Hey, I'm Still Alive and Kickin'!

Yes, I'm still around, and I'm still working out. Not running so much, though. It's been winter, my knee has some issues, and (insert any old excuse here). I don't really know when I'd find time to get a good running schedule in right now anyway, since I'm working out like a madwoman. (In my opinion, anyway... some people work out way more!)

I teach 4 hour long classes each week at the gym. Monday 5:30 a.m., Tuesday 5:30 a.m., and Thursday 9:30 and 11:00. Then on top of that, I've been subbing for other people at the gym. Today for example, I taught at 5:30, and I'll be subbing at 9:30 and 11:00. So, 3 hours of working out today. Excessive? Yes. Tiring? Yes. Do I want to just crawl back in bed and go to sleep? Yes. Yes. Yes!!

Which brings me to my question, and I've discussed this a little bit with my sister... is it okay to do weights back to back days if you're doing a lot of reps with lighter weights?

I've also been trying to cut out sugar, to see if my skin clears up. So far it hasn't really helped, but that might be because I cheat all the time. Sigh. Sweets are VERY difficult for me to give up. I also heard dairy could be a culprit in bad skin. Actually I read a ton about it, and almost EVERYTHING contradicted everything else. So, it's hard to know what could really work, and what could just be torturing me. Maybe I'm just destined to have bad skin as an adult as punishment for my good teenage skin. Sigh.

Running Revenge

Today I really felt like I had to run 6 miles again, in defiance of people who make my life difficult. I don't know why it had to be 6, and my legs were screaming that it shouldn't be 6, but it just had to be.

Last night I cried, because I was scared to run again. I was angry that I was made afraid to run. So, I got up today, put on my shoes, and dared someone to mess with me. It turned into a run to prove to myself that I can get past ANYONE who tries to mess with me. Every mile ran, every step taken was a step of revenge, a mile of power, a step for ME. I ran past everyone who tries to make me feel bad, everyone who tries to intimidate me, everyone who tries to make me feel like less than who I am. It felt good. Really good. I might have to run for revenge more often.

All in Fun, OR Time to Get Pepper Spray?

I had an... interesting? experience today on my 6 mile run. I never felt like I was really in danger, but I did have some scary thoughts going through my head. So, tell me... should I be scared?

I'm running along a fairly well-traveled road, and all of a sudden I sense a truck driving along right behind me, very slowly. I ignored it for a minute, then glanced over. 2 guys were in the truck, and when I looked they kind of laughed. I just kept running. After a minute, driver guy (the only one who talked) said,

"We're just running security for you."

Me: "I'm fine". (I wave goodbye.)

Guy: "Oh, I know."

I run on, trying to ignore them, thinking, "Where in the heck are any other cars? Where are any other people? What if this guy just jumps out of his truck and grabs me?" It felt like FOREVER that we went along like that. Then the guy says something, but I didn't hear what, so I ignored it. Then, again...

"Are you married?"

Me: "Yes!" and a brilliant afterthought comes out of my mouth, "And I have THREE KIDS."

They drove off.

Feels So Good!

I've been running more the past couple of weeks, thanks to early morning running appointments with Janice, and it has been great! Too bad Janice is moving next week. :( I'll have to get out of bed without the motivation of knowing someone is waiting for me! Anyway, the last run we ran about 5.5, and I felt GOOD at the end... like I wanted to sprint it... like I haven't felt for a long time. When I'm doing good with my running, and my body is really loving and craving it, I get this kick at the end of every run... like my legs are going of their own volition, and the rest of my body is just along for the ride. So, I felt that again! I also used to get tingles in my legs when I was laying in bed before I'd get up for my long runs, like my legs knew what was coming and couldn't wait. Hopefully that comes back too, and I might not need Janice after all!

Run with Miss Marathon

I got to run 6 miles this last week with my amazing friend... she's amazing in more ways than running, that's for sure, but for this post I'm focusing on her mad running skillz. She just ran Boston. Yeah, that's right, BOSTON! And she's running another marathon next month. Yeah, that's right, ANOTHER one... where she'll be qualifying for Boston next year. (The picture at the left is Janice at the Boston finish line... stolen from her blog.) You have to run pretty dang fast to qualify for Boston. Well, fast for me, anyway. I don't think I'll ever be there. So, Janice let me run with her, which I know is a sacrifice, because she's in training, and 6 miles at a fairly easy pace for her isn't much in the way of training. It was great for me though, because it pushed me to get past that 4 mile barrier that I've been at this spring, and it pushed me to go faster. That girl just runs and talks and doesn't slow down! I didn't do a lot of talking, because I was concentrating on breathing, but I loved listening to her talk. The time flew by. (Well, mostly... except for the few times where I thought we'd never be done! ;) It really made me miss my runs with my friend in Idaho, Annette. I enjoy running alone sometimes, but I really really like a good run with a good friend thrown in there occasionally! Janice, let me know if you're planning another "easy 6" anytime soon. ;)

You Know You Do it Too

I had to laugh at myself yesterday morning on my 4 mile run. I ran past a nice looking young man, and, of course, I straightened up a little, ran a little faster, a little lighter. I can't help it! It just happens, I swear! Too bad nice looking young men can't be there the whole time I'm running. I'd either kill myself running too fast, or forget I was even running at all!

Running in Place at a Stop Light

I've heard lots of people talk about those silly runners who run in place at stop lights. I admit, I kind of thought that was silly too. But that's when I lived in a place where I could run 10 miles and not encounter one stop light! Now I live in a place that in a one block distance I had to cross at 3 lights! I also have a lot of stops at crossroads where I have to wait for cars. So, it starts getting ridiculous. You almost feel like you're waiting more than you're running. So, just so I didn't look too silly, I ran in circles at the stop light instead of in place! ;)