Life happens off my left shoulder

I ran Otter trail.

On the way down the steep hill (and just past the big log house) I felt God telling me to go up Otter Place (a short street, but VERY steep). Out of fear, I said, no...I can't do it. It's like S.F. steep!
He said, Go and I'll bless you.

Okay...

It was hard. I panted and grunted and watched my leg muscles shake, but I did it.
I got to the top and hunched over. Off my left shoulder was the most amazing view. I turned my body and raised up my head to take it all in. Gorgeous day!

I was reminded.
Yes Lord, I am blessed.
Thank You

new song to ipod- Last day on Earth by Steven Curtis Chapman.

Pavement vs Treadmill

In this corner we have the undisputed heavy weight champion of history....PAVEMENT!! ahhhh

And in this corner, the black and sleek stronghold machine monster....TREADMILL!!! boooo

Gentlemen take your positions

I want a clean fight

Let's get ready to RUMBLE!!

Ding Ding

Okay, Stan...it looks like this is going to be a quick fight. There is just no way the newcomer is going to be able to defeat the miles and miles of asphalt that Pavement has clearly laid down over the years.

Well Bill, I don't agree. Thousands of new treadmills are being added to the workplace every....OH, MAN, did ya see that?! Treadmill just whacked a huge chunk off of Pavements back country road!! That's gotta hurt!! See Stan...my point exactly.

to be continued...

****

I don't know much about boxing...but that's the way I see it happening. You can keep your treadmill. I'll run on that road until the last rubble crumbles!

It felt good to get back out there. The sun, the people, the birds, the breeze....I'm sorry- nothing can simulate that.

Today I ran Westville. Backward.

I was going to run Otter, but instead my feet performed high treason and made me walk the plank. ARGGG.

Is my imagination on overdrive today???

I should write.

But the weather is soooo nice. It was the perfect day to run, and yes...I stretched!

Yard work, lots and lots of yard work!

Beautiful Girl holding square sign above her head that reads..

Round 2

Ding! Ding!

Well, we're back and Pavement is looking to be in pretty bad shape. Potholes, rain and a major lack of funding are certainly taking its toll, but what's this?

Treadmill is slowing down!! I don't believe it Stan! Is that smoke coming from his motor?

It sure looks like it Bill, but things are only getting worse for Treadmill! Some reports are coming in that an energy crisis is headed our way!

Whoa! What a turn of events, didn't see that coming! Back to you Stan.

Wind and Rain...don't keep me down.

Injuries...my laziness to perform proper stretches...that's what keeps me down. A WEEK! again. I can't stand this...so, okay! I'll do the stretches (everyday). Jeez.

I can't believe how fast this day is flying by, so I'll make this quick.
For the first time, I went to our community workout center. 2 rooms filled with all the typical workout machines and media you would expect. Nice. I stretched and went straight for the treadmill.
I ran...uhm more like jogged, for an hour, the digital screen reading 12 laps (4 miles) and burning 713 calories. Okay. It got me sweating.

I did some tummy crunches, more stretching then decided to check out some of the other machines. Weights, bikes, stairmasters and a few weird looking things I wasn't sure how to do.

I was there for about an hour and a half.
It was okay. Much better than doing nothing, but I still like road running better. Those digital red numbers are too distracting, and of course they aim the machine at a wall with some green and yellow painting that was popular in the 70's. Nothing to look at. At least let me look out the window!

Boring.

Springtime baby bugs, YUM!

Okay- these are just a few things you must...deal with. of course there is always more, but today it's this.

^pain
^bugs
^state of mind

I ran Otter Trail.

Pain. The pain in my right leg is slowly sliding down to my knee. The good news the shin splints are totally gone. It took getting some good shoes, but what do I do for my newest agony? I'm not giving up my black spandex shorts for those really ugly loose fitting running shorts.
But Kathy, spandex look worse...they can't even make a models butt look good!
Yes, that is true. I solve that problem by wearing a white long sleeve shirt tied around my waist. Done.
New shorts? What good would that do? You're right, let's move on...

Damn You! Go away pain, and just let me run!!!I better not end up in the docs office again.

Bugs. A lovely reminder that spring is here. Close your mouth ya idiot. I had 2 bugs hit my in the face, and one flew in my mouth. That sure does break the concentration. I'm runnin along, minding my own business and wham! Down goes my head, up goes my hand, out goes the bug!
I hope nobody saw that...

Last thing...
State of mind. Why is it that no matter how far I've run, my brain will initiate the "okay muscles, we're getting near the end, time to start winding down" command when I have only have about a quarter mile left to go?
It doesn't matter if my route is a mile or 4 miles long. It happens everytime, and I have to manually override the order.
"No! Damn it! It's sprint time! Go faster! Harder!"

This sure turned out to be an angry post, didn't it? Sorry- I guess it's just that way sometimes.

new song to ipod- "Crazy" by Simple Plan