Cold

So I am looking forward to running when it is not cold. I just hope that we don't skip over perfect Spring days, and go right to hot Summer ones (even less a fan of those... midwest humidity...bleh). This morning the sun was out and it appeared to be a beautiful day for a run... instead I found the bitter Iowa wind. Oh well, at this point I am not out there long enough for it to matter much, but it sure is a nasty trick to look so nice out (and not be). Legs felt a bit better than last run... as long as I get another one in sometime soon... I should be headed towards surpassing my current 20 min limit. Maybe the weather will do its part, and give me a reason to stay out longer...

Today: 2+ miles
Week: 4+ miles

Back at it...

Got back out the door after a few busy (cold and crappy) days... my legs managed to tighten back up (nullifying any good I did them last week). So, it was more of a run/walk as I loosened back up, and fought with a sore left knee. However, it felt good just to get out in the sunshine (in shorts no-less), and hopefully I can get the wheels turning enough to work out the kinks soon. It was also good that I got out, because although it was sunny today... they are talking snow tonight. Oh so exciting.

Today: 2ish miles
Week: 2 miles

Run #2

Today was sunny. And warm (well, it felt warm for NW Iowa). And I watched the day patiently from Shaky Tree, waiting for my chance to get out and take advantage of this Spring preview. However, instead of basking in the warmth of the sun as I enjoyed my easy "getting back in shape" pace... with about an hour to go before I could get outside... the clouds wrapped their way around the sky. All the blue and promise that Spring is right around the corner, was replaced by the suffocating grey of Winter. Sad. Oh so sad.

I am happy to report though that I got out anyway, and it was certainly more pleasant that my run Sunday. I also managed to make it through the entire run with little to no pain in my knee (this has been an issue, one which I will cover more later). These are good things.

Today: 2+ miles
Week: 5 miles

A Place to Start...

This is not a political blog... and this post is not about who I want you to vote for in the next election. It is simply about a place to start. If you have a half an hour... listen to the speech... or read the transcript. It is worth ALL our time to at least think about.



I can't help but feel that the words spoken by Senator Obama come at a needed time. If nothing else, needed for me. There are so many huge issues in our world today. So many obstacles to make dealing with those issues seem impossible. However, I also feel very strongly that if we can find "a place to start", a moment where we recognize the possibilities... we can create change. Change towards the better. That is a very different thing than having all the answers before embarking on the journey (something I am to often striving for... with dismal results). It is a spark that lights a fuse. It is a realization that we are in this together, no matter how different we all seem... and that at the root of it all... we are internally dealing with much of the same "stuff". A common grief.

Anyway, I am starting this next chapter without any grand statements, or major goals... instead I am starting with the curiosity of where my "starting place" will take me. Feel free to follow along as I write about it here. And thanks ahead of time for the energy you might add to the journey.

pssst...

I got a run in today...

Today: 2+ miles
Week: same