A lot can happen in a day...A journey to running a marathon.

Well I'm home. Marathon Experience = Indescribable
Here go my efforts to retell the story of my journey to Portland.

To Start the Whole adventure, my students and amazing friends created an amazing send off for me...


5:30pm Thursday September 30
I boarded a plane to Detroit. Unfortunately I was Zone 4 which caused me to be one of the last to board the plane. Upon entering the aircraft I quickly realized that there would not be any room for my carry on suit case to fit in the overhead compartments. I very willing gave my bag to the attendant who told me they would GATE check it for me (meaning I would get it when I got off the plane in Detroit, much like a stroller).
7:40 pm
Landed in Detroit. Waited when I got off the plane with the other Gate Checked bag folks....I waited....and I waited. No bag. When everyone had left I asked the attendent when I would receive my bag. She informed me that they had not "gate" checked my bag, but checked it all the way through for me. Ok...not a big a deal I guess...
8:00 pm EST
Flight to Portland delayed till 1:40.
2:00 am EST
Flight CANCELLED!
4:00 am EST
Checked into hotel after finally getting re booked on a flight....I would not be leaving Detroit until 7:40 pm on Friday...awesome. I was super excited because now they also had my bag, with my food, running shoes, and phone charger.
Well God sent me two angels that stood in as friends/uncles for the 24 hours that I was in Detroit. The Hawkinson Brothers were wonderful we had a great time getting to know each other and keeping company in Detroit.

After a long series of ridiculous events, 9 boarding passes later I arrived in Portland at 12:30 am on Saturday. My bag had arrived in Portland...sigh of relief...

So we slept then had to make the most of our togetherness that had been cut short.

We went to the expo to pick up packets and buy fabulous jackets to commemorate our achievement.


We traveled north to Freeport to do a little shopping and guess who decided he would come watch us run our Marathon...PATRICK DEMSEY! Yea he came to LLBean to see us!


So then full of anxiety and excitement we filled our bellies....
had chugging contests....
and put ourselves to bed for the next day would be a big day for us!




The next morning we rose early, ate our breakfast, got out running gear on, and headed out the door....



It's hard to describe how I was feeling that morning...full or excitement and anticipation...super pumped for that finish line..

Pre race Photo Shoot



Off we go....



Mile Twelve we were stunned to see Aunt Katie and Kathy Kelley! Best thing ever! Definitely gave me a boost of energy to make it around Princess Point. Our Family is amazing. Eileen and I had about the same reaction... :)



Into the home Stretch!



And the finish line!!!! WE DID IT!!




When we finished it was incredible! Aunt Kelly did not feel so hot and Eileen and I just ate all the food! :) We made it home, showered, napped, and laid around. Matt was our personal trainer and he stretched us all out. Mary gave foot massages, and Joe ate box after box of cheese its. :)




So now that it is all over...I can't explain how it feels to have run a marathon. I have lots of extra time in my week and I feel purposeless! Now that I've run the marathon...what is next? Crazy I know but now I need a new goal! I wish I could go back and do the weekend again!
Next time though...I want to do it with ALL the sisters....

Lisa that is a challenge...

My adventures with King Khameamea

Yes, blog world, there is a 4th sister...her name is Lisa. She fell off the planet because she wasn't doing anything cool. But i'm back, with one fabulously breif trip to Hawaii under my belt.



I learned many lessons while in Hawaii. Like how snapshots can be far superior to a posed picture, and how if you leave your beach mat by a tree...it won't be there when you come back for it 5 minutes later (in fact you'll find a homeless man sleeping on it not 5 yards from where you left it.)

We somehow managed to pack our days completely full with seeing all the signts that Oahu had to offer.
From relaxing and staying on the beach, to a PACKED full day learning about polynesian culture, to a beach front cheeseburger in paradise, we had ALL of the fun.

Mom and Dad are the cutest, by the way.



oh yes, and we are all ukulele champs, now. I was going to upload a video of me singing and playing the uke....but i realize my skills aren't up to par with Don Ho. And this blog is a less than forgiving crowd...so I will restrain. For now.

But at the culture center we went to a luau...ate poi! and we had so much fun at Hale Ohana Luau!

We climbed Diamond head, and snorkeled...and we shopped all over Waikiki beach! Also, count the newlyweds is a really fun game.

Dad is oh so special!

Its so beautiful....I couldn't stop taking pictures!

The USS Arizona and Pearl Habor Memorials were so moving, and an incredibly awesome way to spend our last day on the island. I just didn't want to leave...and I was so mad at Dad that he got to stay...an extra 25 days. :(

And yes, awesome beach-blown hair runs in this family. Its post diamond head tresses!


I think the pictures speak for themselves, but I can't say enough how perfect the timing of this trip was. I really needed something that nothing could ruin....I had strep and a ridiculous fever the day before I got on that plane...and thanks to antibiotics, I was good to go! I've come back to manhattan recharged and ready for the semester....but a little dissapointed in the lack of palm trees....


Besides that....theres not a whole lot I can justify complaining about...because i just spent 5 days in the most beautiful place i've ever seen.

In the words of my wise, wise father (at a tourist complaining)..."Shut up...you're in Hawaii!"

Life is good :)

Meghan is KENYAN!!!

Eileen and Meghan (and Aunt Kelly!!) ran their first full marathon this weekend and TOTALLY smoked it!! Meghan (our resident speed demon) finished in 4:16!!!!!!!!!! Eileen and Aunt Kelly held hands across the finish line at 4:54 (also AMAZING!!)



We can't wait for the Newport Pie Run this Thanksgiving - even though I will be the SLOWEST member of the family this year!!

Kate