Two Months!

I have exactly two months until the Peachtree Road Race! My training is going well. I am started Week 11. Repeating Week 11, Day 1 tomorrow. Although I have three weeks left in my plan, I am no way near six miles. I am barely running three miles. No matter what, I will get across that finish line!

This weekend I had a very unfortunate incident. I have been debating whether or not to blog about it. However, it is part of my journey and I want to be able to look back on it at some point. Anyhow, I'm running, minding my own business. This woman pulls up into a parking space next to the path, gets out of her car, and says, look at that fat stomach! I am not sure why she felt the need to say anything. Part of me wanted to stop and say something but I said a prayer for her and just kept running. Part of me wanted to go all angry black woman at her but it wouldn't have helped anything. I went to my car, text my friend about what had happened, and drove home.

I walked through the door and thought about crying but couldn't. I told myself I was not going to allow some stranger to steal my joy! You cares what anyone says to me. I am doing what I am doing for me, myself, and I! I also reminded myself that I have been very lucky. Most people smile, wave, and give me the thumbs up. There has been much more good than bad. I am doing much better out there sweating, with my fat stomach, than sitting on the couch, with my fat stomach, eating chips and ice cream.

I am so sorry that person felt the need to say anything to me. Maybe she thought I couldn't hear her because I had a headphones. Who knows...who cares.... Anyhow, I just wanted to get that out. I will not be bullied by anyone. Whoever you are, lady, screw you! You do not know anything about my journey!

It also brings home to me just how vulnerable we are when were out. I already felt a little uneasiness because I forgot my pepper spray. Even though the park was filled with people on the fields and playgrounds and I saw a police car patrolling around, I was still vulnerable in that time and space. I've got to do better about keeping my pepper spray next to my keys. What if that lady had come up and approached me? I do not run that fast.

A couple of months ago, some guy tried to abduct this 18 year old girl who was jogging in her neighborhood. She had a pocket knife on her. Who knows...maybe she was trying to start a confrontation....

Motivational Monday

I spent over half the day talking myself in and out of going running today. Then, all of sudden, at 7:00, I got dressed and headed out of the door. Up until the end of my five-minute warm up, I thought I was going to end up walking. I started my "wog" and pushed through for the entire 30 minutes.

I had about ten minutes left and it started getting dark. There wasn't much traffic on the Greenway. I was not feeling so comfortable. When I had about three minutes left, I noticed this creepy looking dude. At that point, I pulled out my pepper spray and finished my cool down. I wasn't sure if it was the dude or the fact that it seemed dark earlier than usual that was making me uneasy.

Funny thing is I get on Facebook one of my friends, the one who has most inspired me to run, mentioned being at the Greenway and it getting dark all of sudden. She also mentioned that same creepy dude. It seems I missed her by about 15 minutes. I guess we both found out it is getting dark earlier now that summer is almost over.

I am glad I got out there and completed my workout. I kept reminded myself that I really want to give myself my best shot at meeting my goal of running nonstop during the Big Pumpkin 5K. The more I push myself now the better runner I will become.

WTH! Wednesday

It took me about 20 minutes to get out of bed this morning. I wasn’t feeling my workout but I prayed and went out to conquer it anyhow. I was feeling great. I gave myself a pep talk about how accomplished I was going to feel, it's only 30 minutes, etc.

Five minutes into my run, these two little dogs come out of nowhere barking up a storm. I stop and try not to panicked, pissed that I still haven’t gone to the store to get pepper spray. I keep talking myself out of it thinking it won’t be necessary. I’m standing there trying to be calm and this dude is taking his sweet time (at least this is my perception) getting his dogs! He didn't say, sorry maam; I'm going to get them; they won't bite; nothing. I wanted to say something to him but didn't want to provoke his dogs. Who knows...maybe he was speaking for the same reason.

I start running again. Five minutes later I see this guy with his dog. I'm thinking, really? Usually it's so quiet out here. Just me, a few cars, and people walking to the bus stop. I can’t tell if this dog is on a leash. In hindsight, I should have turn away as soon as I saw the dog. Now this dog is barking and charging toward me. The guy, who looked half asleep, takes his time pulling the leash. He at least says sorry and good morning. I run a few more yards and a car speeds pass me. I’m thinking this morning I’m either going to get bit or it. I head for home. I was able to complete a mile.