Today's run was a big fat bust.

I spent the weekend at the lake with my family. It was wonderful. There's something magical that happens on Lake Palestine. The water washes away my yesterday and the trees absorb tomorrow.

All that's left is today -- sorry run and all.

The past year I've wanted to make memories. Naturally, it's hard for situations to stick in my head -- the smell, the touch, the sound -- so I've tried really hard to make things concrete.

One of the things -- riding on the lake. For reasons I'm not sure of, my mind goes into mode memory making when I'm riding the tube. No, not the slalom, the knee board or the rocket... but the inner tube.

I think it's being so close to the water (and since I'm being pulled behind a boat, being so close to the wake.)

While being pulled today, I couldn't help but wish I had a waterproof camera. I wanted to take a picture to help me remember.

Don't have a camera, but I can try something else:

The sound --- it's the closest I'll ever get to being a hermit crab... folding waves, motor running... It sounds like the inside a seashell.

And since I'm lying on my belly, atop the tube, I can touch the wave at its crescent point. It's just a little reach.

It's colder up top with the waves than it is down at my toes -- When the boat's a' moving, and I'm a' riding, I can dig my toes in the water and send up spray.

It's the same physics that Fred Flinstone used to stop his car.

Except with me, I don't stop.

I can't wear my glasses in the water. They'd sink. So everything is fuzzy. (Maybe there's a little magic in that as well.) But when I put my specs back on, I can see again: My mom (normally) driving, kneeling on life jackets so she can see over the boat's helm. My dad, legs propped up on two seats in the front. He sits at the very tip of the boat, so when we're driving he's elevated above everyone else. The trees. The water. The houses.

It's a weird balance. I see things out on the water as blurry blobs, but know as soon as I put my glasses back on I'll get the details. I'll be able to see the bird's feathers and the dragonfly's wings.

Lake means food, too.

Which is why my run was less than what I wanted.

I ate a cow for breakfast and lunch. A cow and a pig. A cow and a pig covered in BBQ sauce.

Then I ate ice cream.

When I got to the first mile tonight, I could feel all of that food doing flip flops in my stomach.

So I walked.

The end.

U2 and morning go like this (*crosses fingers*)

Enjoy these lyrics. I sure did while running this morning. The sunrise
was awesome.

Grace
She takes the blame
She covers the shame
Removes the stain
It could be her name

Grace
It's a name for a girl
It's also a thought that
Changed the world

And when she walks on the street
You can hear the strings
Grace finds goodness
In everything

Grace
She's got the walk
Not on a wrapper on chalk
She's got the time to talk

She travels outside
Of karma, karma
She travels outside
Of karma

When she goes to work
You can hear the strings
Grace finds beauty
In everything

Grace
She carries a world on her hips
No champagne flute for her lips
No twirls or skips
Between her fingertips

She carries a pearl
In perfect condition
What once was hers
What once was friction
What left a mark
No longer stains

Because grace makes beauty
Out of ugly things

Grace finds beauty
In everything

Grace finds goodness
In everything

----

Nice aye? GolLLEEEE. Love it.

More later.





Hi

Sorry 'bout the no talking bit. This week has been one of late nights
and early mornings. I've still been running, but have had to half it
-- half in the a.m. and half at night. I didn't do a great job on last
week's schedule. It's getting a little rough, but I knew that would
happen before I made the commitment... and it is a commitment.

So, about this week. I've been doing a lot more on the treadmill since
running after dark isn't very smart for this girl. One good thing
about the treadmill is constant updates.

I get my average speed, time spent, miles traveled, all on a little
scrolling screen. Oh, and the TV in the workout room gives me reruns
of all my old favorites.

Hi, Tim the Tool man Taylor. Missed ya Zach, Slater and Kelly.

Running alone inside, it's socially OK to belt out all the theme songs.

"If the teacher pops a test, I know I'm in a mess 'cause the dog ate
all my homework last night, (bop bop)"

Oh, classics ;) We're such children of the 90s. Whoa! NOT Ug ug ug

Did you catch the catchphrases?

But, geez, back to running.

Nope, nope... I guess that's it. Update complete.

Out.