It gets dark earlier now

That's no surprise to anybody. We are half way between the longest day of the year, June 21 where it stays light until 10:00pm and the shortest day, December 21, where it's dark at 5:00 pm. If you don't want to run in the dark, time to run is getting scarce. Well that is if you have a full time job or two.

I did think last night that if I left at 7:00pm, It would still be reasonable at 7:45 when I was done. Not so much.

Here's an article from Active.com. 3 tips to stay safe while running in the dark.

I did my 3.5 miles at a 14:45 pace. Meh. Not as fast as I was. I'm back at a C25K week 2 ish. That really sucks. But it is a plan. I will just follow the plan and I will improve. AGAIN. I don't think I'll get down to my 13:20ish pace for the 10k, but I will finish in 1:30:00.

So back to the fact that it was dark on my run last night. There are creatures out in the dark. I was out minding my own business jogging along when all of a sudden I saw this thing moving in the grass.

"ACK! What's that?"
"OMG! It's a puppy"
"Where do you belong, puppy?"

With that he looked at me, started barking in his little chihuahua voice and ran back to his house.

I won't even bother talking about people that let their little bitty dogs out in the dark, off leash, on a suburban street, where they can get run over.

Off to running I was again. I got around a corner and there is something else crouched in the grass.

"Cripes! What the hell is that?"
"Oh FFS, it's a stupid cat."

Now I'm just paranoid. The dark is starting to get to me. UGH!

I keep running, and I'm going up a hill. OK. I'm walking at this point. And I see three guys running toward me. In the dark. I'm done for. Did I mention I run alone?

Then I recognize the running form of one of the runners. He's somebody I see on my runs regularly. He has a really unique running form.

"Phew. Don't think I'm being murdered today."

And with that, I think I'll start running before supper instead of after.

Running cures what ails me

I have been so out of sorts lately. It started out as being a little down. Then it turned into not doing things I used to enjoy. I even started having some cigarette puffs while I was drinking. That's not good. Not eating well. Eating junk. 

Then I started hating. Hating people. Hating things. Everything and everybody was pissing me off.

I was even feeling sorry for myself. I'm not good at anything. Everybody does everything better than me. I wanted to do the half marathon in October and failed miserable at my training. I know it's my own fault for making excuses, but I made them. I was even trying to put myself out there, to get to know other runners in the area. And got stomped on. Twice. 

I knew I was in a funk and it was getting worse. I was trying to figure my way out. I was actually this bad this time last year too. Last year I went to my Dr for some "medicine". I still have some if I need some, but I'd like to try and do this without.

I thought I'd finally sign up for a race. 10K in the Valley. I was hoping that if I had something to look forward to, I might get my ass in gear again. Nope. Now, I've just wasted $50.00 

This last week I was just plain nasty. Cranky. Nasty. Say rude things and not care who I hurt, nasty. That is so not me. 

I woke up this morning and decided today was the day. I had to get my sanity back. I didn't know how I was going to do it, but I was going to do something. Smart Coach said I have to run 3 miles today. It's not crazy hot out. Hopefully I won't be exhausted when I get home. I won't be. I'll have a cup of coffee at 3 pm. That should keep me going until I can get a run in.

I got home. I made supper. And then Pat and I went out for a 3.5 mile run.

I didn't realize how much I needed that. I actually haven't felt this mentally good in weeks. I know. I know. It's the endorphins. But I'll take whatever I can get at this point. And probably the caffeine. 

I'm going to try and keep up with the running. Knowing that it might help with the mental me, might give me the push I need. I'm not feeling so bad about the 10K in the Valley. I will do it. And I will do the 10K in Moncton at the end of October too. I know I will be ready. Ready to finish anyway. 

So that's my little sob story for the evening. I don't have any pictures to post. It's 11pm and I'm tired. I'll post my September stats tomorrow as well.

Good night. 

Homemade Clif Bars

@eastcoastknits just asked me for a recipe for my Clif bars. Can't twitter it, so I'll blog post it. These are really yummy.





1 1/4 cups rice krispies
1 cup quick oats
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
1/4 cup finely chopped dried fruit
1/4 cup finely chopped nuts or seeds
1/3 cup honey
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Combine honey, peanut butter and vanilla in a pan over medium heat until well melted and blended. Combine the rice krispies, quick oats, flax seed, dried fruit, nuts and cinnamon in a seperate bowl.

When the liquid ingredients are well melted, pour over the dry ingredients. Use a wooden spoon.  Spoon out into an 8 inch pan. Cool. 


Cut into 8 servings.


Each bar has 294 calories. 30 g carbs. 19 g fat. 8 g protein. 3 g fibre. 186 mg sodium.


You can probably reduce the amount of fat by changing the peanut butter to another nut butter.
There are so many variations to try.

Cherry Almond
Raisin Walnut
Apricot
Spiced Pumpkin ( replace the cinnamon with a pumpkin pie spice)
Apple Pie (Apples with pecans)