Retirement

 I'm going to get sappy so bear with me.  First of all, I got three runs in last week and only one weight session.  I am still struggling with balancing both and also having time to do the things I need to do for my family.  If you have any tips of how to balance working out and running, I'm all ears because I've failed most times in the past when I've tried to do both.  I don't want to lose my gains (yes, I said gains) because I love the way I feel and look, even if I still need to lose about 25 lbs.  

Okay to the post at hand.  We had our last race weekend in quarter midgets.  I knew I would feel all of the emotions throughout the day and boy did I EVER. The biggest feeling though was relief.  Relief to be done with the drama, done with the bull shit.  Yes, there were tears but man, a big sigh of relief was the main thing.  And in many ways that makes me very sad.  This year has been a very trying one and I just wanted it to be good.  Don't get me wrong, there was lots of great memories, but the drama was off the charts.  So many people quit and walked away and that breaks my heart and makes me so sad.  This is a freaking kid's club and adults act so horribly.  You know that meme from the movie Shawshank Redemption where he say's "I'm tired boss"? Well, that is exactly where I am at.  I know you can't change grown ass adults and you can't control them or make them act better.   You can only hope, and I'm going to be completely honest, my hope is completely gone.  Every time we seem to get rid of problems and get better as a club, a new problem just shows right up and takes up the fight.  For that reason, I am done.  I love our club and hope for the best, but I am done.  If people can't see that this is for the kids and ONLY the kids, then I didn't accomplish anything in my last 7 years of work and I will walk away with my tail between my legs.  

So, instead of crying for my kid being done with an amazing time in his cars and crying for all the great memories and the accomplishments we made, I was just happy to be done and gone and that is just plain sad.  I wish the new board all the luck and success in the world.  I am always a phone call away, but I deleted the telegram channel, took myself off of the Facebook page, and blocked some numbers immediately that night when I got home.  Yes, it's that bad.  

Andrew's retirement ceremony was perfect.  Jessica C went above and beyond to make sure that all drivers that showed up (only one did) had a special time on their last laps.  The drivers signed his final checkered flag first.  Then he was presented with his very own sports card.  

He got to answer some questions, and Rachel read his answers on the intercom along with his final song, Going the Distance by Cake.  We couldn't really hear anything because the speaker on that side of the track hasn't been working AND he drove his animal car with the loudest engine, but it was still awesome to watch.

These ladies have been there the whole time, and I can't thank them enough for being there that day.  We've made some memories both good and bad and I will forever be in their lives even if they don't want me to LOL! The stories we could tell!

It wasn't our day for racing for the 100 lapper as we were one step off of the podium due to a last-minute adjustment that we thought would help and it in the end hurt.  We had out of town guests that joined us and there was an epic battle for the lead that was fun to watch.  Andrew raced his butt off with what we gave him so that is all that matters.  We did race the pumpkin race the day before with all three cars and brought home a 2nd place in heavy Honda, a third place in animal, and a 4th place in heavy 160.  The trophies were amazing and huge kudos go out to Ben Belshe for designing them and getting the in for the race.

The kids all LOVED the trophies and the swag so huge props to our publicity director Ben.  We had two podiums, a second in heavy honda and a third in animal with a fourth in heavy 160.  Our buddy from MN got a first in heavy 160 but dash got him in animal.  

As we close out this chapter in our lives, I'm doing a thank you a day to all of the families that made our journey fun and special on Andrew's racing page The Ginger Racer.  It's been super fun to go back over 7 seasons of pictures and memories.  There have been so many great times and I wish we could have more but it's time.  It won't be safe next year to stuff him in the car anymore AND I think unfortunately next year is going to be tough with lots of track drama going on.  I wish the best for the track families left as there are a ton of really good ones left.  Good bye quarter midgets!  It's been fun!