5.31.2009

Go Orioles!

Alex had his first baseball game Wednesday night. This is new for him since he never played t-ball. Because of rain, the game only lasted two innings. He played catcher for both. He also got a hit, made it on base, and eventually scored a run (although, I'm pretty certain no one keeps track of the score). The most exciting part of the game came during warm-ups where, while trying to catch a ball, he missed, got hit in the face with the ball and it knocked out a loose tooth. He was a bloody mess for a bit, but he toughened up and went back on the field.

At the end of the game the coach awarded him the game ball. Here he is posing with the game ball and his newly missing tooth.

5.28.2009

3-Day Thursday

Days Until Event: 65

Actual Miles Last Week: 24.5

Training Goal This Week: 28 miles.

5.27.2009

Memorial Day

Memorial Day seems to be one of the holidays of choice here in South Euclid. There's a huge parade that comes right down the center of town and ends practically on our street. In fact, when we first moved here and were telling people where we lived, most replied with, 'Oh. You're right on the parade route. That must make it very convenient'. The joke is, how can there be anyone left to watch the parade, when everyone you know is in it....

5.21.2009

3-Day Thursday

Days Until Event: 72

Actual Miles Last Week: 10. Last week was my second recovery week from the Flying Pig Marathon. I had planned on taking it easy for two weeks. This week I'm returning to my normal training plan.

Training Goal This Week: 24 miles.

Fundraising Update: I'm thrilled to report I only have a little over $600 left to raise before the event. If you haven't given yet, I'm asking you to consider becoming a part of my team. Every little bit helps. Even though I'm still a few months out from the 3-Day, I'm hoping to have the money raised by June. That way, in the 6 weeks prior to the event, I can focus fully on my training. You can make a donation online by clicking here, or you can mail me a check (made payable to The 3-Day) at our home address. (E-mail me Anne.Huminsky@gmail.com for address). Thank you so much for your support. I'm getting excited, and I'm really looking forward to the event!

5.20.2009

License to Drive

19 years ago I took my first and only Ohio driver's test. I have a few memories from the event. There were three 'testers' at the location nearest to our suburb, two women testers (one had purple hair) and a man. Rumor was, you wanted the man. He passed everyone. If you had to have a woman, you didn't want the one with the purple hair. She failed everyone. When I showed up to my test, a woman tested me. But, not the one with purple hair. Thankfully. Even in my very large 1979 Pontiac Bonneville, I passed the first time, and immediately received my first Ohio driver's license. In my picture I was looking at the camera and behind me was a red background.

Four years later I returned to the DMV because my license had expired. The format for the license had changed. This time I had to turn my head to the right (maybe left...) on a red background because I was still under 21. This was a rip-off. I had to pay for this license that would only be good for one year.

I returned again at 21. I looked at the camera and smiled for my now 'legal' license which was legit because my picture was now on a blue background.

At 23 (1997) I visited a DMV in Athens County, Ohio for a new license because my last name had changed from Harvey to Huminsky. Ohio Driver's License Count: 4.

The next time I entered a DMV I was in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was the spring of 2000. It was easy to obtain a driver's license in Nevada. All you had to do was surrender a current, valid driver's license. The hardest part of the process was the wait. Sometime in the late 90's the population of Vegas went from 1.5 million to 2.5 million. They still only had 4 DMVs. I believe I waited over four hours for my Nevada driver's license which was valid for four years.

In May of 2004 I entered a Washington DMV. This time I had to take a test. Two tests. The first was the written portion. Most adults we knew failed the written portion of the test unless they read and studied the training book. I read the book and passed. Next I had to take the driver's portion of the test. I might have had to leave and reschedule this part. I have vague memories because I was spending my days (and nights) with a 2 1/2 year old and a 5 month old. Surprisingly, I remember more events about the test I took at 16 than the test I took at 30. What I do remember most is having to parallel park our minivan. Fortunately, I passed. However, throughout the test I wondered...if I fail, will they let me drive myself home? A Washington driver's license is valid for 5 years.

Fast forward 5 years to the spring of 2009. My license was set to expire on my birthday, May 10th. To obtain an Ohio license you need to retake the written portion of the test. No driving portion though. I had intended to read the book. We picked one up the week before my birthday, and I took a practice test. I passed the practice test so I assumed I was good to go. I was. I took my written test on My 8th, and I only missed 4 questions. I still don't know what the legal driving alcohol limit is, or how long points stay on your license. I also was unaware of how fast you are allowed to drive if you have children under the age of 16 in the bed of your truck. Honestly, I didn't even know you were allowed to drive around the state of Ohio with children in the bed of your truck. FYI - the speed limit is 25mph. I guessed 10.

So, 19 years later, my Ohio driver's license count is up to 5. The gal processing my license asked me if my height and weight were the same. I was assuming she meant off my Washington ID so I said yes. After she printed out the paperwork, I understood that she meant off the last records they had of me in Ohio, which I don't think I ever changed since my original license in 1990. Once I made that discovery, I made her reprint me out a new license. I told her that weight was from high school. She needed to update it a bit........

5.17.2009

Busy, busy, busy.

We've had a busy week. We've been doing some of this....

And some of this....
While watching this....

We also spent a lot of time on this....

And finally ended the week with this.....

5.07.2009

3-Day Thursday

Days Until Event: 86

Actual Miles Last Week: 9

Training Goal This Week: I have set no goal because of the marathon last Sunday. I'm taking a few days to rest and recover. However I do have a 10+ mile walk scheduled for Saturday. So, between the two, I'll still be logging over 35 miles this week.

5.04.2009

The Flying Pig

We've returned home, and have somewhat recovered, from the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon. It was a great (but hilly) course and a wonderfully planned race. The city seems to really get behind the event and the directors must think through every last detail. We had a rainy/drizzly start, but for the rest of the race the weather was acceptable. Not only does the race have aid stations at every mile, but the aid stations have themes and the volunteers dress the part. Check out Margaritaville at mile 18.

We went through many neighborhoods and the residents were out with their grills, radios and pig costumes having a blast and cheering us on. We heard that once you've 'Done the Pig' you wind up being a little disappointed in the other Ohio marathons because of how well you're cared for in Cincinnati. Once we check out some of the other events, we'll let you know if that rumor is true.

Adam ran the half marathon in a little under 2 hours, and I walked the full marathon in 6hrs and 20mins. Give us a few more days to recover (and to attempt to walk up and down our stairs) and we'll let you know if we'll do it again next year.