through the entire course. My name was on my race bib, so it was encouraging to have people cheer me on. I was wet, but feeling good until about mile 17. I had to take a little break in a port-a-potty. I won’t go into detail, but it was by far the grossest port-a-potty I have ever seen. Then I was off again. At first I tried to avoid the rain puddles, but then it got to the point where that was impossible. There were some intersections that were like small rivers. I was soaked.

I hadn’t seen a mile marker for a while and I had been running for 3 hrs 35 min. I finally saw one coming up, I knew it had to be mile 20. As I got closer I saw that it said 19. I couldn't believe it. I was so disappointed. I knew I would have to step it up if I wanted to reach my goal of finishing under 5 hours.

I pushed through the rain, wind, and pain and finished at 4 hrs 52 min. I quickly got my mylar blanket and wonderful medal. Then I was looking for food. I was so disappointed to find only potato chips and mandarin oranges. Where was the soup, baked potatoes, and cookies? It was the worst finish line I have ever seen.

Then I had to walk a mile in the rain to the family meeting spot. Knowing in my mind that Devri was probably safe and warm in the hotel room. I was happy to see Lauren waiting for me with a warm coat. Devri was just around the corner on the "warming" bus. She ran the marathon in 4 hrs 29 min. Ryan and Lauren drove us back to our hotel where we got into bed and didn't move for several hours.

I didn't think my body would ever feel normal again. It took about a week to fully recover. Now I'm wondering what race will I do next?

Fancy Boise, Idaho

The New family; Brook, Chad, Gideon (7), and Savannah (5) made the 9 hour drive from Redding, California to "fancy" Boise, Idaho to see Riggins for the first time and to celebrate Dad turning "almost" 70. As they were driving into town, after fixing a flat in Ontario, Gideon said, "This place looks fancy." The minute they walked through the door Race, Gideon, and Savannah started hugging, laughing, and playing. They had so much fun decorating with all of Mom's Christmas decorations. I think I heard Gideon say, "I didn't know Grandma and Grandpa had so much cool stuff." Race tried to have a sleepover with her cousins, but she didn't realize that you eventually have to go to sleep at a sleepover, so Grandma brought her home. It was great having them visit, and I hope we don't have to wait another 2 years for them to come again.

Best of Summer 2010

Where has the time gone? I started this post a few weeks ago thinking that I was going to post my favorite pictures from this summer. Now fall is in the air and I can barely remember what happened this summer. Well here are few highlights from this summer and the beginning of fall.

We started this summer with a Dille family reunion at Redfish Lake for the Sawtooth Relay. We are all smiling at the end of the race, so I think it is safe to say that we all had a great time.

This is Avery, Emma Jo, and Race up in McMall. Summer isn't complete without at least one trip to McCall.

Riggins practiced feeding himself!




The kids played and played with cousins, Max and Leo. Race can't wait to meet her new cousin Finn. I'm sure they'll have a blast next summer.

First day of school. It is great having Race in kindergarten. She still says that school is too long. I'm still adjusting to having her with me at work before and after school. The pile of papers to be graded behind my desk just keeps getting higher and higher.

Race ran her first race, The Harrison Classic. She said she wants me to sign her up for all the kids' races.

Race and her buddies had a great time at the corn maze.

Race rode a horse for the first time, she loved it.

Race had a great time playing soccer this fall. She isn't an aggressive player, but she did a great job looking busy on the field. I'm not sure if she'll play soccer again next year. I think gymnastics is more her thing.

We were all busy this summer. Remi worked hard developing a new cycling team, Team Exergy. He got to go to Europe for the Tour of Bulgaria. He wasn't happy with his race results, but he had a great time being a tourist. You'll have to ask him about his dancing in Bulgaria. I was busy playing with kids, friends, and family. I did fit in a few runs this summer. I had a great time running the Payette Lake 8 mile race. The weather was perfect and I felt great. I need a new running goal, or I'll end up just sitting on the couch watching Biggest Loser. I am really looking forward to my track break coming up in November. Maybe I'll have time to blog.

Slackers

Last year Remi bought a slackline and I never imagined it would bring us so much entertainment. It is usually set up in our front yard and we get a lot of looks and questions as people walk by and watch our acrobat show. Remi brought it with us to Redfish and set it up on the beach. He left it there for a day and almost everyone staying at the lodge gave it try. It is not as easy as it looks. I’m happy if I can just balance for a few seconds. Race can walk across with a little assistance and Riggins uses it to help him walk. Remi, of course is a pro.

Last week Race wanted to play volleyball, so Remi raised the slackline to use it for a net. After a few days of playing volleyball we had to find something else to do, so Race and I made a swing. Who knows what we will do next with the slackline. We decided to just come up with more circus acts.

Who is that Guy?

That is what the crowd was asking as they watched Remi lap everyone during the Hailey Criterium on the 4th of July. It was great to watch Remi and Team Exergy have a great race. The race started right after the parade, so there was a good sized crowd. The folks standing by me had never seen a criterium and they were amazed.

Race and Riggins were great cheerleaders. Way to go Daddy!

We had a great weekend staying in Hailey. While they went to Boise for the weekend, Remi’s Aunt Bevy and Uncle Denny handed over the keys to their house. Race insisted that we call it a cabin, which makes sense because we were in the mountains. Race had fun swimming in the hot tub and Riggins enjoyed his first ice cream cone.

Here is the quick weekend wrap up; moring run, afternoon hike, fun in the hot tub, great food, seeing old friends, dinner with new friends, cotton candy, patriotic parade, ice cream, excellent bike race, french fries, millions of stars in the night sky, and one star sighting, Arnold driving his Hummer.

Hello

Chocolate

Piano

Cycling Jersey