Winnie Comics

Comics Sent to Camp

Long Summer Week #1

Better Than Something

I have my own little lexicon for things as most people do.  Today I added a new definition.  Without the full drawn out story, I will just say that I showed up at the Wilcox with my unrun crazy pup this evening for a better- than- nothing- run.   I had 40 minutes before I needed to be back in the car and driving my mom-taxi to the YMCA to collect my little swimmer girl.  I figured I had enough time for a relaxed 4 miles.  A better-than-nohting run is just that.  It is really not long enough or fast enough to count for much and it usually has a time limit involved.

I really didn't want to go for a run today.  I am tired.... No, I am exhausted.  But, the dog needed a run and a run she would have.  We got there and Winnie took care of business right by the trash cans so that was a good sign that the run might be a consistent trot.  As soon as I started to run, I knew it wasn't going to be a very enjoyable trot. My legs felt like lead.  This is when I told myself again that it was better than nothing. Besides, my legs would feel just fine in about a mile or so.

About .75 or so into it I was again telling myself that it would get better.  This is when I realized that Winnie didn't care that I was running, and I didn't want to be running. So, I stopped.  I walked, and Winnie ran.  We got in the car a little ahead of schedule.  I then took the opportunity to get myself something for doing nothing. I drove to 7-11 and bought an ice cold Diet Pepsi.  Sometimes nothing is better than something.

New Definition:

The Better-than-Something- Run (noun)   A run you don't want to do and your body doesn't want
                                                                  to do, so you don't.

A Diet Pepsi is kind of like getting something for nothing! 

All For Fun

The State Street Mile Family Run is all for fun.  It is all about dodging strollers and smiling while you're miling.  And, fun was had.  Abbey spent most of the time being embarrassed by me as I whooped and had a great time cruising down State Street.  She was keeping up and not working too hard, so when the guy at the half mile mark yelled out 3:31, I got it in my head that Abbey needed to cross the line in under 7:00 minutes.  She wasn't too happy with me as I tried to pick up the pace just a little, but she hung in there without too much complaining.  My watch time said 7:03.  She probably was a 7:05 or 7:06.  Not bad for people dodging good time!  Next year she is running under 7:00! :)

Although it was all for fun, the Dog Mile had me worried.  I had this fear of being dragged down State Street by my very high strung and fast Winnie.  In fact, I don't think I have been so nervous about running a mile ever in my life.  Could my one week post half marathon legs and one day post tempo - 15 mile run keep up with my dog without my hamstring snapping in two?

The whistle blew and we were off, but my Wild Winnie really didn't know what to do.  She trotted along BEHIND me for a bit and kept looking back like she didn't get what we were doing.  This relaxed me like you can't believe.  All my fears of my hamstring giving up or getting some incredible road rash vanished.... UNTIL Winnie figured out what we were doing and she started running a bit faster and pulling me a long a lot faster with her.  I was keeping up but I was working a lot harder and sucking a lot more air than I wanted to.  My hamstring was getting a little tight too.  But, I hung on tight and tried to enjoy the ride.  In retrospect, I am guessing this was payback for making my daughter hang on to me earlier.  Hmmmm... deep thoughts.  In any case,  we crossed the line and I swore the clock said 6:07.  My watch was 6:08.  Nice little surprise to run a decent time!  The guy handed me a dog bowl and this....

Checking the results tell a different story.    I am fine with my official 6:12 mile and a fourth place woman with dog in their results. Kevin and Abbey swear I was the third woman with a dog over the line today and the guy at the line thought so too.  Plus, my stopwatch on my wrist said a time I like a little better, so  I am not giving back the award.   It makes a nice 3rd place coaster for my 3rd place beer mug I got last week!