A trip to Clifty Falls

At this point, instead of Lyra drinking this gorgeous looking water, she decided to pee in it. Brilliant.

Apparantely she likes apples. Who would've thought? I was done with it anyway...

A rock made out of giant petrified chocolate cake.

See? I told you.

My friend Rebecca and I took a day hiking trip to Indiana today and saw Clifty Falls. Rebecca was nice enough to let me bring along my ornery dog and we all had a fabulous time! The weather was absolutely gorgeous and we definitely got a good workout in. Plus the scenery was phenomenal.

And so it begins...again

I went for my first run today in a while. After a hiatus of give or take 3 weeks I went back full force and it actually felt really good! It was just me, Lyra and the pavement. No music, no nothing. Distraction, yes but that's inevitable.

Since I'm totally off my training schedule (also was probably inevitable), I have no idea what I'm "supposed" to be running right now so I just went with the flow. I ran when I felt like it and walked when I didn't. It was a good start and I actually pushed myself more than I was when I was on track with the schedule. I kept saying things like "I'll just run to that tree..." then "okay, I'll just run to that patch of dead grass..." and then I'd surprise myself by making it all the way to the park bench before I started seeing stars. Of course I had to be careful not to switch and say "alright I'll start running at that tree..no that patch of grass...okay the bench..." But I didn't do that too much.

I'm dying to find some new places around here to run but the path I'm following is quite challenging. If I'm able to complete it totally I'll feel very good about myself. There are enough small hills to make me breathe very hard and turn my face red (from exhaustion...not as much from embarrassment...though sure there's some of that too).

I feel very good about it. I feel like I'm on the right path, both literally and figuratively. The cause, the 5K and the fundraising is for teb, the running is for me.

To donate, go here

Quiet Reflection

It's been a few weeks, I know. And it's been a hard few weeks but I've made it out alive. Sometimes when change comes out of nowhere with virtually no warning it can blindside you and slow you down a bit. But with every change comes learning and growth so ultimately I'm okay. In fact I'm quite good.

I took Lyra to the park today. We had a really nice time but didn't spend as much time as I would've liked. When I chose this park I forgot it rained yesterday and the trail was quite muddy so we spent some time sitting on a park bench watching the creek. After we left we went to a local park with paved trails but I just couldn't stomach it. I wanted to hear the sound of dirt on my shoes instead of cars, baseball games and bikes. But it's all good. I just wish there were some more parks around here with trails that aren't paved. But beggars can't be choosers. I'll take any outdoors I can get. Spending 8 hours a day inside just can't be healthy.

Cute pic!

I had to share, this is Lainey attempting to injest her babydoll.

one more thing

A kid just rode up to the library on a unicycle.

LOVE

Not the best running day

Well, things didn't go so well today with running. It was a day that I wish I had someone behind me pushing me up the hill or at least encouraging me. It was a day that I had pain everywhere. Not abnormal pain, just out-of-shape pain and I wasn't able to just run through it. I could have, I just couldn't find the motivation. Believe it or not, halfway through the run I actually said, "screw this, I'm going to McDonald's." ...and actually went. It made me laugh at least. I am noticing a difference but I'm at a small plateau in success which is a bit discouraging. I know, I know, I just started and I need to keep going and give it time. And I will, but it's hard to remember that when I'm comparing it day-to-day. I'm slightly worried I'm developing shin splints but I'm hoping that once again it's just pain from being out of shape and will go away the more I run. We'll see.

I got such a kick out of this picture, I just had to share.


more cat pictures

So...

Yesterday, someone stole 2 of my hubcaps. Really? Wtf? I'm sure they worth a whopping $.25...put together. Who steals hubcaps off a Mazda protege? So ridiculous. My car looks so trashy now I feel like I should just put it on cinder blocks in the front yard.

People are weird.