Over the years, I've become familiar with the two following questions: "Why'd you do that?" & "Why'd you say that?". Fortunately its not usually for anything too bad, just a few eyebrow raising moments/comments. Sometimes, I'll even hear this from family members, but as I often tell my parents, "Hey, it's your genetics". Thinking more about these situations, I realized my family has plenty of these little situations themselves. Here's some generational snippets for you.
I had the following conversation with my grandmother a few months ago:
"Hey Grandma...what's happening?" - Me
"Oh, nothing, just ready for Dancing with the Stars. Do you watch it?" - Grandma
"Nope, never seen it." - Me
"I like the football guy (Hines Ward)" - Grandma
"Cool, I don't watch the show though" - Me
"They've got some girl from Playboy on there (Kendra Wilkinson)" - Grandma
"Oh, well that's cool" - Me
"She's a tramp" - Grandma
I called her a few weeks ago, and got this:
"Hey Grandma" - Me
"Hey Matthew, what's cookin'" - Grandma
"Not much, what about you" - Me
"I'm soaking my feet in epsom salts" - Grandma
So even two generations back, my family members have been quite direct. So that covers the verbal part of my research. As for the actions, my lovely sister had herself a moment the other weekend. Before heading out to a BBQ, we decided to go to the gym. She was working out on the machine next to the treadmill I was on, and when she was done, she wiped the machine down (as you should). After making eye contact, she proceeded to put the sweaty wipe in the cup-holder of my treadmill, then go about her business (in fairness she did throw it away at the end of my run). My parents have plenty of these examples, however they've taken a beating in this blog lately, and apparently gets the audio version from my sister, so for now they get a pass (for now mom and dad, don't get used to it).
In my previous post, I discussed how I was on the shelf for a few days of training due to a muscle pull. I followed instructions, and on Saturday starting working myself back in slowly. Saturday was a hilly three mile run, Sunday was off, and today was a pretty flat 5 miles. The leg feels pretty good, so it'll be another five miles tomorrow, just a few Wednesday, then a long run (10ish miles) on Friday after work. This weekend is the move, so unfortunately that'll keep me from running, but certainly make me plenty exhausted.
On the donations front, they have pretty much stalled out. I'll think of another incentive, but whatever you guys can do would be very much appreciated. Once again, every penny of every single dollar donated goes to directly to research. We're almost half way there, with just about three months to go. Thanks to everyone who has supported the cause so far. For those interested, you can DONATE HERE.
That's all for now, but healthy and running, means more posting. Maybe I'll even call my parents to see if they can inspire anymore embarrassing family material.
Matt
twitter.com/mstendardi
Monday, August 15, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Guest Blog 2 - Partial Employment, Moving to St. Louis and Living In Sin
Training report from your middle-of-nowhere resident and marathan co-runner...
A lot of stuff has happened since my last blog-post. On the more noteable side, I moved to St. Louis in the end of June because my girlfriend started a new job here. I'm finishing up the job search myself...
That happens to leave a lot of time for training for marathons. And watching the noon-time local St. Louis news on the treadmill since it's too damn hot to run outside. (Those of you who remember the New York Governer's Race televised debate may remember a certain clown candidate whose platform was lowering rent in NYC....well If I were gonna found a political party, it'd be the "It's Too Damn Hot to Run Outside Party" and our platform would be air-conditioned gyms and treadmills for every American. I would hold debt-ceiling negotiations hostage for this stipulation, but that's neither here nor there).
Anyway, if you've ever looked down on St. Louis while flying high towards a bachelor party in Vegas or some other thing, and wondered what if anything you're missing, I'll recap the top three good and bad things I've learned about St. Louis in my short time here. Some is gleaned from personal experience, some from the local news.
Here goes, with both some comical and serious observations...
Top three GOOD things about St. Louis, so far:
3) Very easy to get around. This place has good roads and minimal traffic for a city of 3 million. Boring stat but important to everyday living.
2) Blatant 'homer' Cards announcers. Matt and I have an issue to resolve over my sports allegiances, and he may expound on that in some future post. But we have tentatively agreed that it is OK for me to cheer for the Cardinals and learn about them and *possibly* become loyal to them. Having 'homer' announcers helps, though I'll never understand how Bruins fans can like their color guy no matter what.
1) Everything is cheap. Really, really cheap. I can actually live here and save money for vacations or ill-conceived plans such as marathon running in other cities. Or casino trips. Suffice it to say, some smart developers basically built a casino in downtown St. Louis with a moat of Mississipi River water around/under it to get around some state gambling rules. Brilliant!!
Top three BAD things about St. Louis, so far (aside from obvious fact it is 1,000+ miles from nearest real beach):
3) This is a very small big city. People are just as likely to ask what high school you went to as any other question. This question doesn't matter in life unless you're trying to get accepted into a fraternity at a big state school. Even then...really??
2) Crappy pizza. For some reason, the locals love thin-crust pizza with some sort of citrus-y cheese. If there's a silver-lining, it's that a Chicago chain, the trendy 'Pi' restaurant, has a couple locations with deep-dish pizza. De-lish.
1) Violence. Don't look at anybody the wrong way within the city limits, it doesn't matter the time of day. You might have a bullet graze your ear, or worse.
A lot of stuff has happened since my last blog-post. On the more noteable side, I moved to St. Louis in the end of June because my girlfriend started a new job here. I'm finishing up the job search myself...
That happens to leave a lot of time for training for marathons. And watching the noon-time local St. Louis news on the treadmill since it's too damn hot to run outside. (Those of you who remember the New York Governer's Race televised debate may remember a certain clown candidate whose platform was lowering rent in NYC....well If I were gonna found a political party, it'd be the "It's Too Damn Hot to Run Outside Party" and our platform would be air-conditioned gyms and treadmills for every American. I would hold debt-ceiling negotiations hostage for this stipulation, but that's neither here nor there).
Anyway, if you've ever looked down on St. Louis while flying high towards a bachelor party in Vegas or some other thing, and wondered what if anything you're missing, I'll recap the top three good and bad things I've learned about St. Louis in my short time here. Some is gleaned from personal experience, some from the local news.
Here goes, with both some comical and serious observations...
Top three GOOD things about St. Louis, so far:
3) Very easy to get around. This place has good roads and minimal traffic for a city of 3 million. Boring stat but important to everyday living.
2) Blatant 'homer' Cards announcers. Matt and I have an issue to resolve over my sports allegiances, and he may expound on that in some future post. But we have tentatively agreed that it is OK for me to cheer for the Cardinals and learn about them and *possibly* become loyal to them. Having 'homer' announcers helps, though I'll never understand how Bruins fans can like their color guy no matter what.
1) Everything is cheap. Really, really cheap. I can actually live here and save money for vacations or ill-conceived plans such as marathon running in other cities. Or casino trips. Suffice it to say, some smart developers basically built a casino in downtown St. Louis with a moat of Mississipi River water around/under it to get around some state gambling rules. Brilliant!!
Top three BAD things about St. Louis, so far (aside from obvious fact it is 1,000+ miles from nearest real beach):
3) This is a very small big city. People are just as likely to ask what high school you went to as any other question. This question doesn't matter in life unless you're trying to get accepted into a fraternity at a big state school. Even then...really??
2) Crappy pizza. For some reason, the locals love thin-crust pizza with some sort of citrus-y cheese. If there's a silver-lining, it's that a Chicago chain, the trendy 'Pi' restaurant, has a couple locations with deep-dish pizza. De-lish.
1) Violence. Don't look at anybody the wrong way within the city limits, it doesn't matter the time of day. You might have a bullet graze your ear, or worse.
Monday, August 8, 2011
I Hate Moving (But I Love Morristown), Minor Setback & Links
So things have been a bit busy over the past week. In addition to catching up on work, I was presented with the opportunity to move out of my apartment near the hood, and move into a pretty sweet apartment in Morristown. Anyone who knows Jersey, knows Morristown is quite a fun area, so obviously I jumped at the opportunity...in fact, if the opportunity were a person I would have hugged it very tight and very long, to a point of borderline awkwardness. Seeing as I'm swamped with weddings a month or so from now, and I have no allegiance to my current living quarters, the next couple weeks will consist of work, training, and moving tons of stuff 15 miles up the road. Some people who haven't been to my current place may ask, 'What's wrong with where you live now?' To that, I present you with Why I Gotta Get Out Of Here:
-I'm directly between downtown Plainfield and Scotch Plains. Downtown Scotch Plains is fine, but not too much is there. Downtown Plainfield is brutal. It's like the worst of Baltimore with a dusting of New Jersey attitude.
-The 60+ year old lady above me was smoking a blunt out front the other day. No joke. I'm fine with doing what you please, but that was a shocker.
-I think you can equate the quality of where you live by the ratio of women that have tattoos on their boobies. Let's just say there's many a booby tattoo where I live
On the training side of things, I had a minor setback. After horsing around this weekend (whether it was a giant slip and slide, playing with my friend's kids, or my sisters dog, who knows), I was running today and felt some soreness in my right leg, which as I kept pressing, I realized was a pulled groin muscle. Thankfully I noticed it early, and just have to rest it for a couple days. While I wish I could make some fun dinner plans for the next couple nights, I'll probably just be packing boxes.
Here's some links to kick off the week:
-I promise to never post about the economy again, but this is worth looking at, and get very worried about
-Fine with me I guess. How about we get a little more than the McGahee trade though?
-Here's something that'll excite teenage girls and infuriate any girl over 25. Guys across the country won't care.
-Get ready for that Fantasy Football Draft boys and girls!
-Oh silly Kanye. Nobody thinks you're Hitler. They think you're a pompous ass, because well...you're a pompous ass.
Catch up with everyone in the next day or so,
Matt
twitter.com/mstendardi
-I'm directly between downtown Plainfield and Scotch Plains. Downtown Scotch Plains is fine, but not too much is there. Downtown Plainfield is brutal. It's like the worst of Baltimore with a dusting of New Jersey attitude.
-The 60+ year old lady above me was smoking a blunt out front the other day. No joke. I'm fine with doing what you please, but that was a shocker.
-I think you can equate the quality of where you live by the ratio of women that have tattoos on their boobies. Let's just say there's many a booby tattoo where I live
On the training side of things, I had a minor setback. After horsing around this weekend (whether it was a giant slip and slide, playing with my friend's kids, or my sisters dog, who knows), I was running today and felt some soreness in my right leg, which as I kept pressing, I realized was a pulled groin muscle. Thankfully I noticed it early, and just have to rest it for a couple days. While I wish I could make some fun dinner plans for the next couple nights, I'll probably just be packing boxes.
Here's some links to kick off the week:
-I promise to never post about the economy again, but this is worth looking at, and get very worried about
-Fine with me I guess. How about we get a little more than the McGahee trade though?
-Here's something that'll excite teenage girls and infuriate any girl over 25. Guys across the country won't care.
-Get ready for that Fantasy Football Draft boys and girls!
-Oh silly Kanye. Nobody thinks you're Hitler. They think you're a pompous ass, because well...you're a pompous ass.
Catch up with everyone in the next day or so,
Matt
twitter.com/mstendardi
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Diving In Head First, Recovery TV & Gym Reflections
So even though my body clock is all discombobulated, I have tons of work to catch up on, and my apartment needs a serious cleaning (more on this in my next blog), I've jumped right back into my training. When I returned Monday, I intended to bang out a long run, however I took a nap immediately after work. By nap, I mean went to bed at 6:00pm (woke up at 9:00, had water, used the facilities, tried to figure out if it was am or pm, then went back to sleep for another 9 hours). So my schedule got a little truncated this week, but so far there's been no ill effects. I was able to let out a solid 8 mile run at an 8:48 pace. Today I took off from running, but had a solid lift session (despite frequent distractions...more to come on this too), then got in a 10 mile bike ride. Tomorrow's another run day (although a short one with hills...followed by a swim), Friday is an off day, then Saturday I get to pay for a $20 guest pass at my sisters gym so I can get in a long run and relax by the pool afterward (for a one time guest pass, I'm certainly hoping there's complimentary pool side massages and smoothies...hoping, but not holding my breath).
One pleasant surprise you get upon returning from vacation (thanks to modern technology), is a full DVR of TV to catch up on. While this certainly gave me plenty to watch while relaxing after the gym, it doesn't say much about my taste that the first show I put on was the newest Real World/Road Rules Challenge (and don't think if Jersey Shore had premiered last week, that it wouldn't have been first...sorry Curb Your Enthusiasm, forgive me Larry David). So, no matter how my next few workouts go, at least I can feel better by watching Gordon Ramsey yell at people for a few hours (pretty legendarily collection of crappy cooks on Hells Kitchen by the way).
A 10 day break gave me a fairly fresh look at some goofy things at my gym. Here's a few:
-Nothing will distract guys from a workout more than a yoga class finishing up (guilty as charged).
-If my gym doesn't allow members under 14, why do they still have the urinal so low it makes you feel like you're peeing on your feet.
-Three different guys had the same superman tattoo today (two on the bicep, one on the calf). If three people in one place have the same anything (other than cell phones or iPods) doesn't that automatically make it cliche?
-My new favorite person at the gym looks like Kenny Powers dressed as Andre Agassi circa 1991. I'm not making fun of this guy, right? I have to be laughing with him...
-Alright guys, wear whatever crappy shirts you want, show your nipples, and flex in the mirror. But please, stop having loud cell phone conversations in the gym. I give up on the earlier stuff, but I'm holding my ground on this one. (Ladies, I can't hear whatever your texting, so no worries on your part).
Hope everyone closes out there week on a high note,
Matt
twitter.com/mstendardi
One pleasant surprise you get upon returning from vacation (thanks to modern technology), is a full DVR of TV to catch up on. While this certainly gave me plenty to watch while relaxing after the gym, it doesn't say much about my taste that the first show I put on was the newest Real World/Road Rules Challenge (and don't think if Jersey Shore had premiered last week, that it wouldn't have been first...sorry Curb Your Enthusiasm, forgive me Larry David). So, no matter how my next few workouts go, at least I can feel better by watching Gordon Ramsey yell at people for a few hours (pretty legendarily collection of crappy cooks on Hells Kitchen by the way).
A 10 day break gave me a fairly fresh look at some goofy things at my gym. Here's a few:
-Nothing will distract guys from a workout more than a yoga class finishing up (guilty as charged).
-If my gym doesn't allow members under 14, why do they still have the urinal so low it makes you feel like you're peeing on your feet.
-Three different guys had the same superman tattoo today (two on the bicep, one on the calf). If three people in one place have the same anything (other than cell phones or iPods) doesn't that automatically make it cliche?
-My new favorite person at the gym looks like Kenny Powers dressed as Andre Agassi circa 1991. I'm not making fun of this guy, right? I have to be laughing with him...
-Alright guys, wear whatever crappy shirts you want, show your nipples, and flex in the mirror. But please, stop having loud cell phone conversations in the gym. I give up on the earlier stuff, but I'm holding my ground on this one. (Ladies, I can't hear whatever your texting, so no worries on your part).
Hope everyone closes out there week on a high note,
Matt
twitter.com/mstendardi
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Getting back in the saddle...very gingerly
So, as anyone who knows me (which is 99.9% of the readers I have) knows, I just got back from vacation. As much as I love random travels, this particular one holds a special place in my heart. My family has been going to Lumina on the Lake Of Bays for 29 years. Over that time, I've made friends that I will have for life, and it seems like I meet new people every year that feel like old friends. The week basically consists of an exhausting amount of water sports, occasional golf, and copious amounts of caesars, beers (which are stronger than our beers here), caps, and events that result in regrettable costumes (see any facebook pics I may have).
Anyway, this year was a bit better than the years past as we were fortunately (relatively) injury free (Momma, at 60 years old, decided to try kneeboarding. Well, that kneeboard decided to give her a pretty sweet shiner. Not saying don't try new things at 60, just beware, and make sure it's not wakeboarding). The weather this year was also considerably better than in years past. Other than my atrocious play on the links, and going to bed way to late, it was pretty much a perfect vacation (don't regret the late bed time, but having to get up early afterwards). Between said late bed times, and waterskiing like I was 16 again, I'm a solid mix of sore and overtired. So, that said, I'm back at work, and finally on my official training calendar (lovely combination to go with my mental state...which I've titled, The Lumina Hangover). It's a little modified to account for my schedule, but that's why I'll have something else up here tomorrow. I was able to get a run in while up there, and while not that long, had some brutal hills. That along with waterskiing and some tennis kept my legs in pretty solid shape, so thankfully I didn't go backwards.
See everyone back tomorrow for an update and some gym revelations.
Matt
twitter.com/mstendardi
Anyway, this year was a bit better than the years past as we were fortunately (relatively) injury free (Momma, at 60 years old, decided to try kneeboarding. Well, that kneeboard decided to give her a pretty sweet shiner. Not saying don't try new things at 60, just beware, and make sure it's not wakeboarding). The weather this year was also considerably better than in years past. Other than my atrocious play on the links, and going to bed way to late, it was pretty much a perfect vacation (don't regret the late bed time, but having to get up early afterwards). Between said late bed times, and waterskiing like I was 16 again, I'm a solid mix of sore and overtired. So, that said, I'm back at work, and finally on my official training calendar (lovely combination to go with my mental state...which I've titled, The Lumina Hangover). It's a little modified to account for my schedule, but that's why I'll have something else up here tomorrow. I was able to get a run in while up there, and while not that long, had some brutal hills. That along with waterskiing and some tennis kept my legs in pretty solid shape, so thankfully I didn't go backwards.
See everyone back tomorrow for an update and some gym revelations.
Matt
twitter.com/mstendardi
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