just got up

It's a little after 5am and I just ate breakfast: bagel, banana and gatorade.

I wanted to write again because my last entry was so pissy. Although I don't mind complaining about life in general, the last thing I need before a big run is negative thoughts and vibes. I finally took a bonafide shower after days of hobo bathing, so I feel much better. I truly hate my bathtub. Plus, I bought an mp3 player even though I didn't have money for it. It better last forever. I'm hoping it can be my xmas present from mom.

The only thing truly bothering me is the fact that I could not sleep at all tonight. I napped some yesterday so I hope fatigue does not set in. I'm guessing that it should not set in until about 10am. By that time the race will be over. Ok lets do this. Wish me luck.

Nervous about the 18 mile run tomorrow.

I don't know what happened to me this week. I think my soul decided to go party without my body. Hope it had a great time. Meanwhile my body had been inside until Thursday night 10 pm when I forced myself to run 8 miles at the gym. I shoved my headphones into my phone and screwed up the jack causing the sound to short out. So running while listening to the music I didn't want to become dependent on became a delicate operation. I wish I could take a shower but my tub has pipe mud in it. I'm on my second cup of coffee today and I should eat something other than cereal.

Run across Brooklyn

Yesterday morning I skipped the team run. There was no way I could have ran 15 miles without sleep. I really really tried. To make up for it I planned to run from Columbus Circle to Coney Island (about 15mi). Not really a plan, more of the spur-of-the-moment idea because I slept through my previous plan of running CP 2 1/2 times then going to the Met. I left late so I started at City Hall instead.

The bridge was packed. I hated running down Flatbush Ave. I felt like everyone was starring at me. I'm sure I looked funny with a fuel belt, backpack, bottle of water in one hand and a phone in the other while moving at Turtle pace. "You don't know where I'm going and you don't know where I've been."

It was around that point that I had to break out the mp3s. It's not good have any negative thoughts while running long distance and I needed friends. By Prospect Park I was feeling better. I didn't dare to run through it. I'm sure it's a simple path but I am not familiar. After following the contour I made my way to Ocean Parkway. The same path as in the Brooklyn Half Marathon. Then it was mostly counting the alphabet avenues and others thrown in there until I hit Ave Z. then Neptune Ave! By the time I met the boardwalk the sun was setting and I was aiming for the silhouette of the Parachute Drop.

Squam Lake

Last week Bonnie invited me to vacation with her family in New Hampshire. We hiked, kayaked and swam. It was a lot of fun. I drank beer and ate ice cream every day. I got some miles in too. Mostly ran along the highway into and across a small town. On the other side there was a covered bridge that I used as my turnaround. It was about 5 miles total. My longest run was 8 miles around the Pond in Jamaica plain, Boston.