Fresh Air

Monday:  8 mile run
Wednesday:  5 mile run
Thursday:  4 mile run with Abby
Friday:  30 minutes yoga
Sunday:  5 mile run
Monday:  20 minutes stability ball
Tuesday:  4 mile run with Abby
Wednesday:  hike with Jerry, 30 minutes stability ball
Thursday:  5 mile run
Friday:  4 mile run
Saturday:  5 mile run


I've been trying to maintain some basic level of running while not letting too much fitness slip away.  Weekly totals for the past two weeks were 17 and 23.  Abby also got back to running and it was great to share a couple of runs with her.  We ventured over to the Buckeye Trail and were surprised to see some residual snow mixed in with some very sloppy mud.  The sun was shining that day, and all the yellow leaves on the trail lit up by the sun with Abby running out ahead of me made for a really spectacular memory.

Saturday brought the annual Twinsburg 5-mile Turkey Trot.  Abby and I did this race last year and she whooped me by a mere 30 seconds or so.  This year several of her cross country friends decided to run and  I graciously opted out of the fun.  Some one has to cheer, right?!  It was a beautiful day and they all did really well!  Abby finished in 40.03 and was most happy about passing a few of the high school girls along the way.  Here she is (in purple) with her peeps at the finish line.



Gina has officially started the high school swim season.  It is the typical grueling schedule but not too many 5:30 am workouts this year.  In lieu, the coach has added a few Saturday mornings and, of course, the 4-hour workouts through the holiday break.  There have already been some teary discussions about how to manage it all and whether or not it will be a good year.  Academics first.  Always.

Jerry was able to take Wednesday off work and we enjoyed a great day together - a sort of late celebration of our 19th anniversary in August.  Over the years we have perfected the ultimate cheap date and I would not have it any other way.  We packed a healthy mostly whole food picnic and a thermos of coffee and then headed to the Valley for a few hours of outdoor fun.  We hiked from Kendall Lake to Ledges and then drove over to beautiful Pine Hollow for our picnic.  It was really nice to spend some time together discussing the past, present and future.  Crazy years ahead of us, but we have made it this far, and I have no doubt we are going to go the distance! 

One more photo to share of Gina and Abby as they left for school the other morning.  I really thought it was a great everyday shot of them looking happy and ready for a day of school.  I can't believe how fast the years fly by.  The three of us took a really nice walk yesterday with Mia while Jerry finished up his run and some things around the house.  We seem to have some of our best talks when we are out in the fresh air and moving along the earth.  Ever since they were tiny babies I have tried for at least a few minutes of fresh air every single day to clear out the lungs and brain.  I really think it makes a difference.