Snap, Santa and Pop (and friends)

Today was the Trick or Trot 5K near Montrose Harbor. This year, Teresa, Sue and I decided to run as Rice Krispies-- I'm Snap, Teresa's Crackle and Sue's Pop.

In true Linda fashion, John and I got to the race much, much earlier than we needed to (what I lack in running ability I make up for in punctuality). Found Pop pretty quickly and hung around with her. Where's Crackle? 10 minutes before race time, she rushes in with daughter Alexis. But wait... it's not Crackle... it's... Santa Claus?!?!?! She may have just qualified for Boston in a youthful manner (over 20 minutes faster than she needed to for her age group--qualified as an 18 year old, in fact) but Teresa really, really sucks at costume design-- no child-like creativity at all. We all had a laugh at her expense then lined up at the start (all in good fun, of course).

Pop was going for time, John the clown was just trying to waddle to the finish (but without his red nose this year because it makes it hard to breathe), so Santa and I ran with Alexis. I learned that my running style can be very compatible with an 11 year old's-- run a bit, walk when you're tired or just want to enjoy the sights, whine when you're thirsty and wonder where the hell the finish line is. We jumped to high-five low hanging branches when we felt like it, marveled at other costumes and soaked in a beautiful fall day along Chicago's lakefront. When Teresa tried to urge Alexis to keep her pace, she was scolded with, "mom, you're doing the child abuse."

Once we hit the three mile marker, Alexis was off in a full-out sprint. Fast!! Teresa and I took off after her, but neither of us could keep up. I should've checked my Garmin to see how fast we were going, but I was trying too hard to beat the kid!! That'll hurt me tomorrow, I'm sure. I think we finished around 40 minutes, but who cares? As we were crossing the finish line, the race announcer said, "here comes Santa-- looks like someone is confused as to which holiday it is!" Perfect! T will never, ever live this one down. It'll be dredged up time and time again as part of our race lore when we all get together and tell stories.

Afterwards, lots and lots of candy. Is there anything better on God's green earth than banana Laffy Taffy?!?! John finished a few minutes after we did-- he was making conversation with a turkey. One of the things I love most about John is that he's crazy; he'll wear any kind of costume. Several people commented and took pictures and he loved every minute of it.

What a great day.

He's okay!

The past week or so has been an emotional rollercoaster. My darling brother-in-law, Tom, was very sick with pneumonia and complications resulting from it. He was hospitalized for about a week, some of it in the ICU. Things were kind of bad for a while.

When something like that happens, I always think about the last conversation I had with the person before they got sick, recalling whether it was a good one or not. In this case, it was. Tom and I always tease each other about our politics and sports (we're on opposite ends of the spectrum-- Democrats and Republicans, Red Sox and Yankees) and in true big brother fashion, he knows how to push all my buttons-- and does. But it's always with affection and good feeling.

On Sunday when he was still in the hospital, I got to talk to him again, and I told him I love him. No making fun of our differences this time.

Today he came home from the hospital and all my everyday struggles at work and with life in general seem much smaller. I think I said in a post this summer that we all should make a point to tell those in our lives how much we care for them. Tommy, I'm glad you're safe. Now I don't have to fake cheer for the Yankees any more. :)

Just sublime

I'm having a fabulous weekend. Took a mini-vacation from work. T and I spent the day together on Friday, went out for a delish lunch at Maxim's, then we boarded the shuttle for our traditional trip to the marathon expo. Saw Katherine Switzer and Hal Higdon, bought only a book and a shirt (look, ma, that's me being a frugalista!)

After a slight auto malfunction which lead to an unplanned run (literally!) to Union Station to pick mom up at Amtrak on Saturday morning (long story....) we had a relaxing day, then went to dinner at Leona's with some friends.

I might as well run the marathon, because it's just as hard to be BFF cheerleader... I'm up all night (well, I fell asleep for about two hours then woke up for good around 3... stared at the ceiling til it was time to call Teresa, wish her a fabulous run and tell her I love her).

Watched the early tv coverage then walked the half-block toTaylor in plenty of time to see the elites go by-- always a thrill-- then my marathoner friends-- even bigger thrill. I get sooo emotional. I felt guilty leaving before the slower runners came by because those are the ones who need the cheering most, but we had a schedule to keep. Took the Blue Line downtown and wound up at Kitty O'Shea's. There's nothing more special than the first glimpse of your best friend's face after she walks in the door after her third consecutive (!!!) Boston Qualifying marathon-- big hugs all around. Uncle Dick was there, too, so we retold the old running stories for about the millionth time (but they're still just as wonderful... except, why does Uncle Dick always bring up August 7, 2005-- my infamous half marathon that ended in the ER at Northwestern?!?!). In the midst of the conversation, T leaned over and said to me, "I couldn't have done it without you." It honestly doesn't get any better than that. That's my medal.

After that, it was on to the theatre to see "Jersey Boys." Watching the look of joy on mom's face as she clapped along to the songs was precious. We all loved the show!! Today, we slept in a bit, had lunch at the Walnut Room, shopped myself silly at Filene's Basement (hey, the frugalista thing only goes so far). Oh yeah, finished the evening tonight by watching the Hawks on tv-- their biggest comeback game ever. And I have another day off tomorrow. Unbelievable.