April 2014 - My Healthy, Happier Life

Just about a year ago, to the date, we shared the big news that we were packing our bags and moving across the pond to embark on a great adventure.

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In order to accommodate both of our careers, we ended up establishing homes in two cities – Geneva and London. Bo pursued his career in finance with his current company while I moved into my new global role with Procter & Gamble.

People often asked us which city felt more like home and we would always answer that we were doing our best to make each feel like home. Even though our London flat came furnished, we spent time stocking a proper kitchen and adding a few prints and pieces of furniture to make it feel more homey. We have made some wonderful friends in London thanks to blogging and have spent many a weekend enjoying long runs, workouts, double dates, and brunches with these friends.

As much as we tried to make both cities work it was tough. We went to great strides to ensure we saw each other every weekend, taking more than 60 flights in the 9 month period and waking up at 4am on Mondays in order to get back to our respective cities in time. While our relationship was stronger than ever, neither of us were completely happy with the situation. We both missed having a friend and spouse to come home to in the evenings. This in addition to the fact that Bo found the environment at his company’s London office to be very different from New York which he loved. So after many hours of discussions, talking with loved ones, evaluating options, and prayers we have officially taken a leap of faith together.

Bo has left his role in London and relocated to Geneva!

What does that mean for us? Well, it means that I have the joy of seeing him everyday which beginning yesterday was pretty amazing! For now he’s focusing on learning French, making some improvements to our flat, taking some time to evaluate his next move and considering options. Right now our plan is for him to start applying for financial positions in Geneva next month but we’ll see what happens. If something comes his way sooner, fabulous. We are being realistic about the situation and are thankful for the savings we’ve put aside for years which help make this move possible. This is the first time off he’s had since graduating from Georgia Tech in 2007 and we both believe it is the perfect time to consider career options.

While saying goodbye to London is difficult, we’re both thrilled with the fact that due to its proximity, we’ll be able to see our friends frequently either in London or during fun travel weekends throughout Europe.

Cheers to the unknown and establishing our life TOGETHER in Geneva!

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I hope you guys are having a wonderful weekend! We’ve spent the weekend enjoying as much fresh air and sunshine as possible while also enjoying some delicious homemade Mexican and lovely cocktails. Parker has been such a trooper this weekend even during his short lived meltdowns.

I woke up bright and early Saturday morning to log my last long training run before next Sunday’s Geneva Half Marathon. Knowing that I had 10 miles on the schedule, Amy suggested I head out to The Little Miami Scenic trail, a great multi-use path near their home in Madeira.

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The Little Miami Scenic trail is 75 miles of runner or bikers paradise! It passes through 12 different Cincinnati area towns and provides the perfect mix of sunny and shady spots while also having rest and bathroom areas along the trail. The views are a mix of horse farms, rivers and streams, wooded areas and small town squares which have built around the trails activity such as Loveland’s downtown area. The trail has mile markers every half mile which makes keeping track of distance easy.

The weather was picture perfect for a run – sunny and cool. I wore my compression socks, shorts, and tank for the run while jamming to my new playlist on Spotify.

Instead of doing 5 miles out and back I split the run up into 4 parts, 2.5 miles each, so I could explore the trail in both directions. Amy had mentioned that one would have more river views while the other direction is shady and wooded. I even had some surprise company along the wooded portion of the trail as I ran into 7 wild turkeys crossing the trail. There were solo runners and running groups alike out on the trail with me logging their last long run before the Flying Pig marathon next weekend.

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I followed my training plan logging negative splits and an average of 9:17 pace overall. Considering that I didn’t have any fuel I’m hoping that means that I can keep at least this during next week’s half marathon.

While last week’s training wasn’t strong due to our travel in different cities, this week’s 5 runs have me in a very different mindset for the half marathon. I finished this run feeling strong and excited for the race!

What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen on a run? These wild turkeys were definitely the weirdest thing I’ve seen on a run!

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This Cincinnati trip has been pretty wonderful thus far. This weekend is all about spending time with them and also learning a little bit about having a newborn. While Bo and I aren’t quite ready to have children yet I’m definitely at the point where I want to learn as much as possible through Amy’s experience. While I can’t feed him myself, he has been perfectly happy camping out in my lap sucking my thumb.

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In between diaper changes and feedings we’ve enjoyed plenty of time outside together as the weather was perfect last night and today!

Yesterday morning I ran 5 miles in their basement since it was raining outside. The convenience of having a treadmill in the house is so nice and makes working out so much easier. I started watching Nashville during my flight over so I enjoyed another episode while doing an interval run. Charlie, their American cocker spaniel, enjoyed licking my salt and hanging out with me while I planked after the run. After a morning of cuddles we took Parker out for his first mall walking adventure. Amy has a City Elite Baby Jogger stroller which is making her life so easy! Getting it in and out of the car and into the mall was easy and it made turns easily as we navigated through some stores. I had two items on my shopping list – a new summer swimsuit and a dress for an upcoming wedding. Luckily we had great luck shopping and were able to spend most of our time power walking through the mall versus shopping.

I can’t say enough great things about Everything But Water as the staff and selection was fabulous. Like most people, I don’t exactly love swimsuit shopping. I walked in yesterday and told them my budget along with my body shape, smaller up top than bottom. Within minutes they handed me this La Blanca swimsuit which fit wonderfully and looked great even on my very pale for me body.

When we got home from the mall the weather had turned for the better, allowing us to spend the rest of the afternoon and evening outside on the porch. The warm sunshine, gentle breeze, tortilla chips, guacamole, margaritas and beer were pretty much perfection. It wasn’t the beach but the next closest thing! Parker was a trooper while we relaxed on the porch, just chilling out in his vibrating swing.

We broke out the grill for dinner, a clear sign that warmer weather and Spring has arrived! Grilled chicken, zucchini, squash and roasted new potatoes paired with some tortilla chips and guacamole was a perfect warm weather dinner. Last night definitely made me wish that our home in Geneva had a porch or outdoor space for us to enjoy and grill out on a regular basis. At least we have the lake area within walking distance and many friends who have grills and porches to enjoy all Summer long!