18 posts tagged “running”
So gang, I finished it. Woo hoo! Unfortunately, I've no idea what my time was. I crossed the finish line at 2:29 , but I don't know what time I crossed the start line. I didn't stick around afterward to grab my results on-site since they always post the results online. Sadly, this is the first event I've done where the event website appears to have crashed from the traffic. :( Dammit.
It was chilly at the start, but felt perfect once we started moving. I did have to stop 3 times on the course to stretch out my left calf/shin whatever because that darn knee was bugging me, but I think I still managed to keep to my plan of negative splits. We shall see.
I feel great though and I'm totally glad I decided to do it. (But I also can't wait to start doing something other than just running.)
Took this with my phone when I got back to my car. Cool medal--silver over glass. Verra Austin. I like it.
But I'm awake...not sure why.
Maybe it's the meeting I have tomorrow. It's a video conference call at 9 am with the euro group currently hosting a site that we're going to move in-house. It's going to be a mess--the site, not the meeting. Multiple regions, countries, nine languages in all. I think I'm a little nervous. More about waking up on time than anything else. Maybe.
Maybe it's the email I just read a while ago, sent Saturday morning, to all of us on the web team. It said to relax and try not to fret over the weekend, but also explained how contractors may possibly be affected by those reductions. Five percent...I wish. It looks like it could be ten to fifteen. Very frustrating if that's the case. I won't really know for sure until Tuesday or Wednesday this week. I suppose I shouldn't borrow trouble, but it seems very hard right now to keep my mind positive. I'm not above another job, more writing, etc. but it would be nice to have that an option and not a necessity.
Maybe it's the writing I haven't been able to bring to a close. Pieces I've been working on, but have either lost interest or confidence in and can't bring myself to tie off and try to send. My apologies to those who I owe work. I will try to get you several finished bits this week. Will try to avoid economy related issues that are clearly foremost on my mind.
Maybe it's the pain in my left knee, or rather, the pain I thought was my knee but appears to be the muscle just above it and on the inside of my thigh. Probably should have stayed off of it completely today, but I didn't want to lose the day of training. Not a few minutes into my treadmill run, though, I knew I couldn't take the impact. I opted for the stationary bike instead with hills and resistance. Maybe I shouldn't have. Even though I stretched and felt a little better right after, my leg's continued to stiffen up since then. I'm in bed now, but I couldn't lift my leg up on it's own. Have it propped now and trying not to move. Worried about the half marathon in mid Feb...the registration fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. Worried about having to hit up a doctor...while using my hands to lift my leg up onto the bed, I suddenly had a flash of memory and realized this feels just like an old injury from way back in the day. Maybe it's a reinjury. Maybe I should stick to yoga. Swimming. Lifting. Low impact cardio. How boring.
Sigh. I could go on like this for a while. Still not sleepy. But going to try to turn off my brain. My meeting is less than 7 hours away.
I spent most of today figuring out how to get some work done while my access was limited and Outlook was giving me many issues. Seems my services were terminated, or so sayeth IT. And no, that doesn't mean I'm fired...just that I'm coming up in their system as term'd. I'm not the only one with issues though. Had a co-worker denied VPN access (which I still have for some reason) on Monday morning and he called in first thing to be told he was terminated on Christmas Eve. Can you say heart attack? Anyway, it all appears to be some sort of automated snafu that no one has been able to identify, but the fix is having two levels of managers reinstate access. Give you 3 guesses how many managers aren't on vacay right now. Alright, true they do work hard, blah, blah, blah, but terribly inconvenient to all be gone right now. They are checking email in the evenings, however, so hopefully all will be fixed manana.
Other than playing dueling laptops today, I also finished the paperwork to refi my mortgage. Always a fun time, and hard to swallow those damn closing costs, the refi will nevertheless make a difference in my monthly cashflow, which in turn means the ability to pay down my credit card debt (owing about half to Evita's med bills) in the next few months while not incurring anymore, and still being able to make my reduced student loan payments. I won't be in the position to save, beyond what already goes to my retirement and health care spending plans, but zero credit card debt will save me the cost of interest and that alone makes me feel hopeful.
Today was day 2 of week 1 of my targeted training for the Austin Half-Marathon. I've modified a first-timer's 10 week start-up from Runners magazine to get me there in 7 weeks. The type-A side of my personality was inclined to go balls-out and modify the experienced marathoner program, but I'm trying to hold that psycho beast at bay. Taking it slow with just 2 mile runs yesterday and today. Despite some soreness, I felt stronger today and pushed my minutes-per-mile to 10.5. I probably could have pushed it to between 9 and 10, but that's not what the program calls for and I'm going to do my best to stick to a set regimen. I don't want to burn out or injure myself like some daffy weekend warrior who doesn't know any better. Besides, every Saturday calls for serious distance--beginning with 8 miles this weekend--albeit with breaks, and I want to save my knees for those hauls.
I'll be in Arlington again this weekend. The boy is going to add me to his gym membership, which is very kind of him and will make my gym dues well below what they would be otherwise, and I'll be able to do that 8 miler at the River Legacy park that I love. (Just pray the unseasonably warm Texas weather continues. I despise running in the cold.) I'm uber excited to see him and celebrate the new year, watch his Huskers battle it out in the Gator Bowl, and generally have another wonderful time. The twist is that this time I'll be bringing the Cheese, also known as Evita/Velveeta with me. She traveled so well to and from El Paso that I'm not too worried about her on such a short trip. I just hope his cats aren't too startled by her. She won't mind them, but I'd hate for them to hide all weekend because of her.
As for actual New Year's Eve, I will be walking over to a neighbor's house to hang out with them, their little boy, and another pair of good friends and their 2 daughters who also live just down the street from me. It will be quiet and laid back, but sure to have good food and laughs and, really, I prefer that to just about anything else--especially the club scene. Blech! [Side note: my sister was groped repeatedly at a 'nice' club back home and finally had to make a scene to get one drunken a-hole to back off. If I were her, well, let me just say that I can take care of myself. And if I had been with her...well, that's another story. She's much too 'nice' in my opinion, at least to strangers.] Then I shall wake early, refreshed and rested, to pack the car, pick up some menudo, and hit the road.
All for now I suppose. I'm going to do some quick ab work, then make dinner and try to write. Hoping to get back on schedule soon. Oh, one more thing--a major milestone was reached today when I did my first unaided pull-up since high school. True it was with a close-in, underhand grip, and from a standing position and not a dead-hang, but it shows progress since I started with my over the door pull-up bar. I know it probably doesn't sound like much, but it's a big deal to me. I dislike feeling weak. And it's not about size, either. I don't mind body weight as long as I can carry it, as long as it's useful. It's much more a mental/physical sense of being capable...being able to run if I need to, lift if I have to, knock the wind out of some douche-bag at a club if he dares touch my little sister...you get the point.
Haven't worked out in a week and a half, and I'm feeling pretty gross--not like fat or weak, just...gross. My body's not used to such sedentary existence anymore. I need the activity, the sweat, the drive, both physically and mentally. Tonight it's the treadmill, abs and yoga, and I'm going to push myself until I'm ready to puke. I'm going to run until I can't move. I'm going to stretch and push and pull until I'm ready to drop into sleep from exhaustion.
I'm working long hours lately, with bouts of playing as hard as I work, true, but I'm tired and a bit wistful. I want a little more time...and a little less distance. I've never been a morning person, but I like that I smile in my half-sleep lately when my phone rings in the wee hours. I still wish, though, that I was rolling over in that half-sleep for a few hours of snuggling instead. Lucky for me, I'm not far away from a fix...maybe as early as Saturday, but definitely by Wednesday. Still...this ache is a strange sensation.
Wanting to help, to just be near, when you're too far away is...difficult. And so I have to run tonight. I have to run it out of me, to normalize the day, and bring me back to center...to stop wasting away and begin building again.
UPDATE: My goddam treadmill tried to kill me. It gave me the shock of my life at 31 minutes when I touched the panel, then immediately turned off. It's been kind of sputtery lately, but I thought it was because of the outlet I was using, so tonight I plugged it into a surge protector. All was fine until I went to adjust the speed and then zzzzzzzzap! Son of a...!
I'm turning my trip into one long training jag. I'm loving it.
- Ran on Saturday morning around Princeville neighborhood and a couple hotel beaches and trails--about 3 miles
- Drove to Hanalei Beach early Sunday morning and ran 4 miles, about 1.5 in shoes, the rest barefoot; then abs work, some yoga, and swim--actually, just getting accustomed to swimming in open water--first time in non-pool since that one episode of water panic
- Today, up at 3:30 a.m. for work, went to local golf club at 7 (the noon hour back in austin) where my pop's round of golf allowed me a free day pass--did 15 minutes high intensity cardio, then weights--day 2 of a new upper/lower split; abs work; back to work until noon; then to Hanalei for surfing lesson (after catching a few with the instructor's help, I insisted, stubbornly, on trying on my own, so I missed a lot of the waves my sibs caught, but...I did catch one on my own in the end!); then after brief shopping and dinner in Hanalei, I headed back to the golf club for 300 m swim in the lap pool and some sauna time.
I can barely keep my eyes open. It's bedtime. Especially since I need to be up again at 3:30. No pics today--too active for camera work. Hope all is well with the hood. Goodnight.
The wonderful thing I have already discoverd about starting and ending my workday earlier is how much daylight it gives me on my own time.
Tonight I made it home by 10 of 6. With the dogs and cats fed, and the laundry started, I walked out to the backyard with one of the pups--Evita, who's really an old girl. She plopped down on the grass and I plopped down in the shade on the patio, on a little low-to-the-ground lounger I bought a few weeks ago. And in the late heat of the day, still in my work dress, and a steady breeze tossing my hair around...I fell asleep. It was wonderful--probably the most decadent thing I've done in a very long time. I woke up to Evita barking at folks biking behind the house and the goats nearby braying their agreement. They made for a surprisingly pleasant alarm clock.
After a little cleaning up I put on my workout gear and headed to Plum Creek for hills tonight. Plum Creek is one of those Stepford wives subdivisions with homes that look like they were designed by a Disney Imagineer. [And yes, that's a little bit of envy you hear in my voice, because the place does look all glossy and new after all this time. However, the reason behind that is a very strict HOA...and I'll be durned if I ever let a group of fascists tell me what color I can and cannot paint my house. ;-) ] The hills weren't ggantic climbs, but any little incline goes a long way, especially over distance, especially on 5 loops around when you had to sprint to catch up with the group at the very beginning because you were late getting to the starting point. Ugh. I have to say, it was a hell of a workout. I felt like puking about half way through. Just the heaves though. That's some good hill running. Yup yup.
Late now, and enjoying an offline conversation, so goodnight all.
[That's what the voice in my head said at least once today.]
So, I did the Belterra Sprint Triathlon this morning. It was hella hard, to borrow a midwesterner's phrase. And I was extremly disappointed with both my swim and my bike--the bike was especially difficult as the hills were more than I've experienced thus far. I rocked the run though (considering how the bike worked me over, I think "rock" is an accurate depiction), thankfully, so I finished with a slightly cheerier disposition than I'd had post-swim and post-bike.
I studied the swim and bike times that the organizers posted, and what had felt like hours was less than that, but still, I wasn't pleased with my times. So I grumpily drank water and gatorade and ate part of a banana. Eventually I chilled out a bit and chatted with the 2 other tri-club members who participated today. At least I know what I need to do more than anything else to improve my performance: run and bike hills to increase my lung capacity in the water and my strength on the bike. Sigh. Still...I just wanted to do better, you know? It sucks to see your name at the bottom of the lists for 2 events.
Ha.
So I'm standing and chatting and rubbing the excess, dried up sunscreen off my face (thank goodness for SPF 70--applied liberally multiple times, I STILL got darker) and generally looking like a goober, I'm sure, when they call my name...for second place in my age group (25-29). Qua? Moi? I had to wonder, did everybody suck? Apparently not, but my run just made up for a lot of the time I lost on the bike, and tada(!) I got a cheesy medal and was made to feel like a five year old for being so churlish, and for being so hard on myself (in a non-constructive way.) They made a little bit of a big deal about me being a first timer too.
I was wearing a sheepish grin from that point until I left.
Still somewhat unconvinced, I double checked the times for the other age groups and it turns out that I would have still received 2nd place for two of the three other groups: 20-24 and 35-39. Unfortunately, I would have earned only 4th place in the 30-34 year old age group. (It's a phenomenom of triathletes that they tend to continue to improve their time as they get older. The 30-34 range is the most competitive next to the 20-24 year olds.) I am determined to whoop ass when I join their ranks soon.
Lessons learned:
(1) Don't be so damn hard on myself. (Rinse, Repeat.)
(2) Go with my gut when I think something's wrong with my bike. That brake issue I've been troubleshooting for weeks bit me in the butt again today. I handled it, but it is definitely bad news--turns out the damn thing was rubbing on the actual rubber of the front tire from time to time. Took it all the way to Pedal Power in San Marcos (I'll never go back to the other unnamed place again!) right after the race so they could replace the brakes and install an aero-bar--that's what those triangular or oval shaped handles in the middle of the handlebars, jutting out over the front tire, are called.
(3) Address the "I'm too antsy to sleep the night before my triathlon" issue. I was super tired today because I could NOT get to sleep last night...I did today's tri on less than 2 hours of shut-eye. Stupid, I know, but it couldn't be helped--I was all wound up. Just imagine how much better I could have done if I had been rested? (Dummy girl!)
My times were:
300 M Swim--9:30:4 (Grrrrr.)
9 Mile Bike (includes transition time)--46:46:4 (Damn those hills. I probably could have walked faster.)
3 Mile Run--26:30:2 (Eh, not bad, considering.)
And now it's time for a shower, food, and a nap. In that order.
in my beautiful, my beautiful...BAAAAALLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!
Oh, A.M. Gold, how I love thee.
Anyway, that ridiculous line from an equally ridiculous song is meant to lead into my generally cheery post about life in general.
Sure, my savings are dwindling, I still don't have an extra part-time job, and those student loans are going into reduced less-than-interest payments again, but, eh, life is super good.
Remember that informal crappy review I received at work? Opinions are now, thankfully, totally reversed. It appears I've nailed project after project since then. I say 'appears' because while said projects were rolling along just as nicely before, now that they've finally come to completion people can actually see the progress. The reviews are in from many parties beyond and including the peers who were 'concerned' about my performance, and tada, I'm a hit!
Why the sudden reversal of fortune? Well, partly because I have been playing CYA much more consistently--I'm documenting EVERYTHING in writing--and I've made it a point to be early to just about everything possible, but perhaps most importantly, I've become super vocal in meetings and in various projects pow-wows so that no one can wonder what I'm doing with my time. I think I was playing nice, playing fly on the wall too much, and just trying not to piss anyone off, but now, I'm just being me. I'm aggressive and assertive and I expect a lot from myself and others, AND I hate bullshit. So, really, I think the biggest change I've implemented in my work life is that when I see bullshit, I call it, instead of just holding my tongue and trying not to piss anyone off. And I'm also calling my own fouls so no one else has the chance to point the finger.
I know it probably seems oh-so-typically-middle-class-American to put the status of my work environment first in a list of things that are good about life, but really, it's a big deal. I like being good at what I do--and whether I'm a cog in the wheel or not, I happen to enjoy this job. It's the first job I've held where the company powers-that-be have not insisted on handing my soul, my social life, and my relationships over to their whims and their 'cause'. This is the first job I've held where my 'superiors' don't think it's perfectly acceptable to scream, cry, or cuss at me, to call me an asshole and to play psychological warfare when I fall short of--impossible--expectations. [And no, I'm not whining, I really mean impossible expectations--that's what non-profits do, don't you know?]
And while I was uncomfortable with the fact that my peers didn't come to me with their issues, but instead went directly to my supervisor, I find it amazing that they have made an even bigger effort to applaud my performance, give me kudos where I deserve them, and report my successes to others. My little bad-review bump in the road hasn't affected our working relationship at all, and despite the fact that I've become noticeably more assertive and aggressive in meetings, I don't feel any sort of strange competitive backlash. It's as if, dare I say it, I work with--mostly--professional people. Bizarre, I tell you, utterly bizarre.
[Oh, and a side note about that middle class statement--I have to say that I aspire to the middle-class. Yes, I'm educated. Yes, I hold a job that doesn't require manual labor. I own my house, or rather it owns me. Etc. BUT all of that is at and has always been at a price that I can barely afford. While the credit card debt is gone--thank God--the student loans and the price of gas ($70 to fill up my tank? Are you f'ing serious?!) are eating my f'ing lunch.]
Away from the work life, I now turn your attention to my writing. No, not this stream of consciousness of a blog I keep, but rather more formal work. I joined a newly formed writing group of St. Edward's University alumni and our first non-fiction/fiction meeting was tonight. Having previously volunteered to be first up in presenting something original, I stayed up till 3 last night cleaning up a fiction vignette I wrote a few years back. It was something I always liked, but that I just hadn't been able to touch or do anything with until now--too prophetic given the turn of events over the last couple of years. I received some excellent feedback on how to round it out--it really helped me to conceptualize how it could fit in with the other pieces of the collection idea I've been toying with for months. As always, the negative, er, constructive criticism is as important as the 'bravas!'--but it's nice to get them anyway. I don't care who you are, a little petting of the ego, a little confirmation that the words you loved and crafted so carefully are also admired by others, well, it really does wonders towards softening the negative reviews.
Finally, on the tri front, I ran the hill workout with the tri group tonight and did, in retrospect, reasonably well. Actually, I hung in there great for my first time back, but while I was actually running I felt like a real weakling. I shouldn't have, but I am so damn competitive that if I'm not always in the lead of the pack, it just burns a hole in my psyche. Luckily I distracted myself by repeatedly assessing whether I was about to have an asthma attack. Exercise-induced asthma is bullshit! I'm convinced I can just find a way to push my endurance past the point of wheezing, but really, it's very annoying to know I shouldn't be out of breath, but I just can't seem to suck enough oxygen into my lungs. I realize this sounds like a rant, but really, I am loving the training experience. Every day I see parts of my body shaping themselves and my strength increases, I sleep soundly, and I weather my dreams in stride.
There's something spiritual about all these experiences converging right now...somewhere in the juxtaposition of challenges, failures, and successes, heartache and healing, I'm finding a sense of peace I've never felt before. It's not magical or mystical or all consuming or anything over zealous (not that I've ever felt that crap either)...it's just so...light. It's like lying on the warm concrete after a swim in a cold pool...like the wind and the smell of the ocean while riding a bike on the Strand. Like feeling those memories in all my quiet moments...I can't describe it any better than that. I guess despite my love of words, in this case, words fail me.
I should be more tired than I am, and likely I am actually exhausted, but the endorphins and adrenaline are keeping the pain at bay. I did a mini-tri with the Hill Country Tri Group tonight. My first attempt at all three activities in succession: 300 meter swim, 10 mile bike, 2 mile run.
Things started off chaotically as I made it home from work with only 10 minutes to spare before the start time, and not only did I have to change, but I also had to swap the dogs out (backyard to garage, indoor to backyard, and back again), feed the cats, load my bike and be off. In my rush I forgot my swim cap, cell phone, and water. An auspicious start...
Lucky for me the folks were waiting and had just finished a little intro on transitioning (swim to bike, bike to run) and set up your transition area (where your bike and all your stuff is waiting for you) efficiently. When I arrived my fellow participants gave me a recap of what they had just heard while I set up my transition area and then we were off.
But before I move on, I have to say that it was a little intimidating to be hearing about bike shoes and "clipping in" and transitioning barefoot so that you can run faster than in your 'bike shoes'. Admittedly, I'm a beginner. I don't have 'bike shoes', I have a pair of lighter, less supportive shoes I wear for bike riding, but they're just my old runners. It was just a bit much for me I guess--I mean, this a journey of personal growth and I've already put more money into this pursuit than I had intended, but I really want to do it for me...I'm just not looking to win any trophies, you know? I suppose I could, but one thing at a time, like say for instance, not panicking in the water?
I am happy to say that my swim went very, very well--much better than expected. I didn't set any records, and my stroke was messy at times, but I came in ahead of 2 other women and that was just fine by me. I probably could have done better if I could have just caught my breath. More on that later.
And then the bike. My transition went poorly, owing mostly I'm afraid to my attempt at politeness. One of the women in the group was insisting that everyone try this electrolyte goo called, appropriately, Gu. She was rather insistent, and very quick about it, and had the thing over my head before I knew it, and damn it she's one of the organizers of the group, so...I opened my mouth. Big mistake. That SHIT WAS NASTY! You see, I'm a texture girl--as important to food as the taste and smell of things are, to me texture is just as important. This stuff was like the worst, thickest nastiest moccos (phlegm) that try to choke you in your sleep when you're battling a winter cold and cough. Oh, and then she dripped it onto my chin! (She didn't mean to, but dammit...) So I wiped the stuff on the back of my shirt, put the shirt on and then spent the next couple minutes half-heartedly putting my shoes, shorts, helmet, and gloves on while gagging on this stuff still coating my throat. I was a bit distracted.
So I was the last one on my bike, but--nice folks that they are and this being a non-competitive tri for us first-timers--everyone waited for me. See a trend here? Sadly, the bike didn't go very well for me at all--to my surprise. I felt I was at least as strong on it as on my feet, but I was off from the beginning. I couldn't find a gear that felt right, my seat was too low and I had to adjust it midway to a still unsatisfactory height, and I was dead, dead last in the pack. Heck, I wasn't even part of the pack. It was just me and the Gu lady who could have left me in the dust--and I told her to go on ahead--but she insisted on staying back with me. At that point it became a mental game for me. She was very nice and gave me a lot of great advice, helping me to play with the gears, etc., but I really hated being last, I hated not being able to push myself harder, and I hated (in a purely juvenile and assanine fashion) how nice and helpful she was being. I wanted her to ditch me so I could finish the ride by my own sorry self.
At one point on the ride back from our turnaround point, she went on ahead and another very experienced tri-er (who is also my swim trainer) hung back with me. I was embarrassed and I kept trying to push myself, but eventually I was riding slower than I could have jumped off and run, even at that very low and tired moment, and still I couldn't catch my breath! And then it got worse, my breathing that is, and I realized I was about to either hyperventilate or have my first asthma attack. It felt like when I had bronchitis...and, interestingly, it feels like that a lot lately. I had to slow down even more and just tried to relax and focus on my breathing, on calming my inhallations and exhalations and really absorbing each breath. It took a while before I felt better, but I couldn't pick up any speed after that. Still embarrased, but glad not to be turning blue in the face, I kept on going and enjoyed the rest of the ride. I was last and was not going to change that without a miracle. Acceptance, in some cases anyway, is bliss.
My swim trainer turned riding partner really did a great job of getting my mind off the ride and helping me to relax. She just started chatting...pointing out the view, the land, talking about different stuff...just distracting me from the voices in my head--no, not real voices, I'm not batty yet. I mean my own worst enemy--me. The me with the little voice that says "Don't be such a loser. Suck it up. You should be ashamed." I mean, where on earth did I pick up that little devil on my shoulder? Glad to find it could still be silenced if I put my mind to it.
At last the pinche ride was over and I got off that damn bike with the too low seat. The run was brief, and other than a couple of rests for badly knotting calves, I got through that well. And then it was over. Ta da. The group, um, regrouped and talked briefly about upcoming events, including the bike clinic that I plan on joining since I suck at riding as well as swimming (there's that voice again) and then we all took off.
I'm sitting here, still in my tri clothes, soaked through with sweat, sucking down my second G2--a sign that I'm very thirsty because these things taste like cough syrup--and finishing off some leftovers. I'm going to shower, play some Guitar Hero, watch Frasier ("these are a few of my favorite things...") and then sleep. Thank goodness I work from home tomorrow! I know this is a rather rambling and disjointed post, but I wanted to get my impressions about the night down before the sleep and dehydration make them fuzzy.
Overall I'd say it was a very positive experience--especially the bike ride. It was the most challenging shove inside my own head that I've had for a long while. I did alright if I do say so myself. Peace!
Oh, three-day weekend, you come so seldom and yet go so quickly...
I had a great weekend--slashing many items off the to-do list (cat boxes, clean house, grocery shopping, lawn work, bathe ALL dogs) while playing much Guitar Hero and Rock Band (I beat the first on EASY, and am now midway through MEDIUM), trying out my new-to-me bike, actually swimming a few laps at the pool, and watching the first two Indiana Jones movies. And, of course, there was good food--for the most part--had by all. It was good times.
I worked all day today and it was very productive. Unfortunately, I found out that a couple of the folks I work with are dissatisfied with my performance. They did bring up a couple of things that I can definitely improve on--things we actually synced up on last week--but a few other 'items' were strange misunderstandings or oddly nitpicky. I feel confident in being able to CYA my way back off their shitlist, but it's still rather disconcerting and a bit embarrassing. My supervisor, though, was very supportive of me and helped me to weed through what she also disagreed with while stressing the importance of, in my words, playing the game of process. So that was work.
After I went to the gym and worked out, trying out my new running shoes for a quick mile warm-up, then lifting. I alternate upper and lower body on each visit, but always do abs, and I'm seeing a real improvement on my max. I had dinner at Magnolia with my sister, then we went back to her boyfriend's house to play Rock Band. Fun times.
Also tonight, I tried my hand at a friend's longboard (skateboard not surfboard). My first try went well. The second was short and spasmodic, but the last one...ah, priceless. I did the old weight on the wrong foot, step on the board, send board shooting forward, then pitch back in a sonic windmill to land flat on my back, on the street no less, staring up at the stars. I laughed my ass off--not sure how I managed, but I barely have a scrape on my elbow and a bit of an odd twisting of a couple of my toes; other than that, the fall resulted in zero injuries. I got back on the damned thing and tried again, but decided I was too tired to concentrate.
It's 2 hours later and I need to be in bed, but of course I had a ton to do when I got home and am just now winding down, feeling the pressure of heavy lids. So it's off to bed I go, so I can approach the grindstone tomorrow refreshed and alert, and ready to pummel the remaining bits of earth into the dust.
