Stayin' Cool

I'm beginning to think I really hate this weather!
It's 80 degrees by 7am most days and the humidity it RE-Donk-QUE-lous!!!!
I have to bring dry clothes to change into during the week, just so I can get in my car. I've been getting my workouts in while Judah is in a "Fun-Fit" class at the gym. So, my time is limited and my schedule gets me out in a pretty toasty time of the day. But, he has got to be priority over running, so I will not complain. I have nothing to complain about anyways. I'm a spoiled runner who doesn't have a "punch the clock" job to get to. I get to "sleep-in" most days (I promise I'm up by 7 at the very latest!). I live in a city with incredible running paths. I have incredible people to encourage me. And I have a wonderful family to enjoy as soon as I'm done.
But alas, it's the hottest time of year and only a few things have been getting me through it this past week.
1. My ipod came back to life!!!!!
My Dad gave me an engraved Shuffle in 2008 and I absolutely love it! I wear it clipped on my shorts and have his message to me in my sights during every run.

I got caught in a downpour last summer and my Shuffle never played another beat. While cleaning my desk last week I found it thought, "what the hey." I put it on the charger and the glorious "do-doo" sound of usb connection rang through the office!! I was afraid to move, for fear it would all go away. But it's been over a week and it works just fine!
While I had another option for listening to music, having this gift back on my side made me smile so big. Every girl needs to have a constant reminder of her Dad's support.

2. My hair has finally grown! Why is this good? Because now I don't have to wait for hours for it to dry or stand under a hot blow drier. I can go for the surfer look and not embarrass my son in public!

           *Halloween 2009*

                            *Independence Day, 2010* 


So, I'm super happy about the hair but a funny thing happened as a result of my short hair this fall.
I struggle to do anything girly 'the right way.' So when my short hair  presented a running/hair issue I panicked. Pins, barretts, stretchy headbands, and hats were all part of my attempted arsenal. Nothing worked. I still found myself messing with said paraphernalia during every run. I was getting so irritated. So out of desperation I grabbed the blue bandanna from the drawer. I folded it and tied it on. It was like magic! The cheap cheap piece of fabric kept my hair back and it didn't budge.
From that day on, I don't think I've left the house for a run without the dark blue bandanna. It has to be the dark blue ones (I have 2), I tried other colors, for some reason, they're not the same length and they fall off.

All that to say, I accidentally have become recognizable by my blue bandanna. People will tell me they recognized me at a run, "You had your blue bandanna on, right?" Or, "I was just looking for the blue bandanna." So, that's been fun, but what I don't like is, like I told Kenton several months ago, "I've accidentally become the running Bret Michaels."

                                                       * October 2009, Rosstoberfest*

*April 2010, Boston Marathon*

*May 2009,Bank of America River Run*

So now I guess I'll just own it. Yes, that's me, the one who looks like Bret Michaels. How most of those girls look so cute out there, is beyond me. I'm a sweaty, hair flying mess when I'm running. But I guess every rose has it's thorn, right? 

3. Well, it's not necessarily a good thing, but it's not all that bad either. I promised myself I would cross train more. I was spent from marathon training and I vowed to mixed it up more. So in the last few weeks I've drug out my road bike and given it the 'ol college try. I'm barely turning in the 'as-seen-on-tv mail order college' try. But I'm working on it. The best thing I can say is that even though I'm slow, it's been a nice break from running a few days a week. I briefly get excited for a change, then I'm reminded how hard it is to cycle fast. Kenton and I rode 30 miles together this week and I was also reminded how much better he is at it than I am. He really pushed the pace and I struggled to keep up. However, his endurance isn't as strong as mine and by mile 15 he was tapped and I was still kickin'. I told him, "I could ride slow all day and never tire." Not sure that's a great skill, just an observation. 

And to add insult to my damaged ego, I have to get my butt in a pool this week. Yes, it's great cross training, but it's also the first leg of any triathlon. And once again Kenton, my Dad, and I are all signed up for a sprint triathlon in a few weeks. 

 

                  *August 2009, Salty Dog Tri*

I'd like improve my time from last year and I can't phone in the swim. So, I think I'm going to need Judah to help me. This kid has become a great swimmer this year.

 I seriously need some stroke development. I inherited my Dad's swimming style. He says he swims like Forest Gump. I will be certain to be practicing my doggy paddle this week. I want to finish well and not get beat by, oh I don't know, a little girl.

*Kenton finishing the Dog next to a Pup*

Oh yeah and did I mention, this race is really just between Kenton and I? The title of "fastest triathlete in the house" is up for grabs. Currently, I reign. But if you can believe it he has 2 wins to my 1. So, yeah I'll dish out all the trash I can. I could clarify about that picture, but I'll just let it say that yeah, that little girl crossed before him.

4. We celebrated 8 years of marriage on Monday! We actually went on the 30 mile bike ride as part of our celebration (That's normal, right?). While we were out in no man's land surrounded by corn fields, Kenton asked, "Are we just lucky?" Marriages all around us have crumbled and we know of how hard other's are struggling. But we both laughed because we know we're not lucky. We've had and will surly have our share of hardships. We have just been blessed with spirits that will not give up. I mentioned that my stubbornness may have been what has saved us during the hard times. He didn't disagree. Marriage is hard, but it can be wonderful. 

I will say, I don't thank my God enough for this man. He's my best friend. I hope we can always have this much fun together.

                                *July 12, 2002*

*July, 2010*

Oh, and I hope there's always sushi!

We feasted on some incredible sushi at a new restaurant in Wichita called Kanai. I could eat sushi every day and never desire for anything else, except fresh spring rolls. Which we went down the street to Pei Wei for, just to make the meal complete!

So I hope you are surviving the heat too. I realized extra rest is always helpful, if you can get it! I managed to get a nap this week. It wasn't on purpose though. After reading Junie B. Jones to Judah, I asked him if I could just rest my eyes for a minute. Next thing I knew I had woken up trapped under my baby. He was obviously tired too. 

Stay positive, hydrated, and rested this week!

Here's a few little gems to hopefully make your week sweeter, despite the heat.

A few of my favorite tunes to dump on a playlist right now:

1. Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny) [feat. Nicole Scherzinger] -A.R. Rahman (From Slumdog Millionaire Soundtrack)

2. Ruby- Kaiser Chiefs 

3. Humans Beings- Van Halen (Don't judge, it's good and I always think of my Dad when I hear Van Halen)

4. Cousins- Vampire Weekend

5. Home- Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros (Only because Kenton says it reminds him of me) *swoon*

What are you doing to beat the heat? Distracting yourself with any good tunes?