100 km/month

I was back to school on Aug 21. I thought I would try getting up at the time I'd need to get up for seminary and still get in 5 km. Didn't work. Mornings are hard after my lazy summer! Most days, I only got in 2 km once school started. Just made it over the 100 km mark. Phew!

My goal this school year is to consistently do 100 km/month.

 

Almost at One Year

On June 10, almost a year ago, I made a decision to exercise every day. I'm coming up on the one year mark and want to do something to celebrate. Any ideas??

 

Day 84 Badminton

Today, I live the time with Peirce during Spring Break. We spend time together every day.

Peirce and I have been playing the best of three games every day during spring break. It's not going so well for me...but I'm getting better. When I get rid of this cold I plan to cream him! :)

Day 83 Friendship

What do I love about spring break today? Long drawn out coffee shop conversations with good friends! There is nothing like a steamed milk with hazel nut syrup and a good conversation!

Today I met my good friends, Lana and Lucy, at a Second Cup and we had our bi-annual catch up session. I am so grateful for these two. We have been friends since university. We have each had different struggles, but have remained friends for 20+ years. Each of us have very different lives. We have changed a lot since university. Our friendship has remained strong. We have celebrated happy events through the years and helped each other through tragedies. Marriage, divorce, death, babies, struggles in our careers and fitness.....those have been some of our topics over he years. We don't see each other a lot, but I know that whatever I come to them with, they will love me and support me.  They are simply fantastic people.

It seems right that after visiting with them I should have the chance to deliver some of the final products from our RS Anniversity party. We made sewing kits, as requested, for the Women's Emergency Shelter. 

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When I came home I made a darn good dinner. Sure was white though! LOL

Balsamic chicken, cauliflower, potatoes and coleslaw. It tasted delicious!

Day 21 Exam Break

Jill and Bobby are in the midst of exams right now. It means driving to the school at odd times and often waiting and waiting. I thought Jill was finished today at 10:30, but it was 11:30, so I had a little time to peruse the school.

She set a goal to get an award for playing multiple sports....she's on her way!

Day 20 Treadmill Traditions

This is my view every morning these days. Allen has been routinely driving Jill to swimming and so I have developed a morning routine of exercising every morning. I feel like it is making a big difference. I am looking forward to being able to do it outside again in a few months though!

Christmas 2015

GIn November, as a last minute pull the rabbit out of the hat and make a good RS activity night, we had a class on planning for a stress-free Christmas. Turned out to be the best thing ever. I think from now on, in November, I will be sure to take some time to think about what I really enjoy and focus on that for the Christmas season. There is so much to do that sometimes I get bogged down in to do lists and don't enjoy this season. This year I didn't do that. I enjoyed the music more. I enjoyed the social gatherings more. I enjoyed my family more.

We have a few traditions. We go to the First Presidency broadcast the first Sunday in December, then we go to our friend's, the Hawryluks. We had my work party, Allen's office party, a RS party (missed that one, although I did help organize it....it conflicted with my work party) our ward party, and we usually help serve at the other ward's Christmas party. I even went to my friend, Kim's, Christmas  concert. It was amazing music! I went alone...and that was just fine because I gave up all the expectations (it is okay to do some seasonal stuff without family!) and just did what I enjoyed. It was great! We went to Storybook Theatre's Christmas play.....loved that. We usually go to the Hudsons for a carol singing night, but this year they didn't have it. We would have missed it anyway because that was the day we celebrated Christmas with Grandma.

 

We had Christmas Eve at home. Usually, we go to the nativity pageant, but it was really cold, so we just enjoyed ourselves at home instead. I learned the joy of teenagers on Christmas morning: they slept until 8:00!! This year we didn't seem to do as many presents, but it was still great. Just perfect actually. We had The NAckroyds over for dinner the afternoon of Christmas Day. A lovely day!

I always have a long list of housework things to catch up on over breaks from school. This year I decided to just do one little thing each day to make our house a little nicer.....something I had been neglecting. It worked! Usually I have these long lists and never quite get sound to any of t because I really don't want to spend my whole time cleaning. That makes me feel a little bitter. This one little thing each day seemed to work much better. I might even continue it after school starts up again! I also did a little bit of school work - even though people like to lecture on how important it is to leave all work behind. Just a little bit now and then is what I did...and I think that will make going back to work even better. And the truth is, I don't hate the work I do. I enjoy it.....so why not?!

Peirce got a pet sitting job over the break so we have spent a lot of time driving him to the house of pets. They have a dog named Draco, two cats and a bearded dragon. I has been a good responsibility for him. Good $$ too, I would say!

Jill did a fair bit of homework and studying (still finishing up English 20!) She has some swim practices, worked a few days at Brokin Yolk, and did a lot of fun friend things. She pretty much never stops!

We tried to immerse Bobby into his first Christmas experience. He wasn't that into it. I decided I would just invite, and after that, not worry about it if he didn't participate. It was, however, very interesting to have someone who has n emotional connections to Christmas. That is a subject for a whole 'nother post!

I also spent a lot of time reading. I hoped to do a book a day (inspired by Donalyn Miller) but I got stuck in a couple books I wasn't that enthusiastic about. Didn't quite meet my goal, but I did get some great books read! I also exercised every day over the break. Every day!! It has been fabulous.

Looking back, we really did a lot. It didn't stress me the same as other years though. I think there are a few reasons. I decided to be conscious about simply enjoying the moment. I decided to not worry about expectations, especially when it comes to gift giving. I just did what felt right, not what I figured others expected me to do. I chose to not do some things that I just don't enjoy. I filled my days with things I love, rather than duties. 

I lived to feel the joy.

Really, I think that is what Christmas is all about.

Yea! June is Over!

June didn't work out so well for walking. We bought another car and suddenly I had a car at my disposal any old time I wanted it. June is a crazy busy month in a teacher's life and it just was so much easier to jump in the car rather than walk most days. Boooo to that! It really put a damper on my walks meetings with my dear friend, Sandra, as well.

30 km...that is terrible.

It is a new month though. I've been walking every day since school ended Friday. Loving it! Maybe I will do 200 km this month!!

Mornings

This past month we bought a second car. It didn't have to, but it wreaked havoc on my walking goal. I am so happy summer is here. I am committed to walking first thing each morning. I walked this morning at 8:30 and even that is a little too late....it is warm out! (I don't do well walking in the heat.)

This is the creek in Confluence Park, where I like to walk. It is a great spot to sit and spend a little time reflecting and praying. 

Oh how I love summer mornings!

Fourth 100 K month

Did it again!! 

We bought another car yesterday. Now I will be able to walk to school less often because I will have to drive kids more often. This is where the challenge really starts! Must stay focused!

That Girl Can Run!

Jill has been a one sport girl for quite a while. Recently, she has been expanding her talents by taking up track. I have been so impressed with her! She has done really well.

She qualified for the city track meet (you have to be in the top six in your events). We will be cheering for her!

Sochi LGBT issues

Tonight Jill and I went to a documentary showing. It was about LGBT issues at Socchi. It really struck a chord with me. It is an amazing story.

Mark Tewksbury was at the showing and spoke about his experiences as a gay athlete. 

After, we got to meet him and took a picture with Jill. He was so kind. He had a lovely conversation with Jill about swimming and goals and going for it. At the end he asked if she is a butterflier. She said that she was. He replied, "I can tell by your muscles."

Won some points there!!

I did it!

Month one down......on to two months in a row.

Walking

I have now walked more this month than any month last year.  

On to bigger and better things!

I have to admit, I am pretty tired. It is been rough going in this snow!

New Walking Goals

And thus we see why I didn't lose any weight in 2014! (That's the way I phrase it without saying I actually gained weight....ugh!). Doesn't matter that this is in miles rather than kilometres. The important number is: I burned one pound of fat. Ugh!

My goal this year is to walk 100 km every month.

Exercise

I follow a librarian on Twitter and his blog as well who is also a runner. He has an amazing streak of never missing a day if running....it is in the 500s or something like that. I see his comments and often think I should do that.

Well, this week I finally started. I am now five for five. It has been tough. Tuesday I went to an exercise class that one of my co-workers runs. These legs haven't done any squats for years. Even though the class was pretty low key, it took me days before I could walk without wincing. I still went out and walked though. I am so proud of myself!! I plan to continue.

I also decided that I will keep a list of benefits of exercise. I decided while I was walking during the lunch hour today that there really are many benefits besides health benefits.

Favorite Quiet Spot: Day 43 of my 52 Days of Summer

I am back into the walking routine. This is one of my favorite places along one of the paths I often walk where I like to stop, sit on a rock for a while and pray and ponder. So beautiful!

Back to Walking

I am back in the game!! I got a treadmill this weekend. No more bad weather excuses. My goal is 30 km before the end of the month.

I am quite amazed at how quickly exercising every day makes such a difference. My knees have been hurting for a while now. I wondered if walking was a good idea. Interesting thing is now, on day 3, my knees don't hurt at all! Exercise is like the miracle cure.

Walking

It's finally spring. It has been a long winter. For me, that has meant no walking. It is time to get back in the swing. From now on, I will walk every day.

I love this post by Steve McCurry:

One step at a time is good walking.- Chinese proverb
India
Walking shares with making and working that
crucial element of engagement of the body and the mind with the world,
of knowing the world through the body and the body through the world.- Rebecca Solnit, Wanderlust: A History of Walking
Italy
United Kingdom
There is nothing like walking to get the feel of a country. 
A fine landscape is like a piece of music; it must be taken at the right tempo. 
- Paul Scott Mowrer
Nepal
Tibet
France
 Solvitur ambulando(To solve a problem, walk around)- St. Jerome
Yemen
Afghanistan
How often have I had this longing for an infinite walk – of going unimpeded,
until the movement of my body as I walk fell into the flight of
streets under my feet – until I in my body and the world in its
skin of earth were blended into a single act of knowing.
- Alfred Kazin, The Open Street
Bangladesh
France
Cambodia
In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.- John Muir
Italy
All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking.- Friedrich Nietzche
Italy
If you are seeking creative ideas, go out walkingAngels whisper to those who walk- Raymond Inmon
Brazil
 Ireland
 Above all, do not lose your desire to walk. 
Every day I walk myself into a state of well-being …
I have walked myself into my best thoughts, 
and I know of no thought so burdensome that 
one cannot walk away from it. 
- Soren Kierkegaard
 Burma
Walking is a man’s best medicine.
-Hippocrates
Burma
With beauty before me, may I walkWith beauty behind me, may I walkWith beauty above me, may I walkWith beauty below me, may I walkWith beauty all around me, may I walkWandering on the trail of beauty, may I walk- Navajo: Walking Meditation
 France
  Walking is the great adventure,the first meditation, a practice of heartiness andsoul primary to humankind.Walking is the exact balance between spirit and humility.- Gary Snyder

Smuggle Mom

Jill's coach calls people who don't know the swimming life "smuggles". In Harry Potter a muggle is a person who lacks any sort of magical ability and was not born into the magical world. In our life, a smuggle is someone who doesn't understand the magic of the swimming life.

I'm a smuggle. I'll admit it. I had no idea what we were getting into when we started this swimming life. I can't keep track of swim times like some parents do. I don't know all the terms, and I often say the wrong things to my kids about how to get a better time (just move your arms faster!)

However, I am oftensimply amazed at the beauty and wisdom involved in the demanding life of a swimmer.

This week, most kids are being lazy, playing with their Christmas toys, eat bad (good?) food, and other fun stuff. That's not a bad thing. It isn't what swim kids do though. Swim kids are at swim camps!

Jill has had twice a day workouts. 8-10 am and then again 2-4:30 pm.
Peirce has just had once a day workouts - and that's enough. He sure sleeps better.

Sometimes I think the demands of swimming life are way too much. I suppose that is the smuggle in me coming out. We drag Peirce to the pool now and then. Jill doesn't require any dragging though. She loves it. She works hard and follows the instructions her coaches give quite closely. She's also learned the dangers of staying up too late. One 3 am night (New Year's Eve) has made this a double-hard week. She's survived though. She even went to YW when she felt way too tired (it's amazing what washing one's hair will do to pick you up though). Her motto is that she does hard things.

I think that's a good motto.

For me the hard things are getting out of bed before my preferred time of 9 am, the driving, the preparing food, and the waiting around at the pool.

I probably shouldn't complain. It's great reading time!