The A Word

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 415 (running: 341.6 walking: 34.8; biking: 36.2) Elly's miles: 180.3  Money Found For Food Bank: $55.03

Summer 2016 Ultimate Pool Volleyball Championship - Best of 101:

Me: 17 Pit Crew #2: 11

I remember learning the word 'acquiesce' because I remember loving how it sounds. Say it with me: acquiesce ... I hate the word, though. Put into practice, it's hardly ever a good thing.

 

That word popped into my mind on yesterday morning's run. Pit Crew #2 headed out in 73-degree weather, but it felt much, much worse. We were stocked with water, and I already put the kibosh on any form of speed particularly during the first mile while we gaged what we were dealing with. It didn't take me long to realize this wasn't going to be a strong one. It was just going to be a complete one.

 

Just after the first mile, I called for the first walk break. With just over four miles (and the rest of the day) to go, I knew the extent to which I needed to pace myself. The air was thick, and, honestly, the run was already pretty miserable.

 

Once we resumed, I looked ahead on our long stretch and stated where I knew I'd run before wanting to again walk. I wanted to warn PC#2 because I wasn't really sure she'd be thrilled with stopping again so soon. At least she'd have a heads up. The short of the story is that almost immediately after we stopped at my target, she didn't want to just take a walk break. She wanted to step to the side of the road and just stop for a minute. By my visual, she needed a minute to recover.

 

I couldn't help but ask her if she actually wanted to stop earlier than we did. Fortunately, she confirmed that she really wanted to stop just short of where I said we would. I say it is fortunate she told me so we could have an honest conversation about what it means to be a running partner rather. And, a good partnership is not one where the other acquiesces.

 

Given the extremity of the weather and how very badly these conditions can catch up and bite a person, I jumped right on the platform of raw honesty about how she feels. I reminded her that I never ask her permission to walk; I just state it. I also reminded her that she has the safest running partner in the world to just claim what she wants or needs. My response is going to be, and has always been, "Okay. Cool." That's a partnership.

 

As we went onward, jogging and walking as needed, she ended up thanking me a number of times for my willingness to stop. Given my own perspective on this gig, thanks was far from necessary. I want honesty in her assessment of herself. I want both of us to be safe. And, I want this as enjoyable as possible. I do not want to go along one way only to find out my partner needed something else entirely. That just sucks.

 

I told her to never acquiesce. Certainly not to me. Following one of her many statements of thanks, I told her, "I'll make you a deal. When I'm working toward the Olympic trials, I won't invite you along. Until then, we're in this together."

 

Suffice it to say we'll be in this together for the duration!

 

Oh, and with about a mile to go, we found a sprinkler!!!

It all ended up as it should be. In it together.

Just Melting

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 409.3 (running: 336.2 walking: 34.1; biking: 36.2) Elly's miles: 180.3  Money Found For Food Bank: $55.01

Summer 2016 Ultimate Pool Volleyball Championship - Best of 101:

Me: 17 Pit Crew #2: 9

It was already 82 degrees when we set sail on our run this morning. It wasn't even 8 a.m. Say it with me: GROSS.

I was proud of the outing, though. We kept at it, and it was stronger than I would have guessed even though the air was thick and sucking every bit of moisture out of our bodies. When we came home, we stretched out on the floor, and the carpet under my elbow was soaked in a matter of a minute. And, if the elbow's sweating that much, well, that just speaks volumes.

We have tomorrow off before a 5-mile Saturday. We're 10K-ing it the following Saturday, so heat or not, we keep going! Here's to hoping we get even a wee break in this weather!! Stay safe, and stay cool! (Pit Crew #2 and I did just that in the pool tonight with our new papasan floatie things!! Ahhh ...) We'll be back after hitting the road early Saturday morning!

Who Ordered the Heat?

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 407.3 (running: 334.2 walking: 34.1; biking: 36.2) Elly's miles: 180.3  Money Found For Food Bank: $54.85

Summer 2016 Ultimate Pool Volleyball Championship - Best of 101:

Me: 15 Pit Crew #2: 9

In a quick review of the Summer Stats, I want to point out that Pit Crew #2 and I stalked someone at the pool because they had super-cool mesh floatie things that we decided we had to have. No, we didn't take theirs, but Aaron did find them for us at the store. We might just say volleyball-schmolleyball ... Just kidding, that is NOT happening. We have a dollar bet riding on this thing that I'll go into another time!

 

And, in a quick update from yesterday's National Selfie Day Bonanza ... I had one ... I repeat, ONE, selfie go through my Facebook feed!! That made me laugh!! Don't you just know whoever came up with that was like, "Oh, um, FAIL!" And, yes, I know I gave a nod to it here, but that's pretty much what comprises the pages anyway. So, it just made common sense.

 

So, PC#2 and I got up early to get our run in before the water on our street was shut off for a main break repair. We did accomplish that even though an extra walk break or two was required given the heat! When the temperature is pushing 80 degrees well before 8 a.m., the run kind of sucks. We did it, though ...

... and, just think of what rock stars we will feel like when we can run in fresh, breathable air!!

Until then, we keep on going!! We'll check in after the morning trudge ...

 

It's National Selfie Day, Of Course!!

While we didn't run today (we didn't even get to the pool today ...!!), do you really think I'm not going to make a notation about it being National Selfie Day?! AS IF!!!

We just had to. See you after the morning run!

Its Own Comeback

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 404.3 (running: 331.2 walking: 34.1; biking: 36.2) Elly's miles: 180.3  Money Found For Food Bank: $54.84

Summer 2016 Ultimate Pool Volleyball Championship - Best of 101:

Me: 14 Pit Crew #2: 8

The first order of business is to say Happy Father's Day yesterday to my Dad!! Yahoo!!!

We had a lovely visit with him yesterday complete with sugar-free brownies (a la Dough Boy mix), a gift and lots and lots of hugs and giggles! So thankful for another year celebrating my fabulous Dad!! We celebrated Aaron the rest of the day complete with a trip to the movies. We contributed to the record-breaking weekend for animated movies (previously held by Shrek 3) by attending Finding Dory. It was fabulous!

Fast-forward to today, and the girl trio headed out for a run. It was 72 degrees, but that sounds a lot nicer than it was. It was pretty gross. Tolerable, but gross. All of us had a strong run, so we treated ourselves to a walk up a big hill. Something about that seemed like the right thing to do!

Getting up and getting out wasn't really that much fun, but it was good and worth it once we got into the groove ...

Not to be left out, Elly made sure her image was captured at the end:

The routine is back, and I'm almost feeling like running is a normal part of my life again! I know. Weird. It's weird it went to the wayside in any way, but it needed to both in brain and body. I remember when the kids were in kindergarten, and their teacher said that when they're in the middle of learning a new concept, former information often seems to "go away" until the new info is more ingrained. Then, it returns. That seems to be the case for the run over here! I'm just glad to have it making its way back! Just keep swimming ... just keep swimming ... just keep swimming, swimming, swimming ...

Use Your Wings

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 401.3 (running: 328.2 walking: 34.1; biking: 36.2) Elly's miles: 177.3  Money Found For Food Bank: $54.83

Summer 2016 Ultimate Pool Volleyball Championship - Best of 101:

Me: 13 Pit Crew #2: 7

The heat broke just enough for our morning run to not feel like we were dying a slow death. Sound dramatic? Then, you weren't outside earlier this week ... Anyway, Pit Crew #2 and I got ourselves up early to get out there this lovely Saturday morning. It was nice to start the day with my girl, a solid run and a little quiet time to ourselves!

 

We were chatting it up between ourselves when we came upon a creature on the sidewalk:

I love his bed head!

He just stood there on the sidewalk while his mama stayed in the tree above squawking her head off like a fool:

You can't see her in this pic, but you do see
Junior there. Just looking up.

At first, PC#2 and I noted that she really must want us to get away from her baby. Then I suggested that she might simply be yelling at him, "Don't just sit there! USE YOUR WINGS!"

We all need such a reminder sometimes, don't we? I remember listening to Steve Harvey talk about parenting when he said his wife uses the following phrase when one of the kids acts unable: "Honey, your wings work." Since hearing it, I've used it on my kids a couple of times. PC#2 had that 'knowing' look on her face when I observed that that might be exactly what mama bird was squawking to her sidewalk baby.

I love my little birds. I'm so glad this one keeps on going with me:

And, tomorrow? There's no running as we celebrate the big man!

Still Going!

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Total Movement Mileage: 397.1 (running: 324 walking: 34.1; biking: 36.2) Elly's miles: 177.3  Money Found For Food Bank: $54.55

Summer 2016 Ultimate Pool Volleyball Championship - Best of 101:

Me: 12 Pit Crew #2: 7

The running schedule has continued, but most of the rest of my world is not in any kind of order! That's okay. That's what Summer does.

And, holy moly, has the heat HIT!! I did sneak in an early and short run with Elly Tuesday morning ...

... but, I knew within that first mile that this is the last run for her until this heat breaks. We cut it at two miles and weren't sad to do so!

Yesterday, Pit Crew #2 planned to run while I got up early to work and take a Rest Day as we planned to run together today. So, I was up early and hugely productive while PC#2 fully immersed herself in the Summer schedule and ... skipped the run! Some days, it's really okay to just blow it off and indulge in a little extra shut-eye! We were accountable to each other this morning, though ...

Misery loved company. I have no idea what the temperature was besides Holy Crap This Sucks. The air was thick making it difficult to take a deep breath. It was that kind of morning! For a three-mile run, we still took water and sported our cooling towels. Three-milers don't tend to require special equipment, so, that tells you something!

I've never run with PC#2 when it was this hot, so she got a lesson in just covering the distance however that happens safely. That meant a couple of walk breaks she didn't expect and a pace that would otherwise annoy even me. Before my first Half Marathon, I was taught by a very seasoned runner that, in this kind of weather, your only goal is to cover the distance. Period. No speed, no pushing it, check your ego at the door, just be safe. I'm a big fan of pacing my run in a way that supports the rest of my day, too, so there was no way I was going to let the heat drain me only to zap the rest of my day. (I saved that for when we went to the pool ... even that was barely refreshing!!)

So, we trotted the neighborhood and got 'er done. That was more than good enough for me!!

This heat is supposed to break to the tune of dropping about 10 degrees in the next few days. Given the temperature is sitting at 100, that's not really inspiring! But! We will go forth! We're resting up tomorrow for Saturday's long run! I might not have it all together, but I have at least figured this out! We'll check in after our outing!