Friday, June 06, 2008

Randumbery

I used to run this semi regular feature called "Randumbness" about, as you would guess, various random and dumb things going on. It was a nice page filler. You thought you were getting actual carefully constructed content. Instead, you were getting fluff, filler, time wasters. I'm not saying this to foreshadow this post. I'm just saying the post title is Randumbery and if you can put 2 and 2 together....well, we'll both be pleasantly surprised at your cognitive skills.

Kristina, the Marathon Mama, has tagged me. By order of blog etiquette, I am compelled to respond.

The Rules
Each player answers the 5 questions on their own blog. At the end of your post you tag 5 other people and post their names. Go to their blogs and leave a comment on their blogs telling them they've been tagged and to look at your blog for details. When they've answered the questions on their own blog, they come back to yours to tell you. (Ed. Note: I will be blatantly violating these rules and only selecting 1 other person.)

1. How would you describe your running 10 years ago?

Pretty much the same as now…lots of arm swinging and knee pumping with increased heart rate and cardiovascular pressure. I would describe my running then the same as now: like a graceful gazelle (with sexier knees).

Now, if I interpret the question another way, I was NOT a “runner” in 1998. Lots of basketball running but no road running. Who wants to run like that anyhow? Those guys (and gals) look like they’re dying! And they must be DESTROYING their knees.

2. What is your best and worst run/race experience?

Best: The 2007 Bayshore Marathon. The conditions were perfect. I was in great shape. The course is a runner's dream. No distractions. Scenic. Largely flat. I was peeling off miles 10-15 seconds ahead of planned pace and feeling very comfortable…until mile 18 or so then, like all my marathons, it became a grind. But, by then, I was pretty sure I had a BQ day going if I could just hold it together. I remember barely being able to stand after crossing the finish but my countenance was emblazoned with a silly perma-grin (see my avatar for example as that photo was taken 20 minutes after finishing). BQ!

Worst: Chicago 2007. I got water and was able to finish. But this was the first salvo in my ongoing battle with calve cramping. I think this picture about sums it up.

Mid cramp!

And you might ask yourself why I’m wearing a dark blue shirt on a 90 degree sunny day. Good question. It was October after all.
3. Why do you run?
To express my disdain for those slower than me and provide an outlet for jealousy to those faster.

Or

For mental and physical health.
To keep up with my ever speedier kids.
To maintain my Adonis like appearance ad infinitum.
Unusual childhood infatuation with the Six Million Dollar Man and an excuse to make bionic noises.
I’m an enormous stat geek. Garmin!! Oh, my, heaven.
4. What is the best or worst piece of advice you've been given about running?
Best: No miraculous words of wisdom here but, I think, some runners think they’ll naturally get faster just by running at the same pace every run. If you want to BE faster, you have to TRAIN at faster paces. Fartleks, track repeats, whatever. Push yourself.
Worst: Trying to help a beginning runner with form when I didn’t even really know what I was talking about. It sure sounded good though.
5. Tell us something surprising about yourself that not many people would know.

When my favorite sports teams win it all, I like to claim ownership of that victory as if I was part of the team and had something to do with the accomplishment.

For example, we won the Stanley Cup!
Suck on that!
I tag SRod. Get to work!
__________________________________
Vote Update:
Voting on my next book selection is now closed. The final numbers:
Slash 44%
Portnoy's Complaint 22%
Arrowsmith 13%
Arrow of God 11%
Other 11%
As luck would have it, I currently own Slash and Portnoy's Complaint so I don't actually need to go out and buy a book based on these results. Suckers! You fell right into my trap. And, if I'm allowed another insult, SICKOS! You voted for, in this order, Sex, Drugs, Rock N' Roll and Masturbation....over satire of the health care industry and a complex examination of father/son relationships. This doesn't surprise me. Had I nominated a book on the History of Farting, I'm sure you would have voted for that also.
So, Slash and Portnoy's it is! I have taken your 'Other' suggestions as well and will be adding them to my reading list. Particularly the Rushdie book which sounds very interesting.
____________________________________________
Exciting family news coming Monday!

26 comments:

Velma said...

I claimed the Red Wings victory as well, and I don't even live in Michigan any more. Can't wait for the news on Monday,

nwgdc said...

Wait...the Stanley Cup? They still play hockey? Has Michigan been annexed into Canada without my knowledge?

Great post...I laugh out loud with each entry...even the random dumb ones.

Ian said...

You're a Red Wings fan? I should have known.

Kristina said...

You keep a reading list? Nerd. Where's your spontaneity? Glad Rushdie made the cut, though--it also contains sex and rock 'n roll (and maybe drugs, but I can't remember). And thanks for indulging my tag.

Unknown said...

Actually I wasn't asking myself why you were wearing a dark blue shirt, but I am wondering why you're wearing a running skirt. :)

Jess said...

Haha betsy's comment is right on the money...apparently you love them as much as vanilla

Nitmos said...

Did you all forget about my hoo-ha comment a couple of posts ago??

Kevin said...

That picture looks like you really need to find a portajohn

B. Kramer said...

definitely the "oh shit gotta shit" face.

C said...

Is the pitter patter of more little Nimoi running feet to be heard in the near future?

Anonymous said...

Mrs. Nitmos......

I can assure you there will be no more little Nimoi running around our house.

Unknown said...

"You voted for, in this order, Sex, Drugs, Rock N' Roll and Masturbation....over satire of the health care industry and a complex examination of father/son relationships."
--------------
Right...... and your point is???

Midwest said...

Where can we get his History of Farting? Is it available on Amazon?

Teacher Pursuits said...

I believe that #5 is a rite of passage for any devoted sports fan... no? And, we are also entitled to believe we could run our [insert favorite sports team] better than the existing management. :)

Anonymous said...

I agree, your Chicago 2007 did really suck for you and about 30,000 of your closest friends.

Razz said...

Leonard Nimoy is running around your house? the hell?

Marcy said...

Homie I'm with Viper on this one. If that doesn't look like a "I gotta drop one" face then I don't know what does.

Let me guess . . .you're (actually I should correct myself and say your wife because women always do all the work. Gawd) going to have another demon seed?

P.O.M. said...

Regarding the vote, would you expect anything less from us?

Nancy said...

Exciting family news? Now there's three words that can strike terror with a 40 year old woman who already has two kids. Yikes. Hope it is happy stuff. That picture was pure misery. I'm so sorry.

Arron said...

fyi, i have submitted that most awesome pic of you to wiki for their definition page of cramping. later.

Viv said...

Great Randumberries! The best was the running skirt comment. I had to scroll back up and sure enough..there it was.

If Nikki Sixx The Heroin Diaries" I will not know what to think.

thebets said...

Wow...you must get some strange looks from people running around in your skirt, with your poop face, while making bionic noises...now that's something I gotta see!

sRod said...

On it like a rash.

Lily on the Road said...

What can I say that hasn't already been said, good for you Mrs. Nitmos, "I can assure you there will be no more little Nimoi running around our house."

stop the demon seed LMAO!

oh BTW, nice runnig skirt....

Anonymous said...

that last one? Im so ALL IN NOW to claim your running as ours.

thanks!

MizFit

Topher said...

Ok, after my half-marathon/calf-cramp-fiasco on Saturday, I'm way more interested in what you have to say now. I'd seen that picture when you posted it and thought, Wow he runs like a moron. But when my first calf cramp hit at mile 11, I thought "Wow, I wish that moron was here to tell me what to do!" So, what do you do?

By the way, I totally know this isn't the case, but it almost looks like you have 1) a mohawk and 2) a halo in that cramp picture.