THIS IS WHAT I WAS HOPING FOR.



Even with all my vacation I've had so far this year, I feel like I am badly in need of a day off. I was hoping for that tomorrow, but it looks like it won't be happening until the weekend.

I don't know how I managed it when my kids were all little and I worked full time and still managed to run 5 or 6 days a week. Now, after a busy weekend like last weekend, I feel like I need a day to myself! Its been a struggle this week, that's for sure.

Today was the first day of running since Saturday, and if Don hadn't been ready to get out there bright and early, I'm pretty sure I would have put it off--at least to maybe later today, and then there would be no guarantees!

I have been riding on my bike trainer, so its not like I have been a total sloth this week. But it has now been 11 days since I've been in the pool, so I feel like I'm really slacking there! Work has been unusually busy this week, not giving me the usual "leisure" time to catch up on blogs or even write anything myself.

So on today's run, it was just an out and back, but up the biggest hill in the area, and back down. I hadn't realized until today just how much of an "uphill" the whole route by my house was until heading back from the big hill. I could distinctly feel it as a downhill grade.

It was cold enough again today for tights, long sleeves, vest, gloves, and earband, but the sun was shining brightly, and with the first part of the run being directly east, I was glad I had put on sunglasses at the last second. I wore an under armor long sleeved shirt, which I really like except it rides up constantly, so I was glad I had something else covering me up or it would have ended up being too much of a skin show. That was very annoying actually, and I've decided I won't wear that again unless I have something under it. Made me REALLY glad I didn't wear it last week for the race.

We came to an intersection just before the big hill where they are doing construction, so for the first time ever, no cars coming through except those going up the big hill. We were able to run in the street, but even then I was still worried about the cars. I still constantly worry about someone hitting me again so that I am always looking over my shoulder.

The big hill is about 4/10 of a mile long before it curves and then almost immediately goes downhill. Don had picked out a fire hydrant around the corner of the big hill to use as our turnaround, and I was glad for that downhill break. He has been trying to build up his running strength again after the Achilles injury, but as usual he always over does everything. This is the 3rd day in a row doing that hill. I told him twice a week probably would be good enough.

Then it was back down the hill, a long gradual downhill. That part felt great, almost like it could go on forever, but then the porta potty issue started creeping up again. I still haven't gotten totally over whatever it was bothering me last Saturday, so coming up to the construction site Don said there was a porta potty there. No thanks! I think I will just try to manage without that!

We got in a nice little 3 mile run this morning. It was nice having someone to run with again. We both signed up for a 5k this Saturday, so that will be Don's first race since last August. I'm not sure how this will go, whether he will be able to push the pace, whether I will pace off him, or even what kind of pace we will be able to do. I don't want this to be totally competitive, but you know how it is when you get a bunch of people in a race! Actually, its for a charitable organization, the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation. My niece has the disease and my sister and I thought it would be nice to support the organization. She plans to walk, as does my daughter and her kids, so it will be a family event more than anything.

So now it is back to the grind of work again. I'll report on the race later Saturday.