I guess Calm may not be the right word yet, as some are still recovering and others waiting for power to return. Amazing what a storm less than an hour in length can leave behind. No…WV didn’t have a tornado (which I have experienced before) but we did have winds strong enough to compare to. We were beyond lucky to arrive home without any trees sitting on the house itself, but we do have enough fire wood to last us a few winters and enough branches to have several large bonfires to enjoy soon enough. It’s amazing how much we take for granted when we realize just how much we depend on things and it throws us for a loop (and most of that depending gesture comes just out of what makes things convenient for us..not what is a necessity). Something that seems as simple as electricity in the midst of 100+ degree days we don’t realize how much we have become convenience by throughout our life.
It also shows compassion in people. We had several stopping to check in to make
sure things were alright once they determined their house was alright…the text
messages shared (if we could get enough cell phone service to get it out). Yesterday on my run I stopped by several of
the houses I’ve made friends with along my route to check in. It was neat to hear everyone’s version of the
storm and their updates of when they heard we were getting our electric back
(funny how some had it down to the hour and many still heard it would be days). Ripley apparently was the only place that had
gas in the area so there were lines of cars backed up on both sides of the road
whenever we would try to get out.
During this if I was able to get through the “All circuits
are busy” recording when trying to call mom (on her cell due to their phone
being out too..and if you know cell phone service that’s a shot in the dark as
well), they got power back, lost it, and luckily got it back sooner than
others. Mom had to go to Ellenboro to
get her cell phone to work enough to call out to us. I didn’t think they had
any trees close enough to damage the house too much but you never know. Dad’s oxygen runs off electric as well as his
bed (it pushes air through the mattress
to help keep it stabilized with air making it easier for him to lay on),
so when the power went out, it means dad’s mattress deflates and so forth. Mom and Kelly were making it work with pillow
cushions and had to really create some new ideas of how to get dad situated. Thankfully they were in a good spot for the
power to kick back on sooner than others and were able to get dad back to usual
flow of things. Mom mentioned yesterday
she put on the DVD we got dad that was the season episodes of the Andy Griffith
Show….he spent yesterday enjoying that.
Which oddly enough, I hate to hear the passing of Andy Griffith today
after mom was just talking about that yesterday. Dad always would have that on TV when episodes
would run and whistle the theme song.
As far as the training
goes:
Friday: We went to
pick Blackberries at a friend’s farm, which obviously didn’t happen due to the
storm, nor did a run happen in the aftermath of everything.
Saturday: Got a
little run in for a short bit…probably only 2 miles..but spent the day, raking,
picking up sticks…racking more…dragging trees around…so I’m assuming that’s some
sort of cross training…and I’m sad to admit I am sore today J
Sunday: I didn’t
actually run today….did spent the entire day with sunlight permitting of
continuing to clean up etc. I suppose
yet again I’ll claim it as a “Rocky” style day of cross training and lifting J (You’d be surprised how sore your stomach
will be after bending down 1000 times) J
Monday: Ran about 5
miles…took a few little breaks to stop in and check on a few neighbors…checked
on another neighbor’s puppy too and changed his water as they went into town to
stay for a few days due to not having any power.
***Also a note…MONDAY
started the official start date to the 18 week training schedule our new Team
Fox Coach has sent us. I’m so excited to
have a training schedule given to me to work off of and feel like a plan is in
place to get this race underway.
My little note for the day can highlight another
WV’ian (as we all love our hometown people) signing and the guest in his video
Andy Griffith…but I figure this song is appropriate for dad….he’s spent his whole
life with a wife and 3 daughters…. “Waiting’ on a Woman”
If that Link Doesn't work with your browser here is a direct link:
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| Dad with all his women he has to wait on :) |
