Day 4–5 To Quit Or To Keep On Going

My dear friend, the question now is: To quit or to keep on going?
I've had two stressful days without running. Just did not get time to do it, at it makes me think of the little internet smartness showed above. Kind of true, though, like they always are…
Tuesday my spouse was in Gothenburg at, and from now he will be late every Tuesday. Have to figure out how to get time for my Tuesday run, the speedy one.
And while not running, I have a little habit: I read this amazing blog. It is in Swedish, but you'll understand, and after reading it you will realize that three (or two) children can never, ever be an excuse not to run. I've heard it's immensely popular among male runners. Not only are they impressed by the blogger, they also show it to their wife/girlfriend whenever she says running takes too much time from the family life.
Got almost obsessed with it when I had had foot surgery last spring and did not even get to walk. Of course, the fact that she lives close to where I live, and you used to live, makes it even better.

Wednesday we celebrated J, and of course he had wished to have salmon and water melon, which his father served like this:

Baked Salma salmon, grapefruit, coriander, cous-cous with broad beans, water melon and yoghurt sauce.

In our family we have a little tradition: the celebrating kid gets to choose cake – and bake it with me. J & I had decided to make individual cakes (you might want to call them tartelettes) instead of a big one, as his sisters has not yet learned to appreciate the J-invented Water Melon & Apple Cake. But we ended up doing all about the same, with raspberries and blueberries.

Summer is running out though, proved by that the berries doesn't taste the way they do in July or August. Think it was this summer's last berry cakes.
Which might be a good thing!
Hope to hear from you soon. You know that it is now we decide if this is another lame attempt OR THE FINALE 100 DAYS CLUB!
xxx C

Day 3 – A Globe, Binoculars And A Mini Scooter.

Dear G, today was the kind of sunny day, when the wind seems to be there just to remind the tourists how close the archipelago and is, and the water is glittering like full of diamonds. Yeah, there are tourists everywhere, very irritating when you try to use your lunch break to buy:

1. a globe 

2. binoculars 

3. a mini scooter

You do realize that those three items, closely related if you as a boy who is turning seven in two days, need three different shops? 

Which is not easy when even walking is a problem – because of a 14.8K long running experience. 

Already at school I felt I needed to tell a dad why I walked so strangely. 

Gave him the full story about how the planned 12K turned out to be 14.8K because of the wet trail.

He said: "Yeah, I know, it was really muddy yesterday, I ran too."

Asked him: "How long did you run?

A little embarrassed, he answered: "Just the usual Sunday 33 K."

When I came home the garden looked so inviting, I just wanted to take of my shoes and socks and enjoy the perfect summer weather.

Instead I cooked: had dinner ready at 6.20, just as my husband came home, and exactly ten minutes before I was supposed to be at the school board meeting.

With more time, what wouldn't I have done instead? 

Gardening? 

Sunbathing? 

Would I have read a book on the stairs or done some relaxing yoga on the lawn? 

Or would I have been that spontaneous kind of mother that would take her children out on a daily world discovering adventure – with a globe, binoculars and a mini scooter…

Day 3 - Up hill

Dear C,

Today was the girls first day at school. They were happy and a bit exhausted too. 8-3:30 hard core lessons and came home with homework. C said " if I don't do it I'll be in big trouble!" Tomorrow my work week starts. Did you know that I took a job here 3x per week. Tues, Weds, and Thursdays. Still figuring out Wednesday's when the kids get out at 12.

After dropping the girls off at school I headed to France to do some grocery shopping. I haven't done it before but our neighbors said it can be worth it and I'd say it was. Amazing choices, much less expensive-I felt that it was almost like shopping in the US! Then after coming home and unloading I went out for a little hike.

I headed out and came to this crossroad and decided to head toward Chatel-St Denis. Up and down I went huffing and puffing until I finally came upon a waterfall. A sight worth walking to-and I will explore this another time to see where it takes me.
On a different note, we have met a really nice Swedish family who live just around the corner, there seem to be kids coming and going from here non-stop. The weather is still summer here but it snowed in the mountains it's really beautiful.
I made a lovely salmon dish with salad for dinner and have had loads of water today too!

Congrats on your big run and for being super motivated (and helping motivate me). So much more soon.
XG

Day 2 – A Record And A Great Review

Dear G, today I had planned to run 12K – Elfvik, back and forth. Woke up 7.30am, had breakfast at 8, went out running at 10.20, and felt so happy about it. When it comes to running this time of the year is my favorite: not too warm, not to cold, no snow, no pollen, all crispy, and there is a wonderful scent.
Chanterelles and apples, or whatever it is?
But yes, it has been raining a lot, and the trail was kind of wet. At 2.99K I needed to change route, and by mistake "ended" the run with the Nike+Gps. SO IRRITATING that it doesn't ask if I'm sure I really want to end my run. like it did before. Because I don't!
The first pic is taken about 3.15K, at the place where my shoes got all wet. Decided to take a proper road, picked the wrong one, was suddenly in Rudboda (uh). Then ran towards Elfvik as planned, so decisive about getting to the Cape. But instead of going along the bay I found myself at the much longer cycle way: full of dog-owners with barking dogs (scary), bikers that jumped on the Triathlon trend (they're like flies), loads of roller-skiers (already?) and people walking hand-in-hand blind of romance (as it's still summer?).

This is just after the cape, when I finally got to run along the water. Very windy, it was. But no more complains: I felt strong, had ok speed – and the run ended up being: 14.8K!
Almost 15! It's a world record! I mean, it's my new Nike+ record!
Or… it would have been if I the idiotic thing hadn't ended at 2.99, splitting it up like I ran twice today.

Got home, was served lunch, drove A to her dance lesson, went to a school board meeting (there is another one tomorrow), had home made hamburger with lots of salad for dinner. Now: ready to spend 30 min on my exercise program … and another 30 min reading in bed. Body and soul!

I'm so glad that you enjoy you're new neighborhood, and that you're motivated! Of course you could have a fondue every now and then! And don't forget the Raclette!
What?
Aha, you want to know how the kids liked my bread? Found this review on the fridge:

Best ever, sleep tight, xxx C

Day 1 - Party time

Dear C,

I have never needed the 100 dc as much as I need it now. I have hit rock bottom in my eating, drinking and exercising habits and it shows! I have hit an all time record weight and feel bloated, and downright unhealthy. So this daily reminder and your encouraging thoughts are going to help save me and give my body and soul some life back!
This entry is rather random as I feel I have so much to say, so much has happened since our arrival here to Switzerland...I can totally understand why your SIL has been living here for ages it is absolutely wonderful, the weather, people and view and yes the wine are all amazing, I personally don't think a move back to Sweden is in my near future but shhhhhhh don't tell L.
So Saturday my next door neighbor and I threw a party for M and her daughters b-day as they are have the exact same birthday. First the kid party at our house with 17 French speaking children-then the grown up get together cocktail part at her house. Yes, I tend to get these crazy party throwing ideas and then kind of regret it. There was so much food, and drink and then we had dinner to follow-duck with root vegetables and some kind of sauce that was not at all low fat and to top it off a bit of a hangover to boot. It's all really sur le dessus if you can say that in French.
My goals are: to hike/powerwalk 4x per week.  Start pilates again 1x per week, maybe sign up for something fun like a fun run 5k in October but nothing running extreme yet. Stop drinking diet coke, and stick to my nice wine with dinner on Friday or Saturday so I can enjoy it. As you mentioned try to stay away from the "white foods" and absolutely no fondue!
I will add pics later because I have not been able to locate my phone since the party and that has some pic on it!

Take care and stay clean,
xoG

Day 1 – On Bread And Water

Dear Readers, a couple a weeks ago I was out running, thinking about this blog. What would happen to it, now when my friend G had moved to Switzerland?
Would it be one of all those (must be) millions of abandoned blogs, forever witnessing about my last attempts – and failures. Should I delete the last posts, so that the great success of Summer 2009 would have full focus, if ever some stranger from God-knows-where by mistake would find our by long forgotten blog? Would that be cheating? And what would G think?
Just a few days later, she sent me an e-mail suggesting THE FINALE 100 DAYS CLUB. Didn't mention anything about rules or goals: but immediately I knew what it would be: the perfect one. Blogging each day, eating healthier than Gwyneth Paltrow and running more than Usain Bolt.
Almost forgot that Summer 2009 we did have vacation. And that I already know I will have a very, very stressful autumn, with loads of work, three children, the youngest still in preschool (closes 3.45pm) and the others still needing help with school work… plus a planned foot surgery.

But I still thought it was such a great idea! So here we are, day 1, lots of ambition, great expectations, only success in mind.
My plan is to:
1. Run three days a week, preferably Tuesday (fast), Thursday (hills) and Sunday (long run).
2. Try to find time for some cross training, preferably Monday, Wednesday and/or Friday.
3. Follow my London 30 min exercise program at least six days.
4. Have wine only once a week, preferably Fridays.
5. NOT to try out any crazy diets like LCHF, but to avoid sugar and cut back on other fast carbohydrates like white bread, pasta and rice. (Don't drink soda, already avoiding juices and other drinks full of sugar.)
Otherwise, like always: no dieting, no eating in between and about 4-5 meals a day.

Starting today, September 1, and finishing December 10. I guess that the goal for both of us has to be to look great in a gown suitable for the Nobel Dinner? Not that we will be invited (this year), but when it happens… gotta be prepared.

As Day 1 happens to be my Shabbat/day of rest: no running, no other exercises. Instead I did something I find peaceful and that gives me a mediative kind of happiness: I baked bread.
Used a lot of rye,  to the rest of the family's approval … or not. Will find out tomorrow!
And as Friday is the only day when wine is allowed: had water + water with our Saturday dinner –steak, red wine sauce, green salad, yellow and red tomatoes, delicious chanterelles and just a few slices of oven fried potatoes. No, I didn't cook: my husband did.
Can't wait to hear from you, sleep tight, xxx C

Day 11 – A Blue Sky And Forgetmenots

Dear G, there are children who think that a sunny day in May is best spent on the public library. Those children are mine.
And you know our local library – with great windows that gives  maximum light on a grey winter day… and also maximum heat on a sunny day in May. When I finally made them go home I was more certain than ever that every hour in May not spent in the garden is a lost one.
Just about when dinner was ready to be served I left the others and went out running. According to my new schedule it was supposed to be an easy, relaxed and quite fast run. Almost flying.
But I'm in worse shape than I've been since giving birth, and loads of poisonous birch pollen doesn't help either.
We are far from flying, my dear, and the only consolation I can find is to remind myself that I'm not allowed to run yet for another three weeks. And that the workout I'm doing, trying to do, should be called rehab. Or at least recovery. Will try not to forget it.

Have you seen that some of my for-get-me-nots are white? 
They make me so incredible proud. 
As so do my library loving children.

Day 10 – Boiling Asparagus

Dear G, today I went to C-badet with my son J. While he took a swimming lesson I swam as fast as I could for 40 min, mostly thinking about those who survived Utøya and how incredible important it can be to know how to swim. Afterwards we bathed in the bubble pool (no, kids are not allowed, we make them do just one exception each time). J calls the bubble pool "The boiling kettle". We pretended we were asparagus. Had such a good time, X C

Day 3 – 9 Very Early vs Very Late Running

Dear G, we've always said that the most difficult about running is not doing it, but to get time to do it. Tuesday morning I got out 5.30 am, to be sure to find the time. It was a beautiful morning, and afterwards I sat on the outdoor stairs and felt as calm the most relaxed yoga guru you'd ever imagine. So happy that my left foot would let me run two months after the surgery, one month earlier than allowed. And looking at the May blossoming in my our garden, thinking about my sleeping family, I felt truly happy. But then I saw some weeds… and even more… all of a sudden I was as stressed as ever. And when I came in my husband was all upset, utterly angry, because he'd woke up by my alarm clock those 30 min earlier that he needed so badly. "No morning running!", he begged.

"No more early running", I said, and Thursday I decided to go when he got home from work, just before dinner. But I didn't find the time! As I promised myself to follow a very strict Tuesday-Thursday-Sunday schedule, there was no choice but to go when the kids were asleep. Which turned out to be at 10 pm.

The sky was magnificent, it was very calm and not too warm.

But after the shipyard (there are some pretty big boats there, have you seen?): way too dark, had to run by the houses. And honestly: just couldn't wait to get home. 

Still not certain if very early or very late running is to prefer?
Could the answer be: "none of the above"? But then: when will I ever be able to follow a schedule? In 15 years from now?

This week's workout:
Monday: 30 min London exercises.
Tuesday: 30 min running (and walking, because of the foot)
Wednesday: 40 min yoga
Thursday: 20 min fast running + London exercises

Friday: was invited to a five course lunch including champagne, had to take a long walk to get sober enough to drive home afterwards. Counts as exercise, doesn't it?

Saturday: countless hours of gardening to get this part of the garden look wild and relaxed the way you often see in England. It is so much more difficult than you'd think, and what a workout!  Totally sore, especially in but.

Sunday: 60 min running/walking to get the left foot started + London exercises.

Hope you're fine and that I get to see you soon, xxx C

Day 1 – A Very Special Day

Dear readers, today is a very special day. First, and most of all, it's the anniversary of G being a mother – today her eldest and so beautiful, talented and very special daughter is turning EIGHT. Already!
Hurray!
And today, this partly rainy and partly sunny day and incredibly beautiful in May – it is 100 days until MY eldest (beautiful, talented and special) daughter turns NINE!
How come we never figure this out before? Isn't it extremely strange that we have been doing those 100 days clubs every now and then since 2006, and never, ever realize there is 100 days between our eldest daughters birthdays?


Today is also by the day two months since my left foot had a surgery. Which, I think, explains about the last complete failure (to say something good about it: at least it was some kind of record – The Total Disaster 100 Days Club).


Had the surgery March 12, wasn't even allowed to walk for six weeks… And now, today, it is exactly one month until I am allowed to run again. I can tell you, I'm counting the days.

Today, however, I tried a little. Had decided to go for a fast walk, and then … I ran.
It seemed to be ok. So I ran a little further, walked, ran, walked, and ran a little further…
Even though I've been doing both Pilates and my London exercises those past two months I'm in as lousy shape you could imagine. But I'm on again!

Was so happy about that I immediately decided to start another 100 Days Club. It will be a tribute to our eldest daughters, called The 100 Days C to A Club.
Dear G, are you in?

A Terrific New Start

Dear Readers, while G was skiing and I spent my supposed sporty mid term vacation exercising mostly by showing my children museums, we were – again – starting a new 100 days club.

I also managed to get out "running" three times. The weather was, as you see, noting but terrific, but as I'm still coughing I've been a little careful.

A Non-Fab February: Cold, Colds and Cough

Dear Reader, I've been coughing my lungs out, coughing like it was my last days. It all started with an ordinary cold, early February, of course – the first day of the Furniture Fair. And then it just went on, kept on getting worse, turned into a bronchiole infection, wouldn't be cured by penicillin, or the many asthma and cough drops I've used. After a couple of weeks I was sure I had pneumonia, but, nope, the doctor said:

your muscles are sore from …coughing!

And yes, it was the flue, and no, I have no idea why they all the fuss about the flue two years ago, and barely even mentioned The Horrifying 2012 February Flue? People couldn't even get a doctor's appointment, because the doctors were all sick!

Apart from this misery the temperature kept falling. In this picture it's – 20°C, which means both -4°F – and that no one, not even brave 100 Days Clubs members, if there were any sane, would go out.

So we took a sane decision, G and I, postponed, and now… Celebrating that February 2012 is … over and out!

ps If my husband ever reads this: Yes, I enjoyed your birthday, yes, I admit that Winter is beautiful, yes, I shall not complain over low temperatures next winter, yes, I'm grateful for all your sympathy – and I love you!

Day 4 – 31 Soup Month!

Dear G, almost a month has passed and I know you think I didn't blog much.
But I kind of did… though I didn't. Which means: I've had our club in mind, every day, and I've taken plenty of pics. Also wrote a lot. I just didn't post it.

For example: I was quite affected by the New York Times article you recommended, How Yoga Can Wreck Your Body. Tried to answer it under the title Grief Over A Lost Love, but it turned into an essay, except with no conclusion. It would have be easy to answer it like this: yoga is about balance. Those who exaggerate their poses and train so much that they get hurt haven’t understood what yoga is about.

Yoga people talk about the power of vanity and the power of laziness, how they work against each other and the importance of finding balance between them. Don’t compete, as competitions open the door to a number of bad feelings; jealousy, envy, hate, resignation and depression. We are against that, right?

But then again, I’ve heard similar stories before. My yoga teacher often told me about Gurus who do the Lotus Pose six hours a day, until they literary can't walk.

So yes, there is something about yoga that makes people… loose their minds. But why?

Also interesting: many of the poses they mention in the article are the ones that London has forbidden me to do. Like Supported Shoulder Stand… how I used to love it … This is also the reason why I don’t feel the same way about yoga. Even if yoga helped me to build strength and partly got rid my pain, it also made the rotation of my spine worse. It’s like a boy friend who’s been unfaithful. Even if you decide to forgive… the magic is gone.

I really would like to find a new yoga… Something like Pilates, giving both strength and flexibility, but with harmony and flow I got from yoga and still get from running…

Something like… yoga.

About January: I call it the Soup Month. Apart from that it would mean something like "the sloppy month" if you translate Soppmånad from Swedish (which it is):

January is cold.

We're all short of cash.

There are so many bills to pay … and look at the world economy.

This is what we can afford:

Soup! People without time & money: SOUP WILL SAVE YOUR DAY! AND LIFE! This one is the French old Créme Vichyssoise, but updated with lime and coriander.

January 2012 the lack of time was worse than ever. At the office, we have loads of work. Furniture Fair is coming up, everything has to be ready, clients have no patience.

January 12: first hearing test.
And of course: kids are sick. And even if they're not, and don't have to stay home, they do need to visit all kinds of doctors. As all doctors seem to think that January is a great month for yearly check ups. It is the family doctor, the eye doctor, the ear doctor, the asthma&allergy doctor. And every time I get panic about being so much away from the office, I hear a doctor saying: “please come back for some more tests”.

January 25: second hearing test. Now they take a look at the inner ear's function.

And apart from the children's appointments, I’ve seen a couple of doctors myself, and both had x-ray and ultra sound. But no, I'm not pregnant and my only baby is: the new School Library.

But I have another New Year’s Resolution I haven't told you about: to eat and cook more Korean food!

I believe that Korean food is more healthy than any other kitchen in the world. Or, actually, I've read it, a long time ago in Time Magazine, and with the new standards about what's healthy or not it may have changed, but it may also have re-changed. But to explain why, and how it is supposed to be healthy, I'd have to write another essay.

So for now: a picture from a rare occasion, a Friday night I went out, to a Korean restaurant! In town! With two female friends/collegues, both without children. Had great fun and ate Korean Raw Steak Tartar. IT IS SO DELICIOUS, I only regretted I didn't have it both for entrée, main course and dessert.

A couple of days later, alone with the kids, still inspired: Korean meatballs. My children love Korean meatballs and I love them.

So far, I've kept my New Year Resolution about eating sea weed once a week. One Friday was almost sure I would not make it, but then my youngest and I were invited to a Mom&Kids Friday dinner. I (not my daughter) was served Champagne, Caviar from Kalix, Sushi… and SEA WEED!

Also wanted to post you something about the importance of eating fish, and I will eventually. Salma Salmon from Norway, did you try that? Delicious with saffron bulgur, lime, grape fruit, rocket and sugar snaps:

Or with saffron sauce. And this Sunday dinner no organic Apple Juice, just

water!

And before you say that this is turning into a food blog, I'll tell you a little something about my Soup Month training. My main focus has been to follow the London exercise schedule. Which means 30 min of exercises next to the wall bars, every night – as soon as the kids are in bed.

After that I turn the sheets down and go to bed with a novel… which means that my New Years resolution to watch more TV… is as big a flop as ever. How does people find time to watch TV? Beats me, but, proud to say, I've also been skating!

And walk-running! Or should I say run-walking?

But best of all: swimming at the Centralbadet. Makes me believe that Soup Month has and end and soon there will be summer! Also in my garden!

Day 15- Making changes

Dear C,
First, before I forget I want you to read this article about yoga. I meant to send it to you earlier but I think it brings up some interesting points and I´d like to hear what you think. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/08/magazine/how-yoga-can-wreck-your-body.html?pagewanted=all

I hope things are going well with you. Should we make sure to write 1 day per week? Otherwise too much time goes by and then our 100 days does too.

Since our return last Sunday night and surviving the first week back at work I have really tried to make some healthy choices and changes. First, I have not had a diet coke (which actually is a big deal for me) and I have brought my lunch to school everyday. I have not stocked up from the systembolaget but instead just shared a glass of wine Friday evening with L over fish soup from Furren...I have tried to think healthy and truthfully the first days I felt like I was starved but really I think it´s boredom that drives me to the cakes.

There hasn´t been any earth shattering workouts-my usual Monday pilates, and then a half-hour walk here and there. Though I must say the scale has tipped to the highest weight since M was a baby.Seriously it is a bit of a shock, and perhaps the rattle I need to move.

The next two weekends are crazy with ski trainings for the girls. We will drive up to Mora both weekends and on the 28th I will participate in a snow shoe race. It is 6km but I figure something really fun to motivate me.

PS Did I tell you that I gave my work 60 days notice to take parental leave 1 afternoon a week? I know it seems like so little but really I think it will change my life!
Hope you are well and can´t wait to hear from you.
XG



I love parties!

 

Dear C,

I am so happy that you took the initiative to restart our 100 days. It s great inspiration-even though it doesn't always go the way we want it to...

Truthfully I never pegged myself as a "ski mom" but I guess you can say that now I gave accepted it and am really trying hard to keep up with the 9-4 ski day. I actually tried to look up approximately how many calories you burn per hour last night. My legs burn, and knees ache and the kids and Leif want more! The girls even say "mom you're doing great" and "we think you are a good skier". What to say to that but I'm really trying to improve my technique and not focus so much on the Après-ski.
So as it is I have been skiing for 9 days and we have 5 left so I will keep feeling the burn on skis and enjoy the beautiful view and snow.
So you know I already have some crazy ideas of my own which are in play. First, http://www.123minsida.se/Snowshoe/ and we will be here in Funas again for sportlov then my darling L and I will travel to Berlin on the 30th of March for the Berlin half-marathon on April 1st! We already have the tickets and the babysitter.
Much more soon I am heading to the neighbors ummmmmm après-ski.
Lots of love and a healthy 2012!

XG

The Great Party Named 2012!

Dear readers,
While you are still enjoying your last days of X-mas vacation, while G is enjoying loads of snow with her ski-crazy family in some Swedish ski resort, I’m at the office, making plans. And enjoying a season that could be called either “Autumn” or “Spring”, but certainly not “Winter”, (if you ask a Swede).

Anyway, as G is gone, mice are dancing on the table, and I’ve allowed myself to take a decision regarding us both.
I’ve started us a New 100 days club. G is also in it, right now skiing her but off, which is great as the club begun some days ago.

Day 1: January 1. (Of course, the high season for resolutions and New Life…)
Day 100: April 9, the last easter day, Annandag påsk, when we both have a maximum of sugar and cacao in our blood.

"Ah, come on", I hear a reader saying. “You guys keep starting and quitting and disappearing and we even have to ask you to post a message saying that no one died. What is the meaning of all this?”
And I say: “What wrong with restarts? And even who said it was a restart? In fact, we never quit! We’re just taking a few breaks every now and then.”
But the reader keeps going: “So what happened to that fabulous New Summer Club? Was supposed to end September 17 and the last post I can see is more than a month older?”

Well, my computer got stolen and my father died, but that’s old and has nothing to do with the bright future and party that has been named 2012. We’ve done Pilates, both of us, and even invented a new type of exercise: the walkie-talkie-running. G also bought herself a new Friskis-card, I think.
We're on!

And just to give you a little sense of what this successful, brave and enjoyable 100 Days Club is about: A picture from (a part of) my lunch: seaweed. Illustrating at least two of my 15 New Year’s resolutions, to eat seaweed not less than once a week and to eat more Korean food.
The brown one is called Arame, the green has a Chinsese name that could be translated “The future is bright and Spring is here to stay”.
And it is!

Xxx, C