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Here, I am sitting between Jon and Heather Armstrong, blogging maestros. They're as nice and real and honest as they are on their blogs. They're as easy going and talented-seeming as their writing and photography so strongly demonstrate. Heather was on the Today Show this morning, and Kathy Lee Gifford hardly let her have a word edgewise.They were signing books in Brooklyn, so I took the 2 train to the Grand Army Station and headed north on Vanderbilt Avenue to a cute bar/lounge called Soda Bar. SO many moms and strollers and fellow bloggers. Except for the bloggers part, it kind of felt like the lobby before church starts.
Well, I was nervous, and I freaked out and my social anxiety kicked in. All the assumptions one makes when you read a person's blog who doesn't know you messed with my head and I started talking to Heather as if she knew all about ME. I did manage to say I was from Jacksonville and that a KKK chapter was about 45 minutes from where I used to live. Then Heather said, "I should blog about that." She signed my book, "For May - So much love, Heather Armstrong."
Three authors of other essays in the book also gave me their autographs. It was such a fun experience, I just wish I'd been a little more graceful under pressure around these blogging celebrities. They're total rockstars and I felt like the goofy groupie. I had the stranger standing in line behind me take a picture of the three of us. My life can go on now that I know Heather Armstrong loves me.
I won't stalk them. It was more than enough getting to meet them and hang out for a while. Thanks so much, Heather and Jon.
- Mood:
cheerful
The studying is going well. I'll be ready for Monday's midterm.
Tomorrow is Sunday. That means my Sabbath daydream. Honestly, though, I don't know what I would do if it came true, if Tim Goblins and Susan Abandon were to talk to me on my way to church.
I'm officially changing that userpic ON St. Patrick's Day. Why do I have to be obnoxious sometimes?
- Mood:
still studying
Every Sunday as I walk to church from the 14th Street stop at 6th Avenue, I have the same daydream. Remember how I said the celebrity couple whose names rhyme with "fairytale goblins" and "reckless abandon" live on the same street as the church? Well, every week, I imagine one of them, or both of them calling out to me from across the street. I'm on the south sidewalk; they're on the north one. They ask where I'm going, and I tell them I'm going to church. Then they ask which church. And I tell them the Mormon one, yeah, that one right there. They ask me what kinds of things I believe. Then I joke with them, only Republican things. They laugh. I wave them over and invite them to come in. They decline, politely. Then I tell Mr. Goblins how I thought the writers' strike rally in Washington Square park at the beginning of December was really cool, and I felt united with the Guild, even though I'm not a member. We chat a little more, mostly about how much taller they are than I. We also talk about the stubborn winter and how long they've lived in the City. They seem really nice. I tell them I have to get going, and I shake their hands. Ms. Abandon stops me a second and gives me her phone number and tells me we need to do lunch sometime. I say I'd be delighted. Delighted, who really says that, I say self-mockingly. She laughs and they turn around to head back up to their home and I head toward the church.
Every single Sunday. Can you imagine? How lucky would I be?
I hope when my friends visit, we get to see some famous people.
One thing I have to admit. "Training" turns me off. I remember back when I used to run a lot a couple of years ago, I did it for fun. It was fun. I was enjoying myself, and I happened to be able to run for a couple of hours. It's definitely different. Maybe it's just that my body is still adjusting, and I'm racking up the miles a little more quickly this time; I've never exceeded 15 miles/week before two weeks ago, I think, and so my body probably perceives this as some sort of torture.
Last night, I went to a friend's up in Washington Heights for a little party. We had pizza and watched Harry Potter. They also had Oreos and donut holes. I helped myself to a little bit of everything. I stopped at two slices of pizza, even though I wanted more.
This morning I helped clean the church, then I went to brunch with another friend. We went to a cute place, and it was pretty good. I had an omelet with spinach and mushrooms and a mild cheese. My friend was still a little bit hungry, and I felt the same, so we headed to a crazy-cute coffee cafe for hot cocoa and a pastry. We had a great conversation.
Four hours passed from the time I stopped eating to when I started running. I hoped that was enough time for digestion. Along Central Park West, my stomach was feeling full and gurgly. I couldn't believe it. Let's just say I now know the value of jet propulsion. It was about as loud as a jet, too.
Why are my entries so crude lately?
Last week, I spotted two lookalike celebrities. One guy looked like Daniel Radcliffe. His eyebrows were better groomed than I've seen the actor's. I doubted it was him, because he looked too short. The other was a spooky resemblance of John McEnroe. I ran very quickly and quietly as I passed him. I didn't want him unleashing his wrath on me. In case it was him.
Today's actual celebrity sighting was Chris March from Project Runway. He was waiting to cross 14th Street at 6th Avenue. I had just crossed 6th Avenue and was on the same corner where he stood. I almost called out his name, but I thought better of it. Pretty cool, though.
Anyway.
Man, I am tired. I sauteed some mushrooms, then I put those between two pieces of toast spread with hummus. I love hummus.
Also? Nice rally, Barack. 55% is quite undeniable.
I need to get over myself. I can't worry about people thinking I get wedgies during my jogs. Everybody body gets them. They don't have to be running. Sometimes they stand up, and looky there. That can't be comfortable, you know? The last entry was intended to be helpful, but instead I got self-conscious and dismissive.
If you're going to run, like I mentioned, your underwear would need to be the kind that doesn't cling or ride. Every part of your body sweats when you run. If there's clinging or creeping, there might be chafing. And where there's chafing, blisters may appear. Folks, you do not want blisters, period. You especially don't want blisters where you don't want blisters. Most running shorts come with the underlining built in. It's made of a moisture wicking material, that, as you sweat, draws the moisture away from your body and quickly dries.
Now, in the winter, I wear snug, cotton skivvies. If they're loose, they're more likely to ride, and the sweating is just as intense as during warmer seasons. So you need to make sure your pants can somewhat regulate the temperature of your lower body.
Sometimes wedgies happen for no reason at all. You might need to experiment here, because everyone is different. Of course, you can always reach back and tug away, especially if you don't care if people think you have a wedgie. That's probably the best thing. But, if you're on a long run, and you want to play a little mind game to distract you from that long hill or side cramps or labored breathing, you can try:
-lengthening your stride
-shortening your stride
-moving side to side, as in a miniature slalom
-contracting the buttocks
-bumping into people
to dislodge the wedgie.
Of course, if you're especially sweaty and severe clinging occurs, you'll have to reach back. If it keeps happening, you'll have to pull over to the side of the path, find a portable johnny-no-flushy, and remove the underwear. Stuff them into a pocket, or abandon them altogether. You can either run commando or risk major chafing, bleeding, and blistering. Your choice.
Butt sweat is gross. If you finish a workout and get invited to a friend's home, it's kind of rude to sit right down on any surface while you're cooling down. I always stay standing until the sweat has evaporated, until my body has come to equilibrium with the temperature of the room.
I've improved since last month's 4-miler. Still slowish, but we're counting improvement here:
 Race Name, Date | Finisher Name | Gender/ Age | City, State | Distance (miles) | Net Time | Pace/ Mile | Overall Place | Gender Place | Age Place | |||
| NYRR Fred Lebow Classic January 12, 2008 | May | F31 | New York, NY | 5.0 | 48:53 | 9:46 | 3166 | 1227 | 437 | |||
| NYRR Holiday 4-Mile December 15, 2007 | May | F31 | New York, NY | 4.0 | 41:17 | 10:19 | 3856 | 1837 | 677 |
Dude, that's a 33-second shave. My first mile was around 10:40, and I whittled it down to about 9 minutes for the last mile, and I was pleased to see the finish line come sooner than expected. 44 degrees, perfect weather. Total mileage for the week: 22.
In other news, I found out some celebrities live across the street from the church building I attend. Not a big surprise, I suppose. The location is nondescript enough. To protect their privacy, I will only say this couple's names rhyme with "fairytale goblins" and "reckless abandon."
Any questions?
- Mood: not too shabby
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