• run: 5 mi
• time: 50 min
• temp: 42
• road conditions: wet, but not icy
• aches/pains: top l foot and r groin
• what i listened to when i ran: teenage fanclub - thirteen
• comments: my running buddy took a spill the other day during a group run. i'm now pretty scared of the ice so i've been playing it safe and staying in. i've also been feeling lazy and unmotivated - also pretty busy. it was hard out there today but i did the 5 miles. i actually stopped before i got to a big hill to switch songs. it's a great album but i was getting into the slower bonus tracks and needed some high-powered, grungy, power pop to propel me up that hill. it helped. the hills were killing me today.

• run: 4 mi
• time: 45 min
• temp: 26
• road conditions: windy
• aches/pains: top of l foot, adjusted shoe and it helped minimally
• what i listened to when i ran: ben folds - saskia hamilton, teenage fanclub - today never ends, rem - pop song 89, elton john - step into christmas, the beatles - help, elliott smith - waltz #1, ben folds - not the same, elton john - goodbye yellow brick road, josh ritter - kathleen, avett brothers - head full of doubt, ben folds - rockin the suburbs, ben folds - dr. yang, josh ritter - lawrence, ks
• comments: not into it this am. feet were warm but the pain in the top of my foot was disturbing. slipped a couple times on the light snow, but didn't get near falling. i couldn't bear the 5 miles, so i turned down jefferson to take in the different view and took different roads home. it was a nice break, but i did ask myself if i regretted running this morning and i actually wasn't sure. i'm glad now, hours later, but at the time it wasn't clear. just an off day.

• run: 5 mi
• time: 50 min
• temp: 23
• road conditions: really clear
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: regina spektor - samson, belle and sebastian - i want the world to stop, sugarcubes -hit, elliott smith - color bars, josh ritter - song for the fireflies, josh ritter - orbital, thompson twins - king for a day, trent reznor - eventually we find our way, matthew sweet - sick of myself, josh ritter - real long distance, pearl jam - just breathe, ben folds - time, josh ritter - in the dark
• comments: only people i saw running today were my former running instructor and her boyfriend. nobody was out today. i love the new socks! it felt warmer than the temp and i actually took my hat off for the last half of the run, but my feet felt comfy and warm. he got me 6 pairs - one for every day except for Sunday :)

• run: 5 mi
• temp: 22
• time: 51 min
• road conditions: cold, mostly clear
• aches/pains: r groin during most of the run, fine now
• what i listened to when i ran: caught up with my friend, listened for the garmin to beep.
• comments: nice way to start a great day! it was cool to see the frost on her forehead - i always find it on my hats when i come home from solo runs. it's going to be a great christmas - the dry-lete socks my husband ordered for me and we thought were stolen arrived this morning (after my run). can't wait to test them out tomorrow!

• run : 4.5
• time:?
• temp: 18
• road conditions: cold, icy and semi slushy
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: my 2010 christmas mix which includes weezer, the new pornographers, guster and belle and sebastian with a few modern classics mixed in.
• comments: just couldn't make it 5 as i was running late for church. ah well. wore my saucony tights and they were a little too thin - my legs were very cold the entire run. guess they're for when it's in the high 20's.

• run: 5 mi
• time: 50 min
• temp: 13
• road conditions: not too bad, slipped footing only a couple times
• aches/pains: top of l foot
• what i listened to when i ran: guster - happier, yaz - situation, hotel lights - amelia bright, elton john - step into christmas, trip shakespeare - late, peter bjorn and john - young folks, guster - what you wish for, ben folds - effington, ben folds - rock star, the morning benders - i was wrong, the airobrne toxic event - does this mean you're moving, casiotone for the painfully alone - bobby malone, guster - carol of the meows, depeche mode - see you
• comments: sang along with all 3 guster songs - it was great to start a cold, snowy run with such a great song! effington started as i was a few hundred feet from the stadium and that made me laugh. didn't wear the yax tracks and didn't need them. now that i just learned how to make downhills work for my speed i'm having to turn around and be really careful on the downhills. oh well. i wore a tank, long sleeve, then fleece and felt comfortable in the weather. except for that first mile when i thought my face would freeze, but that went away. i hope santa brings me some winter running socks. better send the link to him now...

• run: 4.11 mi
• time: 40 min
• temp: 24
• road conditions: packed snow
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: elliott smith - figure 8, teenage fanclub - the fall, def leppard - love bites, rem - i remember california, josh ritter - you don't make it easy babe, lcd soundsystem - someone great, matthew sweet - giving it back, bf5 - dick holster, teenage fanclub - in the back of my mind, depeche mode - wrong, elvis costello - no action, josh ritter - harrisburg
• comments: went out with the headlamp and the yax trax for the first time. i felt so safe. i thought i'd feel more dorky. my husband commented that i looked like a total hipster and said i should be running off to go listen to the shins. the town looks lovely at night. i'm betting my butt is going to be sore tomorrow, but this was fun. it's good to remember that because the first mile seemed impossible.

• run: 5 mi
• time: ?
• temp: 34
• road conditions: snowy and beautiful
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: other lives, matthew sweet
• comments: the roads were just starting to get plowed when i got out at 8. it was so beautiful and still. the only clear breaks on the pavement were under large evergreens. i kept my footing steady, didn't go too fast, and enjoyed the ride. was just going to do 4 but it was so pretty.

saturday, december 10

• run: 5 mi
• time: 55 min
• temp: 17
• road conditions: ice patches in places
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: a nice rock anthem by night ranger got me up a hill and i laughed, otherwise a lot of elliott smith and ben folds.
• comments: first run after getting over the stomach flu and after a slight snow. i kept it slow and felt like i was crawling next to the pace i've had going with my races lately. now i appreciate my craving for sameness as it's going to be important in finding a route that i can predict where the path will be clear and where it will not. slid a little a few times but didn't come near falling. put on a long sleeve shirt along with my tank and fleece and it kept me extra warm. my new fingerless gloves with a mitten hood are awesome! it felt good to know i still have the stamina for five miles even though i haven't been running that long as consistently or running as often lately. it's important for me to keep that base. it was hard won and i don't want to lose it. my new shoes of over 2 months ago are still bright and shiny. i doubt they will continue to be any longer as there's a lot of snow predicted and i'll want to try to navigate it!

• run: 4.3 mi
• time: ?
• temp: 24
• road conditions: dark to light
• aches/pains: neck was frozen for the first 2 miles
• what i listened to when i ran: teenage fanclub - neil jung, josh ritter - kathleen, ben folds - lonely christmas eve, elliott smith - twilight, ben folds - landed, belle and sebastian - i'm a cuckoo, ben folds - from above, the beatles - another girl, fiona apple - criminal, ben folds - hiroshima
• comments: based on the last song, i'm glad that i didn't push for the full five miles this morning. wore my new green saucony jacket and felt really cool. didn't wear the light thingie because it was light enough and i was afraid i'd feel like a dork. i did buy a headlamp and some yak tracks in prep for my continued winter running. i'm preparing to be a dork but not yet ready to put on the full on gear.

saturday, december 4

• run: 3.12
• time: 25.53
• temp: 30
• road conditions: frigid
• aches/pains: couldn't feel feet
• what i listened to when i ran: the only song i remember was state farm - yaz
• comments: best time yet! i got closer to the start line this time so i didn't have to pass as many walkers and my strategy paid off. used the downhills to my advantage again. it was such a happy surprise to see my family twice on the route. so happy that i stopped to hug the girl who was coming at me with open arms. then we went to wendy's afterwards and had frostys and fries :)

• run: 4-5 mi
• time: 50 min?
• temp: 26
• road conditions: cold and dreary
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: in the dark - josh ritter, into the city - teenage fanclub, you light up my life - debby boone, they don't know - tracey ullman, i've just seen a face - the beatles, landed - ben folds, amelia bright - hotel lights, so much in love - art garfunkel, not the same - ben folds, because - elliott smith.
• comments: ran the gallup route by myself. gosh, it was boring. the 2 things that kept me going were that i had to run back to the car (no blocks to skip) and i have a race tomorrow. oh, and i tried out some new saucony tights. they're a little thin, but otherwise i like them. i'd rather be a little chilly than too warm.

• run: 4.2 mi
• time: 45
• temp: 47
• road conditions: dark and lovely
• aches/pains: the injustices of life
• what i listened to when i ran: nice night ranger power anthem to get me up the big hill. got a little philosophical with some light 90's selections and a B&S tune.
• comments: needed to be done, felt like i was running faster because it was dark out.

sunday, november 28

• run: 5 mi
• time: 50
• temp: 20
• road conditions: cold
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: inspiring mix
• comments: dressed perfectly with tights, tank, half-zip fleece, hat and gloves.

saturday, november 25

• run: 5 mi
• time: 50
• temp: ?
• road conditions:?
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: can't remember
• comments: got it done

• run: 3.2 mi
• time: 26.32 (pace 8.32)
• temp: 40
• road conditions: wet and windy
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: a very depressing, dank mix on my iphone. matched the weather, though.
• comments: so i signed up for the turkey trot at the last minute and ran it. i should have gotten closer to the start line as i had to pass a lot of slow people and walkers. i didn't know the route but knew ahead of time it was hilly, noted the downward slopes and let gravity work for me to increase my speed. the hills weren't that bad. i was able to get a little bit of oomph when i saw the finish line this time, most likely because i'm used to running longer distances. i always hope that i'll place well, and i placed 8th in my age group this time. i'm dissapointed by my placement, but pleased by my personal record, which is almost a minute faster than my last 5k. glad i took the chance, spent the cash and ran the race.

wednesday, november 24

• run: 5.8 mi
• time: ? (pace was 10 min)
• temp: 37
• road conditions: dark
• aches/pains: callus on r foot
• what i listened to when i ran: chatted with my running buddy
• comments: we got a little lost as we're not as fast as the main group, but i was able to navigate our way back to the store with my own knowledge of town. i missed running with her last week.

• run: 5 mi
• time: 50 min
• temp: 40
• road conditions: nice
• aches/pains: knees a little sore during the last mile and a half
• what i listened to when i ran: missing the war - bf5, me and jiggs - josh ritter, we are the pipettes - the pipettes, last call - elliott smith, dark and lonely night - teenage fanclub, a distorted reality - elliott smith, kathleen (live) - josh ritter, everything reminds me of her - elliott smith, question mark - elliott smith, hiroshima - ben folds, this temporary life - death cab, cold white christmas - casiotone for the painfully alone, one angry dwarf - bf5.
• comments: better mix today. really enjoyed the pipettes. elliott smith seemed to match my mood as of late. i wore a long-sleeved shirt over my tank and it was much more comfortable than the half-zip fleece i wore yesterday for the temperature. if there's little wind, less is more. i thought i lost my favorite green glove yesterday and almost started to cry, but the girl found it. bless her little heart. should i sign up for the turkey trot or just run from home thursday am and be done with it?

saturday, november 20

• run: 5 mi
• time: 50 min
• temp: 39
• road conditions: sunny and crowded
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: nothing inspiring
• comments: not able to get out this week. very sad about that.

sunday, november 7

• run: 5 mi
• time: 50 min
• temp: 28
• road conditions: brisk
• aches/pains: think i laced my l foot too tight
• what i listened to when i ran: can't remember, but it was good.
• comments: getting to the middle and end of a cold winter run make it worthwhile. that really chilly part at the beginning kind of sucks.

• run 5 mi
• temp: 28
• time: 50 min
• road conditions: frosty
• aches/pains: l ankle, which is a little worrisome
• what i listened to when i ran: nothing inspiring. depeche mode isn't cutting it for me lately.
• comments: first sub-zero run this season. damn it was cold out there! i felt dressed appropriately with capris, tank, fleece pullover and earband. need to get another fleece pullover. it's going to take a lot of willpower to get out during the cold, just like it did during the really hot weather. at least i got out today!

wednesday, november 3

• run: 6 mi
• time: ?
• temp: 45
• road conditions: dark
• aches/pains: just my heart
• what i listened to when i ran: running buddy had a lot of good stories.
• comments: i was only going to do the 4 miles, but in order to catch up with what was going on i had to keep going past the 4 mile turn. the 6 miles felt like 4. the crisp cold left after a mile and a half. my new shoes really keep the next day achiness to a minimum.

• run: 5 mi
• time: 50-55 min
• temp: 39
• road conditions: crisp
• aches/pains: none. i guess i really needed new shoes
• what i listened to when i ran: guster/ben folds/josh ritter/nin/belle and sebastian mix. nice and encouraging
• comments: "to tell you the truth i've said it before, tomorrow i start in a new direction. i know i've been half-asleep i'm never doing that again. i look straight at what's coming ahead and soon it's going to change in a new direction. every night as i'm falling asleep these words repeating in my head" - singing along with this while going up the big hill on 7th was pretty awesome. the song started to end just as the pavement was starting to level. doesn't get much better than that. unless it's watching "good will hunting" with the girl curled up asleep beside me.

• run: 5 mi
• temp: 46
• time: 55 min
• road conditions: brisk
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: elvis costello - this sad burlesque, ben folds - not the same, the beatles - martha my dear, guster - homecoming king, elliott smith - let's get lost, depeche mode - ice machine, elton john - all the girls love alice, other lives - speed tape, ben folds - learn to live with what you are, belle and sebastian - beautiful, elliott smith - ostriches and chirping, nin - piggy, the afghan whigs - my world is empty without you
• comments: ahhh, a weekday morning run! felt really good. chatted with my husband while i ran uphill on the phone. now, a couple hours later, i'm exhausted but have a lot on my plate. oh well. it's been a fantastic morning.

wednesday, october 27

• run: 6 mi
• time: ?
• temp: 56
• road conditions: windy, got dark
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: enjoyed the company of my friend at the group run
• comments: found a new 6 mile route near my house. i've mentally committed to another 10k.

• run: 5 mi
• time: 50 ish
• temp: 58
• road conditions: cloudy with the possibility of rain
• aches/pains: none (went back to old shoes in case of rain)
• what i listened to when i ran: some good stuff, but i can't remember and i've already docked the iphone.
• comments: felt good. felt strong. now tired.

• run: 5 mi
• time: 55 min
• temp: 53
• road condtions: beautiful
• aches/pains: none - new shoes are doing the trick!
• what i listened to when i ran: chuck arringtong - my sole desire, jefferson airplane - count on me, ben folds - kylie, radiohead - no surprises, the beatles - help, george harrison - my sweet lord, depeche mode - world in my eyes, elliott smith - pictures of me, the beatles - yesterday, kings of leon - knocked up, robert plant - tall cool one, night ranger - call my name
• comments: sang along with the last one on the way up the last hill - just like i used to sing along with it in my bedroom, crying over a specific boy. kind of over that, but it took me there. so nice to run without a time crunch. i think i can commit to the 10k if the shirt is cute.

thursday, october 21

• run: 5 mi
• time: 50someting
• temp: 60
• road conditions: getting dark
• aches/pains: none, really
• what i listened to when i ran: chatted with with my friend, heard about the half marathon.
• comments: we headed out to do 4 or 5, committed to 5. thinking about the next 10k.

tuesday, october 19

• run: 4 mi
• time:?
• temp: 5o something
• road conditions: leafy
• aches/pains: ankles, knees - iced r knee after i got home
• what i listened to when i ran: josh ritter's "the curse" got me to go about 2 miles longer.
• comments: new shoes!!!!! felt really good, expecially for the first few minutes. i really didn't want to go out. i'd had a long day at a conference, my body was achy from sitting all day. expecially my knees - i heard the l one pop at one point while i was going up some stairs at the conference. how do i stop being all achy? go running - my solution to everything. it helped, but my r knee had some sharp pain when i got home. after cleaning out the cat boxes and getting the garbage out, i iced it. it's fine now.

• run: 4.17
• time: 40 min
• temp: 44
• road conditions: sunny
• aches/pains: ankles still ache
• what i listened to when i ran: hotel lights - blue always finds me, the airborne toxic event - the winning side, elliott smith - waltz #2, other lives - paper chase, nin - mr. self destruct, elliott smith - stupidity tries, depeche mode - question of lust, tears for fears - pale shelter, toad the wet sproket - fall down, bf5 - your redneck past, the babys - everytime i think of you
• comments: again, trying to fit in a run before a busy day. i wanted to challenge myself to go longer as i really do have more energy in the mornings (even if i got to bed really late), but had to make it to church on time. i have way too many obligations in my life. i should start looking at them as opportunities for growth rather than responsibilities.

saturday, october 16

• run: 3.72
• time: ?
• temp: 32
• road conditions: chilly but beautiful
• aches/pains: ankles
• what i listened to when i ran: ?
• comments: trying to get a run in before a busy day. whew!

• run: 4.2
• time: 45 min
• temp: 61
• road conditions: crisp and sunny
• aches and pains: hit hard on r foot, but seems fine now
• what i listened to when i ran: josh ritter - drive away, spoon - the underdog, belle and sebastian - read the blessed pages, elvis costello - night rally, ben folds - belinda, elliott smith - st. ides heaven, the flaming lips - yoshimi, pearl jam - corduory, belle and sebastian - the model, bf5 - the last polka
• comments: the end of this mix was all songs that i love to sing out loud with in the car, really loud. belinda has my heart, elliott is the drunk i want to be, pearl jam reminds me of screaming that in a car while following the boy i loved do something that only marginally included me, the model took me months to learn the lyrics to, and well, the last polka IS the last polka. innovation is bred out of necessity, so a new route was tried and mapped when i got home. less traffic, new houses. i dig it.

• run: 4.5 mi
• time: 45 min
• temp: 69
• road conditions: leafy and perfect
• aches/pains: l knee, arches and ball of 4 foot
• what i listened to when i ran: night ranger kicked in as i was heading up a hill. the new belle and sebastian song hit right when i was heading up the big hill. couple of old tears for fears songs helped me along, too. good mix.
• comments: it's better to go out after 6. getting dark pretty quickly now. i need to get those reflective thingies for my arms.

sunday, october 10

• run: 4.17
• time:??
• temp: 56
• road condtions: beautiful
• aches/pains: shins
• what i listened to when i ran: i don't remember
• comments: did a 6.2 mi charity walk in the afternoon. i'm still achy 24 hours later. i'm trying to find the movie "prefontaine" on the internets. i do love me some jared leto - expecially as a blonde.

• run: 5 mi
• time: ?
• temp: 54
• road conditions: leaf filled and sunny
• aches/pains: back of legs, shins
• what i listened to when i ran: higlights include spoon - underdog, radiohead - no surprises, rem - strange currencies. otherwise it was a pretty crappy mix.
• comments: tons of people out partying already. it was a pretty rough run. overdressed in a long sleeved shirt and capris. ran around the block with the kids. never seen the girl so focused. it was pretty cool.

wednesday, october 6

• run: 4.6
• time: ?
• temp: 74
• road conditions: sunny to dusk
• aches/pains: felt pretty good
• what i listened to when i ran: interesting stories from my friend
• comments: nice group run. i'll probably never make friends with most of them, but they were nicer to me than in the past. glad i went.

• run: 4.17 mi
• time: ?
• temp: 64
• road conditions: sunny
• aches/pains: ankles, r knee
• what i listened to when i ran: belle and sebastian - string bean jean, billy joes - moving out, scala and kolancy brothers - creep, night ranger - sing me away, elliott smith - because, chuck arrington - the list song, bf5 - missing the war, sia - breathe me, matthew sweet - super baby, ben folds - rockin' the suburbs, the beatles - you're gonna lose that girl, ben folds - you to thank, saturday looks good to me - no good with secrets
• comments: my new favorite street is jefferson. i'm beat. this running after work is going to kill me. i'm thinking i may have needed another day of recovery before getting back out there. traffic is awful, but what should have i expected at 5pm? i don't think i can go back to running in the parks. i'm wondering if this will work out or if i'll get injured and quit.

• run: 6.2 mi
• time: 58 min
• temp: 48
• road conditions: cool
• aches/pains: r side halfway, now neck and shoulders
• what i listened to when i ran: nin - pinion, chuck arrington - i'm gonna praise you, guster - center of attention, elliott smith - single file, casiotone for the painfully alone - bobby malone, elo - i'm alive, josh ritter - next to the last romantic, josh ritter -come and find me, ben folds - doc pomus, pete yorn - life on a chain, white rabbits - percussion gun, depeche mode - only when i lose myself, the morning benders - waiting for a war, ben folds - annie waits, radiohead - no surprises, josh ritter - wildfires, elvis costello: brodsky quartet - the sad burlesque
• comments: it was really weird to listen to that last song running through the tunnel at the stadium and doing a lap to the finish line. i'm sure "victors" or something was playing but i really just wanted to hear what was on MY ipod. i'm so glad i brought it to the race because i would have been miserable without it. i ran into my friend during mile 2, she passed me and finished a few minutes before me, but she had a water bottle ready for me at the end of the finish line :) hubby and kids were there on the course, which was fun, because there were very few spectators as it was really chilly. decided to wear my long sleeved guster shirt and it worked out well. glad it's over. it will be interesting to see what happens now that my work schedule has changed and what that does to my weekly mileage.

• run: 2.5
• time: 25 min
• temp: 50
• road conditions: wet, but not raining at the time
• aches/pains: r ankle and arch
• what i listened to when i ran: depeche mode - stjarna, some other songs that fit well with the dark, depressing weather
• comments: i'm supposed to rest before race day, but i was getting all irritable and confused so i did a light run. i'm feeling a little better. not as confident as i was last week, but nothing else to do at this point.

• run: 4.5 mi
• time: 45 min
• temp: 70
• road conditions: sunny with lots of traffic
• aches/pains: knees, ankles
• what i listened to when i ran: highlights were ben folds - practical amanda, ben folds - sentimental guy, gladhands - gore girls, depeche mode - pimfp
• comments: it sucks getting out in the evening. lots of traffic at 5:30 (duh). just felt hard. came home and watched mad men and had the shit scared out of me. now, taco bell just walked in the door with my hubby so i'm going to partake in some bean goo(dness).

• run: 6 mi
• time: under an hour
• temp: 69
• road conditions: sunny, then it started getting dark
• aches/pains: only when i stop
• what i listened to when i ran: normal chatter with my running buddy. she's such a hoot.
• comments: really had to push to get the 6 miles in, expecially after work. now that my hours are changing, I'm really going to have to work to get my runs in after work. i like to start my day with a run and move on. i'll have to switch that up a couple days a week. i'll be glad to get my life back when the race is over, but i know i won't stop running.

tuesday, september 28

• run: 5 mi
• time: hour
• temp: 60
• road conditions: rainy and wet
• aches/pains: sopping wet
• what i listened to when i ran: can't remember.
• comments: felt so weird to keep running while soaked. had to fit the run time in, so i did. felt soooooo cold when i got home. but it's done. i did the right thing.

• run: 6.2 mi
• time: 1 hr
• temp: 48
• road conditions: cool, sun came out at the end
• aches/pains: only when i stopped, then everything hurt
• what i listened to when i ran: elvis costello - busy bodies, ben folds - golden slumbers, ben folds - adelaide, depeche mode - in your room, nina simone - feeling good, the beatles - in my life, depeche mode - agent orange, nin - a warm place, a flock of seagulls - space age love song, elvis costello - night rally, radiohead - electioneering, the beatles - help, the airborne toxic event - something new, ben folds - errant dog, rem - pop song 89, miniature tigers - like or like like, michael jackson - ben, josh ritter and dawn landes - 500 miles, belle and sebastian - you made me forget my dreams
• comments: when i'd stop to blow my nose or at a light, everything ached. then the kids wanted to run around the block when i got home. i did put on a jacket for that. i went out in a t-shirt and capri leggings. i didn't sweat as much, but my arms were cold. noted that most people i saw were in shorts and a long sleeved shirt, but i feel i sweat much more in a long sleeved shirt. need to go back and check temps, see what i wore earlier in the year. i've been sticking with the high miles while i've been sick so i'm pretty confident about completing the race. not so sure about what i'll wear. the boy sat on my lap for most of the church service today and noticed he's really too big for my lap. made my heart happy.

saturday.september 25

• run: 5.5 mi
• time: 1 hr
• temp: 54
• road conditions: dark and cool
• aches/pains: very mild shinsplints
• what i listened to when i ran: i don't remember, but it got the job done
• comments: started out when it was dark and got to watch the sun come up. well, not the actual sun, but i watched it go from night to day. the marching band was already out at 7am, but the party bus wasn't. i was somewhat surprised. had a full day of work ahead of me and it was good.

• run: 5 mi
• temp: 68
• time: ?
• road conditions: muggy
• aches/pains: knees, back slightly
• what i listened to when i ran: josh ritter - harrisburg, ben folds - all u can eat, elliott smith - st. ides heaven, nin - down in it, josh ritter - drive away, miniature tigers - tchaikovsky and solitude, dave navarro - rexall, josh ritter - rainslicker, toad the wet sproket - fall down, blind melon - galaxie, depeche mode - little 15, ben folds -weather channel music, bf5 - bad idea, hotel lights - nobody let you down, komeda - boogie woogie, the beatles - a day in the life
• comments: i'm beat. komeda made me laugh. made some peace, or at least tried to, with something i need to let go of but sort of want to stew in. i don't have time to wallow, really. picked up the mail, too. getting things done. even with a sore throat.

• run: 5.78
• time: hour
• temp: 77
• road conditions: good
• aches/pains: knees were sore from sitting all day. had my son kiss them to make them feel better. outer legs ached by the time i was done.
• what i listened to when i ran: interesting stories from my running buddy.
• comments: missed yesterday's run because my kid was sick. planning on going out tomorrow for at least 3 miles, but considering i didn't get home tonight until after 8, we'll see how it goes. addicted to training!

sunday, september 19

• run: 6 mi
• time: 1 hr
• temp: 58
• road conditions: cool
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: i can't remember
• comments: got lost and ended up at a true dead end. turned back and found a familiar path. i never got around to mapping it out, but it was most likely 6 miles. i was crabby all day. i don't know if i'm trying to get used to the mileage or just bogged down by other things going on in my life. either way i feel pretty good about being ready for the race.

• run: 6 miles!!!!!!!
• time: 1 hr or so
• temp: 58
• road conditions: cool, partly sunny
• aches/pains: l side
• what i listened to when i ran: the beatles - help, the rembrandts - what will it take, ben folds - the luckiest, tears for fears - pale shelter, depeche mode - see you, ben folds - all u can eat, matthew sweet - come to love, rem - just a touch, ben folds - late, saturday looks good to me - alcohol, miniature tigers - like or like like, depeche mode - just can't get enough, matthew sweet - i almost forgot, elliott smith - the white lady loves you more, the morning benders - chasing a ghost
• comments: felt bad as my family went to IHOP and couldn't wait for me to finish my run. ah well, i hate panckakes anyway. i decided to go further and got a little lost on the old west side. i did get to see some tailgaters, the party bus (drinking before 9 am), the marching band, a cheerleader wolfing down a large hamburger, smelled charcoal warming up. it made the run a lot more exciting. more exciting, even, then going on map my run and seeing that it was 6 miles. i love running in this town!

• run: 5 mi
• time: 50 min
• temp: 66
• road conditions: wet, cloudy, not rainy
• aches/pains: everything hurts right now
• what i listened to when i ran: depeche mode - see you, belle and sebastian - seeing other people, bf5 - selfless, cold and composed, live - selling the drama, ben folds -sentimental guy, kings of leon - sex on fire, justin timberlake - sexy back, fiona apple - shadowboxer, the stone roses - she bangs the drums, cyndi lauper - she bop, billy joel - she's always a woman, the beatles - she's leaving home, belle and sebastian - she's losing it
• comments - i just realized now that my ipod was stuck on s. happy with most of the list, but billy joel kind of brought it down when i needed the energy. i love the smell of fresh lumber, but at the same time i smell it, i think of how i used to worry about splinters as a kid. i sure hope i don't get suck with the training tonight.

tuesday, september 14

• run: 5 mi
• time: 50 min?
• temp: 55
• road conditions: sunny but cool
• aches/pains: legs were tired
• what i listened to when i ran: can't remember and i updated the software on my phone last night so i really don't know. i do remember smiling when some songs came on.
• comments: i kept telling myself i could turn down madison, but my mind kept saying davis, so i did the 5 mile route. i'm impressed that i can run for longer and be okay with it so far. i can actually see myself doing the 10k and being ready for it in a few weeks. i seemed so daunting a bit ago when i realized i'd actually be doubling my distance. i've been in a great mood lately and i don't know if it's because of the longer runs, the beautiful early fall weather, or what. it's pretty great, though.

• run: 5.2 mi
• time: 50 min
• temp: 55
• road conditions: hilly, sunny, yet cool
• aches/pains: l side of my waist
• what i listened to when i ran: george harrison - what is life, elvis costello and burt bacharach - god give me strength, elliott smith - don't go down, saturday looks good to me - alcohol, guster - center of attention, the morning benders - when we're apart, bf5 - evaporated (with hidden track), black moth super rainbow - born on a day when the sun didn't rise, hotel lights - run away happy, josh ritter -change of time, ben folds - not the same, elton john - harmony, fiona apple - parting gift.
• comments - i missed the turn on madison because i wasn't paying attention, just trying to make it up the hill, so i turned on davis. missed the victory arch again, but ended up going over 5 miles. i felt it, too. i'm seeing that after a while, i just tune into the music and keep plodding away. swayed along with "harmony" while waiting for traffic to cross the street. i'm finding that getting out when i know it's going to be a challenge is harder, but i'm still able to run around the block with the boy and girl who are waiting for me when i get home.

• run: 3.8 or 4.4 mi
• time: 40-45 min
• temp: 50
• road conditions: sunny and cool
• aches/pains: upper right chest
• what i listened to when i ran: elliott smith - shooting star, ben folds - in between days, duran duran - new moon on monday, elliott smith - little one, guster - long way down, nin - suck, elliott smith - son of sam, miniature tigers - tell it to the volcano, hotel lights - run away happy, rem - monty got a raw deal, catherine wheel - crank, bf5 - missing the war
• comments: had to miss the 5k because i need to be at a funeral soon and wouldn't have time to do both. that sucks. but, i did run further than i would have otherwise. those hills are awful but the route is so beautiful! i think i cut it a block short as i missed the victory arch that wasn't on madison, as i thought it was. i'll have to find it tomorrow.

• run: 4.4 mi
• time: 40 min
• temp: 53
• road conditions: cloudy
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: belle and sebastian - if you find yourself caught in love, depeche mode - stripped, elliott smith - stupidity tries, elliott smith - oh well okay, crowded house - nails in my feet
• comments: i went up another block and it took me further than i thought. feel pretty good about it. getting closer to my goal.

• run: 3.8 mi
• time: 40 min
• temp: 41
• road conditions: chilly yet sunny
• aches/pains: lower back and bum at the end
• what i listened to when i ran: depeche mode - little 15, bf5 - your redneck past, night ranger - penny, ben folds -gracie, ben folds - belinda, cheap trick - i want you to want me, guster - keep it together, the avett brothers - incomplete and insecure, bf5 - don't change your plans, stone roses - she bangs the drums
• comments: lots of hills on this route. i'm really feeling the extra milage this week. i feel pretty worn out when i get home. it's a good thing. if i can meet this challenge, i surely can meet the challenges we're facing at work and the petty shit in my life that i get my panties in a bunch about. i always enjoy hearing belinda. the sad thing is that it's the only song i'm really excited about that i've heard from the new album.

• run: 3.8
• time: ??
• temp: 53 :)
• road conditions: sunny and windy
• aches/pains: back and front of legs at the end
• what i listened to when i ran: michael giacchio - star trek theme, bf5 - lullabye, depeche mode - stripped, elliott smith - i better be quiet now, jefferson airplane - count on me, rem - half a world away, art garfunkel - so much in love, elliott smith - between the bars, tornadoes - telestar, nin- something i can never have, ben folds - brainwascht, teenage fanclub - sometimes i don't need to believe
• comments: really chilly when i started. i forgot about how my nose runs when it's cold. it was much nicer than being really hot. i'm just going to keep increasing my mileage slowly by going another block (uphill, unfortunately). i can do this. the kids trained with me around the block. i registered us for a 5k and half mile fun run next weekend. anything for a new route!

wednesday, september 1

• run: 5 mi
• time: ?
• temp: 90+
• road conditions: cloudy
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: chatted with my friend. we're both registered for the 10k coming up! finally, we'll get to run a race together.
• comments: i have a lot to learn about training.

• run: 2.9
• time: under 30
• temp: 69
• road conditions: dark
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: josh ritter - come and find me, camera obscura - come back margaret, guster - come downstairs and say hello, liam finn - come home sam, matthew sweet - come to love, paul mccartney and wings - coming up, elliott smith - condor ave., pearl jam - corduroy, jefferson airplane - count on me
• comments: got up at 5:20 so i could run before my hubby left for work. with school out this week, i just couldn't let the kids stay at home alone or at the babysitter's all morning just so i could run. i took the hit to make it work and i'm glad i did. it was really dark out there, even though i stayed on lit streets for the most part. i'd much rather run early when it's tolerably cool out than after work, late, when it's 90. kids are already acting up. it could be a long morning.

• run: 3.5
• time: ?
• temp: 58
• road conditions: cool and lovely
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: fastball - the way, regina spektor - samson, teenage fanclub - say no, ben folds five - mess, depeche mode - any second now, depeche mode - ice machine, teenage fanclub - into the city, belle and sebastian - is it wicked not to care?, elliott smith - baby britain, teenage fanclub - the fall, elliott smith - bled white.
• comments: rest in peace, larry.

• run: 3.5
• time:?
• temp: 65
• road conditions: sunny
• aches/pains: lower back at end, sock was bunched up on my r foot
• what i listened to when i ran: five for fightings - superman, elliott smith - king's crossing, some other stuff but ended with ben folds five - the last polka
• comments: missed thursday's run with my friend as i was whacked out on meds for my ear infection. i decided not to take the claritin today because i didn't want to spend the weekend all cotton-mouthed and needed to keep training for the 10k. continued to expand my route even further. it's really not hard when it's so cool and lovely out. i was thinking about the 2nd time i heard the last polka. i had just bought the s/t cd at a cute indie record store in bowling green and drove home listening to it. i would never have guessed that 14 years later it would have me break into a huge grin as i'd be getting ready to tackle the last big hill on my way home on a run.

• run: 3.2 mi
• time: 35 or so
• temp: 70
• road conditions: sunny
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: the model - belle and sebastian, landed - ben folds, tom and mary - ben folds five, underground - ben folds five, jesusland - ben folds, the back of my mind - teenage fanclub, lawyers in love - jackson browne, the ultimate sacrifice - ben folds five, cologne - ben folds
• comments: lots of ben folds today. i really dug the ultimate sacrifice - it's such a fun song and I don't hear it often. i got to hear the awesome bridge of lawyers in love as i was hitting my favorite part of my run - the trip down shady divison. i didn't want to go out today but, as always, i'm glad i did. truly scared about the 10k. truly scared about a lot of things, but that's beside the point.

• run: 3.1 mi
• time: 28.52
• temp: 70
• road conditions: cool and cloudy, pavement a little rough
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: xo - elliott smith when i tried to power my way to the finish line.
• comments: ran the 5k. this was my first race on my own and i'm glad i did it. waited all the long day for the results. came in 4th in my age group, which i'm very proud of. except that they gave prizes for the top 3 in each age group. to be honest i'm a little bummed. i was racing against another woman for the last half of the race and i struggled with trying to push myself to get past her yet again for the finish line. she came in a few feet ahead of me. i also wrestled with guilt about passing her, as she'd been ahead of me for most of the race. i need to let that shit go.

• run: 3.3 mi
• time: ?
• temp: 73
• road conditions: cloudy, cool, threatening rain
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: waltz # 2 - elliott smith, on the radio - regina spektor, what you wish for - guster, annie waits - ben folds, golden slumbers - ben folds, tears for fears - everybody wants to rule the world, pop song 89 - rem, lantern - josh ritter.
• comments: such nice weather. passed my running buddy - probably at the end of her long run as i was just getting started. so motivating. i'm starting to plan running the 5k tomorrow. if i change my mind, eh. it's all good. got home, went to mcdonalds to get breakfast for the fam. i'm not indulging. i think that double whopper continued to power me this am as i forgot to eat in order to avoid the rain.

friday, august 20

• run: 4 mi
• time: garmin wasn't set right
• temp: 88
• road conditions: sunny
• aches/pains: knees a little achy at the end
• what i listened to when i ran: chatted with my running buddy
• comments: thinking about running a 5k on sunday. should have started thinking seriously earlier, but i can still register at packet pickup saturday. didn't get out during the week like i thought i would. oh well. ate a double whopper to celebrate my 4 mi. run!

• run: 3 mi
• time: ?
• temp: 78
• road conditions: sunny and muggy
• aches/pains: none. feet seem to be well.
• what i listened to when i ran: martha my dear - the beatles, in my life - the beatles, hot venom - miniature tigers, moons - josh ritter, battle of who could care less - ben folds 5, orbital - josh ritter, i need all the friends i can get - camera obscura, lazy line painter jane - belle & sebastian, you to thank - ben folds, kinda i want to - nin.
• comments: felt off step right off the bat. wore the same outfit i wore yesterday and it was pretty smelly. tried to get out earlier but got caught up in some reality tv show about teens at a fat camp. the whole family was piled on the couch watching it and it was nice, comfy, and ripe for snarky commentary. made it home in time to shower and pull my wet hair back in a ponytail for church.

• run: 3.3 mi
• time: ??
• temp: 76
• road conditions: muggy, sunny
• aches/pains: r knee from bike riding last night, but went away quickly
• what i listened to when i ran: miss misery - elliott smith is the only one i remember, but it kept me going. ended with razzle dazzle rose - camera obscura.
• comments: i don't know how this has become a lifestyle, but it has. i've decided that i'm going to do a 10k, so i'm trying to make my daily runs longer. my weekday schedule is filling up during the mornings for the next 2 weeks, but at this point i'd be more surprised at myself if i started slacking off than working to meet the challenge. if only life were as easy as tacking on a couple of blocks onto a favorite route...

• run: 4 mi
• time: ??
• temp: 90
• road conditions: hot, humid and sunny
• aches/pains: heartache
• what i listened to when i ran: chatted with my friend
• comments: she got a garmin, which was pretty cool. kept us honest, but we did walk part of the way because it was so flipping hot. ate yogurt and a banana about an hour or so before we ran and i was in good shape.

• run: 3 mi
• time: 30-35
• temp: 74
• road conditions: partly sunny and humid
• aches/pains: none. feet feeling really good. must have been the pedicure over the weekend.
• what i listened to when i ran: casiotone for the painfully alone - don't they have payphones, guster - two points for honesty, debby boone - you light up my life, teenage fanclub - sometimes i don't need to believe, elton john - all the girls love alice, chuck arrington - gather up the fragments, elliott smith - the white lady loves you more, elliott smith - a question mark, jackson brown - the pretender
• comments: gather up the fragments really touched me. chuck's voice always does. debby boone put me right back in my childhood bedroom, green plush carpeting and all. there are way too many problems in the world to solve today. glad i took some notes.

sunday, august 8

• run: 3.2 mi
• time: ??
• temp: 65-70
• road conditions: cool and lovely
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: it was good, but i don't remember it.
• comments: decided to take a new route. mapped it much later and was surprised that it wasn't longer :( oh well, it was nice to see a new street while i crossed town. i do enjoy city running vs. trail running.

• run: 3 mi
• time: ??
• temp: 60
• road conditions: beautiful
• aches/pains: neck was really achy when i got up, feels much better now
• what i listened to when i ran: the fratellis - baby fratelli, the beatles - another girl, nin - suck, ben folds five - selfless, cold and composed, josh ritter - lillian, egypt, depeche mode - only when i lose myself, guster - center of attention, britney spears - i'm a slave 4u, the morning benders - worth the fight.
• comments: i need to stop running to fight off the demons. instead, work to get closer to who i am, who i want to be, and how to get there. i'm imagining prayer needs to be involved. or maybe i can continue to use running as my self-righteous distraction from life. great, more things to think about.

thursday, august 4

• run: 4 mi
• time: ??
• temp: 85
• road conditions: sunny
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: heard the story of my friend who ran a half marathon!
• comments: i'm a wimp, but i'm okay with that.

• run: 3 mi
• time: 30 min
• temp: 77
• road conditions: cloudy and humid
• aches/pains: neck achy
• what i listened to when i ran: elliott smith - 2:45 am, ben folds - not the same, josh ritter - the remnant, ben folds - landed, the jayhawks - blue, night ranger - sing me away, ben folds fivve - theme from dr. pyser, a flock of seagulls - space age love song
• comments: i can still hear my friend nickie making the "whaa whaa" sounds to that night ranger song every time i hear it. dr. pyser really got me going back up the hill to home. i love music. i love stretching when i get home because it feels so good. i put some moleskin on the balls of my feet, next to my calluses and it seemed to help. we'll see when i try to walk barefoot.

• run: 3 mi
• time: ?
• temp: *62*
• road conditions: sunny
• aches/pains: balls of feet
• what i listened to when i ran: the new teenage fanclub album, "shadows". it sounds like them, but less fuzz bass and the jangly guitars are softer. kind of like running on an indie lite cloud. underorchestrated adult pop.
• comments: i did get out tues, wed, and thurs last week while in NC. i just didn't have time to blog about it. i tried the "lake trail" the last day to break things up and it truly was a trail run. i had to keep trying not to trip on a tree root. glad to be back home, running in town vs. nature. i went to a really cool running store, bull city running, and the owner helped me find a solution (moleskin under the insole) to help alleviate my calluses. i also bought a cool new top and a skort! still looking for new shoes, even though i really don't need them yet. now that i know i have mild pronation, it's helpful.

• run: 3 mi
• time: 35
• temp: 80
• road conditions: humid
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: i can't remember
• comments: i mapped out the route, to the best of my memory, and i think it was 3 miles. i stumbled out of bed, got dressed and out as it's hot as hades here. felt good to get out there. people waved hello. one reason why i love the south. another reason is chick fil a. now, if i could just find a running store down here and finally get me those new shoes...

• run: 3 mi
• time: 35
• temp: 78
• road conditions: wet and slight rain
• aches/pains: balls of feet
• what i listened to when i ran: i have no idea. i can't remember one single song.
• comments: the art fairs were just starting by the time i got out. my shoes were still soaked from last night. i put some newspaper in them and propped them up in front of a fan for an hour. dried them out enough to be able to run this am. amazing. i'm jonesing for a new pair of shoes now that my friend has a new pair.

• run: 4 mi
• time: under 40
• temp: 90
• road conditions: hot, then really stormy and wet
• aches/pains: feet were squishy
• what i listened to when i ran: my friend told me about her 15 mile run last weekend, her plans for this weekend, and i'm so proud of her! makes me look like a hack. i'm so impressed. i felt badly because she was trying out some new shoes today and it poured about halfway into the run. i hope they dry off in time for her long run (and mine for my short run).
• comments: magda got me cool new pink bottomed running socks for my birthday! YAY!

• run: 3 mi
• time: 35?
• temp: 68
• road condtions: some puddles, otherwise gloriously cool
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: depeche mode - see you, toad the wet sprocket - good intentions, teenage fanclub - i gotta know, tears for fears - everybody wants to rule the world, rem - monty got a raw deal, nin - ruiner, belle and sebastian - is it wicked not to care?, josh ritter - wait for love.
• comments: ahhhh. loud thunderstorms last night broke the heat so i could have a nice, cool birthday run. it was heavenly. watched some art fair booths being constructed, saw some cute boys running, enjoyed the lack of sun beating down on me. this is the best week of the year!

sunday, july 18

• run: 3 mi
• time: ?
• temp: 75
• road conditions: cloudier
• aches/pains: balls of feet, l back
• what i listened to when i ran: don't remember, but it was pretty good
• comments: had to rush off for a busy day!

• run: 3 mi
• time: ?
• temp: 75
• road conditions: hot but not unbearable
• aches/pains: l back, knees, neck
• what i listened to when i ran: sinead 0'connor - troy, other lives - how could this be?, duran duran - careless memories, elliott smith - clementine, the beatles - i will, josh ritter - man burning, ben folds - gone, saturday looks good to me - meet me by the water.
• comments: that first song brought me back to the summer when my hs boyfriend and i were breaking up. i could see myself in my '82 escort, grosgrain ribbon bows dangling from the rearview mirror, singing that song at the top of my lungs while crying my eyes out. i pushed myself to do an extra full block, thinking of my friend running 12 miles this morning.

friday, july 16

• run: 4 miles
• time: ?
• temp: 90
• road conditions: sunny
• aches/pains: all over
• what i listened to when i ran: my friend telling me about her 10 mile run last weekend, and how she's going to do 12 tomorrow. she told me how she bargains with herself to get her to keep going longer. i'm so amazed and impressed.
• comments: need to bring my favorite water bottle in the house and in the fridge.

• run: 3 mi
• time: 30 min
• temp: 73
• road conditions: slightly humid and cloudy
• aches/pains: ball of r foot
• what i listened to when i ran: elliott smith - baby britain, josh ritter - moons, tears for fears - everybody wants to rule the world, ben folds - before cologne, night ranger - don't tell me you love me, the morning benders - heavy hearts, elliott smith - satelite, belle and sebastian - if you find yourself caught in love, nin - gave up.
• comments: drinking a full glass of water before a summer run is helpful. finally starting to increase my daily run. it's so much better without the sun. i love that belle and sebastian song - "you should thank Him for saving your sorry ass". and baby britain - "there's a look in your eye when you're saying goodbye that you want to say hi".

sunday, july 11

• run: 3 mi
• time: 30-40 min
• temp: 75
• road conditions: humid but tolerable
• aches/pains: lower back
• what i listened to when i ran: "for no one" by both the beatles and elliott smith. some other stuff, too, but that was the standout. i've been listening to the original since i was 7 years old but i think i like the elliott smith version just a little bit better.
• comments: my shoes are saucony pro grid ride 3's. i keep forgetting what they are and it makes me nuts because they fit really, really well. i got lost in dsw over the weekend looking at running shoes and realized i had no idea what i owned to even consider what i should replace them with when they get too old.

• 

• run: 2.5-3 mi
• time: 30 min
• temp: 70
• road conditions: sunny and cool in the shade
• aches/pains: l side back again
• what i listened to when i ran: elliott smith's "miss misery" got me home! saturday looks good to me got me to go a little bit longer than i'd planned. i cooled down to elton john's "this song has not title" as i ate rasberries off the bushes outside the house.
• comments: good run. woke up tired and achy but pushed and got myself out. not so achy during the run but feel a little stiff now (after the nature run to the park with the kids).

thursday, july 8

• run: 4 mi
• time: ?
• temp: high 80's
• road conditions: cloudy and rainy
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: chatted with my running friend. i guess we're not going to do the red carpet run as she can't get time off work to get there early enough. it was a fun idea.
• comments: i so wanted to blow it off because of the heat and thunderstorms, but she got me out there. she's so dedicated and fun!

• run: 2.8
• time: ?
• temp: says 74 but felt hotter
• road conditions: hot and humid
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: some belle and sebastian, lots of nin.
• comments: nin is usually pretty good to run to, i just don't feel so broken anymore. the girl slept in her medal last night. nice run. tired of listening to my husband snore on the couch behind me.

sunday, july 4

• run: 3.1 mi
• time: 28 min
• temp: 80+
• road conditions: blinding sun and heat
• aches/pains: l ear/jaw - forgot to take tylenol
• what i listened to when i ran: my own panting
• comments: nice 3rd race! best time yet - my pace was 9:11. the kids run was really fun. they love their medals. i'm thinking that i'd be even faster if i listened to music as races seem so much longer than my regular runs.

• run: 3 mi
• time: under 30
• temp: 65 and climbing
• road conditons: very sunny
• aches/pains: l side hurt after, stretching helped
• what i listened to when i ran: alanis morisette - uninvited, the beatles - eleanor rigby, nin - that's what i get, tears for fears - head over heels, tears for fears - mad world, radiohead - no suprises, ben folds five - mess, josh ritter - to the dogs or whoever.
• comments: practically a perfect run. i considered going further but wanted to get home to run with the girl who was waiting for me. i loved the mix, remembering what a mess my life was at points and how it's not like that anymore. the girl and i saw another baby bunny. she chased after some ducks - she's so cute. today we pick up our race packets for the race tomorrow!

Thursday, July 1

• run: 4 mi
• time: ?
• temp: 75
• road conditions: sunny, cooler
• aches/pains: just anxiety over trying to run longer distances
• what i listened to when i ran: chatted with my friend who did a 10 mile race last week.
• comments: were going to do 5 miles, but hubby's car needed a jump so we had to meet up later. next week i get my choice of 5 or 5.4 mile routes. both are hilly. i'll see how much energy i have left after the workday.

• run: 2.8
• time: 30
• temp: 64
• road conditions: sunny and breezy
• aches/pains: none, considering my feet and calves ached from walking around the cement pool for hours yesterday.
• what i listened to when i ran: elliott smiht - everything means nothing to me, wings - let me roll it, guster - keep it together, ben folds - learn to live with what you are, elliott smith - happiness, nin - something i can never have, cyndi lauper - she bop.
• comments: i really think eating a banana in the morning is helping. i'm wondering about this she bop song and if it's taunting me, reminding me i never made the pom pom squad in hs. i feel like i'm so over nin, at least for today. i heard that song about a year ago and my heart ached along with it. now i'm like "meh". maybe i just don't have time for melancholy right now. it's a busy week. i also saw the baby bunny i saw with the girl the other day :)

• run: 3 mi
• time: ?
• temp: 65
• road conditions: cloudy
• aches/pains: lower back, more l side as usual
• what i listened to when i ran: the avett brothers - salina, death cab - this temporary life, josh ritter - me and jiggs, cyndi lauper - she bop, josh ritter - kathleen, ben folds five - twin falls, elliott smith - color bars, elliott smith - roman candle, elliott smith - say yes.
• comments: got out early this morning and watched the solitary homeless men walk across town, looking like zombies. eerie, knowing i'm not too many steps away from walking like that instead of running through town by choice. saw a man lying on the ground with a camera, taking a picture of a woman modeling in a bathing suit. the girl and i went on a "nature run" after i got home. she loves running by the river, stopping to look at anything colorful. we saw the tiniest of wild bunnies which thrilled us both.

• run: 3 mi
• time: ?
• temp: 68
• road conditions: sprinkling of rain at start, cool and cloudy for the rest
• aches/pains: l back
• what i listened to when i ran: guster - airport song, some josh ritter, ghosts - fanfare, rem - half a world away. my iphone crapped out at some point but started again. it was a good mix, though.
• comments: it's so much nicer to run when it's cooler. took the kids out for their run when i got home. they're so flipping cute. took a couple extra blocks to look at some really huge houses off division. felt really good out there. i'm glad it's overcast :)

• run: 2.5 miles?
• time: 25?
• temp: 82
• road conditions: crowded and sunny
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: internal angst and prayer
• comments: missed meeting up with my running buddy as i was running late. it's totally weird running alone without headphones. but i did run instead of going back home.

• run: 2.8
• time: 25-30 min
• temp: 72
• road conditions: muggy and sunny
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: guster - i hope tomorrow is like today, ben folds five - one angry dwarf, ben folds - prison food, jackson browne - the pretender, rem - you are the everything, teenage fanclub - discolite, belle and sebastian - string bean jean.
• comments: great run. good mix. should have worn a tank top. came home to a friend telling me about a job opening. more money, but i love my current job. lots more money, but i really love my current job. interviewed there before and was not hired. do i want to put myself out there again? my instincts tell me happiness worth more than money.

• run: 3 mi
• time: 30
• temp: 68
• road conditions: lovely
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: depeche mode - now this is fun, lisa loeb - stop and go, britney spears - i'm a slave 4 u, ben folds five - smoke, josh ritter - bone of song, saturday looks good to me - all our summer songs, elliott smith - figure 8, elliott smith - color bars, josh ritter - rumors, belle and sebastian - is it wicked not to care?
• comments: fantastic run. i got up earlier and it was much cooler out. then i hear my friend's wife competed in a triathalon today. my running buddy is trying to get me to do a 10k. it's just not going to happen.

• run: 3 mi
• time: 30 min
• temp: 75
• road conditions: hot with a nice breeze
• aches/pains: l side a little, keep stretching it
• what i listened to when i ran: camera obscura - lloyd i'm ready to be heartbroken, ben folds - wandering, the beatles - i'll be back, nin - reptile, elvis costello - veronica, the jayhawks - blue, night ranger - you can still rock in america, the stone roses - i wanna be adored.
• comments: i felt like an athlete when night ranger kicked in right when i was really getting hot and tired - nothing like anthem rock to get me going! not a bad mix. got out later than i'd hoped to so it was pretty hot in the sun. i feel like a big sweatball.

friday, june 18

• run: 5 mi
• time: 1 hr
• temp: 95
• road conditions: filled with people
• aches/pains: i put lotion on my feet before i left and my feet felt fine!
• what i listened to when i ran: a band at the top of the park briefly, chatted with my friend
• comments: ran a foot past a deer in the arb. totally cool and random!

• run: 2.8
• time: 30
• temp: 72
• road condtions: moist air, partly sunny
• aches/pains: hard to breathe
• what i listened to when i ran: ben folds - gracie, the airborne toxic event - winning side, nin - march of the pigs, elliott smith - no name #3, guster - long way down, josh ritter - to the dogs or whoever, the jayhawks - blue, elo - xanadu.
• comments: just not feeling the joy in the run. i've been needing to stop and walk, catch my breath, during my past few runs. i don't know if it's the heat, lack of air at home, or laziness. i am considering entering another 5k on the 4th. should have worn a tank top!

• run: 2.5
• time: ?
• temp: 66
• road conditions: gray and muggy
• aches/pains: l back has continues to be achy. i was limping a little last night
• what i listened to when i ran: death cab for cutie - transatlanticism, ben folds - in between days. don't remember the rest.
• comments: did a run with the kids first. they sure like to go, but then tucker out when it's time to turn around. so cute. noticed some lily pads in the river thanks to the girl.

• run: 3 mi
• time: ??
• temp: says 76
• road conditions: humidity made it so when i stepped outside, i started sweating
• aches/pains: l side hurt when i walked, but after running a while it eased up. i think i stretched it out good and its going to be okay.
• what i listened to when i ran: radiohead - electioneering, ben folds - all you can eat, the rembrandts - the deepest end, hotel lights - blue always finds me, elliott smith - no name #1, rem - hairshirt, josh ritter - in the dark, chuck arrington - the list song.
• comments: took the kids out on their first run. the boy wanted us to wear the same color shirts so we wouldn't get lost. we went around the block, then up the hill to the park. they got to play for a few, then we ran back. they were both so excited! the girl got a side cramp early on and complained, but the boy really seemed to enjoy it. i'll enjoy it while their enthusiasm lasts.

june 11, 2010

• run: 5 mi
• time: 1 hr
• temp: 80
• road conditions: dripping humidity and sun
• aches/pains: l side really bad. had to stop several times to walk
• what i listened to when i ran: chatted with my friend, watched the crowds downtown on a Friday evening, giggled at the good looking male runners with their shirts off like teenagers.
• comments: this was a lot tougher than last week. i'm letting her pick our route next week. stopped on the way home at the jewler and had my ring cleaned. it's nice and shiny now!

• run: 3 mi
• time: 30 min
• temp: 62
• road conditions: sunny yet cool
• aches/pains: l side
• what i listened to when i ran: rem - just a touch, josh ritter - lawrence, ks, the big pink - velvet, elliott smith - let's get lost, teenage fanclub - i'll make it clear, teenage fanclub - verisimilitude, other lives - how could this be, casiotone for the painfully alone - cold white christmas, the beatles - getting better.
• comments: what a beautiful day for a run! i wish it would be like this every morning this summer. i looked at the temp in my car this am and it was 59. worried about the girl who was in the back seat wearing a sundress but she didn't look cold. it will warm up later.

• run: 3.1 mi
• time: 30 min
• temp: 70
• road conditions: a little wet, crowded
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: just looked at everybody. so many people wearing iphones on their arms, listening to music during this race. didn't see anyone i knew.
• comments: the race results page isn't loading, but if i remember correctly, my time was around 2 minutes shorter than my last race. i came in 31st in my age group but there were a lot more people running. my family dropped me off near the start area as it was so crowded, but i did see them about a quarter mile from the finish line, cheering me on! it was so cool!

friday, june 4

• run: 5 miles
• time: 1 hr
• temp: freaking hot
• road conditions: sunny and muggy
• aches/pains: the pads of my feet hurt on the way back
• what i listened to when i ran: chatted with my running buddy who finished her first 10k last weekend
• comments: i needed my friend for motivation. i really dislike running in the heat and humidity. i did pick up my race packet for my 5k tomorrow and ran into 3 people i knew. two are older than me and are running the half marathon. gulp.

• run: 1.8
• time: 20
• temp: 72
• road conditions: muggy, threatening rain
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: nin - i do not want this, depeche mode - st. jarna, elliott smith - alameda, ben folds - kylie from connecticut, elliott smith - somebody that i used to know, casiotone for the painfully alone - i love creedence
• comments: did not want to go out today, so i turned around and ended up taking a new route. stayed out longer than i thought i would. my motivation is down and the weather is hot. maybe i'll crawl back into bed and nap before work.

• run: 2.5 mi
• temp: 80
• time: 25
• road conditions: dry and sunny, but the air was hanging with moisture
• aches/pains: none, but ran the shorter route so i could avoid pain
• what i listened to when i ran: josh ritter - right moves, elliott smith - the biggest lie (sigh), ben folds five - magic, hotel lights - dream state flying, matthew sweet - smog moon, elliott smith - some song, the beatles - if i fell, the morning benders - when we're apart, ben folds - hiroshima (this is when i shut of the ipod - hate that song)
• comments: "we both know that staying young can take it's toll, are you afraid you're finding out you're over that?" been asking myself that question for 10 years now and i don't like how the answer hasn't changed. "help me kill my time 'cause i'll never be fine". that's another tough one. maybe i'll go out and pull some weeds in the backyard and be productive because i'm already sweaty.
• *****note to self***** 80 degrees is too hot to run. get out before 9am.

sunday, may 30

• run: 2.8
• time: 30
• temp: 70
• road conditions: sunny and warm
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: can't remember what, but i do remember it wasn't very inspiring
• comments: nice to have a houseguest who has ran a marathon before. she was very understanding of my need to get out and run in the morning!

• run: 2.8
• time: 30
• temp:66
• road conditions: brightly sunny on the way back
• aches/pains: l hamstring
• what i listened to when i ran: panic at the disco - nine in the afternoon, elliott smith - a distorted reality is now a need, ben folds five - lullabye, nin - gave up, hotel lights - norina, yaz - state farm, tears for fears - i believe, matthew sweet - walk out.
• comments: glad to be back out. it's been a long week.

• run: 3 mi
• time: 35 min
• temp: 70
• road conditions: hotter than hades, sunny
• aches/pains: r knee during warm up but then fine
• what i listened to when i ran: elton john - this song has no title, death cab for cutie - this temporary life, nin - throw this away, gin blossoms - till i hear it from you, ben folds - time, mgmt - time to pretend, foo fighters - times like these
• comments - hahahaha my iphone got stuck on the t's and i just realized it when i started typing. i am not a fan of death cab, but i really liked the song i heard from a musical standpoint. nice orchestration with some distortion, but not too much distortion. might have to give them a chance. it was so hot today that even "time to pretend" couldn't get me up that last hill. had to walk and catch my breath a little. probably didn't help that the fam went on a 10 mi. bike ride last night.

• run: 2.8 mi
• time: 30
• temp: 63
• road conditions: rainy
• aches/pains: r knee a little
• what i listened to when i ran: teenage fanclub - neil jung, george harrison - what is life, wings - another day, night ranger - when you close your eyes, elliott smith - don't go down, rem - turn you inside out, ben folds - don't change your plans.
• comments: next song was salina - ugh! been thinking about how figure 8 is so much more orchestrated than the earlier albums, for the most part. nice and subtle. i can see it coming on XO, but it fills out so nicely on figure 8. i find i've been daydreaming to the part of oh well, okay when the strings come in a lot lately. brings me a bit of joy when i'm having to give bad news to a lot of people.

may 21, 2010

• run: 4.3 mi
• time: ??
• temp: 60's
• road conditions: rainy
• aches/pains: r knee, then the ball of my r foot at the end!
• what i listened to when i ran: chatted with my running buddy.
• comments: i think my foot hurt because i wore crappy old navy flip flops all day. there's a blistered crack in the ball of that foot. i picked at it, then stopped and put some balm on it. i hope it's going to be okay.

• run: 2.8
• time: 30
• temp: 59
• road conditions: wet, light rain
• aches/pains: back is feeling much better this am after heating my cherry pit pillow
• what i listened to when i ran: nin - hurt, belle and sebastian - expectations, casiotone for the painfully alone - holly hobbie, camera obscura - come back margaret, ben folds - all you can eat, josh ritter - snow is gone, elliott smith - bottle up and explode, the beatles - she's leaving home, belle and sebastian - lazy line painter jane.
• comments: gosh i love belle and sebastian!

• run: 3 mi
• time: 30-35 min
• temp: 50
• road conditions: sunny and cool
• aches/pains: mid back after halfway
• what i listened to when i ran: hotel lights - firecracker people, elliott smith - good to go, yaz - situation, saturday looks good to me - untitled, rem - turn you inside out, ben folds - cologne, nin - eraser, ben folds - gracie, miniature tigers - like or like like.
• comments: decided to up it a couple of blocks as it was such a nice, cool morning. body and mind said no, so i ended up walking for a block to catch my breath. oh well. i can try it again. enjoyed the yaz this morning. helped me get up that long incline.

• run: 4.6
• time: 50-55 min
• temp: 68
• road conditions: sunny and windy
• aches/pains: l hamstring and r knee near end.
• what i listened to when i ran: chatted with my running buddy. we were able to chat the whole way, even up the big hill twice!
• comments: didn't stop to walk at all. maybe that's why my legs felt like buckling near the end. wonderful day. i love my job and i love my life. thinking about running a few more blocks on my regular runs to mix it up. i've seen how i've slowly and gradually increased my distance and i think it might do me some good.

• run: 2.8 mi
• time: 25 min
• temp: 47
• road conditions: thunderstorm at first, rain lightened up halfway thru
• aches/pains: back during middle of run, l hamstring near the end
• what i listened to when i ran: elliott smith - figure 8, elliott smith - waltz #1, the beatles - happiness is a warm gun, ben folds - you don't know me, loggins and messina - danny's song, ben folds - narcolepsy (live), ben folds - before cologne, foo fighters - everlong.
• comments: if only i could have waited 10 minutes to get out so the rain would slow but NO. i never saw how alike narcolepsy and cologne are until i listened to them one right after the other. trying to remember what waltz #1 sounded like. oh, now i know. fit well with darkness and the rain.

• run: 2.9 mi
• time: 30
• temp: 33
• road conditions: perfectly chilly and sunny
• aches/pains: r shoulder
• what i listened to when i ran: elliott smith - son of sam, ben folds five - narcolepsy, kings of leon - frontier city, afghan wigs - fountain and fairfax, elliott smith - last call, guster - happier, elliott smith - don't go down, rufus wainwright - foolish love
• comments: not so achy today. not so cranky, either. i went out earlier today and it was pretty dead on the roads, was able to get into a zone. then i come home to demanding, cranky children and the zone ends. ah well. it was good for a moment!

• run: 2.8 mi
• time: 30
• temp: 47
• road conditions: wet, a little rainy, very windy
• aches/pains: all over
• what i listened to when i ran: a few josh ritter songs, a radiohead song, guster - airport song.
• comments: yesterday beat the crap out of me. my back is still achy. will most likely try again tomorrow.

• run: 4.4 mi
• time: ??
• temp: 57
• road conditions: torrential downpour. very puddly and muddy
• aches/pains: l hamstring as it does when i go on my longer runs
• what i listened to when i ran: lots of rain, howling wind, thunder, and some chatting with my running buddy
• comments: came home soaked to the bone. had to mail off some mothers day cards after the run. wondering how wet the car seat is. will deal with that tomorrow. my friend and i felt really hardcore because there were no other runners at this very popular park. i kinda thought we were nuts because there was a lot of lightning, but we made it to our vehicles safe and sound. ahhh. digging the warm jammies.

• run: 2.8
• time: ?
• temp: 60
• road conditions: sunny
• aches/pains: r ankle at start, went away
• what i listened to when i ran: ben folds five - twin falls, the arcade fire - cold wind, night ranger - when you close your eyes, ben folds - annie waits, tori amos - spark, josh ritter - here at the right time, josh ritter - curtains, toad the wet sproket - good intentions, ben folds - free coffee.
• comments: ahhh. nice mix. do enjoy night ranger during a run. so cool to hear a song off the new josh ritter album - glad i put it on my phone while i was stretching. it's getting kind of warm now. i'm going to have to figure out what to do about that.

• run: 3.1
• time: 32.37 min
• temp: 64
• road conditions: wet, but not rainy
• aches/pains: back a little
• what i listened to when i ran: classic rock blared from random houses on the route, parents encouraging their kids, a couple of yay mommies from my own!
• comments: it was more than amazing to share my first race with my family. i'm so impressed with the hubby for herding the kids to different spots to cheer me on and wait for me at the finish line. i'm a lucky gal :)

• run: 2.8
• time: 30
• temp: 67
• road conditions: very muggy
• aches/pains: back achy, upper right arm
• what i listened to when i ran: elvis costello - god give me strength, duffy - mercy, hotel lights - run away happy, elliott smith - ostriches and chirping, john waite - going to the top, matthew sweet - we're the same, josh ritter - kathleen, ben folds - fred jones part 2.
• comments: so muggy and blah. cool to see how josh ritter's love songs have changed so much. enjoyed the bacharach influence on the elvis costello song. i normally don't like the song, but listening to the orchestration made it interesting. i've always liked elvis when he's more poppy than introspective.

• run: 2.8
• time: 30
• temp: 50 something
• road conditions: sunny and dry
• aches/pains: back achy, but sat all day and evening in meetings yesterday.
• what i listened to when i ran: josh ritter's new album streaming on my ipod. listened harder to the stories in the song, getting more each time. so much more to discover!
• comments: did the hillier route today. enjoyed the breeze coming down the hill by the hospital. did not enjoy getting back up the hill on the last leg to get home. and this is just the beginning of the day!

• run: 3 mi
• time: 30 min
• temp: 40
• road conditions: chilly and wonderful
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: nin - i do not want this, fleetwood mac - tusk, radiohead - fake plastic trees, josh ritter - monster ballads, elliott smith - no name #2, metallica - fade to black, depeche mode - tora tora tora.
• comments: love the layers on tusk, so very grateful i don't identify with fade to black anymore. i'm just realizing what a burden living with that kind of emotional pain really was for me. i'm grateful it's not there now. time to listen to more new josh ritter!

• run: 3 mi
• time: 30 min
• temp: 50
• road conditions: very light mist, very nice
• aches/pains: arches were achy before and after, expecially r foot
• what i listened to when i ran: matthew sweet - everything changes, catherine wheel - crank, elliott smith - speed trials, josh ritter - the temptation of adam, teenage fanclub - hardcore/ballad, nin - mr. self destruct, britney spears - i'm not a girl, not yet a woman, miniature tigers - giraffe, jeff buckley - hallelujah.
• comments: didn't start raining hard until later this afternoon. was hard to get up and go but as always, glad i did. have been achy all over the past couple of days. probably should try to do some other kind of cardio.

• run: 2.8
• time: 30
• temp: 60
• road conditions: wet, light rain
• aches/pains: feet are achy, body aches on and off
• what i listened to when i ran: lots of good stuff. can't remember it all. fiona apple - shadowboxer, matthew sweet - everything changes.
• comments: worried about the rain, so i wrapped my iphone in saran wrap and put it in the mesh pocket of my tank. wore a windbreaker over. feel pretty good about it. hope all goes well tomorrow!

• run: 4.5
• time: under an hour
• temp: 60
• road conditions: perfect. not too sunny, not too windy
• aches/pains: ankles felt wobbly at first, but were fine
• what i listened to when i ran: chatting with my friend
• comments: hard as hell to run in the evening, but i'm glad my friend got me out there!

• run: 3 mi
• time: 30 min
• temp: 39
• road conditions: perfect, had to stop for traffic and bad drivers several times
• aches/pains: all over until i got going
• what i listened to when i ran: the beatles - she's leaving home, ben folds - hiroshima, josh ritter - the temptation of adam, other lives - it was the night, josh ritter - baby that's not all, elliott smith - ballad of big nothing, the one-ders - that thing you do, josh ritter - open doors, josh ritter - in the dark.
• comments - quite the josh ritter day! felt so good out there. weather was perfect, knees weren't aching, had energy. finally registered for my first race! cost $36, but i got out cheap as i didn't do all the donations to the public schools. need that extra cash to pay for the boy's private school.

• run: 2.5
• time: 25
• temp: 40
• road conditions: nicely sunny
• aches/pains: 2 diet cokes gave me enough energy to push through the achiness
• what i listened to when i ran: the avett brothers - salina, chuck arrington - i'm gonna praise you, jeff buckley - last goodbye, camera obscura - the false contender, ben folds - lonely christmas eve, rem - hairshirt, depeche mode - waiting for the night.
• comments: salina is such a lovely song. nice day, glad i'm not running tomorrow. going to make the commitment to the burns park 5K!

• run: 2.8
• time: 30 min
• temp: 42
• road conditions: windy
• aches/pains: achy all day so far, most likely from pushing myself yesterday, but i made myself get out today. knees started aching at the last block.
• what i listened to when i ran: started out good with some elliott smith, a few ben folds and then turned into night ranger (which is actually fun to run to) and some crappy alanis morissette.
• comments: wiped out, but feeling better now. coughing a lot today. lots to do still. will start with pb&j for the girl.

friday, april 16

• run: 4 mi.
• time: 45 min
• temp: 55
• road conditions: windy, very windy
• aches/pains: knees started to ache at the end
• what i listened to when i ran: chatted with my running buddy, wind.
• comments: running in the evening after a long day is harder than the morning. glad i went, even though i had a concert date after. it was quite a lovely day.

• run: 2.7 mi
• time: 30 min
• temp: 45
• road conditions: sunny
• aches/pains: l ankle hurt upon waking but didn't bother me during the run
• what i listened to when i ran: the insides of my brain trying to fathom my world falling apart as it has for a friend of mine. all i remember is one matthew sweet song.
• comments: i need never complain about my problems ever again. i have none compared to those of others. my basic needs are met and i'm not in physical pain. i'm grateful today.

• run; 3 mi
• time: 30 min
• temp: 42
• road conditions: wet, but not too rainy
• aches/pains: l ankle, but it went away. stabbing pain in the middle of my back at the end.
• what i listened to when i ran: the afghan wigs - my world is empty without you, ben folds - trusted, josh ritter - other side, elliott smith - coast to coast, depeche mode - little 15, rem - final straw, catherine wheel - crank, night ranger - you can still rock in america.
• comments: great mix. was raining when it took the kids to school, but had stopped by the time i put my headphones on and got out to run. so glad :)

• run: 2.8 mi
• time: 30 min
• temp: 50
• road conditions: started to rain halfway thru
• aches/pains: really started to have problems with my r knee about a third thru. iced it a bit at home.
• what i listened to when i ran: teenage fanclub - about you, josh ritter - moons, ben folds - belinda, ben folds - effington, nin - kinda i want to, depeche moede - only when i lose myself, other lives - matador, belle & sebastian - i'm waking up to us, teenage fanclub - i gotta know.
• comments: nice mix. i love this path. worried about the pain. taking tomorrow off for sure.

• run: 4.6 mi
• time: ?
• temp: 27
• road conditions: frozen
• aches/pains: r knee at end, l hamstring about half way through.
• what i listened to when i ran: nature, chatting
• comments: feel badly that i didn't get in another run during the week, but i still was able to do well on this long run today, thanks to my friend for motivation.

• run: 2.8 mi
• time: under 30
• temp: 55
• road conditions: muggy
• aches/pains: sharp pain in l foot, but went away
• what i listened to when i ran: paul mccartney and wings - 1985, guster - red oyster cult, rem - pop song 89, depeche mode - ice machine, metallica - that was just your life, gladhands - gore girls, josh ritter - leaving, elliott smith - bye
• comments: i like the slow incline and slow decline of this path. lots of stuff to look at downtown. perfect weather as the rain didn't fall. don't know how i'm not going to get an extra run in this week but i will.

• run: 2.8 mi
• time: 30 min
• temp: 29 to 42 during that time
• road conditions: blindingly sunny
• aches/pains: back a little sore
• what i listened to when i ran: guster - amsterdam, elliott smith - needle in the hay, art garfunkel - so in love, other lives - end of the year, ben folds - fred jones part 2, panic at the disco! - i write sins not tragedies, chuck arrington - the list son (reprise), tears for fears - i believe.
• comments: felt like a heathen running past churchgoers in their finest, but i'm going to a later service. weird to be running in shorts and t a few hours ago and back into tights and gloves this morning.

• run: 2.8 mi
• time: ?
• temp: 70
• road conditions: windy
• aches/pains: guilt for not getting out earlier
• what i listened to when i ran: the charlatans - the only one i know, josh ritter - next to the last romantic, ben folds - bitch went nuts - hotel lights - wedding day, elliott smith - bled white, ben folds - fired, the mountain goats - philippians 3:20-21, elliott smith - christian brothers, josh ritter - idaho, the morning benders - chasing a ghost.
• comments: ran downtown because i wanted to see what was going on for hash bash. my schedule is all thrown off but i'm glad i got out and just before it ran. nothing all that interesting but for the first time i ran the whole way without knowing where i was going or how far. it's nice to be able to trust myself enough to do that now.

• run: 3 mi
• time: 30
• temp: 50
• road conditions: lots of commuters, roads nice and dry
• aches/pains: back a little sore before, not now
• what i listened to when i ran: fleetwood mac - tusk, hotel lights - norina, alanis morissette - ironic, matthew sweet - come to love, the beatles - it's only love, peter, paul and mary - early in the morning, josh ritter - man burning, elton john - all the girls love alice, elliott smith - angeles, ben folds five - battle of who could care less.
• comments: good run at parts, the music carried me through some parts, expecially at the end. arms are flabby - need to do some work on them before it gets really hot out. got the double wave going. aging sucks. glad i have the day off. gonna watch a dvd.

• run: just under 3
• time: 35?
• temp: around 30
• road conditions: frozen mud
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: chatted with a friend, did learn that pandora streams on the iphone.
• comments: ran in the arb for the first time. lots of hills. it was really nice to run with my friend this morning. i would have never tried this on my own - looked too intimidating. nice start to the day!

sunday, march 28

• run: 2.8
• time: under 30
• temp: 36
• road conditions: really fucking wet
• aches/pains: l hamstring a bit
• what i listened to when i ran: my iphone got stuck on the s's, but i can't remember the songs now. was pretty good.
• comments: was pouring like mad halfway through. had my iphone tucked in my tank under my windbreaker and it stayed dry! ran really fast because i wanted to get home because i was soaked.

• run: 4.6 miles
• time:???
• temp: 25
• road conditions: good
• aches/pains: l hamstring hurt after a while
• what i listened to when i ran: chatting, nature
• comments: ran with my running buddy. we did 2 times around bandemer park, which is supposed to be 2 miles but i mapped it at 2.3. there was a big hill we did that's not part of my normal path because i'm not coming from the house, so it was tough. it's nice to run with someone to keep you motivated :)

• run: 2.8
• time: 30 min
• temp: 45
• road conditions: wet and rainy - got sprayed by a car!
• aches/pains: laziness in my heart
• what i listened to when i ran: ben folds five - missing the war, foo fighters - baker street, ben folds - kate (boo), gwen stefani - hollaback girl, the beatles - i've just seen a face, metallica - fade to black, other lives - matador, tears for fears - everybody wants to rule the world.
• comments: icky rainy day. not a bad run. ready to curl up on the couch and watch "nurse jackie" until i have to shower and go to work!

• run: 2.9 mi
• time: 30 min
• temp: 38
• road conditions: perfect
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: ben folds five - lullabye, saturday looks good to me - you work all weekend, yaz - only you, melanie - brand new key, rufus wainwright - april fools, josh ritter - leaving, duran duran - the chauffeur, the beatles - if i fell.
• comments: nice, crisp morning. saw the first daffodil of the season! like the new path - keeps me running and not walking because people are around. i like looking at the neighborhood, passing jimmy johns, knowing it's just a shade longer than my old route and a lot hillier. the rufus wainwright song brought me back to flying to and from vegas. kind of bittersweet looking back on it, but it sure was fun at the time!

• run: 2.75
• time: 30 min
• temp: 32
• road conditions: slight sprinkling of rain
• aches/pains: r back mildly
• what i listened to when i ran: my iphone started at the beginning of my songs and i found out pretty quickly but didn't change it. depeche mode - agent orange, guster - airport song (twice!!!!), elliott smith - alameda, saturday looks good to me - alcohol, metallica - all nightmare long, saturday looks good to me - all of our summer songs. i kept waiting for all u can eat but turns out it was still a few songs away!
• comments: didn't feel like going out but i did it anyway. wore my windbreaker and it was a little chilly at first but i sure warmed up by the time i got to main! shower time!

• run: 3 mi
• time: ?
• temp: 37 (30 degrees less than yesterday)
• road conditions: perfect
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: chatted with my running buddy
• comments: went up to stadium, detour through a neighborhood to pauline, and then back to main. felt really good to run with someone else again - practically forgot i was running!

Friday, March 19

run: 2.5

time: 30 min

temp : 67

road conditions: perfect

aches/pains: sweated like a fucking pig

what i listened to when i ran: some stuff by ben folds, the pipettes - pull shapes (this came on at the perfect time).

comments: ran in shorts and a tank top and felt naked but then got so sweaty i didn't care. was able to get home from work, quickly change, run, stretch, spongebath, change, and pick up the kids. then got a flurry for lunch because i forgot to bring mine to work after all this.