I slack, therefore, I am... doing nothing

I took a week off...from running that is... life was busy and somewhere along the line my motivation flew out the window.

No excuses! I ran yesterday and today. What a big difference in my runs.

Yesterday was a beautiful afternoon... I think I actually smiled while I was running... the weather was in the 60s, there was no wind and everyone was out on the trails running and walking their dogs. Bella was prancing as we ran and enjoying herself.
4.3 miles, 43 minutes, 460 calories

This morning was a much different scene. I set my alarm for 6:15 and got up at 7:15 (damn time change is still affecting my mornings). I looked outside and it looked like the skies would open up at any time. I checked the temp...a balmy 40 degrees. So I really want to do this... yes you do...no you don't....yes you do it is going to be pouring this evening when you get off work and then you won't be able to run at all. Ok, if I go now I can get a half hour run in... come on Miss Bella.... please let me put this harness on you.... no biting.... ok, finally out the door at 7:35 and off we go!

This is going to be great! We are going to get our workout in! 100 yards from my driveway the first drops start falling... they feel like more than a drop of water these are huge raindrops! Then it lets off as we enter the trail.... this run is going great! Oh fantastic love the fact the construction workers decide to use me as their morning entertainment as they finish their thermoses of coffee.... go to hell, I think politely ;) We reach our turnaround point and I think I will add a mile to our run and then the skies let loose and Bella turns back to look at me like.... "you really got me out of my warm bed to do this mom....seriously?" It makes for a rough run back... but we finish... not our finest run,  but hey at least I got out there right?
2.3 miles, 20 minutes, 244 calories

Mama always said walk don't run you will hurt yourself...

I haven't run since last Thursday... I really don't have a good excuse besides life in general. We had very good friends of ours get married this past weekend and the days flew by. BUT, I did get in two - one hour walks with the pup on Saturday and Sunday. So I still got her out there and myself.

The weather is getting warmer here in the South and I will soon be changing my running time from after work to before work. The heat is just too much to handle. Plus Miss Bella will appreciate the cooler mornings as well.

Yes, this post is short... but that's all I have for ya'll!

Beep Beep.... Who's got the keys to the Jeep

Seriously? I mean really? Come on now...don't you need to keep your eyes on the road?

I just love how I am running along and out of no where I hear a car horn... It never fails, it always startles me. Am I running to close to the road? Is the driver out of control and going to run over me? Oh wait, maybe I know this person so I look up to wave... and then I calmly want to turn my wave into a one finger wave, but being the southern belle that I am, I mind my manners.

I mean why honk at a girl runner, do you think it is funny? Do you think she is hot while she is wiping the sweat from her brow and smelling nasty? Do you think I will stop my run and jog over to the car window to get your number? "I just couldn't help myself, the honk of your car lured me in! Will you marry me?"

Let me have my hour of silence and concentration please... this is my time to let my mind wander free, not be polluted by the sound of your beater going down the road... I might stop and wave if it sounds like the General Lee though ;)

5.1 miles, 47 minutes, 543 calories

Snowing on the Trails

Now obviously, if you know anything about geography it is not snowing in North Carolina right now. Well not the cold, wet stuff that we normally associate with weather form my home state of Ohio. But is snowing white flower petals from the Bosc pear trees that are blooming.

As I ran yesterday evening with my favorite little four legged friend we were being rained upon with these little white flower petals. At which time Bella thought they would be fun to chase every single one. (Not so great for a run). As we got closer to these trees and I am already having trouble catching my breath; I smell the most putrid scent that inhibited my breathing even more so.  It smells like the biggest litter box ever.... all I can smell is cat pee. I cannot believe I have to endure this scent while I am running and where in the world is it coming from? Well the smell diminishes as head off the trail and into the neighborhoods. Bella is bound and determined to stay out in front of me. I guess it is her bird dog instincts that keep out in front of the pack. Of course I have to reel her in like a fish everytime we get close to another person along the way.

We hit our turnaround point and I realize I am going to have to enter back on the trail and hold my already labored breath to avoid smelling that putrid smell again. As I run under the white snow of flower petals once more, I realize the smell is coming from the showers of white falling to the ground. How could something so beautiful smell so bad? Obviously it doesn't bother Bella as she races to beat me home even though she can only be 10 feet in front of me at the max. Definitely won't be planting Bosc pear trees in my yard anytime soon.

4.4 miles, 40 minutes, 468 calories burned

Training loves Company

I ran my first race of the year on March 5th, it was just a 10k. I thought I was prepared but I didn't feel prepared the whole time I was running.

See I have been running with a friend. Sometimes this friend has great running days and bad running days just like we all do. Somedays she is pulling me along and other days I feel like she is stopping to smell every flower along the trail. But she inspires me to get out there everyday because she is counting on me for that daily run. Before the race we were running approximately 5 miles a day in the mornings. We were getting up fairly early so I could get my workout in before I went to work, while she was able to lay around all day, so we worked around my schedule.

My friend and I haven't run together since the race because of me getting the bug that has been going around the office. But today we will start again when I get off work, now that the time change makes it lighter longer in the evenings. I know she will be so excited when I get home this evening and put on my running shoes and grab her leash......