Dodge the caterpillars and acorns!

I'll get to today's run and the explanation of this entry's title in a minute, but I need to set the (mental) scene. I talked about my *spectacular* fall leaving the wedding reception in my last post, but what I never really touched on was HOW sore my knees, right ankle, and wrist are. I spent yesterday hopping around the house with my ankle brace on, but couldn't put my knee brace on because of where the bruise was. Think about where your knee touches the ground and takes your weight when you kneel down. Yea, RIGHT THERE. It's a little more colorful today than it was yesterday, too, but that could have been from the multiple times I kneeled down yesterday without thinking and instantly fell over sideways cursing and almost crying it hurt so bad.

So, needless to say, I didn't get a workout in yesterday like I had wanted, especially on pavement. I just didn't want to take the chance with my knees and ankle feeling the way they are.

And then there was last night. I was so jazzed about the incoming thunderstorm that I was having problems falling asleep. I finally dozed off a little before 3, right around the time the rain was starting. 3:15 on the dot, I hear my bedroom doorknob (it's kinda loud because it catches during the warm, humid months when the door swells). I figured mom or dad had been woken up by the storm and were just checking windows. That would have made SENSE. Well, it WAS mom, and instead of just LOOKING the extra 3 feet to see that my window was already closed enough that rain wasn't going to come in, she stands in my doorway and WAKES ME UP to ask if my window is closed. *headdesk* I ended up laying there watching the storm another 30+ minutes before I could fall back asleep which, of course, meant I slept in this morning and never made it to campus.

So, with not running in a couple days and (I guess) resentment towards my mother and my paper, I was desperate for some physical activity today. My knees felt a little bit better but I was still cautious of pavement or the treadmill. Thank goodness we have an amazing Metroparks system in this area with plenty of great trails. This being the middle of the week and the middle of the day, the dune trail was DESERTED. Well, deserted except for about a billion caterpillars ... and the acorns and mops of wet leaves falling out of the trees. I kind of felt like I was on one of those wacky game shows where you have to dodge things thrown at you: "Don't look up or you'll step on a caterpillar. Don't loop down or you'll get hit by something falling out of a tree." It was entertaining ... and the spongy ground felt good on my legs. I had to walk more than I would have liked, but I got out there and did it. Maybe now I can start getting back to my regular workout schedule.

Oh, and the best part of that run? Coming home and jumping in the pool (sweaty sports bra and undies, oh yea). The thermometer SAID 80*, but that was the coldest 80* I've ever felt. Of course, today was the first day back for the local K-12 and the afternoon bus with the younger kids was coming through the neighborhood just as I jumped in the pool and popped back up, cursing and spazzing over the temperature of the water. Oops. lol

And now ... the countdown is on to tonight's episode of "Ghost Hunters". I'm giddy like a little kid. Seriously, it's an addiction. Anyone else with me? :D