Random run yesterday. I get ready to leave from my parents house and do my normal check list. Gum - check! Garmin watch - check! IPod - check! Mace - check! (yes I run with mace, I have had close encounters with dogs)! Sneakers double tied - check! And I’m off!!

So I start out at a moderate pace…ok maybe quicker than moderate, but I’m psyched cause its nice and warm out and haven’t been running outdoors as much as I’d like to. I see a girl walking in front of me. Walking target, awesome, cant wait to pass her! Pass walking girl and next thing I know something flies in my eye and nearly blinds me. Apparently I forgot my sunglasses when reviewing my checklist. So I’m running with one eye squeezed shut now and thinking to myself this blooooooows! After winking more times than an overweight 45 year old man who is “just looking for that special someone” on match.com, I finally work out whatever it was that violated my eyeball!

Heading down Central Ave is not so bad. I got my tunes going and I’m feeling like life is good. Then, out of no where, I feel completely exhausted and like I may collapse at any given moment. Do I dare look at my mileage? Do I? That could make the situation so much better or worse! I cant resist, I look down at the watch. 2.25 miles. YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME!!! I wanted to do at least 6 miles but now I’m dying at 2. freaking 5? Amateur! Maybe this is when, in my defense, I tell you that it was day 10 of no meat or chicken. I think I was just lacking protein…..So anyways I run up to 2.5 and then turn around to head back home. As I’m running I see a guy in front of me, heading towards me, on a pair of crutches, I think to myself “suck it up Maria, he probably wishes he could be running”. I look to my right and watch a couple cars pass me on Central Ave and then look forward again. This man on crutches is now laying on the ground, on his side, with the crutches right along side of him. When I get up to him I stop and ask if I can help him with anything, He had a semi large back pack on and had been holding a decent sized lunch bag of sorts. He was very embarrassed and said that he “just tilted to the side a little too much”. I told him no worries and that I needed a break anyways, which, at the point, wasn’t far from the truth. I helped him take the backpack off his back and then I placed it,  along with the lunch bag thingy, on the step in front of his house (he literally fell directly in front of his house) He thanked me and told me his wife would be home soon and she would bring it inside. Then I headed on.

Made it to my cut down street to Albany Street and as soon as I turn the corner I see my friend Eddie stopped at the red light. I havent seen him in about 5 years and had lost his contact information. He noticed me right away and pulled down a side street. I ran over to him and chatted with him for a bit! I didnt want to stop again but it was nice to see an old friend and exchange contact info! Off I go again. I’m now on a side street that cuts through to my moms neighborhood and shortens the length of my run, which again, is fine with me as I seriously feel like my limp, lifeless body will be found on the side of the road. I repeat a mantra every step I take - Just. Keep. Going. Just. Keep. Going. And then, BAM!! STUNG BY A FREAKIN BEE!! Right in the left arm, out of nowhere! Didnt even see the little bastard coming!! Have I mentioned yet that I am highly allergic of bees? That my throat closes up and my body blows up? Yeah, I’m freakin thrilled now…..and scared! I think about stopping at someones house and then say to myself “what the hell are they gonna do for me?” Just. Keep. Going.

I finally make it back to my moms place. I look down at my arm and amazingly it hadn’t started to swell, I determine at this point it wasnt a bee or else I would be in much worse shape. Though all my friends that saw it last night said it looked like a bee sting. Needless to say, I did not blow up like a puffer fish, I did not stop breathing and have obviously lived to tell the story. Arm definitely itches though….

So there you have it! Hope you have enjoyed! My run today was much better due do an awesome shake I drank 15 minutes before! 6.5 today was better than 4.5 yesterday.

Until next time, I gotta run!