Traveling Tuesday?

Monday -
Snuck in a run on Monday.  Why is it I always feel better after the run?  I should really get my lazy ass up at 5 a.m. and go run before work, I'm so much more productive and with it after my a.m. run...  yeah, right, not gonna happen.  I like to run in the light.

3.7 miles, much of it into the wind, it was wonderful.  I felt a little freer and looser after Amy worked her magic on me.  Amazing, truly amazing.  I will never understand the people who run on the dreadmill...  really?  As I was getting back a couple guys were leaving, I wished them well, as I always do and said it was brilliant outside.  I should get used to the "she has three heads" look on their faces.  What is it with people out here or is it just the people who work where I work?  Whatever.

TRX was a full class and everyone was either tired or hungover so we were full of piss and vinegar, made for a fun class!

Tuesday -
NY was off the schedule for today.  I need to keep rested up for Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday. So today was a rest day and basically crazy with meetings / deadlines / appointments.  Vanity got the best of me and I scheduled a hair appointment,  I was scheduled to go the Tuesday I got back.  Hey, I'm meeting new people, I don't need to be all gray and shaggy, right?  Yeah yeah I'll be in a running skirt and race singlet for the most of it, but there is dinner the night before.

I had an eye appointment at the end of the day.  I get to keep my eyes, she did say she could make my distance vision better but I'd be in readers all the time, rather than in low light or when my eyes are tired.  I'll pass.  I can always turn around if I miss a street sign!  She did spot me a few extra right contact lenses so I'll have an even set.  Doc says, "You are a righty, rightys loose the left lens."  I replied "Remember I live in the old Conway house, I'm not normal."  We laugh.  Fun having an Eye Doc who grew up one street away from where you currently live.

My back started spasming in the morning.  I have a bestie with all sorts of back problems and I once asked her what a spasm felt like.  I am glad I did because I now know perhaps 1/10th of the pain she felt day after day for years on end.  I texted her when the pain got to the point it hurt to breathe.  She gave me some words of wisdom:  "Heat, light stretch, then ice." I told her that worked well and she quickly texted back "I forgot the most important part, Jack on ice in a glass".  LOVE her!

7 years ago Hubb and I started on a big remodel upgrade project, kitchen and bathroom.  All this was prompted by an incorrectly placed piece of flashing causing a leak.  In any event, all the plaster and lathing came out of the ancient bathroom and kitchen and they became new upgraded rooms.  During the tile work in the bathroom Hubb managed to get enough of the grout down the drain to clog it up.  He said, "Don't use the tub." So for the last 6 years there has been this deep soaking tub going unused because he said he needed to unclog it.  Nagging doesn't work, never has. For some unknown reason he decided to take a look at the tub drain and get it working.  The now ancient and dried grout and hair were easily removed and now the tub works.  My spasming back had a nice soak in some hot epsom salts and a nice bag of peas to ice it afterwards.  Wonder if I can get him to hang the mirror in the bathroom?  Yeah, don't push my luck.

I should be in fine shape to run tomorrow.  Quick chair massage with Amy and maybe she can get the rest of the spasm out of my back and I can put in another 3 or 4 miles.  I can only run 7 between Wed and Thur.  Wondering if I should even do that, but it feels so good, it is hard to resist the call of the endorphins.

Monday Run Stats:

Summary

Elevation Pace.  WHAT happened at mile #2?

Splits - Consistentish

Route

Sincerely
Beth, craving endorphins and a limber back

Catch Up On Odds and Ends Wednesday (Rest Day)

Rest Day!  Time to catch up on odds and ends and spend an evening at home, ahhhh....

Insoles:

I didn't report back on how the Superfeet Insoles worked for yesterdays run.  Yes, I did wear them for my 6 mile mid day run on Tuesday.  They felt a little stiff and weird at first, like anything new takes a bit of a trial period to figure out what is going on.  I totally forgot they were in my shoes before the end of the first mile.  At the end of the sixth mile I did remember they were in there mostly because my heel didn’t have any ache to it.  I did ice my heel after the run and will continue to sleep in my boot.  I do think this insert will help me manage the PF heel pain and guide my strides to be less focused on hitting on the heel first!  Not sure if this is a forever or a temporary thing.

This really doesn't have anything to do with the insoles, but most days I feel sort of stiff if I sit for too long.  Last night upon getting up from the high top table I 'needed a minute' to stretch everything out.  I usually do when I sit at my desk for long periods of time.  My friend said "When do you turn 50?"  I said "5 years" She said "You aren't OLD enough for that crap and besides, your in decent shape, what gives?"  Honestly I hae no idea.  Anyone else out there have any thoughts on this?

I may try spending a few hours a day standing instead of sitting at work.  I can raise up my workstation to work standing.  I know, doesn't that seem a little weird? It does seem weird to me.  Then again, running a marathon seems a little weird to people to. Weirdness is all relative.


Music:

A couple weeks back I put out a plea for sponsorship for the Marine Corps Marathon.  This will be my first marathon,  I am running with the Lung Cancer Alliances's Team Lung Love.  A little bit about the Lung Cancer Alliance, their mission is to provide support to Lung Cancer patients and their families, advocate for more government funding for Lung Cancer treatment and early diagnosis program.  While I do have a donation goal, I am also respectful if people don't or can't donate.  If they did want to support me, they could still support me by nominating songs for my running play list.  Of course the donors could also nominate songs. This was the latest batch of nominees:

“Express Yourself”  Madonna
“Jump Rope”  Blue October
“Hate Me” Blue October
“Get A Grip” Aerosmith
“American Pie”  Don McLean
“Saturday Night” Bay City Rollers
“Flashdance…What A Feeling”  Irene Cara
“I Wanna Be Sedated”  Ramones
“I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend” Ramones
“Praise You” Fatboy Slim
“Right Here, Right Now” Fatboy Slim
“Enter Sandman” Metallica
“Leave Out All The Rest” Linkin Park
“You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid”  The Offspring
“Working My Way Back To You Babe” Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
“We Will Rock You” Queen

No one is every voted off the play list unless I really can’t deal with it for whatever reason.  Just because “Mambo Number 5”  Lou Bega is on my list doesn’t mean absolutely ANYTHING goes, the fact “I’m Too Sexy”  Right Said Fred does, or so I’m told.

Anyhoodles a brief recap of getting used to some of the songs:

Aerosmith, I listened through the list at work and found I wasn’t a big fan of the song.  I was at my desk, and well the environment is fairly caustic, so consider the environment.  When Steven Tyler belched in my ear and told me to “Get a Grip” it was at the precisely right time during my Sunday long run, damn I love it when things work out like that, I was sold.  A long slow up-hill I had been dreading from the beginning of my run.  Don’t you hate it when you do that to yourself?  So I got a grip and got up that sloping long hill and was a better person for it.  Thank for getting me out of my own head for that span of time!

Fatboy Slim, oh good grief I had no idea who sung those song so when a friend said “Anything by Fatboy Slim”   actually she said “Anything by Fatman Slim”  220 221 whatever it takes.  I did the sneak peak listen on Amazon and went, wow, so cool I had no idea who ‘sung’ those songs.  I downloaded the whole album and may pick a couple more.  Awesome to run to, I can sing along and get lost in my head, beauteous!

Ramones, really Beth?  Why did you have no Ramones?  Perfect, for just pounding along and recalling a band from my youth that played a few Ramones covers their original 'melodies' were in that same style.

I’d of never added Madonna to my list, “Express Yourself” is perfect and was suggested because, my friend always does have a unique way of expressing herself and I can think of some of the crazy things we did together, way back when.

Hubb nominated "Working My Way Back to You Babe” while it is a little slow, it is always a reminder that eventually I will be back home.  Awww…

All the songs are appreciated and I think about the person who recommended them to me and just smile and run along lost in my thoughts, memories, or just taking in the beauty of my running routes.

Other:
I'm finally finishing a pair of socks I started knitting in February!  My goal was one pair a month for 2012.  Well that didn't happen.

Gus decided to experiment with 'free feeding' yesterday.  He ate too much, we aren't quite sure how much but he put a big dent in the food bag. We are switching foods so the 'new' food isn't in the container (with a screw top), and well he found the bag and nosed it open and had a ball.  Well, tonight at dinner he was not too hungry and a little scared of the food.  Hubb said he figured it out with the morning poop clean up.  There was A LOT of Gus poop... Poor guy.  We have the bag closed with a piece of granite on it to thwart further 'free feeding'.

Gus! 

Sincerely,
Beth, relaxing

What Happens at TRX Stays at TRX

I woke up and bounced out of bed.  Hubb said "Your pretty spry this a.m., not feeling any pain?"  I thought about it a minute and said "No, wow, my body must be getting used to this abuse." Hubb said "I do believe it is, congratulations for not hobbling!" It is the little things that sort of make you realize that while it is MONDAY, there is no reason to have "A case of the Mondays".

While my sleep was interrupted for about an hour insomnia or lord knows what, perhaps still a bit jacked from my accomplishment?  While Jack and Jim do assist me to get to sleep  they don't necessarily keep me asleep.   My girl Sage was there to be cuddled with and my asleep hubb held my hand as we both cuddled with our girl.  Sleepy time came back soon enough.  I love those little moments and I think hubb does too.

Mondays are TRX and the class start time moved up 30 minutes so it gave me some time to run a few errands.  One being getting a new headlight bulb.  If the parts store wasn't so busy I'd of asked the guy to 'help' me change it, unfortunately it was busy and I'll attempt this tomorrow, looks simple enough, famous last words.

A stop at the sporting goods store was in order.  I picked up a pair of Super Feet inserts, a fellow yogi said they were awesome and should help with my PF and give my arches some support.  What the heck.  I will try them on my next short run.  There weren't any interesting running clothes on the clearance rack so I only bought the inserts.

Of course I had packed my running gear along with my TRX gear.  It was such beautiful fall weather for a run, but I really should give my legs/hips/feet a break and let them rest.  Tomorrow! Tomorrow! Tomorrow! Plus, now, I have these new Super Feet things to try out.  My at work course is between 3 and 6 miles, I think I'll opt for the long route and see how it goes. As Scarlet says "Tomorrow is another day."

One thing discussed at TRX, I will share, was the Shades of Gray trilogy.  I could barely get through book 1, it was poorly written and same old same old with the S&M.  I like to get attached to my characters and felt like I'd never know why Christian was so f'd up.  Apparently you get to that towards the end of book 3.  I'll still pass.

TRX  from Centered Work Out Studios

Sincerely,

Beth, who is not in pain!

Sharing Meals and Discussions

A long time friend of Hubb is in for the long weekend.  They've been off catching up on what is going on in their lives and I've had a bit of a chance to chit chat with him.  We all went out to dinner last night.  Late, like we didn't eat until after 8.  I was tired from my run yesterday and both guys agreed I looked exhausted, thanks guys.  So they let me lead the conversation.  Nice, the tired girl gets to babble...

Sage - Running

So we talked about running, or rather I talked, they listened and offered some opinions on things that have been bugging me.

A few months back in a locally written publication on running "Level Renner"  (yeah, take a minute and study the title, see what it is?  nifty eh?)  SO anyhow it is about old school running in New England and the writers write on the talent in the area and there are a few opinion pieces.  I find it interesting and inspiring and one article just ticked me off (read: made me think) I just had to talk about it. The article in Issue 8 July/Aug 2012 ( Page 22 "Taking the Race out of the Run" article).

Gizmo and Sage - Running

I want to be PERFECTLY clear I have total respect for the Level Renner magazine, the publisher, the contributors, and the articles.  They are well written, insightful, helpful, and inspiring.  What I love about other people's opinions, even if they irk me, is the simple fact they make me think.  Something or someone that can get me into the "whys" of my own thought process and belief process is freaking AWESOME.

Diesel and Gizmo - Running

The article in a nut shell was on how finisher medals are ruining the sport of running, that there has to be a winner and not everyone can be the winner, so why does everyone get a medal?  EJN makes fair points on the medal upping the cost of the race.  He notes, he doesn't disdain the finisher medal as it represents the time he took to train for the race.  He also makes a not so nice points about 'tourists' in races which is what I think I zeroed in on.  As I look at my bulletin board with all of my race bibs, and my three finisher medals pinned to it (my race bibs all have the time, date, race name on them - can we say geek?) I wonder, what difference does the finisher medal make?  To me, not a bit of difference.  What difference does the finisher medal make to someone else?  Well my conversation with Deb yesterday sussed that one out.  Remember Deb, the woman I met up with on my run back to Watch Hill?  The cancer survivor?  She said that there was such a thrill when she finished the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon and they put that medal around her neck.  To her it signified (eeriely similar to EJN) what she had accomplished.  She a cancer survivor, completed a 1/2 marathon and was given a medal by a princess.  This, my dear reader, nearly brought me to tears when I was running.

Jax - Running

So fast forward to pizza out with the boys last night and my blathering on about running and this subject of finisher medals came up and this article and my insecurity over runners who are faster than me thinking I'm not a real runner or worthy of running the same races as them.  Well, really, there are qualification only races out there  Boston Marathon, Gansett Marathon, to name two local to me.  So anyhoodles, both Hubb and his friend said that there are 'wackjobs in every passion' Hubb runs into them with his business, with his latest hobby of RC planes, his friend runs into it with furniture making and with wood carving.  In the span of 90 seconds these guys made me feel a lot less like a 'tourist' and more like a real competitor.  So yes, I have a passion for running, and no matter what the 'wackjobs' opinions are I belong and shouldn't feel insecure.  Thanks guys!

Gus - Running

Today was a long past due brunch with two gal pals.  We met at a swanky resort on the Long Island sound and had brunch and chatted for the better part of three hours.  I also got to deliver some Vernors to one friend and had both of them tell me if my feet looked fat in these new shoes.  My feet did not look fat in the shoes and they were both wicked jealous of the shoes.  Yes, guys, feet can look fat in shoes.  There was no "Margaret Thatcher" going on with my pretty red patent Joan & Davids with a cute bow on the toe box.  Guess which shoes I'm wearing on Tuesday!

Diesel - Running

One of the things we chatted about was my run with Deb yesterday.  I run by myself, I train by myself, this is a very singular inwardly focused thing for me.  Part of my running insecurity is why I don't tend to run with people, and I am just not used to being with people when I do things.  My passions have all been very single user focused, knitting, yoga, reading, see not really a group activity sort of thing... Although each lends it self to have some group components, but not a mandatory thing to be in a group.  Anyhow, I griped a bit about not really wanting to run WITH someone, but yet I found the conversation refreshing and it didn't bother me, but still I was having a lousy run and wasn't sure I wanted to run with someone.  Both my gals agreed that she just plopped into the middle of my "me time" it was OK for me to wave her off when I did, and either one of them would have waved her off sooner.  I do think she is very much accustomed to running with someone, as she belongs to a running club and goes to 'track practice' while I run on my own and run hills and do speed work on my own (which apparently takes discipline, who knew? it was on my schedule so I do it, I didn't think I had a choice).  Again, in the span of 90 seconds my feelings were justified, perhaps validated is the better word?

Jax and Gus - Running

It truly is amazing what the ability to just talk through something with someone or two someones who know you and what makes you tick brings such clarity to a situation.  It is OK to feel the way I feel.  I never want to harm or hurt anyone, and there is this ever present fear of disappointing someone or hurting their feelings that compels me to, well, not just say or do what I want.  Interestingly enough, in the end, like with Deb, I really learned something and got to meet a really inspiring and wonderful person.  Had I just said "Hey, not in the mood." I probably would have kicked myself for being mean and self centered.  Instead, I did learn something about someone else and about myself.  Or is this the optimist in me making silk out of a sows ear?

Sage - Running

Sincerely,
Beth, who's dogs have taught her sometimes it is fun to run alone, and sometimes it is fun to run with someone.

Restful Saturday

My agenda today was rest.  The activities making up 'rest': Laundry 6 loads, full change out of bedding, cleaning bathrooms, watching a movie, and catching up on blog reading.  I do feel rested, and I am wicked ancy to run run run tomorrow a.m.

One of my girlfriends asked how on earth two people generate THAT much laundry in a week.  Well it is a bit more than a weeks worth, plus two extra sets of sheets (company coming the next two weekends), a quilt and we seemed to go through extra towels this week. I don't know how people with families do it. Laundry is done daily?

I watched First Knight, yes, yes, I am decades behind in movie watching.  Nothing ever seems good so I wait for recommendations, this one was recommended this week.  Definitely on the re-watch list.  Although it seemed like they edited out parts and then referred to them later so that was a bit annoying.  If you know the story it flows, but if you don't it may be hard to get from one place to the next.   Plus spending a few hours with Richard Gere and Sean Connery is never a bad thing!

Caught up on Running Blogs.  It is so nice to read about other people running and their thoughts and challenges.  http://www.runprettyfar.com/blog/ Run Pretty Far is one I enjoy for her commentary and her music recommendations.  Sometimes it feels like Jenn is in my head.  I aim for her level of endurance. She is a mother runner.  I'm a non-mother runner, I guess?  We do have four dogs and I have a full time job so maybe that puts me up near the 'mother runner' level.  My time is limited too!!

Tomorrows run will be the same route from last Sunday.  That was a nice route, and I can add on more miles to up it to 17 if I'm feeling up to it.  Read: if my knees don't crap out like last time.  Since I didn't walk 8 miles to day I think they have a fighting chance!  Wonder if Mr. Gray Truck will be out there cheering me on??

Hubb should be home shortly, oh yes, I did get to spend the day alone, just me my rest activities and the four dogs, it was lovely.  I am sure enjoyed his time out of the house as much as I enjoyed my house time.  Yep, I have the perfect spouse and perfect marriage for me!

Sincerely,
Beth, well rested and raring to go!

Baby Shower

My week is all bass-ackwards.  Tuesday I was in CT.  Thursday in NY.  Today I thought it was Wednesday when I got up. Then realized it was Friday and mammogram day.  Yeah.  Oh yeah and a baby shower, that is a real Yeah!

I've been getting mammograms since I was 35, as my grandmother had breast cancer young and I frankly am of the school it isn't "if" it is "where".  What ever testing and screening I can get I get.    Mammography has changed a lot in the last 10 years.  From the film machines to these digital machines and now they are asking a few questions beforehand.  I am not sure if they are to collect statistics or why.  I should have asked.  They were when did you start menstruation, how many pregnancies, how many live births.  I thought that was all very interesting as there are statistics on breast cancer cases and those three questions.  I'll watch this space. The process is the process, our radiologists are wonderful and I have never had a bad experience with any of the radiology services.  I like the digital because the radiologist can review the images and determine immediately if something needs to be re-shot.  As usual I have a couple that need to be retaken.  I am happy to have it done then rather than getting that phone call "We need you to come back in." No matter WHAT they say, it sets off alarm bells.

The baby shower was wonderful.  My diaper cake was a big hit.  I had thought I was the only person to not know what one was I was surprised to learn that the women at the shower had never heard of one either. Didn't I feel special?

The hostess put on a lovely party and several of us stayed until the early hours of the evening.  Her youngest son came home and we chatted with him a bit before he went off to spend the evening with his girlfriend/fiancee and we got all the dish on that.  Seriously we need to find him a suitable girl, he is a sweet stand up guy who deserves better.  Her husband came home an hour or so later, he had a few beers with us and we had a good time talking about the difference in people from New England and not from New England.

I missed yoga, which sucks.  And it is my own fault for not paying close enough attention to the time.  I was having a good time and it was nice to hang out with the women.  I didn't really care for the discussions on child birth and wasn't at all interested in feeling the baby move.  *shudder*

Tomorrow is a rest day and Sunday will be the 15 - 17 mile run take II.  I am psyched for it!!

Sincerely,
Beth who socialized with actual people today.

The Road Less Traveled

Today's run was 15 - 17 miles.  I had it mapped out, with the alternatives to extend to 17 if I felt like I could handle it, and ready to go!  Loaded up my Fuel Belt with water, GU, and money (so I could buy more water along the route I mapped out).

The actual route, 14.2 miles

Like every good plan there are contingencies you just aren't prepared for, and just hope for the best. I am so grateful for the folks at Greenhaven Marina, well more grateful for their porta potty.  One of the things I was very happy to see on my training run today.   And looky you can even see the little line off the course where said porta potty is located. Tee hee.

This was the second time I noticed the guy in the gray pick up truck, he beeped softly and stuck his hand out the window with a thumbs up.  Damn that made me smile.  My more paranoid friends would probably go into stalker alert mode.  I was happy for the positive affirmation.

The next off the beaten path was The Road Less Traveled, not maintained by the town, not really sure what to expect, but I figured the three miles out and back would be worth it!

Nice and shady, so far so good, little bit of a hill, not bad.   The sights I saw took me away to different times, and one well, just was disturbing.

My Father needs one of these!!

There was also a little cabin just past this sign.  Interesting little place, very neat and tidy, not at all Ted Kaczynski style. But I sorta thought I heard some banjo music.

This was a bit weird.  I know, how does a tree stump and a sign weird me out?  I think it was the glowing eyes, they caught just a hint of sunlight peeking through the trees...  Congratulations to Tom and Laura for what ever they accomplished!

Then I started seeing what I expected to see, nice houses, really nice houses, cobble stone driveways, and expensive cars.  Less than a dozen of these houses. What a view.

The view, Stonington Borough in the background

And it was back up the 1.5 miles to the main road.   A mile or so in to the same old same old, then the gray truck drove by again!  WOOT! Another THUMBS UP!!! Oh you paranoid people, settle down.  He is probably a runner too!!

My path took me straight rather than my usual right to head back home.  Uncharted territory again.  30 MPH seems to be a suggestion on the roads, as do Stop signs.  I take it all with a grain of salt.  What I didn't remember from driving this route were the hills.  Well more the big down hill.  My knees did not like that.  I think they were tired from walking yesterday?  I've never had both of them hurt so much.  After mile 11 the walking (well a little hobbling) started. Mile 12 was the gas station I thought was closer appeared.  Some Chocolate Milk and Gatorade.  Why, yes, I do have a strong stomach!  And had I been running it would have seemed closer!!

Elevation Chart

Had a nice chat with a lady advertising for her tag sale.  She asked how I liked the Fuel Belt and I gave her the pros and cons.  She has been running with a bottle on a waist pack.  She ditched the hand held a while ago, it gave her neck problems too.  Hmmmm... I wished her well on her tag sale and she wished me well on my training and on I went.

I was never to happy to see this f-cked up intersection, ever.  Crossing it in a vehicle is tough.  It is a usual 4 way intersection, however you have the added bonus of a rail road bridge pylon turning it into a nightmare for anyone turning left in any direction.  I hobbled across knowing I was nearly home, just one long hill to climb.  Fortunately going up is way easier than going down!

So what did I learn:

1. A mile walked is way longer than a mile run
2. What I thought was a convenience store is actually a bar
3. A rest day pre-long run is important
4. The road less traveled should be taken, everyone needs to see new sights

The gray pick up never appeared again.  Wonder if I will see him for next Sunday's long run? I do so love the drive by cheers!!!

My splits, if your interested.  I think I'm getting slower...

Sincerely, 

Beth enjoying icing and writing this entry.  

Tuesday Rest Day

It is Tuesday so Beth must be in NYC.  Yep.  Strangely enough my CT based co-workers were all in NY and most of my NY based co-workers worked from home.  So it was a bit of a strange day.

Hubb asked if I had any of my usual social commitments, I think he thinks he is wise to my drinking a couple drinks with a NY based colleague.  Either in a bar on or on the train depends on which colleague...  no harm in that, right?

Today is a rest day, I am feeling a little bit of soreness from TRX, so yeah!  My calf needs a bit of work with "the stick" and I am ready for 4 miles tomorrow and hill work on Thursday!

Sincerely, 

Beth enjoying her rest day

WAH

WAH = Work At Home.  Not a bad way to start the work week.  Granted this did not involve sleeping in, it just involved not wearing shoes.  Hubb took his nephews to an amusement park for the day and will bring them back here to spend a few days with their Uncle and Aunt.  Well their Uncle, Auntie Beth works a lot.

Monday was productive, top secret work project seems to be going smoothly, finally, despite the consultants ever present attempts to de-rail us!  I am working on a filing also going well.  The second time I've had to do this for an attorney and while she is a nervous nelly about the whole thing it is going far better than I could have imagined considering we are in prime vacation time at place of employment.

I didn't run.  I didn't go to yoga.  I rolled my foot on ice and a tennis ball and stretched.  I am seriously worried about this PF as well as the Susan G Komen 60 mile walk this Fri - Sun.  I doubt I am anywhere seriously close to a sidelining injury however I just really don't like to be in pain and constant fear of pain.  So there you have it.  Whimp?  Maybe...  Better safe than sorry is what I am going for.  I can do the miles, I know this, physically and mentally. The pain on Saturday was sharp and piercing, and scary.

I worked, did laundry, messed around with the dogs, and mowed the lawn.  So much for a stellar training plan, you know what, I'm OK with this and I don't feel like I am making excuses.  Everything is making me cry so I'm ultra sensitive to pain at the moment.

Yeah, does sound like I am trying to justify.

I took myself out for a little drive to see this, beautiful, hopeful, and amazing.

Buttonwood Farms, Griswold, CT

Sincerely,
Sunny Beth

Grouchy Sunday

When I don't run I'm grouchy.  When my left foot hurts I'm grouchy. When I have a pile of things to do and looming deadlines I'm grouchy.  So I'm grouchy this Sunday.  However I am productive mostly because if Hubb and I cross paths I'll be grouchy at him when he doesn't deserve it.

Have you any idea how difficult it is to find a grouchy looking Oscar the Grouch?  WTF...

A little Paul Whiteman and Orchestra playing in the background and several of my piling up to dos are done.  What is it about Jazz or even music in general that soothes the savage beast?  Savage beast meaning me in this instance.  It was a lovely few hours with Paul and sorting through my piles of stuff.  I swear my husband and I are junior hoarders.

Speaking of music, again with the iPod shuffle and the earphones (different pair) crapping out on me.  Now that they are dry they work just fine.  I seriously have to figure this one out.  Do I bite the bullet and get a new iPod shuffle where the volume control is on the unit?  Try several more pair of sweat proof ear buds? Or what?  Or do I just learn to run sans music?  Probably not a decision to make while I am grouchy, eh?

I need to remember why I took a rest day today.  I want to run Marine Corps, I don't want to make my left foot's PF any worse. I will get to run tomorrow and it will be awesome! I am NOT behind on the minimum number of miles I needed to do for this week!

Sincerely,
Beth the Grouch

Big Butts and 'The Soundtrack to My Life"

Today started with a song in my head, this isn't unusual, my brain is wired very strangely.  Times past it has been something sedate like Jimmy Buffets "Cheeseburger in Paradise" maybe a little George Thorogood "I Drink Alone".  This morning was Sir Mix-A-Lot "Baby Got Back" could be a combination of this song being on my running play list and I've been thinking about a promise a friend aka "Sir GIS A-Lot" made to me to run a 1/2 marathon with me and he seems to have welshed on this promise, disappeared off the face of the earth.  Knock Knock you out there?  I may start running by your house if you don't answer!

Fortunately the miracle of Facebook I could post this as my status and a friend, Thank You Amy, helped me along getting the lyrics out of my system.  I think I am nearly depleted of this song running through my head.

Once up on a time my husband's banjo playing was, as my brother who lived with him for a few years dubbed it, the 'soundtrack to my life'.  I have to admit that I do miss that banjo playing, on occasion.  See, my brain is wired weird.  Hubb recalls me not liking this 'soundtrack to my life' I think that is only because he once decided to 'serenade' me while I was on a phone interview.  Ever try and remain calm and focused on a telephone pre-screen interview? well imagine it with a banjo being played in the next room.  Fortunately I passed the pre-screen and the interview and got the job.  A job actually that changed our lives.

This is a declared rest day, I travel to NYC to meet with my boss, the project leader, and several other people.  Today was actually quite stellar, of the 58 open issues we resolved 23!  Getting the project leader to actually focus on issues is close to impossible.  My boss and I devised a plan to get her to focus and quickly ticked off our action item list.  Essentially easy stuff to get an answer to, the problem is getting the project leader to actually focus on the actual question we need answered instead of the millions of questions floating around in her brilliant all-be-it scattered mind.

While it is a long day, starting at 5 a.m. and not getting home till nearly 10 p.m., it is always worth it both professionally to spend time with my boss and my project teams and personally as I meet up with friends who work in or are visiting NYC, this ALWAYS makes the day even better!

No work out stats to record for today, I walked a few blocks in heels and did a few flights of stairs in heels.

Thinking trail run with my 'dirty girl gaiters' is on tap for tomorrow!  WOOT!!

The Day Went To The Dogs

Well the whole 10 mile walk went out the window.  Feh, I moved a lot today, I'm OK with that.

• pick up my race bib for Blessing of the Fleet on Friday;
• visit with the hubb and his buddies at their outing;
• take the old fogies to the park for a stroll; and
• meet up with the hubb at 5 at 'the field' to let the young ones run their fuzzy butts off.

I also attempted to get in some reading and Words With Friends, I couldn't possibly have any non-Beth activities...

My toenail did officially turn black!  I had to remove the pink polish to prove this.

Wonder if I'll loose another nail during this race?

Gorgeous day at the South County Balloon Festival where the hubb's RC club and several others were flying planes.

The speck is hubb's autogiro

The idiots scrubbing off some energy at 'the field'.

Jax and Gus

Tomorrow 13 on tap, so looking forward to it and using the 'fuel belt'.

WTF... Wednesday Thursday Friday, What Were YOU Thinking?

So we last left off after the Anywhere 5K and my first training walk for SGK...  That leaves Monday, Tuesday, and today...

To recap last week:  Running:  27 miles  Walking: 6 miles.  I am a little under my weekly mileage, but hey my weekly mileage is aggressive and it is freaking hot and humid (fact not an excuse).

Monday is TRX and a 3 mile run.  I enjoy TRX, eventually I will get the roll over plank with my feet in the straps.  Monday was not the day for this, so feet on the floor, and I managed for the full 30 seconds, 2x on both sides, that is a LONG freaking time! I didn't feel the muscle soreness I had felt in the past weeks, so it is time to step it up a little bit, I suppose.  Because of the heat and my absolute paranoia about passing out I didn't run till after TRX.  Took my happy little feet down to the ocean to run Quonnie.  Cute cute cute little beach, easy 3 miles at low tide.  Well it was high tide.  Kinda hard to tell from this picture of the Weekapaug Breechway how freaking high the tide was.  Still in all it is a pretty picture.

High Tide Weekapaug Breechway 

The sand was soft soft soft, the breeze was off the land so warm warm warm, but hey, it was the beach and I could run through the surf, and I did, and I loved it.  At the end I just stood in the surf letting it splash me.  I really should have taken off my shirt and dove in, it was just me and a guy who rode to the beach on his bicycle who jumped in and then sat at the bench at the top of the dune to take in the awesomeness of the Atlantic Ocean.  Next time I won't be so shy, my sports bra isn't revealing and if I am ever going to do a tri-athalon I need to get over my fear of the water!!

Tuesday was my New York day and a rest day.  Up at 5 a.m. and home by 10 p.m.  L.O.N.G. day.  I did get to see one of my gal pals and that makes the day A-OK!

Today, Wednesday, Hump Day, the beginning of WTF...  3 miles are on the schedule, remember I swapped my Thursday short run for the Wednesday long run.  So far this is working out well.  I am a little tired, and a teensy bit crabby on Wednesday so 3 miles is good.  I ran them after I got home from a very long and productive and rewarding work day.  Yeah, I'm one of those people who actually LIKES their job and LOVES their boss and and works with GREAT people.  We are one in a bajillion, we do exist!!!  3 miles around my neighborhood is hills and more hills, good thing I like hills!  The first 1/2 a mile wasn't as rough.  I tried something new.  Coach Julia said she walks the first 2 or 3 minutes and then runs.  I did this, and it actually did help that first massive uphill I need to do!  I can reset my Garmin to make that first bit of walking a lap and then I can accurately clock my slow as molasses in January pace in the heat and humidity.

Wednesday is also when I see Amy for a chair massage.  She always makes me feel like a rock star, and I love it!  I've been having problems with tight back and neck muscles for years, when she first started working on me 4 years ago, when I came to her unable to turn my head from side to side, she said it was like dealing with cement.  Eventually all the solidified fascia and muscle started to give way and the muscle memory went to a place of relaxing and letting her get her wonderfully pointy elbows in and break up more of the cemented together muscle tissue.   So I love my nearly weekly 20 or 40 minutes of Amy time.  My left trap has been tight, to the point of "standing at attention" as Amy calls it. I was worried it was the water bottle I carry when I run, and maybe it is, but she said and I noticed, that it was much more relaxed and my left shoulder wasn't trying to 'kiss my ear'.   Perhaps it was a bit of stress from the 1/2 on Saturday?

I did use the water belt on Sunday, for the 3 mile run and 6 mile walk.  I liked it.  I do need to run more than 3 miles with it to really get a good feel for it.  As a runner co-worker said about the belt, he likes it because it feels like it gives his lower back some support.  I don't know if I noticed that or not.  Possibly...

I will leave you with a picture of Gus, he turned 5 on Monday, we celebrated with some carrot cake all around, we all LOVED it!!  He is a handsome guy.  A rescue, I can't imagine our life without him.  It isn't easy to rescue a dog, challenging for both, most rescues have been abused in some way or another and they need to learn to trust humans again.  The first 3 - 6 months is an adjustment period, for every one.   Us figuring the dog out the dog figuring us out, everyone figuring where everyone else fits in the pack.  He is loved and he knows it and he loves us back.  Although I only think he loves me the most in the morning because when I get out of bed he jumps right into my spot, nestles his head on the pillow and falls back to sleep, awwwww.....

Gus at Quonnie, on the Quonnie Breachway

Monday and Tuesday are a Wrap

Mondays schedule was a 3 mile run and an hour TRX class.  Tuesday is a rest day.


I ALMOST managed the plank curls in TRX.  I did a couple and then ‘cheated’ through the range of the rest of the 30 seconds.  On both sides.  Hey, two weeks ago I didn’t even have my feet in the straps, so phooey… All in all, I love this TRX stuff, you are using your own body weight and leverage, it is very cool.  I can feel a little bit of a difference three weeks in, I expect there will be more changes as I get better and continue.  Saw a little bit of a triceps popping out in the mirror this a.m. OH yeah, I’m bad ass!  HA!


I ran before TRX class not sure if that was wise or not.  It wasn’t wise, or make that fun, to run without water. I know I know, it is 3 miles Beth, you can’t run for 30 minutes without water? You wuss.  Well, actually not at the moment I can't (or maybe won't). It may be like a pacifier for me, my big water bottle with the pink strap?  I’m claiming I needed the water due to the heat and the fact it was after 4 in the afternoon when I am tired.  So I’m just going to run with my water.  I don’t think it is a bad thing although I do worry I maybe over hydrating.  What are the signs of over hydration?  Anyone?  Buller? 


Tuesdays I am in the city, New York, that is, tourists, crazy cabbies.  There are days you can put shoes and a nice dress on me and no one would ever know I used to run around barefoot on a farm for the first 20 some years of my life…  other days, well I may be a featured DON’T in the “DO’s and DON’Ts” in the back of Glamour Magazine.  Today was not one of those days, pshew.  Thankfully a girlfriend shops with me and pulls together outfits.   What was particularly challenging was getting out of bed and staying awake.  I may have mentioned I slept in till nearly noon on Sunday, then ran at night, before bed, I was a little sleepy Monday and arrived home with the intention of going to bed by 9:30.  Well, once I got home to the chaos and confusion of four dogs and hubb who was busy working on a new project and had lots to show me my energy level zipped through the roof.  Or it was the box of Whoppers I ate in the car on the drive home?  We may never know.  So this, my declared rest day, I am grateful for.  I may take a mile or so walk at lunch, depending on which shoes I wore, but generally it is a sit on my butt and think day.  Oh yeah and eat, what is it with sitting around and the urge to cram food in the mouth?  Crazy. 



Seemed like everything in the city was overly Air Conditioned.  I wish I had a parka from one of these holiday tourists!  Grand Central Terminal is beautiful, no matter what time of year.

My boss is always astounded that I make it into Manhattan before her, I have a 3 hour commute and she has a 30 minute commute.  She walks in and shakes her head, how do you manage to be in here by 8:30, do you sleep?  I got lucky this a.m. and got on a train 13 minutes earlier than my usual train…  Have to say it is nice and quiet until about 9:30 when the rest of the office arrives.  I do manage to get a few things done.  I am sure she is home well before me, that 6:29 train isn't too terrible, it is the not actually arriving home until 9:30.  Fortunately I have a good audio book for the 60 minute drive from the train station to home and Facebook to entertain me on the train.

So this catches me up for the week.  Ah, I knew the rest day would come in handy for something!

And to my friend who said "What do you mean you don't have to run? Shouldn't that be I don't get to run?"  Point taken, noted, and believe me I do enjoy a day not running, it makes the next run so much more delightful!

Rest Day Take II

Yeah yeah, 5 miles were on the schedule.  I didn't do 'em.  I did:

• read several books
• stretch, stretch, stretch
• get to the bottom of the snail mail, who knew my co-pay went up $5
• get to one screen of eMail, crap my corporate card payment may be late
• take my hubb out to lunch
• go grocery shopping

So there, it was an action packed productive day.  I will say my PF feels much better and I will be ready to hit the asphalt tomorrow!  Rest is not the enemy, rest is necessary.  Although my streaker of a BIL would most likely disagree with me.  I have no idea how he does it.  A minimum of 5K a day and he is probably way faster than my 10 min/mile pace.  Yeah I should translate that all to either English or Metric, I'm not going to...  you do the math.  It is 30 minutes of running, phttt...

Currently the boy pups are freaked out by the fireworks and the girl pup is annoyed with them for being freaked out.  Growing up in BFE afforded us the luxury of truck loads of 'shoots flaming balls' smuggled over the state line to shoot off in our back yard, which was 1/2 mile or more from anyone's back yard / barn / house.  We live in a teeny tiny cramped area, houses on top of houses, lovely old New England town, don't get me wrong.  Just not the place for 'shoots flaming balls' to be going off in a back yard where you are feet from your neighbors.

One of my neighbors threatened to run down the street yelling "The British are coming the British are coming."  That would have been great!

Happy Independence Day!

Rest Day!

Today was a rest day on the schedule!  I needed it.  After being up until 2 a.m., who knows why, I think I spend too much time on the computer or something, or the book I am reading is just fascinating I don't want to put it down?

In any event I struggled getting up.  Gus, dog #3 decided he wanted to snuggle between the hubb and I.  So he did.  It is hard to resist cuddling up with one of our pups between us, that is my excuse and I am sticking to it!  Eventually I did get up and Gus got what he really wanted, to stare in the the mirror in my room and then curl up in my spot once I got in the shower.  He is a very schedule/process oriented dog.  They all are really.

I called it quits about 2:30 at work and headed home the scenic route with designs on taking a short nap, then taking the elder two dogs to the park and maybe mowing the lawn.  I slept until 6.  And really haven't accomplished much since then.  Oh well... it IS a rest day after all!

Fireworks in the neighborhood are sporadic.  The three boys are besides themselves, while Sage, our girl just looks up with this mystified look on her face with a what are you three going on about expression.  Love her!