I was bored one night, like most nights, and this random thought popped into my head, “What would people do for one dollar?”
Seeing how I haven’t interviewed random people on the street in a while, I thought it would be fun. The economy is getting better but it’s still tough out there, so people might actually do interesting things. But, knowing you guys, I had a back up plan for your amusement.
So, what would you do for $1?
After 4 years of a Vegemite hiatus, I try it again. Let’s just say, the results were the same. :-/
The anxious butterfly feeling before any race is often sickening. But ask any runner and they know that it’s a good feeling. The nervousness eats you up days before and kills you as the minutes tick before the start siren blares. These gut wrenching moments are what runners live for.
I was living for the moment I can race again. A race where I’d know if it was the return of something beautiful or the beginning of the end. I wanted to vomit but more importantly, I want to be set free and run my heart out.
Queued up in Corral B, I couldn’t help but choke back tears. 5 years ago, I was over a block back in the open corral with the rest of the masses (about the distance of the 2nd green traffic light).
Today, I was mere yards from the starting line. The only the elites and Corral A separated me from the start.
The minutes ticked away from the start of the 2012 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K as I desperately stretched my calves in my coveted B corral. The uneasiness of my stomach matched how much confidence I had in myself this perfect morning. I didn’t know what to expect; only hoping for the best as I waited for the race to start.
And waited.
And waited until I was finally off, crossing the starting line on my first race in almost a year.
Down Columbus Drive I strolled with the rest of Corral B. Left foot then right foot repeating in front of me as I made my strides along this enormously populated 8K. Left onto Grand Ave and there was the first mile marker. I cross the starting line about 1:14 seconds from the start of the race. If my math skills are correct, the first mile clocked in at 8 minutes.
8 FREAKING MINUTES!
When I first started running again just over a month ago, I clocked in at 9:30. Today, at this very moment, I threw down my first 8 minute mile in over a year. As exciting as it was, I knew I was going too fast. I had to slow down and left people pass me. I can’t afford to be injured and losing everything again. So I slowed down only to clock an 8:15 for mile 2 and then again for mile 3.
Not the kind of slowing down I was expecting, but when you’re racing, the adrenaline and competitiveness kicked in. As I round to Michigan Ave, I saw the Mile 4 marker and then I almost stopped in my tracks. My math was blurred but for some reason the previous mile clocked in a sub 8. Hitting 8 was one thing but breaking sub 8 in the same hour? Improbable!
This was the point where I noted to myself that I have never ran more than 5 consecutive miles in over a year and my body felt like blech. I wanted to stop and walk but I sucked it up and pushed myself to finish strong. And strong I did as I crossed just over 42 minutes.
Official 8K time: 40:20.
Not only was this my best Shamrock Shuffle time ever, but my second best 8K time. And to think I only gave 80% this day.
40 minutes and 20 seconds for an 8K. Wow, I was fast this day. But the best part was not that I was fast but I was back. And with that, I raise my glass to a return to a wonderful running (recovery) season.
Once again, I rode public transportation without any pants. Oh, and the police kicked me off the train this time. Watch and laugh. =)
Here are the top 10 best/favorite blog posts I wrote in 2011:
No. 10:
My Mom Thinks I had a Blonde Hair Blue-Eyed Baby – posted on October 24th.
The title says it all.
No. 9:
Thoughts from Places: #SFNYE – posted on January 14th.
As we waited for the trolley to take us on an adventure. I noticed that many people were waiting too. They were all waiting for the forthcoming trolley. Some waited in large groups while others waited alone. But we all waited. I can’t help but think that everyone was waiting for an adventure. In life, we often wait for an adventure to come and take us away. For some people, adventures comes often. While others would wait until the can’t wait anymore and go elsewhere to wait, only to do the same a leave. But many just wait until the adventure arrives, only to hop and go where it takes them.
No. 8:
The Parting of Ways – posted on August 31st.
You were the Doctor & I was your companion. But at times I felt like the Doctor and you were my companion. Either way, it is in the parting of the ways that we must now say goodbye. There was much triumph and death during our time together, but that is to be expected when spending time with the Doctor. Now, it is time to say goodbye. It is the journey’s end, but know that I will always turn left.
No. 7:
The Little Things – posted November 20th.
After the simple and ever so beautiful wedding of my dear friend Jo, I boarded the shuttle bus to the reception. Sitting across the aisle from me, I struck a conversation with them. I was alone. I should probably try to be social. I found out that they were related to the bride. As for them, I used my joke of the night on them, “Contrary to popular belief, I’m not related to the bride.” See, the bride is half Filipino and there were a lot of Asians present; especially little old Asian women, they were out in full force. They laughed and found out I was a friend from college.
No. 6:
Klout Perks Gave Me a Chevy Volt! – posted on September 6th.
A couple weekends ago, Klout Perks hooked me up with a Chevy Volt. I asked you guys what you wanted me to do and I did it. Watch the video for me having a girl in the back seat, driving 0-60 and pulling a green drive-thru prank.
No. 5:
No Pants Subway Ride 2011 – posted on January 10th.
Yesterday, NicoleMarieSays & I braved the cold (though technically it was a heat wave compared to last year) temperatures and participated in the no pants subway ride in Chicago. You know you want to click to see some sexy legs.
No. 4:
How to be Irish on St. Patrick’s Day – posted on March 16th.
Seeing how I’m an honorary Irish, I decided to go around Chicago and ask all minorities and non-Irish people how one can be Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. Let’s just say there was a lot of hilarity.
No. 3:
Can I Touch It? – posted on January 18th.
Anyways, so there I was waiting for the light to turn green and bored out of my mind when I noticed the median. I still had another 30 seconds to burn and my car was close enough to the median that I could touch it. Could, but can I actually touch it? And so, I put my left arm outside the window and leaned over. Almost. Just about. And no. Alas, I was just an inch too short. (TWSS).
No. 2:
Jet Fuel Excites Me – posted on May 27th.
Luggage at my side, I stare down the empty block before me where my apartment resides. It was not long ago when my alarm woke me up at the ungodly but familiar hour of 4. Waking up a 4 AM to embark on my next adventure has become quite the past time.
No. 1:
This is Not Weird at All – posted on December 1st.
“You’re short!” She said.
“You’re tall!” I replied.
Great first words for meeting for the first time. We hugged again just to make sure that this was real. It was. Phampants & Tezzitoo together at last.
“This is not weird at all.” Terri said. I couldn’t agree more.
