the black toe of death running and other things of note

So it's been a while, and there are things swirling about (in life, in head, etc.) and I'm going to try and put it all down here for you. You're welcome.

To answer the question I get most lately: How's the running?

Fine, thanks! I completed a 12 mile run last Saturday, and managed to do it without 1) spiking my heart rate and 2) collapsing and dying. Woo! Part of that I attribute to the fact that I ran in Loveland, down here on the plains rather than up in the mountains. I will admit there is a difference between running at 5,000 feet and running at 10,000 feet. I didn't really notice much difference until this weekend's run. It was my longest run ever, but my pace was 11:40 per mile, which is just awesome for me. Although, looking back on my 11. mile run in Leadville 2 weeks ago, my pace was 11:42 per mile. But I just felt a lot better. After the 11.5 mile run, I didn't have anything left in me--my legs were completely dead. But this weekend, I was grinning and singing along with the radio on my way home in the car.

I've developed what I like to call The Black Toe of Running. Part of me feels like I'm a real runner now, like it's a badge of honor. And part of me is just grossed out by it. It's on the toe next to my big toe on my right foot (thanks for asking!) and I don't think I'm going to lose the toenail, but who knows? At least it doesn't hurt anymore. I blame a pair of $14 running socks I bought at REI just before a 10 mile run because I forgot to pack a pair of socks. It took me a while to realize there was a huge blister underneath my toenail, but it started hurting about 5 miles into my run, just at the point where there's nothing to be done but run back. I'd post a picture of it here, but that's just kind of ew and also I'm too lazy. Suffice it to say that it just looks like I've painted one of my toenails purple.

The half-marathon is 25 days away, and I'm really excited about it. I'm a bit worried that I'm peaking a leetle early, but I'm just going to see how it goes. I've got three more long runs to get through, and at this moment I can't decide if I should go for 14 miles or just start tapering after this weekend. Or if I should run shorter this weekend and longer next weekend. I don't know. I'll figure it out, I suppose. Suggestions are always welcome. I haven't actually run the race course, which I did for the 10K, and I don't know if I will. Boulder is just far enough away that trekking up there for a run doesn't appeal to my lazy busy lifestyle.

What's up next, you ask? That's a very good question. Up next is a 2 1/2 week long vacation where I will be doing a whole lot of sitting, a good deal of eating with little to no opportunities for exercise. There are pools various places we'll be staying, so I'll bring a swimsuit, and we'll be walking walking walking in Paris, so that will help a bit. But lalala I don't care. I think I've earned a little rest. I think I need it. Then once we get back I've got to get a new goal. I've got some things in mind, but I'm letting them percolate.

I happened upon this little movie on the Netflix streaming instant play thingy (I may have misjudged the usefulness of that XBox 360--the Netflix on XBox is peachy). I'm telling you, even if you've never had a desire to run, or run a marathon, it's an inspiring, enjoyable movie. Me, I was blubbering. I think maybe maybe maybe I have a marathon in me. See goals percolating above. Anyway, I highly recommend adding it to your queue or viewing it by your alternative means of movie-watching.

On to the other things of note portion of the post:

Twenty-eight days until our trip to South Africa/Botswana. We just got our itinerary packet this morning, and there is something about all those travel vouchers and confirmation numbers that makes it really real. We've gotten our malaria and emergency antibiotic prescriptions filled, been innoculated against polio (booster) and typhoid. I've got bug spray for our clothes, a sun hat for safaris, and my long windy gauzy neck scarf for Paris. Thank goodness I have a half-marathon to train for or I'd have gone even more overboard on the planning/prepping for this trip.

I am, most officially, a size 12. I haven't lost a whole lot more pounds in the last month (none, in fact), but my size 14 pants are loose so I'm taking that. I'd like to lose a couple more pounds before we go to Africa, which really comes down to watching what I'm eating more closely (or more honestly at all). I'm not sure I'm going to hit that goal of weighing less than Mr. Bump by the end of the month, but I'm really close--only 2 pounds or so. Maybe I can just fatten him up?

The Barefoot Bakery is kind of a non-starter at the moment. I think part of it is that I've really not had the time or energy to really advertise or sell it, and so I've put it on the back burner until I've gotten through the next couple of months. Hopefully fall says baked goods and people will be interested.

One last thing--

There has been a lot of buzz on the blogs about this picture in Glamour this month. I think it's beautiful. I think she's awesome. I think her body is much better than mine (I mean, come on--she's 20). But her little tummy makes me feel like mine is not the end of the world. I think we all want to feel ok with who we are, and just the fact that Glamour is going to help me on that journey makes me want to subscribe to their magazine. The editor-in-chief has said they're listening to all the feedback they're getting, and intend to move the magazine in a direction that reflects that, and I hope they do. One of the things I was blown away by in the "getting to know Lizzie" article above is that they listed her weight. And are you ready for the stunner? I weigh less than she does. Holy crap. I know I shouldn't go there, it's shouldn't be about the number, blah blah blah. And admittedly she's probably got 3-4 inches on me. But dude. Dude! So yay Lizzi Miller! Yay Glamour magazine! Yay women everywhere in every shape and size! I am a size 12 woman--hear me Roaaar!

stumbling blocks

The last couple weeks have been tough ones here on Team Bump. I got the UTI on my 9 mile run two Saturdays ago, causing me to walk the last two miles of it. This weekend's 10 mile run was cancelled by stomach pain that kept me up most of the night. I'm still not sure what that was about, but it seems to be better.

I managed to squeeze in a 10 mile run after work last night, but it wasn't easy. Some new socks gave me blisters and I've been struggling with groin pain in my last few long runs. It doesn't seem to be something that I can stretch out, but I'm trying to shake it off and run through it. I can do this, and did do it last night, but let me tell you--I thought some of my insides were going to fall out. I don't know why exactly, and thankfully nothing ever did, but man.

I'm really looking forward to the half marathon, and for the most part the training has been going well, but I'm also looking forward to the 3 weeks of rest that our trip to South Africa and France is going to force upon me. In general I think I'm a 10-15 miles per week kind of gal. Beyond that I just run out of energy and enthusiasm. Right now I'm running about 10 miles before I do long run at the end of the week, and when it finally comes around I'm tired and tweaked about it all at the same time. But I'm still contemplating the notion of running a marathon. Someday. Hopefully the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco, where the finisher's medal is from Tiffany's. Sadly, it is in October so this year is not possible. Who's with me for Women's Marathon '10?!

I have chosen a new/next goal in the last couple of weeks, too. I'm 3-5 pounds (depending on the day) away from weighing less than Mr. Bump. Now for most women, this isn't something they've ever had to contemplate, but my guy is tall and skinny. And I have never, in our 10+ year relationship, weighed less than him. But I'm going to. Hopefully by the end of the month.

On the Africa front things are moving along swimmingly. We went and got our shots with the Travel Medicine Office (actually one shot for polio, and we were sent home with pills for the typhoid vaccine). We also have prescriptions for malaria pills and emergency antibiotics and lots and lots of literature about what not to drink (tap water), what not to eat (any fruit you do not peel yourself), and what not to do (get too near any wild mammals (ha!) because you can only get the rabies shot if you are actually bitten). There were many other brightly colored pieces of fear in our folder from them, but you get the gist. And it freaks me out somewhat to read all that stuff so I'm just going to make sure I've got a good first aid kit and a sturdy pair of walking shoes and hope that covers it.

We've figured out an itinerary of activities for our time in Cape Town, which includes a trip to the wine country, one up Table Mountain, and one down to the Cape of Good Hope. We might take a sailboat trip, we might swim with penguins. It's going to be fun with a side of non-stop action. And then, after all that crazy adventuring, three days of strolls along the Seine, early morning trips to the local boulangerie and leisurely petit dejeuner in our Paris apartment sounds like the kind of dream where first you win the lottery and then your rich uncle dies and leaves everything to you.

I promise I'm not trying to rub this trip in anyone's face, but I'm so excited. I can't wait. Six weeks from tomorrow! Holy crap I've got to start my trial pack. Yes, that's right, I do a trial pack. Don't judge me! You try to fit clothes for three different climates in your carry-on sized duffel bag without some preparation. I dare you.

P.S. There have been no sightings of the knickers. I know you were wondering. I believe they have been eaten by the dryer, but I have no proof. A moment of silence for the $16 travel knickers.