Thank You

My inspiration to run comes from many different places. Today it came from you. Well, some of it did.

Let's start out with the time.
My eyes open at 7:36 and to my great delight, the sound of silence dawns my window. I peek outside to see the branches are barely moving and the rain is light, if any. I'LL BE RUNNING TODAY! :-)

At 8:30 I'm ready to go. I headed downhill turning left onto American River. I've already decided to run the Paymaster route. When I came full circle and ended up back at the bottom of my street, my brain told me to stop, but my legs kept going. Why? Why did I feel the need to keep going? I always find myself wondering that!?! I guess I just wanted more. Sometimes I put my body in cruise control and when I get near the end, I feel a disappointed. Like when a really hot date is almost over.

Oh my gosh Kathy! You're not really comparing running to a super hot date, are you??
Well, yeah. Sort of. Both are thrilling, tiring, exciting, makes you feel like pueking and gets your heart rate way up.

So, I kept going. Now I'm headed for Otter loop and at first I decide to run it backwards with the major steep hill on the downside. But to my surprise again I turn to soon, knowing full well that I will be running up the killer hill. My brain screams "WHAT ARE YOU DOING YOU IDIOT! YOU'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO GET UP THE HILL WITHOUT STOPPING!"

Shut up! Too late! Here we go!

I did it. I ran both routes without stopping. I never changed a song on my ipod, so I know that I ran the almost 4 miles in 43.82 minutes.

Thank You, thank you. I am proud of myself today. However, you must take a bow, because like I said- you helped me.

While I was running the second route, the major steep hill...when I thought I might puek up my guts right there if front of that new log home, I remembered you. My blog readers.
Wouldn't it be great if I could write a post today and actually be able to say I did this double route thing without stopping? And my time, that could be good to. DON'T STOP KATHY!

So therefore I must say to you...Thank You.

Heaven's Tears

Today was the second time I've run in the rain in recent years. I LOVE IT! The rain almost turned to hail. I kept sticking my tongue out, hoping the water would slide off my nose and drop into my mouth. I hope it rains all week, all month, all year! No, I guess not all year. I am a hot weather person, and swimming is, of course, another joy. I can find something beautiful in every season.

Today I ran the Otter loop. I must be getting better because I didn't even feel very tired the entire run. The only time was 1/3 the way up the steep hill, but I kept going.
People driving around smiled at me today. They are probably thinking that I must be crazy to run in shorts in the cold windy rain. I don't care, in fact I kind of like to think I'm just dedicated. Maybe they wonder if I'm training for a marothon? I'm not. It's just fun. Especially in the rain. Why does it look so funny to see people wearing shorts in the winter? It's like trying to ajust our eyes to the light after emerging from a movie theater. Summertime- no problem. Skin, skin, skin.

Todays newest songs to ipod- 'Sparkle' by Rubyhorse and 'Hanging by a moment' by Lifehouse

Inward determination

This morning I felt like crap. My stomach hurt. The kind of weird hurt when I think I'm hungry, but I know if I eat anything- I'll just feel worse. Those days make it hard to get out and run. Also my dad is here visiting and the temptation to sit and drink coffee with him almost sank my good intentions.

I dressed, laced up my shoes and turned on my ipod. One bar of power left. Should be enough. I'll just run a short route, since I'm feeling kinda bad. However, I started down American River and when I got to the intersection where I HAD to make a decision of which way to go...I kept going, took a chance, went out on limb wondering if my leg, stomach, lungs would carry me through. They did. I past Westville, past Paymaster and turned to go up Pointed Rocks. Now, you must know that pointed rocks is all uphill (or down depending on which way you are going). It dead ends into Westville trail.

***Boy, I should post a map?? Okay, I'll work on that.***

Anyway- I had to stop twice on Pointed Rocks, once on Westville. Even though the route was hard, I'm glad I went that way. My heart told me to. My inward determination. I feel better and stronger.

Hungry as hell...pain in my side...but good for the soul.

did I mention stinky? Yuck!

Run to feel better

This is the most wonderful time of the year, but it throws off every routine you could possible have. Instead of running in the morning, I'm running at night. Instead of writing each day, I'm shopping...or baking...or decorating...or, what was I saying? Does it sound like I'm getting a bit burnt out on Christmas? Maybe-

Forgive me- I start so early and go full force that it's hard not to long for my routines. I need routine. Running a couple miles in the dark can be scary. What if someone doesn't see me and spreads my guts 3 feet across the road? It could happen. What if a mountain lion didn't get enough to eat today and I'm lookin pretty good? Yes, here it could happen. Oh well, sometimes yeah just have to take that chance because feeling good is worth the risk. Doesn't mean those bad things are going to happen. Chances are, they won't.
There I go again- talking about that jumpin in the freezing water thing again...

For the record... I ran American River then around Otter Trail. I usually run it so that I run up the incredibly steep crazy of a ***** hill, but today I slammed down a small glass of wine and ran it backwards. (just for a change of scenery, ha ha) in the dark no less. No, I don't mean I actually ran backwards- duh...although that would be interesting. No, no..I'd look like a dork!

Don't yeah ever feel like doing something stupid? I guess that wasn't that stupid. I've done more dangerous stuff. Like jumping off cliffs. Repelling. No, actually that was safe. I had gear. Well, then what have I done that is dangerous?

To be continued...

Slow start

I got off to an awkward start, fumbling and not sure of my footing. I even kicked myself- whoops. I'm glad I didn't fall- that would have been embarrassing.
I choose to run down American River and up Westville. Not that long of a run, but challenging. Lots of hills.

Being a Saturday, and not that early (about 9am), many people I knew were out. So I waved and ran harder so I wouldn't look like a woose. That must have helped, cause despite my slow start- I shaved some time off the route. I need to start getting serious about timing myself. I just sort of gauge it by the songs on my itunes. Funny how our own egos can push us to try harder, make ourselves better...or maybe worse? I might have injured my leg further because of that ego.

My leg didn't hurt during the run- but it's killing me now. I'll have to massage it as soon as I'm done with this post. The muscle feels so wound up and tight, like cables carrying far more than their fair share. I've tried stretching it, but no luck yet. Maybe the hot water will help.

I guess it's all in how you look at it. My leg will be fine. I'll take care of it. It won't stop me. Why should I let it? I'll take a chance. Better to jump into the freezing cold water than to never know the sudden thrills of life...sitting on the banks all warm and cozy.
If you couldn't follow that- I'm sorry. Sometimes my fly-away heart replaces the thoughts of my logical brain.

Pain, ego, strength, joy, sickness, blood, tears...weightlessness....

Question: If you could be any animal for an hour, what would it be?

No brainer...A bird.
Soaring between the green and blue is my favorite thing to do. Not to be afraid of falling...that is what I want. I want to float without flapping, hover above the earth. But one hour? Is that enough? How about 20 minutes, every other day? After all- I am happy to be me. Human.

Close one

I was in danger of going 4 full days without running. I usually run in the mornings, but Tuesday I HAD to start Christmas shopping and today I had a doc. appt. My leg is doing the same- thank you for asking. (If I would just stretch and massage it everyday like the doc said...)

anyway, I decided to run this afternoon, which is hard because afternoon running is like trying to run in water. It feels like there's more resistance. However, today was different. It felt good. I actually ran the entire route (even the crazy steep hill on Otter) without missing a beat. When I got back to my street, I was barely out of breath. I could have run more. I wish I could have, but I left the girls alone for 30 minutes already- so up my hill I went.

I'll try to start posting some pictures of my routes, so you get an idea when I refer to them. Also I'm going to post right after each run, or I know I'll forget.

How long has it been?

It's been 10 months that I have been running regularly. I started (actually picked it up again) running in February of 2004. Regularly means 2-5 times per week. I like to run at least 2 miles every time I go out.

Why do you like running? Well, it makes me feel good. I'm a bird, flying on the edge of Heaven.

Have you always liked running? Yes, uhh actually no. That's a tough question. I think the only real answer is...I like running here, in this place that I live. It's beautiful and now I love running.
I started running in High School. Along with other interests such as painting and writing. Track. I ran the mile, 2 mile, hurdles, and long jump. I did it then because it's what my friends did. I found it wasn't so bad. I ran up to 6 miles a day in practice after school. But what happens when you graduate? You stop running...playing...hanging out with friends...those things are replaced with college, study, study, study and work. In other words, ya get fat. I also met my husband and we started our life together. Had 2 babies and I got fatter. As much as I adore my husband and children, I lost my self in being a wife and mother.

How did you get your idenity back? I bought a bookbag and a drawing pad. I lovingly called it my "idenity". Only me things would go in it. My drawings, poetry and to my shock, a story that I now am turning into a real book! I did some running off and on while the girls were very small, but now it's back for good, and who knows...maybe I'll run a marothon someday. I can do it! Someday.....

I want to take life in big gulps! I'm Ready, bring it on!!

For the record, I ran today- *up Westville to Pointed rocks, American River Trail to home.*

new songs on ipod today...
Walking On Sunshine 4:05 Jump 5 Ella Enchanted Soundtrack
Somebody Told Me 3:20 The Killers