Note to self: always have your camera on hand!

So I woke up really tired and sore at 5:30am today. I ran 3.6 miles on Sunday, and 2 miles on Monday. I didn't run at all yesterday and this morning I didn't have enough time because the hubster had to leave very early for work. So I slipped into some flipflops, put the leash on Mister B and headed for the beach.

As I walked along the beautiful Lake Erie shore, I asked myself why I don't walk the beach more often. When I go to the ocean, I wake up every morning before anyone and walk on the beach. I know that the lake is a lot different than the ocean but there's still something very peaceful and mind opening about walking along an empty beach. Every time I do it, it is a different experience.

Today I noticed that about every 10 feet, there was a pile of driftwood. I wondered if the property owners made these piles or if the city did that. I also wonder what is to become of the driftwood piles. I would like to think a summer full of bonfires. I'm still not sure if I can legally have a bonfire on the beach. I should call the city today and find out.

I wondered what I would see out in the water today. Ever since my spotting of the swimming deer, I always stop to look. No swimming deer today but as I got farther down the beach, I did see these two deer that actually live under a big pine tree in my yard. The deer totally dig the beach. They really do. I held the yorkinese back back when I spotted the deer. I didn't want them to see me. They were standing on the shore about 25 feet away from me. I swear it looked as if one deer was giving the other instructions because one of the deer seemed like a little kid, too impatient to wait for instructions. He wanted to go swimming. Unfortunately, they both looked up before jumping in the water and cautiously headed back towards the safety of the woods.

I walked farther down the shore than I ever have since living here. There is a man in our neighborhood who carves things out of trees. In his front yard there used to be a lion and a giraffe and something else. I can't remember what because they aren't all there anymore. Anyway, I happened to walk behind his house today and saw more of his art. There was a carving of a naked woman at the top of the hill. He also had a gazebo with another carved woman sticking out from it towards the lake as if she was swimming. Going up the stairs from the beach to his house was several more carved faces.

I wasn't sure what time it was and so I decided to turn back at that point. On the way back, Mr B was lagging behind. He was rolling his body around and I knew instantly, it had to be somethign dead. Sure enough, it was a dead fish. WHY do dogs do that? He loves to roll his body around on dead animals. I should look that up. I'm sure it has something to do with instinct but I'm curious as to the instinctual reasoning behind the act.

The beach walk was good for me. I have had a lot of things going on lately and the walk was refreshing and stimulating for my brain. Just yesterday I was looking for an escape from some of the things I have been facing but this morning I think I left some of it there. I really have to do this more often. Oh, but next time, I'm bringing my camera.

Girl on the walk....

So uhhhh, yeah. It's been a long time. I'm glad blogger didn't suspend my account for lack of use.

Anyway, Jac is back... again. It's been a rough winter/spring. I really didn't think I would run anymore. I started this job where I had to do some pretty heavy lifting and it really did a number on my back. My company also let my gym membership expire and I'm too broke to renew it right now. I know, excuses excuses.

So anyway, I'm sick of the lack of activity and the fact that I'm probably at my heaviest weight ever and that summer is at my front door. I miss running and I miss the races. I also joined a 6 month biggest loser session with my girlfriend that I've known since I was a baby. I'm not a very good supporter of diets since I am a lover of food but I think she's looking at this as more of a competition so that will work. We actually started 2 weeks ago but I've had a lot going on, trying to finish up school so we can get summer vacation started already and starting a new restaurant job where my job requirement entails that I try all the beers and food on the menu.

Whatever, this is about my run today. I woke up feeling all crooked. My back hurts a lot but running really never hurt my back so that wasn't going to stop me today. After 1/2 a luna bar, some water and updating everyone on FB that I was heading back out, I got dressed, stretched, turned up my tunes and off I went. I started out cautiously. I decided that even if I had to walk the entire time, I wouldn't go less than 3 miles this morning. After a few steps, I thought I would see what would happen if I ran. I tried to run slowly but I really don't think I have it in me to run slow. Running and slow apparently don't go together in my brain. So I ran for 1/4 of a mile and when I got to the stop sign, my chest was burning. I was breathing heavy. I couldn't believe it. I was a beginner again. I remember the first time I ever ran this route and I remember that horrible defeating sensation.

I decided I would most likely walk the rest of the "run". Hey, maybe I was going to be a walker now. I've heard all kinds of good things about walking. I don't believe them, but I heard them. Could I be a walker at races? I don't know. I really don't want to give up races. I speed-walked for about a mile before I finally caught my breath completely and then as I was approaching a friend's house, I decided that just in case they were looking out their window at that exact moment, I would run instead of walk. I could almost imagine them cheering me on and that motivated me to run as long as I could. I don't think it was that long though because I was walking again as soon as my chest started burning. After about 2 miles of walking running, I was feeling really good. I think I must have finally been warmed up. I don't think that I've ever gone on a run like this where I let my body dictate my pace. It was good for me.

I know it's important to push ourselves to improve but I basically had to look at myself as a beginner again today and I knew that even if I walked most of those 3.6 miles, it was better than no activity at all. Also, it felt so good that I knew I would be more inclined to do this on a regular basis again. Patience is not one of my best attributes and in the case of running, I have always compared myself to faster runners and so I push myself harder than I am ready for sometimes and in the end, instead of feeling proud of my accomplishment, I'm discouraged. So I will say today was a very good run. It felt amazing to be back out there.

Last year I talked some friends into doing the Ohio City Race with me and that was their first 5K. Yesterday, one of those friends asked me if I was going to do it with her this year again. I hadn't been thinking about doing any more races this year but she got me thinking. That race is less than a month away but now I have something to look forward to and to keep me motivated.

Looks like girl on run is back.

Back on track....

I feel like this has been many a blog title before with me. Ah well.

Just a quick update.

My running season has officially begun.

I'm gonna say it started on Feb 14th with the first 5k of the year. I ran in the Chili Bowl with my sister. It was wet and slushy and slippery and we goofed off a lot but it was very fun.

I am looking at upcoming races and not quite sure yet which one will be my next. I would like to do what I did last year and do a race a month. I have other plans on the same day as the races I want to do in March and April so I will have to try to find something else. There are several races in May that I want to do.

So I started a training plan to be able to do a 10 mile race in 10 weeks. Even though I can't do that race, I would still like to try to train. I started Tuesday with a very easy 2 mile run. The pace was 4.5 mph and I felt very comfortable running the entire time on a treadmill.

Today was my 5 mile run. The pace was between 4.5 mph and 5.3 mph on the schedule. I did bump it up to 6 a couple times just to save some time. I was mad when I got to the gym because I forgot my earbuds for my mp3 player. When I realized that, I really didn't think I would do the entire 5 miles on a boring treadmill. I put my mind to it though and I did it in 1 hour and 3 minutes. That's the longest I've ever been on a treadmill in one straight run. I was so proud of myself though when it was over. It made me realize that it really is a mind over matter issue. The girl next to me was trying to support me and even though she was done with her run, she stayed with me for the last 2 miles. She also noticed that my strides were too short and that I was working to hard. I took her advice and took longer strides. It felt better but I still felt like I was taxing myself a little. I think it's just about getting used to it.

I'm supposed to run 6 miles this weekend. I planned on doing it outside but the weather is supposed to be pretty rough and I don't have access to a treadmill but I will find a way. I know now that I can!

So there you have it... my running goals, my accomplishments in the middle of week one and one more thing... I am going to have killer Jennifer Aniston arms this summer. I worked them hard yesterday and I know I got a good start :)

How you like dem apples?

So I ran to the grocery store this morning to buy a few items for breakfast. I stopped in the produce section to stock up on my favorite kinds of apples... Braeburn!! Yum.

I head to the checkout line after I got everything I needed and as the cashier rang up my groceries I said to her "Lately I've noticed that a few of my apples have brown spots in them when I cut them open. I was wondering if I bring them back with a receipt, would I get refunded?"

She responds, "Stranger things have happened, I guess that would be fine!"

"Great! Thanks for your help?" I'm totally confused by her response but I took it as a "Yes".

She finally gets to my apples which I did not put in a plastic produce bag as I am trying to do my part to help the earth. I barely noticed at first that she is not setting my apples on the scale but somewhat dropping them on it. She grunts in frustration , "Common!!!"

One by one she removes each apple from the scale, slamming it down on the conveyor. Again, I don't think much of it.

"Why won't these ring up??? It doesn't recognize the numbers?"

She examines the sticker on one apple and slams it back on the scale, "Maybe if I try one at a time? Grrrrr... why won't the scale recognize the apple."

She takes all the apples again and this time I noticed as she roughly bangs them down on the scale, hits her register and pounds the numbers into the register "COME ON!" she repeats in frustration.

At that point my tired brain finally realizes why, perhaps, my apples have been coming home so badly bruised and I decide to put a stop to it. Right here. Right now! "You know what? I think by now, those apples are ready to become applesauce".

She looks blankly at me as I contemplate running over to the produce section to grab some fresh ones before deciding I can do without apples today. "OH, " she finally responds, "I'm sorry. I'm just really frustrated with this scale. I'm gonna destroy it after you leave."

"Ok, you do that. In the meantime, I'm gonna pass on the apples today."

IN RUNNING NEWS..... I ran 3.1 this morning! Chili Bowl Classics 5K is this Saturday! Bring it!!!!

2.5 miles and 20 laps.....

It's been really hard getting back in the groove of my workouts. I had to force myself out of bed this morning but it was so worth it.

I ran 2.5 miles on the treadmill and swam 20 laps. It's really a mind over matter thing. I intended to run 3.1 nonstop but by 2.5 I was just done. I was sweating glistening so much in the hot hot fitness center that the anti-runner in me finally called it quits. You know what though? I ran the entire time. Sure it was at a 12 minute per mile pace but it was comfortable. I need to start off slower like that in my training or else I will never improve. I always just want to get it over with so I run as fast as I can and die out early.

My first race this year is going to be on February 14th. It's a 5k and I am assuming the weather is going to be very cold but you never know in February in Cleveland. We've been known to have 68 degree days. Serious! So who knows how I will do as I'm not used to running in very cold, but at least I'm getting out there and I have something to look forward to.

My soul sistah extraordinaire is registered to do a 1/2 marathon in Virginia Beach in September and ya know what? This just might be the motivation I need to finally do my first 1/2. I reached all my goals last year re: running. New year, new goals.

Well, I'm off to the market. I hope everyone reading this has a fabulous weekend.

Responding to the blogging police....

I've been notified that a post from me is long overdue. I agree. I've been pretty addicted to Facebook lately, I admit I'm disappointed when I open my mailbox in the morning if I don't find it full of notifications.

Anyway, I've been very busy lately. Being a stay at home is, in itself, more than a full time job. Add to that, I'm homeschooling my 8 year old via a public online school. That takes a lot of my early part of the day. Then being a housewife and an inspired woman who is always looking for new projects to take on, I'm super busy... that's for sure.

The truth is though, I still have a special place in my heart for blogging. I've been thinking about my blog a lot and how I would like to start using it more to explore my creative side. Just journaling and writing about things I'd like to do can be very inspiring and motivating to me. It's all about finding time and balance though.

I am also currently in the thinking process of getting a part time job. This economy is nuts and while we always have enough money to pay the bills, there really isn't much left over for the miscellaneous neccesities of life. I might try to get a job as a server as that seems to be the best way to make a decent amount of extra money in a short time, while maintaining my daytime role as stay at home mom.

In the meantime, I have several ideas for launching my own businesses... yes that's plural. My dream is still to open my own healthy little cafe in town but you need money and know-how to do that. It is definitely something that I do not intend to give up on, as I take definite steps to reach it.

Well, my son is back in the room so I need to get back to lessons with him but thankyou blog police for the friendly reminder. I know that blogging is good for me, if I keep it in it's place ;)

On the road again

Well, I don't think I've run since my 10K back on September 27th. I may be wrong.. I know I've done some warming up on the treadmill but I don't think I've done any street running.... until today!!

I got back out there. It was hard. It was scary. It was cold. But I DID IT!!!

1.82 miles and I had to take a walk break at the .70 mile marker but I DID IT. And I want to do it again until my lungs get acclimated to running in the cold air. Until I'm ready to go out and do the Chili Run 5K in February without keeling over and dying at the end... at least not before I get my chili.

During my post-run shower I thought "I'm still a runner". It felt good even though I am worn out! I celebrated with a Braeburn apple and a huge glass of ice water.

Yah me!