Silly Runner, Tricks in Your Mind

Well, this isn't as clever of a title as I had hoped for but the best I could do with what energy I have left.  TGIF!  As I mentioned in my last post that my day begins with a run around 3:15.  As most of you might know, despite the fact that you are still snuggled in your beds at this hour, it is still fairly dark out especially when there are clouds or the moon is less than full.  This week my mind has been playing tricks on me like you wouldn't believe!  Well, as some of you know, I am no stranger to skunk spotting...no lie!  I have seen enough skunks to in the past couple years of running to have to use both hands to count them!  Fortunately for me I have not been sprayed, bit or chased by them.  And...some of you have even seen me try to imitate what a skunk running after me might look like...let's just say I don't think that skunks run backwards with their tail in the air!  All jokes aside...my mind has been seeing things that would make anyone laugh and I know all of you enjoy laughing at me so here it goes!
A fire hydrant in the distance has become a crazy stalker that wants to hurt me.  Of course anything that is of a 3 foot stature or more resembles a person that wants to hurt me.
An overgrown thistle along the side walk is either A. a rabbit or B. a gopher or C. a small mammal of some sort!
A long blade of grass or anything that is long and skinny on the sidewalk resembles a snake, and believe me, until you see this in the dark, by yourself, you wouldn't think twice seeing this type of thing on a sidewalk!  I have never seen a snake in the 17 years I have lived here, but they are always "there" when I am running.  
Then there are actually rabbits that dart in front of me or away from me that I didn't notice until they started moving and it startles me.  Does this really happen to people?  Am I that jumpy?  I'm really not that jumpy of a person, well, at least I didn't think I was! 
Then, the mother of all days was today..I DID see a person at this insane hour and it wasn't my imagination!  I guess I am not the only crazy fool who runs at that hour.  Luckily for me I recognized him and his dog...my neighbor!
On another note about seeing things...one of the days I was rather close to the river (it was dark, not many street lights back there!) and started thinking about what I would do if I came across a coyote or a bear.  Do they really exist back there?  I think I might have to do a little research on this topic before I head back west! 
Anyway...there is always something that happens on a RUN....RUNS are always an adventure...you should try it sometime!

Yes...I am Alive and I am Kickin'

“You’re Crazy!”  “You’re Insane!” “You’re Unbelievable!” 

Lately I have heard a lot of comments about what people think of me.  I often hear “I don’t know how you do it”, but the reality for me is “it is what I do”.  Not only is it what I do, but what I need, what I love, and what I don’t think I could ever live without….running!

People aren’t talking necessarily about just running, but my life--in general.  I am a person who definitely likes to keep busy but sometimes I go to the extreme which is where I am at now.  This second summer school session has proved to be very challenging for me and it is only week 2.  So you might be asking, what is her deal?  What is she talking about? Well, let me give you a run down on my typical day during week 2…

3:00 AM my alarm sounds and a warily glance at the time and hit snooze.  3:05 my alarm goes off again, I wipe the sleep from my eyes, sit up and glance out the window to see how the weather looks, oh the moon was beautiful and bright this morning shining in my face.  I roll out of bed and put on my running gear and head out the door.  About 4:20 I return to shower and get ready to work since my shift has changed recently from 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM so that I can attend one of my two classes I am currently taking.  At 1:00 I do get some reprieve and I retreat to MSUM where I sit in a small lobby in an oversized chair and either study or pull up work email on my ipad.  The door opens to the class room at 2:00 so I head down the hall and get logged into the computer.  2:15 to 4:00 I listen to a lecture about probability and statistics, which for those of you that know me well, is like listening and trying to learn a foreign language.  Let’s just say that any kind of math is NOT my strongest skill set!  The thought of going makes me want to cringe and every day I wonder why this class has to be part of my curriculum to graduate!  Once class is out it is off to downtown Fargo to pick up my daughter.  Some days during the week I then race home so that I can get my son off to baseball (thank you to all you wonderful people that help us out with this on practice nights or late nights.  You know who you are and I thank you!), then back home to start on homework which I work on until I retreat to my bed around 9:00 or 10:00 PM.  In between homework time, I manage to also cook supper (well, some nights) and actually say “hi” to my family, shovel some food in my mouth.  In addition to my probability and statistics class, I am also taking Health Policy and Payment.  It is more my pace and I feel confident that I actually know quite a bit of the material we cover, however there is a paper that has to be written, along with a complete set of references in APA style, an outline, a power point presentation all on a subject that the professor has assigned in addition to weekly homework assignments, reading and discussion board amongst the group that I have been assigned.  Phew!  It is like I just fast forwarded through another day in lightening time which is the pace at which my days now go.

So let me ask you this…are you too busy to run?  To workout?  To take a walk?  To stop and play?  I have found time and serenity in my daily runs.  Perhaps it is the medication that you need for ailments?  As I am often told by a friend and co-worker….JUST BREATHE….

To Have and To Hold, To Keep Your Drink Cold

That is the saying that was on the black and pink can coozy from my cousin Jenna and Michael's wedding reception.  Yesterday the day was beautiful and couldn't have been more perfect for them.

 

My day started out with, what else, a race!  I ran in the inaugural Donut Run in West Fargo. 

 

They offered up a 10K and  Half Marathon as you can see.  After this open course race that was scenic through the parks of West Fargo and a loop through Charleswood around the water was what else?  A free Sandy's Donut and coffee.  If you know me well, you know I don't drink coffee but the chocolate frosted donut was delicious!

 

 I ran a good race I thought finishing in 51:28.  Jason ran the Half marathon and finished under 2 hours but I'm not sure of his exact time.

When I got home the next race was on to shower and get Madelynn up to see Kay to get her hair done.  She was one of the flower girls in Jenna and Michael's wedding.  Kay did a great job as always!!  Thank you Kay!!

Then after the hair appointment we had to hurry up to find a different pair of shoes because the sandals we had bought Madelynn were bugging her feet and we couldn't have that!  So we ended up with ones that weren't sandals but she got two pair of shoes instead of one and was happy with both of them.  Then we went to return the sandals at Shoe Carnival and stopped by TJ Max real quick.  I found a dress but when I got it home it seems a little too short and so decided not to wear it and will be returning it.  Maybe if I was 25!  I got Madelynn up to the church and went back home to get myself ready and pick up the boys.

And waiting for the wedding to begin.

Jenna & Madelynn

Jenna & Michael 

We all had a great time at the wedding, reception, and dance.  After being together for 10 years they FINALLY got married...love you guys!

I got a triple bonus this weekend!  Jenna got married, my sister was home from Milwaukee and I got to run!  Who could ask for anything more.  Well, someone must have because we are now getting the rain we needed so badly.  It was a nice lazy day today.  My mom, dad, and sister stopped by on their way back home, I got a nap, ran on the treadmill and hanging out with kids.  Not much of a productive day but sometimes we all need a down day...I guess today was mine.

And...as promised....another shoe...

The Reebok Realflex.  I have been using these for more of an every day shoe and not for running.  I have enjoyed them so much I might do a custom color one for running in.  I was looking for orange and cannot find them around here so that might be a possibility...we'll see!

Until next time...

Mis