Selfish.  Greedy.  A bit self-centered even.  Mainly selfish though.  That’s what I’m feeling right now after receiving an email from the Blood Center of Central Texas.  Apparently there is a shortage of Type O, and you’re looking at 10 tall pints of O-positive right here.  So why the self-deprecating adjectives to start things off?  Well, because it’s my blood and you can’t have it!

Don’t get me wrong, I donate whenever is convenient I can.  The last time was June or July when I donated extra red blood cells via the fancy-pants ALYX machine.  You see, I’m worried that if I donate my self-replenishing blood, my running and swimming (and hopefully biking soon) will suffer.  So let’s weigh the pros and cons:

My training declines slightly | Someone doesn’t get the life-saving blood they need

Seems pretty clear cut to me!  With a marathon less than a month away I may hold on to my red stuff for a little while longer, but I fully expect to drop a few pounds*^ some time in the Spring.  How about you?  When was the last time you donated?  Hmm?

*a pint’s a pound the world ’round (means a pint of liquid weighs a pound)

^new diet fad?  “Lose a pound in an hour!”  (Thanks to the Red Cross I learned you only donate a pint)