Friday 20 June 2008

Catching Up

What a week, I felt like I was on the fast train to Crazy Town!

You have them too, the weeks where nothing gets done quickly. The "guy" in the office who is a total pain is in rare form, (I even check to see if there is a full moon when he starts to ramp up).

The yard work is falling way behind because of the crazy rain and thunderstorms we've been having all week. (oh by the way, I did not take the photo of the storm seen in my Wordless Wednesday, as much as I'd like to take credit for it, I can not tell a lie.) And I haven't even started training for my Tri.

Running three days per week is the sanity I need and I have to say, I'm loving the commitment to the group I run with. Our mileage is starting to increase which is great, I just love the longer runs.

So here I am, catching up with life;

Last week, the ever lovely Kim and Archaeologist student extraordinaire Xenia tagged me.

So I'll try my best to answer the questions:

1. How would you describe your running 10 years ago?

I wasn't running the way I run now. I was running very quickly away from becoming a person I didn't want to be. I made the decision to go single, bought my own house and had to deal with a major health issue. I always say I "lost 225 lbs" that year by becoming single!

2. What is your best and worst run/race experience?

My best running experience was my first 10K race over six years ago, well, other than my marathon in May. I had no "formal" training for my first 10K race and I just wanted to run.

My running friends were really fast and wanted me to run it in an hour, I almost did too, my chip time was 1:02:27. 10K seemed like such a long way back then.

When I run 10Ks now, I'm reminded. It IS a long way.

My worst running experience was a training run for the marathon this past winter. It was a really cold, windy day, I think it was a 26 or 27K run. The last 5 or 6K were straight into the wind and there were freezing ice pellets. I couldn't catch my breath and I just wanted to cry, but a running friend dropped back to keep me company and that made it more bearable.

3. Why do you run?

Running challenges my inner strength and mental well being. I've always been very competitive, riding show horses. Running for me is social, it allows me to challenge myself, I've learned to be more accepting of my strengths and weaknesses and there is no one to blame but me if I have a bad run. I am very spiritual and running allows me to do a lot of reflecting when I'm out for a long run, I've been very blessed in my life.

4. What is the best or worst piece of advice you've been given about running?

I really don't remember anything in particular being the best or the worst (so far). I take everything in, mull it over, filter it through and do what I can.

5. Tell us something surprising about yourself that not many people would know.

I'm actually kind of shy.

I KNOW, who knew!!!

But I always love an adventure. If no one else wants to go and do things with me, I just do them on my own and I'm quite happy with that!!!


Well, it's not earth shattering information is it? But that's me and that's why I run!!

Have a great weekend everyone, good luck to all of you racing, running, cycling or Tri-ing!!

Life's fun if you don't weaken,
Lily

17 comments:

Chris said...

I find that booze helps me get over weeks like those. And I know you have booze from your last post :)

Viv said...

Weeks like this makes running much better. run away :-)

That was cool catching up on your running exepierece. I am still laughing though about losing 225lns. hahaha

bluecolnago said...

good answers!

i have a hard time believing that you're shy though.....

i saw the booze pictures too. lol.

Anonymous said...

Have a great weekend, Lily.

*hugs*

~ blondie

Anonymous said...

SHY? YOU? Au contraire girlfriend. I can't believe that!

Great fun this week at the bar with the blond size 0 servers in boots! Gads.. those young women ( girls really) looked like Stepford servers.

rolls eyes. Must try that again sometime... but where there is a sleep over involved and a whole lot more catch up chat time! (-:

Have a good weekend.

T

Unknown said...

I've had weeks like that. Good thing you have running to fall back on...to keep your sanity. :)

Bob A said...

I know what you mean about having one of those weeks. I felt like I was running through molasses with everything I did this week (except for the actual running). I was dog-tired every evening.

BTW, there **was** a full moon this week.

C said...

Hope your week in Crazy town is now at an end and that you are able to enjoy the weekend.

Btw, I don't think I've ever had the word 'extraordinaire' associated with my name before. I kind of like it. ;)

Groover said...

Confirming shilingi-moja. There was a full moon and I felt it, too.

But don't listen to Chris or you end up an alcoholic :-)

Marcy said...

No way chica! You're not shy!! Or if you are, it might be for a about 5 minutes but that's it ;-)

Bob - BlogMYruns.com said...

who is the nut above me with a screwdriver to her head--LOL (Hi Marcy)

Lil said: Fast train to Crazy Town!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
well if your going to Crazy Town I figure BEST way to Get there is FAST :-)

and ya I don't think ur from SHY town either!

chia said...

Meh, next week has to be better - at least that's what I keep telling myself :-D!!

Happy Sunday Lily!

P.O.M. said...

A new week starts tomorrow. Thank goodness for running!

teacherwoman said...

Ahhh... those weeks that just seem to fly by. I hear ya! Somehow they only happen in the summer when I am working part-time, rather than during the school year when the kiddos are running me wild!

Vickie said...

Ten years ago. We seem to be on somewhat of the same track, losing all that uncomfortable weight about the same time. LOL! You still have time to work on your tri training. Concentrate on being able to get through the swim, and pur more energy into your biking and bike to run. That's where it will count the most.

Nancy said...

You lost a lot of dead weight that year. :D I loved that.

Hope your week is looking up now. Hang in there.

Hugs.

Mendy said...

I hear ya on the crazy week! I've had a few of those recently. Great answers and I like that your running allows you to reflect on your spiritual life. I feel very blessed too!