Yep, there's that black dress and me with Mom - doesn't she look amazing? Just wait for the wedding pictures. (Note to readers: Blogger is having some technical problems tonight and I wasn't able to upload any more photos, but I will come back later and try it again.)
Saturday started off very early packing my bag for the day and making sure everything was ready to go. Mom and I went to Tara's to have our hair done. Pictures started at the Litchfield Inn before church. Everyone looked great and the photographer was wonderful. I was far less emotional than I expected, until we got out of the limo and Roxy walked up the steps to the church in front of me. We walked into the corridor, I handed her the bouquet and gave her a big hug as tears started to well up in both of our eyes. Church went very smooth (aside from a few tears as she walked down the aisle with one big thing missing - Dad), and it was a gorgeous day for more pictures outdoors at the country club. Another great dinner and then it was time to party. Malibus for everyone - Mark was bringing them back to the table by the tray full. By no means am I supporting consumption of alcohol, but you have to make full use of the open bar. The "whiteness" (lack of rhythm and even poor coordination) that filled the dance floor was comical at best, but we Lents and Sadowskis had a great time. I was waiting for someone to wheel Gram up there and spin her around in her wheelchair. The night came to close with a family dance and a big hug, one we will all remember for a long time. Later, Mom told me that Uncle Chuck (one of my Dad's brothers) said to her that Dad really was there walking Roxy down the aisle - we just couldn't see him. That brings such a huge smile to my face thinking that he'll be there someday for me, too.
Sunday started off with my much-loved YOGA class, but that was the end of my enjoyment for the day. I had to miss out on the family post-wedding brunch because of the immense amount of homework I had. I spent ten hours last Sunday reading, writing and cursing myself for continuing my education.
The week went by in a flash. I bumped my mileage up slightly and took my wonderful rest day on Friday. Friday night out with the boys was entertaining as always. Tom decided that he is not going to drink anymore. We went to see one of our favorite bands and for the first time, he was experiencing what I experience almost every Friday night. After that, I'm not sure his pledge to quit drinking will be long-lived.
Yesterday, I woke up to the sound of the birds (cliche, I know, but it really is true). Stretching and a little pilates warmed me up for a great fourteen miles. I tried a new loop, which took me down to the center of New Haven, over to State Street and following State down into North Haven and back to Hamden via Davis Street. It was a fantastic, flat route, except for the last mile up and over Davis Street. I was so strong up until that last hill. Yesterday was the first time I ran with my water belt and what a difference. Taking a quick drink every mile and a half keeps your body so well hydrated and prevents the muscle cramping that I experienced last week. Okay, so the belt isn't really attractive and it can certainly get irritating as it slips and slides all over the place. But, there are worse things in life.
Something I was thinking about as I was running along that hot, flat route yesterday: When you train for your first marathon, there will come a point, where every weekend, you will run the longest you have ever run, which is pretty amazing if you think about it. One of my good marathoning friends enlightened me to that concept. (Todd - I hope you are still running. I'm waiting to see your name on the Boston results.) So, I ran my first marathon two years ago. That means every Saturday I am running the longest I have run in two years.
I'll leave you on that thought. Good night everyone - it's great to be back in my little cyber world of a runner's blog.
