Monday, September 24, 2007

For the Trees

So I had a long run planned on Saturday with Shaunmarie. I decided that I should probably run a little bit on Friday just to keep my legs "warm." I really didn't want to run but forced myself to drive up to the Zoo for a quick 25 minutes. At the first big hill, I came to a stop and said to myself "I can't." And out of the blue my teeny mind said "Can't or won't?"

Profound. I know. But that mantra powered me up the hills that a few short months ago I could only walk. And to make it even better, I ran the hills on the Fir trail too, which I NEVER do. I was very proud of myself. And I realized that earlier in the summer I said to Coach that when I can run all the hills including the hills on the Fir Trail, I'll know I'm back as a runner.

Seriously. I'm back!

My pride still didn't help my nerves on Saturday morning. I felt naseous about my first real long run. As in a one hour run. Plus, I'm running with Shaunmarie--a skinny gazelle. So I got to the Germantown Road trailhead and after five minutes of trying to fit my car into a parking space, stalling the car about three times, getting the car stuck and finally parking on the other side of the road, greeted Shaunmarie with a hug because I know she hates that.

So we started running. I made her talk for the dreaded first ten minutes that I hate so bad. After that, I felt pretty good and we made it to the first rest stop in 23 minutes. Not bad at all!

We ran out for about seven more minutes then came back. Total run time 60 minutes. Total run length, probably about 6 or 6.5. It was seriously probably one of the best runs ever.

Good times(TM)

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Head's All Empty and I Don't Care

Well, in my defense, I've run way more times than these three measly posts. Usually in a given week I'll run four to five times and (unfortunately) take two to three days off. It's a pretty good system and I'm actually starting to see some results. Like, no more pants with stretchy panels.

Now, let's just get this nastiness out of the way. I'm embarrassed and saddened by my Eagles. It brought a tear last night to think that McNabb is starting a slow decline and could eventually be on another team before I'm out of my 30's. I love that guy and no matter what anyone says he turned the Eagles around from perennial losers to contenders every year. So I say go ahead! Pile on and say how bad he is...but I will never forget the Bobby Hoying and Rodney Peete era (and also, Rich Kotite and Marion Campbell? God almighty)

Anyhoo, back to running. Yesterday I hit Forest Park for a wonderful run on the nice soft trail. There's really nothing like the trail after a light rain. So I set out on my normal run--starting from the archery range--and felt pretty good. The entire Portland State cross country team was running the opposite direction. Needless to say they pissed me off and I contemplated writing a letter to the coach telling him/her that his runners need to run single file instead of forcing an old lady down into the ravine.

I've been trying to make my daily runs a bit longer (up to 40 minutes) so I decided to tack on some extra and take the Magnolia trail up around to the water tower and then retrace the first part of the run, but in a different direction. Coach and I had run this way last weekend, so I felt pretty good. Well, I must have been on drugs when I was running with Coach because I somehow forgot how big the mother effing hills are on this route. Whew! Got my ass kicked for real.

I also passed a lot of dummies with their dogs who don't have the common courtesy to pull their dogs closer to them as I pass. A lady with a weiner dog let her dog stand right in the middle of the trail. I seriously considered drop kicking it and then acting like it was an accident. But I was too tired to lift my leg that high.

So that's that. I plan on going again today and people, please. We need to start a running group! Maybe even on the weekends when more people are available. I am NOT fast and don't even pretend to be. I'm available for running all day Friday and anytime Saturday or Sunday.



And on the baby front, on Saturday we had our first sleep-through-the-night night. Twelve whole hours of sleep. It was amazing. And he's a chunky monkey and is almost out weighing his brother. And that, is the end. Missing you all.