Wednesday: 3.15 mile run, Splits: 10:20, 10:02, 10:29, 1:08
Core Work: 24 lunges, 20 pushups, 100 crunches
Thursday: off
Friday: off - I thought I would have time to squeeze a run in before my in-laws showed up, but that didn't work out
Saturday: off - I decided to run my long run on Sunday so I could spend the day doing things with my in-laws
Sunday: 6 mile "long run" I encountered flooded paths and my Garmin died. I regret not doing the miles now, but at the time I was just too frustrated. Splits: 11:29, 10:55, 12:22, 11:15, 10:35, 11:05
Monday: 4 mile Treadmill Incline Run
Core Work: 26 lunges, 20 push-ups, 100 crunches
5 mile bike commute
Tuesday: off
Wow! This was not a very good week for me training-wise. I'm in the busiest part of the semester and my in-laws visit, while great, was a pretty major disruption in my training. So on that note, I better go put on my workout gear and head out the door for a run. How was your workout week?
Running + Yoga + Academia + Outfits + Food + Travel + W(h)ine
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Weekly +/- XIV
In the - column this week:
- This week, like last week, have been tremendously busy. Whenever I think that I might have some "spare" time to make significant progress on my research and writing goals, I suddenly find something comes up in the day-to-day. This past week I had a number of papers to grade. Then my in-laws came into town for the weekend - which is a good thing, but definitely further limited my hours of productivity.
- We received about ten inches of rain on Wednesday/Thursday. Several of the trails that I normally run on are flooded. I thought I had chosen a flood-free route for my long run this morning. However, less then 2.5 miles into my run, I discovered I'd need a canoe to continue further down the trail. When my Garmin beeped that it was about to die a couple of miles after that, I figured that it wasn't meant to be today. It's frustrating because this will make two weeks in a row in which I didn't conquer my long run.
- I wore a newish pair of shoes on Friday, and they gave me huge blisters on my heels. I thought I had worn them enough around the house that they wouldn't give me any problems, but boy was I wrong about that!
In the + column:
+ A colleague observed one of my classes this week and said that I did an excellent job in the classroom.
+ My in-laws were in town for a couple of days to visit us here. It's always fun to hang out with them. We showed them around our little city and then on Saturday we went to the Twin Cities to the Walker Art Center, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, and to the Mall of America.
+ Autumn is here, and it is my favorite season! I love pumpkins and Halloween and football and the colorful foliage. I just hope the water subsides from the paths so I can fully enjoy my favorite season for running and biking.
How was your week? Have you entered my giveaway yet?
- This week, like last week, have been tremendously busy. Whenever I think that I might have some "spare" time to make significant progress on my research and writing goals, I suddenly find something comes up in the day-to-day. This past week I had a number of papers to grade. Then my in-laws came into town for the weekend - which is a good thing, but definitely further limited my hours of productivity.
- We received about ten inches of rain on Wednesday/Thursday. Several of the trails that I normally run on are flooded. I thought I had chosen a flood-free route for my long run this morning. However, less then 2.5 miles into my run, I discovered I'd need a canoe to continue further down the trail. When my Garmin beeped that it was about to die a couple of miles after that, I figured that it wasn't meant to be today. It's frustrating because this will make two weeks in a row in which I didn't conquer my long run.
- I wore a newish pair of shoes on Friday, and they gave me huge blisters on my heels. I thought I had worn them enough around the house that they wouldn't give me any problems, but boy was I wrong about that!
In the + column:
+ A colleague observed one of my classes this week and said that I did an excellent job in the classroom.
How was your week? Have you entered my giveaway yet?
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Giveaway Sponsored by CSN Stores
Dearest readers, I'm so grateful to you for reading my little corner of the internet, so I wanted to give you the chance to win something in order to say thank you for reading and commenting! CSN stores has generously offered to sponsor this giveaway. You can win a $60 gift card to spend at any of CSN's 200+ stores. If I could enter my own giveaway, I'd probably be most interested in one of their nightstands! The winner will be able to use it however they wish.
All you have to do to enter this giveaway is leave a comment with a valid email address (so I can contact you) letting me know what you would use the $60 gift card to purchase at CSN stores if you are the winner!
For a second chance to win be a follower of my blog and let me know in an additional comment that you are following.
For a third chance to win tweet or blog about this giveaway and leave yet another comment with a link to that tweet or post.
I'll close this giveaway and pick a winner next Thursday, September 30 at 11:59 pm (EST) and pick a winner the following morning! This giveaway is open to US and Canadian readers only, with many apologies to international readers. Canadian readers should also be aware that there may be international shipping costs.
For a second chance to win be a follower of my blog and let me know in an additional comment that you are following.
For a third chance to win tweet or blog about this giveaway and leave yet another comment with a link to that tweet or post.
I'll close this giveaway and pick a winner next Thursday, September 30 at 11:59 pm (EST) and pick a winner the following morning! This giveaway is open to US and Canadian readers only, with many apologies to international readers. Canadian readers should also be aware that there may be international shipping costs.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Workout Wednesday 9/22
Wednesday: 2.25 mile treadmill incline run
Core work: 24 lunges, 20 push ups, 100 crunches
Thursday: off
Friday: 2 mile treadmill run - I had intended to run 4 miles but there was an issue that I was worried that I was going to have to go into campus to deal with, so I cut my run short.
Core work: 10 lunges, 10 push ups
Saturday: 6. 7 mile longish run - first attempt at the long run resulted in getting lost and steep hills. I lost track of my splits when I got lost around mile 3.
Sunday: 12 mile long run, Splits: 11:08, 10:51, 11:18, 10:48, 12:16, 11:47, 10:37, 11:25, 12:18, 14:03, 11:40, 10:12. I was happy that I pushed through 12 miles, since I was having some stomach and back issues in the second half of the run.
Monday: 2.5 mile casual run. I met up with one of the other ladies from my women's running group for an easy 2.5 miles on one of the trails. It was nice to have someone to chat with.
Tuesday: off
This past week was a pretty epic cross training fail. I'm a fair weather bike commuter and the weather wasn't all that fair. And because I had to make two attempts at my long run, I didn't get in any yoga over the weekend. It could have been a worse training week, but it definitely could have been better. How was your work out week?
Core work: 24 lunges, 20 push ups, 100 crunches
Thursday: off
Friday: 2 mile treadmill run - I had intended to run 4 miles but there was an issue that I was worried that I was going to have to go into campus to deal with, so I cut my run short.
Core work: 10 lunges, 10 push ups
Saturday: 6. 7 mile longish run - first attempt at the long run resulted in getting lost and steep hills. I lost track of my splits when I got lost around mile 3.
Sunday: 12 mile long run, Splits: 11:08, 10:51, 11:18, 10:48, 12:16, 11:47, 10:37, 11:25, 12:18, 14:03, 11:40, 10:12. I was happy that I pushed through 12 miles, since I was having some stomach and back issues in the second half of the run.
Monday: 2.5 mile casual run. I met up with one of the other ladies from my women's running group for an easy 2.5 miles on one of the trails. It was nice to have someone to chat with.
Tuesday: off
This past week was a pretty epic cross training fail. I'm a fair weather bike commuter and the weather wasn't all that fair. And because I had to make two attempts at my long run, I didn't get in any yoga over the weekend. It could have been a worse training week, but it definitely could have been better. How was your work out week?
Monday, September 20, 2010
Running (Mis)Adventures
On Saturday I woke up early, got dressed in my running gear, ate a couple of pieces of toast, drank a couple of glasses of water, and took a look at my trail map. My plan was to run 15 miles and to connect one of my shorter routes with one of my longer routes so that I wouldn't have to drive anywhere to get onto one of the trails. I filled up my CamelBak with G2, stuffed my cell phone, ID, and a ziplock bag of gummy worms (my current preferred form of mid-run extra calories) into its pouch and headed out the door.
The first mile felt good. The second mile felt great, and I was even keeping a sub-11 pace on the steep hill that I had figured would be the biggest incline challenge on this run. I turned onto a street that I thought would intersect with the street that I needed to take to get me to near the trail where I planned to run over half of the 15 miles I had planned. I came to a dead end, so I turned back, thinking I must have just somehow missed the street. At this point I had run a little over 3 miles. Then I realized the street I had been on Y'ed off, so I thought maybe that was my mistake. Maybe I should have taken the left rather than going straight... I descended down a very steep hill and ran for about another mile, realizing that I wasn't hitting the street I was looking for or any of the streets that I knew would take me to the general area where I wanted to go. I was frustrated and thinking that even if I did suddenly find my way to the trail I would have to return back up that extremely steep incline about 12 miles into my run. I wasn't thrilled about that idea, especially because I'd had a tiring week and hadn't been able to get in many mid-week miles.
After some debate with myself, I decided to just turn back and try again for a long run the next day. I ran 6.7 miles instead of 15 on Saturday. When I got home, I looked on Google maps, and it turned out the trail map was slightly misleading. The street that I was looking for actually ran parallel to the street I had been running on instead of intersecting with it. It was just really difficult to tell that from the pdf of the trail map I had been looking at.
I set out yesterday with the plan of doing at least 13 miles and possibly the 15 that had been on the original schedule depending on how I was feeling as the run progressed. Well, this run wasn't so fantastic either. My stomach started bothering me around mile 8. I blame it on the Kashi granola bar that I ate pre-run. It's not my usual brand and nothing else was particularly different. Once my stomach had settled, my lower back started seizing up. I settled for 12 miles and called it a day.
Sometimes a great long run is just not in the cards. Hopefully, next Saturday's will go much more smoothly. I definitely won't be trying that route again. I ran a gentle 2.5 miles today at a recovery pace, and my back felt fine so that was a relief.
How do you approach an unsuccessful run or training workout? Do you try to make it up the next day?
The first mile felt good. The second mile felt great, and I was even keeping a sub-11 pace on the steep hill that I had figured would be the biggest incline challenge on this run. I turned onto a street that I thought would intersect with the street that I needed to take to get me to near the trail where I planned to run over half of the 15 miles I had planned. I came to a dead end, so I turned back, thinking I must have just somehow missed the street. At this point I had run a little over 3 miles. Then I realized the street I had been on Y'ed off, so I thought maybe that was my mistake. Maybe I should have taken the left rather than going straight... I descended down a very steep hill and ran for about another mile, realizing that I wasn't hitting the street I was looking for or any of the streets that I knew would take me to the general area where I wanted to go. I was frustrated and thinking that even if I did suddenly find my way to the trail I would have to return back up that extremely steep incline about 12 miles into my run. I wasn't thrilled about that idea, especially because I'd had a tiring week and hadn't been able to get in many mid-week miles.
After some debate with myself, I decided to just turn back and try again for a long run the next day. I ran 6.7 miles instead of 15 on Saturday. When I got home, I looked on Google maps, and it turned out the trail map was slightly misleading. The street that I was looking for actually ran parallel to the street I had been running on instead of intersecting with it. It was just really difficult to tell that from the pdf of the trail map I had been looking at.
I set out yesterday with the plan of doing at least 13 miles and possibly the 15 that had been on the original schedule depending on how I was feeling as the run progressed. Well, this run wasn't so fantastic either. My stomach started bothering me around mile 8. I blame it on the Kashi granola bar that I ate pre-run. It's not my usual brand and nothing else was particularly different. Once my stomach had settled, my lower back started seizing up. I settled for 12 miles and called it a day.
Sometimes a great long run is just not in the cards. Hopefully, next Saturday's will go much more smoothly. I definitely won't be trying that route again. I ran a gentle 2.5 miles today at a recovery pace, and my back felt fine so that was a relief.
How do you approach an unsuccessful run or training workout? Do you try to make it up the next day?
Friday, September 17, 2010
On the Table: Slow Cooker Mac & Cheese
Usually when I get home from campus on Thursday evenings I am pretty wiped out from a week of teaching, meetings, paperwork, and trying to get in some mid-week miles and mid-week research and writing. Because of this, either my husband makes dinner on Thursday or I make something that doesn't require a whole lot of work or time in the kitchen. Yesterday I decided to make slow cooker mac & cheese. It requires about 20 minutes of prep work and then the occasional trip into the kitchen to check on things and stir, but it is a very easy meal.
First I boiled some elbow macaroni according to the package instructions. I used about 1/2 of a 32 oz package since my crock-pot is on the small side. While the pasta was boiling, I cut up some fresh broccoli and put it in the crock-pot. When the noodles were cooked to al dente, I drained them and added them to the slow cooker with the broccoli.
Then I stirred in the following ingredients:
1 egg lightly beaten
1 cup of sour cream (I used lite to mitigate some of the unhealthiness of this recipe)
1 1/4 cup of milk (I use 1%)
1 tsp of ground mustard
1 tsp of soy sauce
1 tsp of tabasco sauce
1 can of Campbell's cheddar soup (10 3/4 oz)
~3 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
~1/2 cup of shredded parmesan cheese
I put the lid on the crockpot and cooked the mac & cheese for about two and a half hours on low, stirring occassionally.
It wasn't the most attractive dish out there, but it was absolutely delicious. Sometimes nothing beats comfort food at the end of a long week!
What's your go-to comfort food?
Then I stirred in the following ingredients:
1 egg lightly beaten
1 cup of sour cream (I used lite to mitigate some of the unhealthiness of this recipe)
1 1/4 cup of milk (I use 1%)
1 tsp of ground mustard
1 tsp of soy sauce
1 tsp of tabasco sauce
1 can of Campbell's cheddar soup (10 3/4 oz)
~3 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
~1/2 cup of shredded parmesan cheese
I put the lid on the crockpot and cooked the mac & cheese for about two and a half hours on low, stirring occassionally.
What's your go-to comfort food?
Thursday, September 16, 2010
September Goals: Mid-Month Check In
It seems like September is just flying by. I figured I should take a look at where I am with my monthly goals.
My fitness goals are going pretty well:
So far I've run 47 out of my 111 goal miles.
Last week I didn't get my core work in 3 times, but I did the first week of the month and I will this week.
I've been biking at least once a week as weather allows.
I've stretched or done yoga after each run so far.
I am still eating more cheese than I probably should, but I have been eating more fruits and veggies on a daily basis.
My writing goals are progressing but definitely not as fast as I would like. They were:
* Spend at least five hours a week working on manuscript transcription edits - here I haven't been as successful as I would like. I've only managed to get in a couple of hours each week, but I'm planning on getting in five this week and next.
* Revise and resubmit a journal article for publication - I haven't even been able to think about this one. I'm hoping to get to it next week, though....
* Write the plan for how I will meet my institution's required criteria ✔
* Update CV, teaching philosophy, job letters, etc. ✔
* Get together an outline for another article for publication or a conference paper abstract. - I have started jotting down some ideas and moving toward getting something together
How are you progressing toward your September goals?
My fitness goals are going pretty well:
So far I've run 47 out of my 111 goal miles.
Last week I didn't get my core work in 3 times, but I did the first week of the month and I will this week.
I've been biking at least once a week as weather allows.
I've stretched or done yoga after each run so far.
I am still eating more cheese than I probably should, but I have been eating more fruits and veggies on a daily basis.
My writing goals are progressing but definitely not as fast as I would like. They were:
* Spend at least five hours a week working on manuscript transcription edits - here I haven't been as successful as I would like. I've only managed to get in a couple of hours each week, but I'm planning on getting in five this week and next.
* Revise and resubmit a journal article for publication - I haven't even been able to think about this one. I'm hoping to get to it next week, though....
* Write the plan for how I will meet my institution's required criteria ✔
* Update CV, teaching philosophy, job letters, etc. ✔
* Get together an outline for another article for publication or a conference paper abstract. - I have started jotting down some ideas and moving toward getting something together
How are you progressing toward your September goals?
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Workout Wednesday 9/15
Wednesday: 4 mile run - negative splits
Core work: 30 lunges, 100 crunches, 20 pushups
5 mile bike commute
Thursday: off - I had planned to run with a friend, but the weather wasn't good for it, so I switched my rest day and ran on Friday.
Friday: 3 mile treadmill run - incline
Saturday: off - I had a late night and too much wine the night before, so I moved my long run to Sunday. I do wish I'd done some yoga, though.
Sunday: 12 mile long run - I forgot my Garmin so I don't know how my splits worked out.
Monday: 2.5 mile casual run with my friend S.
15 min yoga
5 mile bike commute
Tuesday: off - I had to be on campus at 7:30 am and was there for almost 12 hours, so....
This week wasn't as good with cross training as I would have liked. I got a couple of bike commutes in, but I found myself slacking off with the core work and the yoga.
How was your workout week?
Core work: 30 lunges, 100 crunches, 20 pushups
5 mile bike commute
Thursday: off - I had planned to run with a friend, but the weather wasn't good for it, so I switched my rest day and ran on Friday.
Friday: 3 mile treadmill run - incline
Saturday: off - I had a late night and too much wine the night before, so I moved my long run to Sunday. I do wish I'd done some yoga, though.
Sunday: 12 mile long run - I forgot my Garmin so I don't know how my splits worked out.
Monday: 2.5 mile casual run with my friend S.
15 min yoga
5 mile bike commute
Tuesday: off - I had to be on campus at 7:30 am and was there for almost 12 hours, so....
This week wasn't as good with cross training as I would have liked. I got a couple of bike commutes in, but I found myself slacking off with the core work and the yoga.
How was your workout week?
Monday, September 13, 2010
Marvelous Bodies
I think that often we can tend to focus on the negative things about our bodies. Many of us want to lose a few pounds or run a faster mile or do more push ups or get rid of our junk in the trunk. Many of us waste time wishing for bigger boobs or smaller boobs or six pack abs or more toned legs. Many of us fixate on counting calories and getting to a particular number on the scale.Instead of focusing so much on things we don't like about our bodies, we should spend more time marveling at how amazing our bodies are and what they can do. Our bodies have remarkable capacities to grow and to heal and to accomplish the possible and the impossible.
We should love and respect our bodies. We shouldn't call them gross or disgusting. Doing so only hurts the soul. We should thank them for allowing us to breathe, to exist, to walk, to run, to ride bicycles, to do cartwheels and downward facing dogs, to relish delicious food, to smell the scents of fresh-brewed coffee and freshly-cut grass.
Our bodies are marvelous -- no matter their shape or size.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Weekly +/- XII
In the - column this week:
- I'm not where I hoped to be with some of my writing goals at this point in the month. I've accomplished two of my five goals, but they were the easiest ones. And this upcoming week looks to be an even-busier than normal one because of meetings.... Because of the busyness, I was writing a lecture at 9:00 on a Saturday night. Meh.
- The weather was weird this week. Heavy winds and rain kept me off my bike, and I definitely missed pedaling my way to campus. The weather also compelled my friend S. and me to postpone the run we planned to do together on Thursday to next week.
- I didn't have the best of long runs this morning. I forgot my Garmin, and I was just not really mentally in the zone. I almost stepped on a toad around mile two, and that threw me off even more. Sorry, little guy!
In the + column:
+ Friday evening I went out with some girlfriends, and we had a blast. I hadn't really intended to drink very much or stay out very late, but we were laughing and chatting. I completely lost track of time. Before I knew it, I'd had 5 glasses of wine and it was almost midnight. So I decided to do my long run today instead of on Saturday morning.
+ My doctoral diploma arrived, and I went and bought a frame for it. This afternoon I'm going to hang it in my home office.
+ Yesterday my husband and I met up with a friend of ours to go to the local Pride Parade and Festival. It was a pretty small event, but I was glad that there was one here. I also have an unending love of fair and festival food, so it was with great glee that I discovered ridiculously giant pickles were part of the available fare.
+ My Sooners were victorious again. After the festival, M. and I came home, and I watched the game and drank a couple of a beers.
+ Although I might not have had the best long run today, I did run a really gorgeous route. I'm thankful that there are such beautiful places so near me.
How was your week? Where do you do most of your running/walking/cycling?
- I'm not where I hoped to be with some of my writing goals at this point in the month. I've accomplished two of my five goals, but they were the easiest ones. And this upcoming week looks to be an even-busier than normal one because of meetings.... Because of the busyness, I was writing a lecture at 9:00 on a Saturday night. Meh.
- The weather was weird this week. Heavy winds and rain kept me off my bike, and I definitely missed pedaling my way to campus. The weather also compelled my friend S. and me to postpone the run we planned to do together on Thursday to next week.
- I didn't have the best of long runs this morning. I forgot my Garmin, and I was just not really mentally in the zone. I almost stepped on a toad around mile two, and that threw me off even more. Sorry, little guy!
+ Friday evening I went out with some girlfriends, and we had a blast. I hadn't really intended to drink very much or stay out very late, but we were laughing and chatting. I completely lost track of time. Before I knew it, I'd had 5 glasses of wine and it was almost midnight. So I decided to do my long run today instead of on Saturday morning.
+ My doctoral diploma arrived, and I went and bought a frame for it. This afternoon I'm going to hang it in my home office.
+ Yesterday my husband and I met up with a friend of ours to go to the local Pride Parade and Festival. It was a pretty small event, but I was glad that there was one here. I also have an unending love of fair and festival food, so it was with great glee that I discovered ridiculously giant pickles were part of the available fare.
+ Although I might not have had the best long run today, I did run a really gorgeous route. I'm thankful that there are such beautiful places so near me.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Coveted: Schwinn Hybrid
Although I've only been able to bike to campus once this week due to the holiday and crazy wind gusting weather and although I have a perfectly serviceable bike (it's a 21 speed mountain bike), I have been seriously coveting a Schwinn Hybrid or a Schwinn Urban Bike, like this one:
I definitely can't afford a new bike right now, and I can't really justify a second one. In my fantasy world, though, I have a cruiser and a bike like this one. Wouldn't one of these commuter bikes be fabulous to own for cycling about campus and to happy hours and the farmers' market?
I definitely can't afford a new bike right now, and I can't really justify a second one. In my fantasy world, though, I have a cruiser and a bike like this one. Wouldn't one of these commuter bikes be fabulous to own for cycling about campus and to happy hours and the farmers' market?
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Workout Wednesday 9/8
Wednesday: 4 mile run - Splits 10:55, 10:03, 10:16, 10:03 - I was trying to keep the pace under an 11 min/mile for the first mile and under 10:30 for the other 3. Mission accomplished
Core work: 24 lunges, 85 crunches, 20 push ups, stretching
5 mile bike commute
Thursday: 3 mile treadmill run
Core work: 30 lunges, 90 crunches, 20 push ups, stretching
Friday: off
Saturday: 13 mile long run - Splits: 11:18, 11:03, 10:59, 11:17, 12:00, 11:35, 11:08, 11:01, 11:11, 11:51, 13:02, 11:37, 11:28- I was trying to keep my post around 11:30, and I did a pretty good job of it. I definitely slowed down a lot on a couple of pretty steep hills, though.
Sunday: 45 minutes yoga - lots of lunging poses, so again this counts for the lunges challenge
Monday: 3 mile treadmill run (1 mile @11:30, 2 miles @10:00)
Core work: 20 lunges with bicep curls, 100 crunches, 20 push ups, stretching
Tuesday: off - I had intended to do yoga when I got home from campus, but since I forgot to bring my lunch and then didn't have a chance to grab anything until I had a pastry and a coffee at 3pm with a friend, I just wasn't feeling up for much of anything when I got home. We were having crazy 50mph wind gusts, so no biking either.
All in all, not a bad week. My runs on Wednesday and Saturday were especially enjoyable for me. How was your work out week?
Core work: 24 lunges, 85 crunches, 20 push ups, stretching
5 mile bike commute
Thursday: 3 mile treadmill run
Core work: 30 lunges, 90 crunches, 20 push ups, stretching
Friday: off
Saturday: 13 mile long run - Splits: 11:18, 11:03, 10:59, 11:17, 12:00, 11:35, 11:08, 11:01, 11:11, 11:51, 13:02, 11:37, 11:28- I was trying to keep my post around 11:30, and I did a pretty good job of it. I definitely slowed down a lot on a couple of pretty steep hills, though.
Sunday: 45 minutes yoga - lots of lunging poses, so again this counts for the lunges challenge
Monday: 3 mile treadmill run (1 mile @11:30, 2 miles @10:00)
Core work: 20 lunges with bicep curls, 100 crunches, 20 push ups, stretching
Tuesday: off - I had intended to do yoga when I got home from campus, but since I forgot to bring my lunch and then didn't have a chance to grab anything until I had a pastry and a coffee at 3pm with a friend, I just wasn't feeling up for much of anything when I got home. We were having crazy 50mph wind gusts, so no biking either.
All in all, not a bad week. My runs on Wednesday and Saturday were especially enjoyable for me. How was your work out week?
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Travels: Venice and Murano
It's hard to believe that it's already been almost two months since we were in Italy. Since a few of you asked to see more photos and to hear more about my travels, I decided I would write another post on Venice and Murano and one on Rome. I also decided that I would show you some of my photos from when I lived in Madrid and from my trips to Mexico. So starting tomorrow, I'll start doing a Worldless Wednesday feature in addition to my normal Workout Wednesday weekly recap.
But for now Venice:
Our last day in Venice, we went to the Cathedral of San Marcos. I have to say that it is probably the most incredible church that I've been in, and I have been in some pretty spectacular religious structures, like San Chappelle and Notre Dame and the Cathedral of Santa Maria de la Sede in Seville. The interior of San Marcos is adorned in loot brought back by Venetian Crusaders (especially from the disasterous Fourth Crusade) and gorgeous Byzantine-influenced mosaics, which glow in the light.
The horses that adorn the roof are copies of the originals (now in the musuem). The original horses are of an ancient but mysterious origin. Some scholars date them to the 4th century BC and others to the 4th century AD. They may have traveled from Greece to Rome to Constantinople (now Istanbul). What is certain is that they were part of that loot brought back to Venice after the sacking of Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade. Later, in the eighteenth century, Napoleon took them to Paris, but they made their way back to San Marcos in 1815.
These are the replicas. I saw the originals, but didn't take photos of them. I just marveled at how many places they've seen, how much violence has brought about their various transports, and how they have survived so many centuries.
After a morning in the Cathedral/Basilica, we headed to the island of Murano by vaporreto and did some walking around, some glass shopping, and had a beer.
M. and I had considered taking a gondola ride, but to be honest it seemed more like a rip-off than a romantic thing to do. So we just took the vaporreto through Venice and up the Grand Canal to Rialto. It was far cheaper, and I think we got views that were just as spectacular.
Venice was the perfect place for us to begin our honeymoon.
But for now Venice:
After a morning in the Cathedral/Basilica, we headed to the island of Murano by vaporreto and did some walking around, some glass shopping, and had a beer.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Weekly +/- XI
In the - column:
- There are just never enough hours in a day to get done all the things that I want to and sometimes all that I need to.
- I'm learning that teaching an 8am class twice a week means that I have to run in the afternoons on those days. It also means having to force myself to go to bed at least half an hour earlier than I usually do. 5:30 comes early, and yes I need that 2.5 hours to take Bailey out, drink coffee, eat breakfast, shower, get dressed, drink more coffee, bike into campus, and print out my lecture notes and class prep back-ups because I have had the technology fail on me in all three of my classrooms already this semester.
- I forgot to buy ice so I didn't have any for an ice bath after my 13-miler yesterday. I was planning on taking an ice bath for my long runs of 13+ miles in the hopes of alleviating some of the soreness that follows them.
In the + column:
+ I love getting things in the mail that aren't bills, and I received two packages in the mail this week. One was a piece of Wendy Brandes jewelry that I had been wanting for a long time. I used some of the money that my in-laws sent me for graduation to buy it for myself. It is amazing, and I plan to wear it multiple times this next week.
+ The cooler temperatures this week have made running and cycling even more enjoyable! I loved that I actually felt a bit cold when I started out on my long run yesterday.
+ The college football season has begun, and my Oklahoma Sooners won their opening game last night. 800 wins, baby! I love having games on all day Saturday and watching even if I don't have strong feelings about either team.
+ Yesterday was a fantastic day. I got up early and hit the trails for 13 miles. Since I was out of my normal Shot Bloks, I tried eating a few Gummy Worms at miles 4 and 9 as fuel. That with G2 seemed to be a good combo for me. Then I came home, and M whipped up some of his amazing pancakes and I made scrambled eggs with parsley and feta. I spent yesterday afternoon on the couch with football on and September issues of fashion magazines in hand for the commercial breaks.
+ My husband is awesome. He makes me pancakes after my long runs. He challenges me in Wordscraper. He supports my projects, including my blogs, and listens to me talk about running even though he has no interest in it. He puts up with my crushes on Veronica Mars and Sayid Jarrah. He makes me laugh. I appreciate him a lot and I don't tell him enough that I still have a crush on him, too.
How has your week been? What's in your plus column this week?
- There are just never enough hours in a day to get done all the things that I want to and sometimes all that I need to.
- I'm learning that teaching an 8am class twice a week means that I have to run in the afternoons on those days. It also means having to force myself to go to bed at least half an hour earlier than I usually do. 5:30 comes early, and yes I need that 2.5 hours to take Bailey out, drink coffee, eat breakfast, shower, get dressed, drink more coffee, bike into campus, and print out my lecture notes and class prep back-ups because I have had the technology fail on me in all three of my classrooms already this semester.
- I forgot to buy ice so I didn't have any for an ice bath after my 13-miler yesterday. I was planning on taking an ice bath for my long runs of 13+ miles in the hopes of alleviating some of the soreness that follows them.
In the + column:
+ I love getting things in the mail that aren't bills, and I received two packages in the mail this week. One was a piece of Wendy Brandes jewelry that I had been wanting for a long time. I used some of the money that my in-laws sent me for graduation to buy it for myself. It is amazing, and I plan to wear it multiple times this next week.
+ The cooler temperatures this week have made running and cycling even more enjoyable! I loved that I actually felt a bit cold when I started out on my long run yesterday.
+ The college football season has begun, and my Oklahoma Sooners won their opening game last night. 800 wins, baby! I love having games on all day Saturday and watching even if I don't have strong feelings about either team.
+ Yesterday was a fantastic day. I got up early and hit the trails for 13 miles. Since I was out of my normal Shot Bloks, I tried eating a few Gummy Worms at miles 4 and 9 as fuel. That with G2 seemed to be a good combo for me. Then I came home, and M whipped up some of his amazing pancakes and I made scrambled eggs with parsley and feta. I spent yesterday afternoon on the couch with football on and September issues of fashion magazines in hand for the commercial breaks.
How has your week been? What's in your plus column this week?
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Differences This Time
About this time last year I was training for my first marathon, and it was a mighty struggle. On most of the long runs and on some of the shorter mid-week runs, demons and doubt stalked me. I probably lost about as much fluid crying on some of my long runs as I did sweating on them last September.
It took me a really long time and the help of running friends to conquer a 10-miler last summer. For three weeks I looked at that distance on my training schedule, went out to run it, and gave up around mile 7.5. I got behind on my training plan, but two marathon running friends offered to run with me at my pace so that I could get past that hurdle.
There were many times that I wanted to give up entirely, but I was running the marathon for TNT and I had so many friends and colleagues who were sponsoring me. I didn't want to have to admit to them that I was a quitter. Even so, I struggled to run more than 6 to 8 miles during the week when I should have been running about 15 to 20. I skipped at least three of my long runs. I went into my marathon more anxious than excited. I completed it, but I definitely could have been better prepared than I was and I probably would have had a more enjoyable experience if I had logged more of those miles in training.
So far in this training cycle (knock on wood!), the demons haven't been plaguing me in the same way. Certainly, I'm not having an easy time with every run, but there's something about knowing that I've run 26.2 miles before that takes the edge off the anxiety. I know I can complete 10 miles and 13 miles and even that 20 miler now. Last time all of those numbers seemed so daunting. I'm also finding it easier to fit at least most of the miles that I should into Monday - Friday.
I'm also doing a better job this time around of doing cross training and core work. I've been commuting by cycle at least twice a week and doing core work 3 times a week. Yoga has been sporadic, but I am still practicing some. I didn't at all last summer and fall.
Yet, not all the differences are necessarily positive ones. While I've been mentally lighter so far in this training cycle, I'm actually physically heavier than I was last time. I weigh 8-10 pounds more than I did last summer and fall (thanks, dissertation!), and I am pretty sure that has impacted my average pace, which is about 30s/mile slower than it was last year for long runs and for the shorter runs in which I do make an attempt to run a bit faster - though it cannot be said that I have been doing any real speed work, but I didn't do any last time either.
For those of you who have run multiple marathons or half-marathons, what differences have you noticed in your various training cycles?
It took me a really long time and the help of running friends to conquer a 10-miler last summer. For three weeks I looked at that distance on my training schedule, went out to run it, and gave up around mile 7.5. I got behind on my training plan, but two marathon running friends offered to run with me at my pace so that I could get past that hurdle.
There were many times that I wanted to give up entirely, but I was running the marathon for TNT and I had so many friends and colleagues who were sponsoring me. I didn't want to have to admit to them that I was a quitter. Even so, I struggled to run more than 6 to 8 miles during the week when I should have been running about 15 to 20. I skipped at least three of my long runs. I went into my marathon more anxious than excited. I completed it, but I definitely could have been better prepared than I was and I probably would have had a more enjoyable experience if I had logged more of those miles in training.
So far in this training cycle (knock on wood!), the demons haven't been plaguing me in the same way. Certainly, I'm not having an easy time with every run, but there's something about knowing that I've run 26.2 miles before that takes the edge off the anxiety. I know I can complete 10 miles and 13 miles and even that 20 miler now. Last time all of those numbers seemed so daunting. I'm also finding it easier to fit at least most of the miles that I should into Monday - Friday.
I'm also doing a better job this time around of doing cross training and core work. I've been commuting by cycle at least twice a week and doing core work 3 times a week. Yoga has been sporadic, but I am still practicing some. I didn't at all last summer and fall.
Yet, not all the differences are necessarily positive ones. While I've been mentally lighter so far in this training cycle, I'm actually physically heavier than I was last time. I weigh 8-10 pounds more than I did last summer and fall (thanks, dissertation!), and I am pretty sure that has impacted my average pace, which is about 30s/mile slower than it was last year for long runs and for the shorter runs in which I do make an attempt to run a bit faster - though it cannot be said that I have been doing any real speed work, but I didn't do any last time either.
For those of you who have run multiple marathons or half-marathons, what differences have you noticed in your various training cycles?
Thursday, September 2, 2010
September Goals
While I didn't quite do all the things I wanted to in August or quite run all the miles I should have, it was a pretty good month overall. I'm hoping to carry some of that momentum with me into this month. I'm hoping for cooler temperatures for running and boots wearing and writing with the windows open!
My fitness and health goals for the month are pretty simple.
They are:
* Run 111 miles
* Continue to do core work 3 times/week
* Bike to campus at least once a week, as the weather allows (yes, I'm a fair weather cyclist due to lack of rain gear)
* Stretch and/or do some yoga after each run
* Eat more fruits and vegetables
Yesterday on my other blog I mentioned that I will be adding $20 to my monthly shopping budget for clothes and accessories every time I complete one of my five monthly writing goals.
My writing goals for September are:
* Spend at least five hours a week working on manuscript transcription edits for that co-edited project. I have put it on the back burner for too long, and I need to get this thing off my desk before I end up rolling it over to yet another month.
* Revise and resubmit a journal article for publication. I submitted an article a while back for publication and the journal's verdict was to revise and resubmit.
* Write the plan for how I will meet my institution's required criteria during this academic year for submission to my department chair and dean. Although this is more of a requirement than a goal, I didn't list lectures and class prep here, so I wanted to list something that I will definitely cross off the list to help me keep the momentum going.
* Update CV, teaching philosophy, job letters, etc. for this year's academic job market. While I am grateful to be gainfully employed this year, my job is not tenure-track, so back onto the market I go. I can only control what I can control, so that leads me to:
* Get together an outline for another article for publication or a conference paper abstract. The job market being what it is, another forthcoming publication and a conference presentation or two this year are things that I will need to have on my CV if at all possible.
What's one of your goal's for the month of September? What's on your agenda for the month?
They are:
* Run 111 miles
* Continue to do core work 3 times/week
* Bike to campus at least once a week, as the weather allows (yes, I'm a fair weather cyclist due to lack of rain gear)
* Stretch and/or do some yoga after each run
* Eat more fruits and vegetables
Yesterday on my other blog I mentioned that I will be adding $20 to my monthly shopping budget for clothes and accessories every time I complete one of my five monthly writing goals.
* Spend at least five hours a week working on manuscript transcription edits for that co-edited project. I have put it on the back burner for too long, and I need to get this thing off my desk before I end up rolling it over to yet another month.
* Revise and resubmit a journal article for publication. I submitted an article a while back for publication and the journal's verdict was to revise and resubmit.
* Write the plan for how I will meet my institution's required criteria during this academic year for submission to my department chair and dean. Although this is more of a requirement than a goal, I didn't list lectures and class prep here, so I wanted to list something that I will definitely cross off the list to help me keep the momentum going.
* Update CV, teaching philosophy, job letters, etc. for this year's academic job market. While I am grateful to be gainfully employed this year, my job is not tenure-track, so back onto the market I go. I can only control what I can control, so that leads me to:
* Get together an outline for another article for publication or a conference paper abstract. The job market being what it is, another forthcoming publication and a conference presentation or two this year are things that I will need to have on my CV if at all possible.
What's one of your goal's for the month of September? What's on your agenda for the month?
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
August in Review
My fitness goals in August were to log all the miles on my marathon training schedule, to do some yoga at least twice a week, to do lunges at least three times a week, and to stretch consistently after my runs.
I was a little bit short on my mileage. My training plan had me slated to run at least 70-74 miles during the month of August. I only ran 61.8 miles. One of my long runs was short by about two miles, and during the week of new faculty orientation meetings and the first week of classes, I didn't run all of the mid-week miles that I should have.
I did do a good job of stretching after my runs and of meeting the lunges challenge requirement of doing lunges at least 3 times a week.
I was a little spotty on meeting my yoga goal. I started off the month well, doing yoga twice a week during the first two weeks, but then I didn't do any yoga one week at all and the past week I only managed to get in one yoga practice.
My writing goals were essentially the following:
- Edit a friend's chapter by August 5th ✔
- Write a book review for an academic journal in my field ✔
- Syllabi and Lectures ✔-
- Manuscript transcription edits
- Send four cards or letters ✔-
I finished editing my friend's chapter. I wrote and sent off my book review. I finished my syllabi, but I'm still scrambling to stay ahead with the lectures. (I'm not behind, but I would like to have more of a cushion here.) I sent only three cards this month, and I haven't even managed to get to the transcription edits at all.
So I wasn't quite where I wanted to be with all of my goals. All in all, though, August was a pretty good month. I've done a fair amount of writing and some of it while seated at my new desk.
I've also made some new friends and running buddies. I've started my new job as a faculty member. I've biked to campus and back a lot.
I've made some delicious food.
And hopefully, September will be an even better month!
How was your August?
I was a little bit short on my mileage. My training plan had me slated to run at least 70-74 miles during the month of August. I only ran 61.8 miles. One of my long runs was short by about two miles, and during the week of new faculty orientation meetings and the first week of classes, I didn't run all of the mid-week miles that I should have.
I did do a good job of stretching after my runs and of meeting the lunges challenge requirement of doing lunges at least 3 times a week.
I was a little spotty on meeting my yoga goal. I started off the month well, doing yoga twice a week during the first two weeks, but then I didn't do any yoga one week at all and the past week I only managed to get in one yoga practice.
My writing goals were essentially the following:
- Edit a friend's chapter by August 5th ✔
- Write a book review for an academic journal in my field ✔
- Syllabi and Lectures ✔-
- Manuscript transcription edits
- Send four cards or letters ✔-
I finished editing my friend's chapter. I wrote and sent off my book review. I finished my syllabi, but I'm still scrambling to stay ahead with the lectures. (I'm not behind, but I would like to have more of a cushion here.) I sent only three cards this month, and I haven't even managed to get to the transcription edits at all.
So I wasn't quite where I wanted to be with all of my goals. All in all, though, August was a pretty good month. I've done a fair amount of writing and some of it while seated at my new desk.
How was your August?
Workout Wednesday 9/1
Wednesday - 5 mile bike commute
Thursday - 2.5 mile casual run with my friend S.
5 mile bike commute
Friday - off
Saturday - 10.2 mile long run
Splits: 11:07, 11:05, 11:39, 11:00, 10:56, 11:28, 11:21, 11:29, 12:51, 12:29, 2:53
Sunday - 45 minutes of Vinyasa yoga (lots of lunges and warrior poses to count for my lung challenge)
Monday - 3 mile treadmill run
(I need to figure out how to keep track of my splits on the new treddy)
Core work: 24 lunches (12 x 2), 20 push ups, 85 crunches, stretching
5 mile bike commute
Tuesday - off - it was storming in the morning so I didn't ride my bike to campus. I had really intended to do 45 minutes of yoga when I got home from campus, but it completely slipped my mind until after dinner and then I was full and had to finish prepping a class....
I've been really enjoying riding my bike most days and feel like it adds some nice light cross training (I go pretty slowly so I don't get too sweaty on my way to teach). What's your favorite cross training activity?
Thursday - 2.5 mile casual run with my friend S.
5 mile bike commute
Friday - off
Saturday - 10.2 mile long run
Splits: 11:07, 11:05, 11:39, 11:00, 10:56, 11:28, 11:21, 11:29, 12:51, 12:29, 2:53
Sunday - 45 minutes of Vinyasa yoga (lots of lunges and warrior poses to count for my lung challenge)
Monday - 3 mile treadmill run
(I need to figure out how to keep track of my splits on the new treddy)
Core work: 24 lunches (12 x 2), 20 push ups, 85 crunches, stretching
5 mile bike commute
Tuesday - off - it was storming in the morning so I didn't ride my bike to campus. I had really intended to do 45 minutes of yoga when I got home from campus, but it completely slipped my mind until after dinner and then I was full and had to finish prepping a class....
I've been really enjoying riding my bike most days and feel like it adds some nice light cross training (I go pretty slowly so I don't get too sweaty on my way to teach). What's your favorite cross training activity?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)