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Get off your butt, girl! June 15, 2007

Posted by kimayars Uncategorized Digg! this story! Digg! this story. , 6comments

Once again I vowed that I would get up to go to the gym, and once again I chose to ignore it’s calling.  I like to work out early in the morning, like around 5:30.  No kids to worry about, no hubby to neglect, just me and the whirr of treadmills. (I also like the gym because I can run an 8-minute mile on the treadmill, where in “real life” it’s more like 10min.)

I’m a smart person, and rationally I know that only I can get up and go to the gym.  I don’t have my own personal Bob Greene playing taps at the crack of dawn.  It almost would be easier if I was oversleeping, but I can’t even claim that.  I’m wide awake at 5:30. So what’s the problem?  A nice warm bed and a cuddly husband, that’s the problem.  Yes, you heard me, I blame it on the snuggles.  As I’m in the hospital having my quadruple bypass, I’ll point a shaking finger at my husband and say in a wavering voice, “It’s … all … your … fault …  You … spoon … too … good …”  Throw in some flannel sheets and you’ll hear me say, “It’s only Kindergarten, she can miss another day of school.”

 I do think it’s some sort of conspiracy.  Jeff and I have this, “So, what do you weigh?” thing going on.  I *prefer* to weigh less than him, but I usually don’t (I call it a boob handicap).  But recently, I have tipped the scales a precious 5 lbs lighter.  Could this be sabotage?  Does he know the power he wields?  I’m serious, I’m about ready to go sleep in the guest room.

What I really need is a buddy to go to the gym with.  When I run with Beth, the guilt of standing her up overpowers the desire to spoon my partner.  I had a buddy, she was my next door neighbor. But she didn’t have that overwhelming sense of guilt that I have (I would have made a much better Catholic than her) and I got stood up A LOT so I stopped asking her.  I’ve asked a few more friends. They are tickled until I tell them the time.  Then their excitement morphs to shock and they frantically search for an excuse (wimps).

 I hate to exercise in the middle of the day because of a few simple yet compelling reasons:

1.  I hate to shower twice in one day.

2.  I would rather spend that time on horseback (it’s darn right cruel to ride the horse at 5:30am).

3. If I can’t be on horseback, I’d rather be with my girls.

4.  If I can’t be on horseback or with the girls, I’d rather be napping (see a common thread?)

So anyway, we’ll try again on Monday. Wish me luck!!

Muuuuuuch better. June 14, 2007

Posted by kimayars Run Digg! this story! Digg! this story. , add a comment

Running was much easier today. Still a little tuckered at the end, but I didn’t fuel up before the run so that makes sense.

Workout:

Scout, Toby, or Raisin? June 13, 2007

Posted by kimayars Uncategorized Digg! this story! Digg! this story. , 8comments

I’ve been considering changing my horse’s name.  His name from his previous owner is “Scout”, but he really doesn’t look like a “Scout”.  I like Toby a lot, mainly because it reminds me of this skit.  My friend Sherene suggested “Raisin” because he’s dark brown.  What do you think?:

Scout

We had a great ride today — mostly worked on him standing still for the mounting block, but after I got on there was much less AAAAAHHHH and more “Okay, I can do this. I can hold it together…”  He really is coming along nicely. We continued our work with counter-bends and helping him find a comfortable frame.  He is filling out nicely and turning into quite the handsome boy.

So, now that you know what he looks like, give me some name ideas!!

MAKE IT STOP!! June 11, 2007

Posted by kimayars Run Digg! this story! Digg! this story. , 2comments

Okay, shoveling hog fuel for 2 hours the day before  makes your morning run EXCRUCIATING.  It was so bad, I couldn’t even run in a stright line. Luckily, Beth is very forgiving and we walked a short 2-mile loop. By the end of the day I was one big knot. Even the chiropractor asked me what the heck I had been doing…

Workout:

Is it called riding, or scrambling?… June 11, 2007

Posted by kimayars Uncategorized Digg! this story! Digg! this story. , 4comments

I have a new-ish horse.  He’s been with me for 2 1/2 weeks now, and we’re still getting to know each other.  Today I had a ride on him, but didn’t compute that the last time he had been ridden was last Monday (the 4th).  To have a horse off work for that long is pretty stupid, especially if you FORGET that said horse has been off for that long.  It’s REALLY STUPID if said horse is a little energetic.    Usually one of the last calm thoughts that go through your mind are, “Hmmm… Seems pretty mellow.  I’ll just hop right on…”  Generally those thoughts are quickly followed by instances of “what was I thinking”.

 So the horse (which may be renamed Toby, but that’s a different story) seems pretty darn calm, and I’m in a hurry to catch a sunbreak so I can ride outside. My first clue should have been that it took 15 minutes to mount him.  Ideally it should take about 2 seconds.  But, he’s new, he’s in a new place, I’m new, blah blah blah…  Finally I’m in the saddle.

 Now, this isn’t all my fault, he lulled me into a false sense of security by standing quietly while I picked up my stirrups, adjusted my reins, and did the usual pre-flight check (and I chose the word “flight” for a reason).  I give him a little squeeze with my legs and…

Imagine if you will being in a car with the accelerator stuck on.  You are desperately looking for ways to slow the car.  You think, “Ah hah! I will downshift to slow myself down.”  However, instead of shifting down, you shift up (i.e. instead of walking, you are now trotting at a very, very fast rate).  So, you try again (ooops, that trot just changed to a canter, also at a very fast rate).  The phrase “off to the races” adequately described the situation.

 It took a little bit of work to get Scout/Toby/Butthead to remember that there was a person on his back, but eventually he came around. I was also reminded that part of the fun of owning a horse is getting to know them.  I know now that this horse is tricky and has REALLY bad brakes.  :-)

But, after our little adreneline rush, we had a really nice ride (here’s where it will get pretty boring for non-horsey people).  We continued to work on contact and his push from behind.  When he rushed, I used counterbend to a) divert his attention and b) engage the outside leg more.  I am learning that as he finds the frame that he’s comfortable in, he needs a lot of stretching between.  Towards the latter part of the ride we worked on halt-walk and walk-trot transitions, staying relaxed and supple.  It’s hard for him as someone in his past has been hard on him, but he’s catching on. We had some lovely moments where he lifted through the withers as he initiated the up transition. I am looking forward to watching this horse grow and develop. He’s a pretty fun guy (unless you’re yelling, “AAAAAAHHHHH” as you are careening down the arena).

 Tomorrow I start my fitness program again with another run with Beth.  I did shovel hogsfuel for 2+hours today, so maybe it will be more like a “hobble” than a run.