This evening, I ran almost 5.5 miles. It has been a while since I have run at night. I still enjoy it.
I like that it is cooler and it is somewhat peaceful. Plus, in some ways, being outside at night feels like being inside.
However, if I do run at night again, I am going to take a different route.
Tonight, I ran on a bike path that goes out of town into less developed land. There are patches of near-wilderness (I say near because it is really close to the city, so it shouldn't be able to support large predators) and it can get pretty dark. It didn't give me the creeps or anything, I am simply aware that a deer would beat me in a fight if it thought that it needed to.
I saw three deer during the run (lest you think I am just being paranoid). The first was off in the distance but the second encounter was with a pair just off the path. They were in a well lit area so I could see them for a while.
In order to let them know I was coming, I stomped my feet. That got their attention but it wasn't until I started waving my arms that they ran away. Even though that took some energy, I was glad that they didn't decide to start their violent rebellion against man at that moment.
That was when I decided to stick to city streets on any subsequent night runs. But to punctuate the point, I had an encounter with a dog.
With a mile left on my run, on a straight stretch of path, I heard a loud bark (from a large sounding dog). I could barely make out the shape of a fairly big dog about 50 yards away, right in the middle of the path.
I was not pleased about the prospects of being mauled and exhausted on a dark patch of bike path. There was a row of houses whose backyards lined the path. So, I figured that the odds were good that this was a pet. But I didn't really want to take many chances.
So I slowed to a walk (actually I did that immediately when I hear the bark) and just kept going. I saw the dog shape move off the path and into a back yard. That was either good or it was trying to flank me.
Shortly afterword, I think I heard a doggy door open/close at the house the dog was closest to. I'm pretty sure it went in because I didn't see it again.
I walked for a little while passed the house (I didn't want to look like prey) and then started running again.
The run was good but I'm going to stay out of the country (-ish areas) at night.
mwz
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Mama and Dada
At Target today, I checked out and Arial pushed the cart (with the kids) back to the cart area. As they went away, Johann reached towards me and yelled "Momma". Arial said "No, that's Dada".
The guy behind me said, "When they learn a word, they use it for everything."
That was when I had to say "No, he really calls me 'Momma' and her 'Dada'".
He laughed and said that I would have to tell him about that when he gets older. I almost said "that's what I have a blog for" but I just left.
But it's true. Johann thinks I'm called "Momma". I think it is because when he is in distress either one of us responds (whoever is the closest and/or the least weary). So sometimes he cries "Mommy! Momma!" and I will respond. I think that is what has confused him.
He will occationally call me "Daddy". Hopefully, he will eventually stick with that.
mwz
The guy behind me said, "When they learn a word, they use it for everything."
That was when I had to say "No, he really calls me 'Momma' and her 'Dada'".
He laughed and said that I would have to tell him about that when he gets older. I almost said "that's what I have a blog for" but I just left.
But it's true. Johann thinks I'm called "Momma". I think it is because when he is in distress either one of us responds (whoever is the closest and/or the least weary). So sometimes he cries "Mommy! Momma!" and I will respond. I think that is what has confused him.
He will occationally call me "Daddy". Hopefully, he will eventually stick with that.
mwz
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
We're Sick
Our family has been run through a wringer with this last cold.
Johann started with a cough a month ago. Then, he and Frances got runny noses. Two weeks ago, I came down with runny nose, cough and just general tiredness. Arial was still healthy.
I thought I was getting better. We ran the Bix (7 miles). The cold reactivated. This time it added a soar throat and a bit of muffling in my ears.
When Johann had a really bad day on Sunday (he was really cranky) and I was having a hard time swallowing, we decided to go to the doctor. I hate going to the doctor for a cold but Arial convinced me that it could be strep and she was starting to come down with symptoms. So for the sake of the family, we went.
They told us that both Johann and I had ear infections. I didn't know that adults could get ear infections. But that was the cause of my hearing loss.
We got scripts for antibiotics which I feel a little guilty taking since we don't know if it's bacterial. But I've been knocked out by this thing for 2 weeks and I need to get better. So with a heavy heart, I started the treatment.
Two days after starting the treatment, I feel a lot better. Which makes me think that the antibiotics weren't needed (although there is something to be said for the placebo effect. I'm still going to finish the regimen because stopping early is a good way to develop drug resistant bacteria.
mwz
Johann started with a cough a month ago. Then, he and Frances got runny noses. Two weeks ago, I came down with runny nose, cough and just general tiredness. Arial was still healthy.
I thought I was getting better. We ran the Bix (7 miles). The cold reactivated. This time it added a soar throat and a bit of muffling in my ears.
When Johann had a really bad day on Sunday (he was really cranky) and I was having a hard time swallowing, we decided to go to the doctor. I hate going to the doctor for a cold but Arial convinced me that it could be strep and she was starting to come down with symptoms. So for the sake of the family, we went.
They told us that both Johann and I had ear infections. I didn't know that adults could get ear infections. But that was the cause of my hearing loss.
We got scripts for antibiotics which I feel a little guilty taking since we don't know if it's bacterial. But I've been knocked out by this thing for 2 weeks and I need to get better. So with a heavy heart, I started the treatment.
Two days after starting the treatment, I feel a lot better. Which makes me think that the antibiotics weren't needed (although there is something to be said for the placebo effect. I'm still going to finish the regimen because stopping early is a good way to develop drug resistant bacteria.
mwz
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Sayings
The kids have been saying interesting things lately. For the past month (probably more), Frances has been asking "why?" to everything.
Get your shoes on.
Why?
Because we need to go to the gym.
Why?
To get in shape.
Why?
...
That is pretty normal for a three year old.
But now Johann has started asking why, too. I don't think he really knows what it means but I think that he likes that we keep talking to him as we explain things. It's just kinda strange to hear him ask "why" when he doesn't really do much other talking (other than "bite" for "can I have a bite of that", "mil" for milk and of course "No. No. No. No No." for "No. No. No. No. No.").
He really does seem to appreciate the answers though because unlike Frances, he will stop asking why once you have explained it. And he is adorable when he is asking.
Frances said something interesting today after I sneezed. I normally say "gesundheit" to a sneeze but Arial says "bless you". Today, Frances decided to combine the two with "Goodblessheit".
mwz
Get your shoes on.
Why?
Because we need to go to the gym.
Why?
To get in shape.
Why?
...
That is pretty normal for a three year old.
But now Johann has started asking why, too. I don't think he really knows what it means but I think that he likes that we keep talking to him as we explain things. It's just kinda strange to hear him ask "why" when he doesn't really do much other talking (other than "bite" for "can I have a bite of that", "mil" for milk and of course "No. No. No. No No." for "No. No. No. No. No.").
He really does seem to appreciate the answers though because unlike Frances, he will stop asking why once you have explained it. And he is adorable when he is asking.
Frances said something interesting today after I sneezed. I normally say "gesundheit" to a sneeze but Arial says "bless you". Today, Frances decided to combine the two with "Goodblessheit".
mwz
Monday, July 09, 2007
10K
Arial and I ran a 10K this weekend. It was to be an indication of how our training was going. If we sucked, that would have made some of the longer races and triathlons coming in the future worrisome. If we did well, we could feel a little better about ourselves.
Two days before the race, I ran by myself for 4.7 miles. That went poorly. I finished but I was completely dead by the end. I was really worried about the 10K because I knew that I was going to be pushing the children in the stroller *and* going farther.
But (to kill any suspense) we did pretty well. We wound up running an average of 10:41 miles and while we weren't in the front of the pack (or the middle) we did beat some people.
When we started, the whole crowd zoomed ahead. There were maybe 8 people behind us. It was actually kinda neat to see the river of people ahead of us.
At about the 2 mile mark we got caught up with the 5K people (they started later than us and we shared some of the same route). That made it hard to know how we were doing against the 10K people.
It was a pain to get through the walkers. Most were good about giving us room but some just seemed to be in their own world. That did feel good to pass some people though, especially knowing that they were doing a lesser distance.
We dodged a few sprinklers that good-intentioned people left in the middle of the street. Both kids slept (Johann more than Frances). We met up with and passed the 5K people again (the route was a loop) and finished.
We both felt pretty good at the end. Neither were gasping for air or falling over. I'm not saying we felt like doing the race again but we felt great for just having run a 10K.
So, I am now feeling a little better about our training. I am still afraid of swimming nearly a mile, though.
mwz
Two days before the race, I ran by myself for 4.7 miles. That went poorly. I finished but I was completely dead by the end. I was really worried about the 10K because I knew that I was going to be pushing the children in the stroller *and* going farther.
But (to kill any suspense) we did pretty well. We wound up running an average of 10:41 miles and while we weren't in the front of the pack (or the middle) we did beat some people.
When we started, the whole crowd zoomed ahead. There were maybe 8 people behind us. It was actually kinda neat to see the river of people ahead of us.
At about the 2 mile mark we got caught up with the 5K people (they started later than us and we shared some of the same route). That made it hard to know how we were doing against the 10K people.
It was a pain to get through the walkers. Most were good about giving us room but some just seemed to be in their own world. That did feel good to pass some people though, especially knowing that they were doing a lesser distance.
We dodged a few sprinklers that good-intentioned people left in the middle of the street. Both kids slept (Johann more than Frances). We met up with and passed the 5K people again (the route was a loop) and finished.
We both felt pretty good at the end. Neither were gasping for air or falling over. I'm not saying we felt like doing the race again but we felt great for just having run a 10K.
So, I am now feeling a little better about our training. I am still afraid of swimming nearly a mile, though.
mwz
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Fourth of July Parade
Happy Independence Day.
Today, we went to the 4rth of July parade. They are pretty serious about their parades here. A number of people put up shade tents for sitting under and for good reason. The parade was over an hour and a half long.
We did find pretty good spots facing away from the sun. There were two little girls next to us about Frances' age. I thought it would be nice for Frances but it turn out that they were just competition for candy.
There was a lot of candy. It was like I remembered it as a kid (not like how they did it in the city we used to live in. Although, there were no marching bands. It didn't seem right. Not even a Scottish, bagpipe group.
I was very proud of Frances. She and another little girl were going after the same piece of candy. Frances got it and the other girls started crying. Without any intervention, she went over and gave the girl the candy. She is a nice person.
I proceeded to taunt the other mother by chanting, "My daughter is nicer than yours is". Okay, that's not true but I was very pleased by Frances' actions.
We ate lunch at church and now the kids are taking naps.
If all goes as planned, there will be swimming and fireworks later.
mwz
Today, we went to the 4rth of July parade. They are pretty serious about their parades here. A number of people put up shade tents for sitting under and for good reason. The parade was over an hour and a half long.
We did find pretty good spots facing away from the sun. There were two little girls next to us about Frances' age. I thought it would be nice for Frances but it turn out that they were just competition for candy.
There was a lot of candy. It was like I remembered it as a kid (not like how they did it in the city we used to live in. Although, there were no marching bands. It didn't seem right. Not even a Scottish, bagpipe group.
I was very proud of Frances. She and another little girl were going after the same piece of candy. Frances got it and the other girls started crying. Without any intervention, she went over and gave the girl the candy. She is a nice person.
I proceeded to taunt the other mother by chanting, "My daughter is nicer than yours is". Okay, that's not true but I was very pleased by Frances' actions.
We ate lunch at church and now the kids are taking naps.
If all goes as planned, there will be swimming and fireworks later.
mwz
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