50K Birthday . . . The Mobile Celebration!

Thank you for the balloon and flowers,
Mom and Dad!
You're the BEST!

Is there anything more important than good health, great friends, and a loving (and tolerant!) family?  I think not!  

Today, on my 50th birthday, I had the chance to celebrate all those things as I ran 50 kilometers (31 miles).  It was supposed to be 50 miles; but Hey, I'm not crazy! ;-)

Friend Amy ran me in for the finish!
Okay, No.  We walked. :-)

As the hours passed, friends came out to run and walk beside me.  My husband and son Spencer decorated my van with balloons and signs.  They ran and walked with me, too.  They loaded my van with a cooler filled with icy drinks and tasty snacks-- I'm thinking of you, miraculous candied pecans at mile 20!

My first round of traveling companions:
What an awesome way to start a run!

It was a wonderful day.  I've had a lot of them.  Half a century's worth now.  But I hope not to be done for a long time.  I don't want to be over the hill.  I love climbing up the hills.  Of course, zooming down them is fun, too.

Much love to all of you who sent me sweet Happy Birthday messages, cards, balloons, and flowers!

John and longtime Bestie, Tod (and Gigi)

And WHO is taking me out for dinner and drinks after
spending the ENTIRE day being my run sherpa
and running/walking beside me ALL day?
THIS guy.  I love you, honey.  I'm sorry I'm crazy. ;-)

   

Working on my Transitions

Transition: 
The process of changing from one condition to another.

Triathlon has two transitions: from swim to bike and bike to run.  

John and I sharing snacks on our
most recent bike ride together.

But the Degonia family has many more transitions occurring simultaneously: John is leaving one job for another.  He is super excited about the opportunity, but that doesn't mean there aren't tense moments.  

Spencer and Denver are transitioning from homeschool to public and private school.  They are not super excited, but they are ready, willing, curious, and more than a bit nervous.  

John Robert is transitioning between time zones as he travels to Europe this summer with fellow classmates and his first girlfriend.  

Jibby pausing for a picture
in Madrid, Spain.

And I . . . I am transitioning from being a 40-something to celebrating my 50th birthday.  I am going from homeschool teacher to P.E. teacher at Denver's private school.  I am coaching beginner triathletes, and I am preparing for Ironman Chattanooga.

That's a lot of transitioning.

According to Google, the word Transition has several synonyms, including Metamorphosis.  I like that one.  The Degonia family is undergoing Metamorphosis. 

Welcome to the Butterfly House!