Most of August I was just excitedly waiting and counting down the days until Shaun came back home on a well deserved 2 weeks' R&R. As usual the time before he arrived felt like it really dragged on. But seeing him after 4.5 months of being apart was amazing. He looked tired, undernourished (he has lost a lot of weight) but happy to be back home. At least for a little while. In the typical fashion of Chandler household as soon as we got home from the airport we headed out together for a run. Needless to say our neighbours thought we were totally crazy but it was wonderful. It was just so lovely to run, chat and share that love for sports, as we normally do. We had lots of fun during those two weeks, seeing some friends, eating out and enjoying some lovely food or just watching DVDs at home. I also really needed a break from work as the last few weeks in the run up to Shaun's return work has been really busy. But the two weeks went really quickly and now I am sitting and waiting until his deployment is finished and he is back home in 5 weeks :))))
During those two weeks I was doing an ironman distance race on the border between England and Wales. I have to say that the swim venue was one of the most beautiful places I've ever swum in. The bike scenery was stunning. But I never got to see the run.... The bike course consisted of two loops and on the second loop I got sent the wrong way. I ended up in T2 after 90 miles rather than 112 and my race was over. Needless to say I was devastated. It wasn't so much about the ruined race rather than all the sacrifices we make along the way. All the early morning training, all the social events that I had to skip because I had to train. All the time that I could have spent with my friend and family. I do love training but if my race is going to be ruined I want it to be on my terms. Anyway, I am not going to dwell on it any more, I have put it behind me and I am now really looking forward to next season.
So I will leave you with couple of photos taken 2 weeks ago at a short trip away with friends in Bruges, Belgium.
