Quick update:
Philly was fabulous. I love it there. I went to campus and the button, walked by Clark Park farmer's market, ate Ethiopian food, saw my bestest of friends, played with little O., walked around campus, got a new comfy Penn sweatshirt.
Marathon - PR!! WOOOoooo! I finished in 3:10. More on that in another post. I was just so happy, felt stronger (mentally and physically) than I had in other marathons and had an awesome time. I was extremely sore for 2 1/2 days and then life got better.
D.C. was pretty good. Saw the lovely E. for tea at a beautiful little shop with nice wood floors and tables upstairs. Then, got to A. & S.'s place, which was awesome. Such a nice neighborhood, I thought I was walking in the wrong direction because I didn't believe they could live in such a grown-up, nice neighborhood. A. made a delicious dinner, which we enjoyed while visiting with our friends S. and G. (Soooo many couples!). Broken escalator at Dupont circle was my worst nightmare, give post-marathon soreness. Next day I spent with A., visiting her apartment, walking around the mall, work at a cafe and then dinner at good Thai. We baked a little to bring with her for Thanksgiving to M.'s family in Jersey. Finished the day watching an episode of The Office and collapsed into bed.
Wednesday - at long last - saw the family!! Walked a mile down to the Nat'l Geo Museum and waited in a cafe until family trickled in. We went to the Terra Cotta Warriors exhibit (didn't compare to Incans!) and saw a photo exhibit, too. Walked by the White House, had lunch in the old post office building and then Nat'l Gallery of Art. People peeled off in their own directions and baby brother L. and I walked down to the capital building. Sat there and watched the sun set, then got a snack and took the Metro out to 'burbs. Made Cheesecake & watched a movie.
Thanksgiving - hung around, had the meal at cousin's house. Pretty good food, but skimpy on the vegetables and no stuffing! Watched Brother's Bloom with L. that night.
Friday - unveiling. Spent the morning with grandma, went to the cemetery for the unveiling. It was nice, a little sad, but mostly just a nice family gathering. Bummed around at Aunt's house eating without being hungry and talking to sibs.
Saturday ended up being flying back, getting a new phone because the old one died and going to the grocery store. Welcome back to Denver. :/ Miss the fam. already. :(
Back to studying for me...4 finals, 1 paper and 1 presentation before it's over and I go home to play with D.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Tea Quote
I found this quote on the tag of my Celestial Seasoning's tea. I like it:
"It is the mind that makes the body."
- Sojourner Truth
Sojourner Truth was a former slave, abolitionist, preacher and advocate of women's rights.
"It is the mind that makes the body."
- Sojourner Truth
Sojourner Truth was a former slave, abolitionist, preacher and advocate of women's rights.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Case of the Mondays
It's 14 degrees outside. The roads are a thick sheet of ice. My car won't start. The bus comes twice an hour, and involves a mile+ walk, anyway. Sigh. Welcome to my Monday.
Things got better, and I trust the car will start when it gets warmer out. But, REALLY!? It just makes me look forward to leaving on Friday, a mere 3 days away! And, I get to spend a whole evening with Gracie-poo! She, kindly, is driving me to the airport Friday morning at 5 a.m.-ish. Goodness, when was the last time I was invited to a sleepover?? :)
Lots of work to get done before Friday, though. 1 down, 3 to go.
On another note, I heard this cool story on the radio today about a kid in Malawi who just decided to make a windmill. He read about it in 2 books at the public library, after he couldn't afford to pay the US $80 to go to public school. Except, really, he didn't even read it because it was in English and he didn't know English. So, he learned about how to make a windmill from looking at pictures in 2 books at the public library after dropping out of school. And DID he make a windmill! From gum trees, old bicycle parts and trash around the town, he made a 39 foot windmill that converts wind into energy. It provides electricity for radios, cell phone charges, and 2 light-bulbs. He's since built 2 other windmills that work even when it's not windy. He's now 22 years old. Amazing. This story makes me feel pretty much the same as when I see 14 year old Olympic medalist figure skaters on T.V. -- I'm already too old for genius, raw talent and wonder!
Things got better, and I trust the car will start when it gets warmer out. But, REALLY!? It just makes me look forward to leaving on Friday, a mere 3 days away! And, I get to spend a whole evening with Gracie-poo! She, kindly, is driving me to the airport Friday morning at 5 a.m.-ish. Goodness, when was the last time I was invited to a sleepover?? :)
Lots of work to get done before Friday, though. 1 down, 3 to go.
On another note, I heard this cool story on the radio today about a kid in Malawi who just decided to make a windmill. He read about it in 2 books at the public library, after he couldn't afford to pay the US $80 to go to public school. Except, really, he didn't even read it because it was in English and he didn't know English. So, he learned about how to make a windmill from looking at pictures in 2 books at the public library after dropping out of school. And DID he make a windmill! From gum trees, old bicycle parts and trash around the town, he made a 39 foot windmill that converts wind into energy. It provides electricity for radios, cell phone charges, and 2 light-bulbs. He's since built 2 other windmills that work even when it's not windy. He's now 22 years old. Amazing. This story makes me feel pretty much the same as when I see 14 year old Olympic medalist figure skaters on T.V. -- I'm already too old for genius, raw talent and wonder!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Weekend recap
Well! A boring old weekend. I'm not complaining, sometimes it's nice to lounge around and pick my way through the massive amount of work.
Friday night I decided to make macaroni and cheese from scratch. We never had this growing up because Dad couldn't have milk. At best, we begged for the Kraft box of toxic orange, fake cheesiness. Sigh. We didn't even know what we were missing. Anyway, I got a recipe off NYTimes and this Mac & Cheese was not kidding around. Tons of Gruyere and Cheddar, homemade croutons on top. Etc. I had to freeze a ton and give some away to my friend so I won't drop dead of a heart attack in two days. After that, I finished the home-body's night by going on a cleaning rampage. I feel much better. It's nice to have a clean place when you go away. It's even nicer to have a clean place when you come back. It also seems to help me with studying.
Saturday I slept in because I felt a little sickie. I ran mid-morning (City Park Loop), did some work, and got my haircut. I confirmed that I love this place, Allure. It was time: I could see the split ends and I wasn't even trying! Anyway, no one will notice, but I'm happy it's not so raggedy after the whole summer and fall of running in the sun. This place is just a few blocks away so I can walk. They also have lemon water and cookies while you're waiting (didn't try) and Michelle is super friendly. None of that awkward silence or painful chit chat that makes me hate going usually. And, it's cheap! I skyped Dinta Bint and then (hurrah!) finished my urban planning law paper. I'll write about that in another post, but I wrote about a housing policy in Santiago, Chile. I thought it was pretty interesting. I walked to Cafe Europa in the early evening with some Federal Indian Law reading. I didn't stay too long, though, because soon after I got there, the new art show had its reception and people were staring at me because I was sitting next to the wall with the art. I was there first, people! No fair! They have pretty good lemon mango tea with real chunks of mango in it. Then I had a long phone chat with my high school friend. Walked home in the beginnings of snow.
Sunday - Ha! Woke up to a good 6 inches of snow and still coming. Went running with JB for 45 min, slogging through the snow. It was pretty, though! Didn't see many (any?) other runners. We also ran pretty much down the middle of the road, even Speer Blvd! Spent the day doing work and bumming around my apartment. Lame.
Here goes - 1 week until classes are over, Philly marathon, going back East to see everyone!
Keeping calm and carry on...
Friday night I decided to make macaroni and cheese from scratch. We never had this growing up because Dad couldn't have milk. At best, we begged for the Kraft box of toxic orange, fake cheesiness. Sigh. We didn't even know what we were missing. Anyway, I got a recipe off NYTimes and this Mac & Cheese was not kidding around. Tons of Gruyere and Cheddar, homemade croutons on top. Etc. I had to freeze a ton and give some away to my friend so I won't drop dead of a heart attack in two days. After that, I finished the home-body's night by going on a cleaning rampage. I feel much better. It's nice to have a clean place when you go away. It's even nicer to have a clean place when you come back. It also seems to help me with studying.
Saturday I slept in because I felt a little sickie. I ran mid-morning (City Park Loop), did some work, and got my haircut. I confirmed that I love this place, Allure. It was time: I could see the split ends and I wasn't even trying! Anyway, no one will notice, but I'm happy it's not so raggedy after the whole summer and fall of running in the sun. This place is just a few blocks away so I can walk. They also have lemon water and cookies while you're waiting (didn't try) and Michelle is super friendly. None of that awkward silence or painful chit chat that makes me hate going usually. And, it's cheap! I skyped Dinta Bint and then (hurrah!) finished my urban planning law paper. I'll write about that in another post, but I wrote about a housing policy in Santiago, Chile. I thought it was pretty interesting. I walked to Cafe Europa in the early evening with some Federal Indian Law reading. I didn't stay too long, though, because soon after I got there, the new art show had its reception and people were staring at me because I was sitting next to the wall with the art. I was there first, people! No fair! They have pretty good lemon mango tea with real chunks of mango in it. Then I had a long phone chat with my high school friend. Walked home in the beginnings of snow.
Sunday - Ha! Woke up to a good 6 inches of snow and still coming. Went running with JB for 45 min, slogging through the snow. It was pretty, though! Didn't see many (any?) other runners. We also ran pretty much down the middle of the road, even Speer Blvd! Spent the day doing work and bumming around my apartment. Lame.
Here goes - 1 week until classes are over, Philly marathon, going back East to see everyone!
Keeping calm and carry on...
Week Runs
Tapering, week 2.
Sunday - rest.
Monday - 9 tempo 3x2k
Tuesday - 4
Wednesday - 9 tempo 2x20
Thursday - off
Friday - 6
Saturday - 9
Total: 37.
Sigh. This tapering business is hard. I hope the little aches I've had go away.
Sunday - rest.
Monday - 9 tempo 3x2k
Tuesday - 4
Wednesday - 9 tempo 2x20
Thursday - off
Friday - 6
Saturday - 9
Total: 37.
Sigh. This tapering business is hard. I hope the little aches I've had go away.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Trust in the Taper
Ah! This is the point where I start to freak out.
I know, know, this happens to others, but why is it that when you taper, everything seems to fall apart? For you non-freakish runners, tapering is the last phase of training before a race. The idea is that you cut back on running to let your body rest up and be its freshest for the race. While you decrease how much you run, you're supposed to keep up how hard you run. For a marathon, it's typical to have a 3 week taper. After your hardest week, you have 3 increasingly easier weeks leading to the race. This really plays with your psychological confidence. You feel slow and sluggish, like you're getting out of shape. You feel like you're just an eating machine, but without the exercise to burn it off. The last week, especially, you feel like, "Gosh, this whole week I haven't even run as much as I will have to run at one time."
More than that, I really think once you start cutting back on the intense training, your body says Oh, okay, I can finally let myself fall apart. Little aches come up: my knee gets a pop when getting out of the car. My hips start cracking when I step out of bed in the morning. My heel tightens up and a little plantar fasciitis sneaks in. A little sniffle and morning cough starts showing up. What!? I've trained hard for 4 months for a cold or an ache to make me have a bad race? Am I going to make it to race day? Will I make it through the race?
I just have to keep reminding myself that this is all normal. My body is let itself "let loose" and break down a little before pulling it together for a strong, healthy race day. I'm giving myself rest after all those runs: the hot summer runs on unshaded Highline canal. The crappy races at altitude, after which I decided it was finally time to do track workouts. Those painfully slow first track workouts on the dirt track at South High. Those runs on Monday night at 6 p.m. after my 12 hour school day, in the dark, by myself. That 12 miler during that 2 foot snow storm in October. The 18, 20, 22 milers alone, because my friends were already tapering for their marathon. Staying faithful to the "No Halloween candy" rule. So, here I am. Following my plan. Running less. Sleeping a ton (um, Hi, 9 1/2 hours a night!?). Eating more than I need. I have a new mantra for this phase of the training:
Trust in the taper.
I know, know, this happens to others, but why is it that when you taper, everything seems to fall apart? For you non-freakish runners, tapering is the last phase of training before a race. The idea is that you cut back on running to let your body rest up and be its freshest for the race. While you decrease how much you run, you're supposed to keep up how hard you run. For a marathon, it's typical to have a 3 week taper. After your hardest week, you have 3 increasingly easier weeks leading to the race. This really plays with your psychological confidence. You feel slow and sluggish, like you're getting out of shape. You feel like you're just an eating machine, but without the exercise to burn it off. The last week, especially, you feel like, "Gosh, this whole week I haven't even run as much as I will have to run at one time."
More than that, I really think once you start cutting back on the intense training, your body says Oh, okay, I can finally let myself fall apart. Little aches come up: my knee gets a pop when getting out of the car. My hips start cracking when I step out of bed in the morning. My heel tightens up and a little plantar fasciitis sneaks in. A little sniffle and morning cough starts showing up. What!? I've trained hard for 4 months for a cold or an ache to make me have a bad race? Am I going to make it to race day? Will I make it through the race?
I just have to keep reminding myself that this is all normal. My body is let itself "let loose" and break down a little before pulling it together for a strong, healthy race day. I'm giving myself rest after all those runs: the hot summer runs on unshaded Highline canal. The crappy races at altitude, after which I decided it was finally time to do track workouts. Those painfully slow first track workouts on the dirt track at South High. Those runs on Monday night at 6 p.m. after my 12 hour school day, in the dark, by myself. That 12 miler during that 2 foot snow storm in October. The 18, 20, 22 milers alone, because my friends were already tapering for their marathon. Staying faithful to the "No Halloween candy" rule. So, here I am. Following my plan. Running less. Sleeping a ton (um, Hi, 9 1/2 hours a night!?). Eating more than I need. I have a new mantra for this phase of the training:
Trust in the taper.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Dinner Party
I went to a dinner party last night and the menu was memorable. Everything was made from scratch (except the pasta in the lasagna):
White wine
Roquefort cheese souffle appetizer
Beets, Shallots and Avocado salad with a citrus dressing
Caramelized onion lasagna
Baked Calamari
Apple Pie
White wine
Roquefort cheese souffle appetizer
Beets, Shallots and Avocado salad with a citrus dressing
Caramelized onion lasagna
Baked Calamari
Apple Pie
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Week Runs
Taper week, and trying to nurse a sore heel. I think I have a little bit of plantar fasciitis.
Sunday - Rest day, finally! 0
Monday - 3x2k, (estimated because I ran on the roads, in the dark). 10.
Tuesday - 5
Wednesday - 10
Thursday - 5
Friday - 0
Saturday - 15.
Total: 45.
Sunday - Rest day, finally! 0
Monday - 3x2k, (estimated because I ran on the roads, in the dark). 10.
Tuesday - 5
Wednesday - 10
Thursday - 5
Friday - 0
Saturday - 15.
Total: 45.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Swine flu-y November
Poor Dinta Bint is sick. She has swine flu. Even worse, she had it over her two auditions in Toronto. A week with swine flu, alone in Toronto. She said the B&B she was staying at didn't even give her breakfast. bed and BREAKFAST, people! Couldn't they bring it to her? She said they finally agreed to give her a banana. Sigh. Hope she feels better
Otherwise - it's November. Crazy. The end of the semester is coming, the marathon is coming...Thanksgiving is coming! I signed up for classes for Winter Quarter at the grad school. Here is what I'm taking:
Intro to Human Rights Lecture & Lab (What is Human Rights lab??)
Politics of Development
International Law and Human Rights
International Development with a Cross Cultural Perspective
and, I might audit Ancient Political Theory. Can't wait!
Otherwise - it's November. Crazy. The end of the semester is coming, the marathon is coming...Thanksgiving is coming! I signed up for classes for Winter Quarter at the grad school. Here is what I'm taking:
Intro to Human Rights Lecture & Lab (What is Human Rights lab??)
Politics of Development
International Law and Human Rights
International Development with a Cross Cultural Perspective
and, I might audit Ancient Political Theory. Can't wait!
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