This week has been a bit crazy. I’ve been all over the board as to where I’m going, what I’m doing, and which problem has my main focus. Quite frankly, I feel like I’ve done a half-assed poor job with everything. And yes, half-assed is a real word, at least according to the Urban Dictionary:
| 1. | half-assed | |
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Doing an activity only partly, or without one’s whole self involved; doing something without caring, or without putting anything into it.
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On Monday, I went to Running For Kicks and did “half” of their fun run. Yes, I stole Gail’s photo again off the Running For Kicks facebook page. 
I did 3.05 miles in the “hills”. Since none of my girls were around, it was a bit difficult to find a partner at my pace. Fortunately, Chuck took mercy on me and ran some 8:45s with me before I spun out and raced home.
On Tuesday, I did a speed workout with half of my attention capacity, the other half was back at my desk with my deadline work. I also had half the amount of energy I needed to MAKE IT HAPPEN. And of course, I had half the time I would have liked, so it was super important that the dreadmill work WITH me and not against me. And while I wasn’t as happy and cheerful as this chick below, I did okay. 
It was a very systematic workout that allowed me to zone out and not have to focus on too much of anything other than NOT getting thrown off the back of the treadmill. And while I DO NOT recommend you do as I do, I will put my workout below just incase you need a starting point for increasing your speed a bit. I’m supposed to be running much faster with longer intervals, I just can’t seem to muster it at the this point in time. Therefore, I do what I can do on the given day and refuse to beat myself up over not being better. All of the following was done at a 1.0 incline.
- 1 min walk @ 4.0 mph
- 3 min jog @ 5.5 mph
- 2 min SPRINT at 8.5 mph which was
within secondsquickly downgraded to 8.0 mph - 1 min walk @ 4.0 mph
- 1 min jog @ 5.5 mph
- 2 min sprint @ 8.1 mph
- 1 min walk @ 4.0 mph
- 1 min jog @ 5.5 mph
- 2 min sprint @ 8.2 mph
- 1 min walk @4.0 mph
- 1 min jog @ 5.5 mph
- 2 min sprint @ 8.3 mph
- 1 min walk @ 4.0 mph
- 1 min jog @ 5.5 mph
- 2 min sprint @ 8.4 mph
- 1 min walk @ 4.0 mph
- 1 min jog @ 5.5 mph
- 2 min sprint @ 8.5 mph (much better this time but still HARD for me!)
- 1 min walk @ 4.0 mph
- 3 min jog @ 5.5
- TOTAL = 30 MINUTES!
Then yesterday was my normal Wednesday night run with the F’N Running Club. I was very excited going in, even showed early to log some miles. 
The sun was shining and I even had to scramble for a pair of sunglasses….thanks, Michael for letting me borrow your toddler “Mater” glasses! However, I soon realized that I was only half focused. I had scheduled our local Virtual Run/Walk for Sherry Arnold shortly before I started running and the entire situation was just weighing on me. Not just the horror of what happened to Sherry but of the fact that bad things happen to good people ALL THE TIME. And it sucks. Then the memories of past runners who didn’t make it home flooded my memory: Chelsea King (age 17) from CA in 2010. Patrick Mizwicki (age 14) from Lincoln Way East in 2011, a nameless woman, who has probably been forgotten by many, who was killed on our local suburban trails circa 2007/2008. All traces of that news article has been swept away because I REALLY looked for her name. A lot weighing on me lately so I wasn’t my normal cheerful self by the time the FNRC showed up. But we had a great turnout so that was awesome! Left Back: Kathy (who always looks glamorous and “made-up” to me), Lori (newbie!), Diane, Dawn, Aurelia, Rick, Maggie – MagMileRunner, Me & Brian. Front: Jeni – Sparkalish Roar & Meg.
It was good run but it’s hard to get those girls to slow down under that 8:45 mark. I was dragging but made it thru. My total for the day was 10.26 miles. But I’m feeling it. I have some soreness and not in a “good sore” type of way. I need to rest today, and possibly tomorrow, so I can be ready for the weekend.
If you can make it out to our Virtual Run/Walk for Sherry Arnold (and every other missing/murdered/dead runner) then please come and join us. We will be running in Frankfort, IL at 7:30am on Saturday. Everyone is welcome; I’m even bringing my daughter. I will do a brief Runner Safety talk before the run. I’ll be brief, I promise! Feel free to run as little or as far as you like….just come. If you are not local, then print the bib HERE and do it on your own or get a group together in your area. If you send me photos, I will post them all!
Happy Running, Amanda – TooTallFritz
TooTallFritz 
TTF….hang in there. Not so convinced you are going “half-ass” – just too many balls to juggle at once. At least ya not getting flung off the back of the Dreadmill…!
That reference to gal being killed in 2007 or 2008….maybe ya mean Alma Mendez in 2007 at Sauk Trail Woods? If so…here’s the prose I wrote in aftermath of the memorial walk they did for her there.
Alma Mendez – Forever Runs
Alma Mendez – I did not know her
I heard she loved to run at Sauk Trail Woods
I being a runner also run the trail there
And our paths have never crossed, until now
Heinously and wickedly taken from this world
Running at these woods is the thread that links us.
Tonight the candle I was given burns for her
Flames flickering, halo of light dancing
Dancing and flickering, as life does
Will all the others that walked today light their candles too?
Candles burn so that she will live in our hearts and memories
Not just tonight, but forever.
She runs with the wind, in the rain, or snow
Amongst the grandeur of oaks, hickory, basswood and maple
In the brisk chill of fall and frozen-white of winter
On balmy spring days with golden sunlight that warms the soul
In the sultry heat and thick air of summer when the sweat pours
And on days with overcast skies, steel-gray, or bright blue, dotted with cotton-clouds
She runs the trail, looping round the lake and winding through the woods
Down, then up the steep valley across Thorn Creek
Relishing reaching the stretch that courses the level upland.
Now Alma Mendez runs eternally, runs as she pleases
Runs without fear, trepidation or malice
She would want it that way – and wants us to keep coming
To be companions for her spirit
Alma Mendez runs – forever runs.
By David Mauger
November 6, 2007
Author’s Note: Reference to candles burning are the little votive candles offered to all the participants at the Walk for Alma down the Sauk Woods Trail on Sunday afternoon, November 4, 2007. There were at least two places where the procession stopped, one where a song was sung, and the other words or perhaps prayer(s) recited? The family at the lead and my place much farther back in the procession, I was unable to recognize the song, nor hear the words that were said. The significance of these points I can only speculate – and, remain at loss for words to describe or convey its meaning. You would have had to been there.
Not sure if this was ever published or not. Thought I sent it to the PFRPC newsletter, but I don’t have a copy of any issue and usually I keep records of what gets final print. I think I have seen flowers and remains of votive candles in that spot along the trail near the lake by 26th St that seems to indicate people still go back to remember and honor. Just run the trail there any time you out that way and you will be giving honor just by running there.
Hang in there TTF….it will come together eventually!
Yep, that was her. Alma. Thanks so much!