Day 12 – 15 Green Tea – And Black

Green tea is healthier. It goes better with sushi and most other Asian food. A cup of green tea can be very refreshing.

But then again, who could live without a morning Earl Grey or Sir William? Who could survive without a afternoon Darjeeling, or a cup of Lapsang, the Chinese tea that goes so well with certain books?

My heart is with the black tea. And so are my legs – all of a sudden running in miles… Yes, black team brought home the victory.

Apart from the Tea Challenge I've been working on my ability to run 15 k. Monday I ran 13.3 k on the northern side of the bay, all the Lidingöloppet trail, from the church to the goal. I'm trying to find the right pace for 15 k, and quite by mistake did a new personal record for the 10 k. Wednesday another 10 k, no record.

I like the long runs. Moving on, no stoping, the legs do what they have to do and the path just goes on and on. Who would have thought there could be so much tranquility in running?

Like having a cup of green tea.

Or black.

Day 14- Challenge Break

Dear C,

I am taking a challenge break. I´m still running, still reaching for the stars...
Still thanking the 100 day club every day.

G

Day 8 – 11 On Hold With A Cold, But:

Dear G, I so much wanted you to rest to get well, and as I didn't see you run I kind of thought that our club was on hold. Also my dad is sick and it's confusing to be a parent to one's parent. And time consuming …

Have also had a cold (like the rest of the family), but I just ran 5 k in the rain and it felt great. See you at Tuesday,

your brunette friend

C

Day 11 - Week in Review

Dear C,
Today is Sunday, and tomorrow it will all begin again. I am trying to remember when I worked out, and what I have done based on my pictures.
Been in the park a few times. I know where you were running and depending on which direction you were coming from I think that was the green trail? Not really sure where the 15k run intersects. But I need to look at the map or maybe my gps one time when out. As you can see by lovely foot picture I have been fighting this old blister. Lobbing on vaseline before I run so the underlayer can grow. Yuck, I know.
Thursday evening I took the train to Uppsala for dinner so I could help entertain L´s American colleagues. First, I missed the bus, then I missed the train by 10 seconds. I ended up on this train filled with commuters who were very busy on their computers, phones or reading so it was completely quiet the entire trip-sort of nice. My lovely dinner of seafood was much more exciting than the company. Understandably Americans can get a bad rap and I have to say they were so narrow-minded and boring. I guess to come from a sunny 85 degrees to Sweden isn´t the dream trip but come on! Got home too late and had dessert of very rich chocolate cake.
Back to Saturday skating with the kids. They love it, my legs thank me until next Saturday. C and I went to a girl dinner which was fun. I drove so no wine-fairly healthy and fun but once again no time to breathe.
Picked apples from neighbors yard and then make 5 liters of apple sauce. Tastes fairly good and only a tiny pinch of sugar.
Needless to say, I still have a cold and am thinking of whether or not I may take a sick day to totally veg??
About planning the workouts I go into the week with a rough idea of what I want to do. Then, the unforseen changes may take some reworking of the original idea. Generally it would be great to say that I run 2 days and do 2 days of strength training-spinning or army bootcamp, and the yoga but it seems better to just do the best I can at the time.
I´d say I am working much harder now than before because I need more strength in my legs, and will definately need that for the ski.
Have the funny feeling that you may be in the south of Sweden? Hope all is ok.
XXOG

Day 7 – The Importance of Getting Lost

Dear G, speaking to one of the fathers on preschool I realized that I didn't run the 15 k trail yesterday.

Started right, but at Långängen I took the wrong path and after a while ran I the 30 k trail instead. At this point, Killingebacken, I'm far from the 15 k.

It's a pity, because this was my favourite part of what I thought was the 15 k trail.

But now I've found a new favourite 10 k trail.

As an American you of course know that the men (no women) that discovered new parts of our planet nearly always were lost. Looking for India, finding America…

It's very important to get lost every now and then.

In every aspect of the word.

Day 5 – 6 Planning For Blossom

Dearest G, do you remember how we, when we did our first 100 days club almost four years ago, planned our exercise for the coming week on Sundays? And e-mailed the plan to each other?

At that point we had my old friend Sven as our PT and consultant, and he and I made up the rules together (mostly he, to be honest). The planning was certainly his idea, and I never really liked it. I like to live life as it comes, and as a mother of a baby and a toddler following plans was very difficult. And therefore depressing.

But now that we don't have any babies, perhaps planning could be to our advantage?

This week I actually have a plan. It is to explore the 15 k trail of Lidingöloppet. Today I ran its first third, and getting there and back made about nine. So to reach magic 10 I did some pace training on our street. Later this week I plan to explore the remaining 10.

And I must say it is a beautiful trail. Like this place, south of the bay, where you can see over the water, the woods and the northern part of the island.

I remember that Sven said that we should go for the 15 k competition instead of the murder 10, and for next year I certainly agree.

I also have a plan for you: why don't you just concentrate on getting well? And on work? It's not the end of the world if you don't run for a week. Remember this April when I couldn't run for a whole month? What is a week compared to that?

You know that in the end of those seven week you will have run farther than I anyway.

Another plan: to make a beautiful spring garden and to get those tulip bulbs in the soil.

But when? The days, as you say, get shorter and shorter and between work and sleep and picking up kids there is so much laundry to keep up with. Where does it all come from?

I haven't been to the yoga for three weeks now, and I miss it so much. It's exactly what I need – training strength, flexibility and balance, together with some letting go of responsibility. I agree that it is a lot of stress to go there, and Tuesday afternoons I always feel that I need to be home with my lovely kids+husband.

But all the amazing knowledge that our teacher has and learning the poses gives me inspiration for the rest of the week. And relaxation, concentration and mindfullness, even if it seems like she hasn't time for that during the class. The hard work pays off, even if it doesn't happen right there and then.

It's like with the tulip bulbs.

You plant.

And then, much later, it blossoms.

WORKOUT 10 k, homestyle yoga, for once without kids.

Ps. CJ thinks I bought ugly tulips. He only appreciates the white ones.

But I'm not planning for the expected.

I'm planning for the extraordinary.

And I do worry about you.

Day 6- Best Intentions

Dear C,

I met these 3 babies this morning. You have to look closely at the picture to see them but they seemed very happy at the ungodly hour of 6.

As we have spoken about trying the run before work- it just never seemed like a good idea until this week. When I realized that I do not have enough time or light to get out. Especially on a yoga night.

After having my ears ache and a cold since Lidingö loppet I thought I felt better...but now I can hardly hear and my head is full! UGH.

Yoga has been a bit of a flop. It is much more of a struggle than I thought it would be. Leif getting home on time, mtgs, and sickness. I hate to think of wasting the money, stretching and peace of mind.

What is up with the TV tax? That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of. They call my mobile all the time and I tell them that I don´t believe in TV. It´s a conspiracy that I will not be part of. What is the argument for it-please enlighten me.

Impossible to be sick this week. Have staff in London are covering for each other...

XXG

Day 4 – Cinnamon Bun Day It Is!

Dear G, marriage has its sides. As you know my husband is not only a brilliant chef and an excellent sommelier, he is also a heavy cinnamon bun addict. His abuse is so serious that he considers people that eat less than two cinnamon buns during a meating wimps. And that three cinnamon buns a day is a perfectly normal diet.

And now we are talking about the big cinnamon buns of Valhallabageriet that we (at home) cut in 4 pieces.

As you also know this "diet" keeps him very slim, while I have put on a rather large number of extra kilos since we met.

So married to this man I have to watch out.

But of course we also celebrated Kanelbullens dag, even though we didn't bake as you did. Maybe it was a good thing that we didn't, because then I'm not sure I would have stopped after having two.

My dear husband also made us Rosemary Sausages with truly Parmesan-heavy Italian Risotto for lunch, and Veal Steak with chanterelles, fried potatoes and a creamy Calvados sauce for dinner – so yes, it was a good thing that I went out running.

Thought it looked so cold and rainy, so I took my storm- and rainjacket, which was a bit of an exaggeration. Hate being too warm while running, and hate even more to have a jacket jumping around my waist.

WORKOUT: hilly 6.45 k. Did yoga with all the kids afterwards, including hand standing against a wall.

PS 1: Isn't it American to celebrate all kinds of special days? If not: I agree that Kanelbullens dag is among the silliest. But also the nicest…

PS 2: My 4-year old son asked "What gift does the cinnamon bun get on its day?" And replied the question himself: "A glass of milk".

Day 4- Kanelbullens Dag!

Dear C,

I´m certainly no expert on making these but L went to the country house to take the boat out of the water so the girls and I made an effort. What are all these silly little days here in Sweden? No Swede should ever complain about Santa or Valentines day because Kanelbullens dag is right up there.

I ate two and had 2 coffees (obviously we believe in Santa).

Legs still in pain & cold worse than ever! No working out, just laundry.

Grumpy,

XXG

Day 3 – Goals & Dreams

Dear G, these are my goals for our 50 days Autumn club:

1. To be able to run 15 k without stoping or walking.

2. To look good in this skirt.

Ps. Even if I not quite get the star jumps (they seem terrifying) – I'm very impressed with the boot camp training.

Day 3 - A much needed Saturday

Dear C,

I am sitting by the fire, cozying up. My cold is still thriving and every muscle in my body hurts. This I don´t think is from the cold but instead from my Army workout yesterday. It is quite random but I heard through a friend about an American ex-marine who is does his version of an Army fitness regime. I thought I´d try and encourage some people from work to do it after school one day per week. So I volunteered to meet him and try it out. We met at Gardet betwee the American football goals (as it was fitting). I´d say I felt pretty good about it for the first 30 miutes. Then when he had me doing star jumps. That is not what he called it but in my field hockey days we called it that. Anyway it is really hard jumping up into a squat and then pushing your legs out and then literally jumping back up. My legs could do no more but I had to go on-after all he was a marine and I didn´t want to seem like a whimp. What I got out of it was that it is going to take more than running to get ready for the 30k ski. I need more total body strength and endurance. This leads me to the next 47 days and goals:

With the change in seasons I want to be realistic-especially when the clocks change. With work and the kids it will require some change. Including running some on a treadmill when necessary. I ready an inspiring nytimes article about running on the treadmill. Of course it is silly to compare Baghdad and Sweden but they both have extremes! So spinning, and strength training are in order. In addition, sitting in the sauna which will help relax muscles and keep me warm!

With this there are some things that are expected: like the disappearance of my spare tire. Also, I am going to stretch stretch and stretch some more! The comfort of my couch, a lovely fire, and some red wine and chocolate should come in moderation.

Today, I got out hoping that the run would help. No pain no gain. Right now it doesn´t feel that way...

PS Not sure about the army fitness. Will keep you posted,

XG

Day 2 – Brrr!

Dear G, it was so cold today! Frost on the car, no thing to get rid of it, no gloves when they all of a sudden are needed.

And the gym was a flop. So I'll just stick to running.

Ran a little more than 6k, but I need warmer running clothes.

What are your goals for the 50 days club, G?

And how about our Canadian friends?

Are you there?

Can you hear us?

Day 1 – Autumn Soup

Hi dear G, I planned to start this 50 days club with a inspiring picture of the lovely colourful Autumn Soup that the kids and I made for dinner. But I forgot to take a picture. Which was a real shame as I, apart from the 2-, 4- and 6-yearold assistants, also had two dishwasher-fixers lying on the floor as I cooked. They were about 1.95 tall each. You should have seen us…

And no, they're not done, because they needed a carpenter to finish the work.

Planned to start with a nice 10k run, but had too much work to do and also a cold. With CJ coughing and L waking up a 1000 times per night because of the cold I'd pay anything for a cold vaccine. Isn't it strange there still is no cure for colds?

Not too healthy we had all sorts of pancakes after the soup – also quite messy.

But at least we have a dishwasher after two weeks of hand washing.

Our new runners are a surprise to me as well. I must have forgotten to make the challenge for invites only. Shall we force them live by our rules? To blog at least every other night and to do the Vasaloppet 30 k x country skiing? While taking care of preschool children, housekeeping and work at the same time?

Watch out, Happy Runner, Cbege and 2Big4Now, you have no idea what's coming up!

I thought about you and your ear and hoped you'd get a chance to relax… Didn't make it to the yoga either, but tomorrow I'm invited to try a new gym method.

Life is an adventure.

With or without 1.95 m tall dishwasher fixers lying on the floor.

Take care,

C

Day 1 - Perscriptions, Painkillers & Priorities

Dear C,

Today is the first day I have actually moved my body since Sunday. My ears & throat hurt and my head has pounded. Tomorrow my class has their first assembly (for the parents) which is a big deal. My stress has taken a turn for the worst instead of running I ate brownies, cookies, ice cream, and who knows what else.

Thank goodness it is Oct 1st! Time to get back into the mode. This dark picture is from my evening run. It included a reflex vest, hat and mittens. What a change from a week ago! Anyway, the park is fairly well lit and you can run 3-5 km with lights. It sure helps your time to run in the dark as each shadow jumps. Not sure I like it or if I will run streets instead. But maintaining any running schedule now probably requires some running in the dark.

So who are all our challengers? Or is that part of the fun that we don´t know who they are?

Hope you are well. You should have received email saying you are officially signed up for tjejvassan. 30k baby!

XXG