Running – Page 8 – runjournal

5/25/18

On Monday, I dropped my car off at the repair shop in Pinellas Point. My mom came and picked me up and we went to the Indian Mound just down the road. Most people don’t know this tiny little area in between two houses in the pink streets even exists, and my mom was one of those people. The history of the place is somewhat hazy, due to some contradictory signage in the park. There is a violent story about the place that ends in a clubbing-to-death. Then there is a story about a princess and a famed conquistador. Seemingly overruling both of those accounts, there is a sign positioned nearby that states the historical signage was left there to preserve the mystique of the site, in essence. Finally, the most official and accurate looking display names the Tocobaga Indians as the builders of the mound, and details their way of life and history. It’s super interesting to see this little piece of St. Petersburg history so unassumingly positioned in a residential neighborhood. Continue reading “5/25/18”

5/24/18

Another photo from yesterday. I love that place.

It was hot again today, big surprise. Today’s heat was the normal type of searing Florida heat. The kind that feels like a wide, hot laser beam is slowly melting your flesh. It’s still of a degree that is bearable, however. For a period of time, anyway. I was out there for 1 hour and 42 minutes or so, wearing white. White hat, white shirt, white shoes, like you’re supposed to. Every little thing helps. Just brace for the days when it gets to 98 degrees and 85 percent humidity, I keep telling myself. This is nothing. Continue reading “5/24/18”

5/23/18

Fort Desoto is one my favorite places in the world. It’s minutes away from the city and as soon as I get there, I feel like I’m on vacation. It’s peaceful. Once you get out on the beach, you can’t hear the cars anymore. It’s beautiful. It’s (almost) untouched natural Florida. It’s “being outside” at its best.

Many memories of mine are associated with Fort Desoto. I came here when I was a kid, a teenager, and I come here now as an adult. I feel comfortable here, like some small part of it belongs to me. (Possibly because I’ve paid the $5 entry fee so many times. It used to be free!) If I ever go away from Florida again, Fort Desoto will be one of the first places I visit when I come back. Continue reading “5/23/18”

5/22/18

First things first, I’m on a new training plan so instead of the usual 8 today, I ran 12. Pace was 10:18. I had a lot of fun, like most days after a day off. My legs were light and I had what felt like endless energy. I still ran 5 minutes and walked 1 minute for the most part, though. With the new plan, I’ll need to conserve a lot more energy. There are longer runs during the week compared to the home-made plan I was on previously. It was nice, though. Whenever I felt like I wanted to run more than 5 minutes, I did. I just never let myself walk more than one. (I had to make a pit stop to pee in the bushes and that was the only exception. It’s crazy how much stopping dead slows the pace clock, as opposed to walking.) Continue reading “5/22/18”

5/21/18

I woke up today with some new kind of resolve about the job search. I wish it would have come to me 2 weeks ago when I was super stressed about it. The reality is, I don’t have a job, but I’m happy. I’m not happy because I don’t have a job. I’m happy because I am in the place, geographically and mentally, where I want to be. Among other things. I’ll have a job soon, this I know. I’m positive. In the meantime, I’m going to enjoy the time I have and make the most of it. That’s the resolve. Continue reading “5/21/18”

5/20/18

Hockey metaphors anyone? Directly after the opposing team scores, it’s important to have a strong shift. To bounce back forcefully. Yesterday I felt like I got shut out, so it was important for me to bounce back forcefully. Or, just have a solid day. This is timely because the Lightning just went up 3-2 in the series last night. And I know everything about hockey. Continue reading “5/20/18”

5/19/18

Today is one of the days where I asked myself: Why? Why am I doing this? It’s 90 degrees and humid. I logged 44 miles already this week. I’m away from Dana for four hours on a Saturday. And, it’s really hot. Just being outside is uncomfortable; running is crazy. In asking myself why, I’m now asking myself: Why am I asking why so soon? I’m 6 months away from race day. Continue reading “5/19/18”

5/18/18

Toilet with ferns and flamingo. I love Florida.

I had a good run today. I want to say that first because I’ve been talking about other stuff before I get to what this journal is really about. Making too big a deal of the photo I’m posting and trying to tie everything together. That’s fun and it’s a good writing exercise, I guess, but sitting down as soon as I’m out of the shower and getting my thoughts down about the run should be first and foremost. Continue reading “5/18/18”

5/17/18

This mural is called Little Miss Sisyphus and it was painted by Carrie Jadus a few years ago. I have passed this mural verging on a hundred times and I’m a little inspired by it every time. One, because it astounds me that someone can paint an image like this. Two, because it’s almost unfathomable to think about painting an image on this large of a scale. Third, it’s inspiring because of what it is. Often, I feel like I’m working hard for incremental gain. Often, I’m discouraged because it feels like I’m starting again from scratch. And often, I feel like giving up. All these “oftens” apply to my current job search and running, so I can relate to the Sisyphus story. Also, it is super cool that the man is replaced by a young girl. That fits the historic, and current state of things. Continue reading “5/17/18”

5/16/18

I am exhausted. I waited until 11:30 to go running today because I had to wait for the maintenance guy to get here. He’s still not here, but that’s another story. I’m so tired because I went hard yesterday and today it was just gross outside. It was sprinkling at first so it was easy to feel like I wouldn’t overheat. It stopped, though, and it got sticky, gross and hot. I ran the first 6 miles and had to run/walk the last 4. Overall, 10 miles at 9:50 pace. Continue reading “5/16/18”