Running and Other Such Things

Unintended Speed Work

2011-10-15T18:46:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago we were running on a country road at 6:15 in the morning. It was a morning without a moon so it was very dark. As we were running I see a dark silhouette shoot across the road. Me "Look did you see that?" Terry "you are crazy, you didn't see anything, you are getting old" We run a bit further and I see it again this time on the side of the road. Me "there it is!" Terry "yeah I see it, I think". As we get a bit close it becomes clear the skunk is small but running in the little ditch right beside us, keeping pace right along with us.

Screech...we come to a halt. Me "What do we do? If we get in front of him will he turn and spray" Terry "I don't know, we can wait" Me "Let's outrun him, sprint until we get past him" Terry "OK, let's go".

We take off pushing our pace, we catch up to him and for a few seconds he is beside us and then we pass him. Not daring to stop we keep our sprint pace until we are sure we are far enough ahead that he won't catch us.

Success! We did indeed outrun a skunk on a day when speed work was not on the plan. Nothing like unintended speed work.

Sun and Moon

2011-09-14T05:47:00.000-07:00

It is easy in this mess we call life to forget to see what is around us. This morning I was reminded that each day is a new day.

I left boot camp at 5 am, not really in the mood to run, but on my schedule it called for 4 miles. And so I switched my shoes, put on my Garmin and my shuffle, and hit the road. By chance, or maybe not, my music was set to Mercy Me. Soon I was moving to the music without feeling a struggle from the run.

As I ran I realized it was cloudy, big thunder clouds with rain in the far distance. Although it was still dark the moon, not quite full, was boldly shining behind the clouds, occasionally peaking through to shed a graceful glow on the world around me.

A few minutes later I realized that I was experiencing one of those times when the not quite full moon was shining through the dark clouds to the west and the sun's orange glow was lighting the sky in the east. The mixing of dark, light, orange sunrise and moonlight, wow. I had to stop and just be still in awe of what God can do.

Missoula Marathon

2011-08-11T15:53:00.000-07:00

Have you seen the movie "A River Runs Through It" ? The scenery outside of Missoula really hasn't changed much. Oh sure there are a few roads and cars, but the homes are separated by enough land to give you freedom, the rivers still run wide and deep, this year especially with the unusual amount of snowfall, and the mountains still had snow even in July.

The marathon started outside of Missoula in a little "don't blink your eyes" town, at dawn.

Fireworks against the soft glow of the morning rays just barely starting to light the sky was the signal that it was time to run.

From the moment we began with the day dawning and a much appreciated 48 degrees, I really did not feel my feet hit the ground. I was too distracted by the amazing views of the mountains that surround this glacial valley.

But it wasn't just the mountains, it was the people. From the farmhouse who had a wagon at the end of their long driveway with flowers and a sign welcoming us and a box of tissue tied to the mailbox. Someone new how runners noses ....well...run! To the couple who rode their horses through the valley to cheer us on.

And then there was the long hill, the only hill, but a doozy of a hill at the mid way point. Normally this would ruin my day but I was so in love with this country, the river, the trees, the valley, the mountains, the snow, the clear blue sky...I sailed right up, then struggled downhill a bit, a little tough on the knees.

After the hill and around the bend, music. Not a band, not a radio, but a baby grand piano, in the middle of this beautiful green grass behind a white fence and in front of a beautiful farm house. There, in a tux, was a man playing a baby grand piano. The music seemed to sweep me off of my feet and my tempo picked up. What a treat.

Soon we were heading into town and everywhere, and I mean everywhere, people were out with their hoses and sprinklers holding them out to let us run through. This is something runners truly appreciate, by now the sun is up and shining bright and although the temperatures are cool, we are still hot, oh does that cold water feel good! You find misters on many courses but nothing like this, not this many, not people with their own hoses, their own sprinklers...cheering you on, welcoming you to their neck of the woods.

As we approach mile 20 the inevitable happens, my legs begin to feel heavy. This is how it happens in the marathon. Mile 20 to 23 is always the toughest, you are just plain worn out. My plan was to increase pace for that last 10K and so, legs heavy, but mind positive and thrilled my knee is feeling good, I slowly begin to run a little faster.

The euphoria speaks to my legs willing them to stay with it, keep going, soon the beer will flow. And they respond. At mile 23 I increase a bit more, just a little but enough to know it's an increase in pace.

The last mile I am oblivious to the pain in my legs and my feet. I am amazed that I am running faster in this last mile and then it's up and over the bridge. With the Clark Fork River flowing beneath me I see my family standing on the right of the course. I move over for a quick high five and run in with a smile on my face and a deep love for Missoula.

Oh the mountains they call me home...and there someday I shall be!

Training for Missoula

2011-07-25T05:28:00.000-07:00

It's been almost a year since my knee surgery. Two days after the surgery I was walking, not far but walking. Three days afterward I was walking three miles. Slowly I built up to 6 or 7 miles every day. It took about two weeks to get there, but get there I did!

Two weeks afterward I started back swimming, after the incision healed. And three weeks afterward I started boot camp.

As you can see I was not sitting on my tush doing nothing! However, it was 9 weeks before I started running again. It really wasn't running in the beginning it was more like very light jogging and for very short distances.

I won't go backwards to relive, I just want to take a moment to remember that only 9 months ago I was whining, worried, concerned, and afraid that I would never be able to run again. Taking that first step after the surgery was scary and for months the runs were hard and I struggled. My leg was weak, my knee was sore, by breathing was labored. And yet I kept with it, kept with the push to get to my goal.

I am constantly reminded of how the human body can adapt. People who don't push themselves will never know what it's like to keep going, push through, and then one day you realize that you were able to obtain a goal you never thought possible. Our bodies and our minds are amazing machines.

My goal for after surgery was to do the Missoula Marathon and feel good, no pain, no injury, and enjoyable experience. (Well as much as is possible in a marathon).

Running strength for my knee began in October but after the Cowtown Half Marathon, where I did not feel my best, my training for the Missoula Marathon began. The training went well until June. In the years we've lived here June has always been a pleasant month. It does get warmer but generally in the mornings it's something we can handle. This year June days hit 100 plus and it hasn't changed. We are now in our 25th day of temeratures over 100. I am NOT a warm weather runner. I much prefer the 40's to the 80's. And yet here I was doing longer and longer runs in temperatures 80 and above even at 6:00 in the morning.

It is a known fact that your heart has to pump harder in hotter more humid weather, my heart consistently felt like it was going to pump right out of my chest. And yet I stuck to it, getting my long runs in. And then came my first 19 mile run. I made it but it was a struggle.

The next long run of 19 miles was again very tough, I just couldn't keep enough water or fuel in my body. I didn't want it but I had to have it.

And then two weeks before the marathon came my last long run, 21 miles. We started early but the temperature and the humidity were high that day. I was doing ok until mile 14. That is when I began to feel sick. I found that I couldn't drink and couldn't eat my gels without feeling sick. And yet in the heat I needed those two things in my body. The sun was up by now and blaring down baking my shoulders, pounding me into the ground. I felt like the wicked witch of the west melting into the dirt below my feet.

I made it to 17 miles where my husband was waiting. His comment was "you are weaving", not a good sign. I was struggling to even make my legs move. Four more miles, that's it! Surely I could go four more miles. At 17 I rested for a bit went on but found that I could only walk and so mile 18 was a walk not a run, not even a slow jog. I just could not go forward and consistently felt as if I were going to lay down and never get up. Dizzy, sick, there is just a point where you know something is wrong and I was at that point. And so I quit. My 21 mile run never happened.

It was too late to do another long run, it was time for the taper. To be forthright I was happy to be tapering but also concerned that my lack of completion on that last long run would come back to bite me later. My coach assured me I would be fine and so with confidence I let it go and was able to relax. After all my goal was to enjoy the marathon, not go out and hit a tough pace. I knew I could at least finish in good form.

And so my last two training weeks, the taper weeks, were good. And then we fly to Missoula.

Missoula Marathon

2011-07-17T18:30:00.000-07:00

If you read my last blog you know that training for the Missoula Marathon was tough. Living in Texas, in a drought year where the temperature has been over 100 every day from the end of May until now, July 17.

Training runs early in the morning, 5:30 or 6:00 am, but still in the 80's at the start of the run. And then add to that any humidity hanging around it's a recipe for disaster. You know I just don't understand how it can be humid and yet not a chance of any rain...how does that work exactly?

Anyway back to that recipe for disaster. I was able to acclimate some and the shorter, 6-8 miles, were OK. Not great but OK. It was the long runs that killed me. It's just not easy for me to run in high heat for a long time. And so the training this time around was killer and I struggled with dehydration.

I began this blog by detailing the race, then I deleted it all. Instead I am going to attempt to capture the emotions. But not tonight. For tonight suffice it to say it was the best marathon I've run. Not that it was the best time, but it was the most beautiful, the best put together, and the most amazing experience. Perfect weather, beautiful scenery and incredible local support.

More to follow...

5th Marathon

2011-07-04T17:47:00.000-07:00

Yes the 5th one is coming up. In fact it's the 10th of July. It's been so long since I've written, life is so busy sometimes...it's really a shame.

This is the first time I've trained for a marathon in the summer. Of course this would be the year when the 100 degree days hit before July and every day in June has been over 100. Running in this heat has been pretty tough.

Any of you who know me know that I hate the heat. I would rather run in the cold. But I wanted to run the Missoula marathon and so the training has been in the heat. I've acclimated some but also had some very bad runs with some dehydration. The good news is it will be 50 at the start in Missoula. The perfect running temperature and running in the heat should have made me stronger. I am hoping it will pay off.

Training for the marathon and working lots of hours has make it tough to do cross training, subsequently I've given up the swimming. Cycling occasionally but not enough. After this marathon we are going to get back to strength training, and I am going to cycle through the rest of this heat.

Wish me luck!

Fires

2011-04-16T09:21:00.000-07:00

This week we have had very high wind and unfortunately all around us are acres of burning brush, grass, and some homes. This has been a bad year for fires. Terry and I head out this morning for a shorter run as we have a long run tomorrow. The smoke yesterday was heavy in the air with ash falling like little flakes of snow here and there. The wind was so high it was miserable to go out. Today although no wind the smoke still hangs in the air. From the house it didn't look too bad but as we get further out the smoke is hanging. We can smell it and it burns the nose and the lungs. Obviously this isn't a good thing so we cut it short and head home. Tomorrow is a 14 mile run so we are hoping the smoke has cleared, but more than that we hope that the brave firefighters are able to put the fires out and that no more families lose their homes.

Cincinnati

2011-04-16T08:58:00.000-07:00

Recently I had the opportunity to be in Cincinnati for work. One of the things I enjoy about traveling is the opportunity to run in different places. While it's difficult running when you travel, you are more tired, you don't where to run, and you have to do it really early or in the evening, it does provide a great change of pace as well. The first look at Cincinnati showed a very industrial city with the Ohio River being the focus. The river itself was dark and full of debris. However that view changes when you have the opportunity to run. I asked the hotel staff where to run and sure enough they had a route all mapped off! I love it when the staff is into running :). This particular route takes you from downtown to a bridge, not just any bridge, but a suspension bridge that was built in 1865! Amazing! 1865, so just what was going over the Ohio River in 1865? There were no cars and it's not a pedestrian bridge. Nope, street cars! As I ran over this bridge with it's glorious stone towers I tried to imagine what it would have been like to ride a street car this high over the river. Speaking of bridges there are many of them across the river, one what is just a pedestrian bridge, it's purple and so is called the Purple People Bridge. It is at least 3/4 mile long. Back to my run. As I exit the bridge and go right there is a bike/run path all along the river through amazing green space with two amphitheaters and beautiful gardens. Some of the path follows an old train rail and all long the path there are columns that house different pictures and text about all of the boats that have come and gone up the river. From show boats to war boats. Unfortunately I was running and didn't stop to read them, I will do that next time! The gardens are from all the different continents so as you run you feel like you are going from one country to the next. The vegetation changes, it's simply thrilling visually and the different aromas tickle your nose. You really have to understand that all of these gardens you are running through are surrounded by a city full of industry it's not as if you are out in the country, you are literally right in the middle of the city. And yet it's an amazing green space that transforms the city into a calming scene. And then in front of me under an underpass, of all places, is a playground! An amazing playground with beautiful green grass surrounding it. Amazing. Most cities underpasses are ugly and filled with graffiti and homeless persons junk. Instead I am looking at this playground that looks so inviting even I want to go down that slide. I turn to go back the way I came and so I am able to experience it all again, but this time going back I also pay more attention to the baseball stadium to my right before I go back over the bridge. What a great place for the stadium to sit. I run back over the bridge stopping to take a picture of the stadium from high up (have to show this to my husband). And run back to the hotel. I am exhilarated! You just can't get this experience in any other way. Thank you Cinci! I am looking forward to my next run in your city.

Uncalled for Frustration

2011-03-27T18:03:00.000-07:00

Since I have written I have run a half marathon (Cowtown), the Granbury Road Races 10K, and the Capitol 10K in Austin. I am so happy to be running and feeling good. My knee is really feeling good. However I am struggling. Physically I am getting stronger, but after the surgery it just seems to be taking so long to get back to where I was, it's there in my heart but it's not in my body. It isn't fair for my brain to take away from what my body is doing! I was so excited when I first got back to running, just so happy to be out there again. Loved being able to feel myself get stronger. And here I am whining because I am not fast enough. My body isn't there....yet! Silly brain....let it go I tell it. I am doing it, I am running miles and starting to do some speedwork. Build it, speed will come right? And what if it doesn't? Why can't I be satisfied with just getting out there and doing it? Running, enjoying the feeling of the pavement/trails under my feet? This frustration is simply uncalled for. Time for my brain to let it go.

Sorry Blog

2011-03-25T04:56:00.001-07:00

Dear Blog,

Sorry I haven't written in awhile. I've been very busy. I am still running and now that the weather is warm cycling is back in my schedule too.

I will write more later.

Me

Running and Games

2011-01-23T16:21:00.000-08:00

Our family has a game we have played for years, since the kids were little. On trips, driving to school, driving to sporting events, any time we went anywhere we played this game.

The game started out as "slug bug", the game we all know from our childhood. As a family we revised the game to include other unusual cars, and cars in the color yellow, instead of slugging we put into place a point system. We also had penalties for various actions, as well as rules for the driver and car lot cars. We always had a family meeting when one of us decided the rules need to change. The game has evolved over the years and we consider it "our" game but will share the rules when appropriate.

Well today marked another evolution of our game. Terry and I went to Weatherford to the Rails to Trails to run our 13 mile run today. It was chilly, cold, and the wind picked up out of the north as time went on.

If you are a distance runner you will understand the need for distraction on a long run. Usually Terry and I plan an agenda for the run so can talk about different topics to keep ourselves occupied. Today however, Terry came up with a different idea.

His idea was our "game" only revised, it went something like this: Cardinals - one point, Dove - one point, Bunnies - one point, Squirrels - one point, Horses (with rider on trail) - two points, Human (must be on trail) walking or cycling - one point, Deer - 2 points, Wild Hog - 5 points, and if we happen upon a dead body that would give you the winner for life. (Morbid I know). If misidentified you lose a point.

Is it possible that this game made this run such a good run? I can't explain how much it helped and how much fun it was to look for those things that would offer us freedom from "what mile are we on now?" and instead give us a fun sense of competition. Yelling out "person" "cardinal" "there's one", I am sure the few folks we saw thought we were out of our gourd!

So for all of you who enjoy games and also run, try it where you run using your own critters or anything else you run across and see how much distraction you can create for yourself.

Oh and yes, I won :). 10 - 7

Thoughtful Running

2010-12-22T16:21:00.001-08:00

My run of 8 miles today was glorious. It started with me waking up at 4 am and trying for an hour and a half to talk myself out of going. I told myself I could go later, I could do it tomorrow, I need the rest. My brain was working fast to keep me awake trying to talk my body out of wanting to run in the crisp cool morning. Finally I made the decision "not to listen to myself anymore" and I put my feet on the floor and got up, had my cup of coffee and something to eat, read my book, and then got ready to run.

Once at the park I put on my gloves and covered my ears. It was chilly out but not too cold for shorts. I have a rule you know, anything above 38 is shorts and a short sleeve shirt covered with a long sleeve shirt, gloves, and something on my ears. I hit start and my Garmin and took off.

The sun was coming up with a vengeance, bright and pink. The reflection in the water was brilliant.

My legs felt smooth and light for the entire 8 miles. Only once did I have to stop for my usual potty stop. Other than that this run redeemed me from the horrible run I had on Monday.

During this glorious run I thought about how God has provided so much for us. And I wondered how anyone can really think that this was all just some big cosmic mistake rather than someone making it all happen. I don't know how they cannot see it for what it is, God's wonder, his work, his creativity.

And on I ran...into my thoughts.

Cold Weather Running

2010-12-09T05:23:00.000-08:00

Cold weather has me frisky. I love the chilly weather. Running in the crisp cold dark mornings, through the local park all lit up with Griswald like display for Christmas. There really isn't anything better.

My knee is getting so much stronger and my running is getting better. I had forgotten how much I love to run.

My struggle now is remembering that I need to cross train. I need to swim and I need to do my strength training. I am struggling with this even though I know that if I don't I will be injured again. Cycling is out for the winter unless Santa brings me a trainer for my bike (fingers crossed).

Why are we so stubborn? Humans are silly beings. Well off to work...enjoy your day.

Family and Friends

2010-11-15T12:43:00.000-08:00

This post won't be about running. Instead it's about friendship.

This weekend was our daughter's wedding. It was amazing and she was beautiful. Her new husband was pretty good looking too!

This is not the place to go into the details of the wedding and that is not my intent, but to say that day was hectic is a huge understatement. So much to be done starting at 10:30 in the morning to get the place decorated for the event. I thought that most of the day I would be worried and running around trying to get things done and would simply run out of time.

And there they were, my family and friends. I won't go into detail because it really doesn't do justice. What I will say is that friends who we rarely see now that we've moved showed up early to help set up, fix the bridesmaids and brides hair, and stayed late into the night to help clean up. Family who really have better thing to do were there to take over when it was time for me to play hostess.

Friends from college made their way to this wedding and it seemed like we were at a reunion, dancing, laughing, and catching up. And they too stayed to help us at the end.

When all was said and done what impressed me the most is that they were there for us. We all meet people early in our adult lives, people who at the time share common interests with us. Work, or kids activities, or a neighborhood. Slowly those people become friends years go by and things change. People leave to work elsewhere, kids activities change, we move to different cities and different careers, and yet in this time of celebration they were there for us. All of us together.

We laughed, we cried, we drank, we toasted. Sharing stories from college and then from our young married years. We danced alongside Taryn and her friends who are just now entering their young married years. We all know as we sit and watch what it will be like in their future with their young friends. And we all pray that like us they will all stay together and be able to enjoy the weddings of their children together. Good friends for the rest of our lives.

Rising Early

2010-10-26T04:47:00.000-07:00

Does anyone really like getting up at 4:15 am for any reason, let alone working your butt off in some form of exercise?

When my phone alarm goes off a nice song begins to play. I hear it before it gets too far in and immediately throw my feet on the floor. I don't lay there and lament over having to get up, it's just too easy to talk myself into not going at all. So I get up as soon as I hear the song start to play.

At first I am in somewhat of a daze, getting dressed without any real thought. (This is why I lay my clothes out the night before). I stumble to the kitchen to get a little bite to eat, a banana, an apple, maybe an Ezekiel English muffin. Drink some water to get me going. Terry's alarm goes off 15 minutes after mine and he lounges in bed grumbling. I just let him grumble.

Once he is up and moving we get ready and head off for the morning's endeavor. On a 4:15 day that would be Boot Camp. A fitness group with a fearless leader who drinks espresso before she gets to the gym at 4:45. Needless to say moving like that this early is tough but also invigorating. On the off days we run instead and get to sleep until 5:00 am. Yippee!

The best part of these mornings is the time we have together after the hard work. Opening the door to the coffee brewing, the house filled with that yummy aroma, we poor a cup and sit together discussing what we expect from our day, how we felt about our workout, and how much we would love to go back to bed. It's uninterrupted time. Sometimes we sit on the deck in the dark watching the kittens eat, listening to the frogs who are just waking up, and wondering what kind of critters we hear moving in the trees.

These times together are priceless. Yes that term is overused but how else do you describe the feeling of sharing an early morning with someone you have loved for 29 years?

It really doesn't get any better than this.

Slow Going

2010-10-11T07:30:00.000-07:00

It's been a weak since I really started "running" again. I'm really only jogging but don't tell anyone.

It's hard coming back from an injury, hard on your ego, as well as the injured limb.

However, what I've discovered once again is the beauty of running so early that you can see all the stars, hear the crickets, and see the sun rise.

Getting up at 4:15 and going to boot camp at 5:00 is great too, in it's own way. During boot camp you are inside pushing yourself to the limit. You have to depend upon the others around you and the music to keep you going through the "harder than I thought this was going to be" workouts.

Running? Well that's a different push. No matter where you are starting from it's an activity that makes you reach deep down inside, pulling every reserve to go where you need to go, alone. And that is true when recovering, starting out, or training for a time goal. It's a much more individual soulful activity.

I am happy to be on the mend, happy to be able to walk/jog/run/cycle/swim/yoga, whatever the days plan calls for. I am happy and thankful to be healthy.

Back on the Road

2010-10-01T18:30:00.000-07:00

The time is finally here, time to get back on the road and work my way up to my 5th marathon on July 2011.

I have learned so much during this time off, I've learned that I can enjoy other sports, I've learned that patience is more important than we realize, and I've learned that when I whine it's OK for my husband to tell me to cut it out.

Starting back is a bit scary and yet exciting. For awhile I'll be going at it slowly while still participating in a fitness boot camp, cycling, and swimming. Therefore I am staying fit and this should go along way to getting me strong for number 5.

I look forward to watching the progression and sharing that time with Terry and friends.

Long Time No Post

2010-09-25T14:32:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's been FOREVER since I posted a blog. I've really let this slip since my surgery. Oh well, nothing much going on. Here's a recap:

Fitness Bootcamp in the mornings M,T,TH

Cycling once or twice a week 20-25 miles no large steep hills (cause of knee)

Swimming once or twice a week

Walking two to three times a week anywhere from 3 - 6 miles

Work has really been busy and I've been out of town, that really messes up my schedule some but that's life and it will get better.

Today I start rebuilding my running. I am not going to lie I am a bit nervous about starting back, and I will start slow, so slow...walk/run, walk/run...sigh...soon it will come back I know, but time goes so slow.

I can't do boot camp at the same time. Too much stress on my knee. I hate that because I feel like I am gaining so much strength in bootcamp. At some point I can add that back in, I just have to be patient.

Patient, Patient, Patient...ok got it...my new mantra!

Recuperating

2010-08-11T18:32:00.000-07:00

Yep, that's the word of the day...recuperating. And that is what I am doing. It's not easy but it's what we all must do from time to time when injury gets in the way of our way of life.

Interestingly enough I was telling a friend today that some time off isn't going to hurt her, in fact it might help her be stronger...why can't I tell myself that and really believe it? I know it's true but it doesn't matter, I just can't sit still to recover.

So I am trying, tomorrow I can swim again and I'm thrilled to be able to do something that is a good cardio workout! And in a week I'll be cycling and then in a few weeks running again.

This time next year I won't have to even think about this...at least that's my hope!

Knee Surgery

2010-08-09T12:00:00.000-07:00

I have not posted much about my knee surgery because I really didn't want to be a whiner. So today I will catch you up in case you've missed my ongoing saga.

Two and a half years ago I tore my meniscus, got an MRI, went to an orthopedic surgeon, he said I didn't need surgery. OK so days go by.

I keep training and run the San Antonio Marathon in tears because my knee hurts so bad. But time goes on and I continue to run and eventually have to lay off a month in which time I start swimming and doing yoga.

Eventually I go back to running and do well, but off and on I have periods of time where my knee really bothers me and I have to back off.

Fast forward to this last winter, I trained, did well, got a Personal Record in the half marathon, I was so excited! And then BOOM the knee again. Thinking overuse, I followed my coaches advice and backed off, but when I started up again it didn't get better and then I had this catching that would happen even when I was sleeping, or walking around the house, or mowing.

Finally my coach strongly suggested I go to the doctor and get an MRI which I did and sure enough it needed to be cleaned out, and of course I have arthritis which I already knew. The ortho doctor recommended scoping it and so I agreed.

Ten days ago I went in and had the surgery. No big deal at all. I spent two days doing nothing but taking pain pills (although I never had any pain) so the third day I quit taking them. Only used the crutches for one trip from the car to the couch...after that I never touched them except to put them in the closet.

Fourth day I walk a mile, next day 2, then three...so on Thursday a week after the surgery I go to the Y and use the elliptical and the bike each for 30 minutes, thinking I would get a good workout only to find that it hurt if I did it too hard, it's all about rebuilding not doing a full workout...SIGH...so I took it down and just got through it. Yes it drove me crazy.

Friday I took off and Saturday I walked 5 miles at a brisk pace and then came home and cleaned house. By the time I cleaned house my knee was tired and twinging so I iced and rested. Sunday we went out and kayaked, easy day for the legs.

That brings us to today. The nurse comes in and is surprised my knee is not more swollen, takes out my stitches and asks me if it's bothered me at all, when I relay my activities to her she looks surprised and simply says well, that is good! Then the doctor comes in, checks the incisions, checks flexibility, says he is amazed it is not swollen.

Then he shows me the pictures that they took while scoping. WOW, lots of stuff going on in there. They smoothed out the meniscus, sawed on some bone to help the arthritis and took out this little band of tissue that was rubbing on my thigh bone.

He asked me about my activity to this point, if it hurt at any point and once again I relayed the information. He just smiled and laughed when I got to the 5 miles and then cleaning the house day. And then as he started to tell me that he saw no reason for rehab, you can do this and that, I took out a list I had prepared with questions about all the activities I wanted to continue doing.

At that point he laughed and shook his head, all in a very nice and complimentary way. And he answered concisely each question and said "you will pay the next day if you overdo". I get the point!

As we left I apologized for being so pesky with my questions and he answered that it was no problem at all, he enjoys patients like me who want to be active.

I am left wondering what other people do? Use this as an excuse to do nothing?

A Family Memory

2010-07-29T14:42:00.000-07:00

A joyful thing happened in South Carolina, in addition to my son's wedding. I discovered once again how enjoyable it is to share a run with those you love and admire.

I have quite a few nieces who are becoming runners. Sometime back we discussed getting together in South Carolina while we were all there for the wedding and going for a run. I took the liberty of finding a good route that would provide us with a loop to stop for water and bathrooms. This happened to be my son's future in-laws neighborhood.

Saturday morning we rose early and drove over to park in their drive to begin our run. My brother joined us as well. All running different paces I showed them the route and we all took off on our adventure. It seems simple and uneventful, nothing really to write about, nothing is further from the truth!

Sharing a time with my family, who are now on a quest to be more healthy, who are there to share in our joy later in the evening, well it was more than just a "run" to me. As I think back on it I needed that run and that time to share with them more than they realize. They may have been there for reasons that have nothing to do with me but in the end they gave me a great gift. A gift of camaraderie, the gift of calm and joy in sharing my passion with them on a day when instead I could have been a bag of nerves.

This is one of those runs that will make my list of my best runs. Thank you all for making such a wonderful memory with me.

Swim team

2010-07-12T06:27:00.001-07:00

I've now been officially told that I can move to lane 2! I started this swim team last year with a lot of fear, and no skill. I've now learned the basics and the fear is gone.

Through the winter season I will practice endurance and continue to practice my stroke mechanics and then for next summer I will be in lane 2.

This shows that no matter what the age you can improve, learn new things, and grow in many ways both physically and mentally.

It really is a wonderful feeling that can be carried to many areas of life. Putting yourself in an uncomfortable situation and getting through it is something that everyone should go through, it makes life easier to handle.

Relativity

2010-07-11T08:18:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we ran the Freedom 5K here in Granbury and while I got 3rd in my age division my time was slow in comparison to what I've run in the past. Terry came in 2nd and likewise his time was slow in comparison to the past.

I was not going to run this 5K. I've not been running hard since Cowtown and I know I am not in race shape so my decision to run the 5K was to simply run it, not race it.

Then the race comes. I simply cannot just RUN in a race and I push, not hard enough, but still I push. And then when it's over I am upset with myself that I didn't train hard for the race. And yet it's all relative right? I've learned that for me it's best to train for specific races and then allow my body to rest and do some cross training. And so my PRs came in the spring. It was time to let my body recover and get ready for knee surgery so that I can run the Missoula Montana Marathon next July.

In the end getting 3rd place which used to be exciting and amazing to me, has become mundane when I KNOW I could win 1st if I really trained. And so my attitude must change. I can run, and I run a pretty good pace even when I am not in race shape and my knee is hurting and so it's all a matter of relativity.

And now I'm on to the next phase in my running/swimming/biking endeavors.

Behind on Blogging!

2010-07-03T13:17:00.001-07:00

I've learned so much over the past couple of years in regard to excersize, it's hard to know how to begin to share what I have learned but I shall give it a try.

1. Running with no cross training will eventually lead to injury
2. Cross training is fun and I've learned that swimming (and I mean REALLY swimming), learning all of the strokes, doing tough drills, and sprints, plus distance swimming, has helped me in a number of ways. I've also learned I really won't drown if I push hard swimming!
3. Cycling is very hard, much harder than running in my opinion. But also very rewarding and exhilerating.
4. Yoga/Pilates provide a very tough but cleansing workout while allowing me to gain strength I never got with lifting weights.
5. Most of all though I've come to the realization that all of these activities (and others) have become such a way of life that they are no longer just "workouts".

When we begin working out we have to plan and think about when we will get our workouts in, it becomes a hassle to make sure we get just enough time in to counter our calorie intake. While it is positive and we enjoy it, it is "exersize".

No longer do I feel this way, these activites are a way of life, they are what I do, just like brushing my teeth, doing my hair, eating. It's just the way we live and with it comes freedom.

In a few weeks I have knee surgery, nothing major, I am worried about how I will fill my time while not being able to fully live they way I have become accustomed. I guess I will just have to work hard to get myself back better than ever!

Last I want to express how exciting it has been to see family members beginning the quest for health, and you know who you are! Congratulations and know that I am here to support you in any way I can. Looking forward to a "family" half sometime in the future!

A Week of Reflection

2010-05-30T06:58:00.001-07:00

Have you ever had something happen, or maybe many somethings, all close to the same time that cause you to reflect on life, love, happiness, success and what that means to us?

This week one of our dogs had to be put down. This dog was one we rescued from the pound when we lived in Abilene. They did not realize she was pregnant, soon after her rescue we had 12 puppies. She was well trained and loved everyone. Her life with us was fun, we gave her all our love. In the end she was sick and there wasn't anything more we could do.

This week a woman I knew in Abilene, an avid cyclist, was killed while riding. A horrible tragedy that still has me wondering if I am ready should something happen. Have I done all I want to do, given enough, loved enough, been wise enough, made the right choices more often than not?

This week our son moved to South Carolina after graduating from UT. He is off to another life, far enough away that we can't drive to him easily. He will be getting married a couple of months, he will be responsible for his own family then. And I ponder whether or not he will find success as he defines it, I hope they don't go through so many of the hard times we went through and yet I know they have to in order to grow together.

It's been a week to think about life, the meaning behind why we are here. These are the things I think about while I'm running. It's easy for me to zone out and just think about all that is happening and my place in everything around me. Thank goodness I have running to help me sort out my own reflection.

Kroger Loves Me!

2010-05-10T11:46:00.000-07:00

As some of you know I have started a new activity (for me) called cycling. Those who do this often make it seem easy, they ride along effortlessly, smoothly, looking fluent and one with the road.

Believe me it's not that easy. At least not for me. Running and cycling are very different, from what I've gathered thus far there are those who are good runners and those who are good cyclists and most folks are not good at both, or like both at the same level.

I am enjoying learning to cycle. It is such a different experience and there is so much to learn and get used to. For example:

The bottom part of the handlebars, the part that curves toward you, are called drops. The first time someone told me to use my drops I thought they were telling me it was time to put drops in my eyes! There are lots of little terms like that, all part of the learning experience.

There are a few things that are difficult for me to get used to. Such as, you ride on the RIGHT side of the road. Sounds silly I know but I am so used to running on the left that I find myself going to the left on my bike when I really need to stay on the right.

The most difficult thing for me is looking back over my left shoulder to see if there is a car coming. Keeping the handle bars from turning when you are looking over your shoulder is impossible! I am afraid I will go right into the ditch or hit a tree or something. Therefore I rely on others to tell me if a car is coming or I stop and look...I keep hearing this will be easier as I get used to it...yeah right!

And let's not forget the seat...when the heck do your bones get used to that bumping up and down on that seat? Again people say "oh you will get used to it", OK ... so WHEN????

My last experience though was the one that thus far wins the prize. I went out for a ride with some friends who are training for several triathlons...yes they are she beasts... no doubt. It should have been an easy 30 mile ride. The most I had ridden before this ride was 18. No problem, I think to myself. We begin to ride, it's great at first and then we begin climbing hills, everywhere we went was an incline. Not to mention the wind was at 20 mph in our face! REALLY? Why did I do this. One thing I am not comfortable with is drinking water while riding and so I just didn't drink until we took a break. A little too late for that. At 80 degrees and humidity above 60% drinking and eating are important. I ate at noon but didn't ride until 3:30.

Because I run so much I know when to fuel and when it's OK not to, it's different in cycling and it's something I was not ready for. I simply did not prepare.

Even before half way I had no water left. The girls were sweet enough to give me water but it was too late I was already dehydrated. At mile 25 we went by the Kroger so that I could get a banana and some more water. I tried to eat, tried to drink but I felt pretty bad and although there were only a few miles left I simply could not go on. But before my friends could hit the road and leave me to get a ride home I got sick.

Yes, I threw up 4 or 5 times right in front of Kroger with people going in and out to buy groceries...there I was hurling chunks of banana. Needless to say I was very dehydrated. Lesson learned, I will be more prepared on my next longer ride!

They went on while one of the husbands came to pick me up and take me to my car.

Do I still like cycling you may be asking? Heck yeah! I can't wait to go out with them again, this time better prepared for the long haul.

Spring

2010-04-30T05:30:00.000-07:00

We've had a lot of rain this year and this spring the eyes see green grass, green trees, colorful wildflowers everywhere, yards and gardens coming to life. Spring is such a rebirth for Mother Earth as well as for all of us, a time to begin anew.

On my ride the other day, the one with the really big hills, I was in awe of the wildflowers. So many colors everywhere you look, God is so amazing in his palette I never cease to be amazed.

The only downside is that my knee is really not well after Cowtown Half and so I am once again struggling to recover. Running is something I am doing less of now. But never fear I am going to an orthopedist here next week and hope soon to be back on my running feet. In the meantime I am walking, cycling, swimming, yogaing (is that a word?), working in the yard, fishing, so as you see I am still very active. It's only the running that seems to bother me...sigh.

However, walking does have some advantages. I've noticed that when I'm walking I tend to see things happening around me more than when I am running. An example follows.

A transition to spring is baseball. Everyone knows this, even those who don't keep up with sports. The local little league teams play close to the walking/bike/running path. It is funny how seeing those little boys out there playing, the brothers and sisters running around and lining up at the concession stand, or playing wallball on the side of the buildings, brings a warm feeling that starts deep down in my heart and builds up to my face where then a smile cannot be suppressed.

Yesterday on the path near the fields was this little boy, maybe 5 or 6, playing a game with his shadow. Jumping up and down trying to throw the shadow off. He would turn and look, jump up, spin around, as if trying desperately to separate himself from the shadow but when he could not he would giggle that little kid giggle that is so contagious. This is the way it should be I thought to myself. Kids need this, the outdoors, the imaginative spirit. Forget the video games, the TV, those things can squash our ability to imagine, to live, to play with our shadows. It was wonderful to see a child doing what children do naturally. Little does he know the affect he had on me.

We never know the affect we have on others. I hope that the affect I have is a positive one! Thank you kiddo for the shadow dance.

My Adorable Husband

2010-04-20T15:34:00.000-07:00

As you can see this blog is not about running, at least not all about running. Reading through some of my blogs from the past I notice that I often leave out the one constant in my life, the one person who is always there for me, who puts up with me no matter what I do, who really really loves me for who I am and not who I think I need to be.

He does run with me, in fact he is the one that many times gets me out the door. He may not know this because it appears that it is the other way around, but knowing that he depends upon me to go run with him keeps me going. Not to mention I want to look good for this man as long as is possible and running is one of the ways I can do that!

So to you my adorable husband, thank you. Thank you for loving me, for helping me through difficult times, for sticking with me through difficult times, and for...well...just being there. I love you!

Release

2010-04-18T16:47:00.001-07:00

Every runner understands how the activity we love is also our way of letting go of those emotions we pent up inside. I imagine anyone who participates in an individual athletic endeavor feels that release as the endorphins take over during our effort.

If you read my blog from April 6 you know that I am struggling with the emotions of an alcoholic family member. If you are are in, or have been in, this situation yourself you understand how horrible it is to see a family member or friend throw their lives away while you watch helplessly without understanding why they are pushing us all away. We've tried to help and yet it's not been successful and now we are told it's time for us to step away. In some ways it's easier to walk away in other ways it's more difficult. In either case it's very sad and confusing.

While many people lose sleep when they are worried or upset, I tend to sleep hard. Sometimes I wonder if it's a form of depression. Last night was one of those nights. The last few weeks have been horrible and yet I've been fortunate to have the distraction of wedding planning and work so that I've been able to really turn the worry over to God. At some point though it caught up to me and last night I found myself exhausted. I slept so hard and more hours than really needed. I woke up to a cloudy gloomy day and only felt more weary.

I planned on running 5 miles today and yet here I sat on the couch wanting to go back to sleep. My experience with running is that even when you don't want to, if you just go out the door and start the experience soon you will be in a different place in your head. That place where your fear and worries ooze out through your pores, the sweat taking them away from your heart and your brain and dumping the toxin into the air where they evaporate into oblivion.

And so we made our way out the door and off to our run. At first it seemed difficult, legs heavy, but even before one mile was up I felt my stress began to leave, I felt my heart lighten. I prayed a conversation with God as I strode along and soon I felt the full release. It occurs to me that giving the credit to running is not accurate. The credit really goes to God who made our bodies to handle stress, emotion, and increase endorphins when we push enough to work out the toxic ideas and thoughts that seep through day in and day out.

The issue still exists, the family member is still in turmoil, I still have to sit and wait to see if he can pull himself out of this hell he has built and calls his life. Only now, after the prayer and run, I am able to focus on keeping MY family healthy. For that I am grateful to God.

Wounded Knee

2010-04-17T11:32:00.000-07:00

Do you get tired of reading about my knee? I know I get tired of writing about it, that's for sure. Well here I am again. A couple of posts ago I talked about my knee and the frustration with it. I'm still healing little by little.

This week I was able to run the Capital 10K on Sunday, then 5 on Tuesday and 5 on Friday. Will run 5 again on Sunday. So it is getting better, it's just time...blah blah blah, that's what they always say! In the meantime I am working on strengthening my quads with specific rehab exercises, cycling, and swimming. And the fun continues.

Today it is pouring rain...I took it easy and took a nice nap just listening to the rain on the tin roof. I feel like I am in the mountains only it is warmer. Nice day to just sit around.

Ok update done, I'm off to clean house :)

Sadness

2010-04-06T06:13:00.000-07:00

Today I write about a painful subject, something that is hard to talk about, something I wonder if any of you share.

A close family member struggles with alcholism. After 5 years of sobriety a relapse occurred in October 2009. As a family we gathered together, spent a huge sum of money, and took this person to a top notch facility. Not really an intervention, as help was wanted, but with the understanding that this was the last shot for us, we cannot continue to spend the money for this kind of treatment over and over. Not to mention the emotional toll it has taken on our family.

The treatment went well and all seemed fine until the last two weeks and then we learned this weekend a devestating relapse occured. Now holed up in the condo drinking to a point beyond recognition of the person we know, we can not help. It must come from within and we must stay with our conviction of no more bailing out, now it is up to the alcholic to take action.

The alcholic is more likely to stay sober if they know they can lose those they love and so "tough love" is what seems to work. However, the risk is that before they get to that point they kill themselves either intentionally or by drinking so much their body shuts down. Do you know how hard it is to sit here knowing that this may be the next call we get?

I keep reminding myself that the 5 years of sobriety came from this person's conviction to stay sober, not with our help and so if the mind can get clear enough perhaps the same course will be taken. I have to remain positive, pray, and wonder how someone gets to this point. What is it in the psyche that drives someone to be so down on themselves that they cannot handle the world they live in? This person is a great runner, training for the first triathlon plus two marathons this year. I think perhaps being "driven" is a curse rather than a blessing and when something doesn't work into the course that they plan they simply cannot handle the disappointment.

I try to analyze, and yet it's something I can't figure out, something I cannot control. And so I pray, I hope for the best, and I send my love to the person I do not want to lose.

Beginning Something New

2010-03-28T19:14:00.000-07:00

I have taken the plunge, I've committed money to something new, I've decided to go ahead and start cycling. Today I bought a new road bike, helmet, gloves, clothes, spare tube, pump, etc... needless to say it's a lot of money dropped, now I must make the investment a worthwhile one.

I took a picture of the bike and emailed to to my kids. Both responded with an invitation to do a ride with them. Worth the investment? I do believe so :)!

Injury Frustration

2010-03-25T09:15:00.000-07:00

If you are an athlete you understand the frustration you feel when you have a nagging injury.

Athletes, whether young or old, elite or amateur, all have in common this innate need to drive their bodies to do the most it can do regardless of whether or not injury my occur. Once injury occurs the difficulty in doing what is needed in order to get well and stay well is enormous. And as my coach says it "it is always an experiment of one".

If you've followed my blog for any time you know that 3 years ago I tore my meniscus. This has translated into arthritis in my left knee and so any time I do anything different with running such as increasing speed too fast, changing surfaces too much, more hills than usual, my knee acts up.

Such is the case at this time. After getting a personal best time at the Cowtown Half Marathon my knee is once again "acting up". This does not mean re injury it simply means that it's reacting to something different and my coach and I must figure out what that "difference" is and put that in our stash of "what not to do next time" so that in the future we will eliminate the stressor. The Cowtown Half Marathon is extremely hilly, but I trained on hills. My pace was fast but I trained for a fast pace. There are 2 - 2.5 miles downhill on brick streets in this race. The surface is hard, uneven and unrelenting.

The change in the surface on a long downhill at a fast pace tells the coach and my doctor that this is the trigger to the knee inflammation. Sigh...frustration.

Now comes the part that is so difficult. Rest, rebuild, rest, rebuild...I get so tired of this cycle. And yet it is what must be done and so this is where I am with running. It is indeed a love/hate relationship.

Inspiration

2010-03-16T06:19:00.000-07:00

There are times in each of our lives when we cross paths with someone who, even in a casual conversation says something that inspires you to be a better person. Inspires you to think about your life in a different way.

Famous writers and better writers than I have written about inspiration, about war, about those who fight for our freedom. It's not a new topic, we hear about it every day on the news. And yet if you are like me it fades in and out of your realm of understanding. I don't keep up with the political issues, I get angry when people don't support those who are fighting for us in Iraq, but it doesn't really have meaning on a day to day basis.

Yesterday after my swim workout as I was getting dressed a woman in workout clothing comes out of the sauna. She sits down, red with heat, sweating. I move my things out of her way as she begins to speak.

Her son is in Iraq, he has been there for 6 months and seen things most of us will never see. She spends some time each day in the sauna praying, it is her way of honoring him. He is there where it is terribly hot and so the sauna is her way to connect to her son so that she can feel at least a bit of the heat he feels in the dessert. She is worried about him but more than that she is hurt by the people in our country who do not support the soldiers and what they are fighting for. Her son is there fighting so that others may have what we take for granted and yet people are so caullous they don't think before they speak and it breaks her heart.

This was a very short conversation and nothing I have not heard from others but this time, this woman, her words, and her prayers in the sauna, inspired me to think more about the freedoms I have and the pain she feels. I think about my own children who are her son's age. I miss them so much when they are at school, imagining them in Iraq fighting and not knowing for sure if they will come home...it's truly something I cannot comprehend.

I vow to think about this woman and her son when I decide to feel sorry for myself because of some little mishap in my life, I thank her for the inspiration she gave me, and I thank her son for fighting so that others may have a bit of what we have...I pray that he is returned home safe and sound.

A New Personal Best

2010-03-04T05:59:00.000-08:00

Since the late summer, early fall, I've been training. Training for what? Well training to run without knee pain, training to run faster, training to increase endurance, and many other outcomes. There are many races we run in and most of them are larger so there is no way I am going to place in my division, there are just too many fast women out there, and that's ok because it's really all about improving myself. And improving doesn't always mean speed, it can also mean endurance, injury recovery, sanity...

We start with the Wurst 5 miler. A 5 mile race at Wurstfest in New Braunsfels Texas. Our times show we are definately faster.

Next we go to Vegas to run the Rock n Roll Half Marathon. It's the first year for the Rock n Roll series to have a race in Vegas. It was an exciting race and we did well with a 1:57. Terry and I ran it together and for the first time we actually ran the ENTIRE race together and finished at the same time. That made the race fun.

Then a month later we went to Austin to defend or better our 3rd place Mixed Masters Division title in the 3M Half Marathon relay. With Terry running 6.4 and me running the last 6.8, this year we came in second! So exciting. And our times show we have improved our times. Plus I am having no knee pain!

One month after 3M, just last weekend, we head down to Fort Worth to run the Cowtown Races. Cowtown conssists of a marathon, an ultra marathon, a half marathon, a 10K, and a 5K. I ran the half marathon and Terry in the 10K. These races are not easy. They are hilly and I mean VERY hilly and in the half marathon there are 2 to 2.5 miles downhill on brick streets. This is a very hard and uneven surface. It's tough to run on and tough on the body. Never the less the races are fun and exciting. Knowing how tough this course is my goal is just to break the 1:57 pace I seem to be stuck in. Last year at Cowtown I ran a 1:57:33. I would like to run a 1:56. As I start out I feel myself going into a faster pace than I really intended and I try to slow it down some but my body has other ideas. I realize now that my slower pace is really a faster pace as I've gotten stronger. However, it is most common for people to start out way to fast and then die at the end...I did NOT want that to happen. The race was hard but I found myself strong on the hills and was able to continue a good pace even going uphill. The downhill on bricks was really tough, it comes about mile 8 and it's mostly downhill which really pounds your legs. While my knee did not hurt my hips and hamstrings were crying out. And yet I kept pushing. There were a few times I really wanted to stop but I quickly pushed the negative talk out and kept going. At mile 10 I realized I was way ahead of pace, the question now was whether or not I would make it at this pace or faster, or crash. Mile 11 and 12 are uphill, not a fun place for uphill and while I continued to be strong mentally it was a challenge. And then I saw a friend, she usually beats me in races, I could see that she was moving slower than I and so my brain clicked and my pace picked up. The competativeness kicked in and from that point forward I pushed with everything I had. Coming down the last stretch into the finish I got that familiar "I'm gonna throw up" feeling which always means I am giving it my all. Luckly I held it together and got a new personal best of 1:53:23. I've not run a half marathon at that pace ever and the closest was in 2000 with a 1:54!

All of this to say, we may be getting older but there are things in life that age defys and on that day my age didn't matter. I still beat a time I never thought I would beat and I am thrilled.

However, now I realize that I've moved the bar, getting another personal best will be tough.

Contrast

2010-02-17T10:48:00.000-08:00

In contrast to last week at this time today is dry and glorious day. It is 48 now on it's way to 52 degrees, sunshine, no wind, a gorgeous day outside. One of those days that begs attention, begs for members of the earth to enjoy the great outdoors, there is just no way around it.

And so I ran. It's been awhile since we've seen the sun bright and shining, running with the sun on my face and yet the cool air circling my body I felt exhilerated. Even a tough run like today's felt somehow different, uplifting, as if things were changing. Could spring be on it's way or is this just a tease?

Snow Instead of Running

2010-02-17T10:43:00.000-08:00

It's been awhile since I blogged. Not sure why, maybe because I need inspiration to blog, maybe I am just lazy, or maybe it's because I have no idea if anyone ever reads these postings! In any case here is a new one for anyone who dares to read it.

Last week we had snow, snow is not completely unheard of here in Granbury but 8 to 13 inches certainly is something people here don't see often if at all. Here in our little piece of the world we had 8 inches, but just to the east and north of us they had 12 to 13! It was enough to shut everything down for the most part and so a big fire in the fireplace helped to make the snowfall even nicer.

Growing up in the mountains this kind of snowfall is not unusual to me, and yet the memories it brought back from my childhood were simply glorious. Days of snow falling in big slow flakes, fire roaring in the fireplace, and our old wood stove, and a game of monopoly going. Quiet peaceful naps in front of the fire, snow forts with reinforcement of snowball ammunition inside laying in wait for the big fight coming later in the day, wet and muddy tile in the entry of the carport, gloves, hat, snow boots sitting by the fire getting dry, and yummy rich hot chocolate with lots of mini marshmellows on top. And interestingly enough I can even smell the wet dog (Ghosty) who slept there by us after an afternoon of romping with us in the snow.

Fingers stinging when warming up, nose red and runny, ears nipped with cold. And a big pot of stew on the stove filling the house with that comfort food smell.

What wonderful memories, I do miss the mountains, sometimes more than I can stand. Someday we will go back, someday when it's the right time, hopefully so that we can make some of those memories with family we have yet to know.

Walking the Dogs

2010-01-26T19:01:00.000-08:00

I did run today, a wonderful easy 7 mile run. Enjoyed it tremendously. However this blog will not, from this point forward mention anything about my run. Instead I am going to focus on my walk with our dogs.

I've been trying to take the dogs out for a walk every day, rarely do I do it every day, but I am trying. They now understand that when I walk out to the yard with the leashes it is time to get some exercise and they are excited. I used to struggle to get the leash on them because they would not sit still long enough for me to get it clipped on their collar. But now they know they have to sit for me if they want to walk. You really can teach old dogs new tricks!

Today was a beautiful day, in the 60's, no wind, sunny and clear, perfect day for a walk with the dogs. We head out, as usual they are pulling me along in the beginning, noses to the ground, stopping to take care of bodily functions along the way. As we go along I talk to them (I know that's a shock), and it occurs to me how nice it would be to have someone to walk me so that I get exercise, someone to feed me just the right amount of food with the right nutrients, someone to give me my vitamins and other medications just exactly when needed. Someone to praise me and talk to me as if I am the sweetest thing they have ever seen and to take me to the doctor when I need my vaccinations. And someone to give me a treat now and again.

Oh shit, when the kids put us in the old folks home, all those dreams will come true!

Cold, Steam, Bells

2010-01-20T06:41:00.000-08:00

It's been awhile since I wrote and this one has been bouncing around in my head for some time. As most know we had a cold spell here that had the masses of the Dallas Fort Worth area completely baffled. The small little quaint town of Granbury was no exception. Eight, Nine, Ten, degrees is just a little too cold here. Interestingly enough there was not a lot of moisture in this storm which is always a nice thing.

I, of course, will not allow a little cold to ruin my run. This fine morning it was 18, not bad really. I wait until it's closer to 21 and head out. I love the crisp cold mornings, I feel refreshed even though I cannot move my mouth because it's frozen. It's interesting, I've run in this temperature in New Mexico and Colorado many times and yet here it feels so cold, they tell me it's because of the humidity we suffer.

In any case the run was a normal run, nothing very unusual, and then I take a turn down toward the boardwalk at the lake. The sun was just coming up to the point that the few clouds were bright orange and pink with the rays of the sun peaking through. As I run toward the water I see that there is steam coming off of the water rising soflty and creating a fog that just hovers over the water's surface, the fog and water are reflecting the orange and pink hues of the sunrise. It's breathtaking. As I am taking this all in I hear the bells from a nearby church playing Clair de Lun. Although they are located on the other side of the lake the water carries the music to me through the fog and the color of the sunrise. My senses are overwhelmed and I must stop to take it all in. Here in this little town the beauty is there waiting for us to take notice. God really paints a beautiful picture.

Nostalgia

2010-01-03T07:19:00.000-08:00

The week between Christmas and the New Year was spent in New Mexico with our families. Before we arrived they received quite a bit of snow "like the old days" according to my friends and family there. It snowed twice while we were there, beautiful soft, quiet snows. Being there with that kind of snow coming down I feel nostalgic.

It did make it hard to run. The first day I needed to run I was able to do so on some roads rarely travled and somewhat clear of ice and snow. But the second day my plan called for running was after the last large snow fall and was a bit more difficult.

I started out on the walking/biking path that circles a golf course. I thought that perhaps they would have plowed the path, alas I was incorrect! The path had been used despite the ice under the snow but it only made it packed with hard little balls of snow and ice. This hurt my feet terribly! And so I ran 3 miles on this surface. This path happens to be very close to the neighborhood I grew up in so I made the decision to take off for my old house and see what the neighborhood looks like now. Of course the roads are not main roads and so they too had not been plowed but were also packed from traffic and made it a bit easier to run.

As I came up on the house of my childhood the nostalgia flooded through me. I remember those days of climbing trees, riding horses over the hills, spying on the adults from my perch high up, days sleeping in the yard under the willow tree, the endless hours I spent outside in that yard and in the forest next door. Of course it has changed so much, there is no more forest as the houses have sprung up and that makes me sad.

I circle around the street to where my grandparents house was and there it stands. It doesn't look much different. Again the feeling is overwhelming, joy, sadness, wonder. There was a small forest group of lots between our house and theirs with a path we had beaten into the dirt from going back and forth. Now houses sit right in the middle. I remember going back and forth in the dark and being sure some kind of scary creature was going to jump out from behind the trees to eat me alive. I remember the signal my grandmother gave for when we were not allowed to come over, typically when she and her friends were playing bridge and having cocktails! If the curtains were pulled she was entertaining, if they were open we were to come on over.

After stopping for a bit I go on around the area, running on the streets where I used to ride bikes for hours on end, up and down the hills with no thought of fear of traffic or of someone snatching me. From morning until way after dark we would ride and explore the series of streets.

Sometimes I wonder if nostalgia is a bad thing, for me it always leads to a series of "what if" questions. This day the questions centered around my parents. "What if they had not moved from this house while I was in college", "Would they have stayed together?". "What if they had not divorced?" "If they had not what would they be like as grandparents together?" "What would our holiday be like if they had toughed it out? Would it be happy and fun or sad and tense?" "How would my relationship with Terry and my children be different had they stayed together?" See, the house where I grew up symbolizes the good times in my family, it was after they moved that it fell apart. I was already married when they divorced and sometimes I feel I've never had the opportunity to really grieve over the loss. When I go by our home the sense of sadness is overwhelming, yet it's good to remember the love that was there and the fun we had together before things turned in the wrong direction. We really cannot go back can we? Only forward. For me that means making my marriage and my relationship with my children happy, loving, trustworthy, and lasting.

What does all of this have to do with running? Well running allows these thoughts to ebb in and out of my head, it allows my heart to hurt and to be lite, it allows the feelings to flood in without someone there to see the affect it has on me.

And so for the New Year my resolution is to make this year with my family the very best year we've had so far in our time together. We will be adding two to our lives this year as our children get married. I want them to remember us as a happy loving family.

Happy New Year

Sunset

2009-12-24T07:55:00.000-08:00

In my airline profile I have a preference set for the aisle seat. I prefer an escape route that is open and not blocked by others' legs. However, occassionally I get bumped up to first class, when that happens you take the seat you don't argue in order to get the aisle. This is the circumstance I found myself in last weekend when I was flying from Colorado Springs to Tucson to see my mother.

Flying in the evening is also rare for me. I almost always fly in the morning or early afternoon but on this day I had to fly two flights to get to my destination, that left me with flying in the evening.

As we begin our decent I notice the Arizona mountains, the are dark in the forefront but the sun is setting and even though you cannot see the sun the orange behind the mountain is vivid against the dark form of the jagged cliffs. The contrast is striking. Above the orange in the dark of the sky is the moon, just a sliver but the shadow of the entire moon can be seen.

I wonder how much we miss when we are not forced to be still, to look out the windows in our life, not just in the landscape but in the people what we pass by every day. Do we see their inner beauty? Do we ever stop to see the best in them and in ourselves?

Purple Mountain Majesty

2009-12-22T13:41:00.000-08:00

By the title you have most likely guessed that this entry will be about running in the mountains, you may have even have guessed I was in Colorado, with that gues you would be correct.

I've done many postings about running in Colorado Springs so as you know every time I am there I am once again overwhelmed by the beauty of the breaking dawn.

On this morning the temperature was a mild 38 degrees, perfect temperature for shorts and long sleeves. The week before the temperatures were very cold and there was a lot of snow and so there was ice on the roads and the sidewalks. In the dark I had to be careful not to slip.

On my way back the sun was rising, the red like fire brimming over the plains as the lights of the city begin to dim. But it's not the sun coming up over the plains that is the most beautiful. On the opposite horizon are the mountains and this is where the beauty overtakes me, each and every time. The mountains are jagged and with the sun shining on them they turn from dark to purple to yellow to red and finally settle into the browns and greens that make the terrain of the mountain. It's hard to continue running when the beauty grabs your heart. And so I stop, breathe in the crisp dry air, and take in the scene. I imagine what it was like to the pioneers coming across the plains as the sun rose and lit the mountains with purple. Purple Mountain Majesty that is all the description needed.

I know that it's typical to forget to look at your surroundings as you are there all the time and it becomes common. I mentioned to someone at the office that the sunrise was fantastic and the response was "Yeah, I see it all the time "purple mountain majesty". I was a little confused by the comment. It sounded cavalier and it ocurred to me that we all forget look at the beauty in our lives. It's there in front of us, all around us, in the people we know and don't know, in the world God made for us, in everything we do, and yet it becomes common.

In this next year let's all remember to look at the beauty that surrounds us and choose to enjoy what God has given us to enjoy. Life will be better for us is we only dwell in the beauty.

Mountains Majesty

2009-12-22T12:48:00.001-08:00

Viewing not Running

2009-12-12T18:50:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow could be a day we revel in silent slumber until the sun is at it's mid morning place in the sky. Softly enjoying a long overdue late morning sleep. Normally we are up at the crack of dawn to get our long runs in. Tomorrow could be our time of rest, lazily draping our legs out of bed onto the cold wood floor, walking downstairs to the coffee, cuddling on the couch to watch the morning go by as the caffeine makes it's way into our viens.

Instead we will rise very early, put on layers to keep us warm but can be taken off as the day warms, and head out to Dallas to view our friends and family as they run the Whiterock Marathon and Half Marathon. This may be the first time (that we can remember) that neither of us is running and we are both going to watch. Obviously our late morning snooze is not as important to us as our friends and family. We are sure they need our support along their journey and so, we will be there.

To all of them we say good luck, good race, and God bless your running. We will see you tomorrow!

Viva Las Vegas

2009-12-08T06:49:00.000-08:00

If you are a veteran runner, meaning you've run for awhile, have so many races under your belt that you can no longer count them with your fingers and toes you sometimes lose the magic of the race environment. And then enters a "newbie". Someone who is running their first race of that distance, someone who has had no real experience with the race expo's, the crowds the morning of the race, the excitement and a big race with the music and fanfare.

Suddenly that euphoric feeling swells up inside once again and as veterans we remember what it's like. We see it again through the "newbie's" eyes and remember why we get up so early to stand out in the cold and wait to run like crazy people through the streets while most are still lost in slumber.

And so it was with the first annual Rock and Roll Vegas Marathon and Half Marathon. Our niece joined us there to run her first half marathon. While she attempted to remain "cool" it was apparant that the excitement was there and the nerves were too.

After a restful Saturday we got up at 3:00 AM on Sunday to get ready, eat, and make our way to the race start. The race started at 6:15 so that the strip could be completely closed down. That in and of itself was amazing. How often do they close down Las Vegas Blvd.?

Making our way to the start we met a man who was a bit lost, he is from Florida and was running his first marathon. Now we have another "newbie" and we assure him he will do fine, don't start too fast, make sure you fuel, all the things we say to those who have not been here before. We stayed together until the race began, he was alone and nervous so we tried to provide some calmness for him. Later after the marathon we saw him again, amazing with 25,0000 runners, he pulled a groin at mile 4 but still finished. He was dissappointed but still happy to have made it through.

Staying with the Rock and Roll theme there are bands all along the way and at the beginning they had a band above the start line "Blues Brothers", fireworks, and skydivers with Celine and Cher singing beforehand (or at least I think it was them but may have been an impersonator).

And then we are off. Running through Vegas is unlike any other race I've run. The buildings, so large and ominous, the overwhelming enormity of it all. We stuck to our plan and did well keeping our pace and slowly building up..and then it happened. Terry and I were in a conversation about the wedding chapel where my dad and stepmother got married, we were looking at a few of the chapels we were passing as we ran, and I tripped on one of the reflectors in the middle of the road. BOOM, I am down, with knees scraped up, knuckles and wrist bleeding, blood going down my leg. I hop up and get right back at it hardly losing a beat. I'm not sure if that makes me tough or crazy. We kept with our pace and still finished strong.

I'm not sure why I trip sometimes while running, it seems to go in phases. I feel somewhat like Chevy Chase on Saturday Night Live, and I hope I provided some good laughs for those around me and made their race easier.

As for our Niece, she came in after us and what a joy to see her face all lit up as she reveled in the excitement of having done something she never thought she would do. She had a great run in her first half and I am quite sure there will be many more and possibly a full marathon sometime in her future. What fun to be there to share with her the excitement of the first distance run!

Quick update

2009-12-02T15:49:00.000-08:00

It's been a bit since I blogged so this is to catch you up.

Training is going well and the Vegas Rock and Roll is this upcoming Sunday. I feel very strong and my knee is doing well. We've been doing some intense training and I think it will pay off on the mostly flat course!

The weather has turned cold and in fact it snowed today. It did not stay on the ground, nonetheless the flakes were big and beautiful. I love running in the colder weather, my body seems to respond well and so soon I am off for an easy 5 mile run. I did not run this morning because it was raining, now it is dryer but cold and a bit windy. Seems I just traded one for another. All will be good because Terry will be running with me and then we can cuddle up by a nice fire.

I will post more soon!

Bridges History and Running

2009-11-19T14:49:00.000-08:00

Have you traveled to an old city? Old being a relative term I know. Old enough to make you wonder about history, about the people that walked the same path before you, about their survival, and the things they left behind?

I've been to Charleston, South Carolina five times or so and every time the same feeling overwhelms me. This visit I ran the Cooper Bridge, which was renamed the Ravenel Bridge when they replaced the old bridge with the new one a few years back. Locals still refer to it as the Cooper Bridge.

I started in the dark and ran from historic downtown out to the bay where the railroad comes in to gather the goods from the cargo ships and whisk it away and continued on down East Bay to the bridge. The bridge has a walking/cycling path that runs the full expanse and beyond, two and one half miles across the water.

As I began my ascent where the path curves onto the bridge you can see it in front and above you, the middle of the bridge calling out to you, amazingly it looks only a stone’s throw away. And so I began. Soon my legs are engaged in a battle with an incline that is not too pleasant. But I continue on, unable to look up because when I do I am discouraged by the steep path I see before me, and so, head down, I plug away running up that path. When I do look up I see a group of quickly moving lights coming toward me, there are 5 or 6 of them shining through the dark morning and I wonder if this is some type of golf cart zooming downhill but when they get to me I see it is a group of cyclists either out for a morning ride or commuting into town for work. They are going at quite a speed, but given that they are on the downhill to my uphill I can understand why they take advantage of the ease of the ride.

I continue on thinking "soon I will be at the top", this soon becomes my mantra. Slowly the sky turns from black to a dull gray just as I reach the top. Here I rest looking out from high upon this bridge across the water at the lights of Charleston on one side and Mt. Pleasant on the other. It's a charming site even as the industrial ships begin moving into the harbor. It occurs to me that long ago when the ships would come in, they most likely could not see it from this vantage point but would be able to see the gas lights burning in the city and feel, without stepping from the ship, the rum going down their throats to warm their bellies. Indeed Charleston had a bar for every three buildings in the city. As well as more churches than any town of its size at the time. An interesting dichotomy.

And then it's time to take on the downhill toward the other side and as promised it was a freeing experience. Legs now free of the uphill engagement it takes some control to keep them from going too fast beneath me and it is at this point that my knees begin to feel shaky. Downhill is not good on the knees, and this downhill is especially long and steep. But it does feel good as the pace increases and I make it to the other side and turn around to go...yes....uphill. And this side is a much longer uphill although not as steep. I take out my music, choose some inspirational songs, turn it up and launch into the run back to my abode.

I'm not sure if it was the music that made the difference or the fact that as the sun began to peak up over the horizon the clouds opposite of it started their show of turning from grey to pink to orange and because their color was so bright it reflected in the water below. Breathtaking doesn't describe the beauty but there is no other word to use. With the music in my ears and the sky and water painting a picture before me the uphill climb was over quickly and I stood once again looking over the water and thinking of the difference light makes as it reflects on an old city.

Finishing my run, the downhill is euphoric and I soon found that place where your emotions are light, the world is yours, where you feel that anything within reach is yours and there I stayed, singing, laughing, and viewing the world from the eyes of an enlighten soul. Looking out over a city that was once plagued with pirates, flooded from a hurricane, and burned to the ground. Seeing what history built and how it continues on then it occurred to me. In another 100 years someone will look at this bridge and marvel at what was done so many years ago, they will marvel that it held up for so long and that so many crossed over it without plunging in the water below. And they will most likely tell of the ghosts that wander across in the early day's darkness mourning the loss of their lives or those they loved.

Fall Leaves

2009-11-12T09:07:00.000-08:00

You know that sound? The sound of leaves falling around you, the sound the leaves make as you are running through them on the ground? That sort of soft crunching sound? That is one of my favorite sounds in all the world and one of the reasons I love running in the fall.

Sunday Terry and I headed out in the jeep (with no top) for Fort Worth to run on the Trinity Trail. The trial goes for over 40 miles beside the Trinity River, through downtown, and out. It's a nice place to run although it was quite chilly driving without the top when it's 57 out and you are going 70 mph!

While running we found this little road that has been closed off to through traffic, there are paths leading from the trail and so we took one and found ourselves running under tall trees hanging over this old road. No homes, no streets, nothing but the little road, the trail and beautiful trees.

As we run the leaves fall around us, making a soft little whish as they float by. Of course the piles where the leaves fall is there on the road waiting for someone to run through so that they can make their soft crunching sound. I am that runner! There is something liberating about running through a pile of leaves. The sound is intriguing. The leaves, in different stages of decay, make various crunching noises. With each foot step there is a new chorus which sends my heart into laughter. I am quite sure Terry thinks I am a bit nuts.

I believe that for me part of the appeal is that I can act somewhat like a kid again. I can run through the leaves, get dirty, laugh out loud at the sound they make under my feet. As adults if we did that in our yards while we were raking the neighbors would be whispering about those crazy folks next door!

Moon and Sun in One Run

2009-11-04T08:32:00.000-08:00

The time change has given me fits. Each time we change both in the spring and fall I suffer for at least a week sometimes two. Getting up at 4:30 to eat before we run is tough anyway, but especially when my body is off because of a time change. But I got up, and at 5:30 we headed out to run.

It was supposed to be an easy run but ended up being a more moderate pace, that's cool, I can handle it. But what made the run so incredible was having the opportunity to start running when the moon was bright and still high in the sky and end the run with the moon down and the sun coming up over the horizon!

I said to myself "Self, how many people really ever take the opportunity to see the moon still up, bright, and shining in the dark, and then also stay out long enough to see the red and orange colors of a sunrise?" Even camping we sleep until the sun is up rather than just daybreak. What an opportunity we have when we get up early, before the others are stirring, before the traffic begins, before the noise of the day. God gives a lot to admire and yet it passes by us without a glance.

Even if you don't run it would be worth it to get up one morning, go out somewhere where the lights don't shine when the moon is bright in the early morning hour, and watch it set, and then watch the sun begin to peak over the horizon.

Lauf, Ess Wurst, Drink Bier

2009-11-01T17:32:00.000-08:00

"What the heck" you say! This is what you call a German tri-athlon. "Run, Eat Sausage, Drink Beer"!

And we did this last Saturday. As part of Wurst Fest in New Bruanfels, Tx there is a race called the Wurst 5 miler. This was our first time to join in the festivities and while I was to run a 10 mile long run with half being an easy pace and half being a hard pace, the race was the best hard run I've had in some time.

We ran 2 miles to warm up and then after a 15 minute delay, due to so many participants being late, the race began. Although the road surface was sometimes a little rough the race itself was fast and fun. Our plan to start with a 9 and increase speed went out the window as we started at an 8:45 pace and got faster from there.

To my great surprise my knee held up well with an overall pace of 8:23 per mile and the last mile being a 7:51. I finished the morning off with a 3 mile cool down to complete my 10 mile run.

Terry and I celebrated this fun, fast, and enjoyable race with a beer and a brat. It's amazing how good a beer and brat can taste at 10 in the morning after a hard run!

Most enjoyable though is how much Terry and I enjoy sharing this acitivity. Running together allows us to push one another along, encourage one another, and just plain have a great time with someone we love. How many married folks really have this kind of fun????

Tough Run Turns Good

2009-10-29T09:23:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you go out and your run just isn't what you bargained for. You struggle for reasons you can't seem to poinpoint. I had one of those runs yesterday.

I should preface by saying my run on Tuesday was wonderful. It was a hard pace run 80 to 85 % of my 5K pace for 7 miles. I was able to keep pace and felt good (other than one stop at the bathroom). My knee felt good, the weather was perfect, it was an awesome run.

Wednesday rolls around and before I even get out of bed I hear it...the wind. If you've followed this blog you know by now that I am not a wind person. I drag myself from the comfort of the bed, eat, get dressed, and decide to take a route that I've not taken before thinking that it would preoccupy my thoughts enough that I would not notice the wind. It is 8:00 in the morning and I decide to cross the 51 bridge which is about a mile from our house and wander into a couple of the neighborhoods there and run back. A couple of things I notice as I am running toward Weatherford; first there are a LOT of people driving in to work in Granbury, way too much traffic crossing the bridge, second it's a damn long way across that bridge with this much traffic. But what do I do? I keep going.

I get to the other side and cross the highway into a neighborhood, nice! It's quiet and the wind is blocked by some very nice trees. This part is good and I wander enjoying some new scenery. This days run is to be a moderate paced run 75% effort and I am able to stay with it although I am struggling, my legs are tired from the day before.

With about two miles left it's time to head for home so I run out to the highway and turn toward the bridge...AAAAHHHHH the WIND hits, a head wind all the way up the highway across the bridge (not as much traffic going this direction) I felt as though I would blow right off the bridge and the very large trucks passing me at 60 MPH didn't help! And then the end of the bridge to the street we live on is...well... up hill with a head wind. WHAT WAS I THINKING?????

As I turn on to our street the wind is no longer a head wind although not a tail wind either it is at least easier and our street has a slight downhill slant from this point. As I turn the song "Winds of Change" by the Scorpians comes on the shuffle. How ironic, and as I head for the house I notice how the wind is working it's way through and around the large trees that line the road. The leaves are starting to change and occassionaly a few leaves fall around me. Listening to this song while watching the wind do it's magic with the leaves I feel a sense of accomplishment. Tough run? Yes, but ending it like this...that is priceless!

Time Slides By

2009-10-26T11:05:00.000-07:00

It has been some time since I've blogged. Many things have happened in that time so this blog will be somewhat of a summary of life after October 7th when I last posted.

I officially started training for the Rock and Roll Vegas Half Marathon. Many of my runs Terry joins me even though his training plan is a bit different than mine. My hard days (Tuesday) are killing me. Running at 90% effort is tough when you do it for a longer distance 6-7 miles at this point. Wednesdays are moderate runs (50 - 70% effort). These are easier but coming off of Tuesday they seem tough. My long runs are up to 13 miles now and sometimes she has me do an easy/hard run so that the first half is more like a long warm up and the second half is like a race. I actually enjoy those and seem to do well.

The week after the 7th I found myself flying to Minneapolis, MN for personal reasons. I cannot really go into the reason for my visit there, I left on Thursday very early in the morning and returned home late on the next Monday. While there I did have the opportunity to do some exploring and running around the many lakes and beautiful trails. Wow! It was amazing to run there and I will write more about this specifically when I can. There are so many trails that you can get through the entire city and to St. Paul without ever leaving a path. And they have the paths for bikes separated from the path for walking/running. I met some very nice runners who helped me to get my bearings and that is when I began my organic revival. Yeah you got that right! We are now eating as organically as possible as well as cutting out sugar where we can (especially added sugars), and also working on eating gluten free. The gluten free is not critical for us but it is part of the "eating clean" way of life. Basically lots of organic protien and veggies with fruits on the side. I was feeling very good and having more energy and then...

I came home, ate pretty well, and Terry and I flew out to South Carolina where we spent a few days with our son's future in-laws. They are so much like us it's uncanny. We have a wonderful time together and can't wait to get together again. They too are normally healthy eaters but when company comes we all eat poorly and what do you expect in South Carolina? Especially up in the mountains away from the cities where southern food is really SOUTHERN! We ate and ate and ate, lots of fat, sugar, and yummy things. I had to do an 11 mile run while there and happen to be in Clemson SC that day so I ran there. Clemson is not a big place so it took a few loops around campus and town to get my miles in. Very hilly, but an awesome run in the rain and 48 degree weather. Then we moved to Anderson, SC which is where Gin's parents live. They are runners/swimmers as well so we ran together 6 miles on Monday. They live in a beautiful area and although very hilly the running was amazing. 48 degrees or so and sunny, perfect! Terry and I then ran on Wednesday too before heading out to Greenville for awhile and then to the airport. While there we saw the church for the wedding, the reception venue, and booked the rehearsal dinner at Table Rock Lodge. Things are moving along quickly.

We got home late on Wednesday night, cross training on Thursday, 5 easy on Friday, cross on Saturday and yesterday Terry ran 11 and I ran 13 in Weatherford on the Rails to Trails (one of our favorite places) and then had a big breakfast at our favorite diner there. Today I swam and will do yoga, tomorrow is another hard run day...sigh...I dread those days.

My knee is holding up. It swells in the back and that part hurts but not while running so I am hoping it will get used to the hard work and quit swelling at some point.

Now you are up to date. Hopefully my posts will be a little more entertaining now that I'm back.

Faster Paces

2009-10-07T05:19:00.000-07:00

With this recovery effort I've run slow miles with the intent of getting my knee used to running again, used to the miles of pounding. Everything has gone well.

Yesterday was the first day of my new schedule which includes some faster paces and I am feeling it. After complaining for so long about always having to run slow I now wonder why I don't just keep running slow.

Yesterday was a "hard" 6 mile run. A "hard" run according to my coach is 80 to 85% effort or a 5 to 10K pace. Well other than a couple of 5K races I've not run that kind of effort in some time and especially not for 6 miles! I head out the door and notice that it's warm, humid, balmy. Not good fast running weather for me. I struggle some and start out too fast, had to stop twice to go to the bathroom and two more times just to breathe!

I was able to make it through, it's exciting to have some variety of speed, but boy was it tough.

Today was a moderate 6 miler, much easier as the weather turned cool and somewhat dryer. My knee is a little stiff, otherwise all is good.

Back on the road and loving it.

Another Wonderful Day

2009-10-04T15:59:00.000-07:00

How does a day like this start? What gets the ball rolling so to speak.

Today it started with the alarm going off at 6:00 am and with hearing the rain pattering on the roof, turn the alarm off and cuddle up to snooze further into the morning. Rain does that to you.

A slow rise later in the morning, well ok 7:30 or 8:00, stumble down to make coffee. Will we run? Not now, it's rainy and the coffee smells so good! Cuddle on the couch for a few hours, surfing the net, reading a magazine, watching something on the history channel anout aliens, drinking good fresh ground coffee while listening to the rain on the tin roof of the deck.

Time to fish! Terry catches a nice catfish as we sit in the swing at the dock enjoying a great morning. Oops out of worms, time for our run I guess.

At the beach parking to run. Six mile run goes smoothly in the cool cloudy wet weather. Nice to run without getting up at the crack of dawn.

Then it's off to get a healthy sub before heading to the grocery store and the bait store, we have no food in the fridge and no more worms to fish with! Home now groceries unpacked...it's misty and cool, jazz on the stereo, opened a bottle of merlot. Relaxing afternoon. Time to fish some more, Terry heads down, I stay and enjoy the jazz and wine, he fishes and enjoys his beer.

Perfect harmony.

Run, Wine, Jazz, Kimball Museum, Rain

2009-10-03T16:51:00.000-07:00

People occassionally ask us what it's like to be "empty nesters". Well today is a good example of our empty nest Saturdays.

We woke up at 5:45 AM, ate breakfast and had a cup of coffee (or two). Then we hopped into the jeep (top on because there were chances of rain) and drove to Grapevine. In Grapevine we drove to Delaney Vineyars where we participated in The Vineyard Run. A nice little 5K race which we ran in decent time although not our fastest, having done no speed work in a very long time we actually ran pretty well. The course was good but did consist of two pretty big hills and then a nice downhill to the finish.

Afterward and along with 1000+ of our friends we listened to a wonderful jazz band and sampled wines from the vineyard, and it was only 10:00 in the morning! We stayed around for the awards, although we did not win anything, too many fast people in the Dallas area! We bought a couple bottles of wine and some dark chocolate and took off for P.F. Chang's.

By the time we arrived at PF's we were starving so we ate well and then headed out for the Museum to see a wonderful exhibition called Butcher's, Dragons, Gods, and Skeletons. A great collection of paintings from antiquity to the 20th century and some pre-columbian art. We spent a couple of hours there and when we went outside it was raining.

We made a quick trip to Academy so that Terry could buy some new running shoes. His cost $40 and he loves them, mine cost over $100...I can't find cheap ones I like...what's up with that?

Then a quick 30 minute drive home in the rain, but first we stopped at Braums for a small cup of ice cream, peppermint for me, mint chocolate chip for Terry.

Now we are home. Watched Tech win a football game and now heading to the dock where Terry is fishing in the rain and just caught a bass. Guess I better get myself down there and join him I don't want him catching them all.

Back to the question, "what's it like being empty nesters?", well for us it's a time to be sad when we wish they were here to share more of our lives, and it's also a time to enjoy each other without the interruption of children's activities. We enjoy each others company and find that being each others best friend is better and better with each passing day.

Week after Vacation

2009-10-02T13:33:00.000-07:00

Sigh...I can't seem to get into anything the week after vacation. I've run and I've gone to yoga but I cannot seem to get back into swimmming...sigh. And of course there is that slight "depression" that you get when you miss the place you feel you really belong. That's how this week has been.

There is a good reason why spiders are so much a part of Halloween. This time of year they build enormous webs seemingly in the middle of nowhere. Terry and I went out to run early on Tuesday morning and even though it did not appear that we were near any structure that would provide a spider the foundation for building a web, we found ourselves running right into the snare over and over. What is up with that?

Cooler weather is again gathering here, yesterday it rained softly all morning and so I ran in the rain. I love running in the rain, there is something so refreshing about those drops from heaven. And of course the cooler weather is wonderful, the flowers are again in bloom its amazing to run through the neighborhoods and see the beauty of fall unfolding.

Tomorrow Terry and I are off to Grapevine to run The Vineyard Run. It is a 5K through a vineyard and afterward they serve wine and play jazz. It's great being so close to a large running community, so much to be involved in.

I will be running it slow as we are now training for the Vegas Half and so we will run long Sunday. We don't want to mess with the knee you know!

Will let you know how it goes.

Wilderness and Running

2009-09-28T07:51:00.000-07:00

Being away from other people, traffic, noises that clutter our minds, that's what being out in the wilderness is about. Instead we hear the sounds of nature, the sounds that are not pushed on you but part of a world we are rarely a part of.

Taking off for a run out there doesn't require an ipod, instead it only requires that you open your ears to the music of nature. And so on two days while we were there I took off on my own to enjoy God's natural world.

Running on the dirt and rocks your footsteps carry a softer sound, the cool breeze softly flows across my face as I run. I hear the birds as they flit in and out of my path, and occassionally I hear a noise in the pines around me, I am not sure I really want to know what is there. I see squirrels stocking up on pine cones for the upcoming winter, ah the beauty.

Of course as you would expect in the mountains there are hills, and I don't mean just hills, I mean HILLS and we are in high altitude that means that soon the sound of my breathing takes over as I huff and puff up the long steep hills and then at last summit. The downhill feels wonderful and again I enjoy the sounds of nature when at one point I almost step on a snake lying in the dirt sunning himself. He barely moved when I politely said "oh excuse me" and jumped to the right to avoid stepping on him. And then it's another hill this one not as long but steeper, again with the huffing and puffing, my lungs longed to fill with air! At the top of this hill I stopped, it was imperative that before I continue I catch my breath!

While taking a short rest and drinking some water I began to have this rather uncomfortable feeling, as if someone or something was watching me. Who would be out here, I was completely alone, no cars, no people, nothing and yet it was an unmistakeable feeling. I slowly begin to canvas the landscape, looking through the pines and aspens wondering if perhaps someone was hunting as it is bow season for elk and bear. Nothing. So I turn and canvas the forrest behind me...lo and behold there he is...a buck. Not a large one, an 8 point I think, he is just staring at me from behind the trees with this confused look on his face.

No doubt he is wondering what this crazy human is doing running, "running from what?", he may be wondering. I stared back at him for a few seconds (seemed longer) and then politely said goodbye and continued on. Wow, how funny I thought to myself. We are always looking for deer or elk as they are so much more fascinating when they are in the wild as opposed to munching on the golf courses in the mountains. And there he was watching me with this bewildered look about him.

My run that day was amazing with the crisp cool air, the smell of pine and aspen, the wildlife and best of all Terry waiting for me at the base of a really big hill which would have been an additional uphill mile that was not to be included in my run. I had run too far and he had come to sit by the road to wait, saving me from the pain of that last big hill. I think he wanted to be sure I wasn't too tired for fishing later.

VACATION!!!!!

2009-09-18T13:00:00.000-07:00

We leave for vacation today. Camping and flyfishing for an entire week...!

I ran 8 this morning and my knee felt a little tight but no pain. This is the first time I've run two days in a row in a while and so I was nervous but it was fine and I feel great.

I plan to run some while I am camping but the roads are not real good so I am not sure how much I will get to do. Yoga and swimming will have to wait, but I think all that comes with camping and fishing will be plenty.

You won't see me for a week, have a good one!

"Friends" You Meet Along the Way

2009-09-17T11:01:00.000-07:00

Well well, it's raining, has been for a week, YEA! I love the rain, my plants love the rain, our yard loves the rain, the lake loves the rain. It's wonderful. And I love running in the rain, especially when it's a nice slow rain with no lightening or thunder close by.

This morning it was raining as Terry and I went out for our run at 5:30 AM. Terry only had to do 4 but I had 6 so we ran from the square out to the airport and back and then he left and I went on and finished my last two miles. I love running with Terry, it gives us a chance to visit without interruption and distraction. Something every married couple needs.

After Terry left to go home and I was left alone I began to listen to the sounds of the rain. There are so many sounds the rain makes, or maybe more accurately the sounds the rain makes as it hits the surfaces around you. It's like a symphony, these sounds should be in competition with each other but instead they make beautiful music. I could hear the drops hitting the pavement, the drops hitting water in the curb, drops hitting tin roofs, drops hitting composite roofs, drops hitting wood, drops hitting tree leaves, grass, trash cans, cars, dirt, water running down the curbs and running down drain pipes, water running off of roofs and that is only to name a few. Once I let me mind go to really allow me to listen it was an amazing chorus of peaceful yet forceful sound that came together in wonderful harmony. I will cherise this morning and relive it's music often.

Listening intently I was a bit oblivious to my surroundings but at some point I got a whiff of the dreaded SKUNK. It was very strong and I supposed he was very close. I had my headlamp on and I began to look into the yards as I was coming up on them, assuming the skunk would be in the grass. I went about a block and the smell got heavier I knew he had to be close but I still could not see him. And then movement caught the corner of my eye, I thought a white peice of paper was floating in the gutter which by now was a small river. As I shifted my eyes to the moving object I realized it was a small skunk, and I was running right by him. And I do mean right by, 2 or 3 feet from my feet, there he was. I think he must have been drinking from the water in the gutter. Of course I jumped 5 or 6 feet to the right to get well out of his way although if he had wanted to get me it would have been done by then! All was well as he did not attempt to spray. I did, however, change my route on the way back as there is no sense in tempting fate.

Getting Ready for Vacation

2009-09-16T16:34:00.000-07:00

Going on vacation is exciting right? And yet the week before and the week after are pure hell. Everything goes wrong the week before and we struggle to get things taken care of before we leave. Then when we return we jump right back into the barbed wire trying to pick our way through without getting nicked with what we left undone.

Ok well maybe it's not THAT bad and well worth it!

So let's talk about the week before vacation and getting our workouts in. It doesn't seem to be enough to do what is on the plan or what your normal routine is, we tend to go overboard trying to make up for days during vacation when we either cannot or choose not to complete our workouts. I am one of those people.

Next week we go to one of our favorite places to camp and fly fish for an entire week. No showers, no cell phone, no internet...it's amazing, God's work. It does however give me nowhere to swim (trout lakes there are freezing and you can't swim in them), no yoga class, although I could do yoga by the lake and let the Indians watch me like I am a crazy person. But then it also takes away from the fishing which I really love. Running I can do, although the rocky dirt roads makes it a little tough and you don't see many people running but that's ok I can do it. Even knowing I may get my runs in I have become acustomed to working out two and three times a day, can I handle this? I have to believe that the fishing and hiking will be enough as I try not to become obsessed with "burning calories". Not to mention my logging of everything that goes in my mouth either via the computer on LiveStrong or on my iPhone and now I will have no access. OMG whatever will I do? I will have to just relax and enjoy the time away from all of this, it's just a week and I love fly fishing, love my family, love the mountains. Breathe, relax, and enjoy.

Ok I feel better, thanks for listening! As for this week it's been great. Knee is feeling good, no pain at all. YIPPEE! Today I swam, did yoga, and then did a 30 minute ab workout. WOW!

Weird Wedding and Rain

2009-09-14T05:43:00.000-07:00

Forgive me if I misspell, I can't find the spell check, did it dissapear?

It strikes me as interesting how much we as runners enjoy running in the rain. Not the storm type rain, a nice solid rain or nice thick mist that somehow makes you feel as if you are invincible. It is something that people who do not do outdoor activities simply don't understand and so they stay at home and call us idiots. Well that is ok with me, I like being one of the weirdos!

This weekend we went to Austin to see the kids and ran the "Keep Austin Weird" 5k. Terry and I ran with Taryn and her fiance Ben. Neither of them run so we decided to stay together and run/walk and enjoy watching the people who were dressed up. We did the untimed version and so there was no self imposed pressure to really run. How much fun! Not only was it a fun thing for the four of us to do together it was hysterical to watch the costumes people came up with. And all in the pouring rain which only added to the fun. Tanner rode his bike down to watch and cheer for us, he said he just can't run unless it's to run hard, he has not gotten out of his cross country mode I suppose.

After the race we went back to the hotel to change into some dry clothes had a free breakfast at the Hampton. The boys went to hang out at Whole Earth and REI while Taryn and I went about finding her a wedding dress.

For those of you who have daughters, start saving now. While you can find relatively less expensive dresses it's tough to find a really nice one for under $1000 unless you get lucky and find it on sale. We looked at several different places and found the perfect dress. Wow. She looks beautiful. I didn't get to emotional until they put a veil on her and then it hit me. She really is going to get married!

On Sunday Terry and Tanner went to the San Marcos river and canoed and fished. I got up early and ran 7 at Town Lake. There is something about running in Austin. It is really amazing the number of people who get outside and run, bike, do yoga, swim, you name it. Austin is a unique place and I love running there. It was cool, misty, muddy, and a fantastic run! I ran by the Barton Springs pool (a pool that is fed by a spring going into the river) lots of people were out swimming, no doubt some training for a tri. Some day I want to swim in that pool. The skullers were out, the UT team and the recreational, something else I want to do someday. It's a great place to be. And best of all my knee feels good, no pain at all.

Then it was off to the Bridal Extravaganza with Taryn (after breakfast at Magnolia Cafe). Lots of vendors and some great ideas. Unfortunately everything comes with a hefty price tag, at least now we can really put together a budget and see if we can stick to it. Wish us luck with that!

Running with Garbage

2009-09-10T11:05:00.000-07:00

Interesting title isn't it? So here's the story. Today is a beautiful day. The morning was cool, no wind, the birds were singing, simply a great day to run. I head out to walk 1 and run 5 and I've decided to run from the house down a bit of the highway, through a very nice division with 2 acre lots and huge homes, and then down the road to the winery. The traffic is very light in these areas (with exception of the stretch of highway), it's quiet, not many people up and stirring, and a few but not many dogs to bark at you behind their fences. I love this route because of the peace it offers. It also offers some nice but not too hard hills so it's a bit challenging but not overly frustrating.

The first part was perfect, enjoyable, refreshing, invigorating. Running past the large homes is always fun, they are so pretty and with acreage they offer more than your typical neighborhood where homes butt up against each other.

Then it's off to the winery road. All started out great, nice and quiet, cool weather, and then...I hear it. The low grinding of the gears, the roar of the deisel engine, the squeak of breaks...behind me the garbage truck approaches...NO I cry inside, not this morning, not now! And yet here it came slowly catching me.

Now on this road as you are running north there is only pasture and trees on the right but homes on my left. The truck picks up on the right so it has to go all the way to the homes on the right and then turn and come back to get those trash cans that are on my left at this point. "Good" I think, I won't have to put up with it for long!

The truck grinds past and all of a sudden the aroma encircls my head, I can almost see it's wrotten green/brown color is it dances in my nose. It's the smell of wrotten meat, soured milk, molded cheese, soiled diapers, all mixed together. I try not to breathe, but I am running so I really have no choice. "AHHHHH" I scream inside. But the truck has gone on and soon the aroma fades. And so I run until it's time for me to turn around to head back home. And then I hear it again, like some big monstor just waiting for me to turn so it can fill me with dread once again.

It is coming back to get the trash on what is now the right side of the road going south. Sure enough it catches me only to stop right in front of me to pick up a can and I have to run past it, again the aroma, it's as if it sees me and rushes to catch me as I'm trying to hold my breath. And then I am past the truck, but then it has to move on to the next can and so again it catches me, over and over this happens until finally the job is done and the truck is moving on to the highway. Sigh, holding my breath while running has taken it's toll. I stop to take a drink as the truck pulls out and from the window I get a friendly wave. I wave back doing my best to smile.

I know the man behind the wheel was not happy about ruining my peaceful run, I could see it in his wave. I think to myself, what a job! And yet he has one, and an important one. So I finished my run, it ended up being a good run in the end as I made my way home with no more intrusion, and no pain in my knee...ah a great run once again!

Bike Rally and NO PAIN

2009-09-08T05:57:00.000-07:00

Terry was out of town so Saturday morning I slept in a bit and then went to run at 8:15. Wandering through the streets of the square I found that they were setting up for the Warriors of Christ Bike Bash. Harleys EVERYWHERE! I have to say it was really cool to run through the streets with bikes parked one after the other on both sides, I felt like I was running through a show room for the best bikes in Texas! Very cool. It's always fun to catch a festival when it's just setting up and everyone is starting to arrive. The mood is electric, very motivating.

The run went well. I ran 6 miles with no pain. And no swelling afterward! I'm feeling good again and I just hope it lasts.

Long Time no Write

2009-09-03T07:45:00.000-07:00

I have been informed by a loyal follower that I do not update often enough. I apologize to you, my friend (and any others there may be who follow my blog).

I am making a vow to update more often, at least once a week if not more often.

Running is going well, as you know I was forced to go back to building up again after the kickball game. Bummer...this knee thing is REALLY pissing me off.

I have been swimming at least twice a week sometimes more, yoga twice a week, elliptical on swim days, and lifting once a week and then running 4 days a week. As much as I hate being hurt and having to continually do rehab, I have found that cross training is wonderful. And my body has changed, more muscular, a few pounds down, and much stronger. A blessing in disguise.

Let's talk about swimming. It's still difficult for me but getting easier. When I was in Colorado Springs last week I had a wonderful swimming experience. Staying at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort is wonderful because with your stay you get access to all of their wonderful facilities. They have a great work out facility complete with trainers and classes, and a great aquatic facility with an Olympic size pool and a 25 meter indoor pool. Having been swimming now for awhile I mistakenly thought swimming in a 50 meter Olympic pool would be relatively easy. I failed to keep in mind that the pools here are 25 yards and 20 yards, not quite 50 meters I tell ya.

First of all this pool is beautiful! Clean water, right by the little lake, under the majestic cloud laden mountains...Wow, breathtaking. But when I walked out and saw how far 50 meters really is, well it's a little overwhelming. And yet I was able to do it! Granted I had to stop at each 50 and rest (high altitude gets you when you are swimming too) but I did my entire workout, 45 minutes in an Olympic pool in a beautiful setting. Wow I felt refreshed, amazed, awed with God's work.

Back home the city pool has closed for the winter so it's back the the Y to swim. It's OK, but it's 20 yards, dark, too much chlorine. But my friends are there at 6 AM and we swim...so it's OK, I enjoy my friends.

Yoga is amazing, I am so much stronger and flexible, I can't live without yoga, spiritual, physical, mental, it's much more than just stretching. I am astonished at how much I have changed because of this practice.

And running is coming along and I am feeling better and better. My training for the Vegas half starts next week. It will be nice to be training for a race again I am looking forward to the season. Hopefully injury free :)

Now you are caught up...more to follow

Surroundings

2009-08-20T07:27:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I parked at the little beach here on the lake and ran on the boardwalk and then through the town square and out past the ball fields and the schools to the airport. I've done this run a lot since we moved here. It's a nice run and in the beginning I used to really "look" at my surroundings. As with anything else we humans do, as we get more used to where we are we don't see things the way we did when they were new to us.

Early in the morning the beach is so nice and peaceful. No one is up yet, no screaming kids in the water, just the lapping of waves on the sand and a few ducks. I love this time of the day, it seems that I notice the beauty of my surroundings more in the early morning. The sun reflecting off of the water, the fish jumping out past the boardwalk. I think we need to pay more attention to what is around us all the time, not just when it's new to us.

Then on to the square, a cute little Texas square with the courthouse in the middle, shops and businesses all around it. The morning is the time when it begins to come alive. Folks arrive to get their stores ready for tourists. They open their doors, sweep off the sidewalk, water the flowers in the pots they all have outside, say good morning to one another and share a coffee at the local coffee shop. Although it's terribly hot in the middle of the day, the mornings are still nice enough that being outside is refreshing, so they all mingle and visit, and decide that today will be a good day for business.

Then I run down through some old neighborhoods, some houses from the 1400's. They are beautiful and call out with a history we can never know.

On to the ball fields, all empty, sprinklers taking advantage of the morning. And then past the schools. This is the week they begin their quest for education once again, or their parents quest for their education. The students have not arrived but the teachers are arriving, chatting about the summer ending and now they have to work again. What will their students be like this year I hear one say. New superintendent, will he help or hurt? Amazing what you hear while you are running.

And so a new cycle begins. And it's beautiful to be alive to see another cycle. Just wish my knee would quit hurting :).

Running....sigh

2009-08-20T07:22:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile hasn't it? Here is a summary of what is happening. My knee has been bothering me again since the kickball game. So I've backed down, doing more cross training, walking before my runs, shortening my runs, and running them slower. I am at a point now (again) where it doesn't realy hurt it just feels "funny". Coach has me doing some new strength training for my knee so hopefully that will help.

In the mean time I am doing two workouts a day on many days. Swimming and Yoga or running and swimming, or running and yoga. Today I ran this morning and I may swim after work and it's a yoga night. It's great to get 3 good workouts in for a day!

I'm working on healing once again. I am always going to have this issue, anytime I do anything differently my knee is going to react. I just don't know what to do to keep that from happening. The doc and the coach both say it's a matter of just building up slowly and not doing anything new without the build up to it. Makes sense, and looking back I can see times when I knew I was doing too much. But at the time you just don't think about it. SIGH!

Bummer

2009-08-11T15:53:00.001-07:00

After the kickball game previously mentioned my knee continues to be sore. I ran 4 days in a row last week and it is not getting better so now I am taking a couple of days off of running to see if it will feel better. It's not really hurting but pretty sore. Sigh, this healing process is taking FOREVER! I so wish I had done it right the first time.

I did run 8 in Ruidoso on Sunday. Oh how I love the mountains. I love the dry air, cool temperatures. I am struggling with my longing to go home.

Kickball!

2009-08-04T13:17:00.001-07:00

This last weekend at a get together with the kids, their future spouses, and some of their friends we drank beer and ate, sat in the river, and slept. Oh and had one mean game of kickball.

I have not played kickball since I was a kid, I had forgotten how much fun it is. However, when you have had a knee issue it's not the best game to play. Needless to say I was sore. Not just the knee but the hamstrings were crying out "what? speedwork? kickball? are you NUTS".

It was "The Arringtons" against the rest. That would be me, Terry, Tanner, and Taryn against the other 4 with one being "all time pitcher". And with valiant effort... we lost.

After getting home on Sunday and running on Monday with a sore knee I was concerned that I had really done myself in this time. But today it feels better and I was able to run 5 this morning with a bit of pain but not much and later in the day it feels much better. It simply gets sore when I do anything new.

Let's face it, injuries suck! And age sucks, harder to heal as we get older.

Swimming and Sunrise

2009-07-29T07:48:00.000-07:00

Going to swim at 5:30 in the morning at an outdoor pool seemed at first to be lunacy. The water is chilly and I am still somewhat asleep.

Once in, the water is fine. As we swim in the darkness save for the lights in the pool, slowly the sun rises.

There are some clouds to cover the sun as it begins to expose it's weary face. They first appear dark and broody but as more light reflects against them they change to pink and orange, with rays of sunshine poking through. Streaks of rain in a faraway place create a great contrast of dark to light.

Coming up out of the water to face the sunrise is an uplifting experience. The combination of the crispness of the water and the warm colors of the sun on the clouds give us a euphoric feeling of accomplishment and promise for the coming day.

Hello Blog

2009-07-29T07:39:00.000-07:00

It's a rainy morning here. Very nice although not cool. In fact it's very humid out.

Sunday's run was great! I ran with friends and did 5 at a relatively easy pace then ran 2 at a pretty fast pace and my knee continues to feel fine. I will soon be gearing up for a fall and winter of many races and I am excited to be healthy!

Cross training certainly agrees with me and I am now considering buying a bike. Yes I see triathlon in my future. Swim team is over and although it was difficult getting up at 4:45 I miss the workout. Swimming laps is just not the same. Thursday was our last day and so Monday I went to the pool alone and tried to just swim...one lap after another, it's a little boring. I enjoyed the team because we had drills to do as well as swimming laps all with a purpose. So I went online and bought a pull buoy and a kick board so that I can go alone and still do the team workouts.

For those of you who don't know a pull buoy is a float that goes between your legs and you use it to swim without kicking so that you can focus on your "pull" which is your stroke. The kick board is then used to focus on the kick without the pull. And then you put the stroke and kick together after doing drills and hopefully it helps you to bring the two into a swim that is efficient. I am excited to keep up the training.

Tuesday I ran 5 at a relatively easy pace and felt great even with 91% humidity. It's tough to breathe when it's this humid, not to mention dehydration!

Today is weights and I was going to swim this evening but it is raining so I am not sure I will get it in. If not I will go later in the week.

Tomorrow I am contemplating running at 5:30 am, Yoga on the beach at 6:30 am, and then Hot Yoga at 7 pm. That will be a long day so we will see how that all pans out!

Nice Weather

2009-07-23T08:23:00.000-07:00

We had a "cool" front come through. Now "cool" is a relative term when speaking of the weather. For us, after weeks of 100+ degree days, 80's and 90's feel down right COOL!

With the cooler temperatures came a couple of days of good rain. Not enough to help the lake level rise but enough to give the yard some much needed natural nutrition.

Monday's swimming was tough. I'm not sure if it's because I ran long on Sunday or if it was just a hard workout. I made it through but was exhausted (oh and it was my birthday) so maybe that was the problem! And on Sunday we had a wedding to attend in the Dallas area. I love weddings but not because I enjoy seeing people get married, it's the cake. There is NOTHING I love to put in my mouth more than old fashioned wedding cake with really rich icing. So on Sunday a had TWO large pieces plus these great little chocolate mousse desserts. No wonder Monday's workout was hard!

Micki, my coach, has given me some new running workouts, they are a bit different from what I've been doing and intended to strengthen my legs plus build endurance. Tuesday I walked 1 mile, jogged 2, then ran 2. That morning it rained hard until about 10, I got up and worked until a little after 10 when the rain stopped and went out for my run. I am sure you all know what happens when you live in a hot climate and it rains and then the sun comes out. Yes it got hot and steamy (and not in a good way). I was in the middle of my jog when it really warmed up.

Adding to the issue with the heat is my own perception of my "jog". In my head I KNOW that a jog means a very easy slow pace. However, getting my body to "jog" is tough unless I am running with someone who is going that pace. So my "jog" on Tuesday was not as slow as it needed to be. Thus my "run" was faster than it should have been because in my mind I had to do the last two faster than the two I jogged. That plus the heat was just not a good combination. I finished the run but had the chills and suffered from a bit of dehydration.

Wednesdays I usually swim but I could not get by butt out of bed and so I decided to do my Thursday run on Wednesday. This was a 2 mile walk, 3 mile jog, and 3 mile run. This time I knew to be more careful about my pace and I went early to avoid the heat. My jog was a jog and so my run was a good run at a decent pace and I felt good when I finished.

My knee is no longer hurting and the temptation to overdo is strong. If I can just keep with the plan Micki gave me I will continue to get my speed back. Patience....sigh.

Today was the last day of swim team and there were only two of us in my lane. We swam more continuously than before with little rest and having fewer people made it even more of an endurance workout. At first it was tough, always is with the warm up, but once I got past it I felt great and was able to keep going with little rest between drills. Over 4000 meters today.

The most exciting thing about today was that I was finally able to do the butterfly a full lap without stopping. I did that twice. I am sure it looked pretty bad but who cares! I made it all the way and THAT is an improvement.

My arms and shoulders feel like rubber. Lifting yesterday, swimming today, and tonight is Yoga. Tomorrow I will be wiped out.

H-O-T

2009-07-14T12:58:00.001-07:00

Yes it is HOT. 85 degrees when I ran at 7:00 this morning. Only 50% humidity which is a blessing.

One weather report says it will be 107 here today. I don't like the heat, but what can I do?

Yesterday was a tough Yoga session. It felt great, today I am sore. My run today felt good and no knee pain. The yoga made me a bit sluggish as did the heat but I still got the miles in and felt good.

I need to get up earlier and run, it's just hard to so. With swim team I get up at 4:45 to be in the pool at 5:30, on run days I just want to sleep until 6:00. I may have to change that though, the heat is a killer.

Update

2009-07-13T14:58:00.000-07:00

Wow, has it really been since June 23rd that I blogged? What is happening to me? What have I been doing? How is my running progressing? Am I still swimming? What about kayaking?

Well things are good. The swim team is still happening although I never compete as you know I only work out and whew those workouts are killer. It totally wears me out and yet has made a huge difference in my upper body as well as adding strength to my legs. And so I keep going even though most of the time I dread getting up at 4:30.

I am swimming twice a week and running the other days, yoga once or twice a week and lifting twice a week. I keep pretty busy. And add to that I borrowed a kayak from a friend who races them. I've done that three times in the last three weeks. I don't go fast really but I do try to paddle hard so that I get a good workout. I enjoy getting out on the lake in a nice quiet boat and most of the time it's nice and peaceful out there.

The heat is getting to me some, over 100 most days and humid. I run about 6:30 and should go earlier but I have yet to get myself up to go. I just put up with it and carry water with me or run where I know there will be fountains. Have to stay hydrated!

My knee is improving and I now run most runs without pain. Occasionally the hills will get me and it will be sore but nothing like the pain I was having, I am thrilled. I ran a 5K race last weekend and ran an 8:30 pace. AND I got 3rd place in my division, always nice. Terry got 2nd in his. There is something to be said for living in a small town. :)That is not as fast as my old pace but considering I have not done any speed work, it was hot and humid, and I've been working on this knee, it was a great pace and I am very pleased. I am getting better all the time.

I have dropped out of El Scorcho, the midnight 30K next weekend. It's just too many miles without a slow work up to the miles. My coach did have it worked in my plan but she was very concerned that it would put me back so I dropped. It's not like it won't be there next year and I would rather be healthy and pain free to build up to the half distance soon.

And with that all is caught up!

Rails to Trails

2009-06-23T05:19:00.000-07:00

Sunday Terry and I decided to drive over to Weatherford (about 20 minutes from us) and run on the 20 mile Rails to Trails trail that runs between Weatherford and Mineral Wells.

We hopped in the jeep (top down of course) and drove over.

Wow what a difference. After running on the asphalt every day it's so nice to have a good double track trail to run on. Great on the feet and knees and it is almost completely shaded by vegetation so it is at least 10 degrees cooler than the asphalt. If you live here you understand how important the shade is.

It's a bit remote and so it's quiet. We saw a few people toward the end, some running, some walking, and some cycling.

We also saw some bunnies, a turkey and her babies, some deer, dove and lots of other birds. What great scenery and so close to us.

Then we did our next favorite thing which is to go into the town and find a local place to eat a great breakfast. We found a great place that seems to be very popular, had a good breakfast and headed back home.

If you live anywhere near Weatherford or Mineral Wells this is a MUST DO for a runner, cyclist, walker, or equestrian.

Ramping Up!!!!

2009-06-23T05:03:00.000-07:00

It's been week since I logged anything here. It's not that a lot hasn't happened, I've just been too lazy to post :)

Things have been going quite well. The swim team (in which I just workout but don't compete) is so hard. It has been a humbling experience. I typically pick things up easily but swimming is so technical. Even though it's hard it is a wonderful workout and I am learning so much that I will use going forward. Should I decide to compete in a triathlon this training will help me tremendously. If I decide not to it will still be beneficial.

We've learned every stroke, and all the technique for making them work efficiently. Now doing it correctly is the hard part. I need a LOT of practice. I sometimes think I will drown but in the end this has been a wonderful experience, it's made me stronger, I've learned new things, lost a few pounds, and I am much more comfortable in the water.

Yoga is still a tough workout, however I find myself getting more and more limber the more I go. I am comfortable with most of the basic poses. Some of the more difficult ones are a little beyond me but I'll get there.

As far as running goes I've progressed quite nicely. Increasing mileage slowly and keeping a conservative pace has been good and my knee is feeling great. It is getting really hot here and I have had to get up earlier to get a run in before the heat hits.

I am not building up not only mileage I am now increasing my pace. Today I ran only 3 but at a faster pace than what I've done in two months. I ran 3 at 8:37! And my knee feels good! I am excited and feel that things are progressing nicely.

That's it for this update :)

New Milestones

2009-06-15T10:02:00.000-07:00

Do you remember the old saying "you can't teach an old dog new tricks"? We I disagree!

Last week instead of swimming laps I went with Ivy my friend and neighbor to join a swim team. Yes you read that correctly, swim team. I was scared to death as I am not a good swimmer. But laps got boring so I let Ivy talk me into this team swimming.

We started on Friday. Lucky for me they have one lane just for people who are new to this whole thing. There are 6 or 8 of us depending upon the day and we are learning different strokes, practicing turns, kicks, and getting ready for meets. I personally am not competing (yet) as I just don't feel comfortable with it enough at this point so we help the others with their starts by swimming as fast as we can to touch the wall so they can dive over us. Friday was a pretty good workout but we had some time to rest some while getting instruction so we always had time to catch our breath. We start at 5:30 in the morning and are in the pool until 7:00.

Saturday I walked 2 miles, ran 4, walked 2.5. I was pretty tired after the swim workout on Friday and then the walk/run on Saturday but on Sunday we had the Dublin Dr. Pepper 10K so again we got up early, hopped in the jeep with all of our company and drove over to Dublin TX.

This is a race in which I generally place in my age division, however this time my coach had me running a slow pace just like a normal run. My goal is to go a week running with no pain then I get to up my speed.

It's not easy for me to run a race and not give it my all, however I knew I had to do this if I want to continue to heal and so I found my friend Jean and ran with her. She wanted to run faster and I wanted to run slower so we were able to meet in the middle and ran a good pace but not overly fast nor overly slow, it was perfect! And this was the furthest I've run in over a month and my knee did not hurt at all!

Yesterday, Sunday, I took off and went to the Texas Rangers vs Dodgers game in Arlington with all of our company. 11 of us in all. It was so much fun and I ate like a pig going WAY over my calorie allotment. It was a blast.

Today it was back to the pool. After a busy weekend and going to bed at 11:00 last night I got up at 4:15 AM and was at the pool in the water at 5:30. The workout today was very hard. Much more intense then last Friday. I am going to be really sore and I had a tough time with new strokes, diving etc... I need a NAP! Even though it is a great workout and I am loving the calorie burn after my pig out at the game.

The Moon

2009-06-10T09:16:00.000-07:00

This has nothing to do with running so bear with me.

Since moving in our new home the moon has gone through two full moon phases. The last time it was mostly cloudy during the phase so we never really saw the moon, I think only once.

This month though we have had clear skies and this brings me to my subject.

You must first understand that in our bedroom we have five large windows. Of those five, four of them have the arch at the top so the wood blinds only cover from the end of the arch down. The arch itself is open. Two of those windows are on my side of the bed, one right beside me and the other on the wall opposite, they almost take up the entire corner of the room.

At night we close the blinds as it gets light early in this room! But again there are no blinds on the arched part of the windows.

For these three nights I would wake to what seemed to be light flooding in the room, only it wasn't light from a bulb or a lamp so the first time I thought it was morning. And then as I opened my eyes I could see the moon smiling at me through the arch in the window. I looked around the room, it was something out of a dream. Moonlight transformed the room with it's soft yet filling presence, and it shined right on my side of the bed without ever making it over to the other side. I felt dreamy so I closed my eyes and drifted back to sleep feeling the warmth of the moon glow on my face.

The next night I looked forward to the moon waking me and sure enough it did, it was even brighter as now it was completely full. Again the room seemed like it came from a dream and again I drifted back to sleep after smiling at the moon peaking through the window.

The next night was the same only this night the clouds would move over the moon so that the light would fill the room and then fade, over and over, making the room feel almost like a boat rocking on the waves.

Now the clouds have moved in and I will not see the moon as we are looking for rain. I can't wait until next month when the full moon is up again. At some point the orbit will move the moon from my window and maybe the moment is gone and won't return or be as fascinating as it was this once. I guess I will wait and see!

Monday Run

2009-06-08T10:13:00.000-07:00

Today went well. I did not run until 8:30 and it was HOT. I think running at 8:30 is good for me at this point. I am acclimating well to the heat so Dublin should not kill me unless the humidity really jumps up.

I walked one then ran 4, well "jogged" 4, in other words I was not supposed to go too fast. I did pretty well although in that last mile I had a hard time keeping the slower pace.

It feels so good to run! My knee did swell, and is somewhat sore. I iced and will do the double dose of ibuprofen for two days again, but it's not anything really painful and according to my coach this soreness is to be expected.

I am looking forward to Dublin although I am not sure how I am going to be able to keep a "jogging" pace when in a race. It's a test of will I suppose, mental training, something I definitely need!

That's it for now...see you in Dublin

Update

2009-06-07T05:58:00.000-07:00

Today is Sunday. Yesterday in Abilene I ran 5 miles with my friends in ARC. I've never been more happy to run 5 miles. And it was great to see everyone! I don't miss Abilene at all, but those folks I miss. They are so genuine and because we all share the common enjoyment of running it's wonderful to get to catch up.

The run went well. My knee swelled a bit but no pain at all...YEA! It looks like I am really on the mend this time. I just need to remember not to push just because I feel good.

Next weekend is the Dublin 10K, there I will get to see my Abilene friends again as well as enjoy new friends from Granbury and family too! I just hope the temperature is mild (HA!)

Also, to any of our ARC friends who read this blog, we really want you to come and see us. Come for a race here or in Fort Worth or just come and visit. We have plenty of room and yes, Bob, we will provide the beer!

3 Miles Woo Hoo

2009-06-03T16:57:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I have really been able to run 3 miles at a time during the week. I was able to walk 1, run 3, walk 1, yesterday and it felt GREAT! My knee felt good, a little swelling and some soreness but with ice and a double dose of ibuprofen for two days it doesn't hurt long! Hopefully after I finish with that routine it will be even better.

Today I did Yoga at the dock as the sun came up over the lake. WOW...it was so nice. I nice cool breeze after a night of thunder and rain.

I didn't want to leave but alas I had to work :( .

Tomorrow I run again! I can hardly contain my excitement. Here's to hoping that my knee holds up. I'm also taking Monavie Active, it contains Glucosamine and is supposed to help with joints as well...let's keep our fingers crossed!

4 Mile Run on Sunday

2009-06-01T07:36:00.000-07:00

Well my longest run so far went great until...

What a beautiful morning it was. Not too hot, nice easy breeze, it was great running weather. The largest part of the group went on as I had to go slower. Terry stayed with me, having run a tough 5K race on Saturday he did not want to do anything to fast.

We walked one mile at a good pace but not brisk, then ran 4 miles at an easy pace. It felt GREAT, I so miss running. Right before our last running mile was finished I began to feel that ache in the back of my knee. We finished up and walked a 1/2 mile back to the car for cool down. Then I stretched and by the time we got home that little ache had become a pretty good pain. I could not bend my knee, I had no range of motion.

This happens from time to time but it's been about 3 weeks since the last time and it wasn't this bad. According to my doctor and my coach this is a Baker's Cyst. It really isn't a cyst at all but a symptom of overuse. Because I tore my meniscus I will always now have degeneration in my left knee. What happens now is if I overuse by running too much, bending too much, squatting too much, without building up slowly, the knee produces too much fluid designed to coat the knee joint. Because there is too much it pushes out into the easiest place to go which is most often behind the knee. So it swells and cause limited range of motion and pain. Ice helps as does ibuprofen but it doesn't make it go away.

The only way to not have them is to build up slowly allowing the knee to get used to the activity. And so I am trying. It's very frustrating and rest seems to be the best medicine. I am really tired of not running the miles I used to run.

My coach is working on a new plan and I should receive it today, but I am afraid this means that I will not be able to do El Schorcho in July. Sigh...we shall see.

Today will be a swim day.

Walk in the Morning

2009-05-29T08:51:00.000-07:00

I walked 4 miles this morning at a very brisk pace. I walked down the highway and then down this long road with a vineyard and winery (no I didn't stop it was closed). This road was quiet with beautiful homes on each side, they all have acreage and back up to the lake, many have horses. What beauty I am surrounded by!

Walking rather than running does provide some benefit. I was able to stop and pet the horses, take a look at the vineyard, all because I was walking. When I run I am so focused on running that I won't dare stop!

Although when I am up and running again I plan to run down this street many times, and I WILL stop to smell the roses.

New Cap and Goggles

2009-05-29T08:35:00.001-07:00

Having been mostly a runner for so long I know how important it is to have the right equipment. Good shoes, good socks, wicking material in shirts and shorts, a good sports bra, and of course the Garmin, the hydro pack, all of the other really fun accessories.

There are days when I don't want to run, when it seems like a burden, but if I have something new, well, I am up and out the door! Having something new can prompt me to take action.

Last week I ordered a new swim cap because I have this issue with my hair breaking. Some of it is the chlorine Then my friend Ivy, who was a collegiate swimmer, told me that my cheap swim cap was tearing my hair. She said "it's nothing but a big rubber band, you need to get a better cap, wet your hair before you get in the water, and condition it under the cap". And thus the order last week. I also noticed that my goggles really bugged me, they were pushing in on my eyeballs so that I thought sometimes my eyeballs would pop out of my head! I bought new goggles, some more for serious swimmers rather than "playing in the water".

Yesterday was the first day I used my new purchases. I got up, really not sure I wanted to swim, but then I remembered I had "new stuff"! How exciting. And so I went so I could use my new cap and goggles. Just like running the "new stuff" prompted me to go and once there it was a great swim.

Having good equipment is important for any sport, this I've now discovered. The difference in that cap and those goggles compared to my cheapies is really amazing. I was able to swim more relaxed with goggles that didn't hurt, and the cap was easy to get on and off and kept the chlorine off of my hair much better than the old one.

Feeling Good!

2009-05-27T06:05:00.000-07:00

This is it, this week of recovery and then I begin to build up my mileage and my speed again...slowly.

Memorial Day weekend we went to Ruidoso to see our families. It was so nice and cool and dry air, I miss it so much. Every time I return I remember how much I love the mountains.

Running there (as much as I was allowed) was once again amazing. The cool crisp air feels so exhilarating as it flows over my body. I could run and run and run when I am in the mountains.

Even with running a bit more than I should have been as well as hilly terrain my knee feels fine. How exciting.

I will get my new plan at the end of the week and I will be able to run the Dublin TX 10K although as my coach puts it "just plan on it doing it very easily so that you're only goal for that day is to cover the distance running. It will be SLOW, so let the joy come from running again and being out there!" That sounds easy; to "let the joy come from running again and being out there" it's just not that easy for me when I know I can at least get 3rd in my age division if I am uninjured. But I know she is right and I do have El Scorcho coming up in July. I need to remain healthy and not overdo. This will be a test of my will no doubt.

One more Week and a Couple of Days

2009-05-21T06:45:00.000-07:00

Here I am working on getting stronger, with more week left. My swim was tough this week, not sure why, just one of those days.

Yesterday I ran 2.5 miles then walked 3.5 more. I chose to run a more hilly route and this may have been a mistake. Up until 2 miles I felt great. When I turned to go uphill to go back the way I had come I got that familiar pain in the back of my knee. I stopped to stretch then ran another .5 miles and then walked. The pain went away when I stretched and walked. And I don't walk slowly.

I have not felt that pain in awhile and I am wondering if the hills made a difference, that and the fact that my coach says "jog" and I am going faster than a jog. I think the lesson is I need to be careful and just "jog", but it is so hard when it feels so good to be running.

Now I am nervous. What if, in another week, I am unable to continue to build up mileage in the hilly terrain here? I have to keep my mind from wandering and just focus on my continued improvement. It's a lot easier to say than to do.

I'm not sure I will be able to run the Dublin 10K, I KNOW I won't be racing it. Oh well it's just one race and the one I want to really focus on is El Scorcho, the 25K at midnight in July.

2.5 miles

2009-05-17T16:31:00.000-07:00

Not far is it? But when you've been injured and you are ready to run that 2.5 miles is heaven sent!

What a wonderful day today. It was 59 degrees and still, no wind. Just a perfect morning. I walked only half a mile and could not stand it any longer, I had to run. So I ran 2.5 miles (I was only supposed to run 2) and it felt WONDERFUL. I felt so free, so lite, in my element.

I had a tough time stopping to finish up my 5 miles with walking but I did. I do not want to re injure my knee. The walking was fine too, such a great morning to be out.

Then breakfast at our new favorite place The Firehouse Grill! I LOVE breakfast.

At home it was more coffee on the dock...sigh what a great life.

Update

2009-05-15T12:22:00.000-07:00

This week has been a good workout week for me. Monday and Tuesday consisted of running some but mostly walking a brisk pace with either Ivy or Terry. And of course strength training on Tuesday is always in order :).

But Wednesday is the day I want to make sure and mention. Wednesday called for swimming, no real time or number of laps just swim. The last time I went to the Y to swim I found it tough, but I went early in the morning. It seems that I do better swimming when I go in the mid-afternoon (using my lunch hour for this of course Kevin). Usually it's quiet, not many people there, sometimes I am the only one in the pool. I tend to do better when I am alone.

I show up and there is no one there so out of the two lanes they have for lap swimming I chose the one on the inside, it's harder to swim next to the wall because of the way the water comes back off of that surface. Anyway I begin, at first it's really a warm up, I feel pretty good and am able to make the turns and I don't have to stop much to rest so this is good. Then I look up to see that 15 or 20 mentally challenged adults are coming in and getting into the lane next to me.

At first I was a little upset, this IS lap time and they are taking up an entire lane. But I was the only person swimming laps and they were not in my lane so it was really not a problem for me. I laughed a bit thinking about how now my incompetent swimming didn't really matter because the lifeguards were busy watching them instead of me. I was able to relax a bit at that thought. Then I began to think about whether or not they knew NOT to go to the bathroom in the pool. Probably not and I am swimming right past them over and over...oh well, that is what chlorine is for, right?

At some point someone started screaming which really messed me up for a moment until I realized it was a scream of delight not distress. On that break (I took one because I thought someone was drowning) I noticed how much fun they were having. Laughing, giggling, and just putting their heads under water seemed like an amazing feat. Walking back and forth in the lane some would talk to themselves about the water, how it felt, what it smelled like. At that moment I realized how much I take for granted and how simple life really is. We should appreciate those simple little moments, like a child when they first discover a bug or a pretty flower in the garden. I hope to take this lesson with me...funny isn't it? They have no idea the impression they made on me in those 55 minutes, but God does.

May my Month of Healing

2009-05-13T06:07:00.001-07:00

I don't like being injured. I feel like I am getting lazy. Even though I am doing more cross training than I've ever done in my life I still feel lazy. It's not the same as running and I miss it more and more. Especially as Terry increases his running in training for the Dublin 10K.

The past three days I've walked a lot and "jogged" a little inbetween. Yesterday I did weights and today I will swim. I enjoy the cross training I just miss the running.

Soon...soon...I just need to get well once and for all.

On the bright side I did get a new lite headlamp for Mother's Day to us in my midnight run in July! I can't wait to run early in the morning in the dark so I can use it. Not to mention having my own for backpacking and camping :)

Nothing profound today, just feeling a little down because I want to run. This too shall pass.

Yoga Beavers and Snakes...Oh and running...

2009-05-10T11:17:00.000-07:00

The kids are here visiting and my plan called for yoga yesterday. I did not want to spend an hour at the YMCA when I could be spending that time with the kids and the significant others. Taryn suggested I do yoga at the dock on the deck. I've taken it enough now that I know the sequences, the poses, and the transitions.

I got up before anyone else, around 6:00, had a cup of coffee, got my mat and some water and went down to the dock. I also had my phone which has Pandora installed and I found a yoga station so I even had the yoga music. Our dock has a sun deck on top, perfect place for early morning yoga! I climbed up and started the music to play softly.

It was so peaceful. The sun coming up over the water, a nice soft breeze blowing. And I did indeed remember the sequences from the class. It was a hard workout as I tried to hold the poses, especially plank poses, for longer than we do in class. On balance poses I had a bit of trouble because the water was of course moving and that would throw me off, but as long as I focused on the bank across the canal I was good. As I was holding "tree pose" I saw a beaver coming down the canal with a big stick. I stopped to watch him swim by, never able to see where he went.

Then I went on to "eagle pose", it's a bit more difficult to hold. I saw something moving in the water so I stopped to see what it was and it was a very large water (rat) snake. YUCK! He swam from the bank across the canal right into our dock where we would store the boat if we had one! Double YUCK. I went on and finished yoga. The beauty of the water, the coolness of the breeze, and the feeling of one with the earth was uplifting. I will be doing this again.

Later in the afternoon as we all sat outside on the deck Ben (Taryn's boyfriend) spied something in a tree a few yards from the deck. After further investigation we found that it was a large snake, and yes he was high up in the tree. It was another Rat Snake. Triple YUCK! Our neighbors came over and so it was quite a show. Although the menfolk tried and tried to get the snake down they were unsuccessful until two blue jays who were quite upset with the snake getting close to their next went crazy squawking and poking at him. The snake shimmied his way down out of the tree in a very timely fashion once he thought the jays were going to peck him to death. Upon his arrival on the ground our neighbor grabbed him and we spent some time getting to know this new addition. While it was a bit creepy, rat snakes are harmless and very beneficial because they eat mice and rats. The fact that he was around our house actually made me feel a bit better, this way I know the mice and rats will be taken care of!

Knowing that when I sleep in the hammock under the trees I may wake up to a snake staring from above is a bit disconcerting...not sure how I am going to handle this.

Today, Sunday, Terry and I got up early and went to the square to meet our new running buddies. Of course I am still taking it easy and not happy about it, but I did what my coach told me to do and I walked one mile, jogged two, and walked one. The jogging part was closer to running than I think my coach would like...it's difficult to go a slow jog rather than a run, but I did try. My knee feels good. No pain while running or walking, no soreness (yet). I'm hoping that all is good. I need to do some strength today and then it's on to tomorrow when I will have another week of low mileage easy running and lots of cross training.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that all will be well in just a few weeks.

New Friends

2009-05-07T05:41:00.001-07:00

I think now I can admit that I was a bit concerned about moving to a new town where I knew no one. There were so many questions, who would I run with, would I have someone to go to lunch with, to talk with, to share with? Let's face it girls need girlfriends from time to time.

I've been amazed at God's plan in our lives. We never intended to move to Granbury. In fact it was no where on our map of places we wanted to move. It happened quite by "accident", although now I see that it was God's plan all along.

When Terry came and looked at the house he knew we would like the house itself but the neighbors, well he wasn't sure of my reaction. It's very different than Abilene. We loved our neighbors there but we didn't really get to know them or get out and visit. In this lake neighborhood everyone is outside most of the time. Talking, sharing, borrowing, working in the yard, or on the boat. It's an amazing network of caring neighbors. Even those that are a little "strange" are part of the network.

Immediately the neighbors across the street were available for anything we need. Now Ivy and I are becoming good friends. She said to me just the other day during one of our walks that she felt so blessed that I moved in, that I have been such an inspiration to her in her quest to lose weight and get back in shape. She feels that she would not have been out and moving had I not asked her to go and walk with me.

Part of God's plan? I certainly think so.

And then there are those in the running community here. They have been fantastic to us. They have no formal running club instead groups of people who meet and run together. They are so accommodating and so much fun.

God is certainly put us here for a reason, meeting these folks is just the beginning.

Couple of Days In

2009-05-07T05:19:00.000-07:00

Three days on the new plan. It seems to be going well. Most of you will not be surprised to know that I consistently do just a little bit more than the plan calls for :) I just cannot help it.

Monday I walked a mile, ran a mile, then walked 4. And when I say walked I mean at a brisk pace. Actually as fast as the pace some folks run. It's quite a work out, really able to feel it in the hips.

Tuesday I swam 50 minutes and did my strength exercises for me knee. Swimming was tough Tuesday. I went early rather than later in the day and perhaps that is what made it so hard. I felt as if I were struggling. But I did it!

Yesterday was a repeat of Monday only I went an additional mile. It is so humid here, it's tough to walk/run in this humidity! I'm hoping it will only help me but boy it's hard to get used to.

Today it's weights and yoga. Family is coming so I am not sure how much I can get in but hopefully I'll get to go to yoga tonight as I love power yoga in 90 degree heat in the humidity.

New Beginnings

2009-05-04T10:38:00.000-07:00

Today I began building my running back. It seems like such a long road but my coach is determined that I not have to go through this again so we are taking it easy and building up. Sigh. The goal is to get through May WITHOUT pain.

I thought when I got my new plan I would be running at least 3 miles at an easy pace. My heart sank when I saw my new training plan. It just doesn't feel like enough! But in reality I know she is right and I am doing so much cross training it's not as if I am going to lose fitness. And I do not want to come back to this point so I must go slow.

I also wanted to work in walking with Ivy, yoga, swimming, and weights. And so this morning I walked one mile, then jogged (not ran) a mile, then walked briskly with Ivy for another 4. That's a total of 6 miles and although I wish I could have been running, it was evident that I need the slow build up. My knee did swell and it felt "funny" but it did not hurt, good sign. And we are getting pretty fast at walking which is kicking my butt!

Tomorrow I will lift and swim so that's 30 minutes of lifting and 50 or so of swimming, then Wednesday will be a repeat of today.

It's not easy going slow but I know it's necessary so I will follow the coaches plan and hopefully by the time El Scorcho gets here I'll be good for a 15 mile midnight run!

Last Day of No Running!

2009-05-03T09:05:00.000-07:00

This was the last day of my 3 weeks off in order to rest my knee. We went to the square, this is where we meet some of the runners here in Granbury. Of course they all ran and I walked four miles. It was a great morning...59 degrees, nice and cool after the rain last night, just a beautiful day to be out! And I walked a 13:42 pace! I remember doing long runs, in my former life, at just a little faster pace. And of course then breakfast at Cari's (which they have now dubbed "The Pig" after we told them about the Dixie Pig in Abilene)

It was tough today, with such nice weather, not to run but I am determined to get back healthy and so I will start again this week, I am looking forward to it.

I've met a few people who run early in the mornings and live close to us, they are faster under normal circumstances but one is recovering from an injury and just starting back himself so their pace will be slow.

There is also a group running from the Y during the week at 8:15. I may try to meet with them but it's a bit harder because it interferes with work so I will have to see how it goes.

And there is walking with Ivy and friends, I really don't want to give that up....sigh...and I thought I would have no one to do things with when we moved here!

Today's Walk

2009-05-01T12:32:00.000-07:00

I walked today with my neighbor. She has invited a friend and she has joined us twice, next week another friend will join. As much as I look forward to getting back to running I also don't want to give up my walking with Ivy.

She is a lot of fun and really a great person to discuss things with, I am so enjoying the friendship that seems to be manifesting itself. How glorious is getting out of the house with friends!

Walking seems to be good, I am now at a 14:21 pace and that is while talking so I am improving, now we will just have to see how that translates into getting back to running.

I've overdone it some even without running, some days swimming running and doing yoga just to get in a little "extra". I think this is somewhat obsessive so I'm trying to bring myself back to reality.

I should be getting a new plan any day and I am looking forward to what is in store for me and I am hoping that getting to Dublin won't be too difficult.

Sleepy...

2009-04-30T03:57:00.001-07:00

Got up early to swim so I can walk with neighbor later and do yoga tonight...I'm sleepy...

Not Running!

2009-04-28T12:06:00.001-07:00

Well it's been a couple of weeks since I've run. How am I fairing you may ask! Not bad I must say.

I swam over a mile in my last outing at the pool, I rode the stationary bike for an hour (yes my butt bones hurt) at a good pace, and I did Yoga on Saturday that I thought would kill me. Today I got up and walked 4 quick miles with my new neighbor. We have walked twice together now, she is trying to lose weight. It's the 40 thing. She turns 40 in February, quit smoking in November of this year, and wants to be in a size 6 by her 40th birthday. So I am a bit of a motivator and it's really fun!

I am hoping to get her doing a walk run interval later in the summer and into a race or two in the fall. She has a competitive spirit and was a swimmer in college so I think she will get there.

I do some kind of working out every day and try to burn every calorie I can plus track everything in Livestrong.com. I've actually lost a few pounds and am lighter than I have been for some time, even through marathon training!

My knee is feeling much better and my coach says that next week I can start back slowly. She will be sending me a training plan before Monday. I hope I can be ready for the Dublin Dr. Pepper 10K. After getting a PR in my 10K here I would like to do that one well, but we will see. I may not be recovered enough by then.

All is good here...I'll keep you posted :)

Swimming

2009-04-23T10:05:00.000-07:00

There is no doubt, practice is important! Today I went early to swim, I wasn't even really quite awake. Started slow, trying to get warmed up, but soon it felt better.

The water was cooler today and it felt GREAT! Most of the time at the YMCA they keep the water really warm for those older folks who go in to treat their joint issues. But today it was cool and it felt really good once I was swimming.

I am feeling stronger every day and today swam over a mile in 50 minutes. I know the time may not be good but swimming a mile is an accomplishment for me I promise!

I miss the running but the swimming is feeling really good and especially as I become more comfortable and begin to push myself harder. Just like with running it takes time and practice.

One more week (and two days) of not running then I am hoping to begin again and build up to the hills here.

We registered for the Dublin Dr. Pepper 10K this morning. I am hoping that running here will help me do better there...this remains to be seen!

Walk in the Morning

2009-04-22T05:19:00.000-07:00

OK, I admit it. Laying off of running is so HARD. Even if you know it's the best thing for you it's just plain hard to do.

I do want to heal and feel good so I can make myself take the time away from what I love and what keeps me sane.

Don't get me wrong, I stay active. I do something every day so it's not as though I am not getting my exercise in it's just not RUNNING.

Even so, there are pleasures in doing something different. The day before yesterday I swam for 50 minutes. That longest I've been able to swim and at the end I was still feeling pretty strong! I would have gone longer had it not been for needing to get back to work. The interesting thing is, most of the time I try to get a good work out but I don't really push myself like I do in running. But this day there was a man that came to swim as well and he was a good swimmer, one of those you know swam in college. Well that just bugged me and I felt competitive even though there is no way I could ever do that well. It pushed me and I made myself go faster and harder than I have before! Now I know I can do it I will work on doing that more often.

Yesterday we (Terry and I) got up at 5:15 and went to walk on the trail at the park. What a beautiful morning! If I had been running I am not sure I would have noticed the moon and Venus? together in a line and shining so brightly!

Today is weight lifting but I am thinking about sneaking in a little stationary biking. JUST lifting doesn't burn enough calories for me. We will see.

As for Granbury, I am enjoying more and more all the time. It's very pretty here and I am looking forward to spending some time at the lake. I won't lie, knowing the dock is just right out the door I have a hard time not taking off from work to go lay out for an hour or so ;). But I have yet to give into my temptation.

Catch ya later.

Fun with Family

2009-04-19T18:39:00.000-07:00

Many people think that Texas is a big desert, no water, nothing green. It simply isn't true.

We spent the weekend not running but instead backpacking, fly fishing, and kayaking, on the Colorado River in Colorado Bend State Park.

The heavy rain on Thursday night and Friday morning made it a bit messy, warm, and humid. But also very green and beautiful.

There is something about spending time with family and friends in the beauty of nature, it makes you feel so alive and close to one another. Of course when you have to do EVERYTHING out in nature with all your family and friends around you, you get "closer".

The water is low, even with the heavy rain it wasn't enough to bring it up to where it should be. We are in a drought after all. Even then it is beautiful and the Silver Bass are fun to catch on a fly rod. Springs and waterfalls abound...it's amazing what God has made.

Kayaking was a bit tough especially going upstream and there were a few places we had to portage due to the low water. Most of the time though paddling was good. Needless to say I am sore and tired but in a good way.

The weekend was good and without running I still managed to be extremely active, I did however eat poorly, sigh.

Tomorrow it's back to using Livestrong to track weight and diet. Hopefully I can lose a few pounds even while not running but cross training instead.

Time with family and friends in the beauty of God's nature...what more can you ask for?

Not Running Blues

2009-04-16T14:56:00.000-07:00

Yeah I've got them, the "not running blues". Perhaps I'll write a song.

As mentioned in earlier blogs my knee and the hills here are not getting along. After exchanging email with my wonderful doctor I realize that every time I dramatically change my running my knee flairs up. This is normal and to be expected.

I was doing so well, not hurting and running faster than I have in a long time. And then we moved here and I kept up the same schedule but now everywhere I run there are hills. Needless to say this is increasing intensity by leaps and bounds.

Now I am awaiting a new plan from my coach, one that will help me acclimate to this new environment. In the meantime I've not run since Monday.

I took the weekend off because of Friday's run my knee really hurt. The weekend we worked in the yard (that didn't help much) and so on Saturday and Sunday I rested.

By Monday I just HAD to get out and run and because I missed my 10 miler on Sunday I made the decision to get it in on Monday morning. DUMB decision.

So I go out, run for awhile on the highway and then I turn onto a road by a very nice cemetery (isn't that interesting?). Anyway, great place to run back in there...very pretty homes and it was nice and quiet, not a lot of traffic. However I get to about 6 miles and I realize that I really should not have gone out so far. My knee is at this point hurting and I still have 4 more miles left in order to get home. And then my stomach gets knotted up. Sigh...those of you who run will understand. This was NOT a good run.

I did make it home, but my knee has been hurting since. I've been icing and taking ibuprofen, walked last night, swimming and yoga today. But NO RUNNING. My plan is to take off of running this entire week, get the plan from my coach, and start anew on Monday. I am back to doing my strengthening exercises for the knee, and stretching more, back to the routine that got me healthy again. I do not anticipate it being too long before I am back on the road.

In the meantime...I shall sing the "not running blues"...woooooooo......