Letting Go...

It's been a busy year and I haven't posted since we got back from our National Parks trip last June.  But we have been busy as always with lots of new adventures and some repeats of old ones.  

In July Joe was supposed to participate in the Salem 1/2 Ironman.  Unfortunately he was out and about in Eastern Oregon fighting wildland fires.  I was able to go and pick up his backpack and t-shirt, which they very graciously let me have even though I wasn't Joe.  Then I emailed Ironman to explain the situation and ask for a deferral to race next year because of the extenuating circumstances.  In order to defer you usually have to ask 90 days in advance.  Which is a little hard to do when we don't know when wildland fires will happen or when Joe will be asked to go.  Ironman very graciously extended the deferral to Joe, all he needed was a letter from his chief with the dates he was working the fire to prove he actually couldn't race this year.  So big shout out to Ironman for actually understanding that life doesn't always work the way we think it should and letting us work it out to race next year. (These races aren't cheap so I figured it didn't hurt to ask.)  Salem Half Ironman

Wendie and I decided to go and cheer at the bike turn around even though Joe wasn't there.  We had so much fun ringing cow bell and cheering for all the racers getting to the half way point of the bike ride!!

In August we did the Bridge of the Gods run.  Wendie and I did the 10k and Josh and Joe did the Half Marathon.  (Joe thought he was doing the 10k....surprise!  Oops)  This race starts on the Washington side of the Columbia River, goes over the bridge to the Oregon side and then takes the trail heading west along the river.  It was a beautiful day and we had a blast doing a new to us race.  We had a lovely cabin on the river in Stevenson, WA and enjoyed sitting in our floaties on the river just hanging out after the race.  Bridge of the Gods Half Marathon and 10k Run

I'm not the best speller, but something doesn't seem right with this sign. 😄

10K Finishers

Half Marathon Finishers!

In September we did the inagural Crystal Creek 10k out in Eddyville, Oregon.  It was a fundraiser for the local track team.  They did such a great job organizing the race!  There was raffle prizes, the course was clearly marked, lots of porta pots and lots of supper friendly volunteers.  We had a lot of fun!

We also did the inaugural Mission Possible Walk/Run at Willamette Mission State Park.  This race was for all different levels of abilities and the course was on the paved trails so that people with disabilities could participate easily.  We had the best time and loved seeing so many of our old friends from when we attended church in Salem.  It was like a mini reunion with a nice walk thrown in.  

November we did our annual Silver Falls race weekend.  The campground is being upgraded so we didn't take the trailer this year and instead stayed in cabins we rented through the lodge.  They were in the middle of transitioning who was in charge of handling those rentals so there was a bit of stress with communication and being sure we actually did have a place to stay for the weekend.  But it all turned out okay and a fun time was had by all as usual.  Wendie and I did the 5k on Friday, Josh, Wendie and Joe did the 7 Miler on Saturday and we all volunteered on Sunday.  We always have a blast this weekend and the race is organized so well!  There are lots of distances to pick from, so if you are interested in doing something in November, check it out.  Registration opens on August 1st each year.  Don't wait to register as it fills up fast!! Silver Falls Trail Runs 

South Falls

Joe is very excited to start the 7 Miler

Which brings us to January.  

Despite all the different activities this year I have struggled hugely with my weight, my motivation and my fitness.  

I am currently right back to where I was when I first started this blog 12 years ago. 

That's so discouraging!

I gave up.....again.  

Sigh.

I have had a lot of "starting over" moments over the years.  But this is harder because now I have all the memories popping up proving that I have done better and was active and fit.  

Entering the lovely time of life with menopause hasn't helped at all!

My hubby and I went away for a few days for the end of my winter break to celebrate our anniversary.  One of the places we went was the Crane Hot Springs in eastern Oregon.  The first day we were there we sat in the hot springs for a couple of hours.  People watching and talking about anything and everything.  

I had been thinking about my weight and struggles a lot over the holidays so it was good to have the time to talk it out with Joe and speak my fears and frustrations out loud.  

I'm disappointed in myself for being here AGAIN. 

I'm frustrated that I can't seem to find the motivation to just get moving. 

I'm remembering that becoming active when you are overweight means things hurt.  It's hard to push through that pain and keep going.  Our natural response to pain is to stop doing the thing that hurts, duh.  

I have been annoyed with Joe for bugging me about working out and then hurt when he stopped asking me to work out with him.  Totally not fair to him and I 100% knew it.  But emotions can be dumb and I'm owning the extreme stupidity of this one.  But it was good to tell Joe what I was thinking and feeling.  Big advantage of being married 35 years is that he knows to listen and love me in spite of my stupidity. 

I have set some new goals for myself for January.  (Taking small steps and small goals to start.)

I made a tracker to put in my planner and I'm hoping to get at least one, hopefully two bubbles filled in every day of the tracker for January.  Here are the categories I make:

Drink 8 glasses of water a day. (Hard as a teacher but I'm going to try).

• 30 minute walk.
• 30 minute swim.
• Bike Ride.
• 10,000 Steps.
• Strength Training

I did give myself a little slack for the first five days since we were on a vacation. So I haven't done accomplished one every day since the first but I've already done more than in December so I'm okay with that.  

Joe and I explored a new trail on our way back to Sisters from the hot springs.  It was called the Flatiron trail and is just east of Bend on Hwy 20.  We just did a little over three miles but could see on the map that there are lots of ways to extend the hike and possibly get some great mountain views along the way.  I'm excited to go back!

The Juniper smelled SO good!

💜💜💜

The house we were staying at in Sisters had a great view of the mountains.  Unfortunately the rain clouds covered them up almost the entire time we were in Sisters.  We did get a peak at one for a while in the late afternoon and the sunrise was beautiful, even without the mountains showing.  

Sunrise

Sunset

The locals joined us for breakfast.

Today I did a bunch of meal planning and made all my lunches for the week at school.  I also set alarms on my phone in order to remind myself to have my snacks to keep my blood sugar and protein steady throughout the day.  

I'm having to let go of where I was versus where I am now. 

I'm having to let go of goals I had for where I would be at this point in my life.  

I'm having to let go of beating myself up for "failing"....again.  

Basically, I'm letting go of all the yuck and working on getting back to the good stuff.  

Writing this blog was one of the good things that helped me in the past.  Writing it today and adding all the pictures reminded me that I haven't been a complete slug.  Just sluggish in between adventures.  

I will enjoy the adventures if I am a little less sluggish in between.  

I have some goals I'm percolating on but haven't decided on yet. 

So that means you all get to follow along on my journey, once again, in becoming a healthier more active version of myself.  

Lucky you!  😂