Memories.....The Sweet Memories.....

I couldn't sleep much last night. 1st exam nerves.

So, I spent some quality time between dark and darker thirty, thinking about my favorite runs and running partners in NYC while I tried to prevent my cat from cutting off my circulation and possibly my breathing.

I miss running with Ivy League and LSE and Superman - especially all together or in some kind of duo combination. The dynamic between Ivy League and either of them was hilarious.

Plus, running with them helped me not be a lazy runner: something I definitely am right now. At least one would usually take off at some point in the run, zinging home how much faster they all are than I am. I'm a plodder but having someone push the pace makes even a plodder a bit faster.

Ok. I'm not running at all right now, either literally or within the last week. Thankfully, I'm not running right now because my typing wouldn't hold up. Sadly, I'm not running this week becaues of my muscle pull.

But, you know what I mean!

Also, courses. When I get to run longer distances, I know that I'll appreciate DC's trail system more. And I've already enjoyed a lot of scenery.
But, DC, I'm sorry. There is no Far Rockaway run here. Nor a Forest Park run. Though you can run through the equivalent of East New York if you feel like it. I've done a bit of that but, without my trusty urban companion Ivy League, I haven't felt as comfortable doing so. I'm not very fast right now, after all!
Oooh! Or the bridges run! I LOOOOOVE NYC bridge running! Except when I'm going over the Queensboro Bridge. Then, it never seems like a good idea.
And, of course, in NY, there are the lovely leaping ladies to keep me company on runs, as well.

Sigh.

DC has been great. But I wish I could run at all right now. And I wish I could run more. And faster. That would open up my options.

Running with History and all of them is really cool, don't get me wrong. I just wish I could do more and with more people.

Having running as your main social outlet isn't as awesome as it could be when you can't really do it.

LARGE DRAMATIC SIGH.

Ok. Enough waxing nostalgic and feeling sorry for myself. I've got a test to prepare for!

A Pain in my A**

Literally, sadly.


I went to the doctor and it's official: a major muscle pull in my piriformus.

Much better than a nerve pinch, so I'm hoping that the diagnosis is accurate. However, I know better than most how long a muscle pull can take to heal.

Sadly, no "race" for me on Sunday, then.

I am anti. Especially since I had paid for it. And Suave had signed up for an accompanying race. So it would have been almost as if we were racing together, for the first time.

BIG DRAMATIC SIGH.

So I've been burning about 2 calories/day on the recumbant bike. I hate that thing. It is like a segue: you can't possibly look cool/interesting doing it.

Sigh.

But, I need to remember patience. And to try not to eat too much in boredom/crippling anxiety (these things come in waves) as the exams approach.

New Goal?

So I won't be posting much this week. Stupid back. No one wants to hear about me burning 2 calories on a stupid recumbent bike.

To lift me up from anxiety, though, I need a new goal. I am not even sure that I'll be able to run the race I signed up for this weekend and I don't want to sign up for the Annapolis 1/2, the weekend after, because I'm too afraid that I won't be able to run that one either.

Did I mention, stupid back?! Everyone needs to stretch. I don't care if they came out with studies otherwise, you need to stretch before going out in the cold. I know that's how I hurt my back.

Anyway, back on track......

What about San Fransisco? It's in late July. Or there is an interesting marathon called the Salmon Marathon in Idaho in September.......
Ideas for other races in mid to late summer? Too soon? Too late?

Fail!

I got overinspired by the beautiful weather and the NYC marathon today.

So I tried to run. I got about 1/2 a mile.

Yeah. Sad.

The walk back was long and kinda painful.

Ideas for crosstraining this week? I've got a "race" on Sunday and I would like to try to actually run that.
But, if I do nothing, I'm afraid I'll get too antsy and try to run too early.

The gym here has an elliptical, a recumbent bike, and some treadmills.

Booh. I am anti!

Fishing

Almost to the end of the hallway on the left, just across from the second set of doors that hide the old sports equipment, hangs a picture of my father as I never knew him.
My father always claims to hate this picture. Dad grumbled when my grandfather had the picture drawn from an old photograph, claiming his father was just wasting a lot of money.
It's not a great drawing: some of the lines look a little bit too. Too thought-out. Too studied.
The picture arrests me every time I go down that hallway: my steps hitch as I see my father, with curved cheeks and a thoughtful happiness in his face, as he's standing outside.
I don't remember whether he really is, but I always imagine that he was just out to go fishing.
Out at my grandparents' farm.
That I know I've made up: they didn't own the farm when my dad was that small.
But the outdoors pictured have the same smell of pine and rotting reeds, with a whiff of hay, cow feed and motor oil in the background.

We went fishing yesterday. I could see the cabin's logs reflecting on the surface as I cast my rod. Everywhere. In the trees, in the reeds, in the brambles.

Without me having to ask, my dad hooked my worm for me.

He even switched poles when he kept catching fish, as if it were the pole, and not my massive incompetence that was preventing me from the haul of a lifetime - or, at least, some of the teensy bluegills he was catching.
When we got back, I went out to find him to tell him I was leaving.
He stopped in his gutting, beheading and scaling of the fish to wish me a good trip.
He was so patient at the pond. Waiting for a bite, waiting for the fish to set, then reeling in at just the right speed.
Maybe my dad will teach me how to fish one of these days.

We rode together Saturday morning. He beat me. It was still fun. Perhaps, today, my back will feel better enough to run. Seems strange to not run at all today, given that the same time last year I was running NYC.

If I Weren't Me

I'd Kick Myself in the Head! Or, at least, I'd kick the I'm-late-for-the-run-I-can't-possibly-make-time-to-stretch-even-though-it's-cold-outside me in the head.

Argh!

Met up with the fellows for a run around Jefferson Memorial and the FDR Memorial. I was doing something else until the last minute - as the run got changed to a later 8:0am - and so raced out the door instead of stretching.

Yeah. About that.

A bit into the run, my right lower back, into my rear end, started hurting. Then it got worse. Especially when we had to stop for lights or cars.

I ended up having to wave them ahead for the last mile as I hobbled home.

Now, I don't know if I can even make it to class today. I'm having enough trouble getting across my living room!

Fingers crossed that it will be better for my fun longer run tomorrow.......

Booh me!

Sheesh

"Do you ALWAYS run this slowly, Sis?"

Sheesh. Coming from my brother who, although the awesomest older brother I could wish for, does't work out very much, this was embarrasing.

I mean, it wasn't THAT slow, was it?

But it was fantastic to be able to share the sunrise over the Capitol with my big bro. It helped calm my nerves and wake me up, all at the same time.

Which is really important, as the more I get stressed, the less time I seem to have to sleep, which makes me more stressed.

And all I can do to wake myself up is sugar. No caffeine. Can only work out once a day, max.

Oi. Maybe that's why I'm running so slowly!

That and my status as an HOV.

About 6 1/2 miles this morning. This week is going to be low mileage, I'm afraid.

But I'm trying to remember the important of sleep. More sleep means better working. Less sleep, more mind wandering.