Sunny Daze

My favorite Burt’s Bees lotion, colored chalk, earrings, all sorts of delights and essentials have been included in the bag 40 gifts for my 40th that my mom gifted me.  There is still about a week left in the countdown.  Greg whipped out a big box tonight, which of course equaled hours of fun for our curious cat, Nala.  I was the recipient of a new bike helmet!  I think my husband might be planning to ask me on a bike riding date in the near future. 

  

Our weekend consisted of avoiding the still oppressive heat with a predawn run/ ride.  Greg rode his bike along with me for my seven miles on Saturday, the first 3 of which were in the dark.  As the sun started to come up, I realized one of my favorite things that running does for me is gets me out in nature as the world is waking up.  Those first three miles of silence punctuated with hushed conversations with the husband and listening to the sound of my breath, were gently broken with the first rays of light as the birds began to announce, wake up world, here comes the sun. 

We took shelter indoors most of the weekend as temps continued to climb to the upper 90s but we did make it out on Saturday Night to Dale Bros, where Greg’s band rocked out and helped several birthday boys and girls celebrate their special day.  I met up with several old friends but two young friends took me by surprise.  These young men were both my students and met in my class about 10 years ago.  It delighted me that they came out to see Mr. Jackson’s band and say hello to their old teacher.  However, my greatest joy was realizing that these young fellows had maintained their friendship all these years. At 18 and 19 years old they still nurture the friendship they forged in Room One.  I felt a little odd with these kiddos of mine towering over me and perhaps I felt a little old too, but I also felt loved.  Not just because these boys took time out of their busy lives to come say hello but also because they both submitted to posing for a picture with their old teacher in a public place, what could be more torturous? 

It’s too darn hot!

We are still hanging out in the high 90s here in So. Cal.  That means that the majority of the weekend gives way to air conditioning, movies and naps.  However we are blessed to have a few hours of cooler early morning temps and I certainly took advantage of those this weekend.

On Saturday, my running friend, Talia, invited me to join her for a 10K to prep for her upcoming ½ marathon.  We had hoped that starting at 6:30 would make us feel like we had slept in at least a little on Saturday morning. Unfortunately we were both still pretty sleepy as we started out. Once we got moving however, we pretty much beat the heat finishing our run before 8am.  On Sunday, my former student, Adelina, invited me for a birthday hike.  I met sweet Adelina when she was a 4^th grader in my very first full time teaching assignment about 18 years ago.  I was a very green 21-year-old teacher and Adelina is kind enough to remember me fondly.  I’m so delighted we have been able to keep in touch over the years.  Greg and I met her at 7am to hike Sycamore Canyon.  We got plenty sweaty but had some beautiful views on our early morning jaunt. 

Thanks, Adelina, for remembering to snap this selfie at the end of the trail and for the lovely visit!

So friends and family, I have had a few takers in my Fit at Forty challenge.  There are still a couple of weeks until I turn forty.  Hit me up for a hike, come visit one of my yoga classes, invite me out for a jog or walk.  Something else you would like to try?  Let me know.  I’m hoping to fill this whole year with active visits with family and friends. 

My mom’s special 40 gifts for my 40^th bag is more than half empty now.  This past week I opened many lovely gifts; a new lipstick on picture day, an adorable jar for serving homemade jam, lime essential oil, but by far my favorite was the Hello Kitty Colorforms!As a child, I remember passing many happy hours playing with Colorforms and I was completely in love with Hello Kitty!  My mom knows me pretty well!  I am so lucky to have her in my life! 

Weekend Update

This week in the birthday countdown gift opening marathon (that my mother has so kindly provided) I received some cute clothes, a storage box, some crayons, hair conditioner, and these cute fall cloth napkins and place mats which do a lovely job of Autumning up my dining room.  Hopefully the weather will get the hint soon and cool down, autumn is almost here on the calendar, time to cool off So Cal!

Nala loves helping me open my presents! 

Other than the impending 40^th birthday, I’ve been busy teaching.  Yes, elementary as usual but I am also teaching a level I Vinyasa Flow class at Claremont Yoga on Monday and Friday at 4pm.  Come and join me, friends! 

On Saturday, I was so exhausted from taking 33 kids to the fair in the heat and then teaching an active flow class on Friday afternoon that I opted to sleep in rather than do my long run.  Actually I got up and tried to find my running clothes, stumbling around the bedroom.  My sweet husband asked me, in just the right tone, “Honey do your really need to do a LONG run today?”  My body was so sore and exhausted that I knew I really shouldn’t be pushing and could use a rest day.  “No, I don’t think I should run at all today,” I replied on the verge of tears because I was so relieved.  After a restful Saturday of swimming with our nieces and going out for an early sushi dinner, Greg headed off to play a late night gig in the O.C. and I went straight to bed. 

Sunrise on my morning run!

I awoke on Sunday feeling ready for that long run.  The first three miles uphill were slow and purposeful. On top of exhaustion, I’ve been fighting a cold or allergies, not sure which.  At the top of the hill, a young man was using that first and necessary water fountain, so I waited my turn and watched him jog off.  This 14-15 year old African American fellow sporting glasses and a grin seemed to be setting a good pace for the downhill.  I made it my secret goal to catch up with him after I quenched my thirst.  I could barely keep this kiddo in view as I headed down the first stretch, he was pushing me to achieve sub 9-minute miles (which is a challenging pace for me especially in this heat, not setting any records here, I’m not fast but I go the distance!)  I had to weave in and out of a good number of joggers and walkers. At one point a gallant tall dark and handsome man who was certainly my senior, though I could not tell you by how many years, jogged off to the side to allow me to pass.  As he slowed, he smiled at me as I sped by and congratulated me for my effort, “Great job, Miss!”  I had to smile and puff out a strained “Thank You,” in his direction.

I don’t think my young running friend was aware of me at first but as I matched his pace he seemed to be alright with me pacing with him, not needing to pull ahead or fall behind. He ran on the horse path and I ran on the paved section, so we often lost sight of each other through the trees but as we neared the crossing at Mountain, he was only a few steps ahead.  I’m not sure what happened in the final stretch of the trail, but somehow I made it to the final water fountain ahead of the young man.  Finishing my drink, I noticed he was cuing up for a sip.  Catching my breath, I smiled at him saying hello as he wiped dripping water from his chin.  He smiled back and replied, “Great job, Ma’am!” Then he raced down the path leaving me to ponder.  Did this young fellow just happen to go to the same charm school as the older gentleman I saw on the path, or were the two father and son?  I got my answer at the end of the trail as the young man (who was apparently 16 or older was sitting in the driver seat of the vehicle waiting for dad who was slowly approaching the car, there were some younger siblings on scooters who were joining this group also).  So I had to wonder as I ran 8 miles instead of my regular 7, because I had some thinking to do, if I am between “miss” and “ma’am” depending on the age of the polite individual addressing me…what does that mean?  I guess it means I am almost 40!  

The Countdown Continues

You may have read my last blog where my very thoughtful mother decided to count down the 40 days before my 40th birthday by having me open a little gift each day.  Not to be confused with my very excellent mother (who) just served us nine pizzas. (I don’t expect you to get this reference unless you taught elementary school when Pluto was still a proper planet but this is a pneumonic device we used to teach kids to remember the planets and their order from the sun.  Now you just think I’ m crazy or old, maybe both!)

Anyhow ramblings aside, I promised to keep you apprised of my gift opening adventures.  So here it goes.  Day 1 consisted of a sweet card with clippings reminding me of my childhood in the 70s. (Wonder Woman was my favorite.)

Days 2-4 revealed a collection of delightful art supplies;  grown-up coloring book, colored pencils and a set of markers.  I recently read in Yoga Journal that coloring can be meditative.  I’ve completed one page but I have to agree, there is a certain Zen on can achieve being lost in this nostalgic 

activity. 

Days 5 and 6 revealed a cute new outfit; a red tank top and a black skirt, both perfect for teaching elementary and tossing over a pair of leggings to go teach yoga! 

My mom is the best!  She has given me a reason to feel giddy each morning as I anticipate this big birthday.  I can’t wait to see what treasures I wake up to for the next 34 days!