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March 31, 2007
Longer but not better
I ran a bit longer than I have so far post-injury, but it wasn't that great. I felt pretty good aches-and-pains-wise for most of the run (it was about 13.5 according to this), but totally fell apart in the last mile and finished with my leg hurting behind the knee again. I did admittedly run the first 2 miles too fast, but that was because I was involved in a conversation and because it was flat and on the Canal. The next 4 miles or so were on the Glover-Archibold trail, which can be treacherous at times, especially going in this direction because it is a steady climb up and the ends of each part of the trail, where you cross the road, are either stairs or those kind of wooden boards built into the dirt, if that makes sense. I took it slow on the trail and only twisted my ankle once. When I got to the top, my right hamstring was already sore. I guess I am always going to have some sensitivity there, if it hasn't gone away in almost a year. The rest of the route is mostly flat and down, and I caught up to a guy I know for the last 6 miles or so of the run. I started feeling like I was flailing with a mile to go and I encouraged him to pick it up while I tried not to melt down. I think that I alter my stride when I am tired--and my hamstrings are tired--and that probably manifests itself in behind-the-knee pain. The run ended with a climb back up the hill to Iwo Jima and as soon as I stopped, my leg hurt, much like what happened last Sunday.
I've been dilligently trying to strengthen my quads and hamstrings, but something is still going on there. Frustrating to say the least. But at least I made it through the run.
I did some errands this afternoon and I am going to try and catch a quick nap before it is time to get ready for this benefit we are going to tonight. Unfortunately it conflicts in a major way with the Georgetown-Ohio State Final Four game. I'm hoping to find a TV to watch at least the last few minutes. It would be so, so exciting if the Hoyas win...but we will see!
Posted by becky at 4:55 PM | Comments (0)
March 30, 2007
Weather even I can like
Although the advent of spring means that the most dreadful hazy, hot, and humid weather is only a few months away, I have to say that I am enjoying my first spring back in D.C. after a couple of years. We had some pretty trees in the courtyard outside our Somerville apartment building, but the cherry blossoms, magnolias and dogwoods that have bloomed this week are really beautiful. There are a lot on the Georgetown campus and on my running routes so I have been noticing. Plus, the weather today was awesome, sunny and in the low 60s, so it never got too hot. I'll enjoy it while it lasts!
My hands were a little cold on my run this morning but otherwise I did not mind that it was a little chilly. I did my usual Friday route and was glad to note that my "bad" leg/behind the knee stuff is finally feeling almost back to normal. My other side-of-leg stuff still bothers me now and then and I can't seem to pinpoint the spot to get at on the foam roller. Ideally I'd like nothing to hurt, but today was definitely the best run I've had all week.
Hopefully a good run today doesn't mean a bad one tomorrow--I am intending to run with the running club, but I will probably end up on my own because attendance will be light in anticipation of the Cherry Blossom Ten Miler here on Sunday. I have never had a good race there so I don't really regret not being able to run it...but I am going to try and watch a bit of it on Sunday.
Happy weekend to all! And go Hoyas!
Posted by becky at 7:43 PM | Comments (0)
March 29, 2007
In for a spin
I have not ridden the spin bike for a full workout in a few weeks, so this morning's workout was a welcome change. I did more of a strength workout, alternating harder (but not super-hard) intervals with easier ones. The harder parts were between 3 and 5 minutes long--not too long, but long enough for a spin novice like me! It was hot in the gym as usual and I was dripping all over the place, so I felt like it was a good workout. It also went by pretty quickly, which is rare!
I got a lot of work done today as it was pretty quiet at work, my intern was out sick, and my boss is at a conference. I was going to wait until after work to lift, but I did it at lunch because I had a meeting at the end of the day and I knew I'd want to go home after that. I'm glad I did that because Matt ended up coming home at about the same time I did--early for us--and we have been starting to plan our summer vacation to the Pacific Northwest. I am really hoping I am even healthier then, as the running seems amazing there!
Posted by becky at 10:01 PM | Comments (0)
March 28, 2007
Hangin' with the Hoyas
My run today was better than yesterday's, but still not back to last week's level of not really noticing anything except tiredness (as compared to aches and pains). I'll probably be back on the bike to play it safe tomorrow. But back to my run: I could not get out of bed—this has been happening way too often lately—and rushed out the door without a clear destination/route in mind. I didn't want to do the exact same downtown route I usually do on Wednesdays just because I am tired of it. I ended up going further east and not as far south, if I'm getting the geography right. It was fine, but because I was a little later, the pedestrian and automobile traffic downtown was worse than ever and it definitely added some time to the run. My kneecap didn't bother me today although the back of my knee was slightly stiff/sore when I got back. As for my other leg thing, I feel it now and then but it doesn't seem to be getting worse and it's been a few weeks now.
My work day was highlighted by the campus-wide Hoyas send-off event, which was basically just a bunch of students, staff and faculty outside the athletic building waiting for the men's basketball team to come out and board the bus to the Final Four in Atlanta. I didn't have to go for work or anything; I went because I have become such a fan! It was really cool to feel the school spirit and to see those big guys up close. I took some photos and cheered for the guys and basically re-lived my college years, pretending that I went to a school where the team had a following. 
I lifted just before the send-off thing because I knew I would be nearby. I have been uncomfortably hot in the gym whether I am working out or just lifting, and I think it has to do with the warm weather outside and (I'm assuming) no air conditioning yet inside. Whatever it is, it is gross. I think it is supposed to cool off a bit towards the end of the week so maybe that will help. Actually, it was quite humid during my run this morning—I had forgotten about that until now. I’m trying not to let it affect me as much as usual because to be honest, I'd rather be able to be dripping sweat and hating the humidity than inside swimming or ellipticalling.
Posted by becky at 10:23 PM | Comments (0)
March 27, 2007
Out like a lamb
It is the last week in March, but it feels more like the middle of summer. The temperature got into the 80s today (although I admittedly didn't spend much time outside) and walking home a little while ago was a sweaty pursuit. But it's not very humid and it was actually pretty nice this morning when I went running. Unfortunately my run was not as pleasant as the weather--this time my kneecap was bothering me. If it's not one thing, it's another...I sound like a big complainer but I am just frustrated. I still did my usual Tues. loop because it wasn't getting worse and because I'm just like that.
I got started running a little later than I should have, but I was beat after getting home late from the Indigo Girls concert last night. We had a great time, but getting back from Baltimore never is as quick as you want it to be. My friend Debbie drove and luckily her car has a GPS woman--whom I christened "Susan"--who helped us find our way back to the highway when it was late and dark!
This was probably my tenth Indigo Girls concert in the past 12 years or so. I wish I had kept better track. In any case, I always love IG concerts, so it's hard for me to judge, but this one was awesome because they played lots of old songs I hadn't heard lately (except on my iPod). However, you could tell the crowd wanted to hear what I call their "sellout songs", or the ones that everyone who has heard of IG know--Closer to Fine, Galileo, Get Out the Map and Power of Two, to name a few. But I'll forgive them that because they should play to the crowd at least a little bit, and because their encore was awesome--3 songs with the opening band Three5Human, including Midnight Train to Georgia.
I actually wasn't at tired at work as I thought I would be (it might hit me tomorrow) as we had a lot going on. I tried to eat better throughout the day and wasn't quite as hungry/low blood sugar when I lifted, but I still didn't have a whole lot of energy. Hmm...any suggestions?
Someone sent me a link to a social networking site called GoodReads, where you can list and rate the books you've read and see what your friends are reading and recommending. Since I've read so many books over the last six months, I'm going to try and add as many as I can remember to my book list. That way, I'll at least have a record of what I've recently read since I can barely keep track these days!
Posted by becky at 8:19 PM | Comments (3)
March 26, 2007
Special event Monday
I am sneaking out of work a little early tonight so that I can go to an Indigo Girls concert in Baltimore at a smallish venue. I am very excited as the IGs are my absolute faves and they are always great live. It should not take that long to get up there, but we will be going during rush hour and I also have to make a stop at home because I accidentally forgot my cell phone this morning. Even though it'll be a late night, it will be worth it (I hope!)...I am going with my grad school friend who I've been hanging out with a lot lately.
I did end up cross training this morning and my back-of-knee/hamstring issue was unfortunately still an issue. It kind of warmed up though (on the elliptical) and then I switched to the bike for the last bit of the workout, where I didn't feel it. I am really frustrated and I just can't pinpoint something that aggravated it--it must have been several things all contributing. I lifted at lunch and stretched a bunch and that seemed to help, but we'll see. Cross your fingers for me!
Posted by becky at 4:18 PM | Comments (0)
March 25, 2007
Sucking wind on the run...but the Hoyas won!
I guess I should have gone to a big basketball school instead of a big hockey school, because I am just having so much fun following Georgetown through the tournament! I am still on a high after watching the Hoyas come back in the last minute to tie the game and then dominate in OT to reach the Final Four! I think their next matchup against Ohio State will be really, really tough, but I'll be watching and hoping they pull through.
I rode my trainer during the first half of the game and I was getting more into it because I felt like I had a sweat connection with the athletes :) Although they felt fine on the bike, both of my legs bothered me during my run this morning--I felt a little bit of that side leg pain in my left leg and the back of my right knee tightened up (for the first time in months) toward the very, very end of the run. I think Camille was pushing the pace a bit in the last mile and I should have listened to my body and backed off. I am hoping this is just a temporary setback and although I don't really want to, I will go to the gym and cross train tomorrow instead of running. Hopefully it will help.
Another thing I noticed on the run is that I am still having trouble with hills. I can make it up feeling okay at a very slow pace--compared to my pace on flat ground--but I can't speed up at all. I just don't have that gear. Camille, a talented hill runner whether she is in shape or not, destroyed me this morning on a hill that I used to live on a few years ago. Sigh.
When I wasn't watching the game or running this morning, I was shopping. I was looking for a new formal dress and I found one, but I don't think it is formal enough for an upcoming black tie event that we have. It was a really nice day out, though, so it was great to be walking around outside for much of the afternoon.
Posted by becky at 8:36 PM | Comments (1)
March 24, 2007
My feet=cement blocks
I did have trouble getting to Iwo Jima to meet Emily this morning, but I was only a little late. I tried not to be annoyed that the roads around my apartment were closed off because of the marathon, but unless I am a participant, it is still annoying! (Speaking of the marathon, it is driving me nuts that they don't have results posted yet.)
It was cooler than yesterday this morning, but drizzly and humid, so kind of gross. We headed over the Key Bridge to the Capital Crescent Trail and then turned around but came back a non-direct, through-the-woods way, which was kind of neat. I was feeling okay; kind of tired but I think it was just the humidity sapping my energy. Emily and I hadn't seen each other in several weeks so we had a lot to catch up on, so we were chatting the whole time.
In the last couple of miles of the run (total time was about 1:45, so on par with what I did last week), we were running alongside some construction workers. There was kind of makeshift sidewalk so we followed that and then all of a sudden, I stepped right into wet cement that the workers had just laid down!! I felt SO bad, but they said I was the second runner to do that this morning and it was okay. They washed my shoes off but warned me to put them in the wash when I got home so the rest of the cement wouldn't harden. It was super embarassing, but I'm glad they were understanding!
I have been cleaning and relaxing the rest of the day and now we are headed out to dinner with some friends. If you want a laugh, just remember me and my cement feet!
Posted by becky at 7:51 PM | Comments (1)
March 23, 2007
Never doubt the Hoyas
I'm titling my blog entry after a text message I just got after the Georgetown-Vanderbilt game...it was a real nail-biter and thankfully the Hoyas squeaked by after an unreal basket by Jeff Green. Phew! I am excited for the next round already.
It was very humid and kind of gross during my run this morning (and the rest of the day, too). I was sweating after about half a mile and feeling that general yucky feeling the whole time. I took my t-shirt off toward the end and that helped, although I was a bit self-conscious because I haven't done the sports bra thing in public in awhile. It was worth it, though. I did my usual Friday route and my legs felt decent, not great. My kneecap has been bothering me a bit but I'm pretty sure it is just an adjustment-to-more-running thing. At least that's what I'm hoping.
Tomorrow is the second annual National Marathon. Although it comes very close to my apartment at around the 20 mile mark, I am meeting Emily to run and I will probably not make it back in time to see the people I know who are running. Especially since it is going to be extremely challenging for me to get around all the street closures. But I'm always up for a frustrating drive as long as I can get my run in!
Happy weekend to all!
Posted by becky at 9:05 PM | Comments (0)
March 21, 2007
Rushed run
I fell asleep before Matt came home from work last night, and I think I woke up for a little while after he came in and had a semi-conscious conversation. I'm not sure if that had anything to do with it, but I could not wake up this morning. I got out of bed and was rushing around as usual to be able to fit in about an hour of running. (When I start to increase my mileage--if I am ever able to--I am really going to have to go to bed earlier so I can get up with more time to spare!) I did my usual Wed. route, or at least one of my variations, which involves going downtown via the Convention Center and coming back through the city by the White House and the World Bank. It was pretty chilly this morning, but I took off my hat right away because I knew I would be hot. I was glad to feel pretty pain-free in my sixth day of running in a row (tomorrow I will cross train) although my legs are feeling it! But they were not as sore/heavy as yesterday, so I am taking that as a good sign.
My day has gone by pretty quickly. I had an interview with an interesting scientist here on our faculty this morning and I was really fascinated by his work studying the brain and how we process sounds and information. I lbiked briefly and lifted quickly at lunch as I am going to a political satire musical of some sort tonight (how quintessentially D.C.!). Speaking of D.C., our new mayor, whose parents own the local Fleet Feet in my neighborhood (host of the first group run I ever did in D.C.), has been running some of the local races here. He did the St. Patrick's Day 8K last weekend in 33 minutes and change--not bad--and is rumored to be a participant in this weekend's National Marathon! Now that's my kind of politician.
Posted by becky at 4:46 PM | Comments (0)
March 20, 2007
Dead legs
Man, my legs were dead today. Sometimes I am baffled by the fact that I kept up 80-mile weeks for as long as I did, because now I am struggling to hit 35-40! My knees were also kind of generally achy, but nothing too bad. I hadn't done lunges in more than a week but I did (unweighted) ones yesterday and I'm wondering if part of the tiredness/achiness was from that. It was quite warm out this morning, although I definitely saw some fellow runners in windsuits and hats. It made me hot just to look at them. My route today had one long, but not steep, climb, and the rest was flat and down. I recently heard the uphill climb from the Georgetown waterfront to the National Cathedral referred to as a "gutbuster" and my hill (which also ends up at the Cathedral) doesn't start from quite as low, but I think it is still a good one.
I had a crazy morning at work, although it ended up being fun and supposedly one of our doctors was on the CBS national evening news tonight (I missed it). My intern and I escorted a camera crew all over the Medical Center to get the footage they needed, which was hectic, but the crew guys were very personable and had some great stories of past shoots. So all in all, it was a good morning.
I lifted at lunch again because I had a work event tonight and I knew I would not want to go to the gym afterwards. I did not do any leg lifting in the hopes of getting rid of some of the heaviness! We'll see what happens.
Posted by becky at 8:12 PM | Comments (0)
March 19, 2007
First Monday run in a long time
I've been sticking to a pretty regular running/cross-training schedule for a couple of months now, so it's been awhile since I ran on a Monday (maybe others wouldn't notice these things, but I definitely do). But since this is the fourth day in a row running (haven't done that lately, either), I kept it short. I felt good when I started out--maybe too good, because I think I was pushing the pace and it caught up to me a couple of miles later. I survived, though, and didn't have to deal with too many hills when running on tired legs. I saw a lot of runners out this morning. It was chilly but not too bad. It is supposed to be in the 70s by the weekend...which sucks for the National Marathoners. (Side note: I cannot BELIEVE it was nearly a year ago that I ran the National Marathon and Boston. It is a little depressing--how much time/training I have missed--but I will try to use it for motivation.)
I biked very briefly when I got home, because I hadn't run very far and I miraculously had a little extra time. Then it was off to work, where my day was pretty busy. My boss and I went to this lunchtime workshop on the good and bad ways that students and profs can use technology like social networking, blogs, photo sharing sites like Flickr...grouped together, these are all known as Web 2.0, but I am only beginning to think like a techno-geek. In any case, it was interesting and a good middle-of-the-day activity since I was super-tired today for no good reason that I can think of.
I had a snack about an hour before I lifted, but I got very low blood sugar on the bike and nothing, even my emergency gym Powerbar, seemed to help. Ugh, I hate that feeling. I was all set to cook hamburgers tonight but I ended up picking up Thai food on the way home because I knew I couldn't wait much longer to eat.
My computer has been acting up a bit and I am concerned that it is the hard drive, so I am going to back up as much of my important data as I can tonight...a daunting task so I hope I can at least get my email and purchased music before a trip to the Apple Store.
Posted by becky at 9:06 PM | Comments (0)
March 18, 2007
At least the sun was out
Today definitely felt more wintry than springlike, especially when the wind was blowing, which for Camille and me was the whole way out on our run. Once we turned around and dropped down to the Canal, it was sunny and less windy, so it was actually perfect temps for me. My legs were a little tired from yesterday's long run, but not too bad, I was glad to note. As usual, we chatted the whole time and enjoyed ourselves. We got passed by a couple of (small) groups of men--I guess it's that time of year. Camille hasn't run a marathon since she joined me in Chicago in 2003 (I think that was the year, maybe 2004) and I'm wondering when she is going to get the itch again. I actually met Camille at Wed. night track in 2000, but she does not do the Saturday long runs with the club because she is an observant Seventh Day Adventist and Sat. is her church day.
I came home after the run to wake Matt up so we could have breakfast together. After that, I sat on the couch supposedly to read, but I promptly fell asleep for a couple of hours. I woke up to eat lunch and go food shopping and then I biked while watching NCAA basketball on TV. Now I am about to go make dinner and enjoy the rest of a relaxing Sunday!
Posted by becky at 6:10 PM | Comments (0)
March 17, 2007
Phew, a good one
I'm a little distracted, because it's halftime in the Georgetown-Boston College game and BC is looking a little too sharp for my taste. (Plus, Mary went to BC and I don't want to give her any ammunition.) I've actually been sitting on the couch for a few hours--I fell asleep for awhile after a pretty good run and an extended cleaning rampage.
Leilani picked me up this morning on the way to the start of the club's long run at Iwo Jima--even though it was out of her way--so that I could start out with everyone. She and a couple of other Boston Marathon runners were doing about 17-18 miles today while the main route was about 14. I think I did about 11-12 of it, and felt pretty pain-free, which made me happy. I did take some Advil beforehand, but whatever works...We did one of my favorite loops today, which includes a lot of Rock Creek Park and some gradual hills. It was a little icy after yesterday's storm, but not too bad. I caught up with a few people I hadn't seen in months, and met one new person with whom I have a (non-running) friend in common.
My groin is a little sore now, possibly from lying on the couch in a weird position, so I am going to foam roll while I watch the game. Matt was supposed to get in from Chicago tonight but is having trouble at the airport so hopefully he is able to get in tonight. Go Hoyas!
Posted by becky at 6:33 PM | Comments (0)
March 16, 2007
Rainy run
It was pouring all night--well, at least it was pouring when I went to sleep and pouring when I woke up! I was not very excited to get out there and get wet, even though in general I like running in adverse conditions. I definitely procrastinated a bit; checking to see if my parents' schools in NY were closed for a snow day (they were), eating a little something (banana), etc. Finally I put on my shoes and headed out. It wasn't too cold, but it was definitely wet! I made myself promise that I wouldn't run more than 5 miles or so, especially if my legs felt okay. I did my usual Friday route but changed it up at the end a bit, and it ended up being just right in terms of time/mileage. My shin/calf/whatever thing actually felt better than the last couple of times I've run, although I don't know whether that was a fluke or what. I am planning to run longish with Leilani tomorrow (or, I should say, accompany her on a little bit of HER long run), so we'll see.
It got colder all day and the rain turned to sleet as I was leaving. I went to get my nails done and to pick up some groceries at Trader Joe's, and I was really glad to get back home. But then Matt called and said all the flights to D.C. had been canceled, so he was stuck at the airport in L.A. He just called a little while ago to say he was on a flight to Chicago--he has a good friend from business school there--so hopefully he'll be able to make it back tomorrow at some point. As for me, I'm happily settled in front of the TV watching basketball, but I'd rather Matt were here too!
Happy Friday to all!
Posted by becky at 8:24 PM | Comments (0)
March 15, 2007
Fun day in Hoya-land
Today was a busy (but good) day. I woke up with less than 10 minutes before I had to leave in order to make the bus and was running around all crazy. I didn't even really make the bed (and I am an every day bed-maker). It was really warm when I left and at the last minute I thought to bring a light fleece, which came in handy later when the temperature dropped. But anyway, because it was so warm already, I was kind of hot and sweaty when I got to the gym. And I think that's why I was sweating even more than usual on the elliptical, because I wasn't doing anything different. Whatever it was, it felt like a great workout and my legs didn't bother me at all.
Our big event at work today was Match Day for the fourth-year medical students, the day when they find out where they will do their residency and in what specialty. Everyone opened their envelopes at exactly 12 pm and it was amazing to watch their reactions. (Most that I saw were happy ones!) I interviewed a few students and then got to partake in a barbeque held in celebration of Match Day.
Later in the afternoon, my boss and I went over to watch the basketball game on main campus. It wasn't a very exciting game, but a win's a win, especially in the NCAA tournament. It was a nice diversion in the middle of the day, too!
I went to the gym after work, by which point the weather had turned rainy and chilly and I wished I had brought more than my fleece. I biked for a bit and then lifted...all was going fine until I took off a 45-lb. plate to replace it with a lighter one and dropped it on the floor a little too close to my toes. Ouch!! Luckily it did not land on my foot and it only nipped the top of my big toes. It isn't swollen or anything and I'm hoping I don't wake up with a huge bruise or something.
After my experience at the dentist a couple of weeks ago, I am totally dreading the fact that I have an appointment for a cavity filling in the morning...I can only hope that is goes better than last time!
Posted by becky at 8:20 PM | Comments (0)
March 14, 2007
Going through the motions
I was only a tiny bit better about waking up on time today. I really hope it starts to get lighter out in the mornings again soon! I've even been trying to get to bed a little earlier this week and I still have a hard time waking up, so I'm blaming it on the dark.
I feel like I have this shadow hanging over me now when I start my runs, because I am almost waiting for my leg to start bothering me. Today it started at about 20 minutes but that was also at the point that I went up a hill (to the Washington Monument and around it) so I don't know if the two are connected. In any case, it really reminds me of IT band pain, only in the wrong spot. It is sore to touch now but I have also been foam rolling it a lot, and than can also make you sore. Grrr. I cannot accept being injured because I haven't overdone it, or changed anything...I thought I was making slow and steady progress! So today's run wasn't super-painful, but I was very aware of how I felt with every step, and I almost felt more mentally tired when I got back than physically tired.
I had a busy day and that made it go by quickly. Everyone on campus is gearing up for the first round of the NCAA basketball tournament tomorrow--I will probably join a bunch of people to watch the game tomorrow afternoon (on TV). Watching the game at work sounds like a lot more fun than doing work at work! :)
I lifted at lunch again but I was hungrier than usual so I didn't have very much energy. Sometimes even when I eat an energy bar before the gym, it still isn't enough. I should figure out the most efficient thing to eat before those mid-day workouts...someday I'll work on that. Anyway, I wanted to get in my lifting because I knew I was going to this reception/benefit thing tonight for a Jesuit school in Kenya with a Georgetown connection. It was nice and also nice to walk home after that in the still-70 or so degree temperatures. I think we will get another wintry bout of weather this weekend, so I'm allowing myself to enjoy the warm-up!
Posted by becky at 6:50 PM | Comments (1)
March 13, 2007
Spring is in the air if not in my step
I am becoming a very bad snooze bar-hitter. I always have been someone who sets my alarm early just so I can snooze, but man, I've been staying in bed until the very last second and then having to rush around pre-run or work out. I barely had time to eat anything today and I always need to have a little something before I head out.
It was a little chilly when I first stepped outside but after about 5 minutes I was really glad that I only had on shorts and a t-shirt. My leg thing (shin/side) did not bother me until I was about 25 minutes into the run, which I'm hoping is progress. It still isn't super-painful; I'm just hyper-aware that it may hurt with some strides and I think chopping my stride down because of that. It still wasn't sore when I got back so it's hard to even know exactly where to foam roll. This one is a mystery...
I lifted at lunch but again did not do too much lower body. It can't hurt to skip it until I am not so worried about my leg. It was very warm out when I came back to my office and I was very glad I chose to wear a skirt today (not so glad on the way to work this morning since I was a little chilly). And tonight I met a friend for dinner and it was great to sit outside and enjoy the springish weather. Although there was some sort of scuffle right outside where we were sitting and three cop cars pulled up just as we were finishing up. That was strange, but we had fun anyway!
Posted by becky at 9:11 PM | Comments (0)
March 12, 2007
Sweaty walk-home weather
It actually was a beautiful day today--I sat outside in the sun to eat my lunch--but tonight after walking home (mostly uphill) from the bus, I was getting kind of hot and sweaty in my t-shirt! I am definitely not ready for summer...and it feels later in the spring than it really is because we changed to Daylight Savings Time already. It was dark this morning when I walked down to the bus and I had a hard time waking up. I'm sure we will all adjust. I felt really tired when I got to the gym but actually ended up having a decent (elliptical) workout. I could feel my side-of-leg thing a little bit, though. I'm sure it would be great for me to just say, oh, I'll jump in the pool for a week. But to be honest, after all those weeks of swimming, I am so turned off by the thought of being relegated to the pool again that I can't bring myself to do it. Of course, I would rather swim than do nothing, but hopefully it won't get to that point.
My day at work went by quickly, especially since I had an event to go to in the late afternoon. One of our faculty members, who created the technology for the HPV vaccine that is now on the market, was on a panel with a GU law professor to discuss the legal and ethical implications of the vaccine. The law professor actually specializes in public health law and authored a textbook I used in my favorite class at HSPH, so I really enjoyed it. We only got a tiny bit of interest from the media, but it's their loss!
I lifted after work and then came home to stuff food in my mouth since I was starving. Unfortunately I did not wait for my dinner to cool off and I completely burned the roof of my mouth...ouch. I'm on my own this week as Matt is currently en route to L.A. until late Friday. It's very quiet here but I am going to try and take advantage of it and get to bed earlier than usual this week. (I know, how can I stand the excitement??)
Posted by becky at 9:17 PM | Comments (0)
March 11, 2007
Sunny but windy
It was kind of anticlimatic watching the basketball game last night, because it was such a dominant performance by Georgetown, but I still enjoyed it and was excited when they won! I fell asleep on the couch soon after that and woke up to change the clocks and go to bed. Camille and I planned to meet a little later for our run this morning because of the time change and I was definitely glad for that when my alarm went off.
We met in Georgetown and did one of our standard Sunday morning runs. It was breezy but pretty warm in the sun, much like yesterday. I even took off my shirt and ran in my sports bra for the last half mile. My legs also felt much like they did yesterday--not so hot. My shin thing was noticeable more when I ran downhill, which got me thinking that I probably did something weird during last weekend's longish run on a very steep downhill that follows about 5 miles of rolling hills. I'm surprised I didn't think of it before, but it makes sense since I first felt it not too long after that part of the run. I don't know how to fix it, but at least I can trace back to when it started.
I quickly showered and ate when I got back and then headed up to Nike Indoor Nationals, (one of) the high school indoor track championshps, in Landover. It is always held here at a fairly new indoor facility and I have been to the meet two or three times before. This time I couldn't find anyone who wanted to go with me! I was a little miffed at the entry price ($20 and then $3 extra if you wanted a heat sheet, which you could easily print off at home) but I still enjoyed myself. I was most interested in the girls mile, since I had never seen Danielle Tauro run, and the 2 mile. The mile was actually a good race--Danielle seemed to be comfortably in second or third most of the time but then she and Alex Kosinski broke away and Alex just looked better down the backstretch. (I believe Danielle had run on the DMR in the morning.) The 800 was a complete blowout by Chanelle Price--she had no competition from the gun and cruised to a 2:07 or so by herself. In the 2 mile, Hannah Davidson and someone else who I had never heard of established a lead early and predictably got swallowed up by the pack (Davidson ended up dead last). I expected Aurora Scott to win pretty easily once that happened, but instead it was Ashley Brasovan, a tenth grader who looks like a sixth grader (really) who bolted to the front and just motored home. She clearly has not hit puberty yet so she looked like her run was effortless. I even saw her sprinting across the infield about 5 minutes after the race was over. I can only hope that she is naturally that tiny and that maturity is kind to her.
The meet and then grocery shopping took up most of the day. We had Matt's cousin over for dinner and to watch the NCAA basketball selection show. Georgetown will play the early rounds in Winston-Salem, NC, so I bet a bunch of students will make the trek. I am excited to have an interest in March Madness this year!
Posted by becky at 9:38 PM | Comments (0)
March 10, 2007
Solo longish run
Washingtonpost.com said it was 37 degrees when I woke up and was getting ready to run, but I didn't believe it, since it was predicted to be in the 60s today. I am really glad that I wore a t-shirt and shorts and I actually wished I had brought water. I am clearly not speedy right now but I am also trying to work on my endurance--right now my long run is only at about 1:30, so I am going to do that for a few weeks and hope it gets easier. I was worried about how my legs would feel today, and to be honest, they didn't feel as great as I would have thought after two non-running days. My shin thing was noticeable at times, but only faintly, and it wasn't sore at all after the run, so I'm hoping it's nothing too serious. I expect hamstring stiffness now in the other leg, and it was pretty much at an average level.
I did most of my run in Rock Creek Park, along the bike path and then the road that is closed to cars on the weekend. There were a lot of runners, walkers and bikers out, so even though I didn't have anyone to chat with, I wasn't lonely. The last few miles of the run were on main roads (coming out of the park, always a gradual hill) and then sidewalks, but it wasn't terribly crowded so no major complaints.
This afternoon I went to a bridal shower of a local running buddy (although I haven't run with her in a long time)--it was hosted by our mutual friend who I also met through DC Road Runners. I didn't know too many people there but I like meeting new people so it was fun. And there weren't any silly shower games, which usually annoy me.
Georgetown won last night in a great game over Notre Dame, so we will probably be watching the Big East final tonight on TV. I am dreading changing the clocks forward tonight because 1) I'll get less sleep and 2) it will be darker for runs in the morning. But I suppose it is good for the environment and for people like my grandma who doesn't like to drive in the dark, so I'll try not to be too bitter!
Posted by becky at 5:41 PM | Comments (0)
March 9, 2007
Playing it safe
I didn't want to go to the gym today--I would have much rather run my typical Friday loop--but I figured it couldn't hurt to cross train again today and try and nip that shin thing in the bud. It's weird, because it doesn't bother me walking around, so I don't really have a sense of whether it is getting better. Hopefully tomorrow it will feel okay.
Anyway, my workout was fine--I just ellipticalled and worked pretty hard for most of it (as I usually do)! I also did a bit of biking because I wanted to read more comfortably and my lower back was bothering me. I was glad to finish my workout knowing that I didn't have plans to do any more exercising today!
I must admit that I am now watching the Big East semifinal game and wearing a Georgetown t-shirt (that I admittedly got for free). It is so much fun rooting for a team that gets to play on national TV and go to the national championships! This is a far cry from Ivy League bball, where they practically had to pay students to go to the games!
I am also keeping tabs on another championship more dear to my heart--indoor track! Most of the finals are tomorrow, but I am still excited to see what happens in the prelims. Happy weekend to all!
Posted by becky at 8:10 PM | Comments (0)
March 8, 2007
Spin and strides
Most of yesterday's snow was gone already when I walked to the bus this morning--I think that's kind of sad, but most people around here are definitely ready for spring! I brought my biking shoes so that I could use the good spin bike at the gym (it had gone missing for a while, but has returned) and enjoyed the workout as I haven't biked for several weeks. I thought that would be less impact-ful (word?) on my weird shin thing than ellipticalling. I didn't feel anything while on the bike and it actually seems a little better already, although I'm sure I am jinxing myself. I always get extremely sweaty on the bike although strangely I've noticed that it takes me longer to start sweating.
I went to the gym at lunch and it was perfect timing because the Georgetown-Villanova Big East game was on all the TVs at the gym. I was walking around a lot doing my lifting stuff so I just checked in periodically. It looked like a (Hoyas) blowout in the beginning, but 'Nova did come back and try to challenge late in the game. But a win is a win, and tomorrow I will try to catch at least some of the semifinal game on ESPN after I get home from work.
I did a few strides on the indoor track while I was at the gym just to see how my legs were feeling. My body felt out of shape, but my legs felt good. (I did not have that shin issue but it usually sets in after a couple of miles so I didn't expect to.) I am really confused as to how to add speedwork back in after being away from it this long, assuming all continues to go well. There was a period during my senior year of college and the first few months after college that I didn't do any speedwork, but I think being injured is different. I've been trying to find some resources online but haven't come up with anything too great. (Suggestions are welcome!)
Since I got all my workouts done during the day and didn't have plans tonight, I am home earlier than usual and am going to enjoy the extra time by relaxing.
Posted by becky at 7:09 PM | Comments (0)
March 7, 2007
Good timing/bad run
The good news is I got my run in before it started snowing this morning (we didn't get much, but it was a bit messy). The bad news is, after feeling fine, about 2 miles into my run, I turned a corner and got that pain on the side of my shin again. I massaged it and tried to stretch but I could tell I was altering my stride so that it wouldn't bother me and that just ruined the rest of my run. I didn't actually feel it much after that but I am really worried about it because it is a pretty sharp pain. Oddly, I do not have any sore spots on my shin (I'm calling it my shin but it is not the stress fracture/bony part of the shin; it is the muscle next to it, halfway between my ankle and my knee), but I can replicate the pain if I grab my ankle and stretch my quad far enough. Weird. I'm pretty sure this is a muscle/tendon thing since it came on after the hilly part of the run on Saturday, but obviously any pain is disconcerting. I haven't increased my mileage or run more consecutive days in a couple of months, so I'm at a loss. I did just change my shoes and orthotics, which is good.
I recently added some weight to my squats, and I'm wondering if that could have put some extra stress on that shin muscle, because I can kind of see that making sense. I did not do any lower body stuff with impact tonight when I was lifting and maybe that will make the difference.
I got a lot done at work today, probably because it was quiet. I'm sure some people went home early because of the snow, and it was pretty dead on campus. I like having a lot of people around--keeps the day interesting--but sometimes it is nice to have one of those quiet days.
Posted by becky at 8:31 PM | Comments (0)
March 6, 2007
Windy and snotty
I still am battling this cold, although it's not too bad. My throat hurt a bit when I woke up but the most annoying thing was that my nose was running practically constantly during my run. It was cold and extremely windy, so that didn't help! It was one of those days where even having a hat on didn't help that much (although I wouldn't have wanted to be without it!). I felt slower than usual on the uphills during the first part of the run, but I'm not that concerned since I'm feeling a little under the weather. One thing that is concerning me a bit is a strange feeling I've been getting since Saturday in my left ("good" for now) leg mid-way through my runs. It feels like ITB discomfort, but it is below my knee, right on the (out)side of my leg. Maybe peroneal tendonitis? I don't really feel much when I roll over it with the foam roller, but that's helped me with other weird muscle things so I'll keep at it. It's almost like that muscle gets weak or something...very hard to describe. But my other leg felt pretty good today, so what do you know?
I decided to lift at lunch today so I could do a couple of errands on the way home. Although it is Spring Break, some of the track team appears to still be around as I watched them do part of a workout today. The only Georgetown people who are going to NCAAs are the distance medley relay team, and I only saw one of them, so I'm not sure if they've transitioned into outdoor track already and were practicing inside because of the wind. Either way, it always makes my lifting routine more exciting when the track team is there!
Posted by becky at 7:26 PM | Comments (0)
March 5, 2007
Monday blues
I have a little bit of a sniffle, so I felt kind of stuffed up and out of it when I woke up this morning. Plus I was just not in the mood for Monday! Luckily it was pretty bright outside, and the Advil I took before I left for the gym did help. It was very windy walking down to the bus and I was cold almost the whole time! I was kind of glad I was going to be working out inside.
My quads are kind of sore, I guess from the hilly run on Sat., and I felt them a bit on the elliptical. I have not been sore there in a long time, and I welcome it! But I backed off a little bit in the second half of my workout because I remembered that the first sign of my knee/leg injury was an extremely sore right quad, post-Boston. I started a new book--Jay McInerney's most recent, about NYC families in the wake of 9/11--and got into it right away, so that made time pass quickly. (I am very interested in songs, books, etc. that have been inspired by 9/11--not movies that sensationalize the events, but quieter reactions to them.) In any case, it was a pretty good elliptical workout.
I took a walk during lunch to a sandwich place I like and it was still windy but sunny, so not so bad. I like getting out of the office for an hour or so each day; it would be easy enough to sit at my desk and eat something. Then I went to the gym after work and it was blissfully free of all the undergrads who are partying in tropical locations (or doing good deeds in underserved areas, like the student who works for me). I'm glad Monday is almost over but so far, it hasn't been too bad!
Posted by becky at 9:19 PM | Comments (0)
March 4, 2007
Run, brunch and rest
We got home pretty late last night from the benefit we went to, but we didn't stay until the very end, so I knew it could have been later. It was a lot of fun--they had a casino set up and gave each person 50,000 fake dollars to gamble with. I mostly watched Matt play blackjack and tried out all the food stations they had. I happened to be right near the food when the desserts came out and I snagged a little cup of creme brulee that became the envy of everyone who saw me eating it, because it was apparently in limited supply! It was delicious.
I met Camille at my apartment this morning for our run. Aside from some tightness in the back of my knee (expected after a hilly run yesterday) and the fact that she crushed me going up the one significant hill on our route, it was a good run. A good bit of it was on Beach Drive in Rock Creek Park, which is closed to cars on weekends. It was nice and sunny out but extremely windy so it felt pretty cold. Camille and I hadn't seen each other in a couple of weeks since I was in NY last week so we had a lot to catch up on.
After I got back, Matt and I met his cousin (the one who lives nearby) and her parents (who were visiting) for brunch. We went to a place that has a heated/enclosed roof deck...it was neat but kind of cold when the wind blew. We always have fun with them and usually end up talking politics because Matt's aunt is in the NH state senate.
The rest of the day was pretty quiet. I did some lower-body/core stuff later and stretched my still-stiff knee and hopefully a day of cross-training will help as usual.
Posted by becky at 8:09 PM | Comments (0)
March 3, 2007
Trying to get back in the game
I didn't have any running plans for this morning, and I saw earlier in the week that there was a 10ish-mile option for this week's long run with my club (usually the runs are longer) so I decided to give it a try. I was surprised to see that I hardly recognized anyone, but I did see a few of the old-timers. The route was really hilly (I've done it before) for the first 7+ miles, and I shouldn't have started out with someone who just ran a 3:12 training marathon a couple of weekends ago. But she was doing the longer route and I wanted to catch up a little. I ran about 3 miles with her and then consciously backed off the pace. I felt bad that I couldn't keep up, but I didn't want to compromise my ability to get through the run. I was pretty much on my own after that, although there was a guy that would breathe down my neck on the uphills and then I would lose him on the flats and downhills. I wasn't trying to speed up after the hills; I think it's just the fact that I am still trying to get back in hill shape.
The last few miles of the route are on the Canal, and I was bothered by all the mud. I kept feeling like I was sinking in and wasting energy. The wheels were starting to come off a bit (no doubt thanks to my quick first miles) and the breathing-down-my-neck guy ended up passing me when we were almost back to the starting point at Iwo Jima. It was ugly. But I shouldn't expect to have enough endurance for much more than 8 miles or so since I've only down more than that a handful of times recently. My leg bothered me on and off during the run but it was pretty mild, and I surprisingly haven't been too sore upon getting back.
We spent the afternoon downtown, first at the last regular-season Georgetown basketball game (blowout against UConn) and then grabbing a drink and a snack with friends in a neat hotel bar/restaurant. Now we are enjoying a little bit of downtime before going to a black-tie benefit. I am going to hopefully take a power nap and wake up feeling more energized!
Posted by becky at 5:22 PM | Comments (0)
March 2, 2007
First humid day in awhile
It was already in the mid-50s when I woke up and it had been raining all night, so I figured all I needed to run in was a t-shirt and shorts, and boy was I right. It was really humid and felt almost oppressive. Between the weather and the fact that my knee(cap) was aching, it wasn't a very good run. My iPod was also playing the exact songs in the exact order as it did on the last run, but I have it covered with a silicone waterproof thing and it is hard to manipulate the settings. I'd still rather have music I'm a little sick of than no music at all! Since it is Friday, I did my usual Friday loop involving upper Northwest, Rock Creek and Mount Pleasant.
There was a lot of drama at work today, but none of it is really of interest to my blog readers. Suffice it to say my day went by quickly! Good moods abounded because the humidity blew over and it was sunny and warm, very spring-like. After work, I got a manicure and pedicure and then met Matt for dinner at our neighborhood sushi place. It's only a little after 10 but I can barely keep my eyes open.
Happy weekend to all!
Posted by becky at 10:11 PM | Comments (0)
March 1, 2007
In between a lion and a lamb
Everyone always talks about the fact that it's the first day of March, I guess because it signifies the end of the "winter months" and beginning of the spring ones. And because February goes by quickly with only 28 days and all. Everyone knows I am the freak who actually enjoys winter, so the onset of March isn't too exciting to me. But considering that temps were close to 70 all the way into January, I'm not sure we deserve an early spring, so we'll see. (Al Gore might disagree.)
I felt bad that Matt had to go away for work when he wasn't feeling that great with his cold, but his flight wasn't the crack-of-dawn one he usually takes so I actually left before he was even awake. I was sort of pissy when I got to the gym because I made it to the bus on time but the bus was late, so I was a little off-schedule. But good karma was with me as I got my favorite elliptical and got in a pretty hard workout. At least it was a sweaty one.
It was really hot in my office today--I wore a dress and tights but the dress was long enough so I could take off my tights and be decent, which I did as soon as I started feeling like I was getting stifled. It was pretty cloudy today, but not too cold. (Hence the title of this entry.)
I went to the gym at lunch again and did some biking (mostly) and lifting (a little). I planned to make a peanut-butter sandwich when I got back but I forgot that I had run out of bread in my office stash so I was left with PB on crackers. Not too satisfying. But I left work pretty early to catch a 6 p.m. movie into which I snuck a burrito, so I made up for my sub-par lunch. My friend and I saw "The Lives of Others," a German movie that just won the Oscar for best foreign film. It was really intense but excellent. I did not have such an easy time eating in the dark while having to keep my eyes on the screen to read the subtitles!
Posted by becky at 9:12 PM | Comments (0)