day 492

here we go again!!!

Fucking rain!!! This eve through tomorrow pm. Damn. WAS on a roll there.

St.Francis + Kissena this am, 10+. 46 degs, really nice. Sweatshirt (could'a done with plain long sleeve) and shorts.

The killer is: today through tomorrow, temps approaching 60, but, RAIN. FUCK!!! No fair.

Shebitch? Stoney texts me, asking for me to bring home some...what's the word...FOOD??? Of course, prior to going m.i.a. It left the fridge bare (yet continually reminds ME of my parental responsibilities). Turns out he didn't go to school, sick. So, at that point I reply "whatever you want." Poor fuck is all alone, sick, fridge empty. No sooner does he inhale what I brought home, guess what walks in??? It was with a sick friend. Yes, you read that right. Ignore your son, don't go foodshopping (for which the gov gives you a disability check), don't heat the home, but tend to a sick friend. Amazing. And above all, remember, I'm Satan.

day 491

one year ago

It was in hospital, stem cell. One year ago, It was discharged to spend recovery time @ my brothers (instead of home-easier to play victim/patient). Now, since Thanksgiving, It's been m.i.a. Dunno where It's been, don't give a fuck. Glad It's outta the house. One small prob...what's that word...PARENTING????? Again, missing in action parent strikes. Bitch really has brass balls. Disappear whenever you want, not a word re: where and when. But all It's friends/groupies think I'M fucked up?

GREAT morning for a run. 36 degs, knit cap, gloves, long sleeves, windpants. Wonderful!!!

Feel HORRIBLE Stoney is left to fend for himself, but @ 15, he can take care of himself, knowing I'm a hop and a skip. Even told the spoiled lil' fucker he had a lift if he wanted/needed it, just say when. He needs to know he isn't alone.


***And THAT'S what slays me. Do the bitches friends EVER acknowledge that I work for a living, then get to play single fucking parent??? OR, care for a dog I didn't want??? Of course not, I'm Satan.

day 490

threepeat!!!!!

Ok, Friday, 8:29. yesterday 8:51, today 8:56. YAYYY!!! 3x sub 9's. REALLY glad, and, THAT was just the beginning!

Was, again, tempted to NOT wear the chip. But, took off before had time to think. Why? Was hangin' with brotherfromanothermother. YAYYY!!! Besides Stoney and Pret, the only human to set foot in my baby. We hung in the truck before the run catching up on "stuff." Helluva good time. Before we knew it, time for the last pre-race piss, then, the gun went off! FUCK! We were so busy talkin' @ the start, we weren't paying attention (not a bad thing, it was COLD. Not yesterday cold-no wind, but cold nontheless.).

Now, Rob's Run is one of those "you live on Long Island so you MUST do it" races, not unlike Cow Harbor. I do it because of Steve. Brotherfromanothermother did it because of Eddie-with whom we hung before the run. Funny, we each had a running mentor/bro/bud/peep.

The downside, lots of single file running, in the woods, XC. So, pray it isn't muddy, and pray more that the asshole in front of you either keeps pace or moves over. Today was a crash course in "if you wear an Ipod, make sure you can hear what's around you." Actually hadda push people outta the way, they couldn't hear me.

Brotherfromanothermother sucked worse than I. I was THRILLED; again, broke 9 minutes. He came in @ 9:25. WHATTHEFUCK????? I passed him right after mile 2, expected him to catch me, he tried but couldn't. That just ain't right. He is the opposite of Deb. Pesa rests and runs better/faster. He doesn't run and loses speed. He hadn't run all week. He's not sure if working midnights is finally getting to him. I don't think so. I believe his motivation is gone. He's happily married, has a supportive spouse. If I was him I'd be home all the time, or pursuing shared interests with her.

REALLY glad I was, again able to break 9. There's hope for me yet! Imagine what I could do if I really tried?

...and...nice give-a-way:knit hats.

day 489

YESSS!!!

In training, "they" say you hit a plateau, but don't quit. This IS true!!!

Was tempted to NOT wear the chip today-end on yesterday's sub 9 minute high note. But no, hadda see if it was a fluke. Possibly an error, today was XC. Ouch! BUT, Deb was there, good to use her to pace me-she usually outguns me (which REALLY makes me question my training ethic).

So, saw the usual suspects-half of 'em. Today WAS "The Orphanage" a.k.a. "Bridie Goldstein" run, but it's no mo'. They lost money. So half were here, the rest will be there manana for Rob's Run-the Long Island thing to do.

So, off we went, cold, sweatpants cold. Deb was gonna wear her Strider jacket, THAT's cold.

So, ran the last mile with her, then passed her with 100m to go, just to prove I could. The thing is, don't usually wanna, but hadda make the point that I can if I so choose.

Came in sub 9, 8:51, but factor in it was XC, really happy. Also, the last 400m was wrongly laid out. You rounded a turn, expected to finish, the line was further. Not cool. BUT, it was the guys from Tri and du It, really great guys. Asked about the new Year's Day run, said they awaited FAA clearance.

VERY happy, 2 days sub 9, glad i wore the chip.

Now, manana? Dunno. Narrow, single file areas. Might go chipless.

Stoney? spending the weekend @ brotherfromanothermother's. Shebitch? Presume It's there as well (wouldn't wanna invest time winterizing your home or anything). AND, It took the milk. Nice eh?

The best news-aside from 2 sub 9's, breaking the "Fluke" theory? Have the house to myself!!! YAYYYYY!

this just in!!!

jeez, almost forgot, did the Run Your Turkey Off 4k this am. Maybe shorter IS gooder? Did VERY well, esp considering lately breaking 9 minutes was a friggin' miracle.

Throughout the run, kept thinking "don't be a fluke, don't be a fluke." Sho 'nuff, it wasn't!!! Came in @ 8:29!!! YAY!!!!!

Do I regret NOT being a pig yesterday? No. REALLY was healthy (though I WAS soooooooo tempted. Had zero starches/carbs).

REALLY happy with my time!

day 488

sometimes you DO havta wait for the miracle

HATE bumperstickerspeak, but it's true. Didn't expect yesterday to go as well as it did.

Started off right, got my St.Francis in. Warm, for November. Shorts, long sleeves. REALLY delightful. Was great to see the peeps. Still, lament the loss of usual suspects gone by-they that are no longer vertical or/and they that choose not to participate.

Then, back to Toxichouse, Shebitch out, Stoney chillin'. Nice.

It returns, we drive to the restaurant, do the family thing. It DIDN'T suck. Wow. Priest shutthefuckup, so gotta love that. Didn't regale us with tales from The Great I am. Thanks God!!! What I CAN'T understand is why sister-in-law, who hasn't worked a day of her marriage, cons my bro to foot the bill for a restaurant. So, I got 'em. Pulled our waiter aside, asked how much a head, gave him some green. No one guessed. Perfect. Priest is a deadbeat, more money than all of us put together, but never kicks in. Shebitch has no $$$ for oil for heat, so hadda rub it in Its face-even It didn't guess it was me. Good. Random acts...Do your thing without expecting props. THAT'S where it's at. :)

And, best of all, what's the toughest day of the year for a member of OA? Exactly, a really tough time, managed well-veggies, salad, and meat (oh yeah, bowl of soup). Damned healthy motherfucker.

All because of youze guys, you're there. Thanks.

day 487

THAT didn't hurt a bit!!!

ALLLLLLmost ran with the club, kinda, sorta.

Got a call from brotherfromanothermother. Can FEEL the gravitational pull, urging me to hang with him. Def a bromance, ended last night's phone call with "I'll be there in spirit," to which he replied "me too." We really should move into one bog ass house together...prob is...Terri might get jealous.

Waited for the peeps to show, they did, prob is: they socialize, I run. Def my loss, but hey, gotta be me, so off I went. Surprised I did as well. Was WONDERFUL to see my people, DID suck that no one brought goodies-gotta remind the bored to make it a Thanksgiving run instead of just another club thing. BUT, lots showed. No, no Brickfeet people, again, their loss, fuck 'em.

Pushed it, hadda. Manana through Sunday is the short races, now was the time to ramp it up. Glad I did.

This pm, "family" Thanksgiving @ a local eatery, then Stoney and Shebitch going to HIS brotherfromanothermother's for that kids b'day. Again, It's out as we speak shopping, meanwhile, no heat. Freezing here. Amazing.

Like I said, feel the gravitational pull from my man, but damned if I do "Oh, THERE's the scumbag," and damned if I don't "where's that scumbag?" Either way I'm fucked.

Thank GOD got my run on. Thank GOD saw my peeps. Need 'em.

day 486

Thanksgiving Eve. Dread this one, and Christmas. Yet another excuse for It to act out. Happens every time. This year, the "have you called your brother?" has already started. Of course I answered "no need, you obviously have." And no, I didn't ask if It'd called Its suicided mother, though I WAS tempted. So, currently, slated to join the fam @ Wickers. Odd, sister-in-law doesn't work, hasn't for decades, yet they go to a restaurant for Thanksgiving. Lazy bitch.

Quite a surprise! Expected rain, it didn't materialize!!! Thanks God!!! So, hit The Line again this am. Felt GREAT. Cold-shorts and long sleeves, but not oppressively so.

Things I'm thankful for:


1)Stoney, makes it all worthwhile.

2)Running. Makes everything else make sense. Brings health, friends, travel, everything together. Wonderful.

3)Me. Dunno what I'd do without me.

day 485

OOPS!!!

Still can't get over thinking the seating on Central Park West was leftover from The Big One. I really DO see the world through running colored glasses. Actually passed Macy's and asked the workers what was going on, then thanked them for NOT giving me the "duh."

Last of the killer am's, did St.Francis + Kissena=10+. Why? Rain this evening, then the cold kicks in. Gotta take it where I can ;). AND, for Friday's race, rain predicted. DAYUM. Hey, I got my miles in, I'm good.

day 484

I was thiiiiiiiiis close

Was misting in the am, just on the cusp of either taking a day off, or running after work. BUT, optimism won. WAS in fact misting when I hit The Line, but after about 3 miles, it stopped. Good thing, would'a kicked myself.

Shebitch, again, in rare form. Made the mistake of using the wrong blanket (can you IMAGINE???), It used this as the excuse to go off big time. Imagine, Sunday night, chillaxin', 9pm +, and having to deal with a raging lunatic??? Actually could feel my heart beat faster. Here's a person who espouses serenity/"how important is it-ness,"/religion, yet goes off because the wrong blanket was in use. Ain't I horrible? Meanwhile, It and Stoney had just come back from Applebeees. Right. No $$$ to give him for lunch, no milk in the fridge, but head out to Applebees. Without a word to his father, your husband. Yeah, still hurts. Alot.

day 483

Fun!

Did the Race to Deliver. Didn't see Joan Rivers (if she was there at all), but DID see my peeps. Got a GREAT parking spot (thanks God), despite leaving later than I usually do. That alone makes the day a success. Then, got in touch with Brothergromanothermother. He was volunteering. Hadda, get his 9 + 1 for The Big One. Also knew DP'd be there, so was in good company. Ran most of the run with her, then let her pull ahead. Running @ her pace isn't right. Also, the Forest Park peep was in our corral.

Really fun, a beautiful morning. Now, off to play!!!

day 482

wow!!!

Didn't plan to, but did the Lynbrook run, a 4m. Was feeling REALLY down, Shebitch was on a bender, so needed something unusual-I'd never done this one. The club had its refreshment run, but was in the mood to isolate in a crowd. Nice idea, but didn't work-despite my best efforts. The usual suspects were there, enabling me to get out of my isolation. Thanks!!! AND, broke 9 minutes, FINALLY. Of course, it WAS a flat course, but then again, it WAS a 4m, not a 5k. Glad I did well. Also, made it a point to stay ahead of the usual slow(er) suspects-they that line up too far ahead, or shoot their load then slow down. Yay!!!!! Now, tomorrow WILL suck, CP, but I did well today.

Funny, I DO get noticed 9tough not to). One peep from Forest Park, another from The Big One, yet another from the Get to the Point. All really nice guys.

The bad news: lost the clicker for the truck, so, hadda go to the job to get the backup. Apparently, in changing, I left it on the bumper, then drove away. Thus, a $25 race fee (day of, not bad actually) plus $125 to replace the clicker. Still, worth every fucking penny. Didn't ever think I'd break 9 again.

Hit The Parkhouse as it was still early (Lynbrook is a hop and a skip, lots of New Hyde Park peeps there), caught the tail end of the refreshment get together. Peeps there think I'm a ghost who slides in and out, but really, I went in to pee, and just do my thing-without letting obstacles get in the way. Saw my green peeps, no Pret. Wonder if Pret runs anymore.

So, last night? The house is freezing and Shebitch is getting debt collectors breaking Its balls over unpaid shit, thus, I get reamed. It owes over $15,9000-that's just what I know about. So, can you imagine??? AND, It keeps spending. Fuck It, I broke 9 minutes. Priceless.

Harry Potter? Eh.

The Next 3 Days? Very good.

this just in

today is "national survivors of suicide" day.

Insert joke: _________________

day 481

Wow!

Always thought Facebook was a great thing, now I'm even more convinced. In addition to Alley Pond, in addition to St.Gabriel's, in addition to ICS, in addition to CYO Daycamp, we now have Bellefontaine. (I've really had several lives). Though I got kicked out, that place really was the birth of my growth. So many peeps there. Wow!!! God bless technology.

BEAUTIFUL morning, sweatshirt/shorts: 45 degs. No gloves, yet.

day 480

back on track

So much for options, went back to my groove! After The Line yesterday evening, did The Line this am. Glad I did. Actually enjoyed the contrast-nice to have actually been able to SEE pavement, but, better to run in the cooler/crisper pre-dawn air.

Def feel refocused and centered.

DOES still kill me that, not only would Shebitch steal my stuff, but leave us in debt. When It finally dies, who's gonna be left to pick up the pieces? Pure useless bitch.

Actually had an unusual evening last night: Stoney spoke. Wow. Of course, the apple not falling far from the tree- he DID say "this doesn't mean we're watching The Office together or anything," fucking wiseass. Love him.

day 479

that really hurt

Not only did Sickbitch steal my birthday card, It cleaned out Its car. Translation: all my stuff It stole was revealed. Among these items: a golf instructional DVD. Why It would be interested in that is anyone's guess. Sick, really sick.

The good news: It, having no job, is over $15,900 in debt. Good. It tried sprinkling Its problems amongst various credit cards, and continued spending. Good. Fuck her.

The Concert? In The Pit. Was killer!!!!!

This am, rain, SHIT. REALLY needed a run, but not to worry. Construction guys were on site predawn, I hadda be with them, so I get a work adjustment. Leave the unit @ 3, go for a run. Temps are supposed to be 'round 60+. NICE!!!!

***Actually got St.Francis in. Time sucked, but actually ran it, no walk breaks.

THAT'S the good news. The bad news: of course, my mind wanders: "hey, do 2-a-days (run in the am and pm,") or, bike in the am, run after work. Gotta remember: The Plan never fails us, we fail The Plan. Stick to what works.

Was actually afraid of taking consecutive days off. Thank GOD the rains topped this am-pretty much @ the exact second my am run would'a ended. Funny. Was mulling over going to Boot Camp tonight instead, but glad I ran. Prob w/Boot Camp: it leaves me with 2 1/2 hours between work and the start of class. HATE that. Better to run :) . Always better to run!!!

Now...tomorrow morning????? Doing the night before and morning after runs is the same as 2-a-days. Gotta think and see how I feel.

bottom line: didn't take 2 days in a row off. YAY!!! No pussy here!

this just in!

stop @ Toxichouse on the way to The Concert, my mail's-again-opened. Worse yet, it was a belated birthday card. Think it's easy???

Sick cunt.

day 478

j.w.t.d.o.

REALLY wanted to hit The Line this am...but...was not to be. Raining, lightly, first thing outta bed. Farted around on the pc, left the house, a drop here, a drop there. Get to the job, steadier. SHIT. But, this IS a good thing. Need a day off. When I think of Lisa, The Judge, Polansky, my time will inevitably come. Better to choose one's battles/live to fight another day. Especially now that warmer temps are gone, running in cool/damp ain't so good for 'da bonz.

Sometimes ya' gots 'ta embrace the weather and not fight it. Don't care what anyone says, once your running shoes are wet, they're never the same.

And no, not spinning tonight. Rest is rest.

day 477

better!

Checked my time for yesterday's race vs. last year, came in 20 seconds better. I'll take it! Actually felt like I was putting out effort. Not a bad thing. BUT, what was going through my mind was "it's ONLY a 5k, man up." Though, @ the last mile, there was an endless hill.

(DO miss the old days. Last year we had the Mineola Mustang as the "race after The Big One." Also, we had the Bridie Goldstein/a.k.a. The Orphanage 5k. It was back to back Syosset races: one week the Prostate Cancer; next week/down the road, the Bridie Goldstein; the following week, again, down the road, Rob's Run. Miss that).

This am, back home, back to The Line. WHAT A GREAT MORNING!!! Cool, crisp, barely broke a sweat. Sweatshirt and shorts. LOVE this weather. Again, for some ODD reason, all is right with the world. :)

Left Toxichouse this am. Stoney hadn't slept. Being part Schaefer, he waits 'til the last minute. The night before, he'd been up 'til 5 playing the new Call to Duty. So, he procrastinated on a book report-To Kill a Mockingbird. So, lil' fucker was up all night. I didn't feel sorry for him as he made his bed, BUT was impressed @ his tenacity. Was tempted to reward his tenacity with Taco Bell or other junk this eve, but it would enable his procrastination.


***Rick posting on FB about My Father's Place. He and I were @ alotta the same shows, not there, but @ The Ritz, Palladium, The Beacon. Again, my one lament: Long Island SUCKS!!! The city really has it all. A time we'll never relive. The Ritz, China Club, Limelight, Peppermint Lounge, Bond's...jeeeeez. What a time to be young!

day 476

reconnected!

Saw my L.I. peeps again. Today was the second Great Prostate Cancer Challenge (insert joke _____). Last year DP was there, looked forward to seeing at leats one Strider, but alas, was not to be. WAS nice to again see my LI peeps, George, Paul, Anita, Travis...but we again follow that Mason/dixon line dividing the boroughs. Oh well, their loss. Beautiful morning, GREAT course, LOTS of swag AND a long sleeve tech shirt. One runner, I pulled alongside him, he recognized me from Alley Pond-he remembered the knee braces, wise ass. It DOES amaze me how, even seasoned runners, so many shot their load in the first 2 miles (HELLO, it IS a golf course, LOTS of hills!). I passed alot in the last mile. One guy pushing a carriage passed me in the last 800m. He, too, did The BIg One.

Side notes: Polansky: hip surgery.

The judge: out of action, injured.

day 475

back in the saddle!!!

Back to The Line for real. No "jogs," no "nice easy," but a real run. Felt GREAT. Officially healed. Knee's ok, back, not so much, but I'll live.

Long sleeve top and shorts.

Ran into Chris, otherwise, too early for the club. DID bump into my Indian walkers.

Helluva morning, GREAT day. Like Indian Summer.

Dropped off the DMB CD. Deserved it. Last summer was The Indigo Girls, this summer DMB.

Gonna go nap, then manana, the Prostate 5k. Insert joke ______.

day 474

YUMMM

WHAT A MORNING!!! Helluva way to jump back onto the horse. Crisp, cool-not cold. THIS is the shit!!!

Stoney's actually gonna go play football with his peeps. I was taken aback, asked for double his usual pocket money, but hey, he's trustworthy.

Still a bit achy, didn't go all out, but feeling better. Little by slowly. Back IS killing me, but hey, being fat hurts worse.

day 473

SOOOOO close!

Actually made it down the stairs pain free. Did an easy 6.5 today. Think it was an error, but gotta try somehow. Terribly afraid of reverting.

The prob: it really IS like the day after Christmas/Post Partum Debression/PTSD all rolled into one. The thrill is done, the support has waned, you're you again. A good thing, but odd (and boy do I know odd).

Mowed the lawn. Hopefully the last time until spring. Been delaying it.

day 472

almost can make it down the stairs pain free...almost.

Actually deceived myself into thinking I might be able to go for a jog this am. That's right, not a run but a jog. Sluggish, easy movement, lil' faster than a walk. But no. Still achy. Might chillax 'til manana.

Signed up for the race on Sunday. It's on the T.O.B. golf course, nice way to break back into the running scene.

BEAUTIFUL morning too, hate to waste it, but permanent injury sucks too.

****Post marathon memories: too many signs w/"Toenails are overrated," and Hank meeting me, shaking my hand upon reentering CP @ Columbus Circle, breaking my balls/almost pulling me out for not wearing a bib. Asshole.


*******And yes, got my Dunkin' Donuts knit cap. They learned: had LOTS more people giving them out, last year it was like a feeding frenzy. On the Verrazano, a French runner and his peeps was collecting the cast-offs and putting them in a bag, "souvenirs." Dunno if I'd wanna keep one someone wore, or carry a bagful for 26 more miles. Glad I got one though! (orange too, not pink)

day 471

aftermath/a.k.a. "back into a pumpkin."

Always blows my mind how, the next day-or hours after even, we return to our "normal" selves. Looking back, you wonder if it was all real. Your pain answers that question for you, but you DO wonder. VERY anticlimactic.

Did my usual, the morning after, head back into NYC. Glad I did. Checked out The Marathon Store, $150 for a jacket????? Before, they were $60-$90. $150 is fucking ridiculous. Pity, I liked them, not THAT much though. Then, hung with Pret, then finally home.

Odd to have to take a day off. Feels completely against one's nature, but when you can't even make it down the stairs without wincing, gotta take the time to heal.

REALLY glad I got my peeps. The next day is always tough, like the day after Christmas. But everyone's in good spirits. Everyone I bumped into was glad, pleasantly content. All agreed the corrals AFTER the run are silly, why not use all the CP exits, but, fuck it. We know this when we go in.

The ONE sore spot, STILL long for support on the home front. Knowing they don't give a fuck hurts deeply.

day 470

so, after spending the night out, FINALLY home. last night's drama was typical. In The Big One, something always goes horribly wrong.

My time? Better than last year-easy, since last year's last 6 miles was excruciating. Walked/hobbled. This year, with the spectre of my knee going last year, was taking it easy. Did ok. Would'a been nice to break 5, but I'll take what I can. DID beat Jared (fucking dumbass), AL Roker, and the miner. THAT made me feel good. Ran/walked the last 2 in with Laughlin and John. HE should be proud, his first, started late-the wave behind mine-if you can believe that-and still caught up.

Was odd flying solo @ Ft.Wadsworth, really miss brotherfromanothermother, but he knows that. DID, somehow, manage to pass the time quickly. Odd, we ALL say the waiting is the worst. Running the damned thing is easier than camping.

IT WAS FREEZING. Even with the blankets and hazmat suit, but still, the time passed. 4 bagels, a powerbar and a coffee later (during which time actually managed to sleep), we were called. STILL couldn't believe I was in that wave-had no business there, but the alternative was to give an accurate predicted time and be with the walkers (FUCK!!!). So, off we went. Longas, underarmour top under the singlet, gloves, Strider baseball hat, Dunkin Donuts knit cap.

WHAT fun, pure fun. On the way to the start, asked a volunteer "which way to Queens?," got a laugh. Was smart enough to dodge the flying clothes-runners casting off throwaways-a sight unto itself. Best line: when going thru the Bronx, a runner asked the borough's motto, NYPD Officer answered "Welcome to the Bronx, hide your wallet."

45,000 people FUCK!!!!!

YMCA/Strider/AM Lockerroom peep was @ mile 14, just as he said he'd be (his wife also has cancer), actually spotted me, I turned and waved. Nice. Striders in LIC, almost missed my handoff, I doubled back and DP ran toward me with it. Thanks again guys! GREAT to see youze. Odd, DIDN'T see Andrea @ 20, but then again, tough to spot anyone. Actually bumped into The Dentist in Manhattan during the last 5 miles.

Leg/knee held, but I didn't. Ran/walked the last 3. Ran into Laughlin and John, they were dead too. STILL, was glad I did what I did. Last 800 metres, really slowed to let the CP spectators wash over me. Wow.

Cattle after, channeled through a narrow chute toward baggage. THAT sucks. So many exits to The park, why they do this is a mystery.

Back to the Museum of Natural History. A good thing I ended up with NHP. They parked on 82nd, closer to the finish. Runner's Edge parks near Lincoln Center, almost 20 blocks away.

So, were loaded, ready to pull away, sccccrrrrrape. Bus scraped an NYPD Officer's private vehicle. FUCK. Instead of leaving @ 5:40, 7:33. FUCK that, spent the night at the flavor of the night's apartment on CPW. Thanks!!!

Woke up, off to CP, back to the scene of the crime. My yearly thing. Checked The marathon Store, the jacket I liked: $150. Sorry, unless it comes with a videocamera and a hooker, no thanks. Friggin' prices were insane. Hung with Pret, then home.

Ahhhhhhhh.

Would I do anything differently? No.

Thanks peeps, when the home front couldn't give a fuck, you were there.

day 469

just got home from The Big One.

Post about it manana.

day 468

hadda fight myself to NOT go into NYC today. Rather, 3 miles @ AP, relaxed, just something to do to reawaken the joints. Then, chillax.

Olive Garden was fun! The wait for a table is ALWAYS ridiculous (why DO we insist on that place, 30 minute wait!!!!, thank G I pigged out @ b'fast), Rob, Helen, Deb, Randi, and I. Really great peeps.

18 hours to go. It really hasn't sunk in. The beauty of living with a psychobitch is nothing else can really rev up the anxiety. Everything else pales.

Again; running-easy. Life-not so much.

day 467

never gets old!!!

First, hit The Hard Rock for their breakfast buffet. Had my "heartattack on a bagel;" one bagel w/creamcheese n' sausage, another with creamcheese and bacon. THEN frenchtoast, THEN a cheese omelet. Yumm.

Then the Expo, actually bought a winter hat (with cool key holder) and a t shirt, otherwise, freebies up the yin yang. Saw my "Mohawk" peep, few other usual suspects. Nice to be recognized (yep, I said that!).

Tonight, meet the peeps @ Olive Garden.

day 466

3 days and counting!!!

FINALLY a reason to be happy it's raining, NEED to chillax. No running, no exercising, no nuttin'. Might catch a flick.

Last night, sleeping, Shebitch takes the blanket off me. Yes, you read that right.

Think it's easy?????

Running, easy...life, not so much.

Psyched to attend the expo, fighting myself NOT to cut outta work, but all things in good time. Rush and bad things will happen.

Funny, some things never get old.

day 465

4 days and counting!!!

Last run day before The Big One. Was REALLY cold, but good. Hooded sweatshirt, longs, gloves.

Looking forward to the anxiety, the fatigue, the camaraderie. NOT looking forward to missing brotherfromanothermother. Oh well. Fortunately, God took care of me-who do I run into this am? Len. God bless him.

Toxichouse? FREEZING. Gotta gut it out. I can do it.

Shebitch? Stoney was off-Election Day-It, nowhere to be found. Fucking pathetic.

Running? Easy. Life, not so much.

day 464

5 days and counting!!!

Starting to feel it. Seeing the "Where the world comes to run" banners near CP (AND the spectators' stands) made me teary, but now it's def on!!! St.Francis this am to stay loose, nothing speedy (as if), but relaxed.

Reading Runner's World, they, of course, have an insert. They break down the village @ Ft.Wadsworth-11,000 bagels. Wow!!!

REALLY happy to be midpack in the corrals. STILL not over being next to last for the past 2 years.

day 463

6 days and counting!!!

St.Francis this am, "tapering." That's a relative term. For peeps like me, what we lack in speed we make up with distance, "tapering" means my last run will be Wednesday. That's the price you pay for arthritis. Can't really do long runs, anything longer than a half marathon, so I do what I can.

REALLY a beautiful morning, 37 degs, not bad, sweatshirt and longs. REALLY wanted to try shorts, but this isn't the time to catch a cold.

Peeps trying to organize Olive Garden. The yearly gathering.