No blog posts yet this year, eh? Well, it's been kind of busy. Plus when your laptop is on top of the lap of your four-year old and he's on your lap, it makes things a little more, shall we say, challenging. And you've just made dinner and cleaned it up. And you've just made muffins with said four-year old and haven't cleaned up that mess yet. And your eight year old is upstairs with his daddy, stressing out about his spelling homework. And your four year old wants to do a puzzle of the United States of America RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!
On the exercise front: NO swimming (still too cold for me), a teeny bit of biking, some running (say, 2-3 miles, 2-3 times a week). Haven't picked my next event/race. I'm contemplating Bay to Breakers (early reg deadline: April 30th, race date: May 17th). I'm still practicing aikido twice a week and just found out that I should be testing for 3rd kyu sometime in March. Eeek! I thought I was all over test anxiety. Guess I was wrong.
I've got a presentation to do for work on March 6th that I'm already starting to worry about (hey, it's never to early for that).
In the meantime, I'm folding paper airplanes. Lots of paper airplanes. See, we (read D) got a paper-airplane-a-day calendar for Christmas. P is obsessed with it. Never let's me forget to fold one. It is February 5th. You do the math, that's a lot of airplanes and it's only the first week of February!!! But they are a lot of fun to fold and they are a lot of fun to fly. I bet it will make me popular with the below-5 set.
Ramble, ramble, ramble.
50 seconds to muffin time!
Got to go.
Showing posts with label running. Show all posts
Showing posts with label running. Show all posts
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Ride Like the Wind, Bullseye!
Remember that ambitious training plan where I was doing something every day of the week? Well, two weeks later, I've mostly stuck to the plan.
Last Friday was my first venture back into the 50 m pool. I need to work my way up to swimming 400 yards continuously and it's a lot easier to do that in the bigger pool. There's nowhere to stop in the lake and hold on to the side. Last year, I had trained to swim 400 yds freestyle straight but, when the actual day of the race came, I found myself breaststroking for about half the distance. Even though I had been in the lake before, being in the lake with 50 other women all swimming in roughly the same direction at the same time was very different and disconcerting. My goal this year will be to minimize the amount of breaststroke that I do and maximize the freestyle. Oh, and not lose my goggles and not swallow too much lake water.
Last Sunday was my first 'long' ride of the year - 11.3 miles. That's about the distance of the triathlon bike leg. It was wicked windy for more than half the ride. I swear I was in my lowest gears and was still moving at a snail's pace. Still, I stuck it out by looking for a landmark that wasn't too far off and saying to myself, "Just a little bit further, just to that post/tree/hole/turn." It felt really awesome to finally turn and have the wind at my back.
As for running, I tried my first interval workout the Sunday before last - running a minute and then walking a minute. This actually pushed my total running time down. Will try this again this week.
At the end of the week, I'm off to the East Coast for five days to attend a conference. In addition to all my work stuff, I'll bring my running shoes and my gi. Training doesn't stop just because I'm traveling.
Last Friday was my first venture back into the 50 m pool. I need to work my way up to swimming 400 yards continuously and it's a lot easier to do that in the bigger pool. There's nowhere to stop in the lake and hold on to the side. Last year, I had trained to swim 400 yds freestyle straight but, when the actual day of the race came, I found myself breaststroking for about half the distance. Even though I had been in the lake before, being in the lake with 50 other women all swimming in roughly the same direction at the same time was very different and disconcerting. My goal this year will be to minimize the amount of breaststroke that I do and maximize the freestyle. Oh, and not lose my goggles and not swallow too much lake water.
Last Sunday was my first 'long' ride of the year - 11.3 miles. That's about the distance of the triathlon bike leg. It was wicked windy for more than half the ride. I swear I was in my lowest gears and was still moving at a snail's pace. Still, I stuck it out by looking for a landmark that wasn't too far off and saying to myself, "Just a little bit further, just to that post/tree/hole/turn." It felt really awesome to finally turn and have the wind at my back.
As for running, I tried my first interval workout the Sunday before last - running a minute and then walking a minute. This actually pushed my total running time down. Will try this again this week.
At the end of the week, I'm off to the East Coast for five days to attend a conference. In addition to all my work stuff, I'll bring my running shoes and my gi. Training doesn't stop just because I'm traveling.
Monday, June 2, 2008
26:17.01
It's not my fastest time, it's not my slowest. But it was today's time for my usual 2.5 mile loop and it felt GREAT!
The wind was in my face.
The sun was on my shoulders.
The blue sky was above my head.
Music was in my ears.
My knees felt great.
My breathing was easy.
I had the rhythm and I could have kept going, and going, and going.
This is why I run.
The wind was in my face.
The sun was on my shoulders.
The blue sky was above my head.
Music was in my ears.
My knees felt great.
My breathing was easy.
I had the rhythm and I could have kept going, and going, and going.
This is why I run.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Ahhhhh, A Nice Longer Run
I haven't been running that much lately. I mean, I still run three times a week, but I haven't been running very far. Mostly 2.5 to 3.5 miles at a shot. On Wednesday, T and I ran the Dish. Or maybe I should say that he ran the dish and I ran/walked it. Those hills! Oh! Those inclines! I'm pretty sure that's about a 4.5 to 5 mile round trip.
Today, I thought I'd go out for a continuous longer flat run. Right along my usual weekend path from days of yore, along the creek and into the regional park nearby. I decided I'd go for 40 minutes and try not to stop running - 20 minutes out and then 20 minutes back.
It went well. The weather was gorgeous - sunny, with a little breeze, temperatures in the low 60s. I figure that I kept about a 10 minute mile pace, maybe 10:30. Definitely not fast but not slow either. I felt good and pushed myself the last quarter mile. My heart rate when I finished was 162.
I'm thinking about running Bay to Breakers again this year. It's the third Sunday in May, which gives me just under two months to get ready. It's doable.
Next week: 45 minutes straight.
Today, I thought I'd go out for a continuous longer flat run. Right along my usual weekend path from days of yore, along the creek and into the regional park nearby. I decided I'd go for 40 minutes and try not to stop running - 20 minutes out and then 20 minutes back.
It went well. The weather was gorgeous - sunny, with a little breeze, temperatures in the low 60s. I figure that I kept about a 10 minute mile pace, maybe 10:30. Definitely not fast but not slow either. I felt good and pushed myself the last quarter mile. My heart rate when I finished was 162.
I'm thinking about running Bay to Breakers again this year. It's the third Sunday in May, which gives me just under two months to get ready. It's doable.
Next week: 45 minutes straight.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Last Race of the Year
The day dawned cold and clear. Time to head out to Tiburon to catch the ferry to Angel Island and run 12 K. It seemed like such a good idea at the time of sign-up - visit a place we hadn't been before, run as a couple for the first time, run on a trail instead of the pavement. As soon as we left home, I remembered all the things I had forgotten to bring: a hat or a cap, my sunglasses, my wristwatch, sunblock. Bah! Who needs these things? We remembered water and the kids so on we went.
On the way up 880, we ran into not one, not two, but THREE accidents involving a total of six cars. Omen or not? Good thing we had built a cushion into our travel time. We dropped the kids off at my cousin's house, met up with our running friends and caught the ferry. Goals #1, 2, and 3 accomplished. Now all that remained was the run.
Thank goodness we didn't have a really good idea of what the race course was going to be like otherwise I don't think I would have started running in the first place. After a nice flat warm up jog around the picnic area, we started to head uphill. And kept running uphill on switchback, after switchback, after switchback. I kid you not, there must have been at least 10 of these bloody things and every time I looked up all I could see was a stream of runners about 20 or 30 feet above me, running uphill. But, and here's the big but, I didn't feel like I needed to stop running. Once again, I have the Dish to thank because none of the inclines were nearly as steep and evil as the ones on my training runs. M and I had decided early on that we were going to run together the whole way so we just egged each other on, encouraging, pushing. It was a good thing.
The path leveled out and we got an absolutely stunning view of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco in the distance - for about 5 seconds. We ran on, not wanting to lose momentum. The trail wound through trees, up and down and around. The ground was moist but not muddy from Tuesday and Thursday's rains. Nice and cushy on the feet. There was a slight breeze and in the sun it felt like it was almost 60 degrees. Not bad for the eighth of December.
We kept track of the distance by time. M would call out "We're starting on our nth minute now, should be about 3/4/whatever miles." At around 60 minutes in, we figured there were about 2 miles or so left and we started heading downhill. The trail looked strangely familiar. Hang on a second, this was what we came up on.
WE RAN UP THIS THING???? No way.
Way.
I felt like I was flying down the last mile. It was awesome. Long strides, I had lots of wind and my legs felt really good. My knees did complain a bit but that faded quickly as we crossed the finish line at exactly the same time. Hooray! We did it!
What a great way to end the 2007 race season. Four events, four shirts, no injuries and many, many wonderful memories.
Time to start planning 2008.
On the way up 880, we ran into not one, not two, but THREE accidents involving a total of six cars. Omen or not? Good thing we had built a cushion into our travel time. We dropped the kids off at my cousin's house, met up with our running friends and caught the ferry. Goals #1, 2, and 3 accomplished. Now all that remained was the run.
Thank goodness we didn't have a really good idea of what the race course was going to be like otherwise I don't think I would have started running in the first place. After a nice flat warm up jog around the picnic area, we started to head uphill. And kept running uphill on switchback, after switchback, after switchback. I kid you not, there must have been at least 10 of these bloody things and every time I looked up all I could see was a stream of runners about 20 or 30 feet above me, running uphill. But, and here's the big but, I didn't feel like I needed to stop running. Once again, I have the Dish to thank because none of the inclines were nearly as steep and evil as the ones on my training runs. M and I had decided early on that we were going to run together the whole way so we just egged each other on, encouraging, pushing. It was a good thing.
The path leveled out and we got an absolutely stunning view of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco in the distance - for about 5 seconds. We ran on, not wanting to lose momentum. The trail wound through trees, up and down and around. The ground was moist but not muddy from Tuesday and Thursday's rains. Nice and cushy on the feet. There was a slight breeze and in the sun it felt like it was almost 60 degrees. Not bad for the eighth of December.
We kept track of the distance by time. M would call out "We're starting on our nth minute now, should be about 3/4/whatever miles." At around 60 minutes in, we figured there were about 2 miles or so left and we started heading downhill. The trail looked strangely familiar. Hang on a second, this was what we came up on.
WE RAN UP THIS THING???? No way.
Way.
I felt like I was flying down the last mile. It was awesome. Long strides, I had lots of wind and my legs felt really good. My knees did complain a bit but that faded quickly as we crossed the finish line at exactly the same time. Hooray! We did it!
What a great way to end the 2007 race season. Four events, four shirts, no injuries and many, many wonderful memories.
Time to start planning 2008.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Wicked Windy
It was a windy day today but that's no reason to not go out and run, right?
Right.
I thought I'd turn it off my music for a while. My run takes me through a regional park and alongside a waterway. There are no cars, just an occasional bicyclist or two. There was no silence though. I heard the squawks of the birds - ducks, egrets (or were they herons?), crows - the whoosh of the wind as it rushed through the reeds and the weeds, the thumpety-thump-thump of my shoes as they hit the pavement, the pounding of my heart, my breathing as I tried to keep it even. I tried to clear my mind but I kept coming back to the wind, the wind, the wind.
There's nothing quite like running straight into the wind. The leaves were blowing right at me, every step seemed that much harder and when I finally changed directions and had it at my back, I felt like I was flying. I felt the wind, pushing against me from the front, from the side, from the back.
For a while, it was just me and this amazing force of nature. It is times like this that I really love running.
Right.
I thought I'd turn it off my music for a while. My run takes me through a regional park and alongside a waterway. There are no cars, just an occasional bicyclist or two. There was no silence though. I heard the squawks of the birds - ducks, egrets (or were they herons?), crows - the whoosh of the wind as it rushed through the reeds and the weeds, the thumpety-thump-thump of my shoes as they hit the pavement, the pounding of my heart, my breathing as I tried to keep it even. I tried to clear my mind but I kept coming back to the wind, the wind, the wind.
There's nothing quite like running straight into the wind. The leaves were blowing right at me, every step seemed that much harder and when I finally changed directions and had it at my back, I felt like I was flying. I felt the wind, pushing against me from the front, from the side, from the back.
For a while, it was just me and this amazing force of nature. It is times like this that I really love running.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Happy Run-niversary to Me
One year ago, on Thanksgiving Day, I put the turkey in the oven and decided that this was the day that I was going to start running.
Today, I went for an anniversary run to celebrate a year of running. In that year, I have gone from not being able to run more than a minute at a time to finishing a half-marathon in just over a two and a quarter hours. I've run in one 12K race, done one sprint triathlon and that half-marathon. I've lost about 15 pounds in that time and gotten my cholesterol levels down from scarily high to normal. I'm getting really close to breaking the nine-minute mile barrier.
Most of all, I've proven to myself that, if I put my mind to it, I can do something I didn't think I could before.
I can make time for myself.
I can conquer the Dish.
I can run 13.1 miles.
I can.
And I will keep going.
Today, I went for an anniversary run to celebrate a year of running. In that year, I have gone from not being able to run more than a minute at a time to finishing a half-marathon in just over a two and a quarter hours. I've run in one 12K race, done one sprint triathlon and that half-marathon. I've lost about 15 pounds in that time and gotten my cholesterol levels down from scarily high to normal. I'm getting really close to breaking the nine-minute mile barrier.
Most of all, I've proven to myself that, if I put my mind to it, I can do something I didn't think I could before.
I can make time for myself.
I can conquer the Dish.
I can run 13.1 miles.
I can.
And I will keep going.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
And So I Begin Again
On Dec. 9th, M and I will be joining our first race together, a 12K trail run. On one hand, yipee - a chance to run together! On the other hand, ever since the half-marathon, I haven't felt great while running. It's as if the week that I took off while sick took not only the stamina but also the willpower out of me. The first two miles have always been the hardest for me and when the second one is going straight uphill, it's just about enough to make me whimper with frustration. I'd get going and just not want to keep going. If it weren't for my running friends, and my desire not to appear like a total wuss, I'd be down to running 25 minutes at a time.
So, today, I thought, let's just see if I can go for a nice, relaxed five miler. Don't try to set any land speed records, just try to get through it without stopping to walk. How I ever made it through 13.1 miles is really beyond me. I mean, I remember running the distance, I recall crossing the finish line and that bizarre feeling in my legs when I finally stopped. But since then, I haven't felt like I could push beyond 4 miles.
That was then, this is now.
As predicted, about 20 minutes into the run, I just wanted to go home. But the stubborn and persistent side of me took over and and kicked me in the behind. It was an out and back route, just the right thing for a negative split challenge. Miraculously, my legs finally hit their stride, as did my breathing. Bless those endorphins: I felt quite good on the way back. It helped that the final quarter-mile is downhill and I could focus on lengthening my stride with gravity on my side. I slowed down to a walk, hit my timer, checked my heart rate.
Good numbers - a bit of confidence restored.
Next weekend: kick it up to 6 miles on the long run.
So, today, I thought, let's just see if I can go for a nice, relaxed five miler. Don't try to set any land speed records, just try to get through it without stopping to walk. How I ever made it through 13.1 miles is really beyond me. I mean, I remember running the distance, I recall crossing the finish line and that bizarre feeling in my legs when I finally stopped. But since then, I haven't felt like I could push beyond 4 miles.
That was then, this is now.
As predicted, about 20 minutes into the run, I just wanted to go home. But the stubborn and persistent side of me took over and and kicked me in the behind. It was an out and back route, just the right thing for a negative split challenge. Miraculously, my legs finally hit their stride, as did my breathing. Bless those endorphins: I felt quite good on the way back. It helped that the final quarter-mile is downhill and I could focus on lengthening my stride with gravity on my side. I slowed down to a walk, hit my timer, checked my heart rate.
Good numbers - a bit of confidence restored.
Next weekend: kick it up to 6 miles on the long run.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Spoiled!
It's getting colder these days. I really shouldn't be surprised, after all, it is November. Living in California, though, I must admit to being thoroughly spoiled. As one of my running buddies said to me today "I hear there are other seasons but I haven't really experienced them except on vacation."
Today started out chilly, misty, foggy and gray. It did not bode well for the rest of the day. Out came my trenchcoat from the closet. The air was heavy with moisture as I drove to the office, but it didn't rain. I sat down at my desk and quickly got absorbed in work.
When I came up for air and looked away from my computer and out the window, the sky was blue and the sun was shining. It was absolutely perfect weather for a run. Sunny but not hot, breezy but not cold.
Not bad for a November day.
Today started out chilly, misty, foggy and gray. It did not bode well for the rest of the day. Out came my trenchcoat from the closet. The air was heavy with moisture as I drove to the office, but it didn't rain. I sat down at my desk and quickly got absorbed in work.
When I came up for air and looked away from my computer and out the window, the sky was blue and the sun was shining. It was absolutely perfect weather for a run. Sunny but not hot, breezy but not cold.
Not bad for a November day.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
The Letter of the Day is F
F is for
- Flu shot: This morning, we drove out to the clinic to get our annual flu shot. P is pretty stalwart about getting a vaccination but D, my sweet, sensitive D, is beset by a deep...
- Fear of anything remotely resembling pain. So there we were, in the room where all the nurses were set up, and D just tried to shrink into invisibility. Clutching his little stuffed puppy, which I thought might give him some sense of security, he looked at me with this really scared expression on his face and tears started to roll down his cheeks. What kind of a heartless mommy am I? Sigh. The kind that doesn't want her kid to get the flu. So I sat down with him in my lap, while two nurses helped to hold him still and a third one administered the shot. It was over in an instant.
- Feast, which was our breakfast after the clinic outing. We went to The Original Pancake House (not the original one, of course, since we didn't go drive to Oregon) and got a ridiculous amount of food for ourselves. Most of mine came home with me. See the Apple Pancake on their website? That's what I had. Mmmmm, I'm thinking of it right now. Good thing I've brushed my teeth already or else I'd have dropped this laptop and headed straight to the fridge for a little snack about two minutes ago.
- Fence: 'Tis finally finished. A weekend project that stretched well over a month because of (a) industrious little boys 'helping', (b) M getting sick, and (c) me being at a conference last weekend has been completed! Hurrah! It is a sturdy fence and, if the Big One does hit, it will definitely still be standing.
- Football: Was there a big game on this afternoon? He, he, he. Yes, we did catch some of it and it was good. However, I didn't see all of it because I was busy feeling...
- Fast. The last time I had timed myself on a 2.5 mi run, I did it in 23 minutes and I really was pushing it. Today, I set out with the good intentions of running 5 mi but just couldn't go through with it and fell back into my old, familiar 2.5 mi loop. Felt slow and then the music picked up and so did I. 23:33 with a brief stop to retie my shoelaces. Didn't feel like I had gone all out though.
- Finished.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Rock and Roll, Baby
I made it through the half-marathon.
Mile 1: This isn't so bad. Only 12.1 to go.
Miles 2-9: Doing ok, steady pace. Nice, flat course. Two slight dips but the Dish, my dear friend, makes them seem miniscule.
Mile 9.6: Energy gel stop. Energy would be good. Down the hatch.
Mile 9.8: Left side stitch! Go away, go away. Tighten abs and release, repeat.
Mile 11: Want to stop running and walk. Ah! Accelerade stop, good excuse to slow down and grab a drink. Don't really want to start running again. Tom pushes me on - we're almost there!
Mile 13: Is that it? Is that the finish line? My feet are feeling slightly numb but the finish is SO CLOSE.
2:16
Mile 1: This isn't so bad. Only 12.1 to go.
Miles 2-9: Doing ok, steady pace. Nice, flat course. Two slight dips but the Dish, my dear friend, makes them seem miniscule.
Mile 9.6: Energy gel stop. Energy would be good. Down the hatch.
Mile 9.8: Left side stitch! Go away, go away. Tighten abs and release, repeat.
Mile 11: Want to stop running and walk. Ah! Accelerade stop, good excuse to slow down and grab a drink. Don't really want to start running again. Tom pushes me on - we're almost there!
Mile 13: Is that it? Is that the finish line? My feet are feeling slightly numb but the finish is SO CLOSE.
2:16
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Augh! I Should Have Trained More
The half-marathon is next Sunday. This week, I ran the Dish on Monday and Wednesday. Really felt it after the second one. Took a break from running till today when I thought I should at least try to run 10 or so miles so that I don't completely shock my body when next week rolls around.
OMG. It is going to be a tough run. Let's just say that in the next five minutes, I'm going to go grab some ibuprofen, slug it down with a glass of water and head into bed. It's a pity one can't cram for a run like one can cram for a test. I'll have to count on adrenaline and determination to get me through. Maybe M should have a stretcher waiting for me at the finish line.
OMG. It is going to be a tough run. Let's just say that in the next five minutes, I'm going to go grab some ibuprofen, slug it down with a glass of water and head into bed. It's a pity one can't cram for a run like one can cram for a test. I'll have to count on adrenaline and determination to get me through. Maybe M should have a stretcher waiting for me at the finish line.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
The Dish is The Master
Boy, there's nothing like the Dish to let you know who's boss. I was feeling pretty good about my running until Monday when we ventured back to the Dish trail after almost a month away from it. Between the fire that broke out there and caused a three week closure and my vacation, the hilly run had become somewhat of a fond memory. Running on the flat lands had given me this false sense of accomplishment that led me to believe that getting up the incline would not be a problem.
WRONG!
I huffed, and I puffed, and I had to stop and walk. Gravity wins yet again.
So, we battle again, my worthy adversary.
WRONG!
I huffed, and I puffed, and I had to stop and walk. Gravity wins yet again.
So, we battle again, my worthy adversary.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Hill Time
Just enough time for a short run today so I decided to make the most of it by running some hills. To call it a hill would be generous, I guess, it was really just the road by my house that runs over an interstate so there's a slight incline that rises over about 250 yards. Ran from my house to there, up and down four times. On the fourth time down, I spotted a woman on a bicycle pedaling very slowly up the hill. I thought to myself, I wonder if I could beat her up the hill? So I decided to try and ran up one more time - and I did pass her! She gave me kind of a wry smile as I passed her again on the way down.
Granted, she wasn't on a road bike and she wasn't really putting her whole heart into getting up the hill, just looked like she was out for a little ride. Nonetheless, it gave me a little confidence boost. Oh, it's so easy to make me happy. I coasted back home and my half hour workout was over.
Granted, she wasn't on a road bike and she wasn't really putting her whole heart into getting up the hill, just looked like she was out for a little ride. Nonetheless, it gave me a little confidence boost. Oh, it's so easy to make me happy. I coasted back home and my half hour workout was over.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Another Trip Around the Sun
'Twas a fine day indeed, made more memorable by the following:
1. Celebrating with my parents for the first time in I can't remember when.
2. Three, count 'em, three cakes. A chocolate marble cake with chocolate frosting, a banana cream pie and a fruit tart. Next year, no more candles - too much of a fire hazard!
3. Spending the afternoon with my cousin Todd and his lovely wife Elaine, in addition to my immediate family. That included walking to the park and playing with the kids there.
4. Getting phone calls, cards and text messages from friends and family near and far.
5. Cool new running gadget: a heart rate watch! Programmable and everything.
6. Homemade birthday cards from the boys.
7. Sushi dinner!
8. 2.5 miles in 23 minutes. I've finally broken that dreaded 10 min mile barrier. My heart rate was through the roof when I was done but it was worth it!
I am one happy (and tired) camper.
1. Celebrating with my parents for the first time in I can't remember when.
2. Three, count 'em, three cakes. A chocolate marble cake with chocolate frosting, a banana cream pie and a fruit tart. Next year, no more candles - too much of a fire hazard!
3. Spending the afternoon with my cousin Todd and his lovely wife Elaine, in addition to my immediate family. That included walking to the park and playing with the kids there.
4. Getting phone calls, cards and text messages from friends and family near and far.
5. Cool new running gadget: a heart rate watch! Programmable and everything.
6. Homemade birthday cards from the boys.
7. Sushi dinner!
8. 2.5 miles in 23 minutes. I've finally broken that dreaded 10 min mile barrier. My heart rate was through the roof when I was done but it was worth it!
I am one happy (and tired) camper.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Poker Night
All day I've had this underlying feeling of very slight nausea. Hmmmm. I wonder if it had anything to do with the fact that I had a wee bit too much to drink last night.
OH YES!
Twas the inaugural poker night with my friends from work. The variation was Texas Hold 'Em, the stakes were $5/player. Yes, we were living life on the edge. The talent was diverse (and I shall anonymize here to protect everyone - plus nicknames are fun!):
a. Leeds - experienced, plays online, silent, very methodical, very particular about the lingo
b. Aqua - experienced, likes to talk, likes to stay in the game
c. Yoga - novice, professes that bluffing is cheating, wants to win all the money
d. Curatrix - er, that would be me, novice, likes to talk the talk but really can't walk the walk
It all started out relatively well. We had a set of practice rounds and then, the game began in earnest. Out came the money, out came the Bombay Sapphire and the tonic. Into Yoga's large water glasses, no ice, mix your own, pick your strength.
------
Things I learned:
1. It's probably best not to mix your own drink especially when you've got no real idea of the proportions the ingredients should be mixed in.
2. Gin and tonic with no ice hits you WAY faster than the stuff with it because, SURPRISE, SURPRISE, the ice dilutes the drink.
3. Bachelors have no ice in their freezers.
So, one or two (or maybe three or four) drinks later, the world is a rosy place, the card game gets way more interesting (Aqua ends up winning) and I swiftly run into the next lesson:
4. The line between just a bit tipsy and drunk is a fine one.
Whoa! I am NOT driving home tonight. Please don't even let me get near my car.
5. Good place to drink: a friend's house or your home. Getting loopy in private and in the company of people that you trust and like and can still look in the eye the next time you see them is preferable to having this happen in public.
Let's just say that I got home by cab and in the company of Aqua and Yoga, who then returned to their respective homes. Drinking does tend to cement a friendship. God bless them.
6. Try to remember to remove contact lenses before going to sleep. Peeling them off your eyeballs at 3:30 in the morning is sub-optimal.
7. If you're up at 3:30 am removing glued-on contacts, it's a great idea to drink a nice big glass of water and a couple of Tylenols to ward off the headache from hell in the morning.
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I woke up this morning in considerably better shape than I thought I would be in. Yes, that slightly nauseous feeling remained but at least there wasn't a jackhammer pounding in my brain. And I did get in a 6 mi run this afternoon, albeit at a slower pace than usual, and it felt good.
I knew my German alcohol dehydrogenase genes would come in handy someday. (Yes, I am such a geek.)
OH YES!
Twas the inaugural poker night with my friends from work. The variation was Texas Hold 'Em, the stakes were $5/player. Yes, we were living life on the edge. The talent was diverse (and I shall anonymize here to protect everyone - plus nicknames are fun!):
a. Leeds - experienced, plays online, silent, very methodical, very particular about the lingo
b. Aqua - experienced, likes to talk, likes to stay in the game
c. Yoga - novice, professes that bluffing is cheating, wants to win all the money
d. Curatrix - er, that would be me, novice, likes to talk the talk but really can't walk the walk
It all started out relatively well. We had a set of practice rounds and then, the game began in earnest. Out came the money, out came the Bombay Sapphire and the tonic. Into Yoga's large water glasses, no ice, mix your own, pick your strength.
------
Things I learned:
1. It's probably best not to mix your own drink especially when you've got no real idea of the proportions the ingredients should be mixed in.
2. Gin and tonic with no ice hits you WAY faster than the stuff with it because, SURPRISE, SURPRISE, the ice dilutes the drink.
3. Bachelors have no ice in their freezers.
So, one or two (or maybe three or four) drinks later, the world is a rosy place, the card game gets way more interesting (Aqua ends up winning) and I swiftly run into the next lesson:
4. The line between just a bit tipsy and drunk is a fine one.
Whoa! I am NOT driving home tonight. Please don't even let me get near my car.
5. Good place to drink: a friend's house or your home. Getting loopy in private and in the company of people that you trust and like and can still look in the eye the next time you see them is preferable to having this happen in public.
Let's just say that I got home by cab and in the company of Aqua and Yoga, who then returned to their respective homes. Drinking does tend to cement a friendship. God bless them.
6. Try to remember to remove contact lenses before going to sleep. Peeling them off your eyeballs at 3:30 in the morning is sub-optimal.
7. If you're up at 3:30 am removing glued-on contacts, it's a great idea to drink a nice big glass of water and a couple of Tylenols to ward off the headache from hell in the morning.
--------
I woke up this morning in considerably better shape than I thought I would be in. Yes, that slightly nauseous feeling remained but at least there wasn't a jackhammer pounding in my brain. And I did get in a 6 mi run this afternoon, albeit at a slower pace than usual, and it felt good.
I knew my German alcohol dehydrogenase genes would come in handy someday. (Yes, I am such a geek.)
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Baked Brains and Other Delicacies
Exercise has altered my brain chemistry. It's the only explanation I can think of. I mean, what else would drive me out to run at noon on a day with temperatures in the mid-80s, heat rising like a flame from the pavement and beating down from above? But head out we did (I wasn't the only crazy one) and decided on a 'hill' workout with two water breaks. Brilliant! The inevitable result: baked brains. Yummy!
So, in my heat-addled state, let me serve up some totally random things that have been nibbling at me, wanting to be in a post:
Baffling quotes:
1. Do mosquitoes bite ducks?
2. I refuse to get a cart. (referring to grocery shopping)
3. Why is it a 'jackrabbit' and not a 'tomrabbit'?
Interesting license plates:
1. JAH MON (on an Audi)
2. MSFASHN (on a Lexus SUV)
3. IS 52 (on a C-series Benz)
4. RAQOON (on a Toyota SUV)
Topics of conversation:
1. How weightlifting builds muscle.
2. How creatine works in building muscle.
(Can you tell I run with guys?)
3. What kind of earplugs are best for blocking out noisy neighbors.
Oh, I was going to eat that hill for lunch but instead it feasted on me. One does not mess with Mother Nature and she was having hot flashes today.
So, in my heat-addled state, let me serve up some totally random things that have been nibbling at me, wanting to be in a post:
Baffling quotes:
1. Do mosquitoes bite ducks?
2. I refuse to get a cart. (referring to grocery shopping)
3. Why is it a 'jackrabbit' and not a 'tomrabbit'?
Interesting license plates:
1. JAH MON (on an Audi)
2. MSFASHN (on a Lexus SUV)
3. IS 52 (on a C-series Benz)
4. RAQOON (on a Toyota SUV)
Topics of conversation:
1. How weightlifting builds muscle.
2. How creatine works in building muscle.
(Can you tell I run with guys?)
3. What kind of earplugs are best for blocking out noisy neighbors.
Oh, I was going to eat that hill for lunch but instead it feasted on me. One does not mess with Mother Nature and she was having hot flashes today.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Obsession, You're My Obsession
Bay to Breakers is done. Where do I go from here? Well, the natural progression of things would point to doing a half-marathon, now wouldn't it?
So I'm searching for a race that will fit my novice status. With that in mind, I homed in on one that has 2800 ft of climbing and descending. A little overambitious. (You think??) Alright, I'll lower my expectations.
Again I run into a dilemma: there's the Lake Merced Half-Marathon at the beginning of September that's 3 x a 4.5 mi loop. There's also a Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon that goes around downtown San Jose - a rock and roll half-marathon in mid-October. Which one to do?
Occam's Razor to the rescue in the form of T.
"Do both of them."
----
And, no, I haven't dropped out of aikido. It's just been busy at work so I've gone to once a week for the past three weeks. Next Tuesday, Doran Sensei teaches and that's always a good class. Last time around, I even got picked to be uke (! - v. exciting) for one teeny little technique. Still having a great time throwing, falling and getting up again, and again, and again.
So I'm searching for a race that will fit my novice status. With that in mind, I homed in on one that has 2800 ft of climbing and descending. A little overambitious. (You think??) Alright, I'll lower my expectations.
Again I run into a dilemma: there's the Lake Merced Half-Marathon at the beginning of September that's 3 x a 4.5 mi loop. There's also a Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon that goes around downtown San Jose - a rock and roll half-marathon in mid-October. Which one to do?
Occam's Razor to the rescue in the form of T.
"Do both of them."
----
And, no, I haven't dropped out of aikido. It's just been busy at work so I've gone to once a week for the past three weeks. Next Tuesday, Doran Sensei teaches and that's always a good class. Last time around, I even got picked to be uke (! - v. exciting) for one teeny little technique. Still having a great time throwing, falling and getting up again, and again, and again.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
No Tunes
I headed out the door to run this afternoon and swiftly realized that my iPod was totally dead, no power...NO MUSIC. I didn't want to turn back and pressed on. Time to hang out with the voices in my head again.
Focus on breathing.
...
Don't focus on that weird feeling in my left knee. It will go away.
...
I hope.
...
Breathe in, breathe out. Back straight, shoulders down, don't lift knees too much, watch the arms, don't run into that tree.
...
How long have I been running?
...
Hey, no more pain in my knee. Good deal.
...
OK, first 2.5 mi loop was 26:14. Now for the next one.
...
Ahhhhh, it's nice to have the wind in my back. Let's speed up a bit.
...
Breathe!
...
Turning into the wind now. Time to grit teeth. Think good thoughts. The wind is my friend. Be one with the wind.
...
Here comes the fire station again, only half a mile to go. Quick time check: Eep! If I want to run my second half faster than the first, I have got to pick up the pace right now. Go, go, go, go!
...
Made it. Second loop in 26:06. Hmmm, I thought I had run faster than that.
...
Now for the best part: s-t-r-e-t-c-h. Oh yeah, that's the ticket.
It's always nice to have a little time to talk to myself.
Focus on breathing.
...
Don't focus on that weird feeling in my left knee. It will go away.
...
I hope.
...
Breathe in, breathe out. Back straight, shoulders down, don't lift knees too much, watch the arms, don't run into that tree.
...
How long have I been running?
...
Hey, no more pain in my knee. Good deal.
...
OK, first 2.5 mi loop was 26:14. Now for the next one.
...
Ahhhhh, it's nice to have the wind in my back. Let's speed up a bit.
...
Breathe!
...
Turning into the wind now. Time to grit teeth. Think good thoughts. The wind is my friend. Be one with the wind.
...
Here comes the fire station again, only half a mile to go. Quick time check: Eep! If I want to run my second half faster than the first, I have got to pick up the pace right now. Go, go, go, go!
...
Made it. Second loop in 26:06. Hmmm, I thought I had run faster than that.
...
Now for the best part: s-t-r-e-t-c-h. Oh yeah, that's the ticket.
It's always nice to have a little time to talk to myself.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
One Down...
What a crazy and fun race to start out with: 35 thousand registrants, 25 thousand non-registered participants, a whole bunch of naked guys, not that many naked girls (to the chagrin of the guys I was running with), a gazillion tortillas flying through the air, lots of whacky costumes (some I saw: three guys in a kayak, a gladiator, a pair of skunks, Tarzan and Jane), a city that cheered on the runners with music booming from windows, free water handed out at doorsteps, bands cranking out the tunes, a gorgeous day for running and just this general feeling of euphoria and joy in the air. Can you tell I had a good time?
It didn't start out auspiciously. Though we had made excellent time in getting to the city and to the start area, I found myself needing a bathroom break before the start. Why did I drink all that water? Why? After determining that the lines stretched all the way to San Jose, I thought I'd just hold it till later. Thirty minutes later, I really needed to go and it was just about time to start. AUGH! What to do? Get into line. It was much shorter but it was still a twenty minute wait and, let's just say that I have never been so happy to get into a Port-a-Potty in my life. Thank goodness my friends were kind enough to wait for me because I would never have found them again in the writhing mass.
The Hayes Street Hill was not that bad (Thank you, Dish!) and, after cresting it, the course rolled very nicely downhill with gravity pulling us closer and closer to the finish line. I think I saw one mile marker (number 4) and thought to myself, 'More than halfway there, keep going.' There was lots of weaving between walkers and slower runners, sometimes we had to stop running altogether. M, by taking care of the boys, got me to the race and my friends, by running slower than they can and being my mental 'pull', got me through the race. We crossed the finish line in 1:26. Shouts of joy!
We walked down to the ocean and into the water. It was freezing cold but the feel of the ocean breeze on my face and the sand between my toes was glorious. Ahhhhhh.
The beginning of an era. As one of the songs that blasted out of speakers on the run said: "Where do we go now?"
The answer for tonight: to bed.
God bless ibuprofen.
It didn't start out auspiciously. Though we had made excellent time in getting to the city and to the start area, I found myself needing a bathroom break before the start. Why did I drink all that water? Why? After determining that the lines stretched all the way to San Jose, I thought I'd just hold it till later. Thirty minutes later, I really needed to go and it was just about time to start. AUGH! What to do? Get into line. It was much shorter but it was still a twenty minute wait and, let's just say that I have never been so happy to get into a Port-a-Potty in my life. Thank goodness my friends were kind enough to wait for me because I would never have found them again in the writhing mass.
The Hayes Street Hill was not that bad (Thank you, Dish!) and, after cresting it, the course rolled very nicely downhill with gravity pulling us closer and closer to the finish line. I think I saw one mile marker (number 4) and thought to myself, 'More than halfway there, keep going.' There was lots of weaving between walkers and slower runners, sometimes we had to stop running altogether. M, by taking care of the boys, got me to the race and my friends, by running slower than they can and being my mental 'pull', got me through the race. We crossed the finish line in 1:26. Shouts of joy!
We walked down to the ocean and into the water. It was freezing cold but the feel of the ocean breeze on my face and the sand between my toes was glorious. Ahhhhhh.
The beginning of an era. As one of the songs that blasted out of speakers on the run said: "Where do we go now?"
The answer for tonight: to bed.
God bless ibuprofen.
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