michigan and mother's day

may has been a big full month. it was has been sometimes sunny, lots of times rainy. but the sun shone on the two big races of the month that we've been training for, and that was a lucky thing. i ran in the lake monona run again, and ran it again side by side with friends. it's such a lovely run. david was in the cheering section for that race this year, with the kids.


12 mile finish line!



finish line friends



the next weekend, we both were at the starting line of riverback run in grand rapids, michigan. this was david's second river bank run, but i dare say it was his first really joyful riverback run. a few years ago, he did it with knee pain, knee swelling, a stomach bug, and the wrong clothes. it was a tough one. this year, we both had no pain, no stomach problems (until after the race, which is another story entirely...), and the right clothes. we both ran 15.5 miles happily, and both finished at our goal times.


start line selfie smiles!



half way there and looking awesome, as libby cheers him on (photo credit to uncle bob)



and here i am, approaching that 15.5 mile finish line.



it makes me proud to own a body that may not be perfect, but is strong and healthy.


done!



as soon as the race was over, i immediately quit running for at least 12 days (and counting...), and we headed to david's parents house to re-join the kids and jim and louise to start celebrating togetherness, the annual return to michigan, and mother's day.

 we found forts in the woods

 and trees to on which to climb and hold hands (BE STILL MY HEART)

and paths for running wild and free.



we all had some favorite pizza in a favorite place with some favorite michiganders.



i was awoken on mother's day with giggles and gifts and it was lovely




nana had some mother's day gift opening in the sun shine,

and i had some mother's day foot rubs in the sun shine.

 and then, home again, in the wonderful summery backyard, made all the better with my new candles, candelabra, and tablecloth.