Today was a bit eventuful.   I got run off the road into a ditch.  It was a little alarming as the undercarriage was hot and the ditch was full of water so this illusion of my engine smoking occurred right away.  I wondered for a minute there if my car was going to explode. 

I am so so lucky.  I was off the road in front of a Nursing Home at 7 am (Shift change).  The maintanence guy stopped, pulled me out and checked my tires and engine entirely.  All is well....lots of mud and weeds stuck in the area.  Scary though.  I have to go back to Winter Park on Weds next week.  I guess I'll drop by woth donunts.  It was super nice of him. 

After that excitement, I had my appointment with the Doctor.  It was alright.  I'm in a bind.  I'm impatient.  He suggested a double session (which is like 2-3 hours...) so we can try to open things up and shut them down.  He was a  bit annoying today, but I was already annoyed due to my unpleasant car experience. I think he was purposefully goading me and I was just getting more and more annoyed.   Not sure when that double session will occur.  He's pretty tied up.  I have appointments out to August, so I guess it might be somewhere in late August.

I'm so tired from all that excitement.  I still have a little training to do.  We shall see how that will go...right now I am going to relax, let my snack digest and have a coffee....

Whew.

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My Garmin ceased to function this morning.  It will not turn on.  This is annoying me no end.  I found myself running on the treadmill this morning because even though I Know distances (Well I know three and 6 miles, no split times), I also have an issue with  not knowing pace.  I run races without the Garmin, but I don't run too well training without it.

SInce I never use the HRM, I am thinking of seeing how cheap the 205's have gotten.

or getting it repaired, but I know getting it repaired will take forever.

Grrrrrrr.

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Here's a nice, static photo...

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which I enjoyed taking.  I like the bright colors.

Not too much going on here.

Work has been busy and such.  Lots of actual sick people, and a variety of people who seem to have an Attention Deficit Disorder (Not enough attention at home).  The combo is good though because I can basically not worry about the ADD people and concentrate on the "I'm trying to die" people.  I think if offerred I'll stay through the winter here, then I will have to move on due to tax laws.  I really love Florida, but I still own a home in NC and I can not imagine selling it in this market today. 

We are having typical bad Florida weather. I woke to a storm last night that had such loud and long thunder I couldn't identify it.  I sat there for a moment and was thinking Jet plane, really low flying Jet.  Finally when I saw the lightening I realized it was thunder.  The rain is nice.  The Cranes appear to have taken up residence in the pond by the apartment, so I have been seeing them regularly.  They are people shy though so I still have to stalk them for photos.

I have had a difficult time with the Doctor this week and have pretty much become completely repulsed by eating and all things eating (cooking, food prep, talking about food etc). I have still managed about 80% of what I am supposed to be eating.  I have an appointment with the Nutritionist this afternoon, and I will call the Doctor today.  I wasn't going ot call him over the weekend because even though I hear alarm bells going off in my head, I think it really wasn't an emergency, plus I am not sure he could have course corrected this over the phone. I have to go back on Thursday anyway, so hopefully this will all be history by then.

I did my first week of training for the Marathon...It was fairly non eventful overall.  The Six mile run was a bit long and hilly, and caused me some frustration, but the three milers were fun.  I need New shoes and I am debating if I go back to mizunos  or stick with the Pearl Izumi's  The PI's show that I really need no motion control.  However, the PI's are motion control shoes and I have not really had any major injury in them, so I am confused.  Mizunos are less expensive and look cuter.  But the PI's seem to have done me good.  Because I am a dork, I am repeating the first week of Mrathon training this week, just to be sure I got it right!!!  Then its onwards very very quickly with Mileage increases each week for it seems like forever. I have done something wierd to my right foot and it hurts, but neither Motrin or Ice help it and it doesnt hurt too much when running so I am just sort of ignoring it, and hoping it heals.   

I was asked out on a date by a HUUUUUUGE man, like 6 feet tall 400 pounds.  I'm confused by this because I can't figure what he thinks we have in common.  Luckily, while I said yes, I dropped a hint to one of his buddies that I was just not that into him and he didnt call.  I was just so so shocked that he asked me that I couldn't think of anything socially appropriate to say.   like my options in my mind were NOOOOOOOO!   or Uh ok I guess.  the big no seemed rude.  I know theres a real person inside that guy, but I can not get past the belly that has a life of its own.  I'm shallow, right.  

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Well. 

I enjoyed my two week break from the dietary nazis.  Unfortunately all good things come to an end.

On Weds I spent time with the Nutritionist.  She was actually pleased with the food jounral, said it looked less like disordered eating and more like normal menus.  We then adjusted portions because I was still complaining about having to eat 2 ENTIRE cups of rice/Oatmeal etc with each meal.  Whooo Hooo.  I get to consume less.  Of course she then added in Pedialyte so the calorie count is not entirely different, BUT...Pedialyte is a lot easier to consume for someone like myself who does nto actually like chewing etc. The Pedialyte is for running because she is still concerned that I am going to mess up my electrolytes.  Bah!  Since then though I'll say eating has been a bit easier.

So on Weds I felt alright, albeit a little freaked out.  It was prety unpleasant to talk food for that long.

Today I had to go see the Doctor.  It's been quite a while since I saw him and I was actually somewhat looking forward to it.  We had had a fairly decent session the last time.  Today, however, I woke up on the wrong side of the bed and I remained cranky throughout the entire time.  He was a little challenging in ways I wasn't really dealing with.  He even remarked that I was cranky towards the end.  He's sort of a super-freak intelligent, so he always seems to be two steps ahead of me, which I am not used to, and while that is an attractive quality in a Physician, its very difficult sometimes to be the patient...I spend a lot of time saying "Whaaaaat?" .

Then the wierdest thing and possibly nto so good is that I stepped up on the scale and it appears I have lost about 4 pounds overnight.  Knowing that this is impossible...I went ahead and decided I was a  bit dehydrated, so I drank a litre of water.  And I am still 4 pounds down, even after an entire litre which weighs one Kilogram. (I know this not because I am wierd, we used one litre bags of fluid to check scales at the feeding centre I worked at.)  I am not supposed to be 4 pounds down.  I hope some of it comes back before I see the Nutritionist again on monday. If it doesn't my plans for New Mexico Half may be down the drain.

I imagine today has to be a fluke though.   

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I am signed up for a Night Shift tonight.  When working Nights on a contract its alright, but doing one out of the blue is usually not the greatest.

It seemed like a good idea at the time!!!!  I am sure afterwards the paycheck will be a nice surprise...but right now with it staring me in the face, I am a little displeased at my decision.  Well, it should earn me enough to cover both race fees and hotel.  Unsure about flgiht. 

Ahhh, but to be asleep....Well, I'll just have to nap in the afternoon.

In other news, i seem to have a problem sticking with a theme.  Luckily there are several to choose from.

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I just wanted to post a little about the gym.

I continue to work with the same trainer.  She's alright, very entertaining.  She is really very funny, though we are two totally separate people.  She only reads celebrity magazines and apparently really likes to Line Dance (Last week she was showing me something involving "slapping leather..."who knew..) in addition to running, and biking. I on the other hand, keep trying to read the classics, don't dance at all, and actually like to listen to things like Ornette Coleman  and Tchaikovsky on occasion.  Yet we get along really well.  I think it's because we are both girls and thus she understands girly things much better than my previous trainers.  In addition she runs, and thus is able to actually provide me with all sorts of help with running....unfortunately, I have yet to let her see me really run, too hot when I go in for sessions....we keep talking about me coming to a run and race group but to be honest I am not sure I can.

I think she's actually pretty intelligent, especially about movement, kinetics, etc....whatever you want to call it.  In addition, she has the ability to really focus so I rarely lose focus when I work with her.  When I work with me alone i sometimes sort of lose track of what I am doing. 

Recently though, I have started to do an exercise that actually is difficult for me...and makes it hard for me to sit down the next day!  I can't figure out if its a good thing that the muscles I use to sit apparently are very flabby!!!

It started with this... which was actually a fun exercise.  On occasion I lost the ball and it was a lot of fun.

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Unfortunately about 3 weeks ago she decided this wasn't that challenging, so now I have to do them one legged. the other leg goes straight up in the air. It's hard to do.  I tend to lose the ball, or start to bend my foot at an odd angle to get a hold of the ball.  This week it was slightly easier, but for the second week in a row, I find the next day...I am soooo sore.  I feel like a truck ran over me.  I can still run well, so I have come to the conclusion that whatever hurts isn't really used that much in running...but boy is it hard to sit!.  amazing.

Running is going well.  Upon advice from jeffandrew916 I am looking for softer places to run, but so far no luck.  I seem to be dropping time like crazy, so I suppose eating is good, I wish it was remotely something I want to do as much as I have to do it!    

I saw the Nutritionist today.  She said she was happy with my food intake over the past 2 weeks.  Not so happy with my attempt to decrease exersise, but...well...I can only do so much. She's starting to understand that I am eating to run...she wants to convert me to eating for fun, but it may or may not happen... 

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It took a little while sitting and waiting for the butterfly to land long enough...

But I am so so happy with this one.

I might should crop it a little more.  I was just happy with the blue tone in the spots....

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Running is going well, but I will admit I am tired.  Doing a lot of overtime at work is starting to take its toll, but doing overtime when its available is a good way to make money and save it in these wierd economic times.

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with my choice of camera.  Initially I was worried as it didnt seem to focus well, but after using it for a bit, I think I have figured it out and it does focus well....

In fact I am rather surprised at its capability as it is a simple point and shoot camera and not an SLR.

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I tried to identify this common dragonfly, but was not really able to.  But even with out the official name, it is still sort of graceful in a buggy kind of way.

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He's made it to the Olympics.  What an incredbile 1500.  I'm Sooooooooo excited to see him run in the 1500.  It was a really really wonderful race.

Ohhhhh, August is going to be fun.

I am a little concerned about how exactly Dara Torres is swimming so fast at age 41.  It seems a bit, errr, fishy to me.  I feel uncharitable thinking this, but....at the same time....

Yaaay Lopez!

in other news.   We worked extraordinarily short today.  I really just about lost it.  Or perhaps I did lose it a variety of times....Yuuugh.

One more day.

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I Love the Olympics.  So many stories come out of them, remarkable people, incredible performances, great stories.  I know many people are not pleased with the venue this time around.  I myself am not pleased at all.  After a lot of thought though, I know the atheletes didn't have any choice about the venue and there is for many, just a short window of time for this experience.  I can not imagine how the qualifiers for the 1980 Olympic team felt after working so hard for no opportunity to compete.  I can not wait to see the spectacular track and field events!

Today I want to write a little about Lopez Lomong.  Lomong is a fairly new citizen of the United States.  He is one of the legendary Lost Boys of Sudan.  These were boys who had essentially raised themselves in the refugee camps in Northern Kenya. 

Lopez credits running for saving his life, as he was able to escape a camp for child soldiers through a hole in a fance and run to the relative safety of a Kenyan Refugee camp.

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He then came to the US, where he is now known as the King of Flagstaff, running for Northern Arizona Univeristy,  is competing in the 1500 agaist better know greats such as Bernard "Kipo" Lagat who actually competed for Kenya in the 2004 Olympics, but now is a US citizen, and Alan Webb .

Lomong comes from a world which I know, but only superficially.  Many of you know I worked in South Sudan in 2004-5.  I was there when the Peace Treaty was signed (Actually I was on R and R in kenya, but well, I was still in service, just resting).  I've visited a variety of those refugee camps and know the conditions aren't really good, despite the best efforts of relief agencies.  He, like most Lost Boys had to make big adjustments in coming to the US.  Everything was new, electricity, elevators, McDonalds, supermarkets.... and running, I am sure was somewhat different.   Because of my own work in Akuem, South Sudan, I feel a very strong connection to this remarkable young man who I will probably never meet.  While I certainly had a taste of life in The Sudan, my life there was considerably easier and more secure than Lomong's.  I served as a witness to the tragedies, while Lomong experienced them personally.

Lomong says now that he is running for both the United States and for the Sudanese who never had a chance to run.

I'm cheering him on in the trials, and hoping he gets a chance to represent the many who have experienced the violence, hunger and poverty due to the war in Sudan.

Go Lomong Go!

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