Texas ---> NYC!

Trip to New York for the holiday weekend.  I love that town.  We ran 2 out of the 3 mornings.  I think that's pretty good considering that I felt like running approximately 0 out of the 3 days that we were there.  Just kidding.  There are so many great places to run in NY.  We just weren't close to them.  We settled for a non-scenic stretch of the river close to a gas station.  At least it was convenient.  6 miles on Saturday and 4 miles on Sunday.  Points for me!  Of course, I have to subtract those same points + more when you think about how much eating and drinking I crammed into 3 days.  Joe Allen's, Frying Pan, Beauty and Essex, Levain Bakery, Spotted Pig (Dutch Baby!), queso at David's, lunch at Momo fuku ssam bar... a seriously delicious itinerary prepared for us by Timmy.  Can you see why I need to start running twice a day to keep up with my massive love of food?

ATP schedule says we run 10 this Saturday.  10?  TEN?  Exercise panic attack, party of one.

In Memoriam

After two marathons and a lot of training runs, my first Garmin officially bit the dust.  We tried hard to revive it, but I finally broke down and bought a new one --- which actually holds a charge and might also have a better than 20% accuracy on its GPS (hooray!).  Still, hard to part with this little thing. 

*****A moment of silence please.****** 

You were a good friend, Garmin --- even if I'm certain you were purposely recording my time as much slower than my totally awesome actual fast pace.  I appreciate every single mile that you slugged through with me.  Sorry for the cursing.  Thankful for the company.  May you rest in peace.

Do as I say, not as I do

I heart sleep.  I really, really heart it.  Sometimes, instead of getting out of bed to work out when I *know* I need to, I let my evil sleepy-self talk my smart-self into staying in bed.  "You can run after work.  The extra sleep will do you good..."   What my lying  sleepy-self fails to mention is that it will be a bagillion degrees after work and that I'll be tired from the long day and just want to head to Shinsei for 1/2 price wine night.  Last Monday was one of those days where I was lured by the siren song of sleep and had to trudge out a run post work.  I managed to do my scheduled 4 miles, but I wanted to kick my sleepy-self's butt.  Must get out of bed when the alarm goes off.  Must get out of bed when the alarm goes off.  Must get out of bed when the alarm goes off.  Hey, sleepy, I'm talking to you.  At least there's only 6 more months of early mornings. Blurg.

As a side note, the water fountain is out on University right by the church and the tennis courts.  Apparently, no one got the memo that this water fountain is integral to my summer training.  I wish you could have seen my heart bust in two when I realized this fountain was dry and full of sand during my "Bikram" run on Monday evening.  I'm hoping the University Park residents won't stand for this long because this little fountain is one of the brightest spots on every run.  I told Timmy that I was going to create a running app that shows where all the water fountains are in Dallas.  I mentioned that all the cool kids are pro water fountain and the app would be wildly successful.  I think he said something about the fact that cool kids do not run with their iphones.  Point taken.

Breaking Bad

So, I ... ahem... took a tiny (8 month) break from posting.  While I was away, I ran the Marine Corp. Marathon which was *#$* freezing, but a very meaningful experience.  I didn't know what to expect for that course.  I heard it was hilly.  I did not hear that it might sleet and snow 12 hours before your race.  No way that should happen in October.  Have I mentioned how much I hate cold weather?  I have nightmares about running in the shade that day with the wind from the river beating me at every turn. Brrrrrrrr....  I did PR in the race, but it was not without a slew of curse words.  Like I said though - extremely meaningful.  The marines on the course and the wounded warriors were inspiring.  I got teary when a marine put the finisher medal on my neck at the end and said, "we're so proud of you."  Sniff sniff.

Post race, I drank a thousand beers and had the best burger of all time (Clyde's).  Timmy had an apple pie + champagne waiting for me in my room.  That is the most delicious dessert I have ever eaten.  No contest.  I may or may not have eaten some of the left over pie out of the tin while I soaked in the tub the next day.  It is also possible that I made a stop for a bite of pie on my way to the restroom in the middle of the night.  None of this can be confirmed. 

But then *****sigh*****, I made an attempt to run the Thursday after the marathon and ... something wasn't right.  I don't know where it happened, but my quad felt like it needed to be traded in for a new one.  Every single time I lifted my leg, there was pain.  Terribly inconvenient.  I won't bore you with the details, but I had to take a big break from running.  When finally got to start up again, I had to take it easy and start building mileage all over again.  Such a whipping.  It has been a long road, but I'm coming back.  Up to running 6 miles and all signed up for another summer of killer training with ATP.  POW.

Dear Running - Oh, how I missed you.  Let's never break up like that again.