Just In Time

While Ben headed off to Michigan for a Medieval Literature conference, I took off in the opposite direction for a little sun and beach in my sister's new town. Four days later, I with the smallest of tans was taken by Ben, whose skin did not see sun but simply took in more book dust, to the local lake where we had a picnic on a rowboat. It sure was nice. Last weekend we went hiking at Hanging Rock (the "hanging rock" is pictured) and then did the last of the week's runs in preparation for the Virginia Beach marathon in September. Now, there are two slight problems with doing a full marathon: A. I'm doing an intensive care month in September and don't even know if I'll be able to get away and B. My body simply wasn't made for this, no matter how much I try to change its mind. I woke up this morning ready to tackle our yard with gusto and was stopped short with the most gruesome back pain I've had in a while. This, along with my iliotibial band -knee problems, and a new achilles tendon problem makes me think the marathon just may not happen. But we'll keep on, I suppose, until my body can't take any more. Ben's joints and such seem to be intact for now. Below: this is Sophie with our neighbor's pup, Eden. If you scroll back a few blog posts you'll see a similar Christmas picture. My oh my has this dog grown. Sophie's just working on her lateral extension.