Road Trip: Austin, TX APR2013

Road Trip Austin APR 2013

08JAN:  I think I’ve finally figured out how to dress for the weather.  I think I’ve tried every combination possible, and what it boils down to is I am either way too hot or my patookis is cold.  It doesn’t matter if I tuck my shirt in, wear an extra pair of running shorts underneath my tights, two pairs of tights and extra shirt, one in and one out…one or the other, too hot or freezing my proverbial…we’re going with freezing my proverbial.

Now, about that ice. I just don’t like running on ice. Running on ice in the dark? It ain’t happening.  I can just see me face up on the pavement, wondering what day it is.  It’s not like I’ve never done it before. Those of you who know me, can probably name at least one instance where I’ve had the opportunity to forget my name.

I’ve added some hills to my run, and I almost feel like I’m starting all over again.  Get to the top think I’m gonna puke a lung up, get to the bottom think I’m gonna barf just thinking about getting to the top again.  But the interesting thing is that I’m beginning to feel like I could run all day as long as you don’t make me run fast…and depending on the music I’m listening to.  Best song ever to run to? Warner Brothers Cartoon Theme Song (not really).  Worst song to run to? The Rabbit of Seville (no, really).

I’ve been composing these little notes while I run, it gives me something to work on in my head so I don’t pay attention to my body.  Good for the soul and all that.

I have a letter that I will be sending to family and friends about my trek, and if any of you would like a copy to pass along, leave a comment with an email.  I promise I will not post or use your email in any manner other than to forward you this message.  I despise people who do that, and I will not be a party to such behavior.

’til next time.

I hope it’s helpful, I’ve included a link to the first Road Trip: Austin post.

Road Trip: Austin, TX APR2013

JAN02:  Now that the holidays are over, it’s time to get down to some serious work. I receive cold weather gear for Christmas and I’ve already put it to good use.   I am pretty stoked about this (still) even though any number of grown ups in my life seem to think I’m not very well hinged when it comes to this kind of stuff.

As I told you before, my goal is to raise $5000 for the Foundation for Fighting Blindness, and I need your help.  I am very grateful for my first contributors, Heather Reed Thomas (You ROCK!), Patricia Poff (You ROCK, too!) and Jonathan Douglin (You..Well, you already knew You ROCK!!).

A friend of mine has agreed to maybe possibly consider running, if she can convince two of her other friends to run as well.  I’d love to see you all there to run with us, or at least shout us down! I mean cheer us on!  I’m still looking for team members, come on, let’s go play in the mud!

Here are some links:
 Tough Mudder
Foundation Fighting Blindness

You can make contributions toward my goal at: Tough On Blindness

JAN06: The week between Christmas and New Year has been rough on the running schedule.  Between social commitments and near zero weather…well, let’s just say, I am very unmotivated to run when the cold sears your lungs like a cheap steak.  But it’s come back to a balmy mid-20s, I’m all over it.  The only other thing that really bothers me is running on ice.  I’m not the most well balanced person, in any sense of the word, but trying to keep my balance on ice that’s been walked on, driven over, just not a good time in my book. Still, I’ve been managing to run 3-4 days a week.  My next major step is to get with the physical fitness program..

Here’s a link to my original post, that contains the background to this outrageous adventure and all the important  links.  Please do come back for more…

For those who think I’m crazy, was there ever any doubt? Here’s to 101 days to Austin.

Thinking and Running

While I was running…

First off, these posts are not going to be all prettified with photos or awesome layout or any of that nonsense. WordPress has some funkiness that can make getting it just right time consuming and frustrating.  I’m just going to type and post. Anyway…

I really hate running and every time I get dressed out to runn (minor victory) and out the door (second minor victory) and home again without a heart attack (major victory) I think “I wish I had something to listen to besides what I have to listen to.”  Help me out here and send along a playlist that’s at least 15 minutes long, but not too much more than 45 minutes long for me to download and add to things I already listen to. Give your playlist a name, and I’ll give play list shout outs as well.

I’m looking forward to  your support and participation.  I’d be really happy if you and all your friends came to Austin and ran the Mudder with me.  But I’ll settle for your encouragement here.

I was watching football this afternoon (Dallas 20, Cinci 19) and I saw an advertisement for a thing called the Fluidity Bar.  It’s basically a bar mounted on a rack that allows you to do various strength training exercises…ok, go here and see for yourself. Words do not begin to do this justice.  This got me to thinking about the movie Ruthless People with Danny DeVito and Bette Middler, who uses a broomstick and two chairs to the same effect.  The fluidity bar is $405 (a $706 value!) and the broom stick ..depends on if you want a Swiffer or not.  The fluidity bar folds flat and can be stored under your bead and the broomstick can be stored where ever you store your brooms.  I’m going to explore the broomstick idea and see if I can make the broomstick concept work to my advantage.  I’ll keep you posted how that goes.

As things get going, I’m probably post separately giving shout outs to those who participate, but for now I want to give the biggest, bestest shout out possible to my chica H.R. Thomas (and little man B).  She is my first donor, and as such gets a special gift from me.  Once I figure out what to give her.

It’s a good thing I don’t run very far.  I can only listen to myself talk for so long.