Posts
So maybe we'll make this a monthly blog?
Summer is coming to an end pretty soon. We've had a busy summer and got some good use from the pool on hot summer days and nights but it seems to be ending. The past month the boys have been busy with the fun runs on Wednesday nights. Matthew almost had an undefeated series. He won 7 out of 8 races this summer! (see link for Press writeups) Now soccer season has officially started & his first game is on this coming Saturday. So far it looks like he's learned a few tricks from Soccer camp.
Andrew is still busy with Medicine Horse Farm where he attends dayhab and receives Equine Assisted Therapy. He's back to his favorite horse Sheba now. He's even gotten to ride Thor the newest horse on the farm. This guy is gigantic! But he still loves his firsts, Lilly & Grace. He goes two days a week for a total of 4 hours a week. He loves spending time on the farm riding, brushing, walking the trails, helping with tack and he's even learning to use the reigns so he can soon ride unassisted. He's very excited for this but he still has a lot of work to do on his proprioception. He's improving but not enough to steer independently. He also has legs like rubber bands and requires about 20 minutes of riding without stirrups to stretch out enough to ride comfortably.
Sean and I are still running when we can. We all participated at the Run For Jon this past Saturday. It takes place at an apple orchard. (see link for details). Andrew did the kids fun run & did an excellent job. He didn't even fall once and was able to successfully run through the thick grassy orchard & finished with his hands in the air like he just ran a marathon with the biggest smile ever! Sean had a great finish at 48th/214 with a time of 16:59. I finished at 168th at 22:41 and most impressively Matthew finished the race in 166th place with a time of 22:38... He did so great! He was the youngest runner again this year.
We had a pretty crazy Sunday as well. Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene passed through wreaking havok! She tested our nerves, that's for sure. The storm was not suppose to be this devastating for our are so many were unprepared. Us, on the other hand, were. We purchased a battery back up sump pump, lots of batteries, dug out the flashlights, stocked up on water and candles. We even froze containers of water in the freezer to use as ice blocks in case we lost power for any period of time. Thankfully we were spared the loss of electricity until about 11pm until 3or 4am. We didn't have to use our pump. Although we did get about 6 inches of rain in a 24 hour period, we were spared the stress of a flooded basement this time. I guess the dry summer has helped. We did, however lose a fairly large tree that blasted through our fence just grazing the pool. With the help of some neighbors they were able to guide the falling tree to a safe landing area between the pool and kids' playset. (video Here & Here ). There's been a lot of devastation in the area. Many people are still without power 4 days later. Roads are washed out. The Adirondack Mountains are literally "Closed". Yeah, really. They are not allowing hikers to enter due to massive flooding and damage by wind. There's been major landslides on the peaks... some that are so large they can be seen from arial footage and have permanently changed the face of the mountains. (read more here) There is storm coverage everywhere you look. Vermont, just across the Lake from us is virtually underwater as well as the local town I grew up in. It's sad to see historic structures just disintegrate down the rivers. Things you can never get back. Hearing of friends homes and property that's been completely destroyed is so maddening.
So now the cleanup continues as we chop up that tree and repair the fence. Nothing to complain about considering the stories we hear and see. We'll go on with our summer and hope for some more warm days before Fall and winter set in.
We're also in the midst of helping organize a Monster Dash Walk/Run and Goblin Gallop Kids Fun Run to benefit Medicine Horse Farm's Equine program. Andrew benefits from this program and we were asked if we'd like to help organize it since we are "semi" experienced runners. Having participated in numerous races they though we could provide some insight on the planning of the event as well as my expertise in design and promotion of the event. I've been on quite a few planning committees so that helps too. So anyone who would like to participate in any way, feel free to contact me. See the facebook event here for more information. It's not your average race. There will be Monsters (hence, the name) and they will be out to take your lives! The monsters will be hidden throughout the course trying to steal flags that you will be given. If you finish without any flags then you will be out of lives. Without any lives your time will be recorded but you will not be eligible for prizes. Although there will be numerous other prizes to be awarded including a costume contest! It takes place Sunday, October 23, 2011 (tentatively) at Banker Orchard, Plattsburgh, NY. Anyone can participate, volunteer or sponsor. The more the merrier!
