SCoRe! (Self-Care on the Regular)

Starting our winter off with an ugly sweater 5K. I opted for the Santa sweater over the cow one, because all those bells jingling would have got on my nerves for 3 miles. LOL. The weather wasn't so wintry. The run actually got rather steamy in the sweater. The best part was that I made a new friend. Athena. She's gorgeous and sweet. #SCORE #selfcare (at Shepherd, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6V3duspqokPevuW6242l_RkkMJWQJrSYCu3ns0/?igshid=pjtk98odcihx

Yesterday's hike. So, the snow in my area is mostly melted for now, but I drove 15 miles west and found a winter wonderland. It's a good thing I happened to have my yaktrax in the Subaru. A while back, these nice people (Team RWB Lansing) gave me the idea to consider rucking. When I found a $130+ backpack for $30, I took it as my sign to go for it. It was a great workout and I burned the same calories in half the distance with approximately 25 lbs on my back. And it was gorgeous out. The snow does great things for my soul. This place is really nice for days I don't have time for a road trip. #SCORE #getoutside #bestlife #meetmtp #ruckitup #ruckmylife (at Bundy Hill) https://www.instagram.com/p/B503e0-Fkb-/?igshid=ypchpigpu02t

The key to functioning at your optimal level and managing any health condition – physical, mental, or otherwise – is to manage your stress. While there is no single solution or approach to overall well-being, self-care must be an integral part of your lifestyle.

Morning mindfulness = observing Evander on squirrel patrol. Ironic but legit. Yes, I'm grounded and centered now. Ommmmmmmm! #SCORE #selfcare (at Mount Pleasant, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2Me5RklcBV/?igshid=1p8nohmzlqooo

I can't get over how nice this is! We have fall fever! #SCORE #getoutside #gooutdoors #forestbathing (at Dow/Veits Woods) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2LBb6el-tg/?igshid=1ae9n5ad9v607

During yesterday's forest bath at Bundy's Hill, I had a moment with this beautiful hawk owl. I couldn't believe the owl just sat there in a staredown with me for about 5 minutes. I was the one to leave first. Not the owl (They usually fly away.). The pics don't nearly capture the beauty. In the 2nd pic, you can see Evander's interest in this encounter. #MeetMtP100days #forestbathing #getoutside #SCORE https://www.instagram.com/p/B2FAEQolFju/?igshid=nn3d1ivvzebs

When it's the day before the new semester and you're still working on syllabi. No, you don't grind harder...you take a break, hang out with your colleague with the same issue, and revisit with a fresh mind later. #SCORE #itllgetdone (at Chippewa River (Michigan)) https://www.instagram.com/p/B1mdspZlLOo/?igshid=1tbmu3ldyge4x

On a self-imposed creating and revising retreat...sort of like a writing retreat. I have to get these ideas out of my head and into a consumable program. So I left the country. #SCORE #roadtrip #enhanceddriverlicense #manifest #nocellservice #writersblock (at Bluewater Bridge, Sarnia / Port Huron) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0H7luAFs3a/?igshid=1pga9d4pl8a29

The inflated 5K was a lot of fun, people were great, etc. It's a neat way to get in a workout on a Saturday morning. Naturally, I had to take pics on the course (the parts without the obstacles). #SCORE #selfcare. #insaneinflatable5k (at Uncle John's Cider Mill (Official Page)) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz3ZE6Ole_2/?igshid=divsx593f9b4

Glorious weekend in Mt Pleasant! It included a bike ride on the Pere Marquette Trail, a hike at Bundy's Hill, and floating down the Chippewa River. The best ways to #selfcare! @mtpleasantcvb #ilovemtp #meetmtp #SCORE https://www.instagram.com/p/BzE53N6l_fT/?igshid=1jlwfshfd5is1

Unwinding at the end of the week by enjoying the river. (at Nelson Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/Byt2isHpKpR/?igshid=12muazmzv3v6o

HYDRATION HIGH. I'm super stoked about our new-to-us water dispenser. It's the little things. #hydrate #h2o #SCORE #selfcare #weaintthirstynomore (at Mount Pleasant, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByjhflZFHAZ/?igshid=57sd94mc1n4x

SATISFYING SATURDAY (morning). Girls on the Run 5K. Beautiful route along the Muskegon River. Great job with your girls, Amber! (at Big Rapids, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/BydAlcEFo5O/?igshid=mj6zj0zupzqh

MONDAY RUN DAY! Nice four mile interval run. Mix of off-road and pavement...shades of greens and purples...and I managed to stay upright this time. #SCORE #selfcare #meetmtp #runmtpleasant (at Mount Pleasant, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByQc-7Nlzjt/?igshid=fv11hgvs69z

Kicked off my birthday with a 5K! Here's the before and after. Haha. (at Big Rapids, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxm6s5KF716/?igshid=dlntfq11czgf

NO WIPEOUT WEDNESDAY! Some of you know I have a slight phobia of road bikes. I mean, the tires are so skinny and I am so....not! Plus I've had several accidents that involved quite an intimate experience with the asphalt. At the same time, I want to get back into triathlons and I didn't see myself doing it on a big hefty 29er. Recently, someone local was selling a very nice lightweight Jamis road bike...it was way undersold (to put it mildly), so I took it as my sign to get it. So, today was a nice 19.2 mile ride from home to Shepherd (next town over) and back. I worked through my fears with sand and gravel on a road bike. Next step is to use the special pedals and shoes that attach me to the bike. 😱 This is so nice to have a separate path along the road. #SCoRe #selfcare #getoutside #simplejoy #joyoverfear https://www.instagram.com/p/BxgMy9il7hj/?igshid=l8uzhq5rnbh2

STACK IT SATURDAY. There's a dual benefit of partipating in certain 5k/other events. It motivates me to push my workout the best I can that day. In addition, the proceeds from entry fees go to charity. This is one reason I prefer the lower key lower budget events (including this one with a spray painted start and finish line) over the for profit hyped up themed events that offer you a $2 beer/cider/margarita with your pricey entry fee. Nothing wrong if you do the latter if you have a good time. #SCORE #selfcare #fatgirlrunning (at Clare, Michigan) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxU6uYmDmMP/?igshid=1kshbaxeiki