Day 41 Jet-lagged & in need of motivattion!!!

Hello G & C!!

First C I want to thank you for your official welcome into the 100 days club! I loved your entry where you introduced me and listed my goals. It was really funny and sweet. I too am looking forward to getting to know you better and to help one another to obtain the goals that we are setting for ourselves. I also learned from G today that my name is in the nike challenge chart here on the blog. Talk about motivation.....need to get some numbers up there fast! Do I get to write a note somewhere that you all started before me.....it will look so sad compared to your km you have run.

Well I too am back in Sweden. Tired.Confused.Fat and lazy. I also got on a scale today and am up 2 kgs from the start of my vacation. Unlike you two I have not been moving my body, walking, running or anything.

Eating, drinking and being merry is more like it. It now comes to an end. I want to and need to eat better and start to exercise. So with the support of you two I hope to do that.

Workout: turned G down with the offer to go on a walk....we WILL do this tomorow. However I did work in the garden for awhile today with the family. Raking, picking up all the tree branches my husband cut off the bushes and chased the girls around.
Food:not so good in this dept either....tomorrow is a new day :-)
Good night for now
C2

Day 41 Jet-Lag

Dear fellow Runners, (C2 tomorrow I will help get you up and going with your nike + ipod)!
First, C thank you so much for your generous and fabulous gift. I would be honored to do yoga with you. I am very much a beginner and could definately use the mindset and stretching from a true yogi. L has agreed to be home at 18:15 on these days. So looking forward to it-and another new adventure and life changing challenge.
Today, we are all out of sorts. Jet-lagged and our bodies don´t know what time it is. C was up 3 hours in the night, and then slept til noon. My head is heavy, and feet tired. How are your feet? Strange question I know but I have so many calluses on my feet and on all the tips of my toes.They need a good soak...so today I have not gone out but instead just looked at the jungle that has appeared in our yard. After 6 weeks our house looks abandoned and messy. The roses are wild, the grass and bushes long, and the weeds plentyful. 4 of 6 suitcases sit unopened full of things we probably forgot we even purchased.
So today I leave you with the thought that tomorrow is a new day, and a book which I never really looked closely until now. Moms lifesavers I had written it off as too American and for stay at home moms. Yet, I think there are some good tips in it. My oldest childhood friend wrote it, and we spent a lot of time wtih her this summer. She has quite a following on twitter and is truly a person with the biggest heart! So a pic of all of us, and her book. Nighty night. Stay dry on the West Coast.

PS: I have stepped on three different scales since my arrival home. They all read differently and say that I weigh more than I have ever before! 62+ How can this be?? Does muscle weigh more than fat? Hope so because I got really sad. Tomorrow I will try on some of my pants for a test, and I will look for the email I sent you with my thigh measurements.

xxG

Day 41 – Happy Birthday Dear G!

Dearest G, as I wasn't sure about when you would return to Sweden I've been thinking about a birthday present that I could give you over the blog. And now that you are home I decided to stick to my idea, even if we spoke over the phone today.

I've signed you up for a yoga course 12 Tuesdays starting September 1! And I've signed me up too!

So now our husbands will have to get the kids to bed by themselves those Tuesdays, and we will have time to both get yoga-strong-slim AND actually SEE each other LIVE.

The yogi is my great teacher that I've so often talked about. She has been educated by yogis from New Zeeland, Italy, USA and Canada and is very, very serious, but the course is for both beginners and continuers. I think that you will like it, and I have been wanting to give you this for a long time, so I do hope it works with your and L's schedule Tuesdays 6.40 – 8.20 pm. Let me know if it doesn't work for you – then I'll make up something else.

At most important of all: hope that you've had a great day and that both you and your closest have celebrated you a lot!

WORKOUT: We've been to a birthday party today (of a 4-yearold) and I had so much cake that I really HAD to go running. But after 1k it started to rain so badly so I had to return. But afterwards Lance Armstrong said: This is your fastest mile to date. I love it when he says things like that. But I have a problem: the Nike+site says that I only have 2% of the battery left in my sensor. Could it be true? Did that ever happen to you?

And C2: Have you seen that I have invited you to the Nike+ Challenge? If not you need to check your mailbox!

Day 38 – 40 Me And Mr Badminton

Dear G & C2, after playing a game of badminton with a husband it is not a great idea to try to run 10 k.

At least, I didn't make it.

After 7 k I thought I would die.

I'm not in the great shape I was after Gotland.

But the last days we have created some good habits, my husband and I: we are both running, he in the morning and I in the afternoon. After running I do some yoga and then go straight to the sea and swim. It's fantastic!

And, as I said, we are playing badminton. Though CJ is an old tennisplayer we have a good game. I guess it's because he is so polite…

Our judges are called J & L, and a bit surprisingly they cheer us both on. (Where A is? Indoors, reading).

SUMMARY ON DAY 31 – 40

Have been running 4 of 10 days, all together 25.55. And had far too many buns and cookies…

Also played badminton and swimmed, both in a pool and in the sea.

Ps G, it's great to hear that you are home and that you have had such a good time! Will call you tomorrow.

Day 39 Goodbye USA - Good Morning Sweden

Dear Friends, I have said goodbye for now. We have had a fantastic, sunny, fun, busy and exhausting vacation. We ended on a high note-boogie boarding for hours in the ocean, laughing, dumping the sand out of our bathing suits and then off to a typical rustic New England dinner of Lobster. Now this lobster (see below) is not what you may think of in French. But New Englanders love their fried clams, steamed muscles, and boiled lobster. This is the no fills bake. It is served on a paper plate, all while throwing back some cocktails and of course the Summer Ale. True New England blue blood just goes about it in the most unpretentious way. I love that the kids English flourished, we played with the cousins, had family gatherings, laughed even more with old friends, shopped, explored, did it up total American style! This brought L and I into a conversation about spending more time in the US (I mean vacation time). Perhaps Christmas, or looking into renting a place where people can come to us (your chance to visit)! Who knows, but its a good thought. I am happy, this trip was needed. So tomorrow as we arrive back in Sweden on my B-day we will go straight to Runmarö to sail for the weekend. Is this crazy?? Totally, but perhaps a good way ease back into time and Life. L will go to work Monday, I have just under 2 weeks left-1 with the kids. Am I tired, yep and of course I have indulged in many things during these past 5.5 weeks...so I will DEFINATELY be getting back on the food track. I can say that I have run and am strong. Its easy to go out, its been bard of the summer routine...Will be home Sat or Sun. Let´s touch base at start of week and check in personally!
xxG

Deux Ou Trois Choses Que Je Sais D'Elle

Dear readers, as you know Deux ou trois choses que je sais d'elle is a film directed by Jean-Luc Godard, but now I'm using the title to introduce our new member, C2. With two or three things that I know about her.

Like G, C2 has her roots in Newport, New England, USA.

And like G she has two daughters and have had the good taste to marry a guy from the suburb outsite Stockholm where I grew up. And where we all live now.

Strangely enough G and C2 didn't meet in the US, but in some American Womens Socitity in Stockholm – a club for women dressed like Jackie Onassis wearing badges saying "Hockey Mama for Obama", drinking Manhattan and eating hamburgers and candy in bright and mean colours. Or do they all look like Sarah Jessica Parker and her friends?

Myself I've been happy to meet C2 in G's home, walking with G and at our daughter's gymnastic. I look forward to get to know her better.

These are C2's goals:

1. Lose weight (2-3 kg)
2. Flat stomach (or at least a little flatter)
3. No more thunder thighs
4. Improved mental status-happier and less stressed

Welcome C2 – and bon courage!

Ps. If I was Jean-Luc Godard I'd make C2 play Jackie Onassis and G would play Jennifer Aniston dressed in Sarah Jessica Parker's.

Day 32 – 37 Ladies week

Dear G and C2, I don't know if you are familiar with the term Fruntimmersveckan. Should it be translated the Ladies week, this part of July when Swedes celebrate one man and six women?Or more correctly – we celebrate some men and most women, because in every family there seem to be at least one Fredrik, Sara, Margareta, Johanna, Magdalena, Emma or Kristina. Or if you prefer so – Frederic, Sarah, Margareth, Hannah, Madeleine, Emma and Christina.

Come to think about it I'm not even sure if you have names-days over there?

Anyway, the Fruntimmersveckan is all about celebration. And reasons to celebrate.

Apart from all those common names – most of the even more common as second names – there are so many reasons to celebrate in this particular week in July.

First of all we are all on vacation. People that work in the end of July are either very young or have strange occupations (doctor's and such).

Then there is the rain. This week is they say is the rainest one in July. This year it's very true. The rain gets so boring that even if we don't have any reasons to celebrate we make some up. There is always a ded mother-in-law or cousin's grandmother or something that was called Margareta. Or Kristina. Or Johanna.

And most important for the Ladies week: this is the week of the year when the berries have there absolute peak. The red currants are challenging the wild strawberries. The blueberries are comming along fine and then there are the black and white currants, the gooseberries and even some blackberries. And the raspberries, the queen of berries, are tasting perfectly poetic, sweet, romantic…

I guess you see the picture.

Plenty of time and reasons to bake sponge cakes, fill them with wipped cream and berries and plenty of time to eat all these tartes aux fruits de bois.

Not so plenty of time for running.

Or – when you decide to run there is all of a sudden A. a delicious cake served and B. the rain is pouring down and C. the heavy weather makes you crazy about sugar.

We also had a very special reason to celebrate in our family: our sweet little curly L that we all love so much turned 2 years and this is the cake I baked her. Wish I could turn the picture right…

As she wished she also had olives and couscous. And fell asleep in my knee during the party. It's my party and I can sleep if I want to…

WORKOUT: We've been playing soccer a lot with the kids, I've been swimming (in pool and sea) and ran 6 heavy k one day. Also lost a run, but found it again.

Moving in the right direction.......

Hello G & C
Finally made a brief trip to the local Apple store and bought my Nike + iPod gadget as well as new sport headphones and the Nike Sport Armband :-) Next purchase...new sneakers and then look out!!!!!!

Another day of a lot of walking/chasing kids around but no official workout. Days are limited here and I am trying to squeeze everyone and everything in to this short amount of time left here.

Yesterday I spoke about baby steps.....small changes at a time. What was the change today? What did I do right or better for myself? Well I have not been having juice in the mornings only water. I have tried and for the most part to limit my tea intake to one cup a day and one coffee a day. Failures- FATTY foods and wine (consuming them everyday!!!)
Again on vacation this is impossible to avoid or turn down. Will get better!
XOXO,
C2

Day 33 Fun day in Beantown

Hello G & C,
Finally moved my body!!! Spent the whole day in Boston with M and my girls and did a lot of walking!!! No running or yoga but was pleased with the start to do something more than sitting on a beach chair with drink in hand. My legs are really tired and me too.
Had dinner in Boston with friends and although I did have wine I had only one glass of red...which again I am pleased about. It's all about baby steps and making small changes for me.....one small step at a time :-)
Scared to even get on a scale and see how much I weigh (as my weight, I am certain is more rather than less after landing here in US one short week ago!!!)
Plans to head back to Boston tomorrow to meet friends and go to the childrens museum.....where are you G?? Any plans for the remainding days to try and meet up?
NEED to go shopping before I leave.......will burn lots of calories doing that!
Hope your both well.
C2

Day 31 Up and Running???

Hello G & C,
Hope that this is now going to be added directly into the blog. See comment under C's last entry
Workout and diet are non-existing but things will change soon!!!!
More to come including pic's (I hope)
XOXO,
C2

Day 31 – On Why I Run

I run because my body is not yet recovered after creating and giving birth to a 4.75-, a 4.3- and a 4.8-kg child ­– three healthy, beautiful and strong babies in less then four years.

I run because my body decided to gain weight to be able to save our children in case there would be a major starvation.

I run because two years after my last delivery it’s about time to get my own size back.

I run because it makes me a happier mother and wife – and as important – a happier and mentally stronger person.

I run because there are so many clothes in my wardrobe that don’t fit.

I run because I like style and fashion and because the best-looking clothes are made for fit or slim people.

I run because I love food and want to live my life enjoying it.I run because after carrying children the last 71 months and having a child in my bed about 700 nights the last two years my back aches every day. I run not to be a cripple.

I run because I don’t want to be incontinent for the forty years that I guess remain of my life.

I run because it makes it easier to concentrate on the positive sides of the question “what is my professional future and meaning of my life?"

I run because it’s the most effective and timesaving workout.

I run because it makes me feel free. Free from responsibility, free to fly.

I run because it suits me and I think it’s fun.

I run because I’m a runner.

I run because I think that my family can do without me for somewhere between 30 and 70 minutes each vacation day. And as you G, I know it will soon be August and there will be less and less time for running.

Summary: I run because I think my husband, my children and I owe it to my body.

Dear G and C2, how nice to hear that you've met in New England, USA for a change. And dear G, I also enjoy reading about your adventures. A lot. I hope that we all can meet (with our without families) when we soon come back. How are you doing, C2?

WORKOUT: Autumn is paying us a visit. It's both windy and rainy. Ran 5 against the wind on a kind road – and made a personal record for the 5 k.

Day 30 Lobsta!

Dear C,
Another perfect beach day. Warm water, waves and shell hunting. Nothing else to say-except we are cooking Lobster for dinner. So dreading the return to Sweden.
Ran: 6 + a little
XXG

Day 29 Beach BBQ, Hamsters, American Girl Dolls & Run Interrupted

Dear C,
Would you let your little J play outside with a gerbil or hamster or whatever it is? Well, as you can see M did. She thought it was fantastic. Today was a busy one. Beach, BBQ party and time for a run which was interrupted too often. This is because it was a perfect beach day in Rockport and everyone wanted to go. Though some were just too late. So when they saw me running they had to ask where they should go, or park because they couldn´t find a place. This happened at least 5x on my run. Then I ran by Ed´s house knowing that C2 was there overnight for her friends Christening and saw her husband sitting on the porch. Of course I had to say hello to my good friends from Sweden for about 20 minutes before getting on with it....and it just went from there. Afterwards we hit my best childhood friend´s house for a party. Much laughter and drinks-honestly sometimes it feels like I live here still. On our way out my friend "loaned" the girls some old American girl dolls. Which they obsessed about changing their clothes as they put on pj´s. Finally kids in bed after another hectic day...Today ran first time in 3 days. 4.3 miles (for some reason my ipod was in miles)
Could have been better to many stops. Food tons of drinks, including mojito, wine, and mudslide along with BBQ chicken and many other snacks. I´d be so fat if I lived here!
Hitting the streets tomorrow! So looking forward to seeing you again and love reading your adventures.
Nighty night, G

Day 30 – On A Bumpy Road

Dear G & C2, it's good to be back!

Hotel-life is a treat and exciting in many ways, but with three kids, packing and constant hushing it's also a bit exhausting (not only for the wallet).

And now I'm also back on track! I've decided to be rigorous for a while and started my new-new life today. Less coffee-sugar-wine, more running and yoga.

Ran 7.1 k and thought that was an ok start after seven days without running. Felt like an old cow at first, so I was afraid that all the strength I'd gained this summer was gone. But it wasn't.

I've know found a track along the sea with almost no people, but it's very bumpy and stony, so I have to watch my step. (I'm afraid to fall and hurt my foot like I did here seven years ago, so bad that I couldn't run for the rest of the summer. And then I got pregnant. Over and over again…)

As I've said before, my yoga teacher says that those kind of difficult paths offer the best running. Concentrating on where to place the feet both rinces the mind and make you more kinds of muscles. But watching the step makes it impossible to keep a high pace (yogis don't care about pace). And then again the Nike+ thing says that I'm running longer than I do, as need more steps not to fall.

It's kind of fair, isn't it?

Or am I cheating?

Do you run on asphalt in the US? Still on the hills?

WORKOUT: 7.1 k + 20 min yoga

SUMMARY OF THE THIRD TEN DAYS: I only ran 3 out of 10 days, together 20.02 k. This is a low point. Havn't watched the scales. But rigorous it is, right?

Day 27 – 29 Lost In Paradise

Dear G, how many times haven't I written to you that I couldn't run because one of the kids had asthma or was sick? Or that I (or CJ) had to much work? Or that I was ill myself?

Day 27 I was not able to run because we had a too good time. The hotel with it's breathtaking view, the beach and the huge sea with it's salty waves that be all bathed in, the excellent food and the precious time with the family together in the beautiful rooms and garden – I could not break that magic spell to go running.

Day 28 we were supposed to move to the sister hotel up in the village of Tisvildeleje, but we were so disappointed with our rooms (it's difficult to leave paradise) so we decided to go to another hotel. Which turned out to be even worse. But then I got a chance to see both my sisters! As you know one of them live in Africa and the other in Southern Sweden, so meeting them both is very rare. They also had one son each present (they both have two). We all had lunch together and then we went to the beach and I swam for a long time with my oldest sister.

Day 29 we woke up after not sleeping much at all at a non-estetic conference hotel were we ended up, packed our bags while the rain poured. We had planned to go to the art museum with garden/park Lousiana that I always loved so much, but as it rained and as we were so tired we said farewell to Denmark.

Hope to soon come back!

WORKOUT: day 5, 6 and 7 without running. But there won't be more!

ps C2: How is it going? E-mail me if you need help!

Day 27 UGH!

Dear C,
Today is the 3rd day without exercise. I stepped on the scale and it wasn´t pretty. Seems like I have gained 2.4kg during my vacation. This is not a huge surprise considering what I have been eating and drinking-but its a bit depressing. Imagine if I hadn´t run at all I´d be back at my previous 100 day weight. Will try to be a bit better this week about food etc. Thinking that this part will once again start again upon my return
XXG where are you now?

Day 25 & 26 Brimfield

Today I went to Brimfield a big antique show with my sisters. I did not find anything (that could fit in my suitcase). But my crazy sister bought this goat. It is a strange thing to buy at an antique fair-but she thinks it will stand in her garden. Me, I think her dog will bark at it. My feet hurt, and my neck is sunburned. Otherwise a fun day.

Running: None yesterday, none today!

Food: I must be gaining weight, I eat and drink Americana all day. Gross!

Day 26 – A Journey All Inclusive

Dear G & C2, there are many ways to pack. One is that the father carries out the bags and suitcases in the car and stand their and swear while the mother takes care of the children (some of them unpacking) and tries to pack at the same time. Another one is that they pack together and THEN carry the bags and suitcases out in the car.

There might be other ways to pack.

And better causes to divorce.

Fortunately we saved our marriage and also managed to make it to the ferry. Even if it meant that my husband had to drive way to fast.

The ferry took us from Danish peninsula Jylland to the big island Sjæland and also offered an all inclusive lunch with nothing missing. They also had an soft icecream machine for self service. As I've worked in the amusement park Gröna Lund in my youth, I had an opputunity to show a hidden skill …

Then all of a sudden we had reached the harbour. All inclusive for 30 minutes must be a good buisness.

After driving for a while we took another ferry. An old fashioned one, open and with only two employees. And we all loved it.

And then we arrived to heaven.

This is the view from our hotel rooms (we were not allowed to share one).

The sea is just a stair from the hotel, and we all loved the salty water.

Had a little strange dinner, because the waiters are extremely confused. When we finally had our food I had to follow J to the bathroom, and when I came out my food was

gone…

As an exuse we were offered a bottle of wine that we drank from on our balconies when the kids were alseep. With a little fence between us as we have devided the kids between us.

But why do I write all this in a blog about running?

Because life effects the running.

They are many days made for running, but there are also days that are not.

WORKOUT: 4th day without running.

Day 25 – Danish Discovery

Dear G & C2, travelling with children is a lot more like travelling without children than people think.

Children also think that having ice cream and strawberries in the hotel garden and going to the closest beach is much better then visiting all the tourists "musts".

They also prefer the relaxed waiters to the snobby, upnosed and idiot ones at the local bestknown hotel. They don't like standing in line with sweaty people either. How did we forget that?

WORKOUT: Third day without running, but did swim in the salty, wonderful sea.

ps. Our beach 100 m from the hotel is terrific, but why do the danes park their cars in it? ds

Day 23 & 24 Pool Day & Family Dinners

Dear C,
Pool with the kids, they love it. BBQ with the family and exhausted kids! Tomorrow L and I decided that we need a day to ourselves,. I really wanted to go hiking on the Appalachain trail (which is how I enticed L in the first place). Though now we realize we don´t have the proper gear and also just need to relax. So we will go off on our own for the day.
XXG
Yesterday: 5.03k
Today: 6.23k
Eating garbage, drinking wine. Post vacation reality will set in!

Days 23 & 24 Better off Blond

Dear C,
I am sad to report that I have forgotten the little chip that down loads the pictures off my camera at my other sisters house. Especially since I took such fun pictures in Boston today. First, I went to my old hairdresser that I have know for 13 years. He can deal with my thick hair and make the color just right. So once a year when I am here he fixes my hair and I love it for about 6 weeks. Or until some silly Swedish hairdresser makes my hair red, or ash, or some other wierd color. In addition he always tells me how my hair is cut so out of proportion and where I need to grow it or cut it...Ridiculous sounding I know but today I feel so much better as a blond!
While I was getting glamorous my L and the kids went to the New England Aquarium http://www.neaq.org/ then we all went to the http://www.swanboats.com/ which is in Boston´s public garden. Fantastic, fun for all!
I continue to run-but eat and drink for all. We seem to have some sort of ethnic takout food every night. Certainly not the gourmet meals you are getting! Sounds wonderful, I think I will buy Danish butter when I shop at home next.
Yesterday: 6k felt knots coming in my shoulder. Don´t feel like I have stretched at all.
Today: 5k still haven´t stretched!
XXG PS: About the blister. Rub vaseline all over it before running!
PSS Do you see that we have a follower? Not C2. Wow!

Day 24 – Heaven Is A Place With Danish Butter

Dear G, I'm breaking quite a few of our rules here. First of all the Marakuri-one: never two days in a row without running. Denmark is the perfect country for running: flat, well temperatured, beautiful roads for bikers and joggers. And there are plenty of food-related reasons to run…

But for the second day I didn't run, cause of the right-foot blister.

Other broken rules: I've had beer for lunch. We went to a classic Danish restaurant and had smørrebrød, and those are eaten with beer and nothing else.

Then I have a little candy problem: my husband whom stays slim eating ten cinnamon buns on a daily basis keeps his bloodsugar high with a constant candy consumption. I try not to do the same, but it's not easy.

Also, we are having wine for dinner. It goes with the hotel+restaurant life. Dressing up for dinner, putting on dresses on the girls and a shirt on the boy, sharing a bottle of chilled wine. Why does this life come so natural to me?

However, there is one paragraph that I'm following very seriously staying in Denmark. It's the "enjoy-butter-rule". The butter here is divine, like the butter that conquers all butter, the butter you'd never forget. Butter heaven, enjoyed by all ages.

WORKOUT: none

FOOD&DRINK-SINS: plenty.

Day 22 Heavy Shopping!

Dear C, First, If we were all sober on our vacation we would not have pictures like this. Note my purchases and wine...this is good for a laugh!
We survived (quite easily) 24 hours with 4 kids. So after my sister came back we decide to shop. We went to our favorite sporty store. http://www.rei.com/. There we drove the sales people crazy asking about winter jackets and winter boots for the kids. They are very nice though and go through this every time we are in the US. So I bought a very heavy winter jacket (on sale of course) with the hopes that this will be the one...BUT I also will keep my eye out as the selection of fall and winter becomes bigger in the next few weeks. L thinks its too much of a "teenage jacket" and wants me to buy a better shell. Everything is returnable here, and they actually help you. In addition, at another store I bought the most fabulous DVF heels. I mean its awful to be so brand oriented but it was between these and some Versace heels and honestly I should have gotten them both. We tried to look for us-because we usually buy for them...but C and M picked up every sparkly thing and said how beautiful it was. Overall semi-successful, we don´t really have to have anything but its hard to resist. Tomorrow, Monday is L´s B-day. Will celebrate with a breakfast in bed, and a day at the beach. The kids are very excited and want to play the guitar and violin in the morning for him (I better bring the coffee first)!
Work out: just under 4k. Limited time. Wondering where my runners body is? Oh yea, the wine.
Love your entry´s. Fantastic!
XXG

Day 23 – Hallo Denmark!

Dear G, if there is any rule against blogging when not sober I'm breaking it now. As you already know we are in the very nothern Denmark, close to Skagen.

We are staying in the cutest little hotel, very close to the sea. The surroundings are extraordinary and we've had an excellent dinner. With wine.

And dessert.

Plus an espresso.

As the rest of my family is sleeping I'm blogging from the balcony and getting cold. This is my view.

I just wanted to say that this is a place that is perfect for running, and reading your last post I feel more motivated then ever.

But I have a huge blister on my right foot and it's hurting.

So if I won't keep up with you the coming week and if I'll break many rules because of the good food here I will blame it on the blister.

And as you said: We live our lives to enjoy them.

I'll catch up again.

Sleep tight my dear friend on the other side of this gigantic sea, where we have been bathing a little today.

WORKOUT: none.

Day 22 - Irritation & Village Running

Dear G & C2, as we were packing again day 22 my husband was quite irritated when I said I would like to go out and run. As G had run 11k and I would like to keep up with her I'd like to do at least 10k, but I didn't want to risk my marriage. So I decided to do something in between.

Just a short run to make it possible to catch up later.

It was very windy, so I realized pretty soon I couldn't go by the sea.

Tried some village running, which is something quite different from what I've gotten used to here and at Gotland. It's embarrasing to run where so many people see you. But then again, it fires you up. I ran much faster than I usually do.

But then there was no village any more, only sea and lots of wind. So running home took a while, and all of a sudden I already made 7.5k.

The love of my life was angry when I came home.

Is it possible to be both a serious runner and a mother of three preschool children?

Murakami leaves me with no answer.

Do you?

Day 21 Backyard Living & Why I Run

Dear C,
I was wondering what to do with 4 kids on this sunny day-so we bought this little rubber pool. Total success they splashed for hours. When they got tired of it they ran to the swingset for a swing then came back. Much easier then lugging all the stuff to the beach, baby eating sand, etc.
Now, I am relaxing wondering why we don´t have 3...Oh yeah, L said NO!
Yes, it seems like we have run a lot. Much more than previous times but it feels good. It is an acomplishment, and we are getting stronger, and dropping some weight too. As Murakami said If you live in Boston, Samuel Adams draft beer (Summer Ale) and Dunkin´Donuts are essentials of life...indulgences can be offset by persistent exercise. Well that seems like a good reason, but its more about the time to get out to clear the mind whether it be 20 minutes, or an hour. It just is nice to look around but not really zone in on anything but the task at hand. When I see the km´s add up on our challenge it makes me want to do even more-its a race against myself, a race to see how far I can push myself. Of course I´d also love to come back to Sweden and fit into some skinny Filippa K jeans, and be in a positive mode when life after vacation begins. So for now I will run as long as my body allows it. There will be traveling days, and upcoming plans which may defer my runs by a day or so. Soon enough, I will be back at my job with even more responsibility, stressing out, the days will turn short and runs will become luxury. Run while you can.
Ran 5, need to do yoga and stretch. Ate lots of banana bread and pizza. Only 1 coffee (unusual day).
Safe and happy travels to Denmark. XXG

Day 21 – Speaking Of Temptations

Dear G and C2, speaking of temptations my mother-in-law baked buns today. And served them still warm, with coffee and raspberry lemonade. Was I going to refuse them? Even go out running while she threw her party, so that I wouldn't be tempted.

As we only see my husband's parents a couple of weeks each summer it seemed to impolite.

I had the buns (to be exact four buns) and then went out running 5.

I try not to lose G already.

It's very difficult. And now I see that she ran another ELEVEN! G, yes, I think we are doing great and it's so nice to be able to follow you, but don't you think we need a break soon? Just for a day?

I do remember that one of my goals was to run moderate.

And now E writes that I'm running like a maniac. (That goes for you too, G!) Yes, the coffee-vs-tea-battle is over, and tea won. As expected. A is quite upset and thinks that I should choose a winning team the next time. It's a battle between Michael Jackson-hits, and I've chosen Billie Jean. Now that Blame It On The Boogie didn't enter the game.

WORKOUT: 5 k. Best time ever. I'm losing weight, even on this homebaked-diet. I've seem to have lost both my Paris-kg and another two.

Day 20 Lost

Dear C,

Today, I went out for a nice "little" run. I took a x-country ski trail that I thought would loop around. It didn´t and I then came upon a river and thought I would follow that upstream back to St. Paul´s (because I know it runs through campus). Once again it didn´t so I guessed directions and yep went wrong. Finally, I came upon a telephone repair man who was way up in his ladder and I shouted up to him that I was lost. He laughed and sent me back in the direction I came from. By this time I had run 11km. I stopped my ipod and walked the rest of the way home. Exhausted, I felt like throwing up then took two asprin. This is when it would have been really helpful to have an iphone-gps, camera, or just a plain ol´ phone! I even considered hitchhiking. If I had the camera I would have been able to take a picture of a really small bambi, the dam, the huge farmhouse, or the telephone repair man-imagine that!

M is feeling a little better. She slept in the car and has taken great naps...but now we are at my other sister´s to take care of her kids while she and her husband getaway. 4 kids Oh my!

The pictures are of my other sister´s house "project" which is enormous! Restoring a Victorian, and they seem to have only furniture from that period. Totally uncomfortable and completely cluttered. Americans seem to have a lot more stuff-at least that is visable.

Ran: 11k Drinking lots of coffee and a little wine. Probably too much bread stuff but not horrible for day 20 or so. I think we are doing great! I must be gaining muscle, I seem to weigh the same all the time-ha!

I haven´t cooked once since my arrival. Its not CJ´s gourmet but good.

XXOG

Day 20 – Vacation Temptation

Dear G & C2, staying here in this special village in Skåne a couple of weeks each summer I usually gain somewhere between 3 and 5 kg.

There are so many temptations from morning to bedtime. Starting with the long breakfasts, with the breadbuns that my husband bikes to buy everymorning. We have many jams to go with them.

Then there is pre-lunch coffee, with some of my mother-in-law's homebaked. Lunch, afterwards coffee again – and new buns. Then around 3pm – new coffee (or tea) and often more homebaked. At 6pm we are offered the Drink with a big D, but over the years I've learned to say no to that, if it's not a very special day. And this drink is followed by dinner with wine and often dessert.

Those delicious little things were found at a café we visited. CJ ordered four, and as the kids only wanted some topping we had two each.

After that I read G's piece on making L run in thunder and rain. By a coincidence it rained when I read it, so I felt pretty forced to run 10k too. You are a boot-camp-leader for me too!

WORKOUT: Another 10k. Had two minutes better time then the first time, though quite windy weather. Still not serious about the yoga.

SUMMERY OF THE SECOND TEN DAYS: Ran 7 of 10 days, all together 41.24k. Hardly any serious yoga.

Day 19 – Sheep Problems

Dear G, this is the 12th summer I visit this village were my husband's grandfather built a house about 60 years ago. I often jogged here before, especially pre my pregnancies. It seems so long ago. But by then I didn't run so far. Am I already stronger then I was seven years ago, before this mama-period started?

As I run longer now I don't really know where to go. All of a sudden I'm on unknown territory. So today I only ran 6 k, and had to turn around several times not to disturb sheeps with their cute little lambs. Not that I'm afraid of them, but I think that between parents we shouldn't make each other worried.

When did it happen that I say "I only ran 6 k"?

WORKOUT: 6 k. Did some yoga talking to both my husband and J & L, while A is constantly reading.

Ps. I really enjoy having vacation. Also enjoyed your pictures from Newport a lot. For me they are very exotic, apart from N.Y. I haven't been to the US at all. Hope that you can show me your homeland some day.

Another thing: Yes I do drink some wine. But as you see just a little.

Day 18 – Heading South

Dear G and C2, driving from our suburb to Skåne in Southern Sweden can take anything between 5.5 and 9 hours. "Nine?" most people would say quite surprised (or upset), but it's true. It can take nine hours. Depending on how often and long you stop for meals and other pauses. Depending on whom you have in your backseat.

A family on our street drives to Skåne with 3 children quite often. They say it's so easy. They start at 9am, drive for three hours, eat the sallad buffé atGyllene Uttern close to Jönköping for an hour, and then drive another three hours to reach their target.

Our children only get to eat at McDonalds when we drive to (or from) Skåne, so they won't have Gyllene Uttern. But we also aim to start ninish and have lunch at McDonalds Jönköping, the perfect middle point of our journey.

Though we usually get away so late that we'll have to eat already at Linköping.

Or at Södertälje.

Today we drove over the wellknown brigde not at 9, but at 12. So where did we have lunch?

At McDonalds Karlaplan!

And then my husband had to visit his "pusher", the dreadful Valhallabageriet, guilty of at least half of my extra kilos. He comes there every day. And buys so many buns that they even gave him a Summer gift: ten buns for free.

We didn't buy the delicious-looking brioches aux fraises.

But this "buncake".

It's a good thing that we don't go to Skåne everyday.

Will I ever get to try the canned corn of Gyllene Uttern's?

WORKOUT: None.

Day 19 Veggin

Dear C,
M is sick with fever. I stayed home most of the day with her. Got out early with dog and ran 5.
It was nice to have a "sick day" with M while everyone went off.
Much more soon,
G

Day 18 Americana

Dear C´s,
Today was rainy. We brought the kids to the movies for their first movie theater experience. They liked the idea, but the movie "UP" had some dogs in it that were a little scary.
If you go to this site you can check out info on any movie, dvd, book etc. It is a bit conservative but gives a good overview and rec on if it is "appropriate. http://commonsensemedia.org
I know I have said it a lot in the blog but the girls are totally exhausted. They crashed today. We need a "down day or two".
Ran around 6 today-slow. As you can see what the rest of my family is eating as I write this blog-I resisted!
XXG
PS: My kids started to speak English when playing with each other today. I think that is great!

Day 17 Running on Empty

Dear C, and C2?? Today it rained. We went to the community theater. It was a great version of Hansel and Gretel. This pic is the musician, and bird from the show. A great little place with a different show each week for kids. 6 bucks can´t get much better! In the afternoon I called my mom and asked her to take the girls for a while. Then I convinced L to go running with me in the pouring rain. It was fun (in my opinion). Well maybe I should say it wasn´t just raining it was POURING and thundering...the thing is that the rain is warm and you don´t feel cold. Leif thought I was a "boot camp instructor" and was "crazy" but he came along anyway. We ran through St. Paul´s school. www.sps.edu.
10.06 in the rain. We had to ring out and put all in wash, sneakers now filled with newspaper. Had dinner at mom´s. Salmon, and salad.
Happy times. XOG

Day 16 On The Move

Dear C, I am set. Have the ipod going again. Though no question I am definately getting the iphone upon my return! Life is good. It´t really easy to run these days. I get up and go. This morning I ran and returned with the whole family still sleeping. We have spent lots of time here where I spent much of my life-and visited seen so many old friends. It is as if I never left-strange but nice. As you can see from the pics. The girls love the beach, no matter the time of day. Also, I tried to get a shot of our old house. I wanted to go knock on the door but L thinks its better with memories-maybe? Ran around 7 today-easy on the beach. Now we are at my sister´s. This next weekend we will babysit her kids so she can go away with her husband. Add a 1 + 3 yr old to the mix! Great job running-you are keeping me motivated! XXG

Day 17 – Dear G – And C2!

Dear G – and C2! I didn't se your comments until now. Of course you should join us!

If G sends me your e-mail I can invite you as a contributor – you can't do it yourself. Or G could invite you!

Then I think you should put your goals in a proper post.

I guess you've already read the rules. And know that we have promissed eachother to be very kind, understanding and encouring (instead of angry) when kids are sick or life is shitty in some way. And to be very generous and congratulating to winners.

BUT AS IMPORTANT: when we decided to do this blog we discussed if it should be in English, Swedish/English or just Swedish. Deciding English G promissed me that she should help me with the language e-mailing me corrections so I wouldn't have to look stupid. Not even once did I get an e-mail like that!

So I tell you both – if you don't help me I will be forcing you to write the next hundred days in only Swedish. Ha!

And C2 – please post us pictures from the west coast! We also started walking when we did our first 100 days clubs – with M & J in their wagons. And as soon as you get a Nike+gadget I will of course invite to the challenge.

WORKOUT: We took TBE-shots today, and I wasn't really sure if you're supposed to work out afterwards, so I only ran 3.5. Also had packing for 4 persons to do – and the 5:th thinks I'm too slow. He should try to wash, iron and pack for 4 instead of 1.

ps. It didn't rain today. I will change the picture to a more true one later.

Day 15 F U N

Dear C,
Sorry I have been off-line til last night, and my ipod is frozen-HELP! Do you have any suggestions? For now I am waiting til the battery runs out and then I hope to get it going again. So I can´t download workout or new ones...
Having a wondeful time. Took many pics but tomorrow will have better internet access to catch up on that. 4th of July was great. 2 cookouts, prade, bonfire and tired kids! We have been beaching it, along with a little shopping. Have visited with many old pals and have had lots of laughs.
Running is fantastic here, so easy and beautiful (as you will see in pics). Feeling good-have done some yoga too.
Much more tomorrow.
XXG
PS Congrats on your 10k! WOW!

Day 16 – 10k!!!

Dearest G, I ran 10k for the first time since I've became a mother. It can be done! It wasn't at all as exhausting as I had imagined, so I'm so glad I tried.

I can see that you are running, so I know that you are alive. Hope that you have a good time at that it's nice to have L over.

Godnatt,

C

ps I ran towards Elfvik, halfway in unknown woods. This, as you see, is close to the Iranian Embassy. Looks pretty calm, doesn't it?