Bloomingdales is My Mecca

Some people go to therapy, I go to Bloomingdale’s.

[Not that I don't think talk therapy is great - I think everyone can benefit from it at some point in their lives.]

Seriously, something about that place makes me feel rejuvenated. Maybe its the frozen yogurt or getting to try on Tom Ford “Whitney” sunglasses, which I am convinced I need. I mean, the sales lady told me, “Oh honey! You are making a statement with those.” She’s good. (No, Dad, I did not go drop $400 on sunglasses.)

If you haven't tried this, you need to get yourself to the 7th floor of Bloomie's ASAP. This is a "small," which would be enough to share. I ate this entire thing by myself. I don't judge if you do either, obviously.

I am taking donations for the "Meggie Needs Tom Ford Sunglasses" fund at my next birthday, unless any of you has a pair that you need taken off your hands. I actually want the two tone pair (lighter color), for the record.

I got fro-yo immediately when I got there – nothing like spiking your blood sugar and shopping.

I went up to Bloomie’s to look for a dress for a rehearsal dinner. One of my best friends, Mary Bailey, is getting hitched to her beau, Stu(art), next weekend. I’m beyond excited. Fun fact: MB and I have been great friends since 6th grade and we have the same initials…well, that is, until she gets married next week!

That's the bride to be in the center!

When shopping for a dress I need for an occasion, I usually go through the store and pull tons of dresses – ones I love, ones I sort of like, ones that I think may look good on me, ones that I’m curious to see how they look on me. Then, I spend 3 hours in a dressing room trying them on and sending pictures to my sister and mom of me in each so they can give me their opinion.

I told you  – shopping is serious. I have strategies.

 

I ended up with 1 dress I really liked. Then, as I was checking out, I spotted “it” – the dress I knew was perfect. I don’t know how I missed it the first go around.

Anyways, the line for the dressing room was quite long at this point so, like any normal person, I tried it on over my clothes in the middle of the store. Everyone does that right?

Anyways, that dress was a winner- so I ended up leaving with two potential candidates for rehearsal dinner dress 2011 as well as a work dress and winter shorts.

Success — and check out occuring right as my blood sugar was precipitiously dropping and I was about to get really crabby.

Another win for Bloomingdales – its right across the street from Dylan’s Candy Bar. They have the best gummy bears, seriously.

Did I mention I might be slightly addicted to sugar?

On another note, its a gorgeous fall day today, people. Get out there and enjoy it. I am running a race tomorrow (10K) and am beyond excited just because it won’t be deathly hot and humid. Although, I will still probably sweat a lot. Oh yeah, and I think I’m gonna bust out my sick magic running shoes (aka racing flats). I plan to also sprinkle fairy dust on them because that helps, right? My only goals for this race are to a) feel strong throughout and b) be able to put a confidence up arrow in my amazing journal. Sound good to you?

TELL ME: WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO SHOP? OR DO YOU NOT LIKE SHOPPING? AND WHAT DO YOU THINK OF NON TIME GOALS FOR RACES?

Until next time…

Belief Blue, Power Pink, and What’s Up Wednesday

There’s always something exciting over in Meggie World. Why? Because I get hyped up over little things, like extra foam on my drink at Starbucks. Anyways…

1. PEANUT BUTTER AND CHOCOLATE PUFFINS

Like Reese's Puffs cereal, but less sickeningly sugary. In fact, its amazing and I want to hoard every box in the tri-state area.

I don’t know how I didn’t know about these until just now. Did you? They’re ah-mazing, totally bananas — and I bet good with bananas, too.

2. THE RC ON FLOTRACK

You can watch her here: http://www.flotrack.org/coverage/240158-262-miles-to-houston/video/506133-Stephanie-Rothstein-262-Miles-to-Houston

Sorry, I’m not technologically advanced enough to embed from Flotrack.

I literally had a mah-jor “Buddy the Elf” moment (“SANTA!!! I know him! I know him!) when I saw this. In fact, any time I see any of the picky bar people on TV, in a magazine, etc, I have the same reaction – “OMG! LOOK! I ORDER FROM THEM!!! THEY MAKE MY BARS WITH THEIR BARE HANDS!”

I am so cool. It also makes me slightly intimidated by her. Also, did you go wish her good luck this weekend? You should (remember @stephazona, you can tell her @meggiesmith sent you).

SANTA!!! I know him! I know him!

3. MISSONI FOR TARGET

Seriously, if I had known that target.com was going to crash and stores were going to sell out the first day, I would’ve gotten up at 6 am to order.

I die for this throw. Unfortunately, I was not able to get it - it was sold out by the time I was able to get online at 10:30 am.

Ordering online was almost like a workout. You had to be quick, decisive, a fast clicker, and hopefully had already memorized your credit card number. Shopping is a sport to me – you’ve got to want it. Last year, when Chanel came out with their fall nail polish colors, one of the designers said the inspiration for his military/camo like colors was a woman on the hunt in a store. I thought at that moment, “This guy gets it.”

Of course, I like leisurely shopping, too, but when things are flying off the online and real-world shelves, you need your game face on.

4. PEANUT BUTTER PINKBERRY

I was skeptical about this Pinkberry flavor as most of their flavors have that “hint of tart” to them that imagined would not go well with peanut butter. Wrong — this flavor is fantastic.

Well done, pinkberry.

Of course, I got mine with chocolate shavings. I wish they still had the salted caramel flavor as that combo would be legit.

5. MY BELIEF BLUE AND POWER PINK NAILS

The nails this week look like this:

I know, a little teeny bopperish, but if not now, when?

I’m running a race this weekend and my only goal for it is to feel strong throughout and to be able to put a little confidence up arrow in my journal for the day.

I couldn’t get Clambake by Essie as I ran that 20K with that and we all know that didn’t go so hot (well, it was literally hot). Although, I will always love Clambake.

I thought about using my Strong by Chanel (I own it), but didn’t because its very wintery looking. Yes, I get seasonal with my nail color choices.

So, I thought I’d get blue and call it “belief blue.” I liked the pink, too, so I decided it would be “power pink.” FYI – the real names of the colors are Coat Azure and Infatuation, both by Essie.

So, when I feel the negative thoughts creeping in I can look at my belief blue nails and think “STOP! CHANGE THE CONVERSATION!” Or when I need to power up a hill, I can just glance at my ring finger.

Dear Lord, I am so corny. Don’t think I’m a total loser.

Anyways, that’s what’s up in my world this week.

TELL ME: What’s rocking your world this week? And please don’t think I’m totally insane with my nail color choices.

That is all.

Until next time..

What’s Up Wednesday

How is it Wednesday already? By the way, how is it SEPTEMBER?

First, of all – KRISTY won the Oiselle shirt. You should go visit her blog and give her a virtual high five (comment wishing her good luck this weekend) because she is running a marathon this weekend!

If you’re wondering how I came up with the winner, I put all of your names in a bag and had my college rooomate, Katie Gassert, draw one out of the bag. Katie didn’t even know I had a blog so she was, therefore, unbiased. In fact, the name of this blog is inspired by when Katie was in Suessical for a bit and I thought for a long while the theme song of the show was “the things I can think.” It was actually the “thinks” I can think – I liked it, hence the name of this blog.

This is Katie singing. She's really good, ie she can hit the high E in Defying Gravity. A perk of having a roommate studying musical theatre is that belting Wicked at the top of your lungs is encouraged and her amazing-ness can drown out my tone deafness.

1. RACHEL ZOE SEASON 4: I die for the Rachel Zoe Project. Its so bananas. I don’t know how mah-jor it may be this season, considering Brad left, but I think Rachel will still shut it down. Rachel loves herself a sequin. So do I. Which is why I LOVE Rachel Zoe. I don’t know how she subsists on Starbucks coffee alone though, which I’m pretty sure is what she does.

Still, Rachel’s show is banana. If I were a celebrity, I’d want to be styled by Rachel.

2. PLASTIC BOOK COVER FOR MY PLANNER: Water damage to my planner was too much to bear. So, when I saw this:

I am that nerdy.

I know it wont protect all of the pages, but at least it may off-set somewater damage, if it occurs again.

3. THE BELIEVEIAM TRAINING JOURNAL IS NOW ACTUALLY AVAILABLE: I would know because I stalked the website a lot to see when it was available. It is now. I ordered it. I almost ordered two because heaven forbid if 1) they stop making them and 2) the first one gets lost/sabotaged/water damage? Don’t worry I only ordered one…for now…

It has a pink spiral. That's bananas.

No, they are not paying me to say any of this. I’m just that enthusiastic about an organizational tool with pink spirals and flowers and butterflies. I’m hoping it works magic belief powers on me, too. I’m sure that’s what it does for the user.

4. THE US OPEN: I’m kind of happy its been rain delayed in hopes that it will extend the tournament a few more days so it won’t be as long until another slam rolls around. The end of the Open is kind of sad because you know its going to be a long wait til a stretch of tournaments again. Also, poor Rafa…cramping in his press conference…

Apparently, this happens a good bit, too, after matches for Rafa. Should he need someone in his time of need, I can volunteer myself to hold his hand or something and feed him potassium. I love Rafa. But, who doesn’t?

5. BLUE NAILS: I got blue on my toes and I love it. I copied a girl at work who did it, so I can’t take credit for the inspiration.

Mine is a tad darker than this.

I believe the color I used was Mesmerized by Essie, to be exact.

TELL ME: What’s rocking your week? AND what is your favorite nail polish color? I’m into nail polish and my faves change frequently, but I will always love Smokin’ Hot and Clambake, both by Essie.

I am most excited this week about my BelieveIAm journal and want to call the postal service and ask them why its not here TODAY. Another BelieveIAm object of desire:

I die for anything containing pink. I like orange, too. Therefore, this shirt is a win-win.

I already have the joy shirt in yellow, so I couldn’t justify also getting it in black…yet.

I know, total white girl, first world problems.

Until next time…

 

 

 

What’s Up Wednesday

This is more like a “Thankful Things Thursday” post that Ali does, but whatever, let’s just go with it, people.

1. NOT BEING A 1st or 2nd YEAR MED STUDENT: Even though I won’t be done with my training until 2020, I have THANKFULLY put my sitting in lecture all day/marathon library sesh days behind me. My roommates are listening to lectures right now (all of our lectures in medical school are taped, which allows flexibility in attendance or the ability to re-watch a lecture in case you missed something, which I found very helpful) and the sound of it brings physical pain upon me. Even though the hours are longer as a resident, at least you are working with patients rather than staring at a book and make mountains upon mountains of note cards.

The pinnacle of my good studying habits, Step 1 of the USMLE boards - 10 hrs a day for 5.5 weeks...can you see the desperation in my face?

2. MY MAGIC RUNNING SHOES (aka racing flats): Behold the beauty:

I may or may not have bought these solely because they look cool.

I had a very hard time justifying this purchase to myself because, let’s get real here, I am NOT running that fast in races where a several ounces off my shoe is going to make a huge difference. However, I thought about it this way — would proper stringing make a novice tennis player better? Well, depends on a lot, but let’s say they haven’t had their racquet restrung in eons (and probably have no idea what string they are using). If I restrung their racquet at the appropriate tension with a decent string, then, yes, it would make a difference.

And, if you have question on what tension you should string at and what string to use – I’m your girl. (FYI: My favorite for my racquet, Babolat Pure Drive, is Luxilon Big Banger on the mains and Wilson NXT on the crosses, strung at 57 lbs.)

3. SATISFYING MY HUNGER WITH ICE CREAM. I have been super hungry this week for reasons unbeknownst to me. I don’t think I’ve been running any more than usual. Its probably from sleep deprivation on Sunday and, therefore, my leptin levels are increased and making me ravenous. Ice cream is doing the trick.

Cookies and Cream is my favorite, followed by Vanilla...in case you want to bring me some.

4. SCHOOL SUPPLY AISLES. The thought of buying new pens, highlighters, and notebooks is always exciting for me. I don’t want to be a true, lecture going student anymore, but  I like buying the accessories. I do not know why, but most likely because I am essentially a nerd. Also, proper pens are crucial to school success. I have recently discovered the Sharpie Pen — highly recommend.

You can write like a champ with this.

5. MY 5K THIS WEEKEND. I should not be excited for this race as its not like I’ve trained to run a fast 5K, but for some reason I’m ridiculously excited about it. I do not know why, but maybe its because I’m going to wear my new shoes which, clearly, are going to make my outfit that much better. Or maybe its because I’ve only done 2 prior 5Ks so 5Ks are kind of novel to me.

The last 5K I ran was in March. My goal was 24 min. The course was hilly and by the end I actually couldn’t see straight, my vision was sort of blurry, and I briefly considered that maybe this was unsafe. And then I saw the finish and all of my sanity went out the window. I threw up when I finished. And I ran 23:58. It was totally worth running far too fast and causing myself to throw up for those 2 seconds…at least in my world.

The only thing I do not like about 5Ks is that I never know when to “go” and by go is when I mean you throw down and run much faster than you should be. And I don’t really know how much to hold back in the beginning. Basically, I just don’t know what I should be doing so I end up just running far too fast from the beginning, then trying to hold on for dear life, and that is really fun for me. I guess I’m a glutton for punishment.

I’ve run about a bajillion 4 mile races which is pretty similar (right?) and I break those into 2 mile increments (1st half, 2nd half) and the last mile I go all out.

I know myself too well and most likely how it will go is I will run a far too fast 1st mile, but will think its ok because “I feel fine right now.” The second mile, I will want to die and probably slow down. The third mile (and the .1), I will still want to die from starting off to fast but the pain will be more tolerable as I will be near the end.

I’m spending far too much time thinking about this 5K. I will stop now.

Anyways, that’s what’s up this week.

So, people, if you have any 5K strategies to save me from my crazy self, please share.

Also, tell me what’s rocking your world this week, particularly if its ice cream related so I can go try that ice cream.

Until next time…

Making a List, Checking It Twice

No, I am not Santa. But, I am making a list (well, really I make lists, plural, but I’m only going to talk about one list), but, first, a little background info.

I have a little black book (LBB). Its by Moleskine. The pages are unbelievably smooth and when you write it feels like butter. If only Moleskine made a planner as awesome as my one from South Korea.

In my LBB, I put random things, such as:

….comics I like…

"Boy, I'm glad I'm not a lizard..."

(sometimes I think “Wham! Trapped inside a bottle” and laugh to myself, probably scaring people around me)

…quotes I like…

I'm really only very good at drawing stars. So, I draw lots of them.

(Chem nerds, take note — do you notice the sign for concentration is around the word?!? Super cool, Meggie)

…and now, a “Reasons Why NYC 26.2 Will Go Well” list…

Yes, that is a post it covering the actual list itself.

(I can’t show you the list because its kind of embarassing…)

I was feeling all Debbie-Downer about running last week and starting to give into logic, meaning thinking about how I cannot conceive a reasonable way my marathon goal is possible. I mean, running at marathon pace right now isn’t exactly a walk in the park or leisurely in the least. I actually have to concentrate if I’m running at marathon pace.

I made this list at about 10:30 last night and instantly felt better. And, my run this morning was fantastic, despite losing roughly a 1/4th of my body weight in sweat.

Fun Fact: I lost 5 lbs of water on my long run the other week. The humidity must go.

Making this list made me feel instantly better and confident, like I had some plan (besides my actual training plan) as to how I was going to conquer all 5 boroughs.

I’ve tried to etch this list into my brain and whenever I feel all doom and gloom and imagine myself shuffling through the Bronx, I pick one of the things out on my list and think about it.

Kind of like when Phoebe slaps Rachel on “Friends” as part of conversion therapy — or whatever she called it.

I highly suggest you make your own list.

Now, before I go I need you to RUN over to Oiselle and buy these shorts:

The Lori Short

If you’ve read any of my other posts, you know I am a tempo short devotee (even though I don’t like tempo runs, ironic?). However, these little guys I think are soon to replace the tempos as my favorite running shorts.

Seriously, trying them on was like a religious experience. I felt like a changed woman. The waistband creates no muffin top and makes me feel skinny — WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE?!?

I loved them so much, I also ordered the “Distance” shorts in orange.

So, people, Nike’s already made enough money off their tempo shorts….go show my Oiselle buddies (ok, I’m not actually buddies with them but the notes the send with the packages makes me feel that way) some love.

So, people, tell me:

1. What would you put on your list? (ok, maybe not a fair question since I didn’t show you mine, you can also tell me what you think is on my list then if you enjoy guessing games like I do)

2. What are your favorite running shorts?

3. What are you favorite running shoes?

My favorite shoes are my Nike Lunar Elites. I ran in the Lunarglides for a long time. I just switched over and, let me tell you, the elites make me feel like an elite. They’re much lighter than the Lunarglides. And just amazing overall. (I’m clearly really good at describing my footwear.)

Until next time…

 

Curiosity Killed the Cat

Most days, I lament about still be a student. I’m 25, have no income (and am, in fact, paying to work), and get abnormally excited about highlighters and fine tip pens that don’t bleed through pages. Further, I’m angry that I haven’t been featured on study like a champion — if anyone can do that, it is ME.

Studying for Step 1 of the USMLE Boards. Look at this - my face hasn't seen sunlight in weeks nor makeup nor proper grooming and I'm having to take analgesics to ease the headache brought on by not studying EXACTLY 10 hours that day. That's dedication, if I do say so myself.

I’ve sat in more hours of lectures than I ever care to count. So, when a friend (smart friend, graduated from Cornell, one of the top architecture schools in the country) invited me to an architecture lecture Thursday, you’d think I’d turn it down, right?

WRONG.

I went totally expecting to be bored and to leave early. In fact, I was fascinated and stayed for the entire 90 minutes. I would’ve picked the speakers brains a bit more if 1) “real” architects weren’t hovering over them and 2) I could speak about architecture without sounding like an idiot, as this lecture made me realize I knew nothing about the entire discipline.

Before this lecture, I thought architecture was just as simple as "let's make a pretty building!"

Before I go on about the lecture and my inherent student-ness, I need to tell you about the awesomeness that was the Alexander McQueen exhibit at the Met, Savage Beauty, that my friend and I went to before said lecture.

You can't take pictures in the exhibit, so I took this from the Met website.

It was fantastic, despite the throngs of people who were there and pushing…no…SHOVING their way to see different pieces. Still, go see it, just put your medieval knight armor on first (you must bring your own, the Met doesn’t lend out theirs). I really enjoyed the explanations behind why the pieces were extraordinary (ie his cutting/tailoring/draping master-ness rather just thinking “ooo pretty, weird clothes!”) and, also, behind McQueen’s inspiration for each collection or piece.

Which brings me back to my student-ness…

I had no idea architecture, or at least urban/civic architecture, was such a philosophically rooted discipline. Project designs are, apparently, not only based out of aesthetic and practicality, but also aligned with the designers personal philosophy of how the building should be experienced by the public, how it should connect a city, and how it should advance culture within a city, spur on an urban renewal, etc. The presenting architects were Craig Dykers from Snohetta [see Oslo Opera House and 9/11 Memorial] and Charles Renfro from Diller Scofidio + Renfro [see the Highline], if you wanted to know.

Oslo Opera House

I’m sorry, I don’t think I’m really doing architecture justice, but my point isn’t really about architecture. My point is that I am a nerd, and I’m owning it.

I like to know about things. When I was at the Met before the lecture, I was frustrated that I didn’t take art history classes in college so I could know more about the paintings and sculptures (and, then, for a hot second, entertained taking some classes). I’m not…don’t worry. Plenty on my plate with that thing called “medical school.”

My main “learning” is through “brain picking,” a skill I’m still perfecting (penmanship, I’ve got down.) If you have the unfortunate position of being an expert at something and happen to pass through my life, I’m sorry, but I’m going to annoy you with a litany of questions.

For instance, I think of running questions almost every day. Shocking to you, right? So, I’m sorry, but if you’re a really good runner, I’m going to be picking your brain about why you’re a good runner, how you became a good runner, how I think about running [and if its right], etc. Part of the reason I read all of your running blogs as well as running books, magazines, articles, etc. (Shh, pretend you read none of that as I sort of hide my running book collection Fahrenheit-451 style)

Too often I find I’m interested in the science and technicality behind running, and, it seems, the good runners have mastered the art of running. I want to learn that art myself, so I will be driving any and every “good” runner crazy with my annoying questions until I find a new hobby or obsession. Fortunately, for me, the running crowd seems to be a nice bunch, even up to the professional level.

So, even though I’m going to graduate in 2013 and give up my official student title forever (FINALLY – 21 years later….), I think I’ll always be a student of something. For now, I’ll continue being an “official” medical student, but also a student of running, learning to cook, and other things that I can’t think of right now as I’m very tired.

If that saying “curiosity killed the cat” is true, then I’m a dead woman walking.

So, people, my question to you is: 1) What are you a student of?  (it can be more than 1 thing!) and 2) If you said running, then I want you to tell me your favorite running book (or blog or article or the like).

My favorite running book is this:

I can't think of a witty caption. Sorry.

Until next time…

 

 

What’s Up Wednesday

Here’s what rocking my world this week or what rocks my world in general and I’m just choosing to tell you about it this week.

1. My planner that I ordered from Korea. OBSESSED. So much room to write, graph paper so you can write in nice straight lines. It is the ultimate of planners. Sometimes I just take it out and look at how beautiful it is.

Last week. Look so much room to write and organize your life!

This week. Plasticy thing is the insert to mark what week you're at.

Yes, I write lame affirmations to myself and put the BelieveIAm tag/sticker thing in the plastic insert all as reminders to myself for my now-15.5 week campaign for positive attitude, self belief, pretending I’m a bad-ass campaign. Don’t judge. I think it works, maybe… talk to me in November.

2. Erika’s Post-Boston Picture. This is my favorite post-race picture of all time. A big thanks to Erika for sending and allowing me to post it.

So many possibilities for captions...where to begin?

I think this picture captures the true essence of how you feel after 26.2 miles. Like “what just happened to me and why is this guy telling me to open my foil and where is the nearest Cinnabon for calorie replenishment?” To all those people who can smile and wave, I envy you because I cannot — I look very similar to this and, after both marathons I’ve run, have felt like I may never walk normally again (I tried to upload the video I have of my post-marathon walk in which I’m basically moaning and asking for a wheelchair, but can’t figure out how to…sorry).

3. My “Strong” Tank. I feel strong when I wear it. Like its rubbing strongness off on me  because it says it on there. I know…another one of my irrational beliefs. Hey, whatever makes my boat float, right?

I wish I were as skinny as this girl. I wouldve posted a pic of me in, but this girl makes it look better. WHY MUST I HAVE A DESSERT ADDICTION?

PS – its super soft so I’d put it in the category of “hanging out clothes,” a category my mom invented. I love it so much, I may wear it to work on Friday. Ok, fine, here’s me in it…I already posted the picture anyways.

Don't worry, I won't wear it with tempo shorts to work. Although I would if I could.

4. Stylemint.com. Tshirts picked out by Mary Kate and Ashley just for you. What more can I want in life considering I’m obsessed with MK and A minus the drug addictions, eating disorders, and smoking habits? What can I say – I grew up on the MK and A videos (we’re the exact same age) and may or may not have applied to NYU for undergrad initially because they were going there (don’t worry my decision was based on real things, not Olsen Twins). I got alerted to this by the Zoe Report today, the daily newsletter from Rachel Zoe. Ba-na-nas!

5. My 3 year old friend, “Paperclip.” Paperclip is his alias in case any pedophiles or rapists read this so they won’t know his name to allure him in a mall (I watch too much Nancy Grace). Paperclip is my multi-talented, 3 year old neighbor that my sister and I have been babysitting since he was born (his family is good family friends of ours). His repertoire of talents include, but are not limited to:

GUITAR

Paperclip serenading me.

 KARATE/GYMNASTICS

No one taught him that --- talent I tell you!

And, finally, his new obsession:

TENNIS

Yes, that is tournagrip on his 3 year old sized racquet. This budding prodigy won't just use any overgrip!

Ready for DOMINATION!

Paperclip first saw tennis at my house when my brother was hitting with his coach and was entranced and told us “he wanted to play dis basketball, too!”. (He thought it was basketball because there was also a goal on the court.) So, my tennis-obsessed family has taken it upon ourselves to turn this tennis enthusiast into the next Lleyton Hewitt minus the bad attitude. Training currently consists of making his swing less of baseball swing and more of an actual forehand.

So, that’s what’s rocking my world.

Ok, I must go to bed so I can wake up and run before it becomes 3000F outside and I get running nausea again. I’m supposed to 2-3 miles of my run tomorrow at 10 sec/mile faster than MP. When I first read that I was all like “oh, I totally go this” and now I’m kind of thinking “I so don’t got that.” And, I’m probably going to blame the heat when I’m running and think “I so don’t got this” instead of recognizing that I actually “so don’t got this.” Right now, at least.

You see why I have to write little notes to myself. I am a chronic doubter. WHY CANT I JUST RUN LIKE A NORMAL PERSON AND ACTUALLY THINK I CAN DO “XX:XX” TIME? Story of my life.

So, TELL ME – what’s rocking you world this week and do you have to write little “I can do it” notes to yourself?

Until next time…

Someone Help Me Understand Yoga

I’m probably going to make all the yoga devotees mad with this post (and I want to hear your side, btw). So, before I go on, I’m giving you a free pass to make fun of my sport of choice, tennis.

And, guess what! I’m even giving you something to make fun…

THE THIGH SLAP

The only pro player that comes to mind that does the thigh slap is Maria Sharapova.

Sharapova at Roland Garros. Good outfit that year.

Otherwise, take yourself over to any girls junior tennis tournament and I assure you the thigh slap will be rampant. The thigh slap can mean a multitude of things depending on number (1 vs 2) and intensity (pat to causing bruising). A small 2 pat thigh slap is typically used before a point meaning “come on, self” and, if at a particularly heated point in the match, may escalate to a greater one slap to say “right here, self.”

The big daddy slaps come out when you make a mistake, where you typically slap yourself so hard you may or may not leave a handprint or a few bruises the next day. If you win a big point, you may go one thigh slap of medium force straight into the fist pump with a concurrent “COME ON!!!”

I may or may not have given myself some bruises back in the day. You decide which category.

So, before a go on….laugh and laugh and laugh and laugh at how ridiculous the thigh slap is.

Ok, yoga, seriously...is there some secret I’m not being let in on?!?

I don’t get it. Erika (of starting the whole running addiction fame) and I did bikram yoga today and left only feeling dehydrated. I do not feel stronger, more flexible, more enlightened or whatever it is that you’re supposed to feel after yoga. I’m thinking I’m just not engineered for yoga. (And does any of this talk sound familiar to you?!?)

Benefit of yoga - cute clothes

Ok, that’s not being fair to yoga.

I do think my heart rate was up for a good majority of it. I did find some of the poses hard. I realized I can’t concentrate on meditating to save my life (I guess to meditate you have to concentrate…I don’t know, I just suck at it all).

And, yoga did make me realize some things about my body:

• I’m very off balance – not meaning that I have bad balance, but there are distinct differences between my left and right sides. I can balance on one leg better on my left leg (probably because I did a scale on that leg as a gymnast), but have some seriously decreased range of motion in that leg.
• Holding you arms above your head for freaking ever is kind of hard.
• I have no range of motion in either hip.
• Most people can apparently keep their heel on the floor at all times. I can’t.
• I think I sweat more than the general population.
• My left shoulder is messed up (clicking noises, decreased range of motion). But, I already knew that.

And, yoga scared me with the following:

• When bending forward as if to touch your toes (I can’t get there), my left medial hamstring muscle (I think its actually my adductor magnus) hurts hurts hurts.
• When pulling my left leg to my knee, same muscle hurts as well as well the rest of that hip (mostly the front feels like its “pinched”)

Its the same muscle  that started hurting when I was training for my last marathon. Then, I saw a PT and he told me I had SI joint dysfunction. And then I did some exercises and cross trained over running and it got better. IF IT MESSES UP MY MARATHON GREATNESS PLANS I WILL KILL IT. Thankfully, it doesn’t hurt when I run now, just when I static stretch. And foam rolling it only hurts, too. I don’t know if icing will help. Basically, if I had it my way, I’d cut around the whole thing to free it from its attachments (as it feels “stuck”) and maybe even just get rid of it.

So, if anyone knows what to do about my angry muscle, I’m all ears. Angry muscle — clearly a medical term. It just feels all “stuck” and pulled too tight at all times. I’m doing a horrible job at describing this.

Angry muscle reminds me of "You're an Angry Elf!"

I know, I’m a medical student, but we don’t learn that much about soft tissue or musculoskeletal injuries. If I went to an MD, it’d be an orthopod, who’d tell me to stop running. No thanks. My plan for now is to not static stretch and to ignore it. Mature plan, for sure.

Ok, back to yoga.

I’m actually kind of frustrated with myself. Why do all of these other people rave about the benefits of yoga, particularly with respect to distance running, and I am clearly not seeing the connection here.

Maybe I should stick with it? Maybe I should just stick with running? Maybe I should take up boxing? (I’ve always wanted to after I read Sharapova used to do it to help her footwork when she was younger and wore a shark tooth necklace — tough stuff). I don’t think boxing has good clothes though. Maybe go back to gymnastics? Hmmm….

So, please, dear people, enlighten me — what are you thoughts on yoga? Beneficial? Boring? Good for your sport? Should I try it again?

Should’ve Asked for Guitar Lessons

Instead of begging for gymnastics lessons at 2 years old or the newest Anna Kournikova tennis outfit at 16, I SHOULD’VE ASKED for guitar and singing lessons so I could be a rock star.

WRONG STRINGS TO ASK FOR

Like, honestly, med school? WHAT WAS I THINKING?!? Wrong childhood ambitions, Meggie, just wrong.

Ally (my sis) and I went to the Taylor Swift concert and, seriously, I want to have the power that if I just look in one direction a bajillion people start screaming for me. I want to wear 10 sparkly dresses a night and have sparkly, bedazzled guitars and have thousands of screaming fans singing lyrics that I wrote. I want people to write 13 on their hands and lyrics down their arm just because I do.

Note the sparkly guitar...with the black, sparkly dress. WHY NOT ME?

Ok, maybe I’m just a tad jealous. For the record, Ally and I did NOT put 13 on our hands or write lyrics on our arms (although that is something I would typically do).

The Taylor Swift concert was A++ so, if you have the chance and you’re into country, highly recommend. Homegirl plays like 4 instruments (at least during the show she played the guitar, banjo,piano, and ukelele) and I was going to be seriously impressed if she busted out a 5th (ok, 4 is still pretty impressive).

A family friend we babysit for all the time was at the concert with her best friend (they’re 9, first concert, too cute). We helped them tie dye tshirts last weekend and each wore blue nail polish (T. Swift’s fave color), blue eyeshadow, and, obviously, wrote 13 on their hands along with lyrics down their arm. Taylor actually squeezed their hand during the concert…obviously, the highlight of their young lives, thus far.

Me, Ally, and our 9 year old buds (the little blond we've babysat for since....she was born!)

Ally and I tie-dyed those shirts...TALENT.

On another note, I got 3 more hair feathers – white, yellow, and pink. Love myself some hair feathers.

Changing subject again. The nail places here in TN are not up on Essie like NYC ones so my plan to get light blue was foiled. I went with purple, which I was very pleased with. A contrast to the light pink a lot of people were rocking at the shower today.

Nails against dress...kind of looks like I'm pointing to appendicitis pain or something ("Oh, my right lower quadrant! Sharp pain to McBurney's point!")

I guess my phone apeture (sp?) was fuzzy and Momsicle got me before I was ready. You get the picture.

And, final change of subject, I plan to do a little long runsies tomorrow. Anyone want to help me decide how far to run? Min 10 Max 13. Thanks, homies.

Back to Teen Mom and semi-napping.

 

When do you graduate? + BelieveIAm.com

In case you don’t know me or didn’t read the “Who’s the Thinker of Thinks” tab, I’ll catch you up to speed — I’m in medical school. At least a few times a week, I get asked, “So, when are you going to graduate and be working?” Most people know that medical training is long and arduous, but don’t know about the details of our training unless they know someone personally in the field. So, in order to clear up what on earth I’m doing with my life and when my income will actually start to exist, I present to you the run-down to becoming a doctor, part 1.

PART 1: “BILLS, BILLS, BILLS”

STEP 1: COLLEGE

4 years. Pre-requisite courses to apply to medical school (gen chem + lab x 2, organic chem + lab x 2, calculus, physics + lab x 2, writing course, biology + lab x 2, where x 2 = 2 semesters). Make stellar grades. Take and ace the MCAT. Volunteer. Be a good citizen. Apply. Simple, right?

STEP 2A: MEDICAL SCHOOL, YEARS 1 and 2

For most medical schools, the first 18 months to 2 years are spent basically being like any other graduate student. You go to bajillion lectures, smaller group sessions, spend your life in the library, and take a bunch of tests. There are few things unique to medical school in these years, including anatomy lab (yes, I dissected a cadaver) and courses where you learn how to talk to patients, take a history, do a physical exam, etc. Many schools are changing their curriculums for these first 2 years to include more time in the hospital, but I won’t get into that.

The culmination of these two years is taking Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). Studying for this exam was the most miserable 6 weeks of my life (just ask my family). I rocked what I dubbed “the homeless look” everyday and secluded myself in a room in my house that I began referring to as “my lair.”

The Homeless Look. I believe I'm taking Advil here because I got a headache from freaking out over not studying exactly 10 hours that day. Seriously.

My family was only to speak to me if spoken to (kind of kidding….kind of). I studied 10 hours per day, 7 days per week, for six straight weeks. It was miserable, but it was worth it in the end. [side note: You can still do other stuff when studying for step 1 -- I ran almost every day, mostly to tire myself out to ease my anxiety.] Those Bic 4-color pens, specifically the one with 4 pastel colors, helped me get through that entire 6 weeks. And ice cream.

STEP2B: MEDICAL SCHOOL, YEARS 3 and 4

Third year is full of clinical rotations, meaning you spend about 6-8 weeks in each “core” medical speciality. There are 8 core clerkships (what each rotation is called) – internal medicine, surgery, OB/GYN, psychiatry, pediatrics, neurology (only at some schools), and ambulatory care, and critical care. In the 4th year, you also have to do a “sub-internship,” where you become an intern for that one month (intern = 1st year out of medical school). You do a bunch of electives to finish all that out, take a bunch more tests (included Step 2 of the boards), and then peace outta there.

And for all of this, you pay a quite a bit of money.

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I stumbled upon BelieveIAm.com and immediately added all of the merchandise to my pinterest (and ordered some, too). The concept behind it is totally ba-nan-nas with flowers cyrptically representing, what I like to call, “power words” or words that help you get through a tough match, a miserable run, or just life. From what I can tell, the website is also a place for runners/athletes (or really anyone, I guess) to share stories of how they use their thoughts to instill belief in oneself, to get through a rough patch, or to just positively affect their life. If I’m going to become a collector of all things BelieveIAm, I should probably jump on that “positive thinking” train considering in my last marathon my thoughts mainly consisted of “this is terrible!!!” and “I am never doing this again!!!”

The first addition to my collection -- I will probably be ordering the rest...tonight.

The most coveted item in the collection that my heart so desires is this, a training log:

Spotted: best training log ever. You know you love me, GG.

Flowery, pink, inspirational little quotes — WHAT MORE COULD I WANT IN LIFE?!? I want to have the first one hot of the presses. I may even write to request the prototype. Ok, I won’t do that. That’s going overboard.

Its made by professional runners. Therefore, wearing this and using that journal will automatically make me a good runner, right? RIGHT. (Agree with me people). One of the runners is the same one that makes picky bars, which you should all know I hoard like little Gus Gus does cheese in “Cinderella.” So, I mean, since I love picky bars and I have PR’ed many times after eating them, I will definitely rise to new heights in running with my BelieveIAm gear. (Just agree with my delusions).

So, tell me all 7 loyal readers of my blog, if you could create one of these shirts, what word would you use and why? And would you have a flower you would use?

Mine would be a stargazer lily and relax.