The A Word

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 415 (running: 341.6 walking: 34.8; biking: 36.2) Elly's miles: 180.3  Money Found For Food Bank: $55.03

Summer 2016 Ultimate Pool Volleyball Championship - Best of 101:

Me: 17 Pit Crew #2: 11

I remember learning the word 'acquiesce' because I remember loving how it sounds. Say it with me: acquiesce ... I hate the word, though. Put into practice, it's hardly ever a good thing.

 

That word popped into my mind on yesterday morning's run. Pit Crew #2 headed out in 73-degree weather, but it felt much, much worse. We were stocked with water, and I already put the kibosh on any form of speed particularly during the first mile while we gaged what we were dealing with. It didn't take me long to realize this wasn't going to be a strong one. It was just going to be a complete one.

 

Just after the first mile, I called for the first walk break. With just over four miles (and the rest of the day) to go, I knew the extent to which I needed to pace myself. The air was thick, and, honestly, the run was already pretty miserable.

 

Once we resumed, I looked ahead on our long stretch and stated where I knew I'd run before wanting to again walk. I wanted to warn PC#2 because I wasn't really sure she'd be thrilled with stopping again so soon. At least she'd have a heads up. The short of the story is that almost immediately after we stopped at my target, she didn't want to just take a walk break. She wanted to step to the side of the road and just stop for a minute. By my visual, she needed a minute to recover.

 

I couldn't help but ask her if she actually wanted to stop earlier than we did. Fortunately, she confirmed that she really wanted to stop just short of where I said we would. I say it is fortunate she told me so we could have an honest conversation about what it means to be a running partner rather. And, a good partnership is not one where the other acquiesces.

 

Given the extremity of the weather and how very badly these conditions can catch up and bite a person, I jumped right on the platform of raw honesty about how she feels. I reminded her that I never ask her permission to walk; I just state it. I also reminded her that she has the safest running partner in the world to just claim what she wants or needs. My response is going to be, and has always been, "Okay. Cool." That's a partnership.

 

As we went onward, jogging and walking as needed, she ended up thanking me a number of times for my willingness to stop. Given my own perspective on this gig, thanks was far from necessary. I want honesty in her assessment of herself. I want both of us to be safe. And, I want this as enjoyable as possible. I do not want to go along one way only to find out my partner needed something else entirely. That just sucks.

 

I told her to never acquiesce. Certainly not to me. Following one of her many statements of thanks, I told her, "I'll make you a deal. When I'm working toward the Olympic trials, I won't invite you along. Until then, we're in this together."

 

Suffice it to say we'll be in this together for the duration!

 

Oh, and with about a mile to go, we found a sprinkler!!!

It all ended up as it should be. In it together.

Just Melting

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 409.3 (running: 336.2 walking: 34.1; biking: 36.2) Elly's miles: 180.3  Money Found For Food Bank: $55.01

Summer 2016 Ultimate Pool Volleyball Championship - Best of 101:

Me: 17 Pit Crew #2: 9

It was already 82 degrees when we set sail on our run this morning. It wasn't even 8 a.m. Say it with me: GROSS.

I was proud of the outing, though. We kept at it, and it was stronger than I would have guessed even though the air was thick and sucking every bit of moisture out of our bodies. When we came home, we stretched out on the floor, and the carpet under my elbow was soaked in a matter of a minute. And, if the elbow's sweating that much, well, that just speaks volumes.

We have tomorrow off before a 5-mile Saturday. We're 10K-ing it the following Saturday, so heat or not, we keep going! Here's to hoping we get even a wee break in this weather!! Stay safe, and stay cool! (Pit Crew #2 and I did just that in the pool tonight with our new papasan floatie things!! Ahhh ...) We'll be back after hitting the road early Saturday morning!

Who Ordered the Heat?

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 407.3 (running: 334.2 walking: 34.1; biking: 36.2) Elly's miles: 180.3  Money Found For Food Bank: $54.85

Summer 2016 Ultimate Pool Volleyball Championship - Best of 101:

Me: 15 Pit Crew #2: 9

In a quick review of the Summer Stats, I want to point out that Pit Crew #2 and I stalked someone at the pool because they had super-cool mesh floatie things that we decided we had to have. No, we didn't take theirs, but Aaron did find them for us at the store. We might just say volleyball-schmolleyball ... Just kidding, that is NOT happening. We have a dollar bet riding on this thing that I'll go into another time!

 

And, in a quick update from yesterday's National Selfie Day Bonanza ... I had one ... I repeat, ONE, selfie go through my Facebook feed!! That made me laugh!! Don't you just know whoever came up with that was like, "Oh, um, FAIL!" And, yes, I know I gave a nod to it here, but that's pretty much what comprises the pages anyway. So, it just made common sense.

 

So, PC#2 and I got up early to get our run in before the water on our street was shut off for a main break repair. We did accomplish that even though an extra walk break or two was required given the heat! When the temperature is pushing 80 degrees well before 8 a.m., the run kind of sucks. We did it, though ...

... and, just think of what rock stars we will feel like when we can run in fresh, breathable air!!

Until then, we keep on going!! We'll check in after the morning trudge ...

 

It's National Selfie Day, Of Course!!

While we didn't run today (we didn't even get to the pool today ...!!), do you really think I'm not going to make a notation about it being National Selfie Day?! AS IF!!!

We just had to. See you after the morning run!

Its Own Comeback

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 404.3 (running: 331.2 walking: 34.1; biking: 36.2) Elly's miles: 180.3  Money Found For Food Bank: $54.84

Summer 2016 Ultimate Pool Volleyball Championship - Best of 101:

Me: 14 Pit Crew #2: 8

The first order of business is to say Happy Father's Day yesterday to my Dad!! Yahoo!!!

We had a lovely visit with him yesterday complete with sugar-free brownies (a la Dough Boy mix), a gift and lots and lots of hugs and giggles! So thankful for another year celebrating my fabulous Dad!! We celebrated Aaron the rest of the day complete with a trip to the movies. We contributed to the record-breaking weekend for animated movies (previously held by Shrek 3) by attending Finding Dory. It was fabulous!

Fast-forward to today, and the girl trio headed out for a run. It was 72 degrees, but that sounds a lot nicer than it was. It was pretty gross. Tolerable, but gross. All of us had a strong run, so we treated ourselves to a walk up a big hill. Something about that seemed like the right thing to do!

Getting up and getting out wasn't really that much fun, but it was good and worth it once we got into the groove ...

Not to be left out, Elly made sure her image was captured at the end:

The routine is back, and I'm almost feeling like running is a normal part of my life again! I know. Weird. It's weird it went to the wayside in any way, but it needed to both in brain and body. I remember when the kids were in kindergarten, and their teacher said that when they're in the middle of learning a new concept, former information often seems to "go away" until the new info is more ingrained. Then, it returns. That seems to be the case for the run over here! I'm just glad to have it making its way back! Just keep swimming ... just keep swimming ... just keep swimming, swimming, swimming ...

Use Your Wings

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 401.3 (running: 328.2 walking: 34.1; biking: 36.2) Elly's miles: 177.3  Money Found For Food Bank: $54.83

Summer 2016 Ultimate Pool Volleyball Championship - Best of 101:

Me: 13 Pit Crew #2: 7

The heat broke just enough for our morning run to not feel like we were dying a slow death. Sound dramatic? Then, you weren't outside earlier this week ... Anyway, Pit Crew #2 and I got ourselves up early to get out there this lovely Saturday morning. It was nice to start the day with my girl, a solid run and a little quiet time to ourselves!

 

We were chatting it up between ourselves when we came upon a creature on the sidewalk:

I love his bed head!

He just stood there on the sidewalk while his mama stayed in the tree above squawking her head off like a fool:

You can't see her in this pic, but you do see
Junior there. Just looking up.

At first, PC#2 and I noted that she really must want us to get away from her baby. Then I suggested that she might simply be yelling at him, "Don't just sit there! USE YOUR WINGS!"

We all need such a reminder sometimes, don't we? I remember listening to Steve Harvey talk about parenting when he said his wife uses the following phrase when one of the kids acts unable: "Honey, your wings work." Since hearing it, I've used it on my kids a couple of times. PC#2 had that 'knowing' look on her face when I observed that that might be exactly what mama bird was squawking to her sidewalk baby.

I love my little birds. I'm so glad this one keeps on going with me:

And, tomorrow? There's no running as we celebrate the big man!

Still Going!

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 397.1 (running: 324 walking: 34.1; biking: 36.2) Elly's miles: 177.3  Money Found For Food Bank: $54.55

Summer 2016 Ultimate Pool Volleyball Championship - Best of 101:

Me: 12 Pit Crew #2: 7

The running schedule has continued, but most of the rest of my world is not in any kind of order! That's okay. That's what Summer does.

And, holy moly, has the heat HIT!! I did sneak in an early and short run with Elly Tuesday morning ...

... but, I knew within that first mile that this is the last run for her until this heat breaks. We cut it at two miles and weren't sad to do so!

Yesterday, Pit Crew #2 planned to run while I got up early to work and take a Rest Day as we planned to run together today. So, I was up early and hugely productive while PC#2 fully immersed herself in the Summer schedule and ... skipped the run! Some days, it's really okay to just blow it off and indulge in a little extra shut-eye! We were accountable to each other this morning, though ...

Misery loved company. I have no idea what the temperature was besides Holy Crap This Sucks. The air was thick making it difficult to take a deep breath. It was that kind of morning! For a three-mile run, we still took water and sported our cooling towels. Three-milers don't tend to require special equipment, so, that tells you something!

I've never run with PC#2 when it was this hot, so she got a lesson in just covering the distance however that happens safely. That meant a couple of walk breaks she didn't expect and a pace that would otherwise annoy even me. Before my first Half Marathon, I was taught by a very seasoned runner that, in this kind of weather, your only goal is to cover the distance. Period. No speed, no pushing it, check your ego at the door, just be safe. I'm a big fan of pacing my run in a way that supports the rest of my day, too, so there was no way I was going to let the heat drain me only to zap the rest of my day. (I saved that for when we went to the pool ... even that was barely refreshing!!)

So, we trotted the neighborhood and got 'er done. That was more than good enough for me!!

This heat is supposed to break to the tune of dropping about 10 degrees in the next few days. Given the temperature is sitting at 100, that's not really inspiring! But! We will go forth! We're resting up tomorrow for Saturday's long run! I might not have it all together, but I have at least figured this out! We'll check in after our outing!

Still Getting It All Straight

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 391.4 (running: 321 walking: 33.4; biking: 36.2) Elly's miles: 174.6  Money Found For Food Bank: $54.53

Summer 2016 Ultimate Pool Volleyball Championship - Best of 101:

Me: 10 Pit Crew #2: 6

So, I've gotten my own schedule almost under control, but that doesn't mean I've figure out everyone else's! One of the Crew's plans for tomorrow morning thwarted the idea of running, so, Pit Crew #2 and I headed out this morning instead!

It was disgusting. By 9 a.m. when we finished, it was already 87 degrees. Bleh. I knew it would be hot, which is why we didn't take Elly, but I didn't expect that. We looked the part at the end, too ...

... myself more than she although she complained about it more than I. So, together, we were a good team!

It was a good outing, too, especially on the heels of yesterday's run full of hot topics. We revisited some in the spirit of closure, but we were also able to just jib-jab about nothing. That is, when we weren't gasping for breathable air! Really? This much complaint already? And, Summer hasn't even officially begun ...

Whether we are fast or slow, make stops or don't, it all adds up to good. The Food Bank fund continues to grow, too. If for no other reason -- even though there are plenty -- that's a great motivator to lace up and get out there!

So, we'll rest tomorrow, unplanned but very welcomed! We should be back on track in every way by the time the next run is on the books! Enjoy the rest of your weekend, stay cool, and we'll be checking in!

Teens and Running. It's All the Same. No, Really.

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 387.2 (running: 316.6 walking: 33.4; biking: 36.2) Elly's miles: 174.6  Money Found For Food Bank: $54.38

Summer 2016 Ultimate Pool Volleyball Championship - Best of 101:

Me: 9 Pit Crew #2: 5

Pit Crew #2 is currently texting with a friend who went to State for her 2-mile run. She's getting the rundown of the event, no pun intended. I told her to respond with the following: "And, in other news, I went running with my mom this morning. It was super slow and not just because of my mom but also because of my dog. Oh, and we rescued a turtle and found money. Do you see turtles and/or money on your runs? Then, I guess your runs aren't very philanthropic, are they."

I can validate myself in any circumstance. Just sayin'. Oh, and I don't need to put someone else down to do it like I did in the above scenario. That was just fun in the no-way-I'd-ever-mean-that sense!

Oh, here's the turtle. From the sidewalk, I barely saw its shell going up and down on the mosey:

Elly had to check it out before everyone parted ways:

So, with another turtle save this year, PC#2 and I carried on both with running and with our conversation. Sometimes, our runs involved general merriment. Other times, there's life stuff to sort out. Today was the latter. It kind of sucked, too, because the topic was heavy as was the air thanks to the heat and incoming humidity. It was like, "Okay, wait. This is hard stuff to talk about and sort through and I feel gross because of the heat and it's harder to breathe because the air is getting thick. Waaaaaaah!!" *sigh* But, the weather is to running as learning life is to teenagers. You take what comes, and you make the very best of what is in front of you. And, you keep an eye on an even better for-you-for-them future.

None of this is a complaint, by the way. It's hard as hell some days, but that's just a fact. It's not a complaint. I remember a very long time ago, even before I met Aaron, I told people that I looked forward to the opportunity to love kids through their teen years. There's a lot of dismissiveness when it comes to teen angst, drama, growing pains, drama (wait, did I say that twice?), and I never, ever wanted to get on board with that. I didn't like it happening to me. I was never going to do that to someone else.

As difficult as some things are, you hunker down, and you get down to business working toward productive strategies and forward motion. Running. Teens. Work. Marriage. Friends. Teens. (There they are again!) The method to success is the same. You commit. You work. You figure it out.

And, by doing so, you get to love.

Two and Done

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 383 (running: 312.4 walking: 33.4; biking: 36.2) Elly's miles: 170.4  Money Found For Food Bank: $53.01

Summer 2016 Ultimate Pool Volleyball Championship - Best of 101:

Me: 7 Pit Crew #2: 5

In an unfortunate turn of events for Pit Crew #2, I took a strong lead in our Volleyball rumble today ...

That turn of events came long after our morning run together! At least she started her day off right, amiright? As the meteorologists of the world promised, the morning was warm. Very warm. From the moment we stepped outside, we let out our first-of-the-season, "Eww." It was clear that we were going to be mighty hot every step of the run. Elly wasn't invited for this very reason. She did not really understand, but she got over it.

Today's was a short run, just two miles, and that was perfect. Knowing it was that short, and knowing we rest tomorrow, it was a faster and stronger run than most. That's what that short one is supposed to be for, so it was nice to successfully kick it into gear.

Summer is often a higgly-piggly mess for me as I scramble through my days trying to do what I normally do while fitting Summer in there somewhere. This running routine has brought back some of my sanity. If I ever thought I loved a schedule ...

The schedule is, indeed, key. When possible, it's nice to have some semblance of control! At least it starts the day off right. I cannot always be held responsible for how it plays out, but the start is good!

PC#2 was wise in her thinking when she planned the schedule to include Fridays OFF. Smart girl ... we'll be checking in ...

Toward a Goal Out Of the Gates

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 381 (running: 310.4 walking: 33.4; biking: 36.2) Elly's miles: 170.4  Money Found For Food Bank: $52.22

Summer 2016 Ultimate Pool Volleyball Championship - Best of 101:

Me: 4 Pit Crew #2: 5

In a very important housekeeping note, I must amend the Ultimate Pool Volleyball Championship "Best of" status. It's best of 101, not 51. It takes 51 wins to be the ultimate champion. I was momentarily confused when I first announced. My issue was probably being a little surprised that I started off in the hole. It looks like the girl is going to be a competitor this year!

Speaking of the girl, she and I have definitely found a good Summer swing. Between the many other things we need and want to do, the running schedule feels normal again. Neither of us was thrilled getting up this morning. In fact, I said there aren't going to be too many days starting this early, and she agreed. Of course, I'd just gotten out of bed, and she was still in hers. By the time we got going outside, those unmotivated morning feelings had passed.

It's supposed to start being hot in the mornings after today, so we took Elly while we knew we could. I won't lie, the girl of the four-legged variety was annoying. How many potty stops did she make? I don't know, I can't count that high! Pit Crew #2 and I decided to make a selfie our business ...

... while Elly took care of her own. At least this one was in the shade ...

We're heading for a virtual 10K in a few short weeks. There are two to pick from, so soon is the time to coordinate with Virtual Running Partner Extraordinaire Mary Kate to see if it's the duo or trio 10K that is first on the calendar!

Tomorrow's another running morning! The motivation continues, and it feels good to be back! We'll check in after!

Scheduled

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 374 (running: 307.4 walking: 29.4; biking: 36.2) Elly's miles: 170.4  Money Found For Food Bank: $52.15

Summer 2016 Ultimate Pool Volleyball Championship - Best of 51:

Me: 2 Pit Crew #2: 3

Ahh ... what a difference a schedule makes!!

Pit Crew #2 and I talked last night about making a schedule. Given all of the Summer duties and wanna-dos, I knew there was just no way to make the most out of our days without some self-imposed guidelines! The boys are managing their sides of life* while we girls took charge of ours! First on the list? A running schedule, of course!

* The boys are biking together this Summer. After their first ride last night, PC#3 came in to report: "Biking is like running if running were fun." Seriously, I love that kid!

So, in our discussion, PC#2 let me know she'd already decided she wanted to run Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. I asked if I could just jump on her train, and that was that! For now, I'll give the guidelines for how many miles which will ultimately be negotiated. I want to work us back into six miles as comfortable, and then we'll reconfigure from there. The most important piece -- the schedule -- is in place. The rest is gravy.

Never mind that I think gravy is gross. It's still a good saying.

So, as scheduled (yay! I like saying that again!), we headed out with the pound hound this morning. It was rather warm, so Elly took advantage of any shade she found. That, of course, translates into interval running, but it still works! During one of her sidelines, she investigated a bit of nature:

We dubbed that moment Elly's Nature Preserve Field Trip. And, then, I had flashbacks to accompanying such field trips with the young Crewers. I hated those field trips. They did absolutely nothing for me. I was more of the room mom kind of gal complete with designing games and bringing treats. Chaperoning the nature preserve places sucked. But, I tried. Ohhh how I tried ...

So, tomorrow, we REST! That works well for me because I have to admit I'm still getting used to running and pool volleyballing! Sunday's six rounds of the volleyball -- where it was mighty evident I have become the weak link of the teams! -- did nothing for that first mile of running this morning. All was forgiven by Mile 2 ...

Enjoy your Tuesday as Summer weather starts to really knock on the door! I'll be checking in ...!

Back In the Swing

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 370.9 (running: 304.3 walking: 29.4; biking: 36.2) Elly's miles: 167.3  Money Found For Food Bank: $52.15

Summer 2016 Ultimate Pool Volleyball Championship - Best of 101:

Me: 1 Pit Crew #2: 3

There's nothing like using a little external motivation to get me going some mornings! This morning's running inspiration came to me last night in the form of seeing a penny outside our car window. It was at the very moment that I told Pit Crew #2, "Well, now we know what street we're putting on tomorrow's route."

And, so it was:

Running two days in a row isn't always cause for celebration. But, today, I decided it was. After all, I had back-to-back hiatuses and am completely out of the groove. And, I didn't feel like getting up early this morning. But, I did, as did PC#2. And, together, we ran this town ...

I told PC#2 to not be too jeals about my hair ...

... or, at least, part of it!
So, the running has returned as well as the annual rounds of pool volleyball! PC#2 and I started our big tournament (Best of 51) MUCH earlier than when I had the grand idea last year (August, wasn't it? Yeah, like we'd have a chance to finish ...). I'll post the ongoing status of this at the top, but I have to start off by saying I'm down 1-3 games so far ... I must be getting old.

Well, if this is old, I'm doing well!! While pool time is on tomorrow's docket, running is not! Fill your Sunday with whatever pleases you most, and I'll be checking in ...

Back For National Running Day!

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 366.6 (running: 301 walking: 29.4; biking: 36.2) Elly's miles: 167.3  Money Found For Food Bank: $52

Suffice it to say I'm glad I'm a grown up. I don't mean that by my age, I mean that I took very intentional steps throughout my life to see what's right in front of me and to make the right decisions as needed. Had I not required myself to grow up as time afforded me, this past week would have been a disaster. Hell, this past month would have done me in.

I finally realized in the past couple of weeks that my usual adjustments and tweaks that go along with rolling with the daily flow were not going to be enough to accommodate all that has shifted in my world. Frankly, I didn't really see it coming, but I did keep my eyes open enough to know that I needed to take a number of steps back to evaluate and realign rather than slightly shift here and there. Think of it this way: There's a time to straighten up your closet, and then there's the time you must remove every, single item before deciding what is allowed to return. And, some of it simply no longer belongs.

There's nothing massive going on. It's just another time of year where schedules not only shift but look nothing like any previous year. So, I have no template. I'm just making it up as I go. All the while, in the Spring, I took on a new job which I have not done in almost two decades. Oh, and I kept the job I had. And, some days, I can't see myself coming or going, but I am glad I put myself out there. I guess I could have seen this upheaval of my days coming given I am the one who applied for the job, but I'm so used to having things under general control that I forgot I would have to step back and realign.

Realignment meant taking running off the calendar to give me some breathing room. My goal was to step back into it on National Running Day. And, so we did:

It was like a gift to me to have a concrete day to aim for to lace back up, and I took full advantage of that! Once running was off the calendar, it was also completely off my mind. I used every bit of that time to get myself back on track with new life pieces in place, all pieces in a better order. Say it with me: Ahhhhh ...

It's been 8 days since my last run. Given how much I packed that time, it feels like much longer (until I looked, I thought it had been two full weeks). It was nice to get out there, though. I felt much better than I expected, the three of us were in good step together, and Elly was just as contrary as she always is:

"That's because I remain AMAZING."

My hiatus was needed, but I now need to step back into the running routine. I think I've done what I can do to get my little world in enough order to operate without excluding something I highly value. Besides, Pit Crew #2 and I have some medals to earn this Summer; that's not happening by not hitting the streets!

To that end, we plan to run tomorrow! Rain is in the forecast, but we're going unless there is thunder! Here's to National Running Day and to the last stop in the mid-year reset! Do what you need to keep yourself aligned and sane, and we'll check in tomorrow from our morning run!