The final countdown ...

6 weeks ago I wasn't sure I would be running in Regionals. I had to send in my entry not knowing - the entry closed only 4 weeks after my surgery - I also didn't know if I would be running Gyp. I am the type of person that if you tell me I can't do something, I will work 10x as hard to do it. It's just the way I roll ... ya living that way has it's flaws, but I just don't like to fail.

So here we are one week until Regionals ... I am running, I can easily get around a course - last weekend was awesome, it felt great to be running at the Agility trial. My knee is still healing but I can deal with it. It actually feels it's best when I am moving. Sitting around causes it to get stiff. Bar-knee will be accompanying me, and he is awesome.

The field that Regionals is being held on is the place where I first blew my knee playing rugby in College. I am not sure how I feel about that. Again - I feel like it is for a reason - I need to overcome my fear of something bad happening there, because it did before. I will be fine as long as Amanda doesn't wear a yellow striped Rugby shirt chasing me down the field trying to tackle me :)

Gyp is doing well, this whole month has been about getting back into Agility while maintaining her regular conditioning schedule, and making sure there are no flare-ups, and so far so good - I haven't been blogging about it, because well, shocking - but I don't blog about EVERYTHING. Somethings I like and NEED to keep to myself. We've been training, and she hasn't really missed a beat. I am lucky she is the kind of dog that does well with a break - and always keep a level head ... and she doesn't forget a thing - which in this case is good - but in the case of fishing rods, fly swatters, guitars and kites ... not so good, she also remembers those things as WIERD and scary as hell.

K is running great, and I am SOOOO looking forward to running him - it was one year ago, to almost the day that he Torsioned and we nearly lost him. So last regionals that was fresh in my mind - and everyone was asking about him - which was hard. I was also running with my new knee brace 5 months after I tore my ACL and Meniscus ... so I just have to keep thinking I was able to overcome that last year.

Now I just need to get my mental game in the right place this year, I work best under pressure, but I have a lot of work to do, to get in the right headspace ... right now the discouraging thoughts are still lingering "We haven't trialed since September" "Is she really ready?" "Will I remember how to run her?" "I don't want to hurt her" "Can my knee handle it?" "Will someone in a rubgy shirt chase me down the field to tackle me?"

I have a week to get my mind games under control, Kaleb is doing some light training ... and Gyp has one more check-up before the big event ...

And, well I bought some new shoes ... so that always makes me feel better .. and run faster :)

The Joker

This weekend was my first weekend back since my surgery ... and well, I ran great (if I do say so myself), someone even commented on the fact that I was scary being back after 9 weeks ... I'm sure they meant that as a compliment :)

But someone ran even better than me ... Yep the K-man. I entered him in 6 runs and he rocked them all. 6 Qs and he even placed 1st in 3 of his classes!! His energy, speed and focus was great all weekend. He didn't get tired, he wasn't at all stiff - he was running as good as he ever has. He is 9 and sure as hell doesn't act it or look it ... and you have no idea how grateful I am for that. He's one of a kind, that's for sure :)

I've been doing the same conditioning plan (including massage) with him as I have been for Gyp for the last 6 months - and well, it is obviously paying off.

Here are some highlights of my Joker ...

Finally!!!!

YAY! I was able to take the dogs for a walk today!! It wasn't nearly as long, and I wasn't going even half the speed I would normally do, but 30 minutes was pretty darn good considering where I was even a week ago!

Gyp still has to be on leash, so she doesn't step in areas that are too uneven and risk a set-back, but she is free to run around within the 26' radius :)

Do you ever get the feeling you are being followed??

Kaleb ... he just runs, and runs, and runs.

Where this 9 year old gets his boundless energy from, I'll never know.

More running.

And running ...

It was so nice to get out with dogs today with Pete on his daily walk with the dogs. It was nice change of scenery from me watching the dogs on the Treadmill.

YAY! As long as I am feeling good, I'll be A-OK walking the dogs for short walks. It's easy going to the field and letting K run while Gyp is on leash, because I can focus on how and where I am walking, rather than having to walk both pooches and pay attention.

One more step in getting better!! YAY!!

p.s. Did I mention I am biking at the Gym again? Yippee!

Coming soon ...

We will be back, oh, yes, we will be back.

Gyp and I both got good news this week. Gyp has been off Agility for 5 months .. and while I've only been off for 3.5 weeks - it seems like 5 months, we both got good news from our various "professionals" that we can be bumping up what we are doing again. YIPPPEEEE!!!!

It's been kind of cool in this journey together. I am as dedicated to getting Gyp back %110 as I am myself. Both of these things keep me motivated to do the best I can for her, and me. I thought our bond couldn't be stronger, but I swear now it is.

We are both getting stronger each day. And while she is on the treadmilll, I do my work out, or work K - yep she can do the TM all by herself now without me jogging beside her, it is awesome.

When I put each dog on the TM, I do their stretches, ball work or Cavelleti's and work on our daily exersizes for the "Recaller's Course", which has been SUPER fun and educational, and the dogs love it, and it keeps all of us moving.

Oh, and Jane is there too - mooching for cookies.

We can get all of our conditioning/training done in about 1 hour - I am the master multi-tasker extraordinaire.

I am beginning to see the sunshine ... and I like it, I really like it.

any time now

Good Advice, originally uploaded by sarah ....

think warm thoughts. think warm thoughts.

i'm so ready for summer.

i met with my surgeon this week, and he said to "giv'er" OK maybe not in those words, but he said the remaining bruising should be gone in the next 3 weeks (it is still really tender). he was happy with how i was doing, and now i just have to practice walking normal. he said do as much as i can within limits if pain and swelling (nothing lateral and no jumping).

and good news i can start biking, and doing more physio. i am now doing squats, lunges and step ups everyday. yay!! i am hopeful in the next couple of weeks ill really start noticing a difference in my regained strength.

come on summer ... i'm ready to show my scars when i wear shorts!!

look ma, no Stitches!

My friend Lynne was nice enough to take out my stitches this week - I was worried about getting them out, but being at friends house and having 2 lovely Vizslas to distract me, made things all better :)

I also started physio this week - well I have been doing real basic things for the last 2 weeks, but I am now doing more. Stretching 3x day and one time a day of Strengthening. And icing 20 min. after every time. I'll be strating back on my upper body and core workouts right away too. It's a pretty big commitment but I am determined to be strong.

Gyp is doing great too - so between the 2 of us, it's around 1.5 hours a day of strength training and stretching, but I am seeing results already with me - and she is also doing fantastic. We have also signed up for Susan Garrett's Brilliant Recall course - a great program for us to start back training together, and a great educational tool I will always have - I thought the timing was great (especially for when i get my invisible puppy)!! I'm excited to start, we've spend the last 3 days playing the Critical Core games :)

For something less gross looking than my knobby knees ... it's Jane - she has been feeling spunky and doing really well these days ... let's hope that continues, we still cherish every day with her, especially the good ones.

Look what I can do! Look what I can do!

• This week I went for lunch with Liz, my first field trip in 9 days - it was nice to be among the living - tomorrow another field trip with Jane and Pete ... to the Pet Store!! How exciting :)

• I can go up and down the stairs, one leg at a time, while holding a glass of water, that my friends is what I call, awesome.

• I can get in the shower all by myself :)

• I can put the dogs on the Treadmill, while I do my physio - multi-tasking at it's finest.

• I can also put the dogs on the Treadmill while eating Caramel popcorn, drinking coffee and chatting with a friend who brought it over for me :) they are getting so good on the TM ... 20 mins 5 times a week now + Pete jogging and walking them everynight + strength work 5 times a week.

• I can do Gyp's caveletti's back and forth, while sitting on the ball doing my own core exercises

• I can now put Gyp on her peanut ball and do all the exercises, and balance her myself (not Kaleb yet, that requires my whole body and balance)

• Who knew I would miss housework so much .... I can Vacuum (the main level)! I can put the dishes away from the dishwasher! I can clean the bathroom! I can dust!

• Next week maybe I will conquer laundry ... nah, I think I will milk that one as long as I can.

An apple a day, keeps the doctor away.

Since Thursday, I have felt like someone was squeezing my head in a vice, stomping on it with a big boot, then spinning me around and punching me in the gut. Sounds fun eh?

I feel so detached from the real world and my regular routine, it is not a fun feeling at all.

But the good news is - my knee feels great!! YIPPEE!!

I had to hide for 2 days in my bedroom with the curtains closed, and could only come out to the rest of the house when it got darker. Like a friggin Vampire - but not the cool kind, the ugly scary kind. I am still not sure if it was the Flu, bit more than likely a side-effect from the Spinal Epidural I had. A small amount of Spinal fluid can leak and then wreaks havoc with Nausea and Killer headaches, especially when sitting up or standing. I could only lay flat without feeling like shit. Not fun. Do you know how annoying it is to have to lay still? I am so sick of laying horizontal.

Pete has been amazing - jogging with the dogs because he knows how important it is for them to remain fit - and he secretly enjoys it too, he has done all the housework, cooked for me, fed the dogs, held my hand, rubbed my feet, made me tea. I think I'll keep him.

Today is 100% better, and last night even went to friends for supper last night - and thankfully they had a nice recliner and dimmed the lights for me as the headache was still lingering :) It felt good to get out of my house. I am going a little KOO KOO for coco puffs.

Thankfully I get to look at this face all day long ... I have it pretty good.

GRAHIC CONTENT AHEAD:

Introducing ... Franken-knee!!

Here's hoping for a better week ahead.

me, myself and i

me, myself and i :: 3/12/Gyp, originally uploaded by sarah ....

Gyppie still can't do free running, so while I was playing ball with Kaleb poor Gyppie had to wait and watch ... but being the good Border Collie she is, she stays put in one spot ... she just enjoys barking her head off in frustration. So do I.

We'll continue rehabbing together, and we'll be back in the ring, better than ever!

Gyp has been on restricted exersize since November due to a groin pull (Psoas group of muscles), she now has the go ahead to do more extented strength and endurance exersizes and we'll see how her muscles holds up. It's been hard work, but it will all be worth it in the end.

Even with my surgery I am still able to do all her stretching, and thankfully I have the best guy in the world who takes her and Kaleb jogging everynight :)

I do my exercises 3 times a day right now, so Gyp and I do ours together - Kaleb does them too, to keep him in shape.

I feel pretty good - there is really no pain at all in my knee, it hurt worse last week before the surgery.

I was able to bend it another 4" yesterday compared to day 2. So I'm hoping in the next day or two I am able to bend it another 2 or 3".

I stopped taking the Tylenol 3s on Wednesday after barf-fest 2011. Now I am just taking Advil, and actually just Advil Cold & Sinus as I have a wicked head cold.

It was a good day yesterday, Pete's sister dropped me off an edible Arrangement made of fruit that is dipped in chocolate, presented as a bouquet .... ya I ate it all. My neighbor brought me over a fruit basket which was super nice, and Kaleb proceeded to jump at it, grabbed a Banana and high tailed it to the yard - it was classic Kaleb. I think I must stink because my mom brought me some new lounging clothes, apparently wearing the same thing for 3 days isn't a good thing?? I like visitors .... it makes the days go much quicker.

Well back to the couch I go - today I am getting back to some work - which I am actually looking forward too, now that I have my brain function MOSTLY back.

The big "knee-veal".

Yesterday was spent like this ... ( today is pretty much the same)

last night we took off my bandages to see what was underneath

... drum roll please

it'll be nice to see my knee cap again one day ...

there are 4 incisions - not the 3 I was hoping for. I'm thinking he wasn't able to get at the area where the tear was so the 4th medial incision was made, it is right in the spot were the majority of the locking and pain came from, here's hoping it helps.

This morning I resumed my physio routine

... and it's a good thing I have such a supportive and loving coach.

"mama rest your leg right here"

"you can do it mama", lift that leg a little higher

"good job mama"

"you did good mama, way to go"

Surgery Day

I have to thank all of my great friends and family who called, sent me emails for extra support - the bottles of wine and flowers were nice touches too, you know who you are :). You have no idea how much easier it made it for me. I am lucky to have such a big support group of Family and Friends, it makes life so much easier. I have an army of nurses and friends who have been through similar things, so by the time I went there, I knew what to expect.

The nurse came to check my vitals, and I was so calm that the Nurse asked if my heart rate was naturally so low. And that was before I took an Ativan LOL. I honestly put my mind in the same state I do when running Agility at a big event - there was no turning back. I was freakishly calm.

I have a goal - I don't want to be in Pain anymore. Poor Pete had to listen to my songs on the way to the Hospital but he was so great. He held my hand the whole time. I use humour as a coping mechanism, and I am glad to say I had the Staff laughing :)

Dr. A came in and signed my leg, couldn't figure out what "SLA" meant. I thought it meant "Stupid Leg Attached", but I figured out it was his initials...

You have no idea how many fears I conquered yesterday:

- I got my first IV (and it didn't hurt and I didn't cry)

- I didn't faint at all when the Surgeon came it to talk about what he was doing

- I didn't faint when the Anesthetist talked about the options for my sedation

- I chose to go for the Spinal and took a needle to my back (so I was numb from the lower back down) ... boy I could use a tan.

- AND you won't believe this ... I watched my surgery! It was cool to see the inside of my knee and see my Meniscus just hanging there, my altered Drug induced state made it possible for me not to panic.

The deed all done.

The Surgeon said he was very surprised at how much my leg moves laterally, and he is surprised that my leg doesn't give out on me more. He's never able to get a good feel for it when I'm awake - as I have the Art of guarding down to a science. So when I meet with him in 2 weeks, we will be discussing further surgeries, and I am OK with that. Well at least I think I am, could be these wicked painkillers not making me think straight however.

My Therapy dogs helping me stay sane while I'm having to rest.

Also never out of reach are Ice Packs (icing every 30min) and Tylenol 3s, I'm poppin' those bad boys every 4 hours.

The beautiful flowers a friend sent over, I was greeted with them when I got home.

I'm now on the road to rehab, and I am looking forward to the Journey. I will be better, faster and stronger than ever. Look out, here I come!

Hey Doc, i'm ready.

i'm ready., originally uploaded by sarah ....

Sort of like packing for an Agility Trial ... but not nearly as fun.

Crutches. Old gross Teddy Bear named Odie that I've had since I was 4. My playlist on "iKaleb", pretty slippers and cute pants (thanks for the tip D), a good book, and an obscene amount of wine.

We'll be back.

If there is one thing I know I'm good at, that is living in denial. We go back years. I guess it is a coping mechanism, not sure.

Anyway this Tuesday is my surgery and oh boy, am I looking forward to that. I am scared shitless. I have issues with hospitals, it goes back to the days of Pete being in the hospital for a month and went through 17 hours of surgery, when he broke his back. I was traumatized. Although I have conquered that fear somewhat this year, by being tough getting my blood taken, and having my bro there to hold my hand :) and having to see see Doctors for my knee etc. has helped. I also went with my mom both times for her Cataract surgery, and I didn't faint or vomit, so I am getting better.

I am trying to use some of my methods I use for when I run Agility at a big event. Trying not to think too much about that actual day, and just getting my mind in the right state, right now. I am listening to music that is motivational and uplifting - for me that really helps. Music has always been there for me.

I am hoping my hard work with Gyp's rehab and mine will pay off and one day, we'll be able to run together again, I miss running her more than is probably normal. Gyp had her last treatment 2 weeks ago and got the go ahead to do more. I've upped Gyp's exercises and her muscles are holding really well, no spasms, no tightness. We do ball work every other day, Cavallettis at 4" on the opposite days and jogging everyday, with 10 minutes of stretching over the day. It is a big commitment, but it is paying off.

I'm feeling strong going in to my surgery, busting my ass in workouts is a good way to get out frustration, and having my knee hurt is an honest reminder of why I am doing this.

I am not sure what we will be doing in 2 or 3 months form now, hell even 6 months from now. I am coming to the realization that 2011 is the year of rehab, and well I am not thrilled about that, we'll make the best of it.

On another note, Jane is doing well these days. We are going on a date to the Pet Store today and for a little granny walk at the Park, now that it has warmed up.

Hopefully this will be us again one day ...

This song is often played to remind me of what I am working for and why I am doing it.

No Pain, no gain.

So I've been training hard in preparation for going under the knife, and that big day is March 15th. I am not looking forward to it, but I've been pushing my knee so hard these last few weeks, it is clearly evident something needs to be done. That is how I am dealing with it - the pain is a constant reminder. When I am not in pain, I convince myself I am OK. I've had to ice after my Sport Conditioning workouts and deep squats and inclined running sure make it swear at me. Bar-knee practically lives on my leg right now.

I've been working with a Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach, and he is getting my butt in gear for the upcoming months ahead. The stronger I am going in, the quicker my recovery will be. I've pretty much doubled my protein intake (with being a vegetarian, it can be a challenge). He is coming up with a meal plan and workout schedule for me also, and I am having to track everything I eat - which it sort of interesting (do I really need to write down that I ate a Timbit?)!

I had Matabolic Typing done and a full body caliper test on various spots on my body to test for FAT and where I carry it. I am not doing this to lose weight, I am tying to build muscle and get stronger. I need to replace 6 pounds of fat with 6 pounds of muscle - at least.

I had a full body test done that tests Movement, Strength and Flexibility. I am naturally very flexible, but I need to improve my strength and make moving more fluid - and that is hard with my muscle compensation. Perhaps Gyp and I should do Cavelliti's together?

So look forward to seeing a stronger, more ripped version of myself in the next few months ...

And If I ever look like this, please hit me over the head.

Is this a man in a dress?

AAC Regionals = Blood, Sweat & Tears.

Pete said it best yesterday when I got home from Regionals.

"Well you sure put a lot of Blood, Sweat and Tears into this weekend, didn't you?" ... did I mention Pete is very observant?

Blood you say? Well first run of the weekend, a little Gyppie tooth made a little contact with my thumb, then leaked all over my pretty white Regionals shirt - I didn't even notice until afterwards. Apparently the taste of blood really gets Gyp going ... I have to add that Pete took it upon him self to scrub my shirt in the kitchen sink with a toothbrush to get it clean last night - really, who does that? I might add that it came clean too :)

Sweat. A lot of sweat.

5.5 months of sweat went into this weekend. January 10th I was on my ass with a blown knee. I didn't know until just over a month ago if I would be running Regionals at all, I was ready to pull my entry, or find a new handler. I've NEVER used my knee as an excuse, it actually made me work harder and put things into perspective. The first 3.5 months of the year, I pretty much could not run, so we worked LOTS of proofing and distance. And this weekend we reaped the benefits of that. Who knows if we would have improved that much without being forced into that as my only training option. It took 5 months of Physio and the Gym to get my Strength back and I've been running on my new brace Bar-Knee for 1 month and pushing myself to the max with it on in training and at the Gym so we can trust eachother :) I LOVE BAR-KNEE. Who knew you could love Carbon Graphite and Titanium so much?

We also put alot of sweat into running this weekend. It was smokin' hot in Edmonton, and everyone in our group worked their butts off, I am so proud of my friends/students/training buddies. My #1 reminder to myself running this weekend was "I can get there." And I did, barely at times, but still I did it. I have a warm-up ritual and a whole series of songs depending on my mood - sometimes I need to chill, other times I need more adrenaline, which really helps me too.

Tears, lots and lots of Tears.

I'm not a big cryer, but it's been an emotional rollercoaster of a year, and hell, an emotional month. I missed having Kaleb running, and it was hard explaining to people who didn't know, why he wasn't there. But I turned it around to a positive when people asked how he was doing and gave him lots of well wishes. Sorry to Tag, who I called Kaleb at least 5 times over the weekend :)

When I went to get Gyp for her last run of the weekend I starting crying, luckily I had my sunglasses on. I had to get my poop in a group.

I cried when I looked at the Aggregate on the first day and couldn't find Jo & Tag on the first, second or third page of the 22" Regular. I rescanned the pages and realized his name was in the #1 spot. It stayed there all weekend, and Jolayne and Tag won 22" Regular. I can't put into words what that means, but hopefully Jo will update her blog - and you can read Amanda's too.

Our students/training buddies successes are amazing, we see them from the time they come as pups or adults and are there for every successful and heartbreaking moment. We are there for eachother no matter what, and every person has something to offer for motivation and support. I cried for Lynne and Lucy who ran a great last standard, and we knew she easily qualified. I cried for Jan and Dave and the Sheltie girls they have worked so hard with. I cried for Amanda and Wicca who live on the edge in every run, her Friday Steeplechase run and Saturday Gambles, were a thing of beauty.

I hardly had enough tears left in me to cry for Gyp, but I did.

She really is an amazing little dog. Amanda is right when she says we read eachother's minds. It's a strange, wonderful, give-me-goosebumps connection that I don't have with my other two dogs to that extent. We cuddled every night in the hotel, she slept nudged up to me each night.

Gyp ran her 2 Steeplechase runs on Friday clean - with a 1st and 2nd of 14 dogs. She also earned her "Steeplechase Expert Bronze" Title, for her 25th & 26th Q. She placed 2nd in the Steeplechase Finals on Sunday.

Gyp ran her 6 main events with amazing Speed, Accuracy and Grace. She had 19 dogs in her division this weekend.

She earned over 100 points in each of her Gambles, even last year neither of us would have been confident enough to attempt the mini gamble twice as we did, and we did it this year. She placed 1st in each run.

Her Jumpers run were smooth and fast, it wasn't until the beginning of May that I had even attempted to run Jumpers, but we worked this past month getting our handling groove back. She placed 1st and 2nd (by .4 of a second) in her classes.

The Standards were not easy, and they were for the most part pretty technical and long. I was proud of these runs, we ran them the best we could - all or nothing, baby. She placed 1st in both with very competitive times.

This year ... she ran 6/6 - with 630 points, won her 16" Specials Division again. I thought we would never top last year's Regional - she ran 6/6 - 580 points and won her division.

I couldn't ask for more from Gyp, it's hard to put into words. We are taking a well deserved Agility break, and in a few weeks we'll build it back up for Nationals. Never in a million years did I imagine I would run on the green at Spruce Meadows, it's cheezy but it's my childhood dream from my riding days, but the dream is a little different now, it's with a dog :)

- - - -

Congrats to our amazing Go Dog Go gang pictured with Judge Patti Wilson.

I also have a public album on facebook if you'd like to see more photos ...

The thing holding my leg together.

Isn't he pretty? Yes he is PURPLE and kinda sparkly. He is filling in for my ACL, since it is now a goner, and he takes pressure of my Meniscus too.

Like everything I own he needed a name. He is now family ... seeing as he cost as much as 2 puppies. Not quite as cuddly and fuzzy, however.

He was affectionately coined "Bar-Knee" by a very witty friend of mine :) due to his purple colour and the fact that he is made up of bars to hold my knee together. PERFECT!

I also think "Er-Knee" could work, seeing as I have a Boler named "Burt" ... Burt and Ernie (Sesame Street, get it??), and it's funny that my brace is worth more than Burt the Boler ...

It makes me happy when I look at him, I almost want to break out in song ....

I love you, you love me
We're a great big family.
With a great big hug
and a kiss from me to you
Won't you say you love me too!

Sorry for putting this song in your head, but I've been suffering with it since "Bar-Knee" was named ... now it's your turn.

Perhaps he needs a new name?? Perhaps he is girl?

An Agility Rollercoaster of a weekend!

This weekend was spent at our first outdoor Agility Trial of the season with 80km winds, pouring rain and temperatures cold enough for snow. By Sunday afternoon it was sunny but still cool and windy. What a weather weekend, what an Agility Weekend! Our group did amazing, I was so proud of everybody, and my guys too!!

We lost our club's 10x20 shade tent to the wind which totally sucked as it housed a lot of us at trials. It lifted like a sail and we found it crumbled up and mangled on Sunday morning.

I ran for the first time in my custom carbon/graphite/titanium knee brace. and OMG I can run! I can run! No pain, no feel of any twisting. It took a bit to get used to but after my 5th or 6th run (of 15) I was good to go, I had to learn to trust it. The brace will have it's own post later this week, stay tuned, it sure is purty.

We spent a fair amount of time staying warm in the vehicle between runs, Kaleb loved that.

So tired, Kaleb fell asleep with his head in my head on the way to dinner Saturday night, seriously, how cute is that?

On to the FUN stuff ... the dogs ran GREAT!!!!! Kaleb thrives in cool wet weather, and Gyp doesn't care either way. I do think the 2 Tim Hortons cinnamon rolls she stole out of the bag on Sunday morning helped with her energy levels LOL

Gyp ran in 9 classes, Qd in 7 (All 3 Standards, Gamblers, both Jumpers and Steeplechase) we ran 2 classes on Friday and it was my first time in the brace and I was a little hesitant and second guessed my self and it showed in my handling. By Saturday morning I was comfortable again with my ability and the brace, and she Q in every class for the rest of the weekend, she didn't miss a beat, and I like to think I handled her the best I have since January. She even pulled the fastest Jumpers time on one of her runs. She also tied for the most Gamble points too. I serped, I threadled, I came to abrupt stops and I RAN, I RAN, I won't lie when I say I was almost brought to tears after our Jumpers runs... it was rain on my face, really.

here is a montage of her runs to some sweet 80's tunes.

Kaleb was super too, spunky and a little on the wild side at times! I had him entered in 6 runs. He Qd in 4 and even managed to place 1st in a couple classes! He Qd in Standard (#48), Jumpers, Gamblers, and Steeplechase. He LOVES running in the rain, I get some of my best runs with him when he is soaking wet. By Sunday afternoon, it was pretty warm and the sun was out. We complained all weekend about being wet, and guess who ran soaking wet Sunday afternoon when the sun was out - he thought it was too warm. Only Kaleb.

We've got a month until Regionals and for the first time in a long while, I am excited for it, considering a few weeks ago I was considering pulling out, now I know I won't be doing that. I still have lots to work on, and this weekend gave me some good ideas for what I need to improve on. I am so grateful I was able to get my brace for this weekend as I was really able to take it for a good test drive. My plan is to now work on small skills and build up for the week before regionals and give them that last week off as I always do, so hopefully we will all be fresh and relaxed.