Loser

I called myself a wusie, loser and pathetic. But I know I did fairly well. This afternoon I was informed by my daughter that tonight's soccer practice was going to be held at the high school. Now how am I going to get in my 5 miles there? That soccer field is tiny and rough. I'd have to run around it at least 30 times!! I would not like that.
So I decided to run up to the main track and see if it was being used. Luckily for me it was deserted. I ran the first 10 laps, lap 8 had me dancing, and thought to myself...

another 10, DO ANOTHER 10 LAPS! Heck, I don't want to do that. But you've only gone half way. Go another 10!!

So I did. But on the 15th lap, I was feeling sick. I wondered if I would throw up when I finally stopped. My next step had me wondering if I would soon fall down...so I stopped. That was it...at least for today. I walked the next half lap until I got to the water fountains. I drank a ton. I splashed it all over my face and shirt. I took a deep breath and started running again. The last lap...the 20th lap, I ran faster than I had on the first one. I pushed myself. I yelled at myself. I didn't care who saw me. I didn't care what anyone would think. This is what I needed to do.
WUSIE!! LOSER!! C'MON KATHY, MOVE YOUR ASS!!!

I had run through my entire playlist and started on another, by the time I got back to the lower field where the girls were playing a practice scrimmage against the boys. Looks like the girls were kicking some butt! Katie was in the goal box- of course. Man, she's good.

Better late then never

I ran Otter trail today. It was already past 11am and getting hot, but I got out there anyway.
I was glad I did. Nice run. Not to hard. I almost stepped on a lizard and waved to the same lady twice.
I put a couple OLD songs on my ipod and had fun hearing...love is a battlefield and Jesse's girl.

Not much else to say- catch ya later.

Lotus Field

I ran 2.5 miles (6 laps) on Friday night. That was Sept. 23rd. I ran without music that day because my ipod battery was dead. It went okay until my right hamstring began hurting.

Tonight I ran 12 laps. Walked 2 for a warm up and cool down. This time I didn't stop at all. I did the whole 5.5 miles all at once, even though last time it was not much of a break (30 seconds at most).
The sky tonight was beautiful. So many shades of blue mixed with white clouds on one side and dark purple/pink clouds on the other.
The last 2 laps killed me. I could feel my dinner sitting right in my throat. I could have thrown up so easily. But, hey, gross and it would have really embarrassed Katie- so none of that thank you very much. I would have stopped, but I really wanted to reach that 5 mile mark again.
I listened to my praise music and that was nice. Unfortunately I still feel very bad. I have strong stomach pains. It feel this way when I accidentally get a dose of dairy.
O'well. Another night to tough it out.
Just as I was finishing my run- a thunderstorm rolled in. Lightening filled the sky. Katie's team practiced for another 20 minutes until practice was over.
It's still going on outside. Lightning, thunder and I'm lying in bed, trying to write this post without hurling. Soon I will hear the rain, but it hasn't started falling yet.

3 flat miles

I was tired and my stomach was hurting again. Even though it was time to leave for soccer practice, I suddenly had the urge to change out of my capri jeans and into my spandex shorts. Maybe I should run instead of taking a nap in the car??

It didn't take long to finish the transformation and in 2 minutes we were out the door. Only a few minutes late...not much. Megan's team, the Hotshots, practice at our elementary school. I usually talk with other parents, but today I started running before they could catch me.
I waved to Jen, said hello to Mark and even kicked the soccer ball back into the game as I went running by. This loop is a bit shorter than running at Lotus Field (where Katie practices) so I ran around it 15 times. It must be a lot shorter, cause Katie said that 5 laps makes a little over 1 mile. So I ran about 3.5 miles today. Not bad. I think that's what I usually run at home.
It felt good to run instead of sleep.
But now it's after 10pm and I'm very sleepy. MB made a terrific dinner while I was out.
Night-night.

drop over dead, runner

Not today!

I ran to second gate. On the way there, a little yappy dog decided to chase me. At first I laughed. But as he kept coming and then ran out into the road where he almost got hit by a truck, I got mad. The man in the truck looked at me as if to say, "Get your dog out of the road." Not my dog.
I tried waving him off with my hand. Finally the clinking sound of his collar faded away.

On the way back I got a sudden tightening in my chest. It felt like someone had just whacked me a blow to the back between the shoulder blades. I even looked behind me to make sure that didn't really happen. Nothing.
I wondered back and forth in my mind if this would be a good reason to stop. Meanwhile- I kept running.
After a while, the pain shifted lower into my left side. I sighed with relief. Must have just been a pocket of gas. I have heard of runners, in very good shape, killing over right there on the road.
Well, not me baby. Not today.

5.5 miles!!! Oh, yeah baby.

That's right man. I ran 5 & 1/2 miles today!! Of course it was all on level ground...no hills, but still 5.5!!! And the best part is I did it in 1 hour. I only stopped once for about 10 seconds to get a couple sips of water.

Katie & I were at Lotus Park for her soccer practice. There is a concrete walking path that surrounds 2 fields and one bathroom structure. One lap will take you almost 1/2 mile. I know that because there is a sign that tells you the distance for how many laps you go. I had a goal of 12 laps. That would be over 5 miles. I did 13.

I ROCK!!

I didn't really think I could do it, but I did. I know I can't take all the credit. Who gives me strength?? My Loving Lord Jesus- that's who!!

I wanted to fly

"I fly. I reach out my hands and touch the sky. It's right in front of me...and I try- just let go relax and enjoy the ride. I feel free when I fly."

Ice Princess soundtrack

So what makes you fly? Do you fly?

"I close my eyes and kiss the sky...it's right in front of me."

Today I ran up Pointed Rocks to Westville and back to my street. Perfect run. Sometimes hard, but that's as it should be. Makes the easy flights of fancy that much more enjoyable. I remember thinking as I neared the top of crazy steep pointed rocks...keep going, this is hard, but I can see...the easy times are coming. Yes, I am crawling now...like a catepillar, but soon I will soar like a butterfly.

I feel free
and I fly........

C'mon baby light my fire

Whoa!
It's been two weeks tomorrow. I hate when I do that. There are times in your life when the brake light in your head comes on, but you can't slow down the car. By the time you mellow it out to a nice manageable pace, you wonder how you could have missed the braking distance. Was I on cruise control...auto pilot...or simply hanging on for dear life? It's a blur folks.

Today was the first day in almost 2 weeks that I've run, though I feel like I've skipped the past 2 months.

I ran Westville Trail starting from where the pool is. I loved every minute of it. There were a couple times when my body ached, but I kept going. It's an easy run Kathy...I kept telling myself.
Most of the route was easy and more times than a couple my legs were strong and happy. If they could talk I know they would have said...Oh, thank you, thank you for trusting us. We won't let you down, we are strong, strong like steel!
They pushed me up the steep hills and rejoiced down the slopes. This was nice. It allowed me to focus on foot placement and posture.

On the last quarter of the route, it happened again for the second time in my life.
A deer ran beside me. I first noticed him on the opposite side of the street. As I approached, the deer began trotting down the center of the road. He remained only a few steps ahead, slowly allowing me to get closer, until he crossed my path and stopped on a neighbor's lawn under a big shade tree, never taking his eyes off of me. I ran by and looked back to see that he's found a new interest. Grass.
Good-bye friend.