Breathing School

Well, I don't know much about you
Not more than a smile or two can say
And everything I've learned about you
I've learned through the pit of my stomach anyway
-The Lowest of the Low
I ran a little over 5 miles today.  It was OK.  I've been reading "Drop Dead Healthy" by A.J. Jacobs, which is both funny and interesting.  I just read the chapter on the lungs and breathing correctly.  He talks about how stomach breathing (pushing out your stomach to inhale) made a big difference for him while he ran.  I tried.  I think I need more practice.  I had some moments when I was reversed and pushing my stomach out to exhale and vice versa.  I'm pretty sure that in the long run, I would be better served to stop running and spend my time learning how to breathe correctly.  But since this isn't a breathing blog and since it is my motivation for doing anything other than watching goofy TV shows and eating grilled cheese sandwiches - I'll keep running.

This is probably my last run of the year because tomorrow will be a pretty busy day at work, so I will do a quick year in review.  I ran way more than I ever have - my long lapses of not running were measured in days instead of months.  This despite an international move and weather extremes from Canadian cold to Houston hot.  Blogging is good for you.

How Many Laps To Go?

And if you're leaving well come
Give me reason why I let you down
Before you turn around now, now
Before you turn around
-Matt Costa
I've done a little research and it looks like the course map for the R&B 1/2 marathon involves running the same loop 3 times.  Which is a little lame.  But also scary.  Because I really don't want to be passed by a 12-year-old girl on her way to the finish line while I still have another loop to go.  But no matter - I will prepare to deal with that issue.  I will carry some Taylor Swift paraphernalia that I can toss in the other direction to slow her down. 

Or I could try to run faster.  Which is not what I did today.  I ran 3 miles but felt very sluggish.  Perhaps it was the Texas chips I ate before my run.  And Texas chips is not a euphemism for cow poo or anything like that.  These are chips that look like Texas.  And not like "that one looks like California" and "that one looks like Mike Tyson".  They are all designed in the shape of the country state of Texas.

But we can count something productive from the run.  We add "Astair" by Matt Costa to the playlist.  This song is very mellow and it is the first song on the playlist.  The idea is that it prevents me from going out in a sprint with the fast people (and by that I mean the small children).  Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4CfS4UNukk

Holly jolly

Bf and I did a quick mountain run on Christmas Day before preparing the festivus feast of honey baked ham and all the fixins. Probably 2.5 miles. Then on Wed I took fat dog out and did our 3.5 mile route. We walked the last mile. Since then I've been resting, but probably time to get off my hontis.

McDowell`s

Man, I dig those rhythm and blues
-Don McLean

I ran a little under 4 miles today - or I guess I should say tonight.  The darkness didn't help anything and neither did my confusion about the weather.  I wore my "it's cold, but not under 40 degrees" outfit of shorts, long sleeve shirt, short sleeve shirt, green hat, and gloves.  But while it was about 55 degrees, it was also really humid (or raining a little - in Houston sometimes it is hard to tell if it is sprinkling or just nasty).  So I was somehow both hot and cold while I was running.

But I did decide that my next event will be the Rhythm and Blues Half Marathon in Houston on February 10th.  Everyone is invited.  Here is the link

http://rhythmandblueshalfmarathon.com/

This event reminds me of something - I`m sure it will come to me soon.  All of a sudden, I`m reminded of the time that I went to a Dairy Country and had an ice cream treat with Oreos mixed in that they called a Wizard.  It was a little bit like a Blizzard, but totally different (according to them).  They also said that the Dairy Queen people didn`t mind their existence (we asked).  Anyway - this is a brilliant idea to combine a type of music and running, I`m surprised someone didn`t think of it sooner.

Merry Christmas to all!

Fat dog and I went in our Christmas Eve run around the hood, 3 miles. Sadly we weren't able to whip her into shape to fit into her Santa outfit, but I think she pulled it off, don't you? Then I went to my Christmas Eve movie. I saw the Central Park Five and it was awesome (if not horribly sad, a great CE pick) and I highly recommend it.

And the loss of your innocence wasn't enough, I guess
The cost of what you're holding in wasn't everything
But all the people say we won't forget that day
Cause what you lived to see takes our breath away
And the flowers on your grave
And the flowers on your grave
- Airborne Toxic Event, Neda

I went up to inspiration point today which is a 5.6 mile round trip. I probably ran half of it. I usually go there to make out but my potsy is in Tucson (Happy Days anyone?). This song came on my way back down and it just seemed like a fitting tribute to those poor babies that were killed last week and the ones who survived but will never be the same. And I thought about how many broken Christmases there will be this year. So much sadness it's incomprehensible.

A strange thing happened

On my way out the door tonight. I forgot my iPod. I actually muttered the words "I forgot my walkman" after I started jogging. Am I the only one that occasionally slips up with that 80's term? I had one of them fancy yellow plastic Sony sport Walkmans. I was a badass. Anyhoo, I just kept going because I was in a hurry to get home and make dinner for my little ones. There comes a point on life where instead of your kids hounding you to make dinner, you are hounding them to come home for dinner. Monday is a required dinner night in my house and I had to get home to make the tuna casserole. I did a decent 3 miles and walked the last half home. It was damn cold and unlike my sister, who runs come hail, sleet, snow, fire or high water, I am a fair weather runner. I didn't go all weekend mostly because it was raining and also because I was a little sad. But I'm leaving for Denver tomorrow and then Salt Lake City and am not sure if I will be able to run the rest of the week. My shoes are packed with good intentions.

Another Sunday Run

Forgive me father, why should you bother?
Try honesty, Try honesty
-Billy Talent

I ran about 5.25 today.  In the rain.  It was raining a little when I started and I decided based on my thorough anaylsis of weather patterns nothing but hope that it was going to let up.  Turns out I was wrong.  It rained pretty hard, but there is something great about running in the rain.

On my run I encountered on of those street signs with "your speed here".  No one else was on the street with me and it registered an 8 and then a 12.  I'm going to assume that the 12 mph was accurate and that I was running at a 5:00 mile pace.  But more concerning is that this sign mistook my body for a car.  And this is Texas - these things aren't calibrated to pick up Smart cars or Mini Coopers (or baseballs - despite what Dennis Quaid movies depict), they are set for the endless parade of F150s and Yukons.  I'm going to assume it was the extra 50 pounds of rain that I captured in my clothes that put me over the threshold.

Mediocre

On Tuesday I took a lovely run outside at lunch time since I was working from home. I should say the weather was lovely, the run was not. I was fatigued, had lung burn and my legs weighed 100 lbs each, but i struggled along for 3 miles. Maybe this was because I hadn't had the requisite 24 hour recovery time. So last night I tried again and felt much better. I did 3.5, the first 2.5 at a good pace and I walked the last mile. Today I'm just sad, and I'm resting. Twenty sets of parents just lost their joy, the week before Christmas. Brothers and sisters may never recover. Kids lost their parents, mothers their daughters. It's an awful thing.

Too Tired

You can't breathe until you choke
You gotta laugh when you're the joke
-Sixx A.M.

A difficult 3 mile run today.  Two main problems - lungs and phone.  My lungs hurt right from the start - and I felt really tired.  Tired enough that I spent the first part of the run trying to remember which of the former U of A guards suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome.  And then I thought about a story that my recently married rocket scientist friend told me about linebacker Brian Cushing.  He (Cushing) ran afoul of the NFL's drug policy and he blamed his test on overtrained athlete syndrome, which might be a real thing, but didn't ring true as an excuse.  So the local sports radio station sarcasticly suggested having a walk to raise awareness for overtrained athlete syndrome - but then realized they should make sure it was a short walk - so as not to further contribute to the problem.  I tried to diagnose myself with either of these diseases, but I think I just need to go to bed earlier.

Even worse than feeling tired and having my lungs hurt was that my phone didn't work correctly.  Before my run I took a call while it was syncing and I unplugged and screwed it up.  It would only play one song at a time and it was 2 songs behind whatever song I picked.  It was really weird.  I had to erase all the music off my phone and resync to make it work.  Also exhausting. 

And yes - the above quoted song is on the playlist.  I'm not proud of it, but it is.  Here it is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvn1N3URXkM

Coyote

Comin down the Phoenix sun on your face
Turns it reds by the afternoon
- Better Than Ezra, Coyote

I have a playlist made of 3 albums by these guys and sometimes I just put it on shuffle, and there's always a good song on next. I wish they were still making music. I ran 3 in the good at a great pace this evening as the sun was setting and it was chilly. I was reminiscing about the first time bf and I kissed (there's an ongoing debate over who kissed who). He actually invited me back to his room to show me his music collection, LOL. Not an original move but I guess it worked.

Yipee-ki-yay

So as sure as the sun will shine
I'm gonna get my share now of what's mine
And then the harder they come the harder they'll fall, one and all
-Jimmy Cliff

I ran 5 miles today on the treadmill.  Forty-one minutes.  Felt a lot better than my last run.

And now I'm enjoying a holiday classic.  Die Hard.  It is way better than watching the Texans demonstrate why they won't win the Super Bowl.  Or beat any team with a good offense.  But it is not good.  Not sure if it is because action movies don't hold up well over time, or if it is just that I've seen enough Bruce Willis to last me a lifetime, or if we can blame the dad from Erkel, or maybe all of the above.  I totallly wish they were showing the animated version of The Grinch instead.  That would be good for me.

8 mile

Snap back to reality
Oh! There goes gravity
- eminem

Ok it was only seven miles but still. I went hiking today. I couldn't seem to want to run, so I just took a long walk up to Bell Pass, which is about a 1200 foot elevation climb I think, and 7 miles round trip. It was a great climb, although I struggled a bit the last half mile up, which is really steep. It was a beautiful day to be outside.

Absolutely Anytime

Time was that you would understand
No matter what you would believe in
That was years ago and
time's a thief you know
-The Watchmen

I ran 3.25 through the neighborhood today.  But it was a little bit awful.  I felt like I was carrying a refrigerator on my back.  Or maybe just a backpack full of bricks.  Perhaps it only takes two weeks to become completely deconditioned.  Good to know. 

Luckily I had my security blanket with me.  "Absolutely Anytime" by The Watchmen.  I don't think I can create a running playlist without this song.  And yes, we are still adding to the playlist.  Since I'm not going to wait a full year before running another one of these things, we are still working on the same list.  I really wanted to see this band and I really wanted to see a show at the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto, but when they played there, I was too old.  The show started at 11.  Who can do that?  Anyway - here's the only version of this song I could find on youtube.  Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwCpM0LtWCk

No Excuses, Except That ...

But then some day we could take our time
To brush the leaves aside so you can reach us
-Candlebox

This probably has some deep meaning that I'm not getting, but I've always thought of it as the solution to the worst excuse ever.  "I'd really like to reach you, but there are leaves in the way and I don't want to take the time to brush them aside".  So in that spirit I'm going to offer up some lame excuses for why I haven't been running

My foot hurt
My wife went to a conference and I had additional child care responsibilities
Work was demanding
I went to Vegas, but not to run
Too hungry
No free gym at the the hotel

I decided to overcome the last one and pay the $16 for a daily pass.  The real reason this upsets me is that the only criteria I use for booking a hotel is if there is a fitness center (or centre if I was booking North of the border).  But I paid, ran 1.5 miles on the treadmill, took a phone call, did intervals on the indoor track with lifting mixed in, and then ran another mile on the treadmill.  I'm going to call this 3 miles.  And I'm back.  Thinking about running the other Galveston 1/2 in February. 

Instead of running I ate fried chicken and pie

I did, however, wear my running shoes to dinner. So.

Jet plane

Ok so I ran the mountain again on Sunday, great workout and 4.5 miles. I missed my 6am wake up call yesterday so missed the gym. But miracle of miracles, I got out last nigt when I got home from work. It was pitch dark at 6pm and its always harder after working all day, but fat dog and I made a go of it. We ran 3.5 in the hood at a strong pace. It actually felt great! Maybe all my trail running is paying off. I just landed in Atlanta for work, so today will be a well deserved rest day. Tomorrow I hope to get to the gym.

I thought about it long and hard today
I realized I'm standing in our way
- Steve Moakler, Hesitate

Well as you can see, the whole 6am thing didn't really work out this week. It will be much more challenging now to get my workouts in since I'm back on the hamster wheel work life. But today I made a decent go of it on the mountain, 4.5 miles. Gorgeous sunny day in the desert. Now picking up some well earne pizza.

I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
But the dawn is breaking, it's early morn
- leavin on a jet plane

There's a very cool rendition of this song by a lady singer on a playlist bf gave me, probably because he's always leavin on a jet plane. But this morning it resonated because we were up and at the gym before dawn. You see, today starts my new life as I rejoin the rat race, and the only time I will have to work out now is early morning. So we shall see how this goes. I also discovered the mystery that is coffee. I gulped down a half cup, my first ever, and it didn't taste nearly as bad as last time bf made me take a drink from his cup. And I only made it a mile before I had to go to the bathroom. So this is the secret! This is why runners always drink coffee, and what helps them avoid the bathroom lines at races! Anyway, then I got back on and did another half mile before heading home because my kids were calling. I'm sure they had assumed I'd been kidnapped since I was gone from the house so early. And neither one bothered to read the note I left on the counter.

Them Kids

And now the kids don't know
How to dance to rock and roll
-Sam Roberts

I ran 3 miles today.  Just an easy run to get back into it.  My knee pain from 1 week ago has now moved into my foot, which is a really good sign.  I assume it is the pain looking for a path out of my body.  And I probably need to buy new running shoes.

The results are up from the Galveston run and it was as I thought.  That really fast girl who was in second place overall is 12.  And that really fast even smaller girl who was a few people behind her is 10.  And they seem to be sisters.  Ran Dumb Thoughts suggested that this is the Venus and Serena Williams of long distance running and I think he is right.  Or is this normal?  Do 10-year-olds regularly run 1/2 marathons?  Or course - it's much easier for them.  Just think how fast I would be if I weighed 65 pounds.  And did the MC use the Bieber line on them when they finished?  Or not, since it was probably true.  Or did he run the reverse - and act like they were listening to Social  Distortion

Other odd things from the 1/2 marathon.  The post-race recovery area had two major sponsors - Whataburger and some chiropractic school.  I said yes to the taquito but no to the massage from the creepy guy.  Two for two in good decisions.  Not sure that after Vegas last year I would have been able to make such good decisions.  Especially since I got lost in the Luxor while looking for the Mandalay Bay tram stop.

It's time to begin

Isn't it?
- Imagine Dragons

I did my 3.5 neighborhood route today sans fat dog (she really needs the run but she takes pit stops too often and I can't get into my rhythm). It was a darn good effort. I ran the whole way at a decent pace aside from a short walk break in the last mile. But this song helped me through because it's so fun to run to. My muscles were still fatigued from yesterday's mountain run and I had thigh burn in my first mile even. I think maybe I will do the mountain again tomorrow. I start work on Monday and its a crapshoot after that. I was thinking that if I intend to do the RnR half in January, I really need to get started. In fact, it's well past that time. Hmmm. And now back to college football.

Monday's run

Forgot to blog this. I ran down to my gym with fat dog, stopped in the gym to use the bathroom, and walked home. 3 miles. We weren't feelin it.

The mountain was angry today, my friend

It could have been all the turkey and fixins I ate yesterday. Or the wine I drank last night. Or the fact that I broke my long standing tradition of running on Thanksgiving. Or the bright hot sun. Or the hoardes of people that crowded the mountain today seeking to walk off those extra calories. But today was a tough one. I ran a good bit up and most of the way down, but by the last half mile I was toast. It was hot and the sun so bright, and I was out of water halfway through. But now I'm snuggled in on the couch with pumpkin pie watching college football and all is right with the world. Go Devils!!

Yeah we been sayin

We're gonna get somewhere for a long long time
But it never happens
Why's it never happen?
- peacemakers

Well I screwed up the fruit salad, which does involve cooking despite appearances otherwise. So thank goddess for the bottle of wine I bought with my groceries, which I will now have to replace for tomorrow's cooking.

So today I thought I would take a more light meditative stroll than yesterday's tough workout. I went to the mountain and took fatdog, to ensure I didn't go to fast. According to the pedometer I did 5.8 miles, which I doubt because of the pedometers habit of overestimation. But I was out for a good 1:50 and it was therapeutic for mine and fatdog's souls. We did not run a single step, but one of us pooped 3x and peed at least 7x.

Then I showered and commenced the cooking/drinking festivities. Tomorrow is the annual Thanksgiving Day run.

Running through melancholy

Today I am feeling rather melancholic about Thanksgiving. It is absolutely my favorite holiday of the whole year and one I look forward to, but this year it will just be me and the kidlets which will feel a bit strange. But it is my choice not to go anywhere this year, and that will not stop me from cooking up a feast for my babies and I'm excited for that. I start my new digs on Monday.

So today I probably wouldn't have run well at all except for bf going with me and pushing me and making it fun. We ran the mountain and I actually did pretty well, about an hour up and down. It's always such an awesome workout.

1:58

While she wishes she was a dancer
And that she'd never heard of cancer
She wishes God would give her some answers
-Our Lady Peace

I went for a run today with about 500 of my closest friends.  For the first eight miles I ran with Neon Angie, Old Man Huge Calf, and Old Man Corner Cutter.  But as I crossed mile marker 8, I recognized what I had known for quite some time - not all was going well on this run.  My left knee wasn't really bending correctly and I wasn't really getting power from that leg.  That's right - dead leg.  I'm pretty sure this was karma from the whole dead arm incident.  OK - I can accept that. 

I had a difficult mile 9 and I tried to come to terms with this situation.  I mentally said good-bye to my friends and spent 3 minutes walking,stretching, and hopping.  Then I ran again.  For 7 minutes.  Then 3 more minutes of walk,stretch, hop.  I became very discouraged as this ratio seemed unlikely to get better and I wasn't really interested in doing this (or worse) the rest of the run.  So I didn't.  I found some sort of straight-legged run that worked for a little while.  Then I found inspiration in the above lyric and just ran.  I might have made some awful grunts along the way, but since there were about 35,000 fewer people than my last 1/2 marathon, I had plenty of space to suffer in peace.

Crossed the finish line while the MC said "here comes a runner with his iPod on, listening to Justin Bieber - must be the president of the Justin Bieber fan club".  Thanks.  But I've gone to great pains to tell everyone what I was listening to - I can't believe that guy hadn't been reading the blog to prepare.  Just lazy.

Are you cross

At your loss?
- Better Than Ezra

I'm in Connecticut enjoying my last sojourn as a traveling muse. We are staying at this giant casino, which I imagine would be quite thrilling for some people but I don't like gambling or the sort of ilk who do so I've spent a lot of time reading and watching college football today. I spent some time mourning the loss of Hostess treats. I just cannot imagine a zingerless world (one of my favorite road trip treats). I adore Hostess cupcakes. After my biannual teeth cleaning I invariably stop on the way to work and get Hostess donettes and chocolate milk. Sigh. I wonder if perhaps this is a good thing in the long run. I contemplated this as I ran 3 miles on the treadmill today inbetween reading and watching tv.

Quebec of the South

Don't be a fool with that,
your useless plastic pistol,
On my signal, we will drop our stupid
cause and disappear into the night.
-Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

Enough residents of Texas have signed a petition to secede that it requires a response from the White House.  And I have talked to some people who seem to have put a lot of thought into life as an independent country.  Some who proclaim "good luck to the rest of them without us".  Wow - I have so many thoughts.  First - if I finally moved back to the US only to not live in the US again, I'm going to be really pissed.  I'm going to go to the sporting goods store and buy everything from the pink BB gun all the way up to the RPG launcher.  That's just so I fit in, but I'll also be really pissed.  Second - you don't think the US would take a star off the flag, so somebody is getting promoted - Puerto Rico?  District of Columbia?  Canada?  Now I'm even more pissed. 

Oh crap.  November 18th is coming up fast.  I'm  running the 1/2, but I have two problems.  First - life, work, etc got in the way of running the last week and so today was my first run in 7 days.  Second - the playlist isn't completed. 

So I ran - 5 miles on the treadmill.  The treadmill faced the pool where there was a man and a woman doing the weirdest workout I have ever seen.  They had dumbbells underwater and they swam around picking them up.  I'm pretty sure you aren't supposed to submerge regular weights, but what do I know?  I also thought you could use swimwear to cover your asscraque.

And we add "Same Mistake" by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah to the playlist.  Texas - don't make the same mistake as Quebec.  Swimmers around the world - don't make the mistake as the dumbbell divers.  Enjoy the link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQqbx5DhUfU

But the day will come . . .

But the day will come when it falls like a cheap house of plastic.
And the cards that were dealt, will be tossed like a storm in the sky.
'Cause you can only lie for so long before you get something drastic
- Airborne Toxic Event, Kids Are Ready To Die
 

Today I did something fun, I played my iPod alphabetically so I got some songs I haven't heard in awhile and some I've probably never listened to like this one. It's a good one if you like ATE. So I ran on the mountain and had a great workout of 4.5 miles. I passes a Lo e guy and then a couple when I was running, and then they passed me when I was walking, and then I passed them again when I was running and left them in the dust. It was fun. Then I went to the gym to take a steam. And that is where I saw this disturbing sight.

 

Do you see anything wrong with this picture? I was appalled that someone would so blatantly run in unmatched socks!! And then leave the evidence out in the open to flaunt her anarchy! I was greatly disturbed by the sight of this callous disregard for order as I left for the hot tub, and there it was to greet me again after my shower. I was so disturbed I had to take a picture. It even bothers me when my kids wear unmatching socks of the same color, ie if one is Nike and the other Addidas. The eradication of bastard socks is one of the driving impulses of my life (perhaps I need to examine this more deeply), and I spend hours trying to solve the problem in my own house and set the world right. Let's be real - these socks will never find their rightful partners again. I weep.

 

Havoc and Consequence

I'm slipping again
Up to old tricks, off my wagon
I have no defense
I'm wreaking havoc and consequence
- Alanis Morissette, Havoc

Now, this song isn't for everyone.  It's kind of a ballad to family members of crazy people, or at least that's the way I see it.  It brought me peace during my run this morning.  I was full of anxiety this morning that I couldn't quite label.  I almost didn't go, which is difficult to justify since I literally had nothing else on the agenda today, and I'm only weeks away from rejoining the ranks of working stiffs.  But I did a road run, which I'm probably not doing enough of lately, and had a good 3.5 miles.  Then I took fat dog out for another mile that we walked.  I found a place where I could get my Hurricanes for only $110 because I refuse to pay Saucony's ridiculous new price of $140, and I have to say I really don't like them as much as last year's model.  They feel stiff and not nearly as cushiony as my old ones.  Oh well.

Havoc and Consequence

So this is what you meant

When you said that you were spent?
And now it's time to build from the bottom of the pit right to the top.
- Imagine Dragons, It's Time

This is an AWESOME song that bf put on my last playlist, and then randomly this morning I heard it on the radio when I pressed the wrong button as I was trying to go back to sleep after my frantic early morning (more about that later).  I don't normally do this but check this song out, you'll like it I think.  And if you don't then we wouldn't be friends anyway. 

Here it is.

Anyhoodle, I had a very tired run today, and I'm blaming bf.  I was awakened gently at around 4am with his quiet packing and listening to his music (and I do love his music).  Then a kiss goodbye and I said how proud I was of him getting out on time for his 7:30am flight, then I drifted off to the sounds of frantic search below.  Then I was roused again when he burst into the room and announced he couldn't find his car keys. So I got up and started helping him search, and then after a few minutes we decided I should just take him to the airport at this point because now he would never make it on time to park, so I got dressed.  On the way out the door, he found his keys on the kitchen counter. 
Me:  The kitchen counter?  Really?
He:  They were hidden by all this stuff you piled up on here!
Me:  The dishes?
And that's when I told him I'm totally blogging about this. 

So I did 4.5 on the mountain but I walked more than half of it.  Tired, as I said. 

Dust me off

If I fall along the way
Pick me up and dust me off
And if I get too tired to make it
Be my breath so I can walk
- Rob Thomas, Bent

I had a fantastic run on the mountain today- 4.5 miles. Time was 1:04 which I think is near my best time when bf and I were doing this a lot earlier this year. It was damn crowded today so I passed a lot of people and got passed once or twice. I ended up in a sort of foot race with this dude who every time I would catch up to him he'd take off running again. It was kind of hilarious. I finally passed him in the last mile, and then he passed me again, and then I passed him in the home stretch. So I won!

Awful quiet

You might think I've not done anything at all this week, but in fact I did a great 4.5 on the mountain Monday, 3 in the hood on Tuesday and another awesome 4.5 mountain trail on Wednesday. So I took Thursday off and then somehow inadvertently missed today too. So I think I will do the mountain again tomorrow but we shall see. It's my day off, after all.

Satan On Skates

My devil's on rollerskates
Down at the roller rink
Picking up chicks for me
-Matthew Good

Was that an option?  I had no idea.  I was pretty busy today, so I ran to the bank.  I didn't realize that I could have just sent my devil.  Although maybe endorsing a check and giving it to a devil isn't a good idea.  I'm picturing Jon Lovitz at Skate Country tripping over his devil's tail.  On quads - not like those devils on inline skates in Dogma.  What is the connection between Satan and skating?  After all, former Red Wing Martin Lapointe looks just like the dark prince.  Trust me it's true.

Anyway - I ran to the bank, deposited my expense check, and then ran home.  Just under three.  But we will round up.  And I ran 4.25 on the treadmill on Tuesday. 

I have the window open to sign up for November 18th, but haven't done it yet.  But I'll build the playlist.  this song is Hello Time Bomb by Matthew Good.  And these are the least disturbing lyrics, but I like it.  And I warned you - anyting to get me to the finish line.  Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q4lrYUmgBU

Some nights I wish that my lips could build a castle
Some nights I wish they'd just fall off
- Fun. Some Nights

Last night bf and I did a Scavenger Dash in downtown Tempe, which is essentially a very freakin long scavenger hunt.  We spent 3.5 hours running down clues and then doing challenges like passing a balloon filled with glow bracelets over a volleyball court and getting it over the net (at which point I was rude like, "just give it to me!") and decoding street names (at which point bf stopped at "M" and decided the word was "Mill" and only 40 minutes of runnin-in-circles later discovered it was, in fact, McKemy).  And, he made me run the whole damn time except when I could create enough confusion of direction in his mind to cause a pause for re-strategizing.  In all, we ran about 7 miles, and I have to say my ass really hurts today.  I am certain it's because he made me run FAST, as opposed to VERY SLOW which is my normal pace.  And as it turned out, there were no fabulous prizes at the end, which was a big disappointment (do I need to clarify that in no way did we come close to winning this event?).  But, we are still a couple as of this morning, which speaks well for our teaming skills under duress. 

Almost 10

And I never had a good time,

I sat by my bedside,

with papers and poetry about Estella....

 

I saw tail lights last night in a dream about my old life.
Everybody leaves and why, why wouldn't you?

-The Gaslight Anthem

I ran a long way today.  Part of my run included a trip around the jogging track at the alma mater and I was reminded of what I don't like about running there.  The track is about 3 people wide - and so if two people are running one direction and one person is running the other way, there is room if everybody tries.  I'm willing to move all the way over to the edge of the track, but not get off the track.  And still there are incidents.  And usually twice because you see people on one side and then the other.  Jackholes - make some space and share the track. 

I set out with a plan today to run just over 9, but I thought it would be a better blog if I made it to 10.  So I extended the run, but not quite enough.  I fell about 1/4 mile short.  No matter - it was a good long run and part of my ramp up.  Not sure exactly what I'm ramping up to, but I've got to get a 1/2 marathon in during 2012, so ...

In case I run on November 18th, I really have to accelerate building the playlist.  And so it's time to add a song by The Gaslight Anthem.  I struggled with which one; I like the new one (45) and my favorite song by this band is The 59 Sound (in my topp 150 of all time), but I decided on the above quoted song, Great Expectations. This band writes songs about books and other songs - this song references Dickens and Bob Segar.  Here's a funny thing about this band and the way my brain works - I saw that they had a song called "Old White Lincoln" and I thought that it was going to be a great take on Honest Abe.  Of course, I was disappointed when the song was about a car.  Anyway - I really like this band - enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2Leo9HSaGQ

Stay Puff Marshmallow Man

I'm waiting and fading and floating away
I'm waiting and fading and floating away
-Silversun Pickups

Yep.  Did another 3. Probably more like twenty-five or twenty-six minutes.  Why not continue with the theme of the week.  I ran past a house that has three giant inflatable Houston Texan players in the front yard.  The one guy is standing up and telling the crowd he is number one - or else he is telling them something else.  With both hands.

Also time to add "Panic Switch" by Silversun Pickups to the playlist.  I just like it - I got nothing else.  Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AG8fugqFn9Q

Another 3

We're going out tonight
Dressed up in black and white
-Sunriser

Today's blog is brought to you by small positive numbers.  I ran 3 miles today in twenty-four minutes.  That's two four.  Which is how you order a case of beer at The Beer Store (yep, that's the name) in Canada.  "I'll have a two four."  But before you get clever, you can't do it for a 12-pack.  If you ask for a one two, they'll look at you like you're crazy.  Or like you asked for Tecate.  They have Tee-Kate, but they certainly don't know what you are saying if you ask for Tecate. 

You might say that I ran 3 eight minute miles, but you would be wrong.  I learned today that it is possible to go out too fast, even on a short run.  My first mile was fast - but my last one was slow.  The last one felt kind of like mile 12 of a half marathon.  Running, but moving slower than people who are walking.

Happy Halloween. 

Just Like A Wavin' Flag

Put me in a special school

’Cause I am such a fool

And I don’t need a single book

To teach me how to read
-Weezer

3 miles today - at a decent pace.  A wise man (OK - it was Ran Dumb Thoughts) told me that 20 miles per week was the magic number.  I can dig it.  For me, I will try for 4 x 3 during the week and then 6 on the weekend.  Oh yeah, and then round up.  Whatever - it's my new plan.  And it started today perfectly.

My run was through the neighborhood again today and instead of being distracted by the Halloween decorations, I focused on the number of flags being flown.  Nope - not patriotic Americans getting ready for the election.  College football fans.  OK - if you want to fly a flag for your team - whatever, knock yourself out.  But here's the thing - you really can't fly two flags.  A&M and Texas.  LSU and A&M.  Texas Tech and LSU.  I saw all these combinations and more.  Look - if you think that you are supporting two teams, you aren't - you are supporting none.  I get it, I've been conflicted before, but I pick a side - as much as I love our Northern neighbors, I always root for the US against Canada.  Except in curling.

I stole my personality

From an anonymous source
And I'm getting paid for it, too
I don't feel bad about that
 - Hockey, Song Away

Yes I stole this great song from Bad Haircut.  It is a good one.  I did 4.5 on the mountain today, and ran a lot of it.  Great workout, but it was warm even at 9am.  I left a part of me on the mountain this morning. 

Meh

I'm leavin
On a jet plane

This is gonna be a busy week for me so not sure what running will look like. Today I took fat dog and we ran one and walked one at around 1230, which was fine for both of us. I then had fried chicken for dinner at one of my fav places and bf even made me feel better about it by having grilled cheese sliders.

Illuminating

I belong with you, you belong with me

-The Lumineers

I ran 5 miles today and again felt better at the end than the beginning.  Maybe running really is good for you.  Long sleeves today - it was great.

On the  run today, I saw lots and lots of Halloween decorations.  People going all out.  There are several houses where they have hung great quantities of those plastic pumpkins (the kind you would take trick-or-treating) in their front yard tree.  A couple of the houses had to have between 50 and 100.  I had an interesting conversation with Great Expectations about this.

GE:  Those look pretty cool

Me:  They remind me of lumineers

GE:  The band?

Me:  No, those paper bags with candles

GE:  Those are luminarias

Me:  Then what's a lumineer?

GE:  Still, just a band

OK.  Fair enough.  More interesting than my inability to know the difference between a pumpkin with no candle, a bag with a candle, and a folk band - is the question of what these people do with their pumpkins the other 11 months.  Do they just throw them away?  Do they have storage space for 100 pumpkins that don't nest or stack?   

Maybe today

We can put the past away.

I had quite a good run up the mountain today. I ran further than I ever have before on the way up. I walked a lot of the way down due to stomach discomfort. This is why fiber makes me sad.

fat girl/skinny girl

Today I worked a benefits fair, which involves about ten biddies sitting behind tables with fancy table cloths and stacks of colorful give-away pens, first aid kits and keychain flashlights.  After lunch, the host biddy walked around with a plate of cookies and everyone took one.  About an hour later, I heard the following conversation: 

fat girl:  Hey, eat that cookie!  Why didn't you eat that cookie?  I can't believe it's still sitting there.
skinny girl:  Oh, I've been so busy getting this work done!
fat girl:  I can't believe it's still sitting there!  That's why you're skinny and I'm not.
(awkward silence)
fat girl:  Hey!  Look at this, her cookie is still sitting there. I told her to eat that cookie!
biddy:  Huh, yeah
fat girl:  Can you believe that?  I told her that's why she's skinny and I'm not
skinny girl:  No!  No!  I eat Taco Bell at least 3 times a week, every week!
biddy:  Don't you love their crunchy tacos?
fat girl:  Yeah, but I have to eat at least 3 of them
skinny girl:  Yeah!  There's no point in one or two, it takes at least three to fill up!

I was scarcely paying attention when this conversation was going on, but it came back to me on my (LONG) drive home, and it made me grumpy.  Why is it people seem so comfortable commenting on the eating habits of thin people?  Can you imagine the response of the room if the skinny girl had lifted her chin to one of the other biddies and said, 'Hey, check that out.  She ate TWO cookies!  That's why she's fat and I'm not." 

Now, I'm not gonna sit here and say it's equally offensive the other way, because I get it.  It's socially acceptable and desirable in America to be thin.  It is unacceptable and even offensive to be fat.  So maybe that's why people feel so comfortable calling out thin people on how they eat, because they're on the "acceptable" side of the spectrum.  And then skinny people feel they have to defend their unorthodox eating habits that they didn't put any thought into (except possibly "I'm no longer hungry" or "I don't want that") in order to assuage the wounded feelings and agitated egos of others who unknowingly watch their plates. 

But I have to tell you, it's uncomfortable!  And it is no less rude!  I wish I had been paying more attention and jumped in to save skinny girl.  But, maybe I was hiding, hoping the whole conversation would blow by me without any eyeball turning to me.  Maybe I didn't want to get involved.  Maybe I was having post-traumatic stress over a similar conversation about ham fat. 

Now that I've got that off my chest, I'm going to walk (not run) fat dog. 

Recruiting

There’s a bunker of regret that you’re defending
And there’s a trench in my soldier’s heart
Not only can I not imagine this ending, I can’t remember when it started
-Ron Hawkins

8 treadmill miles.  Over the past two days.  Today, I walked at incline 2.75 miles.  It was boring.  But yesterday was fascinating.  I ran 5.25 on the treadmill.  And as I predicted, my Navy Fit Test from a couple of weeks did not go unnoticed.  After I started running, an undercover representative from the Amish Army showed up.  How did I know he was undercover?   He didn't look Amish at all.  Clever.  How did I know he was from the Amish Army?  He was wearing a sweatshirt that said ARMY and sweatpants that said ARMY.  Could not have been more obvious.  Especially when he walked behind me to check out what I was doing on the treadmill.  Or to get a towel. 

Then, in comes a guy wearing a workout outfit - matching shirt and shorts.  He starts doing the most ridiculous series of stretches, including lifting one leg at a time over the handlebars of the stationary bike.  This isn't something anyone should do.  Anyway, he reminded me of Woody Harrleson's character in White Men Can't Jump.  I was pretty sure that the hustle was on - maybe he was going to fall of the treadmill and then challenge me to a running contest - with a bet to make it interesting.  But luckily, there were only two treadmills in the joint, and neither me nor the above-mentioned recruiter were leaving.

Until a guy comes in who proceeds to tell me his life story and how he is signing up for the Army tomorrow.  And that he lost 90 pounds in the last year.  And that he is the third fastest runner in the state.  And after his four years he is going to get married and then re-enlist.  Wait - how did you determine you were the third fastest runner in the state?  Nevermind - I didn't ask.  I didn't even get a word in edgewise.  It was odd.  The whole gym emptied in about 5 minutes.

Fatdog, fatdog
Alone in the world is a little fatdog
- Nickelodeon, Catdog

Sunday was inadvertently a 6 mile day. It would never be my intention to undertake such a foolhardy task. I did the mountain for 4 miles and ran about half of it. Then bf and I went shopping for some trail running shoes and we got these awesome matching Addidas shoes, his with orange accents and mine pink. So, we had to go try out the trails and I did another 2 and ran most of it this time while bf did 3. I was fatigued Monday! So I took the day off. Today I did 3.5 in the hood and then took the dog for another .75 or so wherein she dumped 3x and peed 5x but aside from that her ass was jogging! Back into shape for fatdog!

Ya know Mo, I'll probably get ten years
So just give me beers til they get here
- Rehab, Sittin at a Bar

This is a really great song, and funny. I highly recommend it. Today I took far dog on my 3.5 mile hood route at around noon. It was warm and direct sunlight most of the way but I intended this to be a lazy run so I didnt mind the frequent potty stops. I was concerned, however, about the 3 times she just stopped and laid down in the shade. And the first was only mile in. I gotta whip this dog into shape.

Week in Review

Shield your eyes from the truth at hand
tell me why it'll be good again
all those demons are closing in
- Sara Bareilles, Bright Lights and Cityscapes

This was an odd week for running and a lazy week for blogging.  On Sunday, BF and I ran the mountain, about halfway up and all the way down.  4.5 total and it was a great workout.  So great that I didn't go at all on Monday.  Then Tuesday I did 3 in the hood.  Then Wed I did the mountain by myself, and there were helicopters circling the mountain.  I thought at first they must be warning me of upcoming danger on the trail, like a desert bear.  But then they hovered over a peak and dropped a guy out of the helicopter on a rope.  So I sat and watched for awhile, I think they were pulling someone off the mountain.  It was cool.  So I only did about 3.5 of the mountain on that day and I walked all the way down just cause I felt like it.  Then today BF and I had declared a FAF (fuck-around friday) and that entailed going to the gym after a big breakfast.  That is, I had a big breakfast - waffle, eggs, bacon.  He totally misordered a yogurt fruit parfait and then didn't eat it.  It was akin to me having prime rib while he picked at a dinner salad.  We went to the gym after that and I did 2 on treadmill at incline and then one on track with strength training.  It was a great workout, and we worked up a great appetite for popcorn and m&m's at the movie.  We saw Argo - great flick. 

Texas Breakfast

Thoughts that I had before
Don't come around anymore
-Sunriser

I knew that I needed to run today.  Yesterday, I went to Waco.  I haven't been to Waco since 1993, when I went to do a project on the Branch Davidians.  A buddy and I drove up there with a video camera (like a giant one that could hold a VHS tape) and no plan, but knowing we had to put something together for our Texas Politics class.  On the way to Waco we saw a man riding a giant tricycle, and so we pulled over and interviewed him.  He too, was on his way to Waco, to mediate a settlement and then let the children ride out on his tricycle.  Right.  At least now we had a plan - let's talk to all the crazy people we see.  And we did.  When we presented our project, the only feedback we got from our professor was that our video was "too bouncy".  True enough.  A+.

Anyway, I went yesterday and on the way I stopped for breakfast.  I bought what can only be described as a "Texas breakfast".  A sausage, cheese, and jalapeno kolache and a dr. pepper.  I thought it was great until I looked at it - it's really just a hot dog wrapped in a slice of American cheese and baked in bread.  Then I thought "I really need to run:".  So I did today.  But only about 2.5 miles.  I ran through the neighborhood and saw someone else doing the snake run through the streets.  And when he saw me, he started running really fast, probably because he knew it was patent infringement.  Not cool.  I will have to get my neighborhood lawyer friend to stop doing yardwork and sue this guy.  So much to do.

Also need to keep building the playlist.  How about "Watch Me Try" from Sunriser.  This band is the coolest.  I usually put the link out there and tell you how great the song is, but this time I really mean it.  Follow it.  And then buy it on iTunes.  They need it.  And I'll know if you did - the song currently has 2 plays.  And one was mine.  Did I mention they need it?  How is a band this good a secret?  Oh right - the Canada thing.

http://www.myspace.com/sunriser/music/songs/watch-me-try-49625715

Better Than Nirvana

But I took all the advice that I could take
Before I thought to give up
I bet you thought I'd give up
-Dead Sara

Today I ran during baseball practice.  OK - dropped off, got the forgotten water bottle from the car, drove to the gas station, drove home to change clothes, drove back, and then ran for about the last 15 minutes of practice.  Not great, but something.

Time for another addition to the playlist.  I remember way back when I first heard this song.  It must have been almost a month ago.  I heard it on the radio - the DJ was comparing Dead Sara to Nirvana.  And I thought "cool - this can be another band that I hate and everybody else likes".  Nope - exact opposite.  Normally, I try to listen to a song a million times before I give it the official endorsement.  But I'm going to make an exception.  This is cool.  And it's kinda fun to say "Dead Sara".  "We are what you say" is now official. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onFtcUVPuCg&feature=related

Another Solution

Sounds like bullshit, but did you ever notice
This whole town of ice and snow
Gets you running
Chasing something
What it is, I'll never know
-The Watchmen

I wasn't going to run today, but I had such a good time driving home from the football game with my family that I needed to.  So I ran just under 4.

So the NHL strike continues.  How about this - let's just sell ad space on the jerseys, use the extra money to bridge whatever gap exists and get back to work.  It sounds like the good players from all the other teams have signed to play in foreign countries, but nobody wants any of the Maple Leafs.  It is perfect.  Strike settled, Maple Leafs are good (by comparison), everybody (meaning me) is happy.  NHL - let me know where to send the bill.  Oh - and players association, you're paying too.  Nothing better than selling the same thing twice.  Consulting is easy.

High Tech

London calling and I don't wanna shout
But while we were talking I saw you runnin' out
-The Clash

Damn - technology is amazing.  I used to have a blackberry, which was nice becasue I could actually use it to type.  Now I have an iPhone which I run about 60% accuracy on hitting the correct key.  But my iPhone easily interfaces with my iTunes and so I can take it with me when I run.  And so today, in the middle of a song, it starts buzzing that I have a call.  And so I answered.  And kept running.  Amazing. 

Total run was a little over 5 miles.  Good stuff. 

They say that Galveston is the Montreal of Texas.  November 18th.

Man you wouldn't believe
The most amazing things
That can come from
Some terrible lies
- fun.

I just had a great run in my hood, 3.5 miles. It is crisp and cool outside and downright lovely. It rained and thundered all night and the streets were wet. I thought of my beautiful boy and how he's almost as tall as me now and how he might never have come to be had I known the lies being told back then. I got home and doused the neighbor dogs with water so I can sit outside and enjoy my yard. They were indignant and shocked and are now barking at me from inside the garage. Bastards. I have an ambien-filled hotdog waiting for you, my pretties. I had a run in with the neighbor this week over their noise and she seems to feel the ongoing dog harassment is acceptable as long as it doesn't occur before 7am. So I ordered this fancy device that supposedly will shoot them with high frequency screams akin to a fire truck every time they bark. But I think I enjoy the water torture more.

Shat

Daddy can you hear
The devil's drawing near
- Miranda Lambert

First great news, I ran in a long sleeved shirt this morning, woot! I woke up and it was raining lightly and the thermostat read 68 degrees, so I pulled out my fav long sleeved running shirt. No, I didn't need it, but it was so nice to have the option. I did 3.5 in the hood cause I thought the mountain might be too slick. I always run by these piles of crap on the sidewalk filled with nuts and berries (not that i examine it too closely but it's obvious) and I'm simultaneously pissed at this dog owner who can't be bothered to pick up its shit off the sidewalk and sorry for the dog who has to eat such crappy food. But then I saw some of this same crap on the mountain the other day and it occurred to me that this must be javelina shit. Kinda cool and not just a little creepy that so many javelina roam my hood at night.

I'm slipping again

Up to old tricks
Off my wagon
- Alannis Morisette

This is how I feel raising a 16 year old daughter. You make mistakes and they are never forgiven. I guess maybe that's women in general, haha. Yesterday I ran the mountain, about halfway up and halfway down. It was a tough 4.5 so today I did my 3.5 mile route today sans fat dog. I did take her for a half mile walk after, during which she pooped 4x and peed at least 5. This is why she doesn't get to go on the main run anymore.

Army of one

Slip back out of whack, at your best
It's a nightmare
So I'm joining the Army
-The Strokes

Yesterday, I ran on the treadmill and rode the stationary bike.  Today, I did the elliptical.  There was an option for the "Navy Fitness Test".  This test asked me to select my level - and of course I picked eleven.  But not like a Spinal Tap eleven, since it was out of 25, instead of 10.  Then I went for 12 minutes without any instruction or feedback.  At the end, it was just done.  No results, no nothing.  I'm assuming they normally release the results, but for some reason mine were classified.  Probably meant my score was outside the range they could score.  I'm sure I'll be getting a visit from a recruiter soon, but it won't work.  I'm sure I will fail their hearing test, because for about a month I thought the above lyric was "I'm joining the Amish".  Now, if the Amish army comes calling ...

Fall?

In a crooked little town, they were lost and never found
Fallen leaves, fallen leaves, fallen leaves... on the ground
-Billy Talent
Sunday run.  Finally feels like fall, after sweating out Friday's run in 85 degrees, today's run was in the 60's.  I ran about 4.5 and felt amazing in the last 1/2 mile.  I didn't feel amazing at any time prior to that, but it was nice to finish on a high note. 

On my run today, I was thinking about the new Texas license plates.  They are black and white with minimal decoration.  It makes me think of a major college football program where the head coach recently was fired due to his role in the cover up of a scandal, then died, then had his statue removed.  I don't want to name names, but I don't see why the state of Texas would want to align itself with this particular university.  But then I read the explanation - they say that black and white looks good with any color vehicle.  This also bothers me (not as much as the first part).  I'm guessing that all of the Texas A&M alumni who drive maroon cars (90 percent of all maroon cars are sold in Texas - I can't back that up, but it seems true) complained about their license plate clashing with their car. 

I think I just reopened my consulting business.  Texas - pick something different.  Let me know where to send the bill.

School Run

But for a moment
I'd like to forget
That my heart is
Sinking like a sunset
-Tom Cochrane

This afternoon I set off from my house and ran.  I had only a vague plan, which was to end up at my son's school to pick him up and the end of my run.  I ran a pretty good ways away from the school, which meant I had to run a good ways back.  Total was about 5.  And about a 1/2 mile walk home. 

It's time to add Sinking Like A Sunset by Tom Cochrane to the playlist.  It's funny how he is handled differently by radio on either side of the border.  In the US, they only play Life Is A Highway and occassionaly Lunatic Fringe.  In Canada, they never play Life Is A Highway, but you hear a Tom Cochrane song roughly every hour.  I like him a lot, but even if you don't, you have to admit that he is way better than Rush.  Or Glass Tiger.  Here's the link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xulDj5HZKAw&feature=related

Who do you think you are

Runnin round leavin scars
You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
Don't come back for me
Don't come back at all
- Christina Perri, Jar of Hearts

I blogged this morning from this vantage point on the mountain. Running has ban so good for my soul this week.

Memento

It reeks of politics
Signatures stained with tears
Who can remember, we've got to remember
-Midnight Oil

Did I really forget toothpaste and contact saline?  And did I really come up with the plan of running to the drugstore instead of just going to the gift shop?  Yes and yes.  And when the map showed three different Walgreens on one corner, not too far from my hotel, it seemed perfect.  Except for two things.  First - I am boycotting Walgreens for one year.  So no Walgreens for me (now read it again in your Soup Nazi voice).  Which is lucky because none of the three existed.  Or else they were hidden inside of the hospital that took up the whole block.  Either way, it wasn't happening.  So I ran farther and crossed under the highway to go to the CVS.  But it was gone too.  Turns out that I got turned around on my run and this was a different highway.  So I went to the gas station and bought toothpaste.  And a gatorade.  But not cucumber flavored.

All that nonsense for a run just over 3. 

Rewriting History

I just can't recover
how many years its been
its day one in my mind
its the first step each time
the heart is hard to find

all the fucked up things you say
couldn't possibly be
any less help to me
- Jimmy Eat World, Heart is Hard to Find

I had a lovely time on the mountain this morning and did four miles.  It was low 80's and sunny, so a little warm, but nice out.  I ran some up and some down.  I was in much better shape when I was doing the mountain regularly, so I'm happy the cooler weather is on its way. 

You could cut ties with all the lies

that you've been living in.
- Third Eye Blind, Jumper

Well, I didn't go on Friday.  I had to take my car into the shop yet again and didn't want to delay any further my road trip to Tucson.  As it turns out, I should have delayed, probably for the rest of my life.  But I digress.  Last night bf and I went to the gym and did the nerd workout, which entails running laps around the track with strength exercises every three laps.  I ran to the gym, which was about 1.5 miles and not too bad mi-80's temperatures.  Then I did a mile on the track.  My muscles were a little tight this morning cause I haven't done the nerd workout in awhile, but I went out and did 3 outside, and then walked another half with fat dog.  I haven't been taking her on my run because she has to stop every quarter mile to pee on something or poop, and I just can't take it.  I can't get into a rhythm.  But she is fat dog for a reason, so I've been walking her when I get home to get her some exercise.  Then I gave her and greasy cat both a bath, then I showered myself.  It's been a busy day. 

Snake Run

Drink the water drink it down
-Jack Johnson

Life lesson for today - complaining works.  I have, over the past few months, complained that none of my friends are waiting in their front yards with a glass of water in case I run by.  While I had no serious expectation, it seemed like it wouldn't hurt to whine about it.  Then today on my run, I came across the whole family in the front yard and the youngest one was shot from a cannon to get me water.  It was pretty damn good.  And now I can stop complaining about the water.  But you know, no one is ever waiting in their front yard with a bag of gold to give me ...

When I got up this morning, I was way more interested in my fantasy football team's injury report than any thoughts of a run.  I struggled out the door, but my run today really had no plan.  I had a vague long run in mind, but it looked like rain and I've been struggling a little with allergies, and I really didn't want to run, so I just started along the normal 2 mile neighborhood loop.  But then after the refreshment, I ran up and down every street in between.  Total came up to 4 miles.  I'm going to have to think about whether this is a great or terrible way to run.  Or maybe, like Voldemort, it is great and terrible.

T Dot

They got the weed, and they got the taxis
-The Clash

Yep - that's right, I visited the T Dot, Hogtown, The Big Smoke - whatever you want to call it.  I just try to blend and call it Turannah.  If you pronounce the second t, it's like announcing you don't live there.  Which I guess I don't.  But still it is in my soul.  I saw my good friend Lake Ontario and exchanged silent pleasantries and wished I was able to squeeze in a run.  But I was too busy - I saw a lot of friends, smuggled some money out of the country (or legitimately wired it), paid my $55 in corporate tax (my accountant doesn't suck), and snuck around the outside of my old house taking pictures (that's actually true - don't tell anyone).

The nation is not in a good place right now.  While south of the border we've all been distracted by creative officiating in the NFL, the NHL players have been quietly locked out.  What if this was the year for the Maple Leafs to win the Cup and they won't have a season?  OK - that's crazy talk, but it will be difficult to make it through a winter without Hockey Night In Canada and Thursday night games at the Fill Station.  Good luck my brothers.

I've been dragging ass a little since I got back and didn't feel like running at all today.  But I thought I would do something to get back into it.  So I set out to run the 2 mile loop inside my neighborhood.  And when I started I felt like crap.  And then I felt better.  No really.  I did.  I extended the run to just over 3 and felt way better than when I started.  Weird - but I'll take it.

Everyone's got to face down their demons
Maybe today, we can put the past away
I wish you would step back from that ledge, my friend
- Three Doors Down

I have run every day this week, I swear. Mon and Tues were fairly decent runs outside, 3.5 miles walking a lot of the last mile. Yesterday was kind of a bad gym day. I had a morning meeting that threw off my fragile schedule, so I was at the gym around 1 and did 20 min on treadmill before I called it a day. Today was worse. I did 1.1 on tread and then a few minutes on bike. My a/c was broken last night so none of us slept well in my 89 degree house. So that was my excuse today. Tomorrow I plan to do 3.5 before driving down to the homeland.

Dr. Wilson, I presume

Go, Greased Lightning, tearing up the quarter-mile...

No, the title has nothing to do with my run. Yes, I defended my PhD dissertation last week, and I am going to milk that for all it's worth. 

I ran for the first time since last April, and it was totally my own idea to do it.  A lot of people take up exercise during grad school, ostensibly to relieve stress but *of course* it's a procrastination technique.  I didn't need any procrastination strategies -- with two kids, two different research projects, a teaching job, a private office where I could nap, and a Facebook account, I had all the procrastination opportunities I needed.  And instead of exercise relieving the stress of school, apparently I needed the stress of school to go away in order to be able to exercise.  Whatever works.

But now I remember why I hated running so much when we lived here before.  It's f-ing hot here, people.  I really muffed up the opportunity to run in a better climate.  Mmmm, snow...

Long story short, I'm back on the blog and on the streets.  Oh -- the total run was 1.17 miles.  I was like greased lightning out there.

Hey ya

Heeeeyyaaaaha
Heeyaaha
- Obadiah Parker, Hey Ya

This is the kind of rebellious gym day I had today. It was definitely bad-gym. Which, while definitely not as awesome as good-gym, is far superior to no-gym. That's all I have to say about that.

Overwhelmed by Taco Bell

You've taken me higher, and shown me what love can do
Where would I go, or be, without you
- Tim McMorris, Overwhelmed

Today I was like really busy people. I mean I had actual meetings and shit. And I took a lunch break. So I didn't get to the gym until 6 after I took the boy to practice. I did the treadmill and was watching this special on this artist who did simple, folksy looking paintings of black people and I was thinking I did something like that in 5th grade. It was bicycle safety week and I was drawing a picture of this kid on a bike with big old wheels and we had this amazing technology whereby we could take these colorful drawings and put them onto SLIDES and actually do a slide presentation for the class. Probably the origination of PowerPoint presentations in that class right there in Pinetop, AZ. But suddenly I was called out of class because it turned out Mr. Church had died of a heart attack right there at his desk at lunch that day. And I guess people were worried about telling me because I had him twice as a teacher, in both 3rd and 4th grade. And I liked him a lot. He used to keep tootsie pops in his drawer and I remember I stole a red one one day when I was trusted in his room alone at lunch, probably recording grades or something. I felt awful about that sucker for years. But my point is, when I returned to art class the next day, someone had finished my drawing and colored the kid's skin brown. I was really pissed because that wasn't what the kid looked like in my head. She looked like me, of course. But looking back, it looked kinda cool and unique, like the paintings on the tv today, even though I was embarrassed when it was shown in front of the class. I bet it would be worth at least two dollars today. I guess sometimes it takes someone else to show you what the world can look like. And it's funny where your mind can travel while running, if you let it. Anyway, I did 3, last one with strength training. And then I went to Taco Bell and ate tacos while watching sweaty 13 year old boys run football plays.

Deja Vu

I like hammering nails and speaking in tongues
Cause it doesn't remind me of anything
-Audioslave

Stop me if you've heard this before.  I got to the hotel in Dallas and had a little under an hour before dinner.  I quickly went to the fitness center and ran two miles (again with the sweet intervals).  Then I showered and went to dinner. 

Don't have to be the prettiest
If you have the mind and willingness
No one stops a girl who knows what she's got
- Jimmy Eat World, Stop

This has been a tough week for exercise, coming off of my strep throat last week. I did 3.5 and 3 outside Mon and Tues with lots of walking mixed in. It really feels like fall with the tiniest bit of crispness in the air in the mornings. Today I went to the gym and did 2.25 on dreadmill and then one on track with strength training, aka the nerd workout. It was slow and difficult but it got done.

step by step like an infant new kid

One of my favorite Black Eyed Peas lines....

Ran in South Boston Bay. In the end, the sea smelled better than me and the end of my 6 run jubilee.

Encore

Thank you, thank you, thank you, you're far too kind
Now can I get an encore, do you want more
-Jay-Z/Linkin Park

Put your lighters away - I know you enjoyed my reunion tour run a couple of weeks ago and so today is the encore presentation of that run.  Two differences - one important, one less so.  I decided to run the other direction, but more importantly, I had a plan on where I was going to go. 

I first ran past the friend who lives in my same city, uneventful.  Then on my way to the next house, I saw a local police car which slowed down and then did a quick u-turn.  What's this all about?  The jaywalking incident from 5 minutes ago?  A general "we don't need your type in this small incorporated community"?  Nope - he just wanted to go the other direction.  Which is too bad because I was starting to look forward to the ride out of his community, like an old school sheriff
 
I continued on my way and successfully completed the run.  Just under 8 miles. 

And let's add Numb/Encore by Jay-Zed and Linkin Park to the playlist.  I think this is a mash up, but I'm not really sure how to use that term.  I'm not a really big fan of either of these artists by themselves, but I like this.  Kind of like MGD and blackjack.  I won't do one without the other.  Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3METMAHEnvk

More Than Just One Song Away

This is on the rise music, this is novelty music
This is who can blame music, I don't get fooled by it
This is where'd you go music, this is come home music
-Hockey

It was raining today when I set off to run.  And maybe that was why I didn't really want to run.  But I did it anyway.  I ran a pretty quick 3. 

Mostly I am panicking that it has taken me 8 months to build a 1 hour long playlist (and I have no plans to finish the half marathon in 1 hour).  So I have to really focus on building the back half of the playlist.  And here we go.

Song Away by Hockey.  I know what you are thinking, but they aren't.  I swear.  The're from Portland.  Which is the most Canadian city in the US, but still technically not Canada.  I found out about this band when my friend slapped down a toonie (that's a two dollar coin) on another friend's coffee table, and then bought 2 songs on his iTunes.  It was like cavemen file sharing.  Anyway, I really like this song and it makes every running playlist.  Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjMHyq2vrQk

Feelin good
I'm feelin alright
- Rebelution

I went to the gym today and did a slow and easy three miles around the track. It felt good to be back, but I didn't want to push it with the nerd workout. That's all I have to say about that.

When the devil beats his wife

Admittedly I never understood that saying as it relates to rain when the sun is out, but it can be quite pretty (when it rains, that is, not the satanic spousal abuse). This was my view as I walked 3 miles with fat dog this evening. And it was my first exercise since my sore throat last Friday night, remember? Turns out I had strep throat and was in misery until this morning. What's that? Poor poor me, you say? I know! 

UConn Territory

Stay out super late tonight
picking apples, making pies
put a little something in our lemonade and take it with us
-The National

I went to Connecticut just to run on a treadmill.  Well, let me explain.  I went to Connecticut for work - there was a big training session and some associated social events.  We had a pretty full day of training and then got back to the hotel at 4:30.  My presence was required for drinks at 5:30.  Sounds like plenty of time to run.  I quickly ran 2.25 miles on the treadmill with some pretty sweet intervals that were fast and at incline.  Felt really good.

I was invited to a different dinner than the rest of the group and so instead of going to the apple orchard, I went to the steak house.  Which was really good, but I did have some hope of going to the orchard and eating the hell out of some Empire apples.  That's right - red delicious, fiji, whatever - none of them have anything on Empire.  Oh well.  I'm also sure that there would have been some entertainment at the orchard (and not just some weirdo looking for an obscure type of apples) since some of my co-workers discovered the "package store".  This is apparently the name for a liquor store in Connecticut since the liquor must be packaged in a sealed container when it leaves the store.  However, once you get to your car you can crack it open since open containers are OK.  Anyway, I'm sure there were hijinks, as these guys didn't come all this way to run on a treadmill.

The Virgo Monologue

Well, maybe I'll call
or write you a letter.

-Better Than Ezra

 

First - housekeeping.  Happy Birthday to:  my sister, my sister-in-law, my mother-in-law, the rocket scientist, the banquer, and eddie.  That's a lot of people in the last few days.  So if your card is late - sorry, but we're over capacity.  And we're still going to blame Canada Post. 

 

I ran a pretty decent 3 this evening.  It was only 82 after the sun went down.  Downright reasonable. 

Pity

It was more than I could take
Pity for pity's sake
- Corrine bailey Rae, put your records on

Or not. Everyone who knows me knows I love a little sympathy. I got to run outside yesterday, which was great. It was only 78 degrees and rainy around noon when I went out and did my 3.5 mile route. But I struggled and just felt really tired. So then today I woke up with sore throat and fatigue. I think I'm getting sick. :(. Bring on the violins, please. Or even the fiddle.

Cowboy Up

And set up shop at the top of four seasons
-"Cowboy"  Kid Rock

Started a new job.  An American one.  My first trip was to Dallas and in between work and dinner I had about 45 minutes.  I zipped up to the workout room in the hotel (not the four seasons) and ran 1.5 miles on the treadmill and did a couple of sets on the machines.  Then I took a quick shower and ate dinner and watched the Cowboys play the Giants.  And I was sad that I didn't draft Kevin Ogletree for my fantasy team (whoever he is) and happy that I didn't draft Eli Manning.  But I did pick his brother (Manning, not Ogletree), and so I'm really hoping whatever completely natural substance Roger Clemens is using to fuel his comeback is also being injected into Peyton's neck.

Slower

Slower slower
We don't have time for that
All I want is to find an easier way
To get out of our little heads

Have heart my dear
We're bound to be afraid
Even if it's just for a few days
Making up for all this mess

- Snow Patrol, Run

That is how I ran this morning - slower and slower. I couldn't seem to wake up. I started on the track hoping that a warm-up would help. Did a mile there and then moved to dreadmill for inclines. Two more miles with some walking mixed in. But I got three done so all good.

Today I did 2 miles on tread and one on track with strength training. Am very tired tonight. Nuff said.

I just dropped in

To see what condition my condition was in.
- the big lebowski

Bf and I celebrated labor day by going to the gym and then spending the evening on the couch watching this classic. I didn't have a good gym day because by the time I got there I was starving and I can't run when starving. So, I did a quarter mile on the treadmill until I got exhausted, then I got on the bike and did 20 minutes, then I finished the mile on the track. Not pretty, but it got done I suppose.

White Hot

I'm white hot
I can't take it anymore
I'm white hot
Yes I'm burning to the core
-Red Rider

I set out today with grand designs and no plan on how to achieve them.  I thought I would do a reunion tour and run by the houses of my three good college friends who live close enough.  I had no idea how long of a run this would be, but I knew it would take me through 3 cities and roughly 6-8 miles.  Seemed like it would work.  Guess what - it didn't.

It started out fine as I jogged into the neighboring city and ran past the first friend's house.  Of course, as I've come to expect, no one was standing in the front yard with water.  Then I realized that I had no idea the best way to go to the next destination.  There's a major highway, railroad tracks, and lots of dead end streets in between.  I pick a route and start running and then realize it is just too damn hot for this ambitious of a run today.  As you know, I always assign a reason whenever I stop running and today is no different.  Sometimes these reasons are normal - right knee pain, back pain, lungs not getting it done, and sometimes they are not (waffles).  Today's reason is somewhere in between - too damn hot.  So at about the three mile point I started to walk and head straight back home.  On this walk I compared my reasons for stopping running to explanations in professional sports - like when Tim Duncan was held out of a game this year with the reason - old.  Or when someone snuck Sergei Fedorov onto the injury report during his holdout with the reason - wallet.  These thoughts cheered me up enough and some fortuitous cloud cover appeared and I was able to run the last 1.5 miles.  Total distance was 5.5 with a one mile walk mixed in.

After the run I went out and bought a cucumber and lime Gatorade - the whole time thinking about Will Ferrell in The Other Guys.  There's a scene where he and Marky Mark are looking for information and the antagonist distracts them with free tickets to shows and water with cucumber wedges.  Further proof that Will Ferrell can make anything funny.  And he is right , the cucumber does accent the Gatorade ...

By the way - here it is if you want to enjoy it again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3IQNPCIZ-k

Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
Fear is a friend who's misunderstood
But I know the heart of life is good
- John Mayer, Heart of Life

Today was pretty awesome. I slept for about 10 hours last night and went to the gym late morning well rested. I did 2 on treadmill but extended my 2% incline to 1.35 mi then finished up on 1%. Then I did a mile on the track with strength training every 3 laps. I've decided I really like that workout. It makes the strength training bearable. And, I'm pretty sure the hip flexor exercises will help my butt cheek problem. Now I'm gonna reward myself with a little relaxation reading by the pool.

Also I have a new favorite gym person. There was this tiny old lady, probably 4'8" walking painfully slow laps around the track. She took a rest break after every lap. It looked like maybe she was recovering from a stroke, and my heart nearly burst with admiration for her. This jackass guy was sprinting laps and at one point darted between me and her to avoid having to slow down, and I'm sure it startled her. I wanted to punch him. A-hole.

I'll bet your friends must hate my now I guess
I get the strangest looks from that bitchy crowd
And oh they must think they have every reason to

- airborne toxic event, does this mean you're moving on?

Friday afternoon is the best time to hit the gym, it seems. I counted only 6 people on the whole second floor while i was working out, and not a gym bunny in the bunch to give me weird looks. Today I had a good one. Did a sweaty 2 miles on incline dreadmill, then a mile on track broken up every 3 laps with strength training. It's a good workout and a nice way to break up the running. I ate like a hog after I did this the other day though, which is why I did it again today. Bf is taking me to my favorite restaurant tonight so I need a good appetite!

Rant of the Refugee

Warm yourself by the fire, son,
And the morning will come soon.
I’ll tell you stories of a better time,
In a place that we once knew.
-Rise Against
I didn't have a lot of time today, because I have to take my son to get some shots.  Wait - it feels like I've written that before.  I have a long rant on this subject, but I don't think I can deliver it coherently, so I'll just sum up.  This situation speaks to a system that is really broken and I, as a fake immigrant, can only resolve it one of two ways:  1) call in a favor from a friend who is a pediatrician (who is awesome and thank you) or 2) drive my ass (and my son's ass) up to Toronto and it get it done there.  I'm assuming a real immigrant wouldn't have the local network to use option 1 and so would be in a tough spot.  Oh yeah, option 3 is pull my son out of school for the next 3 weeks while I wait for an appointment.  I guess I'll just say that I respect everyone's right to have an opinion on any issue, especially one as complex as health care, but if you are going to use the "Obamacare sucks because it is just like Canada" argument, please don't say that shit anywhere near me.

Did I say that I wasn't going to rant?  Huh.  Oh well.  Onto other news.  I ran today.  Short and fast.  I ran the 2.1 mile loop in the neighborhood.  I had 15 minutes as a target, but am OK with just over 16.  I'm going to assume it was 15 minutes for the first 2 miles and then the .1 took the rest of the time.

And let's add "Prayer of the Refugee" by Rise Against to the official playlist.  I really like this band - I'm afraid they may have jumped the shark on their last album, but this earlier stuff is great.  Here's the link.  Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-SQGOYOjxs