Ultra Running: The Prerequisite for Oral Surgery

I had elective oral surgery.  Isn't that an oxymoron?  If it isn't it should be.  Regardless my morning consisted of pushing myself to face a few fears and overcome some more discomfort.  My oral surgeon also happens to be an athlete.  He is into running and cycling but recently added some serious hiking to his resume so we often chat about, what else, running.  And the lengths we go to to push ourselves beyond what we saw as our limits.  But in doing so we often find that we have just made ourselves uncomfortable.

It seems a lot of the things I am choosing to do lately are making me uncomfortable.  From my recent attempt to stretch the limits in my ultra mileage to moving from a home I've had my entire life, things lately have felt uncomfortable.  A little like the first mile after a creek crossing when you've gotten little bits of sediment in your shoes.  It doesn't quite hurt, you just know something is not right.

What I am excited for are the days to come.  Those days that will feel like those miles when you've finally gotten the sediment worked out and your feet are cool for the creek.  I look forward to a routine to appear in our days.  I'm eager to build some relationships in the locala running group.  I'm happy the kids will have the whole summer to explore their new surrounds. 

And because I don't want to get too used to being uncomfortable, I think its time for a little white pain pill and more fun in the pool.  See, a routine is already forming.

Things I See Along My Way

Running my regular routes each day I am able to appreciate the subtle changes to my scenery.  I enjoy watching the sun rise move along the ridge line as winter turns to spring and then to summer.

I enjoy how I get to watch as the farmer's labors are rewarded with crops that fill the fields each year.

I look forward to all the smells each season brings to my rural neighborhood.  My mock pear tree is in bloom and greets me each morning with an invigoratingly sweet perfume.

The way every place is made more beautiful as the plants turn green and bloom.  Even the cemetery near my home becomes a beautiful scene.

The wildlife I get to see by getting outside each day punctuates my normal daily routine with my own version of excitement. 

I love getting to how each animals I might encounter at different points along my runs.  I know where I will see the most turtle, baby snakes, muskrats, kingfishers, heron, raccoon...

You might think my runs would become boring or too routine but then I am provided with a view of this...

...and I am reminded to appreciate the amazing beauty in all the simple things around me.

I've seen all kinds of things and been provided with so many opportunities simply because I was out running around my "neighborhood," getting to talk with a neighbor who is facing a medical struggle, throwing a ball that had bounced onto the road back to a yard full of kids, helping an older neighbor take in they groceries, meeting new neighbors, reconnecting with nature, and becoming more aware of how closely we share our little patch of the planet.

Just when you think you are 'just going for a run' remember it's not just a run, it is an amazing opportunity to open your eyes and see.

What have you seen along your way?

A Bump in the Road

Generally speaking the more technical the trail the better for me however when it comes to daily life I prefer smoothness.

The path my life is on has hit a speed bump.

Maybe the Mother of all speed bumps.

We are all fine and we will all be okay but right now I feel as though my mental confusion would seep through my blogging and add negativity to my posts.

I was reminded by an unexpected and much appreciated e-mail from a bloggy friend that I should let you all know that we are fine even though I am mostly silent.

I also want you to know that your support and encouragement has been a daily comfort for me.  Finding such a warm and welcoming group of friends has been a wonderful addition to my life.

Thank you all so much.

Wondering on Wednesday

My life continues it's daily routine.  The damage from my fall is steadily healing.

The kids are up to their normal antics.

Hubbs and I are preparing for our 20k Relay on Saturday.

Life is good...but...

Day # 136 ~ 3.5 / 27:25

opps actually this is a shot from last night's 6.5 ~ 56 flat

This is from this morning's run ~ Juvenile Red spotted newt

...I may have some of you believing that I am only about running but I am in fact a person with slightly deeper thoughts (occasionally).

I saw this article:

CLICK HERE

and it got me wondering.

It is about an impending execution.  Yeah.  Got your attention on that one.

It will be the first time since 1912 that the state of Virginia has executed a woman. 

I am wondering.

 

What you do think about this?

Whether you live in Virginia or not.  Whether you think it matters that it is a woman or not.  Whether you think you can change anything or not. 

Simply because we are all people with opinions beyond our running/fitness interests,

How do you feel about this issue?

Mostly ~ Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday p.m. Day # 86 ~ 6.5 miles (50:08) with LBM and Biking Sherpa

Today is a stressful potentially life changing day for my family.

I needed something to lift me up.  Maybe you were in need of a smile, too.

LBM's face in this shot is so funny.  He is my little silly monster.

If  you are someone who prays, I'd ask that you think of my family tonight about 7.

Thanks for stopping by.

Why I didn't get to run

Today I did something I haven't done for a while.

NOT run.

I have a very good reason for not giving any of my time today to my fitness; we were signing our names about four dozen times.  I am certain that counts as crossing training for my 3 Changes Challenge!

Before Hubbs had the courage to sign it all he had to visit his favorite watering hole.

Dunkin Donuts.

Yes.  My hubbs would rather have a DD coffee than a beer anyday. 

After the exhausting crossing training session closing we grabbed a quick lunch at Lord Hardwicke's.  It is a nice sandwich kind of place.  The weather was so nice we ate outside.

Then we went back to the new house for hubbs to drop off some things and I had to drive back to PA to get the kiddos at my sister's house.  She and her husband were kind enough to pick up the kids at the sitter since I was not going to make it back in time. 

Thanks sis!

It was an exhausting day.  Just exhausting in a different kind of way.

3 Changes Challenge
April 29th - Thursday (Closing Day - Driving 8+ hours)


1. h2o/non-caffeinated - 55oz- Needs Improvement (yes I could just go drink the needed water but that is not what I am trying to do.  I am trying to make it a habit to drink throughout my day)


2. Destress - Prayer Habit - Check!  I took some amazing roads to get to our loan closing today.  I saw some beautiful country!  Then with the stress of traveling all day, I was smiling and happy.  - Success

3. Xtrain - Up at 5 a.m. to get ready.  Signed my name 4 dozen times.  Not back until 7 p.m..  Unload, supper, homework, baths, cleanup and bed - Needs Improvement

Jen's amazing five days of Giveaways!

Agggghhh, this weather!! We had a record breaking snow fall. It is the earliest snow since...since they started keeping track of snow falls, I guess. I mean can you believe it. October 16th and some areas had 5 inches of snow! Which wouldn't be bad except it wasn't just snow, it was rain too. Which meant this morning's run was cold and wet AND that there was no evening run. Grrrr. I just couldn't take the baby out in this weather with a clear conscience.

After a day at the office, I am always eager to get on home. Tonight's drive home featured a black bear at the edge of a corn field. Must have been a vegetarian. That was exciting! I quickly parked my car, jumped out - cell phone in hand attempting to get a picture to share with you all, only to press the button and find out that I had no more memory for another picture. And with that the bear decided that he did like the paparazzi and he ran across the road and into the woods.

After that excitment, I picked up the kiddos and we headed home. Abby was unimpressed with the bear story (now if I had procured that picture I just know she'd have been excited!). Arriving home we found our contractor, Steve finishing up the day's work on our soon-to-be second bathroom. Yes, we will be joining those people. You know, the people who don't have to fight over how long someone stays in the bathroom or complain about why there are always blow dryers and makeup on the bathroom counter. Yes, we will finally after 20 years have two bathrooms! ....for me to clean. Oh yeah, that's the down side. Anyway, we checked out the latest work and chatted about how much we like the bathroom thus far. Then we settled in for the evening.

So instead of my normal evening run, I had planned to attempt to start my 90 days with P90X (more about P90x in the days to come)but that didn't happen either. I realized that starting the new program probably wasn't a great idea the night before a race. All be it a short just for fun 5k race. I have not fully set my mind to running the 5k race. I'd honestly like to get in more miles than that but...I laid out my race clothes for the morning just incase.

But I spent time with the kids, talked with my niece, my hubby and my mom, made supper, bathed the baby with Abby's help and still had to time blog with you. Not what I'd planned but a great evening and maybe just what I needed after all the races the past two weekends.

There were a few things I learned during from my evening I thought I'd share:

1. When you see a black bear along the road, running toward the bear may not be the best idea ever.

2. When your 8 year old daughter offers to help bath your one year old son, always ask what soap she'll be using and how much of it. pictures on that one coming soon

3. Stay flexible. Some days no matter what you plan to do life may have something else in mind.