pissin' in the wind

ok, break my balls, get the lawn in order. What happens next? s.o.s. Came home from the Bethpage 5k, ask Spike where Hulk is......take 2 guesses. I quit. I've had it. I patiently attempted to explain responsibility, tried to explain action/reaction, cause and effect, AGAIN, he's shittin' all over the yard. "We love you Hulk," as he limps on 3 legs........................

The run? Went very well. Threatening skies, but no rain, VERY hot, but nice. A 5k, XC. Surprised-did better than before. Bethpage has a couple of hills, not much, but enough to make it challenging. What I don't get it people who don't take advantage of the downhills-as in: what goes up...? I think this is the first year I actually ran full bore through the whole thing. Progress? Hope so.


.....don't feel like Satan but I am to them, so I try n' forget it any way I can........

NOW I'm a man

had a hard time looking @ myself in the mirror for a while. Why? Well, you know all about Toxichouse-where we don't walk our dog, instead, we throw him in the backyard to poop n' piss all over my lawn. Really gives you incentive know what I mean? Add the empty plastic bottles thrown back there for him to gnaw on, and...let's say I got fed up. Oh, don't forget, we didn't even have a pooper scooper for 3 months so you can imagine the stench. Still wondering why I hadn't done the lawn??? ("PLEASE can we have another dog, we'll walk him every day?".......right!) Like I said in prior posts: the easier softer way is the m.o. @ Toxichouse.

So, with Spike's birthday approaching, hadda cave n' finally give the first cut. Did the hedges some weeks ago, hadda. Why should pedestrians pay for our dysfunction? Now it was the lawn's turn.

Had a weed wacker-when your "lawn" is as tall as your 12 year old, it's a lil' past lawnmower stage. Did the front ok, so far so good-back aching, but ok. Did the back and...you guessed it, killed the weedwacker. DAMN!!!

What to do? What to do? Problem solving 101. AHA! Hedgetrimmer!!!

So, lawn done. Looks like hell, but short hell. Next week, hit it with the mower.

Like I said, NOW I feel like a man. REAL men don't neglect, but then again, it wasn't neglect. I knew I'd do it, but hadda make the point. Hopefully point made-yeah, I doubt it too but gotta try.

people inthe party....

NICE way to deal with sweltering heat.

The club had its picnic. Normally I avoid this shit like the plague, but you know what??? These humans is some great peeps!!!

Did St.Francis, started out either too quick or Laughlin n' his peeps were warming up. Kept up with them for 3 miles, then they split. I ended up with a cross-country runner. Great run, though apparently only I did St.Francis-too hot I suppose.

THEN, miracle of miracle, went to the picnic. Mr."I want to be alone," goes to the AP picnic. AND, had a blast. Sometimes you just gotta get over your inherent shyness n' do it. Shades of Nike??? Got a high number too, nice turnout.

good way to end the day/week.....

did the Sean Ryan 5k, Long Beach. Why? Hadda beat Tom to the punch. I try to do a random act of kindness by regging him for races when I can, I hadda do this one as it's in his hood, n' you KNOW he would'a tried to return the favor.

Hot hot hot, humid too! Unfortunately, not as much of a crowd as we had last night. Seems most did the Police run. Pity. These Long Beach races have a real towny flavor, and are usually well run. Tonight was no exception (AND, my fave Long Beach thing: $5 coupons for the deli. I never use coupons, but I love these!!!). STILL can't really get a head of steam goin' after work, but fortunately, the crowd was thin. Actually placed in my age group!!! Nice trophy. Tom won the raffle, so we're even. HIS time was killer, really amazing, n' yet I got the trophy. Thank G we're in dif age groups!!! Tasty burgers. Then again, after a 5k in sweltering heat, anything'd taste good.

On the way, Spike called. Day 4 of his summer vacation, day 4 of his sitting alone @ home @ the computer. Wanted to know if we could see Wanted. Of course!!! I'm a bit disappointed that he'll be away tomorrow-in NJ with my bro @ some family bullshit-his cousin once removed 's graduation. BFD. However, noting Shebitch's lineage, this is the closest he'll get to "family." So, why doth it sucketh? I wanted to drag his ass to the Long Beach fireworks. Oh well.

Keep forgetting to include this nugget (very obvious, but bears noting): funny how we mark the years. We do races like the Police 5k, noting the dif giveaways from dif years, but in so doing, really celebrate as a community being alive for another year/sharing a common interest. There's a guy I see @ races, a "regular," n' when we pass each other we sort'a give each other the eye n' utter "never again huh???"

been there, done that

whew! made it without rain. Did the police 5k @ Eisenhower, for a bit it was cloudier than shit but we got away with it!!!

Usual suspects were there, Irish Joe, Sal-surprised he was there, the Long Island contingent, then Laughlin n' Christina's hub. Didn't expect to see them. Made for a better run, I use Christina's hub as a benchmark-he's not a runner yet kicks my ass, he came in 2 seconds ahead of me. Think he goes out too fast then peter's out, as opposed to Mr.Startslastandworkshiswayup.

Did ok, not great but ok. After running earlier that day and a 5k the next, gotta hold back a bit. Knees feel ok.

Unfortunately, this meant the bored meeting hadda be postponed 'til Tuesday. Shucks darn. (we ARE a running club).


..........

dry dry dry

enough with this goddamned rain already!!! Got our 86th + on this am, beat the rain, it's clouding up now. I know, savethekneessavetheknees-that's why 86th+ in consideration of the 5k tonight. REALLY hope the storms hold out.

(one word about a drought n' I'll lose it)

PJ was amazing. No pretense, no frills, no video screens nor pyro, just straight ahead tunes. Well done, really what it's all about. Must be runners ;)

Quick update (know I'm violating my promise not to give details on Toxichouse, but this one's a tickler): today is garbage day, I come home last night to the sight of the Christmas tree on the curb. Thank Keith.

........forgot what we're told, before we get too old...................

more than I bargained for

doin' my line (there's a line for a therapist in substance abuse to utter), minding my own beeswax, what do my wandering eyes behold??? Let's just say I'd done the St.Francis turn, on my way back, BOOM! Turn back, do another 1 1/2. Why? Can't resist a challenge. One more mile. Thanks!!! Hydrate hydrate hydrate.

Looking forward to tomorrow's race. And the next day's race. Two 5k's. Yummmm.

so THIS is how the other half lives

woke up, got outta bed, did 86th. plus. Nice long(er) run. Usually 86th is a recovery, speed, easier run, but today we added to it by visiting a newly moved peeps casa. Nice.



Got a good run in, then off to work. REALLY a beautiful morning, started right. Get to the job, 2 messages on the machine, one from Tom thanking me for dinner. I should thank HIM for drawing me out of myself. All I thought was: all my life I've felt as though I was acting in a play or movie, rather than actually living. THIS was how people did it. I'd seen people picnic-ing @ these runs, but with the whole eating disorder/low self-esteem thing, never felt I could do it. Surprise!!! Only took 48 years.

Got home, Shebitch out, Keith alone. Again. Natur....not doin' it, fightin my fingers, DAMN, I lost, ...ally.

Was s'posed to see PJ @ MSG, can barely speak, cold kickin' my ass. Glad to be with Spike though.

hot hot hot

...yeah yeah yeah, it's not the heat it's the......WHATEVER, it was sweltering.



Was s'posed to be the Sunken Meadow 10k, due to weather, i.e. sudden downpours etc..., it was changed to a 5k, n' not ONE mofo bitched. Now THAT'S a miracle-so many runners and not ONE complaint. The air was thick as pea soup, could barely breathe. Took out cardiac hill also-it was muddy-very very muddy, so they trimmed it. STILL a tough run.



Quite a blast though. Tom and I decided to coordinate, i.e. we see other clubs doing it, why not AP. So we had the banner, a table, chairs, the whole 9. Of course there were only 2 of us, but hey, baby steps. Stopped by the best sandwich makes in Bellerose, got HUGE roast beast heroes, so big we each consumed 1/3, then took the rest home. The counter person asked what size, I asked for smaller than a 3 foot, but BIG. If you put the 2 together, it was a 3 foot. Note to self. Spent the hours before the run hangin', chattin with Island peeps etc.....these humans ain't half bad.



Now, I dunno if this is good or not, but I beat the Gov in yesterday's race. Had him by a minute per mile. Hopefully this is good (of course, he's legally blind but...details, details...)

consistency is next to???

woke up with a heavy head, i.e. cold, couldn't breathe nasally at all. DAMN. Did couple of alka-seltzer colds plus and off to the race. Expect nothing other than get a good run in.

did ok, gun time 47+, chip time 46+, 'bout the same as the 5m last week. I'll take it. Oppressively humid, but ok. REALLY full crowd, 5,000 +. Tom made it, didn't think he would, was glad.

No corrals this time, this was an Achilles thing run by NYRR.

Got a good parking spot, napped, then Tom called 2 mins before I headed to number/shirt/chip pickup.

Quite the varied crowd. Saw Hispanic/Latina nurse, of course Tom-think only he and I represented AP-it wasn't a Q so most passed, a host of athletes with prosthetics. Wow. QUITE impressive. Ever think you got probs, check this one out.

GREAT munchies. These nature/granola/coffee bars, like the Starbucks ones, and flavored designer water. Not a bagel to be found. Nicely done, though miss bagels-comfort food no?

.....those were the best days of my life................

good job

took care of bidness in the am.

Got my St.Francis on, felt good, knees holding up. REALLY a beautiful morning-too warm, but beautiful. Funny, the bluepeoplewhoshouldquitandjoinaREALclub were on OUR line yet again. N' THEY have that freakin' bikestore. Just come join the darkside.

Tom called, stuck workin' o/t (like he owes me a reason re: his whereabouts???, nice to have a peep). Thank G I don't have to worry. The state been bery good to me. No need for o/t, yet. I'll pick up his stuff tomorrow am in case he doesn't make it.

Regged online for the Manhattan Run and the Sean Ryan.

Caught Get Smart. Very funny. Whether you were there for the tv series or not. Several laugh out loud moments. Split between The Love Guru and this one. Good choice (it happened to be playing @ a convenient hour).

WHAT a lovely way to start the day. Now, chillax. (yes, I said "chillax," G help me, dude/guy)

tgif!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Day one in the books. Shebitch n' Keith out @ Montauk. Does it hurt? DUH? But, life goes on. (guess where her wedding ring is??? Hint: NOT on her finger). Dramadramadrama.

Did 86th ave with a full heart, was REALLY nice. Beautiful morning full of love. Could a day start more perfectly, then, after work, a walk in the upper park. Checked out the adventure course-it's already set up. Fun fun fun!!! Can't wait to take Spike.

Came home STARVED, but hey, what are you willing to do to stay skinny.

Tomorrow, refreshment run, Sunday 5m race. Monday Sunken Meadow 10k, Thurs Police Appreciation 5k, Friday MAYBE Sean Ryan 5k. We'll see.


............all the things I thought I'd figured out...........................

long n' good

ran long, relatively speaking. Long for me is 10. Felt good. One day med, one day shorter, one day long is good (5, 7, 10). Good for knees, good for the soul.

Had the softball/bbq vs.SBATC. Quite a serendipitious occasion. We're playing well, leading-to eventually win. Ok, so far so good. I'm walking from the unit to the game, walking over some latecoming patients. One of 'em snitches on a smoker, we must discharge her. OK, not the best news, but hey, this IS a rehab. Ok, back to it. Walk back to the game, who do I see? Ray Dowe. He's checking out the action. I saunter over, shake hands, point which is my peeps. Quite a coming together of 2 worlds.

Icing on the cake: football dad George. Bless him. You've met him @ the Thanksgiving Run @ AP. He started a gig @ Riker's as a C.O., with great trepidation. Thank God, he's still normal. One of the good guys.


...you're in my heart you're in my soul......................

tgiw?

Got my 86th on, with the hope of doing the LIRRC 5k tonight, best laid plans?

Really should'a taken today off, but nooooooooo, marathon about 6 weeks away/gotta log them miles.

@ this rate, doing a minimum 5m daily, 7-8 on longer days. Nice.

Had a conference in NYC, perfect-a 4 hour conference: 9-1 pm. THEN, play!!! Got to run with my heart, then play. A perfect day. THEN, beat the rainshower-for once.

Downside: didn't do the LIRRC 5k. I know, you're getting teary. My knees thank you.

Tomorrow: run, then play-softball game vs. SBATC from 10:30-2, then bbq. LOVE my job.

Friday, Shebitch n' Spike head to Montauk. Yes, without me. Nice eh? Happy Father's Day. Pay the mortgage then f off. Really makes ya' feel loved eh wot? Good parenting, take the son for a weekend @ Montauk, ditch Dad. Good news: no screaming @ Toxichouse. Gotta take pleasures where you can. And no, the dog didn't figure in their plans-meanwhile dear readers, who wanted Hulk???

Can't believe I ran the whole thing

(a.k.a. "so much for SAVETHEKNEES")

OK, couldn't help myself. Crisp morning, unlike the past few days of "cut it with a knife humidity." After "golf balls in your face" hail ("DAMN YOU TOM!!! and thanks for the push). Nice to have a spring-like morning. Still, "take your shirt off n' run only in shorts," but niiiice.
Obviously hadda do St.Francis. Should'a taken a day off, but had to. You know what I mean.

Was 'sposed to see Tom Petty tonight, traded for Pearl Jam tix.

nice n' easy

ok, raced all weekend, saving the knees, now back to it.

Did 86th, why? SAVE THE KNEES. Got a lil' over a month 'til Quebec, gotta be ready.

Almost went to JB tonight to do the Summer Series, but (repeat after me) GOTTA SAVE THE KNEES.

Spoke w/Tom, I think he was using me as a barometer.


...ok, so much for THAT. It's now 9:05pm, just came back. From??? Welllllllllllllllllll, let's just say I got the call.

(to be uttered in one's best "Charlton Heston as Moses voice") DAMN YOU TOM!!!

He called @ 5:30, said he was @ JB. That's it. When one gets a throw down, gots'ta meet it. So, off we went. So much for savetheknees. So much for a quiet evening @ home. So much for I hate rain and running in it. A throw down is a throw down.

(DAMN, sucked into the Summer Series AGAIN!!!).

And yes, golf ball sized hail in your face in the last 800 metres.

Would I do it all over again? Bet your ass I would.

Happy Father's Day

not TOO much of a bias there is there??? Mother's Day: A contrived retail conspiracy. Father's Day? The ONE day a year we get note for our balls getting broken. Hey, right is right.

Backstory: leave predawn to get a good parking spot for today's NYRR 5m. As I come downstairs, Spike is STILL up (2:30am) and Shebitch is watching TV. Told you, here, up is down. I ask what happened to little items like...gee I dunno.......FOOD??? It rants on about how It doesn't wanna be married............ all this as Spike is @ the computer. Nice sendoff there. Bitch.

So, I get dressed n' split. Hooked up w/the green peeps. Nice run, VERY hot, but a nice run. Saw Mr.G from Ch11 news, he was in running attire. Spoke with him for a bit while waiting in the corrals, nice guy-a runner. Figures. WABC was sponsoring the run, so he wasn't doing his usual hosting. THAT also explains why he's @ all the runs, he's one of us. Helen, Rob, Weasel, Weasel's girl/friend, Tom, Vince, Sue, and me. Nice showing @ a club points race.

OK, do the run, head back to the veeeeehicle, SHIT! Ticket. Damn, this is getting to be a very expensive run. $115 for parking @ a bus stop. I could fight it, I was VERY far from the stop-like @ the end of the block, but why bother. DAMN. Beats a vehicle repair from a hit n' run. OK, THAT helped. Hit the West Side Y, shower, head back. Picked up BBQ stuff for the work peeps, dropped it off, headed home.

Are you sitting down??? A card, an "awesome dad" coffee mug, and a Mets wristwatch (Avon product) await me. Wow. Now, of course, I ask Spike, which Shebitch gave these for him to give to me? Which Sybil was here? AND, FOOD! Bitch shopped. I don't get it.

Phone call wishing me a Happy Father's Day from my heart. Nice, made all the shit worth it.

.....take it easy baby, make it last all night...............

whew!!!

HOT!!! Did the Shwachman Diamond Dash 5k in Sayville. What a 'roid. For some reason I've done this one since I started running. Great cause, good people, but WHAT A 'ROID!!! Freakin' Sayville. Half a tank of gas later, STILL glad I did it.

This one's ALWAYS steamy, and today was no exception. Wastorn between this and The Line, but hadda do this one. Reconnect with the Island Peeps. Missed George. Appears aging DOES in fact suck. All the other usual suspects were there. REALLY a fun run.

Left messages @ Toxichouse-there's no food other than a head of Cauli. No oil, zip, nuttin'. Came home, STILL nuttin'. And Shebitch has the stones to claim she does foodshopping. What you, dear reader, MUST internalize is Shebitch brings NOTHING to the table. Squat, zip. ALL It does is bitch. Frightening. If you didn't know me you'd think I wrote fiction. Don't have to, reality is bad enough.

So, Spike n' I went to see Hulk. Good flick, not great, but good. Nice twist @ the end.

Happy Father's day. We know how tough it is.


.......n' I can still hear her complain..............

why G created vacation time

needed a day off (no shit). What fun!!!

Like a day off isn't cool enough, spent it in the mean/wicked/ugly/has a million stories city.

Started with a short run-5m @ 86th, then off to the city.

Caught Cyndi Lauper @ Bryant Park-COOL!!! For a woman in her 50's she's in shape. (must run). Part of the GMA concert series. She's a true New Yorker-what an accent!!! Who'd a thunk Girls Just Wanna Have Fun would STILL be cool after so many years???

Did a spin class @ the West Side Y, then off to pick up #'s for Sunday-the Innards Tour.

Walking from the Bellerose LIRR station back to my truck, Gillian, "Gilly Bean" honked @ me as she drove by. What a great day.

A beautiful day spent with love. Owe ya' big time!!!!! JWTDO.

...Spike? FINALLY went to school-just in time-last day. NOW he's @ the mall. Great. A lost child.


.....I'm so bad baby I don't care.............

of all the things I've lost....

...I miss my mind the most.



Where the ____ would we be if we lost the ability to run???



Did 86th. Didn't wanna but hadda. Spike STILL home, 4th day sick. 4th day of missing reviews for finals. He's in deep shit. If he doesn't go to the doctor today I think we get officially charged as neglectful parents, as well we should. Feed him crap and then wonder why he ails.



Bless his attitude, Carvel was the only thing he could ingest. There's a story there. Sore throat, can't eat, but perks up for Carvel. Goes good with bacon.



Figure the dog is STILL limping, no, no vet yet. What do you expect??? "We love you Hulk," words are easier than actions. Hopefully Shebitch attends to Keith a bit better.



Told Spike to call me if Shebitch can't get its act together to drive him. If I need to split from work I will.

Cut to lunch. Couldn't take it anymore, boogied home to be with him. SOMEONE has to be a parent. I finally spoke with It Re: what did the doctor say. It responds, got up late, hadda go to work, couldn't take him to the doctor. Now readers, think: a waitress/flexible hours/works 5 mins from home/a parent-can't make time to take It's son to the Dr.

It bounds in @ 4. To change n' go off to an Avon meeting. MIGHT wanna spend time with your sick child??????????????????????? I give up. I really give up. Bitch is useless. THEN, after coming home @ 11-pm, YELLS @ Keith "I can't take 4 days off like you." Priceless. Real Mother's Day memories.

...cheapertokeephercheapertokeephercheapertokeephercheapertokeephercheapertokeepher.

G strikes again!!!

so...following Toxichouse drama, get out there n' hit The Line.

Still feeling good, knees cooperating. What's wrong with this picture??? Could it actually BE that I'm building a good base??? Very reassuring. Gotta take pleasures where one can.

THEN, a great am gets better, I'm cooling down, walking from AP back to The Job, cross Union, I see 3 peeps. Stooges? No. Andrea, Lock, Christina. N' I thought I was the only freak up @ this hour. They were off to Cunningham, invited me along-very kind but no. A)I'd slow them down B)I was done. Appreciated the offer, loved seeing 'em.

GREAT morning made better. G is indeed good.


***Keith STILL sick, day 3. Shebitch out all day (cleaning someone's house-is THAT irony or what???), now he's napping n' she's nowhere to be found. Happy Mother's Day?


.....All the things I thought I'd figured out, I have to learn again............

-thanks for helping me learn.

God grant me the serenity........

Shebitch asking when I'll do the lawn. I ask when she'll clean the house. 'Nuff said 'bout her. How can you possibly be concerned about a friggin' lawn when you live in absolute total filth? 'Nuff about that too. Bitch bitch bitch. Not easy dealing with, but cheaper than alimony.

Tragedy is the child. Bitch goes to the beach, again. Leaves Keith, sick, alone, in the house all day. Did the same shit yesterday. Bless HIM, though. He'd been texting me for the past 2 days. Only motherf***er to get me to text. Bless him.

THIS is what gets me down. Last year @ this time I was coaching Spike on his PAL B Ball team. Then it was tough, blowouts before every game, It couldn't keep it's psychosis under control at all. We used to boogie outta Toxichouse and be stupid early for the games. But at least we did SOMETHING together. Some form of exercise at least. Now even that's gone. The two of us are in survival mode. And SHE is planning to go to Montauk with her friends in a week. VACATION??? FROM????? Unbelievable.

So, got my St.Francis on, hadda. 4 miles wouldn't cut it. Felt REALLY good. In THIS weather, crack of dawn is the ONLY way to go. Knowing you're doing what few can in this weather felt terrific.


.......what does it matter to ya', when you got a job to do you gotta do it well...............

we're off!

made it through a SWELTERING weekend, 3 for 3 races. Thank G they were 5k's. One Fri, one sat, one sun. Done. Now, back to bidness.

Got my St.Francis on. GREAT to be home. Amazing part: can't quite grasp how ANYONE can run after dawn these days. It's just t.d.h. This am was nice, warm-very warm-but perfect take your shirt off, strip down to shorts (the world deserves a thrill) weather. REALLY like running in an oven, just gotta pace. ALMOST went to the gym instead, glad I didn't. With back to back 5k's, gotta get them miles in mon.

Can't get the snapping turtles outta my head.

Spike sick @ home, again;,throat. Finals began today. Shebitch went to the beach. No Virginia, you CAN'T make this stuff up. If you had a sick child, wouldn't you stay with them????? No, go get that gorgeous carcinoma. Enjoy.

....in this life I've seen everything there is to see woman.....but I AIN'T...NEVER SEEN NOTHIN' LIKE YOU!.......do ya do ya.............................

pride

goeth before a fall? Is a good thing to have? Saves us when all else fails? YOU decide.

We had an amazing weekend. Ladies Represented @ the mini 10k n' the mixed crew took some serious hardware @ the 5k Sunday. Wow. I was humbled by Andrea and Helen-didn't run the race, but biked-in the sweltering F***ing heat, to cheer us on. Nice. Add to this, we placed in various age groups. THIS is what I live for. What joy in the camaraderie. Amazing how someone who prays for invisibility gets recognized. Felt at home. Nice to see Curtis too-he's hasn't been making the scene. AND, the Rolling Thunder peeps were AGAIN nowhere to be found. Amazing. Totally full of crap. The blue people did ok though, less than half the finishers we had, 'bout a dozen more than last year. Just wish Karen wouldn't adjust herself, don't people know there are guys like me out there???

Unbelievably hot, but what a beautiful scene. Kissena really is a gorgeous park, but too damned hot. Spent the pre-run time socializing (yes, you read correctly), and admiring the turtles. Snapping turtles in Queens. Wow.

Nice job people. THIS is what it's all about.


.....we're coming to your town, we'll help your party get down.......................

2/3

Good 5k this am. Shades of Gabe Vitale.

Bless the CPTC, but they're dwindling. The same hard core holdouts are there, bless them. GREAT run-sorts like a mini Queens Half. Nowhere near as good as yesterday, the hills kill.

Nice to see Laughlin n' Rettmer.

Munchkins particularly cute-you know, competing among themselves @ the water stops-ended up taking a cup from a bro AND sister. Cute lil bastards.

Pumped when I came home. Shebitch @ the beach, Keith left behind. Yes. Again. He's freaking-the shower is vile, hasn't been cleaned in..................yes, he's crying. Good. He needs to see what a pig she is. MOST people work first, play after. She ditches her son, goes to get MORE cancer. So, I did the hedges. NOW it looks like someone actually lives here. Neighbor came out, I asked him "can you FEEL your property values rising?"

Went to the Big Apple Circus in the evening. Very good show-bang for the buck. Only prob: the row behind us (last row) was $15 seats, ours were $35. Note to self for next time. AND not a bad seat in the place. Really fun. Inner child alive and well.

.....lawyers, guns and money can't get me outta this!!!...

P.R.

did the CPA'S for A Cause 5k. Wow!!! Usually can't run for shit after work, but tonight was dif. Really helped to have peeps there-Polansky didn't run it-was there to support, as well as Anita, her son, Rob Paterson, and the usuals who do this one. Also, a flat course. NICE location, Wantagh Park-and great swag.

Set a new pr. Yes, I was shocked. Didn't set out to, just sorta ended that way. Was an accurately measured course-Fit Results is on the money-otherwise I would'a thought it was short. Also, wanted to keep something in the tank for Sat and Sunday's races, but we'll see. Hard to hold back when the head of GLIRC is urging you to get the lead out.

Nice. Very nice. This adds to the pm @ work. The boss referred to me as Dorian Grey. THAT's a compliment I'll treasure. THEN, some peeps I got clean with did the big book meeting on site. No, I didn't know they were coming. They too mentioned I got in better shape. Nice. How many people can say they're in better shape now than 23 years ago. WOW! 23 years!!!!! Been a long time eh wot? One urged me to grow my hair long again in order to "never conform," don't think that'll EVER be a problem. (picked cool peeps to get clean with).


.....that became the doggie's dinner....poor Marie.

made it!!!!!

had a GREAT membership meeting. Yes, VERY surprised.

Meetings are 5 steps lower in the Inferno than rain. Yechhhhh, but it was a good one.

First a speaker, nice. One with something to say no less-orthotics.

Next, the fun. Deciding where the $$$ from the race goes. Not a fun task. But a delightful predicament. What to do with the sizeable sum.

Usual suspects behaved in their usual way, Lee above all. A dysfunctional smile on Its face as he raised his questions. Add to this his magically appearing @ 8:30. Draw your own conclusions.

Miracle of miracles, productive discussion, no feelings hurt, meeting ended-relatively-on time. Nice.

Busy weekend, few doing the mini 10k n' the College Point run. Tonight, CPA's. Gonna be hot as a mofo by the weekend.

poetic justice?

"My Name Is Earl," plots focus on "karma." A modern day interpretation of "what goes around comes around." Always believed in it. Not "do the right thing or you'll go to hell, but "do the right thing, because it's the right thing." THIS is a point I-almost daily-reinforce to Spike, especially "despite overwhelming odds, i.e. Don Quixote, no matter who's against you or believes otherwise (Shebitch's groupies?), press on!!!"

Yesterday, the results were posted of who's in and who's not re: The Big One. Interesting. Glad my peeps are in. Says alot about my peeps. Thanks G.

(also overkill, the day prior, NYC Half entrants received notification. There goes those economic stimulus checks eh wot???)


***Nice aside: know when you're doing that last mile of arun, the fastest mother******rs are coming toward you doing a cool down? Last night I got confirmation from Big Bird that it WAS in fact who I thought it was yesterday am. Mary Wittenberg. Bless her. Doubling back, wishing all a Happy Anniversary. She left a law gig to do this. Wow. I'd do that, but then again I really don't care about $$$.

2 fer Wednesday?

ok. Go to bed EARLY Tuesday, I'm talkin' pre-sundown early, to awaken before chickens think of setting their clocks. Awaken, jump into truck, head to Manhattan. SHIT, rain. Hate it. Fuck the flowers, hate it!!! But, preregged. Press on. Rain coming down in buckets. DAMN.

Find a killer parking sport, nap.

Awaken, call Tom. We'll hook up @ his corral. I'm behind of course. So much for best laid plans. Never saw each other. Put his chip on, his bib, start the run. Rain REALLY coming down. What the hell, may as well get soaked.

Mile one, so far so good, mile 2, feel tap on my shoulder, there he is. Cool. We step off, I give him his chip, away we go!

Did ok. Nothing GREAT, but sub 9. I'm happy, very happy. A sub 9 in Central Park, I'll take it. Also, ran into Cory. Told him I was in on the 27th! Am I psyched or what?
STILL made it to the job early. Can't help myself.

Now, the big decision, to do the LIRRC 5k or no? Big Bird threw down when he casually mentioned he was doing it. Can't resist. You KNOW I did it. Time sucked, ass dragging, but ran it.

NICE way to begin and end the day.

***AND, what lottery was held today??????????


...I'm learning to live without you now, but I miss you baby.................

when good things happen to _________people

a.k.a. "j.w.t.d.o."

Woke up, got outta bed, into work, pre-run stuff. Check e mail, VOILA! I'm in on the 27th!!! NICE. JUST the motivation I needed. Get absolutely NO support @ home, draw on the strength within, but at times even THAT wears thin. G comes through again. The memories I have of the past 2x are being brought into this years. Warm, wonderful memories.

Such a pleasure to deal with happy well adjusted people for a change.

Did my last St.Francis before the Anniv run. THIS sounds like something I'd dream up. A 5m, FREE, @ 5:30 am. Nice. Really looking forward to it! Most of the peeps'll be there as well.


.....Bo Diddley was a gunslinger...................

and we're off!

perfect am for a run. Cool temps, rip that shirt off n' go!!! Got my St.Francis on, feeling good. Didn't expect to after the weekend, but considering my times, not surprising. Always run to run another day.

Showered, changed, voicemail from Spike. "Mommy lost her keys, unless you come I'll have to walk to school." (2nd. time!!!!!!! Within 2 weeks. AND It has a friend's car in the driveway!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You think it's easy?). Now, what's the biggie w/a 12 yr old walking????? But, when you live in the shit we do, it's a matter of coming when called. Must be reliable. So, climb into the truck, head home, 2 exits away, the inevitable call: Shithead found it's keys. God I love running. Put one foot in front of the other....................

and awaaaaaay we go!

did the NHP 8k-53 yards short of 5m for those of you who care. Beautiful morning, but REALLY hot. Makes me yearn for 4:30am running. ALL the usual suspects were there, surprising as there was a race next door. A 5k, scored by the peeps. But apparently most opted for the better run. The 5k was too "turny," i.e. too little race crammed into too little space. BUT, you DO get to run on the racetrack. Big whoop.

The blue women were there, odd no others. Odder still they didn't place, we had 2 Striders place, but in dif categories. Even more good news: we had Ray, Russ, and Debbie place @ the 5k. NICE day Striders!!!

This course was challenging, few rolling hills, no real hills, but real Alley Pond grist.

All the LIRRC peeps were there-yes, Big Bird too, all the GLIRC squad, 5 Striders, what more do you need?

Came back to the truck, a text message from Keith. Wiseass.

He, Tom and Tom's offspring will head to the Big Apple Circus next weekend. Would've gone today, but Spike is going through computer withdrawl.


.....she was an American girl......................