Fearless

Happy Halloween from the running trio -- most notably from our new, fearless leader ...

It's Buzz Lightyear!!

Everyone's dog costume has a costume of its own, right ?!

"Get on goin' dog!! To infinity and beyond, I say!! And, none
of those annoying potty stops, or I'll hit'cha with my laser!"

"Hey! I can't seeeeee!"

It had to be done. And, he's awesome!!

Be safe out there today!! I know I feel a little safer with a protector of the galaxies near me! Tomorrow, we rest it up before the big run, but, before that, we indulge in some festivities! Happy Halloween, and we'll see you tomorrow!

Fast-Paced Finds

Today's numbers: Nancy's Days Run: 165 Nancy's 2013 Mileage 773 Elly's 2013 Mileage 366.4 Money Found For Food Bank: $19.05 in change, $25 in bills

2012 Found-Money Food Bank Donation: $7.83

Don't you hate when you have a bad dream, and that nagging bad-dream feeling just sticks with you throughout your morning? Yeahhh ... welcome to my Wednesday. Nagging, icky feeling or not, though, I had a commitment to myself to keep:

And. sometimes. the I Love To Run Facebook page puts my
thoughts into words ...

Today's was the last short run before Saturday's virtual event! I fully admit I took this run super easy. Because that's what worked for me today. And, that's reason enough! Elly and I plodded along and just soaked in the surroundings feeling uber-blessed with missing the forecasted rain two days in a row. When does that ever happen?! Clearly, the running gods are smiling on me right now.

It was cool to just meander so we could really see the sites! You know I love the changing trees ...

... and, the sunrises ...

Of course, I was also on the hunt for money because, given the current money-finding pace, I'm very hopeful to hit $20 in change before donatation day! And, as of today, I'm only 95 cents away from doing so!! So, intentional routing is key to this success!

Before I even arrived at my go-to drive-thru, I'd already found 15 cents. The go-to had nothing at it ... unless you are persistent and dig in the cracks:

Too gross? Eh, that's what the puddles from the earlier rain were for ... make-shift hand wash! (What, it wasn't like I was washing before a meal.) All together today, that's 28 more cents for the Food Bank. Translation: Today's money alone is between 3-4 pounds of food for someone who doesn't have it. That's worth some grime on the washable hands!!

I might have been somewhat out of sorts through the run, but that didn't keep me from remembering all of the ways I am fortunate from the ability to run in the first place (never mind that last hill today; no need to speak of it) to having food on our table. And, for everything in between.

It's amazing what some concentrated time on my feet has driven home.

In the meantime, I think my little friends had a good excursion as well. I'll share with you how very fabulous their time together was tomorrow. Until then, though, here's a teaser:

I'll see you on tomorrow's Rest Day for the reveal!

Hang Tight

Today's numbers: Nancy's Days Run: 164 Nancy's 2013 Mileage 770 Elly's 2013 Mileage 363.4 Money Found For Food Bank: $18.77 in change, $25 in bills

2012 Found-Money Food Bank Donation: $7.83

As is the case with most weeks, I look ahead to the weekend, and I'm not quite sure how everything I need to accomplish is actually going to happen before the days are behind me. It doesn't help that I cannot seem to keep track of my morning schedule each day until, literally, the night before when someone says, "So, you're doing XYZ tomorrow morning, right?" and I'm all deer-in-the-headlighted, "Umm ...I am?! huh !" *sigh*

Take the craze of normal life, and put on top of it big running goals, and this girl's head goes whiiirrrrrrrrr ...

But. That's okay. It's normal stuff. And, it all gets accomplished because I'm committed to doing so. That's often all it takes: Committment. Those running goals are technically dispensible. But, there's no need for that. No need at all.

So, take that, upside down morning! And, that rain in the forecast that we beat by mere seconds! And, that things I want to get done for Halloween! And (last but not least) that crazy Half Marathon in November goal! Yeah ... I've either gotten or will get it all because I. Said. I. Would.

The only thing that would make the Yikes above Elly's head this morning is if it were actually in a thought bubble ...

"Mommy's in a mood. I'm a bit scared ..."

With an eye on the prize, there are more miles to run tomorrow! Stay focused, and grab tight to your commitment ... that's how it happens! 'See you tomorrow after the last short run before the long one!

More Than Meets the Eye

I just learned that there is a World Record holder for the longest scarf knit while running a marathon. I'm not even kidding. Less than two weeks ago, he broke the previous 9' 6" record by knitting a 12' 1 3/4" scarf while completing his 26.2 miles in 5:48.

And, I thought it was somewhat impressive to take decent pictures on the run.


Speaking of making more of things than meets the eye ... This Saturday is the virtual run!! Virtual runs are awesome because, for so many of them, you really do get to pick your logistics. The when, the where, the how ... it's all up to you! That also worked well for us this go around because we're all busier now than we were over the summer; details needed to be fluid until closer to the date to see what actually worked vs. what simply sounded good at the time but is impossible to pull off without poking ones eyes out.

But, because so many life details kept getting added and/or altered, my brain has been on figuring out how to make this the best virtual event it can be ... because you already know, straight-forward running doesn't seem to be inspirational enough.

Enter: The Virtual Marathon Relay!

I've seen marathon relays at every large event I've done, and I've been intrigued. In the ones I've seen, the relay team is comprised of four members, and the marathon route is split somewhat evenly -- I've read about anything from a 5K on up for leg distances. At my Half events, I've gotten to see the relay handoff at the 10K mark, and I've seen a number of whole teams cross the finish line together. While I've enjoyed completing a Half distances on my own, I can't help but be inspired by the teamwork of the relay. In fact, many times, I've spent some of my time running my Half plotting whom I'm going to sucker into being a part of a relay team with me someday!

Evidently, my sweet suckers are Mary Kate and Pit Crew #2! Check this out ... With all of the upcoming Saturday logistics on the table, coupled with the inspiration of a relay team, we have Saturday mapped out!

Leg one: Mary Kate runs her crazy-early-morning 10 miles and earns her Pink Awareness medal!
Leg two: I set sail on the first half of my Half pausing at the 10Kish mark to earn my Spooky medal!
Leg three: Onward I go to complete the Half distance which is also a little past a 10K -- Pink Awareness medal time!
Leg four: Pit Crew number 2 takes off for 3.1 miles to earn her Pink Awareness medal!

Mary Kate and I will somewhat overlap her ending and my beginning, but it's an imperfect world. I think of it as an extended handoff chute. We could use that if we were doing this in person because it would give us more time to talk.

So, there it is!! I'm SO excited to take on another challenge in a new way! And, in case you're wondering, breaking the Half in two makes it seem like it's not as long as one, long stretch. I'll let you know how it feels after I'm finished! Before then, there are two more runs for the books, so I'll check in after tomorrow's as we get closer to go time !!

Not That ... THIS!

Today's numbers: Nancy's Days Run: 163 Nancy's 2013 Mileage 767 Elly's 2013 Mileage 360.4 Money Found For Food Bank: $18.77 in change, $25 in bills

2012 Found-Money Food Bank Donation: $7.83

When I ran the Rock'n'Roll St. Louis Half Marathon last year, I crossed the finish line just knowing  I was running that course again. Everything about the experience from the Expo to the course to the event as a whole was that fabulous! I was immediately committed to returning!

Well, the funny thing about making plans is that life happens to them! The Rock'n'Roll event took place this morning, but it just didn't fit with the priority plans in our house. The plans we took on instead were fabulous, and I wouldn't have missed them. I have to admit, though, a slight twinge last night of feeling like, "Oooo ... was there any way  to have done both?" Yes, there would have been a way to do both, but it would have been at the expense of being fully present at either. And, that is not how I roll. At all.

My commitment to the one and my being bummed about the other did not have to be mutually exclusive, and getting on board with that when I realized the schedule conflict was the key to success to letting my intended plans go and completely enjoying where I was. Besides, how could I possibly be very bummed when the world of virtual running has entered my life, and, in doing so, I'm able to make this running gig as big or as little as I want at almost any point in time! Enter next weekend's Half Marathon distance and cupcake medal, and I'm good to go (at a deeply discounted monetary price)!

So, last year, I was running here ...

... almost the entire way alongside this lady:

She's the one who finished her water from
a drink station and hit me with her cup
when she threw it. It was fabulous!

This year, when the Rock'n'Roll Half was starting, I was still in my cozy bed (Yeah!! No complaint there!). And, when I finally did motivate myself to get up and out, I wasn't running alongside crazy cup lady (ha!). Instead, I looked over to see them ...

aaaaannnddd, him!

Yes, I have somehow convinced or otherwise inspired my favorite running pal to join me even when it's a 32-degree start!! To know him is to really get the degree of impact the cold has on him, so, trust me, I'm surprised and happy every time he is willing to join me!

Do you see what I see? Frost on the snapdragons in the
sittin' spot! Brrrr ...

We used the first two miles to plot and plan how next weekend's Half will work for everyone including all runners, so it was not only fun, it was productive! (Details forthcoming. As in tomorrow. Until then, the password is: Relay!) Yet, another win-win for the week!

 

It was on this outing that I shared with Aaron my time goal for April's Half which is totally and completely doable provided all of my life stars align. If they do, a personal record is on deck. If they don't, then I'll finish and move on knowing I did everything I could and gave it what I had. I know I don't tend to give time much attention, but I've been at this long enough that I've chosen to selectively dabble. To be honest, a big event evokes a whole lotta adrenaline and excitement, and I've learned to use it! I also embrace that the going is what matters no matter how fast. Or, slow. Or, in between! It's that simple.

 

I like simple.

 

I also like making the most of what's in front of me, so while I did not participate in the 2013 Rock'n'Roll Half, I did pay it homage with a purposeful donning of last year's event shirt and blingy head band I think I bought at that Expo. Even if I didn't, it's what I remember and not a life-changing detail.

Four miles, four runners (Jacques likes to be included), three pennies and feeling awesome about all of it. Can I ask for anything more than that?

"This actually worked about better for me,
mommy, because you didn't let me run
with you at that event. *sigh*"
(ps: Is Jacques fabulous or what?!)

It's on with the rest of the weekend, and I'll see you tomorrow on Rest Day!

Sounds Greek To Me

Oh my gosh, this is sooooooo true:

Okay, I did know what carbo load meant ... it means
'deliciousness,' am I right ?!

When I first started running, I managed to intimidate myself paying attention to the running lingo. Everyone seemed to speak in code and in such a way that I thought I needed to care about these terms if I was going to succeed at running. Seriously, these terms sounded very important.

And, then, I found my own groove. And, I found my own purpose for running. And, I grew to love it for what it means to me.

Today, late morning, it meant expressing my own lingo. I find it easier to translate than some of the other terms out there, but I'll give you the whole conversation anyway:

Me: My butt strings hurt today.
Aaron: Yourrrrr ...?
Me: My butt strings.
Aaron: (silent ... silently communicating he, again, has no idea what I'm rambling about)
Me: Not my hamstrings. Not really my glutes. My in betweens.
Aaron: Ah. (Which is quite possibly code for "No sympathy here when you refuse to stretch.")

Don't get caught up in the minutia of an activity ... just go forth, learn what you actually need, then make it meaningful to you!

We'll see who's hurting when and how after he joins me for tomorrow morning's run! We'll check in after! See you then!

Making It Mine

Today's numbers: Nancy's Days Run: 162 Nancy's 2013 Mileage 763 Elly's 2013 Mileage 356.4 Money Found For Food Bank: $18.74 in change, $25 in bills

2012 Found-Money Food Bank Donation: $7.83

Happy Friday!!! Oh, how I love Friday! OH how I love having that last long run before a Half out of the way!! The miles get long the closer the event -- virtual or otherwise! -- gets, so it seems to take just a wee bit more motivation to get on out there and get the miles under the feet. But, knowing the next long run is the big one is totally exciting, so ignoring those mini i-don't-wanna-do-it's totally pays off!

It was wise to get as motivated as possible before heading out today because it was chilly ... 32 degrees to start!! Brrrr ...


I have run plenty in the cold, and I have never had much issue with it. But, this morning, I couldn't stop thinking about just how cold my legs were, and it was mighty distracting. (And, yes, I was wearing pants, not shorts ... I do eventually drop the hard-core persona and exhibit some common sense!) Finally, well into my third mile, I remembered I don't just wear pants to run in the cold, but I also put on some version of second skins to actually keep me warm. Duh. Nice timing to remember I own them, huh? Suffice it to say, my legs stayed pretty cold all 10 miles. That oughta teach me. Key word: Oughta.

I decided to accept that there was absolutely nothing I could do to make my legs warmer and focus on better things. Like this:

And, this ...

And, this ...

And, this!

I actually detoured off route to see the last one up close and personal. It caught my eye, and that was that. Kind of like money catching my eye. But, the tree stayed put.

Speaking of money, it was another banner day for the Food Bank: 87 more cents! One of the quarters I found had something kind of grody on it, but it was nothing a little rub in the grass, a wipe on my pants and some scrubbing with a disinfectant wipe and a round of antibiotice for me didn't take care of. I don't know what it was, and that's all I know except that it's now clean. No need to discuss. Or judge.

Side note: Do you get the interesting quandry one faces when running with enough money to actually buy something at a garage sale and then running by a big garage sale? I thought it would be very funny to stop. Then, I pictured finding something I actually wanted but having almost three miles left to run. With a purchase. So, I passed. (See? Common sense. It really is there.)

Hey, did I mention it was cold out? I saw these with less than a mile to go:

Stiiiill frosty!

Have a holly jolly Halloween!

With the final penny find soon after seeing these, the run came to an end! My headband was all frosty, and my legs were a wee bit numb. But, it was good. The entire outing: Just good.

Like I've been saying, it's not just about the activity: It's what you make of it. That's the kind of plan that made today's run really solid, and really good! Take charge of what you're wanting to accomplish, and I'll see you from tomorrow's Rest Day!

Move It Move It

I received the greatest email from my cousin today ... she's the one I shouted out about a little while back because she started up a couch-to-5K program! (Whee!!) However, unfortunately, a handful of factors smacked her in the face not only disrupting her program but also putting a halt to it for a while. (Drat!) BUT! Here's the awesome thing: Today's message included telling me that her morning routine now includes a 3-mile walk!! (The walk includes her dog, and you know  I'm all about that! Elly's so very proud, too ...)

My point?! (It should sound familiar): She kept going!!!

In my opinion, it's not about the particular activity, it's about the fact that activity happens. Any activity!! The best activity is the one you like the most and then what you do to make the most of it.

I run. My cousin is walking. My friend bikes. Another friend swims. Another one dances with the Wii. Another treadmills (um, he has a sickness ... hahahahaha !). Different activities, same result:

We like to move it move it!! (image source)

I was so happy to hear her update because she reports feeling good when she's finished and always so happy she went. Double. Win. She also noted she goes no matter how long it takes which I, personally, find as the key to exercise freedom:

Heck yeah it is ...

Here's to YOU, my dear cousin!!! I'm so happy you are finding your happy pace your way!!!!

In the meantime, my virtual run with virtual running partner extraordinaire  Mary Kate is fast approaching, so we conspired on distances and start times this morning!! I'll lay the plans out there when we finalize the last of the details! Just talking about it this morning totally energized me for next weekend!

And, in one last virtual running house keeping note, check out what I received in the mail just now!

To be earned by a runner near you soon!

With that, I'm off to route my morning run. You'd think I'd know the route since I just ran it three weeks ago. But, I don't. I know where it starts, and I know where it ends. Oh, and I know I get myself a Diet Coke at the end of it. But, none of that helps with the miles in the middle, so it's time to take care of some biz, and I'll see you after the last long run before next weekend's Half challenge!

The Distinguished Return

Today's numbers: Nancy's Days Run: 161 Nancy's 2013 Mileage 753 Elly's 2013 Mileage 356.4 Money Found For Food Bank: $17.87 in change, $25 in bills

2012 Found-Money Food Bank Donation: $7.83

It's the comeback we all wait for around here ... let's all welcome back Jacques!!!

"I'm back! 'Glad you get the pleasure!"

We welcomed Jacques the Jockey to our family a couple of years ago, and we look forward to his annual return near Halloween! I got him out the other day, and Elly went nutty! She tailed me through the house when he was in hand, and every time I looked at her, she promptly and without being asked  sat down waiting for him to be put on her back. To her dismay, the only reason I was carrying him around was to collect my sewing things for his annual sprucing up. This year, I needed to reattach his hands so as to keep him from looking like he's making obscene gestures as we go. There's funny, and then there's crossing the line. We try to keep our running clean.

As he joined us this morning, I noticed his butt is probably going to need reattaching at some point this season. But, that's not critical until the extra bouncing puts pressure on the other sewn parts. Then, he and I will have another date with the needle and thread. For now, though, he looks great!

"Of course I look great! Now, keep up!"

He's pretty bossy, but that's what we love about him:

"There's no time for another potty stop,
dog! One paw! Two paw! One paw! Two
paw! Hut! Hut! Hut!"

"I love him, mommy, but is he a jockey or
a drill sargeant? So hard to tell. Can I go
pee now?"

Jacques does have a little bitty softer side, too:

"Cheeeeeeeese, dammit!"

I said it was little bitty ...

Both of my running partners were patient with me as I stopped to take this pic:

And, they were most compliant as our just-over-three miles together produced fortune today:

I don't even know what to say except to report the $1.19 total!

Today's run wasn't as much a run as it was an outing. An experience. An adventure covering a predetermined distance. They all can't be like this, or I'd never get anywhere in a long distance event. But, they don't all have to be about an event, either. My personal bottom line is that today's distance was covered, and we had a lot of fun doing it!

Today's running gang.

Jacques will be joining us for the next few runs before he rests up for Christmas! (Ohhh ... yes ... you might remember he is chock full of holiday spirit!) Speaking of rest, that's what's on the docket for tomorrow, so we'll see you from Thursday's Rest Day!

Target Rich

Today's numbers: Nancy's Days Run: 160 Nancy's 2013 Mileage 749.9 Elly's 2013 Mileage 353.3 Money Found For Food Bank: $16.68 in change, $25 in bills

2012 Found-Money Food Bank Donation: $7.83

Dr. Phil often talks about putting oneself in a target-rich environment to up the odds of getting what one wants. So, when I needed to map a new route for this morning's run, I took his direction under advisement and packed the route with as many drive thrus and parking meters as I could into five miles. Of course I did.

The area most convenient for me to run today isn't much of a challenge in terms of hills, but it did require being very alert given the higher volume of traffic and number of intersections where I needed to keep an eye out over my shoulder. It's the traffic/noise increase that made it better to leave Elly behind today. I can manage her feet, but I cannot manage her traffic-paranoia emotions!

In between the safety watch, the new route totally paid off:

Cha-cha-ching !! 64 more cents to the Food Bank!!

The evolution of my daily schedule is going to keep me guessing as to where I'm going to run most mornings, so I'm pleased to know that not being able to frequent a number of my current go-to spots to look for money will likely not decline the amount I find anyway!

I'm certain the theme of that last paragraph was really supposed to focus on being glad to have so many great options for places I can run. Nahhhh ... I can run just about anywhere, but not all routes are this target rich!

The other excitement of the morning came in the form of trying to beat the rain. Well, the sprinkles. But, still -- sprinkles when the temperature is 40 degrees isn't fun. It's cold! I kept watching the sky, but I did so more out of curiosity. I started out knowing rain was a possibility, and I went anyway. Today, it just didn't matter if I got wet. I just didn't want to treadmill!

My gamble to run outside paid off as the sprinkling started in the last minute of my run. My coins and myself made it to my car in the nick of time!

Safe. Sound. Done.

Thank you, little droplettes, for holding
off until I could keep dry ...

Tomorrow is supposed to be cold, but the forecast does not have any rain! The trees are turning, so I hope to have a lot of awesome views from the road tomorrow!

Wait ... Trees turning? Money? Sunrises? Watching the dog with her tongue hanging out sideways? All of the things I talk about that have nothing directly to do with running? Yeah, those are all of the things that keep this running thing going!

Find what motivates you, and I'll see you after the morning run!

Yeah, I'll Go There

You've seen this and the hubub it has created, or you haven't but will now:

This made news ... news ... because a lot of people got pissed off that this woman tagged her fitness picture with the "What's your excuse" line.

*sigh*

This tagline was insulting to soooo  many people. However, it was also really inspirational to others. For me, as I tend to do with pretty much everything I read, I saw it and thought about it. Unemotionally.

Frankly, I didn't take this as she was accusing or even asking me, personally, of anything. However, I will fully and completely admit that this kind of picture and caption would have evoked a different response from me about 7-10 years ago. "Screw you!" comes to mind as a likely past response. OR, "She obviously has more time and help than I do right now," (ignoring the three babies in front of her and the fact that I know nothing about her life situation). OR, dismissing it as completely and utterly unrelatable. I mean, it's not like I have three kids those ages, right? (Yeah ... that's the point ...)

I have to admit I would have spent some time defending myself, even if just to myself, back in the day because, the fact is, that tag line could have been aimed directly at me at that time. For all of the very good reasons I had for not exercising, I also fully and completely own that there was some cop out in there, too. I made some very intentional choices to not take the time. Any time. While I didn't have the structure and opportunity I've created right now, I could have made something  work if I'd really wanted to.

But, you know what? I didn't want to. Wait ... I wanted to in theory, but I didn't want to do  the work. That's more accurate. It was very concious on my part. I totally knew it, too, but it's not something I was going to talk about. (It was my choice and my doing; who would want to listen to a dialogue that was really a stream of excuses?) And, had the above picture/issue surfaced back then, I would have felt like she was talking directly to me, but I most definitely would not have attacked her  for the fact that I felt bad about myself. (Except, of course, when sneering a "Screw you" response -- aimed at her but about me.)

They say life is about what you make of it, but I suggest it's more than that. It's about what you own.

And, tomorrow, I'm going to own the road, biznaaaaatch !!!!!!! (that was for you, Aaron!)

I'll probably never look like the lady in that picture (impossible when I don't have three kids, am I right again ?! hahahaha ... I wonder if she's as funny as I am ...). But, I like the tag line because it made me take a quick, internal survey to see if I'm conducting myself in a way I can be proud of no matter what anyone else thinks. Right now, I say all systems are GO.

I'll see you after the morning run!

It Totally Counts If It Looks Like Running

Today's numbers: Nancy's Days Run: 159 Nancy's 2013 Mileage 744.9 Elly's 2013 Mileage 353.3 Money Found For Food Bank: $16.04 in change, $25 in bills

2012 Found-Money Food Bank Donation: $7.83

Last night, Aaron agreed to join me and Elly on our morning run today. This morning, we weren't 100 yards from the house before he said something or other that required me to hip-check him. Actually, I think it was a full-body side slam. Spoiler alert: He was totally fine as I bounced right off of him, but I quickly questioned the wisdom of the invite!

THEN, just around the corner from the initial incident, I found four pennies! Wa-Hoo!! Money right out of the gate! Aaron noted I'd already found my penny-per-mile fake quota, to which I responded, "Then, let's go home!" He did not comply. What kind of running pal is this?

Then, check this out ... at one point, this was my view:

Quiz time!!
Q: Why is Aaron much farther ahead of me on a hill no less?
A: Because he made me laugh so hard that I doubled over to catch my breath!

Between the laughing and the fact that he found 11 cents to add to my 4, perhaps there was wisdom in telling him he had to go with me asking him to join me. It's always good to trust your original instincts.

In other notables, someone hit a major milestone of her own!! Today's super shout out goes to ... ELLY!!

"Aw, shucks!! ... What's a shout out?"

Elly crossed over the 350 mile mark for the year this morning!! WAHOOOOO!!! I took this right after she hit 350 on the nose! I bet she didn't know what she was in for when we adopted her. To be fair, neither did we, and it seems both sides won!!

Just a side note: Speaking of winning ... perhaps you noticed the 7th-inning-stretch "Sweet Caroline" Boston Red Sox won last night so as to head into the World Series! Good for them, but my cheering for them is over. GO CARDS!

Last year before the Rock'n'Roll Half, we checked out the
scene from outside Busch Stadium during one of the NL
playoff games. Just being near  the stadium was awesome
even amidst the education the kiddos received about just
how colorful  language can be!

Today's run didn't seem much like running. It was more like talking and laughing and, oh yeah, we're moving quickly while one of us speed walks and the other pulls off a movement appearing to be a running kind of fashion, so that counts. Right? Yes, yes it does! Tomorrow, though, we rest! Enjoy whatever you're doing to round out your weekend! I hope it's something that makes you double over with a good laugh!! 'See you tomorrow ...

Sweet Child Of Mine

Yesterday's route was almost exactly the same as last week's with the exception of just enough tweaking to round it up another mile. Frankly, it was a fabulous outing. In addition to the gorgeous scenery and the found coins, I'd like to thank Pit Crew #3 for the following morning discussion that burned a song in my head that I could not get out for almost the entire duration of the run:

PC#3: So, who are you rooting for in the American League?
Me: The Red Sox. Totally.
PC#3: Huh. Why?
Me: Because their seventh inning stretch song is "Sweet Caroline," duh.
PC#3: Ohhh yeahh ...

At this point, PC#3 started belting out the song with absolutely the wrong words. I didn't correct him and just added the appropriate fan-participation "Da da da daaaaaa"s and "So good! So good!"s when needed. It was an excellent time!

After our performance, conversation continued:

PC#3: Hey, I didn't know I really knew that song.
Me: You really don't.
PC#3: I mean, I didn't know I knew a lot of those words.
Me: You really don't.
PC#3: Oh. Huh. Well, I used to think it was called "Sweet Girl of Mine" anyway, so it makes sense I don't know the words, either.

And, that's why Sweet Caroline was on my mental loop yesterday for almost 12 miles.

Sometimes, the Bottom Falls Out and It's a GOOD Thing!

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Days Run: 158 Nancy's 2013 Mileage: 740.9 Elly's 2013 Mileage: 349.3 Money Found For Food Bank: $15.89 in change; $25 in bills

2012 Found-Money Food Bank Donation: $7.83

The other day, I was moving the Food Bank Snoopy Bank, and the bottom completely fell out of it. I was in a bit of a bad mood before that even happened, so I didn't take a picture of the pennies-and-friends that were ev.ery.where. on and under the shelved not to mention that treasure hunting required to find them amidst the potted plants. (Evidently, those little suckers can jump!)

The good news is that the bottom fell out because it just had to. The bank was full. The other good news is that I already had an annex where the rest of the anticipated finds can gather. See?

This annex option came at the perfect time as today was the day!!! I went in to this run needing 29 cents to double my 2012 change donation to the Food Bank, and I finished the run having found 35!!

Can we get an OHHH ... YEAHHHHH ?!?!?!

I had my doubts that today would be the day when the findings hovered just one penny shy of making it, and I was almost finished. Then, somewhere between Miles 11 and 12, I stopped to refill my water and saw the shiniest nickel -- the rarest of all found coins -- just gleaming at me! And, just around the corner was our little friend Abe to punctuate the moment:

This was, indeed, a great victory for today, but I have to chalk up the entire run as such. Just yesterday, I was thinking about how I am looking forward to finishing this Half Marathon stretch so I can dial the mileage down for a couple of months. I'm totally looking forward to training for my Half in April, but I am ready for a bit of a break right now! That sentiment was pretty pervasive all day yesterday, and I had my doubts about how motivated I'd be to get out there today. I knew I would, I just didn't know how I'd feel about it.

I'll tell you one thing about how I felt -- I felt cold! It was somewhere in the lower 40s when I started. I do love that temp, but it's still a shock to the system when running in shorts and short sleeves which I will do in the 40s at this distance. In fact, on this topic, I had a little exchange with a dude running past me around Mile 6. It went like this:

Very Smiley Running Guy: 'Glad to see I'm not the only one out here in shorts!
Me: It just shows we're the hard-core ones.
Very Smiley Running Guy: I agree!! (and he went on his way)

Then, another guy passed me, also in shorts, and my hard core theory out the window in his wake. Oh well.

To tell you the truth, I was much colder than I expected because there was more of a wind than I knew was coming. My right forearm caught the brunt of it and was almost numb by the time I hit Mile 7. That made picture taking tricky, but I still managed. See?

Yes. This.

And, not too much later, THESE:

This was worth stopping for a moment!

I chose this one as my favorite just because it was all white.
They were all so beautiful!!

This one was the smart one because it had a blanket!

This scene would have been better only if one of them took off running. Is there a creature more beautiful than a horse when they take off?! That's my opinion anyway!

Almost the entire distance today, I couldn't help but think that yesterday, I didn't think I wanted to do this. I'm so glad I did. The key is to do it exactly the way I want to. And, that's exactly what I did!

And, tomorrow, we rest! I'll see you then ...!