How many people here played sports in high school or college? If you raised your hand, you probably had a trainer dunk you in an ice bath at least once, as I have. I'd pretty much forgotten the experience (blocked it out is more like) until recently I heard someone talking about ice baths. Last weeks run wore me out in more ways than one and I started thinking "oh, an ice bath would be nice" but I just couldn't get it together after that run.
So last night, I made sure my tub was clean. As I was cleaning it I realized I don't actually own a drain stopper. (Is it odd I've lived here four years and that hasn't come up yet?) Also, I have no ice. I'd done some research and while three bags of ice seems a little excessive, I knew a wimpy little tray of ice wasn't going to do it either. So I ran up to Walgreen's and stocked myself up.
This morning I ran with Beth and some other runners I didn't know very well. We took this route basically, except we started a block north of the starting point on that map. They all swore it was over 13 miles. I tried to draw the actual route with all the little walking trails on Gmaps but I couldn't see the trails well. It must have been summer when they took the satellite pictures because the trees are in full bloom.
When I got back, I stretched out, came in, and poured the ice in the tub. And then, in I went. I did not use any words I can't write here. I'd kind of been looking forward to it because I knew it would help. It's the only thing that compelled me to get in the tub at all really. I sat there with my little iPod and listened to a book on tape, drank some juice and ate sour patch kids. Yum. Fifteen minutes went by relatively quickly with a book on tape. Now it feels like my legs are fine and the top half of me still has the post-run-I'm-so-stiff-I-can't-move feeling.
The instructions say to take a shower a while after the ice-bath, which I'm looking forward to. After that, I'm looking forward to a heaping plate of eggs, bacon, and bagles and the Tour De France on television. I actually missed the live action today on Mont Vontux (is that how it's spelled?), so I'm watching the re-broadcast at 11am. For now I'm trying to stay away from parts of the internet that would tell me the results, including googling the correct spelling of the mountain they're racing UP today. And I mean UP. Go Lance Armstrong.
I want sweat pants. Brrr.
19.7.09
Linkfest: A Beautiful Sunday
First off, I'm planning a party. Most of it is only planned in my mind right now, but if you're around the afternoon of August 9th, I'd love to have you.
Second, Alberto Contador is Superman. Who saw him climb right up that mountain this morning? Just, wow. (For those of you who don't know, he's a cyclist, and a teammate of Lance Armstrong.) After watching that amazing leg of the race this morning, I went to the Y and worked out. Between the mountain climbers today and watching Beth run up that big hill yesterday like it was nothing, I decided I needed to work on the hills and climbing of it all. So I got on the stair master. The stair master is still pretty hard. But a good workout. Then I did the elliptical. Then I walked a mile. Altogether, I went 8 miles today. Nice.
I went shopping and talked to my parents. For dinner I went to Chipotle with a neighbor and then we hung out in the courtyard talking for a while. Now, I'm surfing the wilds of the internet.
Second, Alberto Contador is Superman. Who saw him climb right up that mountain this morning? Just, wow. (For those of you who don't know, he's a cyclist, and a teammate of Lance Armstrong.) After watching that amazing leg of the race this morning, I went to the Y and worked out. Between the mountain climbers today and watching Beth run up that big hill yesterday like it was nothing, I decided I needed to work on the hills and climbing of it all. So I got on the stair master. The stair master is still pretty hard. But a good workout. Then I did the elliptical. Then I walked a mile. Altogether, I went 8 miles today. Nice.
I went shopping and talked to my parents. For dinner I went to Chipotle with a neighbor and then we hung out in the courtyard talking for a while. Now, I'm surfing the wilds of the internet.
- For some reason, my current shoes really hurt my calves. I think it could be the way their tied. They have a weird ankle-lock lace that could be too low. But it got me thinking about running mechanics and how we're really meant to run barefoot. I looked at the shoes, and I think I would really like this style. I might give it a try.
- I'm always interested in education, poverty and equality in different places, mostly because I've traveled so much. Here's a great graphic about how education, especially for women, is the gateway into the rest of society. Equal education is actually a human right recognized by the UN, as it should be. In the US though, poverty seems to be the bigger barrier. Now they're talking about giving underachieving schools longer school years. 'Bout time. 'Bout time for all the schools really but I'll take what I can get.
- In lighter news, they're getting The Shire ready for habitation. Did you know there's going to be a second movie after The Hobbit. Me neither. I think it could be really good or completely ill-advised. Not sure yet.
- And finally, this would be my worst nightmare
18.7.09
LIz Trains for a Marathon: Liz falls down, literally
Beth (and Janine for a while) took me on a beautiful run this morning. We started down the St Paul side of the river. It was on the River Parkway that I totally bit it. I scraped my hand and banged my knee. I was scared for my knee but my hand is actually in a lot of pain and my knee almost none. My knee's not swollen either (yet). I was thinking the last time I fell which was a really long time ago. That time I knew I was hurt pretty much immediately. Although I continued to run that day and for another few weeks before I completely had to stop.
Today after Beth and Janine helped me up and dusted me off, we went over the Ford Bridge by Minnehaha park and down this freaking awesome path that goes... well I'll have to look at a map but more or less towards Fort Snelling. Because it was there that we crossed back over the 5-55-62-whatever-that-road-is bridge into St Paul and back up the river parkway.
I told Beth that street is where I do all my home shopping. She likes the porches. I like the windows. We both had fun pretend house shopping. And pretending to have a domestic staff to clean those really big homes. Although the best part of the run was when I was needing to *ahem* make a personal stop. There must be some event going on because there was a well stocked personal stopping point in a parking lot that normally does not have such accommodations. (Nice!)
Beth was really patient with me the last few miles of the run. My mind sort of got done running about the time it was that huge hill leading up to the bridge back into St Paul. So I was really dragging. Plus my hand hurt from falling. You wouldn't think that would slow me down. It just made my mind more tired thinking about it.
I was told to ice my knee when I got home, which I thought was excellent advice. Guess who doesn't have ice. Yup. So I put my suit on and went and sat in the pool. In the record cold temperatures. (Global warming my foot.) I had an iced mocha, a book on tape (book on iPod but whatever), and a fleece and sat there for a while. If you can't have an ice bath, it's the next best thing. Luckily the pool is heated too, so it wasn't as painful as it could have been.
Now I'm doing laundry (which was only a week late) and I changed my fishes water, (also a week late because I was out of town and I didn't want to make Steve do it). My fish looks very happy. And, while playing on the computer, I found the most awesome Dilbert ever, and I thought I'd leave you with it:
Today after Beth and Janine helped me up and dusted me off, we went over the Ford Bridge by Minnehaha park and down this freaking awesome path that goes... well I'll have to look at a map but more or less towards Fort Snelling. Because it was there that we crossed back over the 5-55-62-whatever-that-road-is bridge into St Paul and back up the river parkway.
I told Beth that street is where I do all my home shopping. She likes the porches. I like the windows. We both had fun pretend house shopping. And pretending to have a domestic staff to clean those really big homes. Although the best part of the run was when I was needing to *ahem* make a personal stop. There must be some event going on because there was a well stocked personal stopping point in a parking lot that normally does not have such accommodations. (Nice!)
Beth was really patient with me the last few miles of the run. My mind sort of got done running about the time it was that huge hill leading up to the bridge back into St Paul. So I was really dragging. Plus my hand hurt from falling. You wouldn't think that would slow me down. It just made my mind more tired thinking about it.
I was told to ice my knee when I got home, which I thought was excellent advice. Guess who doesn't have ice. Yup. So I put my suit on and went and sat in the pool. In the record cold temperatures. (Global warming my foot.) I had an iced mocha, a book on tape (book on iPod but whatever), and a fleece and sat there for a while. If you can't have an ice bath, it's the next best thing. Luckily the pool is heated too, so it wasn't as painful as it could have been.
Now I'm doing laundry (which was only a week late) and I changed my fishes water, (also a week late because I was out of town and I didn't want to make Steve do it). My fish looks very happy. And, while playing on the computer, I found the most awesome Dilbert ever, and I thought I'd leave you with it:
16.7.09
Blogging while... whoa, it's a good thing I was able to get home
I went to happy hour tonight with some of the Amsterdam runners whom Amanda refers to as my "running mates". It was fun and even nicer that someone else bought the food. I just had to buy my own..
Alcohol, which is the subject of tonight's post.
It's a good thing I can't remember how many people I don't want to see this are friends with me on Facebook. It should be more embarassing that three drinks (ok, I had an extra beer at home I needed to kill) does this to me.
I actually new ahead of time that this place has good happy hour specials so I took the bus to the bar instead of driving. (Good for me and good for you.) Apparently I totally missed the boat on this whole website for giving thing. (Woops.) I have to go back and read the material. Not tonight. And then create my own website. So you can all donate to Bolder Options for the Marathon trip.
I was thinking about marathon training today. I tend to ponder when I'm worried I'll slur my speech if I open my mouth. It's really given me a much grander idea of what is possible. And of what I can do. There was a time, not so long ago, that I thought 15 mile training runs would kill me. Turns out they just wear me out for several days and then I'm fine. I was even thinking back to the first time I ran around Lake Nokomis and Lake Hiawatha. I was so impressed with myself when I got done, and proud. I'd never run that far. Now I think, "that's all I have to do?"
Also, while I was waiting for the bus to take me to Uptown, I kept smelling Pot. I suspect the little grocery store on 38th and Bloomington also sells weed. (I can't believe I'm writing this. I must be more intoxicated than I think.)
Ok, seriously, stop now.
Alcohol, which is the subject of tonight's post.
It's a good thing I can't remember how many people I don't want to see this are friends with me on Facebook. It should be more embarassing that three drinks (ok, I had an extra beer at home I needed to kill) does this to me.
I actually new ahead of time that this place has good happy hour specials so I took the bus to the bar instead of driving. (Good for me and good for you.) Apparently I totally missed the boat on this whole website for giving thing. (Woops.) I have to go back and read the material. Not tonight. And then create my own website. So you can all donate to Bolder Options for the Marathon trip.
I was thinking about marathon training today. I tend to ponder when I'm worried I'll slur my speech if I open my mouth. It's really given me a much grander idea of what is possible. And of what I can do. There was a time, not so long ago, that I thought 15 mile training runs would kill me. Turns out they just wear me out for several days and then I'm fine. I was even thinking back to the first time I ran around Lake Nokomis and Lake Hiawatha. I was so impressed with myself when I got done, and proud. I'd never run that far. Now I think, "that's all I have to do?"
Also, while I was waiting for the bus to take me to Uptown, I kept smelling Pot. I suspect the little grocery store on 38th and Bloomington also sells weed. (I can't believe I'm writing this. I must be more intoxicated than I think.)
Ok, seriously, stop now.
10.7.09
Liz Trains for a Marathon: Fifteen miles is LOOONG
I ran 15 miles today. I actually legitimately ran 14 of it. The last mile I threw in a couple short walks with the runs. Surprisingly, I am still able to move.
I ran three laps on the Lunken Airport running path which is 5 miles long. The first lap was interesting because I got to watch a beautiful sunrise and saw about one person. The second lap was interesting because I was still feeling strong despite having run what for me is a long way. The third lap was pretty painful, but ultimately quite rewarding.
I'd like to thank my running companions, iPod, Nike+, Fuel Belt, and the Sour Patch Kids, especially Red.
My parents eat even less meat than I do so I knew we were going to have to go elsewhere for lunch. (Thanks to Robbin, Jenna, and Beth for teaching me to eat meat after long runs to restore my protein, thanks to Amanda for teaching me to eat Red Meat for iron.) We went to a place that would satisfy their vegetarian tendencies and my need for protein and iron: Skyline Chili. YUM.
For dinner, almost all of my aunties and uncles came. Two aunties were missing in action. Thanks to Jody and David for the Green Beans and Cucumbers. There were freaking awesome. (Did you know green beans are one of my favorite vegetables?)
It was really nice to see family, most of whom I only see at Christmas. We had all healthy food which was really nice for my uncle whose diet is pretty restricted. I think he was surprised when I saw, "we have all food that you can eat!" and was correct. It was equally hilarious to watch another uncle look at all of our Tofuit Cutie Ice Cream Sandwiches because he looked like he wanted the ice cream sandwich but was repelled by the thought of tofu. Hee hee.
In Minnesota right now, I believe several friends of mine should be at Lake Harriet, one of my favorite lakes (or was it Lake Calhoun, my least favorite lake) celebrating an exciting birthday. I'm sorry to miss it but I hope Gooster the Rooster fills in adequately in my absence.
Tomorrow, besides church, I think there will be sitting at the pool. Mom also wants to go to some health food store down town. She is excited about it.
I ran three laps on the Lunken Airport running path which is 5 miles long. The first lap was interesting because I got to watch a beautiful sunrise and saw about one person. The second lap was interesting because I was still feeling strong despite having run what for me is a long way. The third lap was pretty painful, but ultimately quite rewarding.
I'd like to thank my running companions, iPod, Nike+, Fuel Belt, and the Sour Patch Kids, especially Red.
My parents eat even less meat than I do so I knew we were going to have to go elsewhere for lunch. (Thanks to Robbin, Jenna, and Beth for teaching me to eat meat after long runs to restore my protein, thanks to Amanda for teaching me to eat Red Meat for iron.) We went to a place that would satisfy their vegetarian tendencies and my need for protein and iron: Skyline Chili. YUM.
For dinner, almost all of my aunties and uncles came. Two aunties were missing in action. Thanks to Jody and David for the Green Beans and Cucumbers. There were freaking awesome. (Did you know green beans are one of my favorite vegetables?)
It was really nice to see family, most of whom I only see at Christmas. We had all healthy food which was really nice for my uncle whose diet is pretty restricted. I think he was surprised when I saw, "we have all food that you can eat!" and was correct. It was equally hilarious to watch another uncle look at all of our Tofuit Cutie Ice Cream Sandwiches because he looked like he wanted the ice cream sandwich but was repelled by the thought of tofu. Hee hee.
In Minnesota right now, I believe several friends of mine should be at Lake Harriet, one of my favorite lakes (or was it Lake Calhoun, my least favorite lake) celebrating an exciting birthday. I'm sorry to miss it but I hope Gooster the Rooster fills in adequately in my absence.
Tomorrow, besides church, I think there will be sitting at the pool. Mom also wants to go to some health food store down town. She is excited about it.
8.7.09
Watch now as I avoid what I'm supposed to be doing
I think the elliptical is doing a body good, or my running companions are just really nice, because I wasn't sucking wind nearly as much as I normally do when I run with them, and we ran 5 miles today instead of four. (Maybe it's a little of both.)
It was also my opportunity to celebrate Beth's birthday, since I'll be out of town for the real thing. I have no idea where the whole goose theme started with this group. Although the obvious jokes about goose bumps have been hilarious at times. So I tried to find something with a goose on it. Geese are not popular animals apparently. Because there was nothing in the whole store. Not even in the section where they had farm animal toys. Popular animals right now appear to be monkeys, frogs, and octopi. (Is that the plural of octopus?)
Through an astonishing bit of math in my head, I figured out that Beth is a Rooster in the Chinese Zodiac. Since the Rooster is a winged farm animal and I could find one of those, that's what I chose. I was also going to get a princess hat for her to run in this morning. I was stopped by the thought that the hat would be saved for my use at a future date and running in a princess hat is not something I would enjoy. Although Beth said she'd be willing to run in a beak which is something I will not forget.
At work we took a boat ride for our team meeting. No, seriously. It was really relaxing and put me in vacation mode kind of early. After work I went to Chipotle with Amanda and then back to her house where she kept me 'till all hours of the night. Hence I am now behind on packing and trying hard to avoid it. My brain wants to stop working, but I'm to the point in the evening where I need it to do things like make good playlists for the iPod and pick good movies for the trip.
It was also my opportunity to celebrate Beth's birthday, since I'll be out of town for the real thing. I have no idea where the whole goose theme started with this group. Although the obvious jokes about goose bumps have been hilarious at times. So I tried to find something with a goose on it. Geese are not popular animals apparently. Because there was nothing in the whole store. Not even in the section where they had farm animal toys. Popular animals right now appear to be monkeys, frogs, and octopi. (Is that the plural of octopus?)
Through an astonishing bit of math in my head, I figured out that Beth is a Rooster in the Chinese Zodiac. Since the Rooster is a winged farm animal and I could find one of those, that's what I chose. I was also going to get a princess hat for her to run in this morning. I was stopped by the thought that the hat would be saved for my use at a future date and running in a princess hat is not something I would enjoy. Although Beth said she'd be willing to run in a beak which is something I will not forget.
At work we took a boat ride for our team meeting. No, seriously. It was really relaxing and put me in vacation mode kind of early. After work I went to Chipotle with Amanda and then back to her house where she kept me 'till all hours of the night. Hence I am now behind on packing and trying hard to avoid it. My brain wants to stop working, but I'm to the point in the evening where I need it to do things like make good playlists for the iPod and pick good movies for the trip.
6.7.09
Liz Trains for a Marathon: Still Going
I'm still up here training. I know it's been silent for a week. Every so often there's a lull in my training that is, shall we say, forced. And quite frustrating to me.
But this week, I'm back in action. I tried to run yesterday and made it 3 miles. I walked the other e for a total of 6. It was much hotter than I anticipated. This morning I did six miles, over 5.5 of which was on an elliptical. Every time I step off the elliptical, my legs feel like jell-o. (No, seriously, I'm like Gumbi.) But no joint pain.
The training schedule I found has me running five days a week most weeks. Most people I've talked to say that for me knees to last so I can enjoy running for a long time, I should only run three or four days a week. So, I use the elliptical and count it as running. It's an excellent workout if you've never tried it before. When I run 5 miles, I usually go at about an 11:30 or 11:00 pace. When I'm on the elliptical, I go at a 10:00 pace.
I'm also getting to the point where 10 mile runs aren't scaring the crap out of me. Like, I want to do one tomorrow. Just because I can. When I started training, I never thought I'd actually want to run from my house around Lake Harriet and back. Wow.
But this week, I'm back in action. I tried to run yesterday and made it 3 miles. I walked the other e for a total of 6. It was much hotter than I anticipated. This morning I did six miles, over 5.5 of which was on an elliptical. Every time I step off the elliptical, my legs feel like jell-o. (No, seriously, I'm like Gumbi.) But no joint pain.
The training schedule I found has me running five days a week most weeks. Most people I've talked to say that for me knees to last so I can enjoy running for a long time, I should only run three or four days a week. So, I use the elliptical and count it as running. It's an excellent workout if you've never tried it before. When I run 5 miles, I usually go at about an 11:30 or 11:00 pace. When I'm on the elliptical, I go at a 10:00 pace.
I'm also getting to the point where 10 mile runs aren't scaring the crap out of me. Like, I want to do one tomorrow. Just because I can. When I started training, I never thought I'd actually want to run from my house around Lake Harriet and back. Wow.
1.7.09
How'd the editor miss this one?
It just begs the question: Do you really want to have this picture with that headline?
26.6.09
Long Run Friday
I ran 10 miles today. I was kind of nervous about that distance since (I'm embarrassed to say) I haven't done a 10 miler since before the half-marathon. And I was happily surprised at how good I felt.
This route, much like the marathon route has a bear of a hill that comes right at the end. The only way I got up it this morning without walking was by promising myself water at the top. I'm not sure I've ever shared my 10-mile route, here it is, just in case. It takes me along Minnehaha Parkway and Minnehaha Creek which is nice and shady, and then around Lake Harriet. The number of sail boats on Lake Harriet has like trippled since the last the I was there (which was last Saturday by the way). Or maybe I didn't notice them then. They were all parked along the shore. Between the sail boats and the bandshell and the sunrise, it was a gorgeous run.
This was also the first 10-miler where I've actually brought food with me. Did you know they sell little single serving bags of sour patch kids all year round, not just at Halloween? They do. And it turns out, around mile 5 or 6, that's just what I need to punch my blood sugar way back up. Nice.
I did have to go to work today, pretty much directly after I got done running. But I did treat myself to Chipotle, with lots of chicken and beans, to give my body some protein and I took a nap when I got home.
Now, sadly, I have to go to the YWCA (I know, the same day I did a long run) because I need to go these next few days to achieve the "good behavior" discount as I call it. I can't figure out what I'm going to do when I get there. It's 90* so the hot tub sounds not at all appealing. Neither does walking, or lifting weights, and cardio is out for obvious reasons. I might just get in their big pool and float around a bit. I just need to show up to get the discount. But I feel stupid checking in and leaving a few minutes later.
This route, much like the marathon route has a bear of a hill that comes right at the end. The only way I got up it this morning without walking was by promising myself water at the top. I'm not sure I've ever shared my 10-mile route, here it is, just in case. It takes me along Minnehaha Parkway and Minnehaha Creek which is nice and shady, and then around Lake Harriet. The number of sail boats on Lake Harriet has like trippled since the last the I was there (which was last Saturday by the way). Or maybe I didn't notice them then. They were all parked along the shore. Between the sail boats and the bandshell and the sunrise, it was a gorgeous run.
This was also the first 10-miler where I've actually brought food with me. Did you know they sell little single serving bags of sour patch kids all year round, not just at Halloween? They do. And it turns out, around mile 5 or 6, that's just what I need to punch my blood sugar way back up. Nice.
I did have to go to work today, pretty much directly after I got done running. But I did treat myself to Chipotle, with lots of chicken and beans, to give my body some protein and I took a nap when I got home.
Now, sadly, I have to go to the YWCA (I know, the same day I did a long run) because I need to go these next few days to achieve the "good behavior" discount as I call it. I can't figure out what I'm going to do when I get there. It's 90* so the hot tub sounds not at all appealing. Neither does walking, or lifting weights, and cardio is out for obvious reasons. I might just get in their big pool and float around a bit. I just need to show up to get the discount. But I feel stupid checking in and leaving a few minutes later.
23.6.09
Elliptical... Wow
It's hot in Minnesota. Like Heat Advisory hot. So, I've been mildly fairly intimidated to run outside. I'm keeping up the work though.
Sunday, also my birthday, Beth and Jenna ran me around Lake Nokomis and let me walk up a hill for my birthday. Nice. Then, Bonnie acted as my personal shopper at Macy's. Some people have the gift of being able to look at clothes on a hanger and just know how they will look on a person. Kelly and Amanda also seem to have that gift. I do not. (It's ok, I have other gifts. I use my friends for this.) We picked out two tops and a pair of pants. I picked out a lot of brown, especially a lot of brown for Kelly not being there.
Then, I cooked. Well, first I bought a boatload of produce at the co-op. Then I cooked. And cooked. And cooked. I made Wheatberry Lentil Salad a stand by meal I make at least once a month and freeze. Obviously, I do not use tomatoes. Zuccini freezes well and I use that as a tomato replacement. Cucumber can also be used, but it doesn't freeze well. It get's slimy. Then, I made several servings of Honey Almond Chicken. I was advised the longer I ran, the more meat I needed to eat. (Speaking of food, I still haven't eaten dinner.) I thought this Tangy Cauliflower Salad would go nicely as a side with the chicken. It is perhaps my favorite meal I cooked. Yum
Monday I worked. I remember sitting at the pool at the end of the night. I'm reading a book called Veil of Roses, and I enjoyed it while I was cooling off after my swim. There's really nothing like getting in the pool at the end of the day.
Today, I meant to wake up and run 6 miles. I was intimidated by the predicted low of 76* (who runs when it's that hot?) so I decided to go to the gym. Happily, I did eight miles on the elliptical. So I'll do the six tomorrow outside. Hopefully outside. Now: dinner. Next: Sleep.
Sunday, also my birthday, Beth and Jenna ran me around Lake Nokomis and let me walk up a hill for my birthday. Nice. Then, Bonnie acted as my personal shopper at Macy's. Some people have the gift of being able to look at clothes on a hanger and just know how they will look on a person. Kelly and Amanda also seem to have that gift. I do not. (It's ok, I have other gifts. I use my friends for this.) We picked out two tops and a pair of pants. I picked out a lot of brown, especially a lot of brown for Kelly not being there.
Then, I cooked. Well, first I bought a boatload of produce at the co-op. Then I cooked. And cooked. And cooked. I made Wheatberry Lentil Salad a stand by meal I make at least once a month and freeze. Obviously, I do not use tomatoes. Zuccini freezes well and I use that as a tomato replacement. Cucumber can also be used, but it doesn't freeze well. It get's slimy. Then, I made several servings of Honey Almond Chicken. I was advised the longer I ran, the more meat I needed to eat. (Speaking of food, I still haven't eaten dinner.) I thought this Tangy Cauliflower Salad would go nicely as a side with the chicken. It is perhaps my favorite meal I cooked. Yum
Monday I worked. I remember sitting at the pool at the end of the night. I'm reading a book called Veil of Roses, and I enjoyed it while I was cooling off after my swim. There's really nothing like getting in the pool at the end of the day.
Today, I meant to wake up and run 6 miles. I was intimidated by the predicted low of 76* (who runs when it's that hot?) so I decided to go to the gym. Happily, I did eight miles on the elliptical. So I'll do the six tomorrow outside. Hopefully outside. Now: dinner. Next: Sleep.
20.6.09
A Bonus Post: Things Liz Learned Today
- Running in the heat is hard work. Running with someone makes everything better.
- When Brooks upgraded from the Axiom 2 to the Axiom 3, they made the shoelaces shorter. It's not because of my OCD that I know that either.
- Shoes really are cheaper at some other websites. Wow.
- Anyone who's ever exercised to music knows why this sounds like a great idea. In real life, not so much. I'm now missing half my iTunes library. And it's not going to come back voluntarily.
- When my iPod doesn't talk to the computer, it's actually the computer that needs a restart
- Hydrate!
Sarah's visit and a running update
It's come to my attention that I've neglected this little blog for a while. Perhaps I'm nervous that I gave the address to so many family members who will only want running updates that I'm not posting regular updates too. Perhaps I'm nervous for certain family members (read: Mom, Dad, or anyone who would report back to them) to have too much information about my day to day life. Not that I'm doing anything bad up here. I've just become accustom to a certain level of privacy.
Last weekend, Sarah came to town. And ran me from pillar to post. No, seriously, I had a great weekend. I was feeling lonely for out of town people for a while, although the friends who live up here take good care of me. I haven't seem Mom and Dad since Christmas, and anyone from my family since February. We had great weather the whole weekend.
I was so worn out by the end of the weekend, it took me most of the week to recover and so I did not run very much. Luckily it was a "step down" week for Marathon training. Thursday the people I run with surprised me with balloons, coffee, and an awesome birthday cake that was drenched in butter (my favorite ingredient) at the end of the run. About half way into the run, two of them took off and one stayed back with me. I kept thinking, "what is wrong with me, why can't I keep up with them?" And then I had to stop and walk for other reasons. After Beth and Jenna sprinted to Beth's house and came back with balloons, I understood and felt a little better about my speed abilities.
Today was my first run with the Bolder Options marathon team. We started running at 8am this morning. It was hot. So hot that we unanimously agreed to meet earlier next week. Fortunately, next week we're running along the river and should enjoy more shade than Lake Calhoun and Lake of the Isles affords.
So how did Sarah entertain me while she was here?
First,
Then Sarah decided it would be fun if I wore my hair down for the day. The three of us (Sarah, me, and my hair) went over to Lock and Dam 1 for some sight seeing and pictures. It was a gorgeous day. My hair did not stay down for long by the way.
Then we went over to the Como Zoo and Conservatory. The Conservatory was nice but the zoo was mildly crowded with screaming children. Maybe they weren't screaming. Maybe they were just happy and running around. I don't have kids so I don't understand all their movement and noise. I've been told it's harmless.
By that point, Sarah and I decided it was too hot to do much else. We had some Pho for lunch and then sat around the pool all afternoon. We took a brief walk around Lake Nokomis at sunset (yes, it really is that pretty right here in the city). Then we went to the Riverview for a movie that night.
The next day, Kelly and I took Sarah to Maria's for breakfast. Yum. Corn pancakes. Then I had to take Sarah for the obligatory trip to the Mall of America that is required for all out-of-town visitors to the Twin Cities. I tried to convince Sarah those shoes were "her", but in real life they look like they belong on a comic book character. I couldn't try them on because I surely would have fallen down.
Sunday we went to Bar Abilene
Monday morning, Amanda met us at Longfellow Grill for
12.6.09
I'm back in a big way
I spent the greater part of this week feeling like I was going to die. I wasn't sick, I was just sooooo tired. I just kept waking up late, working, coming home and sleeping. Notice how there was no running? I did too. A couple different people pointed out that I was probably anemic and that I should eat red meat. I'll keep that in mind the next time I feel this way.
Wednesday, I finally felt mostly alive so I went for a semi-long run at the Y. I did six miles of sprints and then went another mile just for fun. Then I got in the pool and swam laps. I love the pool.
Yesterday I was unable to run because we had a birthday party (yes, at 5:30am) instead. I got in to work just after the party at 6:40am.
Today, I went for a run around Lake Nokomis and Lake Hiawatha. I had a sweet view of this ginormous blue heron sleeping on top of the railing on the dock. Sweet. When I got back, I hooked up my iPod to download both runs and found out my little iPod and I have traveled over 1,000 miles together. Cool.
Wednesday, I finally felt mostly alive so I went for a semi-long run at the Y. I did six miles of sprints and then went another mile just for fun. Then I got in the pool and swam laps. I love the pool.
Yesterday I was unable to run because we had a birthday party (yes, at 5:30am) instead. I got in to work just after the party at 6:40am.
Today, I went for a run around Lake Nokomis and Lake Hiawatha. I had a sweet view of this ginormous blue heron sleeping on top of the railing on the dock. Sweet. When I got back, I hooked up my iPod to download both runs and found out my little iPod and I have traveled over 1,000 miles together. Cool.
31.5.09
And the world's newest half-marathon finisher is...
I'm trying to figure out how I can get away with wearing my half-marathon shirt and medal to work tomorrow. Sadly, I don't think I can pull it off.
I was really nervous about the half-marathon. The longest I've really run is about 11.5 miles. The last time I tried to do a long run before today, I was less than successful. I was really afraid that I was going to finish with a really slow time which was going to mean I was going to have to do a lot more work to prepare for the marathon.
Team Ortho is pretty well known, at least around here. One of the things they do is have pace groups. The slowest advertised pace group for the marathon was 11:27 miles for a goal of 5hrs. I didn't think I could run that fast for a half-marathon, so I was bummed. But when I got to the starting line today, there was a pacer for 12:00 miles. Sweet! I'd like to take this moment to thank Kristen, you were a great pacer for the first 9 miles of the race.
In my pace group I met a few people who were running the half-marathon so I ran the last few miles with them. (Thanks here to Dan and Sandy. It was nice to meet you both!)
My favorite thing about training for the marathon and doing all this stuff along the way is that I'm continually reminded that it's not possible to run alone: even if I'm the only one in the race, all of you who've taken an interest in this are with me.
Today, Jenna and Beth cheered (really loud) for me at mile 9 and then after the turn around, gave me sour patch kids, water, and helped me up one of the hills by running with me. (I really can't say enough about how helpful that was. It meant a lot that you were there.) And then, I knew after they "dropped me off" at the water stop, I knew I only had less than a 5k to go to see Amanda and Kelly who were waiting at the finish line for me. (Oddly, they had food for me too.)
The course, mostly along the West River Parkway, is gorgeous. For those of you who don't live around here, the course runs right along the Mississippi River. The catch: it's not flat. Coming out of downtown, the course goes down hill, and then up hill for a mile. The nice thing is that we had that long down hill with just a mile or two to go. But then, that's right, we had to go back up in the last half mile. Wow. Check out the map and elevation chart here. I was so happy to see the finish line. And all those people cheering for me (well for everyone, but mostly me). I believe you can check results at the main web site. My bib number is 4985.
After the race, Amanda and Kelly treated me to an awesome breakfast of
I came home and got in my pool. My presence was also required at the YWCA (one last visit to get my discount for good behavior) so I sat in their hot tub too. Now I'm sitting here thanking all of you. I seriously couldn't do this alone and I'm grateful for all of your support.
25.5.09
When it got warmer, running got harder
The thing about Minneapolis, for those of you who don't live here, is that was have awesome running weather for much of the year. And then the weather gets like it is now, and I loose all sense of reason and running ability.
I'd been up to 10 miles before the weather turned hot and humid. Today, I thought I was going to die after running about 7. I technically made it 10. I walked the last 3. So, that was my last long run before the half marathon on Sunday. We'll see if I do any better in race conditions.
It's a little bit discouraging to suddenly not be able to run. But I haven't lost all hope yet. I think I'll try some mid distance runs to build my stamina back up. I'm sure by August, (when I will no doubt be waking up at 5am to run), I'll have this heat thing licked. Then I'll spend all of October and November trying to teach my body to stop sweating so I can run outside in the winter without fear of loosing limbs.
Memorial Day Weekend was a pretty chill weekend for me. I laid around the house, ran a little, and laid around some more. I actually only have a 3 day week ahead of me too. I have Friday off. I plan on picking up my race packet down town that day and resting up for Sunday. Which means more chilling to bring in the month of June.
I'd been up to 10 miles before the weather turned hot and humid. Today, I thought I was going to die after running about 7. I technically made it 10. I walked the last 3. So, that was my last long run before the half marathon on Sunday. We'll see if I do any better in race conditions.
It's a little bit discouraging to suddenly not be able to run. But I haven't lost all hope yet. I think I'll try some mid distance runs to build my stamina back up. I'm sure by August, (when I will no doubt be waking up at 5am to run), I'll have this heat thing licked. Then I'll spend all of October and November trying to teach my body to stop sweating so I can run outside in the winter without fear of loosing limbs.
Memorial Day Weekend was a pretty chill weekend for me. I laid around the house, ran a little, and laid around some more. I actually only have a 3 day week ahead of me too. I have Friday off. I plan on picking up my race packet down town that day and resting up for Sunday. Which means more chilling to bring in the month of June.
19.5.09
A Covert Reminder of High School
Some of you reading this will know I went to Walnut Hills, a very unusual high school. I took several advanced placement courses there, including AP English. Another person who went to my school was the son of cartoonist Jim Borgman. Mr Borgman, among other things has a comic strip called "Zits" about a high school student. He has said that he does get ideas for the strip from his own family, including his son. And it took me no time at all to take the reference in this strip, seen here on May 19. Know why? Because I had almost this same exact assignment as part of my AP English Class.
I think mine was "literary analysis of the minor characters in Huck Finn", but it was no less ridiculous for a 25 page paper. Thanks again Ms Mahin, I'm just happy I didn't have to take English when I got to college.
I think mine was "literary analysis of the minor characters in Huck Finn", but it was no less ridiculous for a 25 page paper. Thanks again Ms Mahin, I'm just happy I didn't have to take English when I got to college.
13.5.09
Still running
I'm am still running. And the donations for Bolder Options are still coming in. Thanks to all who have donated or are about to make a donation. My long runs are at 10 miles. I can't believe I run this far. I really can't believe there will be a time when I do more than one run per week that long.
I'm also still having bed bug issues. Or maybe not. It's not entirely clear.
Friday morning, I woke up with several bites on my arm that could only have been from bed bugs. (B@st$rds!) It was way too early in the morning so I freaked out but I didn't have a whole lot of energy to put into it. Instead I went next door to feed my neighbors cat. I put the old cat food down the garbage disposal which promptly backed up and flooded the sink. (It's too early in the morning for this.) It took several minutes of me staring at the sink, turning the disposal on and off, staring at the sink, imagining my neighbors reaction to a sink full of old cat food and water, staring at the sink, trying the regular side of the sink, thinking of how to fix this, and staring at the sink. Finally, I decided I had to reach into the disposal (it was off, calm down) to feel what was clogging it up.
Yeah, the cat food clogged up the collar of the disposal so nothing could get down it. Once I loosened the gunk, we were all good. That just left me with several bites on my arm. I ignored them and went to my 7:30am meeting. (I told you it was early.) When I got back home I called our property manager.
Has anyone ever had their apartment inspected? For bed bugs? Repeatedly? There is no privacy. There are no secrets. Those stains on the carpet or sheets? That stuff you keep under your bed because you don't want to think about it? Underwear drawer? It's all fair game. For the number of guys messing with my bed and rifling through my underwear, I should be much happier. Well, the first inspection which took about fifteen minutes didn't find any bugs. So they called the exterminators while I went to work.
The exterminators had to peel back my carpet from the wall to find the bugs. It's not clear exactly which wall it was. And they sprayed. And I have no further information. It's been five days. Nothing. I washed my bed clothes (for the billionth time) but haven't done anything else. I'm not sure if I have to. Remember all the work I had to do the first time? For now, I'm ignoring the issue. I'm sure I'll keep you informed as updates become available.
I'm also still having bed bug issues. Or maybe not. It's not entirely clear.
Friday morning, I woke up with several bites on my arm that could only have been from bed bugs. (B@st$rds!) It was way too early in the morning so I freaked out but I didn't have a whole lot of energy to put into it. Instead I went next door to feed my neighbors cat. I put the old cat food down the garbage disposal which promptly backed up and flooded the sink. (It's too early in the morning for this.) It took several minutes of me staring at the sink, turning the disposal on and off, staring at the sink, imagining my neighbors reaction to a sink full of old cat food and water, staring at the sink, trying the regular side of the sink, thinking of how to fix this, and staring at the sink. Finally, I decided I had to reach into the disposal (it was off, calm down) to feel what was clogging it up.
Yeah, the cat food clogged up the collar of the disposal so nothing could get down it. Once I loosened the gunk, we were all good. That just left me with several bites on my arm. I ignored them and went to my 7:30am meeting. (I told you it was early.) When I got back home I called our property manager.
Has anyone ever had their apartment inspected? For bed bugs? Repeatedly? There is no privacy. There are no secrets. Those stains on the carpet or sheets? That stuff you keep under your bed because you don't want to think about it? Underwear drawer? It's all fair game. For the number of guys messing with my bed and rifling through my underwear, I should be much happier. Well, the first inspection which took about fifteen minutes didn't find any bugs. So they called the exterminators while I went to work.
The exterminators had to peel back my carpet from the wall to find the bugs. It's not clear exactly which wall it was. And they sprayed. And I have no further information. It's been five days. Nothing. I washed my bed clothes (for the billionth time) but haven't done anything else. I'm not sure if I have to. Remember all the work I had to do the first time? For now, I'm ignoring the issue. I'm sure I'll keep you informed as updates become available.
Linkfest
For those of you that are new to the blog, Welcome and for the returners and long time readers, as always, great to see you. From time to time, I like to let you know what I've seen on the internet. It's important because some of it probably reminds me of you.
- Hulu is one of my favorite websites right now. I have very few cable channels and hardly ever watch live TV anyway. I go to this site to catch up on my favorite shows, especially the Daily Show and the Colbert Report. Well, Hulu has been in the news recently. First, the CEO Answered Freakonomics reader questions but deftly avoided telling me if they're going to release an application for the iPhone. And the follow up, Hulu bows to the whims of cable. If you've never been to Hulu the articles won't be as interesting but it's a site you should check out as soon as you're done reading my post. If you know Hulu, read the articles.
- I was checking the local news and saw this story about rescuing wild animals which reminded me of Beth. She accidentally told her kids that they could keep a wild bunny as a pet if they caught one. I never heard how that turned out.
- Almost all of use know someone who had high cholesterol and went on the Cheerio diet to lower it. Turns out the FDA wants Cheerios to be an over the county med. And the follow up, leave Cheerios alone and focus on all those other stupid supplements that don't actually work.
- For those of you who are runners or exercise like crazy, turns out if you exercise regularly, you don't need to take vitamins, or you should pick your evil. Diabetes or cancer?
- This comic was made for me.
- This map was made for Sarah. Aren't your potholes filled by now? The swerving can be really exciting. It becomes like muscle memory at some point. And then I get thrown off when the holes are filled in.
- And in closing, Don't robo-call a senator. I too have gotten a few (billion) phone calls from this service. It's such a funky number that I always know to ignore it. I'm ready for someone to get them to stop calling me. If you watch the news, every few days you'll see they called someone else they shouldn't have. I think there was a governor who was called too. Oops.
6.5.09
My Runs are Entering Double Digit Mileage
To the runners (or those with similar knowledge) reading this blog:
1. Please explain gel packs to me. Is this something that I would like? At what distance do I need to start taking gel packs with me in addition to water?
2. Please explain a "hydration strategy" for long runs. How much water should I be drinking when I stop? How often should I stop for water or Gatorade? Is there a frequency that's too often to stop for liquids?
I ran 10 miles this morning. I ran from my house, around Lake Harriet, (quickly becoming one of my favorite lakes for the view of the sailboats, band shell and downtown Minneapolis), and back home. If you're in town here, Minnehaha Parkway and Minnehaha Creek and pleasantly and surprsingly green. The trees are coming out. And the wild violets are in such full bloom they look like a carpet in some spots. For those of you not in Minneapolis, this is my running route.
Lake Harriet Bandshell. Photo from here.
The first time I ran it, I made it to the lake and around part of it before suffering, um, distress. I walked the rest of the way. The second time I definitely made it around the lake before I started walking. Eventually I started adding miles to the run home, first running to Nicollet, then to the expressway, then to a little farther. Today I ran all the way back to Chicago Ave and then ran intervals (this is how I add miles to the long run) the rest of the way.
Today, at the Portland Ave stoplight another runner and I were waiting to cross the street. She turned to me and said, "you must be doing a long run, I saw you running when I was taking my daughter to school." Sweet!
I just purchased a Fuel Belt after getting thirsty on my runs, needing calories on my runs, and seeing a lot of other runners with this particular product. (Although Amazon only had them in black. I'm feeling like I missed out.) After one run, I'm prepared to declare the thing a winner. I read the reviews pretty carefully before I bought it and they were all pretty much right. The belt is tight (it's not too small, it's supposed to be that way) but doesn't rub on clothing. Two hands are required to get the bottles out of and into the belt, but I'm always walking while I'm drinking so it's not inconvenient. The bottles do not leak. It's very nice to have both juice (I didn't have any Gatorade today) and regular water on a run. I could tell having fluids while I'm running makes a big difference. I felt better during the run and not as tired when I stopped.
1. Please explain gel packs to me. Is this something that I would like? At what distance do I need to start taking gel packs with me in addition to water?
2. Please explain a "hydration strategy" for long runs. How much water should I be drinking when I stop? How often should I stop for water or Gatorade? Is there a frequency that's too often to stop for liquids?
I ran 10 miles this morning. I ran from my house, around Lake Harriet, (quickly becoming one of my favorite lakes for the view of the sailboats, band shell and downtown Minneapolis), and back home. If you're in town here, Minnehaha Parkway and Minnehaha Creek and pleasantly and surprsingly green. The trees are coming out. And the wild violets are in such full bloom they look like a carpet in some spots. For those of you not in Minneapolis, this is my running route.
Lake Harriet Bandshell. Photo from here.The first time I ran it, I made it to the lake and around part of it before suffering, um, distress. I walked the rest of the way. The second time I definitely made it around the lake before I started walking. Eventually I started adding miles to the run home, first running to Nicollet, then to the expressway, then to a little farther. Today I ran all the way back to Chicago Ave and then ran intervals (this is how I add miles to the long run) the rest of the way.
Today, at the Portland Ave stoplight another runner and I were waiting to cross the street. She turned to me and said, "you must be doing a long run, I saw you running when I was taking my daughter to school." Sweet!
I just purchased a Fuel Belt after getting thirsty on my runs, needing calories on my runs, and seeing a lot of other runners with this particular product. (Although Amazon only had them in black. I'm feeling like I missed out.) After one run, I'm prepared to declare the thing a winner. I read the reviews pretty carefully before I bought it and they were all pretty much right. The belt is tight (it's not too small, it's supposed to be that way) but doesn't rub on clothing. Two hands are required to get the bottles out of and into the belt, but I'm always walking while I'm drinking so it's not inconvenient. The bottles do not leak. It's very nice to have both juice (I didn't have any Gatorade today) and regular water on a run. I could tell having fluids while I'm running makes a big difference. I felt better during the run and not as tired when I stopped.
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