Like coming back home...

So, I tried blogging here, I tried blogging there, and everywhere and in the end, I like blogging here.  So, I'm back.  I still will keep my cooking blog separate because I like having a purposed blog and also a blog like this that just lets me ramble on. Just feels like home.  :-)

Life right now, in this moment, is pretty darn good.  I feel like I'm in a good place.  Love that I have a fantastic hubby who just gets me.  Even in those moments of insecurity, doubt, fear and even anger...he knows how to say what I need to hear.  And, although my kids can make me want to pull out my hair, having both of them around me makes my heart happy.  Last year was so tough that I never want to go through anything like that again.  I love my kids more than I could ever convey to them in words.  I'll just leave it at that. 

But to say that I've been sitting around thinking all lovey-dovey, gushy thoughts about life is not true.  We have been busy planning out new adventures to accomplish this coming year!  Troy is going to do a triple crown run on the same day I'm running my first marathon at White Clay State Park in Newark, DE.  The triple crown will be a few miles short of my marathon, but I think more challenging because it's three races in succession...a half-marathon, a 10k and then a 5k.  More power to him!  I am excited and nervous about my first marathon - excited because I know I can do it but nervous because it's 26.2 MILES!  Just thinking about it makes me feel a little woozy.  And then, just to keep things interesting, we're headed to Richmond, VA two weeks - yep, two whole weeks - after the marathon day to do the Cap2Cap century ride!  So, not only are we marathon training all winter but we're bike training all winter too AT THE SAME TIME!  Gotta find some way to keep the motivation going, I suppose! 

So, tonight was my first time on the bike trainer in a few months.  I did 5 miles and was pretty happy with myself.  Heck, only 95 more and I got this in the bag!  We did a metric century over the summer so I know I can do it, just the combination of the marathon while bike training gets me a little nervous.  My massage therapist, Shana,  just loves how I drag my abused body into her every month already after running after the kids, running after the dogs and just running in general. She's practically forbidden me from ever doing another nighttime trail run.  I can't wait til I get to hatch this plan to her tomorrow night! 

I did mention to Troy that the bright side of all of the training is we just need to hone up on the swimming and we'll be ready for that Tri I've been batting around in my head (oh, and out loud to him,  he's a lucky guy!) so it's all just banked training for the next event. 

So my training plan for this week:
Monday - Massage night so pretty much a rest night.  Maybe some gentle yoga/pilates
Tuesday - Run at least 3-4 miles and pray for a bit of light. 
Wednesday - Bike trainer.  I'd like 10 miles if possible.  And some light weight training.
Thursday - Neighborhood run loop - 5 miles only because it's puppy class night
Friday - Bike trainer most likely.  Depends on the time issue as always.
Saturday - 10K run for York Winter Series.  I hear there's hills and lots of them.  Woohoo.
Sunday - Rest probably.  Maybe some weights or a hike if we're up to it.

Best laid plans are set now.  Let's see how it goes!

Wow....

I can't believe how long it's been since I've blogged.  So, so many things have been happening, it's hard to find time to sit, let alone write.  But today, I've got some time, and, so, I will write.  :-)

Summer is here and although I love it, it's hot.  And humid.  I head out for a run at 5:30 am and come back dripping all over.  I will never complain again about a chilly winter run where I can't feel my fingers.  Okay, okay, so I still will.  But, it will take awhile for that to happen.  Also, somewhere along the way I've become a biker.  Not just a rail trail when forced biker but an actual roadie.  As hard as it is to imagine myself out there amongst the cars and trucks loving the feeling, I am.  And I do.  It's a nice change from running because it's about endurance, but in an entirely different way.  It's covering more ground, more scenery and enjoying the world in a new way.  As a kid, I loved biking.  Then I had a horrendous crash that left me with a rather large scar on my shoulder - it involved a steep hill, lots of gravel and some late braking - not a pretty sight.  But I hadn't biked on a road since then because I was terrified.  Okay, so I still eek down the hills but I'm out there and I'm overcoming.  Just don't let me see any gravel or the panic attack starts to take over.  Not entirely, but I feel that tightness in my chest and have to will myself to keep pedaling. 

So, I bought a new bike and we've put a few miles on it. I even demo'd a bike and if you knew me at all, you'd know that was a leap.  A giant leap.  I was always terrified of biking in front of people, let alone not on my own know-it-like the back of my hand kind of bike.  I'm still working on overcoming the mountain biking fears but one thing at a time!

I don't know what's come over me this summer but I feel like I can just do anything!  With the hubbys help, I started a garden this year and it's tremendous.  Truly is a wonderful thing to go outside and get fresh veggies to bring in for a meal. Or eat while you're weeding, not that I'd do such a thing....  I'm like a little kid discovering all the new buds and blooms.  I have a cucumber and I check on it every single day.  Once I have more than one I'm sure I won't be quite as attentive but this little one is my main focus!  And the tomatoes, oh my the tomatoes.  They are like a jungle plant.  You can't even see the cages anymore because they have grown soooo huge!  I can't wait for that first hint of color change.  I just love the garden and it's been a great stress reliever for me.  Something to check on and tend to that needs my touch to keep it going.  It's lovely. 

Aside from the garden, I've started a compost bin, done some canning of various jams and jellies, picked strawberries, and just really am enjoying my life.  It's a great life and I'm so glad it's mine.  God has been generous with his blessings on us and for that I am thankful each day.  This year has reminded me that we only get one shot at this life and even when things seem bleak or overcast, the rain is making us grow and giving us a chance to branch out our roots and be able to stand firm and tall when we we'll need that foundation.  Life isn't meant to be just endured or "gotten through" it's meant to be experienced.  So, with a fantastic husband at my side and the best friends anyone could ask for in my life, I'm ready for whatever's next.