Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Long Distance Runner and Long Distance Relationshiper

A few weeks ago I was intent on running from my house to Navy Pier (in Chicago), and it's not enough to just say I'm going to the Pier because I didn't want to leave it vague so that I'd turn around early. So, instead, I said I had to pat the head of one of the statues in there, preferably an R2D2 mailbox, which was no longer there, so I had to opt for a statue of some kids playing "ring around the rosie." I did okay on that run (10 miles or so), but it took me 4 and 1/2 hours to run the marathon and my dad did his in like 3:07 at my age. It took me an hour and a half longer. My dad could have finished his race, popped in "Zombie Land" and watched the whole thing in a Lazy Boy, waiting for me to finish. That is, if time and space allowed such a scenario for our 34-year-old selves to race one another and there were big chairs and televisions at the finish . . .

Later that night, I ordered in sushi by myself and watched a movie, also by myself. It was kind of lonely night for me in a big empty house, missing my girlfriend who is living in L.A. In fact, when the character in the movie, "Zombie Land," as a matter of fact, says how he loves to brush a woman's hair behind her ear, I got insanely jealous; I love that move. Yes, I was jealous of a fictional character merely because he got to touch another fictional person's hair and ear.

So, that's me: A long distance runner and a long distance relationshiper, and I'm finding that I'm not too good at either one. And they're both equally painful.

8 comments:

Gorilla Bananas said...

Well, maybe the long distance run is similar to having a cold shower, and might ease the unfulfilled longings in that way.

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater said...

GB: Oh, absolutely. That's when I work all my shit out in my head. I was talking to my dad, and he does the same thing. Shit, I was going to mention how the other day he said that he never makes a decision when he's running up a hill. My mom asked him how he came up with such a notion, and he admitted that he makes it up as he goes along. Yes, I have become my mom and dad.

CurlyKateMcGee said...

Dr., your old faux roommie misses you, come here with the excuse of getting some of LSD's things (and that damn sweatshirt) and have a beer. No brushing or touching though, that would freak me out :)...

sybil law said...

Awww, that sucks. However, you'll get better at running the distance, and your girlfriend isn't there forever, right?
You need a cat. I happen to have one - his name is Dio. He's a little psycho, but otherwise, awesome.

Radioactive Tori said...

Before surgery when I did that half marathon and had to walk the whole thing (doctors orders)it took me like 3 and a half hours. I walked with a friend or else I doubt I would have even gone and walked it even though my rule for myself is if I sign up it means I have to do it. You totally beat me if that makes you feel any better.

I'm sorry about your girlfriend being so far away. My mom told me this long rambling story once and the point of it ended up being that you can't appreciate the good without some bad, can't appreciate what you have until you don't have it, etc. You know, just like that Cinderella song but your girlfriend is't gone, just away for a while. That doesn't make it feel any better right now though, I am sure, and I'm sorry she's not there with you.

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater said...

Curly: We could do the Gung Ho simulcast peeing?

Sybil: A cat named Dio? Holy Diver!!!! That would be fun.

Radio: Cinderella has taught me so much with that song. It still makes me cry . . .

CurlyKateMcGee said...

Yes we could do that :)

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater said...

Curly: So let it flow!