Lights Out

Dark clouds and heavy rain were passing through the Roseville area when I entered the doors of Anytime Fitness. Just like any other day, I got changed and hopped on to a treadmill. My pace has been improving lately and I was so happy to find a groove in my scheduled 6 mile run. The gym was busier than usual, probably due to the droplets falling outside. The gym manager left the door wide open so that every time the atmosphere rumbled outside, many of us nearly jumped off our equipment in fright. I was watching Oprah on the TV, some special about the ranch with the men who have multiple wives. It was intriguing and I was lost in the moment of running and watching these women. Then it happened. BAM! Lightning and thunder outside and the lights went dark inside. My treadmill stopped underneath my feet. I am usually a pre-planner. Someone who thinks about every possible scenario before it happens. It is a part of my job as the "go to" for emergency situations at work. When it leaks you run for the plastic to cover the books. But I had never thought about a treadmill stopping underneath my feet because the lights went out. And I could have a hilarious story for you about how I tumbled forward because the treadmill stopping shocked me. But it didn't. It just stopped. And I stopped with it. And so did all of the other people on cardio equipment. We looked around at each other in the dark with wide eyes. What do we do? Make a mad rush for the weightlifting area? Leave this building and run for cover? That is what the lady next to me thought she should do. She kept turning to me with this concerned look on her face and saying, "Is it safe??" The lights came back on within a few minutes. The runners on the treadmills resumed with no concern. Except for me and the lady next to me. I was halted because my machine was reading "Error 562" and wouldn't restart. The lady next to me just kept looking at me and saying, "Is it safe? I don't think its safe. I am scared." I didn't know what to tell her, honestly. I mean there was the chance that a tornado could come through or perhaps the machines receive some sort of electric jolt from lightning striking but the chances of those things happening were not great. I just smiled and continued to hit the button on my treadmill hoping that "Error" would go away. Well, "Error" didn't go away and I moved down a treadmill. The lady is still asking me if it is safe. I continue to smile and start up the treadmill. I don't know what you say to that. Is it safe? I don't really have any sort of authority to answer that question in an establishment that I am not working at. I could tell you every emergency procedure in my own building but I had no clue for the gym.

I went on to finish the 6 miles. Not great, but at least I was dry and away from the lightening.

Cheering for 6

Yesterday's Run: 6 miles- 1 hour

Another 6 miler down! Honestly, I never imagined I would be thrilled about getting 6 miles down but it seems like that is the trend lately. It was a little struggle. I walked for 3 minutes of that 6 miler but I finished it.

On that note, I was contemplating a half marathon on May 31st (Minneapolis Half Marathon) but I just don't know if I'm quite ready. If only I had thought of this earlier, I would have amped up my training. It turns out I can't do the 12k in Stillwater the week before because I am hoping to get Andy camping that weekend.

BUT, I think I might at least have one race scheduled soon. My dad wants to run the Run of the Mills 5k sponsored by General Mills during the first weekend of May. It is exclusive to General Mills employees and their families. My little brother has also shown some interest as well which is really exciting. I'd love to have a new racing buddy. My friend Amy has also taken some interest in running lately so I may actually have more people to race with soon!

Antsy for Vacation

Running Distance: 6 miles Running Time: 60 minutes and some change

Yesterday I started my morning with the idea that I would do my 6 mile tempo run that afternoon. Well, by lunchtime I realized that the 6 mile easy run (combining my two 3's) was going to be best. I have a 10 miler today and it seems that if I push too hard the day before it makes for a very tough 10 miler with leg cramps and the like. I think I really need to find some new stretches because my legs seem to seize up on these back to back running days.

Anywho, I'm getting super excited about my trip to Kansas City this weekend. My cousin really wants me to run with her but I've kind of already scheduled all of my runs this week so I may end up going on a "fun run" with her this weekend. The vacation that I'm really excited for is Florida in 2 1/2 weeks! It's going to be tough finding running spots because we are right on the main strip in Daytona. I might do a beach run one morning because the sand is pretty flat down there (they roll it or something?). The bulk of my runs will probably be on the treadmill though because I'm kind of paranoid about running around Daytona all by myself for the fear of my safety. Anyways, if any of you have been to Daytona and have any great suggestions for runs or things to do--let me know! We've been many times (my parents own timeshare there) but I feel like there is always more to learn about an area.