A slight correction in direction…

Yesterday as I struggled to get through a bike ride, I realized it was time to adjust my bicycle goals, a slight correction in direction if you will.  It has been 10 weeks since I climbed on my bike and embarked on a regular effort to ride.  Before then my riding was spotty at best, and then there was the crash in February…



With the decision to return to the bike, I followed a strategy to ride several 12-15 mile days during  the week and increase my longer, Saturday rides by several miles a week.   The goal was to have everything come together for a 40-mile group ride on August 25 and several similar rides in the fall. The plan worked for a while, up to and including a strong 26-mile ride last Saturday.. 

Yesterday the plan called for a ride of 30-miles, only I didn’t feel it when I woke up. I was sluggish and slightly ill. Could have been the Mexican food we ate for Friday dinner or the restless night’s sleep (most likely aftermath of the food), but I felt like I had been hit by a truck.  We followed our usual Saturday plan, John left the house early to bicycle to Walland, TN  (about 27-miles) and I left 45 minutes later to meet him at the entrance to Old Walland Highway with fresh drinks and ready to ride.

I was running a few minutes late (gas gauge read E when I left the house-whoops) but it turned out to be a good thing.  All available designated parking areas and roadside shoulder parking spaces were filled with cars sporting bike racks.  Luckily, a few pulled out just as I arrived.  John was a little early which resulted in a rush with sunscreen application and drink transfer but we were on the road pretty quick. 

Mentally I had divided the ride into 3- 10 mile segments.  I focused on the  1st 10, which would take us just beyond the end of Walland Road.  Riding out was tolerable though my legs felt heavy and my mind was not focused on the task at hand.  I must have been complaining a lot because about 4-miles in, John asked if I wanted to go on or turn around.  I chose to go on.

As we neared the end of Walland Road and entered the 2nd of the 10 mile segments, some decisions had to be made... rolling hills or flat into Townsend, TN.  I chose flat, climbing would have ended the ride for me.  The Townsend police have been known to harass bicyclists so John suggested we take the greenway.  I think he was concerned about my lagging pace and possible panic in fast, heavy traffic.  Good call on his part.

As we bicycled  toward Townsend, John suddenly decided to cross 5 lanes of Highway 321 to pick up the greenway on the other side.  The frequent  hotel, restaurant and roads crossing through the greenway was driving him crazy.  We caught a brief (and somewhat scary) opening in traffic and hurried to the other side where we wound our way toward the Little River and a quiet 2-lane road that ran parallel to the highway.

At this point in the ride I knew that getting 30-miles would be difficult.  I needed more than 16 miles and we were only about 12 miles from the car.  We started doing loops on a residental street near the river until it occurred to us that the residents might think we were casing the neighborhood.  It was time to head back to the car.



The last miles were painful for me. I peddled and coasted, peddled and coasted. Somewhere around the Wesley Woods Camp driveway, where I stopped for the 2nd time in 4 miles, I realized it was time to redirect my goals. I will continue to struggle and suffer until I can increase endurance and strength so adding additional miles is pointless right now.  It was time to let go of my goal of 40-miles by the end of August. 

Coming to this decision did not make the rest of the ride easier.  I grumbled all the way to the car.  On several occasions I contemplated sending John to get the car and pick me up but my pride would not allow me to do this. As the wind picked up toward the end of the ride, John pulled in front of me.  Instead of being my protector by riding behind me or my companion and cheerleader by riding beside me, he became a life savor by pulling me back to the car….at a painfully slow pace for him.  I completed 28.25 miles, John, 55.75 miles.

I planned to take today off from exercise to formulate a training  plan (it will include dreaded hill repeats) and rest my very tired muscles, but I really couldn't sit still. I went out for a very short 1.5-mile run.  After discovering that running is not completely compatible with an aging body, I don’t run much in the way of distance these days but it was nice to get out and feel the pavement under my feet....something I am doing a little more frequently.

When Did Running Get So Complicated….

Running use to be so easy.  Shorts, shirt, a favorite pair of Asics and maybe an iPod tucked in my pocket.  There was a great freedom in the act of running and each run was a new adventure.  Somewhere along the way, running became complicated. 

I don’t know exactly when it began.  Could have been the hip problem which had me in PT for months or maybe the foot issues that left me with a falling arch but sometime in the last year, running fell off my radar.  I replaced it with lots of walking and some bicycling and didn't think so much about running.  As far as I was concerned, my body was no longer able to handle the stress.

Then last week, a couple of girls from work asked me if I wanted to do a spring triathlon with them.  None of the girls are particularly athletic so the question came as a bit of a surprise.  Sure, I said without thinking. Then I started thinking....

During the endless chatter about a tri, someone (it might have been me) suggested we do the Marine Corp Mud Run in September.  The other girls dashed to their computers to look up last year's run and with a resounding "looks like fun, let's do it as a team,"  I once again I found myself caught up in a challenge, without thinking.  At this point I should mention that there is a 40 year difference between the youngest member of our adventure team and me.  Oh, and no one my age did the Marine Corp Mud Run last year. 

So tonight I found myself surrounded by a combination of running shoes, inserts and laces, attempting to find the right combination that will allow me to run somewhat pain free.  After a few starts out the front door, I ended with discarding my old Asics, new Brooks and new flat shoe laces. For tonight anyway the perfect combination was the new inserts, old round shoe laces and fairly new Asics 2160's. 

One step at a time...

Last November, on my initial physical therapy visit for the second flare up of my piriformis muscle, my physical therapist told me, "there is a reason why most elite women runners have bodies that look like men, a man's body is more efficient for running.  You are not built like a man"...

Okay, I get it, I have wide hips, too many curves and my weight fluctuates, widely, but I do love to run!  Unfortunately, I have been on the side lines since late last summer when pain from my piriformis muscle stopped me in mid-step.

This morning was the target date for my first real run since the summer of 2011.  The run would be short, just one mile around a flat area in our neighborhood.  As it turns out, I could have picked a better weather day!  A temperature of 24 with a blustry "feels like" of 15, sent me back to my early running days when winter overdressing was the norm.  Not long into the run, I had my jacket tied around my waist.

The run went surprisingly well.  I paid careful attention to stride follow through and keeping my legs loose.  As my anxiety subsided, my labored breathing became relaxed and I enjoyed experience.  The mile went by too quickly. I could have continued on but my promise to myself and to John was to take it slow so I stopped and walked home (no hills just yet).

Providing the hip discomfort remains minimal today, I will be back at it in the morning.  One more mile...

After the run, I took the opportunity to walk around the yard. Along with the cold temperatures, we had a bit of snow last night.  Daffodil leaves are about 8" above ground now.  My initial surprise quickly subsided as I remembered that the temperatures in Knoxville have been hovering in the 50's daytime and 40's nighttime.  The daffodils are as confused as we are.  
 

Daffodil leaves in the snow

The Lenton Roses looked cold.  Buds should be forcing their way out right now but on casual glance, I did not see any.

   Lenton Roses mingle with daffodils

A moment or two spent digging leaves away from the center of a plant netted this little treasure. The season of Lenton Roses is almost here....

A giant Easter bunny and other weekend activities...

Day two into a three day weekend.  No sign of rain today, only sunshine and bright blue skies.  The temperature once again climbed to a June level, 83.  If April is this warm, I shutter to thing about June temperatures.

Yesterday we considered leaving late afternoon for a short backpack but car shopping left us drained and we ended up on the couch with John's son Lee, eating take out Friday fish fry from The Shrimp Dock.  The dinner met all our criteria for comfort food but our stomachs were grumbling later in the evening as the grease began to settle.  Friday night TV is boring so John and Lee snoozed intermittently until one discovered a show on the Galapagos. We all want to go to the Galapagos now!

This morning I lingered too long over computer and coffee and had to push myself out for a run.  It was just an around the neighborhood and home effort, legs were a bit tired from yesterday's Ijams effort, but I wanted to start the back to back to back running routine. 

I took a slightly different street home and ran into this: 

I can assure you that seeing a big bunny walking along the side of the road conjured up thoughts of Elwood and his invisible friend Harvey, but this Harvey was real life.  Then I remembered a conversation with fellow Women's Clubber, Nancy Staub, who told me her husband played the neighborhood Easter bunny every year.  Sure enough, in the bunny costume was Jim Staub who was headed to the neighborhood Easter egg hunt. 

The neighborhood association also decorates a small tree for special occasions.  Below, I present the 2011 Easter tree.

Finally, we have been car shopping again today.  We drove to Airport Honda to test drive an LL Bean package Forester we spotted two weeks ago.  Unfortunately it had been sold about two days ago so we ended up test driving a Honda CRV and a Toyota Rav4.  Game changers for us.  We liked both cars better than the Subaru's we had pretty much settled on.  Will this car shopping misery never end? 

Tonight, dinner with friends.  Now that is something to look forward to!!

Bravo...

This year I have been struggling with running on so many levels. Maybe it's reduced effort, maybe I am just getting older, but the pieces just aren't  coming together as they have in the past.  And then a day like today comes along and I realize why I keep trying.  The feeling of accomplishment that comes with a hard effort is the best! 

For the past few runs, I have been running to Ijams Nature Center, along the Will Skelton Greenway and around the parking lot at the Welcome Center. Once or twice I ventured onto the old paved trail around the old homestead but that was the extent of my trail running.  Today, determined to complete five miles (and to avoid that very nasty hill on the greenway), I detoured to the unpaved trails on the outskirts of the Ijams. 

Once I veered on the woodland trail,  I headed toward the boardwalk along the river.  The trail was mostly flat, very well groomed and an easy run. As a bonus, I caught frequent glimpses of the river.  Once on the river boardwalk, I slowed to be sure I did not miss a step up or down as the boardwalk changes levels to accommodate rocks and trees.  

Shortly past the boardwalk, the trail forks and I had to make a split decision left or right.  I chose left and immediately realized the error of my choice.  The trail began to climb immediately and steeply for .2 miles.  I walked most of the hill to be sure I still had enough to give for the run home.  During the walk I set a goal to be able to run up the hill.  It will take a bit of work!  

The run home was pleasant.  On the outskirts of Ijams, a light rain began to fall.  By the time I reached the greenway I was running in a steady rain.  Very cooling after a good effort...

Today's run

We are now into week two of car shopping.  Since the 1996 I30 has reached 500,000 miles, it is behaving like a little old person and I risk being stranded somewhere. We are looking at gently used cars and have test driven a:

Nissan Altima (boring)

Honda Element (odd)

Honda Fit (cute but really small)

Nissan Rogue (nice, like driving a sedan)

Subaru Legacy sedan (like driving a little sports car)

Subaru Forrester (a bit truck like)

Subaru Outback (another sedan type ride).  

The list has been narrowed down to a Subaru.  John is less fond of the 2009 Forrester, I like the Outback but it is slightly higher mileage and higher price AND the dashboard has a few screws implanted where someone must have mounted a GPS system. The Legacy sedan is in our price range, the right mileage and will probably be our choice.     

Getting "it" back...

Weather has been great this week, an early spring of sorts.  I would give the groundhog credit for getting it right but the temperature is dropping to the low 30's tonight and the same tomorrow night.

As a result of the favorable weather and my focus on hiking, I am running again.  The increased  activity has me thinking about where I was last year at this time and where I am today and I must say, I have a lot of work to do to get "it" back!  (Smithposts... defines "It"  as that level of fitness, endurance, focus that one needs to go the distance on a run or hike.)

Overall, I am pleased with this week's effort.  My runs were 4 miles each and the only real problem has been with my feet and ankles, they hurt. I rest 48 hours between each run and tape my feet during the run but I think this is really a matter of time and effort.  I have a backpack coming up quickly, my first in several months. I will pack my tape, wear my boot liners and hope my feet hold up for 10 miles in the mountains.     

House Mountain and Dinner at Latitude 35, Take 2...

This past Saturday morning was a casualty of poor planning.  We had had several conversations about hiking but nothing nailed down so we got distracted and ran errands.  In an effort to salvage the afternoon and arrive on time for dinner with friends, we headed back to House Mountain to hike the east side.

The weather was a little colder than perfect but it was the wind that gave us pause!  While lacing our boots up in the parking lot, we stopped to watch a stand of spindly hardwoods sway in the stiff  breeze.  About that time we heard a loud crash as a limb from one of the trees broke and fell to the ground. Not a good sign for hiking in the woods!

We hiked a short distance on the main trail before turning right on the Mountain Trail.  Shortly after turning off, we fell into the shadow of the mountain where we were protected from the wind.  Without the wind, we warmed quickly as we climbed 1600'.      

 

Another right at the end of the Mountain Trail and we were on the Mountain Crest Trail headed toward the East Overlook.  No question the east side of the mountain is the prettiest side.  Much of this side is private but the owners allow hikers to use the trails.  

We stopped at this north facing overlook and stepped into the wind.  We assume the flag is compliments of the property owners but we don't remember it being here last time we hiked this trail.

In the above photo, John is videoing the flag.  He is attempting to steady himself with his foot stance but truth be told, the wind was rolling up the mountain and over the rocks in strongs gusts. One of those gusts slammed into him and knocked him back toward the trail.

We made it to the East Overlook and took advantage of the photo op (above photo and below 2 photos).

On the way out, we stopped at the northern overlook again for a "together" photo.  We took about 5 photos and this is the best of the group.  The wind grabbed my hair and sent it flying like an airplane. 

Mountain Crest Trail

Whoops, someone pocket dialed their mother! :-)  Reception is good on the mountain

This is the video John took of the flag.  Turn up the sound  for the full effect of the wind at the north overlook.

Our evening plans included a double date with friends Sonya and Mac Cissna.  I guess we would actually call it a triple date because their son, Micah came along too. Earlier in the week we had decided to meet at Latitude 35 on Market Square Mall for dinner.  If you remember from my post several days ago, our first impression of the restaurant was good service, atmosphere and food (although we thought our meals had been sitting for a while). 

This time we were seated in the backroom in a booth overlooking the kitchen and 7 TVs, all showing the UT-Alabama basketball game.  We ordered an assortment of salads, sandwiches and a tray of salsa and chips.  The appetizer came quickly and we snacked (great spicy salsa) and watched the game.  Everyone was glued to the TVs, including the wait staff, no one could peel their eyes away. At some point Sonya leaned over the table and asked if I thought our food was sitting under the heat lamp waiting.  Indeed it was and we watch the food sit, and sit, and sit.  Finally our waiter grabbed the plates and brought them to the table. 

To sum up the evening, the food was a bit tepid. We wished it had been hot and fresh tasting but our experience was otherwise good and we enjoy the vibe of Latitude 35. The best part of the evening, our dinner companions..another great time Sonya, Mac and Micah!!  You are the best.  

Spring in January...

This morning rolled in gray and gloomy.  Sometime before 7:00, Mike Witcher our local WBIR weatherman,  flashed across the TV screen predicting ridiculous amounts of snow for much of the country.  But here in the south, he says, we will see only cooling temperatures and rain.  That's okay, because for a brief few days over the weekend, winter took a pause and we had an incredible taste of spring. 

We were out of bed early Saturday morning totally motivated to get out and enjoy the warm, sunny day.  Our first destination was House Mountain for a quick  3 mile hike to the West Overlook.  House Mountain is about about 20-25 minutes from our house and provides the opportunity to hike without taking up the entire day. a nice benefit when a person has other things to do. 

Beverly and John at the trail head

The .8-mile hike to the rock outcrop known as the West Outlook is a nice climb with switchbacks. We noticed the quaint log fences that lined some sections of the trail in disrepair and in many places, replaced with red plastic barriers (above photo-right side).

The West Outlook was crawling with Cub Scouts so we stopped a little below the rocks to take a few photos.  A stiff breeze blowing up the side of the mountain put a bit of urgency in our step as we hit the exposed rock outcrop.  We barely paused before continuing across the ridge top, down the mountain and back to our car.

                                                                      Ridge top trail

                                                        View from the West Overlook

                                            Great Smoky Mountains from the Overlook

Sometime after lunch, I decided to go for a run.  I haven't been running much recently so I knew it would be painful....it was.   I ran away from the house for several miles.  Since I am not a fan of exercise walking I knew that I would run home from the turnaround point just to avoid walking.  It worked, it always does.  The run reminded me just how much I miss doing it on a regular basis.

Evening arrived and we had some decisions to make, movie and dinner or dinner and early sleep.  Dinner and sleep won (although I really want to see The King's Speech)!! We went downtown, parked in the Market Square garage and strolled the city streets.  Everything was busy.  Crowds were waiting to get in the Bijou and the Riviera Theater.  Most restaurants had patrons sitting outside enjoying the nice weather, while others waited for a seat.  Coffee shops were busy, people strolled hand in hand, groups  chatted and laughed  and everyone seemed to enjoy the beautiful evening in downtown Knoxville.

We stopped at Latitude 35 for dinner, our first visit there.  Food, service and atmosphere were good.  This was a pleasant ending to a perfectly beautiful day.

Sunday arrived, we were up very early for early church.  Church, coffee, visit with my parents and lunch with the family and it was mid afternoon.  We struggled with our afternoon activity and finally settled on a greenway ride.      

                    John unloading our bikes in the parking lot across from the Lady Vols rowing center

An incredible number of people were out enjoying yet another spring day.  We must have seen a hundred people (and some dogs) walking, running and riding bicycles.  While we thought it fantastic that so many were out, it was hard to dodge and weave through the crowds.  We rode from the waterfront to Bearden and back and returned home to get ready for the week ahead.   

All good things much come to an end and this morning's gray weather arrived too quickly.  That's okay though, it's not time for spring yet, we are only 6 weeks past the winter solstice. But what a memory we will have of the last weekend in January when, just for a brief moment, we caught a glimpse of  spring 2011.   

A longish run...

With vacation a little more than halfway over, I finally have a day to myself.  No appointments, no places to be, just doin' what I want to do!  Yeah!  I like these days!  

I planned my longish run for this morning for the reasons noted above.   The term longish refers to my goal of completing 10k and because the 13-mile runs I logged about this time last year are a distant memory.  As usual when the weather turns cool, I tend to overdress the first few times out.  This morning was no exception, the temperature was 46 ish and the sky overcast...looked cold to me.  Not long before my lightweight fleece vest was scrunched around my waist.

During the summer, when I am fighting the heat and humidity, I tend to forget what pure joy running can be.  No equipment needed, just simple body movement, one foot in front of the other.  This week has been dedicated getting that feeling back.  Today, as I commanded my feet to move across the pavement, my senses seemed to be heightened.  I could see the reds, gold and browns of fall, smell the damp earth and leaves and feel the intermittent rain that fell through much of my run. I was happy to be in the moment, feeling my body work through the miles.   While not every run is this good, I took advantage of this one.  I reached my 10k goal and kept going a bit, just because I could.   

Running (and bicycling) again...

I mostly enjoy my job but I am on vacation this week...off, out of the office, gone fishing. Reminiscent of the good parts of unemployment, I can sleep late, linger over coffee and facebook and watch Ellen on TV. Vacation also offers me an opportunity to refocus on running.  

Many times on this blog I have voiced my difficulties with running in heat.  I count my success by how late in the season I can run before putting away my running shoes. This year I actually suffered through August without completely throwing in the towel.  Good girl I thought, you made it through the worst of summer. But my success was short lived.  September arrived with back to back to back above 90-degree days.  Every evening the weatherman ticked off another sweltering day.  When the long, hot, dry month finally shriveled away, we were one "above 90-degree day" short of the all time record and my running shoes were in the closet.  I had lost my motivation, my mojo, I quit caring about the run.

Then a wonderful thing happened, the weather changed, fall arrived and I started thinking about running again. I laced up my running shoes and hit the road last week, it felt good.  This week, so far, has been great!  Yep, that vacation thing again.  I linger over coffee and facebook, then head out.  Running like this is comfortable, relaxed and fun.  It has been and will continue to be a bit of a rebuilding process.  Next week, when I return to work, I am going to have to find the discipline to slip out of bed in the cold, dark hours of the early morning instead of turning off the alarm for more sleep.  But I have hope and I have goals again.

With the onset of cool weather, I also pulled out my bicycle.  I have only  been on the bike a couple of times this year and last week proved a bit uncomfortable for my rump.  While I favor running, I am better on the bicycle, faster, more confident. I am trying to decide whether to abandon my 18 year old Trek 1400 for something shiny and new.  The answer should be easy but the investment is big and if I am not going to ride regularly, then the money is wasted... 

Running thoughts...

We are back from a wonderful trip to Boone and Blowing Rock.  Today is a holiday, which translates to an opportunity to run at a reasonable am hour. Getting outside at 8:00 AM was easy with the cool temperature beckoning.  As I start to run, my mind drifts to Saturday's effortless run and I hope day will be the same.  Five miles is my day's goal.  A month ago, I would have considered five miles a short run, today it is an effort.  As my feet move quickly across the pavement below me,  I contemplate the heat and humidity that contributed to derailing my efforts to run a fall marathon.  Some day maybe I will move beyond the issues that hold me back.

Run finished, another five miles on the books.

Hello August...

After working 1/2 day last Saturday and looking forward to the same for the next 2 Saturdays, I wanted, no needed, to sleep in on Saturday. Unfortunately I am not a particularly late sleeper and John was stirring around by 6:30 AM preparing for his 60+ mile bike ride. So around 7:15 AM I found myself awake and in the kitchen wondering why John hadn't pushed the brew button on the coffee pot before he left. Ah, nice quiet time to lounge in my jammies, drink coffee and and catch up on blog posts. Okay, not exactly. I hear baby Dunlap moving around upstairs and I scrambled to get some shorts and a t-shirt on before the kid is permanently scared by seeing me in a night gown.

After a couple hours of undisturbed time on the computer, it was run time. Saturday should have been a longer run, but, with rain threatening, I decided to put it off until Sunday and went out for a short effort. On the way out, I stuffed my camera in my pocket in case the private plane that had flown head first into the river early last week (pilot is okay) had not been removed. It had.

A few rain drops started to fall as I ran by the airport, then more drops and finally a downpour. I found a temporarily dry spot under some large oak trees, checked to be sure my cell was in a plastic bag, took a photo and ran home.

Since I did not get a chance to photo the plane before it was lifted out of the TN River, I borrowed this one from the WVLT website. The white cloth floating around the plane is a parachute. Fortunately, the plane was too close to the river so the parachute, while deployed, was not needed. The current speculation is that wind and weather in the area may have played a role in the crash.

John drove into the driveway just as the rain really broke loose.  He was pleased with the 60 mile group ride from Maryville through Townsend, around the Cades Cove loop and back to Maryville. Apparently a big (12 person) turnout with lots of friendly competition. Rain continued for a good part of the afternoon  and we lounged about doing nothing in particular.

We headed to Chaiyo's Thai and Sushi restaurant for dinner.  One of our favorite types of food is Thai and Chaiyo's is truly the best Thai food in Knoxville. Located on James Agee Street, the restaurant lies in the heart of the University campus and since most of the students on break right now, this was the perfect weekend night to grab a nearby parking spot and enjoy a quiet, intimate meal.  We ordered too much... soup, chicken sticks, vegetable rolls and Panang Curry but managed to eat every bite and sop up the last of the curry sauce with an extra scoop of rice.  Both of us waddled back to the car, holding our stomachs, complaining about eating too much but smiling big.

Sunday morning arrived and like it or not, it was time to do a longer run. I am struggling with my long runs right now, the heat and humidity are kicking my butt.  After yesterday's rain, the humidity was heavy! A thick cloud cover kept the sun at bay but there was no hint of a breeze.  As usual, I ran the first miles through the neighborhood.  Somewhere near the downtown airport, a car full of burly guys slowed to a stop and rolled down a window.  A cloud of marijuana smoke poured from the open window and one the guys asked if there was a good place to eat nearby. Really?!  I know I run slow but do I look like I want to stop and chat about restaurants?  I mumbled something about turning around and heading downtown and went on.

Eventually I arrived at the waterfront and my favorite running reward, the Coke machine.  I run with a $ bill just for this purpose.  Small problem, today the machine would not take my bill.  In a panic, I pulled my cell out of it's plastic bag and dialed 577-JOHN.  I kept running while he got a Coke and drove down to the landing to meet me.  Coke consumed, John went home and I kept running.

The last couple of miles were tough but I made my 10-mile goal.  As I said a few paragraphs ago, my running has suffered recently.  Last night John and I had a long talk about my running goals and ability to achieve them.  He is so encouraging but I am struggling with some real confidence demons, he cannot do the work for me...

And the heat goes on...

With June on record as the hottest month to date, we have slipped into July and are on the way to breaking another record. Our yard is a parched desert desperately in need of some hydration. Last night we received the first good soaker in some weeks, a couple of inches or so the weatherman reports. The garden water gauge collaborates his story but our yard is not looking much better.

My after work plan was to take it indoors and run on the gym treadmill but at the last moment I changed my mind and decided to run the large hill near our home. The humidity was so high I felt like I was drowning with each breath. Thunder rumbled across the sky threatening rain at any moment. I set a couple of water bottles on the sidewalk but I noticed several people walking dogs by the bottles and worried the dogs would lick the condensation off the sides. Aware that every dog's tongue is used as toilet paper I found the thought disturbing and spent too much effort keeping an eye on my water bottles. Sad, I know...

Fives times of up and down was enough hill work for me. I headed around the boulevard for a lap or so and ran home sweet home where the AC was blasting!! Ahhhhh...

Sunset run...

With heat and humidity settling in for the summer, I am testing different times to get my run in while minimizing my misery. Monday and Tuesday I ran directly after work, it was hot and unpleasant but doable. Tonight, something new. After dinner, I took a 15 minute nap to shake post work exhaustion then left the house about 8:15 PM for a run.

The sun had started to slip near the horizon, clouds partilly obscured the sky and the humidity was brutal. I slogged around our neighborhood, listening to the evening insect calls, smelling mimosa blossoms and enjoying the peacefulness of the summer night. About halfway through the run, I headed toward the Downtown Knoxville Airport and discovered this sight...

Humidity and the warm water resulted in a low level fog on the river. I called John (yes I was talking and running), who is occasionally willing to act as my paparazzi. He grabbed the camera, jumped in the car and met me at the waterfront. As soon as the short photo session ended, we went our separate ways, me to finish my run and John back home. Such a lovely night in the neighborhood...

Farmers Market opening...

Nice, 6 mile loop run downtown and back. The weather was quite pleasant and the Market Square Farmers Market was in full swing. My route took me along on Union Avenue and through the middle of the market. Lots of people and vendors out. After spotting some fine looking lettuce and other late spring vegetables, I decided to head back post run to do some shopping.

Filled my shopping bag with flowers for the table, daisies for the front garden, lots of fresh lettuce, radishes, chard, green onions, fresh baked bread and local artist note cards. So glad the Farmers Market is back for the summer!

Too hot for May...

John called from work early this morning to tell me the day was heating up quickly, a not so subtle attempt to push me out the door. But as usual on my day off, I sat around drinking coffee and wasting time on the computer until the temp had risen to "a little uncomfortable".

I get frustrated at myself at times cause I struggle so with motivation. It doesn't matter how many solid weeks/months I have been running, I can fall off the wagon at a moments notice. But today was a good day and I got myself out. The heat and humidity were a real wake up to the upcoming summer season but I got through a nice 6 miler with only minor struggles. I like successful days!

The Month of February...

The entire month of February has slipped by without a post so I am slightly back dating this one. Lots of busyness going on!

At the beginning of the month, I started a new job. The job will be part-time but the month long training period has been full-time and I must say, full-time is not nearly as much fun as not working! Every weeknight in February, I have come home exhausted. John and I fell into a comfortable nightly pattern, I watch while he cooks. He has a remarkable talent for making a meal from leftovers that I have written off. Later each evening, after a small measure of energy returns, I do kitchen cleanup. This pattern seems to suit us well and may spill into......next month, the rest of our lives??!

With the full-time hours, running has really taken a hit. Weekend 13 mile runs in early January have fizzled to 6-7 mile efforts. Weekday runs are almost non-existent. I plan to renew my efforts with the upcoming part-time schedule. That includes finding the discipline to get myself out of bed around 5:15 ish to run before work. You can see from the above paragraph what happens to my evenings.

Here are a bunch of pictures from the month:

Valentines Day was pretty special at our house. While many women profess happiness that their guy did not send flowers for the big day, I profess happiness that my guy did...12 long stem yellow and red roses (my favorite). Beautiful huh!

Valentine's Day also means dessert at our house. I brought home an ice cream cake from Marble Slab,

while John brought home an assortment of chocolate covered cherries and strawberries from South's Finest Chocolates. These are special occasion staples in our 10 year history. We brought home our first box shortly after our first date.

Sometime during the month I baked a bunch of pumpkin cranberry walnut bread. Fresh cranberries are hard to find around here this time of year so a few weeks ago, when I found them at our local Earth Fare, I grabbed a bag. The only problem was, I didn't know what to do with them. As I watched the berries start to go mushy, it occurred to me that I had a can of pumpkin in the cabinet. The result...pumpkin meets cranberries and walnuts.

We have several backpacks lined up this year and I confess to not hiking since September 2009. For the past two weekends I have jogged and walked the trails at Ijams Nature Center. The bank of Lenten Roses is in bloom and the winter quiet is nice. My mother has fond memories of birdwatching and volunteering at Ijams Nature Center. I took the photos for her.

Bank filled with Lenten Roses. This can only mean that spring is around the corner!

Finally, about this time each year, we remember that the house lies in a migratory bird flight pattern. In particular, our oak tree at the bottom of the driveway and and two river birch trees on either side of our sidewalk. The other day, I walked outside to discover this:

Which resulted in a trip to the drive through car wash and this interesting piece of sudsy art:

Back to the run…

Unlike most people who run to relieve stress, I found that running during the two weeks before my wedding just added stress, so I didn’t. I am a slow runner and the best I can figure is that as I ran, my mind went to the X task I could be completing in the time it tasks me to run X miles and it wouldn’t let go. I am sure there is a lesson about mental training and discipline in here somewhere.

So, last week was all about returning to a normal running schedule. Going from 0 to where I was 2 weeks ago was not quite as easy as I expected. Before the wedding I was doing some long runs with the Knoxville Marathon training group but decided to get out on my own for a week or two to build back my mileage (no, I do not currently plan to run the marathon). The Strawberry Plains 1/2 marathon is 3-4 weeks away and I am considering this race.

The weather last week was great and I ran my long run on Saturday, 10 miles. With the discovery of Cliff Shot Blocks, Lemon-Lime, my energy level stayed higher and I felt good for most of the run. But I am still struggling a bit with the mental piece, especially when a runner flies by me like I am standing still. This week’s weather has turned cold, rainy and snowy. I am hoping for an okay day on Saturday for a 12-miler.

It's freezing outside...

We had a little bit of snow yesterday, not much but enough to frighten the masses and shut down the school system. Our temps have been below freezing for 9 days in a row, 12 consecutive days would break the city record. I am okay with missing this record!

I am taking a running hiatus this week. Got out Monday, no problem but didn't get very far on my Tuesday run. I thought running would help reduce some stress but ended up feeling burned out and more stressed. We have been rushing to take care of some things and my focus is off. I decided to rest my body, finish my stuff and hope it will help clear my head so I can get back to a long run next week. .

Snow flurries...

It flurried most of the day, sometimes light, sometimes heavy but the snow didn't stick. We are anticipating flurries for the next few days with possible accumulation on Thursday and Friday.

I got out early for a short 5k run. The temperature hovered around 19 F and the flurries looked like thousands of diamonds falling from the sky. It was great just being outside but my muscles are still a bit sore from Friday's long run.