Digging deep

I have something upsetting to tell you: Running isn't a real workout. And neither is BODYPUMP ... or cycling ... or CrossFit ... or swimming.

Oh, no. Those are not workouts. Those are recreation.

Want a real workout? I have one for you but be warned. It involves a four-letter word.

Dirt. And lots of it.

After months of being frustrated with the state of our yard and my garden, I woke up bright and early to take care of it. OK, I woke up bright and early to take care of Miles but I was at the door of Do It Best when it opened at 7:30.

I spent $25 to rent a tiller for four hours. And in that four hours, I doubled the size of my garden (the new side is on the right) and cleared out the jungle along the back fence.

The area behind the screened in porch was taken care of, too, as was the remainders of the foundation job done before we moved in.

 Our compost corner

I spent hours tilling, raking, bagging and sweating in the vain effort of having a respectable yard. When I was finished, every square centimeter of clothing was soaked and I couldn't muster the energy to help Mark lift the tiller into the car to return it to Do It Best.

Want an ego check? Well, I had one when we had to call my father in law to help lift it. My 60-year-old father-in-law whose only exercise is a couple rounds of golf a week had to help me, who is training to teach BODYPUMP and can do pushups on her toes.

I'm a little curious to see if I'll be sore and just how badly. I have a feeling that a lot of it's going to be in the core and shoulders but only a night's sleep will tell.

Hood winked

Workout: 2.7-mile “run” (walked <.25 mile)

I didn’t even want to count how many days had passed since I last run. While my days have been filled with walks and stairs and all around movin’ around, I was anxious to put an end to my runless streak.

I leashed up Denali, put on the Garmin and headed out to explore the neighborhood. I have run a bit in the area both in training for and during the Fort-4-Fitness half-marathon but this morning was a whole different experience. I felt like I was finding my legs, so to say. I had no idea how long a route would be, where the crosswalks were at and how friendly the neighbors would be.

As it turns out, the route ended up being a bit short, the crosswalks were manageable and the neighborhood dogs were LOUD. But it twas a run and any run is good. Denali got out some much needed energy, I sidestepped the dead squirrel before he could see it and I got to see some pretty houses. I also got a good idea of where I should run, with the ability to adjust the distance of the route, until I’m able to go 4+ post-baby and head to the nearby park (1.5 miles away) and catch the Greenway.

***

Home update

“It’s hard work screwing everything in this house.”

In two days, I installed one towel bar, five curtain rods and seven sets of blinds! The kicker? I did all of it with a manual screwdriver. While I did have access to a cordless screwdriver and used the drill bit to make pilot holes, the Phillips bit was a pain in the rear and it was much easier to manually turn the screw.

Talk about some upper body work! After “finishing up” yesterday (I still have two sets of blinds to go), I could literally feel the pain in my right arm muscles and shoulder.

It’s all worth it as the house (despite the mess) is starting to come together.