Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Ran 35 minutes with usual warm-up and cool down
Did you ever have one of those days where you just didn’t want to get out of bed?
I did not want to get out of bed Wednesday, not due to laziness, but because I woke up exhausted. I’ve been burning the candle at both ends (I hate clichés) with working two jobs and trying to secure a third job. Granted, getting a third job really isn’t difficult (despite what the talking heads are saying)–however, I need a third job that a) won’t interfere with my other two jobs and b) does not involve grading papers. These criteria, in addition to the requirements of sleep, make it a bit more challenging. Add to the mix all the relationship/emotional crap (which I am not giving specifics), catching my little ducks so I can put all my little ducks in a row, and keeping “house” and it is no wonder I’m exhausted. Hell, I’m exhausted just thinking and writing about all this.
Back to Wednesday–at the insistence of the cats, who do not think exhaustion is a viable excuse for not getting up and dispensing treats, I manage to drag myself out of bed, dress, and head to the park. It is a good thing I’m such a creature of habit (my god what is up with me and the clichés today?!?) as it means I can operate on autopilot if need be and also that I always get my gym bag and laptop bag ready the night before, otherwise I might not have made it out the door.
As I sipped my hot Bengal Spice tea (side note: I’m down to one box. Celestial Seasonings Bengal Spice is my favorite tea and damn if I can’t find it easily. Last time I found some at Super Target and I bought the last four boxes) and drove, I was sure I’d “wake up” but instead I kept nodding off at wheel. This is not good, people. Not only could this cause a serious auto accident, but (provided I didn’t die in a fiery crash on the highway) I still had to get through the rest of the day. I tell my students if anyone sleeps in class 1) the sleeper will automatically be marked as absent and 2) I will offer extra credit to anyone in the class who throws something at the sleeper. As I’m such a hard-ass on the whole sleeping in class, it would set a bad example if I nodded off during my own lecture.
I did make it to the park (obviously as I’m writing this post) but I didn’t get out of my car right away. Instead, using the timer on my watch, I put the seat back and dozed for five minutes–when the timer went off, I reset it and dozed for another five minutes. I figure this was just practice in case I end up having to live in my car. I resisted the urge to go for another five minutes and got out of the car.
The run itself was fairly uneventful, but I did have to opportunity to reflect on some of my pet peeves that pertain to running in the park. I have a list:
1. Men: please refrain from dousing yourselves with aftershave or cologne prior to your walk/run/workout. Honestly, the whole sweat and Old Spice/Aqua Velva/Brut combination is not appealing.
2. Women: please see number one. Seriously, I know this is the Deep South and the mythic women of the South supposedly do not “sweat”–let me tell you this is a lie. Regardless of which side of the Mason Dixon line we are from, we sweat. Covering this up with Gardenia, Vanilla Musk, or even with more expensive perfumes does not mask the fact.
3. Walkers: if you hear a runner coming up from behind (even if it is a slow runner) please do not try to speed up your pace. What is the point? You’re not running, so why is it a big deal if I pass you? I will pass you eventually, even if you speed up. I’m not a math whiz, but if you are walking at a 3 mph pace and I’m running at a 4 or 5 mph pace, I’m going to pass you. I’m not trying to piss you off or show you up, honestly.
4. Group walkers: the paths are not real wide. If you are walking two or three people abreast, have the common decency to move out of the freaking way when you see me huffing and puffing towards you or if you hear a breathless “EXCUSE ME” from behind.
5. Litterbugs: there are literally trash bins about 20 yards apart all over the park. Yes, I know park maintenance will eventually pick it up. Yes, I know this is their job and our tax dollars pay them to maintain the park. However, it will not kill you to walk the extra five yards to put your empty Hardee’s bag in the trash.
6. Litterbugs with babies: what makes you think that a) changing a diaper in the park is acceptable and b) leaving the dirty diaper on the ground is acceptable. Either take the kid to the bathroom, change said kid in there and throw the diaper in the trash OR change the kid in your car/truck/SUV/mini-van and take the dirty diaper HOME with you and throw it away there.
7. Litterbugs with small children: see number 5. You are setting a bad precedent by allowing your “cherub” to throw his/her juice box on the ground. I hope one of those American geese pinches both you and your offspring until you bleed.
I could go on, but I have a life to which I need to attend.
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