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Lost, then found: You can wear tennis shoes with slacks, can't you?

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5ksandcabernets: Lost, then found: You can wear tennis shoes with slacks, can't you?

5ksandcabernets

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Lost, then found: You can wear tennis shoes with slacks, can't you?

Austin, oh Austin. Your running trails around Town Lake are awesome, though I wish there were directions telling you which routes to take to run a certain distance. Your downtown is even more awesome, and the capitol building is pretty cool too - though I wish there were better directions to tell you which way you are going.
 
Spot a trend here? I've spent a lot of time getting in lost in Austin this week _ whether its walking through the halls of the Capitol looking for the office of some state senator, or even the exit, or driving around the Capitol looking for parking. And when I'm not lost, I'm stuck in traffic. It was rainy and foggy the first few days of this week and so traffic on Mopac (That's a north-and-south running freeway for those of you who've never been to Austin) has been like a parking lot in the mornings.
 
You know what I think it is, why I'm getting lost all the time? Man disease. Really. All I've gotta do when I get lost is stop and ask somebody where the heck I'm going.
 
But do I stop? No.
 
Inside the capitol, I think to myself, "well, I've tried this hallway and that hallway, so it must be this other hallway." I guess I'm trying to fit in. You should see me. I walk fast and with purpose, and each time I realize I've gone down the wrong flight of stairs or made the wrong turn, I whisper out loud, "Oh, it's over here." - you know, so just in case someone is watching they'll think I know where I'm going.
 
****
To get on the floor of the House and Senate, men have to wear coat and tie. Before this week, I hadnt worn a tie in I don't know how long. (To funerals, I'd always wear black shirt and jacket. Hadnt been to a weddings since before 9/11. As I write this I realize how sad that sounds: I've been to more funerals this decade [ 4 ] than weddings [ 1] ).
 
To make sure I comply with the dress code, last weekend I ducked into a Kohl's and, voila, they had a sale. Two ties for $30. I usually wear tennis shoes and blue jeans to work back home, but on the first day covering the legislature in Austin, I decided to wear shoes. Argghh. My feet killed me all day long. And my knees hurt when I ran the next morning.
 
So, the last few days, Ive worn my black new balance tennis shoes with my suits. Ahhhhh! Kenneth Cole slacks and New Balance: I know I look crazy, but boy am I comfortable.
 
******
 
So I've got 9 days before the marathon. I'm tapering like I'm supposed to and my legs are lovvvvvvving it. Just lovin' it. Feeling all fresh and springy, my legs can churn out sub 8 minute miles without needing too much work from my heart and lungs. I did 7 miles at Town Lake this morning in about 55 minutes (7:50 pace) and my average heart rate was 77 percent of max. I hope Cowtown is where I finally vanquish the ghosts of marathons past.
 
***********
 
So, in between the running and the getting lost, I have been working.
 
Tuesday, I wrote a story about the challenges Texas faces in biosciences. And Wednesday, I co-authored a story about Texas Governor Rick Perry saying he would take the stimulus money that the federal government has earmarked for Texas.

8 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I've spent a lot of time getting lost in Austin.

I hear you on the shoes. I wore shoes with a slight heel yesterday for the first time in quite a while and my legs hated me for it.

February 19, 2009 at 3:21 PM  
Blogger Billy said...

"Hello, my name is Billy Burger and I too suffer from Man Disease."

"Hi Billy"

Anyway. Good luck with the taper bro. And just paint those New Balances black and noone will be the wiser.

February 19, 2009 at 4:23 PM  
Blogger Lindsay said...

dude i haven't worn dress shoes to work in over a year. i'm not quite sporting tennis shoes though since those technically aren't allowed (but somehow the super fat and overweight people are allowed) i'm also clearly no man but i act like i know where i'm going when i'm trying to find a certain room in a new building. alright... i still get lost at work sometimes. (hey i've only been there 3 years.)

February 19, 2009 at 7:05 PM  
Blogger Ulyana said...

I miss Austin!

February 19, 2009 at 10:10 PM  
Blogger Marci said...

I agree Austin has the greatest running trails around Town Lake... oh so scenic!

February 20, 2009 at 6:17 AM  
Blogger Nancy said...

I get the tennies and suits. Been tempted many times with my dang feet. Thanks so much for the note. Very sweet of you. Sorry to give you the scare that I was a goner. I am but not in that way. :D See, there's always something much worse that could be going on.

Happy Tapering.
Nanc

February 20, 2009 at 8:37 AM  
Blogger A Plain Observer said...

Funny post! Still trying to picture the kenneth cole and new balance combo

February 22, 2009 at 6:43 PM  
Blogger Mike said...

Black tennis shoes works with anything. I carry a camera on my shoulder most days and no matter what I wear NB trail runners. In fact, go to most movie sets and you'll see a majority of the crew wearing NB running shoes. The ones with USA on the heel. Kinda funny how crews have adopted NB. So whenever I have to wear something else, I always feel it right away. BTW, are the trails in Austin still without much lighting for nighttime?

February 25, 2009 at 9:19 PM  

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