Week 2, Day 9

18.0 miles
Time: 10h 18m 00s
Avg. Pace: 34:20/mile

Finally! I completed my second full week of Week 2. This run was the hardest. Recovery time was better, but my calves were in bad shape. I think a lot of it had to do with the teenage boys sitting on the playground swings, watching me. An audience always makes me nervous.

Despite the gloom, it was a nice day for running. 61°, just enough wind to keep me from getting too warm. My WeatherBug says rain today, but so far I haven't seen any. Not that I'm complaining. At least it's going to be in the 60's all next week. It says rain on Tuesday, but if it's going to be that warm, I'll just wear my raincoat. Jacket. Thing.

By the second run, I was seriously considering walking it off and going home. Thanks to my anal retentiveness when it comes to schedules, I was unable to stop. I kept going through the aching muscle pain and finished the run. In the middle of it, one of the teenagers walked a lap around the track and then went and sat back down on a swing. The hell?

By the time I got done with my cool down and stretches, another woman was walking the track. She was bundled up in a fleece jacket and thick gloves.

It's 61° outside, folks! Have I mentioned how incredibly wimpy Portlanders are when it comes to "weather"?

I've felt like such a schlub lately. I think it's PMS. I'll have to check my calendar; I think I'm due for a period right about now. My breasts aren't sore, but I'm craving chocolate like a fiend. Yesterday I had a cream cheese and potato chip sandwich for lunch. Squoink.

For breakfast this morning, I had an Odwalla Bar (Super Protein). After my run, I had a banana. I've got some strawberries, too, so I'm gonna have a smoothie for breakfast tomorrow.

After the banana, I did 20 minutes of stretching a la Karen Voight. As bad as my legs felt during/after today's run, I figured I was due for a long bout of stretching.

I'm getting kind of bored with my regular strength training workout (I memorized all the sets from Karen Voight's Your Personal Best video). I really want to try pilates, but I can't afford to buy any DVDs. My sister has the Winsor DVDs somewhere; as soon as she digs them up, I'm going to give it a try.

Walked to the library yesterday afternoon after I dropped my mom off at her Saturday errand destination. I scored:

• Astral Weeks - Van Morrison
  
• Teaser & the Firecat - Cat Stevens
  
• Final Approach - The Byrds
  
• Crossroads - Tracy Chapman
  
• Another Side of Bob Dylan - Bob Dylan
  
• Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan - Bob Dylan
  
• North Country
  
• A History of Violence
  
• Aliens (collector’s edition)
  
• Complete Book of Women’s Running - Runner’s World

There was a second (women's) running book, but I waited too long to pick it up and it was put back into circulation. Ah well.

My sister and her boyfriend came over last night. After we had dinner, I made Sis walk around the yard with me and Tank. We talked about how she wants to get dog trailers for our bikes, so we can take our dogs for bike rides in town. All but Tank are too old an arthritic to really get out much, so we thought this would be a nice way to get them out and about, keep them from getting bored. I don’t actually have a bike, but I’m sure I can borrow Homer’s. How fun would that be? We figure Bernie and Lady can go in one and Meathead and Tank can go in another. Tank’s the only one who is still in good health, so we figure we can leave the top down and let him jump out whenever he wants.

Anyway. Things to think about for the future. Time now to shower.