On my run this morning I was passed by a set of parent shuttling their kids to school.

On this:

Of course they weren’t quite catching air. But I thought how brilliant!

Mom had daughter on hers and Dad had the son on his. Very boy/girl PC.

Each parent was in control with the kid tucked in front safe and sound.

This served many purposes…they avoided traffic, got some fresh air and moved faster than if they walked. Much faster because when they hit a hill and got off to walk the little boy started doing the exploratory/meandering walk kids do. Dad kept having to drop back and redirect him.

I’ve actually seen the mom with one kid do this before. She takes them school, drops them off and then scoots back home.

Today was cute because it was the whole darn family!

My run was S.L.O.W. Actually, it was probably kind of normal time-wise but my legs felt like lead. Perhaps it was leftover stuff from my sprint work Friday night.

Now Voyager is the same – we’re enjoying our walks and I’m practicing my yoga in the saddle. It’s pretty effective!

I’m still waffling on which races to do and whether or not to join the track workout group (bottom line is I’m a big fat chicken) and/or get some sort of coaching help and which Garmin to buy (though I have it down to 2 thanks to Charisa) and and and…

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions/recommendations and emails – RocketPants you rock!. They help a ton!

Bert and I are developing a habit that is both super fun and a threat to my ability to fit into my jeans.

We’re walking to bakeries and coffeehouses.

Take, for example, the scrumptious chocolate croissant we picked up this morning on our ramble through the Mission District of SF.

Tartine Bakery has quite the following these days and I count myself exceedingly lucky to live in walking distance. And the croissant? Amazing. YUM.

Noe Valley Bakery is too close to my house to count as any sort of training. That doesn’t stop me from partaking in their Blueberry Almond Scones. I’m partial to scones with a decent amount of crunch and these fit the bill.

I used to have to walk to either Cole Valley or the Fillmore district to satisfy my craving for a chocolate hazelnut croissant. Then La Boulange moved into Noe Valley and now I’m cursed. I know, you feel my pain. Right?

Speaking of pain, my hamstrings have recovered and now I’m nursing a slightly sore knee from my run the other night.

Thanks to you guys I’m cutting myself a break and listening to my body. Run when I can – when my power is there (thanks Meg!) – and walk the rest of the time.

A shout out to my girl Clairnation who is doing the Kaiser Half this weekend. Fingers crossed we get some sun but she’ll rock it either way. Go Clair!

I’ve noticed a trend lately in my running. When my mind wanders I slow to a walk. Are you noticing a theme to my posts these days? W.A.L.K. I feel like one of those blinky signs at a crosswalk

What on earth is the universe trying to tell me? To slow down? That doesn’t seem right. I’m already slower than usual.

Here’s what happens. I’ll be trucking along, grooving to my tunes. Then I’ll start pondering a problem. Yep, it seems like problems are the most direct contributor to this effect.

I snap out of my noodling and find myself walking.

Ah, if only I found myself running faster. Now that would be cool.

I was at the barn early this morning. Now Voyager halfheartedly protested being pulled away from his flakes of leafy green alfalfa hay. But he knows I always have a carrot, some sugar cubes or horse cookies to make his time worthwhile.

With the place to ourselves we saddled up and headed into the arena.

Since NV is still recovering from his undiagnosed lameness we’re only walking. So I’m becoming and expert on what to do at the walk. To make things interesting for him. And for me.

I’ve figured it out! Yoga for Equestrians

I have this book at home and looked at it maybe once. I decided to wing it and started doing some arm stretches. NV wobbled a little bit wondering what I was up to but then he settled down into aimlessly cruising around the arena.

I pulled the book out of the bookshelf when I got home and will study it tonight.

Anke pulled up just as we were finishing our ride. She asked how he was doing. “Still ouchy on his foot but very relaxed under saddle,” I said.

“I know,” she replied, “he loves spending time with you. I can always tell when you’ve been out to see him. He’s just happy.”

My smile was epic.

Thanks to all of you fabulous people for your encouragement and thoughtful ideas about what sort of racing season to plan. This is group coaching at its best!

I’m going to give some thought to how much time I really have to train and perhaps I will attempt a 70.3 race this year. Maybe.

That would be SUPER fun!

I have a funny story to share. It was a sunny weekend here. Well, partly sunny.

And it had been so DARN rainy that Bert and I were just itching to spend as much time out of doors as possible.

On Saturday we walked to a fun coffeehouse, Bean There, in the Haight. Fabulous people watching spot. I feel hopelessly uncool as hipsters trek by in their porkpie hats (the boys) and fabulous tights and boots (the girls).

And on Sunday we walked to another fun coffeehouse, Farleys, in Potrero Hill. The hipster barrista behind the counter asked me if I was going sailing. Must have been the bright yellow cycling rainjacket I was wearing (see me not trusting the lack of rain?). Stuck out like a sore thumb.

The funny part of this story is after about 10 miles total walking around the city – up and down some serious hills – I have a dangerously sore hamstring. Go figure.

On the horse front the arena opened (it closes during rain to preserve the footing) so Now Voyager and I got to spend lots of quality time walking around with me in the saddle.

I was actually sore the second day. Sore from walking. Not trotting, posting, cantering. Walking.

My takeaway? Walking is hard.

Now that my MRI adventures are behind me (pretty please to whoever up there decides whether or not there are to be more tests – hear my pleas) I’m in the market for a race or six.

This year I’m planning ahead. In 2008 I trained all year for one Olympic length triathlon. My first ever. And then did a sprint length one a month later just to feel fast.

In 2009 I trained all year for a bike century. My first ever. And then did a sprint tri a couple of months later just for fun.

This year I’d like to have some sort of racing plan that builds throughout the year. And I’m hooked on triathlon so I want to do more of those. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll attempt a half marathon. Something to jump start my running and break me out of my slowpoke pace.

I have a strategy question for you serious competitors. Is it good to start with shorter distance races in the early part of the year and build to the longer distance? Olympic is going to be my long distance – maybe the Big Kahuna in Santa Cruz. Ironman still scares me. Maybe next year.

So what should it be? I’m such a novice.

And if any of you are racing in the Bay Area let me know and I’ll add that to my list too. It would be super fun to be in the same race as a friend – even if you’re at the front and I’m at the back!

I have to get with the program…can you believe Vineman is already sold out?!

It’s done. Over. Kaput.

I survived the MRI machine experience! Yay!

I’m still on the tail end of the medication I took to manage the anxiety so I wouldn’t say I’m writing well or going to say anything witty. Mostly I’m probably going to go fall back to sleep here momentarily. But first, the highlights:

The Ativan definitely helped my anxiety – the MRI team were thoughtful and communicative – and having Bert there holding my foot or hand (depending on which way I was in the machine) made all the difference in the world.

The 2 hours flew by. They did my head. Then injected something and did my chest and then my head again. So hopefully they have all of the information they need. Fingers crossed.

A key but simple piece of equipment that saved my life was an eye mask. As long as that puppy was on I didn’t really care where I was. Or maybe it worked so effectively in combination with the meds.

I have an appointment with the neurologist next week to go over the results.

Thank you SO much for all of your thoughts, prayers, suggestions and good wishes.

Hugs, Kathleen

Tomorrow is MRI D-day and I feel completely prepared.

I’ve interviewed a lot of people about what works and what doesn’t.

I rescheduled mine so I’d have a different – and hopefully better – technician running the show.

Bert is coming with and will be in the room with me.

And I have medication. Anti-anxiety medication that will hopefully make the entire two hours a happy blur.

I did a test run with the meds last week. I’m taking Ativan. I took a small dose and then tested myself by watching MRI videos on YouTube. A stroke of genius if I do say so myself.

Without the drugs there is no way I would even look at a photo of an MRI machine. With the drugs I spent an hour flipping through videos. And you know what? There are some great ones out the for kids who have to get MRI’s on their head.

That gave me pause. If I’m scared, imagine how a kid feels? Ok folks, I can do this.

Plus the video gave helpful hints like to think of the machine as a rocket. And think of the scary Hannibal Lecter face mask as an astronaut’s helmet.

T-minus 18 hours and counting. Ready for liftoff…

I made it out to the barn last night between rainstorms!

The drive was safe and uneventful. The road was dry and in one piece. The photo from yesterday’s post was from a few years back – sorry I didn’t make that clear.

Just as I arrived at the barn the heavens opened up and let loose. But I could tell from the clouds it would pass quickly. And it did.

Now Voyager was happy to see me. We went for a nice walk around the property and he spent some time chomping away on the lush green grass.

Lush green grass is his favorite.

Just as I tucked him up back in his stall the rain arrived again. Though it was wimpy rain. Drizzle really.

I know that spending time with my horse keeps me grounded. But yesterday was a strong reminder of just how necessary my barn time is to my happiness barometer.

Last night, pre-horsey time, I was one fired up redhead. After hanging out with Now Voyager? Gentle as a lamb.

Thank goodness for NV.

Which fits in perfectly with having been tagged by Meg

10 things that make me happy:

1. Having adventures with Bert – often on our bikes.
2. Riding Now Voyager – or just hanging out at the barn.
3. Reading a really good book with Zinger on my lap.
4. Running on trails – something I almost never get to do.
5. Hanging out with my mom.
6. Spending quality one on one time with a friend.
7. Peet’s coffee.
8. Trader Joe’s Everything Crackers.
9. Dark chocolate malted milk balls.
10. Swimming in the Santa Barbara outdoor pool on a sunny day.

Thanks Meg – that was fun!

I’m tagging:

Maggs
Clair
Kelly
Kate
Myra

Imagine if I lived in a part of the world that had real weather. Not these random rainstorms that last for half a day and move on. I would whine. A lot. If the last three days are any example.

My drive to the barn takes me on a breathtakingly dramatic road called Devil’s Slide. Notice the word slide in the name. It’s accurate.

In fact, they’re building a tunnel through the mountain because the people who live on either side are tired of it sliding and shutting down the road.

It’s not a smart road to drive on in pouring rain and high winds – especially in the pre-dawn hours. When I go to visit Now Voyager.

So I haven’t seen my horse since Sunday and I’m getting really cranky. And anxious. Even though Anke is keeping on eye on him I want to see for myself that he’s doing ok.

Of course, if I lived elsewhere (with real weather) I could probably afford to keep my horse on my own property which means I could even sleep in the barn if I wanted. Hmmmm.

This little beauty on 70 acres in Virginia for example…