The Heaviness of Fear

Today I completed the 2 week On Ramp class at CrossFit Central Houston. I'm amazed at the amount of learning and change I've undergone in the past 2 weeks.  I've been sore in places I didn't know could hurt.  I'm drinking more water and my diet is much cleaner.  My clothes are fitting better.  My sleep is deeper. Now comes the hard part.  Even with coaching and encouragement, I'm super-hesitant to jump into classes 2 or 3 times a week.  I trust the coaches.  I observed them observing me and I listened as they explained how I can do things better.

I've learned about proper use of equipment and body mechanics.  I've also learned a lot about my state of mind and how it can help or hinder my progress.    

Fear.

It's heavier than any weight in the gym.  It offers more resistance than the thickest of elastic bands.  It looms higher than the highest of pull up bars.

Twice this week I was close to tears while working out.  

The first time, I was feeling a kind of euphoria - I guess.  (The runner's high mostly eluded me in my years of distance running.)  Toward the end of Monday's workout, I was having fun.  The rowing machine is in my wheelhouse.  I felt comfortable with deadlifts.  I was getting the swing of kettle bell swings.  My heart rate was up and I was soaked in sweat.  It felt great!  And then I realized I felt like crying.  Huh?

Today we learned the Clean lift. Let me back up a bit and say that we started off with Wall Balls.  That exercise requires a start from squat and powering up to throw a medicine ball above a painted line on the wall.  Flexibility is something I've steadfastly ignored through my years of running.  Performing a squat is tough for me.  Really tough.  I was moved back to air squats so I could work on my form and depth.  Great!  Or, not.  Ego rears it's ugly head at the most ridiculous times.  I am working hard to allow my gratitude for coaching to outweigh my fear of embarrassment. 

So we move on to the lift.  It's hard, people!   These movements don't come naturally to me.  A major portion of the lift is allowing the bar to move through potential energy and then finishing with kinetic energy.  The control freak part of my brain wants to JUST MOVE THE WEIGHT!!!  Not exactly efficient.  This is a great lesson for me, though.  Muscling my way through the lifts (and through life) isn't good for me.  I want what is good for me.  Awesome!  And now I feel like crying again.  But I don't because I'm just not going to.

Finishing the class, we were given general information on membership.  Fear sat with me in that room.  Here was my verbalized question:  "Does anyone ever repeat On Ramp?"  The answer: "Some people do."  The coach followed with encouragement to keep working, go to classes...step up and face the challenge.

I'm going to let Fear have it's place here.  It exists.  It's been my near-constant companion for over 50 years.  The thing is, it's not beaten me yet.  I can't muscle past it but I can work smart and get the job done.  I'm looking forward to exploring the feelings associated with this new endeavor - emotional AND physical feelings.  

Now where did I put that foam roller?

I've Been in a Snowstorm

So, yeah.  It's been a long time.  I've heard:

"I miss your blog."
"You have a blog?"
"What happened to your blog?"

I've been busy living and (sometimes) running and trying to sort out things too numerous to count.

Resolutions can be strong motivators.  I made one on the first of January last year.  I resolved to be out of my job by the last of December.  You see, I didn't like my job - in ways too numerous to count although I wasn't really doing anything about it.

As the year went on, the count increased along with my unhappiness.  I wasn't sleeping well.  I was gaining weight.  I was losing interest in activities that used to make me happy.  Look up depression in the dictionary.  Doesn't matter which one, any will do.  I was a textbook case.  I was also irritable, struggling very hard to focus, and withdrawn. I was not only depressed, I was burned out.

Several things happened in rapid order:  My job responsibilities increased dramatically without increase in compensation. I lost my lease and had to move immediately. I required surgery (that called for at least two weeks off work and six weeks off running).  My work hours increased on top of the additional job responsibilities.

Do you remember the experiments we did in Chemistry class to demonstrate saturation?  We'd take a glass beaker and fill it with solution, heat it up, stir in another solution - bit by bit - until, Presto!  A precipitate would form in the beaker and we'd document the exact time/temperature/volumes at which we'd created a snowstorm in a glass.    

My snowstorm happened on the twenty-first of November.  It wasn't really that cold outside but when I left a meeting and walked into the fresh air, I knew that I was saturated and that I was doing something.  Finally.

By the thirty-first of December, my resolution was accomplished.

So that's behind me now.

Let's move on.

Remember those six weeks of no running?  Sure made a marathon last weekend seem difficult.  Once cleared to walk, I did. I switched to the half marathon and with very few training miles under my belt ran it anyway.  I'm happy to tell you that I finished and I have the t-shirt.  (And a medal.)

Thanks to my faithful friends and readers who encourage me.  I'm excited about the next chapter(s) in my book.  What's most exciting is that I get to write them every day.  I didn't make a New Year's resolution this year.  Instead, I've made lists - too numerous to count.  

Stay tuned.


©Michelle Scofield, January 22, 2015, All Rights Reserved 

Blue Tanzanite Christmas in July

"I hope you don't mind if I run next to you. You just keep going and I want to quit. But you don't quit"

I wanted to quit. The stairs were right there, ten feet away. My plan 15 seconds prior had been to head for those stairs. I kept running with her.

It was unbelievably hot and humid in Progresso, Mexico. The ship was docked and there was no breeze. Not a whiff. My clothes were soaked through. My Tuesday was to go like this: sleep in, shower, eat breakfast, then make my way to the spa for a long-anticipated full-body massage. I woke earlier than expected and did what I do when I have extra time on my hands. I made my way to the 10th deck's tiny track and started running. The thing was...I didn't have much oomph. After 15 minutes of pushing myself and cursing myself, I wasn't enjoying it and I wanted to quit and take that shower. I was starting to consider my breakfast. Then she told me I don't quit.

So I ran next to her and we talked about why we run. She's a teacher and she is determined to set a good example for her students. She wants to be able to tell them (when/if they ask) what she does for exercise. She runs. Her name is Holly. She was traveling with her family, none of whom share her passion for running and she was getting up and exercising before any of them started their day so she didn't cause a kink in the vacation works. She talked about balancing her desire to party with the gang and still wake up early and run. She talked quite a bit while we ran and honestly she was a LOT younger than me so I was happy just to let her talk while I concentrated on not guppy breathing in the thick Mexican air.

A couple days later, I was having a little difficulty finding a lounger in the shade. After a full day in the sun at Cozumel, I needed shade. Ah! I spotted one next to a woman and a teenish-looking girl. I arranged my book, my phone, my earbuds, and looked around for a waiter. Time for a cold drink and some quiet time. The woman next to me turned out to be a talker. That turned out to be an okay thing.

She is originally from Serbia and is recently divorced. She is apparently doing everything she always wanted to do but her husband didn't allow. She obtained a driver's license. She cut her hair. She got a tattoo. She is traveling - a lot. The girl on the chair next to her is her granddaughter. Last month my new friend took another granddaughter to Disney World. She will go to California for Christmas - with her divorced male neighbor.

She will never marry again but plans to take, "as many lovers as will have me". She tells me all her friends call her Snow.

I met Steve at a bar on the ship. He's also divorced and the father of 1 son and 2 daughters. His girls were his travel mates. They're old enough to spend time on their own, which they did for a good part of the cruise. We talked over cocktails most evenings and went to a couple shows together. Steve and I shared laughs with the bartenders and with other passengers. There is a wonderful phenomenon that can happen when traveling with strangers. Past and present journeys somehow get mixed together in the telling of tales at the end of the day. One evening, Steve told me how he lost his relationship with his son. He told me that it was embarrassing to admit his fault as a parent. All I could do was reassure him and let him know he isn't traveling alone on that particular journey.

I've been suffering from post-vacation blues. It seems as if as soon as I got back home I was hit with a crazy work schedule including covering another hospital - which doubles my time spent in rush hour traffic. I started marathon training and knowing I have runs planted on my calender makes me feel simultaneously resentful and relieved. January is a long way off and some afternoons are as hot as Progresso out there as I step out the door for my runs. I'm doing what I can to stay motivated, including asking for a week off work in August. Hopefully a friend will be flying in to town to help me enjoy it. I'm trying to figure out a way to spend Christmas with friends and/or family. (I feel like I was given a particularly big nudge by Holly and Snow regarding that.)

Me and those blues. We're not strangers to each other. I know how to keep them at bay, even if I don't rid myself of them forever. I think they're wound into my DNA. My helix runs a deep shade of Tanzanite. (That's a reference JUST for you, Jacque and Raquel.)

When I was running the other day, I was tempted, again, to give up. (That's how it works, you know. It's damned HARD to keep going when it's 95 degrees out and you've been up since 5:30 am and have worked a full day.) I was listening to music. "Falling Slowly" from "Once" started playing. I was back in London, a trip I worked my ass off to pay for. I was in the theatre listening to one of the most beautiful songs ever written and sung.

"Take this sinking boat and point it home.
We've still got time.
Raise your hopeful voice you have a choice."

Always. I have a choice. Running on.



©Michelle Scofield, July 30 2014, All Rights Reserved

Happy Saturday

2.12 miles 26:08 12:22 pace 45 degrees 11:15am Hermann Park


I've been active at work. More than active. My guess is I've also been banking cortisol at record pace. Not good.

Today started out very cool - actually near freezing. I woke around 6:30am, read a little, then started cleaning. I have clean sheets, clean floors, a clean bathroom. I was waiting for the warmup. The sun streamed into my place, beckoning to me. "Come outside!"

My right heel and forefoot are still stiff. If I admit to truth, they're sore. But not too bad. I took a couple walking breaks and decided not to go such a very long distance. I only wanted to be outside. I wanted to grab a little Happy. And I did. (Oh, and update on my decision not to run the marathon. It was the right one. I went to Austin with a great friend. That was Happy, too.)





©Michelle Scofield, January 25, 2014 All Rights Reserved

A Little Jogging and A Lot of Walking

3:50 pm
61 degrees
3.03 miles
40:40
13:25 pace

I moved because to sit seems to allow the stiffness to congeal.  Tomorrow will be another rest day. The decision is already decided.

Another Finish, Another Shirt

30K  3:55:16  12.37 pace   6:30 am  36 degrees at start  Sugar Land Finish Line Sports sponsored the run.

I waivered.  I bitched and I moaned.  It turned out that I had an alarm set, so I rolled out of bed and rolled my car on out to Sugar Land to be in a parking spot at 5:30. 

Here's what this training and running is coming down to:  Can I do it?  Can I be sick, recovering from injury, seasonally/situationally depressed, fatigued as hell and still do it?

You bet I can.

Because my positive weighs about 1000X more than those negatives I listed above.

Prior to the race, it was pretty cold - make you shiver cold.  I knew restrooms at City Plaza would be unlocked, so I'd have time for my obsessive prerace bladder emptying and I headed for the brightly lit hallway under my old condo.  It turned out to be a comfortable place to wait.  It was filled with friendly runners and we hung out for about 30 minutes, chatting about training and just running in general.  It was a nice way to pass the time. 

I moved to the start line in time to hear the National Anthem and we were off.  After the first half mile, I strained my eyes to check my Garmin.  I was at an 11 minute pace.  Ha!  The start gets me every time.  I backed off.  My plan today was to run a mile and then walk a minute. 

I didn't stick with the plan.  I was just too tired and I was afraid If I started walking too much, I would give in to the fatigue.  My hip flexors were protesting by mile 8.  I was very aware of my deconditioning.  I walked a minute each 15 minutes. 

At about mile 12, a woman to my left asked me about her music.  Huh?  I couldn't hear her music.  It was a No Headphones race.  She had her phone on her left arm and was being very considerate, asking me if her tunes were bothering me.  They weren't but we fell into pace next to each other and started talking.  We finished the race out together, running through the entire thing, walking only to grab a cup of water at the two remaining hydration stations.  Melissa was a sweetie, really positive and funny. 

I feel like she pulled me in for the finish and I'm really grateful. 

That last mile, we were both feeling it.  We kept looking for those final turns and they seemed to be a long way down the road. 

Finally.  We got there.  Her family was waiting for her and her little girl joined her to cross the finish line. 

I looked for the photographer and threw up my arms in an uncharacteristic (for me) victory pose as I crossed.  I appreciate this medal and tech shirt a little more than I usually do. 

I have a baked potato in the oven and filet waits for my dinner.  I'm going to enjoy them tonight.  Happy Sunday, Everyone.  And thanks for the support.  I'm very appreciative of you.

©Michelle Scofield, December 13, 2013  All Rights Reserved

Forced Rest...Now What?

November 29 Wichita, KS 27 degrees 3.02 miles 37:10 12:18 pace

I had heel pain and knew I needed to back off. Back off I have.


Today: Hermann Park 41 degrees 1.78 miles 31:11 Walking for recuperation


I started to have a little, hacky cough on Thanksgiving day. Maybe I caught something on the plane? It would be the fastest moving virus ever heard of.

Anyway...

I ended up sick as a dog. A really, really sick dog.

I wasn't feeling too bad the Friday after Thanksgiving. Still just a little "ahem" kind of cough. No fever. I was able to keep things calm with cough drops and OTC meds. I even went to a movie with my family. Saturday we went to the art museum and I started fading. Fast.

By the time I boarded my plane on Sunday night, I was medicated to the gills (which, by the way felt like they were drowning). I struggled not to cough in my fellow passengers' airspace but I was so flushed and feverish I wasn't even thinking straight at that point. I emailed work and warned them that I would likely not be in the next day.

Since then, when I'm not working, I'm sleeping.

Until yesterday morning when I woke up and realized that my stomach didn't like my prescription medications. Joy. More sleep.

Today feels like I've turned a bit of a corner. I absolutely, positively couldn't sit in this chair, or on this couch, or lay upon this bed one more hour. I bundled up and took a walk in the park.

I've missed it.

I'm entered in a 30K race next Sunday. I'll pick up my race bib. I have no idea if I'll show up for the race. It seems like a lot to bite off at this point.

Everything seems like a lot to bite off at this point but movement felt pretty wonderful. Especially that fresh air. In and out. What a relief.

My only goal for the week is to not be in my head too much regarding worrying about the marathon in January. There isn't a whole lot I can do about it at this point...other than to push myself too hard, relapse, and end up an even sicker dog.

This all makes perfect sense. In black and white. I'll just keep writing, reading, saying it. Even in my sleep, if that's what it takes.




©Michelle Scofield, December 8, 2013 All Rights Reserved

Crockpot Ready Protein Post Run

13.1 miles 2:56:52 13:30 pace 7:00 am 75 degrees


I woke today with no pain so it was up and at 'em. By mile 9, I was aware of my right lower extremity. I'm not going to say I'm at a decision point regarding running the marathon in January. I'm not there yet. I finished the solo half marathon. I'm glad to be home. It was hot and humid as hell today. It wasn't a pleasant run. This isn't supposed to be easy. Or so I've heard.

I have a massage scheduled at noon and I plan to enjoy every moment of it.

Yesterday was a (for the most part) enjoyable day. I got a haircut. I took a spin in my own car with my car guy trying to find the funny noise it's making. We couldn't figure it out but he replaced the wiper blades and he's not a bad guy to hang out with. :)

I had dinner with a dear friend and we're trying to figure our way back to each other.

I'm post-run brunching on homemade crockpot blackeye peas made with:

dry black eye peas (about 2 cups)
salsa
3/4 cup of left over Pappasitos rice
about 3/4 cup of left over Pappisitos pico (onions/tomatos/cillantro)
1/2 cup chopped pancetta
water added throughout the day yesterday - just enough to keep them moistened.

No, it's not precise. None of my crockpot recipes are. It is, however, delicious!



©Michelle Scofield, November 17, 2013 All Rights Reserved

DustBuster

4.06 miles. 49:28:18. 12:11 pace. 4:40 pm. 60 degrees


Increased work responsibilities. Increases patient load. Increased personal stress. Decreased quantity and quality of sleep.

I've been feeling sluggish. I skipped my run yesterday and took myself out to dinner. I felt a strong need to socialize. It seemed to be almost an imperative. If I didn't put on nice clothes and a smile and get OUT, I would crawl into bed with the covers over my head.

Today I needed to move again. I left my gym bag on the corner of my desk all day. It sat there, reminding me of my duty to myself.

The cool air was calming and restorative. I expect to sleep well tonight.

That's my plan. I'm a huge fan of a plans.

30 mile week

15.09 miles 3:11:01 12:40 pace 8:30 am 60 degrees



I used the Nathan Hydration Belt for the first time today. On a long run. I was happy to have water with me and it worked great to carry Gu packs. (I only used one.) It was great to have my hands free. Here's the thing: My gut was distressed - which isn't unheard of for runners. I was relieved that my halfway point was the tennis center at Memorial Park. It seemed that carrying extra weight at my midsection was, um, stimulating.

We'll see.

I came home, showered, ate lunch, and slept for a couple of hours.

Now tomorrow is mine. That's a very good thing.




©Michelle Scofield, November 9, 2013 All Rights Reserved

Beautiful Weather

4.02 48:04 11:57 pace 4:00 pm 66 degrees (shorts and a long sleeve tech shirt)


I ducked out at lunch today and grabbed a Subway sandwich. (Thank you to the transcription team for remembering PA week and sending me a Subway gift card via interoffice mail. Thoughtful gift!) The Subway is next door to a Starbucks. The smell of that yummy stuff wafted over to me and I resisted the urge. I've had exactly two and a half cups in the last month. I feel better for kicking the daily habit.

The cold front that moved into our area is big news today. It's supposed to get down into the 40's tonight and maybe into the 30's tomorrow night. It made for a great run this evening.

Anyway...back to Starbucks. At 11am, the temp was a balmy 68 degrees. For a little minute I thought I was in Seattle. 3 teens were huddled close together wearing felt jackets (one plaid), and wool caps. They were holding cups of coffee and seemed to be freezing. I stopped short of laughing out loud.

Texans.

And now I want to plan another trip to Seattle. :)

Happy Thursday.





©Michelle Scofield, November 7, 2013 All Rights Reserved

(After) Working Out

7.04 miles. 1:24:30 12:00 pace. 3:45pm. 65degrees


There is a solution to every problem. By the time I drive home after work, it's getting so late that the tail end of a longish run puts me making my way home in the dark. Today I finished my last dictation, locked my office door, changed into my running gear, and headed out the door. The weather was great. It was a little weird being on the streets where I trained last year.

Sugar Land drivers still pay no attention to pedestrians in crosswalks.

Anyway...it's one solution to getting that midweek run accomplished.

I stopped at a drive through on the way home and brought a chef salad with turkey home. Yum!

(We had an office lunch today and I ordered grilled tuna. Yes, I'm THAT person...and I heard about it. Why do we have to hear about it?)

Happy Wednesday! The weekend is just around the corner.

M

Bike Off!

14.03 miles 2:57:25 8:20am 50 degrees (heated up to over 60) 12:39 pace

Almeda to Binz to Montrose to Allen Parkway to Shepherd to Memorial Drive and back. Finished up with a run around Hermann Golf Course.

I feel kind of lucky to be home in one piece.

There has been a lot written about the way drivers of cars treat those who ride bikes in the Memorial Park area.

Today I witnessed (over and over) runners almost being clobbered by bike riders. It happened twice to me.

I understand that the street is not safe in the area for bikeriders. There have been serious injuries - even fatalities at Memorial. What I don't understand is why a few (not ALL - there were plenty of people riding responsibly) have taken to the sidewalks in such an aggressive and dangerous manner.

My running schedule is calling for longer and longer runs. The Bayou Trail is convenient, slightly hilly, and I'd like to continue to use it. I thought I'd use Memorial Drive and add the Memorial Loop for mileage. I'm not going to chance it. If my experience in just a one mile stretch of Memorial on a Sunday morning was any indication of what I can expect in that area, I'll pass. I'm no match for 2 wheels and a helmet flying down the sidewalk. In a matter of moments, my running days and possibly my career...crap, my life could be over. These thoughtless bullies can have the sidewalk. I'll stick to the trails.



©Michelle Scofield, November 3, 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