a Santa Fe Thanksgiving

I went to Santa Fe for Thanksgiving this year. It was a short but fun trip.

I got into Albuquerque Wednesday evening, just in time to eat Mexican for dinner with Dad, Ryan, and his girlfriend Lauren. Back in Santa Fe we topped off the night with two episodes of Duck Dynasty.

Thursday morning I dragged everyone but Mom (who was busy making pies) out to the Turkey Trot 5k. The temperature was in the high 20s, but didn't feel bad at all. There were 330 participants. Lauren and I ran together, with a few walking breaks (mostly because of my knee pain, but also because the course was hilly, we were at elevation, and my new running gait wears me out quickly). We still managed to finish in just over 31 minutes. Dad and Ryan walked, with a couple jogging breaks.

Ready to go!

Chatting while we wait to start.

My two favorite guys.

That New Mexican sun sure makes things seem warmer than they really are.

Showing off at the finish.

After the race it was time to get ready to head to Albuquerque for the big Thanksgiving meal. It was delicious, and nice to see friends and family.

Granddad and me. In matching sweaters.

Three generations.

Ah mush.

Grandmother loves hugs.

Thursday evening back in Santa Fe we topped off the night with more Duck Dynasty. Friday Mom made a good breakfast, then we stopped by the outlet mall quickly before visiting the Santa Fe Brewing Company.

Ryan loves New Mexico, and he loves beer. 

Four of us split the two tastings.

After our beer tastings Ryan and Dad took Jackson to the vet, while us ladies went downtown for some fancy hot chocolate.

Hot chocolate cheers

Then Dad and Ryan met up with us, and we walked around downtown. I accidentally stepped in a giant mud puddle which everyone thought was sooo funny, but resulted in a sweet new pair of socks for me. We continued on, visiting a few art galleries and enjoying some of the lighting of the plaza festivities.

Santa arrives!

For dinner we went to Cafe Pasqual's. It was really really good. Then we walked back to the plaza to see it all lit up. I love Santa Fe at Christmastime. And all the time.

Parents on the plaza.

We finished off the night...wait for it...with more Duck Dynasty. That show is hilarious. This morning I got up and went for another 3-mile run, which was hard (again, the gait! It is hard to get used to!) and required a couple walking breaks because there is still some IT band pain in the knee. Now Ryan is making me one of his breakfast sandwiches, and in an hour I head to the airport and back to Virginia.

improvements and breakthroughs!

Last week I had my follow-up appointment with the running doctor. He gave me a new medication and said to keep going to physical therapy. I've been out of commission for over two months.

But today was great! I ran three miles this morning without taking walking breaks, and the knee pain never came! That's a huge improvement, since it was the first time I've run at all without pain since this whole thing started.

However, it was really hard. Yesterday at physical therapy we worked on my running form, to get me to stop striking with my heel. Now I'm supposed to kick my legs back more, and man oh man it wears me out. I'm told it's better and will make me stronger and faster, but so far it feels like it takes a ton more energy and intensifies the cardio aspect. I didn't have to walk this morning because of any knee pain, but I actually did take a short walking break just to catch my breath. It was frustrating. But I'm still stoked to think the pain might be leaving (or gone), which might be thanks to the new meds.

In other news, I've been swimming more. And I've recently had a breakthrough and can actually swim longer than ten minutes! In fact, get this, I just swam for thirty minutes without stopping! I went 900 meters, and I think I could have kept going but the pool was about to close.

Project 2014 Triathlon is well underway.

highlights of a good good week

This past week has been full of good things you guys.

Last Wednesday after my class in Fairfax I went into DC and met up with Keith for dinner! He's a friend from college and we hadn't seen each other in five years. We ate at Farmers Fishers Bakers and our appetizer included kettle corn, beer nuts, and candied bacon.

Thursday for Halloween I dressed as Rebecca the Raccoon. Who is Rebecca, you ask? She was the pet raccoon of Mrs. Coolidge in the White House during the 1920s. Now you know.

Friday I went back to DC for a weekend with my grandparents and the crew that rolls with them. That night we had a great Chinese meal at Meiwah, followed by a smaller group hangout back at the hotel in which I got to hear the epic true story of a houseboat trip to Canada gone wrong.

Saturday night I hung out with Keith again. Kind of funny to go from five years apart to two nights in the same week. We enjoyed drinks and more catching up at Kramerbooks and Afterwords Cafe and at the Tabard Inn.

Sunday I went for a run from our hotel along the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway, around the Lincoln Memorial, past the George Mason memorial (that I never knew existed), and to the Jefferson Memorial, with a stop in the visitor center below. This "run" was 6.75 miles but included quite a bit of walking, since I'm still injured. I've wanted to run by the river and tidal basin in DC for so long though, and it was a beautiful day.

Sunday evening I went with Grandpa and my aunt to the National Cathedral for the All Soul's Mass, which included the men and boys choir singing Faure's Requiem. It was amazing. We sat up in the choir area, which reminded me of sitting in the choir during services at Westminster Abbey in London. Only this time we didn't have to pray for the queen.

Sunday night I was in pajamas ready to play a game of Scrabble, but was instead called away by my aunt to go out on the town for dinner and drinks. I reluctantly agreed, and ended up having a great time on what will go down as a random but memorable night at Clyde's.

And to top off my A+ week, tonight in Charlottesville I went to see Gordon Lightfoot in concert! I used to enjoy listening to my dad's "best of" CD, and he played most of those songs tonight.