Official

This is an update from yesterday.




I can now officially say I completed my own personal challenge of 88 miles in August.
Carry on.
TT

It's just addition

I don't get it. It doesn't add up. Close, but no cigar.
It says top, middle center: GOAL COMPLETED

This is the display I received after my run this morning. It's the goal I set to run 88 miles in August on my Nike+ application. It it saying I already completed the goal but I haven't.

Above is the total for my month of August including this mornings run. I'm not sure how 85.7 miles equals 88 miles. It is even displaying the kilometers in the goal (137.93406677246094 = 85.7)  so it knows I haven't hit 88 miles yet. So, what is going on? I get extra credit? For what...I'm at a loss. Is it for showing up?

In any case,  I'll hit my accurate mark this month even if the program goal can't keep up with me. In fact, I'll go beyond my mark before the month is over. I guess it's a good way to keep motivation going.  Look! You've hit your mark and there is still time! Keep coming back to the site! Maybe. shrug. Could be. Possibly. Did they not think a runner could do simple math? Ah well, I guess I should take whatever I can get if it's in my favor. Maybe they just want me to Go for more. How could I not? I've got five days left!
TT

Taking mental inventory

Runner's Haven was heavenly this morning. I took myself up and out for an 8-miler at the place I'd rather go on an early Saturday morning for a run than any other. I arrived at 7:30 which was within my target time of between 7:00 and 7:30. I told myself I was ready, but as I looked up and out at the scenery I was a little apprehensive.  I have been nervous about getting to this 8 mile marker. The past two weekends I've only been able to push hard to get to seven. I had to move past that. I've been twiddling and twisting my anxiety into knots like I was wringing out a hand-towel, thinking I would not be able to reach it. It's been all mental and holding me back.

I started up and soon it's two miles and I'm moving along. Already past the first quarter of this 4 part run. Ease up and let it flow. I pass the Igloo coolers at mile 3 and keep running until I'm just past my fourth mile to complete the second quarter and I'm half way there. Turn around and head back. Stop at mile five for a quick water sip from the coolers as I hit them running back. Only three more miles to go. It should be an easy run around the block but my mind is telling me it's too far, the inclines are too hard. I can't trust that inner voice. It lies to me all the time. I make myself take a mental inventory. Thinking clearly, legs feeling okay, no twitch or twinges?  Yeah, still good, keep going. No stopping now since I'm into the fourth quarter and it's faster to keep running than walk to the car. Then ahead, the last cross street and I'm only .06 miles to finish eight miles. Circle around and done. Did it, you. It's all tied up and under the belt now. It's not the body but the mind that has to get used to being out there that period of time. Get used to it.

Since I was at the Haven, I went inside the sports store there and bought myself a new pair of running shoes. My tracker said I had 393.7 miles on those poor, dirty, old shoes. I realized the tread had worn thin the other morning when I went through a wet patch on the sidewalk and actually skidded a bit. That shouldn't happen and won't now. I've got my equipment back up to snuff.

I can't wait to try them out tomorrow.
TT

Running backdrops

Remind me later to load Radiohead to my phone. At least two albums needs to move over from my iPod since I have a couple of long runs coming up. Annie Lennox would be also be awesome, Medusa, Diva, Bare, or Songs of Mass Destruction.  Pick one or a couple. I've been using the nike+ app on my phone since it runs by GPS instead of the lesser accurate program on my iPod and that created a small problem since my music is on my iPod not my phone.

I've been running using Pandora and that's works fine but I like particular music for the times I'm going out for a spell. Radiohead is the best, for me at least. There is something about their distinctive style of weirdly sung lyrics, guitar, piano, and electronics that set up the perfect backdrop for my mindset while I'm out running for miles. It shouldn't take me long to drag over Kid A, Hail to the Thief, In Rainbows, or my first choice, Amnesiac. King of Limbs is a little too short. I just need to remember to do it.

I am also wondering if I shouldn't take myself to another location for my weekend runs. It might be better for me to have a more level playing field instead of continuing the tough distances coupled with the inclines I have to navigate in my neighborhood. It might be time to head to Runners Haven. That sounds like a good idea and equipped with a great location and the right music it's full speed ahead. Well, not full speed - not on a long run. Everybody knows that.
TT

Better bonus

The moon has been the shape of a fingernail clipping the past three mornings. The first it was blurred by clouds covering it. The second morning the clouds surrounded it but stayed their distance. This morning it was brilliant against a black sky with no clouds in sight. It could be called all the same adjective used in those tooth whitening commercials describing how your teeth will be so much cleaner and brighter. I'm not sure the moon was any whiter or brighter or if the sky was darker without the clouds, but I've noticed the moon's presence each morning and the subtle changes from day to day.

I've also noticed there hasn't been anyone at the community pool during the early mornings all this week. There were a few people swimming at that early hour as I ran past a few weeks ago. That hasn't been the case this week. The pool has been a solid sheet of blue without a ripple running through it. It's grown as quiet and still as the rest of the neighborhood.

I started out this week determined to run the same short distance every morning. I tried to talk myself out of it yesterday and today but didn't and ran them just the same. I feel better about doing it than if I had managed to convince myself otherwise. I didn't realize I would be getting that image of the motionless sheet of blue pool water or the gleaming brilliant white of the moon to think about later. They seem such simple things, but coupled with knowing I also achieved what I originally set out to do somehow makes them that much more special.

It's almost like getting a bigger, better bonus.
TT

Turn the clock

Early morning run. I'm only waiting an extra few minutes to head out the door. It's still a little dark and it's always easier to answer I went out close to six instead of 5:35 when I'm asked. That five number in the morning gets gasps of disapproval. I try to avoid that even if both are in the same turn of the clock.

It's another work week. I was getting very greedy yesterday afternoon and wanted more weekend. I used my time mostly for rest and recovery, I guess, since I didn't do so much. At least it didn't seem I did so much and by the time it ran out I was wishing for more. More time, more energy, more wishing. It didn't do much good and I would have been better off just doing whatever I thought I needed to do instead of wishing I had more time to do it. So I'll do it now or soon or fit it in while doing the other things I need to do. It's kind of like waiting a few minutes to go run so I can say it one way, which is only a few minutes from saying it another. It's still within the same turn of the clock.

So you see, now, it's a quarter till six - not 5:45. It's how it's perceived.
TT

Sunday smiling

I got distracted away this morning with bookkeeping. The time slid right away from me as I fumbled numbers and balanced this to that. Now they all agree and there are neat double lines underlining all the important ones. Mother would be proud. Dad would be too, but Dad was always proud of what we did. There was never any hesitation or judgement on his part. Go, run, fly. Take off and smile. Always smile. That was the way to do it, not only because of how it would affect others but how it can come back and affect the inside of you.

It's a Sunday morning smile that almost feels like a hug.
TT

Disjointed, but that's how it goes sometimes

I got out there this morning and pummelled away another seven miles. I am at a total of 51 for the month when I add it to what I've already run this month. I am on-track for my goal of 88 in August. I will see how it goes and keep at it.

I've tried to read through the newsletters I receive on-line but they don't seem to keep my interest. I think I am trying to fill a glass that is already full and the information is spilling over the top and pooling around the outside base. I am at the point of knowing I don't need any more information in that glass.

I am trying to finish a book I'm not even liking. I have yet to figure out what exactly it's about. It just keeps going on and on but I can't figure out why. I'm hoping it will clue me in during the next 100 pages before it ends. I guess it doesn't matter because I'll keep reading until I get there and have to stop...because there won't be any more of whatever the story is about after that.

Maybe I need a nap.  If only I could do that.  Never got the hang of it.
TT

Consistency

It's Friday already and a week into August!

It's a no-run day today so I have a few minutes before rushing out the door to work and I have managed (well -I might add) a total of 25 miles so far for the month. It's a good head start on the month and I can feel the difference when I'm running. All the training is beginning to move me along to getting stronger. I have a little more power in my stride and believe I can start working on longer runs. I'll be doing a little of that this weekend while I have more time. I have a race in mind but I haven't registered yet. I guess I'm still deciding if I will actually be able to run the distance. I'm thinking it's a go but I want to cross into that mileage point where I feel more confident. It's coming. I just need a little more training, which I have been doing. Consistently!

And here comes the weekend.
TT

A little polish to shine

I am still on the writing.com site I have used to get feedback and reviews on a few of my short writing pieces. I admit I haven't posted anything new lately and at the end of April I let my account downgrade to a basic account instead of the upgraded account I started with originally. I didn't see any need to have the larger, fancier account since I can't seem to get into the swing of these social media type communities anyway. I also realized it would be almost impossible to get anyone to review any of the longer pieces I am more interested in writing. That's okay. I've learned a lot from the feedback and comments I've gotten on the few pieces I have posted.

The only reason I bring it up is, although I haven't posted anything new in a while I received a couple of reviews recently. One was on a short poem I put up and haven't given a second thought. The reviewer thought my line 'subtle as an elephant' was quite clever and I got A+'s on my imagery. That was a nice surprise. Then I got another random review on my piece The Photo and that generous reviewer gave me some very nice comments and a five out of five star rating. Whew-Who! The suggestions and changes I made to that little short was well worth the effort! That put a nice shine to those words I strung together!

It was a great boost to get these random reviews. It makes me think I should be putting a little more effort into working on the pieces I'm still working on. I mean, I did a little work on these posted pieces to make them shine and look how well that seems to have turned out.
TT

Electronic-less due to Forgetful-ness

It happens to the very best.  They start out young and eager, they live long and go through life, and then they get old. They can't quite do all the same things they used to do exactly as long or as fast. For them starting each morning means stretching out the old bones to unlock them in ways they never used to lock before. Then there is the taxation on the brain and things that used to spring quickly to mind takes long moments to stir and search up before recalling, if at all.

I left my phone at Sonny and Selma's house yesterday. I forgot it. I did remember I forgot it there but that doesn't relinquish the fact that I don't have it. I woke this morning almost an hour later than usual, blinking at the clock and wondering what happen to my alarm while I worked a cramp out of my leg since I jumped out of bed without stretching my old bones. I forgot I needed to do that before getting up, the same way I forgot my alarm is on my phone! I stumbled into the bathroom to get ready as quickly as possible, dressed, and grabbed my purse and left the house.

I drove to work, parked, and got all the way up the staircase when I realized I left my company laptop upstairs at home. You know that instant of 'oh, bother' that goes through your mind as you try to figure out your next move? That was me at that particular moment right before I scrambled down the stairs to my car to drive back home. Along the way I remembered I also forgot my iPod with all my music on the dock at home still charging. I could pick it up when I got home along with the laptop.

It didn't take long to pull up into my driveway, fumble my house keys into the lock, and leap up the stairs to grab my laptop. I was in the house only an instant before I was back in the car and heading to work. Again. Of course, I forgot the iPod.

I don't kid myself into ever thinking I'm one of the very best. I have been eager and lived some good life and yes, I've gotten (ahem) old. I forgot my phone, I forgot my laptop, and I forgot my iPod. I  am almost electronic-less in an electronic society.

I couldn't have gotten any work done without my laptop, but I have it now and I've plugged into Pandora to replace the music on my iPod. I will call Selma after work to pick up my phone. So it will all be good and back to as close to normal as my tired,old, self can be at this point. This type of thing is expected at this point, isn't it? I mean, they all say the memory is the first thing to go. Or was it something else? I forget.
TT

Extra

I'm taking a little extra time before running this morning. I want another cup of coffee to drink at my leisure, so I will do that. I also have to tend to the small blister on my right foot but that won't take a moment, and it's the reason I stocked up on extra band-aids. I tried to find some epsom salts at the store but couldn't. I know I will have to do something about the extra hard layers of calluses I have on the bottoms of my feet. The 'real' skin rubbing against those hard de-sensitized areas are the reason for the blisters so I should do something about it. Ah...such lovely topics on a beautiful Sunday morning! (Maybe I could substitute my kosher salt in warm water instead of the epsom salt)?

I didn't get the chance to sit and write yesterday. I had the pleasure of having time with Mr. L instead. It, by no means, was of any fault to him or would I have changed the situation. I had a multitude of chores to get done and having him here was a nice distraction. I can't help but smile. I am promising myself I will steal a few moments today to sit and write before heading out to Sonny and Selma's house to celebrate the Big Boy's birthday (which was actually yesterday). I made the cheesecake he wanted. It's in the fridge cooling and I will pop it out of it's spring form pan and add the oreo topping he wanted before taking it over this afternoon. Hope he likes it! I did make an extra cheesecake that won't have the oreo's - for everyone else that might want their cheesecake straight up.

But now, I should get this day started. There's all kinds of extra things to do today.
TT

Enjoy the path

It's still a little too dark to venture out. It must be the false rain that was supposed to happen that has made it extra cloudy and covered any sight of the rising sun just yet. That's okay. I can use the extra time right now before I head out and pound out some Saturday morning miles. No need to rush this morning.

I'm not sure what else might be on my agenda for today. I might be parking myself here in front of the laptop to see what real work I can attempt on my fiction writing. I've spent a good while reading, researching, and absorbing as much as I can to learn about the craft but I know it's time to get back to actual writing. I've honestly been such a 'fraidy cat about writing anything. It's so much easier to put it aside and say it isn't any good. It's true that it isn't and will stay that way without the work. I've given in to my trembling lower lip, fearful fits long enough! Get over it, already. Do the work. Or don't. But enjoy the path or get off the road.

I'm beginning to see the pink and blue streaks spreading across the morning sky now. I need to get my gear on and move. I'm heading out to enjoy the path.

And when I get back, there are so many more I can explore.
TT

Let's get started

August 1st!

If I am to follow what I said yesterday, then today is the day for the plotting and planning and strategies I left alone yesterday. It is just barely creeping up on 8:00 am and I went out and clocked a 3 mile run before work. I've set up a goal for the month to run 88 in August. 88 miles was the closest I could set the tracker for in miles and it's 4 weeks instead of the actual last day of August but close enough. Besides, it's all a bunch of eights (even the month), which is kind of cool.

I took out my notes on my story. Eek! If you want to talk about something that has been pushed to the back burner it would be all this writing business. Did I say back burner? It would be more accurate to say I packed it all in tupperware and stored in the the extra freezer in the garage. Except that statement couldn't possibly be accurate because I don't have a freezer in the garage. Heck, I don't even have a garage! But you get the idea that writing in any shape or form has been stored, stashed, and something I have stayed away from for a good while. Time to clean that freezer! Getting it out was my first step. Others will follow.

I have other things I want to get started on or arranged or planned but need more thought before anything can be implemented. I'll get to them as priorities fall into place.

No more land of manaña. It's all about August. Today. Let's get started!
TT