I'm back...

Let me give you a run down on what i've been doing the past few months. Well last I've told you was that my father was going to be running in the Drake Well Marathon prior to Christmas. Well he ran it and he ran it well he knocked off something like 26 minutes. That is awesome especially for a 57 year old man running in his third marathon since september and in his third marathon ever. Oh yeah and let me remind you it was around a high school track.

That day I think I ended up running about four or five miles with him just to keep him going or just to keep me warm.

On January 1st I ran my first race of the year. Lyndsay and I were in Charleston, SC for New Years and decided to run in the resolution run. I was not ready for it I struggled through the whole thing but I finished and thats what counts right.

I've been running the past few weeks only running at most 4.5 miles in any one run. I'm doing ok but not as good as I would like to run, but who can I lie to, I'm not putting in the miles to make me be as good as I want to be.

What made me write this post was tonight I googled Elora and saw all of the outpouring of love that people have written about her and what people have done in honor of her. If you have ever been in my car you have noticed the picture of elora on the dash. Not a day goes by when I don't look at that picture. Elora has been on any road trip I have taken. She's been to Wisconsin, DC, MD, North Carolina. She ran with me during the 10k in October, she will be with me in my next race. Now is the time when the grieving is supposed to stop i think and the rest of your life is supposed to start. I don't think thats the case. Once people stop asking about Elora or any loss is when you are supposed to pick up and make sure that you don't forget about those that aren't with you anymore. I have noticed over the past few months that I have become more emotional. While hearing stories of people doing amazing things, or stories of people overcoming obstacles makes me want to cry or just cry in general. When I have bad days at work what I need to do is just put what is bothering aside and think of the fight that Elora had just her personality and just deal with it.

I also think daily of Dad, Leslie and Ben. I hope that they are dealing with this as best as they can. They are currently planning a trip to Ecuador to see my sister and her family. i wish I could go with them but with a possible move in the future I need to get that done before I can plan a long trip.

Anyway, as you can tell I have had a lot of stuff bottled up inside, thanks for reading if you've made it down this far.

See you on the road.

Happy Birthday Elora

Today would be Elora's 15th Birthday. This year for her birthday Dad, Leslie, Ben and I are going to Titusville, PA for the Drake Well Marathon. Dad is going to be running around a high school track for 150.5 laps. Just a few times around a track. I'm probably going to run about 3.2 I'm going to run a 5k. If I feel good I might do more. I'm the one who told him about it so I'm obligated to go. Elora would enjoy something like this. I have a feeling that she would be going around the track just as long as Dad will be running. It's going to be a crazy day.

A year ago tonight I came into Pittsburgh for Christmas and we all went out to dinner to celebrate Elora's birthday. The only thing that was missing was Elora herself. She was in the hospital in a drug induced coma. We even had cake and Ice Cream for her and sang Happy Birthday. It was like a scene out of a movie on lifetime. But it was real, we were in a grimy little Mexican restaurant in Oakland, PA. Only time will tell how different this year is. I was over at Dad's last night and everything I go over there I keep waiting for Elora to walk down the stairs... But, she never does. I don't know how they do it. But they do, and they keep going.

So let me give you a little update on different things. First off on the Elora's Hope world. Elora's School held a walk a thon at there school and raised almost 3,000 dollars. Also a friend of Elora's from school or church, has asked her family in lieu of Christmas gifts she asked that people make a donation to Elora's Hope. To Date this girl is almost 2,000 dollars. A 14 year old girl giving up her Christmas presents and giving them to a charity. That is unbelievable.

Onto the running side. I've been running a little bit here and there. I have run a few races since my last post. I ran an 8k on thanksgiving and did pretty well. Except for the fact that I drank to much beer the night before, and it slowed me down. Then I ran a 5k in Chapel Hill 2 weeks ago and man did it kick my ass. Lyndsay said it was the toughest 5k she ever ran. Lot's and lots of hills. And one hill that was very steep and very long. But I got through it and am here to write this today.

Well I just thought I'd update you on what's going on, so I did. Sorry about the delay. I'm not as good at this as I thought I was.

Merry Christmas, and savor it, because you never know who is going to not be there the next year. This year we are going to be without Elora, and My Sister Wendy, her husband Andres, and my nephew Gabriel. The went and moved to Ecuador. Well Elora didn't move to Ecuador but the rest of them did. I guess it's time we share Andres et al with his family.

Once again Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Elora.

10k. 26.2 to go!

First off I would like to apologize for my delay in writing this. I don't have any excuse except that I'm lazy!

This past Sunday I completed my first 10 k Race. I ran the Marine Corps 10 K. It was a great time. I ran it in 1 hour and 4 minutes. I couldn't believe I ran it that well. When I ran I felt great. My first mile I ran in 13.26 when I looked down and I thought I was crazy. That was the slowest mile that I've ever run. I made up time over the next 5 miles and only at the end did I begin to feel tired. When I hit mile 6 I looked up and saw a big hill. I've run up bigger before, but this was taxing. I don't know how the Marathon Runners did it. It was at mile 26 for them. I made it though and I saw my family at the end cheering for me. The one I heard the loudest was my mother, I was so happy for her to see me run because she is still suprised that I'm running.

The day before the race somebody reminded me that Elora passed away 6 months ago to the day on Sunday. So in six months I decided to run a marathon and although I have not made my goal yet, I will soon. I've completed a 10k I can't believe I did that. If you would have told me in April that I would have run 6.2 miles in a little over an hour I would have though you were crazy. I feel the best that I have in years. I've lost about 16 lbs, I just feel great.

Also on Sunday Lyndsay and my dad completed the Marine Corps Marathon. Lyndsay ran her race in a little bit over an 4 hours and dad completed his in under his 6 week old PR (personal record) from the Maui Marathon. I'm extremely proud of them. Dad almost didn't run the Marathon he was having knee pain during the weeks leading up to the race. He was going to sign up for the 10k, but a few days prior to the race he read something online that suggested to him that his IT band was bothering him. He bought some IT Band straps and it seemed to help him and he had no problems (or so he says).

When we returned from DC after the race I began doing some research on what marathon I should do. Looking at these races I came across this marathon in Titusville, PA http://fiddy2.org/dwmarathon.html It's run around a track. 1/4 mile at at a time. I Sent dad an email telling him about this thinking he would think this guy is crazy and file it into his head. Next thing I know he decided to run it. 155.5 laps and all. It's going to be a crazy race.

I still don't know what race I'm going to run... but it will be sometime in the next 6 months to a year. I want to do one that will be in a cool place.

Thank you all for your continued support.

Great Run...

I had an unbelievable run today. Let me get that out at the beginning. I ran for about 3 or 4 miles, and it felt good. It was a hard run but it was good. I have been so tired coming home from work recently that I didn't think I could run anymore after work, but I decided to day to bring my running clothes to work and change and then not come home till I ran. So I ran...

Anyway, on the back of my ipod I have inscribed, Run Another Mile! Do it For Elora! Today was the first time that I followed the inscription. I was very tired near the end of my run... But I kept going. I felt something pushing me the last mile. I don't know if was it was Elora pushing me or just her Spirit. One of the songs that I listened to when I was running was Lucy Kaplansky's "Goodnight" This was a song that I listened to a lot after Elora's funeral and while that song came on something told me to take another trail that would lead to a longer run.

Anyway, the lyrics are...
Sleepless nights don't bother me at all
And if dawn comes I won't worry
Something deep inside keeps me awake
I wish that you were here right beside me
I recall when I was very young
And I could not fall sleep
My father sang me songs to make me tired
But memories don't come so easily
So goodnight goodnight
Wherever you are sleeping
And I hope that if you dream you dream of me
Goodnight goodnight
Wherever you are sleeping
And I hope that if you dream you dream of me
Now I lie awake and it's no fun
I'm tossing and turning
I'd call you if it weren't so very late
But telephones won't bring you close to me
I recall the nights we stayed up late
Wide awake but still dreaming
There was nothing on this earth
That could make me tired
But memories don't come so easily
So goodnight goodnight
Wherever you are sleeping
And I hope that if you dream you dream of me
Goodnight goodnight
Wherever you are sleeping
And I hope that if you dream you dream of me
And I hope that if you dream you dream of me

the line where it talks about Memories don't come so easily made me think about how I don't pay attention to the little things in my life that make me realize I love that person. it's the little things that make me love people but I don't pay attention to those things. I take them for granted. While running I thought about how I wish I kept the little things from Elora that she made for me and how I paid attention to the interaction that I had with her. But now I realize the memories won't come so easily. I need to look deep inside of me to look for them. I hope that I am able to do this with all of you that I know. I want to deepen my relationships with people and make them stronger and more memorable.

Anyway, I had a great run, and I hope that you will join me for a run someday.

10 K Here I come...

Now that I gave up on running my marathon for the time being. I have decided to run the marine Corps 10k. Lyndsay would say that I have to run it as the results of a lost bet. But the bet is not over yet. At the beginning of the baseball season we bet that our home team would have a better season than the other. In case of a tie we both have to do what the other said we had to do. If the Pirates were ranked higher than the Brewers she has to go Camping for a week. If the Brewers were ranked higher than the Pirates than I have to run a 10k. We had trading deadline buyouts for either a weekend camping trip or a 5k . Well I almost took the buyout at the trading deadline. But I didn't! With 11 games to go for each team, The Pirates are 4 games out of a tie with the brewers! Anyway I ramble.

So I ran today for about 30 minutes. Wearing two new items that will help me through my runs. The first was a new pair of running shoes that I got up in PA when I was home for Elora's race. I got them at Up and Running which is near Bulter PA on Route 8. If your in the mood for a new pair of running shoes goto Up and Running ahd see them and tell them that Elora's family sent you. The other thing that I bought was an Ipod Nano. On the back is engraved, run another mile! Do it for Elora! It's nice to have some music, if I can't run with somebody at least I can run with Springsteen, Paul Simon, and the Old Crow Medicine Show.

Other than that things here are going well. At least on the running and work side. The Steelers are another thing, if only Hines would have caught that ball in the End Zone!

Oh yeah on Sunday My Dad (Dan), Step-Mom (Leslie), Aunt #1 (Sally), Aunt #2 (Bridget) Completed the Maui Marathon. Ben my little brother completed the 1/2 Marathon. I'm so proud of them, And none of them finished last which amazes me even more. If your interested in seeing their results goto www.mauimarathon.com and search for geier in the results.

Have a great day and look for me on the road!

Elorapalooza...

This past sunday the first Elorapalooza race was held. It was a tremendous experience and i want to thank everybody that came out for it. We had a great time. According to the official race results we had 286 people. Including the mile walk and those that registered and didn't attend we had about 450 entrants. I had a time of 28:18. Good enough for 3rd overall.

I can think of some people that didn't come, but there was only one person that would have enjoyed this the most and didn't make it and that was Elora. This was an event that Elora would have loved and would have worn her medal for days. (especially since it had her picture on it)

I came close to crying a few times throughout the day. The first was at 5:37AM when my father called me to wake me up. The second was prior to the start of the race, we sang the start spangled banner, Dad somehow forced me to start it and I put down the megaphone and watched all 300 people singing at the top of my lungs, and once the race started I was pretty emotional. Then I couldn't get emotional I was running and I needed to focus on that. The other time I almost cried was during the awards ceremony, I was MC'ing it and I had to tell the story of why were doing this and why it was special to us. I looked out and saw Dad and Leslie crying and I told myself I couldn't cry.

Anyway, it was a great day and plan on being there next year.

One year ago...

One year ago this weekend, I got up early left my apartment and caught a flight to Pittsburgh. I was going to Pittsburgh because a month earlier Elora was diagnosed with Leukemia and I wanted to go and see her. So I got into town and Dad told me that they were trying to get a leave pass for her (something very hard to get). They got a four hour leave pass and took her to Schenley park where she was given a picnic in her honor. Lots of family an friends were there and she was given lots of gifts by Aunt Sally. We took a bunch of pictures of the Bald Geiers. (Dad, Ben, Elora, and myself). About half way through the Picnic Elora turned to either dad or Leslie and said "Did you do this for me?" Here she is a little girl who is in the hospital who a month ago could run around at summer camps and is now missing school because of Cancer is amazed that people care enough about her to give her a picnic.

I keep thinking of all of the things that I missed living in North Carolina and not Pittsburgh. Especially while Elora was fighting through this. This is one event I'm happy I didn't miss. While standing next to Elora while she was in the ICU, with all of us knowing that this day would be her last. Dad told me that the picnic was one of her happiest moments. Once again I was happy to be there that day.

So today I took off running I ran about 30 minutes. Knowing that today was the one year anniversery of this picnic I ran harder than I should have. I could not catch my breath, but I made through it. the weather was perfect so it made it a great run. I just need to keep working at so that I'll be good to go next sunday. Don't forget about Elora's race on Sunday September 10th. www.elorashope.com I hope to see you there.