frizz: to (cause hair to) form a mass of tight curls.
fart·lek An athletic training technique, used especially in running, in which periods of intense effort alternate with periods of less strenuous effort in a continuous workout.

Ok, now before i tell you all about the running let me pat myself on the back and share with you my success at collecting Duncan’s pee.

photo 1

TMI!

Well I didn’t necessarily rock it out of the park…the first attempt started out sensational, he lifted his leg and I slipped the jar under. I heard the sound of the stream hitting the bottom of the jar and thought it was gonna be smooth sailing from there on out but the little bugger kicked the jar out of my hand as he was done and the valuable pee spilled out! I know now to hold the jar tighter next time. Lesson learned. Mind you it was pouring rain out and all I could think was that the rain drops would taint the specimen anyway leaving this whole challenge for naught. Luckily the doodle had “more to give” and I spent the next 10 minutes catching a squirt here and a squirt there. Hopefully enough for the lab to do a complete work up.

So now that i’ve shared too much info I’ll tell you all about my 3 mile treadmill workout.

I actually only ran 2.99 miles. But that was the least of my worries today.

I actually only ran 2.99 miles. But that was the least of my worries today.

I completed a Fartlek workout. Fartlek is Swedish for “speed play”. I walked for the first minute to warm up and then changed the speed every quarter mile from 5.5 mph (11 min per mile pace) to 7.5 (8:34 min per mile pace). My average pace netted out at 9:50 (min per mile). But it’s nice to know I could hold out on those sub 9 quarter miles. The biggest issue with today’s workout was me forgetting some critical items at the gym. A) a pony tail holder! Holy frizz-fro batman! I sweat so much and the hair went AWOL! B) my nice little iPod shuffle and sport ear buds. I ended up using my iPhone and those sub-par white ear buds that come with the phone and of course the phone took a spill and slid down the moving belt. I didn’t even stop running to get it because I knew i’d not want to get back on to run the last 1/2 mile. A nice gentleman kindly picked it up for me and put it in the little cubby on the treadmill for me. God bless him.

Total time was just 29:33 (clock counted backward from 60 minutes which is why the photo says 31:27) but I felt EXHAUSTED! Sweaty but happy. It is a great feeling to go out of the comfort zone and hit those 8:xx paces….even for just 1/4 mile chunks.

I don’t know if you’ve all read this yet but sadly a beautiful young woman/mother/wife named Meg was struck and killed while running yesterday. You can read more here. Please run on Saturday if you can. Take a moment to realize that this could be any one of us, say a prayer for her family and then enjoy your run.

Okie doke. I’m off to bed. 2 down 3 to go!!!

Question: What have you ever forgotten when going to the gym? Sneakers? Pants?