I had forgotten what it felt
like to be exhausted by a day or a weekend being outside in the fresh
air and the sunshine. I guess a few nights of not great sleep added to
the exhaustion, but there really is a difference in a "I didn't sleep
well" tired and a "being outside just sucked my energy out of me"
tired. Sure, they both probably make me cranky and not super fun to be
around (I'm like a five year old sometimes). But the latter is a much
more happy, peaceful exhaustion. It's falling asleep for an afternoon
nap and waking up a little while later recharged. The former is waking
up from a nap crankier and more tired than before you fell asleep.
(Although apparently either nap might not be good for me. Not cool, science!)
This
weekend brought a lot of outdoor activity (and sunscreen, of course!).
It wasn't the warmest or the most perfect spring weekend - Saturday
started drizzly and ended with thunder, lightening, and hail, but was
perfect from about 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday was partly cloudy and a
bit chilly, but bright and warm when the sun was out. But it's not
about getting the perfect day - it's about taking the time in the day
that is perfect and getting out there.
Saturday
started off with a walk for the dog, then an aerial yoga class. During
the hour plus class, the weather went from icky and drizzly to sunny
and fairly warm. So after yoga, my sister and I headed for a four mile
run near the beach (although not on the boardwalk - there was a half
marathon taking place and we didn't want to be in the way). We ran
through a few cute little towns, picking out the houses that we liked
along the way. After our run, we stopped in a quaint, Stars
Hollow-esque downtown area, where we bought a scone and coffee cake and
sat outside to eat them. Which totally negated our run and then some,
but were oh so yummy! We also bought hyacinths to plant in my dad's
yard. After a quick stop home to shower and change, we headed to
another little town near us to run a few errands and walk around a bit.
Late in the afternoon, I went to get a facial, and had the convertible
top down on my way there.
We all ended up going to be by 10 p.m. We really know how to party a Saturday night away!
Sunday we were up bright and
early again. First, a 6 a.m. wake up call from the dog, who insisted on
a half mile walk up the block. This is after he woke up wanting water
at both 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. (because he stole his bag of food off of the
kitchen counter while we were out for dinner on Saturday and ate his two
cups of food for Sunday). Then, we headed down the shore again for the
annual MS Walk. Between hanging around waiting for the event to start,
walking the 6 mile route, and eating free burgers and hot dogs after, we
were outside for a good four plus hours. By the time we made it back to
my dad's house, I was utterly exhausted. I took a quick shower and
then planned on closing my eyes for about 20 minutes, just so that I'd
be refreshed enough to drive back home.
I
guess I forgot to set an alarm, because when I woke up it was about an
hour later. I can thank my sister and her salad shooter for not letting
me sleep any longer! I honestly felt really refreshed after my nap.
Don't get me wrong - I was still tired. An hour of sleep isn't going to
make up for a sleepless night and four hours on my feet. But it was
invigorating - like taking a cold shower, but much warmer and more
cuddly.
All
the fresh air and sunshine this weekend felt great, but it feels kind
of like starting to run again after you haven't for a while - you know
that it's good for you and it really does make you feel good, but even
the littlest bit takes a lot out of you when you first start back up.
You need to ease yourself in. I'm looking forward to the weather
getting more and more spring-like (I'll ignore the fact that it's
supposed to rain most of the week) and building up my outdoor endurance
more. I'm going to need it for all of the new (and long-forgotten)
activities I'm planning on trying out this summer. I'm looking at you,
gardening, trail maintenance, and horseback riding!
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