09/22/2005

Workout: medium-long run 12mi.

Even though I woke up in plenty of time just after 5am to knock this out, I opted to go back to bed. It wasn't even the fact that I was tired. Rather, I felt I'd rather run 12 miles in the evening with some daylight as opposed to pitch black, with occasional blindness from oncoming GWP traffic.

That evening, I soon realized some of the drawbacks to running later in the day--more reckless cyclers on the path, more runners/walkers, more humidity, and a few gnats right down the piehole. Nice.

One other drawback is that the roads which are typically empty at 5am now have hundreds of crazy, stupid jackass drivers breaking all sorts of laws in an effort to get home from work 37 seconds faster than they otherwise would by obeying the law. Here are some tips for you folks:

1. When you roll through a stop sign/red light and give me the obligatory, seemingly apologetic "wave" as you blow the dirt off my Asics...don't. I already figured you to be a reckless jackass, and your latest actions haven't changed my mind.
2. When you get to an intersection where I have stopped to check traffic in all directions--much like you are supposed to as well--don't wave to me as if by the grace of God and your infinite generosity, you are surrendering to me the honor of passing through the intersection ahead of you. I know what it means to have the right-of-way at a 4-way stop. Also, I still think you are a jackass.

GEL Report: At mile 9 I had a GU Banana gel. My first recation was, "Wow! This stuff actually tastes good!". Ironically, after sampling 10 or so different brands/flavors, the last one, of course, appears to be the one I'll use for my remaining training and races.