I awaken early by nature. I love those quiet times of the day. It is my alone time for list making, day planning, reading and knitting a bit. It is also my time for exercise. I was running most days, but a bout with plantar fasciitis has slowed me to walking now. I love my time walking through the neighborhood. I greet neighbors I see or just revel in being alone. My route is between three and four miles, which takes around 45 minutes, just the perfect amount of time for exercise. When I return home I am greeted with hugs and reports on breakfast. Although I often consider staying home and using those minutes for something else, I know I will regret the decision. That early morning outing refuels me and helps me remain centered throughout the day.

** I am working my way through November with prompts from write alm. Join me won't you.

Does Almost Count

I am trying to get back into shape. I really enjoyed this pregnancy - my last. I enjoyed it wholeheartedly as the scale indicates. I am needing to shed the extra baggage I am carrying, and it isn't happening. Yes, my baby is only 6 wks old, but I don't want to be signing the same song with a two year ("But, I just had a baby." "Uh, lady, he's two").

I figured I could walk early in the morning before D leaves for work. It seemed foolproof. Yeah, right. I started on Mother's Day. I walked without a hitch. Baby B was in the Moby wrap and Ava was on the leash. Easy Peasy. No walk yesterday - too tired after not sleeping due to stuffy baby. Then there is today.

Everyone was awake when I suited up at 5:30a to walk. A insisted she wanted to come along. I reminded her that we would walk at the zoo, and this is my walking ALONE/FAST time. She lost it crumbling into a heap of tears. After much talking, she agreed to walk with me tomorrow. So, off I headed down the street at 5:46. I suddenly hear E wailing after me. He wants to tell me that I forgot my iPod and B's diaper. I thank him for his help and urge him to run back home. He does and again I am off - 5:50. I walk with Baby B and Ava carelessly for 1.5 miles - it is all the time I have before D has to leave. I added a few lunges, squats, crunches and pushups when I came home.

I am pretty sure my heartrate didn't get into the right range and the mileage was low, but it sure does a lot for my mental health. Bring on the day...

Pisces Link?

I have started swimming at the YMCA. I really, truly enjoy it. I swam as kid and on and off through the years. Before kids, I went to the gym regularly, but swimming was always tough. For some reason, it is coming together for me now. I enjoy the cool water and the solitude - just me and the water. I swim about a mile - sometimes more, sometimes less. I am even getting better at my strokes. I have always loved the breaststroke, but freestyle tires me out. Freestyle is even getting easier. I notice some small changes, but the bigger draw is that I really like it. I am toying with the idea of doing a triathlon (sprint version). The big drawback isn't the running with which I have a love/hate relationship. The part that scares the beejesus out of me is swimming in TEMPE TOWN LAKE - BLECH.

Burn it Off

Yesterday I tested the theory that you cannot burn your fat off from friction. Apparently you just get major chafing burns. Oh well, I guess I have to keep running. From now on I will wear the appropriate attire and not just cotton workout shorts.