Serenity NOW!

I'm sure many of you remember the old Seinfeld quote. How many times have you shouted "serenity now" and meant it? I have been shouting it for about a week now.

I have been shouting it due to visitors to the pink house. I become my mother (more so than I already have become) when expecting visitors and I can really feel my blood pressure rise! For some reason, when expecting new visitors to the house, I need to have it perfect: spotless, uncluttered, organized, and pretty. My housemate doesn't exactly share my views. So I get neurotic and crazy.

One of my bosses was the first to visit last week. Just for an evening, but he keeps a well-appointed home and the pressure was on. I was so happy - and relieved - that he approved of the pink house.

My housemate's boyfriend was next - for three days. Then my housemate's mother - for a week (she's still here). They are very pleasant people, yet virtually strangers to me so it is stressful playing "hostess" to them. The thing is, my housemate has made it clear I don't need to be "hostess". So I have no role yet visitors in my home. I can't seem to make that work for myself and my stress level has shot through the roof. On top of that, I'm expecting my parents to visit the house for the first time on Saturday - before my housemate's mother leaves. So this weekend I needed an escape - I needed "serenity now!"

I have been running regularly and on Sunday escaped to the C & O Canal with Zoe. We ran nearly six miles - and Zoe once again set a mean pace on the return trip. She is a different dog at the canal! It was a beautiful start to a beautiful day. Later, Zoe joined a friend of mine and me on a trip to Serenity Farm in Benedict, Maryland.

Serenity Farm is one of my favorite places (Zoe's too). It truly lives up to its name. It is owned and operated by the father of a dear friend and I used to be a regular visitor there. I have spent holidays and weekends and random days off wandering the dirt path to the Patuxeunt River while Zoe chased farm animals, ran in and out of the crops, and took a long swim. When I go there magically the troubles racing through my mind slow or disappear. It was sunny and warm on Sunday and with the exception of Zoe trying (and nearly succeeding) to catch a baby goat in her mouth, uneventful and typically peaceful. I relax just thinking about it.

I also enjoyed some "serenity now" yesterday in a number of ways. First, I returned to Hot Yoga so it looks as if I am hooked. I have to admit, it's one hell of a workout. The friend who introduced me to it joined me again and I thought at the end of the workout she was in need of a salt pill! Aside from 15+ mile runs in the heat and humidity of August, I have never sweat so much! It's fabulous, and a solid hour and a half workout. As you might imagine, it rids the body of lots of toxins - physical, mental, and emotional.

Zoe and I also went to a cookout. Pretty standard activity for Memorial Day. And of course it rained. Also pretty standard for Memorial Day. Yet my friends and I had a blast - and ate SO WELL. I believe food with friends is my favorite way to relax. We laughed a lot, drank plenty of red wine (and our naughty host poured me TWO tequila shots), and ate and ate. The best was crashing at a friend's house. Zoe and I were so wiped out we hardly moved all night - and we were cozy on a small pull-out! It was a perfect getaway from a home with visitors . . . just a quiet place where nothing needed to be taken care of and I could rest and relax. I truly enjoyed some "serenity now."

So today I returned to the pink house. I feel much better about the visitor and expected visitors. Of course I'm still finding escapes - reasons not to be home. But when I am there, I think I will be able to handle the stress a little better.

And come Sunday when all visitors have left, I can find "serenity now" where I usually find it - at the pink house.

The Root of All Evil

It has been said that money is the root of all evil. And today is one of those days that I agree.

I believe money is the thing about which I stress most. I work three jobs most of the time in order to live "well" (which is a relative term). I live comfortably in a very nice pink house with a friend and two dogs. I can keep food in my refrigerator and I can go out with my friends and I can even buy plants for the garden. So, by my standards, I live well.

I don't need cable. I don't need high speed internet. I don't need lots of new, expensive clothes (I shop Payless, Target, Ross, Marshalls, etc.). I don't need a new car or new furniture. I don't need a lot of what I consider luxeries.

Money has never motivated me. Duh - I work in the theatre. And my other jobs are non-profit. There are things more important to me: being passionate about my work (or at least much of the time), feeling I'm connecting to people, enjoying work, and not having to take my work home with me!

So why is money, on this day, the root of all evil? Because my housemate is in negotiations for a new job which will pay her a TON of money. If she gets what she is negotiating, she will make more in two months than I make in a year.

I am happy for her. And yet I'm pissed off, too. And admitedly, I'm a wee bit jealous.

This country has a skewed value system. This is not to diminish what my housemate does. On the contrary. It just confounds me why teachers, those in non-profit, artists, and those of the same ilk are so undervalued monetarily. Yet teachers hold our future in their hands . . . and non-profits serve in numerous ways, and artists push the boundaries of cultural ideals and ideas. What survives from ancient culture and is celebrated?

I think of the money she will be making and what I could do with it. I could start checking things off my someday list, that's for sure. I wouldn't have to work three jobs at any given time. I could buy a house. I could travel. I could donate more to the charities dear to my heart.

And yet it's a trade-off, isn't it? A wise friend and co-worker said to me, as we took a break to get a cup of coffee, the passion, joy, and fun I have at work (in essence my "pleasure") is worth all that extra money.

Would I sacrifice Wookie crank calls and Popple talk for that kind of cash?

Never.

Nightmares

Confession: I have been having . . .

bad dreams was the way the post read if I recall correctly.

Sadly, in my desire to deal with formatting issues I LOST the post.

Basically, I said I'd been having nightmares regularly and even linked an article about nightmares to the post. One very bad dream I mentioned ended in Zoe getting hit by a car. Not pretty and very upsetting to say the least.

I'll see if I can't recreate the post at some point down the road.

BUMMER.

Commercial Free Radio

This is my favorite online radio station - and it's commercial free!

DC has the WORST radio stations which is surprising considering it's size and "sophistication" - not to mention a ton of young people at the area colleges and working on the Hill. The radio stations here have shallow play lists and are clearly a buyout by Disney or another version of "THE MAN".

I miss the radio stations I listened to in New England (WRNX, WBOS, etc.) and tried - successfully for a short while - to listen to them online. Fortunately, I have found mvyradio - no surprise it's also from New England - Martha's Vineyard to be exact (you can't get much more New England than that). It's amazing how music can make your work day more bearable. My co-workers and I are really happy to have this to help the time go by pleasantly.

I remember getting my first clock radio and how GREAT that was. My radio was on whenever I was in my room. I knew the lyrics to all of the popular songs and sang with abandon to the likes of the BeeGees and Olivia Newton-John. Then my brother took me aside and - wisely - schooled me on the greats of rock and roll: the Beatles, the Who, etc. Though he probably doesn't know it, he opened the door for my discovery of all kinds of music. World music. Which is why radio stations with a single theme or shallow playlists make me crazy. Ideally, I'd have an ipod and a ton of money to download an incredibly eclectic combination of music. For now, I'm happy to have found this. And it's commercial free!

I've tried running with music. I can't do it. Isn't that odd? The problem being I always want to run to the rhythm established by the song - not always good when trying to develop a dependable pace.

I'm sure the motivating factor of music would help me on long runs MENTALLY. I think that's why I'm a more successful runner when I have people to join me. I'm very lucky to have some consistent running partners (besides Zoe). One running partner in particular has gotten me through EVERY SINGLE MARATHON I've run. He's one of my heroes and I will write about him down the road

Green Thumb

I absolutely love our backyard. It's small, but has a deck and a couple of raised box planters as well as several round planters. It is an oasis for me . . . I spend each morning diligently spraying the aphids off of the rosebush and, as long as the weather cooperates, drinking my morning coffee.

Yesterday, after running with Zoe (we didn't make it to the canal, but we ran two loops of the cemetery) and joining my housemate for a walk, she (my housemate) and I went to Fragers Hardware for some plants.

I was in heaven! And more than a little overwhelmed by the sheer amount of choice. I don't do well with the buffet.

After spending lots of time and money, we took our precious cargo home and I spent a glorious day in the garden.

The weather was PERFECT: mostly sunny and probably in the 70s. It took quite some time and wrestling to get rid of most of the weeds - I ran out of steam and will have fight that battle more regularly (like I do the aphids). I then planted an herb garden with basil, apple mint, chive, and parsley (we already have sage, rosemary, and fennel). I also put two tomato plants into the planter with marigolds and then potted some snapdragons, begonias, some lambs ear (new to me!), some wormwood (also new to me!), a salvia (empire purple - stunning), and some zinnias. FUN! Already in the garden was an azalea from a friend's wedding, some wildflowers and cutting flowers, and some plants I don't know!

I tried planting some things in the front yard, which is also lovely, but the ground is like CLAY so I gave up.

I'm not certain everything will survive. My mother is an amazing gardener, but I'm not certain that talent hasn't skipped my generation like so many of her other talents (sewing, quilting, family photo albums, cooking, etc.). Regardless, it will be fun to try to keep the garden growing.

And to find peace and quiet there.

Black Coffee

Mmmmm . . . I love a good cup of Joe. I love the smell, the taste, and let's face it - the caffeine sure helps get me started in the morning. Every morning.

I managed to give it up a few times - once for as long as six months. I started drinking green tea, which I know is better for me, but when I smelled the coffee brewing at the beach my first morning of vacation I couldn't resist.

Did I mention I have absolutely no will power?

My "evil" devil-dip-bearing co-worker brews coffee throughout the day. It's a good thing we don't work EVERY shift together or you'd be peeling me off the ceiling. She's so evil she brought in a one pound dark chocolate bar and a spray can of whipped cream yesterday. BAD BAD BAD! Of course after eating more of the huge bag of Lays chips (and the remnants of the dip) I had to partake of the chocolate and whipped cream.

Remember, I have absolutely no will power.

This morning she brought in homemade blueberry bread. Good heavens! How am I supposed to resist this?

I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO WILL POWER!

I need help. I need help desperately.

Actually, what I need is to go for a run. Not only do I run for social reasons, but also because I can then eat whatever the hell I want! Guilt-free pleasure. If I want ice cream, I get ice cream. If I want mozzarella cheese sticks, I get a double order. If I want nachos, I get to eat an entire order on my own - with extra cheese, guacamole, and sour cream.

So much for my resolve to eat healthy!

The good news is I have found, I hope, a new running partner. A friend and co-worker, who is currently working out of state but returns next month, wants to start running with me. I'm so excited! She just moved near me and if I can convince her to run in the mornings then I'm set. One co-worker helps put the pounds on, one helps take them off. Yin Yang.

Other good news: my housemate has returned and I can now run with just one not-so-enthusiastic canine. So tomorrow morning I begin (again) to train more seriously. I think Zoe and I will visit the canal for inspiration.

And for breakfast I can enjoy an egg and cheese sandwich guilt-free. And a big mug of black coffee.

Rain, Rain, Go Away . . .

. . . come again when I can sleep in!

There's nothing like sleeping in on a rainy morning, is there?Too bad I had to get up. And of course, the dogs don't care if it's raining or not - walk time is walk time! So I gear up and head out in the pouring rain.

It's actually not too bad if you're dressed for it. I have waterproof pants and jacket. The only thing I don't have is duck boots. Remember duck boots???

I suppose it's time to embrace the rain. I'll be running in it, no doubt, during my training. I remember one brutal 18-miler in the cold rain a couple of years back. I've already mentioned I tend to be cold most of the time, right? Imagine me running for about 3 hours in the cold rain. I couldn't keep my leg muscles warm . . . it was one of the worst runs I've ever had.

Hmm . . . I'm sounding grumpy. I'm not, really. I like the rain. It's good for the flowers. I even enjoy walking the dogs in the rain. It's walking to WORK in the rain that sucks. I mean think of it; you dress "nicely" and by the time you get to work, your socks squish inside your shoes and your pants are soaked from the mid-thigh down. It gives "casual Friday" a whole new meaning when you've stripped down to your skivies in order to dry your pants out!

I'm looking forward to the warmer, dryer weather. Is it just me, or has this been an unusually cool spring for DC? Of course, now that I've said that, we're going to skip the 70 - 80 degree weather entirely and jump from 60 to 90!

Ahhh . . . summer in DC. Hot, humid, code red air quality days . . . I get all teary-eyed just thinking about it. Of course the tears aren't from the longing for those lazy, hazy days - they're from the smog burning my eyes.

Hasn't anybody heard of public transportation? Or riding your bike? Or walking?

There's been a lot of talk about gas prices lately . . . and what we can do about our consumption of fuel. Umm . . . haven't the solutions been clear for a long time? I mention three in the previous paragraph. Get out of your Hummer and onto your bike. I mean really, this isn't the Gulf War! But no, let's go destroy one of our last pristine places so those Hummer owners can fill their gas tanks and get a tax break in the process!

Don't get me started . . . NOW I'm grumpy.

I know how to cool off . . . I'll go for a walk . . . in the rain.

Freakonomics and French Onion Dip

Helluva Good French Onion Dip is the devil. Or maybe my co-worker who brought it into work with a huge bag of Lays chips is. Or maybe both.

Or maybe I just have absolutely no WILL POWER.

There is no question I have now consumed all of my daily allowance of fat and salt. And I just keep eating. And I will be so disappointed when it is all gone.

Would I have eaten any had my co-worker left it at home? No. I only buy it when my brother's family is in town (clearly the love of this dip runs in the family - my niece and nephews are practically addicted to the stuff). So who's really to blame???

Okay, I know it's me. But isn't it funny to consider it the other way? That's what intrigues me so much about Freakonomics. I'm not really comparing my french onion dip dilemma to the more serious ideas raised in Freakonomics, but since they were both on my mind I figured I'd try to connect the two. No doubt that "rogue economist" Mr. Levitt could do it!

I really think Freakonomics is worth a read. I've only read excerpts, but hope the book will be a part of my summer "reading list." I know Mr. Levitt has angered a lot of folks with his ideas, but aren't "new ideas" almost always met with anger and suspicion? Think of so many of our great (and sometimes scary) thinkers, artists, philosophers, and scientists and the resistance they met. Creation, in all of its forms, can be (and more often than not IS) a painful process.

I say, before you have a knee jerk reaction to the idea that legalized abortion reduced the crime rate, consider the facts Mr. Levitt presents and then come to your own conclusion. Open your mind long enough to LISTEN to (or in this case READ) what he has to say. I'm not sure I'll like everything he has to say, but that shouldn't stop me from at least hearing him out.

If what I read upsets me, I should do two things - consider WHY it upsets me - and go get some Helluva Good French Onion Dip.

Live for Today

Okay, so the Today Show is doing this series on what to do before you die. They've compiled a list based on viewer response of the top 50 things people want to do before they die.

I have a list too. I call it my Someday List.

Someday I'll own a house.
Someday I'll travel the world.
Someday I'll date again.

You get the picture.

My someday list is long - much longer than 50 things - and I begin to wonder if maybe I'm not pursuing what's on the list aggressively enough. How does one go about checking things OFF the list? I mean, let's consider the limitations.

Unlike the Today Show - I don't have an unending supply of MONEY to do most of the things on my list (such as travel and buy a house). I don't have control over my career in the sense that I can't cast myself in whatever I please. I don't have control over my love life because I can't force somebody to like me (and I refuse to be somebody I'm not in order to get them to like me). Do I sound pessimistic? Self-defeatist?

Actually, I'm not. If I were, I would have thrown out the someday list a long time ago! I'm an optimist and believe I will be able to put check marks next to a lot of items. Sometimes, it's fun to look at the things I HAVE done.

I have traveled - more than many. I have been to England, Ireland, Greece, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Mexico and easily half the states in the continental US.
I have worked as an actor - and though I haven't performed on Broadway, I have made people laugh, cry, and think.
I have loved - and lost - twice. No shame in that.
I have been to college. I have been to graduate school.
I have jumped out of a perfectly good airplane.
I have climbed Pikes Peak.
I have hiked the Grand Canyon.
I have explored the ruins of Tulum.
I have skied - both snow and water.
I have learned to sail - and capsize - and turtle - and recover - a small sailboat (the Wiggin family will now comment).
I have snorkeled a barrier reef off Key West.
I have ridden a horse and a motorcycle.
I have roller-bladed and ice-skated.
And so on and so forth.

Some of the things I have done don't seem like much to probably most of your reading this . . . but I've had so many more opportunities than so many people . . . I have to recognize them as such.

I have run a marathon. I have run five.

HUH? Is that really on the list? Well . . . it's on the Today Show's list!

And I'm now preparing to run my sixth. And guess what - in the process I get to check more things off my list! Hawaii. Checking out a volcano. Surfing. Para-sailing. A whole slew of adventures thought of and not.

I'm definitely living for today.

119th Street and Walk Back

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(recreated post on 9/23/05)

That was an expression we used to have when I ran Shawnee Mission South X-Country. We would run out to 119th Street and because it was all farm land out there we could easily get away with walking back part of the way without coach catching us.

I joined cross country because I had a brother and sister who were competitive runners and let's face it, I'm a joiner. I ran for social reasons. I ran because it seemed like fun . . . and there was a boy. There's ALWAYS a boy! He was a year ahead of me, our top runner, and had the most amazing eyes you'd ever see. In two years I don't think I said two words to him. Typical.

It's funny to think of the time when 119th had horses, cows, and buffalo - it's now a divided four lane road with Olive Gardens and Targets. It looks like every other major suburban road in the country. When we moved out to Kansas we were as far south as you could get from the city. Our sub-division was on a cross roads where the other three corners were farm land. Like 119th Street, the area has grown and when we moved away sixteen years later it was also four over-developed lanes.

Shawnee Mission - by the time we got there it was no longer a mission and, to my knowledge, there were no Shawnees. I grew up in a place with few minorities. In fact, you could probably count the number of minorities that went to my high school (a school with over 1800 students) on two hands. Maybe I'm exaggerating, but not by much. In my own circle of high school friends, I consider myself lucky to have befriended one Iranian (escaped the revolution in 1980 with her family) and one first generation Indian.

How far I've traveled from that Red State in the middle of the country - literally, figuratively, and ideologically. I don't get back there much at all now that my family has moved away. In fact, it's been six years since I've been back. There is little besides my friends pulling me to visit. My 20 year reunion is next summer (which makes me want to vomit) and I wonder if I'll go. A few years back I went on a cruise with some of my old high school friends and discovered we had little in common anymore. They are all married with children and frankly, don't know what to make of me. To be fair, I don't know what to make of them. We spoke mostly of the old Shawnee Mission South days . . . and laughed a lot, but never really talked about our current lives - or anything else. I was happy to have a DC friend along.

I suppose long distance applies to more than just running.

And Now Back to Our Regularly Scheduled Program

Monday. Back at the Folger and things return to "normal."

Last night was press night for Big Death and Little Death. As most of you have heard or assumed by now, I have not gone on since the IDR. Nor do I anticipate I will go on. I am contracted through the run "just in case," but figure I will remain in the wings. I now will only be at the theatre once a week to rehearse and watch the show. I'm sad I won't be there daily - it is a great group of people and I had such a fun time being a part of the production - even in a small way! I am so looking forward to starting Merry Wives - just three weeks away.

For now, we return to our regularly schedueld program: the Folger, NIH, and TRAINING!

Tonight I go to hot yoga for the first time . . . I'll get back to you on THAT experience. And tomorrow, come hell or high water (dogs or no dogs), I need to go for a maintenance run. Enough excuses. No more excuses!

Next task . . . running shoes. I need new running shoes. Of course that means kissing goodbye a chunk of change, but when you compare it to a gym membership or the like, running is a very cheap way to stay fit. I guess that purchase goes on the weekend "to do" list along with the aforementioned cleaning, laundry, groceries, etc.

I haven't been grocery shopping in weeks! Not so good. I must get in a good food habit - good food is good fuel for training. When I open my refrigerator now, this is what I see: orange juice (it's a start), tortillas (but no cheese - what's the damn point?), spinach (which when FRESH is good, but in it's current condition might be dangerous), and condiments (can you make a meal of condiments?). Oh yeah, and a few beers. Not exactly quality training food. Time to get disciplined about my food!

Discipline doesn't come naturally to me. It's odd, considering the rest of my family appears to be very disciplined. Is it nature or nurture that makes us the way we are? One would argue nature since I was nurtured in a very organized, orderly environment. On the other hand, one might argue I fought against how I was raised - another middle class rebel without a cause. Regardless, chaos reigns in much of my life.

So running seems an odd choice, doesn't it? It's linear. It requires self-restraint in more than one area of your life. And yet I run happy (okay, MOSTLY happy). It's time to think without realizing you're thinking - does that make sense? It's easy - not in the sense that it's easy on your body - but in the sense that I just roll out of bed, put on my shoes and shorts, and walk out the door easy. It's the cross-training that gets complicated! That's why it helps to have a friends who join me. I'm good for the yoga - anybody out there want to start swimming?

Well . . . that's about all there is to tell at this time . . . at least related to running the marathon. Please prepare yourself for future entries that have nothing to do with my training - Sarah's chaos theory will eventually take over and I'll babble endlessly on any number of topics. It's up to you and your comments to keep me on task!

Saturday Morning

Well, it's Saturday morning. Time to rest, relax, enjoy the start of the day and a mug or ten of coffee. And I'm actually doing that THIS Saturday morning because starting June 11th, I sacrifice my Saturday mornings to my training.

Why am I not running THIS Saturday morning? Well, truth be told I'm pretty tired after this nutty week. And I'm also taking care of my housemate's dog while she's out of town and her dog is even LESS enthusiastic about running than Zoe. Yeah excuses, excuses! I guess I'm making excuses but we're just going to have to deal with that. So . . . I'm back to running next weekend.

I really love restful mornings. My friends might call me a morning person, but truth be told I've only come to enjoy the morning due to having a dog. It doesn't mean I'm pleasant or thrilled to roll out of bed early every day! I've learned to embrace the quiet of morning and puttering around in the garden after walking (or running!).

Ahhhhhhhhh . . . the restful sound of the chainsaw! Well . . . thus ends my pleasant morning. I have errands to run anyway. Tonight is opening night and with the crazy schedule I've had since beginning this gig last weekend, I have neglected the important daily duties of a household (i.e. laundry, groceries, cleaning)! Time to get going and get busy.

Please don't give up on me! I will get serious about my training. I just need to find a rhythm in my schedule and that hasn't been possible this past week.

More to come . . .

Untitled

Hmm . . .

an untitled entry . . .

a link to

I've always relied on the kindness of strangers . . .

A couple of friends joined me for margaritas last night and we got to talking about "the kindness of strangers". My housemate told a great story about how, while in Germany, a couple literally took her and a friend into their home and took care of them one New Years Eve. I spoke of hitch-hiking through Ireland and how I met lots of strangers who were full of kind surprises - two who even stopped to buy my companions and me ice cream.

Then I wondered out loud why it seemed somehow more common that people were kind abroad. I realized that's not really true either because I have been helped countless times by strangers . . . mostly to help change a tire when I've been on a road trip (not to worry Daddy, I do know how to change my tire by myself). Americans are extremely generous - especially with their money. After the 9/11 attack, or the tsunami, or even way back to "Live Aid" Americans willingly part with the green in their wallets. Yet are we as generous when it comes to helping in a personal way? I'm not saying regular volunteering or that kind of thing - I'm speaking of when you encounter a person in need out of the blue, do you stop to ask if they need help? It feels as if reaching out that way is dangerous.

I think of this past Thanksgiving. I asked out loud, after an incredible meal with family and friends, "What are we going to do with all this left-over food?" Instantly there was a knock on the door. Somebody opened it and a homeless man was on the other side. I watched as the gut reaction of most of us took over - he's not to be trusted. Yet as the door began to close on him, I took the risk and shouted "Does he want some food?!" Of course he did. As I began to stuff plastic cups and baggies full of food, I looked around and saw many faces still worried about helping this man. Will he wait outside and assault us as we leave? Will he come back for more than food? I completely understand this way of thinking - I often think that way myself - but why are we so afraid? Do statistics tell us that by helping we end up being victimized? The man we fed that night was so grateful for the feast he had tears in his eyes as he thanked us. It felt SO GOOD helping him - not at all scary. When I think about all the times I've been helped, I smile with gratitude that those folks took the risk to help me. And when we help or are helped, we not only have the good feeling, but a great story to tell.

I think of how this marathon helps so many strangers. I can personalize it because I know people who are living with HIV and benefiting from the Whitman-Walker Clinic services. How can you personalize it? Well, you're reading this and that's a start. You can make a donation on my behalf. But if you want to risk big and live dangerously, why not come out and volunteer for me? Spend one Saturday getting to know some strangers by handing out water to all the runners. Bring a chair and a book - but don't count on reading any of it because I'm sure you'll find the other volunteers to be fascinating strangers worth talking with! Your time is counted as money for my fundraising and you can actually touch the lives of lots of strangers in a personal way. And think of the stories you will be able to tell.

Though you're not strangers, I'm relying on your kindness!

www.aidsmarathon.com (runner #3063)

Cinco de Mayo

MMMMMMMmmmmmargarita.

Do we really need an excuse to drink Margaritas? I don't think so.

And this is when I realize that my love of libations will need to be tempered in the coming months. In fact, I felt it this morning. The post wine whine. My body really complained this morning about getting out of bed to run. I finally got it to shut up long enough to put on my running shoes and head out the door. It did a little more complaining when we started to run, but was finally silenced into submission by sheer will - and another perfect running morning. Even Zoe survived and was slightly more enthusiastic this time around.

The funny thing is, I only had a glass and half of wine! What's that about? I'm starting to believe what my parents always said about getting older . . . and that scares the hell out of me. I honestly don't consider myself to be old. I don't ACT old (no doubt the comments will come flooding in regarding that statement): I like hip clothes (but can't afford them) and my taste in men hasn't exactly aged with me (TMI?). So my body betraying me in this small way seems to be incongruant with the way I live, think, and act. Grrr. This is the WORST part of training for a marathon.

Sacrifices have to be made. I'm not so good on sacrifice. In fact, I prefer the opposite! Yes, I'm a CONSUMER - of all the things I love. Which boils down to all the things potentially bad for me: wine, cheese, bread, dark chocolate, margaritas, more cheese, and more bread! Of course I also consume things not so bad for me - coffee, good converstaion, good (and sometimes bad) theatre, nature, etc. Why must so much of what we love be not so good for us?

So I now must watch my consumption of all those bad things (except maybe for the bread - carbs are good for runners). That means dedicating one weekend night to being "good" which means planning in advance - and my mother and father would be the first to tell you I've never been so good at planning! Even simple things like planning what I'm going to wear the next day have eluded me. I will need my friends' help on this one.

The good news is tomorrow I get to "rest" from running. Which means tonight is carefree. My timing is perfect.

Cinco de Mayo - prickly pear margaritas anyone?

Hot Yoga

I've decided to try this "Hot Yoga" or Bikram Yoga as part of my cross-training. A friend of mine is a devotee, and though not long ago I practiced yoga regularly, my time and money ran out and it has been some time since I've pulled out my beloved mat. My best marathon times happened when I was practicing regularly. So in a couple of weeks, when my Monday night teaching finally ends I can give this a try. And unlike the woman in the article, I LIKE the idea of HOT space. I'm always cold (I'm cold right now - even with a space heater pointed directly at me). I used to wear socks and turtlenecks to practice yoga. This could be ideal.

My cross-training will also include swimming. I hope. Eastern Market has a great pool and if I can squeeze some laps in twice a week, I'm good to go.

Of course I have my daily walk with Zoe. The training program stresses a day off, but when you have a dog there is no such thing as a day off (I understand kids are that way, too - I'm not ready to test that theory but THAT subject will have to wait for an entry of its own). And you can just forget about sleeping in - ever. Sleeping in to me is 8 A.M. - but Zoe is worth the sleep deprivation.

Kenya or bust!

Oh to be Kalenjin!

Instead, I have a long torso, wider hips, and calves that are far from non-existent. I also live in a place that definitely gets colder than 50 and hotter than 80 degrees. DC also gets humid, rainy, smoggy, and is certainly not at 8,000 feet! SIGH. So I guess I won't be traveling to Kenya to train with the elite runners. At least they can inspire me.

I'm particularly fond of what they do in their down time - practically nothing. With a schedule like that I might not be half bad! However, I slave away at three jobs to keep the roof over my head and running shoes on my feet. And of course I still get help - lots of it.

Today I went on my first "maintenance" run. It was sunny and chilly - perfect running weather. My goal was simple - 30 minutes without wanting to cry or crawl back into bed. I'm happy to say I met my goal. Zoe joined me as she has so many times during my training.

I think she wants to retire.

Seriously. I think Zoe is weary of being my running partner. Either that or she's picky about WHERE she runs. Perhaps if we were still near Rock Creek Park so she could be off leash, chase wildlife, and swim she would join me with more enthusiasm. It used to be she would pull me all the way to the park - really, she set quite a pace! Now, she pulls when she knows we're half-way done and there is food, water, and a bed waiting for her at home.

Who can blame her?

However, it makes me sad. She has gotten me out of bed to train for five marathons and it seems strange to run without her. I will try a few more times . . . and if she still runs begrudgingly, I will have to allow her retirement.

Any Kenyans or enthusiastic dogs out there looking for a running partner?