This is the time that I get tired again

and I claim that I'm not, maybe, possibly going to direct the women's run next year, I'm never training for another marathon, my sisters won't have any more babies, I didn't get diagnosed with something that makes me tired, and I lie lie lie - because that all is true.

First off - my sister had another wonderful baby - and a new member of my Packers offensive line, her fifth son, Thomas Seeker Verhaalen.  If he proves as tough in the future as he did coming into this world, he's all-star (and he is, anyway!).

So, to run it down:  I'm directing the women's run next year (with heavy help -thanks Sally#1); I'll probably run another marathon; my nephew, Thomas Seeker Verhaalen, was born the Saturday of the women's run and is now doing well; HIPPA prevents me from disclosing the other stuff; and yes, I lie and I lay, on the couch, very tired.

It's been a tough week or sotwothree.  And, so, I engage my yoga breath and focus on the present, mostly.  Last Saturday, I ran a delightful running tour of the Jefferson and Monticello neighborhoods.  Afterward, we watched a car careen into a tree and take off. 

But, here's the running/walking tour group after the very interesting tour

and here's the front end the guy left

On Sunday, I needed to 'add on' 5 miles prior to the Fleet Feet group run of 9 miles.  So, when I arrived at 5 a.m., I was surprised by my buddy, Jim (not in a creepy way), and we pre-ran 5 miles before the 6 a.m. start time - tough for me (I was running 10k pace) and tough for Jim (he was running turtle pace). Then, we sucked down water, took a deep breath, and ran the next 9 miles (he faster than me). 

I experienced awful leg cramps for the last mile - in equal parts, perhaps, due to HOT HUMID temps, long run, improper prepartion on my part, and the new medical crap.  In any event, I made it, but had to wait and wait for the cramps to calm before I could drive home.  (And, after, that, when Simba was settling down for her much-loved atop-Sally's-hip-post-run nap on the couch, my legs kept cramping, disturbing her sleep, and she gave up on my nap -- then I did the same).

So, today I tried to hydrate heavily, wear sexy compression socks all day, and make it to the Muertitos time trial - to run it easy.  It was over 100 degrees, but I managed NOT to cramp, but take some crazy run pics.

Next week is worse - schedule-wise (overtime), weather-wise (all triple-temps), and distance-wise (40 miles or so).  But, no more new nephews forecasted, Tommy is doing well, and I'll get to meet him in October.  So, it will all be good.

  Thanks to Ceci, the Verhaalens, & SA Office of Historic Preservation for the pics.

Women's Run 5k

I did NOT run this race.  Because I kind of (accidentally?) said I'd possibly consider directing the race, starting next year, maybe.  Translated - I was announced as the new race director for next year at this year's race.  I guess I'm in. 

I 'assisted' this year and - holy cow - it is a lot of work to put on this race!  This was the 32nd running of the race, and we had 613 runners/walkers and over 150 male volunteers.  Luckily, there were no casualties - and the top gal ran it the hilly, challenging course in 17:40ish - smoking fast.

Here's the news coverage and photo show
http://www.photoshow.com/watch/dJ5ec3sp

Beamer's coverage (including the Brak Pak finish line crew) and my almost-famousness is here
http://www.woai.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=2674465

and more coverage at 10 -- http://www.woai.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=2674654

Before the race with my super fotog, Ceci - click to enlarge this one - Jerome hogging the shot in back is hilarious

the Brak Pak guys handing out chips (they also handled the finish line)

pre-race yoga led by my friend, Kristal

starting line - that's my butt over there in the red/black skirt and pink sparkly hat by the lead truck (it was REALLY cool to ride in there and watch the lead gals battle it out along the course)

large and in charge?

this is the one labeled "future race director" in the slide show - eek

with the overall masters runner and walker - and Sally #1, the current race director (I'm #2)

handing out awards and door prizes with local anchor, Randy Beamer

So, this time next year should be even more interesting!

Thanks to Ceci, Tom, and Randy Beamer for the coverage.

No race weekend, but upping the mileage

This weekend, I ran the women's 5k course, passing out flyers, then ran 12 miles on Sunday.  Then, I crashed for a little while.  When I awoke, I heard the strangest sound - it was RAIN!  It lasted 5 minutes, but it was welcomed. 

Tonight, I ran a recovery run with the muertitos - here are some pics from Ceci (I'm sporting the women's run shirt - so register for Saturday's run and get your shirt).

thanks Ceci!

yes, please support me in 'spaying the world,' as my Dad says

So, I spay and neuter animals - why not teenagers? When I started my newest job about 4 years ago in a 'New Deal' program, my very socialist side always thought "just pay everyone - they hurt."  I haven't gotten jaded, like many folks with whom I work, but I really REALLY see a cycle of teen pregnancy and dependence on 'the system' at all levels, which repeats over the generations.  And one of the pastors tonight brought up the difficulty in combating bad information from parents: it just happens that a girl gets pregnant early, drops out of high/middle/ELEMENTARY school, applies for food stamps, applies for SSI, and teaches her kids to do the same while trying to raise them with no parenting, life, or coping skills.  And boys just leave.  That's all there is in life.  The files I write often involve a 30 y/o grandma, a 16 y/o mom, and a 2 y/o child - all applying for disability - and, sometimes, warranting it, due to the associated health problems in teenage and no-prenatal care pregnancies. 

So, enter Healthy Futures.  It's actually a great, small non-profit, aimed at reducing teenage pregnancy through abstinence plus (and plus) and self-esteem based education - in conjunction with many other organizations.  So I really can't s/n people - just by words and information.

But it's an interesting program - since they are non-partisan, prevention-based - there were many pastors/reverends there and politicians - religious and secular, pro-choice and pro-life, etc. - the focus is really on prevention and empowering kiddos.  The founder is a family practitioner (MD) who has developed curricula for whichever way the TX legislature blows (currently abstinence only or abstinence plus with parental approval) in order to get information and peer-based programs in the schools (and churches, and community groups, etc.).  So, her programs are not only allowable in the schools,but are also used in the juvenile court program and TCS (major offenders). 

Please check out the program at http://www.healthyfuturestx.org/, like them at https://www.facebook.com/HealthyFuturesTX, and think about using them as a resource, be ye parent, caregiver, guardian, teacher, or just responsible community fellow!

My BIRTHDAY!

I love my birthday.  I celebrate it for about a month.  And I give most of you the day off in my honor.  But, for the first time ever, there are no fireworks for my birthday here in San Antonio.  We're under severe drought/fire conditions, so even mis vecinos aren't drunkenly firing off bottle rockets!  But, I did get to enjoy a crazy weekend.

Saturday, I woke up late and hit my long run (11 miles) - heading out down the riverwalk from the Pearl Brewery, past the Blue Star Brewery, and past the Lone Star Brewery to check out the new opening of the Mission Reach section of the riverwalk.  It was a neat run (reminded me of Milwaukee), but it was VERY, VERY hot.  Then, I hit a dinner for my friends' 40th wedding anniversary.

Then, very early, I ran 6 miles at Fleet Feet, took a nap, and hit my friend, Rochie's house to stain her fence and clean out raingutters as part of a gals-coop we're doing.  She fed us an awesome lunch - then, I headed to Holly's pool party - fun with the tri crowd.

Then, this morning, I ran the Freedom 4 miler, which was hot and hilly - here are the pics from Tom (thanks) -

 UPhill

shameless promoting sponsors

Then, I napped HARD.