That Awkward Moment....

         ..........when you are walking the same pace as someone and you are pondering whether or not to speed up or slow down. Of course I say this as if this were a race. 

          I was walking to my hood after work and there was a dude in workout clothes with an iPod across the street, crossing over to my side. Way to be in my personal space. Then there was that awkward, silent moment. Should I say something? We were walking toward the same street. Does he live right next to me? Is he a runner? That is always my first question. If you don't run, I ain't talking to you!

          We kept walking sort of next to each other. It was super awkward! I do not remember if he was listening to his iPod. Maybe that’s why I didn’t say anything. So I sped up (ugh, it’s not a race!) and I think he just let me walk ahead of him. He lives right across from me. I’m such a good stalker. ;)

         I am not a shy person, but for some reason I didn't say anything. I think it's because he wasn’t my type. Granted, I did not get a good look at him. I know looks don’t matter and I should not dismiss the chance just because he is not my "type" as in a certain ethnicity.

          I knew he was a runner when he stretched his calves on the edge of the stairs. Ugh! I should have said something. I should have asked what his 5K time is. That would be my first question. A guy's 5K time is the end-all-be-all when it comes to dating me. It's really my only criteria that he be faster than me. I probably would not date a guy if he were slower. If he is just starting out, fine. I just would rather have the guy wait for me at the finish line than the other way around. Turn off!            

          I would love to have a running buddy in my hood. If I see him when I go for a run, I'll ask him to join me one day.  I just hope he’s faster than me. If not, he can eat my dust.

          So do some speed work and let's go on a speed date.

Keepin’ it real,
Realist

Out with the Old, in with the New

I am still alive! I’ve been on hiatus for a while. I was MIA with lots of blog material. I may or may not blog about the past few months.

I believe I left off with my chiropractor. He joined my running team because I am on it. He was at the race (not running, of course) to promote his shady practice. The Disbeliever approached his table and acted as if she didn’t know about him. He asked about me and she said that she “sort of” knows who I am. Disbeliever, you either know me or you don’t! He told her to tell me to rave about how great he is. Little does he know….

The first person I spoke to after running that race was the leechy chiro. Not even my mom! I walked to her, thinking he might leave. Nope! He starts talking to her! 

“One of your teammates said that you are trouble.”

I did some research and one of my eld teammates said that to him. Not that he is wrong…

I quit the chiro in January. 

I said I quit! It felt so good to get rid of what wasn’t benefitting my life. It is one of my New Year’s resolutions.

I am now going to a new chiro at my gym. He is a Rutgers grad, wrestled for 17 years, suffered a bad shoulder, etc. Now this guy is a real athlete! He does not hit on me. He is married (not that this stops men from flirting) and does not sweet talk me or be inappropriate. 

The best thing of all—he has not joined my running team! 

At my evaluation, he pinpointed my same problems as the sleezy chiro, so at least I wasn’t being scammed. The only thing I liked about my former chiro is that I got super hooked up. I got physical therapy and chiro for dirt cheap! I get a discount with my new chiro since I am a gym member. Massages should be a dollar a minute, but I just pay for my chiro visits! I did not ask to pay less or nothing. I did not flirt with him. In fact, I said I don’t want the massages because that would be too costly. He just said not to worry about it since my insurance doesn’t cover chiro. 

I think I get these discounts by being real. I always ask questions. That shows how interested I am. I like to learn about what is going on with me. I also think it has to do with the fact that I am an athlete. One of his first questions was if I have ever run a marathon. This year I am finally running toward my dream—the NYC Marathon! I have been waiting for this year since I started seriously running with the intention of competing three years ago. He may favor athletes. But then again, it is a gym so everyone is considered an athlete, I guess. Expect for those girls who walk around with their hair down without lifting a weight. 

Oh, and it helps to know someone who also goes to him….and to work at his alma mater. ;)

I think I portray how much I value the help of others and how much trust I have for those with the potential to make a difference in my life. This chiro is a keeper.

Keepin’ it real,
Realist

P.S. It’s good to be back.

Speaking of mojo...

I was walking to my post as a race course marshall (I really like that.... Marshall Skeptic....hmm.... *ahem*) when a couple of guys who were warming up passed me and said, "Hey <Skeptic>!"  I waved and said, "Hey, what's up?"  I had no idea who those guys were.  How did they know me?  Am I famous?

Cute, though.  I'm thinking I need to work my thang at races this year.....

Trying to stay positive,
Skeptic

Rockin' my grocery mojo

Early this evening I was cruising through Trader Joe's to quickly pick up some stock for the soup I plan to make (which I had forgotten to get in my earlier grocery shopping trip).  I was wearing an old t-shirt under a black jacket, my hair sloppily pulled back with a clip and my nose red from blowing it all day (slight cold).  In other words, not my most attractive self.

There was a young guy wearing shorts standing in the frozen food section, and as I passed by him, he totally checked me out and smiled.  As in, he did the quick glance to see who was walking by, and then really looked up again with a big grin.  Not a guy I'd really be interested in, but my friend J has been trying to teach me not to put my blinders on going through life because ordinary situations like that are the best way to meet people, so I smiled back.

As I was walking away, I felt really good.  I had no interest in that guy, but it was good to know that I still have just a little bit of mojo left, red drippy nose and all.

Trying to stay positive,

Skeptic

Only the best

It occurs to me that perhaps all this time I've been looking for a guy just like my dad.  And maybe that makes me picky because my dad is one in a million.  But I just can't settle for less.

<3 you dad.

Trying to stay positive,

Skeptic