Bye Bye Summer...

....noooooo!

It's no secret I love summer. It's my favorite season. I mean cutoff shorts, sunshine, the beach, the smell of coconut, water and sand! What's not to love? While I say that summer is my favorite this past summer may have to go down as my lamest summer yet. Sure, I had some fun times, did some cool things, went to the beach....but it left me longing for more. More what? So let's just get on with it already....head into Fall, then Winter, then Spring....and that will bring us back to Summer!

Yesterday was the first day of Fall.  Insert sarcastic tone of voice here: Yay. I brought in Fall by going to the local county fair.  Highlights of the fair include:

A ginormous  human floatie:

I ridiculous trampoline contraption:

 And a helicopter ride!

Other than that is was your usual, normal county fair. I didn't eat a fried snickers...too bad. But I did gnaw on a turkey leg and after handing it to LB for a bite I had a weird visual of me and LB as cave people. I thought about how much better shape I'd be in if I had a carnivorous, or slightly omnivourous diet, truly Paleo, and how much simpler life would be as a cave person...then I remembered the Croods....Daaaan dann daaaaaaaaaan!

Saturday I had hoped to check out a brand new State Park that has opened up just minutes from my house but those plans fell through. I did do a drive-by on my way to yoga and the park looks really nice. Hopefully I'll get out there sometime this week to make my way around the .75 of a mile trail a time or two. Or three. With the Army 10 Miler in DC quickly approaching I need to hit the road more than I have been. I also got a message from a friend about the horrible 10 mile trail race I did attempted last November, the one I  DNF'd with a friend after having the flu. I'm not sure if I'm up for a rematch of the 10 mile option but I may go for the 5 miler.  On the other hand I'm just not sure if I care...Ugh.

So what are you most excited about with Fall here? And don't say the Spiced Pumpkin Latte....that is the easy answer.

The Dreaded Workout Weight Gain....

...you know, just like the Marathon Training Weight Gain, or the 70.3 Weight Gain. What's up with that? Seriously! Ok, ok...I know what's up with it, but still, it's punch-me-in-the-face annoying. Unlike when I was in full marathon training mode, in my current weights/yoga/fitness mode I'm not starving to death. I'm not finding myself constantly hungry and fueling for the long runs. I'm eating right with only a little bit of occasional splurging. Yet my scale is inching up....and my pants are inching down! So it's that number on the scale, the one that always creeps in and says "Not good enough!" "That's too high!" 

Well that number ruled my life for far too long. It feels good to look at it and know it's just a number. It doesn't really mean anything if I'm healthy, exercising and eating right (and my clothes are starting to fall off). So why do we put so much pressure on ourselves to keep that number down? Sure, I guess it's a good starting point but really what matters to me is fitness, the way I feel, the way my body feels (ie not squishy). Speaking of squishy, I was looking through a a book I got after I had LB. It is titled The Body Sculpting Bible and explains free-weight exercises and gives a 4 week workout routine (that I did and repeated a number of times). In the back of the book was a sticky note where I had done the math to calculate my BMI. WHOA! Can you say "Yikes!" Since having LB I have lost 26 pounds and about 19% body fat. Holy Moly! Yeah, sure that was 8 years ago but still...thinking back to that time and how I felt about myself was pretty rough. On the other hand I felt good looking at how far I had come and how I had came back, reclaimed myself, my body. And didn't just allow myself to stay there. I'm not done yet though. After all fitness is not a done and done deal, its a lifelong effort...

So a few exciting things happened over the weekend! I have been honing my soccer skills! I'm not good at soccer really, ok to be fair I never tried it, ever. But LB, his dad and I hit the soccer complex to practice some individual skills. I discovered I have some talent after all, or more like I have coordination, therefor I can connect my foot to the ball. Either way it was fun! And a good workout.

No, I didn't play in my bare feet...although that would have been fun. This was on the way to the car...



It is now Fall Soccer Season. This is LB's 5th season with the Stars and he is actually starting to catch on!

I also discovered that I am getting way, WAY stronger. In my Hot Yoga class I was able to do the side planks with less wobble! I even did the side plank with my top leg lifted and out in front and grabbed it! WHAT? Yeah, like below...that obviously is not me BTW.

My new membership at the NEW, close-by YMCA is working out great! My side of town has been lacking in any and all things convenient for the past 10 years (I haven't lived her the entire time but it didn't change much while I was out in the PNW). Recently things have begun to change! We now have a Starbucks! Hallelujah! A frozen yogurt store will be opening soon! A Pet Smart opened! A Japanese Sushi and Steakhouse will be opening soon! And the most amazing new thing is the YMCA! I joined as soon as I could and I have been going about 3-4 times a week! It is so nice to be able to hit up the gym without going 20-30 minutes out of my way! Convenience is worth 57 Million dollars. For real.

So with summer coming to a close my depression is in full swing. The summer was plagued with loads and inches and inches of rain. It wasn't the best summer weather-wise. But the beautiful fall weather has hit and I am embracing the change of the season. I'm ready.....I think.

FWOS...

First Week Of School.

Ugh and Yippee at the same time! I'm so confused! I remember hating and loving the return of school as a kid. Summer is amazing and fun and sunny and warm and awesome. School is...well, school. As a parent my feelings have not changed. As a parent who likes to run and exercise I LOVE back to school! It frees up morning time to get my sweat on. With the bus coming at 6:51 AM though I have no choice but to get up and get around. This gives me time to work out before heading to work 4 days out of the week! But then there is the whole getting up in time to get LB to the bus by 6:51, which is stupid early I think.

The first week of school is always kind of a mess. Schedules are wonky and things are weird. But I plan to hit the new YMCA close to my house at least 3 or 4 days out of the school week. I'm ready to get into a routine but I am not ready to give up summer! I mean how can you not love this:

Flying LB!

Ah yes...the benefit of having a swimmer for a kid...I get to kick back and enjoy the show.

I think this weekend I will have one last beach trip for the summer. This makes me really sad but alas, it is coming time for fall, which isn't so bad either. 

Slickity Slacker....

Yup. That's me. A huge working out slacking slack ball....

Actually, truth be told, I'm kinda ok with my slackiness lately. I've been eating healthy (minus Wednesday when I ate my weight in chocolate, I have NO idea what was up with that, but it was delicious and I am NOT sorry) and staying active, just not my normal 5 Mile Style active of running and biking and swimming and yoga and kettle bells and jumping rope. I've been doing more sporadic runs, spontaneous yoga, random swims, and lots of trampoline jumping and acrobatics, lots of tug of war with doggies, races around the yard with LB, walks in the neighborhood, and kayaking. This kind of active is nice. It's not traditional workouts but it is exercise and my body is responding quite well to it. For so long I kept my body in a state of starvation mode, I think, where every thing I ate was stored to be kept as energy later on. So I remained on a plateau about 10 pounds heavier than I am now. And for me it's not about weight anyway though. It's more about health and living an active lifestyle, which is what I feel I am doing. And when you do that the benefits follow....

I have found myself missing my long runs lately though. The farthest I've ran in months is 5 miles. The heat and humidity pretty much murder you as soon as you walk out the door. It's hard to breath and it feels like your lungs are filling up with cotton. It's gross and horrible and awful....Any outside activity that does not involve water sounds pretty much like the stupidest idea in the world to me right now. But, back to missing the long runs....I have been missing them. I'm ready to build my endurance and base back up and get out for some long runs in the fall.

I've decided to finally join the YMCA now that they have opened a branch near my house. I'm excited to get back into a routine of going to the gym but I also want to make sure I keep it mixed up and don't find myself back on that stupid plateau where y body adjusts to the same ole, same ole. I want to keep my balance of running, lifting, exercise and just being active and healthy. I don't want my life to be ruled by training plans and routines. I lived that way for a long time and it served it's purpose at the time. Now I prefer spontaneity when it comes to working out....

Kayaking and swimming....

Swimming and Diving Board Fun.....

Running around with these two beasts.....

BEACH!!!!

So my philosophy this summer has been simple: Get outside and play. Who wants to sit around the house when there is so much fun to be had??? Even if it is hot and humid..... Here are some ideas of fun things to do if you are in need of ideas:

Play in the sprinkler...with friends preferably. 

Jump on the trampoline....

Play Lazer Tag with 10 eight year old boys....or maybe not, that was kinda tough.....

Shoot a bow and arrow and hunt rabbits that get in your garden.....

Get out and enjoy what is left of summer...soon it will be cold and dark and gross....

What have you been doing to stay active? Give me some more ideas for these Dog Days of Summer!

Bootie Shorts Only!

I crawled WAY out of my comfort zone this weekend and attended a Bootie Shorts yoga class at my beloved Hot Asana....Months ago I bought a pair of teeny tiny bootie shorts but I had never even worn them around the house.

The class description read "This is the day to face our body image fears. We are perfect...right now. RIGHT NOW! A special class dedicated to being fearless..bootie shorts only and self criticism NOT ALLOWED!"

So this was an excellent opportunity for me to face my fear, embrace my body, and accept myself RIGHT NOW. Walking from the car into the studio was hard....I might as well have been wearing a swimsuit walking down the street. But once I got inside my self-criticism melted away as I saw bodies of all shapes and sizes! And smiles...all around! And women who are loving themselves, embracing themselves, and being awesome!

So I placed my mat next to my friend who graciously came along....and for the next 90 min I sweat, bended, and twisted....in bootie shorts! And not once did I feel embarrassed!

The phrase that I took away with me from this class that has been running through my mind since: Let go of that which no longer serves you.

I am letting go. Letting go of everything that has held me down, brought me down, inhibited me...Letting go feels SO good!

I can neither confirm nor deny that this is my bootie.....

What has been holding you back? Keeping you stuck? Keeping you angry, sad, or scared? What has kept you feeling not good enough, not fast enough, not strong enough? What can you let go of today?

Back to Reality...

Kinda. The cold hard truth stinks sometimes. All good things must come to an end...Vacation is over, and has been since Sunday. Sad, sad....sad.  I've been completely swamped and overwhelmed since Sunday and this is my first chance to sit down and take a breather.

LB and I had a great time at the beach. We had planned on going for morning runs and evening walks along the beach. We did get at least one of either each day, except for Sunday. The first day LB was not very in to it and about 3 minutes in began complaining of being hot, tired, out of shape, dehydrated, dying....But eventually he got it together (when we got passed by a mom and her little girl about the same age) and ran about 2 miles. That was our max during our time there.

We had lots of fun swimming and playing volleyball with the biggest volleyball in the world....

We watched fireworks and were thoroughly impressed by the Smiley Face....

 We dug holes and built castles...

And of course we took lots of Selfies...I'll spare you most of them...

And just when things are falling into a nice steady summer routine things get flipped upside down. Plans for races and long runs, yoga and kayaking are put on hold for now. In the words of my ex-husband, "Sometimes it takes a near death experience to show you what is important in life." LB and I headed home early on Sunday after getting a phone call that LB's dad had been in a very bad motorcycle wreck. We packed up our beach stuff, still slathered with sunscreen and covered in sand we made the 2 hour drive to the hospital.  I had no idea what to expect when I got there but it's never a good sign when you walk in and are greeted with no questions and taken straight back to The Room. It's no secret I can't stomach seeing people hurt, in pain, or bloody. I really wasn't prepared for what I saw and I know LB was not either. After a few passing out spells, some ice water, and some serious mental fortitude I was able to be more assistance than a hinderance. 

In the end he is ok. Not good, not fine, but alive and miraculously has no head, brain, neck, or spine injuries. His recovery will be a long process.  Despite being the ex husband, he is still family, still LB's dad, and I cannot help but help him. So I've been quite busy this past week and have just now finally been able to sit down and let it all soak in. Here is what I have been reminded of: 

Life is short and tomorrow is not guaranteed. 

And motorcycles are stupid. 

I know, duh.....

3rd of July~

Is it July already? Where is this summer going? I've hardly gotten a tan, it's been raining everyday...I've got PNW weather without the perks and benefits of living in the PNW. Ugh. And all this rain is killing my garden. My watermelon is holding on, growing a tiny bit. I've not been able to hit the pool much either due to the weather. Although I did make it out Saturday for a short 1200m swim. I had time to run Monday morning but with "deadly cloud to ground lightening" I rolled over and went back to sleep until 9. This morning I opted to pack my car up so I could head out from work, straight to the beach. I feel ill-prepared for the upcoming July 20th triathlon (that I have yet to register for) but I feel compelled to register and do it...I might get last place.

I am excited about this being a short week. The 4th of July has always been my favorite holiday!

LB and I are heading to the beach for the long weekend. I'm pretty excited and he has promised to go for morning runs and evening walks on the beach with me, if we get around to it. A friend asked me what we were going to do...Um, hang out and do nothing. That's what the beach is about. It's about sitting back and letting go. There is nothing to be done; no To Do list, no appointments, no schedule...it's beach time. 

What are you up to for the 4th of July? Any family traditions or favorite things to do? 

This is important....

 I am growing a watermelon!

Isn't it cute? 

My garden has turned out to be a really fun endeavor this summer. Something about planting things and watching it grow and produce, and not killing them, makes me happy. I've come a long, long way since I killed two gold fish (Jimmy and Justin after Jimmy Buffett and Justin Timberlake) when I was 6 months pregnant with LB. I thought for sure my kid would not survive. And the garden I attempted two years ago that never even sprouted. But fast-forward to today and I have kept Lazy Dog alive for almost 10 years, my son is healthy and going strong for almost 8 years now....and now my garden! I have a watermelon people! And you've already seen the size of my zucchini! And I've had three more that same ginormous size!

During my night out with the girls last Friday a conversation came up comparing dating and men to gardens. I liked the analogy, but I wont run with it here...AH HA! Pun intended... That's for another time, or another blog entirely. This is a running and fitness blog after all.

So my training is going ok. I've been loosely following my 15k training plan. Thanks to J-Ninja, or I may rename her Captain Obvious for pointing out that the DC Army 10 Miler is going to be so crowded that any goal of a decent finish time is out of the question. She's right. So I've been hunting for another 15k and may have found one in September.

I'm having trouble with commitment lately. Yes, I've brought this up in therapy....I have found so many races that I think look great and I want to do but I just don't commit to them.  I used to call this last minute registration 5 Mile Style. But the difference now is that then I fully intended to run those races. I just didn't register early...now I have no intentions of running these races, or if I do it's only a 10% chance. I don't mark them on my calendar. I ogle over them then close the webpage never to return.

So my goal for the next couple of weeks is to commit. Fully commit. Find races and register...with the intention of toeing the line.