I set all my regrets on fire

Cause I know I'll never take the time
To unpack my missteps
- Fun, Out on the Town

This has been an awesome month, almost as awesome as June was bad. I ran 22 days this month for a total of 57.5 miles. I've got some ground to make up, that's fo sho. But I'm getting there! 3 miles today and yesterday with strength training mixed in. I was talking on the phone this morning and glanced in the mirror and noticed a muscle in my thigh. So I spent the next few minutes (or hours) striking poses to admire my new muscle definition. And it is worth noting that today for the SECOND consecutive time, I tried to order a snack-size Reeses McFlurry (the worlds most perfect dessert) and the damn ice cream machine was down. At two different McDonalds!! The universe is conspiring against my demonic dessert habit. No regrets.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow's just a song away
Just a song away
- Hockey, Just a Song

Sitting in Sauce after school shopping with my daughter, this song was on the radio. And I contemplated how upsetting this fact would likely be for Bad Haircut, since he seems to be a connoisseur of music off the beaten path, and Sauce is most certainly on the beaten path. Nevertheless, it's a good song and I am glad he introduced it to me. I hit the gym for a sweaty 3 miles today with nerd workout on the last mile. I longed for the days of cooler weather when I could run the mountain on the weekends. Or even days when the gym wasn't such a sweat box. Alas, cooler days are just a song away.

Just One

La, la, la, don't wanna talk about it
La, la, you go on and on and on about it
-Brendon Benson

So here was the thought process for today.  It's hot.  I don't want to be outside in the heat for a long time.  If I go for a short run I won't be outside for very long.  The faster I run, the less time in the heat, and therefore, it doesn't matter how hot it is.  That last part is where it all falls apart.  Anyway, I thought I would run my fastest mile.  But I didn't.  I thought I did, and then I looked at my time.  And we aren't going to talk about it.  But the one mile does bring me up to 328 for the year.  Which means there are only 172 miles left.

And then I went to get a haircut and in the chair next to me is a guy with a real mullet.  And not just a little bit - it was like a combination between Kenny Powers and Jaromir Jagr.  I have no idea why he was getting a haircut.

Percussion Gun

My god, can't you see that
I know which way to run
You're tired, my love
I feel the same
-White Rabbits

I ran 3 miles yesterday, didn't blog, and I feel terrible.  Just to be clear - I don't feel terrible about not blogging right away, my body just feels terrible.  Overtraining?  As much as I want to say yes, not likely.  Jet lag?  Nope - no travel this week.  Houstonitis?  Probably.  We are one of the least fit cities in the world.  This excuse feels perfect.  It's not me, it's you.  The rest of you people here in this city have drug me down.  Anyway, I just feel tired.  Not sure if tomorrow's run is going to happen.

But we still have important business to get to.  Percussion Gun from White Rabbits is in to the official playlist.  This song is the only type of gun that you can't purchase in any sporting goods store in Texas.  And by sporting goods store, I mean grocery store, school, furniture store, hospital, or convenience store.  I don't mean to be misunderstood here, I clearly support everyone's right to own a musket in case King George is going door to door.  I just don't really believe that you need an AR-15 in case Obama shows up.  But little Prince George, we might have to watch him.  Anyone related to Pippa can stir up their fair share of trouble...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IClBpch9vmM

Cups

When I'm gone
When I'm gone
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone
- Anna Kendrick, Cups

Here's what I have to say about that. You can cloak your cost cutting initiatives under the guise of environmentalism but I know better. I pay an assload of money to sweat on your fancy treadmills with no airflow, and if I want that "extra cup" by god I think I've paid for it. And really, who takes an extra cup? Are there people who hoard styrofoam cups? Or surround themselves with multiple drinks in order to have one within arms reach at all times? Or perhaps sell them on eBay in order to pay for their membership? Hey now, there's an idea ... 2 miles sweated out today. 3 on Tues and Wed. Not a bad week so far.

Cheque It Out

I said pretend you've got no money
she just laughed and said "oh you're so funny"
I said "yeah, well I can't see anyone else smiling in here"
-Pulp

I made a quick trip to the bank today.   I ran 2 miles there and then 1 mile back.  It was warm.

This would have been easier in Canada - not just the warm part.  My bank there (not banque, no matter how much you want it to be), was open all the time.  Until 8PM on weekdays.  All day Saturday.  Parts of Sunday.  My bank here closes at 4PM.  I guess if you are open 9-4, you are catering to people who don't have jobs.  But you would think, oh nevermind...

I know, they want me to take a picture of my check (but it is cheque in Canada) with my phone and believe that it will end up in my account.  OK - I'll try it, but it doesn't seem like it will work.

There was a feature on The Daily Show comparing banks on either side of the border.  The North side considered their banker as a trustworthy extension of their family.  The South side was mostly bleeped out.

When it rains

I decided to take advantage of the cool overcast morning and go for a run outside today. I wasn't going to take phatty mcphatterson because I know she doesn't like getting wet, but she insisted. About a quarter mile in it started raining pretty hard and I decided if it was still raining after a mile then I would turn back. But it calmed down so we went on. Pretty soon it was just pouring and my shoes were sloshing through puddles. We made it to the gym and took refuge in a little restaurant patio outside the gym until K came to rescue us. Last night I went to the gym with bf and did 2 miles in a hurry because there were two cuties downstairs playing volleyball and I wanted to play.

Nerd Herd

My age has never made me wise
But I keep pushing on and on and on
- Imagine Dragons, Nothing Left to Say

Today was a treadmill day. Ugh. I pushed through the first two miles at incline sweating like a hog. I remembered some words of wisdom I picked up somewhere along the way: There are two kinds of people at the gym - those who wipe the equipment down and the worst people in the world. My habit now is to wipe the equipment BEFORE I run, as there are a lot of the worst people in the world out there. Hell, I used to be one. Then I settled in to watch the four TVs in front of me and try to decipher them whilst listening to loud music. There's frequently a finance show on CNBC when I go to the gym mid-day, and I remembered that I actually bought Costco stock a couple years ago after deciphering that it had taken a big drop, and it has done pretty well for me. Alas, no great stock tips today. Then I took to the indoor track for a nerd workout, and I always have this fear that somehow I will stumble and fall over the balcony to the basketball court below. But I made it through once again. I'm grateful to bf for introducing this workout to me. I've never been able to force myself to do strength training until now, it's actually somewhat enjoyable. Anyway, 3 miles for the day. Good progress for the month.

By Choice, Man

Musta got lost, I got lost, musta got lost

somewhere down the line

-J Geils Band

I ran 4.5 miles yesterday and I wish I could say it was on purpose.  I was in Albuquerque and on my way out on the run, there was a crappy section of sidewalk.  I was so concerned about avoiding it on my return to the hotel, that I made sure to run on the other side of the street.  Except that I was on a different street at the time.  And then missed my turn.  And then, I was a little bit lost.  But luckily, my hotel is the ugliest thing for miles (it's called a pyramid, but it is decorated with a couple brown rows of orange trapezoids - was probably very cool in the 80s), and so I was able to find my way back. 

So here is what I learned on this trip. 

• The advice from my friend Jefe to run until you get lost is crap. 
• Albuquerque is the exact same place as Tucson, just harder to spell (except Tucson has gas stations near the rental car return at the airport). 
• No matter how much you want to experience local foods, no matter how much you like cucumber water, cucumber Gatorade, or The Other Guys, do not order a cucumber margarita.  Green chile mac and cheese is OK though.

The Heat

All systems go
The sun hasn't died
- Imagine Dragons, Radioactive

I went running outside this morning while my son was doing football conditioning and let me tell you, it was hotter than a motherfu**er out there. And humid. I felt bad for those boys out there doing sprints and assorted other torture. I went about 3 miles and sweat about 2 gallons from each armpit. In all, a good workout. Then I went out and ruined it all at lunch with a client. Damn job!

Breathe

That's all I could think about during my mile-high run in Denver this morning. I did my 4 mile route down to the church - 2 miles downhill and 2 miles uphill. I did great on the downhill. Enough said. I couldn't help but think about the last time I ran that way. I got home from my trip to find my Buddy dying. So I thought about him for a bit. He was a good kitty and he had a happy life. Ten I ran by this beautiful meadow with some horses in it, and I was reminded about how as a small Catholic girl, I believed I had video cameras in my eyeballs, so whenever I would pass horses or other really cool animals, I would close my right eye to record them. I wanted to keep them with me forever. Then I felt a little guilty for dedicating all of my recording space to animals, so I started using my right camera for godly things like churches and statues that I found pretty. It's only now that I realize they are the same.

Outside Good?

Bitter, bitter mouth
Spitin' out seeds of doubt
-Calexico

Earlier this week, I ran 3 miles on the treadmill in Chicago, trying out my plan to avoid the summer heat.  I like air conditioning. I like TV.  There is only one problem with this plan.  Running on the treadmill is awful.  I hate the accounting of running.  I don't want to know my pace, I don't want to know every time I pass another hundredth of a mile.  I can't stop my mind from doing all the "until I can quit" calculations.  And all the "I don't think I can stand another x minutes or x miles".  Or worrying about the number of laps by the little red dot which represents me.  And I don't like the fact that if I quit there is no consequence (like having to walk home).  All of my thoughts about the treadmill can be summed up by turning the blog over to my 3 year old niece.

"Don't like it"

Thanks.  I'm back.  So I ran outside today.  4.5 miles.  It was hot and muggy and wonderful.  I just ran.  I had no plan other than I wanted to run more than 3 miles (check) and that I wanted to decide between Janie Jones and Complete Control for a song by The Clash for my new playlist (fail).  Instead, I'm starting my new playlist with Cruel by Calexico.  My new favorite band from Tucson.  Enjoy.  BTW - 316.5 miles done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t46dvudrp8

That's fine

And I said that's fine
But you're the only one that knows I lied
- Ed Sheeran

I ran into this little guy on my run this morning in the rolling Castle Rock neighborhood. The hills are not easy although I ran about half of them with my lungs near exploding. 35 minutes, maybe 2.5 miles. Gorgeous sunshine and a gentle breeze. No lie!

She swore and said we are not
We are not shining stars
This I know
I never said we are
- Fun, Carry On

So today I went for a run in Denver at around 815. It wasn't too hot but the sun sure is intense here. And the altitude, aye! So I ended up doing about 2 miles in a field along a railroad track. Then I took the kidlets and neice/nephew to a place called Dinosaur Ridge where you can see actual dinosaur bones and tracks. It wasn't as cool as it was chalked up to be, but it was a 3 mile hike around the area up a fairly steep hill. We ran down, so I'm crediting myself 3 miles for today. I took yesterday off but did run 2.5 and 3 in Mon and Tues. Good month so far.

This is why I love my gym

After a sweaty treadmill run and nerd workout, I can go relax by the pool and enjoy the view of the mountains while reading or playing words. It was ungodly hot out there this morning so I didn't last too long, but it made for some nice relaxation. I swam laps yesterday instead of running, which was a nice change.

The Letter B

I'm gonna run and I won't brake
For nothing and no one and just wait
'Til I feel like myself again
-Brendan Benson

I was going to run on the treadmill today, but my "gym" isn't open on Sundays. But I would not be da turd deterred. I ran 3 miles through the neighborhood.  Early on, I took inventory and my legs hurt, my lungs hurt, it was hot and I was sweating like crazy.  So now we know that not really running for a month isn't the best training strategy.  

Today's run had my iPod set to Brendan Benson, which I enjoyed, and I made it around the 3 mile loop in about 27 minutes.  I'm going to give it a B-.  But as the man says, I just have to keep on running until I feel like myself again.  Or I can spend the next 3 months running inside.  I think I'm going to try plan B.

Central Texas Run

This carrion has been forgotten
left for dead in the sun rotting
-Alkaline Trio

I ran 4 miles in the Central Texas heat.  I thought I was getting an early start, but it didn't matter.  I had a partner for the first part of the run, my small companion was running the half mile out to the mailbox and then was going to bring the mail back to the house.  But there wasn't any.  And so as he turned around and I started to set up on the rest of my run - it happened.  He fell down.  Who falls down early in a run?  Oh yeah.  I guess it must be hereditary.  Anyway, he was OK and ran most of the way back as I followed and then I turned around and did the rest of my run.

I ran down the rural road that leads to the highway.  When I got to the turnaround point, there was a line of buzzards in the road, enjoying a dead squirrel in a very orderly fashion.  I thought that I could turn around early and leave them alone, but I decided that I wasn't going to let them deter me from my route.  So I did all that I could to look strong (I didn't want to give them any ideas) and forged ahead.  They moved and I made it to the turnaround point.  And then had to go back through them.  Not feeling strong.  Luckily, this is Central Texas, and so a giant Dually (yep - that's a thing - big truck with dual rear wheels on each side) came down the road and moved them out of the way. 

I struggled on the way home.  It was hot.  And I haven't been running enough.  Oh yeah, also it was hot.  And there wasn't anyone passing out popsicles.  Anyway, it puts me at 309 for the year.

Not changing

The reason that I'm here
Is the same through all these years
Not changing
Not changing
Not changing anything at all
- Imagine Dragons, Coming Home

Even though this morning was perhaps the worst mile I've ever run, I will still keep running. Bf had me up before 8 on a holiday when we had agreed to sleep in. According to him, we did. So I was at the gym at the ungodly hour of 8:15. Maybe I'm being a bit melodramatic, but it was hard. We haven't worked out together in a long time though, so I'm glad I got up. I did an excruciating mile on the treadmill at incline, and my heart was racing and my lungs couldn't seem to get air. My body just takes awhile to get going. Then I switched to the track and did a painful nerd mile. So two miles today. Yesterday I went about 10am and had a great workout - two miles at incline and a third nerd mile on the track with 20 reps every three laps. So anyway, 11 miles for the week so far. 500 here I come.

Hell

you can go to hell
it'll suit you well
and melt your cold black heart
- The New Amsterdams, Ex's and Oh's

It was 119 degrees in the gym when I went running tonight.  Wait, no, that was outside.  It was a tad cooler inside.  I did my first two miles at 2 and 1 incline, and I was sweating so much my arms we shiny.  Yeah, gross.  I did my third mile on the track with some strength training mixed in (aka the nerd workout) and it was much cooler there.  It was a struggle to get through that last mile though.  The first day back is never hardest - it's the second that kills.  I probably ate enough for two or three people last week - full meals with dessert provided at every meal and fatty snacks in between.  I ate out of boredom and tiredness mainly, which is unfortunate.  And I am feelin it this week fo sho.