Row Row Row Your Boat....

Run run run your legs off….

That sums up my weekend.

Saturday was the longest run of my training – 12 miles. Brutal. Not sure why it didn’t feel good. I was rested, hydrated, and fed. The weather, however, was heavy and the sky was cloudy. Maybe it was partially those external forces. Or maybe it was that I’m feeling a bit burnt out at this stage of the training game. There just seem to be so many more things to do other than think about or plan for a long run.

Two more, however, then the half-marathon. After that I’m uncertain. There are plenty more opportunities for half-marathons in the next few months, but gosh, do I want to give up so much to it? I’m just not certain. Of course, I don’t need to decide today either.

Saturday afternoon I finally had some time in my garden. M put in a couple of plants for me (tickseed was one – not sure if I like that name or not, but I do like the plant) and I filled the containers. I still have more to do (always!) and will try to get to that this weekend.

On Sunday, to ensure a full-body workout, M and I went kayaking. We started on the Gasconade River and paddled roughly 7 miles to where the Gasconade meets the Missouri River . Then we paddled another 6 or 7 on the Missouri River, to Hermann, MO. This was my first trip on the Gasconade and second on the Missouri. And my first paddle through a confluence. When I think about it now I should have expected the churning waters where two rivers meet, but of course, I didn’t even give that a thought. Let’s just say, that was the most challenging part of the trip for me. Once we cleared it, however, we had relatively smooth paddling to Hermann.

The Gasconade River, which was up significantly from when we saw it in the spring, is a beautiful, winding river. When we got on we actually paddled upstream for about a distance and it wasn’t too bad. I had my GPS with me and we saw that the current was running about 1.5 mph. It took us about four hours to get from our starting point to the Missouri River. We paddled slowly, took a couple of side routes, and all in all just enjoyed the trip. I must admit, however, since the river was so high the number of places to stop was limited. This means we didn’t get out until we were more than 3 hours into the trip.

The Missouri River was much faster – there were times when the current was moving at 8 mph! We paddled about 6 miles in an hour. Like the Gasconade, the water was high, which made me a bit nervous. Especially when M almost had a run in with a channel marker (buoy). He couldn’t quite get around it so it sort of came up on his boat. He did an excellent job of staying upright. Wow did I feel my eyes get huge when it came up on him, however. We saw one other buoy bobbing along and steered a good distance from it.

One

The past few weeks, like many this year, have been a bit nuts. Since the 10K, I’ve done a couple of long runs. Last week it was 10-plus miles, lots of hills, and a route that took me down a long, busy, two-lane road. Not a wise move on my part, but at least it was Mother’s Day morning and there wasn’t much traffic. I was pretty beat up at the end, but did recover well so I’m feeling confident about recovering from the half. That M and I have decided to spend an extra night in KC helps. I figure after the half we can enjoy the festivities, then I can go back to the room and sleep before we do whatever one does in the evening in KC (I’m thinking the Plaza for dinner).

We are finding a bit of time to garden and I was so excited to see that one of my peonies bloomed! With just one flower, but that pretty girl is the one on this entry. I filled containers at M’s last weekend and will do the same at my place this weekend. So ready to have them out on the patio, looking pretty!

It’s getting on to late since this gal had a 4 a.m. wakeup call today and has a 5 a.m. tomorrow. More garden pictures coming up!

Lament

We went for a run today and M commented that I had used the word “lament” on more than one occasion recently. This puzzles me and I simply can’t remember how or when I used it (though I don’t doubt he’s right). It makes me feel bad because it is a sad word, and I really am not sad these days. So I remain puzzled.

The half-marathon is a mere five weeks away. M went with me on my long run over the weekend (9 miles) and it is probably the last long run he’ll do with me from beginning to end. It was a good run, through my little town. Slow, but I had a definite sense of accomplishment when I finished. And also a sense that I would be able to complete the half.

One thing that was different was that instead of using a sports gel I used a sports drink. At the 10K the sports gel did my gut no favors. I’m not sure if the sports drink has enough of everything, but at least for the 9 miler it worked just fine. I’ll try it again this weekend on a 10 mile run.

The goal for the half has changed, by the way. I was wanting to run it under 2 hours, but now I’m to the point of: 1. No injuries. 2. Finish. 3. Run the entire thing. And oh yes, enjoy it as well.

Next topic - last night I discovered yet another critter...a mole track in my backyard. Ugh ugh ugh. That battle begins today.

As for the image on this post, I have not recently had time - or taken time - to put pen to paper. I am hoping to change that.