blue skies day

after a couple tough weeks of trying to find places to run safely (what with enormous snowbanks and ice and traffic etc), it was so nice to get back to one of our usual training sites this morning... there was still a fair amount of snow and downed trees, but it was clear enough to spread out and enjoy the morning.

a surprise sixteen miles this morning.... the schedule showed just ten miles, after a long run of fourteen last week. but, to get us back on schedule, we skipped the ten miler and just leapt up to the longer miles.

ooof!

feeling very tired this evening....

tired, but good.

a cautionary tale...

so, this is what happens when you forget to apply BodyGlide before a 12 mile run...

I have BLISTERS, people!!

Mt Vernon Trail... a photo blog

Yesterday's training run... cold and snowy!

ugh!

i'm still feeling like i have lead weights attached to my limbs.... and have no reason or explanation why.

fundraiser at Uno's was something of a flop as well.... in spite of weeks of e-mail advertising by myself and my teammates, putting flyers on windows, and sitting at a table in front of the restaurant and handing out flyers as people walked in. really, how much easier could it be?

so, a lot of effort in organizing for very little return.

ugh.

feeling very discouraged at the moment.

however, the sun is shining and it's not too cold. i'm going to drop some things off at the Salvation Army and then go for my Thursday afternoon 4 mile run.

things can only get better.

set-backs and keeping on going...

i feel as though i was fighting myself pretty much every step of the way during my run this morning.... where i'm normally just getting warmed up by 2 miles, today i was pretty near done in by 2 miles. where normally in 45 mins i'm a little over 4 miles... today i had a hard time getting to 3 miles in 45 mins. and after 5 miles, i packed it in for the day before i hurt myself.

it was supposed to be a ten mile day... but nothing helped. more gatorade... didn't help. a Gu... didn't help. more water... didn't help. turning up the tunes... made me feel better, but didn't make me run any better.

it was just a struggle.

so tomorrow, i will go out and try to do it again.... maybe tomorrow will be a better day.

***

just checked my e-mail only to find that my Famous Dave's fundraiser on Thursday only brought in a grand total of $18. and i know for certain that 8 dollars of that was from the bill at our table.

all that energy put into getting out the word.... and it's a pretty effortless way to contribute to a good cause. just go for a meal, and the restaurant will make a donation...

however, the lovely people at Famous Dave's are going to round the donation up to an even $50.... which lifts my deflated fundraising spirits just a little.

hopefully today's Uno Chicago Grill fundraiser has a better turn out.

deep sigh.

getting my gear together to go spend the evening there.

wish me luck!!!

fundraise, run, fundraise!!

okay, fundraiser #1 completed last night... still waiting to hear how well we did.

tomorrow morning, ten mile run... solo, as if i want to have the truck i have to drive my sweetheart to work.... and if i run with the team, i won't be back in time. and i need the truck to do fundraising tomorrow.... hence the solo ten mile run. beurk!

then we're off to Uno's to try to raise some more money....

it's all go go go around here ;)

unfolding

I almost never read the electronic updates I receive from Runners World.... I get the magazine in the mail every month, and find it much more satisfying to hold it in my hands and flip the pages. Much nicer than staring at the computer screen and scrolling down....

However, for some unexplainable reason, when the Runners World update landed in my inbox this morning, I opened it... clicked on some random links (and registered for a draw to win some yoga gear, and a new car!)... and then came across an article about stolen moments. I have of course since then deleted the e-mail, and cannot now find the article on their website... but, in essence it was a story about unexpected gifts. Little bits of time that turn out differently from the way in which you had planned or expected... snow days where you get to stay home with the kids and realize just how much you've been missing them; begrudgingly taking the dog out for a quick walk on a cold and blustery day, and having it turn into an awesome run that left you feeling exhilarated and excited to do it again...

And she finished her article with the following quote:

I love when joy is tucked into a corner of life like a note, and I unfold it.

Kristin Armstrong, Runners World

It's always there, isn't it? We just have to keep our eyes and minds open enough to recognize that note when we see it, and then to remember to unfold it...

I like reminders such as these... taking your mind and your heart to new places. They remind us to really see the world, to be aware of the beauty in every day life. And they take us to those places where joy is tucked in like a little note.