Afternoon Delight

In the Bliss family, the motto has always been, "Call the police first, ask questions later." I have two stories to share.

One evening a few months back while I was visiting my parents there was a full moon. It seems that every time there is a full moon a Native American man, who I assume lives in the area, goes over to the neighborhood park and plays his drum until late at night. It is a residential neighborhood and after about 10:00 pm it gets rather annoying hearing the boom, boom, boom. I respect his right to celebrate his beliefs however he chooses, but there are plenty of nature preserves and remote desert spaces far away from people trying to get some sleep for that. So my dad called the police, and the first thing out of his mouth to the dispatcher was, "The last of the Mohicans is banging his drum too loudly over in Butler Park." The dispatcher had to control her laughter before getting the rest of my dad's statement.

Wednesday, while my sister and I were doing a workout in the same park, we noticed a couple over in the opposite corner getting a little too friendly. It started as a make-out session, but after our next set of sprints we noticed that they had moved on to the ground. Keep in mind it was 3:30, on a Wednesday, in broad daylight, less than 100 yards from a playground full of kiddos. Completely horrified, my sister stops our workout to run home to call the cops. She walks in to my parents house, out of breath, and calmly asks for the non-emergency number for the police. Her first words to the dispatcher were, "Hi, I would like to report a couple fornicating in Butler Park." After the laughter from the dispatcher subsided, she asked my sister, "Why are you out of breath?" Carolyn gave her the rest of the information and hung up.

We had a little left in our workout so we started walking back over to the park. By the time we were rounding the corner, a Chevy Tahoe (Ta-HOE, fitting isn't it?) police car was jumping the curb and driving straight through the park directly at the couple. The couple didn't notice until the car was about 15 feet away, and we watched the guy literally dive off the girl and try to crawl away. Once homeboy had pulled his pants back up, the officers separated them and asked for their IDs and I am assume asked them why they thought this location was an appropriate choice for mid-day canoodling.

I think we should find anoher park to hang out in.

Feeling Hot Hot Hot

I gave into a little friendly peer pressure and joined a yoga studio. Let me clarify...a HOT yoga studio. It is sweaty, and steamy, and totally awesome. I don't look pretty after class (it takes two towels to keep me from slipping and sliding all over the mat), but I feel great. I was getting a little bored with my regular running routine, and wanted to change things up a little. I think it is really helping my running.

This place is a totally hippie, take your shoes off before you enter kind of place, but its fun. The only part that is a little too granola for my taste is the fact that the showers are across the studio from the changing rooms so there are often half naked toweled people roaming around. I like to keep shower time separate from time with my new yoga friends.

Speaking of friends, you really have no choice but to make friends as there is about a 3 inch gap between your mat and your neighbors. They have been able to maximize their space by marking off places for your mat, so it is not a free for all when you get in the room. My first day I inadvertently sat next to a very hairy, exceptionally sweaty dude who did not fully grasp the idea of personal space. Note to self, pick a spot next to the petite, pro-yoga looking chicks. They know how to control their bodies enough not get all up in your business.

I did my 3rd class today and have liked each one. They have a deal for new people, unlimited classes for the first month for $40. I plan to take full advantage.

Gimp

I have been having a hard time writing over the last week. Even though we've been busy nothing seems to come to mind when I sit down to write. So frustrating, until I figured out what the problem is. I usually "pre-write" my blog in my head as I'm running and I haven't gone running since the half marathon.

I don't run with an ipod, or friends or even Barney. It's too distracting. I really love having that time to clear my head and gather my thoughts. It is really the best part of my day because I feel so much better after I run, even when my body is hurting. I think JJ has started to notice how much easier I am to get along with I am on days I get in a good workout.

Originally I had planned to take a break from running after the race to let my body recover fully. I was really excited about 2 weeks of yoga and the elliptical machine at the YMCA. Well, I will be getting my 2 week break, but I won't be at the Y or the yoga studio. I will be hobbling around the house on crutches due to a self-diagnosed stress fracture. Yes, self diagnosed. Why would I go to all the hassle of visiting the doctor when I have WebMD at my finger tips and JJ's access to the Panther's medical equipment?

According to my research, stress fractures are quite common in female athletes (mainly distance runners, due to the repetitive motion over extended periods of time) who have recently had a sudden, significant increase in their activity level. I'd say a half marathon counts as a sudden significant increase in my activity level. It also said that most stress fractures are not detected on x-rays and are usually diagnosed based on patient exercise history. Like I said...who needs a doctor??

I made the mistake of sharing my self diagnosis with my father who was not impressed. Silly dad, he just doesn't understand. I did reassure him that I was going to use the crutches for a week and then if it was still hurting I would go to the doctor for a real diagnosis.

Well, this is day 6...