Happy birthday Winston!

This past Thursday, on January 10, 2013, Winston would have been 13 years old.  While he was alive, for some reason, we never placed much emphasis on celebrating his birthday.  This year, though, I did.  Mugen and I went for a nice long run in Winston's name on Thursday night.  We ran around dusk from our home in Greenfield to Schenley Park and back through the trails there.  There was still a lot of snow left over on the ground, making it pretty bright, but hardly anybody out on the trails because it was almost dark.  I let Mugen off leash so he could sniff around and mark to his heart's desire - he was a happy dog!

It was a great run!  A bit technically challenging because the snow had melted and refrozen over a lot of the trail, making it pretty slippery - tough on the old knee!  But the wilderness was beautiful and quiet, and way in the back two deer crossed the trail in front of me and then stood at the side of the path, looking back at Mugen and me as we passed them.  Their white tails were standing straight up and their ears were perked, and of course, as always, they reminded me of my friend Winston.  I smiled to think that maybe he was visiting me for his birthday, letting me know he's running around like a dear in heaven, with a friend of course!

What a handsome boy!  Doesn't he look a little bit like a deer?  

When I got back from the run, my husband, baby and parents were waiting for me to have dinner and we opened up a nice bottle of Malbec and had a few glasses for my sweet boy - I think he would have approved.  We reminisced about all his good qualities, and some of his bad ones!!  We loved him the more for those I think.


Running is going better and better these days, and I finally feel like my body is getting back to its pre-baby abilities.  The baby weight is slowly dropping off and I'm getting stronger and stronger.  It's nice to have my body back!!  I'm feeling like this marathon will actually be possible!  Today, with the help of Team Awesome (minus Katelyn unfortunately but plus Mugen and the dragon!), I ran 5 miles!  This is my LONGEST run since February 2012!  It felt GOOD, but I was really tired at the end.  So was Mugen :).  Slowly but surely, I hope to ramp up my mileage in the next few months, hopefully with perseverance and luck I will make it to my goal!


http://www.crowdrise.com/taraloux

This is my fundraising page for the marathon - stop by and leave me a comment or cheer for my training!  And consider making a donation, in memory of my friend Winston, friend to all who knew him.  

Thanks y'all!  

Winston and Mugen sporting their pj's!!

Winston's fave place to snooze - our bed, snuggled up with a pillow!