Bandera and Lost Mapels

This weekend was my high school reunion. It was also a scheduled running weekend for me. I needed to pick what I'd do and what I'd miss.
I decided to miss the Friday night run for the homecoming football game and drive out to Bandera Saturday morning and miss the reunion.
The football game was a lot of fun. Dan and I took our kids. They loved it. We also got to see a few people from high school. It was kinda funny, because the people we saw went to high school with me and middle school with Daniel. I would have liked to see a few other people. Maybe some other time.
Running at HCSP on Saturday was great! I ran somewhere around 26miles. My GPS sucks, so it could have been more. Daniel ran a lot of that with me, as did my team mate TJ from Austin. Joe, our coach, set out a couple of water coolers and sign in/out sheets to keep track of all the runners. Joe also marked a 7ish mile loop for us and gave us all water proof maps. Dan, TJ, TJ's friend (Jim??), and myself decided to add Lucky's onto that loop in order to get in the most hills per mile. Fun stuff. Lucky is one steep climb,..ur...run. After finishing one of the 7ish loops (my GPS said 7.2. Another said 7.9 and another runner (who skipped Lucky) got 7.48 every loop), Tj, Dan and I headed over to Ice Cream Hill for more big hills. It was all great. I think I would love to spend over 4 hrs every Saturday on trails with friends. During Dan and my's second 7ish loop, I decided I would run up Carrien's Climb and then turn around until I found Dan. I ran .5miles back down that sweet climb and realized Daniel had likely skipped this hill. So back up it and down the other side I went! Dan was at the cooler waiting for me. "That's awesome!", Dan said when I told him what had happened. "You wanted to get in lots of hills and extra miles." He was right. I wasn't mad about it. But I wouldn't have done Carrien's twice in a row any other way!
The next morning, the stars were breath taking! I have missed seeing the starts in a clear black sky more then I knew. After packing up, we headed over to Lost Maples. What a spectacular park! This place was more then beautiful with It's dense trees, steep hills, rocky climbs, creek crossings, twisty trails, and occasional dry rocky creek bed trails. And we soooo lucked out with the weather. It was actually chilly all morning! I can hardly wait to go back!

September 24th

This morning was a little crazy. All the kids got to bed late, so Dan and I decided we would let them sleep in and then Dan would drive them to school. Normally Dan bikes with Seren and Everett to school. But Caedmon decided he didn't need to sleep in...he was up at 6:30 as usual. Seren, on the other hand, had to be dressed while still sleeping at 7:00.

Once Dan was off to work and Seren and Everett at elementary school, I proceeded to get Caedmon ready for preschool and myself ready for a run. I was excited to run on some measured trails by his school for my fartlek run. But I couldn't find my Timex- only my GPS. My GPS SUCKS on trails. Blah. I know it is mental, but I can't run hard when that thing is bouncing back lies to me. So I searched way too long for my missing Timex. The result? By the time I gave up looking for it, Caed was going to be late. In my hurried state I buckled him into the car sans shoes. Gurrr.

Being we were already at Target buying another pair of size 10.5 little boys shoes (that child has big feet!) , I grabbed another watch. And a Starbucks. (I am such an addict.)

Now back to the car. Only it wouldn't start!!!!!! I called my mom to come give us a jump. By the time we finally got the car going it was after 10am. I looked in the passenger set and saw the "Froggie Snack Bag". This was my week to bring snack. I had the snack... but in the car and not at the school yet. Snack time is 10:10am. Will we make it? Barely...maybe. All this because I wanted my darn Timex.

I had a marvelous run after this. For any non runner who stumbles upon this, "fartlek" is a Swedish word meaning speed play. It is a great way to get in speed work on trails or roads. I ran 4min hard 2min easy X 14 plus warm up and cool down. It was a bit hot out, but this is Texas. It could have been (and often is) hotter. I just LOVE running!!!!! And trails are the best! My leg is still feeling 100% great. My foot is getting better and not worse. I am happy, happy, happy. Yeah for being able to run! So far this week I have run 2 times (25miles total), done weights once, yoga once, and 50mins on a PreCore. This is close to where I had my running before I got hurt. After this weekend, I might have my mileage back up to normal. If not, it will be close. :) Thank you God for running!

Recovery!

I am finally getting better! I did my first real tempo run in weeks and feel even better after then I did before. Happy day.

This weekend is my 10 year high school reunion. I thought I would want to go. But I kinda don't. It seems like there is really no reason to go. Most of my friends from high school were from church. And I'm not sure if the few friends I had that graduated with me at school will even be there. That part of my life is so much my past. If there was nothing else going on this weekend I would go anyway. But I could camp out with some running buddies this weekend and do lots of tough trails.
I think running beats the reunion...would I regret not going??? I only have a few days to decide.

My leg is getting better :) Last night I ran some great trails with Larry and TJ up in Austin. Today my leg is still feeling good. My foot is only OK- but no worse. Progress!

I went to Austin yesterday morning to pay the paint man and clean our rental house so we could list it. The painters did an average job. I won't complain, but I won't brag on them either. Going into the cleaning job, I thought I could clean the whole house in 2 or so hours. Boy was I off! I cleaned from about 11:20am until 3:30pm with out so much as a potty break. Then I went to Target for lunch, bought throw away cleaning supplies because the wash cloths I brought needed to be cleaned after EVERY wipe (can you say pet hair- grouse and sticky). I cleaned another whole hour, took a 2 run break from 5:30 to 8, and finally finished about 11pm. I cleaned for 8 hours! Actually cleaned! And that house isn't even that clean now. Next time a renter has pets, the deposit is going up per pet. And how is it that a grown man can have such horrid aim? Guys should set down and point. Standing clearly requires more mental energy then some are willing to give it.

Life

I should be totally bummed. Some how I am not. Disappointed, a bit nervous...but still feeling upbeat about life. This past week we found out our renter in our house in Austin lost his job. Apparently the job market in Austin isn't great, because he choose to break his lease and move back to his home town. So our rental house is vacant. Anyone interested? It is a well taken care of 3 bed room house with a large backyard (oh how I miss that yard!) and too many other things I like about it to list. Our (sorta ex)renter knows he is responsible for this lease until a new renter is found...we will see how things go.
And I am injured. I don't want to be, but I so am. This is quite a downer. I am surprised I'm not falling into a deep depression over this one. I have had to cut way back on my running, and as a result my jeans are not so comfy currently. Maybe I will go buy some new jeans. But wait...I am currently in no financial position to buy cloths. Maybe I will give up brownies and cakes until I am better (oh, that is doubtful). Hummm......how to eat junk food, run less, and have jeans that fit without buying new jeans....not coming up with anything...
On the happy front: I am almost finished arranging my newest song. Woo-hoo. I love it when I am able to get what is in my head out for my ears to hear.
Caedmon starts preschool tomorrow. That means I will have most of 3 days a week to myself! Oh, I can hardly take the excitement!!!!