The "Era"

I was already doubting myself as I was putting the harness and leash on Gymmy yesterday after work - a 30minute tempo run. I have a tendency to take awhile to get into the groove of things, so I was quite hesitant at yesterday's scheduled workout.  Gymmy and I clocked in the first mile right under 10min (Gymmy had a lil smelling contest w/ a neighbor dog), then gradually increased our pace and ended up finishing the 2nd mile right at 8:28. Mile 2.0 - 2.5 was when my body finally got into the groove of things, but by the time I was starting to experience a "runner's high," I was already heading into my warm down. Ahh well, better luck next time.  No wonder I do so horribly at 5K races (you'd think I'd just do a quick 1-2mile warm-up before the race then, but that would just be too easy.  Lazy Yuko would rather stand around and freak out while staring at the other, more intense runners doing the more appropriate warm-up).

I then quickly showered and headed out to pick up K-Special for our mani appointments (the roomie opted out to do her long run instead! Props to her!!).  So why did I make a pampering appointment on a "school night?"  No, not because I deserved a reward, or because I had an event coming up - I simply ran out of a nail polish color I wanted. I had used up the last drop of the roomie's *slightly clumpy* Lincoln Park After Dark the other week, and wanted to replenish our supply (Not only is Douglas J cheap since students conduct the services, but you also get to take home your choice of polish - score!).  As soon as I got to the salon, I was like a kid in a candy store - visions of spring toned OPI colors were coming at me left and right. After staring at the stand for what probably seemed like a century, I decided on this color:

"Panda-monium Pink" from the new Hong Kong line. They got me at *new.*

As the lovely students of Douglas J were painting away, K-Special and I chatted about the upcoming life changes and how perfectly fitting the term "era" would be for the last few years. The roomie, K-Special, and I (and our respective hubbies) have almost formed a cult the past few years - I've come to rely on them as my crutch. We realized that our era would be coming to an end soon. It kind of hit me last night, not in a subtle way, but more of a huge-bat-to-my-head kind of way... Sad, yes, but instead of getting depressed by it, I realized I wanted to cherish every chance we had left as a "crew" together.

'Kay, I'm done being mushy. Back to work.