I was on vacation from June 28 until yesterday, July 7. It was a wonderful time, I spent time in Reno and Topaz Lake, NV and Bridgeport, CA. I had to get in my runs, whether I wanted to or not. I guess I should say, if there was time or not. I would say that I was going to run several times and just keep putting it off. Finally, I would say I would do it in the morning, which I did. The daylight temps were above 100, so I knew I would have to do it early in the morning or at sunset.
Tuesday morning, July 2, I got up and got dressed. I had told my husband that I had to do four miles that day. He told me to do it in the fitness area, on the treadmill. My complete training for a half-marathon was done on a treadmill. I went down to the fitness area, found a treadmill and jumped on. I started running. Within a couple minutes, I determined that it was near impossible to breathe. I don't know if the air just wasn't circulating or what the problem was, but I knew I wouldn't be able to complete a full four miles, if I could hardly breathe after 1/4 mile.
I got off the treadmill and went outside to run. It was already near 90 degrees at a little after 8 am. I had on my running shorts and running shirt. I was trying to stay in as much shade as I possibly could, running near the casinos.
I had some neutral comments like, "You sure are dedicated to be running in this heat."
One man, on a side street, beside a casino, was rolling a joint or a cigarette. I didn't stop to really figure it out. He was older, mid 50s to 60s. He was the one that should keep his mouth shut. I was just trying to stay in the shade, not looking for any comments. I had already run about three miles in the stifling heat, I was very sweaty. When, lo and behold, he thought he should open his big mouth. The following words spilled out.
"Oh, you're trying to get skinny. I don't like skinny girls."
As you can imagine, if you know me, a million comebacks came flooding to rail my tongue. Then I thought it would be wise not to use any of them on a stranger on a side road in a town I don't really know. So, I said, "No, I'm just training for a half-marathon." To which was the ever intelligent reply of "Ohhhhhh...."
I then got back to the main road and just ran back to the hotel and ran around the block there a few times until my four miles were complete.
I was proud of myself for completing the run. It is difficult to run on vacation. The food, which I refer to as vacation food, is devastating to trying to get in/stay in shape.
I had to run on Wednesday, July 3, as well. By this time, we had left Reno and headed up to Topaz Lake. It is a beautiful area. That day I had eaten some Costco food... a hotdog, churro and some of a chocolate and almond covered ice cream bar. Then when we got to our hotel, we had a hotdog barbecue. I was kind of hotdog-ged out. I figured since it was dinner time, I should probably eat. Then I had to go for a run. It kept threatening to rain for a couple of hours. I kept waiting, hoping it would just do it. It would sprinkle off and on, thunder off and on, but no real rain. I was hoping it would rain to cool stuff off. At about 7:15 pm, I figured if it was going to rain, I would just have to get rained on while running. I ran down to the lake where I found "NO TRESPASSING" signs. I thought I should heed the signs and turn around. I ran back to another road and found one that ran along the lake.
It was a beautiful run. At one point, I found a trail that brought me right next to the lake. I took that trail for a little bit and then it ended. I then turned around and went back to the road. I ran along the road for a while longer. There were many blind curves, and I started to feel like I could be pressing my luck. I turned around and ran back. I enjoyed that run a lot. It is wonderful to find beautiful places to run.
I planned to do a 5 mile-run at the Twin Lakes on Friday, but my quad was bothering me. I thought I would be wise to let that heal for a bit. I should get in my run later this evening. I am a day off right now, but I think that will be okay. On Friday, I ended up playing mud volleyball with my cousin, his wife and daughter, my sister-in-law and a good friend of our family. It was a tournament, we ended up getting 5th out of 19 teams. It was a lot of fun.
I keep saying I am going to run, it's been over a month. With the move and a few other things, it just seems near impossible to work up the energy. I got brave and stepped on the scale, only up 8 pounds. I can lose it! I miss you.
ReplyDeleteSome people really should keep their traps shut!