Meet "Fly"

I'd like to present to you an opportunity to meet my cartoon alter-ego.  His name is "Fly."

Why mention him?  Well - when I woke up this morning, my mind was bursting with childhood and adolescent memories.  My dreams were bittersweet, a collage of the many different places I've lived.  I've moved a total of twenty-two times in my 31 years thus far.  Sometimes it was just down the street, and twice it was nearly 3,000 miles.  Along my travels, my creative alter-ego has always tagged along.  Here he is: 

I've always enjoyed putting my mind to creative use, whether it be in the form of poetry, photography, drawing, and even electronic music.  In fifth-grade during an after-school program, I was doodling with some crayons in the cafegymnatorium (an Urbandictionary term for a combination of a cafeteria, gymnasium, and auditorium).  I think I would have been about ten years old.  At that time, I loved drawing goofy cartoon characters.  Bursting onto the paper, the world witnessed the birth of an unusual new bird: Fly.  Okay, so that's a little dramatic. 

I wish I kept the original drawing of Fly.  What I can tell you is that he matured over a few years, subtly changing, as I did the same in my youth.  The above drawing, which I just did today, is pretty much what Fly has looked like since I attended high school.  I don't know what kind of bird he is.  Maybe an experimental cross-breed between a peacock and a chicken?  He has always worn something resembling a target on his belly.  His hair and feathers are typically flamboyant and blue, though he has occasionally been dyed a different color, depending on my mood.  The expression in his eyes is generally of an acute alertness, frequently bordering on the panicked "deer in headlights" look.  He is precariously balanced on two little stick-legs.  He has wings, but despite his name, I'm not really sure he has the ability to fly.  Perhaps a few feet in the air for a short distance?

Fly was featured in comic strips that I created when I was in middle school.  He hung out with a turtle sort of friend, though I don't know if his friend ever had a name.  I've sometimes drawn Fly on chalkboards in classes before teachers arrived.  He is, in essence, my companion of imagination. 

I guess if I were a bird, I'd want to be like Fly.  Because I know I'm one strange bird, which is just how I like it. ;)

Right now, I kind of feel like a kid again.

My First 5K!

After walking two half-marathons in June and October this year, I finally participated in my first 5K run/walk today!  I know... usually, one probably starts with a 5K, then a 10K, then works their way up to doing a half-marathon, but I'm always doing things the unconventional way. 

Today's 5K was the Crescent Classic 5K Run/Walk at Bridgewater State University where I work.  It was put on by Gamma Phi Beta, one of our sororities, whose members and alumni include some awesome people, such as my senior RA, my friend Erin at work, and several residents I know. The proceeds from the 5K went to Camp Fire USA, whose goal is to "build caring, confident youth and future leaders."

The difference for me doing a 5K was that I felt pressure from peers (and myself) to run a good part of the race.  I really hate running.  But it totally makes sense that for these shorter races, I should challenge myself more by running.  Three-mile brisk walks are routine for me now, and I'm not going to improve much more on my walking pace (my best walking pace so far was around 13:26 min/mile, I believe).  So I've been training (albeit less than regularly) over the last three weeks or so by jogging and walking in intervals each time I go out.  My shins and ankles are never happy with me whenever I do this.  But enough about the complaining!

Today's 5K was a hilly course on the campus.  I think I probably jogged and walked in equal amounts, which was the best I've done so far.  According to RoadRunnerGPS on my Blackberry (oh yeah, that was a wonderful new cell phone purchase that replaced that Samsung Restore I mentioned in a past blog), I ran 3.33 miles in 40:07 at a 12:03 pace.  That was a pace record for me.  I guess it was a bit more than a 5K at 3.33 miles, but it's better for it to be longer than shorter than the promised distance!

Check out what RoadRunnerGPS does - I love it! 

It was pretty cold outside today - the wind chill was 25 degrees.  I made some winter running/walking gear purchases a few weeks ago, though.  Gloves, a head band, a jacket, and a couple pairs of running tights.  I love the running tights.  Nothing says "I'm a man" more than when you're wearing these bad boys.  That's totally sarcasm, but it is amazing how well they work considering it's such a thin layer of fabric.  They do a great job keeping your body heat in once you get going.

Here are a couple photos (I can't claim credit for them, though; that'd be Maribeth who also works at BSU)!

At the finish line



Yeah, fancy pants! (and fellow friends, co-workers)

I'm sure I'll be participating in more 5Ks in the future.  But I really need to find another half-marathon to put on my schedule.  I'm ready for another long-distance WALK.  :)  And also nothing motivates you more to keep training frequently than a goal on the horizon.

Oh yes, and on a random note, completely unrelated to walking and running - I'm putting myself back onto the dating market again, effective this weekend.  I've been stalled out for far too long in the relationship arena.  It's time to go actively looking again for that special someone!  I'm looking forward to it!