I am thankful for my Grampy

"I'm especially thankful for all my grandchildren. And for each one of my great-grandchildren."

- Grampy Thanksgiving 2010

James F. McAuliffe was my Grampy. Don't let the the stubborn persona fool you, he was a tender hearted Irish fellow. My Grampy lived 87 years. He was married to my Grammy for 65 years. He had 3 children. He had 8 grandchildren. He had 12 great-grandchildren. My Grampy was a hero to this country and to me. He went into the army as a paratrooper because, in his words, "They paid you more money to do the dangerous job." That's how he met my Great Uncle Buster, who died in combat. My Grampy received many awards, including the Purple Heart. After the war, he visited Buster's family, and met my Grammy. They have lived in the same town all their lives. My Grampy was a hard worker, a retired fireman and a chauffeur during his retirement. He taught me the value of hard work and dedication. "If you can work, you better work." He'd say.

I have fond memories with my Grampy. He may have been a bit gruff sometimes, but he was really a swell guy. He'd always talk with me, come out to say hello, and drive me whenever I asked. I have many fond memories including:

• Walking to get the newspaper when I was REALLY young and slept over.
• Going to mass with him when I was REALLY young.
• Riding my bike over and swimming in their ultra clean pool.
• Grampy drove me to Disney when I visited them in Fort Lauderdale.
• Grampy helped me wash my car because "I needed help to do it right."
• Grampy at Christmas. It was his favorite time of year.
• Grampy sat Mr. Miller and I down when we decided to go Puerto Rico for our honeymoon to show us all his pictures from Rincon. He told us great stories about his vacations there.
• In more recent years, we spent Thanksgiving with Gram and Gramp. It was the best time.
• Seeing my Grampy with the great grandchildren. It pains me that he will never meet my own children.
• One day this summer, when he was having a "bad day", I didn't go into the den to give him our usual hello and kiss on the cheek. He came outside, found me, and immediately gave me a kiss and said, "Hello Kristin." That was a good day.
• All the good days we had this summer. My dad said he put on his "best face" when we came to visit.

I said good-bye on Sunday. I visited Grampy in the hospital, and he didn't know I was there. I gave him our usual kiss on the cheek and said good bye.

I'll miss you Grampy. You were loving, caring, and tender in your own way and in your own time. I'm so blessed that you got to see me graduate college, get married, earn my masters degree, and run a marathon. I will be forever grateful for your support and love.

No Thanksgiving Day Race Recap here folks....

So, in case you missed it, I was sick. It all started Tuesday night, as stated in my previous post. I was apparently sick for a while, but because I ignored a lot of little things as "I'm just not feeling well today" type of symptoms. Nothing was severe, nothing said "Go to the doctor and get a prescription!" If I had done that, things would have turned out way differently. Instead, I spent our 3 hour traffic ridden drive to Connecticut (Thanks Mr. Miller for being a traffic trooper!) Wednesday shivering in fleece pants, wool socks, Uggs, a sweatshirt and down vest. Oh yea, and a Lambeau Lap Puppy. He's warm and toasty. When I got to my parent's house, mommy took over and immediately put me in her bed and ran the show. My fever finally somewhat broke around 9pm. I am thankful for my mommy. Thanksgiving morning I had a slight fever, but a steady flow of Tylenol kept it at bay most of the time. I am thankful for Tylenol. The worst part was that it apparently spread to my kidneys. I had extreme lower back pain since the end of last week, and I thought it was because of my realignment/massage/lack of running. I was constantly stretching, doing yoga, using the roller, hot showers, and bribing Mr. Miller for a massage (He always did it willingly, what a guy.) However, these interventions weren't doing any good and that should have tipped me off as well. It turned into stabbing pain Tuesday night whenever I moved, coughed, yawned, laughed, anything. Thankfully, Thursday morning the antibiotics showed signs of finally working after three doses, and I was coherent and able to talk and make sense!I am thankful for antibiotics. I'm still recovering from the back pain and moving around carefully, but I didn't want to let it ruin my weekend with family. I am thankful for my family. Below are some pictures of me putting on a big girl face to celebrate! Warning: I will be referencing Friends Thanksgiving Episode quotes! And yes, I'm thankful for Friends Thanksgiving Episodes.What, are you afraid you're gonna run out of pie?! My mom always makes amazing homemade pies! We waited a while for these. Oh my they were good. Challenge update: I did get the walk in after the meal, but it was a very short walk (1/4 of a mile). It's all I could take. Probably even a bit much! I didn't eat too much at dinner, simply because I couldn't. Also, not pictured: Mr. Miller's parents came! We had a great time. I didn't really have my phone, but my mom took some good pictures with her camera. More to come!
We all really missed Grampy. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's about a year ago. Three weeks ago he had to go into the hospital. He's not doing very well, and everyone missed him. Needless to say, we had a steady flow of tears while everyone went around the table to say what they were thankful for. Grampy was included in a lot of them. I am thankful that this summer we had several good visits where I learned even more about him, about history, and his experiences in the war. Praying for peace and health for your Grampy!

Challenge update number 2: Yes, I ate this. It should be noted that it was sort of a brunch. I ate fruit for breakfast and this for brunch. YUM. Ross Geller would be proud. Don't worry, I had on my "eatin' pants". I did make sure to have the thinnest layer of each item, but more turkey. Hey, it's a protein right?! Well Jim, you did it. She's finally full.

We dog-sat Lambeau's sister! This is Kerri. She's Lambeau's actual litter mate. My lifetime neighbors here in Connecticut bought Lambeau Puppy's sister because they saw how darn cute he was! They were getting ready for a wedding and needed peace, quiet, and no doggy/dress accidents! So Kerri came to play. They had fun. Truth be told, Urban dweller Lambeau was a little put off that we banished him outside! Crying and scratching at the door. Pansy. MAN UP! Play outdoors.
This is the wedding! Mark and Sandy had a beautiful wedding set in a historic barn. Mark and I grew up building forts in the woods, playing basketball together, and when it rained, pool and air hockey tournaments! They're a fabulous couple, we are so thrilled for them! Thankfully I was feeling good, but towards the end it was too much activity for me. I even tried to dance, but the Twist really didn't agree with my back.

Today, I'm determined to be productive. I'm going to arrange our Christmas Card list and Gift List. If I'm going to have a quiet weekend, might as well do something productive.

What are you doing to be productive this weekend? How is the running? I will try not to be jealous, I promise.

Prepare yourself for something truly dreadful...

Lambeau Puppy is excited to go to Connecticut, the land of fenced in back yards and rocking horses. Me? Well, this Thanksgiving just took a nasty turn. Last night I woke up around 1:30am with a fever, chills that woke up Mr. Miller, and delirium. Turns out I have a virus and antibiotics will be entering me shortly. Doctor's orders? NO. Running. TOMORROW. Yup. My Beloved Manchester Road Race streak will be ending today. In the caption explaining my absence next year? "ANTIBIOTICS." So, I'm trying to not be a pouter, and focus on spending time with family. Alright, so I did cry with my mommy over the phone and now I'm over it. Kind of. Sort of. So, will run vicariously through all of you Turkey Trotters! Get out there and support your community!

So, this will not be Mr. Miller and I tomorrow. I had a Packers-ish outfit picked out, so that will have to wait until next year I guess. I am unsure if Mr. Miller will brave the race! We'll see how driving to Connecticut in the car sick goes, praying it's a lot of Zzzz's!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I am thankful for health!

This was our Christmas Card photo last year, taken on Thanksgiving 2010. I love CONNECTICUT! Red barns and evergreens! BRING. IT. ON!

I'm so excited for Thanksgiving!!! It is a strong rival with Christmas in my favorite holidays category. I love Christmas because it celebrates God's amazing gift to us. The joy and love in the season is wonderful. However, Thanksgiving is very selfless, it's not about presents, but rather time spent with family and friends. This year my Miller-in-Laws are joining the McAuliffes! Watch out Connecticut! It will be so great to have Mr. Miller's parents joining us for Thanksgiving. This is also their first experience with the Manchester Road Race, I'm so excited for them to see my CRAZY community celebration! I seriously can't wait for mashed potatoes. Also, my mom's homemade pies (Baked fresh this Wednesday afternoon!) are to.die.for. Speaking of food...

Every year, I try to make Thanksgiving as healthy as possible. Easier said than done, yes?! Well, I try. And that's what matters. For the past three years, my Yoga Club at school has taken the "Thanksgiving Challenge". This entails 4 Levels:

Level 1: Do yoga everyday over break.

Level 2: Take a 15 minute walk after a big meal instead of video games or a nap.

Level 3: Bring someone on the walk!

Level 4: Teach someone yoga.

Level 5: Take one serving of everything, and wait 10 minutes after you're done before you decide to get seconds; chances are you'll be stuffed! I take this challenge seriously, as do my 4th and 5th graders. I also add in my own challenges. First up: The Manchester Road Race:Race Goals:

1. Have fun.

2. Get some decent pictures. This is like a Where's Waldo photo! That's me in the Green Bay hat (10-0...WHAT WHAT!!!). Brian is in the guy in the grey shorts saying hi to Lambeau Puppy. My dad is in the red jacket holding Lambeau Puppy. Lambeau Puppy is the cute dog being held by my red jacket dad. Coach Jen is in the NC Blue fleece. There's a little one in a red jacket next to my red jacket dad, that's my nephew Coach Jen's Number 3. Ok, seriously? The photo needs too much of an explanation! So yea. We'll stop. We'll smile. We'll hug.

3. PR? Eh, I've done it every year except 2004, so I might as well try. So 48:18 is the goal :-D

4. Wear a costume. I usually just wear something average or Packers-ish. Mr. Miller has a little something picked out. We'll see what I come up with!

My years in numbers:

2010: 48:19

2009: 49:47

2008: 49:52

2007: 52:54

2006: Don't think I raced and I'm not sure why

2005: Broken toe = no Manchester Road Race that year :-(

2004: 54:26

2003: 51:47

2002: 62:49

I have other fitness goals too, you know! In addition to doing my club's yoga challenge, I will also be adding in some at home and gym activity that I'll try to keep up regularly. Goals include:

- Doing 100 crunch style moves without wanting to puke. (I do a blend of pilates moves, keep my abs guessing!) BTW, my core is W-E-A-K. I want to remedy that STAT.

- 25 push ups. Let's start small and see how it goes. I currently can do, oh, 5-8.

- Strength train at least once a week. When I got checked out at my chiropractor, he highly recommended I take up my strength training that I did over the summer, because shoot girl, your lower back is weak! (My words, not his.)

So, healthy Thanksgiving weekend it will be. I'm hoping to get a run in with coach Jen, although she is a tad faster and better trained currently. I also plan on continuing this routine in December because, let's be honest, my cookie swap is December 3 and I tend to have a morning cookie with my coffee every day in December. They may be small, but an extra 80-100 calories adds up quick (560-700 a week!)! So calorie BURN will be a huge goal in December.

Per Usual, Runnersworld.com read my mind. To continue the runner's depression study, check out the article "Now What" which appeared in my inbox today!

Are YOU running in a Thanksgiving Day race?! Say it loud, say it proud! Gobble gobble!

1 Day until the Manchester Road Race!

....and THANKSGIVING!!!

Post-NYC Marathon days of Glory Part 3: Runner's Depression and back

How could I have Runner's Depression when I have a birthday/I-ran-a-marathon southern themed bonanza:

The girls in their plaids.

Pumpkin cream pies with imaginary candles!

I haven't run in two weeks. It's been two weeks since I became a Finisher of the ING NYC Marathon. Things got in the way. Birthday parties happened. Days of sleeping and lounging around happened. Visitors came to town. Concerts had to be attended. Parent Teacher Conferences messed with my schedule. And then there's the weather. The good 'ol weather. It's pretty much dark at 4:30pm, so right now at 7:51pm I feel like it's 10:00pm. Therefore, I'm not only in the midst of Runner's Depression, but I'm also fighting bear syndrome, aka hibernation. Now, you may be wondering, what is Runner's Depression? I found two blogs that detailed it well. Basically, the extreme version is like true depression. This is not me. I'm more like an injured runner, "I'm goal-less, I accomplished what I set out to do, now I feel like I'm in limbo." So you know what I thought today? I'm not injured. I am able bodied. I have two feet...granted, sometimes they are both lefts. So, in the words of Mr. Miller:

Don't be dramatic. Just run.

I dusted of the Garmin from the Marathon. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, that's 26.51...so much for trying to avoid bobbing and weaving. I reset it. Time to move on. Time to reset toward a new run. (And yes, Lambeau Puppy did get his walk first.)
I wore inspirational gear. I rocked my Marathon Finisher's running hat for the first time, and my Manchester Road Race shirt in honor of my 8th running of the Thanksgiving Day Race this Thursday!!! (See posts about the race here and here)

So the running began. I went 3.6 miles, just to the park and back. I took the scenic route for once. The scenic route means about 2/10 of a mile shorter than running the non-scenic route. Today was a scenic day. I didn't bring my phone or iPod, I ran with a watch simply to keep track of time...obviously the sun did a good job of that by itself. By the time I reached the park the lights were already on and dusk was fast approaching. I did one nice loop and headed home. I had soreness behind both of my knees, I assume that's just from wearing flats, not sneakers, and not running for two weeks. My aerobic breathing was very good. I took it easy and thoroughly enjoyed it. There. I did it. Just run. Easy enough.

Tomorrow I will detail race goals for the Thanksgiving day race/a healthy Thanksgiving weekend. Hint: having fun is number one.

Don't be dramatic. Just run.

2 days until the Manchester Road Race!!!

Post-NYC Marathon days of Glory Part 2

In this edition of Mrs. Miller's Week in Pictures, get ready for puppies, concerts, and sight seeing! *Watch out for the birthday picture cliff hanger at the end of this blog for the next edition coming soon!*

Puppy time is time well spent. After the marathon, I spent a lot of time with this little guy and Mr. Miller. He is such a little spit fire, but bring him to the park and FORGET. IT. He freaks out! He loves the open space. He also enjoys sunsets and puppy walks on the beach.

These are my boys. They're the best things for me. My man boy and my puppy boy. I thoroughly enjoyed relaxing with them and relishing in marathon victory.

Hello, Foo Fighters! Yup, we saw them in concert at Madison Square Garden. This is where we got engaged during a Coldplay concert. The Foo Fighters were ELECTRIC.

Confession: We're old and left early. Foo Fighters, I'm SO glad you're cool and wanted to play for over three hours. Not so cool? Going on at 9:30. AKA my bedtime. I made it until a little before 12am and called it quits!

Top of the Rock to ya! I love this view. Skyscrapers fascinate me. We had a FABULOUS friend in town and we saw the sights. It was nice playing tour guide. I forgot how tiring it can be!

It's the most wonderful time: ROCKEFELLER TREE TIME! This is one of my favorite traditions. I will be writing more about this soon. Even though the PA born tree was surrounded by scaffolding, I felt a bit giddy at the sight of it.

JUST BELIEVE! Thanks Macy's for reminding me that, with God, anything is possible. Completing my first marathon is possible. Running a sub 2:00 1/2 marathon is possible!!! Exciting things to come!

Picture preview for the next blog: My Southern Themed birthday party. Yes, those are some marines. Yes, we bought them dinner and drinks. Yes, their birthday was on the day of my party. Prepare yourself for the next Mrs. Miller's Miles Week of Pictures! It's going to be a funny one!

9 days until the Manchester Road Race!!!

Post-NYC Marathon days of Glory

Medaling. First day back at work.

I have been so busy. Seriously. Between the NYC Marathon, recovering from the marathon, going back to work, receiving so many amazing compliments, my southern themed birthday party, a weekend guest, and a Foo Fighters concert, I'm exhausted. Oh, did I mention tonight is Monday Night Football featuring the PACKERS?! Needless to say, I will not be staying up for the whole thing, because it is against Minnesota. Mr. Miller is out watching it with friends because he knows I am wiped. So, since I'm so wiped, I figured I'd recap the days following the epic Marathon of my life. Honestly, there's not a lot of running going on. I know a lot of runners and bloggers get right back on the horse, but this girl needs some rest. Wednesday is my comeback day. I've recovered, done an insane amount of walking, got a massage and scolded my a chiropractor (Another time, another blog...), and have to get through Parent Teacher Conferences tomorrow (8:10am-7:30pm workday. Blech.)

So, prepare yourself for Mrs. Miller's Miles Week of Pictures!...a week later!!! As I'm playing catch up on life, I'll let you catch up with amazing visual images that made this past week exceptionally great.

I finally met up with my childhood neighbor, Melissa! We couldn't connect to run the marathon together, but we met up in Manhattan to be like kids in a candy shop giddy. Marathon LOVE was in the air! We wore our marathon medals loud and proud. Let's call it medaling.
A medaling hanging. We had to wait in line just to get into the NYRR Finisher's store! WHAT?! Semi sore runners here, easy in easy out?! Not so much. 15 minutes of waiting in line is just too darn long.
Mary Wittenberg sent me a personal email congratulating me. Thanks Mary, we'll do lunch soon.
My parents had given me orange flowers. I forgot!!! In the tissy of getting home, showering etc, my parents left to drive back to Connecticut. I forgot their cute gesture of naranja flores!
Nike Town, Thank YOU! Yes, this is awesome. In case you can't see the sign, it details finisher tee's, (FREE) medal engraving, (FREE) refreshments, and a (FREE) massage! Yes please. I took full advantage!!!
Jamba Juice Jubilee. Okay, so maybe I had two. My new marathon friend (Didn't catch his name...) and I swapped Jamba Juice retrieval duties while we waited for our massages.

Even after the marathon, ads still get me. I see this and think, "Heck yea 59th street bridge repeats. Yea Bronx rising, I rocked you." It's swell. Just swell.
How can you read this and NOT get chills!? I'm a sucker for strong sayings/statements.

"Victory is declared by us. But it's not easy to earn it. But then, nothing worthwhile was ever easy. After all, If you don't think you're the best, you're not the best."

-Nike Town NYC Ad

10 days until the Manchester Road Race!!!

...had to change the countdown! On to the next one/on to the next one...