tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11029867735805222762024-03-05T14:09:07.772-08:00Strong and SteadyHealthy living at a maintainable pace.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04116625638382094114noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1102986773580522276.post-25496610832208373122012-05-20T11:29:00.002-07:002012-05-20T11:29:58.891-07:00pubmed2wordle me.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBiLpDBGcRTd-qkD7PZp4fd08gNVN4GMmbNYrlyb_OqtlHgNBBvcsb_VppqMhElu_EgtyVFY1SecPp-409vpc_lezIfPkueseNE7YuOCEsYkk8yrUVdtC4OGtIMq4W1rNHG4v3iPH2vGk/s1600/libby_abstract_wordle.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBiLpDBGcRTd-qkD7PZp4fd08gNVN4GMmbNYrlyb_OqtlHgNBBvcsb_VppqMhElu_EgtyVFY1SecPp-409vpc_lezIfPkueseNE7YuOCEsYkk8yrUVdtC4OGtIMq4W1rNHG4v3iPH2vGk/s640/libby_abstract_wordle.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/5328919/libby%2Bla_052012" title="Wordle: libby+la_052012"><img alt="Wordle: libby+la_052012" src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/5328919/libby%2Bla_052012" style="border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 4px;" /></a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04116625638382094114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1102986773580522276.post-60788587343509215132010-02-22T22:18:00.000-08:002010-02-22T22:18:45.249-08:00Swamped!As in, wallowing in a swamp of assignments to grade!<br />
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Back to blogging when I can identify my living room under the mountains of paper, promise.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04116625638382094114noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1102986773580522276.post-41442732025454301152010-02-17T22:59:00.000-08:002010-02-17T23:03:57.941-08:00Glasses and Wrinkles and Grey Hairs, Oh My!Much to my dismay, I have always been <b>the baby</b>. Throughout grade school, with my birthday in mid-September, I was consistently one of the youngest kids in my grade. I couldn't get my driver's license until I was almost done with my junior year of high school! In college, I was just about the last of my friends to turn 21 (super lame). A year into my first job, over half of the new hires - who got their degrees a year after I did - were still older than I was! And now, even though I worked for two years in between undergrad and graduate school, I remain the youngest student in my graduate cohort.<br />
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Needless to say, I may have developed a little bit of a <b>complex </b>about my age. I have a secret worry that having been on the planet for a longer period of time gives those around me some kind of developmental advantage... cognitively, socially, physically, who knows? Sometimes I feel like <b>I just don't get things</b> that other people do - and maybe it's because their more mature neurons have figured out more of life's little intricacies. I often wonder if other "youngsters" feel the same way... <i>Well, do you??</i><br />
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OK, fine, <b>it's all in my head</b>. Regardless, I have never, ever thought of myself as being "old enough," but always instead "too young." <br />
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So, how is it possible that, at 24 years of age, a relative infant, I keep showing <b>physical signs of aging?!?!? </b><br />
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When I was 20, with a life history of perfect vision, I started needing <b>glasses </b>to see presentations in class. <b>Myopia</b>! Unbelievable and unfortunate. Now, after exponentially increasing time spent in front of computers, I find myself needing those very glasses to drive, proctor tests, even dine with friends at oblong tables. Do I look academic enough yet?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMf5q0y7SUZxl-sBeoVAHX0M80jKe40AgXqe8PhZrLRlGSDwz-U4kmiuTrWKBpi7HmnWShk0ylgbzCoRAr97mCXJ_WC9ObawwaFcomf46ZSi7a0IITf5ELb4YMAZQ0onw3v5Z99r0R2iJf/s1600-h/Blog+012910+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMf5q0y7SUZxl-sBeoVAHX0M80jKe40AgXqe8PhZrLRlGSDwz-U4kmiuTrWKBpi7HmnWShk0ylgbzCoRAr97mCXJ_WC9ObawwaFcomf46ZSi7a0IITf5ELb4YMAZQ0onw3v5Z99r0R2iJf/s400/Blog+012910+006.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Shortly thereafter, I started to notice grooves on my forehead and around my mouth... Grooves, indeed. These were <b>wrinkles</b>! Clearly I must smile and/or raise my eyebrows too much. So, I started to use nighttime <b>face cream</b> - I was going to moisturize those bastards into submission! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGt88KJxRi953UBm0ChwHj0d6k-HpWINqVrb8yoRruN7N7tuavu5kax7fc45t0sncResSTnkSkDP1iG0o3iClF7uy_uXuuFje5QlIOQimIfa7wNfQn8O9AvsiVmQb_pgE9f2Qtc12FWh9F/s1600-h/Blog+021710+088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGt88KJxRi953UBm0ChwHj0d6k-HpWINqVrb8yoRruN7N7tuavu5kax7fc45t0sncResSTnkSkDP1iG0o3iClF7uy_uXuuFje5QlIOQimIfa7wNfQn8O9AvsiVmQb_pgE9f2Qtc12FWh9F/s400/Blog+021710+088.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I'm not sure the plan worked, but I really love using night cream - it makes my skin feel super nice in the morning!</span></div><br />
Most recently, I've decided to end a 12-year era of blond highlights and grow out my natural hair color<b> </b>(dark dirty blond, perhaps, but yet to be seen). I resolutely, unwaveringly rejected all suggestions of doing an all-over darker dye to avoid horrible roots on the argument that I don't want to put any more chemicals on my head. Unwavering, that is, until I noticed <b>gray hair</b> mixed in with my natural darker roots!!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht94JcUBw6gpW6D7aFJm3SH-49ZLkFzoO8Okf2SdxQusstENucFfvZVXAy8SbEdvbtpq_FrVlmhLvtb5u1s5zHVuJ6nTU7S-VZt_GK1_xgHx84UbUZJc4nI4_ab8IpsHSYMWJCEgDa7NKL/s1600-h/Blog+021410+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht94JcUBw6gpW6D7aFJm3SH-49ZLkFzoO8Okf2SdxQusstENucFfvZVXAy8SbEdvbtpq_FrVlmhLvtb5u1s5zHVuJ6nTU7S-VZt_GK1_xgHx84UbUZJc4nI4_ab8IpsHSYMWJCEgDa7NKL/s400/Blog+021410+020.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Can you see them? Trust me, they are there in full force. Gross.</span></div><br />
WTH?!?! NOOOOOO!!! It's not just one or two, there is an entire <b>cadre </b>of these suckers staked out right where I like to part my 'do... Grrrrrr. My mother warned me that she found her first gray at 24... I just never thought it would happen to me! Still haven't decided it I will go for an all-over color to camouflage them... but I understand it's a slippery slope - once you start covering grays, it's very difficult to stop. I guess we'll have to wait and see just how gray I am when my natural color has completely grown in...!!! <i><b>Eeek</b><b>!</b></i><br />
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I've also picked up some grandma-esque behaviors, such as <b>mild hoarding</b>. I hoard <b>grocery bags</b>...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXR_F3elEHH4P9TFsqyXU6yao7c1OiroIcYVA78CxXKyR8gqOoqvkk8Pw6aYwNtEsD9KSt4KEmoJdIambzIH5LwzGfd922VAKoGzHibtI1yN_snnSdKa9LQQlDLaTeS7pRxF3JJcQJfOH/s1600-h/Blog+021710+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXR_F3elEHH4P9TFsqyXU6yao7c1OiroIcYVA78CxXKyR8gqOoqvkk8Pw6aYwNtEsD9KSt4KEmoJdIambzIH5LwzGfd922VAKoGzHibtI1yN_snnSdKa9LQQlDLaTeS7pRxF3JJcQJfOH/s400/Blog+021710+002.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">You never know when you might need a paper or plastic bag!</span></div><br />
...and (no surprise here) <b>old running shoes</b>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWZ3agBXpfNlcjb8POYboq1oDCvxHop6Ic3iFioXQ0VGu5789N0Iivj9og0MjItKbfsWxXioNaul7RMcm8lwbsssSimnrMpGahZk1x8fvhq3rsUyT9hVoR6KxrjvPCXtdyQVG6dpQ2LcX/s1600-h/Blog+021710+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWZ3agBXpfNlcjb8POYboq1oDCvxHop6Ic3iFioXQ0VGu5789N0Iivj9og0MjItKbfsWxXioNaul7RMcm8lwbsssSimnrMpGahZk1x8fvhq3rsUyT9hVoR6KxrjvPCXtdyQVG6dpQ2LcX/s400/Blog+021710+015.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I took my very first outdoor training run in the grey pair (bottom), ran my very first race, a 10k, in the white and orange pair (middle), and ran my first two half-marathons in the blue and white pair (top)! These worn-out duds hold some very special memories... but will I ever wear them again? Probably not.</span></div><br />
In a <b>tiny apartment</b> with insufficient storage space, extraneous junk like this stuff causes a lot of clutter! But, aside from these two things, I'm pretty good about saying goodbye and <b>good riddance</b> to unnecessary items.<br />
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So, I think I have to get used to it. <b>I am aging.</b> On most cognitive measures, I've already passed my prime. Physically, I'm experiencing some of the drawbacks I will probably struggle with for most of my life. As my Dad so poetically put it on a phone call earlier today,<b> "You're not as young as you used to be."</b> Alas and alack!<br />
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In a sense, not being quite so young is kind of exciting...! I don't know that I like the idea of "growing old," but I do very much enjoy the notion of reaching an age that might <b>command respect</b> (whatever that may be). Maybe, with a few grays on the ol' noggin, I won't feel so much at an age disadvantage.<br />
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And, here's a fun <b>paradox </b>for you (if you're into that type of thing): At the same time that I'm becoming more aware of my body's aging, I am in the best physical shape of my life! Youth, schmouth, I wear glasses <i>and </i>clip-in bike shoes! I have wrinkles <i>and </i>killer core strength! I have gray hair <i>and </i>a 1:51 half marathon PR! <b>Take that, aging!!</b><br />
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More importantly, at this stage in my admittedly short existence, I have a new-found commitment to <b>lifelong health and fitness</b>. I am always amazed and inspired by older athletes - especially those who outrace me! I still want to be an athlete at 34, 54, and, hopefully, 74. I still want to be crossing finish lines - either in real races or just at my own driveway - when <i>all</i> I have are grey hairs! Exercise will always be part of my life. I will always be cognizant of nutrition. I will always take care of my body because, in the long run (no pun intended), I am giving myself more time (and more quality time) with the people I love.<br />
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Alright, glasses. Fine, wrinkles. OK, grays. <b>Take your best shot</b> - I'll be ready for you, sneakers laced.<br />
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<b>Today's question: </b><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Which event in the Winter Olympics is your favorite and why?</b></span>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04116625638382094114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1102986773580522276.post-81245427208834641182010-02-14T22:59:00.000-08:002010-02-16T12:08:10.111-08:00Two Beautiful Love Affairs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">For those who have been curious about what my <i>incredible</i> Valentine's Day present from my <i>incredible </i>Other Half is, I will give you <b>three guesses</b>... Ready? Go!</div><br />
Any ideas? No?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNt-wAWhmAkM-q0hWAAtHwb51y_D8xXSV585VaSyUWKv-IwsPPUY-D42tg74yA7j39Z9TjAbgnc0ITK_8qTJCwsmqm46WHvw534o9gxwa6kKJkH_er1nHl9gMFsFbfmoejvYRx5PMcPe41/s1600-h/Blog+021310+040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNt-wAWhmAkM-q0hWAAtHwb51y_D8xXSV585VaSyUWKv-IwsPPUY-D42tg74yA7j39Z9TjAbgnc0ITK_8qTJCwsmqm46WHvw534o9gxwa6kKJkH_er1nHl9gMFsFbfmoejvYRx5PMcPe41/s400/Blog+021310+040.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
How about now? Getting warmer...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje2SwCyWmHeK10GFht7iTOoyOgBaWUAuigu3VACCVZVh3EGEwbm4ba3IbXUnBtSSzLFn2LJ_IeF9AN3RDQOeRtmPcAeJ7BBOJ_IPStsWgO_AvSHmIbPnnoXzETZ4U3GDmi_NcVLt9QagvS/s1600-h/Blog+021310+039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje2SwCyWmHeK10GFht7iTOoyOgBaWUAuigu3VACCVZVh3EGEwbm4ba3IbXUnBtSSzLFn2LJ_IeF9AN3RDQOeRtmPcAeJ7BBOJ_IPStsWgO_AvSHmIbPnnoXzETZ4U3GDmi_NcVLt9QagvS/s400/Blog+021310+039.jpg" width="300" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He gave me <i><b>himself</b></i>!!! A "surprise" visit for Valentine's weekend!!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBs4bsBcDHR7SJl03YJY01nJiYBljPfgUCsNgStFOqkJhXm5tcvCGwOUCFhAxt5NnBcBQUfzdy-CDy5CYCUos8-8W3uuZQJ7GtNSqw-Wctdicw2r6Uum64BHcqHZNX5iuKW8f78dJqBsuS/s1600-h/Blog+021310+054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBs4bsBcDHR7SJl03YJY01nJiYBljPfgUCsNgStFOqkJhXm5tcvCGwOUCFhAxt5NnBcBQUfzdy-CDy5CYCUos8-8W3uuZQJ7GtNSqw-Wctdicw2r6Uum64BHcqHZNX5iuKW8f78dJqBsuS/s640/Blog+021310+054.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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He booked the airplane tickets secretly months ago, but finally couldn't hold it in anymore and told me at the beginning of the month that he was flying across the country to visit me. Such a romantic guy... <b>I still can't believe we were able to spend Valentine's Day together!</b> The weekend was truly dreamlike.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My V-Day gift to him was a <b>special "surprise" brunch</b> (I told him about it beforehand, too... we are both terrible secret-keepers). On Saturday morning, I whipped up a number of rather healthy masterpieces from my culinary imagination:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAunBaW0qRloGv4-_d_TzjVM4TqblD-VDen3RsLRwuLSOkp27smB_MHYojaanlH8zGmfk_IGvruaMwvCrTDWi_qJ_uOsNvl8rs464HETPulJhHEjZuxKlVPRasqJZBXDer0zyDz9HNQLa/s1600-h/Blog+021310+029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAunBaW0qRloGv4-_d_TzjVM4TqblD-VDen3RsLRwuLSOkp27smB_MHYojaanlH8zGmfk_IGvruaMwvCrTDWi_qJ_uOsNvl8rs464HETPulJhHEjZuxKlVPRasqJZBXDer0zyDz9HNQLa/s400/Blog+021310+029.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><blockquote><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><u>Lobster, Crab, and Asparagus Crustless Quiche</u></b> </div><ul><li>1 lobster tail, diced</li>
<li>1/2 cup crab claw meat, cooked and shredded (mine came canned in a cool tub from the seafood dep't)</li>
<li>6 asparagus spears, cut into 1" pieces, points reserved</li>
<li>1.5 cups liquid egg whites</li>
<li>1 tbsp flour</li>
<li>1/4 cup skim milk</li>
<li>dash nutmeg</li>
<li>dash each salt and ground black pepper</li>
<li>2 tbsp grated parmesan </li>
</ul>In a cooking spray-coated pie dish, layer lobster, crab, and chopped asparagus evenly. Whisk together all other ingredients except asparagus points and cheese, pour over seafood into dish (should come 1/3 inch below dish rim). Arrange asparagus points into fan, sprinkle with cheese. Bake @ 375 for 25 minutes or until firm. <i>[Makes ~6 servings!!!]</i></blockquote></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzkII4xBA_lmgVCHprAgxO8A7t13KSum641buBUxyakv2ZRvjXgUPE4Ns9rBoSkBqKn49Gp9C2yZIga_G3T1fwNLfKuD7KUcKC0enUkp-83G5lXs9cKaUWzZsN5EYqcqAivtApuEomzZ4/s1600-h/Blog+021310+036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzkII4xBA_lmgVCHprAgxO8A7t13KSum641buBUxyakv2ZRvjXgUPE4Ns9rBoSkBqKn49Gp9C2yZIga_G3T1fwNLfKuD7KUcKC0enUkp-83G5lXs9cKaUWzZsN5EYqcqAivtApuEomzZ4/s400/Blog+021310+036.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><blockquote><blockquote><b><u>Brie-Stuffed French Toast</u></b> </blockquote></blockquote><blockquote><blockquote><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">(Inspired by my hometown's Carriage House Cafe's signature dish)</div><ul><li>3/4 cup liquid egg whites</li>
<li>1 tbsp skim milk</li>
<li>1 capfull vanilla extract</li>
<li>2 tsp honey</li>
<li>generous sprinkle cinnamon</li>
<li>sprinkle nutmeg</li>
<li>6 slices whole grain bread (I used Honey Wheat Berry) </li>
<li>3 1/4" wide, 6" long slices light brie, halved</li>
<li>Fresh strawbs, sliced</li>
<li>1/2 cup 100% pure maple syrup </li>
</ul>Whisk together first 6 ingredients while heating a large skillet. Thoroughly dip bread slices in egg mixture and lay on sprayed skillet for 1 minute until lightly browned on bottom. Flip 3 of the slices, top each flipped slice with two brie slice halves, cover with non-flipped slices, cooked side down (yes, this is like grilled cheese). Cook ~3 minutes until browned and cooked through on bottom, then flip entire sandwich, cooking another 3 mins. Serve topped with fresh strawbs and warm maple syrup on the side. <i>[Makes 3 servings - or 2 servings if I eat one and my Other Half eats 2 :-P]</i></blockquote></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBfqxLy4oR9Ks1rP03js6kIBT-Qpf_w662B8FafQ9NZJokJiCzVTC3ItqCv7S2QVkW-ARWdrq7eLjQ3SrFODf3bLaZtWHPB7SO7fTSggE1yYorsanslLf2z3WF1iqQLxLmGzW7QQw-xf7/s1600-h/Blog+021310+033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBfqxLy4oR9Ks1rP03js6kIBT-Qpf_w662B8FafQ9NZJokJiCzVTC3ItqCv7S2QVkW-ARWdrq7eLjQ3SrFODf3bLaZtWHPB7SO7fTSggE1yYorsanslLf2z3WF1iqQLxLmGzW7QQw-xf7/s400/Blog+021310+033.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlItahoOS9yAP7_tENzkiFqPXRMELJjTcnSFl_5Iesu6IWZuqxmmUyTeFLEM2NkDWD4zKCLT0Y5zuZJ2BnrheNkMcCsRRh2dhp_uvgq5yxF2-rI6-KUoak073_XD047gvqe18_pnu8Zu2/s1600-h/Blog+021310+034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlItahoOS9yAP7_tENzkiFqPXRMELJjTcnSFl_5Iesu6IWZuqxmmUyTeFLEM2NkDWD4zKCLT0Y5zuZJ2BnrheNkMcCsRRh2dhp_uvgq5yxF2-rI6-KUoak073_XD047gvqe18_pnu8Zu2/s400/Blog+021310+034.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><blockquote><blockquote><u><b>Asti Mimosas</b></u> <br />
<ul><li>1 small bottle Asti Spumani (it only comes in small bottles, enough for 2 glasses of the sparking wine)</li>
<li>2 cups fresh OJ</li>
</ul>Divide both ingredients evenly into 2 glasses, mix, <b>drink! </b><i>[Makes 2 servings]</i></blockquote></blockquote>After special brunch, we went on a <b>looooooong walk</b> with a fun stop on the way!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHmfVxG-98K2noxq8Ewk6AKc2tOIP184cuPP6Vthercp4w1_r8Aedps2YUaJO0EC1vzAc3O2Q_ufqtQE43Hs3r5KV0weQEQ37uDnHMUCf5xHH0NEaauBNMOOFjO7vGdVcaN8qPbTPB09T/s1600-h/Blog+021310+042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHmfVxG-98K2noxq8Ewk6AKc2tOIP184cuPP6Vthercp4w1_r8Aedps2YUaJO0EC1vzAc3O2Q_ufqtQE43Hs3r5KV0weQEQ37uDnHMUCf5xHH0NEaauBNMOOFjO7vGdVcaN8qPbTPB09T/s400/Blog+021310+042.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><i></i><br />
We decided to partake of a complimentary (that means free!) Valentine's Weekend <b>wine tasting</b> event at the local winery, which was a 2-mile walk away. The winery provided<b> live music</b>. These guys were really jamming!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjF2biYxRsrunmiG-d7mNXzinYWJXEvhPEG03QEtnLyi_KCjq3Cwas0ASH5vjO2WvZDvWM8IC7hF_RubvkoytClzu6F_hx15Q2WVS-gXwW2t2Xrd1mq12LR8uyC6gCgUc4YzPMTa6SyB7G/s1600-h/Blog+021310+049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjF2biYxRsrunmiG-d7mNXzinYWJXEvhPEG03QEtnLyi_KCjq3Cwas0ASH5vjO2WvZDvWM8IC7hF_RubvkoytClzu6F_hx15Q2WVS-gXwW2t2Xrd1mq12LR8uyC6gCgUc4YzPMTa6SyB7G/s400/Blog+021310+049.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Also, there were ample <b>snacks</b>! I had a <b>turkey and cheddar on a croissant </b>with two of these <b>grilled veggie skewers</b>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcENniHOBGuIT4tGeZjWUCkHONLuP4SyLj-rWVF3NbZwJS1aWoEUrGM8Bc4pUNKUo1jut31vxep4K8N95NF6EKcTLaavTUXiIj-DapvI4YnyH-nfZvWtrSqkAVTFCIiimjuZZGudhxTPtA/s1600-h/Blog+021310+046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcENniHOBGuIT4tGeZjWUCkHONLuP4SyLj-rWVF3NbZwJS1aWoEUrGM8Bc4pUNKUo1jut31vxep4K8N95NF6EKcTLaavTUXiIj-DapvI4YnyH-nfZvWtrSqkAVTFCIiimjuZZGudhxTPtA/s400/Blog+021310+046.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
And, of course, <b>chocolate-covered strawberries.</b> Very sensual, hehehe...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTxGGFei8IX3eRZU0SwZcY1Mkdm43mLYaclBjZ8uoztXOlVotpVUUTOt0BCtZums_TkZ0u4q85bSif9gznpgYvT15RX3fIAHt0zGmBpKjvYnIoiLLsZnR4RZFvmiIooGnOeOxDGBXj9hQ/s1600-h/Blog+021310+047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTxGGFei8IX3eRZU0SwZcY1Mkdm43mLYaclBjZ8uoztXOlVotpVUUTOt0BCtZums_TkZ0u4q85bSif9gznpgYvT15RX3fIAHt0zGmBpKjvYnIoiLLsZnR4RZFvmiIooGnOeOxDGBXj9hQ/s400/Blog+021310+047.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
If I remember correctly, the wine tasting went something like...<br />
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<b>Chardonnay</b>...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqBioDNgrCkRXovikv4NlkuAvW66JcYNdP_n96qRDlVMu5M7F17NqsOaBBmrcQkbPTBgLLFrZqekijf4_H7mrn36CGA5X2rTJQukzhbJoxB5QRJZZWCeKrteocl626yjD5Up_FlQebT6Y/s1600-h/Blog+021310+043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqBioDNgrCkRXovikv4NlkuAvW66JcYNdP_n96qRDlVMu5M7F17NqsOaBBmrcQkbPTBgLLFrZqekijf4_H7mrn36CGA5X2rTJQukzhbJoxB5QRJZZWCeKrteocl626yjD5Up_FlQebT6Y/s400/Blog+021310+043.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<b>Rose</b>...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzxhpHiPlFasJkg29Ak1r83Flfhl_uINDmEWm76ZelCKAJl_CkS2JFX-cAk9XAO5yvZYi7NQF0eC6dFghPzdeY7JprqnNtfPF5ciOFBo0gnt4DaBNy8gyI9KXhVqJzr8okii-u87y11Zm/s1600-h/Blog+021310+045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzxhpHiPlFasJkg29Ak1r83Flfhl_uINDmEWm76ZelCKAJl_CkS2JFX-cAk9XAO5yvZYi7NQF0eC6dFghPzdeY7JprqnNtfPF5ciOFBo0gnt4DaBNy8gyI9KXhVqJzr8okii-u87y11Zm/s400/Blog+021310+045.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<b>Syrah</b>...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXChIKJC9lSyxVhvGqgFI0PfTMQxE6lhXQPlsFND0mMQ0mcQs0QNGNLzWD4Ztbm9ttQ__dA84YQXzynnWvuKWm0UcDkLLGAiYOdGatIdLjmq2xJFe-XNzsBHHMLtdB7lZancZ5hM_PV9k/s1600-h/Blog+021310+053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXChIKJC9lSyxVhvGqgFI0PfTMQxE6lhXQPlsFND0mMQ0mcQs0QNGNLzWD4Ztbm9ttQ__dA84YQXzynnWvuKWm0UcDkLLGAiYOdGatIdLjmq2xJFe-XNzsBHHMLtdB7lZancZ5hM_PV9k/s400/Blog+021310+053.jpg" width="300" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And then two <b>barrel tastings</b>... red blends, they both were. Mediocre wines, but excellent event overall! And perfect for the (dare I say) poor student's budget! We were so glad we decided to check it out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>After the tasting, we took the long route home, another three mile walk, totaling our distance to 5 miles. Whew, after that walk, we definitely needed to refuel with a <b>great dinner</b>! :-P<br />
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So, that night, my very sweet Other Half brought me on a <b>romantic date</b> to "our" restaurant - the first restaurant we visited together when I moved to California, which remains, IMHO, the best restaurant in town. <i>[The camera stayed in its pouch during this meal - I chose to avoid such distraction while enjoying our limited time together.]</i> Suffice to say, it was <i>delicious</i>!!! I just finished the leftovers... so, delicious times two!<br />
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This afternoon, he loaded his bags into my trunk and I delivered him to the airport for his <b>return flight</b>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDl0gEV7D3sltyg0wSF8ox7lD9KM_vwgObrmGkK-jujTgHYU62goFR1hwvYyDkARFSgP1KY3X0XKWwrWY-lvhMYiyXP3iVPSJ64V2YU5X3WwodkmzPyStyyD4f4Zi7Wl3rfTKvUXwm_b7/s1600-h/Blog+021410+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDl0gEV7D3sltyg0wSF8ox7lD9KM_vwgObrmGkK-jujTgHYU62goFR1hwvYyDkARFSgP1KY3X0XKWwrWY-lvhMYiyXP3iVPSJ64V2YU5X3WwodkmzPyStyyD4f4Zi7Wl3rfTKvUXwm_b7/s400/Blog+021410+002.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I am suddenly a very <b>lonely little blogger</b>...<br />
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... :'(<br />
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Well, before I get too wimpery, I should probably relay what ensued earlier this week, before my Weekend o' Love.<br />
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The night of <a href="http://strongandsteady.blogspot.com/2010/02/race-report-2010-davis-stampede-half.html">last Sunday's half-marathon</a>, I had a <b>pizza and couch party </b>(guest list included me, myself, and a bowl of <b>frozen yogurt</b>).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7j2e777XnrnyJi3ZO9qpGM6FG01-hwI7jcDP5XCvZ8u7Tye39RGVlDAv8oY5-GVO8WePQm42BIMCCMoEYgLpSaBvdscArWIitM1h5IxdVc0xoR15walDXDrVpiTVz19lcOoNCPnraRHE/s1600-h/Blog+020710+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7j2e777XnrnyJi3ZO9qpGM6FG01-hwI7jcDP5XCvZ8u7Tye39RGVlDAv8oY5-GVO8WePQm42BIMCCMoEYgLpSaBvdscArWIitM1h5IxdVc0xoR15walDXDrVpiTVz19lcOoNCPnraRHE/s400/Blog+020710+014.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Small veggie deluxe pizza delivered right to my door. Note the blanket underneath...</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJVvfrMmZDHYwCRLKhunsxro4LQFdmP_HRzLs0VAr9jg4IGNRqoEn4qKACkwjHTJnORmQpJIA9rCDndMK0m9W2wFi9Lr3DhqfmAgxNbZOoX81D0hv6_sWACk3Hmyh9_kCNc5ZVSKl5iBD/s1600-h/Blog+020710+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJVvfrMmZDHYwCRLKhunsxro4LQFdmP_HRzLs0VAr9jg4IGNRqoEn4qKACkwjHTJnORmQpJIA9rCDndMK0m9W2wFi9Lr3DhqfmAgxNbZOoX81D0hv6_sWACk3Hmyh9_kCNc5ZVSKl5iBD/s400/Blog+020710+013.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Nonfat tart frozen yogurt with frozen strawberries and Kashi GoLean Crunch.</span></div><br />
For lunches this week, I threw together <b>roasted chicken breasts, zucchini, and red peppers </b>with some <b>cumin </b>on top. Very fresh, very light. One whole medium-sized zucchini went into every portion!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmlEOX1A6OXm55b_1Go4zIy62J-H5lf26bovLi6ql1W5wsmrM8FlNPA0vosnPIB_C1U6rvm-E7W00i15Y7_psmGjQahhiprgfLein3Wy3ffydWTJezglBo8W3hcsP_9wcsV1RNrK_8rsf/s1600-h/Blog+020710+024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmlEOX1A6OXm55b_1Go4zIy62J-H5lf26bovLi6ql1W5wsmrM8FlNPA0vosnPIB_C1U6rvm-E7W00i15Y7_psmGjQahhiprgfLein3Wy3ffydWTJezglBo8W3hcsP_9wcsV1RNrK_8rsf/s400/Blog+020710+024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Dinners were awwwwwesome! Like lunches, they were lean and involved <i>lots </i>of veggies. I felt I needed a bit of a detox after last week's race-related eating (e.g. couch pizza). I made <b>curry fish on baked sweet potatoes</b> with <b>lightly fried eggplant </b>and <b>steamed artichokes </b>on the side!<br />
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While cooking, I appreciated the aesthetic value of my side dishes, the eggplant and artichokes. These pictures are so artistic, aren't they? Oh yeah, gorgeous.<br />
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The single eggplant was sliced into 3/4 inch rounds and lightly browned on each side in some EVOO. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFi3dENLpPrR95ykaFSAbNnxwEuO0tNcSiP9sxx0MiSp_JlK95l4rBp325dX1xPQ_JndCiel3dIIfkGrM30KJY_GcvNhOylS2ECaJgbbn4mco1H0F8ypGmZ5ooRrLVwcujIU8o8O_bTH6x/s1600-h/Blog+020910+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFi3dENLpPrR95ykaFSAbNnxwEuO0tNcSiP9sxx0MiSp_JlK95l4rBp325dX1xPQ_JndCiel3dIIfkGrM30KJY_GcvNhOylS2ECaJgbbn4mco1H0F8ypGmZ5ooRrLVwcujIU8o8O_bTH6x/s400/Blog+020910+006.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWb4NNUAc9rZZB2CSKcgysmSQbO0xxJGJQKEFJpo04MmsmTMxvCk3Ft1KzFbxeVLkkWlgFxi58GLfgOGyXIbtw-oPMgV_aFGIafUKGZnCTwDVYDIN37Ip07XA_dUtdls2e7bK9zwEm4lm/s1600-h/Blog+020910+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWb4NNUAc9rZZB2CSKcgysmSQbO0xxJGJQKEFJpo04MmsmTMxvCk3Ft1KzFbxeVLkkWlgFxi58GLfgOGyXIbtw-oPMgV_aFGIafUKGZnCTwDVYDIN37Ip07XA_dUtdls2e7bK9zwEm4lm/s400/Blog+020910+026.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcfQwZ3rLMb2yh0ArfuvPKTfoFO4Nw1eB_j6WT-1BWG97KiCbp94vQ1__cE47bS1ZBRaRJJQqdo7FQf49pgAHbHoxleemR9EgCb7EgS3mlHV1mB0tWGs_k-9q9szHfj5XuktJX8FXPnDZ/s1600-h/Blog+020910+028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcfQwZ3rLMb2yh0ArfuvPKTfoFO4Nw1eB_j6WT-1BWG97KiCbp94vQ1__cE47bS1ZBRaRJJQqdo7FQf49pgAHbHoxleemR9EgCb7EgS3mlHV1mB0tWGs_k-9q9szHfj5XuktJX8FXPnDZ/s640/Blog+020910+028.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Four artichokes were trimmed, cleaned, and topped with some lemon juice, then steamed for ~25 minutes until soft before being individually wrapped.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcW6jPR7UCObQl2ulLIsYBdS0O5-NQy0GuOFXoVu_OvUhP-uh9m-5p7oDT_0SNFPQHru7mQL6wWX_d0LYztAn2FewEZRP8JQUPg9ky01k9QEQDiLf3K33u-Eq-nGisWoW7lV0vjf5TPi6/s1600-h/Blog+020910+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcW6jPR7UCObQl2ulLIsYBdS0O5-NQy0GuOFXoVu_OvUhP-uh9m-5p7oDT_0SNFPQHru7mQL6wWX_d0LYztAn2FewEZRP8JQUPg9ky01k9QEQDiLf3K33u-Eq-nGisWoW7lV0vjf5TPi6/s400/Blog+020910+015.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<b><u>Curry Fish</u></b><br />
<ul><li>2 tbsp olive oil </li>
<li>1 lb cod filets (frozen or fresh, mine were frozen and thawed)</li>
<li>1 jar Indian curry simmer sauce (from Trader Joe's, of course)</li>
<li>5 roma tomatoes, large diced</li>
<li>1 cup frozen peas</li>
<li>4 baked sweet potatoes (I clean mine and microwave them in a moist paper towel for 5 minutes) </li>
</ul><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrgg8HSzvE4SQiU7_KLWpN73jYKFq9dcCREwOywc8kx03ERIfgxnMjanWAUVaTuEQmW_cnEbG9io9rW4SuBN35CBk9wMTW_QpiUWWC2A8Pn2NvKJ5QSnp-MYeN2eN3WxZWERmkIR7fmnT/s1600-h/Blog+020910+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrgg8HSzvE4SQiU7_KLWpN73jYKFq9dcCREwOywc8kx03ERIfgxnMjanWAUVaTuEQmW_cnEbG9io9rW4SuBN35CBk9wMTW_QpiUWWC2A8Pn2NvKJ5QSnp-MYeN2eN3WxZWERmkIR7fmnT/s400/Blog+020910+017.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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In hot oil, brown fish on both sides. Add sauce, bring to simmer. Add peas, return to simmer. Cover, reduce heat, cook ~5 mins. Add tomatoes, cook uncovered, stirring, for 3-5 minutes. Spoon over opened baked sweet potatoes. Enjoy!!! <i>[Makes 4 servings]</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This dinner was so easy and so so good! It might be my <b>favorite home-cooked meal </b>since I came to CA! I will <i>definitely </i>be making it again. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhFjS9o0oqmKKvBbETZrzLQy7gJ81uTT4tEPEUEhmZc7TpK6DPCQD86XdcuKk96XcydHeAEKfkYbR8s_lks3zpWP6aw_frNwifU6QNAtmh0qpWNBjuDETHs08GNpBBPQTDdVyxD8MeVz8/s1600-h/Blog+020910+025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhFjS9o0oqmKKvBbETZrzLQy7gJ81uTT4tEPEUEhmZc7TpK6DPCQD86XdcuKk96XcydHeAEKfkYbR8s_lks3zpWP6aw_frNwifU6QNAtmh0qpWNBjuDETHs08GNpBBPQTDdVyxD8MeVz8/s640/Blog+020910+025.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
For other snacks/desserts, I had <b>Greek yogurt</b> and <b>raspberry sorbet</b> (separately, not mixed together, that would be gross).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35FlRgqZMmTk4kb2kwl__SyAB9DxvNZHCjNJOKTrB2HBXACATEVkQLGIDNSGTtDNaO1sa6sAGFFu6QZzvtpfp4AWITed3iYBoUdAUL2r9iAZl4yEVNRZTTORb4HB69OReHqtBwVpBYu19/s1600-h/Blog+020710+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35FlRgqZMmTk4kb2kwl__SyAB9DxvNZHCjNJOKTrB2HBXACATEVkQLGIDNSGTtDNaO1sa6sAGFFu6QZzvtpfp4AWITed3iYBoUdAUL2r9iAZl4yEVNRZTTORb4HB69OReHqtBwVpBYu19/s400/Blog+020710+017.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirAmTsbBVKMWq0diePPhgu0KxeAJXLaPFgszDAg3N9yIOBkvVEYZgFcwuwGQhtNL0Fwr-qKsNNPaS0-sfyTJzMTaWSmnaR1lJmjeBE0juPahhsSV6lyzIUP3YTqmKzoOSTP6ooDZC42rx/s1600-h/Blog+021310+058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirAmTsbBVKMWq0diePPhgu0KxeAJXLaPFgszDAg3N9yIOBkvVEYZgFcwuwGQhtNL0Fwr-qKsNNPaS0-sfyTJzMTaWSmnaR1lJmjeBE0juPahhsSV6lyzIUP3YTqmKzoOSTP6ooDZC42rx/s400/Blog+021310+058.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
In my most recent mid-week post, I announced that I will be riding <b>100 miles</b> on my bicycle, known as a <b>century ride</b>, at the end of April! In the week since my half-marathon, I've been taking a <b>break from running</b> (which hurts my heart but heals my knee - which is feeling great now, by the way, thanks for asking), while preparing, both physically and mentally, to begin my <i>ambitious </i><a href="https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Am3ZBfy3ATaWdGNfbHB1eXVjNXFtWktLczl4SkFEY1E&hl=en">century training plan</a> next week.<br />
<br />
On Tuesday, I followed a <b>cyclist's core strength routine </b>as detailed in a recent issue of <b>Bicycling magazine</b>. The workout was three sets of:<br />
<ul><li>Side planks, 1 minute each side</li>
<li>Elbow front planks, 1 minute</li>
<li>Supine bridge (a.k.a. butt raises), 20 reps</li>
<li>Reverse crunch, 20 reps</li>
<li>Prone cobra (a.k.a. Supermans), 15 reps</li>
</ul>By the second set, my core was shaking! And, the next day, I could definitely tell I had done some work, especially in the ribcage region. This routine will be incorporated into my century training on "strength" day.<br />
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When I checked the mail on Wednesday, I found a very <b>exciting package</b>!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_85j_zSIawlr687eV8ZujBtshQIAFQp1BXja5nxC4r_UybddOEZ4CCQ30SymzKTYS9gHpUJF65a7mc1jKy9va5Zk6ROgzlIfxKhqLwog-F2G7T3Tprbv70wCHX2qV1SLhv9XY55vaId1P/s1600-h/Blog+021310+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_85j_zSIawlr687eV8ZujBtshQIAFQp1BXja5nxC4r_UybddOEZ4CCQ30SymzKTYS9gHpUJF65a7mc1jKy9va5Zk6ROgzlIfxKhqLwog-F2G7T3Tprbv70wCHX2qV1SLhv9XY55vaId1P/s400/Blog+021310+012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
My<b> Road ID</b>, a Christmas gift from my Boyfriend's sister <b>Emily</b>, had finally arrived!! The <a href="http://www.roadid.com/">Road ID</a> contains important personal information that could save an endurance athlete's life if he or she requires emergency medical attention. Mine displays my name, DOB, location, drug allergies, blood type, and emergency contact numbers. Also, it says my mantra and it's purple :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRLxCjMQ6BhqfSyetb9G1kvwAV1MVsFmEUzCBZQTY4qpPQAEhx-7GeuVKzkc78-IsHr3m5Z_RJ7NTgu0o380uQLf8uemyfp2JS-Ol52paJCUJgKHKlRh46eKYz_YIpy0hQoYuhHnG6aev/s1600-h/Blog+021310+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRLxCjMQ6BhqfSyetb9G1kvwAV1MVsFmEUzCBZQTY4qpPQAEhx-7GeuVKzkc78-IsHr3m5Z_RJ7NTgu0o380uQLf8uemyfp2JS-Ol52paJCUJgKHKlRh46eKYz_YIpy0hQoYuhHnG6aev/s640/Blog+021310+016.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9lfWU_bFdYkvpNphUdrG3ACTDBZ3F8LOgpoVXogAtdym-4PSxAnfjLSyz58ngxX5Az5PRzjdZzVbhAEExADermsIRU1M7Bi0KKEEK9aGMAtKIi6ko7-PRWTFNMClkpnKBB-OMOqARdYO/s1600-h/Blog+021310+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9lfWU_bFdYkvpNphUdrG3ACTDBZ3F8LOgpoVXogAtdym-4PSxAnfjLSyz58ngxX5Az5PRzjdZzVbhAEExADermsIRU1M7Bi0KKEEK9aGMAtKIi6ko7-PRWTFNMClkpnKBB-OMOqARdYO/s640/Blog+021310+018.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<b>Thank you, Emily</b>, I love it!!! I promise to wear it when I run and ride my bike - safety first! Such a thoughtful gift!!<br />
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Thursday was a <b>big day</b>! I woke up extra early and, after a light breakfast of Greek yogurt and Kashi GoLean Crunch, strapped on a very silly-looking outfit.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2WiSKCCjUhcxTvTyOsttsPw6DVcsdKe5TwyqbKn4oZ0ebk1Bknbof0jZzsY9pQIIU3UWD1u-T2FgKsrcRifbd-TCgLoNliGMwj3E1wZkBIBPhvn_xxKk1IX8WQCRDZ1RoE3uD2gagIDm/s1600-h/Blog+021310+022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2WiSKCCjUhcxTvTyOsttsPw6DVcsdKe5TwyqbKn4oZ0ebk1Bknbof0jZzsY9pQIIU3UWD1u-T2FgKsrcRifbd-TCgLoNliGMwj3E1wZkBIBPhvn_xxKk1IX8WQCRDZ1RoE3uD2gagIDm/s400/Blog+021310+022.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Something about this look makes me think of horseback riding...</span> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> Also, you probably can't tell, but, over leggings, I'm sporting bike shorts with a built-in "chamois." If you just Googled "chamois," to allay your confusion, no, I am not wearing a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamois">goat</a>, nor any other kind of horned or hooved animal. I am in fact wearing a <b>protective butt pad</b>! Awkward at first, but then surprisingly comfortable, and definitely appreciated on longer rides!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then, I wheeled my bike outside, straddled it, and snapped my right shoe cleat into the corresponding pedal. OK, no problem, I told myself, you can do this - just remember: <b>clip-in </b>is forward and down, <b>clip-out </b>is a Dorothy-style ankle turn (<i>there's no place like home</i>). Holding my breath, I pushed off, took a one-legged pedal stroke, and, with momentum helping me balance, somehow managed to press my left foot down on the left pedal clip and - *clunk!* - <b>I was officially riding clipped-in</b>! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">First of all, before, with just platform pedals, <b>I had no idea what I was missing</b>! Rather than just <i>pushing</i> <i>down </i>on every pedal stroke, clipped-in, I could push, pull, lift, and generally crank those pedals for the entire rotation! Plus, with my foot stuck to the pedal, I didn't have to waste any power keeping my foot in place. Riding was just so amazingly more <b>efficient</b>! I kept an eye on my new <b>bike computer</b> and flew through the streets and bike paths around my neighborhood.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><ul><li><b>Distance</b>: 10.07 mi</li>
<li><b>Time</b>: 35:10 </li>
<li><b>Average Speed</b>: 17.0 mph</li>
<li><b>Max Speed</b>: 26.5 mph (downhill)</li>
<li><b>Falls</b>: 0!</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And let me tell you. Words cannot express the happiness. The elation. The <b>unbridled joy </b>that flowed through me as I soared forward. I was literally and figuratively connected to my bike. We were one machine - the bike as the streamlined frame and me as the engine. Basically, it was<b> love at first ride</b>! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, <b>Happy Valentine's Day, Brian</b>. I love you more than you can imagine, and I believe unequivocally that the challenges we face now will only make us stronger in our future. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And, <b>Happy Valentine's Day, Bike</b>. I look forward to spending much more quality time getting to know you on a deeper level very soon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well kids, <b>century training </b>start tomorrow - follow my training log <a href="https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Am3ZBfy3ATaWdGNfbHB1eXVjNXFtWktLczl4SkFEY1E&hl=en">here</a>. I have plans to bike with my avid cyclist research advisor all the way to the brain imaging center... 17 miles away! Luckily, there is a shuttle I can return on at the end of the day (35 miles per day miiiight be overdoing it at this juncture). The ride does not exactly conform to the mileage specified for Monday on the plan, but I may be adjusting the plan if I start doing this commute two days per week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My advisor, on the other hand, commutes by bike five days per week, so I just hope I can keep up! My goal is to maintain a 16.5 mph average split. We'll have to do some city riding once we get close to the medical campus... so, I'm a little nervous about that, too. Without a doubt, I'll be wearing my <b>helmet </b>(always always!), my butt pad <b>chamois shorts</b>, and my new<b> Road ID</b>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Today's question: On a completely unrelated note, <span style="font-size: large;">what is your favorite fruit?</span> Please include an argument either for your fruit of choice or against other fruits :)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04116625638382094114noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1102986773580522276.post-22559424336827379842010-02-10T23:42:00.000-08:002010-02-10T23:42:53.398-08:00Race Report: 2010 Davis Stampede Half-Marathon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Well, I am now a veteran of <b>three half-marathons</b>... how wild! This last one was quite the mixed bag. Here's a recap of this past <b>Sunday's race</b>, the <a href="http://www.changeofpace.com/davis_stampede.html">Davis Stampede</a>.<br />
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The morning began <i>dark</i> and early at 5:30am. I rolled out of bed and tucked into some <b>race fuel</b>: a big bowl of <b>7-grain cereal</b>, one <b>banana</b>, one tbsp <b>organic chunky PB</b>, one tbsp <b>honey</b>, and a <b>sprinkle of cinnamon</b>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNGuiYx_Ru9NJA9Ufo52i9wt5cPxPm8yHZhmA1sOPHR87bKUX7rz7ygFSoavzRw8dQ1AtDVM0FkxeqriFaOg3ig5OJm-NP4-i0ODVYFceO2SavGj9WwMEe_17i09DJ4jN-BmpTf68iut9/s1600-h/Blog+020710+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNGuiYx_Ru9NJA9Ufo52i9wt5cPxPm8yHZhmA1sOPHR87bKUX7rz7ygFSoavzRw8dQ1AtDVM0FkxeqriFaOg3ig5OJm-NP4-i0ODVYFceO2SavGj9WwMEe_17i09DJ4jN-BmpTf68iut9/s400/Blog+020710+003.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
While I ate, I thought about my <b>race plan</b>:<br />
<ol><li>Start out easy, don't burn out too early!</li>
<li>Aim for a 9:00/mi average split.</li>
<li>Pick up my tempo at mile 10.</li>
<li>Sprint the last half mile.</li>
<li>Finish the race in 2 hours or less!</li>
</ol>Given how I'd felt on my most recent training runs, I was a bit nervous my ability to stick to this plan, but I also considered that there's nothing wrong with <b>trying my best</b> - I might just surprise myself!<br />
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After breakfast, I showered (to help me wake up) and dressed in the <b>gear</b> I had laid out the night before.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcaN_JjF-gemuWl11nefUUnm21XjbfOxn-_xdm3ts4huPck7uD7Uqu04EAaBeRANeFeuZ64Eenz9xrh6LcH3KWuxBqQrShDGnt3Ns-3DUuq55bz77NhrO33i8O6-gsFw7riZ0NFMATG73/s1600-h/Blog+020710+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcaN_JjF-gemuWl11nefUUnm21XjbfOxn-_xdm3ts4huPck7uD7Uqu04EAaBeRANeFeuZ64Eenz9xrh6LcH3KWuxBqQrShDGnt3Ns-3DUuq55bz77NhrO33i8O6-gsFw7riZ0NFMATG73/s400/Blog+020710+002.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Don't be alarmed by the positioning of the sports bra - it needed to dry overnight.</span></div><br />
Packing some Gatorade, my iPod, a PowerBar, and flip flops, I headed out the door to pick up my race buddies, <b>Emily</b>, <b>Renata</b>, and <b>Jin</b>! After trolling for parking, we made our way to the starting grounds and checked our sweats.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9daIYpMHPNMIssDqtjAs1qLtJH5l67QhiiXST6juA1EOGfpjhcfGUT4iYdN144E2Tlc7oGZbU2sliINrkpg4iHK_VZqTo2a7JZsAdnRE4K_j0b91UmSzFqckRMRjpUKIfhQ914crrqQ2f/s1600-h/Blog+020710+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9daIYpMHPNMIssDqtjAs1qLtJH5l67QhiiXST6juA1EOGfpjhcfGUT4iYdN144E2Tlc7oGZbU2sliINrkpg4iHK_VZqTo2a7JZsAdnRE4K_j0b91UmSzFqckRMRjpUKIfhQ914crrqQ2f/s400/Blog+020710+004.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
A few minutes before the gun, bubbling over with nervous energy, we lined up at the start.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs177.snc3/20432_293778036151_566341151_3845576_3202518_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs177.snc3/20432_293778036151_566341151_3845576_3202518_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">The "frontrunners," quite literally, waiting for the gun, hands on watch buttons. We all started at a much more reasonable place in line.</span></div><br />
All of a sudden, out of nowhere, we saw <b>Mark</b> and <b>Christine</b>! Mark proceeded to bike around the course, appearing at random intervals to act as our own personal cheering squad and photographer. This act is about the most amazing thing a spectator/fan/friend can do during a race - <b>from all four of us,<i> thank you so much, Mark</i></b>!<i> [All race pictures below came from his camera.]</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs197.snc3/20432_293777836151_566341151_3845573_3955093_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs197.snc3/20432_293777836151_566341151_3845573_3955093_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Renata and I with Christine at the start.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs197.snc3/20432_293777961151_566341151_3845575_6087091_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs197.snc3/20432_293777961151_566341151_3845575_6087091_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Emily and Jin with Mark and Christine.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Then</span></span>, we were off! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs277.ash1/20432_294233056151_566341151_3848080_1490959_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs277.ash1/20432_294233056151_566341151_3848080_1490959_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Jin and Emily ran together for most of the race, and Renata and I stayed together for the first nine miles. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">My race buddy and I started out at a pretty good pace, dodging around other runners for the first several hundred yards. The course for the first two miles was straight, flat, and wide, giving us space to settle into a rhythm. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">At mile 2, we were keeping exactly a 9 minute split (meaning that mile 2 must have been faster than mile 1, since we were shuffling somewhat slowly at the start). Yay, we were keeping our <b>goal pace</b>! Renata knew about a secret toilet at mile 2.5, which I took advantage of, having consumed probably too much Gatorade at the start. Renata graciously jogged in circles in the meantime.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">At mile 4, Mark biked by for a photo op! We look way too happy to be running, don't we? :-P</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs177.snc3/20432_293778496151_566341151_3845580_7580219_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs177.snc3/20432_293778496151_566341151_3845580_7580219_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Well, that happiness lasted a few more miles. As we crossed an overpass at mile 6, my <b>knee pain</b> returned with a vengeance, but I pushed onward. And then, around the part of the course that passed by my apartment complex, I started to worry about needing a pit stop again. By mile 8, I was really <b><i>not feeling well</i></b>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<i>[Reader Advisory: The following paragraph suffers from an acute case of <b>TMI</b> - read at your own risk.] </i>I've experienced digestion issues for pretty much my entire running "career," if you will. They're pretty common in distance runners, but doctors don't know exactly why these problems occur. Either way, as I approached mile 9, I knew that I needed to find a toilet, and fast. Off in the distance, in a ballpark next to the race course, like a beacon in the wilderness, I saw a public restroom! Unfortunately, I had to travel an extra 1/10 of a mile off of the course in order to reach the facilities, and then it took me a little while to feel up to running again. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Long story short, this pit stop added<b> </b>around<b> 4 minutes </b>to my race time! Renata had continued on by herself, so I was on my own now for four more miles. Even though I had reached mile 9 at a strong slightly-sub-9:00/mi split, I was no longer optimistic about finishing the race in my goal time of two hours.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">As I settled back into my rhythm, I told myself, "If you want to have even a chance of finishing in your goal time, <b>you need to to <i>bust it out</i></b> for the last four miles of this race! You should have <b>nothing left<i> </i></b>at the finish line!! As Nike so succinctly puts it, <b><i>JUST DO IT</i>!!!" </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, I put pedal to the metal.<b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I was relieved that the last three miles of the course were total home turf - part of my usual running route and commuter bike path. Thusly, I had a really good sense of how far I had to go - and I knew I could make it! I rounded mile 12.5, a sweaty, gasping mess, and there were <b>Mark</b> and <b>Shannon</b>, who had come to cheer us on, staked out with camera ready!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs177.snc3/20432_293778541151_566341151_3845581_227183_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs177.snc3/20432_293778541151_566341151_3845581_227183_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs177.snc3/20432_293778656151_566341151_3845582_603608_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs177.snc3/20432_293778656151_566341151_3845582_603608_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">When the finish line was in sight, I opened all the stops and willed my legs to sprint down the chute!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs197.snc3/20432_293786746151_566341151_3845599_117088_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs197.snc3/20432_293786746151_566341151_3845599_117088_n.jpg" width="372" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">As I crossed the finish, my watch, which I had paused during pit stop #2, said <b>1:56:00</b>! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The clock, on the other hand, which measures time from the starting gun, said <b>2:00:48</b> - I could only hope that my official chip time was at least 48 seconds off of gun time...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Meanwhile, I found Renata, who had finished about four minutes ahead of me, and watched Emily and Jin cross the finish line! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs197.snc3/20432_293778911151_566341151_3845585_4606007_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs197.snc3/20432_293778911151_566341151_3845585_4606007_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs197.snc3/20432_293779081151_566341151_3845587_4431635_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs197.snc3/20432_293779081151_566341151_3845587_4431635_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I am <b>so proud</b> of all three of my race buddies for completing this race like strong, awesome runners!! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs197.snc3/20432_293779346151_566341151_3845590_5605089_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs197.snc3/20432_293779346151_566341151_3845590_5605089_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Student psychologists/half-marathoners :) Not pictured, the lovely Miss Renata.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">After grabbing some loot and cooling down around the starting grounds, we all met up with some more friends at the <b>Black Bear Diner</b><i> [the third mention of that restaurant in this blog - it's sheer coincidence, as those are three of about five times I have ever even been in there!]</i> for a post-race <b>feast</b>! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaP2MLP6CzX9YNPbHfFG8VHQdcDElZPMpe9Cjjs7cq4Vuq1CyYSpTMGLmFoOQjCG_L7Th9ma9SNBtHLk72UgRaAlkp0VbD-_MIsutp3rFug3tQBPMiODCC2sHpbO7LRzi3smB041KlQXRM/s1600-h/Blog+020710+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaP2MLP6CzX9YNPbHfFG8VHQdcDElZPMpe9Cjjs7cq4Vuq1CyYSpTMGLmFoOQjCG_L7Th9ma9SNBtHLk72UgRaAlkp0VbD-_MIsutp3rFug3tQBPMiODCC2sHpbO7LRzi3smB041KlQXRM/s400/Blog+020710+008.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mark, Shannon, Darlene, Maria, Emily, Jin, and Renata!</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmU1G4wbxM6i-LqzemaqF7w04Kyt72AKYRHex0G0S_4qDbwoCpiq4MTHZmhI5E9TfYqhSmuc64XiuXAdVDKfM5NM7Ll0KSvQ7TR8msOh_V95gJcn9khU12707Dh8u5QzY9LELW71tgDI4r/s1600-h/Blog+020710+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmU1G4wbxM6i-LqzemaqF7w04Kyt72AKYRHex0G0S_4qDbwoCpiq4MTHZmhI5E9TfYqhSmuc64XiuXAdVDKfM5NM7Ll0KSvQ7TR8msOh_V95gJcn9khU12707Dh8u5QzY9LELW71tgDI4r/s400/Blog+020710+012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The feast!!!</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I had a regular-sized Volcano, complete with three <b>7-grain almond granola pancakes</b>, two <b>sausage links</b>, two <b>bacon strips</b>, and topped with two <b>eggs over-easy</b>! And <b>maple syrup</b>, of course :)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxOO6pmRztSdG9lLHY9MEDM8e2ez6e9nfkr3gr28Utui5-Y3hcYX6P7Z7pJs2cWbBQtSiKy73OrLgzR2cn4MLUh7rLS5tD3pPMPcukxKenu-JdD1WJKJNXG_2Rdt-eqnwd1MT-bZMGygk/s1600-h/Blog+020710+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxOO6pmRztSdG9lLHY9MEDM8e2ez6e9nfkr3gr28Utui5-Y3hcYX6P7Z7pJs2cWbBQtSiKy73OrLgzR2cn4MLUh7rLS5tD3pPMPcukxKenu-JdD1WJKJNXG_2Rdt-eqnwd1MT-bZMGygk/s400/Blog+020710+009.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoEuCD2hAyKdRnpH2VGRqH-x-5BFXJ_S39M1x3IHVHuwvQhQArQYODbgrWoJMsEP7ERsMoyI-TK-SlDn0xk_AS1_5drWqBn7vUo0XAr_CAvzxLkx57ehIxi4oQ_sHowsMsRT8o6QXyPbx4/s1600-h/Blog+020710+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoEuCD2hAyKdRnpH2VGRqH-x-5BFXJ_S39M1x3IHVHuwvQhQArQYODbgrWoJMsEP7ERsMoyI-TK-SlDn0xk_AS1_5drWqBn7vUo0XAr_CAvzxLkx57ehIxi4oQ_sHowsMsRT8o6QXyPbx4/s400/Blog+020710+010.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hungry runners chow down. Mark, too.</span></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Later that afternoon, the official results were up. My gun time difference was actually 47.8 seconds, bringing my official finish time to 2:00:00.2!!! That's <b>point-oh-two seconds</b> above my goal time! Unbelievable. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">For the past few days, I've been <b>deliberating</b> on how to feel about this race. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">On the one hand, a 2-hr finish time was technically my goal, but, on the other hand, I was really hoping to come in <i>below</i> that goal. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Slowly, I've arrived at the following <b>conclusions</b>: </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">In my own mind/heart/whatever, I feel that I completed the distance in 1:56 - I actually ran those 13.1 miles at a very commendable 8:51/mi average split. Yay, go me! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">However, there is no denying that, at mile 9, I took a 4-minute "break" of sorts. This fact cannot be ignored. But, I am now of the mindset that, given my very necessary pit stop, as well as my injury, it is fantastic that I was able to clock in at 2 hours! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Lastly, no matter what my time was, no matter what happened along the way, I completed my third half-marathon. I am a <b>three-timer</b>! And, before the year is out, I hope to run my <b>fourth and fifth half-marathons</b>!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">But those details are yet to come.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">In the meantime, I have a <b>very exciting race announcement</b>...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Although I am a total novice, I recently posted about my commitment to becoming more involved with the sport of <b>cycling</b>, both to round out my fitness and assuage my overuse injury. I just equipped my bike with fancy <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEPGRPrTO3feP7CFYmVxgFLjUYuivJrqtgc_hrz_boxyDcFGCdvWBa2jJ-ZYNtVYe0rBCL89-Ie2aHHgXKOrYQKpeHfCkIYLEWi7CDDveGtC5tqrIYCaqfkuCrjRkWLyEOURbv6sdPFUM2/s1600-h/Blog+020610+038.jpg">clip-in pedals</a>! And, what better way is there to build and grow as a cyclist than to train for a special bike ride??</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So, on April 25, 2010, I will complete the <b><a href="http://www.breakawayride.com/">Amgen Tour of California Stage 2 Breakaway Century Ride</a>! </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">A century is a <b>100-mile bike race</b>, a major accomplishment for any cyclist - one might say it's the "marathon of cycling." </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This race is in the tradition of <b>Gran Fondo</b>, Italian for "Great Endurance," meaning that, while parts of the course will be timed, it is generally a friendly, more casual ride. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Still, 100 miles in one day is no small feat! This will probably be the most challenging athletic event of my life thus far, and I only have <b>10 weeks</b> to train for it!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I will be riding to raise money for <a href="http://www.breakawayfromcancer.com/">Breakaway from Cancer</a>, and details about how you can contribute to helping me reach my <b>fundraising goal</b> will follow soon.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">My official <b>century training plan</b> starts next week - you can <a href="https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Am3ZBfy3ATaWdGNfbHB1eXVjNXFtWktLczl4SkFEY1E&hl=en">check out my plan<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">here</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">,</span> and I will update it as the weeks until the race tick down.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">But until then, <b>baby steps</b>! Tomorrow morning, I will attempt <b>my first clipped-in ride</b>... So, wish me luck! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Also tomorrow, I will receive my <b>Valentine's Day gift</b> from my truly wonderful Boyfriend <i>[still working on a better pseudonym... perhaps "S.O." for "Significant Other"? I'll take suggestions]</i>... I already know what it is, and it is positively the best, most perfect gift I could imagine! :-D!!!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Today's Question: <span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever raced for charity?</span> What was it like, and how was it different from non-philanthropic races? Did you find that fundraising made the challenge of the race even more meaningful? </b></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04116625638382094114noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1102986773580522276.post-85988095274572713112010-02-06T09:22:00.000-08:002010-02-10T17:41:50.788-08:00Clip In, Clip Out, RepeatThe American Kennel Club National Championships are on TV right now. So cute!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3zSiVzo1aoBToqgjW6mooUa0Yk-VgP13fFfiV0kf6e6bagLYA5VEy8aKcDjm-rHrxcQn5EtlEohvPd1NQAAai4BbUJEf3Mt9mfKDFup1BchOF38UmRx-zkKzipNa5oP8qRipAsaaC4pb/s1600-h/Blog+020610+042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3zSiVzo1aoBToqgjW6mooUa0Yk-VgP13fFfiV0kf6e6bagLYA5VEy8aKcDjm-rHrxcQn5EtlEohvPd1NQAAai4BbUJEf3Mt9mfKDFup1BchOF38UmRx-zkKzipNa5oP8qRipAsaaC4pb/s320/Blog+020610+042.jpg" width="310" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZTHegDyGm0WQWlMt3sEVlql9pLOZKRo-F1Esgb697ZUVunkc9fp9TqAbZD-JTWgJducrn_nMrs9vuHSDcZ7yIHs68ggK3QD4tcO1aJPSg9GGhq0wEymiaJ1MOoaRrkPHUtw3mRxW9cmG/s1600-h/Blog+020610+044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZTHegDyGm0WQWlMt3sEVlql9pLOZKRo-F1Esgb697ZUVunkc9fp9TqAbZD-JTWgJducrn_nMrs9vuHSDcZ7yIHs68ggK3QD4tcO1aJPSg9GGhq0wEymiaJ1MOoaRrkPHUtw3mRxW9cmG/s320/Blog+020610+044.jpg" width="310" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOiK0n1jQxOhyphenhyphenDh5-KrfqMM6YhGn1-hjwWVjehq3vX1f4HpFE1Aw80pIJNV696TzSiuIFNLm4_iSfgrkl8RINK-bg2P2ER4f8ESoEwd9kDIRurUu6KVgs86yF9IKk7Vs7jDwHvcc4Np5h/s1600-h/Blog+020610+046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOiK0n1jQxOhyphenhyphenDh5-KrfqMM6YhGn1-hjwWVjehq3vX1f4HpFE1Aw80pIJNV696TzSiuIFNLm4_iSfgrkl8RINK-bg2P2ER4f8ESoEwd9kDIRurUu6KVgs86yF9IKk7Vs7jDwHvcc4Np5h/s640/Blog+020610+046.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Hehehehe, the announcer just described the fur of a bull terrier as "smooth like an egg." Also, according to the expert with the microphone, "Dogs do not wear contacts." Hahaha, thank you for clarifying. Silly fluffer dogs. A Scottie won Best in Show.<br />
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So anyway, last Sunday's 12 miler could easily have been <b>a recipe for running disaster</b>. I woke up nice and early and chowed down on some oatmeal and a PB PowerBar, but then Renata and I were a tad late getting out the door. Eventually, I strapped on my trusty <b>CamelBak</b> with Fruit Punch Gatorade and off we went!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirq6RTLomJrws9Lj1h1ljgRbtYC4dbEeDaxkBKWXcuTVooY-QPDuR3rVPUbULqpeQhpOIXZnjeHKh_FspvK5d8bRSyXh86hj7Uma4ffGXvRYklUNJuHT_6xYqKTJ1aZUH1gnj096sZ_sA7/s1600-h/Blog+020410+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirq6RTLomJrws9Lj1h1ljgRbtYC4dbEeDaxkBKWXcuTVooY-QPDuR3rVPUbULqpeQhpOIXZnjeHKh_FspvK5d8bRSyXh86hj7Uma4ffGXvRYklUNJuHT_6xYqKTJ1aZUH1gnj096sZ_sA7/s400/Blog+020410+013.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Unfortunately, my early morning breakfast (probably combined with the meager meal I'd had the night before) was not sufficient fuel for a long run started three hours later. By mile two, my stomach was growling. I had committed <b>a cardinal sin of fueling</b>! I took some big gulps from my CamelBak hoping that the Gatorade would kick in and keep me satiated through my run, but I knew that there was no way I had 1,200 calories worth of fuel in that pouch. Still, we carried on.<br />
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The middle miles of our run took us through the <b>North Fitness Trail</b>, which provides scenic views of the countryside (read: empty fields) and a smattering of fitness stations for your circuit-training pleasure!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7WtnRXsg69C6rx3wuPoC-b7IEKjszJJ-yF8ZVC5E-lCZ7akwehO-fHtPoi26ZBkaoLPvzx3tmAmNE7DShosCbMgFDvRi3zZmAlCcwK5EagJVymOLWExPx5MetsldugdgvQvFWpH6eSNiQ/s1600-h/trail01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7WtnRXsg69C6rx3wuPoC-b7IEKjszJJ-yF8ZVC5E-lCZ7akwehO-fHtPoi26ZBkaoLPvzx3tmAmNE7DShosCbMgFDvRi3zZmAlCcwK5EagJVymOLWExPx5MetsldugdgvQvFWpH6eSNiQ/s400/trail01.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVhPzhym4O-nSpyfS2Bd8kJGOTFIgXAK1yjobf3U9B-auyGVDVY8agYSGAk5VsTJmHIVHKqrzjUo7_MoNzKTwXwc1QnuFRgMXZF0ugd9jhavnmf0W76XbCfP77Uhl8ehbPHNMjD9KMrenX/s1600-h/trail02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVhPzhym4O-nSpyfS2Bd8kJGOTFIgXAK1yjobf3U9B-auyGVDVY8agYSGAk5VsTJmHIVHKqrzjUo7_MoNzKTwXwc1QnuFRgMXZF0ugd9jhavnmf0W76XbCfP77Uhl8ehbPHNMjD9KMrenX/s400/trail02.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rings, anyone? How about a balance beam? Maybe if I hadn't already run 8 miles and didn't have five more to go...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">By the time we exited the fitness trail at mile 9, three consecutive days of running (including my four-mile <b>not-so-steady tempo run</b>) had caught up with my legs. They felt like bricks. Every step required more mental and physical effort. Renata had just caught her second wind and was picking up the pace a little. I, on the other hand, could tell I was running on <b>brute strength</b>, rather than endurance, and I knew I had to keep it up for three more miles. <i>Torture</i>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But <b>I pushed through it</b>. Even though I had to bring my pace down for the last mile or so, and I had nothing left for any kind of strides at the end, I finished the entire run at around a 9-minute split. I immediately put food in my body, stretched, and iced my knee, and vowed never to underfuel and overtrain prior to a long run again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All that said, I'm even more excited for my race tomorrow because a) I will be rested and b) I will make absolutely sure to fuel like a champion! Compared to last weekend's 12-miler, <b>this half marathon should be a snap!</b></div><br />
Since Sunday, taper week has really been more about <b>eating </b>than running. Not that there's anything wrong with that :)<br />
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I went a little overboard at the grocery store this week. I had <i>way</i> more bags than I could carry inside in one trip, and, as I pulled into my parking lot, it was raining yet again. Fortunately, I spied <b>this little creature</b> lurking beside my dumpster, and it saved the day!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiOJOA47_3xYiD7vMvS9Rz1SZdnbtPZ7ZcvTm8K5zvLnAC5RN07AMuH9u_yhOeKRqlg60lVbap59P6O6Fm2B8wBoWfpqN41PvXChUDXbUaB6bCEKblj4P9_cBHncbNIuCyJK4tp2esAw6E/s1600-h/Blog+020410+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiOJOA47_3xYiD7vMvS9Rz1SZdnbtPZ7ZcvTm8K5zvLnAC5RN07AMuH9u_yhOeKRqlg60lVbap59P6O6Fm2B8wBoWfpqN41PvXChUDXbUaB6bCEKblj4P9_cBHncbNIuCyJK4tp2esAw6E/s400/Blog+020410+017.jpg" width="300" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYWlmt3_dVZaht2QRlJ5Td8aGdvbwfGUGlZIxeIWSwBWBZCeQ2X8eL4bMBCWpYfWd5ucWJFrWWA5zyzHPJnQWVMvU5X1mYv98YKEpFE3HMqr2wr9ZXwyfcxIs32seHb-rMufo-vxI2rZ_/s1600-h/Blog+020410+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYWlmt3_dVZaht2QRlJ5Td8aGdvbwfGUGlZIxeIWSwBWBZCeQ2X8eL4bMBCWpYfWd5ucWJFrWWA5zyzHPJnQWVMvU5X1mYv98YKEpFE3HMqr2wr9ZXwyfcxIs32seHb-rMufo-vxI2rZ_/s400/Blog+020410+018.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Shopping cart in my house!</span></div><br />
One of my overboard purchases was a truly ginormous tub of <b>honey</b>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQX9n0FM2gnS1yzJoBwz0vziCcnCG-6B5QvZ1cpzGqEZsocOpkHV_JP_0wTN3BdxtGLTJp3Qcgtez0UHuWZAZfHOH-O59QXmROQyqVT3TtH0kxvrDvbf3meJJU1MVem4s51jWPuFnI63W/s1600-h/Blog+020410+022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQX9n0FM2gnS1yzJoBwz0vziCcnCG-6B5QvZ1cpzGqEZsocOpkHV_JP_0wTN3BdxtGLTJp3Qcgtez0UHuWZAZfHOH-O59QXmROQyqVT3TtH0kxvrDvbf3meJJU1MVem4s51jWPuFnI63W/s400/Blog+020410+022.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcCxlezfafUj_jqJ7NtxA6WEr7Nk1kC6VCcfum4yQX3oAzi8SCEYg70XeL8RqW7ahZjtw1vUqlCMMVCghKItZTNaF6E75UkV69W0mvXCedvFCJ0WV9etrUA5WWyYyRPb9ve1y8R5WE7zY/s1600-h/Blog+020410+024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcCxlezfafUj_jqJ7NtxA6WEr7Nk1kC6VCcfum4yQX3oAzi8SCEYg70XeL8RqW7ahZjtw1vUqlCMMVCghKItZTNaF6E75UkV69W0mvXCedvFCJ0WV9etrUA5WWyYyRPb9ve1y8R5WE7zY/s400/Blog+020410+024.jpg" width="300" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I put some in my <b>chai </b>with skim milk Wednesday morning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhWyQ-1TsIwePxJETFp9Ahn5vA7GoOZqCXrIupt0LaC3re5rum0zvmY3wd54uVySavf0ZWXwp8jXttn-y6m4kMDtqrS3J0HyIvBkoxnAnCRkVyRBdofcw6qupYF_bIcwbE5sPookzkhWC/s1600-h/Blog+020410+080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhWyQ-1TsIwePxJETFp9Ahn5vA7GoOZqCXrIupt0LaC3re5rum0zvmY3wd54uVySavf0ZWXwp8jXttn-y6m4kMDtqrS3J0HyIvBkoxnAnCRkVyRBdofcw6qupYF_bIcwbE5sPookzkhWC/s400/Blog+020410+080.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
One serving down, 107 servings to go...<br />
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I roasted an extra value pack of <b>chicken breasts</b> (3.5 lb total) in one cup <b>apple cider</b>, 1/2 cup <b>orange juice</b>, <b>salt</b>, <b>pepper</b>, and <b>lemon-pepper seasoning</b>. Except the chicken, all of these ingredients were leftovers in my fridge from past culinary endeavors. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxKYH2STD_5m4d5MlDd7OSHh5h6T2ygy_zu7zdr4kLDST8Z5jRxZAoRRqXZ9D-SKPExT1ri1xd9B1JLc5ymzfA_ozw4muvm3-ZsuakYa65I2lnG5aMzrKStPCRCKOn24GkyNsvorhGh1i/s1600-h/Blog+020410+027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxKYH2STD_5m4d5MlDd7OSHh5h6T2ygy_zu7zdr4kLDST8Z5jRxZAoRRqXZ9D-SKPExT1ri1xd9B1JLc5ymzfA_ozw4muvm3-ZsuakYa65I2lnG5aMzrKStPCRCKOn24GkyNsvorhGh1i/s400/Blog+020410+027.jpg" width="300" /></a> </div><br />
Most of them got bagged and frozen for future consumption.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpO1atZ5-Q4X-gMO8KBjQ7jYjD7SUkcecuLB2qT4B3cU1KHTzuC6ybl_YyuvpT69usW1HUm09-MZNZAazNepQvfeTxrk6tlO-YeZ6RdJzbkZz2zQg0EE7mQt_oOrEcC945v9juBF6nmkWp/s1600-h/Blog+020410+031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpO1atZ5-Q4X-gMO8KBjQ7jYjD7SUkcecuLB2qT4B3cU1KHTzuC6ybl_YyuvpT69usW1HUm09-MZNZAazNepQvfeTxrk6tlO-YeZ6RdJzbkZz2zQg0EE7mQt_oOrEcC945v9juBF6nmkWp/s400/Blog+020410+031.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
But one lucky chicken breast became a topping for <b>sweet and savory pizza</b> lunches!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCOf5I23h-zwqwrP8AkRwCbey7icoh2T9dcsXTORJxenZoue8IEz9QZdVOLCT0UeCvpzPYq8s0SO1yvVtO6FzIZDG4YtD2VXXXWdpK-aEclAjSL63WCRG9kbxXdw3wPlvvZkVHjKKAJsi/s1600-h/Blog+020410+035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCOf5I23h-zwqwrP8AkRwCbey7icoh2T9dcsXTORJxenZoue8IEz9QZdVOLCT0UeCvpzPYq8s0SO1yvVtO6FzIZDG4YtD2VXXXWdpK-aEclAjSL63WCRG9kbxXdw3wPlvvZkVHjKKAJsi/s400/Blog+020410+035.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<ul><li>Two Boboli whole wheat pizza crusts</li>
<li>2 cups baby spinach</li>
<li>2 pears, thinly sliced</li>
<li>1/4 cup walnuts, chopped</li>
<li>1 roasted chicken breast, diced</li>
<li>1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDeER2hmqfAQKiqB2YXDlS88c6wENMpdAHdJc6affCBwlZBxH2y-0OIopH29hFaTaDDRxNHfLapPpTWKWv9DqTeuh5jbT640NJNtZbO1w_rwB480Z_IdfqTFdn0KHSmTIOnSiDqG70E7N/s1600-h/Blog+020410+039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDeER2hmqfAQKiqB2YXDlS88c6wENMpdAHdJc6affCBwlZBxH2y-0OIopH29hFaTaDDRxNHfLapPpTWKWv9DqTeuh5jbT640NJNtZbO1w_rwB480Z_IdfqTFdn0KHSmTIOnSiDqG70E7N/s400/Blog+020410+039.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Spread spinach leaves evenly and flatly on each crust. Fan pears to cover spinach. Sprinkle with nuts, chicken, and bleu cheese. Bake according to package directions, until chicken and cheese lightly browned. Slice and package for lunches. Enjoy! <i>Makes 6 servings.</i><br />
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Yay lunches! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBgd8qKfA5NfB5eJlIoPp_LFk_XxT3VlrdCKOj5NXUjbVNWzFxXgJNZkJZYt-ivS9NoE24Fc6wl-B1b8nAmUxSrKtYznuoOXi657sGw2LeX9y-CEgvsUM9raQFY2ffNfnybcngSkZzZX5f/s1600-h/Blog+020410+044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBgd8qKfA5NfB5eJlIoPp_LFk_XxT3VlrdCKOj5NXUjbVNWzFxXgJNZkJZYt-ivS9NoE24Fc6wl-B1b8nAmUxSrKtYznuoOXi657sGw2LeX9y-CEgvsUM9raQFY2ffNfnybcngSkZzZX5f/s400/Blog+020410+044.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Dinners this week were <b>salmon alla vodka</b> with a <b>special twist</b>!<br />
<ul><li>1 jar vodka sauce</li>
<li>1 box whole wheat linguini</li>
<li>3+ cups baby spinach</li>
<li>6 salmon fillets, grilled(-ish... see below)</li>
<li><i>Special twist ingredient!</i></li>
</ul><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEIY3eQWIQqpiU2h3_C64Z_ecf5HmrNAi9aMUnG1_nTFvGwJr2mAnhZrjkGiNMX9PDVmtxLOBL8R5AMx_su9fFxtqWov05v5lvELYnRXA_p0epccr2BTvfyX_wydBJSntIm0ePqIG6R_C/s1600-h/Blog+020410+056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEIY3eQWIQqpiU2h3_C64Z_ecf5HmrNAi9aMUnG1_nTFvGwJr2mAnhZrjkGiNMX9PDVmtxLOBL8R5AMx_su9fFxtqWov05v5lvELYnRXA_p0epccr2BTvfyX_wydBJSntIm0ePqIG6R_C/s400/Blog+020410+056.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Can you guess the twist? <b>Sundried tomatoes</b>! Heat sauce on medium, stir in 1 package sundried tomatoes. Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, place spinach in colander (in sink).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjr9KG59p9Aw8RpJPRqOaFKxAtZabWNAHjrjQ_vGjwsjC3ipUaD_JsKWpmlPQnr9zghl71MpebKnyNMFLEiiM1fJaP1EThQAo7Jb6VuVzp2erZIB93xc0RzIrIoh8oqNVaAejfih0zi-l/s1600-h/Blog+020410+066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjr9KG59p9Aw8RpJPRqOaFKxAtZabWNAHjrjQ_vGjwsjC3ipUaD_JsKWpmlPQnr9zghl71MpebKnyNMFLEiiM1fJaP1EThQAo7Jb6VuVzp2erZIB93xc0RzIrIoh8oqNVaAejfih0zi-l/s400/Blog+020410+066.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
When pasta cook time has elapsed, drain into colander over spinach. Toss spinach and pasta until evenly dispersed.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK_DAG__Y5FJwydSVAoFNqGLr-xaEHK3KFsldJ9gsGBwUN2AF_agS5B9fvhf0lKu7pq8sIeNLf_zOngZoFe2UjQnpNSTfKhZiU7uEMXHQSxyWmuPRw3Z6UHXyp01U_lh3SA8Cmu4XZTrBH/s1600-h/Blog+020410+068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK_DAG__Y5FJwydSVAoFNqGLr-xaEHK3KFsldJ9gsGBwUN2AF_agS5B9fvhf0lKu7pq8sIeNLf_zOngZoFe2UjQnpNSTfKhZiU7uEMXHQSxyWmuPRw3Z6UHXyp01U_lh3SA8Cmu4XZTrBH/s400/Blog+020410+068.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Splash!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQ4UEoEr4SpeuCbrYyDOgqMlBN3_3ql61Tai4I9jCWdOsr-D_jHDC8Gej9s-8XXLGwhAcw8NHVR-lzVOtNNX-OPVElqy2cktBrcW-VqnqvbuRU8wxs_xp2SbQkcESwuv-4L4naiNUom9M/s1600-h/Blog+020410+074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQ4UEoEr4SpeuCbrYyDOgqMlBN3_3ql61Tai4I9jCWdOsr-D_jHDC8Gej9s-8XXLGwhAcw8NHVR-lzVOtNNX-OPVElqy2cktBrcW-VqnqvbuRU8wxs_xp2SbQkcESwuv-4L4naiNUom9M/s400/Blog+020410+074.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Top pasta and spinach with sauce and one salmon fillet. Flake salmon and mix with sauce. Eat up! <i>Makes 6 servings.</i><br />
<i> </i> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIS1v2VW13EOjoJsX4REXVxEuSJhAQwumAJ5zdL-lKvLVDnyDyRcP9Ae9lG8Tj8VYHvSa8eoFBwx6vwEe3zXwSmLRUlHtDiHQKFLEafrgJQ4mD5PlVRTqGDrxBYco_5624USkmmeGXyRps/s1600-h/Blog+020410+075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIS1v2VW13EOjoJsX4REXVxEuSJhAQwumAJ5zdL-lKvLVDnyDyRcP9Ae9lG8Tj8VYHvSa8eoFBwx6vwEe3zXwSmLRUlHtDiHQKFLEafrgJQ4mD5PlVRTqGDrxBYco_5624USkmmeGXyRps/s400/Blog+020410+075.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I need to comment on the salmon that I used in this recipe. Always the frugalista, I purchased three boxes of frozen <b>"classic grilled" salmon fillets by Gorton's</b>. The ingredients included more than just "salmon," but I'd had luck with frozen fish in the past, and these were on special at Safeway.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnoW09r9v5srCb2txmb0NRn8JCByje9-f2zuqXnewZ47tvgtaBklQSQLRzJ84XrI__DI7TGbFarF6gX5HS-HS2mczxSbakvgP3vLtrvy8TpFhD1oyTW-E7m2SEl-TUA0HtmthLMf_0sln/s1600-h/Blog+020410+065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnoW09r9v5srCb2txmb0NRn8JCByje9-f2zuqXnewZ47tvgtaBklQSQLRzJ84XrI__DI7TGbFarF6gX5HS-HS2mczxSbakvgP3vLtrvy8TpFhD1oyTW-E7m2SEl-TUA0HtmthLMf_0sln/s400/Blog+020410+065.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Flame grilled, eh?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These "fillets" were curiously the same size and shape as <b>kitchen sponges</b>. I prayed that they tasted like salmon...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0QY-ikS9YjxXfrdHpxasKaT-THxZ_z1JklRg0meD_Z9olp8wDu7IU1c7yUGplh908cF2z4GF3k6kfMXuHcbVI6eOUp8c2mVLgvEXyc6s1mjdP9RSOmy42gAxsYCeqjxivFfjJ84xIGzR/s1600-h/Blog+020410+073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0QY-ikS9YjxXfrdHpxasKaT-THxZ_z1JklRg0meD_Z9olp8wDu7IU1c7yUGplh908cF2z4GF3k6kfMXuHcbVI6eOUp8c2mVLgvEXyc6s1mjdP9RSOmy42gAxsYCeqjxivFfjJ84xIGzR/s400/Blog+020410+073.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>But, microwaved according to package directions, the salmon tasted like salmon and proved an excellent combination with the other ingredients! I probably won't buy this packaged fish again, but at least now I've learned my lesson -<b> if you can't see the actual fish, leave it in the store</b>.<br />
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For desserts, I had fat-free <b>chocolate sorbet</b>, which was very rich. A great substitute for ice cream!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3PjmPHKN0G6lTm4dNiJkCEN5XoiMfnFK_a2eQ7C11SBWW1cSA6Tju2jG3OUCsBbLltXI4swkGz4OcG-uvc2ZDfMBYoTKMTpS3KxPe4XW_yY-6DxYGQfrGGONK49rOn_ibAbFQVfF9ZEw/s1600-h/Blog+020410+047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3PjmPHKN0G6lTm4dNiJkCEN5XoiMfnFK_a2eQ7C11SBWW1cSA6Tju2jG3OUCsBbLltXI4swkGz4OcG-uvc2ZDfMBYoTKMTpS3KxPe4XW_yY-6DxYGQfrGGONK49rOn_ibAbFQVfF9ZEw/s400/Blog+020410+047.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ntIJYuqukrHRD3ryJ5FYMoBVSzAz-RFqHHx0HkjpUst09bNxp9rPt0bZQawlIGLDd3ZIaBjQz48E2jVc6y2eFMfJ4gf6yUXZFAciR5yVWKdrwQMyosyTtVHRtxPvYZVho5OpDovluFXT/s1600-h/Blog+020410+048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ntIJYuqukrHRD3ryJ5FYMoBVSzAz-RFqHHx0HkjpUst09bNxp9rPt0bZQawlIGLDd3ZIaBjQz48E2jVc6y2eFMfJ4gf6yUXZFAciR5yVWKdrwQMyosyTtVHRtxPvYZVho5OpDovluFXT/s400/Blog+020410+048.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Tiny bowl!</span></div><br />
Breakfasts were variations on <b>egg whites </b>and/or <b>banana toast</b>!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1TRTJndTroBGiDSCes9w9oHlqefedD3xCYmfjBZ4aoO5QTvhL52VIxuxTMfbUfrxKAu0rkdv2i54ke_LlkYzL6uC-d2G8pJT1C3vAg48Bcp8IZPGIP1ql9nklV8qOAZotcBslMcHnjrg/s1600-h/Blog+020410+050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1TRTJndTroBGiDSCes9w9oHlqefedD3xCYmfjBZ4aoO5QTvhL52VIxuxTMfbUfrxKAu0rkdv2i54ke_LlkYzL6uC-d2G8pJT1C3vAg48Bcp8IZPGIP1ql9nklV8qOAZotcBslMcHnjrg/s400/Blog+020410+050.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXFvWCUIzvmmhG_fppTqMvk-WjSf7tjQcz65oauvKyZnCKijxxcqxGNvjRQVHTWpfh4ZPfOJoByrEIDmTybxen0LvRW5HuueuJzzcNp5MBUP2DN-euKyyI4uvwcPM87N3viAFiJOj8kQr/s1600-h/Blog+020410+051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXFvWCUIzvmmhG_fppTqMvk-WjSf7tjQcz65oauvKyZnCKijxxcqxGNvjRQVHTWpfh4ZPfOJoByrEIDmTybxen0LvRW5HuueuJzzcNp5MBUP2DN-euKyyI4uvwcPM87N3viAFiJOj8kQr/s400/Blog+020410+051.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Twice this week, I dined on food not prepared by my own hands! Exciting!<br />
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Faced with statistics-induced plummeting blood sugar levels, Shannon, Jimmy, and I made an emergency dinner run to the <b>Black Bear Diner</b> during a late-night study session on Monday. I had a <b>Small Volcano</b>, which consists of <b>two 7-grain almond granola pancakes </b>(<i>ah-may-zing</i>) topped with an <b>egg </b>(not pictured... because I ate it), a strip of <b>bacon</b>, and a <b>sausage </b>link. Nom nom nom!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVQpLjeLEVpbF2fxo9J91J9_VtN1Zqpnbm4znTwUA5JJp422xl-AIqiySd96AbacDyNghlAADvO_qF2jImr7cq-9rzxKbwrMfvrbLCXREkCIYmk364jDuMlo9VvzIqwLorCHg2AXiLD4w/s1600-h/blackbear.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVQpLjeLEVpbF2fxo9J91J9_VtN1Zqpnbm4znTwUA5JJp422xl-AIqiySd96AbacDyNghlAADvO_qF2jImr7cq-9rzxKbwrMfvrbLCXREkCIYmk364jDuMlo9VvzIqwLorCHg2AXiLD4w/s400/blackbear.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Stricken by a major caffeine headache during my office hours on Friday afternoon, I ran to the campus coffee shop and grabbed a small<b> hazelnut coffee</b> and a totally sinful <b>carrot cake</b>. I believe I finished that cake in about three bites.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeR_YJ5G4k3G0SmDFZFeFekWDGpSyLeWkEBUmzrjUDNKAehEB-8fikKZXleAGc0A6AIz5yOdYH9lnmTdvRm-heowticN5zvllzKBkIOIwl1UMFgFmFZh1oXtXXaSrE7iRbnvhl2RnIED9h/s1600-h/officehrs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeR_YJ5G4k3G0SmDFZFeFekWDGpSyLeWkEBUmzrjUDNKAehEB-8fikKZXleAGc0A6AIz5yOdYH9lnmTdvRm-heowticN5zvllzKBkIOIwl1UMFgFmFZh1oXtXXaSrE7iRbnvhl2RnIED9h/s400/officehrs.jpeg" width="321" /></a> </div><br />
And now for some big news...<br />
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Although I am a dedicated runner, and hope always to be a runner, I have decided to become more serious about <b>cycling</b>. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Md5NdJWvpYqsQ93agxrfMQgB_8D4i5xgIU48T12EdztXZdlVsHOGEAO9_gHpVXIYuP1GQySx_zzOcFrptkCkLwT-vMMBmxVtrtifl3yaux9Gq1k5sskMITV1IX1_NkmlmqTP7HaNrq6r/s1600-h/Blog+020610+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Md5NdJWvpYqsQ93agxrfMQgB_8D4i5xgIU48T12EdztXZdlVsHOGEAO9_gHpVXIYuP1GQySx_zzOcFrptkCkLwT-vMMBmxVtrtifl3yaux9Gq1k5sskMITV1IX1_NkmlmqTP7HaNrq6r/s400/Blog+020610+002.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
I have the bicycle for it, I have the endurance, and I certainly live somewhere that supports cyclists - the <b>U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame</b> is located right downtown! Additionally, I believe that incorporating more cycling into my training will only improve my running, while preventing exacerbation of my <b>overuse injury</b>.<br />
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So, as a first step towards becoming a real cyclist, I made a little trip to my <b>local bike shop</b> for one very important upgrade...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUAX5PjHblP2ffrcWUY9C4qYiXvjsFkFwrl_ZmnboVWzMltBtuozUY8B2sOymEAPdZa2VlERFBPDm9D5SdE_EAAVICayjL-7lODORXCQNnIyg675IUhMgzYazNu8oom7JVjKJ_d1SN1MI/s1600-h/Blog+020610+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUAX5PjHblP2ffrcWUY9C4qYiXvjsFkFwrl_ZmnboVWzMltBtuozUY8B2sOymEAPdZa2VlERFBPDm9D5SdE_EAAVICayjL-7lODORXCQNnIyg675IUhMgzYazNu8oom7JVjKJ_d1SN1MI/s400/Blog+020610+005.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bikeypoo smooshed into my trunk, seat folded down, front wheel detached, ready for travel.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBSl6yUCTSUSIRYLWrjcSfUiT6SnYj03o5ZfDOb3gUQ6GiJ8oUc-Sge-7p0S1Wf3wZao5wH6Qem6lh0v5_mIpUV8_VImiMa4_x4x7kov4hNsoCFQmyZWVcXFu81zZBqT_08s0xOvhjLRN/s1600-h/Blog+020610+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBSl6yUCTSUSIRYLWrjcSfUiT6SnYj03o5ZfDOb3gUQ6GiJ8oUc-Sge-7p0S1Wf3wZao5wH6Qem6lh0v5_mIpUV8_VImiMa4_x4x7kov4hNsoCFQmyZWVcXFu81zZBqT_08s0xOvhjLRN/s400/Blog+020610+008.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">En route, I passed a golden-clad statue of the official state animal.</span></div><br />
After inspecting my equipment options with the help of the staff (the same guy who sold me the bike, in fact!), I made my selections and dropped BikeBike off for installation. <span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3h8TKkOzsJ7dzmlghp_khZemWNS6V4nl9pm0L3Ean9iClR0-0UY7Li9QSGIuHXvzmZgEJUFkeOePfE-nb_UApsE0Vw8sCiKYzwmpJXT7_IDJFqpEPS1ju4baGeyCO7tC7aF02t6lQ_CP/s1600-h/Blog+020610+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3h8TKkOzsJ7dzmlghp_khZemWNS6V4nl9pm0L3Ean9iClR0-0UY7Li9QSGIuHXvzmZgEJUFkeOePfE-nb_UApsE0Vw8sCiKYzwmpJXT7_IDJFqpEPS1ju4baGeyCO7tC7aF02t6lQ_CP/s400/Blog+020610+017.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bikemonster awaiting service inside the store... </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">It was like dropping my baby off at daycare (I should imagine).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">I had to leave him there for over an hour! Boo hoo! Meanwhile, I took care of some errands (that's right, another grocery store).</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_K9dx-0-olNzFfD4iWs7ol6G-aewfhzjw3yQyzCJnb-l-IQNZnhoBFzuivqGr8OWdNU9fAbaawLaxZ-2B4i28qNf9Rv6IyUskHxtpb7Z197gdbWBF_n5aeXZvZsAt9Qv7I_YRIxFstzSo/s1600-h/Blog+020610+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_K9dx-0-olNzFfD4iWs7ol6G-aewfhzjw3yQyzCJnb-l-IQNZnhoBFzuivqGr8OWdNU9fAbaawLaxZ-2B4i28qNf9Rv6IyUskHxtpb7Z197gdbWBF_n5aeXZvZsAt9Qv7I_YRIxFstzSo/s400/Blog+020610+019.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Trader Joe's, how I missed thee!</span> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>Finally, I picked up my big blue bike, complete with new parts, and brought it home to play!<br />
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<b>My upgrades...</b><br />
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A top bar-mounted <b>bike computer!</b><br />
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</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_r4FNKUaWKjgQbRH1ws_90awlbY2dpFO4iR-CamTXiHESqHLUWM5OFLg6oDCMEeV_HAPnZqDsgJvvpwmiQDRqvlP4cLSXe9tp2A0-dqYDXCJbyLuIP4fYi6P4mQyCFXc4fmAR_ONKE4X/s1600-h/Blog+020610+023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_r4FNKUaWKjgQbRH1ws_90awlbY2dpFO4iR-CamTXiHESqHLUWM5OFLg6oDCMEeV_HAPnZqDsgJvvpwmiQDRqvlP4cLSXe9tp2A0-dqYDXCJbyLuIP4fYi6P4mQyCFXc4fmAR_ONKE4X/s400/Blog+020610+023.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy51qm4WE4Unv8sSxRE0EuzTbTw1E9vhqHVUyNIS0Gt4enxlwV5VaGkzPv3bTOXgp1-koYSXCZGbm_MomZ7V0MpuilV3y_4te0PzwwObsvxED2zyYCFcI188GOEuXdbMnv8CM9igyDd47x/s1600-h/Blog+020610+024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy51qm4WE4Unv8sSxRE0EuzTbTw1E9vhqHVUyNIS0Gt4enxlwV5VaGkzPv3bTOXgp1-koYSXCZGbm_MomZ7V0MpuilV3y_4te0PzwwObsvxED2zyYCFcI188GOEuXdbMnv8CM9igyDd47x/s400/Blog+020610+024.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">On just a brief spin around my apartment complex, I reached a max speed of 19.1 mph! YES biking is awesome!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Reversible <b>"Campus" pedals</b>!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gH81lHqnXSzibm4i_RSeyj_FLtoEafPRxEOcu3MmgCVMC5o3J6oKjtg1JWCuC6K361P8RqqxZE1bGlWu0BnMcr5b-1izvSxYfWVInZM0xo-WkSeg5p6HoPtQEIGcwKRhJZNWzU6fdFvF/s1600-h/Blog+020610+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gH81lHqnXSzibm4i_RSeyj_FLtoEafPRxEOcu3MmgCVMC5o3J6oKjtg1JWCuC6K361P8RqqxZE1bGlWu0BnMcr5b-1izvSxYfWVInZM0xo-WkSeg5p6HoPtQEIGcwKRhJZNWzU6fdFvF/s400/Blog+020610+026.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Platforms </b>on one side for commuting and city rides...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQTvy-n8gBWYiR4bhGJPNF2MjyPWiXFUL5bXCatDlWPO0HAKobUgmYDnmoCLP7FmA8WlzJsWZx_9xaRIfFKt_B4DSJmjwZx95twMIw2dvo5c2XaZpoZNWejHU41KE4FMOCyf1LE5T8nlq/s1600-h/Blog+020610+027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQTvy-n8gBWYiR4bhGJPNF2MjyPWiXFUL5bXCatDlWPO0HAKobUgmYDnmoCLP7FmA8WlzJsWZx_9xaRIfFKt_B4DSJmjwZx95twMIw2dvo5c2XaZpoZNWejHU41KE4FMOCyf1LE5T8nlq/s400/Blog+020610+027.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">...and <b>SPD clips</b> on the other side for super-fast training rides!!!!</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And clip-in (a.k.a. "clipless," ironically) pedals naturally lead to...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My very first pair of <b>cycling shoes</b>!!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNY9w6mLFjZivAIx2P3sVIxmpQpC2-LMah55llZaK-sCHe-AMb3EM6kfOk8toa-qK8pqk9c2SmuNlOTJ2Ot3Qsq-QFjnCN46qi0de7CLjp_jhqORmkWYPccMVlHxanINbCb4MABSKVPMLZ/s1600-h/Blog+020610+029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNY9w6mLFjZivAIx2P3sVIxmpQpC2-LMah55llZaK-sCHe-AMb3EM6kfOk8toa-qK8pqk9c2SmuNlOTJ2Ot3Qsq-QFjnCN46qi0de7CLjp_jhqORmkWYPccMVlHxanINbCb4MABSKVPMLZ/s400/Blog+020610+029.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They're pretty girl ones (even though I don't have a pretty girl bike).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sKYCo3DyDjnU5RjyLULIWHihgg9u0xiJkDm4UEb7L3Ptwi9SproNU7pCotyj1MRuYri99i9RBSeCtbRRJH45qXJ0cuv_DieFrG3slzEnYez39oClnUuhi8lEvuJlw12LiHhOCjkEY17V/s1600-h/Blog+020610+032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sKYCo3DyDjnU5RjyLULIWHihgg9u0xiJkDm4UEb7L3Ptwi9SproNU7pCotyj1MRuYri99i9RBSeCtbRRJH45qXJ0cuv_DieFrG3slzEnYez39oClnUuhi8lEvuJlw12LiHhOCjkEY17V/s400/Blog+020610+032.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcazKyA1TVdoEV5x4BnF_tzWFLijERKPVHHv7DQYXT_Hz_J6Z8QsxH7-TknVtsDv6Qu5d0CsOHmqwMRfE1rVuXq6faMSrtjRidJCHoKfBG8raD63nbTJM-Cw7QsidM_6TirpIV1cml2Y4F/s1600-h/Blog+020610+035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcazKyA1TVdoEV5x4BnF_tzWFLijERKPVHHv7DQYXT_Hz_J6Z8QsxH7-TknVtsDv6Qu5d0CsOHmqwMRfE1rVuXq6faMSrtjRidJCHoKfBG8raD63nbTJM-Cw7QsidM_6TirpIV1cml2Y4F/s400/Blog+020610+035.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The <b>cleats </b>on the bottom need to line up with the ball of your foot to secure you to the pedal in optimal "<b>power transfer</b>" position. Listen to me, using real cyclist terminology!<br />
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Per the bike guy's advice, I set myself up in a door frame to practice clipping in and out. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEPGRPrTO3feP7CFYmVxgFLjUYuivJrqtgc_hrz_boxyDcFGCdvWBa2jJ-ZYNtVYe0rBCL89-Ie2aHHgXKOrYQKpeHfCkIYLEWi7CDDveGtC5tqrIYCaqfkuCrjRkWLyEOURbv6sdPFUM2/s1600-h/Blog+020610+038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEPGRPrTO3feP7CFYmVxgFLjUYuivJrqtgc_hrz_boxyDcFGCdvWBa2jJ-ZYNtVYe0rBCL89-Ie2aHHgXKOrYQKpeHfCkIYLEWi7CDDveGtC5tqrIYCaqfkuCrjRkWLyEOURbv6sdPFUM2/s400/Blog+020610+038.jpg" width="300" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh my gosh oh my gosh! <b>I'm clipped in for the first time!</b> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXuoJHzhefvWfuGs9Mo1jaJAtOYSrbkKU7O633vC08DiEoJR0_hlTxmUhpulnViUfduJd4jD3UHWRkTnxaiJPIHFkvXw9cgsX0Qv8fRB7kxhpno3m465kz1FX5KZnx3gMuc_DgkcaPUbq/s1600-h/Blog+020610+041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXuoJHzhefvWfuGs9Mo1jaJAtOYSrbkKU7O633vC08DiEoJR0_hlTxmUhpulnViUfduJd4jD3UHWRkTnxaiJPIHFkvXw9cgsX0Qv8fRB7kxhpno3m465kz1FX5KZnx3gMuc_DgkcaPUbq/s640/Blog+020610+041.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
I'm going to wait to take the new pedals for a real spin until after the race tomorrow - I can't risk a clip-induced accident that might prevent me from running.<br />
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Stay tuned for my <b>Davis Stampede Half Marathon race report</b> - as well as an exciting announcement about future race plans!<br />
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And... wish me and my race buddies good luck for our <b>big day tomorrow</b>!<br />
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<b>Today's Question: <span style="font-size: large;">Do you own a bike?</span> What kind? Do you use it more for exercise, transportation, or decoration?</b><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04116625638382094114noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1102986773580522276.post-13886364075546949962010-02-04T11:29:00.000-08:002010-02-04T12:02:04.584-08:00Race Day Tips!<i><b>Reader beware</b></i>, the following images may shock or perturb, but I feel the need to explain the tardiness of this mid-week post. Here is a sample of what I've been staring at, in lieu of blogs, for the past three days:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bBRPSBwslvQTNHeIgSXDS6KpCOet_IoIS3l8JG0tIMoxkJhQ6cnyr7m-TtQtd_M7c9Gz-7OlOpgnUEDACdgeGDUrrTem4G80hiXqU1n7H0hFM5984PyWAv6rfJ3uzQ7YmfG2y4IvS5Hr/s1600-h/Blog+020410+087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bBRPSBwslvQTNHeIgSXDS6KpCOet_IoIS3l8JG0tIMoxkJhQ6cnyr7m-TtQtd_M7c9Gz-7OlOpgnUEDACdgeGDUrrTem4G80hiXqU1n7H0hFM5984PyWAv6rfJ3uzQ7YmfG2y4IvS5Hr/s640/Blog+020410+087.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXURabBQ9ec1jPGQ8-BZw1RXLbYhQdMjZKCwLPlMxmF2UP_tgSqFcF3KxlcOEqUrkuPhJ-3OuRUCJBPn5Tk9AiGtg2zcJ46PWvL-LJ3xdMc1JC8a40dqFtTc2zuNRVvG0hru06Pwgi8udp/s1600-h/Blog+020410+088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXURabBQ9ec1jPGQ8-BZw1RXLbYhQdMjZKCwLPlMxmF2UP_tgSqFcF3KxlcOEqUrkuPhJ-3OuRUCJBPn5Tk9AiGtg2zcJ46PWvL-LJ3xdMc1JC8a40dqFtTc2zuNRVvG0hru06Pwgi8udp/s640/Blog+020410+088.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Spurious indeed.<br />
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Midterm completed, I have queued a 65-video Lady Gaga Youtube playlist and am now buckling down to finish this post.<br />
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First things first...<b> </b><br />
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<b>A mystery has been solved!</b> <br />
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Last night, upon arriving home and wheeling my bicycle inside, I was suddenly overcome by a nagging sense that <i>something was different</i> in my apartment. Reaching to flip the hall light switch, I stopped short when I saw <b>this</b>:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XC6M9uHZKoLriM210j-HpP975neq_vtUN5HygEgBzdzjOp4bJaaeyUcT8Gqklc6DhrwrZ_OPnokRU6hSKuQzmojLo3tWC29iJiK8MEL576BRZ6tKJBTAA4BpGH5uRonIdlGY008BEUsc/s1600-h/Blog+020410+082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XC6M9uHZKoLriM210j-HpP975neq_vtUN5HygEgBzdzjOp4bJaaeyUcT8Gqklc6DhrwrZ_OPnokRU6hSKuQzmojLo3tWC29iJiK8MEL576BRZ6tKJBTAA4BpGH5uRonIdlGY008BEUsc/s400/Blog+020410+082.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Um, disgusting. <b>What the @#$% substance is that? </b> Was I profusely bleeding this morning when I left the house? No. So... where did this gory drip come from???<br />
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I gave my front door a shove, which typically shuts and latches it sufficiently for me to merely reach over and turn the deadbolt, securing myself indoors. Instead, the door made a "smack" sound against the doorframe and halted, partially open. I had to apply my full body weight in order to align the door and lock it up. What is going on?? Somebody has been in my apartment!<br />
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Then, I remembered that <i>two months ago</i> I had submitted a service request to my leasing office. High winds and leaf blowers near my front door were causing leaves and dirt to blow through cracks into my front hall. I had requested that new weather stripping be installed under my door. Wow, looks like someone finally got around to it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zsY-9qWu8Ti_N_Tn69IK__GBxvYYj9ZMuReN1RTD0xvGP88heQuEe489ZCLWpQ4v6iMAMFSH3r4jcv-PeiRx4tAttCz-5FBu1nCtwRGUhiiHbVUEftnMKqgqHFWUb02CsBcAEcVHpJC9/s1600-h/Blog+020410+085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zsY-9qWu8Ti_N_Tn69IK__GBxvYYj9ZMuReN1RTD0xvGP88heQuEe489ZCLWpQ4v6iMAMFSH3r4jcv-PeiRx4tAttCz-5FBu1nCtwRGUhiiHbVUEftnMKqgqHFWUb02CsBcAEcVHpJC9/s400/Blog+020410+085.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6wfljSWR3ZBDeVvSMzGhW8MYGOCDkgwCKxOg8RCloEFMOoGxNXNLuwrKRzfmEFrdKFQsAxMIGjuS-JX2Vi0ojfdZNhdH3zgGbByzxthad-an9_8n7lBRjvqW5KPUXtt-5sItPjDwuaMh/s1600-h/Blog+020410+084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6wfljSWR3ZBDeVvSMzGhW8MYGOCDkgwCKxOg8RCloEFMOoGxNXNLuwrKRzfmEFrdKFQsAxMIGjuS-JX2Vi0ojfdZNhdH3zgGbByzxthad-an9_8n7lBRjvqW5KPUXtt-5sItPjDwuaMh/s400/Blog+020410+084.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Guess my door was historically red? Nice work, awesome job. I hope you sought appropriate medical attention. Try not to hurt yourself next time, and, if you do, please please try <b>not </b>to spray blood all over my living quarters. Ugh, <b>major pet peeve</b>: sloppy (and months late!) maintenance work. Needless to say, mystery solved, I hurriedly scrubbed my light switch clean. With bleach. Moving on...<br />
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<b>Apparently, I take requests. </b><i>Emily H, this one's for you :)</i><b></b><br />
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Well, blognation, it's finally <b>race week</b>! Incidentally, for this half-marathoner, that also means it's <b>taper week</b> - a week of reduced mileage and rest so my legs are nice and fresh for the big day. This week, my training plan calls for only two 3-mile runs, but the idea is to run them fairly quickly (slightly > race pace) so that the ol' legs remember what it's like to run. The two days directly prior to race day will be active rest days (bike around a little, make sure I move, but generally take it easy).<br />
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Tapering is one important part of race prep, but there's a lot more than mileage to think about in the days, hours, and minutes preceding a big race!!<br />
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And if it's your first (or maybe even your fiftieth) race, you probably have some questions, so here's my best effort to answer the big ones.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>What should I eat?</b></span><br />
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You might have heard about "<b>carbo-loading</b>" - that, for instance, endurance athletes eat mountains of pasta<b> </b>the night before a race. But, why do they do it and does it really help?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGCfVy3eDN2NCdXJZbAxU-A04e17R0z5lOIL5J318CrkerA3rASe_o_FLSpvWgjetaTXRham7BC64IlmCN4bZh313APq4ZluQIaDfNdsFr3MNvt0TXX-tgDbpbyHWXejcf9xY0DgGUHqU/s1600-h/Blog+020410+060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGCfVy3eDN2NCdXJZbAxU-A04e17R0z5lOIL5J318CrkerA3rASe_o_FLSpvWgjetaTXRham7BC64IlmCN4bZh313APq4ZluQIaDfNdsFr3MNvt0TXX-tgDbpbyHWXejcf9xY0DgGUHqU/s400/Blog+020410+060.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Well, during a race, it's nice if your leg muscles have the greatest amount of glycogen at their disposal so that they can power through the entire distance. Muscles get that glycogen when it's converted from glucose, which comes from carbohydrates! <br />
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So, during the last <b>1-2 days before a race</b>, it is important to bump up your carb intake. I recommend whole grains, but any carbs will do. <b>The night before</b>, treat yourself to a nice pasta dinner - bigger portions are OK as long as they won't make you feel uncomfortable or queasy and thus unable to sleep that night (it's hard enough to sleep knowing what's in store the next morning, trust me!).<br />
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<b>The morning of the race</b>, fuel as you normally would for your long runs. You should have a 300-500 calorie meal consisting of mostly slow carbs, some fast carbs, and a little protein (see <a href="http://strongandsteady.blogspot.com/2010/01/eat-to-live-fuel-to-run_27.html">this post</a> for examples) about <b>1-2 hours before the starting gun</b>. Don't try crazy, new foods if you can help it - stick with what you know works for your tummy. If you eat this meal greater than 2 hours before the race, bring a nutrition bar with you to the start and eat it while you're checking your bag and warming up.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtwHj1CzNQr5N-NecmFA0rURbgt5ASWrqMjEI2vXIj5R4MC5f99iqxCkVsDYHyjpP8tTIrurdAStsj1q-JsExgPKCJgShDS-fzptgnsXjsVZKOOJpucrrOPYg_ZC3hHhzpy0dJyMGY66vr/s1600-h/Blog+020410+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtwHj1CzNQr5N-NecmFA0rURbgt5ASWrqMjEI2vXIj5R4MC5f99iqxCkVsDYHyjpP8tTIrurdAStsj1q-JsExgPKCJgShDS-fzptgnsXjsVZKOOJpucrrOPYg_ZC3hHhzpy0dJyMGY66vr/s400/Blog+020410+006.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
If you're racing for 90 minutes or longer (such as in a half-marathon), it is highly advisable that you <b>pack energy supplements</b> on your person for mid-race consumption. Gels and chews can fit in the stash pocket of your running shorts/pants - if your garments aren't equipped with hidden storage, consider wearing a running belt, which is like an acceptable fanny pack. Take those supplements <b>before </b>you feel like you need them (for instance, one gel every 5 miles).<br />
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<i>This is very important</i>: The day, night, and morning before your race, <b>hydrate like there's no tomorrow! </b>Carry water around with you the day before, taking frequent gulps. Drink some agua before you go to bed. When you wake up, have another glass. When the starting gun is half an hour away, make your last pre-race portapotty trip, and slow down on the hydration. Bring a disposable bottle to the start, and take a sip every ~15 minutes. Toss the bottle before you go to line up.<br />
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If you want to carry fluids with you during the race, that's your choice, but remember that liquids are extra weight. Races usually provide numerous<b> aid stations </b>with wonderful volunteers that hand out little cups of water and/or fluid replacement drinks (e.g. Powerade). I cannot drink out of a cup while running, so I usually walk for a couple seconds after grabbing one and toss back as much liquid as possible. More often that not, I get the drink all over my face and shirt, but that's part of the experience - no time to worry about neatness when there's a race to run!<b><br />
</b><br />
The interminable question:<b> <span style="font-size: large;">What should I wear?</span></b><br />
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Well, your perfect race outfit is pretty much a function of the weather and your personal preferences. It's safe to estimate that, while running, your body will perceive an air temperature that is <b>20F higher</b> than the actual climate. So, if it's 55F or warmer outside, you definitely don't need more than <b>shorts and a tank or tee</b>. As the outdoor temp becomes incrementally colder, add the proportional <b>length and layers</b> to your gear.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIjYlXBqoWJ1Wy-KCR7AhmRQCsfJhvOOfo3lDtlG2rHDLhN0w7DrnnbFqtzMD9QymZnixdYwv6uyX5txmRjbpD0_Zo2jUQvaxbrO8OboiLulo0AdvO2WYh9kayppFvPhXIx_Yonra6-ix/s1600-h/Blog+020410+092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIjYlXBqoWJ1Wy-KCR7AhmRQCsfJhvOOfo3lDtlG2rHDLhN0w7DrnnbFqtzMD9QymZnixdYwv6uyX5txmRjbpD0_Zo2jUQvaxbrO8OboiLulo0AdvO2WYh9kayppFvPhXIx_Yonra6-ix/s400/Blog+020410+092.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8rd6owRJmSj8ZDE4mnIG2IEcEjIdNw5gq6Qy5fqkosqjIs6_TKVWy_epHkaouL88px5ZCwo13pkuKarVUS3wVSGf_tLi7P_6fbcBcM6gosYGFwRQkmyiM4lm0fu4jeNncluxxgsO6Aezg/s1600-h/Blog+020410+091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8rd6owRJmSj8ZDE4mnIG2IEcEjIdNw5gq6Qy5fqkosqjIs6_TKVWy_epHkaouL88px5ZCwo13pkuKarVUS3wVSGf_tLi7P_6fbcBcM6gosYGFwRQkmyiM4lm0fu4jeNncluxxgsO6Aezg/s400/Blog+020410+091.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Remember, your race may start in the freezing, wee hours of the morning, but it might be closer to noon when you finish - the temperature can change drastically as the sun rises in the sky. I tend to dress for the warmer temperature and just suck it up for the first few miles - but that's because I'd much rather be too cold than too hot while running. If you're worried about <b>mid-race temperature changes</b>, wear a layer on top that you can remove as needed, and either tie around your waist or discard on the side of the course. No, you won't get that shirt back, so it better not be your favorite DriFit zip-up.<br />
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Races (well-organized races, that is) usually have a <b>bag check</b> at the start. You can wear <b>sweats</b> to the starting line, then drop them into a baggie with your bib number on it and stow them until you cross the finish. I also suggest bringing a pair of<b> flip-flops </b>(mine have amazing arch support) if you plan on hanging out at the finish for a while after you're done. Feet swell after that many miles.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>What else should I bring? </b></span><br />
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<b>As few valuables as possible</b>. Keep a credit card and ID on your personage (stash pocket). Your car key, too, if applicable. Your cell is probably too heavy to carry (unless you have a sweet running belt), so bag check it at your own risk (or keep it locked safely in a car). <br />
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Check the race's website for rules about wearing your iPod - some races prohibit the use of <b>headphones </b>for safety purposes. If you do wear music, keep the volume no higher than "medium." You need to be able to hear all instructions called to you by race officials and warnings called by other runners (e.g. "On your left!"), as well as to avoid any possible hazards coming your way (some courses may not be closed to vehicle traffic).<br />
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If the forecast calls for rain, <b>plastic-baggie your electronics</b>. I like to wear a <b>hat with a visor</b> and just any moisture-wicking long-sleeve shirt when I run in the rain, but there are other water-repellent options for runners - think about what foul weather gear works for you.<b><br />
</b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>What's a good race morning schedule?</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yep, you need to wake up<b> ridiculously early</b> on the morning of your race. I like to wake up an hour and a half before I need to leave for the starting line. That way, I have time to wake up, dress, and eat <span style="font-size: small;">without feeling rushed. Larger races often involve complicated parking/shuttling procedures, so make sure you take that timing into account. It's advisable to <b>arrive at the starting line between a half-hour and an hour before your race starts</b> to give you the opportunity to explore the lay of the land (find your pace group, if applicable, and scope out meeting spots with your race buddies), check your bag, and use the portajohns (there will be a line). Listen carefully for <b>announcements </b>from the race officials - you will probably move into starting position five to ten minutes before actual start.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I'm nervous about waking up so early... What if I can't sleep the night before?</b></span><br />
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Don't worry. It's more important that you are getting full nights' rest the <i>week before</i> your race. You'll have enough adrenaline on race morning to keep you going. <br />
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<a href="http://zedomax.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/bomb-alarm-clock-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://zedomax.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/bomb-alarm-clock-2.jpg" width="200" /></a>Try to <b>get to bed extra early</b>. Before hitting the hay, set at least <b>two alarms</b>, five or so minutes apart. That way, you can rest easy knowing you won't accidentally sleep through your wakeup call. Lay out your race outfit with all the <b>bells and whistles</b> attached - pin your race bib onto your shirt (make sure you try it on so it's properly positioned), and strap your timing chip to your shoe (it goes on the laces near the toe, not near the bow). Charge your iPod. Pack your supplements, water bottles, and bag check bag. Now, all you need to do the next morning is dress, chow down, and <b>make it out the door</b> on schedule.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>What happens at the starting line?</b></span><br />
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As I mentioned, there will be an enormous line at the <b>job johnnies</b> at the start, and you should definitely join it. Perhaps I emphasize these issues too much here, but needing to use the restroom while running is one of the most uncomfortable situations <i>ever</i>. Just saying.<br />
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Then, you should <b>line up</b> at the start in an order approximately corresponding to your projected race pace. Unless you can run a 6 min/mi half-marathon split, do not stand in the front of the crowd - you will be in the way and likely get trampled. Similarly, if you keep around an 8-min pace, don't start all the way at the back - you will be held up for the first several miles by the slower runners in front of you. <br />
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For we mortals in the middle of the pack, there is basically no way that we will cross the starting line at full stride. There's usually quite a bottle-neck effect for the first several hundred yards, and you'll probably be jogging at best, but, hopefully, the amorphous blob of runners will thin out quickly. <br />
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Remember, your official time doesn't start until your timing chip crosses the starting line. If you have to wait a minute or two to move up, don't fear, just relax and get pumped as you amble towards the gate. That's the beauty of electronic chip timing!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Any other tips? </span>You betcha!</b><br />
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<b>Set a race goal!</b><br />
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Before your race, consider <b>what you want to accomplish</b> during those miles. Your race goal could be <b>a particular finish time</b> (although it totally doesn't have to be). Given my spotty training performance this go-round, I'm not trying to break my half-marathon PR of 1:51 - but I'd really like to finish in under two hours (that means a ~9min average split). A perfectly admirable goal is to <b>finish the race strongly</b>! If that means incorporating a few walk breaks, so be it! Another good goal would be to actually <b>run the entire distance</b>, regardless of pace. Alternately, your goal could be <b>sticking to your race plan</b>. Which reminds me...<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Make a race plan!</b><br />
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A race plan is a blueprint for how you want the race to go. For instance, you might have particular <b>split times</b> that you want to keep for each mile of the race. You definitely want to concentrate on <b>starting out easy</b> - you can always speed up, but you don't want to crash after the first couple miles! For sure, plan ahead of time when you will take your gels/supplements.<br />
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Again, this is a point of personal preference, but, after keeping my <b>strong and steady</b> pace for the first 3/4 of a race, I like to go all-out (balls to the wall? Do people even say that anymore?) for the last quarter, completely draining my tank by the time I cross the finish. For this weekend's half marathon, that means my race plan includes a<b> tempo increase</b> at mile 10! And, legs willing, I will <b>sprint it out </b>down the chute to the finish line!<br />
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<b>Mind over matter!</b><br />
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Racing is as much about<b> mental endurance</b> as physical.<br />
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Let's be honest, two hours in your own head can be a bore-fest. Instead, <b>make each mile different</b>, make each mile a new game - think, for this mile, I'll try to read as many other runners' shirts as possible; for this mile, I'll count how many footsteps I take; for this mile, I'll try to remember all the words to "I Will Survive;" etc, etc.<br />
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If you find yourself mentally struggling, even thinking about quitting, remind yourself that you've followed your training plan, so <b>your body can definitely handle the distance</b>! Rather than focusing on how much your legs hurt or how hard it feels to breathe, think about trying to keep your spine nice and straight, or your core engaged, or your arms pumping. <br />
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And, at every mile marker, congratulate yourself! (If you have a race buddy, high-five at every mile!) You are really running this race! You are doing something amazing, something that most people couldn't even fathom attempting! It's what you've been training so hard for! <b>You are an awesome, strong, kick-ass runner!</b> The race will be over before you know it.<br />
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And then I bet you'll be jonesing for your next one :) <br />
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<b>Today's question: <span style="font-size: large;">What's your race goal or race plan?</span> How do you usually prepare for a race weekend?</b>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04116625638382094114noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1102986773580522276.post-15267496416893949572010-01-30T22:38:00.000-08:002010-01-31T14:56:38.084-08:00Pack MentalityGreetings, blog folk! <br />
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On a whim, I decided to start today's post with a non-running, non-food, blog-atypical (but certainly not Laura-atypical) digression. <br />
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Jon Stewart (whose show incidentally airs at 8:00pm West Coast time in HD but 11:00pm in regular-D - so weird), interviewed journalist <b>Ethan Watters</b> last week who was promoting his new book, <b><u>Crazy Like Us: The Globalization of the American Psyche</u></b>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.quickblogcast.com/3/3/7/0/1/220943-210733/CrazyNewCOVERART.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/3/3/7/0/1/220943-210733/CrazyNewCOVERART.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://blog.crazylikeus.com/">Crazy Like Us</a> has a blog, too...</span></div><br />
Watters argues that America "exports" its concepts of mental health and mental illness to other cultures in order to sell psychopharmaceuticals (Prozac, Ritalin, Clozapine) to wider markets. These cultures traditionally view what we call "disordered" manifestations of psychological experience as being on a tail of the "normal" spectrum of behavior. In his interview, Watters gave the example that traditional Japanese culture believes that deep sadness is a spiritual state, rather than a pathology like depression. But, especially as the economy fumbles, drug companies are wielding increasing global influence as they expose the world to our framework for mental illness, thereby practically <i>spreading</i> disease. <br />
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For me, this interview raised a few red flags, not because I don't "believe" in the phenomenon he describes, but because of the way he frames it.<br />
<ol><li>To be a little bit picky, <b>I kind of object to the use of the term "psyche,"</b> which is as <i>anachronistic and unscientific</i> as a frontal lobotomy, and automatically discredits the author and editors in my view. Yes, he's a journalist, not a psychiatrist, and wants a catchy title, but, if he's done thorough research, he should know better. </li>
<li><b>The spread of cultural concepts of mental health is nothing new.</b> Mental illness as we recognize it <i>did not exist</i> in America until about a century and a half ago, not because people weren't depressed, psychotic, or anxious, but because we didn't have the <i>terminology</i> to describe clusters of symptoms holistically. Moreover, nobody is shocked by "awareness" movements to promote support for different developmental and psychiatric illnesses, nor do they worry about the dramatic increases in diagnosis that correlate with these movements. Without proper resources and attention, mental illness can go underdiagnosed and untreated. And, yes, the pharmaceutical industry profits when there are more patients to treat. Is it ethically more reprehensible that this same pattern is unfolding overseas?</li>
<li><b>How is "spreading mental illness for profit" any different than spreading any other kind of cultural value for profit?</b> That's what underlies all of marketing. People will pay a lot of money for <i>stuff </i>that has a very low intrinsic value, but a high cultural value - Google "commodity fetishism." Is the difference that it's causing people to put substances into their bodies that can alter their chemistry or impact their health? What about the mass globalization of fast food - certainly consuming unprecedented levels of fat, cholesterol, and preservatives can alter body chemistry and impact health.</li>
</ol>When the book arrives at the local public library, I'll be the first at the circulation desk, but I'll definitely approach it with skepticism (sorry, Mr. Watters). <i> </i><br />
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<i>Thoughts? Opinions? Insight? What books have you read/heard about recently that made you stop and think?</i> <br />
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<b>Mail call! </b>My week was unusually eventful in the mailbox department.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYF41dhBS_BASwQnQ22tXtXWTsBW_iOhHs-b3kEbFWRn9yTMjyzdRXqbtzgXOL3r1KPQFtdgH3Rwqs_rJ54PdGluygIK1tn03vFjvASo5yfgBC7IV-2uJvG15521S3JJjrIcydTFoWZ_d6/s1600-h/Blog+012910+082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYF41dhBS_BASwQnQ22tXtXWTsBW_iOhHs-b3kEbFWRn9yTMjyzdRXqbtzgXOL3r1KPQFtdgH3Rwqs_rJ54PdGluygIK1tn03vFjvASo5yfgBC7IV-2uJvG15521S3JJjrIcydTFoWZ_d6/s400/Blog+012910+082.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Correspondence of interest includes:<br />
<ul><li>Member periodicals from the <b>American Psychological Association.</b></li>
<li><b>Bicycling Magazine</b>! I have been sporadically receiving unsolicited issues since purchasing my bicycle six months ago... I'm particularly excited to read the articles for <i>beginners</i> and <i>cyclists on a budget</i>.</li>
<li><b>Bills</b>. Which are less exciting.</li>
<li><b>Tax forms</b>. Again, meh.</li>
<li>And, in a perfect little box, <b>theraputic ice packs</b> from my wonderful other half!!</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh655OJss2ujPDqSpqESjlF9NtJbebePGIqp-EXddtv03K9_6ySlgIS4xtDThyphenhyphenQ9vybvsseurKMJ5AI3W308D6AQqhrufVQ7zp517JBDShCjQOdVH2v0pltCHWY5U6cRj-EbLheL4eIiEZq/s1600-h/Blog+012910+051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh655OJss2ujPDqSpqESjlF9NtJbebePGIqp-EXddtv03K9_6ySlgIS4xtDThyphenhyphenQ9vybvsseurKMJ5AI3W308D6AQqhrufVQ7zp517JBDShCjQOdVH2v0pltCHWY5U6cRj-EbLheL4eIiEZq/s400/Blog+012910+051.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">After his move to school last fall, these were just laying in the basement of my Boyfriend's parents' house. So, his mom graciously packed them up and shipped them my way!</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24k8JZS2P1Up_F36-AoGtjocyTnwHw2pDEgugiH-Oax8Po0vgnfOmxpYtP0vLBnkpAibTkY2IqxVcZH5STykC5mdZWSf6NAB_00D9t90jdDE31A4ZVWniWQqYNk4Fl4HmvTCxveDtDqaw/s1600-h/Blog+012910+052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24k8JZS2P1Up_F36-AoGtjocyTnwHw2pDEgugiH-Oax8Po0vgnfOmxpYtP0vLBnkpAibTkY2IqxVcZH5STykC5mdZWSf6NAB_00D9t90jdDE31A4ZVWniWQqYNk4Fl4HmvTCxveDtDqaw/s400/Blog+012910+052.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I love these ice packs and used them religiously in DC while treating patellar tendonitis. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzIPeMXmxTpGLlLPYw9yQ84TTThTZ3X1s-vB3qsx6mwd2656Oe4VkD_1jcJCOsMEjF8twx0O_bzKceW-Zo-HEu9LqoCMCJiHqS_uEboyRhEvCmq2nLLK7aRwZdSWUp7-ImsYdw0MpBfZe/s1600-h/Blog+012910+086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_uIkwmRhIaYoXLv1RgMvaBSXSBY9DWmddfoWOR9o1ez5QRyaxY6mL8Oqc8aOpb2SgLSaT5_WMdyTBM_fUY5mz4qd6T12UJgTxetE7Jeloq52PnnMmWADl4bKYQoEIn6xF-jJdmMmoj5g/s1600-h/Blog+012910+089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_uIkwmRhIaYoXLv1RgMvaBSXSBY9DWmddfoWOR9o1ez5QRyaxY6mL8Oqc8aOpb2SgLSaT5_WMdyTBM_fUY5mz4qd6T12UJgTxetE7Jeloq52PnnMmWADl4bKYQoEIn6xF-jJdmMmoj5g/s400/Blog+012910+089.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">They stay super cold forever, and, although they're actually designed to fit an ankle, I found that, pulled up higher, they cradle my knees nicely.</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></div><br />
Although I still ice after every run (and most evenings), I'm very pleased to announce that <b>my knee is feeling <i>much</i> better</b>, even after a fairly rigorous training week!<br />
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Since my last few solo long runs went less than according to plan, I was hoping that bringing along a <b>running buddy</b> would help me finish the next one <b>strongly</b>. On Sunday, <b>Renata</b> and I headed out into the gloom and mist for an <b>11-miler</b>. Because of the rain, I decided not to risk bringing along my camera. We started the route with some trepidation; if we completed the entire distance, it would be the longest either she or I had successfully run in <i>months</i>!<br />
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We wove our way down bike trails to the <b>Arboretum</b>, which sports a mostly-paved, rolling path through lush greenery and stately trees along a winding creek. As we rounded the lake at the farthest point of the trail, we came upon some very creative facilities...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa48/bcsmith46/Tree-Of-Life.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa48/bcsmith46/Tree-Of-Life.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Of course, we had to take a pit stop at such a fun structure. (Photo courtesy of the interwebs.)</span></div><br />
At some point, we made a wrong turn while exiting the Arboretum, and, although we eventually found our way back to the route, we had accidentally added a quarter of a mile to our distance! We strided it out towards the "finish line," a stop sign two blocks from my apartment, proud of ourselves for our 11.25 miles at an 9:11/mi average split and feeling <b>much more optimistic</b> about the <a href="http://www.changeofpace.com/davis_stampede.html">upcoming half-marathon</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_Rv0Wcl7_HAfkrv6Vcn5zlAyLxWBGNaEfJua5Eetl-zlnB4bfbUvFkzE_MZeb3M1Mo82zwAyD59NkBcnZxSqjtN57r7fpH9bPlgY_E2B8WZkilosRRRhpxtt7yFsFGqrtuII-i_URMKk/s1600-h/Blog+012410+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_Rv0Wcl7_HAfkrv6Vcn5zlAyLxWBGNaEfJua5Eetl-zlnB4bfbUvFkzE_MZeb3M1Mo82zwAyD59NkBcnZxSqjtN57r7fpH9bPlgY_E2B8WZkilosRRRhpxtt7yFsFGqrtuII-i_URMKk/s400/Blog+012410+009.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Renata and I collapsed - ahem - <i>stretching</i> on the carpet post-11-miler.</span></div><br />
Monday was a cross-training day, which meant <b>yoga OnDemand</b>!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvEt-sNkK-UXqUV4bLw5oOjNU-rC5mp21k_bP9azx3bzJVj-fNhnaJJcWCs5JYzdlm5DgAP7B1zLXmxMcdah8ogF10uvabOCgq1MLjCgRlk0MKZIbbhVrHdZ8oLs1s_JhB5zpn2FOGEHX/s1600-h/Blog+012910+036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvEt-sNkK-UXqUV4bLw5oOjNU-rC5mp21k_bP9azx3bzJVj-fNhnaJJcWCs5JYzdlm5DgAP7B1zLXmxMcdah8ogF10uvabOCgq1MLjCgRlk0MKZIbbhVrHdZ8oLs1s_JhB5zpn2FOGEHX/s400/Blog+012910+036.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mountain pose.</span></div><br />
I picked a 45-minute <b>"yoga fitness fusion"</b> video that combined traditional yoga poses with body-weight strength moves. In my experience, the level of rigor of exercise OD videos is highly variable. To my surprise and delight, this one was <i>hard</i>!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRdWKg9pvV2u0FIGZhJACmdBgWzRmLMPTm2DsA3PWS1gnyNC8YwtVY2sWrljJ_DzqOp4qq4KLOWZSEI4dOrVmJ469L_N0JiSx4l7gZs3jOuxwb1ACUXg_jOLjBHUgWcvF0j7OvxjMdlcW/s1600-h/Blog+012910+083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRdWKg9pvV2u0FIGZhJACmdBgWzRmLMPTm2DsA3PWS1gnyNC8YwtVY2sWrljJ_DzqOp4qq4KLOWZSEI4dOrVmJ469L_N0JiSx4l7gZs3jOuxwb1ACUXg_jOLjBHUgWcvF0j7OvxjMdlcW/s400/Blog+012910+083.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">For the next two days, my abs were pretty sore, but I <i>really </i>felt the burn in my glutes! </span></div><br />
Tuesday, I mapped a<b> new 3 mile route</b> in the neighborhood, which provided some change of scenery. I ran it at around an 8min split.<br />
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Wednesday was a rest day. Thursday, I meant to do a tempo run, but didn't get out the door early enough, so I did the 25-minute<b> "less is more" yoga OD</b> video, which I liked as much the second time as I did when I tried it a few weeks ago. I could really feel my abs the next day!<br />
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Friday morning, I knew I had to hit that <b>tempo run</b> or I wouldn't have enough days left to complete all of my training runs this week. My goal was to run <b>4 miles at a 7:30 average split</b>, something I had never done before, and hopefully to keep that pace steady across the entire run. Because it was dry outside, I strapped my camera to my wrist, laced up my sneaks, and blasted out the door! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGZLhJnOOaYPqZaquVXjCC7LB2VaTBMASCmuO4lS4RNsDx_ATbbdyYkQQLm_j1BMSNp4SeiuZAIvJsHc8WgrtotV-8dIfJRRUYUcTbobEzDChuPQmuLfcMxKHiRKSo75A0JhaPvNPOUh5/s1600-h/Blog+012910+043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGZLhJnOOaYPqZaquVXjCC7LB2VaTBMASCmuO4lS4RNsDx_ATbbdyYkQQLm_j1BMSNp4SeiuZAIvJsHc8WgrtotV-8dIfJRRUYUcTbobEzDChuPQmuLfcMxKHiRKSo75A0JhaPvNPOUh5/s400/Blog+012910+043.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I tried to take some mid-run photos... they're not quite in focus :) </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDEcDlD1a7_-1Tyq7i4Bqtt06dGkBjEkNcgXkYMCgnbXLMPcDr4hRthBt97lTISo4Uchoh9WSBapSYdM6YilkswhkEcij9JWVNWhaA9P-Ua_kaBqL6wBqiRyt2m2HGuaskY2u_tHfdFcX6/s1600-h/Blog+012910+042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDEcDlD1a7_-1Tyq7i4Bqtt06dGkBjEkNcgXkYMCgnbXLMPcDr4hRthBt97lTISo4Uchoh9WSBapSYdM6YilkswhkEcij9JWVNWhaA9P-Ua_kaBqL6wBqiRyt2m2HGuaskY2u_tHfdFcX6/s400/Blog+012910+042.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This bike tunnel is right behind my apartment and basically convinced me to move there.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQ5XUM_XqZvHZEiJwzrqp9vLlRhepePjxPEpHhmgFs44s5cJSzuE5KporOUei6JWjFYesde3aKOLo7Pb_MbqMzlS1ljh5kKJAIG_632T9h7eABOveg6QoemNtBy0zLSMK1K1Hbu8ugGpZ/s1600-h/Blog+012910+046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQ5XUM_XqZvHZEiJwzrqp9vLlRhepePjxPEpHhmgFs44s5cJSzuE5KporOUei6JWjFYesde3aKOLo7Pb_MbqMzlS1ljh5kKJAIG_632T9h7eABOveg6QoemNtBy0zLSMK1K1Hbu8ugGpZ/s400/Blog+012910+046.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A bunch of fluffers out for a morning sniff!</span></div><br />
Well, I hit the halfway mark in less than 14 minutes, meaning I had run two miles at a sub 7-minute pace. I had never <i>ever</i> run that distance at that speed before. So, I was sort of impressed by this feat, but also knew that there was <i>no </i>way I could keep up the pace for another two miles. My <b>steady<i> </i></b>pace plan out the window, I finished the four miles in 29:27, a 7:21/mi average split! Still pretty good, but next time I'll be more conscious about starting at a maintainable pace - <b>no more mid-run burnout</b>!<br />
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Saturday, I worked through the afternoon, and arrived home with only an hour of daylight in which to fit my <b>"easy" 3-miler</b>. So, I bounced right out there with my trusty Cannon PowerShot to begin what quickly became a <b>"Sunset Appreciation</b> <b>3-Miler!"</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYKFBwLniRnwJoaZKFJgiuct8lG09HDzmuECze1lH9aHiAT9AvOd8fPgqVw1H0Fgn2CwwUuQVmP6LC9c7C2UcG2gwUpTIDc1XSgoOgqkW4oRgzrvxyqGAHWX70cT51XC9nkKYt0lsAR9i-/s1600-h/Blog+013010+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYKFBwLniRnwJoaZKFJgiuct8lG09HDzmuECze1lH9aHiAT9AvOd8fPgqVw1H0Fgn2CwwUuQVmP6LC9c7C2UcG2gwUpTIDc1XSgoOgqkW4oRgzrvxyqGAHWX70cT51XC9nkKYt0lsAR9i-/s640/Blog+013010+002.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3dryjnf7e_nf8bmrYkCHXhYaFUtoQb1UxSsXGhGVDpRVah8w3caAGOeUnz3txImTvVT1UCA78-9fPKmMMV9eerJJ0FwfaLfHClcYW4iDgjzjBkKcgtDeAoUgq5vgoODTJvKqcHYQjMmk/s1600-h/Blog+013010+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3dryjnf7e_nf8bmrYkCHXhYaFUtoQb1UxSsXGhGVDpRVah8w3caAGOeUnz3txImTvVT1UCA78-9fPKmMMV9eerJJ0FwfaLfHClcYW4iDgjzjBkKcgtDeAoUgq5vgoODTJvKqcHYQjMmk/s640/Blog+013010+003.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWR1xtUgofENjzQRzql3IPJ_WiHsqcsAejz1qD1GwFm36-J3aNhiR_kBiYspuRUG-7_RNFa-ldB_cDq1T3vhT2_RdqJQFnexZCZFR0YxRV0zNOL7fFfV3Qv0rgHc-zPoQlY2ooBsH_JMx/s1600-h/Blog+013010+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWR1xtUgofENjzQRzql3IPJ_WiHsqcsAejz1qD1GwFm36-J3aNhiR_kBiYspuRUG-7_RNFa-ldB_cDq1T3vhT2_RdqJQFnexZCZFR0YxRV0zNOL7fFfV3Qv0rgHc-zPoQlY2ooBsH_JMx/s640/Blog+013010+005.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZB3OOlGT9t5KhGenG-2fusQ9RXpbb7BvYK6Vbo19o7WNLTm1fRO4QWRYZARgOwFQ2UjtgLL1UVfoHuPXBMWQoRYdoamfqIr2_UHrFsDV-69loS0mCbufA6dFyTlmxKr8FUX93RCZC0qAX/s1600-h/Blog+013010+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZB3OOlGT9t5KhGenG-2fusQ9RXpbb7BvYK6Vbo19o7WNLTm1fRO4QWRYZARgOwFQ2UjtgLL1UVfoHuPXBMWQoRYdoamfqIr2_UHrFsDV-69loS0mCbufA6dFyTlmxKr8FUX93RCZC0qAX/s640/Blog+013010+010.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The run was very relaxing, the sky simply ridiculous, and, including photo op stops, I finished the route in around 27:30. <br />
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Last weekend, I cooked up a batch of <b>7-grain hot cereal </b>and stored it for pre-run fueling. Before my Thursday and Saturday workouts, I mixed it up with <b>naners, brown sugar, walnuts, cinnamon, </b>and a splash of <b>skim milk</b>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNP-2OL_tq8Ufk8spImXnVZhATRO3B_zqA3y0rmJm0tD6Zq6EvGkqVYXs_PFWZPivcPCCbtE4d5g8wmehMsiknGJ8mctuCE_zu3YCp31sjr7TLsVf9aYurpSqIvnf8Gy1mZhDQuhIpisGF/s1600-h/Blog+012910+039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNP-2OL_tq8Ufk8spImXnVZhATRO3B_zqA3y0rmJm0tD6Zq6EvGkqVYXs_PFWZPivcPCCbtE4d5g8wmehMsiknGJ8mctuCE_zu3YCp31sjr7TLsVf9aYurpSqIvnf8Gy1mZhDQuhIpisGF/s400/Blog+012910+039.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Other mornings, I crafted some <b>English muffin </b>masterpieces: <b>Baneeners </b>and a sprinkle of <b>brown sugar</b>, popped in the toaster oven until carmelized!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMEZ5NevcwMdSbbwenCwhWHEhTpiIS-qAR5apd9QEMvri7tm_oynXkLvIyThjssnh5jT4qy4qsxbI4U_8ME8FTO7jAc2DETFj2WDp6ju_j679y2ljGXODU3Bk6S4ZUw1UKVHpZl_iGaES/s1600-h/Blog+012910+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMEZ5NevcwMdSbbwenCwhWHEhTpiIS-qAR5apd9QEMvri7tm_oynXkLvIyThjssnh5jT4qy4qsxbI4U_8ME8FTO7jAc2DETFj2WDp6ju_j679y2ljGXODU3Bk6S4ZUw1UKVHpZl_iGaES/s400/Blog+012910+011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
On cross-train or rest days, as well as after my runs, I stuck with my standard <b>egg whites</b><i>, </i>and of course <b>vanilla nut coffee </b>every day.<br />
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This past week was definitely <b>"pork week"</b> in my kitchen, since lunch and dinners were both pork dishes! Yes, extra value packs of pork sirloin were on supersale at Safeway.<br />
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Lunches this week were <i>awesome</i>! <b>Thai curry pork stir fry with brown rice, green beans, and Chinese eggplant</b>!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVoLZyHzOBEz_t980glQ100cm-SytAz85NCVDub1gTNAypwJKNh8maA4XIv7IqAm35s4XWyulNJnLbSjL7sC7iB-hiLZZVFF9Rr1lAP6Csi3q57qcYpqElRjOQyHz8sZ3a8dUEai7154Kl/s1600-h/Blog+012510+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVoLZyHzOBEz_t980glQ100cm-SytAz85NCVDub1gTNAypwJKNh8maA4XIv7IqAm35s4XWyulNJnLbSjL7sC7iB-hiLZZVFF9Rr1lAP6Csi3q57qcYpqElRjOQyHz8sZ3a8dUEai7154Kl/s400/Blog+012510+016.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<ul><li>1 bottle Thai curry simmer sauce</li>
<li>3/4 lb. pork sirloin, cubed</li>
<li>1 Chinese eggplant, cubed</li>
<li>Big handful of green beans!</li>
<li>1.5 cups brown rice, pre-cooked</li>
</ul><br />
In large skillet, bring sauce to a boil. Add pork, cook ~5 minutes or until half-done. Add vegetables, simmer ~10 minutes until pork is cooked through. Serve over rice. Enjoy! <i>Makes 3 servings.</i><br />
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I made one batch with <b>green curry</b> simmer sauce, and another with <b>red curry</b> so I could alternate my lunches! <br />
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Dinners were <b>smoky tomato pork loin with brown rice and roasted veggies</b>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZSCHojW3Dgi3T5bMurbTGDOfW5mJD33BxKzmKJECukQ5YrBDLse03PI0W44J5Nq0pMRAH-RuZA7EalZrHUH3s7aOEVhCfUSiMojbddX1MgUEA-reAIlfoeNfmBja0TH67-PCNU7P0ghx/s1600-h/Blog+012710+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZSCHojW3Dgi3T5bMurbTGDOfW5mJD33BxKzmKJECukQ5YrBDLse03PI0W44J5Nq0pMRAH-RuZA7EalZrHUH3s7aOEVhCfUSiMojbddX1MgUEA-reAIlfoeNfmBja0TH67-PCNU7P0ghx/s400/Blog+012710+011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><blockquote><blockquote><blockquote><u>Smoky Tomato Pork Loin</u> <br />
<ul><li>2 lb pork sirloin steaks</li>
<li>2 tbsp olive oil </li>
<li>2 8-oz. cans tomato sauce</li>
<li>1 16-oz. can diced fire roasted tomatoes</li>
<li>2 garlic cloves, minced </li>
<li>1 tbsp dried oregano</li>
<li>1 tbsp cumin</li>
<li>1 tbsp sugar </li>
<li>Salt and pepper</li>
<li>Pre-cooked brown rice </li>
</ul>In a large pot, over hot olive oil, brown pork on both sides, set aside. In same pot, briefly sautee garlic, oregano, and cumin. Add tomatoes, sugar, S & P, bring to a boil. Reduce heat, add pork, covering completely in sauce, and simmer ~35 minutes or until cooked to desired doneness. Remove pork, bring sauce back to boil, and reduce by half. Pour sauce over rice and pork. Enjoy! <i>Makes 6 servings</i>.</blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc54gMvPYgFjF_xTFOZIunGkA9ptn3Jt7yxUBRzKQDW3Q5US-rITUm49u3_kw-hjG7SWojMU4jXYSGxH2kRJzJTWFz6u_3JllZGOV0IIMzHhQOsjBRaqZGqkHn7LSUkTppUd6dEfBb7QlM/s1600-h/Blog+012510+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc54gMvPYgFjF_xTFOZIunGkA9ptn3Jt7yxUBRzKQDW3Q5US-rITUm49u3_kw-hjG7SWojMU4jXYSGxH2kRJzJTWFz6u_3JllZGOV0IIMzHhQOsjBRaqZGqkHn7LSUkTppUd6dEfBb7QlM/s400/Blog+012510+006.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<u>Roasted Veggies</u> <br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li>A ton of vegetables (here, Brussels sprouts, carrots, and crimini mushrooms)</li>
<li>2 tbsp EVOO</li>
<li>Lots of freshly ground pepper</li>
<li>Sprinkle of kosher salt</li>
</ul>Toss veggies with oil and seasonings, coating well. Roast at 400F for ~40 minutes until browned evenly on the outsides, stirring every ~15 minutes. These are soooo tasty! Enjoy! <i>Pictured, 6 servings.</i><br />
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For desserts this week, I had <b>nonfat yogurts, frozen</b> for about an hour until solid on the outside and creamy on the inside. Realllly tasty treat!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQdB46BeDGZHf4D2ylQ2grBlEPqA2WS2AnPS_rpUqlWf9qVx2Rmm3B6gzVKdUqC1mEMtIbKOxEZrGSZ6alIz7uEyivCrVslt76UyZSSGmv0BWHh8SarkDlU5fFHuPLcSWE3pT0K7gtiM0/s1600-h/Blog+012910+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQdB46BeDGZHf4D2ylQ2grBlEPqA2WS2AnPS_rpUqlWf9qVx2Rmm3B6gzVKdUqC1mEMtIbKOxEZrGSZ6alIz7uEyivCrVslt76UyZSSGmv0BWHh8SarkDlU5fFHuPLcSWE3pT0K7gtiM0/s320/Blog+012910+018.jpg" width="314" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnUfi_VPZ_tl0UAe_yPK94YrxHJ3TF7sMFfEkjUt5KvtORm_EznFfWMhFz8kJjtLWK3ODqEKKPoSdslZCFiRVQcHzKYZ4bQalRiDU0hptOkdCaYT6quJZKtaUmPdfmCrYukHhvvcdyr4X/s1600-h/Blog+012910+023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnUfi_VPZ_tl0UAe_yPK94YrxHJ3TF7sMFfEkjUt5KvtORm_EznFfWMhFz8kJjtLWK3ODqEKKPoSdslZCFiRVQcHzKYZ4bQalRiDU0hptOkdCaYT6quJZKtaUmPdfmCrYukHhvvcdyr4X/s320/Blog+012910+023.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><br />
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</a></div>Starting with my not-so-steady tempo run, Friday continued to be quite the roller-coaster of a day. In the afternoon, I was exceedingly lucky to attend a dialogue-style presentation on emotion and behavior by none other than (in)famous psychologist <a href="http://www.paulekman.com/"><b>Paul Ekman</b></a>. Before the talk, there were free snacks, which, for me, included <b>three cookies<i>, </i>two strawberries, a few blueberries, </b>and <b>a bunch of grapes</b>. <i>Then</i>, I sat down for an intellectually exhilarating lunch with the speaker (and twenty other students - details). I helped myself to <b>yet another cookie, three potato chips, salad greens, </b>and a very small <b>apple, avocado, goat cheese, and cranberry chutney sandwich on thickly-sliced whole-grain bread</b>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLPmPhJGXNj_ADGhSI_iMhumWjVbcx1TtZyzYCJYX7yePw_yOQmbays7TrGjMWC6dncGscH_z8sAyspaE5zjk5cua7WQTmjjvo45n9OxtUAOJF1YT_3KKEXHxm2Z8nawp3Ib7CEoFY0LB/s1600-h/ekmanlunch.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLPmPhJGXNj_ADGhSI_iMhumWjVbcx1TtZyzYCJYX7yePw_yOQmbays7TrGjMWC6dncGscH_z8sAyspaE5zjk5cua7WQTmjjvo45n9OxtUAOJF1YT_3KKEXHxm2Z8nawp3Ib7CEoFY0LB/s400/ekmanlunch.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cell phone shot.</span></div><br />
That evening, grad school friend <b>Mark </b>hosted a <b>game night</b> at his apartment, which included Taboo, Pictionary Man, and "Celebrities." Much laughter and good times ensued.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjTIxPdgFu3HuS2c6gO630m338bksEEz_95-9tETZcjNcxOnGAvPe83OdtmReEL29m5gM1lJOq_yOEqtBx41sTfXr_svePtd6Jdd8-E-rxOZvFmh1SUTYV5Th1jDrVmZ7FSRmrCj2dFIj/s1600-h/Blog+012910+069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjTIxPdgFu3HuS2c6gO630m338bksEEz_95-9tETZcjNcxOnGAvPe83OdtmReEL29m5gM1lJOq_yOEqtBx41sTfXr_svePtd6Jdd8-E-rxOZvFmh1SUTYV5Th1jDrVmZ7FSRmrCj2dFIj/s400/Blog+012910+069.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mark "buzzing" Maria in Taboo. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabN_nwlpAS4I19-fZAP_d08_A96v36HCPJKXfykyJanSGMVBqN-0UtA3Bv936BPn6DahZDvd3Wf7DN-UCg3mE91GC_VSjpUHzUN4Z3mfAIRlHHMeuuuLjalYenhu5q6_O4_tMXxaiahpf/s1600-h/Blog+012910+081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabN_nwlpAS4I19-fZAP_d08_A96v36HCPJKXfykyJanSGMVBqN-0UtA3Bv936BPn6DahZDvd3Wf7DN-UCg3mE91GC_VSjpUHzUN4Z3mfAIRlHHMeuuuLjalYenhu5q6_O4_tMXxaiahpf/s400/Blog+012910+081.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Pictionary Man!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Edibles included</span></span> <b>tofu sushi pocket things</b>, <b>corn chips and salsa</b>, <i>amazing </i><b>veggie pizza on whole wheat crust</b>, and fabulous fudgy <b>homemade brownies</b>. I enjoyed several helpings of each of these.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnI22ghyBRFc6vIn8vuEta_BE0DJPa6FAqIo4FluinaNXQU7Rbaqv6ilQ_bwCYu61eTSFN_OxSo30Lw6x3JfFzs-VFOMy8d4v6XCSEUmOhlIwEmpbBWMM2wbsjGNcBNoRdBxJQ9ocGPgAd/s1600-h/Blog+012910+064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnI22ghyBRFc6vIn8vuEta_BE0DJPa6FAqIo4FluinaNXQU7Rbaqv6ilQ_bwCYu61eTSFN_OxSo30Lw6x3JfFzs-VFOMy8d4v6XCSEUmOhlIwEmpbBWMM2wbsjGNcBNoRdBxJQ9ocGPgAd/s320/Blog+012910+064.jpg" width="313" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUMQOZ0uvMbSk3mVqw-sJTJJNmoHZGinpbgR_YMxFvkrITCFDPTWmJc4QhRJk9-KeK7a_OdVaz0gCq6FtvBQKwJfaa5IjItEje2RKKvdIbujOmWflcqpTRuDd3oOrbAMoIMRctvmCaVTX/s1600-h/Blog+012910+054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUMQOZ0uvMbSk3mVqw-sJTJJNmoHZGinpbgR_YMxFvkrITCFDPTWmJc4QhRJk9-KeK7a_OdVaz0gCq6FtvBQKwJfaa5IjItEje2RKKvdIbujOmWflcqpTRuDd3oOrbAMoIMRctvmCaVTX/s320/Blog+012910+054.jpg" width="313" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSR-4tstN4TxQvoSgyzgiGxDR3awlPa4FNEa9cYhMjBzayvzagefYwfq-HIgZ5_oB6u8ISeiGcxjVj_wYzH9PMMmO5FQ2l0t2tb4Pn513f0vdfPVy49snbo5eaH3eAbVEeekCW6-DEhAU/s1600-h/Blog+012910+056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSR-4tstN4TxQvoSgyzgiGxDR3awlPa4FNEa9cYhMjBzayvzagefYwfq-HIgZ5_oB6u8ISeiGcxjVj_wYzH9PMMmO5FQ2l0t2tb4Pn513f0vdfPVy49snbo5eaH3eAbVEeekCW6-DEhAU/s320/Blog+012910+056.jpg" width="313" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIfTxdBdIXGcce47dq8blSssAY9k0lMZnYZTlcvyRv79QwJir04H6wqVU5Gf-ttdRczbQY7B-KxvLcZZ1b7itB8JnML4K5eWjBpJQ0MXKlQ3UrROkFtlaFrSqNrCKiJx3SfNjHbqPvjgv/s1600-h/Blog+012910+078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIfTxdBdIXGcce47dq8blSssAY9k0lMZnYZTlcvyRv79QwJir04H6wqVU5Gf-ttdRczbQY7B-KxvLcZZ1b7itB8JnML4K5eWjBpJQ0MXKlQ3UrROkFtlaFrSqNrCKiJx3SfNjHbqPvjgv/s320/Blog+012910+078.jpg" width="313" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also savored <b>two Pyramid Apricot Ales</b>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dxZlrxOQnBd51nBdU4o-58hojFrt49e8JOYj6_j0Ypqa0gGjz6lNLudvMXJjssTPH6u0A4OB2R4KLmcuHCknp9l1fuwbLgc868mpD3bRbAK5Rybm-zG6hLtRRvAIRgKgRZaSpV3SA9Fv/s1600-h/Blog+012910+065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dxZlrxOQnBd51nBdU4o-58hojFrt49e8JOYj6_j0Ypqa0gGjz6lNLudvMXJjssTPH6u0A4OB2R4KLmcuHCknp9l1fuwbLgc868mpD3bRbAK5Rybm-zG6hLtRRvAIRgKgRZaSpV3SA9Fv/s400/Blog+012910+065.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While hanging out with my cohort, a group of enormously diverse, generous, and dedicated graduate students, I was struck by the camaraderie in the air. In Pictionary Man, as well as in our academic pursuits, there's a real sense of, "<b>We're all in this together</b>." I started to think about how important it is to have other people by your side to undertake challenges with you. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Take running. Please! Kidding, kidding. But seriously, folks, one of the first things I learned about running is that a run is a lot easier, and a challenging goal a lot more attainable, when you have <b>running buddies</b>! As I've mentioned before, I never could have completed my first half-marathon without my "team," consisting of then-roommate <b>Sara</b>, then-coworker <b>Lauren</b>, and myself. They were there to motivate me when I felt like slacking, and they shared my excitement and anxieties about the challenge ahead. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When I moved cross-country, all by my lonesome in a brand new town, one of the first things I did was sign up with a <b>training group<i> </i></b>at my local running store. It was great to have people to talk with on my long runs, and, because we ran at a similar pace, I was able to forge friendships with two other members, <b>Kevin</b> and <b>Amanda. </b>Eventually, we began to meet up outside of the training group for weekday morning runs. It was really nice to feel part of a <b>running community </b>again.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Unfortunately, since school began (and the training group ended), I've fallen out of touch with these two runners. But, upon reflecting on the importance of the running community, I'm determined to reestablish these connections.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The newest and coolest additions to my running community are two of my cohort members! Both <b>Jin </b>and <b>Emily H</b> have been training to run their own first half-marathons - and we'll all be at the starting line a week from tomorrow!! I'm <i>so</i> thrilled for both of them, especially since, even before running this race, they're already talking about the next races they want to run! Way to go, guys, I am so impressed!</div><br />
I also greatly appreciate having found - finally! - a reliable, interesting, <b>strong and steady</b> <b>running buddy </b>in <b>Renata</b>, who is both my co-worker and Emily H's roommate. We've only been on two runs together, but we're already planning future routes! Not to get ahead of myself, but I think this might be the start of a beautiful relationship :)<br />
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In the buddy system of life, I'm partnered up with my Boyfriend - and we make a formidable team. In grad school, I have my cohort to cheer me on. But, in my sport of choice, I have something a little different -<b> I run with a</b> <b>pack</b>! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://howlingforjustice.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/large-wolf-pack2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="515" src="http://howlingforjustice.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/large-wolf-pack2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Wolves come in packs! My favorite is the black one at the bottom who is howling. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">And the grey one over his right shoulder who is like, "Yeesh, you howl really loud."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">On a side note, a Google Image search for "wolf pack" yielded almost as many pictures of Taylor Lautner as it did actual wolves. <i>Shudder</i>.</span></div><br />
Runners definitely have a <b>pack mentality</b>, and this is never clearer than during a race! There's a natural order that arises from the chaos of the starting gate - in no time, you're in sync with the runners around you, a dynamic system working towards a unified goal. You find yourself part of a living river, legs and breath rhythmic, flowing down the racecourse. Yes, it's a competition as well, but the communal energy during a race is truly palpable.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.savethetrail.org/images/trailweb10K-500x500-0059_000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.savethetrail.org/images/trailweb10K-500x500-0059_000.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">My frst race: The 2009 No Rail on the Trail 10K. Lower right corner, elbow with pink and purple sleeve = <b>me</b>!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs061.snc3/12847_183463033515_85270998515_2820712_6359724_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs061.snc3/12847_183463033515_85270998515_2820712_6359724_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Starting line of the 2009 Davis Turkey Trot 10k</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pittsburghmarathon.com/Assets/Pittsburgh+Marathon+Digital+Assets/PittsburghMarathonNew/slideshow/02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://www.pittsburghmarathon.com/Assets/Pittsburgh+Marathon+Digital+Assets/PittsburghMarathonNew/slideshow/02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The 2009 Pittsburgh Half-Marathon - a sea of runners.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Thinking about what it felt like to run in a pack of hundreds or thousands of fellow runners in these races makes me wiggle with excitement for next weekend's half-marathon! No matter how hard it has been to train, or how long 13.1 miles may seem, I'll be able to <b>go with the flow </b>and enjoy the run when my community, <b>my pack</b>, runs with me!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">On the docket for the coming week:<br />
<ul><li>Sunday, a 12-miler with <b>new packmate Renata</b>.</li>
<li><b>Taper week!</b> Two three-mile easy runs only.</li>
<li><b>Yoga</b>, most definitely.</li>
<li>Taking my <b>bicycle </b>into the shop for a tune-up and investigation into a certain <b>component upgrade</b>... More details to follow!</li>
<li> My first <b>fillings </b>:'( I'm honestly pretty scared...</li>
<li>Lunches: Some kind of <b>quiche</b>?</li>
<li>Dinners: Something fun from <b>Trader Joe's</b>? Recipes TBD, but deliciousness guaranteed!</li>
</ul><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Today's Question: <span style="font-size: large;">What do you look forward to the most about a race?</span> Conversely, what makes you the most nervous about a race, and how do you overcome those nerves?</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04116625638382094114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1102986773580522276.post-44698760877447253652010-01-27T10:06:00.000-08:002010-01-28T12:38:41.507-08:00Eat to Live, Fuel to RunGood Wedneday to everyone! Finally, a sunny day in <b>beautiful </b>Northern California!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jzOYNjYMqPYCX50s0Zb3Ylx6AcF1OMkhZkEgxDyi2-PFOJkuZb3rW_7WArHNnOH7xZ4hmbTZupt49PpAqjQOwD5badbyjnI_ogsQ9DN2sFuhi3Xwdw7uLJy1j7BA7y-dbgTBk8uIp4SG/s1600-h/Blog+012710+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jzOYNjYMqPYCX50s0Zb3Ylx6AcF1OMkhZkEgxDyi2-PFOJkuZb3rW_7WArHNnOH7xZ4hmbTZupt49PpAqjQOwD5badbyjnI_ogsQ9DN2sFuhi3Xwdw7uLJy1j7BA7y-dbgTBk8uIp4SG/s640/Blog+012710+021.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Same view as <a href="http://strongandsteady.blogspot.com/2010/01/need-for-speed.html">this picture</a>, but much happier :)</span><br />
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Not too long ago, I lived to eat. Every day, food was an event. Marathon eating sessions with multiple courses and humongous portions were a mainstay. As my <b>erstwhile roommate Sara</b>'s brother DJ once commented, when it was meal time, my friends and I <b>"did food."</b> When I got the urge to eat something, which usually had nothing to do with actual hunger, I was a force to be reckoned with - highly motivated to obtain what I was craving and put it in my body as quickly as possible.<br />
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Eating was so rewarding (I'm talking ventral striatum-style dopamine let-down, for all you neuroscientists out there) that <b>I just kept eating</b> because I didn't want that wonderful feeling to end. But the high was usually followed closely by <b>remorse</b> and <b>sluggishness</b>, and periods of increased eating inevitably led to more snugly-fitting clothing. Emotionally and physically, this behavior pattern was decidedly unhealthy.<br />
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I'd tried <b>diets</b> - Atkins, Weight Watchers, Special K, you name it - which almost always meant <i>deprivation</i>, having specific rules about what was <i>not</i> permissible to eat. But, when something is forbidden, it has this funny way of becoming that much more salient. It's like if I told you, <b>"Do not, under any circumstances, think about polar bears."</b> Let me guess: you just thought about a big, white bear. So, all too often on diets, I found myself eating contraband. Once I ate one of those "bad" foods, mentally, that whole day of dieting was shot, and eventually I just reverted to my regular eating ways. <br />
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For brief periods, I also engaged in <b>calorie counting</b>. With calorie counting, if you have that burrito, muffin, pina colada, and/or cheeseburger, you still have to <b>hold yourself accountable</b> - you have to count those calories. So, keeping these records taught me more about the nutritional content of different foods, and helped me figure out what healthier choices might be. However, at the end of every single day that I restricted my intake to my goal calorie limit, I had so little energy that<b> I could not get off the couch</b>, even to do something fun, let alone go to the gym. <br />
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<b>Leave it to</b> <b>running</b> to change my perspective on and my approach to food. If I was exhausted and famished from restricting my diet, or bloated and comatose from overindulging, there was no way I could complete the day's training run. Because I was committed to my running, <b>I needed to start eating like an athlete!</b><br />
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And, like a good little scientist, I did my research. I read literature on <i>why </i>to eat <i>what</i> foods and <i>when</i> in order to run your best. When I applied these principles to my actual eating, incredibly, it worked! I felt more energized before a run, happier after a run, and stronger during runs than I knew was possible!<br />
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Food became linked to the experience of running, and linked positively rather than negatively. Instead of thinking, "I can't eat Food X," and "Food Y is bad for me," I started thinking about how "I need to eat Food A," and "Food B is good for me." For the first time, <b>food wasn't just for eating - it was fuel!</b> <br />
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Too often, I've seen new runners make cardinal nutrition mistakes (which may stem from their own history of engaging in "diet-think"). How you fuel before, during, and after a run can make a <i>huge</i> difference for your running performance <i>and</i> enjoyment! Here are some basic guidelines of <b>fueling for running</b>, combined with examples of what I eat to fuel.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">All day, every day... </span>Drink up!</b><br />
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<b>Hydration </b>is fundamental for athletes. Our bodies are mostly water, and, during exercise, water keeps us cool and flushes the waste and toxins produced by our muscles. If you are dehydrated before a run, your performance and mood with both suffer. After a run, it's important to replace the water you've sweated out - and runners <i>sweat</i> - for every pound you lose on a run, you should drink 8 fl. oz. of good ol' H<span style="font-size: xx-small;">2</span>O.<br />
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I carry a<b> bottle of water</b> with me all day that I refill constantly. I'm so used to being properly hydrated that if I go even an hour without a sip, I feel parched. Perhaps it's psychological, but at least I know I'm staying hydrated.<br />
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As you sweat during a run, you lose not only water but also <b>electrolytes</b>, substances like sodium, calcium, and potassium. Quite literally, electrolytes conduct electricity, and nerves use electrical signals to communicate with each other and control your muscles. Severe electrolyte deficiency is a very dangerous condition to which endurance athletes are particularly susceptible. Below, I talk about options for electrolyte replacement during workouts.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Before the run...</span> Slow carbs, some fast carbs, and a little protein!</b><br />
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Whole grains, which have complex carbohydrates that are processed more slowly in digestion, provide a steady source of energy for the run. Before longer runs (5-13 miles) I often fuel up with <b>multi-grain hot cereal</b>, which is also an awesome source of both fiber and protein!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-jFQjaqs5ptNT6pB7o68CZifEqU8OjsiwAKiVDf5d3KHuSVxCoM5EJYkuWZHKSCwsc3Rw0fpUl-3O7zRD6g0WX1Pcs9eR4zQAhE1A3EaTzmcqE-l2hAa3NpPthOTK2XpymPu98SHXl9W/s1600-h/Blog+012410+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-jFQjaqs5ptNT6pB7o68CZifEqU8OjsiwAKiVDf5d3KHuSVxCoM5EJYkuWZHKSCwsc3Rw0fpUl-3O7zRD6g0WX1Pcs9eR4zQAhE1A3EaTzmcqE-l2hAa3NpPthOTK2XpymPu98SHXl9W/s400/Blog+012410+004.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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Simple carbs are burnt off during activity very quickly, giving your muscles a "burst of energy," but they also are stored more readily as fat if not immediately metabolized. I'll top hot cereal with <b>fresh and dried fruit, and a little brown sugar</b>, as well as some <b>cinnamon </b>for flavor<b>. </b>Finally,<b> nuts</b> (walnuts here) provide protein and some monosaturated "good fats," which keep you full and round out the nutritional content of a meal.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVuJ_S8lePGORSd2IHssli-DZM7klx6Le3XSoDkBzVf5v2-bVW9vr6HywRU7z29uJekBBVp1UW3li-oWU60CjOCIKFnw4Z75kjMID5tuBUFyj3Fs6DxykFkg-vwLhWTgDXo4vzsq6WP4J/s1600-h/Blog+012410+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVuJ_S8lePGORSd2IHssli-DZM7klx6Le3XSoDkBzVf5v2-bVW9vr6HywRU7z29uJekBBVp1UW3li-oWU60CjOCIKFnw4Z75kjMID5tuBUFyj3Fs6DxykFkg-vwLhWTgDXo4vzsq6WP4J/s400/Blog+012410+001.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Or,<b> </b>I'll fuel with a<b> toasted multi-grain English muffin</b> - these are a favorite especially before shorter runs (3-5 miles) because they're a little lighter than oatmeal. I'll put anything on them, from <b>bananas and PB</b> (fast carbs and protein) to <b>cottage cheese and tomatoes </b>(protein and fast carbs!). Yummm!<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaYByH-i7we34_uyWIY3tWOL5i-_4iNALqpeLqcqD1XhzAGczgOSujcHodgwgVlWQaM4PMqbJvmU6YdNV0g3ymDBGZ0z2v-sxiqPkHCyn9_7e3tk7vbdD-MVJFRIfUjfVCEvBwtk1psC9/s1600-h/Blog+012510+045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaYByH-i7we34_uyWIY3tWOL5i-_4iNALqpeLqcqD1XhzAGczgOSujcHodgwgVlWQaM4PMqbJvmU6YdNV0g3ymDBGZ0z2v-sxiqPkHCyn9_7e3tk7vbdD-MVJFRIfUjfVCEvBwtk1psC9/s400/Blog+012510+045.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Also, a moderate dose of <b>caffeine </b>can jump-start the brain for those early-morning treks, and it turns out a little coffee can also give your legs an added jolt! I drink one (large) mug before heading out, as well as plenty of water.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGZUbfXMCzlmZUjxi0BJ4XA8ITXzDT9WMG8tRwg6cFSG-WfumthRbHcS1ozeb3GViE0DNHWPmYxk1iCqVgpqPNa-EqVmwOu3DmK98Z64sTcEvuvh7FOKqX6ElWaFyNJG4zpTGRACT6agy/s1600-h/Blog+011910+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGZUbfXMCzlmZUjxi0BJ4XA8ITXzDT9WMG8tRwg6cFSG-WfumthRbHcS1ozeb3GViE0DNHWPmYxk1iCqVgpqPNa-EqVmwOu3DmK98Z64sTcEvuvh7FOKqX6ElWaFyNJG4zpTGRACT6agy/s400/Blog+011910+003.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yes, my coffee maker matches my toaster oven, thanks for asking.</span> <br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Importantly, if you are a morning runner like moi, you may not have much time to wait between fueling and hitting the pavement. So, I keep my pre-run cuisine as <b>tummy-friendly</b> as possible.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">During the run...</span> Fast carbs, electrolytes, and H-to-the-O!</b><br />
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As a rule of thumb (unless you are running in extreme heat), it probably isn't necessary to fuel or hydrate <i>during</i> a training run<b> </b>until you are running<b> </b>for <b>ninety minutes or longer. </b>When it is time for that long-long run, there are a lot of choices for mid-run food and bev.<b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPjoXoyj7fP4tSt7CcuILlWY5T70lj2rMmVdEeQrk_gP_qoWBwCkQPidjFQVUqWKbI_z2DGlDwoOkURQGCxkqfYysP_gR9ImMj0nCHpTCEVLFjjCa_fycJqlnmcPC-1FF4kkI_KEOU9qqg/s1600-h/Blog+012410+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPjoXoyj7fP4tSt7CcuILlWY5T70lj2rMmVdEeQrk_gP_qoWBwCkQPidjFQVUqWKbI_z2DGlDwoOkURQGCxkqfYysP_gR9ImMj0nCHpTCEVLFjjCa_fycJqlnmcPC-1FF4kkI_KEOU9qqg/s400/Blog+012410+015.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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You see distance runners making a big deal out of <b>supplement gels </b>or "Gu's" - ripping open a plasticky packet with your teeth and shooting back a glob of viscous, artificially-flavored slime mid-stride is practically a runner's rite of passage. But, there are many different gooey and non-gooey options for <b>mid-run carbohydrate and electrolyte replenishment</b>.<br />
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Brands like Clif and Gatorade make gummy chews (e.g. <b>Shot Bloks</b>), jelly beans (e.g. Sport Beans), or other candy-like supplements that might trick you into thinking you're eating a delicious treat - but you're really replacing the energy and nutrients that you've burned off and sweated out.<br />
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Some energy bars like my favorite <b>PB-flavored PowerBar</b> are designed to help you sustain a tough workout - but, I personally find them a bit too hard to chew on the go and prefer them as a pre-run snack.<br />
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<b>Endurolytes</b> by Hammer (above, left over from a recent race goody bag) are tablets that you can swallow to help replace electrolytes, but they don't contain carbs.<br />
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<b>Mid-run hydration</b> can be tricky, but, unless your long run routes are serendipitously peppered with water fountains, you will need to bring along some liquid.<br />
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It's not uncommon for a runner to stash water bottles at strategic points along a route, diving in and out of shrubbery to retrieve them every few miles. <b>Renata</b> employed this very tactic on our 11-miler this past Sunday, which I found to be amusing but also ingenious. Then - no littering! - she had to carry the empty bottles with her until we ran past a trash bin.<br />
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Many runners own <a href="http://www.thetriathletestore.com/images/Ultra_Distance_8-Bottle_Fuel_Belt_lg_000.jpg">hydration belts</a> and can carry small water bottles around the waist for easy access and stowage. <b>Tristan</b>, who ran the <a href="http://runhealdsburg.com/">Healdsburg Half</a> with me, swears by hers.<br />
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I, on the other hand, am of the minority that wears a <b>CamelBak</b> on long runs. I find the drinking tube to be the most efficient way to get liquid into my mouth (way less spillage than water bottles), and personally prefer to have something heavy strapped to my shoulders than riding on my hips during a run. I fill mine with slightly diluted <b>Fruit Punch Gatorade</b> for electrolytes, carbs, <i>and </i>flavor :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYUHV4jMogRBqaTpyq7nMDvfVzCbP9TB3WcnQlhRUMyms-18hkuy9AoN6Z3c67em_HOLHmAC0jVHw2aoFZaWAG9_deeqXWlJ9AApBLPUNUyR_zs79q8wYvdbw8cWThb2f73OiR0pwmRH3/s1600-h/Atlantic+City+062109+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYUHV4jMogRBqaTpyq7nMDvfVzCbP9TB3WcnQlhRUMyms-18hkuy9AoN6Z3c67em_HOLHmAC0jVHw2aoFZaWAG9_deeqXWlJ9AApBLPUNUyR_zs79q8wYvdbw8cWThb2f73OiR0pwmRH3/s400/Atlantic+City+062109+001.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I started training with my "visible"-colored CamelBak for the <a href="http://www.pittsburghmarathon.com/Top_Nav/Half_Marathon/HALF_MARATHON_INFORMATION.htm">Pittsburgh Half</a>.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ21IISEHYI0sYkgnN5hZv2f5XnMSgtgXUP3ncZhPAPOkcOPLMa1JDn1weV3IrUftZCKl5tNyIgad4-FEUKyrEIH9NQ5y75huACb2jb2OQoa4pOxmTTN4LMdUSqyHGjlmo3xlgHgtRcNuv/s1600-h/Blog+012710+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ21IISEHYI0sYkgnN5hZv2f5XnMSgtgXUP3ncZhPAPOkcOPLMa1JDn1weV3IrUftZCKl5tNyIgad4-FEUKyrEIH9NQ5y75huACb2jb2OQoa4pOxmTTN4LMdUSqyHGjlmo3xlgHgtRcNuv/s400/Blog+012710+015.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Now it lives in my fridge full of Gatorade</span>, <span style="font-size: x-small;">ready for my next long run. Never mind the whipped cream, it's a long story.</span><br />
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</div>Importantly while running, <b>know thyself.</b> As you train for a race, pay attention to your body's needs during your long runs. When you feel yourself become excessively overheated or thirsty, you might consider bringing hydration along. If you start to feel your blood sugar drop after five or six miles, that's when you need to take a supplement - and then another one five or six miles later at most!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">After the run... </span>Protein, water, and some carbs!</b><br />
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Right after you finish a workout, it turns out that you have a <i>very short</i> window of time in which your muscles will maximally absorb nutrients. <b>Within twenty or thirty minutes</b> of finishing a run, particularly a hard run, you need to ingest food that is high in protein and contains some simple carbohydrates. That way, your muscles will recover more efficiently and be optimally fresh for your next run. In other words, fueling properly directly <i>after</i> a run can help you avoid future feelings of "lead legs." <br />
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There are nutritional supplements specifically designed for post-workout consumption, such as drink mixes by <a href="http://www.diseaseproof.com/MuscleMilkNYT.jpg">Muscle Milk</a> or <a href="http://www.wiggle.co.uk/images/powerbar-recovery-1-2.jpg">PowerBar</a>. These formulas are purportedly optimally formulated for absorption (they are highly soluble and have the proper "balance" of nutrients), but, in actuality, real food can serve your recovery just as well (although it is admittedly less handy).<br />
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<b>N</b><b>onfat milk </b>is a great recovery drink. <b>Fruit </b>combined with a source of protein like <b>cottage cheese </b>or <b>yogurt </b>is also excellent. In fact, this combination, sometimes topped with some crunch like <b>Kashi cereal</b>, is a favorite post-run snack of mine.<br />
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If you are recovering from a long run, still eat recovery food immediately after finishing (and stretching). But, your body will plow through that snack rapidly, so it's imperative to eat a <b>real meal</b> no longer than an hour and a half after your snack. Remember, if you ran 10 miles, you just burned around 1,000 calories! So, it's important to replace that energy in your body. These meals should also be high in lean protein and contain complex carbohydrates (veggies, whole grains, etc.). Because I'm usually verrrry hungry at this point, I go for a <b>nice, big deli sandwich</b> <b>on wheat</b>, or even some <b>frozen pizza with chicken</b>.<br />
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Although the rule about post-workout recovery fueling is probably uncommonly known, my Boyfriend, who is very experienced in fitness, has been telling me about it for years. Once I tried it, I was amazed. The day after a particularly tough run, I could really feel the difference in my endurance and speed. No more lead legs!<br />
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OK, as I've described it, this fueling thing seems a little complicated. As a runner, it is necessary to be extra mindful of what you're eating and when you're eating it. As <b>Jin</b> exclaimed after class on Monday, "It's like you need to plan your whole eating schedule around running!" That might be only a bit of a hyperbole, but fueling for running is worth it. <br />
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Starting a run hungry is always a bad idea. If you get hungry in the middle of a short run, you probably didn't fuel sufficiently. It might take some trial and error, but it's important to figure out pre-run fuel that works for your stomach. Long runs will be much more manageable if you bring along liquid and some kind of supplement. And your training plan will be much more effective if you give your muscles what they need to recover. <br />
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You've been working too hard towards your running goal - be it a particular race or just general fitness - to let improper fueling get in the way. Instead, done thoughtfully, <b>what you eat can <i>help</i> your running!</b><br />
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Of course, I still love food and believe that eating a delicious dish is one of the greatest pleasures in life. For instance, I spend all of one week thinking about what I'll make for dinner the next. But, I think about it in terms of combining flavor with proper fuel. And I've learned to say "no" to food when it may not be a good fuel choice, and "yes, please!" to foods that would!<br />
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Thanks, guys, for reading, and I'm very curious about your opinions on the above information and fueling in general.<br />
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<b>Today's question: <span style="font-size: large;">How do you fuel?</span> What do you eat before a workout? Do you carry water on your runs? What supplements have you tried, and what did you think of them? </b>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04116625638382094114noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1102986773580522276.post-48752291911773246182010-01-23T16:33:00.000-08:002010-01-24T21:45:05.890-08:00The Need for SpeedFirst, I want to say <i>thank you</i> <i>so much</i> to everyone for their reactions to my last post. You've helped a ton already, and, with your continued input, I'm excited for this blog to grow even more.<br />
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This week in beautiful Northern California it rained for five straight days. I don't mean cute little drizzles. No, this was umbrella-destroying, hair-soaking, tree-shredding, tunnel-flooding <b>Rain with a capital R</b>.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> At about 3pm it's so dreary out that it looks like dusk...</span><br />
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But... at least I had plenty of opportunities to wear my <b>rain boots</b>!<br />
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Also, since biking around town (my usual mode of local transportation) was not an option, I could bring my longer <b>London Fog raincoat</b> out of retirement.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> "Oh, Mister Sun, Sun, Mister Golden Sun, please shine down on me!"</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyCQLi7qeC7BE66S9Pz-yZuq0VC68j9vGie7gBqfSMw5wBPR8kkavGbUQNa2kqTTX4PLJ90rYQAqrpZEXFmoOoBSaiTF5wqXnJOAK83Kl7QPRhYbpyxK2cE0V5W83CRxPV9ehasAGzyL7/s1600-h/Blog+012110+002a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
</div>So, I've been largely relegated to the treadmill this week. <b>Treadmills aren't the worst thing in the world</b> - they can actually be helpful with certain types of runs (I'll explain momentarily) - but for a distance longer than four or five miles, I really don't have the attention span.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">THE 'MILL</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><br />
</div>On Monday I went to the university gym for the very first time and re-attempted the <b>10 miler</b> on a treadmill next to <b>Jin</b>, who is training for her first half-marathon! I varied the pace every mile or so, and kept the incline at 1% (to better simulate outside running). Well, I made it 8 whole miles on a treadmill before the knee started to feel a little iffy and I decided to stop. Not bad for a treadmill run! All the TVs and people-watching made the run a little less monotonous, plus having a treadmill buddy helped :)<br />
<br />
Tuesday and Wednesday were rest and ice days. I wanted to do some yoga, but I ended up working two 12-hour days, and when I got home I had energy only for dinner and bed.<br />
<br />
In a fit of optimism, I decided to wear my cold-weather (outdoor!) running duds to go to my <b>dentist appointment </b>Thursday morning because the rain seemed to have let up. I had the idea that, once I got home, I could just hop out the door and head out on my route. <br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">These blue stripey tights are my favorite new piece of running apparel! Compression top ($20) and warm tights ($30) are both C2 by Champion from Target - cold-weather gear for a grad student's budget :)<br />
</span><br />
</div>Unfortunately, the second I got home the deluge began again. So, it was back to the treadmill for <b>interval work </b>for me!<br />
<br />
I credit <b>speed intervals</b> (repetitions of 400 meter sprints with walking or jogging in between) with most of the improvement in race pace that I have made in the past six months. Whereas distance running usually engages only slow-twitch muscle fibers, speed intervals teach your muscles to activate the <b>fast-twitch fibers</b> as well, giving your legs an added source of power.<br />
<br />
While training for the <a href="http://www.runhealdsburg.com/site5.aspx">Healdsburg Half-Marathon</a>, I integrated one day of speedwork into my training every other week. I started out running 4 x 400m in 1:30 each (6min/mi pace divided by 4) with 1:30 walking in between and 1 mile each warm up and cool down. After the third or fourth interval, I usually started to get pretty uncomfortable (notably dry-heaving on a few occasions - sorry for the gross imagery). By the end of my training, I was doing 8 x 400m in 1:30 with energy to spare! And, I had shaved a minute off of my average half-marathon split time!! <br />
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The (maybe only) cool thing about treadmills is that, when you're trying to run at a specific pace, the treadmill will force you to stay there. For speed intervals, this feature is particularly effective. When on your fast intervals, the treadmill will keep your pace up; when on "rest," the treadmill will keep you at a <b>steady </b>but slower pace when you are exhausted (stay <b>strong </b>- no slacking!). Thursday I did 6 x 400m at 9.2mph, a 6:30/mi pace, with 9:30/mi 400m jogs in between, plus 1 mile warm up run and a cool down walk.<br />
<br />
The treadmill in my apartment complex's mini-gym doesn't have certain features that fancier real-gym versions have. For instance, it only reports distance to tenths of a mile, as opposed to hundredths. So, it's hard to judge when I've reached 0.25 miles (that's roughly 400 meters). Also, it doesn't convert the mph that you set into min/mi, so I was doing some long division in my head mid-run Thursday morning. Today I found this nifty <a href="http://www.funfitnesssolutions.com/treadmill_pace_conversion.htm">treadmill pace conversion chart</a> on the interwebs, so I can look up my goal pace before hitting the 'mill next time. Not sure how the "equivalent paces by incline" calculation works, but I dig it!<br />
<br />
Friday I didn't delude myself and immediately headed for the treadmill in the morning. I had decided that, in order to make the most of my shortened running week, I was going to do a second type of speedwork - a <b>tempo run</b>.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> It's 'mill time! (Also, pasty legs! Can't wait for summer...)</span><br />
</div><br />
Essentially, "tempo run" means that you run for an <b>extended distance near peak sustainable speed</b>. It's also often good to run <b>"negative split"</b> tempo runs, where you increase your pace every mile or so (so, speeding up rather than slowing down when you start to fatigue). Incorporated into your training over time, these workouts will raise your <b>anaerobic threshold</b> so that your muscles metabolize oxygen longer into a run (rather than switching to glucose metabolism) and better process waste. This means you'll be able to run faster for longer and without cramping. Sounds pretty great, right?<br />
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But tempo runs can be grueling. After Friday's tempo run, I was quite the sweat-monster. I started with a 7-minute warm up walk (attempting to prevent further irritation of my IT band at the knee). Then, I followed this tempo progression:<br />
<ul><li>Mile 0-0.5 - 8:00/mi pace, 1% grade</li>
<li>Mile 0.5-1 - 7:54/mi pace, 1% grade</li>
<li>Mile 1-1.5 - 7:54/mi pace, 2% grade</li>
<li>Mile 1.5-2 - 7:48/mi pace, 1% grade</li>
<li>Mile 2-2.5 - 7:48/mi pace, 2% grade</li>
<li>Mile 2.5-2.9 - 8:00/mi pace, 1% grade</li>
<li>Mile 2.9-3.0 - 6:40/mi pace, 1% grade ("strides")</li>
</ul>Once again, the treadmill had come in handy for speed training! After a cool down walk, I stretched (especially my IT bands) and iced. I also had to scuttle hurriedly through the parking lot back to my apartment - the rain and wind had really picked up. <br />
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To my delight, I woke up this morning to bright sunshine and blue sky - and couldn't wait to get outside! I grabbed my camera (per childhood best friend and professional photographer <b>Elizabeth</b>'s request) and headed out on an<b> "easy" 3 mile run</b> through the bike paths in my neighborhood. The first thing I saw when I stepped outside was evidence of the havoc the rain storms had wreaked the night before.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But, in general, the run was completely gorgeous and it was amazing to be outside soaking in some vitamin D again. <i>[Side note: I don't really understand how sunshine could give you vitamin D - does anybody know how that works?] </i>Including stopping to snap some pictures, I stayed around an 8:11/mi average split.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphDHUOz_6qRvyrjcgbuUEts8bHyu9mTW5ctd4Pk23cf4BOvznETxfZLwEgpYLeH3NGKgsLTCnF2SrHPtHfPmDoZufha42Uc6EKO8jW1ymwtsTnRTQzIXWafCq1xm3IEXPld-lQLXWD8ov/s1600-h/Blog+012310+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphDHUOz_6qRvyrjcgbuUEts8bHyu9mTW5ctd4Pk23cf4BOvznETxfZLwEgpYLeH3NGKgsLTCnF2SrHPtHfPmDoZufha42Uc6EKO8jW1ymwtsTnRTQzIXWafCq1xm3IEXPld-lQLXWD8ov/s320/Blog+012310+010.jpg" width="311" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszMAIAn6pKcsAQgVAHhH8d-NDB5uYSXQPZp2zHzA-UzATPjhJAHa8h89G4X3SGJ40ZKIXgvom_sUWET9vd1jeylOtmq8E3p-AfQ-eE3Bwa1LGZT6_KN0IgKenfbERoYBHtu-KgKLLxO4e/s1600-h/Blog+012310+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszMAIAn6pKcsAQgVAHhH8d-NDB5uYSXQPZp2zHzA-UzATPjhJAHa8h89G4X3SGJ40ZKIXgvom_sUWET9vd1jeylOtmq8E3p-AfQ-eE3Bwa1LGZT6_KN0IgKenfbERoYBHtu-KgKLLxO4e/s320/Blog+012310+007.jpg" width="313" /></a><br />
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I love my running/biking paths and am pumped to go for an 11-miler on them tomorrow.<br />
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Even though my some of my usual activities were disrupted by the weather, my food plan for the week went off without a hitch!<br />
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Breakfasts were <b>vanilla nut coffee and egg whites</b>. I always buy cartons of just egg whites and pour 1/3-1/2 cup in a microwave-safe bowl, then nuke it for 1.5 minutes. Near-instant protein blast breakfast!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlSOlqpZTFbmdNKF7BIph6LYWzWN3v09bka_Oda2z4DT8emanY6UOFmmUVRbMKq88k1iGPYB7RE32wbj4z06ELq6EmFh203VGSNaPPXjsbeXWhIDYXJOmUIelXJFuq35PpYj_12rZQbwF/s1600-h/Blog+011910+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlSOlqpZTFbmdNKF7BIph6LYWzWN3v09bka_Oda2z4DT8emanY6UOFmmUVRbMKq88k1iGPYB7RE32wbj4z06ELq6EmFh203VGSNaPPXjsbeXWhIDYXJOmUIelXJFuq35PpYj_12rZQbwF/s400/Blog+011910+006.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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Lunches this week were <b>curried sweet potato, cauliflower, and chicken</b>.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBF40si5za3QUVkckIROW9QYeYsNoaBDPBop-VWm9jpUNVRZ70KNbXOMXyo3o6r2GlOsCsjoATpWqbUXv8tKqV9u1f8y7v2YUBUY6MwxeDRLG2lT4NEcQY5Oz5xZbeYSWW-OpZPLnPa6iF/s1600-h/Blog+012110+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBF40si5za3QUVkckIROW9QYeYsNoaBDPBop-VWm9jpUNVRZ70KNbXOMXyo3o6r2GlOsCsjoATpWqbUXv8tKqV9u1f8y7v2YUBUY6MwxeDRLG2lT4NEcQY5Oz5xZbeYSWW-OpZPLnPa6iF/s400/Blog+012110+016.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
</div><blockquote><blockquote><blockquote><blockquote><ul><li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> 1 head yellow cauliflower florets <br />
</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">2 medium sweet potatoes, sliced<br />
</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">6 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pre-cooked<br />
</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">2 single cups (with aluminum the pull-lids) of nonfat plain yogurt</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">a lot of curry powder</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">cumin</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">pinch of red pepper flakes <br />
</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">dash of cinnamon</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">1 tbsp sugar <br />
</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">salt and pepper</span></li>
</ul></blockquote><blockquote><blockquote><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mix yogurt and spices. Pour half into a bowl, set aside. Toss other half with veggies, spread in a greased dish. Roast at 400 for 20-30 minutes. Top chicken breasts with 2 tbsp reserved sauce and 1/6th of the veggies. Microwave until hot. Enjoy!</span><br />
</blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote>If you work or go to school with me, you're probably quite familiar with my <b>lunchbox </b>:) I pack lunch and snacks in it every day - it's a real money- and calorie-saver. Carry-on snacks this week included (as usual) <b>2% mozzarella cheese sticks</b>,<b> nonfat yogurt</b>s,<b> Kashi Cherry Dark Chocolate Bars</b>, and <b>granny smith apples</b>.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dinners this week were mostly <b>glorious spinach, baked honey sesame tofu, clover sprouts, steamed beets, cherry tomato, dried fruit, mixed nut, and balsamic <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEiQW8R4M9LMVVV2SziVpny0DCJsr-e8E4tznmQ-UY_f2IMMnH_ahWJt23xPEqvu5jrEp6ZgpcPtJShC18Ids632gz-br0VPaP72CAbUcyEEDsgBti80Q-eFmZ8wOmZFo1TgWSwV_lxLgo/s1600-h/Blog+011710.jpg">salads</a></b>.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But, on Thursday night, having ratcheted up my calorie burn with the morning's interval training, I was <i>famished</i> by dinner time and craving something hearty. So, along with a <b>side-salad with tofu</b>, I threw together <b>baked cherry tomato pasta</b> <b>for one</b>.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AROfgWruMLji3OvizlGF9GQEYRegFuleIhJWhJp7rre1T3wMWDzcie_iGHnLVAJzwJLCffS-X6gz7A1nMAQjeNbe7AXQnjktrK_UWy7CSJGwq8Hi8kbBmXS2-2fkQaNKvWZEF3GtqsnV/s1600-h/Blog+012110+035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AROfgWruMLji3OvizlGF9GQEYRegFuleIhJWhJp7rre1T3wMWDzcie_iGHnLVAJzwJLCffS-X6gz7A1nMAQjeNbe7AXQnjktrK_UWy7CSJGwq8Hi8kbBmXS2-2fkQaNKvWZEF3GtqsnV/s320/Blog+012110+035.jpg" width="359" /></a><br />
</div><ul><li><span style="font-size: x-small;">2 oz. whole wheat spaghetti, cooked</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">5 cherry tomatoes, halved</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">1 tbsp balsamic vinegar</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">generous sprinkle of dried oregano</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> 1/2 tbsp olive oil<br />
</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">2 minced garlic cloves</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">pinch red pepper flakes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">salt and pepper</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">1 2% mozzarella cheese stick, shredded</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">1 tbsp sprinkle Parmesan cheese</span></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34JbS8ckfTbFO0GSqicVIRbz0XOCF_sO5m5r2IExA7K1r2s9KPmh5hFAWF1o0yRZtLWDj39coefHWuGCiryZtIX4HCM4rY2ZljOigr3RbzeE3XNn8Etd6NkGsQHxPZOKh14WQFrKQvXJf/s1600-h/Blog+012110+038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34JbS8ckfTbFO0GSqicVIRbz0XOCF_sO5m5r2IExA7K1r2s9KPmh5hFAWF1o0yRZtLWDj39coefHWuGCiryZtIX4HCM4rY2ZljOigr3RbzeE3XNn8Etd6NkGsQHxPZOKh14WQFrKQvXJf/s320/Blog+012110+038.jpg" width="359" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mix everything but the cheese and pasta together, let sit for 10 minutes while you cook the pasta. Toss tomato mixture with pasta, add to small baking dish. Toss half the mozzarella in with the pasta; top with the other half and the Parmesan. Bake at 375 for 10 minutes. Broil for 1 minute. Enjoy!</span><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Look at the steam rising off that beautiful roasted cherry tomato! Mmmm, so savory, tangy, and sweet!<br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxpf8GmXtgJNaE4ShiLmp4EEjyEGzYPFFElrgjkWu-JrAo6BF59sd1MQiQ0feyFLsMuVVmLDbDhovbbnbfNHOLJLmuR3sUANqjFkhBubnJZ4G0yspAfeyXMaVwuQ3Zwtjql2-VqU2sl_T/s1600-h/Blog+012110+040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxpf8GmXtgJNaE4ShiLmp4EEjyEGzYPFFElrgjkWu-JrAo6BF59sd1MQiQ0feyFLsMuVVmLDbDhovbbnbfNHOLJLmuR3sUANqjFkhBubnJZ4G0yspAfeyXMaVwuQ3Zwtjql2-VqU2sl_T/s640/Blog+012110+040.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Desserts have been multiple bowls of either <b>Kashi GoLean Crunch</b>, <b>Special K Protein Plus</b>, or <b>Special K Chocolatey Delight</b>.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>On Saturday afternoon, in celebration of the sunlight, I met <b>Jin </b>and <b>Shannon </b>at the local <b>Farmer's Market</b> for lunch.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQOT_VMEv2gjYkJHuSTTa5TgPPwKklt4BkoVUFZGYaOoUxGAyEiURF73AXGLRSWeaUpUuDYtSdwCVnaxbzSdjYJPkZQzGdEy0WYgpGFmrOsJdJ23G7DfsGnOOH0XVvcYlGR3pPcamHfz7/s1600-h/Blog+012310+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQOT_VMEv2gjYkJHuSTTa5TgPPwKklt4BkoVUFZGYaOoUxGAyEiURF73AXGLRSWeaUpUuDYtSdwCVnaxbzSdjYJPkZQzGdEy0WYgpGFmrOsJdJ23G7DfsGnOOH0XVvcYlGR3pPcamHfz7/s400/Blog+012310+013.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We all ate <b>Indian Naan wraps </b>- I had <b>baked tofu with various chutneys</b>, Shannon had aloo gobi, and Jin had paneer.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQByNkWWNdOg0jvZ5jZMeq_htUy83YCgCvGEJuDfoYYDku5-ksGyBqjUJuMLAg7SXH3rh422GlkeTWA0iSnYCfO77Em8du41vUsx69B_A_7Wbjp53JdO6TBl0WN_bTHPBZUHpk9ik96Wl/s1600-h/Blog+012310+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQByNkWWNdOg0jvZ5jZMeq_htUy83YCgCvGEJuDfoYYDku5-ksGyBqjUJuMLAg7SXH3rh422GlkeTWA0iSnYCfO77Em8du41vUsx69B_A_7Wbjp53JdO6TBl0WN_bTHPBZUHpk9ik96Wl/s400/Blog+012310+012.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Then we walked downtown for <b>coffee and tea</b>. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTy9u8oanQC4X6Kj1AVTBWCvTMmyNHTMr3Uw9TxvaCtnZIgEb2ChkdSF-OqXTDBh_sHgAIOdWMeTVOES_QliREoeORxabgwq6-YDoBVNRc2lVoOnE_ae1Vqt-sGOxyXCyTLZdrofz7Ytzl/s1600-h/Blog+012310+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTy9u8oanQC4X6Kj1AVTBWCvTMmyNHTMr3Uw9TxvaCtnZIgEb2ChkdSF-OqXTDBh_sHgAIOdWMeTVOES_QliREoeORxabgwq6-YDoBVNRc2lVoOnE_ae1Vqt-sGOxyXCyTLZdrofz7Ytzl/s400/Blog+012310+019.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvA9aLaIPgS_K7ujx7td73yLEr2K-F48f5CcNhp7BgygwclvNFigmz5F3PXhwlbNaJKnNbDhKyUagA5Aw0vpyoHMwFlPFVOX_A90LIuMsjE-9UeR3M5ySxLC2uTytAHFc4dW9er1ivawVs/s1600-h/Blog+012310+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvA9aLaIPgS_K7ujx7td73yLEr2K-F48f5CcNhp7BgygwclvNFigmz5F3PXhwlbNaJKnNbDhKyUagA5Aw0vpyoHMwFlPFVOX_A90LIuMsjE-9UeR3M5ySxLC2uTytAHFc4dW9er1ivawVs/s400/Blog+012310+021.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hmm that clock is definitely incorrect.</span><br />
</div><br />
On our walk, we passed one of the town's many impressively lush and surprisingly located <b>fruit trees</b>.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAKJlw9yb4s5vS3qn7E9PEVsNeelw78Jn-IJJpUgb_k4Xi6E1p1THvsX01jbgcrAF51iypVjIF8rnLGWIS2og-6thEVrFJyUhN-XJ1CpZCbV730CjsV2GEdaTWasPrDNh_j9p2PD_vXTM/s1600-h/Blog+012310+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAKJlw9yb4s5vS3qn7E9PEVsNeelw78Jn-IJJpUgb_k4Xi6E1p1THvsX01jbgcrAF51iypVjIF8rnLGWIS2og-6thEVrFJyUhN-XJ1CpZCbV730CjsV2GEdaTWasPrDNh_j9p2PD_vXTM/s640/Blog+012310+015.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was so nice to be outside on a beautiful day - and unbelievable that it is still January! The rain is supposed to rear it's ugly head again next week, but hopefully it will hold off tomorrow for my next long run...<br />
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</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the docket for the coming week:<br />
</div><ul><li>Sunday - 11 miler with <b>Renata </b>through the Arboretum! Will definitely bring the camera on this one.<br />
</li>
<li>A 5-mile tempo run.</li>
<li>Two 3-4 mile "easy" runs.</li>
<li>Lots of stretching, especially paying attention to my IT bands - no more knee pain please!</li>
<li>Crossing off <i>lots</i> of items on my lengthy to-do list. <br />
</li>
<li>Evening yoga to decompress.</li>
<li>Lunches - <strike>Something with chicken TBD. Maybe red curry or stir-fry...</strike> Red curry <i>and</i> green curry pork with green beans and Chinese eggplant! (Bulk pork was on sale this week @ $1.69/lb.)<br />
</li>
<li>Dinners - Roasted veggies (brussels sprouts, carrots, mushrooms) and modified <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Tomato-Pork-Loin-Chops/Detail.aspx">tomato pork chops</a>.</li>
</ul><br />
<br />
<b>Today's question: <span style="font-size: large;">How does the weather impact your life?</span> Does your mood change with the seasons? Are you less productive when it is unfavorable outside - or is it harder to concentrate when you'd rather be playing in the sunshine? </b>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04116625638382094114noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1102986773580522276.post-53096543743419646732010-01-20T00:07:00.000-08:002010-01-20T22:04:17.191-08:00Help Me Help You: Let's Build a Better Blog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Last Friday evening, my graduate school cohort assembled to celebrate Emily H's birthday. After watching far too much Cake Boss and Food Network Challenge over winter break, I decided to bake a five-layer, half-funfetti, half-devil's food birthday cake with cream cheese filling and chocolate icing (topped with sprinkles, candles, and a frosting "E-hat," like an E with a carrot ^ on top, which is statistical notation for "predicted Emily" - yes, grad students are nerds).<br />
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Unfortunately, soon after the party began, this happened:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs154.snc3/18175_830552503994_3300594_47133908_16657_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs154.snc3/18175_830552503994_3300594_47133908_16657_n.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Happy Birthday, <a href="http://holaemilia.wordpress.com/">Emily H</a>! Make a wish before you blow out the candles on </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">your <strike> beautiful </strike> <strike> unique </strike> structurally unsound, homemade <strike>birthday cake</strike> pile of delicious icing and crumbles! (Photo courtesy of E.H.)<br />
</span><br />
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Apparently, there is no photographic evidence of the intact baked good, but I assure you it would have given Buddy Valastro a run for his money :) Most of the cake was salvaged by Sarah and Maria, the majority of the candle hazards removed from the rubble, and everyone enjoyed a ladle-full with the birthday girl.<br />
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During our phone conversation Monday night, my Boyfriend made the astute observation that my opinion of blogs seems to have flip-flopped recently. He's right, I have historically expressed disdain for self-promoting, grandiose blogs - it's as though the authors actually believe that other people (some sort of blog-oriented sphere) care what he/she has to say about [celebrity fashion/quilting/video games/cute kittens - OK, maybe kittens are acceptable]. And now (gasp!) I am one of those authors! What changed? <b>Why did I become a believer, a follower, and finally a blogger?</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCgxnPrV_PYvbx6o02f5QFWuE_gNH-XRa0VOdraoyQc-t9xzXvRDfvEHNGxgMqzZhYGf_fnbVhc3E64jLX0HUi95ILsWpPWqYpiXeTQdaiYummfghah1Ckv70YN6dE2q9F2lPJ-bjqoCZz/s1600-h/Blog+011910+045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCgxnPrV_PYvbx6o02f5QFWuE_gNH-XRa0VOdraoyQc-t9xzXvRDfvEHNGxgMqzZhYGf_fnbVhc3E64jLX0HUi95ILsWpPWqYpiXeTQdaiYummfghah1Ckv70YN6dE2q9F2lPJ-bjqoCZz/s640/Blog+011910+045.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Taa Daaa!</span><b> </b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Blog<b>!</b></span><b> </b><br />
</div><br />
Well, I read some <b>really awesome blogs</b>. In fact, I blame Miss Lauren of the <a href="http://strongandsteady.blogspot.com/2010/01/runniversary-year-in-review.html">Pittsburgh Half-Marathon Con</a> for leading me to these sites in the first place. You can find links to my favorites on the right side of my own little corner of the internets ----------------------------------------------------------><br />
<br />
What has made these blogs special and meaningful for me is twofold:<br />
<ol><li><b>I can identify with the bloggers.</b> The topics they cover are relevant to my life and the authors are down-to-earth, approachable.<br />
</li>
<li><b>The posts are really, really well done.</b> They are smart. They contain lots of interesting, useful information. Plus, the photos and stories and fun stuff are super appealing. <br />
</li>
</ol>I would love for this blog to follow that example. In other words, I want to write a blog that I would actually want to read. Which hopefully means it'll be a blog that <i>you</i> actually want to read.<br />
<br />
So, I pledge to do the following:<br />
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Firstly, I will post <b>more and better pictures</b>, especially of food.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-JihQLHo11ujmfU4LRmm9hGFIaQclEbAj2kDmtDc3cCI6A_SACrbUEb0IfN_N4gXtzii4WITiydwE1L1j1TusWnDZQh0fXurDRdQNQMUPfCQUEWUALmCqbFrA8YF38PmZOJFgEyucYIya/s1600-h/Food+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-JihQLHo11ujmfU4LRmm9hGFIaQclEbAj2kDmtDc3cCI6A_SACrbUEb0IfN_N4gXtzii4WITiydwE1L1j1TusWnDZQh0fXurDRdQNQMUPfCQUEWUALmCqbFrA8YF38PmZOJFgEyucYIya/s400/Food+007.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Banana squash, asparagus, turkey bacon, and bay (aka Argentine) scallop risotto<br />
</span><br />
</div><br />
Seeing pictures, actual evidence of other people's culinary triumphs (or failures), fitness triumphs (or failures), and general life pursuits, often inspires <i>me</i> to take on a new challenge. And when those pictures make the food look delectable, the fitness look extra invigorating, or the other random stuff look really fun, it works even better. So, I will develop my photography skills (still lives and action shots) to the extent possible with my little silver <b>Cannon PowerShot SD1100 IS</b>.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlMsbmAlKjCKJP1LE0iwoyrfdbTcSoHfDHxuz7MKDxFrCOd-9lWo02uYJC2VREo68Iy_tRoTTRnSzNtvRfu-6iPhl3BTMLFRxLVdcXEIgmgBP0W2VRcA23NCDI3Oxv_X6QMlzQhWf0_9D/s1600-h/camera3.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlMsbmAlKjCKJP1LE0iwoyrfdbTcSoHfDHxuz7MKDxFrCOd-9lWo02uYJC2VREo68Iy_tRoTTRnSzNtvRfu-6iPhl3BTMLFRxLVdcXEIgmgBP0W2VRcA23NCDI3Oxv_X6QMlzQhWf0_9D/s640/camera3.bmp" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Oh no, a scratch! I'm so sorry, baby camera!</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div>Secondly, I will enforce <b>order and organization </b>in my posts.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7g5sD7Wtzla3ZyqJ1hmU5jrSDk9IT8wTJUK9p_vFKlhbh_ugbyZn0g7wR-Ug06b8KyiIokevw70MlTYo0s3rc7EawYRlkQtsjWOc_8RuvUcoSBUVActBD7VDPs8rndySOSyhsZQtK9_7E/s1600-h/graph.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7g5sD7Wtzla3ZyqJ1hmU5jrSDk9IT8wTJUK9p_vFKlhbh_ugbyZn0g7wR-Ug06b8KyiIokevw70MlTYo0s3rc7EawYRlkQtsjWOc_8RuvUcoSBUVActBD7VDPs8rndySOSyhsZQtK9_7E/s400/graph.bmp" width="400" /></a><br />
In the words of Tim Gunn, "Edit!" If the posts are crowded and confusing, they'll be harder to read, and therefore readers will be less likely to read them. So, I will work to impose my own newfound sense of order on this blog. Hopefully, it will fall somewhere between "Dear Diary" format and a PowerPoint presentation. Expect a lot of bullet points and maybe some tables and charts (jk jk :-D)<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><br />
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Thirdly, I hope to post on <b>topics of relevance</b> and value to you all!<br />
<br />
Future post topics include, but are not limited to:<br />
<ul><li>Cross-Training: Friend or Foe?</li>
<li>Living in a Runner's Paradise</li>
<li>Healdsburg Half-Marathon Race Report</li>
<li>Sticking to the Plan!</li>
<li>My Nutritionist Manifesto<br />
</li>
</ul>More than just egocentric prattlings, I plan for these posts to contain interesting information presented thoughtfully that might actually spark discourse amongst readers. Or, at least some of the time!<br />
<br />
I'm not expecting to start a revolution or collect the impressive followings of the bloggers who've inspired me. But, I would like to create a product that I can feel proud of, and one that you all will appreciate.<br />
<br />
On that front, <b>I'm looking for some feedback</b>...<br />
<br />
At the end of every post, I am going to include a <b><span style="font-size: large;">reader question</span>! </b>I've noticed this tactic being employed to great success on other blogs.<b> If you feel so compelled, then please, by all means, add a comment. It can be in reply to the question or not, a reaction to the blog or a completely unrelated thought. </b>Whatever the comment, it will help me build a better, more engaging blog. Don't be shy!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgAFSF2Y2wHIvnzfCyKCZXX9xvRWG8leEu2K1EA6ZufkWTrGPu4-wcLsoW-HzVuUBYUdY7xboggSpTEKV3yd1XzlNtByjs7XvvoxdrU2FVt-dAiuA5xwi4_xeZtRQCqGLISL-9ehtblg8/s1600-h/face2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgAFSF2Y2wHIvnzfCyKCZXX9xvRWG8leEu2K1EA6ZufkWTrGPu4-wcLsoW-HzVuUBYUdY7xboggSpTEKV3yd1XzlNtByjs7XvvoxdrU2FVt-dAiuA5xwi4_xeZtRQCqGLISL-9ehtblg8/s320/face2.bmp" width="213" /></a><br />
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I should say that my former reservations about blogs are now relegated to Twitter - who seriously wants to hear everyone's every waking thought?? But, this cynicism comes from someone who regularly updates her Facebook and gchat statuses (stati?), and now, of course her blog. So, perhaps I should not be so quick to judge.<br />
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Hope everyone is having a beautiful, active, and productive week! Can't wait to hear your comments, and I'll be back with a new posting this weekend!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Don't be scared to post a comment - I'm pretty nice! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Today's question: </span>What do you look for in a blog? <span style="font-size: small;">What elements of other blogs have worked for you, and what haven't? <span style="font-size: small;">What topics would you like to see me address, what do you wish I would avoid? When it comes to blogs, what makes you click back for more?</span></span><br />
</b></span>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04116625638382094114noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1102986773580522276.post-29595964365831162752010-01-17T19:15:00.000-08:002010-01-17T20:23:31.715-08:00Runner's Walk of Shame<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCg1AKqrJqFRV3Ot40RpLe_uUI7TEeiAxj4NBOrf1TCDYKCcStrXy0Ccq-AwZmyUJCjxmsE-9-Qqhf3I5RLulUCzQ0CxlJqdKdv0ZZHtMZfJHh2ZCYNVZpYSnpf5DpP0DCBd0eC7I8xm66/s1600-h/Winter+Break+2009+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCg1AKqrJqFRV3Ot40RpLe_uUI7TEeiAxj4NBOrf1TCDYKCcStrXy0Ccq-AwZmyUJCjxmsE-9-Qqhf3I5RLulUCzQ0CxlJqdKdv0ZZHtMZfJHh2ZCYNVZpYSnpf5DpP0DCBd0eC7I8xm66/s640/Winter+Break+2009+006.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Someone wants to play! ...Or food. </span><br />
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It's been happening way too frequently these days. I start out on my long run with the very best intentions, run all mapped out, iPod juiced up, Camelbak brimming with Gatorade (the red kind). Then, at some point along the route, something goes wrong. My knee starts to hurt. I need to use the ladies' room. It's just too hot/cold/windy/wet outside. For some reason or another, I have to stop running, and I am immediately frustrated. Because not only did I quit on my long run, not only did I experience an injury, not only does my tummy feel gross, not only am I dehydrated/freezing/windburnt/soaking, but I'm also X miles from home with no cell phone, no money, no bus pass. Possible alternatives quickly flash through my head: Hitch a ride (no), beg a bus driver (wishful thinking), steal a bike (hmm... no, bad, bad). There are no other options. So, dressed in full runner's battle gear, I have to walk slowly and shamefully home.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEityi7L_QhJ-D14Ksy90HPfeQuwoCZmylYJtVENexTDXLJpnuDOYBVfNyEjhe6LDUjmn0ceUBSKTt4aFDPtUoBrH-9hTcTYXr9cRW6wnQV3yP3TmqLON4Kw0r6TrmjXaG1F-B0sYENpAiU/s1600/IMG_2559-(Smaller).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEityi7L_QhJ-D14Ksy90HPfeQuwoCZmylYJtVENexTDXLJpnuDOYBVfNyEjhe6LDUjmn0ceUBSKTt4aFDPtUoBrH-9hTcTYXr9cRW6wnQV3yP3TmqLON4Kw0r6TrmjXaG1F-B0sYENpAiU/s320/IMG_2559-(Smaller).jpg" /></a>Today I was set to run 10 miles around town, and I had made it to about mile 3 when <b>IT</b> happened. The knee combined with the potty. So, I scratched my route, hung a left (towards as opposed to away from downtown), and ran as fast as I comfortably could to the <b>Black Bear Diner</b>, a very reliable restroom stop. Then I was struck with a dilemma: Do I run the ~2 miles back to my apartment, or do I walk it? Two miles isn't very far, and running is so much faster than walking. But since I'm not finishing the 10 miles today (better luck tomorrow hopefully), I don't want to overdo it now, especially given the way my knee was feeling. But, man, it was getting colder and darker by the minute (that's what I get for waiting so long to head out). So, I compromised and opted for a "run/walk" combo that had me back home within 25 minutes (not bad!). Moreover, I saved at least half the face I would have lost if I had walked the entire distance. (OK, the passersby probably don't care at all whether someone is walking or running, but I still feel judged). <br />
<br />
The walking actually gave me time to think about how and when I want to post new entries here. I thought it might be cool to have about <b>two posts per week</b>: <br />
<br />
<b>1) Weekend Post!</b> The weekend post (up Saturday or Sunday, the days traditionally considered to be "weekends") will lay out my running/eating/other plans for the coming week, as well as recap my activities from the week before and compare how well my plans matched up with my actual life.<br />
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<b>2) Mid-Week Post!</b> Halfway-ish through the week, I'll write an update, including new stuff that's come up in my schedule and new musings in general.<br />
<br />
Sound reasonable? I have much respect for people like <a href="http://healthytippingpoint.com/">Caitlin</a> and <a href="http://eatliverun.com/">Jenna </a>who can post way, way more frequently, but, in keeping with my mantra and the title of of this blog, I'm confident that I'll be better off at this manageable pace.<br />
<br />
So, consider this my first weekend post!<br />
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<b><u>Last week's recap</u></b><br />
<br />
<b>Workouts!</b><br />
<ul><li>Tried to run 9 miles on Sunday, but the knee started to feel scary around mile 7, so I walked the last 1.5 miles home (shame). </li>
<li>Iced and rested for two days (not including biking around town). Did some yoga, both by myself and OnDemand.<br />
</li>
<li>Went out for a strong 3 miler on Wednesday morning, very excited about having a happy knee again!</li>
<li>Started Thursday with 30 minutes of cross-training OnDemand, resulting in very sore butt muscles. That night, had a running blind date with my co-worker Andy's girlfriend Sarah - 5 miles of good convo, hopefully we can do it again sometime!</li>
<li>Friday, rest. Saturday, accidental rest (will explain momentarily).</li>
<li>Today, as you heard, attempted 10, completed 3+. Will give it another go tomorrow, hopefully with Jin when she gets back from Florida (details below).</li>
</ul><b> Foods!</b><br />
<ul><li>Breakfasts: Coffee with skim and egg whites. This is pretty much all I usually eat, unless I'm going on a longer (5+ miles) morning run, when I will also have a WW english muffin and/or some 7-grain hot cereal (like today).</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMp0cqmeg544ZLS520dFYx62JOcvfarNBkyO83eVxDVHY6yce5P-AS00ozSwZd20t_PB9LibNgDz2eT6FdjNMLAiOqMn9MPPmPgZ5MQUPmM4w1vT7o5p6qOQ9K7jtpyTfpt9NnuCKCbq0/s1600-h/Winter+Break+2009+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMp0cqmeg544ZLS520dFYx62JOcvfarNBkyO83eVxDVHY6yce5P-AS00ozSwZd20t_PB9LibNgDz2eT6FdjNMLAiOqMn9MPPmPgZ5MQUPmM4w1vT7o5p6qOQ9K7jtpyTfpt9NnuCKCbq0/s400/Winter+Break+2009+011.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">7-grain cereal with 1tbsp PB (Skippy All Natural, it was on sale), 1/2 green apple, and a sprinkle of cinnamon </span><br />
</div><ul><li>Lunches: Roasted chicken breast with lemon pepper seasoning, asparagus, spinach, and balsamic hummus (1 tbsp plain hummus mixed with 1/2 tbsp balsamic).</li>
<li>Dinners: Beef and eggplant ragout over whole wheat egg noodles (mmmmm!).</li>
<li>Snackses: Low-fat mozzarella sticks, green apples, Kashi Cherry Dark Chocolate granola bars, nonfat cottage cheese, nonfat yogurts (the old stand-bys). Also, discovered that if you put a small yogurt in the freezer for 1.5 hrs, the result is a delicious treat! Allllso, melting a mozzarella stick on a whole-wheat tortilla, adding some boysenberry jam, and rolling it all up is reallllllly tasty. And I ate a bunch of Kashi GoLean Crunch with skim milk. It's the greatest.</li>
</ul><b>Other stuff!</b><br />
<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtpj0ElbJ18rXmIwtHfNmbn0yX-sAztcxNzvHn72JPnY03cq2nXjbtFrPOeSIq29i97fPuryUPdNnNQnoFUt9pNd-SQ1BzK3to1alQn-vxrb4Y4zrQkgo9YVdzAk0y186JwlGx7R-AlUBu/s1600-h/Winter+Break+2009+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtpj0ElbJ18rXmIwtHfNmbn0yX-sAztcxNzvHn72JPnY03cq2nXjbtFrPOeSIq29i97fPuryUPdNnNQnoFUt9pNd-SQ1BzK3to1alQn-vxrb4Y4zrQkgo9YVdzAk0y186JwlGx7R-AlUBu/s320/Winter+Break+2009+005.jpg" /></a>
<li>Went to a lecture by <b>Nikos Logothetis</b>, one of the most influential neuroscientists in brain imaging. Awesome. Cocktail hour (2 glasses red wine) and three-course meal (creamy soup, crab cake, mini-desert things) with the distinguished guest followed thereafter.</li>
<li>Puppy-sat! Jin, one of my grad school friends (actually, my <i>first</i> grad school friend), has been out of town at a wedding since Wednesday. Sooooo her very small woofer <b>Benny</b>, a crazy Jack Russell Terrier, came to stay with me! We had lots of fun, went on lots of walks, and did plenty of cuddling (I also had to clean up some pee, luckily only on the linoleum). He has to go home this evening when his Mommy gets back.</li>
<li>Celebrated another grad school friend Emily's birthday with the rest of our <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=vGj&defl=en&q=define:cohort&ei=HdxTS6_aBoaoswOYjsCICA&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title&ved=0CAcQkAE">cohort</a>. Baked a 5-layer, funfetti/devil's food cake that was apparently structurally unsound, as it collapsed before our eyes before Emily even saw the finished product! Unfortunate but completely hilarious (hopefully pictures to come). Drank spiked soy nog <span style="color: black;">à</span> la vegetarian grad school friend Jimmy, stayed out until 2am, woke up at 7 to walk and feed Ben, was a useless couch potato for the rest of Saturday. Hence the accidental rest day. If I had been socializing at my maintainable pace, I could have had an active Saturday, but I made the choice to stay out. I can't beat myself up for going off the track - just have to find the right tempo again and keep going as planned.<br />
</li>
<li>Started a blog! Oh, you knew that already.</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Next week's plan</u></b><br />
</div><br />
<b>Workouts!</b><br />
<ul><li>10 miles tomorrow, come hell or high water. Then ice like crazy.<br />
</li>
<li>Wednesday speedwork, probably 6x400m @ 6:00/mi pace (so 400m in 1:30) with 1:30 walk/jogs in between. And ice.<br />
</li>
<li>More yoga! I liked the OnDemand 50 minute one I did last week, so maybe I'll try that again plus another new one.</li>
<li>Two shorter runs of ~3 mi each. One of them with Beth, my former coworker from DC who is a new grad student in Neuroscience at the same university as me! Then ice.<br />
</li>
<li>11 miles next Sunday! Hopefully I can have my first successful, shame-free long run since December.</li>
</ul><b>Foods!</b><br />
<ul><li>Breakfasts: Coffee and egg whites. Also I've tupperwared some 7-grain hot cereal for pre-run breakfasts.</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV5zMMv68a6mB2G4rAiEqHvROvt02A3GMSAEiWySzWQF8YvC66fhXEOlvq5GludRM3J4GB85WF194c_hOw3PWyU48x2m4Yudp1TNzF76zlDLGFvGqktmeuwUOR7_dtSaePZX3Hwmj-3272/s1600-h/Winter+Break+2009+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV5zMMv68a6mB2G4rAiEqHvROvt02A3GMSAEiWySzWQF8YvC66fhXEOlvq5GludRM3J4GB85WF194c_hOw3PWyU48x2m4Yudp1TNzF76zlDLGFvGqktmeuwUOR7_dtSaePZX3Hwmj-3272/s400/Winter+Break+2009+009.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><ul><li>Lunches: Roasted chicken breasts with curried cauliflower and sweet potatoes! The curry sauce involves nonfat plain yogurt. Excited for this one, hope it turns out well. </li>
<li>Dinners: Glorious salads consisting of red and baby spinach, baked honey sesame tofu, clover sprouts, steamed beets, cherry tomatoes, dried fruit, mixed nuts, and balsamic! Should be sweet and tangy, can't wait!</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEiQW8R4M9LMVVV2SziVpny0DCJsr-e8E4tznmQ-UY_f2IMMnH_ahWJt23xPEqvu5jrEp6ZgpcPtJShC18Ids632gz-br0VPaP72CAbUcyEEDsgBti80Q-eFmZ8wOmZFo1TgWSwV_lxLgo/s1600-h/Blog+011710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEiQW8R4M9LMVVV2SziVpny0DCJsr-e8E4tznmQ-UY_f2IMMnH_ahWJt23xPEqvu5jrEp6ZgpcPtJShC18Ids632gz-br0VPaP72CAbUcyEEDsgBti80Q-eFmZ8wOmZFo1TgWSwV_lxLgo/s400/Blog+011710.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><ul><li>Snacks: The usuals. Plus I purchased some Special K Protein Plus <i>and</i> some Special K Chocolatey Delight (because it was 3 for $1.99 each), so looking forward to those as nighttime snacks. So far, Chocolatey Delight isn't as chocolatey as I expected, and I find Protein Plus to be somewhat more delightful (go figure, I love protein). But, they are still both filling and satisfying.</li>
</ul><b>Other stuff! </b><br />
<ul><li>Tomorrow is MLK Day, which means no classes, no brain scans, no patient testing, <i>but</i> lots of uninterrupted time in which to get work done! Data analysis, grant research, subject recruitment, etc. etc. Get pumped, I certainly am (no really, I totally am!).</li>
<li> Possibly attending my undergraduate Young Alumni Club happy hour on Thursday. Haven't gone to one of these before, but, if I accomplish everything else by then, it might be really fun (or at least good for a laugh). If I go, it'll be a one-drink night (red wine perhaps) for financial, driving, and health purposes.<br />
</li>
<li>Need to book March break travel to see my very lovable <b>Boyfriend</b>. I can't wait to spend the whole week with him, even if he will be at school during parts of it.</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs195.snc3/20248_729321606495_401567_41585539_7741714_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs195.snc3/20248_729321606495_401567_41585539_7741714_n.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">By March break, it will have been 2.5 months since we saw each other over New Year's</span><br />
</div><br />
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That's it for now! For those who have read these first posts, thank you for your support!! Please don't hesitate to contact me with questions or comments.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04116625638382094114noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1102986773580522276.post-23033538314287352262010-01-17T12:34:00.000-08:002010-01-20T22:04:00.303-08:00Runniversary: A Year in ReviewOne year ago, in January 2009, something very important and very unexpected happened to me. This event slowly began to shape my behaviors, mindset, and emotions almost subliminally until, all of a sudden, my life had changed completely. I was <b>healthier</b>, <b>happier</b>, and <b>more confident</b> than I can ever remember being, and I had gotten there using nothing but my own two feet. One year ago, in January 2009, I became a runner, and I became someone that, for the first time, I am extremely proud to be. <br />
<br />
It all really started with a con. I was 23 years old, a year and a half out of college, trying to live some semblance of a young professional's life in a very cool city (Washington, DC) with a very cool job (brain research) but a fairly low income (again, brain research). My interests thus included happy hour specials (cheap drinks, cheap wings, cheap talk, you get the picture), movie-wine-and-Thai-takeout nights with the girls, and laying in bed all weekend with my wonderful Boyfriend. So what if the laundry didn't get done every week? So what if my gym membership ID gathered dust next to my sneakers and sports bras? So what if the eight or nine pounds I had lost since graduation were slowly but surely creeping back on? I was happy, I was having fun, wasn't I? I <b>couldn't even conceive</b> any plausible changes (well, having more money wasn't really plausible) that would make my life better. <br />
<br />
One slow winter day in my office, my coworker Lauren turned to me with a mischievous glimmer in her eye. "Hey," she began, as though she was about to inquire to my caffeine needs for the afternoon. "<b>Wanna run a half-marathon with me?</b>" My initial reaction was, I believed, typical of most normal, rational people when confronted with such a proposition. I told her she was crazy, there was no way I was going to do something so outrageous, especially given that, not only was I a far cry from the picture of fitness, but I also hadn't run more than the distance from the couch to the kitchen for refreshments during a Project Runway commercial break in at least eight years. In fact, it wasn't since I was a forward on my eighth grade recreational basketball team that I had even played a sport requiring the use of bipedal motion; in high school, while I was in admittedly good physical shape, I was on the varsity rowing team - a sport that involved <i>sitting </i>while training and racing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v367/106/35/9309000/n9309000_52720446_7329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v367/106/35/9309000/n9309000_52720446_7329.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lauren and I circa winter 2008 doing what we, at the time, did best.<br />
</div><br />
So, no, I absolutely was not capable, not interested, period. That is, until she told me her friends from college were doing it. Wait a minute. If these other chicks, who (although I had never met them but could guess based on Lauren's own predilections) presumably enjoyed eating, drinking, and general relaxation as much as I did, thought that they could run thirteen (point one!) miles by May 3rd, then <b>why the hell couldn't I</b>? That's right, my good friend Lauren, little con artist that she is, pandered directly to my competitive side. So, taking a deep breath, I asked her to show me her training plan. And so it began.<br />
<br />
After the first week of our "pre-half-marathon training training," also known as the "<a href="http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml">Couch to 5k Plan</a>," I was less than impressed with my own running performance. It was a struggle to run even for 90-second blocks interleaved with 90 seconds of walking. But we persisted, we "stuck to the plan" (more on that strategy in a future post), and I ran my first two(-ish) miles without stopping in New York's Central Park a few weeks later while visiting my friend Julie for her birthday. By that point, my roommate Sara had gotten on the half-marathon bandwagon as well, and I texted her and Lauren about my <b>fabulous run</b> through the fabulous park with other fabulous New York runners. Their support had kept me running to that point, and would continue to be fundamental to my commitment to race training. Feeling accomplished after my first two miler, I immediately met up with Julie for a delicious lunch at a hole-in-the-wall Cuban restaurant in Midtown (<3 NYC!). Chicken and rice was followed shortly by shopping and Starbucks, then pizza and wine, then Jell-O shots and beer, and then vodka-crans and dancing. It didn't strike me until the exhausted return bus ride the next day how inconsistent my evening behaviors were with the morning's running achievement.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2114/7/121/401567/n401567_38171502_7950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2114/7/121/401567/n401567_38171502_7950.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy birthday, little Julie! <br />
</div><br />
I offer the Central Park Two-Miler anecdote as an example of how, little by little, I began to come around to the idea that <b>what I did when <i>not</i> running was as important to my training as the miles I logged each week</b>. Almost as though I was conducting (accidentally) a series of experiments, I would notice how different food choices, meal timing, sleep schedules, even shoe types affected the way my body felt during and after a run. I had a goal - finishing the <a href="http://www.pittsburghmarathon.com/Home.htm">Pittsburgh Half-Marathon</a> - which was approaching faster every day, and I was not going to sabotage all of my hard work by making decisions that would negatively impact my ability to go the distance. I began to eat healthier, smaller meals more frequently, and suddenly I had more energy all day at work, as well as through my evening training runs. Instead of sleeping in on weekends, I woke up bright and early to meet Lauren and Sara for our long training runs, and suddenly I was way more productive on my days off, finishing more errands and chores as well as spending more quality time going on adventures with my Boyfriend. And although weight loss was not the foremost objective of my running, my increased calorie expenditure coupled with my new dietary habits soon resulted in a regular decrease of the numbers on my bedroom scale. This running thing was pretty awesome. <br />
<br />
During training for my first half-marathon, every week I accomplished something I had previously considered impossible. As Sara dramatically remarked on the steps of the US Capitol after our first nine-miler through the National Mall past cherry blossoms and marble monuments, we had just run for 90 minutes straight, and when we first started running, we could barely keep it up for 90 seconds. The transformation was truly amazing, and, when race weekend arrived, I was appropriately nervous but did not for a second doubt that I could run 13.1 miles, especially with my "team" at my side. I <b>crossed the finish line</b> in stride with Lauren after 2 hours, 3 minutes, and 52 seconds of glorious running, and after four months of incredible personal growth.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs019.snc1/4237_895332469484_9309000_57439803_2109727_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs019.snc1/4237_895332469484_9309000_57439803_2109727_n.jpg" width="483" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lauren (black shirt, purple shorts) and I (pink shirt, black shorts, black knee bands) sprinting it out past the mile 13 portapotties as we near the finish of the Pittsburgh Half-Marathon<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm not claiming to have made a 180-degree lifestyle turn in mere weeks just because of running. In fact, two days after returning from Pittsburgh, my team and I celebrated our race on Cinco de Mayo at our local Mexican restaurant.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs019.snc1/4237_895341955474_9309000_57440058_3767759_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs019.snc1/4237_895341955474_9309000_57440058_3767759_n.jpg" width="295" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From top to bottom: Lauren, Sara, a margarita, a light-up Corona necklace, and me.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Clearly, there were some lessons yet to be learned (e.g. it can be hard to wake up for work on Sexto de Mayo). But, after training for that race, I was hooked. I was active, I was starting to figure out what "healthy choices" were, and I had a new sense of dedication to long-term goals. <b>I was a runner.</b> And I was ready to apply what I had learned from running to the brand new challenges that were about to enter my life.<br />
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In August 2009, I transplanted myself from the East Coast to beautiful Northern California to begin a doctoral program in cognitive neuroscience (still brain research, yay!). Since arriving, I've made a lot more changes in my life - some by choice and some by necessity - and, for the first time, really started to clarify my priorities. While training for my <a href="http://www.runhealdsburg.com/site5.aspx">second half-marathon</a> (recap post to come), I was acclimating to my new surroundings, new schedule, and new outlook. One morning, in the middle of a seven-mile training run along a country road on the outskirts of town (stay tuned for more on why I live in a runner's paradise), I felt my feet start to drag, my form to collapse, and my breath to become ragged. Then, my mind began to echo the phrase, "<b>STRONG AND STEADY, STRONG AND STEADY</b>," until my tempo evened out, my spine and hips aligned, and my throat relaxed. I'm not sure where this mantra came from, but it stuck, and it's held me together through some very difficult runs. And, believe it or not, this same principle has kept me grounded, motivated, and healthy in my daily life when things could have easily spiraled out of control. <br />
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This blog, which is admittedly a year overdue (but how could I know then what an astonishing turn my life would take?!), will chronicle and analyze the choices I make as I try to maintain a balance between work, play, and fitness as I strive simultaneously towards professional, interpersonal, and athletic goals. <br />
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<u>My Current State of Affairs:</u><br />
I am currently training for my <a href="http://www.changeofpace.com/davis_stampede.html">third half-marathon</a>, scheduled for February 7th. I love graduate school, and, even though I sometimes feel overwhelmed, I also believe strongly that I'm on the right path. I love California, and have met new, interesting, and supportive friends out here, but I still miss my friends and family on the East Coast every day. This includes, most profoundly, my Boyfriend, who is now on his own educational journey 3,000 miles away from me. I am, as I wrote at the outset, extremely proud of who I am, what I'm doing, and where I'm headed. In all realms of life, I feel like I am running half-marathons; my ultimate goals are miles and months and years away. But I know that I will reach them eventually, and be happier along the way, if I remember to run at a <b>strong and steady</b> pace.<br />
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</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04116625638382094114noreply@blogger.com0