As I See It - 01.17.16 - Mile 6

If you're going to run 26.2 miles, 13.1 miles, or even a 3 mile jaunt, you want the morning to look this with low temps:

And so, this was my view from The Calvinator's Upper Kirby Crib on the morning of the Chevron Houston Marathon & Aramco Houston Half Marathon. The Crib is just a few short steps from Mile 6. Eminem has 8 Mile, I have Mile 6. And this is how I saw it that day. If you want to see my tweets, follow me on Twitter @absolutrunnr

Cops blocking Richmond Avenue @ Kirby Drive (looking south).

Looking north on Kirby.

Crowd and well-wishers/supporters start to gather.

I incorrectly inflated my bam bams but they worked for awhile.

Runners.

Do not panic. There is no reason to run.

Beginning to thin out.

Fat heads always liven things up. It WAS a street party at Mile 6.

And then this happened:

Followed by this happening:

As I See It - 01.16.16 - Get ready to run!

I went looking for inspiration and ended up spending my money. The expo for the Chevron Houston Marathon/Aramco Half-Marathon is always one of the best expos. I went there hoping that something would inspire me to run and well...

It is nice to go to the expo without the anticipation churning in my stomach of having to run a full or half marathon the next day.

Later that day, I donned a tux and made my way to the ERISCSS Coronation at Hilton-Post Oak. However, before I was in the presence of royalty, I joined Chree and Lynne at RDG for some bubbly and lite bites.

Sometimes it pays to look up. This is in the lobby of the Hilton-Post Oak.

Pic Of The Day - 01.17.15 - Runxpo

This past fall was a bit difficult. Nothing seemed to go as planned and the icing on the cake was the fall of December 2014. If I even had the slightest idea that I could run walk/run 13.1 miles on 1/18/15, it was squashed when I fell.

At that point, it was too late to turn in my entry. I even toyed with the idea of walking 13.1 but there is still some discomfort in my left leg from time to time.

So...I went to the George R. Brown to pick up my expensive t-shirt. Yep, this t-shirt cost me $100+ and nothing was going to stop me from retrieving it.

It's always a fun time to be at the expo. Some vendor will premier the latest gadget. There's usually a sale on running apparel and I scored a deal on some fitness attire at the Luke's booth.

So...there will not be a lottery for 2016 so maybe I'll pay my money again and get a finisher's t-shirt next year.

Pic Of The Day - 07.31.14 - Commitment vs. Involvement

Do you know the difference between commitment and involvement?  It's the difference between a pig and a chicken.  You see...

The chicken is involved in breakfast and the pig is committed.

Back in June, on a whim, I threw my name and credit card into the hat for the 2015 Aramco Houston Half Marathon and I was selected.

So...on July 31 I went to Memorial Park to pick up my training t-shirt.  It's also the day my new New Balance 1260v2 shoes arrived.  So now, I've spent well over $200.  I'd say financially I'm involved.

Photo Journal: January 17, 2010

I wasn't sure what I was going to do about the Aramco Houston Half Marathon. You see...

I've been having some severe pains in my left leg. It actually started a few months ago when I would hit the 10 mile mark and the right ankle would start to hurt. I think I started favoring the right leg which messed up the left leg.

One day in church, I was standing there and it felt like someone took an ice pick to my left knee. It hurt so bad for a few moments that I thought I was going to fall down.

So anywho, my plan for Sunday was to run and then walk when the pain set in. At the last minute, I changed my game plan. Because I was in the black corral with the second wave of runners/walkers, I definitely was not moving at a running pace. Instead, I was moving at a jogging pace. That actually ended up being what I did for most of the 13.1 miles. Yep, I had some pain and I did walk a bit but overall I'm happy that I finished in 2:34:andsomeseconds. I figured it would take me 3+ hours.

Below is a pic from yesterday. To see more photos, click here.


EDIT: I just found this on KPRC's website. My neighbor Ryan Korsgard posted this story.

Photo Journal: January 16, 2010

On Saturday I went to the GRB to pick up my packet for the Aramco Houston Half Marathon that would take place on Sunday. The expo is massive. All different types of vendors hawking their goods. Below is a photo that I snapped while I was there. To see more pics, click here and scroll through the pics.

Photo Journal: January 12, 2010

Trying to play catch up here. And yes, I have been taking at least one photo a day.

I met runnerOne at Memorial Park at 5:45A.M....yes, as in the wee hours of the morning...as in before the sun comes up. The running trail at the park is lit and this it what it looks like early in the morning...because I know most Houstonians have no clue what it looks like.

Jukebox Wednesday

September has always been an odd month for me. It always signaled the beginning of the school year. When I worked at a university in the admission/financial aid office, it always meant that the freshmen class was coming in and it was time to start a new recruitment year.

Labor Day is usually considered the line of demarcation for the end of Summer. The Miss America Pageant used to be held in September. Throw on top of this, the peak of Hurricane Season is September 10.

Somewhere in September, the temperatures actually start to drop from the high 90s to the high 80s. The daylight hours are definitely getting shorter in September. Football season begins in September. September also signals the beginning of fun runs in Houston because now people can run and actually enjoy it.

And how can we forget September 9, 2001 (9/11)?

There are some sad songs about September: See You In September and September Song

And then there is the song by Green Day. I will always associate this song with Hurricane Katrina & Hurricane Rita. Even though Katrina made landfall on August 26, 2005, much of the month of September was spent dealing with the aftermath of the storm. In September of 2005 when Rita was threatening Galveston-Houston, it lead to the biggest evacuation of a major American city only to have the storm go into southwestern Louisiana and finish off what Katrina left behind.

Even though my birthday is in September, I really don't like the month.

(btw...the music starts around 3:55)

Cowboy Up!

It's rodeo time in Houston. Cowboys, cowgirls and cowpokes of all sorts are roaming the streets of The Bayou City.

Today was the parade which was preceded by Conoco Rodeo Run 10k and 5k. I have not done this run since 2006 and I the last time I ran 6.2 miles, W was the President.

A group of decided to dress for the occasion. Many thanx to John Cox for documenting the pre-race hoopla.

As I stated on Facebook, in the photos we look like we're having fun. However, the 10k course takes you up and down the Elysian Viaduct going out and coming back and I sure wasn't enjoying running at that point.

More photos later of the horses that traveled through NoRO. Oh...and yes, I wore that hat for the entire run.

Santa Speedo Run 2008

Yesterday was the 9th Annual Running of the Santa Speedo Run. The high temperature in Boston was 32 degrees Fahrenheit. OY! According to Boston.com it looks like a good time was had by all. Here are some photos from yesterday's run (from Boston.com).

Santa Speedo Run 2008

Tomorrow will be the 9th Annual Speedo Run in Boston, MA, USA. The beneficiary for the run will be Cradles To Crayons. Runners have been asked to raise $250 in donations.

It doesn't get very cold here in Houston during December. However, this morning when I was walking The Calvinator it was 33 degrees Fahrenheit. Uh...that is cold regardless of where you live. It got me to thinking...how cold is too cold to run in Speedo?

To view photos from 2007, click here. For 2006, click here and for 2005, click here.

If anybody reading this is going to run on Saturday, be sure to post a comment about how much fun you had!

Ramblings Of A Caffeinated Mind 18.0

Weather
What's up with the weather in Houston? Yesterday morning I went running with runnerOne. It was bordering on the point of running shirtless. Who knew that it could border on balmy on the ninth day of December?

However, by evening time the temperature had made a considerable drop and it became jacket weather...and it continued to drop.

The Calvinator was L-O-V-I-N-G it! Cold weather. High winds. He had a bit of lilt to his walk.

Gas Prices
I was so excited I almost did a cartwheel on the corner of Leeland and Dowling. You see...

I paid $1.45 a gallon for gas! I remember back in June when gas was at the $4.00 mark. I'm not sure if the price any more so I'm gonna enjoy it while I can.

Have You Ever Wondered...
how a car wreck happens? You see...

Yesterday morning I was driving down Memorial Drive heading toward downtown. Traffic normally goes about 50 m.p.h. which is why I love Memorial Drive! It's sort of like a mini-crosstown expressway. Anywho...

So traffic comes to a standstill and in the middle lane are two cars that obviously had hit. There is debris in the right lane (the lane I'm in) so I'm sorta having to swerve to avoid the debris).

I travel a few more yards and there is a car that has its trunk smashed into the back seat. The force of the impact must have REALLY catapulted that car. OY!

Art For Sale
Back in the late '90s I purchased a piece of art from a gallery in New Orleans. I've never had it matted and framed and I'd actually forgotten about it. I'm thinking of selling it but I don't know if I should do it on ebay, Craigslist, or try to find an art dealer? Any advice?

I did a bit of research and other serigraphs of this piece are retailing for about to three times what I paid for it. Just don't know what to do.

Wanna Go For A Run?
So yesterday morning when I was running, I decided I need to run another marathon. runnerOne suggested that I try to get into NYC Marathon.

So I'm thinking I'll put my name in the lottery and if I don't get selected (again), I can do San Antonio which would 1 or 2 weeks later. Anybody want to join me? Just askin'.

Christmas Carol
I *heart* this song and I can't wait for Darlene Love to make her annual appearance on Letterman (she didn't do it last year because of the strike). I like U2's version of the song but I LOVE her rendition. Enjoy!

Monday, Monday

It was a busy day at work. I had planned on going to the gym after work but I started getting a headache around 2p and here it is a bit after 8p and I still have the headache. OY!I'm sitting in the quasi-dark living room wondering how Cloris Leachman has been able to survive on Dancing With The Stars.

There is a conspiracy theory circulating that the executives and employees of Fox, NBC & CBS are voting to keep Cloris on the show to ruin it. She is a bit hokey but entertaining.

So I did something on a whim this evening. On my way home I stopped at the USPS post office to drop some items in the box. I remembered that in a few days it will be SFO Gary's birthday. I have not seen SFO Gary in several years and I have not talked to him in several years. I wasn't even sure if SFO Gary was still in SFO. He could be DFW Gary or LAX Gary or MCI Gary for all I know. And if he was still SFO Gary, does he still work at The ______ Hotel?

So I put a dime in the payphone dialed 411 on the Crackberry and asked for The ______ Hotel in San Francisco and when the hotel operator answered I asked for Gary _____ and he put me through to the _______ department. The phone rang and SFO Gary answered. I identified myself, there was a pause and our conversation picked up from where we last left off several years ago.

I kept him on the phone longer than I should have but there was plenty of laughter in the brief conversation. He reminded me of a few things I had forgotten and I blamed it on Ike.

We did laugh about how we met on a Thursday evening at happy hour at a bar in San Francisco. You see...

I went out to Cali-4-NI-A to run The Big Sur Marathon. I went out on Thursday and runnerOne was going to meet me on Friday. The marathon was on Sunday.

So, I'm hanging out with formerly San Francisco now Berkeley Steve and I'm amazed that it really was 2-for-1 happy hour. On our first order we had four drinks between us! Stuff like that hasn't happened in Texas since some time in the late '80s.

So I'm drinking and trying to get my money's worth and I start making friends, like I'm so prone to doing. We decided to leave the bar and go to another bar and we now have an entourage with us. When we get to the next bar more people join us because we are lushes because they want to be a part of the In Group.

I get to talking to this guy named Gary and I tell him in slurred words that I'm in Cali-4-NI-A to run a marathon. So Gary assumes I'm drinking water and he asks if he can have a drink of my water. He drinks it and makes a face and says, "That's not water." I'm cackling and sounding like I'm going to lay an egg laughing and tell him that it is a vodka tonic.

We relived that story this evening and I told him it sure was a good thing he wasn't in a 12-step program that night because I would have derailed his recovery.

Gary and I were supposed to go on a trip to Paris. We never made it. Maybe if he comes to Texas some day, we CAN go to Paris...Texas that it is.

So placing a random call like I did made me think of this Jim Croce song from teenager days. I also realized I need to place more random calls. Enjoy

Hello! Let me introduce myself to you.

Bois and gurrls. I am so sorry. I feel like I have been neglecting and well, I have but it wasn't intentional.

It's been whirlwind of activity since I started my new job and I REALLY meant to post something over the weekend but a pool party and a party for Legacy got in the way. Plus my other weekend stuff of running (on a bum knee), working out, checking in at the office and making new friends have just kept me being a busy boi.

I really meant to write a longer post this evening but I swear Apple is out to drive me crazy! And yes, it has to do with the iPod nano.

I haven't even had a chance to pay attention to Ike. Everytime I hear that name I start humming Proud Mary. I didn't even like Ike Turner. And once again, I must ask, who comes up with these names?

Well in case you haven't been paying attention, the cone of uncertainty changes everytime a Houston weatherman sneezes. OY! Maybe I won't have to spend my birthday Wednesday night in line at Kroger replenishing supplies. I really need to stop buying food that I normally wouldn't eat. I'm beginning to wonder if Kroger, HEB, Randalls, Piggly Wiggly and Fiesta have something to do with all of these hurricanes. I'm just sayin'.

One other thing to report...Calvin tried to mawl me while I was in bed. He's been reading a book or something because he went for my wrist and right for the vein! They don't call him The Calvinator for no reason.

I think he is a bit p!ssed that I haven't been spending more time with him and I did return a bit late after making new friends. I think he was trying to tell me something. Just a minute ago I walked up to him to pet him and he growled. LOL Well, turns out he had just started munching on a rawhide and I didn't know it. I think I'm gonna be like Korto on Project Runway and sleep with one eye open.

Catch up with y'all later, I promise!

Run Forrest Run!

This is a public service announcement brought to you by runnerOne who is saving the world, one runner at a time.

Sweater

On a recent post, Blog My Runs discussed being addicted to sweat and not in a fetish kind of way. In the same post, he mentioned acclimating to hot weather. This made me think of a post I'm Not Fit To Run did about acclimating to hot weather.

I am a sweater; not an argyle or cardigan or wool but someone who sweats. I have a sweating history that I thought I would share with you. You see...

When I was a fat kid wearing clothes from The Husky Department at Montgomery Ward my face would get red and I would sweat with just the smallest amount of physical exertion. My family used to tease me about my red cheeks. At some point I grew into my weight and stopped profusely sweating until the late '80s and then the buckets started to fill up with sweat. You see...
One of my closest friends from college convinced me that I needed to try aerobics. I was living in Ft. Worth and there was a place on Camp Bowie Blvd. named Aerobics To Go. The place was always packed.

Being prone to addictive behavior I got hooked on aerobics. I was there 5-6 times a week. My favorite time to go was after work because when we would finish class we would go down to Uncle Julio's for chips & salsa and Margaritas. They would normally seat us on the patio because we were a bit wet.

One of the things that I noticed was that I would have puddles of sweat around me when class was finished and other people would have a few beads of sweat. I needed a beach towel to dry off while other people needed a tissue.

I then noticed that my body could not distinguish between healthy exercise and having fun. When I would out dancing, ten minutes into it I'd start to sweat just like I was in aerobics class. It is embarassing.

OK. So fast forward to Mr. Sweater moving to Houston. Houston has two seasons in the year, Summer and August. The mornings are humid and the afternoons are hot and somewhere in the middle of the day humid and hot collide. In fact, a couple of weeks ago I decided to go for a run instead of eating lunch. I'm running and sweating and about to give up and then I ask myself, "WWVD?" (What would Viv do?) I kept running and let me tell you, when I was finished my sweat soaked shorts were clinging to me and I could hear my shoes and socks making a squishing sound.

Eight minutes into a run I am sweating and folks we're talking about big drops of sweat. When I stop to cool down and stretch I have puddles around me. Same thing with spinning or the Stairmaster; puddles I tell you!

On the other hand, I see people who don't sweat. What are they? Lizards and snakes wearing human costumes?

I've also noticed that my sweat seems to increase after consuming too much alcohol. I remember one day I was running with runnerOne at Rice University. It was the day after returning from a trip to New Orleans. A few minutes into the run I started to sweat and he looks at me and says, "What were you drinking? I can smell vodka coming out of you!"

Here's the odd thing. I don't sweat much when I do weights. However, I will break a sweat when I walk The Calvinator. Do you know how much I hate wearing wet underwear? Even the walk to Tony's Corner Pocket made me sweat. When we got there a couple of folks gave me a hug and they said, "You're wet. Have you been running?"

So anywaze, that's my ramble for the day all thanx to Blog My Runs. Stay cool and stay dry!

I Could Have Been A Contender

Regular readers of Str8 Up With A Twist know that I run. I run so that I can eat. I run to keep the weight off. I run in the hope that maybe I won't come down with diabetes. I run to keep my sanity. I run for the eye candy.

If I had only known that I could have been a piece of art (instead of a piece of meat), I might have considered traveling across the pond to be a part of Martin Creed's Work No. 850. I realize that I would not be immortalized like Michelangelo's Daivd. However, it would have been cool to say I was a part of a piece of art. I know. I can always pose naked in a Spencer Tunick photo; not sure that the world is ready for that.

Anywho, I enjoyed reading the following article

Sprinters dash across Tate Britain

By FARAH NAYERI
Bloomberg

Martin Creed, the artist who won the 2001 Turner Prize with lights going on and off, presented his latest work on Monday: a runner sprinting every 30 seconds through Tate Britain's Duveen sculpture gallery in London.

For his Work No. 850, Creed, 39, advertised in running magazines to recruit semi-professionals age 18 or older. Employed by Tate, they are paid 10 pounds ($19.95) an hour to make 15 runs per half-hour shift.

"Running is good to look at," said the artist, dressed in a navy summer suit, as sprinters in shorts whizzed by, one by one, through the columned corridor. Creed himself made a couple of dashes in his suit. "It makes me happy to watch people run."

"We've done a lot of these over the years, but nothing quite like this," Tate Britain Director Stephen Deuchar said of the Creed project.

The Tate had "a history of taking on quite a few difficult commissions," he said, citing Doris Salcedo's recent concrete crack at Tate Modern (Shibboleth), and Carsten Hoeller's slides (Test Site).

"There is something inherently absurd in the idea of a runner passing every 30 seconds for four and a half months," Deuchar said.

Still, he said, Creed's was an "extraordinary piece" that should be taken as "a kind of metaphor for life being the opposite of stillness and death."

Tate Britain's Duveen Galleries Commission, for which Creed made the piece, is now an annual event, thanks to Sotheby's sponsorship.

Puma AG provided the sports clothes and shoes worn by the runners, which they were allowed to choose. A pool of 50 people will make the 30-second race from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily in a complex logistical operation.

Explaining his work to a huddle of reporters, Creed said the sprinters will "slow down if there's some obstruction," and "weave around people" during visiting hours.

Visitors are not allowed to run with them.

The exhibition runs from July 1 through Nov. 16. For more information, click here.

Catching Up

I know I've been a bit quiet lately. I really was disappointed that I didn't get the job that I really wanted. I guess it was best to find out early in the week rather wait and wait and wait and then find out later in the week. Disappointment is never fun.

So here are some snippets of what has been going on.

• A group of us met on Tuesday to start planning for World AIDS Day Houston 2008. We are still trying to figure out what it will consist of but there will be events on and around December 1.
  
  
• I'm not getting much sleep again. I was up at 4:30 a.m. today. I'm averaging about 5 to 6 hours of sleep each night and I've gone back to not eating much. Good news is that I'm getting back into clothes from 2002. This is also partially due to the fact that since I can't sleep, I get up and go run or workout and/or both.
  
  
• Friday night was a full evening. Montrose Counseling Center had an Open House and the dedication of rooms. People who supported the capital campaign and donated at designated levels have had rooms named after them. Kenny In Montrose (KIM) has a room named after him. We got a peek and I noticed a few things were missing. For instance, no bar, no vodka and no Elaine.
  
  
• Later on Friday night Gray Squirrel Micheal (yes, that is spelled correctly) celebrated his 40th birthday with over 100 of his closest friends. It was a fun evening full of chatter, gossip, cocktails and laughter. Plus it was a pretty crowd. Today is actually Micheal's birthday so a shout out to Micheal and welcome to The 40s. You're in good company.
  
  
• Saturday I didn't run because I was suffering from vodka remorse. Once I was finished being remorseful I made my way to St. Anne's for a class. On the 4th Sunday of the month I will be helping during the 5:00 p.m. Mass in the distribution of the Eucharist. I thought I had signed up to be a substitute but I am part of a permanent team. It was amazing what all came back to me from being an altar boy for so many years. My biggest fear is falling down the steps (which I did when I was an altar boy). Guess I'll be wearing rubber soled shoes on the 4th Sunday of each month. No leather soled Cole Haans for me!
  
  
• Saturday afternoon was the perfect afternoon for being out by a pool so I took my quasi-happy ass to a Summer Solstice Party that was being thrown by Bill and David. This was not an S&M Pool Party...you know, Stand 'n Model...this was a get in the pool party so I did. Once again, good chatter gossip, cocktails and pretty people.
  
  
• Saturday evening was a concert performed by Bayou City Performing Arts. It was a nice evening. I ended up going by myself which was OK because at one of their concerts I know I will always run into folks that I know...and I did.
  
  
• Sunday I woke up early and decided that I needed to go run...so I did. Then as punishment for not running on Saturday, I went to they gym and did an extended workout on the Stairmaster. OMG! I obviously picked the wrong settings because I was beat and covered in sweat when it was all said and done...or was all that sweat from the alcohol consumed on Friday AND Saturday? I'm just asking.
  
  
• Sunday afternoon Krewe of Olympus had a Rush Party. Ginger Grant hosted the Krewe at her adobe and fixed a wonderful brisket. I worked the bar (as a bartender) for a bit. It was a nice afternoon. While I was at the party, I found out that one of the costumes I will be wearing in February '09 will probably require me to lose about 50 pounds of fat and put on 25 pounds of muscle. GEEZ! LOL

During the weekend I found out that three couples I know have visited Splitsville. It really has me bothered. I guess it just goes to prove that what you see on the surface is just that...what you see on the surface.

At the same time, I found out that two couples I know are going to be wed in California. One couple will be married today and the other in September. I guess hope springs eternal.

A couple of other things are really bothering and I won't go into much detail. One is the guy who has not been formally charged with murdering his two children. Their burned bodies were found the other day.

The other thing that is bothering me is about a guy who literally ran his dog to death at Memorial Park and left it there. It happened a few weeks ago and I was finally able to put all of the pieces together.

Not to be judgemental but I think there is a special place in Hell for people who don't protect children and animals. And as always, I have a song. It was recorded by The Carpenters when I was a young kid and it is titled, Bless The Beasts & The Children.

So that's about it for now. Calvin is fine and is getting in some long walks. And I need to scoot.

Ramblings Of A Caffeinated Mind 13.1

World AIDS Day Houston 2008

The first meeting to start making plans for World AIDS Day Houston 2008 will take place tomorrow (June 17). The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be held at Montrose Counseling Center (401 Branard Street, Houston, TX 77006). If you are interested in helping make plans for December 1, please attend or get in touch with me. Bring your ideas and suggestions

Tony Awards

OMG! Patti LuPone (La LuPone as I like to call her) cracks me up! I am so glad that she won for her role as Mama Rose. The reviews that I have read say that she knocks the socks off of you. Her intensity last night in Everything's Coming Up Roses made me ooze just thinking about what she must do with Rose's Turn.

photo: Jeff Christensen AP

What had me laughing though was when she wouldn't shut up! LOL Sort of like Elaine Stritch a few years ago. La LuPone said that she had waited all of these years to finish thanking people. You see...

Her only other Tony (hard to believe she only won one other time) was for Evita in 1980.

It was great to see the original cast from RENT. I need to do some research but I'm sure all of them were in the show when I first saw it on Broadway. Watching them perform put a lump in my throat. The enthusiasm of Laura Benanti for her winning an award for her role in Gypsy also put a lump in my throat. I just love live television!

photo: Jeff Christensen AP

Speaking of live television...Did anyone else see the stagehand run out and pick up Stew's microphone? You see...

At the beginning of the performance for Passing Strange, Stew was jumping up and down. He isn't light on his feet and the vibration made the microphone fall off of the stand. I wondered if Stew was going to pick it up but instead a stagehand ran out and put it back on the stand.

And I really liked the comic relief that Whoopi brought to the awards. I think she needs to be put on the rotation for hosting the show. They haven't had a real host since Hugh Jackman.

photo: Jeff Christensen AP

It was fun watching the show and emailing and texting Running My Mass Off. We had comments on everything!

OK...last night in the production number for Xanadu, Cheyenne Jackson was wearing Daisy Dukes and not knee length cut-offs. Running My Mass Off took notice of his legs. I thought I had nice legs until I saw him. Guess I'll start wearing Clam Diggers.

And just for laughs, they rolled out Liza. Poor thing. Seriously though, I'm glad she was able to walk out on her own.

photo: Jeff Christensen AP

For a list of all of the winners, click here.

Conversation
This is how my day started at 5:45 a.m.

Me: Hold on. I need to tighten up my shorts. They're falling.

Running buddy: How old are they? They look new.

Me: I bought them after Tropical Storm Allison. Jerry at RunSport had placed an order for a track team and part of the shipment got damaged so he had them on sale.

Running buddy: So the elastic is all stretched out.

Me: You could have said, 'You've lost some weight, guess that's why they're loose.'

Running buddy: LOL

Me: Thanx

Sorry About That

Yesterday was a busy day. I wasn't going to post anything and then something happened last night that got me p!ssed off.

So if you happened to read Str8 Up With A Twist between the hours of 10:30 p.m. (CDT) and 5:30 a.m. (CDT) this morning, you will know I thoroughly p!ssed off. Not sure that many people have ever seen me that upset.

Anywho...I do need to go buy some tonic and some lemons & limes so that when I do need a good strong drink I can either have a Vodka Tonic with lime or a Martini Straight Up With A Twist. I resorted to cheap wine last night (not out of box).

I haven't been sleeping well this week. I awaken at 4:00 a.m., 4:30 a.m. or 4:55 a.m. I don't take any naps during the day and I'm usually up until 11:00 p.m. or so although I did fall asleep watching the news on Tuesday night.

As I told Running My Mass Off the other day, I am very distracted. There a few things weighing heavy on my mind and if one or two them would get resolved, maybe I'd be able to get a good night's slumber.

So. If you read my rant last night, sorry for the foul language that I used.

Changing the subject. In a previous post I mentioned The Heights Fun Run this past Saturday. I said how hot it was. Well, at some point after mile 2 I was miserable so I stopped and took off my shirt and when I did my sunglasses got covered in sweat. So I had to clip the iPod nano to my shorts and run with the shirt in my left hand and the sunglasses in my right hand.

A few days ago I was thinking, "I don't remember seeing anyone taking photos. I hope the camera wasn't between mile 2 and mile 3." Well...

I went to the website yesterday and rut ro! There are two pics of me without my shirt! Two comments:
1) I have a double chin like Lisa from Top Chef;
2) I don't have as big of a muffin top as I had imagined.

Still, I would have preferred no shirtless photos and no double chin.

So. My second apology for the day: Sorry for subjecting y'all to that!