the day after

what to do? what to do? Do it AGAIN!!!

Got my St.Francis on, preppin' for Sunday. Thankin' G again, I must've caught the ONE period this am when it wasn't friggin' pourin'. A lil' spritz, a la Sunday.

Now, kiddies, you'll remember last year-when there were far too many choices. This year is worse-a 10k as well!!! DAMN.

Just gotta keep puttin' one foot in front of the other.

Spike n' Shebitch out to dinner. Nice. Good to be appreciated.

wow

we done good!

Took Spike to see Harold n' Kumar yesterday. So-so flick, but that wasn't the point. Went for burgers to Johnny Rockets after. YUMMMMM! What a blast!

Got up @ the crack of dawn, awoke Spike, jumped in the veeeeeeehicle, and off to work. Woke up the patients, picked up Tom @ the park, got some boxes o' joe, got Spike a T-less BLT for b'fast, and off to the Park for The Big One.

Raining, spritzing,showers off n' on. NOTHING could dampen our spirit. Amazing how the park could go from empty to overfilled.

Saw sooo many peeps, thank G! Polansky, the LIRRC peeps, Hellgate, The Blue Peeps whoshouldjustfoldandjoinaREALclub-sorry, lost it there, College Point-even their cornerstone ran-and he NEVER runs anymore, Ted Truet (wow!), Henri from the Y-makes it every year bless him, Terry "The Voice" Bisogno, my NYC peeps-Wendy/Irish Joe, Sal, too many to mention. Only no shows were my Suffolk peeps-their loss. WHAT A BLAST! Really made my heart full (vague movie reference there-if you guess correctly, my Trailblazer's yours). Of course Hank had to have his daily temper tantrum-he doesn't play well with the others, but an overwhelming smash!!! Spike came through-got a GREAT shot with Herb's (of all people, crusty Herb) arm around him.

THIS is what it's all about. ALL my people from dif parts of my life coming together for a fun time. Wow. My patients made the scene-no one misbehaved. EXACTLY what I mean by acting with a pure heart. Do something purely for the sake of doing a good thing, and only good can come of it. Only a chosen few do this-yes Debbie Pesa, you're one. Hank, take notes (and for the love of GOD, TRY not to start shit-even had a fight while calling numbers @ the finish chute!!!). When's the last time you heard of addicts out in the real world NOT getting into trouble??? What an absolute joy. REALLY what running's all about. Steve would've loved it, he was there I know it. Miss you daily.

After, plenty of food for all, brought a ton back to the unit.

Funny, not even the slightest mention/thought of Shebitch. Hmmmmmm.

A true joy. Thanks guys. Made me proud.

yummmmmmmmmmmm

what a day!!!!! Perfect temps, started out w/sweatshirt n' shorts, then, took off one of them. Use your imagination-go ahead, dare ya!!! Dragging a bit on the way back, not atypical-used to running incooler temps-crack of dawn. Great weather to be my gender though, something inherently wonderful about sweating females taking off their tops.

Saw one of the blue peeps, she was doing 15, then our run tomorrow.

Got to see my green peeps. Nice crowd, nice buzz re: The Big Day. Weather predicts showers prior to 8 am, then clouds. Perfect for running.

Keith's s'posed to be with me-he's spent the week @ his brotherformanothermother's. Easier for Shebitch to drop him off there so she can sit in our backyard n' tan. How DO you spell Skin Cancer???

2 days n'counting!!!!

latest predic: chance of showers-keep those toes crossed.

Cool this am, nice.

St.Francis felt good (THERE'S something you won't read on Page Six!!!). 86th ave was fun-food for the soul, but St.Francis is training.

Had our Bored Meeting. Usual dysfunction, lots done. Things are hopping. Membership is up! Now if only the other clubs would get right, fold, and join.

Chapin was right

(circle song ref)

Did St.Francis, feeling better. Endurance increasing, back in the game. Scared myself there!

Skin MUCH better! Progress. Now if my scalp stopped itching I'd be ok, one thing atta time there mate!

And now to our story.

So the wife is off on a tear, big news there, sick bitch. The boss writes his yearly dysfunctional eval-God forbid he writes that with me there he can put his feet up, ok, he's consistently miserable. Drama re: the club-Rolling Thunder can't seem to understand aps must be sent with $, expected that. NOTHING with them has been easy.

G saves the day! Tom called the day prior,asked if I was still up for golf. HELL yeah! So we took it back to where it all began. Where once it was Steve, his son Sean and I-yesterday Tom-his son Kenny and I. She bitch took Keith and his brother from another mother to the beach (c'mon melanoma!!!!!). GREAT day.

4 days

only a few more days before the big club race. Really excited-this one's personal! Actually think of it as "my race," my line-run it daily, my club-love my peeps, and the whole Creedmoor-Alley Pond connection-lots of history here. Hopefully my Long Island peeps'll show-threatened them with death. No other races this day-last day of passover. Mazeltov.

REALLY tired yesterday on St.Francis-feeling uninspired, kind'a down. Feeling increasingly affected by Toxichouse. Can't help but feel. Gotta keep on keepin' on.

wow

Boston peeps done good! Seems everyone under 4!!! Beyond impressive.

GREAT weather! Doing St.Francis as a foundation run.

Can't believe my knees are ok-pain free!!!

I been bibbed!!!

(yes, a new catchphrase is born)

Did the Adidas 4m. Got "bibbed," brown (shit brown no less) bib-last corral. SHIT! Me n' the walkers. REAL good for the ole self-esteem.

Good news: got my 9 Q's in. Good!

Didn't even stick around for the bands @ Central Park Summerstage. Total dejection. Now I know how Charlie Brown feels when Lucy takes the football away yet again.

What adds insult to injury: I STILL passed 50% of the field.

Damn.

Quick: the mantra: started running to FEEL healthy. Have I done so? yes. Just didn't think I'd wanna throw a healthy body off a building.

Time to get back on the horse, this is ridiculous.

Monday morning QB: did St.Francis yesterday, should've taken the day off, but, did I do today's race to get a good run in CP AND get a Q? OR, did I do today's race for time? I'm about 20 years too late to do it for time, so I must be satisfied. Damn. Still, being in the corral with the walkers sucked.

another one bites the dust

and here we are, another week closer to LI, another week closer to Quebec, another week closer to The Big One! YUMMMMM.

Got my St.Francis on. Felt great to be back, 86th was fun, but not really good for endurance. Great to be home. Still miss my peeps terribly, life goes on.

Looking forward to the NYRR run tomorrow. That'll be my last Q. LOTS going on in the city-do the run then hang n play!

Decisions decisions re: today. Bunch of races, + club refreshment run. Do one of the races? or go do the refreshment run n' have a bunch of nudgy anxiety riddled peepsbreak my chops re: our race next week. Decisions decisions. They that need me have my cell.

One way to decide, head out n see where I feel like goin'.

we did it!!!

lets see:

1)no court

2)no alimony

3)no homicide

...a good week.

Got my 86th on yesterday, after getting it on the eve before as well. Back to The Line today.

technology good, people-not so much

got my Kissena on. Felt too good to stop! Terrific temps, BEAUTIFUL am, one of those "I got sick time, why don't I..." days" SO good, hadda do 4 more AFTER work.

Thank G for that. Shebitch struck again. Split the car insurance, used to have both vehicles on same policy, she split it in her neverending effort to divide. No prob. Called Geico, Wells Fargo, Cable, GMAC, and had the $$$ taken directly outta checking. NOW, when callers demand their $$$, won't be my prob. REALLY dumb move on her part-aren't 2 vehicles cheaper together than one? Not smart. When I had the audacity to ask why she had to do this, she went off, BIG. Needless to say, this involved threats of court...........saying her friends would testify-about the abuse I supposedly subjected her to.Of course I replied my peeps would.........she countered with derision re: my peeps. What exactly have HER friends accomplished with their lives-other than bitch about me? Meanwhile, my peeps have had (several) careers, accomplished what few humans have (marathons, weight loss etc...). Real War of the Roses.

thank G for my peeps.

@ the end of the night, who calls? Tom re: the weekend etc..... thanks G.

G wins again

Sometimes ya' gots'ta put one foot in front of da' other...mon.


Had my taxes done.

a)My accountant is given a check yearly for the Komen run, what does that tell you about him? Yep, one of us! I chose well (got lucky).

b)Shebitch not only gave me squat re: her w2's, she screamed that Avon etc...just sends a report of income to the IRS, behaving as though my resuest for her w2's was wildly inappropriate.

c)filing as a single would'a cost me...big.

d)I'm getting $$$ back, not just "back," but direct deposited. She can't touch it-no forging my sig this year. Also, getting the Stimulus $ sent directly to checking. She gets absolutely zip. God I love my accountant! It REALLY pays to do the right thing. Feel like that Alanis Morisette song where she thanks everyone short of the bag guy @ the market.

Got my 86th ave on. Should'a been a day of rest, but hey, cheaper than therapy-and way more effective.

GREAT Nova on PBS last night. wow.

and then there was 1

good news is: did the Run As One 4m, got my 8th Q outta the way. Felt good, ran ok, under 9, for me-good. No pain, better. GREAT weather for a run, shitload of people there. Now, do the Adidas Run for the Parks next week n' I'm in The Big One.

bad news: lost my wallet. Damn. good news: you can replace your license online! Thank you G!!!

Got taxes done, never EVER get married. Boy did I get F****D. Bitch even collected social security $$$ for Keith. And I get to pay for it! Funny thing though, she ain't bitchin' 'bout bills now.

Did I spin? Watchu 'tink?

good day

decisions decisions!!! Do the Doug Wood 8k (again, yech!) or see the peeps?

Saw the peeps!

Got my St.Francis on, felt good, not THAT good-started out too fast, hadda take 3 walk breaks, but felt good.

we made it!!!

did 86th. yesterday, perfect set up for a great day! Felt good, shin splints better, MUUUCH better-good show! The ellip n' spinning got me through!

Did Dermadoc, followup next thurs, rash. Can you believe it? First diagnosed as (ewwwww) Impetigo, now, just a rash, thank G! More antibiotics, dif creme, good to go! YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! Better news, did full blood work, all checked out! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Doin' SOMETHING right.

Got my St.Francis on! Felt good to FINALLY be home. Yes, birds were chirping!

THIS sucks!

back to DermaDoc.

Face can't stop. Dunno wassup, but NOW, after shaving...feel like one big six foot sore. Told the boss I'd be off for the am, gotsa go Doctor way. OUCH!!!

best laid plans

weather perfect! Runners everywhere (Albany's a big college town), packed the clubs, get to the course, CLOSED! DAMN!!! They're JUUUUUST on the cusp of opening. DAMN. Back to the hotel-nice hotel-all suites, could REALLY have some fun here! But alas, not to be.

Hadda make do with the fitness center (a treadmill, ellip n' free weights-this is a "center?" ) Had it "all" to myself. THEN, did my laundry (guest laundry room)-y'all who take such things for granted can't relate. Y'all probably are used to electricity and gas in your domiciles. Come to my shipwreck for an hour-if you can take it.

Woke up refreshed, ready for the day's meetings.

Gotta see dermatologist doc when I return, arms ain't gettin' better. This takin' a shower then waiting for the wounds to stop oozin' ain't alot of fun. (all together now: "Ewwwwww.")

...I know you're out there somewhere, somewhere, somehow...I know you're out there somewhere, n' someday I'll return again to you.................

n' away we go!

leaving for Albany this am, 2 day Leadership Conference (can you FEEL the energy???). Good excuse to get in @ least 18 holes-course across the street.

Got an e mail from a Strider, reacting to members' selfishness. Very good points made, but they don't seem to get that when you die one and only one goes in the box. Essentially we're ALL selfish, but some overcome themselves. Again, living with Shebitch is good training. I made the writer aware of the fun we had @the run Sunday. Never did I think I'd actually ENJOY standing in place for 6 1/2 hours and NOT getting a medal for it! And WHY was it such fun? My peeps! Knowing Tom was there clipping chips, hangin' with Debbie, good fun! But kiddies, ya' gots 'ta be there to understand! Did I freeze? YES!!! But it wasn't about the "Great I am. " It was about giving, being there for others just as you want them there for you when YOU run. Thanks peeps! I feel surrounded-in a good way-peeps @ the run, peeps not @ the run (via e mail). In the big picture does anyone give a shit re: my existence? NO! It's all about what I bring to the table, NOT what's in it for me. Lesson reinforced.

Then, lo and behold, Tom calls re: the upcoming weekend. Decisions decisions. I'm preregged for the Run as One, but this is another of those "too much @ once" weekends. Delightful predicament.

...and yes I DID check, there's a Y in Albany-2.


...all I hear is the sound of raining falling on the ground................

wow!

did the volunteer thing @ the More Marathon/Half. Wow. I'm talkin' wow.

Got the 4:22 outta Hicksville, got to Penn @ 5:15, got the 1 train to 66th, got a cup of Dunkin', headed to Tavern on the Green. Signed in, found out my assignment had been changed-I'd signed on for bibs n' shirts, but...no race day pickup. Shit. So much for MY script getting followed. Reassigned to course marshall. Meant I'd be there 'til 3 pm. Damn. Not exactly the spirit of the thing eh wot? Not to worry, assigned to a great supervisor-Solomon-way to go! Asked us all "what time you guys wanna leave???" Perfect. Made us wanna stay longer. THEN, asked the million $$ Q:"Who wants a bullhorn?" ME ME ME!!! Yummy! Toys!!! They gave us a bag lunch (very nice actually), then we headed out.

Got a call from Tom, he was on the way-chip removal, plan was: do my thing,then head over to chips.

What a SEA of female humanity!!! A total gas! Most did the half-over 5,000! Saw Andrea, Sue, Laferne, Fran, Christina, Nella, and Vince-on bike leading a lead runner. Didn't wanna bullhorn 'em-hee hee!!!

Then, 'bout 11:45, DP saunters over. Nice! Turns out 3 had in fact met @ the Parkhouse after all, DP, Dave, and Hank. Pity peeps don't read the bulletin board. Got my long overdue smack, then we hung out for what seemed like seconds-but was in fact 45 mins. Right to time to split. She made a good point-for someone who likes being invisible, I seem to know alot of peeps. Just keep running and you do overcome yourself.

Went to see Shine a Light after, took the 7:05 home, exhausted, but smiling. Nice job all around. Thanks G!

SUCCESS!

Not crippled! nice.

Did the Aspire 10k as an excuse to test the gimp.

Tom called @ the crack of dawn to see wassup wit' the day, of course his call prompted a challenge-park or race? Of course by that time I was already @ the course. Learned from my mistake-went to King's Park to drop off race flyers, by the time I was back in God's Country-Queens-rain stopped.

Changed my stride to accomodate the injury, did ok. Shorter strides than usual. Sue, Vince, Tom, Carmen (college point-but a Strider by default), and the usual Long Island suspects. Nice to see familiar faces-also threatened more with the 5m challenge, as in: "If you're not there, I'm takin' it personally." Mike from LIRRC is doing his part to assist in bringing the worlds together.

After the run, went to AP to see who's around, no peeps. Oh well. Such is life.

Manana: More!

whew!!!

close one there. REALLY didn't think we'd make the week. Can't run due to the shin shit, Sybil's off on a tear, Keith refers to Mommy getting a divorce, Me telling Keith Daddy has to sign the papers n' that ain't hapnin', joy joy.

Get thee to the Y. ASAP.

soooooo close!

Made it through hump day! Beat the odds yet again (drama drama drama). Got my eval @ work, let's just say the boss has a few years 'til retirement-as he sees his waistline grow and diabetes becomes more a part of his life, his happy place appears more and more distant. Of course, my eval reflects it. Oh well, hope he's happy. It hurts to not have my hard work reflected on paper, but then again, if the opinion of others mattered that much to me, I wouldn't be who I am.

Shin splints really getting to me-miss the Zen of running. Ellip can only get you so far. Still, forced cross-training in and of itself is good.

Membership meeting tonight.

OH, big news: today is 24 years drug free! Don't think I haven't been tempted. April 3, 1985 I was addicted to everything and grotesquely overweight. Now I'm still addicted to everything, just not using any of it. Progress?

One month to LI.

was it worth it???

ok, some time has passed since Marathon # _____. Recovering (shin splints, shit!!!). Was it worth it? Yes, no doubt. Esp happy I ran the whole thing, and did it within a second @ splits.

Prob is: 65 degs. DAMN! Wanna go out there n' get me some. But no, it'll be this temp again. Gotta heal.

Make do with weights and ellip. Thank G for the Ipod.

STILL can't overcome Wednesdays. Miss the way things were. Life goes on.

NIIICE posts @ Athlinks. Well done DP!

the week that was

we're baaaaaack!

What a time THAT was! Did the National Marathon, quite an experience.

Expected warm temps, it was cold as ____@ the start, about 34 degs, the day prior was 50! Shorts and long top. No nipple tape/guards/bodyglide-had an underarmour TYPE shirt, worked perfectly-no chafing/no blood/no shi_. Nice. Forgot ONE crucial item: gloves. Left 'em @ the hotel. DAMN. Well, THAT was actually mistake #2. First was a crucial miscalc, marathon wasn't Sunday but Saturday. Ouch.

Did the expo Friday, volunteered @ t-shirt pickup (sleazy way to load up on shirts, I'm set for the year). Not much of an expo, a smaller marathon so it figured. Left @ 1, went to a flick, then to see the Nats (DC for "Nationals") in the first game @ their new stadium, an exhibition vs. the Orioles. NIIIICE stadium-the run goes by it as well. But again, we get ahead of ourselves. While @ the expo, I inquire re: details. I figured the half was Sat, the full Sun. WRONG boyo! SHI_!
This threw a monkey wrench in the plans-so much for carbo loading.

So, back to the run. GREAT logistics-water/gatorade every 3 or so miles, GU every 5, Red Bull every 3rd mile starting @ the half. @ this run they did the same as LI last year, held the half and full @ the same time, so there was a turn off/split. Hate them.

Made this into the: gloves every mile race. As in ; since I left mine behind, every mile I picked up another pair someone had discarded. Kept things fun.

Did ok, nothing great, but I finished. Good news: maintained the SAME time for the 10k & 1/2 splits-as in to within 1 second. Bad news: time STILL sucked, but sucked consistently. Didn't walk at least. Literally, maintained the same pace from start to finish. Gotta find positive reinforcement somewhere! Only real downside: shin splints. G's way of telling me to take it easy. Right.

Why do I put it that way, let's just say I again came home to disaster-Keith missed MORE school, Sybil out @ work all day-leaving him alone @ home, THEN It goes out @ night to one of It's almighty AA meetings. I should never ever go home, but I must. I have to know Keith knows I'm there for him. Garbage (literally) in the living room since before I left. Pray for us, this is bad.

Suffice to say, I did a drive by-spoke with Keith, got the lowdown, then went to spinning. Had to. You know how THAT is. Cheaper than alimony, less guilt than homicide.

Running easy, life-not so much. Thank G for my peeps, really came through for me.