Staycation

This is completely foreign to me, but I think I am going to like it! With plenty of coverage at work through the holidays I have decided to take the entire week off and be home with the kids. My work rarely gets in the way of time at home because I work early mornings, but I miss out in things like staying up late to watch movies, sleeping in and making breakfast. We started last night with finding my favorite movie off the nineties The Power of One available to stream on amazon. Slept in until 7 this am, met a friend from Boston to run and catch up at 8, came home made breakfast, drank too much coffee, Lo and I are in sweats truly lounging with no plans to leave the house today! I think I love this!

Apparently broken bones take more than a week to heal. Post have to remain short because the use of my left hand is limited. Although this makes for a good excuse to not put away Christmas decorations until later this week!

 

 

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Broken bones and Happy Heart

I have a Christmas post I'd like to share, however due to a broken bone and swelling in my hand typing is limited right now, so I will get to it in a couple of days (crashed on my bike 12/24 about a mile from my house after the most fabulous 24 mile December ride, bummer).

A little unknown fact: I love puzzles. One of my favorite ways to relax with my kids.

 

 

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Gospel

My friends at SET Coaching shared this link.  This gal explains endurance athletes to a T.  The biggest benefit to mine and Ricks relationship has been understanding this about each other.  This article sums us up.   I was married to an athlete before, but not an endurance athlete, and there is a different mindset.  Before meeting Rick I dated plenty of "normal" guys, and tried to wrap my head around dating someone even if they didn't understand why I enjoy riding, running or swimming for hours and despised "rest" days.  Who knows if it would've worked, but I am really glad I met Rick!
http://javej.wordpress.com/2013/12/22/how-to-date-a-triathletemarathon-runnerendurance-junkie/

Merry Christmas

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas! Counting our blessings today!

 

 

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'Twas the night...

Before Christmas, and this mama is excited! Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight!

 

 

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Never Disappoints

We're home from a very fun (in a weird active way relaxing) vacation in Bend. This place is just fabulous! I got a few new recommendations from friends for food and drinks, so my favorites list has just expanded.

I have to say it was wonderful, but it wasn't hard to come home because tomorrow my kids are back home! This has truly been the easiest week yet. I'm also doing something I have never done, and that's taking the entire week after Christmas off to stay home. No plans just sleep until we want, make a big breakfast every morning, watch movies, sounds amazing to me. Kind of my Christmas gift to myself!

Here's a few iPhone photos of the trip, lots of eating, drinking (remember I actually am not a beer drinker unless I'm in Bend), and running everyday!

The food here was AMAZING, and had such a great vibe! Jackson's on the Corner

 

 

Ok this place was just fun. The Lot, there's four food trucks set up around a heated and semi enclosed beer garden!

Clearly we stayed a while....it got dark

10 Barrel, always a favorite

And our last morning of running the gorgeous Deschutes River Trail

 

 

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Vacation for the Mind & Body

I took the advice from a friend three years ago, when that time of year rolls around again and my kids have to go to their dads for a week to either work a ton or get away. You don't have to tell me twice. This year hasn't been as bad, I was able to see the kids after school Wednesday and Thursday then Thursday night Rick and I took off to Bend for a little vacation. The key to getting away without my kids (who I love to travel with) is to go somewhere that's an adult playground. Where I can ride, run or ski for hours each day. Something that I normally wouldn't be able to do while they are with me.

We are having a blast. Bend is one of our favorite places to come together. I think in our 2 1/2 years together this is our 6th trip down here. It never disappoints. Endless trail running, mountain biking, road riding/running, skiing, kayaking then you add the fabulous coffee shops and brewery's....what's not to like. Snippets from yesterday and today.

Off of Phil's trail yesterday

 

Right in the middle of this trail system is a roundabout for Mtn bikers, called the flaming chicken. It's really pretty cool (and yes I am running in my ski clothes, because we were at bachelor then pulled over to this trailhead to run this trail)

Our friend use to teach computer science at this Catholic school before it was restored and converted in a brewery/hotel.

 

Found a new really cool coffee shop (I do love synesso espresso machines)

This is one of my absolute favorite trails right outside my friends house, I get super excited to run this!

 

 

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The Cookie(s) Got Me

They do every year. See that plain star in the icing, yep I just went for it!

I know I like, but not sure if I love them. I just have NO will power when it comes to iced goodies, things dipped in chocolate with holiday sprinkles,or.....you get the idea!

Typically this time of year I'm skate skiing like a mad woman, so other than feeling like I've overdosed on sugar it all works out. Three weeks into December we still have no snow so I am having to make myself do extra on the workouts (because of course I am not going to put down the cookie). My normal diet consists of coffee, water, veggies, fruit, grains and a little fish. I do not do artificial sweeteners (diet drinks/foods) and refuse to buy the sweats and junk I enjoy. Eating this way I feel energized and great, however with my recent sugar overload I'm a bit more sluggish! It's a compromise, if I am going to throw caution to the wind and indulge in all the holiday goodness, every run I will add two more miles, every swim an extra 400 yards. My normal Monday work out is rather nice, it's usually a five mile run and a 1400 yard swim, adding the extra is hard, but I personally find the indulgence at this time of year, totally worth it!

Keep on running!

 

 

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Year Three

Ugh, here we go again. Meaning we've hit that time of year where the kids head to their Dads for a week. I'd be lying if I said it was ok, it's not, I dread it. It's the holiday and I want my kids all to myself. I've had the sick feeling in my stomach all day, and when my daughter asked for extra snuggles last night because she wouldn't be home for a week, it's all I could do to not start crying.

I really try to be ok with it, to put it in perspective. This is the only time the entire year they are gone for a week, yet it still doesn't do much for making the situation ok.

The only thing I can do is figure out the best way to handle the week. I have gotten better at letting go of "my" expectations of how I want their Dad to spend it with them. I used to hope (perhaps out loud to him) he'd take time off and embrace his time with them. See it as a rare opportunity and maximize it. Now I really don't care what he does, I just want the week to go fast!

I try to look at it as an opportunity to do something, my time to visit a friend, go away with Rick, ski everyday.....It typically involves a lot of running, biking or skiing, to the point of exhaustion, so I can sleep but it works.

I know this time will come and go before I know it, but that too is bittersweet. Wishing the holiday time away. Again, UGHHH!

I will say as my kids get older, and through all their electronic devices being in constant communication with each other makes it easier. Ok, here we go!

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Weekend

No snow yet, so still biking and running. It's a little bittersweet. I am ready to ski (we did trek up for the Stevens Pass Nordic center, but conditions were less than good, and spendy for what they offered). Trails are still opened around here for running, and the conditions are amazing, so that's quite a pleasant surprise, plus Rick has started running again! As for cycling. My threshold cold tolerance on the bike is about 32 degrees, it warmed up this week and I went back out. It's nice to keep that conditioning going, but I'm a bit bored of it right now, and I really don't like getting cold coming down, but still beats working out inside! Once a week of weights is about all I can stand. Excercise for me needs to be fun, and for me that is certainly not inside on a machine!

A few photo's from the weekend!

Fridays SaddleRock and beyond trail run. I haven't done this in a while so it was kind of nice, getting to the saddle (1mile) the trail was perfect, hard and frozen, the mile from there west was less traveled but, still a clear trail of packed snow, the next mile before the last hill and down to the "no tresspassin Hurds" sign was almost non existent, took a decent face plant while watching a hawk in this stretch!

Rick and I rode the monitor loop Saturday, I don't stop to take pictures when it's this cold because my hands take so long to get warm on the bike, but coming back in this was on the riverfront trail and it was so pretty.

Before the ride: this is how my Saturdays mornings have been spent the last few months. Lo and I going to work, Rick meeting up down there getting breakfast and he and Lo looking through the house finders. It's love!

 

Woke my son up for a sunrise run this am. I cherish my alone time with this kid so much. Can't say he was thrilled to go, but once we got going I think he actually enjoyed it. We were on a trail he hadn't been on and encounter at least 50 deer throughout the run, as the sun was coming up. A pretty great way to start the day!

 

 

Now on to National Lampoons Christmas, and more cookie baking!

 

 

 

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Friendship

I love them. Simple as that. Blessed beyond words to have such wonderful woman in my life!

Celebrated our annual BFF Christmas party last night, and as always just an amazing evening spent with wonderful people.

 

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My Furry Friend

Last week was chaotic to say the least. I don't even know how many days I ended up coming back to work because employees were dropping like flies, but I do know I was there 6 days in a row. Owning a business there are days and weeks like this, and it's just part of the game.

The reward, I totally appreciated my Monday. I was off work at 9, took the kids to school, came home and was freezing (12 degrees outside and not much better inside my house). Any case I decided I'd ride on the trainer to get warm then go swim, but after I rode I was warm, and the sun was out (my weakness), it had warmed up to 16 so I bundled up and took Kaiser on my new favorite trail. I discovered it a few weeks ago when he was not doing so well. We run on the streets for 2 miles and then come to a wonderful new trail, with amazing views the entire run. He was happy, I was happy, and we got 8 miles of running outside in! It was a really good day!

Some fun photos of my happy guy

 

 

After my Friday night run, I knew I needed a bit of a heavier, grippier trail shoe (I typically trail run in Brooks Cascadia, and love them). These are heavier but have better traction and more water resistant. Two thumbs up for these. The only downside (which is really just a problem for me), I have a very narrow foot and these were a bit wide...for me.

 

The only bad thing about working up a sweat in 16 degree weather is I spend the rest of my day looking like this (inside or outside, minus the sunglasses). My puffy, scarf and beanie stay on in the house, because I can't get warm!

 

 

 

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No Plans

Do you ever hit that place in life where you don't make plans for the next step, but rather enjoy the very moment you are in? Maybe this is normal for most, but I have spent majority of my life planning for the next step. When I was married I was always looking to improve our life, what's the next house next car, next dog, next phase we will enter. Planning and being prepared. So imagine spending your life this way and then one day everything you planned changes, with no chance to prepare for it. It makes you stop, trust in something bigger.

I've been thinking a lot about this lately, not sure when it actually happened but I've realized how content, as well as happy I am in my life. I've been dating Rick for almost 2 1/2 years, so naturally I get asked a lot if we are living together. No, one day we will, but I see nothing wrong and in fact enjoy just the way my life is right now. I am very secure in my relationship, I also love having my own home. Of course we've talked and eventually I will either move into his house or we will sell both of our houses and find the perfect one for us, but it doesn't have to be now. I don't need to know when we will do this either, because I am happy in the now. I've realized there are things that contribute to this, being in a loving relationship, having the opportunity to be the one raising my kids, and being financially secure.

I get a glimpse here or there of what our future will be like, my kids are older and more independent now so Rick and I have a lot of time together. This weekend they were on their visit to their dads, we got to enjoy dinner at a friends, and heading up to ski on Sunday.....I am very glad I am 9 years younger than Rick, not sure I'd be able to keep up with him if I were his age. I won't go into the Friday night trail run, but he is an amazing athlete, and I am usually left sucking air just to keep him in sight!

Having amazing friends also contributes to such calm and happiness!

 

 

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The Power of a Power Nap

On busy days at work, I go non stop for hours. No food, drink or restroom break, just slinging coffees and visiting. I LOVE this pace, and my time flies. However when I get off I have a few hours before getting my daughter. This is my workout window, the problem is the minute I stop the fast pace I crash. The remedy: I come home have a quick snack, sit down and set my alarm for 15 minutes later, and I close my eyes. I know when it goes off I need to get my running or cycling clothes on and go. I'm often groggy when I wake from the power snooze but within 10 minutes I am feeling refreshed and ready to go! Try it, it works!

 

Wanted to take some photos from my ride today but at 29 degrees I wasn't going to chance stopping and getting cold, but it was gorgeous and I definitely was in my happy place riding today!

Instead this is my chapped (but happy) face

 

This shirt makes riding in anything less than 30 possible. I also skate ski in it when it's between 4-24 degrees (below 4, I can't get my hands warm, so I don't go). It's the craft pro warm, an awesome base layer to own.

Happy Napping!

 

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Day 28,29 and 30

I'm late at posting all this but knew each day what  I was going to post, late nights just kept me from typing in bed!

Thursday the 28, grateful for new Thanksgiving traditions. This was my third Thanksgiving with Ricks family, I love it and look forward to it each year. In the years past with my Ex we would divide time between both families that day, leaving me stuffed and exhausted. I really like taking time and being present with people. Nothing bothers me as much as always having to rush off to be elsewhere (I have enough of that in my day to day). Rick's family is so large they all make a point to get together for Thanksgiving, so Christmas can be spent with each individual family at home. I love this! Most of us arrived Wednesday night, and all stayed until Friday. I feel very blessed to be a part of this!

This was the view on Friday from Pat's deck.

Friday the 29th, grateful my kids were home and we were together again. Simple as that.

Saturday 30th, my dog has not been doing well, his arthritis has been flairing up so much at times he can't move. For the last three weeks he's been resting, taking anti inflamitories and pain meds. Yesterday I put my running stuff on, he was looking perky and giving me the "look" (dog owners know the look) that he would be heart broken if I didn't take him. The ironic thing is, it was the last day to run Sage Hills before it's closed for the season, mine and his favorite place to run. So I thought what the hec, I will load him in the car (which because he can't jump is now the back seat), and if he can't go I will put him back in the car and run solo. This dog got out of the car and never stopped, he was so excited. It was such a great last run of the year at Sage for both of us, I was so grateful he was well enough to go!

Him in the car smiling (which yes he does do when he's excited)

And up near the top of lightning in the frost and fog

My 30 days of gratitude comes to an end. I have to say, while I posted one thing a day, everyday I was in awe of how much each day I had to be thankful for, at times it was hard to pick just one to blog. This is a good life, with great people and places in it!

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