Hard Shells, Soft Hearts

4.01 miles 51:06 12:47 pace 4:40pm 72 degrees


The sky seems to be finished with its mission to dump hard and heavy on Houston. I had planned a treadmill run this evening but, honestly, I detest treadmill runs. The bounceback is jarring to my spine. My drive to cover a different clinic today was eventful in that I could see only about 2 car lengths in front of me and I was on a major highway with traffic that insisted on moving along at 60plus miles per hour - until the rain came HARDER. That's when brakelights came on like Christmas at the mall. I pretty much white-knuckled it the whole way.

I needed this run. Outside.

Lucky for me, the sun is shining and I feel like my mood has changed for the better.

I ran up Hermann Drive, past the zoo and the golf course, and turned around when my Garmin told me I'd reached 2 miles. On the way back I noticed an ambulance parked in one of the big lots by the zoo. That's not unusual. With all the hospitals nearby, the teams will often bring in a transfer and then wait for a call, even catching a little snooze if they can. What was unusual was seeing a Tech out in the street, wearing gloves. "Crap", I thought. "What's going on?"

As I came closer, I saw that she was carrying a solid object onto the golf course. She set it down and walked back to her unit. What the hell?

As I neared the place where she set the object, I started to laugh. The ambulance crew saved a big ol' turtle's life. They had moved it out of the street and onto greener pastures.

I've known a lot of EMS workers. I've been an EMS worker. EMS is the rough and ready of medicine. Long hours, underpaid, often rough exteriors, ready to handle whatever is thrown at them and ask for more. Yeah, we would have done that but we wouldn't have wanted anyone to make a big deal out of it. I didn't say anything to them. But I saw it. You bet I did.

(The logo on their truck said "Best Care". Somehow I believe it.)








©Michelle Scofield, October 31, 2013 All Rights Reserved

Mind Games

7.02 miles 1:29:37 12:46 pace 5:30 pm 80 degrees

Didn't get home until after 8pm last night. I worked until almost 6 and by then traffic was at maximum suckage so I tended to some errands, knowing I wouldn't get a run in.

Tomorrow is forecast to be a rainout. Today almost was. It rained my entire drive home but I took a chance and headed out with my visor ready to shield me as best as possible.

As the darkness started to settle on the Museum District, I hoped that this run might give my brain a little break. I've had a tough couple of days and I'm on overdrive. I like pingpong but not when I'm the one being bounced around. I haven't slept more than 2 hours at a stretch. Unfortunately, most of my run-thinking was spent considering if I should give up on running the marathon in January. Commuting and finding time to run when it's not dark is becoming a real challenge. I'm going to shelve that discussion with myself for awhile. I'm grouchy and out of sorts. That's not the time to make decisions. Anyway. As I rounded into my last mile...

...a few solitary zombies (runners) shuffled through the puddles which were rapidly transforming into quicksand. Spanish Moss pulled the trees low along the trails and every chirp of every bird in every branch became a bat. I felt an adrenaline surge as darkness surrounded me and I picked up my pace, pushing toward home and realized I had to cross a small footbridge. I really, really, really hate bridges.

All in all, it was a kind of scary run. I was happy to get home.

Even if the rain doesn't come as hard as forecast tomorrow, I think I'll treadmill those 4 Halloween miles. I know the zoo will have an event tomorrow night and I just don't think I can take the fright.




©Michelle Scofield, October 30, 2013 All Rights Reserved

Home Again, Home Again

Monday, Oct 21: 3 miles somewhere in the Gulf of Mexico on board the Carnival Magic. About 75 degrees. Windy as heck. Ran on concrete on deck 12.

Sunday, Oct 27: 9.06 miles 4pm 2:02:25 13:31 pace about 70 degrees.

As I type this, my monitor is rocking and swaying back and forth. At least that's the trick my brain is playing on me. I don't get sea sick but it takes a while for me to get my land legs back. As long as I'm moving I'm fine but sitting still doesn't make for feeling fantastic.

It was a good cruise. I escaped with my sister-in-law and we did a great job of chaise lounging. I evened out my tan. I got my chakras adjusted at the spa. (Our beach day at Cozumel was rained out, so we toughed it up and booked massages and facials.) I napped in the mornings. I napped in the afternoons.

We had the most lively and interesting dinner table, EVER!

I'd write more, but this rocking is not good.

It felt good to be running again this afternoon - after my nap.

It's nice to be home...but I'm already thinking about the next vacation. Happy Sunday!


©Michelle Scofield, October 27, 2013 All Rights Reserved

Be Happy

12.18 miles 2:30:48 12:23 pace 4:40 pm 70 degrees

I wore my compression knee socks today and my legs felt less fatigued while I ran. Also, my shoes felt less lead-like. I think I'll try to remember to wear them for my long runs from now on.

The weather has taken a sweet turn to coolish. And misty. It's a runner's paradise out there.

I stuck close to home because I knew I'd be finishing in the dark. I ran a little along Brays Bayou and then back through Hermann Park and a couple times around the Rice Trail. It was much darker than I was comfortable with coming along Braeswood on the Hermann path. (I sprinted my finish.)

I'm still not loving this running. It feels like a lot of work. It is a lot of work. Twelve miles at the end of the day at the end of the work week. Yeah.

Oh, and my left second toenail is threatening, threatening. I may start a pool to see when it actually gives way this year.

I'm not feeling a lot of positive. The political nightmare of the last two weeks really bummed me out. I'm going to take a break from the internet and from anything on television that smacks of politics. I'm liking pictures of babies, kittens, and puppies right now.

And cooking shows. LOVE cooking shows, even though I'm not all that into food (for me) right now. The Top Chef in New Orleans has me paying attention because my sweeties are in New Orleans (of course). And Master Chef Junior is adorable. The little kids try so hard and Gordon Ramsey helps them out and seems like a different guy with them. :)

So...if I'm not around, I'm filling my tank with delicious, happy, thoughts. I hope you have a few of those, too!

©Michelle Scofield, October 18, 2013 All Rights Reserved

Heroes

3.02 miles 37:39 12:28 pace 5:30 pm 84 degrees


I'm watching a story on the news about a 23 y/o man who collapsed while running in the very park where I run. He suffered cardiac arrest and a couple driving by (saw him and) stopped. They performed CPR until the paramedic squad arrived. The guy spent several days in the hospital and now has an implanted pacemaker/defibrillator. He lived because somebody knew what to do and did it.

Damn.

That's about a million kinds of awesome.





©Michelle Scofield, October 15, 2013 All Rights Reserved

Saturday 11

11:02 miles 2:21:55 12:53 pace 6:45 am 75 degrees

Almeda to Hermann Drive to Montrose to Allen Parkway. Along the Bayou Bend Trail for awhile. Out and Back route.

Lots of friendly runners out this morning. I wore my bright green Houston Half and Relay shirt. It's fun to come across another runner wearing the same shirt. You kind of have to say "Hi!" and smile. :) I think I saw 4 others today.

The Bayou Bend Trail is good for me because it's got a lot of inclines and declines. It's part of the Houston Marathon course - the part where my language gets especially colorful.

I'm still waivering. I have no idea if I'll actually run the marathon. I've even considered setting up an appointment with a sports psychologist. I'm so freaking TIRED. My bloodwork was fine. My physical exam was fine. I just don't know.

I got counseling when the shit hit the fan last spring but maybe it's affecting me in this aspect of my life, too. Why not?

Anyway...

Here's something that happened today along Montrose. It was just barely dawn. (I left my place while it was still dark.) I was on the sidewalk and I approached a woman walking her dog. The dog was tiny. The woman was tiny. I hoped the woman could hear me. I didn't want to frighten her. She spun around when I was about 20 feet away. She was carrying a very big piece of wood - kind of like a club. Her voice was like gravel. "Hey! Good Morning! Let us move over. Humans have the right of way." And the little lady, her little dog, and her very big stick moved off the sidewalk as I passed by. I looked back over my shoulder and thanked her and wished her a good day. "No problem, sweetie! Now, keep running!" Something tells me for her there are no problems.







©Michelle Scofield, October 11, 2013 All Rights Reserved

Extreme

3.07 miles 38:09 12:26 pace 5:30 pm 81 degrees

Extreme. That's what the weather guy says about the ragweed levels. I could have told you that. I've been achooing through the last 3 days. He said today is a tough one for runners - what with the rising temperature/humidity and the allergen levels. I think he should go as Captain Obvious for Halloween.

That's all I've got. I have to go find a Kleenex.

Happy Thursday.




©Michelle Scofield, October 10, 2013 All Rights Reserved

A Tick Toward Yes

6:03 miles 1:15:12 12:27 pace 5:30 pm 80 degrees


Subtle turn in my attitude. It's like my mood turned a corner and I found myself lacing up for the runs this week with pleasure, not dread. No streamers, no balloons. I didn't see fireworks. It just happened. I'll take it and I hope to keep it.





©Michelle Scofield, October 9, 2013 All Rights Reserved

Give me a "D"!

3.01 miles 35:58 11:57 pace 5:10pm 80 degrees

No, I didn't tank a test. In fact I passed a bunch of them. I went to my doctor and she ran a slew of labwork, trying to figure out the source of this fatigue and my leg cramps. No answers. I consider that a good thing. I'm going to continue to eat a balanced diet, rest when tired, and surround myself with positive people.

"D" is for Dance!

I decided to run with music this evening. Instead of shuffling through my library, I'm working through them in alphabetical order. (Unmedicated Obsessive Compulsive Disorder can be FUN, boys and girls!) I'm up to the D's. There are a lot of songs that have "dance" in the title and that means my run soundtrack was extra-kicky and happy.

I danced in the street and in the dark with David Bowie and Lady Gaga and I felt like a Dancing Queen with ABBA.

Then Prince came on with Darling Nikki, and well...you know.

That's a whole different kind of dancing.

I love me some old-school Prince.

M

©Michelle Scofield, October 8, 2013 All Rights Reserved

Decision Decided

6.02 miles 1:16:59 12:47 pace 7:15 am 79 degrees

I'm dropping back to Hal Higdon's Novice 2 marathon training schedule. The Intermediate schedule was overwhelming me. My paid work (AKA: job) is draining enough. Add in the commute and I was resenting having to come home and run 3 nights a week and every Saturday and Sunday. I don't want to resent something which previously gave me a great deal of pleasure. I took a break for 2 nights this week, reset this morning and I feel good about this decision.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I started mine off with a visit to the Greek Festival in Montrose with great friends. We came back to my place after and enjoyed yummy desserts and talked for awhile. I'm so fortunate to have such kind, understanding, and smart (!) people in my life. This evening, I'm attending a couple of art events. Again, many friends to see. Tomorrow...still to be decided.








©Michelle Scofield, October 5, 2013 All Rights Reserved

Ego Issues

3.01 miles 36:57 12:17 pace 5:00 pm 81 degrees


I waivered. Would I or wouldn't I? I did but it was tough. So this is my way of working through the toughness. Fear not, Dear Reader. It's just what I have to do. My keyboard is my Analyst. :)

I'm fighting...what? Allergies? The beginning of a cold? I felt pretty miserable this weekend with a runny nose and gobbled Benadryl like candy. That made me groggy and dry. I thought I was better yesterday but my eyes were itchy and uncomfortable this morning. (I stayed up too late last night watching C-Span and cursing at the impasse in our nation's capital.) Late this morning I started feeling a little tickle in my throat. There was some painting going on in my clinic. I tried to chalk it up to that. By 3 pm I was feeling pretty punk. I took my temperature and it was a perfect 98.6. I came home and was feeling better. I put on my running shoes.

My mood is less than sparkling. I've had to check my ego a couple times already this week. This life is about a million other things than being liked or being popular. At 53 years old, I can still get zapped by things that used to hurt me when I was 13.

It's good to remember that under the graying hair and the crow's feet lives that girl. She was extremely outspoken and didn't like to be seen as weak or vulnerable. She isolated herself and she didn't suffer fools - including herself. She was also less than unique. The world is full of grown up children. What else could we be?

Related to running, I'm dealing with: I'm. So. Slow.

This is not good for my training. Creeping up from below is a thought. "I can quit. I don't have to do this."

And living in the slime. Under that. "I'm not good enough."

The world is full of grown up children.





©Michelle Scofield, October 1, 2013 All Rights Reserved