Rewards

I made it out for that three hour run. I'm not training for anything...yet, but I had all my work done by Friday, cleaned my house and did laundry all on Friday. The kids are at their Dads for a visit this weekend so to treat myself I wanted to challenge myself to see if I could still run that long. There's something very therapeutic to setting out and getting in a zone mentally. When you don't think about how far you are going or how long it's been. You settle into a comfortable physical rhythm (nothing fast) and just simply enjoy the peace that you get to experience. My mind thinks of things I'm normally too distracted to think through. I purposely run alone on these long runs. I love short runs with friends, but these long runs are a treat to me. I am glad I'm in a relationship with someone of a like mind, that supports and understands this, because he does it himself.  To be in a supportive environment, all things are possible.

When I came home I was cold and wet, my legs were jello and my hips sore, so I gave myself ANOTHER reward for doing it. I packed up my book, put on sweats, compression socks and took off to spend the rest of the day lounging on my boyfriends couch!

As I've mentioned before a Kaiser can't run the long runs anymore with me. Along with being alone in my thoughts on a run, my other favorite thing is running with him. I can't explain it, but if you've ever had a dog that you can go anywhere with and it just feels right (safe), then you know what I am talking about. To include him, I typically will run in town the first part, so today the first 2 hours then I go home get him and we head to the trails. Finishing on the trails is (pardon my language) an ass kicker, but it's also mine and his favorite place to be. Cheers to the rewards we give ourselves, whatever they may be!

 

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Cozy

Slept in, drank coffee, put my running stuff on and this is where I'm at.

Just sitting at my desk, wrapped in a heavy blanket, contemplating......The green at the bottom of my screen is our rain forecast for the day. My plan for today was to get up and run for about 3 hours (just to challenge myself), plus now that the trails are free of ticks and rattlers, I like running again.

Who knows, maybe I'll actually finish the book I am reading today instead!

 

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Things

By the end of the day I am wiped. I don't do tv, unless it's to sit and watch a movie or series with the kids (or the few times I indoor cycle), this is what I get excited for in the evening.

My bedside table always looks like this. One book I am reading and at least two on deck, plus a few magazines if I'm really tired and only going to read a few minutes! I gave up on neat and tidy. It's my bedroom and it's just the way I want it to be....minus the dust I just noticed (tomorrow's to do list)!

 

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Queen - 'Under Pressure'

Because I love it!  Just a fun one for the beginning of the week.  Love Queen.

She's Back!

Lo's decided to come into the shop and "work" with me on Monday mornings. She has late start Mondays, and I only work at the shop for the first two hours on Monday (the rest is bookwork and supply runs). I LOVE this time in the morning with her. She is so helpful, and downright just an awesome kid to be around! Mondays aren't so bad!

This is her on her "break"...

 

 

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Bits of Happiness

We are loving the start of fall weather. My old house is opened up so we have fresh cool air coming in. My house is a fall house, I love my home during this time of year!

We got a little snuggles in with Emmie this weekend as we celebrated Oma's 87th birthday!

My son finally had a home xc meet. My favorite sport to watch, I love it. He's had a bit of a disappointing season so far (disappointing himself). His times just aren't what he feels they should be. He was really hoping this meet things would change. His goal for the season was to be one of seven to go to Portland for the nike pre nationals (he's been running the 8th or 9th spot on the team), it's not for sure yet but he feels this meet took him out of it. It's hard as a parent to see your kid disappointed, but I know the lessons that come with it. My son is talented, he is better suited for longer distances but as an athlete myself I know with a strong work ethic you can get there, and meet your goals. Although this was something I didn't learn until adulthood, so for now he knows the tools are available should he ever choose to try to work harder to improve (my coaching friend has offered to help), he has my full support however he does, I just want him to enjoy it, the experience with this great group of kids, and do the best he can!

Lo has completed four times around the loop, 40 miles towards the completion of the kids century challenge. I have been so impressed with her enthusiasm to do this. I have to say I thought I was going to dread having to do the loop all these times, but I have loved it. It's been a very special time for us. Have loved our afternoons together, her setting the pace (usually faster than I would guess), I am just savoring it!

I managed to get in a very long run on Friday. My boy can't really do anything over 8 so I ran solo the first part but grabbed him to run in Our favorite spot the last 5 miles! He's approaching his 7th birthday next month, and what a great dog he has become. I miss running the full distances with him, and I know he misses it, but I will take what I can get as long as he's still able to go!

 

 

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Meeting Emmie

So exciting to have a new family member. My niece, Emerson arrived Saturday night. She is absolutely perfect!!!

Congrats to my sis and brother in law!

 

Her very proud brothers

 

 

And her very excited cousin!

 

 

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Scenes

From a trail run! One of the most beautiful lakes around is Colchuck,  only downside (for me) is no dogs are allowed in the Alpine Lakes region .    Colchuck is doable as a trail run, with the exception of the last mile to the lake is a bit steep (if you want an easy, but pretty trail run in this region Eightmile Lake is great). I had a friend that has never been and it really is a must do if you live around here (most people hike it, with my kids I always hike, just not that patient without them and really enjoy running it) so we went.

I will say kids of any age really can do this, Lo's first time was when she was 5, and she's been several times since, however she like most kids, by mile 3.5 are asking when it's done, it just gets a little long for them....both ways!

 

Taking off

 

Enjoying the view

 

Friend at the lake

 

Bonus treat, a mama and her baby

 

 

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DID IT!

I just wrote my last check to Bank of America to get it down to a zero balance!  This has been a 2 year goal for me.  I had never been in debt, ever.  After my ex left I was actually fairly surprised at how well I cold budget and manage everything on my own, but at the time he left I had to buy a new car, because my Volvo died...sad.  A year later was managing fine when my espresso machine blew up, very sad.  Needless to say going threw a recent divorce I didn't have an extra $10,000 lying around so I charged it, and took on the hideous 11% interest rate.  Having a son approaching college in less than a couple years it was very important for me to have everything paid off  (as a side note BEFORE getting divorced think about putting in your papers an agreement to what each parent will contribute to an educational savings account, I might be finding out the hard way that sometimes the other parent doesn't want or can't contribute).
I added up the interest in the first year I had paid and was fairly sick to my stomach over it, it quickly became a goal to make the max payment I could afford each month in order to get it paid off.   I have two trips that were booked months ago that are entirely paid off, and my only debt is now the mortgage on my house!   I knew I would get to this good place.  I knew it wouldn't be as fast as I liked, but I knew I would get there!  Cheers!

Still Going Strong

I keep getting asked if now that my race is over am I taking it easy. The answers no, I don't think I ever take it easy! I still work out just as much, and perhaps more because rest days aren't scheduled. The difference is though, I do what I want. When I was training for Ironman Lake Steven I had three swim/run days, and three bike days a week, all with a semi structured workout. I've just gotten back in the pool (after swimming in a 50 meter pool and the lake, going back to the 25 yard pool was a bit like running on a treadmill), I've been running 3 days a week, with no plan other than to get my butt out there. How far I go depends on how I feel, which is nice since this is my least favorite! I have been loving the bike. I haven't been doing as many 50/60 mile rides but three days a week I ride 30-40 miles each.  I do this because it's good for my mind and body, and I have time to do it.  I love training and sometimes racing, but right now, it's about my time in the day.  That one quite time.  I love my job, but I talk to people for 6 hours straight, then the moment I get my daughter from school she talks ALL night, I wouldn't have it any other way, I just need a few hours in between of quite, where I can gather my thoughts, think the days plan through, and ponder the next step in life.  I have to say it also calls me down, I love the feeling after a good workout!

 

Yesterday was hill repeats (3x)

Today was a mile swim, and then Kaiser and I made it 8 miles in the heat. We were both a hot sweaty(me), him a wet (canal cool off) mess!

 

On other news, the 10k run my son did, well he was 2nd overall in the men's. I personally think distance and endurance is his thing. He does alright in short runs, but he is more of a pacer. He has an uncanny ability to not feel pain and just settle in, so far the longer the better for him. He beat his Dads last 10k time by over 10 minutes and mine by 6, the kid is fast! I am very very proud of him. Like I've said before I grew up playing tennis , I never understood why someone would choose to run, so the fact that he has chosen this as a teen, I am very impressed!

 

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Amazement

This girl amazes everyday. She loves to act, dance, perform anything on stage. Physical activity, is not so much her thing....but she's actually quite good at it. She plays volleyball, and is an awesome hiker, which she enjoys and exactly why the kids and I do it together. However biking is another story, she's never had a real desire to do it, and I don't push it. I get it, she's the youngest and everyone is faster than her so she's constantly struggling to keep up. Our local market is having a kids century challenge, basically if the kids ride the loop 10 times in the two months they will have completed a century. I asked her if she wanted to do this, she surprised me and was all for it!

We went for the first time yesterday and it was really important to her that Rick was there. I think this set us up for success for the whole challenge. He helped her up the hills, encouraged and talked to her the entire loop. She'd ask questions about shifting and pedaling, he explained in a way that she understood, it's how I feel when I ride with him!

She had such a good time, she and I went again today. Her confidence was soaring, she even surprised me several times along the way, I loved every minute of being out there with her. I thought it was kind of cute too, the first day we took our time and did it in around an hour, today she wanted to beat it, made it in 50 minutes, she was so impressed with herself!

Way to go LILO, I love my girl!

 

There's another catch....gelato after every finish

 

 

 

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It Doesn't Matter What

Just that we're together! I am really enjoying my kids ages, and the activities we are able to do together. Yesterday my son ran the 10k in Shore to Shore, his longest race yet, and Lo and I were the finish line lead volunteers. Just a little side note about Lo, she is an all star volunteer. She jumps right in, and has the ability to look around and see what needs to be done, she's been around races since she was little and gets it, it's awesome to have her around. She and I also did the Young Life  donut trailer at the fair the night before, neither of us had ever done that, and even there she was totally comfortable and went for it!

I love it, a few shots from our rainy, but fun day!

Reporting to duty!

Giving her brother his medal. He was 2nd place overall with a time of 40:23

Love these two!

Got to briefly see my friend Mike who was flying back to Boston right after!

Still going strong, 5 hours later

 

 

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Guilty Pleasure

Ok I miss my kids when they go back to school, but I have to say I have a pretty sweet work schedule that allows me to get In 2-3 hour rides in between work and getting Lo from school. This means long rides are not only for  weekends and evenings, but weekday afternoons too!

Today I planned to go for a swim, and short ride, but the weather was calling, the thought of being inside just wasn't going to cut it....I took off on my bike with no plan other than to be home by 2:45. 42 miles and a sun tan later, it was fabulous!

Even ended up going over Kelly road a.k.a. The dirty road....too many snakes and my tires at 120psi I opted for pavement the way back!

Happy me!

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It's Here Again

The school year that is.  As always it's bittersweet.
My son is a junior this year.  After stressing  about his grades the last two years, I am leaving it up to him this year.  He and I have had several talks about college.  He's starting to get excited and considering Western or WSU (of course I keep throwing HPU out as an option too).   I have laid out my expectations and what I am willing to pay.  I have offered to pay half of his tuition (with the hopes his dad would pay the other half.....still working on that), at a 4-year if his GPA can get up to a cumulative of a 3.0, and he's in charge of room and board,  otherwise it's 1/2 of tuition out here.  Last year was a struggle, trying to get him to understand the importance of doing well in school NOW, he enjoys school, just taking the academics serious was another thing.  Yet  I am excited for my son's junior year, this is the point when all possibilities for the future are right there, and that's very exciting!

As for Lo, yikes it just makes me sad she's growing so fast.  Walking her to school today I remembered when we moved into this house 5 years ago, just before my son started at the middle school, and here it is already, her turn.  I'm excited for her, but I also know how fast the next few years will go.  She is a special kid, with an amazing spirit, it scares me that something or someone will come along and try to crush her dreams and confidence!  Every year she asks to be homeschooled, and every year I so badly want to say yes, but for selfish reasons....I just want her around.  I wish I had time to home school her, but I don't.  She gets so much from school,  and she's very good at it, so I just have to let her keep going and hope she doesn't grow too fast!

So cheers to 11th and 6th grade years!

Glad she still lets me walk her to school!

 This is what I will miss most about summer.  It was such a treat to have her  "working" with me every morning.  I loved it.  This was our third summer since her Dad left, and we have adjusted and adapted in ways much better than I ever would have expected, in large part to this girl.  This was one of the outcomes.  It was her and I, and this is what we did every morning of the summer together.  I am truly one lucky lady in so many ways!