Running Red

So I started running again. I used to be an avid runner, not by choice but by the force of my numerous coaches throughout the years in the name of "training". Always training, training, training. But since I have ended my collegiate athlete days running and training have been passive, sporadic hobbies of mine. They come and go just like celebrity gossip and fashionable head gear. I enjoy them but sometimes it's just too hard to keep up and things always seem to be getting in the way of my diligence. For example, drinks after work. Have you ever tried to go on a three mile run slightly tipsy? It's like reading a book on a car ride, not good. And then there is the issue of getting out of work late. By the time I leave the office it has sometimes been as long as 7 hours since my last meal. I can't run like that, I might faint (even though I have never fainted in my life, why start risking it now?) therefore I must eat but then cannot run on a full stomach. I learned this lesson the hard way far too many times as I stood keeled over in the middle of the track delicately displaying my insides for all the world to see. And lastly, there is the geographical issue. I am more or less navigationally retarded. I can read a map but can't remember a street name or determine left or right to save my life. This has led me to find myself in quite questionable locations in several countries in my life. The town I live in is great, friendly and acceptable of all walks of life (no pun intended), however we are two train stops away from the closest thing Sydney has to a ghetto. I know it's there, I ride through it on the train ever day. It's boarded up buildings, broken windows and graffitied elementary schools are anything but inviting. I know it's there, but I'm not sure in which direction or how far it is. Two train stops could mean about 15-20 mins running and knowing me, I would be rocking out to Ms. Spears in my spandex and hot pink sports bra and not notice that the birds stopped singing and the sun had disappeared and I was no longer in Kansas anymore. But tonight I did ok. I denied drinks, got home during daylight and went for about a 30 minute run, red lips and all. I don't think I ended up in the ghetto and I only got a little lost once. It felt good to run but a little ridiculous doing it in full makeup with bright red lipstick on. I turned more than one head as I ran down the street like a lost Barbarella searching for a party and an appropriate outfit to go with my face. I arrived home looking more like I had been ridden hard a put up wet than having been on an athletic endeavour of a more respectable sort. Lipstick smeared and mascara running, my coaches would be so proud to see me now.

Pentons!