Burping Barbara and the Bug.

...sounds like a children's novel by Roald Dahl, doesn't it?

But campers...it's not! It's the story of my run this evening!

By the time evening rolled around, Mike and I hadn't done anything but nap, shop, eat and nap some more on this relaxing fourth of July. So when I took the pooch out around 8pm, I was greeted by a beautiful, crisp, 68-degree breeze.

Ahhh...perfection.

I ran back upstairs, tossed on my running clothes and filled up my water bottles. Then Mike announced he was coming with me. Sweet! Ten minutes later we were out the door.

We walked .75 up to the lakefront path and waited for the Garmin's to calibrate (mine is still being stupid around thick trees...argh!). And before we knew it we were off. The first mile felt great. We had to stop a few times because Mike's Garmin was acting funky, but it eventually decided to cooperate.

Before we knew it we had covered over a mile. Hmm....this is going very well. Along the lake I could see families grilling and having a fourth of July bbq...kids running with sparklers and your random folks attempting to light roman candles. It was a great night for all to be out and about.

Just on the other side of the North Avenue Bridge...the acid reflux kicked in. Clearly, the strawberry spinich salad I had for dinner was not a good idea. And when I get acid reflux...I start burping. Loud enough to win a contest at a truck stop. It's obnoxious. And it hurts. Blech. I've done a decent job teaching myself how to burp on the run without losing my lunch...but tonight it slowed my down a bit.

As a result of said burping, we had to stop and walk...fairly frequently. Typically it was for less than a minute, but a few select stretches lasted up to 50-70 yards. I wasn't pleased, but I didn't let it stop me.

We turned around just past Fullerton and headed back downtown. And around 2.5...it happened.

I ran through a cloud of swarming bugs...and one flew right into my mouth.

And of course...I spazzed.

I'm cursing...and spitting...and coughing...and generally raving and running around like a mad woman, swatting away the rest of the bug's fleet away from any open holes on my body. It was an interesting sight to say the least. Mike said something about "do you know how many bugs you swallow in your lifetime..." and frankly, I didn't care.

It turns out, I didn't exactly swallow the bug. It sorta stayed in my mouth...to...uh...savor{?} if you will. It was quite nasty. After I've hacked up half my lung, we continue running...and I realize one of the bugs effing wings is stuck back in my mouth...

double ew. and the spitting continues.

It was really freaky nasty. Hopefully the rest of my runs this summer will be bug-free. Yuck.

After getting bugged...we ran some more...dealt with the inevitable acid reflux...and finished off strong (or at least as strong as I could go). I'm sure I got some odd looks letting out some of those serious belches along the running path. If you happen to have heard me, please accept my apologies.

But hey...if there's a burping contest in your hometown with a hefty prize purse...let me know. I could use the extra cash. I might even split it with ya.

...my man-burps could pretty much guarentee me a victory.

In the end, 4.2 miles in 51:25. A 12:14/mi pace. Followed by a .75 mile walk home cool done. Not bad. Not great. But sorta where I need to be for a 5:30 marathon. I blame the bug and the burps. That's what was slowing my down. So if anyone out there has problems with acid reflux when running, I'd love to hear your solutions.

Enough about burping...here's my attempt to redeem myself as a not so girly girl, wishing she was more girly...look at the cute dress I got today for some upcoming weddings!! (Stupid blogger isn't letting my post pics).

At any rate...it was a good 4-miler on the fourth. I hope everyone had a fun and relaxing Independence Day!