So I have to say that I’m kind of digging this new approach to Five for Friday (inspired by Angela). I love myself some Instagram, but it’s hard to go into too much detail there (although there are certainly some cases where a photo truly speaks for itself). What can I say, I like words and stories and narrative, as I’m sure you know by now. (Are you following me on Instagram?)
1. I think I speak for all New England runners when I say I am sooooo over the dreadmill treadmill. Even if the temperatures were above freezing, there is simply nowhere to run in my town. The sidewalks aren’t shoveled and the streets are already so narrow — it would be like playing a game of chicken. Never mind the potential for slipping on ice (something I’ve already done this year, ouch). I normally don’t mind the treadmill sprinkled in my normal running routine, but every time? Yawn. As a result, it takes a huge amount of effort to motivate myself to run.
That is, until Dr. G. informed me that the treadmills at the gym have built-in scenic courses you can run, from New Zealand to the California coast to Germany. I’m soooo glad I discovered these! I normally have trouble watching TV when I run (it gives me a sense of vertigo), but not with these courses…maybe it’s because if you try REALLY hard (which isn’t that tough at 5am) you can kinda-sorta imagine yourself in these locations. Not only do they make my runs more interesting, they also mimic a trail run — perfect since I have my first trail race this spring. Yesterday, I “ran” through redwood forests and along the Pacific Coast Trail. Much nicer than staring at the gym bulletin boards.
2. Did you ever take a photo of your child that just perfectly captures his or her essence? That’s what this is. I love my Mimi in all her trampoline-ninja-duel-flower-child wonderfulness.
3. Last weekend, I bought these pretty running tights on clearance from Old Navy. I couldn’t pass up the bright colors, even if I was nervous about wearing a horizontal print on my legs (other prints I’m okay with, but horizontal stripes? Eeeeek.). But I was surprised to find it didn’t look that bad! And it made me smile to wear them on a cold, gray morning (even if I had to keep tugging on the waistband for 4 miles…the fun of testing out new running gear).
4. Buddy has been taking karate for about 3 or so years now. It was something new for him to try when Mimi was a baby and, truthfully, I didn’t know if he’d stick with it. But he has, and last weekend he had his green belt test and passed! Now he just has his brown and black belts to go, as he likes to point out. I was able to see the “belt ceremony,” as it’s called in his dojo, where the the kids kneel with their faces pressed into the ground, and when they sit up, they see if they earned their belt. The look on his face when he saw he got his belt was priceless. It was a mix of shock (he was nervous for this test) and joy. So proud of him.
5. We are renovating our basement! Oh man, this has been a long time coming (remember this?). I am so excited to have a rec room/family room space where the kids can play. Okay, if we’re being honest, I’m most excited to have a place for Buddy and his friends, since they’re like tornadoes whirling through the house when they get together. They’ll soon have a place where they can wrestle each other and dive bomb off furniture to their hearts’ content. We’re still in the early construction phase, but I’ll be sharing updates as we get to the fun stuff — you know, paint and decorating.