The Lookout Mountain 50 Miler

flickr imgp9461
Originally uploaded by Rock/Creek

I did not take this photo. I found it in the Rock Creek Flickr photo stream. That is my daughter, Lisa. Yesterday, she completed the Lookout Mountain 50 Mile Race in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It took 14 hours, and it is the most amazing feat.

Technology made it possible for Lisa to call Colin along the way and at the end of the race. It made it possible for him to text me to keep me informed, and it made it possible for me to actually "see" her along the way. I was also able to talk to her shortly after she finished her fifty mile run. She is tired and sore, but happy.

You are awesome Lisa! I am so impressed and proud of you.

Just Hanging Out at Lisa and Colin's House

Winnie went with me to Minneapolis.  She loved the extra attention from Lisa.  In fact she insisted upon
it.

Happy Thanksgiving

On Thanksgiving morning we all went walking along Summit Drive along the Mississippi River.  It was mid fifties in the morning and the scenery was beautiful.  By evening the temperature had dropped thirty degrees and it began snowing. 

Lisa and Colin

There was a family reunion last weekend.  Because of the triathlon, we did not get to the Burget reunion in Altoona.  Instead we had our own little Grandstaff reunion at my mom's house.  Jacci took these great photos of Lisa and Colin with her iPhone.

Lisa's Triathlon

I really got behind on my posts.  I haven't posted any photos since the state fair, but there has been lots going on.  We are back in school and last weekend Lisa and Colin were here.  Lisa participated in the Hy-Vee Triathlon.  She had done 4 triathlons before this, but this was the first Olympic length triathlon, so it was an even greater challenge.  Lisa is always up to the challenge, and she finished in great shape.  

The Hy-Vee Triathlon is comprised of a .9 mile swim in Gray's Lake, a 40 kilometer bike ride, and a 10 kilometer run, ending at the Iowa State Capital building.  

Colin was Lisa's support at Gray's Lake.  He helped her get set up and was able to watch her transitions.  He took all the great photos of the swim and and as she began her bike ride and run.

I was able to see Lisa four times during the competition.  I saw the bike ride portion of the race at the corner of Park and George Flagg Parkway.  The bikers rode all the way to Army Post Road and Fleur and looped back, so I got to see her twice, both coming and going.  From there I moved to Locust a few blocks from the capital.  Once again they were doing a loop so I got to see her run twice.  That's where I got the great shot near the end of her run.  

Great going, Lisa!  You did it!

Day 15/366: Lisa

I didn't take this photo. I think Colin did.  This is my beautiful daughter, Lisa.  My sister saw it on Facebook, and sent me a copy.  It's a really great photo.

I had a fantastic day today, and I took several photos with my phone, but none of them turned out very well. I will be happy to get my camera back when I go to school tomorrow.

Photo #294/365: The Duluth 50K Wilderness Run

This is my photo for the day, but I didn't take it, because I was here in Des Moines when my daughter, Lisa, did her 50K Wilderness Run this past Saturday.  I think this is a particularly amazing accomplishment, because it wasn't completed on nicely paved streets.  It was completed on trails near Duluth, Minnesota.  I was a little nervous about her doing this, because I am her mom and that is my job.  I'm glad she had fun!  She said that it took her eight and a half hours to complete the fifty kilometer course.  Yay, Lisa!

Photo #190/365: The Minneapolis Lifetime Fitness Triathlon

The Triathlon started at very early and was held around Lake Nakomis. It began with the swim. I was very worried about the weather because it has been so hot. Fortunately it was overcast, and that kept temperatures down in the early part of the day.




This is Lisa coming out of the water and heading to her bike. All the bikes are lined ready and waiting for their riders.



After her bike ride, Lisa heads off for her run around the lake. And my favorite photo of all, the triumphant athelete. She did it!

Photo #189/365: Downtown Minneapolis

My daughter, Lisa, competed in the Minneapolis Lifetime Triathlon over the weekend. She is an experienced marathoner, but this is just her second triathlon, so I wanted to be there to see her compete. I drove up on Friday afternoon, and was able to go with her to pick up her packet.



There were about 3000 people participating in this event, and packet pick up was in downtown Minneapolis at the Minneapolis Convention Center. This beautiful church was located across the street from the convention center. It is Central Lutheran Church. I was also interested in the lines of the downtown buildings.

Photos #29 & #30/365: Belated Birthday Celebration

Lisa and Colin were here for the weekend. They drove down from Minneapolis to prepare a birthday dinner for me. Lisa was in Phoenix running the Rock and Roll Marathon on my actual birthday, so they decided to celebrate my birthday with me this weekend. They prepared a great Mexico dinner, we hung out and watched movies. It was a great weekend.




We are all big fans of coffee shops (even though I don't really drink coffee) so before they got on the road this morning, we spent some time at Smokey Row. It was a great backdrop for some family photos.

Photo #330: At the Movies

It's been a very pleasant day after Thanksgiving. Lisa and Colin arrived Thanksgiving Day. Today we spent some time hanging out at Smokey Row, I made Seafood Chowder for dinner, and we went to see the latest Harry Potter movie, The Deathly Hallows, Part 1. I don't go to the movies very often, but I'm a big Harry Potter fan. The movie was good, but I feel like I need to reread the book again, in order to keep everything straight.

Photo #220: Colin and Lisa

Lisa and Colin were in town this weekend. They cooked dinner for my Mom and I. Afterwards we went to Java Joe's for a while, to listen to music. We had a great visit, but it had to be short, because Colin is due back at work this afternoon. I snapped this photo before they left for Minneapolis.

Photo #150: Happy Birthday, Lisa!

Today is my baby girl's birthday. This picture of her in her little white dress and moccasins was taken when she was only a few weeks old. She was probably about 7 months old when she was sitting on my lap in the second photo. She is wearing my brother, Dan's navy cap.

Lisa is not a baby anymore, she is a beautiful woman, and she is 37 years old. I don't know how that is possible, because I feel like that should be my age. Time really flies. Have a wonderful birthday, Lisa!

Photo #59: Coming Home

The Daily Shoot for today -- Sunday challenge: Make a photo that invokes or communicates happiness to the viewer.

My daughter, Lisa and her boyfriend, Colin lead busy lives in St. Paul, Minnesota. They were here this weekend to visit. There isn't anything that makes me happier than that.