Long Live the King
Oct. 30th, 2022 01:51 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
pshaw_ravenWith Nana-cat gone, there are now two humans and two cats, so the balance of species power has shifted in their favor. But there are also now two male cats and a cat power vacuum, so they've taken to occasionally debating who is the top cat. These "debates" have been taking place at 1:30 am in my bedroom, for reasons I don't yet understand. Perhaps I'm supposed to be moderating this, like the sleep-deprived love child of Brian Lamb and Dr. Dolittle.
Anyway, I got out early this morning for my long run and managed to mainly succeed in pissing off my IT band - a recurring problem with me. I put it down to Covid and everything else this summer and fall. I keep feeling like I'm behind and adding longer miles to my workouts to "catch up." Which is stupid of me, I know better than that, but the little voice in my head keeps telling me to run longer or I'll post my first DNF. I normally train by the rule that says, be realistic about where you are, and train from there, not from where you think you ought to be. Anyway, I don't need to break any records or set PRs, just finish. So I'm taking time off this week ahead of the Wine & Dine 10k and half to just rest up. I have two more marathons and an ultra, but after the ultra in early December I can take it easy a while. In March I'll restart my plan to build both speed and endurance, the one I was working from this year when I got sick.
But being out very early in the morning meant I saw some cool stuff, like the local Crows getting a head start on their day by mobbing a Hawk, another Hawk just flying around screeching for some reason, a Bald Eagle out near the state forest, and a massive gathering of Turkey Vultures at some hunter's leftover gut pile. Plus a loose dog that got a face full of pepper gel.
I finally decided around mile eight to just walk home, though I could have put up with the pain. Yes, I could have run through it in a race, but for a training run, there's no reason to risk injuring myself. I ended up walking about five more miles through the state forest and across some fire/logging roads to get back home, and Fox walked out to meet me when he saw I wasn't doing too hot. By that time my ankles, hip, and hamstrings were all hurting and I was not thinking clearly, so when I saw another person ahead of me on one of the access trails, I considered getting off the trail and hiding in some brush, because meeting another lone person in the forest is generally Not Good. Yeah, my brain was starting to go into "just survive" mode. God, I'm dramatic.
Anyway, the camper is out and it's time to start packing soon. It will be nice to get away for a few days, and hopefully when we get home it will be cooler here. It's not super hot today but it's humid AF. Gross.
Anyway, I got out early this morning for my long run and managed to mainly succeed in pissing off my IT band - a recurring problem with me. I put it down to Covid and everything else this summer and fall. I keep feeling like I'm behind and adding longer miles to my workouts to "catch up." Which is stupid of me, I know better than that, but the little voice in my head keeps telling me to run longer or I'll post my first DNF. I normally train by the rule that says, be realistic about where you are, and train from there, not from where you think you ought to be. Anyway, I don't need to break any records or set PRs, just finish. So I'm taking time off this week ahead of the Wine & Dine 10k and half to just rest up. I have two more marathons and an ultra, but after the ultra in early December I can take it easy a while. In March I'll restart my plan to build both speed and endurance, the one I was working from this year when I got sick.
But being out very early in the morning meant I saw some cool stuff, like the local Crows getting a head start on their day by mobbing a Hawk, another Hawk just flying around screeching for some reason, a Bald Eagle out near the state forest, and a massive gathering of Turkey Vultures at some hunter's leftover gut pile. Plus a loose dog that got a face full of pepper gel.
I finally decided around mile eight to just walk home, though I could have put up with the pain. Yes, I could have run through it in a race, but for a training run, there's no reason to risk injuring myself. I ended up walking about five more miles through the state forest and across some fire/logging roads to get back home, and Fox walked out to meet me when he saw I wasn't doing too hot. By that time my ankles, hip, and hamstrings were all hurting and I was not thinking clearly, so when I saw another person ahead of me on one of the access trails, I considered getting off the trail and hiding in some brush, because meeting another lone person in the forest is generally Not Good. Yeah, my brain was starting to go into "just survive" mode. God, I'm dramatic.
Anyway, the camper is out and it's time to start packing soon. It will be nice to get away for a few days, and hopefully when we get home it will be cooler here. It's not super hot today but it's humid AF. Gross.
no subject
Date: 2022-10-31 09:56 pm (UTC)I have a similar issue. I make headway in my workouts then something derails me & I start to mentally beat myself up about it.
The loose dog factor is still keeping me from walking/running my road, which is a bummer because I discovered that the builder has expanded & even created another road! It would be perfect not to have to drive. I think the hills would challenge me a little too much but I could deal. DH is supposed to be walking 2-3 times a day but as of yet has only taken 1 walk since his surgery on Fri. I was hoping that maybe he can accompany me a couple times to determine if it's safe enough for me. In the early days of our moving in, I encountered some very aggressive loose dogs then some wild pigs & that scared me pretty good. I wasn't sure I was going to make it home unscathed. But hey - I got in extra cardio :blargh:
I'm so glad that it was your husband on the trail & not a stranger!
no subject
Date: 2022-11-01 12:09 pm (UTC)Why do people think it's appropriate to let their dogs just roam at large? Loose dogs are a menace, and people who do that shouldn't be allowed to have pets at all. That being said, Sabre Red pepper gel is a good choice, it's inexpensive on Amazon and legal in Florida. I've been able to deter some pretty aggressive and determined dogs with it, though I'd recommend making a cardboard target to practice one, so that you're sure you can get the eyes and nostrils. The USPS uses something called Halt! which is also supposed to be good, but Sabre has worked for me in the past.
no subject
Date: 2022-11-02 01:08 pm (UTC)