Last month, I got a late Christmas present from Dana. Have I
sung Dana’s praises lately? The woman knows what I like.
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| From Dana. But I ate some before I took the photo. |
We get little notifications when our packages arrive, and as
I’ve been waiting on a package from LL Bean forever, I was expecting a little
green bag when I ran down to pick up my package. Except the LL Bean package,
which I’d mailed before Christmas, hadn’t arrived. Instead, Ender handed me
this huge box that, even from where I stood, wafted peppermint.
I lugged the box to my office and ripped it open. That’s one
thing Istanbul has over Guangzhou – we weren’t able to open mail in the
consulate. I’ve been here seven months and I still get a kick out of ripping an
envelope or package open.
Anyway, with Dana, I expected good stuff but she outdid
herself. Inside, there was about 15 POUNDS of Christmas chocolate. Peppermint
bark. Hershey Kisses. Fifteen pounds. Absolutely amazing.
She also included a knit hat from the Wings-Leafs outdoor
game and some Wings gloves. Just in time for winter, too.
But the candy. Oh, the candy! I’ve shared some, hidden some
and eaten a lot. So much that I think I’ve gained about five pounds. But I have
to say, it’s been worth it. Thank you, Dana.
The five pounds has stuck with me, not that I’ve slowed the
chocolate eating and given it a chance to be worked off. I haven’t been great
about the gym the last few weeks because since being gone a week, I’ve been
coughing and/or working late. I’ve missed a day or so each week and the days I’ve
been in I haven’t been able to go full speed. I did once – whole hog – but it
about did me in.
And this lack of gym time didn’t bode well for the 10k I was
set to run in Antalya last weekend. I’d signed up long ago and it didn’t seem
daunting. A friend from work went, but we traveled separately and didn’t stay
in the same hotel. We met race day.
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| Sunrise in Antalya |
Antalya is a wonderful city, with beach on one side and
mountain on the other. I rented a car because the resort (yes, resort) I stayed
in was a $65 cab ride away. It seemed cheaper to rent one and have a little
freedom. I took a drive on Saturday evening before the race and just had a nice
time looking at the water.
The hotel/resort was a nice place, and all inclusive. I had
a private beach and though it was too cold to get into the water, it was a
beautiful place to watch the sunrise.
I think I overdid the all-inclusive thing with breakfast the
day of the race. I swear I didn’t eat much, but I’m used to running before meals,
not after. I wasn’t feeling strong, but I did finish strong.
But I have absolutely no idea what my time was. When I went
to pick up my stuff, I didn’t know to go to all these different booths and pick
up bits and pieces of my little race kit. I got the number, the shirt and the
bag but when I got to the race I realized I didn’t have the little chip thing
to track my time.
I have no idea what my time was, but I really, really hope
that I sweat off the five pounds from the chocolate.
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