Detroit Free Press Marathon 2012

On Sunday, October 21, my little brother ran his second marathon in Detroit, MI.  Being in our own stomping-ground, I had to go and support my brother on home territory. 

I think it is going to become a tradition that we have dinner with my friend Lindsey before the marathon. She just happened to be in Washington DC for Travis's first marathon and here we are again!

October 21st

6AM

I met Travis in the downstairs lobby of his apartment building (I had stayed the night with his girlfriend :)

Both of us were incredibly bundled up, it was only 42 degrees outside.  Travis got a ride to the race start with one of his friends; I rode my bike the few miles down Cass Ave. to the race start. 

I haven't experienced bitter cold like that in a long time. Thank goodness I was able to scrounge around some extra warm clothes and gloves from Trav's girlfriend!

6:50AM

About two blocks from the start getting ready. The plan was to take Trav's extra things, wish him off and then meet mom and dad at the race start to see him go.

7AM

I didn't make it to mom and dad in time to watch him start together, but I did get to see Trav start!  He's difficult to see, but he is the runner in dark green and black on the right side of the runner in white (in the middle of the shot). You can see Trav's wile hair :)

7:10AM

I did meet up with mom and dad and we headed to our first checkpoint that was going to be about mile 8.5. We had about a 45 minute wait sitting on the side of the Detroit River.  We could actually see the lead car cross the Ambassador Bridge into Windsor, Canada and watched it race alongside the Detroit river across from us.  And we got to watch the sunrise... pretty perfect morning so far!

7:40AM

Here's mom practicing her hand-off of Gu to Trav.  

Dad's just hanging out...

7:50AM

Sorry for the blurry shot but my hands were really cold. Here's mom handing off the Gu to Trav (the blur wearing the black).

After this point, I met up with Travis's roomate, Alex. I sent mom and dad to their net check point, Mile 13 while Alex and I biked our way to mile 15.

Trav at Mile 15. He looked so good!  Strong, calm, and confident!

8:20AM

At mile 18, Travis headed onto the Belle Isle Bridge was was glowing in the orange and red leaves.  I remember driving over the bridge to the first day of WSU Swimming and Dining practice and could only think about how long that darn bridge is!

This pack of three is about to head onto the Bridge and they're all vying for 2nd place.

8:45

Alex and I saw Travis once again as he headed off the bridge at mile 23 and headed towards the finish. He had broken away from the guy in white, but was still running with the guy in red.

9AM

Alex and I had to hustle to the finish. We rode down the left-hand turn lane of Jefferson Ave. I had never seen or experienced Detroit like this before; the city felt so much different with the chill air on my face.  The buildings seemed bigger and streets wider. 

9:10AM

I will admit, I haven't really worked out in a long time and this bike riding was painful!

The race finish was one parallel street north of Jefferson and Alex and I could see the lead car every block when we would cross an intersection.  I peddled as hard and as fast as I could; at one intersection, I'd be ahead of the pace car. Then at the next, I would be behind.  Think about this... the lead car was directly in front of the lead runner.  This lead runner was running as fast as I was biking!!!!

9:25AM

Alex and I stopped short of the finish by 3/10 of a mile. There just wasn't anyway we would make it through the crowds in time to see Travis right at the finish.  But we had an excellent view right in front of the 26 mile mark.

Trav came around the corner in 3rd place running faster than he did in DC!  Both Alex and I went CRAZY!! And the best part is when the people around us saw how crazy we were going... they went nuts as well! 

9:30AM 

So Travis finished the Detroit Marathon in 3rd place with a Personal Record of 2:28:13!

Proud mom and pop!!!

So proud of you TRAV!!!

Fall Color

Even though I've only been in Texas for three years, I have already 'forgotten' about several things that make the midwest/north of this country pretty fantastic.

I really don't know what snow is anymore.... and that is one thing that I am sure I don't mind handling in short increments.

I do miss hot cider, apple orchards, and cake donuts. Just saying those three things is making my mouth water! There's not a whole lot that's more comforting than a sip of steaming hot cider and biting into a freshly baked donut!

But I also forgot about the amazingly rich colors of fall. During my recent trip, I was about two weeks too late to see the really vibrant colors, but what I did see was quite beautiful. In a way, the scenery begs you to cuddle up next to a cozy fire with the biggest blanket you can find.  You definitely don't see anything like this down in Texas.....

Williamston High School

The year after I graduated from Williamston High School, the school went through a massive addition/renovation which included an amazing, state-of-the-art weightlifting facility. 

Mike Lamb, the big guy in charge of the facility, came up with a really cool idea to commemorate students who graduated and continued on to play collegiate sports. His plan was to get a photo of the students participating in his/her sport, print the pictures as large as he could, and post them in the workout room as inspiration to up-and-coming athletes. 

The result is pretty cool! New photos have been trickling in over the past few months representing athletes of so many different sports.  Lots of runners, football players, volleyball chicks, soccer, and if you look really hard.... a diver!

That's me!

My mom wanted some flowers...

So the other day I can home with some awesome/amazing/incredible florals to take to a clients home the next day. Now this client’s home and tastes are exactly like my parents. I mean if I took my parents to the client’s house they would want it.

 

The flowers my mom wants

So it is no surprise that when my mom can home from work (yes I still live at home) she wanted them. It was a fight just to keep her from trying to steal one! Let’s just say I know what I’m getting her for Christmas this year.

-Erin

Apartment Model 3

Several months ago, I picked up an unusual project; two high-end apartment complexes in Austin needed some serious updates to their show models. There were three models within two complexes and most of the project was done remotely. I took one full day trip to Austin to tour, site measure, photograph, and inventory existing items.

Then it was time to get to work.  Three months later, the install came crashing in and after 2 exhausting days, the models are looking pretty spectacular.

Today, you'll tour a 2-bedroom model in another of the apartment complexes.  Each model was given a 'family' and a 'character/style." This model has a little edgier style targeted toward a young couple. The colors are brighter, the accessories are a little funkier, but the overall feel is still comfy and cozy.

Dining room

Living room

Stairway up to bedrooms

Guest bedroom

Master bedroom

There are still a few minor things to finalize in the models and the next phase of the project is to update the clubhouses.

Apartment Model 2

Several months ago, I picked up an unusual project; two high-end apartment complexes in Austin needed some serious updates to their show models. There were three models within two complexes and most of the project was done remotely. I took one full day trip to Austin to tour, site measure, photograph, and inventory existing items.

Then it was time to get to work.  Three months later, the install came crashing in and after 2 exhausting days, the models are looking pretty spectacular.

Today, you'll tour the 3-bedroom model in one of the apartment complexes.  Each model was given a 'family' and a 'character/style."  This particular model was for a family with a teenager boy and a little girl. It has a more traditional feel with some fun elements.

Little girl's bedroom

Little girls room looking into her bathroom

Kitchen looking into the dining and living room

Dining table

Master Bedroom

Teen boy's room

Check in later for the 3rd and final model!

Apartment Model: 1

Several months ago, I picked up an unusual project; two high-end apartment complexes in Austin needed some serious updates to their show models. There were three models within two complexes and most of the project was done remotely. I took one full day trip to Austin to tour, site measure, photograph, and inventory existing items.

Then it was time to get to work.  Three months later, the install came crashing in and after 2 exhausting days, the models are looking pretty spectacular.

Today, you'll tour the 2-bedroom model in one of the apartment complexes.  Each model was given a 'family' and a 'character/style." This particular model was for a single mom with two young sons.  The living space and master bedroom were designed to be calm and serene, while the sons' room is fun, bright and full of excitement. 

Master Bedroom

Powder bathroom

Second stairway leading to second floor

Living room, dining room, and kitchen

Boys' room

Check in later to see more of the models!