down time

I've mainly let go of my disappointing marathon race, trying to focus on the most valuable take-away: I am in fact capable of getting through that sort of mileage without injury problems rearing up. Right now though, I'm enjoying a break. While I feel restless without workouts, I'm intimidated enough by my upcoming training goals to realize I should take advantage of planned laziness.

In place of long runs, I've had free energy to get ready for the holidays.  I'm pretty accustomed to having to be a miser at Christmas, but this year it feels like a willing choice to scale back because we want to.   But if there's one thing I've learned over the years: the frugal and handmade spirit of Christmas giving is infinitely more work than the plunk-down-your-credit-card spirit.  So much more work.

I started by making our annual countdown calendar full of daily activities (actually ready to start on the first, for once):

No easy days with trinkets or candy means this will probably wear me out, but yesterday's "make a hat for the cat" was clearly a big hit:

We got a homely, budget-friendly tree and I love it:

We actually went to a fundraiser for an environmental charity where, in exchange for a small donation, they "let" folks hike into a wilderness area to clear these invasive red cedars and make way for native trees. It was a ton of fun for the kids and what the tree lacks in symmetry it makes up with good family memories.

And yes, it's decked out with four whole ornaments. This is not because we're cheap so much as because I'm an over-controlling minimalist and this is the first year I've relented to hanging up mismatched clutter charm.  After the kids each got an ornament last year from their now-deceased Grandma, I broke down and let them start the tradition of adding one ornament per year.   It'll be full of nostalgia before we know it.

The gifts have been ordered, received, and stashed away.  "Santa's" not off the hook yet though because "he" still has to sew a whole custom wardrobe for that American Girl doll "he's" bringing because, while "he" relented to the sweet wish for a doll that looks just like a sweet girl, "he" still holds the opinion that AG stuff is tacky, too commercial, and senselessly overpriced.

That Santa and his opinions – so fussy.

And I already have my gifts of course: all the big stuff I needed for IMLOU – race registration,  hotel, pool membership, upgraded winter running gear, Polar RCX5 watch (OK, I might not have needed that one, but it makes a world of difference to be able to dart out the door and run a certain distance/pace without first mapping a route and memorizing mile markers).  Just in time for Christmas, I'm ready to start putting those treats to use by easing back into regular training over my last days of just doing what seems appealing (so far, that has meant drink wine and do a lot of stretching). It snowed a little today, which suddenly makes me eager to get out in the mess for run #2 since the marathon:

Oh, and I should probably tackle the laundry pile now while I have a chance to get ahead, right?