Runner’s Log 9/3/08 – 9/13/08

[I’ve changed the title of this series from “running log” to “runner’s log”, because I didn’t want it to be mistaken for a “running log of my life” meaning that the only thing “running” is the log, as in on-going, and also because I love calling and thinking of myself now as a “runner”, so this is a way to affirm, grow, and strengthen this exciting new part of my life, as it were. (If you will.)]

9/3/08

20 minute run (8:40pm-9pm). It’s better for me, I think, to go for a run right after work, which for me, ends at 2pm. That is, until I have a job that starts after 8am, then in that case, I will go running first thing in the morning, before work.

9/10/08 [I didn’t run in the last week, but I did do 1.5 hours of aerobic yoga, and 20 minutes of aerobic exercise.]

20 minutes running time. Stretched for 10 minutes first this time. Discovered the magic formula of wearing three bras – this I need to do until I get a super high quality vice-like-grip of a sports bra to protect my bodacious ta-tas from extreme bounce-age.

It was nice and cool this night. I appreciate sweating in cool weather.

Another sexy thing happened on my run tonight. I was laughing, feeling good and sexy and saying to myself, “I’m a runner! I’m a runner!” when I happened upon a store called “Super Runner’s Shop”. It was closed, but there was a fellow at the register. I noticed there was a tiny space in the front door, and I spoke to him through it, “Hi, would you be willing to slip a brochure or business card through the slot for me?” And he was. www.superrunnersshop.com.

Lots of runners out tonight. Nary a one of them was black, though. Slightly disturbing.

I gotta get new running shoes. The left one feels like it’s a flat tire.

I laughed a lot tonight, like after an orgasm. In fact, I’ve decided that laughter is an orgasm, is exercise. I breathe good and hard when I run – I make sure it comes from my gut – my diaphragm. I remember that there are toxins that we can only expel through our breathing when we exercise, and I make the most of that.

I want to go running with Gary Null in Central Park soon. It’s on my list of things to do before the New Year is out. Meaning, it was one of my New Year’s Resolutions. I want him to show me what I’m doing wrong, if anything.

9/13/08

7-7:45pm. 20 minutes total running time. Went 3 blocks further than last time, but ran less because I didn’t have the energy or something. Maybe it’s not a good idea to wake up from a nap to go running. It was cool out – I enjoyed that – but dark, which also did not motivate me. I think it’s better for me to go running in the daylight. As usual, I enjoyed seeing the many attractive men and women running. I notice what the women are wearing, to gain inspiration and ideas for my future running gear. I feel proud to count myself among these runners. Thrilled to be out when they’re out, doing the same thing they’re doing. I still haven’t seen a(nother) black woman running.

Worked up a good sweat, and that, plus breathing out toxins and building my endurance, along with just getting regular aerobic exercise, is all that matters. Hot damn, I’m a runner!

(c) 2008 by Cassendre Xavier a.k.a. Amethyste Rah. All rights reserved or else!

Cassendre Xavier is a self-described “renaissance negresse”. Although she also enjoys the craft of acting, and making visual art, this first generation American of Haitian and Chinese heritage is mainly a musician and a writer. As a singer-songwriter/guitarist, Cassendre has released 7 albums of music Borders described as “a cross between Tracy Chapman, Sade, and Enya” (Steven M. Wilson). Her sound has also often been compared to that of Roberta Flack, Joan Armatrading, Joni Mitchell, Pheobe Snow, and India.Arie, among others. Her latest musical recording, “Live at Tin Angel” was honorably mentioned as #9 of “Top 21 Local LPs of 2007” (M.J. Fine, Philadelphia City Paper). Under her self-assigned soul name Amethyste Rah and featuring the music of Thaddeus (Sanaya Roman), she has a growing line of spoken word/guided meditation recordings called “Affirmations for Survivors”, the first two being “Spirituality” and “Self-Love”. Her “snappy and redeeming” (Karen Gross, Philadelphia City Paper) multi-genre writing has been published nationally in various literary anthologies and periodicals, as well as previously self-published chapbooks “secrets and lies: poetry & other words” and “Making of a Woman/Artist: a book for every black girl and every black woman who has ever wanted to be an artist”. She wrote, directed, and starred in a 5-actor play called “Sex for Survivors” which ran for three days in the Philly Fringe Festival 2003. An award-winning cultural arts advocate, Cassendre is the founder and former director of several arts initiatives in Philadelphia including the Women’s Writing & Spoken Word Series (Robin’s Bookstore, 2002-2006) and the Black Women’s Arts Festival (The Rotunda and other venues, 2003-present). She received a $15,000 Leeway Transformation Award in 2005 for her work in art and change. Now reinventing herself as a musician and writer in her native city of New York, Cassendre practices an active, raw vegan lifestyle, braiding her own hair extensions, and getting as many naps and hot dates in as possible. Visit often at www.cassEndrExavier.com.