Super Sunday and Tina

 

Tina Tomonelli-Redding, always an upbeat inspiration. 

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A couple of Saturdays ago, I went out to get the mail and then did some walking around on the road. 

During that time, I spotted someone coming down the road from the north. 

So, I walked around a little more, waiting to see if it was one of the runners/walkers I know who come by our place. 

As the runner came closer, I realized she was not one of the usuals.  In fact, she was kinda out of her territory. 

Tina Tomonelli-Redding lives in Naples, and I've never seen her in running gear.  Almost every single Tina sighting I've had has been at a horse show where she's an independent, upbeat, organized and friendly soul who competes and always seems to have fun. 

So, on this day of seeing her near our home, I was curious as to what she was doing running down our dirt road. 

Turns out Tina works for Wood's Crushing and Hauling, and she had designed a running route, starting out from Wood's and amounting to 11 miles. 

Later this month, she will travel to Las Vegas and run in a half-marathon. 

I also learned that she had been past our house before, always on a Saturday, training for her upcoming event. 

Yesterday while coming home from picking up groceries, I saw her again, shortly after she had left Wood's and started down Selle Road. 

So, I took some pictures and asked her to write a little summary about her running activities. 

Her comments are below.  Tina is an inspiration and an all-around neat gal. 

Wishing her the best of luck in Las Vegas and thanking her for sharing her story. 

 

From Tina . . . . 

I am headed to Las Vegas the last weekend of February to run the Rock n Roll

1/2 marathon. 

They shut the Strip down for us to run it at night, they encourage fun outfits and shenanigans, it really seems like a perfect race for me! 

This will be my 2nd 1/2 marathon; my first was in 2019 in Leavenworth Washington. 

I have a 10-week training schedule that helps me get ready for my big day.

 

The idea is that I should be able to run 3 miles at a pace I'm happy with before the 10-week training begins. 

I have been running 4-6 miles three days a week since last fall, so I knew I would be ready. Now I just spend my Saturdays making hot laps around Selle Valley.

 

I get asked the "Why" question at least a dozen times a week. I have a few random answers that I toss back but I keep the real reasons close to my heart. 

Like most things I've gotten myself into during my life, it all started with a smart-aleck  comment and a friend that held me accountable!! 

2019 was a great year to start getting back in shape both mentally and physically running also helped with my horsemanship, I finally had the strength and stamina to be a fairly efficient rider again!!

Tina competing in the dog and pony class at a local Spots of Fun Horse Show in 2017.

Covid put my running goals on hold in 2020 but I made a promise to myself in 2021 to find a way. 

I made a promise to myself to race 100 miles in 2021, I finished December 28 with just over 103 miles!! Most of those miles were virtual races but about 36 of those were in person.

 

2022 has me making serious changes in my life. I'm making myself a priority, putting my mental and physical health above all things and relearning how to truly be happy, I'm not sure there is a better "Why" than that!! 

My goals for this year are 4 -1/2 marathons -1 in Vegas, two in Spokane and one in CDA. 

I would love to race 100 miles again, and I am getting ready for my first Spartan race in May in Kalispell Montana!

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Bulldog Girls BB News

Later this week, Willie will take his regional champs to the Idaho State Girls Basketball Championships in Meridian. 

Here's the bracket for this year's event, which shows the Bulldogs taking on Preston. 

Wonder if Napolean Dynamite will be around to cheer his team. 

Good luck, Bulldogs. 

Yesterday, Bill and I decided to take advantage of a beautiful afternoon and took off for a short drive to Bonners Ferry and surrounding area. 

It turned out to be a trip somewhat reminiscent of the days when Mother and Harold would take us three older kids on Sunday drives to Montana. 

"Spot the deer and count the deer," kept us busy looking at scenery and waiting to yell out "There's one." 

Well, we didn't do any counting yesterday, but we saw a lot of deer along the way. 

It's that time of year when they suddenly start appearing, especially on hillsides with south slopes. 

We don't have to take drives to see this sight, one of the many beautiful woodpeckers feasting at the bird feeder. 

Well, it's Super Sunday, and it certainly looks like another SUPER day with sunshine and blue skies and warm temperatures. 

We'll probably spend some time outside but will be enjoying the Super Bowl and the grazing that goes on pretty much all day. 

Bill and I will be pulling for the Rams because we think it's neat that Cooper Kupp, an EWU grad, has become such an NFL star. 

So, we'll root for the local boy but will be happy no matter who wins. 

I noticed in the Daily Bee this morning that there's a split household down there in South Sandpoint.  

My editor Helen has the Bengals, while hubby Skip is betting on the Rams. 

Stay tuned.  I think they'll be happy with the outcome either way. 

Happy Sunday.