It's another beautiful Fall day. Ares and I left around noon for a run. We ran the Ginter road route. Along the way we saw two other runners. One was on the way back. Ares started following him and was trying to be lead dog.
I was a little sore from the Turkey Trot, but all and all it was a good run -- until we got back to Riverside Park on the way home. Ares spotted a squirrel. I saw it first, and I thought I had enough of a grip on him. I was wrong. He pulled so hard I started falling. All these thoughts were going through my head such as "my knees are going to hurt when I hit" and "I'll ruin these nice running pants". Just as I was about to hit the ground, Ares ran up the embankment, essentially pulling me up to a standing position without ever hitting the ground (yes, I held on very tightly to him throughout the entire ordeal). However, it now hurts from my knee through my ankle. But we walked a block, then ran the rest of the way home. I'll just try to elevate it and try again Monday or Tuesday (taking 1 or 2 days off).
We ended up with 5.55 miles.
Gotta run ...
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Annual Turkey Trot
Today was the annual 4-mile Turkey Trot at the Independence Dam State Park. It was a warmer day than last year -- it was above freezing this year. But the wind was stronger! And the wind was coming at us on the second half of the run, making me feel cold since I was perspiring.
This year there were the most participants ever -- over 300. They said this is the 12th annual, and at the first one there were only 30 participants. I'm going to dig out my shirts sometime and try to figure out how many of them I've actually participated in.
It was definitely a crowded field. Off I went, and it felt strange to be running without Ares. At about the mile point, I ran into a friend of ours -- walking his new puppy. He said they had lost their other dog this past year to old age (he always walked in the event). I estimate Sam (the new dog) was about 3/4 grown. His owner said he couldn't run anymore because of a bad back, but Sam wanted to run. So ... I offered to let Sam come with me. He was so exited! His owner warned me that he tended to pull. Ha -- it was nothing compared to Ares. My pace definitely picked up once I had Sam with me. I don't know if I felt more comfortable or if it was his enthusiasm.
We stopped and talked to Curt for a bit at the turnaround where Curt always is. It's a good think I'm not in this for the hardware, because that stop cost me 3rd place in my age group. The 3rd place finisher for women 50-59 finished less than half a minute ahead of me.
If Ares is better behaved next year (and I think he will be since he will older) I will probably bring him with me to run. He was upset when I got home. He could tell I had been out running, and he could smell the other dog.
The main difference this year was that we had Thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday night. Usually I don't like to eat much the night before a race, but this is a fun one so it doesn't matter. And, today I can rest and just eat leftovers -- I don't have to do any cooking!
Gotta run ...
This year there were the most participants ever -- over 300. They said this is the 12th annual, and at the first one there were only 30 participants. I'm going to dig out my shirts sometime and try to figure out how many of them I've actually participated in.
It was definitely a crowded field. Off I went, and it felt strange to be running without Ares. At about the mile point, I ran into a friend of ours -- walking his new puppy. He said they had lost their other dog this past year to old age (he always walked in the event). I estimate Sam (the new dog) was about 3/4 grown. His owner said he couldn't run anymore because of a bad back, but Sam wanted to run. So ... I offered to let Sam come with me. He was so exited! His owner warned me that he tended to pull. Ha -- it was nothing compared to Ares. My pace definitely picked up once I had Sam with me. I don't know if I felt more comfortable or if it was his enthusiasm.
We stopped and talked to Curt for a bit at the turnaround where Curt always is. It's a good think I'm not in this for the hardware, because that stop cost me 3rd place in my age group. The 3rd place finisher for women 50-59 finished less than half a minute ahead of me.
If Ares is better behaved next year (and I think he will be since he will older) I will probably bring him with me to run. He was upset when I got home. He could tell I had been out running, and he could smell the other dog.
The main difference this year was that we had Thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday night. Usually I don't like to eat much the night before a race, but this is a fun one so it doesn't matter. And, today I can rest and just eat leftovers -- I don't have to do any cooking!
Gotta run ...
Monday, November 23, 2009
Cool Evening
It is another cool evening and Ares and I decided to go for a run. It was dark and damp when we started out, with a slight rain falling. We had to keep it short because we couldn't start until after Kate's voice lessons, and we had to be home by a specific time.
Off we went in the dark, again safe but looking like a couple of dorks. We went Riverside out Jefferson to the road to the high school, and back. Of course we ended with the sprint up the hill.
We did not see any runners or wildlife. But, it would have been hard to see any animals as it was pretty dark. Plus, once we got going and warmed up, it was so humid that my glasses steamed up. Darkness, rain, and foggy glasses don't make for a good combination!
It was an OK run. We did some sprinting (Ares really doesn't like the dark places, especially where there are no street lights), some walking, and some slower running. We ended up with 4.1 mile. Now it's time for shower, nourishment, and sleep.
Gotta run ...
Off we went in the dark, again safe but looking like a couple of dorks. We went Riverside out Jefferson to the road to the high school, and back. Of course we ended with the sprint up the hill.
We did not see any runners or wildlife. But, it would have been hard to see any animals as it was pretty dark. Plus, once we got going and warmed up, it was so humid that my glasses steamed up. Darkness, rain, and foggy glasses don't make for a good combination!
It was an OK run. We did some sprinting (Ares really doesn't like the dark places, especially where there are no street lights), some walking, and some slower running. We ended up with 4.1 mile. Now it's time for shower, nourishment, and sleep.
Gotta run ...
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Herd of Deer? Of course I've heard of deer!
Sorry, that's an old joke. But, we did see a herd of deer this morning.
It is a nice Fall morning; the sun is shining and the wind is calm. It was a little chilly when we started out, but not bad for a mid-November day. We started down Riverside. I noticed Ares and I were both a little stiffer this morning. I think that is one advantage of the evening/nighttime runs; we aren't stiff from a night's sleep.
Anyway, it was such a nice day that we decided to do the Ginter Road route -- yes, we haven't done that one for a long time. Along the way we saw a couple of runners by Ranchland. We turned down Ginter, and just a little ways down I spotted the deer. Luckily, I saw them before Ares did. I was able to get a tighter grip on the leash. They didn't bound across the road. They just casually sauntered across into the field. They looked at us, and then continued on.
We saw one other runner on Ginter and a few dogs walking their owners, but that was it. All and all it was a good run. We are working our way towards that 6-mile mark again. Once we get there, we'll work on reducing the time again. There's hope for us yet! We ended up with 5.52 miles, and very little of it was walking.
Gotta run ...
It is a nice Fall morning; the sun is shining and the wind is calm. It was a little chilly when we started out, but not bad for a mid-November day. We started down Riverside. I noticed Ares and I were both a little stiffer this morning. I think that is one advantage of the evening/nighttime runs; we aren't stiff from a night's sleep.
Anyway, it was such a nice day that we decided to do the Ginter Road route -- yes, we haven't done that one for a long time. Along the way we saw a couple of runners by Ranchland. We turned down Ginter, and just a little ways down I spotted the deer. Luckily, I saw them before Ares did. I was able to get a tighter grip on the leash. They didn't bound across the road. They just casually sauntered across into the field. They looked at us, and then continued on.
We saw one other runner on Ginter and a few dogs walking their owners, but that was it. All and all it was a good run. We are working our way towards that 6-mile mark again. Once we get there, we'll work on reducing the time again. There's hope for us yet! We ended up with 5.52 miles, and very little of it was walking.
Gotta run ...
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Attitude is Everything
We managed another good evening run. Again I looked like a dork with my lighted hat and reflective straps. It was sprinkling when we started, and a little cool. In my head I was singing "running in the rain" to the tune of "Singing in the Rain" -- crazy, I know.
As we came to the end of Riverside, where it turns into Horace, we heard a commotion in the field. Ares pulled extremely hard on the leash. There in the field we could see the outline of several deer (it was pretty dark). I think we frightened them. I'm glad they didn't run out towards us.
We ran the extended Riverside loop, out to Ranchland and then took a detour down Rosewood Ave. to the new elementary school. By then the sprinkles had stopped and the air felt nice.
As far as attitude -- well, ever since I have decided I'm just going to have to live with my knee pain, it seems to be less. Maybe I'm just ignoring it more, or perhaps my brain is telling me to not feel the pain, or maybe it is better. I just hope it keeps up. I feel so much better when I run regularly.
We ended up with just over 5.25 miles.
Gotta run ...
As we came to the end of Riverside, where it turns into Horace, we heard a commotion in the field. Ares pulled extremely hard on the leash. There in the field we could see the outline of several deer (it was pretty dark). I think we frightened them. I'm glad they didn't run out towards us.
We ran the extended Riverside loop, out to Ranchland and then took a detour down Rosewood Ave. to the new elementary school. By then the sprinkles had stopped and the air felt nice.
As far as attitude -- well, ever since I have decided I'm just going to have to live with my knee pain, it seems to be less. Maybe I'm just ignoring it more, or perhaps my brain is telling me to not feel the pain, or maybe it is better. I just hope it keeps up. I feel so much better when I run regularly.
We ended up with just over 5.25 miles.
Gotta run ...
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
I think I finally wore Ares out
As I have decided to ignore my aching knee (and any other aches that crop up along the way), Ares and I went for a nice run this evening. With the holidays approaching, I feel somewhat stressed, and a run is the best stress relief.
I looked like a dork -- I have a hat with lights, and I wore a reflective vest. But I want to be safe! Ares was confused by the lights in my hat at first, and he kept staring up at me with this puzzled look on his face. After a block or so, when he almost ran into a tree (it wouldn't be the first time), he decided to ignore the funny hat.
We went the usual extended Riverside loop, out Jefferson to Ranchland, and back. We were getting close to a mileage goal, so we did a loop by the video store. We saw one other person who was foolish enough to run in the dark.
Ares really does not like the dark, so he was more tense than usual. He was so happy every time we went by a street light or a car went by. He didn't pull as much as usual, but I think his tension made him wear out more. Or perhaps it is the time of day -- he usually goes to bed in about a half hour, so it was getting closer to his bedtime.
Anyway, it was a good run and I feel much better. I'll take some pain reliever before I go to bed to help alleviate any discomfort. Oh, we ended up with five miles. It's been a while since we've gone that far. And we ran quite a bit more than the last time. We only took walk breaks when absolutely necessary.
Gotta run ...
I looked like a dork -- I have a hat with lights, and I wore a reflective vest. But I want to be safe! Ares was confused by the lights in my hat at first, and he kept staring up at me with this puzzled look on his face. After a block or so, when he almost ran into a tree (it wouldn't be the first time), he decided to ignore the funny hat.
We went the usual extended Riverside loop, out Jefferson to Ranchland, and back. We were getting close to a mileage goal, so we did a loop by the video store. We saw one other person who was foolish enough to run in the dark.
Ares really does not like the dark, so he was more tense than usual. He was so happy every time we went by a street light or a car went by. He didn't pull as much as usual, but I think his tension made him wear out more. Or perhaps it is the time of day -- he usually goes to bed in about a half hour, so it was getting closer to his bedtime.
Anyway, it was a good run and I feel much better. I'll take some pain reliever before I go to bed to help alleviate any discomfort. Oh, we ended up with five miles. It's been a while since we've gone that far. And we ran quite a bit more than the last time. We only took walk breaks when absolutely necessary.
Gotta run ...
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Probably not the smartest thing to do
Ever since my Wednesday evening run and almost falling, my knee has been hurting. Aching, really. But it's been a constant ache. And on Friday a few times it gave out on me while standing up.
Saturday I went shopping with my daughter and some of her friends, so that involved a lot of walking in the mall. My knee was really sore by the time I went to bed and it hurt all the say to my ankle. Sigh.
But, the Turkey Trot is in a week and a half, and I'm stubborn and want to run in it (not do the 2-mile walk, but the 4-mile run). So I figured I would test my knee today. After all, it's just an ache, right? It might be something I just have to learn to live with. I've thought about giving up running, but I just can't.
I took three Advil and then off Ares and I went for a run. At least I tried to warm up some and keep the pace relatively low with more walking than usual mixed in. My knee did not give out on me, and it actually felt OK for most of the run. We kept it short at only 3.8 miles. We were able to finish. So, that's a good thing, right?
Well, as I sit here writing this my knee is starting to really ache. I'd like to ice it and keep off of it all day, but life calls. There is laundry to be done, grocery shopping, etc. I'll put it up for a bit while I drink some tea, and then I'll keep it up later.
The good news is, though, it's not really any worse (well, it isn't yet). And it's not a sharp pain. I am beginning to think that maybe, after all the times I have injured or strained my knee during my life (pre-running too), I may have developed arthritis or some other chronic condition. And it may be something I just have to learn to live with. I'm willing to do that, since I know how running makes me feel.
Gotta run ...
Saturday I went shopping with my daughter and some of her friends, so that involved a lot of walking in the mall. My knee was really sore by the time I went to bed and it hurt all the say to my ankle. Sigh.
But, the Turkey Trot is in a week and a half, and I'm stubborn and want to run in it (not do the 2-mile walk, but the 4-mile run). So I figured I would test my knee today. After all, it's just an ache, right? It might be something I just have to learn to live with. I've thought about giving up running, but I just can't.
I took three Advil and then off Ares and I went for a run. At least I tried to warm up some and keep the pace relatively low with more walking than usual mixed in. My knee did not give out on me, and it actually felt OK for most of the run. We kept it short at only 3.8 miles. We were able to finish. So, that's a good thing, right?
Well, as I sit here writing this my knee is starting to really ache. I'd like to ice it and keep off of it all day, but life calls. There is laundry to be done, grocery shopping, etc. I'll put it up for a bit while I drink some tea, and then I'll keep it up later.
The good news is, though, it's not really any worse (well, it isn't yet). And it's not a sharp pain. I am beginning to think that maybe, after all the times I have injured or strained my knee during my life (pre-running too), I may have developed arthritis or some other chronic condition. And it may be something I just have to learn to live with. I'm willing to do that, since I know how running makes me feel.
Gotta run ...
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Wednesday Evening Run
It isn't working out too well running in the morning. I wake up early to feed the animals, but on these cool Fall mornings I crawl back into bed for another hour of sleep. So, after I got home from work I decided Ares and I needed to go for a run. We started off about 5:45. It was just starting to get dark.
We started out the Riverside loop and went out Jefferson almost to the high school. By that time, however, it was becoming quite dark. And I forgot my hat with lights. Rather than continue on further, we turned around and headed back towards town. Once Ares stopped and I tripped, but luckily I was able to regain my balance without falling down!
We then went back by Riverside Park and sprinted up the hill by the house. Instead of coming right back home, we extended our run and continued on to the video store and then back home. There were street lights so it was a decent route.
All and all it was a good run. We ended up with 4.6 miles. It is certainly a different feeling than a morning run. I feel stronger in the evening, but yet somehow not as energetic, if that makes any sense. We may start doing a few more of these. I imagine we will both sleep better. With this cooler weather, Ares has so much more energy. Hopefully an evening run will calm him down.
Gotta run ...
We started out the Riverside loop and went out Jefferson almost to the high school. By that time, however, it was becoming quite dark. And I forgot my hat with lights. Rather than continue on further, we turned around and headed back towards town. Once Ares stopped and I tripped, but luckily I was able to regain my balance without falling down!
We then went back by Riverside Park and sprinted up the hill by the house. Instead of coming right back home, we extended our run and continued on to the video store and then back home. There were street lights so it was a decent route.
All and all it was a good run. We ended up with 4.6 miles. It is certainly a different feeling than a morning run. I feel stronger in the evening, but yet somehow not as energetic, if that makes any sense. We may start doing a few more of these. I imagine we will both sleep better. With this cooler weather, Ares has so much more energy. Hopefully an evening run will calm him down.
Gotta run ...
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Another weekend
It's another gorgeous Fall day. I have dishes, laundry, etc. to do, but I knew if I didn't go this morning I wouldn't get a run in today. Ares and I started out and it was a little chilly, with the wind blowing in our faces. As we progressed it warmed up, the sun was shining; it was a great day to be out and about. And, Ares didn't start out with a sprint like he did last Saturday so it was a little more enjoyable.
I felt pretty stiff for some reason. I am not able to motivate myself during the week to run, but I do take some brisk walks with Ares every day, so I don't know why I woke up feeling stiff. But off we went anyway, and by the time we got a mile into the run I felt pretty good. At about two miles my knee started hurting, and I realized I had neglected to wear my knee brace. So we backed off a bit and did slower running and some walking. We ended up with 4.3 miles. The Turkey Trot is in a few weeks, and it is 4 miles, so I figure as long as I can keep it up I'll be OK. I won't have my fastest Turkey Trot, but as long as I can finish I'll be satisfied.
I need to find a better way to motivate myself during the week. I get my running clothes out the night before. The cats have me up early to feed them, but then I go back to bed. Also, it seems like there is so much to do in the morning to get myself and everyone else off for the day. Maybe if I start considering it a chore or an obligation (but not in a bad way) I will start getting that morning run it. I walk Ares every morning, but usually that's after my shower and I let my hair dry naturally. If I convince myself that he really needs to run, maybe I'll get by with one less hour of sleep (although if I cut out too much more sleep I might as well stay awake all night).
Gotta run ...
I felt pretty stiff for some reason. I am not able to motivate myself during the week to run, but I do take some brisk walks with Ares every day, so I don't know why I woke up feeling stiff. But off we went anyway, and by the time we got a mile into the run I felt pretty good. At about two miles my knee started hurting, and I realized I had neglected to wear my knee brace. So we backed off a bit and did slower running and some walking. We ended up with 4.3 miles. The Turkey Trot is in a few weeks, and it is 4 miles, so I figure as long as I can keep it up I'll be OK. I won't have my fastest Turkey Trot, but as long as I can finish I'll be satisfied.
I need to find a better way to motivate myself during the week. I get my running clothes out the night before. The cats have me up early to feed them, but then I go back to bed. Also, it seems like there is so much to do in the morning to get myself and everyone else off for the day. Maybe if I start considering it a chore or an obligation (but not in a bad way) I will start getting that morning run it. I walk Ares every morning, but usually that's after my shower and I let my hair dry naturally. If I convince myself that he really needs to run, maybe I'll get by with one less hour of sleep (although if I cut out too much more sleep I might as well stay awake all night).
Gotta run ...
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Slower, shorter run
Ares slept in this morning, so it was a little later when I got up. I don't know if he was tired from yesterday's walk, or it was all the excitement of Christopher's party last night that wore him out.
It was such a beautiful day when we finally got up that Ares and I couldn't resist. I don't want to risk re-injuring myself, but Ares wasn't content with a walk. So, off we went on a run. We went about the same route as yesterday, but not quite as far. And, he was not as energetic, so we didn't start out at a sprint.
We saw several squirrels on our journey. We also saw two other canines out exercising their owners. We kept it at a slower pace and he did let me walk some. We still ended up with a decent distance -- just over 4.1 miles. And I feel a little stiff, but so far no pain (well, a little mild discomfort, but I can live with that). Hopefully all will work out.
Now it's off to make some muffins, go grocery shopping, and enjoy the rest of this day.
Gotta run ...
It was such a beautiful day when we finally got up that Ares and I couldn't resist. I don't want to risk re-injuring myself, but Ares wasn't content with a walk. So, off we went on a run. We went about the same route as yesterday, but not quite as far. And, he was not as energetic, so we didn't start out at a sprint.
We saw several squirrels on our journey. We also saw two other canines out exercising their owners. We kept it at a slower pace and he did let me walk some. We still ended up with a decent distance -- just over 4.1 miles. And I feel a little stiff, but so far no pain (well, a little mild discomfort, but I can live with that). Hopefully all will work out.
Now it's off to make some muffins, go grocery shopping, and enjoy the rest of this day.
Gotta run ...
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