September Update

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

It's been a nice summer. The parents and in-laws visited over a month ago to see the city and cheer me on in the marathon. Dad took pictures of everything. From the mundane:

To the once-in-a-lifetime:

I loved having the family here. Seeing them cheering at different points in the marathon was particularly exciting. I did finish, and it felt great! I wanted to cry and laught at the same time as I reached the finish line and the medal was placed around my neck. It is a great feeling that I want to have again. And it was extra special to have my two of my favorite guys (pictured above) there to congratulate me.

Teaching the summer camp was strenuous, but good. The kids really loved it and I enjoyed having an assistant teacher to help out. I won't be returning to teach this fall, which was a difficult but necessary decision. I'm working at the store again part-time while I try to figure out what's next for me.

What I would really like to do is land an internship at a magazine, newspaper, or book publisher and learn about that field. I would love to start a career in the editorial/publishing world, but I have so much to learn. I'm hoping to volunteer at a few places to get some experience as well.

Other than figuring out my career, the rest of my life is running smoothly. I'm thinking about auditioning for a show, though I've got to prepare some songs first.

And I might enter the September Iron Cupcake Challenge: Squash. Should be interesting!

Anticipation

Friday, July 24, 2009

So, Sunday's the big day. I'm waiting for Chip to get back from the airport where he picked up my folks and my in-laws. I'm happy to have family in town for the big day, though it also adds to the nerves.

Am I ready?

I think so. It's hard to know, it being my first marathon. The good news is that most of the route I'm familiar with; I've utilized much of it for my regular and long runs. I went to the expo to pick up my shirt and bib today. It was crazy. Truth be told, I don't think I'll get into the whole running lifestyle. I think it will just continue as a way for me to stay fit, on top of the new healthier diet Chip and I have just started.

I'm excited and nervous, but mostly excited.

26.2, here I come.

I have a blog?

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Contrary to possible belief spawned by lack of posting, I have indeed been continuing in my training. It's been spotty at times, but I've succeeded where it counts. My longest run has been 18 miles, slow and steady. But it was my 17.5 miler the week before that gave me a confidence I had yet to experience.

Here's the route, in a nutshell:
Out my front door. Down Polk Street. To the water, by Fort Mason. Pass the Marina and Crissy Field. To Golden Gate Bridge. Across the bridge and back (taking in the gorgeous view when across). Back past the Marina and Fort Mason. Down Bay Street to Embarcadero. Down to the ballpark and back up Embarcadero to the Ferry Building. Cutting over to Market. Down the Sutter. Down Sutter to my front door.

There you have it. Lots of running. The first time I truly felt good the whole way through the run (despite painful knees down the hill on Bay St.). I even had some people call out to me. One older guy, in North Beach, in a thick Italian accent: "You're really fast there, aren't you?" A couple of skateboarders on Embarcadero: "Can we run with you?"

Those are the times I delight in running. I have time, without the ipod, to listen to the sounds around me. And I'm distracted by the smells and sights. But it's an intriguing distraction.

Next week I start teaching full time at my program's summer camp. I'll be leaving the apartment early in the morning (around 6am) and won't get back till about 12 hours later, so it'll be interesting to see how I fit running/training into my schedule.

Also, July holds lots of exciting things (anniversary, visits from friends and family). I have a lot to look forward to, but I know I have to focus on making it through the 26.2 on July 26.

Run Like a Girl

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Today was another long run. I set out with a 16-mile plan and took a copy of the map along with me, but got a little off track--found a mistake in the map, got lost on a golf course--I ended up running I think about 15 miles. Toward the end I was feeling extremely weak--I made the mistake of running through lunchtime--so I had to switch to a walk/run plan. All in all, it was a good run.

I wish I had brought my phone or camera, because there are lots of interesting things to see through Golden Gate Park, down the Great Highway, and around Lake Merced--some of which include a row of rainbow colored houses along the Great Highway, a house painted a la Mondrian, a giant painted cartoon dog head on a pole above the street, a dude with a remote-controlled boat on Stow Lake... the list goes on.

Track Workout... Interrupted

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

I headed on over to Kezar Stadium--in Golden Gate Park, where the 49ers used to practice--for a track workout--my first real one--but found a high school track meet in session. I stood behind the bleachers for a bit, watching the different heats. (Those kids were fast.) Eventually, seeing that the event wasn't ending anytime soon, I decided to run around the top of the track and run up and down the bleachers several times.

I found my legs to be very sore--I suppose from last Thursday's run and the hike on Saturday. I decided that, since my long run was to be the next day, I shouldn't push myself too hard, and I soon headed back home.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Last weekend Chip and I went camping for Will's birthday. Shiying had set up a great trip and we attempted to surprise Will with it. Needless to say, this threw a wrench in my workout regime. I did manage to get in a run/walk up the mountain and then Saturday during the day we went on a hike to the top. So, I definitely got some exercise. But I was still feeling the aching from Thursday's long run.

Run Long

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Today I felt like a runner.

I start off walking the few blocks from my apartment to Polk street, getting myself excited and anxious for the run ahead. I'm surprised to find that--once I start running up Polk--I have to stop at relatively few red lights. The one thing I like about running in busier parts of the city is dodging people like little obstacles.

I make it to Aquatic Park and run around it to ascend the hill at Fort Mason--killer steep hill. As I make it to the top, I stop to stretch and catch my breath. I've read that you don't need to stretch before a run, and that you should actually warm up your muscles before stretching. I commence running and am met by very strong winds. I'm used to the wind, but this is a little much. I'm comforted by thinking of how much more of a workout I'm getting with this strong wind blowing against me.

This part of the run--past the Marina and on to the beach--is nice and flat. It gives me a chance to hit my stride. I make it to the Warming Hut and stop to blow my nose (ew) and duck into the bathroom away from the wind.

I leave and ascend the stairs to the Golden Gate Bridge, really pumped about running across it for the first time. I start across, dodging meandering tourists and cyclists and noting the temperature change. Once I get across, I take a few minutes to jog around the lookout staring back at my city across the Bay. Beautiful.

I start running away from the bridge, but soon realize that I don't know where I should run. What I had mapped out on mapmyrun.com isn't helpful, so I soon turn around instead of risking running on a small shoulder with cars passing by at 45mph.

My trek back across the bridge is once again cold, and even more windy. I'm relieved to make it across and carefully descend the stairs (taking care with my knee). From there I run to Fort Point--of course--to touch Hopper's Hands before heading back.

The run back proves easier: I've gotten into a groove and the wind is at my back. I only later find out that the sun was also at my back... and burning my skin. (Note to self: use sunscreen.) I do slow down to a fast walk a couple of times, but I never stop. And this is what I'm proud of.

All in all, because of the confusion on the other side of the bridge, I'd say I finished somewhere between 13 and 14 miles, which is a great accomplishment for me. Next week, I'll be at it again.