Stop. Breathe. Enjoy.

Stop. Breathe. Enjoy.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Day 167

Wednesday June 22,2011

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Day 166

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Day 165

Moday June 20, 2011

The Barrier

Day 164

Sunday June 19, 2011


One year ago today I ran my very first 1/2 marathon. Today marked the 6th half marathon of my running life...4th run this year, and I feel great. It might have a little something to do with acheiving a new personal best, but I think it's because as much as I love the afterglow from crossing that finish line I still hate running.

I can procrastinate with the best of them...trust me if I can find a reason not to run I will...and then I feel sick about it...so then I end up heading out _way_ later than I'd initially intended.

Running when you're "heavy"...okay lets be honest, FAT...is tough. You have to work twice as hard just to move forward and we constantly ask ourselves why we're bothering? If we're honest running is designed for the skinny people...ever try finding good quality, moisture wicking clothes that would fit someone other than a Barbie doll? Or how about the looks or comments that you get when you head out for a run or mention that you're running a 1/2 marathon this weekend?

The worst though? Is when the crowds go home and you're still out there. You come around the corner, not expecting to see a vast number of people, but to see that EVERYONE but your family has gone home...well let's just say it sucks.

Now don't get me wrong, it's not that I'm saying it's harder for us FAT people to run...okay maybe I am...mentally harder. You have to want it like nothing else you've wanted before. It's all about conquering yourself...and the demons that live inside you. Your try on clothes that don't fit, have finishing gates torn down before you finish, know that the food tent's going to be empty, you ingore the looks & taunts.

You accept shopping in the mens section and forgo souvenir tee's because maybe, just maybe, they might fit your left breast and that's about it.

All of these things can make you hate running but me? I hate...well I know what I don't hate...I love finding that zone where it all comes naturally, I love the feeling of crossing that finish line, I love the blisters, the aches & pains...but most of all? I love that look. The "you're running a half marathon???" incredulous look...the "wait you've run 6?" look.

Yup. Big ol' fattie me is a runner. I'm slow. I look sloppy because I have no choice but to buy mens gear. It takes me over 3 hours to run 21.1km. It doesn't make me any less of a runner, just a different type of one.

Day 163

Saturday, June 18

Day 162

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Day 147

Storm Clouds



I can't even begin to describe the sky today. I came home from my Massage apointment and couldn't help but notice how stunning the clouds were. Of course its usually quite difficult to translate that beauty in to pictures...it's missing the movement...and today was no exception.

I stood on the street and watched clouds swirl and flirt with each other. Then at one point I realized there was a stunningly terrifying dance going on. The clouds seemed to get sucked up into the heavens almost like an inverted vortex. Then moments later they seemed to be expelled from the heavens, pushed downward from where they came.

At some level I knew that the possibility of a Tornado was there, but honestly I dismissed it as everytime there's a storm I feel that way. I did keep and eye on the sky for the rest of the afternoon...

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Day 146

Just Dandy



I don't know what it is about this contradictory weed. I shudder at the sight of their bright yellow counter part. I wander around my yard with a squirt bottle shooting them on sight, but when they turn into puffs of air I can't help but grab my camera.

So light, so dainty, so beautiful, so freakin annoying...

Day 145

Dandylion deer



I love the little stubbies poking out if this guys head. Have I mentioned how much I love the field behind my house?

Day 144