Eighteen

It's a warm May morning with overcast skies and breezes suggesting showers are coming.

My regular morning run or walk didn't happen as I woke up gimping around with a sore left foot Achilles Tendon; how this happened I have no idea. It is possible that running barefoot in the grass during a kids track practice last night might have been the trigger. We run barefoot in the grass to teach proper running form.

My return to running has been a mixed bag so far. During the past seven days I have logged about twenty five easy trail miles generally feeling well while running. It's several hours after a run which has been worrisome.

Though the doctors can't tell me what the “Original” injury to my abdominal area is I am pretty sure the subsequent injuries are abductor related. This was probably caused by compensating for the pain in my abdominal section while running. ( a Mike theory) After a lot of research I found a number of exercises and stretches that have helped with the abductors but nothing (yet) that is really helping with the abdominal area. I am sorry to admit that this may be a long recovery, there may be very little racing going on in the near term.

On brighter notes, Patrick returned from France after having a wonderful week. Listening to his stories I could almost imagine being there with him, seeing the sights, touching the stones of the Roman Aqueducts and running across traffic to the dismay of some French Police Officers. You can only imagine how quickly that week in France must have flown by.

Maggie is winding down her High School career and will be leaving TJ on a high note. She has been selected to sing at the Senior Awards Banquet, this is somewhat unusual as typically that honor is reserved for individuals in advanced vocal studies. This past Sunday, Ms Kathy (Voice Instructor) held Senior Recitals and Maggie was astounding. No one knew it at the time but she was feeling horrible as she performed. We drove home with Maggie laying her head in Sue's lap not wanting to open her eyes because of the headache she was having.

Maggie also reached “Adulthood” today as she turns eighteen. Old enough to vote, sign a contract or even get married. As I looked at “Our Baby” leaving the house this morning I felt both joy and sadness. Joy that I am here, to bear witness to my children becoming adults. Sadness from wanting to hold on, something I shouldn't do but allow anyway.

Happy Birthday Maggie, I Love You