Lumpy had the extreme pleasure of listening to me bitch about my co-teacher in Russia. I have decided that the best format in which I can address the issues is to post about it here. In true TAS form. We can also call them Kevin-isms. We’ll not cover up his true identity.
Defining moment #1: “Man, everyone here wears FAGGOT SHOES.” (Emphasis mine.)
Sally’s reaction: “Gosh, Lumpy has 2-3 pairs of them at home. I really like them.”
Moments preceding Sally’s reaction…sensation of being kicked in the gut. A small sense of panic. A sense of “huh?” The inner statement, ” wow, he actually said that out loud!” A thousand other inner and outer sensations and thoughts that cannot be articulated.
This is after approximately 2-3 days of knowing each other and the 5,000 phone calls he made to my home prior to leaving for Russia. After I had told him just about everything I know about Russia. After I had realized that we really did not have anything in common.
More to follow. Much more. Much, much more. I have some issues with this trip that I need to work out. I appreciate any and all comments. PLEASE comment. PLEASE.
About a week ago I sort of decided to run a half marathon…I don’t know why…perhaps I was feeling a little adventurous??? I don’t know, Sally, I think it’s the tattoo. Actually a friend invited me to run with him and a couple of his co-workers as part of their corporate team. I agreed…mainly because well, it was FREE (his company paid our entry fees). I’ve never actually “raced” a half. Of course, I’ve run the distance before (and beyond) during marathon training runs, but for some reason I’ve never actually entered to run any half marathon races - ok, so there was that Nerstrand Big Woods ”incident”…but you know what I mean. Anyway, I got 2 free technical shirts out of it, one from the race itself & one from the team (you know, sometimes, it’s all about “the shirt” 
). Oh, yeah, the legs were also getting “antsy” since San Diego RNR & the recovery time thereafter.
So…to recap:
1. free registration
2. 4 person team
3. 2 technical shirts
4. the only “girl” on the team
5. 2 potty stops mid run - not sure why…have never done this in a marathon…over hydrated perhaps???
6. 1 WRONG TURN (AAARGH!) Boy was I peeved!
7. running an extra .4 miles because of the wrong turn…so technically I ran a 13.5 “half”?
8. 4 different loops around McAllister Park trails
9. being the 2nd to finish from our team
10. crossing the finish line TWICE! (1st time due to wrong turn - don’t worry, did not let them “scan” my number at the finish…let them know I still needed 1 more loop and they gladly sent me on my way with a “WE’VE GOT A LOST ONE!!! 
)
11. final finishing time of 2:36…not so bad afterall…I don’t think so anyway including “lost” time.
12. the best post race meal EVER!!! ~sponsored by Carrabba’s Italian Grill - of course! 
13. 1 additional black toe nail (to match the other from San Diego RNR) Heh!
