Tournament

Ted, Mae and I had a TKD adventure this weekend. We drove to Littleton Friday afternoon for some black-belt only competition, and to watch our instructors mid-term. Then we spent the night at a hotel, with the fun swimming, breakfast and TV that my children l.o.v.e.

Saturday Mae competed as a Tiny Tiger while Ted helped out by time-keeping in the rings. We got lunch around 2pm and Ted's ring finally got going around 3:30. Of course, as luck would have it, MY ring was staged while Ted's was on deck.

That was stressful, but the worst was that my ring actually got going right when Ted had won one round of sparring and was about to do another round! He eventually took 3rd place in Sparring, which, with three State Champions in his ring, was quite a feat.

I was bummed to miss his second round, but had fun competing myself. I did my form as best as I could, but didn't place. I did get 3rd in Sparring (ha!) but there were only four of us sparring (out of the seven in the ring) so it's not quite as impressive as Ted's win. I did see that none of the ladies competed in Weapons, so I might as well do that next time! Automatic first place!

All in all, a great experience. This was Mae's second tournament and she did great. Ted is completely jazzed now and wants to compete at Fall Nationals in Orlando, FL. Not sure I can pull that off, but we're going to try. There are three more regional tournaments, and the four medals link together to make the Songham Star. Very cool.

The school's (new) main instructor, Mr. O, wants Ted to start schlepping to Fort Collins on Saturdays. There are three classes he can do, with other black belts his age. He could do a Black Belt class, an XMA class, and a Sparring class. He is very excited about that, though a little nervous too.

His dear friend Pete lives in Fort Collins, so perhaps we can tie a visit with Pete into the day. We're thinking to go twice a month, although if he actually is going to get really serious (you just never know - tournaments get Ted very excited) we may go more often.

Mae's soccer season starts up next week! Saturdays are going to be divide and conquer days! Bring it!

weekending

I'm not sure which of my favorite inspirational bloggers first coined this phrase (it may have been the lovely Soulemama) but I love the sound of it. Weekending has taken on a life of its own during this height of marathon training.

Friday night there must be pasta - there must! We don't eat much pasta; we are more rice and quinoa folk. But you can't beat pasta for the pre-run meal, so pasta it is! Getting to bed at a reasonable hour and wine-free are also key (thought not essential!)

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Saturday the alarm is set for 6am (it will move to 5:30 on the epic 20 miler). I usually wake just before 6 and avoid having to startle post-soccer Paul from his well-deserved slumber. I pack up my make-shift rest stop into the trunk of the mini-van and head to the trail.

Bobolink, or South Boulder Creek Trail, whichever you call it, has been my haven. It is so beautiful and so peaceful, and full of runners (which can be very annoying, or entertaining, depending on what loop of the run I am on). One loop and it's back to the car for a fill-up, re-sunscreen and iPod. Second lap and the bliss of stopping. finally. And stretching. Ahhh....

Home to shower off the grime, then soak the sore muscles. A green smoothie and a rest (not a nap!) on the couch for an hour and then the day goes on. There are errands to run, birthday parties to attend, dogs to be walked ... etc.

Sunday the alarm again is ready for 6am. This bike ride with Sylvie (or a spin class at the gym if she's traveling) really helps work the soreness from my legs and I always feel great after the ride. Another shower and perhaps a lie-down, and the preparation for the week ahead begins. Dinners are planned, laundry is tamed, lunches are pre-made, and schedules are coordinated.

And then the work week starts. For me, the work week means shorter runs, lots of yoga and some down time. To read. To write. To rest. I am so blessed and happy in this life I have been given.

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Besides being the first day of school, last Monday was also the first day of an e-course I'm taking, entitled "30 Day Vegan." Heather of beauty that moves offers an incredible workshop chock-ful of recipes, motivational posts, organization, tutorials, and breathtaking photography.

I have so enjoyed this week of preparing and enjoying our delicious vegan food. We've been vegan before but so missed the cheese. So far, with Cashew Nut Cream, I'm not missing the dairy! Most astonishing to me is my lack of cravings. My body feels fine-tuned, clean and healthy.

All in all, weekending has been a pleasure lately. How about your weekends?

Fun running update

Hello! School starts on Monday and I can hardly wait to carve my 2 hours of writing into my day! Until then, a brief update on the running business.

The training is coming along. I've decided to forgo my IronGirl Tri on the 27th, so I can take Ted and Mae to a TKD tournament in Littleton. I think I'll compete too, since we're there anyway. I am super disappointed to miss this tri, in its first year, but I can't do both.

The running has ramped way up. With 8 weeks to go, the long runs are getting epic and the "sorta-long" runs are inching up there. This week I ran 29 miles, 15 of them today.

Paul was rafting today, so I secured our babysitter and set out at 6am for my long run. I converted the trunk into my own personal rest stop, equipped with ice water, Gaterade, GUs, kleenex, sunscreen, and my iPod.

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I parked at the Bobolink Trailhead and headed out for my first of two laps: 8 miles - 4 miles out then back. This trail, along South Boulder Creek, has been my mainstay trail and I absolutely love it. 4 miles takes you past the gate at Marshall Road for almost a mile, which winds into a 1.5 mile circular track owned by CU. Heading back, a satirical comic writer for the Daily Camera joined me and we chatted pleasantly, which really made the miles fly by.

I walked for a minute every mile, drinking as though it were a water stop. Returning to my car, I filled up my tanks and put on my headphones. Then it was 7 more miles, 3.5 out and back along the same trail. Going out was hard - I was hungry and tired and feeling loopy. The return felt good though and I finished strong and happy.

After a good stretch, shower, bath, lunch and lounge on the couch, the kiddos and I headed to their school from 1-4 where we helped ready their classrooms.

Paul came home tonight, which was unexpected, and Mae and I had dinner with her fiancee, Max. He's a good Jewish boy! :-) All in all, a busy day, but a productive one by all accounts.

Tomorrow, readying the house for school! Backpacks, laundry, lunches, snacks, plus banana bread & grapefruit for 1st day of school breakfast .... a busy day, but first my beautiful ride to Golden with Sylvie.

Happy weekending to all!