From Pennies To Yennies

When people hear I ran 8, 9, 10 miles before coming into work, first they ask, “oh my gosh, why?” and then I’m often asked, “don’t you get bored?” Well, the answer is, I sure do! Having the physical strength to run is just one aspect of endurance. The other is keeping your mind focused on the task at hand. I’ve only been at this running thing since January and I gotta tell ya, it’s hard to stay outside sometimes.

So I thought I’d devise a list of things I think about when running for hours at a time. Enjoy!

1. I wish I wore a different outfit.
2. Is it going to rain? Should I call it a day and head home?
3. Does Penny have enough food?
4. If it rains, I’ll have to head home because I left laundry on the laundry line.
5. I love this song!
6. I should play this song at my wedding some day.
7. This song won’t be popular by the time I have a wedding.
8. Why is this guy staring at me?
9. Aw man a hill! Maybe I should be done for the day.
10. Juice sounds delicious right now. If I run at least 7 miles, I’ll have juice when I get home.
11. I really need to take this song off my iPod.
12. I forgot to take the chicken out of the freezer.
13. I wonder if Penny’s napping on the bed or couch. A nap sounds awesome right now.
14. I could run pretty far today. I mean, I only have a mile under my belt, but I feel good.
15. These gardens are gorgeous. I should take up gardening on our balcony.
16. I wish it would rain. It’s so hot out!
17. I wonder if we have garlic at home.
18. What should I do for my birthday?
19. A frappuccino sounds delicious right now.
20. I like when my sweat dries and my skin looks salty.
21. This is tiring. Why do I do this?
22. I’m going to look amazing when Dan and I visit California in September.
23. This run + chicken dinner + no snacks= good weigh-in tomorrow.
24. I want to buy a pair of colored pants.
25. And I need some new makeup.
26. I really just want to go shopping.
27. I’m still running?
28. This guy has to hear my feet shuffling, and my furious panting. Share the sidewalk buddy!
29. By Saturday I’ll have to do laundry again.
30. Need to remember I’m guest teaching at a different school tonight.
31. If I run faster it’ll be over quicker.
32. If I run faster, I’m tired faster.
33. Why don’t they make Squeez-Its anymore?
34. Is this a rash or a bug bite?
35. Why do I sign up for races?
36. I wish I was at Disneyland.
37. here are tons of books I want to read right now.
38. I miss driving sometimes.
39. Turning 27= late 20’s. Should I be freaking out?!
40. I wish we lived closer to Costco, just to buy tons of fruit.
41. I need to download new music.
42. I could totally be done running right now. How has it only been 3.5 miles?
43. Stick with this. Gotta earn my shower!
44. I love when Penny sleeps with her head on a pillow. Like a little person.
45. I really want to take a nap.
46. I can’t wait to sing and dance with my nephew!
47. I hate socks.
48. Is this a chipped nail? I just painted them 3 days ago!
49. My shins hurt.
50. If I quit now, I’ll come back out later and run even further.
51. I’m thirsty.
52. I think I need to take a bathroom break. Maybe.
53. Is that a leaf or a bug?
54. I wonder when I should switch to my new shoes.
55. At least when I run the half marathon in CA, I won’t have this killer humidity!
56. I’m really sweaty today.
57. Old lady smiling at me. Hello.
58. Another lap, another hill.
59. I wish Tokyo had more green. Grass, trees.
60. Tonight I’m going to come home from work, hit the gym, then have dinner with Dan.
61. Or dinner then gym. Hmm.
62. I miss the cereal variety in America.
63. Tomorrow I should do this run again and ADD 2 miles!
64. Tomorrow should be a rest day.
65. I need to make some greeting cards.
66. I am so ready to be done.
67. I could just stop.
68. It’s so hot in the summer, I wonder if we should ever shave Penny.
69. I run to look good in sun dresses this summer!
70. 3 miles to go. That’s not so bad. Just pretend you just got out here for a 3 mile run.
71. I’m tired.
72. I’m going to get in bed early tonight to spend a long time reading.
73. Oatmeal sounds good right now.
74. NO! Guacamole! I would absolutely eat guac right now.
75. I need to be done running.
76. Picture yourself on vacation, by a pool w a pretty drink…
77. I miss getting pedicures
78. Does this song have a music video?
79. I could finish a mile early. Would that be SO bad?
80. I wish I didn’t wear a hat today. it’s not even raining!
81. I need to wear my retainer more.
82. I wonder if these people think I’m crazy for running past them 8 times now.
83. This man is totally taking a picture of a rock. But why?!
84. I want to bake more.
85. I should use my Momofuku cook book.
86. I should just go to Momofuku restaurant in New York.
87. I really want to take Dan on a cruise.
88. We should go to Europe!
89. I should use sunless tanner again. That time of year.
90. I can’t believe I’ve made it this far. Now if I want to quit I know I have it in me to finish.
91. I can finish! Then work, then Dan and I having dinner together on the couch watching The Simpsons!
92. I’m the only person on the planet who can be so close to being done, and still want to quit.
93. I’ve come so far from an hour and a half ago!
94. I really love these running capris. I really love anything from Lululemon.
95. I’m going to go home, take off my shoes, stretch, guzzle water and eat baby carrots.
96. I could have time for a 20 minute nap…
97. Oh thank goodness, I see my street.
98. Phone out, iPod out, ready to stop my running apps.
99. Yes! I’m done! I’m so done!
100. I could have gone further.