Keep Thanksgiving a family holiday. Each one of us can make a difference.
Month: November 2013
Stream of Consciousness
It’s going to be cold.
It’s early. The sun will barely be up.
I don’t know anyone going.
Why am I driving half an hour to run for half an hour just to drive back home in a half an hour? See? Not even worth the effort to get there.
My head feels congested. Maybe I should stay home and sleep.
These pajamas feel so cozy and warm. Why am I going out? It’s going to be cold.
I have to take my son to his school event around the time I need to leave so might as well at least get dressed for the run.
I already laid out all my clothes and my bib is already pinned on. Might as well make the effort.
Forgot my athletic sunglasses – guess I’ll stop by at home before I head out.
The sun is up and it’s not too terrible out. I’ll drive there, see how I feel.
Oh look – there’s no traffic getting to the race location.
I’m so early. What am I going to do for 45 minutes? At least I got decent parking.
Pee break, then banana time.
It’s so cold in the shade. Where’s a sunny spot I can stand in?
I guess I should pick a song to kick off the run.
Nope. Nope. Nope. Maybe. Nope. This could be good. Wait, this one already came up.
Is it time to line up yet?
Wow, that guy is stretching like he’s doing a marathon. Maybe I should stretch a bit. But not like I’m a crazy serious runner or anything.
I bet he’s fast.
I should start my app now.
This song is good. (play)
I’m restarting the app. I haven’t moved in three minutes.
This kid standing next to me with her dad is cute. He’s giving her good pointers to not be anxious. She’s clearly not buying it.
Oh – that’s the gun. Time to run. Glad I already started my music and app.
Holy crap why am I doing this? I rode my bike 33 miles yesterday and haven’t run in two weeks. I have no business doing this.
Don’t worry about all the younger folks passing you. Or the older folks. Run your own race, Laura. It’s not about them.
Ug I feel like a slug. Slow and slimy.
I wish running had etiquette like DON’T PASS ME ON MY RIGHT. I’m just trying to stay out of the faster runner’s way.
HOUSE OF PAIN!
Oh sweet – the platoon of military guys is about to pass. How awesome is it that they can run, yell, and carry a flag at the same time?
So many people walking now … gotta keep one foot in front of the other. You got this.
Girl Scouts handing out water at the mid-point? What a great service idea. Note to self for my troop.
Two miles down. One to go. This isn’t so bad.
One more curve, then the homestretch.
Why is it the last quarter-mile straight-away takes forever to actually finish?
Wait, does the official time clock say 30:something? Holy crap, I think I just PR’d!
Finisher medal (cute!) and water bottle acquired.
Walk it out … check your app. Yup, new personal best for a 5k. And actually ran a sub-10 minute mile the whole way.
And to think I felt so slow and sluggish! This is incredible! I am so happy I showed up to run today.
Singletrack Obsession
Friends, I am going through some serious mountain biking withdrawal.
It’s bad.
(Not quite this bad but still pretty bad)
You may recall my continued allegiance to Felt Bicycles and when I saw the Felt Nine Sport 29er, one of the Best Buys for Under $1000, for a very reasonable non-stolen sum in my size I jumped. A few weeks later I took him down to my friend Heather’s house and we pedaled over to the local park to get some easier/beginner singletrack under my belt.
(This bike is a dude’s bike and the orange made me think of Michaelangelo, the Ninja Turtle. So for now, the bike has been dubbed Michaelangelo)
Whoomp. Whoomp. Whoomp.
I rode on the flat pedals with trail running shoes, which were stable but slightly off-center. We rode around the twisty wooded trail, just two girls out on their bikes. It was awesome. I was able to roll over some obstacles I wasn’t sure I could. We rolled over a small bridge, through a stream, and up and down the hillside. Sunlight was fading so we headed back.
Whoomp. Whoomp. Whoomp.
Is there anything more satisfyingly hilarious than mountain bike wheels on the road?
Anyway, the next weekend we hit the trails again. This time I opted for some commuter boots, thinking because I didn’t have cleats on them they would bee better on the platforms. Wrong. My feet slid all over (and off) the pedals as I navigated the rocky, rooty terrain. I even walked down a hill because I could not be certain I wouldn’t crash when my feet wouldn’t stay on the pedals. We didn’t stay out as long and despite the poor shoe choice on my part, I had fun.
It’s time to throw on the clipless pedals and cleats. Who ever would have thought I would feel better being attached to my bike?
So Heather lent me her Egg Beaters. I can’t wait to try them.
This past week I was off work on Friday and my friend Heather also happened to be available so we made plans to ride mid-morning. Unfortunately Mother Nature had other plans, ones that included vicious wind, torrential rain, and generally unpleasant weather. We decided against muddy trail riding (protect the trails folks!) even though the weather eventually cleared and warmed up to a beautiful day.
What is it about mountain biking? There’s something most excellent about getting away from the roads, the people, cars and responsibilities and experiencing nature, quiet, and peacefulness. The crunch of leaves under your tire. The bushes brushing against your legs. Noodling through twisty trails between trees, over fallen logs, and staying upright through a shifty rocky rooty area.
In a fast-paced world, we all need a place to get away from it all. For me it’s on my bike – and even more so on my bike, in the woods.
See you on the road (or trails)!
wife. mother. awesome girl. 