Magic numbers
When I can’t fall asleep at night, I think about words. Words I don’t often use, fun words (gestate and harmful are two favorites), and new ways to spiff up a sentence. This isn’t surprising since I’m a writer.
But I also heart numbers. In fact, I was in honors math way before honors English. I get a thrill out of doing fast math in my head. It’s sad how excited I get when I can figure out the percentage off something more quickly than a friend can do it on her cell phone’s calculator.
My favorite number is 10. Why?
- On 10/10/76, the old Giants stadium opened. The head contractor and the head engineer of the stadium were friends. On opening day, they introduced their kids to each other. Those kids got engaged a few months later, and a few years after that, they had me.
- On 10/10/01, exactly 25 years after my parents met, a certain Ironman asked me to be his girlfriend.
- On 12/10/05, that Ironman asked me if I’d be his wife.
- Today is 12/10/10. That means I got engaged 5 years ago, and started dating the Ironman 110 months ago today.
- And since we were speaking of the Giants, my very talented, often foolish quaterback’s number is 10.
(source)
My love for numbers also impacts my running. A lot of that has to do with my Garmin addiction. As Jen said on my speed post, “It’s amazing how eye-opening it is to have the facts right there on your wrist”. I completely agree 
Tomorrow, I’m running half marathon number 11. It will be my 2nd time running the Thunder Road half. And it’ll be my 18th, and final, race of 2010.
I would like to keep around an 8:00 minute/ mile pace, and finish in 1:45:00. But with zero organized speedwork in 2 months, 680 feet of elevation climb (1381 feet of total elevation change), and a low temperature of 26 degrees tonight, I know that’s very wishful thinking.
I’m trying to forget about the numbers. Especially the one that indicates what it will “feel like” outside.
I’m going to run hard but my main goal is to have fun. Running is such a gift and a race atmosphere brings me so much joy. Especially when 6 of my friends will be racing, too.
Pssst, one of those friends is racing in her first ever race tomorrow morning. Go wish Diana luck on her 5k!
Are you more of a numbers or words person? All the cool kids are both 
You Might Also Like:
When I was little, my dreams were different than most girls'. I didn't aspire to fall in love with a prince and become a princess. (source) ...
Now that Wyatt has been sleeping better for 2 weeks (!), I hoped to get into a regular morning workout routine. But his schedule is still pretty u...
I'll admit, I used to be pretty successful at not comparing myself to others. Maybe it's because I don't have a sister or because I've never really be...
Blogher
Contact Me
- Loading...
Post by Date
Archives
- May 2012 (8)
- April 2012 (15)
- March 2012 (11)
- February 2012 (8)
- January 2012 (8)
- December 2011 (12)
- November 2011 (12)
- October 2011 (14)
- September 2011 (14)
- August 2011 (13)
- July 2011 (16)
- June 2011 (13)
- May 2011 (7)
- April 2011 (5)
- March 2011 (5)
- February 2011 (9)
- January 2011 (13)
- December 2010 (12)
- November 2010 (13)
- October 2010 (18)
- September 2010 (11)
- August 2010 (12)
- July 2010 (11)
- June 2010 (15)
- May 2010 (4)
December 10th, 2010 - 10:30
I love all those coincidental dates! So does that mean your grandparents worked on the stadium? So cool.
I will be virtually cheering for you this weekend! Have fun no matter what the numbers say!
December 10th, 2010 - 13:33
Yup, my one grandfather was the head engineer for Giants Stadium, the George Washington Bridge, and the World Trade Center (my mom was the first woman ever in the WTC). He was pretty amazing. In fact, Walt Disney personally asked him to come work for him and design Disney World (he said no b/c he didn’t want to leave NJ). We still have that letter framed.
December 10th, 2010 - 11:09
Good luck! I hope you make your goal!
December 10th, 2010 - 11:25
Good luck! You are going to do GREAT!
Can’t wait to read about it!
December 10th, 2010 - 12:01
Good luck on your half! I’m sure you’ll do great!
December 10th, 2010 - 12:39
I am crazy and when I can’t fall asleep at night I go through the ashtanga sequence in my head. All of the inhales and exhales put me right out.
Can’t wait for tomorrow!!! Running races is so much more fun now that I always have running friends on the course too!
December 10th, 2010 - 13:12
aw yay happy engagement anniversary! mine is in 4 days!!
I love numbers too. Sadly I dont think I have a lot of cool signifigance with mine like you do. Bobbys birthday is june 6 so on 6/6/2006 we were afraid he was going to spontaneously combust or something!
December 10th, 2010 - 14:30
I am a numbers and words person. I think it makes sense since I write a blog and obsess over my Garmin statistics.
December 10th, 2010 - 14:45
Good luck for the race! I can’t believe you’ve done 18 this year- that’s epic!
I always liked the fact that my birthday had its own pattern (7282- if you live in NZ, anyway…) and that the final letter of each of my names was the same as the first letter of the next name (until I got married). Kate Elizabeth H…..
Sadly, it seems like recently when I go to sleep, I think about work stuff that makes me anxious. Sentences would be better!
December 10th, 2010 - 15:21
Ah what an amazing story about how your parents met!! (And Go Giants!) Hope you have a ton of fun running your half!
December 10th, 2010 - 17:45
awww happy 5 year engagement anniversary!
as an accountant i am definitely a numbers girl
have fun tomorrow!!!
December 10th, 2010 - 19:32
I am definitely a definitely a numbers person cause they are so much more concrete than words and my ocd can just flourish
I’m running the thunder road half too tomorrow! I’m a little nervous about all the hills though and because I’ve completely slacked off training due to sickness and holiday fun so my last “long run” was 10 miles about 3 weeks ago… but oh well i’m just gonna give it my best shot and hopefully finish under 1:55
December 10th, 2010 - 19:39
Good luck! Hope to run into you tomorrow
December 10th, 2010 - 19:45
I’m not a numbers person. Thankfully my husband and daughter are, so they help me out when I’m in a pinch.’
I loved reading about all those special ’10s’ in your life.
Good luck tomorrow!
December 10th, 2010 - 23:21
math teacher here…so i gotta go with the numbers. in fact just today i had some students correcting my white board grammar… i just don’t get the big deal with spelling and proper usage….
December 11th, 2010 - 06:57
Good luck tomorrow, you’ll do great!!… btw, that elevation chart looks like my ecg if I were to run such a hilly course, I HATE hills!!!
December 11th, 2010 - 08:35
Have a great race, Jen!
I am a total number and words girl…and a general nerd. I loathe the cell phone calculator because I want to figure everything out in my head. Others find this ridiculous. Oh well!
December 11th, 2010 - 08:50
Love this post!!! My favorite number is 11, and today is the 11th so kick some butt!!! Good luck today!