Friday, January 25, 2008

Would it be too much to ask...

...for Mother Nature to bring a little snow to our neck of the woods?

I am having a little jealousy issue right now. Redding - where we lived for several years before moving back here 3 1/2 years ago - has had snow fall at least twice this week. It is not a city that sees snow often, so the fact they've had at least four snowfalls this winter is pretty incredible. It might snow again this weekend, from what I've heard.

As for us, we've had cold temps and rain, but not cold enough for snow. I ran in the crappy weather today with the kids in the stroller. By the end, I just wanted to be done with it already. But at the same time, I wished the rain would turn into big fat snowflakes. My kids have never seen snow in person, and I think they would love it. And I think snow is beautiful. If we want to see the white stuff, we have to drive to the hills. I would prefer for it to come to us. Just for a day or so. Then it could melt away before it gets all gross and dirty.

Back to my run. The kids and I headed out around 4:15 p.m. and it was raining. I put the rain shield on the stroller, and the kids were dry, warm and happy as clams. I was chilly and miserable. I think I am getting a cold, and I don't think that helped. But I felt like I HAD to run, since I hadn't in a few days. We ran to the store and back. Now that I am done, I am very glad I did it. But there was a period of time when I was thinking I was freakin' nuts for being out. I mean, nobody else was out running or walking or riding bikes or skateboarding. I was the lone crazy wolf this time.

Of course, my mind was spinning the whole run. This time, it was over anatomy terms. We went over so much information the first day of class, so every chance I get I either do some reading or go over the terms in my head. Right now we're learning about planes (midsaggital, transverse and coronal), the different body cavities, what different areas of the body are labeled (directional terms) and epithelial tissue. I had no idea what epithelial tissue was until Wednesday. LOL! But now I know it's tissue that covers an organ or lines a surface and it's always next to an open space. So think of skin, the inside of the mouth, inside of the stomach and lungs, etc. And now I know that epithelial tissue is classified by 1) the shape of the cells making it up and 2) the number of layers of cells. And there are three different shapes. I won't bore you with any more details, like how it's avascular and gets its nutrients through diffusion (oh sorry, forgot I WASN'T going to bore you guys), but I just wanted to give an idea of what I am already learning. Can you tell I am excited? :-)


It's supposed to rain for several more days. I do plan on running again on Sunday, but I will be going solo. It's much easier to run without the kiddies.



Today's stats:
Run:
Distance: (a very difficult) four miles
Time: 44:47
Pace: 11:11 minute/mile

2 comments:

Mary Gee said...

I still can remember what an epithelial cell looks like through the microscope from my old A&P days. Enjoy!

HOpe you feel better.

Mendy said...

I think it's hardcore you got out there to run in that, and even took the kiddos. Wow!

It's nice when you run and have so much on your mind to think about, huh. I bet it made the time go by quicker.

Great run!!