You Don't Find Money Running On the Treadmill

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Days Run: 176 Nancy's 2013 Mileage: 829.7 Elly's 2013 Mileage: 392 Money Found For Food Bank: $21.68 in change; $25 in bills

2012 Found-Money Food Bank Donation: $7.83

Okay, I don't really know what's gotten into me, but it was raining when I headed out to run, and I went anyway. Again. Two days in a row in the rain. When did this become okay with me ?! I don't really know, but I'm totally down with it. I will spare you of my treadmill commentary, but, suffice it to say, it's going to accumulate more dust than ever before ...

Seeing as I seemed to thrive in yesterday's 6-mile outing in the rain, I figured today's three were totally doable. Besides, you don't find money while running on the treadmill, and I have a mission! Remember how I reported yesterday that I needed 30 cents to hit the $21 in change mark before next week's donation day? Well, I found 96.

BOO.YAH!!!

Retrieving the quarter I found made one of my knuckles bleed. But, that's what the rain puddles are for, right? That and washing off a really filthy dime. It was just mud, but my pocket didn't need that.

ANYWAY, it was a banner day all the way around. I'm not so sure Elly agrees, though ...

"No pictures, mommy. I'm naked."
That's a very wet sad sack ...

She didn't seem to mind the ol' rub-down, though!

"Of course I don't mind the rub-down,
mommy. That's the awesome part. By the
way, thank you for making me look like
a total champ here. I'm like a boxer.
Except that I'm a lover, not a fighter."

This running in the rain thing isn't so bad. And, as it turns out, it's mighty profitable!

In the meantime, here's the upcoming virtual Christmas Cupcake run update: Virtual Running Partner Extraordinaire Mary Kate is IN!!! She came up with the best.idea.ever. for it, too ... a nighttime run through the Christmas lights!!!!! I'M TOTALLY IN!! And, let's face it, Pit Crew #2 will run whenever and wherever, so this will be AWESOME!! Whee!!!

It's fun to have fun plans to look forward to especially when it's for an activity you used to think totally sucked! Amiright ?!

There's more planning and more running to do, but, first, we take a day to rest! That's what's on the docket for tomorrow, so I'll see you then!

Surprise, Surprise

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Days Run: 175 Nancy's 2013 Mileage: 826.7 Elly's 2013 Mileage: 389 Money Found For Food Bank: $20.72 in change; $25 in bills

2012 Found-Money Food Bank Donation: $7.83

 

Pop Quiz Time! Who was more surprised today? Your choices are: (a) Myself because it started raining about two-tenths of a mile into my run, and I ran anyway instead of going home to the treadmill, or (b) the window washer I saw when I cruised around the corner at this morning's target-for-change-finding drive-thru?

 

Answer: B. It was a trick question, really, because I knew full well there was big probability of being rained on, but I went anyway because I just couldn't stand the thought of running inside today! I also had the urge to just run and see how far my intended route wound up, and there was no way I was pushing distance on the treadmill! So, get-wet-or-not, off I went!

 

And, just so it's noted, the window washer was surprised, but not in that holy-crap-where'd-you-come-from?!  way. It was more of a now-this-is-something-I-don't-tend-to-see  moment for him (back at'cha, pal ... especially when it's raiiiniiiiing. Just sayin'.). He looked somewhat confused when he saw me but with no intention of trying to make sense of my being there. Although, he did double take when I returned to the parking lot after having left, but, for crying out loud, I'd dropped the penny I found under his window, and I was not about to just let it go! Look, if you're going to look for the money and then find the money you don't want to also lose the money ... Duh.

 

Yes, I found it.

 

I have to admit, I loved just about everything of this morning's run. It made some sense, though, seeing as I love rainy days. They're cozy to me! And, it's not I've avoided running in the rain because I'll get wet; it's truly because I don't really want my shoes to get wet because that results in wet socks, and wet socks make me cranky. However, when that moment of saturation hit at Mile 4, and my big toes were first in line to get soggy, I had to say it felt better to run in the rain, even with wet feet, than it ever feels on the treadmill.

 

And, at least it wasn't thundering. Or, lightening. And, I didn't pay an entry fee to get caught in it ...

Ah, May's Go Girl run ... not my finest hour of intelligence.
You know. Lightening ... A really good run, though ...

Besides, I found a quarter right before the soggy sock moment. How awesome is that? (VERY)

 

I didn't know then, but my morning route turned out to be exactly six miles (yeah!! NEVER would have happened on the treadmill this morning!), and I found a total of 30 cents. Whee!!

Me, my finds, and my really wet ponytail! With this stash, there
is less than 30 cents needed to reach $21 dollars in change for
next week's donation! WAHOO!!

After I counted my finds, I took a peek at my feet:

Wow. Those are some wet, wet, wet pups ... The pants are
completely soaked at the bottom, too. Nice!

Although I am due for some new shoes, that day is not today. Therefore, I'm thankful to have one of those thingies that goes in the dryer so you can dry such things (Also thankful I actually knew where it was and how to put it in there. It's not like we use it all the time!):

A genius invention obviously created by someone who didn't
want to go batty listening to stuff bang around. Oh, they'll tell
you it is for the longevity of the machine. I think I know better
on this one ...

Before heading off to do more things I need to do, I wanted to inform you that today, apparently, is Hug a Runner Day! Many running sites say so, including this from the Cupcake Virtual Runs For Charity Facebook page, so it just has to be true, right?! Who cares if it isn't, though!!

Go hug someone whether it's a runner or not! I do suggest you know the person, but, really, that's your call. Anyway, there's rain in tomorrow's forecast, but running will happen one way or the other! Hopefully it will hold enough enough that I can take the pooch with me ... she's due to cruise!! Enjoy the rest of you Wednesday, and I'll see you after the morning run!

THERE It Is!

For the past couple of weeks, I've been watching my Facebook feed assuming/hoping another virtual run opportunity would present itself. As we've gotten closer to the thick of the holiday season, and I have seen nothing, though, I started to believe the opportunities through the group I've frequented are finished for the year.

Until late yesterday ...

Ta-DAAAA!! A new medal to earn!

Ah, yes, a Christmas themed virtual run! FANTASTIC!! (Look, when it comes to running and motivating myself, sometimes, I need the stuff!!)

I need to take a few days to plan what I want to do distance-wise, so I'll get back with that info. Pit Crew #2 is, of course, joining me for some sort of distance. The jury is out for anyone else right now, but I'm hopeful!

I was especially hoping for this opportunity given I bailed on the too-expensive-for-this-girl Jingle Bell Run. It looks like we'll be jingle-janglin' our own way this year! Wahoo!!

Oh, speaking of patronizing the virtual runs, here's the overall donation result from the recent virtual Pink Awareness run benefitting the Komen foundation:

The Christmas virtual run is a great motivator for the end of the year!! I'm excited to plan! You, too, can earn yourself a sweet reward ... check 'em out here! http://runninginsanity.blogspot.com/

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

Reframe

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Days Run: 174 Nancy's 2013 Mileage: 820.7 Elly's 2013 Mileage: 389 Money Found For Food Bank: $20.42 in change; $25 in bills

2012 Found-Money Food Bank Donation: $7.83

I was completely indecisive about how far I really  wanted to run this morning. I found myself making all kinds of justifications (and, darned good ones, too, if I do say so myself) to cut the planned four-mile run to three so I could move forward with the rest of my day just a little sooner. I also have a very solid mileage buffer on which to draw and still make my year's end goal. I'm not in training mode, so these miles are to maintain, not build. So, what's the harm, right?!

Frankly, there would have been no harm. I would not have beaten myself up. I would not have reverted to saying all of those mean things I used to say to myself back in the day when I'd have a day's goal only to find out it was way too lofty to sustain. It just wouldn't have been that big of a deal.

Ahhh ... freedom!

From the most significant to the most trivial of topics ... so true.

I did feel reyling on that buffer on a morning's whim of 'not feeling like it' was not a good use of it, though, so I went a more positive direction. Instead of planning to dip into the extra-miles pot, I decided to reframe the run into one where I took advantage of pretty great weather and go where I felt like going, self-imposed miles expecations be damned ! Now, in truth, I knew the roads I was running afforded me at least three miles, so this wasn't a high risk on my part. (The riskiest thing I did this morning was drink about a half of a bottle of water before heading out which I never do because I don't want to worry about having to find a bathroom let alone use one. Yeah, well, I should have relied on what I know. Suffice it to say I am thankful for Subway being open for breakfast so I could pay them a little visit.)

Today's spoiler alert is that I happily cruised around this street and that sidewalk to the tune of four and a half miles with 25 cents in pocket because I wasn't wearing those no-pocket-stupid-capris by the end. Ta-Da! That was an awesome way to start a Monday!

This is a very hard time of year for me to create or maintain enthusiasm for higher mileage simply because it's more fun thinking about and planning for the holidays than it is to go out and run. It is for me at least. That's why it's important for me to stop and think about what I want to get out of the day's run before heading out there and to remember it's okay for each day to have a different motivator. As with most things, running is seasonal in terms of expectations and goals, so it's okay to tweak along the way!

The long-term goal is there for the ultimate focus; getting there doesn't have to look exactly the same every day along the way!

With that, I'm off to actually accomplish some of those to-do's for which I was ready to blow off a mile! I'll check in tomorrow from Rest Day (yeah, we're not messing with those!)!

Speaking Of Pants ...

So, yesterday, I spent some time speaking of pants in a most unsatisfied way. Stupid crapies ... I mean, capris. Huh. Interesting that only a little rearranging of the letters did that. It also probably says something about me that my fingers flew with ease over the keyboard typing a variation of crap as though it is imprinted in my brain ...

Anyway, I have to fess up what I was doing yesterday while typing about running another stretch of five and a half miles: I was likely undoing a great deal of that running while eating this:

I got it from my mom. She says it's an oatmeal-pecan cookie. We think it's coconut-pecan, but whatever, it's also freakin' delish!!

So, speaking of pants, I wanted to note it was a big day for pants around here as I have quite a pile to donate because I've finally grown out of them in the good way. That, and I'm finally confident I won't need to use them again. And, the changes I made for myself over the past four years are all inspired by running. Yeah, it took that long. And, yup, the inspiration is from the very activity I never thought I'd put into my life. Yay, running!

I'm certainly not perfect, but I'm a far cry from when I used to not care about that -- or just ignored it -- at all. Those were yummy not great days.

Not everyone wants or needs to change what they're doing nutritionally or physically. I just know I did. And, I have found at least the start of what is working for me. The proof is in the pile of pants. And, I know the real key to my  success is to keep.on.moving. In any way, in any shape, at any speed. I need to just go! And, so, I do ...

I'll be holding on to my strategies as we head into the holidays because there's some good stuff that's coming to a table near me, and I will partake! And, just when I thought it was out of the blue to show off the super-delicious-you-probably-wish-you-had-one cookie I ate yesterday, The Cupcake Triathlete blog author provided a recipe for a Chocolate Caramel Pecan Pie today, and I'm pretty sure I felt some sugar shock just reading about it. Here's the recipe if you want to check it out: http://cupcaketriathlete.blogspot.com/2013/11/best-pecan-pie-ever.html
Evidently, I'm not the only one having a sweet-tooth Sunday!

Have yourself a super-sweet Sunday, and I'll see you after the morning run!

Problem Solving

Today’s Numbers: Nancy's Days Run: 173 Nancy's 2013 Mileage: 816.2 Elly's 2013 Mileage: 389 Money Found For Food Bank: $20.17 in change; $25 in bills

2012 Found-Money Food Bank Donation: $7.83

It's official: I hate my capri running pants. And, my hatred is grounded solely in the fact that they have not a single pocket in 'em. I've complained about this before. And, today, I was really irked. Here's how it went down ...

(But, before you think this is totally random when my focus is running, let's review):

Okay -- For whatever reason (and, I honestly don't know exactly why), I decided this morning's route would be exactly the same as yesterday's. I only had four miles on my schedule for today, but I wanted to go ahead with the five and a half. It's highly possible I wanted to make sure I routed myself through a drive-thru for some money hunting (totally worked, too), but, I digress.

Anyway. With the Fall leaves production pretty much over, and the same route being run on a sleepy Saturday morning, I rolled the dice with the capri pants. They are perfect for the 50-degree weather. But, they suck for not having a pocket for my camera. And, we all know a camera is a staple of my running gear. It has gone with me across more miles than a water bottle. So, c'mon, capri pant people, buck up with a pocket!! Just one! Again, I digress ...

Elly and I were cruising along well ahead of the rain that hit later in the morning (whee!). It was super windy, but Elly's ears blowing straight back (think 'super hero capes') were so entertaining that they distracted me from having to fight to move forward. I was also very pleased that this back-to-back distance was a huge success Day 2. All was going really well this morning!

And, then, check this out: I was hovering around the 4.5-mile mark when my path crossed with my dear friend Juli who was just heading out to run! How perfect was it that our paths would overlap for about a half mile!! WAHOO!! Elly, too, could hardly stand how excited she was about our gal pal joining us! Running and  talking?! Suuhhh-weeeeeet !!!

The problem? WHERE. WAS. MY. CAMERA?! It certainly wasn't in my non-existent pocket !! Seriously. I mean, think about it: I run in the ballpark of, say, 200 days in the year. I leave my camera behind approximately two of those days. AAAAAAAAAAAHH!!

Yeah, well, after a wonderful few minutes of quick catch-up chat, we all parted ways as Elly and I wrapped up our route. Then, I went right back out to solve that problem. In the car. Dragging Pit Crew #2 happily with me. (See? There she is:)

Can you tell she's not been up for long?
Last night, she alluded to the possibility of
joining me this morning. Then she heard
I was going longer than four miles and
opted for sleep instead!

Juli happened to mention one of the streets on her route when we were together, so I knew I could find her. It was totally easy. She was going up a hill at the moment of discovery, though, and I adhere to my made-up Runner Etiquette 101: Never, ever bother a runner going up a hill. Just leave 'em alone; whatever you need can wait (unless "you" refers to your dog, and your dog decides it's time to take care of some business. There's not much you can do about that.)

I did yell out to Juli on our way to u-turn and catch her at the top, but a drive-by shout out doesn't count because there's little required of the runner. And, I wanted a picture, so she may as well know we were going to be there, amiright ? No need to startle anyone. Anyway, here we are!

No camera at the point of discovery? No problem because I
have a car! I'm a problem solver.

As it turns out, this might be a much better story than having taken a quick pic at the time we crossed paths when we were both on foot. I kind of think it is. But, I still hate my pants for not having a pocket. Just sayin'.

My 2nd 5K, 2009. Elly
says, "Gal Pals
4-evahhhhh!"

Why the need to run her down for a pic? I mean, my run was over, so what's the point, right? It's really quite simple to me. Juli is one of the original running partners. She's the one who was with me on that hill that almost killed me in my second 5K, and I learned a lot about being supportive and having grace by how she responded to me on that day. She's the one I invited to run with me in my first 10K only to also tell her, "You can talk to me all you want, but don't expect me to respond because I probably can't." And, really, I couldn't. I could gasp really, really well, but responding? No, not so much. Fast forward to this morning, and we chatted it up to the point where we needed to split. And, a nice stretch of that talking was on an incline (one that still gets me in the summer heat at the end of a run). She and I also used to walk together many mornings. From double strollers to she with a stroller and I with my very contrary dog (who set the tone for our distaste of being required to stop while going up hills ...), we've covered a lot of miles together. More than I can count.

So, was this picture necessary? No. But, I really wanted it.

'See you on tomorrow's Rest Day!

Listen To the Whisper

Today's numbers: Nancy's Days Run: 172 Nancy's 2013 Mileage 810.7 Elly's 2013 Mileage 383.5 Money Found For Food Bank: $20.06 in change, $25 in bills

2012 Found-Money Food Bank Donation: $7.83

I don't know what it is lately, but the running gods have been smiling on me by not forcing a treadmill run due to rain! At some point this morning, it was clearly raining, but it mostly ended by the time Elly and I headed out. And, the rain that did come was sparse enough that moving through it actually felt as though I was avoiding drops rather than making myself wetter by forcing my way through. It was sweet.

The recent rain affected Elly way more than it did me. Check this out from when we finished:

Wet paws = Very wet tummy!

We had a very nice outing today. I did cut the distance from 7 to 5.5 because I have wiggle room on my year-end goal. Cutting it worked great because then Elly could join me! She's totally down with going 5 miles when the temperature is only 40 degrees. She's also down with the post-run massage she received while I got her dry! Have I mentioned she's a bit of a diva?

That's okay, she deserves the spoils. That dog changed my life in so many ways. Of course, the most obvious is that she was my original running partner (aka: trainer). How could I not want to spoil her?

Almost every time I head out with Elly, I do flash back to many of our original runs. Those were the "ugly" runs -- the ones where you didn't have to know a thing about me but could tell by looking that I was just starting out. (Was it the look of pure exhaustion, the slumped posture, or the scrunched face holding back the tears? So hard to decide ... !) They were ugly runs, but I continue to be proud of them. You have to start somewhere.

And, this morning, this came through my Facebook feed from the "I Love To Run" page, and it darn near took my breath away:

"All runners announce their entry into the sport with the most basic athletic action: a step ... A splendid step, a quiet step, a lonely step; born of some inner dialogue, some longing to be different, to be-not the best-but at least better. The step takes less than a second. Doubts are silenced in that whisper of time."

-Martin Dugard (To Be A Runner) 
It was the very last line that got me because those inaugural runs were  quiet except for hearing Elly's nails grind on the pavement and the occasional foot shuffle and deep gasping breathing of my own efforts. Those were some days.

But, here we are today. Elly gets to join me when the combination of temperature and distance is good for her. I have runs already on the calendar and paid for  for next year. And, heading out in the morning is a foregone conclusion if it's on the day's calendar. I like these days. And, I'm thankful for those many, many whispers of time that kept me going.

In the meantime, I need to shift around my schedule for next week, so that starts with going ahead and running tomorrow to get the shift started! Hopefully, the running gods will continue my fortune and allow me to run outside. If not, it'll still get done. I'll see you after one way or the other!