10 Miler

A few pictures I took along the way.

1. I tuck my key under my shoelaces. I know there has to be a better way.
2. I tried out this drink from Odwalla --> “Protein Monster.” I cut it with soya milk because it was too sweet!
3. I see a Ferris wheel in the mall parking lot.
4. On the first lap, there were a lot of runners. I figure they were with some running group – not a race, as they had no race bibs on. A few had CamelBaks on – so I guess they were out for awhile.
5. My little white truck – to take me home!

Thankful For:

1. No rain.
2. Seeing other runners – I run alone.
3. The cheery disposition of the RunRunLive podcast. Thanks Chris
4. The Americano on my way home.
5. My body – for taking me again, on another journey.

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Make Up Miles

Just looking over past running data and discovered I’ve run about 12 miles LESS than last year. (No excuses!)
For some reason I thought I was covering more miles. This years total = 174 miles
I need to slot in a few extra runs to bump up this total.
Race day is not far off and I soooo want to keep my time of under 2 hrs!
Beautiful run today – daffodils in the sunshine and the smell of fresh cut grass!
Hope you are having a great day too!

Graph from Breaking The Tape

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More Than a Hello

Near the end of my Saturday run, I passed by another fellow human. He was working his way down the sidewalk; I was cruising - homeward bound.
He said, “Hello - How is your day?” Mummified – I blurted out “OK.”
Didn’t he see I was running – I couldn’t just stop and tell him the infinite details of my marvelous life!
In a flutter of seconds – I passed him.
Then I felt ashamed.

But first let me tell you about him.
He looked about my age perhaps a smidge older – dressed in a suit and tie. He was walking very awkwardly on crutches. As I did a quick scan, (runners are very good at this) I noticed he had special shoes on. Made of black polished leather. The left shoe had a 3 inch sole lift on it.
In a flutter of seconds – I passed him.
Then I felt ashamed.

I quietly asked myself - how was his day going… Was it his first walk on a new leg? Had he been born with a handicap? Or was he walking slowly because he was in extreme pain – recovering from surgery or perhaps a car crash.
The only thing I know for sure is that I should have stopped and talked to this stranger.
If you have a chance - read this related post at Life 2.0
[Blogging's Hidden Jewel]

“Almost everybody avoided his eye and darted off. One or two people looked at him warily. Nobody said 'hello '…

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Listen to the Seasons

The Fall is here, but where cold, blustery weather should have been this morning, a mild day with sunshine appeared. (Trust me, if you live in the Northwest and it’s November – you pay attention to the weather.)

Today’s run along Beacon Drive...

I am thankful for long winding country roads
with no traffic.


I am thankful for sunshine
and happiness.


I am thankful that each footstep
I take – I am not alone.


I am thankful for all the years
I’ve been able to run.
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Grateful Because

Amanda of Run to Finish blog has been posting a daily gratitude at the end of her regular blog posts.
A simple idea, but very effective way of getting us to focus on the good things in our life.
Today on my run I witnessed three people who were not so fortunate...

When I do track work – > I take my cap off. It gets too hot!
I tossed it on top of the covered garbage can. On Lap 8 I notice two guys digging through that garbage can! (Looking for bottles I assume.) One guy was holding my favorite yellow cap in his hand. 00 He spotted me running towards them and yelled out, "Is this your hat?." I said, ”yeah!” But I felt like saying, “Hey – that’s my hat, I paid for it, leave it alone!” He gave a friendly wave and set it down. They could have taken it – I would not have followed.

Then, as I worked my way home – cooling down, I spot a body ahead on the edge of the road. I think, “OMG – I have to do CPR before my morning cup of coffee.” As I get closer – I note his color is good and he’s breathing. He has a garbage bag and a mat under him, a knapsack for a pillow. He is asleep.

November 08, 2008 - I am grateful I have a warm, soft place to sleep (even when I can’t sleep) and a yellow cap to keep to rain out of my eyes.

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