Life Around Here

It seems like there are two speeds around here...full throttle red lined, or school zone. Go, go...no wait I need cuddles and a blanket. Chase me, chase me...I just need a book and water. The funny thing is it's not always Sky saying those things. :)

Oh the taper, most runners hate it, but I love it. I'm usually ready for a break and rest. This training schedule though (mixed in with trying to fit normal life stuff in) is so busy. The miles may be less but it's still more running per week than I actually have time for. It's been a struggle. And, in an attempt to make it all work, I ran after fasting for blood work, and even though I had a little to eat before running let's just say the results were not good. I'm fine, but I will never run on a fasting day again, ever.

I was not happy with how much this 5 mile trail run kicked my butt. I'm glad the rest of the afternoon/evening was full of relaxed cuddles and not much else. On a side note, don't fast, eat very little, run in the sun, and then re-hydrate with more wine than water. Just don't do it.

Silas knows how to cuddle!

Those two...I adore them.

While I didn't get every single training mile in I should have this week, I got in as much as possible, and feel good about what I did manage to do. My biggest goal was to be done running by today since we are heading out of town to help plant my aunt and uncles vineyard. In blazing hot sun, and I just don't feel the need to mix in running to that situation. I will be wallowing in the sunblock...last thing I need is a sunburn before flying to SB and running in the sun there! 

Once we get home it's time to fit in a few more runs then fly to Santa Barbara! It's going to be busy the next week or so, but thankfully it's all coming together. And, most importantly the last two weeks of training transitioned from "I don't feel confident about this half at all" to "I got this, I feel good, and am finally excited"! 

Just in time for race day!

Have a great weekend!

There's SUN in the PNW!

Something about the sunny, warm weather makes life feel so much more fun...like a vacation. Maybe it's eating dinner outside in the evenings. Or taking cuddle breaks outside, and reading books or magazines while the dog lounges and Sky plays. Sipping a cool crisp white wine in the warm afternoon sun with my babe...maybe it's all of it, but it just makes life feel more fun and relaxed. 

Evening adventures in the sun...looking out over the tracks in Steilacoom.

We are doing our best to enjoy this unseasonably nice sunny weather. I don't know that it will be this way year after year, so I'm/we are making the most of it! 

I planted the first of many (more to come!) portable square foot gardens. This one is all about the herbs. It's my first attempt so lets hope they grow!

I really thought Sky would be all about helping plant, but she wasn't. There's time though. Maybe vegetables will be more exciting for her. In the meantime her stuffed dog, Baby Bishop, is her constant companion. He goes everywhere with her, and if it's something she can't take him to he ends up riding in the car and keeping her company on the road. Bishop is still a daily conversation, and I'm thankful she has her stuffed Bishop look-a-like to help her through it.

 I totally benefit (or not depending on how snug the jeans are fitting) from Mark's food allergies. All the cheese and bread parings to myself! 

Give her some pretzels and let her smell the wine and she's good to go. 

The best part of all this sun is the spur of the moment walks that somehow turn into wine tasting! And, not just wine tasting, but chatting with the wine maker, who was in the tasting room that day, and tasting directly from the barrel. So good!

A wall of liquid goodness.

Sunglasses...adorable. And, she's decided she doesn't need the car seat any longer. Nice try Sky.

If I don't post much, ok I already don't post much so how about if I start posting even less, over the next few weeks it's because I'm traveling a bit, and the down time I do have is spent soaking up all that sun with my munchkin! 

Thankful Thursday

Things I'm Thankful For Today:

-Not getting honked at and flipped off because of smoke billowing from my car.

-She has been taking naps a few times a week the last few weeks. I'd sort of forgotten how nice nap time is for me. I can get so much done, or ready almost half a book, when I'm not interrupted.

Did she fall off or did he push her? I have no idea but she slept through it.

-An unexpected morning in Seattle, in the sun, with frozen yogurt, and play time. She's a pretty fun sidekick. I could have gotten so much done around the house, but it felt good to skip out and visit one of my favorite stores in Seattle. Even if they didn't have what I wanted it was still fun.

-Cuddle time. I'm not kidding when I say we sit in that chair together for at least an hour a day. An hour of no tv, phones, or computers, just the two of us hanging out. It's the best part of my day. She has started making up stories to tell me, and we talk about Bishop a lot...how's he's doing in doggy heaven and if she can visit him..., we practice letters and counting, and spend time making silly faces at each other. And, sometimes we just sit, and don't say or do anything. Just hug each other and enjoy the silence. 

-Time in the sun reading some of my fave magazines. It's like a little 30 minute mini vacation in the middle of the day!

-The shoes in the above pic. For real I wear them EVERY day. They are so comfortable, and cute! It's really nice to have a supportive, comfortable shoe to wear the day(s) after a long run. My legs and feet are usually worn out, and the best shoe choice is not the most fashionable (older pair of running shoes so I'm getting the support I need while recovering). I don't like wearing running shoes with "outfits" unless I'm actually running. These shoes have fit the bill nicely...TY Dad! 

-Silas and Sky and how tolerant they are of each other. She pulls on his tail, jumps on him, chases him, grabs his leg as he walks past - and he jumps on her, knocks her over all the time, chews her toys, and smacks her with his tail. Despite all that they love each other.

 Lounging in the sun enjoying the warm rocks. Only a 3 year old would find this comfortable!

-Flowers in the planter boxes. 

-An herb garden that is ready to plant. I can't wait to cook with my own herbs that I've grown!

-Finding calm moments in the middle of the business of life. 

Santa Barbara Training

I sort of fell off my schedule the last few weeks with working out and running. Part of it is I have not loved this training plan from week 1. I got sick a few weeks into it and that derailed me as well. Add in that it just feels so much harder this time around and I have not been very enthusiastic about it.

Finding balance has been hard. How to fit in pilates/cross training, fitting in all the runs, what to do when the schedule falls apart and runs have to be shifted, balancing how many evenings I'm away from home for personal running, Jamberry, run group, board meetings. Factor in it just feels hard this time around. I'm doing it, but I do not like how I feel while I'm doing it...it all adds up to just feeling blah about the whole thing.

Don't get me wrong, I'm over the top excited about the opportunity to travel to SB, with Michelle, visit with my sister in law and her family, sneak away kiddo free, and run a race I've had my eye on for years. I  just wish I wasn't coming off a car accident, and that is wasn't taking so much recovery effort between runs to keep me running.

Spending a lot of time with my legs up the wall after runs.

The good news is I feel like I can run 13.1. I'll finish. I don't know that I will run the goal pace. A lot depends on the sun/heat race day. We did our 10 miler in the sun Friday afternoon and my old issues with overheating are still alive and well. I may have to adjust my goal for the race, and choose to run smart for myself. 

I think that's what's frustrating me the most. While I know I can finish.,.I can always walk if I need to...I also know that I don't have the reserves to push as much as I have in the past. Pushing through being sick to my stomach, dizzy, faint, cramps...I feel like I'm already at max just running normal, so if anything crazy comes up it's not going to be good. I'm running cautious for sure. If I'm being completely honest I'm running a little bit scared. I just don't know what each run will bring, how I'll react to any variation in conditions, and it has shaken my confidence. 

Mentally I keep revisiting my running goal for the year. Have fun, listen to my body, care less about the numbers. Michelle has a goal, and I'm going to try and stick with her. our long training run indicate I can do it (I know she can, she's running really strong right now!). But, I'm also super ok with pulling the plug on it and finish by myself rather than hold her back. My #1 concern is not setting myself back by pushing more than my body is ready for. I'd much rather slow down and enjoy it than push more than I should. I mean it's wine country in SB, the views will be amazing and worth slowing down for. 

Not that I'm throwing in the hat, I'm going to work and fight for it, but I'm also going to be smart about it, that's all. My last half I may have hit my PR goal, but I wasn't smart about it and I do not want to feel that way again. 

  

Weekend Fun

I'm already missing the sunny warmth we were blessed with over the weekend. Even though Sky had a lovely cold we managed to make the most of it, and got her out of the house for a bit of vitamin D.

Since we were both itching to take the new car for a little bit of a drive we opted for a trip down to Priest Point Park in Olympia. What a lovely place to visit and very few people around which was perfect, because we didn't want to share Sky's cold with anyone.

 They found a fiery house! 

 Just hanging out looking adorable. 

 Snack time. 

Selfie outtake...they are harder to take than you would think!  

 Squishy jelly fish. 

 She found all sorts of treasures on the beach! 

First family road trip in the Sub. I love Silas peaking over the back of the car seat! 

We took full advantage of the sun and played, cuddled, read books, and enjoyed good wine outside as much as possible. 

 I think she liked it!

 That Stew = amazing! I'll be sharing the recipe later this week! 

 Cuddling and playing on Daddy's new Kindle Fire. 

 I can't wait until summer and we can eat outside every evening! 

Chef Sky making the Seafood and Chorizo stew. I'm loving that she wants to help in the kitchen. Food adventures here we come! 

Looks like the sun has left us for a bit at least. So excited for hot summer months and long sunny days! 

Let's Go For A Drive

This post is a day late. I had a big old thank you for Thankful Thursday, but things happened, we ran late and by the time we got home from something pretty big, it was 8:30 and we still hadn't eaten dinner.

Well Sky ate, but it consisted of a half eaten kids meal hamburger, french fries, chocolate milk, and hot chocolate. It's an understatement to say she lost it by the end of the evening.

What kept us busy so late, and justified a horrid food option for the tot? Buying a new car!

2015 Subaru Forester...look how excited Sky is!

We said we would drive the Lexus until it wouldn't go...mission accomplished! It's been smoking and burning oil like crazy for weeks, and we have been test driving and negotiating for weeks. Wednesday I put the 3rd quart of oil in 4 days in the Lex, and that's when we decided it had to go. On my way to meet Mark at the dealership it was blowing smoke so bad I was getting honked at, flipped off, and yelled at, and it started sputtering. I'd step on the gas and it would lurch and not go. I was on the verge of tears as people were honking and my car wasn't going. All I wanted was to get to the dealership and be done with it. Thankfully I managed to get it there and rolled in smoking away, turned off the engine and gladly handed the keys over. 

They didn't have what we wanted on the lot so we had to wait until 5pm the next day (last night) to get the car. I'm not going to lie, I cried last night when I looked out and saw that car in our driveway. 

The very first new car I purchased for myself, senior year in HS, was a Subaru Justy. That car was a champ, and lasted much longer than it should have. Ummm...10 years on original spark plugs! I loved that car and loved Subaru, and really wanted my next car to be a Subaru. But, life happens and I had to buy something I didn't love, but could afford when the Justy gave up finally. To be back in a Subaru and have the opportunity to pick options, and make it what I want feels like coming home to my first car love, and it feels a little spoiled and a lot grown up. 

 Jumping for joy!

Now, all I want to do is drive! So thankful we were able to make this work, and that Jamberry is helping pay for this. Who knew selling pretty nails would help pay for a new car?! It feels really good to have a business that allows me to help contribute towards the car.

I have to say a huge thank you to Mark for keeping us on track while making the single income/stay home thing work. It's been challenging at times, but we have been careful and saving as much as we could because we knew 5 years is a long time to go without a big expense of some sort. Be it car, house, heath related. And, a big thank you to the parents for giving us the Lexus which got us another year without care payments so we could save, and to my dad for helping keep the Lexus running when we first got it.

It really does take a village!

P.S. We finally did eat dinner after Sky was in bed. We celebrated the new car with Sushi and Champagne!