Happy June! The year is going way too fast. I can’t believe it’s already June. As I write this blog it seems like I have been here so many times before over the years. The miles are slowly lessening as the years pass by. The changing of the seasons and I keep moving forward.
I have been using my new Vivoactive for about a week now and I really like the way it handles. It does a lot of what the old one did, but easier to activate etc. More streamlined.
The exciting news this week is I have formally registered for the 2019-37th Annual RBC (Reston Bike Club) Century on 25 August. Interesting that this is being held in a extremely hot and humid month instead of October. Hmmm…I guess that will add to the challenge. I have begun training with my longest ride being 60 miles. As I mentioned in my last post I have moved away from training on the W&OD trail to Prince William Park. Less people and more of a challenge. I will continue to update on my training progress.
I have been trying to do a little something something every day. Miles that is and I’m on a three day run. Let’s see how long I can keep it going. It’s warm now so rain or shine I should be able to get out and buy some asphalt.
Some pics from the week:
Greasy
This week’s long ride was out on the Mt. Vernon trail and came to 19.97 – lol. Just couldn’t stand to go an extra .03. Hey it’s where the trail ended and the watch went “click”. Like I said before, let it go. Clock it, log it, move on. Rolling in some old miles earned on April 7th came to 4.81.
Today I went back out to Mt. Vernon Trail and laid down 6.03 walking miles. The body is feeling good and my faith is exceptional. I was able to complete 38.43 for the week with 4722.98 miles gratefully remaining. Today on my walk, the trees are all filled in with the many spectrum of greens, the air weighed heavy with humidity and there was a slight breeze blowing. My soul is at ease and I hope yours is too…Happy Miles to You!! This brought me peace today as I was walking. Such a beautiful song:
Happy Sunday everyone! Wow, January seemed to have blown by and now we are into the month of love or not depending on your take on things. You know how the song goes…”If you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with”.
As you might have recalled from last week, my car was broken into and therefore, the blog post I wanted to write had to wait until this week. I just didn’t have the mental energy last Sunday. Good news Safelite™ came out and repaired my window and I’m back in the car business. Bad news, according to my friends this will happen again. Welcome to DC.
2019 has started of with a bang. I was furloughed for the better part of January and I finally went in for my MRI of my back. I knew going in that something wasn’t quite right. I have been experiencing a very directed pain in my lower right back for a while. Did I ever mention I really hate going to the doctor…yeah well, not always the best thing, but yes I don’t like going to the doctor. After waiting for a week…the diagnosis is in! I’m going to look at this from a glass half full perspective. I’m not upset, no defeated (quite the opposite)…I am unbreakable.
Have you ever seen the Netflix™ show Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt? It is the life Kimmy after her rescue from a doomsday like cult. She and the other “mole women” are trapped in an underground bunker for years, rescued and released out into the modern world. It’s quirky and funny and Kimmy Schmidt learns to put a positive spin on not so positive situations.
Courtesy of Netflix
Courtesy of Netflix
I have been diagnosed with spondylolisthesis in L1 – L5 of my spine which is causing degenerative arthritis. The doctor also thinks it is congenital issue that worsened with age. You can’t spell it without LOL in the middle. Get it? Hell, I still can’t even pronounce it correctly yet. “Spondylolisthesis is a slipping of vertebra that occurs, in most cases, at the base of the spine. Spondylolysis, which is a defect or fracture of one or both wing-shaped parts of a vertebra, can result in vertebrae slipping backward, forward, or over a bone below”. Thank you, WebMD. In some places I have bone on bone. What does this mean for me? I know what you’re thinking…settle down, breathe and don’t get carried away…it ain’t over. It means the running part of my journey is over. Yes, you read that right the rest of my mileage journey will be earned cycling or walking/hiking. Say hello to cycling Laurel.
When Dr. Cherrick, told me the news I was a little put out and then became a bit defiant. I mentioned to him that all of this would just have to wait because I have already begun training for the Shamrock Marathon in March. He just let me prattle on for about two minutes looking at me with annoyed eyes, mentioning that he can’t stop me from running, but then added…I wouldn’t do the race. He left the office to bring up my images and then I saw the arthritis in my back and then the places where there was no cushion. He continued on that I was close to needing surgery, but wasn’t that far gone if I changed my habits and committed to cycling which is low impact. The fix is facet injection and more physical therapy if I so chose. The other option is fusing the vertebra together. Uh, no…nada, nein. Not.Going.To.Happen.
As we used to say in the Army, if the path to the target has changed, adjust fire. That’s all this is…the target moved, I am adjusting fire. The goal remains, I just need to get there in a different manner. I haven’t run since the diagnosis and I haven’t had the pain I’ve been experiencing. Literally, non-existent.
I am excited and more determined than ever. Cycling gear is so much cooler than running gear. I absolutely love cycling and I fully intend to keep the energy high. I never do things small manner. My first ride was a century – lol. I also bought my first carbon frame bike – 2018 Fuji Grand Fondo. Sweet ride:
Now I just need better weather. My response to this diagnosis is 234.72 miles for the month of January with running (before diagnosis), walking and trainer rides. I also have broken the 5,000 mark in my mileage journey with 4958.98 miles gratefully remaining.
I remain with much gratitude in my heart and an unbreakable determination. It’s time to get road ready and conquer the rest of these miles. Life is good. When life gives you lemons…make lemonade. Adjust fire. Happy Miles to You!!
I thought this song was appropriate…”sugar I’m going down swingin'”.
Hello my sweet 11315miles readers! I’m blogging on a Monday because guess… am I furloughed or is it a DC snow day? Yeah, Just when you thought it was safe NOT to go back to work, we received a generous helping of snow and I’m not making this up, DC is shutdown. It’s a good thing too, because I think it would absolutely be disastrous driving on the freeway. Just not worth it for people or emergency responders. All I can say is when we finally do get back to work ~ trying to figure out our time cards will be a whole lot of fun. That’s a joke if you didn’t get my sarcasm.
My Dad called me the other day and was like, “so what are you doing with your time“. That is a loaded question Dad.
Week 1
The first week was all about lists. All the things I’m gonna get done. Hot damn! On a normal work week I wake up around 4:30 am and I’m out the door before or at 6:00 am to make the train. The first furlough day I slept until about 6:00 am. I was like dammmnnnnn, I need to get up and stop being so lazy! Then it slowly creeped to 7, then 7:30… hmmm. But I’m still getting some mad miles in and a mani/pedi every so often. The second week I was still looking at my list, then I made another list from the first list. Call it an improved list. I have watched all of the Good Girls season 1 on Netflix™ ~ I highly recommend it ~ dark but funny. I watched Bird Box…uh twice. Once by myself and the other with my friend. It’s always fun to watch a show the second time so I could really analyze and criticize what was actually happening. Oh I baked chocolate chip cookies and got kinda of sick from eating the dough. There might have been a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon in there somewhere…
Week 2
I did get up a little earlier this week because I am trying to get my Virginia drivers license. I’m convinced when Danté wrote about the 9 Circles of Hell he had a premonition about a state agency that would be created in the future called the DMV. I believe that the DMV is clearly the 9th Circle of Hell, Treachery. The first time I went (yes, my friends there is more than one visit) I read the website and brought all the supporting documents. I was 3rd in line. Just to say that literally blows my mind right now. I mean what normal person is 3rd in line at the DMV? A furloughed person my friends a furloughed person. I hand my documents to the lady and she says “do you have a passport or birth certificate”. Uh…why yes I do, but not with me. The website says you only need that if you don’t have a valid drivers license in another state. She looks at me and says “I’m sorry, you need to have that too”. I mentioned that’s not what the website says as I eyed cop in the corner. I’m sure he had me pegged for a rabble-rouser. So I smiled took my documents and did what any furloughed individual would do and went to the gym.
I went back the next day for part deux, Saturday. You know what this means ~ people are off and they are going to Hel…oops I mean the DMV. I get there around 7:45 on Saturday morning, it’s 27 degrees and the line is already reaching down around the building. I take one look and I say to myself, hell no. I do a drive by towards the exit and the only thing was missing from this scene is me rolling down the window and yelling “I’m on furlough – I’ll come back on Monday”! Maybe do a doughnut in the parking lot and spill my Starbucks™ on the outside of my Subie for visual effect. Then I went to the gym. It was on my list.
Oh and I went to Chili’s Bar and Grill for Heavens sake – there might have been a margarita in there somewhere.
Week 3
That brings us to today, Monday, the snow day and week 3 of the furlough. Now you may ask yourself, hmmm the Federal Government is shut down because of the snow, does this mean the State run DMV is shut down as well? Well, it’s a crap shoot ya’ll it really is. (I just ended my sentence with a preposition). I was there this morning with about 3 other people. I sat in my car because the building was dark at around 7:50 am, not a good sign that anything will be happening anytime soon in Hell. Which is shocking because isn’t Hell always hopping? It’s like – “welcome to Hell – this place is LIT”! As the clock approached the witching hour of 8:00 am I sauntered to the front door and stood behind one guy holding his VA plates. He looked at me with sad, searching eyes then mouthed the words only our Creator could answer ~ “do you think they’re going to open”? I almost felt sorry for the guy. Heck I felt sorry for myself that I actually got out of my car instead of gunning it on the ice in the parking lot. I mean I’m such a glutton for punishment. I caught myself and in my most unassuming sarcastic voice I could muster – with a small smile, I mouthed the words “nooooo“. Then he raised his voice and yelled to the Gods – “this isn’t right”! With that I bid the gentleman good day, turned on my heel and nearly busted my rear on the ice. The 9th.Circle.Of.Hell. I got into my car and went to the gym.
Miles this week
One thing I can say, nothing beats miles on a furlough. I am in week two of my Shamrock Marathon training. I did a combination of treadmill and outdoor running this week. I was a little wimpy with the cold and did my long run of 7 miles on the treadmill. It was actually pretty nice because I concentrated on foot strike.
Proof 🙂
I also got my new running shoes ~ Saucony™ 10 Riders. Buying running shoes is funny now because just like cars, you can buy last years model. I can hear the sales person now, “well these are solid, but the 2019 s have stronger laces and are about .000000001 percent lighter – plus they come in purple”. Yeah, you know what give me the 2018 s that are half off. I scored 120$ shoes on sale for 50$ baby!
The next photos are from my walk out in the snow. I was able to log 3.06 that day. I love walking in the snow, winter is such a beautiful season.
This little guy or gal, let me get so close. Very interested in what I was doing and we had a chat!
Cardinal kept flying around I finally was able to snap a shot.
I love taking pictures of trees from this perspective.
This is such a fun tree. I love the carving that says Bill still loves Diane ’99.
A good place to offer gratitude and say a few Hail Mary’s.
Another walker was watching me writing this in the snow. I just let him wonder and was on my way.
I was able to get in 26.15 miles this week. I have 5142.66 miles remaining on my journey. I hope this post finds you in a great state of mind and with much gratitude. Happy Miles to You!!
I love the forest and the trees…I thought this was a fitting song by the Cure.
Happy Furlough Monday my friends. That’s right, I’m part of this big furlough funding mess. Going on week three here in the big DC.
Without getting too political I will just say ~ enough already! I’m ready to go back to work. I’m a bit of a workaholic. Yes…I’m one of those. I love to work. Of course it helps to love your job, but I’m getting very annoyed. I mean how many mandalas can I draw to relive stress? It would be nice if they would leave the working folks out of the funding mess – let’s keep the big projects (AKA the Wall) out of normal every day life funding shall we? Please fight on someone else’s dime, preferably our senators and representatives. I overheard someone saying, wow, I wish I could get a paid vacation. First of all, I’m not getting paid right now. Will I get back pay, yes that is the plan, but just think of all the work that is piling up right now? That is the downside and no that isn’t fun….at all. It is going to be a real ass-kicker when I return. Mentally and figuratively I’m sure! The upside… I’m getting some mad miles in… oh and I did get a pedicure today too. Funny thing is there were other ladies in the salon on furlough! Should have served wine.
In better news my training for the Shamrock Marathon in March has begun. I started on Saturday and not too much to report but I kicked it off with a five-mile run. My goal for this marathon is to have an average pace in the 10s. Normally, I’m rocking an average 11, but my goal is to eventually run a marathon with an average pace in the 9s. Mind over matter, mind over matter, mind over matter….yes Dorthy, mind over matter.
I need shoes like that…oooh maybe some running shoes….yaaassss!
I will have a nontraditional training plan this time around because I want to keep cycling. Meaning…I don’t want to lose my momentum on the bike, so something has to give. I have been getting miles in every day if possible. A combination of walking, running, and cycling. Throw in about three (four because I’m on furlough) days of strength training and I’m a busy girl. Getting it done.
Pain level is at a steady 3 – 4 out of 10. Still in the right lower side. MRI and X Ray are on Friday and will see where we go from there. No, get that thought out of your head. I will continue on.
Of course my long run was on a rainy day. Sometimes I think, hmmm should I just go inside? Nah, not always. It wasn’t bad and normally on those days, no one is on the trail. This is what my run looked like:
I kept it in the 10s! It wasn’t a bad run and I felt okay. Some slowing down on the hills to ensure footing.
My week was a good one ~ I completed 51.33 miles. I have 5185.49 miles gratefully remaining. I hope this post finds you in good spirits for the new year. Remember, nothing lasts forever – even a government furlough. Happy Miles to You!!
This came up on my playlist this weekend and was appropriate. Absolutely love Annie Lennox and the acoustic version is awesome.
Hello happy readers! Rain has the power to renew. Take the dirtiest of days, give it a good rain storm, and the result is a feeling of invigorating renewal. The landscape looks and smells refreshed. This weekend was a wet one in the D.C. area and the temperatures were somewhat mild. I wasn’t going to let something like a little water stop me especially when I feel there are demons that need to be exercised. Running in the rain is the perfect medicine.
I made it to the trail around 0830 on Saturday and it was about 52 degrees and raining moderately hard. There is always a moment of self-induced suck, while sitting in the car telling myself, yeah you can turn off the engine now and step outside. The water is fine! I make sure I have everything, scarf, gloves, and music….check. Open the door and get hit with a blast of cool (not cold) water pelting my face. Either way, I’m sure everyone has experienced leaving a nice warm car, only to be accosted by cold temps. A shock to the body for sure…add rain ~ yeah not the best feeling in the world. But, I needed to make a concerted effort to get outside when I can…even if it’s raining.
Believe it or not, it wasn’t that bad. You could make the argument if it were colder….obviously it would be snowing, but 52 wasn’t too bad a deal. My biggest threat were decaying leaves and wet pavement. I wanted to hit three non-stop and walk three back. Even with the weather the pace was decent:
10:25 pace with side-stepping leaves and puddles of water. I felt good on the run and ran a straight three then walked three back for a total of 6.02.
I did stop to take pictures on the way….
A holly tree on the path.
The Potomac
Yes I was there…
This weeks miles were bella totaling 63.09! On Sunday I road 15 then, in the rain again, I walked two.
Indoor bike – 55.06
Running – 3.02
Walking – 5.01
This 51-year-old body is feeling strong. I have completed 5943.53 with 5371.47 gratefully remaining. I hope this post finds you slaying those demons that disrupt and keep you from living the life you were meant to live. Just remember it’s never too late to learn to fly….. Happy Miles to You!!
I can’t believe the year is almost over. I think the virtual snow will start to fall on my blog now. Hmmm, I’ll have to check that out. Just a short update this week. Nothing of substance to report. I have been focusing on my cycling a bit more until the year’s end. The weather here in DC has been cold then warm then cold again. I am getting over my cold I literally got on Thanksgiving Day. It has been a good 8 days and I have just the remnants of a small cough remaining. I’m still acclimating and getting over the asthma I developed while living in Arizona. It’s been hard, but I’m beating it or maybe it’s becoming more tolerable.
This weeks training focused on indoor cycling. I was hoping to get out on Saturday to do some cycling but it was a little too wet and I decided to do a little run instead. I was opting for 3 since I was just getting over my cold, but ended up doing a cool 4 at a 11:00 pace. Slowly chipping away at that pace time. And yes I paid for it with about 5 minutes of hacking afterwards. I felt like I coughed up a lung. Awe well, that’s why I have two.
I ended the week with 45.62 miles with 5496.56 miles gratefully remaining. I hope this post finds you with joy and peace in your heart. Happy Miles to you!!
This song is most appropriate for my trials and tribulations as it pertains to my asthma….
I can remember the first taste I had of the Army. My roommates Laura and Carol had invited me on a weekend survival trip with the USCA Army ROTC at Fort Gordon, GA. It was a good diversion from the weekend studying I had planned.
The weekend was full of road marches, survival tips and my favorite land navigation (not!). The rest as they say, is history. I was hooked. So much so, the following week I enrolled in Army ROTC and two years later I was commissioned as an Officer in the US Army. I served in Somalia, Panama and South Korea. I have seen the best and the worst humanity has to offer, but I wouldn’t change that experience one bit. I have extreme gratitude to have served our great country as a female solider. It is so great to see how far women have come in all of the forces. We make the circle whole.
Tom morrow I will be participating in my first run in the DC area ~ the Veteran’s Day 10k & 2 mile walk. The proceeds will go to the local chapter of Team Red, White and Blue. I picked up my packet today:
The shirt is super sweet because it has long sleeves. I’m almost tempted to wear it tomorrow, but alas that is a running faux pas. It’s going to be cold tomorrow, so I purchased some Brooks™ running gloves. We’ll see how warm they keep me. Happy Miles to You!!
I’ll be honest, I never really heard of Rumi up until a couple of years ago. I just happened to be in a bookstore and picked up a collection of his sayings. They are simple and to the point, so I thought I would share. So often we look for advice in others that aren’t walking the same path as you. Learn to listen to your inner self and know that your path is just as great and meaningful as someone else’s path. Find those that are on the same path. Happy Miles to You!!
Now that it is daylight savings time I get home in the dark. It leaves little time to catch some day light to get in a run. I don’t mind running in the dark, but sometimes I think it’s good to have a buddy.
Thank goodness there is the treadmill at the gym. Not always optimum, but it gets the job done. Was able to pull out 4 miles tonight as I’m getting ready for this weeks race.
Happy Tuesday my friends! I hope the start of your week is a good one. I am getting excited about this weeks race and it looks to be a clear but cold day. Better than rainy and cold. Planning for two miles today and some strength exercises.
Something to think about….
“Above all be the heroine of your life, not the victim”.
10:25 pace with side-stepping leaves and puddles of water. I felt good on the run and ran a straight three then walked three back for a total of 6.02.
11315 Miles 