On my own

What would you do with 48 hours of alone time? Well, 48 hours, minus 8+8=16 hours for sleeping, plus 11+11=22 hours of working...? So that all boils down to...48-16-22 is...10. What would you do with ten hours of alone time?

Well, I'll tell ya what I'm planning: a night out with my besties, followed by going to bed early, so bump up the sleep total to...20? (I know that's never how it turns out, but I'm gonna keep on dreaming!) That still leaves me with an evening on my own. What to do?

How about what I used to do, consume large amounts of Double Stuff Oreo cookies and milk? Not an option, since it's SO not worth it. Especially the chocolate cookie part. If you ask me, Oreo's missing the boat, not selling the white stuff by itself.

 

I know what'll happen, though: I'll come home after ten hours of work, turn on my computer and an episode of "Intervention," and I won't snap out of it until it's at least nearing 10:30 pm, at which point I'll call Mr Man, say I was just going to bed, can't keep my eyes open another minute (because my laptop battery would be drained by then, so I'll turn it off), and proceed to read in bed for another 30-45 minutes, until I REALLY can't keep my eyes open.

At least Mr Man doesn't leave until tomorrow. That way he can kick my butt outta bed when my RUN alarm rings at 4:15 am. This week is the week. I'm going to run. Three outta the four workday mornings (yeah, I only work FOUR days a week, suck it!)

The beginning of the longest season

I've lacked motivation since I finished my first half on March 11th. The thing is, it's that off time of year when it's too cold in the mornings and too hot in the evenings. So I lost motivation.

Fortunately, it's warming up (someone please cut out my tongue!), and I can start running before work every day now. My big plan is to run five miles (or an hour, whichever comes last) Tuesday through Thursday, plus Saturday, and a longer run on Sunday. This is my plan for every week, at least for now. And it all starts Tuesday morning.

I look forward to some amazing sights, maybe even the beginnings of sunrises!

Even though I haven't run as much lately, I have gotten in a few runs here and there, along with two great 15-or-so-mile biking loops around town with my main man. Very fun.

And when I do run, I feel great. I go easy on myself, being carefully to not burn out too quickly, and take time to smell the roses.


Like, for example, these plants that are all around our neighborhood. So cool. I'm trying to make a point of finding new and different things; last week I nearly tripped over or squished some uncooked escargot (snails) every few steps.


So here it is. Cheers to a new week. A new beginning. A new resolve to do what I say I'm going to do: wake up and run. Because I don't want to start all over again every time.

Accentuate the positive

Here are a few things that made me smile during my run yesterday. I am determined to think about positives!

S really had Rogue going for a while, doing the upside down bicycle. Such a fun time yesterday, with S and C, plus Ma and M. Very fun time. Good food, great company, and I'm feeling the love!

I might be back!

I haven't been running recently, because I haven't felt like it. And my lack of motivation to wake up  at 4:00 or 4:15 or 4:30 in the morning three times a week, has come with consequences. I've had a serious decrease in energy. I've felt a LOT more negative. Not "depressed," just...not as happy and peppy. My lack of motivation has made me less motivated. I know, it's weird logic, but it's true. It's a vicious cycle, I get it. But how do you stop a cycle like this? 

Answer: you tell your husband about it until he gets the hint and kicks your butt into gear on a Friday morning, and tells you to go on an almost-ten-mile bike ride around the neighborhood. 

Yup, that did the trick. After that, I just wanted to keep going! He was done riding, but I wanted to run! All of a sudden, I was back. Or at least, I felt like I was back. I didn't go out and run, only because we had places to go, things to do, people to see. That's my story for yesterday. Today, I didn't "run" per se, because we were busy once again, running around the house and town: cleaning, lunching, movie watching, then it started raining, so we're FINALLY chilling, doing our own thing. 

Tomorrow, though? Lollipops and ass-whoopin's, baby! Lollipops and ass-whoopin's!

Runner's block?

Every so often, I hit a wall. I fall into a rut. And it's hard to find my way out. This time, I kinda stopped running, and it made me sad. Running had become a friend, that I slowly realized how much I missed.

We had a few chance encounters, but something was lacking. Something wasn't quite right.

At the same time, coming off of the tremendous high of my first half marathon, I wanted to spend time being creative in the kitchen.

Call it coincidence or kismet. Frustration or neediness. I think the issue is resolved. I made two things of peanut butter cups, and two loaves of bread this past weekend. I think that may be my solution to creativity block that accompanies running block.

Now, wish me luck waking up in 6 hours. Speaking of grumpy...

You got peanut butter all over my chocolate!

Oh. My. Gosh.

These things are absolute heaven. I'm sure I could eat a whole tray of these things before I puked, passed out, and went into a sugar coma. But it would be worth it.

Oh, wow. These things are goooood! I may have to make them again to take to work on Monday.

They're home made Reese's. Did I mention that they are soooo good? Yeah, they really are.

If you could run a race anywhere...

I love to travel, and I love to run. I've only done a run on one vacation, ever. But it was great, so I think maybe I should do it more often. Maybe in Hawaii when we're there later this year.

But if I could run anywhere, I think I would again combine it with a vacation in that spot. My top choices would be:
1 London. Running in the thick, cold, damp fog might be fun.
2 Dublin, because it would mean no driving, but still get to enjoy the scenery.
3 Salt Lake City (again, scenery)

Where would you want to run?

Rain

"The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem."
     - Theodore Rubin

I woke up ready and eager to run, at least a couple of miles. But then I moved from semi- to full-consciousness, and in doing so I heard the rain. Not just light sprinkles, either. Hard rain. Even hail, I was told.

Plus, there was wind. Again, not just light wind here and there, but more like maybe 30mph or so gusts.

So we watched tv for a bit, and towards the end of the episode, the light shone through the clouds, and I decided as soon as the episode finished, I would run. And as soon as the episode finished, it had started raining and blowing just like before.

It was a sign, I think. So I'm trying to readjust my thinking. The rain was not a problem. It was an opportunity. An opportunity to try something else, like yoga or a Biggest Loser video. Or do something crafty. Or read a book. Or watch tv and cuddle with my sweetie.

Sometimes, I think, it just ain't meant to be. Maybe my sore throat will go away by tomorrow anyway.

Aren't you afraid?

I have some pretty intense anxiety sometimes, and it's only gotten worse after X was left to die. Sometimes I feel like I can't breathe, and I just want to curl in a ball and sob forever. But that's just not me, it's not what I do, it's not who I am.

Then, what do I do? Who am I? I'm afraid that it won't get easier as time goes on, and I'm afraid that it will get easier.

Obviously, I need time to think. Time by myself, without interruptions. But where can I get that? I know: running. So I run sometimes at night, after I get home from work. But at that time of day, all I really want to do is easy dinner, veg on the couch, and go to bed as soon as possible. Besides, I don't have the same motivation at 6:00pm that I do at 5:00am. But 5 is too late to start running. So 4:00.

I know I should get up and go ("it builds character," right?), but I'm just so tired. And my bed feels so nice at 4am.

Then what is the solution, I ask? Where is the answer? Is it all one way or the other, a combination, a compromise? Of one thing, I am sure: quitting is definitely not an option. I think I need to just suck it up, admit I'm old and should probably start going to early bird dinners (ehh, they're cheaper anyway).

Today is the end of my work week, so it's perfect. I'll start running on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings, about 5 to 7 miles at a time. Then on Sundays, I'll run long, maybe 8 to 10 miles. Perfect.

Starting tomorrow.

2:22:50

I started off kinda slow, at 11: something for the first mile, but it was super crowded, so I wasn't too hard on myself. Running through downtown was great, with wide open running areas. Less crowding = more freedom to pass other runners.

But then we got on the bike path, and it narrowed and constricted. I was stuck behind a couple of chicks complaining about men. Not my idea of great conversation. So I charged ahead, feeling great after five miles.

I still hadn't eaten a ShotBlok, so I walked while I ate one, and quickly got back to running. I started to lose some momentum by the end of the trail, between miles seven and eight. I kicked it up again when I saw my support group (the one guy I can always count on) ready, poised to take a picture while he was walking around Old Sac.

Mile ten I hit a wall like never before (and hopefully never again). I could barely keep up my 10:00 pace, and the 2:20 pacer was nowhere in sight. Did I pass him? Did he pass me? Who knew? And really, at that point, if I hadn't seen him for the first eleven miles, I was questioning his existence at all.

This race was never going to end. I knew it. So I texted my guy, "this sucks." He texted me back: "You're right. You should just quit now. Give up. You can't make it the whole way." And I started running again. Yep, I needed that swift kick to get me started again.

I kept going, every once in a while stopping to walk, but eventually, we came up to the bridge and my garmin told me I'd already gone 12.4 miles. There was a girl running in front of me that asked a volunteer, "please, are we close?" After the volunteer told her there was only a little more than a half mile left, the girl let out a sigh of relief (so did I), but then kinda slowed down. Why? Just hearing someone say it aloud made me kick it into even higher gear.

I could see the stadium. Raley. Field. Was. Right. There. Finally. Only 13 miles later, geez! Turned a couple if corners, and ran into the stadium, had a couple of harried pictures taken, and crossed the finish line at 2:24 gun time, 2:22 chip time. I was just overjoyed to be done. Finished.

I walked out of the stadium thinking I'd never do that distance again, but now, less than a week later, I'm re-thinking that. I wish I had signed up for the half marathon that's happening just a couple miles from my house in just over a week.

They should make pills for this.

Waking up sucks

I think I need to move somewhere that doesn't do the whole "daylight savings" thing, because this sucks. I'm trying to fool my body into springing forward a week early (so I won't be so tired next weekend, the weekend - actually the day of - the race), but so far I'm failing miserably. My alarm went off at 4:30 this morning, and...right back to sleep. Tomorrow, my alarm is going off at 4:15, just so I know I'll have plenty of time to get five miles done before my day really begins.

I know this week is going to fly by, and my first half marathon will be over before I even realize it. I'll be eating Hawaiian haystacks and cake (homemade, thank you mom), talking with friends and family, and then it'll hit me: what's next? I need to find another half marathon (or at least a ten-miler) to keep me motivated. I know: without a reason to run, without a reason to up my distance and speed, it's just too easy to lay back and get fat over the summer. And I do NOT want to do that. Not again.*

* Technically, I didn't get "fat" last summer, but I got softer than I was during the spring, and I still don't want even that to happen. No fat. No soft. No. Just no.

1 week

It's just a week until my first half marathon. I'm working on my orange, green and white tulle tutu. I'm waiting for my shirt to dry (so I can paint the back too). I'm nervous that something will happen to make it so I DNS or DNF. I kinda wish our friends could be there. Next time, I'll do a race closer to home.

I did about eight miles this morning, and it felt great. It was kinda fun to run around the park across the street, because there was a race going on... Or, at least, waiting to start going. The place was crowded! Tons of kids, too! It was nice to have the road blocked off, not have to worry about cars.


I think I'll run four miles tomorrow (Monday), five on Wednesday, four on Thursday, then... (drum roll, fingers crossed)... 13.1 miles on Sunday! And be back up to ten miles next weekend. Again: fingers crossed. Time will tell. I know this week will fly by, though. It'll all be over SO soon!

Lollipops and ass-whoopin's

That was the plan for this morning, but I woke up at 3:48. I know I'm crazy, but there's just something about (a) waking up before the alarm - makes me feel like I've been cheated out of sleep, so I just can't will myself out of bed; and (b) waking up before the sun is up. These two things just should not be allowed. It's pure insanity, I tell you.

So, missing my five miles this morning, I planned to maybe kinda sorta "punish" myself when I got home from work. It turned out that it wasn't so much a beating for me as it was for the pavement. Yup: I ran five miles without stopping, not to pause and not to stop. Not even to walk.

I'm getting super excited for the half!

Twelve miles. I can do this!

Yeah, I was nervous at first, but once I headed out the door, for the first TEN miles, I was great. SOLID. Here's my view at mile #2. There are always a lot of memorable sights on my long runs, but this was not exactly one of them. My idea was to take a picture every other mile. That didn't happen, because at about mile three, I ran into a friend from work walking her dog, so we walked the next couple of miles together. She worried that she was holding me back, but really, I was just thankful for the break. Mostly.

 

I ran through a really nice, swanky neighborhood within our little subdivision, and was sort of taken aback by this house. Like I said, super nice neighborhood. Awesome-looking house. Aaaaand...they still had Christmas lights up. And it's the end of February. Kinda crazy? Is it just me?
 

I almost forgot about this part. You almost can't tell, but this is the park I run past almost every run, but today it was jam-packed, FILLED with rug rats playing soccer and screaming. I kinda veered a different way after that. Just had to stop for water for a sec.
 

Here's my view from mile #5 (I think). Crossing a bridge over the freeway. Call me crazy, but I kinda enjoy running over bridges. Kinda cool.
 

It was a good run. After ten miles, I totally hit a wall, and needed someone to kick my butt. So I started walking, and texted my love asking for confirmation that he had absolutely NO faith that I could ever finish twelve whole miles. No response. Nothing. I kept checking, checking, checking...nothing. 

So I called in for backup: S. I sent a text to S asking him to kick me in the rear. He never fails (thus the BFF status, thanks): he responded right away: "Run like you stole money from your pimp!"


That did the trick. Ran the rest of the way, got home and took my very first ice bath (not fun), a shower, and game over. The rest of the day was great. Just like my twelve mile run. 


But I'm definitely sold: I'm definitely making ten miles a weekly thing. Love it!

She likes it!

I'm not a picky eater, do it should not have come as a surprise that yes, indeed I did absolutely love apple nachos (yet another amazing idea from meals & miles).

I was running late this morning (eek! I might get to the parking lot less than 20 minutes before I'm allowed in the building!), and didn't have time for a sit-down breakfast.

So I popped a Granny Smith through the apple corer, and plunked the pieces in a plastic to-go container with a few other goodies, like peanut butter, nutella, and raisins.

Next time (which I think might be Monday morning, so I can bring some to share with the group), I want to add more stuff. Craisins, maybe. Granola. Shredded wheat. Jerky.

Just wanted to make sure you're paying attention there.

My review? Amazing idea. Definitely not a boring snack. You can really get creative with it. Very fun. I look forward to hearing how my coworkers like it...or don't.

Running on less than fumes

I was supposed to do 12 miles today, but it turned out to be a sleepy day off of work. I woke up at 7:30, then woke up, fell asleep, woke up, fell asleep...until about 9:30, when I finally got out of bed, ate a healthy breakfast I knew would fuel my body more than adequately.

And then I fell asleep on the couch. At that point, I thought, "okay, I'll listen to my body. I'll go take a nap. Maybe I'm fighting an illness."

I sleep from 12 until 1:00, more or less. When I started running at about 2:00 (after my lunch had settled), it was so hot, that I only got five miles in before I completely gave up, fearing I would pass out, puke, or maybe both, and someone would find me in a gutter in a pool of my own sick. Good times.

So tomorrow, my alarm is set to ring BRIGHT and EARLY. Brighter and earlier than I had hoped, but I just gotta get in those miles! Priorities!

Next up: TWELVE miles

Tomorrow I'm supposed to run twelve miles, my longest run EVER. I'm a little nervous (which, I understand, is getting pretty freaking old by now); I need to get over that. I would LOVE to have my running book unpacked and on a shelf right now, not boxed in a room full of other boxes of books, books, and more books. I need some sort of change of mental scenery. Something to artificially motivate me to run. To remind myself why I run. So I did some googling, and found some words of wisdom:

Running is a big question mark that's there

each and every day. It asks you, 'Are you

going to be a wimp or are you going to be

strong today?
- Peter Maher,

Canadian marathon runner

Tomorrow, I am going to prove (even if it's only to myself) that I'm strong. I'm going to wake up, grab a little something, and head out. I'm going to run twelve miles. I might shock myself, but I will get it done.

Ask yourself: 'Can I give more?'

The answer is usually: 'Yes.' 

- Paul Tergat,

Kenyan professional marathoner

This is always a struggle. Yesterday especially, when it was just a rough, rough day for me to run. When anvils were attached to each ankle. It's funny how it's usually harder to go the whole distance for a shorter run; but when I plan a longer run, I'm better at completing the full distance, even if I don't technically RUN the entire distance. I wonder why that is. Am I a born distance runner? I think not. It's like they say - "it's not a sprint; it's a marathon." I appreciate the perspective.

  

The miracle isn't that I finished.

The miracle is that I had the

courage to start."
- John Bingham

And this is what I'll say to myself when I cross the finish line at the half marathon next month. I'm still trying to decide whether I want to do the follow-up half two weeks later, on March 25th.

Pop quiz

Where do I live?

I took this picture in my very short run today, because it liked so out of place. Let's get this straight, first of all: this is NOT a private gate to the driveway of a fancy house. On the other side of this gate is dirt, nothing more.

Could this not be confused for Las Vegas? But I'm nowhere close to that hot spot (thankfully enough).

One of the things I like about running, especially longer distances is that, the farther you run, the more you see. And the more you see, the stranger stuff you see. And those things make life interesting.

So a crazy person (like me) might say, longer runs make you less likely to experience shock.

Ugh

Determined, I started running after I'd vacuumed almost the entire downstairs. So I started off, got about a half mile before I was VERY tired (and why wouldn't I be? There were anvils attached to each ankle)!

So.

I.

Turned.

Around.

And

Went.

Back.

Home.

FAIL. Total FAIL. I know what the problem was, though. I have NOT been fueling properly. Especially not for the amount that I've been running. And I've been dehydrated recently. I'm great at hydrating during the week, but on the weekends, I'm not so great about it. I don't have a water bottle right next to me at all times during the weekend. So then it impacts me even more, because I run the most, the longest on the weekends. 

Must focus on hydration and fuel on weekends.

TEN miles!

NOTE: 
This was LAST weekend, on Sunday. I still haven't run yet today. Boo.

I was really nervous when I started out on my run today; it was supposed to be twelve, but I'm going to try that distance next weekend, then maybe eight or nine the week before the half. Not really sure how it's going to work, but it's worth a try, right? I've never done this before. I really have no idea.








But I DID find some pretty decent sights along my way. I kinda live really close to the country...you know, farms and tractors and all that. The skies were really nice just before the sun set, but my cell phone camera didn't exactly express the thousand words.

Oh yeah. A ditch. Lovely. And a whole bunch of hay and farm stuff.

Once again, lovely. Say what you will, but there is a certain thrill (for me, anyway) to running between fields.

This was about at mile three or four. I was stopped at a traffic light, and quite frankly thrilled to be stopped for a second.

I really do enjoy these paved trails. The hot sun, however...not so much.

Do you ever wonder what life would look like if it was sketched? I did, and now I know: not nearly as exciting as in color. Here's proof.

Run, shmun

It's a long weekend, so my missed run yesterday (and every other run this weekend) just got pushed back a day. Thanks to US Presidents, I'm just fine about missing my run yesterday. So I should be thrilled to be up and running, right? 

Well, I woke up bright and early slept in (naturally), and now I'm getting dressed in my running clothes eating a nice healthy breakfast donuts and watching The History Channel Teen Mom. Oops.

At least I'll start running right after I finish my "healthy breakfast," right? Yeah, probably not. My hubby wants to go to see a couple of movies today, the earlier the better (before kids get out of school).

Okay, so a couple of FAILs already today, but I'm not defeated. Yeah, I'm eating donuts. Yeah, I might be in a movie theater for five hours today. But I will run today. Six miles. Hell or high water.

TTT

Okay, so maaaaybe I'm giving in to the whole three things thing. Today, it's gonna be three things on my running bucket list:

1
Run with my husband, T. Maybe I can convince him to run a 10k? He already consented to run Bay to Breakers with me, and that's a 12k I think. I hope he likes it; I know I'm liking forward to it!

2
Run at least 1,000 miles in one calendar year. This is my first attempt. I might not make it, but I'm trying. I know I'll get there one day.

3
Run a 10k in less than an hour. The last time I ran that distance, I did it in something like 1:03. I've gotten a lot faster since then, so I'm convinced. I can totally do it.

Foiled again

I have this alarm ringtone. It's a British voice, a male voice; his name is probably Jeeves. When it's time to wake up for a run, he says, "pardon me, sir, but it's morning..." Something along those lines. I chose it, because it makes me smile, and I can always use something that makes me smile.

But this morning, I know my alarm must have gone off, but I honestly can.not.remember turning it off. So I missed my six mile run. Such a bummer. Again.  I'll have to run tomorrow instead.

Half goals

The last race I ran was a 5K in December this past year, in New Orleans. It went by really quickly, because of everything I had on my mind, and because it was unfamiliar territory (physically); I'd never been there before.

This time, this race, it's a half marathon. So many people say to have multiple goals: an A goal, a B goal, a C goal. So here are mine, in order of importance to me, for THIS race:

A
Finish. After I finish, at some point I will get a 13.1 bumper sticker. I might not put it on my car (although I might), but I want to have it. Primary goal, though: FINISH.

B
Finish in 2:30 or less. I know I can do it, so why not make it a goal?

C
Keep running. By that, I mean yeah yeah, take a couple of days off, but definitely don't lose motivation. After all, I have to start training for Bay to Breakers after this!

Wait, no. Switch B and C. Definitely continuing running is a higher priority than finishing in a certain time. I mean, if finishing is my primary goal, then...

Oh well. Nobody reads this anyway.

Twelve miles should be interesting this weekend...

Feelin' great!

I can't believe I really feel this great after ten miles this weekend. I was really starting to get nervous for a while there, thinking there's no way I can do this. I even scheduled time off for the day after the half, anticipating that I wouldn't be able to walk.

Overdramatic? Who, me? Never!

I'm even liking forward to my four mile run tonight. I love check lists and charts and stats, so I got this app for my phone; it reminds me how many miles I've run so far this year.

So, question: is it completely pathetic that I'm liking forward to running tonight because it means I can update my total mileage?

X: 2 months

"Each morning
when I open my eyes
I say to myself:
I, not events, have the power
to make me happy
or unhappy today.
I can choose which it shall be.
Yesterday is dead,
tomorrow hasn't arrived yet.
I have just one day, today, and
I'm going to be happy in it."
-Groucho Marx

Today marks two months since my life changed forever, and I was thinking about X today. I've had a number of moments since that day where I thought, "that would be a great job for him," or "I haven't talked to him in a while; maybe I should call or text or something." But it's only fleeting moments, thank goodness. I haven't completely lost it. Wait. No. Scratch that.

Sometimes I feel guilty for leaving on vacation the day he died. But what help could I be? None. It's not as if he was there. He didn't care one way or the other, and it was great to have a fun distraction.

Running is another great distraction. I want to keep running, stay healthy, live my life. Because if I don't do things that make me happy, what point is there in life?

I'm tired of crying, and being sad. I'm tired of making excuses, and not just doing what I say I'm going to do.

Me, today

This was my longest run, ever. Not just recently. Not just this training cycle. EVER. But considering how nice it felt afterwards, and how long it took me (much less time than I ever could have anticipated), I think I may just have to make ten miles a th least a somewhat semi-regular thing. My legs will thank me. I hope.

The thing that won't thank me so much? Yeah: the rest of my body. My head. I was literally dripping sweat at mile 2.5. It was freaking hot.

Now, I'm getting nervous about my half in March (yeah, NOW I'm getting nervous). I'm not a fan of oppressive heat. Then again, who is?

I'm crazy

It's a statement, not really a question. When I told my friend I had ten twelve miles scheduled for today, and that I was kinda scared, he said he'd hate having to force himself to run (he's not a runner anyway). I told him it was only for training for the half marathon next month, then I can do whatever.

But the truth is: I signed up for the half. I WANT to do this. Maybe I don't jump out of bed at 4:15 am on Tuesdays and Thursday, but I want to at least TRY a half marathon. I want to be able to say I've given it a try. Maybe it's not going to be my favorite distance (so far, my favorite is the 10K distance), but I want to JUST DO IT.

Isn't that a decent reason for doing something? A new job. A new activity. A new town. A new restaurant. Been there. Done that. Got the T-shirt. Isn't that what it's all about?

The power of thoughts

"The person who sends out positive thoughts activates the world around him positively and draws back to himself positive results." 
-Norman Vincent Peale

So tomorrow morning, when it's humid and overcast, and 60° or more outside, I will remind myself of this. Because I know I can do it, I WILL do it. I WILL run at least ten miles tomorrow, and next weekend I WILL run twelve miles.

The weather gods

I looked out my front door this morning and saw clouds.

"Oh, this us going to be a great day for a run! The weather gods heard my prayers!" I thought foolishly.

I quickly dressed in my running gear and headed out the door. The first quarter mile or so was great, and then it hit me how insanely humid it was. Don't get me wrong: I kept running, but it really was unbearably humid.

I ran a few miles before I hurriedly rushed through a shower to get ready to meet friends for movie and an early dinner.

True to form, I was boiling hot before the movie started, frozen throughout and when we walked downtown, and fine at dinner.

Maybe, just maybe, the weather gods won't tease me tomorrow during my long (to me) run. Fingers crossed, anyway...

Dreams

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
-EleanorRoosevelt

I guess I should start believing in myself more. I know that health us a great reason to run, and since I enjoy the after-effects, I might have to keep on doing it. I know a half marathon is in my very-near future, but what else? I'm trying to speed myself up. I don't know if I want to try a full marathon, ever. I think I might try for some PRs in lower-mileage distance races.

The sun'll come out...

It's been a little (read: a LOT) warmer than I would like recently, especially for this time of year. It's only the first half of February, and already we're having 70+ degrees weather. No rain. No clouds. No break in the heat. This MIGHT end up being a horrible, horrible summer.

We have an awesome day planned tomorrow, with friends and a movie, maybe some snacks, dinner. Tomorrow should be great. 

However, I am still struggling with getting out of bed at all early. I didn't run today before my dentist appointment like I should have (and like I was planning to). I didn't run on Thursday morning before work like I should have (and like I was planning to). Clearly, there's an issue here.

Tomorrow, though. Tomorrow is a new day. "Fresh, with no mistakes in it." Well, "no mistakes in it YET." 

I'm beginning to wonder how I'll do at the Shamrockin' Half in March. I know I CAN do it, but I am starting to worry about the heat, my tired legs, cramps, proper hydration and fueling. Especially the night before, because the plan is to stay in a hotel close to the starting line the night before the race. 

Yes. I am indeed THAT nervous. What was YOUR first big race like? Isn't everyone nervous? I wish I had access to my book about women's racing, but it's in a box in another room, and quite honestly, even though I LOVE that book, I'm not sure I want to incur the wrath of my hubby (what does it tell ya that he loves to play first-person shooter games all the time?).

Hm. Speaking of TOMORROW. My goal really is to wake up and have enough time to run a longer distance (maybe ten miles? Maybe? Hey, for me that's long) before meeting up with friends for some crazy fun. Here's to a bark-free night! A night of sleeping the WHOLE time! And a subsequent morning of waking up completely refreshed, with energy to attack those ten miles! So, to bed I go.

Three things

I don't usually do this (I like to buck trends), but here goes nothin'. Today, I'm doing three things (that are on my mind) Thursday.

1
Negativity spreads, and it's like wildfire. Especially around here. Especially over the past year, which happens to coincide with another event that happened about a year ago. And the two things are not NOT related. What to do? Definitely some thinking to be done soon.

2
Money. When times are tight, isn't that what everyone thinks about? What else in life is so in-demand? And by everyone?

3
Running. I seriously need to up my mileage, especially during the week. Yes, it super-sucks to wake up to an alarm at 4:15 a.m., but it should be worth it. In the long run. Or so they say.

Did you run today?

I did!

Not this morning like I had planned (because the dog decided to stay barking at midnight, and didn't quit until after my love gave him a whole Benadryl). I ran tonight, after a ten-hour work day, and (obviously) less-than-stellar sleep.

It wasn't as far as I'd hoped, but hey - I got out there. I ran. I did it. And it was...okay. So the plan (at the moment) is to wake up early tomorrow to run before work, because (as we all know) Thursday is DATE NIGHT (it's in all caps because it's that important). No, really.

I need a new playlist

What do you listen to while you run? I have some lists, but they are filled with very similar things, and over time, I've gotten bored (that's probably the reason I haven't run with my ipod in a while).

But with my half marathon coming up in just a month, I'm getting nervous. I need to have some tunes for such a long run.

I'm considering injecting a few of my little brother's pieces in there, because there are some that have some kick to 'em. And maybe some Queen, too. I already have a "pop bitches" playlist that I might just shuffle for a change of pace, but what else?

Great run

We had a hot double date this past weekend with my brother D and his wife J. D always threatens that he's going to run with me, but because he's something like 6'4", I try to avoid having him (inevitably) kick my butt.

Until this weekend. I told him I shouldn't run far, because I had ten miles (a very long run for me, at this stage in the game) scheduled for the next day.

He said he didn't think he could do more than a mile, so it was perfect. One mile before we hit a tasting party would be perfecto!

Now usually, my pace varies, from 9:00 to 9:45, sometimes even 10:00. For this mile, though, I kicked it up a couple of notches, sending D a clear signal that I was gonna be the one kicking his bootie, and not the other way around.

We finished the mile in 8:51, a personal record I haven't hit since high school. Total score.

He might give me a run for my money at Bay to Breakers in May!

Three Things Thursday

Let's go with three positives and three negatives:

YAY! I had a great night in with Steve and Cory! And they seemed to like the salmon sandwiches and sweet potato fries I made!


BOO! This Thursday night was without my sweetie. 


YAY! At least he gets to pick me up from the train station tomorrow afternoon!


BOO! It's 10:40 pm and I haven't even packed yet, which means a late night and an early morning. I hate not having enough sleep.


YAY! Par-tay for T's 14th birthday this weekend!


BOO! It's in my parents' basement, and a lot of people will be there that I either don't like or don't know (but probably if I knew them, I wouldn't like them).

YAY! (I have to leave on a high note:) I get to run hills and dales with my sweetie tomorrow all around my parents' neighborhood (and I've heard it said that hill work IS speedwork)!

Seven miles

Technically, last week was five miles (which I did), but next week is eight; so I decided instead of jumping up two miles in one week, I'd jump one and a half, two weeks in a row. So today I did a little over six and a half in a like over an hour. Next weekend, though...is going to be  little more than busy. Lunch with PJ on Saturday, T's party Saturday night, and Sunday head back early for eight miles. Yikes.

But at least I did what I was supposed to do today. Even if I just felt like staying in bed. I did it. Isn't that the real battle, anyway? "A journey of a thousand miles behind with putting on your running clothes and stepping out your front door," right? It's something like that.

And my half marathon journey begins (or continues) like this. And I think I'm in for an adventure. A journey. 13.1 thousand miles.

I wasn't tagged, but...

Yeah, yeah. I'm a thief. Stealing ideas and blog prompts. Whatever. Here goes. First, the questions, then the random things.

Q: What's the last thing I took a picture of?
A: Snowball in the back seat of Goldie last weekend when we went to pick up a pizza.

Q: What made me decide to write my blog?
A: Motivation. I wanted to be held accountable to myself, and to have a record of my distances and how I felt, challenges, barriers, words of encouragement, and everything in between.

Q: If I had to listen to one song on repeat the rest of my life...?
A: I might have to kill myself. There's nothing I would like for that long. Nothing.

Q: One item on my bucket list?
A: Kids.

Q: If I could be on any tv show...?
A: If we're talking reality show where I'm myself, then "The Amazing Race." If we're talking changing my life to a sitcom, then "Gilmore Girls."

Q: Start my own race, what distance would it be?
A: I think my favorite distance is 10k. So far, anyway. We shall see how the half goes.

Q: What would I name the race?
A: (These are getting to be some pretty lame questions.) Umm... 10k on a Tuesday, because alteration is always funny, and when are runs ever held on a random Tuesday? Like, never.

Q: If I had to live an alternate-food lifestyle...?
A: I don't think I could go a week, much less a month or longer without meat, sugar, fish, or anything processed. Instead of taking something away, why not add a while bunch of veggies to my diet? I would do that. Fruit. Veggies. There you go.

Q: If I had to train with just one person for an entire training cycle...?
A: Might be pretty cool to train for something - even a 5k - with Xander. That would be fun. Y' know, if he could come back to life for a while.

Now, I think I can think of maybe ten random things. Here...

1 
I will eat almost anything, at least once. I've eaten some crazy sea creatures, and some stuff from my recent jaunt to N'awlins. Nothing too crazy, but enough to say, "yeah, I ate that."

2
I freak out. Very obsessive-compulsive and anxious. Almost all the time. I've ditched some habits, but picked up new ones over the years. I think of some of these habits as a prison I put myself in, and that motivates me to try to escape, but I'm not always successful. Sad.

3
I love to read, but haven't done much reading recently. I'm not sure why, but I just don't feel like it. I don't even know what kind of reading material sounds good.

4
I'm often nervous when it comes to meeting up with my family for certain activities. Such as an upcoming trip with my brother. Very anxious about that. Worried about what we'll talk about and how soon we will find disagreements. Also nervous about staying in the same hotel room.

5
I think I should eat more protein. I was eating a ton of Greek yogurt, but I kinda got burnt out, and haven't eaten it in a month or more. What else has tons of protein?

6
I used to think I was super lucky to never have experienced any type of familial loss until my grandma died just before I turned 25. Now, just five short years later, I've also lost my grandpa and little brother. Not feelin' so lucky now!

7
I don't have kids yet, but they'll be in the works in the near future, and despite what everyone says, I do not think I will ever want to stay home with them full time. Maybe part-time. I think getting out of the house and being constructive will make me a better, more patient mom for them. I say this like I have kids. Funny how I talk about future kids.

8
I'm so excited that RAD has come to my neck o' the woods recently. It makes living here not quite as unbearable. Especially in the mornings, on my drive to work.

9
I've lived all over, and people always ask about the places I lived. "Did you like it there?" But I can think of some great aspects of each of the places we've lived. I can think of negative things about each place, too, but that's life, right? As Sirius says, "the world isn't split into good people and Death Eaters." Nothing is pure black or pure white, right? The works is shades of grey.

10
I'm probably the only person who is looking forward to seeing "The Beaver" on DVD. I seriously can't wait. Yes, I'm that lame.

Fail...

I continue to have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. So when my alarm rang at 4:15 on yesterday morning, when I'd only fallen asleep at maybe 11:00, it didn't so much happen as...not.

So today, when I woke up at 8-something, after a night of falling asleep almost before my head hit the pillow, and staying asleep the whole long night (shocking, I know), then trying desperately to fall back asleep, I jumped out of bed and dressed in my running gear: compression capris and a purple short sleeve shirt. 

On the docket for today WAS three miles, but because I missed my four miles yesterday, that's my revised target for today. Sunday should be interesting, though: six miles. As in, almost a 10K. Yikes.

Wish me luck.

Thrilled for Thursday

Yeah, alteration! Funny stuff. Anyway.

Tomorrow is my first morning run longer than three miles. Yeeeah, bumpin' it all the way up to four miles! Four whole miles, thank you very much.

That's why I was in bed at 7:00 tonight, because my alarm goes off at 4:15, I'm at work 7:00 until 5:30, and date night starts at around 6:00, and probably won't wrap up until maybe 10:00. I love date night, but early alarms make for long days (daze? hmm...).

Yeah, so awake for at least...what does that make it...20 hours, right? No way, that can't be right. 18 hours? Umm...yeah, 18 hours. I must be crazy.

A Starbucks run might be in order. Four miles might call for it anyway. Long run, long day, Starbucks. Makes perfect sense, no?

No.

Running total

I have been having a really hard time falling asleep lately. Ever since maybe the last week of December, since everyone left my parents' house that day. But Sunday nights arre particularly bad, since I get used to staying up later on the weekends.

I was scheduled to run three miles on Tuesday morning, but once again, I couldn't fall asleep the night before, and by the time 4:15 rolled around, I just could not do it. It wasn't going to happen.

I felt kinda defeated, but when I came home after work that day, my hubby asked if I was ready to go.

Go...? Wow. Go! Yes, let's go! I couldn't believe he wanted to run again. And after a long day of work? Surely I must be dreaming!

My run was great! I ran my three, and he ran what he estimated was somewhere between one and one and a half. Very awesome.

Mileage so far

According to my Daily Mile account, I've gone a total of 13.95 miles so far this year. I'm having trouble figuring out how to find the information I want, so I'm going to start tracking mileage for myself, starting tomorrow morning. For now, I'm going with 14 miles so far this year.

My goal is 1,000 miles for 2012; in order to reach that, I need to first keep track, right? If I can't rely on my daily mile stats, I'll have to rely on myself. Like I said, starting tomorrow morning, with (I think) four miles.

Why I run

In no particular order...

I run to think. 
When I run, it's just me. It's my time alone. Alone in nature. Alone with my thoughts. Quiet time. To figure things out, to reflect and ponder. To re-consider priorities. To shuffle the cards, and deal again.

I run to escape. 
When I run, I have nothing to weigh me down. Nobody can interrupt me, or stop me, or make me do anything. Me, however, now that's a different story.

I run to prove it.
To prove to myself that I can do what I think I can do. What I've told myself I can do. To prove to others too, but mostly to myself. I run because I need evidence. If I tell myself I can do something, but I never actually do it, how do I know for sure whether I'm full of it or not?

I run for health.
It's great for your heart. It's great for your lungs. It's great to build muscle, and burn fat, and all that great stuff. Blah, blah.

I run to eat.
When I run, especially when I run a longer distance, or a longer amount of time, I don't feel too guilty when I eat something that's typically considered less than "healthy." I'm a big-time foodie, not a particularly picky eater; I'll eat almost anything that's placed in front of me.

WHY DO YOU RUN?

5 miles

Training for the Shamrock'n Half Marathon is definitely causing some stress on my body. Don't get me wrong: that's what it's supposed to do, right? It's kinda the whole point. But right now, I'm kinda scared to do the five miles that are on schedule for today. I don't know why exactly, because I've done multiple 10Ks, but it's been a while. 

I don't know, maybe I just need to find some sort of new motivation. What keeps everyone running? Surely everyone must hit a wall every now and again, even when training for a new distance...? I can't be the only one!

for the record...

i ran the ole man river 30th anniversary 5k yesterday, and i could feel alexander cheering for me, and screaming for me to keep going. because i would never want to disappoint him, because he's my little brother, i kept running, even when i wanted to walk.

well, thank you alexander, because you helped push me to a new personal record. i finished in 29:49.3 chip time, or 30:16.8 gun time. i wasn't exactly at the head of the pack, but it landed me 9th in my 30-34 age group, with an average 9:46 mile.

xander finally got to watch me race. he may have teased and tormented me relentlessly for so many years, but i love him still. I always will.

Slow morning

My sleep schedule has been seriously messed up over the past...well, almost a month. It all started on December 13th at about 8:30 or so at night.

Anyway. I have had trouble falling asleep since then. Even when I'm super tired, I can't sleep. It sucks. This week, though, I've slept right through multiple alarms. Today was the same story, but my loving husband kicked me to tell me my alarm was going off.

It might be a little duh, but I felt more than a little sluggish running this morning. I did 2.5 miles before I met my hubby for another mile (he's just starting to take an interest in running), for a total of 3.5, even though my training plan called for five miles. Oops. I'll get it tomorrow.

Totally exciting, though. After I was done with my extra mile, where I ended at the house, SOMEONE didn't stop! How great is that? He said he just wanted to keep going, he felt great this time, since his ears and hands weren't frozen. I estimate he did a total of...maybe 1.5 miles. Give or take. Total score for him. I'm so proud! Maybe he'll join me again tomorrow...?

I could definitely get used to this ruining partner deal here. Very cool.

2011 and 2012

In 2011, I did more races than I did in 2010. It's not hard to top zero.  So my goals (not to be confused with resolutions, which are just stupid) for this year, 2012, are as follows:

1.
Definitely get faster. Especially in my shorter-distance runs. Maybe try to cut down my 5k time even more. Do I have 25 minutes in me? Possibly...!

2.
Obviously increase endurance as well. Build up to double digit mile long runs on the weekends. And don't feel like I'm gonna die. That would be nice.

3.
Run half marathon in March. Look into full, if all things go as planned with the half.  As in, I have fun doing the half, and sign up for a full in my high-on-life haze that's sure to follow completion of a half.

4.
Participate in more races. Even if it's just a 5k. Or maybe I should try the volunteer thing once or twice, since race fees are pretty low on the priority list these days. I would love to average one race per month, but given our current finances...um...no. Not going to happen.

5.
Do another run out of state. Or at least out of my Sac and Fresno comfort zones. LA perhaps...?

Slow!

I love having someone to run with me, especially in the mornings, but wow. T joined me for my run this past Sunday, and again this morning. And I love the company. But geez, he's kinda slow. And I know it'll take a while for him to build his endurance.

Sunday was 1.25 miles in somewhere between 13 and 15 minutes. This morning was about 1.1 in 13. Yeesh. Plus, he doesn't like the cold. Or the dark. Or the early wake up call. So I might talk him into joining me on weekends only. Might be easier that way. Plus, he's grumpy in the morning, and doesn't want to wake up early enough for me to get my full mileage in.

Hello, 1 mile this morning? In 13 minutes? Um...that might be a little less than what my half training calls for. I think this weekend is 4 or 5 miles.

I have a new running buddy!

It's my sweetie! And he let me kick his butt for 1.2 miles in (wah, wah) about 13 minutes yesterday. I kept trying to get him to speed up, all to no avail of course, but at least he ran the whole way.

Half marathon training starting this week, so I'm trying to convince him to come with me for at least some of the shorter runs. Yesterday was a little too short, but it'll take him a little while to build endurance and speed. I'll enjoy him being behind me for a while. I know it's only a matter of time before he can go farther and faster than me.

Now, I'm trying to focus. What kind of comfortable-for-13.1-miles outfit can I think up to wear for the Shamrock'n Half in March? Definitely nothing too annoying. No necklaces. Maybe some fun socks and a decked out shirt? Hair bling perhaps?

"i just don't get sick"

famous last words. i finally slept the whole night long (thanks to the blue light left on in the bathroom so the dog could see in the night), and was able to will myself out of bed when my stewie griffin "cool whip" alarm rang.

honestly, i haven't run in more than just a little while... maybe just shy of a week? but i have a 5k in new orleans in just over a week, so i really needed to just do it. i told myself i wouldn't hit home until 3 miles or 5:30, whichever came first. it ended up being one and the same.

at which point i walked inside, started feeling a little less than 100% wonderful, and turned on the shower. and then stood in the doorway of our toilet room. and dry heaved.

whaddya think, a good sign for new orleans? if i'm sick, i'm going to have to think of a punishment cruel enough for my hubby.

kinda weird, though, because i was running significantly slower than usual. it was a bit colder than usual, but would that really make me feel nauseous? or could it possibly be the man who's been sick twice in the past two months? coincidence? no, no, definitely not.

still, i'm doing that 5k.

hell or high water.

not a cheesy thankful post

yeah, yeah, it's the day before thanksgiving. i know a lot of people are posting about things they're thankful for, but not me. i go against the grain.

i didn't run, even though my alarm went off, and i could have... but i opted for an extra hour of sleep on what i'm sure will be a very stressful day (and weekend) for me.

i know, i should have hit the running trail. running helps me deal with stress... usually. not this time. this time, its different. i'm shaking, just thinking about this weekend. see? i'm not the biggest fan of holiday gatherings. so forced, so obligatory.

deep breath, and here we go.

my first pre-work run!

i enjoy rewarding myself with little rewards for little accomplishments, but today i lacked follow-through, so i re-assessed my goal.

i ran/walked the two-and-a-half-mile loop around our neighborhood. i told myself that the first time i did this in the morning before work, i would reward myself with a pumpkin cream cheese muffin and chai yea from starbucks. but i just felt too guilty. i wouldn't have burned close to as many calories as i would've consumed.

so my new reward is this: the first time i run the whole loop without walking, my reward is a chai tea. mmm... those are so good!

maybe i should think of the run as the reward in and of itself, out maybe the sunrise that comes at the end, but i just can't help it. i like my little rewards. what's life without a little treat now and then?

feelin' like a million bucks

i ran the two-and-a-half-mile loop yesterday and today. (you see, this weekend was my big, sorta-slow comeback to running.) anyway, i ran it twice, once yesterday and today, i put it in reverse. totally fun.

twilight? not even close to that much fun. nah, that movie sucked big time.

so i was thinking, i guess i should take tomorrow off, i don't want to overdo it too soon. but then, wait a sec. i should do a first long run of the week. yeah, sunday is a perfect day for a long run, and monday is the perfect day to sleep in... all the way to 5:00 a.m.

so there's this trail, that i've heard goes for kind of a long way through town. i've done parts of it before (the equine-only part, thank you very much), but i think i'm going to try for somewhere in the four-to-five mile range tomorrow. bumpin' up from 25 to around 50 minutes. too much?

what's your long-run length or time?

am i just being a slow poke ninny? should I bump up my mileage sooner, quicker? is chocolate milk on my grocery list? yes.

Thanksgiving is tomorrow, so...

FAIL: I haven't run since Monday night, and that was just a mile. One. One mile. Pahhh-thetic. Even though I've set my alarm for 5:00 or earlier every morning this week, I have FAILed to get my jiggly butt out of bed until somewhere between 5:30 and 5:45. And I leave the house between 6:00 and 6:15. Pahhh-thetic.

So tomorrow is "Thanksgiving" at work, meaning there will be tons of junk food (including the two Costco pumpkin pies I'm bringing), turkey (helloooo, nap-time!), ham, casseroles, all sorts of tempting stuff. All. Day. Long. My plan of attack? A preemptive strike. Start the morning with an around-the-neighborhood two-and-a-half mile loop. My crazy idea that I hope will motivate me tomorrow? Sleep in my running clothes. Might be just crazy enough to work. Plus, I have to shower tomorrow before work anyway. Plus, I'm going to set my cell phone alarm (my secondary), and put my phone on the bathroom counter.

And thus, I have lured myself out of bed at 4:45 a.m., an hour that any other normal human being would sleep through.

Day in the life

Woke up too late to run (if we're being honest, I woke up in plenty of time to run; I just preferred sleeping in).

Coffee, toast, lunch packed. Yadda yadda. I was out the door, and at work in 20 minutes.

And now I have a bazillion missed calls from not working at my desk all day.

Tonight, though... I'm planning to run the subdivision loop for the first time. At night. In the dark. But not in Lodi.

And maybe I will feed the dogs too, if I get around to it.

well, i ran...

not that it was any great distance our anything, but I got out there after a ten-hour day. my alarm is set for 5:00 tomorrow morning so I can run again after a good night of sleep. i hope to at least hit three miles every morning and two every afternoon... that's the goal for now, anyway.

ultimately, it would be great to work up to six miles every morning, with a couple of longer runs on the weekends. i'm not quite sure yet how i can do 13.1 miles in march, but i don't have to worry about that until i work my way up to at least 30 miles a week, every week.

yay (and boo) to turning 31.

my not-so-triumphant return

i'm back, but i wouldn't say i'm loving every minute of it. i think it's just one of those things, i will have to work my way back up to 5k, then 10k, and eventually i will be ready to run my very first half marathon in march 2012!!

my problem right now is all to do with my neck. if my neck doesn't feel good from the beginning of a run, there's just about no way for me to recover. it really is miserable.

so i haven't been ready to get in the number of miles i would like to do in a day yet, but i know i will work my way back up, so i'm not stressing about that yet.

tomorrow morning, bright and early, around 5am, my big plans are to don my brand new head lamp and run for at least a mike our two, before heading back home to prepare for another shortened and very insanely speedy work day. how do people get anything done in just eight hours?

hiatus countdown

we have moved. it's official. so, my running hiatus is due to end tomorrow morning, when I hit the park trail that starts right across the street from my new house! i'm even excited that it's supposed to rain! I can't wait to check out all of these new trails - and there are more than just a handful of miles of them in this town. pictures to come!

the hiatus continues...

cleaning. wiping. rinsing. dusting. carrying. lifting. dry heaving. more cleaning.

but no running. at least for another week or two...

p'ville

running downtown was amazing and fun and i would just love to have thay option every day. but i don't. so i'm looking on the bright side: in just a few weeks, i can run in the mornings (at the lovely park literally right across the street from our house) before work, and still have time to take a shower, eat breakfast, and get to work at least 20 minutes before the doors are unlocked. and this is a good thing, by the way.

anyway, running today was great. it was too hot, especially for what i was wearing, i was literally dripping sweat when i used the bathroom at McD's, but it was great.

super shocked to see that i was going way faster than i thought i ever could, but again, that's a good thing. i'm excited to return to running after what will be a month-long hiatus. i can hardly wait!!!

p'ville

tomorrow, we head north for what was supposed to be an outing with a mutual friend from high school, but he had to back out because his 8-months-pregnant-with-twins wife was put on bed rest. so, undeterred, we say the show must go on. we're going on the outing just the two of us.

while "someone" has an appointment and meets with some other high-falutin' business folks, i decided how to kill those one or two hours: run... duh!

i can hardly wait to run around p'ville, where i went to high school and even some college classes. i haven't seen most of the town for years, only the tourist-y places, the cute downtown area, which is cute, for sure, but not exactly conducive to running. another reason for all this excitement is testing out my new (to me) garmin. i hope the not-craigslist-killer didn't pull a fast one on me!

not the craigslist killer

i have wanted a garmin since i've seen them, so i was cruisin' craigslist for one. pretty much every one of them in any of the surrounding areas was $150 or more, and i didn't see the point in spending so much on a used one.

yadda, yadda... a little drama here and there, long story short, i got a garmin 205 for $45. now to test it out... sad news, though: i have to wait because it came sans charger.

if this thing works, it'll be a great deal.
if not, i will be upset royally, and will swear off craigslist.

I just can't wait to try it!!

i quit

as in, past tense. i no longer go to the gym here in town. for a couple of reasons: first and foremost, i prefer running outside. secondly, the weather around here is finally cooling off (it rained last night, and tonight we have the window open and we put a light comforter on the bed). third, and by far the most anticlimactic... we are supposed to be busy packing to move. but as of yet, we only have a few boxes of stuff, not even enough to say "we've started packing."

so i'm kind of at a standstill. i melt when i run outside right now. also, it's a but less than the ideal neighborhood to run around, with gang tags all over the place. at the same time, maybe we should start packing so we don't have to rush as much later.

i feel bad, though. i'm not much of a social person, so i was totally bummed out when a coworker friend told me about a run some other coworkers are doing later this month. yeah, it would be great, but... it kinda interferes with the whole packing, moving, and resituating our lives.

maybe a thanksgiving run would be more convenient. and cooler.

it had to be done

and i was just the person to do it. make myself run. so i did. i ran for almost two miles straight, but it was still pretty hot outside, way warmer than i'm used to, so i may have to readjust physically or mentally so i get myself back up to speed.

also, since today was my first day back on the dusty trail... back on the road again... pounding pavement... i remembered exactly why I'm not the hugest fan of running around here: suspicious activity... gang tags... random shopping carts left in random places... dogs left to run wild and get hit by cars... drug deals taking place... people having sex in the park... the list goes on (naturally).

this week, we expect to sign the paperwork making the new house "ours." and then the fun (and overwhelming, never-ending stress) begins! packing and unpacking, organizing and reorganizing, moving, renting and returning trucks, arranging and rearranging tons of stuff we may never need.

now do you understand why i'm having issues with endurance this week? it's hard (for me) to think about running longer and longer distances when i don't feel like i can keep up with my daily life, stress-filled like it is at the moment. plus, it would be really wonderful if the temperature would cool down just a little, like maybe 20°. is that too much to ask?