Last Hurrah

Right around the time that I found out I was expecting Sam, I took a break from being a runner. Frankly, I didn't give it much thought. We put a jogging stroller* on our baby registry and figured that after our first...or second...or even third baby that it would one day get some use. Well, that never happened. And I learned that I didn't miss running at all. We took tons of walks, especially when we had a dog and I filled my days with other types of activity, including just being a mom! A year and a half ago, I started doing yoga regularly, which I love, but as for running, I would get inspired about twice a year to do it. I'd go out an run and enjoy it (not breaking any land-speed records, of course); I'd feel AWESOME after and then I'd be sore for days. Then I'd wait about six months to do it again. Ha! Above all, I didn't want running to control me like it pretty much did in college and grad school. In college, I gleefully ran with my dear friend and running buddy--we logged mile after mile all over Charlottesville, Virginia Beach and Arlington--and with Beth no matter where our family was, but after awhile, I no longer looked forward to running. When Tony and I moved to Japan in 2005, I largely quit running and just walked EVERYWHERE. I felt liberated and so happy!

Then before I knew it, it was 2008 and I was pregnant with Sam...2010 and expecting Brie...2012 and we were moving to a new state...and 2014 with Sebastian on the way. I didn't run during any of those years and I didn't miss it at all. I felt liberated from my running cage. 

And then, like all stories these days that take a sharp turn, Coronavirus happened! When we returned from Florida in March, Tony and I felt overwhelmed, anxious and fearful...and that often manifested itself in higher blood pressure, a racing heart, tightness of the throat, shortness in breath...and impatience! So I thought back to what I used to do when I was stressed and that was to jog! So I went for a run and felt AMAZING afterward. I took a day off (since I was sore) and then ran the next day...and so on and so forth. Tony did the exact same thing. And now it's mid-August and we haven't stopped. Go figure! I really never thought I'd be in this boat again...loving jogging and reaping the benefits of mental and physical wellness that come with being dedicated to a rigorous activity. And, actually, Tony and I have both been surprised at how quickly we've been able to get back to our old running selves. It's nice. I even have Bluetooth headphones and a constant stream of motivating tunes. It feels like our last hurrah! (Because I'm not sure that I could have done it ten or twenty years from now, but who knows!) 

It helps that we live next to a park. I jog there all the time and often as the sun is rising!

I'm not fast, but I don't really care. Tony can crank out five miles at an 7:30 minute mile pace!

And this got me wondering what other last hurrahs this pandemic has inspired and/or necessitated? Perhaps many things...

• Our swing set for sure. The kids have rediscovered it and go out to play/swing 3-4 times a day sometimes. We're so glad to still have it and that they're not too old/cool to enjoy it. 

• Our sprinkler!

• Not sandwiches! Since we haven't had to pack lunches in months, we've been working on some very tasty dinners and enjoying the leftovers for lunch. 😋

• Old-school fun! As in toys, board games...

Tents...

Swimming...

 

Homemade slime...

And old-fashioned movie night! Brie converted our basement into a theater, complete with tickets and popcorn.

Here's Sebastian sitting in the "third row." Ha! 

• Our old HVAC system. It was hanging on by a thread (literally a wire), so we replaced it. Yeah!

• Water shoes! We bought some for the kids over two years ago, but they squeezed into them and enjoyed wading in the local creek. 

• Virtual parties and quality time that's not in-person. This one has already grown stale for a lot of folks, but we're giving it our best. Aside from Zoom calls to catch up with friends near and far, we recently participated in our first virtual beer tasting!! Rockdale Temple organized this awesome event: they dropped off five beers from HighGrain Brewing and we all sampled them together on a Zoom call that was led by one of HighGrain's co-owners. It was interesting and we discovered a lot of new beers that we like! 

• And baking! (I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...)

Anyone else have something they've resurrected lately that's having a last hurrah? 

P.S. Also happening of late, but hopefully not having their last hurrah whatsoever...

*The aforementioned (never to be used for) jogging stroller FINALLY bit it this week. (sad trombone playing) We got a lot of miles out on that thing. And, honestly, six-year-old Sebastian can walk. Really.