A New Leaf

Spring is coming. I know it is. I am watching the water dripping down from the deck above as the snow melts through the cracks. The sun is warmer, brighter and more enduring. 40 degrees seems "warm." Spring is a time for new resolutions, growth, and change.

I am looking forward to continuing with my F.I.R.S.T. "Run Less Run Faster" 18-week half-marathon training program. I am just into week 3. I ran 18 km yesterday. It was a beautiful sunny, clear day with temperatures topping out at a balmy 47 degrees. I should be a faster, more efficient runner by mid-June. We'll see.

I also look with great anticipation to receiving my "transitional" running shoes--the Vibram KSO's that I ordered in January. Due to high demand, they have been on backorder and are scheduled to be sent mid-March. I can't wait to start running barefoot, although I have to say that I'm not looking forward to any attention it might draw to me. I'm not doing it to stand out, be different or rebel against Nike. I just think it's a very desirable, more natural way to run. And I've read that it can allow a person to run 5% faster than if they were wearing running shoes.

Another welcome change will be the introduction of a new Excalibur top-of-the-line food dehydrator and a Hurom juicer that I purchased with money I received from doing some web programming. My Nesco has been very good, but waiting 4 days for Kale chips, dehydrated broccoli and spirulina-goji berry cookies is just too long! I look forward to making a lot more dehydrated goodies like corn chips, flax crackers and homemade fruit roll-ups on a regular basis. And as for the new juicer, I am preparing to go on a major "Juice Feast" lasting at least a week, preferably a month or longer. I'm not sure how well that will compliment my athletic training program.

I have been adding all the upcoming events to my calendar. It's going to get very busy. We have a big Kindergarten music program and dance recital coming up. Track season officially gets underway on March 15th and I will have at least one of my two teenagers participating in that. Hopefully two. Plus, lots of races coming up, from 5K's to 10K's to my first 20K on July 3!

I started my garden today. I planted most of my vegetable seeds in starter pots. I planted kale, spinach, lettuce, bell peppers, pear tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, Swiss chard, basil, cilantro, dill, cauliflower, broccoli, summer squash, and asparagus. I also planted some echinacea. I just need to get some cucumber, Roma tomato and zucchini seeds. I wanted to get my lupine flowers started, but I can't find where I put the seeds I purchased last fall. :(

I am glad the snow and ice are melting. I relish the sun's warm rays filtering in the many windows of our home. I look forward to hearing and seeing the river flowing again (and an end to the snowmobiles, motorcycles and four-wheelers zooming by on the ice at all hours of the day and night). I look forward to gardening, running, eating healthier and all the other many blessings that the nicer weather brings with it. April 4th is Easter Sunday, another symbol of life and hope. Spring is so full of promise and potential. I hope everyone takes this time to re-evaluate, renew, and restore; that we all make an effort to turn over a new leaf.