A Date with the Moon

I was itching all day to go for a run.  I've been busy all week and just wanted to get out and enjoy the weather, the outdoors, and a run.  I was finally able to get out there right before sundown.

While it was still light out, I decided to go discover some local streets I was always curious about.  I was actually quite happy I did that because I found a beautiful community that even had a view point where you have a perfect view of Mt Rainier (when it's clear of course).

It started to get dark so I headed back towards the main streets where there was a lot more lighting and movement.  It was such a beautiful clear night.  I felt great the entire run.  It's been weeks since I've felt so good during a run.  I guess you can say today I experienced Runner's Euphoria (High).  I felt so light on my feet, my breathing was easy, and I just was able to enjoy the alone time with my thoughts.

There is something beautiful about running at night.  The air is different...the sounds are different.  I just love it.  As I was approaching my house, I got a glimpse of the moon.  AMAZING!  It was HUGE and BRIGHT.  A thin layer of clouds was masking the moon, but it was so bright it just made it that much more beautiful.  I tried to get a good picture from that point, but I was near a parking lot with lots of bright lights.  I decided to run home a different way where I knew I would be able to see the moon with less lighting.  I felt like a little kid chasing the moon.

As the row of trees was coming to an end, I just knew what was coming.  I started to see the moonlight and drew closer and closer to the view...

Finally, there it was...

My phone never quite captures what the naked eye can see, but wanted to share this with you.

The sky was full of stars and was simply beautiful.  Made me want to lay on the lawn outside my house and just stare at the sky.  I tried to take a picture, but that didn't work out so well.

Good night everyone...and to my fellow runners, have a great running weekend.

Hail at the Track

I was so excited this past summer about the fact that I was turning 30.  Most people dread the day.  Not me.  I was in celebration mode.  I made it to 30 feeling great...better than ever actually.

Now that months have past and before you know it I'll be 31, I'm wondering why in the world I thought turning 30 was so awesome.  I thought the whole "it's all downhill after 30" line was just a bunch of baloney, but I'm starting to see the light.  No! Not that light.  I've still got a long life ahead of me. (God willing)

Not only is my skin starting to show signs of aging (which is really freaking me out), but my health just isn't the same.  Sometimes I feel like I'm just falling apart, literally.

Over the past few weeks I have had the stomach virus, suffered major allergies, developed severe acid reflux, and have a bad case of post nasal drip.  Then, this past weekend, while on my 20 mile run with Wear Blue: Run to Remember, my knee and foot were bothering me from the start of the run cutting my run short.  I ran just under 14 miles and had to take naproxen, stretch, and ice for the rest of the weekend.  My knee was hurting so much I could barely walk.  What is going on??? 

Well, I do have to say that the whole knee issue was my fault.  I didn't get enough miles in the week before and hadn't been stretching.  My IT Band and hamstring complex must have been really tight causing the knee pain.  But still! 

I'm glad to say, however, that with my treatment, my knee is feeling 100%.  All I had to do was RICE (Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate).  Added some stretching and I'm all better.  It only took 2 days.  I'm really glad I stopped running when I did because I could have done serious damage.

I had a speed workout at the track planned with WB:R2R on Tuesday and wanted to make sure my knee was ok, so I hit the gym for a 2 mile easy run on the treadmill.  I wound up doing a tempo run to test out different speeds to make sure I was REALLY fine.  I finished that run feeling great and ready for my track workout.

While at the track, it started hailing.  I thought it would be a short storm that would last a minute or so, but nope.  It hailed for a good 10 minutes or more.  All our wear blue runners toughed it out and finished the run.  Thank goodness I had a hoodie because those little pieces of ice were hurting my face.

Even with the hail it was a great workout and a great evening with my wear blue family.  We had laughs and great conversations.  Running with great company is always awesome.