Travis's Bucket List: #1, Complete Marathon (check!)

Mile 23
Mile 16
Mile 13
The Champion & his kids
Travis with Scott, Cheryl, Holly & the Kids

Travis did it!! He ran 26.2 miles in 5 hours and 29 minutes in Houston on Sunday!

Travis has rigorously trained for this marathon for at least six months. His learning curve was steep during those 6 months. He learned Vaseline, Under Armour and "Gu" (little packets of runners nutritional "energy") are essential to a runner. Good shoes are quite possibly the MOST important part of a runner's equipment, of which Travis went through two pair. He put over 300 miles on our treadmill in less than a year!

Travis had a great weekend in Houston. He FINISHED a marathon, a goal he's had for a long time now, and his mom, dad and sister SURPRISED Travis by showing up at our hotel the same time we got to Houston Saturday. Keeping a secret from Travis is very hard, so he about fainted when he went to answer the knock at the hotel room door (thinking it was hotel staff) only to find his family standing there.

I know tears were shed over the weekend. Travis got a little teary-eyed when he saw his family surprise him at our hotel door, and when I gave him a hug after he had finished. I, too, blinked a few tears of joy and pride, watching my wonderful husband mentally and physically sustain such a grueling 5 1/2 hours.

We are blessed to have some very wise friends whom are also runners and have helped him along the way. Special thanks to Justin and Gi and Jay and Jennifer for all of their invaluable tips and support!

The most amusing part of Travis's training to me is Vaseline. Sore nipples? Travis came in one night after a long run, telling me his nipples were really sore from his shirt rubbing against his chest. I wasn't much help. I started laughing and told him "Try breastfeeding!" I asked my friend Jen and she said, "Oh, you need to get him some Vaseline." Of course. Vaseline!? Turns out Vaseline has many uses for a runner. They use it to lube up any part of themselves that will be rubbing against clothing or other skin. It prevents sore nipples, chafed inner thighs, blisters on the feet, chafed armpits. Wow.

Trevis's parents, sister, the kids and I all loaded in the van and drove to different points on the 26.2-mile track to stop and cheer him on. We saw him at three markers along the way, as well as at the finish line. He smiled every time! He got a shirt, a medal and a big 'ol glass that looks like a beer mug from the marathon for finishing. He got a big kiss from me and all the kids and the blessing of having his family there to witness his achievement.

He also got marathon fever. He was satisfied with his victorious completion of the marathon, but his time was not satisfactory for him. His next goal is to run the marathon in fewer hours. He's taking a running break for now, but he's already thinking ahead to how he will achieve his next goal. Ambitious. Driven. Travis. That's my Baby. Love you, Honey! We're VERY proud of you!