Running Wogging & the Glass Half Full

Today my first born baby girl turns 11. Amazing how birthdays make you feel old- Old in a good way- A birthday brings back soooo many memories. It only seems like yesterday- we were bringing her home in our little white truck- her car seat tucked in between us, each little hand holding ours- *sigh* Late last night I realized I'd forgotten a crazy card for her lunch- a tiny tradition started only recently- I try to buy a silly singing card for the kids to open on their birthday at lunch- they are cool for a day, as their friends gather to laugh and look- Perfect opportunity for a baby walk. Yes a walk- And only about a half mile down and back- I'm almost to the end of my training- my half is staring me in the face- So off I go to one of the only places open at 5:30 our local lovely walmart. I do love walmart- they always give me my milk on sale without me asking- and at 5-6 gallons a week, that's some savings. Card isle found Aren't sea upon sea of cards pretty? Noisy

Monday I had two moles removed on my upper arm. Stitches. Ouch. Such is the life of a Norwegian living in New Mexico. Doctor isn't too concerned, just a precaution~ fingers crossed. So today I pulled out the pity card- shut my alarm off, and slept in. Could have slept forever too, had it not been for our crazy cat Milkyway pouncing us awake. That proved to be providence, a minute more and disastrous lateness would have ensued. Then the business of the day took over. Before I knew it, the day was gone. Ryan texted me to feed the kids, he had a long night ahead at the office. Kids 'fed and watered', baths and pj's - I read 2 chapters in our Hardy Boys book instead of the usual 1- partly to pass the time- but mostly because the plot was thickening, and you could see it in the kids eyes that 1 chapter was not even close to cutting it tonight. Kids down- all is quiet- Except for Riley's random questions: "How does electricity WORK?"

Get going. Just get out and go somewhere. Some days are like today- You wake up and your body says NO- All last week I had this nagging pain in my shin- Bruised? Strained? Who knows- Today it told me "don't you dare" --- So I didn't. I have come too far to worry about a little walk. You know what cracks me up about the whole 'running' thing? This almost 'step-sister' mentality toward walking- I find myself falling into that trap more often than not- turning my nose up to a perfectly good walk.... Today it was too dark for photos- Snagged  off computer's "sample picture"file!   Granted, I realize I'm training for a RUN,   but if a walk helps me reach my goal- so be it!!!    But today as I was WALKING :O)    I thought about all the times people ask:    "Do you REALLY run?"    Well, if you want to get particular,    I guess I could put a new heading    in Endomondo that said:    "

There's something fun about a Saturday run. Less time constraints- A more relaxed feel- This morning was just like that. I drank in it's quiet restfulness. Then I realized it was already 7am- Gotta get out the door if I'm ever going to get back- I go to grab my Asics, thinking they'd be best suited for a longer run, but it seems my Brooks Cascadias hid them! I give them the 'mommy eye' - they promise to be good- so on they go. The trails were calling my name as I headed out- but I had to detour down into the neighborhood to mail a letter. A little warmup jog felt good- passing houses and people going places- CRAZY DOG runs out towards me barking--- ****** you know I love dogs, and never had a fear before I started running- What is it that makes dogs want to lunge out and 'get' a runner? Tennille had given me pointers the other day on what to do the next time I ran into a dog- should I try it? ********* "NO!" "S

Hit snooze twice on my alarm this morning.  Luckily, my clock is alarmingly fast, making my actual out of bed time 4:45. No worries, I only had another 4 to tackle. AND I'd planned ahead and had everything ready. Oh yeah, "everything ready" to me means; I've forgotten to charge my head phones, Can't find socks, Have to scrounge through the laundry for that running shirt I just plain forgot to wash, but can't live without. SERIOUSLY!!!!! (you know- I HAVE asked for organization EVERY year for Christmas- no one seems to listen) Funny how these little things become the undoing of me. Same story in getting the kids out the door for school. I keep telling myself, "everyone else is competent and able to get with the program- why not you?" Oh, well I come just as I am. Hooked up my HUGE oldschool headphones,  stuffed the three miles of chord down my shirt, and headed out. Endomondo said I was running. I began my warm up walk and

What is it about this time of year that turns me into a proffessional sleeper?  Silly alarm clock~ Don't you know it's Fall? Yet another lost morning~ When oh when would I run?  Then I remembered a quote I'd snatched from Pinterest last night: What was my excuse? Too tired, too busy- WHAT? I chided myself for my laziness, and determined a suitable punishment- the dreaded treadmill- Taught my kindermusik classes, and raced upstairs to 'get-r-done'. I had 40 minutes until I had to pick up Molly from Kinder. Chose a machine, but it didn't work. Settled for the next one over. Then it began... the whir and clank, blinking lights, and blur of the mini TV. This is inhumane. What do you look at when you run on a treadmill? Look straight ahead, there's a clock~ tick tock~ Look down, and it's the Price is Right~ Oh joy. My goal was 4~ On a regular run, 4 takes me an hour.  I only have 40min~ I pushed the lever, making my speed kic

Forgot a few fun running details from yesterday's 9.5miler. Sky was amazing- That is one of the main things I noticed, as I'm used to running in the dark. A 'dark' run brings more caution, you are at a heightened awareness of everything around you, each noise, light, movement has you questioning what could go wrong. A daytime run is a busy run. Cars and people, the hustle and bustle of life- I didn't like that so much. I hate wondering if the car that just stopped on it's way out a parking lot, stopped because he saw me- or because his phone rang. I loved that I could finally run up college-hood-mesa road. No light posts takes it off the table for a 'dark' run, but perfect for daytime, as there is very little traffic. Hills are becoming manageable. I will wear my more supportive Asics for long runs. Move Free supplements will now be a part of my nighttime routine. Sunscreen. Duh----- (yep, I got burned) Oh, and the most amazing discovery of all- Capri-s

Last night I was feverishly getting ready for today's run. "Practically giddy" was my Facebook status- I think it was the impending run, and NOT my late night latte- but you can never be sure- It's almost like the house goes into 'nesting' mode- Lunches packed- Floor swept and mopped- Clothes picked out- Backpacks ready- As if he didn't already know, I whisper to my honey Ryan, "Tomorrow's my long run..." Don't know what it was I was hoping he'd say, but it didn't even cross my mind he'd ask: "what time do you start?" *****OK who told on me!? I thought we had a deal people- Hubby is NOT to know the scary details of my training- Like when my brother-in-law outed me about a dog biting me-(no blood and gore, just tore a hole in the side of my running pants) OR when someone else started talking about us girls running on the highway- OR what time I start my long runs in the morning- So shhhhhhhhh ************* "3:45&

Slept in. While this may be needed or desirable, the consequences of a sleepover-sleep-in is drama trama in the getting out the door category. French toast- cheesy cauliflower- granola- These were the breakfast orders. Yes, my Molly ordered cheesy cauliflower for breakfast- well, actually it was Broccoli, but we were out, so I told her cauliflower was white broccoli, and she was on board. Time for a run. Up out and down. Burning on the sides of my calves. Run - shuffle- walk, Run - shuffle- walk, Burn-burn-burn- Sigh* Walk- These shoes were going to be the undoing of me. But I had decided last night to run the wilderness park, and that was motivation enough. It took about two miles of this crazy lumping along for my calves to finally stretch, relax, and ready themselves for the work. Just in time too, the ascent to the wilderness park was ahead. Inside the park, I'm planning to take the pavement- but I see something that catches my eye--

Today the noise in my head was louder than my iPod- Life gets messy- Not in a 'poor me' kind of way- just messy- you know- The work The school The house (The laundry) Pile upon pile of life- the compartments of you squeezing in- Wife Mother Friend Everything important, everything good- Everything screaming for attention- Overwhelmed? How can I possibly be overwhelmed? So many others do so much more. But here I was, the wrong side of the bed holding my hand as I started out today. I walked, I ran, then walked again. 4 miles down and back. I snuck home- Slid back under the covers- Back to the right side of the bed. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Oh the worry of a new shoe purchase- You'd better not so much as take a pinky toe step on anything but carpet before you decide wether or not to keep those puppies- But how will you know they 'work' until you do just that. All day long yesterday I wore my new Brooks Cascadias , trying to get an idea of how they would remotely feel on a run. I even secretly planned an early morning date with a treadmill- just to be sure. But as the day wound down, something inside me wound up really wanting to do a trial run. I knew they would work- couldn't wait- Trying to get the kids situated for bed proved almost impossible. I kept whispering, "let's try to hurry, mommy wants to do a quick run"- thinking surely that would motivate them- HAHA My sweet honey, Ryan, must have heard the desperation in my voice, as I whispered in the other room, trying not to disturb him as he studied and worked, because out of nowhere he told me to go and hurry back.

Yesterday I was feeling like the ugly step sister- Went with Clare and Jen to try on my 'lust list' shoes, only to find that the 'glass slipper' didn't fit- At first I thought it was because I was rushed, perhaps I'd tried on the wrong size-so I went back- Nope- they just don't fit- I was crushed- every Cinderella in the world would be wearing MY shoe, but me. I actually had a pity party that went like this: Naw---- I'll spare you- But today, the most fabulous thing happened- Got a text from Tennille: When r u going to Brown's? Want to meet there and have coffee? Tennille is the most amazing- -Accomplished violinist -Wonderful teacher -Runner!!!!!! Back to Brown's- the shoe quest continues- Can I just say, there is nothing like staying local for important things like- hmmmmm Coffee-Today (compliments of Tennille) was Andrea Christina's Chi Latte iced! (I'm actually dying to take my honey Ryan there

3:29am That when I started my run today- Why so early? Had to- my goal was 12, and at a 13-15 minute pace, my run time would be 3 hours. By 6:30 this Cinderella turns into a pumpkin- I mean-mommy and has to get hubby and kiddos out the door. Like last night, I was indifferent, the run was like work you had to do- it felt weird. Headphones- check I pod- check Snacks- check Camelback- Check I was mildly intrigued by this last piece of gear, it was new- and new means fun- right? So off we go- Out the door, the warm-up walk begins- WHAT'S THAT SOUND??!! This sound can only be described as the sound you hear when your tummy's sick, but your mom pumps you chock full of fluids and pepto anyway. Soon all you hear is a gurgle of a sound that says bad things are coming- That is what my camelback had in mind as entertainment and conversation today- Oh no, no, no- that is not going to work, That- glug, glug, glug, glug, glug, with every step would NOT acc

Well, it's here, the last long run before MY HALF - so close to 13, almost a teenager- I'm a bit blah- Not even a nervous butterfly- Usually that means I will fail miserably- Perhaps it is just my training keeping me calm- I think I'm a bit sad- in a relieved kind of way- Sad that this part of my journey is almost done- Relieved that the next two weeks are more simple and relaxed. What next? I can't stop running. I've just barely begun. Part of me is frustrated that I am still very slow, the other side could care less. The run has become this most amazing thing. You've got to try it- just a baby step here and there. Walk, Wog, Jog, Run! Wish me luck- - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

So- I took care of those nasty leftovers- you know- those miles I'd been collecting that had to get done this week. So glad too, it's been raining off and on ever since. This morning woke up cold- my first thought was long sleeves- my second-crawling back in bed. Didn't though, out instead to brave the day, and the wind, and the 8 long miles that lay between me and my weekly mile goals. ....I ran the college loop almost with my eyes shut-- then asked "now what"? I needed to go somewhere- I was feeling a little wimpy, what with the snuggle-ly cold and my wishy washy mileage goal- and all. So I plotted a landmark to run to in my mind and went-- ******** I remember the first time I picked a landmark-- only it was walking then, and my daughter, Kate joined me in going to the library. I remember thinking, as we started out, how far away it seemed--- 5 miles for sure- only to find it a solid 1.5 - making the round trip only 3. We had a blast,

So I have this running Chart It's just like my alarm clock- always telling me what to do. Sometimes I listen- sometimes I hit snooze- This week was a snoozy kind of week. So now I'm left with leftovers- Two 4milers to be exact. Dilemma. Run tomorrow-Friday-4 Run Saturday -4 Or just get it over with and do 8 to rest up for Monday's 12-- Hmm Keep you posted. P.S. Because my lovely computer died, I've been iphone blogging hunt and peck style--- This afternoon I somehow deleted a past post-(Put Up A Parking Lot post-maybe even more---) Any thoughts on how to get them back? I contacted the app helper people- fingers crossed- Till then- why not plan your next run? - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

What's the point of having a running habit, unless you can buy stuff to support it? Of course, most if us have a grocery bill, or hubby looking over our shoulder, keeping us in check. But what if money weren't an option, and you could Visa your way to whatever your heart desired-what gadgety gizmo or fabulous frock would be on your 'lust list'? Here's mine: (In no particular order) Drum roll please- Necklace from endureshop.com athleta.com Muscle Up tank Happy Girl running skirt Skirtsports.com Wonder Under Crop Lululemon.com Smart wool patchwork Smarteool.com Mizuno wave runner 14 Cer/lim/shad I sooooo think this would make a gorgeous running ensemble- *Sigh* Feel free to message me and inquire regarding my sizes, should you wish to make this runner's fantasy come true- AND should you see any or all of these lovely pieces running about town--- remember- I saw it first- Imitati

Today's run was a Saturday run. I actually thought about getting my long run in today, even set my alarm the night before, but turned it off when it tried to get me up (I don't like being told what to do) That left me waking up late, scrambling to get out the door- Starting late, this run was already shaping up to be different; why not 'shake' things up and bring my headphones? Headphones have been left at home lately, trying to get myself able to run on my own without entertainment... But today I was running on the wild side! HA! I told myself, as I turned them on, there would be no walking on this run- end of story. Looking at my training schedule, this week had me running 4, 5, and 11 miles- 11 was out, leaving a 4 or 5 left for the run. Planning runs are getting easier. I try to add something unexpected in each run to keep it exciting, but It helps when you have a few routes plotted mile-wise, so you can stitch them together to create a great run.

Been having a bit of a problem lately--- well, not JUST lately-- Seemingly every time I have a run that is not considered 'swoon-worthy', I tank Cave Dog Plod Fill in the blank. Today it happened again- Only this time, I took the time to figure out why~ Here's what I came up with. Short and medium runs are home work runs~ You love to hate them, but you have to do them to pass the test. You have to do them to learn new concepts, master old ones, gain confidence. You have simply go through them. I've decided to work harder on my homework! - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone