Today was a special day! Things did not go as planned and so I had the opportunity to change things up and do something different. The plan was, I was going to get 5 miles in of some country and city running with some pics (a lot of compliments on my run from yesterday.) So today I was planning on taking some of the dam I run around AND some neat pics of Lebanon City. I was going to start my run around 8:30am shortly after my wife and kids leave. Those of you who have kids know that things don't alway go as planned. My son was a bear trying to get him out the door today and my wife didn't end up leaving until about 8:45 - I know it sounds dumb, but the 15 min were crucial and I had an appointment at 10. I didn't want to rush anything. So, I thought, what if I divide my run up today. 2 miles in the morning, 3 miles in the evening! I started at Stover's Dam, about a stone's throw from my house. Beautiful scenery. I snapped some pics below. It really was a beautiful morning despite the heat. Run 2 is described below the pics.
I know what your thinking - gorgeous, right? Well it get pretty scary around twilight - like Icabod Crane scary...
Awwwww.....sit fail...
That's on the other side of the dam.
I fell on that dam bridge once...
Lebanon has stunning trees.
First time I ever ran down that path - good thing it's secluded - had to take a pit stop.
A lot of my friends in the Reading area that run at Gring's Mill know there's a "workout" area there. Stover's has one too. I did 3 pull ups. Booya.
Lilies.
West side of the dam.
Stunning. This was taken on a bridge over the dam.
Save Stover's Dam Project.
Now, for my next run, I was going to run through the city (Lebanon) and snap some neat building pics and places of interest. However, my wife called me and asked if I wanted to go swimming at her parent's house with the kids and have dinner. Well sure I did! So I told her I'd be down, but I have to run (again) - to which she thought I was crazy - it's 90 degrees. I got down to her parent's house around 4ish. Her parents live on the outskirts of Manheim, outside of Lancaster. Lot's of farmland. As I walked down the driveway to the road I thought, "what am I going to notice today?" Then I thought, "I know, I'm going to think about all the things I'm grateful to have in my life!" It really did help - the heat didn't bother me a bit (at least for the first half:) and it was really nice to think about. I'm happy, in a happy marriage, have a good job, beautiful kids, I'm in good health and still get called to play trumpet for money. I think that's pretty good! So I'm running - thinking positive thoughts. I've run this route before many times. There's a slight breeze and I'm savoring every moment of it. Within about a half mile, there's a cow barn - and it's thick with manure smell. Instead of thinking about snorting manure, it reminded me of playing basketball with a friend of mine from high school that lived on a farm up the road from me. She had a dairy farm and that smell was usually present while we played. Then after about a mile, I noticed a house (that I always notice on this run) with a mailbox out front that has the family's name "Stoner." I always laugh thinking about what the people in that house look like - maybe the guys from Dazed and Confused, or maybe that Jim Breuer will be out washing his car (I know he doesn't smoke pot - but he does a good job of looking the part.) Well, there was a lady out there getting her mail today - and she was the sweetest looking lady. She waved hi and I waved back. I just thought it was funny that today of all days she was outside.
At 1.5 miles (the turnaround) is actually the church where I got married. It was really nice remembering that day and all the people who helped make it possible. How Shenna looked, dancing with friends, etc. Every now and then I lost focus and that sort of thing helps me get back into my run. The heat was really starting to set in though and whatever breeze was there in the beginning of my run was now long gone. Honestly, those guys that do the Iron Man - dude. So I come up to the last hill of the route - past Stoner's house. The sweet lady is out watering her flowers. I see her and she sees me. I say, "Howdy! Can I get a spritz?" She says, "You seriously want me to hose you down?" "Oh yeah." After typing this conversation, I can see the multiple ways it can be taken. My "oh yeah," was innocent. The cool water got me up the hill quick and back to Shenna's folk's house. Good run.
This has really been a nice week of running. I feel great. I already have 18 miles in this week and I have another day to go. Not too shabby. I know that not every run is going to be like this - it's naive to think like that, but I've never gone a week without hating running is some way. Again - if any of you want to get together and run, don't hesitate to contact me! I'd love to get out your way and see what new experiences I can have. Every time I become involved in my surroundings, it makes what I'm doing so much more important. I still know I'm running - let's be honest, it was 90+ plus degrees today and I ran about a 8:2something pace. I just stop focusing on the things that "suck" and focus on the things I'm lucky to be a part of - how can you just ignore all of that?
Thanks again for reading and I hope you got outside today and MOVED.
Keep running!
Dustin
 |
| Here is the dam - purdy, huh? |
 |
Now, for my next run, I was going to run through the city (Lebanon) and snap some neat building pics and places of interest. However, my wife called me and asked if I wanted to go swimming at her parent's house with the kids and have dinner. Well sure I did! So I told her I'd be down, but I have to run (again) - to which she thought I was crazy - it's 90 degrees. I got down to her parent's house around 4ish. Her parents live on the outskirts of Manheim, outside of Lancaster. Lot's of farmland. As I walked down the driveway to the road I thought, "what am I going to notice today?" Then I thought, "I know, I'm going to think about all the things I'm grateful to have in my life!" It really did help - the heat didn't bother me a bit (at least for the first half:) and it was really nice to think about. I'm happy, in a happy marriage, have a good job, beautiful kids, I'm in good health and still get called to play trumpet for money. I think that's pretty good! So I'm running - thinking positive thoughts. I've run this route before many times. There's a slight breeze and I'm savoring every moment of it. Within about a half mile, there's a cow barn - and it's thick with manure smell. Instead of thinking about snorting manure, it reminded me of playing basketball with a friend of mine from high school that lived on a farm up the road from me. She had a dairy farm and that smell was usually present while we played. Then after about a mile, I noticed a house (that I always notice on this run) with a mailbox out front that has the family's name "Stoner." I always laugh thinking about what the people in that house look like - maybe the guys from Dazed and Confused, or maybe that Jim Breuer will be out washing his car (I know he doesn't smoke pot - but he does a good job of looking the part.) Well, there was a lady out there getting her mail today - and she was the sweetest looking lady. She waved hi and I waved back. I just thought it was funny that today of all days she was outside.
At 1.5 miles (the turnaround) is actually the church where I got married. It was really nice remembering that day and all the people who helped make it possible. How Shenna looked, dancing with friends, etc. Every now and then I lost focus and that sort of thing helps me get back into my run. The heat was really starting to set in though and whatever breeze was there in the beginning of my run was now long gone. Honestly, those guys that do the Iron Man - dude. So I come up to the last hill of the route - past Stoner's house. The sweet lady is out watering her flowers. I see her and she sees me. I say, "Howdy! Can I get a spritz?" She says, "You seriously want me to hose you down?" "Oh yeah." After typing this conversation, I can see the multiple ways it can be taken. My "oh yeah," was innocent. The cool water got me up the hill quick and back to Shenna's folk's house. Good run.
This has really been a nice week of running. I feel great. I already have 18 miles in this week and I have another day to go. Not too shabby. I know that not every run is going to be like this - it's naive to think like that, but I've never gone a week without hating running is some way. Again - if any of you want to get together and run, don't hesitate to contact me! I'd love to get out your way and see what new experiences I can have. Every time I become involved in my surroundings, it makes what I'm doing so much more important. I still know I'm running - let's be honest, it was 90+ plus degrees today and I ran about a 8:2something pace. I just stop focusing on the things that "suck" and focus on the things I'm lucky to be a part of - how can you just ignore all of that?
Thanks again for reading and I hope you got outside today and MOVED.
Keep running!
Dustin
No comments:
Post a Comment