Thursday, May 7, 2009

Small town blah

The last few days, I've been thinking about the big-city stuff I used to love, and now therefore miss incredibly.

Like the day that, after work, my friend Darlene and I walked what seemed like a gazillion miles from GWU Hospital to Adams Morgan to attend a charity dinner for our other coworker's charity.  Afterwards, we walked about another mile back to the Metro and enjoyed public transportation all the way home.  

Or the numerous walks to Georgetown after work with the girls for happy hour and, possibly, a cupcake from Georgetown Cupcake (okay, I've only been to GC once, but it was the yummiest cupcake ever.  If you live in DC, go to Gtown Cupcake!!!!).  

Or the time the girls and I went down to the Georgetown waterfront for cosmos before seeing the Sex and the City movie.

Or the lazy Saturday mornings when Mr. Smith and I would go into Old Town Alexandria, have brunch at Bread and Chocolate, wander through the Farmer's Market, and then head down to the waterfront for no reason.  

Or how Mr. Smith and I celebrated each occasion - and sometimes, just a fun Friday night - eating sushi at the best sushi place ever, Yamazato.  

Or enjoying Restaurant Week by trying out new, fun restaurants - and finding a nearby favorite, Farrah Olivia.  

Sometimes, I'm not sure if I miss the city...or if I just miss my friends.  I suspect it is much of both.  

One thing I do remember vividly is, at our old apartment in Alexandria, when Mr. Smith and I decided to go for a run.  At this point, I couldn't even run a mile.  We casually entertained the idea of running a 5k, and he made me run a whole. entire. mile.  It seemed like pure torture.  Two days later, he pushed me to keep going after the one mile, and I probably made it about 1.15 miles.  I thought I was dying.

Shortly thereafter, the running ceased.  I just didn't think I could do it.

Fast forward to now, when I can run three miles.  Wow.  Every time I complete a "big" run, Mr. Smith says to me... "remember when you couldn't even run a mile?" and I am so proud of myself.

I went for a run yesterday and, sadly, it didn't turn out very well.  It was pouring rain so I ran on the treadmill.  I started running and ran for probably about a mile when I looked down to see how I was doing.  I discovered that the treadmill hadn't been reset from the last person who had used it, so it told me that I had already been running for 45 minutes...and that I had run over 3 miles.  Of course, I knew this was incorrect, and it totally threw me off.  I hadn't brought my watch because I knew the treadmill would tell me all I needed to know...but then, not knowing messed me up, bigtime.  I panicked, and shortly thereafter, stopped running and walked for awhile.  Blah.  When I got home, my leg started to hurt again, pretty badly, like it did a few weeks ago.  I iced it for awhile but it's still kind of a bummer.  

I'm going to hold off on running for a few days so that it can heal a bit.  Tomorrow, I'm thinking I'll do the eliptical for awhile, and weather permitting, take a nice long walk with Oscar.  I am a bit concerned that the 5k is next Saturday and I haven't run three miles - or anything close to three miles - since last week.  Help?

4 comments:

d.a.r. said...

It is so frustrating to have a crappy run, or have to walk, or even just sit down on the curb (I won't lie, I've done it before!!). But it is amazing when I think about how far I've come and it definitely makes those "bad" runs not so bad after all! You should be proud of yourself!!

Melissa @ I Pick Pretty said...

I have many of those same feelings about my hometown. I hear you.

Good on you for getting the running going, one day at a time. Fun to read how you've progressed over time, even with your recent setback.

jenn said...

i miss chicago too - milwaukee just can't compare at all :( we live right IN the city in milwaukee, but it's just not the same.

also - good job on the running. i was running 3+ miles a day before the wedding, now i can barely run 1. i want to be a runner SO badly, i just can't make myself.

we should try to do something together - hold each other accountable. you know, we're basically twins anyhow ;)

kilax said...

You'll be totally fine at the 5K. The excitement of the event will get you going! (Unless you are injured, then DO NOT run it! It's not worth it!) Try to get 2 or 2.5 miles in the week before.

It is AMAZING to hear about your progress in running! You huffed and puffed running a mile when you lived in Alexandria, but now you get on the treadmill and are so into your run you didn't even notice that it wasn't reset! Keep it up!