Dead Freakin Last (DFL)

     This is every competitor's greatest fear.  Here are several stories by people who were DFL.  Their stories are motivating and emotional.

http://www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/dead-freakin-lastand-proud-of-it?cid=socMOT_20150830_51544736&adbid=10153003725391987&adbpl=fb&adbpr=9815486986

"Above all, I have been a sentient being, a thinking animal, on this beautiful planet, and that in itself has been an enormous privilege and adventure," Oliver Sacks

                                                                  The New York Times

Music is life. That's why our hearts have beats.

Crossing Paths

     I saw this blog on Facebook today and had to share.  It is so beautifully written and very true. I have often thought about the things she expresses.

http://www.chronicrunner.com/2015/08/tales-of-longtime-runner-crossing-paths.html

     Thinking back, there are many people I have seen regularly that are no longer there, and people whose dogs are no longer with them.
     Charleigh (and my dog Sadie before her), and I have made many trail acquaintances. They are part of our lives, of our world. We see them most days, at least in the summer months. That is the wonderful part of having a dog and no fenced yard....we meet such nice people.
     There was the red-haired FBI agent in his 50s who ran daily without fail with his border collie, till he wasn't there any more.  A job transfer maybe?
     There was the pregnant jogger-Mom with a toddler in a stroller, a preschooler on a bike, and a big dog at her side.  I do still see her out jogging, but rarely.  Her youngest must be in college by now.
     There is the elderly man on a bike who shouts out the most delightful "Good Morning" to everyone as he waves and passes by with a huge smile, and the other elderly man with a pair of hiking sticks that he uses like canes as he slowly traverses the trails every day.
     There was the dog-whisperer who could see people's auras.  She moved away.
     Then there is the couple who love Charleigh....he is a Viet Nam Vet and she is rehabbing after two knee replacements.
     Another gentleman is disabled and sits in his car in the parking lot at the park listening to ball-games and waiting for his wife to get off work. He throws pennies out of his window because he enjoys watching kids find them.
     And Tim, the maintenance/caretaker at the park.
     I would miss them if they were not there one day.
   
     As the blog mentioned, I too have wondered " if someday I will be that old woman, so full of life, who someone sees everyday and then suddenly thinks about once I'm gone..."





     

Hill workout day.

I love this quote from a blog I follow:

Run With Me

"When I was a kid, I liked nothing more than to run down a good hill.  Remember when you used to do that?  Your legs would start going so fast, you weren't sure if the rest of your body could keep up.  You couldn't stop...you were already in motion.  

The only question was...would you be able to catch up with yourself or would you end up losing your balance and rolling down the hill until things evened out?

Life is motion and sometimes it moves so fast it's hard to keep up.  But there is always a leveling out, whether you're able to run the whole way or you find yourself rolling to the bottom.  Either way, you usually find yourself lying in the grass, gazing up at the sky, and catching your breath for a moment.

And then you run back up the hill and try again."

...................................................................................

Today is my hill workout day. (6 x 1/4 mile hill repeats).  It will be fun, it will be fun, it will be fun.

"The ability to delude yourself may be an important survival tool."--Jane Wagner

It has always worked for me.

"Growth and comfort seldom ride the same horse."---Unknown

Funny

     A follow-up to yesterday's link on the feelings you'll have during a half marathon.  This link is on things you will only understand if you are a runner.

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/things-runners-do

'Bout sums it up.

http://runhaven.com/2015/08/14/13-1-feelings-youll-have-during-a-half-marathon/?utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_content=55cf54b304d3011b08000001&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=facebook


The days are getting shorter rapidly.  635AM  Must enjoy them as much as possible.

Real women

I agree with this.

http://running.competitor.com/2013/11/inside-the-magazine/out-there-girly-girls_88685


"Tear off the mask.  Your face is glorious."---Rumi

Live in the front row

     I've seen this before, and probably even shared it before, but I thought it was worth sharing again.  It is a great picture.  Just look at those ladies in row 3!  Be a front row person.

They must have followed me home.

     Remember the two big bucks I mentioned earlier this week, the ones who always walk down the middle of the street?  Well they spent the afternoon yesterday at my house. They are so beautiful.

   
Oh give me a home where the buffalo roam,
Where the deer and the antelope play,
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word,
And the skies are not cloudy all day.

“There's always a story. It's all stories, really. The sun coming up every day is a story. Everything's got a story in it. Change the story, change the world.” ― Terry Pratchett, A Hat Full of Sky

     What a way to start the weekend!  6:05 AM.  I then walked 3 miles around the tranquil lake at Clement park with friends, got to buy a couple of quarts of the first roasted hatch chilies of the season which were still warm, and followed up by going to the farmers market. I haven't been there all summer, don't ask me why.  Now that it is nearly too late, I will start going.
     All that done, and home by 930.

Go nuts!

     This video shows research from numerous studies on the effect of nuts on obesity.  This is terrific news.  Almond butter slathered on a banana is my go-to first breakfast of the day (embarrassing I know, but I always eat two breakfasts a day), plus I often eat nuts or trail-mix for snacks later on.

http://nutritionfacts.org/video/nuts-and-obesity-the-weight-of-evidence/



     Here is an article on how walnuts improve artery function.
     http://nutritionfacts.org/2015/08/13/how-walnuts-can-improve-artery-function/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-walnuts-can-improve-artery-function&utm_source=NutritionFacts.org&utm_campaign=1a945ee242-RSS_BLOG_DAILY&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_40f9e497d1-1a945ee242-23307913


     Wow, the days are getting noticeably so much shorter!  I'm not ready for this.

   

"I've seen it raining fire in the sky."---John Denver, Rocky Mountain High

     I did get up at 4:30 this morning to check the skies for the Perseid Meteor shower.  I stood in my backyard with my dog and saw two shooting stars over three minutes (and also got a couple of mosquito bites). Shooting stars are magic!

But the Colorado rocky mountain high
I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky
The shadow from the starlight is softer than a lullabye
Rocky mountain high (Colorado)

     The Perry Como song, catch a falling star, was a hit in 1958-1959, which would have made me 7 years old when I first heard it.  He did have 4 different TV shows lasting from 1948 until 1967.

Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket
     Never let it fade away
Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket
     Save it for a rainy day
     Save it for a rainy day.


     
     Yesterday was one of those days where I was just tired.  I walked 6 miles with my friend Sue and with my dog Charleigh.  It was hot.  
     I should have gone home and mowed my lawn, but priorities are priorities.  I jogged a mile on the treadmill in front of a fan to keep my streak alive.  Then I took a long hot bath instead.  Lawn mowing can wait.  Besides, it will be in the upper nineties every day for at least the next 4 days and will be dry, the lawn won't be growing much, right? Oh, the excuses I give myself.
     
"As athletes, we have ups and downs. Unfortunately, you can't pick the days they come on."---Deena Kastor



     It must be nearing autumn.  For 2 days in a row Charleigh and I have seen 2 huge bucks meandering down the middle of the street just daring anyone to challenge them or make them move.  I'm not too worried yet as their antlers are still covered with velvet.   I've been told that makes them very sensitive so they probably won't attack.  
     

I can always use motivation.

     This information appeared in my email yesterday from http://www.runningshoesguru.com/   The research is all good.

Hello .  we all need some motivation from time to time, right ? I found a few studies related to running and I thought you might find them interesting Physical Health: A 2008 study from Dr James Fries, at Stanford University, tracked 528 runners and 423 non-runners beginning in 1984. Conclusions: "You are less likely to get blood clots and varicose veins. Bones become stronger and denser. It's a treatment for ostheoporosis. It prevents fractures of the hips and spine. The ligaments get bigger and stronger - they protect the joints from wobbling, which is one of the causes joints wear out. Lungs get stronger." Other conclusions from the same study: - Runners suffer fewer disabilities - Runners delay age-related disabilities by 2 decades - Runners are 7 times LESS LIKELY to require knee replacements - Runners are less likely to suffer from cancer - Running does NOT increase hip, back or knee problems. ...not bad, right? Weight Loss A 2012 study from Lawrence Berkley National Lab compared the weight loss of 32k runners vs 15k walkers. Over six years, the runners averaged 90% more weight loss than the walker for the same amount of calories burned.  Makes you smarter A series of studies conducted in Georgia in 2003, concluded that submaximal aerobic exercise improves people's ability to process information. A 2004 study from UCLA showed that consistant exercise helps regenerate nerve function in the brain.  Well.... this might not help in in your training. But rest assured that your training is helping your life!      I did check the skies at 2:30 this morning.  Still cloudy.  I may not be viewing the Perseids this year.

Blessed are the curious, for they shall have adventures.

     I have been thinking about adventures lately....I've come to no conclusions but am thinking.


"I hope your rambles have been sweet and your reveries spacious."
                                                         Emily Dickinson

"Not all those who wander are lost."
                                                           J.R.R. Tolkien

"The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd.  The woman who walks alone is likely to find herself in places no one has ever been before."
                                                           Albert Einstein

     I did get up at 3:45 AM to check for the Perseid Meteor Shower this morning, but it was overcast so I thankfully went back to bed for a few more hours of sleep.  Maybe tomorrow.
     Meanwhile, here is song to take you waaay back. (Catch a Falling Star)

     I heard an interesting podcast last week about being vegan.  It proposed that vegans are more adventurous people.  I can believe it.

"What is the good of your stars and trees, your sunrise and the wind, if they do not enter into our daily lives?"--EM Forster

     I managed to get up to see the sunrise a couple of mornings this past week. It helps that it is arriving a little later in the morning these days.
     It surprises me every time to feel the peace and serenity wash through my body just watching the beauty.

     The Perseid Meteor shower is supposed to be stellar this year.  If I can make myself get up in the early hours of the morning this week, I will go out to take a look.  I realize the light pollution of the nearby city will probably not allow me to see much, but I'll give it a try.
http://www.sciencealert.com/look-up-the-perseid-meteor-shower-hits-its-peak-on-august-12-13


     Living near trees is good for your health.  There is research to prove it.  Take the time to just sit out under a tree today. Become a treehugger. Live longer, or at least live happier.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/07/09/scientists-have-discovered-that-living-near-trees-is-good-for-your-health/

Have a terrific weekend everybody.

A spanish magician told the audience that he will disappear on 3. He said "uno... dos" then *POOF* he disappeared without a tres!
              

Dad Jokes

A parental truth.....

     I spent a great weekend with family last weekend for my birthday.  The above quote is so very true!

A Ship in Harbor Is Safe, But that Is Not What Ships Are Built For

We're afraid of the uncertain.  Of failing. Of looking silly.
Change is risky.  Where you are is safe.
But maybe comfortable is a better word.  One day you'll look back one last time at all the things you did....and remember all the things you didn't.
"Safe" is risky. Because comfort, it turns out, is addictive.
Stop looking for a guarantee; you're not going to get it.  If the risk is small, and the damage not too hard to undo, then you'd better jump.  Before it's too late.
                                      Matt Frazier, http://www.nomeatathlete.com/

If a tree falls in the woods, BE THERE TO HEAR IT,

     (The simple answer to the philosophical thought experiment "If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?")

Food as Medicine: Preventing and Treating the Most Dreaded Diseases with Diet

Dr. Greger has scoured the world's scholarly literature on clinical nutrition and developed this new presentation based on the latest in cutting-edge research exploring the role diet may play in preventing, arresting, and even reversing some of our most feared causes of death and disability.


This is a great educational and entertaining video.  Total length is over an hour so watch/listen when you have the time. I learn something new every year from his presentations. 
http://nutritionfacts.org/video/food-as-medicine/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=food-as-medicine&utm_source=NutritionFacts.org&utm_campaign=8f281cf01a-RSS_VIDEO_DAILY&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_40f9e497d1-8f281cf01a-23307913

Choose to live

     Something to consider for the weekend.....put your heart into something.

WHAT MAKES RUNNING SO SPECIAL "So many people choose to quit. Choose to stop living. They're really cheating themselves, you know. I think people don't really understand what they can accomplish if they want to. They have no idea how talented they are. I think you find another side of yourself when you actually put your heart into something. That's one of the things that makes marathoning special...it's one of the few times when you actually meet the challenge of doing something that is probably the most physically and mentally difficult thing you've ever done. For me, I can't recall anything more difficult than finishing a marathon. Maybe that's why I've done so many of them. It's one of the few times in my life when I've felt completely self-fulfilled." Ron Steele, from The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer by David Witsett, Forrest Dolgener & Tanjalo Kole