And I don’t just mean the running – although that’s winding up too.

Life.  It’s getting hectic again.

This past weekend, a work-related conference happened just blocks from my office, so I was able to attend and enjoy all of the activities surrounding that.  I learned a lot, and got to drink beers and sing karaoke with some of my favorite people in the web design world.

We spent a lazy weekend relaxing, for the most part.  I got to run a nice 5 miles with a Boston friend in town for the conference.  He’d been running during his stay, but 5 was pushing it in the heat.  Poor Northerners don’t know how to handle 84 degrees at 6:30 am.  Either do we.

Either way, I was happy to get at least 5 in this weekend.

Sunday, we headed out to the Tradewinds resort on St. Pete Beach for their Rays watch party.  They set up a huge LCD TV on the beach, and the Rays send out their fan ambassadors to give out prizes, make commentary, and run the shindig.

It was hot.  Way too hot for us all to sit in the sun for 3+ hours with our kids. The pool nearest the game viewing is “adults only,” so to cool down we had to walk across the resort to dip in the oily, murky kid-friendly pool.  Needless  to say, we spent very little time watching the game and a lot of time watching Piper play in the pool.

This week, we have Piper’s first dance recital on Friday night.  So, until then, every single night, we have a rehearsal.  She’s three, for crying out loud. She’s not going to remember every move and most of the girls in her lineup are probably going to freak out when they get on the at big stage.

Four consecutive nights of rehearsal leading up to the recital seems excessive, and we’re already getting cranky with the feathery getup – even though she looks so stinkin’ cute with blush and her hair pulled up in her bun!

On the bright side, my husband’s summer vacation started this week so I’ve been coming home to a ridiculously clean house – which is my heaven. He really works hard to make my summers awesome – while he’s home and I’m working.  Gotta love that.

I was also able to run with him this week in the mornings – and that makes runs fly by.  I’m gonna love marathon training with him all summer.

And speaking of marathon training, we officially start on July 2nd.  Our first long run on that weekend is 8; we’re planning 7 this weekend so I know we’ll be ready! I’m both nervous and excited.  Trying to cautiously build up mileage without stressing out my body or my mind. Trying to find my Zen as I dive into the all-consuming training that I know is just around the bend.

I’m ready.