Driving with my Eyes Open

Yesterday as I sped to preschool, running late I hastily pulled in to an intersection and slam on my brakes just nearly missing a car. Nysous flew from the front seat to the floor broad, and my hot cup of tea went flying. From the back seat I heard "Mom pleas drive with your eyes open next time, you almost broke my Lego".

It is true, I did almost brake us all. But that was not the thought that stayed with me. Besides "Slow down LeAnne before you kill your family".

The thought that cought me and began to grow in my mind was "How as humans in our very rushed lives we often drive with our eyes shut." I know I am often passing my days occupied by my "to do list" or what ever is coming next, taking kids to and from there actives I miss them. I miss playing endlessly, exploring, and experiencing the new in the mundane. That is the wonder in childhood, and when we loss that as adults, we loos our since of adventure, but more so our compassion.

Speeding throw life I have not time to see the pain in another eyes, or worse I ignore it. I am overly focused on things that do not matter. The bills, what I will cook for dinner etc... That the beauty of an afternoon or the pain of another is easy to ignore. More work for me right.

I guess the question I pose is "How do you drive with your eyes open? And teach that too your kids?"

Rim To Rim 7.5 mile run in Twin Falls Idaho

The Rim to Rim is a off run. Meaning it is not a kilometer run but the distence because of the course. It has been a run in Twin Falls Idaho for 30 years.
The Rim to Rim starts at Bass Lake, on the Blue Lakes Golf Course in the Snake River Canyon, runs up and out of the canyon, on a 38% grad. This is only about a mile of straight up on blacktop, but it this grad that colors the full experience of the run. 30 paces up this hill all sane people question the why they are running up this hill.
At the top of this hill, the rode flattens out to a desert plateau, with sage brush, rock, and a few snakes. (this year I only passed 4, all flattened)This run on the side of a country rode is mile 2 and 3. You turn on to highway 93 and run a hesitate 60 yards to the pull off of the bridge. The least desirable part, because of the cars driving by at 60 mph.
Then the Perrine bridge, a 490+/- drop down to the water of the Snake River, and panoramic views of the Snake River Canyon. It is beautiful, and also the half way mark.
From this point you run the Canyon Rim Trail to Clear Springs rode and back down in to the Canyon. This grad is much steeper (42%), but straight with only tow switchbacks. A favorite ruing spot for locals.
From the bottom of the grad you are on the home stretch, you contuin down the rode truing right into Canyon Spring Golf Course, running down the rode throw the parking lot, to a dirt path across a foot/pipe bridge that cross over the Snake River.
At this point you find your self at a golf cart path, turn left. You run throw some much need shade and across Blue Lakes creek. Just passed the creek the path runs up agenest a chain link fence, you cross throw a gate and continues up another hill. It is a reminder that this is no race for flat launders.
At the top of the hill your turn right and finish the course, you are now on the rode back to Bass Lake.
This is an allsome race, full of changles, and amazing scenery. You are well supported for a short race with 4 water stations, and a great meal at the end.
The proceeds for the race go to Habitat for Humanity in Twin Falls.
The race is the third weekend of September.

Rim to Rim times

I did it, I mostly walked it, and was 24 min. slower than my best. But 12 weeks after having my third child, I walked/ran the 2009 Rim to Rim. Hear are the results.

LeAnne Place 93rd over all, 12th in class (woman 20-29 run)
1:40
13:25 over all pace

I WAS NOT ALONE!!!

Jeremy Place 38th over all, 12th in class (men 30-39 run)
1:14
9:52 over all pace

Kent Place 48th over all, 9th in class (men 50-59 run)
1:21
10:52 mile

LaVon Place 39th over all, 6th in class (woman 50-59 run)
1:15
10:04 pace

Cindy Place 15th over all, 2nd in class (woman over 60 walk)
1:38
13:07 pace

Ya' we rocked it!!
Needless to say LeAnne, Jeremy, and Kent are very sore the day after. Since we did not train, LaVon and Cindy are not since they did. Both Cindy and LaVon competed in half marathons this summer. Lavon will run the Portland marathon in tow weeks.
I love this sport, it is so much a mind over matter experiences. One more step and than another, that is what completes a race.

Need updates

Wyatt James is now 12 weeks old. And it feels as if a year has past in the past there months. As with all my children it is hard to remember what life was like before them now they are here.
We are bulsing a long in the rue-teen of fall. We are still adjusting to a new baby, and all that come with a third child. Jeremy is harvesting a huge garden that we got in before Wyatt was born. And Alissa is now coping with kindergarten. Elijah as am I are along for the ride.
Our little star is now working on her 3rd play, she is Molly in Anny. I hope she can pull it off, since she has around 15 lines, and does not know how to read. But she says "Mom I can do it!" And I have full faith in her.
Wyatt is a joy of all joys to be with. He is a happy baby, that would prefer to give you a smile than cry. Even when he is sad.
We dedicated our kids this morning and Brain Higgins committed to being the kids godfather. It is always a strange feeling to take in the large perspective of raising a human being. And to know your actions, often in imperfect actions are creating these little lives. Oh if love is all we need, than they will be fine.