Wherein Running and Shopping Collide

Y-i-i-i-kes. Sixteen miles, done. WordNerd, also done.

To be fair, the first 12 miles were a breeze. I can’t believe I can say that with a straight face, but they indeed were quite easy. When I hit mile nine and was still smiling, I just thought to myself “I only have to multiply this by three!” Ugh, bad idea to tempt fate like that. At mile 12, fatigue hit me hard. I can go longer than 12 miles without stopping to walk, but the combination of work, lack of sufficient sleep, and the nagging headache (probably from clenching my teeth all night long) made the last four miles a living hell. Well, not really, it wasn’t that bad, but my wont is to be as dramatic as possible, people. Won’t you let me ham it up once in a while? Geez . . .

In all seriousness, it’s odd to think that I only have 10.2 miles to reach the marathon distance, and that, in theory and on paper, 10 miles looks like nothing. I can do 10 miles in my sleep, but I certainly won’t be sleeping on marathon day. Which is getting closer and closer, but my nerves have started to calm down. Don’t worry, I’m sure they’ll flare up between now and November 5.

Today’s run was interesting in that I once again decided to explore new territory. Rather than follow my usual trail, I mixed it up a bit and went deeper into Maryland than any runner has gone before! Kidding, considering all the other runners I saw, but it was a very pleasant run (up until I hit Mile 12, that is). It was overcast, in the upper 60s, so there was no drainage of energy thanks to the sun. At one point, it started drizzling, which felt quite nice. I have to do 18 miles next week, and I have a feeling I’ll be doing some sort of Maryland/DC Rock Creek Park loop, though I haven’t completely decided. Part of me wants to Metro up to Rockville and head south from there. We’ll see. Eighteen miles, though? EEP.

I have spent the rest of the day recovering from the run and from work. After my run, I took a shower, called my family, speaking to them for about an hour. They are excited to see me (so go to hell, Dyn-o-mite! harpies!) and cannot wait until I appear in the flesh. I, too, am looking forward to a relaxing weekend with my family, which also includes an 11 mile run. Older Brother A says he will join me for part of the run. If I can persuade Mathgeek and Dorkus to join in, we’ll be the cutest running quartet you ever did see in southeast Michigan. I also talked to IP, who I have not spoken to since earlier this week; I got to complain to him about the run, about various situations, and request that we have pizza and beer tonight for dinner. He has agreed that it is indeed a good plan.

I am wise, no?

Part of the recovery has included not cleaning up my apartment and shopping online for new suits. Sue me, but apparently a new code of apparel is being instituted in the near future, and I am seriously lacking in suits (I do not like them, WordNerd I am). I bought two skirt suits–yes, winter’s on its way, but the winter here is comparatively mild and I’m inside all day. One of my new suits is red (hehehehehe) and the other is grey (hehe–wait, never you mind). I cut an impressive figure this week in my J.Crew suit, but alas, the cost of one J.Crew suit got me two at SmartBargains.com. This also reminds me that I need to go pick up my dry cleaning. Now that summer is over and I am going to be required to jazz it up a bit (not that I’m a clothes slacker, but I try to avoid the jackets in the suit equation), I need to invest in some nice, long-lasting suits, and utilize the ones I have more often. I really need to learn how to mix-and-match, too, because I am not that great at it.

However, I must ask: Can I pleased be allowed to wear my Stevie or Ozzie jersey for the home opener? Pretty please? And when Stevie’s number is retired in January? Please? And if the Wings go to the Stanley Cup Finals (ohpleaseohpleaseohpleaseohplease!)? I kid, I know I can’t, but the upcoming season and the disappearance of my furniture debt is enough to make a girl want to invest in a TV and NHL Center Ice.

I digress, per usual. However, with a new code and lots of work upcoming, I will need those suits. No, I am not justifying it to you, but I just had to mention the red suit. I mean, a red suit! Hehehehehehehehe . . .

Maybe I’ll get someone to sew on a Red Wings logo!

Okay, enough. The run has obviously made me crazier than usual.

P.S. What say you on the current template?