Guilted into 7 Miles

So running and having Georgia Tech Football Tickets is hard.  I'm not exactly sure how tailgating came to be, but whoever invented it should get a prize.  Last year whoever scheduled GT football games all at noon should have been shot.  This year, alumni must have used their money because most are scheduled for 3.  No problem to get a run in, right? 

Friday afternoon emails:
J: Do you want me to pick you up?
Me: Yes, what time? I have to run 7miles first.
J: 11.
Me: Ok

Saturday
The alarm goes off at 630.  Who is the insane person getting up on a Saturday at 630 I wonder, and hit snooze.  At 730 I figure out that I have to be out the door by 8 so I have plenty of time to take pictures (of course), run, come home and get ready.  Luckily I already have beer and cash.  Patted myself on the back for remembering to be prepared. 

Off for 7 miles.  It wasn't very easy start.  My legs didn't want to move.  They hurt on the warm-up and they felt like lead on the first mile.  My time confirmed that with the 15+ minute mile (yes, I was running, or so I thought).  I had already decided I wasn't going to the drug gas station so I would have to run up Macaroni Hill (the hill smells like Mac and Cheese).  I actually did it decently.  A little out of breath but nothing running on a flat wouldn't take care of.  A new Grand Opening of some restaurant was occuring. They had a DJ. He informed me over the loudspeaker that they would be open until 1 so I could come back and get a post run breakfast.  I crossed the road, so I would be on the other side of the road at the drug gas station and kept on going. Mile 2 was in the 12 somethings (the rest of the miles went between 12 and 14).

I have worn the same thing for the past 3 long runs (capris and a green shirt).  So when I got past the firehouse (home of the Scream Machine...it makes me laugh when I see the SM), I heard a man yell out, "You need to stop. Your butt is getting too small."   That added a kick to my step.  I was going to stop and take pics of some graffiti I like, but I was on a roll and realized I passed the art when I thought about it. 

My route wasn't totally laid out (why I love the Garmin) so I did a "What's down this road?"  Really I had no clue but when I got up a slight incline I came to this. 

The New Schools at Carver Mile 2.56. Photo by ALB

It was just beautiful.  I knew what it was when I saw it but just didn't realize where it was. The New Schools at Carver which are tops in the city.  The campus is awesome.  I think it is under the Public School System, but not really sure how it works...I don't hear people clamoring to go there but the graduation rate is in the 90s (which for GA, in general, is WAY about the average).  Anyway, I was still unsure of my route, so I ran twice around the track, which was all paved nice. I finished my tour of the campus and went back down the road I was on (it wasn't the main road to the campus).  I decided to do an out-and-back of the road I was on and turn earlier than the gas station. At a walk break, I hit this lady's house.  She is always outside.  She said I was inspiring and she is now walking.  Also asked if she should have water for me.  I thanked her but said that was ok.  I need to know my drink limits without her aid, plus if she puts out water and I'm not there, or I expect water and she's not there, what happens? 

For some reason, I got into another zone and missed the Post Office Turn so once again I was at the gas station.  The MARTA bus came and honked, because apparently it has to drive on the curb for 200 feet before it can stop at the stop (there was another stop across the street).  I turned and there the drug dealer was. I just put my head down, like I didn't know what was going on.  But really it was so cliche.  I think that bothers me more than the drugs...Guy in raincoat (no chance of rain) with a lookout guy on the corner, and everyone around frantically looking around.  The APD must have changed routes though.  I used to see them all the time on my runs.  I haven't seen them at all.  So I got passed that and the rest of the run was uneventful.  I did have to check why the flag was half-mast (Memory of Arlen Spector).

US Penitentiary Mile 6.44.  Photo by ALB

Got home, saw I burned 1200 calories, goofed off and  then got ready.  I figured I had 10 more minutes left to do stuff at 1050.  Of course J called at 1051.  I managed to get everything but a sweatshirt.  So woohoo!  Calorie free beer and a win!