Day 37-41

Looks like I have some catching up to do.

Saturday ~ I cross trained in Karate and learned a very valuable lesson...NEVER block a round kick with your thumb!!! An ice wrap, wrist wrap, and arinca montana cream helped with the swelling; but it's still a bit bruised and sore. I can touch my pinkie again, though under protest.

Sunday ~ declared a rest day due to factors beyond my control. I rode to church with my Mom, so after lunch she wanted to go to the mall for a few things and by the time we were done there it was time to run home, feed the dog and let him out, and then head back to church for a business meeting. So I did a lot of running around, just not the kind I needed to do. =0)

Monday ~ after work Jazz and I went for a twilight run. God graciously stayed the rain while we were out. As I recall it was a good walk/run. I am still trying to decrease my walking time and increase my jogging time, but so far 4 minute runs are sporadic and usually not repeatable in the same outing.

Tuesday ~ also declared a rest day. I did not have the day off like I normally do, so after Bible study and lunch I had to go to work. No time to run that day. =0(

Wednesday ~ Decided to walk out to Gloria's house just to see how long it would take me and give me a goal to shoot for. Sure that it was only three miles or so, I figured, if it takes me 30 minutes to go about a mile and a half (which is what I estimated my normal training runs are) then it should take me about 1 1/2 hours to get out there, allowing time for leg cramps and slower walking toward the end. I left at 12:30 pm with a bag full of snacks (having only eaten a bowl of cereal for breakfast) and 12 oz of water praying the Lord would be gracious and keep the rain away while I was walking (He did). Overall it was a good journey. Stopped once or twice to try to work out the kinks in my ankles and calves, but then decided to ignore them. Eventually the went away, or I just didn't notice them anymore. I was hoping to run for longer periods of time, but 2 minutes was the max (though with an analog watch it can be hard to tell for certain). About a third of the way there I got hungry, so I pulled out a cheese stick and scarfed that down, which made me thirsty. Glug...glug...glug...a little more water and we press on further.

About the half way point, I pulled out the packet of gu Gloria had given me to try. It's not bad. This one was kind of a vanilla flavor and has the consistency of "frosting and hair gel," just thick enough to feel like food, but not thick enough to make you work for it. Soon after that is when I had the 2 minute run (of course I was going slightly down hill and had paced myself better, so it may have been a combination of many factors). I probably could have run longer, but I just didn't want to. I also saw the 2nd set of train tracks coming up and I didn't want to be exhausted when I crossed over them (safety first you know). When I was just about to the crossing, the lights started flashing and bells chiming...there's a train a comin'. =0) I could have beat it across, but I remembered a TV program I watched that said once the lights start going and the arms come down you have 10 seconds before the train gets there. I didn't think it was going to be a long train anyway. What do I know! 2 minutes or so later the bars went up again and we were on our way. The respite gave me time to stretch out a bit, so that was nice. I expended too much energy running across the tracks and only lasted for about 45 seconds before I started walking again!!! Plus, my feet started to complain! You can't please everybody can you. I told them we were almost there and they could make it. Gambatte! =0)
Well, I made it and hour and 15 minutes later, exhausted and out of water and thinking that I am very slow!!! Somewhere along the way I remember thinking that 26 miles is an awfully long way and 13 looks a lot better! I also remember thinking "OY! I have to go back the way I came...on foot!", but my gracious friend said she would take me home. So, after some rest time, good conversation, and playtime with the boys, Gloria drove me home and we found out that it was really 5 MILES!!! That actually makes me feel a lot better ~ not as slow as I thought I was. Yea! =0)
Now, I've decided to do the Sound to Narrows run. It is only 7.2 miles and that is not much further than what I just did, so why not? (I wonder who put that thought into my head???) =0)

It's time for me to go practice today, so I'll check in again later.
Happy trails y'all
eryn