Training, Part 2

This weekend was another 10+ mile workout, but I rallied up some of the other ladies to go with me.  We hiked Paris Mountain and all throughout this beautiful state park.  The morning was a bit chilly, but at 7:30am, we were ready to go.

When you carry a 15lb pack and climb 1700 ft, it doesn't take long to warm up. 

We kept a strong pace, only stopping once for a quick snack.

Then it was off again to complete our workout.  

#ChallengeAccepted  #NonprofitCEOhike  #May2021

Easter

This was a special Easter for so many reasons!  First, we were actually able to attend church services.  Second, all my kiddos were home.  And third, my parents came to visit!

While they were here, we wanted to show them one of our favorite pastimes...disc golf.

None of us are good, but it provides a nice opportunity to get outdoors and stretch our legs.  Grandma and Poppie did surprisingly well.

We did have one water hazard, but Eric found it plus another one!

Since our youngest still enjoys coming down Easter morning to filled baskets and hunting eggs, I made a special call to the Easter Bunny to include all three.

The weather was perfect for finding those hidden eggs. 

After a brief wait, Eric got to look for any still left.  

What could be inside those eggs that would make young adults want to participate?  Each was filled with either candy, cash, or lottery tickets. I'm guessing it wasn't the candy.

Training, Part 1

I decided to join fellow nonprofit directors on a 5-day hike at the end of May.  Once committed, training needed to start right away.  We have to be able to carry a 15lb pack and cover 15-16 miles per day.

Besides my daily 2-mile walk around the neighborhood, my regimen includes a long walk/hike on the weekends.  I began with an easy, road walk of 10 miles with a half-way destination point.

My treat for making it the first 5 miles was a Bojangles biscuit, fries, and tea.  Plus, a quick text to the family that I made it. 

I couldn't help but noticed all the trash on the side of the road.  (Littering is NOT cool, by the way.)  So on the walk home when one of the littered items was an empty trash bag, I had to take action.  This large 13-gallon bag was stuffed to the brim after only 300 yards.  I think I'll start carrying trash bags on all my walks from now on.  

Colonoscopy

Up until just a few months ago, medical experts recommended your first colonoscopy screening at the age of 50.  Now, they say 45 years old.  Regardless which age you go with, I'm there.  It's time.

The week-long prep was difficult.  Seven days prior, I had to give up my vitamins because they contained iron.  Five days prior, I had to give up nuts, granola, seeds, fruits with seeds  (blackberries, strawberries), popcorn, and cracked or red pepper.  These are my staple foods!! But my motivation for wanting to be "clean" for the procedure won the fight.  So, I treated myself to a grilled cheese sandwich.

Three days out, I had to give up meats, raw veggies, salads, corn, beans, and anything with dyes (like red or purple gatorade).  Urrggh!   I settled instead for delicious tomato soup.

Two days out, I had to eat smaller meals in anticipation of a complete fast.  Here's my last meal of mac & cheese.

One day prior, only clear liquids ALL DAY LONG!  Breakfast was apple juice, morning snack was plain coffee (no dairy), lunch was iced tea, and my afternoon snack was carbonated water.  Dinner was a nasty concoction of grape-flavored salt water, followed by two huge glasses of plain water.  Then the girgling begins.  And trust me, when you have to pass gas, it's not gas.  Take a seat.

The next morning at 4am I had the honor to repeat the previous medicine.  It worked quick and I was miserable for two hours!   But by 9am, I was ready, clean, and at the hospital.

The hard part was over, and I did it!  My preventative screening was complete and it was a great report.  Now I'm good for another 10 years!  

Irish Kilt

With Covid precautions still preventing public events, Eric decided to run in his own St. Patrick's day race wearing his kilt.

The girls and I wanted to enjoy the outdoors, so we joined him on the Swamp Rabbit Trail.  They had fun doing the "Leprechan" in a photo.

While they took off jogging, I went for a nice walk.  Here's our Irishman finishing his last stretch.  He received several comliments along the way!

Winter Garden

My husband is still dedicated to his winter garden project (see earlier post on 12/18/2020).  He reviews the forecast every day, sets the bins outside when it's warm and sunny, then brings them in at night when it's cold.

If you want to follow him on YouTube and watch his progress, you can view his video here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgAjJLrB_d4.

Half-Century

It was now my turn to hit the half-century mark.  All the kiddos came home for a nice meal out the weekend prior (forgot to take a picture), and we celebrated with my favorite cake - Chocolate Godiva Cheesecake.  

When the older two had to get back to their schools, we continued to celebrate with our youngest throughout the week.  We enjoyed pretzels and beer cheese at a brewery...

Bowling...

And even getting our Shingrix shots.  

Reality sunk in when this arrived in the mail.  I guess I need to pick up my first pair of reading glasses, too.  Ha ha!