A Walk In The Park

We have been to the park a lot lately! I have new trail shoes to break in, so far just been walking in them to get a feel for them, and Sky, and the dogs, have energy to burn. So, every time there is a break in the rain, or the sun comes out we drop everything and head to the park. Thankfully it's only two or three minutes tops from out house and has miles, and miles of trails and paved paths to enjoy.

If not for being so close to the park and being able to walk when I want I would lose my mind over the lack of running!

"That tree is sick Mommy".

 My munchkin...she loves picking our path.

Mark had the next day off  and the sun was out, so we took the dogs and the munchkin and burned some energy. Bishop (black dog) had an appointment with the vet last week to evaluate his health issues/quality of life. He's 14, going on 15 and was in visible pain (the last walk we did with him a week or so ago was a disaster). But, with new pain meds on board he is doing so much better, and was able to go on a decent walk. We let him set the pace and cut it short so he didn't do too much (he was gimpy the next day) but, it's like he's a whole new old dog, for however long it lasts.   

Bishop and I were pretty far behind the faster family members so I missed the family photo op that this view provided. I love how the branches arch over the path. In the summer these trails are the perfect cover/shade from the sun on really hot days...perfect for trail running!

Loving my new Brooks Cascadia's! Lot's of walking right now, but as soon as Silas is a little better on the leach I'm hitting the trails with him every chance I get. He's a great running partner, still pulls a bit too much and swerves into me.

I still have mostly road races in the next few months, but after May I plan on taking it back to the trails for more of my runs. It's how I started, it makes my heart happy, and I think it will be kinder to my back/body. I'll still road run, but just need more balance in my running life.

Speaking of running, this is just about how every run goes. 3 miles, and it's a fast run if I get close to 10. I'm going to keep plugging away at it short and slowly.

The watch seems to be working again, but I'm taking photos of the finish screen just because I like tracking miles/progress over the year.

I enjoy my walks with Sky so much. She's just so happy to be outside exploring and picking our trail. Plus she talks a lot, I hear all sorts of things about school and what goes on in her head. I have a feeling we will be walking a lot as she goes through rough patches growing up. 

A Walk in the Park

Sometimes it's just what you need to press the reset button. In the midst of a busy day, with a to do list longer than I care to think about the idea of walking in the rain at the park seemed like the thing to do.

Life has been busy, not overwhelming but crowded all the same, and some of the busy I like, and brought on myself. But, (there's always a but isn't there?) I realized as we were walking we hadn't done this in a long time. We used to go for walks at the park all the time. We'd run, laugh, talk and just have fun together. I realized that in all the business and running her to school, swim lessons, play dates, and dragging her along to multiple (accident related) appointments a week that over time I let those things become our "quality" time together.  Conversations had in the car, going to and from. Noisy, crowded time that's main purpose had nothing to do with Sky and I actually connecting with each other.

  Run with me mommy.

All of a sudden a weight lifted that I didn't even know I'd been carrying. I realized that while all that other busy stuff still needs to happen and be handled that I need to schedule my Sky time first, and make everything else fit in around it. When she's begging for attention, for me to play with her, cuddle with her, sit with her for breakfast, go for a walk at the park...I need to do it. Very few things are so important or critical that I can't give her what she needs and thrives on. Time, time with me, one on one with my full attention.  

I guess I started to think that because she's starting to have parts of her life that are hers, and don't involve me, and that she's happy to play/entertain herself for longer and longer that she'd be ok if I answered one more email, took care of one more thing on the to do list, let her watch one more cartoon/movie so I can get something else done. 

 Singing to the trees.

Today was a good reminder as to why I'm home with her in the first place.  It's for her, not for me to do my own thing or get things done, but to be there for her and with her, and give her what she needs. Not that I haven't been doing that, but I've been distracted. It's all a balancing act, and I know all that other stuff still needs to be handled, but it can be handled after I make sure Sky and I get our time each day. Time to just be and enjoy each other (this kid is so funny and when I listen to her I learn so much and laugh!), I just have to make sure she's the #1 thing on my schedule each day.  

"Oh mommy I love the rain on my face"

She's such a cool little person, but sometimes the busy life and frustrations that go along with the impulsive actions of a 3 yr old make it hard to remember that. Nothing like a rainy walk at the park to bring life back into focus and remind me just how lucky I am. 

As we were walking back to the car, out of the blue, Sky says, "See Mommy, I just knew this would be a good walk". If only she knew just how good it was!  

 She peed in the woods for the first time!  We were too far from the car to get back to the portable potty and while she was reluctant she realized she didn't have much choice.  That's "her" spot behind her and she asked me to take a pic while she yelled "I go potty outside"!

Just Keep Moving!

If you can't run walk!  A good rule of thumb in a race and life in general.

Rather than get frustrated that I didn't feel good enough to run I hit Michelle up for a walk instead. I'm not going to lie I was a bit pessimistic about it.  It's hard to know what the weather is going to do from hour to hour the last few days, and while I don't mind running in wind and rain, I hate walking in it.  When I saw dark clouds on the horizon I almost messaged her to cancel.  But, I'm glad I didn't.

I would have missed out on this beautiful sunset, and on good conversation with my friend!  It amazing how much easier it is to have a full conversation when walking rather than running!  We got a few drops of rain, but nothing too bad, and totally worth it for the view!

On the upside of not running...I'm really working on cross training and drinking tons of water. Trying to get good habits in place so that when running does start back up I'll be well rounded and not just running all the time!

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Sky and I started our day with coffee (for me) and chocolate almond milk (for her), it's one of her favorite things!  I love sitting and eating breakfast with her...the conversation is the best and she is full of hugs and cuddles.

     But that curly hair though!

I just had to share this one.  Sometimes the outtakes are so funny, and yes I'm fully aware that some day she will hate me for some of the pics on this blog! 

I delete more pics than I save/share for sure!  It takes a lot to get a few ok to good ones.

I should totally do an outtakes only post and share the goofy/funny/embarrassing pics!  That could be entertaining.  

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What is your favorite non running activity?