TTT: The crabby edition

First things first : Happy Birthday, Beer Geek!

1.  My leg is improving, but the short little test run I did across my lawn today hurt.  Like, "gonna reinjure it" hurt.  I'm not feeling positive about a run tomorrow.  It looks like I'll be heading to the gym again.  Sigh.

2.  I like the elliptical.  I think it's a good workout.  But it doesn't reset my brain in the way that running does.  I'm super crabby these days.  I know it's the combined stress of not knowing when I can run again, the fact that my parents are on a mission trip to the Ukraine for two weeks, and my usual summer reverse SAD.  Not being able to run that off is proving to be a bit of an issue.

3.  I keep reading about people getting faster and going farther or doing fun races and I keep thinking "oh, I should do that" and then I remember I'm not just being lazy.  It hurts to run.  Why is it that every time I realize that it comes as a bit of a surprise and makes me sad?  One would think I'd be over the "denial" part by now.

On the bright side, it's absolutely beautiful today and I should have a couple of kid free hours, so I'm going to try and ride my bike.  I know it won't be a major workout, but at least it will get me out there, moving my legs.   Also, there will be some drinking this weekend at Mad Fox to celebrate Beer Geek's birthday.  And I have a little giveaway tomorrow... 

And maybe, just maybe, I'll be running again in July...

Mostly Wordless Wednesday: outtake

Remember that video I did for Fitfluential? Here's where it took place...

The only room in my house with good natural light...

On the running front, my calf is still sore, but it's not pain anymore, just soreness.  I will be hitting the elliptical and the pool today.  Hopefully by Friday I'll be running again.  I'm seriously jonesin' for a real run at this point.  Summer is already my least favorite season, but a summer with out the run?  Just sign me up for the loony bin now.

TGFE!

Or, thank goodness for Ellipticals!

Yesterday I managed to teach Shoo to ride a bicycle without actually hurting myself.  He would have kept biking all day, but he's seriously lacking in common sense when on the bike, so I had to run with him every time.  Eventually, my calf told me it was time to stop.

Today, thanks to a babysitter, I hit the gym.  Amazingly, my calf actually felt better on the elliptical than it does when I'm walking!  I got in 30 hard minutes on that, 5 minutes on the rowing machine (my calf did NOT like that), and 10 minutes of lower body strength training.  Then I raced home, picked up Shoo, and we headed to pick up Jones from nature camp.  Too bad I didn't eat - they would have been happy to spend the afternoon playing in a creek...

Right before they jumped in the water...

Tomorrow, I head back to the gym and then to the pool...

I have a plan (and a beer)

Today, I can walk without limping.  I'm still sore and I have no intention of running today (except possibly behind Shoo as he attempts to learn to ride a bike), but I can walk with a normal stride with only minor soreness.  Yesterday, I was stiff and limping and every step hurt.

My plan:

Step 1:  Try not to re-injure myself while playing with Shoo today
Step 2:  Hit up the gym tomorrow in my Zemgear shoes and give the bikes and elliptical a try.  If nothing hurts, maybe do a lap around the indoor track, just to see how it goes.
Step 3:  Hit up the gym again on Wednesday for a little bike, a little elliptical, some lower body weights and *fingers crossed* a short run.
Step 4:  Hit the pool with Shoo on Thursday.  While this won't be a true workout (have you ever tried to swim with a 5 year old?  yeah), hopefully I can work my legs a bit.
Step 5:  Go for a real run on Friday.
Step 6:  If at any point my calf screams at me, I will stop, cry, throw things, and find a beer.

Some cheese with that whine?

I've been treading lightly recently in an attempt to keep my cranky achilles from blowing up on me again.  Thankfully, reduced mileage and speed and focus on my form has been working.

On Wednesday, I ran on the treadmill.  At the end of my run, I noticed the back of my knee felt a little tender.  I "rolled" it with some random kids' toy (I really need to invest in a stick and stop relying on light sabers, water blasters, and soccer balls...), but the next morning I felt soreness in my upper calf/back of my knee whenever I took a step.  I took two days off and then yesterday ran a slowish 5k.

Today, I'm limping.  WTF?

This came pretty much out of nowhere and on my "good" leg.  I haven't even been running that far or that fast.  And I'm injured again?  This turning 40 thing just sucks.

The timing could not be worse either.  Both boys are out of school and we have very little in the way of camps this summer, so getting to the gym is going to be a challenge.  Not to mention, I don't even know what exercise won't aggravate it.

Grumble. Grumble. Whine. Whine.  Guess I'll be blogging about beer for a while since I won't be running.  Good thing I have plenty of beer in my house...

Sweat Your Thorns Off Virtual 5k

How 'bout I ruin the ending? 5k=Fail.

I wanted to *race* this The Boring Runner's virtual 5k. I also wanted to be hardcore and hit the road in the high 90s and matching humidity. Yeah, neither happened.

I did print my bib, though.

Virginia failed me by being a moderate 82 degrees with only 40% humidity.  What's up with that?  My knee/upper calf failed me by still being sore, despite two days of no running.  The only positive to the "race" was seriously negative splits: 10:42, 10:25, 9:36. 

Thanks, Adam, for hosting an awesome race.  I have to believe that *one* of these days I'll stop feeling like a 90 year old.  ;o)

World's largest beer sampler

Thanks to server error, we ended up with three 23 ounce beers and a normal pint (a stout, a porter, an IPA and a Raspberry beer), instead of the two beers we ordered.  Good thing we live near the brewpub...

Can you hear me now?

So I've finally joined the tech savvy world and gotten a smart phone!

Watch out world, Mama's got an iPhone!

Zero things Thursday?

Seriously, I feel like I have absolutely nothing to say.  Which is somewhat amusing given just how much I have going on in my life right now.  My brain should be overflowing with things to say, but I've got a case of killer writer's block.  And Shoo hasn't even said anything too funny lately...

I'm gonna blame it on the heat (why not?  I blame everything else on the heat. LOL)

So, here's a random brain dump for you.  ;o)

• I had a fabulous 3 mile run on my treadmill yesterday in a new pair of "shoes" I'm trying.  They are from Zemgear and they rock.  (Review soon!)
• I also had serious skirt success.  I think I may have found a skirt that doesn't require a gallon of glide to prevent chub rub!  Woot!  (Review after I run longer than 3 miles.) 
•  Unfortunately, I woke up this morning to a sore knee.  On my "good" leg.  WTF?
• I met with a local race director today about organizing a race starting and ending at my favorite brew pub.  After we nail down a few more details, I'll be sharing all about that process.
• I may also be working at some upcoming races and *fingers crossed* may get to work a booth at the Army 10 Miler and MCM expos.  Again, lots of details to work out.
• I may actually run a race next weekend.  It's the Semper Fi 5k.  The hang up?  I don't drive into DC.  Of course, I don't drive into DC 'cause I'm scared I'd end up in Anacostia and well, this race is in Anacostia, so maybe I shouldn't worry. 
• Jones' last day of school is Friday.  I can't believe I'm about to have a rising fourth grader and a rising Kindergartner.   Seriously, how can I have been a mom for almost 10 years and still feel like I'm only pretending to be an adult?
• Today is Jones' end of year picnic.  True to form, it's supposed to be ridiculously hot and humid with chances of thunderstorms.  Why did I volunteer to help out again?
• Despite my grand plan to not work until Shoo hits 1st grade, I'm beginning to feel like all my little "jobs" may suddenly add up to working as many hours as the kids are in school next year.  Makes me wonder if my house will EVER look like it did pre-kids...  Maybe when they leave for college...
• I'm very excited for all my bloggy friends who got chosen for the nuun HTC team, but kind of sad I'm not one of them.  Ok, nevermind that I didn't apply and running a relay is not on my agenda right now, I just want to hang out with a bunch of really cool ladies for a weekend LOL.

How exactly can my busy and exciting (to me) life be so incredibly boring to blog about?  I feel like I need to go out and do something wild and crazy, like actually *race* in a race LOL.

Dash for Dad Volunteer Race Report + random stuff

This weekend was a Dash for Dad four miler.  I had originally planned to race it, but lately I've not felt like I'm physically and mentally up for racing, so I was having a hard time hitting the register button.  Luckily, I never got around to it because Pacers' medic asked me if I'd help out at the finish line.  I am CPR and first aid certified and I dial a mean 911, so I said yes.  (Don't worry, there were two nurses right there and EMTs just a block away.  )  I figured my role would mostly be as an extra set of eyes and someone to hand out band aids and provide sympathy when a runner crossed the puke threshold.   Luckily, I didn't even have to do any of that.   As usual, it was a wonderfully well organized race and a lot of fun for everyone.   I look forward to getting to help out again in the future.

Rockin' my official yellow jacket

And some random stuff:

• I think I need to designate a pair of shoes as "puke shoes".  Not every race is going to go as good as this one did.
• People need to look in the mirror before they leave the house.  I'm all about wearing what's comfortable for racing, but there are just some things I don't need to see.  Really.
• If your bra size contains two letters (and they aren't AA), then a tank with a built in bra is probably not enough support.  
• I went for a run after the race and nearly stopped at a half mile because of a side cramp.  I can't remember the last time I got that kind of cramp!
• At the rate I'm going, pretty soon a granny with a walker is going to be able to go faster than me.  Not sure why my speed and endurance are taking a huge downhill turn.
• Today I ran four miles, focusing on cadence.  I've got to figure out how to increase cadence without also increasing my heart rate.  It was a decent run, but I was exhausted when I got done.

School ends Friday.  I'm ready and not ready at the same time.  Fingers crossed I can hang onto my sanity...

Happy Father's Day!

To the two best dad's I know:

My dad:

My favorite race partner, carpenter, tv (and other electronics) researcher, 

grandpa to my boys, handy man, soccer coach, and beer lover.  

I've missed racing with you this year and can't wait for our July races! 

You are the best dad a girl could ask for!

And Beer Geek:

The best dad two boys could ever want.  Thank you for letting

me volunteer at a race on Father's Day.  Hope you enjoyed

your time with the kid and the lovely new tv. ;o)

Good things Friday

I was exhausted when I woke up this morning, thanks to a very intense thunderstorm last night that kept me up past midnight.  My tummy was less than happy for some reason.  The typical Virginia humidity had returned.  My legs are still a bit sore/tired.  Needless to say, when I met up with my running friends/clients, I was not exactly in the best of moods.  But I got out there and tucked myself into the back of the pack and just ran.  And I'm sure it will come as no surprise to any of you that I was much happier when I was done and able to focus on the cool stuff that's going on in my life.

Some of you already know, but I found out on Wednesday night that I've been chosen as a Fitfluential Ambassador for Washington DC.  I'm really, really excited to be part of such an awesome group of people.  I'm totally in awe of some of the women who were chosen and I hope this means I'll actually get to meet them at some point.  I don't know what to expect yet, but I've decided to step outside my safe little box and just enjoy the adventure.  ;o) (Missed this?  Here are my slideshow and video pieces of the application.)

In other good news, I found a babysitter for Saturday night.  Only other moms would really understand that yes, that is nearly as exciting as Fitfluential LOL.  Between Beer Geek's travel schedule and kid activities, I feel like I've hardly seen my husband in weeks.  I'm looking forward to a nice dinner and drinks and conversation without interruption.  (Honestly, I'd be happy with a hot dog and coke from 7-11 if it meant time alone with my husband LOL.)

My legs are still not great, but I learned something really interesting today.  I ran 4.75 miles at my clients' pace and then finished up another almost mile and a half with my co-coach.  She's a fast runner, with an incredible natural gait.  She's also a Vibram/barefoot runner.  I found that when I matched my cadence to hers, I could run pain free and faster without feeling like I was pushing myself.  I think I need to focus on upping my cadence instead of specifically doing speed work for a while and see what that does for me.

So, those are some good things in my life right now!  What's going on in yours?  Hope you have a lovely weekend planned!

TTT: Another Crazy Week

1. Beer Geek was on travel this week, so I was doing the solo parenting gig.  I don't know how anyone does this on a regular basis.  I was brain dead by last night and it was only Wednesday.  Thankfully, a good friend was in town for a conference and stayed at our house for two of the nights.  It was awesome to have an adult to talk to in the evening (not to mention having someone to share a beer with LOL).  Is it drinking by yourself if your kids are present?  Kidding.  Mostly.
2. I'm trying to join the rest of the tech savvy world.  I've needed a smart phone for a while, but am completely and totally overwhelmed by the options.  The phones themselves are not cheap and I'm paranoid I'm going to get one and then find a better one.  Wish you could do a week long trial and then try a different one out...  (We also need a new tv for our basement and I'm feeling a bit of technology overload.  I can use anything you hand me and am awesome at coming up to speed with technology, but apparently I can't make a decision to save my life. )
3. Jones' school had their honor assembly this morning.  Jones made honor roll and got a certificate, so I made him wear nice shorts and a polo to school.  His response?  Mom, why are you dressing me for church on a weekday?  Seems like I might not be the only one in our family who needs to end up on "What not to wear"...

500 miles + Bengay winners

Yesterday at the end of my 5.4 mile run, I hit 500 miles for the year.  This is the latest I've hit that number since I started actually keeping track in 2008.  I'm a little bummed about my low mileage this year, but considering my achilles injury and my transition to minimalist running, I shouldn't be surprised.

I think I've figured out at least part of the cause of my leg and foot pain.  I've been doing a bit of speed work lately, some intentionally, some not and I think I land a harder when I'm pushing myself.  On Sunday, we were walking back from a trip into the city and there was a major rainstorm threatening.  Beer Geek asked me to run ahead and get the car, so I sprinted a little over a half mile.  I'm talkin' flat out, balls to the wall, gonna puke at the finish line sprinting (as an aside, my Victoria Secret bra did an admirable job of keeping the girls where they needed to be.)  I was wearing my Merrells, but ever since then, my feet have just felt a bit bruised and my right leg is sore from my arch all the way up to my knee.  Hmm...

And the winners of Bengay cold therapy are...

Trifitmom

and

Marlene!

Ladies, shoot me an email at mom2shoo at gmail.com with your address and I'll pass it along to Bengay.  Thanks!

Putting my shoes on

Running and I have not been getting along lately.  None of my runs have gone well for a while.  Occasionally I'll feel good for a small part of the run and I'm still getting the mental boost, but physically they have just felt awful.

Some of my issue is the heat.  I don't like hot weather and I don't enjoy being sticky and Mother Nature has thrown summer at us early and often this June.  I also have a bit of difficulty breathing when it's super humid.  It usually works itself out by mid-summer, so I try not to stress about it at the beginning.

I've also been really tired lately.  I actually slept 10 hours on Friday night and was still tired all day Saturday.  Walking up the stairs wears me out.  My legs feel like lead.  My body just feels beaten up.  I think the problem there may be iron.  I am always right on the edge of being anemic, so I had red meat for dinner last night and took my iron pills (I never remember to take them on a regular basis.)  I'm going to try to remember my supplements daily for a while and see if there is some improvement.  If not, I'll check with my doctor in a couple of weeks.

So, why did I label this post "putting my shoes on?"  Well, despite taking 4 days off a two weeks ago and no major mileage last week, my right calf refuses to get with the barefoot running program.  It's always really tight and is often sore.  I don't think I'm courting injury, but I don't know.  Today we have absolutely gorgeous weather.  The kind of weather that begs you to run.  My calf said "uh uh, no way" after I walked Jones to school and walked home.  I *really* wanted to run.

So I ran in my Mizuno running shoes.  And my calf was thrilled.  And I really don't know where I'll be going from here...

TTT: Kindergarten, coaching, and an earworm

1.  Yesterday was Shoo's Kindergarten Orientation.  The parents got to sit in the library and hear about how awesome our school is, while the kids got to go on a tour of the school and play games in one of the K classrooms.  It was weird being an "oldtimer" and knowing all teachers and staff and seeing all the young parents whose first child was starting K.  One of the teachers commented that it's about time Shoo actually *attended* the school, since he's spent the last four years volunteering there LOL.

2.  I'm coaching two women to their first marathons.  Both are sort of local, so I do get to actually run with them on occasion.  One is a blogger.  She writes at Happy Hour Mama. Her blog isn't a running blog, but a) she's hilarious and b) she will sometimes blog about the training.  She just went public about running the marathon, so go on over and give her a big hello.  We'll suck her into the "running blog" world eventually.  ;o)

3.  The third grade had their play "We the People" last night.  Jones played an immigrant and the closest thing we could find to what they wanted was an old pair of khakis and a button up shirt.  Beer Geek took one look at him and asked me "Where did he immigrate from?  Canada in 1995?"  The show was awesome, but the best part was one of the songs they sang - America by Neil Diamond.  It was awesome, they did a great job, and now I can't get the darned song out of my head...

Bonus:  I got on the scale this morning and saw a number I haven't seen in, umm, years.  I guess stress is good for me.  Is it bad that I plan to get on the scale after I run today (in this incredibly hot, sticky weather) since I may see a number I've never seen?  And then immediately start pounding the glasses of nuun...

Do it anyways

Today, I had a ton of excuses as to why I could not run:

• A can of shaving cream fell out of the cabinet and landed on my foot yesterday.  When I went to bed last night, I was limping and unable to move my toes.
• I had trouble falling asleep last night because of some stressful information I got late in the evening.
• Shoo woke me up at 4:30am and I had trouble falling back to sleep.
• I then woke up 45 minutes late and was dizzy and disoriented.
• Shoo had a dental appointment at 10:50, which didn't leave me much time between when I dropped him off at camp and had to pick him up.
• It's ridiculously hot today, even for Virginia in June.
• I hadn't taken a rest day yet this week, so I could justify a day off.
• I had a phone call I HAD to make to resolve the info from last night and I wanted to make it before his appointment.

Every time I came up with a new excuse, I told myself "Do it anyways."  From the time I got up at 7:15 until I got back home at 9:05, I just kept making decisions that would make it possible to run.  I put on running clothes when I got up (mostly because I woke up sweaty and didn't have time to shower.)  I grabbed some breakfast in between Jones drop off and Shoo drop off (thank goodness for the egg casserole I made on Monday!)  I dropped Shoo off and hurried home, instead of socializing.

I walked in the door and decided to hit the treadmill, since that required no prep.  All I had to do was slip off my sandals, take off my t-shirt and turn on the t.v.  3.1 miles and less than 29 minutes later (I did an interval workout), I looked like I'd been swimming, rather than running.

Life will always hand you excuses to not work out.

Do it anyways.

Bengay Cold Therapy Review and Giveaway

I don't know about you all, but my memories of Bengay are mostly the smell and the jokes in college about putting it the wrong area and regretting it.  I'm sure I used it in the past, but it's not really something I've kept around the house.

When I got contacted to try their new Bengay Cold Therapy, I figured "eh, why not?"  I've had a lot more aches in my feet and calves since I started running minimalist, so I thought it was certainly worth a try.

Here's what they have to say about it.

The only brand to use PRO-COOL™ technology, BENGAY® Cold Therapy contains a scientifically created formula that combines the pain relieving power of menthol with the cooling benefits of alcohol to alleviate the minor aches and pains associated with muscle strain, arthritis, backache, bruises and sprains. How does it work? BENGAY® Cold Therapy delivers a blast of cold as the alcohol in the unique formula evaporates, providing a cooling sensation and allowing you to give pain the cold shoulder!

I don't use it before runs because I don't want to risk masking any pains I need to pay attention to, but I've now used it several times after a run.  It feels quite cool going on and I find it invigorating.  It helps the tired muscles in my feet and calves feel a bit looser and more relaxed.  I haven't tried it on any true PAIN, as I'm mostly just tired and a bit achey after a run, but I really like the way I feel after I use it.  There is a distinct Menthol smell for a little while, but it does minimize quickly and wear off after a while.  All in all, I like it and will continue to use it when I need it. *

Want to try it out?  Two winners can get there own tube!  Just leave a comment that you want in on the giveaway.   Giveaway ends at midnight on June 10, 2011.

Not willing to wait?  Click here for a coupon.

On the running front, yesterday I ran 3 sub-10 miles that felt harder than they probably should have, but I ran a really hilly route.  Today I ran 4.3 awful miles.  It was already in the low 80s and sunny when I got out and my body just isn't ready for the heat.  I wasn't running fast, even in the beginning, but I got slower and slower and my heart rate was out of control.  I had planned 6, but I have a personal rule that if I can't stay within a couple of minutes of my "easy" pace and my heart rate is acting like I'm racing, then it's time to end the run.  Ah well, at least I got some miles in and the run was good from a "getting used to the heat" standpoint.

*Disclaimer:  I was given Bengay Cold Therapy free in exchange for my honest review of the product.  Opinions are my own.

Looking for a wagon

You know, to climb back on...

This past week was rough on my body.  I think I had a stomach bug in addition to the hangover.  I didn't feel good from Thursday night until yesterday afternoon, which put a real damper on my enjoyment of the actual Savor event.  :o(  I hardly drank any beer at all at that and spent most of the evening chugging Pellegrino.  In fact, for the first time since we started getting a room downtown the night of the event, we actually left Savor early.  I know.  I was shocked too, but my stomach just wasn't up for it.

Yesterday I actually took a nap.  I never nap.  I didn't nap when Jones woke up every two hours for 4 years.  It's just not what I do.

I also haven't run since last Wednesday, yet my feet, calves, and one hamstring are all out of sorts.  I'm guessing because of the high heels I wore on Saturday night.

Whine, whine, whine.

Goals for the week:

• Get back in the sugar free game.  I actually did pretty good, except at the actual events (not wanting food at all may have played some role in that.)
• Get my run on at least 5 times this week.  It's gonna be hot later in the week, so my runs may not be long, but I need to get back in the habit.
• Hydrate!  Hydrate! Hydrate!  I've been having tons of foot and calf cramps that hit me at weird times and my assistant coach is convinced I'm not drinking enough.

Huge apologies for not reading/commenting on blogs.  I miss you guys, but something had to give last week.  This week is crazy too with end of school year stuff - we have at least one event every.single.night, but I do hope to get around to say hi.

Why I've been MIA

This week is a big week in craft beer in DC.  Savor happens on Friday and Saturday and there were a ton of events surrounding it.  My parents came into town to watch the boys, so we've been working on the house and socializing with their friends in the area.  Needless to say, I haven't had a lot of free time.

So, what have I been up to since I got back from my long drive for a short visit?

• Primed and painted my basement ceiling
• Watched my dad hang the new 7 foot tall shutters on the front of my house
• Watched my mom paint the walls in my basement living room
• Taken Jones to the doctor to find out that he does indeed have a peanut allergy (he didn't four years ago when we tested...)
• Drunk a whole lot of beer
• Convinced a brewer to let me help him brew a batch of beer

Charlie, the head brewer at Mad Fox

•  Started my men (and women) of Savor calendar

Ken Grossman of Sierra Nevada and Tomme Arthur of Lost Abbey

Kim Jordan of New Belgium

•  I may also have promised to run a marathon as a fundraiser for the charity of Mad Fox's choice.  Kind of hoping that maybe we all had too much to drink to take that seriously.  ;o)

Brian Grossman of Sierra Nevada

•  Recovered from perhaps my worst and longest lasting hangover ever
• Not run at all.  

This blog will return to a running blog in a few days when I actually start running again.  ;o)

My "Day Off" AKA traveling old school

I played hooky from my crazy life yesterday morning.  I dropped Jones off at school and Shoo and I hit the road for Richmond to visit T and G.  I hadn't seen them since we ran a race together last June, so I was super excited.

The Good:

• Chatting with G for a long while and then T for a short time once she got to G's.
• Getting to meet their little girls.  You could die from the cute!  Shoo wasn't quite as impressed though. LOL
• Taking my Pilot out for a long drive.  I hadn't taken it on the highway yet (seriously, it's longest trip was less than 100 miles round trip and Beer Geek drove.)  I'm not really a car person, but OMG, I heart this car!  The power is awesome!  We made amazing time!  I actually hit 80 a couple of times (and believe me I wasn't the fastest car on the road.)   
• A day of not working on the house
• Arriving at Jones' school to pick him up with 3 minutes to spare

The Bad:

• Totally forgetting to take anything for Shoo to do in the car.  Thankfully, he talked my ear off on the way down and then slept half the time on the way home.
• Forgetting to take our GPS.  I had a big mapbook and printed directions, but hello, I have a GPS!
• Having to take the scenic route home.
• Only getting to stay for about an hour and a half due to an accident on 95.

The Ugly:

• There was a bus crash on 95 early in the morning that still had 95N shut down when I needed to head home (had I thought to check the news, I never would have gone to Richmond yesterday)
• The three hour drive home (took me one hour and 45 minutes to get down there and it would have been longer if I hadn't taken the rural route for the first half of the drive)
• Shoo's urgent potty need while stuck in traffic (thankfully he's a trooper and we made it to an exit)
• Slow drivers in the far left lane on a major interstate.  Seriously, if you are going to go below the speed limit, get the heck out of that lane!  There was a lot of road rage on the way home. (No, not me.)
• 100 degree weather
• Needing to water our bushes and trees when I got home, which meant I spent an hour crawling through the bushes putting out our soaker hoses (note to self: put the hoses out BEFORE you need them next year, preferably when long pants and sleeves are comfortable.)
• No running (I was wiped out after the hose laying adventure.)

But it was all worth it 'cause I got to see these smiling faces in person. 

 T and G, it was great to see you!  Let's not let a year pass this time, ok?