a devil of a decade

Well first off, this is post #666 for me.  Hence the devil reference in the post title :)  No, I'm not saying I'm the devil...hahahaha.

So I'm watching "I Love the New Millennium" on VH1 right now...2000 was previously on, now this hour showcases 2001.  (Update since I started writing-now it's on 2003!  Boy this post took a long time to write...)  Holy shit-are we really on the edge of a new decade?  Was it really 10 years ago that we were all freaking out about the Y2K bug and thinking the world will come to an end on January 1, 2000? :-P  (funniest memory from that-my dad "stocking up" on 5 gallons of bottled water since apparently the Y2K bug would cause a lack of drinking water...oh the things people believed!)

Man-so much has happened this decade...if I thought 2009 was an emotional rollercoaster of sorts...well the whole decade was like the Great American Scream Machine or something like that :)  And since VH1 is looking back...I kinda feel like doing the same.

2000-my biggest memory of this year was breaking up with my boyfriend of 2 1/2 years...which as a lot of you long-time readers know, was someone everyone expected me to marry.  But no matter how great someone may be on paper, if you grow apart and become different people during that time...staying togehter for the sake of others can never result in anything good.  So for the first time in 5 years, I was single and it was really tough...partially because most of my friends were in relationships, but also partially because I was still living at home...

2001-fell in love, only to wind up getting played.  Moved on out of the parentals house and into the city.  9/11.  Seeing how the fallout from that brought out the good in people, but also brought out the bad in other people.  We were in a changed world, no matter how you looked at it.

2002-I think this year was officially the low point of the decade for me.  Still hurting from said 2001 player.  Dealt with some cash flow issues.  A friend of my brother...well, I will not go into detail about what he tried to do to me, but let's just say as a result of it, my brother terminated that friendship immediately.  Not one, but two roommate changes-and anyone in NYC knows how stressful it is finding a roommate!  Got laid off from my job...but thankfully I did find a new one and was only unemployed for 6 weeks.

2003-anyone else remember the blackout?  the day of my baby brother's b-day no less...original plan was to head to NJ for a b-day dinner right after work, instead we spent it grabbing beers from some of the 3rd Ave bars and him crashing at my place.  And thanking my lucky stars that I was still living in midtown then instead of uptown...yep, 2 weeks later I had moved into my little studio apartment on the UWS.  Can't tell you how good it felt to not have to deal with roommates.

2004-the running year, so to say.  Joined NYRR, joined the Flyers, opened up a whole new world for me.  Maybe this year was a turning point of sorts?

2005-learned and appreciated how tough it is to plan social events in NYC, thanks to my stint as Flyers' social chair :)  Was hoping to run my first marathon-NYC-this year, but a month into the training, a bad case of plantar fasciitis stopped me in my tracks, so to say.  And believe me, recovery was a bitch and then some :)  And oh yeah...I discovered this little thing called blogging and thought I'd try it ;-)

2006-busy year, I remember.  Had a Flyers exec board position-Member at Large.  And let me tell you, it really made me feel good that my teammates felt I was the best one for the job.  What a difference from 10 years before-when I kept getting shot down for positions on my sorority's exec board...i was too new, i was too shy, whatever, there was some excuse.  Met a lot more people in the running community...partially through this blogging thang ;-) and partially because one of my goals as MAL was to enhance relations between us and other clubs...with "mixer" happy hours, post-race softball games and other things.  Hit the big 3-0 this year...yikes :-P Work kicked me in the ass this year, partially due to one project from hell, partially because we were down one man and it took over a year to find a replacement!  But despite all that, I did finally run my first marathon...and broke 4 hours :)

2007-I think I was mentally in hibernation for a good portion of the first half of the year...yeah, work was still kicking me in the ass.  Just seemed to affect everything...my relationships, my running, as well as other things.   Things did get a little better through the spring and summer though.  Took my first real vacation in a very long time-to San Francisco...ran a half-marathon there and totally fell in love with the city...hmmm, could I maybe see myself living there someday, who knows.  (Or maybe I really needed a vacation and anything would have seemed good!)  Had my first serious relationship in years...which didn't end on the best of terms.  Learned 2 things-a significant other must respect my friends and if I need my space after said breakup, that needs to be respected too if there is to be any chance at a friendship.

2008-is it me or did this seem like the year of Facebook?  Almost every day, a new friend request, quiz invite and my personal favorite-the "SuperPoke" :-P  Halfway through the year, got a taste of what the state of the economy would be as we were told at work that "2008 is turning into a very tough year" and that certain big events would be canceled in order to make budget, that we'd have to do without some "nice to haves".  Running-wise, 2008 started off with a calf injury, I recovered from it and it did turn out to be my best running year in 4 years...ran 3:44 in NYCM and got goals in shorter distances that I had been chasing after for years.

2009-And so it brings us to this year.  Early months were kinda rough...close relative (my uncle) passed away...round of layoffs at work which thankfully I dodged that bullet, but me and others wound up absorbing a lot more work as a result...but at that point, just grateful to have a job.  Was vice president of the Flyers this year. The Yankees won their first World Series in 9 years!! Running-wise, was on track to have my best year yet...and it looked like not only was a BQ marathon in reach, but 3:40 was setting the bar too low.  But was stopped in my tracks at mile 21 of the Marine Corps Marathon with the infamous (sh)IT band injury.  As I said before, I am happy for the good running moments, just wish the year hadn't ended on such a bad note.  Was in 2 serious relationships this year...and I am grateful to still be friends with both of them.  Especially the latter...us getting together did cause me to lose a friend, but I feel I got a much better one as a result.  I never thought I'd be able to just hang out with an ex over a few beers and just enjoy ourselves...but we can and we do...someone I'm very happy to have had in my life this year...and in future years too ;-)

So I'm reading over this now and thinking wow...can't believe how much has happened in 10 years.  Even though I have said 2009 was a rough year, I will say that at the very least, this decade did end better than it started.  And have I learned anything?  Well I guess so...

Work-I felt like i worked away my 20s and don't want to do the same with my 30s...in my early years I put in the time because I thought it would get me more money, more power...yeah, at the time I did actually like my job...but by the end of the decade I learned that all the money in the world isn't worth it if you're not happy, don't feel fulfilled, don't feel like there is a good work-life balance.  Oh yeah-and getting involved with someone at work is definitely NOT the best idea!!

Love/relationships-and on that topic...well in the beginning of the decade, with a lot of my friends having the marriage bug, I kinda wanted the same...and I know I've felt like that for many years too.  But I've been thinking about this for a good part of this year.  First off, as I have mentioned before, I really don't like dating.  It's more...I feel like I'm putting on an act of sorts and it just gets exhausting.  I just want to be myself...and that was a sign that my last relationship was gonna have great potential, as I never once felt like I had to act, I could totally be myself.  And I honestly don't care that people tell me that "dating means free dinner and drinks" or something to that effect.  Seriously, I will gladly pay for my own damn dinner and drinks if it means I'm with a guy I can feel comfortable with and be myself with and enjoy myself with.  And I know I've said plenty of times before that I want to get married but...well as James Marsden's character said to Katherine Heigl's character in 27 Dresses: "I think you want a wedding-not a marriage."  I guess now I'm feeling the opposite...like it's more the companionship I'm seeking out instead of the shiny rings and wedding.  I do have friends who are in permanently committed relationships but havent felt the need to get married...and they are just as happy as those who have "made it official."  Maybe I'm not making sense here...but this is always a complex topic. :)

Well even though there are some things in my life that I do fell still need fixing...as I said before, this decade did end on a much better note than it started on...and I can only hope that will carry over into 2010.  As for tonight...I won't be running at midnight, I won't be smooching anybody at midnight, but I will be ringing in the new year with friends...just fun and no drama...all I can ask for.

So...long story short, I'm happy to be leaving this devil of a decade behind and can only hope for bigger and better things in the next year...or next 10 years...or more.

Happy New Year everyone!  Have fun, be safe...and talk to ya "next year"! :)

maybe i'm getting too old for this

So since I'm sure everyone was dying to know (ha, not really) yes I did venture out on XMas Eve...guess it beat staying home and watching reruns of Jersey Shore :-P  If you were hoping for any juicy gossip, I'm sorry to disappoint...no running into peeps I knew like the Ex-Boyfriend's frat brother or anything like that :)  So, knowing in advance which venue attracted the "younger" and "older" ends of the spectrum, I decided to go to the one "inbetween."  Which was actually a good move...not too crowded, DJ playing 80s music, open vodka bar for the first hour.  Only talked to 2 guys that nite...first didn't seem too into me, got a playa vibe from the second.  I don't know, I just feel like I've really outgrown this scene...unless I know everybody at the shindig (e.g., the Flyer parties...or hell, even NYRR's club night) I'm not great in this setting...better one on one, methinks.  Plus nursing a killer hangover is not how I wanted to spend my XMas day.  Maybe I just needed one more of these things just to get out of my system, but I think I might skip it next XMas Eve...ask me again in a year though :)  But really, who meets the love of their life at one of these "meet markets"...

So besides that, not really much to tell.  Except what was supposed to be a quiet work week did have to be disrupted by crazy person doing his crazy person thing on a project I'm doing for him.  It's always something with this one!!

2009-not quite so fine

So yeah, figured I was due for one of those obligatory "running year in review" posts...

So first I guess I will revisit what I wrote at the end of last year to be my 2009 goals and how I did....

Continue to train smart. Meaning-no racing in January (that's my "off-season!"), and when I do race, schedule things well (no over-racing.) Keep with the HRM on training runs, keep up the cross-training. If it ain't broke...

I *thought* I did all that, but apparently not...as you will see later...

Have some fun with racing! I've already started that by signing up for the Cherry Blossom 10-miler in April and just like last year, will explore other non-NYRR races. Especially now with the capping thing going on with the NYRR races...

Well here's the tally...
non-NYRR=8 races
NYRR=5 races (2 of those 5 I actually used as training runs)

So I guess you can say I did that...

As of now-I do plan to try and knock 3 minutes and 15 seconds off my marathon time in the fall. This all will depend on the body holding up, and other circumstances allowing me the time to train, but as of now, that is the plan. Not sure where I will be going for it just yet, but definitely won't be NYC, as I'd like to try a different (flatter) marathon...as of now, Marine Corps and Philly are the top contenders.

Well this is the big one.  I thought it could be possible, but in the end, turned out the body didn't hold up.  And even now, it still stings.

You may say I'm being tough on myself, but I can't say I'm satisfied with how 2009 went.  I mean yeah, I had a decent window of racing between June and September (I guess winter was the off-season and spring I wasn't quite in shape yet) but I missed my most important goal...and as I said before, it kinda sucks to have my last memory of running this year being a DNF.  And maybe this has me concerned that if I quit a race once, will this become a habit in future races when the going gets tough?  (Though I will state for the record that even if my race report read like it, I did not give up once I realized the BQ was history.  I did give it all I had that day, it just sucked that my finish line was mile 21!)  Plus outside the racing arena, midway through my MCM training I had to go from coached speedwork with a group to being on my own...I don't know if that was what caused things to go down at the end, but it probably didn't help matters.

So I'm a little hesitant to make concrete goals right now for 2010.  Except for the obvious-getting this (sh)IT band healed and to become a real runner again.  I do hope to run a half-marathon in May...and intend to get my revenge on the marathon distance in October, but those are not set in stone just yet.  I guess most of all, I really need to figure out what went wrong last year and make sure it doesn't happen again.  Additionally, once I am healed enough to do speedwork, I intend to seek out a new group to do speedwork with...I think it's pretty obvious I can't-or shouldn't-be doing this on my own.  And I know I can benefit from the guidance that coached workouts can give.  So will need to research that...

So yeah-once again I have no clue how to go about any of this :-p  But ready or not...2010 is just around the corner.  Will I find the girl I once was...?

choose my xmas eve adventure

Or non-adventure. :)

OK, poll in the sidebar.  Need help deciding what to do XMas Eve.  Do I dare make an appearance at the Matzo Ball and drop $25 (plus cost of overpriced drinks) to check out the annual Jewish singles meat market or not?  Last time I made an appearance was 2 years ago...and it was interesting to say the least. 

But seriously, in a way it just seems more pointless than the Kleinerman 10K was for the NYAC womens team (those of you in the local running scene know will know what I mean by that :-P  not meant to be a shot at that team in any way tho!)...do I ever really have any luck at these things?  And do I need blog material that badly?  (ok maybe I do...)

So help me decide please :)

it knocks you down

Blame the weather.  Lately just been feeling knocked out, knocked down...thankfully not knocked up :-P  Or maybe it's a bit of the holiday blues too.  I don't know.  (And on that note, why does "blue" have to be associated with being sad?  Blue is a pretty color...my favorite color!!  The color of the sky!  The color of this blog!)

Well to catch up a little, I started with my new PT last week...thankfully this one is much more knowledgable than my previous one. (treats/has treated a lot of runners.)  This one pinpointed a lot of hip and core weakness...which is the bulk of what I am going to need to work on for now.  Thankfully, running is not on the banned list for now-but I gotta keep the distances relatively short (e.g., no double-digit runs) and make that the secondary focus.  I even asked if running a half in May would be possible and she actually thought March would be possible (though I still think March is too soon.)  So maybe there is a light at the end of this tunnel...I guess as long as I am a good little girl...

But I think what has me down is the "right now."  It's just so damn frustrating not being able to really run.  I mean yeah, I can do a few miles here and there...but I can't do anything social.  No long runs, fun runs, group runs...and it's got me feeling a bit lonely.  I even feel bad that I can't even help out my own team since I don't know when I'm going to be able to comfortably run the 6-mile loop on a regular basis.  But seriously...does everything social have to revolve around actually running?

Then...I think this weekend's snowstorm was the last straw.  I've said it plenty of times before, I am not a winter person at all.  As much as heat, humidity and I don't mix, I just find summer, the warmer temps, the longer days to be a saving grace.  Snow days just lost their novelty once I joined the working world and had to deal with "adult" responsibilities like a full-time job.  Can't play in the snow, I'll get sick and well, I can't afford to get sick and miss work.  Not to mention how the subways cease to function when one snowflake falls.  And I don't even want to hear that Central Park is a "winter wonderland" and that running there in the snow is "magical."  When you're really dependent on the reservoir being runnable and every snowstorm seems to knock it out of commission for weeks...you get what I'm saying.  (Not to mention the "resolution" peeps who will crowd the gym come January, meaning I'd be lucky to get any treadmill time.)

Which makes me wonder if it is time to make 2010 my escape from NYC.  I've said before I'm really not sure this city can actually be my home...I've given it 10-plus years.  And maybe this is something I should have done a long time ago.  I mean, just because this area is where my parents chose to make their home, does that mean the same has to go for me?  I'm not my parents.  I'm not a winter person, the job situation isn't great here, and the dating scene is even worse.  So maybe a change in scenery and climate is what I need to really find a "home."  Something to think about in the new year...

and while we wait...

...for me to be an actual runner again and actually have running news to tell, i figured i'd fill out this survey-type thing I saw on Mark's blog...


Miles last week:
8 and change (combination of holiday parties and still being in recovery mode)

Your first Race:
Unofficially-Corporate Challenge in 2003 (I didn't have a recorded time).
Officially-Niketown Run for the Parks 4-miler, April 2004.

Your last Race:
Marine Corps Marathon, 10/25/09.  Though I didn't finish it :(

When/Why did you start running:
Hmmm...long story!

In the spring/summer of 1998...any running I did was strictly for vanity. I remember my last semester of college (spring 1998)...I had just broken up with my boyfriend, and being newly single and I guess sorta "on the prowl"...I had a lot of body image issues (like, how can I compete with those skinny, perfect sorority girls?) So I forced myself to run at least 2-3 times a week for about an hour on our school's inside "track" (which wasn't really a track...just something for people to run laps on since upstate NY winters are too damn cold!) Honestly, looking back on it...considering I was not eating very much either, I don't know how I ever had the energy to do that. The summer and beyond, just used the treadmill at the gym.

Then in 2003, i did the Corporate Challenge with my company and decided I actually liked running outside. did some more of it in the summer. That year, I also moved to the Upper West Side-apartment within stumbling distance of Central Park...saw the marathon hoopla in and around the park and decided I was gonna run it someday.  In January 2004, I joined the NYRR in an attempt to get my 9 races in for guaranteed entry for '05.  (Yeah I know, the irony...me and my support of short races now!)  The rest is history...

Favorite Race:
The NYRR Club Championships 5-miler.  Though more often than not it's in hot weather, and it's in Central Park...how can I not love lotsa guys cheering for me? :)

Favorite Distance:
Half-marathon.  When I'm actually in decent shape, that is the one distance I can run consistently well.  And doesn't require as much recovery time as a marathon does!

Mistake you always make while racing:
In 5K's-blasting the first mile and then desparately trying to hang on for the remaining 2.1!

Your mantra is:
"Eye on the prize"

Favorite food before a race or long run:
Night before-pasta w/ tomato sauce and grilled chicken. Morning of, bagel with white chocolate peanut butter and coffee...mmm coffee.  If there's a Starbucks nearby, must be a Pike Place roast with a shot of vanilla syrup :)

Favorite Gadget:
Mr. Garmin.  Duh :)

Something *strange* you always need on a run?
My "Kara Goucher" necklace...aka Phiten titanium necklace.  Yeah I wear mine all the time now and not just when racing.  It's a thing.

Amount of races you’ve done in your life?
83 NYRR races (though not all were "race" effort)...and I'm sure more than a handful of non-NYRR races!!

Amount of races you’ve done this year?
Five NYRR races, 8 non-NYRR races.  So no guaranteed entry for 2010 NYCM for me!  Whoda thunk it'd be easier for me to get the "+1" (volunteer credit) than it was to get the 9 races in?

When I can’t run, I:
Am very cranky :-P

Music or no Music?
Gotta have my music!!  Well if I'm running alone that is.  If I'm running with others I'll leave the iPod at home.  Oh and if it's raining hard too.  Don't need to ruin another iPod.

Favorite book?
A Race Like No Other...gotta love one about the hometown race...especially when peeps I know are mentioned in there!

Favorite Movie?
Run For Your Life-definitely makes you more appreciative of the efforts many have put in, past, present and future to give us the privilege to run the 5 boroughs.

Favorite Runner?
Kara and Meb.  I like Kara's attitude towards racing...though she's good at racing the marathon, she's not all about that and has fun with the shorter distances.  Meb's comeback from injury this year hopefully will inspire me!  Plus I got his autograph at the 2008 NYCM expo-very nice guy!!

Favorite brand of apparel?
Sugoi, Nike...oh and can't forget SkirtSports and Running Skirts :)

Favorite brand of shoes? 

Asics (DS-Trainer 13s for speed/racing) and Brooks (Defyance 2 for training) for now

How many pairs of running shoes do you have?
Currently in the rotation?  2

How many pairs do you actually use?

Right now 1...I think my other pair of trainers have had it, and I haven't been doing any speedy stuff so no need to use the fast shoes...

Next Challenge ahead:
Get recovered from this injury.  Maybe shoot for a NYCM-qualifying time (sub-1:37) for a half-marathon in the late spring?

A Goal further ahead you’d like to get to someday:
BQ or bust!!  Can't rest til I get it...

PR you’re most proud of:
This year's Philly Distance Run...wasn't just that my final time exceeded my expectations, but I felt the race execution couldn't have been better.  Unfortunately, until I can come close to that time again, I feel it's just a fluke...like my 1:43 in the 2005 Vegas Half that I didn't come close to for 3 1/2 years!

Fuel on long run or race is:
PowerGel-either Plain Energy or Tangerine

Last/current injury:
The (sh)IT Band.  You all know about it, I don't need to say any more...

Why do you run?
I guess I still run for vanity in a way...but honestly, moreso for the social aspect. I have met so many people through this sport...it's really made a big city a smaller world for me. And oh yeah...I guess it satisfies that tiniest bit of a competitive edge I have :)

And I'll be nice and not tag anyone...if you want to fill it out on your bloggy, go right ahead! :)

no MORE marathon

Now I'm not talking about myself there!  When I IM'ed a friend today and said to him "no more marathon next year-only the half" he interpreted it as I'm not doing a marathon, and only a half next year! :-P

But nope, I'm talking about what was the "More Marathon"...looks like in 2010 they are doing away with the marathon portion and only having the half-marathon!!  (And I guess also learning from last year's mistake, they also warned about the caps way, way in advance!)  Given the declining numbers for the marathon, I'm not surprised they did away with it.

But did anyone notice the price for the half?  $60 for NYRR members, $65 for non-NYRR members?  For what will most likely be 2+ laps of Central Park...a course we can do later in the year (i.e., Grete's) for $17?  I don't get that!  I can understand the fee for the NYC Half, as city streets need to be closed down for the event...but for running in Central Park?  My guess is that this will be mostly out-of-towners...since racing in Central Park is a novelty for them!  After all, I have paid around that cost for halfs before...but those were "destination" ones-e.g., Philly, San Francisco, Vegas.  Oh, and this half will be on the same weekend it was last year.  Another chance at unseasonable heat and a "fun run"?  And will the new March date for the NYC Half mean a snowstorm?  It's not like a race in March has never been turned into a fun run before...remember this one back in 2007?

Hmmm...speaking of halfs, looks like the one I am hoping to run next May will cost a pretty penny too.  But thats ok since it won't be 2 loops of Central Park, hell it won't even be in NYC! :)  Of course, that is contingent on the (sh)IT band getting better.  Yeah latest on that-not much to tell.  I decided to be brave and try the bridle path on Sunday, but the (sh)IT band was complaining by the end of the run.  Of course that may have been due to me spotting Creepy Stalker Guy and of course, I had to speed up :-P  (though I thought it's slower speeds that aggrevate ITBS more?)  But did the rez on Tuesday...not bad.  Just kind of taking it day by day for now...wouldn't say I'm out of the woods just yet.  Booked an appointment for next Wednesday with a new PT, one that was highly recommended by a couple of my teammates-just keeping my fingers crossed that the insurance thing works out!!  And that I can find some light at the end of this tunnel...

Office lesson learned this week, never, ever leave your computer unlocked.  Otherwise, the office smartass who has been known to hijack others email before will...well, hijack your email and send an all-staff email saying that this is the last day and that you're leaving the company to pursue a music career...and some other smartass stuff.  Yes, this is a true story.  No, it wasn't me whose email was hijacked, I know to keep my computer locked :)

And Happy Hanukkah...starts tomorrow nite!  Will celebrate it by partying, holiday-style with the Flyers...and maybe sitting on Santa's lap (oh the irony!)  Hmmm...I think I've been a good girl this year...what should I ask Santa for? :-P Well besides the obvious-a healthy right (sh)IT band!  And a BQ :)

running in heels

Yow.  My calves are actually sore right now, and surprisingly, not from running 3 loops of the reservoir yesterday.  Nah, I think it's more due to dancing and being on my feet for so long on Thursday wearing a pair of high-heeled black Mary Janes for the office holiday party...

Yeah, the annual holiday party.  Is it me, or is there something totally unnatural about a holiday party when it's like 60-something degrees out?  (Although it beats the hell outta previous years when it's been raining or snowing, meaning getting a cab home was just torture!)  At any rate, winter-y clothes didn't seem to be on the agenda, so I ignored the memo that black dresses with tights and boots were the attire du jour and instead decided to be different and wear a more colorful print dress by Pink Polka Dot (whenever those dresses/tops are available at the sample sale in my building, I always seem to snatch something up!)...hey if it's good enough for K-Cav and Audrina its good enough for me :-P  Anyway, the fashion section of this post is now over.

So instead of the usual drinks (mmmmojitos!), dinner, DJ and dancing...well actually we did have all that, but there was a coupla twists.  One being that there was also a private comedy show for us...which I guess makes sense, considering the party venue was a comedy club.  Was kinda "take it or leave it", though I (and others) found it funny that one of the comedians kept teasing the office troublemakers and ripping on others that well...couldn't exactly answer what exactly we do at work.  i guess you had to be there to appreciate it.  Even though the dancing resumed after that, it kinda upset the "rhythm" of the party...and a certain party tradition almost didn't happen.  But I guess others wouldn't have that and told the DJ to call out the CFO...and yes, once again while bustin' a move to "Baby Got Back", he ripped his shirt off...5 years in a row and counting!!

Then the after party...oh wait, before that, another "extra" that got added was this psychic lady who did "rock readings."  And according to her, I still can't let go of a former boyfriend, and I'll never be happy unless I do.  Tell me something I don't know.  Glad I didn't have to pay for this one.

So I was unsure about the after-party, I actually hadn't gone to it in years but this year what the hell, why not.  Originally was gonna be here-but like 15 minutes after I got there I can't remember why, but the consensus was to go elsewhere.  I think peeps were disappointed they didn't get a chance to partake in the chocolate covered bacon that this place offered.  Then the "plan B" bar was too crowded...and I said "Why don't we just go to the Monkey?"  And so we all did.  More drinking and dancing...and singing along to seemingly every song that came on, I most vividly remember all of us almost screaming along to "I Gotta Feeling."  I called it a night around 1 AM, glad I wasn't working Friday!

And thankfully not too too hung over, as I had to go visit the doc on Friday to get fitted for my new and (hopefully!) improved orthotics...and so I wait (I think about 2 weeks.)  And I guess keeping up with the same old same old for now.  Though I do feel like this whole "no running" thing is just killing my social life...yes, how sad, my social life is so tied into running.  But seriously, no one wants to do multiple loops of the reservoir-which is what I'm trying to stick with right now, since where I come from, thats the closest I can get to no hills.  Though I do hope to be able to run the 4-mile loop by New year's eve, so I can actually partake in my somewhat annual "let me try and forget that I don't have anyone to kiss at midnight" ritual.  (Though if I do get any better offers, I'm not object to accepting them.  I'm just not counting on it.)

And was it really 2 days ago that it was in the 60s...OMG it's, like, snowing!!  Wonder if NYRR will turn tomorrow's 10K into a "fun run"?  Well if they don't, good luck to all those running!!  Still undecided on whether I will actually go out and cheer...that 8am race start is a little much for me.

Oh and for all of you CrackBerry owners...or those who have not drank the iPhone Kool-Aid-this blog (written by the bf of a former Flyer who moved to the left coast a few years ago) is for you!!  And iPhone owners, I don't even want to hear that your precious iPhone has feelings :-P