Me and the boys

I love it when these runs work out!

Monday, I was waiting around in Brooklyn for my landlord's son to wake up so that I could do the walk-through of my apartment. My landlord had been out of town when I moved.

It was hot. I really wanted to go to my house. But I didn't have one there anymore!

So I sat outside. And sat. And sat. I drank water and some coffee but I still didn't need to pee three hours later when I went over to Ivy League's house to change for my run.

So I didn't go very far. We met up with LSE and Superman and ran about 4 miles with them. Then, we ran down to my old neighborhood, to get some DD and to wait for my landlord.

Such a short run with all of them. But so awesome! LSE and Superman went much longer.

I was too dehydrated.

At lunch with Ivy League, the Vivacious Redhead and her two kids, I kept sucking down water.

But still felt terrible! It was only after about 8 more cups of water at the Vivacious Redhead's house that I started feeling better.

Before then, I was twingy and my heart kept being up in my throat.

Dehydration is weird.

But it was awesome to run with all the handsome men again!

Like a Swarm of Bees

The pollen attacked, blowing sideways in the crosswind.

Visible to the naked eye, highlighting its deadly nature.

Into the eyes. Down the throat. Deep in the lungs.

Hack. Hack. (urp) Inhaler. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeze!

But Superman put up with my wheezing and attendant slowness.

And the first real day of !sun! made the run sooooo worthwhile.

We ran a slow figure-eight of the park, adding on a bit extra in the park at the end.

Conversation, between wheezes, made the hills seem smaller.

With the exception of the hill in Prospect Park by Prospect Park SW: I hadn't done that hill in a while.

I think it grew.

About 7 miles. The sun hurts my winter-cave-albino-ized eyes.

I need to get new sunglasses.
What a great problem to have!

At 6's and 7's

I love that phrase.

And it seems to capture me perfectly right now.

Better, too, to be at sixes and sevens than to be as crazy as a polecat with no whiskers.

Another of my grandmother's phrases.

Things that have defined me, seemingly being left behind.

Change. Something with which I struggle. Mightily.

And having had terrible weather in Boston, preventing me from running.

Though yesterday I was getting stir crazy enough to think about attempting freezing rain over wet snow on brick sidewalks.

Thankfully, I thought again. Given my clutziness, I likely would have come down with a broken ankle!

Today, though, the outside of the park, with the sun and the warmer weather, and the mind-numbing usuality of the run, fit my mood really well.

Glad I got out at all!

My hamstrings were feeling looser after the first mile and a half and, for most of the park, I just picked it up in places and tried to expand my lungs, which are definitely getting weaker with no speed to speak of.

Then, on the last hill on Flatbush and continuing back to my house, I took a page from Ivy League and sped it up.

Ok. Not as much as he would have. But I'm trying to attempt things that are hard for me to do.

Like speeding up at the end of a run, when I've had a set slower pace for most of it.

Like change.

Enjoy the sun, everyone!

I'm Glad I Made It

Where's Alabama when you need it?

When I'm cold, I like to look at the weather of places that I've lived and then wonder why I ever moved.

Auburn is having a cold snap today: the high will be a mere 49.

Meanwhile, NY is advertising a high of 24 and Boston might hit 20.

Sigh.

What's not to like about Auburn, anyway?
1. There are a lot of chains, so you know exactly what kind of food you will be getting.
2. It's pretty awesome that it is the only school in the country with not one, not two but THREE mascots! The War Eagle, the Plainsmen and the Tiger.
3. Pink Dockers never went out of style there.
4. You know almost everyone by sight.
5. It's hard to get lost.
6. If you were ever to find yourself really hungry and penniless, there's always a plethora of road kill, including tortoise and armadillo. How's that for exotic eats?!
7. You know where your ants and cockroaches are at all times because they are ginormous. Everything is bigger in the South.


I could go on but I keep coming back to the whol 49 degrees thing. Tomorrow, it's supposed to be 54 there. Sigh.

Instead, I will be attempting an icy run in 15 degree weather. On a river.

I need a new regular run in Boston.

Yesterday, though, I'm glad I took a break from work to take a solo mid-day run.

Not that I didn't try for company but the combo of the Manhattan Half, the weather, and peoples' training schedules prevented me from finding a running partner.

I even posted on Facebook, to no avail.

I wonder if everyone has been meaning to have an intervention with me......like....

"I'm sorry but you just need to know this. You smell. We can't keep running with you if you stay like this. We can't be your enabler."

Heh. To which I'd respond

"You smell, too!"

Nice Tu Toque fallacy there for you!

Anyway, on came the shoes - the old ones because of the ice and snow and slush - and out the door went me.

The run started off unpromisingly. Eastern Parkway was plowed but the intersections were such a mess that, at the first one, I had to suffer the feet-freezing dirty ice water surrounding the curb.

I really don't want to know what was in the water that had, by then, coated my feet. There's usually an ugly oily dark sheen to it. Bleg.

And I couldn't keep up my heart rate because, at every intersection, I had to stop and pick my way carefully around all the wintery obstacles. Which also made this part quite chilly. Especially with the ever-present wind on Eastern Parkway. Stupid 19th century urban planning.

Anyway, I thought about going around the outside of the park but worried about the ice. From later reports, it sounded like the better route.

Inside, the on-ramp to the loop was icy and slippery. Again, I had to stop and pick my way into the park. Once in the park, though, there was enough snow on the running lane that the footing wasn't too bad.

I definitely do not want to see what it looks like today! It got warm enough to melt some of the snow yesterday. No more salt trucks and 15 degrees makes for leg-breaking conditions!

Slowing in parts because of the ice slicks, I jogged my way around the park. There were a few other joggers. I spent most of my time trying to catch them and then pass them.

It wasn't hard. I think I was in the park during the 'slow lane' hours.

Or, I was just being idiotic because of the poor footing.

Pushed it up the hill. Though, as I was wheezing up it, how much I need more hill work.

Then remembered I wasn't supposed to be pushing anything.

I love it when one's health is an excuse to be lazy!

"I would TOTALLY do that all-hill run with you today. Sounds like a blast! Especially the part about puking at the top. But, you know, my doctor.......Otherwise, I'd be in."

Heh.

Pushing it up the hill was the only real excersize I got. The way back home was, again, an exercise in frustration with the intersections.

Stupid winter.

I want to go back to where, on warm summer days, you are sitting in the one bar in town and, where, amid the chatter and the brightly colored polos, you might hear such gems as "War F-ing Eagle!" and "I'm soooo drunk, y'all!"

Plus, fried pickles. Fried everything, actually.

And no one ever bothers you when you are running or walking because they think you are either homeless or crazy.

Ah. Those were the days.

The Subway Made Me Do It!

I am not the most patient of people.

And, did I mention, I hate the cold?

This morning started auspiciously. Sun shining, in that way where, while still half-asleep, you mistake January for June.

Ran out to meet Gorgeous at a civilized hour: didn't have to meet her until 9:00am.

Ran a relaxing loop of the park. My calf didn't hurt and I wasn't as tired as I've been on runs recently.

Plus, the company and conversation made the loop go quickly.

And, affirmation!

"Did you notice", I remarked to Gorgeous at the end of the loop, before heading to coffee, "that even though we were going slowly, we were still passing people? Doesn't that make you realize how far you've come?"

Ok. More of a self-affirmation. She didn't really understand what I was talking about.

Not all of us were track stars! Heh.

After coffee, my newly-resolved moderate self shivered her way to the Grand Army Subway station.

Sure, I could run back. And it would likely take the same time as the subway.

But I had run almost 5 miles. With the longer-than-allowed run yesterday, and knowing I'd likely violate orders tomorrow with an intense run with Superman, I resolved to wait.

Patience.

Then I saw the sign. "No Brooklyn-bound trains this stop. For Brooklyn Service, take the 2,3,or 4 to Atlantic and transfer to a Brooklyn-bound train."

Argh! I had been away long enough that I forgot about the weekend service issues on the 2 and 3!

I had to talk myself down from the ledge, figuratively speaking.

"No. Wait here. Sure it will take longer but think how cold it is! You only have to wait 7 minutes for the next Manhattan-bound train. Plus, you promised!"

As I stood there with my shoulders in my ears, trying to keep warm, the cold factor was weighing against waiting. Plus, it would now take much longer for me to get home than if I were running.

But I held firm.

Patience.

Got to Atlantic. Figured out the Brooklyn-bound track. Waited for the train. Only 3 minutes this time.

It was a 4. I'd have to transfer again at Franklin.

"Just get on this train. It will be warmer. You can do it! Just wait. Why rush?"

The pep talk was getting less and less effective. It had now taken me almost half an hour to get to a point 10 minutes away, running-wise.

Standing in Franklin station, I was now convulsively shivering.

I squinted up at the sign. Brooklyn-bound 3: 9 minutes. Brooklyn-bound 2:7 minutes.

And this is a wide-open station. The wind from Eastern Parkway gusts through the tunnels, gaining force from the swoop underground.

Patience.

ACTUALLY, FORGET PATIENCE!

Spinning around, I walked briskly over to the exit and started a trundle home. A total of about 40 minutes to get to my house, a mile and a half from where I started. Sheesh.

There went the resolution about the run today. I went more like 5 1/2 or so.

The train made me do it!

At least the calf still feels good. I'm tired, though.

Re-evaluate tomorrow's run? Maybe.

But I've also got a lot of work to productively put off.

Speaking of, on to the crossword.

Patience. Overrated?

Who Cares About a Nagging Calf Issue when You Have New Shoes!

Actually, I've had the shoes for a while. Nestled up in my linen closet, between the sheets and the pillowcases.

But I haven't worn them. Until today! Nothing like a nice, firm new pair. Adds a spring to your step and a glitter to your eye.


I wore them on the suggestion of the Vivacious Redhead, who thought I should probably wear newer shoes for the marathon. Eeek. (I don't want to think about the marathon!)

"Try them and see if they feel ok", she counciled. We were running down Bedford at the time, getting a suntan(!) in October.

So I did. Yesterday, we ran down Rodgers, cut over to Bedford, then over on Avenue T to Marine Park, where we availed ourselves of the waterfountains, made a quick loop, then back up to the awesome Target and the subway home. A thoroughly enjoyable 11 (?) miles. If only the marathon could feel like that.....

(Stomach roiling)

Isn't it interesting, by the way, that there seems to be no Avenue Q? Instead, there is Quinton Ave. Is is a bad luck letter somewhere? I must investigate......

Tapering makes me antsy. I danced around the apartment, avoiding work because I couldn't concentrate. Forced myself to settle down and work for a while. Then, I couldn't take it. I strapped on my new shoes and ran down Eastern for a quick outer loop of the park. The shoes felt heavenly. The leaves are down and moldering, making me cough and wheeze a bit.

The calf was great during the run but aches now when I move certain ways. I am anti! I don't know how I did this and I'd like to make it stop!

But the weather is still pretty nice. Not so for next Sunday! Being cold is something I just can't stand. It takes more out of me than almost anything else. And standing around for 3 1/2 hours in the cold will be fairly horrendous. I'll bring throw-aways this time but I still can't keep myself warm in those temperatures for that long!

Why do I run races? I get nervous and puky for at least a week before, second-guess myself during most of the training and definitely the days leading up to the race. I berate myself for not taking training seriously enough, or worry about that extra beer. And then, the race itself. I block out a lot but I recall that it is usually painful. Is it just for that medal, that medal identical to 40,000 others?

It can't be. I enjoy running and I love having goals. But competition isn't so good for me. I've never had enough confidence to really enjoy it. Maybe I can get some confidence for Christmas.......

So much stuff to do and get before the race. And then, the grading. I'm worried that I'll fall apart.........

Relax!

Thinking I was going to be the only runner out today for the group run, I was pleasently surprised when I saw Smiley come up to the meeting spot while I was getting water. Slow loop around the park, getting to catch up. Ran down Vanderbilt with him and finished up with a quicker-paced run down Bergen and up over to Kingston before heading home. The temperature on Bergen, with no shade, felt miles different than the temperature on Eastern Parkway. Gotta love the greenway.

My knee is hurting some now - I hope just because of the slant in the park. Must make sure to ice. Got in a bit over 7. Need to go faster but a recovery run isn't always a bad thing.

Running just puts me in the right mindset to get other things done - things I've been dreading but that I know will make me happier, ultimately, if I just go ahead and do them.

Ready for some Exploration

but stuck (for now) in the usual

Bed-Stuy, Greenpoint, East New York, Owl's Head Promenade. Enticing me with their odd little shops and unique storefronts, or their ten-degree temperature difference and the ambiance of Vancouver to one's right. Whispering the promise of new loves while I ran on the worn and familiar. But the familiar is what I need right now, even if I don't want it. I need to stay close to either home or to the subway, in case my leg starts hurting. PT's orders.

I took some much-needed alone time and ran around the outside of the Prospect Park this morning. Having spent so much time alone in Hawaii, it's been an adjustment to come back to a place where I am expected to interact with others on a daily basis. The heat having abated, the run was an easy one, with no watch and no company save my own. It's only 6.75 miles but they were solid and much-needed ones.

I also got some education today on history, a subject I have always been bad at, having a bad memory for both dates and names. Did you know that the Pisans lost the Battle of Meloria in 1284? Or that Lake Micmac, in Nova Scotia, is named after a Native American tribe? As can often happen with Friday's, the puzzle was frustrating but ultimately solvable.

More Running in the Heat Wave

Yesterday, after not feeling ill effects, leg-wise, from running with the speedy blonde, I decided to send a last-minute running invitation to Ivy League. I got to run with him through all the paths and by-ways in Prospect Park, as we were trying to avoid direct sunlight whenever possible. Even with singlets and visors on, the heat was quite oppressive. A combination of my out-of-shapeness and the heat made me start to hyperventilate and get dizzy on part of the run but I was still really glad that I did it, and with such fun company. Ivy League actually started running instead of jogging at the end, so I was far back behind him on Eastern Parkway. It's good to figure out, though, what your level of fitness, or lack thereof, is. At least we did about 6 miles.

Forming a baseline......

Yesterday evening, panic struck. My leg swelled some and was kinda painful. I bagged my run this morning and went to another PT. The doctor said not to run. The PT said to run, but to stop whenever it starts hurting or feeling painful and to bag it there for the day. Plus, I got ultrasound, which is what I really went for. More strenthening exercises and more ultrasound to follow.


Boy is it getting close to training time again......


Trying to stay hopeful! I'll try again tomorrow morning, I think. Bagging the run in Northern Manhattan, though. It's too ambitious for me right now.

Managing expectations is hard when you are managing your own.