How on earth are we at the end of another month? I mean, I’m never a fan of Virginia in July, but I can’t believe it’s already over. It was a busy month, but in a totally different way than normal. I’m joining Marcia for a few runfessions to close out July.
I must runfess that I have been in hot pursuit of the 1000 mile pin for the Great Virtual Race Across Tennessee. While I’m generally not a “virtual race” kind of girl, this one has been hugely motivational for me. I get up every day and cover at least 8 miles. Pretty much every single day. Since I don’t run 8 miles a day (pretty much ever right now), I’ve become a walker. I’ve always only been a walker if I was going to a destination. Now I wander around my neighborhood for miles every day. It has done surprising things for my mental health.
I must runfess that I am not handling the heat well this summer. To be honest, usually we go away for at least 10 days every July to someplace cooler than Virginia. Yeah, I’m not that girl heading to the beach. Give me the mountains or a cooler locale any day. Because we aren’t traveling this summer, I told Beer Geek that keeping the house cool was my summer vacation. And I just got the electricity bill to prove it.
In less than 4 weeks, we will be dropping Jones off at college. He was just a little guy when I started this blog. How on earth has time passed that fast? Also, getting ready to send a kid to college during a pandemic is a bit surreal. I’ve packed him a quarantine bag, bought an excessive number of masks, researched which hospitals take our insurance, and made a list of things he must pack if they get told to leave the dorms. Oh, and I’m teaching him to drive, because who doesn’t need more stress during a pandemic?
Finally, I will runfess that I turn 50 this month. I had thought I would do something special like run my first 50 miler or take a trip someplace cool or gather all my friends for a party. Thanks to the pandemic, none of those things are happening. Meanwhile, I keep getting all of these coupons from stores for my birthday and they all require in store purchase. Yeah, that’s not happening. So I think I will celebrate my birthday by buying myself 50 things I really want. I kicked it off by finally buying myself the weight bench I’ve wanted for months that conveniently finally came back in stock! (And since I’m not really an acquisitive person, IF I buy 50 things, it will likely include splurging on a few take out meals and new running socks or Kindle books. I can’t see myself buying 50 things that take up space in my house. {{shudder}})
Good for you on all those walking miles! I’ve always walked a lot, but I became a hardcore advocate after my surgery (2017) when walking was my only option that summer. Best of luck as you finalize all the details of your college send-off. It really is quite the surreal time in our history.
July was “special.” I came close to passing out during a run on the 11th; my blood pressure had risen – yes, risen – to 82/60 after I got inside. And then I fell off a steep, narrow walking trail on the 17th, making a visit to an ER necessary. Bleeding was involved but I didn’t break anything. So I’m now walking only but am hoping to get back to jogging so that I can enter the virtual 5K pride runs in Winnipeg and Ottawa, I also wanted to do the virtual 5K for the Fargo marathon. We’ll see. But no travel. Darn it. You’re doing so much better than I. As usual.
Happy Birthday! I wish I could tell you I loved this decade so far. Let’s just say it has it’s challenges. I just got our electric bill too. Yikes. That’s what non-stop air conditioning will do I guess. All the best with the college move-in. A major milestone for sure. We head down to Atlanta next week.
Happy birthday! I think that’s such a great way to celebrate.
Yeah, I’m missing Stowe for the same reason. Summer is just getting worse. Stay safe & healthy. That shower/sweat one is so true.
I always struggle with the humidity in July. I think it’s our worse month here. Wow 8 miles a day is impressive and challenging. I have also been walking a lot more and I really. enjoy it as well. It will be even better in the fall with the cooler temps. My son is also going back to college it’s a lot and stressful. I am sure more so for a freshman. Happy early birthday!