Total Randomness!

It’s another crummy weather day in Cleveland, Ohio.  Rainy, windy, gray and upper thirties.  I am trying to keep in mind the quote I saw recently on Dirt Diva’s blog which I really liked.

Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine. 
~Anthony J. D'Angelo

Random fact that some of you may not know.  When I was on my spring break in Mazatlan, Mexico, I drew my own tattoo design out at had it put on squeezing my partner in crime, Kate’s hand and while she poured beer down my throat with her other hand.  Oh, how I loved the sunshine and I just felt it belonged on me!  Years later, I covered that tattoo over with my larger hibiscus flowers.

Back to Dirt Diva, I caught her name, Catra Corbett, in the book, Born to Run which I finally started over the past weekend …which I could not put down until I finished.    Amazon.com posted this summary of the book,

“Born to Run is an epic adventure that began with one simple question: Why does my foot hurt?   In search of an answer, Christopher McDougall sets off to find a tribe of the world’s greatest distance runners and learn their secrets, and in the process shows us that everything we thought we knew about running is wrong.

Isolated by the most savage terrain in North America, the reclusive Tarahumara Indians of Mexico’s deadly Copper Canyons are custodians of a lost art. For centuries they have practiced techniques that allow them to run hundreds of miles without rest and chase down anything from a deer to an Olympic marathoner while enjoying every mile of it. Their superhuman talent is matched by uncanny health and serenity, leaving the Tarahumara immune to the diseases and strife that plague modern existence. With the help of Caballo Blanco, a mysterious loner who lives among the tribe, the author was able not only to uncover the secrets of the Tarahumara but also to find his own inner ultra-athlete, as he trained for the challenge of a lifetime: a fifty-mile race through the heart of Tarahumara country pitting the tribe against an odd band of Americans, including a star ultramarathoner, a beautiful young surfer, and a barefoot wonder.” 

For the first time in a long time, I truly enjoyed reading a book....lately I start one, get bored and that's it.  I was skeptical of all the hype surrounding the book, but found it very inspiring, interesting and just plain enjoyable....definitely worth checking out!   I had lots of time to read over the past weekend as I had been down in Alabama so my husband could attend a training class.  I had hoped to get in some good training.  I did ok putting in 60 miles on the road bike Friday and  following that up with 45 minutes of running hill repeats, Saturday was a 12 mile run that was supposed to be 19 or 20, but after major stomach issues and bathroom stops I was very content to cut it short.  Sunday, the weather was so crummy that I was happy I had my trainer, as I hopped on for a hardcore 1 hour and 45 minute interval bicycle set.

Sunday after finally feeling good for 4 days or so, my stupid cold returned with a vengeance.  I am never sick, but have probably only felt normal 8 days in 2011 and just have had a cold the rest of the time.  What gives?  It really is driving me mental.  The past couple days have been the worst.  Monday was the 10.5 hour drive home and Tuesday, I opted to sleep in over working out….so no work outs either day!

Today, I dragged my guilt ridden butt out.  As I stripped down to my shorts at the gym just after 6am in Cleveland, I saw my friend CV heading out for an easy run.  I threw my pants back on and opted to join her.  It was windy, rainy and dark becoming cloudy, but running with my friend made it all seem pretty darn good.  We ran just under 6 miles including 6-30 second strides then I headed inside with her and hopped onto the treadmill for another hour to get in some miles.  My Avia Bolt II’s felt so squishy on the treadmill as they were soaking wet…not a normal occurrence on the treadmill, but my DJ Muz-X-Zone kept me moving.  I had that cold slick sweat all over me as I felt like I was sweating out my germ poisons, just happy to have my airways open and feel like a normal person for the time being. 

On a sidenote, CV and I ran many of the roads that will be on Saturday’s St. Malachi Race.  I am so looking forward to seeing soo many friends out there including some high school newbie runners who are doing their first race.  I am hoping to run a respectable time but I am not sure how I will fare as I have not been doing much speedwork....that said my volume has been looking up and (knocking on wood) the legs have been feeling good.  Guess we shall see!  I really cannot wait, FUNNEST race of the year due to the gigantic post race party and subsequent pub crawl my peeps and I will do!