Down with DOMA

On Tuesday I got up early and went for an18.1 mile ride.  It took me 1:18.  There were a few traffic stops and the like but a very nice ride.  I've noticed it takes me about a mile into a run until I 'get my stride'.  I think I have noticed that it takes me about three miles into a bike ride until I'm in the groove.  This does also coincide with the hills that I tackle at the beginning of every bike ride.  I was very excited because I have now pedaled my race distance.

Yesterday, I woke up feeling awful.  I was dragging and just not feeling into it.  I figured I pack my running stuff and go to the gym after class.  I procrastinate.  After class I started the debate.  I decided I would go and if I wasn't feeling it, I would walk.  When I got inside the gym was almost empty, I got my favorite dreadmill and hoped on.  I put in my headphones and was hoping the news was on it. It was.  I was at an easy jog, listening to the verdict over DOMA and waiting to hear about Prop 8.  I was running and think about the positive ways this will affect my life, like joint health insurance, filing taxes together etc.  After I heard about Prop 8 I looked down saw that I was going faster than I realized, was crying, and had gone almost 3 miles.  I was feeling good, so I cranked up the speed went a bit more and then did it a few more times to sprint my way to 3.4 miles.  I left feeling great.

I then ran home and showered.  Sweat was running in rivulets down my arms.  I then met a good friend for a nice lunch.  It was a great day yesterday.

SRICK?

Yesterday, I was able to go out and pedal 11+ miles.  The garmin was dead so I had to go with the bike computer.  The two never agree.  I tend to believe the garmin.

Today, I went swimming and then went for a run.  I haven't been swimming in a few weeks because of my shoulder, I sound like a baby I know but it hurts, the last time I went the water was cold.  Dd started swimming and keep saying that the fish were aggressive.  I didn't believe him.  They hadn't been bothering me at all.  I would see a few jump but that was it.  Well, the water is warmer and I was under attack!  I swim alongside of a dock, when I got to the end the first time a fish swim into my chest.  I grabbed it, pushed it away and yelled at it.  I felt bad for yelling because some people sleep on their boats and don't nesscessarily want to wake up at 5:45 on a Friday. This fish was large.  It was the size of a massive Jewish deli hoagie.  After I pushed it away it started ramming my legs.  So I turned around and started swimming back.  Everytime I got to that end it started ramming me again.  That is one way to increase my work load.  I had been stopping every quarter of a lap.  I had started to swim the backside of the lap without stopping.  Because of this aggressive fish, I now swim whole laps before taking my break.

After I finished swimming, I got the river water out of my hair and did my Friday 5K and then met the ladies for a walk.  It was a good way to start the day.

I apologize for the crazy day references.  I'be worked the past two nights and just realized that it is Sunday.  I started writing this Friday night.

Favorite runs

We are visiting the wife's family and friends for her birthday and this is where we were both living when we met.  Last night we stayed at a friends house that live near one of my favorite runs. After a night of tequila and laughs I set out my running clothes for the morning so I didn't disturb everyone when I snuck out it the am.  I couldn't find the car keys.  I got so disappointed but I thought that I wouldn't be able to go to the park where I learned that I like running.  After I had a little hissyfit in my head I climbed into bed and said to myself, run it in your head.  As I was calming down to go to sleep I pictured the different little ponds that the trail winds around.  I pictured all the tree roots and turns.  I saw the turtles jumping off the banks into the water.  It was really serene.  When I woke up I got dressed and found the keys and was able to go.  I snuck out and ran.  I went around all the lakes a few times and thought all about the different people that I have run with in this park,  some of whom are no longer with us.

I'm a believer!

I took a week off because of the horse incident.  My shoulder is still messed up, but better enough.  I could stand taking more time off.  I never would have guessed that I would say that.  This week my biking was awesome.  I see how tapering before the race will really help.    I wasnt sure before if it made sense but now i know.  I flew on my bike this week.

Tuesday I went for a ten mile and it was my ride of large animals.  I was riding and came across two worms that were over a foot long and as thick as a sharpie.  Then as I was pedaling home I came across a turtle the size of a dinner plate.  It was in the middle of the travel lane on a busy road.  The cars go  60-65mph on this road.  How could I leave it?  I put my bike down and walked over to this large critter and it started hissing and jumping at me.  I am not a turtlist.  I can't tell them apart.  I knew it wasn't a red ear slider but other than that, I know nothing.  I was afraid it was a snapping turtle.  I car was coming so I went back to the shoulder.  The SUV just straddled it, but it still jumped up to attack the car.  I knew I had to get it out of the road.  I went looking for a stick.  That way if it was a snapping turtle I could get it to snap onto the stick instead of my finger.  Well,  i couldn't find a  stick, go figure, the only time I think I could find a stick.  I found a thicker green weed.  The turtle started walking toward me and the green leaves.  His little nose was bleeding from where he hit the car.  I then thought he might just walk the rest of the way.  Well, then another car was coming.  It stopped.  I was like crap, now I have to go pick it up.  I went over and told him that I was going to pick him up.  I started to and he kinda flipped over a little.  I sternly told him to stop that and I picked him up again and moved him into the tall grass next to the road, in the direction he was going.

Then yesterday I pedal 16.7 miles.  I was only two shy of my race distance.  It felt really good.  I wasn't sure how long I would go.  I left early so I would have plenty of tme to go as far as I wanted and not have to turn around because of time.

This morning I ran an easy 2.9 miles.

A good ride and a bad ride

Yesterday, I went to a good 11.5 mile ride.  I pedaled until my GPS said I went 5 miles, I turned around and went the long way home.  I then spent an hour cross training by pulling weeds.  Today I went horseback riding.  It didn't go well.  I took a dirt bath.  I got back on and we were successful the second go round.  With the way I hurt it reminds me that I'm not young anymore.