I work in a department where people stay until 6 PM as a matter of course, until 7 PM as a regular occurrence, and I have a boss who will work one or two nights a week until 9 PM cleaning it all up. So when I leave before 6 for workouts, or for anything for that matter, I can’t help but feel like I’m leaving them with the dirty work.
Because of this, and because of the 6 train which is about as regular as an octogenarian with GI issues, I am consistently late for the Nike Pacers’ speed workouts. Not only am I late, I am usually starving, with a desperate need to pee. Tonight, however, was an exception: I was very late, and I had to pee very desperately.
This left me frantically chasing chatty Kevin and short Brad through the East Village, hoping to catch the rest of tonight’s training group on their way to the track, the whole way the praying fervently that the public restrooms would be open.
You will be disappointed to learn, dear readers, that my prayers weren’t answered. However, perhaps you will be relieved to additionally learn that I did not give in to the subsequent and very strong temptation to find a dark corner and squat. No, instead I gritted my teeth and said, 800 repeats with 200 recoveries, 7:30 pace. Check!
The first 800 took us 3:43. The second 800, I couldn’t say because I mis-hit the button on little G due to darkness. The third 800 went down in 3:45. Even as our pace stayed consistent, my need to pee increased, and in fact, persevered over my need for speed. With one rep left in the workout, I peeled off from the group and headed back to Paragon early.
Back at Paragon, Brad noticed me waiting in line to pay for my Clif Shots on his way back in with his pace group. Bless his heart, he said, “Don’t feel badly about bagging the workout. You’ve got the marathon to slay.” Since I’d just moments before used Paragon’s facilities, I could say with no guile, I don’t feel badly at all!
LOL…I guess I do have an advantage with my running in the country. Every bush is a potential tinkle spot. And believe me, I’ve sprinkled holy water all over my town!
HOW? lol HOW in the SANE HECK can you run on a “full tank?”
You = Wonder Woman!
Love the title! Very clever.