Yet another dog incident...

Sigh

I inherited a gene from my mother. It's the "dogs are disgusting and rude and I hate them" gene. If you are a dog lover... then feel free to quit reading and go pet a dog or something. I do not want to hear about all the good dogs out there.

Good Bye.

OK -- now that it's just us... I think I'll vent a little. Is that OK?

Did you know I'm training for a 5k?

No -- I did NOT just change the subject. I know I have ADD... but I'm not that bad.

Oh look a quarter!!

Just kidding.

Anyway. Training for a 5k... it includes running. Well -- OK at my speed... shuffling. I have to shuffle long distances sometimes. South of me... HILLS. I try not to shuffle there very often. Although I might consider it -- seeing as the dogs are less rude in that direction.

I can only go north up a very steep hill. Once at the top of that hill I can only run 1/2 a mile... oh wait... I can only shuffle 1/2 a mile in either direction before I encounter dogs. Some more rude then others. You may remember... I've met the neighbor's dogs. Some dogs are so rude.

A while after that incident my DH was reading a running magazine and it happened to mention rude dogs. What to do about them. Keep on running it says. Oh -- nice advice. I'll have to remember that. Just ignore them... they'll go away. Yeah -- but... what if you have the "dogs are disgusting and rude and I hate them" gene. I'm pretty sure they can sense that... and I have proof.

Today -- I went runn-- OK -- I went shuffling. I had run 3 miles on Thursday. When I passed the rude dog's house -- the slick blue no named one - he barked at me from inside the house. HA HA!! Triumph. So Friday I thought I'd go for a short and faster run. YES... I'll call it a run. Just one mile.. and most of it is down hill. Ebony was with me... but behind me... so I'll call it running.

I got to the rude dog's house -- not even thinking of the dog -- so no fear was dripping from my armpits at that time. I'm sure they couldn't smell a thing. Besides the fact that I hadn't showered yet... but well... you know. NO FEAR... they were not smelling fear when they came running at me. My first thought. "The magazine says keep on running and ignore them." So I did! I kept on running while the slick 4 legged dog was running towards me and growling!! Then when I could smell HIM I yelled GO HOME!! Then when he bit at me and tore my shirt I started YELLING REALLY REALLY LOUDLY!!! COME GET YOUR DOG!! GET YOUR DOG AWAY FROM ME!! COME OUT HERE AND GET YOUR DOG!!

So they yelled out the window... "Round 'em up Bo."


I swear to you -- I hate dogs... they are so rude.

No dogs were injured on my walk home...My pride was very hurt. It was amazing to my how my body reacted to that stupid slick 4 legged dog. I had to stop and sit down before walking the rest of the way home. The biting didn't break the skin, but I've got a bruise and it's sore and well -- I'm mad. I scared my DH 1/2 to death because I tried to call him and tell him about it but started crying during the middle of the message and he thought I was dying. Well -- not dying... you know... but definitely worse then a little nip. My DD said, "Why did he bite you -- did you kick him?" Kick him?? No way!! I was following directions... just keep on running. Who ever said, "dumb dog" sure was right!

Dollars for Scholars

Tori and I are going to run, Lord willing, in the Dollars for Scholars 4k that Knoxville is putting on August 2nd. Our friend Connie is going to run it too.

I'm very excited for Tori -- I can't wait to see how well she does. She is always running with me -- not much of a challenge. I hope she pushes herself. She'll get a personal best... seeing as this will also be a personal first. HA!

Even typing this my hands got sweaty!! Oh my word... I'm nervous.

So -- this means no skipping my c25k work outs this week... or next.

I just hope I don't finish LAST!! Please Lord... help me not to finish last!!

C25K Podcasts

I'm starting over with Couch to 5K... the running/walking program found at Cool Running that helps you go from sitting on the couch to running a 5K in 9 weeks. (I'm on W4D2).

Oh... It's funny really -- I use the "timed" schedule -- I'd never be able to run a 5K in the time they allow, but that's OK... it gets me exercising. That's what counts.

Well -- recently I ordered an MP3 player from my sister, Karen. Her church sells them... neat deal really -- they put the praise and worship music on the MP3 player, and that enables you to learn the songs you will then hear in church. Anywho...

So -- there are folks out there who are more smarter than I. (Notice I didn't say smarter then me). They have set up podcasts you can put in your MP3 player that allows you to listen to commands to start and stop running during the Run/Walks leading up to a straight 5K.

I downloaded one that uses CHRISTIAN music. So cool! You can too here at Christian Indie Broadcast.

I used to struggle with a stop watch... but you know... I'm a blond until my air hits the air, then it turns brown. So struggle is the operative word in that previous sentence. :doh: Hit the wrong button... now -- where was I? I tried carrying a 3x5 card in my hand -- with the schedule printed out... run 5, walk 3, run 3, walk 90 seconds... after I sweat so much I can't read the schedule. Plus -- that's multi-tasking... runing, reading, timing... These podcasts make it soooo much easier. Just do one thing -- RUN... well -- 2... RUN and LISTEN! That guy in my MP3 player is so encouraging too... "Way to Go!" Like my own little mini-personal trainer.

This is so cool -- ya gotta try it out.

And if you are like me -- and while you are running -- you get all blessed thinking about how wonderful God is -- that you start crying... don't worry -- it'll just look like you are working really hard.

Have any of you tried C25K? What tricks do you use to make it any easier? I'd like to know.

Crossfit

I'm in another weight loss contest with friends on-line... and a few friends from town. Ü I'm surrounding myself with people who want to be fit! It's exciting.

Well - today on the message board someone linked us to these exercises. Calisthenics. That word sounds old fashioned... doesn't it?

It IS old fashioned... no equipment needed. Seems now a days if you don't have a ball, or a hand weight, or a band you are just out of the loop.

The discussion was that this Crossfit "stuff" is working -- so much so that our military seems to be adopting is at their own. That's what this review say too.

So... I may make me a DVD of these and take them up stairs and do them in the privacy of my own room. I like my kids... but hearing them laugh while I'm exercising is a bit discouraging.

Have you heard of Crossfit? Do you do Crossfit? Let's talk.

In 2008 I will...

Molly Randolph over at Homeschool with Index Cards has a great freebie right now. An index card that you can use to write your goals for 2008 on. You can print it out and store it where you will see it often. Then keep your goals in the forefront of your mind and be diligent at working on them regularly.

She uses Mark 12.30 as the main verse, then she makes her goals using 4 different themes. Heart, Soul, Mind and Strength. I'm going to copy after her. ;)

1. HEART Think right. Keep my heart free from sin. Phi 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
   I need to finish reading Loving God with All Your Mind, by Elizabeth George.
   
2. SOUL Read through the Bible in 90 days.
3. SOUL Find an accountability partner for my spiritual life. I'm hoping to use my prayer partner that I'll be getting through Faith Baptist Church in town. I'm praying for my prayer sister already. God knows who I need as a partner.
   
4. SOUL Mentor my children with their devotions and their walk with God. Start good habits at a young age.
   
5. MIND Read a "thoughtful" book each month. I read enough of fiction. So this must be history, or a "better myself" type book.
6. MIND Write a handwritten note to a 1 friend a month.
   
7. MIND Start school for self.
8. MIND Keep up with school for kiddos.
9. STRENGTH Stick with good eating habits. Try cooking South Beach-ish each month.
   
10. STRENGTH Develop and stick to a regular exercise routing. Finish a 5K this year by doing Couch to 5K in the Spring.
11. STRENGTH Get weight down below obesity level. I'm only 5'2", so I'll let you figure that out.
    

OK -- there ya go. I've got some goals... let's all pray I meet them this year. ;)

Happy 2008!

Cool Running

I'm about to head out the door to jog/walk this morning. It's a beautiful 70° outside this morning! Great jogging/walking weather.

I'm working toward being able to run a 5K.

I'm using the program called Couch to 5K. Never mind that they call you a couch potato... it's a great program. I've got several on-line friends that are using this program. I've started it 2 times... this is my third.

The first time I used it -- I was 20 pounds heavier. My knees would hurt after I ran. That was several years ago. Then I started it this summer... if you remember, I got COVERED in poison ivy. You're not supposed to sweat when you are covered in poison ivy. So -- since running in the summer made me sweat... I stopped... thinking it would only be for a while. Well - you know me. Once I quit... I sort of lost any momentum I'd built up -- so it was a permanent quit. Now -- I'm getting lower in weight... a bit lower... and feeling like I'm stalling. So I'm going to start the program AGAIN and really try to push through this plateau. I'm on Week 1 Day 3 this morning. It starts out easy. Walk 5 minutes for a warm up. Jog 60 seconds Walk 90 seconds. I take my kitchen timer with me. Do this for a total of 20 minutes.

Here I go... anyone going to join me?

Couch to 5K

I've started the Couch to 5K program, which can be found at the Cool Runnings Web-site.

If the Cool Runnings site overwhelms you -- let me tell you that it is possible to start small!!

Today -- I completed Day 3 of Week 3. So I say... W3D3 done. WOO HOO!! I discovered this from some on-line friends. They are waaaay ahead, but they are great encourager's.

Today -- I ran 3 minutes. Bah you say... that's peanuts. Well -- let me see YOU try it. HA HA!! You end up working out about 25-30 minutes total... but you only run/jog for 3 minutes at the most at a time. SO FAR... I started OUT running just 90 seconds... or maybe even 60 seconds... now I can't remember. But it was very small... so 3 minutes see LONG to me. It strengthened my prayer life. HA HA!! (You think I'm kidding!)

It's a 9 week program that can take you from sitting on your bum on the couch to running a 5K. I've got my sites set on running one in October. I know that's more than 9 weeks away - but I'm giving myself a cushion. Ü Plus it's cooler in October. LOL

What do you do for cardio exercise?

Today I Timed my Mile

It was mildly amusing.

When I got to the track -- there was a walking stick running already. She had a KNOXVILLE TRACK sticker on her car -- I'm assuming she was a high school track runner. I wanted to remind her that track season is over -- but she probably knows that. She's the walking stick -- not me.

So I started out speed walking -- I thought I'd walk 1/2 lap, then jog 1/2 lap, walk, jog... until I did my mile. Sort of like the Couch to 5k training.

Well -- the first lap I did o.k. Whew.. how fun to start running and turn that corner... lean into it... kick, kick, kick... felt like I was in high school again. YEAH!!

Ooowww... 3 minute lap... not too bad for an old geezer.

So I started walking the 2nd lap... breathing HEAVY. Hope I recover this 1/2 lap so I can run again. After a bit -- the walking stick starts running... I notice she has been running one lap then timing herself and checking her pulse. She's very professional looking -- running in her underwear and all.

When I start running again I can feel my thighs twinge. I wonder if I started out too fast. But then there is the corner... my favorite part. Then I hear her foot steps... so I scoot over so she doesn't have to yell at me LAP! I know she is going to lap me. LOL. But WOW -- look it there... all of a sudden I'm not kick, kick, kicking around the corner.... I'm slosh, slosh, sloshing. How did she do that? Apparently I'm running in slow motion. Amazing... She glides by like a gazelle... and my arms are wigging around, and my head is bobbing, my breathing WAY overpowers her breathing... is she breathing? I can't tell.

OK -- 2 laps. I start walking. THAT FELT SOOO SLOW... but no... it was still 3 minutes. How did that happen? She she went whizzing by -- time slowed down or something.

Next lap -- more like the first one... she was still checking her pulse or something. I was once again reminiscing about those high school days.

Lap 4 -- it happened again!! I thought that was so funny how I could trick my mind into thinking my wobbly jog was so fast then she would SHOOT on past me -- faster than a speeding bullet apparently -- and my reality got SHOOK! Ü I thought for a moment... I wonder if I run in my underwear -- would my time be any better?

Oh... to be young again.

I wanted to holler at her -- "HEY!! I've given birth 5 times ya know!"

But she could tell that probably -- as my 3 littles were running all over the place. "Marks, get set, go!" they were shouting -- over and over again.

I don't regret it!!! Who cares if I slow...


...I'm blessed!

My Walk Today

I'm in this little contest... trying to lose weight you know. Well -- this week I'm trying to get in a little more cardio excercise than normal. Let me tell you about my walk today.

OK -- so I left at 2:00 (on the dot). Got the littles down for a nap, and the olders either doing school, or watching PBS. Strict instructions not to mess up. LOL

I started on my normal route, with my faithful companion Ebony -- but when I got to the top of the hill... I thought (that's the problem) I thought... why don't I turn right instead today.

So -- I did.

Lah dee dah!! How nice. Different scenery. Oh my -- walking right into the wind... lucky for me it's not far until I turn the corner.

Around the corner... lifting my knees high -- pumping those arms... listening to my drama part on my CD player... BARK, BARK. Oh my... I turn around and there is a BIG dog that lives in the house on the corner, why I haven't ever noticed that before? EBONY takes charge. He stands there with his feet planted. I say sweetly, "Come on Ebony!" I'm begging... I think he notices because he just turns around and follows me. Whew...

Well -- I keep on trucking... feeling fresh...

Ebony flushes out 3 birds. I think they were pheasants. Well -- I know they were, I think 2 baby males and 1 mommy. The babies are small but colorful already. My dad would have been so excited. He told me all about when Ebony flushed out 2 quail a few weeks ago. He ate one of them, so I was very happy that those pheasants could fly, and high.

Well -- I kept on marching -- almost to the stop sign. I had set my alarm, and was going to turn around after 30 minutes. A nice hour long walk. How nice....

When I get to the stop sign, I still have 8 minutes left to make 30 minutes. Oh my... now what do I do?

Well -- I think I'll turn left and walk in a big circle. I can't see the road that I turn on from where I'm standing... but it's just a ways down there...

I think instead of turning around for a short 44 minute walk, I go in a circle for a longer walk.

Now I'm walking on a 2 lane highway.

Whoa -- there are WAAY more cars on this highway then I ever saw before. How nice of them to pull way over into the other lane to go around me... and my wayward dog. I wish he would stay in the ditch.

Ewww... Ebony found a dead deer, in the ditch. I don't really want to look at it... but Ebony is running around all excited and sniffing it. I start screaming, "NO -- EBONY COME -- GET AWAY FROM THE DEER." The deer is only 1/2 a deer... yuck -- I hear a vehicle coming, so I turn and start walking again... yelling one last time, "I'M LEAVING -- COME ON EBONY!". And I mean it... I keep on walking ... I don't want to WATCH him eat it if he chooses to. (Gag!)

He chooses me over the dead deer. Whew...

We are coming up to a house... my beeper goes off..

Oh -- I think -- I'm 1/2 way through. I look for the road to turn on... I can't see it. So -- I look back... maybe I can turn around and just finish my walk where I came from. I can't see that road either. Good grief... what do I do now? I guess I'll just keep on going -- I think I'm almost there...

Now I come upon a house -- and I can hear another dog. So does Ebony. My word... He starts trotting out across the highway. All of a sudden I picture myself having to explain why Ebony is no longer around -- he's probably going to end up in the ditch with the deer... 1/2 deer, we left behind. So I start screaming again, "EBONY COME!" I finally see the dog... it's in a kennel. It jumps up on the fence....

... it starts climbing the fence....

I start walking faster... good thing this is a cardio walk and not a stroll...

That dog climbs the fence to the top -- and apparently there is a roof -- because he does not jump out. Whew... it looks like a grey hound, and I heard those things run pretty fast. I think actually it's a coon dog. I wonder if I look like a coon?

Luckily Ebony chose me once again... I'm beginning to think Ebony is just a coward... and not choosing me.

My legs are getting tired. I think I've walked further than I've walked in a long time... plod, plod, plod my feet are hitting the ground.

Oh -- gracious... I can now see the road to turn on. It's a good thing.

Oh look -- there are some calves.

Oh look -- there are the mommas. Momma cows are very protective... ALL the momma cows in the field are looking at me. Every single one of them have stopped munching on momma cow feed and is looking up at me. Well - maybe they are looking at Ebony. Or maaayybe they are looking at my red sweat shirt I'm wearing and getting ready to CHAAAAAAARGE!?! YIKES... I start pumping my arms again. Let's go Ebony! Let's go!!!

The calves were cute though -- maybe I'll drive by in the safety of my vehicle and show the kiddos... maybe -- I drive a Red Van... maybe not. LOL

Oh -- the corner where I turn... the corner!!! YEAH -- normally I'd be 1/2 way done... woo hoo!!! I'm on the home stretch.

I stretch out my legs and really go -- I'm pumping my arms high... for about 10 strides.

MAN ALIVE!!! I'm pooped.... I just want to sit down here and take a nap... can I do that? No -- Ebony would probably lick my face. Don't want that after he was licking that deer's -- 1/2 deer's face. (gag!)

Oh my aching legs... my knees... plod, plod, plod...

I turn the next corner. The neighbor's little puny dog comes out and barks -- but I don't even care... if he attacks, I'll fall on him and kill it -- or knock it unconscious -- or maim it so it can't chase me anymore ... I'm so tired I don't mind his incessant little yapping... maybe if he bites me, they'll call an ambulance and I can get a ride home. No more walking...

Oh nice -- there is the owner.

"Hello," I put a smile/grimace on my face, "I can't stop -- the littles are napping! Are you enjoying the weather?" I can't hear his response because the wind is blowing...

Hmmm... as I turned that last corner, I am all of a sudden facing into the wind. The same wind that I started out in. I was marching along quite smartly at the beginning... now I think when I lift my foot, it gets blown backwards and really I'm making no forward progress at all.

Sigh... this is the walk from hell... when will it be over???

Plod, plod, plod... crawl... No -- I didn't crawl, but I sure felt like it. I didn't crawl, because I didn't want Ebony licking me... remember the 1/2 deer? Who ever said dog's mouths are clean never lived out here in the boonies -- in deer country.

The last corner -- the home stretch...

I think -- I wonder if I can just roll down this hill...


Home -- Sweet -- Home

Only 1 hour and 14 minutes later.

I'm such a wimp...