159: Day of Rest

Travel day. No running. Missed it.

160: 5 Miles in Jiutepec

Hit the gym and ran 5 miles. Noble of me considering how I might otherwise have spent an hour of my precious holiday time. But the truth is, I was itching for a run. I'd actually put my shoes on twice before at the resort, but the heaviness on my feet compared to flip flops... the weight of dark technical fibers compared to white cotton... was pretty discouraging.

I had to smile at the gym when the woman on the treadmill next to me was wearing an outfit similar to mine, same exact Gel Nimbus Asics, and same exact orange iPod. She was Mexican but obviously of European lineage, probably similar to mine; even beyond the accessories, we sort of looked alike - same body type, same hair color, same face.

The man on the other side of me ran 3 miles and looked like he might have a heart attack as he stepped off the treadmill. I had fantasies of administering an aspirin and saving the day, and posting "...saved a man's life today!" on my facebook page. Red flag: Apparently, I like drama! Anyway, he was fine and he smiled broadly at me for continuing on as long as I did. It was HOT! I've never ever been more drenched in sweat than I was during this run. No idea what the temperature was but... not refreshing!

161: Day of Rest

Oh yeah... total relaxation day. Massage, meditation, just totally blissed out. Peace.

162: Day of Rest

Travel day. Going from Mexico City to Jiutepec by car. No running for me but I watched lots of people run like mad. 30,000 school teachers decided to march in protest along the main throughfare I was taking to get out of town. My taxi got stopped just 3 cars in from the front of the "parade." At first it seemed quite peaceful, but then for seemingly no reason, panic would hit the crowd and 100s of people would swarm in one direction, like a school of fish. At one point they surrounded our car and, ballsy as I am, I'd be lying if said I wasn't terrified for my own safety. My driver at this point was not armed so all anyone had to do was break a window and this gringa could have been down for the count.

163: Day of Rest

I've now missed 13 miles of running this week! I suppose I should focus on the positive - that I managed 3 miles - but 13 feels impossible to make up when I've got all kinds of new miles scheduled for the weekend.

Basically, my Marathon training schedule is too intense for me. And it doesn't know that I just ran a half, or that I travel for work. What to do? I really don't know. My Month of May burnout is over and now I really want to run... I even want to write again... but the bar is so high I'm not sure I can jump back in and land on my feet. I'll have some time to consider this - and RUN, MICHELLE, RUN, over the next few days...

164: Siesta (Sort of...)

Today's a day of rest. Not by choice but because work started at 7AM and will run well into the night. When you're traveling by yourself you can carve out an hour someplace to get your run in, but when you're with a big group, it can be impossible. We had a 2 hour break scheduled in the afternoon when I might have hit the treadmill in our super swank hotel in Mexico City, but at the last minute a meeting was called in the courtyard at which I'd be presenting so... there went that sub-plan. It's OK. Such is life. I'll make some of the miles up over the weekend. Or not. We shall see.

165: Cruising in Veracruz

Hola from Coatepec in the Mexican state of Veracruz. I ran 3 miles this morning, two on the streets and one by lapping the town square. By my 4th lap of the square, I started reaching out to high-five the shoe shine guys standing around waiting for morning clientele. I'm really starting to discover the power of the high-five this year.

Two colleagues who are with me also ran in the morning, same route, minus the square. It's HOT and super humid here so I'm thinking we're all pretty much rockstars for getting out of bed and rallying. :) Anyway, a great way to start what will surely be one of the great work experiences of my life... I do love my job.