Running with other strangers

Sometimes I run with strangers.  Like here and maybe here and maybe sometimes I have not mentioned.  This is mostly due to the fact that, in my minimal research, runners are not axe murderers or serial killers.  They're generally just folks looking to make up mileage while traveling - like Shalama, her mom, and her aunt tonight.  I love it when you can just meet folks for a run - anytime, anywhere.

Still catching up...

So, this past weekend was the AuGUSTO 10k.  I didn't remember which distance I signed up for - and was pretty happy it was not the 18k.  It is possible that, if you can't remember which distances you registered for in races, you are 1) getting old 2) run too many races 3) slightly insane.  But, I eschew those notions and am claiming that I'm just a little busy and tired.  And maybe a twee bit insane.

It was a good day for a run - not over 100 degrees and not flooded - two very important things in San Antonio.

Before:

And, at the end of the course, there are two friggin uphills - which I and the gal behind me walked up....then, she tried to pass me in the finish chute.  I'm not very competitive, but I will NOT get passed in the finish chute - so BAM - I flew in to beat that chica out for 18th place, F 40-49.  Booyah.

And then, we recuperated.

And, somehow, I'm the fat gal in the pic.  I totally need to find bigger people with whom to run.

So, back to clean eating - and making my crazy veggie/fruit salad for breakfast in the morning.  Ironically, next up: Labor Day Whine Run, where I will drink healthy wine.

La Guerra's guide to running like a Mexican

I know, I know - I promised that after the Women's 5K and book (BOTTLE) club, I'd catch up.  Maybe I just promised that to myself, and possibly the critters and the voices in my head.  But the bottom line is - hasn't happened yet.  Maybe I'll just make a realistic goal, like I'll catch up by next year?

So, lately....I ran the Loteria 5K as a beer can. 

For those of you unfamiliar with the Mexican culture, with which I am obsessed, Loteria is "Mexican bingo" - there are character cards, and we dress as them for this race.  One is El Borracho (the drunk)...and we were his cervezas.

It was a little challenging to run in this costume, but not as hard as being a running jellyfish in the dark.  Here's how you can still look like a crazy running chicken, while costumed as a beer...

Here we go - this may chafe

And done....I was NOT actually drinking a beer along the run - our cans just fell off and we were trying to be environmentally conscious. (Our 'cans falling off' is NOT a euphemism.)

And, my second lesson for you in SA/Mexican culture is about beer salt - it is salt that you put on your beer (shockingly), often accompanied with a fresh lime.  Here are the beers with the beer salt folks - because this is how we run in San Antonio!

And then I had the pleasure of meeting Ceci's mama - in from Patzcuaro, MX

And that's why this Anglo gal is called La Guerra....

Two a days...

When I started my current job, I realized just HOW much of a hypochondriac I am.  With every file I wrote, I was sure I had hepatitis, degenerative disc disease, and even cyclical vomiting syndrome (it's real - I looked it up).  Gradually, I've convinced myself that I probably (luckily) don't have those impairments - and definitely not the prostate problems.  Yet, I remain fascinated with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - and I mentally diagnose EVERYONE around me.  Yes, even you as you read this - in doing so, you are clearly disturbed, and I am diagnosing you with bad things. 

My favorite is 'diagnosing' (NOTE:  I have NO formal medical training other than CPR and First Aid) people by their groceries in the HEB line.  Today, I determined the lady in front of me was clearly compulsive - her groceries were ordered heaviest to lightest, with coldest near the end - she has way too many cats and dogs, buys too many organic vegetables that will likely end up as compost, and she probably drinks too much Sauvignon Blanc.  Clearly a mess.  Then, I realized those were MY groceries, and my diagnosis was DEAD ON.  I love being right - mostly.

So, that's just the long way of saying I may be a little anxious/obsessive/compulsive - let's just say "not otherwise specified."  Before the Women's 5K, I sign up for every race I find, in order to market the Women's 5k.  After the Women's 5K, I sign up for every race I find, because see above.  So, I ended up registering for two races this past Saturday, compulsively, perhaps.

The first was the Fleet Feet Sunrise 5k (in a moment of lucidity, I dropped down to the 5K distance).  It was hot, but held in a nice venue, with a shady course. Here's before the race and the start:

And the finish...

Check out those new shoes!
Surprisingly (okay, shockingly), I ended up 2nd in my new old lady age group...

and we hung out in the hot, hot sun...

Then, I went home and obsessively sucked down water, napped, picked up my next race packet, drank some more water, napped some more, and got ready for the Scallywompus Battle of the Mac Pac 8K.  It was also blazing hot.  Before the race - that's water in the cup - I was still desperately trying to rehydrate and maybe trying not to look goofy.

 and we're off...

 Looking like a crazy running chicken .1 miles in - this could be bad

But I'm a SMILING crazy running chicken.

And done.  No medal for this one.  That is NOT my time (the 8K was on a delayed start).
After that, I worked on dehydrating...

And was on the lookout (paranoid?) for paparazzi

But I got over it and danced some...

with a water bottle slung over my shoulder.  Because that's how real dancers do it.
Luckily, better dancing followed.

And then I went home and obsessively drank water and slept - a lot. 

Next up is the Loteria 5K and some major housecleaning.  My OCD only applies to chores to the extent that I obsessively think about how much I don't want to clean the house and compulsively avoid such tasks by going for a run.

Thanks to IAAP, Victor, Michele, Scallywompus, and Emily Daum for the pics!