Keeping Pace

Keeping Pace

Archives for November 2006

Survival of the fittest

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Well it is November 30th, the last day of the month, and the last day of my commitment to NaBloPoMo. It isn’t as hard to post daily when nobody is expecting it. It *is* challenging, however, to post everyday when you know that it is expected of you.

Oh the pressure, and I wasn’t even an official participant. NOT official, and therefore not eligible for valuable prizes. So, I hope you won’t mind that I gave myself a little award. *sheepish grin*

NaBloMoPoMo Survivor.GIF

The NaBloPoMo was sort of a survival game. Survival of the fittest, and I survived. *whew*

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False Start

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I stepped up on the starting blocks, a young girl ready to take the plunge against other girls my age. Be it free style, breaststroke, or butterfly, I was always nervous. I suppose we all were. Many times a body or two would land in the water before the gun actually went off. A false start. We all would regroup and wait again for the timing to be right. “Timers and judges ready, swimmers take your marks…”

I had my own false start this week. It was a plunge of sorts, but not into the pool. My false start was not in swimming, but rather in the sport of running. I found myself having to regroup today when the ‘mill just didn’t feel right. Cindy calls it a “niggle” – whatever it was the “tug” or “pull” or “owie” in my foot just didn’t feel right.

I did some time on the recumbent bike, but was unhappy for the entire time. Later tonight I found my way to the pool at the not-so-close to home YMCA. The gun went off in my head. It was time to swim. So I did. The first many laps of swimming felt tiring. I could tell that it had been a long time since I did any serious time in the pool.

I shared the lane with two other swimmers, but the match up wasn’t quite right. After a bit, one of the swimmers dropped off, leaving just two of us struggling to get the timing right. The other swimmer let me pass him at the wall just as the first guy was stopping. A couple of laps later and he was gone too. I found my groove and settled into it.

It was feeling pretty good. Forty laps done, and thirty-two to go. Suddenly I was sharing my lane with four kids. *sigh* It was time for the swim team to practice. My swim was re-routed to the indoor pool where I finished off the mile that I set out to do.

I must say that even though my running had a false start, I finally felt like I actually had a workout worth mentioning – ffor the first time in months.

Inviting

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One look out the window was bound to do it. From the forth-floor window, the view of the hill was such a beautiful and inviting site. Longingly and daily, I have been watching it change from brown to a rich green color. It is our perfect little hill to start off, or end, a run with a little extra oomph. *sigh*

Yes, the hill was calling to me. It was inviting me to tackle the short climb, and head out into the bay lands for some fresh air. The day looked glorious outside, sunny with a nice breeze blowing the trees ever so slightly.

I thought better of it however, and spun on the spin cycle. Enjoyable? Not. It was torturous sitting there, watching the runners hit the hill on a lovely day for running, and hearing the people jogging on the ‘mill behind me. I was strong. I didn’t give in to my urge to run again. Even though myPod abandoned me (claiming she was exhausted – AGAIN), Garmina was there by my side for moral support. She even watched the clock for me, and she made me stay put for 30 minutes.

Minding my Ps and Qs

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After four glorious days away from work, I have lost my ability to suppress my discontented comments. Like a drunk, trying to mind their Ps and Qs (“pints” and “quarts”), I have been surprised hearing a few unrestrained comments leaving my mouth. It isn’t that the comments made were so derogatory or vicious, but I am usually much better at keeping these thoughts from leaving my head in a vocal matter. It might not matter so much except that my office is now sandwiched in between my boss and another person. The office across the walkway is within ear shot as well.

Earlier today, I caught myself grumbling when the caller ID showed a particular individual’s name. “Now what?!” After blurting out my not-so-nice words, I took a deep breath, and answering the phone nicely. I have no neutrality or patience when working with this person. She is very nice, and I would be ashamed if my words got back to her. Her demands, however, are inconsistent and unreasonable at times. To strain the communication more, she has a strong accent and speaks at a BQ pace.

*sigh*

I am in desperate need of an outlet for my frustration. Walking is nice, but it doesn’t cut it. The same is true with cycling. So, I tossed my new running shoes, a jog bra, running shorts and shirt into a paper bag and was off to the fitness center. I set the ‘mill at 12:00 minute/mile pace and began the slow trot. It was okay, but felt un-natural. My foot strike was too forceful as if I was putting on the breaks to keep the pace. I gradually increased the pace until it felt right. I “ran” – and it felt good. Even better, when the call came in after lunch, my grumble was a little better controlled.

Weekend Wrap Up

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It is hard to believe that my four day weekend has nearly come to an end. I stayed in bed long after I had awaked simply enjoying the easy pace for one last morning. It was nearly 8:30 am when YaYa finally stirred, there by signaling the end of my stay in bed.

After a cup of coffee, I was ready to begin the day. Generally, Sunday is the day for finishing up all of the chores that I have put off all weekend. So, dog walking, grocery shopping, leave raking, floor mopping, rug vacuuming, and furniture rearranging was in order for the day.

With all of my chores done, I put my boot back on, curled up in a comfy chair (now by the window), and read more of my book. YaYa and two of the neighbor boys were a few feet away playing a video game, Lucky was right at my feet, and BoBo was outside with his friend throwing the football around.

The weekend is quickly wrapping up. I’ve made yummy lasagna, as Tom’s brother Joe will be flying in from New York for business here in California. I know that the evening will whiz by, and soon I will be hearing my alarm blaring and wishing it was Sunday again.

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