July 09, 2014

Trail walk with Jessica

I decided not to run today, because I had plans to go for a walk with Jessica this afternoon, and I felt ready for a run break. My kids are doing "Camp 9-1-1" for two days, which is a day camp that I would have loved when I was a kid! They tour an ambulance, learn CPR, visit a local emergency room, learn about safety, and learn about careers in the medical field. Such a great idea, and totally free!

Eli's surgery on the 22nd will prevent him from going to the camp that is closest to us, so I had to sign them up for the camp that is a pretty far drive. It started at 9:00 this morning, so we had to get up and get ready first thing this morning. Eli slept in my bed last night, because he a nightmare--which meant I didn't sleep a wink all night. That kid sleeps like the hands on a clock, turning in circles. Sometimes his hand was over my face, and other times his feet were kicking me in the head.

Anyway, I drove the kids to camp and dropped them off, and then headed home to get the laundry done. On the days of their baseball games, I always forget to make sure their baseball shirts are clean (and they never are), so I end up trying to wash them 30 minutes before we have to leave. Then they have to wear slightly damp shirts to the game. Please tell me I'm not the only mom that does that...?!

After lunch, I went to meet Jessica at a park. I used to run this park during my long runs a couple of years ago, but I got tired of the drive out there, so I hadn't been there in a while. There is a gravel path around a bunch of soccer fields, and some paths that go back in the woods. I've never ventured into the woods there, because I'm afraid of getting lost (and it looks a little sketchy to go there alone), but it was perfect to go on a walk with Jessica.


We came across a ton of tiny little toads on the path, a couple of snakes, and all sorts of bugs. I'm not really afraid of any of those things except for spiders. I'm deathly afraid of spiders! The trail wound a couple of miles through the woods, and it was a fun walk. We added a couple more miles to and from the car, so we walked 4.5 miles altogether. I got in over 12,000 steps, which was nice for a day that I didn't run!


So, I haven't mentioned this because I'm always afraid of jinxing a streak, but when I set my July challenge, I had a second challenge in the back of my mind. The first, that I wrote about on my blog, was to only have two alcoholic drinks per week. Um, I failed at that one pretty quickly. We had people over the the fourth, and after two drinks, my intentions were just gone.

However, the other challenge in my mind was even harder for me--no ice cream or Monica's for all of July. I ate way too much ice cream in May and June, so I wanted to break that habit. Even if it was a McDonald's cone for 170 calories, I just wanted to stop having it all the time. Monica's is a local bakery that always calls out to me when I go past. I usually do well at avoiding it, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to give up that as well for the month, especially so I wouldn't go there to avoid the ice cream--haha!

So, today is the 9th--meaning I haven't had ice cream (or Monica's) in 9 days. That's pretty good! The best part is that after about three days, I stopped craving the ice cream. Between this challenge, and the fact that I'm trying to get back into my old (good) habits, I feel like I am going to start seeing some progress on the scale soon. I hope so, anyway! ;)



Today is Day 4 of the Five Days of Giveaways. Sunday was the New Balance trail running shoes; Monday was Balega socks; Tuesday was the RooSport pocket; and today, I'm giving away some fuel/hydration items! In our welcome bags for the Runner's World Half & Festival was a hydration belt by Fitletic. I know a lot of people like belts, but I prefer my CamelBak, so I'm happy to give this to someone else who will use it! Clif Bar also hooked me up with some of my favorite running fuel, but I will never use all of it, so I'm including a variety of that as well.


The belt is a S/M size, which says it fits from 24-36". There are two water bottles and a pouch to hold some of your fuel, your phone, etc.


To enter the giveaway, just fill out the form below with your name and email address (U.S. only, please). I'll select a winner by random draw on Monday, July 14th at 9:00 AM EST.



6 comments:

  1. Regarding laundering the game shirts brought back memories of driving the boys to games with their shirts hanging out the windows to dry them! You're not alone!

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  2. Camp 911 is a great program. I worked for HVA for 12 years before I changed careers. I loved being a camp counselor at the camps all summer! They always have a police dog come to visit during camp; I'm sure your kids will love that! I still occasionally will have a child come up to me in a store who I had as a camp 911 camper!

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  3. Oh no! Poor Canadian me :)

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  4. Thanks for all of the giveaway chances!! My kids would love that camp...how neat!

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  5. great job on the july challenge and no, you are not the only mom who forgot to wash the baseball stuff.... hope the kids have fun at camp, sounds like a fun and informative time

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  6. I have been following your blog for awhile and you have really been a great motivator and resource. We have a few things in common also...except I am much older than you! LOL. I started my weight loss journey sometime in May and have lost about 23 pounds. I have another 40-60 pounds to go. I started just doing my own thing actually kind of a mix of WW points and looking at total calorie intake on Spark People. I then joined WW at work for 17 weeks but plan on letting that go when finished just cause I think I have a handle on it right now and will continue what I am doing.
    I had always been a runner or into doing sport activities. Last winter I didn't go to the gym at all and will NEVER do that again. I too....absolutely hate running. I don't like it and have never had a "runners' high". Not sure where my endorphins are hiding. I do like how I feel when I am done. I can't run outside in the winter because the cold air induces asthma so therefore it's the treadmill. So I started from scratch this spring with my running. I have previously done 3 half marathons but they were in my 30's. Not sure I will do that again or not. My saving grace has been my daughter's dog, Rio, who is a lab/pointer mix that literally drags me cause I am not running fast enough! She loves the exercise and needs it...so she is my partner.
    I totally appreciate all of your information and your blogs. It is great to see several people that have accomplished their goals on the internet and how they worked hard to lose their weight. Thank you for taking the time to share your story.

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I used to publish ALL comments (even the mean ones) but I recently chose not to publish those. I always welcome constructive comments/criticism, but there is no need for unnecessary rudeness/hate. But please--I love reading what you have to say! (This comment form is super finicky, so I apologize if you're unable to comment)

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