not so high and dry

Yesterday on the news I heard that this is wettest month of June ever since 1872 (or 18something) in the Denver area. We’ve had some very heavy down pours lately. It almost feels like old times before the drought when thunder heads used to move in from over the mountains every afternoon even if just for a few sprinkles.

It’s been so humid that even the weeds are posting beautiful blooms. I was noticing all the flowers along the freeway earlier in the week during the commute to work. There were blocks of yellow, purple and blue against a thick green background setting off the foothills for a picturesque morning. The morning rush hour crawl didn’t seem so bad after all.

This morning much to my dismay the gorgeous blooming weeds were but little green stubs. Apparently the big yellow machinery that was holding up traffic yesterday was a giant mower trimming roadside flowers. Bummer! I wonder if someone complained about being distracted by all the flowers.

Someone always gots to have a complaint. Finally we have moisture after many years of drought and there are folks complaining about having sticky skin all the time. WTF! I’m glad for it either way at least now I’m saving on moisturizer and enjoying a lower water bill.

The flowers I’ve seen are: blanket flower, they are just like sunshine on a stick; musk thistle, pretty and spiny; sunflowers; bindweed, of course it can’t be left behind; chicory, is this what some folks use as coffee?; common mullein, these become an ugly brown, and yucca fruit. After looking up all these plants I found out that most of them are considered noxious weeds in the state. One sad thing I also learned is that there are some plants other than the ones I’ve listed were once used as xeriscape plants in gardens but have escaped and started taking over native plants.

waiting for the light to change

There are some serious considerations going on relative to my fitness activities. Serious enough that I would rather ignore it than have to make some significant changes in my routine. But it’s kind of difficult to ignore an orange elephant.
I have plenty of injuries that if not treated properly would perpetuate further ailments. But I don’t want to because it means havng to slow down a whole lot and be out of the game for a long time. Or start a new obsession. Let’s face it, most of us runners have OCD or some other freak habit.

I’ve injured the same leg twice in the past two years which still makes my knee hurt. I think those same injuries also contribute to some new calluses that formed at the bottom of my feet. Whatever is going on is causing my gait to change. The recent bike somersault did something to my neck. When I go for my annual physical shortly I’ll have to speak with the doctor about physical therapy. I don’t like have to talk about my ailments because it makes me sound wimpy. I just want a tune up.

For now I will have to take it easy on the running and maybe delay the spin classes that I wanted to join. The ER nurse told me that she is in the master’s swim group at the pool near my house and invited me to stop in sometime. Maybe I”ll try that but I feel like it’s something I would have to improve my skills before joining.

While looking into some core training workouts and stretch exercises I came across this program on public television that’s got my interest. It’s an overall deep stretch program that includes tai chi, yoga, ballet and physiotherapy movements. After following along twice I’m feeling muscles I didn’t know existed. It may be helpful to me so I”ll continue it for a couple of weeks to see I notice an improvement. The tv program is only 30 minutes so I maybe have to find a dvd version that goes a bit longer.

I wanted to do a half-marathon this fall but we’ll have to wait and see. Maybe with some structured program I’ll be back on track soon. I could always use that extra hour of time with my kid.

random

You're the cutest thing
That I ever did see
I really love your peaches
Wanna shake your tree.
a Lovey-dovey, lovey-dovey, lovey-dovey all the time
Ooo-eee baby, I'll sure show you a good time
-The Joker, Steve Miller Band

This tune cracks me up every time. Heard it this morning on the commute.

mosquitos, dog doo doo, & jogging

So I’ve been gently easing back into the daily workouts after the face plant. The first few days my head didn’t enjoy being jarred at all but I think I’m good now.

Since Sunday the Hub and Kid have gone away for some fun in So. Cal and I’m designated dog walker and doody picker-upper. Mostly I’m disgusted with the doody part. I’ll be ecstatic when the Kid returns today.

Every morning we’ve been going for a brisk one mile walk before leaving for work. Later when I return we’ve been going for two loops around the pond for a three mile jog which we both enjoy.

All we know about Keeta’s past from the shelter is that she was part of an active family so we keep learning new things about her. She’s well trained and behaves well. In fact the cat has learned to ignore her (which in cat latin means approval). Last night during our run we passed a woman wogging on the trail and I thought nothing of it until Keeta stopped about 25 yards away. To keep the heart rate going I tried to urge her along except she didn’t want to and even started pulling me back in the opposite direction on the trail. Finally she just stopped and I couldn’t get her to continue. It turns out that she wanted us to wait for the woman so we could run with her. The wogging woman tried to ignore us but it got awkward as we tagged along side of her. Finally I had to explain her that Keeta was a new pet and she was being invited as part of our running group. It was kind of sweet that she didn’t want to leave that woman behind. Maybe the woman resembled her previous owner or she was part of a "dont leave anyone behind running group".

good news, sort of

the bone part of my nose is not fractured but the cartilage is but there is not much to do about but wait for it to heal. Dr. said to wait about a year and it it is crooked i could cosmetic repair.

I'm waiting at least a full week before going back to any vigorous activity. We've been walking at least 1.5 miles a day with the dog though.

I took a peek at the bike and it seems to still be in good condition. The seat is sitting side ways but it seems fine. That was the thing the guys at work asked about - "so how's the bike?". lol.