Crunch Time

I'm about three weeks out from my half-marathon. This is officially crunch time. I've clearled my schedule until October 19th, with the exception of a dinner thing with an out of town friend, a quick trip to Richmond, a tune or two on Wednesdays, and weddings the next two weekends. Weekdays are to be devoted to running and conditioning as well as rest. Maintaining good health is just as important as maintaining mileage right now. Catching a cold would suck big time.

Aside from a super-strict training routine until my taper begins, I am also imposing some dietary changes. Dairy and alcohol are stricken, as are all animal proteins with the exception of lean chicken. Sweets and desserts are forbidden.

If it's true that athletes perform the way they practice, then consistency and drive these next three weeks are vital to my success.

Good Intentions

Well, I meant to write a witty and detailed post about giving my first-ever bouzouki lesson to a very apt and talented student, John's super lame absence from the RiRa session, the MO on my metro train last night, and the fact that this week has gone totally down the drain in terms of running, but I ended up working a twelve hour shift today and just don't have the details in me.

So, stay tuned, and if the memories listed above haven't dissolved inside my feeble, almost-30 year old brain, I'll see what I can pull together tomorrow.

I Quit (Twice)

After five days of running and yoga, my legs felt heavy and tired this morning when I woke up, but after work I went out for a spin anyway. What a mistake. I didn't make it one mile before I. Just. Stopped.

My hamstrings were screaming, everything felt heavy, my mouth was dry. This was bad. So I stopped and turned around and started walking home... and the funniest thing happened.

I began the usual self-deprecation and scolding, but my heart just wasn't in it. The enthusiasm that ordinarily accompanies my harsh dressing-down was absent. The inner monologue felt forced and mechanical. And so I stopped that too. I stopped beating myself up and just walked home. I didn't finish my run, so what. The world is not going to grind to a halt, my body will not turn to flab. In fact, I will probably be STRONGER tomorrow having quit my run and rested.

I am too cynical to figure this a psychological breakthrough, but I'm also not about to question a good thing.

Off tonight for sushi and a tune at Nanny O'Brien's. Should be fun, stay posted for reports of any hijinks!

Embracing the Curls!

So I came across a great article on how to care for curly hair and have decided to vary my routine and see if I can't get my fabulous head of hair looking even more goddess-like!

So far I have changed three things about my hair-care and with great results.

1. I am no longer shampooing my hair. Instead, I will gently massage the scalp with a dollop of conditioner to loosen dirt and rinse through before actually conditioning the locks. This is because, apparently, shampoos contain a chemical that is extremely drying to curly hair and strips the hair of it's naturally moisturizing oils.

2. I am using a curl-enhancing mousse. I have, at times, used a leave-in conditioner after towel-drying, but never an actual styling "product" designed for curly hair.

3. Instead of using the classic "turban" method whereby a plain bath towel is wrapped around the hair and piled on top of the head for drying, I am now using the "plopping" method whereby a wicking towel or cotton t-shirt is placed on a flat surface and the top of the head is placed directly in the center of the t-shirt, which is then wrapped around the head and secured for fifteen minutes (after mousse application). The benefits to this method over the turban method are twofold, as I understand it:
a. Wicking or cotton material actually pulls moisture out of the hair. This serves as a de-frizzing agent, whereas terrycloth isn't very absorbent and redistributes water back into the hair follicles, causing flyaways and frizz.
b. Securing the curls in a pile on top of the head sets their shapes so it holds better as it dries.

I am just about to embark on day two of my new routine. I still have a bit of experimenting to go in terms of product, and I probably will end up using a gentle shampoo once or twice a week. Regardless, I am thrilled with my "new" curls and can't wait to flaunt them!

Updates

I've been twittering so much lately that I almost forget to blog! Let's see... what can I tell you...

Well, Skwigg was lucky enough to find a good stylist for her curly hair. I have never been so lucky. Even my stylists who have curls of their own and insist they can cut ringlets just don't get how to TRIM THE ENDS so that I can maintain (and improve)length. I now resort to asking friends/my mom to cut my hair under close supervision. It seems to work so far.

The Stanley Cup champs will take on the Eastern Conference finalists on January 31, 2009 at the Verizon Center in DC. I just shelled out big bucks for my ticket... I am broke but blissful. I have a great seat and look foward to a great match. I am ordinarily pretty frugal.. so I figure a little splurge on my passion is a good diversion from the norm. The norm being my uber-scheduled, highly-controlled, never-anything-in-excess, ascetic existence.

I'm heading out in a few minutes with a new friend to meet up with some old friends for grilled food, good drinks, and a few tunes on a Capitol Hill roof.

Touching Toes

I am obsessed with taking pictures of Elena. She is much more photogenic than Natasha. And whenever she naps, she has to be touching me. This was from this morning.

Feeling Good Feeling Bad

Not sure what the problem was last night, but I could not sleep. I got drowsy reading a little after ten and turned out the light. Still awake at midnight I got up, checked my email, and went back to bed a few minutes later. Still awake around 2am, I got up, watched a little TV, and went back to bed around 3am. Still awake at 4:30am. Finally fell asleep a little after that... and now I'm awake again a few hours later.

I'm not going to go to yoga this morning, but I'm sure I will beat myself up for that, seeing as how I skipped my class on Friday to nurse my calf issue.

Maybe my long run, which I took last evening instead of morning, was the culprit? Though I was home by 6:30pm and spent the evening unwinding on the couch in front of the 'John Adams' series... that's the only thing I can think of that would have kept sleep at bay so severely.

Oh well. I'm going to take it easy today and not hesitate to nap.

Calf Woes

I think I pulled a muscle in my calf. My race is quickly approaching (see sidebar) and every twinge makes me nervous. I don't know what I would do if I injured myself and couldn't race. I am so paranoid, too... a running injury notwithstanding, what if I slip getting out of the shower and twist my ankle? Or trip over one of my cats and hurt my knee?

I am skipping yoga class tonight and intend to do a light stretching regimen at home instead. For my nine-miler tomorrow... I guess I will just take it easy and hope for the best...

A Quickie

Last night I went out for a tune and had a great time! A newcomer, an old friend, a pick dropped down by bra and retrieve not inconspicuously... a couple of pints, and I really do want to start practicing more and getting back into the swing of things.

The social life has been slightly over the top lately - but it's good to flow with the flow when it flows... knowing that it will ebb soon enough. In a few minutes I'm off to meet Anne for some of the best sushi in town before we both head over to our Community Group meeting.

Proof

As a result of being outside for the duration of an eleven-mile run yesterday, I got BURNED! The outline of my t-shirt is perfectly visible. I realized this only after getting dressed last evening... and without time to incorporate a fabulous scaft. Alas.

Shorts

The weekend looks auspicious. Yoga and dinner with the one and only AVE tonight, followed by a cozy night and morning, tucked away inside while Hannah rages on.

This afternoon as I was driving with a colleague back to the office from lunch, a guy ran stark naked in front of our car as we were stuck in traffic. The ensuing radio traffic was hilarious, especially when it was revealed that he had been stopped and placed under arrest right in front of a school that was dismissing for the day!

I am going to a bridal shower tomorrow at the Ritz-Carlton! That will, hopefully, be my only foray outside.

I had a bad run yesterday and will not run Saturday. For some reason, I am calm about this, even though missing a long run this close to the race is really, really inadvisable. I guess I just have to trust the consistency of my own training.

Lately I have been having auditory hallucinations. I'll think I hear my phone ringing. I'll check it - not rinigng. I'll put it down, and a few seconds later I hear it ringing again!! It's kind of creeping me out. I'm too old for the onset of schizophrenia. Any other suggestions?

Frustration!

My run sucked! It totally sucked. Yes, it was hot - 94-degrees to be exact.

However, I followed the "run slow" and "hydrate early and often" rules and STILL didn't quite finish the distance I wanted.

I really need this weather to break. I need several more strong, steady long runs before my race in October.

Grrr.....

Labor Day Weekend

Standing on the edge of the world:


Cocktails on Platte Lake:


The Frankfort Pier and lighthouse:

Leaving Town

I'm getting ready to fly to Northern Michigan and visit my father, his wife, and my brother and sister-in-law. We'll be doing lots of running, lounging by the lake, boating, hiking, bonfiring, and (I hope) - sleeping!

One thing I definitely want to do is take the fishing boat up Platte River to the Riverside general store for ice cream! We used to do that all the time when I was a kid and it is the best. If you go late enough they have the fire roaring. Nothing like pulling up and leaving a place by boat. So cool!

I doubt I'll be updating the blog over the weekend... so enjoy the long one and check back early next week!

THE WIRE SPOILER ALERT

NOTE: IF YOU ARE WATCHING THE WIRE AND HAVE NOT SEEN THE ENTIRE SERIES, INCLUDING SEASON FIVE, DO NOT READ THIS POST. This post contains a Season Five spoiler. Step away from the blog. You have been warned.

Once again, I have stolen a very interesting survey from Air Force mom Lea:

Do you like blue cheese? Yes

Have you ever smoked heroin? No

Do you own a gun? No

What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? I have never been to Sonic!

Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Not really

What do you think of hot dogs? Totally gross. Even the smell. Can't even walk past the street vendors, have to take a detour across the street.

Favorite Christmas movie? A Christmas Story

What do you prefer to drink in the morning? A big glass of water first thing, then black tea with milk.

Can you do push ups? Yes

What would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? I always loved you.

What's your favorite piece of jewelry? The amber necklace, earrings, and ring my mom bought me in Athens

Favorite hobby? Playing Irish music at pubs

What's one trait you like about yourself? I am comfortable in almost any social setting

Middle name? Marie

Name 3 things you bought yesterday: A metro farecard... groceries... and that's it. It was Sunday

Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Water, tea, red wine

Current dislike right now? The Wire because Omar just got smoked

How did you bring in the New Year? With many resolutions

Where would you like to go? Finland and Russia, Korea. Singapore. The Himalayas

Name three people who will complete this? Probably no one ;)

Do you own slippers? No, but I do own fuzzy comfy winter socks

What shirt are you wearing? A dark brown tank top

Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? No

Favorite color? Dark blue

Would you be a pirate? WTF?

Favorite girl's names? Natasha, Elena, Laura

Favorite boy's names? Patrick, Daniel

What's in your pocket right now? No pockets in my pj's

Last thing that made you laugh? A text message I received

Best bed sheets as a child? My Little Pony sheets and pop-up tent that fit over my mattress ;)

Do you love where you live? Absolutely

How many TVs do you have in your house? One

How many dogs do you have? None

Does someone have a crush on you? Yes

What are your favorite books? Anything by Thomas Merton or Patricia Highsmith

What is your favorite candy? Does ice cream count?

What song do you want played at your funeral? Never thought about it...

What were you doing 12 AM last night? Sleeping!

What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? Did I sleep through my alarm??

DNF

I didn't finish my training run yesterday. I was going to post a map of the route versus what I actually ran, but I don't have the energy. Let's just say I'm pretty sure I know what happened and hopefully it won't happen again. Still bad for morale, though.

I have a scar on each hand now, neither of which will fade completely. Has anyone ever tried that Mederma stuff? Does it work?

I finally have a few hours to myself. I'm going to heat up some vegetable and shrimp stir fry and pour it over a batch of quinoa, maybe settle down and watch some TV or a movie.

Dinnerblogging

Dinner was whole wheat rotini with shrimp in a light sauce made from olive oil, butter, chopped onion, a fresh tomato from Mike and Christina's garden, scallion, baby portabello mushrooms, and fresh basil and oregano also from the garden.

Some more fresh basil on top, and this was the final product. Delish!

Weekend Away

Over the weekend I took a train ride down to Norfolk to visit my brother and sister-in-law for the weekend. What a nice getaway... not only the food (homemade lasagna, squash casserole, dill-havarti omelettes with poached salmon, marinated cucumber salad, pork chops, tea, ice cream, homemade hazelnut chocolate cake, and plenty of red wine) but also two six-mile runs along Knitting Mill Creek, cocktails overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, some reading, a nap or two, the Olympics, and lots of talking outside on the back porch under a dim morning sun.

This is the route that Christina and I ran. It's a perfect two-mile loop around their little peninsula:


This is the view over Virginia Beach and out into the Atlantic Ocean where we enjoyed frozen drinks on Saturday evening:



And this is the three of us, getting ready to head to the train station for my departure:

Timeline

In just a few short minutes I'll be leaving work to go home, pack my bag, and hop on a train headed for Newport News, VA, where my brother and Christina will be waiting to pick me up for the weekend!

I'm psyched, and yet I'm sure I'll be utterly jealous of their gorgeous house (yes, I am the last renting child, sue me) on the water, outdoor patio, little path around the inlet, and overall fantastic life.

I'm sure we'll have good food and good conversation. I'll be squeezing in a run, and don't anyone forget to watch Catherine the Great take the gold on Sunday morning!

My Consolation

'Let men compose themselves and live at peace,
Set haughty fate beneath their feet,
And look unmoved on fortune good and bad,
And keep unchanging countenance:
Unmoved they'll stand before the ocean's rage
Which churns up waves from deep below,
Unmoved by restless Mount Vesuvius,
Her furnace burst and hurling flames,
Unmoved by fiery thunderbolts in flight
Which sweep in ruin towers on high.

Why then are miserable men in awe
When tyrants rage impotently?
If first you rid yourself of hope and fear
You have disarmed the tyrant's wrath:
But whosoever quakes in fear or hope,
Drifting and losing mastery,
Has cast away his shield, has left his place,
And binds the chain with which he will be bound.'
-Spoken by Philosophy in Boethius, The Consolation of Philosophy