Tidbits

Motivation from Marketing: Recently Nike (apparently illegally) put down posters along the running path in Chicago. I ran across one that read "Forget the wind. Run like a freight train." I'll take the stance that while I don't think companies should feel free to plaster stuff on the trail without permission (or with it, really, since it's a nice run and shouldn't be covered with ads, really) I have to say I appreciate the new motto. I certainly don't run wind-fast, but I can get behind the mental image of a freight train. I like it.

Mileage: Eight miles yesterday. I was beat.

Modesty: Runners often wear the shortest shorts that ever shorted. I'm not quite that kind of runner. I went over to Fleet Feet last weekend and bought two bags worth of stuff. I picked up two of these newfangled running skirts, and I have to say I like 'em. They've got the shorty shorts underneath, with a cute, longer skirt on top. Fashionable! Kind of.

Music: I brought my iPod out on Saturday, in case I was the only one at my pace out there. I didn't want to go all eight miles in silence. But I did have a running pal, so I kept it in my pocket. Well, about the last mile and a half, I told her to go ahead, since her pace was a bit faster than mine (thirty seconds per mile does add up). I put on my iPod for a bit, but ended up taking it off. It seemed distracting. I've always had music while running, so it was an odd change. I did listen to one Leonard Cohen song though, with is rather surprising for a running song. It worked, though. Good beat.

Miraculous Ways: I was running with Greta, one of my pace pals, on Wednesday. I noticed a tattoo on her shoulder and asked about it. She told me about it a bit, and I mentioned I had one too, on my back. We talked about how you think of your tattoos as you get older and such, and I said, "Well, as long as I don't renounce my faith, I'll be all right." When I told her it was a Trinity symbol, she asked if I went to church in the neighborhood. I told her I'd been looking around, but hadn't settled. She invited me to come over to St. James, the Lutheran church she belongs to. I plan to check it out next week. Odd how a conversation about tattoos can lead to a church invite!

Uuurggghh

So the first day running after a bit of a break is great. My legs are all, "Oh hey, this is nice. We can totally pull off a couple miles. Whee!" Today, the day after the first run after a break, they were all, "Hey. We did this yesterday. Whatever, I'm done. What? Two more? No." Rude legs.

Reluctant Runner's Surprising Song of the Day: Tear Stained Letter, Johnny Cash

But, day two of Project Wake Up was a success. And it proves itself worthwhile, as I can now go straight over to a friend's to help her pack. I'm getting paid in Leona's Italian food, hoorah.

Please check out these shirts. They are beyond the description "hysterical" and right on into "incomprehensible." Keep an eye out for the "Dracula style grillz" though. Also, darn tootin' Lassie loves me. It's because I give her bacon. (Found, insanely, by searching for something by one of our authors. I heart Carlos Moore, indeed. I really do.)

Reluctant Runner's Suprising Song of the Day

The music at any gym can be a crapshoot. LifeTime Fitness was all right, though a little heavy on the '80s hip-hop at times. David Barton usually felt like a scenester club on house night. My current gym, SweatShop, lets employees plug in their iPods, so it varies a lot--this morning was trance club stuff, but I've heard a lot of '90s rock (love that).
I generally bring my own iPod so I don't have to listen to myself breathing and my feet hitting the treadmill. I just put it on shuffle and see what comes up. I also have found some songs that are surprisingly fun to run to. Surprising because one would absolutely not expect them to be good "gym songs." I'll try to post one from each of my runs, just to share that little happiness I find each day (or, each day I run, which is four times a week).

Today:
Skin Is, My (video), Andrew Bird

Yeah, I wrote "this morning." I'm trying out running before work since I was having a hard time getting over to the gym in the evening. It's just hard to work around social events and time with friends and eating dinner and and and. So, 6:15 A. M. today! I actually had a good morning, with extra time to get ready and have breakfast and be early to work for once. I'll let you know how the rest of the week fares.