Sorta Out of Sorts

I'm off my rocker. First it was the laptop issue and I think I've overcome that. Then there's the getting ready for vacation rush. I'm just not in the routine I want. I ran yesterday but only three miles. I was sore and slow. The humidity was palpable. I promised myself I'll go tomorrow. There's a race in Rhode Island (mmmmm, Rhode Island) sometime this weekend but I don't know which day. I have to train up for that and just be ready when I get there on Friday night. It's all about losing the watch when I get there. I go on Jamaican time: Don't worry. Be Happy.
I hope you're all coping with your summer paces. I'm hopeful to catch a run with Jank while up there, not to mention Movin' Susan. That will be fun.
Maybe we should develop little icons to paste on our blogsites to signify how many of the RBFamily we've met. Kinda like Red Baron Snoopy has German crosses on his dog house ... sorta.

Barely Alive

...that would be my 'other' laptop. It's slowing to a crawl and screams like hell when it gets warmed up. I'm dragging important files to my flash drives and bringing them over to this year-old HP that I inherited from son T. who left for West Point yeterday. He gets a brand new Dell when school starts so I've taken over his personal laptop.
Running has been hot and humid, but what a surprise that must be for everybody. It is summer after all. I thought I tore it up on Wednesday morning only to see I was plenty hot and sweaty but not very fast. I guess I'll have to wait until next week when I'm up north to appreciate how this fine thick as cream cheese Florida weather has prepared me for running in 'cooler' weather up north. Then again, they have real hills up there.
I'm as ready as a graduating senior to get the heck out of town and have a vacation. My mind needs to shut down and forget work. I know there are those of you out there who pride yourself in working to the bone and never getting away but let me say this to you, "Phtttttt. Yeah, right. Have at it." I know I'm going to be more fired up and effective after vacation. It's been a long year; a decent and good year but taxing.

Due to Technical Difficulties ....

I am having a laptop problem: the fan is burning out I believe. It's whining and complaining. You'd think Mia or Jon were inside. I fear for the consequences of the rest of the laptop by running it too long without any cooling so my on-lap time is now being reduced to essentials. Posting blog stories about my runs is not essential.
I will be visiting repair stores in search of a 4-year old fan replacement part (Ha!! Good luck) or shopping for a new laptop.
I already tried the super duper vacuum sucker treatment to relieve the blade of gunk. It's not as noisy but still not blowing any air out the vent.
If you have any ideas - all your tech wizards - please post. HELP!!!!

TV Finally Inspires Me

So yesterday the TV is on. I don't know who left it on Fox Sports but there for the viewing was the San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon one hour show. It is rare to see a running event on TV so I watched for awhile - actually until it was over - and was so inspired that I made immediate plans to run forever this morning. I picked up some Gu at Track Shack, ate well, drank little and went to bed early. At 600 I had breakfast and by 700 I was downtown looking for the long runners.
I followed some fasties who eventually pulled away yet still within visual distance. Only one guy passed me so I was somewhere in between two running group speeds and running solo. No matter.
At the four mile Gatorade stop I had a splash and pushed on. It was about 75 degrees, sunny and humid. It was a beautiful day and all the nice homes along the shady streets had manicured green lawns and vivid colors. I tore open my Gu at 55 minutes, dissolved a few grams in my mouth and felt the strength come back into my legs after a few minutes. At the 8 mile mark I started to veer over to a park where there are water fountains and a runner came up behind me (K.) who said if I followed her another 100 yards I could stop for some Gatorade she had stowed behind a wall. Sure enough, there was a cooler sitting there and in a few minutes there were seven of us taking a break to refresh, chat about wayward football quarterbacks in Tallahassee and run on.
I took the long route back downtown to add another mile or so to the run and came in just all happy with myself. Mission accomplished.
At home I took a swim in the pool, laid out in the sun with the dogs and listened to the birds still singing at nine in the morning.

Righty or Lefty?

I ran this morning and realized I was doing it again. When I run, I default to using my right leg to do most of the work. My left just sort of goes along for the ride; not dramatically but enough that I can sense a difference. When I realize I am favoring again I make a little more effort to try and "lead" with my left leg stride. It's amazing to me how it rights the ship and propels me down the road with a bit more balance and speed.
That was the essence of my easy 4-mile run this morning. Form correction. Anybody else notice the same inclinations?