This was a crazy week. I think I say that every week. Between work being super busy and basically living in my car thanks to my taxi duties shuttling Thing 2 to rehearsals, lessons, auditions, everywhere, my workouts were very much on the back burner. Maybe Diary of a Flute Concierge would be a better name for this blog.
Anyhoo, here’s how my workouts went:
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Run 3 miles
Wednesday: Um What??
Thursday: Strength + Tabata
Friday: Run 4 miles
Saturday: Trail Run 5 miles
Sunday: Rest (all-day flute competition)
While our temps have moderated a bit (no more single digits or lower), we’re still a good 20 degrees below normal and the snow makes it feel like full-on winter.
That said, I was gifted my first runner’s high in a loooong time. I try to stay on the trails as late in the year as possible before they become too icy/snowy but I wasn’t sure about today. Turns out they were perfection. The snow wasn’t terribly wet or deep or slippery, and I fell into that elusive meditative state where running is effortless and all is right with the universe.
We celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary. Our wedding day was sunny and in the 60’s. We took pics outside in golden autumn sunlight. Fast forward 20+ years and it’s nothing like that. Yikes. We celebrated with a nice dinner out. Although I tried to stay somewhat AIP compliant, (who knows what kinds of oils they cook with?) and didn’t overeat or over drink by any means, I had a terrible night of sleep. Go figure.
Thing 2 is competing in the Chicago Flute Club’s annual Student Competition today and I have a volunteering stint as well, so forgive me if it takes me a bit to stop by your blog. Despite feeling over-committed and poorly prepared (her words) she won a spot in the All-Illinois Junior Band (IAJB) so we’ll be road tripping to Champaign, IL in January where she’ll spend a weekend performing in workshops and concerts at the University of Illinois. I know I sound like a broken record but she blows my mind. She was bullied very badly in kindergarten (to the extent I pulled her off the bus then ultimately out of school) and then again in 6th grade. I can’t express what a joy it is to watch my meek little butterfly find her passion, blossom and flourish with this amazing talent coming through her. The conductor of the last Honor Band performance she did told me “plays far beyond her years”. That does not surprise me but we have to remember that in other ways she’s still a typical 14 year old. It’s a precarious balance.
Loving
This video about the 10 Signs of Sugar Addiction. I’m so much better about limiting sugar than I used to be but I find it incredibly addicting. Can you relate to any of these signs?
This article about recovery, training and injury. Especially in the age of social media, where workouts and finish times can become a pissing contest, it’s good to fully understand how important proper recovery is.
This Facebook post from Sara Hall. She ran a smoking fast PR in Berlin, then dropped out at mile 18 at NYCM 5 weeks later. I’ve gotten way more mindful about self-deprecating talk/thoughts than I used to be, and I work hard every day teaching my kids the power of positive self-talk. This is such a wise reminder, whether we’re talking about age, body image or something else. It’s all about perspective.
I refuse to let holidays into the house until after Thanksgiving but I had to have this planter I found at Costco. Technically I think it’s more “winter” than “holiday” per se, but I’ve been obsessed with white birch lately, so this was a must-have.
Not Loving
Getting a text from your mom that the neighbor’s house next door is on fire. Of course I was in the car when I got it and when I glanced, first I thought it said ON FIRE, then I thought maybe it said ON LINE, since many in the neighborhood are older and downsizing and my mom loves to take virtual tours, but nope, the place is fully gutted. Suffice it to say I feared my mom’s house would catch fire as well. Thank heavens that did not happen and no one was injured. You might remember several months back when I recognized my dad’s condo building (not his unit but still) burning on the evening news and he was rescued from his third floor balcony. The parallels are kind of crazy.
My Twitter is still getting “temporarily restricted” almost every day whether I tweet or not. All I mostly ever do is tweet links to blog posts, so if that’s wrong I’m not sure I need a Twitter account at all. It may be time to close my Twitter account. We’ll see. Rant over.
How was your week? Did you race? Runner’s high? Is it too early for holiday decorations?
I’m linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down. Join us!
Geez, your story about your mom’s neighbor reminds me that I had a dream last night that my house was on fire! Seriously scary. Glad she’s ok.
I’m beyond excited for your youngest and look forward to hearing how she does!
Happy Anniversary!
I’m really glad things are going well for Thing 2. She’ll also look back on this time when she’s older and remember what a supportive mom she had.
scary about your mom’s neighbor’s house! so glad she is ok!
Your daughter sounds amazing and how wonderful to have supportive but thoughtful parents who can keep an eye out for her. I see kids being pushed in athletics and parents yelling at them and it’s awful. And congratulations on your wedding anniversary! Ours is in April so similarly can have all sorts of weather!
your daughter does keep you running around! I felt like that until my kids started driving. Now I kind of miss all of it. There is something very magical about running in the first snow. Although it’s a little early for it. Happiest of anniversaries! Thanks for linking up!
I’m extremely proud of your daughter, and I’ve never met her 😉 Huge kudos to HER!!!! Glad you got to experience that runner’s high! Doesn’t it feel good? It’s one of the many things that keep us lacing up 😉
That is so wonderful about your daughter’s success. Scary about the building fires! So it’s not just me getting blocked out of Twitter for doing NOTHING? I just went to look up a football score Friday night and next thing I know I’m locked out forever. No word back from their support. I have probably wrote 3 tweets in my life and I only use it because the kid’s school posts information there. Geeeeez, what a pain.
That is definitely not the kind of message you want to receive from a parent! So glad your mom is ok.
Huge congrats to your daughter on all she’s accomplishing!
And happiest of anniversaries to you and your hubby!
That is so awesome about your daughter! Congrats to her! So glad your mom is ok. That is scary especially when you are driving and all you see is one line. I would have freaked!
Happy anniversary! And more kudos and congrats to Thing 2! I know all that time in the car isn’t fun, but I also know it’s worth it. She’s amazing! Yikes on your parents’ neighbors house. That is really scary. The snowy trail looks lovely, but I’m glad we don’t have to deal with that yet.
Happy Anniversary! I’m so glad your mom’s house is Ok and glad that you were able to get some runs in this week. Hang in there with the Flute Concierge duty.
Wow thats scary about your mom’s neighbors house. I must have missed it when you shared that about your dad’s condo.
Glad you had a good anniversary! Ours was last weekend but we went out to celebrate this Saturday. I had too much wine and didn’t sleep well that night. Sunday was a rough day!
I never log into twitter anymore, I just had some stuff that automatically gets posted like my instagram posts and blog posts. Sounds annoying that they keep restricting you!
I love what your wrote about your daughter and I’m sorry she (and you!) went though all of that but so happy you’re all enjoying her talent and success!! That is truly amazing for a 14 year-old!! And holy crap about the fire and then the parallels to the fires surrounding your parents!? That is insane. I hope this week is better for you and you can get in more runs…if you want to 🙂
I was bullied a little in grade school, but nothing so severe. Otherwise, same sort of thing blossoming via my flute. So congrats to your daughter! It also teaches you a lot of discipline.
Our anniversary is in Oct. It poured. Buckets. Like a Nor’easter. So much for the plans to take photos at Vassar College, which has really lovely grounds — which I would run around often many years later as we worked through my parents’ house. Weird the parallels in life, eh?
Glad your mom (and her house) is ok.
Oddly enough, I don’t see myself in most of the sugar addiction points. Once, yes, but not now, although it’s something I’ve had to work hard on. It still has a tendency to creep in, especially at this time of year!
One of these days you will have to post an audio sample of Thing 2’s music. She must be amazing!
Love that Sara Hall quote! She is only 36, but it’s good to get that mindset early. I try to think the same about my age (51).
Have a great and less crazy week, Marcia!
That is so wonderful about your daughter! You must be so incredibly proud. Best of luck to her.
Happy anniversary! We celebrated ours last week as well 🙂
So I am letting the holidays in a little early this year. It’s our first year with a fake tree and we always decorate so late with the real one (hot weather dries up trees super fast), so we are giving this a go. I won’t put actual ornaments on the tree til after thanksgiving, but it’s up and I’m working on the fluffing. No one told me how tough that would be lol!
Diary of a Flute Concierge. Love it.
Glad to hear your mom & her home are safe.
Yay on the runners’ high
I’m so far behind, but finally catching up. Slowly
That is amazing about your daughter! But wait, she was bullied in kindergarten?!?!??!? How is that even possible?!?!?!? Congrats on your anniversary! That is weird about Twitter. I use it but not sure if I really like it that much.