Friday Night Shenanigans

Hello all. I hope your weekend was fun. Mine was a little crazy. Let me show you how it started out...

If you can't tell, everyone is smiling

No, we were not removing toxic waste, but we did get certified for specific masks to prevent the risk of infection of TB. This included having a bag placed over our heads and a bitter liquid being sprayed at our faces to make sure that no large particles can get past these masks. The 5 of us are all going to the same hospital for our pre-clinical rotation's up in San Francisco and the hospital has some strict rules and requirements. For example, I had to do a background check, a drug test, 2 TB tests, a mask fitting to prevent TB, and send them all of my vaccinations. But it was a fun way to spend ($40) the start of my weekend.

Next, we went back to the pad to celebrate Kelsey's birthday.

I'm doing a great job at doing a posterior pelvic tilt to reduce my lumbar lordosis.

This picture describes that night

It was a crazy night and these are the only pictures I am allowed to show. Just kidding, these are the only pictures I took :)

The rest of the weekend was spent recovering and studying (in that order). I did manage to run 7.33 miles with Leslie on Sunday night. It was a lovely twilight run that my body definitely was swearing at me for treating it so poorly this weekend, but I am always happy when I complete a long run. Plus I have the Nike Women's Half Marathon coming up in a few weeks that I need to stay in shape for.

On that note...The Nike Women's half will be my 25th half marathon. I have a (secret) goal (that I am putting out there to get myself to do it) to run 30 half marathons by the end of 2013 (because I am turning 30 next year), so we will see if that happens. I did sign up for a half marathon in November that will make my count 26. I will run 4 half marathon's this year, so it is definitely a possibility that I can complete my goal (with the possibility of a 5th half in Malibu). I will keep you posted.

Does anyone have something on their bucket list that they would like to share?

This and That

I am in the middle of my 3rd week of my 2nd year of PT school and the work is pilling up, but I have made time to workout, sleep and see friends.

Last weekend my friend Rebecca came into town to take part 2 of step 2 of her boards for Med School. She was only a hop, skip and a jump away at LAX, so I drove up there to keep her company and help her study for her test. We did this by going out to dinner in Marina Del Rey and drinking beer. The next day (after her test) we walked around Venice Beach. I forgot how much I like Venice Beach, but it was a beautiful day and I am glad we got to hang out there.

Photo credit: Rebecca

On Sunday I ran 6.2 miles with a friend. This was probably one of the hardest 6 miles I have ever done. I thought it was going to be easy since the week previous I ran over twice that distance, but I made my friend, Leslie, stop 3 times to walk. I guess I was not fully recovered from my half marathon. I have been itching to run this week, so I think my legs are fully ready. Do you ever have days when you really feel gravity?

The rest of the week has been uneventful. I am trying to stay on top of my work and get 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night, but with facebook, How I Met Your Mother, and blogging as great procrastination tools, it isn't as easy as it seems.

Here is a little something to end on. This week in my Ortho class we learned how to "crack backs" Obviously this is not the technical term (it is called mobilization or manipulation if you want to be correct), but pretty much everyone does this to friends when their backs are feeling off. Now I know how to do it "correctly!" Yay!

That has been my week thus far. Isn't school exciting?

The Happiest Run on Earth

This weekend was filled with pixie dust, unicorns, and rainbows. Okay, not really, but it was a great weekend and here is why...

1. Three day weekend
2. My mom was in town
3. I ran my 24th half marathon
4. I spent the entire day at Disneyland. And I mean the entire day. From 4:45am to 8:00pm.

My mom flew into town on Friday night. It was a nice treat to have a guest after the first week of school. It gave me something to look forward to.

On Saturday, we woke up at a leisurely hour, headed to breakfast at a cute little restaurant called the Filling Station then walked through the Orange street fair. Next we drove down to Disneyland to pick up our race packets. Of course we walked around the expo to find samples and possible races we want to do in the future (Big Sur is next on our list). In fact, at the expo of the first half marathon I ever ran in 2005, there was a booth advertising for the Disney races. My mom and I looked at each other and said "One day, we are going to run that race." Disneyland has a special place in our hearts and I knew my running career would not be complete without running this race. Anyways, the planets aligned and it just made perfect sense to finally run this race.

We didn't want to fatigue our legs too much, so we left the expo, got our toes did, had an early dinner, and went to bed around 10pm.

The race started at 5:45am on Sunday morning. The earliest race I have EVER run. We woke up at 4am after a wonderful night's sleep (usually I do not sleep before races), ate our breakfast, completed our pre-race rituals and headed out the door at 4:45am. It was still dark out, but at least the temperature was cool.

My mom and I waiting at 5:30am for the race to start

The race was so much fun. We ran through California Adventure (my first time there), then through Disneyland (it was definitely the fastest I had ever made it through Disneyland), then onto the streets of Anaheim, to Angel's Stadium, through Angel's Stadium where there were spectators cheering us on in the seats.

Inside Angel Stadium on the field

Then back to Disneyland hotel where the race started.

Horrible picture, but Donald Duck and Mickey were waiting for us at the finish line

My mom and I taking our classic picture after the race (with our bling)

The Medal

The race was well supported. Lots of water stations and people cheering us on (including Disney character) along the entire race. Even though this was an expensive race (clocking in at $125), it was worth every penny.

After the race, my mom and I headed home, grabbed a bite to eat, showered and headed back to California Adventures. There were barely any lines, I think the longest we waited was 15 mins and it wasn't too hot outside. We went on California Screamin' (twice), Soaring over California, Tower of Terror, the Ferrous Wheel, the Little Mermaid, Grizzle River Run (which was awesome to do in 90 degree weather), and saw the Aladdin Musical.

On California Screamin'

The picture of us on California Screamin

Inside the Tower of Terror

On the Tower of Terror (I think we were holding hands)

Random street parade while we were eating lunch

 "Look at this stuff, isn't it neat?"

My mom and I in "Hollywood"

The food in California Adventure was really good. When we were done with the rides, we sat down and ate some appetizers and had California wine IN Disneyland. Of course we needed to check out the Ghirardelli ice cream shop for dessert.

The next day we woke up at the late hour of 7:45am (hey that is late when you wake up at 4am the previous day) a little sore but very happy. My next race is Sunday October 14th in San Francisco and it will be my 25th half marathon! I can't wait.

What is something that you have wanted to do for a long time that you finally did (or have set plans to do)?