In The Gray

Over the years, I have developed a strong affinity for my HR monitor.  I don't train with it 100% of the time, but when I am serious about developing different pieces of my fitness, especially aerobic, I strap that thing on.  By using the HR monitor, I have avoided a lot of miles in the "gray zone."  Actually, I do anything and everything to avoid the gray zone.  I want purpose to my training and miles with excellent recovery and consistency!  I actually take this part of my training pretty seriously and have seen some awesome benefits to it. 

But, I discovered one time where the running purposeless in the gray zone just might be okay.  GIRL FRIEND TIME!  I constantly find myself running in the proverbial gray zone whenever I run with Gina.  This is mainly because she could care less about HR, and she just simply runs faster than I do in training.  After our last run, where I just hovered in the gray zone for half of the miles, I wondered if those miles were wasted?  It was then that I realized that the mental benefits of running, laughing, and talking with a friend far outweighed the aerobic benefit I would have gotten had I slowed down a few seconds per mile and let my HR fall just slightly.

So, my new rule:  gray zone is okay if the purpose is friend time.  :)
  
And speaking of girl friend time, am I lucky or what to have some amazing women that I consider good friends? 

 Isla totally approves of Joy, especially when there is a muffin involved.  :) 

 Hunter taught Isla to color with markers, and Isla colored herself as much as she colored the box. 

 How about this little amazing woman?  She decided to put on a show for everyone on stage at the Children's Museum.  Maybe there is some performing in her future?

Or farming....  if not performing, then farming.