Monday Monday, so good to me

Met up with someone I worked with years ago in the parking lot.  I was so happy when she didn't say "Ugh, it is Monday." She simply said "A brand new week, what sort of trouble are YOU up to Beth?"  I replied that I hadn't quite decided but she looked like she had something planned.  The answer was something along the lines of "Muwahaaaaaaa".  Atta girl!!

Yesterday I did a little experimental run, then went back with the elder pup to do some exploratory hiking.  I was poking around on AllTrails a few months back, and found that there was a way to get to a local wildlife management area that wouldn't require a slightly scary section of road or a down right nerve wracking section of road.  I figured I'd log about 9 miles, out and back. Pretty darn close, figuring the GPS gets a little lost under cover of trees.

It was nice to see some of the same drivers and I was SO grateful NorthWest marina was open, and despite the members only sign on the rest rooms (real ones, NOT a porta potty) I used them and cursed the antibiotics I was taking for this blasted inner-ear infection causing my vertigo.  Which, by the way, I did not wake up with on Sunday morning (or this morning, whoop!).  So maybe I should just be glad all that is over.  The guy in the gray truck giving me the thumbs up, the dirty looks by other drivers, the bikers nodding or speaking greetings of good morning.  What a freaking beautiful morning.  

There were a bazillion swans along the Pawcatuck River, ok maybe more like 30.  I was happy they were down a steep hill and across the road.  They are so beautiful and so mean...

The white specs are the swans - a nice distance away and still observable!

A deviation from my normal Mechanic/River/Greenhaven/Mary Hall short loop and a right on Mary Hall, couple more walkers, a runner, and the guy that lifts weights and walks.  Across Greenhaven to see what this road, Stewart, held in store.  Would I actually be able to get to Barn Island?  

Passed some nice houses a big farm with a huge steer in the front yard, munching grass, doing his steer thing. This made me think of a friend back where I grew up, and her sons steer, Ernesto.  I wondered about Ernesto, but, well, he met his purpose.  Then the road narrowed and a couple out in their front garden waving hello.  Awww, nice!  Then there it was the end of the road, and a little trail. Whoop!

Ernesto and his duck friends!

I ran down about a half mile and there were three men running towards me, oh this is good they must be coming from where my ultimate destination is...  After passing through a really nice gate and finding the graveyard I remembered from other ventures out to Barn Island years ago I turned around.  Sort of expecting to run into these three men again.  When I got to the trail head, there they were, trying to figure out how far it was back to the dock.  I figured it was about 2 miles and they agreed, they'd been running not quite a half an hour.  We chit chatted about the trail, one commented on the mud, I just grinned and said, "That is the best part." One of the guys grinned too.  Some people love mud some people don't, to each their own!

Gate of some sort (and Gizzy) 

And back out the way I came.  By the time I got back across the RI border I was in the usual debate with myself about running up, ok slogging, the pace was slow even for me! So slogging the three blocks up the hill to home.  If there was a "WALK" sign at the cross walk I'd walk it.   If there wasn't I'd run it.  That light rarely ever shows WALK unless someone presses the damn button....  I got a nice breather and slogged up the hill, with just a bit more kick in my step because I knew it was less than a 1/2 mile to home.

Did the usual Sunday lunch with Hubb, he was wiped from riding Arcadia but still packed up and went out to the RC plane field to hang out with the guys.  I took a little nap and then packed up the elder pup to explore down this trail a little more.

Arriving at the trail a car pulled up behind me.  I did see the "No Parking" sign and thought, oh crap.  The man didn't seem to think anything of it and didn't want to block me in.  I assured him I'd be fine and Gizmo and I took off down the trail.  As I'm telling Hubb this tale, over dinner, he asks if I carry pepper spray.  I look at him quizzically and say, no, should I?  He says, well you've just told me you've run into 4 men you don't know in a desolate area, don't you think there could be a problem?  Huh.... Actually, I hadn't considered that....  Anyone else get the heebegeebes?  Do you carry pepper spray?  Is that even legal to purchase?

Gizzy and I hiked about 3 miles, in for 1.5 and back out the way we came.  I figured this would give me enough information on Strava and a Boy Scout Trail map to see where I was and what other trails I could get to.  I see plenty of options to add in this nice shady (other than the stretch along the marsh) out and back loop!  There are lots of un-marked trails in there, I was cautioned by Mike C.  So I better stick to the two track trails and possibly the fire road.



My at run work was thwarted by forgetting a sports bra.  Damn it.  I've done this more than a couple times and thought I had a process, apparently I do not...  I did have 5 pair of socks and the gal I ran into in the locker room said we could probably fashion something, but we both agreed that would be not such a good idea. Um yeah...

Tonight's TRX was cancelled.  Funeral for someone taken far to young with brain cancer... RIP Dan condolences. I did take the opportunity to hook up my rig.  Took quite a few tries in different doors to find the right spot. Ended up in the basement using a door for Hubbs shop.   The youngest member of the pack, Jax, thought all of this was great fun and wanted to lick my face or bite at the straps.  First, I know what you've most likely been licking and ewww.  Second, stop, please....  he eventually just decided to start barking at me, silly boy!!!  Ah well, he had fun and I got done what I needed to.

Sincerely,
Beth, "I solemnly swear I am up to no good."

"Your Fire is Back"

After an interesting conference call my work hubb says "Beth you've got your spark back, atta girl." I've been a bit out of it, not quite mopey just not me since I got back from the Marathon.  Post Marathon Depression, it really is a real thing.  All that build up that HUGE serotonin release the high, oh that high.  I floated on that high for a week.   Note: I sit in an open floor plan in a tri desk the three of us in a small space all facing in.  You don't hide much of anything from anyone in that situation.    Tim was great about talking me off the ledge for my pre race stress and poking me appropriately to get my fire back.  You can't ask for a better friend, hence my 'work hubb'.

After lunch I went on a quick 5K run around the block and felt even better, got a little spring back in my step as some would say.  Hmmm... maybe the brain chemicals have reached a level of homeostasis?  I knew I should have doubled up on the Zoloft for the week after...  Ran in to a fellow runner, just back from 10 miles.  We compared race results over the weekend and talked about the post marathon depression, seriously people, this is a REAL thing, I'm NOT making it up!!!

TRX was tonight, just two of us and the instructor.  Lots of talk about cancer and who has what and who just died from what. The things we gals talk about.  Then we got on the subject of generators.  I am the only one lacking a generator.  Lots of talk about wattage and how to wire it and turn it on and off and well, totally not girly conversations of TRX classes past.  Hey whaddya want, we just dealt with a Hurricane and a Nor'Easter out here in New England whaddaya think we are going to talk about?

A friend of mine announced he has signed up for his first 1/2 marathon!  I'm so proud.  He has been running for a while and having a goal for 13.1 in April 2013 is awesome!!  So proud!!

So yeah, my fire is back, I am feeling more like my feisty self, bring it!

Sincerely,
Beth, is back, back again....

Scolding

My BIL called last night and after talking to his brother for a while wanted to chat with me.  Sure, love chatting with my favorite BIL.  Oh boy he was NOT pleased with my race yesterday.  To run hard three weeks out from a marathon, what kockamamey plan was I following.  I assured him I had two 20 mile runs under my belt and all was ok and it wasn't until I was 10 miles into the race I realized I really could PR this one.  So we spent the rest of the conversation discussing marathon prep, hydration, nutrition, porta potties, and what was the next goal, maybe I needed to set my sights on a Tri.  Hubb rolled his eyes and demanded I remind my BIL about more important things, like some TV show or something. *rolls eyes*

Tonight at dinner Hubb decided to probe into what BIL and I discussed, he picks up on the porta pottie part of the discussion. "Hon, really, you don't want to know and you KNOW I'll tell you so, please, change the subject."  He decided to ask my thought on if Cancer is always present in the body, he must have wanted me to do all the talking or he would have picked a different subject.

BIL suggested I take it easy on my legs and shorter slower runs.  I listened, surprised?  Did my work 5K route at a 10:30 pace.  When I got back to my desk Jackass said, "That is slow." I may up the mileage, who knows.  What I did remember to do today was stretch post run.  OMG, so much better.  I think I finally have all the kinks worked out of my hips, but who knows.

Monday is also TRX.  The two quiet ones again tonight!  Felt good to work the muscles.

Sincerely,
Beth, in taper mode, day 1....

Stability

Hubb made plans to fish today.  So this became a work from home day.  He was up and out at the crack of dawn so the dogs were also up.  They aren't used to him being gone and the panic of who was going to feed them breakfast set in.  That and the general panic of their routine being messed with they were up and at 'em and I was going to be too, well ok.  The first panic to deal with was, yes I am qualified to serve dog breakfast and it won't turn into a 'dogs breakfast'.  They were pretty persistent and the whining and carrying on is intense, seriously guys I am not going to forget.  In any event, I got the right amounts in the right bowls and they seemed satisfied and were settled in for their morning nap before 8 a.m.   What a life they have.

Meanwhile I get myself all booted up on the work computer and my inbox was exploding.  Lovely.  One thing I forget is sitting all day at work is different than sitting all day at home.  There is no one here but me and 4 dogs.  Well considering my co-workers, there isn't much difference, other than they can carry on a conversation, most days.  By the end of the day I was more tired (even though I had a nap) than I was in the a.m.  I contemplated bagging TRX; no, Beth, you made this commitment, stick to it, suck it up and go, you will feel better. 

Hubb had been home from fishing for a bit over an hour and was peacefully snoozing on the couch with our girl, Sage, in his lap.  Well as much as a 70 lb boxer is a lap dog.  They looked quite content.  I wished him well with his nap and I'd be home in a couple hours for poached Tautog.

TRX was just two of us, the quiet ones, and the instructor. We ran through our workout, caught up on the gossip, I found out the participants in the bar crawl I was hosting in a few weeks had increased from 5 to 20!  Yikes and the more the merrier!  It was a good workout   I couldn't keep my feet in the straps for the side plank rolls.  I put them on the floor.  Just too shaky and off balance, I guess.  I will master that move.  I think it is more a feeling of instability than strength?  Or being able to feel secure in instability is a big part of strength? Some Mondays I do it other Mondays, not so much.  You'll have that right?

When I arrived home I realized I had started feeling better, I must have needed that human interaction and some activity?  Could it be I was worn out from an extremely busy and active weekend and the sedentariness of working from home made me feel more lethargic?

Sincerely,

Beth, looking forward to the adventures of this week.

She's Back!

What an absolutely gorgeous fall day.  I could NOT resist going for a run in the early afternoon. OK TRUTH I lacked some major focus today.  I ticked off the easy no brainers on the to do list.  When push came to shove I just couldn't muster up the focus to finish up a lagging project needing some serious TLC.   Perfect fall running weather didn't exactly help.  Never mind that I sit with my back to the window, the sun was beaming across my desk.  Of course when I packed for TRX and threw in a variety of running gear, just in case...  If I'm going to lug the gear bag I might as well be prepared for any opportunities which may present themselves!

As I skipped down to the gym to change and hit the pavement there was another runner leaving for an afternoon run.  I grinned from ear to ear and said "It looks gorgeous out there, ENJOY!"  I got the usual smirk and he looked at me like I was looney.  People... we only get to do these moments once, live it up, love it, enjoy it, embrace it!

He's a clock-stupid runner. We crossed paths on a long uphill stretch for me downhill for him.   Nice shady part of the route. Maybe someday I will run the route like everyone else does, feh, Scott never did, I'll keep up the rebel tradition. I did pass the same walker twice.  I did an out and back at Jupiter Point and caught up to her again just before going up and around Avery Point.  Wonder what she thought when I passed her twice.  I stopped at Avery Point a few times to document that my favorite running partner was back!

Hi Friend!  I missed you yesterday!

It was a wonderful run, not a fast run.  Someone did run a rainy wet cold 13.1 yesterday, so she can have a break, right?  Trying to find the best way to snap a pic of my shadow did take a little time, and well, it was so seriously gorgeous outside, why would I want to be inside?

TRX was a full class, which is 4 women and the leader.  Our Spartan Racer showed off her bruises from the Spartan Race two weekends ago in VT.  Still some pretty good looking bruises.  I want to run one of those... running, mud, and bruises, what could be better?

The jury is out if I will sleep like a rock or insomnia will pay a visit.  UGH... guess it is better than waking Hubb up with me singing or swearing in my sleep?

Stats:

Summary

Steady pacing even with the ups and downs!  And of course 4 stops for pics...  

Route - y'all must be bored looking at this upside down native american?

Splits not fast, not slow

Sincerely,
Beth who is glad to have her running buddy back and really really really wants to sleep through the night

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!

Monday, back in the swing of things

Yes, yes, yes, 4 miles were on the schedule for today, so was TRX, and knitting.  I opted to knit at lunch instead of walking or running.  My knees were a little tender.  They feel much better now after TRX, amazing what a little movement and lubrication of the joint will do for a pair of knees!

Back to the Tue NY schedule.  I'll get in a run during work on Wed then I have a 5K in the evening, on one of my local running routes! Woot this should be fun.  Especially since all I have to do is walk up the hill to get  home from the end of the race.  Hoping to be sub 30 again. Oh hell I am aiming to be sub 30 and will run like hell.  Though it will be a little bit of a challenge having run during the day, but really I don't think that will have a major difference either way.  Thoughts?

Thursday will be more hill work.  I found a hill that is a bit longer and more consistent in its elevation.  Friday Yoga.  Saturday rest. Sunday long run.  We are also having company for the long weekend, this will be great.  A friend of Hubbs from when he used to 'work for the man' is coming for the weekend.    I am sure the boys will entertain themselves and I look forward to catching up him.  I may do a long run on Saturday and then another on Monday, who knows what may happen!?!?

Sincerely,
Beth making plans and changing them!

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 Runday Funday

3.6 in the books, or 3.8 depending on if I look at my Garmin or my iPhone.  We will just call it 3.6, and try to resist the temptation to round it UP to 4.

On the books today were 3 miles and TRX.   I ended up in some meetings in the a.m. and didn't get out on the road until the afternoon, leaving me 90 minute recovery between running and TRX.  My PF was ok, my left knee was screaming, though.

My route:

Didn't make for an interesting GPS route picture.  But perhaps if the picture were rotated?   I love love love my coastal runs.  While my weekday runs are on the Long Island Sound and the Thames River, there is a decent enough breeze because the waters aren't totally blocked by Long Island.  One of my friends commented that she finally knows why I run.  I run to go from beautiful view to beautiful view.  I laughed this off, but noticed how freaking gorgeous my work day run really is.  A small sample below, who could beat this view from an early spring run.  I'll spare you the gorgeous sailboat filled marina for the present time.

Don't you just want to cop a squat in one of those Adirondack chairs and gaze over the sound to the Ledge Light Lighthouse?

Oh yeah, this was supposed to be about running or dogs or drinking?  Hmmm...  took the elder pups out to the park when I got home from all my running about (and buying THEM treats and food, so hey I'm not totally self focused!!).  We haven't been to this park in quite a while and whaddoyou know but they knew the routine and when I tried to deviate from the regular walking path they let me know that I was NOT doing this correctly.  Love those dogs and their so very schedule orientated psyche.

So here I am on a Monday night, nearly 11 p.m. and I am wide awake...  WTF was I not busy enough to be exhausted? 

Tomorrow is truly a rest day, NOTHING on the schedule for me.  Just a dog focused evening.  Oh and maybe I should pay some attention to my husband, he seems to be recovered from his recent wisdom tooth (all 4) extraction.  Then again I could sit on the porch and knit and drink Jack... one never knows...