Life Is Good

I have mixed feeling about how January and February have gone. On one hand I have wasted no time in getting right into things, and I've already checked off some of the things on my new goal list. However the training part, you know the workouts to get ready to do the activities I actually love to do, is feeling really forced. I would say I'm doing a good job at working through the "I don't want to today" and "I'll workout tomorrow" feelings and end up working out like I am supposed to but I'm not excited about it and I'm not seeing the results I'd like to see.

The bootcamp classes at Talache are going pretty good. Though I did have a small outburst after doing plank after plank after plank variation one night. I want to be stronger and able to do everything right NOW! Not some time in the future. The slow progress is reeeeeally frustrating. 

And the bike trainer is only just barely an acceptable back up to actually riding on the road. I mean it does what it's supposed to do, and I usually put on a video of someone bike touring across the country, which I love, but it's so boring being stationary.

That being said, the activities are what it's all about!

In January, my sister in law and her boyfriend were visiting, so we took the kids and rented cross country skis, boots and poles from REI and set off for Mt Spokane. 

I was the only one who had been cross country skiing before. And I can't say I was an exceptional teacher. For no particularly good reason we chose an "easy" trail, but not the one suggested for beginners. It was a hill right off the bat and we were kinda a mess. Let's just say there was LOTS of falling involved. But it was still a great time and we gave it a solid effort.

 Katie even insisted we go up again the next day just the two of us. So after convincing my sore muscles it was a good idea, we decided to play hookie and do exactly that. It was great!  We improved so much!  We didn't fall and made it much further than we had the day before. 

Then in the beginning of February I had an opportunity to volunteer with REI for the Souper Bowl Snowshoe and Cross Country Ski fundraiser event for the Women and Children's Free Restaurant and Community Kitchen. It was super fun and gave me the chance to try out snowshoeing for the first time. I was so pumped and happy to be there. And my co-workers are pretty rad so I really love the chances to spend time with them. It was even lightly snowing the whole time which was really beautiful. 

The last week or so there has been a heat wave of sorts and I've been eager to venture out for some hiking and biking. We made a trip out to Riverside State Park which was great as usual. 

It feels like it's been forever since the I last visited this special place.

And yes! I have been taking my ENO hammock along for some of my more recent outings.  It sets up so easy and has become my new favorite thing! I've used it in my yard, at the park, and out hiking, it's been really versatile. 

This weekend I took a ride on a section of the Centennial Trail that I hadn't been on before. I had read that it was pretty hilly and challenging. I can now confirm that is not an understatement. It was exactly that. My legs were DYING and it felt so good! I will be back to ride the rest of the way to the end in 9 mile this summer.

While I was out I found this guy! Another sign, literally, that I'm right were I need to be. :)

AND! Omg and and and!!! Today I'm leaving on a girls trip with some of the REI ladies! EEEEEEEK!! We are heading to Glacier for some skiing, snowshoeing, day drinking and dance "mix tapes"! I'm SOOOO stoked I can hardly stand it! What can I say? Life is good!

P.S.- 1 million thank you's to my husband for rearranging his schedule and covering for me so I can go on this trip. You are the best! I love and appreciate you so much!