Slow Running Saratoga: Kickin' it in Brooklyn

This weekend was about three and a half days long, and a real treat. It didn't end until today around noon.

Things did not start out well on Saturday though -- I overslept and barely made it to the race on time. It took every ounce of determination I had to actually run it, because I knew I wasn't feeling it the moment I got to the start. I eeked out the 3.1 miles in 27:22, a passable time, I guess, but not an enjoyable experience on three hours' sleep and an upset stomach. Never. Again. working until 3 a.m. the night before an 8 a.m. race.

I took a long, mid-day nap to sleep off the disappointment and my overactive nerves. Later, I consumed about a gallon of coffee between back-to-back trips to Uncommon Grounds and Saratoga Coffee Traders, where I sat around wallowing in my melancholy and doing some real -- as in, income-generating -- writing.

Things turned around on Sunday, when I hopped in the car with my companion and took a somewhat spontaneous trip to Brooklyn. On the way there, I got to sit in a lawn chair on the side of the road in Connecticut for a couple of hours, watching lots of men with muscular, shaved legs pass me by. If you don't know what I'm talking about, don't ask.

In Brooklyn on Monday, my companion led us to JackRabbit, an awesome triathlon store in Park Slope. I got professionally fitted for the first time for a new pair of running shoes -- thanks to Todd the manager for all the help.

I also learned what pronation means and learned that my ankles pronate pretty severely. Hmm ... years of dancing on pointe shoes might have something to do with that. But the new shoes should help a lot.

The fun just kept on coming in the form of Mexican deliciousness, barbecue deliciousness, a drink with friends at the incredible Zombie Hut, and a long walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and exploring the city with my very expert guide. Not necessarily in that order.