Everything tastes like cloves

They put these suture type things in my mouth because my lack of wizdom teeth are giviving me flak that are made of cloves, so now I'm stuck at work tasting cloves all day.

I just listened to a speach by Dick Beardsley titled "Staying the Course." It was pdcasted by The Age Grouper over at http://theagegrouper.com/. I don't have the direct link because they just moved into a super space age website and haven't posted all the old episodes yet, but check it out if you have time... very inspirational stuff.

The reason for this post is the Red Sox, most notably the leak of Big Papi's steroid use and the looming MLB trade deadline. First off, Big Papi. Not much to say about that other than he's a cheater. Now, thats pretty rough because he's on my team, but I won't sugar coat it. I've heard a lot about "doesn't this taint the Sox '04 World Series title?" Absolutely not, and here's why: look at the teams the Sox beat in the ALCS and World Series- the Yankees and the Cardinals. The Yankees had guys like Jason Giambi and Andy Pettitte, and the Cards had Mark McGuire. Its as shame for baseball, that guys like Ortiz are cheaters in a game of cheaters, but then, that's not limited to this decade. You had generation of alcoholics, cheaters, guys who bet on baseball, and all sorts of black marks on the game.

First, we have a straight up deal for your reading pleasure: Casey Kotchman from the Angels to the Red Sox for Andy La Roche. Now, Kotchman is a leftie like La Roche, and he has more power than La Roche, but he's 26. Speculation is he'll be a bench guy, but you can't put a guy with that much potential on the bench, but Lowell isn't a bench player ether. We're going to have to stash Lowell on the DL long term until we can get a good look at Kotchman, and then make a call and play Youk at third. I think this is a good move because I really don't think Lowell will be a starter next season.

Up next we have a trade that makes me want to throw something at the computer screen. The Sox are sending highly touted pitching prospects Justin Masterson, Nick Hagadone, and Bryan Price for the Indians Victor Martinez. Now, Martinez can play Catcher or first base, but he's a below average first baseman, plus we have a logjam there so lets forget about that. Bringing Martinez to the Sox is a good move (note that I didn't say the deal itself was good) because we've gotten very spotty offensive production from behind the plate, and while I love Tek, he is coming to the end of his playing rope. Kottaras has played well, although his offensive production has been spotty as well. Unfortunately, Kottaras is now on the fringe and will probably be sent down and will be a September call up. The deal, however-- we gave up too much. Nick Hagadone is the eigth ranked Red Sox prospect by Baseball Prospectus, and Masterson the 53rd ranked prospect in baseball. With Cleveland so pressed for pitching depth, you could think we could exploit that and trade for less pitchers, not more.

My favorite season

I was out on a four miler the other day, and I chose to leave the iPod at home. Usually, I run with music or podcasts or something, but its been a rough week so I figured I'd let my mind wander a little. I've been asked this question a million times- "what's your favorite season"- but never really thought about it. Instinctively, I'd say it was Summer, and give some pansy- assed reason like "because there's no school." As I'm chugging along at an 8:45 pace, I figured I'm way off base with my answer. School isn't that bad, I actually miss it; but the biggest reason I hate summer is because its freakin' hot! Everyone's been complaining about how cold of a July its been in Minnesota- its been in the mid 70's all month- but that is real warm for a runner, I couldn't stand 90 degree heat.

So, I was thinking about it, and my favorite season is definitely winter- and I'm talking like real cold sub- zero winter when the snow's two feet deep and blowing all over the place. This has all to do with running too. I've expressed before my pure- bred hatred for people who go for a jog in gym shorts and sketchers, as well as my hatred for bad ass roller bladers who, while their dog is pulling them down a hill, try as hard as they can to clothesline as many runners as possible. Well, none of that in winter- its too cold and they don't want to scuff their high tops or damage their newly gelled hair. Its cold, and this is when you tell who's in and who's out. I love it, man. When its really cold there's not even any cars out you can just drop the hammer and go crazy. Its awesome.

The best part about winter is doing speedwork. They don't plow our track in the winter; nobody uses it, save three guys. So, you get up at 6 on a Wednesday when you don't have class until noon. Get dressed, and you grab your snow shovel and your spikes and head out. There's a saying- "I hope you brought your shovel"- (or something like that) whinch means I hope you're ready to work hard, but on some days we make it happen, captain. There are three guys in their mid 50's who join me. That's all I know about them, no names, nothing. But we're shoveling out three lanes all the way around, a feat that usually takes an hour or so. Then, we spike up, put our work in, and go our seporate ways.

We sometimes talk when we're shoveling, but never during speedwork. I've found out over the year that both guys have done Boston- one three times and the other one twice- so I'm in good company. I guess its kinda like how Dick Beardsley punched his calves before the Duel in the Sun- it might not make me a better runner (maybe quite the opposite,) but I sure as hell know there's nobody out there doing what I am.

Run report on the Asics Dirt Dog 2's

Went 3.6 today in a shade less than 30 minutes (28 I think.) The spikes fit good as well as fit goes, but they'll take some getting used to. I have blisters on my feet from the spike plate- not that that's the end of the world, but I just popped them and now my feet are killing me. Maybe I'll end up putting some gel in the forefoot for some extra cushion- I'm only wearing them once a week for <30 minute runs and speedwork (so I can feel really badass and put the metal spikes in.) I laced 'em up with some Speed Laces, like I do all my shoes because I hate to tie shoes, and that has worked really well. The only gripe I have about spikes is they make me want to go fast, and they make me want to go fast all the time. I found myself stopping a few times during my run just to stay on pace, but then thats the goal, to go fast.

first in a long time

I never thought a 20 minute run could take that much out of me. I hadn't run in five weeks, save one, plus I was probably stoned out of my mind when I did it. Vikadin lasts 4-6 hours, and I went out for a spin just after 4. I was a little out of breath to be honest, but I have been sitting on the couch for the last four days. The speed was there, but I had zero endurance, that will come though. Other than that, no major issues; I never even thought about my ankle, and it didnt give me any trouble. I'll run the rest of the week time, not distance, so I can work on that endurance.

The Mike Lowell contingency plan

Besides moving Julio Lugo to St. Louis for outfielder Chris Duncan, the Sox also traded a couple of prospects for first baseman Adam Laroche. This apparently spells the end for outfielder/ first baseman Mark Kotsay, who was desegnated for assignment yesterday, and will join Duncan in AAA Pawtucket. The move gives the Sox flexibility, in that they can move Youk to third, and play La Roche at first. With La Roche being a leftie batter, he is almost perfect for hitting dingers on (and over) the green monster, as he has taken a liking to already. However, multiple time gold glove third baseman Mike Lowell is left out of this plan. Now, he's been kept out of yesterday and tonight's game with what I think is an injury, otherwise we'd have a real logjam on our hands. I hesitate to say Mikey's past his prime, but he's definitely an injury liability. If it was up to me, there's a spot on the bench with Lowell's name on it, but at 12.5 million, can we afford it?

I was talking my nightly Red Sox with some guys on the Up on the Monster message board, and they said the word around beantown is that we will turn around and deal La Roche to the Padres for ace Jake Peavey, as well as Boston sending over a couple prospects. If La Roche continues on the tear he's on, I'm not sure thats such a good deal. However, we do need a starter, because John Smoltz's time as a starter is pretty much over.

Race calandar (For the remaining '09 year)

I'll put this as a sidebar on the blog too, just to keep me honest. I'll have to do some research on '10 races, although I'll have to cut down the volume because I think I'll train and run a June marathon. I'll put the name of the race and then the priority in parenthesis.

Urban Wildland Half- Aug. 1 (A)
Twin Cities 10mi- Oct 4 (A)
Monster Dash 10mi- Oct 31 (C)
Drumstck Dash 10k - Nov. 26 (B)
Kick Them Butt's 5k- Nov. 7 (C)
Reindeer Run 5k- Dec 5 (C)

I realize that its relatively pointless to put 5k's on the calendar because they're all over the place, but usually expensive. The two I put on my calendar are fairly close to my campus, and usually I can't afford to pay $35 to race 3 miles on a regular basis, but I can afford to do it twice. I think I'll have to bow out of the Urban Wildland. Obviously, I've taken something like 4 out of the last 5 weeks of, and I could slog through it, but I have a couple buddies on the waiting list who I'll call, and they'll have a much better time of it then I would.

Post- op trainwreck

Well, I can say I didn't expect that. I don't remember getting teeth pulled hurting that much, maybe they didn't give me enough Novacane, but that sure hurt a lot.Usually, I really don't mind getting teeth pulled, and recover quickly; but not this time. The surgery itself was painful, but being a distance runner I don't usually complain about pain so I didn't say anything. My doctor called me the day after surgery (yesterday) and said that I "might experience a little more pain than usual" because he had to dig around the bottom teeth a little bit, then crack them in two in order to get them out because they were engraned in my jawbone a little bit.

Plus, when the doctor called in the prescription for Vikadin, Acedominaphin, and some other stuff, it rolled over to the pharmacy's voice mail, so they didn't fill it until three hours after the surgery. It hurt a ton after surgery. I went back in the next day, and they put in the dressings that they do for dry sockets. That helped the pain a lot, but my mom is covinced on giving me round- the- clock Vikadin allthough I probably don't need it all that much now. I'm already taking Monday off work because I still look like a chipmunk, and all I can eat is soup for a week.

You don't need a reason, you need a road

I feel like an attention whore about to do one of these dumb facebook quizzes, but whatever. I'm sitting in the waiting room waiting to get my Wizdom Teeth out so I just don't care right now.

1. ONE OF YOUR SCARS, HOW DID YOU GET IT?
On the back of my neck, from brain surgery

2. WHAT IS ON THE WALLS IN YOUR ROOM?
Running posters. Shannon Rowbury, Kara Goucher, etc.

3. DO YOU SNORE, GRIND YOUR TEETH, OR TALK IN YOUR SLEEP?
Used to grind my teeth, now I dont... at least I think so

4. WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO?
basically everything

5. DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME YOU WERE BORN?
No idea, 8pm or so?

6. WHAT DO YOU WANT MORE THAN ANYTHING RIGHT NOW?
running

7. WHAT DO YOU MISS?
running erryday

8. WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION(S)?
oh god, I don't know, my laptop I guess

9. HOW TALL ARE YOU?
5'8'' or so

10. DO YOU GET CLAUSTROPHOBIC?
naw

11. DO YOU GET SCARED IN THE DARK?
naw

12. THE LAST PERSON TO MAKE YOU CRY?
no idea

13. WHAT'S YOUR WORST FEAR?
creepy people. Like Jason creepy

14. WHAT KIND OF HAIR/EYE COLOR DO YOU LIKE ON THE OPPOSITE SEX?
I don't know, doesn't really matter

15. WHERE CAN YOU SEE YOURSELF PROPOSING?
I have a couple more years to think about that, I think?

16. COFFEE OR ENERGY DRINK?
Coffee, but I'd rather have tea

17. FAVOURITE PIZZA TOPPING?
Mushrooms prolly. Maybe Canadian Bacon, which is really ham. Damn canucks

18. IF YOU COULD EAT ANYTHING RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Cinnamon rolls

19. FAVORITE COLOR OF ALL TIME?
I really dont know

20. HAVE YOU EVER EATEN A GOLDFISH?
yeah, three. They died

21. WHAT WAS THE FIRST MEANINGFUL GIFT YOU'VE EVER RECEIVED?
Man, I have no idea, that's a pretty deep question

22. DO YOU HAVE A CRUSH?
yep

23. ARE YOU DOUBLE JOINTED?
no

24. FAVOURITE CLOTHING BRAND?
Brooks. Does that count?

30. SAY A NUMBER FROM ONE TO A HUNDRED:
53

31. BLONDES OR BRUNETTES?
doesnt really mater

32. FAVOURITE QUOTE?
"Everyone in this town wants to be you, and everyone who wants to be you is still in bed"--Mark Wetmore

33. FAVOURITE PLACE?
St. Paul's pretty cool. I went for a run by the Grand Canyon once. That was sickk

34. HAVE YOU BEEN OUT OF THE USA?
no

35. YOUR WEAKNESSES?
I'm naive

36. MEET ANYONE FAMOUS?
Mauer, Cuddyer, Matt Gabrielson, Jason Lehmkuhle, Matt Tegenkamp, Mark Parrish, probably a couple more

38. EVER DONE A PRANK CALL?
no

39. DO YOU THINK EVERYONE OUT THERE HAS A SOULMATE?
sure

40. WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU FILLED THIS OUT?
Waching the tour

41. HAVE YOU EVER HAD SURGERY?
yeah, a bunch of times

42. WHAT DO YOU GET COMPLIMENTED ABOUT MOST?
Nothing. I don't get complements very often

43. HAVE YOU EVER HAD BRACES?
yep

44. WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY?
A garmin

45. HOW MANY KIDS DO YOU WANT AND THEIR NAMES?
damn. I dont know. I've got some time

46. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
I dont think so

47. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST TURN OFF OF THE OPPOSITE SEX?
cocky people. People who wear running shorts who aren't runners. People who say they run, when they really jog a half mile once a week on the treadmill

48. WHAT IS ONE THING YOU LIKE(D) ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL?
The comraderie. Plus, it was pretty tough

49. WHAT KIND OF SHAMPOO DO YOU USE?
Whatever's cheapest

50. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
sometimes

51. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
smoked ham

52. ANY BAD HABITS?
lots

53. ARE YOU A JEALOUS PERSON?
no

54. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
yeah I guess

55. DO YOU AGREE WITH FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS?
no

56. DO LOOKS MATTER?
nope

57. HOW DO YOU RELEASE ANGER?
go for a long run

58. WOULD YOU RATHER GAIN 58 POUNDS OR LOSE 58 POUNDS?
If I lost 58 pounds I wouldnt exist

60. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD?
I dont remember

61. HOW MANY NUMBERS ARE IN YOUR CELL PHONE
quite a few

62. WERE YOU A FAN OF BARNEY AS A LITTLE KID?
i watched it

63. DO YOU USE SARCASM?
yeah

64. MASHED POTATOES OR MACARONI AND CHEESE?
both?

65. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY/GIRL?
personality. being down to earth

66. WHAT ARE YOUR NICKNAMES?
Berger, Tiddly

67. FAVORITE SUPER POWER?
flying for sure.

68. WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE TV SHOW?
baseball, hockey. Ace of Cakes

69.WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH YOUR ENEMIES?
beat them in a roadrace

70. WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?
cookie dough

71. DO YOU HAVE ALL YOUR FINGERS AND TOES?
yes

72. DO YOU HAVE A COMPUTER IN YOUR ROOM?
no

73. PLANS FOR TONIGHT?
sleep

74. WHERE DO YOU WANT TO LIVE WHEN YOU ARE OLDER?
not in a cardboard box?

75. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS?
no. This is boring

76. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO?
Soundside

77. LAST THING YOU DRANK?
milk

78. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Mike Sheehan

79. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE IN THE OPPOSITE SEX?
eyes.

80. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
run, read

81. FAVOURITE THING TO HATE?


82. FAVOURITE SEASON OF THE YEAR?
winter

83. WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE TYPE OF CANDY?
I dont eat candy very often

84. HAVE YOU EVER REALLY AND TRULY HAD A BEST FRIEND?
yes

85. FAVOURITE HAIR COLOR?
i don't care

86. EYE COLOR?
brown

87. SHOE SIZE?/
7.5, 8 in spikes

88. FAVOURITE FAST FOOD PLACE?
I dont eat fast food

89. FAVOURITE RESTAURANT?
Manny's (classy, huh?)

90. DO YOU LIKE SUSHI?
nope

91. WATCH TV TODAY?
yeah

92. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR?
no idea

93. PLAY ANY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS?
used to rock the trumpet back in middle and a little of high school

94. REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT?
Democrat

95. KISSES OR HUGS?
Whatev

96. RELATIONSHIPS OR ONE NIGHT STANDS?
relationships

97. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU BOUGHT?
gum.

98. WOULD YOU EVER BE A HOUSEWIFE?
naw, for obvious reasons

99. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?
Ultra Marathon Man

Spike up!

In just two days I will be the owner of the Asics Gel Dirt Dog 2's. Supposedly these spikes can go on pavement a little too, which is great for where I run. I read an article in Running Times about how great XC running is for you, and I never ran it in High School, but I might as well try it. As far as the shoes go, I've heard mixed reviews, but they were $30 with free shipping, so what the hell. I've heard they're for a narrow foot, I hear they're for a moderately wide foot. I hear that they have no arch suppport, and I hear that they have moderate arch support. So who knows? at $30 they're worth a flyer.

Done with non- impact training

As Im listening to the Trilogy Boys' latest romantic escapade with Vitamin Eva, Im sitting in my favorite coffee shop and the rain's coming down pretty good- that's a perfect day for running. I love running in the rain because you don't get all these pansy- assed kids trying to impress their girlfreinds in their sketchers and gym shorts. That's another rant for another time though. Running in the rain, the people are serious; you can strike up a conversation with anyone out on days like today about like Johnney Kelley and no one will look at you funny. So, I wish I was running, but I'm one step closer. I finished up my non impact week, going into my abriged low impact week this week, and start my 9 week training plan next week with some light jogging.

Dear October 4th 2009, you're on.

I'm feeling pretty good right now. I know what you're thinking- that I have too much time on my hands, and I do, but I'm pretty pumped. I put in for the Twin Cities 10 mile lottery on my birthday, and I just got my conformation today. This is great, because now I have my flexability in my schedule racing wise. If I need the extra rest, I can take the extra two weeks and not run the half I signed up for August 1st if my ankle falls apart or something, but my Training plan (I'm using the modified Ryan Hall Half Marathon plan) starts the week of August 1.

The running shoe post-- because I can't wear them

I've put exactly 12 miles on my second pair of Adrenaline 8's, so why not talk about some new shoes? I was reading the latest post on Frayed Laces, and I was thinking how cool it would be to have a pair of those Brooks Ravennas. Now I just have to figure out what the hell is a Guidance shoe-- they're listed as a support shoe on Running Warehouse. Those Adrenaline ASR 9's are pretty sexy too. They're kind of- not really trail shoes, and sound perfect for me as far as type of running goes. I'm ultra pumped for the Adrenaline 10's, just look at them. I mean' I'm going to be cautiously optomistic, but these are really fly looking shoes-- as the kids say these days.

Lugo designated for assignment

Rejoyce! The error- prone Lugo will now be making errors for Pawtucket. Seriously, we haven't had a steady shortstop since the early years of Nomahhhh. We've got virtually no offensive production out of that position lately. Nick Green's been solid lately, but I think he's a stopgap solution. Who knows if Lowrie can be a star in this league- it looks that way, but who knows how he'll bounce back from his injury (I haven't seen his numbers from his rehab stint.) It is also reported that the Braves are interested in Brad Penny. I know the Braves have said they are not looking to move Yunel Escobar, but maybe we could sweeten the pot and get an Escobar or a young kid like Martin Prado

HP 6, Jacques Lemaire, and still no running, oh my!

So, I took Wednesday off from swimming, because I went to Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince showing at 12:30 Wednesday morning. It let out at 3:30 or so, and I had to get up at 6:30 for an eye doctors appointment, and I was wiped. the Harry Potter movie was good, but not great. Way better than Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, but not worth the hype it got. It sets up a terrific second movie though; that's defanately worth standing in line for four hours. I don't understand why everyone thinks Emma Watson is so hot. I mean she's cute, but I wouldn't go that far.

Next issue of buisness, Jacques Lemaire is now head coach of the New Jersey Devils, again. He's won a couple cups with them, allthough I was thinking he'd head back to Montreal where he was an assistant and won a bunch of cups. I wish Lemaire was still with us, but I guess new management had to bring in their own guys.

The slippery slope

I can't take it. Fat guys are logging more miles than me. For God sakes I'm getting beat by strollers!! I was a swimmer in High School, so I mean getting in the pool's not a chore, but I'm not sure its doing a lot for me. I work in a pretty runner- friendly part of town, so I've made a habit of noting who's a real runner and who's just jogging for fitness, but it still pisses me off that I'm not out there. I really don't understand most guys, who go running in gym shorts. How do you do that? wouldn't you chafe your dick off? what idiots... Anyways, something's got me worried. I've been walking on the outside of my foot AKA, I'm underpronateing where my tendency is to overpronate really badly. My legs aren't hurting at all, but my fear is because I'm overcompensating so much its going to throw off my running stride. It does hurt, however, in my normal stride when I concentrate on overpronation (how I normally walk.) I don't know what to do, and my mom is making me go to the doctor Friday if it doesn't straighten itself out, and then I'm in big trouble.

Down and out again

I got sandbagged today. Some idiot called in sick fifteen minutes into his shift and my boss, in turn, called me, and now I'm stuck in the basement for eight hours. Thanks guys. Meanwhile, I'm going to have to take some time off. I'm in rough shape. Even my six advil a day routine isnt getting me through my run pain free. So, my action plan will be to get in the pool near every day this week and hopefully the pain will go away. Eather way, I went out and splurged on three bottles of Advil just in case.

Its gonna be tough for me after this week to get in racing shape. I put in only a 12 mile week last week, and the week after this one, I'm getting my Wizdom Teeth out on Thursday, which sets me back a day at the absolute best. I'll have to go like three days a week 10 mile days to get back into shape, but I've done that song and dance before.

I have a very stressful job

Fridays, I work front desk in our department. Since no one calls in, let alone actually comes in, so it gets really boring. I just watched the first mountain stage of the Tour De France, which was actually in Spain today so I dont know how that works. I ran 4 miles yesterday at a pretty slow 9:03, but it was pretty hot- like 80- so I''ll give myself that. I was all dosed up on painkillers- that makes me sound like an addict, I too two Motrin half an hour before. Have you ever seen that Brooks commercial in Running times where it says something like "its not a passion its an addiction" and has some guy running past a lemonade stand dumping a cup of wter on his head? Well, that was me. I was a good two, two and a half miles in, and I saw these two girls about six or seven having a lemonade stand down the street. I ran past them, scooped a cup off their table, drank half, and poured the rest on my head. I felt so badass. Only thing was, its was lemonade, and I went shirtless, so I was rediculous sticky.

In other news, I applied for the Brooks ID (Inspire Daily) program. I hope I get in. I think I make a pretty strong case, but whatever. I finishhed "Duel in The Sun" and am starting to read "Running With The Buffaloes." What a great book. I put in for the TC10 lottery (the race is in October. I'm going to use Ryan Hall's half marathon plan to train for that one.

From 9 to 8

If we're going chronologically, this post should go before the last one, but whatever. I officially retired my Adrenaline 9's today-- actually I returned them. I bit the bullet and paid the $20 restocking fee, then used the money I got back to buy a new pair of Adrenalime 8's. I loved my old 8's, and they lasted me well over 400 miles-- a factor my doctor said lead to Tendinosis. They're yellow and grey with bright yellow laces (I love annoying colored laces,) and no complaints from me so far.

Getting caught with my pants down

Or should I say getting cought with no pants at all? I went into the locker room on South Campus (I never go in that one, but they tore down the locker room on North Campus) around 7:00 this morning, put my stuff in my locker, put on my running stuff and headed out. Nice, easy three and a half mile run at a nice 7:30 pace. I came back and noticed the stank-eye being dropped on me by the front desk worker, but I figured he's a college kid, so he's probably still hung over from the weekend. I didn't even look at the door when I went in because my ankle was giving me some flak. Was that a woman? Naw, its early, my eyes are playing tricks on me. Holy shit was that another one? This was really starting to scare me. I kept my head down, opened my locker, took off my running stuff, and walked to the shower. Thank god there were no wonen in there. There was one in the doorway though: "Hey, don't you know its women's time?" No, I didn't. "Yeah, from seven to noon is women's time." I was standing there, naked, scared out of my mind. Usually, I'd think "Okay, women's time in the men's locker room, thats really hot," but there were no coeds, just middle and older women. To be honest, I didn't even look at them. I saw them, but that was it. I just wanted to get the hell outta there as fast as I could.

Now, I've been in a girl's locker room by mistake, but that was when I was like 6, now I'm 19. My mind was racing; would anyone call the cops on me? But no, everyone was almost cool with it. I was pale as a gohst, and a couple people said stuff, but it's 7:30 on a Tuesday morning, who's going to work out this early? I got outta there as fast as I could, but who switches up the locker rooms for half the day and switches them back the other half? Whatever, I mean its over now, right? I just have to dodge all the arrest warrants for indecent exposure.

**Breaking News** The Boys Are Back In Town

Well, today I went on a run. Yep, first run in three weeks. I love the feeling I get, I love the endorphins coarsening through my veins. I sound like an addict, because that's what I am. I was shaking for at least three days when I had to abruptly quit. This time it was significant for two reasons: First, it was my first in a while. I feel the best as I have for about a month; even though made the Eliptical my bitch, it really isnt the same thing. Second, its my second time ever on the treadmill, my first was with my then girlfriend-- and that relationship lasted about a week-- but the dreadmill is something I'm not going to repeat. 3.3 miles, 30 minutes-- a nice jog.