Weekly Mileage #264 and Nighttime Running

Monday, despite the sore throat I’ve had for several days, I took Max for a trail run. I’d already skipped my run on Saturday because of the sore throat, and I really couldn’t skip another run. The Ragnar trail run is coming up too quickly and I’m too out of shape. It was a decent run, but I can definitely feel how out of shape I am. So out of shape. My lungs weren’t super happy the rest of the day. Allergies, whatever crud I have, asthma? I’ve got a followup with my doctor this week, so I’ll see if I can get an inhaler then. Generally, my asthma doesn’t bother me much, though it’s always more problematic in cold weather or high pollen days. There’s definite wheezing going on then.

I sewed a leather sleeve for my laptop to keep it from getting scratched- it’s been on my to-do list for awhile. It took 3 tries to get it right, which was annoying and time consuming, but I’m pretty happy with the result. I take my laptop to church every Sunday for my Primary lesson, so giving it a little extra protection is a must.

In continuing to cross items off my pre-convention to-do list: I worked on the design for a wood tray I’m going to make to display my Leatherwork 101 tools and materials. I have most of the materials, but need to get one more piece of wood for it.

In the evening I took Sunshine to Scouts and worked on bills and stuff while I waited for her.

Tuesday we went to music lessons, then I did the grocery shopping. Afterwards I took a few minutes to ice my foot (it started hurting while I was doing the shopping), then we did some quick karate practice before heading off to karate class. It was a busy day, like most Tuesdays.

Wednesday I had the followup with my doctor. We’re keeping my meds at their current dose, but will increase in a month or so when I stop reacting to them. I also got an albuterol inhaler to see if it’ll help my lungs feel better.

We got some passport photos for Sunshine, then I cut the wood for two projects- the tray to display the L101 tools and materials and a beefed up trolley to cart the display panels around (originally it was used to cart Sunshine’s car seat when we flew places).

That evening I went for a nighttime run with Max. Our local parks are open for an hour after sunset, so right around sunset I headed to the trails park with Max and my headlamp to try some nighttime trail running. The Ragnar Trail race is rapidly approaching and I’ve never run trails in the dark, so it seemed like a good idea to try it out ahead of time. My headlamp worked well, I had no problems seeing, and I only fell once- right at the beginning, before it was even dark enough to turn on my headlamp. It was a good experience, other than a few things.

It was hot. 80* at 8pm in the middle of April! Also, I am so out of shape. My endurance is crap, and I’m concerned about doing all the mileage at the race. My foot is hurting again. Not doing much running lately has been good for it, but it’s still not completely healed, apparently. But not running is not good for the rest of me. I’ve gained weight and lost my endurance (ok, I was losing that anyway, with my energy issues, but I certainly didn’t improve my endurance) over the last 4+ months.

Max loved the run, didn’t mind the dark, but the heat did affect her as well. She was pooped out, just like me. When we got home, I laid on my bed and iced my feet and went to sleep earlier than I have in awhile. Thinking about how to ice my feet in between my runs at Ragnar. Will our ice packs last long enough? Will actual ice last enough? Should I just bring chemical ice packs? I don’t think those get cold enough, so I’m not convinced that’s the best option. Need to think about it some more.

Thursday we went to the post office to get Sunshine’s passport renewed. If we waited two and a half more weeks, till after her 16th birthday, it would be good for 10 years. Since we didn’t, it will only be good for 5 years. But we’re behind schedule as it is to get it before SeaBase, so we couldn’t delay just to get the extended passport date. She didn’t really like the pictures, so she’s not upset about replacing it sooner rather than later, either.

I ran some errands, then worked a bit more on the wood tray and the backpack I’m making. I also pulled out the child size pockets to see which colors I need to make more of. It’s getting down to the wire and I have lots to do still.

That evening I took Sunshine and River to church for their activities, then took Max for a walk on the nearby bike path. Did a little running, but not much. Weather was much nicer- cooler and breezy.

Friday we went for a hike with friends. Max couldn’t come because we were going to a nature preserve, and she was not happy about being left home. She knew we were going for a hike without her and she was very vocal in her displeasure. She doesn’t usually complain when we leave the house, but on this occasion she sure did. Jeremy was leaving for work at the same time, so he went back in to calm her and give her a pizzle stick. When we got home her pizzle stick was still intact- she’d been so upset that she hadn’t chewed on it all, which is totally uncharacteristic of her. Guess she was too busy being mad at us, poor girl.

During my accountability call we talked about our marketing efforts for our businesses and I got some good ideas of things to do as I start focusing more on that side of my business.

Saturday I worked on pockets and we did our Easter egg hunt.