Hit the Road….Jack.

“Running is one of the best solutions to a clear mind.”

~Sasha Azvedo

 

I don’t know why this run is called “Hit the Road, Jack”, they weren’t playing any Ray Charles, there wasn’t a donkey anywhere to be found…I give up!! Why was it called this, I am not sure… but whatever.  It is what it is. It was a 10K, and I ran that run, and made it my bitch.  Well, in my mind I did.  But, you know…whatever.  It’s what I think happened that counts right?! 

No, but seriously. I did run it.  What a feeling it is to run with girls you care for so much.  But to be honest, when my alarm sounded off at 6:15 A.M. I wanted to chuck it across the room, but, instead, I threw myself out of bed, and got my ass in gear to run this bitch.  And that we did.  This was really one of the prettiest runs I’ve been on, perfectly serene, tucked away, but not creepy…like where I feel like someone is going to jump out of the bushes and attack me.  The first two miles were the toughest, I thought to myself…who signed me up for this horse shit…when there is a perfectly comfortable, warm bed waiting to be snuggled in!  Oh that’s right…me.  I WANTED to do this…what the hell was I thinking.  But, after mile 3 I was golden, and at that point I just kept saying to myself…yes..I talk out loud sometimes when I am running, I am my own boot camp instructor, I say “Kerry…it’s Mind over Matter at this point, don’t be such a whimp!!”…..so what if people are staring at me weird and sprinting to the next hill….it’s what I do, it’s how I roll bitches.  And, between mile 3 1/2 and 4 1/2, I walked, and gathered that motivation, and then I kicked it into gear.  I didn’t do as well as some of my friends, (shout out to Alexis and Joe) but whatever, I slept like shit the night before, nerves, alcohol…maybe a mixture of both.  I’m good to my body.  Wouldn’t you say?!

Running really does clear my mind from a lot of garbage, and psycho babble bullshit I have strolling through my brain 24/7 and that is exactly what I needed.  It’s like my iPod knew I needed  long, great songs to run to, and I had the likes of Franz Ferdinand, Jay-Z, B.O.B., Ray LaMontague, etc…And, afterward a pool party…that’s a whole other story…that I may, or may not tell. 

My weekend was complete.  I love my girls, I love my life.

Photos Courtesy of Joe Joe!!!

After our Run, feeling great!!

 HOLD ME!! LOL!

a run for fun

 A run...for fun.

After 3 days of eating, and drinking and shopping, (and enjoying all of it)  today I decided to take it easy.  But....of course, if you know me, that's sort of impossible.  I have a hard time relaxing.  Even when I'm sick, I find a reason to not be lazy.  So, with my new pedometer, super fancy, software to track your miles online, I set out for a run.  Originally I was going to go a familiar route, but instead I decided to take a left onto Silverado Trail a road that takes you up and up into the mountains, but along the way you pass winery after winery.

 I got this idea from Rachel

I decided to take my camera since it was such a nice day. So, with my iPhone, my new camera, and my pedometer I set out.  I just wanted to see where the road took me, how long I wanted to be out for, and the more I ran, the more I wanted to, and the longer I stayed with it, the longer I wanted to go.  And at mile marker 4.5 I decided with a little sun burned face, a little dehydration, that I needed to turn around. But, in 40 minutes, I had made it out there. And in 45 minutes I made it home.  Good time for me.

 My nifty new gadget for running.

I was running and I thought to myself, I live in such a pretty place, although I may not be from here, I am proud to call Napa home.  The mustard is out, and the poppies are blooming.  I loved everything about my run, especially the guilt free pasta dinner I had afterward.

what I'm listening to

So, I am training again.  For a 1/2 marathon in March.  I am seriously excited, but I am seriously exhausted.  I did 6 miles Saturday, rested and then 3 tempo miles yesterday.  OY! I work lunges in too.  I try to do about 60 lunges, front, and then 30 lunges going out sideways.  Needless to say my ass hurts, but it's lookin' good. HA.  Anyway, one way to keep me going, so that I am not alone with my thoughts, is music to move me.  SOOOO....here are the songs, to keep me MOVING....

* You Shook Me All Night Long -AC/DC
* Run This Town-Rhianna, Kanye West and Jay-Z
* M79-Vampire Weekend
* Say Hey (I love you)-Spearhead
* Bad Romance-Lady G
* Therapy-India Arie
* Hip Hop Throwback-Guilty Simpson
* Single Ladies-Beyonce
* TiK ToK-Ke$ha
* Hit the Road Jack-Ray Charles
* Please Don't Touch-Polly Scattergood
* Just Dance-Lady G

These can get me through a good 4 miles.  What are you listening to??

cross country

I love to run.  Today I decided to run even in the rain.  It felt good to be outside, feel puddles under my feet, and splashes of mud on my bare legs.  You know you're a true runner, when those things don't bother you.  I got 4 miles in today. Nothing crazy, but better than nothing.

I don't mind being single, as long as I'm not alone.

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy girl who'll decide where to go."
- Dr. Seuss

Don't let my title deceive you.  I am not a co-dependent, I don't need to be with somebody, just anybody, but what I mean by that, is that, I think when I was first single....I really found myself lost.  I had never been single before!  I found myself wondering what to do, thinking people who aren't single won't want to be friends with the single girl.  But in the last few months, I've really found solace in my friends, both coupled, and not.

I am running again, which is taking me to the Shamrockin' Half Marathon in West Sac. with my friend Rachael from Redding, and it is also taking me to San Francisco for the Bay to Breakers 7 miler with my other friend, we're pretty sure soul mates..AND neighbor Rach...both runners, both Rachaels!! The Rachael that lives here has really opened me up to a lot of things, we are planning a trip to Vegas in April, and we both LOVE musicals, something that I have never had in a friend before...oh Rachael..you've won my heart!

 Rachael number 2 and I in S.F.

I am finding things to volunteer for, I am going to start time for clearing trails at state parks for hikers in Marin, can't wait for that.  I am going to start horseback riding in March, and I'm visiting my family more. I'm listening to myself more, of what I need to be peaceful, and happy.

I don't mind being single, in fact, I like it. I live for me right now, and why shouldn't I?! But as long as I'm living....then I'm perfectly fine with where I am, single, but not alone, wanting, not needing, hopeful....not hopeless.