The (Path)Bitch is Back!

This morning I headed out for mile 50 minute "easy" run, and who do you think I saw running about a quarter of a mile in front of me? Yes, that's right...that girl! Now, I had to have a game plan because like I said, 'twas a 50 minute run ahead of me and I didn't want to get wiped out before I even hit the turnaround. So I trailed her on Irving Park until we hit the Path and she predictably turned North to head up the hill. She doesn't go very far...literally, she runs up the sidewalk, turns right, and then head down the hill.

I know, it doesn't make much sense to me either. Moving on...

So I hop on the path ahead of her, glance backwards, and yep, the bitch tries to speed up to catch me. "Nay," says I, you'll have to catch me first!" And she never did! I checked Joanie Garmin, who said I was running about a 9:42 pace. So, the "easy" run became a tempo run again, but that didn't matter. Even when I had to stop to gag up another gnat, she couldn't catch up to me. Sweet vindication! AND I was able to maintain my speedy pace (okay...speedy for me) for the entire run. It wasn't easy, but it was soooooooooo worth it!

And if you're keeping track, here's today's gnat count:

Number of gnats inhaled/swallowed: 2

Number of gnats in eyes: 2 (and they were just horrible this time!)

Number of gnats in bra/hair/on skin: I stopped counting at 8

Let's hope they clear off the path for this evening's run. I haven't decided what to do yet, though. I might try to get some hill work in at Cricket Hill by Montrose and Wilson. Or I might just run. Depends on how many soccer groups have monopolized the fields around Cricket Hill.

As an amusing note, one of my coworkers has the Urban/Hip-Hop radio station, and you always hear the same bullshit. It's really annoying. Well, today a new song came on...new in that, I haven't heard it on this station before today (and I only listen between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM). It was "Fight the Power" by Public Enemy (thanks Lindy! I thought it sounded wrong, but I just wasn't focusing...blogging at work can be hazardous to your health!).

Just made me chuckle.

And in other news, Enamored Man is still hanging in there. I tried to be a little less subtle this time, but I really don't want to hurt his feelings any more than I probably already have. He emailed me on Thursday about:

1. How I was since the last time he emailed me (a few days before)
2. Did I want to go to the Air and Water show with him this weekend (no)?
3. He's so sorry that he didn't wish me good luck before my race the previous weekend.
4. How many miles do I have to run on Saturday.
5. He thinks I'm wonderful and whatever else...I can't remember.

So, I told him the truth...

1. I'm fine.
2. Nope, I have a show to do plus massive amounts of laundry and a performance evaluation for work to do.
3. Thanks you're very nice, but no need to wish me luck.
4. 8 miles
5. I'm obviously not so wonderful, and hope we can put the awkwardness behind us and just be friends.

*Crickets chirping*

Now, that sounds bad, but it wasn't really, I promise. I'm too much of a chicken to be that rude. And I chose not to include the part about just not being that attracted to him, and didn't he notice how amazingly drunk I was when we hooked up? See? Left those parts out.

In the words of Dietrich, I want to be left alone!