Some like it hot

But not me.
At least not for running. If I could just get my lazy butt out there sooner!! Summer is here and I can't keep waiting this long to be ready. However, I am getting a rather nice suntan. Oh, wait...that's bad, right?

Well, school is out in 2 days, so then I'll HAVE TO get out no later than 7:30am. Swim team practice starts tonight for the girls.
Next week they are swimming every morning M-F from 8:30-10:00.
This will continue all summer (except August) and every Saturday are swim meets that last roughly 6 hours.
I signed up to be the swim team's board treasurer. If I don't get a financial report written up by this friday, I'm toast!! Well, not canned- it would just look very bad because I'm missing the next meeting. A trip to Solvang with my husband sounds better.

Today I ran Westville Trail.

I almost stopped on the crazy *&^^%* bleepin hill.
The sun was pressing on me so much that I felt like a pancake on a hot griddle getting smushed by a spatula.
yeah, really.
But I found the energy (barely) to keep it going.

On the last hill (downhill) I could see my street. For the first time I actually included it in my route. I thought "I still have to run up my hill."
Before today I never saw it that way. It was always something I got to do...like a reward. I cross the big fat white finish line, do some stretches, and mentally prepare for the mad dash up to my house. Then I look out across the valley with one arm raised and thank God for everything.

At today's finish line, I found a quarter. It seemed like God was telling me..."It's still a reward, Kathy."

I guess I was just grumpy from the heat. I was sweating like a waterfall.

With a renewed spirit, I sprinted up the hill. I turned around and starred at the green hills and dark brown trees dotting the landscape. I filled my lungs with fresh clean air in long deep gulps...and thanked Him once again.

song on ipod- "Last day on Earth" by Steven Curtis Chapman
favorite line- Before I breath the air of Heaven let me live it with the band, until you're the only one that remains... after my last day.
I assume "the band" is a reference to the Church. Others who also love you Lord. I especially like how he phrases the transition from living here to living there, with God.

Winds of Change

What happened?

Yesterday it was SOOO HOT. Today?....cooler, breezy, cloudy.

Hey, I'm not complaining. I thought I was going to have to get out at 7am to beat the heat.

Instead I woke up to a nearly dead fish (Dennis...our 3 year old goldfish).

After a while...I was out running.
At first I felt a little sluggish...the universe has certainly shifted...

But it didn't take me long to sink into the Earth and let it carry me away.

I ran Otter Trail.
On the first half of the route, it seemed like I was soaring. I hardly noticed I was running. More like dancing. Yeah, dancing.
I'm still loving that song..."You set me free". God, why do keep blessing me?
Feeling a bit emotional, tears started streaming down my face, wiped away by the wind.
"Your in my heart...the only light that shines there in the dark."

I played that song 4 times. It made me happy. I like feeling that way.

I'm glad for change.

My new shirt.

Me wearing my new shirt and hat. Just got done with the run...eweh...yuck.

new shirt and hat!

I got a new hat and a new shirt for running!

That may not seem like a big deal to you...but my old hat was getting really stinky. As for shirts (tanks) I have several...but this new one says... "Run, Forest, Run!" Perfect for me! I am a Gump lover. Michael bought it for me at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Restaurant in Monterey. It's even red...my favorite color. The hat is white on the brim and forehead. The back is pink mesh. It says Monterey. Once again...just what I like. He thought the mesh would give my head some much need air circulation. How thoughtful.

I ran Westville, Pointed Rocks & American River Trail.

It took me a while...about 45 minutes from the time I left my house until walking back in. However I did do a song worth of stretches and shuwed away a couple of deer from our front lawn. The little devils. After my roses again! Ha. I moved them. So take that you unwelcome flower killers!
One of them tried to come back, but after I gave him the 2 finger focker "I'm watching you" signal, he scampered off.
Hasta la vista girly deer.

Now what was I saying? The run. Yes, it was nice thank you. I'll tell you the story because I tell it so well.
The weather was warm without a cloud in the sky. How do I know? Because I was looking at the sky! Looking at it the whole time. Birds flying around, teaching their babies the rules of the road.
Injuries? What injuries? Not me. Not today my friend!
I waved at 2 other runners. My friend, Don, was driving up Pointed Rocks on his way home, so I waved to him too...Dah, would wouldn't wave to a friend? I said "morning" to a couple of ladies I didn't know. They smiled and repeated my greeting.
Around here, strangers are just friends you haven't met yet.
Don't get me wrong...I definitely worn the girls against strangers...and how to be polite at the same time. Keep your distance.
Many times people wave to me and I wave back...then I ask myself Who was that? Do I know that person? O'well. It doesn't matter anyway. It's all good.
Blessings bubble over. Want some? I can share. I am currently in abundent supply of smiles and warm thoughts....You are special!
Man. I LOVE this place.

You need to see more pictures. I'll do that.

new song to ipod- You set me free, by Michelle Branch.
favorite line- I wanted to fly, so you gave me your wings.

Feet forward...Head in the Clouds

I keep my head up most of the time, but once in a while I have to remind myself...especially when I'm going uphill.

Today I had to remind myself many times. HEAD UP KATHY!! And feet forward, use that heal cushion!

While I was looking down, I saw a dead grey squirrel. I guess it was hit by a car...but it wasn't all torn up and bloody. He was laying gracefully on his side with his head resting on a rock. Almost had the appearance of sleeping...even his eyes were closed. Though I knew right away- he was dead.
Dead, dead, dead.

It wasn't long after I turned my head away from the dead squirrel that I saw a giant ant carrying something 20 times larger than himself. I jumped over to avoid squishing him. Why do I do that? Instinct I guess. It can't be a regard for insect life because this morning I went out of my way to kill a bee.

I ran to Second Gate.

It is hot today and of course I waited to long before getting out there. Why?
Oh, the usual. Dishes, bills, laundry... and the fact that Katie is home and I wanted to make sure she wasn't going to have a weird reaction to those steroid pills I gave her this morning. She's such a trooper. She doesn't complain...she just gives me this "I feel awful" look. I wish I could take her place.

Just before I finished my run, I began to feel my legs turning into solid lead. I quickly tried to think of something to keep them going. I know this may sound childish, but I pretended that I was a train.
My arm and legs were the axles attached to the wheels. My breath was the steam and my lungs were filled with burning coals! The white line I follow was the track. A machine. I needed to mental turn myself into a machine. No time to derail. Push. P-U-S-H!!

It worked. I did it. I crossed that line, took off my sunglasses and rubbed my eyes.
BIG MISTAKE!
I can always tell when I've had too much salt. It comes out in my sweat. It got in my eyes. Ouch.
It was from those fries I ate. Yesterday I treated the girls to In-N-Out Burger after leaving the doctor's office. Katie covered her fries with salt. I ate some. I do like that place. I RARELY eat burgers...(the best are made right at home on your own BBQ) but In-N-Out I like.
Yum.

In a rush?

Today I ran Westville, Pointed Rocks & Paymaster.

The weather is nice. Perfect day to run.
Windy, overcast with a slight threat of rain.

I can't write much today...I'm in a hurry to get to my daughter's classroom. Last week I was late and the teacher gave me a dirty look. She had to stop talking to the kids to come over and tell me how to check the homework folders. SHE HAS TO TELL ME EVERY WEEK! Alright already! I know! I know how to do it! DANG!!!!! It hasn't changed all year! Leave me alone! I'm going to have nightmares!

okay...I'll calm down now.

anyway- the run was nice. I didn't stop and all my parts did their job. No injuries. *very happy face*

I remembered that last year at this time, I don't think I could do this route without stopping at least once. Got to remember where I've been, I guess.

Hot

It's hot outside.

But that's what I get for waiting this long in the day to run. Well...it was either wait until Michael got home or skip this day altogether. I choose to wait.

While I waited, I cut and fit in a few more baseboards. Oh, will the remodeling never cease? Nope.

The sun was so bright that I borrowed my husbands Ray Bans. What a difference! Sooo much better than the crappy things I wear...five dollar, bent, sorry, scratched excuse for eye protection.

When I happen to come across a couple hundred bucks I'm not using...I think I'll get a pair, but something smaller. His are so big on me that I look like an alien.

I ran Otter Trail.
I realized I was looking down too much when I actually jumped out of the way so I wouldn't squash a small fuzzy, white & grey catepillar with a red spot. Then I felt even worse because I must have been going slow. How else did notice what colors it happened to be?
Great.
Looking down AND going slow.
Overall though, I'd say I did pretty good. Not to bad for a hot, sunny afternoon.

I cruised most of the way, and I don't care if I do stink...running is fun.
BTW- I'm actually down 3 pounds...how did that happen?

Holdin On and feelin it!

Hey, it's good to be back!
The run today was AWESOME!

Just enough gut wrenching action to really get that "throw your arms in the air and praise the Heavens" altitude!

I ran Westville Trail.

The sun has returned. Happy days are here again!

Injuries? NO, NONE...now that I think about it...nothing hurt today. I don't even feel it in my butt!
Nice.

Two Weeks!

Dressed and ready in my shorts, shoes and tank...I stalled.
I took the sheets off the bed, folded the laundry and vacuumed the hallway carpet.
Why?
Because I was afraid to run. It's been two weeks and I knew it was going to be hard. I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to meet my own expectations. I didn't want to disappoint myself.
It's just one of those times when you HAVE to do it. Not running today would be a bigger let down for myself, right?
Yes, of course it would.
If I get out there and find myself walking...at least I tried, and THAT is never fully failing. Better not to quit before I start.

So, how did it go?

Good. No, a little better than that. I didn't stop. That was my goal. But why is my goal never good enough? I crossed my finish line and looked down at my ipod.
7 songs. That how long it took me to run Otter Trail.
I usually can do it in 5 or 6!
I felt disappointed in myself.
I think no matter what, I was bound to do this. I should give myself a break! It has been 2 weeks! I can't expect to break records, jeez!

One neat thing happened.
On the way back up the crazy steep hill I live on, I stopped and closed my eyes. I sank into the music. I felt the cool breeze lightly brushing my legs. I wasn't thinking about anything. Nope, nothing. That's hard to do if you try. I wasn't trying. It just happened.
I didn't feel aware of anything happening. Just calm, dark...nothing.
It was peaceful.
Maybe this is what naturalists call "meditation".
When my eyes finally did open, I wondered how long I'd been like that. A minute? Less? More?
I had no idea.
It was almost a shock...a jolt...to realize that I was standing in the middle of the street.

Fear is a waste of time. Real...but a waste when you know it's not going to stop you. It's just going to delay you.
I think guilt harbors those lies too. But that's a whole nother post.