The “JOY” of Birthdays

I just celebrated my 49th Birthday – WOW – 49!   It was a wonderful celebration, but as with other birthdays, it is a time for reflection.

I was talking to a close friend of mine about Birthdays and she is doing this project called “Letter to your 16-year old self” for her Birthday,  I thought it sounded fun, so here’s mine.

Dear 16-year-old Robin,

I write to you from 33 years down the road, from a beautiful home in Florida, where I live with the love of my (our?) life.  You are an empty-nester now, with two children making their own journey through life.  You won’t believe the amount of traveling you’ll have done by the time you reach your forties.

So much will change for you over the next 20 years.  You’ll graduate high school, go to college (which at this point isn’t even on your radar), and earn a degree.  You’ll fall in love, marry your high-school sweetheart and have two considerate, wonderful children.  You’ll work various jobs, from making home-made pies, teaching, working for a blind attorney, and even owning your own business.  And, you’ll realize over and over again that you don’t have all the answers.

I want to tell you a few things, some trivial, some more serious.  On the light side:

• Growing out your hair will prove to be a good idea.
• It’s ok to like country music, even when it is no longer cool.
• You’ll become a computer “geek” and love it.
• Dr. Pepper will become essential to your survival.
• You will love being outdoors (even camping).

More seriously:

• Soak up all these trips with friends and family – you’ll cherish the memories.
• Knowing what (and who) you don’t want is just as important as knowing what you do.
• Keep taking photos!  It will turn out to be the thing you love most.
• Tell your children (and you will have them) every day that you are proud of  them and love them for who they are.
• Make the relationships with your family your top priority.
• Doing what you enjoy is way more important than doing it for the money.
• Exercise will become a part of you; your daily routine.
• Keep that big “mom smile” and be proud of it.
• Learn to give more of yourself than what is expected.
• Get to know yourself and be true to yourself.
• Having less is having more.
• Spend time in the sun, it does the mind and body good.

When you’re about 40, you’ll own a T-shirt with the slogan “Life is Good”.  That sums up a lot of what you need to know.

Again, there are lots of changes ahead for you.  But, you’ll make it, with the help of family, lots of dear friends, and a husband and children who loves you unconditionally.

Love, 49 year-old Robin

The “JOY” of Running with Friends

This is an article the Panama City News Herald did on my running group — we meet every Thursday night to run.  I like the run, but the best part is the socializing afterwards.

Hathaway bridge runners build stamina

By Shannon Winslow-Claunch

—–About 30 runners take on the Hathaway Bridge each thursday night.  Some are members of the Panhandle Runners Club and some just show up.  Commuters may notice reflective running gear on the well lit bridge from 6 to 7pm.  The partitioned sidewalk and well-lit pathways, in addition to the group setting – safety in numbers – makes this workout universally appealing.  “We never leave anyone behind.  Safety is the paramount concern, ” said Robin Walters, a core member of the group and Webmaster for Panhandle Runners Club.  Walkers are welcome, as are strollers or dogs.  People of all ability levels will reap the physical and social rewards of the bridge, Walters said.  A native of Colorado and most recently a resident of Alaska, Walters enjoys the 12-month seasonality of Florida’s climate.  “There’s no ice to slip on and my nose doesn’t freeze together here,” Walters joked.  This isn’t a stuffy gym sort of work out. Participants can expect to see the sun set and make friends, she said.

Marshall McClanahan, a retired Air Force Para Rescuer, started the bridge run in July 2008 with four runners and participation has ebbed to 100 participants.  “It’s the only hill in the area and hills build stamina, ” said McClanahan, owner of Freedom Sports.  His shop serves as a running resource for marathons, products and camaraderie.  The bridge provides the perfect setting for running.  Runners and walkers alike are challenged by conquering the bridge and, McClahanan said, it’s a real confidence booster on the down slope.  His core group of runners – he also considers his friends — are professionals in business, medicine, politics and are stay-at-home moms. They all share  the commonality of caring about their health and doing something about it.

According to Armby Burfoot, of Runner’s World, running burns 50 percent more calories per mile than walking.  While the benefits of running up a hill include an increase in cardiovascular activity and men and women bur calories at differing levels, Hathaway bridge runners can expect to burn about 100 calories per mile.

Hathaway Bridge Runners

The “JOY” of New Shoes

Oh, little running shoes, you’ve taken me many miles, but, sadly, it’s time to retire you.  We’ve been together through some exciting races, our first Triathlon (the IronGirl), runs in 100 degree temperatures, injuries, miles of trail running, mountain training, rain puddles. . .    It will be sad to see you go, but go, you must!  According to Kameron, Jessica, Breena and Spencer, you have run over a skunk (or worse) and there is no losing your smell, no matter how many times I have washed you and sprayed foot powder in you, the smell just won’t run away.  As part of my new training regimen, I have replaced you with new, odorless shoes.  I’ve started adding hill runs to my weekly workout and some speed runs, in hopes to get a little faster — maybe the new shoes will help.

A “JOY”full Day

What a JOYFULL  day.   Full being the key word here.

Full of rest. (Is that possible?) I took a nap today, which is unusual (which I should do more often, it felt really good!).

Full in my tummy.  Ken made me the most wonderful seafood dinner; tuna and crab legs – YUM!  He really enjoys cooking now days, and loves just experimenting without using a recipe.  He says he cooks “with love”, making everything turn out delicious!

Full of friendship. I had a great “girls night out” with two very special friends.  It’s always so nice spending “girl time” together.  We ate, drank, and even did a little shopping.  A few weeks later, my other girlfriend, Susan took me out to dinner and I was able to meet her daughter, Aerial, for the first time.  I enjoyed spending time with them and wish we could do it more often.

Full of love. Everyone I know and didn’t know wished me a Happy Birthday today. I am more of a “It’s Not A Big Deal, kind of person” so this overwhelming amount of Birthday wishes was … just that overwhelming. A lot of my well wishes came thru Facebook (which is an awesome avenue for communicating)!  I even had the neighbors and kids in the neighborhood wishing me a Happy Birthday.  It really touched my heart.  I enjoyed the phone calls and emails more than any gift.

The “JOY” of TRI-ing

I’m no athlete.  I don’t claim to be.  When I was  younger, I would have never  put my name and running in the same sentence.  I absolutely hated PE.  Any excuse I could make to get out of  it, I would.  As a teenager in high-school, I even flunked PE  -who flunks PE? – students that don’t show up for it; that’s who – the thought of getting sweaty, or my (Farrah Fawcett) hairdo messed up – come on.

Boy, have things changed.  On June 27th, I competed in my first Triathlon – the AFLAC IRON GIRL in ATLANTA!

And I totally loved it!

I loved that it was all women – 2000+ women if you want details. I loved seeing all the different ages, shapes, sizes and abilities. I loved that there were first-timers and pros.  I loved hearing people cheer along the way and I especially loved when I ran by and high-fived a blonde woman that I won’t soon forget yelling out “Way to go Athletes!” I loved that I had the support of Ken, at the race and all during my training.  I loved that Ken was there with me  to capture the experience with photos and cheer me along the way.  I loved that it was in the Atlanta.   I loved the weather on the day of the race – sunshine and beautiful blue sky.  I loved clapping along the way and yelling out woo-hoo and cheering others on as I made my way through the course. I loved peddling  my bike as fast as I could  and feeling the breeze on my face.  I loved  finishing the swim portion!   I loved that I got choked up at different points along the course as it hit me again and again that I was really doing this!

I’m ready to  sign up for 2011!

And I’m totally excited to really train for next year. This past year I learned to swim, enough to be able to “make it.”  This coming year I plan to train in the pool so that I don’t have to back float for most of the swim portion.

The “JOY” of Running In Alabama

Ken and I loaded up the car with all our running stuff and headed out at 5:30am on Sat. morning to participate in the “Fire Fighters – Fit to Fight 10K” in Dothan, Alabama.  I love running in new places, somehow it just doesn’t make the 6 miles seem as long, when you run the miles in new surroundings.  It was a beautiful day for running, a little warm, but the fireman had their truck hoses out and were more than willing to douse you as you ran by.  It was a bigger race than we had expected, about 300+ participants.  I met my friend, Jennifer, and we ran some of the race together.  We were playing chase most of the way, I was chasing her some miles, then she would chase me.  Then, we got to the 5 mile marker, and ran together. . . until about 1/10 of a mile from the finish line, I had nothing more to give, and she had lots of energy left, so she sprinted to the end, taking first in our age group.  They gave out the neatest awards, for those placing in their age group, they gave real fire hose couplings that had been engraved with the age group and place.  For the overall female and male winners, they got about a 6ft. piece of fire hose labeled.  What the heck are we going to do with fire hose couplings, I have no clue!!!!!

There are sponsors for each race, and this race was sponsored by a restaurant called “Tropical Smoothie”, a chain of health food restaurants in the South.  Ken and I love them!  They had wraps that we had not tried before, and now I have found my very favorite:  they took a piece of flat bread, put peanut butter, honey, granola and bananas and on– it was delicious!!!!

I love running in the South, the people are so friendly and put on a great race.  I also love it when they say “You’ll come back now.”

Ken, 1st in his age group. . . .Robin 2nd in her age group

Click here to see more photos – http://gallery.mac.com/focused_memories#100314&bgcolor=black&view=grid

The “JOY” of Trail Riding

It was a very windy day today, so we decided to go for a trail ride on our mountain bikes.  We went to one of our favorite places, Crooked Creek Trail, a 10 mile loop back in the woods.  The name of the trail fits perfectly, I don’t think there is more than 2 feet that goes in a straight line, the entire trail curves and bends through the lush Florida terrain with puddles of left-over rain water 2-3 feet deep.  Ken and I were the only riders on the trail, which is the case every time we go; I can’t figure it out, it’s such a beautiful trail, but I’m sort of glad it’s that way.  It reminds me of Alaska, when we would hike or ski, we wouldn’t see civilization or humans around for miles!   We were sheltered by the wind, and the sun was shinning – it made for the perfect ride.  We even finished the ride off with a run, just to train for our upcoming triathlons.

Crooked Creek Trail

The “JOY” of Breena and Kameron

The last few days have been a time to reflect for me.  Breena has finished her 4 years at UAA and Kameron is now a Junior at UAA.

Four years, boy time really does go by fast!  I could think of lots of mushy stuff to say, but I found this poem that puts it all into words.

THOUGH YOU ARE GROWN

I remember years ago,

you were so little then.

Sometimes,

I can’t help but wish,

that you were small again.

I’ve cried when you’ve faced heartaches,

and saw, that as you grew,

nothing broke your Spirit,

instead it strengthened you.

I’m filled with mixed emotions,

as I hold back all the tears

and, with much pride remember,

back so many years.

When I first held you in my arms,

if only I”d have known,

the years would feel like moments,

after you had grown.

You aren’t a child,

though in my eyes,

I guess you’ll always be.

Breena studying for her SAT test as a Senior in high school.

Breena in her dorm room at UAA – 4 years ago.

Kameron, 4 years ago, a junior in high school.

The “JOY” of Team Walters

The Triathlon/Duathlon season is upon us!  We just competed in our first Duathlon of the season; The Beach Blast Triathlon and Duathlon on Mexico Beach, Florida.  We have been in training, gearing up for our big events:  for me, the Iron Girl in Atlanta on June 27th, and Ken, the Olympic distance Beach Blast Triathlon on September 11th.  In preparation for our events, we have been biking, riding, and swimming every day during the week, and on weekends.  So, this duathlon was just a little extra training for us – to try to get “our heads in the game”.  We didn’t do the triathlon, because I am still learning how to swim (I can now rhythmically  breathe – yea!, but still need practice) and Ken didn’t have a wetsuit to swim in the ocean.  So, we registered for the Duathlon; a 1.5 mile run/15 mile bike/3.1 mile run.  It was a beautiful day for the race and there were over 500 participants.  Ken had his best duathlon race ever, placing first in the Masters Division and I finished third women overall for the duathlon – Team Walters on the podium. 🙂

To view our Gallery — http://gallery.mac.com/focused_memories#gallery

The “JOY” Of Friendship

With Ken’s job in the government, we have had to move more than a few times and with each move, we leave behind dear friends and make new ones.  Moving to Panama City, Florida, I have been lucky to make more friends than I have at any other of our locations.  One of my really good friends here is a Canadian; Susan.  Her husband, Alan, is in the Canadian Air Force and they are doing a tour in the States, Panama City  (go figure, off all places).  This weekend, they had to go to a Canadian Mess Dinner, so before they went, I took photos for them.  (http://gallery.mac.com/focused_memories#gallery)

I wanted to do this post, to let her know how special her friendship is to me.

TEN REASONS I LIKE SUSAN. . .

*She’s Canadian and I love when she says “eh” (pronounced “ey”) (which has no literal translation in any other language than Canadian)

*She”s interesting and always has a story to tell

*She’s intelligent

*She’s fun to be with

*She puts up with all my quirks

*She’s a good wife and mother

*She’s caring

*She likes doing crafts with me

*She doesn’t make too much fun of me when I dance

*She’s a good friend!