What a Little Determination Will Do

I mentioned on the Weekly Wrap on Sunday that my plan for Monday was to come right home from work and call Icon Fitness about my iFit module. I needed to call right away because I knew I would be on hold for a majority of the evening before speaking to someone.  But when I got in my car to come home and saw the outside temperature was 64 degrees, I told myself that I was NOT going to let Icon Fitness hold me hostage today.  They have already monopolized so much of my time already this year. I needed to do some errands and of course why not soak up this sun and go for a run!



Can you tell I am wearing my flip belt under my shirt?

I took my run to the trail since I had to run errands near there.  I wore my RunDisney shirt because all this talk about Princess Half Marathon weekend this weekend has made me excited to plan my next Disney vacation!

I hadn't quite committed on how many miles I was going to run, but I knew I was going to run further than my usual 3 miles that I do during the week.  

I did a mile on the trail and then deviated off the trail (but still stayed on the adjoining sidewalk) and looped around the shopping center and fitness center. That gave me 2 miles. I figured all I had to do was just run back to where I started and I'd have 4 miles in already!  

By mile 4 I was feeling pretty good so decided to just continue on the trail a half mile more (and turn around a half mile) for a total of 5 miles.   Also by mile 4 my ipod battery went dead. I considered just playing music on my phone but remembered that I had to call icon Fitness when I got home and needed a full battery for that because who knows how long I would be on hold!  So I continued to run with no music and ya know what? It didn't suck.  By mile 4.5 I could feel a blister forming on my toe.  The funny thing is, I often get a blister on the side of one of my inside toes. I could understand blisters forming on the outsides toes from possibly rubbing on the side of the shoe, but the inside toes? I just don't understand what that comes from.  So anyway, after feeling a blister, and having no music, I still decided that ya, know what, I could run one more mile. I might as well do 6 miles since it is so nice out.

And I not only did 6 miles, I completed 6.2.  I Figured I need to ramp it up if I was going to be running a 10K next month.  I know it's only 6.2 miles but I was pretty darn proud of that. So here's the thing, it's not that I can't run far (I've run a marathon or two), it's just running is really time consuming. It's hard when you have a full time job, errands to take care of, and other interest beyond running.  So yea, runs beyond 3 or 4 miles just don't usually happen during the week.

So I was feeling pretty good after my run but that came to a halt when I went to the vet's office to pick up Baylee's food.  I need to tell you a little back story here. About a year ago the vet's office decided to put these LED candles on the counter and there was a little sign that read something like this If these candles are lit, someone is saying good-bye to their pet.  I buy Baylee's pills and food at their office so I visit more than normal. There were a few time I left that office with tears in my eyes because I had seen those candles lit.  I understand that they want people that come in to be mindful and respectful that there are pet owners there who are sad. I get it. But this was also working on my nerves each time I went in and finally I had to say something to the lady at the front desk about how sad it is to see those candles. The vet's office is not a happy place for me to be to begin with but than having a reminder of those candles makes it worse (I can imagine other people may feel the same way).  Well, when I returned, those candles were still on the counter.

Okay, back to Monday's visit. I was paying for my food and I noticed those candles were no longer on the counter. However, as I was completing my transaction, I man leaned over the counter and in a somber voice tells the assistant that his dog was in the car and wasn't able to get up, but she was ready.   I knew right away what he was talking about and I just wanted to get out of there ASAP before I broke down.  The assistant helped me carry my food out to my car  and I stayed focused only on my car and tried not to look at my surroundings because I did NOT want to have that dog in my vision. I put the food in the trunk and as I got into my car, I accidentally caught a glimpse of what I  thought was a blond dog head through the window in the car beside me.  I thought it may have been a retriever but I certainly did not want to look again.  I needed to get out of there.  I was successful at leaving emotionless (which is a good thing).

Okay, back to running. My February runs have been pretty good so far, with this being the best one all month. We have two more days this week and warm weather ahead so perhaps I'll get in another one that even surpasses this one. -M


If you read all this, thank you. I know it was long.

What do you make of the blister situation? What's your opinion on the candles?



We will be linking up with the gals from TOTR.

34 comments:

  1. Great job with getting in a longer run during the week! It can be hard to fit in more than a few miles on a weekday.

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    1. It really is because I keep thinking of the other things I should be doing!

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  2. Great job on your run yesterday! It was so gorgeous here that I couldn't stop either and ended up running 8 miles instead of my planned 6.

    I'm kind of stunned that the vet would have those candles out like that. Having had several dogs and been down that road, I would have gotten upset about it too. Our vet has "a room" for that and everytime I bring Cocoa to the vet, I try not to look in there.

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  3. Nice job on the mid-week run. I love it when I get a chance to get some extra miles in. As far as the blisters, I use Glide in between my toes on longer runs so that I don't have issues there. Maybe try something like that...

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  4. Way to rock an impromptu 10k! Those candies would upset me as well. I feel upset just reading what your wrote. It's such a sensitive subject. I could never work in a vet's office.

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  5. Oh man, the candles would get me too... <3 <3

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  6. Oh, those candles would totally have me blubbering and gasping for breath as I tried to remain calm. I went with my sister, a little over a year ago, when it "was time" for her dog...and it was beautiful, but oh-so-sad as well. I never thought of the people in the lobby who saw us carry in her dog and go to "the room." Thankfully, they had an exit door on the outside of the room, so we didn't have to walk back through the lobby when it was time to leave.

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    1. You are such a good sister to go with her to the vet. I don't know if I would be very good support for someone else.

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  7. Your story started making me tear up. My family's been down that road, with dogs and cats, and I feel the same way. I just start crying.

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  8. I actually really like that idea of the candle.. but I'd be sobbing without even seeing the people. heck, I literally got teary eyed & choked up about the man coming in & saying his dog was ready. THE WORST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ... I saw a couple one time come out after & their face, carrying the leash - I dont think I've cried so hard over strangers in my life. They've changed it now at the vet, you pay before they do the actual procedure & then when they do it, you leave out a side door so you dont have to go back out in the waiting area. But I still look for people coming out that side door now so I can cry with them.... Again - THE WORST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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    1. Yea, I've cried a time or two for strangers and their dogs!

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  9. Unlike Wendy, I've never had a vet have a special room just for that & I have seen many vets. In fact, I have, on many occasions, had to be back in the rooms where I've had various furkids put to sleep. And it's hard.

    I don't know what I think about the candles. I'm sorry you've had to go through that, though.

    I would imagine you're getting the blisters on the insides of your toes because of the toes rubbing together. I would think some anti chafing cream might work there.

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    1. I will have to remember to put the cream between my toes too!

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  10. Oh man I would hate seeing the candles lit. :( I could barely read about it. It's so sad. I'm glad you ran 6.2 because you felt like it. It's always nice to run a little farther than normal just because you're feeling so good!

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  11. Nice going with that 6.2 - I love that you felt so strong and had such a great run!

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    1. Yea, I figured I might as well take advantage of it because I don't always have that same motivation..haha

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  12. Oh man. I completely understand what they were trying to accomplish with those candles (some people really can be buttheads) but that would be really hard for me too. We recently said goodbye to our lab at home - paid extra for that but it was worth every penny - but I had to make the decision about one of my kitties at the vet's office. It was hard. It's just hard.

    Great job on the 6.2!

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    1. O gosh! So sorry to hear about your labs. Those dogs have my heart!

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  13. Congrats on a great trail run! This weather has been amazing! Ugh you had my heart squeezing with the vet stories. So very sad... :(

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  14. This sounds like a great run! I agree, it's hard to get in more than 3-4 miles on a weekday usually. Especially in Winter with less sunlight. Your experience at the vet's sounds so sad :( Our vet has the candles on the desk too, and thankfully I've never been in there when they're lit.

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    1. I thought I knew what days they scheduled those patients but now it just seems so random. I'm glad I don't know.

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  15. Congrats on your weekday long run ;) I admit, I'm kind of getting sucked into your Icon Fitness story like a weekly drama on TV, haha! I really hope to read your recap of how it got fixed soon!

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  16. It's just a hard situation all around, isn't it?

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  17. That is so sad about the candles. :-( Great job on your run! Glad you are having nice weather for running.

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  18. I don't even have a dog and that story is sad :) February was a great month of running for me too let's hope March has some great weather too

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  19. I couldn't deal with the candles either! Damn!!!

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