Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Wow! Behind on Blogging, not on Running...

Hi everyone!  Looks like I'm quite behind in my blogging duties!  The good news is, I have been running and am pretty much on "track" as it were, for my Chicago Marathon goal.  Last week seems to be the last time I made a blog update.  Well, let's see, it's been consistently miserably hot here in the Midwest.  Temps over 100 F for most of the week, with heat indices in the 110-116 F range.  Ugh!  I have been lucky enough to get out of the house between 5 and 7 am for most of my runs, so it's been in the breezy upper 80's when I've been out actually running.

 Last Tuesday I ran around Tower Grove park for 3 miles.  I saw the funniest thing, as I was running toward the Piper Palm House, which is a big greenhouse across from some lily ponds, I saw a bunch of ducks lined up along the sidewalk, looking expectant.  I had a weird moment where it seemed they were waiting for me, as they all turned to look at me at the same time.   Then, as I got closer, I saw the automatic sprinklers go on! They all did the duck neck twist thing, and the duck happy dance.  Apparently, this is their morning ablutions!

On Wednesday, I ran around Forest Park, through the lakes and around the Boathouse, and to the Fieldhouse, for a total of 5.18 miles.  I'd planned a 6, but I had to get home for the kids to get to camp.  I ran in my Merrell Pace Gloves for half the time, and in my actual bare feet the rest of the time.  It was lovely.

On Thursday, I ran around Tower Grove and to a client's house who lives in my neighborhood, to walk her dog.  Friday was a rest day, calisthenics, and play with the kids.  My running schedule called for a half-marathon race this weekend, but there are none to do in MO in the middle of July!  I had a lot of work, and Jacob had the opportunity to work both weekend days and make extra money.  So, I thought I'd run on Sunday morning, but I didn't have time.  I didn't want to run on Monday, because we had been out the night before to a cookout, and I was really exhausted, and still had a number of clients out of town.  So, Tuesday (yesterday) morning, I got up early and got out of the house, did all my morning work, and went to Forest Park.  I ran two full outside loops of the park, and bit farther, past the field house for a third time, and back to the car.  I thought for sure it would be the 13.1 I had planned, but when I checked my mileage, it was only 12.31.  Oops.  I guess that's why I have all those days where I ran an extra half mile or so!  I saw some really beautiful birds on my run.  In the wetlands part of the park, I saw an egret, a blue heron, a green heron and an amazing looking shorebird I am unfamiliar with.  Quite tall, orange eyes, and a very long, white, crest feather on the top of his head!  Also turtles, wood ducks, and a gorgeous red-tailed hawk.  It was 89 F when I started out, and 106 F when I finished!  Ack!  No wonder it took me so long!

All is well in the training department.  The fundraising department seems to have hit a stall, however.  I strongly encourage everyone to DONATE!  and please encourage your friends, students and clients to donate, too!  Many thanks!

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