Running and church and beer

Have I mentioned that I gave up (for the most part) beer and wine and too much food?

I have. 

Not because I have lost that lovin' feelin' for the adult beverages and the yumminess of food, because I haven't,  but because I have signed up for another half marathon and...

My first full marathon.

I started week four of my training today. Alarm went off shortly after five. Today was only three miles.

Anyway, I gave up the other stuff because I feel much healthier just drinking water these days.  I'm not a water drinker.  Never have been.  Why drink something with no flavor? I've always found it pointless.  But I'm drinking at least 72 oz. lately and I'm noticing a significant difference in how I feel and look (less bloaty).

The running three times a week, the water, and the cut back on booze has helped me to lose eight pounds in the last two weeks.  I feel so much better.

I went all FB official with my decision to run the marathon.  I had to.  I knew if I didn't tell anyone that I'd give up on it.  You can't give up on something when you have people asking all the time how training is going.

I'm going to run 26 miles.

Twenty six miles.

Seems absurd since Sunday's run was seven and I was tired.

Speaking of Sunday's run.  I woke up late and was trying to decide if I should skip my run or skip church.  If I went to church it would be too hot to run afterward.  If I went on my run I wouldn't have enough time to get cleaned up and make it to church on time.

Like the good little Christian girl that I am, I chose to run.  I got done and I had time to get to church.  Just not time to get cleaned up.  So, in all my sweaty, running clothes, no make up, ponytail from yesterday glory - I went to church.

Come as you are, right?

Can I just say how much I love my church?  Not the building (though it's cozy) but the people of the church.  I love that I can show up there with my nose ring, tattoos, nasty smelling, sweaty running clothes and it's good.  They're happy I'm there.

So, yeah.  Running and church.  My favorite things these days.

But I sure miss beer.

Summer Swimming

It's been pretty, stinkin' hot where we live (southeastern WA) for over a week. Like 106 hot.

A few days ago I took the girls to the pool a few towns over. It set me back $12 to get in. (Translated to 2.5 Starbucks drinks) I was a little surprised at how much it cost.  We were there about 90 minutes and then we were all just kinda over the water and the sun and the ridiculous amounts of other bodies surrounding us. A couple of days go by, it's still hot but not as hot. About 95. The girls ask if we can go swimming again.

I agreed, but said we'd go a bit earlier in the day so we could hit Free Swim.  Friends, I was not going to pay another $12. And boy am I glad I didn't. Those little stinkers of mine swam for 20 minutes then said the water was too cold and they'd like to go home. 20 minute drive, 20 minute swim, 20 minute drive home. 

Let us back up. The evening before the 20 minute swim day had been a brutal one at our house. I had about a good (read: terrible) couple of hours filled with self doubt, anxiety, hysteria, crying, and yelling. I found myself locked in the bathroom. It was some of my worst moments in the history of moments. 

So Thursday morning I woke up and I felt like my brain was not so foggy. I went for a six mile run, then when the girls woke up asking about swimming, I agreed, but wanted to talk to them first. I explained how sorry I was for the night before and days before of the yelling, short tempered, crabby me that they'd been dealing with. I cried. Spice cried. Sugar knelt in front of me and held and patted my hands.

"We forgive you, Mama." They said.

And my tears fell some more.

So after the beautiful moments of forgiveness and the 20 minute swim, we had coffee. 

Betty invited us to swim with her yesterday.  It was a fantastic couple of hours visiting with her whilst getting a tan. The only thing that could have made it better was alcoholic beverages. (Betty, next time, we'll replace kids with adult beverages.) The girls played hard and within ten minutes of leaving Betty's I find this:

What you can't see is the drool on Sugar's shoulder. It was really attractive. Spice walked into the house, crashed on the couch at 4:45 and didn't wake til 6:30. 

This morning.

Almost 14 hours that child slept.

Angels sang.

I danced.

Swimming is a good time. We enjoy it. The girls are getting more and more comfortable and I find myself breathing a little easier this year letting them in the water.

I said a little. 

I'm still a worry wart.

Of course.

Hoping to get out on the river some night this week after Josh is off work.  Boat time is so relaxing.

When I'm not worrying...