Panclarks

"Why is there a pancake in the silverware drawer?"
"I think the real question is, why is there silverware in the pancake drawer?"

Yes, I am drinking wine and watching reruns of Scrubs to celebrate the end of a successful Sunday. That is to say, I slept in, finished my Christmas shopping, went grocery shopping for the mystical ingredients to my world-fame-inducing Mac and cheese, ran the mountain and wrapped all my presents. The mountain was crowded with out-of-towners and at one point I ran past a group drinking beer and eating chips on the side of the trail. When they offered me a beer I have to admit I considered it. But I ran on, people! Those who are lucky enough to try my Mac and cheese on Christmas will immediately gain 5 pounds before they die from pure pleasure. And, I've outsourced niece and nephew shopping to my teenagers. It will be a good lesson in what to buy and staying in budget and being uninspired and still spending money knowing somebody probably won't like something. And no gift cards allowed. I look forward to the kvetching tomorrow night. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Lift me

My life in an upturned boat
Marooned on a cliff
You brought me a great big flood
And you gave me a lift
- The Shins, Simple Song

Lord knows I needed a lift on my run this morning! I did 3.5 in the hood but I walked the last mile. I am convinced that I just can't run as well with fat dog because I can't get into a rhythm the first mile. But the other option is to leave her sad fat ass at home looking at me mournfully from the window. Can't win. Anyhoo now I get to go do the fun kind of shopping, where I buy adorable things for little girls who have very few adorable things. "We wish you a happy holiday", to quote Ks blasphemous piano teacher. Wishing you one all the same. And if anyone out there has an awesome recipe for macaroni and cheese, send it my way.

Gasp

I sit and watch your flowers wilting in the kitchen
I felt like I was one of them gasping for air
- BTE, Get You In

I had a tough three miles today. It might be partly because of the way I've been eating. I went to lunch with some peeps earlier this week and they all made a deliberate point of ordering off the "less than 500 calories" menu, and then got a good laugh when I went for the Mac and Cheese. But goddam it was worth it. I tried to make it up on the mountain yesterday and I had a damn good run. I probably ran more on the way up than I have before, cause there was this lady in pink who kept threatening to overtake me. Alas, I was tired today on my three with fatty mcfatterson. Watching her take her usual 3 poop breaks, I was reminded that I left a bowl of peanuts on the coffee table last night. Huh. Not even digested a little. Anyway, back to the books. I have a test tomorrow, after which I will likely require more Mac and Cheese. And some wine. Let's hope I get a run in first.

Bad moon

I see a bad moon rising.
- Creedence

I was amazed by the gorgeous ginormous moon that was just rising over my hood as I went for my run this evening. Bad moon indeed. I did a very strong 3.5 miles and felt great. I even ran up nemesis hill, which is the much smaller more gentle sister to the Denver version. I didn't take fat dog - I refused after her shitty behavior on our run yesterday. Meaning she stopped to shit about a hundred times. Instead, I took her on a bike ride after my run and ran her little legs off. But not her fat. Two weeks left in 500 mile 2013! Can't say I will be sad to leave this year in my rear view.

Guilty as fuckin charged

Look I've got some bad intentions
Guilty as fuckin charged
Still standin stable
More than able
Cause I know who you are
- Blue October, Worry List

I hit 500 on the nose last Tuesday, unscripted and unplanned, and uncelebrated. Just more numbers on a calendar, though I did put a star around Dec 3 once I realized my feat. Hard to believe I just randomly landed on 500 even. So I guess I'm off for the rest of the year. Ok not. I had a tired mountain run this morning but it was a beautiful day in the sunny desert.

Out The Back Door, Goddamn, But I Love Her Anyway

There's something beautiful and tragic in the fallout

                                                - Panic! At The Disco

Not a great running week… about nine miles, and Sunday I only did 2.5… I wasn't feeling well. Anyway, and now we're getting all set for Thanksgiving, but I have confirmed my guest pass to the fancy gym and reserved my spot on the mean streets of Scottsdale for my Thanksgiving morning run, so I should be all set for the next few days.

Even the comatose, they don't dance and tell

And everyone's competing
For a love they won't receive
'Cause what this palace wants
Is release

                         - Lorde "Team"

My favorite running song of late. I have been working hard, although it is annoyingly not showing up on the scale, and I can't seem to get my weight where I want it to be…. and just before the holiday gorging! Dammit!

But I am at 466 for the year… almost there.

While The Armies All Are Sleeping

This prison has now become your home
A sentence you seem prepared to pay

                                         - Sting

It's been a crappy running week. Let's blame it on the P as well as the MS, shall we? Yes, we shall. I ran four stupid treadmill miles yesterday and four miles on the trail today, which was actually kind of nice. I can't run tomorrow because I will be busily engaged in both travel and debauchery.

I'm at 447 for the year and it seems to be crunch time, no? I need to make sure I get it done!

What were the words I meant to say before you left?
When I could see your breath lead where you were going to
- The Decemberists

This has been a week of heartache. But as usual, running has pulled me through (along with some TLC). I've had some strong runs and some weak ones (like tonight) but always I'm reminded that I have strength within.

Freakin awesome

I know thatGod exists
I held her in my arms
I never knew I was able to feel this strong
- Blue October, Worry List

I had the most awesome mountain run tonight. I went up at about 430 and watched the sun go down as I ran down. Yep I ran all the way down and a lot of the way up, even places I don't normally run. It was so nice because it wasn't really crowded. A guy passed me on the way up but I stayed close and passed him on the way down and left him in my dust.