We got a new tramp! Our last one survived for 9 years, enduring thousands of hours of jumping by our kids, dogs, neighbor kids, and cousins. I think our chickens were once on our old tramp for a while, too. The new one was on sale because it’s the off-season, which makes the jumping feel even better… Also, it was a great way to get my muscles activated before a speed workout. Might be my new thing.
It was our LAST speed workout before the marathon on Sunday! 2-mile warm-up, 1 mile @ 6:23, 3-minute standing recovery, 2 x 800m (3:08, 3:05) with a 2-minute standing recovery, 4 x 400m (88, 90, 84, 85) with 90-second standing recoveries, 1 mile cool-down.
I took this photo as a reminder to talk to you and see if anyone else struggles with breathing + the cold + speed. I WILL be bringing my inhaler to the race because the starting line is supposed to be quite cold, and the cold makes my asthma symptoms show up.
We hit the prescribed mileage and walked the rest of the way to our cars. I love being an A+ running student during the taper.
The kids were back in school, and my nephew was more than happy for a break from the chaos of having four kids running around.
Next up was picking up Beck and meeting my niece at Runner’s Corner for some new running shoes.
We got matching shoes!
My brother and SIL got back from their trip to Portugal (my brother lived there for 2 years, and he was very happy to go back and visit). They brought back some of our favorite treats.
We’ve never had a bike race and a marathon on the same weekend…
Andrew is now working with the youth boys in our neighborhood through our church, and he had them over last night for CC cookie ice cream sandwiches and the Red Bull Rampage.
I’m very happy that it’s fireplace and Perk season.
My latest obsession (you know I have a new one every few months;) is the brain. I was feeling like I have been having a decline in my memory, focus, and creativity, and my goal is to sharpen these areas, introduce some novelty, bring back to life my curiosity, and welcome plenty of boredom. The goal is also to rely on my brain more and use technology less… So, I asked ChatGPT (oxymoron?) to come up with a 30-day challenge for me. Andrew is doing it with me, and if anyone else wants to join me, let me know. Here it is:
Week 1: Clear the fog (reset + refocus)
- ✍️ Journal for 10 minutes with this prompt: “What does a sharp mind feel like to me?”
- 🚶♀️Take a 20-minute walk without your phone, music, or podcast.
- 🧠 Try a simple memory game (e.g., memorize 5 random words and recall them later).
- 📵 Go phone-free for one hour. Sit in the discomfort or the stillness.
- 🍋 Eat something slowly and pay full attention to the taste, texture, and smell.
- 📚 Read 5 pages of a book outside your usual genre.
- 💤 Go to bed 30 minutes earlier than usual. Mental sharpness starts with sleep.
Week 2: Welcome novelty (wake up your brain)
- 🗺 Try a new route for your walk, drive, or run.
- ✍️ Write a list of 10 things you’re curious about — no pressure to research them (yet).
- 🎧 Listen to a podcast on a subject you know nothing about.
- 🧩 Try a puzzle, sudoku, or brain teaser for 10–15 minutes.
- 🎨 Doodle or sketch with no goal other than play.
- 🌱 Learn the name of one tree, plant, or bird you see today.
- 🎥 Watch a short documentary or video on a topic you’d usually skip.
Week 3: Stretch your curiosity (think differently)
- ✍️ Journal prompt: “What’s something I believed as a kid that I no longer believe?”
- 🖼 Visit a local museum, gallery, or even a random exhibit (or do a virtual one online).
- 🔀 Let someone else choose a song, show, or book for you today.
- 💭 Ask someone: “What’s something that’s fascinated you lately?”
- 🧠 Try using your non-dominant hand for something simple (like brushing your teeth).
- 💡 Write down 5 “I wonder…” questions that come to mind today.
- 🧘♀️ Sit in silence for 10 minutes. Don’t fill the boredom — observe it.
Week 4: Play, reflect, repeat (make it last)
- 🕹 Do something childlike — build, draw, make something just for fun.
- 📸 Take 5 pictures today of things that make you curious or make you pause.
- ✍️ Journal: “When do I feel most alive and alert?”
- 🗣 Teach someone something you’ve learned during this challenge.
- 🧠 Try a new recipe or cooking method — engage all five senses.
- 📚 Read something out loud — a poem, article, or even your favorite quote.
- 🌌 Lay down and look at the sky for 10 minutes. That’s it. (Day or night.)
- 🎧 Revisit one of your favorite songs from a completely new perspective.
- ✍️ Final journal: “What changed this month? What do I want to carry forward?”
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What are your favorite European treats?
Have a current obsession?
Anyone want to join us in this?
-We could start over today, so we are all on the same day!
What shoes did you wear on your last run?
