Chasing Toddlers or Workout #20 for June

The last two days were terrible days for exercise. I confess Tuesday I didn't try too hard. I slept through my alarm, and needed to just get going with my day. Wednesday I woke up HURTING. Nine years ago I had a major back injury where the muscles on my back, holding my spine, detached, or more unpleasantly, were ripped away from my spine. In the three months before I started physical therapy, they began to heal, going the wrong direction. It has been nine years, and I still struggle, but not nearly like I used to. While this was a muscular injury, sometimes my spinal cord is affected by the lack of muscular support. Yesterday was that day. Instead, I went to the "free" movie, attempted to go bowling, watched kids play, and really took it easy. By nightfall I felt much better. This morning I woke up and my spine was so much better, but my muscles, overworking, were aching. I have three children and a husband in Seattle. I was tired. I was en route to falling off the wagon. But I didn't want to!

Encouraged by words of friends, I gathered my young and brought them to the school. I met up with a friend, KC, who is doing her version of Couch to 5k and on week 5, and I am on week 7 day 1. Saturday will be week 7 day 2. Monday I run my first 5k. I'm more nervous about terrorizing my friends with my sweaty scent during their pancake breakfast than I am about running 3 miles. I think not knowing the route will help. I'll just run and run and run. But back to today...

It was important for me to run as much as I possibly could today, preparing for Monday. I started my run out slow, and it always makes me feel silly to start so slow because I know I can go much faster. But I don't want to suffer later for having an uneven, unrealistic pace. Running with KC was nice too. Sometimes I fear I'm a reclusive running partner. I hope that didn't bother her. Maybe I'm in "the zone". haha. Maybe I don't have fun with it yet.

After the halfway mark, I slowed to a walk. This time I timed for sure ALL of my walks. I took four mini walk breaks, totalling 1 minute 55 seconds. My longest walk was one minute, and MAN that went by fast! haha. I was noticeably stronger this run than the last run. I have to remember that with previous weeks, it would take me ALL week (or longer!) to get a particular run down pat, so I feel I have 2 more runs to perfect running 25 minutes without a break. Next time I will take less than a minute of breaks if any at all. And by 7.3 (or the 5k) I will run 25 minutes without a break. I promise! :)

At the end of my run, A mom came to the track, her 4 year old pushing the stroller, the mom carrying the toddler, trying to run. It made me think of how people say they get slimmer by chasing around a toddler. In contrast, my friend KJ arrived at the track. I know she's only been running a few years (at least as far as I understand), and I remember seeing her run a few years ago at the rate I do. Today I watched her gazelle-like poise and focus as she ran and ran and ran her long, muscular legs around the track. It was truly impressive, and inspiring to me!

I suppose my motivation today was wanting my toddler to have to chase me, or having it be easy peasy to chase after a toddler! How much fun and laughter would be in my home? I can't wait! Today was awesome. I feel AWESOME!

My FREE Summer

One of the beautiful things about being *whisper* "poor" is that you find blessings in the simplest of places. You find that what might be ordinary to most, is actually amazing.

I plan on writing much more about this journey in my life when I am no longer *whisper* "poor" because I don't want anyone to actually know. You know? As with all struggles, I have learned A LOT. And when I think I've humbled myself and learned much more than possible, I learn even MORE! Yes, I will write about it later. I promise you. Hopefully sooner than later... because I can't wait for it to end.

At any rate...

This Summer is exciting! I have loved every single moment with my children, except yesterday when they were pick pick picking on each other until The Captain came home and distracted them with play. (Hooray for an amazing man!) At the beginning of the summer, I wrote down EVERYTHING possible to do around this town that was FREE! Free library program, free movies in the park, free bowling, free coupons for Bulwinkle's with the library program, free magic shows, free puppet shows, free Lego builds at the Lego store (3 hour wait), free movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, free lunch at the school, and so forth. And then there's the always free picnics at the park, kite-flying, boomerang and frisbee throwing, soccer ball kicking, bike riding, popsicles, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, treasures frozen in ice that you break apart with a hammer, kiddie pool, and art projects to name a few...

However, I learned today, the hard way, that there are no more free lunches at the school. The free movies at the theatre are now $1. The free bowling charges for shoes if you get the angry "old" man. I almost lamented the demise of the freebies, but then realized how much we've already enjoyed this week. Friends on Monday with a picnic trip to the park (enjoying our Country Mouse family daughters stand among the playground figuring out exactly what to do, since it did not involve climbing trees or "throwing chickens".), Fourth of July crafts, trips to the library for reading time, science time, songs and games, and playing with MDV and KMcI and children at the park after learning about the non-free's, playdates, and Cub Scouts. Tomorrow we will enjoy a magic show and a movie with Boombah (my dad), and Friday... Well, Friday has yet to be discovered!

What a joyful time, and a fun time. We live in a great town, with endless, safe, possiblities. I am blessed. We are busy and spend most of the day smiling. I remembered today that the times when I have been *whisper* "poor" in all of my life, I have had the most fun because I, or my mother has found need to be creative. I have learned the most, as a child, and taught the most, as a parent, during these times of joyful, eager experimentation and discovery.

May this summer continue to be one of the best, ever, for our family. May my precious children look back fondly, like I do of the summers of my youth.

I will never forget laying in bed, waiting for the sun to dip below the horizon, watching my dad and mom, out my window, working on the garden, pausing to reflect, my dad's arm around my mom's waist, their troubles seemingly light, their home happy.


photo by nativeagle on flickriver.com

Running McPhee or Workout #19 for June

If apps could talk... I am sure if my app could talk...well, more than it does already, when I pondered why Friday was the last time I would run an interval run (walking break) for Couch to 5k it would say something like this: "There is something you should understand about the way I work. When you need me but do not want me, then I must stay. When you want me but no longer need me, then I have to go."

After a good 6.2 run (week 6 day 2) run last Friday, a repeat of Wednesday, I decided I would run it one more time, to build confidence. I didn't blog it because life is life. Plus all I thought about saying is, "Did you know you can SEE pollen? Did you know it falls in WAVES from some trees?" Nothing good. Oh, and I was going to say that sometimes a road looks flat, but it's all uphills... That's about it.

So today I accidentally missed my alarm, forfeiting my golden opportunity to run before The Captain left for work, while the kids were asleep. My privilege today was running with three children. Hey, it takes a village to build a runner, right? The Captain decided I could run at night. I knew though, by nightfall, I would be plum-tuckered out. I had to find a solution.

My running partner (550 miles away), KNBO'R, was texting me about running, and over the conversation, I discovered I could haul Bear and Lambie and Peach to the school track, let Bear and Lambie run around in the field in the middle of the track, while I ran laps with Peach in the stroller.

PERFECT.

I told KNBO'R that I was going to be doing 6.2 again. She encouraged me not to, but to go ahead and run 6.3, 25 minutes straight (plus 5 minute warm up and 5 minute cool down). I thought... sure. It was time to cut the cord.

Concerned that I would focus too much on how many laps I was doing, I did something I read on a blog. I gathered a handful of clover flowers, and with each lap, I dropped one in the start spot. At the end I was able to count how many laps I did, and how many miles (2.25 exactly).

During my run I enjoyed watching my older children play with the dried, mowed grass, throw boomerangs, and blow bubbles. I saw how they work together so well to make "haystacks". And I got to enjoy Bear counting my laps loudly for me, and running along side me for about 30 feet each lap. I love my children.

It was hard to run on a track. Physically it was a dream come true. Mentally, well, there's no real goals, no scenery, just repeated laps. One thing I loved was, some time ago, when I learned a lap was a mere 1/4 of a mile, and I knew they had to be lying because it's soooooo long, I discovered it's actually not long at all. It's about 1/4 mile, I'd say. ;)

I also concocted an art project I'd like to do someday about treadmill runners, track runners, street runners, and trail runners. Yay for inspiration!

So how did the run go?

Well.... I had a handful of stops and starts. All very brief. But truly, it was as though I didn't need it. I would slow to a walk, feel the burn in my calves to keep going, and I would run again. I knew if I got beyond the burn, I would stop, and walk. I must indulge the springs in my legs!

My favorite thing about the entire run I discovered later. I read a few weeks ago that your breathing becomes accustomed to long distance running before your legs do, and that your legs do shortly thereafter. All this time, my breathing has been INTENSE at best. Today, I breathed just fine the whole time, even talking with my kids on my final stretch. It was only my legs that hurt. Sweet goodness, I'm getting stronger! All of me is getting stronger!

Wednesday is 7.1, and it will be terrific. And I have a solution to my little four person running team.

My motivation for today? Well, my friend WB formulated a 5k on the 4th of July, and while I may get last place, I'd like to run the distance. Very badly. Even if I'm not 100% ready.

No more breaks.

"When you need me but do not want me, then I must stay. When you want me but no longer need me, then I have to go...."

My Imaginary Audience or Workout #17 for June

I gave Peach hummus for dinner last night. Every 30-45 minutes, throughout the night, she cried, screamed, whimpered... I hardly slept. The Captain, who had to drive to Seattle today for work also hardly slept. When my alarm sounded at 6:30AM I dutifully shut if off, and tried to eek out another bout of sleep. At 7:30AM I realized if I wanted to be on time to visit SC and ML, I needed to get ready NOW. This meant no running. Why can't I be reasonable at 6:30AM?

Visiting was awesome, and I went home realizing that if I ran at noon, EVERYONE would see me. Why? Because it was summer, which means EVERYONE is out. And if EVERYONE is out, EVERYONE is watching me as I run by. Which, as I explained to my sister, ES, wouldn't be a problem if I was hot and showing off. But no, I have bouncy parts. I open and close my mouth like a fish out of water. My cheeks flush like a smoker in the winter. And I sweat like a... I sweat a lot. Then I remembered the quote "If you left when you first thought about it, you'd be back by now." I put on my brave-I-don't-care-what-you-all-think face, and left.

I plotted out 2 1/2 miles, knowing if I ran the two, 10 minute segments, with the 5 minute warm up, cool down, and mid-run walk, that should equal that distance.

On the way there, I saw the kayak people in all their muscular hotness washing down their kayaks.

And that was it.

At the park there were three ladies strolling a very very slow stroll, a man pushing his son in a swing while he stayed occupied on his phone, and a tennis camp of kids. That was it. The cooler day didn't bring as many people as the hundreds that flocked to the park yesterday. Phew!

I was running along, and discovered something. No one really cares. I might earn a passing glance, but no one really is thinking, "Geezum, Woman. Keep running, you need it. Listen to that squeaky stroller. Look how slow you are! Why are you wearing a JACKET? Are you new to running?" No, no one really ever says those things, and I doubt anyone thinks them... if they are it's fleeting, and they are probably miserable. So I continued to run.

The second run did not go as perfectly as the first for several reasons: First, I got a major stitch in my side. I need to learn what causes those and never do it again. I wore my thick running jacket to hold my iPhone, and it was warm and muggy. I need to get an armband... I was dehydrated. I had a big lunch before I left. But really, the side pain was grueling. I pushed myself as hard as I could, but there was a lot of mini stops and walks, so I will be redoing 6.2 of Couch to 5K on Friday.

Then, off in the distance I saw two men in the otherwise vacant roadway, along my running path. They were both sitting there, and I thought, "Ah crud. I don't want to run by two men just sitting there in their chairs. They are probably waiting for the appropriate time to heckle the poor running girl."

And then I got closer.

And realized I worry WAY TO MUCH about this imaginary audience. Of the two men, one was in a wheelchair. The other was teaching him how to push himself further in his wheelchair, strengthening his endurance. I almost cried.

Instead I decided to run.

I ran because I could. I ran because he couldn't, but may crave it. I ran because he might miss running the bases at a baseball game, or chasing after his kids. I ran because the only thing stopping me was my mind. I had to push myself beyond my pain, and finish my run.

The moments of walking made my running distance shorter, so I had further to go to get home, than my workout time permitted.

I did it, but not well. I look forward to doing it again Friday, because I will be strong enough.

My motivation today? I don't want Peach to ever know me as unfit. But mainly I ran today because I could.

500 Miles or Workout #16 for June

I set my alarm last night for 6:30AM, knowing I wanted to get up bright and early and work out. My alarm sounded this morning and I cursed The Captain for waking me up. He insisted it was my alarm, but my delirium and lack of early-birdedness (I am aware this is not a word) encouraged me to think I was rational. I literally laid in bed until 8am because Peach was still asleep and I had no reason to be awake. Plus my allergies were brutal. Like my friend, KDB, I don't want to complain about them, but jeezum! I actually think I need to take Allegra before setting out to run too. Plus, I love the sun so much, I want to ENJOY it!

I was laying there deciding what to do with my bad self, which exercise to choose for my "day off" workout. I was so excited when KC called me to see if I wanted to run with her today, her first day of Couch to 5k. I was eager to join her, remembering AMcO's experience being further in the program, and running the earlier runs with a friend on her "days off". At 10am KC and her son and wee pup were on my doorstep. I gathered Peach, and we took off.

As a fan of the program, and seeing the results, I have learned and enjoyed sticking with the programmed runs. KC however, has a dog that is amazing. Being a dachshund it has legs the size of Vienna sausages, BUT it can run about 40mph. KC, enjoying to run with all of her might anyway, took off with her son, and pup. Needless to say, we were about 10 minutes in before we started pacing each other. It was a great time, and thanks to her awesome research and calculations, she has figured out the length of my neighborhood run that equals 5K! So awesome! Plus, her son kept bragging about her running ability, and who doesn't love that?

Later in the evening, The Captain was invited to play tennis with some men from church. Instead of driving, I insisted we walk to the park. One of my absolute favorite things about my home is the close proximity to the park. It makes me happy! We walked to the park, "dropped off" The Captain to play tennis with his motley crew, visited by MK, which was a lovely surprise, and Peach and I walked... and walked...

I did the math later and realized today I walked 6 miles, approximately. And it was PLEASANT. The Captain even commented that I never complained for a moment about his gazelle-like stride of an unusually tall man. I've always complained that I have to double step one of his steps. haha. Today, I didn't realize it, but I didn't. I wasn't even overly winded.

It was a good day. Now I have to hope my feet aren't dead in the morning for tomorrow's run...

My motivation for today? First, "helping" a friend, who really helped me get out of bed. And then it was gorgeous out, and I hate that I beg all winter for sun, and never see enough of it. This year I'm going to be out as much as I can!

Wind In Her Hair -- or Workout #15 for June

Did you know it's easier to run with a baby than it is to blog with a baby? She loves typing too!

I woke up without my workout clothes ready. I woke up without motivation. And then I thought about it... If I didn't run today, I would become THAT person. The one that quits after Week 5 Day 3 because they could "run far enough". I decided, after 2 hours of hemming and hawing, that I was not going to be that person! Plus, KNBO'R had just gotten back from her 5.3 run, not stopping for even a breath!

Peach and I set out, and I had visualized the distance of my run. It ended sooner than I thought it would, distance-wise, because I had re-adjusted my warm up area. The second run, the long (8 minute) run I plotted out a mile's length, and nearly made it before the notice to walk. In fact, I have made it a point to NEVER look at the clock because I can make any excuse to stop. Today, during the second, long run, I looked at the clock and had 13 seconds left! EASY. I walked the walk period, and before I knew it, it was time to run again. I was not in the mood, but my calves hurt, so I knew I had to get moving! I ran and ran and ran, tired, but kept going knowing I must be near the end. Along the final run, a friend drove by, and I knew I had to keep running while I was in their sights (haha). The point they drove by, the "one minute left" prompt came. I knew I had to do it, all the way! I ran with all of my might, checked the clock again, and :03, :02, :01... Cool down! I did it!

This week the runs are designed to have you running longer than 30 minutes. I didn't notice that as a difference, but I noticed that this wasn't as easy as I thought it'd be! I thought, after running 20 minutes, that it'd be a piece of cake. But I realized, mentally, I have a hard time restarting when my running has set breaks, or even when it doesn't!

I'm excited to see how this week will go. After this run, I felt over the moon. I was so pumped, especially when I realized how far I've come in less than 2 months! Amazing! Truly!

Where does the title of my blog come from, you might wonder? All this time I've wondered how Peach felt about being hauled around on my runs... She's never cried or complained, and often she falls asleep. Today I pulled the canopy on the jogging stroller back, and she reached her hand out, fingers outstretched, feeling the wind in her fingers, as I ran. I peeked around the side the best I could, and saw she was smiling, her sample of blonde hair blowing in the wind. She was so happy. She was my motivation today, to keep running. She loves it!

Not So Different Mothers

It has been about four years, and still, when my children are gone, I find myself looking for them. Part of me aches, and wishes the feeling will pass. Most of me is glad I have that connection to my little ones, and hope I'll always feel that way.

I remember herding cattle with my ol' friend NM and her family, and occasionally the calves would get separated from their mothers. If I remember correctly, both cows and calves would call out to each other, the calves patiently waiting for the first sight of their mother, sometimes blocked behind a fence that needed moved by the rancher. After catching the glimpse of their returning mother, the calves would gallop across the field, and follow her wake.

I remember reading a story once of an otter who gave birth to a baby otter who had died. She held it, rubbed it, swam with it, whatever she could to revive it. She fought for her baby to live, even though it was too late.

As I returned home from the grocery store the other day, with Bear, Peach came crawling toward me as fast as she could, crying for me. I could not help but think of baby chicks in a nest peeping frantically, as their mother bird approaches, soon soothed by her presence.

I am not necessarily a "nature lover", or even an "animal lover", but I am a natural being, and I miss my babies every day I am separated from them. I wonder if my mother, whose children are adults, ever feels this way?



Happy er...Father's Day. Yes, I have no tact, or timing.