D.C. splatter

So much to say, and yet, I'm not sure if I want to say anything because I don't know where to start. So ... here's some mushy brain splatter:

Joined a gym. I'm just so thankful I can run in cool AC, I don't even care that I'm using a stinking treadmill. I actually think I am motivated to run longer because it means I get to stay in the coolness longer. Don't get me wrong. I still sweat like a maniac. The gym also has great perks: good hours, towels/bathroom stuff, yoga, bikes, spin, other classes, foam roller (My BFF), the - ahem - spa area: 3 separate saunas, this rock amphi-theatre seating thing that's heated rocks. I guess you lie on it and it feels good to have hard warm surface on your post-workout muscles? There is also this shower thing where you stand under the water but the faucet makes it feel like it's gently raining on you. There are hot and cold rain showers. A-mazing. Will try tomorrow and report back.

People here (in D.C.) ask weird questions and are super career-oriented. After work, people talk about work. People establish within 5 minutes what your job is, where you went to college, and what you see yourself doing in 5 years. I especially like, "What's your dream job?" Cookie-cutters make boring art. Not sure I'll fit in for the long haul, but still giving it a go for now.

I have been working hard to save money. This calls for drastic measures like no cheese or meat and lots of biking in absurdly hot 100 degree/80% humidity. Speaking of, I got a flat tire on Rhode Island Ave the other night as I was sprinting home in the first drops of a massive thunder/lightning storm. Made it home, but had to change the flat this morning. It was the back tire, too, so I was particularly proud of myself. Don't ask me how long it took.

Take note: when you live in a swamp and you leave your wet laundry in the washer overnight, it will smell like nasty mildew after you eventually take it out of the dryer. I had to wash it all again, it was so gross. Thankfully, laundry is free.

Our downstairs basement neighbors smoke pot and play video games all day. No really, ALL DAY. I can't believe anyone smokes pot that much. I now can believe, however, that video games lead to seriously violent people. The pot smell comes up through the vents to my 3rd floor bedroom. Unfortunately, very unfortunately, I have to walk through their apartment to get to the laundry. Most unfortunately, I saw the dude pulling up his pants and jump off the couch. Gross.

The all-important question: Do you have a job? No jobbie, yet. But I'm feeling encouraged after a few "nibbles", as my grandmother likes to call them. My grandma is 94, lives alone, is sharp as ever, but quite hard of hearing. This is how our phone conversations go:

G: Any good news?

C: No, nothing yet.

G: I said, did you have any nibbles?

C: Nope, no nibbles.

G: Huh?

C: Increased volume and slowed word speed. NOoooo.

G: Wait, hold on. High-pitched squeal of hearing aid tuning. Any good news?

C: Screaming as loud as possible, NO, I ... DON'T ... HAVE ... A JOB!, which, for the record, in one's own head sounds like "I ... AM ... A ... LOSER."

Good times.

Trash

I pick up trash when I'm out running. Usually, I do it on the Cape because it's pretty clean here and I want it to stay that way. I saw two people (men - one young, one old!) on my run this morning who had picked up trash while they were out for a walk. I dig it. Keeping it real...

...meanwhile, this running thing is kicking my butt. I love it.

Wash park workout

Choose your own adventure! This is a post about running. If don't give two hoots about running, choose "back browser." If you're peeing-your-pants excited to hear about my workout this morning, scroll down.

This morning Alex and I met at the track at 7 and found it locked. Thankfully, she knows and has a GPS watch, so we knew we could do the same workout on the pavement loop in the park. Not exactly ticking off each flat 400, but we would know each mile and our pace. So! We picked up another runner friend who we happened to pass on our warmup, and the three of us did a killer workout:

2 x 2 mile

warm up
2 mile - 13:19 (6:45, 6:34)
2 mile - 13:22 (6:42, 6:40)
warm down

Felt great. I'm pleased. And probably going to be sore tomorrow.

Garden of the Gods

This morning I drove down to Colorado Springs (about 1 1/2 hours south of Denver) to do a trail run at Garden of the Gods. When I arrived in CoSp, it was foggy, grey, and 41 degrees. I had been expecting 70s and sunny, as the news told me! I got another cup of coffee and a paper and waited it out until the fog burned off. Then I got my 70s and sunny weather.

Garden of the Gods is a park with red, blue, purple, and white ancient sediments of sandstones, conglomerates and limestone that were deposited horizontally, but now tilt vertically after being faulted by the same forces that caused Pikes Peak mountain. You can see many fossils in the rock: marine forms, plant fossils, and some dinosaur fossils. Some of the strange rock formations are up to several hundred feet long and the tallest is 320 feet high. Check out them rocks:




The trail run I did ended up being 1 hour 20 minutes of running around the park, not including time stopped to snap some photos, read the map, and wait for horseback riders to pass. I had a great time! Running was a really fun way to see the park and to get on some trails that were fantastic and empty. It seemed like most people drove the road loop around the rock formations, getting out of their car at numerous parking lots. These photos are just the scenic trial. Enjoy!

repeat miles

Picture this:

6 a.m.
South High School, new track.

Jog there and chat during a few warm up laps.
1 mile - 6:41
(600 jog)
1 mile - 6:40
(600 jog)
1 mile - 6:38
(600 jog)
1 mile - 6:43
Jog back to school gym.

Great 8 mile workout!

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