Diverted

I swear, getting home is never easy. Last night, on my seemingly perfect flight back to Knoxville (we actually took off on time out of LGA, a novelty!) we got diverted to Greenville, SC due to fog and then our flight was cancelled (and it was about midnight at this point). Thankfully, a nice radiologist and his wife who happened to live near me rented a car and offered to drive me home (its about 3 hours from Greenville to Knoxville). Solid travel day.

Fortunately, I sat next to my dental hygienist on the flight so I couldn’t act like I total crazy person during takeoff. Although, I may have professed my love for that foamy fluoride treatment which they have replaced with some lame paint-on stuff that isn’t flavored. That’s not crazy, right?

True story: There was a 5-6 year period where I couldn't get fluoride treatment due to my veneers (from a gymnastics accident where I knocked my front two teeth out). It was definitely upsetting at every dentist's visit.

Now, I know what you’re all thinking – if I’m home, what is the lady dressed up as for Thanksgiving? A pilgrim, obviously.

The Lady and myself. Yes, I'm wearing two different shades of orange. I put basically no effort into my wardrobe when I'm at home.

Since I’ve developed some pathologic addiction to sweating and since my weird-left-leg issues prevents me from using running as my primary form of sweating, I spend most of my mental energy figuring out other ways I can get my sweat on. I’ve reached the point that my post-marathon break feels over and just “resting” leaves me with a lot of pent up energy.

Yesterday, I went to bikram again (before catching that diverted flight home) and have determined that not only do you need to try 3 bites of anything, but also that a lot of yoga is instructor dependent. I spent way too much time figuring out where the instructor yesterday was from because she had this weird accent that I couldn’t place. After 90 min, I think she was Canadian or possibly from Wisconsin. She also gave too many life lessons. Is it bad that I don’t want any of that and only go because I think it will make me a better runner?

Can any of you do this pose? I can't. Not even close.

Still, you do get a major sweat on in Bikram Yoga. Its pretty hard not to with that room being 100 degrees or something like that.

Today, I tried this TRX class at home. FYI – that TRX stuff is no joke. It was one of those times wear I SWORE it was the longest 30 seconds of my life and that the 30 second work period HAD to be over and, clearly, the instructor’s watch was broken.

Do you think I could install one of these in my dorm room? Like, "Don't mind me, just installing my new ceiling fixture!"

Or maybe I’m just very weak. I actually really liked it though, in some sort of “this hurts really badly, but I bet it is good for me” way. I highly suggest you try it.

I also played some tennis to get my endorphins going. I gotta make sure I can get my groundstroke on so I can warm up my brother at his tennis tournament this weekend. Yes, my family spends our Thanksgivings at tennis tournaments. We eat Subway Turkey sandwiches instead of that big Turkey dinner thing.

Intense focus on the backhand preparation. Yes, that's a picky bar shirt. Don't even try to take over my #1 fandom. Also, that's a BIC band which a lucky few of you will win tomorrow.

Well, not entirely true – I have spent a Thanksgiving or two at home when only my dad and brother went to his tournament and not the rest of us. It was, of course, a very formal affair.

You're completely jealous of our outfits. I know. You don't have to tell me.

Unfortunately, I won’t be Turkey Trotting this year due to said tennis tournament. I was so ready with my hair feathers and everything to channel my inner Native American and trot! Missed opportunity.

YOUR TURN: Raise your hand if you’re turkey trotting? Anyone got any fave non-running sweatastic ideas for me? Anyone else actually like the dentist like I do?

I mean, I actually really like getting my teeth cleaned.

Wait! I almost completely forgot! My real favorite way to get my non-running sweat on is shopping, specifically at Target. This lady is my inspiration and the basis of my new training plan for November and December.

Until next time..

How We Will Know What Our Favorite Things Are This Year?

First, I want to let you all know that this lady is my shopping idol:

Look at that, even a map to the doorbuster deals..

In addition to other things, the doctor on Thursday told me that I need to train to run, not run to train. You know what you also need to train for? Shopping marathons. It can be taxing. I take picky bars with me to keep my energy up so I make sure I don’t miss anything.

I actually don’t do the whole Black Friday thing. I’m passionate about shopping marathons, particularly those at Target, year round.

But, people, I just realized that there will be no Oprah’s favorite things this year, seeing as Oprah retired. HOW WE WILL KNOW WHAT IS NEW, COOL, AND OPRAH APPROVED?

I know, this was unsettling for me, too. So, I’ve decided to step in for Oprah and start compiling a list of my favorite things in case you need gift ideas.

Before, I get into that I did see some cool things at FAO Schwarz today, any of which you can buy me.

Ginormous Pink Dog. Cost - $300.

5 lb cereal box of gummy bears. Cost - One Sugar High, Potential Diabetes

Make Your Own Muppet. Cost - $100

A few other things you can also get me: 1) a new left hemi-pelvis/leg; 2) fly me to Canada so I can learn to tempo with a bunch of people who live in a freezing cold environment; 3) 2nd season of Modern Family; 4) Tom Ford Whitney Sunglasses; 5) a tweet back from Jesse Thomas (@jessemthomas) – the entire Picky Pack has tweeted back to me except for him, I need to complete my collection, for no real reason whatsoever.

Ok, let’s start the list. Some will be ones you’ve heard about, others not.

1. Nike Half-Zip With Wool In It: That thing is seriously warm.

And it has thumb holes...

2. My Planner From South Korea: My paper brain, I’d be lost without it.

A Picky Bar sticker? A Believe I Am Tag? How on earth did that get there...

3. Picky Bars: Literally, the perfect stocking stuffer.

4. Believe I Am Training Diary: For when you do secret santa with your runner friends.

5. Madewell Archive Leather Boot OR Naturalizer Riding Boots: I got my Naturalizer pair off Piperlime (and Madewell off of Madewell’s site). I can walk everywhere in them and no blisters.

Seriously, I wear these everywhere...if I'm not in my Madewell boots.

6. Patagonia Synchilla Snap Fleece: It will become your second skin.

I may or may not have more than one.

7. Wilson Pro-OverGrip: If you know anyone that plays tennis, it’s the best overgrip.

Guess which color I use...

8. LL Bean Wicked Good Clogs: Not the most fashionable choice, but actually wicked comfortable.

However, I heard they don't make them anymore. Don't tell me if that's true.

9. Oiselle Distance Short: It’s like Mary Poppins magical bag – it fits everything. In fact, when I finished the marathon, I found a previously stashed picky bar in the back pocket. I needed that for the country mile walk to get my stuff.

These shorts won't let you down. Your IT band might, though.

10. Billy’s Bakery Banana Cake: Just don’t buy it. Its addicting. I want some now.

11. Sparkly BIC Band:  Just get one. And then wear it with your patagonia as I am now.

A rather festive combination...

I’ll stop there. For now.

HELP ME HELP OTHERS IN OUR OPRAH-LESS TIME: What would you add to the list?

Personally, I need book recommendations and help on the decision between Lunar Elite 2s or Lunar Glide 3s for my next shoe purchase.

Add on, people, add on….

Until next time…

Take 3 Bites

When I was a camp counselor, we tried to encourage all of the campers to try 3 bites of everything. I think my parents also tried this on me for awhile, but then gave up as I was the pickiest eater alive. I didn’t eat a banana until age 17 and didn’t try mashed potatoes, broccoli, or guacamole until college. I almost tried an olive the other day, as I’ve never had one of those, but chickened out. I guess my picky past (and present, too) underlies my passion for Picky Bars.

The texture of this product has been approved by myself and my brother who is much pickier than I, if that's possible.

Side Note: I received an email from my mom this morning along the lines of “CRISIS! WE ARE OUT OF PICKY BARS.” I’m not sure how she wanted me to fix this problem seeing as I am a 12 hour car ride from her. Apparently, my brother has followed my picky passion.

Anyways, if you read this post, you’ll know I am a yoga skeptic. However, I’ve been to bikram twice this week and actually kind of like it. I guess you really do have to try 3 bites of something to make a decision.

I like bikram because its the same thing every time, so it becomes a game to me to see if I can do each pose better than the time before (ok, fine, all 2 times that I’ve been, but you do do each pose twice each time, so that makes it 4 times total). Fortunately, the place I’ve been to isn’t too serious. Its light and fun. When the yoga people get too zen and into the meditating stuff, they lose me.

I do quite enjoy the organized nap time though.

Unfortunately, I have been called out BOTH TIMES for not paying attention. I’m sorry yoga master, but sometimes I just like to zone out and think about when it will get cold enough for me to start wearing my patagonia fleece consistently.

Patagonia Synchilla -- my 2nd skin in the winter. Get yourself one ASAP.

I guess I’ve also liked bikram this week as its let me get my sweat on in a mah-jor way while I’m still on my running hiatus. And, I swear, it gets your heart rate up. I bet over 110 or 120 beats per minute. Maybe I should wear a heart rate monitor (if I had one). Experiment? Or maybe I’m just out of shape.

Let's learn! The point of maximal impulse for the heart (meaning where you can feel the heart beat best if you put your hand on your chest) is in the 5th intercostal space in the mid-clavicular line.

Also, I wore my BIC band all throughout yoga. It didn’t come off even when I was attempting some backward bending things and failing miserably. Unfortunately for me, I’m not afraid of falling over so I do that often. I like to think it provides entertainment for the others.

OK, THE MOMENT YOU’VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR: Who gets the Picky Bars I promised?! I had to figure out how many stamps it would take to send, which is why it took me so long to choose.

The is me and the RC, one of the inventors of Picky Bars. I look so well fed next to her. Whenever I hear the word "inventor," I always think of "my father, the inventor of Toaster Strudel, would not be happy to hear about this." NAME THAT MOVIE.

MegMarie, AmandaVids, and Gina you are the lucky recipients. I’ll email you guys to get your mailing addresses. Also, it may get smushed in transit. I am sorry.

TELL ME: Anyone else a picky eater out there? Anyone else formerly not like something and then had a turn around?

True story: I hated running for the first 23 years of my life and have perfected ways of a) getting out of running or b) feigning like you did a whole run. I can give you my secrets if you wish. I can also give you my secrets for faking pushups, but it does require a long pony-tail.

Until next time…

Guess Who’s Back?

SOPHIA GRACE AND ROSIE!!!

Also, please watch the shopping spree Sophia Grace and Rosie went on at Toys R Us. These girls are women after my own heart. Look at that shopping enthusiasm. You can’t teach that.

I mean, she definitely needed that suitcase just like I needed those Christmas window gel clingy things I bought at Target. I like to call purchases like that “necessary luxuries.”

Guess who is also back? ME!

Me at age 9. Further evidence I spent most of my childhood upside or figuring out how to flip off of things. I think this explains a lot.

Ok, no, I didn’t actually go anywhere, unless you consider venturing to the Upper West Side from where I live a trek. Anyways, in my dramatic, immature last few days where I almost threw my running shoes out the window, I’ve decided the happy running Meggie is back.

See - happy running Meggie. Have you seen this picture before? Yes.

Happy Running Meggie isn’t back to running, yet, because her IT band still hurts and her left SI joint as followed suit, but that’s a topic for two weeks from now if it’s not better. I’m just assuming all of those things will get better in time.

I think most people are goal driven so I have a hard time writing, “I am a goal driven person.” Aren’t we all? Goals do make me happy, though. I like to dream of things I could do, like running a 3:35 marathon and being on Dancing With The Stars (fine – the latter is a fantasy, not an actual dream or goal — unless I become a star). I sometimes think I live most of my life in this dream world where I can do anything I set my mind to and I am queen of my own universe with a crown and septar. I’m not sure if that’s good or bad.

My queen of the universe outfit looks something like this...

A sports psychologist we had at tennis once told me to always have something to do after a match, especially during the first 30 min following a match when I was temporarily insane.. That way, I couldn’t dwell on the results, and could focus my irrational self on something else. I could then go back and think about the match when I was in a less emotional, more rational state of being. Typical post match activities included eating or shopping when I was in high school and studying when I was in college.

I found a tennis picture. Sorry, I'm not actually playing. I think this was in 2006. FYI - I always wore a visor and the Nike Dri-Fit ones were my go-tos. I have a zillion of those. Some are really gross and sweat stained like whoa.

True story: At a Thanksgiving tournament, my friend and I once went from the mall, to a match, won, and then went straight back to the mall. I mean, it was Black Friday deals – we HAD to be there.  In our defense, it also been raining all morning so we figured the matches would be canceled for the day. We also had to skimp our warm up a bit because we couldn’t get out of the mall fast enough to get to the courts. Priorities, people. Our coach was kind of mad…wonder why?

Anyways, back to the point. I think not having a new running goal to work towards contributed at least partly to my post-marathon funk. I do have some really cool stuff going on at work and the holiday season is coming up, which obviously means I gotta start getting my decorating on.

My decorating doesn't quite get this elaborate, but close.

I struggled with not being ok without having a goal because I really do think I need to take a break post-marathon and kind of disengage in the whole running thing. However, I still felt like getting my race sign up on would make me feel better and then I could enjoy my breaksie and truly focus on catching up on People Magazine and what really went down between Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries. I need to get my running ducks in a row so I could rest easy, knowing my IT band redemption 2012 plan is in place.

Actual ducks in a row. Ok, rubber duckies. Close enough.

So, tomorrow and soon thereafter, I plan to get my sign up on and, then, line up babysitting jobs to pay for getting said sign up on. I can start writing my race dreams and goals in my Believe I Am training diary  by drawing gardens of good and bad thoughts — fun things like that. I also plan on becoming BFFs with my foam roller while investigating ways to rid myself of and prevent both ITBS and my dysfunctional SI joint. Suggestions are welcome.

I’m thinking a spring marathon, possibly out West, but all suggestions are welcome, with a good half thrown in there in the build up to that full. All subject to change though. I’ll probably also do a 5K or 10K or two in there because those are fun. I really like 5Ks because all 2 that I have run in my life felt like out of control experiences. It was fun.

TELL ME: Do you think I’m jumping into getting my sign up on too fast? Should I take a bit more of a break before committing to anything or get my Spring 2012 running ducks in a row first?

Until next time…

P.S. I haven’t decided who is getting the Picky Bars, yet. I have to see how many stamps I have..

What’s Up Wednesday

The usual…

1. AMERICANO WITH MOCHA

The RC introduced me to this and it is ah-mazing. Get a grande with 2 pumps of mocha. You will not be disappointed.

I'm not sure how I feel about Starbucks Christmas Cups being introduced after Halloween. I mean, why is Thanksgiving so forgotten? Why can't we have a cup with a cornucopia on it?

2. YOUR COMMENTS

It has been so helpful during my sulking period. So, thank you. What was also helpful? The security guard to my work building giving me a huge hug and congratulating me (don’t worry, its not creepy, he’s so nice). He asked me every day the past two weeks about the marathon and told me he was so happy not to see me coming into work on Monday so I could rest.

One of those gems brightroom always catches...

3. ALLISON and HENRY’S GOOD LUCK MESSAGES

From Allison, my sister: “Good luck tomorrow!!! And, please, stop if your leg is going to fall off because I would hate for you to be a peg leg for the rest of your life.”

Ally and I in Switzerland. If you look closely, you'll see I'm wearing my winter second skin - a patagonia fleece.

Henry, my friend from TN: “Good luck! This is all just great training for the Turkey Trot.” We’re planning on Turkey Trotting on Thanksgiving followed my a game of ultimate, if my left lower extremity cooperates.

4. INSOMNIA COOKIES OPENING IN MY HOOD

I’m not sure if this is a good or bad thing. I went Mon and Tues. I swore I wasn’t going to go today, but it just sounds so freaking good. I’m very partial to M and M cookies and their M and M cookie is bomb.

How long can I use the "I just ran a marathon" excuse?

I’m really afraid I’m not going to be fitting into my clothes in a few weeks…

5. PICKY BARS

Duh, you know I love PBs. I love PBs so much I let one of the picky people stay with me and I am sad she is gone. Obviously, my nickname for her is PBJ for “picky bars jenn.” RC…PBJ…I don’t know why my nicknames don’t catch on.

I have more than my fair share and I want to spread the love. So, I’m going to send a PB to two of you who want to try them. Rules of the game: 1) You have to have never had a picky bar (not sure how I’ll confirm this) 2) You have to promise me to tell me what you think about it. 3) You go follow or like Picky Bars on twitter/facebook 4) You tell your friends about PBs. Deal?

Two of my favorite things: People Magazine and Picky Bars.

Sorry, you’re only getting one to try because I am poor and hungry and want to hoard the rest for myself. If you’re really nice, you may even get a picky bar sticker, too. You just have to comment below and what not to let me know you want in on the picky power.

People keep asking me how I feel. I am still sore. Today I went down stairs at the office without using both side rails to support myself. An accomplishment, right?

My left SI joint and lower back hurts and my IT band is still sore, but strangely, my SI joint hurts more than the IT band. Weird, huh? I’ve been told that joint is “dysfunctional.” I’m not sure what to do about it. Any suggestions? Wait out the soreness/pain a little while longer?

Anatomy as per usual...

TELL ME: WHAT’S ROCKING YOUR WORLD THIS WEEK? DO YOU WANT IN ON THE PICKY GOODNESS? SI JOINT SUGGESTIONS besides taking a sledge hammer to it and my left IT band?

Until next time….

 

 

 

Still Sulking

Listen, people. I know I am being ridiculous. Running, while important to me, is a hobby – nothing more. There is no reason I should be upset or in near tears when I think about the NYC Marathon. Anyone want to give me a deadline on the sulking period?

Apparently, I wasn't upset here (yet). You know why? Because I saw Ali, Lauren, and Emily all reppin' the sweat squad.

[Seriously, huge thank you Ali, Emily, and Lauren and all the other cheerleaders I saw - Jaime, Jackie, Kimmie, Jess, Courtney, etc - and my virtutal cheereleaders, too many to name]

Mile 18 or so pick me up. HUGE THANKS!

So, yes, my whole crying on the way to work this morning thinking “all of my hard work went to waste” is quite ridiculous. At the moment, it’s the way I feel and I feel somewhat stupid now making my marathon goal 3:35, then putting that out there, and then failing miserably. I have a hard time thinking “oh, it was that IT band thing,” because I’m sure someone out there has PR’ed in a marathon on a bum IT band.

And then I saw this cute puppy on my way to work, which made me instantly feel better. I feel weird calling it "work," considering I don't get paid. Oh well, it's fun, regardless.

Or maybe I’m just slightly psychotic. Someone had the office told me “I’m sorry you’re injured,” and I was like “oh this IT band isn’t an injury, its just an annoyance.” I’m very rational right now, obviously. Like when I almost threw my running shoes out the window this morning – very mature.

Someone at work did validate me by telling me she has similar marathon experiences in not being 100% content with her time. She made me feel so much better and I’m convinced we’re the same person although separated by 6 years in age(we have similar test scores and everything). She told me to not let it ruin the whole experience for me because, at the end of the day, the NYC marathon is a very cool experience.

Anyways, if you know me and how I follow gymnastics obsessively, you would know that I, course, know the slogan of the gym that produced the last two Olympic All-Around champions, WOGA (World Olympics Gymnastics Academy). In true Russian fashion, the motto of the gym is “Train Hard Or Go Home” and “Hard Work Never Disappears.”

I want to raise my kids in Dallas just so they can be good gymnasts...

I like to think the latter one is especially true. Sure, I worked hard for 3-4 months and it didn’t pay off on the big day.

However, I don’t think it’s particularly healthy to judge anything by just one day. I don’t think a surgeon would judge his or her career based on one case.

Similarly, although I spent 3-4 months training for the NYC Marathon, I had a lot of little successes and breakthroughs along the way. I learned how to get rid of negative thoughts at the Boilermaker, I learned that humidity does actually suck the life out of you in New Haven, I learned that focusing on enjoying yourself can lead to big PRs when you least expect it, and I learned how to, finally, appreciate tempo runs. I learned that the physical often follows the mental (ie Believe I Am), that you don’t have to do crazy long runs really early in a marathon training cycle (thank you, RC), and that the whole “training for a marathon” thing can actually be pretty enjoyable, at least in my book.

I still die for the Boilermaker.

[P.S. I have to give a big virtual shout out, hug, and high five to Steph (the RC). She is awesome. She gets a thumbs up from Meggie. And a pointer finger. Although I don't think she reads this blog. Irregardless, she's cool.]

Look at the RC go...she is so fast.

I haven’t found the actual marathon to be enjoyable, yet. It’s kind of a lot of eggs in one basket for me, for a race. But, I figure, that’s kind of how I felt about running for a long time — I thought it was pretty miserable. I figure as long as I have the desire to do a marathon, I’ll keep trying.

So, yep, I think this post actual ends sulking period. Meggie isn’t a quitter, last time I checked. I have some really things going on at my unpaid work, have more time to scheme ways to raise money for Cookies For Kids’ Cancer, and can start planning my marathon revenge.

Also, PS – everyone I have ever met from Oregon or who has lived there at some point is super tiny. I want to know what on earth is in the water there that is making them all so skinny. I want some of that. Or a mild bout of a tapeworm or something. It can’t be just all that running and stuff they do over there, right?

TELL ME: Your comeback stories, your revenge stories, your war stories, your glory days, your successes, how a sport has once been terrible to you and then you loved it again…I need to be inspired. 

Before I go, I ‘ll give you one of mine which has been helpful to me in my sulking period. My junior year of college, I think I won two matches all of the fall season, culminating in a particularly terrible match that I called my “waterloo.” That fall, I felt like I couldn’t hit the side of a barn if I tried. I thought very seriously about quitting tennis that winter, because I just didn’t enjoy it anymore. That spring, I took all pressure off of myself and focused on very basic things. I got all conference that season in both singles and doubles (first team doubles, second team singles, in case you were actually curious.) So, I guess things can turn around.

One of the only pics I have of me playing tennis...I'm sure there are more somewhere....

Until next time…

P.S. Did you buy picky bars, yet?

Get Picky With It

People, I’m sure you’ve heard me talk about Picky Bars before, right? You must have. Anyways, would you look at what’s in the NY Times today…

PICKY BARS !!!(in an article on the fabulous Lauren Fleshman, who has pink hair streaks – I am super jelz to the max, btw.)

I suggest you go buy some, immediately.

Isn’t that cool? Also, does this make me a trendsetter? I’m going to go with yes.

This either makes me really lame or really cool.

You know what’s kind of lame. Lauren couldn’t wear her picky bar tats in the marathon. I mean, its her own company and her own skin. Yet, the regulating people who are losers, obviously, said that was against the rules. Super unfair in my book.

However, since Lauren can’t wear them, I would like for this to serve as my official application to the Picky Pack that I want to be the wearer of a Picky Bar tattoo one day. It may not sell you any more bars because no one will care if I’m wearing it, but no one would tell me I couldn’t, either.

This outfit is missing two things: 1) sparkly headband and 2) Picky Bar tattoo

AND GUESS WHAT — PBs (my abbreviation for them) has launched the Picky Club! Unfortunately, someone beat me to the punch on being the inaugural member, but NO ONE CAN TAKE AWAY MY #1 FANDOM.

I have the shirt and everything. I'm just not wearing it here.

You, too, can get the shirt and random things from them included with your 18 bars per month. It’s like that Harry and David Fruit of the Month club, but better.

I die for Picky Bars like Rachel Zoe dies for Chanel.

So, I want you all to go buy some bars – blow up all the Picky People’s emails with orders. Have I ever steered any of you wrong?

If you buy some or try some. I want to know what you think – I think they taste like a pb and j, but in a sort of cookie dough texture.

This is what one looks like.

What’s not to like about that?

Before I leave, I also want to let it be known that Deena Kastor not only noticed my hair feathers, but she also told me she liked them.

sb

Emilia, Kelly, Lindsay, Deena K, Andrew K, Me, Susan

Deena obviously gets it.

TELL ME: HAVE YOU TRIED PICKY BARS? AND, IF YOU HAVEN’T, ARE YOU GOING TO ORDER SOME?

Or do I need to force feed you one first?

Until next time…

P.S. I am still in the sulking  period, I may have cried this afternoon, sometimes reading your comments, which mean the world to me

Baby Sweat

Oh yeah – that’s right people. I ellipticalled for 20 minutes today and it was exhilarating. My little nucleus accumbens was firing like crazy I’m sure. What’s the nucleus accumbens you ask? It’s a little nucleus (think of it as an activity station) in your brain that is sometimes dubbed the “reward center.” This little guy also plays a crucial role in addiction. The neurobiology of addiction is actually fascinating.

Just so you can know where the nucleus accumbens is.

Ok, I’ll stop nerding out on you all.

Anyways, so I went back to Dr. Levine for some more ART and he says my IT band feels better. BUT NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO RUN TOMORROW.

His reasoning is as follows. Today was the first day that my leg has not hurt walking since I re-aggravated the ol’ IT band last Thursday. Since it appears the IT band is on the upswing (or so we hope), why would I want to run tomorrow and potentially mess up all the healing that’s taken place since last Thursday? A reasonable person wouldn’t want all that tortured rest period ”super-taper” going to waste, now would they?

Surely, you've haven't forgotten about super-taper, right?!?

The problem is I haven’t exactly been reasonable and rational lately, which is probably why Dr. Levine asked me, “So, why are you wearing running clothes right now?”

BECAUSE I WANT TO PRETEND I’M GOING TO RUN — THAT’S WHY.

Ok, lies – I was wearing running clothes because they’re more comfortable than real clothes and, as always, I want all the world to know I <3 Sweat.

20 minutes of sweat is better than no sweat, right? I'm sure Ali agrees.

So, I’m trying very hard to listen to what other people tell me to do and not to let the crazy person that has invaded my body take over, which result in me taking myself on a 6 mile run that could potentially deter me from MARATHON GREATNESS. And, we don’t want that, do we?!?

I mean, this is completely what I anticipate myself looking like all marathon long. You see the resemblance, right?

Seeing as I have to do something before I lose my mind (and 20 min on an elliptical isn’t going to cut), I’m going to go senior citizen tomorrow and aqua jogging. I’m just really upset I don’t have one of the following awesome swim caps for the occasion.

Exhibit A --- and these models do NOT look like senior citizens to me...

Exhibit B --- she also does not look like a senior citizen.

I know, you can’t win them all. The NYU one I got from my friend who is the assistant coach (shout out to Spenser Popeson) will have to do. However, cool swim cap or not, I have to do something to burn off my excess energy so I don’t take off at the start of the marathon like a kid running from house to house trick-or-treating.

Paperclip, Paperclip's Older Sister, and I

Well, at least that’s how Paperclip – excuse me – Buzz Lightyear trick-or-treated last night.

Quick Tangent: Speaking of Halloween, best trick-or-treater at our  house last night was the girl whose father said, “Well, she’s really enjoying this, but Daddy’s getting his cardio – whew!” I almost wanted to yell, “Sir, do not take your cardio for granted!”

See, I have seriously morphed into a legitimate crazy person.

In case I don’t write between now and the marathon, I want to give big good lucks to the following: Kelly, Susan, Lindsay, Emilia, Celia, Lauren, Shannon, Gia, Skinny Runner, Betsy, Katie and Mike. If I missed anyone, I’m really sorry!

If you’re watching the race, you need to cheer the loudest for Lauren (Fleshman). Yell something about Picky Bars or sparkly headbands or beer…or something like that. Or just your usual “Go Lauren!”, yet, I feel we can all get more creative than that.

If you watch the 5K the day before, you need to cheer very loudly for the newly engaged couple, Steph and Ben, who I usually refer to as “the RC” and “the RCF.” You can yell something like, “Oh my word, your ring is blinding me!” or “Is that the guy that can talk like Donald Duck?!?”

All three will be really skinny. I am sure this will help you distinguish them from all the other professional runners.

Ok, now for the question I will pose to you all – WHAT NAIL COLOR SHOULD I WEAR FOR THE MARATHON? Possibilities include:

• Smokin’ Hot by Essie (gunmetal color)
• Lapis of Luxury by Essie (which was “belief blue,” but its very summery)
• Carry On by Essie (a deep plum, but that’s the color the IT band injury happened with so I’m thinking no)
• black (because it’s fierce)
• orange (because it’s my lucky color)
• Rock the Croc by Essie (because its my favorite “fall red”)

If I can find it, I may go with the new “Baubing for Baubles” by Essie – which is a deep sapphire blue, so it can be the new “belief blue.”

I hope its not so new that I won't find it....

ALSO, TELL ME: What was the best Halloween costume you saw? And Kim K divorcing already? Glad I caught the wedding special before that happened!

I saw a Jamaican bobsled team. Very clever.

Until next time…

[P.S. I'm sorry if this post made no sense whatsoever.]

Decisions, Decisions

First, I want to commend the Starbucks employee who ACTUALLY SPELLED MY NAME RIGHT today.

Way to go, barista. It's generally never correct unless they ask me for the spelling.

Also, that nail polish is “Carry On” by Essie. I like it, but don’t think it shows up well in this picture.

Second, I want to caution any of you all who shave your feet. I’ve always done that, but today I CUT TWO OF MY TOES. BEWARE.

Middle toes on both sides took hits today.

I can’t remember what color is on my toes right now – something brown. I know, I spend way too much time thinking about nail colors.

On my walk home today, I started to think about my marathon attire. It looks like I have some decisions to make and I’d prefer them to not be game-time decisions as Lord knows I’m going to be temporarily insane the 48 hours before the marathon.

1. WHICH OISELLE SHORTS?

I have three options: A) black Lori shorts, B) orange Lori shorts, C) orange distance shorts.

Tough call...

Option (A) is the “good luck” option as I’ve PR’ed twice in those shorts (Cow Harbor, Grete’s). However, they only have one pocket and I typically take 4 gels with me, which means I may not be able to get them all to fit.

Not like you've seen this picture before...

Option (C) is the most practical option as those shorts have tons of pockets for all my gels and stuff (well, I don’t bring anything else with me, but if I did, there would be room for it.) However, I wore those shorts in New Haven and we all know how that went for me. Therefore, they are “bad luck” shorts.

This wasn't really a good time...

Option (B) is Switzerland. It is neutral, although it still has the only one pocket dilemma.

I know the “good luck” vs “bad luck” thing is ridiculous. Don’t judge me.

2. GARMIN VS WATCH + PACE BRACELET

I’m starting to not be as freaked out by the ol’ Garmin, but I don’t love it. I’m thinking the watch + pace bracelet, but I plan on starting out slower than MP meaning I’d be behind the pace bracelet, so I’m not sure how said bracelet will actually help me.

See, this is why I need my running time-keeping elf!

Or I could just have Megan keep track of time for me...

3. HOW MUCH STUFF IS TOO MUCH TO BRING TO STATEN ISLAND?

Seriously, I’m going to bring way too much stuff to stay warm because the last thing I want to do before running for over 3 hours is to freeze for about 3 hours on Staten Island.

Olsen trash lady chic

I’m thinking I’m going to go for the look Mary Kate (on the right) has going on, except I’m going to leave my mint green Balenciaga motorcyle bag at home.

But, seriously, people who have endured the Staten Island pre-marathon freeze out before, how much stuff did you bring?

4. WHICH FLAVOR OF PICKY BAR BEFORE AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER?

I have yet to determine which flavor is my good luck flavor.

o

The Three Musketeers...but healthier.

Lauren’s Mega Nuts vs Nutless Wonder vs All-In Almond. I can’t decide either. It’s too difficult.

So, you see I have some decisions to make. The hair debacle has yet to be solved and “to arm warmer or not armwarmer” will most likely be a game time decision.

TELL ME: YOUR THOUGHTS? WHAT TO CHOOSE? ALSO, DO YOU PUT YOUR NAME ON YOUR SHIRT FOR A MARATHON? YES? NO? TOO CHEESY?

Now, I have to go figure out what I’m going to eat to prep for my 20-22 mile jaunt tomorrow morning, my longest run, yet. Susan and Megan have so graciously offered to run with me. Both have run marathons under 3:20. My best marathon is 3:48. I feel like we’d make a good “one of these things is not like the other” picture ie pick out the sloth from the cheetahs.

Until next time..

Time Is Of The Essence

I’m sure my last few posts have you thinking I need to be prescribed Xanax for the month before big races, right? When re-reading them myself, I sound like some time-obsessed, over-achieving, fear of failure freak. While I may be some of those things, I think an explanation of why I feel so pressed to achieve my big running goals ASAP is warranted.

Me, in a few years...

You see the girl hunched over writing something? I imagine she is an OB/GYN resident, which is what I will be in a few years. Just an fyi for those who don’t know, people in the short coats are med students, while long coats signify your have an MD. A med student’s white coat pockets will typically be stuffed with various guides (“the red book” which is now green, Maxwells, picky bars for emergency hunger in my case) and papers with their notes for H and Ps, presentations, etc. The more senior you are, the less there is in your white coat pockets.

Me eating a picky bar after a long run last year. The really red face is totally normal for me - not to worry.

As a resident, you work a lot. The technical maximum cap on weekly work hours is 80 hours per week. I do know residents who have worked more than this. With such work hours, I surmise that my ability to train for a marathon, and train well at that, might suffer. I do know residents that have run a lot and even have done marathons and, in one case, an Ironman(I won’t be doing that, sorry). So, while I do plan on keeping up the ol’ running habit in residency, I have my doubts about being to train well for a big race.

Being able to train like I do right now is really a luxury for me. Its why I’m trying to take advantage of it while I can and its why I want NYC and any other races I do this year to go well for me.

Would this freak you out if you saw me like this in a recovery room?

That’s Meggie the sickly med student above. I ran my last marathon (New Jersey) during my surgery rotation. About a week and a half after the marathon, I came down with a evil virus, probably from immune suppression from marathon + little sleep + subsisting on graham crackers and OJ all day. In fact, the attending I was assisting (read: retracting for) asked me if they needed to put a pulse oximeter on me or if I needed to have my nose suctioned under my mask. In between cases I would huddle in blankets as the ORs were so cold. I know – its a really good look for me.

But, speaking of med school – LOOK AT MY BEAUTIFUL POSTER!!!

Gloss is boss. Definitely get the gloss finish if you ever make a poster.

My real goal and reason for my “year off” is to get some quality research in and, hopefully, a publication or two. I’m here in Orlando because of this little baby I worked on last spring. Big shout of to Dr. Licciardi and Dr. Knopman for helping this little med student out big time.

Getting my abstract accepted as a poster has afforded me the opportunity to attend ASRM (American Society of Reproductive Medicine)’s annual meeting, which has been an unbelievable opportunity for which I am extremely grateful to NYU. Not only have I heard lectures on the most cutting edge research in the field, but have been reassured by my interest in the research that OB/GYN is the perfect field for me.

ASRM forgot to include a Harry Potter outing.

Unfortunately, the ASRM planners FORGOT to include a Harry Potter outing. I mean, hello, don’t you think Professor Snape could whip up a fertility potion? YES.

TELL ME: How do you fit in running with your long work hours? What is your job now and what is your career interest?

Until next time…