Monday:
My flight was delayed and didn't leave until after midnight. I fell asleep on the plane a few times, but never stayed asleep so by the time I got home I had been awake for 24 hours. I decided to cancel my 8 am class but Canvas wasn’t working so I had to set an alarm for 5 am to wake up and try to send an email again. Luckily that worked. I thought I would sleep in until 9 am, but by 7 am I was wide awake. I got up and unpacked my bag. Did some prep work for my class that starts today. No running, so yoga. I never felt like I was totally awake.
I spend my evening trying to pick a place to stay for Lake Sonoma. I finally make a decision and send my Airbnb request.
Tuesday:
Norm started my run with me today.
I haven't heard back from my Airbnb request but I get an email saying I am invited to book a place that I had been looking at the same time. I decided to cancel the request I sent and book the other place. The house I cancel is closer to the start but I am getting nervous. In the end, we are in a very cute, quirky place with lots of great tree views and only 25 minutes away from the start.
Wednesday:
Norm and I head out for a run but we don't get far before Norm is stopped in is tracks by a pain in his calf/Achilles. We had made it about a mile and a half and now have to turn around to walk back home.
I teach at the college and in between classes I go to iRun to buy a new handheld water bottle. Hank has chewed all my water bottles so I need a new one now that it is hot out and I don't necessarily want to be wearing my pack. I am shocked to see how much hand held bottles cost. $55 is a little insane if you ask me.
After teaching I go head out for a run. I was minutes from being off the trail and was thinking how happy I was that I hadn't seen a snake when I see a guy standing in the middle of the trail. I look over his shoulder and sees me and then puts his arm out. The international sign for “there is a snake, stop moving” So I did. I ask, “snake?” and he says yes. I walk up and we chat. He tells me I can probably pass as the snake is slithering off, he just likes watching them. I tell him I don't mind waiting. I say that I think the snakes should still be moving slow. He agrees This one seemed to be moving pretty slow.
I make it back home for coffee and a snack and then head to yoga.
My flight was delayed and didn't leave until after midnight. I fell asleep on the plane a few times, but never stayed asleep so by the time I got home I had been awake for 24 hours. I decided to cancel my 8 am class but Canvas wasn’t working so I had to set an alarm for 5 am to wake up and try to send an email again. Luckily that worked. I thought I would sleep in until 9 am, but by 7 am I was wide awake. I got up and unpacked my bag. Did some prep work for my class that starts today. No running, so yoga. I never felt like I was totally awake.
I spend my evening trying to pick a place to stay for Lake Sonoma. I finally make a decision and send my Airbnb request.
Tuesday:
Norm started my run with me today.
I haven't heard back from my Airbnb request but I get an email saying I am invited to book a place that I had been looking at the same time. I decided to cancel the request I sent and book the other place. The house I cancel is closer to the start but I am getting nervous. In the end, we are in a very cute, quirky place with lots of great tree views and only 25 minutes away from the start.
Wednesday:
Norm and I head out for a run but we don't get far before Norm is stopped in is tracks by a pain in his calf/Achilles. We had made it about a mile and a half and now have to turn around to walk back home.
I teach at the college and in between classes I go to iRun to buy a new handheld water bottle. Hank has chewed all my water bottles so I need a new one now that it is hot out and I don't necessarily want to be wearing my pack. I am shocked to see how much hand held bottles cost. $55 is a little insane if you ask me.
After teaching I go head out for a run. I was minutes from being off the trail and was thinking how happy I was that I hadn't seen a snake when I see a guy standing in the middle of the trail. I look over his shoulder and sees me and then puts his arm out. The international sign for “there is a snake, stop moving” So I did. I ask, “snake?” and he says yes. I walk up and we chat. He tells me I can probably pass as the snake is slithering off, he just likes watching them. I tell him I don't mind waiting. I say that I think the snakes should still be moving slow. He agrees This one seemed to be moving pretty slow.
I make it back home for coffee and a snack and then head to yoga.
My expensive new water bottle.
Pasta is so happy to have me back from a run.
Thursday:
Up at 5 am and out the door before 6 am. I started on the canal because it's a bit dark out still. I make a turn to spend some time on the trail so that I can get some climbing in. If I want to have a decent day at Lake Sonoma I need to start getting a lot more climbing done.
Taught my class at the college. They are a great class and we have so much fun together. After class Brandi, Ava and I headed to Target. No elementary school this afternoon so I can spend some time just walking around and looking at things. This makes me very happy!
By the time we get home, I am exhausted. That 5 am wake up every day is catching up with me. I decided to indulge in a nap, but I am going to have to get some work done this evening after yoga.
I was really in no mood for yoga, but I made myself go. I get there and another regular tells me that she was in no mood but made herself come to class. Glad I am not the only one.
Up at 5 am and out the door before 6 am. I started on the canal because it's a bit dark out still. I make a turn to spend some time on the trail so that I can get some climbing in. If I want to have a decent day at Lake Sonoma I need to start getting a lot more climbing done.
Taught my class at the college. They are a great class and we have so much fun together. After class Brandi, Ava and I headed to Target. No elementary school this afternoon so I can spend some time just walking around and looking at things. This makes me very happy!
By the time we get home, I am exhausted. That 5 am wake up every day is catching up with me. I decided to indulge in a nap, but I am going to have to get some work done this evening after yoga.
I was really in no mood for yoga, but I made myself go. I get there and another regular tells me that she was in no mood but made herself come to class. Glad I am not the only one.
My new favorite meal - Mango avocado soft tacos.
Friday:
I have decided to shift my long run to Friday. I am up at 5 am and have coffee and a small granola bar. Norm wakes up and starts watching HGTV and I get sucked into the end of the show where they show all the changes they made. I leave about 5:50 am. I am about 11 miles into my run when I realize that I forgot to bring food with me. I make it to 15 miles and move my long run to Saturday. I am starving by the time I get home. I had landed on a rack the wrong way and have a bruise on the bottom of my foot. My pack rubbed my collar bone (which it never does) and I had to use my buff to stop the chaffing so I could finish the run. All in all, not the day I had planned on the trail.
I only have a small amount of time left at the kindergarten but that drive Chandler is about to do me in! I did listen to a really interesting podcast. Barbara Brown Taylor was on Fresh Air a few weeks ago but I just got around to listening to it. You should listen to it. She said one thing that really resonated with me when I think about converting. To paraphrase, she said the why to her own religious choice (Christian) it’s because it is what she knows. That changing religion would be like going back to 1st grade. This is so much how I feel. It’s daunting to convert. It’s overwhelming how much I don't know.
Saturday:
Norm is working today but the dogs all seem happy so I am able to get out the door by 6 am. I love running early on weekend mornings. It's so quiet out. I get 17 miles done. I did hills first (goal to stay under 9 min. miles) and then a couple of fast miles on the canal. This is one of my favorite workouts. I only did 2 fast miles because My legs are feeling a bit dead this week. Probably a combination of the marathon last week and all the climbing I have done this week.
I was on my way to dreamy draw when a guy stopped me to ask if I was missing a dog. I said no and he tells me he thought he saw 2 dogs fighting but when he got closer he saw it was a coyote attacking a dog. He chased the coyote off. The coyote went up and over the mountain and the dog went around on the trail. The man ran after them and again found the coyote attacking the dog. He chased the coyote off again but the dog wouldn't come to him and ran towards the 51. At this part of the trail there is a fence so the dog will end up on Northern if he keeps going that way.
I was a half a mile from being done when some lady who had plenty of time to see me but still ran through her stop sign pissed me off. After seeing me, coming through her stop sign she then proceeded to quick stop in the crosswalk so I had to stop short. I yelled at her that if she was going to run her stop sign to stay out of the crosswalk and this bitch yells at me, “Fuck you.” So I yell back, “fuck you! I have the right away you stupid bitch!” Sorry, Mark, I was wearing an iRun hat. I am just really tired of people who are in the wrong and then curse at me. A tenth of a mile later we end up stopped at the same red light and they roll up the window. Good call because I was pissed.
I took the kids to Flower Child for lunch. In the past it was 3 items made a plate and now it is 2 items for $9. That is insanely ridiculous. After we left I said that I wasn’t eating there anymore because that was stupid expensive. My exact words were, “I am breaking up with Flower Child.” Ava said, “Don't do it! Stay together for the children!” She’s a funny girl. She really loves their gluten-free Pho.
Did some grocery shopping, took a nap, had coffee and snack and started to get caught up on Survivor with Norm. It was tough to peel myself away for a 2nd run, but I did it. Just an easy 5 mile run to get used to 2 a days again. I came back, we ate dinner and finished getting caught up on Survivor. It’s my dream to create a Psych class that is a Survivor class. I have done Survivor days where they have to play games to win clues to answer questions and the winners get a basket of snacks to divvy up. It’s so much fun. College students are very motivated by food. Of course, none of them watch Survivor and probably think I am lame for still watching it, but they like playing games and winning things.
I have decided to shift my long run to Friday. I am up at 5 am and have coffee and a small granola bar. Norm wakes up and starts watching HGTV and I get sucked into the end of the show where they show all the changes they made. I leave about 5:50 am. I am about 11 miles into my run when I realize that I forgot to bring food with me. I make it to 15 miles and move my long run to Saturday. I am starving by the time I get home. I had landed on a rack the wrong way and have a bruise on the bottom of my foot. My pack rubbed my collar bone (which it never does) and I had to use my buff to stop the chaffing so I could finish the run. All in all, not the day I had planned on the trail.
I only have a small amount of time left at the kindergarten but that drive Chandler is about to do me in! I did listen to a really interesting podcast. Barbara Brown Taylor was on Fresh Air a few weeks ago but I just got around to listening to it. You should listen to it. She said one thing that really resonated with me when I think about converting. To paraphrase, she said the why to her own religious choice (Christian) it’s because it is what she knows. That changing religion would be like going back to 1st grade. This is so much how I feel. It’s daunting to convert. It’s overwhelming how much I don't know.
Saturday:
Norm is working today but the dogs all seem happy so I am able to get out the door by 6 am. I love running early on weekend mornings. It's so quiet out. I get 17 miles done. I did hills first (goal to stay under 9 min. miles) and then a couple of fast miles on the canal. This is one of my favorite workouts. I only did 2 fast miles because My legs are feeling a bit dead this week. Probably a combination of the marathon last week and all the climbing I have done this week.
I was on my way to dreamy draw when a guy stopped me to ask if I was missing a dog. I said no and he tells me he thought he saw 2 dogs fighting but when he got closer he saw it was a coyote attacking a dog. He chased the coyote off. The coyote went up and over the mountain and the dog went around on the trail. The man ran after them and again found the coyote attacking the dog. He chased the coyote off again but the dog wouldn't come to him and ran towards the 51. At this part of the trail there is a fence so the dog will end up on Northern if he keeps going that way.
I was a half a mile from being done when some lady who had plenty of time to see me but still ran through her stop sign pissed me off. After seeing me, coming through her stop sign she then proceeded to quick stop in the crosswalk so I had to stop short. I yelled at her that if she was going to run her stop sign to stay out of the crosswalk and this bitch yells at me, “Fuck you.” So I yell back, “fuck you! I have the right away you stupid bitch!” Sorry, Mark, I was wearing an iRun hat. I am just really tired of people who are in the wrong and then curse at me. A tenth of a mile later we end up stopped at the same red light and they roll up the window. Good call because I was pissed.
I took the kids to Flower Child for lunch. In the past it was 3 items made a plate and now it is 2 items for $9. That is insanely ridiculous. After we left I said that I wasn’t eating there anymore because that was stupid expensive. My exact words were, “I am breaking up with Flower Child.” Ava said, “Don't do it! Stay together for the children!” She’s a funny girl. She really loves their gluten-free Pho.
Did some grocery shopping, took a nap, had coffee and snack and started to get caught up on Survivor with Norm. It was tough to peel myself away for a 2nd run, but I did it. Just an easy 5 mile run to get used to 2 a days again. I came back, we ate dinner and finished getting caught up on Survivor. It’s my dream to create a Psych class that is a Survivor class. I have done Survivor days where they have to play games to win clues to answer questions and the winners get a basket of snacks to divvy up. It’s so much fun. College students are very motivated by food. Of course, none of them watch Survivor and probably think I am lame for still watching it, but they like playing games and winning things.
Yummy Flower Child for lunch.
Spaghetti squash, eggplant parm, sweet potato gnocchi, and baguette. All gluten free and all delicious! Humble brag.
My favorite wine is back at Whole Foods!
Sunday:
Norm had to work again, but luckily the dogs seemed content this morning so Iwas off at 5:45 am. It was still a bit dark so stayed off the trails. Just ran what I call baby hills through the neighborhoods to get some “easy” climbing. I was really trying to run easy, but my pace was constantly faster than it should have been. I felt relaxed and easy so well call it an easy run even though it wasn’t technically.
Had some coffee, played ball with Pasta and headed to yoga. There is a guy I see every Sunday morning at the same corner. I have given him food before. I am sure he was thrilled to get my raisins, almonds, and peanuts I keep in my bag, but I never have any cash. Two weeks ago we chatted while the light was red. I only had a few dollars. We talked about where he was staying and taking care of himself. After I pulled away today I decided that next week I am going to leave early so I can chat with him. Something about him makes me want to help him. There are so many homeless here and it breaks my heart. It doesn't matter what you did or didn't do, shelter is a basic need. I can't give money to everyone though. My mom told me that her pastor once said that he gives when he feels called and that resonated with me. It is typically young people that pull at my heartstrings. I try to buy food and I always ask what they want. There is just something about this guy. We had such a “normal” conversation. If I can help, I want to do what I can for him.
Yoga was so hard and so hot. After lunch and some reading of my New York Times, I took a nap. I got up and did laundry. If the washer and dryer are free around here, you better take advantage.
I was starving at dinner and ate way too much. But I’ll be starving again in an hour. But I also feel like I might be asleep in an hour. Norm was exhausted from being at work early and I was exhausted from who knows what. So we went to bed early.
Norm had to work again, but luckily the dogs seemed content this morning so Iwas off at 5:45 am. It was still a bit dark so stayed off the trails. Just ran what I call baby hills through the neighborhoods to get some “easy” climbing. I was really trying to run easy, but my pace was constantly faster than it should have been. I felt relaxed and easy so well call it an easy run even though it wasn’t technically.
Had some coffee, played ball with Pasta and headed to yoga. There is a guy I see every Sunday morning at the same corner. I have given him food before. I am sure he was thrilled to get my raisins, almonds, and peanuts I keep in my bag, but I never have any cash. Two weeks ago we chatted while the light was red. I only had a few dollars. We talked about where he was staying and taking care of himself. After I pulled away today I decided that next week I am going to leave early so I can chat with him. Something about him makes me want to help him. There are so many homeless here and it breaks my heart. It doesn't matter what you did or didn't do, shelter is a basic need. I can't give money to everyone though. My mom told me that her pastor once said that he gives when he feels called and that resonated with me. It is typically young people that pull at my heartstrings. I try to buy food and I always ask what they want. There is just something about this guy. We had such a “normal” conversation. If I can help, I want to do what I can for him.
Yoga was so hard and so hot. After lunch and some reading of my New York Times, I took a nap. I got up and did laundry. If the washer and dryer are free around here, you better take advantage.
I was starving at dinner and ate way too much. But I’ll be starving again in an hour. But I also feel like I might be asleep in an hour. Norm was exhausted from being at work early and I was exhausted from who knows what. So we went to bed early.
