A few of the many, many excuses I've had for not running with my Meters & Miles group for the last 4-5 Saturdays are: 1.) Too hot, 2.) Too early, and 3.) Don't feel like it.
Emerging from my post-marathon funk hasn't been quick or easy. I've gotten back up to running 8 miles, but that doesn't really count because it was on a treadmill. I've only run outside a handful of times outdoors since May and they've been short runs.
This weekend we didn't have a group run on Saturday due to the Fourth, so instead M&M scheduled 7-mile group runs on both Friday and Sunday mornings. Surely I could make one (or both) of those?
Well...Friday didn't happen. 7 a.m. came and went as I was delightfully snoozing away. After being a little mad at myself for being lazy, I opted to run at my parents' house at about noontime. My parents live smack dab in the middle of Oakbrook, which has a great 2 1/2 mile walking path along the main road. The terrain is fairly flat, but has one monster hill in the middle, and a couple of other little ones here and there. If I run it from my parents condo in the middle, then out to Oakbrook Drive, and run from one end to the other and back, it's just under 5 and 1/2 miles. Although it would have been a little cooler earlier (if I had been able to wake up and get motivated), the weather was pleasant at noon and there was a nice breeze. I did the run in just under an hour. I know I've done it faster, but I'm giving myself a grade of "not too shabby" for the first stab at it in a while.
After lots of food, drinks and fireworks on Saturday, I went to bed early to attempt to make it to the 8 a.m. group run. Despite a restless night of sleep, I was actually able to wake up in time to head down to Newport to Meters & Miles for the 7-miler. The weather was perfect -- 60s with a little misty rain. Upon arriving, it became clear that I was going to be the slowest in the group (by far) and I was also the only skirt. Me and my entourage of dudes planned to run the floodwall route through Newport, Bellevue and Dayton. The route being very flat, along with the weather, made it easier to push myself to go a little faster than normal. My pace was 10:23, so I finally am getting back to my pre-marathon speed.
I'm giving myself a grade of "pretty good" for Sunday, and am looking forward to improving more over the summer for the group runs... that is, assuming I can actually motivate myself to go.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Reading Recap and Multiple Illnesses
It all started with the tots.
Friday night I was planning on taking it easy since I wanted to get to bed early and do well at the KCPL Racing to Read 5K on Saturday morning. My friend Jenn invited me to a happy hour on Friday evening that seemed right up the "taking it easy" alley. Her boyfriend Shane, who is the reigning 2009 Cincinnati Tater Tot Eating Champion, was granted an all-you-can-eat tot party for 20 of his closest friends by Bar Louie (who sponsored the tot-eating contest) as part of his victory spoils. So at 5 p.m., I was at Bar Louie and hungry for tots.
I'm not sure whether it was the tots, too many Blue Moons, or some of the crap I ate later that evening, but by about midnight, I felt not-so-great. After a few hours of bellyache followed by a violent exorcism of evil from my digestive tract, I got some sleep and was feeling bright and chipper by morning.
My brother Nick called me at about 8. He had made a last-minute decision to come run the 5K with me. Despite the previous evening's illness, the run went well. My goal is to get my 5K time under 30 minutes this summer, and so coming in at 30:35 was not too shabby for the first try. I was impressed that my brother (who is a great athlete but not a runner) was able to keep up with me through the whole race.
After the race, we gobbled up our free pancakes from First Watch, and I headed home to get showered and changed for football. Football was exhausting after the race, but the rest of the weekend was a lot of fun. Matt and I took the Gangsters, Gamblers, and Girls tour of Newport Saturday night, and it was really interesting and entertaining. So much history; it was just fascinating. They are going to be running the tour again in the fall, and I highly recommend checking it out.
Monday night I got through a mile on the treadmill before feeling crampy. Something was definitely wrong. I had a restless night of sleep, then woke up feeling worse Tuesday. After about an hour at the office, it became apparent that whatever it was wasn't going away. I took the rest of the day off, and spent most of it hugging porcelain. By mid-afternoon, I was feeling a little better and gingerly sipped down a vanilla milkshake. Things got better from there. Today, I am back to about 99%.
I'm pretty sure I've narrowed down the possible causes of my second illness to some mediterranean rice and bean salad that I ate Monday afternoon. I got it off the olive bar at Kroger. I guess the fact that there is a sneeze-guard on those things should have sent up a red flag... ugh.
So, two lessons learned: 1.) No more food from anything under a sneeze guard and 2.) Tots should be eaten in moderation.
Friday night I was planning on taking it easy since I wanted to get to bed early and do well at the KCPL Racing to Read 5K on Saturday morning. My friend Jenn invited me to a happy hour on Friday evening that seemed right up the "taking it easy" alley. Her boyfriend Shane, who is the reigning 2009 Cincinnati Tater Tot Eating Champion, was granted an all-you-can-eat tot party for 20 of his closest friends by Bar Louie (who sponsored the tot-eating contest) as part of his victory spoils. So at 5 p.m., I was at Bar Louie and hungry for tots.
I'm not sure whether it was the tots, too many Blue Moons, or some of the crap I ate later that evening, but by about midnight, I felt not-so-great. After a few hours of bellyache followed by a violent exorcism of evil from my digestive tract, I got some sleep and was feeling bright and chipper by morning.
My brother Nick called me at about 8. He had made a last-minute decision to come run the 5K with me. Despite the previous evening's illness, the run went well. My goal is to get my 5K time under 30 minutes this summer, and so coming in at 30:35 was not too shabby for the first try. I was impressed that my brother (who is a great athlete but not a runner) was able to keep up with me through the whole race.
After the race, we gobbled up our free pancakes from First Watch, and I headed home to get showered and changed for football. Football was exhausting after the race, but the rest of the weekend was a lot of fun. Matt and I took the Gangsters, Gamblers, and Girls tour of Newport Saturday night, and it was really interesting and entertaining. So much history; it was just fascinating. They are going to be running the tour again in the fall, and I highly recommend checking it out.
Monday night I got through a mile on the treadmill before feeling crampy. Something was definitely wrong. I had a restless night of sleep, then woke up feeling worse Tuesday. After about an hour at the office, it became apparent that whatever it was wasn't going away. I took the rest of the day off, and spent most of it hugging porcelain. By mid-afternoon, I was feeling a little better and gingerly sipped down a vanilla milkshake. Things got better from there. Today, I am back to about 99%.
I'm pretty sure I've narrowed down the possible causes of my second illness to some mediterranean rice and bean salad that I ate Monday afternoon. I got it off the olive bar at Kroger. I guess the fact that there is a sneeze-guard on those things should have sent up a red flag... ugh.
So, two lessons learned: 1.) No more food from anything under a sneeze guard and 2.) Tots should be eaten in moderation.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Back in action, reluctantly
While my head is still in Vegas sipping a cocktail by the pool, my body is finally coming to terms with being back in Cincinnati. (I might have to be back from vacation, but I don't have to like it.) After a week of gluttony at 5-star restaurants and buffets, I am trying to refocus on my fitness. It hasn't been easy.
After taking last Wednesday and Thursday off of running, on Friday and Saturday I was ready to attack some respectable mileage. I did a combined 11 miles (7 Friday night and 4 Saturday morning). I am finding that doing a shot of Gu before my runs gives me a little extra "oomph" to get past the 4-5 mile mark. While my body is sending me messages that I should still be taking it easy after the marathon, I know the only way to get over the hump is to slurp up my Gu and suck up my pain.
After 11 miles in two days, I also played flag football Saturday afternoon. More specifically, I played the whole game (40 minutes), with no subs. While I was okay afterward, I really started feeling it while hoofing up the steps to the 500-level at the Reds game Saturday night. At least it was worth it; the Reds took home the victory in extra innings.
After lazing about on Sunday, this week I've been trying to hit the gym harder: I did an easy 4 miles Monday plus Group Power class, then last night I did a 30-minute abs class plus a fast 3-miler. Tonight I'm planning on 5-6 miles (probably on the treadmill due to the rain) and tomorrow I'm doing something called FitCamp, which I have a sneaking suspicion is going to be crazy-hard and will make it difficult for me to sit down or stand up for a few days.
On Saturday, I'll be participating in my first race since the Flying Pig. I'll be running the KCPL Racing to Read 5K. While I know it actually helps fund the Kenton County Public Library, I really wanted to do it because it sounds like the kind of race that might help support The Derek Zoolander Center for Kids Who Can't Read Good... "What is this? A center for ants? How can we be expected to teach children to learn how to read if they can't even fit inside the building?"
After taking last Wednesday and Thursday off of running, on Friday and Saturday I was ready to attack some respectable mileage. I did a combined 11 miles (7 Friday night and 4 Saturday morning). I am finding that doing a shot of Gu before my runs gives me a little extra "oomph" to get past the 4-5 mile mark. While my body is sending me messages that I should still be taking it easy after the marathon, I know the only way to get over the hump is to slurp up my Gu and suck up my pain.
After 11 miles in two days, I also played flag football Saturday afternoon. More specifically, I played the whole game (40 minutes), with no subs. While I was okay afterward, I really started feeling it while hoofing up the steps to the 500-level at the Reds game Saturday night. At least it was worth it; the Reds took home the victory in extra innings.
After lazing about on Sunday, this week I've been trying to hit the gym harder: I did an easy 4 miles Monday plus Group Power class, then last night I did a 30-minute abs class plus a fast 3-miler. Tonight I'm planning on 5-6 miles (probably on the treadmill due to the rain) and tomorrow I'm doing something called FitCamp, which I have a sneaking suspicion is going to be crazy-hard and will make it difficult for me to sit down or stand up for a few days.
On Saturday, I'll be participating in my first race since the Flying Pig. I'll be running the KCPL Racing to Read 5K. While I know it actually helps fund the Kenton County Public Library, I really wanted to do it because it sounds like the kind of race that might help support The Derek Zoolander Center for Kids Who Can't Read Good... "What is this? A center for ants? How can we be expected to teach children to learn how to read if they can't even fit inside the building?"
Friday, June 5, 2009
Vegas Recap
I could go on and on and on and on about how much fun I had in Vegas and all the cool stuff we did, but I don't want to write a whole novel about it (and I doubt anyone would want to read it), I'll just stick to some of my favorite highlights:
Stumbling into lions: After flying in late Saturday night, we got up early Sunday and started exploring the Strip. Matt has been to Vegas tons of times, so he was a great tour guide. While wandering through MGM Grand, we noticed a large mountain lion exhibit. We found out that in just 15 minutes from now there would be a live show and feeding. So we grabbed a cocktail (there's nothing like rum in the a.m.), and waited for the lions to make their appearance. Two 1500-lb. mountain lions wandered out of the den and showed off for the crowd.
The Palazzo: The first night in Vegas we stayed at the Mirage, and the room was acceptable but not fantastic. I wasn't complaining, but I certainly wasn't impressed. Little did I realize Sunday that we were about to get an upgrade. Matt kept this as a surprise - for the rest of the week we'd be staying at the Palazzo, which was about 1,000 times nicer than the Mirage and probably the nicest hotel room I've ever stayed in (I say probably just because the suite I stayed in at the Galt House in Louisville a few years ago is right up there with this one). Palazzo means "palace" in Italian, and our room felt like a palace.
Swimming with the fishes: It worked out really that Matt likes to gamble and I like to lay by the pool. On Monday we headed to downtown Vegas at the Golden Nugget. I spent the afternoon outside in their kick-ass pool with a shark tank in the middle of it, while Matt played Craps inside (he lost, but made most of it back on roulette...lucky, lucky).
Stumbling into lions: After flying in late Saturday night, we got up early Sunday and started exploring the Strip. Matt has been to Vegas tons of times, so he was a great tour guide. While wandering through MGM Grand, we noticed a large mountain lion exhibit. We found out that in just 15 minutes from now there would be a live show and feeding. So we grabbed a cocktail (there's nothing like rum in the a.m.), and waited for the lions to make their appearance. Two 1500-lb. mountain lions wandered out of the den and showed off for the crowd. The Palazzo: The first night in Vegas we stayed at the Mirage, and the room was acceptable but not fantastic. I wasn't complaining, but I certainly wasn't impressed. Little did I realize Sunday that we were about to get an upgrade. Matt kept this as a surprise - for the rest of the week we'd be staying at the Palazzo, which was about 1,000 times nicer than the Mirage and probably the nicest hotel room I've ever stayed in (I say probably just because the suite I stayed in at the Galt House in Louisville a few years ago is right up there with this one). Palazzo means "palace" in Italian, and our room felt like a palace.
Swimming with the fishes: It worked out really that Matt likes to gamble and I like to lay by the pool. On Monday we headed to downtown Vegas at the Golden Nugget. I spent the afternoon outside in their kick-ass pool with a shark tank in the middle of it, while Matt played Craps inside (he lost, but made most of it back on roulette...lucky, lucky). Joining a gym: Yep, only I would join a gym while on vacation. When I realized on Monday that there wasn't a free gym in the hotel, I knew I'd go crazy without getting in at least a few workouts (especially with all the great food we were eating!). So I decided to join the Canyon Ranch for two days. Not only did I get in 10 miles on the treadmill and a Pilates class, I also treated myself to some crazy spa treatments including a Finnish sauna (relaxing), an Aquavana bath (odd) and a shower called "tropical rain storm" (get me out of here, I hate this!).
The food was delicious, especially our steaks at Table 10 (Emeril Lagasse's restaurant) and the buffet at the Wynn (I had at least 4 different desserts, all tasty). The weather was perfect, especially since I spent two afternoons working on my tan (I still can't find it). I learned how to play Craps, and got to help out by rolling the dice a few times, but I don't see myself ever actually placing a bet. I just can't see risking $50-$100 that could be better spent on a cute handbag.
Matt fake-tried to throw me over both the Stratosphere and the Hoover Dam, but then made it up to me and then some by buying me some beautiful pink heart-shaped Saworski crystal earrings with some of his winnings. We spent 4 days there but there's still so much more we wanted to do and see. Also, I'll need to get another one of these:
(Yep, it's a margarita shaped like a football.)
What a great trip! I'm very seriously looking into going back soon. There's a half-marathon there on December 6th. Hmmm...
Friday, May 22, 2009
Yuck Update and Vegas
For those who were worried, my yuck-procedure went just fine on Wednesday. I started off the morning by getting in 6 miles on the treadmill. I knew I'd be pigging out later, so I wanted to counteract it with some serious pre-calorie-burning. After my run, I headed over to my parents' condo in Florence so that my dad could take me to my appointment. When I got there, my parents were arguing about the kitchen disposal. They were both being comically irrational, so I was glad that it was time for my dad to take me to St. Luke. They definitely needed some time apart.
Once I got to the hospital and got checked in, I was irritated by the fact that it took 40 minutes of waiting in a room full of people (must of whom I suspect did not have insurance). Once I finally got in to the room, I shifted my emotions from irritated to nervous. My strategy for coping with it was to just remind myself that I ran a marathon, so this couldn't possibly be any more painful. And it wasn't. I spent the rest of the day Wednesday chilling out at my parents' house and eating Panera bagels (french toast bagels with honey-walnut cream cheese....mmmm). I had some pain, but my drug dealer (mom) gave me one of her "good" pills, so the rest of the evening was smooooooth sailing. I planned to take off Thursday as well, just in case I was still feeling yucky. However, I woke up Thursday feeling pretty decent, so I spent the day shopping and even felt good enough to go to my abs/kickbox class last night. I think I overdid it though, because I'm not feeling so hot today. Maybe it's just that I had to come back to work today...blah. I imagine that I'll magically feel much, much better come 4:00. Funny how that is, isn't it?
On a much more exciting note, I'm going to Las Vegas next week! I haven't been there since I've been an adult. We went there on my family's Griswald-esque "out west" vacation when I was 5 years old, but I don't remember much. We are departing next Saturday (the 30th) for 4 days. I haven't had a true vacation in quite a while, so I am looking forward to it. I'm not much of a gambler, so if anyone has any suggestions of things to do out there that do not involve cards, chips or dice, please send them my way.
Note to self: Watch Swingers for the forty-billionth time in preparation for my trip... "Vegas baby!"
Once I got to the hospital and got checked in, I was irritated by the fact that it took 40 minutes of waiting in a room full of people (must of whom I suspect did not have insurance). Once I finally got in to the room, I shifted my emotions from irritated to nervous. My strategy for coping with it was to just remind myself that I ran a marathon, so this couldn't possibly be any more painful. And it wasn't. I spent the rest of the day Wednesday chilling out at my parents' house and eating Panera bagels (french toast bagels with honey-walnut cream cheese....mmmm). I had some pain, but my drug dealer (mom) gave me one of her "good" pills, so the rest of the evening was smooooooth sailing. I planned to take off Thursday as well, just in case I was still feeling yucky. However, I woke up Thursday feeling pretty decent, so I spent the day shopping and even felt good enough to go to my abs/kickbox class last night. I think I overdid it though, because I'm not feeling so hot today. Maybe it's just that I had to come back to work today...blah. I imagine that I'll magically feel much, much better come 4:00. Funny how that is, isn't it?
On a much more exciting note, I'm going to Las Vegas next week! I haven't been there since I've been an adult. We went there on my family's Griswald-esque "out west" vacation when I was 5 years old, but I don't remember much. We are departing next Saturday (the 30th) for 4 days. I haven't had a true vacation in quite a while, so I am looking forward to it. I'm not much of a gambler, so if anyone has any suggestions of things to do out there that do not involve cards, chips or dice, please send them my way.
Note to self: Watch Swingers for the forty-billionth time in preparation for my trip... "Vegas baby!"
Monday, May 18, 2009
Diet, Running and Yuck Stuff
I can sum up my weekend in one word: Gluttony.
Friday evening's Maifest outing was a feast of sirloin tips, polish sausage, funnel cake, more sirloin tips and topped off with way too many liters of beer and a late-night trip to Skyline. Saturday was just as bad. We headed back down to Maifest after football, beer and appetizers at MLT's. After a shish-kebob and more beer at Maifest, we headed over to Sidebar to watch my friend Shane polish off 50 hot wings and an entire pitcher of beer, hence becoming the only person to complete the eating challenge in the bar's history (they've only been for open two weeks though). I had pizza and wings at Sidebar. Later, I wolfed down more wings and some saratoga chips while watching small children sing innappropriate karaoke songs (both hilarious and disturbing; I'm fairly certain social services should have been notified).
So, by Sunday morning, I knew that my streak of gluttony had to come to an end. I made a healthy breakfast (french toast with lo-cal wheat bread and egg whites), then headed out to Lunken for a run. I promised myself after the marathon that I'd keep my distances to under 4 miles until I start the training group again in June, but after this weekend's eat-fest, I had to break that promise so that I could burn some calories fast.
It felt great to be outside running yesterday. The weather was perfect. Sunny but not hot, and with a gentle breeze. I used to run Lunken all the time back in the late 90s when I was living with my parents in Anderson Twp., but it's a little bit of a drive from Wilder, so I don't run there as much anymore. I've always kind of felt that Lunken is my "home" track, so it was a good place to test the waters for my first 5-miler since the Pig.
It was strange feeling how difficult 5 miles was again. It almost felt like the first time I ever ran Lunken, not knowing if I'd be able to make it or not. It was a little depressing. However, I cheered up when I got to the long two-mile stretch down the back that anyone who has run Lunken dreads. "Ha!" I said to myself, "This is nothing compared to Eastern Avenue."
After my successful 5-miler yesterday, I plan to push myself hard for the next few days so that I can take a few days off completely and enjoy some comfort food after my minor surgery on Wednesday. I'm not thrilled about having my third yucky biopsy in two years, but I know that it's important for me to continue getting screened so they can diagnose it and treat it before it becomes cancerous. Cancer would suck.
So I'm going to run hard in the next few days and try to eat better as well. Now that Maifest has packed up and moved out, that will certainly help matters in terms of what I am putting in my body. I am, however, counting down the days til Oktoberfest...
Friday evening's Maifest outing was a feast of sirloin tips, polish sausage, funnel cake, more sirloin tips and topped off with way too many liters of beer and a late-night trip to Skyline. Saturday was just as bad. We headed back down to Maifest after football, beer and appetizers at MLT's. After a shish-kebob and more beer at Maifest, we headed over to Sidebar to watch my friend Shane polish off 50 hot wings and an entire pitcher of beer, hence becoming the only person to complete the eating challenge in the bar's history (they've only been for open two weeks though). I had pizza and wings at Sidebar. Later, I wolfed down more wings and some saratoga chips while watching small children sing innappropriate karaoke songs (both hilarious and disturbing; I'm fairly certain social services should have been notified).
So, by Sunday morning, I knew that my streak of gluttony had to come to an end. I made a healthy breakfast (french toast with lo-cal wheat bread and egg whites), then headed out to Lunken for a run. I promised myself after the marathon that I'd keep my distances to under 4 miles until I start the training group again in June, but after this weekend's eat-fest, I had to break that promise so that I could burn some calories fast.
It felt great to be outside running yesterday. The weather was perfect. Sunny but not hot, and with a gentle breeze. I used to run Lunken all the time back in the late 90s when I was living with my parents in Anderson Twp., but it's a little bit of a drive from Wilder, so I don't run there as much anymore. I've always kind of felt that Lunken is my "home" track, so it was a good place to test the waters for my first 5-miler since the Pig.
It was strange feeling how difficult 5 miles was again. It almost felt like the first time I ever ran Lunken, not knowing if I'd be able to make it or not. It was a little depressing. However, I cheered up when I got to the long two-mile stretch down the back that anyone who has run Lunken dreads. "Ha!" I said to myself, "This is nothing compared to Eastern Avenue."
After my successful 5-miler yesterday, I plan to push myself hard for the next few days so that I can take a few days off completely and enjoy some comfort food after my minor surgery on Wednesday. I'm not thrilled about having my third yucky biopsy in two years, but I know that it's important for me to continue getting screened so they can diagnose it and treat it before it becomes cancerous. Cancer would suck.
So I'm going to run hard in the next few days and try to eat better as well. Now that Maifest has packed up and moved out, that will certainly help matters in terms of what I am putting in my body. I am, however, counting down the days til Oktoberfest...
Monday, May 11, 2009
Wings Clipped
The first week after completing the marathon has been a roller coaster of emotions for me. In many ways, I am a Flying Pig that's had my wings clipped. The last few nibbles of my Congratulations/Nice Try cake hit the garbage days ago. My race clothes are washed, folded and put away, no longer reeking of 26.2 miles of funk. My bib and medal are carefully arranged on a shelf of mementos in my office. I'm trying so hard to hang onto that feeling I had when I crossed that finish line, but eight days later, it's already slipping away.
On the other hand, I am moving forward. This was the kind of weekend I had before I started training. I went to happy hour. I played flag football and spent the afternoon with my friends and endless buckets of beer at MLT's. I went to the Reds game Saturday night, and wallowed in the freedom of eating and drinking whatever I wanted without worrying about how my decisions would affect my running. All in all, my life is getting back to normal. But normal isn't enough for me anymore.
To conquer my blues, I'm formulating a plan. Meters & Miles starts up the training group again in June for those doing fall marathons. I'm thinking that I'll train to do a half marathon in October. Maybe Columbus or Indianapolis, or maybe even someplace more exotic? This summer, I'll be focusing on getting faster and stronger. I'm planning to hit the gym as hard as I was during the past 4 months, but try to keep a balance with my "normal" life. All that may change again come January, because in 355 days, I am planning on another date with the Pig. A lot of things can change in a year, so I don't think I'm ready to send in my $70 entry fee just yet, but it's a goal. It's clear and defined and it gives me a reason to want to get out of bed in the morning. I suspect the feeling I have crossing another finish line won't compare to how it felt the first time, but I'll chase it anyway.
I did short runs on the treadmill on Friday and Saturday. I have a nagging muscle strain in the back of my left hip, but it's getting looser with each run. Yesterday, I couldn't bear to run indoors with how nice the weather was, so I headed down to Pioneer Park in Fort Wright and did the 1-mile loop 4 times. It wasn't easy, but it felt great to just be out there running again. It gave me the sense that after a week of living in gloomville, that all will be right with the world as long as I can lace up my shoes and pound some pavement.
I guess my wings haven't been clipped after all; they just got misplaced for a few days.
On the other hand, I am moving forward. This was the kind of weekend I had before I started training. I went to happy hour. I played flag football and spent the afternoon with my friends and endless buckets of beer at MLT's. I went to the Reds game Saturday night, and wallowed in the freedom of eating and drinking whatever I wanted without worrying about how my decisions would affect my running. All in all, my life is getting back to normal. But normal isn't enough for me anymore.
To conquer my blues, I'm formulating a plan. Meters & Miles starts up the training group again in June for those doing fall marathons. I'm thinking that I'll train to do a half marathon in October. Maybe Columbus or Indianapolis, or maybe even someplace more exotic? This summer, I'll be focusing on getting faster and stronger. I'm planning to hit the gym as hard as I was during the past 4 months, but try to keep a balance with my "normal" life. All that may change again come January, because in 355 days, I am planning on another date with the Pig. A lot of things can change in a year, so I don't think I'm ready to send in my $70 entry fee just yet, but it's a goal. It's clear and defined and it gives me a reason to want to get out of bed in the morning. I suspect the feeling I have crossing another finish line won't compare to how it felt the first time, but I'll chase it anyway.
I did short runs on the treadmill on Friday and Saturday. I have a nagging muscle strain in the back of my left hip, but it's getting looser with each run. Yesterday, I couldn't bear to run indoors with how nice the weather was, so I headed down to Pioneer Park in Fort Wright and did the 1-mile loop 4 times. It wasn't easy, but it felt great to just be out there running again. It gave me the sense that after a week of living in gloomville, that all will be right with the world as long as I can lace up my shoes and pound some pavement.
I guess my wings haven't been clipped after all; they just got misplaced for a few days.
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