I never would have considered myself a runner.  I have short legs.  I don’t like exercising outside.   I hate running.   Ha, I guess that last one is the kicker!   But, it turns out something you hate can become something you absolutely adore!

I started running with my Aunt.  A few years ago she started running, then added triathlons to her repertoire.  When she was in LA visiting, she really wanted to run a 5k, so I joined her.  My goals were to 1) finish the race, and 2) don’t die.  As long as I was standing when I crossed the finish line, I would chalk it up as a win!  But something kind of odd happened.  I liked it.  A lot.

So, that 5K was a bit of a gateway drug.  I started running more, adding it to my daily workouts, but only a few miles at a time.  I never planned on running more than the 3.1.  And then, I decided to run a 10K.  Because, well, I needed more of a challenge.  I needed the structure that a training program gives to my regular workouts.   I used the Bridge to 10K app for the iPhone, and it couldn’t be easier.  It beeps when you run, beeps when you walk… running intervals that get longer and longer over the six week period.

So, on Saturday morning, bright & early, my husband drove me to Long Beach and I finished my first 10K!   yaaah!  It was fabulous.  I felt good, I even had fun!  (what!?)  I turned the final corner, saw the finish line in sight, and I sprinted for it.  My body straightened up, my arms pumping so quickly in front of me, my legs seeming to run independently of my body.  I may have accidentally gotten a teeny bit too close to one of the other runners… but what’s a little shoulder check among friends?  And I crossed the finish line at 1:03:54.  My goal was 1:10.

So, when we get back from Italy, I start half marathon training.  What’s another 6.9 miles!?

Basil really doesn’t like water.  Lakes, rivers, hoses, puddles.  He’s just not that into it.  But, being a California puppy and all, I thought he should at least experience the ocean.  At least just once!  So we headed down to Rosies’ Dog Beach in Long Beach.  And it.was.awesome.  Have you been here!?  It’s the only official off leash dog beach in LA.

I think he liked the water, but hated the swimming… his legs are just too tiny :-)  Mostly he loved chasing the other dogs and rolling in the sand.  Then he slept for two days. I love that pup.

Summers are my busy season, so I tend to spend from May to November completely focused on work.  Lots of shooting and even more time spent in front of my computer.  But I adddore summer.  I love sitting in the backyard and listening to the birds with a cup of coffee.  I like driving down the freeway with the top down and the music blaring.  I have visions of Chris, Basil & I going to the beach with a picnic and blanket.   While I stare at my screen, I day dream about the sun on my face.

So, this summer, I will actually do all of those things.  From Memorial Day through Labor Day I will breathe in as much summer as I can.  All of the things that are quintessentially summer!

(photo from our Traveling Heart Society Summer 2011 trip)

Revel in Summer 2012

1. Host a dinner party in the backyard.

2. Make a complete dinner from foods I grew.

3. Eat a picnic on the beach.

4. Take Basil to the dog beach.

5. Take a lovely vacation.

6. Go to a baseball game.

7. Rent sea kayaks (OK, I hate kayaks.  But my husband loves them and I promised we could do this for him!)

8. Run a 10K race.

9. Take a cooking class.

10. Host an outdoor movie night & project it onto the garage.

His sad eyes make me so happy.