Before we wrap everything and I tell you what era is ending, here’s how the week in workouts looked:
Monday:Yoga
Tuesday:Run 6 miles
Wednesday:Bike/Swim
Thursday: Run 4 miles
Friday: Rest
Saturday: Run 5 miles with a BRF!
Sunday: Strength & Swim
The workout week was kind of an autopilot affair. I’m not even going to tally January mileage because 1) I’ve been pretty loosey goosey about tracking and 2) I don’t really care. The highlight, (I’ll tell you the BIG highlight in a sec) if you can call it that, was I got back on the bike for the first time in recent history. I’d fully intended on hitting up a spin class, but poor planning on my part prevented me from making it to the spin studio in a timely fashion so I rode on my own with a swim session after.
Speaking of swimming, my pool endurance is returning the slightest bit. I’m forcing myself to swim 100yds at a crack without stopping to cling to the side, catch my breath and chug water. Not easy sometimes, but so far so good.
End of an Era
It’s just about track season and Thing 1, aka the teenager, attended her first high school track team meeting. We knew the training/time requirements would be rigorous, but I was not prepared to hear there would be 2 workouts a day, 6 days/week. I’d assumed she’d be able to put figure skating on the back burner during track season but it looks like skating’s going to be taken off the stove, so to speak, completely. I always knew this day would come, so I’m a little surprised how hard it’s hitting me. It isn’t even about me. Thing 1 was 5 when she and I started mom-and-tot lessons together. The ice rink is our home away from home. I knew a competitive/professional future in the sport was unlikely and I sure won’t miss paying the gobs of money figure skating demands. Still I am wistful. On the other hand, she loves track and will do well. Heaven knows I love me some track as well. I am super excited for her. Onward.
Enough about the era
Let’s change up the mood, shall we? Here’s to great friends. That’s one of the very best things about running and blogging, right? This week Jill was in town. She’s been a blog friend since the beginning of time and we first met in Boston, 2010.
From left: Elaine, me, Jill and Katie, waiting to board the bus to Hopkinton. Boston, 2010
Since then any excuse to meet up is a good one. We’ve run races all over the country and already have the Indy Monumental Marathon on tap for this fall.
It was a hot pink kind of day.
This weekend she dropped in and stayed with me for far too short a time. Long enough though for some great food, great laughs and of course a mile or 5.
How’d January treat you? What was fun for you this weekend? How did you meet your BRF’s?
This week’s Tuesdays on the Run Linkup topic is Scenes from My Run. Show us and tell us about some of your favorite local running routes.
That’s awesome you were able to spend some time with Jill! Reconnecting is always amazing. So is meeting new people! I’m hoping to connect with two IG friends while in Houston as well as one of my Wattie Ink teammates (in the small bit of time that I’m not occupied with word meetings and dinners). Holy cow – that’s an insane schedule for high school track! I hope the coaches are smart about it. My oldest is a freshman and they didn’t do two-a-days in cross country. I’m hoping they don’t in track. Good for you getting back into the rhythm at the pool!
I so know exactly how you feel regarding your daughter’s transition from skating to track. Mine was a competitive gymnast until she got into high school and joined the track team as a sprinter and long jumper. After all those hours and hours of training and competitions, it was harder for me to see her leave than it was for her. Track is fun and super exciting too though. Have fun!
Aww I can imagine knowing that your daughter is stepping away from figure skating is tough. How great though that she’s so into track!
That’s tough to quit figure skating, but it’s probably for the best. I tried to pull off dancing while also doing track and field hockey in high school, and I think it was all just too much. I have no idea how I managed it all but looking back I think it would have been better to just focus on one thing! Glad you got to spend some time with your running/blogging friend!
Aww…I’m sorry about Maddie’s leave from skating. That has to be tough. She’ll always love it tho!
Speaking of BRFs, we need to plan a race or two for this year. I haven’t heard yet from RnR–still thinking about STL?
Aw, it was hard when my son had to quit lacrosse due to injury – he made it through two years of college – but then we got our weekends back!
It is awesome you got to visit with Jill. My first BRF I met at a local 5k. We hit it off immediately, found we lived close to each other and went to all the races together. We were seen as a duo…Holly & Kim. She’s had knee problems for a while but we still meet for therapy sessions (aka coffee). My latest BRF is my co-host Tricia who I met at a half. I enjoyed spending time with her at Disney and we have plans to visit later this year. Your daughter can always enjoy skating. That’s the best thing! It really isn’t over over. Thanks for linking with us Marcia!
It sounds like you may meed some girl skate dates in your future 🙂 It’ll be a great way to unwind after all the running.
Yay! for connecting with friends, life can be so busy, it is nice to get to connect with a running bud.
My running buddy and I were walking friends before we ever thought about running.
Awww, that’s great you have your friend Jill!!! I have made so many wonderful friends through social media, and some of them I have had the absolute pleasure of meeting in person 😉 (BTW, I have a very similar hot pink jacket)
I swear this mothering gig is the HARDEST huh?
I really had no idea when I started…
Aw your comments about your daughter were so sweet! I’m sure that’s a strange transition since skating was a part of your lives for so long. I like your approach to running and tallying miles…sometimes it doesn’t have to be about the totals and the quantitative mileage goals. Hope you have a great week!
I think it’s always harder for the parents than the kids when they chose to leave a sport behind. I had to chose between two sports to play one in college because I would not have had the time to do both. My parents seemed OK, but I know they must’ve felt some sadness when I left soccer behind. I still love both sports and watch as much as I can.
I love watching skating. I guess now you’ll have to watch it on TV like me.
But then, you can attend track meets. Running is a great sport, right?
Twice a day workouts, six times a week? HOLY CRAP!!! That sounds INSANE! Yeah, no surprise that something has to fall by the wayside with a schedule like that.
So awesome that you got to hang out with Jill!!!! Getting to see blog friends IRL is the best thing, ever!!!
Running with old friends is always a great time! Nice that you were able to get together. The end of an era – I totally understand the sadness, but looks like track will keep you guys busy!
Way to stay strong and building more endurance with swimming ! BRF’s are the best! So cool that you got to spend time together over the weekend. Sorry about the end of an era, that’s tough. However, track is fun too!
No. I can’t believe Jan 2016 has come and gone. I need a BRF other than my husband 🙂
Yes! A great weekend with my BRF, loved it! Good luck with track season 🙂
Wow, that’s a lot of training for a high school student, impressive. I think when my kids stopped their gymnastics I was probably more upset than they were. I loved the weekends, the meets, the gym parents… oh well,I accepted that life goes on…. other experiences are good for them too.
Have a great week !
Wow, twice a day for 6 days a week? Dang, you got to love it right? Well there is no suggesting doing both with that schedule either, maybe skating can just take a break. I guess it is better that she is picking something you also enjoy. I guess you heard of my screw up this weekend at my race, I’m still kind of laughing about it. Oh well I did the distance and got the medal, end of story and maybe end of #epicfail era??? Thanks Marcia for linking!
Oh hey, it’s me, and you, together, in pink! 🙂 True happiness showing in that picture!!!
I am SO thankful to spend a few short hours with you. You have been there since the beginning of blogworld for me and have become a very dear friend. I’m so grateful! Looking forward to many laughs together in Indy!! Let’s leave out the marathon part next hook-up though and just hit the beach!!
I think 2 workouts 6 day/week is a recipe for injury and burnout….but hopefully none of that for Thing 1 and she has a blast. It’s so hard to watch your kiddo lose something that’s been a huge part of them that they worked so hard for. It makes me sad when I think about Ryan and college and track…
Had quite the ordeal getting my sorry butt out of Chicago. Will fill you in soon!! Thank you for everything!! Love you!!
I totally get how you feel about Thing 1 finishing ice skating. I felt the same when our soccer days were finally over. All those hours on the sideline that I loved were done. Even now I feel nostalgic about it. I just have to encourage the grandkiddies to play when I finally get some.
Oh goodness that is a lot of practice for high school track! Twice a day, six days a week! I bet that does make you a little teary eyed to have her done with the figure skating.
I still swear I wouldn’t run if it weren’t for all the “therapy” we get in during a run 🙂 On week 3 of my new training schedule – my attempt at a sub 2 hour half this spring – and I mostly hate it because I can’t breathe and talk at the same time! I mean, sure, I’m getting faster, but man I miss the run-chats! I am SUPER pumped you and your BRF are joining us in Indy for the Monumental this year – it’s a fantastic course with lots of great race support around our beautiful city 🙂 Meet ups for sure! Best wishes to your daughter in her new love of HS track! I still vividly remember the day I decided to quit cheerleading after 12 years. I cried a lot even though I knew it was exactly the right time to “retire my poms”. Change is hard, even when it’s for the best 🙂 Hugs to you!
I feel that January was a bit slow to get started. But looking forward to rocking February!
So great that you got to spend time with your BRF! I’m sure you will miss your daughter’s ice skating, but track will be a nice change up.
I met my BRF when I started my chapter of Moms Run this Town. So glad I did because without her I probably wouldn’t still be running. Im sorry about the ice skating, I can imagine that must be tough. I can imagine that is how I would feel if one of my sons was in a sport that I loved and decided to not do it anymore!