Short week...

ahhhh, the only thing better about going INTO a Holiday weekend, is when the week following it is shortened by it. I love that it's already "humpday" tomorrow... making for a shortened work week. Although, that also brings my latest challenge closer to the present.... running my first 5k race!

When I had trouble with my hand surgery last year, and overdid it when I returned to the pool (big surprise that I ever "over-did" anything, hahaha), I started running and biking for exercise. So now the bug's bitten me again. I'm running outside now that there's no longer a -40 below windchill factor, and I try to log at least 3 miles per run, when I do it. I have my handy-dandy ipod blaring the tunes into my ears, more for the fact that it drowns out my huffing and puffing, than because I like the songs. But, since I've been running again, I figured I might as well try my hand at a race... so this Saturday, I'll run my first 5k. Now, that's only 3.1 miles, so I should do ok. But I hope to finish in a decent time, so we'll see how it goes.

As with anything I do, I kind of go overboard, and actually this afternoon I've been surfing the net for upcoming triathlons and 1/2 marathons. Don't get me wrong, I'd have to bike a little before doing a tri, and I am in NO shape to run a 1/2, but one never knows what the future might hold for me, or what fate might tempt me with. I have learned long ago to never say never, about anything.

Run for the health of it, and have a great day!!!

Preview to the Long Weekend

"The Long Weekend"... that phrase can mean so many things. Some people say those words with relief; looking forward to rest, relaxation, maybe reuniting with friends or family, all good things. While at the same time, others may enter a long weekend with worry, panic, trepidation, and a wish to stay in the routine and schedule of a work week (although for the life of me, I can't imagine why) ha. So for those of you that may not be looking forward to a long weekend, I send you my hugs, my thoughts, and my wish for some time of peace and solace during the next few days. For those of you who, like me, are looking forward to unwinding with friends and family, put your feet up, let your hair down (mine already is, ha), and treat yourself right this weekend!

I haven't been back in the pool yet since Nationals (it's only been a few days), but I haven't quit exercising, either. I ran on the treadmill the other day, and let me tell you that the muscles used in swimming are FAR different than those used in running... I'M STIFF!!! I never thought of myself as being out of shape.... thinking differently now. ha. I can hardly walk straight. But then again, it may not be only from the 3.25 miles on the treadmill I did (in 31.49 minutes, mind you)... my soreness could have something to do with the two nights of shoveling dirt and clay I did this week. We're adding an addition onto our house, and the back-filling had to be done this week. OUCH... talk about MORE muscles I'm not used to using. But, it's all for progress and home improvements, right?

The kids are done with school... I can hardly believe it's summer vacation already! And, not to mention that it means I no longer have a 10th grader and 5th grader... nope, now I have a Junior and a 6th grader living in my house. This "growing up" thing is happening WAY too fast for my taste. ha. Why couldn't they just stay preschoolers all their lives? It was much simpler then. But, then again, they're fantastic young men all the same, and I love this stage of their lives as well.

I hope happiness and peace falls upon anyone and everyone that reads this! Take care, don't let life's little bumps in the road slow down your journey too much, while at the same time don't speed through the path with such intensity that you miss all the scenery.

Until next time..... keep smiling!

First day of a blogger...

This is new to me... I've always wanted to be a "blogger", but haven't ever gotten around to it! I guess I didn't know if I'd have anything to say that anyone would want to read. But, I am going to try to get my fingers and mind into the creative writing mode once again, and thus I thought I'd start here.

I flew home yesterday from the most fabulous vacation. Well, it wasn't filled with gold medals, it wasn't tropical, and it wasn't with my family, so I suppose it could have been better. But it was great nonetheless, since it was a dream turned to reality for me. I competed in the US Masters Swimming National Championships in Federal Way, WA, and I didn't do half bad. Like I mentioned, I didn't bring home the gold, but I did swim my hardest, and competed with some of the fastest, best swimmers in the Nation! The level of competition was out of this world, and I can't wait to do it all over again next year!

For now, post-swim-season, I have some 5k races I plan to run in, and I want to also get back into writing my novel. So my days ahead will be filled with whatever I can find to keep busy, along with attending my kids' events (baseball, theater performances, etc) and also the addition we're putting on our home. Boredom is a scarecity in my life, but that's how I like it.

It's called "LIFE", so I say "LIVE IT"!