Day 53

It's National Running Day!  You see? The day is already better than yesterday. Just insert running into anything and it's better. The day started the same, though. Routine is good, after all. Espresso, Special K cereal with Red Berries, some grapes, and to the office by 7am. Around 10:15-ish, I had to escape the office. I headed on down to the Beauty Shop where supposedly, the best haircuts were given. My shaven head had quickly grown back. For this visit, I told her to not touch the top and shave the sides...to make it "Dorothy Compliant." She did NOT like that last haircut. Truth be told, I didn't like my shirt getting stuck on my head every time I went to take it off, either. In the end, it was an OK haircut but not worth $2 more. I think I'll go back to the original place next time. After that, it was time to treat myself to my favorite Green Beans Coffee drink...their iced espresso Chai latte. Super good. I hung out for awhile on the picnic tables afterwards and played some games on my iPhone. The mental shutdown here was nice. Afterwards, I headed on in to the exchange to do some shopping. As we have entered the 120 Days of Wind here in Oz, it's been keeping me indoors when I want to run outside in the evening. If I go out and run 7-10 miles, for example, I can't help but ingest sand and grit. Winds are gusting these days from 25-40mph around the clock. So, I got a microfiber neck gaiter that I can pull up to my nose. I also shopped for some campaign coins for Tin Man and Scarecrow....and for a fellow sailor and trail runner who I am exchanging coins with on the trails this upcoming winter. Afterwards, lunch and a quick visit to the USO again.

If you can't tell already, today was a better day. I was in a better place mentally. I can't tell you why, either. I just was. The time alone was nice, I will admit. The "norm" around here is going to lunch together and doing everything together. The thing is that I'm for the most part, a loner. I prefer being alone so that time is precious to me. Anyway.... after a 5pm conference call with folks back in Philadelphia, I bolted for my room. Quickly after getting back, I got my gear on...gaiter and ballistic glasses included...and headed out for a run. Not too bad of a run tonight, but thank goodness for the gaiter and glasses. It was soooo windy! Nasty filth, grit, sand,  and dirt blowing everywhere. Gusts to 40mph. I was like a sail at times out there. The pic here is my getup for the night...and probably for many, many nights from now on. I just despise the dreadmill. Not too much sweating evident, though...today's humidity was a whoppin' 6%. I don't think I've ever seen humidity that low.

One thing is for sure. If I run first then eat dinner, I will eat a better dinner. I've seen that played out several times here, already. I guess I just can't eat bad after burning over 1000 calories on the road. Good deal! So there..run first, then eat. OK meal tonight...actually all I had was mashed potatoes and peas which I mixed, a small salad and some green grapes. In and out of the dining facility in under 10 minutes. I grabbed a few more Gatorades for my stash on my way out. I'm building an inventory for when I do my long runs here on base and for my upcoming 50Ks.

That's it from here, tonight. I'm going to finish watching my favorite show, "So You Think You Can Dance" on the Armed Forces Network then heading to bed.

Goodnight, everyone.