Saturday Stuff

We welcomed the beginning of Summer on Wednesday with a swim in the beautiful outdoor pool at our new digs.  I really feel like we are living in a resort!  An all-inclusive at that. 

I am not much of a swimmer... took a few lessons as a kid but other than a few noisy, too-busy outdoor community pools, there wasn't much place to really work on it or even enjoy it. I don't care for the smell and atmosphere at indoor pools so don't tend to use them.

I did take swimming lessons as an adult either right before or after I bought the sailboat. I thought if I ever fell off the boat I should have some idea what to do to help myself while I waited to be rescued!  And yes, I do always wear my auto-inflating  PFD.  The Captain is a great swimmer and came to the pool with me a few times to coach me through passing a basic adult course.

Since then I have splashed around pools that belong to various friends a couple of times.  I don't venture out into the lakes or ocean nearby.... there are things in the water, that may want to eat my toes so I keep to shore walking and shallow water splashing.. yes, even in Mexico and California and Florida!

So, this new place has a beautiful outdoor pool and I am determined to learn to swim this summer - Wednesday was our first day out - we had the pool to ourselves and after about 20 minutes of serious strokes, I was exhausted... if you recall, I did Brad Gouthro's LIVE LEAN workout on Tuesday, so after Wednesday's swim, my shoulders were pretty much screaming for mercy.  I obliged with a soak in the Jacuzzi.

Thursday we swam again... and again just the 2 of us...  and I worked hard for about 30 minutes and not only tormented my shoulders some more, but antagonized my pecs and abs.  Hey, this is gonna be a good workout!  More Jacuzzi time so soothe the aches.

What I really like about all of this, is that I can have a quick shower at home, put on my suit and a cover up, walk down the hall to the pool area... have my workout and my relax... then come home and clean up.  No driving!  Love that so much.  If it ain't convenient, I don't want it.... which is why I don't join a gym.

I realized I have yet to take the camera along so would like to do that this next week.

Today we got up and had a quick bite to eat and then ran our getting-familiar 5 km route around the neighborhood to participate in the Welcome to Summer Virtual Run that is being hosted by toni who writes Running, Loving and Living.

I have been pretty lax about running lately so was glad I had entered Toni's event... otherwise I might have taken a pass this morning as it is threatening rain today and I am a wuss sometimes about weather.

I decided to try to give it a good effort and we did finish in 36:15 which is faster than the last few 5km outings have been so I was quite pleased with that.  And it didn't rain which I was also very pleased about!

W2 R36:16 @10/1 W4
stretch 10 minutes

I took a pic in the bathroom - I don't know how you all do this - would love some pointers if you would take a minute and help me out!

I ran in both Recovery socks today and have to say that my legs felt great!  I think this is going to become standard practice for me so now I need to be on the lookout for some cute socks!

After we cooled and stretched I made a new version of my flourless protein powder pancakes... and we topped them with melted peanut butter and mixed berries.  Oh My Goodness!  Too good... and now I have carrots and onions and garlic roasting in the oven... gonna make a Chilled Carrot Soup for lunch and it all smells so good....

So, any tips on taking pictures of yourself for me?