Charlotte, NC
10:42 AM
Exercise is thing that helps when you have people pushing you along. When I was younger I had a workout partner, at least for a week or two. I’m at my cousin Colin and Kim’s. Last night we had big plans for some story trading and a movie. We had a few beers before dinner. A few on an empty stomach make you feel funny. Dinner was late, at about 9, and was old school (we used to live together) chicken and rice (real rice, in a cooker, not minute). After dinner BBG came over and we talked till about 10:30. Our plans went out the window as sleep beckoned. No movie. We crashed out at about 11:30.
I woke up at 8:30 and a few minutes later it was go time. I was directed to get my running shoes. Since I’ve been up north for a while, I hadn’t experienced the humidity of the southeast. The forecast fro today is 93 and sticky. We laced up, got the baby runner ready, put Jaime in, and off we went. It was about 9:15 and you could cut through the atmosphere with a butter knife.
When I lived in Charlotte I would run at the hottest and stickiest times, 5:00 PM. My goal was not distance, but sweat. Colin shares the same idea. I actually got mine from him. You can’t beat a good sweat. Your body craves it and needs it. It may be tough at the time, but once you’re done, you feel tip top. We started our pacing and my left knee began to click. That was not a normal thing and it stressed me out. I wasn’t sure how I could’ve torn my ACL while driving 30,000 miles. It went away a short while later.
They said the course was about 3 miles. That made me think of my old college roommate who’s in Phoenix. He just ran a marathon. I handled the 3 miles fine, but I couldn’t imagine 23 more. Good for him. I might tackle that sometime. Sometime much later.
Jaime was a smiling baby as her parents took turns pushing her. We got back and Jaime was ready for bed and I was ready for the pool. “Not yet,” Colin said as we stretched, hit the weights, and did some push ups. He’s a good workout partner. We then took the dogs for a walk and then it was time. I jumped right in. Refreshing as ever. My first pool experience of the summer. I stayed in as Colin did yard work. I am normally always armed with my contacts. Since it was the AM I was free eyeing it. This allowed me to open my eyes under water. I can’t remember how long it’s been, but I loved it. I was like a little kid. Hold breath, go down, turn and look up, come up and do it again. Bring on the Lasik.
Here I am. Time to shower, get the oil changed, and head down to SC to visit some friends. Actually, my friends from the Las Vegas wedding. They moved down to Chester a few months ago. I think it’s about an hour from here.
Also, happy birthday to my Poppa. He’s staring down in his rocking chair watching the Braves and driving us around in the tractor.