Tag: running

It is moving weekend for my youngest son, Cullen, who is relocating from Prescott Valley to Phoenix. I haven’t been home for the last few days as I went up to help get the house packed up. Being away from home has me out of my routine and, therefore, not consistent with my writing.

Running up in Prescott Valley is wonderful with cooler weather and the small hills are a nice change of pace. I basically run a big circle and usually encounter people out walking their dogs or just walking. Some people are friendly and say hi or wave while others just seem lost in their own world. Either way I still wave to all and give a smile or a “good morning”.

I do hope that I can continue my streak and will know more tomorrow after speaking with a surgeon about an upcoming very minor surgery.

Run happy and don’t take it for granted!

Up early to run is wonderful. Then busy week at work starts to add up. Missed my blog yesterday, August 4th, so catching up for yesterday and today.

Today is JoAnn LaRussa’s 86th birthday. She is a real estate agent/broker that we have worked with for the last 12 years. Prior to her joining our team she was her own independent broker.

She got tired of working solo and living alone. We are so lucky that she did. She brought so much history of the town and industry with her. She also brought a whole lot of Jersey with her!!

Last month JoAnn moved to an assisted living facility in Chandler Arizona. After living in the same house in Casa Grande Arizona for 40 years this was a huge move for her. She is missed and yet she is happy which makes us happy.

She is 86 years young and I can guarantee she is going to keep the people in her care facility young with her spunk and her vitality. I am 54 years young and hope to keep both my mind and body as young as possible. I have a lot more in me and need more time.

Run happy!

Yesterday I wrote about being August 1st and most schools already being back in session. I do feel like our kids are being robbed a little bit of their youth. And, this makes me appreciate my ability to run when I want and at my pace. I know a weird connection of going back to school and running as an adult. It really isn’t connected except that the kids have no choice and I do.

I think that is the cruxt (idk how to spell this word) of it. The children have no voice. The parents do and yet do they really? The year-round school really does make sense and makes life more manageable for working parents. Let’s face it, most households are dual income households where the parents are both working and doing the best they can.

This is the end of my rant. No government or local entity will end my running streak. It will be a physical challenge that I am not able to overcome. I have surgery in nine days where I am not supposed to exercise after for a week. I am researching and asking questions to see what is normal, what is okay, what qualifies as exercise, and how far can I push the limits.

Pushing the limits…how many rebels like to do that? Are you a rebel at heart? I am.

Run happy!

Today is August 1, 2022 and when I was growing up it would still be summer. It is still summer in Arizona, however, kids are all back in school. This gets us closer to year-round school versus the traditional 9 months school year and 3 month summer of days gone by.

I understand conceptually the push for year-round school and yet am nostalgic about the summers of my youth. I loved summer in our house. I am one of five and we always had swimming, sports, bikes around the block, or games to keep us busy.

I guess when I think of August I think of days gone by and summers of yesteryear. Lazy days of swimming and running around with friends in the neighborhood. It just seems too hot to be back in school.

I hope our kids got to enjoy their summer. I hope they ran free and had fun the way that children should. I really hope they didn’t sit in front of a TV or game console because that just isn’t a summer…it is just another day in a string of days.

Welcome to August in Arizona. The amazing, wonderfully hot August that is the very best between 5:00-6:00am for a nice cool run. I will take the heat over the old any day of the week. I am a true Arizona girl.

Run happy!

The run streak isn’t really something I set out to do or achieve. It actually just happened and then became a thing for me. Well, not just a thing…an addiction. I love my morning runs and I can’t imagine missing a day.

The streak isn’t why I started my running journey and yet it became part of my story. There are a lot of things that I thought I wanted to do and still haven’t achieved. So did I really want those things?

It’s a funny how the things we think we want and desire sometimes seem out or reach or unattainable. They sound good, like worthy goals and something to strive for, but do we really want them?

I know there are a few things that I keep saying I want to do or achieve and yet…here I am with little progress. So do I really want them? What is the first step? The second step? Do I even know? Who should I ask?

Some random thoughts on your average run day.

Run happy!

Still thoroughly enjoying morning thunderstorms, overcast skies, and cooler temperatures. Speed continues to be close to a 9 minute mile. Feeling strong and hoping to continue this streak.

My average pace today was a 9:01 min/mi which is super fast for me. I woke up earlier than normal and it rained a bit before I headed out. Most likely being more alert and having my chai latte prior to running made a difference.

The cooler morning temps with the thunder storms are a welcome change despite the humidity. I really hope I can keep this streak alive as I am enjoying it so much!

Run happy!

The quote on my daily running calendar is, “There is magic in misery, just ask any runner.” by Dean Karnazes. He is an ultramarathon runner and author of Ultramarathon Man. I haven’t read the book and clearly I haven’t felt the misery enough yet to feel the magic!

I have felt the tremendous runners high and great feeling of accomplishment after running. I don’t think the distance matters or the amount of suffering, unless you are into that, I think it is just doing what is right for you and makes you feel challenged. I truly enjoy the challenge of running every day.

Run happy!

The staph infection is healing…that is the good news. The biopsy results for the three spots removed two weeks ago (the cause of the infection) turned out to be cancer. So I have to go in and have surgery to remove all of the cancer cells at the site. It is called a Mohs surgery and I am not looking forward to it.

They say no exercise for a week after the surgery. I am already researching how to work around this.

Don’t take running for granted! Every day now is glorious!