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Another Trip Around the Sun
Aug. 16th, 2020 09:18 amYesterday's birthday celebration was low-key and enjoyable. I made a lemon cake with matcha frosting and it turned out very good. The citrus and green tea is a great combo, I guess that's not really surprising though. The cake portion baked up nicely, though it took a good ten minutes longer in the oven to actually set that the recipe called for, so I am considering picking up an oven thermometer so I can keep an eye on the heating. Fox and I also picked up "Stranger Things," which we didn't see when it came out because we didn't have Netflix. We're really enjoying it so far, even though we're only two episodes in. It's hitting all the paranormal and horror spots I want in a series.
This morning a small, angry cloud passed over us. At around 5 a.m. it suddenly started pouring rain - judging from the sound it might have hit a rainfall rate of two inches per hour. It didn't rain for an entire hour, though. After about twenty minutes it stopped as suddenly as it had started. I looked at the radar when I got up and in the entire northeastern Florida region that was covered, there was one tiny blob of yellow and red, and it went right over our house.
Today I start half marathon training. My 'official' race is cancelled (grumble) but I plan to get out that Sunday and run 13.1 miles anyway, under as close to racing conditions as possible. So the plan is to hit the road at first light. My usual water stop is closed because someone bought the property, but if things are quiet out there Saturday evening, I may still leave a drop bag at the telephone utility boxes. These people may turn out to be exceptions, but no one out here has objected to my stashing water bottles along my running route. And this is all contingent upon weather - if the weather doesn't permit, I'll be doing this on the treadmill.
The goal is to get as close to a two-hour half as possible. Even though some race conditions can't be replicated, like the choke points that make walking necessary, I am still going to consider this a PR if I make it. I mean, in part I feel like it's a bit unfair - like when they were running the sub-two marathon and Mo had pacers, and that car with a laser guide, and all that jazz. Without knots of people slowing you down, you can always race faster. But I also feel like if I do it under my own power it should count. Plus, having this as a goal motivates me to actually get my workouts done. This past couple of weeks it's been hard to convince myself to go run or do much of anything fitness-wise. Why bother, my races are all canceled. So the Keystone Heights Raven Run Half Marathon is something to work towards that should keep my interest and fitness up over the next couple of months, then it's a smooth transition into finishing up 50k training for the Hellcat, which is still planned to be "on" for January.
Today's run is a basic 3 miler, nothing fancy. Since I farted off all week I might as well start at the very beginning. I'm also going to remember to keep an eye on my heart rate, since I have noticed when I make a point of training in Zone 2 like so many coaches and runners recommend, I actually do seem to be capable of racing faster. I'm ball-parking this since I have a Fitbit rather than a full-blown chest strap heart monitor but I think it'll be good enough. I'm not an elite by any means, but I am the most elite female endurance runner in my household.
Nana-cat is the most elite female sprinter. Her little ass is fast. Especially after her morning constitutional when she goes zooming around the house like, "YAY I POOPED"
Recycling pickup should resume tomorrow, and I'm thinking about a trip to Jax Oriental Market. I need to top off some of my pantry staples, and moon cakes should be on sale. I think the actual festival is today but that isn't going to stop me from acquiring some delicious pastries.
This morning a small, angry cloud passed over us. At around 5 a.m. it suddenly started pouring rain - judging from the sound it might have hit a rainfall rate of two inches per hour. It didn't rain for an entire hour, though. After about twenty minutes it stopped as suddenly as it had started. I looked at the radar when I got up and in the entire northeastern Florida region that was covered, there was one tiny blob of yellow and red, and it went right over our house.
Today I start half marathon training. My 'official' race is cancelled (grumble) but I plan to get out that Sunday and run 13.1 miles anyway, under as close to racing conditions as possible. So the plan is to hit the road at first light. My usual water stop is closed because someone bought the property, but if things are quiet out there Saturday evening, I may still leave a drop bag at the telephone utility boxes. These people may turn out to be exceptions, but no one out here has objected to my stashing water bottles along my running route. And this is all contingent upon weather - if the weather doesn't permit, I'll be doing this on the treadmill.
The goal is to get as close to a two-hour half as possible. Even though some race conditions can't be replicated, like the choke points that make walking necessary, I am still going to consider this a PR if I make it. I mean, in part I feel like it's a bit unfair - like when they were running the sub-two marathon and Mo had pacers, and that car with a laser guide, and all that jazz. Without knots of people slowing you down, you can always race faster. But I also feel like if I do it under my own power it should count. Plus, having this as a goal motivates me to actually get my workouts done. This past couple of weeks it's been hard to convince myself to go run or do much of anything fitness-wise. Why bother, my races are all canceled. So the Keystone Heights Raven Run Half Marathon is something to work towards that should keep my interest and fitness up over the next couple of months, then it's a smooth transition into finishing up 50k training for the Hellcat, which is still planned to be "on" for January.
Today's run is a basic 3 miler, nothing fancy. Since I farted off all week I might as well start at the very beginning. I'm also going to remember to keep an eye on my heart rate, since I have noticed when I make a point of training in Zone 2 like so many coaches and runners recommend, I actually do seem to be capable of racing faster. I'm ball-parking this since I have a Fitbit rather than a full-blown chest strap heart monitor but I think it'll be good enough. I'm not an elite by any means, but I am the most elite female endurance runner in my household.
Nana-cat is the most elite female sprinter. Her little ass is fast. Especially after her morning constitutional when she goes zooming around the house like, "YAY I POOPED"
Recycling pickup should resume tomorrow, and I'm thinking about a trip to Jax Oriental Market. I need to top off some of my pantry staples, and moon cakes should be on sale. I think the actual festival is today but that isn't going to stop me from acquiring some delicious pastries.
