...since I've run 2 miles.
Yes, me, the one who ran a marathon and then wanted to run a million marathons every day, ran 2 miles today, and was OVERJOYED that I could run that far.
It wasn't by choice that I stopped running. I even wrote about my injury here. Little did I know at that time that it would be six months, thousands of dollars and a whole lotta patience later that I would be able to run two consecutive miles without pain.
Over the course of these six months I've wavered between feeling insanely jealous of every person I see running on the side of the road and feeling insanely blessed to have a healthy body that can walk and lift and do every other exercise known to man (except run). I'm reminded how blessed I am every day when I see my coworkers (there are several of them) who have permanent limps. Walking to the cafeteria looks like a struggle for them (I have no idea if it actually is a struggle, but it looks like it is).
I can walk. I can jump, dance, kick, squat, twirl, skip, ski and swim. And I try not to let a day go by that I don't thank God for that.
I do miss my weekend double-digit runs though. I feel weird calling myself a runner these days. I want to register for a race. I want to run with all these new friends I've met on Daily Mile and Twitter. I finally have friends here to run with! But I can't run :(
Well, I couldn't run. Now I can. A little.
I just hope someday I will look back on this as a small blip in a long running career.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Thank you, metabolism
I know there will come a time in my life, some years down the road hopefully, when I will not be able to eat a bazillion handfuls of chocolate chips (and white chocolate chips) a day and still wear a size 4 - 6. So for now, I will be thankful for the metabolism I currently possess and enjoy those handfuls of chocolate.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
The long distance bug
It seems like everyone runs marathons these days - or at least half marathons. The truth is that 13.1 miles is an attainable distance for almost any runner. You just have to love running, train properly and dedicate yourself to the distance.
I remember the first time the idea of running any more than 5 miles popped into my mind. I was on the ski lift at Wilmot one day in December 2005 with Bill and Laura. Bill told me he ran the St. Louis half marathon that past April and suggested I do it with him the coming year.
That's crazy, I told him. Humans aren't supposed to run that far, I said, echoing a line my dad always used to say in regards to marathons (I think he's changed his mind a bit since then).
No, Bill assured me, it's not that hard. He told me about the Hal Higdon training plan he used and said it was actually really easy to follow.
I was definitely intrigued. I tried to picture myself running 13 miles. It still seemed so, so far, but over the next few days as I thought more about it the distance became more attainable in my head.
Within a week I was hooked on the idea. I printed out Hal Higdon's novice plan and started training right when I got back to school. I even convinced one of my roommates to train with me.
Up until that point I was a casual runner. I ran cross country in high school. I wasn't particularly fast. I think my fastest mile was around 7 minutes, in a 3-mile race. That's nowhere near varsity level.
It took the idea of that half marathon to make me a real runner. I stuck to that plan, pounding out laps on the track at Stankowski Field, right behind the Zeta house. I got up to 7 miles - around a track, nonetheless, and then injury struck.
So the 2006 St. Louis half marathon wasn't my race. But I had been bitten by the long distance bug, and I knew someday I would do it.
And two years later, I did. Except it was the Madison Half Marathon. Then in 2009 it was the Sheboygan Full Moon Half Marathon. And the Chicago Marathon. And I've discovered all these people in my life who have been bitten by the same bug. Everyone, it seems, is a runner these days.
It's great. I wonder if everyone was a runner 4 years ago when Bill first mentioned the idea of a half marathon to me. Is this a club you only know about when you're in it? Maybe. And if so, I think that makes it even cooler.
I remember the first time the idea of running any more than 5 miles popped into my mind. I was on the ski lift at Wilmot one day in December 2005 with Bill and Laura. Bill told me he ran the St. Louis half marathon that past April and suggested I do it with him the coming year.
That's crazy, I told him. Humans aren't supposed to run that far, I said, echoing a line my dad always used to say in regards to marathons (I think he's changed his mind a bit since then).
No, Bill assured me, it's not that hard. He told me about the Hal Higdon training plan he used and said it was actually really easy to follow.
I was definitely intrigued. I tried to picture myself running 13 miles. It still seemed so, so far, but over the next few days as I thought more about it the distance became more attainable in my head.
Within a week I was hooked on the idea. I printed out Hal Higdon's novice plan and started training right when I got back to school. I even convinced one of my roommates to train with me.
Up until that point I was a casual runner. I ran cross country in high school. I wasn't particularly fast. I think my fastest mile was around 7 minutes, in a 3-mile race. That's nowhere near varsity level.
It took the idea of that half marathon to make me a real runner. I stuck to that plan, pounding out laps on the track at Stankowski Field, right behind the Zeta house. I got up to 7 miles - around a track, nonetheless, and then injury struck.
So the 2006 St. Louis half marathon wasn't my race. But I had been bitten by the long distance bug, and I knew someday I would do it.
And two years later, I did. Except it was the Madison Half Marathon. Then in 2009 it was the Sheboygan Full Moon Half Marathon. And the Chicago Marathon. And I've discovered all these people in my life who have been bitten by the same bug. Everyone, it seems, is a runner these days.
It's great. I wonder if everyone was a runner 4 years ago when Bill first mentioned the idea of a half marathon to me. Is this a club you only know about when you're in it? Maybe. And if so, I think that makes it even cooler.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Correcting my anatomical issues
I had my first physical therapy appointment this morning. I really liked the
PT. She seems very thorough, caring and knowledgeable. Bonus: her daughter
ran Chicago last year too.
PT. She seems very thorough, caring and knowledgeable. Bonus: her daughter
ran Chicago last year too.
She didn't really tell me anything surprising. She just kind of made me
realize how important it is that I correct my issues: overpronation, weak
hips, tight right IT band. My overpronation is really the root of all my
injury evil, and if I let it go uncorrected (re: without orthotics) I'm sure
to suffer more (and new) injuries, like achilles tendonitis.
So basically, I'll be getting orthotics (again), doing more stretching and
strengthening and working on form (I think?).
She said she'll be able to get me running again soon, so that's relieving.
But I almost wanted to cry after I asked how much these sessions will cost
me. The receptionist couldn't say for sure, but estimated around $200 EACH!
If insurance covers, like 80-90%, then I can afford it. But if that's
post-deductible (I have a high deductible plan - like $2,500) I'm not sure I
can justify two sessions a week. Or even one. And I hate the fact that it
costs that much in the first place. $200 for 45 minutes?!
Friday, January 22, 2010
10 things I love and hate about my Spanish radio station
At some point during the first week of January, I decided it would be a good exercise to go an entire month listening only to Spanish radio in my car. I figured it would help me cling on to my Spanish degree and get my listening/speaking skills back up to par just for the heck of it.
Sometimes I curse this decision. But most of the time I enjoy it. Here are 5 things I love and 5 things I hate about my Spanish radio station.
5 things I love about Spanish radio:
5) The ridiculous jokes.
4) The fact that I can understand a fraction of what's going on.
3) The news reports.
2) The song, "Nadie Besa Nadie"
1) The commercials! They are the best.
5 things I hate about Spanish radio:
5) The laugh track that accompanies the ridiculous jokes and even the regular jokes. So. Annoying.
4) The muffled callers. I have absolutely no idea what 90% of them are saying.
3) The fact that all the song intros sound the same so I always get my hopes up that "Nadie Besa Nadie" is playing, when in reality it's something really annoying. With lots of tuba.
2) The fact that whenever people call in the DJs get super loud and YELL! EVERY! THING! ESPECIALLY! THE CALLER'S! NAME! REPEATEDLY! Example:
DJ: HOLA! QUIÉN ES?
Caller: Hola! Es Pedro.
DJ: PEEEDRO! PEEEDRO! PEEEEDROOOO! COOO-MOOOO ESTAAAAAS, MI CABELLEEEEEERO PEEEEEDROOOOOO!!??!!??
1) The voice of the evening drive female DJ. It's really obnoxious. She sounds like a real bimbo and she flirts with all the callers and calls them "Corazón." They all tell her how sexy she is and she giggles like every 6.2 seconds and it makes me want to barf.
Sometimes I curse this decision. But most of the time I enjoy it. Here are 5 things I love and 5 things I hate about my Spanish radio station.
5 things I love about Spanish radio:
5) The ridiculous jokes.
4) The fact that I can understand a fraction of what's going on.
3) The news reports.
2) The song, "Nadie Besa Nadie"
1) The commercials! They are the best.
5 things I hate about Spanish radio:
5) The laugh track that accompanies the ridiculous jokes and even the regular jokes. So. Annoying.
4) The muffled callers. I have absolutely no idea what 90% of them are saying.
3) The fact that all the song intros sound the same so I always get my hopes up that "Nadie Besa Nadie" is playing, when in reality it's something really annoying. With lots of tuba.
2) The fact that whenever people call in the DJs get super loud and YELL! EVERY! THING! ESPECIALLY! THE CALLER'S! NAME! REPEATEDLY! Example:
DJ: HOLA! QUIÉN ES?
Caller: Hola! Es Pedro.
DJ: PEEEDRO! PEEEDRO! PEEEEDROOOO! COOO-MOOOO ESTAAAAAS, MI CABELLEEEEEERO PEEEEEDROOOOOO!!??!!??
1) The voice of the evening drive female DJ. It's really obnoxious. She sounds like a real bimbo and she flirts with all the callers and calls them "Corazón." They all tell her how sexy she is and she giggles like every 6.2 seconds and it makes me want to barf.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Good times... '10
Too bad I can't title this post "Good times '09," because "Good times '10" just doesn't have the same ring to it.
I had a particularly fun-filled weekend. And week, come to think of it. Well, despite the fact I have been completely lackluster and unmotivated at work. Need to snap out of that slump asap.
So I'll document the fun:
Monday: "Taste tweet" at a local restaurant, where I met some very nice Twitter people and enjoyed a delicious (yet super, super indulgent) meal on the house. And tweeted about it, of course.
Tuesday: Trivia, as usual. After a three-game streak of winning first place, we didn't place at all. Also had a really awkwardly heated conversation which did not end nicely. But emails were exchanged afterward to clear the air.
Wednesday: Went to the doctor for my knee. It was a really unpleasant experience as far as waiting, waiting and waiting, then feeling super rushed when I finally saw the doctor. But I do not have a stress fracture. I'm supposed to go to physical therapy (conveniently located .2 miles from mi casa) and do stretches to heal my IT band syndrome (or IT band tendinitis... not sure if those are the same thing). Relieved to know what's wrong finally.
Thursday: Started my day bright and early with yoga for runners. Went out to dinner with my book club (aka friends) after work. The food was only so-so but the company was tops.
Friday: Started the day bright and early again with yoga for runners. Then went to an early morning tweetup in the lobby at work. Met and talked to some lovely people and enjoyed free coffee and a doughnut. After work met up with the hubs, his coworker and his coworker's girlfriend, with whom we have become amigos, and stopped by a Twitter friend's guest bartending stint for a drink. Ate a highly enjoyable dinner at a great restaurant on the river. Then went back to said friends' apartment for some Rock Band. Till 2 a.m.
Saturday: Slept in a little, cleaned house, did more yoga (I am addicted!) and then my family came to visit! We relaxed and played cards, then headed to THE MOST AMAZING DINNER EVER at Umami Moto downtown. This was an exquisite dining experience at a very trendy Asian fusion restaurant. Everything we ate was absolutely superb. The service was top-notch. We racked up a $250 bill for 6 of us, but enjoyed every last nibble. I am looking forward to my leftover sushi. Oh, then we saw a play at The Rep. It was okay. Hubby didn't like it, but it entertained me enough. Followed by custard from Kopp's! Eat much?
Sunday: (today) Prepared an oatmeal buffet for the fam for breakfast, then all went to church. Primary Praise actually went well! After church ate at Noodles with the fam, then went on a gorgeous 1.5-hour cross country ski loop with hubby at the state park. Hubs broke a ski pole, so for the last 45-minutes he used one of mine and I more or less single-poled it. But we both had fun and it was a beautiful day for skiing.
The one thing that has been both a great enjoyment and also my downfall this week has been the food. I ate at a restaurant 5 out of 7 days! That never happens. I also ate really indulgent things both in and out of the restaurants. I'm pretty sure I gained a good 3 pounds. It was all very enjoyable (and I only paid for 2 of the meals), but I need to get back on track.
The good news is, this week has some fun in store too, including recipe contest and quarterly awards judging at work, a meeting for a fun new local fitness group, a Friday off work and two great friends coming to visit and run an indoor marathon relay on Saturday! I'm also volunteering at the marathon. Oh, and I'm singing on Worship Team on Sunday. That is always enjoyable.
Conclusions:
I had a particularly fun-filled weekend. And week, come to think of it. Well, despite the fact I have been completely lackluster and unmotivated at work. Need to snap out of that slump asap.
So I'll document the fun:
Monday: "Taste tweet" at a local restaurant, where I met some very nice Twitter people and enjoyed a delicious (yet super, super indulgent) meal on the house. And tweeted about it, of course.
Tuesday: Trivia, as usual. After a three-game streak of winning first place, we didn't place at all. Also had a really awkwardly heated conversation which did not end nicely. But emails were exchanged afterward to clear the air.
Wednesday: Went to the doctor for my knee. It was a really unpleasant experience as far as waiting, waiting and waiting, then feeling super rushed when I finally saw the doctor. But I do not have a stress fracture. I'm supposed to go to physical therapy (conveniently located .2 miles from mi casa) and do stretches to heal my IT band syndrome (or IT band tendinitis... not sure if those are the same thing). Relieved to know what's wrong finally.
Thursday: Started my day bright and early with yoga for runners. Went out to dinner with my book club (aka friends) after work. The food was only so-so but the company was tops.
Friday: Started the day bright and early again with yoga for runners. Then went to an early morning tweetup in the lobby at work. Met and talked to some lovely people and enjoyed free coffee and a doughnut. After work met up with the hubs, his coworker and his coworker's girlfriend, with whom we have become amigos, and stopped by a Twitter friend's guest bartending stint for a drink. Ate a highly enjoyable dinner at a great restaurant on the river. Then went back to said friends' apartment for some Rock Band. Till 2 a.m.
Saturday: Slept in a little, cleaned house, did more yoga (I am addicted!) and then my family came to visit! We relaxed and played cards, then headed to THE MOST AMAZING DINNER EVER at Umami Moto downtown. This was an exquisite dining experience at a very trendy Asian fusion restaurant. Everything we ate was absolutely superb. The service was top-notch. We racked up a $250 bill for 6 of us, but enjoyed every last nibble. I am looking forward to my leftover sushi. Oh, then we saw a play at The Rep. It was okay. Hubby didn't like it, but it entertained me enough. Followed by custard from Kopp's! Eat much?
Sunday: (today) Prepared an oatmeal buffet for the fam for breakfast, then all went to church. Primary Praise actually went well! After church ate at Noodles with the fam, then went on a gorgeous 1.5-hour cross country ski loop with hubby at the state park. Hubs broke a ski pole, so for the last 45-minutes he used one of mine and I more or less single-poled it. But we both had fun and it was a beautiful day for skiing.
The one thing that has been both a great enjoyment and also my downfall this week has been the food. I ate at a restaurant 5 out of 7 days! That never happens. I also ate really indulgent things both in and out of the restaurants. I'm pretty sure I gained a good 3 pounds. It was all very enjoyable (and I only paid for 2 of the meals), but I need to get back on track.
The good news is, this week has some fun in store too, including recipe contest and quarterly awards judging at work, a meeting for a fun new local fitness group, a Friday off work and two great friends coming to visit and run an indoor marathon relay on Saturday! I'm also volunteering at the marathon. Oh, and I'm singing on Worship Team on Sunday. That is always enjoyable.
Conclusions:
- It's fun to have a full social calendar and great new friends.
- Eating out is fun and delicious but I feel nasty after more than a day or two of doing so.
- The Twitter community here is really nice and enthusiastic and I'm looking forward to getting to know people.
- Yoga is good for overcoming injury (at least so far).
Friday, January 15, 2010
Haiti
Part of me wants to experience their pain. To know that nothing in my life will ever be as painful.
http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/15/assignment-19/
http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/15/assignment-19/
Saturday, January 9, 2010
2010 Goals
Last year around this time, I posted a recap of the previous year's new year's eve, that year's new year's eve and a comparison of my goals vs. achievements of the past year.
Let's continue that January tradition.
This NYE was different than any before. It was the husband and my first NYE together - our first one in the same state, actually. Every year past we were in our respective hometowns for winter break, celebrating with high school friends.
So, it being our first year together at the turn of the year, we spent it quietly at home on the couch, with Chinese takeout from Fortune (best ever), champagne, candles, Seinfield Scene It and a South Park marathon. It was surprisingly fun and romantic.
My goal at the beginning of 2009 was to run a half marathon. It was decidedly doable. And I did it. But my real achievement was running the Chicago Marathon. It was the most amazing running experience I've ever had.
I want nothing more than to run another marathon this year - preferably Chicago again - but I can't commit to it until I know what's wrong with my knee. I haven't run since Nov. 7 :(
The weeks leading up to the start of the pain were some of my best running weeks ever. I was tackling hills, doing speedwork, not skipping workouts. I was really motivated for the half-marathon I was planning on running Jan. 23. Then it all came crashing down. Now I'm afraid of what might be wrong. And I'm afraid of how hard it will be to start from scratch again.
But as soon as I'm able to run again, I commit to training for a big race.
And assuming I can get back out there, here are the goals I set post-marathon and would like to stick to in 2010:
1) Run a 5K in under 25 minutes.
2) Run a half marathon in under 1:58:00
3) Run a marathon in under 4:10:00
4) Run a local half marathon.
5) Join a running group. I want running buddies!
I had another goal of dropping 5 pounds, keeping it off for a month and rewarding myself with a new pair of jeans... but I'm not sure how committed I am to that just yet ;)
As for non-running goals... I'm too tired to set any right now. Perhaps another month I will think about what I actually want to accomplish in this short life I have been given and set some concrete goals.
Let's continue that January tradition.
This NYE was different than any before. It was the husband and my first NYE together - our first one in the same state, actually. Every year past we were in our respective hometowns for winter break, celebrating with high school friends.
So, it being our first year together at the turn of the year, we spent it quietly at home on the couch, with Chinese takeout from Fortune (best ever), champagne, candles, Seinfield Scene It and a South Park marathon. It was surprisingly fun and romantic.
My goal at the beginning of 2009 was to run a half marathon. It was decidedly doable. And I did it. But my real achievement was running the Chicago Marathon. It was the most amazing running experience I've ever had.
I want nothing more than to run another marathon this year - preferably Chicago again - but I can't commit to it until I know what's wrong with my knee. I haven't run since Nov. 7 :(
The weeks leading up to the start of the pain were some of my best running weeks ever. I was tackling hills, doing speedwork, not skipping workouts. I was really motivated for the half-marathon I was planning on running Jan. 23. Then it all came crashing down. Now I'm afraid of what might be wrong. And I'm afraid of how hard it will be to start from scratch again.
But as soon as I'm able to run again, I commit to training for a big race.
And assuming I can get back out there, here are the goals I set post-marathon and would like to stick to in 2010:
1) Run a 5K in under 25 minutes.
2) Run a half marathon in under 1:58:00
3) Run a marathon in under 4:10:00
4) Run a local half marathon.
5) Join a running group. I want running buddies!
I had another goal of dropping 5 pounds, keeping it off for a month and rewarding myself with a new pair of jeans... but I'm not sure how committed I am to that just yet ;)
As for non-running goals... I'm too tired to set any right now. Perhaps another month I will think about what I actually want to accomplish in this short life I have been given and set some concrete goals.
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