A conversation in our house last night went something like this:
Hubb “Hon, which color do you like better?”
This requires me to get up and see what color and what it is. A bike frame. He switches between two, black with teal logo and teal with black logo.
“Hmmm, I like the teal better, there is some character to it, but don’t you already have a blue frame?”
“Yeah, but this is the new bike.”
“Wait, you need three bikes? Is this one a road bike? You do know we don’t have room in the dining room to house a third bike, where will it live?”
This was my first mistake, too many questions
“Oh, I’ll keep one in the basement with your bike.”
“How about two in the basement?”
I get a very unconvincing “Sure” and he stares at the fish tank and starts talking about the anemone that can’t seem to find a home it likes. I take the bait and before I know it we are discussing the wandering anemone.
Sincerely,
Beth who needs to remember, one question at a time
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
When all else fails, chase your tail.
Sunday morning I was greeted with a very short note from my mother. We eMail everyday but Monday, Monday she has her Cancer support group and Yoga and that pretty much does her in for activity for the day. It was a simple, very mom note. She had something to say about my run on Friday.
There were a couple other Mom words of wisdom in there, I know she reads this blog from time to time so yes, mom I only pulled out the part germane to my story. I do believe she would appreciate Mike and Seth calling me crazy. Hubb didn't because well, he knew I'd be more tolerable.
Today, I did my at work run. The Native American route, as my kid brother calls it. Hey would you rather I called you Markey? I think a balding gray haired nearly 43 year old male would appreciate being called a kid, no?
By mid morning the sky was starting to turn from cloudy to sunny, no sunglasses and nothing to catch the sweat dripping into my eye. We've established that I don't always think ahead, right? Anyhoodles, as I rounded the corner to go up the hill, I was greeted with a big old exhale of cigarette smoke, and a look, lovely. Listen, I always give a wave and say "Hi", I don't give you a look for smoking. Gimme a break, please? I know, I know the rest of the running community turns left out of the gate, so it must be my bad for turning right. But I like that route.
Skipping the first "feather" out and back, to hurry up and get to the breeze I'd feel off the Long Island Sound. It was a nice breeze. Then around to the hill on Meech, I didn't do to bad. It did help that I spied a couple other runners heading my way. Come on, that puts a little kick in your step too! Still, even the last downhill I wasn't inspired to run any faster. Soaking wet I was happy to get to the guard shack and retrieve my badge and get into the overly air conditioned building.
Looked like it was going to rain about 6:15, just in time for the 5K at the Dog Watch.... hmmm what to do what to do. I figured I'd put on my running stuff and see what happened. Well, the rain happened early, and with lightening. Hmmm... maybe mom is on to something with her proclamation "Running in the rain is not a good idea." I think the bad idea was me telling her, don't you? She used to run, I think she preferred not to run in the rain, so hmmmm... I got out of the parking lot and on to the road and the first sign something was amiss, besides the gallons of water in every drop of rain was all the traffic coming towards me, and turning to get to a different Northerly route. Still this did not deter me, it must be an accident on the South bound lanes not the North bound lanes. Yeah, quite apparent trying to enter the high way the accident or slow down or what ever was on the North bound lanes and the rain wasn't letting up. Well, crap....
Tis what it tis, right? Guess Mom knows best. After a 20 minute commute taking 75 minutes I was greeted by a very ready for dinner Gizmo letting me know in no uncertain terms dinner should be served soon. This was backed up by the ever goofy Jax practicing his Flying Wallendas across the foyer and Gus chasing his brown nub of a tail. When all else fails, chase your tail??
Hubb went out for his usual Tuesday night ride and was met with the down pour. He arrived home a muddy wet mess and seemed rather pleased with himself that the runner didn't run in the rain after giving the biker some sort of snide comment about mountain bikers not biking in the rain before the runner left for work this a.m. This was the perfect opportunity for him to say, what he just loves to say "God got ya." Thanks, thanks a lot hon.
Long way to say, I didn't get in my double on Tuesday. There is plenty of time for more doubles between now and the Bourbon Chase. I also need to get in some night runs. My second leg is in the middle of the night. It is described as "Leg 17, 8.6 miles, once you leave Stanford behind, this monster of a leg runs on narrow country roads in serious darkness" I'm thinking I should have sucked it up and volunteered for the most difficult section, being the new girl and all... so, any of you ultra runners out there have any head lamp or night running suggestions? The theme for this Bourbon Chase is the '70's so gimme the skinney, dude.
Sincerely,
Beth, wondering if it is too late to listen to motherly advice?
Today, I did my at work run. The Native American route, as my kid brother calls it. Hey would you rather I called you Markey? I think a balding gray haired nearly 43 year old male would appreciate being called a kid, no?
By mid morning the sky was starting to turn from cloudy to sunny, no sunglasses and nothing to catch the sweat dripping into my eye. We've established that I don't always think ahead, right? Anyhoodles, as I rounded the corner to go up the hill, I was greeted with a big old exhale of cigarette smoke, and a look, lovely. Listen, I always give a wave and say "Hi", I don't give you a look for smoking. Gimme a break, please? I know, I know the rest of the running community turns left out of the gate, so it must be my bad for turning right. But I like that route.
Skipping the first "feather" out and back, to hurry up and get to the breeze I'd feel off the Long Island Sound. It was a nice breeze. Then around to the hill on Meech, I didn't do to bad. It did help that I spied a couple other runners heading my way. Come on, that puts a little kick in your step too! Still, even the last downhill I wasn't inspired to run any faster. Soaking wet I was happy to get to the guard shack and retrieve my badge and get into the overly air conditioned building.
Looked like it was going to rain about 6:15, just in time for the 5K at the Dog Watch.... hmmm what to do what to do. I figured I'd put on my running stuff and see what happened. Well, the rain happened early, and with lightening. Hmmm... maybe mom is on to something with her proclamation "Running in the rain is not a good idea." I think the bad idea was me telling her, don't you? She used to run, I think she preferred not to run in the rain, so hmmmm... I got out of the parking lot and on to the road and the first sign something was amiss, besides the gallons of water in every drop of rain was all the traffic coming towards me, and turning to get to a different Northerly route. Still this did not deter me, it must be an accident on the South bound lanes not the North bound lanes. Yeah, quite apparent trying to enter the high way the accident or slow down or what ever was on the North bound lanes and the rain wasn't letting up. Well, crap....
Tis what it tis, right? Guess Mom knows best. After a 20 minute commute taking 75 minutes I was greeted by a very ready for dinner Gizmo letting me know in no uncertain terms dinner should be served soon. This was backed up by the ever goofy Jax practicing his Flying Wallendas across the foyer and Gus chasing his brown nub of a tail. When all else fails, chase your tail??
 |
| If you were a white Boxer with a brown tail wouldn't you be curious what is going on back there? |
Long way to say, I didn't get in my double on Tuesday. There is plenty of time for more doubles between now and the Bourbon Chase. I also need to get in some night runs. My second leg is in the middle of the night. It is described as "Leg 17, 8.6 miles, once you leave Stanford behind, this monster of a leg runs on narrow country roads in serious darkness" I'm thinking I should have sucked it up and volunteered for the most difficult section, being the new girl and all... so, any of you ultra runners out there have any head lamp or night running suggestions? The theme for this Bourbon Chase is the '70's so gimme the skinney, dude.
Sincerely,
Beth, wondering if it is too late to listen to motherly advice?
Monday, June 10, 2013
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!!
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."
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."
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