Friday, May 30, 2008

Yoga! Yoga! Yoga!

I went to the most AMAZING yoga class last night, with my good gal pal Deb. It was at KofiCore Studio, on Franklin and LaSalle. The instructor was the most amazing woman. I don't even know her name, but I absolutely loved her approach. She started off the class by telling us that "yoga" means "to yoke"--that's all. It doesn't mean that you must do warrior 2 followed by triangle, or you must meditate or anything like that--she said dancing can be yoga, so long as you do it with your body, your mind and your spirit. OMG, I just loved her. Her class was so fun and so freeing. It's hard for me to describe, but I felt like for once, I was really able to get into what I was doing--which is the whole point of yoga class, right? To stop the idle chatter of your mind, and really focus inward. I don't know why, but she helped me accomplish this in spades. And she was so encouraging. I found it odd that she never physically adjusted me (she adjusted everyone else in the room), but I really tried to take her verbal cues into my body and make the necessary adjustments. I found tendencies that I didn't know that I had in certain poses, and found ways to make other poses even deeper. AND--for the icing on the cake--I attempted a handstand AND a wheel backbend. I never thought that I could even attempt such a thing, but it felt right with her guiding me. I just loved this woman.

And, of course, she's only visiting. She lives and teaches in LA. WAHHHH!!!!! I would just love to take more classes from her. I need to find someone like her in the Cities. She's yoga-y, but not super yoga-y, you know? She's not all breathy and ephemeral...she's real. And that's what I really liked about her.

Fun times. My goal is practice handstand up the wall a few times a week.

PS--I found her! Her name is Misty Tripoli, and she even has a website: http://www.mistytripoli.com/

Check it out--this woman is absolutely amazing. I adore her. I'm going to become a Misty Tripoli-head.

posted by Lola @ 9:47 AM 0 comments

Thursday, May 29, 2008

I have a ten mile race this weekend. I have to keep reminding myself of that, especially as I slack off during my taper week! But the race has been eclipsed by some big news that come to me last weekend...

Abe and I are engaged!

I think Abe is the only one that reads this blog, so he might find this kind of humorous. But if anyone else reads it, hey, good news! Abe and I are engaged.

So, how'd he do it, you might be wondering? Well, it was very sweet and simple and very us. On Saturday of last weekend, we took a bike ride down to the swimming beach at Fort Snelling State Park. I knew that he wanted to go for a ride, and I thought that this would be a good one. The swimming beach is one of my favorite spots of all time, because it's right near the airport. I love to go there and watch the planes take off and land. And it's usually not very busy.

So, we biked on down. Abe was pretty quiet for the ride, but I guess now I know why! When we got to the beach, we staked out a picnic table and had some water and granola bars. (Now, I don't actually remember this word for word, so my apologies to Abe if I mis-recall something here.) Abe mentioned something about how he wanted to take bike rides together forever. We say things like this a lot, albeit usually about food, so I just agreed, and then said that we must also eat chips together forever. Then I remembered that we needed to bring chips to his sister's house that night for a campfire, so I asked what kind of chips he wanted to bring. We agreed that Sun Chips were essential, and then we thought of lime Tostitos with cheesy dip. That sounded good. Slight tangent, there. Then Abe brought us back on track, by getting down one knee, and asking me to marry him. I was completely and utterly shocked and surprised. I couldn't believe it. It was so sweet and wonderful. And of course, I said yes. :) I also apologized for ruining his speech with all my talk about chips.

He suggested that we go ring shopping that afternoon, instead of grocery shopping. Now *that's* how you know it was a big day for us, because we always go grocery shopping on Saturday afternoons. Abe did not have a ring picked out, but he had something even better. I had always said that I wanted an engagement bike, so he had a little bicycle keyring to give me instead. AWWWWWWWWWWWWW! How *cute*. I loved it. Then we biked home, cleaned up and went to the ring store. My ring is very sparkly. I'm calling it my "engagement bling" instead of my "engagement ring."

So, we're getting married. And we're so happy and excited. And I totally thought that I had this wedding planned, but now that it's real, I'm thinking of things that won't quite work. And, Abe has an opinion, too! Go figure! But we'll figure this sucker out together. It'll be fun. Does Chipotle cater?

That's why I'm not thinking about my ten mile race this Sunday. It'll be fun and fine. I might have to slow down a bit, as my knee has been a little squinky. I ran on Monday and Tuesday, and then I'll do an easy 4 tomorrow night. I wish I was doing the ten mile with someone, but oh well. Maybe I'll meet a new friend.

This time next year, I might be Sara Welle. Crazy.

posted by Lola @ 11:23 AM 0 comments

Thursday, May 22, 2008

What a difference a little Weezer makes! Tuesday night's speedwork was not bad at all. In fact, it went much better than I thought it would. It wasn't as windy as I had feared, and I think the music helped a ton. My interval goal time was 8:25 for the 1600 meters, and my actual times were 8:17, 8:15 and 7:58, respectively. Oops. :) Caribou coffee for whomever can guess what two songs I was listening to on the 7:58 interval.

But overall, it was a really good workout. Then I came home and did some basic yoga poses and then dived into one of my 20 minute DVDs. I did the "Weight Loss" one. I don't know about the weight loss part, but it's really good for a post-run cooldown. Lots of hip openers and twists. I think it really helped cool me down, more so than my usual yoga cooldown. Plus, now I'll practice different poses. I have all 5 of the 20 minute DVDs, and my goal is to do each one after a run or bike workout.

But I was plum tuckered out afterwards. Not sure if it is the biking, the running or the yoga, but I almost fell asleep in my Thai beef. (Thanks to Abe for making dinner AND doing the dishes.) We talked about Twin Cities a little...I mentioned that soon I'll have to put the iPod away, and get used to my 15-20 mile runs without music. But then Abe pointed out that a long training run is different from running a race, even a long race--you don't have the spectators or the crowd around you. I realized that I was probably going to be very lonely on October 5th, running TCM by myself. I've run my previous two marathons with other people. Grandma's 2007 was perfect when it was just me, Deb and Val. Maybe I'll have to be one of those annoying people who tries to make friends with other people on the race course. Anyway, Abe also said that I might as well use the music to my advantage on my long runs, since I know that I run slightly faster. I think it's the same argument that Karen was making--let the music help build my aerobic engine, and then let the adrenaline carry me on race day. I really don't want to do my long runs without music, so I'd like to believe that they are right. I guess we'll see!

For the record, I'm completely opposed to the iPod ban, but I also don't care enough to break the rules. Maybe if they come out with wireless headphones...or have they already? Hmm...the official rules say that the "visible possession of any electronic device" is not permitted in the competition area. Does that mean that Abe could follow me with my iPod and some speakers? Cool! I'll totally create a little playlist. Fun stuff.

I remember seeing a person at Grandma's last year with this elaborate headscarf to hide her iPod...she mentioned that there was no way she could do it otherwise, and I can understand that. But it was so stinkin' hot--she must have been dying under that thing. Maybe I'll have to do some research.

Wait, we can't have cell phones in the competition area? Why the heck not? That seems a little ridiculous. I mean, I think Val has always carried her cell phone with her during long races, in case she or someone else gets into trouble. I guess some cell phones play music, but still. This is just silly.

Well, apparently there *are* wireless headphones...who knew?! But they're still fairly large...I need some of those Oakley sunglasses with the headphones built in.

Last night, I took the long way home (so, biked about 10 additional miles), then quickly changed into running clothes to go meet Amy on Lake Harriet. I gulped down a bag of Sport Beans (about 100 calories), and we did a leisurely 2.71 mile run. Actually, I don't think it was leisurely for either of us! My legs felt like rocks and hers did too. But I was *starving* when I finished. So starving that I ordered a whole hoagie from Davanni's and chips. And then proceeded to eat the whole plateful of food. My tummy was not happy with me at the end of the evening.

Tonight is a short and sweet tempo run, then yoga. Then laundry. My life is very interesting. Why does anyone even read this?

posted by Lola @ 9:10 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Tonight, I am giving myself permission to listen to my iPod during my speedworkout. I am utterly dreading tonight's workout, and Weezer and Britney will be the only things keeping me going. It's 3x1600 with 1:00 rest intervals. I HATE 1600 intervals. Hate them. But I'd better get used to them, because that's what my speedwork will be during marathon training. Ugh. Oh well. Pasta for dinner! I like to bribe myself with food and music, and occasionally beer. It seems to work pretty well.

School recap--I got an A in Physiology. Yay! I am pleased with the grade. Until the last unit, I did work really hard. But I got so burned out, and that last unit was really a bust. Still did well in the class, and pulled off a rockstar score in the lab, too. Too bad it might all be for naught, but more on that later.

I met one of my old co-workers for happy hour (HH) last night. I never do HHs. But I missed Jules, and HH worked the best for us, and so there you go. It was so good to see her. I miss her. It's funny--I didn't realize when I left my old job how much I'd miss my friends there. Despite my 500 jobs post-college, I never really got that close to anyone at any place I worked out (other than Patina, I guess). I miss my girls. I hope they're doing well.

I've been reading Kristin Armstrong's blog lately on runnersworld.com. I don't normally read her blog, but something (boredom?) has spurred me to read again. And it's been like a breath of fresh air in my blogging world. She's really done amazing things, and made such a name for herself. She's my hero.

Ok, ok, so why is physiology all for naught? Because I might not be doing nursing school anymore. In fact, I'm about 87.3% sure that I'm not doing it anymore, no matter what the decision letter from St. Kate's says. (And that letter could come this week, in fact.) I never feel like I explain it very well, but mostly, I just don't know that I'm 100% passionate about it anymore--if I ever was. And if I'm not 100%, why spend the $25,000 and 3.5 years? I thought it was probably just cold feet or being burned out on school, but now I don't know. My current circumstances aside, I really don't mind the cubicle anymore. I actually prefer the 8-5 life. I liked my old job, I found it interesting and challenging. I think I'd like to get back into that. I just don't know if the switch is worth it anymore. And what about helping people? Well, I'd still like to do that. But I'd rather be a yoga teacher and/or a running coach; help people discover exercise and do amazing things like 5Ks or marathons.

I loved my science classes, and I found all of them fascinating, especially biology. But I've been considering other things from the get-go--biology teacher, physical therapist, doctor, psychologist...I always come back to nursing because I tell myself that it's the easiest and cheapest to attain. Now *there's* a reason to put yourself through nursing school! (kidding, of course.) It was easy to keep moving forward when I was in school, and registering for classes, but now that decision time is actually here...I've really got to commit to this. And I'm just not sure that I want to.

Is it wrong to want to give up on school to focus on my running? *That's* what I'm passionate about. And yes, I'm fully aware that it'll never pay the bills, it's what I love to do. It's what I like to spend my free time doing. And I don't want to put it on hold for 3.5 years. I've got momentum, I've got goals...it sounds like I'm just making excuses, but I'm not. I guess I just plain don't want to do it anymore. And until I talked with Maia at the co-op, I didn't realize that that was ok. Now, I do.

Before I said that I had to at least try, that if I didn't at least try, I would always wonder...and I don't even feel that way anymore. I honestly feel like I can turn my back on this and be ok. Because I know that no matter what I choose, my job will never define me. I will always be me, with like, a million different interests. (I want a garden!) And that's just what life is. It's almost like, I'm ready to settle down. Lisa thinks it's because I just turned 29, and I think she might be right. I'm ready to just be. Get up, work, run, come home, and snuggle with Abe. Sounds like heaven to me.

Only an hour left until that blasted speedwork....

posted by Lola @ 3:56 PM 0 comments

Thursday, May 15, 2008

To quote one of my new favorite tv shows that I hardly ever watch due to lack of time ("Gossip Girl"): OMFG.

I did a 7 mile tempo run last night, with 5 actual tempo miles, aiming for a 9:13 pace for those 5 miles. I should say, that's what I intended to do. In actuality, I did about a 6.5 mile tempo run, with 4.38 tempo miles ran at a 9:00 pace (oops). Right in the homestretch, rocking out to Weezer, I realized I couldn't breathe and was in excruciating pain. My right side was just going crazy. I immediately stopped and bent over to catch my breath. That didn't help, so I started walking. I assumed it was just a side stitch, but I can't remember when I've ever had one that painful. I could barely walk, however; even that was amazingly painful. Then I started to worry that it was more than a side stitch, that perhaps my appendix ruptured. Wait--is your appendix on the right side or the left side? I wondered. Of course, after a semester of anatomy and a semester of physiology, I had no clue! (According to the internet, most people have it on their right side, but some have it on their left side. Good to know.) Anyway, I was really freaked out for about 1 minute. But then as I walked and coughed, the pain started to subside. I was even able to run my mile cool-down.

So, shrug. Don't know why that happened. I wasn't going incredibly fast either. I was really working hard to stay at the 9:13 pace during the tempo portion. I didn't even get carried away when "Toxic" came on the iPod. I guess it was just one of those things. I was a little upset that I couldn't finish out the tempo portion; I was really looking forward to that challenge. Oh well. There's always marathon training.

On other notes, "Storm Over Everest" premiered on Frontline on Tuesday night. This was an almost-two-hour documentary about the 1996 Mt. Everest disaster, produced and directed by noted climbing filmmaker David Breashears. I've been discussing the movie with some fellow Everest junkies over on The Adventure Blog, but I thought I'd take up some of my own blog space to discuss my thoughts.

For those of you that don't really know me, I'm like, obsessed with Mt. Everest and especially the 1996 disaster. Ever since reading "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer, I've read everything else about Mt. Everest that I can get my hands on, watched all the documentaries and the IMAX movie, the Discovery Channel show...I have just been truly obsessed with it. I have no designs to climb the mountain myself (well, no realistic designs), although I would like to trek to base camp some day. At 17,600 feet, I'm thinking that Base Camp is high enough.

So, in light of my obsession, I was eagerly awaiting Breashears' movie. Perhaps my expectations were a little high, because I felt a little let down at the end. There were parts I really liked, and some that I didn't, and some omissions that really had me questioning the whole project.

Parts I liked:
I really liked the interviews with the climbers. I was pleasantly surprised to see the not-so-usual suspects being interviewed, the lesser-known people who endured the storm. Of course, Beck Weathers was there, but so were Jon Taske, Lou Kasischke and Charlotte Fox. For how much controversy she caused on and off the mountain, I was surprised to see Sandy Hill being interviewed. I also really found the guides' perspectives interesting--Neal Beidleman and Mike Groom.

Parts I didn't like:
Sorry, David, but I thought that the re-created scenes of the storm just didn't do it for me. I appreciate the technical difficulties involved, but eh. I don't think they did much to drive home the predicament that these people were in, and it seemed like a lot of shots were re-used. It seems as though the filmmaker couldn't decide if this was an interview-driven documentary or a total re-enactment. One or the other would've been ok, but the mesh of the two just didn't work for me. One shot I did like, I will admit, was of the wind whipping the tents. I wonder if anyone has ever been blown off a mountain in a tent.

I also would've liked to hear more from Breashears himself, and some of his compatriots from the IMAX expedition, like Ed Viesturs. They played a pivotal role in the rescue and evacuation of Beck and Makalu Gau, and though both have addressed it somewhat in their respective autobiographies, I still would like to hear more.

Glaring omission: Jon Krakauer. Some commentees on The Adventure Blog have hinted about a spat between Krakauer and Breashears, which would explain the omission of Krakauer. But still--this guy wrote the book. Literally. It's 12 years later. I'd really like to hear what he has to say now.

It'd be interesting to know what Abe's thoughts are. He didn't watch most of it, but I think he's interested. Seeing as how this topic is still relatively unknown to him, I'd be curious to know what an unobsessed person thought about it. First we have to get through the season finale of "The Office" and three episodes of "Smallville." Yikes!

Addendum to post: Well, after reading more about "Storm Over Everest" and what David Breashears was hoping to accomplish, I have tempered my thoughts a little. There was a reason that Jon Krakauer was missing--Breashears wanted to focus solely on those who were in the storm. No spat. So, that makes sense. Hence why Ed wasn't in it, either. Ed's cool.

Anyway, it's still a compelling movie, and I'm glad that he made it. Everest will always be an obsession for me, even if I never, ever see it in person.

posted by Lola @ 11:07 AM 0 comments

Monday, May 05, 2008

Yikes! Haven't written for awhile. Not too much going on...just trying to make do with sub-par workouts in crappy weather. But, last Friday, hardcore Sara made a brief appearance. Rather than churn out less-than-ideal mileage on the treadmill, I suited up and ran my 6-mile tempo run in the rain. The cold, windy rain. It wasn't too bad, actually! And here's the best part--the 4 mile tempo portion was done WITHOUT walk breaks and at an average pace of 8:42. Yes, it's only 4 miles, but it's a big deal in my book!

I'm beginning to understand why the FIRST guys recommend spinning (on a bike) or swimming for cross-training--besides being triathletes, that is. My legs are starting to be able to handle a much quicker pace, but my lungs have the hardest time keeping up. Biking would do wonders for building up my respiratory capacity (which one? vital capacity? inspiratory reserve volume?), while saving my legs for the running workouts. I have a hard time really moving on my bike when I'm commuting, mostly due to stoplights and other (slower) cyclists, but I'm going to try. Wednesday is this week will be bike-o-rama night. Plus, doing more yoga will help, too, especially more vinyasa. Let's hear it for Sun Salutations!

Ok, I really have nothing important to write today. But if anyone other than my boyfriend does read this, just wanted to let you know I'm still around, and very much looking forward to this Friday. Reason #1: I have the day off, and am heading home for Mother's Day. Reason #2: I will have taken my physiology final the night before, and it will officially be summer break. Woohoo!! I am so looking forward to the break.

This week: speedwork on Tuesday (4 x 1200 :P), tempo on Thursday (5 miles, with 3 at 8:58), and then long (10 miles) on Saturday or Sunday. I'll be doing this run at home, which means I'll be running to the next town over and back. How cool is that. I can't wait to say to my mom, "Oh, hey I'm running to Blue Mounds, I'll be back in 100 minutes!" That's going to be cool.

posted by Lola @ 2:46 PM 0 comments