A sweet 6-miler awaits this afternoon. I’m excited to get back out there – a feeling that hadn’t hit me till yesterday when, through a car window, I saw runners on the river path moving gracefully in the gorgeous blue-skied day. I’m ready.
Points Of Note From My 2-week Running Break
Weight: All told, I gained 3 lbs. There were a couple nights eating out and one desserty evening featuring this monster vessel o’ icing shared with my New Friend, but for a Frosting Ho such as myself, it was worth it.
This claimed to be a cupcake
My friend Lara also gave me a few scrumptious homemade cookies, but aside from those blips I ate the same as usual. I’m totally fine with the gain because I know it’ll come off without having to do anything but run.
Lazy ass: I was. It rocked. The only activity I did was 3 sets of pushups on Thursday, some crunches Saturday and one walk longer than my usual 2-block trip to Whole Foods. Other than that, I spent my hiatus basically sitting or lying down.
One of my internet running buddies, Chris, mentioned that he’d be scared to take a 2-week no-running break for fear it’d send him back to his old lazy ways…”a slippery slope”. I would have had the same worry a couple years ago but since so much of my identity is now wrapped up in running, it would be unthinkable to do anything but resume. I’m sure the confidence of that helped me relax into it fully.
In a way, this lazy stint was like tapering for a marathon; you have to let go and trust that it’s doing you good, so you may as well enjoy it. Or take spin classes if you’re paranoid. I prefer laying on a bed, comaesque.
Supplement Stoppage: About 2.5 weeks ago, I quit taking Glucosamine and MSM. I’d been skipping days before going to California – not on purpose, just forgetting – and though I brought some with me on the trip, I never took it.
Since I’ve been inactive I don’t notice any difference. Also, I fully expect to have a couple minor aches this week due to resuming running but it seems a good time to reevaluate the need for it. Due to my proclivity for bursitis-type thingies rather than joint problems, I could see myself needing MSM before Glucosamine, but if I suddenly get runners knee or my ankles start feeling screwy, Glucosamine, here I come.
The Funny Story
Saturday night, I’m at my New Friend’s apartment for the very first time, checking out the bachelor pad and getting a tasty manly-made dinner out of the deal. The next morning (yesterday) we’re having coffee in bed, chatting lazily, and I hear the sound of a door close. Seems really close by, like the front door to the apartment. A second later, there’s this guy standing in the bedroom doorway (thankfully, we’re both covered in a sheet); it’s a kid in his 20s wearing a Phillies hat and a goofy smile – very personable young fella.
My New Friend (I have to give him a better name soon) is totally nonplussed and says “Hey dude, what are ya doing here?” and the two of them have a little chat about the front door being unlocked. The kid’s in no hurry to leave so I figure it’s my guy’s relative or a friend. Finally, the kid says goodbye and splits, while I’m giggling at the ridiculousness of the scene.
Giggles became full-on laughter when I discover that my guy had absolutely no idea who that fella was, he must of stumbled in looking for his pal in another apartment.
The funniest thing was how long it lasted. If you or I did that, I’m sure we’d be all “Oh my god, I am so sorry!!” and zoom outta there in utter embarrassment. This guy was just standing around, almost waiting for an invitation to crack open a beer and watch TV with us. Hilarious.
Headband Review!
Check out this beautiful review for GIMheadbands from the Philadelphia Examiner yesterday. Talk about coolness, it was totally out-of-the-blue unexpected. Yay!
