Running at Midnight.

Ok, So I exaggerate a little.. I was actually done before midnight.

[caption id="attachment_1204" align="alignright" width="300"] Here is a picture of a puppy. For no reason at all.[/caption]

Having been up late (hey! 11 is really late for me! I'm old!) the night before, there was no chance of getting up in the morning to work out.  I had every intent of working out right after work, but I had forgotten it was my son's night for his school open house. With It being middle school, this meant we got to follow his schedule and go from 15 minute class to 15 minute class as the teachers gave us their syllabus and told us all about how great our kids were.  Over all I was impressed with all of his teachers but one.  We showed up to her class, and she started a conversation with one mother for 5 (remember there is only 15 available) minutes.. Then expected us to stay past the time to move to the next class, so she could finish her speech.  It bothers me when people expect respect, but don't respect you..  But that is a whole other story.

My wife had promised the kids frozen yogurt after, so a cold treat it was!  Needless to say it was after 9:30 when we got home.   Since I had skipped out on my run the night before, it was NOT an option last night.  I didn't relish the idea of running through the streets of my town at 10pm.  I don't know that it would be unsafe - but it seems silly to take that chance.  My kids deserve to grow up with a father after all! (Did you notice the subtle pull at your heartstrings there?)

Washington Nationals

So, I had a 6 mile run on the schedule for yesterday, and did NOT get up and do it in the morning.  After a full work day, my office headed off to a Washington Nationals game.  I was a wee bit excited, as while I am not a baseball fan (the limits to my fandom is I check and see how the Texas Rangers did on the website the next day), I had never been to a Major League Baseball game.  In fact, I hadn't been - and my 9 and 11-year-old have enjoyed rubbing in the fact they have! (Their summer program went to a Nats game.)   When work offered the opportunity to go - I could hardly say no!

[caption id="attachment_2984" align="alignright" width="255"] It looks like an alien has latched on to his arm..[/caption]

Walking in was impressive, having only been to a minor league stadium it was bigger!  Though they had this somewhat frightening multi-arm statue that was kind of scary, right as you came in the gate.

Before the game several of us ate at the little restaurant called the "Red Porch" that was overlooking the field.  It gave us a great view of the field-preparations, as well as the players playing catch.

Rest day and the dreadmill

So, after my 12 miler on Sunday, Monday was a "Rest" day.  So I did nothing. :)  Well, I may have done some whining about how sore/tired my legs were - but I'm not positive.  I will have to err on the side of caution and assume I did.  Mostly Monday was dedicated to being the first day back at school for the kids!

[caption id="attachment_2978" align="aligncenter" width="490"] This year they go different ways, to different schools![/caption]

This is the first year that they are going to different schools, as my son just entered middle school.  They are both excited about it, but as parents? We are more than a wee bit nervous!

What a weekend! Running on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk

[caption id="attachment_2944" align="alignright" width="150"] Ahhh. The beach![/caption]

This was one incredible weekend!   It was the final weekend of my kid's summer vacation, and we decided to do something AWESOME for them!  We got up in the wee early hours of Saturday  morning and headed down to Virginia Beach.   We didn't let them know WHERE we were going  until we were in the car, and they didn't know we were spending the night until we pulled into a hotel (while 4 hours is a long drive, we have been known to do those as day trips).  I don't think there is anything that has quite the energy (or grants as much energy) as being on and in the ocean!

It did not take the kids long at all to jump right in! You could say it took exactly as long as it took them to get their shirts and shoes off!

[caption id="attachment_2947" align="aligncenter" width="490"] And They are OFF![/caption]

I won't lie, they aren't the only ones that love the beach!

"The Bone Season" by Samantha Shannon... and a slow, tired run.

When I was a child, living at my parents house, I loved to read.  I loved to read more than I loved being told go to sleep.  i learned a blanket/clothes could block light from leaking out under the door, giving away that you were reading, not sleeping.  (I also learned that if you forgot to move them, that your parents knew EXACTLY what you had done - when they clothes made it hard to open the door when they were waking you up!)  I learned fairly that  a flashlight under the covers didn't cause any light to leak out under the door either (And I learned it was very, very hot!)

Needless to say, I liked my books. 

A day behind, but still running!

So, it seems I never found the opportunity for yesterday's blog posting.  Just an indicator that life is NOT slowing down, especially with the kids coming school year!   BUT,I am not letting that derail my plans!  Yesterday I even exercised BEFORE work.. But Since I am a day behind - that is getting ahead of myself.

Back to Tuesday.  After work I had a short run on the schedule.  You might recall that my current plans had the short runs at 4 miles these days.



Holy crap did I do it fast.  

And on the 1st day of the week, he rested.. kinda.

So, like any runner -the day after a long and grueling run is a rest day!    Consequently, I went for a nice run with my son.



He is still battling that side stitch, so we had a couple of walking intervals.