Taper

I skipped the opportunity of the Turkey Trot and instead ran at the Garden of the Gods. I thought, foolishly, that that would be significantly easier. I have been to the park in the Springs on a few occasions. Driven through it and knew that it was immensely beautiful.
Somehow I had managed to overlook the hill factor. We began our run by choosing to tackle a hill, immediately, on the run. I laughed it off. I tried to tell the Barefoot Runner that it would be easier on the way back. Yet, it was incline, after hill, after more hill. We stopped midway through the run to climb the rocks. And, take a break. Our run was Grady's first run after his marathon. He was feeling a little off and I didn't want to overwhelm him. We climbed the rocks and I looked around the park. Beautiful.
We continued and considered how far we wanted to go. We could do a loop which extended the run or continue to the bottom of the hill, turnaround, and reclimb the incline. I liked that option. The loop back around the park represented unseen hills and I was unwilling to go that route. I told him we should do the hill and back to the car.
That hill reminded me of the Horsetooth Half Marathon. It was insane and never ending or so it seemed. We talked the way up. He talked me through it and I was grimacing because of how stupid I had been to suggest this way instead of extending the mileage. We made it to the top and he said--that is the last hill.
But it wasn't. It was one of many hills that we would encounter on the way back to the car. I kept thinking--it didn't seem like that much downhill. And, then I thought about driving through the park and didn't remember that many hills. I guess the lesson, here for me, is to research the area that I will be running. Be familiar with the course so that I am not freaking out about the amount of hills that are present.
Yesterday, my last long Saturday run, I ran with the Goddess and the Barefoot Runner. Flat course, familiar and awesome. Plus, I enjoyed the conversation that occurred from combining running partners.
We met at my house and ran Wash Park. I told them that we could run Wash Park and finish at Cheesman. I felt great through the first park and on the way back to Capitol Hill, slowed down some, and they followed my lead. I knew Lindsay would be happy with cutting the mileage short. She was and we did.
I am nervous/excited/scared/happy about next weekend. I cannot believe that it is already here. I am ready, though. I am.....

Meeting Redhead Runner and Spike

I wish that I had wanted to be more ambitious on Thanksgiving. I could have signed up for a 5k or a 4 mile race since both of these options were available. The Turkey Trot in Wash Park is 4 miles but I have heard mixed reviews of that race. Too many people, too many strollers to maneuver and not enough schwag at the end of the race. Plus, parking around this park is always problematic.

There was also a Turkey Trot in Highlands Ranch. Morgan of Caution Redhead Running has family in Parker and so I knew that she would be in the area for part of the holiday weekend. Last year we met for coffee and b.s.'s our way through life. She offered to meet me for a run, but I was lazy and wanted the chance to meet her and drink coffee.

This year, I was lazy, again, but I did try to spectate her race. Of course, I didn't know where, in Highlands Ranch, the event was. Typically, I do not head that direction unless I am driving to Santa Fe or maybe Manitou Springs. Rarely, do I make it that far south just because.

We arrived and the event was pretty much done. There were walkers and some runners crossing the line, but I knew that Morgan had finished the race.

We walked through the expo line and eventually found her with her boyfriend, Spike. I introduced her to the Barefoot Runner and we caught up briefly. It was frigid cold. I was wearing capri running pants and my exposed calves were feeling the frostbite.

I wish there had been more time to talk, but due to the cold and the fact that it was Thanksgiving, she was pressed for time and family obligation. There is always next year, I suppose. Maybe I will finally run with her 2011......

Holiday shopping

I am thankful for today. Happy Thanksgiving!
I am thankful for the Turkey Trot and opportunity to see the Redhead Runner since she is in town for the holiday visiting her family. Her dad lives in Parker. I would love to do the 5k but am spectating. Ironically, I have run endurance races but never run a 5k Race. Maybe 2011.
I am thankful that I will not be returning to Argonaut until Friday or Saturday. Yesterday, I made the mistake of thinking I would have a clear shot of purchasing wine at 3 pm. Foolishly, I drove over with the hopes of restocking my wine cabinent and picking up a bottle of nice red to drink today.
The parking lot was packed. First indication that I should have turned on Colfax and returned home.
I park without incident and enter the store. OMG--there are people everywhere. I am overwhelmed by the amount of people shopping, frantically, for alcohol. I head towards the red wine area. I pass many people with shopping carts and baskets. Again, I fought the urge to duck and run. I am not a fan of mass chaos. It makes me feel claustrophobic.
I arrive at the red zinfandel aisle. I find a bottle of Four Vines and hope there are more options. There are so many people in the aisle that I grab and a bottle and maneuver to the next aisle over. More people. More chaos. More unrest for me.
As I ponder what to do, I hear my name and look over and there is chick that I used to work with from years ago and that is known for her chattiness. I mention that I am in a hurry and uncomfortable with how busy it is. Thankfully, she took the hint.
I think back on the experience and recognize that I was approached by two salespeople while wine shopping. I was surprised due to the amount of people that were in the store. Kudos to Argonaut for being helpful. I just didn't need help. I knew what I wanted.
I purchased two bottles of Four Vines and one bottle of the Petit Petit--I love that wine. I wanted something lovely to accompany me while celebrating my gratitude at the Broadmor. So thankful for that, too.
Of course, I felt cheated that I was unable to achieve the restock factor. Friday it will have to be. I am glad they were busy, but unhappy that I felt so uncomfortable in the space. However, I do not know anyone that enjoys the mass craziness of holiday shopping. I am sooooo grateful that I was able to avoid the grocery store......

Wine Monday

My running partner, canceled our running date, last night, due to sickness. He did the right thing. The last thing I need, right now, is to get sick. I feel healthy and want to keep it that way.
Sara Jo and I had wanted to spend Thanksgiving together--drinking ample wine, eating awesome food and generally doing what we wanted. Unfortunately, her job got in the way. She is an x-ray tech and has to work on Thanksgiving either the early morning or afternoon shift. She was unable to trade with anyone and so we waited to hear back from a few people if they would at least switch a shift. Her shift is from 3-midnight which allows for nada--no wine, no champagne, no alcohol--at least pre shift and afterwards, well, that didn't sound that enticing either.
So, we opted to celebrate last night. We went to Sienna which is a cute wine bar located on 12th/Steele. I had been there, before, when it had only been opened for three weeks. I liked the atmosphere and had been wanting to return for some time. Since I dined at Elway's on Sunday, it was no longer an option to suggest to Sara.
Sienna has a lovely wine list. There are several reds available for $8 a glass that I like. We wanted to nibble on something eventually. There was one bartender and she was doing everything---greeting diners at tables, the bar, and making all of the food--prep/arrange/deliver. She was impressive in that regard and had a positive attitude about it. We were surprised that she was the only person working.
We chose the cheese plate and added figs to it. Their menu is small and utilizes most of the ingredients in multiple dishes. I liked the cheese course but there was not anything else, different, that would be of use to us. I didn't want to order the bruschetta for another baguette.
The only negative about the bartender was that she waited, each time, until our wine glass was completely empty. Then, she would ask--would you like another glass of wine?
Me, I am a pusher. I try to anticipate the needs of the customer and suggest the drink sooner, rather than later. I want them to enjoy themselves.
Her method was lax.
We paid and headed back towards Capitol Hill. A lovely night, indeed, with fantastic conversation, wine and food. I wish their menu had more options. However, their prep space is limited to behind the bar. They have a small oven which is utilized but provides few opportunities for inventive appetizers. Plus, if they are full, I imagine, that the wait for food is long due to the one appliance available for use. I hope they are successful since the space is cute and a nice addition to the neighborhood.

16 miles

Friday's shift concluded. I was in bed by 2:45 and up at 6:30ish to stretch, hydrate, urinate (a thousand times it seems pre-run) and head to Lakewood for my final long run of this training season.
My preferred running partner just finished his marathon and so I would be running a long run, solo. Well, somewhat solo, since I was running with my group, but uncertain as to how many people actually would be running more than 8 miles that particular Saturday morning.
Since my Friday had been spent on my feet, I opted to drop back to the 4:10:00 marathon pace group. I wanted to take it easy since I didn't know how I would fare due to how I chose to spend my Friday.
The course was part trail/concrete, crush asphalt through Lakewood. I will be honest. Running in the areas of Lakewood that we have run has been my least favorite Saturday morning runs. Either it is boring, ugly or too urban. I don't know. I think I am being too critical of it.
Anyways, I showed up and there were twenty people in the initial group. We headed out from the Belmar Shopping Center and I listened to my ipod and snippets of conversation going on by those around me. Typically, I prefer to not talk to people that I do not know. I tend to ease into the conversation, later, when I want to. I don't want to force conversation and so my first few miles are inspired by my ipod.
As we neared the 8 mile turnaround, there was a definite drop in numbers. The only remaining runners, in my group, were all doing 16. I don't know how that happened but I was thankful. Saturday was gloomy, humid and basically a yuck day to be running at all. I took off with this older woman that was a competitive runner. Her and her husband both used to run until he hurt his back. Being a man, according to her, limited his desire to go to the doctor. He lived with pain instead of enjoying life. We had a nice conversation and she wanted to push the run whereas I wanted it to take it easy. There were four men behind us, with Garmin's, and I knew they were tracking the pace. I wanted to stay closer to them.
At mile Eight, our turnaround, we split up, again. Two guys went forward to make sure this solo gal was safe running through Lakewood and four of us turned back to the start. I ended up running with a guy and the lady ran with his friend.
I recognized this guy, but didn't know his name. He, too, is running Vegas and so we had that in common. He's married and so we talked about his life for the final 8 miles.
He was nice but not very positive about life. His wife is a former runner. She doesn't travel to his events because it's boring to travel with someone that is prepping for a race for two days. Did I mention that she doesn't drink? He does. He's British. He likes pubs.
Or, that she is a vegetarian? He is a carnivore and the 12 lb. turkey for Thanksgiving could be wasted.
She has a thyroid issue and cannot drink soy since it interferes with her medication. She's younger, with a child and he is closer to her mother's age.
I mean, is there any joy in this relationship? I am sure that there is, but it was so different running with him compared to the Barefoot Runner who inspires positive thoughts. It's funny when I look back on the conversation, how different people are. And, I say that, because the conversations I have had with women, in this group, generally tend to focus on their kids, their husbands, life as a mommy, if that is what they are. Few of the women--my age--are single and we talk about travel, dating, not having kids.
I love it all, though. It is fun to learn about people.
The 16 miles concluded and I never hit my fatigued point. I think it is because we were going really slow at that point. Instead of taking off, I chose to run with the guy who was struggling. He told me, three different times, to go ahead without him, but I was okay with going slow. I knew that I would be able to work, later, if I didn't push too hard to finish quick.
Now I am on the Taper. Yea, me~So happy.
I am nervous. December 5th is in two weeks--Yikes!
I made it through a successful training cycle...that counts for something, right?

You read what at Starbuck's?

Friday was an extremely long day. I had foolishly agreed to working a double knowing that I had my final 16 mile run to attack on Saturday morning. I know, not well thought out, but I figured it was good prep for the real thing. I plan on working the Friday before the marathon. I am used to it and want to stick to my normal activities.
The morning shift was decent. Consistent flow of people until about 4 pm. At which point, I was hoping to transfer my remaining tables to the new servers. However, I had a few tables that I wanted to keep. I didn't want to interrupt their eating to be paid. I believed they would finish soon, too.
It didn't work out the way I thought it would. I thought they would take up maybe fifteen minutes, not fifty. My window of opportunity to get out of the building was diminishing at a quick pace. I looked around and knew that the other two bartenders would be okay if I took off for fifteen minutes.
I needed coffee. I offered to bring back a few coffees to a few of my co-workers that also had worked the morning shift. There is a Barnes & Noble attached to a Starbuck's on Colorado Boulevard. It was convenient and I wanted to make it quick.
Three people were working the counter at the Starbuck's...one was taking orders, one made the espresso drinks and the other was stocking. It didn't seem busy. They were taking forever to get through the orders. I stood back and took stock of the place. There were many customers--already enjoying delicious coffee--at most of the tables. Families, ethnic groups, single people. It was 5 pm and the place was packed.
I waited more and started to get annoyed. I couldn't figure out why they didn't bring someone else over to make drinks. The girl that was making drinks was obviously not fast or efficient. She messed up a drink and took up more time fixing that than getting my drinks.
I looked around the place again. I see a blonde guy, stocky, sitting alone at a nearby table. I look at what he is leafing through and do a double take. No way is this guy looking at a nudie magazine is my thought? And, yet, he totally was. And not the normal "tasteful" Playboy. No, he had a Hustler with 8 other wrapped magazines right next to it.
Incredible. In a coffee shop? At 5 o'clock? Surrounded by families, children, ethnic groups that are anti skin revealing and you are displaying a nudie mag?
Yet, this guy remained calm in his demeanor. He looked completely at home and I knew that I was probably the only person that noticed it. Seriously, he seemed fine with what he was doing. I wonder why he felt the need to view them there? I mean, how does coffee inspire being turned on? Maybe it was an experiment like performance art? Or, a What would you do if you saw this behavior type of episode? It was a nonissue, for me, since I was on a time crunch and needed to return to work and tell everyone there about it.

day shift surprise

Yesterday was supposed to be a day off. I had tried, really tried, to pick up a day shift but was shut down quickly. Melissa was uninterested, Katie had an "amazon party" or something, and I knew Jena wouldn't be interested in giving up her shift. I have learned that you must time it right to get the positive results.
I woke up, refreshed, from a wonderful night of sleep. I needed that. Made coffee and headed to the laundry mat. Due to running, I am forced to frequent the laundry mat frequently.
Between washing/drying, I receive a text from Katie--saying, I know this is last minute, but I had a little too much whisky...would you want to work?
Of course, I agreed.
I have a marathon to think of and want fun money to celebrate post-race. I dream of food, wine and restaurants to enjoy these two fundamental needs in my life at. A day shift was welcome.
I arrive at work and find out that there are two large parties on the books. One was at Eleven and the other was at noon. The one at Eleven did not scare me. I knew that I would be able to avoid that one. When the party showed up, they were fun, all men, and mostly drinking.
The party at noon wanted separate checks. On the reservation slip, there was a notation about it and how they "tipped well". I think there is a difference of opinion in what tip well means.
I know that most people do not understand why separating a check is a huge pain in the ass. It is time consuming. It can be complicated to keep everything in order while taking care of the rest of your section. It is inconvenient. And, after everything is said and done, rarely are you compensated for your effort. I dine with friends, often, and we never ask for separate checks. I have good friends, though, that support my foodie love. They enjoy the food experience as much as I do, or they lead me to believe that they do.
Regardless, I really did not want this party. It was 10-12 women, flight attendants, and so I was scared of what they would need.
Of course, in rotation terms, it was my turn. They walk in, individually, with a cake, multiple balloons and big hair. Initially, there were four of them. I bring twelve waters and they tell me that there would be fourteen women. I make adjustments---add a table, two chairs and bring additional waters.
Meanwhile, they lawyers show up and they always are needy. They need a personal assistant to attend to their needs.
Anyways, while there were four women, one approaches me and says--we would like separate checks and we will compensate if you do it. If you choose not to, well, that is your choice.
I told her that as long as they remained in their designated seat, I would be happy to do the separate checks.
This woman, introduced herself to me and said--if you have any problems, please let me know. We do not want to be problematic.
Eventually, there were thirteen women, in all. The first lady to leave did not compensate well and I was annoyed. I had refilled her tea, countless times, and she was able to leave in a timely fashion.
A few of the women drank cocktails. Most of them preferred iced tea. I refilled and refilled and refilled. I saw their cake and brought forks, plates and arranged to have a knife available to them. They were surprised, I think. The main woman had brought paper plates but opted to use our plates when she noticed they were available to them.
I split the checks and handed them out.
Like I said, tip well does not mean the same to most people.
It was a mixed bag of compensation and I felt betrayed.
But, I still refilled the coffee that they ordered and cleared away some of the glassware that they were no longer using. The main woman asked me over, said thank you, and handed me more cash.
Yes, it was worth it. I was hasty in my judgment; yet, I had been handed all of their cashouts. I saw the return to my investment based on their credit card slip. Why would I think they would hand me an additional $30?
If every party did that, of course, I wouldn't mind doing separate checks. Tipping 12-15% on a separate check is not compensating. It always astounds me when people forget, conveniently, what they ordered or take in to account the tax/tip factor. Instead, they hand their friends, twenty dollars and figure they are done. They do not worry that they are screwing someone over. We all know these people. If I dine with someone that is cheap and does cover the tab, I won't go out with them again. It isn't worth it to me.
Alright, I will get off of my box. The day shift was surprising and lucrative. And, I did deserve the extra $$$. All of their needs were met.