May I introduce my wine cork reindeer herd. Each of these little guys is hand crafted, which means a day full of finger-gluing, pin-stabbing, and craft-store-panic-attack fun. But they are pretty damn cute. Consider this my official Christmas photo, because I spent so much time on them, I neglected to photograph my own family. Priorities, you know…
‘Tis the season when the door count dwindles and I have a few spare minutes to play on the job. Everyone seems to be hitting the stores, so libraries aren’t very busy come December. Time to spruce the branch up for the holidays! Well, minus the spruce…
This being my first official holiday season in our library system, I had to figure out what decorations were permissible. My first idea to make a book tree was nixed due to its religious affiliation, but I discovered that snowmen are totally allowed. And since it’s Florida, a library full of snowmen might make the 80 degrees outside feel a bit more seasonal…
After perusing Pinterest, I came up with a basic idea how to construct my snowy bookish guy. Some coworkers doubted Frosty would look like anything but a pyramid of recycled-paper-covered books. I think he looks smashing.
How I made him:
Body: The base uses trade paperbacks while the middle and the head uses regular paperbacks and romance novels. We wrapped the books in recycled flyers and scrap copy paper—I think it would look cool to make white book jackets as well.
Accessories: I found the mother-load of spare snowman parts in the craft closet. Frosty has three buttons on his chest, two buttons for eyes, and a “carrot” nose made from rolled orange construction paper. His hat is made from three small pieces of black craft foam sheets, and I cut his smile from a scrap. Luckily, I dug out a nice wide ribbon to make his scarf, and a coworker grabbed two sticks from outside to make his arms.
Easy-peasy, uses all recycled/reclaimed materials, and free!
Here’s a back view so you can see the way the books are stacked better: 
My inspiration: Copy Ream Snowman and Book snowman From the Friends of the New York Mills Public Library in New York Mills, Minnesota.
I just barely had time to create up the children’s area display board. I went with an ELF (the movie) theme:
Inspiration: FromtheShortStacks.blogspot.com
It makes me giggle and crave candy each time I walk by.
One of the most important holiday traditions in my family is the annual Christmas tree ornament. Each year, my mom has given me an ornament that celebrates where I am in my life, from beloved Sesame Street characters to college mascots. We do the same for my son now, but finding “cool” ornaments for boys can be challenging after you’ve bought the requisite Star Wars figures, and there are only so many Santas in planes, trains, and automobiles to pick from.
But what is my son (as well as about every other kid from 6 to 16) absolutely obsessed with this year? Why Minecraft, of course.
I couldn’t find a Minecraft ornament in ANY store. I searched online, and the pickings were slender—and extremely pricey. For example, Amazon had only these to offer:
Minecraft Christmas Ornaments Featuring 5 Minecraft Ornaments with Pig, Sheep, Pickaxe, Zombie and Creeper, Ornaments Average 2 1/4 to 3 Inches Tall, Great for a Mini Christmas Tree
This set cost $50!!!!
No way.
Or how about this
Minecraft Legos PICTURE Christmas Ornament Custom Handmade
Cute, but $22?
Not happening.
Fortunately, I remembered the Pixel Paper Craft website I’d found via Pinterest two years ago. For my son’s Minecraft birthday cake, I’d printed out Steve, creepers, and a whole menagerie of Minecraft animals—for FREE—from templates on their fabulous site.
Maybe they had something Christmas related?
They did. And they are AWESOME.
And you can easily make your own D.I.Y Minecraft Creeper Ornament, too!
Go to http://pixelpapercraft.com.
Save then print their free Creeper Santa template. (They also have a more “traditional” Pixelated Santa.)
Cut out the pattern, fold along the lines, glue the tabs and pieces together, then let the glue dry.
I added a thin red ribbon when I glued on the head, and voila—you have a FREE Creeper Santa Ornament your kids will adore.
It’s not perfect, but it’s homemade with love. And bonus—since it’s made of paper, it’s not breakable.
Every kid that comes to our house is instantly drawn to this Creeper Santa. Though my tree is overstuffed with ornaments of every shape, size, and color, they somehow zero in on this guy within seconds. Their eyes grow wide. And they ask if they can have one, too.
Pintrest HIT.
Looking for Minecraft gifts this holiday season? Check out my Minecraft Book Reviews —kid and librarian approved!
Check out some other Pinetrest Hits with Mama Kat!
It began like every other day at the public library—mountains of books and DVDs to be processed, account and computer questions to be answered, perhaps a few books to recommend. But when a frazzled mom pushing a stroller rushed in with a story about a a cat stuck stuck in a hole outside, we knew the day would be far from ordinary. The woman said this cat seemed hungry, and she’d dropped a hot dog through the metal grate for it to eat (because we all carry spare hot dogs, right?). A staffer walked outside to investigate, and sure enough, a tiny calico kitten’s cries echoed from deep within a storm drain—only feet from the busy eight-lane road.
Being trained library professionals—(don’t snicker, it’s not polite)—we embarked on an urgent research project: who to call to rescue this helpless stray? Animal control? Nope. They said they didn’t “do” storm drains. The city’s sewage and water department? No, we were just outside the city line. The police? The fire department? I firmly stated that the fire department did NOT rescue kittens. My father is a retired fire chief, and he always said firemen never actually rescued cats from trees. Someone called anyway. And five minutes later, the ladder truck rolled into the parking lot, lights off, but ready to help. I was delighted to be proven wrong.
The firemen lifted the metal drain cover, broke out their ladder, and rescued the kitten in just a few minutes.
And then we had a kitten. In the middle of the day. At the library. A very hungry, scared, and exhausted kitten.
We whisked our new buddy to the back room so we could figure out what the hell to do with it. Excuse me—what to do with her—as she was a stinking adorable calico. But the name one staffer bestowed upon him her would stand: Benedict Cumberkitty. She was also rather acrobatic and could scale a box and escape in less than two seconds, even with the lid on. Not so great in a public building.
You’d think five computer savvy library employees would be able find a home for one little kitten in a jiffy, right? We called at least six animal rescues, a dozen vets, relatives, roommates, everyone we could think of—no one wanted a kitten—including one of our leads, who wanted Benedict Cumberkitty out.
My idea for a token library cat à la Dewey didn’t fly.
By now Cumberkitty had inhaled a dish of food and was purring in our arms as we passed her around. Since none of us wanted to drop her at the Humane Society, we worked out an impromptu fix: since I’d be leaving work first, I’d deliver her to another staffer’s home, and he’d care for her overnight. (That staffer happens to look just like My Cat from Hell’s Jackson Galaxy—how apropos.) Between all of the Facebook pleas and connections, hopefully one of us would find a safe, permanent home for her.
Even though Cumberkitty was about the cutest thing you can imagine, I was not looking forwards to an hour in the car with a crying, malnourished kitten just yanking at my heartstrings. And I knew as soon as my son caught a glance of Cumberkitty he’d turn on those puppy dog eyes, BEG, plead, and try every irrational reason his clever 11-year-old brain could devise to keep her. The hubby would simply say “awwww…” and melt, and I’d have to be the evil, RATIONAL one and repeatedly explain why we couldn’t keep her. (Something to do with already having two psychotic, allergy-ridden, territorial, often bitchy cats who’ve been racking up several hundred dollars in vet bills a month lately, but why let reason speak?)
Minuets before I was to walk out the door with her, fate intervened. A mom and her young daughter had spotted Cumberkitty’s adorable Facebook mug as it made the rounds. They’d hurried to the library to see if she was still in need. The mom told us they’d just had to put to sleep their own beloved cat of twenty years that morning. They’d suffered though a horrible day—but when she’d seen the post she’d though it was meant to be. I knew as soon as the little girl snuggled up with Cumberkitty it was a done deal. She clutched the kitten tight and kissed her, and her blonde curls shook as she began to cry.
So did we—well, at least my eyes got teary.
I was thankful Cumberkitty had found a home. I was thankful our “brave” firefighters proved they could be heroes to even the tiniest of creatures. I was thankful the power of social media could be harnessed for good. I was thankful a heartbroken little girl had found a new love. And I was thankful my heart felt it had swelled a few sizes that day.
Be thankful. Be grateful. Be kind. Be good.
Every parent, teacher, librarian, and kid knows that MINECRAFT is the hottest thing out there for kids 6 to 16. The phenomena has taken the world by storm, and been praised for its ability to stretch users imaginations and skills as they learn how to build, create, collaborate, and survive in their Minecraft world. But if you’re like me, you might think your kid plays the game WAY too much—how about trading some screen time for book time?
Buying gifts for kids (especially boys) in this age range can be quite a challenge. With birthday parties it seems like every weekend and the holidays approaching, I’ve been hunting for some winning gift ideas. I’ve always given books to younger kids and adults, but kids in this range can be tricky. Solution: MINECRAFT BOOKS!
But which to buy?
If you browse through Amazon, you’ll find pages of Mineraft-related book offerings. Almost all the books are very recently published and few offer reviews. Then there are dozens of free Kindle books, but you have no idea if they are any good.
As a library staffer and parent, I’ve personally checked out all of the books listed below. My library system now carries all of these titles, so you know they are librarian-approved “real” books, not something a 12-year-old fan wrote and tossed up on Amazon. They range from introductory guides appropriate for elementary-aged beginners to more complex developmental aids for those tweens and teens with an interest in programming.
Minecraft: The Complete Handbook Collection
Age Range: 8 – 12 years (even 6-year-olds will love them!)
Grade Level: 2 – 7
Hardcover
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.; Box edition (October 21, 2014)
Amazon $19.18
Scholastic $22.00
This is the complete collection of the Official Minecraft books written by the game’s developers and published by Scholastic. Each handbook contains helpful tips and information from the creators themselves, all of which will prove vital to players survival and creativity as they learn to mine, craft, and build in a world that they control. The graphics and layout make the books easy to navigate and the tutorials are spelled out with step-by-step directions almost anyone can follow. This durable yet beautiful set is considered THE MUST-HAVE set for the enthusiasts and beginners (my son and his friends carry it around in their backpacks at school even!).
The collection includes the four handbooks listed below, but at a better price!
Minecraft: Essential Handbook: An Official Mojang Book
The first OFFICIAL Minecraft book, this one is the #1 guide for any newbie or elementary-aged player. Learn how to find resources; make a shelter; craft tools, armor, and weapons, and protect yourself from monsters. With tips from Minecraft experts, including developer Jeb and creator Notch himself, this is the definitive guide to surviving your first few days in Minecraft.
Minecraft: Redstone Handbook: An Official Mojang Book
According to my Minecraft experts, Redstone is one of the most important substances if you want to build contraptions in the Minecraft world. This second book in the Scholastic/Mojang collection explains how to connect and control the blocks that make up the Minecraft world.
Minecraft: Construction Handbook: An Official Mojang Book
Whether players want to build their own mansion and gardens or dream of creating their own roller-coaster ride, this handbook will give them the confidence and skills to fuel their creative genius. Readers will learn how to construct houses, ships, floating islands, bridges, roller coasters, and more!
Minecraft: Combat Handbook: An Official Mojang Book
Creepers and Zombies and Ghasts, oh my! In this book readers can learn how to defend their home, build forts, fight monsters, and craft weapons. Learn how to survive and thrive in player versus play mode, evade death in the Nether, and battle the Ender Dragon in the End.
Want to encourage your child to actually read? The series below is librarian and teacher approved, and the perfect gift if you want to get your little gamer excited about taking time away from the game to read.
When one of Gameknight’s father’s inventions teleports him into the game, he is forced to live out a real-life adventure inside a digital world. Stuck in the game, he discovers Minecraft’s best-kept secret: the creatures within the game are alive! He will have to stay one step ahead of the sharp claws of zombies and pointed fangs of spiders, but he’ll also have to learn to make friends and work as a team if he has any chance of surviving the Minecraft war his arrival has started.
Age Range: 9 and up
Grade Level: 3 and up
Series: Gameknight999 (Book 1)
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Sky Pony Press (August 26, 2014)
Amazon $9
Epic battles, terrible monsters, heartwarming friendships, and spine-tingling suspense . . . Battle for the Nether takes the adventures of Gameknight999 to the next level in a nonstop roller-coaster ride of adventure.
Age Range: 9 and up
Grade Level: 3 and up
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Sky Pony Press (August 26, 2014)
An evil army threatens to destroy all of Minecraft in the third Gameknight999 adventure!
Age Range: 9 and up
Grade Level: 3 and up
Series: Gameknight999 Minecraft (Book 3)
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Sky Pony Press (October 21, 2014)
In the first book of this hilarious Minecraft adventure series, we get to read the diary of an actual 12 year old Minecraft Zombie. Take a peek at what is really going on between the hollow eyes, and dead expression that we normally see when we face the dreaded Zombies of Minecraft.
Age range: 7+
Series: Diary of a Minecraft Zombie
Paperback: 90 pages
Publisher: Herobrine Publishing (March 26, 2015)
“Steve Crafter” continues the DIARY OF A WIMPY KID meets MINECRAFT series:
Diary of a Minecraft Zombie Book 2: Bullies and Buddies (Volume 2)
Diary of a Minecraft Zombie Book 3: When Nature Calls (Volume 3)
Diary of a Minecraft Zombie Book 4: Zombie Swap
There are DIARY OF A books for almost every Minecraft character out there!
Up to date for the 2014 holiday season, The Big Book of Minecraft is packed with the most recent training, tools, and techniques to help readers get more out of their favorite sandbox game. 2014 was a pivotal year for Minecraft, and this book captures all the latest and greatest things that have happened to one of the most brilliant and immersive games in video game history. From a brief overview of the game to advanced farming, mining, and building techniques, this guide touches on everything Minecraft enthusiasts could ever ask for. Featuring authoritative and engaging content from our internal experts, The Big Book of Minecraft also highlights some of the most influential builders in the Minecraft community today and examines their creations and techniques that catapulted them to fame.
Hardcover: 192 pages
Publisher: Triumph Books (November 1, 2014)
Amazon $14.99
Building in Minecraft: The Unofficial Building Guide to Minecraft & Other Games
This isn’t so much a “guide” as a cool idea book. The photos highlight some of the most amazing builds ever created, from nuclear submarines to mind-boggling castles. There are no directions as to how to actually build these complex projects, but crafters will flip through the pages with awe. I’ve only found this book inside Barnes and Noble—look for it on the display tables up front or ask.
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Triumph Books (November 1, 2014)
Barnes and Noble $7.98 (in-store only)
Minecraft Mastery: Build Your Own Redstone Contraptions and Mods
This book does start with some basic redstone material, but the bulk of its one-of-a-kind tutorials are for the advanced user. Learn how to create logic gates, advanced mechanisms, and much more. You’ll also find out how to host a Minecraft server, use the qCraft and Computer-Craft mods, and develop your own custom mods. Exponentially expand the dimensions of your world with help from this hands-on guide–the only limit is your imagination!
Age: Advanced users—teen & up
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: McGraw-Hill/TAB Electronics; (June 5, 2014)
Amazon
While this book was just above my own 11-year-old’s abilities—a bit of Java knowledge going into this would be helpful—it would be perfect for teens/tweens interested in learning programming.
Learn how to…
Age: Advanced users (tweens & teens with some programming knowledge)
Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: Sams Publishing; 1 edition (September 20, 2014)
Amazon $24
Write your own Minecraft plugins with CanaryMod and watch your code come to life with flaming cows, flying creepers, teleportation, and interactivity. Follow along with the book and add your own features to the Minecraft game by developing Java code that “plugs in” to the server. You’ll manipulate and control elements in the 3D graphical game environment without having to write tons of code or learn huge frameworks. No previous programming experience necessary.
Age Range: 10 and up
Series: The Pragmatic Programmers
Paperback: 284 pages
Publisher: Pragmatic Bookshelf; (November 8, 2014)
Amazon $20
Amazing Minecraft Activity Book (Volume 1)
This fun and engaging activity book is packed with 75 different puzzles and games to keep Minecraft fans entertained for hours! Wind your way through a mineshaft maze, play Minecraft parkour, unscramble secret messages and more. Clues and answers are provided. Each page can be colored in, too!
Paperback: 82 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (January 13, 2015)
Format: 2015 Wall Calendar
Size Closed: 11.5″ W x 11.5″ H
Size Opened: 11.5″ W x 23″ H
There are some novels that you know will shake you at a primal level, that will haunt your dreams and darken even the brightest day. They’ll leave you shivering with “what if’s.” They’ll leave their dark marks upon your soul. Here are a few of those books—
stories I’m afraid to read, because I won’t be able to forget them…
Many reader friends have told me I must read this book. In fact, they were horrified I hadn’t read this “masterpiece” yet. But I’m afraid it will disturb me too much. THE ROAD is a
grueling and grim post-apocalyptic tale of a man and his son struggling to survive.
The spare pose echoes the utter and complete desolation of the world as one man
attempts to instill a glimmer hope in his son.
I shiver thinking about it. Did I mention there’s cannibalism?
This could be the future—a future where a misogynistic, monotheocratic government rules all, where women are reduced to base breeders and laborers. It’s terrifying because you can
imagine it could happen if the wrong people gained power. I’m embarrassed to admit
I haven’t read this yet, andI plan to correct this lapse soon.
Even if it gives me nightmares.
Readers seem to love or hate this unique novel, and it has a die hard cultish following. It’s been described as not only a mind-blowing haunted house story, but a story inside a story inside a story…(or was it a riddle wrapped inside and enigma?) Due to its trippy print style, the books is only available in print, so readers can scour the appendices, colored texts,
sideways prose, and do the old “read backwards in a mirror” gimmick.
But it’s scary…if you can make it through the 700+ pages
without feeling physically trapped by the style.
We Need to Talk About Kevin
What happens when YOU create the monster? In reality, it’s a story that often drives fear into all of our souls—a teen opens fire in a school, and seven classmates and two adults die. This could be in your neighborhood, in your children’s school. But cold-blooded killers aren’t just born, are they? This novel explores how our culture creates child killers, and how it would feel if this child was your own. The threat of school massacres hits me too close to home. I…just…can’t…
On the surface, the protagonist is epitome of a golden boy: attractive, filthy rich, and a Wall Street wunderkind. But inside, the man is a raving lunatic. A calm one at that. He kill, rapes, and tortures with a cool detachment. Some say this novel is a comedy, a satire of epic proportions. Others say it’s pure horror. I haven’t seen the movie either, and reading Ellis’ IMPERIAL BEDROOMS disturbed me enough for a few years, thanks.
Though technically a Western, this perverse story evokes images of Heironymus Bosch as it follows a band bounty hunters for Indian scalps near the Texas-Mexico border in the 1850s–a ragged caravan of indiscriminate killers led by an unforgettable human monster called “The Judge.” Described as bleak, and bloody, and bleak—a book that may or may not leave you with no faith in humanity whatsoever.
Okay, this one I’m buying now, since it’s only $1.99 on Amazon now. Dubbed “Twentieth Century’s greatest practitioner of the classic horror tale,” Lovecraft’s stories have influenced generations of horror writers and readers.
How about you? What’s the scariest book you’ve NEVER read?
Admit it—we all raid our kids’ trick-or-treat bags after they come down from their sugar high and pass out Halloween night. This perfect infographic from Vivino.com makes me want to download their wine pairing app just so I can play with any other candy and wine matches. How else will I discover what pairs well with a Peppermint Pattie?
I’m thinking some of the Well Read red wine might pair well with my guilty pleasure of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Ooohh, but I can have champagne with Kit Kats or Mounds…
Decisions, decisions…
What wine and candy combo tickles your taste buds?
#NotSponsored #JustForFun
Kids love MINECRAFT. Be it for Halloween or birthday parties, MINECRAFT is the hottest thing going now.
My son wanted a MINECRAFT themed slumber party to celebrate his 11th birthday this year. Since I refuse to do the traditional goodie bags full of junk, I had to come up with something fun, something useful, and something cheap.
Since the party was in October, how about a Creeper Bag? It could be used for everyday activities and as a Halloween trick-or-treat bag. And the kids would think it was pretty cool.
Using a Creeper face template and supplies from my local craft store, I had the materials to make FIVE of these Creeper backpacks for less than $7.50—that’s about $1.50 each! Whoo-hoo!
The kids LOVED them.
Price breakdown:
—Bags: I found “Non-woven Sports Bags” a.k.a. drawstring backpacks at Michael’s for $2 each. After a 40% off coupon, they were only $1.20 each. (find similar on Amazon here
—Paint: $1 at Michael’s, on sale for $0.50 (like this paint on Amazon)
—Brushes: multi-pack at the Dollar Tree for $1
—Cardboard: free from my recycling bin
Now it just so happened that my son received a Minecraft Creeper Box Head
I like using a backpack as a trick-or-treat bag because kids can sling it over their shoulder or wear on their backs. All that candy can weight them down by the end of the night!
He’d gone as MINECRAFT Steve years before with a totally homemade costume (See How-to posts for Steve Head here and MINECRAFT diamond sword and pickax here.) I have to admit —this year’s Creeper costume was so much easier.
green drawstring backpacks(s)
creeper face template (see below)
black craft paint
cardboard (2 12 x 14-ish pieces per bag)
razor
ruler (optional)
foam brushes
For the adults:
Right click on the template photo on the right and save. Print out as an 8 x 10 (don’t worry, it doesn’t need to be high resolution). Using the template and a pencil, trace the creeper face on one piece of cardboard per bag. With ruler or straight edge, go over the trace marks with a marker or pencil.
Now it’s time to cut. Once again, use the ruler or straight edge as a guide to cut the face out of the cardboard. A razor works best—that way you get clean edges.
Make one cardboard template for each bag. (If you reuse them, paint can smear.)
For the kids:
Okay, the hard part is done. Slide one blank sheet of cardboard inside each backpack to prevent the paint from bleeding through. Lay each bag on a flat surface. Place the cardboard template on each bag (you can tape the cardboard to the bag with masking tape if you wish).
Squeeze some black craft paint onto paper plates or disposable bowls. Have the kids dab paint on their foam brushes and paint inside the creeper faces.
When faces are all filled in, remove template cardboard. Let the bags dry completely before moving or removing inside cardboard. (Our paint dried in about a half hour.)
That’s it!
Happy Birthday, Happy Halloween, enjoy your special day!
I believe this wine was created just for me.
Okay, and for a few {thousand} of my book-loving, wine-swigging friends. Can anyone say “book club wine?”
I ♥ Trader Joe’s.
Need to catch up on my Couch to 5k journey?
Check out PART 1: Easy Street and PART 2: Bumps in the Road.
What. The. Heck.
I’m restraining my language because I’m actually writing this two days later so I’ve had time to temper my utter pissed-offedness. (Yes, I’m making that a word.)
I’ve been hunting for new shoes, since my old ones look like this.
Yes, those are massive holes in the mesh toes. Tread is pretty much non-existent as well.
Since I am poor and doubt my ability to follow through, I’m not allowing myself to head off to Track Shack for a $100+ pair of running shoes. But lucky me, I found these neat-o trainers at Ross for $30. A steal for Brooks minimalist trainers with glowing reviews on Amazon, right?
But while reading the reviews, I realized I AM RUNNING ALL WRONG. Totally wrong. I suck.
I run like I walk, landing on my heel. I didn’t realize I was supposed to land mid-foot. WTF.
I’ve always thought my hubby runs funny. When he races around the soccer pitch every week, he looks like he’s running on his balls the balls of his feet and his heels nearly kick his butt. It looks…weird. BUT HE IS TOTALLY RIGHT. Crapola.
So, after watching a ton of youtube instructional videos, I headed off to the gym with my new shoes. I figured I’d just go easy, running/walking at my own pace as I tried to run correctly.
Ha. I looked like a drunk toddler on skates. Even holding on to the sides or front handles of the treadmill I was all spaghetti legs. It hurt. It felt wrong. I couldn’t breathe after 30 seconds. Did I mention it hurt? (My lower shins are still KILLING me two days later.) I barely made it 2 miles with a few 90-sec runs in there.
And now I don’t know what to do. Trying to run in “proper form” (mid-foot strike, heel-to-butt gait) feels utterly wrong.
Should I start over on Day 1 with the ‘correct’ form, even though I feel like I’m on artificial legs? (Bad old-timey wooden fake legs, not those cool new blade runner versions.) Or should I keep running like I have been these last few weeks and continue to work on my cardio and stamina?
Help.
It’s currently 80 degrees with 90% humidity out and I just attempted a run/walk. Outside.
Did I travel to the backwaters of Indonesia or the streets of Sao Paulo, Brazil? No, I’m just another idiot savoring fall in Florida. For those of you up north, you may wonder what 90% humidity feels like. A blanket of water. Being locked in a bathroom with a bag of freshly mown grass and the shower cranked to near boiling for a half hour. I was sweating worse than a 300-pound man in a sauna. And that was just after WALKING to the end of the block.
After the last debacle at the gym (which I am still smarting from) I decided to try running on pavement instead of a hamster wheel. I could control my pace and my form more. And I did. I also dropped back to the 90-sec runs. My shins still hurt from Friday and my right arch is complaining like a bitch, but I pushed through—moderately. You see, I think lungs don’t quite know how to process this much humidity. Many people only feel it when they are (a) sitting still in a steam room, or (b) laying in bed, miserably congested, with their room-sized humidifier spewing an eau de Vicks Vapor Rub into the air.
Who suffers this way for fun?
Just call me the Anastasia Steele of Couch to 5k. However, my unbelievable naivete revolves around running, and there were no sexy young billionaires luring me along. Too bad.
Ran/walked/gasped for about 40 minutes. Per Map My Run – 2.81 miles.
:::ahhhhhhh:::
{cue dawn breaking or something}
After my last few attempts, I was not looking forward to today’s run. I felt crummy and only pried myself out of bed because my cats were playing tag on top of me. With claws. Anywho, I ate breakfast late, so I couldn’t run/walk outside before it became too beastly. Almost didn’t go at all.
Then I remembered my gym has an “easy” yoga class at noon, and my muscles were pretty desperate for some stretching. By the time I dragged myself to the gym, I had about 20 minutes to spend with my dear nemesis, the treadmill.
What would happen if I just ran slower?
Every.Freaking.Thing.
I warmed up for a couple of minutes. (Really I was just getting my Kindle turned on—finally reading OUTLANDER. OMG. What the hell took me so long?) Then I set the speed—not at a “run” 6 mph or at a “jog” of 4 measly mph—but right in-between.
And I ran/jogged/whatevered for A MILE. Without stopping. Or dying. Holy Schlitz.
It was a 12-minute mile, but who cares? I could have kept going longer, but I really wanted to get in some yoga, and you can’t sneak into class late. I wasn’t striking totally on my heels, but somewhere a little farther forward. I’m not sure it was precisely midstep, but who cares.
It felt brilliant.
I can do this.
********************
Any of you runners have any advice for me? Is it better to run slowly to build endurance then worry about speeding up later?
