Goodbye, July; Hello, Olympics!

Okay, so really, who names their kid Phillip Phiillips?  I don't wanna judge, but seriously.  When I first heard his name back in his Idol days, I immediately assumed he was from the south, and yep, whaddya know...a proud Leesburg, Georgia boy.  This mirrors other names I've heard of in this area:  Neil McNeil, Judith Judy, and Bill Guill.  What's up with that?!

Now that I got that out, I have a point.  Sort of.  The Olympics!  While crying like a baby watching gymnastics every night during the 2012 London Games, Phillip Phillips's hit song, "Home", has played.  I must admit, the ill-named musician is quite talented...I love that song!  My actual point is that I am obsessed with the Olympics; I realize the whole Phillip squared thing is irrelevant, but whatever.  Work with me here.

I am mostly tuning into gymnastics (I was a pretty good gymnast back in my day), swimming (um, I suck), and, of course, track & field.  I can't really explain it, but I cry all the time when I see parents getting emotional in the stands when their "kids" perform well.  Perhaps I am sad to have missed my window of opportunity to even think about being good enough at anything to be in the Olympics.  Meaning, I am getting the big O-L-D (at least in Olympic standards).  Mind you, I say this while listening to the Cindy Lauper station on Pandora.  ..."I Think We're Alone Now", "Bette Davis Eyes", "Don't You Forget About Me" (heck yeah, Breakfast Club!) ...you know you dig 'em.  No?  Shut up.

My gosh, I am listening to oldies...and thinking they are awesome.  WTF.

So, given this revelation, I decided to look up the oldest Olympian in the 2012 Games.  Hiroshi Hoketsu is a 71-year-old competitor from Japan in the event of, um, dressage.  Okay, I had no idea what this was, and it turns out, dressage is an equestrian event.  Therefore, I am going to buy a horse and start training.  Yup, I have 39 years to work with.  In the great words of Jim Carey, aka Lloyd Christmas, "So you're telling me there's a chance..."  

Okay, no.  In any event, I will be sad when the Olympics are over.  I could say I wish they were every year, but then we might take their awesomeness, and our appreciation for them, for granted.  I could not be happier for the Team USA Gymnasts, Michael Phelps, and my gosh, Galen Rupp.  Hello, USA distance running!  Whassup now, Kenya?!

"It's just another manic Monday.  I wish it was Sunday."  Oh, the Bangles.  Sorry, I had to share that latest Pandora gem with you...it's a goodie.  Okay, but really, why would you wish it was Sunday?  Sunday is followed by Monday.  Jus' sayin'.

Mmk, so given that my chances of dressaging (is that a word?!) are slim, I will stick to running.  My running has been spotty lately, but it is getting better again.  July proved a tough month; basically, Mike and I had front row seats in learning just how precious life can be.  Therefore, a vacation to Charleston at the end of the month was just what we needed!  I was able to run over the Cooper River Bridge (a must-do for any runner visiting the city), which was awesome.  I outran a lightning storm after cresting the top of the bridge, which was pretty freaking petrifying exhilarating.  We also spent a lot of time with my good friend, red wine, and I was introduced to perhaps a new friend...painting!  Yes, I took a painting class.  The assigned painting was of the Cooper River Bridge, which suited me well, and well, whaddya know, it was a drink wine while learning how to paint class...how convenient!

Well, hello there, lover.

 Wine 'n' Paint:  Before

Wine 'n' Paint:  After 

Call me Jenni Picasso!  No?  Whatever.

  I wonder what would have happened if no wine was involved.  Complete and utter crap, obviously.  ;)

One thing we did not do while in Charleston that we had hoped was kayak the black swamps with alligators.  Mind you, I am practically afraid of my own shadow (I was the kid that didn't go outside for an entire summer because I was afraid the "killer" bees would get me), but kayaking with alligators?  I dig it.  Perhaps next time.  Might wanna leave the wine out for that one though......

Here are a few other pics from our trip:

 Sullivan's Island

 Boone Hall Plantation - slave cabins

 Boone Hall Plantation - live oaks

 South Carolina Aquarium with the Cooper River Bridge in the background
(looks just like my painting...obviously)

Scrappy, our pup for the week, keeping us safe!

 We stopped at two Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives during the trip.  This was at Pawley's Front Porch in Columbia, SC.  Burgers with daggers.  There are no words.

The Tattooed Moose in Charleston.  Blue Cheese fries and a whole-lotta garlic.  Go get a napkin...I think you are drooling.

 All in all, it was a nice and filling relaxing trip!

Okay, so I think I just figured out the reason why I was not made to be an Olympian.  Do you ever notice that when Olympians are interviewed post-event, it seems as though they are reading from a script?  If they were to say what they were really thinking (i.e. "I cannot believe I lost to that #*(^$@!"), the media and general population would judge them for lacking class and being unprofessional.  Yet, when they say what they are "supposed" to say ("I am just soooo happy to be here and am soooo proud of Jane Doe for making it a great race and getting the gold."), all is well.  Really, are we supposed to believe that?  See now, I have no filter.  If I was, say, an Olympic marathoner, this is how my post-race interview would go:

Interviewer: "Jen, it looked like you struggled a bit at mile 22 when Mary Keitany surged and you had no response.  What happened?"

What they would expect me to say:  "Well, it just wasn't my day.  Mary ran really strong, and I am proud of her for having the strength at a time when so many others struggled." 

What I would actually say:  "I probably shouldn't have eaten that second burger last night.  And where the hell were the porta-potties?  If it weren't for that extra cheese, I totally woulda won." 

I would like to point out that this realization came to me while "Ill Stand By You", sung by none other than, uh, The Pretenders, came alive on Pandora.  Mm hmm.  So there ya have it...God did not make me an Olympian because I am simply too honest.  Duh.

Okay, so now that I have rationalized why I am not an Olympian to acceptable standards, I think I will go for a run.  Over this past week, I feel as if my legs have really woken back up, and I feel great!   My plan is to train as if I am gearing towards another 26.2 and see how my body feels en route.  In the meantime, I am excited for this final week of the Olympics!  Golden thoughts to Galen in the 5,000m and Ryan Hall in the men's marathon.  Go Team USA!

"Take your passion, and make it happen...what a feeling!" 
- Irene Cara * Flashdance*