Good way to spend good money

That baby on the left...that's my new toy. She is a 2006 LeMond Tourmalet. She doesn't have a name yet. So i'm open to suggestions. Feel free to leave one via comments.

Why did I get her? Well, many reasons. First, I've been wanting a bike for months now. I need to move into the city limits (a requirement of my amazing new job). And finally, it's going to be my cross training. I've gone off beofre about how I can't stand the stationary bikes at health clubs. Nothing is more boring than pedaling your ass off and not going anywhere. At least with running you move, you go from point A to point B. Ahhh running. I havent done a whole lot of that lately, and I'm missing it. My ankle has been aching a lot lately; I'm chalking that up to the weather in Chicago.

Mad props to my buddy KM. She got engaged recently. Way to go KM! Nothing but love for ya!

One.

Baker's Square

Last night's run was great. I didn't plan to go any certain time or distance, in fact as it turns out I decided that running to Baker's Square and back seemed somehow appropriate (considering I feel ike a tubby bastard as of late).
I felt myself moving swift, like ninja, through the tough suburban streets. It was drizzly, just a little spit really. That rain was a nice way to keep cool though; see, we've been having this heatwave, and by heatwave I mean it's been in the mid sixties most of the week. For winter in Chicago, that's really hot. So the little rain that came down was welcomed, it kept me feeling cool and comfortable during the run. About that run. I knew I was cruising along pretty good. My legs felt light, and my lungs capable. I got slightly winded a couple of times and knew that I was pushing it a little hard, so I eased up and settled back into a more reasonable pace.
In the end, my pace was still pretty quick. 2.8 miles in 24:18, that's an 8:41 pace. Like I said, I knew I was cruising along pretty good.

Next? I think I'll rest for a day or two.

I ran again

Just like Nader, I ran again. This time though, I was in Pennsylvania. Which someone forgot to tell me is hilly as a mutha! If you've read my "about me" (and frankly if you haven't why are you reading this entry?), then you know I am in Chicago; nicknamed the "Windy City" and not the "Hilly City" for a reason.

Chicago is flat. F. L. A. T. I never realized just how flat it is here. I used to think that running here was a challenge. It sure seemed like I was pushing myself; granted to run a hill workout your best bet it so go to the local parking garage. That was all until I ran in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania is hilly. Not like "the hills are alive with the sounds of music" hilly, more like the hills want to punish you hilly. I thought I'd go for a couple of nice short runs; didn't want to set a distance goal or anything, and being on vacation in a place I've never been sure helped that.

My two runs turned out pretty well, despite the hills. First run was 26 minutes with no idea how far I went. The second was 39 minutes, again with no idea what distance I covered. Both times my legs felt tired near the end of the run, but neither time did I hurt excessively the next day or two.

I think I may have finally started on the road to recovery, mental recovery. Just running for the sake of running. No goals, no times, no "must do" distances....just running pure and simple. Being a simple man, this simplicity pleases me. It's starting to go back to what it's supposed to be, and I couldn't be happier.

P.S. I think I need new shoes.