The Dog Days Are Over (Kelsey)

Well today I ran my 2.5 miles, as scheduled. And it was an interesting run.

First off, I was successful in finding some gear to make it easier to run with my iPhone. I got the typical arm band thing that attaches it to my bicep, and also got some new headphones, all for under $20. Go me.

I didn't really get to test out the armband today, though, because it was raining. I didn't figure having my iPhone in straight exposure to water was a very solid plan, so I put it in my shorts pocket under some sweatpants instead and strung the headphones under my underarmor, which I conveniently found right before my run. Two days ago, I ran in a tank top and shorts. Yay Michigan weather. I ran 2.59 miles in 31:10 today, which I can accurately report since I had my trusty odometer ap going. I felt pretty good about it. I didn't stop to walk at all and didn't really feel tempted to much either. My breathing was good and easy too. But it wasn't a perfect run. My calves were really tight pretty much the entire run and for a bit when I got back, and my left hamstring was bothering me for part of the run too. Also, I'm noticing after the fact that it feels like I got punched in the lower edge of both ribs. It hurts to the touch even. So I'm not sure what that's all about.

Also what made it from being a perfect run, I got attacked not once, but twice by that red-winged blackbird. I think maybe he was making up for his lack of disturbance from my last run. Although I suspect that he is actually a she and is probably protecting some nest somewhere on that corner. She doesn't just attack me it turns out. The first time, I didn't notice what corner I was on because I was concentrating on changing the song until the bird attacked me. But the second time, there was a lady coming up that corner as I was approaching. She had an umbrella and was clueless, but the bird definitely attacked her umbrella and then went and settled in a tree on the right side. So I ran as close to the left side as I could to stay out of her path, but she definitely still attacked me. Something has to be done. She's getting more tenacious and I had to sprint around that corner today because she wouldn't leave me alone. She's got me balling up my fists like Mohammed Ali every time I see a bird anywhere now. Anyone have any suggestions?

Overall, good run, especially considering how cold and rainy it was.