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Archive for the ‘running’ Category

Where have we been?

Friday, November 20th, 2009

Wow. It’s been a while.

What have we been up to? Well, back in October I ran in the Nike Human 10K Race. It was a miserable day and ended starting the race an hour and fifteen minutes late, but I finished and we have pictures to prove we were there:

Jim waiting patiently

Lots of people waiting in the warm tent

Stretching the hip

Here I come... oh man I was dying here

Then in November, Jim and I headed up to Traverse City for the Iceman Cometh mountain bike race. It was a beautiful weekend! Over 60 degrees the whole weekend – in November! Jim finished the 28 mile race in 2:06 and got 8th in his class. There were over 4400 racers there, so it was crazy. A really great weekend, though. We also paid a visit to the Sleeping Bear Dunes on the way home with Dad and Mom Braam. That was quite an adventure as well.

Ready to go

In line

On the trail

It's official!

In other news, I turned 27 this week. Not sure how I feel about that. But, I guess there’s nothing I can do about it.

We are very excited for the holidays! Maybe I will post again before the new year.

Posted in Jim, biking, running |

A Whole Lot Of Things Going On!

Saturday, July 4th, 2009

Happy Independence Day! Hope you are able to enjoy the day, even though the weather isn’t that great.

What have we been up to?

Well, a couple of weeks ago our friends Mark and Jenn got married. Awesome wedding, awesome food, just awesome. The wedding was in Holland the reception was in Saugatuck at a beautiful golf course where they served all local foods and beverages. Wine from the Leelanau Peninsuala, local vegetables and fruits and other deliciousness.

The next weekend, our friends Jason and Sarah got married. We were able to be the master and mistress of ceremonies. This was also an awesome wedding. The reception was at the Grand Rapids Museum and the exhibits and carousel were ours for the evening. Amazing!

There’s Sarah getting ready to walk down the aisle

Also that same weekend, Jim played in the Ludington Macker. How is that possible? Well, we made it work. We drove up early on Saturday and he played and won one game. Then we came back and mastered and mistressed the wedding. Then back up for a full day in Ludington on Sunday. Needless to say, we were exhausted. But, Jim and his team did get 2nd place!

Then last weekend was the Reeds Lake Run. I did the 10K again, but hadn’t trained very well this year. I have only been running a few times a week since the Riverbank. I was able to finish, but did it a little slower than I wanted.

Then later that day it was Julie’s open house! It was a beautiful and hot day. Lots of food, friends and family. I think I OD’d on those blasted butter mints. MMMM so tasty.

Jim’s helping to set up

Julie with her Costco cakes!

We’ve got some more basketball tournaments and runs coming up, so it should continue to be fun summer. We are hoping to fit in a vacation soon, too!

Posted in basketball, family, running |

I missed April

Thursday, May 7th, 2009

Well, I didn’t post once in April. Oops!

A lot happened in April some good, some bad. The short of it is, I still have my job and a lot of people don’t. It’s a tiring and stressful time for everyone right now, so I am praying that God continues to do his work. I know he will.

The Riverbank is in two days! They had to change the course this year because of the river flooding. Translation: more hills. Other translation: not Wendy-friendly.

Oh well. I will try my best. Stay tuned for the results.

Happy birthday to my “little” sister who turns 23 today… oh man.

Posted in Work, running |

Lately…

Thursday, March 26th, 2009

Well, things have been crazy lately. Mostly good crazy.

Last Saturday started our race season for the year with the Irish Jig in East Grand Rapids. It was cold like usual and only snowed a little at the start. Jim did really well of course and I almost beat my best time – just three seconds slower. I am feeling pretty good about it especially since I have been training for the Riverbank 25K and not the shorter races.

So, the next race will be the Riverbank for both of us. Jim’s doing the 10K and I am doing the 25K for some reason. I have until May 9 to really make up my mind, but I am planning on it for now. I am up to 10 miles, so I only have to pull out 5 1/2 more… oy.

I got to see baby Brennan and Chaeli last Saturday. What a doll! All of my friends are having such cute babies.

I am loving the warmer weather and sunshine! Keep it coming!

Posted in babies, running |

I’m baaaack!

Tuesday, October 28th, 2008

Here I am. I have plenty to write about, but I haven’t had the desire / time / whatever to type it out. I will probably forget most of what I was planning to write, but oh well.

For starters: the Grand Rapids Marathon. I finished my half-marathon in 2:23. I told myself when I started that the worst I wanted to do was 2:20, so I did a little worse than I wanted. However, at the end I had to tell myself to keep running and not stop and walk, so I consider it OK. My parents were able to come (they left their home at 5:45 AM!!) and cheered me on. Jim also brought his bike and rode along the route. I saw him 4 or 5 times, so he cheered me on and even gave me chapstick at Millenium Park.

Me before – it was about 40 degrees – BRRRR!

Dad & Mom

Me with my medal… and luckily still smiling

Other great news: Lorens (pronounced like Lorence) Hansen Bishop was born on Friday morning. He was 6 lbs and 14 oz and was 19 inches long. He is so adorable. Congrats to the new mommy and daddy!

Other news: my trip to Burundi. The dates are December 5-17. I sent out a letter describing the trip and some details about how you can support me. If you didn’t get one and want one, let me know.

I have gotten the medical part mostly taken care of. I had to be sure my shots were up to date, so the Friday before the marathon, I got yellow fever (the live version), tetanus, hepatitis A, polio and influenze. I picked up my malaria and typhoid prescriptions and will start taking those soon. Oh boy! I better not catch anything!

I am very excited and nervous about the trip. It’s definitely a once-in-a-lifetime trip! My favorite part will be the 8 hour flight to Amsterdam… or maybe the 8 hour flight an hour later to Nairobi?? Just kidding!

Posted in Burundi, babies, running |

One more week…

Sunday, October 12th, 2008

until the race! Eek!

Posted in running |

Fall TV

Tuesday, September 30th, 2008

This last weekend was the annual leaders retreat for Mars Hill. We go up to TimberWolf Lake Camp up in Lake City. We had great weather and a fun time… It was so fun I had to take a three hour nap on Sunday afternoon.

Well, just under three weeks until the half-marathon. I have successfully ran 12 miles at a pretty good pace. I have another long run this weekend to see if i can get all 13 in.

I will say that even though I don’t really appreciate the cold and dreary weather fall brings, I do enjoy the shows it brings back. I have been able to watch Heroes, ER, Ugly Betty, Grey’s Anatomy (well, that one was recorded, have to watch it still), Biggest Loser and The Office! Now that’s good TV… and a lot of it… oops. What’s your favorite show on this fall?

Well, I have to get a run in before the sun sets. That is getting harder and harder to do!

Posted in TV, running |

Trying something new

Thursday, September 11th, 2008

I thought I would do something I haven’t done before, so I going to do this (well half of it) on October 19th. I am up to 10 miles and have to try 12 this weekend. So far, OK. I just have to do it a little faster than I have been.
My good friend Dr. Marissa Wheeler helped me with a hip problem. After some tweaking and adjusting, she figured out that my right leg is a half inch longer than my left. That causes some issues! I have been sporting a heel lift when running to see if that helps level me. I always knew I was a little off (I say that so no one else can mock me). So if you are in the area on October 19, come to downtown GR and cheer me on. I am sure I will need it and I know I will appreciate it!

More about Burundi. My main focus in going over there is to set up their computer network in the main office of Turame. What is Turame? Well, the short answer is that it is a microfinance institution set up by World Relief. It is also one of Mars Hill’s top mission initiatives. You can get a fuller explanation here. We hope that by helping them to gain access to basic human needs, they will see the love of Jesus in this. So, while I am over there I hope install a server, fix some computers, meet some people in Burundi and experience Africa for the first time.

So, I guess I am trying two new things.

Posted in Burundi, running |

Good-bye June

Monday, June 30th, 2008

What a great, but exhausting weekend. The Reeds Lake Run was beautiful, just a tad sticky. I did 1:02 again, so at least I am consistent! I crossed the line by myself, so the announcer actually yelled out “Here comes Wendy Braam (except he said Bram… oh well). Great job, Wendy.” Ha! I laughed to myself a little bit. It made me sound like I was awesome. “Oh, look out for her!” Ha.

After that I drove up to Ludington to catch Jim’s second game, which they won! We head back up again in the morning. Sunday was freezing, but they won their first one and lost the second two. They ended up with third place. Jim played with some really nice guys, so that always makes it more enjoyable. Katie’s husband played on the team also!

It was a super busy weekend, so I am struggling to stay awake today. And of course, we started out the day with a staff meeting from 9-11. It was actually really good, just hard to concentrate. Phyllis Tickle talked with us. She has a lot of good things to say and is 74 – an awesome combo. Many people referred to this meeting as “Tickle Time.” Whatever it was, it was good.

I am very excited for this four day work week. I love holidays!!

Posted in basketball, running |

Weekend of Sports

Friday, June 27th, 2008

The Reeds Lake Run is tomorrow! Since Jim is playing in the Macker Tournament in Ludington and Michele is growing a human being , I will be flying solo. This will be something new, but really, all I have to do is drive, park and run, so it can’t be that hard.

So yes, Jim is playing in Ludington, so if I can, I will go up for his second game. Then he will be playing on Sunday too. We will drive up both days (which sucks gas) but we don’t have to pay for lodging then… not sure which is more expensive. I am going to go with this: it saves money to drive up (not very confident in that though).

On a side note, I have 25 stinkin mosquito bites on my body. I counted. I may have even missed a few. What is up with the killer mosquitos this year? I can’t even go outside to weed my garden. They are just hovering over the grass. I douse myself in bug spray – it doesn’t matter. I think I will start showering in deet.

Posted in basketball, running, summer |