tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77228388126579494132024-02-18T21:55:41.187-08:00Over and AcrossThe alternate lives of an academicsassafrassslshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17524270652558000844noreply@blogger.comBlogger392125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7722838812657949413.post-37285680507700314142012-03-30T07:07:00.000-07:002012-03-30T07:07:19.778-07:00Anxious! Anxious! Anxious!Seriously. My stitches say "no" but my legs say "twitch.....twitch."<br />
<br />
No working out for at least 2 weeks?!<br />
<br />
The doctor says 6. The doctor also said I couldn't take a bath for 6 weeks. <br />
<br />
The doctor is a weenie-pants. <br />
<br />
But......I need to exert SELF-CONTROL. <br />
<br />
Which is hard. Especially when everyone around me seems to be on a really successful workout kick. <br />
<br />
You know, getting in good workouts and losing weight.<br />
<br />
And then there is schlumpy me. Sigh.<br />
<br />
Getting on that scale is going to be hard: no excuse anymore about how heavy I am!<br />
<br />
I worry that I won't have the motivation to work out anymore, once I have the opportunity. <br />
Will I have lost the interest? The motivation? The habit?<br />
<br />
But, I can't start too early either. I need to remember what Hills Are My Friends said about getting back to running too early: she said it set her back. <br />
That she started back a bit too early is a testament to how hard it can be not to work out. She is super motivated but also waaaaaaaay more self-controlled than I am about NOT exercising when she might injure herself or worsen an already-existing injury. <br />
What I am really scared of is that it won't be a struggle not to go running anymore. <br />
That it will be easy and natural to do nothing. <br />
That is scarier even than imagining no workouts looming in front of me for the near future.sassafrassslshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17524270652558000844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7722838812657949413.post-83235933126255214122012-03-25T13:14:00.000-07:002012-03-25T13:14:24.168-07:00I Am No Longer an HOVI Just Look Like One.<br />
(NB: this is NOT about running. If you just want to read about work-outs, stop reading.)<br />
<br />
And feel like heck. <br />
<br />
I agree with Hills Are My Friends: marathon versus childbirth? Childbirth is harder, hands down.<br />
<br />
I'm sure it depends on how weenie you feel or how hard it is: some people I know swear the opposite is true. <br />
<br />
But, take it from someone who has kept running in a race while puking and who has collapsed after a run from pushing too hard: it does not compare. <br />
<br />
Now, the recovery. I still won't be working out or running for a while. We will see if I decide to post on other thoughts/crosswords/occupations.<br />
<br />
I might also post some about the more hilarious parts of this whole experience that no one really tells you about. I say, teach these tidbits in sex ed and there might be a large surge in "abstinance" teens. <br />
Heh.<br />
<br />
Whew. <br />
<br />
Well, he might look like a generic old man. But, he is my generic old man. Heh.sassafrassslshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17524270652558000844noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7722838812657949413.post-15202253712306135382012-02-29T07:26:00.000-08:002012-02-29T07:26:15.769-08:00I Can't Waitto be able to pull up my knee-high socks without grunting<br />
<br />
to sleep on my stomach<br />
<br />
to run without people getting mad at me<br />
<br />
to run and actually pass someone<br />
<br />
to not have to wear plus-sized clothing<br />
<br />
for my thighs to no longer touch, again<br />
<br />
to be able to eat fruits and vegetables with no consequences<br />
<br />
to sit by myself and not have people staring at me<br />
<br />
to go on a diet (now THAT'S a statement that has never come out of my mouth before!)<br />
<br />
to put on pants without a major balancing act<br />
<br />
for my feet not to swell<br />
<br />
for people to stop asking me, with a patronizing smile, "how are you doing?" <br />
<br />
to have my brain back, such as it is<br />
<br />
to run againsassafrassslshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17524270652558000844noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7722838812657949413.post-64359792631693158172012-02-27T11:08:00.001-08:002012-02-27T11:08:56.000-08:00It's amazing!I finally caught up with the NYT crosswords. Of course, I DID skip some. But I am now in February and almost finished with Saturday's!<br />
<br />
Hurray!<br />
<br />
Now for doing the same with the rest of my life!sassafrassslshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17524270652558000844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7722838812657949413.post-56429956118728704642012-02-23T03:34:00.000-08:002012-02-23T03:34:30.402-08:00It Better Be SoonI can't run.<br />
<br />
Most of the time, I can't really sit up without needing to barf. So the pool and the exercise bike are the only elements of exercise I can really do. When I actually try to do them.<br />
<br />
It's true. I've metamophasized into a 1st-class WHINER.<br />
<br />
<br />
Whine.<br />
<br />
<br />
Whine.<br />
<br />
<br />
Whine.<br />
<br />
I've been whining so much, I could barely fit in 50 minutes of swimming on Tuesday.<br />
<br />
Will I lose all of my fitness? Probably.<br />
<br />
Will that be the worst thing in the world?<br />
<br />
I have to remember that the answer to this is "no."<br />
<br />
Will I be able to eat vegetables again? <br />
<br />
Yes. Eventually. <br />
<br />
Right now, I'm eating basically an all-white diet. Sugar, ice cream products and white bread. Most other things don't go so well. <br />
<br />
Sigh. The diabetes. It looms. <br />
<br />
So who knows when I will post again. Maybe when I get less nauseous and more motivated.<br />
<br />
And after I finally get my homework done!sassafrassslshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17524270652558000844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7722838812657949413.post-49505873262019932252012-02-20T17:06:00.000-08:002012-02-20T17:06:24.318-08:00I Even Let Her Touch My FeetAnd my Toes.<br />
<br />
I'm that desperate. And I have no idea what these magical "pressure points" are for encouraging things. <br />
<br />
After all, nothing else is helping. <br />
<br />
But, seriously, why would ANYONE want her feet touched?<br />
<br />
A mystery to me.sassafrassslshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17524270652558000844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7722838812657949413.post-26421015070640743132012-02-20T11:53:00.000-08:002012-02-20T11:53:53.713-08:00CreativityNo running. Sigh. My doctor family would kill me. <br />
<br />
Apparently, I am alone in thinking that traveling and running are both great ideas.<br />
<br />
Stuck, then, with being semi-creative.<br />
<br />
Friday, I walked to Trader Joe's. I'd never been to one with a wine and beer section! Sorry, Story Finder, but I was tempted by the bottles of wine for $3.99.<br />
<br />
Saturday and Sunday, I biked. And stacked two woodpiles worth of wood. And cleaned 7 bathrooms. And seeded part of my parents' lawn. And squatted over paint buckets while filling them with sawdust and mulch, the better to dry the old paint out.<br />
<br />
Nothing. Humph. Folk remedies are a lot of hooey. <br />
<br />
Maybe if I had been able to persuade my father to let me split the wood, too. <br />
<br />
Laying around in bed reading didn't work, either. And didn't do much for my studying. <br />
<br />
So today was an aqua-jogging day. <br />
<br />
Still nothing. <br />
<br />
I am trying a massage, later. If that doesn't work, I'm just giving up. Maybe laziness and massive weight gain will help. <br />
<br />
You never know.sassafrassslshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17524270652558000844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7722838812657949413.post-75457879958858834492012-02-16T04:12:00.000-08:002012-02-16T04:12:52.875-08:00I'm Glad I Worked Out AloneMy bladder isn't what it used to be.<br />
<br />
I had to waddle to the bathroom mid-jumping jacks circuit. <br />
<br />
Other observations on doing a work-out tape in this condition:<br />
<br />
Doing the modified push-ups, as I've been neglecting my arms and had to downgrade to the wussy version, my stomach hits the ground before my arms bend into the full push-up postion. Awkward.<br />
<br />
Burpees? Yeah. Maybe in quadruple-slow-time. And my knees crackle. <br />
<br />
Switching back and forth from the floor to running in place: I don't have to do nearly as many of any of it. That's what happens when you have to pull yourself up via the tv stand. <br />
<br />
Jumping in general - pretty hilarious. <br />
<br />
On the plus side, this silly bootcamp work-out tape - you know, the one that I could do while barely breaking a sweat, before? - currently kicks my rear. <br />
<br />
Again, I'm glad I worked out alone.sassafrassslshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17524270652558000844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7722838812657949413.post-11840583454464652262012-02-10T12:01:00.000-08:002012-02-10T12:01:46.299-08:00A Different PersonI was struggling to put on my running shoes. To put them on and, then, (groan) to tie them.<br />
<br />
Gripping that black refridgerator handle and leaning like a circus elephant balancing on the top of a 4-square ball, my eyes fell on one of the few running certificates I've saved.<br />
<br />
I don't save many. I like the medals: who wouldn't like shiny, jingly, sparkly things? But those pieces of paper usually get recycled.<br />
<br />
The rules: my last marathon and my last half marathon get to stay. Boston is up there to remind me why I really shouldn't want to do Boston again - every time I look at it, that imagined 35-mph crosswind makes me shiver. <br />
<br />
Oh, and I re-posted the Philadelphia postcard I got from my first marathon. Average pace: 10:16.7<br />
<br />
I didn't even post Birmingham. That was the last half that I did. Last year. Last year, this weekend.<br />
<br />
But I did keep the NYC half marathon certificate. Though the Speedy Blonde totally smoked me that day, I broke 1:30 (by a mere 15 seconds) for the first time ever. <br />
<br />
That was almost 2 years ago.<br />
<br />
Looking at that piece of paper, I couldn't imagine what it would be like to run an average 6:51 mile. <br />
<br />
It wasn't me who did that. It was a whole different person.<br />
<br />
I shook my head, finished off my shoes and went to meet History for a jog up to Columbia Heights.<br />
<br />
While running through the Zoo and the Rock Creek Park Trail, a fellow runner turned to us and said, "Wow. We're really booking it. We were running a 9:15 for the past 2 miles and now we are still doing a 9:50!"<br />
<br />
A different city. A different mind-frame. Maybe different goals? A whole different person. <br />
<br />
About 7 miles. It's better not to know the pace I was keeping!sassafrassslshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17524270652558000844noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7722838812657949413.post-41497100428027711842012-02-10T04:07:00.000-08:002012-02-10T04:07:10.133-08:00New Running Shoes?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xiu5Vga7h6N2FpOeFKFQU0jOW2yaBhoEwkwcvCrBxQyoWnK_zyIvx_UY0NkYa9tKQlxFEQzQCRMKulSVQUcW2GsKzN-UBv-TSwgjAUy_5tdDUGMcINw-x7meg8r6Esy52gF9xZxmXhQ/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="166" width="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xiu5Vga7h6N2FpOeFKFQU0jOW2yaBhoEwkwcvCrBxQyoWnK_zyIvx_UY0NkYa9tKQlxFEQzQCRMKulSVQUcW2GsKzN-UBv-TSwgjAUy_5tdDUGMcINw-x7meg8r6Esy52gF9xZxmXhQ/s320/images.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
I have worn a version of these shoes for about 5 years now. <br />
<br />
<br />
They have come through various iterations but they haven't changed significantly. At least, until now.<br />
<br />
And I've changed, too. <br />
<br />
1. I have no real evidence for this but I think the shoe has gotten heavier. I don't want a heavier shoe. I liked that my Mizunos were fairly unconstructed/didn't have a lot of crap built into them and that, as a result, they weren't too much heavier than my racing flats.<br />
<br />
2. I've been getting some blisters in my latest pair. After getting basically no blisters in my earlier versions, while putting in a lot more miles, I dont' know whether this is the shoes or me but I don't love it.<br />
<br />
3. I'm heavier. This might change but what to do while it is true? I might need more support.<br />
<br />
So, I'm thinking about getting another shoe. The problem is, some issues point towards getting a more structured shoe, while others point to more unstructured. I'll have to think about this.....sassafrassslshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17524270652558000844noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7722838812657949413.post-65432615799110005792012-02-10T03:55:00.000-08:002012-02-10T03:55:49.207-08:00A Different Sort of ChallengeMy arms got a workout yesterday. Even though I did a mere 10 minutes of free weights.<br />
<br />
It's hard to hold a 3-inch harcover book with 10-point font close enough to read - at least, if you have my myopic eyes.<br />
<br />
My forearms will be like Popeye's if I keep this up!<br />
<br />
But I hope that I won't have to. <br />
<br />
Multi-tasking by biking on a stationary while reading for class isn't ideal.<br />
<br />
My handwriting is bad enough, already!<br />
<br />
What did I write again on p. 453? I'm sure it was important......<br />
1 hour of biking. Eh.sassafrassslshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17524270652558000844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7722838812657949413.post-68313197521665296952012-02-08T06:33:00.000-08:002012-02-08T06:33:49.556-08:00A Bad EnvironmentalistI try. But I turn up my heat too high.<br />
<br />
And I don't always eat local.<br />
<br />
And I can't help but enjoy smog sometimes.<br />
<br />
Especially when it causes magnificent pink and purple and bruise-blue sunrises over the Capitol Building.<br />
<br />
Wow.<br />
<br />
I almost tripped. But I caught myself.<br />
<br />
Jogging through the Mall - does that make me a bad environmentallist? All that carbon dioxide being needlessly emitted into the atmosphere?<br />
<br />
I'll just chalk it up to being a bad environmentalist. <br />
<br />
About 6 miles around the Mall. Magnificent smoggy sunrises make up for the lack of houses whose interiors I can examine.sassafrassslshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17524270652558000844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7722838812657949413.post-23614245272301009632012-02-08T02:41:00.000-08:002012-02-08T02:41:50.498-08:00Work WeekThis is where I'd like to be this week:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXXKeG76vkH0oVnH_1cikZVuSpfXREN3F-MsPmc923QqEwITLFhHhrpJMFnoPn63N0iPwSUx568n_fs_ez7ONe-FoJVZJd4VFdV2x1ip9vO_-hZUQ5uniXFFgQA1TJUCC5NMU_M-3fdQ/s1600/IMG_1177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXXKeG76vkH0oVnH_1cikZVuSpfXREN3F-MsPmc923QqEwITLFhHhrpJMFnoPn63N0iPwSUx568n_fs_ez7ONe-FoJVZJd4VFdV2x1ip9vO_-hZUQ5uniXFFgQA1TJUCC5NMU_M-3fdQ/s320/IMG_1177.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Or here:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOm6E5mVSUhLknphViAZGwQhuXElvYe80NAf8og3iSwDQWdT1YOgaHCH3kOumebKsF9AnWSoqxIkhjWxHhm6dScFKrVnNAgXcHAgmI-jHToJTUsAUzIBo449t8VLHHG8fTFk2pystD6Ig/s1600/IMG_0123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOm6E5mVSUhLknphViAZGwQhuXElvYe80NAf8og3iSwDQWdT1YOgaHCH3kOumebKsF9AnWSoqxIkhjWxHhm6dScFKrVnNAgXcHAgmI-jHToJTUsAUzIBo449t8VLHHG8fTFk2pystD6Ig/s320/IMG_0123.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Or, maybe here:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje6y6_Bv1DZ6xZGO8dqRWuklRCEefZNA8-cfGCaA1nK3kIY_xwWNwixSTSXJ3P7JEu-hhM_7YWg6ibXLPdxAcirgfesrz_bCiMtRGK8fkO4Mkub40XyJav1_PXqjmEBZsxrlKy4JKNfD8/s1600/IMG_0895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje6y6_Bv1DZ6xZGO8dqRWuklRCEefZNA8-cfGCaA1nK3kIY_xwWNwixSTSXJ3P7JEu-hhM_7YWg6ibXLPdxAcirgfesrz_bCiMtRGK8fkO4Mkub40XyJav1_PXqjmEBZsxrlKy4JKNfD8/s320/IMG_0895.JPG" /></a></div> <br />
Where I have been:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZXn-aZ5uGhsDgXT1oi1_NAi96rCrg7IGlSCwON4XSfc1YeiZmMIjg3fEh_xXE7hwwH_tyQp3vxcWcsSWUp22O8TxuryyMccuhp7Euab1qcwS7RnV7KQNT-yNpP91P7GxsoKphK1-B-mQ/s1600/books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZXn-aZ5uGhsDgXT1oi1_NAi96rCrg7IGlSCwON4XSfc1YeiZmMIjg3fEh_xXE7hwwH_tyQp3vxcWcsSWUp22O8TxuryyMccuhp7Euab1qcwS7RnV7KQNT-yNpP91P7GxsoKphK1-B-mQ/s320/books.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Don't worry: after a few more episodes of "Hoarders", I won't have any books left to hide under.<br />
<br />
But I'll still have the work!<br />
<br />
Will I get out from under this week? <br />
<br />
At least I got about a 6-mile run and a conversation about Evil in on Monday morning.<br />
<br />
Yes, I intentionally capitalized "Evil." History and I weren't just talking about regular old lower-case evil. It was the big stuff.<br />
<br />
And I worked on my scissor kick and my triceps in the pool yesterday. For about 45 minutes.<br />
<br />
Someday, I'll have the time to think that a 45-minute workout is really short.<br />
<br />
Someday, I'll have written a better brief outline than the awfulness I just turned in. <br />
<br />
Someday, I'll magically be..............<br />
<br />
Don't have time to think about finishing that sentence now. I've got a run to go on and more reading to do! Ack!sassafrassslshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17524270652558000844noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7722838812657949413.post-40772217549203216732012-02-03T06:50:00.000-08:002012-02-03T06:50:38.998-08:00Hains PointNo one was playing golf. <br />
<br />
But there were tugboats out. And the water: like beautiful blue buttercream icing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmb1VRFAhsgAJ-U2l0bPOfOPC0JkSq8irV9vo5LlriwrTAx3QgXgxyXSLbXB_EP05xc0zeapRxfzkaaclk3hLvWUFZCdkS0JtKf0zM7D4XZMFsD9RrXDzmVz7ED_xVpPYZiSW6wbtVZ4U/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="183" width="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmb1VRFAhsgAJ-U2l0bPOfOPC0JkSq8irV9vo5LlriwrTAx3QgXgxyXSLbXB_EP05xc0zeapRxfzkaaclk3hLvWUFZCdkS0JtKf0zM7D4XZMFsD9RrXDzmVz7ED_xVpPYZiSW6wbtVZ4U/s320/images.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
This is not my photo. But, you get the idea.<br />
<br />
History was incredibly nice and slowed down to run with me this morning.<br />
<br />
I got to hear about her book prospectus. Books in other disciplines just seem so much more glamorous.<br />
<br />
Oh, and we got to run down and around Hains Point. I love that run. If you come to visit me, remind me that we should do this one. <br />
<br />
Unless you are Ivy League. If you are him, we'll go on a more urban one. <br />
<br />
Anyway, about 8 or 8 1/2 miles. I got a bit crampy at the end. Then again, that might not have been correllated to the run at all.<br />
<br />
Sun makes 37 degrees so much more tolerable.sassafrassslshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17524270652558000844noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7722838812657949413.post-35227408864996264352012-02-02T16:33:00.000-08:002012-02-02T16:33:04.862-08:00Marking TimeIt's best not to look at the clock when swimming laps. At least, not often.<br />
<br />
Focusing on the minute hand, the number of marks left between you and the swim's culmination gain in signifiance. <br />
<br />
Even more true when aqua jogging. Add aqua weights and an unexpected abs workout and stir. <br />
<br />
As if you were in the stir. <br />
<br />
The international community condemns life without parole as a form of punishment. The psychological trauma is deemed too scarring. <br />
<br />
Because there is nothing to do but count off the marks of your time there - in that case, your life.<br />
<br />
Better, then, to forget the clock. Or the calendar.<br />
<br />
Better to forget that you are marking off the moments of your life. Or the moments between moments in your life.<br />
<br />
I've been trying not to look at the clock. And the calendar.<br />
<br />
Because, while you are marking off the moments, your life is sliding by. And you have only one. <br />
<br />
Luckily, I don't wear my glasses in the pool.sassafrassslshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17524270652558000844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7722838812657949413.post-74547159730110737222012-02-01T04:02:00.000-08:002012-02-01T04:02:23.491-08:00RestraintI Cannot Believe That I Exercised Some!<br />
<br />
Now, laziness, that I can do. But laziness is not to be confused with restraint.<br />
<br />
Laziness is seeing the rain out the window and deciding that bed or NPR is a much better option.<br />
<br />
Restraint is getting up, getting motivated, going out in the rain to meet your running group.<br />
<br />
Then, when no one else shows up, that's when the hard part of restraint comes in.<br />
<br />
Instead of running alone by yourself, or running home and biking for another 45 minutes or so - instead of entertaining plans B and C that are dancing and swirling in your head - you run home. <br />
<br />
And that's it. <br />
<br />
When I'm all pumped up and readied to go work out, it can be almost impossible to halt that train. But my slightly sore groin/hip flexor will likely thank me.<br />
<br />
And, instead, I can focus on doing more work. <br />
<br />
Focus needs to be connected to Restraint, like oxen in a yoke. <br />
<br />
Let's hope Focus didn't bolt earlier. <br />
<br />
2 whole miles. Ack. Really?sassafrassslshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17524270652558000844noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7722838812657949413.post-6881228821614271512012-02-01T03:57:00.000-08:002012-02-01T03:57:01.525-08:00FocusArms. Arms. Arms. Arms, lap numbers, and Biz Markee. All were looping through my head. <br />
<br />
You've got to be impressed with Biz's chutzpah. The man cannot sing and, yet, he sings a song. Pre-AutoTune. <br />
<br />
Perfect for me. I sound almost as good as he does, in my head.<br />
<br />
My arms - espcially my poor, neglected tricepts - were quite tired after I concentrated on my arms for most of my swim/jog on Tuesday. <br />
<br />
I'll have to try this again! I've been neglecting things recently. <br />
<br />
Especially those poor tricepts.sassafrassslshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17524270652558000844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7722838812657949413.post-58667599825577291092012-01-30T09:18:00.000-08:002012-01-30T09:18:43.193-08:00So Niceto be around a group of people who don't have any real interest in my grades, or whether I made the mock trial cuts.<br />
<br />
Yes, I got to run with the Stanton Park group again this morning. <br />
<br />
Slowly around the mall - though I cut off part and walked a bit with someone who wasn't feeling well.<br />
<br />
And, I got to re-hash the Ravens's loss in detail: all before the sun came up. <br />
<br />
Well, at least I got about 5 1/2 miles in.sassafrassslshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17524270652558000844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7722838812657949413.post-73993702600129461302012-01-30T09:15:00.000-08:002012-01-30T09:15:35.523-08:00Aqua JoggingHehehehehe. My influence is extending. Somehow, I found myself with a aqua jog companion FOR THE WHOLE TIME!<br />
<br />
Peace Corps said that she just didn't really want to work out on Sunday. <br />
<br />
But I think it's because I've been selling this whole aqua jogging thing like it's candy: candy that you eat to slim down.<br />
<br />
Non-diet diet candy. Watch! Eat this 3 times a day and see the pounds melt from your body! No need to count calories or try out those awful exercise machines!<br />
<br />
Heh. <br />
<br />
It went MUCH faster with a partner the whole time. About 45-50 minutes of it. Distance: about 6 feet, over and over again.sassafrassslshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17524270652558000844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7722838812657949413.post-53630260773091838742012-01-28T10:57:00.000-08:002012-01-28T10:57:05.743-08:00Killer for KitesThough a bit chilly for shorts......<br />
<br />
Wind whipping around me, I went out to do my penance miles.<br />
<br />
Speedy Blonde - those were for you. About 5 miles. <br />
<br />
5 SLOOOOOOW miles! <br />
<br />
I double-checked, just to make sure. I could have sworn that it was 6!<br />
<br />
On the Mall......sassafrassslshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17524270652558000844noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7722838812657949413.post-86545473791510711792012-01-28T04:13:00.000-08:002012-01-28T04:13:44.001-08:00Saddling UpI should be used to it by now.<br />
<br />
But it still smarts, every time.<br />
<br />
That other people, people who might not have tried as hard or thought about it as much, are better than me. <br />
<br />
It comes time, though, to just SUCK IT UP. <br />
<br />
And go biking. Which I did. <br />
<br />
There may even be time for a jog today.<br />
<br />
A jog: where other people, who are running, pass me. <br />
<br />
Learning. <br />
<br />
I keep expecting those slot machines to drop to 7-7-7, though. Even against all this learning. <br />
<br />
Embracing mediocrity. It's not that bad, right? Lots of people seem to love it.<br />
<br />
Why else would P.F. Chang's be a successful chain?sassafrassslshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17524270652558000844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7722838812657949413.post-23533286007553942962012-01-24T04:54:00.000-08:002012-01-24T04:54:40.991-08:00The DoldrumsIt's true, sometimes, that a body is just too busy for exercise.<br />
<br />
But only sometimes.<br />
<br />
Rarely, even.<br />
<br />
Because, at least for me, I seem to be more productive when I get that run in - especially in the winter.<br />
<br />
Maybe because activity banishes those winter tv-watching, feeling-sorry-for-yourself-for-no-good-reason, being lazy doldrums?<br />
<br />
Certainly, last night was spectacularly unproductive for me. Unless you deem watching Downton Abbey and reading a novel productive.<br />
<br />
Which, in these circumstances of too-much-to-do-for-my-future-to-watch-stupid-Masterpiece-Theatre, I do not. <br />
Wish I were here:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqpYE8fDJMbdcvzPkjdEfD3NilsqbwQoM-C1iAQiIonTfOMOOyUapndljTR9gZ8oyqxEs7aKwLPwABi8eib2_8hA8H5eJ_VcZ5ZNBL4lETeA0U6a-UGBZJ0FgtErVWBIa8J5xwGxCY54/s1600/IMG_1027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqpYE8fDJMbdcvzPkjdEfD3NilsqbwQoM-C1iAQiIonTfOMOOyUapndljTR9gZ8oyqxEs7aKwLPwABi8eib2_8hA8H5eJ_VcZ5ZNBL4lETeA0U6a-UGBZJ0FgtErVWBIa8J5xwGxCY54/s320/IMG_1027.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Or here:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQLxaRES95gxwmDNTpe0xLPvgWNPeZbOat2xwQ0oXBG9bSN6dHYn2MxcFvTvf2DIvL3oI4qWP-JjaS-_AFx5frfwFp20BU55z1gVkVs8X6RF63FUOuF05JxEXMrOcUVo5rPkUfi8XlNg/s1600/IMG_1169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQLxaRES95gxwmDNTpe0xLPvgWNPeZbOat2xwQ0oXBG9bSN6dHYn2MxcFvTvf2DIvL3oI4qWP-JjaS-_AFx5frfwFp20BU55z1gVkVs8X6RF63FUOuF05JxEXMrOcUVo5rPkUfi8XlNg/s320/IMG_1169.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Plus, forced inactivity gives me too much time to think about depressing crud like this. Humph. <br />
<br />
I am anti.sassafrassslshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17524270652558000844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7722838812657949413.post-56649940575714183762012-01-23T04:43:00.000-08:002012-01-23T04:43:30.514-08:00I Don't Usually BetUnless It's a Sure Thing.<br />
<br />
Just ask Suave how much money he owes me. <br />
<br />
But I couldn't resist a runner's bet To Badwater suggested that the Speedy Blonde and I try out. Plus, how could the Ravens possibly lose against the Patriots?! <br />
<br />
After all, Tom Brady comes pretty darn close to having jerk hair. <br />
<br />
Exhibit A: Spoelestra (growing into his jerk hair: this is an early photo of his head-coach-dom)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8znlVA9oJM2rZ9HC8lQSd1zq-hjPrHqcBzfgvinN6VcRQTUADk4pmkOAae9IfWwHmA7CMIUafZa3VMhdu_R8HpGX35MnOi4shhghUI5_cCTb-6QYdTi4F67VVMHCJelMFPb36jdrgJ44/s1600/600_spoelstra_080417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="160" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8znlVA9oJM2rZ9HC8lQSd1zq-hjPrHqcBzfgvinN6VcRQTUADk4pmkOAae9IfWwHmA7CMIUafZa3VMhdu_R8HpGX35MnOi4shhghUI5_cCTb-6QYdTi4F67VVMHCJelMFPb36jdrgJ44/s320/600_spoelstra_080417.jpg" /></a></div><br />
And then Brady (he's the one on the left):<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-h_i0l9INkDjoAQ9qbOdf7rkUYyeLoaHJOnEMK-kPFoVe8HPKGuV2aQEl1exkMjAVxlLFCDrw4jqps_psROyRFdlOtJQURcVYpk8nOL9qI_tb1MVGTR0xmAlR1oMbdn_tbPuxvEKHbiQ/s1600/tom-brady-bridget-moynahan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-h_i0l9INkDjoAQ9qbOdf7rkUYyeLoaHJOnEMK-kPFoVe8HPKGuV2aQEl1exkMjAVxlLFCDrw4jqps_psROyRFdlOtJQURcVYpk8nOL9qI_tb1MVGTR0xmAlR1oMbdn_tbPuxvEKHbiQ/s320/tom-brady-bridget-moynahan.jpg" /></a></div><br />
THE BET: whichever person's team loses, that person has to run the points differential in mileage. She gets a week to do so, and the limit on miles is 20. I would be allowed to break up the 20 and, also, to do some as aqua-jogging "miles".<br />
<br />
I didn't get as much homework done during this part of the train ride back to DC as I probably should have.<br />
<br />
I was too busy following ESPN GAMECAST and cursing.<br />
<br />
A missed FG sealed my fate.<br />
<br />
I've got to run 3 for the Ravens this week.<br />
<br />
Like a good sport, I would normally do my miles after my invectives dried up: about 6:30am this morning.<br />
<br />
But, due to major cramping, I'm sidelined this morning. But, Speedy Blonde, I will do the miles.<br />
<br />
Stupid Patriots.sassafrassslshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17524270652558000844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7722838812657949413.post-12445694782170728102012-01-23T04:34:00.000-08:002012-01-23T04:34:04.099-08:00Good to KnowApparently, I haven't been swimming properly. Else my lats wouldn't be sore today.<br />
<br />
Or my inner thighs.<br />
<br />
Also, apparently, I am really enthusiastic about my workouts when I've missed a day.<br />
<br />
Saturday, you see, was a wash because of snow. Stupid health concerns and people afraid I was going to trip, slip and fall on the ice hidden underneath.<br />
<br />
I mean, really: what would give you the idea that I'm klutzy?! Hah<br />
<br />
Finally, doing lots of jumps and high knees without shoes makes one's feet tired.<br />
<br />
I found a way to make the Boot Camp video actually feel like something, though!<br />
<br />
Just make sure to get out-of-shape and do no real arm work, then try to do it as hard as possible.sassafrassslshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17524270652558000844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7722838812657949413.post-27281792786505746742012-01-18T13:44:00.001-08:002012-01-18T13:44:32.284-08:00What's Your Mileage?I just realized, looking at some other peoples' blogs, that I have never added up the miles I've run during a year.<br />
<br />
Even when I keep track of the miles/week, which has been too depressing to do lately, I've never bothered to see what they might add up to.<br />
<br />
What are your mileage marks for the past year?sassafrassslshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17524270652558000844noreply@blogger.com1