Worth the Ride

Life’s unexpected plans are often worth the ride. This past week, no – strike that – this past month, I have been reminded of this over and over. The run down:

Run (pun) Down One:

I had been training for the River Bank Run 25K (15.5 miles) which was scheduled to happen about a month after my first Half Marathon, the Gazelle Girl Half Marathon & 5K (GGH). The week before the GGH I pulled something in my right leg – up near the groin (ewww, groin area). I kept running through it and after the race, I continued to run through it ... until I couldn’t run anymore. The muscles in my legs were cramping around the clock and I couldn’t walk (not to mention run) without a limp. Our bodies are pretty frickin smart to over compensate for how dumb we can be. Good thing!

Today, I am slowing returning to running after an interesting 3 week break. Here is what I learned (this is A Hard Way to Learn, after all). Never underestimate the importance of cross training – that isn’t just window dressing. If you are going to run, and run distance, you have to add yoga for the stretch, walking/biking for working the other muscles in your body, and some strength training to help with core development. Also, you have to swallow your pride and stop doing what is hurting you . . as a friend told me “You’re not an elite runner, you don’t depend on this for income. You do it for health and happiness”. Right! I learned – if I am not happy or healthy doing it – It is time for a break.

I also learned, or dare I say was reminded, I am so lazy. It is so easy to be lazy . . I like it way too much. That 25 pounds lost have been waiting for a chance to get back on board. Yikes!

Run (pun) Down Two:

Medical Maddy Strikes again. Our daughter is a lightning rod for all things medical. If you have followed this blog, you know she has had a hell of a life journey. The thing about Maddy, if she is going to get sick – she does it big time. Last week she complained of a sore throat. It increased throughout the week and even with a doctor visit and antibiotics, she wasn’t getting better. Turns out she had an abbesses on her tonsil and if you think a groin muscle pull is gross . .you don’t even want to hear what an abbesses on the tonsil means. Let’s just say, OMg!, what is pouring out of your mouth? Yea, I hope you are not eating or anything right now – but I keep it honest peeps.

So, it was clear our ‘awesome day together’ with a lunch, a trip to GRAM, visit to Titanic, a delish dinner, and a first (for her) visit to the ballet to see Romeo and Juliet was not going to happen. Instead I saved the vacation day, worked from home while she slept. But, last night the most wonderful thing happened! Tom, Maddy, Andy and I were all home – together on a Friday night - with college aged children. And, we gathered around the television and watched Maddy’s choice: Gangster Squad. This hasn’t happened in nearly forever and it was heaven. Simple joy and happiness!

Did you get my puns? Sometimes I am so clever I hurt myself.

Assignment: I stumbled upon Smart Girls at the Party (Amy Poehler) and I highly encourage you to visit. Especially if you are, have been, or know of any young women in your life. Plus, there are some seriously funny finds there (duh, it’s Poehler). www.sgatp.net . . . do it!

Empty Nest Break . . .

College is ending for another year and today is our last day as an empty nest couple. I can’t lie to you; I have bitter-sweet emotions on this one. Obviously I love, and more importantly, actually like our college kids but . . .

Listen, Tom and I have established this new pattern to our routine and frankly, we like it. We like doing dorky things like watching (interactively) Jeopardy. We like not having dinners together. We like being in the same home but not necessarily in the same room together – and in contrast, we have fabulous conversations while just kicking back and letting the stress of the day wash out of us. We love our spontaneous date nights. We love the freedom of just acting like adults . . who are temporarily childless.

Then there are the things we like to do, outside of our relationship: he has golf and football (which really never stops you know – did you know that?? Coaches work at least 11 months a year. Plus, just for the record, he is a volunteer coach – give him the props folks. I, for one, know I will be a little less critical of the sideline now that I am in the game from this position). But, I digress . . . he has golf, football, and his workout routine. I have running and arts/cultural and about a zillion television shows I enjoy. We have a nice blend of us/me time and we like it.

I understand that once the kids return, will still be these people but now we have to remember how to share – with children – who have been adults for 10 months. Young adults who have set their own schedules, made their own rules, and created their own hours . . and now they are back in our home.

Yap, this is a bitter-sweet return to a full house.

Assignment: Remind me of this in August when I am crying because my college aged children are leaving home again, will you?