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March 5, 2008
Challenge Day #1 and Sharp Beaks
So day #1 of the complaining challege has gone pretty well. But I have to admit - I got off to a very easy start. I had the day off work so no commute and in general more time to get things done, not feel rushed and relax a little. All of which means less likelihood of complaining.
But if we are going to be totally honest about it (Danielle fessed up, I might as well too) I did get a little whiney this morning when I jogged over to the track for my first interval session of the year and noted the gale force winds on the homestretch. Wind and I don't generally get along, especially when I'm trying to run hard into it. But I immediately took notice of my attitude and forced myself to turn it around. Embrace the wind I told myself. Or, at the very least, ignore it. :)
The track session went very well, especially considering I haven't run that hard for quite some time. I do love track workouts I must say. Danielle wrote a bit ago about how her comfort place is the pool and the whole time I was reading her entry I was thinking about how the track is my comfort place. It just feels like home if you know what I mean.
Anyway, a few hours later I was at the YMCA getting in a swim and having a great time with my paddles. My paddles (whom I've lovingly named Ziggy and Zoggy) and I were getting along very well this morning. We only had one small mishap and otherwise I was using them to actually make myself go faster. Sort of. I'm not exactly a pro with them but I'm getting better. :) I did have a very interesting encounter with a strange man while swimming though.
I noticed him about half way through my swim, just standing by the ladder talking to himself. He later got in and would randomly swim a 25, take a big long break, swim another 25, etc... You know the type. But he caught my eye because he sort of looked like a viking (minus the pointy hat) and he was always saying something to himself.
I started to get curious as to what exactly he was saying. And I finally got my chance to hear it when he and I ended up at the same end of the pool (he was in the lane right next to me) and I was resting between sets.
"Since when did your beak get so sharp?"
Um....
Over and over again he was saying "Since when did your beak get so sharp? Since when did your beak get so sharp? Since when did your beak get so sharp?"
I swear - I'm not even creative enough to have made that up on my own.
Of course I thought I was hearing things but since he said it over and over again it was confirmed.
"Since when did your beak get so sharp?"
Unfortunately as I glanced over our eyes met and I knew I was toast. He stopped his beak question long enough to ask me:
"So are you training for the Olympics this summer?"
Yeah, not so much. :)
Overall though, a great day. Later I got a massage (oh man did Lucy work the lower back and hips - just what I needed today!) and did laundry and ironed and made dinner and caught up on emails. And now it's time to join O in watching some basketball on tv and relaxing. Have a great night everyone!
Posted by beth at March 5, 2008 5:46 PM
Comments
You seem to attract this sort. Or at least hang out in the same places that they do. Remember the time -- way back -- when you were running with me in Squirrel Hill and a guy who was walking his dog called you a monkey and told you not to run too close to his dog? He was definitely talking to you, not me. I'm certain of it.
Posted by: B at March 5, 2008 9:49 PM
So you were swimming with someone who thought they were Big Bird?
I have successfully given up complaining. This morning I was laying in bed on my heating pad, coughing away, blowing my nose and Andrew announced that he was going to a work function tonight and was going to be working like a madman next week--I skipped the complaints and I just went straight to tears. It worked--I got served coffee in bed!
Posted by: Danielle at March 6, 2008 7:56 AM
What the heck? "Since when did you get your beak so sharp? WOOOO..can't even comment on that one!
Can't wait to hear more track stories! HOME SWEET HOME! That darn wind can zonk ya'...way to hang in there!
Posted by: kerri at March 6, 2008 8:55 AM
I am trying to think of a time I've been on the track and it HASN'T been windy!! The two just seem to go together! :) And that's not a complaint, just a simple fact! :)
Maybe that was his little code phrase for psyching himself up or something???? The world is interesting! I hope you had a great day off!
Posted by: kellye at March 6, 2008 11:53 AM
Hilarious! I will think of that next time I hop into the water. :)
AND - dude, the reason why you don't like the wind, is becaus you're light as a feather and get blown around. Embrace the wind, my friend - use it to make yourself stronger. And when the big gusts blow during a race - you'll go VRRROOOOOOOOMMMMM! :)
Posted by: marit c-l at March 7, 2008 9:57 AM