Back from the U.S.

Last week I spent a whirlwind week in America.  I had not been back to the States in one year and eight months and it was time for me to make a trip home.  Since Jason had been back to the U.S. about five times in that same period we decided that I would go back by myself and save the money of bringing the entire family.  I only went for 9 nights which is not enough time to bring the kids through the jetlag.  As I wasn't bringing the kids I had a vision of relaxing but that did not happen.  To many stores to go to and family members to visit that my days were spent rushing from one place to the next.  It was good to see everyone though even if I had to rush to do it. 

We managed to fit in some family exercise while I was there.  On the Saturday after I arrived (I arrived Thursday night) my mother, aunt, and both of my sister-in-laws ran a race together.  My Dad and one of my brothers came to watch and cheer us on.  Unfortunately my other brother had to work that Saturday but it was nice to have most of my family together for the event.  The race was a 5K race for lung cancer that ran through Roger Williams Park in Providence.  The park was very hilly but despite the hills, not having trained for speed, and battling jet lag I still did well in the race.  I came in 2nd in my age group for women, 11th among 254 women and 29th among all 370 racers.  It was not my best pace ever (8:12 min/mile) but I'm happy with my results and it was fun to run in Roger Williams Park and it made me happy to see my Dad, brother and nephews at the finish line.  I had to laugh though after the race when my family told me, "there was noone as old as you that came through before you.  Every girl that came through before you was young."  Of course they were right because the woman who finished in my age group before me was only thirty but I had to stress that I was not old!

Now, I'm back in Prague and I'm exhausted!  My jetlag when I arrived in the States was acceptable but my jetlag upon my return to Prague has been awful.  I have not been able to sleep at night.  Yesterday evening I was sitting on our couch and I put my head on the coffee table for a minute and I actually fell asleep I was so tired!  Unfortunately that sleepiness did not carry over to bedtime and I was up until 3AM!  The kids have been great though and have been entertaining themselves.  I have at least been able to relax during the day even with my kids home from school since they have school break all week.  This afternoon I decided to get out for a walk with the girls.  I figured it would be a good way to reward them for having such good behavior all morning and I'm also hoping it will help reset my circadian rythm by being out in the sunshine.  We had a fun walk through the woods on a beautiful fall day.