The runner's tick

Kennon has been spending a lot of time running through the woods lately and as result claims the title of first family member to host a tick. According to the locals -ticks are no big deal. You strip search your kids every night and usually pull a dozen or so off every summer.  For a newcomer, it sounds like an awful task.

Every place has it's problems and deer ticks are the # 1 here. The tick took about 20 minutes to remove. There was a lot of screaming going on while the whole family crowded around watching the difficult extraction. 

I circled the spot with a marker and check it every day for any signs of a reaction. Kennon is very annoyed with me about it but I am pretty determined not to be joining the Lyme Disease Support Group meeting at our local library. 

So far no dreaded bulls eye mark has popped up and she was right back at it the next week. 

Running through the tick infested woods.

 She finished out in the top seven in her school for the season and was eligible to compete at the state meet. 

Her Dad made her a deal that if she could be in the top 4 at her school he would buy her something she's been eyeing on Ebay. The girls ahead of her were all beating her by one to two minutes and I didn't see the point of adding on pressure by throwing Ugg's into the mix.

At the state meet she finished 5th from her school with a time of 16:04 for the two mile race.  Her overall place wasn't all that impressive (81) but according to her coach NH has the biggest cross country meets in the country and there was way too much stiff competition if you ask me. She actually had her best time at the last meet -15:59.

Though she didn't qualify for new boots she did get a big congratulatory kiss from her Dad. Kennon loved it!

I am going to miss Cross Country a ton. It kicked off my first ever running program and the meets have been a great social event for a mom anxious to make friends.  I've met so many awesome parents at these events as we run around trying to catch sight of and cheer on our kids at different points along the race. This Wednesday is the very last race and I will be running in it along with other parents and faculty.  

Brent has been training. . .  but only is up to a half mile so far. He has his reasons. . . a bad knee and too much time in the office as of late. He started in a couple weeks ago with a program and is building up slow to save the knee. I don't think a two mile run is going to be possible for him right now, but who knows? He may be unable to resist.

As for me, I am sure that I won't see Kennon at all after she dusts me at the beginning of the race. Hopefully we can meet back at the finish line in around 20. And then I may be done with racing. I can't stand people passing me like I am standing still.  All I can remember from my last race is all the old men and little 8 year old boys that flew by me. Running isn't supposed to be depressing. I work best alone.