I don't want a medal. I want a scooter.

I rather enjoyed stand-up comic/marathon runner Liz Miele's account of running (badly) from this year's MCM Weekend. Sadly, I can particularly relate to the fear of being last - and even more so to the whole "I run; therefore, I eat" concept. 

"Let me feel like a winner!"

Run, Fat Boy, Run

I never really understand how half of the movies I receive from Netflix end up in my mailbox. I swear that Netflix has a mind of its own and adds random movies to my queue without my knowledge - which would explain why Netflix sends me "Understated Dramas with a Strong Female Lead" and "Visually Striking Cerebral Independent Documentaries." This would also explain why most of the movies I receive go unwatched for 3 - 4 weeks before I get so desperate [read: bored] that I finally break down and tear open that red envelope.

Well, I did just that this weekend and was pleasantly surprised. This movie is a few years old, so I'm sure many of you have already seen it, but I got a nice little laugh out of Run, Fat Boy, Run. It's basically the story of an out-of-shape Brit who attempts to win back his ex-fiancee's love (played by the absurdly gorgeous Thandie Newton) by running a marathon in London... with only 3 weeks of training. He goes through the predictable bang-ups and hang-ups that aren't too far-fetched from what Liv and I have experienced ourselves and, with the support of his unsuspecting trainers, manages to pull it together on race day.

I wouldn't say the movie gave me much inspiration for training, but it was certainly a comical take on out-of-shape folks (such as myself) trying to push their bodies to the limits. I enjoyed the very literal take on "hitting the wall" because I've lately been living in constant fear of when that moment will inevitably happen on marathon day.

Anyway, check it out for a laugh. Or, if you feel like being unproductive for a little while, check out this delightfully entertaining game. 

When Work and Training Collide

As mentioned before, I have one of the most boring & least prestigious jobs in America.

Okay - that's not how I really feel, all the time. I work for an awesome company that has very exciting things going on, giving me amazing experience. What I dislike about it is how much I'm sitting and staring at computer screens, all. frappin. day. But....last week I got a second computer monitor - it basically changed my life.

Is that sad that I got so excited about getting a second computer screen? Wait, don't answer that.

Anyway, as is customary with most accountants, the months of January through March = busy season = hell. And no, not all accountants are busy during this time because of taxes (as is the common misconception). I'm in financial reporting, therefore my life revolves around a little document known as the 10K, our annual report that we file with the SEC.

When I haven't been sleeping, eating or running - it has been all 10K, all the time. So I was a little suprised when the following exchange took place at the gym this morning:

Co-worker (who just happens to also be Sal's boss): Hey, how is the 10K going?

Me: Oh....you mean the 10 miler?

Co-worker: No, I mean the 10K.

Me: But, we did the 10K back at Thanksgiving, now we're training for the 10 miler.

Co-worker: No, the work document...that you've been staying late for and working on every day. Our year-end financial statements.

Me: Ohhhh....that 10K - yeah it's coming along.

Oy vey...I need a vacay,

You Might be a Runner if...

Lately I've been getting these feelings...little musings, if you will, that I may be able claim the title of "runner" as opposed to just "yes, I'm a person who's getting back into running."

I've developed a simple list of questions to consider. If you answer yes to most of these questions...you just might be a runner:

Do you find yourself wanting to spend more money on your running clothes than your regular clothes? And constantly search the Web site for the new line of said clothes?

Did you replace jewelry, gadgets, home goods, electronics, and your usual requests, on last year's Christmas list for GPS watches and goo in your stocking?

Do you find yourself spending most of your time on the internet mapping future running routes and different races?

Did you recently purchase a subscription to Runner's World/[insert other appropriate running title] magazine?

Instead of ordering your typical Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 2011 wall calendar, did you find your self ordering a running one, complete with training tips and hundreds of scheduled races?

Do you feel as though your non-runner friends and family are probably getting sick about how much you speak of your new found love and hobby?

Do you feel guilty if you skip a day of running?

Were you over the moon excited about seeing Hood to Coast, and gleefully paid $12.50 a ticket (plus fees) without a second thought to see it in the theater?

Do you curse the snow and ice fall, not because of the havoc it's wreaking that day, but because it will turn your favorite running trails into icey deathtraps for days to come?

Has Steve Jobs personally thanked you for the amount you've spent on itunes for the betterment of your playlist?

Did you earmark a portion of your year-end bonus to purchase the GPS running watch that you didn't get for Christmas so that you don't have to spend as many hours researching running routes?

So if you answered yes to any or all of the above questions you just might...

Oh wait, what was that ? No one else? Just me? hmmmm