It's been a while...

since I've POSTED about running. Honestly, I've been running.

Today I ran Otter Trail with my 6 month old puppy, Valena. This was the second time I took her out. She did MUCH better this time.

She wanted to take off and chase the birds, but I tightened up on her leash and yelled "heel!" she did. I could tell that it bothered her when cars were coming up behind us, because she couldn't seem to make up her mind just how close she wanted to run along side me. As soon as the car would pass she relaxed and jogged happily at my side.

It is a nice day for running. Chilly fall weather with a hint of rain misting in the air. I loved it. Tonight I report for work, but I'll be back by tomorrow morning and perhaps I'll run again.

I just finished eating my lunch. Leftover beef stew. Yum! I ate it as I read my runners magazine. Can you believe Lance Armstrong is going to run in the ING New York Marathon this Nov. 5th? Yep, he is. He actually thinks he's gonna win even though he's NEVER run more than 11 miles at one time. HA! Even I've done more than that. Not that'd win, hell no!
I actually hope he doesn't. He doesn't need to ego boost. His head is already big enough to park a 747 in it.

It hurts without you by my side

I've had the last 3 days off and today is the 4th. I finally got my lazy butt outside to run. I'm such a wimp in the summer. I'm not a morning person by nature and if I wait to long, it's too hot to run. Actually Megan has early morning swim team practice, so I've been going to that instead of running. However, today is Saturday...no practice. BTW- I have done some running and not writing posts about it.

Did I mention that I'm home?

I'm also torn between two VERY DIFFERENT worlds. My job as a mother and my new career as a flight attendant. I love them both.

Of course my family comes first, but does that mean I can't do both? How am I going to do both without moving my family to Fresno? What is best for everyone? Cool is...well, COOL! and I don't want to leave here.

I set out this morning with all these things weighting heavily on my mind.

I ran Otter Trail and the route felt like an old friend. Nah, more like an old drill sergeant. However, it was easier than last year. I've dropped some weight since last year, so I guess that helps.

My mind wondered.

WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?

I waited for an answer.

He said softly... You wanted to fly. I let you fly.

BUT LORD, I DON'T WANT TO STOP...NOT YET!

He replied...loosen your grip, kathy. Would you let it go for me? I'm not telling you to quit, but would you for me?

I almost stopped in my tracks. I wasn't sure. I thought this is where God had brought me. I believed this is where He put me...and He has, it's true.

With a pain in my heart, I reluctantly whispered...yes Lord.

Teach me to keep you first. You've never let me down and your way is always right, especially when I don't understand it. I know you'll work this all out. I trust in your light. Show me the open doors and give me the desire to walk through them.

Still going

You probably think that because I haven't been posting my runs, I must NOT be running?

Wrong. I'm still running. Maybe not as much as before...well, definately not as much as before..., but I get out there from time to time. The other day I did 5 miles on the treadmill in LA. I hope to run again tomorrow. Right now it's after 1am and I'm beat.
I did 5 flights today and I need my rest.

See ya folks.

BTW- I did a great job today. See the smile on my face? Oh yeah baby...it's there alright!

May 28th

I woke up in my room in Fresno and decided to run.

I wanted to run a long way. The weather outside was perfect.

I don't know the area very well yet, so I made up my mind to go run around some nearby houses.

The area I live in is very upscale. David's house (flight attendant I'm renting from) is located in a new subdivision right across the street from a very nice golf course. MB will like that. Next to that is another subdivision in which a manmade lake was formed to give residents waterfront property and a reason to own a boat.

I'm guessing it's about 2 miles around it. I ran around it twice.

Total mileage for this day was about 6 miles. Took me 1 hour.

Boy, I tell ya....It sure felt GOOD to run.

When I got back, I packed my stuff and left for work...a 3 day trip.

I'm still finding it difficult to run while I'm in a hotel. Work makes me very tired. Most days are 12 hours duty times.

Strange thing to report...I'm still losing weight. Don't really know why. I am eating!
Stress? Perhaps...

Obstacles

I haven't been able to run all week! So many reasons...good ones, but still- I hate this.

Here are my reasons...

1. working.
2. visit with parents
3. sick (had the flu)
4. on reserve

Today I feel better, but I'm on reserve...which means I need to stay by the phone until 4pm. If they don't call, I'll go running tonight. This is the first week all year that I haven't run even one mile. I need to figure out a way to keep up my training. Work is exhausting, but fun.

Perhaps I'll do some writing on Annie. Yeah, that sounds good :-)
I've got a few ideas I should jot down...

Nebraska

Hello happy runners!

I'm in Lincoln, Nebraska. My hotel room overlooks the University and the big football stadium.

I went for a nice run this morning all around the campus and downtown. I saw a bird with a broken leg, another runner with a shirt on that said NEBRASKA on the front. It rained a bit. Perfect weather. Not to hot...a bit chilly in fact. The university is out right now, so this place is pretty much a ghost town.

I ran past a Catholic Church and a BIG Mormon temple that was right across the street. Man, those Mormons just go way overboard, I think. And what's with that man as a hood ornament at the top of the temple? Where's the cross?

Anyway...It was a fun little run. I ran for about 45 minutes, so that was probably about 5 miles.

On the way back, I noticed a farmers market going on. So I went down there and checked it out. I found a couple things I liked. Now all I need is a shower and I'll go back down there to purchase it.

Hmmm.....I think like Nebraska.

BTW- I did run a 3 mile treadmill at the hotel in Freso the other day. Nothing exciting to report about that, except that I did it.
:-)

2 more home

Did I write about the run to Hidden Gold the other day? No?

Well I did. I ran the 5 miles to Hidden Gold on Friday morning. It was harder than usual. I need to up the incline when I do treadmill runs. My body is relaxing from the decrease in hills. Can't have that!

Today I ran Westville and Pointed Rocks. Pretty easy and felt good in the early hours. My left shin did start hurting in the second mile, but soon faded and all was well again.

I thought about how badly I wanted to fly. So many times I've wished I could run so fast that my feet would leave the ground. Fear stops me sometimes. No, I should say it slows me down. It's nothing but drag. Shake it Kathy...and let your imagination take you to the places you've created in the small narrow cracks of your dreams.
They are there...waiting for you to visit. Yes, I talk to myself. Call me crazy if you wish, but crazy lives on the brink of genius.

You know what I want right now? Peech pie. Doesn't that sound good? It does to me.

Eugene, Oregon

Sunday I did a 4 mile hike with my dad and Megan...does that count? Sure, why not!

Now back to our regularly scheduled post.

Eugene.

Monday night I found myself walking with my crew down a long musty smelling hallway. The wheels on my rollarboard left 2 long tracks on the freshly vacuumed bright green carpet.

The room was much nicer than I expected. I can't tell you where we stayed. It's a secret. But it was nice. Our layover was 14 hours. That meant I got to sleep in...but I didn't. I was up at 7am. I was out running by 7:30.

The air was crisp with just enough chill to warrant a sweatshirt. After a mile I was wishing I had not worn the sweatshirt. I ran 3.5 miles along a wide, beautiful river. I wish I knew the area better so I could have run longer. It felt sooooo good to stretch my legs and fill my lungs with fresh clean air. I learned something new about myself. I get airsick. Great time to find that out! Luckily the hotel had some dramamine and I was fine for the next few flights. I just gotta get used to this flying deal.

It's been 1 month since I left for initial training. I've lost about 5 pounds. I don't get much chance to eat. I need to learn how to pack food for several days at a time. I think I've lost muscle from not running as much. Bummer. I'd rather keep the muscle and lose the baby fat.

I'm home now for just a little while. This up coming week should be interesting. I have to find a place to live in Fresno and figure out how I'm going to come home on days off. Also I need to make sure all is well at home. My dad has been here the whole time and I appreciate him so much! I'll always be my daddy's little girl.

Friday run at home

Wow.

What a difference. In Utah I didn't run any hills. I either ran through the downtown area or on the treadmill.

This evening I was able to get out and run to SECOND GATE.

It was like running it for the first time. My stomach got all achy and I sweat a ton! The sun was shining, which made it pretty toasty, but I didn't mind at all. The sun felt good.

The hills were a little challenging.

I found myself reciting announcements as I bounced along with praise music pouring out my headphones. I waved at James, who looked surprised that I was home.

I can tell it's going to take me some time before I am back to half marathon ability. I certainly hope I can keep it up. Running is NOT something I am willing to give up on right now...or ever. I truly love it. I am hoping to run events on layovers. Here's hoping!

treadmill

I ran on the treadmill today and practiced my announcements at the same time. For some odd reason, that helps. It must be the extra oxygen pumping to my brain.

Who knows...I'm just glad it works.

For the record, 5 miles today. Oh, and Saturday I ran 4 miles, did sit ups and arm weights. Ah...feels great!

Not enough time!!!

I'm so upset about my running log.

Since my accident last week, I have only run once and that was on the treadmill for 3 miles. No big deal. I feel fine to run, but I just haven't had the chance.

I know that sounds like an excuse. However, between training and homework and practicing announcements...I simply fall down dead tired every night. I've lost 3 pounds since I've been here. I think I've lost muscle from a severe cut in mileage. My appetite seems to be increasing, but I'm NOT overeating.

I make sure to get a good breakfast (eggs & sausage) because that's when I seem to be able to perform the best in class. Lunch is light...usually a half a sandwich and tomato soup, if I have it.

For dinner, I like cereal. No dessert....except for the night when I had 4 cookies. That might have something to do with my passing out the next morning, but the silly doctor didn't get a sugar reading on my blood. That reminds me...my blood test only revealed that my iron level was pretty low. Here's a bit of trivia I heard on the radio one morning as I was getting ready...'Desserts' is 'Stressed' spelled backwards. Hmmm...

Tomorrow we don't start class until 3:30pm. I can actually sleep in!!! Yippee! I hope to get up and go for a run! Then I can finish my 8 pages of homework.

18th & 19th

I ran these two days.

On Tuesday the 18th, I ran 5 miles on the treadmill before dinner. Can you believe it...I multi-tasked! I ran, listened to music AND recited my announcements.

On Wednesday the 19th, I ran outside through a much prettier part of downtown Salt Lake to the high school track. I ran only 1 mile around the track, because the sun was going down. It was a 3 mile round trip. Easy, but I did do it fast. I ran back to the hotel and stayed up late doing my homework. I keep underestimating how long the work takes.

I was planning on running today (Friday) but if you read my main blog 'Wavelength' then you know why I didn't.

Time to go ice my head.

Ladies and Gentlemen, at this time...

I got in 3 miles on the treadmill.

To bad I didn't have more time. I was strong today. I even recited my announcements outloud while I was running. I guess that means I wasn't running at a very challenging pace...but it was set to 5.5. I just never got winded.

Nice.

Dang, I'm tired. Good-night.

3 posts in one

For the sake of time, I am going to condense my last 3 running days in one concise post.

Salt Lake City, Utah

Tuesday- 6.5 miles
I am staying at a nice hotel in the downtown area. The workout room is 3 steps from my door. But on Tuesday the sun was shining so I decided to go outside for an adventure. At first I thought I would run around the nice grassy park outside my window. Just as I was leaving the hotel, I asked the desk clerk if he thought that was a good idea. He shook his head NO. This city is pretty decent and clean, but there are homeless people everywhere!
I was advised to go down a mile or so to the high school track. I took his advice and did just that. I ran past some tall buildings (Delta Center?) and of course some Mormon churches
At the track I ran 3.5 miles and then back to the hotel. I saw some other interesting things...a big temple in the distance that is under construction...and a bunch of buses. When I got back to the hotel, I was still curious about the workout room so I stepped inside to check it out. In a word...small. I guess they don't have to many guests that want to work out. They have 2 treadmills, one bike and one stairmaster. No free weights at all. That's it.
I hoped on the BIG treadmill and ran for another mile...just for the heck of it.

Thursday- 5 miles
Again it was sunny. No point in running on a treadmill when the sun is shining outside. Now you have to keep in mind...I'm dead tired when I go out to run. I haven't been sleeping well (or at all) and most of my classmates are taking this time to sleep. Yet, I want to run. I like to run. It feels good and wakes me up.
BTW- ALL my classmates are AWESOME people. I am blessed to have such a great group of ladies to train with.
Okay- so I ran to the same place as before because I'm in a city I've never been before...don't want to get lost! However this time I saw a few things that I didn't before. I saw two big eyes painted on the road at both ends of each sidewalk. In front of left eye was the letter 'L'. After the right eye was the letter 'K'. It spelled the word 'LOOK'. It made me smile...I've never seen that in a crosswalk before, but it does make sense.
On the way back, I was stopped at a crosswalk waiting for the light to change when I saw a truck drive by with 2 big black and white dalmations hanging their heads out the passenger window. Not unusual....but then I saw a car turn the corner right in front of me that had a bird for a driver. On the steering wheel sat a big white parakeet bird which appeared to be attempting to steer the vehicle. It was very entertaining.
Once again I noticed the buses. One, two, three, four, five...all lined up. They come and go all the time. Maybe that explains the lack of traffic. The streets here are wide. It makes the city feel spacious and not really like a city.

Friday (today)- 3 miles
After a long day (which turned out good) I ate some cereal, did my homework and headed up to the third floor to study with my class. After that (and talking with MB) a few of us went to the workout room. Andrea, Savanna & I wanted a little exercise. Me and Andrea took the treadmills. Savanna took the bike. Savanna got bored after 5 minutes and left. I stopped after 3 miles...that hot tub outside was calling me. I could see it from my treadmill and knew it would only be available for another hour. I got off and went to my room to get my suit on. When I came back, Andrea was still going.
"Way to go!" I said. "You're past 4 miles!" She smiled. Andrea has the prettiest smile. She will be a wonderful flight attendant. I spent the next 30 minutes relaxing in the outdoor tub while the rain lightly fell on my already wet head. I practiced an announcement. Then Andrea came out and we talked, because that is just what girls do.

Chorizo make me sicko

A bazillion thoughts are going through my mind. I have a ton of things still left to do and that awful chorizo wants to come up.

Tomorrow I leave for Salt Lake City. Gonna be a flight attendant.

We went to Church and I nearly cried at the thought that next week is Easter and I won't be here. Me in the land of Mormans...on Easter Sunday! Uhhh

Not that I got anything against mormans...except that they're wrong. Poor souls. I know what you're thinking...but Kathy, What if YOU'RE wrong? That is a much longer post for another time. Time is precious. Let's get back to running.

After church I made chorizo and eggs wrapped in a tortilla. Yuck! I hated the chorizo. I'll never eat it again!

What is Chorizo?

Well. it's sausage meat mixed with all sorts of Spanish seasonings. Although, I think there was more than just sausage meat in that mix. It made my stomach queasy.

An hour later I went running. I ran to Hidden Gold. The first mile was horrible! My legs felt like lead weights and my stomach threatened to upchuck that sorry excuse for a meal.

Then I saw something that made me forget about my rock solid legs. It made my heart skip a few beats and nearly sent me jumping into oncoming traffic. It was a snake. A BIG snake! Lucky for me it was dead. I bet it was at least 2.5 feet long. I know, big fish (snake) story, but honestly- it scared the daylights out of me.

After I had a chance to mentally calm down, I thought to myself...At least I'm having a better day than he is.

He just came out of hibernation wanting a little sun to warm his cold blooded body and look what happens! Actually, I don't know what happened to him. He didn't look cut up or squished or anything. Perhaps a car hit him and tossed him to the side of the road. Who knows. I don't like snakes.

I got back from the 5 mile route and nearly threw up. Never, ever, ever again will I eat spicy food and then go running.

Water? Anyone got water? Gum? Ginger ale?

Shine on Me

Today the sun came out and danced gracefully between the clouds. Everyone seemed to have smile on their face.

I took advantage of the great weather and ran a few different routes. What a day of praise! Last night Katie put her new cd on my itunes. I took a few minutes this morning and added the album to my ipod. I am loving this music! It's a band that Katie saw last weekend at a youth group conference called 'Planet Wisdom.' The band is "By The Tree." I guess they've been around a while, but I had never heard of them.

I had actually planned on running the quarry trail in the canyon, but I could see that the canyon was filled with fog. I decided I'd rather run the road and stay in the sun. I need the vitamin D. Lately I've been feeling depressed. I know that is a symptom when you haven't gotten enough sunlight. I am one of those people whose environment great effects their mood.

Wind makes me mad.

Rain makes me sad.

Sun makes me happy. :-) which is why I'm a hot weather person!

Happiness is a choice you make daily. That choice is just easier on sunny days.

Many clouds filled the sky and once in a while the sun rays would be gone. I felt like I was chasing them. I would see them ahead of me, hitting the ground between the shadows of the clouds. I wanted to be in those sunny places, but it seemed like once I got there, it moved. More than anything, I wanted to be in the Light.
I was going to stop after 4 miles, but first I asked God if He would let the sun come out and shine on me...I'd keep going. From that moment on, the clouds moved and the sun touched my bare shoulders.
I continued on, just as I promised.

I ran Otter Trail, Second Gate and Westville...a total of about 6 miles or so.

I can feel myself healing. I am mending by the touch of your beauty.
How Glorious How Beautiful You are!

Beautiful One I love
Beautiful One I adore
Beautiful One my soul must sing
Because Nothing on Earth is as Beautiful as YOU.

Powerful, Your Glory fills the sky!

Yesterday...Walk and Talk, then run.

The rain doesn't stop. It mixes with the dirt below my feet, following my steps to the workout room.

Two minutes after I walked through the old dingy door, an older man came in behind me. I recognized him immediately.

"You're the Apple Man." I said with a smile.

"What?"

"The Apple Man...the guy who gets all the newest Apples." I replied.

He looked confused.

It took a few seconds, but then I saw it. I saw that familiar look everyone gets on their face when it finally clicks.

"Oh, computers!"

I remembered talking with this man a couple months ago about Apple Computers. His daughter works for Apple and sends him all the latest technology. Lucky guy...I think I've written about him before.

Anyway- he hopped on the treadmill next to me and the conversation never missed a beat. I could see that he was happy to have someone to talk to (the gym is painfully boring and generally depressing given all the rain we've had). So, I let my earphones dangle against my shirt and walked at 4mph so we could continue our visit.

I told him about my new job and he told me about how women and men used to need a good medical reason for not wanting anymore children. Yep, you had to have a medical review board approve the procedure of getting your tubes tied or a vasectomy.

Confused?
Yes, I know those two subjects don't really go together...and I'm sure you're wondering how we could have gotten onto that subject...but I've noticed with older people, any subject is possible.

After a while he was done with his dose of exercise (which I praised his efforts for doing) and he left. I had walked 2.5 miles. I put in my headphones and upped the speed.

I ran 4 more miles.

Running when the sand runs out.

Realizing that this might be the last Saturday of freedom for a while, I got up and ate my cereal.

I fretted over which running clothes to wear because it's raining outside...again. Normally I would just go to gym, but not today. I'm so sick of that place and when I go to training, I will be lucky to see the inside of a gym (meaning if I can get my tired butt into one).

This job is one more thing in my life that I'm starting. I know. I'm moderately concerned that I am taking on too much. However, I know myself. I am determined to accomplish all that I have dreamed of. It just might take me a while. How much time do I have?

The rest of my life.

How long is that?

Could be 50 years, 5 years or 1 day. Who knows.

Taking this joyous opportunity, I ran to third gate and back. It doesn't matter that I have been sick the last 2 days. It doesn't matter that I haven't been reaching my weekly mileage goals and it doesn't matter that it's raining...I want to run.

The rain felt good. Lucky for me, it didn't rain very hard. I was glad to have my water bottle with me cause my throat hurt several times and being able to take a sip calmed the fire within it.

Many times I wanted to stop. Does it ever get easy?

Just as I was running by my friend, Jen's house, I passed another runner. We waved and smiled at each other, both of us understanding the other's pain. He was reaching the top of his hill and I was just about to go down it.

After I made the turn at third gate and was about 3.5 miles from home, I passed the same runner again. He had a big smile on his face. I got the feeling he was also running for endurance today. Again we knoded and said "hey". He had just finished running down the biggest hill on this route and I was just about to go up it.

I understood why he was smiling. I smile too when I reach that part of the route. The view coming down from that hill is amazing. At that point you're ready to take on the world. In that moment, nothing can stop you.

Even if I die tomorrow...running is worth it. The title of this post is one of my favorite songs by my boys, Rascal Flatts. Check it out. However I'm not sure if that's the actual name of the song...but that's not the point.

The point is...you never know when the end is coming. You will have work left undone. But at least you overcame your fear to start it. Perhaps God will give me eternity to finish it.

Slacker

Yes, I'm slacking off a little bit...GET UP ON YOUR FEET NOW!

I forgot to post my little 3 miles on the treadmill for Wednesday March 29th.
For some reason, blogger won't let me change the dates on these post anymore. Darn.

So there...I did it, now let's get onto todays run.

Rain, rain, go away!

Thunderstorm

Rainy morning and I have a ton of studying to do. No matter- I'm still going to run.

I put in 4 miles on the treadmill in the workout room.

There's always time for exercise.

No excuses!!!