My Birthday Weekend

I am not following an official training plan at this time... just going with the flow and how I feel. It is kind of nice to not follow an arbitary plan... to run when I want and how my body dictates. I'll likely start a new plan after the Dirty Half... until then, I'm just going to take it all in stride and enjoy myself. No pressure.

My mom's birthday is the 18th and mine is the 19th, so we always try to spend at least one day together near our birthday. My mom came over on Thursday evening after she got off work and arrived shortly after the kiddos had fallen asleep. She brought over the antique spinning wheel that has been in my family for generations. It came over from Norway in the late 1800s. I've known since I was a little girl that I would inherit the spinning wheel. Now that I actually have it my home, it is a little surreal. We chatted for a while and then we adults retired for the night as well.

I headed out for a run early on Friday morning shortly after DH left for work and before anyone else was awake (Mom had given me the go ahead the night before). I covered 4 miles at 33:57 (avg pace 8:29) and was very pleased.

When I got home, the kids awoke a few minutes later and we then proceeded about our day. I had a short training meeting at the museum to prep for the new peak visitor season that starts after Memorial Day. Sweetie and I will continue to do Living History but Buddy will be staying with my girlfriend and her 2 boys instead. He is just too busy, too inquisitive... he doesn't stay in the 'homestead area' and I thereby spend much of my time running after him so I figured this was the best option. Sweetie loves going to the cabin and I didn't want to take that away from her. While I was in my meeting, Mom explored the museum with the kiddos.

Thereafter, we spent a couple hours at Goodwill (we love to treasure hunt) and we came home with a few great finds (mostly clothes - a running skirt and Nike Dri-Fit running pants!). Buddy found a small aquarium and Sweetie found a pair of overalls for her upcoming dance recital. Mom found a great patio lounge chair but couldn't get it in her car so it is now mine! :D

Mom left that afternoon and I then began to prepare for the arrival of Bar and Kong. The past couple of years, they have been core members of our Pole Pedal Paddle team. Though we opted not to participate this year (mostly due to the difficulty in finding a nordic skiers for each team), we still gathered everyone for the usual festivities (food, games, and chaos). As it turned out, temps were in the mid-90s, so we were all very pleased we weren't out exerting ourselves in the mid-day.

We did manage to get a lot of exercise in though - in the early morning when temps were still cool. Aren't we smart?

DH and I awoke first so I made him breakfast (his usual 3 scrambled eggs) and headed out for a short 2 mile run. Bar and Kong were also planning on running... so I circled back after 2 miles to see if they were ready to join me. They were still snoozing so I did another 2 (4.26 miles at 37:22 for an average 8:46/mi pace - my legs/hips were feeling a little tight - proving I need to make a better effort to stretch). I returned home just before the kids awoke so I fixed them breakfast as well. Bar and Kong awoke shortly after and we departed together for another 3. Eagerly, Sweetie joined us but Buddy opted to stay with Daddy and watch a movie.

I ran along side Sweetie and thereby enjoyed a leisurely pace. At 5 years of age, she hasn't quite grasped the idea of pacing herself so she would occasionally run all out, keeping up with Bar and Kong. Other times, she would walk a short distance to catch her breath. I thought she would want to turn around early but she is a trooper and she pulled through and completed the entire out and back course. Together we finished 3 miles in 41:36 for an average 13:53mi/pace. Awesome! We returned home, refueled with a bowl of Honeynut Cheerios, a banana, and OJ. We then headed out for a round of Disc-golf. It was hot - this was when we realized what a great decision we had made in NOT doing the PPP this year. After the third hole, Buddy had developed a couple of blisters on his feet and wanted to be carried. He and I thereby returned to the car to sit in the shade while the others finished the 9-hole course (we opted not to do 18 due to the heat). When they finished, I discovered that Sweetie had also developed blisters. Kong was gracious to loan Sweetie her socks. Note to self: Crocs are not meant for long walks without socks.

We cleaned up (it was dirty!) and then proceeded to McMennamins for a wonderful lunch (despite the slow service). DH and I shared a Ruby Raspberry Milkshake - who would have known a milkshake made with beer could have tasted so good! :D

We then returned home and enjoyed the comfort of AC while we played a few games... Carcassonne and Incan Gold. Kong and I then got busy preparing the meal for the evening. Scallop & Shrimp Skewers with Mango Mojo, Caesar salad, smoked salmon with goat cheese and cucumber, a Quinoa side-dish, and dinner rolls. D2 (a friend of DH) brought over Pancet, a Filipino dish of noodles, chicken, pork and shrimp as well as a yummy Pinot Grigio and 7up for our own spritzers. We dined and then watched The Count of Monte Cristo. Good movie.
Sunday morning was also eventful... we started with another 3 mile run with DH accompanying on his bike. Buddy also wanted to run but he opted to climb into the buggy after the first 1/2 mile. Sweetie joined him a little later. DH stopped at the park with the kiddos while Bar, Kong and I finished our run (3.44 miles in 40:26 for an average 11:45mi/pace).
As soon as we got home, we all readied our bikes and donned helmets for a little ride. The kiddos opted to play next door and so we were sans kids for a couple of hours. We headed for town with the intent of getting smoothies... we didn't find a smoothie place open so we settled on Red Robin and ended up getting lunch as well. The food hit the spot and was very yummy. With full bellies, we then began our trek home - mostly uphill. 7.25 miles on the bike... 1:02:05. Conversational pace. :D

Bar and Kong thereafter had to depart for home. Saying good-bye and the quietness that remains when a fun weekend comes to a close is always a little sad. We look forward to seeing everyone again at Indian Mary in July. Until then, "I dag skal vi gå på jogge."