Thursday, July 17, 2008

Tricks of the running gods

I truly am starting to believe that there are Supreme Running Beings out there in the universe that get an immense out of pleasure it messing with me on a regular basis.

It’s like every time I go out to run, one of the running gods (not sure exactly how many there might be) is rolling a dice, flipping a coin, or playing Rock/Paper/Scissors to predetermine the outcome before I even get started.

My runs in CA during the month of June were FANTASTIC ~ my best ever.

The couple shortish runs I’ve had since I’ve gotten back were MISERABLE ~ some of the worst.

As I was plodding along last Saturday morning, swearing at the running gods for the torture, I remembered something I had said long ago: as runners, we are never defined by a single run. In other words, a good run does not a good runner make; nor a bad run does not a bad runner make. Pretty deep, huh????

It is hard not to let a series of crappy running define me, but I’m not. I’ll just say that my running has sucked lately and leave it at that.

I did manage to make some friends on my run last weekend. I even brought them home with me. I decided to name them GNAT.


No, those are not moles or freckles ~ this is what happens when it’s monsoon season in good old Arizona and the humidity shoots up beyond anything that we are reasonably accustomed to. I had to block from my mind how many of these little critters I actually consumed or inhaled during this run ~ I chalk it up to helping me meet my protein target for the day.

When I got home, I was sooooo HOT, sweaty and gnat-covered that I decided to jump in the pool ~ running clothes and all. It felt great ~ and for a fleeting moment I was almost a wannabe triathlete. Until I remembered that the swim should always come first ;)


I’ve been holding steady with my workouts at the gym ~ trying for both a Body Pump and Body Attack class at least once a week. I’ve been good with my eating habits ~ even throughout a ton of traveling ~ but the scale still isn’t cooperating the way I wish that it would. But I feel good, and my clothes feel good….so I remain patient. I’m not patient by nature so I sure it wont last much longer.


This Saturday is the 4th AZ Road Racers Summer 5K. I’ll be attempting to run with Eileen, but am not holding too high of expectations for myself. I figure just getting up, getting out and moving for 3 miles is worth something ~ so I’m doing it. I have no expectation of running with Speedy Gonzales this weekend, although she is being kind enough to pick me up at 5:30 am, which is, of course, her most favorite time of day ;)

In other news, I’d like to announce the formal, official debut of team FOUR SCORE & SEVEN BLISTERS AGO, which will be competing in the American Odyssey Relay Run Adventure in April 2009. Our fun-loving, wacky team is made up of 12 runners; 10 of which are from various parts of the U.S. and 2 from Canada!!!

Somehow this team of 12 is going to spend 36 hours together in van, run 200 miles of roads rich in American history from Gettysburg, PA to Washington, DC, have an AMAZING time doing it. Fellow bloggers Jeff, Rob, Katie, Nat, Cheryl, Ken and Micheline are part of my wonderful team, plus a few other non-bloggers (yet great runners!) who have yet to really determine how crazy the rest of us really are!

I am both excited and a bit freaked out about this new undertaking ~ I’m sure it will be an amazing event. I’m sure I will ramble PLENTY about my team and this relay over the next 9 months.

And last, but certainly not least ~ I am finally publicly able to wish a big CONGRATS to my dear friend Micheline who is expecting her second little munchkin!!! The offspring, affectionately named “Frogger” will be arriving in Reno in late January of next year…..and its mother will still be up and ready to go for the AOR relay in April!!! She is a real trooper, my running hero, and my great friend. So throw some CONGRATS her way ~ as well as a bit of good luck too……she’s gonna need it if she has another boy!! Just ask me….I know!!! ;)


Happy Running!

19 comments:

Wes said...

Funny how you and Jess could be posting about Gnats :-) I tell you the same thing I tell her! No need to carry Gu when the Gnats are out!!

That's a very exciting event coming up, and great team name!!!

E said...

I hate the humidity!

We're going to have fun at the 5K! :)

Nat said...

I, for one, promise not to leave any remnants on your neck.

I love that team name. I really do.

Micheline is a superwoman, I am sure. Four months after I had The Boy it was all I could do just to get the groceries done.

Calyx Meredith said...

Great team name! Those marks look uncomfortable - hope the running gods stop messing with you soon!

Unknown said...

Love the team name! Should be fun to follow you all.
Next time you are hungry just go out for some gnats and kill two birds with one stone... exercise and food.

Viv said...

you are just to sweet that is why you got all those buggies. LOL! They totally avoid me and my sourness. Have fun and good luck with the 5K this weekend.
The team name is so cool...love it!

Christie said...

A lil extra protein ain't never hurt nobody :P

Aka Alice said...

OMFG - the gnats just gave me the heebie-jeebies...eeewwwww... The running gods in AZ sure are MEAN...

The x-country run next year sounds like FUN...You're right, you'll have PLENTY to blog about!

Erin Leigh said...

Yeah, that is GROSS!!! I would be running with a net over my head, LOL.

Good job getting the work-outs in. I don't understand why some days are great and others are awful. You could see if they weren't great but sometimes you just want to lay down and die.

Bev said...

Gross. Next time take a picture of your teeth so we can see all the gnats in your grill. How do you like Body Pump? My club is starting it next week, so I'm going to give it a try. Body Attack is awesome crazy.

Cheryl said...

Gnats = Gross.

I love our team name too!! Can't wait.

Good luck on the 5K, take some frozen washcloths.

Lily on the Road said...

Yikes, gnats, who knew?!!!

oh I'm sooo jealous for your up coming race across the states, who are the runners' from Canada??? Just asking...

Good job on going to body pump...keep up the good work!

Nitmos said...

We have the Gnat issue here in MI also. I pretty much come home covered in 'em also.

You might be having a little heat induced slow down.

Tammy said...

Love the team name! I love relays!

J~Mom said...

Love the team name!!

Mendy said...

Team name is great! You are gonna have a blast. Bummer on the knats. I hate those little suckers. Have a great time at that 5K!!!

Mendy said...

Oops. Meant to say "Hope you had fun at the 5k".

(hate mondays)

Mmem said...

That was a gnasty run:-( And yes, it is a good reminder that a bad run does not a bad runner make, thank you, I needed that! :-)

The Relay sounds way cool, best of luck training & running it!

Jade Lady said...

Wow - this relay thing sounds like a ton of fun!