Exercise

I thought I needed to post a little update about running and such. I joined the beginner running group about a month ago. It has been everything I wanted it to be. When I'm on the group run, I usually push myself harder and I've met some nice people. It also encourages me to run during the week. I have ran at least 3 times a week since starting the club. Believe it or not, the runs have all been outside even with the 100 degree heat. I think I'm becoming acclimated and am certainly becoming a great sweater (not the kind you wear in winter). I'm always very careful to make sure I am drinking a lot of water and I run slow so the heat hasn't been too bad.  I can definitely feel myself getting fitter.

Last night we were watching the Olympic trials and there was a commercial for lipstick done by a volleyball Olympic hopeful and she mentioned being in shape or being fit or something like that. Henry asked me if I was in shape like the lady on TV.  It was an honest question, but as I looked at the super buff athlete with a 6 pack stomach, I knew the answer. I told him "not yet."

I have been biking to work every day now and it has become a good routine. The way everything sits, I just coast down to work in the morning and then I have to peddle back up to my house for lunch and at the end of the day. Not too bad but a little work out on the way up. Even when it's hoot out, it's nice to feel the wind on my body and not feel cooped up in a car.

I was having so much fun riding a bike and Henry was saying how much he wanted one, so I went out and found him a nice tag along bike from Craigslist. Two days ago I picked him up from school in the bike and he was super surprised and excited. I let him sit on the bike and tipped it back and forth for him to get used to it and he looked really stable. In fact, when we were riding he mentioned that he wasn't scared at all.  When we started off, I was really surprised how wobbly I felt. Henry has never ridden a bike before so all of his tips and dips had to be counteracted by me. I noticed when he wasn't peddling, the ride was much smoother, but once he started peddling I could feel his body go side to side. I was looking on-line and one father told his child to keep his head in the middle when he peddles. I will try that with Henry. Besides the wobble, it was great. I'm sure once he gets better balance, it will become a little easier and a lot more fun. Henry is ready for more rides, and I'll be happy to oblige once this heat wave goes away.

As a funny side note, since I've been exercising, there has been a couple changes in my life and I'm not sure what to make of them. First, I went shopping and bought a few short dresses. Even though I don't have the perfect body, I feel comfortable in them and they are so nice and cool in the heat. Second, I have stopped wearing make-up. I'm sure I will for some special occasion, but now I look in the mirror and think "okay, that looks fine to me."  Maybe it's all about being satisfied about what I am doing and where I am going. Either way I am happy with the change.  Oh, I should say the one problem with dresses is nursing a young baby. I haven't figured out how to do that gracefully yet.