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.

Just like butta....

I went swimming this morning before class.  It was so peaceful out.  There wasn't any chop.  The only movement to the water surface was behind the ducks and the occasional fish jumping.  I was able to swim .24 miles which is three laps alongside the dock.  It was hard to get started because the water was so cold.  It took my breath away at first.  I have a shortie but I don't want to wear it.  Maybe I should.  They add bouancy.  I did my modified breast stroke but because it was so calm I thought I would work on freestyle a little. I went a few strokes then had a bit of a panic attack. I tried again next lap.  I did ok but didn't get too far.  The Wife, who was a competitive swimmer in high school, told me that I need to turn more as I. Trying to breath.  I'll try again tomorrow if the water is calm.

Keeping me on my toes

When I first started running it was to get in shape for rugby.  I had also just gone through a bad break-up.  I would run and sob. A I ran I would just snotty cry.  I don't know how I ran I just knew that I needed it.  At some point I decided I would try to complete a marathon.  I would lead with my heel and follow through my whole foot.  I did not get far in my training.  I then ran sporadically until I was in a trail running group.  This is when I was doing my most running.  I ran on my toes because I was hoping over roots and such.  I would also often take a lap barefoot as my cool down.  Even as far back as my childhood I have always LOVED running barefoot in nature.

I think the trouble I was having when I first starting running this time was not knowing how to run.  I was doing a cross of leading with my heel, like when I was road running last, but I have run the most on my toes on the trails.  I think it was making it hard for me to find my stride.  Now that I figured that out a few runs ago it has made all the difference.  I'm enjoying my runs more and slipping in to them.  It is like im in the run instead of struggling against them.

How was the swim?

It was more of a drown, really.  I decided to bike this morning instead of three days in a row trying not to drown for .16 of a mile.  I did bike 8.3.  I wanted to do ten but didn't have time before I had to leave for class.  I thought I would provide some pictuers.

This is a horse that is staying at my neighbors.  He is a doll face and HUGE.  He is a bit in love with Benny.  He greets me every morning. 

This is me before the race this past Saturday.  I forgot to take a picture when I got home, before the garden tour.

This is going to be one of my new goals.  I will add it to my training.  I missed most of May so I'll start in June.

This is the YUMMY icing I made for my brick of a cake.

This is me and my brother's diabetic dog Blue. 

In the Water

Yesterday I went for a bike ride.  It was not very successful.  I was struggling and probably should have taken the day off.  I wanted to go 10 miles but ended up going 4.3.   I was full of self-doubt.  I was getting really down on myself.  Here I was struggling to bike, I hadn't been in the water yet.  Everyone who has done a tri makes a big deal about the swim.  I had even been in the water yet.  I'm flailing on two of the three events.  

I decided I would hit the water today.  Let me just see how bad I am at swimming.  I understand that swimming by myself and in a crowd of people are two different things, but let me just see where I'm jumping off.  I ended up swimming four lengths of the dock.  Not too bad.  I did my mortified breast stroke because the water was really choppy.  There were white caps and the like.  Tomorrow I'm going to bring my GPS and walk the dock to see how far a length is.  I need to be able to do a half mile.  I will let you know how it goes.