Looking on the Bright Side

So I was about to write a post about how dismal my running efforts have been lately but then I decided, "You know what? I'm not doing that bad!" I mean really, the last 3 weeks I have literally gone from one "vacation" to the next. A trip to Maine, a trip to Utah, and then having my sister and her 3 kids out to visit for 10 days straight. With all the busyness of trips and being off my schedule I'm actually proud of myself for getting any running in at all! So instead of whining about my low mileage I'm going to celebrate the fact that I've pulled off a run in all my vacation settings.

In Maine I did a lovely 4 miler on the beach. In Utah I got to run a nice 3 miler with my younger sister who is training for a half marathon in September. And While my older sister was in town I managed to get out twice for a 3 and a 2. Nothing impressive but I keep going back to a quote my friend posted on Facebook that has really helped me lately, "Some is better than none." : )

We have more travel plans and visitors coming in the next two weeks but I'm hoping when things settle down I'll finally be able to get back on track and sign up for a race. I'm thinking a 10K would be fun since that's the one distance I haven't raced yet so it would be an automatic PR : ) Until then I'll "just keep swimming" and hope that my small efforts will help me maintain enough fitness that I'll be able to get right back into it!

Setting a good example

One of the coolest things about running is the way it has impacted our kids. Brinley isn't even 2 yet but if she wakes up in the morning and Daddy's not there she'll ask, "Daddy wunning?"

It's neat that they know that's what we do. One of the best compliments I ever got was when we were driving in the car and Teya saw a toned athletic looking woman running down the street. She looked out the window and said, "Hey mom, that girl looks just like you!" Total ego boost : )

We've brought them to a couple races and even did a 5k pushing them in strollers. Teya loves the race atmosphere and has told me several times, "I can't wait till I can run a race!"

We take turns running on Saturdays and last time after I ran, I got the girls all ready and we drove out to find Taber and cheer him on. Teya brought a spray bottle to cool him off when he passed us by. It was the cutest thing.

You can see the little pink spray bottle in her hand. She might've just squirted his fingers but it was a sweet gesture. : )

We caught up with him again closer to home. This time Teya gave his behind a nice squirt : )

After seeing her Daddy run Teya wanted to do it too. I had to take a picture of her charging down the street with her down going full steam ahead. When she got to me she was out of breath but she looked up with a smile and said, "It doesn't matter if we win mom, it matters that we have fun." Wise words from a 4 year old. Makes me think that even though I've never come close to winning a race, I'm still teaching her something worthwhile : )