the great leslie

On my way home from my run today, I saw a kid riding his bike in the parking lot next to the fire station. It was like he'd just gotten his training wheels off and he was so excited! He hit every bump, drove though every puddle, pumped his legs as fast as he could, and yelled "whoo-hoo!" as he did it. His mom was there, watching him and smiling at him and then at me and his glee was infectious and inspiring.

Monday I ran and I forgot my baseball cap. Okay, okay, I decided not to wear it. Never again! The bobby pins kept falling out of my hair, so little wisps kept tickling my nose and it was so annoying. It did make me run faster though...I was so miffed about my hair that I just wanted the run to be over. And what's the best way to do that? Run faster!

Today I ran just a little bit longer, past another two football fields and back again. And then up the hill at the end of the run! "Everyday seems a little faster...everyday, seems a little stronger..."

My new roommate really likes Lady Gaga. I was only vaguely aware of her existence until a recent issue of RollingStone made its way back into the apartment. There's Lady Gaga on the cover, in all her pink, bubble-clad glory. Since the roommate is so keen on her, I decided I'd read the article, even though I'm already turned off by another essentially naked pop star on the cover of the now-anemic looking RollingStone (really, can't any chick pop sensation keep her clothes on?). Little did I know I would find triathlon inspiration from "the new princess of pop." Bonus: my roommate played me some Gaga songs that are perfect for a "run-faster" playlist.

"I operate from a place of delusion -- that's what The Fame's [her album] all about. I used to walk down the street like I was a fucking star. I want people to walk around delusional about how great they can be -- and then to fight so hard for it every day that the lie becomes the truth."

One of my goals for the week was to make it to the Reiche Community Pool for a swim. They have adult lap swim from 4:30pm to 6pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, in addition to those incredibly early hours pools always seem to have. So. I got all ready. I got on my bike. I got half way there, and EFF! I forgot my suit (I told you: it's always something.). I'm an idiot. So, I go back, get the suit, then climb back on the bike and retrace my steps. Actually, I went a different route that was much less congested. So, at least I learned something.

I was in a funk when I got into the pool at 5:15pm, but the water felt good and there weren't very many swimmers there. I swam about 45 minutes...all the time left in the session. When I first started training for triathlons, I couldn't even swim one lap. Now I can go for a long time without stopping. But, I have been taking it easy on myself...not pushing at all. So, I have to work some sprints into my runs and swims. And some longer bike rides!

In related news, I also need to do more lunges. I am terrible at lunges. I can do squats all day long (well, not all day), but can only do, like, 5 lunges before falling over. Add that to the list.

Anyone who has ever run with any regularity knows how hard it is to get back into it after a lapse. That's where I am now...trying to push through with sluggish muscles, a cramp in my side, phelgm in stuck in my throat (for whatever reason, I can't hock a loogie to save my life, or my run, in this case).

I've been running a few times down on the path by the Eastern Promenade here in Portland, which is quite scenic, but certainly isn't any less crowded than the Reservoir in Central Park (add the dogs and strollers and bikes, which aren't allowed at the Reservoir, and it might actually be more crowded). Still, everyone passes me. Still, I'm looking for reasons to stop running.

But, then again, what the heck else am I doing with that hour? Checking job sites, rechecking my e-mail, worrying over a cover letter I may never actually send? It might actually be the easiest hour of my day, even if my calves are a little out of shape.