I'm back! Did you all miss me? Probably not, but can I just say, I missed me. After a week of gorgeous sun, I feel like I've finally returned, not merely to the world of blogging, but to life in general. Those long winter months were hard on me--any personal drive and motivation was swallowed up by a desire to retreat into my own personal hibernation as soon as the kids were in bed. With the days getting warmer and trees beginning to bud, I can cheerily announce on this Sabbath morning that there is once again sunshine in my soul.
Speaking of Sunday, church starts at nine, Jason is off at meetings already, and I'm the only one dressed. Definitely the wrong time to blog! Even so, I wanted to announce the commencement of Run Swim Bike Cook 2015, should any one care to join me.
RSBC usually happens in February, but this year Christy was extremely busy finishing her dissertation (congratulations!), not to mention recovering from knee surgery. In the past, I've felt slightly guilty by focusing so much on fitness in February, wondering if I my participation was misdirecting focus from the family. Now that I've gone a year without, I've gained a whole new perspective. Little did I know how much I need this fitness focus to fight the February doldrums. Let's just say that my family is much better off with an emotionally-stable, productive Mama who spends an hour or two at the gym than with her moping counterpart.
Okay, enough babbling. Here are the parameters, same as in years past:
Challenge 1: Run 26.2 miles (half-ers: 13.1 miles)
Challenge 2: Swim 2.4 miles (1.2 miles)
Challenge 3: Bike 112 miles (56 miles)
Challenge 4: "Cook" will be a bit different since we don't have Christy's awesome superfood suggestions. Instead, I'm gathering my inspiration from a children's book, "Eating the Alphabet" by Lois Ehlert. The challenge: each week, create a dish using a fruit or vegetable that is relatively new to you. Here are some suggestions, taken from her book.
A: Artichoke, Asparagus
B: Brussels Sprout, Beet
C: Currant
D: Date
E: Endive, Eggplant
F: Fig
G: Gooseberry
H: Huckleberry
I: Indian Corn
J: Jalapeno, Jicama
K: Kumquat, Kohlrabi
L: Leek
M: Melon
N: Nectarine
O: Okra
P: Persimmon, Pomegranate, Parsnip
Q: Quince
R: Rutabaga, Rhubarb, Radicchio
S: Swiss Chard, Star Fruit
T: Turnip
U: Ugli Fruit
V: Vegetable Marrow
W: Watercress
X: Xigua
Y: Yam
Z: Zucchini
Lois Ehlert concludes her book with a quote by Anthelme Brillat-Savarin: Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are.
The time frame? From Pi Day (March 14th) to Tax Day (April 15th). Should you wish, blog about your progress and email me. If anyone participates, I'll put together a weekly recap.
Enjoy! (And now off to church.)
6 comments:
Glad to see you take up the gauntlet!
So far this month, I've knocked out 11 miles running, 73 miles biking, and 3.85 swimming. (My triathlon schedule has me heavily focused on swim/bike, and running later, which is fine by me and my gimpy calf.)
Good for you, Kara. I actually am kind of thinking about doing it. I know I can do the "running" (in the form of a brisk walk), biking, and cooking, but the swimming is the big roadblock! It is amazing what happens to the psyche when winter starts to break! Been there, done that with the "I hate winter!" thing before.
Congratulations on going public with your goal Kara McCall. I'm going to participate in only the "walk / bike" aspect of the challenge. Also, since I've previewed my tax situation, I will likely need to walk 25 miles to blow off steam when I write Uncle Sam yet another check on or about April 15th. However, I am not complaining really ... I'm grateful to have a job, income, and enough integrity to fully pay rather than cheat. Keep Smiling!
Kara, I read about this every year and admire your ambition. I just finished a session of adult swim lessons, so now I enjoy swimming laps much , much more than I used too. You won't see me in any triathalons anytime soon, but having a month for RSBC sounds like a doable challenge. I really need the mental strength that exercise gives and I need to work on eating more fruits and veggies too, so count me in.
Wish I had read this sooner. I'm looking forward to hearing about some very creative foods coming from it! Totally understand the feeling that winter passes in hibernation. Yet, we're awake in spite of it all. Loving the waking up spring brings, however, and good for you in not letting this fun little challenge continue.
I should just go ahead and do RSBC starting Tax day and continue with your theme!
Post a Comment