Summer lovin'...

having a blast... Isn't that what summer is all about?  Well let's see, summer break started two weeks ago and so far we have completed basketball camp, gymnastics camp, the first week of swimming lessons, celebrated a barn wedding, a trip to the zoo on Father's Day started our sand volleyball league, sleepovers, attended multiple baseball games, had my parents up for a few days and spent the weekend camping with friends. I'd like to think this week may slow down a little but when I do the math, I realize I'm way wrong. It's basically just a repeat of last week.

Father's Day supper at Famous Dave's

It was so nice to have some decent weather this week, FINALLY! For those who don't live in Minnesota (or the Midwest for that matter), we have been pounded with rain this spring/summer. Last year we were in a drought and now this year I just got my garden in this week, only 2 months behind last year's schedule. The rain has made everyone's lives difficult, I can't imagine what the farmers are feeling right now. So anyway, we had beautiful weather all week (at least during the daytime). Sunny with seventy and eighty degrees were wonderful while the kids were at swimming lessons, we managed to get all the scheduled baseball games in, Riley and Papa got some fishing done and it only stormed at night while we were camping.



Father's Day at the Minnesota Zoo



The mornings were beautiful. I got a few good training runs in and I'm starting to work on building some mileage. It's not too difficult when my dog thinks he needs to run countless miles every day. I was excited for all of those runners who ran at Grandma's this weekend in Duluth. I had multiple friends running so I was anxious to hear how they did. It just gets me more pumped about my own race in October. I honestly don't care about my time (though I do have a goal but I'm sure that could change between now and then), I only care about finishing it.

Back to summer lovin'...Now that both my parents are retired, they can conveniently tour the nation to spend time with the grandkids. We didn't tell the kids they were coming because the whole trip was based on catching some of Riley's baseball games and going fishing. If the weather hadn't cooperated, they wouldn't have been able to go fishing or watch baseball so I'm glad it all worked out. Papa skunked Riley the first day out, I'm not sure who was more disappointed Riley or my dad.  The second day they were both happy to bring some bluegill home to add to our fish supply in the freezer. Yum!

Speaking of our freezer, I got home from swimming lessons today to find the top half of its contents to be partially thawed! What?!?! Oh no!!! Thinking as quickly as possible I started making room in our refrigerator freezer and put as much in there as I could, afraid that we would lose all our meat and have to buy a new deep freeze. Luckily, Matt came home about 10 minutes into the project to find that the breaker had just been tripped. Phewww...What a relief!

Have I told you how much I/we love camping? We spent a gorgeous weekend camping with great friends, and their great family:). We've been so fortunate to meet people who enjoy the same pastimes that we do. There is a local campground in Blooming Prairie, MN called Brookside. We have camped there twice already this summer. It's a nice small site where you can trust the kids to walk around together without getting lost and there is little fear of anything happening to them. Of course we have rules for the kiddos like stick with a buddy and always let us know where you are going. They also have a nice pool, playground and game room for the kids. The best part about it is that it's only about 25 minutes away so we can leave on a Friday after work and be set up before supper. The short return trip on Sunday is equally pleasing.

So here's to a great rest of the summer... Hopefully it will be filled with fishing stories, trips to my parent's cabin, camping excursions, bike rides, days at the beach, races, mud runs, some great volleyball games, parties, fair time, etc. I hope you all have an awesome summer too!!!

Riley-the bonafide Chipmunk Whisperer        I love the smell of line-dried clothes!

             Bailey loves to take a dunk in the lake on the way home from our runs.

Making a Commitment!

Well, I've decided I'm going to do it.......wait for it......I'm going to sign up for my first HALF MARATHON! I'm stoked, scared, nervous and excited all at the same time. The one I'm planning to run is in Mankato in October, so I have LOTS of time to train and mentally prepare myself. Which also means I have LOTS of time to psych myself out, get nervous , attempt to give up, become unmotivated, talk myself out of it and get injured. Oh, the possibilities...(Okay, enough with the negative self-talk!) I can do it, I know I can! (Phew, that's more like it.) 

So my first step will be to find a good half marathon training program. I know there are lots of them out there but based on the many reviews I have read on websites, etc. the best one to go with is Hal Higdon's. He is a long time marathoner, coach, trainer and motivator. I'm sure some of you have heard of him and others probably dislike him or his training but my thought is...I've gotta start somewhere. If any of you have a program you swear by, PLEASE LET ME KNOW! I'm going into this as a newbie and could use really use your advice.

One previous thought I had was to complete a sprint triathlon (a shortened triathlon) and I haven't ruled it out yet but I'm thinking it'll be easier to train adequately for a run than it will be to swim and bike. Since I'm still hoping to find a part-time job this summer, I should be able to work a running schedule into my routine in addition to playing chauffeur for the children and their many activities. So here is my verbal "commitment" that I fully intend to do a half marathon, ahem...that's 13.1 miles, by the end of the year. Whew...that's so unbelievably crazy to hear coming out of my mouth. I'm nervous already!  

Running is not a favorite past time of mine. If you asked my best friend in high school if I would ever become a runner, she probably would've laughed in your face. She was a cross country runner and ran everywhere, all summer long. I, on the other hand, hated running and went out for golf so I could avoid track. It wasn't until 2 years ago that I decided to become a runner and that was only because of the Amy Jensen Memorial Run (Team Amy).  Her devotion to running, God, and her mission to live an incredible life despite cancer's harm to her body, forced me to believe in myself. If you ever have a chance to go online to Crossroads Church in Estherville, IA, take the time to watch Amy's message, you will be amazed at her strength and devotion. 

One of my all time favorite running quotes...because it's so true!

When I'm having one of those days, I need to remember that I should go for a run because I'll never regret the run but I will regret the cookie, extra piece of pizza or that banana split I just finished :P ...Oh well, it was really good... ;)