I got up early for a little treadmill action while a storm rolled in for us (again), you never know what you are going to get here in May. Just a few progression miles to get the week started.

Cannon had another day of online school, Emmy really loves it when he is home and does her Homer App or colors while he is on his Zoom call with this class.

We had some extra time since Cannon wasn’t at in-person school so we hit up the Community Center pool (I can’t WAIT for out neighborhood pool to open!).

The community center is great but there’s nothing better than being outside at the pool.

I promised the kids happy meals if they were very good, I am still a little nervous taking them swimming on my own. It helps that we met a friend, but I am not above bribery to ensure water safety.

This is the way Emmy decided to eat her cheese burger….gotta love her creativity.

In the afternoon it started to snow, I am hopeful that we can keep the flowers that just started to bloom! Given the weather we spent the rest of the day playing inside.

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Any swimmers out there? Where is your favorite place to swim?

Our weekend was so nice and relaxing, we haven’t had a nice slow weekend in a while. Saturday started off with a soccer game for Cannon.

He seems to really be enjoying soccer more and more, it will be so interesting to see which sport really captures his heart as he gets older.

We spent the afternoon hanging out with my mom and dad, it is so nice now to be able to go over to their house, visit and not worry about infecting them. Today marks exactly two weeks since getting our second vaccination shot and I am so excited to be fully vaccinated! What a wonder science is that we could get a vaccine made so quickly and that so many lives can be saved.

On Sunday we had a very slow easy morning and shared a yummy brunch with my mom for Mother’s Day. Then we went to one of my favorite local places to go for a hike.

Eldorado State Park has many great trails, but my favorite it Rattlesnake Gulch Trail. The trail winds up the side of a canyon with beautiful views the entire way.

At the top you can explore the ruins of a hotel the burned down in 1912. It was just over 3 miles for us and the trail is pretty steep so be prepared to take breaks if you have little kids or people from out of town.

I was so spoiled and made to feel special by my family, but I know so so much that I am the lucky one. I can’t believe I get to be these kids mom, it takes my breath away how much I love them and how amazing I think they are.

I have had many titles in my life:

wife

Dog mom

Daughter

Triathlete

Runner

by far my favorite title is MOM[p;l.;p[ to these two little trouble makers. I love being a mom more than anything in the world, more than I ever thought I would.

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I am thinking of anyone who is missing someone today…there holidays aren’t always easy for everyone and for those waiting for “your turn” I hope the wait is short.

Another morning waiting a little later to get out so I could run without a headlamp.

I won’t complain about more time on the couch enjoying my coffee, or these views.

Cannon didn’t have school (online or in person) because of assessments so we decided to visit a new to us playground.

It was a bit of a drive but worth it for the cuteness.

When we got home we broke out the water slide for the first time for the season.

We fully enjoyed our 80 degree day because we are headed back to rain and snow soon.

Excited to spend the weekend playing soccer, planting our garden and celebrating Mother’s Day

What are your plans for the weekend?

I started my day with a little progression run on the treadmill, 4.4 miles to get the day going.

Then we had a lazyish morning then Cannon had online school since his class is on quarantine.

Then I decided to take the kids on a nature walk in a part of our neighborhood that is rarely used.

We are under quarantine, but if we stay at the house for too long the kids really start to go crazy. We didn’t go within 500 feet of anyone else so I felt okay about it.

We were excited to see Pelicans, Great Blue Herron, Mallards, a Muskrat and the kids were most excited abotu Rolly Pollys.

This walk reminded me so much of this time last year, when this was our safe place to get out of the house and explore nature.

We ate lunch outside in the backyard and played in the sunshine.

It was easy to enjoy the afternoon after we received the news that Cannon’s Covid came back negative.

Very grateful for quick tests and the ability to get together with my family this weekend.

Annnnnnd today we take a step backwards.

This cutie was exposed to Covid at his school and now is in quarantine until we get a negative test (or 14 more days if we get a positive test, fingers crossed that isn’t something we have to deal with).

Until we get our results we will be laying low, staying home and hoping for the best.

I also wanted to share this video from Salomon about women breaking stereotypes, I LOVED it!

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Watched any great videos lately?

What are your favorite quarantine activities?

I waited a while after getting up yesterday and enjoyed running in the light for the first time in a long time.

I love that everything is looking so green and the mountains look amazing with fresh snow. We have had one of our wettest springs since 1994 and it looks to continue for the next couple weeks. I hope that means that we have less fires this summer.

These trees smelled amazing! A couple easy miles for my morning then it was time to get ready for school.

Cannon was very excited about all the worms out on the sidewalk.

Emmy was excited to return to gymnastics for the first time.

She didn’t love that she didn’t get to play with the other kids but she did like hanging and jumping around.

All Runners Should Walk More—Here’s Why, and How to Include It In Your Training

I have been incorporating walking into my training for the last couple years, I figure I walk during an ultra so I might as well do it while training too. I loved this article about the benefits of walking for our aerobic conditioning. I feel motivated to include even more walking and hiking now!

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What’s new with you?

We woke up to a gloomy day and a rare rainy day in Colorado.

My past Oregon self would have been so disappointed that I wimped out of walking and drove Cannon to school.

The kids were happy to have a reason to use their umbrellas. And I am loving that the grass and trees are coming back to life!

I got up early to run, and while I LOVE running in the rain, I resorted to the treadmill for my hill repeats.

After dropping Cannon off Emmy helped me run some errands.

I am glad we spent the entire weekend outside since today we cuddled and played inside.

The Cocodona 250 started today and this race looks amazing!

The thought of running 255 miles blows my mind. The runners will all probably take some rest/sleep but I still can’t wrap my head around something that long. While I admire the athletes competing I don’t think something that far is in my future. It will be a GIANT stretch goal to finish a 100 one day.

I also saw this on Instagram, I love this art and Cannon loved that we are half way to Halloween!

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What is the furthest you aspire to run?

What is your favorite holiday?

April was a very uplifting month, the weather is getting better and the world is opening up. We had lots to celebrate and had some amazing adventures.

We celebrated Easter

Reconnected with Vaccinated gradparents.

Got in 5 hikes towards our goal of 52 hikes this year.

We spent a total of 6 nights out in the camper.

One big adventure traveling to Dinosaur National Monument for Emerald’s birthday.

Loved visiting the dinos.

We played in the snow.

We explored the aquarium for the first time.

Cannon played soccer.

I finally got some miles outside.

And we celebrated Emmy turning three!

I can’t believe we are already in May, where did March and April go?!? Time to set out some stretch goals for May:

May Goals

• At least 84 hours outside, more would be better to get caught up on our 1000 hours outside goal – so far we are catching up and hope to get ahead over the summer.
• At least 4 Hikes this month to work towards our 52 hikes a year goal.
• Run everyday in May to work towards my 50 day run streak.
• Run on a trail at least once a week
• Strength Train two times a week
• Run/walk at least 100 miles this month
• At least one camping trip

What are some of your goals for May?

We spent the weekend camping with friends, it felt like summer with temps in the 80s. It made me so so so happy. Dirty kids, no screens, just bugs, sand, sticks, trucks and a big ol’ lake.

I don’t think the kids are ever going to want to camp with just us ever again.

I love this gaggle of kiddos

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We spent the afternoon hanging out at the beach and splashing in the waves, the kids never wanted to leave.

We packed up this morning to head home and drove right into an intense storm.

It’s back to work, school, life tomorrow, but it was nice to live outside for the weekend.

What did you get up to this weekend?