On the Right Track...: April 2012

I have had a few people concerned that possibly something has happened to me...

Another injury...(wouldn't that be fun?)

A sickness...(only in my head)

Family crisis...(the deer ate all my hostas and hydrangeas already!!)

Mental breakdown...(quite possibly)??

All I can say is that ever since I left for Spring vacation to Kentucky with my family in tow...I have been OBSESSED with a "few books"...

a trilogy I guess I'd say...

Just can't put them down...

they are keeping me up all night, literally...

but, I won't digress...

It's such a GREY area...(ahem!)

totally...completely totally...another post!!!
Trust Me!

Anyway...vacation...yes, vacation.

I and the boys left for my home state for a lovely 10 days for Spring/Easter vacation. I had not been home in quite awhile...so I was in desperate need of some bluegrass, bourbon, barbecue, basketball and horses! yes, horses...folks were starting to get ready for the Kentucky Derby so it is just such an amazing time of year to be in such a beautiful part of the country.

what I love most about where I'm from is how diverse the landscape is...
From the Eastern mountains, Appalachians, coal mines...

through beautiful horse country...

to the big city of Louisville along the riverfront and outstretched suburban/country lands...

to the rural areas of Western Kentucky where the tobacco,soybeans,corn and other things grow. such diversity...

such beauty, and

miss

it!!

Recap...

tried to run a bit, because that is what I do when i go home. I have the pleasure of living, (or used to that is) on a beautiful quiet secluded private road on 6 acres. My boys love to go because they have the open freedom to play war, manhunt, ride bikes, fish in the ponds, hike through the woods, feed the horses, ride their electric scooters, cars, mowers... anywhere they want...

Its a boys DREAM!!

Check it out...

And what do I do???

I run, listen, observe, feel the sun, mellow, reminisce, reacquaint and read! Spending time with my Dad,(mom passed away about 8 years ago from cancer) is the Highlight of my time down there. I miss him dearly!

Mom and I summer 2003...

My dad...

OK...back to Running...

I ran about 5 times.

I have the mileage and the times listed below for anybody that would like to analyze them. Please, feel free...give me your feedback, chuckle, mock or yell at me for doing it because I was hard of hearing down there and forgot I wasn't suppose to run...oops...shhh!!

4/8 2.31 miles 20:06 avg.pace 8:43 per mile

4/9 3.01 miles 26.56 avg. pace 8:57 per mile

4/11 3.00 miles 26.56 avg. pace 8:57 per mile

4/13 3.01 miles 26.19 avg. pace 8:45 per mile

4/15 2.30 miles 20.32 avg pace 8:55 per mile

With that in mind, just know that I was ~~still am~~ in quite a bit of pain...had to stop numerous times to recover (cardiovascular i STINK...and stopped my garmin to hyperventilate which is so, so, so, so wrong...oh well...) and I felt completely awkward! I have absolutely, in my opinion, no spring in my step or natural cadence. I feel heavy and weak on my right side, and cannot keep from pounding or jarring.

Our road is private, so from the driveway to one end, back to the other end, then back to the driveway again is approx 1.5 miles. This is what part of the road looks like.

I really enjoyed it, but then didn't at the same time. Running isn't feeling good, and I'm not feeling good about running. I'm actually not feeling good about much. and, with the weather getting warmer and seeing everybody on the road...my mood is altered. But, I am strong...and I am patient...and the end result will be well worth the wait!

In the meantime, I am going to continue doing what I am doing with PT, and I think I may venture back into the gym a couple days a week. I just returned from visiting the really cool gym I belong to and spoke with the owners, they are really amazingly supportive individuals that truly care about your well-being...I am very lucky as they have checked up on me since my surgery...and before. and...hopefully I will have some positive recovery news here shortly.

Until then, I will continue to read your blogs for inspiration and motivation, and keep my head up high and BE PATIENT...

at least until June when my first spring tri is scheduled...

do I bag it...or just go for it?

Decisions, decisions...

I guess I should probably purchase a bike???

A few more pics to leave you with...