Beautiful leaves. Quality time. Familiar faces. Breath of fresh air. Boston. 
*** If you want to have a great time, make a trip to Boston and hang out with this couple. They are so much fun and they always spoil us with their love.
The UVU cross country team had a meet in the Bronx several weekends ago. They had heard about my class being named after UVU and wanted to stop by. It was really neat to have them see my class and my class to see them (20 white Utahans and 20 black 3rd graders). The runners were stunned by the area of the neighborhood. They taught my class the UVU fight song and handed out UVU memorabilia. They then went with us to our weekly assembly and were able to witness my kids dance moves. They "showed off" as much as they could and loved all the attention. 
I can't believe it has almost been three weeks since I ran the marathon. I haven't decided if it seems like long ago or just recently. Life has been at its busiest since I crossed the finished line and I haven't been able to post anything (not to mention my camera was stolen the night before the big race). It was an amazing race. There were so many people cheering us on and all the different and unique neighborhoods. Here are some of my favorite parts of the race:
-Catching the bus at 5:00AM in Time Square with thousands of other runners
-Running over the Verrazano Bridge with "New York, New York" blaring, helicopters everywhere, and boats spraying red, white, and blue water into the air
-My co-workers and students at mile 10 with oranges and hugs
- The adorable little old Brooklyn grandmas handing out paper towels and water in Dixie cups
- Everyone scream "Go Linda" because my shirt said "Linds" but they didn't see the "s" :)
- The bag pipes and the Scottish women running next to me who started to cry and said in their Scottish accent "We feel like we are at home"
- The gospel choirs on the front steps of an old church singing "Ain't no mountain high enough" as we ran by
- The colorful trees over the streets of Queens
- The old man band set up on the side of the road singing their guts out
- Running through the projects and the punked-out teenagers screaming "Keep going.. you can do it"
- All the funny and somewhat inappropriate sign people made
- Being so excited to see Robert and mile 20 in the Bronx where I meet up with him and ran with him for 3 miles..
- Running on the wide streets of Manhattan and thousands of cheering people
- Running by the Guggenheim Museum, FAO Schwarz, the Ritz, and Columbus circle
- Central Park.. need I say more???
- Crossing the finish line and the fat New York apples they give you
We shall see if "Linda" will ever run a marathon again but it really was an experience of a lifetime. I officially have raised ALL the money thanks to so many supportive family and friends! Robert.... I COULDN"T have done it with out you! You did all my long runs with me and encouraged me the whole way. You really are my everything.
*** Our camera was stolen the night before the marathon so we don't have very many pictures .. grr 
This was where mile 20 in the Bronx. Robert was waiting for me with a big smile. 
