Sunday, June 12, 2016

The Things I Think About When I'm Not Thinking About Running

Well, isn't that interesting!

I found myself saying that to myself, multiple times this week, both on and off the road. As it turns out, when you aren't training for anything, you start to pay more attention to the everyday minutiae of life. Instead of focusing on pace, my thoughts start to wander to other things. It's a nice change for me.

For this week's recap, I thought I'd share some of my thoughts that I have while I'm on the road.


But first things, first. How did my week of training go?

Monday: hip work and Tabata Hollows to Supermans at home
Tuesday: 5.04 miles/42:19 mins; pushups 2 sets of 20; high bar hang x 3
Wednesday: yoga at the studio
Thursday: 5.29 miles/43:57 mins; CrossFit with Becky: rope climbs, handstand prep, lunges with overhead plate, slam balls
Friday: complete rest day
Saturday: 5.03 miles/42:49; pushups 3 sets of 20; high bar hang x 3
Sunday: 5 miles/43:38 according to my Garmin; more likely 6 miles.


Let's talk about today's run, shall we? I set out to do 8 miles this morning. I was not motivated to run at all, even though the humidity was gone and the temperatures were in the 60s. I've had a couple of sleepless nights, worrying about my oldest son who is attending an EDM festival in the city this weekend.  Maybe my run would have gone better had I gotten this text earlier...

Good to know. So many gray hairs.
Anyways, even though I know he's fine, my mind was on him and not on my run this morning. There was a super creepy guy on the path who looked at me for just a little too long as I passed him by. Cue the crawling skin sensation. The smiling tree--if you've been reading my blog for a while, you know about the smiling tree--is gone from the path. That made me kind of sad. His smiling face was my turnaround point for a 6-mile run. They've been cutting trees down like crazy lately around here. This was when I noticed that my Garmin was way off--I know this route well and the mileage was incorrect. As I kept going, I started to feel really fatigued. I just couldn't get my head or my heart into this run. I finally called my husband to come and pick me up. The last time that happened was a year ago. Sometimes you just have to know when to fold 'em. Today was that day.

But somehow, I still managed 5 miles (according to my Garmin). So it wasn't a complete fail.

RIP Smiling Tree
(from the archives)
I did see this graffiti in the underpass this morning. Two thumbs up to whoever wrote this gem. Now you know where I stand. And that's all I'll say about this.


On Thursday, I discussed my plan to work up to 100 pushups with Becky, who told me my plan to do 100 pushups in a row was "just stupid". Ok, then! As she said, what is the point of risking injury with bad form when you get fatigued? She told me that she did Murph on Memorial Day--which is not what it sounds like! Murph is a CrossFit WOD and as part of that WOD, she did 200 pushups in sets of 5. Her telling me that she broke up her pushups into sets pretty much gave me permission to do the same with my 100 pushups. My new training mantra? WWBD.

On Saturday, I did 3 sets of 20 pushups. Can I do 5 sets? Stay tuned.

On my way to 60!

I've been listening to a lot of new music on the run. Have you heard Gwen Stefani's new song? It's another good one and reminds me why I like her music so much. But it makes me wonder--was she a cheerleader in a former life? There's a cheer-like rap in the middle of the song that makes me want to stop running and do cheer moves. Even though I wasn't a cheerleader and have no cheer moves. Take a listen and let me know what you think. This song also reminds me that Gwen Stefani makes some really well written pop songs.



I have got to enroll this puppy in some sort of training. Last week she decided that the house was a much more appealing place to potty than the backyard. My husband and I, independently of each other, both kind of lost it with her. She's done much better since our meltdowns but some trips out to the backyard take forever. There's just so much to sniff and roll in. And don't get me started on the nipping and the chewing. Although it was pretty funny when she ran circles around me while I did those Tabata Hollows to Supermans on the family room floor this week.

The pup and me. I love her. Even though she bites me all the time.
Last night my husband and I went out to dinner. The restaurant was quite crowded and loud. While he and I were talking we heard a very distinctive loud emission from the table next to us, followed by an exclamation: "Mom!" I looked over to check it out because that's how I roll, and I saw an elderly woman sitting there, looking all innocent like nothing happened. Maybe she didn't know. Maybe she hoped someone would blame it on one of the many little kids who were dining at the table. Maybe she hoped someone would blame Grandpa, who was just sitting there enjoying his birthday cake. Sorry, grandma, but you have to own this one! I mean, come on! I couldn't stop laughing because I'm immature like that. I'm pretty sure she wanted to let one quietly slip out because the she felt the pressure, you know because you've done that, but it kind of backfired.

So to speak. 

Pretty sure this will be me someday.
Running around my neighborhood these last couple of weeks has put me back in Mrs Kravitz mode. I'm on alert and I'm checking out everything. The house down the street where the hoarder lives has a big dumpster in front. I wanted to know why. Yesterday, I went to a neighborhood birthday party yesterday and found out that she had a stroke. Her family is cleaning out the house. They should probably just demolish it. A few years ago a tree fell on it, and that probably was a sign.

I also learned about the new couple who moved into the home that was in foreclosure for 2 years. And some juicy gossip about the people in the nicest house on the block. Who don't work. So juicy that I can't spill. It's funny, some the things you learn, isn't it? You never know what goes on behind closed doors. Unless you're Mrs Kravitz, that is. 

There's a woman who I often see walking. The interesting thing, at least to me, is that when she sees me running towards her, she breaks into a run. As soon as she passes me by, she starts walking again. I know this because I've caught her in the act. Why does she feel the need to run when she sees me? I'm not impressed. It makes me kind of sad for her.


The things I think about when I'm on the road...

How was your week? What have you been thinking about on your runs? Any juicy neighborhood gossip you want to share? And how many pushups are you up to?

I'm linking all these ramblings up with Tricia and Holly for their Weekly Wrap. How about you?





107 comments :

  1. Isn't it funny how we can relax and let our minds wander when were not in training? Even on my easy runs during marathon training I had a hard time just letting my mind go. I definitely think its smart to break up the push-ups into sets! I don't think I can do more than 30 without stopping, but if i break them up I can probably do 60.

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    1. Breaking up the pushups into sets has made it pretty easy. I don't think it will hard to hit 100 at all.

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  2. Too juicy to tell???? Now I'm intrigued. Both don't work. Hmmmmmm. 🙃

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    1. I'd tell you but I don't want to find a horse head in my bed...

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  3. OMG so funny that the woman breaks into a run when she sees you. She's only kidding herself...
    I break up my pushups too. In bits of 20. 15 on my knees and 5 on my toes. I don't do a 100 every day, usually 60. But that is 60 more than I was doing before !

    My eldest goes into the city now all the time, that is part of their growing up. I just make sure I know who she is with and where she is going....

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    1. And that was part of the problem. I don't know any of the people he's with. It's so hard having an almost adult child...

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  4. Your posts just crack me up.. I"m immature like that too.. I would probably start choking from laughing so hard at dinner. :) My runs this week have been non existent so no thoughts.. although i am one of those freaky women who can easily do pushups and pull-ups so that's never been an issue-- ask me to swim though and i'm through...

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    1. I couldn't stop laughing for the rest of the evening. Oh my gosh that was funny!

      I'm pretty strong and can knock out pushups but I cannot do a pullup to save my life. Working on that...

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  5. I think I've made it pretty clear what I think about those single exercise challenges.

    Puppies take time & patience. Heck, dogs take time & patience! Lola has been driving me nuts lately by not wanting to go in our yard at all. Most of the time she's just been holding out for a walk. There's only so many hours in the day, Lola, and mom's busy!

    My Dad just walks around letting em rip. I'm pretty sure Mr. Judy will, too, at that age, assuming he lives that long.

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    1. My dad used to let it rip and then say "here's a kiss for ya!". House full of girls, what else could he do?

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  6. If I break the pushups into sets I'm good for 100 right now. Even after that God forsaken tri.

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    1. I think breaking them up into sets is the only way I'm going to get them done. I think I can do 4 sets of 25. That's my goal.

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  7. The push-up challenge seems much more manageable in chunks! Great idea. That's really too bad about cutting down the trees, especially one that was special to you.

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    1. There is an invasion of the "emerald ash borer" and it is killing all of our trees. My neighborhood looks downright naked. But not the smiling tree!

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  8. I passed a lady this morning who did what you mentioned. There's also the similar thing where someone is running at a pace slower than mine will stop and walk as I go by. As if I am going to judge them. I am just happy they're running. Now if they don't acknowledge me when I say hi or wave I WILL judge the heck out of them ;)

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    1. I haven't had someone stop and walk as I go by. That reminds me of those people who pull of the road to let you pass.

      And yes, if people don't nod or wave--who are they?

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  9. Aww neighborhood stories! We bought our house before we were married but I didn't move in and live there till after the wedding. I visited often and boy oh boy there were definitely rumors started...lol

    I always feel motivated to do push ups (or planks) when I read your blog!

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    1. I love push ups so this challenge was a no-brainer for me. Now pull ups--that's a whole different story!

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  10. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I had "race brain" this weekend and my mind has been all over the place. I love the Gladys Kravitz moments!

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    1. At least with race brain, you are focused on the race! I've got nothing to focus on right now. Pretty sure my boys are going to sign me up for races so I stop focusing on them!

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  11. Hah! Love the text from your son. I can totally relate to that one. I can't believe you run and CrossFit on the same day, but I like your new WWBD mantra.

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    1. I'm trying so hard to cut the cord but he worries me so much!

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  12. This post really made me laugh! I'm impressed with your pushup goal! That's a lot of pushups! I really liked your neighborhood gossip! I notice things around my neighborhood when I run that I'm always curious about. Like tonight, one of my neighbors had all of her car doors open but she was no where in sight...the entire time I was running. ?? I totally understand what you're saying though, since we're not focused on pace and time it's a lot easier for other things to creep up in your mind!

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    1. Letting my mind run wild is usually ok but yesterday it was too much! I need to get focused again. That's one of the good things when I'm training for a race--I have my running to focus on.

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  13. Wendy - I have a tree at a 3 mile marker in my neighborhood, too. It's funny how simple things along the course mean so much to our runs. I'm sorry they removed your smiling tree! I can totally see how your worrying about your son affects your motivation for a run. That would happens all of us runner moms! BTW, the pics of you and the new puppy on Instagram are hilarious!

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    1. So I know where the tree used to be, but it's just not the same without that smiling face! LOL! Maybe I'll bring a can of spray paint on my next run and make another smiling tree.

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  14. I break up my push ups too! On chest day I do 50-100 (depends on how "push uppy" I'm feeling haha!) but always in sets of 10-15. I use these things called the perfect push up because it feels like a lot less pressure on my shoulders!

    Love the graffiti. My thoughts exactly, and then some.

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    1. The logic of the Trump supporters, in light of yesterday's massacre, baffles me.

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  15. Our Mini used to chew on me when we first adopted her. Those little needle teeth hurt! So, I adopted Mojo for her to chew on. It worked out well. Although, he's "special". Probably because she chewed on him... Grandmas get the walking farts. Yep. Fun times ahead. Thanks for your continued support of the WW, Wendy!

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    1. Oh, I'm so not getting another dog! LOL!

      My Grandma had the walking farts and my sisters and I used to make so much fun of her. What goes around comes around...

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  16. Ha ha...Mrs. Kravitz ;-) My mind wonders all over the place when I'm running by myself....I can't even recall the things I think about or the conversations I have with (and against) myself. I break my push-ups up into sets as well. I can do 20-25 pretty well, but usually grit it out to get to 30. One time, I did a 200-daily push-up challenge (for a month)...and that involved multiple sets of push-ups through out the day. It wasn't difficult, but it did seem to take a lot of my "free" time (which is already pretty limited).

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    1. Wow, 200 pushups? I probably could do it but do I want to? Like you said, it's a time suck...

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  17. I'm still laughing about the old lady farting at the restaurant. I'm pretty sure the elderly get to do stuff like that, otherwise what fun is it to be that old? LOL!!! And I'm loving all the gossip you can pick up at the local party. Good stuff Wendy! Hope your son is safe!!

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    1. Babies too! When I'm examining a baby in the office, it's pretty common for them to let one rip! And it always makes me laugh because yep, farts are funny!

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  18. Ahh puppies, they are cute but they certainly have their own minds. I had to laugh about your Mrs. Kravitz tales. We have some nosy neighbors, and I listen to their stories and just have a good chuckle. Please be careful on those runs since you are alone. A creepy guy is worthy of a shot of Halt if he gets too close or does anything stupid.

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    1. That creepy guy made me alter my route so I wouldn't have to run back past him on my way home. Even though there were a ton of people out, it just creeped me out.

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  19. I think about straytats.com all the freaking time. Because you can make your own temporary tattoos.
    I am now thinking about how I want to make one which reads Tuck Frump....

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  20. So much going on! It's always a bummer when you don't get the mileage in that you plan, but nice solid miles regardless! So jealous of your Crossfit workouts! Our instructor for weight training (I'm so sad it's over) once had us do a bajillion pushups. It was so hard and I think I was able to get to 60. Doing 10-20 at a time is a good way to go I think!

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  21. My trains of thought are always all over the place too. haha! I really want a new dog but REALLY don't want to go through puppy training phase!

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    1. But here she is, lying next to me while I type. So there's that...

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  22. That's so sad they're cutting down trees. Are they getting ready for constructions projects? We have so many where I live, it's hard to keep track. They'll cut down trees, finish the project, then plant new ones. They can't work with what already exists?

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    1. There's been an invasion of emerald ash borers, which are killing all the trees around here. So they're having to cut them down and replace them with saplings.

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  23. LOL to the lady running past you.
    And as to the farts... I have IBD and Alex has mild IBS. We are a pair.

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    1. Hopefully you can hold yours in until you are in a safe zone.

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  24. Its amazing how much our minds wander while we're out running. I'm convinced that I do some of my best thinking when I'm out on the open road.

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    1. Me too! Sometimes when I have heavy thinking tho, it really distracts me from the run.

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  25. We have been doing more with the slam balls in my training. Last week we slamed it down then got into plank position on it and then poped back up with the ball and that was one. Man it really did get my heart rate up!
    Oh man Murph is beast! I know I could not do it now. What about the pull ups? I can't do even one unassisted. How would I even try to do that at home? What would you do?
    Juicy gossip? I'm sure I'll have more than I want to know after we've spent this week with the ex-wife under our tailcoats all up in our business! Geeeze I hope the next 7 days flys by so fast It'll be middle of next week before I can stop it!

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  26. You get BIG points from me for mentioning Mrs. Kravitz in this post. When my neighbor and I gossip about our fellow tenants we yell "Abner!" and crack up.

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    1. LOL! Not too many people know who Mrs Kravitz is, so you get points too!

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  27. Looking good on the push ups nice form! We finally stopped to chat with a guy who we always see on our run and he was really fun to talk to. Have a great week!

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    1. I've met some of my neighbors when I've been running! I've even got a few of them to start running.

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  28. LOL at the Grandma with her "indiscretions." Yikes on the creepy guy on the path, I've had similar encounters and it makes my skin crawl, too. BLECH. I feel completely the same way as that graffiti picture communicates! That's sad they are cutting down trees. Way to go on the pushups, you look like a military bad-ass doing them!

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    1. I keep hearing Marcia's voice in my head, saying "get down and give me 100!"

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  29. Love the pup pic! Hopefully she'll get over the "bitey" phase soon! :)

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  30. I am trapped in nursing homes all day- I know all about farting and no they don't know they do it. It is pretty funny though! I do check out all the stuff in my neighborhood too when I run and then I come home and give report, my hubby seems more interested in that than my achieved pace! I am working the push ups- the clip Marcia posted has them doing them in 5 sets. So 5 sets of 20 to get to 100 :) doesn't that sound better?

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    1. Well their butts have to be numb because this one was so loud it measured on the Richter scale!

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  31. I love your smiling tree!
    Also, 3 sets of 20 push ups is hard! Kudos to you for trying to do 5! Maybe I'll take on that challenge, too... hmmm....
    So funny about the grandma hahahaha

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  32. Nice job on your workouts! It is interesting what you learn if you watch your neighbors lol. Your gossip sounds juicy, lol. Great job with your push ups! I need to start doing more.

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  33. I hope all goes well with puppy training! They are so adorable, and so difficult to train!

    Ooh! gossip! how fun!

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  34. OMG, I hate running into creeps or someone questionable hanging out on a trail or nearby. That happened to me last week! Sometimes I wish I had a dog buddy to go with me. Your new doggie is so cute!

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    1. I'd love a big dog to run with but that would mean I'd have to share my house with one! This little one is enough trouble as it is.

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  35. I guess I'm immature too because I'm still giggling about the farting grandma. That too will be me (sooner rather than later probably). Good luck with your puppy training. Believe me, I feel your pain.

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    1. I had the same thoughts about the farting grandma. Yep, laugh now, right...

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  36. OOH puppy bites. Sharp little teeth. I know it is a phase but it can get to you. She is so cute.

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    1. Most of the time she doesn't bite hard, but after playing a while, she gets a little aggressive.

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  37. I've started running trails where I don't have to *think* on my runs because I'm too busy focusing on how not to fall on my face!

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  38. I haven't heard the new Gwen Stefani song, but now I want to!

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  39. Not a whole lot of running going on in my world, but I am still managing some workouts. I hear ya on the momma drama keeping up late at night. I swear I don't sleep anymore. LOL. and the Trump statement. YES!!!!!!!!! 1000000000%. That's all I will say too!

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  40. I hope she doesn't eat the sofa! Although I'd love to get a new one...

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  41. You need to do a stand up comedy routine. This cracked me up! When I'm running I'm usually doing math (like howwwwww much longer do I have?!), avoiding homeless people, and looking down hoping I don't trip (total klutz).

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    1. Haha! I've tripped many times--so I don't think walking on stage would be a good thing...

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  42. I didn't know about this new Gwen Stefani tree but I def wanna check it out. Sorry about the tree...he looked like he was a great motivator :)

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    1. I'll just have to bring paint on my next run and make a new tree! :D

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  43. I always struggle with pushups so I think my max is still about 10 at a time!

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  44. I am "embarrassed" to admit that.. I am soooooooo your grandmother! LOL! Well at least according to my fiance! LMFAO!

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  45. loved your thoughts esp with the woman who runs after seeing you. hey at least, you are motivating someone to run :p :P

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    1. That's one way of looking at it! Even if she's only running for a minute or 2...

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  46. Love this post... the text from your son... the graffiti (LOL!!!) and your inspiration! So glad to have discovered your blog, love following your running escapades :-)

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    1. There's just so much to think about when you aren't training for anything!

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  47. That grandma story has me laughing out loud. It reminds me of the time my mom let one rip in KB Toys and she walked away from it. Conveniently there was a little girl in diapers around. Her mother said, "Jessica did you poo your pants?" We still laugh about that one like it was yesterday.

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    1. I think there may be a few of us with one of those stories...ahem...

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  48. Sorry to hear that the smiling tree in no longer there. I'd be kinda sad as well. Weird about the woman that runs when she sees you then walks after she passes. Not quite sure why she would do that..

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    1. Believe me, I've given that one a lot of thought! Every time I see her!

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  49. love this post! i have got to listen to the new gwen stefani song. love her. weird about that women who walks then runs. i am a true walker and no one gets me to run. ever. just walking along at my pace.

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  50. I love the thoughts that come to your head! Big fan of Gwen Stefani and had the chance to see her in concert last month. Thanks for posting her new song - I haven't even seen it yet. Way to go with the push-ups! When I was in the military we had to do as many pushups for 2 minutes - I think my max was close to 40. I still do them but in sets of 15 to 20/set.

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    1. I do believe that pushups are the best exercise if you want to get strong!

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  51. Yes. You can do 5 sets. I love the new Gwen Stefani song. Have you heard Pink's latest? Love it too.

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  52. I haven't done push-ups in a while...have no idea how many I can do. Now I'm going to have to go find out ;)

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    1. This is a fun challenge! Since I'm not training for a race, I'm enjoying throwing some upper body work into the mix.

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  53. Wendy, you make me smile. This post is so hilarious!! WHY does that woman feel the need to break out into a run when she sees you? That is crazy funny. And the couple that doesn't work... whoa!
    No way I could ever do 200 pushups at once! Have a great week!! :)

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    1. Every time I see her, she starts running. Hello? I'm on to you... :p

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  54. I was smiling and chuckling through this whole post! The next time you see that woman, I dare you to slow to a walk right when she breaks into a run just to see what happens. It will be a social experiment!

    Good luck with the push ups!

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    1. Most recently, I saw her on the bike and I was actually surprised she didn't throw it down to the ground and break into a run!

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