Lighting the night...

Earlier this year one of our neighbors, Kaitlyn, lost the fight against a lymphoma.  Around the same time, our next door neighbor's 7-year old granddaughter, Sophia, was diagnosed with leukemia.  Whether you've been touched by someone affected by the diseases or not, its hard not to wish for the discovery of a cure for these cancers, particularly for the victims whose time ends far too soon. 

That's why, when our neighbors invited us to join them for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Light the Night Walk we absolutely said yes.  Yes, we would walk with Team Kaitlyn.  Even the diva went out to walk in support of the Dzurneys and in memory of Kaitlyn (she also got a balloon...which she loves).

The walk started at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and snaked down toward city dock before returning to the stadium.  While a somber occasion, it also was a great and joyful coming together of families and communities to raise money for research.  The atmosphere was celebratory, and a bit raucous if you were close to that large group of younger children. 

Above all, it was inspirational.  The rainbow of ballons told the story.  Gold stood for the courage of the grieving families.  Red stood for the strength of the survivors and white stood for the hope displayed by the patients currently battling cancer. There was no sense of defeat in the crowd...only a great commitment to find a cure.

 

Thank you to the Dzurney family for inviting us to join you in walking in Kaitlyn's memory.  She was a strong force that made a real impact in such a short period of time. 

Stats -
Miles:  4.3 (plus 2.75 for the Light the Night Walk for Leukemia and Lymphoma)
Time:   38:32 (average pace of 8:38 per mile..no time on the second half)
Location:  Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and Downtown Annapolis
Feeling:  there's nothing more humbling than running for a cure

Outdoors enjoyment....

While the weekend didn't come off exactly the way I would have liked, physical fitness speaking at any rate, this weekend was definitely not about being a counch potato. A) We had fantastic weather and B) we just had to be outside in it.

Saturday started with a great three-mile walk with the dogs. If you know my dogs, you know Jimmy Dean refuses to be the last dog ob the porch though his legs are only an inch long, and he's overweight. I'm surprised that his heart didn't burst fronm overexertion, but he would not walk at a slow pace. Duncan, on the other hand just enjoyed being out and about at whatever pace...though we did discover horses aren't really his thing. So, we made it home, mostly in one peace though slightly traumatized (there was a dead snake in the road, and I don't care if they are alive or dead, they cause me panic), and got ready for our afternoon out to see Wicked at the Kennedy Center.

The evening exercise just couldn't be helped. We had evening reservations at Chart House to celebrate my birthday (yes a few months late) but we were early and decided to walk around Market Square and City Dock before dirving over to Eastport. After trying on all the hats at Hats in the Belfry (that's exercise isn't it?) the weather was too good not to walk to Eastport, regardless of whether stilettos make great walking shoes. The roundtrip to where the car was parked added about another three miles to the day's tally.


Sunday just begged for sailing. We hustled up a few crew (read Elizabeth, David and Emma) and rented a Rainbow out at NSA Annapolis. We spent a few great hours cruising the Severn and the bay, zigging and zagging with the other sailors looking to take advantage of the fantastic winds. Jay got some very unique exercise while we were out. Emma wanted to swim - DESPERATELY - but we weren't about to let her jump out with the boat traffic, so Jay grabbed hold of the straps on the back of her lifevest and held her over the edge. She looked a bit like a dolphin skimming the surface of the water. Rather amusing if you ask me. Good thing he didn't drop her. While we definitely didn't add to the cardio tally, we did get that upper body workout. All's well that ends well, and we managed to fish an American flag out of the river while we were at it.

All in all, a weekend well spent. Onward ho....