Tag: summer

Summer only comes once a year.

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For the better part of last summer, my girls were stuck in the house mostly keeping an eye on me.  After my surgery I was not very mobile for many weeks and was not able to drive for a few more than that.  We watched a lot of movies (mostly they watched and I slept), and they spent a good amount of time on the computer.  Frank did his best running them around after he got home from work but the reality is that they spent much of their time sitting around.

Day one of soccer camp
Day one of soccer camp

This summer I wanted to make sure that was not the case!  I have tried to both Image 1Image 2schedule events that keep them active and challenge them as well as allow them time to “relax” and enjoy the summer.  Several camps for both girls mixed with pool time, visits to the library and of course a little summer homework to keep little minds fresh.

This week the girls are at the park for soccer camp.  This has been good for all of us.  I drop them with the coach and then use the opportunity to walk the park.  It is a nice change of scenery.  I managed 2 miles today in all of our heat and humidity.

It has been a nice start to the summer!  I am enjoying the time with the girls.   I do have surgery next Friday but I do not expect to skip a beat.  I figure I will be back to normal in a day or two. We have too much to do and too little time!  Time sure does fly when you are having fun!

Don’t tell Meg but jogging sucks!

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The first official day of summer.  Megan has a birthday party today and Madison and I plan on running some errands.  The weather is beautiful although you can tell it is going to be very warm later.

Megan and I decided to make use of our summer to improve our conditioning/health.  During the later part of her soccer season the coach recognized that the girls were lacking in their conditioning and added a half mile run to every practice, a quarter-mile at the beginning and end twice a week.  Megan struggled to say the least.  Since my surgery I have tried to stay active and eat right but the hustle and bustle of things lately I have not been as vigilant as I could be.999257_406316359472689_1626284047_n

I set some basic goals for the summer, I would like to lose another 10 pounds and I would like to get Megan into better condition so she is more comfortable come the beginning of the season.  She will attend a few soccer camps over the summer and we have agreed to start jogging a few times a week.  NOW, as I began to think about this weeks ago it made perfect sense.  It would be good for both of us and it would be nice one on one time together.  When I was a much younger person I was a runner, kind of, I mean I was on the track team for a few years.  I was alright but to be honest I hated running.  Early in high school I hurt me knee which ended my track career.  I am not to sure at this point if it was really hurt that bad at the time or if it was just a great excuse to stop.   I still have knee issues so as to not create more torment in my mind about my youth I will stick to my “I hurt my knee story” ;-).

This morning Megan and I set out for our first jog of the summer.  I had it measured out, 2 laps around the block would be a half of a mile.  We started by dressing in our cute running gear, did some stretching and out the door we went.  I talked to her about form, proper breathing, we looked great!  Down the street we went, I see the corner, holy shit I am not going to make it!  Yes, sadly I could not even make it around half of the first lap.  I started to walk, reminded her I was 41 and did have major surgery a year ago and, and, and but in reality WOW!  Meg finished the first lap and continued to the second…what a good girl!  I did a few minutes on the elliptical machine and committed to at least continue to try.

What an eye-opening morning.  It is still good time with my big girl and I promise that I will continue to jog,walk, and whine just a little.