Workout
it’s 4:45 on a weekend morning and I’m awake and alert. No amount of wishing and willing is allowing me to go back to sleep. Not because I had something responsible to get up for like working out or actually working, but because it’s the first night in a week that I’ve slept for more than 2 hours straight thanks to a sick kiddo. {He wasn’t sick that long, but nights take forever to get back since he hates them in the first place.} I could decide to do something productive with the extra time but I’d rather sit here with my mug of steaming hot coffee and a few minutes to myself before the chaos of the day starts.
Plus I’m waitlisted for an early morning barre class and I need to be available to constantly hit refresh on my phone to see if I made it in. Yes, for the record, I’m obsessed. I never thought I’d say that about something like Pure Barre but I did a free two week trial back in the fall and quickly became addicted. A single class costs more than my monthly gym membership {which in all fairness is ridiculously cheap}, but I begged politely asked for classes for Christmas and was lucky enough to receive some. I’m not sure what draws me in more: the fact that it’s an awesome workout {once you know what you’re doing} or that the kiddo will now actually go to the daycare that partnered up with them. It took awhile, but now he loves it, which is way more than I can say about the gym and our two and a half year ongoing battle with that. The idea that he’ll go and be happy and I can actually workout somewhat consistently is almost worth the pricetag.
Getting back into a regular workout routine has been refreshing in about a thousand ways, but especially because I’ve started wearing a fitness tracker {Garmin’s vivofit from a Fitfluential campaign} and it tells me all the time how lazy I’m being. Barre classes don’t exactly add a lot of steps but it makes me feel better.
Anyways. We move out of our house in two weeks. TWO weeks. I’m mostly sad {nostalgic-ly, not upset-sad…mostly}, but it’s harder to actually feel sad because umm two weeks to pack up everything we own and have accumulated over the past six years and the addition of an extra human being and all his stuff. And the husband will be out of town for most of it. My house went from being as clean as it’s ever been in the history of ever to a complete disaster zone. It’s slightly unavoidable since I’m being a bit ridiculous in making sure the boxes are being packed in some semblance of an order since they’ll be in storage and it could be awhile before we see them again. Eventually I’ll cave in and start throwing kitchen equipment in with office supplies and baby socks, but until then, I have half-packed boxes and piles everywhere.
Aaaand of course I spoke a bit too soon, as the little one has decided he wants to start his day with me too. Still beats his record for the week by a long shot.
Race
Packing for an event that lasts 24 hours provides the opportunity to forget a lot of things.
Packing for a bike ride that lasts 24 hours results in a very odd assortment of those things.
Tomorrow begins my 24 hour bike riding event, aptly named 24 Hours of Booty. It’s a fundraiser to raise money for the fight against cancer. [Is “fundraiser to raise money” an oxymoron?]
‘24 hours’ is kind of misleading- I’ll be volunteering at packet pickup for 5 hours today, volunteering to help with set-up tomorrow from 8-12, then the ride is from 1pm to 1pm…aka 33 hours of my life will be about 24 Hours of Booty between now & Sunday.
Since I’ll be otherwise occupied, I started packing this morning. It’s the oddest collection of things I’ve ever packed for any athletic event- ever, ever.
Bike Ride Packing List
Let’s see…there’s:
– A tent (in case by any chance I get to sleep)
– Multiple changes of clothes (sweating in 90 degrees for 24 hours? Gross.)
– Deodorant (see above)
– Water bottle, Camel Bak (gotta hydrate!)
– Bike lock (I doubt I need this—who wants to steal my bike? It’s the other people that should watch over their fancy schmancy bikes when I’m around ;))
– Tape (In hopes I can hold my crummy knee together long enough to ride)
– The Stick (because it’s the best thing since sliced bread foam rolling)
– Ice pack (noticing an injury theme yet?)
– Band aids
– Sunglasses
– Bike shoes
– Bike gloves
– Spare tubes
– Brush-ups (which I just happened to have in my suitcase- awesome)
– Headlight/tail light (so crazy 2am drivers can see me)
– Watch (so I can count down the hours? Maybe I should leave that at home….)
– Sweaty bands x2 (my absolute new favorite headband…see below)
So I’m pretty much obsessed with headbands. My head of hair gives new meaning to the word “fly aways”, and I can’t stand having hair in my face- especially when running.
I literally always travel with an assortment of options:
I’ve tried Bondi Bands (which I like for winter but not summer), Under Armour elastics, Lululemon (which I like for daily wear but not sports), and now Sweaty Bands.
Lisa from Sweaty Bands sent me 2 to try out. I think she might secretly know me because I’m in love with the patterns she picked for me- the pink flowered one & the polka dot one, both above. Some of you saw the flowered one at HLS & asked about it!
They have both thick and thin bands, and they both have a velvety underside that keeps the band in place but doesn’t tug at your hair. I’ve pulled them on & off over & over and they’ve yet to stretch out. I’ve been wearing the thin one to workout in (& hide a bad hair day), & the thick one is perfect for biking. (My helmet hair isn’t quite as bad when I have it on;)).
So hopefully having them this weekend will help me stay looking at least a little bit fresh & not like a disaster….ha.
I’ve also got a couple snacks packed, but luckily we get 3 meals (& midnight pizza!) while we’re there (& it looks like they have veggie options!) so we won’t starve- phew!
Have you ever done a 24 hour (or longer) event? Do you have any words of wisdom for me?! What am I forgetting?!!!
Travel
Checked baggage fees are ridiculous. The flight cost enough without adding on for every bag you bring. Even when I’m lucky enough to score a flight with no fees (woohoo Southwest!) I often carry on all my luggage anyways- I get out of the airport without waiting at baggage claim, and I never have to worry about a lost bag.
I am a notoriously light packer. I have no qualms about wearing the same thing over and over again, or improvising when I forget something.
However, I don’t always pack light- but I do pack smart.
Tips for Packing
Plan. Take a minute to think about everything you’ll need on your trip. This seems obvious, but it’s a crucial step. Going to a cocktail party? Need to wear long pants on a tour? Will you be working out on your trip?
Set it all out. Don’t put it straight into your suitcase. Set everything out on a bed or the floor so you can get a visual of everything you’ve chosen.
Organize. Group things together in a way that makes sense to you. Some people like to do “outfits”. I like to do it by type: workout clothes in one pile, pants in another, tops, etc. This prevents you from searching through your suitcase like a crazy person when you try to find something.
Pack in smaller bags/containers. Put smaller items in smaller bags so they’re easier to find. For example, put socks & underwear in a little laundry bag, jewelry in a bag in your toiletries, recharging cords in plastic baggies, etc.
Make it small. The most crucial step in fitting everything into a carry on size bag. You have several options; do what works best for your suitcase/bag shape: roll your clothes, fold into small squares, etc. If you’re really cramped for space try this tip: put your clothes in plastic ziploc bags, then squish all the air out. (Like a space-saver bag- this especially helps keep you organized once you get to your destination.)
Pack in layers. Now it’s time to load your suitcase. Put the clothes you need later in the trip in first. Leave what you’ll need first when you arrive for last so it’s easy to get to. For me, that’s usually my PJs. 🙂 Put all your clothes in, then start putting in bulkier items like toiletries, shoes, etc.
Using these strategies I can cram an awfully lot in a little space. I have enough for 4 days of outfits day & night, plus workout clothes, and a few extras. Plus 3 pairs of shoes, toiletries, multiple electronics, and even have room for random physical therapy stuff. (What, you don’t travel with a PT kit?)
If you’re bringing two carry on bags, pack one so you can put it in overhead storage, and the other so you can keep it with you. (Usually a purse, laptop bag, briefcase, etc.)
Carry on essentials:
– Sweater or cover up. Planes are notoriously freezing cold. (I have a sweater and yoga pants packed in my bag since I’m prone to freezing.)
– Reading material. Enjoy your down time. Relax. Read. If you insist, do some work. No time like the present!
– Headphones. Either for your MP3 player, or to watch an in-flight movie or tv- then you don’t have to pay for crappy airline headphones.
– Inflatable pillow/eye cover. Probably not needed for a short flight or one in the middle of the day, but if it’s long or at night, a pillow can help you sneak in a little shuteye before a whirlwind trip.
– Snacks. Did you know a lot of airlines don’t even handout peanuts or pretzels anymore? Be prepared. Bring snacks from home or grab a bite at the airport while you’re waiting.
– Cash, ID, flight info, directions, etc. Be prepared- the more organized you are, the less stress you’ll have. Then you’ll be able to handle any travel snafu that lands your way.
Anything else to add?
What’s your worst travel story? I’ve almost missed connecting flights, sat on the runway in a broken plane for 4 hours, and free fell while flying over a hurricane. Been there, done that. 😉
