I have a really hard time saying no. Invite me out on a run, to the bar for drinks, or down the street for a boat full of sushi and I’m probably going to be on my way out the door before you can finish saying “their spicy tuna roll is the bomb.com.”
I also have the tendency to invite myself along on things. Hint at a social engagement that you might be attending and I’ll be telling you what time you can pick me up before you can break it to me that I’m not invited.
Additionally, I am quite fond of spontaneous travel plans. Cross country, cross city, cross river, cross apartment building. Name a fun destination, a mode of transportation, and an estimated time of departure and I’ll pack some things that sparkle and maybe some things with an alcohol content (contingent upon traveling without a carry on and pesky airline regulations of course) and be ready to rock.
Photo/Paint credit, as always, goes to this one.
And on top of these stellar qualities, I am an expert peer pressurer. When I want my friends to join me for fun and merriment, I will make it happen. My persuasion tactics have worked on even the most stubborn of individuals. I suspect that after this weekend, I will have further proof of my masterful cajoling talent when a certain girl on the run decides to finally join me for an epic weekend this Spring.
Worked on this one AND this one…watch out, Alison, the odds are not looking so hot for you.
Why am I telling you all of this? Because yesterday, olympic-sized plans for olympic-sized amounts of fun were made in the course of approximately 47 minutes. And it involved a lot of not saying no, inviting myself along, spontaneous travel, and convincing others to join me for the insanity.
Back story: A couple of months ago, when my doctor gave me a rough timeline for returning to the sport, a good friend in the PNW sent me a slew of prospective races to make up my epic comeback from the broken bone hell. One of these races was the Olympic Trials in Houston next weekend. I instantly dismissed it, thinking he must be high to think I would be running even a mile by then and didn’t even address the suggestion when I emailed him back. (PS he did not suggest that I would actually run the trials, rather watch the trials, and then run the next day. Unfortunately, even my most epic of comebacks will not have me racing for the finish alongside my bffs: Kara and Desi.)
However, since I dismissed this initial email, there’ve been a few more mentions of the trials weekend in conjunction with words like “celebrate” and “Mexican martinis” and a mention or five of “tequila and running.” And you know me, I’m pretty much certifiably powerless to resist weekends full of sweating and celebratory beverages.
PROOF. Twenty hours of sweat and double fisting beers on a beach. Does life get any better? Answer: no.
So I decided to interpret “I’ll be in Houston for the marathon trials…you should consider going” as “pretty, pretty please come to Houston for the marathon trials, the weekend simply won’t be the same without your sweaty, unshowered, carb-obsessed self in attendance. I might not even go, if you don’t go. Who wants to hang out with the Halls and Meb if Sweaty Emily can’t be there?”
And then I started looking at flights. And while I was scanning flight options, I started to ask a friend if she thought it was a crazy idea. And this digressed very quickly into full on persuasion mode. When she went silent on gchat, I knew she was checking airfare and I had won the battle.
And 47 minutes later, two tickets to Houston were purchased, hotel reservations were made, and the ever important conversation of “what the hell do you wear to the Olympic Marathon trials?” had been started. Because why worry about airport transportation when there are matters of marathon spectating outfits to be settled.
So ladies and gentlemen, I am thrilled to announce that Sarah OUAL and I are officially coming out of our marathon-cheerleader-retirement for the very special occasion of the Olympic Marathon Trials.
I’ve already received phone calls from the top contenders thanking us for securing their olympic bids. Clearly, they got the memo that our sparkles on the strip in Vegas guaranteed PRs and marathon success.
And now I’m so giddy, I can pretty much think of nothing but Olympians, running and what I’m going to say to my running crushes when I see them. If it goes half as well as when I told Hillary Clinton “WE’RE NEIGHBORS!” because she represented New York while I was a resident of Vermont, then I think we’re in for a real treat.
Thank God we waited until 7 days before the trials to decide to go. I’m not sure I can stand this much excitement for any longer than a week.
See you in a week, Houston (not to mention Kara, Desi and the gang.) <3 Sweaty Em
Super excited to hear that you’ll be in my neck of the woods next weekend! I LOVE reading your blog.
Have so much fun this weekend!
I can’t wait to see pictures and hear the stories from this trip!
I so don’t have the type of personality where I can pick up and go like that, but think it’s awesome for those you do! Have a great time!
So jealous! Considering all of this I will suggest you come to Montana and run the Missoula Marathon (Runner’s World put it in their top marathons to run) in July. Do ittttttttt
Oh, we have a serious problem. Reference that top picture. You are telling me you sweat your ass off on a daily basis just so you can drink Bud Light? Sigh…
That will be one great race to spectate! Totally worth coming out of retirement for.
ps love your new header!
Oh how fun! I love last minute trips and need more of them!
You two will have so much fun :)
Have fun! Make sure the cheer for Steph Rothstein for me!!!
oh – I’m doing one of the eugene races — havent decided half or full
Have fun!! This is the way to LIVE!!
What a fun trip, and it sounds perfect for sparkles to be involved. HAVE FUN and enjoy cheering!
HECK YEAH!!! So glad you’re coming this way. The trials will ROCK!! As does the Houston marathon, which I’ll be running the next day. Stick around and cheer us, non-olympic, slow pokes on too!! Love your blog!!
Hi Emily! I love your blog and live in Houston! Please let me know if pu need any eating/drinking/running recommendations. I promise I’m a normal 27 year old girl and not some creepy 50 year old man that will harm you (wait, those sre the things creeps say, isn’t it?!). Enjoy Houston!!
SOOO JEALOUS! Cheer your brains out. A friend from high school is in the trials – Devon Crosby-Helms. Please cheer for her too!
My sister introduced me to your blog a week ago, love it. I’ve leaned that I do not own nearly enough sparkly running attire.
Lupe Tortilla’s. Best fajitas in the world. Yup. That’s a bold statement. But they are FANTASTIC. You must go!
Damnit I peed my pants again.
I’ll be at the trials too!so fun
Love your Blog! I’ll be in Houston running the Marathon and of course cheering the day before! What wouldn’t I give to get stuck in an elevator with an Olympian?!?! You know… to ask for rockin’ training advice of course! :-)
I love your impromptu road trips! I wanna have one in 2012. I have just added that on to my 2012 bucket list.
Have fun! If I had more $ and less kid I’d be hoping a plane south! :)
hopping, not hoping…
I LOVE IT!
YESSS!!!! I am so excited for you!!! I’m really glad you are going because I know there will be an awesome blog post for me to enjoy once you return. So really this trip is a WIN for everyone! Have fun!! :)
YAY! I’ll be there next weekend running the half. The weather is looking like WIN!
but will you be there to watch the houston marathon & 1/2 the next day??
because i would love to see some sparkles while running by and yelling “hey, sweaty emily!”
also, can you bring beer? like at mile 19? kthx.
there is beer at mile 19- the bud light truck is always parked in Memorial Park and happy to provide beer to racers! Highly recommend it as a spectating location!
haha what?! that’s awesome. had no idea, totally picked an random mile where i might want a beer.
jk…i’ll save the boozing for afterwards…i guess… :o)
hm… might have to make my way over there after i finish the half! ;) GO HOLLY!
I think I just lost sight in one eye from all of the pink sparkles on this post. HAVE FUN!
AWESOME! I’ll be out there cheering for the Olympians as well! And PLEASE come out and cheer us not-so-speedy marathoners on the next day. We could all use a little more sparkle in our lives!
I’m jealous! Have a great time at the trials and all the other weekend “activities”!
Fully expect to see your sweaty self this weekend (along with OUaL of course)…I’m happy to direct to margaritas and fajitas. :) The weekend will be amazing!
Hooray for a fun weekend in Houston! I love your blog and definitely need to add some sparkly arm warmers to my running attire for sure. Any chance you’d want to have a blog (well, at this point, blog and blog admirer) meetup? Mexican Martinis for everyone who loves running, sweating, and cheerleading the sport seems like best.case.
Super jealous!!! Have so much fun!!! Can’t wait to read all about the experience from the best cheerleaders in the crowd :)
Hi Emily! I tried to comment on your upcoming races post but was unsuccessful; anyhow I am also running Vermont City Marathon! It is my first one at that so any tips you can give me would be helpful! Happy Running!
I cannot express in words how jealous I am! Have fun!
So fun! This week my running group is supposed to be getting details on a top viewing area with parking nearby (I’m in H-town). Let me know if you want details, and I can email them to you when I get them!
Have a wonderful time! But can you please give a shout out to Julia Stamps Mallon? She’s not top 5…. or 10… or 25, but I went to high school with her and she kicked my butt at every track meet- I was a distant second. She inspired me to keep running… Thanks, and have fun!
wow!! so jealous! Have a fabulous time!!!
soo awesome & soo jealous!! You two are going to have such a memorable time!! I’m sure Ryan Hall will be winking at the two of you! :) :)
OMG, I was soooo terrified in the beginning of my blog too. I was worried I’d get in trouble at my job, that people would make critical comments on it, etc. and I barely told anyone about my blog at first. Then I discovered the blogging community like you too, and realized commenting and interacting with bloggers was a huge part of it. However, i haven’t really met any bloggers yet. I want to but this sort of freaks me out still! I guess I am shy and all that jazz. Anyway, I’m working on it. Hearing your story makes me realize (a) it’s normal to be a little freaked out about meeting internet strangers and that (b) it okay to meet them too.
also, read your most recent post too and have fun in Houston!
How totally awesome! You gals are going to have an amazing time at the Trials. Have fun!!!
Looks like an epic trip for sure!