This Stuff Doesn't Happen to Me...

I decided to challenge myself today when I went for my run. Last week, I ran a mile at about 10:20 or 10:30, and I was quite pleased with myself. So this morning, I made a new goal: 10:00 or less.

I knew I could do it, if I really pushed myself. And push myself I did. Rivers of sweat were streaming down my face, my neck, my back. My running clothes were soaked. It took a few minutes of walking back through my apartment complex to calm my breathing down when I was finished. But I did the whole block in 11:23. According to The Daily Mile, that's a mile in 9:51.

Obviously, I'm quite pleased with myself.

But its what happened after that mile that boggled, excited and flabbergasted me.

As I reached my building, a cute guy walking just ahead of me turned around, smiled, and said, "Hi, neighbor." Feeling cute, I smiled and said, "Hi, neighbor!" right back. Introductions were made. I reached my apartment and let myself in, smiling and saying, "See ya."

A few minutes later, there was a knock at my door. Sure enough, there was Neighbor Boy, smiling.

"I was thinking, maybe we could work out together sometime."

I agreed with him, and he gave me his phone number. Eeek!

This stuff doesn't happen to me! I used to just fade into the wallpaper, or not elicit any notice from the men of the world. Suddenly, here I am, with a cute guy noticing me, giving me his phone number, wanting to get to know me...when all he's seen of me is sweaty running clothes, a ponytail plastered to my neck. Red-faced and breathing like a steam engine as I try to slow my heartbeat after an intense run.

This stuff doesn't happen to me...and yet, it just did.

I practically skipped to the gym, and I didn't feel at all self-concious in my swimsuit as I did laps in the pool. I bragged about my sub-10-minute mile to B. the Gym Manager, who grinned, said, "Shut. Up." and high-fived me. Later, I caught up with G. the Meanie, who high-fived me, introduced me to his client, and proudly said, "Megan's lost over 60 pounds." (Oh, yeah: I weighed in yesterday at 159.9. I don't care that the lunch I ate later tipped me back into the 160s--as far as I'm concerned, I'm officially in the 150s now.)

Suddenly, I have a strong urge to buy a lotto ticket.