tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40305182011-12-14T10:10:16.516-08:00In which small things are accomplished, and wherein this accretion leads to revelation and revolution.Megannoreply@blogger.comBlogger881100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-40214509646643784672008-06-30T18:20:00.000-07:002008-06-30T18:29:36.248-07:00

I've been reading "The Noonday Demon", a book about depression. He has some wonderful, lyrical descriptions about the physical, visceral experience of sadness. One interesting thing the author notes is that depression follows a circadian pattern: deeper at night and in the morning, and lifting somewhat during the day. I don't know why reading that one little nugget was such a comfort for me,

Megannoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-24021429256008446632008-06-03T15:11:00.000-07:002008-06-03T15:33:43.749-07:00

I stopped writing here because I stopped running. I thought about starting another blog, but I still like the idea of "escape velocity", so I'm just going to continue here, but I won't be writing about running!But "escape velocity" is still very appropriate. I quit my social services job last August, went to a four-month non-fiction writing workshop, and came home full of creative zeal and

Megannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1140819587327424152006-02-24T14:16:00.000-08:002006-02-24T14:19:47.340-08:00

Megannoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1140450524941903682006-02-20T07:29:00.000-08:002006-02-20T07:57:35.296-08:00

Just my luck, I got to run my very first half-marathon on one of the coldest days of the year. It hovered below freezing for the entirety of my time on the course. People had frost on their hats.Having said all that, I must say the run was also probably the most pleasant run I've ever had. The course, billed as the fastest course in the United States, was either flat or downhill most of the way

Megannoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1139010599587460512006-02-03T14:28:00.000-08:002006-02-03T17:14:10.800-08:00

I've been feeling homely lately. Most of my clothes are a few years old, showing signs of fraying or are permanently stretched out of shape. It doesn't help that I've gained about 10 pounds lately, despite 6 months of fairly consistent adherence to a running program.It has recently come to my attention that the vast majority of my wardrobe falls into one of two categories: office clothes and

Megannoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1137970498456636232006-01-22T14:54:00.000-08:002006-01-22T14:56:32.286-08:00

Saturday was my longest training run on the schedule – 13 miles, practically a half-marathon, minus a measly 0.1 mile.On the way in the pre-dawn to the starting site, my stomach flipped a few times with nerves while my mind ticked off potential pitfalls. Should I have switched out my shoes by now? Did I eat enough breakfast and should I tweak my standard meal (honey nut cheerios, soy milk, toast,

Megannoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1137646922233835012006-01-18T21:00:00.000-08:002006-01-18T21:06:06.943-08:00

I’m writing this entry about my job plans a little earlier than expected due to a curve-ball I got at work today.My department director called me in unexpectedly to ask if I would take on a special project, of indeterminate length with indeterminate duties. I would receive a temporary pay increase of 10% as long as the special assignment lasts. The job description is vague, but it entails things

Megannoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1137458040485213362006-01-16T16:32:00.000-08:002006-01-16T16:48:22.406-08:00

Big Brother was making some rumbles at work, and I got spooked and stopped my blog reading and writing. But now I’ve got a home computer set up, and so I’m back, though I fear having the Internet at home may cause me to develop a raging Ebay or porn addiction. I am, oddly enough, much more productive at work latey.Here’s a random recap of the past few months:I took an Amtrak trip to Dallas for

Megannoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1132266639593933622005-11-17T14:21:00.000-08:002005-11-17T17:05:08.010-08:00

I didn't set any land-speed records this weekend during my 5k, but I did do something new this race: I pushed and picked off people in front of me, one by one by one, throughout the whole thing. It was great fun to train my sights on someone in front of me and slowly gain on them and then finally kick right by them. The fact that I was able to push past people and not feel exhausted by the effort

Megannoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1131393226213300352005-11-07T11:03:00.000-08:002005-11-07T12:26:05.413-08:00

Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos is a pretty big celebration locally, marked by several days-worth of events. I went to a mass and an altares/ofrendas exhibit in honor of the dead last week, and ran into the group I used to dance with, dressed up for their annual show: This weekend was the 3rd Coast Scooter Rally, and I joined in on one of the rides along the Mission Trail. I met lots of

Megannoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1129828243143784012005-10-20T09:44:00.000-07:002005-10-20T10:24:30.483-07:00

This week, my running schedule spiraled away from me. By Wednesday I hadn't yet tackled my first of three scheduled weekday runs.I can blame it on a slumber party this weekend with my niece and nephew, which left me so exhausted that I've existed in a catatonic state for the last few days, lying near motionless on the couch after work surrounded by the detritus of the natural phenomenon known as

Megannoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1129307689937886462005-10-14T09:30:00.000-07:002005-10-14T09:41:45.300-07:00

The past few weeks I've been swooning over some of the bikes I've considered as replacements for my kidnapped, long-lost and lamented bike. What I'm looking for is a super-bike, one that I can use for all of the following: daily commuting, completing century rides and other longer-distance recreational rides in relative comfort, hauling groceries and library books, riding on bumpy and pot-holed

Megannoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1126140752554962662005-09-07T17:39:00.000-07:002005-09-07T17:57:33.286-07:00

I'm going to be blogging less for the next few weeks. Since I work as a caseworker for the city I and all my coworkers have been staffing one of the four shelters set up here for Katrina evacuees. I've been working the overnight shift this whole week.I was out of town last weekend when the buses and planes started arriving and my agency began the intake process of registering all the evacuees and

Megannoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1125514649166593832005-08-31T11:52:00.000-07:002005-08-31T12:00:45.566-07:00

This weekend someone stole my bicycle and then also took the time to steal the mirrors off my moped and let some air out of the tires. Obviously, god wants me to ride the bus more often.Here are two scenarios of what I imagine the thief or thieves were thinking:"Well, this cool bike that some idiot didn't lock up has some actual street value, so that's going to put some cash in my pocket. Hmmm.

Megannoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1124291540673804532005-08-17T07:55:00.000-07:002005-08-17T08:32:26.313-07:00

Piggybacking on my last post, here is a brief recap of another core city ride Rainey and I did this weekend:The ride started with a quick jaunt to the farmer's market, where we both bought zinnia bouquets and Texas peaches. We followed that up with a ride downtown to hang out for a bit at a coffeeshop and to buy some earrings.And then, I easily talked Rainey into riding deep into the South side

Megannoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1123772787423116882005-08-11T06:51:00.000-07:002005-08-11T08:41:06.163-07:00

My friend Rainey is like my patron Saint of exercise. Without her calling me up asking me out for swims or walks or bike rides, I don't think I'd have gotten exercise at all this summer. She doesn't seem to realize that it's hot, dammit and therefore sitting on my butt is justifiable. She's always emailing me at work, a few hours before quitting time, making biking or swimming sound like the

Megannoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1123190586865746162005-08-04T14:09:00.000-07:002005-08-04T14:31:53.830-07:00

I only just saw the Dove ads a few weeks ago. Since then, I've read a few blog entries, articles and commentaries on them.I saw the first ad in an Oprah magazine I scanned in line at the grocery store. I didn't realize it was an ad, and thought the magazine was running an article on body image. My heart actually lifted in my chest looking at the picture of these women posing in their underwear, I

Megannoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1121803225282475912005-07-19T11:37:00.000-07:002005-07-20T05:59:04.760-07:00

Let us recap the past 16 months of my personal transportation history, a history brought about by a bonehead crash into a telephone pole. Since that ignominious demise of my car, the following have been my stalwart and faithful steeds on the road to car-free adventure.BusBikeBi-pedalismOh, how well I have (mostly) loved these three and the things I have learned from them. Such as, I am a

Megannoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1121197484494743992005-07-12T12:30:00.000-07:002005-07-12T12:46:31.440-07:00

The 5K I ran this weekend was an all-female race, which I appreciate. It made me wonder, though. Are there any all-male 5K races? And if so, where?I rode my bike to the race start, about 3 miles from my house. I figured it was a good way to warm up my legs. The race start was in a city park and the route wound through one of the wealthier neighborhoods in town. The park itself has always creeped

Megannoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1120849985200359152005-07-08T11:56:00.000-07:002005-07-08T12:13:05.206-07:00

This whole week I've been wanting to post an entry. But I haven't been running, and I've already cluttered up the last few posts with non-running related entries, so I was feeling guilty for not actually, you know, writing about running. It was a condundrum. How to solve it?Aha! I had a brilliant idea. Maybe if I signed up for a race, I'd have a legitimate reason to post an entry. But what if it

Megannoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1119986796644578762005-06-28T12:13:00.000-07:002005-06-28T13:29:10.310-07:00

I've been feeling angry lately. This weekend, while running errands downtown, I was nearly bowled over by a feeling of hate for the people around me. I hated the crowds, I hated the tourists, I hated the consumers with their shopping bags, I hated the women in their coordinating outfits, I hated all the couples canoodling together. I was just pissed off and feeling out of place.Which is weird,

Megannoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1119624828185188442005-06-24T07:21:00.000-07:002005-06-24T07:53:48.190-07:00

This week I've run twice, each time for an hour. If someone had told me a few months ago that I'd be running voluntarily for an hour at a time I'd have called them crazy. Specifically, I might have said "you're smoking crack!"So there's something going on with my right heel. Whenever I walk I have the sensation of a mild snapping, like someone's lightly flicking my heel with a rubber band.

Megannoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1119029396261620582005-06-17T09:46:00.000-07:002005-06-17T10:29:56.270-07:00

I haven't run much in the last two weeks, partly due to the heat but also due to a falling out of sorts with my running coach. Some of you may recall that I had sneaking suspicions of a quid pro quo motive on his behalf back when we started running.These suspicions were fueled by several dinner outings after our running sessions (dinners for which he insisted on paying), lots of hugs that

Megannoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1118684747549928982005-06-13T10:19:00.000-07:002005-06-13T13:30:07.906-07:00

I hiked to the highest point in Texas (the Guadalupe Peak) on Saturday, and today (Monday) I am still hobbling around and feeling like a pretzel, which is I suppose what happens when one kicks one's own ass. As promised, here are some photos. For those of you who are numerically inclined, the hike was 8.5 miles, the path gained 3000 feet in elevation, and the total hiking time was about 5 hours

Megannoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1118160963123920742005-06-07T08:29:00.000-07:002005-06-07T10:46:55.893-07:00

I've read some great race reports in the last few days. Go read all about Lara's determination, VJ's marathon triumph, Dietgirl's very first race ever, and Lynne's seriously kick-ass adventure race.I ran my own 5K this weekend. I wanted to do it because the route featured some inner-city murals. I ran with my camera, but it turns out it's pretty hard to run and take pictures, so I only got one

Megannoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1117118757629764512005-05-26T07:19:00.000-07:002005-05-26T08:19:38.753-07:00

Home to WorkThis journey is brought to you by today's Mantra:Packed and ready to go!"Zut alors! I care not for you plebian commuting concerns. I care only to hatch new ways to torment you in the middle of the night. In fact, as you take this picture, I am planning tonight's torture session, in which I will get on the roof multiple times, crying forlornly, until you, in your feeble-minded and

Megannoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1116879727532025742005-05-23T12:56:00.000-07:002005-05-23T13:35:34.466-07:00

So Mia passed on this meme which has apparently been making the rounds of fitness blogs. You are stuck inside Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, which book do you want to be?So, I guess the question is do I want to be the kind of book that gets burnt or the kind of book that's so important that someone will risk life and limb to guard me. I suppose I'd break the law of Bradbury's futuristic society

Megannoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1116430233487625132005-05-18T08:09:00.000-07:002005-05-18T08:30:33.586-07:00

This week I started following an 8-week beginner sprint triathlon plan I downloaded from AllTriathlon (thanks to a tip from Lara who is always full of good suggestions).Yesterday had me swimming, which I haven't done in a while. I'd forgotten how insecure I am about swimming. I always seem to get in the water and overanalyze every single thing I'm doing.I'd never much thought about my freestyle

Megannoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1115997811891217872005-05-13T08:09:00.000-07:002005-05-13T08:34:13.860-07:00

I gingerly went back to running this week, and am happy to report that my most irrational fear -- a vivid imagining of my shin bone cracking and poking out through my skin (along with an affecting rescue operation led by William Baldwin and featuring a helicopter airlift) -- did not materialize.On the first run I went very, very slowly and whined enough about some twinges and aches in my shins

Megannoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1115303668847711592005-05-05T06:36:00.000-07:002005-05-05T07:34:28.970-07:00

For the past two weeks I've ridden my bike to work every day. It's probably about 3.5 miles one way, though I'll know for sure after fooling with the nifty bike computer I just got. The weather has been perfect to ride, but the thing I like best about the bike is the independence of it. Riding the bus means I have to wait on someone else's timetable, but being able to get home under my own power

Megannoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1114796808431498042005-04-29T10:40:00.000-07:002005-04-29T10:46:48.433-07:00

My parents just sold the house that we moved into when I was 7. They are moving to a town an hour outside the city.I am somewhat freaked out about this, even though I've known about it for months and months. Aren't I supposed to be an independent, healthily-functioning adult? Wasn't I weaned from my mother's breast eons ago?Apparently not, because I am still freaking out. And also, crying into my

Megannoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1114625121102135852005-04-27T10:42:00.000-07:002005-04-27T11:05:21.103-07:00

Today, I picked up a Hershey's Kiss, unwrapped it, stared at it a moment while a disembodied voice in my head intoned "Let's see what life is like without sugar today, mmmkay?" and then rewrapped the chocolate morsel and put it away.Clearly, there is a rip in the fabric of the universe and I am trapped in an alternate reality. As long as I'm floating along in some parallel universe, I fully

Megannoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1114449557370273612005-04-25T10:16:00.000-07:002005-04-26T07:16:42.923-07:00

Sunday was not a Pretty day for me.By that I mean I wasn't feeling particularly attractive. I had had a string of sleepless nights, so when I woke up exhausted Sunday morning I promptly made the executive decision to spend the whole day in bed, reading. I happily finished two books.But I was aware of feeling unattractive, sort of fleshy and pale and dumpy, all day. At one point, I put on my

Megannoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1114012050210746512005-04-20T08:37:00.000-07:002005-04-20T08:55:08.290-07:00

My upper body strength is so pitiful I can't even get a plastic meatball to shoot out the mouth of a plastic man.I had to take a First Aid course for my job and part of that was practicing the Heimlich maneuver on a dummy. Everyone in the class easily got the damn meat on a string out of SmooshyBoy's gullet without any trouble, but I had to practically molest the poor fellow to get it out. Not

Megannoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1113508880927050122005-04-14T12:54:00.000-07:002005-04-14T13:45:25.776-07:00

When I was growing up my private shame was the armfuls of historical romance novels I checked out from the local library. My taste ran to novels set in Regency England, peopled with heroes and heroines who engaged in witty repartee whilst dancing waltzes or while meeting clandestinely in the conservatory.The paperbacks were stuffed into a swiveling rack at the library, and I used to lurk near it,

Megannoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1113231085549760502005-04-11T07:23:00.000-07:002005-04-11T07:51:25.550-07:00

I did something this weekend I hardly ever do: I bought broccoli.I have no clue why. Call it a mad impulse, if you will. An act of temporary insanity brought on my the alarming lack of phytochemicals in my system.I currently have in my refrigerator in a state of semi-rot, the following forlorn veggies: green peppers, romaine lettuce, mushrooms, zucchini, carrots, cucumber and cauilflower. I also

Megannoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1112976047779725092005-04-08T08:58:00.000-07:002005-04-08T09:00:47.780-07:00

I'd like to do something special for my 30th birthday in May. Lately, I've been thinking of doing something illegal, even.I'd like to travel to a country that rhymes with "Tuba". Since I'm positive that Big Brother reads Blogs -- especially mine -- I will not refer to this intriguing, forbidden place by name.I have some ideas on how to accomplish this goal. And, if I end up getting busted, ya'll

Megannoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1112660714246737282005-04-04T17:00:00.000-07:002005-04-04T17:29:58.276-07:00

So Coach is having me work up to six miles. I'm not getting faster, though, and thus no closer to my goal of running with the club. I'm sitting at 11 minute miles, and the running club he operates runs 10 minute miles.I realized this week what a great deal Coach is providing. I think he feels sorry for me! His normal individual sessions cost $35/hour or so. His fee for me basically works out to

Megannoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1111526727377687002005-03-22T13:21:00.000-08:002005-03-22T13:45:57.833-08:00

The GoodLearning some valuable camping lessons, namely: check your gear (see below). Realizing (in hindsight) that the staff at Academy Sports and Outdoors may really know that of which they speak. Seeing a double rainbow during a downpour. Experiencing the curious pleasure of being rained upon when the sky was blue and the sun was shining. Finding that peanut butter and jelly really can be eaten

Megannoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1111179170407232522005-03-18T12:47:00.000-08:002005-03-18T12:57:24.166-08:00

When the mountain laurels start blooming and scent the breezes with their luxurious perfume, my mood cautiously, tentatively begins to lift. "Spring," whispers my heart, "Spring!" ========I am going camping this weekend! I have been longing to go camping for months, and have been absolutely stir crazy for weeks.Lately I've been feeling trapped, caged, frustrated, bogged down. Do you ever feel

Megannoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1110320748431973292005-03-08T14:20:00.000-08:002005-03-08T14:25:48.436-08:00

The Coach and I ran 5 miles last night in 55 minutes or so, which sits just at an 11 minute pace.I had a bit more aches and pains than I normally do, and I had to struggle through the first bit with low energy and attendant feelings of discouragement and depression (I actually was feeling "fat", which I define as feeling ungainly and plodding and self-delusional), but my energy and confidence

Megannoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1109956711622422812005-03-04T08:54:00.000-08:002005-03-04T09:18:31.626-08:00

The bittersweet thing about doing all my runs now with someone else is that my mind doesn't meander in the same way.Before, while running on my own, my internal dialogue rambled. I might think about how I felt physically and notice aches and pains. Often I struggled to calculate pace forumlas or ruminated anxiously about my progress. Sometimes I planned my next blog entry or contemplated family

Megannoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1109095563825306552005-02-22T09:45:00.000-08:002005-02-22T10:06:03.826-08:00

My second 5k featured a pre-race adventure involving incorrect bus schedules, rain, a poor sense of direction, a comedic bike ride on muddy trails and assorted other hijinks that amuse me enormously but sound asinine and mundane when I write about them. Forthwith, then, are the results:"Scamper in the Park" 5k, benefiting St. Jude's Hospital, 2/19/05Time: 33:20My previous 5K time was 35:04, so

Megannoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1108567668791554872005-02-16T06:31:00.000-08:002005-02-16T07:33:00.463-08:00

Resolved: to weight myself in February, for the first time in 2005Results: 153 lbs. on 2/15/05Commentary: My previous weigh-in was in mid-December for Weight Watchers at 157 lbs. The current weight was taken on a Tanita scale at the gym. I am a bit suspicious of this scale and am tempted to pay $11 to get myself weighed on the WW scale. The reason: my clothes feel exactly the same as they did two

Megannoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1108052647443448882005-02-10T08:20:00.000-08:002005-02-10T14:04:06.713-08:00

Last night I hired a running coach. Our first session resulted in a mixture of emotions for me: excitement, discouragement, determination. The coach directs a local running club and organizes local races. The deal is great: 20 sessions for $80. The idea is that you run with the local club twice a week and get some personalized attention from the coach. I like him -- he's very friendly,

Megannoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1107814574518506882005-02-07T14:13:00.000-08:002005-02-07T14:22:56.723-08:00

Saturday night I took the bus to a community arts center to see a dance show, a Latin Review of sorts, complete with lots of feathers, sequins and tropical colors. It was fabulous and completely over the top, which made me swoon with happiness! I often go to things like this alone, and I'm pretty much over any discomfort I feel when doing this, but I often feel that I cause discomfort to others

Megannoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1107210366713430092005-01-31T14:19:00.000-08:002005-02-01T06:46:45.223-08:00

Last week one of my office mates was giving me a hard time, so I mockingly punched him in the shoulder. He said, "Man, you're weak!" So I punched him again, harder, and he still failed to be impressed. Outraged at being termed weak, I got the idea that I should arm wrestle one of the other women in the office to prove my strength. So she and I sat down at my desk, took our respective

Megannoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1106589274753932752005-01-24T09:31:00.000-08:002005-01-24T11:04:34.733-08:00

This drives me crazy: Is it too much to ask that I be able to run without giving myself a wedgie? I've had this problem with shorts ever since I've had thighs -- in other words, forever -- but you'd think a savvy someone would come up with shorts that didn't ride up. I want to wear cute running shorts, too! It shouldn't just be something the skinny thigh girls get to do. If anyone can offer

Megannoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1106169841403210602005-01-19T12:56:00.000-08:002005-01-20T07:10:02.123-08:00

For the purposes of posterity, I'm recording my current strength training routine in the event that at some point in the future I will become freakishly strong and want to prove to the world at large my humble beginnings. Also, I'm sure this list may be amusing to me upon retrospect when I figure out what the heck I'm doing and develop a better understanding of, oh say, my own anatomy and the

Megannoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1105655303020359162005-01-13T13:43:00.000-08:002005-01-13T14:28:23.033-08:00

I've almost got this cold licked. Last night I was determined to workout. I was hoping to run my usual 35 minutes without feeling ill, so I decided to run really, really slooooooooooow. Holding yourself back is difficult! It took me about 10 minutes to get used to this slower pace. I felt at points that I was just walking quickly, but with a bounce. Regardless, keeping this pace allowed me to

Megannoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1105376667921606622005-01-10T08:59:00.000-08:002005-01-19T13:56:18.706-08:00

I'm still feeling under the weather, with some lingering chest congestion and a cough, as well as a yucky, scabby blister under my nose that I always get from too much Kleenex use. So not only do I have piss-poor energy but I look freakish, too. But I'm not one to tolerate my own whining for long, and I'm getting worried about this enforced cardio break, so I decided to try a run. I was at the

Megannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1105038102778615312005-01-06T11:59:00.000-08:002005-01-06T11:01:42.780-08:00

This post by Annalisa reminded me of an ass-related comment I once received . This is what happened: Several years ago (circa pre J-Lo) I was walking down the street in, of all places, a Guatemalan village. A man walking in back of me called out -- he turned out to be someone I'd met months ago in another city, a Kenyan making a circuit of Central America. He seemed bemused as he walked up to

Megannoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1104857316548773812005-01-04T08:43:00.000-08:002005-01-04T08:48:36.546-08:00

Instead of starting the New Year off with a Bang!, it started off with a Doh! I had decided to participate in a New Year's Day ride, sponsored by several local bike clubs and stores. The event was an informal group ride on some bucolic roads north of the city. It was the first goal on my 2005 list of goals. I had a cold. A cough. A sore throat and possibly a fever. It was raining and I was

Megannoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1104426527702966372004-12-30T09:01:00.000-08:002004-12-30T09:17:12.606-08:00

My best friend and I will both turn 30 in 2005. Earlier this year we declared 2004 to be Y29, or "The Year of the 29." The year was going to be the year we both took risks, made big changes and generally were fierce and kicked ass. Sort of like our own version of "Girls Gone Wild" except for all the nudity and promiscuity. I can't say that Y29 has turned out to be such a sparkling spectacle of

Megannoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1104163703250153132004-12-27T07:58:00.000-08:002004-12-27T08:45:44.943-08:00

As a first-time gym member, I find gym culture, such as it is, to be quite fascinating. It's a great place to people-watch and there are many things that amuse me about the whole place. Therefore, I present to you…. Things I like about the gym: The naked women Perhaps this is limited to my own experience, but I have had very little opportunity in my life to check out other normal, everyday

Megannoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1103578375485321312004-12-20T13:13:00.000-08:002004-12-20T13:32:55.486-08:00

What it comes down to is I'm not certain that I really want to lose weight. Or, at least, why.I don't have a driving motivation. When I joined Weight Watchers three months ago that decision was sparked by former President Clinton's heart attack scare. I thought, "I've got to eat better and get fitter so that won't be me in 25 years."Unfortunately, that sort of rational, long-term reasoning

Megannoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1103054723264804102004-12-14T11:51:00.000-08:002004-12-14T12:09:35.306-08:00

I am posting another picture of myself on the sidebar. It's not a new picture; it was taken this summer during the Danskin sprint triathlon in Austin. It's a hugely imperfect picture, but it's a picture that fascinates me in many ways, mostly because when I look at it I always have thoughts about body image and strength and my own perception of myself. I rarely have negative thoughts about

Megannoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1102717870394071722004-12-10T14:14:00.000-08:002004-12-10T14:36:31.696-08:00

I think I overdid it. I set a goal of exercising every day this week. It was going fine: Monday: run, 35 min Tuesday: swim, 20 min Wednesday: run, 35 min Then came Thursday. I'd been reading LexySmash and gotten all fired up about weight training (thanks, girl!) based on her fabulous results, and she referred me to some of the beginner's workouts at the equally-fabulous Krista's site. So last

Megannoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1102342192816699192004-12-06T05:44:00.000-08:002004-12-06T06:19:23.170-08:00

When I arrived at this Saturday's charity 5k I'd forgotten that it was sponsored by the Marines. Once my memory was jogged by the sight of the highway underpass chock-a-block full with very fit and serious looking young folks, I almost turned around and went home. No kidding, my stomach sank. But I made myself linger a bit in the registration line, reasoning that the event was billed as a run/

Megannoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1101919659581853582004-12-01T08:26:00.000-08:002004-12-01T08:51:47.876-08:00

Thanksgiving was loads of fun, as usual. I did get to do a trail run, which was very challenging. Something about being in the woods and concentrating more on my footing made the time go by a lot quicker. This is also the second time I've run without headphones, and I think I prefer it. I like to listen to my breathing. Something about hearing my breath helps get me into a rhythm. I remember

Megannoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1101133774555011142004-11-22T06:20:00.000-08:002004-11-22T06:29:34.556-08:00

I finally made it to a local high school track to get a more accurate idea of my mile times. According the results, I'm running a 12:33 mile. Granted, this was on an entirely flat surface, which I think helps with maintaining a consistent speed. I'm only runnning 30 minutes at a time now, and I'm perfectly happy to stop after 30 minutes, so if I wanted to finish a 5k I estimate that I'd need

Megannoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1100110473675409082004-11-10T09:30:00.000-08:002004-11-10T10:14:33.676-08:00

This weekend Rainey and I rode our bikes to our city's annual marathon. This event shall hereafter be known as "The Day the Nipples Ran Red." I've heard of this phenomenon before, but Lordy, to actually see it in person was a painful sight. I stupidly figured that the reason so many of the men ran without t-shirts was simply due to coolness and possibly vanity, but clearly chafing is a serious

Megannoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1099687685883121432004-11-05T12:14:00.000-08:002004-11-05T12:53:20.560-08:00

One more 30 minute jogging workout and I'll be done with the Couch to 5k program. These last two runs have been fine physically, even though I am struggling with boredom towards the end of the run. Even my high-energy Queer as Folk soundtrack fails to allay that boredom. I keep expecting to attain some Zen-like state of peace during my runs, but my brain (my monkey-mind) just keeps chattering

Megannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1099323637579913762004-11-01T07:20:00.000-08:002004-11-01T07:40:37.580-08:00

Since my last post, I've done two more 28-minute jogs. They were fine. I felt fine. I didn't feel like I struggled. Hunh. I find this very perplexing, seeing as how the first 28-minute jog I tried was hellish. But I certainly am glad to know that if I keep trying, things don't seem so dire anymore. It's a good lesson. I also think that I shouldn't run on tracks very often. I seem to find

Megannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1098972386630650872004-10-28T06:25:00.000-07:002004-10-28T07:06:26.630-07:00

I'm up to 28 minutes on the jogging plan. I'd taken a break between workouts, and I certainly felt it last night during my run. I chose to walk to a University track near my house that has some sort of spongy surface, because I worry about my knees and punishing them with pavement. The sun had set by the time I reached the track. There was an intramural flag football game going on and several

Megannoreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1098386462151136012004-10-21T11:57:00.000-07:002004-10-21T12:21:02.150-07:00

Samba class last night was fast, fun and sweaty in the best way. The visiting instructor has the philosphy that physical activity should not be done in an air-conditioned space. It has something to do with keeping muscles warm. So whenver she comes into town, I know I'm going to work up a great all-body sweat. And also, a stink, but at least it's a well-deserved stink. I saw all my peeps from

Megannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1097845078120480412004-10-15T05:45:00.000-07:002004-10-15T06:18:46.770-07:00

When I take the bus in the mornings to work, the sun is just rising. The sky is dark, but is beginning to take on a lighter turquoise hue. At my first bus stop, I can look up and see a bright star -- I assume it's Venus. Earlier this week, the moon was next to it, then it was lower and now it's gone completely. I wish I'd paid more attention in high school astronomy lectures. I don't know where

Megannoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1097690511120188752004-10-13T11:01:00.000-07:002004-10-13T11:01:51.120-07:00

Last night I tried the 25 minute run again. This time it was easy-peasy! I felt great and didn't have trouble physically or with my breathing. After the 25 minutes I could have easily continued for at least another 10 or so. I jogged at a nice easy pace and felt like I was just smiling out at the world. The difference, I think, from last time is that I waited longer after dinner to start

Megannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1097506243380091042004-10-11T06:56:00.000-07:002004-10-11T08:11:42.270-07:00

This week's running schedule had me working up to another 25 minute run. I couldn't do it! I developed a painful side stitch about 15 minutes in and had to stop. Likely this was because I'd just finished eating a full dinner within the last half hour. Regardless, I was disappointed that I had to stop. What's interesting, though, is that I didn't beat myself up about it. For me, that's an

Megannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1096918187533908492004-10-04T11:13:00.000-07:002004-10-04T13:02:56.406-07:00

Saturday was my scheduled 25 minutes of full-on running, with no blessed walking in between. Except, when I reread the running schedule later I realized it only called for 20 minutes of running. This, then, would be why the last 5 minutes were tortuous and I had to repeat to myself "I am tough", which is mantra I totally ripped-off from Chris. But, I did it. I've made a rough calculation and

Megannoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1096578626129653232004-09-30T13:47:00.000-07:002004-09-30T14:12:37.326-07:00

The deal this morning was run 8, walk 5 and run 8. It was really hard! I suppose doing this running thing is all about learning to pace oneself. On Saturday when I'm scheduled to do the 25 minute run I'll have to really be careful to figure out when I'm pushing to hard. At home I have all these typed mantras taped up onto walls and mirrors and doors. Some are cryptic, but they all are

Megannoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1096378172956025662004-09-28T06:19:00.000-07:002004-09-28T06:29:32.956-07:00

Today I ran with two cans of Alpo in my hands. No, really. I noticed on my evening walk last night that one of the scary loose dogs (the chow mix) had broken his back leg and was limping around looking for food. He looked to be in pain. So I went to the corner store and bought a couple cans of dog food, found him again and fed him. I also stopped the Park police and asked them to call Animal

Megannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1096317845330602062004-09-27T13:31:00.000-07:002004-09-27T13:45:58.886-07:00

Yesterday I finished out Week 4 of the Couch to 5k plan with a lovely morning walk/run around a lakeside neighborhood near my parent's home. This week, the plan calls for three days of running/walking that increases the time actually spent running so that by the third day I'm supposed to run for 25 minutes straight. Ack! I have a good attitude about it and I'm just going to do my best. I have

Megannoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1096035252462217262004-09-24T07:06:00.000-07:002004-09-24T07:14:12.463-07:00

Went for my second run today at 6 a.m. It doesn't get light around here until after 7. Ran around the city park that's a block from my house. The run went fine. I think I hunch my shoulders a bit because they felt sore, but otherwise I felt strong and capable. I'm sort of doing a slow shuffle at this point, but I'm going to concentrate on building up my stamina before I flip out about technique.

Megannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1095966157037415912004-09-23T11:51:00.000-07:002004-09-23T12:17:49.100-07:00

This is a pictorial review of what I ate yesterday (not pictured, 2 handfuls of potato chips, an extra bran muffin and several Werther's candies):

Megannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1095865175518538372004-09-22T07:51:00.000-07:002004-09-22T08:19:07.026-07:00

Some Nighttime Angst This morning I picked up with Week 4 of the Couch to 5K , after more than a month of inactivity. After reading about some of the pre-dawn running exploits of other bloggers, I decided that I too am capable of running in the dark. Apparently, this was a monumental decision as I tossed and turned all night with anxiety. I don't think that reaction had much to do with any

Megannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1095357065970971252004-09-16T10:05:00.000-07:002004-09-16T10:55:24.400-07:00

I haven't been exercising consistently at all the last two months and this has seemed to sap my mental and physical energy. I quit my dance group, and broke up with my boyfriend. Both those things were the absolutely right decisions, but nevertheless, I am a bit lost. I didn't realize how much those two things dictated my social life. Without them, I pretty much have little to do in the evenings

Megannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1091215784216597482004-07-30T14:30:00.000-07:002004-07-30T12:32:06.606-07:00

I have a gig tonight with my samba group in Austin. We're heading up this afternoon after work. I've been toying with the idea of quitting the group. There's nothing more that gives me an immediate, joyful rush as does dancing to live drumming, but I can count on one hand the times lately that I've actually had that opportunity. Because I'm in the second tier of dancers in the group, we rarely

Megannoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1090602529585953072004-07-23T10:07:00.000-07:002004-07-23T10:08:49.586-07:00

Last weekend was jam-packed with physical activity. On Saturday, I rode my bike to the Police bicycle auction. Every few months, the local police department auctions off abandoned or seized property, including bicycles. I rode up to the courthouse right as the auction began. There were maybe 70 bikes up for auction and maybe 40 people gathered. I walked over to the pen where the bikes were being

Megannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1087477306156493952004-06-17T05:58:00.000-07:002004-06-17T06:01:46.156-07:00

Here are my results for the 2004 Danskin sprint triathlon, held in Austin this weekend. I finished faster than I expected, and my looming fears of fainting, drowing, getting a flat tire, crying or coming in dead last did not materialize: Total Time, including transition time: 2:14:06 1/2 mile Swim time:00:25:21 12 mile bike time: 00:57:50 3.1 mile run time: 00:42:38 Overall Rank: 1993 out of

Megannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1082474539263573792004-04-20T08:22:00.000-07:002004-04-20T08:29:31.153-07:00

I was surprised and a bit irritated to discover that most of the women in my sprint triathlon group are athletic already. There were maybe 5 women or so who might be called slightly overweight. I was hoping to find more women at my level to commiserate with on the whole running issue, but the majority of these women were raring to run miles and miles and miles. Nevertheless, it is inspirational

Megannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1081873444451457842004-04-13T09:24:00.000-07:002004-04-13T09:27:53.560-07:00

About two months ago I slammed a telephone pole with my car. The telephone pole survived, but my car did not. After a few weeks of rental and parental cars, I was on my own. And because of an inherent laziness, of a conviction that I attract shady con artists and of a non-existent budget, I’ve avoided shopping for cars. So I started taking the bus, which meant walking to the bus stops to and

Megannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-1081805656358981632004-04-12T14:34:00.000-07:002004-04-12T14:39:14.780-07:00

I'm back here at this space, over a year later, because I went swim suit shopping. And as much as it pains me, this seems to have brought to my awareness a current of dissatisfaction with my body that I have fought the good feminist battle to whip. I think my body is gorgeous. I'm shapely in the classic way. I feel a great deal of acceptance towards myself. When I look at my body I see a

Megannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-870797172003-01-07T14:23:00.000-08:002003-01-07T14:23:27.726-08:00

I like how my body feels used after exercise. There is a different awareness I carry in my body when the muscles are sore and the blood has rushed inside me. I feel honed. It's good to remember this feeling, and repeat it.

Megannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-870653202003-01-07T08:36:00.000-08:002003-01-07T08:36:22.850-08:00

I have a fear of being known. My 10-year high school reunion is scheduled for this summer. I really don't want to go, I don't want to explain myself to anyone or catalogue my accomplishments in the last 10 years. I don't want to put on a happy face about my apathy, depression, fears and non-ambition. I don't want to hear myself putting a glib spin on 10 rather sparse years in which I've done

Megannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-863356392002-12-20T13:48:00.000-08:002002-12-20T13:48:53.590-08:00

Mom had an upper GI test done last week. The nurses told her to fast before the test, not even coffee for breakfast. Mom says she was so spaced out by the lack of caffeine that as she lay on the exam table, she looked down at her feet and realized she was wearing one brown shoe and one blue shoe. I have made myself be productive at work this week, mostly to stave off boredom and an

Megannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-861320782002-12-16T14:24:00.000-08:002004-06-17T06:08:48.666-07:00

So this is what's worrying me today. I went on a date last Saturday and I didn't even know it. A guy I've known for about a year, in an organized way really since we're in the same drum group, asked me to his house for dinner and a play afterwards. I've gone out several times in a group context with him, and because he recently has spent some time showing off his new house, I thought "well,

Megannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030518.post-861294712002-12-16T13:30:00.000-08:002002-12-16T14:00:03.000-08:00

At samba class yesterday I was in a rare, joyous mood. Near to bursting with energy and coordination. Almost euphoric, and I don't know why or where this mood descended from. It had dissapated by the time class was over. But for about an hour I was so pleased to be me, to inhabit this body. I wish I could trace the source of that feeling and recreate it at will. This is my private blog. What I

Megannoreply@blogger.com0