Days 7-9 Family Time

Dear C,

Yes, weekends are coveted for "family time" I am not sure what this is supposed to include other than catching up on all the things that didn´t get done during the week-like laundry and breathing...but my dear husband (with a messed up foot) is still obsessed by skiing and this weather is not helping my case.

As I told you the kids are training skiing not only with the slalom club but also with L basically every chance possible. I thought it was fun the first 2 months, and then I got over it. Now, I have promised that I would take part in our "family time" (skiing) this weekend. Yes, going to Dalarna for the last of the regular season-Oh, that is until we go to Åre for Easter. So during my weekend boycott of skiing I did 90 minutes of hot yoga, and went running (very slowly) Sunday and Monday. I am out, it feels great my mind and body need it. Started thinking of a running goal for the summer-perhaps a 10k or 5k nothing more. I ask, did you run down the favorite path? I had trouble getting down safely. Much more soon. PS I need bushes help as I want tall bushes for our front. I know you just did it in the fall. Can you give me some info?

XXOG

Day 7 – 9 The Day Before; The Days After

Dear G, one of my favourite things to do is to "open" the garden after winter. To rake away old leaves after the snow have melted, and find that small, little beautiful green andred buds have been living there. Just like me, they are just waiting for spring to come. Tulips and narcissus, come dance with me!

And yes, dancing was what this weekend was about. My dear friend C turned 50, and gave a dinner party for about 100 people. She is so close, so I had to give a speech, even though it affected my nerves for days. I'm so nervous DAYS before, but when I actually held the speech it was kind of a relief. Like diving from the 5 meter highbord – and survive.

Had to take a couple of glasses of champagne before and of rosé afterwards, and God, I was so sick the day after. Poisoned. Why is it that I can’t drink more than a glass without being so PUNISHED afterwards?

Sunday was a day I don't want to think about again. Wouldn't have made it without my hero husband.

Monday, weather was sunny and lovely, so I took half an hour I did not have and ran again. By myself, without pressure, didn’t think about time or anything. Almost all ice had melted, so the first time after winter I dared to run my favourite trail on the north side of the bay. Felt so strong, totally unlike the other day. Running I remembered how quickly I gained strength when we did this two years ago.

Small little buds become tulips. If you just rake away those old leaves…

Day 6 – The Usain Bolt Decision

Dear G, I would like to present the Jamaican runner Usain Bolt – the fastest man on Earth.

As I guess you already know, Usain Bolt is a three time World and Olympic gold medalist, and the World and Olympic record holder in the 100 meters, the 200 meters and the 4 x 100 meters relay (together with friends from Jamaica).

He is the first man to set world records in all those three events at the same Olympic games. He is also the first man to hold both the 100 and 200 m World AND Olympic titles at the same time.

Apart from being fast and handsome Usain Bolt also has scoliosis.

I'm not giving in.

But I did decide not to ever again have loads of waffles, berries and whipped cream just before running.

Thank you Mr Bolt for being such a good role model.

Usain Bolt, I love you.

Day 6 - Oh Deer!

Dear C,
Think of it this way-you went and you tried! That is fantastic because I´ve seen those fast, skinny little runners and they are an intimidating bunch. Been out run/walking with the deer, saw at least 10 deer wading in the mud too. This week I brought my lunch to school everyday. Mostly spinach salads with lots of veggies and beans or salmon. That is nice and lots of my colleagues are envious of my healthy lunches but as you know its´s just not enough. I need to do other things besides cardio. My muscles are begging me to get a but of circulation in them, and my acupuncture will not last forever...TOMORROW is hot yoga time! 90 minutes of pure sweat. Good enough reason to chug water tonight and not wine. So my friend, don´t beat yourself up. Saturday is the dog day-eat what you like your body will react with the rest of the week´s healthy lifesyle.

Happy Friday!
XXG

Day 5 – Failure

Dear G, I was such a flop today. Do you remember the running group I told you about last spring? Practicing running technique Thursdays and long distance Sundays? I only went a couple of times, perhaps five, but I enjoyed it so much! Even though I was about the weakest runner in the group.

As you know it my chiropractor and later doctor said I wasn’t allowed to run from – when was it? May? And it was only in December the consultant in London said I could run again, starting from January, when I had strengthen my back for a couple of weeks. And you know Swedish winter; snow & ice, sick children and mothers…

All this time I’ve been dreaming about joining the running group again.

Since January that has been my goal. But lately I’ve been thinking that as I’m recovering they’ll get faster and faster, won't they? So I figured I just had to jump on the train, starting today with the planned TEMPO RUNNING. Just had to do something also postponed since January: arrange a little fika with my lovely and loved cousin A and her two children, turning 5 and 3. Made us waffles and served with raspberries, black berries and red currants and whipped cream. Of course, I had some. Quite a few, to be honest. And as I was already late from work and we had such a good time, I all of a sudden had to JUMP in my running gear and RUN to the running club.

They were all bony and muscular, looking like they’re spending their lives in nature, running and eating nothing but blue berries. And as the leader told us: “a tempo run should be at least 2 times 25-30 min running in race pace, about 5 min rest in between”. Didn’t listen too much when he described the trail, as I wasn’t exactly gonna take the lead.

I wont even tell you what race pace meant to them.

I’ll tell you what it meant to me: I could not even follow them when warming up. Had to take a short cut.

And when it came to the actual tempo running – they just disappeared.

I was so tired, lonely, full of waffles, running for my life but couldn’t even see where they went. Like running in chewing gum. Or like a crimple trying to talk herself into the Olympic beds … I mean games. Sleep tight and don’t even ask me if I did my Thursday Schedule.

Day 4 – Small Little Choices That Need To Be Made

Stressful day. Turkey sandwich and caffe latte for lunch 4 pm. Nothing glamorous about it.

And now: The London Wednesday schedule –

5 min Supine with poles

5 min Long & Semi hanging,

10 min Iliopsoas

10 min Gliding on a ball.

Or: there is also a huge pile of clothes for someone (like me) to iron.

What day is it? Time flies...

Dear C,
Oh time is just too fast for me. I don´t have enough time for anything! I know that sounds really lame but I rush in almost everything I do. It´s a bit shameful but I even told farfar (who picked up the kids from school) that my mtg was running late yesterday so I could go on a 20 minute run. Terrible but necessary.
Today, I went to Söder and that is quite off the beaten path for me...but I love just looking in the windows, and taking in everything. Clearly my path between home and school is a bit like the new tunnel being built!

On my trip I oogled into many windows including a classic filippa k (thus the picture). I loved the jacket and though how nice it could be sans my little pot belly.

Good news, I have been out Mon & Tues. feeling so good in the sunshine. Planning the end of week. L is so crazy about skiing he wants to go to the country house again skiing-though I have had enough!  Did you know that he has made skiing an obsession and convinced C that she is the next Lindsay Vonn?

He sprained his ankle and thinks he is still good to go (on crutches) though I know better. So perhaps I have another week to breathe and 3 more until after Easter when the ski season will end!

Great job thus far! Love the 100 day club!

XXG

Day 3 – What Difference A Day Makes

Dear friend, today the weather decided to make an effort to melt all the snow it has gathered for more than 120 days. It didn't quite make it, but it was a good shot, don't you think?

I ran 6.7 k and now I'll spend an hour with London's Tuesday schedule:

5 min Supine with poles

5 min Long and Semi hanging

10 min Kneeling with poles

10 min Sidelying with pole

30 min Core stability (Table top position, Bridging, Cycling and Passing ball from arms to legs).

What a difference a day makes!

Day 2 – Without Appetite

Yes, my dear G, I did hear you were awarded with the prestigious prize of the Foundation for American Women Living Abroad! I’m so proud of you, and I think they picked the right woman too.

That, however, was the only good thing that happened today. I must have been food poisoned – I was so sick last night. Disgustingly so. Today I’ve had no appetite what so ever for anything that reminds of food. If I had to eat I’d choose one of the snow, winter aconite and snowdrop cakes the children made yesterday.

Tomorrow is new day, and forecast says C +12! Just a couple of weeks ago I said to a friend in England I’d be glad for anything above freezing… Hope to run tomorrow, but tonight?

If I can find the energy I’ll do my (by London) scheduled Monday exercises: 5 min Supine with poles, 5 min Semi- and long hanging, 10 min Iliopsoas on a ball, 10 min Sitting snail. And if I don’t, I’ll just go straight to bed.

Day 2- Spring, Ice & Mud

Dear C,
I love your positive thoughts about spring and the blossoms. I too get a little extra spring in my step when the sun shines, it was a lovely weekend! I´ve been out tromping through the mud and ice. Yesterday I wore my hiking boots and felt that was a good choice for my trek. Today, I thought I could do it with the sneakers-Ouch! a big wipe out landed right on my elbow. Still standing but dampened my mood a little.
As you read, I am really happy to have been awarded a fantastic honor and prize by the Foundation for American Women  Living Abroad. They are quite an organization and I am really excited to bring home the award for the Stockholm club! So it was a good Monday morning. Even better that we are back for another 100 days!
XXG
PS-I forgot to say that I started acupuncture for my back. Today was 2nd time and will go 10x.

Day 1 – Japanese Week

Dear G, I have to admit that I've been pretty obsessed by Japan this week. Always felt strong about the Japanese, manner, food and culture, but the three disasters (earthquake, tsunami and nuclear plant mess), they really hit me. One or two days I even felt that the future of the Fukushima plants relied on my constant news update. Quite addictive, that is…

So when it snowed so much again the other day, I said to myself: "It is such a good thing all this snow is here and not in North East Japan. Dear God, if you just fix their houses and nuclear plants, I'll handle the snow."

Truth is, I'm not really handling it. I've always had more problems with my back during winter. I guess it's the cold, the weight of shoes and outdoor clothes, – and also walking in heavy snow or trying not to fall on ice – that makes my back so sore and tense. And it's going on forever…

Look out the window, we have not seen our lawns since mid November!

And no, x-country skiing doesn't make it for me. I have pain sitting, standing, walking and sleeping. I need to run. I need spring.

But compared to Japan?

Small problems, great future.

Today I ran about 6k. A little icy at places, but what a lovely day to start a brand new 100 days club! I'm so glad we're doing this, and have you seen what I have in my window?

A branch of Forsythia from our garden.

Looks Japanese, doesn't it?