WOWWWWWWW!!!!!

ok, THIS was the running day to end all running days.

Woke up, got outta bed, no hair to drag a comb across my head, so off to the Manhattan Run. Was supposed to meet Tom @ the Parkhouse @ 4:30, by 4:35, wasn't there, I boogied. We hooked up via phone, hook up @ the start.

Saw Rob, Debbie, Darlene (didn't know she'd be there) and Tom. NICE Strider showing. Of course nearly everyone finished WAY ahead of me, but it wasn't a race-repeat after me-but a training run/a.k.a. "The Best Way to Start Your Day." Felt good, a week after a marathon, 14.2 is manageable. Saw Dentist Big Bird as well. Helen popped up on her bike @ mile 10. Nice job all around. Happy with my time. Again, I say this often, props to Curtis. A true gentleman. People should do this run, make it a priority.

Then, met a peep, hung out for a few hours, off to the Nike Human 10k.

WOW!!! Hell of a run, but don't let's get ahead of ourselves. Having worked on Ward's Island/breaking my Civil Service Cherry there, noted quite a change. They're making the place a wildlife sanctuary (bit of a redundancy as there's a homeless shelter there, but don't be as cynical as I). The run actually started late, a first (in my time) for the NYRR. They were (appropriately) waiting for ferries to unload with more runners. Was supposed to start @ 6, more like 6:20, but they kept us entertained. Nate Robinson from the Knicks was there (high fived him twice, once @ the start, once @ the end. Noteable because he actually hung around-cool. Short guy, about an inch shorter than me). And the runner who carried the flag @ the Olympics. Nice.

Run started, 2 loops, 5k each. Too many walkers in front-downside of no corrals. The Naked Cowboy was there entertaining us @ 2 1/2m mark. Even He hung around 'til the end. Cool.

Then, the concert. WOW. Great band, a sea of runners, all cloned/wearing the same shirts. Nice. Missed Tom @ the concert, but with 10,000 +, easy to miss anyone.

Nike really deserves props. They could take their profits n' boogie, but no. Put on one HELL of a run. (and, I finished in under an hour-not bad after this morning).

What a freakin' day.

I was ahead of Pat LaFontaine

(on the Seaford/Oyster Bay, on the way home)

Hey, at least I ran. Sub 8. For me, a miracle, for my age group: SUCKED. Came in 18/18. Ouch.

Bring on manana! Hopefully it won't rain.

last gasp

last weekend of summer prep is on!

Back to St.Francis @ the crack of dawn. Hadda make my way back home. Felt good @ the LIRRC Wednesday 5k-last of summer, so I figure, do St.Francis today, tomorrow "off," not counting the evening 1m.

Went to Manhattan, got the Nike 10k stuff.

Busy busy weekend:

Sat: evening 1m.
Sun: Manhattan Run am
Nike 10k pm
Mon: Long Beach? Dunno, depends on how I feel Monday early/how bad Shebitch is.

countdown is on

on the trip back Rob n' I were wondering whether or not to do the LIRRC 5k, it was the last of summer, so, hmmmmmm. Toxichouse was in full effect, Shebitch screaming "it was soo much quieter when you were out," to which I responded "when you were out as well-and cleaner." It'd promised to take Spike's computer (infected) to be fixed, of course, knowing jackshit about computers, It got nervous (what's to get nervous about, take it to the fucking store, tell 'em to fix it). Quite the useless bitch. Rather than own the nervousness/ignorance, scream at me (this, after spending all day tanning). Tried dumping it in my lap, even Keith said "Mommy, you said..." Hee hee. So, of course, off to Eisenhower. Good thing too, knees felt good. Probably should'a taken more time off, but hey, it's only a 5k, and with my pace, no biggie.

Much to my surprise, Rob showed as well! Nice to hear "Allez, allez!" one last time. (but, does it count as an event if Helen's not there taking picture after picture, kind'a like a tree falling in the woods...?)

Nice turn out too, the Adidas monster truck was there.

Now, prep for the weekend. Tom n' I going into the wickedmeanevilcity manana to get his number @ Niketown. I'll jump the gun n' go today.

au revoir!!!

Woke up (Monday), hooked up with the peeps, off for breakfast (hey, you humans got a good thing going with this whole "food" thing). Alas, back into a pumpkin. No more carbs...fuck it, go for it. Crepes for breakfast! Delicious!!! One nice thing/barometer of your traveling peeps is: the check. No quibbling over who had what, just take the total and divide. Wonderful restaurant, better company. Shared info re: the red peeps-Hector was taken to the med tent after his 1/2, turns our all ok.

Checked out, drove by Deb n' Marge walking downhill as we split town, headed to Vermont. Again, no prob @ the border, knew I wouldn't need a passport (check the website duh!!!) Got to our B n' B. WOW. Has anything been so quaint??? A real stereotype. When you think B n' B, this is it. We walked in, no one home, door open, everything open. We ain't in 'da hood, yo. Minutes later 1/2 of the owners walks in-George. REAL Vermont type, talks too much, hugs too much. Turns out he's a musician, next thing I know I'm getting hugged n' we say we may drop by his gig later that night.

Beautiful rooms, "charming," "quaint," and the name of the third I can't remember. I'm in "charming," yes, that got alot of jokes.

Off to a terrific dinner @ a brewery he recommended, then off to hear his jazz band. By that time our collective eyes were droopy (exacerbated by the bookstores and cd stores we HAD to visit.) Back to the B n' B, YESSS!!! Cable. Watched some espn, then comedy central, bed by 11:20.

Tuesday woke up, had a terrific breakfast by George's wife Anne. She gave us t.m.i. re: the house (son lives in finished barn-huge-he too is a musician...), made us an amazing breakfast-omelet for Gillian and I, eggs over easy for Helen, pancakes for Rob (knew you'd be wondering). Then, off to Burlington.

2 hour drive, then we're there. Beautiful country. Some walking around, both Rob and I really sore still-stairs and getting out of the car were telling examples-who gritted their teeth worse. Lots of laughs throughout.Went to a farm-Gillian has a cheese fetish, so off we went. REALLY beautiful (now I know where all the liberals been hiding). Did a 3 hour tous, a 3 hour tour. Had a bite to eat, then all too soon, back into the vehicle.

Back in Queens by 10:30 pm.

Wow. Just wow. Can't wait to see Helen's 5,000 and Debbie's 5,000 pix.

Quite the experience. Next year I'm pushing for the San Juan 10k, we'll see. You can't put lightening back into a bottle, but this was a total blast.

Marathon!!!

ok, Marge doing the 5k, Helen and Gillian the 10k, Rob n`Debbie the half, me the full. Rain predicted-originally 80%, then pushed back to the evening, ok. Figured, if it rained, I`d do the half. So much for that idea. Gillian said I was waffling, so I`m screwed-ran or not, do the full.

We awaken, leave the Hotel @ 6am to head to the ferries. Get to the start and wait. Warm morning, gonna be HOT, but no rain. I THINK this is good-we`ll see later. Rob heads to his bus I to mine.

The time passes quickly, before too long, we`re off. Each of the 4 races started@ the same time with cannon blasts. @ this point, I still wished I`d done the half-but can`t be a wuss. Running was tough, very tough. Hot as HELL. But, hey, suck it up and MOVE MOTHERFUCKER!!! So, I did. Not bad, made good time, surprisingly The peeps asked what I`d predicted to meet @ the finish. I anticipated 4:45 to 5 hours. Weird seeing splits marked off in kms good though as there weren`t clocks at all splits-just the biggies. Saw the clock @ the half, couldn`t avoid it: 2:06-too fast. But felt ok. Before to long the heat REALLY kicked in. By the end, I was doing 30 seconds walking, 45 seconds running. REALLY dying in the heat-like Marine Corps when the bluepeoplewhoshouldjustquitandjoinaREALclub were there also. EVERYONE was dying in the heat. But...alas....the finish. NICE. REALLY nice medal. REALLY worked the crowd @ the end-pumping my arms etc.....rock star for 30 seconds.

Arm in PAIN. Dumbass that I am, used it to low five the spectators. @ the finish I went to First Aid, they put it in a sling and fed me Tylenol with Codeine. YUMMMMMMM. Back to the hotel, message from my heart-was with me every step, and I mean every step. FINALLY put the chain on after the skin prob-hadda. Called the green peeps to see where we`d connect, left my room, who do I see @ the front desk-the green peeps! We`ll hook up for dinner @ 6:45.

All in all, a good showing for the club:

Gillian: 1:06:32, in the 10k.
Helen: 1:12:32 in the 10k.
Debbie: 2:17:31 in the half.
Rob: 1:38:26 in the half.
Me: 4:33:18
*dunno Marge`s last name, couldn`t find her 5k results.
***and remind me to scalp Rob, telling me the first 5m was downhill, MY ASS!!! Rolling hills and a Heartbreak Hill Ouch! DEF a tough course. Gotta remember: use it as training for next week`s all day run-Manhattan Run in the am, Nike Human Race in the pm.

Later peeps!

Duty Free Hors (say it phonetically)

ok kiddies. Hold on tight, this is gonna be interesting. Gonna try to make up for lost time.

Alley Pond`s Roadtrip:

Day one (Friday): we (the committee inside my head) gets to Helen`s @ 5:15. She, bless her heart, volunteered to meet me @ The Parkhouse, but as I was naturally early, I went to casa Pineda. Gillian shows @ 6-she`s normal, n`awaaaaay we go. Helen driving, Rob shotgun, Gillian and I in the backseat. Quite comfortable actually, Helen`s Camry. Bless those japs.

We drive to Ausable Chasm, one stop along the way. Pisser of a time in the veeeeehicle. Between Rob, Gillian and myself, it was a battle of razor wit-with Helen providing the heart of the foursome. Good time, about 5 hours. Ausable Chasm was AMAZING. Julie, our cruise director, oops, Helen, took about 5,000 pictures, packed foot long heroes, AND coordinated all the road trip details. Kudos. The chasm was nothing short of amazing. Lots of walking but amazing. Knew I`d pay the price later on (like...in the marathon), but the point of this was the roadtrip, not necessarily a killer time in the run. The site itself is truly awe-inspiring, makes you really realize your place in the universe.

Day two (Saturday): On to Montreal. Was a tad worried re: customs-the car peeps had passports, but alas, much ado.....my drivers license and birth certificate were acceptale. Of course, now they might not let me leave the country, hey wait, that`s not a bad thing. The hotel in Montreal was the result of Rob doing an Expedia thing. Worked out really well-The Sandman, hell of a name for a hotel. Great rooms. Following a shower, dinner(escargots then pizza), then off to sleep, Rob and I in one room, the ladies in the other. Did the breakfast buffet thing (stroke sandwiches-bagels with creamcheese-one with bacon, the other sausage, boost them fats!!!). Then, off to Quebec!

Get to the hotel too early-we hit town @ 12, rooms not ready til 2. No prob, to the expo!!! Ran into Hector and Carmen, they said it wasn`t much-we New Yorkers are a spoiled lot aren`t we. STILL managed to buy way too much shit-hey, a deal is a deal. Gillian was especially cute-she hasn`t been to a marathon expo and was tickled to get a shirt at a good price. Nice to see people who aren`t totally jaded. Following the expo, back to the hotel, shower, dinner. NICE hotel. Not as fancy as the host hotel, but REALLY quaint-also, closer to the start and finish-told you, Helen=Julie the cruise director. She + Rob could be tour directors.

We all collected @ the pasta dinner. The College Point peeps-6 in total, plus the AP peeps-6 also. The CP peeps came because we`d organized the trip-of course I strongly suggested they fold and join us. Hadda. The dinner was actually very good-decent pasta, actually hot, amazing dessert-I had 4, and great company The time really flew. As we spoke I suggested San Juan for next year`s trip. Some spoke of Costa Rica. I THINK San Juan may be more cost effective.

So...where does Duty free Hors come from you ask, let`s just say you hadda be there, we had a blast!

...twas the night before Christmas...

or so it felt. Can you FEEL the excitement????? One day to go. Wow. All the training, all the running, it all comes down to this!!!!!!! The bad news: Debbie was kind enough to e mail the forecast for Sunday: 80 % chance of precip. Don't think they have snow this early. I can almost see Lucy with the football.

Of course, the night before lift-off all hell breaks loose. Had a PERFECT day. Started with St.Francis, felt good, nice and easy, knees holding up. Then, off to the job to do some stuff apparently only I can do-God forbid I call in sick or WORSE a vacation (tough shit), then off to the mean wicked city to play. WONDERFUL day fartin' around, then back to Toxichouse. So, where does "all hell break loose?" Let's just say the toilet seat won't be unoccupied for long tonight. Dunno wassup, but somethin's goin' on.


Life goes on.

2 days!!!!!!

so, what to do, what to do. Wanna do 86th, feed the soul. Need St.Francis, feed the miles. So........do both!!!!!!

Did 86th, felt good. Took a break in between, with the soul nourished, feed the knees-glucosamine. Nice.

Then, off to The Line!!! Felt better! Consider 86th the warmup, got St.Francis under my belt. Yummmmm. BEAUTIFUL morning!!! Not a cloud in the sky, cool(er) temps. Only other runner was Gambino-does his 5m on the DOT-turns @ EXACTLY the 2 1/2 mile mark. No wonder he's so fast.

Played Sunken Meadow, too beautiful a day not to, maxxed out, 27 holes.

Back to Toxichouse, did the "pre-marathon" routine. I.E. shaved head, yes, was tempted to do the mohawk/no, didn't want grief @ the borders. Starting to get psyched. Kind'a miss that buzz in the stomach. The loneliness that comes with no support @ "home," much less derision from the ignorant. Yet, running is a solitary thing anyway. Bottom line: one person goes in the box when you die. That thought pulls me through. The spectators, when they're there, are the icing on the cake. But from my "family," well...let's just say, if my brother gives Shebitch $$$ for a divorce, I don't expect anything.

A bientot!!!!!

3 days n' counting!!!

tapered de facto. Did 86th to refill the soul. Done. Knees good, arm-well.....

Went to P.T. Yes, just typing those letters makes me feel old/crippled. They attached some electric things, like they stick on your chest for an ecg. Volts massaging the elbow, while encased in ice. Call manana, make another app't for Tuesday. Hopefully this'll avoid surgery. We'll see.

I can see it, it's in range!!!

One more day on the job, then pre-marathon!!!!!

Did St.Francis. AGAIN, a day without rain. NICE. Though I fully anticipated the skies to open after the turnaround. Knee good. Arm, well....

Arm still can't straighten (that's whyit's call fractured schmuck), yeah yeah yeah. At least it's stuck in the running position!

God bless Tom. He n' I were supposed to hookup to go spinning tonight, he called to follow up, forgot about the gimp. Wish to hell I could put weight on it, even thought of spinning one armed. Of all the things I can do well with one arm ( ;) ) spinning ain't one of 'em. Felt weird to tell him after September 1. Can you BELIEVE summer's almost over?????

the countdown is on!

one week to go, getting antsy n'est pas?

Did the Dirty Sock 10k. FUN race-XC, mud, narrow paths, everything you could hope for. The peeps who put it on were true shitheads-they guarded the pre-race water as though it were liquid gold-real anal asshole. I was ALMOST gonna return the chip n' head to AP, but no. Do the fucking run. Glad I did. Met some of the usual suspects, nary a Strider in sight though. Pity, this course is a challenge.

No walk breaks-if I'm doing a marathon, no friggin' walking, but the arm was a concern. Know how you get the prerace jitters? Made it a point to line up in my usual spot, last, as I didn't want any putz hitting my arm. Dumb move. SCHMUCK!!! If you're passing half the crowd, some will hit you. Oh well.

Headed back to wind down @ the Y, stopped by The Parkhouse to take a leak, ran into the peeps, Deb asked what I was doing there. Let the record show for ONCE I wasn't a typical guy-I actually used the restroom.

P.S. re: yesterday; STILL haven't gotten over running into the patients on the run back. Always tickles me when 2 worlds meet.

...now....ice that arm.

closer yet

good run this am.

Went to AP for the refreshment run, early, parked, Tom sleeping in his veeeehicle, didn't wanna wake him, went to the unit, checked e mail, when I came back he was gone. Probably sick of waiting-he gets off work @ 6.

Took a brief nap, then awoke @ 8:16, perfect! Greeted the peeps, then BOOM! Time to go. They were socializing, I came to run. Caught Dave-him on his way back, me near St.Francis-homey was MOVIN!!!!! Wow. THAT'S why he had a 1:21 half. SUCH a nice guy, can't envy him.

Laughlin n' Russ caught up with me @ St.Francis, I hadda pour it on to break his balls.

Back to the Parkhouse, high praise from Laughlin-"good run."

Arm sore, but I'll live. Quite impressed with HIP, they called last evening, asking why the Ortho didn't put me in a cast. Hee hee. I know I'm gonna regret talking him into avoiding it, but how could I do otherwise-even HE understood I'm preregged!!! (pain is temporary.....)

Bring on the Dirty Sock 10k!!!!!

Best!!!

we made it kiddies!!!! One GLORIOUS week of St.Francis, one GLORIOUS week of NOT getting torn a new one. NICE!!!

AND, you sitting down??? It DIDN'T rain during this am's run. YUMMMMM.

It comes home tonight, pray for me. Keith will be home, pray for US. Guarantee it won't be pretty. Never is for a fatigued mental patient.

Alas, manana, the refreshment run, then Sunday, Dirty Sock 10k.

Vince was kind enough to think of calling me last night, had a spare ticket for Jones Beach. Would've LOVED to have seen Cheap Trick again, but the arm wasn't cooperating. Amazing how you learn to rely on one dominant appendage.

dodged a bullet

woke up, headed out, got to The Job, OOPS!!! Forgot running shoes. Fiddler crab it back to Toxichouse, grab 'em n' go. Ok, did St.Francis. Again, felt really good. Arm seems to be improving-but, gotta keep my word. I REALLY thought of giving up the appointment, but Lucy did Charlie Brown again JUST as I was thinking of changing my mind. "Say WHAT?" Again, you know Charlie Brown goes to kick the football, Lucy pulls it away, but he NEVER stops trying to kick that ball. So, did the first half of St.Francis, did the turnaround, and...yep, BOOM! Skies opened, got soaked-JUST as I was thinking of not going to my HIP center to have the arm peruuuuuuuuuused. So, headed home (not "Toxichouse, as Shebitch is hundreds of miles away), showered, off to Hip @ 9. Seen by md @ 10:45, referred to Island Ortho. The X Ray showed a hairline fracture with a chip on the right side of my elbow. Didn't think this'd be easy did'ja? @ this point, I'm thinking "is EVERYTHING I do this difficult???" Yes actually.

Got to Island Ortho (Massapequa) @ 12, waited 'til 1pm. Orthopedist sees me @ 1:30. Just as I'm chewin' nails n' spittin' out battleships, we start talking, turns out he was passing out bananas in Park Slope last year @ The Big One.

We review options, when I say I got Quebec next week, he understands my procrastination. No cast, yet. No sling, yet. Physical therapy for 4 weeks then reassess. Thanks G. Thanks Dr.Kuri. Worth all the bullshit.

better?

Again, St.Francis. What is boring to one is forming a solid base for another/tomato-tomaaaahto, one man's ceiling is another man's floor.

For some reason it doesn't get boring. Especially with an elbow the size of a grapefruit-gotta have it looked at. Can't straighten the arm. But, got the miles logged in!!!

Another terrific morning, though you can FEEL the humidididity coming back. Radio on the way in said widely varied temps-50's in some areas, 65 @ LaGuardia. No shirt weather.

This says alot for hammering away even though you THINK you hit the wall. For too long I thought I'd plateaud, but keeping in mind what the pros say, kept at it. Sure enough, after what seemed like an eternity, breakthrough. Feel MUCH better. Less knee pain, while using the Asics as my daily shoe-less support, lighter shoe.

Tomorrow am, St.Francis again, then off to HIP to have this appendage examined. Figure after 4 days it hasn't improved.........

good?

getting there, progress.

Had the big fall yesterday, didn't sleep well, awoke to enflamed elbow. Did I go to the doc? Of course not, toughed it out, went out n' did St.Francis. BEAUTIFUL morning. Crisp, cool, NICE. Of course, after I couldn't straighten my arm, but that's not that important. Log them miles. Of course, I'm inwardly scared the doc'll drain it, and it'll affect Quebec. I can live like this for a couple of weeks. Worst case scenario-it was in fact broken and had to be REbroken to set properly. But...at least I can run.

THEN, to top it off, as if being able to run wasn't gold enough, got home, missed a call on the cell. From whom? Remember the fender bender in Long Beach? It was THAT guy calling to follow up-as in "you never told me the amound or where to send the check." Can you BELIEVE there's a kindred spirit out there????? Nice. Thanks G.

OUCH!

ok, got'sta log them thar miles. 2 weeks until time to crepe in your pants ( HAH!!!!!! funny).

So, out there pre-dawn. Feelin' good, cool weather, no humidididity, knowing Shebitch out for a few days, this week has potential. AGAIN, do the St.Francis turn around..then-no, not rain, worse. BOOM, of another kind. Face plant. Did the St.Francis turn around, conquered the big hill, on my way down, then hit the asphalt. Thank G for instinct. My arms broke the fall. Took a tiny bit of road rash on my palms (stigmata? Rock me sexy Jesus), right arm can't quite be straightened, but otherwise ok. Didn't affect my pace. Whew!!!!!!

Back to Toxichouse to shower, hadda ensure Shebitch didn't leave the place in shambles before It splits-as It usually does. Came home to the usual grief, then, It's gone!!! YAYYY!!!!!

...you can't escaaaa-aaa-aaa-ape the ties that biiii-iiiiii-iiiiiind.

hope that made you happy

now I'm an idiot as well. It's getting really good @ this teenaged name calling.

Made the FATAL error of coming back to Toxichouse a few mins ago. BIG mistake. Shebitch is going to It's friend's upstate for a week, so we have a house turned upside down-Avon shit EVERYWHERE. I caught It with It's pants down-literally. It was headed to the beach, I pulled up, It wasn't expecting me back so soon. Blew a gasket-rather than cop to the fact that It's a shipwreck, It has the disarranged mental state to scream: "...go hang out with your friends if in fact you have any...getting an order of protection...you must live up to your responsibilities...you must provide a home for your child..."typical crap-but this time the big guns came out: "Why do you think your own brother gave me money for a divorce???" Wow. It really has the world stacked against me. Next stop on the War of the Roses scenario: I'm sure It will try to turn Keith against me. Thank G I'm strong.

Now, bear in mind, Keith is AGAIN away for the weekend, and It has the tits to tell me about my responsibilities-while It prepares for an evening out-again abandoning Toxichouse. Guess Keith better learn to cook.

Of course I responded, "I hope saying these things is making you happy." N' then, to top it off, It has the tits to attempt to order me out of 4 walls I pay for. Not gonna happen.

So, the GOOD news: did St.Francis bright n' early. Ran into the usual suspects-esp "older african american woman with a stick." Even she remarked in passing "beautiful air!!!." It was. Not humid, crisp, wonderful. THEN, feeling my oats, drove to the Italian American 5k. Figured if I could do the summer series, I could certainly do St.Francis n' then a 5k. Perfect timing. Ran ok. Really gotta love these local runs.

...order of protection...cute. As It heads, once again, to the beach, leaving Toxichouse looking as though a bomb went off, with It's child sleeping @ a friend's house AGAIN. Parenting????

week in review

back to center, did St.Francis, felt GREAT!!! A lil' too great perhaps. Started out with the club, bless them, in the rear, worked my way up. Ended up with Laughlin n' co. Odd that. They're usually WAY ahead. So, a man on a mission, could I do it??? Of course, but the question is: do I wanna keep up that pace??? I actually led, surprised the shit outta myself. He n' I got this bond, kind'a like I'm his son from hell/while a peep/while @ the same time competitive. Right. Like I'm in HIS league: Boston qualifier that he is. So, hadda prove to myself that I could. I did.

Why does it feel so good to see the peeps? They have lives and push to attain goals, as opposed to you know who.

This week I was "conceited, a controller, and retarded." Of course tomato/tomahhhto, I call it "good self esteem, a parent, and had a differing opinion @ the time (the "you're retarded" comment came when It wanted to, again, put a washing machine in the den. You read correctly).

So where does that leave us: Shebitch @ the beach, Keith does as he bloody well pleases (I've detached), and my sanity is back.


.....her mother said she had no chance, no chance...........

made it!!!

tough week, between rain, Shebitch and humidididity, quite a period.

But...all things pass.

Did St.Francis this am, great to be back, really feel it's my training place.

Ran into David the Superjew on the way back. Actually saw him when I started, but hadda avoid him. I can't do his pace, so we caught up @ the turnaround.

GREAT morning for a run, cool.

Also, p.s. very good bored/then membership meeting last night. Having one precede the other is a great help.

REALLY feel better after letting go of the parenting war. If I'm such a controller (read: "Parent'), then let's see what Shebitch can do. Oh wait, we already did, shitty report card.

done my time

now I'm finished.

They say in parenting you gots'ta choose your battles. They're right.

Last night, Keith's up 'til 1:41 am, for SOME strange reason I had a problem with this.

Of course, Shebitch...well...let's don't go there. Suffice to say, It screamed @ my "control issues," to which I responded that to me, I call it "parenting." HOW can you allow a kid to stay up that late?????

I'm finished with it. Let him stay up as later as he/It wants. I tried. Done.

She would'a been proud

had the Eunice Harris 5k tonight. SUCKED doing a 5k after St.Francis, much less after work on a humid night, but hadda. Eunice was cool.

VERY disapointed no Striders showed, nor other Queens peeps. Sucks. If one of us died, would we pull together????? At least I repped. We ALL owe the LIRRC a debt, they broke serious ground, particularly Eunice and Colin. What made tonight even better was FLRRT. Katz was there offering his services. Quite impressive. Still remember her @ every race.

Hadda do St.Francis this am. Got SOAKED yet again-Lucy pulling away the football just as Charlie Brown goes to kick it. Got to St.Francis, ok, dry. Do the turn-around, again, BOOM. Fucking soaked!!! Oh well. At least I have the secret of drying out my Asics-fan on high for 2 hours. Got my miles in.

perfect day

got up, got outta bed, did 86th. Good for the soul, better for the knees. Did 30 on the ellip, off to work.

Do the work thing, call Toxichouse, It answers, It'll be away for a week starting 8/11-15. THANK G. We leave for Canada 8-18. YAYYYYY!!!!!

Keith calls, asks what time I'll be home-wants to play handball. WOW!

Get home asap after work, Shebitch starts screaming, talking about divorce......I don;t answer. Keith nowhere to be found. Turns out It was on his case as well, he boogied, took his bike n' hit the road. Welcome to married life kiddo!!!

Hooked up with him, dad on a bike, son on his. NICE. We rode around, played handball, went for slurpees. Could any day be more perfect?

we're baaaaaack!!!!!

Harry n' Tonto ride again!!! Was really dicey there for a while, the whole toughlove/parenting thing, but it's time to turn the page. Keith knows he fucked up, owned it, and will try his best. All I can ask. The kid's alright.

GREAT race tonight. Time was typical, but I ran the whole thing-for some reason Heckscher gets me. ALWAYS ended up walking part of it-only a 5m but never had enough steam. Can do marathons, but end up walking part of a stinking 5m??? Not tonight, did ok, 8:55. Tom was amazing-a full minute per mile faster. AND, it's all the way out east, NOT a fun ride, but made it, did the series. Check. Mosquitos godawful tonight-despite Off AND skinsosoft. Wow, hungry bastards. Was great hangin' out after. Didn't need to go to Met for the killer roast beast heroes, @ this race they fed us-celebrating the close of the summer run series.

Few of us here tonight were @ Curtis's run yesterday-gluttons for punishment.

N' wassup wit' 'dat b.s.??? They don't post the results of the Brooklyn Bridge race??? When we score a run, the results are up p.d.q.?????????

Oh well, glad to resume my dad role. Really hurt having to be tough.

a new low

ok, had a GREAT time @ the Ducks game, REALLY fun. Stereotypical bonding grist. Then the axe fell.

Tried getting him to bed-after 1:15 am, nothin' doin'. Now, typically, kids hate limits placed upon them, he is no dif, but you would hope/pray for a lil' support. Silly me. Of course, Shebitch is behind him screaming..........then he utters the famous words "I don't even want to live here."

Shoot me now. Has ANYTHING ever hurt as much as those words?

...meanwhile, day 2 of "bitchalot n' do nothing," translation: Shebitch leaves the house for work in the evening, no breakfast/no lunch for Keith. TWO DAYS of no breakfast no lunch, the only food he had yesterday was what we had @ the ballpark. N' It has the tits to rake ME over the coals???

His words really hurt, barely slept. Had the Curtis run this am, hopefully kept a poker face. Felt like one big open wound. Thank G for running. GOD that felt good. Nice to see so many peeps. Pissed me off that so many Suffolkers made it, yet didn't make it to the 5m challenge, but such is life. NOTHING hurts worse than trying your damnedest, alone, to parent, only to have your every effort sabotaged, and your son say those words. Really hurts. Pray you never feel that way.

***G is there, as always though. Shebitch's car is dead. Payback's a _____??? G don't like ugly.

Good thinking

wanted to run with the club, but, as usual, swimming upstream (notice, didn't say who was doing what). Got to the park early, but couldn't wait for them. It was too damned humid. So, went out early, glad I did. Did my St.Francis bet 6:15 n' 7:30 ish. WHEW! Ran by Tom as he was starting, ran into the peeps after.

Good thing I did. Tom can't make it to the game tonight, pity. He's never been to see 'em play, much less @ that stadium-uber fan-friendly. Anyplace that doesn't charge parking is alright with me-shouldn't the ticket price be enough? Looking forward to seeing the peeps NOT in running clothes. One hitch: passing thunderstorms. Figures. NOTHING is easy.

Which brings us to our next point: G is always there, always watching. Ran into Helen, discussing Quebec, she invited me to go with them. Should be a RIOT!!! The only problem: keeping up with Rob's sense of humor. Between him and Gillian, rapier wit will be the course du jour.

Really looking forward to this.

For tonight, Spike n' I ride!!! Pray the rain holds out.

what the hell was I thinking???

rarely do I give in to peer pressure, usually I'm pretty sure of myself, but...

there's only so much of "you should..." before you react. So there's the backstory, now to fill in the blanks.

Been doing all I can not to kill the bitch, and to be a presence for Keith. He has a shit report card, I have him sign a contract. You KNEW this wouldn't be good.

Since, EVERY night has been HELL. Trying to get him to bed @ a reasonable hour has been a nightly dose of pain. Yet, gotta keep on keepin' on.

Last night was no different. He fights it every step of the way, finally Shebitch's behind him screaming that he should be allowed to stay up later-despite his having agreed to midnight, despite Shebitch going to sleep as he's still on the computer-remember the 3am + nights???? Be really nice if Shebitch-having done NO parenting whatsoever, supported my efforts. But I'm an optimist.

Further proof: they that suggest "you should..." haven't a clue.

Oh, and he STILL doesn't have his birthday gift from Shebitch. Going on 2+ weeks after 7-13.

So, obviously did St.Francis. Felt inspired? Why? No, not the events @ Toxichouse, THAT'S the daily crap. Last night some of us went to see Ultramarathon Man, GREAT flick-not as good as Spirit of the Marathon, but close. THIS one was personal-I'd met him @ a few runs I'd done when It initially lost it, a.k.a. Marathons+ year. REALLY regular guy.