Redemption Run

Ted and I ran this week. We ran Tuesday night. And I'm just now able to begin talking about it, thanks mostly to the run this morning.

Tuesday night, Dave had to work at the local YMCA where he's been spending much of his time. He started at 8:00 that night, so Ted and I rode along with him, and ran home (It's almost an exact 3.1 miles).

The temperature, I noted, as we ran past a bank, was 89. The humidity was stifling. The run was one of the worst ones in a long time, and we both felt it long before we reached the front porch. And long after.

I hated it, and wanted to pretend the run never happened. We were going to go out again last night, but downpours suggested otherwise, so I got up this morning to run 4 miles. The rain had cooled the air down to a manageable and realistic 70, and the humidity did not smack you as soon as you stepped outside. Regardless, I made myself extremely aware of my pace, and stopped myself anytime I felt like I was picking it up. I wanted the run to be steady, instead of pushing myself the entire time.

It was still sticky, and I was still soaked when I got back to the house. But I came in a few seconds under my goal time for that route, which I was very happy about! And it put running in a whole new light after Tuesday's jaded attempt.

I am in desperate need of new shoes. My New Balance's aren't quite what they were. I want to go to an Athletic Shoe Shop in Doylestown and have someone look at my feet, and assign me a brand to wear, so I continue to put miles on my New Balance's until we get up that way. Maybe this weekend...

A Whole New World

Sometimes the sheer beauty of this country amazes me. Ted and I arrived back from Montana on Sunday...it was a busy week, with a trip to Yellowstone, a run in the park, and sight-seeing...all before the big wedding day of Jack and Robin.

While this picture is not on a run, but rather on the Beartooth Passage on the way to Yellowstone, it provides a good idea on what we saw. We ran on some biking trails in a park near our hotel. The mountains were visible from everywhere...it was beautiful! The thinner air caused only slightly slower times...the real culprit was the delays in arriving in Billings. The original 10:30 pm landing was changed when we didn't take off from Philly until midnight...thus leading to spending the night in Minneapolis' airport and arriving the next morning, exactly 12 hours after our original land time.

The area is absolutely beautiful. Our run allowed us to see many of the local animals. Fortunately, it was limited to those smaller than us, and those who did not view us as dinner. Unfortunately, this category included snakes, which did cause our little run to be cut extremely short, thanks to me. I'm not exactly a snake person. Mice, rats, spiders, I'm fine with. Snakes--nope.

Looking forward, I have found another marathon training plan that I think seems good and manageable. I'm looking forward to having a schedule again, something that tells me when to run and how far to go. And after a week of late nights, restaurant food, and way too many beers, I could use a good kick in the butt to get started. There is a local 5-K in a few weeks that I had wanted to do pretty well in, which means I have to start picking up the pace and forget about the easy jogs I've been doing.

Back to the whole point of our trip to Montana--the wedding. Isn't she a beautiful bride?

Trick or Treat Trail Runs

Ted and I did run this weekend--despite the 90+ heat we are now enduring (I forget what I was saying last January...something about "when does summer start" or something...). We decided to leave around 7:00 for the equestrian trails by the Green Lane Reservoir. We have run these trails before, and I absolutely love them. They are quiet, serene, peaceful, cool, and yet exciting enough to keep my mind and imagination at bay.

However, these trails like to remind you the next day just who is in control. A 3.5 mile trail run sticks with us alot longer than a romp around the neighborhood. It is truly a full body workout...not only do we push ourselves forward, but we are also going side to side, dodging rocks and sticks. That's why I like to call it the Trick or Treat Trail Run...or should it be Treat or Trick. Last night, it was a treat. This morning feels more like a trick.

My next update should be interesting--Ted and I leave tomorrow for Montana. Robin and Jack are finally getting married, and we have to be there to ensure it really happens! Ted is excited about running in Billings...he has mentioned it on numerous occasions, and I am thrilled that he plans on incorporating that into our little mini-vacation. Maybe I'm starting to get through to him...

And I wore flowers in my hair.

Last Monday I walk into the office, thinking "Here's to another week." 24 hours later I find myself on a plane to San Francisco for the rest of the week for a conference. Talk about flying by the seat of your pants!

However, visiting cities has it's perks...like hill workouts I could not dream of in Philly. The concierge gave me a few running routes. The one I chose on my one free morning was a relatively flat (even for Philly standards) out-and-back along the Embarcadero and through Fisherman's Wharf. After a beautiful view of seals in the bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz (as beautiful as a prison can be), the runner was to turn around and return to the hotel the way they came.

Maggie saw a runner heading up Hyde Street when she turned around. Hyde Street is about as classic of a street in San Francisco as you can get...it runs right above Lombard Street, the crooked street (unfortunately I didn't realize that until after the run). Did I want to attempt that? I looked up the hill...and up the hill...and up the hill. Should I? I decided not to--then at the last minute thought "When am I EVER going to get a hill workout like this again?" So I take a deep breath and head up.

And it killed me. I soaked the street with my sweat and the locals got a good laugh, I'm sure. But it was worth it--makes any hill workout I have here look like mere speedbumps. Along the way back to the hotel, I passed a farmer's market. I pulled money out of my shoe pack and treated myself for a fresh California-grown peach. Delicious!

The rest of the trip was fun, as well. Cable cars and an evening at Haight Ashbury.

While not running related, Saturday Ted and I enjoyed the 92.5 XTU Anniversary Show at the Tweeter Center...thanks to Ted's co-worker who hooked us up with the best seats ever!

And who knew David Akers could rock out with Troy Gentry (Montgomery Gentry), as well as kick field goals and 3-pointers!?

(That's Akers there on the white guitar, with Montgomery Gentry...)