Juice and Joy

It's a Major Award

2009-06-06T06:38:00.006-05:00

I never win anything, and technically, I still didn't win anything.

I nominated Elijah's teacher, Michael Massad, for Mix 94.7 & Whataburger's "Austin's Favorite Teacher" contest. Well, he won! They picked my nomination. I was giddy because Mr. Massad deserves this award. I wish I had my nomination letter to post.

More Photos (you'll have to scroll through Track & Field)

And here's Heather Rivera's blog post.

Congratulations, Mr. Massad!

i carry your heart

2009-06-05T21:28:00.002-05:00

A forgotten post
waits for an uploaded pic
penned may 17

===========================================
i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart)

I shared those lines from the famous poem with Joshua tonight. I had written them years ago to my father on Father's Day (back in college when I had no money for a gift so I made a gift). It's overwhelming at times to look at my children. My cup runneth over.

The Summer of Creativity is dawning. I've put running and exercising on the shelf for lots of reasons. I'm not interested. I'm extremely busy. I don't care. I'm tired. I'm not training for anything. I really should exercise, but other interests tug at my minuscule amount of spare time.

Cooking is really fun. Baking is even better. Watching the mama bird get food for her chirping babies in my back yard is so peaceful. Sipping tea and reading is luxurious. Watching Joshua's baseball games is what spring is about for us. Listening to Elijah play the piano while doing dishes is life. Running? I think I am ready to play soccer again. Not in a league though. Maybe just kick the ball around in the yard with the kids. I need new cleats though.

I did run with Joshua at Chuy's Hot to Trot. He's 7, and this is his first 5K.

Anniversary Poems

2009-04-10T09:02:00.003-05:00

For David

Peach blossoms bloom a
soft pink smile to you and me.
Wedding day tribute.

This poem is from our wedding, read by Aron during the ceremony.

"At the Wedding March"
by Gerard Manley Hopkins

GOD with honour hang your head,
Groom, and grace you, bride, your bed
With lissome scions, sweet scions,
Out of hallowed bodies bred.

Each be other’s comfort kind:
Deep, deeper than divined,
Divine charity, dear charity,
Fast you ever, fast bind.

Then let the March tread our ears:
I to him turn with tears
Who to wedlock, his wonder wedlock,
Deals tríumph and immortal years.

Haiku for the day

2009-04-08T08:31:00.002-05:00

Cool spring morning rush
Ebullient boys on the stairs
Regret fills my heart

"Everyone knows it's Windy" Sing-a-long!

2009-04-04T14:20:00.000-05:00

Saturday, March 28 - Rosedale Ride

Marc & Dianne were already planning to do 40. Sarah and I had dropped down from 63 to 40 after realizing we are very busy moms with other things going on that day that we not only had to do but also wanted to do. 40 is nothing to be ashamed of, but we had a bit of a time convincing ourselves of that.

Was anyone outside on March 28? Well, if not, I'll tell ya. A cold front blew in overnight. It was in the low 40s with a wind chill in the 30s. I can deal with cold. It's not as fun to ride your bike when it's cold as it is to run when it's cold. It's doable though, and your body does eventually warm up (if not your toes). The real issue this morning was the wind. Not a little wind either.

A few photos for your viewing pleasure.

I have never ridden in such wind before. It was not fun the way this ride is supposed to be. At the first stop (which we hadn't planned on stopping at), Marc tells us they are doing the 20-mile route now. Sarah and I look at it each other. This is supposed to be fun, right? Are we having fun? No. Why do we need to kill ourselves and do 40?

We chose the 20 (22.9 actually), and it was (in the wise words of Sarah) one of the best decisions we've made in a long time. The back stretch of that ride was slow and so windy.

I made up new lyrics to a bunch of songs to make us laugh while we struggled to pedal. Sarah joined in and came up with some goodies. Enjoy, and I hope you sing along.

Bob Seger - Against the Wind

"Against the wind...I'm colder now but still riding against the wind."

--------------------------

Christopher Cross - Ride like the Wind

"I've got such a long way to go...
to make it to Samsung parking lot.
So I ride...ride in the wind."

--------------------------

Patrick Swayze - She's like the Wind

"She hates wind in her face.
She's pedaling but going no place."

--------------------------

Bette Midler - Wind Beneath my Wings

"Did you ever know that I can pedal
and not get anywhere at all?
I can ride faster than a snail
when the wind blows like a gale."

--------------------------

The Village People - YMCA

"We are riding in the W-I-N-D (insert hand movements)
Oh yes, we're riding into the W-I-N-D.
It blows from the front.
And it blows from the side.
No matter which way we go, it blows.
Because we're riding in the W-I-N-D
Oh yes, we're riding in the W-I-N-D."

--------------------------

The Association - Everyone knows it's Windy

"Who's blowing me back while I fiercely pedal?
Who's tipping my bike over sideways?
Who's bending down to knock me clean off?
Everyone knows it's Windy!"

So, in honor of the Wind, we stopped at Wendy's for my usual half-n-half soda (half coke, half diet coke). Well, I had to get a picture for the ol' blog. Sarah snapped this brilliant photo...

You are the Wendy's beneath my wings.

San Marcos 50

2009-04-04T08:52:00.006-05:00

Sunday, March 22 - 50 mile ride to San Marcos with Sarah, Dianne & Michelle. There were some very slow-going spots due to a combo of wind and inclines. We finally got to San Marcos about 45 minutes later than planned.

Dianne's hubby Marc was waiting with their son, Alex. See, I'm not the only family who has to swap out workouts and take turns and do all sorts of somersaults just so both parents have a turn to train.

Dianne and Michelle had only planned to ride to SM, so they were blissfully loading up their bikes while Sarah and I stretched and braced ourselves for the ride back with Marc. The ride back was much more pleasant and much less windy, and we finished that same distance 30 minutes faster.

Goals

2009-03-05T08:01:00.012-06:00

This must be the race meant for me!

Fat Ass Trail Run

I don't miss the long runs.
There's no time in my day to miss them.
Sarah and I have been cycling toward Rosedale on March 28.
It's hard to get back in gear.
All of our long rides,
I've wondered how I rode 25 miles in the middle of a triathlon.
Man, I was in shape then.

So, dv laid out his goals for the world to read (whoever might the world be?).
I shall do the same, but I warn you. If you are here to read about running goals, you might need to hop off the track.

1. Complete 3 projects that have been looming over me for months and months. Complete them by May 15.

2. Rosedale Ride on March 28 - 65 miles

3. Rogue Trail Series:
May 3 - The Maze 10K Trail Run
May 31 - The Loop 10K Trail Run (they scheduled this early this year just for me, I'm sure!)
June 21 - The Bluff 10K Trail Run (um, sounds scary for clumsy folk)

And now, the Pièce de résistance:

4. Clean up my poems and write this summer. I won't be working. I'll have hours to compose while my kids swim and play. I am always writing in my head, so my big goal is to put pen to paper. Even if no one ever reads them. Yup. Maybe one day, I'll go to a writing workshop. Or a bunch of workshops. I think they call that an MFA.

Obligatory 3M Report

2009-02-01T15:43:00.012-06:00

My 3M experience is forgettable. I'm happy for Sarah as she did fabulous.

We rarely had a training run where both of us felt good. One week, I'd be feeling superb while Sarah struggled. The next week I was whining (as usual) while Sarah was strong.

It didn't matter the distance or terrain. It didn't matter if it was thick and warm or crunchy and cool. We ran at odd times to accommodate our odd-mom schedules. There was one long run where we both felt like crap. We met at 1pm on a Saturday afternoon as that was the soonest we could both meet. We advise anyone to avoid running at 1pm on a fairly empty stomach.

I wasn't as dedicated this year. I didn't run as much or train as long. I started out fine, and Sarah and I had a race plan. I think it was between mile 2 and 3 that I knew something was wrong with me. I shook it off and thought I'd feel better after a Gu at the 5.5 mile water stop. I didn't really feel better at all. I think I whined a bunch. I slowed us down from our race goal. At mile 7 I got quit dizzy and pulled out. I sent Sarah on with instructions for the rest of the race. She didn't want to leave me, but I didn't want to mess her 1st half-marathon up for her.

I walked a bit and thought I could catch her. Each time I ran, I'd feel nauseous and as though I was running 400s rather than a snail pace. It ached everywhere. I saw Linda cheering between mile 8 and 9 and almost quit as I asked if her car was nearby. Then I thought of David. He'd finished already. He'd given fibers of himself he didn't know were there (I'm not saying that b/c that is what he told me after the race, I'm saying that b/c that is what I knew at the time he'd done). I thought of him jogging back down the course to meet us, looking for me, seeing Sarah, hearing her say I was not well and back further, him running along and not finding me.

I kept going. I tried to run. I walked. I made it to Duval and started to cry. I hung my head as I passed cheering Gazelles hoping they wouldn't recognize DV's lame-ass wife. By this point, I knew David was close. I tried to stop crying. Tried to stop feeling sorry for myself for feeling sick and sucking. Then I saw him. He was running on the sidewalk toward me. I couldn't hold back my stinging tears anymore. The woman next to me gave a surprised look at my sob as I wiped my eyes and shielded my face from the world.

He knew already that I wasn't well. He'd passed all of my running friends: Erin, Barb, Gayatri, Leslie, and Sarah. He saw me struggle, saw me pull out and dry heave, heard me lament about the first 10 miles, and heard me whine. He stayed with me until the last 200 meters where he pealed off to avoid crossing the finish line again with his chip.

Even after the way I felt, how I struggled, how I wanted to quit from feeling sick and dizzy and weak, I felt like I didn't try hard enough. Isn't that funny?

No race ever has been that hard for me. I am glad I finished. I hate that I took so long to do it. I don't want to hear cheer-me-ups or any such nonsense.

Let's all clap for Sarah as she finished her first half-marathon! Now we are on to training of the Rosedale Ride on March 28.

What Kind of Runner I Am

2008-12-03T20:08:00.004-06:00

Ah, running. What can I say?

Humid, sticky long run last Friday morning with Sarah, Barb and Leslie A. Felt like a moist spring morning. Doesn't G-tree dislike me saying "moist" or was that someone else? G-tree, here's a "moist" shout-out for ya. ;-)

Circuit is still one of my favorites. Can't get used to this Texas weather even though I've never lived anywhere else. Wanted fewer clothes running on Friday. Wanted more clothes Monday night at the AHS track for circuit. Perfect weather for running today, and I see some cold air is on slate for tomorrow. Maybe this year I'll finally purchase decent running tights??

A perfect time this afternoon with my boys. A bit of whining on their part for going to the trail (really, it wasn't me whining for a change). Once they settled it that we were going to the trail to bike and run, they were fine. We headed out the NE side of the trail to the 5 mile marker and back. I wanted a short tempo run, but it's always hard with kids in tow (they were on their bikes).

Joshua asked for a stop at a lovely little tree patch before the wooden foot bridge east of The Four Seasons. There's a little art statue thing that we admired. About 20 ducks were having a river party, and Joshua looked like a model lazily leaning against a gorgeous tree in its fall party clothes. The squirrels were like kittens scampering up for food. Some kind soul had left some peanuts on the statue, which we we tossed to them. I really think I could have petted them if I'd wanted to. They came closer when we did the "Tchk-Tchk-Tchk" of kitten and cat calling.

So, we took about a 5-minute break during my tempo run. I think that says a lot about what kind of runner I am. I don't know many folks who pay much attention to the stunning scenery offered at Lady Bird Lake. If they do, most are too serious to actually stop. That stop Joshua requested today was the highlight of my run and my day.

Just Because Too

2008-11-28T13:39:00.001-06:00

I'm running a little bit more now. Maybe 3M. Maybe not.

Highlights

2008-11-10T07:39:00.008-06:00

Two notables during my "long" run this past Saturday.

The first highlight came before I even made it to Runtex, and that my friends, is heated seats. Our new-to-us vehicle is super fancy with all the bells and whistles, and one of those whistles is coming in real handy on cold mornings. My bottom cringed when I sat on the cold leather as I headed out. With a little flick of my finger, I turned the heating on to high. Ah, what a great invention, and decadence I'm happy to claim in our car. It might give new meaning to "hot cross buns" on those early mornings during marathon (or summin like that) training. If you don't get the "cross" part, then I'm sorry for you.

Second highlight was running with Erin for 4 miles - a meager warm-up for her race the next day but a long run for me. I had wanted to run longer but the lure of running with someone (and a friend!) kept me at 4 miles. Which was fine. I also saw Gtree and Leslie after their long run. I love seeing those smiling faces. Makes me almost want to train for 3M. Almost. I'm not there yet. I'm licking my lips and thinking about it.

Sunday morning I was Captain of the St. Andrew's water stop. My dear, sweet friend Sarah came to help me captain all the BlueCru kids and parents.

It was a really great experience, and I always love cheering at races. I had some wistfulness watching runners go by. Part of me wished I was running, but a larger part remembered how bad of a race I had last year (all my own fault).

I ran 5 times last week, which is a record for me since starting my full-time job (the one that pays b/c I've had a full-time job since Jan 14, 2000). Keep me honest folks. Make me keep it up. Looking forward to Circuit tonight. Yeah, I do like Circuit. I really do.

Reflections

2008-10-29T08:16:00.004-05:00

I thought living vicariously through my husband would keep me a fit and a happy runner. Oh, I've continued to run so as not to fall totally to the wayside, but for some reason, my plan hasn't worked.

I remember a long run in the summer - a 10-miler - where my knees started hurting again. That was around the same time that I started working full-time. We had recently moved, and with all the changes (and aching knees), I just stopped caring about how far I ran, how fast I ran, how often I ran. I had to readjust my priorities with less free time but the same busy family (and I mean busy).

I admit I haven't done a good job of finding time for running. Excuses abound, but Americans today have more leisure time than ever before. So there is really no good excuse for why I have not found time. Motivation is a different story.

Well, there's nothing like clothes fitting tighter. Nothing like that dreaded visit to a retail dressing room where the mirrors are set up in the cruelest way to show every part of your body that you normally (and thankfully) can't see. And those lights! To sell more, I would think stores would find lights that softened and enhanced rather than pointed out all the glaring evidence of too many cookies and too much stagnation.

Visits like that for me make me want to eat a bunch of fresh out-of-the-oven oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Exactly the wrong thing I should do, right? Right. I know it. We all know it. It's just that cookies are so darn good. And my favorites are oatmeal, so really, it's healthy. Uh-huh. Really.

No more watching David cut full minutes off his PRs. No more hearing his alarm at 5am each day while I curl back under the delicious covers. It's time to push away the Coca-Cola Classic. It's time to count the calories and up the miles. It's time to make use of that monstrosity of a gym I give money to each month. Who's with me? Bueller? Bueller?

Mirth

2008-10-10T16:54:00.004-05:00

I ran yesterday, and I enjoyed it. It's been a long time since I enjoyed a run the way I remember enjoying them last fall and winter and even last spring. I enjoyed the actual running and not just the company (which was Sweet Elijah on his bike). I enjoyed the running and not just the trees, flowers, or other things that often catch my eye. I ran "fast" and enjoyed it. It felt good to push.

I have been contemplating quitting running. Try something new? Join a soccer team? Give in to being a Mommy who works full-time? Read over run? Invent a way for me to read and run at the same time?

I'm not sure if I'll train for any races. 3M is still a possibility, but I can't really commit since I'm still getting used to working full-time.

I also did Digital Cable Exercising Thursday morning at 5:30am. Not bad, not bad. DV was running, and I considered leaving the boys alone in the house while I ran up and down the street in front of the house. Good parenting won out though, so I had an early morning date with the TV for some total body sculpting. Maybe if I keep it up, I'll actually sculpt something.

Saturday Morning

2008-09-27T07:21:00.004-05:00

Why is running on a treadmill so horrific for me? I honestly think treadmill pace/mile times are off. G-tree and I have had this discussion before, but I think I'm running faster than the treadmill shows. How, you ask? Well, my breathing is a good indicator. I sort of know when I'm huffing and puffing, and it seems every time I'm on a treadmill and just want to jog for 30 minutes, I'm gasping to keep up with the belt. Then I look at the screen and curse treadmill makers everywhere for displaying those pace/mile times anyway. I already think I'm slow, but I don't need a treadmill displaying some snail's pace in my face to let me know that I'm ultra-slow.

Enough of that. I can say that I'm very proud of myself for waking up at 6am while in Ft. Worth for a conference and going down to the hotel gym to run. The treadmill did have a new feature for me; it showed a birds-eye view either a track, hill, or 5K route while I ran.

I was away from my family for about 3 days for the first time ever. I have never been away from all three of my boys at the same time. I think they missed me more than I missed them. I did miss them, but the conference was busy, and I had no idle time to really pine away.

For years and years, almost every night I turn my lamp off beside my bed after reading. If I'm not terribly tired, I will think to myself, "One day I won't turn this lamp off." Some nights, I will think, "One day, I won't be laying in this bed, falling asleep." I'm not talking about moving. I'm not talking about getting a new lamp or bed. It is the blight I was born for.

Fall Equinox

2008-09-22T07:33:00.003-05:00

Happy first day of Autumn. In Texas, that just means we might notice that the daylight and darkness are exactly equal since we won't be noticing any lovely leaf changes just yet. In honor of the Fall Equinox, I will post a beloved poem below (by my favorite poet, no less).

Since this is also supposed to be a blog about exercise/running, I will recap my feeble attempts at squeezing in time for a meaningful workout. Since I started my new (full-time) job, I have only managed to run twice/week. So last week, I vowed to change that (it also helps that a cool front blew in and I had to wear pants that I hadn't donned for months and said pants were snug).

Monday - 900s at Zilker. Being out of shape reminded me why I used to despise this workout. It was good to see my 5k/10k buddies though. I warmed up (and even did drills!), and then the group completed 5 900s. Once again, I admit I'm sucky at running up hills.

Tuesday - Lifetime Fitness. We've been giving our money to this gym and then staying away. Perfect scenario for them. I did 30 minutes on that running elliptical machine, then took the boys to the outside pool and watched them shiver in the cool water and colder breeze.

Wednesday - Bootcamp with Richard. I had planned to run beforehand but plans were foiled on two fronts. I forgot a sports bra, and DV forgot Joshua's bike helmet. I refuse to run without a sports bra, and my children aren't allowed to bike without a helmet. Instead, Joshua and I strolled around the new pond next to Palmer Auditoreum while Elijah was at piano. It's a really lovely little park area, and I quite enjoyed the time with Joshie. He's recently been clingy, and I think it's hit him that I work full-time now and am not around as much.
Bootcamp was awesome, btw. I really like that class and would go there over running on Wednesdays if I couldn't do both.

Thursday - 2 miles around the Small Middle School track during Joshua's football practice. It's not much, but it's more than before.

Friday - Does sitting in a chair for 2 hours getting my hair done count?

Saturday - Long run with Leslie and Elizabeth. They did 7 and I did 5?. I had to leave Runtex at 7:30am to get home in time to leave for Joshua's flag football game. It was really nice to run with them both. I haven't run with Elizabeth in ages. I also absolutely love running on the northeast side of the trail. It's so breathtaking in places.

Now for the promised poem. It's a good one, so please do read it. :o)

"Spring and Fall, to a Young Child"

Margaret, are you grieving
Over Goldengrove unleaving?
Leaves, like the things of man, you
With your fresh thoughts care for, can you?
Ah! as the heart grows older
It will come to such sights colder
By and by, nor spare a sigh
Though worlds of wanwood leafmeal lie;
And yet you will weep and know why.
Now no matter, child, the name:
Sorrow's springs are the same.
Nor mouth had, no nor mind, expressed
What heart heard of, ghost guessed:
It is the blight man was born for,
It is Margaret you mourn for.

-- Gerard Manley Hopkins

A Shout-Out to All the Moms Out There

2008-09-08T07:34:00.005-05:00

I was reminded yesterday why I started this blog over a year ago, and that was to represent moms in Gazelle class (or really any mom trying to train for an event or just exercise). I remember tiring of the posts that listed detailed split times and hours spent training. I remember thinking, do these people have jobs? Kids? Other hobbies? Chores to do? A yard to mow?

Well, the fact is that many of my running friends do not have children or their children are old enough to care for themselves. And many of the blogs from a year ago are authored by non-parents or men who have a situation enabling them to run frequently and blog about it.

So, here I am. A full-time working mom who actually would rather skip a long run (which I did this weekend) so she can spend time enjoying family and friends before the Sunday chore crunch strikes. I also must confess that I have a husband who also runs, so it makes it even more difficult to schedule blocks of time for me to go lope around the trail or track. I also have other hobbies, some of which I greatly prefer to running (No!).

Here's a shout-out to Mary Ann and Elizabeth. A big one goes out to Sarah, my dear, sweet friend who is a big reason I go to the MW afternoon class at all anymore. I send a shout-out to former Gazelle Moms whose family commitments pulled them away from Gazelles: Kathy (maker of Coach's awesome Gazelle shirt) and Tina (she trained for the Austin marathon on her own!). Here's a shout out to Ivi, Ava, Michelle and all the other fast Gazelle moms. I know there are others out there who spend almost as much time scheduling their running time as actually running. I send a hearty shout-out to you as well. I'd love to meet you, so I can shake your hand and give you a nod that only busy moms can understand and appreciate.

And you know what? In honor of my mother, who never trained for anything while I was growing up, here's a shout-out to all the moms out there. I send a you a virtual high-five.

Sing-Song

2008-08-25T21:15:00.005-05:00

I have a new job.
I haven't run much.
My new job is full-time.
My achy running knees have been bothering me.
It's all an adjustment.
I ran a whopping 5-mile long run Sunday morning.
Is it okay to mention I'm scared of 7th graders?
Elijah rode his bike with me on my run.
My kids will ride the bus to and from school.
It was a glorious morning run.
It's hard letting them go...and grow.
You may run 10, 15, 20 miles, but I had cherished time with my son.
I don't get to be so present anymore.
Maybe it's time to shift to a new hobby?
I do feel blessed. Uh huh, I do. That's right.
I like the idea of cooking sit-down-together dinners each night for my family.
Who wouldn't with such a family as this?
I might leave the running to the runners. You out there, Runners?

Dreams

2008-08-12T08:16:00.001-05:00

"O, then, I see Queen Mab hath been with you.
She is the fairies’ midwife, and she comes
In shape no bigger than an agate-stone
On the fore-finger of an alderman,
Drawn with a team of little atomies
Over men’s noses as they lie asleep;
Her chariot is an empty hazel-nut
Made by the joiner squirrel or old grub,
Time out o’ mind the fairies’ coachmakers.
Her wagon-spokes made of long spinners’ legs,
The cover of the wings of grasshoppers,
The traces of the smallest spider’s web,
The collars of the moonshine’s watery beams,
Her whip of cricket’s bone, the lash of film,
Her wagoner a small grey-coated gnat,
Not so big as a round little worm
Prick’d from the lazy finger of a maid;
And in this state she gallops night by night
Through lovers’ brains, and then they dream of love;
O’er courtiers’ knees, that dream on court’sies straight,
O’er lawyers’ fingers, who straight dream on fees,
O’er ladies' lips, who straight on kisses dream,
Which oft the angry Mab with blisters plagues,
Because their breaths with sweetmeats tainted are:
Sometime she gallops o’er a courtier’s nose,
And then dreams he of smelling out a suit;
And sometime comes she with a tithe-pig’s tail
Tickling a parson’s nose as a’ lies asleep,
Then dreams, he of another benefice:
Sometime she driveth o’er a soldier’s neck,
And then dreams he of cutting foreign throats,
Of breaches, ambuscadoes, Spanish blades,
Of healths five-fathom deep; and then anon
Drums in his ear, at which he starts and wakes,
And being thus frighted swears a prayer or two
And sleeps again. This is that very Mab
That plaits the manes of horses in the night,
And bakes the elflocks in foul sluttish hairs,
Which once untangled, much misfortune bodes:
This is the hag, when maids lie on their backs,
That presses them and learns them first to bear,
Making them women of good carriage:
This is she—"

— Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, Act I, scene iv

What we need more of in the world

2008-08-10T07:41:00.003-05:00

Aye! There's only two more weeks until school starts. My summer has flitted by with packing and unpacking, driving and waiting, sorting and cleaning, swimming and biking, and more packing and unpacking. Start of summer seems so long ago, but I haven't much to show for the time. Perhaps I'm too hard on myself. Shouldn't I have a finished home? Shouldn't I be ready for my new job? Shouldn't those memory books for last year's class be done? Shouldn't I be logging more than 10 miles on long runs?

Fiesta Texas: Monday, August 4. The boys had free tickets they earned through a school library reading program. Tickets expire August 10, so time was pinching in on me. I dreaded the crowds (I haven't had much luck with Fiesta Texas), but I knew it wouldn't rain (again, not much luck with FT).

It actually turned out to be a pleasant day despite my grouchiness early on. One I relaxed and noticed there really weren't many folks there, I was fine. I think going on a Monday with a projected high of 106 F maybe kept some folks away. We stayed until 9pm, so we were plenty tired when we arrived home around 11pm (love eating Whataburger in the car on the way home).

The rest of my week was filled with work and not feeling well and mostly successful attempts to unpack the boxes from our storage unit. The storage unit is empty, so that's a plus, right? My house is a disaster though, but hopefully it will come together very soon.

DV left on Thursday for his boys' retreat weekend to Colorado. Friday, Elijah, Joshua and I got up early for a Geocaching Event at Dick Nichols Park (8-8-08 from 8am - 8:08am). Afterwards, we found a cache that had evaded us a few weeks back. Saturday we found yet another cache with my sister and niece, so it's been a successful caching weekend for us.

Saturday long run: Scenic/Mountain Bonnell. Well, Coach says "Mountain" Bonnell so I like to say that, too, but in his accent. Just saying Mountain Bonnell won't cut it; you simply must say it with a Burundi drawl.

I'm already tired of running on Lake Austin Blvd, but it was fine. I ran with Barb to the 5-mile turn-around point. We ran into Emily, Allison, and Gayatri there, so we all ran back "together." We didn't really run back together at all. Allison stopped for a bathroom break, and the other three kept going. I waited for her, and we ran along until we caught Emily, who didn't feel well and was walking. We caught back up to Gtree and Barb at the water stop on LAB. Even though I asked them to wait so we would all run together, they took off.

It's for the best as my knees were killing me. I had planned to run 7-8 miles, but Barb asked me to run 10 with her. I felt fine going out LAB and onto Scenic, etc. I didn't really start hurting until around 6-7 miles into the run. Allison was also hurting so we walked quite a bit the last 3 miles (probably half of those last 3 miles). My IT bands and knees really screamed about that run the rest of the day despite minimal stretching and soaking in Barton Springs. Ah, if there was only time for sitting around with ice on my legs.

We need more poetry in the world. Also, if anyone has seen my cat, Simi, tell her we want her to find her way back home.

Glow Hard

2008-08-02T09:32:00.003-05:00

Lame, boring recap of past workouts.

July 19 was the Kids' Tri, in which I did the amazing distance of 200m swim, 5 mile bike, and 1.2 mile run. I tell ya though, that run was hard, really hard. Never underestimate a triathlon no matter what the distance. DV said it was hard, too, so it's always nice to know the fast folks feel the same as me.

I think the week before I met Allison to run around the 'hood and probably did 6 or so miles. I've been feeling really fatigued in my legs since the move, so some workouts have been difficult for me.

July 21 we did 700s, and Gilbert told us to do 6 at a slower pace. I went fairly slow, which was fine for me. I didn't even time them, and by the time the 6th one came around, I was pooped. It's been such a hot, hot summer, so running at 5:30pm has been fairly brutal.

July 22 - Total Body Sculpt at Lifetime Fitness. Ow. The entire hour and 15 mins I kept thinking, "I have do 800s tomorrow." It's a great class, but I seem to be sore from it for days...and it really is "total body."

July 23 was a fun workout, actually. That was the evening a crazy rain storm blew threw right as I was driving to running class (about 5:15pm). I knew the storm would keep tons of folks away. When I got to the track at 5:30pm, the rain had blown over and the sun was out. The air was thick with moisture, and the sun kept pushing the clouds aside determined to beat down on the few of us that made it to class. We were scheduled for 800s, which isn't a favorite of mine but don't do it often enough to truly fear it. Let me point out that Sarah and I were the only gals to show up. We ran most of them together, and at the start, 6 repeats seemed like a lot. We didn't think we could make ourselves go faster each repeat, but we somehow did. My last one was 4:44, which surprised me since I haven't been consistently running this summer. I really didn't think I'd be able to run that fast in the sauna we were dealt that day. I left really happy and proud of doing all 6 and doing them well.

July 26 - Blanco Out-Back Tri. I didn't do it, which was a wise move on my part. I cheered David, Linda, and Snowdene on (as well as DVs friends). I did a 45 min long run around 11am - just ran all around Blanco State Park. It was hot but lovely. It's a nice little park.

Later that day we drove to SeaWorld for a Cub Scout sleepover. What a nightmare. The SeaWorld counselor tromped us all over the park from 5:30pm - 10:30pm with minimal breaks. Familyvance was beyond exhausted and would have happily gone to bed at 8pm. However, SeaWorld had our sleeping bags and luggage held hostage. We finally were given permission to lay down around 11 or 11:30pm. We slept in the Shark Habitat, which sounds really cool but was really horrid. The closest bathroom was maybe 1/4 mile away, and we slept on the hard floor covered by thin, filthy carpet that thousands upon thousands of people walk on daily. It was a mixed blessing when the lights were turned on at 6am. I got to get off the hard floor, but I had to interact with our fellow scouts and the SeaWorld counselors. We headed off for more tromping around the park until about 9am, when praise God, we got to be regular visitors at SeaWorld who can stop and sit down and do whatever our hearts desire. I honestly think we walked miles with that slave-driver SeaWorld counselor. And besides, she wanted us to sing summer camp songs as we walked through the park. "Peel bananas, peel, peel bananas. Oy! Stomp bananas, stomp, stomp bananas! Oy!"

Monday, July 28 - mile repeats. I forgot my watch. I ran them slow, and I did 3, even though I probably should have done 4. They weren't anywhere near my past mile repeat times, but I didn't care. My legs were beat up from SeaWorld.

Wed, July 30 - 5 mile fartlek - 3 on/1 off, 2 on/1 off, 1 on/1 off and then repeat. I went to the 5:45am class, and I got to run with Gayatri and Leslie. It was a new fartlek experience for me as there was a large group we were to stay with (Group A). I think there were 12 or so folks in this group. The faster runners would turn back on the "easy" minute to the slowest runner to make sure we stayed as a group. The thought was really nice, and I don't know that I'm against it...just new to me. The group really should have been 2 groups b/c the speeds were a little too far spread out, especially during the really rough 3 mins "on." So maybe a A1 and A2 group is in order, but it really doesn't affect me right now as I'm an afternooner where we don't need no stinkin' groups...er...at least fancy organized groups with letters assigned to us.

Sat, Aug 2 - 8+ mile long run with Leslie and Gayatri. They started at Robert E. Lee, and I met them at LAB and Exposition. I felt fine other than some muscle in my right outer calf bothering me. It's been bothering me since SeaWorld or perhaps even the triathlon on the 19th. It was humid, but I still thinks it's easier to run in a humid morning than 105 degree afternoon. Gayatri ran 14 miles! Yea! Leslie did 12 miles. Yea! Glow hard, ladies!

Now I get to unpack more boxes that we brought from the storage unit. We are never moving again.

Some amazing photos!

2008-07-22T07:18:00.002-05:00

Why post something about myself when other things are more interesting?

YMCA Kid Pitch Summer 2008. Joshua loves playing catcher.

Elijah throws it in from the out field.

The boys at bat.

Joshua pitched the last inning of the last game. He got 2 strike outs, and the fielders got an out at 2nd. He's only 6.5 years old!

Familyvance did the Hill Country Kids' Tri last Saturday. Here you see the two cutest participants. I do have pics of me and DV which I might post when I have more time.

And we can't forget Joshua at his first ever Horse Show. He's cowboy and horse-obsessed, and here he is riding his beloved Brownie. Joshua attended a week-long camp at Bee Cave Riding School.

Diary of the SuperSlow

2008-07-10T08:11:00.003-05:00

Running has been a struggle. Moving has worn me down inside and out. We had a horrible time with our buyers showing up on our last day in the house. It turned into a nightmare that is too long to blog about at this time.

I didn't run for a week after the Saint and moving. Last Sunday I met Allison in the 'hood to run. We both were fine going slow and walking when needed due to each of us having ailments (her shin was busted and my IT bands/knees aren't happy with all the trail running and moving). I think we ran maybe 6 miles, could be more or less. I didn't really keep track of time or distance. It was my first 'hood run from the new house, and I briefly thought about having us run by my old house. I thought better of it knowing I'd get emotional.

Monday was circuit. It was hot and muggy after some rain passed through. Lunges always get me. I'm weak in the core and suffered through the core workout. I generally love circuit, but this week was not my favorite.

Yesterday was tempo. I haven't run a tempo run in months and the last ones I did were when I was in my best running shape post-3M half marathon. If I hadn't switched gears to train for the MS150, maybe I would have stayed strong. Maybe if I hadn't switched gears and focused on moving and trail runs. Maybe if it wasn't hot, and I wasn't carrying a blubber roll around my middle.

I was determined to run 3 miles, even though Gilbert wanted most of us to run 2. I knew if I dropped back down to a 2 mile tempo, that it would be hard for me to go back to 3 miles. I felt tired in the first 400m, but my pace seemed fine. Pace seemed fine through 3/4 mile where I slowed a tad bit. I was trying to push but stay within a decent range for someone very out-of-shape. Gilbert was standing at the mile 1 marker and said, "Jessica, just turn around and do a 2 mile tempo. You'll have extra miles in the cool down." I stopped and replied, "If I don't do 3 then I'll never do 3 again." He waved me on, and I went toward the 1.5 marker.

That 2nd mile has been the slowest in past runs, so I knew it would be again. I suffered a lot and had a pain that wasn't a stitch and wasn't anything I was interested in "running through." So I walked. I knew any decent time was shot after the first walk, so I just ran and walked a few seconds here and there the whole way back. I debated stopping my watch back at the 1 mile marker and calling it a 2 mile tempo so I could walk the mile back. I didn't do it though, and I ran back with intermittent walking. I ended up with a time of 32.34, which was actually faster than I thought it would be with all the walking I did. It's a true testament to the shape I'm in physically and mentally, and hopefully, I'll get faster next time.

Am I just plain out-of-shape? Am I tired from moving and trail runs as my legs have felt weak since then? Did I struggle b/c it was the first real hard run in the heat? Have I weakened mentally with all the slow trail runs and slow long runs and cookies?

No matter how slow it was, I'm happy to have done the 3 mile tempo.

I have a little over a week to train for the Hill Country Kids' Triathlon. I'm on a team with Elijah, and our team name is The Course is With Us. David and Joshua remain a team and kept the same name from last year - Team Bob. Boys will do 100m swim, 2.5 mile bike, and 1K run. David and I will do a 200m swim, 5.1 mile bike, and 1.2 mile run. Even though those distances are super short, it's still a killer to do a tri...especially when I haven't trained.

100th and 6th

2008-07-02T09:22:00.004-05:00

Hey, this is my 100th post. Aren't I supposed to get a cake or something? Does a new house count?

Yes, we are in the new house. It's been a pretty hectic and emotional week as we closed on our beloved little house last Thursday and leased-back until Monday when we closed on our new house. We spent all of Monday moving and were rewarded with a new fridge installation along with two batches of brownies from friendly neighbors. Ah, we now relish the joys of unpacking.

I am a fairly anxious person. Perhaps not so externally anxious, but those who know me, know that I can fret over the unknown and pending change. I've been getting little sleep, and it's caught up to me. Yesterday reminded me of the weeks after having a baby. I wanted a nap so badly, but I kept getting visitors to see the new house. When I finally got my chance to doze off, a child called my name as he attempted getting orange juice from the top shelf of the new fridge (he christened the new fridge with a big spill).

Sunday we ran the third and final trail run in the Rogue trail series (the Saint). I was beyond tired, and my body felt it the first mile or two. I ran with Leslie A., and it was once again a fun and beautiful run. We ended up running faster than I thought we were going to run. I felt sluggish and even took a migraine pill before the run. David took a hard fall, but he ended up winning 2nd overall for the series. I got 6th place overall for the series...er...6th from LAST PLACE! Geesh, I know I'm extremely slow, and I know I ran those races for fun. But it's still sucky to see my slowness posted on the internet for the world to see. I try to comfort myself by saying, "Lots of people didn't run all 3 races," or "Think of all the people who slept in all those Sundays." Ya think it works?

I never did post about Day 2 of the MS150. For my own sake, I will be posting that eventually.

I have to start biking again and swimming as we may do a couple of triathlons later this month. Nothing big or fancy. The boys are going to do a kids' tri that has a team option with a parent (race separately but times combined). At the end of the month is the always fun Blanco Out-back Tri. Dust of the tri shorts, y'all.

May memories

2008-06-26T07:31:00.005-05:00

I want to remember two really beautiful and memorable runs from May. I've settled with myself that I'll never go back and catch up on all the runs, workouts, and things of interest. In fact, I don't even remember much I want to share. I did write a tiny snippet about the Maze, so I'm covered there.

Mother's Day morning, I ran with Gayatri and Elizabeth, who were kind enough to join me even though they did their long run Saturday. We ran 6 miles along the north side of the trail from 1st street to Longhorn Dam. Details fade, but it was a glorious spring morning. G-tree and Elizabeth talked of seeing a Swan family the day before, complete with 5 baby swans. "What are baby swans called?" we wondered as we ran toward the dam. I secretly hoped we'd see those little puffs of downy fluff. I don't think I have ever seen a baby swan.

On our way back, I spotted swans in the reeds along the riverbank. We crept in and saw 5 darling baby swans (cygnets for you precise folk). They were brownish-gray with small, black beaks. It was the sweetest scene as the family nestled in the reeds. I felt it was the perfect start to Mother's Day. I haven't seen the swans or cygnets again since then, but perhaps I'll look a little closer next time I'm on the northeast side of the trail. I'm curious to see how the babies have grown and changed.

Mother's Day we also set out to find some tadpoles at Barton Creek down off Lost Creek Blvd. Joshua and Elijah kept a tadpole a piece (along with an accidental minnow), and I took a tadpole to the preschool for the kiddos. If you've never watched a tadpole metamorphosis, then you might want to jaunt down and get yourself a tadpole. I was more interested and fascinated than the kids, I think. Elijah named his tadpole "Taddie" and Joshua named his tadpole "Morphy." On Father's Day, we took Taddie and Morphy back home to the creek because they were now froglets.

Tiny baby Morphy

Elijah holding Taddie

Now, the other run I want to mention is perhaps one of the most beautiful runs I've ever done. I mentioned before that David took me to Dallas for a short anniversary trip to see the LA Galaxy play FC Dallas. We drove up Saturday and ate dinner at a really yummy, recommended restaurant called Cafe Izmir. Maybe some of you have been there. Sunday morning we woke up and drove to White Rock Lake to run. It was fun for us to run together where David had run his sub-3 marathon. We started out together on the concrete and asphalt trail as cyclists zoomed by. This trail is clearly more popular for cyclists than runners.

Once David realized I would be safe running alone, he took off in a blur. I had already pointed out wildflowers and made us stop to smell them and get a closer look. The lake was very lovely. The sky was clear blue with smears of white clouds as though someone ran a icing-laden finger across the sky. I stayed on the pedestrian trail whenever possible rather than the asphalt road. It was mostly shaded and just lovely. Downtown Dallas peeked into view around turns and up hills (which there weren't really any hills).

I did and out and back run while David ran the whole trail loop. I had to stop again for some flower admiring. There was a thistle that was over 6-feet tall. The pedestrian trail went through some grassy areas with flowers that were over 3 feet tall, so it felt like I was running in a field.

My chest was bothering me where my bra strap lays, so I tucked my shirt under and felt better. I ran this way until shortly before meeting up with David back where we started. As I walked toward him I pulled my shirt back down straight, and he asked me, "What happened?" I looked down at my white shirt to see blood and sweat swirled around. I was surprised. I had no idea I had been bleeding. My new bra had rubbed enough to make me bleed, and I was able to sympathize with running men who have sweaty-blood driplets from their nipples.

Both the White Rock run and the Swan run were times I wish I'd had a camera. I don't do justice to the sereneness of those runs, but hopefully you've had a run just as stunning, peaceful, and full of beautiful nature. I think the White Rock trail would be perfect if it had an actual trail rather than concrete and asphalt.

So, I can't close this post without sharing a picture or two of the soccer game. It was really thrilling to see David Beckham play. If you can't spot him in the pictures, he's the one with the long-sleeved jersey. BTW, LA beat Dallas 5-1. Ouch!

Beckham Direct Free Kick (notice the time and score of the game)

Beckham on Defense

Fast and Fine

2008-06-22T09:18:00.003-05:00

In the early morning sunrise, I met Ginny and Leslie for a Greenbelt run. The air was cool and refreshing, and the dew on the greenery along the trail sparkled in the sunlight and gently splashed against us as we ran by.

I adore that trail. I don't know why more of my friends won't run the trail with me. No one fell or got lost this time, so really, why not join me? I understand the desire to stay on the road for mileage, but my goodness, it's so dull sometimes. I am so happy that there are running buddies willing to try out the trail on a Sunday morning, so I don't have to run alone. It's hard sometimes to coordinate with my running spouse, and I appreciate those friends who will switch from the Saturday pavement norm to join me in the glorious nature spectacular the Greenbelt offers.

We had some mud and puddles this time thanks to yesterday's storms. We had some enlightening conversation about right and left-brain and how your brain works while running on a trail. Fascinating! Anyone who's run on a trail knows that zoning out just can't happen, and I learned today that both sides of the brain work hard while trail running. So it's good for your soul, your body, and your mind to trail run.

We chatted the whole run and had a fun time. Ginny runs T/Th afternoon, so I told her she'd probably seen David there. She asked what he looks like, and I said, "He's fast and hot." LOL. But seriously, I never really use the word "hot" to describe anyone simply because that's not from my era (my boys use it and it's so hilarious to hear a 6 and 8-year-old describe girls as "hot"). David is hot, mind you, but I prefer to think of him as "fast and fine." You gotta say fine with a really drawn out "I"...fiiiiiine (and maybe nod your head a bit while saying it. Try it!).

The Saint is next week, and I think Leslie will join us for that fun run. We also talked about adding in a trail run at least once/month for a long run or even adding it as a secondary run during the week. If I see Lake Austin Blvd. any time soon, I think I'll yak. I get so tired of those same, tired run routes. I am sad that I missed the Grove route this week as I've never done that one (minus the trail part, of course).

Next week is also our last weekend in this house. I don't think it's quite hit me yet even though I've been packing and prepping. David's taking down the tree house. I'm a very sentimental person, and this is the house where my boys were babies. This is the house of Familyvance. It's going to be hard to say farewell to it. I am sort of hoping it's so frantic next weekend and on Monday when we close and move.

My boys got their first sunburns yesterday. I think by their age, I'd become an expert on sunburns. Joshua actually wants a sunburn. It's like riding the bus to school. It sounds so fun until you have to do it every day.

I have a "girls' only" blog topic that I want to post. I'll have to warn the men that if they read it, they might regret it! Coming soon...