But sometimes the universe doesn't want speed from you.
So you have to switch to slow.
How slow?
Five-year-old slow!
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My new plan for spring (besides doing my PT exercises and recumbent bike workouts as faithfully as possible) is to take my kids for a hike every Friday morning.
These hikes are not far (I doubt this morning's added up to a mile and a half). These hikes are not fast (we had to stop so they could climb the tree as you see above; we had to stop for a snack; we had to stop to gather cedar berries--and we were out for only a little over an hour). But this was the second Friday spent this way--and it's fun.
Besides being fun, these hikes are doing wonders for:
1) Getting me some fresh air, which is sorely lacking at the gym. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice gym, and the 30-minute interval workouts are doing more for me than I thought they would...but gyms smell like gyms. They are artificially lit. The only breezes come from fans.
In contrast, today's trail featured bluffs 1,000 feet up from the trailhead, the bluest of blue skies, a little wind that took the edge off the July-like sun (anyone else a bit freaked out by this weather? I personally would like a little more precipitation) and the scent of sage, evergreens and a hint of the mountains that were so close we could no longer see them on the horizon as we drove up. Because, ladies and gentlemen, we were ON that horizon.
2) Getting my kids some fresh air. And getting them to explore all the trails I've been waiting five years for them to be big enough to enjoy. In mid-August, they will go to kindergarten. After that, I won't have Friday mornings with them again until they are almost six-and-a-half. And I have to say, watching my tiny slip of a daughter racing ahead of me and her brother on the trail today....it was almost as good as being able to run myself. She asked me today if she could beat me yet. I told her not yet (though of course she CAN beat me because she can run, and I can't).
3) Reconnaissance for the future: when I'm allowed to run again, I want to do a chunk of it on trails. I know road races require road training. But trail running is my true love. You have to stay in touch with the love.
A Spring of Slow was not what I had in mind, not by a long shot. But I'll take it. I think it was meant to be, for more than one reason.
Hang in there my friend! Your "Spring of Slow" (and healing!!) is going to lead to a summer and fall of SPEED and awesomeness. :)
ReplyDeleteHugs!
for one reason being we will get to have a coffee in beautiful Pasadena!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a grandma type of hike. Not far and not fast!
ReplyDeleteYou're the best mom ever! Not only will you remember this spring for years to come, your kiddos will also. I'm amazed at what things my kids remember from their childhood, and it's always the fun things we did together. I'm thinking I like Fall of Speed better than Spring of Speed anyway! :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the weekend....I wonder if I brought this crazy warm weather it back from Iowa with me!?!?
Awesome on so many levels. Pretty cool how things that slow us down can be such blessings in other ways. Looks like slowing down and taking a break might lead to a positively beautiful opportunity to really be in the present with your kids and slow down enough to really soak it all in. way to make the most out of things!
ReplyDeleteI love hiking with my kids! It is such an adventure. What a lovely way to spend your Fridays :-) Keep on making those great memories!!!
ReplyDeletethis is really beautiful, terzah! the hikes with your children sound so nice - sometimes i think we really need to slow ourselves down so we can have greater appreciation for life and for the fact that we can move at all. you are going to get through this and be stronger and speedier before you know it. i bet the trails by you are so incredible - you are so lucky to have them so close by!
ReplyDeleteThe time spent with the children is the best. I have great memories now that mine are grown (32 and 27 y.o.).
ReplyDeleteEnjoy this week end and get well soon.
I love hiking in Colorado with my kids. We head to the mountains every summer. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteyour daughter is so dang CUTE! she looks so sassy with that pose. What a great way to spend a Friday morning. Actually - I'm jealous - I wish I could have done that with Ricky when he was little - it makes me miss my "little baby".
ReplyDeleteyou are getting there - time is clicking by...I can't wait until I see the words "I can run again" from you...those words are coming!
Those trail hikes can still do you some good, at least that's what I recall from doing the Pikes Peak Ascent last year :-)
ReplyDeleteA weekday morning of hiking with the kids is totally worth not running. Enjoy it while you can!
ReplyDeleteI love that picture! I know being injured is frustrating, but it's great that you are getting this time with your kids.
ReplyDeleteGreat!!! The best part of hiking with the kids is that they see so much more than we ever do! It always surprises me and reminds me to slow down and look around more often!!
ReplyDeleteI bet they'll remember these hikes for years... what a great shared experience for you three. The speed season will come eventually!
ReplyDeleteAwe...what a sweet post! I am glad you are able to continue to see the positive in the whole situation. I so wish I had that kind of beauty basically in my back yard!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous activity! I think it's probably doing wonders for all of you. Your kids looks happy & adventurous.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome!!! You have such a great attitude, and the kiddos are reaping its benefits. Here's to hoping that it's the Summer of Speed. It'll be here before you know it!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post.
ReplyDeleteWow, can't wait until Nicholas is old enough to hike on his own (we put him in the Ergo now when we hit the woods). I'm not convinced that you need to run on roads to train for road races. I do almost all of my running on trails, busting out my road shoes only when I run a road marathon. I think trail running, besides probably being better for your joints, trains you in ways that road running often can't, like in sudden uphills or downhills, or in moving laterally to avoid tree roots and whatnot. I credit it for helping me stay injury free (knock wood).
ReplyDeleteYou are going to have the best time just slowing down and being with the family! I really need to go hiking more. I enjoy it...why oh why is there just never enough time for all the fun stuff?
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