On
March 21, 2010, Robert completed his 2nd marathon! After months of training (since about November), he was well-trained, physically fit, mentally prepared and all-in-all ready to go. This year, Robert's little brother, Bryan, who's a senior at UVA, also decided to take on the challenge of running the 26.2 miles down at the ocean front.
At 8am, the gun went off and the boys began to run. I was fortunate enough to pal-around with my father-in-law, Bob, for the morning to hop in the car together, chase after the boys, cheer them on at several mile markers, take pictures, and cheer even louder, and pass grapes and bananas to fuel the men. We were able to catch the boys at the 3, 5, 8, 11, 16, and 19 mile markers. It's always so interesting to see the many different size, shapes, ages, and gaits of all the participants in a marathon...which is quite guilt-laden and inspiring
all at the same time. :)
The majority of the training the boys did was during our very cold, wet/snowy winter. I remember Sunday afternoons when Robert would strap on his running shoes and drive down to Sea Shore State Park to run 18 miles in 35 degree temperatures with ice puddles all throughout the trails. It certainly made me nervous, but I had faith. Bryan did most of his training in Charlottesville, which received feet of snow at a time and has several large hills to begin with. With all that hardcore training, I knew these boys could do it. Unfortunately, race-day was a very, very warm day in comparison to the climate the guys trained in, which made it a million times more difficult than perceived.
All throughout the first 16 miles the boys seemed strong and energetic. They'd smile and wave and keep on truckin'. Come mile 19, things made a turn for the worse... At this point, both Robert and Bryan had walked a little bit, had several cups of water at the stops more than normal, stopped to stretch, and grimaced. I was able to pass off some grapes to Robert at mile 19 (full of water, carbs, and sugar to keep him going!) and Bryan wouldn't take his banana. They both were beginning to cramp up at this point in time. Robert's calves were giving him a pretty big problem, but he persevered. The heat really did a number to the both of them--the water loss with all the sweat must have caused a major electrolyte imbalance which did not make their muscles happy. :(
Bob and I drove around to the 23 mile marker and waited and waited for the boys. Minutes passed, which seemed like eternity, and still...no sight of the boys. We then received a phone call from Bryan telling us he couldn't make it any further--this made me fear the worst for Robert. A few minutes later, Robert jogged to us, chugged some Gatorade, and pressed on. :) Bob & I had to wait around for Bryan to get dropped off at the mile marker we were at for quite some time. Unfortunately, the emergency cart took a really long time and caused us to miss Robert crossing the finish line. Poor Bryan couldn't move and just laid in the back of the car while Bob and I went to go find Robert at the finish-line tent. When we finally found Robert, I apologized to him for missing him cross the finish line, but he assured me "it was nothing to see...really, it was
not pretty."
Even though it was a tough run for the boys, I'm so proud of my Robert for running and finishing the whole 26.2 miles this year! He may not have hit his time goal, but simply finishing is exciting enough for me. :) Not sure if he's up for another marathon...only time will tell. I imagine he will---he has his personal record to beat as well as the Gurnee family record to obliterate. Maybe next year?
It had been at least 15ish years since I'd been to the circus...for Robert, it had been longer! After we saw the elephant parade when the circus came to town, I wanted to go so badly. I suppose Robert read my mind when he asked if I wanted to go the Sunday afternoon when Ringling Brothers were in town! It was the best break for me at the beginning of the height of my end-of-semester work. :)
What you see here in these pictures are Malaria and mosquitoes on sugar cookies. Yes, I said MALARIA and, yes, I said SUGAR COOKIES. Malaria... as in the terrible, deadly disease one can contract after being bitten by a mosquito (Anopheles spp.) infected with the parasite Plasmodium falciparum...
last fall and just so happens to be a Malaria expert. Also, we had a guest speaker from Notre Dame, who's a friend/colleague of Dr. Cooper and, again, just so happens to be a Malaria expert. He's one of the leading researchers of Plasmodium falciparum, its genetics and specifically how its genetics affects its drug resistance (Dr. Mike Ferdig). Kind of a big deal being that the primary drug used for malaria decades ago has become resistant and there hasn't been a drug as cheap and effective. 
After our Monday afternoon run/jogs (you guess who runs and who jogs) ;) and a quick dinner, we walked the route through Ghent that the elephants were supposed march from the train tracks to Scope. Low and behold, we finally saw their big trunks turn the corner of Colley Ave. onto Olney. We watched the workers calmly lead the elephants down the road....all the while PETA protesters were walking and waving their signs (quietly, which was surprising to me!). Robert & I ended up walking home alongside the elephants toward Scope where the elephants set up shop for the week.
March 21, 2010, Robert completed his 2nd marathon! After months of training (since about November), he was well-trained, physically fit, mentally prepared and all-in-all ready to go. This year, Robert's little brother, Bryan, who's a senior at UVA, also decided to take on the challenge of running the 26.2 miles down at the ocean front.
all at the same time. :)
