Olivia's Marathon Misadventures

I HAVE MOVED MY BLOG

2007-02-14T11:16:00.000-06:00

Sorry for the deathly silence...I am here now: http://otown.wordpress.com
Blogger was not so user friendly.

Damage Control

2006-10-02T13:55:00.000-05:00

Oh hell...
Four thirty a.m. arrived waaaay to early today. I stayed up watching that worthless Brothers & Sisters show with Ali McBeal. It is terrible. It is no Grey's Anatomy, and therefore no reason to be going to bed so late.
But being true to myself, I got out of bed, got ready and went to the "Y?". Conveniently enough (irony alert), construction is being done on the parking lot of the Green Hills "Y?", so what was left of parking was absolutely slammed. At 5a.m. Seriously.
To warm up, we had to run one stinking miserable mile. No problemo, kimosabe. WRONG! I have let my running legs go fallow, as it were. One mile and I was dying. Boo. Tomorrow's marathon training kick-off run promises more of today's lung-fireworks. I do not know how I am going to do any serious damage control before then.
I am just going to have to suffer. Punishment for a no running summer.

Resurrection

2006-09-29T13:57:00.000-05:00

I'M BAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK.....(I really wanted to say that I was Bach, but that is too corny, even for me)...
What has changed and what has stayed the same???
Well, I have taken the summer off of distance running and have focused on lean body mass through boot camp. You know, when I am not late-night hangin' out. My social life needed a shot in the arm.
What have I accomplished in boot camp? Impressing friends and strangers with my super human ability to function at 4:45 a.m. And the occasional one arm push up! Oh yeah, and a much leaner bod. This will make running a LOT easier starting next week. Yes that is right kids - I'm kickin it up a notch. Finished are the 12oz bicep curls and Julia Childs impersonations. Er, ok not finished, just dialed back.
It is Fall and time to be serious - no more jetting off to Miami or Vegas or Cali, but don't ask me to give up NYC.
See ya next week for the season premiere of My (continued) Marathon Misadventures!

CMM Recap, Part Deux

2006-05-03T10:38:00.000-05:00

So when last I left you, I was laying down at a medic station on Belmont. Resting. Assuaging my nausea and fever. Angry at my darn luck.

The medic man, who was very nice, said that if I wasn't feeling better soon I'd have to pull out of the race. WHAT? What, man? Quit?! Nothing like a little, "Oh no you can't" to galvanize one's will. I hopped right up and took off running, leaving Boyfriend and Medic Man standing there agog, holding my empty water bottle. I have been training for six months for this thing and there was no stopping me. Obviously, or the puking would have been a good place to quit. Or the seeing of stars. But whatever. Off I went.

Struggle, struggle, struggle. I don't remember a lot of the run down Music Row. Actually, there is a lot of the run that I don't remember. Isn't that strange. I was just concentrating on running at a pace that I could live with or walking as fast as possible. The sun had now come out and it was very warm. Well, it seemed warm out. The sun was a hazy, sunburn kind of sun and I realized besides forgetting to put Body Glide on my feet, I neglected to apply sunscreen to face and arms. Great. I could see my fate so clearly: Sick with flu, burned by glaring mid-morning sun. Well, that would take care of that sick pallor, wouldn't it?

My next clear memory is passing the 15k marker. Math was impossible at this point...How far was that? Nine miles, maybe ten? I rounded 12th Avenue in the Gulch and noticed the new restaurant, Radius10, where we had dinner reservations later that evening. I wasn't aware that it was down here - so I perked up enough to make a mental note of its exact location. For some reason, be it the heat, the restaurant, the utter chaos in my body, but I was sure I had passed 10 miles. Only 3 to go. No problem.

I kept trotting. And trotting. And trotting. And then came upon the 10 mile marker. DAMMIT! Poo, now it felt like I had so much farther to go. Boo. An old man passed me. I wanted to cry. But instead, I slipped on Mardi Gras beads. Excuse me? Some spirit team had a Fat Tuesday theme, which would have been really adorable, but I was pissy. So, next time I will give the spirit people high fives in lieu of the scowls they received.

This kind of sounds like a drunk story since I have such poor recollection of the order of events during the race, but I'll chalk it up to delirium. As I entered Bicentennial Mall near the Farmer's Market I saw two good friends of mine and I pulled over to chat. I mean, I had already wrecked my goal time and really wanted to thank them for coming out. Immediately they noted how slow I was going and after getting a good look at me asked if I was ok, because I looked terrible. Um, snakes on a plane, guys! Actually, I was feeling better than earlier. I was able to keep water down. YAY! Victory is mine!

I walked up the hill at the 12m marker, but once I was at the top (twice, there was a false summit), I ran. I ran like I had gotten 8 hours of sleep that night. It didn't feel like that good, but I wanted to be DONE. A running finish was the last goal, the only goal left that I could accomplish. So I RAN. Sure, it probably didn't look like much, but inside, I was pouring in on. Running over the Woodland Street bridge was great. Having done it before, I knew what to expect and I knew where the finish line was. Taking advantange of the downhill grade, I tried to build up some momentum to get some speed around the finish. I saw our running groups two trainers, M&M, and I waved! Yay! Almost done.

Around the corner I saw two more of our faithful trainers and I waved to them as well - they looked a little concerned to see me arriving so late...RR finished in 2:18:some change. Dang. That coulda been me.

Mile marker 13! YESSSS! Boyfriend said it was noisy, but I didn't hear a thing. Nothing. I remember it being quiet. Then I heard my name! Boyfriend and his sidekick were there at the end! That was really sweet. As I crossed the finish, I heard the commentator say some stuff, but what caught my attention was a tinkling sound. The sound of medals! I GET A MEDAL, I thought, I EARNED a medal! I finally finished. And, like usual, I cried. Despite being sick and tired and dehydrated, I cried real tears. I didn't think there was anything wet left inside of me!

I don't know if I was happy that I finished, or sad that my time was about 3 hours. Guess it is a little bit of both.

This a.m. I hit the gym and ran 2m and did 40 minutes of weights and 20 minutes core all by myself and will be doing 3m after work. Training for the [insert name here] Marathon started today.

Stubborn Mule, Or How I Ran A Half Marathon With The Flu

2006-05-01T09:40:00.000-05:00

(ok, RR is totally wearing make-up! I could barely drag myself out of bed!)

The planning of this post has been fairly long. I didn't know, really, the story I wanted to tell. Was it going to be optimistic? Or pessimistic? I try to let the story tell itself and my attitude usually comes through to give the facts some color. So in this case, I will let my ambivalence about the run be known and my successes or failures stand on their own. Now, folks are going to say, "You finished! That's a success!" and it is, but this is also sad story that takes away from a big win in my book.

Friday, I was so excited about the race! I had finally gotten over being bummed out about not doing the full (and was WAAAAAY ok with it) and I was going around work telling everyone to look for me on TV! I hit the expo and signed up for the 2 hour corral, aka number 7 (ok, I knew that wasn't going to be my time, but I didn't want to have to weave in and out of people - I DIDN'T know that it would be a mob scene!!) - it was cool! Running Skirts had a booth there and it was STRANGE because I thought this trend was something that existed only in the blogosphere vacuum (here and here and here). WRONG. Not only was there a booth at the expo, but I saw a bunch of girls wearing them during the race!!! Weird...I didn't think the blog world and the real world actually intersected.

When I got back to work, I wasn't feeling too hot. But I figured it was stress and hunger. I ate my lunch and my life went downhill fast from there. Vomit! Fever! Aches! The trifecta of terrible-ness! I was up all night fighting the fever and nausea. I finally fell asleep around 4a. FOUR IN THE MORNING. I wouldn't have heard my alarm, but somehow I heard my phone ring. A good friend called to see if I was up. Good thing too! Checked my temp: 99...well it was down from the day before, so I decided it was go time. Got dressed, washed my face, got dressed, and tried to eat (unsuccessfully), and tried to drink pedialyte (quasi-successfully) and headed towards Centennial Park. It was a great morning for running, the temp was cool, a little humidity, no glaring sun - perfect!

We got to Centennial Park and, MAN, I wish Boyfriend would have taken some pictures of the masses of humanity. I clearly was out of my mind, so photography wasn't a priority. Lines for port-a-potties were miles long; runners were getting massages, drinking coffee; camera crews were everywhere; news helicopters circled overhead! I was shocked at my busy West End Avenue buzzing with humans instead of cars!! Frankly, I liked it. The energy in the air was palpable. I think I must have been drafting off of others mojo because I didn't have a drop of my own to sustain me. I was dry, dry, dry and couldn't even go to the potty. But by-golly I sure as hell was going to run this half marathon.

I finally found some of our running group and we slowly assembled. I was pretty sure I could do this run. I mean, heck, I ran 14 miles hung over at Grassland (I am not even going to link you to that). Somehow, we got organized into our corral, somewhere I kissed Boyfriend good-bye, someway we found ourselves shivering with anticipation of the starting shot. The national anthem was sung, that always makes me teary-eyed, and the race began - in waves. The wave start was not anti-climatic at all, unlike my assumption. Finally, corral 7, "GO!" ARGH! I was being trampled! RR was running so fast! It felt like we were running for our lives! It seemed like there were a ga-zillion people in front of us, but when I looked back - YIKES! - more were coming (18 corrals more), like a tsunami wave of people coming to trample me!

Mile 1, 9:40 - whoa! Mile 2, 9:50 - whoa! Mile 3, 10:0-something - CRAP! Mile 4 - barf. Literally. No food, no water, no potty and I could still vomit. I was seeing stars and wasn't sweating. I sent RR packing and told her to save herself. Seriously, I do not think I was sick because of the fast start. I was sick because I was sick. So I walked and then ran until I felt queasy and then would walk again. I ran into my fans right about that time. But in my book: NO STOPPING! NO TALKING! AND NO F'ING POWERADE!!! Powerade made things worse - too much sugar. Water was only ok.

As I was struggling down Belmont, my buddy who had called me that morning passed me (with his cute wife and one of his [very] cute brothers). He asked how my knees were...Fine thank you, better than my tummy. "Didya go out drinking last night?!" I could have put my Saucony right up his ass. And I would have, but I was starting to have serious legs cramps - which must have been the dehydration rearing its shriveled head. Never have I ever felt my quads cramp up until this day. What a unique feeling. If I ever feel it again, I might have to stab myself.

We rounded Clifton - happily this route was familiar. The familiarity was the most comforting thing - considering the hecklers on the sidelines.

"I wouldn't even sign up for this if I couldn't run it" --> I was walking at this point.
"Here have some OJ" --> spiked with Jack Daniels.

Some poor, good runner grabbed a cup of OJ from this Vols loving douche bag (this is not hate on the VOLS, in fact, I doubt this guy even went to college) and got a shot of JD as a freebee. Gross. Poor guy. It wasn't even 8 in the morning. I was so discouraged to see all these people passing me. People from corral 10 ran past, corral 11, corral 15...[sigh] All this work for nuthin'. My shoulders ached and my eyes were pounding. I didn't want to pout and cry in front of all of these strangers so I kept going, mostly walking, but running when I felt my ego stab me.

I don't remember it very well, but after trying to run some more, I got sick again! AGAIN! SERIOUSLY?! I mean, what is left inside there? Mile 6, I am for sure walking at this point. Mile 7, I walk over to where my fans were camped out. Sick, tired, delirious, I asked for an IV. I was offered a mimosa. Hm. I realized things must be bad when a voice turned it down, the voice was my own. O'Hizzy mentioned that there was a medic station 15 feet away...how did that escape my ever darkening view?! I wobbled over to the medic station and explained that I had been vomiting and was probably dehydrated. Asking for an IV, they simply offered me a cot. I accepted. Boyfriend and Mr. Medic Man exchanged worried glances.

[to be continued...]

Just My Lot

2006-04-28T18:18:00.000-05:00

Food: negative 2 meals
Water: negative 40 oz
Gatorate: negative 32 oz

Not once, not twice, but three times! I have spent the afternoon evacuating my stomach and nursing a fever. I can't keep food or water down. This is VERY BAD. I don't think it is nerves. I typically do not suffer from a nervous tummy. Plus I am achy all over.

AND I am trying to tidy my apartment since I have friends coming into town to stay at my place for MY ex-boyfriend's wedding tomorrow.

Oh dear.

Can't Sit Still

2006-04-28T08:45:00.000-05:00

Food: 1 peanut butter sammy
Water: some - working on it.
Coffee: ~~none so far~~ - ~~[I'm a hero!]~~ going for a small cup now...boo.
Miles: ZERO, but I am so stoked I wanted to run some this a.m.
Time wasted thinking about race: A LOT - ashamed to calculate!!

I am so excited! Everyone at work is stopping by my office and poking their head in!! Are you excited are you excited are you excited?!?! I wasn't yesterday, but today, I AM!! This is my first really big race.

The Reggae Run in Cinci was very big and a lot of fun (but that was, um, 5 years ago that I ran it!) and The Elvis Is Alive 5k was also very big. But the Country Music Marathon is gonna be freakin' HUGE!! GI-Normous!! 100,000 spectators!! WOOT!

Last night I went out for dinner with one of my bestie besties and up until last night, I thought she wasn't really on board with the marathon thing, even though she did give up one morning to be my sherpa. I had a strict Olivia embargo on the partying with that group, but was looking forward to being done with training so we could get back to biznazz. Then two of my gals in that group got pregnant - which makes training for the next race a NO BRAINER! Anyhoo, I didn't think she was really on board with all this crazy running, but last night - I almost cried - she got me for my (belated) birthday a fun new pair of running shorts (BUCKEYE colored!!), body glide in a super handy marathon size, and lots of GU in my favorite flavors!! AW!

Don't tell her, but I can't wait for Baby O'Hizzy! YAY!

YAY! Tomorrow is the RACE!!! Go say HI to Rae and Brent, her husband, they are running the half as well!! I am going to take a break and tell everyone tomorrow is race day!!!

Busy Little Blogger

2006-04-27T13:16:00.000-05:00

Frank says HI. Typically he would be looking at the camera, but he is v. busy killing the frog. He is currently on "crate rest". Small dogs are predisposed to luxating patellas, and he is a type II - patella pops out of place from time to time, but is generally in place. Somehow, he has torn some of his ligaments (I suspect by playing with Boyfriend's rather large and mentally challenged yellow lab, who is a very sweet tempered dog) and has been limping around for a couple of days. Good news is small dogs make bad surgery candidates! Bad news is Frank has to chill in his cabana 90% of the time. BOO.

Anyway, I just got back from my lunch break. I bought new shorts for the run - RR and I are supposed to get the same color, but my good friends at the Athlete's House, where they fronted me socks one day (I am forever grateful), didn't have our agreed upon color. Grr. Now I have periwinkle. Oh well. Does not match my shoes, but who the heck cares about that? (besides some small part of me!)

I did a short run this a.m. and it was FREEZING. Due to a lapse in judgement and a lack of consulting the Weather Channel, I did my run in shorts. Brrr. Nevertheless, the brisk weather was an eye-opener of sorts and I was rarin' to get my day started when I got home. I don't know why I don't run more in the mornings - I guess because it doesn't get light early enough. Running in the dark, alone, freaks me out. And usually I take Frank for walks once it does get light. Hm, so based on the recent diagnosis, I have the next month to run in the a.m. without walking the Pooper. I need to lube up though on these fun runs. The inside of my upper arm got all chaffed today. Um, ugly! And ouch!!

Let's look at race day weather...I heard it is supposed to rain! Do I pack spare shoes and socks?!
Well, blogger doesn't want to attach that picture. So I'll tell you - 60 degrees (67% humidity) at 7a.m. with a 30% chance of rain by 9a.m. Not bad.

Ok gotta run! (figuratively)

Crossing the Line

2006-04-27T13:05:00.000-05:00

Fo' realz...Chicago has banned FOIS GRAS!!! (source)
I cannot believe it! No smoking, no nuclear power, no fois gras...Chicago must not care much about its local chapter of the Franco-American Chamber of Commerce.
That's it! I refuse to run the Chicago Marathon in protest of all this lifestyle legislation!
MERDE!

ALMOST TIME!!

2006-04-27T09:11:00.000-05:00

Miles: 3.5 wearing shorts in 44 degree chill
Water: 14 oz
Food: 1 bowl Frosted Flakes
Coffee: 1 small cup - I am weak.
Awards: Most Likely to Have an Entourage

Hm. Entourage? It is true - I seem to bring a lot of people with me everywhere I go. We had a "Senior Superlatives" award moment last night at the training group's cookout. It was a lot of fun despite the unseasonably cold weather. Funny, everyone looked so different with make up on and regular clothes.

more soon!

Ancient Wisdom

2006-04-27T08:44:00.000-05:00

What Were You Doing 20 Years Ago Today?

2006-04-26T08:48:00.000-05:00

At 1:23 AM twenty years ago today, reactor #4 at the Chernobyl nuclear power station exploded. Only 30 people died immediately. A radioactive fire burned for 10 days releasing 190 tons of toxic gases and material into the atmosphere. Those that survived inside the Black Zone, those that lived in the workers village and surrounding towns, were exposed to amounts of radiation that can be active for up to 24,000 years. Some victims didn't last longer than a few weeks or months. These were mainly men who were grabbed from the street and put to work with little or no protection cleaning up radioactive material with their bare hands. Today children and adults alike are living and dying in circumstances that are unimaginable.

Can you imagine picking up radioactive material in your overalls and bare hands? Can you imagine being evacuated from your home never to return while your belongings stay behind, frozen in a moment that has lasted for decades?

Anyway, I came across a video documentary (Chernobyl Legacy) while eating breakfast this morning. I was enjoying my favorite breakfast, bagel, cream cheese and lox. Mmm. Rich westerner. But as I watched this, my FAVORITE food didn't have any taste. It was cardboard. I fed the fish to Frank and threw the rest away. Wasteful.

For as long as I can remember "Chernobyl" was a word you said when something was a complete and utter disaster: My room is like Chernobyl. My zit popped like Chernobyl. I guess that is what happens when you are 11 years old. But today I saw for the first time what Chernobyl really means.

I feel so lucky. I am lucky that I can walk, let alone run. I'll be thinking about this on Saturday.

Um, Biznazz as Usual

2006-04-26T08:44:00.000-05:00

Does anyone else think this is redundant? Tony "Snowjob" Snow has been tapped as the new White House press secretary (side bar: today is Secretary Day). source

Isn't Fox News already this administration's mouth piece?

FREE ICE CREAM!!!

2006-04-25T14:31:00.000-05:00

Tuesday, April 25th is Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry's, and you know what that means... free ice cream for you and me and everyone else who shows up!!!

As a way to thank their customers for their support and to celebrate 28 years of scooping the chunkiest, funkiest ice cream, frozen yogurt and sorbet, Ben & Jerry's scoop shops are giving it away!

Around the world, scoop shops are opening their doors from noon to 8:00 pm, to serve up a free scoop of your favorite flavor - CHUNKY MONKEY, no, CHERRY GARCIA, no CHUBBY HUBBY, uh, or better yet, a new one you've been wanting to try, like Turtle Soup™, Peanut Butter Swirl or Lemonade Sorbet.

So grab a pal and come on down to have some 'scream on the two guys who make the fattest and phattest ice cream on the planet! YAY!!!

AHHHHH!

2006-04-25T07:02:00.000-05:00

SEVEN WHOLE HOURS OF SLEEP!!! YAY!

After work, I didn't feel like going to the gym. I really don't like the after work crowds - um, AT ALL. So I came home and ran 5.5m. I then drank 32 oz of water - slurrrrp! And ate Thai Shrimp Curry for dinner - home made! I feel SO MUCH better.

So I am officially off coffee until after the marathon. I am having a cup of tea with my breakfast. I can't imagine tea is as bad as coffee.

The run last night was quite good - the best run I've had in a couple of weeks. I just ran the Vanderbilt loop - backwards (I feel like that's the harder way around, going downhill in front of the hospital in stead of uphill) - and all the way home. It was in the mid-70s last night and the pollen was out en masse. But it was nice to be out and run through Hillsboro Village before all the bars and restaurants filled with people. :)

I think tonight I'll brave the gym and do and easy 45 minutes of cardio. We'll see. It is supposed to rain, so I doubt I'll get a walk in. Oh well.

Four More Days

2006-04-24T10:46:00.000-05:00

Food: none
Water: negligible
Caffeine: bed-wetter size Starbucks
Sleep: 3 hours

I'm set up real nice for the impending race. No food, no water, only coffee, little sleep. Nice. "Why," you may ask? I don't know. Well, I don't know why I didn't sleep last night - I'm on all kinds of drouges. As for food - I have no milk and very little food at home so I didn't have breakfast this a.m. And water, well, I guess I drank some with my drouges. Coffee was needed to fuel myself since I didn't sleep and didn't eat. Real healthy, O.

I'm heading home for lunch in a few. And to the gym after work for 55 minutes of cardio. And then to the dang grocery so I can eat some dinner.

I don't know why I didn't sleep last night. I am seriously on every allergy/sinus infection medicine known to man. I think I was worried about non-marathon related stuff. Frank has been limping and I am worried about my little baby. So I know that means a cool $500 trip to the vet. Grr.

Now that I've emotionally come to terms with the idea of only running the half, I am not nervous at all. It kind of takes the edge off, and consequently the fun out of it. :( Maybe I am just down because I didn't sleep last night and therefore skipped the training session this a.m. Who knows. It is Monday. Monday = BOO!

[wheeze] - All My Titles Are Sounds Now

2006-04-22T15:25:00.000-05:00

Ever since returning from Las Vegas, I have been stricken with the worst possible case of allergies: sore throat, aches, congestion, cough, runny eyes, general yuckiness. I guess when you go away, your body kind of regulates and when you come back, your body gets a little freaked out, like "I thought it was ok to dump all those antibodies!"

Wednesday night's run was pretty bad, but I blamed it on pollen and (mostly) on Vegas. Today's run, well, it wasn't that good. I woke up on time, but hadn't slept a wink. I was tossing and turning all night trying to get each sinus cavity to drain so that I could breathe through my nose, in lieu of my mouth. Mouth breathing, besides being disgusting, irritates my throat. Coughing and general nastiness rounded out my restless night. When my alarm rang, I was happy that I didn't have to fake sleep any longer. Plus, this was our last run before The Run (more on that). I can polish off 5m in nothing flat. It will be just a long enough run to clear my head.

I hop (sort of) out of bed, but I can't open my eyes! GROSS!!! They are all matted and nasty!! I cough up other grossness, but in spite of it all, I put on my shoes and headed out the door. Glad I did too - it was a BEAUTIFUL morning! Cool, sunny, I loved it! I arrived in plenty of time at our trainer's house - where the run would commence. RR is there! Mollybloom is there! My favorite trainers are there (minus half of M&M)! Good day! I yell HELLO out of the car window...it was but a whisper. WHAT?! I have lost my voice!! This is terrible! We start our run and at about mile 2.5 my heart rate is through the roof and I can barely catch my breath. I haven't had labored breathing since, I don't know, the 3rd week of training back in November!! My nose is running everywhere, I am totally mouth breathing. Basically, I am a total wreck. I try another half mile, but have to quit.

From the run I go directly to the doctor. Wouldn't you know, I was running with a big, fat fever. This little allergy situation had decided to go code red (or is it orange? yellow?) and turn into quite a nasty little infection. The doc was convinced that I have asthma as a symptom of allergies, so I have to waste 30 minutes breathing in albutrin or some shite so I could get a read on the spore-o-meter or some such machine. As it turns out, I am just a lazy exhaler, that's all. An hour and a half later, I have received a steroid shot (IN THE BUTT!!!), and a scrip for nose squirt, z-pack, some unknown allergy horse pills and some other pills for coughing. I wonder if after all of this cocktail if I am allowed to take something for my headache?

So my last Saturday run before the big race kind of fizzled. And one more piece of news: my knees keep bothering me - A LOT. So I've decided to just do the Half Marathon (BOO!) and see a physical therapist to ramp up for the fall marathon season. I am really torn in my feelings about this. Half of me is so disappointed and let down and completely bummin. The other half is relieved because, sans pollen, I can do 13.1 in a SNAP!!! I am sorry to be such a disappointment to me and to you. :( The upside is: The Misadventures Shall Continue!!!

Time to get ready for a birthday party. Sadly, I won't be the life of it, draining my sinuses every 30 seconds. Oh well! I am well armed now.

[cough] [hack] Poof - Yellow Cloud

2006-04-20T11:59:00.000-05:00

There is so much pollen in the air right now I can barely move. Ew. All those pollen molecules were sucked in and lodged in my lungs last night as I ran 3 measly miles. Um, three full days in Las Vegas with one full day of travel and one recovery day makes for a pathetic work out schedule. So last night was the first night I worked out since, oh, a week ago.

Yes, it is true. I've not run since I week ago last night. TERR-ible. And the 3m around Centennial Park were super struggle last night. I thought I was going to die. The good news is: RR is back and in running form after her small stress fracture in the foot. YAY!! But last night, we were both so winded we could barely talk. Sadly, her doctor told her not to run the marathon, but she might be able to squeak in the half. I am thinking the same thing since my knees keep giving me real problems. I don't know. Can't decide. The yellow powder (napalm?) is keeping me from thinking clearly.

AND - it is so HOT here now. I love the warm weather, but not to run in. When we start training again in June for the fall marathon we will HAVE to run in the a.m., otherwise, the heat will be too much.

This a.m. I could hardly get out of bed - I was all achy and had a sore throat. Don't worry, that's my allergies. Made it to training anyway!! I totally forgot today is Thursday. It is our last weight training session before the marathon. [horror!] April 29 is coming up fast!

Sheesh.

Vegas is Evil

2006-04-17T22:08:00.000-05:00

Needless to say, I did not do my 10 mile drop week training run. I am exhausted. And up $100.

This town does not agree with my clean living lifestyle I've adopted since I started training for Country Music Marathon.

More lates...

PS: this is BF/Sherpa

This is My 100th Post!

2006-04-13T14:01:00.000-05:00

HEY HEY HEY! This chica is out! Going to Vegas for the first time EVA - can't wait to party like I belong on Pink Is The New Blog.

The plan is to run 10m on Saturday with Boyfriend's buddy. I'm in, but we'll see what Courvoisier can do (his name is a cognac - it is HI-larious). I plan on keep the celebration to a low roar since the Country Music Marathon is only 16 days away. [yipes!]

I hit the gym this a.m. for my morning workout and it was good. But I need to stretch like a crazy woman. I've cut out all weight training that will aggravate my IT band, but I am convinced it is all about the stretch. I am usually pretty bad about it - so this is a great reason (as if prevention wasn't a good one) to be diligent.

Just a little FYI - I have found the most fun mixes on iTunes!! I love music from the 1920s, '30s, 40s and 50s and they have a TON all put together and classified for me!! I love them. I feel like iTunes was invented just for me. My co-workers think I am a total square as I have Chattanooga Choo Choo coming out of my computer. [nerd alert] OH WELL!! I love it! Check it out.

I'll try to blog from Las Vegas, but if you don't hear from me it isn't because I don't love ya, I'm just getting my Dean Martin on.

The Run That Should Have Been

2006-04-11T11:32:00.000-05:00

Cardio: 40 min
Weights: 30 min
Junk: 1 bag Andy Capp Hot Fries
Pop: 1 diet 7-up
Traffic Tickets: 2 - yes 2. One for a front headlight out. One for being clocked at 20 in a 15mph zone. Seriously? Karma is a beeyotch.

Random Thought of the Day: Why does curry only taste good when paired with copious amounts of butter and cream?

Saturday's Run Recap

Grassland Middle School had heretofore been my bete noir, my Waterloo. That was until the Hillwood run - where, ironically, I kicked butt. However, running in West Meade was so dull it makes watching Olympic Curling simply riveting. Be that as it may, I was loathe to return to Williamson County, home of dull things like innumerable cul-de-sacs, clone homes and soulless places like Brentwood and Franklin (I tend to have that opinion about all suburbs, so don't take it personally, bless yer heart). Dull dull dull. And it was like winter outside! Where was the almost summer-like weather I had come to expect, nay, anticipate?! [sigh] It must have gone on Spring Break.

Boyfriend played the role of Sherpa, unlike my last run here where my faithful side-kick O'Hizzy was on the bike. Since, BF was sherpa-ing, we were LATE. All the full marathon runners had already left the starting blocks by the time we got there. I would have been angry, but who would I have run with?? RR is broken, Molly Bloom dropped to the half, MT is so fast it is out of the question. Late or on time - no difference does it make at this point. I happen to take off with one other full marathoner...a vet of many many marathons. He just starts off and I am in full struggle before leaving the Dread Sub-Division. By mile 2, aka Alan Jackson's house, aka Opryland South, I've let him go on ahead. Now it is just me, sherpa, and the buzzards.

???

Buzzards? That'll make a girl feel confident she'll make it through the run. Carrion birds circling overhead does a lot for will-power. As it turns out, the buzzards weren't circling solely in anticipation of pillaging my carcass, there was a lot of smelly road kill. Boo.

Before I knew it, I had hit mile 3.5 - water - and ran on down the dread hill. Again, I was quick to the church at mile 6 - water - and off again. Six miles is really my happy place. I feel strong, fast, it's a good hour-long work out...Maybe 10ks are my lot in life. So, I'm traveling on - pat the light pole that I turned around at last time at 7m and kept right on going. I crossed Mighty MT, she's so sweet, and she asked how I was doing as I munched on some Excedrin Migraine (best drug I've found so far). I felt GREAT, except for it was misting and getting colder by the minute. By mile 8, I was so far out in the country and had so narrowly escaped stepping in possum pie (several times) I felt like I had run home to Ohio. Fields are boring. I was pretty happy to see mile 10 and turn around. I was thinking I might be tired soon, the toes on my right foot were numb, I was hungry, and I was wet/cold.

I am saving you from having to read ever dang thing I saw this run - if you are interested, please refer to this post and add 6 miles of the same.

By the time I had returned to the Church, I really had to go to the bathroom. REALLY. But there was a line. This was the linchpin in my ultimate undoing. I paced quickly to keep warm and loose, but I had to no choice but to wait. And wait. And wait.... Without going into detail, I wasn't happy when I did finally get through the line. I started to wonder if all of this running could possibly hurt my body on the inside. Bah - I push that thought away and take off again. Slower now than before. I had really cooled off and my knees started giving me hell. Poor BF, I was tired and acting crabby to him. He didn't have to be out in the cold, wet weather early on a Saturday morning - and I was being very crabby. Actually, Sherpa got a lot of comments on the run from amazed men to jealous wives. "That's devotion - she owes you!" to "Boyfriend Of The Year!" to "My husband would never do that...[squawk squawk squawk]"

Anyway, I stop at mile 16 (aka mile 4) to stretch, gulp a gu and grab some H2O. At this point, my knees were KILLING me. I walk up the Dread Hill to the 3m water stop. Whew. My knees were on fire. My right foot was numb. My back really hurt. I noshed on some pretzels and took off again - kinda bandy legged. Mighty MT had sent her special man in search of me waaay back at mile 14 and I sure was sorry I had waved him on at this point. Curse curse curse curse curse curse curse. I took a deep breath and like in yoga tried to breath into this difficult position. Strangely, I did quiet my mind (unlike last time), but I couldn't quiet my knees. In a moment of weakness, I sent Sherpa for the car (plus, I wanted his pullover). I figured it was close enough that a) he'd get lost like usual and b) I'd have time to make it as far as I could and c) I'd only use him if I couldn't go any farther. He peddled off into the mist and I jogged and jogged and wished for this crummy run to be over.

Long about Alan Jackson's house, I stopped to stretch. At this point, I did feel like I couldn't go on. I wasn't too tired to go on, but my knees! Oh the pain!! Stretch stretch here, stretch stretch there. Ok, left, right, repeat. Owowowowowowow. I stop lift my right leg, bend the knee and try anything - I put my foot down, put my weight on it as if to take a step and fall flat over. Literally. I fell over. On the ground in the middle of the road. Hm, knees? Ego? Which hurts more? And then a thought: "I am possum pie!!"

I try again - with the left leg this time, sensing I could fool the pain. It was like I was channeling Kramer...or Jerry Lewis (the French love me; everybody else - not so sure what is going on) - fell over again.

THAT'S IT!! I QUIT! I will NOT fall over thrice.

I stretched some more until I could walk and I half heartedly jogged a few steps, cursed, and walked again until BF came with the Blue Behemoth to rescue me.

Albert Camus has said, "In the depth of winter, I finally learned that there was within me an invincible summer." On this wintry day, I found a little summer inside of me - I didn't care if I couldn't make it all the way or if my toes were numb. I ran 18 miles and I have never done that before.

Now, that said - I am STILL in pain, my knees STILL hurt, and I am not so sure my knees can do a full marathon in 3 weeks. WHAT TO DO??

Her Madgesty

2006-04-11T11:26:00.000-05:00

WOOT! So excited!! Just scored some high quality tickets to see Madonna in Miami! Now I have to run more so I can look fly in South Beach.

Stalkers

2006-04-11T11:25:00.000-05:00

Nineofhearts.com is stalking Travis Stork. They have linked to my blog and a zillion have visited. Thanks for reading - but stop being scary. Web-stalking is scary.

Gym Bound

2006-04-11T04:52:00.000-05:00

Ok...Off to the gym since I missed my Monday morning workout. I am not sure if I can do 40min cardio now and a 4m run later. :( We'll see. LOTSA DE STRETCHING.

And later: the run recap.

Scoliosis

2006-04-10T15:49:00.000-05:00

Laura Dern
Kurt Cobain
Yo-Yo Ma
Liza Minelli (lord help us all)
Johnny Rotten
Isabella Rossellini
Renee Russo
Chloe Sevigny
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Me

We all have scoliosis. Um, I can't help but notice that none of the above are marathon runners. Oh well! Only 1% of Americans have run a marathon. If you cross reference that with the number of Americans who have scoliosis, the number has to be small.

Anyway, I blame a little bit of my pain during my Saturday long run on the fact that I have two titanium rods in my back and 4 lumbar vertebrae fused together (with bone chips from my hip, thank you very little!). Oh, and some small remaining curvature.

But whatevs. I had that surgery fourteen years ago. I've skiied and stage dove and crowd surfed (and fell on my nose - and broke it - and almost lost my front teeth since I landed face first) and a number of things since then. But I never forget that I have those fused bones and rods. I know it when I "stretch" (as in I reach for my toes, but never quite make it past my knees), I know it when I go through a metal detector at the airport (9/11 made this condition much less funny), I know it when my back pops and sounds like cracking knuckles. But whatevs.

At mile 11 this Saturday, I couldn't really feel the toes on my right foot and it was because of my scoliosis. There must have been some irritation and inflamation in my back. Most of my leg felt tingle-y, as if half-asleep. Frankly, it does from time to time, and did a little bit on Friday afternoon. Sometimes, office chairs have that affect on me. Additionally, my leg still feels strange today. What I am driving at is this: I am off kilter and that has contributed to my ITBS.

The run Saturday was AWESOME until mile 17. Ok, at mile 11, I had to be stretched and I felt kinda yucky, but by mile 17 I was in excrutiating pain. By mile 18 I had fallen down (twice) trying to walk. I'll recap all of the misadventures, but not right now. My knees hurt and I want to go home and ice them.

ps: my rods are much lower - in the lumbar area...

So Much Pain

2006-04-10T10:51:00.000-05:00

I don't want to blog right now. I am so sore and so miserable from Saturday that I can't think clearly. More soon.

Eve of Destruction

2006-04-07T14:54:00.000-05:00

[Imperial March (Darth Vader music) plays]

Olivia versus Twenty Miles...

My office is abuzz, no, not with my impending challenge of a twenty mile run, but with the most recent crop of tornados swirling around Nashville. So my challenge, should I choose to accept, is not only to stay alive this afternoon, but to live through tomorrow as well.

[dread]

If only I had UNLIMITED POWER!!

click here to see what I mean

Pet Peeves and Mood Rings

2006-04-07T09:03:00.000-05:00

This morning brought a new day, a cool breeze and that occasional yen for a tall cup of Starbucks coffee. On the mornings that I drink coffee (usually the mornings following the evenings that I make good friends with a bottle of wine), which I have really cut down on since Christmas except for this week, I customarily make it at home. Typically I don't drink all that I make, but enjoy the aroma in my apartment.

Today, today I didn't want to mess around with grinders and filters and filtered water and all that hassle. So I do my morning routine - save getting dressed, I wore my walking clothes to work today - and drive down the street to my friendly neighborhood Starf*cks for a cuppa. This place is about .25m from my house, but it is in the very heart of West End, so tra-ffic-y. Lazy, lazy, lazy I go through the drive thru...I don't want anything fancy, just a cup of coffee. Everyone in front of me is getting half-caff-no-fat-mochas-with-soy-whip or whatever. Me, plain ol' coffee. I place my order and pull around...when I get to the window, I am not kidding, it took 5 minutes. TO. POUR. COFFEE. [grrr] I slip on my mood ring that I keep in my car for entertainment, in case the morning commute proves to much for my already highly strung sensibilities, and see that it is ink black (= tense). Hmm, let's add some caffeine to that.

As I head on to work, I listen to a little Madonna. I am so amped up about her summer tour! YAY! Feeling better, mood ring says purple - purpose is known. Yep. I know I am going to work. Driving to work, I start to pass a USPS semi-truck. Oops. I need to mail some stuff. Anyway, this is also very close to the split where I need to take the ramp on the right. Hm. I decide I'll just whip around the semi as quickly as I can. Not in the cards. Some ~~IDIOT~~ safe driver is going the same speed as the semi. I CAN'T PASS! ERGH! This is my biggest pet peeve. So we go on and on like this. This stinking beeyotch won't pass the truck and I can't get over. I flash her my head lights and motion for her to get over...she IS in the passing lane after all. My eyes catch a glimpse of my mood ring: BLACK. Figures.

At this point, I can't slow down and get over behind the semi, too many cars are stacked up behind me. So I have to be a little aggressive. I flash my lights and wave my hands and ride ~~that slut's~~ her bumper. She has the NERVE to roll down her window and flash 55 at me.

No joke? The speed limit is 55? Really? Is that what that sign with two large 5s on it means? I think it is ok to go a little FASTER in the passing lane in order to pass a SEMI TRUCK when you are COMING UP ON A HIGHWAY SPLIT!!!!!!!! Seriously.

She manages to put the pedal to the metal and crank out a blistering 58mph so I could get around the semi truck who thankfully slowed down - noticing the fussy woman riding the bumper of the moron who doesn't know how to use the passing lane. Once I made it past her front bumper I ~~flipped her the bird~~ waved good-bye. Mood ring: purple. Hellz yeah it is.

F is for Fartlek

2006-04-06T14:21:00.000-05:00

Coffee: 7 cups, according to my coffee pot
Diet Coke: 2 glasses at the OG [gross gross Olive Garden for colleague's birfday lunch]
Caffeine Shakes: check
Breakfast: one egg white sammy
Lunch: linguine marinara with grilled chicken and yummy greasy salad
Exercise: 40 weights, 20 min core
Cardio: none. Boo.

I must have not set my alarm early enough because when I actually looked at it this morning (after hitting snooze the requisite two times) it was almost 5 a.m!!! ARGH! I wasn't going to get in 2m before my work out. Oh well.

My legs are little sore from last night's tempo run. We did one "slow" mile, but of course, I ran with mighty MT whose legs are like little pistons - so it wasn't all that slow. For me. Then time for fast miles. Seriously though, this is why I quit track in high school. I don't like being timed. I know I'm the slowest, everyone else knows I'm the slowest, so why quantify it? But, this isn't about what I like or don't...Fartlek is a necessary evil accompanied by its own slew of urban legends..."There was this one guy that dropped an hour and fifteen off his race time by doing fartlek"..."This dude would keep hitting the wall, but fartlek helped him train in the proper pace and his race time was awesome"...you get the picture. So apparently accentuating my slowness will shame me into running faster at some unknown and undetermined point in the future. Sweet!

I was a little breathless after the quote-unquote slow run I did following MT (a little shout out to her because I know she's a lurker here!). Not to mention, this slow run set my times for the faster intervals. So, I had to beat my 10:00 slow time with at least a 9:30. Twice. Well, I took off out of the blocks a little fast and did my first mile in about 9 minutes. Violent stomach spasaming ensued. Leave it to me to wear wildly inappropriate LONG SLEEVES last night. It was just a smidge hot for sleeves since we were going to be working our little butts off. So I took a break, like the wimp that I am, and waited for the nausea to subside. And it did. You know what that means! Off again with a crack and did a 9:30 mile. MUUUUUUUCH better. Amazing what a little pace difference can do.

The true beauty of fartlek training is a zippy workout. Grudgingly, I'll admit it was fun and challenging and I look forward to doing more of it as I train through the summer.

Yes, you heard it here first! I am going to be doing a fall marathon! Maybe Chicago, maybe Las Vegas...we'll see!

So, I would like that to be my second marathon, if you get my drift. I hope my knee holds up this weekend on that f'ing terrible Grassland run. I'm gonna be so pissy about this.

Feel Any Safer Now??

2006-04-05T16:24:00.000-05:00

WTF?!?! This man, Brian J. Doyle, 55, the fourth-ranking official in the Department of Homeland Security public affairs office, has been charged with using a computer to seduce a child after authorities said he struck up sexual conversations with an undercover detective posing as a 14-year-old girl. source

NO F'ING WAY!! DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY??

You're doing a helluva job, Doyle (doily!), you freak. Glad my goverment is ready to do whatever it takes to get jiggy with a child. Dayum!! I wonder who he's cronied up to?

During online conversations, Doyle revealed his name, who he worked for and offered his office and government-issued cell phone numbers, the sheriff's office said. On several occasions, Doyle instructed her to perform a sexual act while thinking of him and described explicit activities he wanted to have with her, investigators said.

Good thing I am good at running now...I can run away from sick freaky-deakies like this...

But seriously...We are talking about Homeland Security. Ostensibly, don't they have the right to violate our BILL OF RIGHTS?? Isn't it possible that they have access to sensitive personal information - like whether or not we have children of a certain age?? (although, I am sure that is available through other means as well)

Guess Who I Saw at the Y?!?!?!

2006-04-05T13:32:00.000-05:00

So, against my better judgement, I decide to hit the gym after work yesterday. Like I always say, I prefer the 5a folks over the 5p folks. The 5pm'ers are there for the scene, the action, the people watching. I mean, I saw 8th graders making out near the pilates room. Ick.

Olivia wants to get in, get out, and get on with her life - all while avoiding eye contact with other members, especially ones she knows.

So, I go storming into the weight room and who do I literally bump into? Well, first of all, I am not a particularly coordinated individual. I can be standing still and almost fall over, just by standing there. As I zoom in to the weight room to get my painfully necessary work out done, I bump into this very tall, very built dude. I look up, MORTIFIED that I walked into someone. We lock eyes...he is HOT...sadly, I am not, my eyes are all bleary from staring at a monitor all day and having just come from a 2.5 hour marketing research kick off meeting. Wow, thought I, what a hot dude. I don't see to many of these lately - what a rare and sublime creature!

HOLY $HIT! It's the Bachelor Travis Stork!!! AUGH!!!!!!!

For some reason I was even more embarassed than I normally would be. I guess because I think he is a big tool from the show and we know a lot of people in common from Vandy. So I basically evaporate and hide in a corner doing the gazelle precor thingy in lieu of running - because running would be in plain view. Whew - I escaped. WRONG. He just so happens to know the girl (ahem, twig) on the machine next to me and decides to stop and have a chat. Dang dang dang. "DO NOT MAKE EYE CONTACT" I kept thinking. He is just yukking it up with the girl next to me. "blah blah blah, I don't know why I thought it was a good idea to make more drinks at 5 a.m.! har har har, the last thing I needed at 5 in the morning was another drink" Ok we get it, you drink until the time I wake up, whatevs - go away. All the time, I am completely beet red, dying from humiliation.

After 5 minutes, I decided I sure am warmed up enough and hit the weights. I hit my favorite thing: the cable machine at left (that is NOT ME). I do adductor and abductor stuff on this but also do this exercise for my hip flexors where I stand on one foot facing away from the machine and raise the opposite knee to 90 degrees (femur parallel to the ground) and extend my lower leg with the pulley cable attached by an ankle strap. By using a stick to support myself, I keep my back is straight and shoulders relaxed. I then engage the cable dynamically by kicking the leg forwards. Basically, I pull the weight, using hip flexor muscles at the top and front of the thigh, until the leg reaches an angle of about 30° or I feel like I want to die. The hardest part is to smoothly return the leg to the start position, retaining good posture. I looked a little bit like the Karate Kid, but with waaay better posture.

Anyway, this strange move caught Travis' curious eye. Grr. So now I am the insane, red-faced girl who mows him down and does zen weight training. Boo. Anyway, that workout felt like it lasted FOREVER. I was so flustered warming up that I left my keys on the gazelle machine. When I went back to find them they were gone. Now I had to hunt and hunt and hunt in every nook and cranny of the dirty smelly weight room looking for my keys. TERR-ible. In the meantime, every teenager and young woman at the Y were flocking around the Stork. It was sad - for the girls. Each one trying to out giggle the others. And he looked like a depraved dude that loves the attention of curiously young girls (who so obviously go to they gym to meet dudes like that). I was so horrified that I had to go to 2-4-1 pizza and beer in my workout clothes. When I got there, all of Nashville beat me to the punch, it was a 2.5 hour wait for a table. Exqueeze me? I hate Tuesdays.

"Sometimes it is more important to discover...

2006-04-05T13:14:00.000-05:00

...what one cannot do, than what one can do." Lin Yu-t'ang, chinese writer 19th c.

That is what I feel about this weekend's coming 20 mile run. We are going back to my arch-nemesis run: Grassland Elementary, where farms don't grow anything but horses. Oh I hated, hated that run. What's worse: it is an out-and-back, which I find very difficult. At least in a circuit, I know that I have to keep going forward to get home. It is a total mind game, but it works for me.

There is a 30% chance of rain showers as well. Great. Someone just go on and put nettles in my shoes too. The upside: it isn't flat.

Oh woe is me! This is going to be TERR-ible.

Drunk in the Morning

2006-04-03T10:18:00.000-05:00

I saw a lot of Drunk in the Morning dudes on my "URBAN" run on Saturday. Drop week!! YAY! Only 8.25 miles!! YAY!! Running in the hood...yay? Running away from pit bulls...BOO! Urban scavenger hunt? YAY! Crack pipe - check! Swisher Sweet blunt - check! Natural Ice double deuce - check! Used rubber - check!

So I ask for an urban run that covers part of the marathon route. Well, per my modus operandi, I get exactly what I ask for. [note to self: when having wishes granted, be sure to be as detailed as possible about said wish] We started our April Fool's Day run at the downtown YMCA. What a beautiful morning! I had on my hot new sneaks, super fab new running shorts and very cute new running t-shirt. My wallet was much lighter than the day before, to be sure. I was so excited for drop week running that I could hardly stand it!

We are all standing around, ready to get this short run over and done with and enjoy this picture book Saturday and I see RR's mom.

"Hey B! Where is RR?"

"At home with a boot on and a stress fracture in her right foot. She has to stay off of it for two weeks. We hope she can walk the Half Marathon with us - there's no guarantee."

[ALARM!! FEAR!!] - Dayum! That sucks for her and for me!! I hate that she is hurt because she has put waaay more work into this marathon than I have - she is stronger, faster, more determined. I can't believe it! AND I have to run this route by myself! BOOO. I didn't pack my iPod. Dang it.

Luckily I ended up running with one of our intrepid trainers who was kind enough to allow me my 11:30 pace. Off we went from behind the Y, and down 8th Ave North. People were running fast - Molly Bloom (link to the right) was just zipping right along. I felt trudge-y. But, I had new Krusty the Klown shoes on. SO big. But, when my feet swell it ain't swell. Running along we pass Nashville's Farmer's Market, we run part of the Oktoberfest 5k route, past the uber-ghetto Mrs. Winner's fried chicken, the Werthan Mills condo development, the HUD housing development, over I-65, past a free roaming pitbull, and then finally the HUMMER dealership.

Water stop. I was not feeling this run at all. I was pretty well rested, and ok hydrated, but this was a struggle. Maybe it was the heat or something. Maybe because I wasn't comforted by RR's conversation (I hate change). I don't know. After the water stop, we continue running down (or is it "up"?) 8th Ave N to this sprawling mess called Metro Center. Currently, the metro courts are temporarily being housed here in former track office space [not safe, IMHO] while the downtown court house is being renovated. The Tennessee Titan's have a training bubble here. There are several obscure and anonymous offices; everything looks the same and it is very easy to get turned around and lost. Anyhow, we ran as far north as possible on 8th Ave N and entered Metro Center at its most northern border: Mainstream Drive (3.6 miles or so from our starting point). From there we hopped on this 'greenway' thing - basically a paved path that runs along the banks of the mighty Cumberland River. I refer to my route directions: 1.5m on Greenway. Super...approximately 15 minutes and I'll be headed back to the Y! Thirty minutes later no one was in sight, it was as hot as Hades, and the 'greenway' promised an endless ability to stretch out in front of me with no terminus. Ten minutes later my feet were aching, my knees were sore, I was thirsty and BORED. The girl I was running with was just as confused as I was. This was no mere 1.5 mile stint, this was at least twice that length. April Fools' joke was on me I guess.

Happily, the main trainers, M&M cycled up and indicated we were close to the end. I am very glad I practice self-restraint because I was about to hijack me some bike. Anyway, we make it to the water stop oasis and I realize just how badly my knee was hurting. Sad. And I know we had at least 2 miles before we exited Metro Center and another 3.5 miles back to the Y. I could make it.

On we trudged until my knee spasmed like, I don't know, like someone stabbed the soft spot below my patella. ARGH! Ok, I walk a minute and start to run again. OW! Stabbing stabbing! Ok, walking is fine. I walk for about 5 steps and more stabbing - which it is totally unfair to have stabbing sensations whilst walking. I try for about another 100 yards to run which was hilarious - run run stab walk run run stab walk. The trainer who had subtly let me know that walking might be best, told me, in no uncertain terms, that I must walk. Period. Sad. We were so far from civilization.

We walked for about 2 miles before we were picked up by one of the group. But the walking made for a very interesting look at this side of Nashville. We walked past some Drunk in the Morning dudes buying their first beer of the day (it was 9 a.m.), we walked past homeless dudes hanging out in a shady doorway (it was hot out), we walked past a family yelling "DONATIONS" in the hopes people would jettison spare change from their moving vehicles to support some strange church whose name adorned the cardboard signs they were holding, we walked past a house and upon its chain link fence hung a bed sheet spray-painted, announcing R. Kelly's show dates in Nashville (now, there IS such a thing as bad press, in my opinion). I am sure we would have gotten an eye-full of other interesting things...but instead we were picked up.

Now, in spite of all this sight-seeing, I am concerned about my joint health. This could just be runner's knee, and that happens to folks the first time they get their mileage up pretty high. But I'll run a little tonight and see how it feels. Sad.

Fo' Rizzle??

2006-03-30T11:23:00.000-06:00

Although I am from Ohio, I take great pride in calling Tennessee my home. That is, until now. Memphis is actually declaring this coming Saturday "Three 6 Mafia Day" (source). That is so SAD and so typical. You don't see Nashville giving Reese Witherspoon her own day. I'm not hating on Reese, but I think official "Days" are queer.

Los Xenófobos y los Hipócritas (pero prefiero 'los tartufos')

2006-03-30T11:04:00.000-06:00

Consequences of Poor Decisions

2006-03-29T13:50:00.000-06:00

This could have been my table at the bar last night. Erg. Too many beers. Work has been a little stressful, and instead of going home and running 4 or 5 miles, I decided to hit up Nashville's most popular 2-4-1 night: 2 beers for the price of one and 2 slices of pizza for the price of one.

Why? Why do I do that?? I have to run tonight and now despite my best efforts, I am still not hydrated enough and am completely exhausted. I never sleep well with beer in my belly. I thought I was doing so well balancing my workout and social schedule of late. WRONG. Boo!

My Monday morning training session went very well. I am getting stronger! But I wish we could work on more "bathing suit" kind of muscles...more abs, more arms...but we ARE running a marathon after all. So, I get it, but fo' real, back fat is whack. (I know I know, bicep curls won't diminish back fat, but I do need some lat work)

So I made a new iPod mix for my gym workouts and dreadmill runs - but with the weather being as nice as it is, I don't see dreadmill runs in my immediate future. YAY! But the mix is the BEST!! It is like 70s music, very Dazed and Confused. Loves it! A little Spirit in the Sky, a little More than a Feeling, Joker, Free Bird!! I think my office neighbor hears me singing to the music. Anything to get pumped for my run tonight. I'll be paying dearly for my fun last night. In the light of day, 2-4-1 doesn't sound as brilliant.

NAH, that's a lie!

Marathoner, Thy Name is Olivia

2006-03-27T10:14:00.000-06:00

What a run...Where to start??

Let me begin, as such, with the end. This picture was taken as we were running up Harding Road at the Belle Meade Kroger. I can see in this picture that I am tired because my form is breaking down. See the arrow? My elbows are flailing across my body instead of in line with my body and my fists look clenched (but they aren't, I was grabbing my cuffs). This was at mile 17 or so. And also where I stopped. In all honesty, I could have gone on another mile without too much additional discomfort, but one more after that would have been Struggle City. I would have been in major pain, my feet would be even more crunk (if that is possible), I would still be in agony and most importantly I wouldn't have ended on a high - which I very much needed to stay in the game, mentally.

After the past two weeks being terrible, at best, I needed to feel like I was making progress. Or at least, that I am not sucking 100% of the time. Truth be told, I did not have high hopes for Saturday. It was for that reason that I was careful during the week to mitigate potential for making it worse...I made sure I was super hydrated, I was very careful to eat plenty of protien Wednesday and Thursday, and gobbled spaghetti like a pro on Friday night.

I can't say that I awoke with chagrin, because I'd rather be waking up to run gross distances than not waking up at all, but it was with pause that pulled myself from bed early Saturday. The trick with these long runs is getting up early enough to eat a bite, allowing enough time for digestion. No one wants a mini-throw up in the mouth. [slight gag reflex] I had a small snack of toast and peanut butter, got ready and walked down the street to where we started. YAY! So close to home!!

I wish I could give you a blow by blow account of the run. Sadly, we were sequestered in the dreadful bowels of a neighborhood and there was nothing, but nothing notable. "OOh, look a ranch style house" and "Oh look at that ranch style house". Zzzzzzzzzzzz. Totally dull. Luckily, my running partner, who I'll start calling RR - for road runner (she's always leaving me in her dust!), had many stories to tell me and items of gossip to share. Boyfriend was my sherpa again, but he was in desperate need of coffee and got lost. IN SPITE OF THE DIRECTIONS HE WAS GIVEN. Seriously, he had a copy of the route and ended up following a totally different group of runners. [sigh] What can you do about it? [shrugs shoulders]

So, blah blah blah neighborhood, blah blah blah 17 miles. The run was as unsatisfying as this post. BUT, here is the big finish! I felt so strong and so good during the run I think I've overcome many of the mental barriers to this race. Now, I do still need to buy a new pair of sneaks, these are a half size too small (no thanks to my feet growing from a size 8 to and 8.5 very recently - dang it, there goes half my shoe wardrobe. Guess that means: time for new shoes!) and I really really can't stand how my feet are looking these days. Feet should not look like Gollum, all crunk and nasty. Anyhow, I did for once pass Road Runner near the end, but she was having foot pain like I did during the 16 mile run.

In retrospect I wish I would have pushed just a bit to go farther, but 17m isn't bad. And I felt strong and I am happy with the run. The last long run ended on a bittersweet note, but this is ending on a happier one! No half marathon for me! Woot! 26.2 ALL THE WAY!!

Ga-dunk-a-dunk-dunk

2006-03-23T08:38:00.000-06:00

Gross. This is how I feel now!! I didn't go to my training session this a.m.! How lazy is that?! But I did pack my things, and despite complete and utter loathing of the 5 o'clock crowd, I will be going to the "Y?" after work.

BUT, I did run last night - only 4. However, my trainer said it was ok since we'll be running so far on Saturday. "Nineteen miles," says he. WTF?!?! Our schedule only says 18!!! Waaa! Oh well...what's one more mile, I guess. I am already running farther than 99% of America has ever run. Dang, tho.

Back to last night's run. It went surprisingly well! I actually ran fast, felt strong and only wanted to quit some of the time. My usual running partner wasn't there :( , so I didn't expend energy talking too much. I find that a little hard on the faster runs. For the slower runs, on the other hand, it is the only way to pass the time. We left from the Athlete's House on Belmont and ran a different route than usual. Instead of running Belmont, we ran to 21st Ave and around the Vanderbilt campus. I haven't done this run in ages and I hate running up 21st Ave because the hill is so long and fairly steep - in short, I've avoided it for months. Well, we headed east on Blakemore down to West End, around all the new chain steak houses that are being built - YUK, so mediocre - past Centenial Park, past the Vanderbilt undergraduate dorms, around the corner to 21st Ave and the Vandy law school, BUSINESS SCHOOL (YAY), divinity school. Up, up, up past the nursing school, medical school, University Hospital...this is where I finish whining and power up the last bit of the hill...all the way to the top...AHHH...smells like Kentucky Fried Cruelty! Yum. Then downhill we go for just about 50 yards.

This is where tonight's run varies from my usual path through Hillsboro Village, past all the bars and shops (upon reflection, the change is good, I don't like people inside of Sam's to be watching me lumber past them as they smoke Marlboro Lights, swill beers and chomp pizza in a joint that smells suspiciously like a urinal cake). In lieu of crossing Blakemore/Wedgewood (another infamous example of one street having too many names), we go left up Wedgewood. Dang, another hill. We run past the hot new bar, Cabana, which used to be this joint called Easy's when I was in school and it was a total scene. It is still a total scene with a cool new backside add-on. I hung out with Eddie George there when it opened. ANYWAY, the refined individuals were having fun not smoking, swilling loverly martinis and munching on locally, organically grown fare. [sigh, envy]

But almost back to the Athlete's House, I just chugged on a little bit, up this last smidge of a hill...AND I DID IT. All down hill from here. Then I sprinted to the Athlete's House. Strong finish. YAY! Finally, a good run!!!

Sunny Wednesday

2006-03-22T13:15:00.000-06:00

FINALLY - SUN!! Too bad it is so freaking cold today. Oh well. I've run in cold weather before. It is just that by March, I am so over cold/rainy/cloudy/yucky weather. I guess as a native midwesterner, I have been programmed since I was born to go to hot hot Floridian weather at or around my birthday. After almost 30 years of programming, it is tough to turn off!!

So today I have to run 8 miles. I think I can I think I can I think I can...

Surprisingly, I am a little sore still for weights on Monday. Hmm, I didn't think it had been that long! But maybe I've just not been working myself very hard. 8 miles. Much better than 18. I wish running could be additive, you know, some in the morning and some later on during the day or over the course of the weekend.

I am feeling dread. It might be sunny (and I am totally listening to Bob Marley right now), but as they say in Jamaica, "Yu tan deh"...Just you wait...

Blond Moment

2006-03-21T15:52:00.000-06:00

So while I was in Arizona last week, I saw this flag hanging on someone's back porch. It really caught my eye. I thought to myself, "Wow, there is someone convicted to human rights to hang a tibeten flag from their back porch."
Wow, Bono would be so proud. I thought, "Wow, people in Arizona are totally misunderstood! They aren't the crazy western folks who have zero knowledge of the outside world! Impressive!"
So I went on with my run feeling so thoughtful and deeply intellectual about the continued oppression of Tibetan people by the Chinese. These deep thoughts did little to keep my run from being completely terrible, however.
On my way back, the owner of the house with the flag was out, um, raking what would be considered a front yard, but it was more like pebbles with some cacti. Moved, I stopped and engaged the man in converstaion. "Hey, I love your flag. Are you involved with the Free Tibet Campaign?" The man stared at me, with a complete look of bewilderment.
[uncomfortable pause]

[more pausing]

[me pointing to flag and wondering if despite his appearance, he didn't speak English]

"OH!", said he. "That's the Arizona State flag".

Well, clearly, it was a mistake that anyone could have made...

[shame]

Merde

2006-03-21T15:47:00.000-06:00

Merde merde merde...it took forever to get Blogger acting right.

Merde merde merde...I have to run an unconceivable 18 miles on Saturday. How is this going to be possible? HELP!!

Merde merde merde...it is rainy and gross out. I hate that. I have zero motivation in this kind of weather. I don't even want to go run at the gym. I think this is burn out. HELP!!!

Exercise: ZERO [loser]
Food: 1 three muskateers bar [oink] and homemade thai shrimp curry (low fat)
Pop: 1 diet coke...this is the first time in over 2 weeks I even went near the vending satan

To Do List: Run More...

2006-03-21T08:51:00.000-06:00

Bad Blogger, Bad Blogger!

2006-03-20T09:59:00.000-06:00

Sorry I've left you all hanging - since I KNOW y'all are dying to hear about my training! Well, rest assured, none has happened!! So y'ain't missing a thang! In fact, when I went to the gym for Monday morning training, I didn't even feel like getting on the dreadmill. I did try it - uh, for like 30 seconds. I think I am a little burned out on running. So I did 15 min on the Gazelle thingy as a warm up. At least I was there! Hardly anyone was. Could be the weather. It is raining hard, big fat juicy raindrops that are defying the laws of gravity by falling horizontally. [So, can that be called falling?] It is an official soaker. Depressing. I wish I were HERE or HERE.

And I've been trying to post a picture of Scottsdale since I got here at 9a (accidentally came all the way to work and realized I left my laptop at home! -grrrr), but something is up and it won't work. Please don't give me suggestions on how to upload pictures - it's not user error.

Today is just plain ol' gross. I think I have seasonal affective disorder. Grey days make me sad that I don't live somewhere sunnier. Warmer. Spring-breakier. I've decided to play Buena Vista Social Club on my laptop, so when I am not looking out my window I can pretend I am enjoying the afro-cuban tunes from a little porch 'office' on a dusty street in Havana sipping a loverly mojito . [sigh] So much imagination, so little time. Actually, this album reminds me of a summer I spent on Menorca; my friend brought a cd-walkman and portable speakers and we listened to this album over and over again. Man, it was SO HOT - there was this incredible heat wave that came up over the Sahara, hot wind blowing right over the Balearic islands. HOT. Perfeccion!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2006-03-17T16:11:00.000-06:00

I am going to leave work and enjoy some non-green beers here shortly. But I wanted to quickly share some of my pictures from Scottsdale, Arizona. I checked Wikipedia, curious about my crummy runs both Tuesday and Wednesday, thinking that Arizona must have a much higher altitude than Tennessee, therefore contributing to my sorry showing. WRONG. There is like 60ft difference between Phoenix and Nashville. So, that is clearly not why running both days was a complete and utter struggle. Plus I was mortified - two people ran with me on Tuesday and were so impressed that I was a running a marathon and they were totally intimidated to run with me - I ended up HUFFING and PUFFING behind both of them. So sad...

There was some beautiful scenery out there though. I kind of love it! First I saw this crazy plant that is obviously from the cactus family, called a Curiosity plant... You have to click on the picture to see it up close but it was really interesting. As I was running I saw this cute little bunny - there were bunnies EVERYWHERE! I was expecting to see like desert jack rabbits. You know, the long, lanky kind. Nope, they are cute and fluffy! So, this is really early in the morning...around 6:30. Surprisingly, there weren't more people up and about. So, on Wednesday, I was able to fail at my run in almost perfect solitude. TWO stinking miles...Terrible. A'ight! I'm out - time to avoid green beer.

How Do You Say "HI" in Arizonan??

2006-03-15T20:15:00.000-06:00

Hi from Arizona! I've been running and working and enjoying my working trip to Scottsdale, AZ. Pictures to follow tomorrow.
I went running yesterday with some colleagues...only 3.5m but they were HARD! We did steady 10 minute miles, but I was in full-on struggle. I don't know if I was still tired from Saturday or what. My foot did start hurting at the end. Grrr. What is up with that? I think I'll schedule a visit to my doc about that.
Today, thanks to the handy dandy time change, I was up early to work out. I ran about 2m on the treadmill, but my left ankle kept zinging. So, I went for a 3m walk. We'll discuss tomorrow. I have some great pictures. LOVES IT!

Easier - Sans Headache

2006-03-12T06:54:00.000-06:00

Holy Crap! I did it. I cannot believe I did all 16 miles...Well, I did walk for about 1/4 mile near the end, but I'll explain below. This run was so much easier for two reasons, 1) I was not quasi-hungover and therefore was better hydrated/nourished, 2) we weren't running out in the middle of nowheresville where I was going crazy looking at stupid 'farms'. This was a killer run that overlapped with the actual marathon route - not encouraging.

Anyhoo, Boyfriend guest stars in this episode as Faithful Sherpa. Frankly, I am shocked that he volunteered to sherp (or is it schlep?) for me. But I am happy he did. And surprisingly enough, he was actually on time, not his usual requisite 20 minute delay. I should have known from this moment that the day was a special one. Oddly enough, he was riding my bike, which happens to be a boys bike, but I am a good 6 inches shorter than Boyfriend, so it was a little, um, short.

The morning was a warm, muggy morning, the kind that reminds me why I love Tennessee - it was beautiful. It wasn't sunglasses beautiful, but I was hopeful and wore mine anyway. As we gathered at Lipscomb (was it the elementary, high school or college - I do not know), everyone was excited and antsy. A storm was brewing and everyone wanted to get out on the road as soon as possible. Plus, the longer distance runners knew that this run was going to take FOREVER, so the sooner the start, the sooner the finish.

We took off down Belmont around 7a. The breeze was refreshing and I always enjoy running in more populated neighborhoods. People were out on the porches and stoops watching the world - and 100 runners - go by. Our "Y?"MCA group runs the long runs with Team In Training, so our numbers were impressive. We ran on past the Athlete's House grabbed some H2O and on down Music Row. I love Nashville, you never know what kind of crazy shizz you are going to see when you are out and about. My running partner and I came upon this crazy chair at one of the music publishing houses...
I felt like Lilly Tomlin! Only way sweaty.
The run was going GREAT! I felt amazing. Down Music Row we ran. As we ran, I wished I had some significant cash because I would love to see this neighborhood really flourish - it just needs some careful development. Hmpf - Olivia's Misadventures in Real Estate Development coming soon...

We ran past all the publishing houses and production companies - Congratulations Billy Bob this, Congratulations on So-and-so's gold record that. I really love running past the Christian labels - YAY [someone I don't recognize] on your DOVE awards!! Hm, I didn't know Unilever was sponsoring the Christian music biz now...We ran past one of my FAVE Nashvegas landmarks...the guitar shaped pool near the Music Row round about and the famously Nudie Musica statue (which, by the by, I really like).

We stopped at my least favorite Irish pub for a water stop. Of course, at 7:45, Dan McCrappy's wasn't open for business, but it still stunk of stale beer and damp cigarettes. My tummy did a flip-flop. Ugh.

When we got to the Demonbreun Street bridge we turned left and made our way over to Broadway. If you ever hear Broadway mentioned in a country song, this is the street they are talking about. I wish I had taken more pictures, because so many downtown Nashville buildings are beautiful and historical. We ran past the old Union Station, the Customs Building, Hume-Fogg Academic High School, past the Gaylord Entertainment Center (GEC) where the Nashville Predators play. It was so cool to see all of this in the early morning that it wasn't until we got to the Nashville Visitors and Convention Center that I noticed I was getting some gnarly blisters. Eh, oh well, thought I, as more body glide was copiously applied, this should take care of it. The problem was this: I was wearing different socks than I normally do on my long long runs...[cue dread music]

We ran past all of the (in)famous Nashville Honky Tonks on Lower Broadway...Legends Corner, the Elvis statue, Tootsie's, The Second Fiddle, Robert's Western World and they all smelled worse than Dan McCrappy's...being that they had a) only been closed for a few short hours and b) the help was hose-ing out the bar. GROSS. Down we ran to 2nd Avenue, at the corner of The Hard Rock and hard luck. There were quite a few people out and about, and I am not talking about the usual homeless folks who sleep in the alcoves in front of bars...but pudgy Mom and Dad types in town to watch the SEC basketball playoffs at the GEC. I don't really care for SEC teams (GO BIG TEN) and I am not particularly fond of basketball (GO BUCKS #7!!), so the fanfare of this event was lost on me...I just knew these pudgy people sporting fanny packs were in my way. So my running partner and I started running up 2nd Ave - this is where all the Night At The Roxbury type clubs are - very CHEESY. Now, this is a real hill. Up we climbed. Past Hurricane's (where the Titan's QB McNair was arrested a while back), past coyote Ugly, NV, and Hooters...up up up towards the courthouse. We made it up...not a big deal. I was feeling pretty good about myself!! YAY - but now we had to contend with the catcalls of the dudes working on the courthouse reconstruction...yuck. I wish I understood Spanish. Or maybe not.

Poo! It was raining kind of hard, we were soaking wet, and hot as could be. Double poo! Here were some people already coming back!! I was SO JEALOUS. I wasn't out of breath or too terribly tired, but I knew I would be before too long. [sigh] And those folks were much closer to being done. On we pressed, over the Woodland Street bridge, and thereby over the Cumberland River and into East Nashville. East Nashville is one of those places that should be great - it is prime residential real estate next to downtown (much closer than Vandy or Green Hills) but is such a hood that it isn't safe in many places - like the places we were running...Past the Titan's stadium - I think this is how the marathon ends - under some crummy overpass that smelled of rotting garbage and human excrement, and all the way to...The Juvenile Detention Center! :() We quickly turned around, running partner, sherpa and I and high-tailed it back to the water stop at the bottom of the Woodland Street Bridge.

There was a nice man sitting at this water stop. I don't know if he was with our group and I don't know who he knows if he is...he could have been a stranger for all I know. But even in the rain, he sat there protecting our gatorade, fig newtons and water from the vagrants who have been known to pillage our water stops and that was really nice. I had a Gu (vanilla isn't bad) and some clif blocks (THANKS Martie - one of our runners gave me the nicest birthday pack full of great running sustenance!) and some water and off we went climbing back up the bridge. It was cool running over the Cumberland. We got a good look at the stadium and of downtown. Nashville is a neat city.

Back we went down 2nd Ave and made a right on Church Street. A lot of construction is happening on this (all uphill all the time) street because of this urban renewal Nashville is experiencing. Living downtown would be cool, but there just aren't enough places to eat and shop for me to think about a move just yet. But it would be cool. We ran 15 blocks on Church Street - past all the high-rises, past NES, past the Hustler store and over The Gulch area, all the way into the Baptist Hospital area. It had stopped raining for a little bit, but started again with a vengeance. We ran around HCA headquarters and around the Parthenon. I guess this was mile 12 or so. I was starting to feel like quitting. It was getting harder...of course, we were running up from the Cumberland River valley and uphill isn't the best at mile 12. We finally made it to West End and ran up past all the new chain steak houses that are being built. Yuk. Up 31st Ave (aka Blakemore), past Vanderbilt, past Childrens Hospital and made our way to 21st Ave. Through Hillsboro Village, past the Pancake Pantry, past all the cute shops, past people who were up, getting on with their mid-morning...Somehow, I made it to Portland Ave and back to the Athlete's House, THIRTEEN AND A HALF MILES.

I was in a LOT of pain now. My butt hurt, my foot really hurt and I was getting very crabby. I wanted to stop. I was ready to stop, and I let the thought creep into my head, "What if I only did the half marathon??" Blasphemer!! Terrible traitorous thoughts! It was like I was sabotaging my own will to run! I had been rained on and hollered at, had slipped on soggy cigarettes and had sweat copiously into my ears and eyes and wanted to quit now? On I pressed. My running partner, I give her all the props in the world - she just kept plugging away. Left, right, left, right. No complaining, no whining, nuthin'! What good spirits she was in. That made me mad at myself. I had a terrible attitude. Boyfriend/Sherpa was doing what he thought was helpful in the encouraging department - he isn't good at that.

At about mile 15 my foot couldn't take it anymore. I was limping as I ran. Ow ow ow ow ow! Bravely I told Sherpa to go on without me, to follow my running partner back to Lipscomb and come back with the car. And I started to cry. So mad I was with myself for hurting for wanting to quit, and worse, for actually quitting. Boyfriend said he'd walk with me if I could walk and my running partner went on - she is so strong! And I walked and cried and got madder and madder with myself as I watched her run away. So disappointed. After about a quarter mile, I decided that I had to run to the finish. So I began my gimpy little run, slowly, slowly...the limp wanted to come back, but I wouldn't let it - I focused on the way my foot struck the pavement to minimize the the pain. (PS: I think I waste a lot of energy because of my running form - I think I have a lot of vertical movement and I am not sure how to improve on that) Finally, FINALLY, I made it back to the Lipscomb! Gritting my teeth and crying a little bit the whole way. So, I could tell I was properly hydrated this week. I was the last last one. :( But I did it.

As we were stretching out, I removed my shoes - I couldn't stand those Iron Maidens any longer - and to my utter shock and surprise I had the world's largest blood blisters all over my toes!!! NO WONDER I WAS IN PAIN! It was disgusting! Damn those socks - they are good for a workout but not for a run. Posting pictures is totally out of the question, I do have a modicum of vanity. One girl I run with (who is a complete hoot!) said I surely would get passed over for foot modeling. Ya think?! I have 3 pipers down (read: 3 black toenails about to fall off) and blisters all over...no foot modeling? NO SANDALS!!

Today: pool jog. Can't wait. 14 more days until the next long run...18 miles. Can I do it? I don't know. I am very sad that I let that nasty little voice in, that seed of doubt, that door to failure left ajar.

I [heart] Training, but HATED My Run

2006-03-09T15:15:00.000-06:00

Mood: stressed
Drink: yes, gin and tonic, please. [or 2 mugs of coffee and 2 large diet coke fountain drinks] - v bad
Food: 2 eggs with toast (homemade no added fat), fatty fat pants Mexican lunch which included 2 chicken soft tacos, no cheese, with guac, and chips with fat-a$$ bean dip with melted cheese on top - v v bad
Exercise: 40min weight training, 20min core
Miles: 5 last night - and they sucked, period.

So, last night's run. I am convinced that I suck at running. What happened? I was doing so well and making great strides (no pun intended). Now, for some reason, I am the worst! I am so demoralized. With all the water drinking yesterday I was sure my run was going to be, if not great, not too shabby. WRONG. I ended up eating lunch super late and during the run all that water was sloshing around with my chicken salad sammy and making a big mess in my tummy. A side-stitch also slowed me down. My knees and shins were bugging - I was a wreck. And then, on the home stretch, I got a butt cramp! SERIOUSLY! A. BUTT. CRAMP. My right cheek was a spasming mess of (dare I say) muscles. I walked it out and ended up finishing strong. "BUTT" still...

This morning I happily hopped out of bed for training. Oddly enough, I AM LOVING IT. In fact, at last night's run, I was called out for liking crazy things like the superloading (aka supersetting) exercise or playing catch. Well, I love the training. Especially now that I've decided that I will not be doing any more lunges until my quads are strong and my knees stop hurting. So in lieu of those wretched lunges, I get to do leg extentions. YAY!!!! This morning we did standard lower body strengthening as well as minimal upper body. We've been holding plank position for longer and longer and I do feel a lot stronger doing that - except for side plank. For some reason, I just can't hang. I find it as difficult today as I did in November. Grr.

Well, I may cross train tonight after work, or do some pilates, or go grab drinks to fret over what will happen when and if my company gets sold. [sigh]

1000 Visitors!!

2006-03-08T11:26:00.000-06:00

First, a shout out to my 1000th visitor! From Nashville, using a Mac!! HOLLA! Thanks for visiting!!
Also, someone came to my blog whilst searching for Dr. Travis Stork's office phone number! [gasp!] How psycho is that?? PS: he works in a HOSPITAL in the ER - they don't have office phones in the ER. Jeez. They were from Idaho. Isn't that interesting...

Anyway, I did run 4m last night. It was ok. I really feel like I should be gliding on these shorter jaunts, so maybe I am a bit dehydrated. I did drink a LOT of coffee yesterday morning - I do love it so. And I really didn't hit the H2O at all. So, today, in preparation for my 5:45 run, I will be consuming NO coffee and NO caffeinated pop, but I will be consuming 2 liters of water. We'll see how this works. However, this development (not enjoying the shorter runs like I used to) is not getting me excited about this weekend.

I am totally freaking out about Saturday's 16 mile run. AND, one of my favorite runners and blogsters just dropped down to the half - [pouring some water out of my water bottle and on to the floor] this is for my homie, Mollybloom! Keep it real, girl! ARGH! SIXTEEN FREAKIN' MILES. Hmm. Isn't that interesting... After 14 miles I really thought it was the end of the world. I don't know, I don't know...Any advice or encouragement??

Night of the Living Dead

2006-03-07T13:35:00.000-06:00

Can someone explain to me when Eddie Van Halen died and why his rotting corpse was dragged to the Elton John Oscar party?!?! WTF - hey, meth kills, man! Hm...Back Olivia happily goes on the Clean Living Band Wagon. NOT the I party with geezers with no teeth band wagon. $hit. I'll run this marathon so long as I NEVER EVER have to look like a rotting rock icon. Whitney, sister, you had better join me.

So, anyone up for 5 miles tonight? Not lookin' so bad is it now?

Death Row Menu

2006-03-07T10:52:00.000-06:00

Based on my post below, I've put some thought into what I would want to eat as my Last Meal.

Soup: a cup of Chicken Almandine soup that Westbrook Country Club used to make when I was a little girl
Appetizer: 1 cheese coney from Skyline, or 2
Salad: marbled fois gras and apple salad that I ate here, when I stayed in the beautiful town of Deauville
Next: a dozen oysters on the half-shell, or hell, a whole platter of fruits de mer like I ate in Cornouaille
Main: a pulled-pork sammy with white BBQ from Hog Heaven right here in Nashville
Dessert: a real good ile flottant.

Sounds almost like dying and going to FRANCE! Oooh - I forgot to mention cider and galettes! Mmmm. Oh look! Lunch time!

Post your Death Row Meals HERE - don't be shy!!

Expectation Management

2006-03-07T09:41:00.000-06:00

Can We Discuss??

2006-03-07T06:58:00.000-06:00

So, not only is this marathon less than SEVEN weeks away, I have to run SIXTEEN miles on Saturday. [ahem] I am officially freaking out. Fourteen miles was damn near impossible; there was NO WAY I could have tacked on two more. What is a girl supposed to eat before dying??

This is a good question, and feel free to comment: What is your dream Death Row meal? I'll post my responses later this afternoon!!

Answer away!!

Mood: Bad

2006-03-06T15:04:00.000-06:00

Grr. I hate having the birthday let-downs...you know, when you know it is all over and you have to go back to life as usual. AND I couldn't get off of my lazy a$$ to run 7m this weekend. I wasn't THAT hungover. Sheesh. The worst part is this: I felt bad about not running, but didn't feel like getting up and going running. Kind of like the person that complains that they are overweight whilst stuffing a twinkie or some Krystals down their gullet. Oh crap that reminds me...I ate Krystals this weekend. AND I didn't run. Boo. I give myself an "F".

I stayed up to watch the Oscars last night. No opinions other than there goes 3 hours of my life I'll never get back. Crap.

So I did manage to go to train this a.m. I rattled off 2 very quick miles (19:03), but then was stuck doing lunges. I seriously hate lunges with the intensity of a thousand burning suns. They make my knees hurt. Isn't there some other exercise I can do, Mr. Trainer Guy, that does the same freakin' thing as lunges without having to blow my knees?! [dang, I am crabby] I guess I'll walk Frank when I get home as a cross-train and run in the a.m. Here's another thing I can crab about: Day light savings time. This is going to RUIN ANY HOPES of me running in the morning. I think I am the only person on the planet that likes this.

That's all for now. Grr. [gulping ibuprofen]

-note: this just brightened my day...when I ran spellcheck (rare) just now, the correction that came up for "freakin'" was "foreskin"! BOUAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! [fell off chair] I am immature today.

Another Kind of Marathon

2006-03-03T10:53:00.000-06:00

[lips smacking] I'm thirsty today. Those martinis were mighty yummy last night. This is NOT a picture of a cosmo - it is an American Beauty Martini that has rose infused vodka. Very unique. I had three. Or four. Anyway.

I am starting to feel very guilty about missing my 7 mile run with the group tomorrow. I know I can do it on my own and I know I will probably do it Saturday afternoon, but I just hate missing the group run. [sigh]

Tonight is the second night of my Country Music and Party Marathon - Here Come The Mummies, terrifying funk from beyond the grave, are playing and I can't wait to see them. And someone else's 30th birthday party is tomorrow night. [whew!] Talk about getting the Liver (not my nickname) back in the game! But seriously, I don't think I am going to party the house down like I once was able to. The New Olivia is an endorphin junkie! Maybe I'll run tonight before going out....Naaaaaaaaaaah! Nap time! Yesterday morning's training session did me in! We did ab work with this ab roller thing where you roll out forwards and pull yourself back up on this wheel with a handle bar. It was H.A.R.D. Still not sure why I can see my 6-pack yet. Might have something to do with my other 6-pack...

I'm Gonna Drink Bacardi Like It's My Birf-day

2006-03-02T10:26:00.000-06:00

YAY! I love my birthday!! My friends at work decorated my office! It is so cute! I cannot wait for Happy Hour tonight!!

In preparation for tonight and tomorrow night's celebration, I had to do the run last night (oh and because I am actually seriously trying to run the full marathon). Crap it was tough! Seven miles was de rigeur, but I barely made it 5.5m. What a lame-o. Hard as hell. I don't know why, but my legs really felt like I had cinderblock shoes on. My running partner wasn't really feeling it either, so I didn't feel so bad. Well, she was doing A LOT better than I was.

And this morning, well, no one was interested in waking up. Least of all, Frank. So he chilled in the bed, while I, on my thirtieth (part deux) birthday, got up to go to the gym. [grr]

At any rate, the workout was a good one, even if I didn't have the energy to run as a warm-up. The Gazelle (or whatever the heck it is called) was a nice alternative. Cross-training is looking better every day. [Note to self: Self, try cross-training twice a week] But alas, I did not feel like a stronger, thinner version of Olivia. However, I did not feel like an older, fatter version of me either. So, I'm chalking it up as a WIN. :) In fact, I feel a lot better than I did last year at this time (30th B-day The Prequel). Happy about that too.

I am taking tomorrow and Saturday off from training. With all of this clean living, my liver has gotten out of "party shape". I need to get it back in the game too. [ominous feeling of eventual regret for previous comment]

Heads Up, Crazies!

2006-03-01T12:48:00.000-06:00

OK, gang! Just a little FYI action coming at'cha: tomorrow is my birthday. I'm turning 30 again for the first time!!! Feel free to get me a Garmin gps/stop watch/calorie counter/PDA or anything from Athleta.
:) Thanks!

PS: I guess that means I have to go running tonight after work. We are running past The Bachelor's house. How queer is that? [small puking sounds]

PPS: I seriously don't know how I am going to run the marathon. [gulp] Feeling nervous now - only 60 more days.

Don't Mess With My Toot Toot!

2006-03-01T09:54:00.000-06:00

Hope y'all had a good Mardi Gras yesterday - so, a very ~~boring debut to Lent~~ Spiritual Ash Wednesday to you!

I celebrated with a zippy 4m run. And it was a struggle. I thougth that after 5 minutes I'd be warmed up and feeling better. Nope. "Maybe after 10 min", thought I. Nuthin'. It was that way the whole freaking run. Tough tough tough. I suppose I am still a little whipped from Saturday.

After my dreadful run, I did not enjoy a Hurricane, sadly. I wanted one. But since I don't really have any liquor to speak of around the house (moving a lot makes it tough to keep liquor), I didn't have the requisite ingredients for a good 'fluffy' drink. Drank left-over wine instead. Yuk. Then water.

For some reason, I slept the sleep of the dead last night and slept in until - [gasp] 6:15. What a rebel. I wonder if our group is meeing to run tonight??

*Blue Dog image from www.georgerodrigue.com copywrite 2006

Witchcraft Is All Around Us

2006-03-01T08:40:00.000-06:00

Big (fat) Easy Chair

2006-02-28T12:36:00.000-06:00

Laissez les bons temps rouler! It is in that spirit that I did not run this a.m., which is really too bad because when I walked Frank the weather was so balmy and beautiful I did contemplate going into work late late late after a nice run. No - I was responsible. I'll do the running after work and before a Hurricane or two. But not like at Pat O's - no Cat 5s, please.

Almost Mardi Gras

2006-02-27T16:41:00.000-06:00

Food: 1 baked potato with homemade roquefort butter, 2 miniscule pork tenderloin slices left over from Saturday night celebration dinner (Thank you my favorite Boyfriend!! He spoils me), and steamed green beans
Junk: 1 bag of reeses' pieces, one clif bar, one small Vending Satan size bag of bugles
Drink: 1L water, 8oz chai (no cream)
Exercise: 2m and 40 min weights

I know I should run 2 or 3 miles tonight, and it is a great night to run. But, I think I'll wake up early and do it tomorrow with some added upper body weights. These chicken wings are unimpressive. Plus, I hate running after work on days that I am up early at the gym. Frank really misses me. Sure sure, you all will say I am loser, but to be honest, I have friends and work and things to do and all Frank has is me. So here's to tomorrow's a.m. workout.

[clinking my water bottle against mouse]

Where Are You Going, Mommy?

2006-02-27T09:44:00.000-06:00

While I was at the gym before 5 a.m. today, Frank was at home wondering, "Why would Mom leave me alone at 4:30 in the morning when there is a perfectly snuggly bed right here? Sleep is good. We should sleep more. In fact, I am going to sleep right here on her pillow, since she isn't using it."

[groan] I Think I Am Still Alive

2006-02-26T07:59:00.000-06:00

[moan] [wince] Even something simple like adjusting my position on the desk chair make my leg muscles zing with pain. Good pain, like I am an active adult pain. But it still hurts.

So, all 14 miles. I did it. And I only walked a few steps of it...thanks to my running partner and my sherpa (who graciously biked with us carrying emergency water, food, gu, jelly beans, cell phone, extra layers, toilet paper) who kept encouraging each step. I am sure running has never been confused with yoga, but here is one more difference between the two. In yoga, as you are working on an asana, you want to clear your mind of all things and feel your body in space. While running, if you can successfully clear your mind at, say, mile 12 or 13, you will hear every muscle fiber in your body screaming in protest - so best not to clear that mind. Try to think of all the mundane tasks you have to do, whatever it takes. Just keep that bugger humming.

The run was a beautiful one, just a little chilly (according to my Sherpa). I just wasn't really into it. I had a gross lapse in judgement the night before - after work I went with a friend for A drink (as in one). Wrong. I ended up having 3 margaritas. Nice. Luckily, it was only 6p when I got home. I drank some water, but then decided to have a glass of wine. Another glass of water. Another glass of wine. Another glass of water. Another glass of water. Needless to say, by the time I was going to bed, I was hungover. And I was up all night going to the bathroom. NAUGHTY! Well-rested is NOT a word I would have used to describe myself.

Anyway, our group was running south of Nashville near Brentwood. Horse country. We started from an elementary school and ran through an ugly subdivision (note: I think most subdivisions are ugly, souless places, where mediocrity and/or evil is bred). Not before too long, rolling hill after rolling hill, we were in this lovely place where their were shale 'fences' and horses and enormous houses. BIG houses, bigger than in Belle Meade, like plantation size houses that look like Opryland Hotel. Oops - that was Alan Jackson's house. But they were all large and impressive. Not new-looking (they are all pretty much new) like in Belle Meade where it is showy and gaudy. And it was fun running past these I guess you would call them farms, but they weren't producing anything, no farming was going on. It was just a lot of land with a big house, a big barn and horses and dogs. And those beautiful shale (or whatever) fences.

We kept right on running. At 4m, half-marathoners were turning around. At 4.5m, we stopped for water, it was going pretty fast. By 6m, I was getting bored, was feeling low and was ready to be done. We stopped for some water and gu and I perked up and off we went. A mere one mile later, I was crashing again. Mentally, I had to turn around, I couldn't bear going forward any more. So we did. I felt bad about it, but I didn't have a lot of time to feel bad about turning around. I was having a potty emergency. We book it back to the 6m (now 8m) water stop which was at a church. AMEN!!! After some gu and water and off we went again.

Emotionally, I was doing better, retracing the steps back to the start. We went past the Harpeth River, we saw a rope swing with bicycle handlebars as the 'seat', we saw numerous trees with 2x4 boards nailed to them to serve as 'stairs' up a tree so that the climber could enjoy a higher perch from which to jump into the river (whose depth is unknown...). Back past the 4.5 water stop. YAY! Getting closer!! Then there it was...the steepest hill ever. I had remembered running down it thinking to myself, "I love running downhill", but noticing it was a tough tough downhill run. Now we had to go up. It was so steep, even Sherpa had to walk the bike up. I made it up by cursing every step. There was a walker who was thoroughly appalled.

Only 3.3 miles to go!!! We were running out of things to talk about. I was VERY aware of how tired and in pain I was. Sherpa suggested we eat at a middle eastern place for lunch (it was only 9:30). She said she was in the mood for falafel. I threw up a little in my mouth. For the first time in my life, food couldn't have sounded worse. [well, there was that one time after back surgery that the anesthesia made me gag whenever I smelled food...I was off anything that smelled/looked/was remotely related to chicken for months after the chicken broth incident...]

Somehow I struggled back into the neighborhood area. Only 2m to go. I started to cry a little bit. But no tears were coming out really. That is an uniquely unsatisfying feeling. The girls kept encouraging me on. Left, right, curse, repeat. Up a slight grade, and we crossed over Hillsboro Road back into the evil subdivision. PLEASE LET ME STOP AND WALK - [more tearless crying, it is kind of like miming]. Somehow, these two girls just kept me going against my will. Well, I guess my will was there, held hostage by my pain. Only 1/2 mile left. I can see the school!! DAMN, wrong school!! It was hot now, the sun was out and I could feel the salt on my face hardening into a crust with the aid of UV rays. Up the little hill. Is this my driveway? No. I hate you, fake driveway. A little further. Are you my driveway? No. Oh cruel world! When can I stop?! Finally, I see where 'our' driveway is. Mentally I say, just make it to the place where the driveway and street come together. Somehow I get there and I say, ok, just make it to the yellow post. Somehow I make it there too, and make a deal with myself, I'll reward myself with [something I don't remember] if I can make it to the red car. I DID IT!! All 14 miles. I wanted to die. After some water and some stretching, we left. Sherpa drove. I think she was afraid I'd start crying with real tears and be unable to see the road. I did cry real tears later - because Comcast Cable didn't come to install my cable and internet. So I ended up sobbing on the phone to the poor lady that I ran 14 miles and I hadn't showered because I was waiting on them and it wasn't yet 4p so someone had better get their butt to my house NOW.

But my tears didn't only come from frustration, they came from being very proud of myself.

SHAZAM

2006-02-24T14:04:00.000-06:00

I just wanted to say that. I wish I could say that and...SHAZAM...it would be Sunday pool jog day, not Saturday fourteen-miler-of-death day.

Holy Crap-a-roni!

2006-02-24T10:22:00.000-06:00

I seriously don't know why I am running 14 miles tomorrow. FOURTEEN. I haven't been blogging about it because, frankly, I don't want to think about it.

Yesterday, I had a great workout. I ran another zippy 2m before weight training with the group. Well, it wasn't weight training, really. It was more gym class. PS: I love it. We were doing something called superloading or something, where you do two different exercises for the same muscle group one right after the other. And I don't know how to explain this one exercise well, but I kneeled and someone held my ankles steady to the ground and I "fell" over, did a push up and pulled myself back upright with basically my core and hamstrings. We did this at the very beginning of training in November and I remember it being next to impossible. There was a lot of cheating (for my part) going on. Yesterday, I was just trucking through them thinking, "My hamstrings are going to be HOT this summer!" Odd thought, indeed.
Anyhow, I was just wringing wet at the end. But what a great workout. I think after the Country Music Marathon, I'll train for the New Las Vegas Marathon. Cart before the horse, yes, I see that. However, if I don't have another goal, my default goal is couch sitting. Not hot.
So, this morning, I was craving a good bagel. Good being the operative word. So, that rules out 98% of the establishments that sell bagels in Nashville. Sadly, my favorite bagel place, Alpine Bagel, that used to be open across from the Vanderbilt business school closed and corporate giant, Breugger's Bagels, opened in it's stead. BORING. But like I said, it is still better than other places. So I drive all the way there, buy bagels for my department and head to work - late. I get to work and see that the neighboring business catered bagels and cream cheese. THAT'S where I got the jones - an email went out yesterday announcing this. Now, I have a bag of bagels, cream cheese and no where to put them. Plus, our plumbing is out in the building today. Lovely. Glad I got that extra large, bed-wetter size French Roast.

Guess Who Goes To My "Y?"??

2006-02-24T09:52:00.000-06:00

This is shameless of me. But I just can't help it.

Better, Dr. Travis Stork before or after??

PS: I am mortified that I posted these.

South Dakota Can Kiss My Ass

2006-02-23T12:55:00.000-06:00

I am not pleased that the men and women of South Dakota feel it is necessary to keep frightened women from making their own choices.
The gap between the Haves and Have-Nots is only widening. Perhaps this is the only way for the fairly financially secure to make sure the Have-Nots go spiralling down into financial oblivion. I mean, what's next? Welfare on the chopping block??
Sorry, it was never my intention to use this blog to air my frustration with our current administration which every day strips us a little more of our personal freedoms. But this is an affront to all people (even those who do not take offense) - because one day the freedom being stripped might be one that you actually care about.
South Dakota is a state of short-sighted wankers

M.I.A.

2006-02-22T14:48:00.000-06:00

I have been very very naughty. I think I've lost all of my readers. I've not posted a single thing since last Thursday - as if happy hour somehow incapacitated my typing fingers (as opposed to my other fingers).

I'll just say this:
Saturday's drop milage run, eh, it was ok. We ended up doing it inside and working on fartlek. Which, by the way, isn't too bad on a treadmill.
Monday - I was a lazy fart and skipped the training session because I was 'afraid' it was going to be too icey to drive to the gym. [snort]
Tuesday - forced myself to the gym to recreate a training session: 4 miles and 40 minutes of weights. Very impressive. VERY.
Tuesday night - unscheduled pizza and 2-4-1 beers.
Wednesday morning - unscheduled fatigue and slight headache
Wednesday after work - dreaded 6m run in drizzle. In preparation for the Drizzle Rizzle (do you speak Snoop?), I brought LOTS of food (eaten) and hit the Vending Satan for a personal pack of Twizzlers. YUM. (eaten) It is now 3p and I have no change nor any food left. It is like Survivor: The Office.
I'll get back in the swing of blogging for y'all tomorrow. I have a lot to blog about coming up: FOURTEEN F%*%ING MILES on Saturday. Grr.

Time For Happy Hour(s)!!

2006-02-16T16:35:00.000-06:00

After an impressive run last night and a very good run this a.m. before the training work out, I am off to enjoy some adult beverages, in fact, these beverages will be two for the price of one. A lovely invention.

So, I do have to run tomorrow a short 3 miles. I am still a little behind on milage this week, but I can feel a significant difference in my strength. Last night's run was just what I needed to feel like I am making some progress! 4.2m in 41 minutes. That may not seem so impressive to some, but that is a big freaking deal to me. Plus, my last 0.7m was a snail's pace, so I know my splits had to be pretty brisk. This morning, I ran 2m in 19 minutes, so that was encouraging too. For all the fancy, seasoned runners who read this, it may not seem all that interesting. But you have to understand, this is a big big deal for me. I finally feel like, "Wow, I am not going to a) freaking die or b) be a failure at running."

This morning's workout was great! I woke up at 3:30a for no particular reason, so I was bored and ready to roll by the time my alarm went off at 4:25. I was at the gym minutes before it opened and was able to have that quick run. The training session was 45 minutes of tossing a medicine ball. SO FUN! Strange reaction, no? It was just like being in gym class. Which is even stranger because I HATED gym as a child. I was a fat child.

OK - It's Miller Time!

Valentine's Day - Why Am I a Scrooge?!

2006-02-14T11:28:00.000-06:00

Look!! Boyfriend sent me beautiful flowers! And I am such a Valentine's humbug! Shame on me...

Seriously, I have never been a fan of this 'holiday' (it isn't a holiday unless I don't have to go to work!), but it just makes me feel guilty when my someone v special does an excellent job doing great things sans cheesiness. I am terrible about being ooey-gooey and stuff. I am very awkward about being overtly sweet. Guess that makes me a WASP! [ps: I have the prettiest flowers in the office. Sistas be hatin'!]

ANYWAY. Last night I TRIED to meet my girls for a 4m run. Again, no one was there. So that's it - I'll have to do it myself! Obviously, I didn't run last night. Anyway, it was pretty cold and I was uninspired. So, tonight, while Boyfriend is cooking dinner - at my house no less, I'll go for my run. YAY!!! Perfect perfect perfect!!

Wasted!

2006-02-13T09:17:00.000-06:00

I could barely drag my carcass out of the bed this morning. I knew it would be snowy outside, and Frank was so snuggly... I guess this counts as part of the psychological toughening up that must occur in order to actually run 26.2 miles.

I get to the gym by 5am and the place is already filling up. Hm, it seems that the world IS full of crazies. I do my best to 'hurry' to the weight room and hop on the dreadmill - site of Saturday's heinous crime of 12 miles inside. [gasp!] As I wratchet up the speed, my knees creak and groan in protest. As it turns out, my body was completely wasted. I know, this sounds strange to say when not in the context of drinking to excess. "Dude, my legs like totally downed 12 beers - they were wasted!" Seriously, I couldn't bring myself to run there was nothing left inside - uh, after dragging myself out of bed at 4:30a. So I walked to warm up. Warm was a totally relative term today. Anyhow, we started weight training and again I found very little left in me upon which to draw inspiration. NOTHING. Lunges were irritating to my knees, squats left me winded, leg presses were difficult! Pathetic. Somehow, some way, I need to find inspiration for a 4-miler tonight after work.

[sigh]

Water Jogging

2006-02-12T16:04:00.000-06:00

Whew! Who knew water jogging would be so difficult?! I just woke up from a 2h passout session that happened after the extremely exhausting attempt at water jogging. I'll tell you, it was great for my legs after yesterday's 12 miler (aka the lion's share of a 1/2 marathon!). But, holy cow! I was ZONKED OUT! Can't wait to make meatloaf for dinner and curl up with Frank and Boyfriend for an evening of Grey's Anatomy. Sunday pool jogging days are my new favorite days!!!

The Dreadmill

2006-02-11T15:04:00.000-06:00

I did it!!! Twelve miles!!!
But it was definitely snowing when I left for the gym. Based on the snow, I decided to run inside. BIG MISTAKE. I hate running on the dreadmill. But @ 7:15 there were no other full-marathoners and it was coming down pretty hard. So off I went downstairs to run on the 'fancy' Woodway treadmill. This is supposed to be the best treadmill in the history of the universe. It made my legs hurt. I didn't like it. After 4 excruciatingly boring miles, I had to switch to the elliptical machine. This was no treat. It took longer to complete miles and I was getting foot cramps. I was SO SAD I didn't run outside. Apparently, a fairly large group assembled by 7:45. Oh well. After 4 EVEN MORE excruciatingly boring miles on the elliptical I was able to hop on my personal fave: Star Trac Elite with fans. Somehow, I managed to polish off 4 more miles. I don't know how.
Ok, more later. Back to bed.
YAY I ROCK

This Weather Sucks!!

2006-02-10T19:33:00.000-06:00

Doce Bastardos

2006-02-10T12:56:00.000-06:00

For real. T-W-E-L-V-E miles. That is wrong, so wrong.
How am I going to make it???
Look at this pug below. This is how I feel.

AND! I didn't run last night. Well, I ran to the meeting place and waited and waited and waited and waited...I don't know what happened, but the girls I planned to run with never showed up! Maybe I got corn-fused and went to the wrong place...

T-minus 79 days and counting!!

2006-02-09T14:05:00.000-06:00

Sometimes, I just want to smack people. Today, I feel like that non-stop. My life feels like a Dilbert cartoon right now. Office Space, anyone?? I never got that movie, not during my MBA, not during my last 2 jobs, not until I got a real live corporate job.

Anyway, back to marathon training...today I am meeting some girls for 4 miles. So, I'll be running from my house to the meeting place so I can get in a full fiver. Whew, because I went hoggin' at lunch. [oink, oink] What is it about Mexican food?? I just pound the chips - naughty, naughty.

After a fast 2 miles and 45min of weights this a.m. I am looking forward to a leisurely run with some people to chat with. I LOVE my morning workouts, but I also enjoy the social aspect of running and I prefer to workout outdoors. This a.m., it was strange...I came up from the free weight room and in the cardio room of the "Y?" every single machine was in use. At 5:45 AM. SERIOUSLY PEOPLE! It was like a Fit Factory. V strange...very 1984 meets Jane Fonda.

So, a running tip this week was "watch your diet starting on Wednesdays". I assume that means what I eat from Wednesday through Friday night affects my Saturday a.m. long runs. But, I am not really sure what constitutes proper pre-long-run food. I mean, I am pretty sure this is the death knell for my Thursday night margarita habit, but does it mean I can't eat certain things (within reason...I mean, I get it, no gobbling of crazy greasy junk)? Or, was it kind of a rhetorical thing..."Watch your diet..." as it expands to such a point your weekly grocery budget is blown. Who knows?! To be continued.

Is THIS My Life?!

2006-02-09T14:03:00.000-06:00

Running Mates

2006-02-07T15:03:00.000-06:00

These are two of my running mates! Can you guess which of the cast of characters they are?!

Let's just say, I'll be running less with the girl on the left; she's doing the half and her long runs won't be freaky-deaky like mine. The gal on the right also dog-sat Frank! YAY!!

Tuesday's Regularly Scheduled Existential Crisis

2006-02-07T14:43:00.000-06:00

Pop: 1 coke zero
Junk: 2 small heart-shaped [gag] Dove Bites [trumps gag reflex]
Lunch: chicken chili for the 9th lunch in a row [am now officially OFF batch cooking]
Sharply worded emails to co-workers: uh, am afraid to count, let's just say "several"
Miles: 0 (hopefully 4 tonight after work)
Weights: 40 min - yesterday
Pilates: what's that?
Minutes worrying about Saturday's TWELVE MILE RUN: 30
Minutes Googling ex-boyfriend's wedding announcement: more than 30

It feels like I've been crabby for days now. I don't wake up crabby, but I am quickly placed back in the mood when I am at work dealing with some %^&* !$@ )!^)% [remember this is a PG-rated blog].

I haven't gotten my fat's grade back yet. But hopefully I can share with you soon just how fat I am. This should be fun. Surely, I am less fat today than January 12. That was 56 miles ago!

Happy Waitangi Day

2006-02-06T15:37:00.000-06:00

The Treaty of Waitangi was signed on February 6, 1840 in a marquee erected in the grounds of James Busby's house at Waitangi in the Bay of Islands. A draft of the treaty had been presented to the local Maori chiefs the previous day and Governor William Hobson had returned to his ship, HMS Herald, anchored in the bay, expecting the Maori to discuss the treaty for a day and possibly sign it on the morning of February 7. However, Maori had debated signing the treaty later into the night and appeared to have presumed the treaty would be signed in the morning of February 6 and did not have enough food to wait another day. Hobson was called ashore to sign the treaty just after noon, still dressed in his civilian clothes and only carried his uniform hat.

Not even a happy celebration of Waitangi - the creation of New Zealand as a nation (or whatever) - can get me excited about running today. I am exhausted from watching the Stupor Bowl and, subsequently, Grey's Anatomy last night. BUT, I did get up this a.m. for my regularly scheduled workout. It went ok. No major break-thrus...Just good ol' fashioned lifting and grunting and sweating.

However, Saturday's run was GREAT! A simple, straight-forward 6-miler. Sweet! I love runs like that. And who wouldn't love a run where, at the end, your coaches offer you a little brekkie! YUM! Drop weeks during marathon training are always super fabulous. Sadly, I must not revel too much...TWELVE MILES await me on Saturday. [shriek!]

I need a sherpa to carry all of my shite...water, gu, clif blocks, electrolyte jelly beans, iPod, Aleve, bananas, kitchen sink...while Sherpa is at it, he can do the running too...Seriously, you all, I am nervous. And, high of 36 on Saturday - and we ain't talking Celsius here peeps. That punk, Punxatawny Phil, can kiss my arse.

[sigh]

2006-02-02T10:30:00.000-06:00

Miles: 0 - tried to run, was still in pain and v tired
Food: El Crapo Tacos from Las Palmas (last night)
Beers: 3 - drowning frustration of painful non-run and to help chips go down better
Strength Training: 0 min - skipped training this a.m. to sleep in
Mood: BAD

Punxatawny Phil, that worthless rodent, saw his shadow. [grr]
I skipped my workout this morning for an unsatisfying 'sleep-in' and was unable to run last night.
Grrrr. And the weather is shite.

My name is Oscar and I'm addicted to being grouchy.

New Years Economic Recovery Plan

2006-02-02T09:00:00.000-06:00

War on Sloth

2006-02-01T12:35:00.000-06:00

War fronts: 2, food and exercise
Battles: many, daily, lots of casualties (hershey's kisses, pretezels, the occasional funyun, oh and my waistline)
Current Status: success in running 4m last night
Prognosis: bleak - not in mood to run 5 tonight, a decision I came to whilst munching on a Take 5 candy bar. PS: they are tasty, those Take 5s.

My run last night was difficult. PLUS, I totally skipped out on going to the work dinner @ the Lame Horse. My legs still hurt from Saturday and I was just dang tired. It was like I couldn't muster any energy at all!
I am worried about my 5m tonight. Waaaaay not in the mood. But shoot, 5m is a lot and I don't want to be behind!!
Send me strength!!

Union? What Union? We don't need no stinkin' union...

2006-02-01T12:33:00.000-06:00

2006-01-31T16:15:00.000-06:00

I wanted to attach this as a .pdf file, but blogger won't let me. It is an article in the NYTimes in the premium membership section. It was written by Nicholas Kristof.

I feel like these people that feed their kids junk foods are the same people at my "Y?" - the New Years Resolutionists!!

First, a quiz: What "vegetable" do American infants and toddlers eat
most? Weep, for it's the French fry. A major study conducted by Gerber found that up to one-third of young children don't eat any vegetable daily, but that the French fry is the single most common one they do consume. And among children age 19 months to 24 months, 20 percent eat French fries at least once a day.
President Bush is slated to discuss health care in his State of the
Union address tonight. It's about time: it's scandalous that babies born in the United States are less likely to survive their first year than babies born in Slovenia. But the solutions to the health crisis lie less in reorganizing medical treatment than in improving public health — such as steering kids away from French fries.
Think of two of the biggest breakthroughs in improving Americans' health over the last generation or two. They had nothing to do with doctors, but arose from higher cigarette taxes and other efforts to discourage smoking, and from compulsory seatbelts and improvements in auto safety.
So what can we do? In my last column, I praised Gov. Mike Huckabee of Arkansas for leading a series of initiatives to confront obesity and lack of exercise. Health experts suggest a variety of others (a book by Tom Farley and Deborah Cohen published last year, "Prescription for a Healthy Nation," offers excellent ideas). Building on them, here are my suggestions:
Ban soda, potato chips and other unhealthy snacks from American schools, and discourage them in the workplace. It's unforgivable that our schools help to send children on the road to diabetes. Obesity kills far more Americans than heroin does.
Sell cigarettes only in pharmacies and raise cigarette taxes. Smoking still kills 440,000 Americans a year, including 50,000 nonsmokers. One study found that raising the federal excise tax on cigarettes by 75 cents a pack would generate $13.1 billion in additional revenue per year and cut youth smoking by 13 percent and adult smoking by 3 percent, saving 1.2 million lives. Let's do it.
Tax junk foods. Some 19 states already impose taxes on particular junk foods, like soda, and a nickel-a-can tax on soft drinks would generate $7 billion in revenues. In particular, we should tax high-fructose corn syrup, which is used as a sweetener in a vast array of products and is a major culprit in the fattening of America.
Promote jogging and biking. Since we pay for all the consequences of inactivity (like those heart bypasses), we should encourage exercise. We should build more bicycle paths and turn more streets over to bikers, skaters and pedestrians — starting with Sixth Avenue in Manhattan.
Encourage exercise breaks. Governor Huckabee gives state employees a 30-minute daily "exercise break" that is modeled on the smoking breaks that smokers take. It's a good idea.
Distribute fruits and veggies to certain low-income people, as Maine does in FarmShare, a potent antipoverty program.
Expand P.E. It's ridiculous that schools have been cutting back on P.E. when students need more of it. Likewise, kids should be encouraged to walk to school. When my eldest son attended a Japanese elementary school in Tokyo, the school required him to walk or bike to school beginning in the first grade.
Design better stairways. The default system for getting from one floor to the next in America (but not the rest of the world) is the elevator. Let's encourage stair use instead, by having new buildings constructed with open and appealing stairs that are actually meant to be used — while perhaps making elevators dark, dingy and out of the way.
I'm sure there are other creative approaches. I've thought of subsidies for running shoes, which make more sense than subsidies for corn. And since the average American child spends 24 hours a week sitting in front of a television, how about developing televisions for kids that are powered by Exercycles?
Look, personally I'm convinced that we need universal health care based on a single-payer system. But that is not politically feasible now, while a systematic assault on the causes of American ill health could make a big difference.
Granted, a War on Sloth isn't as dramatic for the Bush administration as a War on Terrorism. And for Democrats, attacking junk food isn't as attention-grabbing as denouncing corruption in Congress. But there is perhaps no area of public policy where it would be easier to save the lives of countless Americans than in promoting public health.

Lifestyles of the Boring and Over-Exercised...

2006-01-31T13:09:00.000-06:00

Pop: 1 - fresca...very mormon of me
Junk: 0 - too busy to hit Vending Satan
Food: 1 bowl of chicken chili, homemade, I'm batch cooking now - too busy to eat out
Weight: not sure, but less than before, people are noticing. And underwear is less tight. [finally!]

I did not make the Mars Bar Cake last night. I didn't run my 4m. And I didn't feel like going out and buying the ingredients. I don't exactly have superfine sugar, graham crackers and mars bars in my pantry. But I do like the thought of Camilla munching away on this very naughty dessert. Damn sister, a whole stick of butter to go with candy bars?!
I need to run 4m after work. I also have a work dinner tonight at the infamous Wildhorse Saloon. That place is CHEESY - self-proclaimed, Nashvilles #1 dining and entertainment destination! Owned by Gaylord (Focker!) Entertainment, you know, the Opry and stuff. [groan]
My plan is this: leave work early to run and hustle on downtown for this dinner. Poor FRANK! I hate leaving him home alone so much. :( boo-hoo.

Stay tuned...

Self-Bribing

2006-01-30T16:51:00.000-06:00

I have an internal conflict erupting in my head. I want to make this yummy little dessert, a recipe penned by noneother than Camilla "The Rotweiler" Parker-Bowles, aka HRH Dutchess of Cornwall (or something)...but it doesn't really go with the Slimmer Olivia Program. Maybe I'll let myself make it if I run my 4m tonight...

Camilla's cake
Mars Fridge Cake
HRH The Duchess of Cornwall

1 stick butter
¼ c super fine sugar
1 tablespoon cocoa
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg, beaten
2 Mars bars (or any other favourite chocolate bar), diced
1 c graham crackers or animal crackers, crushed
¼ c dried cherries (optional)
¼ c chopped pecans (optional)

METHOD:Melt the butter with the sugar, vanilla and cocoa. Remove from heat and stir in the egg, then place back over gentle heat and stir continuously to thicken (stir a LOT so you don’t get scrambled eggs). Remove from heat and mix in the crackers, cherries, nuts and lastly the Mars bar pieces. Press into a baking tray lined with baking parchment. Cover and chill. When firm cut into fingers, which can be topped with melted chocolate for an even more indulgent treat!

Rip VanWinkle

2006-01-30T12:24:00.000-06:00

Saturday recap
Wine: 2
Food: some, nothing major, wasn't particularly hungry
Hangover (on Sunday): check! WTF?!?!

Whew. I slept all weekend. Seriously. I preferred sleeping over eating. V strange.
And also, I can't believe that I ran 10m. For real. No stopping, except for water. Even blogging about the run makes me tired...like I don't want to relive it. Now we were supposed to do weight training before the run, but there is no way in hell that I was going to spend an hour lifting and then 2+ hours running. That just wasn't going to happen in this or any other parallel dimension. But some crazies did it!!
At any rate, I showed up at 10 til 7a on Saturday at my local "Y" (which, to me, sounds like a cruel rhetorical question), loaded down like a pack-mule: clif shot bloks, chocolate cappucino gu (or some crazy flavor like that), iPod (no matter how thin, still heavy), and chapstick. Let me just say, the shot bloks and the gu are HEAVY. VERY heavy. I don't really know why - I guess they are just super dense with sugar. Oh and electrolytes or whatever the heck is inside.
It was a beautiful morning in all seriousness and I was happy that it was so, I really couldn't have put those running pants back on. A large group had assembled - so it seemed like the run would be interesting (you know, dodging people, chasing, passing - or in my case, being chased and passed).
For each long run, I've run with different people, and for this long run I had as company a financier and a barrister. Happily, I knew their pace would match mine because we had a long long long run ahead of us. Also, I knew we'd have some good conversation as well. And off we went, away from the "Y?" up Hillsboro Road, around Hillsboro High (whose mascot is a burro - isn't that terrible to have an arse as your mascot?!), around Lipscomb elementary/high school/college/cradle-to-grave-brainwashing-institution (sorry - I think it is strange), and away towards downtown on Granny White Pike. Now, there is something you must know about Nashville, all major streets have 2-3 names - they start as one name and later at some undetermined point for no apparent reason change names. Just an FYI for later. Long about mile 3 there was a water stop. And I was happy to have it, all of my cargo was weighing me down!!! I passed out my clif bloks because I just couldn't bear hauling them for 7 more miles! If I weren't so in love with my iPod, I might have done the same.
We didn't stop long, just long enough to glug some gatorade (ugh, super sweet!) and we kept on going. Somewhere near that water stop Granny White Pike turns into 12th Avenue South - a very hip neighborhood on the sunny side of the ghetto. My favorite yoga studio, 12South Yoga, is on that street. And it is very hilly. Grr. We keep on running past Mafiaoza's, past Mirror, past the Belmont dorms, past a dead cat and into the shady side of the ghetto.
ALMOST TO MILE 5 - that was the chant in my head. But so was, HEADS UP FOR STRAY BULLETS. Luckily, it was early. Only the winos were out and about. Left. Right. Repeat. Was I lumbering?? Finally, we turned on Wedgewood (corner of Thug and Homeless), and climbed the hill on our way to Music Row. WE MADE IT!! FIVE MILES! Uh, so, uh, only half way. Grr. Down we went on Music Row and halfway down we cross and go back up - we were on our way back! Running up Music Row we happened upon M&M (aka, Trainer M and Trainer F - duh, for male and female) our fearless coaches and they a) take a humiliating picture to post on their website b) run with us at a pace I found uncomfortable - they are speedy little buggers! I was for sure lumbering at this point. The girls I was running with seemed unfazed, however. How?
Finally, we make it to the next water stop at mile 6 or 7 at the Athlete's House...you remember, the nice folks to fronted me the non-cotton socks!!! Guzzle gatorade! [ah, not so sweet!] Eat remaining clif blok so as not to have to eat gu! Keep running! Everything was critical at this point. Run run run on Belmont for what seemed like an eternity. I don't remember anything in particular hurting, I wasn't out of breath, but I was tired, tired of running, tired of whatever it was I was feeling. I thought, "How am I supposed to complete a marathon, the Country Music Marathon, if I was tired already?!?!" Only 2 more miles. My little barrister and financier were chugging along right as rain. I was envious, being in full struggle and all. And finally, there it was, our Everest: the hill on Graybar Lane. We totally skipped it and went on to the next street, Glen Echo. NAUGHTY!! Glen Echo is no picnic, but it isn't the sheer climb that Graybar is. After what felt like an eternity, we made it up the grade (full of my favorites: false summits), and were squirted out on to Hillsboro Road! We made it! WOO-HOO!!!
But not really.
I always, always misjudge how far we actually have to run on Hillsboro: past the high school, past the mall, past Wild Oats, past the strip mall, past a mall that isn't developed yet, past another strip mall, past countless gas stations and finally we get to turn onto Hobbs. Uh, and once we do that, there is another.25 m to run to the "Y?!?!" (as in Y am I still running like a totally sick individual?!). Oddly enough, somewhere between the BP and the Shell station, the barrister has to walk and the financier takes off like a shot. The Cheese Runs Alone. [sob]
Lumber, lumber, lumber. On I ran (which in my mind's eye looked more like quick waddling), finally making it to the end. Ah, the sweet end. I don't remember much after that. Now, I don't believe I've ever felt the runner's "high" - a sense of euphoria brought on by (being so sick, uh, I mean...) running. But, I do believe in a runner's buzz. I felt drunk, too drunk to drive home. Very 6 beers down the hole. What's up with that?!
I do remember getting home and taking off my shoes to find a new hammer toe on my left foot. I guess sandals are out of the question for me this spring...

No Way

2006-01-28T12:14:00.000-06:00

I
did
it
I
ran
ten
miles.
[whew]
just got up from nap. must now return to said nap. but i did it all 10m. NO Graybar Lane hill. Sorry.

45 Degrees

2006-01-28T06:35:00.000-06:00

Well, I'll be donning my shorts for the run...and lubing up like there's no tomorrow.
SCARED!!

PS: Again, I am totally skipping weights this a.m.

They Don't Call It "Work" For Nuthin'

2006-01-27T14:19:00.000-06:00

Uh, I can't believe I've actually worked really hard this week. Now, keep in mind I was out on Monday and Tuesday...But I've been very busy working out as well. Amazingly enough, my theory of underwhelming performances is correct! I work out harder after a non-building week than the week following a building week.

Corn-fused yet? Let me try to explain (again).

Last Saturday, I did a 6m run (very well I might add). And this week, I did ALL the training runs: 4m on Monday and 5m on Wednesday with 2 days of cross training and weights. Tomorrow I run 10m. WHAT?!?! WTF??! I have to run TEN MILES TOMORROW? SHITE! Well, I'll get to that in a second.

The week before that, I ran 9m on the Saturday long run and did NO training runs during the week. Bupkes. I barely was interested in my training workouts.

So, let's see what this coming week holds. Seriously, though, I was not in the mood to run 5m Wednesday night after work. It was cold. Somehow, some way, I snuck past my consciousness and did it. Was a strong run, too. Except that my most beloved running pants turned on me - and gave me a terrible case of swamp ass! :( My thighs are all chafed. double :( I was raw and started to bleed! Terrible. So I guess I'll be breaking out the shorts tomorrow...Hmm, let's look at the weather, shall we? 40 degrees, eh? That's gonna be chilly. Maybe my running pants and I should kiss and make up.

I really can't believe that I can just whip through 5m now, like it isn't a big deal. Mostly, I was motivated by fear. FEAR OF TEN MILES!!! More tomorrow. I've been bad at blogging this week, what with actually having to throw-down here at work. But I'll be better from here on out! Thanks for sticking with me! [crickets chirping]

Why Can't I Just Have More Initiative?!

2006-01-25T12:13:00.000-06:00

Sorry for the delay...I don't have internet access at home [universe pauses for collective gasp!] and was out Monday and Tuesday from work.

Food on Saturday: Pancake Pantry and Ginza Sushi
Food on Sunday: Pancake Pantry and dinner at home
Food on Monday: Breakfast at home, Thai for lunch and Mexican for dinner (the one day I DON'T eat at the Pantry Keith Urban shows up!)
Food on Tuesday: Breakfast at home, Chinese for lunch and Indian for dinner
New Dress Size: up 2 sizes... very sad and pathetic.

My Saturday run...We'll I was supposed to wake up and go to the gym to lift before the 6m run. That didn't happen as you can imagine. :( The worst part is this: I woke up on my own at 4:30a. Seriously. Without an alarm. Did I get out of bed? Nooooooooo... The alarm went off at 5:30a. BEEP BEEP BEEP. What did I do? Hit snooze? Nooooo... I just turned it off and reset it for 6:30a. I was awake, but just so tragically LAZY that I couldn't go lift weights.

Now I did make it for the 6m run - which went well, except for Mt. Everest we had to run up on Graybar Rd. For real, the was the longest steepest hill I've ever run up. ARGH!! Very challenging. I have to write more later; I am swamped at work and Evil Co-Worker is hounding me for stuff that is ridiculous!! :(

I am angry today.

A Week Already?

2006-01-20T15:36:00.000-06:00

Burned Hamburgers: 1
Pop: 0 - incredible
Fritos: 1 bag - sad
Beers: 7 last night :( --> And I don't want to hear some joker telling me that is binge drinking. I had 7 beers from 5p until 10p. Get real!

As you might imagine, the 7 beers I had yesterday kind of messed up my sleep, so I am slightly crabby. Luckily I didn't have to work out today. But I do have to tomorrow morning. I am looking at 60min of weights and a 5m run. Should be easy and I am looking forward to it. Sort of.

Problem 1: I never let myself enjoy non-building weekends because I end up thinking, "Oh crap...I'll have to work so hard once this is over." I guess I am always thinking one weekend ahead. I love building weekends because I can say to myself, "Once this is over...shooo...I have nothing to worry about, next weekend will be easy!"

Problem 2: My unwillingness to accept that I have to wake up at 5:30 a.m. on a Saturday and NOT have to catch a flight or something...

Sad Little Workout

2006-01-19T16:00:00.000-06:00

Miles: 1 (pathetic)
Diet Cokes: 1
Junk: 0 (would be more but was stuck in endless meeting today)
Random Info: Today in 1994 - Record cold temperatures across the eastern half of the United States brings temperatures below -20°F in many locations, such as Ohio and Kentucky. This is when my car got stolen from the QuickChek down the street from my house when my dad went to pick up milk in the morning (which he forgot to do before coming home from work the night before). It had all the decorations for our winter dance in the trunk. I cried when I told the committee. I was in high school, it was pathetic. The car was found weeks later in Daytona. Dad said they found scary stuff in the car. He never did say what. The thief went to my high school. Sorry for the memory! Happy (belated) Birthday Dad!

Sad little workout today. BUT, at least I was up and at 'em, for the first time all week. I need to buck up and get really regular about being good during the week. You know, if I miss Monday's training session, my whole week goes all caddywampus. This coming Monday I have to be in court to testify (as a witness for the State of Tennessee I cannot divulge details on a public forum such as a blog), so that also may mess up my mojo for next week. Gimme strength!! Maybe I'll be reverse inspired by my weekend run...What does that mean? It means, running 9 miles sure as hell didn't inspire me to run this week, so by only doing 5 this week (as a non-building week) maybe I'll be so disgusted by my lack of effort that I will do more. Suffice it to say, that's where I am right now!!

T-minus 100 days and counting...

I Didn't Say It!!!

2006-01-19T09:02:00.000-06:00

What's not for dinner.

2006-01-18T14:52:00.000-06:00

I did a whole concert in Atlanta with my fly open, and I had a black suit on and a white shirt. My white shirt was protruding from the fly. --Al Green

Well, I clearly couldn't find any good quotes about Atlanta. But I had a hella good time. Especially considering I had just run 9 miles! In reality, ATL isn't that far away - only about 3.5h in the car...if you don't hit the notorious Atlanta traffic: 3 million crazy people driving in 8 lanes (one way!) at 95 mph all coming to a screeching halt at once.

We got there by 5 and had 9p reservations at a hot spot recommended to me by a colleague. ONE. midtown kitchen lured our group of friends there by the lurid promise of a bottomless glass of wine for $19. Despite our 9p reservation time, we weren't seated until after 10p. So, while we could have easily enjoyed several glasses of wine for $19 in one hour, we each coughed up at least $19/person for two drinks at the bar. I am one of the very few people I know that don't flinch at exorbitant prices, I mean, not even bat an eyelash. $19 for ONE drink has been known to happen to me. But this place made me sick! I think it was so because the value proposition was out of whack.

ONE. was clearly a hot spot - it was crowded, people were dressed to the nines (in the quasi-slutty/dudes-in-untucked-diagonally-striped-shirts kind of way). But it had a quality difficult to define, kind of like a meat market that had aged and passed its prime, but only by days. The unisex bathrooms announced their vacancy by a Amsterdam-esque bare red light bulb, screaming "I'm HIP, isn't it fabulous?!" The bar was crowded and my exhausted rear-end threatened more than one martini at the tables unfortunately placed directly in or near the bar area.

After AN HOUR (seriously, when I went to town in the Chambers Hotel even after it was mentioned on Sex and the City I didn't have to wait that long) of bumping rumps with each other we were seated on the patio. Excuse me?! Yes, at a folding table and stackable resin chairs. It was like we were in the kiddie section. Gross. Oh well. We were starving and didn't want to wait until midnight to be served. Ha ha, little did we know...

After perusing the menu, it was clear that small plates were the focus here, though several entrees were offered. I mean, this was after we waited 15 minutes at least for the waitress to acknowledge our presence in her section. Prices seemed reasonable (especially compared to some places in Chicago!), so I ordered two small plates - one as an appetizer (snug harbor mussels) and one as my entree (lamb ribs). Another couple, SS, ordered a wedge salad to start and the mussels as an entree to share - I can't blame them after an hour of waiting, 2-3 cocktails and free pizza appetizers Boyfriend was able to get comped for us. And the third couple ordered a wedge salad and lamb ribs to start and the diver scallops (an actual entree) for dinner. Boyfriend ordered a hamburger. Hmmm....

Round One. Mussels for me, wedge salad for SS, and wedge salad and lamb pops for the third couple. Mussels, eh ok, I can do better. Wedge salad: unanimously gross AND waitress never came back...both girls wanted more dressing. Lamb ribs: greasy gobs of white fat in a chipotle honey glaze - sick. So, this doesn't get an "A", but has not reached catastrophe level yet.

Round Two. Lamb ribs for me - totally nasty greasy gobs of white fat layered with lamb meat like a bastardized mille feuille. The glaze was good, tho! But the whole thing was swimming in GREASE. SS - mussels, but they looked like they'd been sitting under the heat lamp for 45 min...it was like little seafood jerky! Seriously, some of the mussels were so small they weren't bigger than my pinky nail. Can you say, "Over cultivation"??? Couple #3, had diver scallops. All THREE of them. No nothing else on the plate. Just T-H-R-E-E scallops on a plate for $22. WTF?!?!?! Seriously!!

Boyfriend got a burger. It looked so yummy compared to ours. I don't think he realized how close we all came to hijacking his food.

SS decided to send back the mussels (no brainer), and S (he) told the waitress it was the worst dinner he'd ever had. She retorted, "Mussels are an appetizer, not a dinner". No you didn't! You did not just call him out for ordering a huge bowl of mussels as an entree after several drinks, free pizza, and a salad app AND it was after 11pm!!! Especially when only THREE f'ing scallops make an ENTREE?! The waitress continued being rude for the remainder of our time there. So, to make a loooooooong story short, I'll just say, I will NEVER EVER under threat of death return to ONE. midtown kitchen.

But I do love me some ATL!!

Being Sucky Is Hard To Do

2006-01-18T10:24:00.000-06:00

I don't want to blog and tell you all I've done NOTHING since my run on Saturday. I've been in hiding and now have alienated my fans. :( We'll here is my recap of Sat.

I actually ran 8.5 and another mile when I got home. Here's the scoop: I was running with a gal who runs more at my pace than other's I had been running with. This is key I think for a successful long run. She, however, is only running the half, so she didn't have to go as far on Saturday.

I wish I would have had my camera to photograph the houses that we ran by in Belle Meade. They were silly large. One you couldn't even see from the road, but it had a SERVICE ENTRANCE, labeled with a sign. A sign that said "Service Entrance for XXXX Chickering Road". Sheesh!

Anyway, that Saturday morning was bitter bitter cold. Surely, my friends in Northern Ohio and Chicago will laugh heartily at that. But dang, that's why I live down here and not up there! Who wants to deal with cold wind and snow? Anyway, we did - all 11 of us - on Saturday morning. I had geared up with Gu, had technical fiber socks on, and plenty of technical fibers layered. I had lubed up with plenty of that crazy fitness lube that is supposed to prevent chafing and I was ready (technically speaking) to run the longest run of my life. I tried not to think about whether or not it would be difficult - I just kept thinking, "It can't be worse than the last long run". Not sure how or why it couldn't, but that 8 mile run was so hard. Maybe I was going too fast.

When I arrived, there were only 2 people - a very fast girl who is getting married (I might be convinced to run faster if I were getting married just to work off my extra padding) and a trainer. Oh, and another trainer who would be going on bike. Bastard. I was so afraid that I'd be running this whole way by myself! That was the worst feeling in the world!! [groan] Seriously doubting my mettle and freezing my tush off, I waited along with the 3 others for more to arrive. Slowly but surely 10 more runners made it. I'll admit - I got lost on my way there, so I don't blame others.

A gal showed up that I ran hills with the week before and I knew she and I had the same stride/pace. So, although she's just a halfer, it was in my best interest to fraternize (ha ha!). Off we went at a comfortable, conversational pace. Before we knew it, we were at the 2m water break. My shoes are completely shot, so I took this opportunity to stretch my calves. The shin-splints were so painful it felt like the front of my shins were bruised and battered. Stretch stretch here, stretch stretch there and away we went. Neither of us could believe what a breeze the first two miles were. Onward we ran, and before we knew it we were on Tyne, the home stretch before the 4m turn around. Boy did it stretch on and on. Seriously, a mile never felt soooooo long. We were getting a little worried. For my part, it didn't help that we were lapped by a set of faster runners who showed up late! Grr. I didn't mention we were passed by several individuals who run Belle Meade regularly. Seriously, the geriatric track team blew us out of the water. One day, I aspire to wake up and knock out 8 miles with my old geezer friends. Jeez!

FINALLY we made it to the turn around. I cracked open my well-earned Triple Berry Gu and took a...sip/bite/gulp...and as it turned out, Gu tasted like shite, many berried shite to be exact. Also, I had a serious texture reaction. Basically, it made me gag. Luckily, my running partner Nurse Hatchet (no, I can't call her that, she is way to nice to be that...but I can't think of other nurse-y names) had electrolyte jelly bellies. Those were good, damn straight! After our snack that would make astronauts drool, we headed back! Frankly, I couldn't believe we knocked out 4m and were feeling good!!

On the way back, we were tired, to be sure, but it wasn't bad. Sadly the wind was coming at us and there was a lot of drag (as well as complaints of it being "f'ing cold!"), but we ploughed on. Before long we were back at the bridge for some more gatorade...the 2m bridge! We just slammed 6m. I was shocked. Shocked. The last 2m were kind of an uphill grade, so we were worried. My hips started hurting and we both got butt cramps. They HURT, but were also very funny! It felt so good just to lift up the butt cheek. Seriously, I am not above laughing childishly at the thought of lifting my butt. Especially when being forced to do so in front of others! We plodded along, right cheek in hand! Almost there, almost there...we could see the parking lot...and kept running. It kind of felt like the parking lot was receding. You know, like when you were little and trying to learn how to swim and your mom or teacher kept backing away as you paddled closer. ARGH! Last bit of steam and we finished strong. We stretched and I came home to run one more mile. No prob whatsoever.

Wow.

I mean, really, I can't believe it did it.

Ever since, I've done nothing. I went to ATL at noon (entry on that next), didn't work out Monday, no pilates Tuesday and nothing so far today. Sucky suck suck.

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

2006-01-13T22:10:00.000-06:00

I wanna go out! Boo-hoo!! Here I am on a Friday night...I spent 45 minutes scraping adhesive tape goo off of an antique mirror. Yay, that's a hell of a way to spend a Friday night.

Do I get to have a second Grey Goose martini up and dirty with bleu cheese stuffed olives?! Noooooooo, I get to sip club soda with double lime. Good thing I had good company. This whole 9 mile/no going out thing is a tragedy, I tell ya.

rain + cold = motivation neutralizer

2006-01-13T15:19:00.000-06:00

Pop: 1 diet 7Up
Junk: 1 bag white cheddar popcorn
Drugs: 4 ibuprofen
Food: 1 bad frozen lunch - some hideous fake palak paneer. I mean, the cheese was squeaky when I chewed it!
Miles: 3.2 YESTERDAY!!! Today's my day off, yo!

Ugh! The weather here in BNA is best described as blustery today. But not in the cute Christopher Robin and Pooh way. In the yucky, sloppy, dreary way that makes me think, "If its this bad here, just think of how bad it is in Ohio!".

I ran a wimpy 3.2m yesterday - my heart wasn't in it and my calves were a-screamin'. Not even a little Kanye West could get me in the mood. It was a struggle the whole way. It didn't help that it was a beautiful 65 degrees yesterday - a siren song tempting me with a patio and margaritas...or even 2-4-1 beers... Nooooooooo, I had to slog around for 33 minutes wishing I had new sneaks.

Worst part: I have 9 miles to look forward to tomorrow. ARRRGH! And I have to pack for a weekend in ATL and I have to make my apartment not look like Beirut. Somewhere in the debris, I'll find my camera charger and I'll load some pictures of The Frank. He's the best.

CRAP. What am I going to do about the 9 miles?? I am nervous. It is going to be cold, and maybe wet! Plus the coaches won't be there. [gulp!] Who is going to keep me from totally wimping out? Please telepathy me all of your running will-power...

Where's the Fat Testing Girl??

2006-01-12T16:53:00.000-06:00

[evil music plays] I had my fat tested today. I hope it got an A. Knowing me, it is good enough to get an A, but a B takes zero effort.

Now I HAVE to run tonight. I am totally guilted into it. Sadly, exhaustion has gotten the better of me for most of the day...4.5 hrs sleep before a 5a.m. gym call is ruthless. Regardless of what percent of my body is jiggly-wiggly, I can't STAND the thought of not doing something about it...therefore, I am running my stinking 3m tonight and that's that.

Somehow, I have to clean my apartment for the dog sitter. I wish I could do it while sleeping.

Holy Crap

2006-01-11T13:47:00.000-06:00

HOLY CRAP!!
I just looked at my training calendar (in a lame attempt to avoid work) and I have to run 9 miles on Saturday!!

Good thing I have new socks.