The Wonders of Sports Massage!

I finally found a new masseuse! It's Jason at Hands-On Wellness. If you are in the area and are in need of some de-knotting - I highly recommend them! Jason knows athletes and what you need. My lower back and hamstring are finally free of knots and tension for the first time in months. I wish I'd gone much sooner. I'm now going to go monthly for tune-ups, the expense is worth it to stay healthy and running.

My Saturday massage allowed me to have a good run at Wunderlich. Aerobically I didn't feel up to snuff, but my muscles and legs felt good. There's much work to be done, but the journey is part of the fun, right?

Sunday Trail Bliss

I rolled up to Zweirlein trail head in Huddart Park a little later than I wanted too, but it didn't matter because I had all the time in the world to get in a good trail run. My water pack was topped off with PowerAide, and I was ready to go. The weather, well it was finally perfect - no horrendous winds or unseasonably cold weather. I should just give up and move to Arizona already.

I was kind of surprised that there weren't that many cars in the parking lot, being that it was Sunday and one of the nicest days we've had in months.

The trail quickly dips off into the redwood forest. And the trail is beautiful, soft and loamy from decomposing redwood needles. A few squirrels chattered at me as I ran by. A fairly large lizard sunned himself on a rock and did his little up and down display dance.

It takes me a long while to get warmed up. So I did a little bit of walking running, which I'm not happy with myself for doing. It seems whimpy and lazy to me in hindsight. I need to bump it up hard again.

I passed by a few small groups of hikers heading back to the parking lot. And only one runner, surprisingly. The Zweirlein trailhead opens up to the Crystal Springs Trail, a long trail that connects through several open space areas. I was taking CPT to the top of the ridgeline. Down in the lower regions it switchbacks through lovely, dense redwood forests and then gradually transitions to an oak forest. The oak forest is thicker in undergrowth and at times a little creepier as larger critters can easily hide out there. It didn't feel creepy in the slightest today though.

I wound past the Toyon camp ground area and came to a great natural rock bench. Sitting on the cool rock feels great on the hamstrings!

It seems that the CST was resurfaced in parts since I was there last. It had pressed gravel in some sections that are pretty remote, kinda surprising. I suppose they did this for the equestrians, since the horses tear up the trail in the wet weather.

After winding up through the oak and chapparal for a while the CST plunges back into redwood forest again. This is when I know that I'ms nearing the top because at about this time I'm trying to remember where the heck the top is. It's a constant climb up with almost no break. And you think that you've hit the top when you make the connection with the Skyline Ridge Trail, but nope, it's the insult to injury part. There's a 0.7 mile section to the very top from here that has several bumps that are super steep, pretty much too steep to run at any real speed but I'm sure that some of the speedy local trail racers just fly up them. At times I have to kind of march them sideways, foot over foot.

When you crest that last hill and reach the very top you're still shrouded in beautiful redwoods as you are for most of this run. I stopped here to snap a few pictures and have a Gu. Then I kept running on the Skyline Ridge trail until I hit the Chincaupin trail. I love this trail. It's like a rollercoaster going back down again. Chincaupin rolls down through the redwoods and sometimes clings to some very steep cliffs, getting narrow to a point just before being nervewracking.

The further I descended, the warmer it felt. Quite by accident I happened upon a great way to keep cool. When filling up my backpack bladder I must have accidently sprayed some water inside my backpack. It started to slowly leak out during my run and onto my back....refreshing! At first I was afraid that my bladder had a leak in it (okay, not THAT bladder) but the leak didn't taste or look like PowerAide. I think maybe next time I'll stick some ice into my backpack and see how that works.

As I neared the trailhead I could smell barbecues cooking. And when I came out into the parking/camp area it was packed with people who weren't there only an hour and a half before. I guess folks were getting a late start on their Sunday fun. When I drove out of Huddart there was a steady line of cars coming in.

So for Sunday, it was about 11 miles in the coastal mountains.

Monday = day off

Tuesday = 3.5 miles easy, feeling a little sore.

Wednesday - 5 miles with the babyjogger.

Wind Aided (Addled) Workout or
Running Against the Wind and Myself



So I did my speed (not) workout in the hurricane force winds that we had last night. It was both better and worse than expected. I dressed like a ninja in all black for the occasion (because all of my white and colored shirts are in the wash basket getting moldy).

It was better than expected because it wasn't as frickin' cold as I thought it was going to be. I managed to layer enough to keep those wet cold ocean winds outta my clothes and off my skin.

It was worse because on the backside of the track the wind was so strong that it blew me into the other lanes and almost brought me to a complete stand-still several times. Running for time was not really an option. I can blame it entirely on the wind but hell, I've lost fitness these past two weeks AGAIN, (two steps forward one step back) so I can't blame it on the weather, even if I want to.

I did two mediocre 800s and was depressed about them. It was all I could do to keep times under 8 minute miles. So I switched it up to 400s, looking for some leg speed. That was a bit better. It's cheating though. But heck, at least I did something and maybe this half a$$ed speed workout helped pushed my fitness a tiny bit forward.

I could blame the hurricane force winds for my crappy speed training times last night but that wouldn't be the full, true story. Truth is, I haven't been as dedicated as I need to be and the irony is that as my times get worse, the harder it is for me to face the track. Does anyone else do this? I'm a little worried about speed work due to the hamstring issue that I recenly had...but I need to get over it. So in interest of keeping me on the straight and narrow I'll post details of my workouts here to keep track of them.

I've been getting rid of the things in my life that get in the way of my improvement. That little drink in the evenings to relax...gone and not missed. Trying to get to bed early? Done (when sick little ones don't interfere). Lightening up my eating habits to loose weight...done (still waiting for results though).

I'm going to add a little improvements gadgets at the side of my blog to keep track of all of this stuff and to keep me honest.

Duty Calls

This is day two of the 3-year-old's flu. I probably don't need to say anymore about that for you to have a full image in your mind of what is going on here. Mountains of barfy laundry. A whimpering, impish patient. And not much time for anything else. Luckily we did get a pretty good night's sleep. And the barf frequency has greatly dropped from about once every 1/2 hour to only once so far this morning. I'm tentatively crossing fingers that we are on the upswing and NOT headed for the doctor's office.

Today is Track Tuesday. We have 800's scheduled. There are horrendous winds outside today. Ugh. We may have up to 50 mph gusts by track time. WTF? Not only do I have to suffer through 800's but in my "favorite" weather condition, cold wind. The upside is that this is supposed to go away after tomorrow and we'll have HOT weather up through the weekend at least. Finally! I've been finding too many excuses to hide out inside.

And there is sad news in blogland - Marcy has announced her retirement from blogging....say it isn't so!

The Sunday After

I was feeling a bit outta sorts yesterday morning. Achy and a little sniffly. I just chalked it up to allergies. So I went for a run to shake it out. Same route as the morning before. I was a little slower and I didn't have any snap in my legs. But my head cleared up a little during the run so I hoped that I had either alleviated my allergies a bit or burned an impending cold out of my body.

Soon after coming back home I was feeling achier and stuffier. And it just got worse. I had a fever. So I headed off to bed.

But at least I got my run in for the day. Funny how runners think that way. I'd earned my rest because I had gotten my run in and was that much closer to getting faster, leaner and stronger. Even if I'd sent myself back to the sheets.

I was worried about loosing training time and being sick for days with another stupid cold. So I bundled up and started to pound down the fluids. I've found that for me at least drinking amazing amounts of fluid coupled with sleeping really turns things around.

On Easter morning I woke up with a suprisingly clear head. A very good sign since I get really crappy congested colds. My voice was a bit horse but as the morning is wearing on it's clearing up nicely.

I'm even considering a morning run tomorrow if I continue to improve at this pace. It will definitely be a shorter "clean out" run, but I think that this time it really will do the trick. :)

Full Moon Morning

I woke up at about 4:30 this morning with a cat on my head. As much as I try to hide it, she instantly knows when I wake up and starts purring with the utmost pleasure. She then commenced kneeding my head and pillow with her paws and grooming my cheek with a rough tongue. It's all about love, so I just endured it until she decided to visit her bowl of kibbles.

Four-thirty seemed to early to get up so I hung in there for an hour, trying to catch a few z's but none were had. That was okay, I was totally awake. I got up and fumbled through my armoire for some running shorts, a long sleeved tee, bra, socks and my shoes. The older girl shuffled into our room and took my spot in bed, cuddled up next to her dada.

It was still dark when I stepped out onto the front porch at about 5:50 am. I was greeted by an indigo sky, calm, still air and an enormous moon that appeared to be nesting on a cushion of clouds.

A perfect beginning to the day.

I love running into the morning. It's great to start in the dark and come home in the light. I love the peacefulness, lack of cars and rushing people. I run faster and further in the mornings for some reason.

About five minutes out I noticed that the birds started singing. A chorus of finches, California towhees and some unidentifiable bird that carried on a rolling conversation with itself. Other than the birds all was still. I did not encounter another runner the entire run, which I found to be quite surprising. I only passed by one cyclist with a cyclops eye of a headlamp coming towards me in the half dark.

I returned home before 7 am refreshed and already well started into my day. One of the best things about a morning run is that you start out your day with an accomplishment. It's not so much getting that run out of the way, because, hopefully you enjoy it, it's making sure that you get that run in before the other parts of life get in the way.

Beautiful Weekend, Virtually No Running Though....

Well, sometimes it just happens that way when you have friends and relatives out to visit. And that's okay, I'll roll with it.

We celebrated an Auntie's birthday with a surprise party. The MIL came out to stay with us and we all had a blast. Today, the last day of the adventure we went on a great trail hike at the Edgewood Preserve.

Unfortunately the Hubby was laid out with a bad cold, that I'm hoping to avoid. So he missed the hike.

We saw a big rattlesnake on the trail. I trail volunteer warned us about it before we came up to it. So I walked up to it for a closer look. I thought I had the zoom on, but I guess not...I'll clean up the shot for a better look. She was a little perturbed about the trail clean-up guy...but ya know, it's her home.

Hurts so Good

It was a track Tuesday and again, nothing blew up, tore or siezed. Yesterday's workout was 4 x 600m & 300M. I even went hog wild on the last 300 and did it in 1:14, which isn't bad for little old ultrarunning, pulled hamstring me. I've figured that that works out to a 6:53 mile. Which means there's hope.

When I got home I pulled out the foam roller again. I'm using it several times a day, whenever I feel my glutes, lower back, ITB, and/or hamstring tighten up. There were some brutal spots I found on my glutes that made me swear like a sailor and almost cry. This morning I work up feeling the least creaky and stiff than I've felt in months! I highly recommend this form of torture. You won't be smiling like the chic in this picture though while you're doing it.

I wrote a check for my part of the Reno-Tahoe Relay and now I'll sign up for a room with some of the gals on the team. Our team is called The Venetian Skunks. I'll let you wonder about that for while before I 'xplain.

So it's official - I get to escape from the rugrats for a weekend. That weekend will involve running at all hours of the night and being carted around by a van. I'll do anything to get away for awhile.

Today's Obligatory Workout Report - Easy run of about 3 miles or so. Crossfit type weight workout. And stretching and foam roller stuff.

On the Trails

So after a looong time away I finally made it back on the trails. And so did everyone else apparently. When I got to Wunderlich I immediately started kicking myself for being so lazy and getting up late on a Sunday. The lot was packed. The Trail Gods did smile on me though and a kindly Prius left soon after I arrived.

Since the trail was crawling with humans it was pretty unlikely that I'd see any rare wildlife. The critter sightings were largely restricted to sparrows and a few Stellar's jays. But it was kind of nice to see other people out enjoying nature. Especially since trails tend to be asshole filters - you meet mostly nice people out there.

Subspecies of humans sighted -

Oldmanus Backpackus -

Usually seen toting a backpack and/or walking poles. Wears floppy fishing hat or old trucker cap. Always similing. Clearly enjoying retirement by getting out on the trails frequently. Often hikes over 10 miles a day. Nine times out of ten asks me if I'm coming back from or heading up to Skyline (top of the park).

Lovebirds -

Couples clearly on their first date. Totally interested in each other. Often wearing inappropriate footwear, like pointy heals. Clearly didn't plan on coming up here. They don't notice me or the mud on their shoes.

Other Couples -

Anywhere from youthful to middle aged. Guy walking in front. He says a happy hello to me. Woman glares at me like she thinks I'm out for her man. Really lady, I have my own at home and he's way hotter than yours. I'm really, just running. I saw at least three groups of these on Sunday, and it's always the same thing - first the hello and then the glare. Facinating.

Packs of Twenty-Somethings -

Often wearing unneccessary high-tech alpine gear. Large heavy hiking boots, poles and daypacks. The group is usually exchanging nervous glances with each other since they've realized too late that they are way over prepared and schlepping pounds more gear than they need. The guys give me the same look that men gave me when they walked their wives miniature poodles and I was running with my doberman. Utter embarrassment. But they are still happy and having fun and that's what counts.

Two Ladies Together -

All ages. Chatting happily. Don't even notice that I was there at all. Which makes me worried about them. What if I were a cougar?

Headphonus Oblivious -

Lone hiker with headphones. Freaks out when you come up on them. Either seems miffed or is embarrased. Why do you wear those out here? Don't you want to hear nature...or the approaching puma?

Anyway, it was a successful run. Only about 7 miles but good nonetheless. It's a pretty rugged up and down so I didn't want to overdo it the first time out and so soon after the hamstring/IT band fiasco. Nothing was injured and I felt good. Next time all the way to the top and back!

Feelin' Frickin' Productive

I went to the track last night. It was cold as a witches t*t. That's one of my 78 year old dad's favorite sayings, and one of the only ones I could use without extensive editing. It was about 55 degrees, which I KNOW isn't THAT cold. (I did live in Minneapolis for 3.5 years). But around here it's the freakin' wind, people. It's wet from the ocean/bay, icy and it cuts right through your clothes. I swear I'm colder here than I ever was in the Midwest.

So I wasn't THAT slow considering my time off of intervals. I managed to eek below the 8 min mile barrier. Intervals were 1200's and 600's. Some ugly distances, I think. But I persevered and finished all of them, even running my last 600 the fastest. Not due to any awesome fitness but because I held back on all the others somewhat. I had my left hamstring and IT band taped from my ART session earlier in the day, so I looked the part of the walking wounded. I felt that hey, this chick's bandaged so you can't make fun of her slowness, at least she's out here. My pride gets outta whack on the track, I keep living in my faster days.

So I've decided. I'm going to sign up for the Pacifica 50k. It's far enough out for me to get back in ultra shape for it and it's far enough away from the relay so that I don't mess that up for everyone. This weekend - I'll hit the trails for some nice distance running.

So not only have I decided on a race today, but I turned in an article already this morning. I can now go out for a run with a clear conscience, since I'm ahead of the game on my assignments. And it's sunny and not windy for a change. It's of course a baby jogger morning with the youngest one. Right now she's looking for rolly polly bugs in the yard...her new obsession.

Spring = New Beginnings

The IT band was bruised all week, it still is. But although it looks craptacular it feels much better. I've added my crossfit strength training back into my routine again and it's made all the difference in the world. After only one weightlifting session I was already starting to feel more balanced in my hips. So my advice to all of you - never stop strength training! I'm now the poster child for squats. Seriously.

And so suddenly I have a bunch of freelance work and new avenues for future work. Whatup! I wasn't even looking, it found me. And it feels so right. Now I needs to find me a laptop (which I will write off on my taxes). And amazingly I get to write about one of my true loves...trail running! Following your bliss is the key to happiness and happiness in your employment. Looking back now I see how miserable I was in the corporate world. I was totally unsuited to be trapped in the 9 to 5. I'd rather work harder but be free. By taking the time off to be with me and the kiddos I hit the reset button. Then things started to fall into place. As soon as I stopped fighting things and going with the flow it all fell into place.

Today? We have intervals in the evening. I had an ART session in the morning, so I'll run what I feel. My Reno-Tahoe Team is all registered on Active.com. Now I'll have to figure out my next trail ultra for later in the summer.

Oh and the picture in my header is from just beyond Berry Creek Falls during the Skyline to the Sea 50K. Pretty, huh?

You Paid Someone for That!?!

That's what Irish Frank said to me yesterday at the track when he took a gander at my bruised leg and saw the aftermath of the Graston treatment on my IT band. It looks like someone laid a two-by-four across my thigh. But I know in a day or two the results will be evident in a much looser IT. And yes, yes, yes, I'm continuing the yoga and adding the foam roller into the routine, religiously. It'll be the only way to keep my running "career" on track.

My chitlins had their performance dance class yesterday. I'm so proud that they weren't the worst behaved kids in the class. I was really thinking that we were going to be that family but surprisingly the honors went to two other little girls. One blond chubby girl who pouted and stomped off when she found out she didn't have a wand to twirl with. The other was a spunky little Asian girl who upon starting the dance routine eyeballed her brother, stomped off the stage to beat up on him in the audience.

I was so glad it wasn't my kids, for a change.

It's supposed to be a nice sunny day today. Here's an early spring picture from Maya's school yard where the bees are buzzing and the flowers are blooming.

Runnin' on....


It rained all weekend so I decided to postpone the trails. I don't need to slip and sprain my ankle before I even get restarted here. So it was misty, rainy, neighborhood runs (with one small trail section) for the weekend.

On Sunday I ran into one of my track people (figuratively, not literally). It was obviously meant to be. I'd just been thinking about what I should do in the next few months runningwise. He needed one more woman on his Reno to Tahoe Relay Team. Well, you know what happened next!

A long while back I did the Hood to Coast Relay. It was one of the mose fun things I've done. I can't wait to do another relay and especially one that is in Tahoe. It's going to be gorgeous and fun. I miss the cameraderie of other runners, this will be a way to experience all that again.

So in preparation I'm making sure that the left leg/hip thing gets fixed totally. I saw my chiro/phys therapist this morning for a Chiro/ART treatment. Just as I suspected there's some ITB problems and a general imbalance over there. But it's being taken care of. I'll dutifully do my excercises and get some treatments. so there are no problems.

So tonight is track night. I'll be gentle on myself, again. In a week or two I'll ramp it all back up again.

I'm still waiting on one of my possible freelance gigs. But I'm not waiting around because of it...I'm going to look into more new work possibilities, and maybe opening a business in the future. I feel ready to move forward.

Back to the Trails

Since I'm itchin' for some more ultra action...I'm also itchin' for the trails again. There will probably be a new trail post (with pics!) this weekend sometime. Am I emerging from my long winter's nap? Methinks so.

On other good news after months of SAHM action and no gainful employment I was approached by two different companies out of the blue on the same day this week. It looks like I'll be writing for one for sure and hopefully (puhlleezzzee pray/think good thoughts for me!) the other too. It will totally help out the financial situation at Casa de Coyote.

Refreshing Evening

I got out for a pleasant evening run last night. I even worked on my technique, reverting back to some POSE method stuff that I had thrown out the window a while back. I'm rethinking my decision on that since maybe my hamstring problem stems from over striding. I have a habit of running with huge loping strides. It really does feel more natural to me....but maybe it's not so good for me afterall.

I concentrated on all of the usual pose stuff - forefoot landing (got that down) fast turnover, (harder for me), free falling (feels so neat when you get it) and lifting your foot right underneath you. I think I ended up running faster than usual, but I can't be sure because I did a new loop and I didn't time my run. It doesn't matter anyway. I can check it out on the track next Tuesday or on another run.

And yes, I'm still doing yoga and stretching religiously. I won't stop doing that now, ever.

It was chilly again out there last night. I ran in long sleeves and capris, kind of feeling like a wimp since fer godsakes this is California. But it wasn't my imagination, that wind was cutting and it continued to blow right through my old Hind running top (maybe the age of that weather beaten thing had something to do with it! Hind doesn't even exist anymore.) I started out in the light and arrived back home in the dark. A nice way to end the day.

Ultras?

I'm starting to feel like doing an ultra again. Hmmmm.

Tuesday Track

There was no scheduled track workout due to a lacrosse game on the grassy area, so a bunch of us went for a run around the 'hood.

I know it's Cali here, but dang is the wind cold and damp. Hate that. Makes me want to move to the tropics. I was afraid that I'd never warm up, but I managed to get the body temp up to comfortable as long as I kept moving. Chatting with the others was great - I don't get to talk with other people much when I'm running anymore since I run alone except for Tuesdays. Sadly, one of our bunch just got laid off and I fear that she'll be unemployed for a while in this climate. Luckily her husband is still working and I think that they have enough money saved up to last them for a while. She just got her road bikes tuned up so I don't even have to wonder at what she'll be up to in the next few weeks. I just hope that she (and others in her predicament) take the opportunity to actually enjoy the time off. That's been my downfall in the past when I was unemployed. The new job does eventually show up, and then if you have been fretting over not working that whole time that you were off you're not even rested up for your new adventure. Such is the dilemma.

I still haven't been able to get up early for my runs. The Hubby messed with the alarm last night and we woke up late this morning. So now I have to run this evening. Tomorrow that damn alarm is going to go off ON TIME and I WILL be out that door 6ish.

I've been having a nagging irritation of tightness in my left lower back, hip and side and back of my left leg. Anyone else have this problem? Yoga seems to help for a while but in a few hours it comes back. I think it may be due to my SI joint, but I can't keep going back to the chiropractor over and over again (too expensive). Does anyone have any miracle cures? Ideas to the cause? Let me know.

Sunday Musings

Sunday's run was good. A little under an hour long and on a nice loop that I improvised as I went. I planned on running all the way up through the canyon but opted instead for just the lower part through the Mercy grounds. I was pretty sure that up by the creek crossing it would be very muddy and slippery. It requires a bit of climbing to get down to the creek and up the other side. Later this week it should be more passable.

I can definitely feel the time off in my lungs on the hills. Wowie! I was huffin' and puffin' like a chain smoker.

On the last few blocks home I let my stride open up. I held back in the beginning to guard my hamstring. But I felt like my stride was unnaturally clipped. And it was. It felt so much better to speed it up a bit. Even better that my hammie wasn't annoyed by it.

The spouse and I spent the weekend mostly continuing the cleaning out of excess stuff. I brought a trunk load to the Goodwill and felt ten pounds lighter for being free of it. This cleaning out seems to be the running theme for a lot of folks these days. The Zeitgeist for the season. It was good, but I'd like to go back to having weekends set aside as time to enjoy with each other and the kids. The kids didn't seem to mind as they rode their bikes and played in the yard on both days. It was a productive weekend, not full of fun and games, but we accomplished some things that we needed to do.

We did Netflix Into the Wild. Very good movie. The main character reminded me of Treadwell, the grisly guy who ended up being eaten by a rogue bear. Both of these young men thought that they were leaving civilization to live a more natural life. The irony is that living by yourself in the wilderness is not a natural life for a human. We are social animals. It seems that before his tragic death Christopher from Into the Wild came to the realization that human interaction was needed for a meaningful, happy life. It's unfortunate that he didn't make it back alive.

Next movie? Juno. Yeah, I didn't see a lot of movies in the past few years.

Mourning Run

So I got out at 9:30. Not exactly the crack of dawn run I was fantasizing about, but it's a start. 43 minutes on a usual loop of mine. Not the fastest run but not the slowest either. My left hip felt a little tight, but not dangerously so and the hamstring survived. No nasty twinges there. The tightness does still concern me. I'll continue working diligently on it with yoga.

About halfway through I got a little choked up thinking about recent revelations and events. The random selection of music on my iPod didn't help any either with songs that just reminded me more of my sadness. I stopped to walk and sob for a minute. Then I decided to choose happiness. There is no way to happiness, happiness is the way. Things are as they are and I should just pick up my life as it is and move forward. Who knows what I will find tomorrow? I switched to an upbeat running playlist and carried on. The day is sunny and bright. I can run again. My kids are happy and healthy. Life is for the living, so get on with it.

The rest of the way was beautiful and good. Some muddy parts by the golf course but I managed to avoid a big messy fall. At home I did an outdoor yoga session on the nice green grass. The girls had their bubble machine going. It was something like yoga with a dash of Lawrence Welk. My utadasana is getting more bendy and my bridge is getting bridgier. It's so nice to see progress.

My life lesson for this season? Letting go and moving on. From many things. Arbitrary expectations, labels for myself, negative emotions, fear and procrastination. I found that cleaning out my closet was almost a religious experience. So much of what I was holding on to had old memories and emotions attached to it. I got rid of anything I hadn't used or worn in a year and especially if it held memories of a past job, a certain time period in my life or a relationship. Getting rid of the emotionally charged items was freeing - even if it was a good emotion. I was hanging on to some maternity wear that had some wonderful memories, but I'm not ever going to wear it again. Getting rid of this stuff clears out the way for the future and mentally enabled me to let go of all of my past, good and bad. I'm not forgetting it, I'm just cleaning out emotional space for what lies ahead. Letting go is freeing, it lightens your load and releases old grudges. It is a cornerstone of Buddhist thought and akin to the Christian idea of forgiveness. I think these two exercises come to accomplish similar spiritual release and revelation. I'm far from being totally free, but I've made a start. Spring is a great time for new beginnings.

Tomorrow? A longer morning run.

No More Lazy

I've been sleeping in way too much, and enjoying it way too much.

I really fell off the running wagon. I used to get up at 5am to get my runs in. Now I can barely peel myself outta the sack at 7am. I have to put myself back into running bootcamp. It will make me feel much better about myself and about life in general. I'm feeling rather blue. Hopefully my hammie will put up with the running.

And for those of you with kids you'll know what I'm talking about with the stress of two little tykes. I have NO time for myself, and I'm wearing really thin. Work was way easier than being a SAHM. I think that the endorphin rush from morning runs will help me cope a bit more. And all this worry about the economy is starting to gnaw at my mind too. I need to release the pressure valve.