On my today’s 15k run I dedicated km6 to a friend who has injured his leg running on one of those treacherous snowy days that make running in the winter months so precarious.
I sincerely wish him a speedy and full recovery!
Vicarious Running
Tag Archives: weekend
Vicarious Running
On my today’s 15k run I dedicated km6 to a friend who has injured his leg running on one of those treacherous snowy days that make running in the winter months so precarious.
I sincerely wish him a speedy and full recovery!
Random Events of Last Week
Last week brought the celebration of Epiphany with it. We crowned two kings: One was rather unfazed about it – see above – the other immediately picked a fight with the crown, not realizing that is him… a hit of a schizophrenic ruler…
Last week was also the first work week of the year and for some reason I feel like I did more of everything else than working. Must be the fact that I spent what felt like more time at the doctors than at the (home) office. Tuesday I had an appointment with the dental hygienist and a check-up with the dentist after over 1.5y owing to covid (they didn’t get around to invite all of the patients on time as they fell behind schedule in spring with the complete lockdown). All went well but I finally had to replace a filling that was starting to corrode around the edges, so that was done on Thursday.
The worst of the doctors appointments was Wednesday when I had to get the last of three tick-borne encephalitis vaccination. The second one already left me with massive side-effects for two days so I was expecting to suffer again. And so it was: Minutes after I left the docs office my arm started to cramp and hurt and then tingle. This spread all over my shoulder and neck and I soon felt feverish and flu like. Luckily the yoga session in the evening offered some relief through stretching and thus I was able to fall into a deep coma quite early in the evening… and thus missing the whole riot at the capitol in Washington…
What a shock it was to wake to the news that the U.S. finally managed to fall into the pits of a system way removed from the democracy it stands for. It pained me immensely to realize what a mess has been made of Obama’s legacy. America is such a great place, I sincerely hope the new president will be able to quickly reunite the country and lead it back to its democratic principles of former days.
Luckily, the week ended on a good note, finally bringing some sunshine with it after all the gray and dulled days. Let’s hope for some more sunshine, snow and maybe cold to bring about a frozen lake to be enjoyed by many in different ways.
Scare
When returning from my run yesterday afternoon I got a really bad scare as my neighbor called me with the news that another neighbor across the street called him with bad news: She had a dead kitty in the garden and she was afraid it might be Elvis, one of the kitties who have chosen me as their guardian. I took the news pretty stoically as I tend to but decided to walk up to Elvis favorite place, the chicken coop to gather my thoughts and brace myself for the possible blow. And who was there, happily chilling away in the sun with the chickens??!? Elvis!!! I was so happy and relieved I just broke down and cried and cuddled both Elvis and JB, his brother who had followed me up to the chickens from home. Then I sent my neighbor a photo and called him and we sniffled some sniffles of relieve together. We’re so happy to have our fosterlings safe and sound.
Still, my heart is aching for the family who actually lost their kitty today – so very sad. May the little tiger race the meadows of eternity with his furry friends.
Sofa Sunday
This weekend we got a first taste of the approaching fall – it rained incessantly for two days straight. What better to do than spending some time on the sofa, drinking tea, reading or watching a good movie.
When I’m lounging on the sofa I’m seldom alone these days as Elvis’ favorite spot to cuddle up is on a throw on the couch.
But I didn’t spend all my weekend hours inside. I also got myself out into the rain for a run twice. On Sunday for a 90min run which Nike Running Global Head Coach Bennett made bearable by saying the right things at the right time.
While out on the long run I saw a field mouse crossing the road in the torrential rain and once on the other side it had troubles getting onto the sidewalk so I helped it up and into the wide field away from the gushing waters pouring down the sidewalk. It quickly snuck underneath some clovers and seemed content enough.
Though the weather was quite awful to be outside in without a good umbrella, I still enjoyed the run and the feeling of badassery I carried throughout it and into the rest of the day.
Togetherness
Celebrating togetherness.
Crumbs
On last Sunday’s bicycle ride I was quite depleted and needed some energy intake from the bistro by the lake. I opted for a hazelnut croissant.
My brother had one too and when he studied the ingredients a brist of laughter hit him when he read “Brösel” which means (bread)crumbs. Neither of us had any idea you had to especially add them for pastry to crumble.
Sunday Fun Day
Sundays from spring to fall are reserved for bicycling. It’s been a tradition between my mum and my aunt for the longest time that they circle a lake nearby together, then sit on a bench and have coffee and sometimes prosecco they brought along. At some point I joined them without circling the lake as I usually lived further away and had enough to work from home to the lake and back. In exchange, the coffee and prosecco break was extended to a full blown breakfast.
When to begin with only my dad and my uncle joined us for for the coffee part after a while the visitors – mostly family – that joined us for a coffee by the lakeside grew and changed: sometimes my cousin with her four kids would join, now it’s still my dad and uncle but also my brother with his twins. In the meantime they often accompany my mum on their bikes which offers a nice change to the hours spent gaming.
I immensely enjoy those family Sundays and the cross training it offers me. I hope there are many more to come!!
Accomplished
So Saturday night I bit off my freshly polished nails. Still, Sunday came and with it a glorious day with many friends and family cheering my dear runner buddy and I on and an unforgettable, long-suffering (17km of stomach pain and cramps…) 42.195km later I was accomplished: I am unofficially but beknownst to my closest people a marathoner.
I’m terribly tired from the lack of sleep the night before the race and of course from the exertion, but also proud, exhilarated, thankful, certainly stronger and – accomplished.
A big shout-out to all dear ones who have supported us by cheering and providing us with sustenance. I certainly couldn’t have done it without you!!
Nervous
Painted my nails tonight to ease my nerves. Didn’t consider that I might bite them right off once the real nervousness hits. (tomorrow morning at the latest, I reckon…)
samstarbucks 