Kartchner Caverns Trip

Last weekend, my parents went with us on a camping trip to Kartchner Caverns State Park. It's a little south of Tucson in Benson, Arizona. Though we have no photos of our tour through the cave because you aren't permitted to take anything with you except the clothes on your back, here are a few shots from our adventure. Well, it's pretty much just our campsite and our hike one morning, but you get the idea.

We arrived on Saturday afternoon, had lunch, and relaxed in the beautiful weather.

Elizabeth did some homework, too.

The campfire that night was pretty wild from the wind. I didn't enjoy it much because I was certain we'd be on the news as the culprits who started the great brush fire of 2016.

We weren't. So far anyway.

There was plenty of room in the trailer for the six of us. Even at night, the beds folded out to provide plenty of comfortable sleeping space.

Sunrises while camping are the best.

Our morning hike along the foothills trail was no easy trek. We were treated to strong climbs with sweeping views of the valley and the Whetstone Mountains.

The next morning, we watched the sun rise again.

This time I literally pulled Matthew outside to see it.

We had breakfast al fresco before tearing down camp and heading for home.

It was another nice trip.

Mileage Gains

I guess helping someone else train is good for me. I'm running almost every day now. Elizabeth and I went three times this week, and I went by myself three times. We also hiked three miles while camping this weekend. It's sad to say I haven't completed sixteen miles a week in a long time. A few short years ago, I was logging forty miles a week. I could get used to running short distances often and doing strength two or three times a week. In fact, I think that's exactly what I should be doing for now. Then when it gets hot, out will come the bike and the miles will climb higher. Sara's got big plans!

My Running Partner

Aimee, who ran the Rock N Roll 10K last month, thoughtfully bought this print for me when she attended the race expo. I can't read it without crying. Though we don't run side by side every day, I consider her my running partner. We keep track of each other's runs during the week, and when we arrive at the park every Saturday, we wish each other a good run. Then she's out there, I'm out there, and we're in it together even though we're apart. She high fives me. I show her a peace sign. We smile. We cheer. We show our misery and are glad ours has company. We look and feel great or we're feeling awful and looking for the finish. No matter what, though, we're there together. (Except for now she's out there way longer because she's training for a half marathon at the end of this month!)

We're soul sisters and sole sisters.

Embracing the Changes

You know how Facebook attempts to stay relevant by showing you your posts from previous years? Well a few weeks ago, my friend Jill shared some three-year-old photos of me running a marathon. I couldn't help but notice how different I look now compared to then.

I was strong. I was fit. I was lean. 

I was also running way too much and not eating enough. I can say I was in the best shape of my life as many times as I want, but I will honestly admit now that I was in pretty rough shape back then. We all know the outside doesn't always reflect what's happening on the inside.

Even though I know that, I still sometimes wish I looked like that. But why? Sure I've gained some pounds (ten) and am not that toned, but at least I'm happy. And with happiness comes a healthy appetite. And with a healthy appetite comes a bit of a belly.

That's right. Three years to the day of my marathon, I put on my race outfit and took a photo of myself in the mirror. Like weirdos do. But the point here obviously isn't  to show off a fit body. It's to show that I'm embracing my changes, belly and all.

Truth be told, at first I was disappointed in myself for "letting myself go." But that's not what happened at all. After a long recovery, I continued to exercise. But a marathon takes a toll. So do Ragnars and triathlons. My body was tired and hurting. After a certain point, my motivation to sign up for challenges wasn't there anymore. It was like I didn't have anything else to prove.

So I changed my focus from wanting to be strong to wanting to be brave. I learned a new skill by picking up a guitar at the ripe old age of 37. I became a substitute teacher and willingly threw myself into uncomfortable situation after uncomfortable situation. Over time, I guess all the new stuff left less room for four runs and three workouts a week. 

My fitness dwindled, but it never went away completely. There's satisfaction in not running for five days but still being able to complete three miles on a Saturday. I have no plans of giving up exercising. I just think I'm more reasonable about it now. 

I don't exercise to look good. I exercise to feel good. I know when I need to sweat it out, and I'm making a more conscious effort to do it. But as for that belly, I just gotta love it. Everyone stores weight somewhere different, and that's my spot. Unless I starve and overwork myself again, my belly is going to be there. So I may as well be friends with it.

I'd Know That Face Anywhere

Brian was watching "The Fugitive" this evening. Matthew popped into the room and said, "Is that Han Solo?" Brian told him it indeed was the actor who played Han Solo. Matthew said, "I recognized this face."

I thought he really nailed that expression.

Hot? Not.

At dinner tonight, I was sitting down to the table to eat my taco when Matthew bit into his and exclaimed, "Hot!" Then he went on:

Matthew: Mom, what are the three definitions of hot?

Me: Well something can be hot in temperature or spicy.

Matthew: What else?

Me: That's it.

Matthew: Mom, a person can be hot.

Me: Do you mean, like, pretty?

Matthew: Yeah.

Besides showing my disdain for that expression by my own expression on my face, I went on to explain to him how that is not a nice thing to say to or about someone. "You can say pretty or beautiful, but it isn't nice to call someone hot." Then I asked him where he heard it used that way.

Uh huh. Just as I suspected. It's a kid in his class. The same kid who, as Matthew tells it, screams, "Son of a beeeeeep" when they all play football at recess.

I have a notion to talk to that kid's mom. She and I already don't see eye to eye on, oh, maybe one hundred different issues and parenting choices. This ought to be good. I need to strategize my delivery.

Then again, I'd probably be better off concentrating on cancelling out that kid's influence. Besides, he's the kid who exclaimed with an annoyed sign, "Ugh, women!" the day I subbed in that third grade class.

Runner Girl in Training

Elizabeth and her friend are thinking about joining the track team during fourth quarter. That's not until after spring break, but I told her it would be a good idea to practice running before track begins. It's a non-cut sport, but I know she will enjoy it better if she has a stronger cardiovascular base built up. I know this firsthand because I, too, wanted to join the track team in seventh grade. I quit after two practices because it was too much running. The coach ran us for 30-45 minutes after school, and if you've never really run before that is far too much running to start with. I remember not being able to comfortably walk for a week. I also remember Kevin Seybert running circles around me and having a lot to say about it. I would anticipate Elizabeth would have a similar experience (minus Kevin's mocking), so I'm determined to help her extend her track team participation to at least three practices. Better yet, I hope she enjoys an entire season.

Six or seven years ago, I found the Couch to 5K training plan to be an excellent introduction to running. It starts easy enough with 60 seconds of jogging followed by 90 minutes of walking for a total of twenty minutes. Then it gradually builds week by week, and you're able to run three miles by the end of nine weeks. It worked for me. It worked for several of my friends. And now I hope it works for Elizabeth. We are starting this week, and she's really excited about it. I am, too. I can always use another running partner, and she's looking forward to becoming our version of an athlete.