The alarm was singing for a while this a.m. Party Ccentral went into the wee hours last night. Sounded like quite a party out by the water garden. I know they just want to enjoy every last bit of summer-can't blame them, but one girl had such a hearty laugh. Closed the window, that worked! So by running a few minutes later it was light enough to see my feet! Ran with the smell of skunk in the air but never saw a one. Got spooked thinking about snakes in the grass, so skipped snake alley, a grassy section I run through, thus missing the sprinklers at Prudential. Ran Red Oak twice to avoid someone maneuvering cars on the street. Ran Fox Hill even though I wasn't gonna. No one else out this morning. All in all a nice run, but feel like I was sleep running.

Grabbed my weights, and mat and headed to the "studio". Did my home workout, such a nice space, quiet and roomy, peaceful, and all mine. Crazy day at work, mostly because I wanted to tie up loose ends before leaving for VA tomorrow. Didn't happen, too many interuptions, not enough time. As it turns out my sister and her husband, who were going to pick me up on their way back from Boston, had car trouble soooo, I may just head into work tomorrow and finish up, after an early morning run, of course!

Woke up t 4:10 so went for a run, after all dark is dark. I was not the first one up either. Ran Shirley then decided to try out the track at the park to see how it is in the dark. A little eerie, but such a nice flat smooth surface. I know the deer were all standing around somewhere nearby watching me. Eric was up and getting ready for work when I returned-scared the hell out of each other when he popped the door open to let Manson out and there I was on the deck doing my stretches! P had gone back to bed, we have become a house of night wanderers! Now off to radiology and then the other office at lunch for a birthday celebration, then back to radiology, then Beacon by 5:15 for the usual biweekly taxi run. Start the day running, end the day running!

The last of our 4 week Pilates class was tonight. Leigh is such a great insturctor and her studio, house and property are such a delight to go to, even if I have to drive 15 miles to get there. She finally got us to a point where I felt like we had a great workout. Now I'm on my own until her next class starts at the end of Sept. It will be 1/2 hr Pilates and 1/2 hr Yoga. I'd rather all Pilates. Thinking of joining a gym that offeres Pilates classes. Another drive, but need to get a few things completed at home first.

Pilates at home in the new "studio" Still working on the space above the garage that P. built. Really is a nice, big space for "whatever". Its all painted, and the hardwood floor is down. A neighbor gave us a love seat she didn't have room for in her new place and we have another that we transformed from an old bed frame we bought at an auction many years ago. I have filled the cupboards with a variety of incense, and my Pilates book. I'm just waiting for the testosterone crowd to encroach with a refrigerator, big screen tv and sound system-uggghhhh!

Made use of this 52 degree morning, ran "up and over minor" pushing for speed. The moon was bright enough for me to see the road after I left the lit streets of the Village. Pushed it on Geering Way, Wheaton and a full out sprint on Florence. Finish gasping and spent-love it! Passed "running guy" as I was headed down the home stretch, was so glad I was at the finish line, he was just getting warmed up. Then home to brew coffee and clean the kitchen-what happen's here at night? I saw the tiki torches lit in the yard last pm and heard the sounds of a party going on til I closed the window and fell asleep. Guess I'm the only one that will enjoy this day's early morning pleasures.

I did a modified workout. Spent a good part of the morning lingering over coffee with P., cathing up on things. We hardly see each other any more! Managed abs and of course those PUSHUPS!! ughh! But at least I have my days straight, errr..... it is Thursday isn't it?

I woke up once more to the sound of rain before my alarm sounded, thus started the ongoing argument between my brain and my body. My body opted for the continued warmth of my bed and some more rest. My brain said get up and run lazy girl! Brain-you're running clothes are all laid out on the chair, GO! Body-pfffft, they've been on the chair since Saturday! Brain-you gorged on all that pasta last pm, mucho energy and calories to burn! Body-my tummy hurts! Brain-if you run today you have tomorrow off! Body-think it may rain tomorrow too, might as well make it a full week off! Brain-you're gonna feel great when your done! Body-feel'n pretty great right now, right here! Brain-sounds like it has stopped raining, GO! Body-but it's still dark, cool and breezy out, brrrrr! Brain-summer is almost over, gotta grab it while you can-GO! Body-ok, OK! ughhhh, creak, shiver, sigh, mumble, mumble, trudge. I ran "up and over MAJOR"! Not too bad once I got out and warmed up. Decided to do a longer run because I just didn't feel like turning around, did the full loop. Spotted "Marathon Mike" walking his dog, and "man with the squeaky shoe" I think, it was kinda too dark to see who they were. Really glad my brain won that one, tomorrow we'll see who decides about the home workout.
  Yes, Lynn I did have my days mixed up, back on track now!

Not another lazy morning?! I just cannot get motivated to get out and run. Well it has been wet, and cool and dark and it's just too easy to stay wrapped around my book in bed. I am really enjoying the book “little bee”. I am always amazed by some writers. I don’t even know if this author is male or female because the copy I have is a readers proof and it doesn’t have the author’s bio. It’s not just an unusual and gripping story but the author  puts words together that I have to re-read just to hear them again; the sound of them, the use of them, the meaning of them. I am so envious of this gift. Of course when reading a book it always seems like the words just flow from an author’s mind, but who knows maybe this author labored over each and every sentence just as I might. I love the fact that some people can turn black and white text into artwork, exercising all my five senses with each turn of the page.  My brain is running on parallel pleasure tracks; the pure captivation of the plot and the magic of the author’s use of language. Maybe I'll run tomorrow.....

I was jolted awake at 4:30 (just before the alarm) by the C5A coming in for a landing on a cloudy, rainy, morning. It flys right over our house on the way to Stuart Airport and when it comes in low it sounds like it is gonna land on the house! Usually I run outside to watch it, what an incredible and amazing machine it is, but this a.m. Skye and I just locked eyes and waited it out; having been so rudely awakened! So soggy out, I opted not to run again and did my home workout. I will be going to Pilates tonight. My workout partner is having back spasms so I may be the only one in class tonight-private lesson-can't beat that!

Woke up at 4 something to the sound of rain. Kept the alarm set just in case it cleared up, but at 5:30 it was pouring. No run for me today, just as well-body screaming for rest. Made an early morning drive to Home Depot, P. working on the furnace-more copper tubing needed. Started reading "Little Bee", totally captivated by it. I would like to spend the day reading, but my "to do" list from yesterday has nothing checked off on it....so I guess I need to get motivated, energized and well, just get out of my comfy chair and get to it!!

Took the day off and headed for the beach with P. Perfect day. Sun, sand and surf. This time we packed a lunch. Did a lot of swimming and we took a long walk along the shore. By the time we left it was so crowded. Traffic was not so bad on the way home. Glad we got there early and got home by 3:30. Later I joined P. on his nightly stroll through the Village. Wow, Fishkill has become quite the hub! Lots of people out eating at various curbside cafes, strolling along the street, kids out scouting around for whatever. Nice to see the place all a buzz.

Ran Shirley and Arcadia. Cool, nice run

Ran "Up & Over Minor" 73deg 100% humidity, in the dark. I dont mind the heat but the air was just so heavy. I did my sprinkler route but found non turned on since we had so much rain yesterday! I trudged along feeling my headache from last week trying to fight it's way back. Managed to finish and got through my pushups and to radiology on time. By the time I left work, my stomach felt yucky, headache, achey body... Stopped at the health food store and grocery store on the way home, had to drive P to Beacon, dropped tomatoes off at my 92 year old "boyfriend"'s in exchanged for cucumbers, squash, & olive oil. Then home to make dinner-pasta salad. Now I think I'll indulge in some Ben & Jerry's with caramel sauce and head to bed!   

Pilates at Leigh's studio-love it, even though we had to go back to basics for the new person. The other two newbies from last week decided they did not like the class and are not returning. I love the ride home through all the back roads after class. Love the heat, anytime I can feel warm with out being encumbered by extra clothing I am happy!! Street lights out since a macroburst ripped through part of Red Oaks Mill this afternoon. Glad I missed the excitement! We just got a rain and a little wind at work. Home to watch the Yankees, have not been keeping up with the games lately.

Ran 5.5 or so miles this am. Got up and out by 5:45. Nice cool morning. Then had to take a drive to Mahopac, then home to yard work, oh the weeds! Pulled with a vengeance, attacked with the hedge trimmer and blasted with Round Up. I got a large section squared away, but so much more to do. Just after I came in and showered Eric returned from his clinical at the hospital and asked me if I wanted to run the bridge with him. (he has just started running and I think he has caught the bug yeah!) I opted for walking while he ran. Full sun but a beautiful breeze. What a gorgeous day. Finished off with a stroll through the Village with P. for their annual block party. Had shrimp and chips, and listened to an old friend's band-Red Eye. Awesone music, but tired feet so we did not stay long.
Pic of fresh picks from my flower garden. I could look at these all day!

Ran the Park in total darkness. Cannot believe it's back to that!

Had Evan drive P to the train station this am just so I could get my run in before having to be at work by 7:30a. (selfish me!)So hot and humid. Found a new sprikler stop at Prudential. Ran about an 8th of a mile more before I realized it was raining and it was not just me dripping on myself! The rain felt oh so good, just a gentle sprinkle. Made it to work on time!

Ran "up and over minor". Hot, hotter than it was when I came home last pm at 8:00. Soaked myself in the sprinklers on Red Oak, barely avoided the paper guy, caught me on an inside curve, but I saw him coming. Finished just as "running guy" was passing by. I saw "happy man" running up Osbonre on my way to work and he did not look too happy. He is really putting on the distance lately, I see him all over the place. Work at radiology was endless. I've been roped into supervising the construction crew, working the front desk and holding down the fort in a couple of weeks while most of the crew is away. They should have just closed down but Donna and I have been suckered into taking over-just what we said we would not do! Oh, well we can always just put the answering machine on and take messages.

Started out with some doubt, cool, 5:30a, i-pod. Gonna attempt the 7 mile run Kurat suggested. What the hell he's only a 17 year old athlete! Luckily I carb loaded last night on Lays Classic during the Yankee game! As I hit the far side of Merritt I broke into a grin as the choke hold from yesterday loosened from my neck, my body grew light and my feet grew silent, as my arms spread out and I flew across the creek with the gold finches and the butterflies. I knew I was gonna make it. Main Street was my vitory lap as I breezed along. 7 miles? You bet. Piece of cake? Yes please, a big one!!