T-minus two weeks until Jones is out of school for the summer. Shoo is already done, but is in a three hour morning camp four days a week until Jones is done. What does this mean? In two weeks, my nice little predictably scheduled world will come crashing to a halt.
I’ve never been a big fan of summer. I don’t like being sweaty (unless I’m running), I burn despite 70 SPF sunblock, and my eyes are extremely sensitive to bright sunlight. I think that pools were designed as a torture device and let’s not even discuss how much I dislike wearing a bathing suit. If I had my say, the temperature would never get above 70 degrees. (Yes, I realize I live in the south. File that under: the things you do for love.)
So, here I am, hot, sweaty, and about to be juggling two very active boys for the summer. They’ll do a few camps in the mornings, but mostly we’ll be checking out stuff around town and hitting the parks and the pools. As you can imagine, this will make my running schedule a bit, um, unpredictable.
So, here’s my plan to not only maintain my endurance, but possibly even increase it. Since I’m trying to “run slower to run faster” and heat makes me slow anyways, I’ll be seriously searching for chunks of time to run.
1. Early morning running: Pacers has a running group that meets at o’dark-thirty two days a week (they actually have more, but location and time only work for me two days a week). I’m going to start running with them. Yes, I’m putting that in writing. Harass me if I don’t do it. I’m also planning to make regular plans to run with running friends on weekend mornings.
2. Doubles: I’m going to have a hard time getting in more than 4-5 miles at a time, due to time constraints. Beer Geek leaves for work really early, so I’ll need to be home before 6:00am. Thankfully, that means he’ll also be home early, which leaves me a window in the afternoon to run 3-4 miles before dinner. In the winter, I can easily crank out four in that time. I have a feeling I’ll be doing my 3 mile loop in the heat this summer.
3. Treadmill: If all else fails, we have a treadmill. I can always hit that after the kids go to bed or on a particularly hot afternoon, while the boys play Wii. I won’t be able to carve out more than a half hour on weekdays, but this might be a good time to do my speed work.
4. Races: I’ve already signed up for a longish race in June and in July and I’m looking at a half marathon in August. If nothing else, this guarantees at least one double digit run a month.
Beer Geek gets back from business travel this evening. Highlights of my week include killing every single fish in Jones’ tank, nearly breaking my leg thanks to 5,000 cars and monster trucks spread across my floor, and one dinner that consisted solely of a Founders’ Porter and a klondike bar. However, as of right now, we have five fish, one cat, and two boys still alive and I managed to run 13.2 miles this week and will run 11 more tomorrow. I’m gonna call that a successful week.
LOL at your weeks highlights….especially your dinner. Sounds like my last few weeks when chubby hubby was gone.Gosh 2 more weeks of school??? I thought we were the last ones done. We are done today.
Your highlights of the week are so funny!I am so jealous that I didn't sign up for the race this weekend. Grr at me! But I had to chose between this weekend and next. I choose the "I might break my neck" race since I seem to like a good challenge! 😉 So have fun with everyone for me. I'd come down just to support if it wasn't s'ghetti girl's family party weekend. Does that girl get enough bday parties?!?!?
Oh man, you have your hands full!!Beer & ice cream is not so bad for dinner… lol
That truly IS a successful week!!! Have fun with the younguns' this summmer!
I love how you found a brightside in the highlights of your week! I have so much respect for you mammas!Have a great weekend!
Sounds like a good plan – as long as you stay flexible and look for ways to get your runs in, you will get your training done. Have a great weekend!
Sounds like a solid plan to me! My kids are out and already I'm spending much more time at the pool! Have fun!
That is one successful week 🙂 Good luck making it all work this summer!
sounds like a great plan. and also a perfect supper…
Your summer plans sound excellent, and I'm sure you'll be happier running in the early morning when it's cooler.Had to laugh at the highlights of your week – well done Mama!! 🙂
Way to be flexible! Have a good run tomorrow!
Those are great plans! I'm also planning to squeeze runs in, especially when my little man takes his nap 🙂
I'd say you're doing pretty well, with the exception of the fish! I'm one week away from kids being done as well. I'm lucky though, in that my husband doesn't need to leave until 8 each day. However, he also works out a few days/week in the a.m., so juggling is in order.
Ha ha! I had to laugh at the almost breaking your legs over toy cars on the floor! Welcome to my world:) You have been busy and are holding down the fort by yourself! Way to get out there on your runs and good luck with tomorrows 11 mile:) Enjoy your weekend!
You will have your hands full with the boys for the summer! But at least there is so much to do in the DC area with them!Good luck trying to finangle your running schedule; it's gonna be tough, but you can do it!
I agree, if it never got above 70 deg, that would be fantastic. But I live in the high desert southwest, so that isn't happening for me either. lol.Best wishes figuring out how to fit it all in!
Sounds like you have enough great options that you'll be able to pull together a successful summer of running. Enjoy the 2 weeks of semi-normal!
Definitely a successful week! Good luck at your race and with the early morning runs.
Wow! What a schedule! I don't like the early morning runs or the afternoon ones in the heat, for that matter, either! Just remind yourself that you can only do what you can do and your boys will only be little for a short while…That being said, do you have a pre-teenage girl who would be willing to watch the boys for an hour a couple of days a week? Stress relief for you in the form of a good run. Extreme amounts of fun for the boys and a few bucks for the girl.I have a 12 yr old who would love to fly to DC every day, lol!Glad to hear you survived your week, hope you have a great wekend!
I've been thinking a lot lately about what it must be like to have kids out for summer. You count on that schedule and then everything gets so whacked out 😉 I cant wait to get my kid(s) into school … but already dread summer break!
Sounds like you have a good plan! There's a half marathon in Ashland, VA on August 28. Richmond Road Runners Events are all very professional. Not sure how many participants this race usually attracts. http://www.rrrc.org/events/patrick-henry-half-marathon-5I'm doing the Virginia Beach Rock n' Roll half on September 5http://virginia-beach.competitor.com/Then Philly is just two weeks after that: (Price increase after June 15).http://philadelphia.competitor.com/August halves are pretty hard to find, so I figured I'd mention the September ones too.
It sounds like you have a very solid plan. Good luck with that 0 dark 30 craziness. :o)
From the sounds of your hilarious week recap, I'll think you'll get through summer just fine 🙂
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