Ramble On

Anything but a Wordless Wednesday...

RAMBLING RANDOMNESS

FYI, in my last post the dog is trying to eat the bubbles and having fun.  When she was much younger she would love to chase the bubbles with a "woohoo!!!" attitude.

It figures that now we're  into November the weather is more summer-like.  I'm  not complaining one bit, but after the overcast and sometimes cold summer, I am enjoying the warmer weather.

 Clear skies.  

I know, not exciting.  This is the view from the parking structure of my doctor's office.

Running has been less productive as I would like.  I just can't get beyond the shin splints, still.  The right leg is OK, it's the left leg shin that will scream at me when I run anything beyond 5 miles.  It's not as sore as it was just a few weeks ago.  I know if I just stopped running for 3 weeks I could probably get rid of the shin splints once and for all, but  with a half marathon in about 4 weeks I can probably take one week off.  My mileage base isn't what it used to be, either.  The most I've run (at one time since about August) is 7 miles at one time.  Not good.  I'm all set for a slow 10K, not a half marathon.  My weekly mileage has suffered, too.  I've been running about 10 to 15 miles a week -- Not good, either.  Yikes. I guess my strategy will be to enjoy the ride, so to speak. My pacing is off, too.  I should be running in the low 9 minute mile to mid/high 8 minute mile range for a half marathon, not 11s and 12s.  I was so looking forward to PRing at the Las Vegas Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon, but I guess it's not to be.  I also have a 5k THIS weekend that I was hoping to do well at, but I'll do well when I'm finished and enjoying the champagne brunch after the race is over.

I know every runner tends to go through some sort of slump due to injury or  unforeseen circumstances, but, come on already.  It has been over 3 years!  I haven't had a PR since 2007 or early 2008.  2008 was when I had the fractures and surgery.  2009 was all about rehabbing and rebuilding and I was happy just to get going again.  2010 started out hopeful  and I was making a ton of progress, but then it was one illness or injury after the next.  Perhaps I need another odd number year.  2011?  Please?

Remember those Nike Lunarglide + 2 test shoes?  I LIKED THOSE, a lot.  They're more comfortable and durable that I expected they would be.  I've had past  issues with Nike's not lasting more than 100 miles, which isn't good for marathon training.  I've put well over 100 miles on those Lunarglides and they have hundreds of miles in them.  From what I've heard,  they're featured in the November 2010 Runner's World Magazine*.  They didn't use my 2 cents, but I thought I'd give those a positive mention , anyway.

Currently, I'm testing the Saucony Pro Grid Jazz 14.  I've had these a couple of weeks.  They're super durable and, for a neutral shoe, are really supportive.  These feel much firmer than other neutral shoes I've used, but Saucony's are durable and can usually take a beating.  Bonus points that they're not making my shin splints worse.  I still have my Sauconys from a wear test I did well over a year ago, and those still have a lot of run left in them.

Although the pastel green color is minimal, I still have issue with pastel colors on my running shoes, however, the mostly black, white and silver overlays and details makes up for it. 

Last week I pulled a muscle in my right hamstring while at my RU Run Fit Class.  As usual, I wasn't doing anything extraordinary.  We were doing warm up exercises when the cramp suddenly came on.  Most of the discomfort is gone, but every once in a while  I feel that minor tension in my hammy.  Sheesh.

Halloween came and went.  The kiddo went as Ironman.  His mother went to a party as a version of Lady Gaga the night before. I didn't dress up this year. Call me crazy, but I stayed home with the dog and doled out candy to the 30 trick or treaters who came by.   Go me.  My daughter took the kiddo trick or treating closer to our house and Hubs took the kid trick or treating on a second shift in a different part of the neighborhood.  It's not like the kid needed any more candy, I just think Hubs really likes trick or treating, plus there's a street in our neighborhood that caters to the adults and hands out bowls of chili and Dixie cups filled with margaritas.

Tuesday I was at the rental house waiting for the new renter to show up with a rent check.  She called to say she'd be about 30 minutes late.  I decided to walk my old run route in that neighborhood. Not much has changed there, other than a few more homes are up for sale, but I put in my 2 mile loop.   It was a beautiful day in the old neighborhood.

Since I had my cell phone with me, I used the GPS running program, however I just found out that Bones In Motion is closing shop and we can transfer our past data to another application.**  That's nice, but my cell phone doesn't work with the new application.  My cell phone carrier is not supported.  I was planning to post that map here, but now I can't.  SIGH.  I need to migrate  three years worth of data over to the new application so I don't lose it, but it won't migrate everything, such as my notes on the run and mile splits. Now I'm really glad that I have my Garmin, but that means I need to remember to wear it every single time I run, and I don't always remember to wear it.

It's kind of funny that, as adults, we still receive stickers.  Here's two I've just received:

I always expect the "I Voted" sticker.

I did not expect the nurse to slap a sticker on me for getting a flu shot.

I'm still going though testing to figure out the intermittent fatigue I've been dealing with all summer.  Today I gave more blood for allergy testing, although I have no idea which allergies I'm being tested for. I really should have been given a referral to an allergy specialist, but we'll see if anything shows up.

Finally, I was rummaging through several item that were in storage.  I came across a series of watercolors and inks that I created when I was a sophomore in high school...  19*cough*74*cough*...

This was before the advent of disposable, pre-filled tech pens and Prismacolor felt tipped pens that comes in ten-thousand colors.  I used cake water colors, sabline brushes, and a traditional fine point calligraphy pen and dipped that into a vial of India ink over and over again.  That really was so old school.  My style has changed so much since that time due to time.  That particular piece took weeks to do in a twice a week, two hour art class.  I don't think I would have the patience to do anything like that at this time in my life.  I take that back.  With the disposable, pre-filled tech pens and Prismacolor felt tipped pens the process would probably be faster, but it still would take more than one day.  I'd rather be out running.

Last Wednesday's Song:
Something Good This Way Comes - Jakob Dylan

PEACE

*I still have not received that issue. 
** I don't care for it.  BiM offered more data. 

Come Together

Spreckles Organ Pavilion - Balboa Park

TIART

Runner's Lounge "Take It and Run Thursday" question:

"If you had the knowledge, time and/or means by which to Organize a race - what would your "Race Info" include?

Would you chose an organization to donate to? What distance would you choose? Other questions to ponder - Location? Time? Race Expo attendees (guest speakers?)? Shirt design? Get as creative as you want...!"

I am so into this!

My dream race would benefit the Arts in schools. It would be called "The Arts Run." The Arts are something I've been passionate about for years, even though it sometimes does not come across that way in my blog. The art of motherhood sort of took over, but I'm slowly making my way back. School programs in California have been cut to shreds, and the first things to go are always Art, Theater, Dance and Music programs.

Expo - I think I would skip the pre race expo part and leave the festivities for the day of the race, but have an optional race number pick-up on two separate days, plus the pick up on race day. This would include picking up the swag, t-shirt and timing chip. Yes, I said "timing chip."

Distance - I would offer a 1 mile kids walk/run, a 5k - 10K walk/run. Only the 5k and 10K distances would have the option of using the timing chip.

Crown Point

Location - I have three places that come to mind. Somewhere along Mission Bay in San Diego, perhaps an out and back that goes to Crown Point, with very little concrete involved. It's gotta be mostly asphalt. Concrete just slows me down and I end up more achey... OR the race would go somewhere relatively flat through Balboa Park, which would start and end somewhere near Spreckles Organ Pavilion. The third place is around the flat parts of Shelter Island, which makes for a delightful and scenic morning run.

Shelter Island

Time - probably around 7 or 8 AM.

Time of year - Fall or Spring.

T-shirt - The t-shirts would be that tech-y, dry wick fabric. The t-shirt would be designed through a student competition, and the winner would have their art work on the back, along with some of the sponsors logos below it. The front of the t would have "The Arts Run" in smaller print, somewhere on the upper left or right hand side. Posters of the artwork would be available for sale, and the proceeds would go to benefit the Arts in schools.

Swag - The bag would be one of those reusable cloth-like bags, made from recycled materials or a simple backpack. In the bag: Information about the Arts and places to go to get creative, some sort of electrolyte powder sample, lip balm, samples of sun screen, samples of unscented anti-perspirant/deodorant, flashlights, small packets of wet wipes, a small art pad with a few colored pencils/crayons/pens, coupons for stores that support the arts, like music stores, art supply stores, costume stores, dance stores, and, duh, running/sporting goods store coupons. I'd purposely leave out things like granola bars and candy type bars. Those always seem to end up smooshed or melted at the bottom of the swag bag.

Prizes - The usual protocol : Prizes go to winner(s) of the - race male and female, age group/gender/top three. Since this an Arts race, costumes will be encouraged - and prizes for the best costumes will win. There will also be a random drawing. The prizes would range from artwork, tickets to a theater/art show/performance, massages, restaurants, sporting goods stores, etc...

The race - The National Anthem would be sung live or played by a live band or musician, preferably a student (or students) in the Arts. Whitney Houston's version of the National Anthem is great, but it's time we have some of our local talent take charge of the song. Walkers would have different bib colors than the runners, and walkers would have to start at the back or at a different time. (Weaving between walkers at the beginning of a race is not fun!) Water/electrolytes at mile 2 for the 5k, and miles 2 and 4 for the 10K. Mile markers at every mile, and splits at the 2 mile and 4 mile points. Ipods and/or MP3 players encouraged. Several race photograhers would be throughout the course of the race. Port-o-Potties would be plentiful and have a water pump and/or hand sanitizer kiosk near by. I'd prefer an actual restroom, but on race day that can have quite the line.

Race Medals - Still thinking about this one. For the kids it would be great to have a finisher's medal, but for the adults I'm thinking something like jewelry, perhaps a pendant or key chain.

After the race - Champagne Brunch. All the best brunch foods you can think of made by the winning contestants of Top Chef. (Hey, this is my dream race!) It's gotta have champagne so we can have mimosas... There would be bands and/or musicians, people creating art, dancers, etc, a place for the young-uns to play/paint, color, etc... Since this is an out and back race, no shuttles are needed. My choice of locations all have ample parking available close to the start/finish area.

Guest speakers - I find that some events really don't need guest speakers, especially for smaller local runs, but we would need someone, a celebrity type who runs and appreciates the arts, to announce the winners, hand out the prizes, and say a few words about the Arts Run.

There's so much to think about. I'm sure I left out a ton of things I would like to have at a race, but I suppose it's a start. A dream race would have to include me winning my age group, but, perhaps that's asking for a bit much...

Monday's song:
Mixed Emotions - The Rolling Stones

PEACE

Oh Happy Day

I've been tagged by Penny - Planet Ynnep Running for the Kreativ Blogger Award. Thanks, Penny, for the honor!

I'm supposed to name 6 things that make me happy and then tag 6 fellow bloggers....

1) The first and foremost thing that makes me happy is myself. I'm not trying to sound all self righteous, but I have to make myself happy first before I can be happy with anything else. After all, doesn't true happiness come from within?

2) My family at home, which would mean my husband, kids and grandson. Through lean and plenty, thick and thin, crazy and sane, we've always stuck together.

3) My friends. I have great friends. Many of them have moved afar, but we still keep in touch. I also have many new friends, and it thrills me to no end that I continue to meet such wonderful people.

4) Running. Running still makes me happy, even though I've endured pain because of it, kind of like childbirth... sort of. I can still solve all the world's problems when I go out for a run (even though it's now much slower) and feel some sense of accomplishment afterward.

5) Creativity. I cannot imagine my world without art, music, or creating anything -- food included. Even though the last time I drew or painted something was in helping my grandson with his homework, art is still the core of my being.

6) Home. My home needs a lot of work and repairs, and will be a work in progress for years to come. I've worked so hard to get here. I love where I live, though, even if my backyard is half kept and half barren, and we need to rip out the old fence, re-roof, make the kitchen bigger, and add on a master bedroom. It was my grandparent's house, built in the late 1940's. I'm hopeful we'll bring it back to how beautiful it once was, way back when.

Now I must tag and bestow the Kreative Blogger Award to these 6 creative people:

Anne

Barbie2be

Not Soccer Mom

Leslie

Katie

Evelyne

Yesterday's song:
Sketches - Daniel Lanois, Dan Fogelberg - Barbie2be

PEACE

Sketches

Mother and Child
Erik Morton 2005

Yesterday's song:
Gone, Gone, Gone (Done Moved On) - The Everly Brothers, Robert Plant & Allison Krauss


PEACE

The Mob Rules

This post is just because art IS in the eye of the beholder. I'm sure you know there's an actual cover art Grammy Award. I wonder if any of these album covers were award winning? No? How about for the worst?





I'm also thinking that Liberace's stylist need to share some fashion tips with Country Church. I don't know which is scarier, Black Sabbath or the Frivolous Five?

In case you've ever wondered, here's the entire list for the 100 Worst Album Covers, EVER.

Yesterday's song:
The Sweet Escape - Gwen Stefani - Heffer Blog

PEACE

Tangled Up In Blue

Last night my husband and I went on the Gallery and Wine Walk. It's an annual event in La Jolla and somewhat like an open house for participating art galleries. Wine is served at each art gallery, and food at some, which makes for a more relaxing and happy stroll through downtown La Jolla. We even ran into several people we knew, such as the stretch coach from our track club, long time friends, and a few of my husband's business contacts. One of my favorite galleries on the route was the Morrison Hotel Gallery, a "Fine Art Music Photography Gallery." I've been there a few times before, but it's always fun to look. There are some great candid and composed photos of music legends and bands, many from the 1960's and 1970's, such as Joni Mitchell, Jimi Hendrix, Robert Plant, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, The Doors, and so on. I also enjoyed strolling through the other art galleries and appreciating art in its many forms. It was a great evening to get away for a few hours and forget about the leaky the water heater and the state of our
economy.

EDIT

Activity:	Walk
Date:	09/26/08 10:58 AM
Distance:	3.35 miles
Time:	0:59:02
Speed:	3.4 mph
Pace:	17' 39 min/mile
Calories:	315

Yesterday's song:
Jalapeno - Big & Rich - Katiefeldmom



PEACE

Apples and Pairs

Yes, it's a song title, and it is spelled correctly. :)

I had my share of Art History classes in college. It's time for a trip down memory lane.



Artist
Paul Cézanne (French, 1839–1906)

Title
Still Life with Apples and Pears

Date
ca. 1891–92

Medium
Oil on canvas

Art work and photo from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.



Yesterday's song:
Crumbs From Your Table - U2 - Barbie2be

PEACE

Camera Obscura

It's not like I'm trying to rush things, well, OK, perhaps a little, but the past month (which felt like an eternity for me since I'm not doing much) is almost over. The Fourth of July holiday is just next week. Nablopomo just sent me an e-mail saying that July's theme is food. I guess I missed the June theme memo, which had to do with home - and I was certainly at home. I can deal with food. Perhaps I can get some cool photos of food, now that I'm up to speed on my food photography tips out of the July 2008 issue of Popular Photography magazine. Maybe I can even draw food. I could even post recipes.

Speaking of photography, my husband went and purchased his own DSLR camera. Costco.com had a pretty good deal on an Olympus E-510 with two lenses. The camera is probably about 3 generations up from mine, is much lighter and has more bells and whistles than mine does. The cool thing is that the lenses that came with this camera have a wider angle than the ones I have. However, the telescopic lens of my camera has more distance range than his, so we can swap lenses as needed. One of the features the E-510 has is a way to do panoramic type photos, using a larger media card or flash drive and software that came with the camera. This feature will be useful in photos of city blocks or longer buildings, and that's an important feature for someone like my husband, who depends heavily on visuals for potential clients. Now we're both happy with our cameras, and I hope mine will no longer go missing.

Yesterday's song:
Girls - Beastie Boys - Barbie2be

PEACE

Ghosts In My Machine

I've invested in a serger machine this week. I've been pricing them, but I didn't want to spend a ton of money on one either. This one wasn't overly expensive and the reviews were decent. I've never used a serger before BUT my daughter is currently taking a costume design class for collge credits and she knows how to use a serger. I'm hoping she'll teach me some tricks. I already have a few projects lined up! This machine will be awesome for stretch fabrics, especially when I attempt to make athletic garb. My mother sewed stretch fabric for YEARS without a serger. I wonder what she'd be thinking about this?


It sort of figures that my work schedule this week is rather busy, and I won't be able to play around with the serger until next week.

Having this machine is all tied into getting back into the creative side of my head.

Yesterday's Song:
How Great Thou Art - Elvis Presley - Barbie2be

Peace

How Great Thou Art

Edouard Manet - Le Bar aux Folies-Bergère

I'm trying to rework my mind to how I used to think back before I put college aside to have a family. Part of that thinking was involved with art and art history. I can't even think of the last time I went to an Art museum. My mind has been so detached from that world. It's time to get it back.

Yesterday's Song:
The Club - Ginuwine

Peace