Still here

Just not feeling well. The weather is perfect, so this is killing me. I didn't run all last week. I really, really want to, but I'm still not feeling well. I've had a really hard time breathing lately, too. Normally I get really wheezy the week preceding my period, but this hasn't gone away. My sister has been having trouble, too, and that never happens. She thinks it had something to do with the wildfires in California.

So I figured it's best to play it safe. So what if I fall back a bit? The Couch to 5k program isn't going anywhere, and neither am I. It's not being out in the fresh air and sunshine that bothers me. I go out in the yard a lot with Tank, but it's not the same.

I just took all last week off. Though it was good for my immune system, it took its toll on my arthritis and back pain. This week I resumed my workouts, except for running. I'm not going all out with the aerobic, though. I just warmed up yesterday and did strength training. In a little while I'll do the same warm up and then do abs. I have to stop by my sister's house and lend her my car. Before that I'm going to stop at the library and pick up the pilates DVD they have on hold for me (along with Singin' in the Rain). Hopefully a new routine will inspire me.

My sister recently had a health "scare" (more like a very, very, very mild concern) and is now motivated to start working out again. She asked if I would like to come and run with her at her house. That would be awesome, except that I'm about to (hopefully) start Week 3, so we'd end up not running together after the warm up. Plus, she doesn't have an iPod. She can probably just steal Homer's, though. Also, her work offers a discount for 24 Hour Fitness, and since I'm a family member, it would apply to me, too. I'm loath to join that place again, but if they've got an indoor track, I might be tempted. I don't think they do, though.

And me, I just feel like I'm getting fatter and fatter, and I know it's my diet. So I made the best smoothie ever for breakfast.

Okay. Maybe it’s not the best, but it’s the best one I’ve made in seven years because that’s the last time I made a frickin’ smoothie.

I wanted to keep with fruit-only for breakfast, but I also wanted a way to get my flax seeds everyday without having to keep buying yogurt (expensive). Last week I cut up and froze some overripe bananas and also bought a couple bags of frozen fruit (mixed berry - blue, red, straw; peaches).

So this morning, I felt like crap. So much so that my mom said we should hold off on going swimming. I got up before 8:00 but my mom was still sleeping. I didn’t want to run the blender and disturb her. So after she got up, I offered to make her a smoothie. I didn’t really have a recipe, I just threw stuff in:

• One cup enriched Silk
  
• Three or four ice cubes
  
• 2 Tablespoons soy yogurt (all I had was strawberry, otherwise I would’ve used plain)
  
• Approximately half a frozen banana
  
• Approx. half a cup frozen (mix) berries
  
• Three or four slices of frozen peach
  
• A dash of apple juice (approx. 4 Tbs)

I blended the hell out of it and then poured it into two cups. Then I ground up a tablespoon each of flax seeds and dumped it in our cups. Mixed. Consumed.

So yay for smoothies. I’m glad my mom wanted one because I know it’s the healthiest thing she’ll eat all day. I try to work a tablespoon of ground flax seed into her diet every day.

I think it’s time to make more Vampire Stew. And I'm definitely trying that nutloaf recipe again. I made it last week and it sucked so bad. It called for one raw potato to be grated, so I did. Well, it didn't cook all the way and it tasted terrible. I found out later that Corinne's mom blends the walnuts and potato together in the blender. Well, that little tidbit would have come in handy before I tried the recipe, no? The gravy, I'm happy to report, turned out beautifully. So if you're going to try making the nutloaf, toss the grated potato in the blender with the walnuts!

Lastly, back on the subject of running, I finally ordered a good bra. It kills me to spend that much money on an article of clothing, but really, this thing is essential to my continued good health and happiness. The only down side is that it's on back order until November 15th. Grrr.

Recipes

I forgot to post the yummy recipes Corinne’s mom gave me:

Sunflower Seed Nut Loaf

• ½ cup sunflower seeds, ground
  
• 2/3 cup walnuts, ground
  
• 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
  
• 1 medium raw potato, shredded
  
• 1 cup nut or soy milk
  
• 1 garlic clove, chopped fine
  
• 1 small onion, chopped fine
  
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
  
• 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
  
• 1/4 teaspoon sage
  
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Grease a loaf pan with olive oil or cooking spray and pour mixture into it. Cover with aluminum foil and bake 45 minutes at 350°. Uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes. Serves 6 to 8.

Oat Country Gravy

• ½ cup oats
  
• 2 cups water
  
• 1 Tablespoon nutritional yeast flakes
  
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
  
• ½ teaspoon salt
  
• 2 Tablespoons oil
  
• 2 Tablespoons soy sauce

Blend in blender and cook until thickened.

__________________________________________________________________

If any of y’all try it, let me know what you think. I’ve got all the fixin’s except for the bread crumbs, otherwise I’d be stuffing my face right about now.

I'm still not feeling well. Not sick exactly, but sneezy and congested. I found out that the cake I ate this weekend wasn't vegan. It had milk in it. I think that's what's happening to me --- bad reaction to the dairy. I wish I could get it out of my system. I wonder if drinking a detox tea would help any. I feel so gross.

The weather is going to be absolutely gorgeous all week. Really the perfect opportunity to start Week 3.

I just don't know if I should go for it what with how shitty I feel right now.

Self sabotage?

Why is it that I never seem to get one full week of running in?

I woke up at 5:30 this morning and yacked in the toilet. Went back to bed. Woke up several hours later. I feel okay, not queasy or anything. I want to put it down to eating like crap yesterday and topping it off with a sandwich of possibly suspect (expired) Tofurkey slices, mustard and aioli.

I really want to run, I'm just not sure if I should push it.

Week 2, Day 12

I did it! I didn’t slack off again!

Had a late start today. As soon as I got up, I had to shower because I was going to a birthday party at 1:00 and since I’ve gone no ‘poo, my hair get scuzzy in between baking soda scrub/vinegar rinses. Actually, Sunday will be three months since I went no ‘poo. I would think my hair would be done detoxing by now, but what do I know? I’m thinking I’m going to start washing my hair twice a week instead of just on Sundays.

At any rate, since I was going to be around people, I figured I should wash my hair. Then I had to take Mom to Blockbuster so we could buy Corinne a movie. Then it was off to the post office to finally get some change-of-address forms.

Got to Corinne’s house at around 1:45. We love to make an entrance. /sarcasm

I was the only one there not collecting Social Security.

Aside from Corinne’s brother being an asshat about my veganism, I had a pretty good time. I love old people. I love their stories and, when there’s a married couple, the way they play off of each other.

We (me, Mom, Corinne, Corinne’s mom and brother, and an elderly couple who are Corinne’s other clients) sat down to lunch. I was a bit apprehensive about it since I’m vegan and they’re not. Corinne and her mother are Seventh Day Adventists, so they eat vegetarian. Except for Corinne, who eats meat outside the home. All I’d had to eat by then was a banana, so I was pretty hungry. The dinner spread was some sort of loaf, mashed potatoes, broccoli, cranberry sauce, gravy, olives, beets and salad. I took beets and some broccoli before Corinne’s mother told me the loaf, gravy and mashed potatoes were all vegan. And they were sooooo goooood. Corinne’s mother explained to everyone that I was a vegan for moral issues instead of spiritual (like her), and Corinne’s (43-year old) brother laughed and said, ”What cow ever died to give you milk?” I looked him in the eye and said, ”All of them.”

Asshole.

I need a 400 pound man ridiculing my lifestyle?

After dinner (and vegan cake), we made Corinne open her presents, and then we all sat around and talked for an hour or so. Her brother, thankfully, went back downstairs. Then we all went into the front room to watch Ellen. Old people are so damn cute.

Mom and I went home soon after that. I was getting antsy because Tank was home alone and I knew he had to go potty soon, plus the sun was out and I was itching to get my run in before the rain started up again. Before we left, Corinne’s mom printed out copies of the Sunflower Seed Nut Loaf and Oat Country Gravy recipies for me. I’m going to make them tomorrow or Sunday.

After I got home (at around 4:30) and took Tank for a stroll around the house, I quickly put on my new workout pants and a tank top, strapped on my iPod, grabbed my bag and my rain jacket and drove down to the track. There was a couple speed walking around the track with their two dogs, but by the time I’d finished my warm up and stretches, they were gone.

It was 53° out there, sunny with a strong wind coming in from the south. I was fired up and ready to go. The run was pretty darn good. My calves started to hurt a bit after the third run but I worked through it. When I got to the sixth run, I really pushed myself. Not so much that I’d hurt myself, but just enough that I went out with a bang. Since I was feeling so good, I did a full five minute cool down around the track. Normally I do one lap and then head home to finish my workout, but it felt so good to be out in the sunshine, I wasn’t in a hurry to get back.

When I got home, I took Tank outside again and then went into the office to do my strength training.

Tomorrow is World Toy Camera Day, so I’ll be out in Portland with my sister and my Holgas. I will run again on Sunday.

I think I’m ready to start Week 3.

One final note: I think I've gone down another pant size. That was another reason I bought three new pair of pants from Goodwill. I wasn't sure if my clothes weren't fitting properly because they were old (I never buy new clothes) or if I was just in denial about losing weight. The jeans I bought are the same size as the pants that are loose on me but I figured were just "old." Well, these new jeans are loose on me, too. So it's not the clothes, it's me!

Also, I apologize for rambling. I'm trying to keep this blog focused on my journey into the world of running, but sometimes the details help.

Blowin' in the wind

Okay, so I’m totally being a big baby about running today. There are high wind warnings everywhere.

A Wind Advisory Is Issued When Sustained Winds Are Forecast To Be 31 To 39 Mph OR Gusts Will Range Between 45 And 57 Mph. Winds Of These Magnitudes May Cause Minor Property Damage Without Extra Precautions. Motorists In High Profile Vehicles Should Use Caution Until The Winds Subside.

Right now, it is cloudy (and really, really windy) but no rain. It’d be the perfect time to run, but ... I’m scared.

I’m not really sweating it since I can always run Friday and Sunday. That really kind of works out for the best, since Saturday is World Toy Camera Day, and I plan to be out most of the day, “shooting” with my sister. Friday I have a birthday party to go to, but hopefully I can find the time to run beforehand. I’ve got a lot to do today, anyway. My mom’s rides fell through, so I’ve got to drop her off at her Thursday thing, and then I’ve got to drive all the way into Tualatin to pick up Lady’s ashes. Then I’ve got to drop them off at my sister’s house and drive all the way back to the other side of the world to pick my mom up. Then I've got to drive all the way back to my sister's house tonight so we can watch Supernatural together.

So why am I still in my pajamas?

I was looking forward to running today because I got new workout pants! I went to Goodwill last night to buy a bigger water bowl for Tank and a tray for Freddie’s food (she’s mostly toothless and spits kibble everywhere). I ended up buying two pair of jeans (before that I had an old pair of khakis and a pair of green pants. And nothing else.), too. The workout pants have pockets, so now I don’t have to shove my keys and puffers in my bra when I run.

The other reason I’m posting is because my friend Jan was wondering how I got my mileage calculation thing that I post sometimes:

20.0 miles
Time: 11h 38m 00s
Avg. Pace: 34:54/mile

Well, when you register at Cool Running, you can keep track of your runs. You can also edit the start page to your liking. My start page has: my running log, local weather, daily run, and featured races.

This is what the running log looks like when I open it up to log a run, and this is what it looks like as I’m entering the information. As you can see, there are three options for Location. I have no idea what short or long loops are, so I just click on “track.” For Stats I put “one mile,” but I have no idea if that’s how far I’m running. I’m too lazy and/or stupid to gauge it, so my information is probably completely and utterly wrong. I have no idea how many laps I run, and at any rate, the track is much smaller than regular tracks, so maybe four times around isn’t a mile. Corinne said it was, and she went to school there, so perhaps I should take her word for it.

I hope that wasn’t too terribly confusing.

Stupid wind. I washed my “new” clothes as soon as I got home last night. At least I can thank the wind for drying them so quickly.

Intermediate 5k Program

I have a friends only blahhhg blog (still hate that word) on livejournal, and I’m a (n00b) member of the Couch 2 5k community. Someone just posted about this intermediate 5k program at Cool Running. Hmmm. This pleases me. I haven’t read through the whole thing yet, but a glance at the schedule has me confused as hell.



Since I’m only on Week 2 of the Couch to 5k program, I’m not too concerned with the details right now. And since I’m an idiot, I keep chuckling when I come across the word “fartlek.”

I’m hoping the rain will hold off for a bit so I can run tomorrow. Yeah, I’m being a big baby about running in the rain. Shut up!

Fartlek.

Heh.

Week 2, Day 11

I ran today. Didn't think I would, but I did. It's supposed to rain all week, so I was dreading the run. Woke up this morning. Rain. Waited around. More rain. Finally, at around 2:15, the sun came out and it was nothing but blue skies and puffy white clouds. I hurried up and threw my running shoes on, put on a long sleeved tee shirt, grabbed my rain jacket, my hat and my iPod, jumped in the car and drove down to the track.

The good weather lasted until the third run. Then the dark gray clouds rolled in again. There was no warning drizzle, it just started pouring. I could have handled a bit of rain, but not this. I'm just really paranoid about catching a cold. So I hurried back to my car and drove home. Of course, when I got there, the rain had died down considerably.

So I finished my last three runs in the front yard. It wasn't easy because the land here is anything but flat. That's why I didn't just run in the road. It's all up or downhill. I almost broke my ankle a time or two before I decided to run up the flat part of the road. Right when it starts to go up, I turned right into my neighbor's circular gravel driveway and trotted back down the road. It was an awkward path of street and yard and I was miserable, but I was determined to finish my run.

And finish I did. And you know what? It wasn't hard. I don't know if it started out as determination to outrun the rain, or if I finally jumped that Week 2 hurdle, but I felt pretty damn good for the entire run. Even considering I forgot to double wrap my boobs.

Normally, I run with two sports bras on, since one isn't enough to stop my girls from bouncing uncomfortably. But I was so concerned with getting down to the track before it started raining again, I only remembered to put one bra on. So I've decided it's time for the Last Resort. It kills me to spend that much on an article of clothing, but this isn't frivolous. This is something I need to continue down the road to health and happiness.

Anyway, back to today. I had an overripe banana (pleh) for breakfast. I'm going to cut up the rest and freeze them for future smoothie use. I didn't have lunch yet, but I inhaled half an Odwalla (Choco-walla) bar before I ran out the door a little while ago. For lunch I'll probably have leftover pasta and a big salad.

It was 54° out today. I was too warm in my long sleeved shirt + rain jacket, but I wanted to be prepared. Of course, right now the sky is blue again and the rain has stopped. Oh well. There was no way I was driving all the way back down to the track on the off chance that I'd be able to finish my run. I improvised and finished up here, and that's what matters.

Now I've got to shower and go to Goodwill. I need to get a bigger water bowl for Tank, and I also want to get some sort of plastic tray to put under (my cat) Freddie's food bowl. She doesn't have very many teeth left, so she leaves a huge mess whenever I feed her. I clean it up every day, but it comes right back again. I figure I can just trap the stray kibble in a tray and dump it back in her food bin for later.

Anyway. I kicked today's run's ass. I think some part of my determination was just trying to burn off some of the grief over Lady. I'm not sorry she died; it was time, no doubt about it. It's just that life without her smiling little face is so very bleak. The rain here, it can really get to you.

Paws

I didn't run Thursday. I spent all day at my sister's house. Our dog, Lady, was having a bad day (Cushing's, arthritis). Having trouble walking again. I guess deep down, I knew, but I was in denial about it all night. Finally, at midnight, my sister said we had to take her in. Suddenly, it was Luke all over again. I could see she was dying. We took her to Dove Lewis and they euthanized her. Chris and I were with her the whole time. I had my hand over her heart and felt it stop. She went very peacefully.

Yesterday we took her to Dignified Pets and had what I guess you could call our own version of a dog funeral. We (me, mom, sister) sat with her for a while and tied some fur from our three other dogs plus Chloe, the cat who especially loved Lady, around Lady's leg. We also cut off a small lock of our own hair to put with her. It's something we started doing; just makes us feel better that part of all of us who loved her will be with her until the very end.

I didn't run today, either. I finally got my period and I'm just not feeling up to it. I have no regrets about our life with Lady. Fourteen years is a good run. She had to have been at least 18 years old, but she didn't get old until very recently. It was a good (and dignified) end, but that doesn't mean I don't want her back here where she belongs. She was the glue that held our pack together. The other animals know, too. Bernie, her “BFF,” didn’t eat yesterday. They'll accept it and get on with their lives, but you can't tell me that they don't grieve.

The worst part about having animals (I won't say "owning") is that, compared to our lifespan, our time with them is so short, while our time without them is so incredibly long.


Lady
1992? - 2007

Week 2, Day 10

That's right. Another round of Week 2.

Yesterday sucked out loud and today is sucking even worse. Seriously. The only good thing I can say about today is that, for the first time, Week 2 didn't make me want to die. It could be a combination of things; I (stupidly) put off my run until after swimming, so it could be that my muscles were nice and warmed up by the time I made it out to the track. I was also in an incredibly bad mood. Perhaps I was too busy thinking about the things that pissed me off to really pay attention to how long I was running.

Whatever the reason, I went out there and did it and I didn't want to die. At all. It was raining, too!

This morning I got up, ate a banana and then went swimming with my mom and her caregiver. I almost took my own car and met them there, but my mom said they didn't have any errands to run and would be going home straight afterwards.

Famous last words.

We didn't get back here until 1:30. Corinne had so many stops to make, and she dilly dallies, so I was in the back seat trying not to scream in frustration. It was my own fault for not driving my own car to the pool.

Also, on the way home, it started raining. I was determined to run despite the weather, though. It was 54° out there. Not a lot of wind, just lots and lots of clouds. I ate a Banana Nut Odwalla Bar, drank some water and the headed down to the track. I wore my tank top, workout pants, rain jacket and baseball hat. It was ever so slightly drizzling when I got there, but it stopped soon enough.

The run was lovely. Still hard, but not as grueling as before. It was shitty and overcast out there, but there was mist off in the mountains and trees. Very beautiful.

So I'm feeling pretty confident that I can give Week 3 a shot next week. I'll have to see how it goes.

Finally, here’s how fat I currently am. That’s the shirt I was too chicken to wear to my friend’s brother’s Hawaiian-themed wedding in July. These days it’s not quite so snug. The green pants I’m wearing, they used to be too tight on me as well. Now I find I have to pull them up a bit when I’m walking around. I took this picture (via my Mac’s Photo Booth) a little while ago. My friend Ian sent me the piñata, which I picked up from the post office this morning. It’s an inside joke from one of our many trips to Target during the Gathering in August. Finally, something to smile about. I needed that. Anyway, I didn’t notice until a few minutes ago, but in that picture, you can see my biceps and deltoids. My arms are still totally flabby and gross (like the rest of me), but tone is there where it once wasn’t. Slowly but surely, I’m unfatting myself!

Week 2, Day 9

18.0 miles
Time: 10h 18m 00s
Avg. Pace: 34:20/mile

Finally! I completed my second full week of Week 2. This run was the hardest. Recovery time was better, but my calves were in bad shape. I think a lot of it had to do with the teenage boys sitting on the playground swings, watching me. An audience always makes me nervous.

Despite the gloom, it was a nice day for running. 61°, just enough wind to keep me from getting too warm. My WeatherBug says rain today, but so far I haven't seen any. Not that I'm complaining. At least it's going to be in the 60's all next week. It says rain on Tuesday, but if it's going to be that warm, I'll just wear my raincoat. Jacket. Thing.

By the second run, I was seriously considering walking it off and going home. Thanks to my anal retentiveness when it comes to schedules, I was unable to stop. I kept going through the aching muscle pain and finished the run. In the middle of it, one of the teenagers walked a lap around the track and then went and sat back down on a swing. The hell?

By the time I got done with my cool down and stretches, another woman was walking the track. She was bundled up in a fleece jacket and thick gloves.

It's 61° outside, folks! Have I mentioned how incredibly wimpy Portlanders are when it comes to "weather"?

I've felt like such a schlub lately. I think it's PMS. I'll have to check my calendar; I think I'm due for a period right about now. My breasts aren't sore, but I'm craving chocolate like a fiend. Yesterday I had a cream cheese and potato chip sandwich for lunch. Squoink.

For breakfast this morning, I had an Odwalla Bar (Super Protein). After my run, I had a banana. I've got some strawberries, too, so I'm gonna have a smoothie for breakfast tomorrow.

After the banana, I did 20 minutes of stretching a la Karen Voight. As bad as my legs felt during/after today's run, I figured I was due for a long bout of stretching.

I'm getting kind of bored with my regular strength training workout (I memorized all the sets from Karen Voight's Your Personal Best video). I really want to try pilates, but I can't afford to buy any DVDs. My sister has the Winsor DVDs somewhere; as soon as she digs them up, I'm going to give it a try.

Walked to the library yesterday afternoon after I dropped my mom off at her Saturday errand destination. I scored:

• Astral Weeks - Van Morrison
  
• Teaser & the Firecat - Cat Stevens
  
• Final Approach - The Byrds
  
• Crossroads - Tracy Chapman
  
• Another Side of Bob Dylan - Bob Dylan
  
• Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan - Bob Dylan
  
• North Country
  
• A History of Violence
  
• Aliens (collector’s edition)
  
• Complete Book of Women’s Running - Runner’s World

There was a second (women's) running book, but I waited too long to pick it up and it was put back into circulation. Ah well.

My sister and her boyfriend came over last night. After we had dinner, I made Sis walk around the yard with me and Tank. We talked about how she wants to get dog trailers for our bikes, so we can take our dogs for bike rides in town. All but Tank are too old an arthritic to really get out much, so we thought this would be a nice way to get them out and about, keep them from getting bored. I don’t actually have a bike, but I’m sure I can borrow Homer’s. How fun would that be? We figure Bernie and Lady can go in one and Meathead and Tank can go in another. Tank’s the only one who is still in good health, so we figure we can leave the top down and let him jump out whenever he wants.

Anyway. Things to think about for the future. Time now to shower.

Week 2, Day 8

The weatherman has been crying rain all week, and what do I find this morning? Sunshine, clouds, 40°. Forkin' A.

So I ran. Again, wasn't feeling it. Motivation was more compulsion to complete a schedule than to run for running's sake, but? I ran.

I got in late last night since I went over to my sister's house to watch Supernatural. She works the night shift and doesn't get home until 11 p.m. Supernatural is on at 9:00, so Homer (sister's b.f.) and I hit record and retreated to different corners of the house. He went into the office to play his video game, and I went upstairs to their bedroom to lounge in their bed and read A Feast for Crows. When Sis finally got home at 11:00, we wasted some time trimming Timmy's dragon claws and then finally watched the show. I didn't end up getting home until 1:45.

Anyway. It was a bit chilly this morning so I wore a sweatshirt over my tank top. Still with the sunblock, though. Very important, kids. Listen to the turtle.

I was pretty comfortable during the run. The wind was coming in from the West, but it was just enough to keep me from getting too warm. By the fifth run, I had taken the sweatshirt off and tied it around my waist.

My recovery time (breath-wise) was a lot quicker today, though it's still murder on my calves. I felt like I wasn't going to make it all the way through, but I know it was more of a mental barrier than a physical one.

For breakfast I had a banana. When I got back, I had soy yogurt with ground flaxseed mixed in. I definitely want to pick up some frozen fruits this weekend so I can consume flax on a daily basis. I know a smoothie will be more filling than a little container of soy yogurt, plus it's less expensive. Mom, Sis and I are heading over to the pool in a bit and afterwards plan on going to Pizza Schmizza for lunch. Foo Foo, here I come! For dinner I may make squash. Or possibly some dumpling stew. It's definitely stew weather.

I'm looking to buy a pellet basket for our wood burning stove up here. It’s a small stove, but this is a small dwelling, so it’s okay. I loooove pellet fires. They’re not as cozy and “romantic” as a wood fire, but they’re enviro-friendly and convenient. No hauling wood (and spiders) from outside. You can just buy bags in bulk, dump the pellets in a bucket and scoop as needed. There's nothing quite like a fire to warm your bones. "Canned" heat just isn't the same. I know that when I sit by a stove with a good fire going, I feel safe and content. Must be instinct. I just can’t exactly figure out how to size and order a basket from this website...

Photos of my sister’s wood burning stove/pellet basket. And another. That’s my dog, Luke, in diapers. He died this past January. Lady is the black dog on the floor by the couch. The bottom half of the person on the couch is me. The fat white blob by my right foot is Chloe.

Week 2, Day 7

I did it! I ran this evening! I wasn’t happy about it (at first), but I did it!

It was crappy allllll day long. I woke up this morning and it was cold and crappy and I thought, well, if it clears up later, I’ll run. I did my 20 minutes of aerobics and then did my strength training, and as I was stretching, it stopped raining and the sun came out. Unfortunately, I had too much to do before leaving for Lady’s acupuncture appointment, so I didn’t run. Crappy crappy crappy rain rain crappy rain, etc.

After leaving the vet, I thought about dropping Lady off at my sister’s and then heading back into town so I could pick some stuff up at the library. They have on hold for me:

• Runner’s World Complete Book of Women’s Running
• The Complete Book of Running for Women
• A History of Violence
• The Rock

The last two, obviously, have nothing to do with running. I normally don’t rent such “guy” movies, but I love Mr. Viggo Mortensen, and I’m on a huge Michael Biehn kick at the moment. Come on, right? Michael Biehn, Sean Connery and Ed Harris all the the same movie? Awww yeahhh.

Anyway. I decided that I’d just wait until Saturday to pick all that stuff up. I was in too much of a hurry to head back in the other direction again, and since it was actually sunny out, I wanted to get home and see if the weather would hold long enough for me to run.

I got down to the track at 5:15. 54°, sunny, a bit windy, clouds rolling in. It really was strange to be out there at that time, with the sun on the “wrong” side of the track. As much as I don’t like working out this late, I have to admit, things were a lot more colorful and gorgeous at that time. Or, I don’t know, I was just happy to see the goddamn sun again.

By the third run, I was feeling pretty grumpy and thinking about packing it in. Then I started thinking about how far I’ve come (yes, I’m “only” on week 2; that’s not the point) and how much I didn’t want to screw that up. So I pushed on. It was still a struggle to get through the last three runs, but I did it and I’m proud of myself for running even though I didn’t feel like it. At all.

The best part? As SOON as I walked in the front door and tossed the car keys in the dish, it started raining. Can I get a what what? Seriously. It’s pouring right now. Am I good or what?

And so I'll be running again on Friday and Sunday. I'm 95% sure I'm going to do another round of Week 2. I'm also thinking of maybe wheedling my brother-in-law into bringing their treadmill up here for me. Nobody uses it down there (not since I bought that used elliptical machine from Sears a couple of years ago), and it would be perfect for me. When it's too cold or shitty out, I can just run indoors. Blech. I'd rather be outside, but I don't want to have to put off my runs due to bad weather.

It's supposed to be clear and in the 60's this weekend, so yay!

Week what, day who?

So my running schedule is all forked to hell.

Saturday I had the Walk for Farm Animals and Sunday . . . I forget what I had going then, but I didn't have time to run.

I was told by numerous weather people that today was supposed to be sunny and clear. Well, guess what? It rained. ALL DAY. I take that back. It didn't rain this morning. Unfortunately, I was swimming at that time. Then I had to take my mom to run errands. By the time I got home, got dressed and got down to the track, it had started raining. I was hoping it would just drizzle a little and move on, but by the time I was done with my warm up, it was raining hard. Not only that, it was windy. I'm not a wimp when it comes to weather, but the last time I was out walking in the cold and rain, I got sick for two weeks. So I decided to pack it in. I'm going to try again tomorrow, even though it says it's going to rain for the next two days. Tomorrow I'll bring my raincoat. Jacket. Thing.

The other reason I postponed the run is because of my knees. And my back. My arthritis has flared up something fierce. I haven't been in this much pain since before I started working out regularly (eight months ago). I haven't done anything differently, so I can only assume it's the change in weather. I hope that's it, because I would hate to think my arthritis has gotten worse. Also, yesterday I helped my mom's caregiver (Corinne) move her entertainment center into the garage. The neighbor kid helped (just me and him), but I find that today my back is in pretty bad shape. I lifted properly and everything. I guess I'm just old and busted. I stuck around afterwards to help her set up her receiver/TV/DVD player/stereo and get everything hooked up again. Dunno how I did it. I'm a technomoron. But I turned everything on and it all worked so yay. I sat and had some water and talked to her and her mom for quite a while. Very sweet people, those gals. Corinne's birthday party is coming up soon and I've been invited (along with my mom). She (Corinne) has diabetes, so I'm looking up vegan recipes catering to the diabetic. They're a big Adventist community here, but not too many of them are vegan, so I figure I'll just make a little something for myself to eat, and make it diabetic-friendly just in case Corinne wants to try some.

For breakfast this morning I had soy yogurt with a tablespoon of ground flax seed. After swimming, I took my mom on some errands. We ended up at the Safeway and I found some Odwalla bars on sale ten for $10. I looked at the ingredients for shits and giggles and was surprised to find they were vegan. I grabbed ten of them, mostly the Choco-wallas. What? I ate one while my mom ran into the post office and holy crunchness was it good. I've lately come to realize that I'm very texture-oriented when it comes to food. Perhaps that's because I have no sense of smell and my sense of taste is possibly diminished? No idea. But when I bit into that Choco-walla, my teeth and taste buds died and went to heaven.

Anyway, I ixnayed the run but I did some aerobics and my ab workout. Afterwards, I stretched longer than I usually do.

Then I drove to my sister's house to pick Lady up. She's got an acupuncture appointment tomorrow at 2:00, and I wanted to give her a bath. Now she's all fluffy clean and air drying on a towel in the front room.

Geez. I told myself I would only talk about running/exercise on this blog. Sorry, folks. There’s a reason my ex boyfriend called me Edith.