Heat and the Hill

This morning I got up a little earlier than usual to run. I wanted to get out before the heat became unbearable. How silly of me! With the temperature already above 80 degrees, high humidity, and a code red air quality the day started unbearable.

When I opened the door, the furnace blast hit me; I began to sweat and Zoe began to pant instantly. I figured we may as well get it over with - it won't be pretty but it has to get done.

Before I got to Lincoln Park I was soaked and Zoe was none to enthusiastic about the work out. But I kept cheering her on and before I knew it we were at the fountains. She jumped right in and I could see the disappointment on her face. Wondering what could possibly be disappointing about the fountain when you're a water dog, I dipped my hand in and felt why - it was WARM. Not exactly the chance to cool her paws it usually is. She took a couple of gulps and jumped out as quickly as she jumped in.

She was mildly revived by the hydration and bossed me down the hill to where we turn around.

And head UP hill.

I've spoken of running Capitol Hill before. It's on our regular route and an important part of my run as it's the only hill I regularly run.

Today it was Capitol Hell. Seriously, it was damn hot and where Zoe will normally encourage me up the hill, I practically had to DRAG her up it. Nothing like a little 65 lb. resistance in your workout! Ugh. We were running, as usual, along the south side of Independence Ave and as I ran I stared longingly at the other side of the street - the sprinklers were on and soaking the sidewalk. I just didn't have enough energy to cross the street! Besides, it would have required stopping for traffic and breaking your stride mid-hill is the kiss of death - even more so in the heat. So I chugged along pulling Zoe wondering why I hadn't crossed the street at the bottom of the hill and praying we'd reach the top.

Of course we reached the top - we always do. And once it's passed us, it never feels as bad as I was thinking while running it. I suppose the hill is often difficult just because I'm THINKING it is. I guess I only have one more chance to be challenged by the Hill before the move.

Bring it on.

Running as Therapy

Some people think runners are crazy. I beg to differ. I think runners are some of the most sane people I know because running is a kind of therapy.

I know for me it works wonders. And John Bingham talks about it as Physical Therapy in this article (though he actually touches on the mental benefits as well).

With the impending move, I've found getting out of bed to run a far easier thing to do than it has been in the past. As Zoe and I run along, I can feel the stress leaving my body. It's almost like I leave it in my wake. And by the time we return to the house, I feel calmer than I had even upon waking.

I don't know why it works for me. Maybe the stress or whatever toxic feeling I'm experiencing leaves the body with the other toxins as I sweat. Maybe it has to do with reflexology and I'm actually massaging some areas of my foot that benefit my mood. Maybe it's just the steady pounding of my feet that hypnotizes me into feeling chill. Ultimately, I don't care why it works, just that it does.

What Bingham said about climbing a hill is very true for me. Capitol Hill, along Independence Ave, is my regular "hill" and I can often judge my mental and emotional state, as well as my physical one, on how I take the hill. Do I attack it? Is it easy to get up the hill or am I begging for Zoe's help the entire way? When I finish, am I sucking wind or easily moving toward home? The best part of the hill, is that while I'm running it, it's the only thing on my mind. Everything else takes a back seat until I'm all the way up and running at my regular pace.

I think I'll have to give the "all out" (which I usually do at the very end of the run - my so-called kick) a try. See if I can't run harder every now and then. Remove me from my comfort zone.

If it brings peace of mind, the hard way is the right way.

The Next Day

Well, the final Margarita Monday was terrific - 3 pitchers, queso, guacamole, bean dip, salsa and a stunning night. My friends and I certainly enjoyed the evening.

I might be paying for it today. I have had a small headache all day - which might be due to the tequila, or might not. I had wild dreams all night - which might be due to the tequila, or might not. I clenched my jaw all night - which might be due to the dreams, or might not.

Regardless, it wasn't a happy start to the day.

I did, however, get up and RUN. I figured it couldn't hurt to purge my body of the toxins - alcoholic and non.

So Zoe and I took our usual route down East Capitol to the Congressional Fountains, up Capitol Hill, and back on Independence Ave. It wasn't a bad run per se, but Zoe's heart wasn't in it. It was warm and muggy . . . and though I've been running on vacation, she hasn't! So she's out of practice. Yet she's a trooper and hung in there. She managed to pick up her pace near the fountains and chasing a squirrel, but the rest of the run she plodded along behind me panting away.

Well, perhaps there are more toxins in me than I care to admit as I'm still pushing through with this mild headache. Ugh.

I'm hopeful that a quiet evening of laundry, closet cleaning, and packing will ease the headache. And perhaps, ease the stress for a more restful evening so that tomorrow will be a better day.

Beach Comber

So I've been away on the annual family vacation . . . to Hampton Beach, NH. It's the largest stretch of beach on New Hampshire's mere 18 miles of coastline. We've been going there since I was born . . . and even before that! My mother was taken there as a child with her family. So three generations have been going back there almost every summer for sun, sand, and sea.

The good news is I managed to get three runs in while there. Two with my brother, one with my nephew (sort of . . . he's so damn fast). It was good to have the company and it's a place of many memories, so I'm never bored as I jog along.

The weather was really stunning. Not too hot and always a sea breeze to keep me cool. Of course, the first run it was more like a head wind and I was pretty miserable on the trip back because of it, but I can't complain - it kept me cooler.

It's fun to watch the day start on the beach. Things are still pretty quiet (even on the 4th) and you see regulars with their coffee and doughnuts from Dunkin' Doughnuts (yup, Starbucks is a rare find up there) sitting on benches enjoying the morning air.

The days I didn't run I took long walks along the beach or lazed in a sand chair and read. The water is way too cold for me to swim . . . which is too bad because I would love to get out there and ride the waves with my nieces and nephews. ALAS! I'm a wimp.

So now I'm back and have two weeks before the big move and will need to release some stress through running. Tonight is margarita Monday, but I've been known to get out there running even after enjoying my share of a pitcher. So, I'm going to have to grin and bear the heat and humidity of DC. Not every day is a beach day!

Rain Rain Rain

Okay, so it's raining right now. A LOT. There's flooding everywhere.

And that meant no weekend run for me. Go ahead and call me wimp . . . the rain won't kill me . . . I'm not the wicked witch and I won't melt.

But I rarely enjoy running in torrential downpours. So I won't or don't.

Fortunately, I'm off to the beach this weekend and will hopefully do some running with my nephew and brother.

Keep your fingers crossed the sun shines!

I'm BAAAAAAAAAAAAACK

No really. I am!

I am running regularly again. I even ran this morning after drinking margaritas last night. And it feels GOOD.

I am not distracted . . . well, that's not entirely true because I got a job that's taking me away from DC for a year . . . but the distractions are manageable enough to keep running. In fact, the running helps get rid of the panicky feeling I get regularly due to this new job. And Zoe has been running with me and though it is getting hotter, she seems okay with joining me for now, so we're getting out there three days a week.

So . . . hang in there with me one and all.

And forgive me for not running a marathon this year. I just can't make it happen. I was hoping to run Tucson, but the new job will make that travel difficult. So I think I'm going to focus on half marathons this fall. I might be able to make a spring marathon happen . . . time will tell. But for now I'm looking at the Chicago Half Marathon (maybe with my nephew and brother) and some other half marathons in the mid-west.

Don't despair . . . I'll run #7 in 2007.

Springing into Action

Today I ran down to the Lincoln Memorial and back. I'm guessing it was in the vicinity of a 10 mile run. It felt really good and it was a beautiful morning to be out and about in DC. I think spring has FINALLY, fully arrived.

Spring is the best time of year in DC. Hands down, the best. The weather is amazing - sunny but not hot and everything is in bloom. The cherry blossoms run their brief course and all of the trees are blossoming. I could smell the honeysuckle and other spring fragrances along my route. Just a glorious morning.

The National Mall was abuzz with student groups and tourists . . . and there were groups I believe rallying for immigration rights there, too, as well as a movie being shot! Yes, it seems when the weather improves, the city becomes more alive and exciting. Everybody is springing into action.

Even I was participating in my own small way. Running along the Mall path I joined other runners and walkers. In this weather, you see a lot more than your ususal die-hard runners outside and it's kind of nice. Spring brings with it promise and hope - promise of even warmer, sunnier days and time to play outside and the hope that new beginnings can create.

When I got home, I joined the kitty and dogs out back in the garden. My tulips are stunningly beautiful right now and it was so lovely to stretch in the sun and enjoy all the color around me. The kitty loves playing among the flowers and stalking the flies and bees. The dogs just enjoy sunning themselves. After stretching I sipped my green tea . . . I've given up coffee (another blog about THAT down the road) . . . and enjoyed my breakfast of yogurt and buckwheat pancakes (leftover from yesterday) with peanut butter and banana. Being able to spend the mornings in the garden now makes getting up less of a hardship. Not that I'm jumping out of bed with a smile on my face, mind you, but it is easier to run and I am happy to enjoy the sunshine and the flowers in my cool down.

And as the 1/2 marathon approaches, I have hope that the season will inspire me to spring into action more often!

Time Flies and Good-byes

So . . . two weeks have flown by and I am happy to say I have managed to get in some running. I ran 8 miles last weekend and probably the same this weekend.

I say probably because I was back on the boardwalk and increased my distance, but the mileage is just a guess as I only based it on time.

I've talked a great deal about time in this blog - from a runner's viewpoint. How is it different in the "real world?"

I'm not sure it is. I've noticed, as a runner, if I get caught up in my time then I tend to run less effectively. I think when I get caught up with time in my personal life, I live less effectively.

This weekend I was with the boy - our last weekend together until August as he must go away for work (What kind of work you ask? He could tell us but then he'd have to kill us - hahaha). I spent part of the weekend thinking about him being gone - for four months - and found myself not enjoying the fact that he was still there, with me, for the whole weekend.

Funny that.

I imagined how LONG four months will feel. How lonely I'll be. How much I'll miss him and how many fun things we'll miss.

I'm convinced that focusing on time only makes it go by that much slower. It does when I run - if I watch my watch. But if I just note the time when I leave and the time when I get back, I'm surprised by how fast it went by.

So in the real world I need to apply my running knowledge. I shouldn't "count the days" or they will feel like years. If I enjoy my time with friends, running, work, etc. the four months will race by. And before I know it, good-bye will be hello.

On the Boardwalk

Yesterday, I ran on the boardwalk at Ocean City. What a spectacular morning! What a spectacular weekend!

What a tease, really though. By week's end it might snow says my co-worker and arm chair meteorologist. At least I got my running in - not one but two mornings.

Of course, I spoke to my brother today and he's running about 4 - 5 days/week. ACK. I'm positively sloth-like in my approach to this 1/2 marathon by comparison. SIGH. Well, to each his own.

There's something special about running on the beach. The sound of the waves is soothing and manages to boost me up with its tireless motion. Depending on where you run, there truly is "no finish line" as ahead of you is always room to run. Most times, there is a breeze to keep you cool. Time ceases to exist in that environment and when you've finished, you marvel at how EASY it was to run your distance.

Zoe ran with me - she loves running on the beach, too. There are seagulls to chase, waves to swim in, and sand to roll on. She becomes a puppy again where we're seaside.

Perhaps that's it for me, too. The beach is a place (regardless of PLACE) that reminds me of my childhood. Many summer days were spent on the New Hampshire coast playing in the sea and sand and goofing off at the boardwalk. So perhaps all of my mental and emotional images of the beach are joyful and care-free (or BAGGAGE FREE).

Of course running is easy when you're feeling LIGHT and JOYFUL. So it's time to embrace the boardwalk in all of my running routes.

Best Times

One of Team Tegla forwarded this to me yesterday. I was surprised I hadn't read it myself, yet, but was so happy to have taken my own trip down memory lane.

Like John Bingham, I had a "best time" in Honolulu - just in a different way. I went my fabulous friends, ran with my terrific teammates, surfed, sailed, ate and drank on probably the best vacation I've ever had. All this with no official time result to due a malfunctioning chip. And yet, I had a BEST TIME.

As I learn to embrace running as a life-style instead of something I have to do, I find this trip down memory lane to be a great reminder of what racing can be for me. FUN.

I'm happy to say I ran today. I didn't have to, but I did. It felt great - in spite of the chilly air the sun was shining, Zoe joined me quite happily, and I even managed a few chipper hellos to fellow runners. Normally, I'm lucky to raise my hand in a little wave. Why the change? I don't know. Perhaps my attitude adjustment has commenced. Perhaps I'm learning to embrace running as a ZEN experience instead of needing to prove or accomplish something.

So hopefully this is the beginning of my "training." And will lead to many more "best times."