Competition on the Path

Yesterday evening's run and this morning's run were both excellent, by my standard! By your standard, maybe not so much, but we're talking about me so stop judging, okay?

Tuesday Run
So yesterday evening Chicago was enveloped by more humidity than one can really stand. It was oppressive, so I was not too terribly excited about getting in a solid run. I was thinking it would end up being something slow, just for sake of keeping my legs moving and getting the mileage in. No sir, the run ended up being quite different! I had to dodge Cubs fans and commuters for the first half mile, but after that, it was smooth sailing. I kept a steady pace for nearly the entire run, settling in comfortably around 10:10 per mile. I also decided to forgo the iPod again (secretly, I'm trying to even out the tan lines on my arms...I am a pasty freak) so I could work on my monologue. Good times man. I also saw the best thing possibly ever...a lady with a baby take a face plant.

Let me explain. A lady was pushing a fancy stroller with an infant in it. I can only assume she was not paying attention to her surroundings and instead marveling at the fact that she has a baby in an expensive stroller. Well, the combination of high winds, bikes, runners, and I'm guessing hormones (but I don't really know for sure) caused the stroller to pitch forward and topple to the ground, baby and all. Obviously, the baby sustained an injury to his/her little forehead. It was all very dramatic. I wish I had a picture for you, but that might be rude. Almost as rude as me stifling a laugh during the stroller incident. I carried on with my run since better people than myself were assisting the distraught and confused stroller lady.

Humidity aside, the weather was great for running, and everyone was out to enjoy it.

Wednesday Morning Ruuuuuuuuuun
This morning, my training schedule called for an easy 40 minute run. Therefore, all I intended to do was run, moderately paced, for 40 minutes. Followed by eating food. Because that's how I roll. So I head out, determined to maintain a steady pace for 40 minutes.

Yeah, that didn't work out so well. You see, I spotted this girl who I've been running into during my morning runs for the past week or so. And she annoys me. No, I don't know why, she just DOES. She walks until she gets on the path, then makes a left, walks up the little hill at Irving Park, then turns right and starts her run. I can't explain why, but this fills me with rage. Well today she hit the path slightly ahead of me (damn you, traffic lights!!!) and because I just can't help myself, I need to pass her. Well wouldn't you know it but this beotch looks over at me and starts to speed up!

Oh nooooooooo she didn't!!!! Needless to say, I went faster. And thus my easy paced run turned into a tempo run. Magic, right? I actually felt pretty good after that. Until the gnats made their appearance. I had to stop a total of FOUR times in order to gag on the side of the path or de-gnat my eyes. It was the worst gnat incident thus far. Even still, I must say I was super excited to see that my average pace for today's run was 9:30. Yay for me!

Take that, gnats.

What Lies Ahead...
I'm trying to schedule my Saturday so I can get a nap in somewhere. Here's are the things that I have to do on Saturday, in no particular order:
1. Buy bananas
2. Pick up race packet
3. Wash...something
4. Nap
5. Eat a good dinner
6. Do a show

Here are things that I want to do:
1. Sleep in
2. Get a free smoothie from Starbucks
3. Do more laundry
4. Watch the Olympics
5. Have a nice, long stretching session
6. Get to bed at a decent hour

I realize some of these things may or may not be combined, but I think I should list them separately in the event that I can't get it all done. I suppose out of all of those things, the only items that are mandatory are the picking up of the race packet, eating, and doing a show. All I know is, Sunday is gonna be one hell of a race! And as soon as our Sunday show is over, I am going home, passing out, and waking up on Monday for another run :)