Long Grandchildren Christmas Picture

Nanna Kay asks for us to get a picture from Stephen's Photography every year to be used for photo Christmas cards for Charlie and Kay Long. The Long Grandchildren and ages are Blake Long age 17, Nick Long age 12, Kennadie Kay Long age 10 and Ethan Muir age 5. I can't believe how this picture makes them all look so grown up and tall and like models. Wow! My brother, Paul, and I are so proud of our kids. Merry Christmas!

Long Family Thanksgiving in Bolivar, MO

Ethan and I went to Bolivar for Thanksgiving and stayed with my brother's family. We had fun keeping the kids busy so they would not fight. The kids painted Christmas decorations and we took them to the park to feed the ducks and play. EARLY Friday morning my sister-in-law Brenda and I went to the Black Friday sales in Springfield. We got up at 2:30 am to get in line for our first sale at 4 am. It is a fun tradition that Bren and I love to do. Ethan got to help Uncle Paul put Christmas lights on the house and place the nativity scene on the yard and reindeer on the other part of the yard. Where was Rob? He had to work at the fire station on Thanksgiving and Friday so we hung out with the family while he was working. Hope you had a good Thanksgiving holiday.

Jingle Bell Run team called Cardio Crusaders

Here is a picture of my Cardio Crusaders team from the Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bell Run. The race was on Nov. 23rd at Zona Rosa in North KC, MO. Ethan likes to get to be involved in my races and he always gets to come to the Arthritis Foundation races. My goal of one race a month in 2008 is almost complete just have to do one more race in December.

Rob surprises Sharon with a congrats party!

Wow! I have a terrific husband who planned a surprise party for me to celebrate reaching my goal of finishing the Nike Women's Half maratthon. Ethan even knew about it and didn't even tell me. I think Rob bribed him and said he would buy him a BB gun if he kept the secret. I thought I was going out shopping and to dinner with my friend, Jenn, and instead we walked in to the surprise party full of family and friends. Mostly our fire fighter friends who had supported me and encouraged in my training were there for the party. Rob and I are truly blessed with a wonderful family but also terrific friends.

Random Shots from Nike Weekend

Cathy Cole marathon buddy and Mary Helen and I at Nike Expotique photo booth

Niketown Wall of Fame

The outside wall of the Niketown building was dedicated to all 20,000 mostly women and a few men in the Nike Women's Marathon. All the names of the registered racers were listed in alphabetical order on the pink and white wall. It was a wonderful feeling to see my name on the wall of fame. I think Niketown was my favorite part of the race experience. Nike treated all the ladies like queens. There were 2 and a half floors totally dedicated to Nike Marathon gear. At the Expotique the Nike team gave us manicures, foot massages, chair massages, ipod engraving, running gate analysis, photo booth, wine and cheese and perks from the Union Square stores. Also the day after the race they provided more post race parties and massages. Thanks, NIKE, you are awesome!

KC Divas kept me goin'!

I met lots of people from KC during the race because I put KC Race Babe on the back of my shirt. I met some KC Divas from Praire Village, KS during the marathon. These ladies had a wonderful pace and I kept them in my sights and tried to keep up with them until about Mile 11 or after when I was ready to get the 13.1 mile race overwith. I told Cathy that I had to get that race finished so I ran fast to the finish line and passed the KC Divas on my way to the finish. Does that mean I can be a DIVA too? That might be fun!