A few yesterdays ago, I ensured that my kids will remember me as the grumpy, no-fun, frowning, flustered, exasperated, awful parent.  So proud.

I started to write about this a good while ago, but then I broke down entirely.  Tears, sobs, pounding of fists.  Eliot told me he was “concerned.” (Let’s all pause for a moment to appreciate Eliot’s equanimity.) All through the wailing and gnashing of teeth, I was also thinking about how I needed to get on the treadmill and simulate Leadville climbs.  It was 102 in San Antonio with the heat index, and it felt like Badwater temps in the garage.  Whine.  But, really, WHINE!  I just listened to a great interview with Lauren Fleshman on Marathon Talk, and she talked a bit about how sharing realness and imperfections can be useful to others.  Yup, so there ya go.  Here’s your “opportunity to identify” –or feel better about yourself because you don’t identify.  🙂

Today is my make or break day as far as feeling mentally ready for Leadville.  I intended to finish off my big training this weekend (as one should), but we were out of town for a wedding and I came up about 21 miles and 8k of vertical gain short.  So that has to happen tonight after Eliot gets home from work — in addition to today’s miles.  So when Eliot walks in the door at 5:30pm, I should be walking out if I’m going to make it happen.  I’m going to try to get two miles in now with Ruby in the jogger and Asa running alongside.  I keep Asa moving by distracting him with talk about potential birthday presents this weekend.  Minecraft.  Minecraft. Minecraft.

OK, Ruby is crying and Asa is grumpy because Ruby is crying, and now there’s some screaming, and it sounds like Legos may be being eaten — so I’ll leave you with some more pictures.  Check back today for progress on the miles and treadmill vertical.

We forgot Eliot’s suit in our friends’ closet and had to make an emergency trip to Kohls half an hour before the wedding this weekend.  For the record, Eliot traded some old hiking gear for those boots.  Those maroon alligator boots…

Day of Reckoning Update:

21 19 17 15 13 11 7 5 miles to finish and 6k 5k 4k of vertical

plus 5 miles and 2k of vertical

and one core workout

Peaceful sunbathing  beauty.

Level 4 Core Workout with R.D.