That Curl can RUN!

It is sad but true that sometimes we need the tragedy to help us to see how human we are and how we are more alike than we are different. The unspeakable devastation in Oklahoma has brought the human goodness to fore. Men and women from Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, even from New York City have rushed to offer themselves as aid to the stricken Oklahomans. I sit watching the television and am proud of how we are able to sympathize with each other and saddened that the only way we come to that understanding is when a tragedy affects us. I have not seen one person ask if the injured were black, white, or Jewish or Muslim, or gay or straight. Don’t you wish we could think of each other in kinder ways all the time? – Maya Angelou I've lived in tornado alley all my life. I'm not scared of those things. I can't be. I can't make them go away. I can't out run them. I can't outsmart them. However, I can be prepared. I can be ready. I can trust God and His plan. M...

Let me tell you, Saturday was an awesome day!!  I shot up North to stay with my parents Friday night, and got up waaaaaay early Saturday to head to NW Arkansas for my 5k. I didn't go to bed early enough, and didn't sleep well, so the race day was a bit stressful as I was afraid I would be too tired. By 7:30 a.m. it was already at 89 degrees and 100% humidity....YUCK. The 10k took off at 7:30 and we 5kers waited around for another half hour, sweating while doing nothing. The course started off down hill...down a BIG hill. This is deceiving as you can start off too fast and burn out too soon. I had to tell myself to go slow b/c it wasn't all downhill. We flattened out about 1/4 mile in, and crossed what would be our finish line. A slow incline gave way to another big hill, this time, UP hill. The remainder of the course to the turn around was flat and fast, but I stayed at a slow pace because I was sweating so bad. I have a fear of passing out, because I do get weak whe...

Let me catch you up on my happenings! I went to Big Lots, and got all of this for $19. I love that store. One night I made chicken soft tacos with my leftover salsa and little bits of chicken we had in the freezer. They were scrumptious! My dill plant loves me as you can see.... Two thumbs up for running! I was not so energetic about an hour later... I trimmed the rose bush in the back yard, and couldn't stand just leaving all those pretty petals on the ground. These made the house smell nice for a few days. Then I dumped them out under the rose bush in the front. Looked like someone had beat it to death with all those petals everywhere. Storm moving along the west side of us as we drove home. This storm ended up hitting Edmond, Oklahoma City, and Shawnee. There was a lot of damage from the 2 tornados.  Back at the ranch, I had sunshine. Meatball decided to get out and sunbathe. Me and Weiner Dog, early on Monday morning. Sad story: I believe he had a st...

I have a 5k coming up. You know that. It's on 5/18, and I'm getting ready!    I was successful in running not sucking for 3 days in a row. 1.8 miles each time. I haven't timed it yet. I'm sure it's a slow pace, but the point is that I haven't walked. Just keep running, just keep running. I want to thank SR for an great idea in one of her recent posts. She mentioned that she regularly checks in on how she feels. This caught my attention and I think it's helping me. As I run, I just talk to myself about my feet: How is my heel? Am I landing mid-foot? About my legs: Are they cramping or just burning? About my breathing: Am I struggling for a real reason, or just b/c I'm not paying attention? Basically, and all over check-up. It takes my mind off the road, and helps me realize that I can make it, I can survive. If I walk my muscles will tighten and the walk home will be worse/harder than the run home. Here are a few after shots f...

Staying focused is hard. I haven't been to the gym since April 16th. I ran 2.5 miles last Saturday, and 1.8 miles Tuesday. That's all folks. No push-ups. No sit-ups. No yoga. No tricep dips. No strength classes. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch. Ok...you get the point. I've been lazy! I feel bad, phyically and mentally. Tonight I'm going for a short (2m) run, then a walk/jog with a neighbor that wants to get started. I must get back on board. I LOVE running. I LOVE R.I.P.P.E.D. on Saturdays. I LOVE our Tough Mudder training. But I just haven't been in the right mind I guess. Blah. This month I'm also going booze-less. I'm not an overdrinker, but I know it causes bloat, and this friend  and I decided we are going to slim down a little by holding back instead of tipping back. I know what you're thinking,  Cinco de Mayo is coming up! It's almost the weekend! The grass is green! Blue is a color!" Yes, yes, all of those are reasons to celebrate ...