I’ve fallen a little off-track so-to-speak.

It had been a full week of “exposure” (although intermittent) to my ill friend. I had not fallen sick so I felt pretty confident that I had immunity to the bug he was toting around. In essence, my body was successfully fighting off illness — until Wednesday.

On Wednesday evening, I decided it was the perfect time to put some speed back into my running. Why it couldn’t wait any longer, I don’t know. Already, I was at the track for YaYa’s football conditioning.

So why not?

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Big Sur is just around the corner and an essential workout sat on my training schedule for today: Yasso 800’s. There’s just something about the final set of Yasso’s that I cannot pass up — even if I’ve not done much track work for the season. It’s like the 20 mile long run. It must be done.

And so, at lunch time, I attempted to quickly satisfy my hunger (but not fill up) with a handful of dark chocolate covered espresso beans with hopes of being able to lasso a set of ten Yasso 800’s.

I wasn’t the only one at the community college track though. At the far end of the track, a PE class swarmed all but the outer-most lane. Hoping that I wouldn’t be asked to show my student ID, I forced down my frustration and made my way through the crowd of 20 somethings.

The teacher was calling out the instructions for a timed 1-mile run. They were off running, walking, and everything in between just as I finished off my 1st 800. I watched them go by during the walking portion of my recovery lap, then passed them as I jogged the lap’s remainder.

By the time I kicked off my 2nd 800, the majority of the class was walking. They looked on as I passed, making comments about my speed or the number of laps I’d run. But they kept walking. I guess it takes a whole lot more to inspire the young into action. I offered words of encouragement as I passed those who were running. I’m pretty sure I heard a few groans of gratitude.

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My training has stepped up a few notches as the marathon comes closer into view.  It’s time to stop messing around and focus. There’s a bit of grunting and sweating going on as well.

Last night, I donned my run wear as soon as I hit home.  Out into the cool evening I went and found myself exhilarated.  Ignoring the planned “easy” pace, I let the music take me.  I ran hard and had a fabulous run.

Later that night, I looked up my schedule run for today and discovered  6 x 800’s were coming my way.  I tried not to immediately regret my pushing hard, even though I knew that back-to-back hard runs would be challenging.

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Since Saturday, I’ve been without hot water.  Believe me when I say icy morning showers are no fun.  On my own, and with Mr. Good Neighbor, I was unsuccessful in getting my water heater to light.  When the next available appointment with PG&E didn’t work with around the j-o-b, it was critical to find a way to allow the guy from PG&E to light my fire.

You guessed right: I called in sick… because I really did have a headache, cramps, and was stressed beyond words.

One reason for my stress was my ever growing list of home repairs and other to-do’s.  Determined to make use of the day, I cooked up a plan of attack to cross off items on my long list.  Since many of the items on the list require interaction with companies that are only open M-F [9 am – 5 pm], I put a few of these to the top of the list.  I started at the top and worked down.

At the end of the day, I have to laugh at the bolus of male interaction today.  Starting with L stopping by to leave me with coffee and kisses (nothing more), it would seem that I would spend the day talking to man after man (many of which came right to my door).  It was quite pleasant and I got a lot done.

In addition to making time for Dino from PG&E (who was very entertaining with his odd sense of humor), I moved money around (long story), invited Tony out to check out my roof, called the pastor of our church, and completed a few other chores.

After all that, I left home to get one final to-do crossed off my list….

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On a day that was otherwise fought with anxiety (and prayer), I went out to the local track an nailed my work out. During the time I was running, I felt great and horrible, wanted to cheer and throw up all at the same time.

And I was able to forget the unmentioned issue that is currently stressing me out beyond belief. Work outs are good for that.