Accomplishments and Priorities

I had a major accomplishment today. I ran 11 miles without walking. I was on a high, feeling like I’d conquered the world. I had thoughts going through my head that, aside from family and church accomplishments, this was the single most amazing thing I’d done in my entire life. Even more than being the first one in my family (parents, grandparents, on back) to graduate from college, even more than mastering Japanese, even more than purchasing a home, blah blah blah.

Upon finishing my run, I had composed in my mind a blog post to put all other blog posts to shame. Beautiful composition with big words, deeply-thought out mile-by-mile descriptions, something that would bring tears to the eyes of anyone who read it and would surely earn me a handsome bonus when a publisher bought it to include in Chicken Soup for the Runner’s Soul (according to the website, I have until December 31 to submit).

But then I got home. I walked in excited to sit the family down and give them a recap of my Olympic-like victory over everything I once thought to be a physical impossibility, following which they would quickly fashion a crown of olive branches (I’m sure Jenny’s already made one, I just haven’t found it yet, but today was the day she’d pull it out), scream and shout, and whisk me off to the ticker-tape parade being held for me down the street. Then I realized Jenny was in the shower, and I’d promised to mow the lawn this morning. So I changed shoes, still on my adrenaline high, and went out to mow the lawn. Besides, I should have a crisp lawn when the TV crews show up later. Mowing, I rehearsed again the points of my blog post so I had everything straight. When I’d finished, I came back in and Jenny was working on the computer. I then announced what I wanted to announce. I was met by wide eyes, and a high five (she said she didn’t want to hug me sweaty and smelling like B.O./ lawn clippings/gasoline). She asked the boys if they knew what I’d done and how awesome I was. Ok, not quite the way I’d rehearsed it in my head, but I’m sure it would happen after my shower.

But it didn’t. I stopped to think for a second. Yes, what I’d accomplished today is great, and something to be proud of. But as I looked around the room while Jenny was saying “Liam pooped his pants and needs a bath. I’m off to the library,” I realized that I’ve already accomplished something of significant importance. I have a family more incredible than I ever imagined myself being a part of. No career accomplishments, no running milestones, no tickertape parades, could EVER come close to the feeling of walking into a home where the people there love you just because of who you are.

No wonder we never have any money

I just passed the 400 profile view mark today. Jenny currently has 586. My blog is way more wicked cool than hers. We're poor. It's all making sense. She's paying someone to jump from IP address to IP address to put her in the lead. WHO'S SHE PAYING?! I don't work hard everyday (no, that in itself is not a statement) so she can squander our money on paid profile views. So fess up if she's paid you to look at her profile over and over, or even just once.

Podcasts. I just figured out that I can download podcasts to my slick TRIO MP3 player (thanks, Pop) to listen to on my runs. I download This American Life every Monday (for like the past six months), but have not listened to any of them yet since the master plan is to make a CD or two of nothing but TAL to listen to on our next long road trip. This week I discovered and auditioned two podcasts. Phiddipidations Steve Runner is a long-distance runner who talks through his long runs and then makes a podcast using his ramblings. Listened to two of them this week, and he had a good one on race etiquitte. Kudos to someone who can talk through an eight-mile run as he does. MormonPotluck is four Mormon guys in Oregon who do root beer taste tests and discuss Mormon culture (is Coca-Cola really against the rules, why doesn't the church website use QuickTime, etc).

Can anyone recommend any other podcasts? I'd like something with cool music mingled with humor. Really, This American Life is hard to beat, but I haven't been able to bring myself to listen to the ones I've been saving. Not really interested in listening to books b/c I don't want to have to remember from run to run where I was. Something about an hour in length is ideal.

Sorry to break my promise to not talk about running anymore here since I now have my running blog. At least I haven't mentioned donuts.

pictures

The guy at Walmart photo lab ruined my disposable camera with the pictures I'd taken of my high adventure trip (50 mile canoe trip down the Current River in the Ozark Mountains (yes, in-laws, it is in Missouri and they are called mountains)). The other leader took some pictures so maybe I can get copies.

On the topic of pictures, Nathan drew this picture of his uncle Elder Andersen serving in the NYC area. My, he has grown since being in the field the past year. I'm thinking we need to send some SPF 50 his way, though. Too much sun is not good. Regardless, I'd be downright scared if he knocked on MY door looking this way.

Eli lost his second tooth yesterday during dinner. Nice, bud, just what I wanted to see sitting across from you at the table. Anyway, can you guess what his first words were this morning? "Dad, the Tooth Fairy didn't come. My tooth is still here, and I didn't get any cash!" Always a sucker for my ridiculous explanations, he believed me when I said "Oh, I should have mentioned the cut-off time. You lost your tooth after 5:00 pm local time. She only guarantees pickup/payment for reservations received prior to that time. I'm sure you're on the list for tonight, though."

In other kid quotes from today: [Liam, in the swimming pool tonight] "Dad, I'm all wet."