To Run or Not to Run. . .that was the question

Somewhere between 25 and 30 degrees with windchill factors taken into consideration I can't run outside safely.  My lungs freeze up and I can't breathe.  This morning the windchill was 27 -- 32 degrees with wind.  I had awakened at 3:30 a.m. with lungs hurting.  So I was particularly concerned about heading out.  

But I didn't run yesterday, so I headed out anyway after a couple precautionary hits on my inhaler and some coaching from my running partner.  We decided to run to the hardware store after a two-lap detour at the park.  Having a destination run helped.  I'd actually have been colder had I driven to the store as it's only a half mile there and back, so my car wouldn't have warmed up before I got to the store.  So better to run there than drive, and once I was out, it wasn't so bad.  

The sun was warm on the pavement, but the wind bit my cheeks.  I concentrated hard on breathing in through my nose, warming up the air before it hit my lungs.  We got to the park and ran two laps, mostly protected by trees there.  Soon I was sweating, and took my sock-mittens off.  The wind still nipped at my cheeks, but my lungs were okay.  Actual oxygen levels though were low; I had to walk a couple times on the hills.  

At the store, we picked up plastic for my windows and mouse traps -- eviction procedings for Butch's latest roomate. 

Precipitation. . .most likely rain.

Seven-year-old Eliza Grace carried a hand-made paper wind sock as she walked home from school yesterday. She, Magdalena and I stopped at my apartment, adapted our attire, and met up with Butch. As we walked to the track for a one-mile run, she talked about the wind sock and how it measured the wind.
I pointed at the clouds and asked, "What do you think those clouds tell us?"
"Precipitation," she answered. "Most likely, rain."
And here in Virginia, that IS true. But yesterday, the clouds apparently warned of our first snow.

# 48 -- for the cross country team in Berryville

Six mile cross-country race in sunshine and 55 degrees yesterday -- shorts and sports top weather. Perfect racing as it had just rained and the air was crisp. There were puddles to dodge though. "Chop" your way through them; keep feet flat: that was Butch's advice, who beat me by about 55 seconds.

This was a loop around a cross country track of grass and trails. One stretch went between two stands of trees. After the first loop most of the runners dropped off, as they had opted for the two-miler. And I pulled off my shirt, as I had dressed for cold rain, not expecting that the sun would come out.

After the second loop, a few more opted out. And the race volunteers yelled at me, "You're almost there -- right here's the four mile mark."

But I kept going and the expression on their face looked like a bit of surprise. But on the third time around, the six mile point, they were screaming, "You made it! Just 600 yards to go. . ."

And Butch was waiting just before the finish line. Because I had never been that far behind him, he was worried about me. Usually I'm that far ahead of him; but he was super fast today and there was no way I could keep up! His injuries are definitely all healed.

Funds raised at this race helped the cross country team with travel costs to go to nationals.

Dreaming of some R&R

Five miles Tuesday evening, which I managed by envisioning an upcoming week of rest and recovery. Just one more class before break, a weekend without a race, no work in site except studying for the paralegal certification exams.

Classes ended last night as planned. And today was going to be finding my way through the piles in my office, a project in which I made more headway than planned yesterday. But then there was a note from my editor -- three story assignments. Good news, as there'll be no teaching income next week. And my running partner found a race for this weekend, so scratch that break as well. And my daughter is still waiting for that baby, so add a quick "run" to New York.

Well I guess I will just keep running through life -- figuratively and literally -- for a few more days. Today's race begins with an appointment at 9 a.m. and another at 1, an easy track run at 3:30 . . .

But I am taking a break tonight to watch a play! And tomorrow SHOULD be restful, once I leave the dentist's office in the morning.

SVTC Crazies Run Back to Back Races

I slogged through the 116th Infantry race in Staunton Saturday morning at 8 a.m. Butch, Jeff Campbell, George Gillies, Rich Ruozzi, Joe Rudman -- so good to have so many of the regulars there. It ws long sleeved, tights race, but not bad at all. I finished somewhere around 28:08, and Butch at 27:58.

From there we changed into dry shirts and rushed to Bridgewater, where we warmed up bones that had gotten cold already during the 20 minute drive. After registering and a slow warm-up, we took off again. This time I ran 30:30 -- even slower. Joe, too, did a double; so there were three SVTC "crazies", as our president called us, who ran back to backs Saturday.

I Nearly Cried. . .and Wish I Had Taken a Picture Earlier

Yesterday was the anniversary of my mom's passing from lung cancer; she also had breast cancer. Her funeral was on the 8th of November. At the time, the church at which my then-husband pastored didn't even send a note or flowers; and no one visited from there. Yet when I picked up the girls from school yesterday, on the anniversary of Mom's passing, Eliza carried two packages wrapped in tissue paper and tied with a ribbon. She handed them to me and said I had to wait till I got home to open them. Anna Maria said Eliza had a special reason for making this present, but Eliza got embarrassed and didn't want to say. So AM said, "Eliza knew you were sad about Gramma Dot; she made this for you because she thought it would make you feel better." When I got home I pulled off the tissue paper. Two pint sized canning jars filled with hand-made bath salts -- made with food coloring-dyed Epsom salts, and lavender. Ooohhh, it smells so nice. Eliza and Magdalena know that I love my baths, that there in the tub with a magazine, hot chocolate and a snack, I often find comfort. I was so overwhelmed! I wish I had snatched a photo, but will have to do a posed one later and add it to this blog.

Another Saturday. . .another race

Race number 45; 5 more to go before I reach my goal of 50 this year and I took second in my age group. Club President Rich Ruozzi took third in his group, as I recall, and member Joe Rudman placed first in his age group. It 30 degrees when I left home, right at the edge for me. The elephant on my chest stayed with me till the end of about mile one. "Concentrate. Breathe," was my mantra. The pain eased but never went away. During that race I also hit my 700th mile for the year -- the highest mileage in a year since I began running in 2003.

According to an e-mail I just received, I took first in my age group at the Breast Cancer race. Mom's wedding anniversary would have been yesterday; her funeral was a week ago on the 8th.