September 26, 2013

Grandma's Game

Okay, so I've been trying to find a description of the solitaire game that I play online, since a lot of people are curious. It's hard to find any info when you don't know the name of it! My mom taught it to me when I was a kid (and her mom taught it to her...). My mom only won it one time, when she was pregnant with my older brother. I've been playing for probably 20 years, and I've NEVER won. But I still love to play!

I play it with real cards, not a digital version, because as far as I know, a digital version doesn't exist. When I did some digging around on Google today, I found this description of it, which is spot on! But it doesn't really help if you don't already know how to play it. Someone else was looking for it also, and posted the description, but nobody else knew what it was called. The closest game I can find is called Grandma's Game (also called Thirteen Packs).


Today's run was absolutely horrible. Everything seemed to go wrong, and it was like I was just destined to have a bad run today.

I had to get up super early (5:00) to drive someone to the airport, and when I got home, it was still dark outside, so I didn't head out right away. Instead, I watched the two-hour season premiere of Law & Order SVU and ate breakfast. I reeeally didn't want to run today, especially not 10 miles at a 8:58/mi pace!

When I thought of heading out, I just couldn't stand the idea of running my usual routes, so I procrastinated spent over an hour looking at maps to figure out a new place to run. I finally mapped out a 10-miler that goes between a couple of the Metroparks about 30 minutes away. I got dressed to run, and since I was "only" doing 10 miles, I didn't bring Gu or water or anything with me. I never need it on a 10-miler (famous last words).

I got about halfway there when I realized that I took our car that doesn't have a Metropark sticker on it. I didn't want to have to pay the $6 to get into the park when I have a perfectly good sticker at home, so I just decided to go somewhere else--the route that Jessica and I ran quite a bit when we were marathon training.

It didn't occur to me to think about how NOT shaded that route is, or about how I was starting my run at 10:30, when the sun was out in full force. I just really wanted to get it done. As soon as I started running, my legs felt clumsy and fatigued. You're never supposed to judge a run by the first mile, so I just prayed that it would get better. It didn't.

I had to carry my phone with me in case the school called about the kids, so I wore my SPI Belt. Ugh, I hate that thing! I cannot use it without it bouncing around like crazy. I was fiddling with that almost my entire run, and I was just so frustrated with it. I've tried it in front, in back, on each hip, facing out, facing in... it bounces no matter what.

I hit pace the first mile (actually, too fast), but after that, I just couldn't seem to get my pace to go faster than 9:15 ish, and then 9:30. It was creeping towards 10:00 as I continued on. I gave up trying to hit pace, and just focused on getting in the mileage. The sun was beating down on me, and I felt really hot and tired.

I ran five miles out, and then turned around. I started to feel REALLY thirsty, and I worried that I wouldn't be able to make it back to my car. I was kicking myself for not bringing water just in case. I saw a water bottle on the side of the road with some water in left in it, and I was seriously thinking about picking it up and drinking it. That's how desperate I was feeling.

I didn't have money with me, which was another mistake. I should have brought a couple of bucks to buy a water or something just in case! But I remembered that at mile eight, I'd be running past a recreation center, and I knew they had a water fountain. So I just hoped I'd make it until then. My mouth was really dry, and all I could focus on was getting to that water fountain.

Finally, I reached it, and drank way too much water there. We all know what happens when I drink too much water at once while running--stomach cramps. Awesome. But I was so thirsty that I didn't care. Almost immediately, the stomach cramps kicked in, and I had a sharp abdominal cramp where the stupid SPI Belt was resting bouncing around.

With a little over a mile to go, I had to cross an overpass, which is the only thing we have that resembles a hill around here. And it's a big one! When I got to the top, I stopped to give myself a goddamn break for a photo op.


Thanks to my small detour for the water fountain, I was a still a tenth of a mile from the car when my Garmin beeped that I'd done 10 miles; I was going to walk it, but wanted to be there so badly I just finished it out.


I'm actually surprised that my pace didn't end up in the 10:00's. I was trying to push it a little, since my goal was supposed to be 8:58 today. But wow, it was a tough run. Tomorrow, I just have a five-mile easy run on the schedule, and I'm looking forward to that! Five miles easy might as well be a rest day after all the miles I've been putting in during this Hansons' training. ;)

I had another great day on track as far as my food goes. I stuck to my food plan, including going out for a vanilla cone at McDonald's. The cones at McDonald's are my favorite way to spend 5 PointsPlus!

After dinner, Noah said to me, "Mama, there's a big black dog in our yard." So I went and looked out the window. I burst out laughing, because, well, THIS:


Yep, just a dog standing on a fire hydrant, nothing unusual. Bahaha, the neighbors had a car in their driveway that said "SIT MEANS SIT Dog Training", so I'm assuming that was the trainer's dog, showing off ;)

24 comments:

  1. Hi, I just found your blog, and I love it!

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  2. Katie I love your blog, but this whole post was really negative. Maybe try and look at the positive, you got to run injury free and it was nice enough out it wasn't snowing (yep, it was here!)

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    1. I actually loved this post and how real she is. It's not all sunshine and rainbows. I love how you always share your thoughts Katie :)

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    2. Diddo that Rocio. If Katie sugar coated stuff I don't think I would be reading every day. Most of us like to read her blog because she tells it like she is!

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    3. Well, the way I look at it, I could write only the positive; or I could write the truth. I promised myself when I started this blog (a journal of my experiences with weight and running), that I would always be honest, no matter what!

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    4. Posts like these help me remember that it isn't always easy - when it's *frequently* not easy for me, it's easy to let yourself think you're doing something *wrong* by not enjoying it as much as other people claim to do. I love the honesty and reality-check of Katie's blog!

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  3. My question is: will I ever be able to get out there and run miles and miles like you do? I hope the answer (to myself) is yes!!

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    1. Hey, when I started, I couldn't even run down my street! So yes, if you put in the effort, you CAN do it! :)

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  4. It is a little comforting to know you have a bad run every now and again, too. I can't imagine why you had issues with your spi belt. I love mine, and I have never felt like it bounced. I usually forget I have it on even when my iPhone in its Otterbox is stored in it. You don't suppose you have a defective one, do you? May tomorrow's run be much better!

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    1. I know a lot of people love the SPI Belt, but mine just bounces like crazy. I'm not sure what the problem is!

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  5. It amazes me when I read about anyone feeling like that during a run and they still manage to continue running. I really have to work on my defeatest attitude because I would have walked or turned round and gone back to the car in your situation lol.
    While I wish everyone had a fabulous run every time they go out it kind of helps to read about all your runs - good and bad - because it shows that this kind of thing happens to everyone.

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  6. Wow, that sounds like a tough run. AWESOME job gettin' it done though!

    That dog is too much!

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  7. By the way, I didn't think this was a negative blog... more like an honest one, which is what I love about your blog as a whole! It's actually reassuring to me that other people have bad days and yet persevere. .. and you definitely ended on an up note! That dog is hilarious! (By the way, I'm writing this from a wheelchair bound perspective...)

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  8. Katie, you're just sharing your real life, as it REALLY happens. Bad runs, bad food choices... you live in reality, not Willy Wonka land (which actually wasn't all that great for almost all of those kids). We can ALL relate to those days. If people only want to read about roses and gumdrops, they should pick up a novel, just nothing by Steven King or Jodi Picoult.

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  9. I loved this post!! It's the stick-to-it-tiveness that I pick up when I read your posts. I'm beginning my journey with running, and I totally understand these feelings. I was out around the same time yesterday, only to have to go back into work and somehow not look like a total sweaty mess, but what I loved, is how when I was out, hustling myself to walk a 13 min mile, whaa?, I didn't even think about work.
    Which is just plain AWESOME!! Thanks for keeping it real about how tough running can be, even when you're years into the practice. LOVE your blog!!!!

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  10. My Du plays solitaire constantly. He likes to play it on the computer and I finally bought him an iPad so he could play while he sat with us in the evening in front of the TV, instead of in the kitchen at the desktop. He likes to watch his stats, and will tell me occasionally how he's in the top 10,000 in the country or something. I prefer Words with Friends, myself, and got hooked on Candy Crush for a while, but that game just frustrates me now.

    I thought it was "tapering" time before your marathon. Ten miles doesn't seem like a taper. But as usual, you persevered and did really well. You are truly an inspiration to all of us who are tempted to give up or worse, not even START. I need to get off my butt TODAY!!!

    That dog on the hydrant is hilarious. If I had a fire hydrant around my house (we're out in the country), I would want to teach my Bulldog puppy to do that. There's You Tube videos of a Bulldog who can skateboard. I wonder if your neighbors could teach our dog to skateboard???

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  11. A run is a run, crappy or not. 10 miles is still 10 miles (and it's 10 more than a lot of people run - EVER!). I love that you're honest about it, though. People don't come here and think, "Wow! I can get my couch potato butt up and run 16 miles easy-peasy!" Nope. They realize - because you're SO honest - that it takes works and determination and even then it ain't always pretty OR easy! Good post.

    (It's funny that you mentioned about the overpass - when you wrote the post about pacing someone for 6 miles I was curious about whether you run any hills during your routes - hills totally screw up MY pace and I'm never as even-split as you always seem to be!).

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  12. Is this close??? http://justsolitaire.com/Grandmas_Game_Solitaire/

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    1. YES! That's it. The only difference is that they deal three rows instead of two, but it's the same game. Thanks!!

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    2. Now you have me playing it when I'm supposed to be working. Oh no, this doesn't bode well! Hope you're enjoying along with me.

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  13. I am surprised you hate your Spibelt. I would contact them, maybe you got a defective one. I love mine and even with my gu & phone it stay in place without bouncing around at all.

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  14. I love this post for combination of the honesty of the writing and the photo of you looking happy. If you just look at the photos, you look like you had a great time. Reading the text fills everyone in on that fact that you are not always having a great time, To me, this is totally awesome, as when you see people out doing their thing it is easy to assume that they have it easy, or always have fun, or are just better than you for whatever reason. You LOOK like you always have fun, but inside your head, you don't. :) Thanks for sharing reality with us! :) I, personally, find this really encouraging! Thank you.
    -NNMSunshine (Spark)

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  15. I was curious have you ever tried a "flip belt" at least that is what I think they are called. I hear good things about it. If you have tried it please share your thoughts.

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  16. This: "When I got to the top, I stopped to give myself a goddamn break for a photo op." made me laugh and laugh and laugh. That is SO me while hiking!

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I used to publish ALL comments (even the mean ones) but I recently chose not to publish those. I always welcome constructive comments/criticism, but there is no need for unnecessary rudeness/hate. But please--I love reading what you have to say! (This comment form is super finicky, so I apologize if you're unable to comment)

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