This week, I had a date with Mr. T.  Andy was pretty jealous. . .but not so jealous, I guess, seeing that I did give him plenty of opportunity to keep me company, instead.   He declined.

Mr. T and I are pretty tight for just that reason–he never turns down a date.  I wouldn’t describe him as clingy, or anything–sometimes we go weeks, even months, on occasion, without seeing each other.  No matter how long it’s been, though, he’s always up for a little (running) rendezvous.

Early morning, noon, late at night, freezing cold, pouring rain, blistering heat–it doesn’t matter.  Mr. T is unfailingly dependable, regardless of the time or conditions.

His only weaknesses, which are also his strengths (”My weaknesses ARE my strenghts”–Michael Scott, The Office. Love that line) is that he is a total stickler for the rules.  No excuses tolerated.  And, he’s not exactly one for sugar coating the truth, either.  If you don’t really want to know the answer to the athlete’s equivalent of “Do these jeans make my butt look fat?” (i.e. Am I really this out of shape?), don’t ask Mr. T.

Take Thursday’’s workout, for example.  I had all the excuses in the book prepared, but Mr. T staunchly refused to listen.  After a less than perky warmup, our convo went something like this:

Me:  I’m tired from yesterday’s group ride.  It was hard.

Him: Aaaannnd, you expect me to care?

Me:  (breathing hard) I’m out of shape. . .5 weeks of hiking & easy runs isn’t great for high end run fitness

Him: (checking his pace watch) ummm, no kidding.  But, isn’t that why you called me?

Me: (attempting to muster a cough; it comes out sounding rather fake.) Guess so, but I was sick last week, maybe my cold’s still lingering??

Him:  Move it or lose it, sweetheart.

Me: (Now panting. And sweating.  A lot.) Seriously, my legs are REALLY killing me.

Him: I pitty the fool who doesn’t start moving them faster. . .I will toss you right out the back door.
(He’s always threatening this sort of thing, but he’s never followed through.  Yet.)

No, not that Mr.T. . .

This Mr. T:

With Mr. T[readmill]’s perfect pacing and a bit of (necessary) tough love, I made it through the set: 8 x 1 mile with 2′ recovery at GOAL half marathon pace.

It’s a good fitness building session, especially with the right partner!