Take THAT excuse monster!

I ran 9.1 miles today, and I started in the rain! That excuse monster tried to tell me that it was raining, and I would get wet, but I didn't pay any attention to him. I just put on my shoes and ran! It was awesome. The last 1 1/2 miles felt especially great, and I had moments of feeling like I was flying. Yeah, maybe I was hallucinating, but if it feels good, who cares? I felt like I still had something left in me, which was a good feeling after 9 miles. I am a little concerned about my feet...I'm going to have some blisters. I think this might be my wake up call to get rid of the cotton socks! I just am really struggling with the $10 for ONE pair of socks thing.

The Things I Ate

I'm sitting here, at 11:00 p.m., and I am really wanting something to eat. I did not eat very good today, and I'm hoping it won't affect my run tomorrow. Let's see... breakfast I did okay. I ate All Bran with yogurt clusters. Lunchtime things start going downhill. I ate 2 chocolate bonbons and a granola bar. I did eat a peach later! Then for dinner I ate deep fried scones with honey and powdered sugar. Yes, that is what I ate today. I don't know where the vegetables are! I don't know where the protein is! Quit picking on me!

Excuses, Excuses

I think most of us are really really good at something. And that something is making excuses. Usually when it comes to running, I'm a pretty stick-to-it kind of girl. Early on Saturday mornings (my usual long run day) my legs start tingling, and I just HAVE to get out of bed and run. As much as I'd like to sleep in, my legs won't let me. On other days I get out there and run, because I know the guilt just ain't worth it. I'll think about it all day if I don't, so I just have to go do it.

Which brings us here...to my land of running excuses that I have been living in lately... It's getting darker earlier, I am afraid of the dogs in the dark, Mr. Blue Eyes doesn't want me running alone in the dark, I have to teach violin lessons early so I can't run when the sun does come up, it's too hot by the time I'm done with violin lessons, I'm hungry at dinnertime, so I have to eat, and I can't run on a full stomach after dinner, plus I'm just worn out and tired in the evenings, so I just can't..... anyway, I'm making myself sick just listening to my own excuses in my head. Other runners work, other runners eat, other runners' suns go up and down every day, other runners live in hot places, and they RUN.

So, here is to the end of my excuses. I'm finding a way, and I'm running 4 days a week, come hell or high water. You all are my witnesses.

Who Let the Dogs Out?

Now is as good a time as ever to share my dog stories, right? I have a problem with dogs. A big problem. I don't like them anymore. I was never a big dog fan, but now I'm a big scaredy cat when it comes to dogs. I already shared the bite in the bum story, which was fun, so I thought I'd share a few more canine incidents.

I decided for awhile that I should try to get our chocolate lab, Trout, to learn to run with me. He weighs almost what I do, so this is a little tricky. I had to take him on a leash, and I think my arms got more of a workout than my legs. So, this one time, I'm running along the road, and this neighbor's dog (most annoying dog EVER) runs out and starts running around me in circles. So, of course, Trout has to chase him. Can you see where this is going? I could too, but it happened too fast for me to do anything about it. The leash is wrapped around me, and Trout bolts off. My legs came right out from under me, and I landed directly on my bum cheek. Hard. I had the biggest bruise forever! Needless to say, that was Trout's last run with me.

Then another time, I'm running down the road, blissfully enjoying my music, and all of a sudden, there's a dog at my feet. It's a little teeny yippy thing, and I screamed and jumped about a mile UP. It was such a loud scream, and I was so embarrassed because the owners were sitting right there on their lawn. I didn't even look at them. I just kept on running. Stupid yippy dogs.

A scary time was when I was running on a new road that I hadn't been on before, and all of a sudden about 20 dogs (okay, it seemed like 20...it was probably more like 8) start running out at me barking. I'm really thinking this is the end of my life, and I had no idea what I was going to do. How do you fight off 20 (okay, 8!) dogs at once? Right about when I saw my life flash before my eyes, the owner comes out and calls them back. I was a little shaky running for awhile, but I made it home.

Well, there are a million more dog encounters, but that's the basic idea. Most of the time I can get them to stay back with my yelling and rock threatenings. I only actually ever hit a dog with a rock once. Not for lack of trying...I'm just a really bad aim. The one time I hit one, though, was right between the eyes. Totally coincidental, I know, but it looked like I meant to! That dog leaves me alone now. Mr. Blue Eyes says to kick the dogs, but I do NOT want to let a dog get that close to me!

Running Fears

Today when I was running my 5.7 miles, with my calves killing me, and eventually my shins deciding to join my calves... (Mr. Blue Eyes said it must've been my new shorts that caused this...) I had to do something to distract myself. So, I made a mental list of the things that I fear most when I go out running. Here they are, for your reading enjoyment. Go ahead and laugh at me. I know you will.

#1 I'm going to poop my pants. Yes, this is fear #1...or should I say, number 2... Sometimes when I'm running, it gets things, well, moving. And I'll be running for miles, looking longingly at every bush and tree I pass, wondering if I dare use it. I asked someone I barely know if I could use their bathroom once. This was completely mortifying. She had to make her husband hurry out of the shower so I could use their bathroom. I was like, "No, it's fine! I'll just leave! Don't make him get out!" And she insisted. I thought I was going to die of absolute embarrassment. That is why I don't make pit stops at people's houses. And, to justify why this is my #1 fear, I will admit...it happened once. I didn't make it home. 'Nuff said.

#2 I'll get bit by a dog. This too, has happened to me. That's what makes it my second greatest fear. I was just running along, minding my own business, and this boxer comes up behind me and bites my butt. It wasn't a mean bite...it didn't break skin or anything, but it scared me to death! There are tons of dogs around here, and I've had plenty of run-ins with them. Sometime I'll dedicate a post completely to dog stories, so you can laugh at how silly I am. Whenever I get near a house with a loose dog (I know most of them by now), I pick up a couple of rocks, make myself look real big, and yell at the dog. I don't know if this is confronting my fear or not...

#3 Some weirdo is going to grab me. Thankfully, this has NOT happened to me. If it had, it would be fear #1, and I would probably be running on a treadmill. I imagine the scenario out in my mind, though, so if it ever happens, I'll be ready. First, I'll use one of the moves I learned in Karate. I will skillfully twist out of his grip, kick him in the jimmy, and use my extensive running skills to get the heck out of there. In reality, I'm kidding myself. I'm 5'2", 115 pounds...and I'm helpless if Mr. Blue Eyes even tickles me. If you are a weirdo, and you are reading this...just know that I have bodyguards hidden behind every bush, and it would be very very stupid of you to try to touch me.

#4 I'm going to get run over by a car. I always let cars have a lot of room. I run in the weeds in the ditch when a car is coming toward me. I know in this world of cell phones, ipods, gps systems, etc., people can be distracted, and I don't want to die running. Well, maybe when I'm 99, I could die running, but not now.

#5 I'm going to fall and break something and I won't be able to get home. Okay, I'm stretching now. But I had a long time to think while I was running, so I had to make up fears.


Now I've totally told all of you things that I wouldn't normally tell, all in the name of sharing my running experiences. Please tell me you've had the same things happen to you too....I can't be the only one!

Running AGAIN

So, I get all ready to run this morning, and Mr. Blue Eyes* says, "You're going running AGAIN?" I don't know why he hasn't realized yet that I run 4 or 5 days a week. Which means there aren't a lot of days off. Of course I have to run today, because I probably won't run tomorrow, and I have to get that 20 miles in this week. (I don't get 20 in every week, but if I'm close...I can't let it slip by!) My poor husband does run, but hasn't found the joy in it yet. So, I'm thinking this morning, as I'm running my 3.8, what makes the difference between loving it, and doing it because you have to? I think a lot of it is WHY you run. Mr. Blue Eyes runs because he want to lose weight. I run because I'm a runner. I don't know how that change takes place, but I'm just glad I'm there. And I'm glad Mr. Blue Eyes is running. Maybe someday the running bug will bite him in the butt.

*Names have been changed to protect the innocent.

Call Me a Prude

Okay, I'm mad. I saw that nifty little "next blog" button on the top left corner of my blog, and thought, "Hmm...I wonder what other people are writing blogs about. That would be interesting to see." So, I click...and it's porn galore. We're not talking girls in skimpy bikinis either. Full blown nasty porn. Now, if people want to look at porn, that's their decision, but the thing that makes me mad, is that it is ONE CLICK off of MY blog page! What if my sweet grandma is reading my blog because she loves me and wants to know what's going on in my life....and she sees that button and thinks that maybe it's even MY next blog, and clicks on it. This is not okay with me that someone can get to a porn site directly from my blog. Can I get that button off? Somebody help me!

Amy's Blog

Yes, Amy, for you I will dedicate an ENTIRE post. This funny mom/runner is one of my inspirations for starting a blog. Not that I could EVER in a million years be as funny... well, you just need to go check it out for yourself, if you haven't already. I'd have to say one of my favorite posts was A Slip of the Tongue, from June 4th. There are so many funny ones, though....
http://granolasdodallas.blogspot.com/
Just go look. Now. I said NOW!

It Doesn't Get Better Than This

What a great day! It's the first day back to school for my kids. I have to admit, I am NOT one of the moms who shed a tear when her wee sweet ones get on the bus that first day. No, I'm the mom who puts her three holy terrors on the bus, can't wipe a grin off her face, and plans the party!! Now, don't get me wrong. I really do love my kids, and on occasion they have shown that they can be sweet... but summers are WAY too long. The kids....okay, let's be honest, I need the structure that comes from the kids being at school. I need to be able to have a moment where nobody is telling me they're hungry, and I need to be able to clean something in my house and have it stay that way for at least 5 minutes.

So, that brings me right to the point where I wave goodbye as my kids get on the bus. I laced up my running shoes and got to run 8.3 miles in the light! not at 5 a.m.! in nice cool weather! in 1:18:02! It felt fantastic. It's my longest run since I ran my 1/2 marathon LAST August.

Well, it's time for me to begin my First Day of School Party. Anyone want to join me? No kids allowed!!!

Rest Day

Great! My first post about running...and it's a rest day today. I didn't know if it was going to be a rest day or not, but it turned out to be one. School starts for the kids tomorrow, and I just could not give up my last day of sleeping in. I haven't been able to sleep in all summer, because of teaching 7:00 a.m. violin lessons, so this week has been luxury. I did run Monday and Tuesday, so I'm not totally slacking here!

Steve Runner made me do it!

If any of you runners out there listen to Phedippidations, you might have heard the episode on running and blogging. So, Steve, you've inspired me to write down some things about running. I don't know how it will go, or how often I'll actually post in here, but hey, it's a start, right?