Zak and Ava are heading up to the cottage this weekend to get some things wrapped up for the end of the season. Zak was going to go by himself with his brother and mom, but then we thought Ava would enjoy it. Now that she’s older she’s much easier to take on the 4 hour road trip to up north.

We also thought it might be nice to let each girl have a parent all to themselves for a weekend. So Zak and Ava are off on a little adventure and Maxine and I here to have what I’m sure will be a few little adventures of our own.

I got my run in early knowing I won’t have a chance to run later (because Maxine + jogging stroller = screamfest) or tomorrow morning without Zak home (because running + leaving sleeping child home alone = Child Protective Services). My iPod battery was dead so I had another iPod-less run this morning.

My goal this morning was to just enjoy my run. I wasn’t going to worry about my pace, my distance or my route. I ran to allow my body to get moving and allow my senses to take in every aspect of the peaceful Saturday morning through my neighborhood streets. I wanted to get a half hour in but beyond that there were no rules.

I jogged through town and made my way through the cemetery, down side walks and paths I usually don’t run down because they aren’t part of my usual “route”. Absorbed in my thoughts without my iPod I got to thinking about the fact that race season is over, the half marathon is behind me and I am pleased with how it went. I’m giving myself permission to stop training for the fall and winter. I’m going to run without worrying about getting faster or stronger. My goal for the next few months is to simply run and exercise for physical and mental health.

My run was 34 minutes and when I got back I remembered we were out of bananas. No bananas!? Call the breakfast police!

Instead of a sequel to my cucumber in your pocket post, I snagged a bag so I could put my bananas on my back where they belong. When Zak saw me with my backpack he asked me to pick up some snacks for them for the road too.

I rode my bike the mile to the store and along with bananas I grabbed them some banana chips (made with coconut oil! SCORE!) and trail mix. I picked up some pruney prunes and ground flax for me so I could make it through breakfast before hitting the grocery store this morning as the official start to my Adventures with Maxine.

Before bidding The Man and Thing 1 farewell, I put together some fruit cereal.

Diced banana and diced prunes tossed in ground flax. A small handful of crushed walnuts topped off with unsweetened vanilla hemp milk.

Z&A are on their way – now it’s time for me&M to play!