Dear Running Shoes:

I wanted to let you know how much you have meant to me these last 6 months. I knew it wouldn't last forever but I didn't see this coming at all. We had some good times you and I. We have seen some amazing heights, okay, it was Communication Hill (CH) but it was still a nice view. And, we had our low points; 28 degree mornings, a pack of dogs stare down and that weird '80's runner (headband, leg warmers, too short shorts). You got me through some bad spots; street paving tar, puddles and black ice to name a few. You have been there for me every morning. Every single morning rain or shine. You haven't complained when I have abused you (that wasn't a pile of brown leaves like I said) and have stood proudly beneath me when I treated you worst (I know sprinting isn't my strength but you gave it your all). So, when you died on me yesterday I was suprised to say the least. I think it must have been that last run on the Santa Cruz beach on Thursday that did it. You were doing just fine but I could tell you were tired (okay, it was me but you felt heavier). Friday it felt like we were slogging up CH but you made it and I thought you were going to pull out of it just fine. But, alas, it wasn't to be. You gave it your best I'm sure yesterday but that last down hill on CH your heart just gave out. Okay, it wasn't your heart it was your toe. I slid forward and my toe slid through the mesh. It was startling to watch it happen. I had to stop and try to save you but you were gone. You wanted to hobble on but I just couldn't watch. Every step was painful for you so I had to do it. I had to let you go. Don't think I won't remember you, I will. Every morning as I set off I'll shed a tear for you. For all those miles we saw together.

Reason #127 for running in the morning

Reason #127: Kids don't like to get up early. When they have to get up early they are not active until after food and sufficient time to digest said food. Thus running in the a.m. is pretty safe from having milling children about.

(This morning Lauren woke up early because of a bloody nose and proceeded to beg to go running with me. She got dressed, shoes on, helmet on, bike ready. We left the house at 5:30, it took 35 minutes to go 2.5 miles. I had to remind her repeatedly which was left and right and to look both ways when crossing a street and to get off the sidewalk when a walker/runner was in front of her. We stopped three times so I could explain that I can't have a 'running conversation' about what we are going to do today/tomorrow/etc.. I need my alone time.)

Thwack!

There are a few perils in running in the dark. Over the years I have managed to identify them and find ways to avoid said perils:

Pitching sidewalks - run on the street
Sprinklers - run on the street
Dogs barking behind fences - run on the street
Cars on road - run on sidewalk or right next to curb
Driver's turning where you are - okay, I've thumped a few hoods but really I just
stop and stare (glare) as they look startled
Prius - not as much noise so a bigger threat. Feel vibrations first and note engine
so listen to your feet and see above.
Dogs chasing me
A. Small dog - out run it or turn around and give it a swift kick* (typically
missing but the dog gets the drift)
B. Medium dog - Stare it down but if it keeps coming stand still and yell at
the idiot owner who is saying, "He is just playing. He won't
actually bite you!".
C. Large dog - Stand very still as it barrels towards me and hope it doesn't
knock me down while I yell at idiot owner. (see above)
D. Pack of dogs - Yes, this has happened. I turned a corner where 5 dogs were
running down the street towards me. I stopped but didn't
lose eye contact with the "leader". I yelled, clapped and
generally took over and sent them home. I didn't continue
down that same street ... just in case.
Raccoons - As long as you are loud they run away. I accidentally got in between a mom
and her babies in a tree once and got a pretty good threat but again, run
in the street.
Bicyclists - watch for them as they can't be heard and move quick!
Other Runners - cross to opposite side of street and generally avoid
*Note to dog lovers - I am not a dog hater I just hate being bitten. I am not out to injure the dog just to get it away from my achilles tendons. I am annoyed with owners that think, "my dog won't bite you". Dogs are predators and a runner looks like prey.

In spite of my wisdom of the ages once in a while I still miss something. This morning it as a bush branch that had sprouted out over the sideway. Right above my eye level. Thwack! It was just woody enough as to sting the second time it hit me - this branch was really long! I felt it on my forehead and put out a hand to push it away, caught part of it but it bent out of my hand, hitting me again and gave me a nice welt.

Thank goodness for bangs...

Give it a Listen

The Empty Chair - Author Jeffery Deavers - Read by Joe Mantegna - 2000

There are certain things that make listening to a book appealing to me; 1) An interesting plot, 2) A reader that has pre-read the story and understands the inflection and, if a reader given to changing voices for the characters, a spareness to the accent or gender of the character, 3) A good flow to the dialog and story line. This book had none of that. None I tell you.

Joe Mantegna had the worst voice for this reading! He was flat where he should have been animated, he used accents that were heavy and so thick as to be completely unintelligible, he slogged through dialog that should have been snappy and a bit pithy, and his sarcasm was non-existent, I was never sure if it was meant to be sarcastic or not!

The premise sounded great! It is about a NY City criminalist that goes to South Carolina for surgery only to be pulled into a murder investigation pitting him against someone he trained.

I was one chapter in before I thought I about turning it off. One more chapter and I was running a 12 minute mile because I was trying hard to understand his accented dialog. And on chapter 4 when I decided I couldn't listen to one more minute. I think that took up about 25 minutes of a 10 mile run. 25 minutes of my life that I won't ever get back.

I have read one other Jeffery Deaver book, The Sleeping Doll (2007), and enjoyed it. But this one lacked a reader that could be listened to for any length of time. Maybe give the book a try but give it a miss on the listen list!

A Little Competition

I woke up this morning at 4 a.m.. I was thinking about all the things I need to do this week; shopping for school supplies, uniforms, backpack for Lauren, shoes for kids, haircuts (maybe next week?) for kids, and organizing my e-mails. Not too much but the school thing is creeping up on me and I think that is why I woke up so early. Anybody else have school anxiety?

I ran The Hill this morning and really did it quickly. I was thrilled with my pace and that I felt exhilarated when I got to the park. As I was running up I saw a gaggle of runners, about 12, running up The Hill as I was just getting to midway along the top. I have this little bit of a competitive streak in me. Not too bad. Really. Well, there is a trail that leads from the park, just before I would start down the steep side, that leads back to about half way up the long side, I don't typically take this route as it is a little off the beaten path and I am one to never go where I can't get help quickly if I need to. SO, I decided to run down that path and then see if I could catch the gaggle. As I was running down the path I was cracking up that about 50 or so field mice were crossing the path to get back to their homes. I almost stepped on one that got a little confused and turned back half way across the path! I hustled down The Hill and caught up to them just about where I had first spied them. I think they were a little startled when I passed them on the final approach to the park. I had a little thrill of victory as I took the park steps two at a time. I had a little Rocky moment (no arm raising but I did punch the air in my mind).

I soared home on light feet and wings in my head. And it made me stop thinking about school shopping for a while.

Yawn ...

My week in running has been boring. No I mean b-o-r-i-n-g. I have been going a little earlier than usual and there has been very few people out. I counted 7 cars and 3 people out today on a 11.25 run. I even crossed to highway access street and there was just no one there.

I could hear the crickets and frogs out in full force with all of the silence around. It did make me a little more of a nervous runner. I kept twisting around to see if anyone was behind me. I swear I almost gave myself whiplash one day then a car started it's engine right behind me.

It's too dark to see anything of interest when I go early. There are so many streets in my neighborhood that have no street lights that it is odd running through a street that does have a light post more than not.

I have nothing more to say on the subject this week. Maybe tomorrow will be exciting - okay maybe not but let's just run with that...

The Hill

There is only one hill within 15 miles of my house. I try and run it about twice a week just to stay in practice - I hate feeling like a complete hill wimp.

I have to run 4 miles to get to what I call 'the long side'. This is the easier of the two roads leading up to the top. It is about .25 mile to the top in a nice big sweep that has a flat section for about 100 yds in the middle - I can catch my breath but still not stop. When I get to the top there is a gradual slope up for about .125 mile and then it is level for another .125 or less.

I stop at a park at the top for a minute to get a nice cool drink from the fountain and enjoy the beautiful view before I start down the steep side. I can see to the Santa Cruz Mountains and enjoy the beauty of the valley below.

I have tried a half dozen times to run up the steep side but I get about 3/4 of the way and have to stop because my lungs are going to explode if I don't. It has approximately a 30% grade, nothing to sneeze at. (The steepest street is at a 37% grade in Pennsylvania: not running this one!)Running down it is not easy task either. I have to take much smaller steps and if it is wet - forget it - I take the easy, but longer, way down via the walking trail that leads to the longer side.

I like rolling hills best but since I don't live amongst them I will have to settle for my one little hill.

Let's Talk about 'The Girls'

Okay, all men - and I know there are a lot of you that read this blog - this is going to be PG for you. Not so PG for us women.

I got a very late start running this morning because my 11 yr old woke me up at 12:30 a.m. and I didn't get back to sleep until after 2:30. Yawn. I did get in a decent if not fast 8.5 miles but it was a little odd being out so late in the morning. What struck me was that so many women need to get better support. I mean seriously better support! I am happy that they are out there giving running a go of it - don't get me wrong - but please, PLEASE, go get fitted for a decent running bra!

We have some cautionary photos from our great grandmothers that will forever burn into my mind the all important need for proper support of the girls. Betty Debbie has even gone so far as to produce a cautionary poem on the subject. (I'm tearing up with laughter even now.)

I am a fan of the Nike multi-panel running bra. It breaths well, everything stays in place and it is comfortable.

So, ladies - and you know who you are - go to Sports Mart, Runner's Inc, Nike, Adias, or whatever sports attire store you frequent and buy a good solid running bra. NO NOT SKIMP ON THIS. If you need to spend a little more than you think prudent please remember you are probably savings yourself back pain and having someone like me yell at you (in my head) to get better support!!