Branching out?

I am considering running with a group of people, and I wonder what I am going to get out of it. I have always enjoyed my solitary runs, and I am a slave to my iPod. I think it is because I live in such a noisy environment. When I get out there early in the morning, and the streets are deserted, the low hum of absolute quiet is magical. But if I go to some of these scheduled runs, maybe the sheer motivation of other moving people will ignite some surge in me.

When I first started running, I ran with others. I was so much slower then, and I always had this strange sense of guilt that I was somehow holding the others back. Of course, they denied that I was any trouble whatsoever...but one lady was so much faster, she moved on. We had two others move away, and the last...my good friend...didn't have the desire to do distances. So I fell upon myself to be my own entity out on the road. At first I was scared, and a little befuddled; eventually came a warm sense of "being". At some point, I couldn't imagine running with others again. I get entrenched in my thoughts, and I get to listen to my music (as opposed to whatever is blaring from the Disney Channel at my house).

I will give it a try and see how it goes. Who knows? Maybe I will learn something new. Meeting new people and enjoying different scenery may invigorate my stride.

Speaking of stride, I am beginning to culminate a little trepidation about the Tour De Pain coming up here shortly. Three races in 24 hours. Doable? Yes. The one aspect of the race that troubles me is the four mile beach run--the first race of the three. I don't run well on the beach. I got injured the last beach race, so I have to eat a little crow this time around. I am going to have to run it and not "race" that particular race. I can't risk the injuries as marathon season is upon us and I am in full swing with training as of the last week of July. I will focus on the mile sizzler--maybe, just maybe, I can be super fast for once!

Silly Me

I did 9.6 this morning with the intent on doing them quickly. I really want to up the ante with the three half-marathons coming up in the autumn. Perfect conditions this morning, light misty breeze and a coolness that is uncommon this time of year.

I set off at a moderate pace and treated the first 3 or so miles as a warm-up, and then I spied a runner in the distance and what do you think happened next? My silly brain began pressuring me to catch her. I was going about an eight flat mile when I passed her, and then I was determined to smoke her--so I sped up even more. Dumb and dumber. Never mind that I indulged on Bob's decadent (but oh so dehydrating baby back ribs last night), never mind that I still had a good three and a half miles to go, or that my right pinky toe was threatening me with a blister...

Bob caught up with me at about this point and I had to put Carmex on my toe--but hey, it worked! Whatever gets you through. He stuck with me for about another mile and a half. Then he left me in the dust, ha ha ha. Now I am lazing in bed before the house is invaded by screaming and giggling children. My folks and my niece are here, and I am enjoying this time I have to myself.

And so we have a victory...

We filed a claim with the tree surgeon's insurance, and it is covered. So we will be able to recoup our money! YAY!! They just have to eat the deductible, and they don't have a choice. Way to stick it to the machine, lol!

I am bound and determined to have a decent seven and something tomorrow. I will get up way early and tempo my favorite route. All of my iTunes were lost after the PC when to the shop, but Apple was nice enough to reinstate them--all $400+ worth!!! So this is a week of victory. The trees are cut, the electrical to the pool is chugging along, and I had a fantastic shopping trip with girlfriends over the weekend. SCORE! Size four and sometimes a six, baby. That is, from the chest down. All I know is that "I WILL TAKE IT!!!''.

The man and I had one hell of an S-3 class together this morning. We are setting our sites on the Tour De Pain. I am trying to decide how much I want to push this, since it isn't too far into marathon training. A 4, a 5k and a mile in 48 hours--AUGUST JACKSONVILLE, WHOA!!!! I would much rather be home in South Florida for that...believe it or not, it isn't as hot.

Bob's 42nd went well--it became a huge Guitar Hero fusion, and I kicked Iron Maiden's ass!!! WOOHOO!!! Mommy finally looked liked she could take the kiddos..NOT.

More later. Love to all, and don't fret the moderated comments. This blog is cathartic for me, and I don't require much.

Thunderstorms, trees and money ain't growin' on them!

I type this awaiting one of the incredible summer thunderstorms that approach North Florida in the late afternoons. WE have electricians rewiring the electrical source to our swimming pool that the tree surgeons unceremoniously and negligently dug up while grinding the tree stump of the magnificent water oak we murdered. This whole rewiring will exceed the cost of the actual tree fees. How can we spend so many thousands of dollars in one week?

I have blown off running and working out today. I just wasn't in the mood. My search continues for Bob's birth family, and I have access to sites dedicated to such that I get the privilege to read all of the reunion stories. It gives me hope that we will be successful. I get tearful.

I also had time to dig out some very funny photos of classmates from high school that I will submit to the reunion company, lol!!! How silly we were. Some folks are going to be VERY embarrassed.

I am running tomorrow morning, DAMN IT. I am running ten fantastic miles and my legs will thank me for it. I will go to River Road and get my fix. I will thank the heavens on Sunday that I have this wonderful man in my life. We will celebrate his 42nd birthday with friends and family.

Happy birthday, Roberto.

Ode to River Road

If you start reading from the first sunrise photo, then the post is more fluid. I am still trying to get the hang of this blogging and photos thing, so begin at the bottom and work your way up! Thanks for your patience:).

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The large oaks dripping with spanish moss are so much more brilliantly green in the morning. This is the return home, possibly mile 6-7. I have the sun reflecting off the St. John's straight to my back, and this is usually where it begins to get hot. I used to fry in the sun when I was younger, and my front was always much more tan than my back; not so much anymore, it is the opposite!

Shelby has her best friend coming over later so they may swim together. I may get crazy with the camera again!

I saw Bob at about mile 3-4. I still get lightheaded with the anticipation of seeing him. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have the bliss I experience five to six days a week...or the medals hanging on the wall in the family room...double the inspiration in this photo.

"And you run and you run to catch up to the sun, but it's sinking, and racing around to come up behind you again. The sun is the same in a relative way, but you're older; shorter of breath, and one day closer to death."


See my lovely playground? It all belongs to me on Sunday mornings.