If You Can't Say Anything Nice

Grandmothers from the beginning of time have been quoted "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." It's my impression that if the world took the adage literally, the Internet - especially social media - would be devoid of content this past week. Emotions are running high and the dialog is in large part not nice. The thing is, I don't think we need to take the adage so literally.

Being nice doesn't mean we all have to agree. Being nice doesn't mean we can't say what we think. We can disagree and still be nice. We can have a debate and still be nice. It's a lot harder ..... but it's possible.

Being nice can simply mean choosing words that convey our thoughts without name calling or assigning negative attributes to another's conduct or thoughts. When we add the negativity, the issues become secondary, because now everyone is focused on defending egos.

In short, I may not agree with you. You may not agree with me. I'm going to try hard not to think less of you for not agreeing with me (ego, remember?) but I'm also going to try very hard to make sure my words express my opinion of the issue not my opinion of you. If I stand a chance of having you seeing things my way (and I may not) I need to stick to selling my opinion of this issue.

Cause in the grand scheme of things, any of us could be wrong. Or may be there is no right or wrong. But we'll never get to either realization if we continue to stomp on each other.

As we move into the Thanksgiving holiday see if you can say it nicely. Whether it's about Syrian refugees, political candidates, or Aunt Esther's new hairstyle - say it nicely.

Keep smiling and keep moving
and remember to THINK before you post

T - is it true?
H - is it helpful?
I - is it inspiring?
N- is it necessary?
K - is it kind?

-Paula

Running with Friends; No Breakfast

From the top left clockwise
Jeff, Maggi, Marjorie, Irene, Jennifer and me! 

About ten paces in Jeff asked why nothing was said about breakfast. He had a point. We typically have breakfast when we meet at the Collegeville Diner trail head. I thought about posting breakfast when I set it up but a) I had plans after and thought breakfast might make me late and b) I really wasn't sure who, if anyone, would show up for the run.

It was four weeks ago when I attempted a return to running with Maggi, Julius and Sara at Ft. Washington State Park. I survived that hour and then various things like home improvement projects, helping a friend move and parade practice kept me from trying again. On a whim, I posted an event for 8 am this morning just to see who might want to join in. In the end, there were 7 of us!!!!  Elaine and Sara missed our selfie photo attempt.

I had plans to go for an hour at 2:1 intervals. The group didn't seem to mind that and off we went. Irene and Jeff are the fastest but they managed to stay within 20 paces or so of us. Gotta love group running. The support means everything. It was great catching up with everyone and a fantastic way to start the weekend. It was nice to return to the trail where we (and many others) trained for miles and miles. Those really were good times. Not every day was easy but they were good times and memories.

I have promised not to put myself under pressure to train for anything specific. But when I asked Jeff, Irene, and Marjorie what they had been doing lately they mentioned the Ocean City Half. I WILL NOT sign up in advance but it would be fun to do that one again.

Today I managed to do all 20 intervals in the appropriate run or walk mode. My left hamstring was tight on the last 5 intervals. I stretched it out when I got home and I'll roll it out later. Maggi is a proponent of rolling every day regardless. I may want have to give that a try.

Nutrition: I had a full bottle of water before leaving the house. I carried a handheld for the run and drank another bottle on the way home. I did not eat breakfast before I left. I brought a peeled hard boiled egg and some grape tomatoes which I ate in the car on the way home. I feel pretty good. I skipped the pre-run coffee to avoid the obvious. Although on this particular route the Wawa and the Diner would have provided relief on that score.

Jeff, I owe you a breakfast run!!

Letting Go

Warning: Long rambling post. Proceed at your own risk. 

Today I hiked with Mary and Tootsie at Ridley Creek State Park. We met at Area #16 for a loop hike on all three trails inside the main part of the park. I was using the Friends of RCSP map because I like that the trails are more clearly defined/contrasted. The coloring of the official park map is often hard to follow in the glare of the sun and/or without my glasses. 

Today we learned that the placement of the restroom symbol at area #16 is not accurate on the map. It's tough to explain in words but I'll try. The map shows that leaving on the trail as it goes alongside the restroom building will take you on a clockwise tour. It's actually the reverse. The thing that gets me is that my memory and sense of direction were telling me it was wrong. But my sense of direction (ask any family member) is generally pretty sucky so I trusted the map. I shouldn't have. In the end it didn't matter, of course. Once we realized we were not going the direction we thought we were we adjusted and hiked our intended loop in reverse of the plan. 

In other letting go moments - I am  committed to not training for any races or events in the next 12 months. I know I said that around this time last year and then broke my promise by signing up for the Super Hike as soon as registration opened February 1st. (And we know how well THAT worked out). This year I intend to mean it. To be clear, I can sign up for anything I want last minute (within 1 month of the event) but I'm not gunning for anything other than getting and staying as fit as my 55 year old body and mind will let me. If there is to be a goal it is to fight the laziness that sets in from not having an event goal. Training for life not medals. 

Well I'm happy to report so far so good. I did two body weight workouts this week (Mon and Thur) all by myself at home. Using the exercises we'd done at Bella Boot Camp I created two different routines for each day. It is so not the same doing it alone. But I did do it. Once I got past the - 'it's the end of the day do I really want to do this' feeling, it was great and I felt great after. I am determined to continue doing it while at the same time I'm really looking forward to spring when the group will hopefully re-group.

I also ran one day this week - on Wednesday - for 30 minutes.  I used my watch for the intervals (2:1) but did not look at the pace or mileage. In fact, I put the watch away without looking either. If I know the pace and distance each outing it starts to be a competition. Albeit with myself but it's not a productive competition. It's too easy to get discouraged or feel that something is wrong because one outing does not compare to another. The fact is, they just won't. Too many factors play into each one. I'm not an elite athlete training to win a race so it really doesn't matter. It only matters that I keep going. 

There is also good news about the workouts I did not do this week and last. I did not do anything the past two Saturdays. Last Saturday I worked on painting the areas that needed touching up after the window installation. Yesterday, I went to balloon practice followed by some home and Christmas shopping with Dave. And I did not fret about missing a day of working out. If you know me you may think I never worry about that (lord knows I've missed enough days over the years) but in my head it's a firestorm of debate which usually leads to self loathing and moody misery. Again, I'm not an elite athlete (I don't even play one on TV) so it's not a huge deal to switch my priorities for any given day. I can't tell you how freeing this is. 

I've also decided to try to be less of a worrier in general. Not just about fitness stuff. THIS will take lots of effort on my part but I'm going to try. I'm a first born natural worrier. My lists have lists. But the worrying only leads to conflict and doesn't produce the desired, if any, results. Sooo.... if you have any positive ju-ju to send my way this is where I'll need it most. :) 

Not enough sun for
shadow pics ;)

In non-letting it go news. We did have balloon practice yesterday. Letting go here is a really bad idea. Likely we will hear this week which balloon we will wrangle. There are 7 of us on the team this year. My college friend Theresa, who has joined us before; Therea's friend Mary, our niece Fred (aka Erin) and my sister KT and her husband JL. I am looking forward to another fun year. 

Keep smiling and keep moving

-Paula 

Sometimes You Just Do Things

"He's Winnie-ther-Pooh. Don't you know what 'ther' means?"
"Ah, yes, now I do," I said quickly; and I hope you do too, because it is all the explanation you are going to get." - A.A. Milne 

Shortly after we began the run Maggi asked me why I decided to run today. I tried to formulate an answer and realized the truth is "It just felt like something I wanted to do". And one of the many great things about fitness buddies is that's all the explanation they needed. 

I didn't pass out from lack of oxygen a few weeks ago when the Bella Bootcamp crew went for a mile run after our workout. In fact I felt pretty good after. So I posted a message out to the crew to see who might be available to join me for a run today. I knew the chances of getting everybody was small and I was thrilled to see that Maggi, Julius and Sara were free this morning! Mike is in taper mode for Marine Corps Marathon next week and Fitz had drill this weekend. 

I decided an hour of interval running was something I could manage. I wanted to challenge not discourage myself. I'm at the point where 2 hours is an easy hike for me. So I figured an hour of running might tax my cardio fitness but not leave me slumped over gasping for air. :) I debated the intervals and (1 and 1 or 2 and 1) and decided 2 and 1 was good. Speed and distance were irrelevant today. I simply wanted time on my feet running. 

On the way home from the run I was drive-dancing to "I Feel Good". Which is way better than the "Space Oddity" which was in my head on the way to it. *Shrug* Yeah, I don't get it either. There's more than one reason for just keep smiling and keep moving. :)

Today was perfect - from the company to the weather. I felt good and had a great time. I look forward to running again (soon I hope). The weather can be iffy from time to time but there is never a question about the company. 

Thank you friends. As always
You Rock! 

We were treated to gorgeous views from the
Hawk Observation Platform at Ft Washington State Park
post-run. 

Taking the Scenic Route

Taking the Scenic Route -- isn't that what one says when one is lost but wants to pretend it was on purpose? The thing is I wasn't really lost and there is rarely such a thing as a non-scenic route when hiking in the woods. I can't get lost in Ridley Creek State Park. It's my home turf so to speak and unless I'm suffering from a blow to the head I can pretty much figure out where I am and which way to go to get back to where I want to be.

Having said all that, I did not stick to the plan today. I left from area #9 for a counterclockwise hike of the White Trail Loop. Just below the trail head is a spur that goes to a lookout over the creek. It's one of my (many) favorite spots in the park. I went to take a look and noticed a 'Pete-Trail' off to the left. Since I was alone and therefore not responsible for anyone but myself - I took it. It had obviously been blazed by people before me but not by many. I came out on to the equestrian trial that comes off Area #8. For a brief moment I thought I'd follow that trail instead. It loops back to Area #8 and then it would be just a short trip up the road to my car. But there were two reason not to do this: 

1) This trail crosses under Gradyville Road and into a section of the park that allows archery hunting during deer hunting season. I don't think it's deer season quite yet but I did not have any blaze orange on and did not want to run into someone who was out there anyway. Not that one can't get hurt wearing proper colors but I'd rather it be the other person's fault. 

2) I did not have trail map with me. The equestrian trail is on the map but the trail markers are non-existent. Last time I tried to hike it I came to a section that was so overgrown and appeared to be part of someone's backyard. I do want to conquer that trail and finish the loop someday but today was not going to be it. Even with the map it's hard to follow. 

So I took that trail to Area #8 and then followed the road down up and around to pick up the White Trail across the multi use trail from the Mansion and continued clockwise on the White Trail back to my car.  

It was cool and damp today. I expected the trail to be much muddier than it was after all the rain Thursday, Friday and Saturday morning. I guess that's a sign we really needed the rain here. There was a lot of debris and downed branches from the wind. The winds blew through still and I was glad I remembered ear covering. I wore long sleeves and a shell. If it had been a longer or more strenuous hike I probably could have made it with short sleeves. We are in that in between time and temperature now. 

The plan is to hike RCSP on Sundays for the foreseeable future. Next Sunday's we'll start from the Mansion and follow the Yellow and White Trails. If you'd like to join the hike click here or send me a message.