Moving along

Well - I did finally get out on my bike.  My mountain bike that is on the rail trail....what a sissy pants!  It was a pretty warm day and I could have ridden the road bike but my collar bone and neck muscles have been killing me since 12/1.  I either hurt myself scrubbing the bathtub or doing a workout again (had been over a month), or both.
It was pretty nice as usual on the Blackstone Riverway.  I didn't see the egret but did see some swans, ducks and geese.  The last time I was there I did see some different water birds that I was unable to identify.
Since 11/27, I have run every third day and some of it with the Lu.  Yesterday I took her for over 5 miles on the same rail trail and we ran most of it.  Turned out to be 13 minute mile average.  A blue jay flew across our path to say hello.
We've (the Lu and me) been walking a lot as well.  Prior to this week it wasn't every day but at least 2 miles each time.  This week we have put in over 10 miles walking.  I've also run over 8 and biked almost 12 (was really slow due to the 15+ MPH winds at the river).

A difficult couple of weeks

The weather has been great - except for the very strong cold winds the last two days - but it has been a difficult couple of weeks since Willow stopped being able to get up and use her back legs on Veteran's Day, 11/12/12.  I've been making sure she gets turned on other side every four hours latest, so being unemployed has been a blessing for this.  Getting up at 3 AM every morning to turn her over is no problem, but I have been so tired I just couldn't get up the energy to ride my bike.

We've had some really beautiful days together - these two weeks have been exceptional weather-wise.  One day there was a perfectly blue sky through the stark limbs of the willow tree we were lying under.  All of a sudden, through the limbs there is this really short and perfect rainbow in a shape I'd never seen.  To me it was a sign from the Universe that Willow is a very loved and special dog, and that our time together was right.

I can't believe tomorrow is the day.  She seemed so tired when I brought her in two days ago - like it was just getting to be too much.  And then it didn't.  But tonight it was really hard for her to use her front legs - she is getting fatigued.  I am tired too, but I will go as long as it is right.

Local Bike ride

Went back to the road bike yesterday because of the terrible squealing the mtn bike does. For the first time ever got chased by dogs. First, a beagle of all things on the busiest road. Then, 2 dogs who at least had the sense to stay in their yard while chasing. I made a "easy boy" noise and they were fine. The crazy beagle though - didn't even see him/her, just thought I had dog barking in my ears and then on the left of me (in the road) here is this little one chasing right next to me.

Was really slow though...feel like I just started and haven't been riding regularly for a while...

Update

Biked twice at Blackstone and once around home since last post.  Saw the egret once and swans with lots of ducks.  So lucky for this nice place, even if bordered by roads and houses.

Ran six times, once on treadmill at gym.  Doing over three miles each time...close to four.  Worked out only twice but walked a lot.

Biking and running update

Since my last biking post on 9/26, I've biked once each week. I've looked for the egret and have sent it every time except once, hovering near the water like a statue. What an amazing bird!

I biked the Blackstone on the 5th and 12th. On the 12th it poured rain on me and I only went 14 miles, 18+ the first day. On the 12, my feet got more and more cold and when I stopped, I literally fell off the bike because I couldn't feel my feet anymore. On the ride home I shivered and at home took a hot shower but my feet were still white and plastic like for a while.

I also biked local for 12 miles on the 15th and 18.5 at Blackstone this past Monday (10/22). Feel a little like slow motion.

As for running...I ran between 3 - 5 miles every 4th day for the first two weeks of this past month. I did a 5+ trail and just felt like nothing worked. Stupidly, I increased my workout weight for leg presses and think I hurt my knees...I guess I felt like using the same weight wasn't doing anything...but it was keeping me from hurting myself!

Anyway, I only ran once last week for 3 miles and 2.5 miles this week. I will do another trail run hopefully this week.

I only swam once at the end of last month and haven't since. I should try to do that at least once per week.

Ideally - Bike x 2, run x 2, swim x 1, work out x 3...

Never getting by

Ran a little (1.25) w/ The Lu and then another 2.5 alone in the Attleboro area. Back hurt, foot hurt - I need to be able to run at least 10 miles in two weeks...ugghhh!!! Oh - although it rained a weekend and will tonight, the "Parks and Recreation Dept." thought it would be a great idea to water the soccer fields today. At least they didn't do it while it was pouring rain - like they usually do. Must have some nice palm-burning friendship (i.e. deal) with the water company. And believe me, it costs a lot to water around here. Glad someone is taking all the tax money I pay instead of where I need it - the SIDEWALKS! F-ers!!!

Here is a really cool remix from NPR:

Amazing what a note to the newspaper will do.

Today me and The Lu did a short run around the neighborhood. Guess what? The sidewalk going over the bridge (that we've asked to clean up in May) got done. Of course they left a million little bottles that someone has thrown out. But since I complained about how much they are using of my taxes to mow the field EVERY DAY, and how the sidewalks are UNSAFE to walk on, Mr. Newspaper man must have given the heads up to his Mayor buddy.