Working out has some perks

I’ve really been trying to get in better shape and make exercise a priority. And I’ve learned there are some serious perks that come along with it. Of course you feel better about your body and have renewed energy, bla bla bla, but I’m talking about other things, like:

1. Do you know that if you work out, as long as you are not stinky and dripping with sweat, you earn the right to wear sweats/workout clothes all day? It’s true! You can just be like “Yep, I worked out, didn’t have time to change!” People respect that.
2. My gym has a coffee station. After my morning workout I can grab a cup on my way out. No more getting the coffee ready in the morning!
3. I’ve never been a gym shower kinda person, but I’m thinking if I get there a little earlier, I may try it out. I bet that I could take a shower there without anyone walking in on me or crying for a snack. Sounds pretty sweet to me.

Peekaboo

I had no idea how much everyone in the family would enjoy our new curtains. Privacy AND hours of peekaboo and hide and seek fun.

Big girl

It was a big week at Ella’s school this week with our first parent-teacher conference and her first school picture.

I was amazed when the teacher showed me the 2 page (front and back) review at the conference. How thorough! And she got the highest mark on everything. I don’t want to brag, but I’m pretty sure she’s the teacher’s favorite. Ok, maybe, the teacher likes some of the others a little too, but she did say that if I cloned Ella she would like the clone. I think that’s the top comment you can get at a parent/teacher conference don’t you?

Among her fine points were 1. putting her toys away after she plays with them. 2. Being friends with everyone 3. Doing what she’s asked.

I was so proud.

Also, her friend Caden made her a get well card Wednesday since she was sick on Monday. I think maybe we should clone him too.

Can’t wait to see that school picture.

The 5k

Well, we did it. Steve and I ran in the 2010 River Rat Race 5k last weekend in Fort Wayne. Along with about 1,000 other people. Actually more than half were doing the 10k, which made our accomplishment feel just a bit puny, but as I reminded Steve I am sure we are way more fit than all of the people sitting at home eating potato chips. Or the people drinking beer on their porch and watching us run by.

And we were slow. The real lowpoint was realizing we got beat by a woman who looked to be about 8 months pregnant — I still don’t understand this. But we placed about in the middle of the 300 people in our race with a time of about 34 minutes. More ambitious runners may care, but honestly I was in it to A. have a goal and B. get fit. And I ran the ENTIRE time. This is huge for me.

But now that it’s over, I’m worried my motivation is quickly leaving me. I don’t know what’s next. Do I just go out and run 3 miles three times a week? This sounds really boring. Do I just work on my speed? Do I move my goal up 4 miles? Should I sign up for a 10k in the spring or something and work toward that goal? I really don’t want to spend more than 30 minutes running in the morning but I guess I could do a long run on the weekend if I worked up to it…

So, yeah, I need to figure something out before too much time passes. I’m open to suggestions!