December 01, 2013

Rocky road

I felt really lethargic this morning when I woke up, and I know it was because of eating all those stupid chocolate chips yesterday! I didn't feel like heading out for my run right away, so I decided to deep clean the laundry room. We have a couple of shelves in there that accumulate SO MUCH junk, and I've been meaning to clean it out for a long time.

It took me about an hour, but when I was done, the room looked so much better. I should have just done it a long time ago so I didn't have that chore hanging over my head for so long! Anyway, it felt really good to get that cleaned.

After that, I got dressed in my running clothes and headed out for an easy three-miler. I wanted to make sure to take it easy on the pace today, staying as close to 9:15/mi as I could, so I had the idea to bring my phone along with me, and stop to take pictures here and there on my route. I really wanted to make it an enjoyable run.

Once I started running, however, there really wasn't anything interesting enough to take pictures of. About a mile in, I decided to change my route to go next to Lake Erie, and I'd get a picture of the lake. Turns out the lake was frozen enough for ice fishing, because I saw a guy walking around on the ice, stomping in spots (to test it? dunno).


It wasn't until I got home and looked at my pictures that I realized there was a guy with an ice shanty out there, also. If you look straight up the middle of the photo below, you can see something that looks kind of like rocks way out there; when zoomed in, it's actually the shanty.


I'd planned to just do an out-and-back route, but right when I started running, I changed my mind. I decided to run home on the access road that goes through (what used to be) the woods (it's now marsh). It's not paved, just dirt and rocks, but it's only a half-mile or so long. It was pretty private back there, so I had fun taking all sorts of pictures. I had no idea if they even turned out until after I'd gotten home. I took all of the pictures while I was still running...






I've walked the access road often, but this was the first time I ran it. I was surprised how tired my legs felt after running just half a mile on the rocky trail. It was definitely harder than running on pavement! I wish we had trails within a short drive from here so I could run on them more often, because I think I'd like trail running; but the closest would probably be 40 minutes away.

I can see how it would be nice to just run for fun on a trail, not worry about pace, and enjoy the scenery. I was surprised to see that I actually was able to maintain my pace, despite the rocks. I don't think I could have done it for more than a mile or so, though; my legs were pretty tired!



Yesterday morning, I finished the book I'd been reading, and I realized I forgot to request a new one at the library, so I was left without anything to read. Ever since we got rid of cable, I rely on a book for entertainment before bed, and I was disappointed that I didn't have anything to read. I (grudgingly) decided to try downloading a book to Noah's Kindle.

I am one of the few people who actually would rather hold a real book instead of a digital copy, but it was digital or nothing, so I gave it a try. I saw the book Gone Girl was available for download from the library, and a few readers had recommended that book for me recently, so I chose that one.

I read it for a little while this afternoon, on Noah's Kindle, and the Kindle wasn't as bad as I thought! I still prefer actual books, but the one advantage to using the Kindle is that I don't have to worry about turning on a light. Sometimes, when I get up really early in the morning, I'll read for a little while before the kids wake up; but when I turn on the light, they usually end up waking up. Using the Kindle would solve that problem.

I haven't gotten very far into the book yet, so I can't really say how I like it. But I'm glad I have something to read and keep me entertained before bed! Estelle probably won't like the Kindle much, because then where would she sit to annoy me while I'm trying to read? ;)



Just a reminder that tomorrow is Motivational Monday! If you have a picture of a fitness/health accomplishment that you want to share, you can send it (along with a brief description) to SlimKatie (at) runsforcookies (dot) com with the subject "Motivational Monday". I may post it on the blog tomorrow!

20 comments:

  1. I run almost exclusively on trails. It's so much easier on my body. Plus there is always so much to see.

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    1. I wish that was an option around here! It'd be nice for a change of scenery :)

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  2. I listened to the audiobook version of Gone Girl a couple of summers ago. I thought it started out a little slow, but there are some interesting twists later in the book. That seems typical of Gillian Flynn books, though, from what I can tell. Hopefully you'll like it!

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    1. I'm about a quarter of the way through right now, and it's progressing slowly, but I'm still interested... we'll see :)

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  3. Great pics! While the winter can suck, it really is a starkly beautiful time! Looks like a really pretty run. I have to run at night on weekdays (okay, I CHOOSE to because I'm NOT running at 7am) so I miss the scenery. I just run in the dark and hope I don't trip on shit.

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    1. Hahaha, I wish I wasn't so scared of the dark! I'd run at 5:00 AM ;) But I have to wait until the sun comes up, which means a LATE 7:30-8:00 start! I guess you won't be going for an early morning run with me in San Diego, then!

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    2. Yeah, probably not on those morning runs. ;) I don't even know when the sun rises because apparently I am never up when it does. I get out of bed around 8am these days to get to work at 9.

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  4. I can't believe the ice is safe?! And Gone Girl... great for the first half and then.... you'll see. I am also without a book... Just read A Fort of Nine Towers... very interesting / compelling story...

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    1. That surprised me, too! I don't think it's cold enough for the ice to be safe. But some people around here jump at the first chance they get to go ice fishing! There is almost always a death or two of ice fishermen during the winter here, unfortunately.

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  5. I love trails a million times more than roads, but there aren't any that are terribly close to me. Beautiful scenery for you though!

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    1. Trail running has always interested me! I just wish we had some trails around here.

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  6. I'm with you on preferring a real book! There is just nothing like reading an actual book...the feel of the pages, the smell of books both new and old...okay, I'm a nerd. I'm always fearful that libraries will end up going out of business just like movie rental stores. :(

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    1. I worry about that, too! I would hate to see the libraries close down.

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  7. You will have to let me know if you like Gone Girl! I got about 40% in and stopped. I couldn't read it anymore. Some people love it and then there are people like me who couldn't even finish it because they got bored.... LOL.

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    1. I tend to get bored very easily while reading, and that leads to a lot of unfinished books! ;) I'm about a quarter of the way into this one, so we'll see what happens.

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  8. Katie - What is the coldest temps that you will run outdoors? We have similar climates. I have the right clothing, but at what point is it absolutely ridiculous to be running down a street instead of a treadmill?

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    1. It totally depends on what YOU prefer... some people think 50 degrees is too cold to run ;) I think the lowest temp I've run in was 8 degrees. I wouldn't say it's ever "too cold" to run outside; but I head to the treadmill when it's 70+ degrees, because I hate the heat!

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  9. I love the kindle! I like that I can hold it one handed. So I can lay in funky positions and not have to "keep the book open" :)

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    1. I definitely like it more than I thought I would!

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  10. I LOVE to read and I'm the same way. I don't want a Kindle, I'd prefer a book. I understand the benefits of a Kindle, but there's just nothing like turning actual paper. Plus it's cheaper, thank you library.

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