This morning started off with a literal bang. As we lined up in front of Baum Opera House in Miamisville, Miamisburg, some Miami-something near Dayton, OH, we saw people in various costumes preparing to run the same 5 miles we were going to run. There was a banana, a gorilla, a guy wearing swim flippers, a turkey, and several sets of pilgrims and Indians. Then came the bang and we were off.
Bec finished shortly after I did with a pace of 14.16 minutes per mile, and I finished with a pace of 13.04 minutes per mile. Susan, of course, did much better than we did, but we all had an absolute blast. There is no better way to begin a day like Thanksgiving than with a nice run. We got pretty sweet shirts out of the deal as well. And, none of us were overrun by any of the walkers who started ahead of the runners.
I think I have several pet peeves at races:
- Start in your appropriate corral. If you are walking, start in the back.
- If you are going to farmer blow or hocker, make sure no one is in the line of fire.
- Say excuse me if you cut closely between two people.
- Don’t wear headphones that are turned up so loud you can’t hear those around or have to yell quite loudly because you can’t hear yourself talk.
- If you pass someone, keep running the same speed you were when you passed them. Don’t run around someone then come to a dead stop right in front of them, particularly if that someone you pass is a big girl. It takes a lot to stop this much weight. Think tanker truck trying to stop on the Interstate.
- Don’t take more than your fair share of food at the end of the race.
- If you are on a course that doubles back on itself, let the elite runners have their side of the road. It’s rude to slow down the fast people, just like it is rude to walk six abreast across the slow side of the road.
I think that is all the complaining I have room for here. I suppose I am not really complaining as much as I am stating the obvious. Just use what little manners we still have as Americans and apply them to the race. You can do it! I know you can!
Tomorrow I get to spend the day with my family and my friend Amy. I am excited for both prospects. My mom is coming to my house around 930 or so and my brother is meeting us at 11. We are going to lunch either at the Thai restaurant or Amazing Joe’s. I have never been to the latter, but I do love the former. We will see which one is open and not ridiculously crowded. Either way it sounds like fun.
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Today I am thankful for the ability to move my body 5 miles with no pain or discomfort.
Exercise: ran 5 miles
Food: banana, juice, strawberry milk, sugar cream pie, carrots and tostitos with dip, stuffing, spinach casserole, salad, a roll, mashed potatoes, mint moon pie, black cherry soda
Tomorrow: GET BACK ON THE WAGON WITH THE FOOD!!!!! Too much sugar!
The night was made right when we walked across the street to the weird coffee shop, Cuppy’s Coffee, to have some after dinner coffee and gelato. I asked the strange little Radiohead shirt-wearing barista for a decaf Americano and some peanut butter cup gelato. At least she got half of it right. I haven’t been drinking caffeinated beverages for quite some time, so I double-checked to make sure my Americano was decaf. I used to be a barista, so I know how accustomed you get to pulling regular shots. “Yes,” she said, but she didn’t look me in the eye. When my heart rate sky rocketed, I discovered that my Americano was not decaf. I had been duped and then lied to. The gelato, however, was amazing, and boosted me into ecstasy with the soft squish of whole miniature peanut butter cups. Yum.
A couple of weeks ago when I was having such a bad spot, the first person to notice my funk was Shawna, our administrative assistant. She didn’t just notice that I was especially flustered or sad; she asked me if I was doing okay. She actually was concerned about my well-being, which is a rare quality to find in another individual, particularly someone who works as an administrative assistant at BSU. (They don’t have the best reputation.) Since I have been at Ball State there have been three people who have done her job, but Shawna is by far the most sensitive and helpful. She goes above and beyond in every way to ensure our (the students’) success. I have learned that if you need something, Shawna is the one to ask.
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Reason Breeds Insanity 