It's Sister's fault...

I haven't been around lately. She's been hogging the computer! That and life's just busy and a little crazy lately. So...I'm not really sure what the status of EMVORB is. To be continued...

Agility Course

I was feeling pretty bad-ass with all my P90X-ing, but I saw the following video and suddenly felt like a total wuss because I really don't think I could do what you are about to see:


Incredible. But it does make me feel a little bad about this:

Nature's a bitch.

How many of you are there?

I'm one of 3 Dawn Hering's and Luis is one of 8 Luis Manzo's. Sister, of course, is one of a kind.

http://howmanyofme.com/

You've probably seen this by now...

And it has nothing to do with running.



Cats are the best.

So much to blog about...

So little time.

Stayed tuned for:

• belated 'Why I Run'
• NYC Half details and pics
• why I'd like to shun New York Road Runners
• lots more...well eventually, there will be lots more.

Here's another Simon's Cat video while you wait. Once again, he hit the nail on the head. We've seen the tricks Sister pulls at morning feeding time, here's what happens at about 5 pm everyday in our house:

Acclimating to the heat???

Could it be possible? Well, it wasn't all that hot today, but it was darn humid. And I had a good 9.4 mile run. Phew. I was long overdue for a decent long run.

It was the talk of the team today: the NY Times article, Beat the Heat, Learn to Sweat it Out. Thanks to Amanda for sending it along to me!

First, I loved this article because it had quotes from elite athletes talking about how sluggish they feel in the heat. It's just good to know I'm not the only one. And it's not because I'm not fit enough.

And it pointed out how finish times tend to be higher in races that are run in hotter conditions. I have definitely fallen into the trap of expecting too much from my body on days when the conditions just aren't right for it, then getting disappointed when my times are off. Again, I like hearing I'm not alone in this.

The article goes on to explain the acclimation process the body goes through and which is preferable: higher temp with lower humidity or lower temp with higher humidity.

Unfortunately, there are no magic tricks. The article ends with "So perhaps the best strategy is to just accept discomfort and slowness."

Or just do what Sister does when it's hot:

Allergy Puzzle: Solved

And...

Grass, trees, dust mites, and ... cats :-(

Don't worry, she's not going anywhere. Drugs, drugs, and more drugs (the allergy medicine type) is how we are dealing with this.

Weekend Round-Up

Luis and I headed out of the city this weekend for some much needed R & R with the parents in the "country" (a town in PA called Yardley that is actually a very developed suburb of Philly). All was quiet except for the occasional growling and snarling of Sister and Zoe, my brother's cat, as they fought for territory in the kitchen.

Anyway, Luis and I made it out for 10 mile run along the Delaware Canal Towpath. It was muggy, but there was a good amount of cloud cover and shade, making the run bearable. Except for the last 2 miles, when I almost keeled over.

Reader Feedback

It's much welcomed.

According to my dad, all this clothes stuff I recently posted is boring. (not to the ladies, I'm sure.) He'd like to see more stories about Sister. We considered adding a sub-title to the blog: My Very Own Running Blog: A Blog About Running and my Cat. I'm leaning against it. She's enough of princess as it is.

More on Power Animals

Your responses on the power animal post were inspiring! We had a white rhino, a cockatoo, and Japanese mothra (that's a giant bug!). I have to admit though, I'm still not clear on exactly what power animals are, and what they are supposed to mean to us or do for us.

From Wikipedia:

In the shamanic worldview, it is commonly held that everyone has power animals: animal spirits which reside with each individual adding to their power and protecting them from illness, functioning in a fashion or manner attributed within the Judeo-Christian Tradition to a guardian spirit. The power animal may also lend its ward or charge the wisdom or attributes of its kind. For example, a hawk power animal may provide its charge with attributes of the hawk such as hawk-eye.

Nicholas Noble Wolf (2006) provides a definition:
A power animal is an aspect of self that is represented by an animal. The aspects of that animal aspect can be empowered and encouraged such that it assists you in your life. A power animal is not a separate spiritual being....

Kenneth Meadows (2004) defines power animal:
A power animal is an energy-pattern--or energy-system--that appears in animal form and possesses sensation and the power of voluntary movement to carry out its inherent ability to perform the specific work it characterizes. A power animal is the very energy-pattern of an ability or abilities that the animal form characterizes!

Now I get it, and it makes perfect sense that Sister's power animal is the arctic lemming. Lemmings like to burrow and will migrate far and wide to find food (it is a myth that they commit suicide!!).

It was bound to happen

A nice, crappy run this afternoon to keep me humble. Legs were stiff, shoulder sore, breathing off, ears hurt from wind...I set out to make up a hill workout from last night - 3 miles, plus 4 hill repeats. I decided that one repeat with 40 mph wind in face was close enough. Still, I somehow managed to keep up an 8:50 pace. It was the Young Woman for sure. I just let myself have a bad run, relaxed, and was able to keep up an ok pace. Besides I knew Sister would love me just the same either way. And I was right. She left her favorite toy mouse in my shoe for me.

Naughty Girl

My cat, that is. If you happen to see me running by, and I look a little tired, this is why:

This is exactly what I go through every morning around 5 am (minus the baseball bat!). Thanks to Amanda (besties 4-ever) for sending it to me!