Substitutions

I'm taking two of my lady friends to the marathon that I had planned on running earlier this month tomorrow. That means a 6am wake up time. Good golly miss Molly! That's early. But, I'm happy to do it. I'm glad that someone will be getting to run that marathon and to get out of town as well. It will be really nice to switch things up. I've been really aching to get out of town.

The east coast had me spoiled with the abundance of different cities all within a couple hours drive of bus ride from the next one. Now, when I want to get out of town, I don't know what to do or more aptly, where to go.

I'd hop down to San Fran if it wasn't flying distance away and Seattle is close, so that's always an option. I am partial to chocolate factories so it might be the very best option. Too bad I'm such a city slicker. I need to live near more of them to be comfortable.

What's your favorite living situation? Big city, small town, open country, backwoods of a national forest?

Physical hardships

My body is having a rough week. My foot is still aching from the marathon producing a limp in any journey ranging over 70 yards or so. I burn myself with sugar not once but two times throughout the workweek (sweet, sweet pain) and then again while cooking at home yesterday. While hanging out with Alex the other day I got a splinter, through my sock and into my foot. Are you for real?! And yesterday, I bought a hole punch which not only broke on it's first use but also pinched a little bit of my hand in the act of breaking, adding insult to injury.

It looks like I won't be running another race in a couple of weeks which sucks! My muscles feel great. I want to run. I just want my foot to feel better so I can run. I'm going for a sports injury massage tomorrow. Please let it help. Working six days a week this week unless someone gets excited about picking up for me. That would be great. I don't think that standing for 6 hours at a time is doing my foot any favors although it does my mind some favors because the opposite is feeling lazy sitting around all day which is THE PITS.

How do you cope with injury. I've never been physically incapable of running. I don't know what to do. At least I can still bike but the rains have come so that is not nearly so fun anymore. Time to suck it up and get that pool pass.

going thousand miles an hour

To quote a MIA song which is in turn referencing a Jonathan Richmond song, I'm a road runner. 

So, the next three weeks with minimal runs and then a much less metropolitan Marathon than I am used to will be an interesting combination of unusual exercises. Still it will be fun and having this, well run, marathon under my belt feels good. 

I began to think around mile 22 that we are meant to do endurance exercise. Humans are amazing creatures who, I think, benefit from pushing themselves physically as well as mentally. 

I'm on the lookout for new exercise programs. Yoga, biking and swimming are high on my radar. Because, who knows what is next, perhaps a triathlon? 

What are you getting into? How are you planning on staying fit as the leaves change color and the weather grows chilly? 

Portland road running

Marathon tomorrow.
I am super excited to eat donuts after this son of a gun is over. I bought new shoes but am wearing my old.
Wish me luck or at least a speedy enough recovery that I can run the Columbia Gorge Marathon in 3 weeks too.

Best of the best to ya,
Rachel

Running

Allright, I'm addicted. The Portland marathon is in 3 weeks and 2 days and I have already signed up for the Columbia Gorge Marathon which takes place merely 2 weeks and 6 days after that. I couldn't resist. It looked so beautiful. Plus, I'll be in shape already, right?

After this, I might need to take some kind of break from running... I guess. Maybe, find me a good yoga studio again or take up swimming (as if). Maybe we'll try for the 100 mile bike ride on the fixie. One can only dream at this point.

All the best kiddos. Try to keep in shape.

So much, so much

So much to do so little time.
Why do we need to sleep?
Life is full of excitement from starting to train (really pretrain this week, start next week), to getting back to collaging. Shut up blogger, collaging is a word.

I can't sleep at night.

I meet new people. Potentially romantic people, I like my job. I might run a marathon. I, I, I. What about you?

There are new friends to be had and new perspectives to see. There are places to visit for the first time or as a homecoming. I miss you east coast. I miss you bad. But... Portland, might finally be claiming me.

This is the year of eternal spring. Summer starts next week but spring isn't giving up so easily. Spring from the beginning of March to at least the end of June. What happened to winter? Where is the summer going to fit in to all of this? What about tomatoes? Trying to keep the aphids off of my tomato plants. Don't know what will work. The cold of spring killed my ladybugs. Any ideas?

I can't roll this all up neatly. There is no wrapping. I'll see you when I see you and until that time there will be blog updates.

Date much?

I worked so much this week (or so it felt like). It really shouldn't have been more than usual but somehow it felt like so much. However, on Wednesday, I did get cut early and made an impromptu date with a boy that I met on the train out here. We've been trying to hang out but it didn't work until then. We just met up for a drink and hot dogs. Nothing crazy.

Another however! I met someone else on the bus on the way home from work that day. We ended up hitting it off, hanging out for a gross lemonade and some weird tea before my impromptu but somewhat scheduled date with train guy.

Can you say dates?! Me and bus guy hung out again on Friday for long walk, dinner and some serious talking. We talked for hours. I hope it wasn't just me... Sometimes it is. I stayed up so late! Still, sleep deprived I made it through a late night of work and a Sunday morning brunch shift of work as well.

Hallelujah for Mondays which are my Saturdays. I needed to sleep in. Today, I went for a run with my running buddy and am generally getting exciting about training for longer distances. My good friend, Natalie, wants me to run the Portland Marathon with her. I'm skeptical but at the same time: excited. Think I can do it?

 

Restless

I am mad uneasy right now about getting up and going. I can feel the need to move pulling at me but I am torn up by the changes in my life that are about to happen.

I don't know how to give up the lead role in the day to day activities of my Mamaw's life but I am so excited to have freedom for my own day to day activities. I really don't know how I'm going to get over seeing her every day and being such a central part of her existence.

I am really, really hyped about seeing my friends back west but I almost can't bear the idea of leaving my Richmond friends behind.

I love the sights and sounds of a Richmond spring but I am so, so, so, excited to see spring in Portland. To watch my tulips come up, and plant a small garden, is such an exciting prospect. My heart quickens at the idea.

Lately, I've been craving the kind of trust that only people who don't really really need you can put into you.  I want my grandmom to trust that I'll clean up a mess or cook something right or fold something and put it away correctly.

If it's really important that those things happen because you can't do it yourself, it's very hard to trust that someone else will do them to your specifications. It's even harder (if not impossible) to let go of those specifications and let someone do things their way.

And I understand that, because I love to be in control. One of the things that I'm looking forward to upon my return to Portland is having complete control of my diet again. I might go temporarily vegan as a response to all of the meat that I've eaten since I was here. I can't wait to make beans and rice and curry! I haven't taken full advantage of the goodness of east coast beers since I've been here (I just don't have the right kind of free time to get some good beers in me as a general rule). So, I'm even excited to be able to drink beer when I'd like to drink it.

I'm excited for yoga and running regularly. I'm bummed that I have to leave the runner friendly city (and my great runner friends) of Richmond.

I'm saddened to leave any prospects of love that I feel like Richmond offers me and Portland doesn't. Why is that? Why would one city not want me so badly when another does? It's all in my head. Probably.

Restless. Yep, that about sums it up.

Ipanema & Head Shaving

It's been a pretty good couple of days. Mamaw, is super energetic today because she's getting some high quality, pharmacy grade, steroids to help her with the first few days of treatment side effects (also, she was healthy enough to get treatment which is very good).

She is undertaking all kinds of projects today i.e. income tax prep, laundry (so many kinds of laundry), bathroom scrubbing, birthday card and assorted items buying, head shaving. She's so jazzed it has been hard to get her to sit still for breakfast. Doesn't look like naps are in the picture for today, alas.

She seems unfazed by the fact that she has to wake up 2 hours earlier than normal to take pills (maybe because the pills make her feel like Wonder Woman). Today, my grandma is a woman of action. She's making decisions and we're doing them. It's nice to see her so empowered. It is also exhausting.

The biggest thing we did this morning was shave her head. My sweater is now powdered with little bits of silver hair. She looks good bald- every bit as hip as any Portlander could ever wish to be. I'm a little bit jealous and just want to give up my quest to grow my hair long again. We could be bald together. I would love it.

Yesterday, whilst the treatment was in session, I went on a short run with Dan to one of the restaurants on the list. Jackfruit BBQ sammie that came sweet potato fries & house salad. Then we split a Mexican chocolate pie and ginger pear pie (with delicious short bready crust) for dessert. I could have died happy after that meal. Ipanema. Check it out, if only for their brilliant dessert selection. But really, delicious vegetarian fare, good drink deals, and awesome pies.

Speaking of pies, I need to run more. Maybe before we head out on our errands I can go for a quickie. I feel like I'm always squeezing in short runs and never going on long ones. But, any run is better than no run. Hope you guys are eating well, staying in shape, and generally enjoying life as much as I am.

Steady does it.

We're moving into a bit of a routine, Mamaw and I.

Eat yogurt first thing in the morning.
Drink Gatorade too.
Eat real breakfast -yesterday steak and eggs, today ham and cheese quiche.
Alongside breakfast, take pills.
Rest or reading time.
Lunch time with the drinking of more Gatorade*,
TV, nap, read, get out of the house: depending on energy levels (Yesterday we went to the Spa! a few days ago we went to the Audiologist)
Snack time & Gatorade
Get mail**, accept phone calls, maybe clean up a little
Dinner time. It isn't irregular for another member of the family to come over and make or help out with dinner.Last night my aunt, Sarah, came over and made meat loaf, the night before my uncle came over and grilled steaks. Tonight, another uncle, Scott, is coming over to hang out during or shortly after the dinner hour.
TV: Wheel of Fortune
TV: Jeopardy: I think we're getting better at the game.
Bed 

*Gatorade is consumed every time I can convince Mamaw to drink more of it.
** if you know her, send Mamaw mail. It makes her day so much better and I don't see a reason why any day has to go by where she doesn't get something good in the mail.

As you can see, much of our day consists of eating, drinking, sleeping, and sitting. It's an easy life, but one that pretty much guarantees that a few pounds will be gained whilst I'm here. Hopefully, running and kart-wheeling will keep those pounds at bay for a time. If not, my second hope is that my family doesn't give me too hard a time about said pounds (Hear that family?!?!).

I am always, happy to be a help, and am thankful to all of my aunts, uncles, and cousins for making it easy for me to help by giving me so much support and away time.

Shout outs this week to: Eddy for coming over and making us steaks; Sarah both for picking up much of her family and transplanting them to Mamaw's for dinner last night making it possible for me to go out and see my friends and for checking in regularly to see how things are going; Scott for coming over tonight so I can go to an impromptu baby shower; and my Cousin Aaron who is willing to come over tomorrow night if need be, so I can go to another friend's birthday party. You guys really make life easy on me and I appreciate it ever so much.

Comfort

One more restaurant off the list today.

I knocked out Comfort today for a pre-run lunch with some friends and running buddies. "What was had?" you ask. It started off with some sweet tea.

A note: Thank you, the south, for bringing us yet another thing that is good. I know you've had some bad moments with slavery and everything, but you've gone above and beyond with both fried foods and sweet tea.

Next we got into entrees and sandwiches. I picked an entree because I wanted two sides (I really wanted only sides and would have appreciated a  combo side plate option). My friends had respectively, blackened chicken with green beans and mashed potatoes, and a country ham sandwich with potato salad. I personally had meat loaf with squash casserole and french fries. Give me the option and I will always get french fries. That may be something that I need to change, but I deeply love the ol' frenchies, especially with some pesto mayo. But, I digress...

Everyone seemed to enjoy their own meals. I, personally, was not disappointing by mine but I also did not fall in love. Maybe, meatloaf isn't for me. I really don't have much experience with the stuff and in the process of giving something new a chance, I may have found that thing that I don't really like. The squash casserole was cheesy and off the hook and the aforementioned frenchies were classic, salty fried potatoes. Who can complain about that?

Dessert was a caramelized banana topped banana pudding which was plenty rich and would probably overwhelm the individual but we shared. So, it was all good. As it was a dessert, I enjoyed it a whole bunch but it didn't blow me out of the water. I still favor both the tiny pecan pie of Pasture and the appropriately sized tres leches cake of Kuba Kuba. I can't wait to get some pie at Ipanema later.

I've got to step up my running game to deal with all of this eating out. On a pro exercise note, I did get my bike into Richmond today and it is near being completely put together. So, then, I'll be biking everywhere I go in town. I can not wait.

There's my review take it or leave it. Also, if you don't favor being uncomfortably full during your bout of exercise, try to not eat at comfort on the day of exercise.

Zoobie doobie doooooo

Today was sadly enough Katelyn's last day in town. It was a wondrously, not too rainy day here in Portland. But, even better than the outstanding weather, it was free zoo day! So, we went to the zoo. 

We saw plenty of animals, most of them bipeds in small herds, wearing rain jackets, and pushing strollers. We did see more unusual species too. Some of our favorites were these bronze lions but we also spotted some tiny bronze elephants too. 

It's been nice having family around. We spent Christmas together, went hiking. She saw one of my favorite parks and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry while I worked. We got donuts, and made cookies, had many a quiet breakfast together and kept up a pretty good running regiment. We volunteered together, drank a beer together (or part of a beer depending on which one of us you were watching), tried some Portland specific foods, went to see a whole gaggle of cheap movies at second run theaters. We had a Harry Potter movie marathon to welcome in the new year and of course went to the zoo.

Of course, I'll be glad to have more space in my room as I'm sure Katelyn will be glad to sleep on a regular bed. But, mostly, I will miss hanging out.

Races to Run

This morning I ran a 5k. It was nice because I got a number of free things. First I got a) Free hoody for being one of the first to sign up for the race. b) 1 free bell to ring while caroling in the future c) free beer d) some free soup & cornbread e) free energy drink. All in all, a good morning.

I also placed 11th overall in the female finishers (which kind of bothers me because the top 10 girls get put on a special list of top 10 female finishers) If I'd only run the race 20 seconds faster. I got 36th overall which leads me to think that Portland is a slow town. I don't think I've ever done so well in Richmond and I'm pretty sure I've run most of my 5K's faster than this one. Still, I can't complain as I didn't really train for speed and am really just using this race as an excuse to stay in shape.

Next up either The First Run & Walk 5K at midnight on New Years day or the Heart Breaker Half 10K on February. If I feel like spending the big bucks I will probably do both. No mater what I'm doing the Heart Breaker 10K. I own so much pink running gear that will be perfect for that race! Shout out to my Mom for all of that.

Later kids.

Road Running: a recycling of topics

Recently, I've had a lot of time on my hands so I've really been stepping up my exercise game. I'm on my third day running this week and I've already gotten a yoga class out of the way too. It's so invigorating to be getting in shape and exercising on a regular basis. I got so caught up in all the daily exercise, I almost forgot that I have an actual, planned 5k on Sunday. Luckily, they send out reminder emails or I might have missed it. Actually, it's on my google calendar so I would have gotten a reminder email from google about 15 minutes before the race was set to start (maybe I should update my alert preferences).

Besides that I've also been updating/practicing some basic math which I've mostly forgotten. I'm starting with the really basic stuff but, hopefully once I've got things solidly remembered I can move up into slightly harder stuff. If you are looking to learn something for free online I have to recommend the Khan Academy. You can learn all kinds of subjects there. I'm also looking into re-upping on my Spanish knowledge and have signed up for an account on livemocha.com but I so far am a little intimidated by trying to remember and learn another language so I'm sticking with the math.

I've got another week of near freedom coming up in which I will be volunteering with at least 2 maybe 3 different organizations (That would be a personal high for me). With one of them I think I'm even going to get free breakfast and lunch. Who said being underemployed is a bad thing?

After these 2 weeks it'll be back to the grind for a while which will be good for the money situation but, maybe, bad for my math and Spanish skills.

Later kids

Cavities

So, many of you may know that I had to get 1,000 cavities filled over the past couple of weeks. Luckily, the worst is behind me. I just have one more redo to go. Plus, I think I'm going to need them to smooth one of my newest ones down because it's got a bit of an edge to it.

It's weird to be anesthetized. The whole time they were working and for the next five hours I felt like the left side of my face was made up of paint filled water balloons. A very crafty clown made that half of my face I must say. Too convoluted of a balloon animal reference?

I am now up to flossing my teeth twice a day and consider brushing after every meal but it turns out I eat a lot of lunches at work so that probably won't work. I'll do what I can.

Outside of oral heath I've been trying to work my sorry butt back into shape as well. I've been running with my roomie's friend Dan who is my neighbor as well as with another roomie's friend who needed a running buddy. I'm starting to get so excited about a few races. Up and coming I have a Holiday 5k. It would have been a half marathon but I got too sick and behind in training so I transferred to the 5k. But, more excitingly, I'm going to be back home for the Ukrops Monument Ave. 10k which is totally my favorite race ever! I think I'm going to try to train for a half marathon that is a week before it and then run the 10k as a recovery race. It'll be so nice to see Richmond through the eyes of a runner again too. I also, snuck in a yoga class today. The bonus of not working a whole lot is you can, cook, clean, exercise and still have time for books and TV.

But, now I'm going to settle into bed seeing as I do have work tomorrow at 7:30.

new race

I just signed up for a new race. It's just a half marathon but I couldn't resist it. It's the Holiday Half Marathon and it's December 11th.

At the race check in you get bells to put in your shoes and throughout the race there are carolers (every 2 miles). It's only a few miles away from where I live so I can get there easily and since I was one of the first 200 to sign up for it I get a race hoodie instead of just a regular t-shirt. Hurray!

It will also help keep me inspired to run which is pretty important. I also, have my eye out for any good Marathons that might come at the end of October or beginning of November but haven't decided on one yet. I've been thinking about races quite a bit recently. Now I've got to get my head back in the work game as my work week is starting.

All the best.

Under Two

So, I ran my half marathon this morning.

Woke up at 4:45, ate oatmeal, drank water, took a shower to clear up my lungs and left for the race at 5:30 in order to get there around 6:00 for my 6:45 race. After getting stuck in 42 minutes of traffic and then waiting in line for a port-a-potty for the next 10 minutes I ran over to the race start (where they had just started the race a bit late). And, not knowing my start time or what pace anyone around me was running, began the race.

I ran the first 10-11 miles at a pretty steady clip. After the first couple of miles I stayed pretty close to the same group of runners. But, kinda faded out a little with the last 2 miles or so. I checked my time though and ran the race in under two hours which is always kinda my main goal. My official time was 1hour 51minutes and 15seconds. That drops me at just under a 8:30 mile pace so I guess I can't complain.

During the race I meet a girl who was running barefoot and she was really nice to talk to and after the race everyone got strawberry short cake. Those two things were probably my favorite thing about the race. Now, weather to keep training for another race. My biggest hang up is that I want to run a race with a bigger crowd to cheer for you and none of the races I've been training for really fit that bill.

Anyways, happy 4th to all of you. Hope you're having a great day holiday!

Pre-race (and work) allergies

I woke up this morning feeling down right awful. My allergies are destroying me. I took an allergy pill and am drinking some tea that should make me feel better but what a bad way to start off a day of work and the day before a big race. Hopefully, I'll continue to feel better and better and by race time this will be a distant memory.

I'm packing some cold and allergy meds with me to work today. Fingers crossed that they don't make me totally spacey. I actually looked up the ingredients in the pills I'm taking and one of them is (not fully researched) supposed to work as an antidepressant. Interesting... Maybe it will be a fairly happy, spacey day (if it is any of those things).

Gots to go. You all have a great Sunday.

Winning

Pizza and Donuts. A winning combo for sure. I just had that combo and now I'm not sure how I feel. I think how I feel is "at least I had a good long bike ride to and from that fattening trip and am going on a run tomorrow morning". Yep, that sounds about right.

Note to self. To much winning isn't good for anyone.

Half Marathon

Nine days until race time. On the fourth I'll be running a half marathon. Today, I ran 12 miles and it was a tough run- quite a few inclines but I guess there were also some good declines.

I become more and more grateful for running as the weeks pass. One reason for this is that my long runs tend to take me to beautiful parts of the city that I wouldn't usually get to see. As summer really hits it's stride this becomes increasingly delightful. I also, value the time to and for myself. It's a really wonderful thing to have some time dedicated to your own well being.

Outside of running, I've been working a whole lot and volunteering a bit. Today began another 4 day streak of working which will be followed up with one day of volunteering and then 2 magical days of freedom (one of those days my friend's band is playing so I can really enjoy my free night). That's the light at the end of the tunnel right now. I should go back to a 4 day work week after that. We'll see what happens. If I get tired of working I just remind myself of those 5 months of working 10-14 hours a week and realize how good I have it now.

I hope you all are doing well, I need to get some food in me asap before I crash from this run.

Cheers