Of Mice and Marathons

Learned that a hot water heater has a "vacation" setting as the hot water was out last night. The previous owners were in Brazil the entire sale and I get the feeling they have been out of the house for some time. I knew it was likely a small fix as I turned on the dishwasher and Megan had taken a shower. Lots to learn, but it's quite fun (and really low stress actually). 

Picked up my bike from the shop. They were busy, which was good. I told them to take care of other customers as I was flexible and could wait. 

Programmed the Nest thermostat and Comcast had come earlier as we were unable to get the internet going. Managed to get those devices talking.

PM: 3.9-mile walk w/ Megan. HR 78.

We walked around the subdivision a bit and then tested some different areas to cross the road as the beginning of the trail is not well placed for traffic and visibility.

I messed with the thermostat toward the end of our walk to test the app. Digital technology is freaky but I can see how this particular instance might be useful. 

Lunch/PM: 7.1 miles, averaged 13:01. HR 134.

First run from the house. Ran on the Polly Ann trail, portions of which I have ridden and a few walks with Megan. It was a strangely anxious day. I was worried about a course reduction and losing another class at another insitution that starts in a week. It would be a new course and new prep, so I was panicking. Turns out they had lower than expected enrollment and it wasn't that much money (Oakland pays 2.5 times more per class) and I could probably get a part time job and make the same amount. I was both bummed and relieved. I felt a good deal better after I had an answer either way. I just need to plan accordingly. It also means my summer is 3-4 days longer than it might have been :-)

I went to the hardware store to try to get a mortise lock to replace the one on the pation door. Much harder to install than I thought. There is some sort of internal sleeve in the door that slid down and it is making it impossible to leverage back in. I gave it a solid try. I imagine whatever I pay a locksmith or other contractor will be worth the frustration I went through. Just trying to do some of the small things when I can.

Lunch: 4.3 miles, averaged 12:47. HR 130.

Felt better today. Looked for turtles. Spotted one. There are tons of small lakes and swampy wetlands along the trail. The first dirt road is just over a mile from our place and intersects with the trail (it eventually goes to a divided highway, but picks back up again I think).

We had an optional workshop that I attended. Went to the Home Depot for a few things after that.

PM: 3.5-mile walk w/ Megan. HR 80. 

Weather today was like fall but in a good way. It's been in the 50s at night, so we have been enjoying the open windows and the sounds of the fountain in the small pond at the subdivision playground. We met some of our neighbors. I finally figured out that my car being in the driveway has alerted people to the fact that the previous owners never came back from Brazil. Nice people.

Had a good day. Still a bit of unpacking to do, but thankfully the house is almost 2.5 times larger than our apartment so there is plenty of room to move around and two bedrooms have almost nothing in them yet.

Lunch: 4.5 miles, averaged 12:55. HR 132. 

Did the Polly Ann Trail to start and then down Greenshield Road. Great, smooth, shaded dirt road with minimal traffic.

PM: 3.5-mile walk w/ Megan. HR 98? 

HR seemed quite high, but I wasn't wearing my chest strap and in my experience optical monitors are inconsistent. 

Off. 

Lunch: 4.5 miles, averaged 13:22. HR 150.

HR extremely elevated. Drank 3 liters of Pedialyte. 

PM: 4.2-mile walk w/ Megan. HR 92.

I installed the TV mount with minimal frustration and swearing :-)

Lunch: 4.5 miles, averaged 13:27. HR 130.

Turned off my HR screen and just ran by feel, which I generally do anyway but it's too much feedback at this point. Just kept time and distance and allowed for manual mile splits, which help me to keep a rhythm (don't really care about pace currently). I tried to guess my averaged HR for the run at 138. Pleased it was much lower. Quite dehydrated yesterday I think as this was the same route and pace and warmer weather. 

PM: 3.5-mile walk/jog w/ Megan. HR 93.

Megan did great and I was very happy she still wanted to go out. It's easy to skip exercise, and especially easy to do so when you are 6+ months pregnant. We had a good day. Feeling extremely fortunate and trying to focus on all our blessings.

Yesterday I figured out that we start a week later than I thought we did, so I have some more time to get settled in and get the house in order (it's already very livable and comfortable).