What a Girl Wants

So, there I was in the kitchen stretching before heading out, and I looked over my shoulder to see this:


You're getting                   You're taking
out of here, right?               me right?!?!

 I'm happy to further interpret for you:

Seriously?! You're not letting me come?

I can hardly stand it. *sigh*

In the meantime:

You really need to leave so I can decide
if I'm going to torment the sad sack over
there or if I'm going to get my nap on.
So many decisions ...

So, I headed out and muddled through the fact that my longest weekday run fell on the hottest week day. Of course it did (which is also why Elly couldn't come. Too bad she has no reasoning skills to get that). But, it was all good, it's finished AND while I didn't find any pennies, I did see two turtles, both of which had moss on their posteriors. I could only think, "Man, I move faster than to have moss grow on my can."

I returned home to a very waggy tail:

All is forgiven!

So, it's shower time for me, nap time for the beasts, and we'll get up tomorrow and do it all over again! I'll want it cooler and it won't be; Elly will want to come and I won't take her. It's pretty predictable we won't get what we want, but we'll have what we need. 'Can't ask for much more than that!

Money Management Or Mind Games?

A most fabulous way to spend Rest Day is by having a lunch date with my hubby and leader of the Pit Crew! Woo-Hoo!! At lunch, I got a fortune cookie. Check out what it said:

Outwardly, I acted as though this was oh-so appropriate given the Half Marathon is in 11 days. (Eleven?! How'd that happen?! Anyway ...) But, in my head, I gave myself a big ol' *sigh*, and here's why: The course for this particular event is notoriously mean in terms of hills. They're steep (but not steep), and they're inarguably long. For various reasons, this year's course has changed three times since I registered which is enough for me to just bag it in terms of thinking it through and understanding what's coming. (I tried to think last year's through based on the map, and I got it all kinds of wrong, so I decided to use the Ignorance Is Bliss strategy this year ...)

BUT! (You know where this is going; curiosity killed the cat and all.) I decided there was one hill in particular I needed to check out. I have mixed emotions now having done so:

Here we are almost at the bottom, so,
we're looking up. There's a bit more behind me,
but this was the safe place to pull over, and I am a safety girl.

Oh, look at that. It keeps going.
Ouch.

Oh, but, wait. There's more!
I'm thinking the puppy pace will
have slowed wayyyyy down by here ...

... and that's okay because look what's at the
top of the hill! A hotel! Ta-Da! How convenient.
Just in case...

And, if we're really hungry, there are other accommodations
at the top of the hill, too ... if they have Diet Coke, I'm in!

Looking back DOWN the hill was far more
appealing ... not an option, but appealing!

I did clock this stretch upward, and it's a half mile. Good news: that's half the distance it felt when I was experiencing it in the car. Alternative news (see how I'm staying positive?): it's a half mile up.

I often read about how many runners have a mantra they repeat to themselves during a long run. You know, something inspirational to keep 'em going. I've also often joked that I tend to get more of my money's worth out of a run than do those who blow through in record time because, after all, I'm on the course longer. Shoot, that's just good home economics.

Therefore, on this stretch, I think I will adopt the following mantra: "Gettin' my money's worth ... Gettin' my money's worth ..." This is the part of the course where I need to come upon a penny or two. THAT would be poetic.

I'll let you know how that turns out.

In Case You Were Wondering ...

The picture of in the previous post is, in fact, our flushing toilet. While I am no threat to stage a huge take-over at a running event and thwart everyone's else's plans for first place, I am a wee bit dangerous with a digital camera ...

Oh, Yes, It's Monday

Today had MONDAY written all over it --

It began at midnight when a water main broke sucking all of the water out of our pipes. I was asleep when I heard a huge schhhhlllooooooooooop! from our toilet. It was loud like I've never heard not in relation to a big storm. One cat fled for cover under the bed, the dog bravely bolted into the hallway, and the other cat went to take on the toilet monster. It sounded like we were about to get hauled into the vortex and pulled into the underground world of sewer systems. After calling whomever it is we call for such things and found out it was a water main and not just us, it was back to sleep for me -- until the water returned at 2:30 a.m. with the same ferocity as it left. A disruptive sleep is always a great way to start the day!

So, I was tired and not feeling it at all when I took out for the morning run. I kept the beloved puppy pace in mind so as not to set out too fast. Mid-morning was going to come whether I ran or not. I preferred it come with a run behind me.

It was an aromatic run to say the least punctuating the fact that it is, indeed, Monday. That garbage truck that passed had been on its route for a very long while. Cigar smoke travels quite a distance out of a passing car. The breeze that cooled me going one way did nothing more than waft the smell of me right into my face when I went the other. And, squirrels lacking the brains to avoid being hit by cars smell way worse than Saturday's parade of dead frogs.

In fun news, though, I've learned that I not only break for money, I also break for real estate fliers. May you, too, find fun surprises (that don't stink) in your path today!

You Guessed It ...

... it's Rest Day. Savoring it today; gearing up for tomorrow. Enjoy a lazy one! I'll be taking my cues from the kitty. She has resting down to a perfected science ...

Papa Has Eaten, So On With the Story ...

During the day yesterday, I kept changing my mind as to whether or not I was excited to run this morning. It literally changed by the hour, so I've more than learned to just commit and do. No thinking required!

Today's stash of sacrificial fruit.

At 6:14 a.m., I armed myself with my grape friends and running water bottle (which has a strap to go around my hand, therefore, no effort to hold required ... I like that ... no effort ...) before heading out. In case you were wondering (and I have before been asked), the grapes live in my pocket until they meet their demise.

Out I went, and it was a lovely morning with a cool breeze. I did not expect that! I also did not expect so many dead frogs in the first 3 miles, so I guess you take the good with the bad.

That's a penny, baby!

Remember when I -- effectively -- said that I brake for cash? I totally wasn't kidding! I found a penny 130 steps from my finish (yes, I counted)! This was way more exciting than the fake-out I had around mile 4 when what I thought was a coin turned out to be a button.

There were a lot of people out today both running and biking, and it was really fun because most everyone returned my hello to them! I like that so much more than when I say hello and I get the angry eyes in return. Even if the person isn't angry, they look it. Hurts my feelings. *sniff* Oh, and I got to exchange a high five with a friend who was biking toward me (because I do, indeed, follow the run-against-traffic rules). It's always fun to see a friend, and it's a good thing I didn't do something stupid like grab his hand as we passed. Pulling him off of his bike would have been way worse than any angry eyes I ever received. 'Probably would have gotten them from him ...

Oh. So. Gross.

Anyway, I made it home no worse for the wear. Well, I'm not worse, but my shirt is! I've all but destroyed it. It's now out where all gross exercise clothes are banished until laundered. I guess that penny will go to the Nancy Needs a New Shirt Fund. 

So, there's 12 in the tank. Rock on, and on with the day!

Awesome

I thought for certain that my words today would reflect the ramblings or random observations from my 12-mile run. You don't finish 12 without feeling something really good ... what I didn't expect today was how awesome it felt to be just about at my finish point, call home to ask if I could be met with a water bottle, and moments later be met by the entire crew, Elly and all. My youngest Pit Crew member bounded toward me with the water bottle while Elly pulled Pit Crew #2 to meet me.

Seriously. How lucky am I. You'll note, that wasn't in question form ...

More update later ... the Pit Crew waited for me for breakfast. Aaron just announced: Papa Eat Now. That's not a train that's easy to stop ...

No Joke About the Diet Coke!

So, on the Eve of Rest Days, Aaron heads out to get our scrumptious, cold Diet Cokes. I walked into the kitchen last night when he returned to see this:

Can you tell we've had conversations reflecting the following?

"HEY! Quit drinking mine!"
"I was just drinking ..."
"Well, STOP because that one doesn't have as much anymore!"

It's fair to say that on any given day, the who's-who there has been interchangeable.

Treat yourself today to something fabulous! It's Friday which also means Rest Day! You earned it no matter how you got here!

The Good For You Lady

Now that I'm back to some of my old routes, I have to tell you one of the very best things that happens on one of them. I call her the "Good For You Lady."

It all started last Fall. Elly and I were out running, and this lady slowed down, rolled down her window and yelled, "Good for youuuuuuuu!! GOOD FOR YOUUUUUUUU!" And, then she kept going. This happened the next time. And, the next. And, the next. There is hardly a day I don't see her. Actually, I tend to hear her first with her very enthusiastic, "Good for youuuuuu," which is also typically accompanied by a fist pump in the air. It's always accompanied by a very friendly smile. She rules.

So, there I was on a route I'd not been in months when I heard a car slow down. And, there was the old familiar, "Good for youuuu!" this time with an added, "Welcome back!" Seriously cool.

Then picture this! I was on the last stretch before ending when I came upon a woman walking gingerly across the street with a full cup of coffee in each hand. She was going from her house to the one across from hers clearly for a morning visit. How often do you see that?! She told me it was a great day for a run. I told her I was about to follow her instead. She said that she would just be sitting, though. I did not say that that was my point. I didn't think she really cared, and I didn't want her to start off her visit with her friend with a story about the weirdo runner outside who wouldn't stop talking to her.

So, I wrapped it up, got out my friend Water Bottle and enjoyed taking a breather in the bea-u-ti-ful morning! Whatever it is you set out to accomplish today, may I be among the first to say "Good For Youuuuuuuu!!"

It's Not Making Me Rich, But I Keep My Eye Out ...

This morning, on the very same stretch of road where less than year ago I used to find myself slowing down and subsequently berating myself (what's wrong with you; loser, why can't you do this bettter; oh my gosh you are so slow ...), I found myself slowing down and thoroughly enjoying the cool of the shade in which I found myself. And, like so many times before, I simply kept going. Only, this time, I only had lovely thoughts of my very cold water waiting for me back at the car.

That is a victory no matter how you slice it.

In the meantime, check THIS out ... as I was along that very same stretch, look what I saw! Okay, this is usually exciting for me because anyone who knows me knows I'll break whatever pace I'm on (which means I'm willing to stop) to pick up money! I did it at the 10K in July to the tune of 2 or 3 pennies (I was a near-delirious with heat by that point, so I'm a bit foggy on the details). I did it right after I passed the 12-mile mark on last Fall's Half for a penny (yeah I did!). So, I'm sure knowing I stop during an every day run comes as no surprise.

This was mean, though. They're totally cemented in there!! What a tease! Grrr. I figured this out before actually stopping which was good (I've stopped a number of times for things that look like coins that aren't ... totally annoying.). Look closely, and you'll see that someone got two out, but the other three are there for keeps. Don't count on me to retrieve them. I don't see running with blunt or sharp objects in my future!

I now get to tick miles off the counter and go on with my day. A toast to you for a great day with my ice cold water! Mmmmm ...

Here We Go Again -- Rest Day!

Yahoo!! You know what day it is!! But, I really do feel the need to explain my schedule here --

After spending at least a year (and previous spurts throughout the years) ordering myself to exercise 5 days a week no matter what because that's what you're supposed to do, I came upon a schedule like I'd never before seen, and it came in the form of last year's half marathon training. (*important to note: check out my disclaimer below as I officially recommend nothing and merely relay what I do; use it if it works and is good for you, otherwise, blow it off entirely!)

Okay, back to my story: In short, the running schedule to prepare for the run entailed running 4 days a week. Period. Four. FOUR! (Are you supposed to use the others for cross-training? I suppose you could on some level if you are an elite athlete ... check it out, I'm not.) The other days are for REST (again, very wise to give your body the break to chill out and rebuild muscle tissue). And, if you're Nancy, very wise in terms of not overloading to the point of exhaustion and/or burnout. Is there anything worse when exercising than to do so much that you quit only to feel demoralized and like you shouldn't bother in the first place? Can you tell I've been there my share of times? It's super.

Anyway, I'd never heard of such a thing as all recommendations I've heard are to exercise between 5 and even up to 7 -- yowza! -- days a week. Not happening here! So, I gave this new-fangaled schedule a whirl. I run Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (or Sunday instead, up to me). That's it. Granted, I have to commit to those days, or the schedule becomes Nancy's Lifetime of Rest and we're back to where we started a few years ago, but that's why I write the miles on the calendar and simply follow it.

My favorite part of it? I *always* seem to have a Rest Day to look forward to! And, you can tell I love it so much because I talk about it. In fact, my "worst" running day is always Wednesday because I have to go back out Thursday; my long weekend run isn't even my worst! Whoever came up with this schedule ranks up there in my book with the creators of artichokes and Diet Coke (not in combo, people, that would be gross).

(*Why, yes, this is what is called in the biz a "stock photo" ... leave it to me to have one in my arsenal because I really did eat those, and that really is my plate. I can't eat artichokes the night before a run, though. Too much fiber. You do the math.)

With that, I get to begin Rest Day meeting up with an old friend. And, this is an old friend for real, not like my "old friend" running route yesterday. And, unless I'm really annoying, I don't think this friend will throw boulders in my shoe. Enjoy your day whatever is on your schedule, and if you took some time to rock out with some movement, congratulate yourself on a job well done!

A Foiled Finish

This morning's run was actually a really great one in that (a) it was outside and not on the mean machine, and (b) it was on a route I've not run in months. It was kind of like meeting up with an old friend (but not really like that at all because I like to sit and talk with my friends, and there was none of that going on).

What was cool, though, is that this route used to greatly intimidate me given it's hills (that used to look like mountains) and the time it took me to run (particularly because of the hills). But, this morning was good and I was cruising along into the home stretch (which happens to be up a hill), and BAM! BOULDER IN THE SHOE!

True, I tend to have a flair for the drama, but you know exactly what I'm talking about when I call whatever it was in my shoe a boulder. Those suckers hurt!! And, yes, I saved it and brought it home to show you. I'm not only dramatic, but I'm also a dork.

Anyway, this thing lodged itself into my shoe without warning, and I stopped cold. There was a day I would have tried to just finish because I wanted to prove to myself that I could, indeed, finish. Now, whatever! I'm not running with a boulder in my shoe!

The biggest bummer? It happened right before passing one of those solar "Your Speed" signs. If I am in the right spot, it picks up my speed which I find fabulous! Today, though, it was still flashing "25" for the car that had just passed me. Um, that's not my speed ...

With that, I go on with my day. A happy, boulder-free Monday to you!

Refueling

You could probably guess the day after a long run is a Rest Day! Wahoo!!! (I really have to fill you in on how my schedule works because I'm sure it seems all I do is rest! While it's not all I do -- or that mileage countdown wouldn't go down! -- it's something I thoroughly enjoy. But, that's a story for another day.)

Today, part of my morning included thinking ahead to the week, making sure I have a plan in place as to when and where I will run and that I have what I need. What do I need besides my running shoes and a bottle of water? GRAPES! (Didn't see that coming, did you?)

You see, last year when I was running during the summer training for the Half, I got up to enough mileage that I felt completely depleted by the time I finished. I mean whipped. Entirely. Who wants to end a run like that? If I had nothing else to do or that I wanted to do during the day, it might be different. But, I'm not so sure a school principal will understand when I don't pick someone up from school. Ring-ring! "Um, hello, are you going to pick up your kid?" "Oh, I'm so sorry, but momma needs to nap. I ran this morning." That's not going to fly.

I've heard of and read about a number of refueling products, but I have to admit I'm not that interested. I do enough caffeine loads in a week with my Diet Coke love, so I have a hard time taking a shot of it. Sports drinks can make me feel queasy during a run (although they have their merit for me post-run), and I don't feel like paying a premium for something I don't really want anyway (now, there's a surprise: Nancy doesn't want to fork out the cash).

So, I consulted with an employee at our super-great, local sporting goods store, and one of the options he recommended was eating grapes along the way! Grapes? Are you kidding? YUM! Perhaps it's because I actually said "YUM!" out loud that he felt the need to mention I should try "one or twoooooo". He said eat a couple (there it was again ... a couple!) a mile before I anticipated needing a refuel, then take a couple more (I got it already!) about every other mile from there.

I gave it a whirl, and by golly, it works like a *charm*! I have to mention that they, believe it or not, make me a little thirsty (don't ask me why, it sounds counter-intuitive to me, too), so I take a swigga-the-water right after, and I'm good to go. I end a long run in a normal state of tired, not a I'm-totally-wasted-don't-bug-me-for-the-rest-of-the-week tired. Everyone here appreciates that!

If you have tips to keep yourself away from the state of Eternal Depletion, I'd love to know. And, don't say, "Just don't run in the first place" because I don't need the temptation!

I Sincerely Tip My Hat ...

... to those of you who ever use a treadmill or other (torturous) exercise machine. I had a plan for my course today, and it was a great plan ... thwarted by a little thing called THUNDER and SCARY LIGHTENING. My parents taught me not to play outside when it's like that, and I've already deemed tomorrow the Rest Day, so I grumbled my way downstairs to put the miles on the treadmill.

(* a special thanks to my Pit Crew Leader and household techie for setting me up with headphones for the t.v. ... which also marked a new running-related injury to consider ... ear ache from the headphones! I know, I'm complaining, but it hurts!)

So, how'd it go? It totally blew. I'm not even going to sugar-coat that one. I hate the treadmill. I spent the first mile ... first mile ... singular-digit mile ... griping to myself about how much I hated it. It's not productive, but it's real, what can I say. My prevalent thoughts while on the mean machine:

"This sucks."
"Thank goodness for recorded t.v."
"I'll check my time/mileage at the next commercial ... no, now ... no, next commercial ..."
"Seriously, not finished yet?!"
"MMMMM ... COLD DIET COOOOOOOOOOOOKE!!"

Well, I did finish ... to be honest, the last half wasn't as bad as the first. I stopped being a baby and just kept going by that point.

AND, THEN came the Saturday ritual of getting bagels, taking them to our favorite fast-food restaurant (where we can bring in a cup and get a Diet Coke with refills for 53 cents ... yeah!!!!) and play card games. I was most interested in the Diet Coke (which you know by now).

The youngest member of the Pit Crew is also a Diet Coke fan, and I'm usually good about sharing. However, post-11-miler on the treadmill doesn't do much for my sharing desire, and he almost got hurt. It went like this:

Oh my gosh, this is like nectar of the gods ...

What? You want a sip? I think not, so back off!

No, seriously, I can't do much to protect my Diet Coke here
because there are security cameras, but I still suggest you back off!

You'll be pleased to know that no one was hurt in the defense of my hard-earned soda. I will say, though, that once I got up from sitting there for a bit, it might seem to the casual observer that the Diet Coke had been "enhanced" as I had the post-long run wobbly legs.

I'm off to mow ... no way am I wrecking tomorrow's rest day by doing that!

Rest Day Rituals

‘Totally wasn’t kidding about taking rest days seriously. In all seriousness, they do matter to allow your body to physically recover from all of the work you’re doing no matter what that work is. For me, they also give me days to look forward to not *having* to do anything! (yeah!!!) I pretend such things as playing in the pool or playing 4 square aren’t exercise on those days, otherwise, I might not do them. (Oh, you don’t think 4 square is much exercise? Have you played it with the youngest member of the Pit Crew?)

I take rest days further, though, and have established some rituals* (*subject to change when I decide something else is more fun). Currently, on the Eve of Rest, the hub and I get our evening reality tv fix on while I enjoy some popcorn (not allowed on Run Eves; gotta temper the raging popcorn beast somehow) and Diet Coke from the gas station fountain (*really* not allowed on Run Eves ... I need to run in the morning, not all night to the bathroom).

Now, that’s a winning combination I can look forward to all day. In fact, I sometimes find myself thinking about it on my long runs. It goes something like this: “Mmmm ... cold Diet Cooooooookeeee ...”

And, in case you’re curious, the Run Eve banter goes something like this:

Sweetly, “Can I have some of your popcorn?”

Not sweetly, “NO!”

Take a shot at who’s who there ...

And, instead of running on this Morning of Rest, I will be running my mouth with a friend. That, too, is time well spent! Enjoy Friday! That’s what they’re for!

(Check out my mileage countdown up there in the corner of the page. Snazzy, huh? Tomorrow’s mileage: 11. No real need to think about that right now.)

You've GOT To Be Kidding Me

To know me is to know that this is not a time I see on my clock on a regular basis. (Did I just say "regular basis"? HA! What a lie! I never see this!) You see, I have getting up and to where I'm supposed to be down to a science so that I squander no time out of bed. You can tell by the time on the clock that I had things to do early today ...

I'm certain it would have been easier to get up had I not stayed up late watching our recorded reality tv show (no way was I missing that, though! Priorities, people!), and I probably didn't need to send some later-night emails, and I would have gotten to bed sooner if Elly didn't need one more time outside (only because I was up stirring), but you can't take the night owl out of this girl, so late nights happen. And, I often pay in the morning.

But, I still put in the miles. (Remember how that stupid calendar tells me what to do? It's still talking to me! Grrrr ...) I'm pleased to report, though, that I wasn't too grouchy! That's bound to come later ...

It's Becoming An Age-Old Question ...

Which smells worse ... (a) Me after a run, or (b) Elly's every day breath? It's a toss up.

With the un-be-liev-able orange sunrise at the top of the hill, the train whistle in the distance (which I love) and the three neighborhood kids who are always out and provide me with a sweet chorus of "hellos" on the way out of the neighborhood and on my way back in, it was a good one out there this morning.

Not a winning day for Elly, though, huh? Not only did I not take her with me today, but I also bagged on her breath. But, she welcomed me back with a big ol' up-close-and-personal burp while I was stretching. Good doggie.

Wow, What a Crank

Just for the record, there is not one bone in my body that wants to get up and run in the morning. Not one, so I seem to be riding the bitter train about having to do so.

Then, why am I? *SIGH* I suppose it's so I don't fall down in the middle of the half marathon and have to have the Pit Crew come scrape me up off of the road. (Now, that's a picture.) That, and, I already wrote it down on the calendar as what I'm supposed to do tomorrow.

So, it's about bedtime for me if I'm to get up when I need. Aaron's going to ask me, "What time do you want to get up in the morning?" (as he always does), and I'm going to announce, "NINE!" (like I always do because I try to call him on his use of "want" instead of "need"), and we're going to have to have that useless banter that could be avoided if I'd just be a grown up and answer the question intended.

Stupid calendar.

Rest Days Taken Seriously

It's rest day for all! See you tomorrow!

Moody Monday

At 6:15 a.m., my very sweet husband came in for the second time to wake me up. It went like this:
Sweet husband: "Wake uuuuuppp ..." with a soft shoulder shake.
Crabby Nancy: "WHY!" You'll note, that wasn't a question.
Sweet husband: "I'm sure you you have your reasons."
Crabby Nancy: "Those reasons are probably stupid."

That's not an atypical exchange between the two of us. It's civil (now that when he wakes me up, he doesn't tell me he's doing so because "it's time to go run." Worst. Way. To. Wake. Me. Up.)

It was only 65 degrees (woah!!), so I took Elly with me. We headed out, and the girl was s-l-o-w ... good golly, she was slow. I don't think she was fully awake, either, though, so I decided to comply with her pace and just enjoy. (At 65 degrees, you can BREATHE!)

Today's route included a pretty substantial hill right in the middle. It's .67 of a mile top to bottom. It's a favorite spot because the sun is coming up right in front of me. I make a point to actually take in that moment because it's that pretty.

Elly and I rounded the corner to the top of the hill, and the sun made Elly's face GLOW. I said to her, "Girl, this is where we shine!" (Of course we shine, we're about to go DOWN hill!)

I had "Chariots of Fire" music in my head, Elly and I were winning the Olympic human-canine jogging division, and I kid you not that I looked up and saw two, separate rainbow pieces on either side of the sun. One for each of us! Glorious!

Less glorious is getting back up that hill! Swapping out "Chariots of Fire" in my head for "Pour Some Sugar On Me" (that'll throw your brainwaves for a loop!), we went back up the hill and finished our morning 4. Victory! A commemorative photo was required.

May your day include at least one victory and at least one time you know you shine!!

Ten Miles Down

We're hitting the ground running (no pun intended) by starting here, but you have to start somewhere, and the clock is ticking down to the Roots & Blues Half Marathon on September 10! Needless to say, training is WELL underway!!

I'm pretty stoked about the upcoming event, but it was a hard-fought effort and decision this year after a big bout of self-doubt in May followed by a heck-of-a-heated summer. To cut to the chase, I officially registered for the run this past week (making sure I got in on the least expensive fee, of course!), I logged my 10-mile run yesterday, and completing this run is a foregone conclusion. The training between now and then is what will indicate *how* I finish!

Let's review my goal:
Finish. Period.

Beyond that, everything is a bonus!

I leave it at that for now -- this effort is a work in progress! And, let's face it, another round of REAL work begins on the other side of the Half ... when I figure out another goal and start over ...!