There are no pictures today of my run, unless you want to see a brick wall. So since there is not much to see I'll bear you the lengthy details of how totally bored I was running 7 miles on my treadmill. I did, however, turn my unfinished basement into a page of Pottery Barn catalog. I was living in La La land for a while. The cement walls were replaced with drywall, with an espresso paint finish, and a big screen television. The scruffy, hand-me-down sofa was sent to the trash and a velvet, slip-covered L-shaped couch from either Pottery Barn or Quatrine took its place. I even found room for a wine cellar, tucked back behind the stairwell, with cherry built-ins and a limestone floor. We have a bar, with a full kitchen displaying all stainless appliances and granite counter tops; and, my treadmill is lined next to all my free weights in my personal gym; the walls are painted a light green and there are double french doors that lead out to my brick patio and a hosta garden. I even have a black, rod iron day bed in my gym - just in case I get tired, nice! Outside my gym there is a full bathroom outfitted with double pedestal sinks. The marble counter top match my marble shower, which provides me a place to shower in peace. And, we have an in-law suite in the basement - the perfect retreat for my folks when they come to visit.

I was lost in my daydream, sprinting, towards the end of my run. I could hear the music roll off the big screen television and I could feel my comfy new sofa wrap me up at the end of the day. I forgot, for a while, that I was running. Finally, the belt slowed down and the flickering lights of my unfinished basement brought me back to reality - to brick walls.

Can someone please tell me why, on some days, your legs feel like they weigh a ton during your run, and to complete just one mile is so taxing that you begin to wonder if you are pregnant, again! And, on other days you feel like Forest Gump and you continue running forever. It makes no sense because on the days where I keep going, I usually leave the house tired and telling myself that I'll just run a few. Hours later I return to the concerned look on husband's face tied with his comment of, "We almost sent the search team."

Well, today was one of those days. A day where I could have run forever, despite only sleeping five hours last night and waking up with an itty bitty hang-over. The sad thing is I get a hang-over if I consume more than one alcoholic drink; I had three glasses of wine last night - way over my limit. But, I had to run. It is the weekend and the only time where I have a built-in babysitter - my husband, although he is not a babysitter since he is Dad! Anyways, I put my clothes on, including my hat because there was a light drizzle, and I set out to do just a few, maybe three miles. I kept going, and without feeling the effort I completed 9 miles. Maybe I should drink more often.

I ran 6 miles today. It is a beautiful fall day - the temperatures are in the mid-50s and the colors are at their peak. These are the days that carry us through the long winters of Michigan. These are the days the Californians envy. I had to take advantage of the outside temperatures and run. I convinced my friend in the neighborhood to watch my children. I towed them over to her house. They played while I ran. When I returned to collect my children, I found my three-year-old son with sopping wet pants. He was drenched. My worst suspicions were proven true when I felt his bottom, he still had his pants on, and found no diaper. He had it on when I dropped him off. So, my question was and still is, "Where is the diaper?" Oh, and sorry Nikki for the pee pee spot on Conor's, her 3-year-old son, floor.

I just hope she will watch the kids again so I can run!