Friday, February 11, 2011
Birbanto's Tricks!!
Finally a video of Birbanto doing his tricks while Miles waits his turn. Thank you Arron for indulging this cat crazy mom.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Thoughts from the "Road" - #2911
On the Seventh Day, God did an Easy 3
Today was my best run on the indoor track to date!
Since I logged so many miles on Monday I wasn't sure how long I would take to recover. The knee swelling went down more quickly than I expected and my plantar fascia wasn't too bad either. Typically for a recovery run, a day or so after my long run, I used to run an easy 3 miles.
I was a little vague as to what I should do for a recovery run since I have been running generally longer distances over all. The roads are all covered with really icy spots since another cold snap has set in so the indoor track was the best option.
Jim and I ran about an hour at the indoor track last week. I started out wondering if it was really worth going just to run 3 miles. As I sipped my morning tea I could hear the annoying gabbing and giggling of the guys in the apartment under ours. I knew I had to get out and pulled myself together in time for Jim to drive me.
The first few laps on the track were pretty slow because my left ankle was hurting. If it didn't feel better after a couple of miles I certainly had to limit my run to an easy 3. My first mile was at about an 11:15 pace (it's pretty cool to know the exact distance you have run).
After I did my second mile at a slow pace I was feeling pretty good and I thought I could probably run an hour or 6 miles again today. I had plenty to distract me with a group of sheriffs in training taking physical fitness exams. I shared the track with them as they ran sprints of a lap and a half which would have been 300 meters. The went off to do some sit-ups and push ups before coming back onto the track to run a final mile and a half en mass.
I could tell from when they started that I would be finishing about the same time as most of them would be. One really big man didn't make it more than a couple of laps before walking off and getting sick in a garbage can. Almost all of them were in a lot of pain and required ice after they were finished running. Sadly, I could tell the last run/walkers didn't make the times they needed to and were really disappointed.
I did a few cool down laps and stretched out before walking in the bitter cold for the bus. It was nice to know when it was going to be there so I wouldn't have to stand out in the cold for very long. The parking lot I cut across was pretty icy and I was really grateful to have had the option of a nice easy run indoors. I look forward to when I don't have to worry about ice and cold but today it all worked out.
Today was my best run on the indoor track to date!
I was a little vague as to what I should do for a recovery run since I have been running generally longer distances over all. The roads are all covered with really icy spots since another cold snap has set in so the indoor track was the best option.
Jim and I ran about an hour at the indoor track last week. I started out wondering if it was really worth going just to run 3 miles. As I sipped my morning tea I could hear the annoying gabbing and giggling of the guys in the apartment under ours. I knew I had to get out and pulled myself together in time for Jim to drive me.
The first few laps on the track were pretty slow because my left ankle was hurting. If it didn't feel better after a couple of miles I certainly had to limit my run to an easy 3. My first mile was at about an 11:15 pace (it's pretty cool to know the exact distance you have run).
After I did my second mile at a slow pace I was feeling pretty good and I thought I could probably run an hour or 6 miles again today. I had plenty to distract me with a group of sheriffs in training taking physical fitness exams. I shared the track with them as they ran sprints of a lap and a half which would have been 300 meters. The went off to do some sit-ups and push ups before coming back onto the track to run a final mile and a half en mass.
I could tell from when they started that I would be finishing about the same time as most of them would be. One really big man didn't make it more than a couple of laps before walking off and getting sick in a garbage can. Almost all of them were in a lot of pain and required ice after they were finished running. Sadly, I could tell the last run/walkers didn't make the times they needed to and were really disappointed.I did a few cool down laps and stretched out before walking in the bitter cold for the bus. It was nice to know when it was going to be there so I wouldn't have to stand out in the cold for very long. The parking lot I cut across was pretty icy and I was really grateful to have had the option of a nice easy run indoors. I look forward to when I don't have to worry about ice and cold but today it all worked out.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Beginnings
While scanning in some old photos I thought these two made a nice comparison. My son's first photo and my first photo. Just like the people, similar yet very different.
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| Arron 7/18/1985 |
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| Me, 2/27/1962 |
Thoughts from the Road - #2811
On long runs I have a lot of time to think. I realized yesterday that my longest run to date was going to have my reoccurring overuse injuries rear their ugly heads. By the end of the day I was starting to feel the complete effect of the 15 miles.
I don't write about my injuries because they aren't a pleasant topic. I was thinking that perhaps by not writing about them some readers might wrongly assume that I have none. None are debilitating but they are still unpleasant if I haven't rested, stretched or taken ibuprofen.
The most prevalent of my overuse injuries is my plantar fasciitis. Long and hard pounding on asphalt, increasing my overall intensity of workouts over the week will bring on this painful foot condition. I can remember feeling it even a bit before I started running, probably brought on by hiking. When it is at it's worst, its painful to get out of bed and walk for the first minute or so after rising. The things that have helped it are stretching my calves regularly and (when it's at its very worst) rolling my feet bottoms on a frozen soup can.
My right knee can swell a bit after an intense workout or series of days without a break. I rarely need to ice it but a day or two of rest is usually enough. The tendons around my ankles can be painful and require the same treatment as my knee.
I am grateful that I haven't really had a sharp pain in either of my knees like I did early last fall. Rolling out my iliotibial band on a foam roller has really kept that pain at bay, even this winter in the cold. I almost felt it just a bit yesterday between my 12th and 14th miles. I just slowed down a bit and tried to keep conscious while running.
All of the other little things that end up hurting are so varied. I can say I am always feeling something somewhere. I know some might question why I choose to exercise in a way that causes me any pain but the benefits seems to far outweigh the problems.
I don't write about my injuries because they aren't a pleasant topic. I was thinking that perhaps by not writing about them some readers might wrongly assume that I have none. None are debilitating but they are still unpleasant if I haven't rested, stretched or taken ibuprofen.
The most prevalent of my overuse injuries is my plantar fasciitis. Long and hard pounding on asphalt, increasing my overall intensity of workouts over the week will bring on this painful foot condition. I can remember feeling it even a bit before I started running, probably brought on by hiking. When it is at it's worst, its painful to get out of bed and walk for the first minute or so after rising. The things that have helped it are stretching my calves regularly and (when it's at its very worst) rolling my feet bottoms on a frozen soup can.
My right knee can swell a bit after an intense workout or series of days without a break. I rarely need to ice it but a day or two of rest is usually enough. The tendons around my ankles can be painful and require the same treatment as my knee.
I am grateful that I haven't really had a sharp pain in either of my knees like I did early last fall. Rolling out my iliotibial band on a foam roller has really kept that pain at bay, even this winter in the cold. I almost felt it just a bit yesterday between my 12th and 14th miles. I just slowed down a bit and tried to keep conscious while running.
All of the other little things that end up hurting are so varied. I can say I am always feeling something somewhere. I know some might question why I choose to exercise in a way that causes me any pain but the benefits seems to far outweigh the problems.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Thoughts from the Road - #2711
I am recovering from my longest and farthest run to date. I was pleased to grab a couple of hours of daylight when the shoulders of the roadways were not a total mess. I did have to full out stop, a half dozen times, by climbing onto the large mound of snow and ice when the shoulders were most narrow. That was for the passing of oncoming buses and tractor trailers that really had no room to yield on Fox Hill Road.
I ran abut 9 miles of the Nittany Valley Half Marathon route in reverse. I then turned on to Big Hollow Rd which had more traffic on it than I expected. From where it comes out near Jim's work I turned for home via Orchard Rd through Houserville and started up Penn Hills before Jim caught up to me on one of the most lethal hills.
I feel now like I did last summer when I completed my first 10 miler. I feel accomplished but pretty beat up. It was not an easy run at any point along the way. I had moderately bad cramps the whole time and the added weight of the 24 oz of water in the CamelBak seemed to really slow me down. I carried extra water because of the extra distance. How much was left when Jim picked me up after 15 miles? sssslllluuuurrrP - None. I drank every bit as I sweated my way along in the above freezing temperatures.
I ate 1/2 a peeled banana from a snack baggie at about mile 9 and downed a PB&J the moment I got home. I am about to have another 8oz of Nuun flavored water because I am feeling like I am still crashing. Cucumber Mint - yum!
I really loved seeing the 3 red tailed hawks along the road near the airport. A jet and a plane took off i the amount of time I took to run through the area. I wished it had been the day the president came. It would have been cool to see Air Force One as a ran by.
Do I feel like I could accomplish a marathon distance? No way. I am feeling like a nap. I will rest a bit while I know Arron is flying back over the Atlantic Ocean, scheduled to get home about 8 PM tonight. I hope his travels go well and we can look forward to hearing about his time in London. This week is starting out pretty well.
I ran abut 9 miles of the Nittany Valley Half Marathon route in reverse. I then turned on to Big Hollow Rd which had more traffic on it than I expected. From where it comes out near Jim's work I turned for home via Orchard Rd through Houserville and started up Penn Hills before Jim caught up to me on one of the most lethal hills.
I feel now like I did last summer when I completed my first 10 miler. I feel accomplished but pretty beat up. It was not an easy run at any point along the way. I had moderately bad cramps the whole time and the added weight of the 24 oz of water in the CamelBak seemed to really slow me down. I carried extra water because of the extra distance. How much was left when Jim picked me up after 15 miles? sssslllluuuurrrP - None. I drank every bit as I sweated my way along in the above freezing temperatures.
I ate 1/2 a peeled banana from a snack baggie at about mile 9 and downed a PB&J the moment I got home. I am about to have another 8oz of Nuun flavored water because I am feeling like I am still crashing. Cucumber Mint - yum!
I really loved seeing the 3 red tailed hawks along the road near the airport. A jet and a plane took off i the amount of time I took to run through the area. I wished it had been the day the president came. It would have been cool to see Air Force One as a ran by.
Do I feel like I could accomplish a marathon distance? No way. I am feeling like a nap. I will rest a bit while I know Arron is flying back over the Atlantic Ocean, scheduled to get home about 8 PM tonight. I hope his travels go well and we can look forward to hearing about his time in London. This week is starting out pretty well.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Football and other Sports
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| Arron and a Football |
I guess it's obvious that our family has never been that football oriented. For those of you who are like us, check out Cynthia Berger's Sports That Are Not Football / Lesser Known Sports & Athletes. Cynthia is a great writer and story teller as well as the woman who generously nominated me for WPSU's volunteer of the year.
The Spirit of Barney Nichols
During the 70's living on South Wayne Street we had one of those neighborhood guys who always showed up when my Dad was working on an outdoor project. Barney Nichols wasn't one to lend a hand but the sound of tools or maybe the sweat of elbow grease brought out his supervisory instincts.
We have a cat who is possessed by the spirit of Barney Nichols. Miles comes running when he hears the whine of our small saw or drill knowing that there is a construction project that he must oversee. One time we took out front door off it's hinges to add a sweep to the bottom. The other 2 cats flipped out, ran and hid, while Miles had his nose up to every tool we were using.
Today some of the deck screws that held our top porch step finally rusted to the point of letting loose and Jim had to get busy with repairs. Miles was beside himself that he couldn't see what was going on so I pulled up the giant cat scratching "condo" to watch out the front door.
Sometimes Miles will hear construction vehicles banging in the development near ours and he will give a low growl. I am starting to re-think the idea that he is afraid of them. Maybe he is just frustrated he can't go supervise.
With Miles and the spirit of Barney in mind I will round out this post with Jerry Seinfeld's opening dialog to the episode, Male Unbonding.
We have a cat who is possessed by the spirit of Barney Nichols. Miles comes running when he hears the whine of our small saw or drill knowing that there is a construction project that he must oversee. One time we took out front door off it's hinges to add a sweep to the bottom. The other 2 cats flipped out, ran and hid, while Miles had his nose up to every tool we were using.
Today some of the deck screws that held our top porch step finally rusted to the point of letting loose and Jim had to get busy with repairs. Miles was beside himself that he couldn't see what was going on so I pulled up the giant cat scratching "condo" to watch out the front door.
Sometimes Miles will hear construction vehicles banging in the development near ours and he will give a low growl. I am starting to re-think the idea that he is afraid of them. Maybe he is just frustrated he can't go supervise.
With Miles and the spirit of Barney in mind I will round out this post with Jerry Seinfeld's opening dialog to the episode, Male Unbonding.
Most men like working on things, tools, objects, fixing things. This is what men enjoy doing. Have you ever noticed a guy's out in his driveway working on something with tools, how all the other men in the neighborhood are magnetically drawn to this activity.
They just come wandering out of the house like zombies. Men, it's true, men hear a drill, it's like a dog whistle. Just.. you know, they go running up to that living room curtain, "Honey, I think Jim's working on something over there."
They just come wandering out of the house like zombies. Men, it's true, men hear a drill, it's like a dog whistle. Just.. you know, they go running up to that living room curtain, "Honey, I think Jim's working on something over there."
So they run over to the guy. Now they don't actually help the guy. No, they just want to hang around the area where work is being done. That's what men want to do. We want to watch the guy, we want to talk to him, we want to ask him dumb questions.
You know, "What are you using, the Philips head?" You know, we feel involved.
That's why when they have construction sites, they have to have those wood panel fences around it, that's just to keep the men out. They cut those little holes for us so we can see what the hell is going on. But if they don't cut those holes - we are climbing those fences. Right over there. "What are you using the steel girders down there? Yeah, that'll hold."
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Punxsutawney Phil Predicts Early Spring!!
As the light grows longerThe cold grows stronger
If Candlemas be fair and bright
Winter will have another flight
If Candlemas be cloud and rain
Winter will be gone and not come again
A farmer should on Candlemas day
Have half his corn and half his hay
On Candlemas day if thorns hang a drop
You can be sure of a good pea crop
No shadow this year! Phil predicts an EARLY SPRING!!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Thoughts from the Road - #2111
Crazy B*tch
I was born in Washington DC and we lived in an apartment complex in Silver Spring, MD. I can't imagine that during the couple of years we lived there that they got as much snow as the DC metro area is getting this year! Many of you readers know that folks south of the Mason-Dixon line don't always know how to drive in the snow. A lot of times their tires are bald and they don't get enough practice knowing how to pull out and when to brake.
It was the winter just before I turned two that the area got a snowfall. I guess Dad hurt his back pretty badly trying to help a car that was stuck in the snow get out. The driver had been giving the car gas and spinning their wheels at such a speed they were screaming and whining. I don't know if his exasperated, "Crazy b*tch!" remark was before or after he hurt his back but it became one of the DC stories that was shared from my childhood.
My mom gave up her job with the FBI to raise me. She took me out to the park when the weather was fine and visited indoors with friends and other tenants during the rare times DC became unnavigable with snow. That same winter we were visiting one of Mom's friends in her apartment when the lady's priest stopped by for a visit. The way I imagine the next part of the story is that the adults had just enjoyed coffee and cake and clean-up was taking place. The lady turned on her in-sink garbage disposal and it gave out what to me would have been a very unusual squeal as it did it job. My comment was, "Crazy b*tch!" It must have sounded to me just like the tires I had heard spinning in the snow.
Forty-seven years later and no tire spinning for me today. School was canceled from another crazy winter storm but the weather is to turn even more icy in the next 24 hours. I got out and got my run in before the roads got even worse. I thought of Jim cheering me on, "Go, go, go!" This is also based on when I turned two and would say that as I held my two index fingers in the air. (See 1964 archives at this link.)
Today I started from the far end of our road, through a deep snow covered hill then up and into Stern's Crossing. I was really surprised that the roads in that fancy-shmancy development were so poorly maintained this morning! I dropped down onto Houserville Rd via October and Creekside Drives to add in an extra mile and was thrilled that next to no traffic was out.
Almost everywhere I ran only half of the road had been maintained. Luckily it was the side I was running on and it was a day to make certain to run facing traffic. As I jogged up Trout Rd a few people were out cleaning off their cars and I wished them a good morning. I don't think they were expecting to see me and there was a bit of surprise in their expression and voice as they returned my greeting.
I did a couple of laps on Spring Valley Rd but even the horses were staying in the barn this morning. The sky stayed grey and a spitting drizzle had started by the time I had made it 5.5 miles.
The 2 miles to home were very sloppy along Shilo Rd and through the Walmart complex. People were finally making it out into the world to get their shopping done. A Walmart employee was taking her smoke break and reading a book out in front of the store as I ran by. She looked up at me and her face had the same surprised expression as the residents on Trout Rd I had greeted. I suddenly got a clear picture of what they were all thinking about me, a seemingly insane woman running in terribly foul weather. "Crazy b*tch!"
I was born in Washington DC and we lived in an apartment complex in Silver Spring, MD. I can't imagine that during the couple of years we lived there that they got as much snow as the DC metro area is getting this year! Many of you readers know that folks south of the Mason-Dixon line don't always know how to drive in the snow. A lot of times their tires are bald and they don't get enough practice knowing how to pull out and when to brake.
It was the winter just before I turned two that the area got a snowfall. I guess Dad hurt his back pretty badly trying to help a car that was stuck in the snow get out. The driver had been giving the car gas and spinning their wheels at such a speed they were screaming and whining. I don't know if his exasperated, "Crazy b*tch!" remark was before or after he hurt his back but it became one of the DC stories that was shared from my childhood.
My mom gave up her job with the FBI to raise me. She took me out to the park when the weather was fine and visited indoors with friends and other tenants during the rare times DC became unnavigable with snow. That same winter we were visiting one of Mom's friends in her apartment when the lady's priest stopped by for a visit. The way I imagine the next part of the story is that the adults had just enjoyed coffee and cake and clean-up was taking place. The lady turned on her in-sink garbage disposal and it gave out what to me would have been a very unusual squeal as it did it job. My comment was, "Crazy b*tch!" It must have sounded to me just like the tires I had heard spinning in the snow.
Forty-seven years later and no tire spinning for me today. School was canceled from another crazy winter storm but the weather is to turn even more icy in the next 24 hours. I got out and got my run in before the roads got even worse. I thought of Jim cheering me on, "Go, go, go!" This is also based on when I turned two and would say that as I held my two index fingers in the air. (See 1964 archives at this link.)
Today I started from the far end of our road, through a deep snow covered hill then up and into Stern's Crossing. I was really surprised that the roads in that fancy-shmancy development were so poorly maintained this morning! I dropped down onto Houserville Rd via October and Creekside Drives to add in an extra mile and was thrilled that next to no traffic was out.
Almost everywhere I ran only half of the road had been maintained. Luckily it was the side I was running on and it was a day to make certain to run facing traffic. As I jogged up Trout Rd a few people were out cleaning off their cars and I wished them a good morning. I don't think they were expecting to see me and there was a bit of surprise in their expression and voice as they returned my greeting.
I did a couple of laps on Spring Valley Rd but even the horses were staying in the barn this morning. The sky stayed grey and a spitting drizzle had started by the time I had made it 5.5 miles.
The 2 miles to home were very sloppy along Shilo Rd and through the Walmart complex. People were finally making it out into the world to get their shopping done. A Walmart employee was taking her smoke break and reading a book out in front of the store as I ran by. She looked up at me and her face had the same surprised expression as the residents on Trout Rd I had greeted. I suddenly got a clear picture of what they were all thinking about me, a seemingly insane woman running in terribly foul weather. "Crazy b*tch!"
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
7 Squared Celebration continued
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| Chocolate Sunshine & Chocolate Mousstachio Cupcakes! |
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| Dressed for fun! |
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| Veggie Chili! |
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| The Capitol Steps @ the State Theater. |
Archives!!
As time allows, my goal is to scan in old photos (and slides?) that are not yet in digital format. Don't forget to look in the archived blog posts listed in the right hand column of this page. I did a 1974 post of some 6th grade track meet photos to show a little of what I hope to share. Stories will hopefully follow.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
7 Squared Celebration
Jim's birthday weekend!
Yet another failed attempt to travel to Pittsburgh. We have been trying for almost a year now.
Jim reading of exciting local options. The snow made us stay very local.
Mooch was playing "face" with Jim and got hungry.
Zola started off our weekend, Friday after work. Just a snack and a sip as we watch posturing professors and suck-up students.
Friday supper was a bit of Thai food at Cozy Thai Bistro.
The winter storm was in full swing Saturday but that did keep us from a light lunch at Otto's.
Our favorite waitress and fellow distance runner, Lynda.
Starting with a 10oz Apricot Wheat - Jim's brew of choice. Happy Birthday, Jim!!
Butternut Squash soup and a pretzel!
Shopping for supper at the Wegman's Olive Bar! Some of them are kind of obscene looking!
Not tappas, but a fine little spread for a couple who didn't like what was on the menu at any local Middle-eastern restaurant in the area.
Our Mediterranean meal. Miles liked the tzatziki!
Time to curl up and watch a movie. Birbanto's latest favorite thing to do, sit with his "Frank."
Friday, January 28, 2011
Thoughts from the "Road" - #12811
An Unsatisfactory Start
The huge drifts of snow in January 2010 caused my running schedule less problems than the much smaller ones this year. Last year, darting out for a few laps on a local street easily ate up 20 minutes. Even when it was bitterly cold I got out, started to sweat and was back in and stretching in no time at all. This year has been harder to rally knowing I will be out in the cutting breeze, stepping through icy hummocks and looking for safe places to run for an hour or two at a go.
My right knee is a little swollen from the uneven running-on-beach-sand type workouts I have lately in the deep snow on the bike path. This morning I had a plan to mix it up a little by utilizing Penn State's indoor track at the Ashenfelter Multi-Sport Facility.
I have been scoping the location out for about a month. Firstly, it was locked because it was the day before classes resumed. I had wrongly assumed that because PSU staff had been back to work for well over a week that the facility might be open.
Next, I went on a weekend when the track had an event going on. I could at least read the track rules and building hours, 8AM until Midnight. Over this period of time, I had unsuccessfully scanned all of the web pages associated with the facility to try to determine when classes or events were being held and if the general public were limited to specific hours.
The day of the track meet there was no one on hand to ask so I spent the next week trying to call for information. No one ever answered the phone so I planned on trying a run there the following week just after lunch. I entered the building for my third time during lunch so it was pretty much abandoned. There were a couple of people using part of the sprinting course within the track so I knew it was open. With no one at the reception desk, I went to change my clothes. When I came out, the desk was manned and I asked about public use. I was told Monday - Friday 8 AM until NOON. I was a little exasperated and shared that I had been trying to glean that information but no one had been answering their phone all week. I asked if I could, for just that day, use the track since it was being under utilized at that moment. I was given the ok with the understanding that I would have to leave if students, a class or a coach needed to use the area. My use of the facility was 20 minutes, not even 2 miles of running, before students began trickling in. At least I got to try out a pair of new shoes before I bundled up and walked across campus to my bus on one of the most bitter cold days this winter. What a lot of trouble.
It wasn't the bitterly cold but the piles of snow and slush that had been a challenge this week so this morning I was ready. I had planned last night to have my gear ready to go when Jimmy-the-Eye started out for work. When he dropped me at the facility @ 7:45 AM, I wasn't concerned if I couldn't get in for 15 minutes. Sure enough the doors were locked but I had warm up clothes over my shorts and t-shirt. I was dressed to run indoors but not yet sweaty so the wait would be fine. I only had to wait about 5 minutes until someone unlocked the door. I asked if I could wait in the warm lobby until the building was open and I was told that the building would be closed all day because of an event. I wanted to scream but thanked the fellow for cluing me in as I hustled off. Even if I changed into my new sneakers and dealt with my back pack banging around, I wasn't dressed to run outside. I chose the closest bus stop to try to get home and missed the bus by 2 minutes. I was forced to call Jimmy-the-Eye for a ride home.
I am trying to get over sulking about it. It seems I have put a lot of effort into this morning for nothing. I am trying to turn it around and make something good out of a bad start. I am like that on runs and races too; if things start off badly I have a difficult time turning it around. I let my head get in the way and it can dictate the mood for a while.
I am having a second cup of tea, finally writing in this blog for a bit, planning Jimmy-the-Eye's birthday weekend as well as my my parent's 50th wedding anniversary. I have a couple of art projects to get into and can revel in completing my taxes. I may not be out in the drifts of snow working out but I will plow my way through the day and strive to have a smile or two along the way.
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addendum
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I did get a shorter more intense run in this morning. I took a round-about route in my studded shoes. Starting with a lap on my unplowed street, a quick down & up our hill then off to return a Redbox dvd to Walmart made it almost feel like I got a run in.
The huge drifts of snow in January 2010 caused my running schedule less problems than the much smaller ones this year. Last year, darting out for a few laps on a local street easily ate up 20 minutes. Even when it was bitterly cold I got out, started to sweat and was back in and stretching in no time at all. This year has been harder to rally knowing I will be out in the cutting breeze, stepping through icy hummocks and looking for safe places to run for an hour or two at a go.
My right knee is a little swollen from the uneven running-on-beach-sand type workouts I have lately in the deep snow on the bike path. This morning I had a plan to mix it up a little by utilizing Penn State's indoor track at the Ashenfelter Multi-Sport Facility.
I have been scoping the location out for about a month. Firstly, it was locked because it was the day before classes resumed. I had wrongly assumed that because PSU staff had been back to work for well over a week that the facility might be open.
Next, I went on a weekend when the track had an event going on. I could at least read the track rules and building hours, 8AM until Midnight. Over this period of time, I had unsuccessfully scanned all of the web pages associated with the facility to try to determine when classes or events were being held and if the general public were limited to specific hours.
The day of the track meet there was no one on hand to ask so I spent the next week trying to call for information. No one ever answered the phone so I planned on trying a run there the following week just after lunch. I entered the building for my third time during lunch so it was pretty much abandoned. There were a couple of people using part of the sprinting course within the track so I knew it was open. With no one at the reception desk, I went to change my clothes. When I came out, the desk was manned and I asked about public use. I was told Monday - Friday 8 AM until NOON. I was a little exasperated and shared that I had been trying to glean that information but no one had been answering their phone all week. I asked if I could, for just that day, use the track since it was being under utilized at that moment. I was given the ok with the understanding that I would have to leave if students, a class or a coach needed to use the area. My use of the facility was 20 minutes, not even 2 miles of running, before students began trickling in. At least I got to try out a pair of new shoes before I bundled up and walked across campus to my bus on one of the most bitter cold days this winter. What a lot of trouble.
It wasn't the bitterly cold but the piles of snow and slush that had been a challenge this week so this morning I was ready. I had planned last night to have my gear ready to go when Jimmy-the-Eye started out for work. When he dropped me at the facility @ 7:45 AM, I wasn't concerned if I couldn't get in for 15 minutes. Sure enough the doors were locked but I had warm up clothes over my shorts and t-shirt. I was dressed to run indoors but not yet sweaty so the wait would be fine. I only had to wait about 5 minutes until someone unlocked the door. I asked if I could wait in the warm lobby until the building was open and I was told that the building would be closed all day because of an event. I wanted to scream but thanked the fellow for cluing me in as I hustled off. Even if I changed into my new sneakers and dealt with my back pack banging around, I wasn't dressed to run outside. I chose the closest bus stop to try to get home and missed the bus by 2 minutes. I was forced to call Jimmy-the-Eye for a ride home.
I am trying to get over sulking about it. It seems I have put a lot of effort into this morning for nothing. I am trying to turn it around and make something good out of a bad start. I am like that on runs and races too; if things start off badly I have a difficult time turning it around. I let my head get in the way and it can dictate the mood for a while.
I am having a second cup of tea, finally writing in this blog for a bit, planning Jimmy-the-Eye's birthday weekend as well as my my parent's 50th wedding anniversary. I have a couple of art projects to get into and can revel in completing my taxes. I may not be out in the drifts of snow working out but I will plow my way through the day and strive to have a smile or two along the way.
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addendum
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I did get a shorter more intense run in this morning. I took a round-about route in my studded shoes. Starting with a lap on my unplowed street, a quick down & up our hill then off to return a Redbox dvd to Walmart made it almost feel like I got a run in.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Afterimage 2
Poor RGBisMe had a few technical glitches and his whole wonderful blog, Afterimage, was send to roam freely into the nether regions of cyberspace. All of his hard work and past links are gone but I know in a couple of years it will be even better than it's predecessor. Until then, please visit (and follow if you choose) Afterimage at this link.
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