I’ll be honest, I just didn’t want to run today. You know those days where you just don’t want to go back outside? Yea, it was one of those. But I am feeling a bit better today, and I felt up to a run, despite the pounding headache that is still sticking with me. So I got out there and ran 4 miles at 9:45 pace this evening after work. It is coooold outside again. Right now it’s 32 degrees with 20+ MPH winds, making it feel like it’s actually in the teens. One interesting fact: even a middle of the pack runner can hit Kenyan speed when running downhill with a 20 MPH wind directly at your back (although you’ll freeze).



Not quite this fast, even with the wind

A highlight of my run, today: An older man was walking out to his mailbox as I was running by. He says to me “Hi. You are very brave.” I guess he thought I was tough stuff to be out there in the wind…. he probably wouldn’t think I was so brave if he knew I am afraid of the dark though.



[from my Pinterest]

What really got me out there today was the fact that I am feeling a bit better from my cold, and the fact that I did not run yesterday. That, and my personal motto:



Don’t mind the bright circle at the top from my poor photography skills.

But seriously, lets talk about the weather for a minute

Two and a half weeks ago: 50 degrees and muggy, then we had 3 straight days of a torrential down pour-type rain
Two weeks ago: The temperature dips below freezing and we get 9 1/2 inches of snow, it remains cold and windy for the next six days
One week ago: Another snow storm rolls through and drops another 4 inches on us, it stays cold and windy over the weekend
Two days ago: The thermometer hits 70 degrees for the high during the day
One day ago: We have severe thunderstorms, high winds, and flooding
Today: There is a flash flood warning, a high wind warning, and a winter storm advisory all at the same time….

And I experienced all three of those warnings at the same time in the area I was working in today:

That creek is normally about 3 feet wide… and that white area back there? That’s where the blizzard was. I was lucky that low bridge I was driving across wasn’t flooded, and at times while driving it was a complete white out. The weather has been wild lately, and the news is currently showing the devastation people across the country have been experiencing as a result. Locally, I think we have seen all 4 seasons over the span of about two weeks. Again I ask you Mother Nature…. can we just pick one season and stick with it for a bit? K, thanks.

I am home sick today. That head cold that was coming on has arrived. Don’t worry, though, because I found comfort on the couch while watching Fame, The Princess Diaries, and the first Harry Potter movie. I also have two buddies who are more than happy to spend the day napping/watching movies.

I intended to attempt a run today, even if I couldn’t go to work, but I really don’t feel up to it. Also, we are having strong thunderstorms, high winds, and a chance of tornadoes this afternoon/evening…. that’s enough for me to stay inside.

Did anyone hear about the Spanish athlete who showed a true display of sportsmanship at a cross country race in December, instead of taking advantage of another competitor’s mistake? I came across this article through the Richmond Marathon facebook page.

Photo from the article “Honesty of the long-distance runner”

Abel Mutai of Kenya, number 7 in the photo, had opened up a gap that made him the sure winner. But then he pulled up 10 meters short, mistakenly thinking he had crossed the finish line. Ivan Fernandez Anaya, the athlete in the green singlet above, was running in second. Mutai’s mistake gave Fernandez Anaya the chance to blow by him and win the race. Instead, Fernandez Anaya used gestures to direct Mutai to the finish line, all while staying behind him.

Fernandez Anaya’s coach, Martin Fiz, stated that although the gesture made Fernandez Anaya a better person, it did not make him a better athlete. Fiz states that “you have to go out to win every time”. However, Fernandez Anaya goes on to explain that at this particular cross country race there was nothing at stake, except maybe bragging rights if he had won (Mutai was a bronze medalist in the 3,000 meter steeplechase at the London Olympics). He states that if there had been higher stakes, such as a European medal, then he would have exploited Mutai’s mistake to win. That’s quite impressive and speaks a lot about his integrity.

I think Fernandez Anaya did the right thing and showed us that even at higher levels of competition winning isn’t everything. Sometimes it’s more important to be a good human being, even if your coach doesn’t approve.

Guess what? It got up to 70 degrees today… That’s right, nothing above freezing all weekend and now it’s like summer outside. Don’t get me wrong, I’m definitely not complaining, but could we find a happy medium?

The good news: I got to run in shorts and a t-shirt this evening.

The bad news: Going from below freezing temp’s this weekend to 70 today is causing me to come down with a head cold.

Barry joined me for 3 miles this evening after work. Like I already mentioned, it was warmed up outside which is nice (except for the mud from all of the snow melting). I felt low on energy tonight, but I think that’s got to do with that head cold that’s been coming on. I’ve felt really tired yesterday and today, my throat is buggin me, and my head feels all congested and headachey (that’s a word). Hopefully it’ll just pass.

Here’s the only picture I have for you today:



That’s the view from our deck this evening. There isn’t even a hint of the foot of snow we got over the past 1 1/2 weeks. I guess two sunny 50+ days will do that. The sunset was prettier in person, I promise.

Fly by post tonight. I took a rest day today because I had something more important to do after work this evening:

Scout, our 5 month old Bloodhound puppy, had her final exam for puppy kindergarten. She passed, so then she had graduation along with her class! You better believe there was music 🙂

Barry and I are now the proud parents of two puppy kindergarten graduates. Hank, who is now nearly 3 years old, graduated a little over 2 years ago. I was confident Scout would pass today, but Hank was a challenge and we were not so sure he would. I guess boys are more stubborn than girls.

I think the teacher would revoke their certificates if she knew how they really acted at home, though….

We’ll just let her keep on thinking they act more like this:

I met up with my running buddy for a 5 mile run this morning. We had a fun time chatting and catching up, since we couldn’t run together last weekend. I’m so thankful to have a friend to meet up with on the weekends for long runs. Having a running partner holds you accountable on those early mornings when you’d rather stay in bed. They also help the miles pass by and you can support each other when one (or both) of you is having a tough run.

[photo from Pinterest]

Today the trail was in a little better condition, but it was still covered in snow and ice in a lot of spots. We did 3 miles on the trail and then finished up the last 2 around town. The temperature wasn’t too bad either. It was around 20 degrees when we started out, which really wasn’t bad since it wasn’t windy at all. But once we finished our run and stood around talking for awhile, it felt cold. Now I’m warming up with some scrambled eggs with hot sauce and a steaming mug of coffee 🙂

Don’t mind the spot on the counter where I dripped my coffee while pouring it.

Now it’s off to do my typical, very exciting, Sunday routine of cleaning the house!