hate being cold

I really hate being cold.  I have to talk myself into running once it gets around 30.  Once I get outside, it's not so bad, but the bartering with the clock to actually get myself out there is ridiculous.  You would think I could just buck up and get out and run.  I ordered a bunch of stuff from Lands End today that should help, such as lightweight polarfleece mittens (my fingertips were way too cold today), a polarfleece neck gaiter (neck was cold although my UnderArmour top has a mock turtle), some holiday presents, and an overstock bathing suit (for cross training since my old one is almost transparent). 

I don't think I could ever be a stripper.  I would want the pole to be coated with polarfleece and have the heat blasting to 100 or so.  Then all the boozy old farts would probably pass out from the heat and I wouldn't get any tips.  So, instead, I'll keep doing massage where I can crank the heat up in my room and wear silk long underwear under my clothes.

Last Monday, my 3-legged dog died.  After I got over the inertia of not being able to decide if I was going to bury him (which entailed digging almost frozen ground) or take his body to the vet for cremation (I decided on the cremation - group not individual - because I have no faith that they would actually return my dog's ashes to me for an additional $100 instead of just throwing a bunch of miscellaneous ashes into a box), I went for a 6 mile run.  I saw an animal leg - most likely a cat's leg.  I thought how ironic that was.  Really?  How many people have 3-legged pets and see a missing leg the day their pet dies?  Maybe it really wasn't ironic, but just weird.

One thing that always pisses me off when I run (or drive, or walk) is seeing someone drive a sedan with a kid under the age of 8 (or whatever legal age is) in the front seat.  I saw a lady driving with a kid next to her in the front seat.  Not only was he too small for that, but he was also sucking a sucker.  "Great!" I thought, "Not only will your kid get smashed by the airbag, but that sucker is going to go straight down his throat or through the back of his head if you get in an accident."  It's amazing what you have time to process when you only see someone for a split second.  Enough time to create a chain of events or a story that you hope doesn't happen.

same run, two different feelings

Today, I ran the same run I did on Monday, yet faster.  Or at least I felt like it was faster.  It was colder.  I was pressed for time.  A shitload of cars and trucks were driving west on 28 into the setting sun.  All of it lent to a sense of urgency that made my pace a little zippier. Although I like the heat, cool weather does have its advantages.  It is a bit harder to breathe cold air. I look forward to running one of the country road loops on Sunday morning.

I have to get Debbie my 3-day diet diary.  Not that I am on a diet - never!  I like to eat and eat often.  With my goofy schedule, it is hard to eat on a regular schedule.  So, I had to time my run for one hour after my bagel & peanut butter.  Find something that works pre-run and stick with it - some of the better advice I have received.  I know she'll tell me to change things up.  I need more grains and veggies, less white flour pasta.  Perhaps more protein.  More water.  Less coffee.  She is such a good trainer - always upbeat and positive and encouraging.  Funny, too.  That is important.

I'm not too concerned with wearing a sophisticated watch with a GPS and all the bells & whistles.  Mainly, because then I'll have to wear my glasses.  I kind of eyeball the hands of my old Timex that is falling apart and guesstimate how long time-wise I have run.  If I start using a fancy watch, then I'll obsess about minutiae.  I think what works for me is to find a pace that feels good and just keep doing it.  At least it worked this summer in preparation for the Fox Cities 1/2 marathon.  However, I wasn't trying to qualify for Boston.  So, I suppose I better suck it up and get the fancy watch.  Garmin has a purple version. :)  Maybe Santa Claus likes purple, too.

random ruminations

November has been treating us to some nice running weather.  It will end soon, but I keep trying to convince myself that I will wake up some morning in California or some other temperate - and less expensive - climate where I can run year round with minimal rain and some other sort of moisture in the air so my skin doesn't shrivel up like some sort of sun-dried tomato.  Since that is most likely not going to happen, I need to figure out how to keep myself motivated to get out there even when it is super crappy outside.  But, for today, I was happy to be able to run in shorts, t-shirt, arm-warmers, and gloves.  The gloves came off after a mile or so.

I was thinking at one point - the point where I was running on 28 facing the traffic (primarily trucks and soccer moms in SUVs and vans on their cell phones) - thinking that I needed to find some sort of focus for this blog, other than all about me.  Which is not to say, that my personal blog shouldn't be all about me.  But, if I just write about running and my creaking joints, that's not much fun to read - or write.

I asked myself why am I really running?  Is it to prove something to myself?  Yes and no.  I know I can do whatever I put my mind to, so that's a given.  But, the idea of qualifying for one of the premier marathons in the country is pretty good incentive.  Am I running from anything?  In a way.  Maybe I'm running from actually sitting down to finish writing my novel.  I can also use the running to distance myself from commitment.  Not that there is any imminent danger of me being committed (ha!) or making a commitment to someone.  But, a training regime - especially a daunting one - can certainly help create a bit of distance.  It also ensures that I have plenty of alone time since I do most of my running alone.

Then, I thought (this was a short run - just 35 minutes - but lots of fast thoughts) about my parents and their health issues.  None of which - knock wood - I have had or will have.  My dad had a triple bypass when he was 44.  I didn't really know him at all.  We didn't communicate for 30 years, so I really don't know alot about his health.  He eventually died a couple of months after a major stroke and heart attack a bit shy of turning 72.  My mom's health has been dicey since her left lung collapsed in 1969 and she almost died.  She is prone to pneumonia if she gets a cold - AND - she still smokes.  So, in a way, I'm running against the gene pool clock.

I am sure the combination of yoga and running will help strengthen me.  I'm not really so interested in a long life if it's not healthy.  As long as I can be spry mentally and physically, then it is worth living.  And, of course, if I have loving people in my life.

eager for tomorrow morning

I will be running in the Kettles with my friend, Chuck, tomorrow morning.  We will do the Parnell Tower loop twice and then up and down the tower 5 times.  It's going to be in the mid 50s eventually, but the morning should be pretty cool still.  Short sleeve shirt and arm warmers maybe?  It worked last time.  I will wear my gloves in case I wipe out again. 

I went to see The Way with my friend, Sue, tonight.  All in all, it was a pretty good movie.  But, what I found myself wondering was: wouldn't it be cool to run this route.  The Camino de Santiago - apparently a pretty famous pilgrimage trek.  I hadn't heard of it, but I suppose this movie will help boost interest in it.  Maybe I should wait a few years to think about running the Camino.

What I really need to think about is brushing my teeth and getting to bed so that I can enjoy my run tomorrow morning.

little lessons

Yesterday, when I started my run, I felt strong and fluid.  A friend I had not seen in a while was at the co-op in Falls and said 'hey' - so I stopped to talk with him for a few minutes.  That was mistake number 1, but actually it was mistake number 2.  We talked for a about 10 minutes and when I started back up, my muscles were a little creaky again.  Nothing like doing your first half mile twice in one run.  From now on, a wave will have to suffice.  Maybe a hug, but not 10 minutes of conversation.

The first mistake was not wearing my water belt.  I thought the drinking fountain (bubbler in Wisconsin-ese) along the Plank Road trail would be still operating.  NOT!  Ugh.  Never count on water.  Bring your own.

I don't like listening to music while I run.  Instead, I hash out old conversations, think up new ones, revisit recent events, try to map out my day, bring my thoughts back to my breath, notice the plants, focus on putting one foot in front of the other and ultimately just try to stay fluid.  If I notice myself leaning or taking short, rapid steps - I get back on track with my breath and footwork and everything flows more easily.  I must have been holding my left arm funny yesterday, because I was aware of the muscles at the sternum/clavicle joint.  I massaged them during one of the walk phases.  Much better.  I think having the anatomy training from massage school has helped.  I can pinpoint issues and work on them.  Of course, all the yoga certainly helps too. 

I mailed a training schedule and water belt to my sister-in-law, Julie.  She wants to run the 1/2 marathon with me in Dallas at the end of March.  I hope my brother, Pat, does it too.  That would be fun.  It would be great if Jake would train with me over the winter and also run it.  He was going to go running with some of his friends today after school, but he has baseball.  We'll get the whole dang family involved soon. 

Out to rake and enjoy the sunshine before some hillwork!