Whistling in the Dark... Plus a Random Photo of the Week

I've been feeling really disconnected from running lately. It's hard to describe, and I'm not sure what's causing it, but I feel all out of sorts. I guess it could be because I'm not running on a regular schedule, and I've been running laps in the park, instead of around the neighborhood. I don't know, I just feel... "off", for lack of a better term. I can't believe the time is really here when I'm doing all my 10k's. I just don't feel as good about it as I had hoped. Part of the weirdness is from my knee pain, but I think some of it comes from my apprehension about the changing seasons. Earlier in the year, before the weather got really hot, I worried about how I would adjust, and I guess I'm feeling that same sort of thing. This is the first time in my life that I've actually been an outdoor runner on a long term basis. Last year I ran for a couple of months in the spring, but when it got hot, I went back to the elliptical machine in the air-conditioned basement. And several years back (the only other time that I've really done any running), I had a gym membership and only ran on a treadmill- never outside- so the changing seasons didn't factor in.

Even though it's PayDay and I had to be to work earlier, and even though I knew it would be dark, I decided that I had to run this morning, and not just flat laps around the park. I was a little nervous, because I don't really have the gear to run in the dark. My shoes are reflective and my new running capris are reflective on the sides (yes I forgot to mention that I bought them last weekend at the Nike outlet up in Park City- I love them!), but other than that, I just made sure to wear a light-colored top. But I was also worried about sidewalk cracks and sprinklers. It was pretty chilly this morning (low 50's), but it was nice, especially once the blood was pumping. I headed out on my regular 4-mile loop. About 10 or 12 minutes into the run it started getting light, so it eased my fears. But I wasn't sure what to expect with the run itself. I did my usual 5-min warm-up of brisk walking, then changed to running. It was weird how as soon as I started running, that old, familiar (comfortable) feeling came back.

I won't lie and say that the run was easy, because it was still pretty rough. I started a bit too fast, so my breathing was kind of labored, my legs felt really heavy (although my feet felt great!), I didn't have any water so my mouth was really dry toward the end, and of course my knee was hurting. And yet, I still managed to run the whole way between warm-up and cool-down (about 3.5 miles). I really need to find some kind of strap/band to wear above my knee because I think it will help with the pain (especially for my races). I would order one online (Melanie recommended the PattStrap), but I definitely wouldn't get it in time for this Saturday. I checked a couple of stores and nobody had the right kind. I think they might have one at the running store by my house so hopefully I'll have time to check there tonight (my main conflict is that I have a eye appointment at 6:00 and the running store closes at 7:00). My run ended up being 4.12 mi in 41:45, so definitely not my fastest run, but not horrible either.

About the race on Saturday, I found someone to run it with me. Well, I'm pretty sure she's a faster runner than me, so we won't technically be running together, but we'll be going to the race together. She's the wife of a guy that works with the Hubs. I've only met her once before, but she's really nice. They're also trying to get pregnant, and she hooked me up with free prenatal vitamins. Tomorrow after work I'll be picking up our race packets. I'm excited because this will be my first officially timed race, with an actual timing chip. 

Saturday night is our first home football game, and we might go to the State Fair (or maybe go another day, I don't know). We would have gone to the fair today, since it's only $2 on the first day, but I have my eye appointment, so that won't work (boo!). Either way, it will be a busy weekend.

So now for the Random Photo. This one is really random, and there's not really a story to go along with it. I just have to clarify, though, my hair is not short in this picture. The scarf is wrapped around my neck, with my hair underneath, so it just looks short. If you look closely at the picture, under my right arm, you can see stray strands of hair. I've had long hair since 1997 (can you say 'hair rut'?). The only time I've done more than trim it was last November when I cut 6 inches off, and it still goes to my waist. I was slightly traumatized by the experience, and won't be cutting my hair anytime soon (but it does need to be trimmed baaad!).

Anyway, the thing that I wanted to talk about in this picture is my husband's funny facial hair. He grows facial hair very easily (he gets 5 o'clock shadow by lunch time), so he experiments a lot. This picture is from Nov 2003 (wow, that was a long time ago), and it might have been right after we went to the monster truck show, but I'm not sure. The Hubs gets a kick out of doing new and different things with his facial hair, and I'm fine with that, because it makes me laugh. He usually pulls weird faces for pictures, too, but in this one he actually looks normal. Although I realized that he sort of looks chubby because of the way his shirt is bunched up- and he is sooo not. He was probably about 135 in that picture (and he's 5'9"!). He has broad shoulders, so it's very deceiving- he has really skinny legs (total opposite of my body, ha ha- I have narrow shoulders, and not-skinny legs).

I guess that's all for today. I swear there was something else I was going to write about, but it has escaped me, and this is long enough, so I'll just end it. BTW, I didn't have time to do abs this morning because of my run, so I'll do it tonight- you need to hold me to it!!! Please, I need your help! I'm supposed to be setting the example.

(Did anyone get the They Might Be Giants reference in the title?)