first with ipod

Words 171

          Today I remembered to start my iPod running program for the first time. I didn’t use all the capabilities—I figure I will wait with that until I can leave the gloves and plastic pants at home.  As it is, I was able to learn exactly how far I have been running.  4.6 miles. 

concentration is a must

Words 146

          A simple run tonight.  I thought I was going well enough for a record during the mid-run sprint, but I missed it by more than a second.  I’m sure it was because of the many dogs that were chatting with each other as their owners sniffed around the trees. 

easy, stairs and sprint

Words 126

          I thought I was on pace for a record in the mid-run sprint.  I think the first half was really the fastest.  I was feeling good, my arms were moving, and my legs were pumping; I had the Romantics in my ears. 

second hand

Words 70

    Sun is shining and it feels like it nearly freezing out there.  On the way back, we stopped at a second hand clothing shop and I bought a pair of pants and t-shirt for $27. 

still cold out there

Words 87

          It is still damn cold out there.  I tried to run today without my wool socks and my hands were like blocks of ice.  Holding onto the pull-up bars at the end was agony.  The mid-run venue was completely clear of all snow and ice, and I felt good. 

-18?!? Ha! Feels like -10

Words 247

          I ran quite a bit before the stairs today.  This may be the reason that I took some time on the stairs.  I glanced at the watch at the 6^th floor landing and saw :21.  I knew that was a second slower than my first run up 6 flights.  I was expecting a much slower time. 

pictures of CELTA

Words 20; 5 pictures

     Fluffy snow falling, lovely, but everything was terribly slippery.  This slipping situation is evidenced by the poor time I achieved.  

swimming outside at 21 F

Words 123

          Twenty years ago, I swam outside while snow was falling.  Today I was again swimming outside—no snow, but it was 20 F outside.  You might think it would be chilly walking out to the pool.  Whoever built this thing thought about that, too. 

Life is fine

Words 125

          The stairway was cleaned up today.  I see this and I think about the diffusion of responsibility in society.  Why do some people believe that it is someone else’s job to clean up after them?  If people would simply NOT throw leave bottles and cans and garbage in the stairway (or on the street) no one would need to be paid to clean up.

16 floors

Words 74

          The stairway for the first 8 floors in our building is mostly clean.  By the 11^th or so, there began to be trash and bottles.  By the 12^th, it looked like the residue from a frat party. 

the stairs

Words 117

          We didn’t do the same old route today, so I didn’t do my mid-run sprint.  I did, however, run up the stairs to my apartment.  We are on the 6^th floor and I always use the stairs up and down.  This time I sprinted up.  My muscles were screaming, but 20 seconds of work is not enough.  I think I will I should try running all the way to the top—16 floors.  We’ll see.

one good lesson (so far) 58.75

Words 173

            I don’t understand it.  Why have I achieved three records in less than two weeks?   I was not running slowly before.  I think now I have it in my head that I can run faster.  During this run, I felt like I might start thinking of my legs as if they had cement in them. 

snow

Words 38
We've had a lot of snow lately, so everywhere was covered.  I finished the sprint in under 1:05—my former goal.

feedback

From a reader:

James, tell me how far in yards (feet) you are running and what are the miraculous times you run this distance in.  I have a hard time rejoicing with you when I don't know the extent of your accomplishments.  You've probably told us but tell me again.


I don’t know the distance, and it doesn’t matter.  Not to me, anyway. I am competing against myself

The unexpected can happen at any time

Words 210
The unexpected can strike without warning.  Duh!  As I ran toward Roccosovskovo, I was slipping all over.  I was thinking that I might get the slowest time.  Aswe approached, though, I saw that it was merely wet; the subway line or whatever is underneath, warming the median, had melted the snow.  I pushed every step, my whole body was screaming.  And so was my mouth when I saw that I had achieved a sub-minute result.