Open

Hal Higdon's Novice 1 Marathon Training Schedule: Week 3, Day 7


Days to Chevron Houston Marathon: 105
Planned activity: Cross Training
Hatha Yoga Class



It was like walking into that bar in Boston, "Cheers", minus the alcohol or the sarcasm.  I checked in for my yoga class and the owner looked up and recognized me.  "Michelle!"

I'd been absent for a very long time.

I immediately felt welcomed, appreciated, and comfortable.

The class was excellent.  I was expertly guided through the hour and I left feeling energized and relaxed at the same time. 

My back, my hips, my shoulders feel so much more open.  As does my heart.  I have 9 more classes - paid for and ready to be used.  Looking forward to them.












©Michelle Scofield, September 30, 2012 All Rights Reserved

S(l)oggy

Hal Higdon's Novice 1 Marathon Training Schedule: Week 3, Day 6



Days to Chevron Houston Marathon: 106
Planned activity: 5 mile run
74 degrees 6:00 am  Raining
5.03miles 57:55 11:31 min/mile average pace

One thing I can pretty much count on is predicted rain in the Houston area.  If the weather guy says the weekend will be a washout, he's usually right.  I went to bed last night planning to run in the rain this morning so I didn't have to talk myself into it when I woke up and looked out my window to see the wet street. 

I had the pleasant experience of stepping onto my carpeted bedroom floor and not feeling pain.  Physical Therapy is going well.  I have soreness (yes, I know the difference between soreness and pain) at my calves which indicates to me that we're working the muscles around the achilles tendons and asking them to be stronger.  It's a good thing.  Yesterday I also received a laser treatment to my right achilles.  Those who know me best will be happy to know that I refrained from any and all references to Austin Powers when my therapist brought out the machine.

I continue to do my PT homework.  It's all working.  Very happy.

My rainy, dark run felt slow.  It WAS slow.  I think it was a combination of several things:  I was wearing old shoes that felt heavy to me and they only got heavier as they became soaked.  I was very cautious of where I was stepping.  I couldn't see for sh*t due to the overcast skies and even as dawn approached, the sun never broke through to help.  I wore a cap but my glasses became a detriment to vision quickly.  Taking them off?  What's better?  Quasi-acuity through a wet lens or legal blindness?  Who's to know?  Best to slow my pace and get the miles in without breaking a hip.

Oh, I always say it's a good day when I learn something.  Before I ran I looked up the water-resistence rating on my Garmin Forerunner.  Now I know a little about how devices are tested for those ratings.  Pretty cool.  Happy Saturday!  I hope you have a good day - for whatever reason.   








©Michelle Scofield, September 29, 2012 All Rights Reserved

Bugs

Hal Higdon's Novice 1 Marathon Training Schedule: Week 3, Day 4


Days to Chevron Houston Marathon: 108
Planned activity: 3 mile run
70 degrees 5:15am
3.03miles 32:31 10:44 min/mile average pace

Buggy.  That's the only way to describe this morning's run.  I don't think they were mosquitoes.  Just little pesky pests.  On my face, stuck to my skin, and yes...up my nose.  How's that breakfast now?  :)  The weather guys say the weather is changing.  I have a 5 mile run Saturday morning.  I wonder where my old, nasty shoes are.  If it's raining, I'm still running.





©Michelle Scofield, September 27, 2012 All Rights Reserved

PlipPlop

Hal Higdon's Novice 1 Marathon Training Schedule: Week 3, Day 3

Days to Chevron Houston Marathon: 109
Planned activity: 4 mile run
72 degrees 5:00am
4.03miles 43:01 10:40 min/mile average pace


Today's run is brought to you by the letter "A", as in "Acorn".  Imagine how quiet it is out here in the 'burbs at 5am.  Just me and the occasional car lighting my way down Lexington Street.  Still, silent, satiny, smooth, September, 5 o'clock morning.

Oh, I told you it's September.  That means it's Fall.  That means the acorns are falling.  Like tiny bombshells.  It's raining future oak trees here.  At times it's pouring and it can be a little weird.  What's probably more weird is my reaction when I jump in surprise.  Good thing it's just me and the trees.





©Michelle Scofield, September 26, 2012 All Rights Reserved

Darker

Hal Higdon's Novice 1 Marathon Training Schedule: Week 3, Day 2
Days to Chevron Houston Marathon: 110
Planned activity: 3 mile run
73 degrees 5:25am
3.03miles 35:25 11:41 min/mile average pace

Yesterday was a rest day and I needed it.  My foot continues to feel better and I slept better last night.  When it's aching, I wake during the night and stretch it out.  I'm obsessed with it, obsessed with running.  Let's face it.  I'm obsessed.

Anyway.

Today I ran through my run without being present.  The only thing I really noticed was that it seemed darker than usual.

Maybe it was because I know that I'm switching over to afternoons in the not-so-distant future?  As I step up the mileage, I won't be able to fit the distance in before work. Maybe it's because I Google'd "end of Daylight Savings time" yesterday?  It's not until November 4th this year.  That seems terribly late.  I'm not even sure what that means regarding the hours of daylight and my running schedule but it still struck me as weird.

Maybe it seemed darker because my heart is in New Orleans with my Louisiana family?  I'm pretty sure that's the reason.  For any of the you who happens to read this today, or tomorrow, or the next day, or on into forever... 

I love you.  I'm with you.  Always.







©Michelle Scofield, September 25, 2012 All Rights Reserved

Crosstraining the Brain

Hal Higdon's Novice 1 Marathon Training Schedule: Week 2, Day 7

Days to Chevron Houston Marathon: 111
Planned activity: CrossTraining
68 degrees 6:30 am
35 minute walk

I hoped for a pretty sunrise today but there wasn't a cloud in the sky to refract the orb and cause a sparkle or a ray.  I kept my camera in my pocket until I came back around to my block.  That's when I noticed the big drops of dew on the blades of grass and I considered dropping to the ground to try to catch one as it was building up weight and about to fall but I didn't have it in me today.  Instead I sat next to a flower bed and found a snail.  He wasn't nearly as photogenic as I wished but it was a great lesson in patience.

His garden was quiet and calm and damp and smelled surprisingly sweet.

It was a wonderful place to settle in for a few minutes, or twenty. 

©Michelle Scofield, September 23, 2012 All Rights Reserved

A Thousand Calories, The Hard Way

Hal Higdon's Novice 1 Marathon Training Schedule: Week 2, Day 6

Days to Chevron Houston Marathon: 112
Planned activity: 7 mile run
70 degrees 7:25 am
8.26 miles     1 hour 35minutes    11:34 min/mile average pace


I didn't plan this run.  I've been out and around in my neighborhood and have a sense of how far it is between landmarks.  I have my Garmin watch to help me make decisions on when to turn around or turn a corner.  It's a nice day although plenty humid.  I ate a Stinger Chocolate Waffle before leaving my place.  160 calories of carbs to see me through.  I took my water bottle and decided to listen to "Snap Judgement" for distraction.  Oh, I'm distracted.  That's for certain.

I ran around the fake lake on the other side of Highway 6. 

I crossed back over and still had another 4 miles to go.  I headed up Sweetwater and made a really bad decision.  You may remember that a couple of months ago I decided to run along a bayou and never, ever came across a bridge to get to the other side.  You'd think I would have remembered that.  I didn't.  Not until I was almost at 5 and a half miles.  At that point I was lost.  If I kept running I had no idea where the path ended.  Would I end up running 10, 12, 15 miles?  I simply didn't have it in me today.

I turned around and the ran way I'd come, back to Sweetwater and a shorter way home.  Dammit.

I'm home.  I'm hungry.  My foot felt pretty good, especially the longer I ran.  I'm on ice now and I'm kind of kicking myself.  But only kind of because any day I learn something is a good day.

Here's why:  I didn't enjoy this run.  I'm preoccupied with life events and running should be a pleasurable escape but I didn't let that happen.  I forced myself to WORK during the second half on mileage calculations.  I was busy calculating/measuring/THINKING!!!  Lesson learned.  Next long run - no winging it, even if it means I only go out and back.

To my son...Happy Birthday, Sweetheart.  Thank you for all of your encouragement and for being one hell of an example to this old lady runner.   Know that you and Age were my first thoughts when I opened my eyes this morning.  I love you.  Mom 













©Michelle Scofield, September 22, 2012 All Rights Reserved

You Can Call Me "D"

Hal Higdon's Novice 1 Marathon Training Schedule: Week 2, Day 4
Days to Chevron Houston Marathon: 114
Planned activity: 3 mile run
61 degrees 5:25am
3.03miles 31:58 10:35 min/mile average pace


Note the glorious temperature.

I saw my second favorite doctor yesterday.   (My daughter will always be my first.)   Dr. Jones wrote me an order for Physical Therapy evaluation and a few sessions to work on my achilles/plantar heel complex.  Nothing major.  Yay! The films showed that I have some wear and tear but no fracture.  No surprise there.  He said I can keep running and let pain be my guide.  I think he was duly impressed by my quasi-begging. 

I'll be taking NSAIDs and using a heelcup in my shoes.  I showed him the shoes I'm running in and he thought they were do-able.  If I get worse, I'll get in to see him sooner than 4 weeks.  If I'm better in 4 weeks, I'm to get on with my life.  Halleloo!!!

I ran with the gel heelcups in place this morning and I was faster.  No connection.  I'm sure.  Ha!  I think it was just a combination of relief and cooler temperature. Tomorrow is a rest day.  I'm icing at this moment and I'll do the same after all my runs for the foreseeable future.  Determination - my new middle name.








©Michelle Scofield, September 20, 2012 All Rights Reserved

Doctor Day

Tuesday, September 18, 2012




Hal Higdon's Novice 1 Marathon Training Schedule: Week 2, Day 3



Days to Chevron Houston Marathon: 115
Planned activity: 3 mile run

71 degrees 5:25am

3.03miles 33:06 11:09min/mile average pace


I'm going to get this heel checked out.  Run went better than yesterday.  Less discomfort, but still there.  I don't want to fool myself into thinking it's going away.  It's not.  January is a long time from now and a lot could happen.  I had a nice phone conversation with my son - the voice of reason.  As he so thoughtfully pointed out:  If I have to take a week off, now is the time to do it.  I'd hate to.  Ugh.

We'll see.

We will see.

Update to follow.



©Michelle Scofield, September 19, 2012 All Rights Reserved

Body Over Mind Over Body Over...

Hal Higdon's Novice 1 Marathon Training Schedule: Week 2, Day 2

Days to Chevron Houston Marathon: 116
Planned activity: 3 mile run
67 degrees    5:20am
3.01 miles   33:38     11:10/mile average pace

Getting to sleep was Mission Impossible last night.  I tried reading.  No go.  I got up and went to a different room and watched a documentary.  Nothing.  I finally took a Benadryl sometime after midnight, knowing that my alarm was going to go off at 5.  I had a 3 mile run planned today, depending on how my heel felt. 

It was sore.  My arm is sore.  (I had my flu shot yesterday.)  Still, I got up and got dressed.

Wow.  My heel was a little more painful than it's been as I got into mile one.  Should I stop?  I didn't want to stop.  I have an appointment with an Orthopedic doc tomorrow. 

I. Don't. Want. To. Stop.

I feel healthier today than I've felt in years.  In my life?  Yeah, I can say that.  My body is in better shape.  My skin looks great.  And other than the fact that I wish with most of my social-wishy-lonely-at-times part that I was in a loving partnership with a great man, I'm pretty damned happy.  (When you've been in the pit of depression, it's not so hard to see happy.  That's MY experience.)

When I'm running, I'm most connected with myself.  Or - better yet - occasionally when I'm running, I get into a groove and I'm DISconnected from myself and all I know is the pavement and the breeze and the sun or the moon.  When I'm running....HEY!  At mile 2, my heel didn't hurt.  I was "aware" of it, but it didn't hurt.  I cruised on through mile 3.

Note to self:  Make a note for the Doctor.  I want to run and I feel better when I do.






©Michelle Scofield, September 18, 2012 All Rights Reserved

By The Numbers

Hal Higdon's Novice 1 Marathon Training Schedule: Week 2, Day 1

Days to Chevron Houston Marathon: 117
Planned activity: Rest




Nonfasting:

Glucose 93
Cholesterol 180
HDL 85
Triglycerides 107
LDL 74
TC/HDL Ratio  2.1

To quote my son:  "Boom!"


©Michelle Scofield, September 17, 2012 All Rights Reserved

Sunday Funday

Hal Higdon's Novice 1 Marathon Training Schedule: Week 1, Day 7



Days to Chevron Houston Marathon: 118

Planned activity: Crosstrain
Time and Temp: 8 am Indoors...78? 

WiiFit Balance Games 30 minutes


It's been a looooooong time since I connected my Wii console to my TV.  The screen lit up and the smartie pants system said something like, "Michelle?  Is that you?"  Yeah, yeah.  It was me.

I'm dedicated to sticking with the schedule that Mr. Higdon has devised for getting me to the finish line in January.  I could have done just about anything today, even taken a walk.  I thought about  using the company gym and a stationary bike but I avoid going by there on my running routes.  There's something about seeing work when I'm not working that harshes my mellow.  So that was out. 

I've use a balance board in Physical Therapy to strengthen the muscles around my ankle and it's billed as core work - although I'm sure planks would have been better. 

It was a good reminder that I have equipment in my place that I don't use often enough.  When my foot is feeling better I'll pull out my jump rope.  I can work some kettle bell routines in there and I have three different elastic bands that I can use for resistance work.

I didn't exactly break a sweat but that's OK.  The point (as I understand it) is to use different muscle groups and change up my routine.  I'm also very hesitant to do anything that can lead to injury at this point.  I'm walking a fine line with my right foot and I need to be as smart as I can. 

Tomorrow is a scheduled rest day.  I'm perfectly fine with that.  Speaking of rest, I slept like a baby last night.  Lovely.




©Michelle Scofield, September 16, 2012 All Rights Reserved

Obstacles and Excuses

Hal Higdon's Novice 1 Marathon Training Schedule: Week 1, Day 6

Days to Chevron Houston Marathon: 119
Planned activity: 6 mile run
Time and Temp:   6am    71 Degrees
6.0 miles      1:10:25     Average pace of 11:44/mile

It's Saturday morning and my alarm was set for 5:45.  On Saturday.  The weekend.  A day I don't have to work.  Here are some of the reasons I came up with to roll over and go back to sleep:

My foot still hurts a little - not as bad - but a little.

I was up during the night with this pesky GI problem.  It's the blood pressure medication, I'm sure of it.  I'm trying to ride it out, thinking I'll develop tachyphylaxis to this particular side effect.  (I'm giving it until Wednesday, then I'm going to have to try something else.  Mama can't hang a whole lot longer.)

I had an appointment for a mammogram at 7:50.  Running 6 miles and then showering was going to make me cut it close.  I wouldn't have time for breakfast until after the squeezing.

Did I mention it's Saturday?

None of those seemed to be sufficient.  I rolled out of bed, dressed, and was out the door.  I was then faced with reasons to cut the run short:

I didn't know my street would have limited traffic access for cars because of a 5K on the square.  Would that delay me getting to my appointment?  Maybe I should only run 3 or 4 miles?

Hmmm...my foot was tender.  Should I run at all?  (It's been tender, it's going to be tender.  It gets better as I move and I have an appointment with a doctor next week.)

The biggest challenge occurred at mile three and again at mile five.  My gut started to rumble.  I was running in my neighborhood.  I could have cut across parking lots and sliced away at my distance and time.  Instead I walked a few paces and let the wave of discomfort pass.  It did and I picked up my speed again.

I love my Garmin Forerunner 110 watch.  It lets me keep track of my pace and it's reassuring to know that I've got "just that much more" to go and I'll be at my goal distance.  As I ran back onto my street, I saw that the final cones had been laid out for the 5K.  I had .2 miles to go to make 6.  I ran to the end of my block and back then hit the STOP button on my watch.  I buzzed myself into my complex, ran up the stairs, let myself into my apartment and showered quickly. 

I was able to get out of our building before the race began and now I've had my yearly mammogram and my breakfast.  

Oh, that's one thing I won't make excuses about.  If any of you are reading this and you're tempted to do so - make excuses and skip your mammograms - please don't.  It's a little uncomfortable but the alternative (an undetected cancer that spreads and is difficult to treat) is no freaking fun run.



©Michelle Scofield, September 15, 2012 All Rights Reserved

Wiped Out

Hal Higdon's Novice 1 Marathon Training Schedule: Week 1, Day 5



Days to Chevron Houston Marathon: 120

Planned activity: Rest Day

All I can say is, "Thank Goodness!"  I've was up from 3am to 4:15 and then slept off and on until 6.   My gut is having a helluva time adjusting to my new BP medication.  I've been fighting with it for 3 days.

However. 

I'm going to stick it (the medication) out.  I'm really going to try.  I BELIEVE I can do this.  I also believe I'll need a nap before going out to dinner with a friend tonight, especially since I have a longish run planned in the morning and I know that rest and recovery is important to being a successful and healthy runner.

Happy Friday, Everyone!



©Michelle Scofield, September 14, 2012 All Rights Reserved

Charged

Hal Higdon's Novice 1 Marathon Training Schedule: Week 1, Day 4

Days to Chevron Houston Marathon: 121
Planned activity: 3 mile run
Completed 3 miles in 33:36    11:15 pace



Time and Temp: 5:20am 73 degrees

Still with mild soreness at my right heel. Icing helps.  That's what I'm doing right now. 

I had company on my run today. 

Two tiny clouds. 
Two puffballs to the East marched along the morning sky seemingly plugged in at the base by electric current that set off fingers of blue and white that laced them with brilliant, silent, and angry (LOOK AT ME!) energy.

I wondered if it was safe to run.  Could I be struck by their lightening?  It seemed to be self-contained.  They were like lava-lamps of the Gods being moved to another room.

No thunder.  No nothing.  Just a funny little display for anyone who was up at that time of day. 





©Michelle Scofield, September 13, 2012 All Rights Reserved

Icy

Hal Higdon's Novice 1 Marathon Training Schedule: Week 1, Day 3

Days to Chevron Houston Marathon: 122

Planned activity: 3 mile run

Completed 3.02 in 35:04

Time and Temp: 5:00am 73 degrees


I'm typing while my foot rests on an ice bag.  It doesn't hurt because I finished my run.  It only hurts when I've been still for any prolonged period of time.  It feels pretty good when I move.  The problem is that I can't be in perpetual motion and I know that as I bump up the miles it's likely to get worse.  I have an appointment to see the fabulous Dr. William M. Jones next week.  It's the soonest I can get in.  In the meantime, I'm going to keep my mileage relatively low and my surfaces flat.  I'll ice and take rest days.

This is as good as I can do people.  My name is Michelle and I am an addict.

On another front but I think (also) needing ice as a response:

Let your imagination tackle this B.S. situation:

Suppose a person entered a lunchroom full of people and was greeted with this:

"Michelle, can you do me a favor?"

"Sure?  What do you need?"

"Could you please eat a sandwich?  You're wasting away!"

W. T. F.

I've worked so hard to lose the pounds I put on when I was out of commission exercise-wise.  I've struggled with my food issues.  I've SWEATED and I've cried.  I've faced my demons.  What if a person had to deal with this shit at work?  From a higher-up?  Sure, maybe it got a laugh but maybe that laugh was gained at the cost of the inner embarrassment of someone who has dealt with food issues her entire adult life.  Sure maybe the butt of the joke might need thicker skin but isn't work supposed to be a safe place?

Isn't it enough to be a stranger (Democrat) in a strange (Republican) land?  Divorced in the land of the married?  Now to be called out for this? For being healthy and thin?  Let's just call a spade a spade.  "You're different.  You're not like us.  We're going to make you feel like an outcast no matter how we have to do it."  That's how it feels. 

I'm a size 10-12.  I'm not rail-thin.  I'm not super-skinny.  I was FAT before I took charge of my out of control self.

My response?  Just a look.   My best friend's proposed response?  Not printable.  I love him but if I followed his advice I wouldn't have the funds to pay entry fees for races nor would we be able to finance our mutual travel addiction.  Some things are best met with icy stares.

Anyway...That's my rant of the day.






©Michelle Scofield, September 12, 2012 All Rights Reserved

Day 2 of Marathon Training

Hal Higdon's Novice 1 Marathon Training Schedule: Week 1, Day 2

Days to Chevron Houston Marathon: 123
Planned activity: 3 mile run  
Completed  3.03 in 33:10
Time and Temp:  5:20am  66 degrees

It's a beautiful morning for a run.  The stars are bright against a deep velvet sky.  I picked out my favorite guy up there, Orion, reclined lazily away from the chipper crescent moon.  I didn't use music or any playlist of talk radio today.  I wanted to hear my footfalls.  I'm trying to figure out where I'm landing on the planet.  My right foot is still nagging at me.  I may make an appointment with my orthopedic guy and see about getting a cortisone injection to nip this thing early (while the nipping is good).  Yes, yes...I've rested it, I've iced it, I've NSAID'd it, I've rolled it.  Short of STOPPING running, it's not going away.  It feels better when I'm running.  It only hurts when I'm stationary.  Classic fascitis.  I'm one stubborn bitch.   *This is me smiling while I type.*

ANYway...I kindof sortof raced a guy this morning.  He was on one side of Lexington Street and I was on the other.  I decided I didn't like that he was about 20 yards ahead of me so I caught up to him and passed him.  Guess he didn't like that and he passed me.  And so on and so on for about a halfmile.  It was fun.  Then it was time for me to turn around and head home.  I waved, he waved.  Happy Tuesday.

Oh, Jacque.  I'm remembering where we were in April.  Trip of a lifetime and I'm so glad we spent time at the Memorial.  Never to be forgotten.











©Michelle Scofield, September 11, 2012 All Rights Reserved

Wait For It...

Hal Higdon's Novice 1 Marathon Training Schedule:  Week 1, Day 1   
Days to Chevron Houston Marathon: 124
Planned activity:  Rest

That's right.  I'm supposed to rest.  It's a good thing.  I ran 7 miles yesterday and I'm also nursing a little tenderness in my right heel.  Rest is good.  The thing is, the weather is stunningly beautiful and cool and calling to me with a siren's seductiveness.

I'll be patient and I'll rest.

I'm also going to the grocery store.  I have a copy of the October issue of Runner's World that has some excellent suggestions for my shopping list.  I'm at the end of my planned weight loss foods, having dropped almost 40 pounds and arrived at a BMI of 25.8 which makes me pretty freaking happy.  My clothes fit great.  (At least the ones that aren't falling off of me fit great.)  I know that I'll drop more weight as my mileage picks up even further. 

More good news:  My doctor added another blood pressure medication and it's working.  Even with significant weight loss, I was hovering around 145/90 and that's just not going to work for me.  She was very thoughtful in her choice of a second medication, taking care not to add a beta blocker or a diuretic because she knows that as a runner she could cause me some real grief.  I appreciate her.

I got an email from the Marathon Committee.  They asked me to set a goal time.  I chose 5:20:00.  I have to finish in 6 hours.  That's when they close the course.  I'm running an 11:15 minute mile most of the time now.  That's a very conservative time I sent them.  I kind of feel like I wimped out on it but it's my first marathon so I'm allowing myself to do this.  This one time.  Hell, I was patting myself on the back just for signing up.  It's suddenly real and yet - I know it's going to get even more real each and every step along the way.  More to come.  Wait for it.


©Michelle Scofield, September 10, 2012 All Rights Reserved

Watching It

I'm enjoying my new Garmin Forerunner 110, purchased at the recommendation of my son.  I'm able to see my pace immediately, instead of trying to do the calculation in my head.  I was using Runkeeper on my iPhone and it was adequate to track my mileage but once in a while I'd finish a run and realize that I was out in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico.  Not that that's a bad thing but I'd like to actually BE in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico - say - on a cruise ship.  Instead, I was left confused as to how many miles I'd just clocked.  If I'm going to be confused, let it be on a chaise lounge with a Vogue magazine in one hand and a Pina Colada in the other.

Other recommendations by my son made were taken less heartily by me.  He talked with great enthusiasm about minimal shoes and the book "Born to Run".  OK.  I bought the book.  I'm only a few chapters into the book and so far, so good.  I'm not sure where it will lead me but I know that my feet are another story.  I've dealt with a stress fracture and I healed it and I'm so grateful for that.  It's gone. It's done.  Buh bye.  Don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.  However...

I've had a nagging little bite on my lateral right heel.  I know it's an insertion point of my plantar fascia.   Bugger.  I also know that to "protect" my feet while they I was heeling my forefoot fracture, I wore ubercushioned shoes.  My heels were elevated and I wasn't allowing my plantar fascia to stretch down.  My bad.

I'm paying for it now.

What am I doing?

I'm taking rest days.  I'm doing ankle strengthening with bands and I'm stretching.

I bought new shoes.  Yes I did.  I bought a pair of Nike FreeRun4's.  They weigh 4 oz each and, no, they don't have toes but they're as close to barefoot feeling as I think I can get with shoes.

I spend money on running shoes like I used to spend money on Hooker Heels. 

This morning I went for a short, slowish (11 minute pace) run.  I don't hurt.  I'm a happy girl. 

I've just got to watch it and pace myself.  January is a long way away.  And it's one helluva long run.



©Michelle Scofield, September 5, 2012 All Rights Reserved

I Come From Another Place

Dancing last night with J.  We used to go about once a month or so but things happen and it's been a long time.  Broken feet happen.  Babies happen.  Bad bands happen.  We got out of the groove.  Don't get me wrong.  J and I never lose our grooves.  We're just too damned groovy to lose our groove.

Our old routine went like this: We'd order dinner (lots of chips and salsa) and talk about our families and our jobs. We'd catch up on news about the old gang. We'd share a pitcher of margaritas or have a couple of martinis each. We'd commiserate about the political and social atmosphere of our nation.  Then we'd move on to the dancing venue.


Our new routine goes like this.  We go to dinner and talk about our families and our jobs.  We catch up on any news about the old gang - there's not much anymore.  We might have coffee.  We rarely have alcohol at dinner. We commiserate about the political and social atmosphere of our nation.  If we're both feeling good and we can find anywhere to dance, we move on to that place.  If not, we call it a night and go our separate ways.  Last night, we felt great and we had a plan. 

The lights were low, the wood paneling was dark, and the band was playing when we entered the room.  The music ran all the way through rock and blues to salsa and hiphop. Several couples were already on the dance floor and we found a table not too far away.  It didn't take long before the first drive by occurred.  A man circled our table and didn't stop.  We were being checked out.  I asked J if she'd seen him.  She hadn't.  She never does.  It's something I like about her.  She's there for the music.  I've seen her dance alone many more times than with a partner.

We were served way-too-expensive cocktails and soon were dancing with numerous and varied partners.  I feel lucky that I was asked to dance by a man who happened to be quite good at East Coast Swing and I'm not sure if he had as much fun if I did, but I had a blast.  It's rare to find anyone who knows how to dance that style these days, let alone is a strong but not painful lead.  During a mamba, I feared one older gentleman was having some sort of cardiac event, as evidenced by his profuse perspiration and the way he was mopping his brow with cocktail napkins.  I asked him if he wanted to sit down but he insisted on dancing on.  We danced on.

You'd think all this would be entertainment enough.  But wait.  There's more.  Another girlfriend arrived.  I hadn't seen her in months.  Now picture this.  Three women.  One tall drop-dead gorgeous African-American, one Midwestern brunette, and one tall West-coast looking blonde.  3 women out on the town, dancing with any man who asks, buying their own drinks.  What happens during the band breaks?  Just this.

A man walks over, sits down at our table and says, "So what's the story here?"  He went on to tell two of us that he thought we were quite stunning but "not your blonde friend" - gesturing at her with a shoulder shrug.  He turned his body away from her, oh-so-slightly excluding her from his conversation. He actually insulted her, not once, but twice right in front of us.  I think he saw her talking to someone and immediately decided she was interested in that person so he didn't have a shot with her.  I'm not sure, but his approach was, um, interesting.  He went on to tell us that the "guys at the bar" had been talking about us and there was money riding on him coming over and finding out our story...where were we from, how did we know each other, etc.  He said he might not be very elegant in his questioning because he "came from another place".   Ah!  That's it.  He asked where I came from.  I told him, I also came from another place.  Kansas in Truthistan.

Now, know this.  The entire time I was talking to him, I was smiling.  I was charming.  I was Charm School charming.  I let him tell us his story about the bar bet and then I leaned forward and told him it wasn't very nice, what he said - twice - to my friend.  I continued to smile while I said it.  He kept smiling and he shook my hand.  He stood and he left.

Best part of the evening.  As soon as he left, another man slid right into his seat.  My girlfriends and I just cracked up.  Poor guy.  What was this?  Was someone giving out numbers for that booth position?

I don't want anyone to get the idea that we're three women who go out on a mission to mess with men.  We don't.  It's quite the opposite.  We all had a great time and I think the people we danced with did, too.  We aren't out to hook up.  We aren't out to take advantage.  We're just out being humans, enjoying the music.  Mr. Swing Dancer was kind enough to tell me of some places I didn't know about where I might run into some other dance-lovers my age.  I'll check them out.  In the meantime, I'll keep planning dinners with my girlfriends and remembering where I come from.  Truthistan, the land of smiling honesty.


©Michelle Scofield, September 1, 2012 All Rights Reserved