the great leslie

My brother and I were biking in Portland today and I totally crashed. It was all my fault: it was a red light and I thought he was going to go through but the he didn't and, for whatever reason, I didn't hit the brakes. I just crashed into him. Some dude in a beat-up pick-up truck asked my brother if he should call the police since I crashed into him. He was kidding (Mainers have a dry sense of humor). I said "Funny" in a voice that clearly indicated I didn't think he was funny. AT ALL.

I was wearing long sleeves and long pants (and yes, Mom, my helmet) so I wasn't really hurt; just a little banged up. And, to be fair, I haven't ridden a bike in traffic since I was a papergirl in 1988. I always ride in parks. Even my ride yesterday was in a no-car zone. Still, my reflexes proved non-exsistant when I needed them, and it's not the first time.

On the other hand, I fell and it wasn't a big deal at all. Perhaps this will give me confidence as I continue to bike this summer. Or not: after getting hit with a softball in the fifth grade I promptly quit (and I'm still sort of afraid of the ball). Sometimes it's hard to keep pedaling. But that's what we have to do.

Last year I got special pedals for my bike that require special shoes that clip into said pedals. These are great for racing, but not so good for tooling around town. Now that I'll be using my bike for transportation, I decided to spring for new pedals that don't require the special shoes. $21 later, I was riding in Converses and pretty psyched about it. I rode down by the Portland waterfront and it was lovely.

Also: I got some tips today about where to swim in Portland, so I'll be back in my cap very soon!

Does marathon cleaning count as training?

I got a text message at 6:15 this morning: "Swim?"

Ugh...I mean, yes, I'm coming. My friend, Emily, and I had agreed to go on Saturday, but agreeing to get up at 6:15 a.m. and actually getting up at such an hour are completely different things. But, anyway...I did it. I got up, I got my suit on, I got out the door and on to the train and, eventually, to the locker room.

And...I forgot my towel. It's always something, damnit. Once I forgot my swimsuit. Another time, my pants. (My work pants, I should say, because I did not forget to wear pants to the pool. I just forgot a pair to wear after the pool.) But, I swam anyway and just tried to shake off all the excess water after my shower. It, um, sort of worked.

Then I got home and took a "nap." Which is to say I went back to sleep for pretty much the rest of the day. Another small glitch in the system. It was my first day back...what can I say? I'll do better next time.

I got out my swimsuit last night, thinking I'd get up early this morning and go to Riverbank State Park, where they have a huge pool that only costs $2 for lap swimming. But, when I looked out into the drizzle that was this morning, I decided to go back to bed.

I ran the bridal trail today after this afternoon's torrential downpour. It was lovely: The park is so lush on account of all the rain. I saw some running club doing timed laps at the track at 106th St. I may add that to my training agenda...

But, now, it's time for a beer!