OK, pity party is over.  Now it’s time to talk about last week’s running, which helped fuel the pity party bonfire.

Toward the beginning of the week, things were chugging along and paces were getting recognizable again.  Tuesday I did a 5-miler averaging 8:36 with a couple 8:20 miles in there.  This was heartening and made me think I’d be back in a timely fashion or at least, Vegas wouldn’t be a big deal.

It was also notable because towards the end of that run, I got hit in the ear by a goose.  The odd thing was that there was a lady walking her dog a few feet away and I’m sure she heard me (one doesn’t get sideswiped by a flying goose without emitting a shocked noise that might include “oh, shit!”) but she didn’t even glance my way.  I would have appreciated an amused witness but No.

Starting Wednesday, things went wonky.  I developed a couple tweaks, one that didn’t worry me and one that did.  The worrisome one was a tender muscle in the left inner thigh, the area of my injury.  I took the next couple days very slowly, capping them at 4mi, but when it wasn’t better on Friday, I figured I should take both Saturday and Sunday off.

You already know what a ball of fun I was on Saturday so it wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you I considered cancelling Vegas.  Another thought was to give my bib (minus the chip) to our friend Jay who will be jumping in for a bit to run with the Half or Full crew, but the idea of spectating would be too depressing for words. I’d probably end up at the slot machines downing Mai Tais and blubbering over lost nickels.

On Sunday, however, perspective and common sense returned. I reminded myself that Matt, the friend I’ll be running with, will be in great pain from having done a marathon that morning so we’ll simply be better matched than I initially predicted, no reason to think I’ll be a drag on him.  I also decided that if those 2 rest days didn’t do the trick, I’d make an appointment with the ART lady.

Happiness and joy, today was the best run I’ve had since coming back. I was slow as hell and will continue to be all week (pace has no place coming back from injury, now I know. duh) but I ran 6 blissfully untweaked miles – the farthest I’ve gone so far. I only have a few days left to regain some distance and obviously, will be topping out appreciably under 13.1, but I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to complete the distance.  Pathetic, but a step up from teary drunken nickels.

Hairdo
I got my hair cut off yesterday in a pixie cut.  I did have some momentary Beiber concern while the hairdresser was blowdrying it, but luckily it was just a passing trick of the eye.  I love it, actually.  Plus now I get to play around with Product.

I love how the hairdressing industry has managed to make Product an encompassing name in its own right to describe all things bottles and jarred.  Why waste breath on that pesky “a” beforehand?  Let the dweebs use a product or even products…I use Product.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to cook Meal.  See ya later.

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