Barnes Family: November 2017

November Happenings

November was an incredibly busy month and we are still catching our breath! Caleb participated in the New England Conservatory competition during the first two weeks of November, which meant lots of rehearsals and extra preparation. He made it to the second round of the competition and placed 3rd overall!

The boys and I took advantage of a half-day (and Lina enjoyed a playdate) and took a hike in the Fells.

In addition to the piano competition, Caleb was also very busy preparing for his half marathon on November 19. He ran like a beast in less than optimal weather and a tough, muddy course and got a new PB of 1:33!

After the race, we enjoyed a great brunch and then had to head back into Boston so that Caleb could audition for From the Top. Finally, we celebrated with pizza and cocktails at one of our favorite restaurants.

Thanksgiving was a wonderful weekend for us this year. Dana and Inge joined us once again for the meal and we all ate well the entire weekend. We burned some calories on Friday with a 6 mile hike in the Fells....

...and then drove to Marblehead to meet another one of our family hero's --Shalene Flanagan!

We laced up to run her Back the Track 5K on Saturday morning and had the best time! Lina placed in her age group and got a medal from Shalene and Caleb paced Levi to a blazing 23:30!

October Happenings

One of Caleb's teachers was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. On her last day before she went out for surgery, the whole school wore pink to support her.

Lina and Audrey at 100 Mile Club

Levi saying hello to a monkfish at Whole Foods

Last day of soccer!!!

We had a couple turkeys visit the yard right before Halloween. It was funny to watch them interact with the chickens.

Happy Halloween!

Adelina as Anne of Green Gables....thanks to Grammy!

Another last minute costume, Caleb as Galen Rupp

Levi the paleontologist

Chicago!!!

After logging more than 725 training miles, it was finally time to go for a BQ in Chicago! The weather forecast was a little warm, but I was determined not to let that bring me down too much. We got into Chicago Saturday morning and headed straight to the Expo to pick up the race packet.

After a short trip around the Expo, we went to lunch at a Ramen noodle place that we had eaten at the year before. We then walked a few blocks to Piano Forte, so that Caleb could practice piano. We had an early dinner at a yummy Italian restaurant and on our way back to the hotel, we saw this rainbow...hopefully a good omen for the next day.

And finally...it's race day!

I had such a great run in Chicago, so I splurged on the race pictures (even though they aren't that great). I felt really great for the first 16 miles and was right on pace where I wanted to be. The last 10 miles started to get very hot and there was a definite lack of shade on the course. The race officials did an amazing job of supporting the runners on the course, with extra water, water cannons over the course, and sponges soaked with ice water...all really helpful. I was very happy with my pacing, which stayed just about even throughout and I was able to pick up the pace a bit on my last mile. I was hoping for a 3:42, but was thrilled to cross the finish in 3:44:31. My time is an official BQ, but most likely won't be enough to get me a bib for 2019; however, I did earn a guaranteed entry into Chicago for 2018!

After the race it took a while for Randy, the kids and I to reconnect so I relaxed in the runner's reunite area. It felt great to take an easy mile or so walk back to the hotel and finally get into a hot shower! We relaxed around the hotel for the rest of the afternoon and enjoyed some Chicago pizza for dinner in the hotel bar.