A New Look!

It was time for an updated look!  It is still a work in progress and as you can see there are some touch-ups needed, but I'm excited about the fresh, simple look!  What do you think?  Any suggestions from fellow bloggers?

Happy belated 4th of July!!  Jake had to work yesterday, so I enjoyed the day with parents and girlfriends.  Unfortunately, that wonderful weather I told you about decided to leave us and it's been rainy and cold for the past week.  But if you know me, you know that running in the rain is my all-time favorite thing to do, so my day started with a run in my new Brooks Cascadia trail shoes.

I don't love the color, but I figure they're going to get brown and dirty anyways!  Review: very supportive, great tread, and just enough ankle support.  The only negative is that like most trail shoes, they are substantially heavier than my road shoes.  Love them though!

Speaking of running, I know you're dying to know how/what/when I've been running.  I have been pretty consistent with running, although my intensity is far less than last year.  I've come to determine that my "running-OCD-ness" increases exponentially in times of high stress.  Call it a coping mechanism or straight crazy, it helps me get through the challenging times in my life.  Since I got home, my stress level is pretty much at a 0, except for really stressful days when I have to take Diego to an appointment or have two barbecues to attend.  This unemployment stuff is really hard work.   :)

It's a ruff life.

To be honest, I'm enjoying running less obsessively and more for pleasure.  Don't get me wrong, I still ran my heart out at the Mayor's Half Marathon two weeks ago (race re-cap coming tomorrow).... and I am signed up for a marathon in October... and I'll be running the Nike Women's Half Marathon two weeks later!  But the need for a PR isn't at the top of my priority list.  I'm sure the need for speed will come back, but for now, I'm enjoying running for fun.

Together Again!

My first day back with Jake started as any day should: A run together.  However, it was not as fun as it sounds.  San Francisco has turned into a hot oven the past few days and it hit 91 today.  My poor husband did not love running in the 70 degree heat, especially after leaving a place that is ~30 degrees.  Sorry Jake.... I promise to never to that to you again!

After drinking gallons of water, we went to lunch with my parents, Jake's parents, and his sister who flew down for Graduation!  It was SO good to see all of their faces.

The perfect California lunch on a hot day?

In and Out Burger. 

This was my first time eating there and it lived up to all of the hype.  I am not a big hamburger fan, but I thoroughly enjoyed the veggie burger.  And the fries?  I have never tasted such real fries in my life.  Perfectly crisp and you aren't left with greasy fingers.  Yum.

Jake and I went on a walk in the ridiculous heat and made a stop at an adorable pet store where he found all sorts of interesting things...

Followed by a nice bench to rest and escape from the heat.

It was a perfect day!

Family Love and My Sunday Long(ish) Run!

I just wanted to share that I love my family.  They make my world go round.

And I guess they love me too! (In spite of the past two years of grad-school-induced grumpiness and emotional breakdowns!). I got another package from my mom and dad yesterday that definitely made my day.  I think care packages are the greatest thing in the world.  If you know someone who needs their day brightened, send them a care package.  It is definitely a nice surprise!  (And I highly recommend including chocolate and goldfish.  YUM.)

The card says... "You've got brains, courage, and heart..."

"All you need is a pair of red soes and a feisty little dog!
You can do it!" 

The best part is the package included red shoes and a little stuffed doggie!  Just click my red shoes together three times and I'll be done with board exams, right?! 

I am SO SO blessed to have these two to call my parents!

At Machu Picchu!

Best parents ever.  End. Of. Story

After an exciting day of studying yesterday, I came home and relaxed.  And by relax, I mean reviewed the histological differences between Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis, memorized the drugs associated with agranulocytosis, and read up on the x-ray findings of the 293, 049 different kinds of pneumonia that exist.  Jealous?  Yep, studying rocks.

So I'm sure you were dying to find out about how my run went this morning!! I did 10 miles and on a scale of 1-10, I'd give it a 6 or 7.  Yeah... it wasn't the greatest, but I went past my "pain zone" that usually starts around mile 7-8, so that's an accomplishment.  The annoying gluteal pain did kick in around mile 7, but it didn't stay and just came and went until I finished the run.  So what does that tell me about running 26.2 miles in Boston next weekend?  I'm just not sure.  I'm thinking I'll rest/taper this week and decide the day before.  Nothing like a little last minute planning!

Beautiful run this morning...

To all of my running friends that may be fighting an injury or hoping to prevent one, I posted a Injury Prevention/Treatment section on the blog <here>.

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend and to all my Alaskan friends... I'm so sorry you're getting dumped on with snow!  (I still don't know how I'm ever going to survive Alaska after living in Cali...)

Springtime in Alaska...
Courtesy of adn.com

Raindrops Falling On My Head...

Does anyone else LOVE the rain?  I don't know what it is, but the second I see raindrops on the ground  I can't help but smile!

Maybe it's the fact that if you live in Alaska, you have to learn to love it otherwise you'll be one unhappy person.  The summers in Alaska are usually either amazingly sunny and beautiful... or cloudy, rainy, and cold.  I guess I should edit my statement above... that is the one situation where I don't love rain.  Rain for 3 months straight is not my favorite.  Alaska Weather Man? If you're listening, please forget I said that and bring on the SUN!  I have some serious camping/hiking/fishing/running/BBQ-ing to do this summer.

Backpacking adventures...

Fishing on the Kenai River with my bestie 3 years ago!

I took yesterday off from running, so this morning I woke up ready to hit the pavement.  I looked out my window and saw soaked trees and puddles on the pavement -  the PERFECT running weather!  You may think I'm kidding, but running in the rain is my absolute favorite.  I like to think it washes away all the "yuck" from your life (and by "yuck" I mean studying for board exams!). Amazing.

The rest of my day was spent at Starbucks doing what I do best... drinking decaf coffee and studying. I had a tough time staying focused today for some reason. I kept getting distracted from dogs passing by the window, people laughing and enjoying a friendly conversation, and free samples of cranberry muffins/frappucinos/FULL SIZE chocolate chip cookies.

And if you want me to tell you which Starbucks gives away all the freebies, the answer is no.  I love to share, but all this studying requires sustenance and I love free food!  :)  The longer this studying routine goes on, the crazier I am going to get.  Luckily I can see the light at the end of this long tunnel!

On a side note, ONE week from tomorrow, I will be seeing my HUBBY!  It has been 13 weeks, 4 days since I saw his cute face!  I can't believe we did it.  Longest 2 years apart in history.

The last time we were together in Mexico!

I'm also getting very excited to go to Boston and see all of my relatives that I haven't seen in over 4 years.  Should be a great trip!  To all of you who are running Boston, I hope to see you there! Just look for the 20-something year old female runner, you should have no trouble finding me... ;)

Last random note of the day... in ONE MONTH from today, yours truly will be walking across the stage at Stanford to receive her diploma!  YIPPEE!

#2- Grateful for RUNNING!

November 2:  It's a shocker...are you ready?  I am SO thankful for running.  

The mental and physical challenge, the races, the awesome running partners that share my obsession, the hill repeats, the 20 mile long runs, the feel of new running shoes on my feet, the weird deliciousness of clif shot blox, the feel of soaking in an ice bath to sooth my muscles... You name it, I am grateful for it.

RUN = FUN.
(Lame caption, I know. Blame it on me being sleepy!)

You want to know what I am not grateful for?  Being injured. You heard me right.  I'm injured. And you know what? Being injured STINKS.  Big time.  I feel bad even writing that because there are SO many things I have to be grateful for.  I can walk.  I can walk on a street that isn't flooded due to the devastating Hurricane Sandy.  I can be grateful that just 26 days ago I ran the fastest I ever have.  (Has it only been 26 days?! It literally feels like 2, 293,719 years. Clearly I'm in a time warp.)  I truly am grateful for this body I have, even if my silly peroneal nerve is inflamed and giving me way too much grief. (I will explain how I did this later- I am embarrassed to even mention it because it is not even running related!)  I have been a very good girl- I will have you know.  No running since 10 days ago.  That's probably the longest I have gone in 4 years.

YES.

Here are the things that go through my mind during this "mini-running vacation break of extreme torture"

1.) How expensive are the under-water treadmills?  They can't be more than $200, right?  I can afford that.  (After a quick google search, I found I forgot to add a zero to that number).

2.) I've been dreaming about running every night.  Last night I ran a half marathon (a race that I'm supposed to run in 10 days) and it felt fabulous!  Does that count as a run?  I think yes.

3.) Maybe if I wear a different race t-shirt to the gym every day, people will know that I'm really a marathoner and that I hate every second I spend on the silly elliptical. :)

4.) If I see one more smiling runner outside I'm going to...

5.) The thought of seeing a massage therapist for $250 per 40 minute session crosses my mind daily.  (Don't worry Jake, I won't do it...)

6.) How on earth did I ever take a 10 mile run for granted? Or a 5 mile run for that matter? Never again.  Never. Ever.

7.) Why can't any other form of exercise give me the same endorphin rush that I get from running?  Elliptical?  Not a chance.  Bike? I'd rather take a nap than have a sore butt from that bike seat.  Swim?  The lingering smell of chlorine and the super-attractive goggle marks seem to outweigh the good feeling I get right after swimming.  Weights? Ha! Now that's funny.

8.) At an all-time low (aka dramatic) moment... I thought,  "maybe I should just give up and quit running. I'd save a lot of money from not buying entry fees, running clothes, shoes, goo, and powerade."

9.) Immediately after #8: How could I think such a thing?  I then proceeded to apologize to my neglected orange and purple Nikes, put them on my unblistered feet, and pop open a cool bottle of grape powerade.  I then went online to purchase an entry fee for the Carlsbad Half Marathon in January.

I miss you, friends!

10.)  I may or may not qualify as a running addict.  Please re-read #1-9 if you don't understand.  Luckily I'm a smart running addict and I know when to take a break.

The good news?  I'm feeling much better and I hope to be back on the streets in the next week or so!  But I will continue on my quest of running-less torture for however long it takes to be injury free!  :)

I can hear you calling my name... don't fear, I'll be trampling you soon.

Do it for me.  Run for me.  Please?  Pretty please?