When will it stop??

The COLD that is!!

I am so beyond ready for spring it isn't even funny. We have had some beautiful days, teasers is more accurate, that have only strengthened my loathing of the cold.  Warm weather brings with it a desire to get out and do stuff...not stay holed up inside.

On my birthday I decided that I wasn't going to be old. I was feeling old but like the old man at the store told me, age is just a number, the only thing that matters is how you feel. So I realized that I am feeling old because I am not doing things to keep myself active.  So I have been making an effort to be more active.

I've jumped on the trampoline until I couldn't stand it, literally, I couldn't stand and almost catapulted off onto my face. I've also nearly double bounced LB into an alternate universe (or so he accuses me). I've done some treadmill runs. I've busted out my kettle bell work out DVD's. I even dared to pull out my swimsuits and put them back in the top drawer of my chest...just where they stay all summer long. I've even got some new running shoes to try to nudge me into action a bit. It's working. I think.

I have caught myself spacing out, thinking about being on a long run...I am so excited for the next few months. Things are going to change and for once I am embracing the change. I am ready for it!

And because no post is truly complete without some pictures here is one from an elusive sunny day when Ace and I went out for a short and slow 3 miles.

Ace is getting HUGE!

And because what girl doesn't want to show off beautiful flowers for her birthday?

Roses, the color of my birthstone! 

Another year...

OLDER.

For the first time in 35 years I feel my age. An older man told me this morning that age is just a number. I know. And today my number feels big, heavy, hard, old, creaky, achy, and just plain lame. I've had stellar birthdays, don't get me wrong, this one isn't awful. But it's not the best one yet. In 2010 I ran my first sub 2:00 half marathon on my birthday, last year I rolled out of bed to run a half all by myself. This year? Nope. No races on the calendar for this big 3-5. As a matter of fact Ive got nothing on the calendar except work. Maybe that is why I feel old.

Do you ever feel ambition, excitement, and motivation just lingering there. Under the surface. Just enough to make sure you know its there, but not enough to kick you in the bootie and make you actually get up and do something about it? No? That's just me? Well I know it's there...kinda like the spring weather. It creeps up but not in full force. I know I am just millimeters away from glory days. From excitement! From accomplishment! From miles and miles and races and medals! But then it subsides, seemingly melting away deep down, disappearing again.

Maybe with this being 3-5 and all I will get motivated to find my Muchness again.

I have a list of things to do before I turn 36. Somehow I had a vision of where I wanted to be by the time I was 35. I had a perfect little picture of what a 35 year old woman should be.... I have felt, with the things that aren't picture perfect, that are somewhat out of my control, I at least need to take charge of the things that are within my control. Like my physical fitness. And here is where my biggest frustration lies.  My resting heart rate is above 60! GASP! How did that happen? How did I let that happen? I know how it happened...life happened. Single, full-time working mom happened. I've been balancing and juggling for the past two years and I think I am almost getting it under control.  Almost.

So here's to another year older....I think I'll go and make 35 great!

And so it begins.....

PLEASE let it really be beginning and not just Mother Nature psyching us out! This past weekend Spring Sprung and the sun was shining!

I played outside ALL day on Saturday. The sun was shining and I had my bare feet in the grass and dirt. In other words I was EARTHING. It is no secret or surprise that the earth has electrical charges so when you put your bare feet to the earth you connect to the earth, allowing energy to pass from you to the earth and vice versa. Yeah, sure its a bit hokey but you know what? It works for me! So when spring rolls around and you come to my house you won't find me in shoes...ever. Ok maybe when I mow the lawn, maybe. I just feel better barefoot. I haven't gotten in to the whole barefoot running thing, that is different. I won't go there. I don't think.

Anyway. With the temps rising and the sun shining I have come out of my cave....my treadmill got some use this winter and I am grateful for it but I am ready to give her a rest. This morning LB and I missed the school bus. He was tired from staying up past his bed time and I was tired from exerting myself in Hot Yoga for the first time in a loooooong time. So we overslept. Once I dropped him off I laced up, leashed up the pup, and hit the neighbor(ing)hood. Ace did great for his first run! We went 3.5 miles and had a few stepped on paws, knees to the ribs, squirrel sitings, dog barkings, and all around mishaps. But overall he is going to be an excellent running buddy.

On the run I couldn't help but think about my spring running goals and plans. This weekend happens to be the  ShamRock 5k. LB has Saturday school to make up for snow days so it's almost perfect to put him on the bus and head to the race. I'm even thinking of brining Ace along for his first race experience. I'm not sure if he's quite ready for that though. It can be exciting for a such a little guy!
There is the Mike to Mike half marathon coming up in May and I think I'll do it. I've been pseudo training for a few weeks now but it's time to buckle down and get after it. I'm sure there will be a few others pop up and I am ready to get back to where I was when I could race 5 Mile Style...ready for any race, any distance, at any moment....so I hereby declare Operation 5 Mile Style underway. Who's with me??

I'm hoping I can ride this sun-filled enthusiasm for a while, like for the rest of life....

Hard to believe only a couple of short weeks ago we were doing this!

And then this weekend I got my garden planted!

And this morning went for a nice, sunny run!

So how about you? Are you ready for spring and summer????  What races do you have on your calendar that you are excited about? Are you ready, at a moments notice, to run any race you want? Are you up for the challenge?