Four 4 Friday - What I've Learn in VA

In Virginia it really doesn't seem to matter what time of day or how many miles, my legs and every other spot on my body will appear to be melting after 10 minutes of running.  I also learned that sweating your weight in presprition does not equate to weighing nothing.  It can however result in wanting to passout if I don't jump in the pool fast enough.

For a while my hubbs worked in pest elimination.  Part of his job requirement was taking courses about various pests and elimination practices.  It may have been his requirement but I actually did them.  Okay we were young and dating and I was a pushover...

I do now enjoy a little extra usually useless knowledge thanks to those hours of courses. 

I found it helpful when I discovered that our new home in VA has an over abundance of assassins.  Fairly certain my little insect squatters are wheel bugs.  Their bite is very painful. 

If you are unfortunately enough to get bitten, a little Chlorox will help stop the stinging.

Since being in Va I have learned that my kids find fruit much more interesting if they get to pick it off a tree...or the ground....themselves.

Unlike previously thought, I not only like but I LOVE air conditioning!

Peaks and Valleys

Yesterday's One Word Wednesday was JOY.

Today I am feeling more JOY as I focus on some exciting things coming up.

Amanda at Run to the Finish is hosting another great challenge; the July Abs Challenge.  I hopeful that I can use this as part of a spring board to get my fitness routine back on track. 

Yes, I run everyday however running alone does not make a body fit enough to handle the challenges I want to handle.

Speaking of challenges one of the next ones penned in for the fall is the Megatransect.

Looks like a lot of fun, huh?

I only wish this event was sooner because I think it would have been great training for a race that I probably won't get to do this fall The Ring.  This event seems to be a bit of an ultra runner's cult kinds thing.  There are requirements for getting in.  I'm not sure that I will be able to meet those requirements by race day.  But the seed has planted it's self in my brain, that desire to risk pushing myself beyond is back and I am now filled with JOY again. 

JOY at the thought of risking failing by trying something I haven't yet done. 

Even if I have to beg a race director or two.

One Word Wednesday

JOY!

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

A Little Late Gardening

With wrapping up daily life in PA, I missed out planting a spring garden in VA.  I do however have my veggies in my "pot" garden on the deck.  I worked in a few extra pots to plant some late flowers and replant some herbs. 

In a old parsley pot I found a swallowtail caterpillar.  It was a great opportunity to talk with the kids about how life changes and through those changes often we find new, more beautiful ways to live our lives.  Yeah, I'm clever like that.  Using our surroundings to teach lessons, making those moments count and reassuring the kids that life, no matter what form it takes, will be an amazing positive adventure.  I think the kids bought it.  And it made me feel better about things too.

We planted a lot of pots and planters while that little caterpillar munched on parsley.  Now, just like our newly evolving life, I can't wait to see what grows!

Reasons Why I Run Every Day

This weekend was filled with lots of reasons why I need to run every day.

I blame it on Pinterest but this yummy sinful dish wasn't even on my radar until I looked at Pinterest.  And then all the sudden, I couldn't think of anything better to serve as a snack for S'ghetti girl's sleep over. 

Blame Pinterest again for this one.  Crack Potatoes.  Yes, they are call Crack because they are a bit addictive.  I have to admit I altered the extremely rich recipe a bit but it was still run inducing yummy!

Over indulging in food aside, there was the extended sleep over.  It's always nice to have extra playmates for the kids to spend time with however that added personality can sometimes up the need a run gauge a notch or two.

Lastly, Day #777 was Sunday. 

That was a great reason to get out for a celebratory run with LBM.  We enjoyed running 7.77 miles to mark the day.  Afterward I noticed that all the extra sweating from the heat had left a mark on me.

All Kinds of Busy

I only have a minute to share a few great things from my day so far.  After my morning run which was again a major sweat-fest, I did something a little out of character for me.

I painted my finger nails.  Now I remember why I don't do this very often.  It takes a long time and then I don't want to do anything that might mess then up.  Well that will last until we jump in the pool.  At least they will look nice for our Friday Family Date Night tonight.  Like the rest of the country we are going to see Brave.  The kids have been dying to see it!  And it was great ammunition to get them to be active and behave today. 

Like when I said we were going to a walk to get a little exercise.  S'ghetti girl actually ran!  She was just eager to have you workout over and hit the pool but she did leave LBM and I in the dust. 

But in our defense I was getting in a little backpacking practice with my wiggle little 30 pound pack.  I should be in great shape to hike Old Rag again soon!

Where is your favorite hiking spot?  with the kids or without?

Do you "do" your nails?

Do you bribe your kids to keep them active?

Get out and LOVE the weekend.  It's going to be a great one!

All Kinds of Wet

Thinking back to Massanutten and my worries that if I got in I might have an issue with the heat, now seem hilarious to me.  It amuses me that I thought it would be hot in early May.  I don't think I knew what hot was until I tried running in Virgina at 4 in the afternoon yesterday. 

I felt after a measly run of 4 miles that my entire body had melted.  Without much cover on the route I choose and no breeze at all, I ended my brief run soaked from heat to toe.  In time I assume I will get used to the temperatures and find a better schedule to fit in my outside miles but until there I am sure I will be spending me days soaking wet...

one way or another.

How early do you get up to get your miles in before the heat?

Or do you suck it up and run outside regardless?