Thursday Thirteen - The Nearly (but not Quite) Ready Edition

Some of these may have nothing to do with running. That's what happens when you're a runner and don't run much for a few weeks. Your life starts to fill with other stuff.  I now get to figure out how to keep some of that stuff in there while I add the running and other training back in.

1.  I continue to be amazed at the responses on this blog. I've tried to reach out to everyone to express my thanks, but if I've missed you, please know that your comments and feedback and warmth are heard and recognized and appreciated. Much, much, much appreciated! 
2. I'm still up in the air about the distances on the races I've already signed up for in the fall.  I will just have to see where I am when it comes time for them and make the choice that seems right for where I am physically and mentally. I do know I am still in for the double full on NY Eve and NY Day, but everything else is up for grabs. 
3. I am nearly ready to come back to it. Nearly. I know I don't want to stop running, or cut back even, permanently. I just needed a break. Not physically, mentally.  Saying it again:  I am nearly ready to come back. Nearly. 
4. When I do come back, I will not pay attention to pace. I will focus on getting the miles done, per the plan. I will not put pressure on myself. I will not put pressure on myself. I will not put pressure on myself. (Rinse and repeat until I believe it). 
5. "Y'all go on ahead. I'll catch up." I need to practice this phrase until I can say and mean it without being angry at myself for not being able to keep up with my frunners. 
6. Frunners, please hear it and heed it. I may never be able to keep up but please don't let me hold you back from your intended run. It's OK, I will catch up. Soon enough.
7. Seems like many of my frunners are hot & heavy making plans for 2012. I can't do that right now. I will have to take my chances on sell-outs or other plans interfering with possibilities. I just can't commit to anything past 1/1/12 right now. If I do, I will instantly contradict #4 up there. I can't do that or I'll be right back where I am again, and I can't do that. I can't go through this upheaval again, not anytime soon. 
8. Hockey season is upon us again. Elder Child is playing both select/travel and high school Junior Varsity. He is the only junior on the JV team. It's going to be a challenging year as far as the JV team being competitive because they are a very young and inexperienced team. We're spinning it as a way for him to show leadership and maturity and demonstrate what good sportmanship, hard work and a strive for improvement looks like. 
9. Hockey season tends to put a kink in my running plans, as we have to divide & conquer and my time is not always my own. I have to elevate the level of communication and coordination with everyone in the family to get my runs in. I also get to rediscover my favorite routes around all the ice rinks!! 
10. The technician at the doctor's lab made my day earlier this week when she asked my height and weight. When I told her, she did a double-take, looked me up and down and said, "You look much smaller." Soon enough, lady, soon enough. The samples she had in her hand hold the key to figuring it out, I hope. 
11. Follow up with the endocrinologist is tomorrow. I have every expectation that she will have answers for me. Answers that will lead us to create a plan that will work for me. I'm not sure what I will do if everything tests normal, though. I prefer not to jump off that bridge until I come to it. 
12. That said, I have a history of expectations. High expectations. We may have gone over this in this blog on occasion... So, I'm trying to temper my expectations about tomorrow's visit somewhat while still remaining hopeful.
13. I've been listening to Foo Fighters on heavy repeat the last few weeks. Mostly this song, because it resonates with me. It's where I am right now.  "I believe I've waited long enough...Where do I begin?"

 
Also? This video cracks me up. Falling Down is one of our favorite movies because I always jokingly say Hubs is going to crack up like this one day.