I admit to some disappointment

There we were, bright and early at the aid station to cheer on our buddy Michelle. She had even sent us a photo of her great costume. I had made a sign to cheer on Brenda, a buddy of my blog buddy Janet in Nova Scotia.

With both me and Sophia looking, we didn't spot Michelle. We still can't figure out how. We knew what she was wearing, and we knew to within a few minutes when she would be by. I didn't get to rattle the cow bells, or shake my thermos suggestively. (It had coffee in it, and it was a cool morning, not whatever you guys were thinking!)

Neither did Brenda make herself known to us. Maybe she was busy dodging the people changing lanes without signaling and didn't notice in the excitement. Although I did get a tweet later saying hello, so I'm guessing that Brenda is a Twitter buddy of Michelle. Funny how that works sometimes.

After getting home and puttering a bit I changed and headed out for a run. I have been very something-or-other about this run. My leg is feeling funny, and no other way to describe it. Something isn't right, but it isn't a pain, it's more of a deep ache. At any random time depending on what I'm doing I could get a twinge anywhere from the top of my knee, to the top of my hip.

Plus I'm just over that short bout of sniffles, but I wasn't sure how my lungs would feel about running.   I'm feeling heavy and slow in general, but trying not to be all excuse-ey. Sophia was looking for a run buddy for 18 K today, and I knew I couldn't do that. I'd been thinking 10 or so, but even that seemed like a long way to commit, and I'd hate to bail out early.

In the end I limbered up and headed out. My leg didn't feel strong, but it chugged along regardless, a few twinges along the way. My lungs were fine. I didn't pay any attention to pace, only ran what I felt like running, and decided to call it at 5 K, 36 minutes. Long and thorough stretch afterward. It was ok, nothing special, and not particularly a confidence builder for an upcoming half marathon. At least it wasn't snowing.

While eating lunch I was thinking about my run training this year so far, and if I had a coach marking it, I'm pretty sure I'd get a failing grade. There has been no consistency at all. Even the swimming has been erratic at best. I'd like to get 3 swims a week, and I've been lucky to get 2, and usually it's one. Other than the weekend runs with buddies, the runs have sucked. They either don't happen, or are very blah. This year I had zero enthusiasm for running in the cold. Even now that it's nice out going for a run seems to be a bit of a chore, and these nagging injuries or whatever, are getting on my nerves. Maybe thinking about this was the lead up to what happened next.

I had a really strange experience, not quite asleep, but I wasn't quite awake either. Suddenly it was like I was overwhelmed with things to think about. Normally I'm pretty good about dealing with things one at a time, but this was like a flock of big birds swirling around me, each demanding I pay attention to it. A complicated data issue at work, back yard reno issues, some furniture followup issues, my running issues which brought along his bigger buddy fitness issues in general and his yet bigger buddy overall life health issues, retirement thoughts and issues, travel desires, the various hobbies I'd like to try, and several others.

My heart was going pitter-patter, I was breathing hard but felt short of breath (and there was no cat sitting on my chest), and the room was beginning to swirl around in time with the bird-issues. Or maybe it was going the other way to make it look like the speeds of all involved were increasing. Every time I tried to come to grip with one of them, another came in to peck at me and demand my attention. I was feeling very disoriented. Eventually they all flapped off when I got up to get some water. I'm still not feeling quite myself.

Linda found these dry ball thingies. No idea if they work for that, but I've read that they are really good to roll under your feet. They feel different than the usual ball. I think it will be good for a change up.