30
June
2009
Had to go slow today, even though I used the massage stick and stretched once in the morning, and once before the run. Decided to cut it short as well, but went up some hills.
Someone I met last week in STL sent me an email. He’d told me I had runner’s calves. It’s interesting because people tell me that, but I don’t see it. I have, as my mom once said, tree trunk legs. He also commented on how people thought we were ‘talking’ [doesn't take much for our coworkers to jump to conclusions], and how it’s not like I am not a catch. Odd. So I jokingly sent him what’s in the title. He can appreciate the humor. My other friend thought it was directed to the Kid. It’d be apt.
Firecracker this Friday…nothing like a midnight run…anyone down? 
Workout:
- Type: Run
- Date: 06/30/2009
- Time: 18:10:00
- Total Time: 00:32:00.00
- Calories: 421
- Distance: 3.5 miles
- Average Pace: 9:08.78/mile
Posted: Run
30
June
2009
Had to take a rest day - my legs, embarassingly enough, are sore from yesterday’s run. I say embarassingly because they haven’t hurt like this since the half last November [when I really pushed it].
I read the kid’s email response to me again, and it was befuddling. If he views dating in a business manner, and felt that he should take me out because we shared some of the same interests and wanted to find out more information and see how I enjoy some of the places he frequents, shouldn’t he be looking for a lady of the evening? Clearly he doesn’t care about personality or character. It’s not like he said [disclaimer: the following adjectives are used as examples only] ‘I think you’re cute, smart, fun, it’s great we share some of the same interests and I’d like to get to know you better’.
Anyway. Hoping the legs feel better so I can run tomorrow. It’s hard to adjust [read: cut down] eating habits when not exercising.
Posted: Uncategorized
28
June
2009
When I left the BBQ last night, it was breezy. Not a good sign. When I woke up this morning, the sky had a hint of gray and it was a bit chilly, with some wind. Nervous, I went through my usual routine of smearing Cetaphil cream all over [tend to get itchy if I don't - everyone should buy stock in any lotion company on my behalf], pinning on my bib, stretching, lacing and relacing my shoes. Why, I wondered to myself, was this particular race so nervewracking? Because I hadn’t run more than 3 miles at a time in over a week? Because I wanted to do better than last year and get in at 56 minutes? Because I just felt I have something to prove?
The latter was laughable - there is always going to be a ton of people way better than me. And…no one really cares. But me.
I carry with me a lot of anger and frustration, especially given the events of the past week or so. I can’t win at life, I just need to do something semi-noteworthy. Could meeting my goal provide a temporary relief?
Upon arriving at Seward Park, I grabbed some water, stretched, stood in line for the PortaPotty. Tried to calm myself by walking around. There was a really pretty girl, with a full face of makeup [how do girls do that?], and I knew she would be a fast one - I chose her to be my unsuspecting pacer. Lined up close to the front [for some reason they never calculate chip time which really messes one up] but scooted further away, feeling like a poser if I stood close to the front with the speeders. The makeup girl was next to me. The gun went off. We started, and the makeup girl was ahead .1 mile for awhile. Go, go, go, I thought to myself, irked the headwind was slowing everyone down - well, at least me. I picked another girl to be my pacer. After the first hill, I couldn’t keep up. Passed the makeup girl. Picked a skinny dude to be the next pacer. Go, go, go. By mile 3 the thought of crying was dominant. By mile 6.5 I thought my heart was going to burst but at that point, you’re sprinting down to the finish. The clock was at 52 minutes and I told myself even though I’d exceeded my goal, I had to get in under 52:30. Phew. It was done.
I saw S wandering around - the guy who said he’d train and run Race for the Roses with me but disappeared. It actually annoyed me. He did okay, I guess - but secretly I hoped he sucked like last year and came in last, or bit it and had a shitty time. Hee.
So, I exceeded my goal. Why am I not happy about it? Last year I was ecstatic.
Just when you think someone cares, you realize nobody does.
Workout:
- Type: Run
- Date: 06/28/2009
- Time: 09:00:00
- Total Time: 00:52:28.00
- Calories: 862
- Distance: 6.7 miles
- Average Pace: 7:49.97/mile
Posted: Race, Run
27
June
2009
Listening to everyone’s stories about today’s Rock N Roll, and their awesome times, made me really happy and proud of them, but also kind of sad. I too, would like to finish a half under 2 hours. I’m a nervous wreck about tomorrow, needlessly, but for some reason it seems there’s this pressure to do well [whatever that means for me]. My knee is bugging me. I didn’t eat much today. The Boy chatted with me online for awhile, but when we ended up at the same BBQ, it seemed he pretended not to know it was me there at first.
This whole awkwardness just bugs. Why can’t I find a running partner to be friends with? Why do they all disappear and leave me wondering what happened and what I did wrong? Maybe I’m just meant to run solo?
On another note, one of my former running partners just told me he had one injury from today’s Rock n Roll - raw nipples. Arrrggggh….!
Posted: Uncategorized
26
June
2009
First, Mark Feuerstein is hot. Did I already mention that? And GOOD LUCK to the Rock n Rollers tomorrow - it will be perfect running weather and you will have a great time. I’m kind of sad I’m not doing it, but…sucks to be me. I’m also pretty sad about the Nike Women’s Half as well, since a couple girls I know won random drawing entries.
Second, thanks guys for the advice. I emailed The Boy back after I had some cheap Merlot in honor of Michael Jackson, basically saying I appreciated his gesture, but I’m not looking for anything right now, and if he still wants to run/hang out with me, that’s great, but it’s 100% platonic on my part. He responded that at the risk of sounding the like guy who got shot down, he looks at dating in a business perspective - ‘Interview for the position that you think the person will be best suited for’ . I’m still not sure what’s going to happen and if there is any awkwardness, because I just never am sure [given my history] but he did chat with me today. As one of my friends told me, you can’t control what happens after you say your piece, but I just feel bad.
Third, the guy from Portland [hereafter PDX] recognized me as the runner girl and started up a conversation with me and one of his colleagues, whom he had just come back from running in that crappy STL afternoon weather with. They are older guys but it was really refreshing to talk to actually hold a conversation about books [they noticed I'd been reading 'The Mayor of Casterbridge' by Thomas Hardy], running and other grown up things, in a grown up manner. They invited me out to dinner. PDX is working towards a Ironman and his colleague recently took up running again after losing 100 lbs on a weight loss diet plan. That’s awesome. PDX invited me to run with him next time I am in his neck of the woods. He’s pretty fast, so probably not, but I am really considering Pints to Pasta. We drank a lot of wine and dinner was great. If you ever go to STL, go to Lombardo’s and get the tiramisu. Yum.
Fourth, the Shore Run is causing me anxiety. I really, really want to do better than last year but my knee has been bothering me. I didn’t run today and I’m not running tomorrow [never run the day before a race]. So I’m not sure how things are going to be, but at least it won’t be as hot as STL or last year’s Shore Run!!! The Boy joked about watching with a huge cheering sign.
Fifth, my friend is doing one day STP and as much as it’d be awesome to meet him at the finish with a shot of Jaeger, I’m not sure I can make it - STP always falls on the weekend of my niece’s birthday shindigs. We’ll see.
Sixth - thanks for being my outlet. Running has provided me with some interesting experiences, and it is really nice to find people who have either gone through the same thing, or at least can relate/understand. My family and my non-running group friends just don’t understand, and it’s frustrating. My mom thinks I run too much - seriously? Would she rather I spend time smoking crack or something? 
Posted: Uncategorized
25
June
2009
Last run in St Louis. There were a few more runners out - as in, about two others. It’s gorgeous seeing the sun slowly coming up behind the Arch though. Other than that, the city kind of sucks. Maybe we weren’t in a good part, but where is everyone?
Workout:
- Type: Run
- Date: 06/25/2009
- Time: 06:15:00
- Total Time: 00:30:00.00
- Calories: 395
- Distance: 3.1 miles
- Average Pace: 9:40.65/mile
Posted: Run
24
June
2009
To and from the Arch. No workout later - actually hung out with some folks from my training class. It was cool. Cut down on my eating until that night. Muffintop is back 
Workout:
- Type: Run
- Date: 06/24/2009
- Time: 06:18:00
- Total Time: 00:32:00.00
- Calories: 379
- Distance: 3.1 miles
- Average Pace: 10:19.62/mile
Posted: Run
23
June
2009
50 min bike.
Workout:
- Type: Other
- Date: 06/23/2009
- Time: 20:05:00
- Total Time: 00:50:00.00
- Calories: 334
Posted: Uncategorized
23
June
2009
Those stoplights take forever. Knee was bothering. It was already 81 degrees. There was another guy running, turns out he was staying at the same hotel. We gave each other props for finishing. He is from Portland. I’m pretty sure I saw him running again in the afternoon, you know, when it was almost 100 degrees. Yikes.
Workout:
- Type: Run
- Date: 06/23/2009
- Time: 06:05:00
- Total Time: 00:30:00.00
- Calories: 395
- Distance: 3.1 miles
- Average Pace: 9:40.65/mile
Posted: Run
22
June
2009
40 min bike, 15 min elliptical.
Workout:
- Type: Other
- Date: 06/22/2009
- Time: 20:30:00
- Total Time: 00:55:00.00
- Calories: 367
Posted: Uncategorized
