Making it in sports is such a long and hard road. A ton of blood, sweat and tears can go into the making the big time, on a local level, national level and especially on an international level in any sport. The athletes risk a lot, sacrifice so much, sometimes to only gain a little in return.
Well, the USA women's soccer team, a team of unknowns for the most part, came up huge this year making it to the World Cump Championship game, only to come up just short of their dreams and ultimate goal losing to Japan in a shootout. While I was watching today's game, the announcers were talking about a few of the women on the team. You had a 22 year old, fresh out of college, scoring a huge goal and assisting on another. You had a woman who was 4 inches taller than the tallest Japanese player that made a beautiful header to go up 2-1.
The thing that impressed me most was not the athletic ability on the field of play, but rather that you also had more than one mother playing. No matter what the sport, I don't think that the athletes that are training at a high level while being a full-time mother are recognized nearly enough.
In my own sport of track and field a few recent mothers comes to mind. Kara Goucher, an amazing runner , gave birth to her son less than a year ago and just recently got her self back to championship form to qualify for this summers World Championships in the 10k. Although she will not race at this years World Championships, I still cannot get over her hard work both on the running paths and at home!
Kellyn Johnson, (a friend of mine) who also ran in the US championships in the 5k, gave birth to her baby girl Kylyn just over a year ago, only to be patient and return to form. From keeping up with her training and talking to her on occasion, I see how hard she worked at her return to running and how loving and hard she works at being a Mother.
So I want to take the time to honor the women that give their ALL in their sport of choice, while starting and watching after a family!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Back from the Dead!
My last post came on November 11th...so much has happened since then so I'll spare you all the details, but here is a list of the highlights to catch you up to date...
December
-Ran at Club Nationals with Club Northwest in Charlotte, NC. Charlotte was a fun city, the race was fun, though I didn't run as fast as I hoped, placing 119 (102 team score) for 6th man on the squad running 32:05 for the 10k. It was a fast, fairly fast course. All in all the experience was a good one and great to be around the CNW crew one last time!
-A week after Club Nationals I raced a mile indoor race at U of Chicago. Off of all distance training I ran a decent 4:23 on the tight turns at UofC.
-Christmas parties galore! The annual Grandma Zeier party started things off when I got to introduce Beth to a lot of my Mom's side of the family she had not met yet. Beth and I celebrated our own Christmas a few days early so we could be with our own families on Christmas eve and day. We made homemade pizza (ingredients from Trader Joes, mmm mmm) along with opening presents. The 26th we spent the day in Durand, IL, home of the Walsh Family Christmas. I got to meet so many of Beth's extended family on her Mom's side, such wonderful people!
beth and I at Walsh Family Xmas with Santa!
-Bears Clinch NFC North!
-New Years Eve with Beth in the Twin Cities, got to hangout with Beth's brother Paul and his family (Libby and their girls Lucy and Paige) and we also spent a little time with Beth's Sister Emily and brother in-law Josiah...ohhh and Baby Bumpus (more on this later!) This brings us into January...
new years eve out at a Country Bar
January:
-My birthday month! I spent the morning at Beth's parents. Molly made me a great pie/cake and it was fun being with Beth's family. Unfortunately the Bears decided not to play well and lost their last game of the regular season to the Packers, who they could have knocked out of the Playoff picture...(more on that later...as if I need to say anything...) Friends from home (Joe Lytle, Sean Siazon, and Kyle Brill) joined in on my birthday celebration as well!
-Beth takes me to a great Birthday surprise night! An Italian dinner in Old Towne then off to a show at 2nd City!!! Such a fun night
-Started to race indoor track for real, working out at Proviso West Track with the UIC crew once a week and with my Coach, Charlie Kern.
-Celebrating the Union of Matt and Lora Dudek. We got to hangout with Beth's Family and Friends, my brother and our friends. Unique situation that a friend of ours (Matt) married a friend of the Johnson family (Lora) such a fun weekend, topped off with the Parents meeting the Johnson's for the first time!
-The Day after wasn't so fun...Jay Cutler goes down with a knee injury (some thought it was suspect) and Bears lose to the team they could have kept out of the playoffs in the NFC championship game, their arch rivals, the Green Bay Packers...Although somehow the defense kept them in the game an they even had a chance to tie towards the end...In all honesty the Bears played better than most expected.
see what I'm talking about...not so fun, but Beth was a good sport, although I was a bit moody. Sorry Bethie : )
February:
- Valentine Day Dinner and 9 month anniversary with Beth. What a great dinner she made, one out of her cookbook for us! Pasta with baked tomatoes and some Feta cheese and avacado, great tastes!
Beth and our Feast, mmm mmm
-Huge Blizzard in early month that whipped out a few days, but not from running. I did a very slow, but fun 13 miler the morning after the blizzard. Just put my ice trekkers on and got out there! One of the most memorable runs I've ever done, running down the middle of the normally busy streets in Elgin!
-Race at UW Milwaukee, fastest indoor mile of the season at 4:16...won the race, but it got out slower than anticipated and I cost myself 3-4 seconds. Felt great whole way.
-Watched my sister kick some butt indoors running PR after PR!!!
-Started Growing a beard... how long will it last?! pictures to come
March:
-Traveled to work the Little Rock Marathon with the End Result company. This allowed me to race at University of Arkansas at their last chance meet. It was a fun experience, but I was toast after going through the first 800 in 2:02 trying to hang on to the back of the pack and going through 1000 in 2:33...the last 600 was not so fast...finished in 4:23...
-Traveled to Minnesota for a surprise Party for Paul and for Paige's 1st birthday! What a fun weekend!
-Lots of training getting ready for outdoor track and getting ready for the warmer weather to come!
-Gave up Facebook for Lent, most of March and much of April too...!!!
April: (a busy month!)
-April 1, Baby Bumpus comes into the world as Grace Anna Hill, 8lbs, 10oz born at 8:36 am, with a full head of hair! Such a beautiful baby!
-Coloring some pretty awesome easter eggs with Beth!
-Early season Cubs game in Milwaukee. It was a warm day for Early April, so we had fun tailgating and hanging out with Beth's Brother Mark and my brother and his friends
-Blackhawks almost make an amazing comeback only to lose an exciting game 7 to the Canucks, the team that last to Boston in the Stanley Cup Finals
-Bulls rap off a hard fought playoff series in game 5 against the Pacers
-Flew out to Eugene Oregon to work the marathon with End Result company to end the month!
May:
-Was supposed to race at the Oregon Twilight on May 7, but came down with a nasty stomach virus. Still got to visit my friends in Seattle for a few days before I flew back early to Chicago, but the trip didn't last as long or end like I had hoped. Still, was great to see my friends in Seattle and thanks to Philip Heron and the men at the "Porch" for letting me crash with them for a few nights and to Rob Kilcup for driving me to the airport...What a mess I was!
-Raced in the Twin Cities mile, again I couldn't get into the elite wave, but for the 2nd year in a row I won the open wave, this year in 4:23 (4:29 in 2010), winning $50 (which as of July 6 I have yet to see yet!)...but the best part of this trip was when I was surprised by by Awesome girlfriend got out of work early on thursday to fly up and see me race! What an awesome one year anniversary gift! Thanks to one of my best friends Luke Malm for letting me stay with him, although he was out of town, and his fiance Lydia for picking me up from the Megabus (the megabus was a fun experience, I see more trips up north using this method)
Surprise!!!
-A Birthday/one year anniversary celebration!!! Beth and I went to Medieval Times which was a blast, great food and then mini golfing...I made Beth a scrapbook of little notes from some of her closest family and friends that described some of their favorite memories of beth, such a fun project learning more about beth and it was even more fun being with her as she went through it for the first time! Such a fun day!
-Watched Ashley kick some butt all season and have some awesome races outdoors, pr'ing all along the way!
-Bulls Make it to the Eastern Conference Finals after beating the Atlanta Hawks in 6 before losing in 5 to the Heat...but the Heat lose to the Mavs in 6 later in June!!! Gotta love that!
-Attended Josh Hart's wedding with Beth and my family. A long time family friend and one of my brother's best friends. Bill was the best man so it was fun to be there!
-Memorial Day Main St. Mile in St. Charles, IL. I ran a PR (although the timing system was messed up) I, along with many others had me timed at 4:09, but the race officially had me at 4:10.1, still a PR, but never have broken into the 4 and single digits before...took 3rd and won $100.
June:
-Helped move Beth into her new Apartment!!! She really does have a great place :)
-My good friend and old roommate Matthew Burris gets married, so happy I could be there!!!
Beth and I outside at Wedding :)
-Rabbiting and Racing 3 times within one week in Indianapolis, rabbited 1500 through 800 in 1:58 on the 11th, Raced a 3:54 on the 15th and then raced another 3:54 on the 18th. All in all a decent trip, but didn't quite run where I know I was...still chipping away
Rabbit work
-Vinny the Volvo dies in Indy...scrapped for $300, RIP Vinny (Oct 2009-June 2011 in my ownership)
-Joe "Noti" Benoits Bachelor Party. A fun filled, Beer Filled weekend in the Dells with one of my best who gets hitched in a few days from now (July 9th)!!
-The Beard has to go! TOO HOT OUT!
July:
-Off to a great start, got to celebrate the 4th with Beth and her family up in Winneconne, WI. What a fun weekend of food, running, playing yard games, cribbage, drinking, golfing and story telling and hearing going on! I had so much fun playing with Lucy (who is getting so wise), Paige (who is growing so fast!) and Gracie (who has amazing hair for only being 3 months old). I'm so happy I was able to share this weekend with Beth and her family!
Team Tie Dye
Beth and Paige Chillin'
Well, that gets you updated on the major events. The training is still going strong, only minor hic-ups along the way, but I know I am getting faster.
I really hope and plan to update this blog at least on a weekly basis from now on, mostly with training updates and running tips/reviews as I make my journey to Eugene 2012!
Thanks for reading!
Shawn
December
-Ran at Club Nationals with Club Northwest in Charlotte, NC. Charlotte was a fun city, the race was fun, though I didn't run as fast as I hoped, placing 119 (102 team score) for 6th man on the squad running 32:05 for the 10k. It was a fast, fairly fast course. All in all the experience was a good one and great to be around the CNW crew one last time!
-A week after Club Nationals I raced a mile indoor race at U of Chicago. Off of all distance training I ran a decent 4:23 on the tight turns at UofC.
-Christmas parties galore! The annual Grandma Zeier party started things off when I got to introduce Beth to a lot of my Mom's side of the family she had not met yet. Beth and I celebrated our own Christmas a few days early so we could be with our own families on Christmas eve and day. We made homemade pizza (ingredients from Trader Joes, mmm mmm) along with opening presents. The 26th we spent the day in Durand, IL, home of the Walsh Family Christmas. I got to meet so many of Beth's extended family on her Mom's side, such wonderful people!
beth and I at Walsh Family Xmas with Santa!-Bears Clinch NFC North!
-New Years Eve with Beth in the Twin Cities, got to hangout with Beth's brother Paul and his family (Libby and their girls Lucy and Paige) and we also spent a little time with Beth's Sister Emily and brother in-law Josiah...ohhh and Baby Bumpus (more on this later!) This brings us into January...
new years eve out at a Country Bar
January:
-My birthday month! I spent the morning at Beth's parents. Molly made me a great pie/cake and it was fun being with Beth's family. Unfortunately the Bears decided not to play well and lost their last game of the regular season to the Packers, who they could have knocked out of the Playoff picture...(more on that later...as if I need to say anything...) Friends from home (Joe Lytle, Sean Siazon, and Kyle Brill) joined in on my birthday celebration as well!
-Beth takes me to a great Birthday surprise night! An Italian dinner in Old Towne then off to a show at 2nd City!!! Such a fun night
-Started to race indoor track for real, working out at Proviso West Track with the UIC crew once a week and with my Coach, Charlie Kern.
-Celebrating the Union of Matt and Lora Dudek. We got to hangout with Beth's Family and Friends, my brother and our friends. Unique situation that a friend of ours (Matt) married a friend of the Johnson family (Lora) such a fun weekend, topped off with the Parents meeting the Johnson's for the first time!
-The Day after wasn't so fun...Jay Cutler goes down with a knee injury (some thought it was suspect) and Bears lose to the team they could have kept out of the playoffs in the NFC championship game, their arch rivals, the Green Bay Packers...Although somehow the defense kept them in the game an they even had a chance to tie towards the end...In all honesty the Bears played better than most expected.
see what I'm talking about...not so fun, but Beth was a good sport, although I was a bit moody. Sorry Bethie : )
February:
- Valentine Day Dinner and 9 month anniversary with Beth. What a great dinner she made, one out of her cookbook for us! Pasta with baked tomatoes and some Feta cheese and avacado, great tastes!
Beth and our Feast, mmm mmm
-Huge Blizzard in early month that whipped out a few days, but not from running. I did a very slow, but fun 13 miler the morning after the blizzard. Just put my ice trekkers on and got out there! One of the most memorable runs I've ever done, running down the middle of the normally busy streets in Elgin!
-Race at UW Milwaukee, fastest indoor mile of the season at 4:16...won the race, but it got out slower than anticipated and I cost myself 3-4 seconds. Felt great whole way.
-Watched my sister kick some butt indoors running PR after PR!!!
-Started Growing a beard... how long will it last?! pictures to come
March:
-Traveled to work the Little Rock Marathon with the End Result company. This allowed me to race at University of Arkansas at their last chance meet. It was a fun experience, but I was toast after going through the first 800 in 2:02 trying to hang on to the back of the pack and going through 1000 in 2:33...the last 600 was not so fast...finished in 4:23...
-Traveled to Minnesota for a surprise Party for Paul and for Paige's 1st birthday! What a fun weekend!
-Lots of training getting ready for outdoor track and getting ready for the warmer weather to come!
-Gave up Facebook for Lent, most of March and much of April too...!!!
April: (a busy month!)
-April 1, Baby Bumpus comes into the world as Grace Anna Hill, 8lbs, 10oz born at 8:36 am, with a full head of hair! Such a beautiful baby!
-Coloring some pretty awesome easter eggs with Beth!
-Early season Cubs game in Milwaukee. It was a warm day for Early April, so we had fun tailgating and hanging out with Beth's Brother Mark and my brother and his friends
-Blackhawks almost make an amazing comeback only to lose an exciting game 7 to the Canucks, the team that last to Boston in the Stanley Cup Finals
-Bulls rap off a hard fought playoff series in game 5 against the Pacers
-Flew out to Eugene Oregon to work the marathon with End Result company to end the month!
May:
-Was supposed to race at the Oregon Twilight on May 7, but came down with a nasty stomach virus. Still got to visit my friends in Seattle for a few days before I flew back early to Chicago, but the trip didn't last as long or end like I had hoped. Still, was great to see my friends in Seattle and thanks to Philip Heron and the men at the "Porch" for letting me crash with them for a few nights and to Rob Kilcup for driving me to the airport...What a mess I was!
-Raced in the Twin Cities mile, again I couldn't get into the elite wave, but for the 2nd year in a row I won the open wave, this year in 4:23 (4:29 in 2010), winning $50 (which as of July 6 I have yet to see yet!)...but the best part of this trip was when I was surprised by by Awesome girlfriend got out of work early on thursday to fly up and see me race! What an awesome one year anniversary gift! Thanks to one of my best friends Luke Malm for letting me stay with him, although he was out of town, and his fiance Lydia for picking me up from the Megabus (the megabus was a fun experience, I see more trips up north using this method)
Surprise!!!
-A Birthday/one year anniversary celebration!!! Beth and I went to Medieval Times which was a blast, great food and then mini golfing...I made Beth a scrapbook of little notes from some of her closest family and friends that described some of their favorite memories of beth, such a fun project learning more about beth and it was even more fun being with her as she went through it for the first time! Such a fun day!
-Watched Ashley kick some butt all season and have some awesome races outdoors, pr'ing all along the way!
-Bulls Make it to the Eastern Conference Finals after beating the Atlanta Hawks in 6 before losing in 5 to the Heat...but the Heat lose to the Mavs in 6 later in June!!! Gotta love that!
-Attended Josh Hart's wedding with Beth and my family. A long time family friend and one of my brother's best friends. Bill was the best man so it was fun to be there!
-Memorial Day Main St. Mile in St. Charles, IL. I ran a PR (although the timing system was messed up) I, along with many others had me timed at 4:09, but the race officially had me at 4:10.1, still a PR, but never have broken into the 4 and single digits before...took 3rd and won $100.
June:
-Helped move Beth into her new Apartment!!! She really does have a great place :)
-My good friend and old roommate Matthew Burris gets married, so happy I could be there!!!
Beth and I outside at Wedding :)
-Rabbiting and Racing 3 times within one week in Indianapolis, rabbited 1500 through 800 in 1:58 on the 11th, Raced a 3:54 on the 15th and then raced another 3:54 on the 18th. All in all a decent trip, but didn't quite run where I know I was...still chipping away
Rabbit work
Racing in New CKelite Logo!
-Vinny the Volvo dies in Indy...scrapped for $300, RIP Vinny (Oct 2009-June 2011 in my ownership)
-Joe "Noti" Benoits Bachelor Party. A fun filled, Beer Filled weekend in the Dells with one of my best who gets hitched in a few days from now (July 9th)!!
-The Beard has to go! TOO HOT OUT!
July:
-Off to a great start, got to celebrate the 4th with Beth and her family up in Winneconne, WI. What a fun weekend of food, running, playing yard games, cribbage, drinking, golfing and story telling and hearing going on! I had so much fun playing with Lucy (who is getting so wise), Paige (who is growing so fast!) and Gracie (who has amazing hair for only being 3 months old). I'm so happy I was able to share this weekend with Beth and her family!
Team Tie Dye
Well, that gets you updated on the major events. The training is still going strong, only minor hic-ups along the way, but I know I am getting faster.
I really hope and plan to update this blog at least on a weekly basis from now on, mostly with training updates and running tips/reviews as I make my journey to Eugene 2012!
Thanks for reading!
Shawn
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