Thanks you for so warmly welcoming my newest grandchild to the world. I do have a photo or two to share, but we’re packing up this morning to head back to the island with our oldest granddaughter, who will be hanging out with us for the next two weeks. That ferry line-up gets long quickly on summer weekends, so once my fellow travellers wake up, we’re off and away.
I did have this post loaded up with photos, though, all set to show you my latest running gear and tell you a bit about what’s up with my fitness program. And given the stress of the last week, the tensions of waiting out a protracted labour and childbirth, some talk about running seems very appropriate. There were a number of points when the anxious waiting got to be too much, and rather than send another text which my poor son-in-love was too busy to answer, I laced up my shoes and headed out the door.
The shoes I laced up for these photos are from the Pearl Izumi Project Emotion collection; they’re a trail-running shoe that work well on the dirt roads of our little island. In the city, where I’m running on pavement, I wear a pair of Mizunos. Switching up the shoes like this seems to work well; the approach got me to, and through, the marathon in May.Both pairs were ready to be replaced after the many, many kilometres of training that led to those final 42.1, and when I was getting fitted from these ProjectEM trail runners, I couldn’t resist this new running tank.
It was so hot here for several weeks, and even when I got out for my run before 7, I was overheating. One morning, I dared running in just my midriff-baring, boob-squashing running bra, but while many female runners do this regularly, I felt too self-conscious, if cooler. But this design is airy enough under the loosely fitting, draped panel, which I’ve pulled away from the built-in sports bra underneath to let you see the construction. If I hadn’t already run in some of the other Icebreaker Merino gear, I would never have believed that a tank in this fine, fine wool could be so cool and comfortable. And the big plus of wool for running? It doesn’t stink!
I’d say “It’s not your Grandmother’s Wool,” but that kind of statement belongs to a vision of grandmas with the wooly blue-rinsed hair and the floral housedress, pushing her cane away as she sets down her knitting to make up a batch of zucchini loaf or water the zinnias.
Or whatever she bakes up. Now, I’m a Nana, and I could love me a floral housedress and some zucchini loaf, but when I go running? This IS this Nana’s running gear. . . .
Nana and Granddad are off to the island now. What are you up to this Sunday in August?
I like that tank top and think it perfectly decent and obviously very cool.
I had trouble just doing our 10K walks and toted my bottle of water which I needed to keep hydrated..tell me do you bring water on your runs?
Congratulations again on the new grand child…your family is rounding out quite nicely!
It was so hot, wasn't it?! When I run in Vancouver, I take water along. When I run on our little island,I can stop back at the house every 4 kilometres. . . And thanks for the congrats — the family is definitely growing!
I'mm heading the other way, towards the mainland for a week of work in the Fraser Valley – I'd wave, but I think you'll be on an earlier boat.
I like the tank top a lot – it's very good-looking. I love the fine wools, and have a big collection of merino wool, thin-as-paper tops that are great for layering.
So – off to water the zinnias and pre-heat the oven for the cakes…………
We were on the 10:40, yes. Would have been even happier with the 8:30, but our little girl likes her sleep . . .
Hope you have a good week at work, Grandma. Hope you brought your walker along. . đ
I have wanted to run these past two summers in just shorts and a midriff-baring jogging top, and am promising myself that next year I will! You look great; I had to zoom the opening image on my phone because I assumed you'd photographed a daughter.
Well, I managed to bare my midriff twice, but only in desperation, only on our little island, and only before 8 in the morning. You're younger and slimmer and could surely get away with it — and, after all, you play in a rock band which surely gives you all kinds of licence! đ
and thank you so much for that day-making assumption!
I actually started run/walk this a.m. and for the first time in my life, I'm not out of breath. It must be the coastal walk. M. and I bought new shoes this week-end and I'm hoping to speed up my weight-loss.
You will so quickly get addicted, I'm quite sure. A run/walk program is a great way to ramp up the cardio of the walk and it's also a really good way to manage anxiety, depression, weight — pretty much good for whatever ails you.
I am also wondering "do you have another little girl or is it a boy this time?" Such excitement.
All will be revealed very soon . . . đ
Congratulations on your new family member! I hope mom and baby are doing well. Enjoy the time with your granddaughter.
Thanks, Brenda. Mom and baby are home today — given the c-section, we're all lucky that Dad is proving himself to be a natural with his newborn and really good at looking after my daughter as well.
F: I did comment on your last post (twice) but both messages were eaten. Congrats on the birth of your newest family member. Can't wait to hear more deets and see pics. And I love your running top – tres chic!
Grrrrr to eaten messages. Thanks for trying again. . .
You look totally awesome. Hot, as they say, and nothing to do with the weather.
Ha! Seriously? Moi? In my running gear? I have more question marks, but I'll just stop and say "thank you." Except for body temp, "hot" is the last thing I ever expect to achieve (or aim for, for that matter) in my running gear. So that's a very nice surprise . . . đ (course, it may just be your jet lag speaking)