Bi-Polar Kleptomaniac Runner

After complaining last week about not being able to run, feeling exhausted for going on 2 weeks and being a whiner, I tried to run on Friday.  It went well, I felt good but didn't want to jinx it.  I ended up running 6 miles and started to have hope in the world again.  It wasn't fast but I was instantly in a better mood.  I determined the rest finally paid off and I didn't have to wash all fall race hopes down the drain.

Therefore, I was hopeful about Saturday morning's run.  I'd try to go for a long run of 12-14 miles but taking it very, very easy.  Meeting up with company for the run and a different than usual route should just make the miles tick by.  Perfect!  They didn't, I quit after 6 miles of agony and cried on the way home.  Then, I drowned myself in a delicious breakfast.  Eventually, I decided to stop complaining.

In the afternoon, we planned on going to the National Apple Harvest Festival.  Why we go is beyond me because the few times we've gone, all we do is eat a bunch of fried food that makes us feel terrible, complain about all the people and wonder who buys all the crappy crafts.  Either way, we went again and while I'd hoped to eat all that greasy fried food guilt-free from running, instead I ate my pit beef sandwich, sweet potato fries and pumpkin funnel cake as a way to cope with my current sad state of inactivity.  After dealing with far too many people cramped in a small place, we got our kettle corn, apple cider, applesauce and apple butter and headed towards the car.

Then, my kleptomaniac side came out.  Instead of taking the shuttle, we walked the short (probably .25-.50 miles) between the fairgrounds and where we had to park.  It involved walking through an apple orchard.

I have a very odd fascination with orchards and really any type of produce growing alongside a road and wanting to just grab some of whatever is growing straight off the tree or field.  There's something much more enjoyable than just getting the stuff from my own small garden (which I neglected as the summer went on this year) because it's much more interesting than cucumbers and tomatoes.

I think it started with picking sweet corn.  Several years ago, I remember picking some wild blackberries and on the walk back, picking some sweet corn as well.  We had permission to grab the corn but I think that's when this whole idea started.

Two years ago, when training for my first marathon, I decided one of my long run routes would involve running around the outside perimeter of a nearby orchard.  I had these great visions of stopping mid-run and enjoying a peach straight off the tree.  I didn't steal any peaches but still loved trying to incorporate the orchard in my run.

This weekend was no different and of course as we are walking through the apple orchard, I just wanted to grab an apple off a tree.  I enjoyed it on the ride home and would guess it was a Fuji.  Hopefully no one will find me for stealing one apple!

On Sunday, it was time to run with the shelter dogs.  It was a cold, dreary morning and I planned on taking it super easy.  I woke up with a really sore throat and concluded I was getting sick so perhaps there was a valid excuse for not feeling well the past two weeks.  I just didn't realize I was coming down with a cold.

At the last minute, we shifted dogs we were taking and I ended up with one of the speedy hounds, not who I originally planned on taking on a take it really slow, easy and short day.  I started running and felt perfectly fine.  Insane?  At this point, quite possibly.  Again, not wanting to overdo, I only ran 4 miles with her but they weren't exactly super slow.  Felt perfectly fine and easy.

 
By the end of the day, I've decided I officially have a cold and a very sore throat so I'll continue taking it easy this week to be ready for this weekend's marathon.  Hopefully whatever this is will go away quickly and I just haven't realized I've been sick with all of my bi-polar and kleptomaniac tendencies lately.