Workouts 3/25-3/31

Monday 25th- 4.25 mile run, 2000y swim
Tuesday 26th- DAY OFF....this was actually hard, but my body needed it
Wednesday 27th- 1200y swim, bike skyline-no 2 to the end, down to gun club, 2 intervals to the horses, then back to GC   and home 20ish miles
Thursday 28th- run 6.5 miles
Friday 29th- 42 mile TT bike, Mission Creek and home, swim 1800yards
Saturday 30th- run 8.5 miles SLOW, and felt good
Sunday 31st- 62.5 mile bike. Leavenworth, 3.5 hours, felt wonderful, gorgeous out with little wind

Warm Temps and Sun

I am going into a 4 day stretch without the kids. We split Spring Break, from here I do another sigh of relief until he has one week at Christmas, otherwise its no more than a day away from them.  I have to say  I have approached this break quite well.  The difference may very well be the weather.  I am so excited to spend some serious time out in it!    Woke up this morning went on an amazing run, got my house in tip top shape, worked on bills (this is a good spot to add one of the things I love most about my boyfriend, the mutual respect for each others needs, he rode for hours today, and I did my thing, we love being together, but very much respect each others needs and wants to do on our own thing to), finished the night walking with friends to the local wine bar.
Tomorrow will be my first Easter ever, without the kids.  I'm doing ok with it, we don't alternate this holiday, if it falls on your weekend BINGO, the last two years it's been me, so this is fair. I'm not a fan of the hoopla, although when my kids were little I loved the egg hunts, but they are older now, and its become much more of a "what did I get", to me this is a religious holiday.  Tomorrow I will  attend mass, enjoy a brunch with family then a long ride with my man.  I am quite content and happy with all of this.

Fielding Hills tasting tonight. 

Perks of the 'Hood

Are nights like this....walking to McGlinns!   Rick calls my neighborhood  "transitional", he might be right.  I love it though.  It was a beautiful evening to grab the camera and walk to dinner.  The lighting was perfect!

We're skipping...always takes me a bit to remember how to!

Getting Ready

This Tuesday my boy will take his driver skills test, and hopefully  the following Wednesday get his license!  Its all rather bittersweet.  There's something to be said for the time we've spent in the car together, and those random funny conversations that happen. I will miss that, but as a single mom,  it's exhausting shuttling two kids all over, all the time, along with running a business.  Tonight my son's at a track meet in Yakima, I'm really hoping a friend can give him a ride home, otherwise I'll be waking Lo and getting in the car at 11pm to get him.  I see the car as a good leveraging tool.  It was bought and paid for entirely by me, it's my car and can be taken away, seems fair enough!
This weekend Rick gave "us" the run down on some basic mechanics.  I keep a set of jumper cables in my car, and ironically have used them 3 times in the last 6 months, each time carefully reading the instructions, so Rick did a little explaining!

 I also attended my very last elementary school choir concert.  Lo has loved being in it since third grade, this last one was the best yet.  The only problem I've had with this choir is they've sung the same songs the last 3 years, it was a bit of a celebration to know we will be moving onto middle school choir.
Also HUGE thanks to my Mom and Dad your support of Lo means the world to us.  These aren't the most entertaining thirty minutes, but they mean a lot to her that you were there!  Her dad may have "forgotten" again, to show up, but because she had myself, her brother, cousins and grandparents there, she was in her element!! 

Family, Friends, Love

How happy I am to have all of this?!  Very!  We spent the weekend having dinners and hanging out with dear friends and the kids.  This is where I am supposed to be in my life,  I know it.  I feel  happy and settled.  I am not, and never have been one that cares to "go out" on the weekends.  I much prefer a casual dinner with friends, with our kids around.  Thank God I've met a man that appreciates the same.  Neither of us drink much, a nice glass of wine here or there, but it's not part of our daily life.  Another welcome change.
It's funny how life evolves, my ex was always "looking" for something else, I was always on edge not knowing what it was.  I look back and can realize how much stress that chaos caused.   Time flew way to fast, and the days weren't as fulfilled as I wanted them to be.  It's funny to think my life is a slower pace now, yet my kids are busier than ever, but it is.  I get to focus on the moment, be present with them, be present with my friends, and take it all in with a greater appreciation.
I don't feel any sense of rush, or need to accomplish the "next step".  I get asked often what's mine and Rick's plan.  We've talked about it, we know where we are going in the next few years.  We are very happy, very much in love and enjoying what we have.  At the same time my priority is my children, and providing a stable home for them .  A place where they want to be, where they are comfortable and know its theirs,  a home.  My son is almost 16 and has endured enough change in the last six years, his Dad moving out, moving back and moving out again.  He deserves some stability, to enjoy a few years without anymore changes.  He will have plenty of those when he's on his own.
I have my kids, and a man I love, but I know now to that doesn't have to be it.  I have room in my heart and time in my days to have friends I love and care about too.  They enrich my life like I never dreamed.  The balance I appreciate now is being able to share them with Rick.  For him to get to experience this with me, feels like life is finally coming full circle.  Just reflecting on a great weekend, and being thankful for all the great people we have in our lives.  I believe because of the past I am able to slow down and appreciate it all now!
Cheers to the inner peace!

Workouts 3/18-3/24

Monday 18th- run 4 miles, swim 2000m
Tuesday 19th- track workout, warm-up 1 mile jog, drills, 1 mile jog corners stride the straights, then 6-8x 200's fast pace, jog the 200 recovery
Wednesday 20th- Swim 50 minutes. 
Thursday 21st- cross bike 30 miles.  Home, Du course, horselake road, #1 canyon and back and home.  Run/jog 4 miles easy-TIRED
Friday 22nd-  53 miles, in 3:02 road bike. Out to Nahahum and back, Mission Creek and back and home.  38-42 degrees, wind 17mph, snow and hail..but felt good, dressed right
Saturday 23rd- 8 mile run, went out the first 3 way too fast (it was very cold) felt like crap the other 5
Sunday 24th- 32 mile recovery ride, perfect felt great (Sleepy hollow out to Cashmere, over the "apple" bridge and back)

View from Two Wheels

Yesterday was one of those perfect days on the bike, where everything just goes right!  It was 38 degrees when I left and three hours and 53 miles later it had only warmed up to 42, however it was a rare day that I dressed perfectly (I have a tendency to always be over dressed, because I dislike cold so much).  In case you are wondering what do you wear to stay warm climbing AND descending.  I wore winter booties over my shoe, thermal bib tights, craft pro warm base layer (an awesome piece), long sleeve thermal jersey, packed my light weight wind block pearl izumi coat (had it in my pocket going out but put it on for the descent down Nahahum canyon and kept it on the rest of the time), ear warmers and my mid weight winter riding gloves.
I set out to ride most of the afternoon, was a little worried about the cold, but had so much fun.  Went out an back on Nahahum, which after the first mile is ALWAYS sunny, one of my favorite climbs, the descent is one of my favorites as well (did get a little too cold coming down), crossed into Cashmere to do Mission Creek, and even got snowed.  For whatever reason it was one of those days I just felt so blessed in my life.  Grateful to be out doing what I love, having the time to do it (although taking that time means my house gets sacrificed), and time to myself left with my own thoughts...it really was a blissful day.  Here's a few photos of what makes me smile while on the bike.

I Swear I am NOT a Hoarder

At least with most things.  I don't like clutter and I don't like things that don't serve a purpose.  If they aren't being used (even if I may need them later) I tend to get rid of them.  My clothes and shoes are kept to my favorites, extra furniture I sell.  I even have an empty bedroom in my house.   I don't have many keepsakes or "things" from my grandparents.  What I value more is pictures with them, and cards with their writing.
However, I was on a ride last week with a friend and we were talking about our favorite bike clothes, mine were a  blue bike short from a velo kit 6 or so years ago.  I literally wore the seat out of them.  They became transparent (likely wore them like this too), my friend said to me "and I bet you still have them" to my horror I realized I did.  I have no idea why I can't throw old bike clothes away.  My bike clothes occupy 1 entire drawer in my dresser and half of my closet.  Yet for each season I  only have 1 piece I like.  I thought about all the stuff I've ordered and just didn't fit right, but kept, or the bike vest with the broken zipper, the first pair of pearl izumi bike shorts (I still wear),  first pair of bike shoes, an inexpensive pair of NorthWaves  I wore until I couldn't glue the velcro strap back together, and no material was left in the heals,  yet I still have them "just in case I need them".  This was a very bad realization.  The transparent shorts, I say I'm keeping to use on the trainer, but the reality is I rarely ride the trainer.....I am going to work on this problem!

Here's a fun photo from today's ride.  I had a feeling I could out ride the rain clouds that were circling...and did!

First Step to Addiction

...is admitting you have a problem. I may be addicted to traveling,  although I really don't see the problem in this addiction.  We got back from New York just 4 weeks ago, and nothing is planned until the end of June, it's actually somewhat depressing for me.  I'm serious!  Problem is I have some short term financial goals, and I start serious training for an Ironman 70.3 soon..... signing up was good, because of  the training it really allows little time to be vacationing (can't believe I am saying that),  and by the end of summer my financial goals will have been met, and focus will once again be on saving for vacations (it's a very good thing I don't like to shop for anything else). 

Knowing all this, I've already started looking ahead to a vacation in October, lined up one with friends for December, and Rick and I in February.....DEEP breaths, I CAN make it until then....

...nothing so liberalizes a man and expands the kindly instincts that nature put in him as travel and contact with many kinds of people
Mark Twain

Tired with a Capital T

This is what happens most nights around here. Lo and I wait for my teenage son to call for a ride. She and I are early to bed, early to rise, but my son has a busy social calendar. Tonight it's young life, other nights, sports, friends, you name it. We sit around reading until we get tired and bored then start taking selfie's....silly ones at that!

 

 

 

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Workouts 3/11-3/17

Monday 11th-  4 mile speedwork include 10x400, 2200m swim (felt great for both)
Tuesday 12th-  Potential rain threatened my bike so I switched bike and swim days around.  Swam 1600...Things against me on the swim today 1: Only had coffee all morning at work, no food. 2: had to "circle" with two guys faster than me, barely had time to breath  3: back to back swims never fair well for me!

Wednesday 13th- Bike Joe Miller, back up and over Skyline, home 27 miles
Thursday 14th- Run 5.5 miles
Friday 15th-  Bike Mission Creek and Yaksum 47miles
Saturday 16th- 8 mile run  (only enjoyed a 1/3 of this)
Sunday 17th- Bike Pinnacles 44 miles

* I am really enjoying taking ride photos.  I did take my camera on each ride, however the picture I have is from Joe Miller Tuesday, and it was a bit overcast.
Friday I rode with my friend Lynda, she's much too fast for me to try to be taking photos along the was.  Today snapped one, but it was 41 degrees and the wind was BLOWING, was more focused on going straight than getting my winter gloves off to fish my camera out of my back pocket.

*I will say I am  noticing my fitness changing.  In the past the 40-50 mile rides would've wiped me out for the day, now as long as I refuel when I get home, feeling great!

Kid Photos

My boy had his first track meet of the year, running the mile in 5:18, too fast for his Momma now!  Why I was uploading those photos I came across a few from Lo's performance the week after we got back from NY.  The girls a natural!

Garden Layout

Signs of Spring are showing....

I am actually motivated to do yard work this year.  For now anyways!

Last year was also my first year doing the CSA, so wasn't sure what I needed to plant.  I loved it and have signed up for it again.  Its less than a half mile from my house so very convenient to go pick up, and it offered such a variety of things I don't have space to grow, in my two raised beds.

The Garden Plan for 2014



From Seeds:

Spinach

Kale

Swiss Chard

Lettuce

Carrots

Buy two of each plant:

Tomatoes

zucchini

spaghetti squash (yes ONLY two plants this year)

 Beets

Herbs in the Pots;

Rosemary

Basil

Cilantro

Dill

Workouts 3/4- 3/10

Monday 4th- 4 mile run (much more like a jog), 2000m swim (felt surprisingly well)
Tuesday 5th- Bike, Burch Mtn Rd,  back out Easy and home 22 miles, cross bike (legs felt great)
Wednesday 6th- OFF
Thursday 7th- 7 miles, 59:58 (not the greatest time, but felt really good about it) 
Friday 8th-  52 miles on Cross bike (sleepy hollow, Fairview, Barden James to Kelly, around the cemetery to Stine, over Deadmans, and back.  After monitor, took Easy to American Fruit, to West Eaglerock, and around...I think that was it ;) )
Saturday 9th- run 8 miles (was definitly feeling it the last 2 miles)
Sunday10th- Du course with 2 extra "Du hill" repeats.  28 miles road bike (legs were a bit tired today)

Candid

I caught this today. A brother and sister almost 5 years apart shooting hoops together on a Saturday afternoon.

We spent majority of the day outside getting the yard in shape. Always a bit surprised at how I must've totally neglected it right before it snowed. I was mid vacuuming the carpeted outdoor stairs (clearly a dog owner did not live here before), when I looked over to see them. I love this, those tender, yet fun moments between siblings. My son is so busy these days it's often just Lo and I, for him to take this moment with his sister, loved it!

He did catch me snapping this, and joked "this is what happens when you don't have tv", and I thought, exactly!

 

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Ride Fotos

I've gotten in the habit of taking pictures while I ride (with my point and shoot).  People don't always understand the appeal of road cycling, and I get it, from my limited mountain biking, being on a trail high up is very impressive.  So I thought I would start capturing a bit of the beauty I see on the road.

First two are from Sunday on the Pinnacle Loop, next was on a cloudy overcast day out in Eagle rock and the rest are from yesterday.  It was gorgeous.  I knew I had a 3:45 minute window, so I set out for Cashmere (I did do two loads of laundry before, needed to feel somewhat productive), found motivation along the way and continued in a round about way to Deadmans Hill near Peshatian....54 miles and 3 hours later I came home.

Just a fun photo with one of my favorite riding partners

This is my favorite spot, I love this view

A sweet hill right in town to climb

Going out to Casmeree via the "dirty road" not bad...in this spot

Lunch break

Coming back in this spot was not so fun

 

The Journey

I started this blog in 2008. To chronicle our family and to share with others that lived away. Our story (mine and my ex) started in 1996, we had great times, bad times and everything in between. 2007 was a bad time, but by the beginning of 2008 I was feeling really good about "us", we had (I thought) gone through some of the worst times together only to come back to each other closer and happier than ever. Hence the blog was somewhat of a fresh start. I had no idea three years later I would use it to chronicle going through a divorce. I didn't know how hard that chapter in my life would be.  Journaling the ups and downs allowed me to process, and I truly hope, those of you that followed this journey and faced challenges of your own this gave you hope. They were my raw unfiltered emotions. I remember the sadness, but these days it doesn't hurt to remember those feelings. It was dark, and scary, but it's part of my life, a part thats gotten me here. A place where I am more sure of myself than I have ever been.

This afternoon I was in a text conversation with a friend that needed advice on a matter concerning my ex. At the end they apologized I had to deal with him for so many years

In the past I may have agreed, but my response came fast, without hesitation

I thought about it later. This reply symbolized so much in my journey. Life is series of lessons, we learn and hopefully grow from each.....I am in a very good place. I know I have learned from it all  and ready to embrace all that I have now!

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Rainy Days and Cat

A day like this:

Calls for a little Cat Stevens playing, reading on the couch and

 

Hot chocolate in a cute mug with whipped cream and sprinkles!

Kids had a 1/2 day today, planned to take the dogs out, but the weather had other plans, so we are all enjoying a quite, relaxing rainy day....

 

After School

I love everything about being a Mom.    I have great, no amazing kids.  They make raising them easy.  I love the balance in my life of work, me time, and family time, but my favorite part of everyday is picking the kids up from school.  I get this luxury everyday, and always have.  I don't take it for granted.  More days than not I walk to get Lo, I love our 15 minutes of talking about her day at school, now we often have one of the little boys in her grade walking with us.  It's fun to follow and listen to their chatter.  I love that everyday we come home,  she has a snack, and it never changes.  It's either an orange or a grilled cheese sandwich.
I may have to share everyother weekend, but I cherish the fact that I get to do this with my kids each day.

Workouts 2/25-3/3

Back to blogging workouts.  The beauty of the blog is, it's not in your face.  You don't want to read it, then don't. My hope is you take what you want from it, disregard what you don't want.  This kind of stuff likely won't interest many, but starting this post on Monday and logging in each workout, helps me keep track until I get something more sophisticated.  I am a single Mom, balancing kids, a business, house and relationship.  All the while trying to get some workouts in without taking away time with my kids!  Some days are more challenging than others!  Over the last two years, I have become very good at letting go of some things.  This weekend it was cleaning up the yard...it didn't happen, and that's ok.

In two weeks I will start my official training plan, a 16 week plan.  It's more of a guideline of what I need to accomplish in the week.  I am realistic that I will need to be flexible with the plan, move days around, do more some days and less others...3 years ago this would've stressed me out.  Not anymore, I do want I can, to the best of my ability, and with respect to my family, and I am happy with that!
The run things rather sucks right now, but the bike on the other hand, LOVING it, feeling better than ever and enjoying it more than ever.  I guess that's my balance!

Monday 25th- run 4 miles, swim 1600
Tuesday 26th- bike Burch Mtn., monitor, 22 miles cross bike
Wednesday 27th- hike with the doggies, 5.67 miles
Thursday 28th- swim 1600, run 5
Friday 1st- Bike Mission Creek 43 miles
Saturday 2nd - run 7 miles
Sunday 3rd- Bike Pinnacle Loop 44 miles

Possibilities

I was out enjoying a ride with my Leavenworth friends, today. A ride I have been doing on my cross bike without a computer, and let the ladies know was likely 30-35 miles....may have been off a few it was 43. They were awesome sports about it though and we enjoyed great conversation. About mile 27, on this beautiful day, I had a moment when I realized today is two years to the day my divorce was final. Instead being filled with sadness, I was filled with gratitude. Not because 14 years of a relationship ended, but because it was at this time I realized the depth of love within friends. I have wonderful friends, and during all the crap before, during and after, they NEVER failed to be there, in so many ways. I knew that while the love for one person was ending, the love for so many others was growing. So on this day, there is no sadness, just gratitude for loving friendships, and the possibilities of the future. Cheers.

Mission Creek Road

 

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