Long Commute and Pepper Spray

I just finished my 2nd week of my pediatric rotation. I am enjoying the clinic, my clinical instructor (CI), my "co-workers",  and the program, but my rotation is about 40 miles away and takes me an hour and a half to get home every day:( It is only for 12 weeks (officially 10 now) and I know I am going to learn a lot at this clinical rotation, so that is more important…right? I am working with children who have neurological insults such as Cerebral Palsy (CP), brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and Spina Bifida. Most of the kids have CP and are relatively high functioning, but it has been a challenge to find a way to not take home my emotions at the end of the day. I had a long talk with my CI about dealing with the emotions of working with this population and she put it into a nice perspective. There are going to be children that have these aliments and it is our job to make them as happy and comfortable as possible, then I am doing my job and I feel happy about that.

My knees have been hurting me since I ran that trail run (aka my 28th half marathon), so I have taken some long walks instead of running. Last Sunday my knees were feeling better. No pain with walking, squatting or going up stairs, so I decided to knock out 8 miles. I told myself that if my knees started to hurt I would turn around, well my knees did decide to start hurting about 1/2 way through my run. I did turn around, but walking 4 miles sounded miserable, so I decided to run until my knees hurt then stretch out my quads then start running again. My knees would feel good for about a half mile and then I would have to stop :( Urrrr this is so frustrating because I have another half marathon coming up in October and I would like to be decently trained for it. I haven't run since then, but I can tell that my quads are super tight.

On my long run last Sunday, I ran on a (cement) trail. I have become a little more paranoid lately about running alone and especially in a place that does not have a lot of people traffic. So, I brought pepper spray with me. I don't really know how to use it (I don't think it is that hard and I bet I could figure it out), but it still made me feel a little better about running alone.

This is what the trail looks like (Source)

Source

This is what my pepper spray looks like. Yes it is pink and fits in the palm of my hand. What precautions do you take when running or walking by yourself? Or are you not concerned that anything is going to happen? 

I am so happy the weekend is finally here because I am sleep deprived. I am not use to waking up so early, and even though I have been going to bed earlier and earlier every night, I am using a lot of brain power right now so not only am I physically exhausted, I am also completely mentally exhausted. I am going to sleep in as late as I can tomorrow, which might be a challenge because my mom is coming into town! I am excited to see her and I bet we will go to bed relatively early tonight. The plan for the weekend is to be active and eat good food, but I am just excited to get to hang with my mom.

I hope you all have a wonderful Labor Day weekend. Anyone have exciting plans for the long weekend?

Well That Was Tough

On Sunday I completed my 28th half marathon and this one was definitely a challenge. It was called the Mud and Chocolate Trail Run which included a 4.5 mile & 1/2 marathon trail run. I knew it was going to be 3 loops and there were going to be trails, but I was not fully aware (or did not want to admit to myself) that the whole run was on a trail. Here was the low down.

Trail running is a completely different beast from street running. The path is narrow, it is much harder to pass people (in the beginning), you use completely different muscles on trails than you do on concrete, you have to pay attention to where you are going, and finally, you have to pay attention to where your feet are being placed.

The first loop of this race, I felt like I was stuck behind people who were going at a different pace than I would have liked to run, but by the second loop, I was all by myself on the path for the majority of the time. I didn't realize how much I need the energy of other people while I am running. I would get a burst of energy when someone would pass me or when I caught up to someone else. I think the hardest part of this race was having to be mentally on the entire time. I almost rolled my ankle a couple of times and you can't zone out in the end (which I like to do) because you have to make sure you don't trip. To top it off, since I didn't train on trails, my hip flexors were screaming at me around mile 6 because I was lifting my legs higher than I normally do to avoid branches and rocks.

I sound like I am complaining. I am not, I was just not as prepared as I should have been. Luckily my running experience got me through, but I highly suggest training on dirt and trails before completing this endeavor. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. This was definitely a new challenge and I must admit I felt pretty hardcore.

The end of the race was sweet…Literally. I ended with a chocolate medal and a buffet of chocolate goodies.

And this race definitely lived up to its name…Mud and Chocolate

My chocolate medal, chocolate cupcake and muddy legs

I don't think I will be participating in another half marathon trail run anytime soon, but I can see myself running in shorter distances of 6 miles or less.

On Tuesday I was rewarded with an amazing 2 hour massage. The massage was a 30th birthday present, but it was definitely needed after this race. I felt sore in muscles I have never felt before.

So do as I say and not as I do, and if you are planning on running a "normal" road race, train mostly on concrete. If you are planning on running a trail run, train mostly on dirt. It is important to "teach" our body's tissue to work on what ever surface it needs to work on. That being said, if you think you have bad knees, don't run mostly on the grass and dirt and then complete a long race on concrete, your body will not be trained to work on that surface. And vice versa, running on concrete did not harden my joints and muscles up for this trail run, I was probably less stable because my muscles were not use to stabilizing me on such uneven/unsteady ground. I would have benefitted from running on more uneven surfaces before this race and then I might not have been as sore as I was.

Has anyone completed a challenge that they were not prepared for?

So Close Yet So Far Away

I have finished my 2nd year of grad school. Woo hoo! It is amazing how fast time can fly and how slowly it can go at the same time. I can't believe I am two-thirds of the way done with this program. I remember my first day like it was yesterday.

The last few weeks have been hectic. And now I get a nice little break before my clinical starts up. Here is a little catch up on the past few weeks.

Angle's Game with with some friends.

A lot of delicious food...

 Veggie Sandwich from Mead's Cafe on Chapman Ave. Check them out. Their food is wonderful.

Lots of study snacks

Studying and napping (this is Calvin, a classmate of mine "studying")

When my finals were over…lots of this...

And when I finally made it back to Seattle…A little of this.

 Ben came up to Seattle and Chris and I got to hang out with him.

Finally, I am doing a trail run next Sunday and as a practice run, my mother and I ran through as many trails that we could on Mercer Island. Here is my mom running across an extension bridge. 

So far I have had a wonderful time seeing friends, sleeping, and doing absolutely nothing.

I hope your summer has been going well.

Something to leave you with. This is a flower that I found when I took a walk the other day. I thought it was unique.

Bon Fires and Wipe Out

Well School has been stressful. This semester was easy breezy (well as easy as 7 classes can be) until this last month. Then all hell broke loose. I was so tired on Thursday that when my classmates were giving a presentation, I did not even attempt to keep my eyes open. It was good sleep though.

Finally this week was over, and on Friday afternoon, Leslie and I decided to do a 10 mile run since the rest of the week had been a good temperature for such an event. But about 2.5 miles into the run, the weather changed and it turned from a nice overcast to blistering hot. We finished, but not without some complaining and an ice stop along the way. Plus, I changed races…I went from white to beet red. Seriously, I never learn my lesson.

After relaxing for a couple of hours or so after our excruciating run (but hey, we did it), I headed down to Huntington Beach for a bon fire with my classmates.

It was a nice change in scenery and a great way to be able to relax for a little bit.

The night was complete with a BBQ and s'mores

Huntington Beach Sunset

I went home early and straight to bed because I had to wake up at 6am Saturday morning for a race. Okay, it wasn't a race, it was a 5k run, but it was well worth waking up that early!

This was the Ridiculous Obstacle Course (ROC) race. This run involves running a 5K with obstacles placed about every quarter mile. The obstacles included things such as jumping over barricades, monkey bars, rope walks, rope swing, trampolines, tires, and ending with a large water slide into the finish. They even had a Wipe Out style station called the wrecking ball. It was so much fun and I highly suggest participating in this event.

We had a team of 8 all from the Chapman DPT program and we dressed as Minions from Despicable Me.

Here is the before picture

This was after the race

The Silly Minion (burnt face and all)

We won these huge metals for our awesome costumes.

I may or may have not gone home after the run and took a nap from 1pm to 6pm later that day. Apparently school, running 10 miles, and then waking up early the next day to participate in a fun run is exhausting.

Needless to say, this weekend has been much needed and I am feeling much more relaxed and ready for the last 2 and a half weeks left of school.

What did you do this weekend?

Midterm Time!

My only excuse to why I haven't posted in a while is because I have had a few midterms, and on top of that, I have had some fun that kept me busy.

The last two weeks have rough and wonderful at the same time. Friday June 28th, I flew up to Portland to help celebrate Kissy French's Last Dance aka as Kylee's bachelorette party. I flew out of Long Beach airport, so I got their a little early to avoid traffic and decided it was time to start celebrating right then and there…

The rest of the weekend was spent dressing up 80's style, going to bars, eating at Pok Pok, singing karaoke, watching a drag show and then seeing male strippers. Here are some pictures from the weekend.

Our Wonderful 80's attire. 

The club we attended on Friday had a trampoline floor. So you had a little spring to your step. At first I thought the floor was collapsing, but then someone told me the reason for the bounciness.

The Club on Friday night. This is how I remember it ;)

These are the only pictures I can show from Saturday night.

Bride to be in white

Me singing karaoke! 

"Beyonce" at the drag show

Fireman stripper - yes he took off his jacket

Sunday morning, since I was in PDX, I decided to take a late flight out of town so I could see some of my college ladies. Bonus, a Seattle lady was in town as well, so it was a fun little reunion.

Chelsea, Nichole and I buying cupcakes for Jenny's second annual 28th birthday!

Kappa girls (minus Victoria) unite!

I was so excited to be able to spend time with these girls.

I flew home late Sunday night, crammed for a test and practiced for a presentation that was pending the next two days. Luckily right after that we had Thursday (4th of July) and Friday off. A much needed break!

Chris flew into town late Wednesday night, and I got to spend the entire weekend with him.

4th of July was spent in Newport Beach with some buds!

The crew!

Lots of beers flowing

'Merica! Fuck Yeah!

With my love

Friday was spent studying…Oh did I mention I had a test on Monday. Oh wait, not just a test, a final. So during the hot summer day, I spent it inside studying pediatrics.

Friday night, Chris and I needed to get out of the house so we went to a near by driving range. I suck at golf :)

 Saturday we woke up late and took a mini hike at Peter's Canyon in Tustin.

The view from the Vista Point

And after spending the entire rest of the day studying, Chris and I got some beers at Provision's in Old Towne Orange

We were a little hungry (and slightly drunk) afterwards, so we went to Felix's down the road. This is a little Cuban/Spanish restaurant with delicious food, huge portions, and wonderful prices. Needless to say I have wanted to try this place for a while and I was not disappointed. In fact, we had so much food, we had lunch the next day and it was just as good, if not better the second day.

My dish!

Chris left mid afternoon on Sunday and the rest of my day was spent cramming in the library.

Today (Monday), I took my final (I don't think I failed), came home, ran a hot sweaty 4.5 miles (hey, it has been a while) in 80 degree weather and then took a yoga class. I needed to sweat the studying out of me.

So that is why you haven't seen a blog from me in a while. The past two weeks have been a little stressful with all the tests and projects, but I know looking back that I will remember the fun I had and not the stress of having to cram for school.

YOLO! (Sorry, I had to throw that in there)

I have 3 more weeks left of this semester and…this year. Soon I will be a 3rd year (where has the time gone) and in my second clinical rotation.

Snail Speed

This is a running post… :)

As you know I have a goal to run 30 half marathons by the end of this year and I am at 27. I signed up for a race in August and I think I am going to sign up for the Long Beach Half in Oct and then the Seattle Ghost half over Thanksgiving, so if I have to walk or crawl any of those races, I will, because I am completing 3 more races this year.

Today, in an effort to procrastinate studying for my cardiopulmonary test (I really like procrastinating, in fact I am doing it right now by blogging), I decided to run 9 miles. I did think about my test and how exercising increases my supply of blood to my heart because of my muscle pump and how my demand for oxygen is higher as well, so really it wasn't completely procrastinating, because I was locking down important concepts for the test. But I thought about that specific topic (and wondering what kind of heart failure I most likely have :) because I was out of breath while running. Usually my leg strength is the limiting factor when I run, but today, the air felt much thinner. I completed my run and I ran the entire time, but man, it was a doozie.

This got me thinking (I know, never a good thing): I don't think my body was built for running. That doesn't mean I am going to stop running. I love it too much, but I know I will never be a fast runner. This is something that I have struggled with since I started running races almost 7 years ago. It is partially my body type, partially my training (right now), and partially anxiety while running in a race. I know in the future that I will complete my goal of running a sub 2 hour half, but right now I have to be okay with my speed and knowing that I am still getting exercise, having fun, and hey, since I am running slower, burning more fat.

Today, gravity was not on my side, but other days I feel like I could run for ever.

My next half in August is a mud and chocolate run. I am doing this race for 3 reasons
1. It involves chocolate (really do I need to give any more reasons?)
2. The date was ideal for my next half with an excellent starting time of 9:30am
3. I know that I am not doing this race for time because I believe there will be chocolate on the course and I would love to eat as much of it as I can.

So here is to being okay with my snail pace, which in reality is really an average pace of all runners and a fast pace to all non-runners. I may not be able to run a 6 min mile, but I can walk on my hands :)

Don't mind the boots.

What is something that you love to do but have slight struggles with?

I'm Thirty!

Crazy to say that. I haven't really said it out loud yet, but I have thought it. But all in all the day has been very delightful.

I had class this morning at 8:45am and when I arrived, a bouquet of purple flowers were waiting for me from Sammy Snifferpifits (AKA Chris). He couldn't be with me on my birthday, so he sent beautiful flowers instead (the next best thing to Chris actually being in town). It definitely started the morning off right. Along with the red velvet cupcakes that Kelsey had brought to me!

Nothing special about class, but I did bike to school today, so I had to carry my flowers home while riding. Hey it was a good arm exercise.

I know I look really sexy holding those flowers on my bike.

The rest of the afternoon was spent napping, eating a red velvet cupcake, attending a wonderful yoga class (I did an awesome handstand today) and then eating a Cali Taco Burrito.

I am officially full, relaxed, and happy.

It has been a great way to ring in this new decade of life. Thank you for all the love!