Running for Schroeder

So my run this morning was looking like it would be a 1:05 run until I stopped in at Walgreens for some cheaper than vending machine drinks. I have gotten through 20 minutes of solid running the past two runs and plan on upping the time as my endurance warrants. Still thinking about a bike since Schroeder is going to be changing schools and it will no-longer be convenient for Heather to pick me up in the afternoons. Perhaps I am a wimp, but running home in 90+ degree heat with the big Texas sun shining down on me doesn’t appeal.

Ran to work this morning. I ran once last week but didn’t ever get the post about it submitted. Here is my new route:

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It is 5.2 miles and avoids pretty much all of the traffic. The one run last week was due to bad planning rather than sickness. My Dr. is cool and drugged me sufficiently to make running doable. She said that if I got to the point I couldn’t run, then she wasn’t doing her job correctly and to give her a chance to work it out. I got blood work done and everything looked very good.

My pace wasn’t bad and I got a full 20 minutes in without starting up intervals (in other words, walking). I still find myself pushing too hard and blowing the top out of my target pulse rate. I am hoping that getting a little more into shape will grant me the comfort zone I need to work more on distance.

I have seriously thought about (and actually went to purchase) getting a cruiser (single speed bicycle) to ride to and from work. On the plus side:

• I could reasonably expect to ride home in the 90+ weather that is a constant here in Texas
• It wouldn’t take an hour+ out of my morning
• I like riding

On the minus side:

• Cost (ok, I am cheap and $100 still means something)
• Upkeep (I can barely remember to change my oil)

So, the jury is still out.

I ran to work today for the first time in a while. We took a trip to Mississippi and when we got there, Schroeder started having a runny nose. He has recently started day care, so we expect him to bring home some bug or another throughout the year. We ended up taking him to see the doctor that was Heather’s when she was little (he must have been 80+) and getting medicine and a strep test (negative) because it had started getting into his ear. Good round of anti-biotics later and a long ride home and Schroeder is getting better while Heather and I are just peaking. Back to school for him, and back to work for us on Monday (July 28th). Heather and I battle through and make it through the week without it being too bad. Then, on Tuesday (July 29th) I get a call that Schroeder has a fever and I must pick him up within an hour. Round 2. His fever spiked and we took him to the doctor that day and then again on Thursday. He got another round of anti-biotics and Heather and I got yet another disease. This one got stuck in my lungs and I went to the doctor and picked up a round of anti-biotics, steroids, and an in-hailer. Just now finishing up my meds (last pill this morning) and getting back to running. It is going to be a long hard process to get into shape for this year’s Dallas Marathon, but I believe Bo may be stopping in, so I need to get my time to be at more than a ‘participated’ level.