. . . and they’re off!
A left this morning on a school trip to DC — I dropped her off at 4:50 AM at FLL where she met up with most of her class. I think I have been desensitized by the past few summers of sleepaway camp (even though it was mostly just Monday – Friday) because I didn’t feel nervous or super emotional dropping her off, I just felt excited for her! I think she’ll have a great time. I have a group chat going with two of her friends’ moms and I know A will text me too.
(I remember when Kae’s son Ethan went on a very similar trip, also in 8th grade — this era of kid travel seemed so far away to me back then, but it was just 3 years ago! AHHH time with big kids goes fast.)
Anyway I can’t wait to see what she sends me and I only hope the kids don’t get TOOOOOO tired because omg the itinerary is packed (smart though, I think — too much down time in that age group would probably lead to nothing good).
Speaking of time warp: Anyone want to run Bayshore?!
SO. I was supposed to run a marathon in May of 2025, and obviously did not. I did run Bayshore in 2024 (I am confident that race will remain my PR for life!) and had planned to try to do a repeat in 2025. After my heart stuff happened in spring 2025 but before I knew ‘non-running’ was going to remain my forever status, Josh emailed the race and asked for a deferral. Then, we obviously forgot about it, until this arrived in my inbox.
Not going to lie, it made me a little sad. (Many running-adjacent things still make me sad, and mad, and whatever, but it’s sort of a pointless thought loop because it goes nowhere; my racing days are over forever and ruminating on that serves no one. Thankfully most of the time I just don’t think about it! Except that I got this email so I did.)
ANYWAY! My point is that I obviously cannot use it, and apparently I can transfer this bib for free to someone who wants it — and you can use it for the marathon OR the half! I’ll only take the spot if someone does want to use it, and I have to let them know by November 21st. (And I’m giving this away, obviously I am not charging.)
So – please comment or email me (sarah hart unger at gmail) if you’d like this free entry to Bayshore Marathon 2026. Josh may have one too but there’s a small chance he may run it (he’s running Eugene, but if that doesn’t pan out for some reason this could be a good backup for him, so I encouraged him to consider keeping the bib).
I do like that maybe something nice/positive can come out of this if I can pass this on and save someone $!
3 Media Things I Am Looking Forward To:
1- WICKED. Obviously! I think we may go Sunday!? Or maybe save it for next week when kids are off? Either way, I am excited and suspect at least one kid will wear an Elphaba hat.
2- Dance Moms A New Era Season 2 – out December 8th!! I am sure at least 2/3 kids will want to watch this the minute it is out.
3- Emily In Paris, Season 5 – out December 18th!!! This one will just be me, but I can’t wait.
15 Comments
The 8th grade DC trip! Feels like such a milestone of childhood–I remember my 8th grade DC trip really well and my 7th grader has been talking about his, which will be next year, since practically the first day of middle school last year. I hope A has a great time. We are about a 6-7 hour bus ride from DC, and I always wondered if schools that were farther away did DC trips too–I guess they do! My husband who is from the Boston area did not.
Yes! Plane rather than bus tho! I don’t think I went to DC but rather remember going to the top of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island!
I hope someone will take that race entrance. I am sure it triggered some grief to be reminded about that deferral. I continue to be amazed by how well you handled your life changing diagnosis. Although a brush with death also reframes things! So rather than being really depressed about not being able to run, I imagine those feelings are overwhelmed by your gratitude to be alive!!
I need to watch some of Emily in Paris! I haven’t watched since part way through season 2! I am rarely alone in my house, though, which is what needs to happen for me to watch it (we only have 1 tv in our house). Once I finish ‘Nobody Wants This’ I will have to go back to Emily!
Oh my gosh! I hope by the time my kid’s DC trip gets here, I am as calm as you are about it!
How nice of you to offer the race entrance. I imagine it was quite a gut punch to get that reminder out of the blue.
My 7th grader left today on a school trip to Williamsburg, VA. They go my bus from NY and he has been texting our family group chat regularly. I love the tradition of school trips. Its so great for them to experience that kind of independence out in the world.
My husband would love the race if it’s the one in TC! We live about 2 hours away and he’s doing a half marathon in GR in early May also, so I know he’ll be trained ☺️
If you have any other readers local to TC, give it to them first but if it’s going to go to waste, he would use!
Awesome! Verify with him and I’ll email you ❤️
What a good way to turn something negative into a positive!
So, I’m running Philadelphia on Sunday and there’s too many unknowns to commit to running a spring marathon, but I am sooooooo tempted to take it! I don’t know if this will make you feel better or worse, but I just read your race report from 2024 and it gave me so much confidence for Sunday. I had a great block, worked with a coach, ran a 1:43 1/2 PR, nailed all my pace runs and workouts and I’m really believing I can run 3:40 (possibly even 3:35 ish) on Sunday. I liked your tip about not looking at the watch in the later). Anyway, sorry to go on — I’m just in the nervous excited time.
TL;DR – should I take the bib???!!!
YES – I ran 3:35 after a 1:43ish (the distance was off on that preceding half, but I think that was around my real time).
Right now I have 2 takers already but one has yet to confirm – Josh did decide to give his away! SO I may still have for you. Stay tuned!!
Ok! I’ll take it if there is one available.
you want the full, right? not the half?
Great idea to give your bib away to someone you know- then they can report back to you how the race went!
I listened to BLP yesterday and can totally understand you trying to find something to replace the hole that running (or the lack thereof) has left in your life. Then I was thinking how weird it is that running becomes this big thing- it’s not just fitness or exercise. I think it’s lucky you already had blogging and podcasting, two other fulfilling passions. I’ll be interested to see if you find another hobby as well.
I hope A has a great time! In our school system, the kids go to DC in fifth grade, which I think is way too early. I think they would appreciate it much more in 8th.
WOWWWW 5th graders getting on a plane and everything? That is INVOLVED for that age group! I def think 8th is better!
What a bummer about the race entry, Sarah – I know it still must sting a little bit but you’re right that the thought loop goes nowhere and it’s better to focus on the things that you can still do and bring you joy!