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September, 2009:

My Apologies

Sep 30th, 2009
by gazelle.
10 comments

To basically everyone I know.

I have sucked this past month. I honestly don’t know if I’ve ever had a consecutive 30-day period that was this hard on me. The stars aligned to bring me the most stressful month of work, a stressful month of school, and the last month of marathon training all at the same time.

I am fairly certain I did not handle it well.

I am usually pretty reliable & not very flaky, but the combination of stressors (yes, I’m making excuses) have caused that to turn into “usually pretty reliable & not very flaky.”

I like to think that I can deal well with the stressors in my life, and honestly I do okay a lot of the time, but this was not that time.

So – kick ass neighbors + PBR runner/brunchers – so sorry for Sunday. That was super lame of me, and you should all throw (very small) rocks at me. Also kick-ass neighbor the younger, I am mildly sorry about skipping our bike commute this morning, but the extra 1.5 hours of sleep seemed like a good idea at the time.

Anyone that’s called me & not had a call returned (relatives, friends, telemarketers) – I’m sorry ’bout that.

And anyone who now realizes that I can’t hold my liquor the way I could 10 years & 80 lbs ago – sorry to you guys, too. I’m not usually a hot mess!

I am hoping that this time next week, I will be a much more relaxed, stress-free individual who doesn’t have dreams that involve the following (all in one dream).

  1. Losing my running shoes
  2. Having a race start 2 hours early
  3. Having to do the swim portion of a triathlon naked
  4. Having to skip the bike portion of a tri- to fix a budget spreadsheet with multiple errors
  5. Having to run to Milwaukee because I missed my plane
  6. Accidentally pooping my pants right before the marathon
  7. Getting lost on my way to the start line
  8. Getting an “F” in my writing course, which was announced by the race director right before the start of the marathon
  9. Having the architect divorce me at the finish line because I didn’t make my goal time

Between the triathlon, the run to Wisconsin, the marathon, and my subsequent divorce, it was a very busy dream, no wonder I was so tired this morning.

So – please don’t hate me. I promise to be a better friend next week.

And y’all are invited over for Turkey-Day dinner. For reals. Let me know if you’re interested.

The Commute

Sep 28th, 2009
by gazelle.
8 comments

I’ve been biking to work about 50% of the time this month. Partially because every September Portland has a ‘bike-to-work’ challenge, and you can log your miles & challenge your friends & win prizes and stuff. And partially because it’s just as fast as taking the bus (sometimes faster) and good exercise. It’s about a 20 mile round trip ride for me (depending on the route I take), and although I seldom average more than 12-13 mph due to stop lights & traffic & one VERY LARGE hill, it’s been good.

However, the best thing about bike commuting? My kick-ass neighbor is ALSO a bike commuter, so a couple of times a week (or, once, really) we’ve been doing our morning commute together.

This morning was a wee bit chilly. But I reasoned that the bike home would be better. And it was, if by better you mean light rain & cold wind.

I determined that there are a few things I need to be an all-weather bike commuter.

1. Pants. (Long bike pants – I wear shorts – I’m not one of these people)

2. Rain coat for my bike (I don’t want him, tentatively named Jorge, to get all cold & wet while he hangs out outside during the day).

3. Fender for my back tire, at least.

4. Balls. Just as I hate running early now that it’s dark, I’m hating the bike riding in the cold, wet dark. The ride actually wasn’t too bad, but I am such a pansy.

I am so cold now, and I’ve been home for almost an hour, procrastinating on my homework (some things never change).

***

PS -Any song suggestions to add to my marathon playlist?

Training Goals – 9/28 – 10/4

Sep 27th, 2009
by gazelle.
4 comments

But first, as always, the recap:

Training Goals – 9/21 – 9/27

Monday: bike to work – SUCCESS! WOO! I biked to & from work.

Tuesday: run -5 miles (must do this in the morning. I am not ascared of the dark! I can do it! I can!) – FAIL! I didn’t get up in the morning because I AM ascared of the dark. And I had dinner plans after work, so didn’t run then, either. BOO

Wednesday: bike to work – FAIL! But only kind of. I ran 6 miles after work, and I didn’t bike because I had to drive my big project to FedEx

Thursday: run -5 mile. bike to work. – partial SUCCESS! I biked to work. I didn’t run.

Friday: rest day; massage; head to Hood River for the wedding of the century.  – I rested and attended the wedding. I walked around Hood River for a while, and then danced in heels, which definitely counts as exercise, right?

Saturday: recover, maybe an afternoon walk or bike ride. – I lazed. And did so  much homework.

Sunday: run – 12 miles. Last long run pre-marathon. – I ran 9.5 miles. Which is fewer than 12, but I’m really okay with that.

My run today was okay. Nothing spectacular. It was too hot (I left about noon, after a glorious morning of sleeping in….glorious), and I ran out of water & had to run around parks looking for a water fountain (I found one). I started out pretty strong -

Mile 1: 9:56
Mile 2: 10:02
Mile 3: 10:52 (hill)
Mile 4: 10:35

Then it all went to hell – I started taking walk breaks – my feet were killing me again. Seriously, I am not taking these shoes off for a week! They will be 100% broken in, or else!

Mile 5: 11:36
Mile 6: 13:25 (this is where I decided to cut the run a bit short as I was already out of water & not feeling it)
Mile 7: 12:07

I felt a little better after I found water at the end of mile 7.

Mile 8: 10:53
Mile 9: 11:19
Mile 9.5: 5:03 (10:05 pace)

Overall, 9 miles, 1:45:52, 11:08 pace. I really wanted to keep this last long run at my planned marathon pace of between 10:15-10:25, but it didn’t happen. And you know what, that’s really okay. I’m going to start out w/ the 4:30 pace group, but if I can’t hold it, I’m not going to force myself. I’d rather finish strong than finish (relatively) fast. It’s my first one anyway, automatic PR!

And now – for this week’s goals.

Training Goals: 9/28 – 10/4

Monday: bike to work

Tuesday: 5 mile run – EASY

Wednesday: bike to work

Thursday: travel day

Friday: 3 mile run – EASY

Saturday: panic. go to bed early-ish. panic.

Sunday: race day. holy crap.

ice. watch food intake. make packing list. get homework done. breathe deeply.

Weekend update – were you looking for me?

Sep 25th, 2009
by gazelle.
1 comment

This week’s top search terms:

  1. “bra”"too small” – that can be a serious problem! Get thee to a Nordstrom’s & get fitted post haste! Unless you really want your cups to run over – which honestly, not attractive. EVER!
  2. most challenged books of 208 -that is an excellent question. I’m not sure there were a lot of books to be challenged in 208. Printing press not yet invented, most people couldn’t read or write. Let me know what you find out, though, okay? (And hey – it’s banned books week next week, so if you’re interested in some of the most challenged books in this day & age, go here.)
  3. porno?ow – yeah, sometimes I have that reaction, too. I remember the very first time I ever saw a porn flick (just kidding mom & dad, I’ve never seen anything with a higher rating than PG-13) – and I know I had my head cocked (hee) at like a 90 degree angle saying, “Really? I don’t think so. That has got to HURT!” So I completely understand your reaction.
  4. crack.com lists – I like to make lists sometimes, but that would be a gazellesoncrack.com list. Maybe not what you’re looking for. But I think my lists are probably better than ones about actual crack.
  5. “regina hyman” – hee. I had to call her once. And she corrected my pronunciation (I went with the safer Ruh-GEE-nuh; that wasn’t right).

I have survived

Sep 24th, 2009
by gazelle.
7 comments

The craziness isn’t 100% over, but my two biggest projects are, as of today, completed & turned in. AND, I got a box of chocolates and a 5-pack peanut butter in little yummy cups. Apparently my shameful peanut butter addiction is not a secret!

Yesterday, I left work a little early as I had to go to FedEx to send my ginormous project off to the east coast, and I hit the mall to reward myself after. I used to reward myself with food, which, while cheaper in the short run, not so much in the long run.

So – I decided a few months ago to start a little ‘reward’ savings account, and whenever I survive a particularly stressful time, I get to dip into it.

I got this. I couldn’t find it on any English language sites, but I promise I have no idea if I actually spent 18,900 yen on it. No idea at all.

While at the Kate Spade store, I saw this. And I almost died. And wished that I had $900 (who knows how much that is in Japan! Probably like 1,000,000 or something) so that I could have the pretty, pretty coat. I stayed far away from the shoes, because I wasn’t sure I could resist the sale rack, and I really don’t need a pair of $276 on sale shoes.

Kate – if only I had more money – I would totally leave my boyfriend Kenneth for you.

***

On my bike ride home today, I saw a man in a suit, talking on a bluetooth, riding this (in the middle of the path! asshat):

I thought to myself, “where in the world could this douchebag be going on his stupid scooter?” And then I passed him & quickly forgot about him.

About 1/2 mile later, I saw TWO MORE DOUCHEBAGS on three-wheeled scooters, all in suits, all with bluetooth devices. And then I knew what was going on. It was a douchebag anonymous meeting!

Seriously. I didn’t think there was anything lamer than grown men on segways, but I was wrong.

***

Tomorrow, I am getting massaged & then heading out to the exciting wedding event! I am the very important doughnut courier, and I take my responsibilities VERY seriously. I am going to try to fit in a run, but if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. I am nine days pre-marathon, and have not yet once even checked the 10 day forecast. I feel that I am growing as a person. Or else I’ve been super busy at work and school. Could go either way. :)

Happy (almost) Friday!

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