Slithering scary snakes

I dreamt that my family was visiting Thailand. We, along with what seemed to be dozens of others, were wading belly-deep in muddy water. The water was punctured at various spots by tall, thin trees, and I could see many buildings, eateries, businesses, etc. surrounding the water in which we were wading.

As we continued wading, I began to notice that there were big black snakes everywhere. They appeared to be floating atop the water alone or in groups. There were hundreds of them, and some of them looked to be truly huge. I recall that everyone was simply walking around the snakes, nonchalantly dodging them, and that the snakes didn't seem to be lunging at anyone. I was terrified, however, certain that I would walk right into one, causing it to strike me.

Finally we were out of the water and walking up narrow, dirty, rickety stairs, which ended in a small restaurant/cafe of sorts and we sat down to eat.

Odd, no?

So, Dr. Freud, I wonder what your take on this dream might be?


In other news, the results from my 5k are in. *drum roll* I was 38th out of 129 in my age group. Not too great, but hey, I wasn't last - far from it! And I had a truly shitty time, so my results can only improve. I'm planning on another at the end of April and another near the end of May. I have a goal, something to work toward.

I am a woman on a mission.

WEDNESDAY WHINE (it's been a while, so bear with me)
My boss caught the tail end of yesterday's run. (Grrrr) He decided it was appropriate to approach me at my desk later to critique my running form, criticizing me for "running on [my] toes instead of [my] heels." Of course, I actually hit mid-foot, which I half-heartedly attempted to explain.

Well, he argued, his high school running coach (of over 50 years ago - he's almost 70) told him to always strike heel-toe for proper form and maximum efficiency. So that's it, then. That must be the only correct way of running.

I told him that many of the world's best and most elite runners, the kenyans and ethiopians, train barefoot and that barefoot running makes heel-toe strike nearly impossible. It causes one to run more lightly on one's feet, thereby decreasing the shock absorbed by the knees. I told him that I too run barefoot from time to time to help correct my stride, and that since I had changed my running style my knee problems had vanished and my speed had increased.

He replied rather haughtily that he would "be watching the kenyans and ethiopians at the Peachtree Road Race to see what they do." (In 2006, the top 6 places in a row were Kenyans as well as places 9, 12, 13, 15, 18 and 20. No Ethiopians in the top 20 that year. In 2007, places 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 were Kenyans and Ethiopians took places 10, 14 and 15).

So Mr. know-it-all strikes again. I felt instantly angry. I know I shouldn't have been, but I was. I wanted to yell and curse at him and quit my job, just walk right out. Right then.

I want to do that a lot these days......

Apparently 5 years of shit from him is all I can take.