Afternoon speed.

I've often bemoaned the fact that, during the week, I can't run during the day. Who's going to watch the toddler? I certainly can't leave him home alone and I never got around to trying a jogging stroller (never mind that I don't own one) so that's out, too.

So I've been a bemoaner. But I've tried to counter my bemoaning with my gratitude for Owen's consistent encouragement of my running. He's happy to stay with Conal when I run in the evening or on the weekends and I am very, very grateful for that.

Today, though, I'm grateful for finally getting my life together. In other words, I created a situation that allowed me to run. In the middle of the day. Woo hoo!

Usually, I am way too busy to run when Conal naps. And how would I hear him if I was down in the basement and he was up in his bedroom on the second floor? I wouldn't. I simply would not hear him. Which means I would never know if he suddenly woke up, jumped out of his crib, climbed up his bookcase, grabbed hold of his curtain and started to swing wildly around his room. Am I right?

Of course I am. But, the thing is, we have a monitor. It lets me hear what is going on, as if I were in the room with him. Amazing technology, this monitor.

And, you know what? If I get everything I need to get done in the morning (and I have no pressing deadlines), nap time becomes free time. Free time, as you know, can easily be converted to running time. Just. Like. That.

And so it was. I put Conal down for a nap, turned on the monitor and headed to the basement for a little speed work. Just 4 easy miles, with 4 quarter miles run fast: 2 at 6:45 pace, 2 at 7:30 pace. The speed bursts made the run fly by!

Ah, it felt great. Now I can go to my book club tonight without feeling like I am missing my opportunity to run. I could get used to this daytime running thing . . .

Oh, and hey -- I'm coming up on my 200th post and I'm planning a little giveaway to celebrate. 200th post. Eek! I feel so old . . .

Have a great afternoon, everyone!

~ Felice

Bit the bullet.

After years of complaining (really, years), I finally made an appointment to see a podiatrist about my bunionized toe. But, get this -- the earliest appointment I could get is June 10th. That's over two months from today. Where's the instant gratification in that? Nowhere, that's where.

And you know where else there is no instant gratification? Shoe shopping. I took all of your great advice about shoes and went hunting for a new pair. Ha! That was a big failure. I believe that I tried on almost every brand that people suggested and the shoes either didn't work with my toe or they were out of stock in my size. So, online I went!

That was a bummer, too. A lot of out of stock shoes, which means I may have to resort to wearing my Birkenstock clogs out of the house. In public. These guys. I mean, they're fine. It's just . . . well, they're ugly. And they're my inside shoes. They are, more or less, my ugly slippers. It's just weird.

I'm sure I'll get over it.

Speaking of getting over it, I'm so over that mean, mean lady in the minivan. Thank you all for supporting my rant! It helped.

I would like to make one thing clear, however: I have nothing against minivan mamas. Nothing. I drive a station wagon, after all (Yes, I know. You pictured me in a sporty coupe, right? Sorry to disappoint.).

Happy Monday, everyone!

~ Felice

The ranty runner.

My run today was wonderful. I enjoyed running in shorts and a sleeveless top after months of layering against the cold, and I had to smile at the rooster that gave me a hearty "Cock-a-doodle-doo!" as I ran by. My legs and lungs felt good, which was a relief after my lousy run earlier in the week.

And yet, this is me:


I am ranty. The Ranty Runner. Full of comic book curses for a mean, mean lady in a silver minivan.

Let me explain. My run today included about 1.5 miles on a moderately busy road (I would say 10 cars passed me over those 1.5 miles). I'm pretty careful on that road, because I know there are more cars on it than there are on other parts of my run. So, I was running on the strip of grass on the other side of the shoulder from the road. In other words, I was not technically on the road.

So, there I was running along, about 6.5 miles into my terrific run when a mean lady in minivan, driving toward me, lays on her horn and gives me the WTF? hands.

The horn scared and shocked me: I think I jumped a little. Looking at her, I could see her mouthing, "Get off the road!" at me, as both her hands were off the steering wheel, waving in the air to show how utterly appalled she was.

Really, lady? Do you really think that it is smart to drive with your hands off the steering wheel while your kids are in the car? Do you think you're setting a good example for your kids who are in the car with you by honking and yelling at a runner? Really?

GAH! I so wanted to yell something back at her. Comic book curses, or something. Don't worry -- I didn't. I just continued along as if nothing had happened.

The thing is, I wasn't even on the road. I'm not oblivious to the fact that cars travel the roads so I make sure to hop off the road or shoulder whenever a car is coming toward me. When this mean, mean lady honked at me, I wasn't even close to being on the road. I was fully on the grass, so there was no need for her to yell, honk or give me the WTF? hands. That was overkill.

Grrrr . . .

Anyway, the run was great, no thanks to the mean, mean lady in the minivan (did I mention that she was mean?). 7.65 miles in 1:08:21, 8:57/mile.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

~ Felice

New stuff and Photo Friday.

First, the new stuff. I've been added to the Alltop list. Sure, I'm waaaaaay down at the bottom of the list but, hey, I'm a newbie. Give a girl a break! Also this week, I started using Twitter. I don't know. I guess I can't get enough of the time wasting? You'll find my updates on my sidebar and, if you are interested, my profile is here.

Now, on to my contribution to Nikemom's Photo Friday!


Do you think we have March Madness around here?

Happy Friday, everyone. Have a great weekend!

~ Felice