Skunked!

Morning run got cut short today. Ran with Tim up to Skinner Butte, but on the way up Buddy took off and got skunked. We had gotten about 2/3's of the way up the butte. Dogs were off leash sniffing and peeing on everything in sight. I was feeling great, the hill was effortless and I was lost in my thoughts when I saw Buddy take off under a tree. I thought about calling him back, but I was having a great run and thought he should have some fun too. The next thing I see is him coming out from under the tree shaking his head. He was already foaming at the mouth and shaking his head trying to rid himself of the smell. That's when it dawned on me - Oh my God he just got skunked!

So I watched for several minutes more as he rolled on the grass, spit spraying as he shook his head. Tim and I were doubled over dry heaving from the pungent odor and wondered how we were going to get close enough to get the leash back on him AND then run behind him the 2 miles back home. Buddy came closer and I could see his face and neck were covered in the yellow spray. No "good dog" came out of my mouth and he seemed comfused when Tim and I retreated farther from him everytime he got close.

After he had rolled a bit more, still shaking his head, foam dripping from his mouth, we got the leash on him, kept Lilly away and started the trek home. We started to think the smell had gone away a bit until the wind would shift and again we found ourselves doubled over heaving. As we passed other runners, we watched them wipe their noses looking around trying to find where the smell was coming from. By the time we got home, we also smelled like we had gotten sprayed. Our hair, clothes and skin was oozing the stink.

With Buddy outside, we shut all of the windows, turned off the fan and stripped off our stinky clothes. In the shower the smell came out of my pores and into the steam. Would the smell ever go away? By this time I was making plans off taking the morning and maybe the day off.

Buddy's first bath was in tomato juice, second was at Suds um' Yourself with their magic formula: 1/4c hydrogen peroxide, 1/2c baking soda and 2T dish soap. I can't say Buddy is free from stink, but I can now get close enough to pet him. I'm not sure when he'll be let back inside, but at least the smell is gone from the house and ourselves.

Just thoughts

Ran with Tim this morning to have a little face time with my guy. This summer seems to be whirling by and sometimes I look over at him and wonder when was the last time we've been able to have a chat. Running seems to be a great way to do something we love together and be able to have some undisturbed talking time. We didn't even take the dogs on this run.

I haven't been writing in my blog very much mostly because the idea of writing a long race report or daily entry seems too daunting. So today I came to the conclusion that writing long narratives is probably not what I need to do, but rather write shorter tidbits so that I don't forget all the wonderful things that are going on in my life with running and everything else.

I have 2 months until the Pine to Palm 100m. My first 100m and what feels like a lot of unknowns. Some days I think I'm going to jump out of my skin with excitement and some days are filled with concern about logistics, what-ifs, and doubts. Thankful the excitement moments out number the doubting moments and I happily continue on my way. Training has been fun and I feel stronger than ever. My mind is focused and every run I'm thinking about the finish line in Ashland. This is a good time in my life and I am very thankful I have the ability to go after my dream.

Two weeks ago, I ran the SOB (Siskiyou Outback 50k). Also in Ashland and one of my, if not my favorite race. I've been running the course either as the 15k or 50k for the past 10 years. And each year it seems like I'm just as excited as the next. I've never been very good at remembering all of then twists and bends of the courses, so I find myself surprised at least a couple times on the course each year. This year was a first for snow. Luckily when I was in Yosemite earlier in the summer, I had run on snow for several days and when I came upon it at the SOB, it felt very familiar. This year has been one for me to focus on my hydration and nutrition. In retrospect, I'm not sure how I got through some of the races I did by the system I was using for calorie and H2O intake. No wonder I had a few zombie/delirious/dark pee times. This year I've really noticed a difference, perhaps not necessarily in my times right away, but definitely in the way I've been able to recover and how I've felt during the race.

The other difference at SOB this year was the number of people I knew at the race. Several of my friends were running either the 15k or the 50k and when I crossed the finish line, it was great to see all of them ready for hugs and story telling. Wow, I had no idea how much their presence would affect me. I've been such a loner and in some respects I've loved it, but this was wonderful.

I also got enough courage to introduce myself to Sharon Mosley. She signs up to most of the races I do and we seem to be on each others pace for most of the race. Sometimes she pulls ahead and sometimes I do. But I thought it was about time I said a formal hello and told her I was the one following her.

Last night I had a massage to get some of the kinks out and surprisingly she worked on my shoulders more than my legs. Repercussions of my desk job. Unsurprisingly, she also told me to S-T-R-E-T-C-H!!! Even though I have been, I know in the past couple of weeks, I've slipped back into non-stretching bad habits. So this morning, Tim and I were down on the floor stretching like good runners after our 7 miles. Happy Day!

Run, Bike, Plan

Morning run with Deb. Started the run at 6:00 so that we could be done by the time our families woke up to start the day. Broke the run into two parts with Deb running the first part and biking the second. Me running the whole thing. Deb is still nursing her back injury, but it looks like after today's run, she's back to her old self. Chatted mostly about logistics for the P2P. Both of us are excited. It's going to be an amazing experience.

Critters

Morning run: 3 raccoon hissing and chattering as I run by. Two deer running towards me, stop, turn right and jump into the brush. 4 kittens scampering across the bark trail, chasing tails and imaginary mice.

Siskiyou Outback 50k

Great women, run mammas run!

I need to call this my "Red Dress Race".