Conception

I mentioned in my last post that I’d be racing for a different cause in 2013. Here’s Sharon to tell you about it.

Ned

Since Ned learned last month that our son, Christian, was planning to enter the 2013 MR340 canoe/kayak race he has been living vicariously through him; but I was waiting for “the discussion.” Our daughter, Elisabeth, was toying with the idea of being Christian’s ground crew. Ned again was all over this – maybe if she couldn’t do it he could (still waiting for “the discussion”). I had suspected Ned had gone through the amnesia phase a pregnant woman does after childbirth – memories of the grueling training, laboring, and final “D” days of the 2010 MR340 had faded and were replaced with romantic memories of the great adventure. I remember transition on that race, when I looked at Ned and thought “who are you?'” I believe he has even blocked the  adventure’s complications of flooding the entire summer so that the race was first canceled then rescheduled for a month later.

During this same time I was trying to get him involved with me brainstorming ideas about how we could raise awareness of BirthChoice, the women’s pregnancy resource center where I recently became employed as a limited ultrasound nurse and peer counselor. And, also what we could do for fundraisers.

On November 10, 2012 the idea of Ned racing in the MR340 to raise awareness and funds for BirthChoice was conceived. Our “due date” would be July 23 – 8 1/2 months later. So…. fast forward to today, November 27. We are about four weeks “pregnant.” Week 4; the baby’s heart has begun to beat. Eyes, ears, and lungs have begun to form. I am excited to be part of the White Rock Navy blog this time. As this “pregnancy” continues we will try not to moan and groan too much, and will share our joy and anticipation – finally I get to be the labor coach.

Sharon

I lost my hat…..

……..the other day, on the train coming home from work. Just left it on the seat next to me and got off at my stop. It was my MR340 hat. I was really proud of that hat. So, I guess I’ll have to enter the race again in 2013 to get a new one.

If you’re new to this blog a little background may be in order. In 2010 I took a chance and entered the longest non-stop canoe/kayak race in the world. And I finished! At the time, I told everyone that I wouldn’t be doing THAT again. But, it’s human nature to forget how hard something is and start thinking about what could be done differently the next time. Anyway, Sharon and I talked it over and we’ll both be back next July for another shot at it – along with our son, Christian,  who’s decided he wants see 340 miles of the Missouri River.

Of course, half the fun of it is writing this blog. In 2010 I used it as a platform to talk about conditions in Haiti, a cause near to my heart. Sharon felt the same concerns, but she couldn’t truly understand how I felt, having never been there.

None of us can truly understand how it is for someone else, until they’ve been close enough to understand that person’s situation. Her sojourn to Shreveport put her in touch with a problem she already knew existed, and now she’s dedicating herself to help. She believes the whole move to S-Port and back was divine providence. So, I’ll keep up the paddling and, this time around, the blog will be more about her passion.

I hope you’ll find my writings about preparation for the race to be interesting, thought provoking, and fun. I encourage you to join the discussion and post your thoughts on our thoughts.

Stay tuned as things shape up. We can’t wait for next July.

Ned