Don't run dumb!!

At work we have now switched to 4, 10-hour days. I think I'm really going to like having an extra day off. This is the first week, so we'll see how it goes.

I'm continuing my biking, running and dancing, though each has shifted in varying degrees. Biking and running have increased (hey, they're free) and dancing has downsized (very unfree). For this month I am taking only 2 private lessons for dance. I was so busy last month with dancing that my running was put on the back burner. With the Women's 4-Miler coming up at the end of the month, I really need to put in more mileage. BUT, I am going to figure out a way to budget in 1 lesson per week for September and hopefully beyond. I absolutely love it!!

Just a few miles from work there's a pretty nice park with a great running/walking/biking trail which winds alongside the Rivanna River. I have been a couple of times with other people, so I decided to go after work the other day. I went on a Sunday after work a few weeks ago, and it was almost totally deserted which kinda spooked me--too quiet and no one around if I needed help. I was hoping for something different on a mid-week evening when people usually bring their dogs (dogs are allowed off-leash at the park Tues-Thurs). While I got different, it wasn't the different for which I was hoping. Guess I was too early. There were more people around, but not many. At one point I passed a group of 7-8 kids (17-20 yoa) hanging out at the river. While I'm sure the chances that they would bother me were slim, I was acutely aware of how alone I was, I'd only passed 2 people so far on the trail, the fact that I left my phone in my car and the realization that while I might have a chance against one (possibly two) people, I have none against a group. I was also disappointed in myself that I had been so sure that all would be fine, that I lost common sense. As a lone female running through the woods I need to take more safety precautions. Needless to say, if I go again I won't be alone and I'll have my phone. I think I'll see how my dog does running with me--she'd be good, attack-discouraging company!!

I have also managed to get in a couple of bike rides lately. Still short ones, but I'll be lengthening them soon. I told my dad that I might make Thursday an official "bike ride" day. Even sleeping in I can get a ride in fairly early, so I'll have low traffic volume.

I'm now looking at my dog, resting peacefully in the living room. She has no idea that as soon as I post this she's getting a manicure. Unlike me, she hates them!! I'll just give her a few more minutes of ignorant bliss!!