Thursday, August 6, 2009

Evening Runs Are Awesome!!

I ran with my girlie Elizabeth last night. It was still light out, as I figured, but it still had an early evening feel to it. We ran from Elizabeth's house, which is a little like farm country. The houses are farther apart and set back from the road, making the route very peaceful and serene. Some families do have horses so I could smell them. Call me a weirdo, but I actually love that smell...lol. It reminds me of the summers when I used to stay with my Aunt Rozanne in New Hampshire.

I went every summer from age 5 to about 11 or so. She had a farm with goats, chickens, cows, dogs, cats and even bees! And of course, she had a horse named Firefly. A great big Morgan. I'd give anything to lay in that pasture again. Picking raspberries and strawberries. Listening to nature. It was pretty cool to leave the city every summer and spend that time with my Aunt. She passed away from cancer in 1987. I still think of her all the time, and miss her.

ENOUGH NOSTALGIA!!!!!

So Elizabeth....she doesn't like to be called Liz, Lizzy or Beth. I save those names for when she runs ahead of me, only she can't hear me cuz I'm too far behind. Clever, I know. Anyway, Elizabeth and I headed out. Even talking, we were running at a 9 minute pace. She has MUCHO endurance because she'd been training for a half marathon recently. She wound up with the flu and missed it so she changed her plan to do a full in December. I kept up until we hit 2 miles. Then I had to walk. In fact, I had to walk 4 more times in the next 2 miles. I was soooo frustrated! Elizabeth ran up ahead and turned back a few times to let me wallow in my misery alone. I didn't wallow for long. I ran when I could, walked when I couldn't. I'll get it back.

After the run we talked outside until the mosquitos came. They're as big as dragonflies! I thought I got eaten alive but I don't itch at all today. Probably a good thing because we'd still be out there talking!

I went to my exercise classes this morning but left early. I had (have still) a wicked headache. I'm waiting for the drugs to kick in right now. I have to work tonight.

Saturday's plan is a 5K "Run 4 Reason" in Punta Gorda. Steph is running it with me. Elizabeth has her little 14 miler that day so she's skipping the race. Whatever Lizzy. Fine with me Beth. Have fun with that Liz. HA!! Just kiddin'. I'm so jealous. I would love to run 14 miles with her! I need to find out if Maria is racing....she works most weekends. Maria runs a 19-20 minute 5k. So it's not like we'd see her anyway....LOL

Ok, off to do some laundry before work.
Happy running!!!

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

I'm Still Kinda Running!

I am averaging one run a week! ARG!! That spinal tap was pretty awful. My back still hurts. I very gently got back into yoga, spin, pilates and on the ball classes. While I am usually known for being happy and positive, I'll admit I've had a few downer moments. Testing is still underway and I go to Tampa once a week for various tortures/tests. The doctor said he won't give me any results to anything until all the tests are finished and he puts it all together.

I did find out from my regular doctor that they're fairly certain it isn't MS. When I asked him what they're thinking he explained it wasn't for him to determine because technically I'm under Tampa's doctor's care. I stared deeply into his eyes trying to read his mind, but he had that physician's wall up. Well fine. See if I care. I don't wanna know anyway.

I ran last Saturday with my girlies, Steph and Elizabeth. I did a 4 miler. They ran on ahead and got lost (HA...that's what they get for deserting me....lol) They wound up doing 10 miles! They also found one of our other girlies...Maria along the way. I felt so sluggish for that 4 miles, I was afraid to look at my Garmin, but I actually did 4 miles in 41 minutes. That's fine for a training run. With all that's going on these days I'll take it.

I'm going to meet Elizabeth tonight for an evening run! I haven't run at night! Ever!! We're doing 4 miles. Steph can't make it and Maria works nights so it's just us. I guess I should remember it's still broad daylight until 8:30pm, so it won't really be night. It'll still feel weird though...

I'll be back later to blog about my late-in-the-day run!

Grandson news: My little Collin is still absolutely precious! He now weighs 8 lbs 7 oz, 20.5 inches long! He just LOVES his Gramma!!! Poor little guy got his circumcision last week. My daughter cried more than he did! It's all healed up nicely and mommy and baby are fine. Collin will be 1 month old this weekend. We're making cupcakes to celebrate!!!!!!