Saying Hello...

Yesterday morning I had a chance to say hello, not ello govna, but a nice warm welcome to my big hill route while down in Arkansas. Damn. It said hello, chewed me up, spit me out, and kicked my @$$ to the curb. The combination of running in the heat, humidity, lack of water fountains, and one big hill really shot me down. So much so that on the way back from the turn-around point I had to stop and walk periodically so that I would not be literally kicked to the curb somewhere. Today, however, we went to Little Rock and I took the time to visit Easy Runner (they have moved to: 11525 Cantrell Rd) to get a hand-held water bottle, and some Gu and Hammer Gel. So later in the week when I run the same route I will politely hand that hill a hand-full of smack-down (or so I think...we'll see).

In other news B-Town seems to be faring well away from home and is getting so much attention I am guessing he will soon go in to overload, especially, after tonight and the baby shower.

I went to bed early last night to try to catch up on sleep, and at this point I feel I should have taken a nap this afternoon. My goal is to not have a crapitude tonight or at later this week. I definitely did not realize how much our family would want to see B-Town after he was born. I think it is my tiredness talking, but I could really use some down/me time. I think tomorrow will be one of those days because nothing is planned, but without and plan anything is possible. My mother-inlaw has scheduled a massage for me on Wednesday afternoon/evening, which, I am so looking forward to and I am sure it will help hinder my crapitude as well.

Okay, I'm done...

Tree Maintenance...

This is a post directed toward the guy who lives along the sidewalk I use to access the trail and the B/N Town Maintenance crew. Thank you. Thank you for trimming back your trees so that there is more room for people passing on that section of the sidewalk. I really appreciate it that you took the time over the weekend to get outside and tend to your trees. As far as the B/N Maintenance crew, thank you for cutting back the brush/trees on the side of the trail, it gives the feel of more room as is esthetically pleasing to me if no one else. I really appreciate it that in this time of recession that taking care of our trail is still seen as a priority and benefit for the community.

So heres to you...Hooaaahhhh

Sleepy repercussions...

I was able to go on a long run this morning (just under 8 miles). Not because I had an over abundance of sleep last night, rather, I was able to use some of the extra "residual" sleep I gained over the weekend. B-Town isn't sleeping too bad, but this lack of sleep is definitely putting a dent in the glamorous attitude I have during the day. It seems a little odd to me, but I actually do and feel better if I get a workout in, in the morning. Some how it readjusts/fine-tunes my attitude and actually gives me more energy throughout the day.

From the very beginning I have been helping G by changing diapers before she feeds. I see this as me helping out while still allowing me to be a productive employee. I understand that G carries the greater burden by staying up and feeding, but her being at home during the day really helps her handle this better (I believe). Finding a balance between the two is sometimes hard for me as being awoken in the middle of the night can lead me to be an insta-grouch. So, as soon as I wake I in a foul mood and am thinking why hasn't G gotten up yet to take care of B-Town. I know, and I hope G knows, that this is only because it is in the middle of the night and I am not fully awake. If it is during the day, or closer to time to wake-up, I am in a much more amiable mood.

Working out in the morning allows me take whatever happened overnight and take out that potential frustration into something productive. If I did not do this I am sure I would not be nearly as nice of a person that I would like to be. It all boils down to attitude, and for me apparently, what time during the day or night I interact with you.

Busy Day/Week...

This week will be kind of busy, but especially today. We have laundry intermixed with fixing meals and getting things ready for our trip. We are planning a trip to the Ozark Mountains so that I can get some mountain training in. The "hills" here in central Illinois just aren't cutting it. Okay, so me getting hill training isn't the main reason we are going to the Ozark Mountains, but I am looking forward to the side benefits of getting to tackle hills to the like you would never see here.

We are actually going to see family and introduce B-Town to his Great-Grandparents, as well as, have a shower and enjoy some "real" Mexican food. The Mexican food is one thing G has missed immensely since leaving the area. I am convinced it is her form of comfort food.

This will be our first big trip with B-Town. This makes me nervous about how he will do in the car for an extended period of time. Personally, I compare it to the short 10 to 15 minute car rides around town and think "oh he'll do fine." Like our trips in town are comparable to 6 hours on the road. Some how I don't think they will be comparable at all, but I remain hesitantly optimistic.

As is usually the case whenever I travel, I try to pick out routes that I can run at my destination and, if need be, utilize Map My Run to make my own routes. I usually end up doing the same route once or twice while there and probably need to branch out a little and switch my route. My main route has an ascent/descent of 476 feet, which, will be good for one or two runs, but would kill me if I tried more than that.

Another thing I do when I travel is look for races that will be in the area around the time we will be there. The only races I found would be in Spgfld on a Saturday morning when we will probably be wanting to finish the trip down to her parents. This makes it a plausible idea for me, but realistically, it probably isn't meant to be. Since we will be near her parents during the week, I just confirmed there were no races during the week, which, there hardly ever are (in case you were wondering) and called it good.

It will be a nice week off of work visiting family and running hills