It is the end of summer on the edge of the prairie, and I am ready for cooler weather. After weeks in the 90s–and mornings that were often 80 degrees and 80% humidity–the weather has shifted. Those summer days were decent enough for dog walking, perhaps, but not for marathon training. Certainly not when the sun came out. I’m sure we’ll get another week of heat of later in September, but I can promise you that I’m enjoying the respite while it lasts.
Yes, I’m training for another marathon. I’ve signed up for a twenty-six mile jaunt through downtown KC in mid-October. The main goal is to shave off two minutes from Loch Ness and get under four hours. I’m actually targeting 3:45, and it might be possible. During the height of summer, my training paces didn’t support it, but the cooler weather (and improved fitness) gives me hope. My fingers are crossed that I can stay injury-free and get a cool Saturday morning on race day.
Running and writing have plenty in common. They are both endeavors that benefit from daily, incremental progress, but it’s hard to see that progress from day to day. When you look back after a few months, it gets easier. Those July mornings and evenings that were a minute slower than the pace I wanted were terrible. Last night, I went out for a 4 x 1.5 mile set of intervals and held my target pace pretty well.
Unfortunately, running and writing are both time consuming hobbies, and when I’m busy with one the other tends to suffer. I have made no progress on a new novel this summer, though I have written a few short stories. They are out on submission. Hopefully, once the marathon is completed, I can get more focus on the writing and progress something novel-length over the winter.
Carissa and the girls are doing well. The elder child has officially started university. She’s already complaining about parking. The younger child has started her junior year of high school, and she’s definitely complaining about the parking. The school is extending their gymnasium, which has involved closing a big chunk of the student parking lot.
The pets are likewise well. Fezzik, our cardiac cat, is still going strong after January’s veterinary misadventures. He is the cuddliest boy. Inigo is very much in the juvenile stage of catdom. He’s no longer the tiny, cute kitten he was when he arrived last fall, but he’s not quite a fully-formed, lazy cat yet. I will not be sad when his kitten energy gives way to full time lounging.
Aela is Aela. She had a tooth infection that resulted in extracting a molar and one of her lower front teeth. I take every opportunity to tell her that she’s a hillbilly dog now. The bad news for her is that she’s no longer allowed to fetch tennis balls. The good news is that we have a soft (and shockingly durable) frisbee that she loves just as much. She routinely drops it in my lap, sits in front of me, and cocks her head. “Throw it, Dad. Throw it. Just throw it.” I speak fluent collie at this point.
