My First 1/2 Marathon - 6 days to go!

For those of you interested I've been given the all clear by the physio to tackle my major goal for this year. I've been seriously training for 12 weeks now, with the Joggers and Walkers club who meet every Sunday morning, and by this time in one weeks time I will have completed the New Plymouth 1/2 marathon. For those of you who ask (how long is that?) it is 21.1km. I'm hoping to run it in 2 1/2 hours.
We have been having lots of fun every Sunday morning, starting at the beginning at 9am and in the past month we have been meeting at 8am and running for anywhere from 1 hour up to 2 1/4hrs two weeks ago. That Sunday we headed out from Pukekura Park in the centre of New Plymouth to Burgess Park and Meeting of the Waters, and then returned home to Pukekura Park after a mammoth 18km run! My only problem was at about the 7km mark I rolled my foot on a "bloody" tree root, without taking my shoe off I ran the rest of the way and made it back home. Steve, Thomas and I then proceeded to spend that afternoon at the doctors and picking up crutches for the next few days. Luckily I was already with a great physio for my back and knee (all thanks to the hours running) and she was able to get to work on my foot straight away. Having not run for 2 weeks (you can imagine the walls I was climbing at home, and how nice I would have been to Steve and Thomas) I finally went back out yesterday for my first run. We ran for just over an hour, and tonight I went out for 1/2 hour and feel brilliant!!
So now I'm on countdown! All the gear and the food preparation has been tested over the past 3 months and now I just can't wait to start the run.
For those who know New Plymouth, we head out of Pukekura Park now Liardet Street and turn left onto the one way system to Morley Street, turn left and up the hill and turn right into Barrett Street, then left onto Cutfield Street and then right onto Tukapa Street. All the way up Tukapa Street (past our street where Steve and Thomas will see me for the first time) and past Thomas's kindy and on to Frankley Road. 4km up Frankley Road is Hurworth Road, turning left we head along Hurworth Road and then turn left into Carrington Road and onto Carrington Street once you hit the outskirts of town again. Turning left at the roundabout by the BP service station, head down Carrington Street and turn right into George Street and then left on to Victoria Road and then right into Gilbert Street and then right turn into Liardet Street and left onto Fillis Street and then right into the park via the side gates. A little under a lap around the sports field and the end is definitely in sight!!
As you can probably tell I've run it many times in my head, and also have spent a few times out on the course completing small distances (10kms being small) at a time.
Will keep you updated and let you all know how I go! You can always check it out on http://www.mapmyrun.com/ if you are interested - what a magnificent way to track your training runs!

Forever Young - Youth Group

Steve celebrates turning 44 tomorrow - Happy Birthday gorgeous boy!
Don't we all want to be "forever young" - I love this song and the video reminds me of the things we can do whenever we want too - no helmets, barefeet, ...
Love Jo and Thomas xoxo

Night Out for the Old Folks

Steve and I enjoyed a rare night out with lots of socialising, dancing and generally having a great time! Theme for the night was 80's so we dusted off some glad rags and joined lots of other staff from Steve's work for a night to remember. All the great 80's music, who can turn down a spin on the dance floor to Icehouse or Def Leppard! Not this chick that is for sure!
The caterers did a fabulous job of replicating all the great food that was in vogue in the 80's including the old favourites - Mac and Cheese, Apricot Chicken, Meatballs, Pizza and even food from the local Texacana!
We managed to make it home just after 1am and with Thomas waking at 6am for the day, there were no sleep ins for either of us. Although, Steve managed an extra couple of hours while I took Thomas to the park for a run around, and I got in a couple of hours while the boys played outside and had lunch. Great tag teaming on our behalf!!
Here we are in our glad rags (borrowed from the local Operatic Society, just in case you thought we had dragged them out of the back of the wardrobe).

Busy Boys

Steve and Thomas had great fun on Saturday afternoon making the lawns look respectable with a mow. Here are my two boys busy at work!

Spring has definitely arrived, our rhodo is out and has the most amazing ruby red flowers. Photo to follow...

My Poppa died today

I am very sad, but know that he is in a better place no doubt having a great reunion with Nana. I will miss him lots but will remember the great things we got to do together when he was alive. He is now where he wants to be and that is with my wonderful Nana who I know he missed lots and lots - a great love for both of them. They were both very special people and I have the fondest of memories holidaying with them at Maungatepere and Algies Bay. Nana's cooking was always the best and I'm sure that is where my love of baking and keeping people happy has come from. Thomas (our son) will also remember him as he has wonderful memories of time spent celebrating Poppa Jack's 90th birthday last year, with lots of cake and balloons!

We remember them as the wonderful grandparents they were, and know that they are keeping an eye on us and making sure we are safe (as they have always done).

I love you Poppa.