Fun Runs and Garden

Wyatt and I have our next 5K in 3 weeks from today. I have some mixed thoughts about the 5K coming up. First thought is I would rather it be a 1 mile fun run than 3.10 miles. That’s the biggest thing. It’s not that I can’t walk the whole thing because I have done so in the past. I just don’t want to. The next thing is it is time that Wyatt and I get to spend with each other. I do look forward to the time that we get to spend with each other. 

Over the next 3 weeks I am going to work on getting ready for the 5K. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday I am going to walk outside when the weather is nice. I am also going to do 2-3 days of strength training and 2-3 days of yoga/stretching. I want to get the bulk of the strength training and yoga/stretching done during the week. It’ll mean doing 2 different things some days. The weather over the next 10 days is looking promising. Today’s high is 57 and the rest of the highs are in the 60s and 70s. There’s only 1 day with a chance of rain and it’s on a Thursday. Over the next 3 weeks I may have to put the rowing machine on hold. I did not get on the rowing machine this past week. It was such a struggle to do the 5K on the rowing machine the previous week. I needed the break so I gave myself permission to take a break.

Over the next few weeks I am also going to do my best to lose weight to make it a bit easier to do the 5K. I am going to get some meat out to meal prep with and focus on getting a high amount of protein in. We have plenty of meat in the deep freezer right now. I did get 4 cans of black beans that I can prep with. Think protein bowls from Taco Bell. I may have to run to Food Lion on Monday to grab some canned veggies. I did get a bag of frozen mixed veggies and a 6 pack of bell peppers that I can chop up and put in the freezer. I have farro, quinoa and barely I can use instead of rice. It’s going to take some careful planning but I can get it done and lose 2 pounds a week.

I am also going to make sleep and collagen peptides a priority. Sleep because it’s essential for life. Your body repairs itself while you sleep. I need to get to sleep before 11pm. I still average 6-7 hours of sleep but I’m still feeling exhausted everyday. Collagen peptides are for my joints. My right knee is still bothering me. I get the unflavored collagen peptides so I can add it to my cup of tea.

It’s about time to start planning my garden for this year. I have been looking into what I can plant in the cooler months and it’s looking like leafy greens are in. I have bought some packs of seeds that I can plan now as well as in the fall. Since seeds are a spring time thing I went ahead and bought 2 packs of each of the leafy greens that I am planning on planting. I have 2 different varieties of lettuce, 2 varieties of spinach and arugula. Yesterday I bought some dirt for the garden beds. I also took out the dead plants. I have plenty of room to plant a bunch of leafy greens in the garden bed. This weekend while it is nice outside I am going to go play in the dirt and use my pitch fork to loosen up the old dirt and mix in the new dirt. I don’t know if I will need more dirt or not. I’ll decide after I loosen and mix everything up this weekend. After showing mom the seeds I have gotten for the spring and fall she said she also wants cabbage to be planted in the fall so we can make our own sauerkraut and asked how much I paid for my garden beds. I had to get my phones. It is actually cheaper right now to buy the 12 foot by 4 foot raised garden beds than it was 2 years ago. The bigger expense is the dirt. She also asked if we had enough space for at least one more. We actually have space to fit one in front of the raised garden beds as well as one behind and I have thought about eventually getting more of the raised garden beds. Mom said to go ahead and order one more raised garden bed and I am happy to say we are expanding! The new garden bed is going to be here on Thursday and I’ll be assembling on Friday and we will hopefully be filling it up next weekend. I am excited about having a third raised garden bed and having more space to plant. Next month when I get my food stamps I will also be picking up some more seeds for summer planting. Next time I go to Walmart I will get some cabbage seeds. Mom asked her sister what cabbage my pap got. I guess I will be waiting to plant the leafy greens for at least another week until we get the garden bed set up and more dirt. You can buy seeds and plants for the garden on EBT. I actually just cancelled the order for the raised garden bed and ordered a 2 pack of the same size. It’s originally $119.99 on sale for $99.99 with a coupon for $10 off. The price after taxes comes to $97 and some change. It’ll also be here on Wednesday instead of Thursday. I am so excited to be able to have more gardening space and to be able to grow even more this year. I do plan on going back to Walmart and getting seeds and a starter kit. Like my mind is blown on how much I am going to be able to grow and the possibilities. I am a bit overwhelmed as well. I may need a longer hose to reach the 4th garden bed or to put the hoses in the backyard instead of the front. I am going to be able to put the herbs in the raised garden beds and use the pots for flowers to attract the pollinators. I am excited, anxious and nervous and definitely overthinking things. Here’s to more herbs and veggies this year and the chance to can, freeze and dry more food. I am excited about spending less at the grocery store and eating a little more organically. I am super grateful for the opportunity to be able to expand. 

I have signed Wyatt up for the kids fun run at the stables in April. I also signed us up for the 1 mile and 3K fun runs in August and September at the army fort we went to last year. The one in August is a color run and the one in September is a Tutus for Cancer run. Wyatt and I are also doing a 1 mile fun run Turkey Trot in November on Thanksgiving. My goal is to be able to jog all 3 of the runs. I would like to find a 1 mile fun run in October and December for Wyatt and I to do. I don’t want to do another 5K until I lose weight. I don’t want to have to walk the whole thing. Same for the 1 mile fun runs and the 3K fun runs. I am grateful to be able to do it but I want to get quicker and keep up with Wyatt. At least it gives me a goal to work on this year.