There are not many things better than surprises. Good surprises that is. Like surprise visits from your Daddy like I got today! Ahhh, I love my Daddy (yes, he will always be "Daddy," not "Dad" or "Father"). I love my mother too of course! But mother is always a surprise. You expect surprises from mother. Are expected surprises really surprises? I digress. Daddy, however, is never spontaneous, so when he is it tickles me to death. Like today. :)
Also a BIG surprise today, I ran 5 miles in 46 minutes and 12 seconds. I have *No*Idea* what got into me! I don't run that fast folks. And the sad thing is, is that's really not even considered fast. However, it *IS* fast for *me.* It's really fast for me. That's a little bit over 9-minute miles (9:20ish?), compared to my standard 10-minute miles. I didn't even intend to run fast today. Even once I started running, I was thinking to myself, "since I ran hard yesterday, I'll just take it easy today." I don't even know why or when I started running hard. I had Pandora's Beyonce station on today and I guess the Michael Jackson, Black Eyed Peas and Gnarles Barkley tunes just got me going.
So, good surprises today. But now that I know I can run 5 miles in 46 minutes, I feel like I should do it every time now. I would be incredibly delighted if I could keep up that pace for longer distances. I had about a mile and a half to go today and wasn't sure I could keep it up to the end. But somehow I did. I think it was Gnarles Barkley's "Crazy" that got me home.
Good day. Good day at work, good afternoon surprise, good run. And now *Goodnight.*
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Run Up A Goal
It started a heavy sprinkle about half an hour before my run this evening. I wasn't sure what to expect for the weather. So I ditched Pandora today just in case. It was also very cool and I didn't have enough clothes. I suspected that when I packed my bag this morning but I was running late so I didn't do anything about it. I hope I don't catch a cold. I haven't particularly felt well this week so I hope today's run doesn't make it worse. Daddy always says it'll either cure you or kill you.
Today I ran hard. Running hard is really exhausting. The 2.5 miles down the trail went pretty well as usual. *Slight downhill* I usually make it down 30 seconds ahead of my 10-minute mile pace. Today, I made it down a full minute faster. :) As soon as I reached the turn around point there were two runners coming at me with their dog. I.Did.Not.Want.Them.To.Pass.Me. I ALwAYs get passed! I'm a slow runner, yeah yeah. But today, I was determined to not get passed by the two young people, about my age, with their dog. I finished my 5 mile run in under 48 minutes. That's at least 2 minutes faster than my norm. Not a huge difference, but we must celebrate the small achievements in life.
Today I spent a lot of my run thinking about a goal. I need a goal. I still don't have one. It's like the lyric, "If you don't know where you're goin', you might end up somewhere else." Right now, there is Nooooooo tell'n where I'm going to end up. I will continue to think about this but I have decided I need goals soon. Lots of goals, not just one. You can never have too many goals. And right now, I don't really have any. Other than to finish Secret City. People need *Goals* in their lives! I'm off to dream up some goals folks. Goodnight!
Today I ran hard. Running hard is really exhausting. The 2.5 miles down the trail went pretty well as usual. *Slight downhill* I usually make it down 30 seconds ahead of my 10-minute mile pace. Today, I made it down a full minute faster. :) As soon as I reached the turn around point there were two runners coming at me with their dog. I.Did.Not.Want.Them.To.Pass.Me. I ALwAYs get passed! I'm a slow runner, yeah yeah. But today, I was determined to not get passed by the two young people, about my age, with their dog. I finished my 5 mile run in under 48 minutes. That's at least 2 minutes faster than my norm. Not a huge difference, but we must celebrate the small achievements in life.
Today I spent a lot of my run thinking about a goal. I need a goal. I still don't have one. It's like the lyric, "If you don't know where you're goin', you might end up somewhere else." Right now, there is Nooooooo tell'n where I'm going to end up. I will continue to think about this but I have decided I need goals soon. Lots of goals, not just one. You can never have too many goals. And right now, I don't really have any. Other than to finish Secret City. People need *Goals* in their lives! I'm off to dream up some goals folks. Goodnight!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Don't Get Skunked
Today was a rough day at the office. The day back after a long weekend is always hard. Amen? And of course I got a case of the "I don't wannas" come 6:00. But, I picked myself up, reminded myself that it Had been a long day at the office and that running would bring some clarity of mind if nothing else. So I set out to do 5 or 6 miles; figured I would see how I felt 2.5 in and make the last minute decision.
So that's just what I did. I put on some Jack Johnson Pandora radio and took off. And it *did*feel*good* today. It felt so good, that even at 3 miles in, I didn't want to turn around. I just wanted to run. I just wanted to run the day out and just *Run*, and so I did. With a view like this, who would want to stop running?
I ran 7 miles today and it took me an hour and 10 minutes.
On my way back, I thought about the things I miss. Like hiking. I really miss hiking and my hiking buddies. I miss my girlfriends. My completely amazing awesome girlfriends that I don't get to see enough of.
What I don't miss are skunks. Not that I've ever had a true encounter with one before. Today I came close. Thank goodness for sweet and observant runner girl coming from the other direction who was stopped in the middle of the trail and was kind enough to point to the side of the trail as I was approaching. Yes. Skunk. I ran like a fairy bouncing on my pinky toe in the grass on the far side of the trail which the skunk was loitering. I hesitated a few times but kept in mind my nieces expert lessons on tip-toeing. Whew, I made it. I hope the rest of the trailgoers passed without incident. Thank you sweet observant runner girl whoever you are!
My legs were a bit stiff after my long drive home. But when I opened the door, sweet Lassie kitty was waiting and waiting on me and greeted me with lots of cries for attention. My sweet girl, another thing I miss. :)
So that's just what I did. I put on some Jack Johnson Pandora radio and took off. And it *did*feel*good* today. It felt so good, that even at 3 miles in, I didn't want to turn around. I just wanted to run. I just wanted to run the day out and just *Run*, and so I did. With a view like this, who would want to stop running?
I ran 7 miles today and it took me an hour and 10 minutes.
On my way back, I thought about the things I miss. Like hiking. I really miss hiking and my hiking buddies. I miss my girlfriends. My completely amazing awesome girlfriends that I don't get to see enough of.
What I don't miss are skunks. Not that I've ever had a true encounter with one before. Today I came close. Thank goodness for sweet and observant runner girl coming from the other direction who was stopped in the middle of the trail and was kind enough to point to the side of the trail as I was approaching. Yes. Skunk. I ran like a fairy bouncing on my pinky toe in the grass on the far side of the trail which the skunk was loitering. I hesitated a few times but kept in mind my nieces expert lessons on tip-toeing. Whew, I made it. I hope the rest of the trailgoers passed without incident. Thank you sweet observant runner girl whoever you are!
My legs were a bit stiff after my long drive home. But when I opened the door, sweet Lassie kitty was waiting and waiting on me and greeted me with lots of cries for attention. My sweet girl, another thing I miss. :)
Monday, September 5, 2011
Sore Thumb
Well it's raining. Just like the weather man promised. And it's going to rain all week. We need the rain so YaY rain! But it's going to put a lil' damper (*wink*wink*) on my running this week. I don't necessarily mind to run in the rain, but torrential downpours are another story. Today, Lee sent us torrential downpours. We'll see how things progress the rest of the week. Weather man says I can put on my water skis.
So... today I did the dreaded Jillian Michaels DVD. Therefore, I expect sore calves the rest of the week. Which will go nicely with my sore thumb. Why a sore thumb you say? Well..... I stuck a needle filled with an antibiotic for cattle, which had been used to give antibiotic to cattle :) in my thumb today. You see, my thumb looked so much like the calf's hide in the pouring down rain. O.K., so really I just missed. It hurts! I forgot how much it can hurt when you get a shot. Try one in your thumb!
So... today I did the dreaded Jillian Michaels DVD. Therefore, I expect sore calves the rest of the week. Which will go nicely with my sore thumb. Why a sore thumb you say? Well..... I stuck a needle filled with an antibiotic for cattle, which had been used to give antibiotic to cattle :) in my thumb today. You see, my thumb looked so much like the calf's hide in the pouring down rain. O.K., so really I just missed. It hurts! I forgot how much it can hurt when you get a shot. Try one in your thumb!
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Could'a Would'a Should'a
Today was a rest day. And I really did intend to do something. But I didn't. I thought I could find the time to get in a few miles today, but I didn't. Not that I didn't find the time, but I just didn't take the time. We had a great big brunch after church and then stopped in at a baby shower and then had more quality family time.
Yesterday, my legs remained sore from my 8 mile run alllll day. I had hoped that after a cold soak in the tub and/or a few hours, my legs recover and feel normal again. However, the ached all the way to Neyland Stadium and then I was up on my feet for about five hours before game time. Then there was an hour and 40 minute lightning delay, of which we stood on concrete for the endurance of. We got home at 1 a.m. and I mustered up the energy for a quick shower before laying down. When the kids woke me up this morning at 6:30 and then 7:30 :) I felt like I had been hit by a truck. But my legs did recover. It took the morning to push through the tiredness and aches but by mid-morning I was good to go.
Unfortunately, I ate realllllly delicious JuNk food all weekend, including At Least half*a*dozen cookies.
It's supposed to RAIN *a*LoT* tomorrow. So I don't know what that means for my workout tomorrow. I do have access to a treadmill..... However. It hate running on treadmills. Especially for any length of time. I could do some Jillian Michaels. (Frowny Face) I do however appreciate the fact that she makes me hate her.
Yesterday, my legs remained sore from my 8 mile run alllll day. I had hoped that after a cold soak in the tub and/or a few hours, my legs recover and feel normal again. However, the ached all the way to Neyland Stadium and then I was up on my feet for about five hours before game time. Then there was an hour and 40 minute lightning delay, of which we stood on concrete for the endurance of. We got home at 1 a.m. and I mustered up the energy for a quick shower before laying down. When the kids woke me up this morning at 6:30 and then 7:30 :) I felt like I had been hit by a truck. But my legs did recover. It took the morning to push through the tiredness and aches but by mid-morning I was good to go.
Unfortunately, I ate realllllly delicious JuNk food all weekend, including At Least half*a*dozen cookies.
It's supposed to RAIN *a*LoT* tomorrow. So I don't know what that means for my workout tomorrow. I do have access to a treadmill..... However. It hate running on treadmills. Especially for any length of time. I could do some Jillian Michaels. (Frowny Face) I do however appreciate the fact that she makes me hate her.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Crazy 8
I never got around to posting yesterday. It was a bit chaotic around here. We spent the entire evening and late into the night tailgate-party prepping. It was a lot of work, but it was a lot of fun too. Today we are headed to kick-off the most fabulous time of the year..... ITS FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE!!! It also happens to be the annual Shaver Labor Day Reunion as well. So last night and this morning mom and dad's house has been.... well, think opening scene of Home Alone with a touch of Marley and Me. Kids, dogs, suitcases, cooking, packing, and a lot of chaos. We love it :)
Running. Yes, that is what this blog is about. Yesterday was another rest day to gear up for my big 8 Mile Run Today! And I did it! And it wasn't horrible! I got up early, before the chaos at the house began for the day and slipped out while the morning sky was still dusky. I ran the Blountville hills this morning; 3 times around the figure 8 loop, 1 half-loop and 3 laps around the government center. It took me 1 hour and 21 minutes. I'm glad to know that as my runs get longer, my pace stays relatively the same. Of course I'd like to run faster, but at this point, I'm just glad I'm not running slower.
Today's run was a good run. I started to think again that I can actually do this Secret City run. I soaked my legs in some cold water when I got back to the house until I got ran out of the tub by the munchkins. Then it took me 3 tries to find an empty shower. It's been less than 2 hours since I finished my run and my legs feel heavy, they're tired. But my knees aren't hurting and hopefully my legs will get some rest on the drive to the big city of Knoxville. We've got some tailgating to do! Complete with Bison burgers in honor of our Montana opponents. :)
Cheers!
Running. Yes, that is what this blog is about. Yesterday was another rest day to gear up for my big 8 Mile Run Today! And I did it! And it wasn't horrible! I got up early, before the chaos at the house began for the day and slipped out while the morning sky was still dusky. I ran the Blountville hills this morning; 3 times around the figure 8 loop, 1 half-loop and 3 laps around the government center. It took me 1 hour and 21 minutes. I'm glad to know that as my runs get longer, my pace stays relatively the same. Of course I'd like to run faster, but at this point, I'm just glad I'm not running slower.
Today's run was a good run. I started to think again that I can actually do this Secret City run. I soaked my legs in some cold water when I got back to the house until I got ran out of the tub by the munchkins. Then it took me 3 tries to find an empty shower. It's been less than 2 hours since I finished my run and my legs feel heavy, they're tired. But my knees aren't hurting and hopefully my legs will get some rest on the drive to the big city of Knoxville. We've got some tailgating to do! Complete with Bison burgers in honor of our Montana opponents. :)
Cheers!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Motivation Came In A Package
Something absolutely wonderful happened to me today. I checked my P.O. Box this afternoon, and guess what. I had a package of motivation waiting on me! Can you SAY *perfect* timing?! After yesterday's run, it was completely and utterly wonderful. You see, this dear, charming, beautiful, loving girlfriend of mine who was kind enough to listen and read about my running no-mojo, sent me a copy of her dad's book which is all about running motivation! Well, the book is about much more than that, like successfully running companies and that silly stuff, but since I'm not into that I just focus on the running part. Her dad/the author is known as the "Marathon CEO." *Amazing!* And I *Love*love*Lovvvve* the book! I read Chapter 1, wait, scratch that. I read "Mile One" on my lunch break today. See, told ya it was about running! :)
I am beyond tickled that motivation came in the mail today. And surprise surprise, I was motivated to run today! I wasn't necessarily motivated to run fast or anything, but one step at a time. :) Speaking of which, two girls went blazing by me, separately, during my run. That's such a bummer when that happens. They passed me like I was standing still. And didn't look like they were even trying. I know I'm not one of those graceful runners. I ALWAYS look like I'm A) Trying and B) In Pain. Who cares. I don't run to look pretty.
I ran 5 miles in 49 minutes. It wasn't the easiest run but it wasn't horrible or anything like yesterday's run. Progress. Day by day. I don't want to read more than a "Mile" of my new book a day because I want to stretch my motivation out as long as I can! I'm kind of sad it only has 26.2 "Miles." So clever. But when I get through it and I need more motivation, I'll just read it all over again, and again, and again. Three times through should get me to Secret City and I'll be preaching it by that time.
I don't have any pictures today, but I sure do wish you could see these stars tonight. I'm lying in my hammock, listening to the crickets, stargazing, and thanking the good Lord for the motivation He sent today and the blessings He has placed upon me. Can I get an Amen?
I am beyond tickled that motivation came in the mail today. And surprise surprise, I was motivated to run today! I wasn't necessarily motivated to run fast or anything, but one step at a time. :) Speaking of which, two girls went blazing by me, separately, during my run. That's such a bummer when that happens. They passed me like I was standing still. And didn't look like they were even trying. I know I'm not one of those graceful runners. I ALWAYS look like I'm A) Trying and B) In Pain. Who cares. I don't run to look pretty.
I ran 5 miles in 49 minutes. It wasn't the easiest run but it wasn't horrible or anything like yesterday's run. Progress. Day by day. I don't want to read more than a "Mile" of my new book a day because I want to stretch my motivation out as long as I can! I'm kind of sad it only has 26.2 "Miles." So clever. But when I get through it and I need more motivation, I'll just read it all over again, and again, and again. Three times through should get me to Secret City and I'll be preaching it by that time.
I don't have any pictures today, but I sure do wish you could see these stars tonight. I'm lying in my hammock, listening to the crickets, stargazing, and thanking the good Lord for the motivation He sent today and the blessings He has placed upon me. Can I get an Amen?
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