In Chloe's Hands

Chloe had the day off from work and I suggested that she get in a two mile run on her own (since I had to work late). Around 7:30 p.m., I called her to see how it went.

Me: Did you run?
Chloe: Um... no. Not yet. Are you surprised?
Me: No. Do you want to run now?
Chloe: Well, I'm driving to a surprise party in Mt. Washington. Maybe after?

A Little Wind and Rain

Chloe and I both had the day off from work on Friday and in spite of the chilly, overcast weather it seemed like a perfect day to fit in a two mile run.

Around 10:30 a.m. I called her.

Me: Ready to run?
Chloe: I was thinking about making potatoes.

When Chloe doesn't want to workout, typically her answers to my questions will relate to food.

Me: It's a little bit of rain; you're not going to melt.
Chloe: I bought these really nice tomatoes. They're really good. They're tiny, heirloom tomatoes.

After some coaxing, Chloe gave in and ran the full two miles. The windy, rainy weather made for some good reasons to grunt our way through the run, but she did it!

While stretching, we ate the tomatoes. They were delicious.

One Mile at a Time

On Wednesday evening, Chloe and I headed over to the track at Johns Hopkins University. I wanted to see how fast she could run a mile (and I think deep in her heart, Chloe wanted the same). The night could not have been more perfect for a run. Or, in my case -- cracking a PBR, sitting back, and watching my friend run in circles. 

Having not been timed in a one-mile run since high school, Chloe felt a little apprehensive about the evening's workout. Whenever I ran on the JHU track in the past, it's always been pretty vacant -- not tonight though! About two dozen fit, college-aged women ran around the track and ultimately formed a stretching "soul train line" that Chloe could not avoid running through on each lap. 

We picked clovers in the hopes that they would dissipate (which eventually they did) and soon Chloe was off! 

Four laps around the track equals one mile. Chloe kept pretty consisted on each lap and finished in under 10 minutes! Below you can see her splits: 

Hooray!

2 Mile Monday!

Both Chloe and I had a booked weekend, so her first two mile run happened on Monday night after work. Here's Chloe all pumped up before the run wearing her brand new gray running tee!

We ran from her apartment on Eager and Charles to the corner of Mount Royal and North Avenue and back, which is roughly two miles. Chloe ran the entire distance in 22 minutes and 21 seconds -- not too shabby considering she doubled the distance and participated in a conversation along the way. 

Turn out to be a beautiful night to stoop stretch too!

Nice job, Chlo!

Later on Monday, Chloe did run a mile

Calls, Texts & Badgering

I called Chloe at 6:59 this morning in an effort to wake her up for our scheduled 7 a.m. run. I knew she stayed out late the night prior and waking up on time today would be a struggle.

Several rings. No answer.

At 7:16 a.m., I sent her a text that simply said, "RUN!!!!!" (Ok, I thought to myself, I'll make some coffee).

At 7:32 a.m., no word from Chloe, but coffee is ready!

At 7:35 a.m., as I sat with my cup of coffee and watched The Today Show, I called Chloe again. 

Same deal -- several rings and no answer. 

At 7:39 a.m., I sent her an email with the Subject, RUN!!!, and the text, RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!  

Unfortunately, there comes a point during my weekday mornings when I need to put the badgering of Chloe aside and get ready for work. So at 7:44 a.m., that time arrived. I showered, ate cereal, dried my hair, and got dressed. As I headed out the door at 8:47 a.m., I still heard no word from our aspiring 5K superstar.

At 10:10 a.m., I finally received the following text: 

"Buh I slept till 9:30... I was at the film fest thing too late!"

Sigh. Well, at least she hung with Bobcat Goldthwait.

Friday Afternoon

 me:  when are you running next

 Chloe:  iunno

monday?

tuesday.

 me:  you probably should get one in this weekend

 Chloe:  guh

Chloe Runs a Mile!

Just like Prefontaine coming up to his final stretch of a long distance race, Chloe completed a full one-mile run with grace and ease. She ran at a steady pace for a solid 10 minutes and even commented that she could have gone faster -- in due time, my friend, in due time. 

With no complaints or hesitations about the run, Chloe could focus much of her attention on her surroundings -- the natural beauty that is Baltimore City. 

Good run today, Chloe!

5K Nutrition

 Homemade chocolate buttercream icing and a spoon.

Happy Birthday! Now Go Run!

Today, my good friend turned 31 years old.

Over the years, Chloe has seen me through good and bad times; always willing to listen and even more eager to make me laugh if I'm ever feeling down. She's volunteered her time to help out at my non-profit -- whether it be grilling multiple hamburgers and hot dogs at the Best Buddies picnic (she's a vegetarian) or donating her artwork to the Franciscan Center. She's even cared for my bitchy cat.

That Chloe, what a gem!

So now it's my turn to say, "thanks," and what better way than hill intervals on her BIG day?! Here was our conversation around 10 this morning:

me: ready to run later? Oh, happy birthday!

Chloe: haha! Oh, thanks! What time do we have to run?

me: 6ish?

Chloe: Can I eat dinner?

me: no

Chloe: but

A few minutes later...

Lyndsey: chloe said she wants to EAT at a RESTAURANT instead of running

And eat at a restaurant she did, but later (after our final game of kickball), we found ourselves at Patterson Park and Chloe had a surprise running buddy!

Lyndsey traveled all the way from DC to celebrate Chloe's birthday and provide encouragement as she ran hill repeats six times. After eating a large bowl of pad thai and drinking an unknown quantity of Natty Boh during our final kickball game, Chloe was ready to go! 

And they're off!

Chloe completed all six hill intervals, but Lyndsey insisted on a "victory lap." 

Don't be fooled by the photo, she eventually gave in. Happy Birthday CHLOE!!!!!!!!!!!