They all can't be "easy" runs.

3.5 miles. Hood route. 8:30 am start. So things were going well for me last week. And I thought it would extend into this week. I had planned on taking Monday off. And then back to Tempo Tuesday. But I got a call Monday evwning rhat my dad was on his way to the hospital. He either had a stroke, had an infection, or something that made him really out of sorts. No balance, words not making sense, etc. So after spending a decent chunk of Monday night in the ER, I didn't run Tuesday. Could have, but didn't. Back to the hospital Tuesday night. Pop was even more delusional, and now angry. The nurses were kind and respectful, but Dad had to have his hands tethered to the bed frame by the end of the night, to keep from pulling out his tubes. It was a rough night. I went to work Monday through Wednesday. So, Wednesday night was much better. He was still a bit disoriented, but was very calm, and apologetic for his behavior the prevuous 2 nights. He's going to be there a while. I'm hoping I can make running still work with all this going on. I was in a very similar situation when I started running, and joined the blog. Pop was in and out of hospitals and rehab facilities back then as well. So it can be done. I just don't want to feel guilty about it.

0.4 miles. Around the block. Then 3.5 miles. Hood route. My bro is in town from Venice, CA, to see my dad. Dad has been moved to another hospital that is more geared towards pop's condition.

I decided to pretend to be a runner again this morning. 5.5 miles. hood route. 5:45 am start. I passed 2 other runners this morning, which is 2 more than usual. Despite the dishwasher conditions, and not running for so long, the run felt pretty good. 

Tomorrow, we have a meeting at the hospital. They intend to release Pop home on Saturday. Work is bananas. Other family stuff going on. I am stressed out like maybe never before in my life. 

I don't know if that means I should run more or run less. On the one hand, it is like my therapy. On the other hand, it feels a bit selfish right now. 

5.75 miles. Legacy Trail. Venice Ave. to Laurel Road over SWOM and Back. 8 am start. 

hood route. 6 am. Fatty is back to wearing a shirt. 

3.5 miles. Hood route. Day started with picking my dad up off the floor. Things are going great.

3.5 miles. Hood route. Soupy. Ran straight back to my parent's house. Pop was in such bad shape yesterday, I thought it was the end. Today, he wakes up, and was like, what's for breakfast? When old people get fevers, it is devastating. He sweated through 3 or 4 shirts last night. His fever was breaking, mom and I thought he was dying.

We are happy to be wrong.

3.5 miles. Hood route. 6 am start. Super muggy. Lots of traffic.

3.5 miles. hood route. 6 am start. I played some soccer with boy #1 last night. 

I've never been a runner that devotes an adequate amount of time to stretching. Yeah, I know I should be more serious about it, but I need to get on with the day, here. Ain't nobody got time for that. So, you could describe my stretching as something below the bare minimum. What I've noticed recently is that my flexibility has really dropped off, like faster than my drop off in mileage. It seems out of proportion. Like when doing the quad stretch, where you use your hand to hold your heel to your butt, I feel like I may not be able to grab my foot. It's crazy. Yes, there has been a substantial reduction in mileage. Do I feel winded? No. Do I need to buy new clothes, because I've blimped up? No, but that might be next week's problem. Have I lost all flexibility in my hamstrings, calves, quads, hips, back, ankles, and neck? Yes. It is a wonder I can walk.