Crazy, busy, drama-filled week!

I think toning down my training is helping me physically and mentally. My sore ankle is OK now. My feet feel better, too. I've been combining shorter runs on the treadmill (softer on the feet) with riding a stationary bike (not a fan). I worked out only four days this week instead of five.

Hopefully, when I do my long run on Sunday, I'll feel much better. Just have to get that left hamstring looser ... (but it's better, too).

I think as I started to experience injury-like discomforts, I got discouraged ... fearful that after all this work, something would happen to ruin the actual Dec. 13 race. I really need to think more positive thoughts, huh?

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Jackie did Match.com first. In less than a month, she had found her man and is engaged; they plan to be married in January. So, she payed for a month for Lisa, just because Lisa would not have done it on her own. In less than three weeks, Lisa and her new guy are completely in love.

Does everyone have that kind of luck on Match.com?

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The drama is heating up at work again. This person we call "the snake" is only happy when she's dividing and conquering ... and bullying one of her subordinates (but don't worry, the bullied one has lots of support from the rest of us). The thing is, we're all onto the snake, so she's not nearly as effective as she once was. Thankfully, she isn't my boss, so I can ignore her. I pretend she doesn't exist. Of course, it's difficult to completely pretend she doesn't exist when the hackles on my neck rise whenever she's near. (Plus, I do keep my eye on her ... always careful to avoid that knife.)

I have absolutely no patience for people like her. I learned all about this from the Queen Sociopath three years ago and vowed never to be in that position again. I do hate seeing the snake in action, though. She works on one target at a time (typical), and makes up whatever is necessary to cause a wedge between the employee and the big boss, or between one employee and another. I made it clear to the big boss when she once tried her evil on me that I would no longer have anything to do with this woman, would no longer believe a word she says, and hoped he, too, would listen to her with discerning ears.

I guess recently the snake saw things were getting too comfortable and happy again in our little office among social workers, counselors, and clerks. This past week has been ... stressful for a few, thanks to the snake's discomfort with other people's happiness.

I know this, though ... she's getting mighty close to slithering along so fast she's going to slice her own belly. It will be an ugly sight.

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Speaking of work, "they" are "fixing" our heating and air-conditioning system in our building, which is separate from the prison buildings (but still connected). Some days, it's 90 degrees (not an exaggeration), and other days, it's 40 (also not an exaggeration). Makes it difficult to know how to dress ... and work.

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Had a "showdown" of sorts with an inmate this past week because he crossed a boundary and then tried to blame me (aka, the victim). That's typical behavior. And also typical for the other inmates to run to the aid of the inmate in trouble, creating further conflict to handle. Kind of makes doing "therapy" groups a challenge when you have to start over at square one. It also makes those of us who work with this population tend toward the cynical, jaded side after a while.

It will all blow over, though ... always does.