8/12 - Rubber Chickens!?

The August run was great.  The prize for top finishers was a rubber chicken.  What's not to love!?  Unfortunately I didn't win one but I felt great just because I enjoyed myself so much.  It's been weeks since I really enjoyed running.  Since my very disappointing half, and the training leading up to it, this was the first run I had fun with.

I ran with a few friends on the hilly cross country course and had a blast.  More focused on the footing than the time and chatting with my running buddies it was a joy to get out there and run in the woods.  I think I'm going to have to test out my Vibrams on some local hiking trails.  That could be good.  I finished 31:58 averaging a 10:18 pace and was super content with it.  Overall a great day.

About That...

Huh.  I just finished the GRE.  The new computerized version grades you instantly on a scale from 130-170.  You can sort of think of 160-170 as an A, 150-159 as a B, 140-149 as a C and anything below that as a waste of showing up.  I scored a 163 on verbal and a 157 on math.  Huh.

I called my dad to ask him about this.  I mean, I'm an engineer and my verbal scores were higher than the math ones?  WTF.  His response "I'm not surprised, I always thought you'd grow up and become a sports journalist".  Seriously!?  And you didn't tell me this before I got two engineering degrees????  What am I supposed to do with that information?!

Hitting the Wall

I've recently hit the wall in more ways than one.  The first two are to do with my body.  After the abysmal 1/2 marathon I ran last month I feel like I've managed to run the fun out of running.  I used to enjoy it.  Getting up early always sucked but I didn't mind 2, 3 or even 4 mile runs.  Now the idea of a mile is a chore.  Despite the half my logged miles for July only piled up to 45 and I'm looking at the sofa as my home away from home for the next while.  I just don't enjoy it anymore.  I am, however still going to try to reach my goal of 12 races in 12 months.  I think it's key to life to try and stick to things.

On a brighter note the second thing I've hit the wall with is the shape of my body.    I'm in shape, Round is a shape.  Well I'm pretty sick of being round. I've decided to join Weight Watchers.  I figure if running isn't part of the equation for the moment maybe I can take the time to focus on what I'm eating.  Right now the answer to that question is lots and lots of saturated fat and fried things.  But it's a new month and I'm trying to turn things around.  So here's to my, hopefully long lasting, dedication to trying to live a healthier life!  Because being 70 pounds over weight just doesn't cut it anymore.

Finally I've hit the wall at work.  I'm never good at doing things I don't enjoy and work has become one of them.  So I've started looking for a new position at the company I'm with.  I've also signed up for the GRE in the hopes that if all else fails I can go back to school.

Here's to hitting the wall and finding a new way to get over it!  Hoping all my endeavors go well.