Lisse, The Netherlands 2005
Today was my follow-up visit to the dentist for what I believe to be an imaginary cavity. Since this is only the second time in my entire life to have a cavity filled, I am stressed out. I hate the dentist just for a good ol' fashioned cleaning, let alone getting fillings!
The dental assistant (bless her heart for taking on this vile profession) is kind and gentle and even offers to let me watch a movie. I remember this on my first cavity trip to the dentist. Why on earth would I want to watch 10 minutes of Harry Potter? Perhaps she could sense my distress and was trying to divert my attention to something other than a drill and spit vacuum.
The dentist comes in very quickly, busts open my mouth and starts numbing my tooth area. Wait...wait...wait for it to numb and then starts drilling. Ouch! I can feel that drill, so he gives me a "little more." Meanwhile he takes care of the cavity, the dental assistant is spraying stuff all over my face (yes, I know it's gross. I'm even grossed out by my own grossness) and in a matter of five minutes or less we are done. My hands were sweating and my fingers white knuckled together.
On the way home I can gradually feel the entire left side of my face becoming more and more numb. My tongue feels like it's three inches thick, my cheek is a little tingly and my eye lid I know is droopy. I can feel it. All I could think about is not drooling. Just for fear of drooling in front of my colleagues, I decided to take the rest of the afternoon off.
Today marks the second year G and I have run the Salt Lake 1/2 marathon. You may recall our first 1/2 marathon last year - G "gave" it to me for Christmas. I spent the next three months prepping and training. Afterall, 13.1 miles is a long distance and I didn't want to die trying.
This year I don't think I prepared as well for the big event. Sure, I did several long runs the last month or so, but I slacked big-time on my weekly runs. G had me beat this year, particularly at mile 11.5, which was a pretty gradual incline up State Street. I slowed to a snails pace for fear of my calf muscles seizing up entirely on me, but G - who ran most of the way at my pace - at that point I let him loose like a dog free from a chain. We both had a goal to finish the race in under two hours, and slowing on the last couple miles was not acceptable (regardless, we both achieved our goal! G did finish about two minutes ahead of me though).
One thing we've learned on long distance runs is to go to the bathroom before starting a race. Last year G had to make a pit stop at one of the port-o-johns on the course. Not great for your time, especially since there's usually a waiting line. He finally got smart and decided to-heck with the port-o-john. Just ditch behind some guy's garage and let it out. This really happened on our recent 10 mile race down Emigration Canyon. Never mind that the river, 5 ft from where he got his relief, is also a watershed. This year we started the race late with about 1,000 other people because we, of course, were standing in line at the port-o-john. After looking at our results, this doesn't matter. It appears as if we literally passed 3,000 of the 4,200 participants along the route. Pat me on the back!
Although we're both a little sore after today's push, it's nothing a beef stick and a Diet Coke can't cure. I can assure you, I will sleep well tonight.
You may recognize the picture. It was one taken at last year's race. Since I wore the exact same thing today, this year's pictures won't be much different. Also, BIG THANKS to my dad and step-mom, who live along the race course, for being up bright and early to cheer us on!
I received the saddest call last night from my three year old niece, Noelle. She was utterly distraught on the telephone. I could barely understand what she was saying through her tears. When it all came down to it, she had been outside in the garden and found a ladybug. This little creature was her new best friend, that is, until it flew away. She just could not understand how her BFF could leave her so suddenly.
I was just catching up on my evening Internet browsing when I looked over my shoulder and saw this:
