So This is What It's Like to be Married to a Gold Medalist

John apparently running into the cops, Holland Rotary 5K, 2008

Yesterday morning, John and I hit the road at 7am to go to Holland, MI so he could run in a 5K there. It was kind of a local yokel affair where you all are standing around and out of the blue, someone says, without any passion, "On your mark, get set, go" like you did on the playground when you were a kid. John ran a good race, not his best time, but definitely respectable. Much to our surprise, he was presented with the 1st place medal for his age group!

Do I have to say the part about how he was the only one in his age group?

I'm still proud to be married to a gold medalist!

Edward Wins the Bronze!

Yesterday morning, John & I went to the Fifth Third Ballpark where Edward was running in the 11th Annual Homerun 5K (raising money to fight child abuse). He received a 3rd place medal in his age group. Instead of "Hey Eddie, it's your birthday...", I did the "Go Eddie Go" cheer which I learned from Sister Mary.

The Never Ending Race

The thing about Edward, and maybe boys in general, is he always loves a good challenge, and all of life is a game for him really. Two years ago, he had climbed up the steep, 450-foot drop dune on the Pierce Stocking Drive of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in 9 minutes, 7 seconds - a record begging to be broken. Cousin Brian was up for the dune climb challenge too.



They flew down the hill like they were on the moon. From the overlook, we watched them climb like little ants.

Edward returned quickly - 8 minutes, 31 seconds - and Brian was a few minutes behind. John went too - he was in the 25-30 minute range which is still good considering the average person takes about 45 minutes.

We celebrated with a monster sundae at Cherry Republic where cousin Laura works.

Fun times.

The Starting Line

Byron Bank 5K, 2008

This morning, John & I went to watch Edward run in the Byron Bank 5K. The photos I took came out blurry, probably because he was running by in a blur. Duh. I did get this still life at the starting line. He finished in 18:25 on this muggy morning (24th of about 900.)

Beautiful Boy

This morning, we watched Edward run in the Brian Diemer Amerikam 5K race before we left for the OBX. He finished 71st out of 1400 runners for a pretty strong finish.

Edward's Last Mile

Official time: 4:59.8

Last evening, Edward ran the mile (1600m) for South Christian in the Regional Track Meet downtown at Houseman Field against 15 other schools. His goal was to get under 5 minutes and he had quite a cheering section there when he did it. It was pretty sweet!

I think he's also in serious competition now with the girls for the high drama award. You know how when the crowd cheers in the stadium, kind of a low yay sound? I remember actually going up about an octave when he crossed the finish line.

Running by the River

Yesterday, I got up at O'dark-thirty with John to go down to the annual Fifth Third Riverbank Run to watch him run in the 25K with 16,000 runners. I saw him at the start and again at the finish line and saw many people I knew in between. You can see him too if you look carefully at the white arrows below:



I caught up with the great runner at the end and got him to pose in front of La Grand Vitesse and the giant water bottle.


John, May 2008, after running 25K

The Last Track Season

Hi all! The runner is back on the blog. Yesterday was a perfect day for photography at one of the best looking tracks in the area. This one is my favorite:


That's Edward in the yellow shoes in front...

He came up to John & I in the stands to check his time. He ran a 5:08 in the mile, followed by a PR of 11:24 in the 2 mile so he was pretty happy about that.

Our Stories

Click on this link to watch a 16 minute video which the seniors on the Cross Country team made at our house mostly. Last night, we went to a cross country potluck to celebrate the end of the season. Edward has made many great friends in his 4 years on the team. I remember once when his coach said at the end of the season, if you're sad, then that's good because you know you had a good thing. The thing he said last night that I remember most (and I've heard it before but it's good to be reminded) is that God created people because he loves stories. The cool thing about this video is that it shows a bit of each of their stories and how they came together as a team to create it. It's something I'm sure they will never forget.

The Last Race

John & I have enjoyed watching Edward run for 4 years on the Cross Country team. He has made many great friends in the process and we have also. Yesterday could not have been a more beautiful day for running and I felt like all the cross country people we loved were there. Edward ran his lifetime personal record of 18:26. When it was over, I asked him if he was sad, and in typical Edward style, he said, "Uh, yeah, I guess." He knows that the most important race isn't over yet, and in that regard, cross country has been the best training for the life ahead of him.

Flash Back Friday 39

Edward, October 2004, Freshman Year Cross Country

Running for the Prize

John & I went yesterday to watch Edward run in his last XC meet at Johnson Park where his school usually has their home meets. This was the last time I'll see him run across this field in a race. The start of the late fall colors added to the beauty of the moment. Ed ran fast enough this season to get a varsity letter, but not fast enough to be in the top 7 who actually run varsity, so he ran in the reserve race at the Conference meet.


I savored watching them - and him - run by!


And run by again. And then, when I saw him run by again, I did so without a camera in front of my face.


The South Christian reserve team had 7 runners in the top 10 and came home with the trophy for 1st place.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. I Corinthians 9:24

Running Dutch

John ran in the Groningen Marathon this past Sunday - actually, he did the half marathon. With the time change and travel, this was still a good accomplishment. Watching a marathon in an old European city was a great and new experience. The announcers spoke totally in Dutch so I didn't know everything going on. The rest of the gang came down later and met us at the finish line and we all took the train back to Bedum. He was the first American to finish in the race.

Hot Cross Buns

Yesterday, we went to a cross-country race in 100 degree weather. It was hot enough to spectate, and hotter yet for the runners. I still took some pictures.

Mud

Edward, Pioneer Classic, 2007

This morning, I left work for awhile to watch Edward's first official XC race of the year with my trusty camera in hand. I was so excited after he ran by and I turned fully clothed in workwear to run to the one mile marker. I slipped and fell in the mud in front of what felt like thousands of parents! My work clothes and camera were covered with mud, but of course I carried on like I was normal. "Oh really, it was nothing"

I think that's why this model falling on the runway makes me laugh every time I see it. I relate to each little stumble. Been there, done that! Got the t-shirt!

Early This Morning, Running Through a Dewy Meadow

John & I headed up to Cedar Springs this morning for a Cross Country scrimmage to see Edward run. The team has been at training camp this past week and they looked good. It's hard to believe their first real race is this week and school starts next Monday. Time sure flies when you're having fun!

The Agony and the Ecstasy

Much to her surprise, Bridget was asked to run the Mile (or 1600M) in the Conference Meet today. She ended up having to borrow these huge shorts from a friend since she didn't have hers at school.



The bright blue shirts in the picture look refreshingly cool, but I will tell you this - it was almost 90 degrees and so muggy you would cut the air if you ran with scissors. Think of August heat and double it. Bridget was in such agony after the race that John offered to get her a Slushy. Then we started to talk about running again in the Fall.


Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24

Riverbank Running

This day in GR could not have been more beautiful. Cool, sunny days are the best. Our whole family headed downtown at 6:55 am for the Fifth Third Riverbank Run where about 14,000 runners participated in the 30th annual event. It takes almost 10 minutes for the runners just to cross the starting line - it is a fantastic sight! John ran in the 25K and Edward in the 5K. John ran for "Partners Worldwide which is an organization my brother-in-law Paul works with to help build businesses in 3rd world countries. I was their photographer and my main task was to take pictures of all their runners wearing these blue shirts, and also the 2 Kenyan runners who were not wearing the shirts because they were under contract with Nike.



John is excited about something before the race.


Edward came in 44th place out of about 5000 runners in the 5K! It helps that he is well-conditioned for track season.


I stood at the finish line waiting for my runners to come in and the couple next to me was talking about someone from Kenya. It was Dr. Primus who is a retired professor from Calvin and his wife. They knew the Kenyans from teaching there for a semester, so they helped me look for them since I had not met them. When I saw Edward headed for the finish line, I said casually, there's my son, he always throws up. Sure enough... :)


Luke Kibet finishing in 1:21. John finishing at 2:13.

Running the Race

I don't mean to sound like a broken record, but here they are running again. These are probably my favorite verses, and I think I can relate to the pained look on their faces.

Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! Hebrews 12:2-3


Edward in the 3200 meter race yesterday (in the middle with yellow shoes)


Bridget at track practice yesterday

Aches & Pains

I guess Spring brings more than just blossoms and new life. Edward & Bridget started track season a couple of weeks ago. Edward runs all year around, so he never complains; Bridget, however, after running in about 1000 degree temperatures yesterday was almost ready to quit. I had a small taste of this last night when John & I decided to go on a 4 mile walk to the library & back which was in addition to my usual 2 mile walk. It had cooled off to about 800 degrees, but nevertheless, I came home feeling not only achy but benout, too. Don't worry, I'll survive.

I discovered Bridget's water bottle in the freezer in true-Bridgie-style.

Shoes Untied

John started a blog! It's called Shoes Untied, and in it, he writes about running and things he thinks about while doing all that running.

In church today, we talked about Psalm 73. I wrote about the message here.

The Finish Line

This morning, John ran in the Grand Rapids marathon with 1700 other runners. We saw him at the start, the 11.5 mi, the 14.5 mi. and the finish, 26.2 miles. We also went to church in there for awhile while he was running. He finished in 3:44 which is 3 minutes better than last year in Columbus. It is a beautiful, cool sunny day here in GR, but a bit windy.

This afternoon found us in a somewhat brainless stupor. John was recovering from 26.2 miles with bloody toes, and I was recovering from waking up early and driving to and fro chasing him about the marathon with 3 kids in tow. But as John & I were sitting here in a daze, our TV started displaying this unbelievable hot dog eating contest on ESPN which took place on July 4 in Coney Island, NY. The winner ate 54 hot dogs in 12 minutes for the new world record. The announcers spoke of his athletic ability. After coming to our senses, we listened to our pastor's morning sermon on the web. That was way better.

Still Running

Yesterday afternoon, John & I took a drive to the Regional JV Cross Country meet, our last one for the year. The course was rather muddy, but Edward ran it in 19 minutes and came in about 17th place. I was just happy to get the pictures above and below. Now that CC is over, Ed will probably take a couple of weeks off before he begins his winter training. Go Sailors!

Speedy Sailors

They're off!

The South Christian Sailors ran today over at Calvin College at the Christian School Invitational where about 7 Christian high schools from Michigan competed. This was our last Saturday Invitational so hang in there. Today, we were privileged to have Aunt Susan & Uncle Paul, Grandma & Grandpa G. come to watch also. It's always good to have "Auntie Susan" come because she points out fun things like how "cute" Edward looks.


Edward using his all to cross the finish line.

It was such a fine Saturday afternoon with the beautiful puffy kind of clouds on top of the blue sky that make you happy; and with the leaves changing in their bright fall colours, I was about ready to bust open. Thus, we also went to our nephew Stephen's soccer game; he plays for Calvin College. We sat in the stands with Grandma & Grandpa G. and Uncle Paul & Auntie Susan, drank coffee, and clapped. I overheard a lady in front of me talking and using deductive reasoning, I realized it was a blogger I've read. I did not want to cause a nerd scene with the relatives in earshot, so I kept quiet. Oh well.


Nephew Stephen

never.stop

I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free. Psalm 119:32

Yesterday, we went to the Portage Cross Country Invitational where South Christian competed. I think it's the biggest one in the state with over 170 schools and over 5000 runners. The sun was bright in the cloudless sky and temperatures were in the upper 60's. Edward's Boys'reserve race had 368 runners and he managed to come out of it with a new season PR of 18:28 and a medal for 25th place. The picture above captures a piece of the excitement of the crowded race. John took this picture as Edward ran by and realized the conundrum you find yourself in when you want to get a picture of him with a head on it while cheering him on, all in that one split second he runs by. I still love this picture.


Getting ready by the team tent


Pre-race huddle


368 runners are off!


Running by


Girls running up the steepest hill


Glad it's over for now


Never stop

We Have a Winner

Where we feature Bridget for the third day in a row

Bridget ran in the Carson City Crystal Invitational where South Christian also ran today. She ran the the 1.6 middle school race in 15:33 and received a blue ribbon for finishing. Edward ran his 3.2 mile race in 19:22. It was a long day standing in the rain and cold but at least the kids had a free pass to play in the mud.

Cross is Boss

Bridget ran in her second cross country meet today at the Lowell Invitational. She had about a 2 minute improvement in her time over the last race, so she was happy. Before the race, she was very nervous. She says she feels weird when she hears "On your mark ..." because she has 1-1/2 miles to go, there's no turning back, and she thinks in her head, "Here we go." I thought, I know that feeling - when you get pregnant, and you have 9 months ahead of you, and there's no turning back. Edward ran well though not his best today.

Racing Siblings

Bridget ran in her first cross country race today - a 1.5 mile middle school race. The good news is she ran her first mile in 8:30. Then the last 1/2 mile took her about 9 minutes. Her favorite part of the race was when she heard Edward cheering her on!



Edward ran on the reserve team today. They took home a second place trophy out of 14 schools, and he got a medal for 20th out of 204 runners. He threw up at the end, but then the team went out for pizza. He's feeling better now!

Running and Retching

South Christian raced today against a few other schools. I don't remember many details - I just saw Edward barely cross the finish line because he was throwing up. He managed to get his best time today though - 18:48, but I could kick myself for putting those peanuts in his lunch box. What was I thinking?