Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Incorrigible

1. bad beyond correction or reform
2. impervious to constraints or punishment; willful; unruly; uncontrollable
3. firmly fixed; not easily changed
4. not easily swayed or influenced

(from dictionary dot com with some editing on my part)

The copy machine in my department is frequently on the fritz, usually with a continuous paper jam. Sometimes the last person to use the thing just walks away to leave the next poor soul who needs a copy to fix the problem. Most often they tell the administrator and put an "Out of Order" sign on it. Today somebody but a sign on it with the word "Incorrigible". I couldn't help but chuckle every time I walked by the thing. These odd little words get stuck in my head.

Tonight called for a 5 mile run. My plan was to turn it into my midweek tempo run. I headed over to Bonelli for the flat Cottontail route. I started off the first mile fairly easily then tried to kick it in gear. I felt like I was moving along at a decent clip. At the turn around point I was at 22 and change. Even with my limited math skills in motion I could tell I was over 9 minute miles, not exactly tempo worthy. I don't think I could have gotten much more out of my legs. I was beat by the time I got back to the car. My 9:15 pace isn't exactly where I need to be or even expected to be.

Just two months ago I ran a marathon in 8:33 pace. Yes, it is still really early. Only Week 1. But that silly little word popped into my head. At this point the copy machine and I have something in common - incorrigibility

13 comments:

Wes said...

Easing back into it.... :-)

Scott McMurtrey said...

that's a great story about the sign on the printer. very funny.

hey, that's the competitor in you that wants to be running your previous pace already in just week one. you'll get there, i'm sure. :)

Unknown said...

Uh oh...by the looks of that picture I am gathering that you feel a bit rusty. You'll be back where you need to be. Put in the miles and the work and you will see the results. I am still feeling quite rusty myself.

Joe said...

Ditto Rob's comments, Darrell. Keep running...the legs will come back. And take care of the foot...without it, the legs never will come back :-)

Great photo...I feel like that old pipe many days!!

Anonymous said...

I found your site via Rob's blog. I enjoyed your post. Love the sign on the copy machine! Too funny! :) I'd say we all have our moments when someone should stick that sign on us. :)

Happy running!

Ryan said...

Lol at the office post! Btw great father and son run at last weekends 5K! Happy MCM training!

Randy - Maniac #788 said...

Darrell, oh Darrell, I"m sure it gets better, that's your legs talking to you....if they could they might just be slapping your face righat about the end of that run...give us some time to get back into the heat of things....get rid of that rusty tinhorn photo and put up some kind of truly inspirational motivational event that we will be all too ready to chase after....like a photo of the finisher's medal at the MCM....get the spirit out in front of your toes and see them take off....come on...we won't let you down..brother...

Ryan said...

Incorrigible - my new word of the day. Keep up the progress. Patience and focus will bring you to your next goal.

David said...

I daydream of the days not long ago when, after a run, in the shower I would rub soap on my legs then scrub 'em. I can remember when those legs were like rocks. Rocks are fleeting without constant training. It takes time like robtherunner says.

Jenny, Maniac #401 said...

my knee is incorrigible at the moment. Not cooperating with me one bit. I am running, very slowly. If I could run a 9 min. mile with no pain at this moment I would be thrilled. Instead, I force myself to run at 11 minutes because I know there will be a longer amount of run time with no pain.
As just about everyone else said, in time things will improve, I must take that advice too. Keep going.
Jenny

Legs and Wings said...

If you hold your nose just right you can make incorrigible sound like encouragable...which insn't really a word but could be I guess (spell check wants me to write incorribible!!).

I hope this has been encouragable. Have a good weekend and Happy 4th from your buddy way east and north.

Sarah said...

You're right...its early! You're not ready for an "out of order" sign just yet! ; ) : )

Neese said...

LOL well, first of all it should be a requirement that if you have a copy machine there is a video camera installed to catch these people that leave it jammed! second, that's an amusing selection of words for sure i would of smiled too