Back to the gym

The kids start school tomorrow. So I have made plans to meet a friend for coffee - after I go to Curves. I'm setting a goal of three times a week - and I'm going to try to walk (or something) on the in-between days.

Of course, I came back from camping with huge itchy bug bites on my legs, including one that sits right under or at the edge of most of my socks. Here's hoping it's not too bad!

Bicycling

T learned to ride his bike this summer so when we went to Portland last week, we hauled all 3 bikes and the trailer. We actually went on a few bike rides, too. The first one was a meander through the neighborhood M grew up in. It made me appreciate how flat neighborhoods are much more bicycle friendly.

The next day, we put the trailer on M's bike checked out a new bike trail along the river. Since we let T set the pace both days, I can't say I got much of a workout on either day, but it was fun.

I wish it was less hilly in our neighborhood. I'd almost forgotten how much fun it is to ride your bike.

Not One Size Fits All

We only got two workouts in last week, but we went yesterday so I feel good that Jim and I are continuing to go. Childcare is a bit of an issue because right now Ben is helping his family while his grandfather is on Hospice. Hopefully I can tag some of the college kids at church tonight so that we can go tomorrow.
I also wanted to share that I have had at least two people ask me if I have been working out and that they have "noticed" on my upper torso. Now do I really think that just two workouts have made that much of a difference?
No
I did have ever buy new bras. When I discarded my nursing bras I was wearing bras that were pre-children bras. They probably fit ok at some point but they were pretty stretched out. So last month, when they were having before school sales and a "tax free" day here Jim and I went and did some clothes shopping. I made sure that I got bras that not only fit but also had the proper amount of support. So I am here to attest that if you need a "quick" body image improvement think about what your clothes are doing for you.

We went!

Over the summer we joined the student rec center but really only made it to the pool with the kids.
Today, things finally came together so that Jim and I went and worked out. So now we have paid for the rec center for Jim this semester and other then having some transportation issues that should be worked out when I go buy a parking pass tomorrow (long story...) we should be in line to actually workout regularly this semester.

I was thin once....

I have been unpacking more boxes and I did a box with photo albums in it. I, of course, had to look through all of the pictures in the albums. I saw pictures of myself as a teenager and realized that I was actually thin. In my mind I have always been overweight, but in reality I was maybe 10 pounds overweight as a teen and it wasn't until I hit college that I really put on weight. My big issue was that I didn't gain the Freshman 15....I gained the Freshman 50. So I was thinking that it was inspiring to realize that I actually COULD be thin. Now I just actually work on getting back to that place.

My New Hero

My new hero is...Dara Torres!

She's 21 days older than me, and just look at her! (Oops, did I just give away my age?) I can't wait to see how well she performs at the Olympics. She's already got one medal (this time -- she's got tons of others from her previous four times!)

In case you're living under a rock, and don't know who she is, google her or check out her wikipedia page.

I just thought I'd provide a little inspiration here!

Finished!

I finished the race today! To get my results, go to the Danskin results web page and click the link. Scroll to the bottom and select "2008 NEW ENGLAND RESULTS" under "Search Results Data." You can look me up by name or number, 1211.

I'll post a description of the race shortly on my other Blog, Midlife Motherhood.