Counting to Mississippi...

Well, I spent Friday evening couch potatoe-ing rather than running of working out so today I was determined to get back at it. Thunderstorms were in the forecast but by the time I got home from a funeral at about 2:00 it was still sunny and nicely warm (low 80's but a wonderful intermittent breeze). I decided to visit the other end of the 6 mile stretch of canalway for a change of scenery and found it to be more secluded (farther from the main road) but more populated by runners, walkers, bikers, and horse riders (which seems nice until you have to do hurdles over big piles of poop on the trail).

I got out of the car and headed for the trail, then checked my watch - the one home on my dresser. So I punted - I did my 4:1's by counting the seconds m-i-s-s-i-s-s-i-p-p-i style. Counting to 240 that way is a real drag and by the 6th rep I couldn't even say the word mississippi in my mind - like the tongue in my brain was swollen and couldn't spit the word out. On the plus side, I think I ran a little longer (and I'm talkin' little ) because when I came home and timed my counting speed, my one minute of mississippi's was 1:10 on my watch. Not huge, but something. Also, my walking time was longer than a minute because I didn't count it - I just allowed myself to feel like running again. If I had to guess: a minute and a half to two minutes.

How does that feel...

I felt like I was working hard in the heat again but the breeze helped, passing and saying hello to other people helped, and I had a water bottle belt so I could take a swig while walking. I was able to feel like I did what I have been doing prior to the last discouraging run even though I know I took more "recovery" time with the walking. I did have a left sided stitch during my 5th & 6th reps but it was mild and not enough to stop me. So I have no complaints. I probably should remember to have a run without a watch now and then (and maybe forget the counting too) - I'll call it my Dad Run, his philosophy being "I'll get there when I get there."

Can't outrun the sun - or the black flies...

Anyone who lives in a part of the country where spring means black flies will know what I mean when I say they're here. I didn't think about them till they thought about me but that's how it always is. I didn't think of the sun because I was in a very tree shaded path. It wasn't until I got home and my husband looked at me and cringed, that I became aware of my newly christened redneck. If I hear "that's gonna hurt" one more time...