short bursts

It might actually happen! Ever since I heard about it a year ago, I've been not-so-secretly hoping to run/jog/trot a half marathon for "peace and tolerance" in this neck of the woods. Unfortunately, I could not find information on it and wasn't confident that I'd be here to run it. So I wasn't really training for it.

Last week, I found out that I will be in the area for it - and I've concocted a rather absurd 2-week training program. Yep...I know it's pretty ridiculous to hope to double my distance in 2 weeks. I do, however, have a couple of things in my favor. 1) Dead ends. After a year of trotting somewhat more regularly(-ish), I'm getting a little bored with my route. I'm changing it up a bit by trying a few different roads. Sometimes it works, but more often than not, the roads I choose are dead ends...which means I'm packing on the distance (a smidge begrudgingly). 2) Yappy caffeinated dogs. They (the dogs) have been pretty decent to me lately. They might bark a bit and follow a few steps, but they've pretty much let me do my thing and I'm pretty respectful of their space, too. The past couple of days, however, they've been a little more aggressive - so aggressive that I've taken to carrying rocks again. My little running assignment for today was "a 5 mile jog that includes short bursts." Ha! I had 6 short bursts today...6 yappy annoying dogs = 6 adrenaline-helped sprints.

A little tag-on: I really do enjoy these little jog outings that I do. I get to see a part of Kosovo that many people who have lived here all of their lives don't get to see. I am free to exchange pleasantries with 2 distinct ethnic groups. I have a serbian grandma friend who brings me out a glass of water when she sees me. I get to chase chickens and goats, giggle with child pig-herders at the ridiculous sounds frogs make, compliment women on their beautiful gardens, and smell fantastic fresh air (which is now very pollen-laden!). I occasionally pick some wild flowers; I move rocks off the road after mini-rock slides and feel like a hero (yeah, some hero). And, for not being a particularly coordinated person, I get to enjoy the attention of people who think that I'm an athletic genius (little do they know...).