Busy as a bee

It seems that when life gets busy, running/exercise is the first thing that is dropped or pulled back on.  Life lately definitely counts as busy.

At the moment, I continue to spend my weekends in Binghamton NY, and my weeks staying at the Best Western Capital Beltway in Lanham Maryland. (I recommend this hotel if you are looking for a place to stay to visit DC.  The staff is professional, the place is kept clean and tidy and it is far less expensive than staying in Virginia/DC. Plus it has a killer breakfast included in the price.)  Its hard, as I miss my family - but long term it is fantastic.

On August 8th, my son turned 10.  That was a VERY rough week to drive away from home.  The week before I had been in Maryland, and wished my father a happy birthday over the phone.  I have been at his house sharing is very excellent German Chocolate Cake for the last several years. (I do have to admit however, he saved me a piece and gave it to me when I was back on the weekend.  My mother makes the BEST German Chocolate Cakes!)  The idea of missing my son's birthday several days later?  It was ripping me apart.

Things have a way of working out however.  I was visiting one of our sites in Baltimore, and she suggested that I email the CEO asking to leave early, and head up.  Unsurprisingly - he gave his consent, and I headed back to NY.  I got to pick my son up from the Boys and Girls Club, and spend his birthday evening with him.  This was a HUGE surprise for him, as he thought we were just going to do his birthday via Skype!  I then got up at 2:30 AM, and drove back to work.  

You can see how I happily gave up my workouts for a couple of days, so that I could spend my son's birthday with him!

Weekends are spent packing/cleaning/family time - so my running goes to nothing then as well.  I am maintaining running tues-thursday, but the complete lack for four days of every week is definitely hurting my stamina-building.   But now the good news.

We have put a deposit down on a town home in Crofton Maryland!  The town seems marvelous, and the number of runners is insane!   It is a good thing that I run with my phone - as I have no doubt I am going to get lost as I learn the area.. I see lots of "5 mile runs" turning into far longer... And possible calls to come get picked up!  We are moving on the 15th of September (So if any of my dear readers have made it this far in the non-running post, AND live near by - feel free to send me an email if you would like to help us un-pack!)

I had signed up for the Marine Corps Marathon this year.  And while I am not ruling it out, HOW I will run it has drastically changed.  I am thinking a nice run/walk combo - with a goal of 12 minute miles.

Yup, you read that right.

Its an interesting time to be me.. And I wouldn't have it any other way!

Fitness while traveling

[caption id="attachment_1633" align="alignleft" width="323"] My friend at the Best Western Capital region![/caption]

It's funny to me, that you often read about people who stop their work outs while traveling.  Now this DOES make sense to me if you are staying at cousin Vinny's house.  I'm willing to bet some pretty good money that Vinny doesn't have a small gym set up for anytime he has visitors.

One of the nice things about staying at a hotel - is that most of them DO have some sort of gym and pool.  Now, I admit I have found out here in the Washington D.C. area - that the pool is not the least bit useful to work out in.  There will be no doing laps when busloads of children are in there enjoying their summer vacation!   But this hotel does have a small gym.  For my purposes - it has a treadmill, which is what I need to re-start my running hobby.  I can't say how much I have missed it.  Those miles do seem a lot longer than I remember however... :)

ch ch ch ch changes.....

[caption id="attachment_1623" align="alignright" width="300"] All ready for my first day! Nervous as HECK I might add![/caption]

"Turn and face the change...."

The last month and half have brought a whole lot of changes, some happy, some sad, some both and some that are down right scary.  I am sitting and typing this up from the Best Western Capital Beltway in Lanham, Maryland.  As my mailing address is in a small town called "Binghamton, New York" - it raises a question of why on earth am I five and a half hours from home?