Grumpy morning

I didn't sleep well last night, which meant I was not particularly fond of waking up at 6:30 this morning. Conversation at 3 am went something like this:
Me: you awake?
He: only because you keep moving around

Anyhoo, I went for a run at 7. It felt the tiniest bit cool outside so I chanced it, and it was okay. I did my 3.5 mile route but walked the last mile and picked up a couple cool rocks for my rock garden in the front yard. It got up to 110 degrees today, yuck. Welcome to June in Phoenix.

I'm hot like wasabi when I'm next to your body.
- Bare Naked Ladies as quoted by Better Than Ezra

I listened to some good old fashioned BTE at the gym this morning. I did 2.5 at inclines on dreadmill. Inexplicably I didn't go at all yesterday. The holiday has really thrown off my schedule. It's difficult to manage all the things I have to do. Anyway, my point is I didn't feel great. I wasn't mentally prepared for the gym but I got kicked out of the house by my awesome cleaning person. And later I have to go pick up my BMW at the dealership and drop off my loaner BMW. Life in Scottsdale is hard, ya know? So it didn't feel great and I wanted to quit but I kept thinking about how bf says I don't push myself. And he's right. So I pushed myself but just a little. He's only a little right.

You need me on that wall

I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you."
- Kernel Jessop, A Few Good Men

Best freakin movie line of all time, that is. I have to watch that movie every time it comes on cable, and tonight I was blessed by it on Country Music Television oddly enough, and I caught just the last 30 minutes, which is the best part including cross examination of Jessup, including the quote, "You can't handle the truth!"

So it almost didn't happen today. Bf is sick and I spent my day focusing on remembering our war heroes. Actually I did a bit of that. I learned that my Papa stormed a beach in Japan in WWII in the third wave, and almost nobody survived the first wave. And I was reminded of my Papa's brother, my great Uncle, who went down in a submarine and died at sea. I have the original telegram notifying my great grandparents of his death. And my brother served in Iraq twice. So quite a bit of sacrifice for freedom in my family.

So bf and I finally got off the couch to headed to the gym around 4, and when we got to our fancy gym it was closed. You know, special holiday hours for employees and all. Forget about the members who pay ridiculously high dues and have extra time for a workout on the holiday. So anyway I had to wait until dark, which is right in the middle of The Bachelorette which, as anyone who knows me knows, is church to me. I really had to sacrifice and remain focused on the goal at hand to get off the couch AGAIN, but I did for a quick two miles, which worked out well because then I could fast forward through all the commercials.

And now another memorable quote, this time from Workaholics, "Let's bust this butthole surfer." Joy comes in so many different forms.

Running Away From My Car

I looked at my car and I said "oh brother"
I'll throw it in the gutter and go buy another
-NWA

I haven't run since Tuesday, but I have walked a lot.  That's what happens when your car sucks.  All I want to do right now is dump this stupid kilometer-driving POS.  How will I go to work?  I don't care.  Maybe I won't go - there, I've solved two problems.  My real problem was that I knew I wouldn't have this car for long and so I cheaped out a little bit.  And so - the wisdom of the day (as if NWA doesn't provide enough wisdom):

“When you pay too much, you lose a little money - that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought is incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do.”
― John Ruskin

 

I ran back into the Leslie Spit today.  I think it was about 8 - with a halftime.  I spent about 10 minutes at the lake reflecting (and waiting for the bird watcher to go away so I could pee in the lake without ending up on YouTube). 

What would you think of me now

So lucky, so strong, so proud
I never said thank you for that
Now I'll never have a chance
- Jimmy Eat World, Hear You Me

I went for a run this morning, it was an unseasonably cool day. Did a decent 2.5 and then walked a half mile home. Fat dog pooped 3 times and dined on cheesecake from the counter this evening. Sigh.

I'm
Always here
Waiting for you
All alone
- Boxer Rebellion, If You Run

I went out around sunset this evening as there was a cool breeze blowing. I did a darn good 3.5 miles. Made it up nemesis hill before taking a quick breather, then two more short breaks in the last mile. Beautiful night. I baked chocolate chip banana muffins this evening as my reward, and made sure to hide them from fat dog. Last time I did this I left a plate of delicious muffins out for bf, and he later said "it was good" which led me to understand that fat dog had climbed on the counter and eaten all but one of the muffins before bf got there. This is why she's still fat dog even though she runs so much.

The end of the road

Demented and sad, but social

I took this picture of a social club in downtown Manchester, New Hampshire on my run today. I had so many questions about the place - the clientele, the membership dues, the activities contained within this small brick building. In short, I wanted to be a part. The best part is the sign on the building, which I'd you look closely, reads "No Loitering. Police take notice". You may wonder why the police are singled out of this notice. The reputed Manchester police department is right across the street. I imagine that there are many attractive ladies who are members of this esteemed social club, and perhaps the cops like to linger outside in hopes of scoring a phone number. Alas, it appears the popo have been obedient as I did not spy any on my way by.

Morning Run

Wake up
You son of a bitch
I wanna know who you're with and
Why do you roll in and out
At like six in the morning?
-Tim Armstrong

I finally did it.  I woke up to run.  Well, I set my alarm for 5:30, woke up at 5:15, decided I was way too tired to run, reset my alarm for 6;30, starting thinking about a bunch of stuff I need to do, started to stress about what I need to do, realized I was awake, and then got up at about 5:40.  Perfect - I'll just do that everyday.

I ran my usual run and was surprised momentarily by all the debris I encountered.  Oh yeah, yesterday was a holiday.  Victoria Day - and there were fireworks down by the lake.  I understand that Charles and Camilla are here in Toronto, so it's a big deal for those who like to celebrate the British Royal Family.  And of course, what better way to celebrate than to eat a bag of Doritos and leave your garbage on the beach (I guess I was expecting an empty bag of crumpets?)  No matter, I'm sure there is a Ministry of Holiday Cleanup that will take care of this directly (that's my best attempt at sounding British).

The run felt good for the first 3 miles and then it was a little bit of a fight for the last one.  But I feel good now and am ready for whatever this day holds.

"Later on, on the drive home
I called her mom from a pay phone
I said I was the cops
and your husband's in jail
The state looks down on sodomy
And that's about the time that bitch hung up on me"
- Blink 182, what's my age

An oldie but a goodie there and one that always makes me laugh. I had such an awesome run at the gym today. I was tired this morning so I worked first and then did my run in the afternoon. I did 3 miles at incline in 34 min and felt great the whole time. I did the last quarter mile at 9 mi pace even. Then I hit the hot tub and steam room. I like this new routine.

Also I ran at the gym on Friday and did a fairly decent 3 miles but didn't feel great. Five times a week for the last two weeks, not bad. This week is more questionable though, because I am a kept woman now and my love is taking me on a business trip tomorrow. Running shoes are packed.

Backwards

I'm back with scars to show.
Back with the streets I know
Will never take me anywhere but here.
-The Weakerthans

I had a wild and crazy idea this morning.  Do my standard run - but backwards.  I set out and immediately realized it was going to be a struggle today.  Is it that I am a better clockwise runner?  If so, that would explain my poor performances in Vegas.  Or was it my age-old nemisis (I mean days-old nemisis)?  I did have a waffle cone yesterday - was that the problem?  To be safe, I plan on completely abstaining from waffles for a week before any race (to be clear - pancakes are still OK).

I was pulled away from these thoughts about 3/4 mile into my run by an emergency situation.  There was a man on a bike with a shovel riding straight for me.  The only reason he could have a shovel on a bike was that he planned to hit me with it and then use it to bury my body.  In all my planning for man vs. bike, I never considered the biker would have a shovel.  Then I looked closer - it was a two-sided shovel.  I didn't even know there was such a thing.  Cause there isn't.  It was an oar.  Ah, now I can relax.  Biking with an oar is just plain crazy, not serial killer crazy.  Two things to consider from this 1) Never watch Dexter - it just isn't good for you and 2) Does this mean he has a place to store his kayak but not his oar?  Does he rent any old kayak but needs his special oar?  I don't really get it, but I'm not going to ask.

Anyway - I fought through the run and ran my standard (yet backwards) 4.25.

Ordinary Wizarding Levels

Troy Aikmen wants you back
Willie Nelson wants you back
NASA wants you back
And the Bush twins want you back (la la la la)
And Pantera wants you back (la la la la)
And Blue Bell wants you back
-Bowling For Soup

Back where?  I'm so confused - I feel like there is a hidden message in these last couple of blogs.  Maybe even in the title of this one.  Oh well.

I was concerned about my run today.  First of all - my last run was crap.  Then I woke up this morning with a ridiculously stiff neck.  I went to get a massage (which I think is covered under universal health care but you have to jump through some hoops.)  The massage helped but didn't cure me.  So I set out on my run feeling a little like Frankenstein and concerned that I have somehow regressed as a runner.

The first mile or so was uneventful, but then I came to the freshly mowed dandelion field.  I thought to myself that this would be the place where it would all fall apart.  But then I found motivation in an unlikely place.  I thought of myself as the Tin Man running through the poppy field (see - that stiff neck came in handy).  Of course - the Tin Man version of me in my head had the Cowardly Lion over one shoulder and was high stepping like Billy Sims.  I may need to reread that book - I might not be remembering all the details correctly.

All in all a good run.  4.25 and I felt OK.

There's a strong wind blowin

I push on, it pushes back
It's a hard time, but I'll get through it
Just gotta lean into it."
Little Big Town

As good as last week was for running, this week is bad.  I just can't seem to find my groove.  I did end up going to the gym yesterday and did a decent 2.5 miles at incline, but it was really difficult.  I thought it was the kind of run that would make today's run much easier. To the contrary, it did not.  I went to the gym again this morning and ran a mile at incline before giving up and walking another half mile.  So 1.5 for today. 

This is where my core philosophy of "if you go, you win" comes in.  Even though today was weak, I went.  And I will go again tomorrow.  And consistency pays off, no matter what.  Just the act of stepping out the front door is a victory. 

Aw-ffle

I'm gonna get laid, I'm gonna run guns
I'm gonna find God in the mid-day sun
From Singapore to Galveston
-Ron Hawkins

Sounds like a plan Ron -but maybe not Singapore.  I have really been struggling to get up in the mornings to run outside, which is strange because I was really pretty good about getting up early to go to the gym.  So I went to work, dealt with all the drama, came home and ate dinner.  Dinner was waffles - totally awesome.  I waited an hour (which would mean I was good to go swimming) and then went out for my run.  Apparently I do not digest waffles quickly.  My run was awful.  I cut it off early and only did about 2 since I felt like I was pregnant and about to give birth to a box of Eggos.  I also think that I must be struggling with some allergies, since my lungs were completely on strike.  Maybe I should find a different place to run ...

TO BE CONTINUED

Today I don't feel like doing anything

I just wanna lay in my bed."
- Bruno Mars, The Lazy Song

Except, I am keeping up with my Dear Abby reading.  In case anyone is of the opinion that Canadians are nicer than Americans, please consider the following: 

Dear Abby: I have a good friend, “Renee,” who is Canadian and a permanent resident of the United States. We don’t always agree on things, but one thing really bugs me about her. She’s always saying how “nice” Canadians are and how rude Americans are.
On a recent trip we took to Canada, she commented about a cashier who was nice to us by saying, “That cashier wouldn’t have been so nice if we were in America.” When I try to point out evidence to the contrary, Renee shrugs it off and calls it an exception to the rule.
How should I politely ask her to knock off bashing Americans?
Love It Or Leave It

Dear Love It Or Leave It: Do it by “politely” pointing out to Renee that it is rude to make comments that make others uncomfortable, and if Canadians are as “nice” as she says they are — and that includes her — she’ll quit putting down Americans because you find it offensive.

I did start my day with my usual run, but it was kindof a bust.  I didn't go until 8:30 and it was just hot.  I'm in this mode of denial about summer approaching and being forced to exercise in the gym, so I've continued going outside.  Fat dog looked like she was going to have a stroke.  We ran most of the way to the gym, and then walked all the way home - 3 miles. 

Happy bday to K

Today my beautiful K turned 16 years old.  I am amazed at how she just keeps getting older and yet I stay the same.  The day started with our usual fashion show made even more important by the selection of the very important birthday outfit.  After dropping her off, looking marvelous, I took to the street for my run.  It was 85 degrees out at 7:20 am when I started out.  Goodbye spring, I guess.  By the time I finished, it was 89 degrees.  It was hot and sweaty although a decent breeze was blowing off the mountain much of the time.  Fat dog and I were startled out of our reverie by a car honking and waving at us - turns out it was bf on his way to work from the gym.  It's fun being neighbors.  Also I'm glad we were running when he saw us, as that's always tenuous.  I avoided the pit stop in the park by walking the last mile of my 3.5 mile route, partly because I had to go and partly because it was, in fact, damn hot. 

Trust Me

You know I don't believe in God
But I believe in you
From the roads down which we both have trod
To the nights that you pulled me through
-Ron Hawkins

I ran my new usual 4.1 miles today, but not in its regularly scheduled time-slot.  The run was OK, but I didn't encounter any bees, gnat, geese, or other interesting wildlife. 

Generally on Sunday, the family goes to church and I attend the church of running.  But as today is Mother's Day, I attended the more crowded version of church.  A few observations.  1) Pews are really uncomfortable.  2) Two rows in front of me was a guy in a Team Canada Jarome Iginla jersey. 3) In Canada, the book of Luke is not spelled Luc, no matter how much you are hoping for that.  4) Much like running, the voice in my head has a lot to say, but the music isn't as good.

When I was growing up, I went to church and they had an activity to teach about trust.  One person was blindfolded and had a partner to lead them around.  My partner led me right into a wrought iron upright.  I told my mother what happened and she said "you probably learned a good lession about trust."  Too true.  Happy Mother's Day everyone.

Brighter Hell

Yeah as far as I can tell
We're on the road to brighter hell
-The Watchmen

I ran 4 miles today.  It was not so good - my lungs weren't really up to the task and so I kind of struggled the whole way.  But I did enjoy listening to Brighter Hell by The Watchmen.   Let's make it official - add it to the list.  Generally, at this point in the blog I try to sell all of you on adding the song to your own playlist.  Not today.  I'm not sure that this is a great running song - you might want to try Absolutely Anytime or Anything But That if you want something more upbeat from The Watchmen for your playlist.  I, however, really like this song and it is like 6 minutes long.  It really feels like you've gone a long way in just one song when you play it.  I do think this is a cool band and a bit of a Canadian secret - I'm not sure if I'm supposed to let this out. 

Enjoy.  Or don't.  I forget what I'm trying to get you people to do.  If you do watch, try not to laugh at the Canadian influence in the mugging scene.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llYg2PlQmvc&feature=related

you elevate my soul

I've got no self control
You make me feel like I can fly
so high
elevation
 - U2

That's a rousing motivating song from my run this morning.  I woke up and thought I'd take the day off because, you know, its been a hectic week being off and all.  But since I had nothing else on my schedule and I didn't really want to go to the gym, I went out for a run after I dropped J at the bus.  I was feeling lazy, maybe my rest days are really mental rest days because I didn't really run much yesterday (ok 2 miles, not bad) but today I felt like I wanted a break from it all.  I guess Friday is still Friday even when you don't have a real job.

Anyhoo, I laced up my shoes and went out.  I ran a mile and then walked a mile, but it was quite an inspiring run because I came home and wrote for a couple hours, which was good. 

I turn the music up

I'm on a roll this time
And heaven is in sight"
- Coldplay, Every Teardrop is a Waterfall

This is a great song discovered this morning on my run - it is on a playlist bf made for me.  And I am really on a roll this week - 4th day straight running.  I'm not sure this is good, as I'm a believer in rest days, but I really need to start my days with a run to wake up and get motivated.  So, I did a real slow jog on my normal 3.5 mile route, but I walked home and cut it short to 3. We had this really weird storm last night, wind and lightening, but its clear blue skies and crisp and cool this morning.  It's been a gorgeous May so far, in all ways. 

Goodbye Gym

It's such a pity to say
Goodbye to you
Goodbye to you
-Scandal

My 3 month Groupon gym membership ended this weekend.  It's a shame because there was so much at the gym I'd become accustomed to.  So now I must say goodbye.  Goodbye to Ms. One Shirt Treadmill.  Either she did laundry everyday or never, but she was always on the treadmill and always wearing a shirt that said "Eat Sleep Run" (I guess the no mention of laundry answers that question).  Goodbye Sweaty Buddha.  One parting tip:  sweaty man + no shirt + leather couch in locker room = nasty.  And finally, goodbye Least Motivated Employee.  I guess I don't really have to say goodbye since you could never be bothered to check my membership paper and so as long as I have a folded up piece of pink paper I could have access to the gym. 

Now my plan is to run outside.  I couldn't get up yesterday or today to run in the morning, so I had to run tonight.  I went to a trade show today and I was exhausted from both being nice to people and being really damn productive, so I wasn't sure if the run would happen.  So I ate dinner, watched the first period of the Rangers & Capitals, and then ran 4.75 miles.  I felt tired to start but got energized as I went.  Good run.  And I got back in time to see the Caps win.

We know you hate bein alone

But you ain't the only one
You hate the fact that you bought the dream
And they sold you one"
- Drake fet. Rihanna

Yes I'm shamelessly quoting a pop radio hit today. I did my 3.5 mile route outside today but went an hour earlier (so 7:30) and I was thinking I only had time for 3 because I had to get back to take J to the bus, but I realized if I pushed a little I could make it so I did the whole thing in about 11:25mi which was cool. It's good I got my run out of the way early because of my hectic schedule.

Its a beautiful world

la la la la la la its a beautiful world
and we're all here."
- Jim Brickman

Running has been so good lately that lacing up my shoes is like vines on the gate to heaven, so good do my feet feel in my awesome shoes.  I ran 3.5 both this morning and yesterday morning, and its just been beautiful outside, high 70's with a gentle breeze blowing.  I've been doing my outside route, which involves running TO the gym, but not actually going inside, which is perfect.  I feel energized and refreshed and ready to tackle my day. 

You have the voice of an angel. Your voice is like a combination of Fergie and Jesus

This is my first attempt at fogging which is a foreshadowed blog. A future predicted via blog. A fog if you will.  I will run 3 sloppy miles and enjoy the gym at lunch time today while watching AZ Diamondback highlights that are at least two days old because that is the lameness that is the cardiovascular district at our gym. I am sensing there will be hilarity to my right during my treadventure. I can't wait.

I think I see Blue and he looks glorious...

As earlier described, we hiked 7.5 miles uphill covered in small flies attracted to the nectar we apparently were on Sat AM and then last night I ran 7.5 miles to the gym and back. As I ran, I nearly stepped on a large bee hive (on my way back they had the area quarantined by yellow caution tape which seems like a reasonable plan to keep the bees from swarming if a below average toddler were the kingpin of that safety plan). My near pain experience just made me hate insects and those that half heartedly try to fight them more.

I also ran 2.5 miles in a circle on Friday at the gym in the early morning while doing pullups and other assorted made up exercises I did every four laps to keep my dream on being inadvertently recorded and posted on youtube anonymously by someone other than myself flickering. I would have thought my airplane seat exercise band workout regimen should have gone viral by now.    

Lord of the flies

Bf and I undertook a rather incredible feat on Saturday - we aere on the mountain by 7am. This is made even more incredible by the fact that Friday was my last day at what had become a quite miserable job, and I anticipated a night of many martinis and a hungover morning. But, after many tears and one very bad movie of my choice (which was so bad I won't get to pick the movie for at least a couple months) we had a great dinner at a great restaurant and were home in bed by 10. So I was feeling very mature and grown up arriving at the mountain at 7. After a pit stop made possible by the delicious fried chicken dinner I had, we set off. It was really crowded, so we decided to take a new trail off the beaten path. As the sun got higher in the sky, it grew warmer and the presence of these nasty flies increased. We had some debate about who was sweeter (me because I was clearly attracting more flies, him because he likened flies to sh*t) as we climbed the ever steeper trail. We had started off somewhat arrogantly, joking and chatting, and then running a good part of the first uphill trail. By the time we got to the top, we were sweaty and exhausted and coated with flies. This did provide some motivation to keep moving though, as motion provided some small relief from the nasty buggers, but despite that I took a break to eat a granola bar I had brought in bfs pocket and worried out loud about my diminishing quantity of water to which bf guffawed, and I swear when I arose I was like that pigs head covered in shiny black flies. Anyway we finally made it although neither of us would have done it had we known how hard it was going to be, it was a great accomplishment, and by 10am we were enjoying our ihop breakfast. As it turned out, we did 7 miles and about 1200 feet elevation increase.  Today I am rather fatigued and am taking the day off lounging by the pool.

Progress

Someone said you was asking after me
But I know you best as a blagger
-The Fratellis

Blagger is apparently British slang for a bank robber.  I like this better if you change it to blogger. 

I ran my usual run today.  I'm pretty sure that I've already run more in 2012 than I did in all of 2011.  That means one of two things - either blogging is a very successful way to stay motivated to run or I've done enough for the year and can shut it down.  Hmmm - we'll have to wait and see which way this one goes.

I've changed the end of my standard run to lengthen it from 4 to 4.1.  That's what they call progress.

Deep thoughts

I had many deep and profound thoughts to share on my run this morning, but it is past 3pm and they have all escaped me. I did a run outside before work, started on my 3.5 mile route, then modified it to 3, then walked the last mile. Oh well, it got done and I'm looking forward to a movie popcorn pig out.

I did go last night as well but some chaos erupted at work and I jumped off the treadmill at .6 mi to take a phone call and never made it back on.

Run Your Age?

Maybe I could use you to reassure myself
I wouldn't wish this indecision on anybody else
Drink enough of anything to make this world look new again
-Gin Blossoms

I was a little worried during the first half of my run since the voice inside my head was completely silent.  Was it the publicity of previous post?  Fame can do crazy things.  But then at the turnaround point, it came back strong.  I started having an internal conversation about how golfers try to shoot their age and if there was any way to apply this to running.  And if so, when can it be done?  I am certain that I am not going to run a 4 minute mile in my 40's.  Could I run a 6:30 mile when I'm 65?  A 9 minute mile when I'm 90?  I'm not even sure what I can run right now. 

Anyway, I ran a solid 4 today.  I'm not sure that I really wanted to run today, but I did want to release another song from the playlist, so I made sure to get out and do it.  The above-quoted song is Lost Horizons by the Gin Blossoms.  It's about time we add an Arizona band to the playlist.  Sometimes I do a little research before I make a song official and it turns out that is a terrible idea.  I guess you can't write the above lyric without living it and this song does have a sad back story.  I'll leave that alone as I much prefer to attach my own meaning to songs and this song has been with me on every running playlist.  I'm pretty sure it will be on every running playlist in the future.  Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtsZFukAUc8&feature=related

"Can't Sing But I've Got Soul..

A line that resonates from U2 in the song "Elevation". It's a sweeter irony than having too much sugar in your game or pooing in the park. I rowed 2000 meters, ran 2.8 miles, and lifted moderate amounts of weight for 25 minutes. It was a good morning...also ran 2.11 miles and lifted on Tuesday night sandwiched between large amounts of sour cream on a deee licious red baked potato.

I also sang out loud to my earphones this AM and alarmed the ladies around me. They are probably blogging right now about this.

another page

of sullen rage
and I'll be back to my normal self.
 - Blue October, Happy

I had a lovely run outside tonight.  After dinner it was still light out and had cooled off a bit, so I went out and I felt really good again.  That is until about 3 miles, when I began to regret my choice of tacos for dinner. 

Born Again Blogger

If I get old I’m living easy

Find a nice old country home 

Let the land do what she wants to

Leave her wild and overgrown

And when I’m sure my days are numbered

Find a nice place in the field

And thank that little voice inside my head

For such good company
-Elliott Brood

Why wait until then?  Consider this a formal thank you note to the voice inside my head.  As displayed here, it does have a lot to say and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't run if I didn't enjoy its company.  It was, however, relatively quiet as I ran on the treadmill this morning.  I walked 3/4 mile to get started as I found it slow going (late business development meeting last night - at a sports bar) and then I ran a pretty good 4.

Headline News informed me that the second most important celebration today is of International Workers Day - which means that the Occupiers will be Reoccupying and that people all over the world will be protesting the concept of work.  Or something like that.  I will not join these protests, but if they manage to get me a couple more weeks vacation, I will gladly partake. 

More importantly, my online persona is reborn today as Bad Haircut.  I do this to acknowledge Tom Perrottta, the greatest living American writer (which is another way to say best writer ever) and also to pay tribute to the great Canadian tradition of mullets.