Winter Break!

I finished my semester up on Wednesday, and I am super excited about having a break from school. Since I took a summer course, I haven't had any time at all without reading or projects looming over my head since January. I will still need to do some work to get ready for next semester, but I'm taking the rest of December off for sure. Now I can move on to some different reading...

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.

running (or not!) updates

So...I'm still not better. And I'm still going to physical therapy. But I'm getting better, don't worry. I'm also starting to swim and bike, in an effort to cross train and with thoughts of maybe doing a triathlon next year. We'll see. So far I still can't swim much without getting completely winded. And also, today I attempted another run but took a run-walk approach (run 3 minutes, walk 1), and I went 5.5 miles! I haven't been that far since the first week of September! Exciting stuff.

In other running-related news, I went to Baltimore a couple weekends ago to cheer on my friend S as she ran a marathon. (I deferred my own marathon registration until next year.) We had a good time. Her dad was there too, and so was her fiance and his dad. We drove up Friday, ate out Friday night, got up early the next morning for breakfast together before the marathon, watched her run (by mile markers 1, 8, 13, 22, and the finish), rested the rest of the day, went out for a fun dinner and gelato and walking around, and then spent Sunday morning at the aquarium before driving back.

Ready to go at Camden Yards!

A crowd at Mile 1.

Do you see what I see?

Mile 13. Halfway there!

Yum.

An old boat! (the USS Constellation)

"wonky biomechanics"

That's what the doctor said I have. Gee, thanks.

Last Wednesday I was able to get an appointment with a doctor in town who specializes in running. He confirmed that I have Iliotibial band syndrome. (And after looking at an x-ray he said my knee is "pristine.") He prescribed an anti-inflammatory medication, an IT band wrap to wear above my knee while running, and physical therapy. He also said I can keep running with pain, as long as it stays within the 0-3 out of 10 range.

I left pretty encouraged.

The next day I had my first physical therapy session (ever in my life). My homework is to do squats, do more squats on one foot, hold my big toe down but lift my other toes (which is so weird, and also impossible on my right foot), stretch my hip flexors, and stretch my IT band. And of course more foam rolling.

Right after my appointment I ran three miles. I had some mild pain, but it was okay.

Saturday I tried to run again, but had to stop at 1.3 miles. I walked a little, tried running again, and stopped at 1.5. I kept asking myself "is the pain above a 3? Is this a 3? Am I a wimp? Am I too tough?" But I knew if I kept going I would start to change my gait, and that's no good.

After the run I iced my knee and then went downtown to read, but I was limping while walking. I was also limping, or at least wanting to limp but not letting myself, today. Ugh. I think maybe the physical therapy homework is aggravating my leg. I'm hoping that's not really a problem. The whole point of the exercises is to strengthen my hips and feet/ankles so they don't wobble around while I run and make my IT band strain too much (which apparently is what's happening with my "wonky biomechanics").

So that's my news. I'm not better. I even feel a little worse. But I trust I will get better eventually, and I'm hopeful that physical therapy will help soon.

I won't be running a marathon in two weeks as planned, or even a half marathon. I'm holding out hope for a race in November though. And if that fails, there's always this local marathon/half in December. We'll see.

Woe is me: ailments of a runner

Throughout the summer I kept meaning to blog about how great my summer running was going. I was feeling fast(er). I saw lots of sunrises and serene foggy mornings. I got to run in beautiful places in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I made a new running friend. I was looking forward to an October marathon. I may have been despairing about my oppressive readings for school and my lack of sleep, but I always looked forward to my next run.

And then? Ugh.

A toenail turned purple, and I'll probably lose it.

I felt some knee pain a couple weeks ago and haven't been able to run since. (I've made it through test runs but before hitting two miles the knee pain comes back so I stop. It's not bad pain, I just know it means I shouldn't keep running.)

My coach said it's probably my IT band, and the main culprit is probably my not foam rolling enough. So now I'm foam rolling twice a day. What a pain. (Sometimes literally.)

Foam rolling on my carpet has given me rug burns on my elbows. I can't even remember the last time I had rug burns on my elbows.

Foam rolling with scabby elbows means they keep cracking and bleeding a little. It makes me feel ridiculous.

I'm also having to rub Bengay on my knee every morning, and ice every night. Trying to run, and not even getting to run, is sure taking a lot of work.

So that's that. I thought I was getting better, but now I'm not so sure. I'm going to try and see a running specialist doctor. For a while I didn't really think I should bother, since I'm sure time will heal me, but if seeing a doctor can get me running safely again sooner, I'm willing to go. I'm hopeful I can still run a marathon this fall, but the October race I've already registered for isn't looking realistic. That's a bummer, but overall I'm okay with it. Some runners go crazy when they are injured and can't run, but I'm doing fine so far. Probably because school, work, running, and trying to have a social life has all been wearing me a little thin recently. My body wanted a break, and now it's getting it.

But I still look forward to getting back out there, purple toenails and early mornings and foam rolling and all.

family moves

Growing up, my mom's side of the family lived six hours away in Texas. Then they lived a lot farther away in Virginia. We only got to see those grandparents and aunts and cousins a couple times a year.

And then I moved to Virginia. I lived with my grandparents, and those aunts and cousins were around all the time. I'd see them every week, or multiple times a week. All holidays and birthdays were spent with the same crew. Sure we could all get on each other's nerves sometimes, but it was kind of nice knowing everyone was around and everyone could be counted on to show up for a family meal or celebration. Even after I moved to Raleigh for grad school, or later when I moved to Charlottesville for work, I could still see them all often. And us "kids" could hang out if we wanted, which was especially nice when my brother was also in town. All the cousins were together.

But now that's changed. My aunt Caryn, plus my cousin Jay and his family, just moved away. To Portland, Oregon. Five people just left, which is a pretty big chunk of our Richmond family. Birthdays and holidays aren't going to be the same. Maybe slightly less stressful, but maybe not nearly as fun. It makes me kind of sad.

As a last "hurrah" for the whole family and to celebrate a birthday, we all got together for dinner a couple weekends ago. The meal was great. The company was great. And I got to meet my cousin's new son for the first time, which was extra great.

Jay presenting a birthday cake to Bobby, who turned five.

Birthday boy with his aunt Leslie.

Meeting Corbin for the first time. (The shot's a little fuzzy but his eyes are open!)

Showin' off our eyeballs.

Baby Corbin!

Gonna miss those boys.

Things in Richmond just aren't going to be the same. I'm going to miss them all.

workplace pranks

Today at work I was verifying a document and had to take a doubletake. Obviously someone is messing with me.

Boston!

So a long time ago (July 30 - August 4) I went to Boston, and now I'm finally going to tell you about it, with plenty of pictures.

My aunt had a conference in Boston, and she was nice enough to take me along! (Last year she took me to the same conference in Vancouver, which was awesome.) Sunni also came, as well as my aunt's friend Apo.

This was my first time in Boston ever. And in New England ever. (Though I don't really count it as a "New England experience" and want to go back for more of that outside the city.) I was excited to go, but I was also so busy with work and school and running that I didn't ever take the time to study up on what Boston has to offer. But I checked out a tour book at the library, so that helped out once we got there.

We checked into our hotel rooms Tuesday morning after a super early flight out of Richmond. Here was our view!

Hellooooo Boston!

The hotel was a block or so from Copley Square, which turns out is a pretty great location. Much of the rest of the day was spent reading (for grad school, ugh) and napping, but we ventured out in the late afternoon. We walked around Boylston Street for a little while and got a sushi snack where we could sit outside.

Bubble tea!

Not too long after the sushi snack it was time for dinner. We had seafood. And a good time.

Cheers. (I stole this from Apo.)

After dinner we were stuffed, so we walked around a little for fun.

Not sure why we decided to take a photo in front of the pay toilet but hey, it's a cute picture. (Another one I stole from Apo.)

Boylston Street

See the pistachio shell?

We also went inside the Boston Public Library. First we went inside the more modern half and it was pretty boring, but I assured the rest of the group the library was supposed to be a lot more exciting than that, so we found our way to the old wing. And sure enough, it was more exciting.

That's a cute lamp base! I guess Sunni is cute too.

The library has this really great inner courtyard, so we hung out there for a little bit.

And this happened. I dared her.

Wednesday morning I got up early for my run. I had a track workout on my schedule, so I used Google's satellite view to see if there was a track near our hotel. Sure enough I found one about a mile away! So I ran there, did my workout, and ran back, for almost 7.5 total miles.

Later that day we ventured out to see more of Boston.

Copley Square sighting.

We walked to the Public Garden and Boston Common, and then signed up for one of those hop-on-hop-off trolly tours. In trying to find the first stop, however, we decided to take a lunch break instead. We sat outside, and then about a hundred (give or take, but might not be too much of an exaggeration) law enforcement cars of various ilks with their sirens blazing proceeded to go by every couple minutes. (Turns out there'd been a shooting at a hospital right around the corner.) So it was a loud lunch. Then we finally got on the trolley and it took us to Cambridge.

When we hopped off in Cambridge we were greeted with the opportunity of a free guided walking tour, so we did that. Our guide was dressed up. She was good though. So she showed us around Harvard.

(Another photo stolen from Apo.)

 Wednesday night was the beginning of the conference, so we all went to the opening reception. It was at the conference center and they had two ginormous rooms for us, one with a sports theme (that we didn't go to) and one with a Boston-slash-history theme. There was a ship in the middle of the room and several of those street-performers you see who paint themselves and stand still to look like statues (in this case statues of Ben Franklin and his kite, Betsey Ross and her flag, etc.).

Thursday I got up super early and joined other conference attendees for a 6am run. Then I actually worked all day. That meant I went and looked at old books and letters at the Boston Athenaeum, Massachusetts Historical Society, and the rare books room of the Boston Public Library. I went from 10am straight until 5. After that I visited Marathon Sports (the running store at the finish line of the Boston Marathon) for some Gus and chews, and then I finally ate something (Sweet Greens!).

Maybe some day I'll cross this?! Only if I get a lot faster. But maybe.

Just so you know, I didn't take pictures of all the ones I saw.

 That night all the conference people got to go to a Red Sox game. (My aunt wasn't with us though, because she flew back to Richmond for a funeral. Then she came back the next day.) We walked to Fenway Park from the hotel. During the game we ate popcorn, cotton candy, and ice cream. Sunni also had a hotdog and fries. (I might have finished off her fries. And I had a beer.) We really did that up right, I think. Oh, and the Red Soxs came from behind in the bottom of the 9th inning to win, so that was exciting.

Friday I had to run back to the Boston Athenaeum to look at another old book, and then that afternoon Sunni and Apo and I went on a guided walking tour that started at our hotel and eventually made its way to the Freedom Trail, ending at the site of the Boston Massacre.

Lovely mosaics in the Boston Public Library! (Where we stopped in during the tour, making it my third visit.)

General Washington at the entrance to the Public Garden.

"Time flies" at the Granary Burying Ground.

After our tour with the guide ended Sunni and I continued on to see the rest of the Freedom Trail. We also stopped for a snack, which was calamari and Boston cream pie. (And a beer for me. Sunni on the other hand asked for a "sweet tea," and learned they don't serve that up north.)

We walked and walked and walked along that red Freedom Trail line. We took it across the bridge to the USS Constitution and all the way to Bunker Hill.

Freedom Trail sighting, in the North End.

The USS Constitution

Sitting felt nice.

Bunker Hill monument ahead!

See the red trail line? Very helpful when one doesn't have a map.

We were so tired once we arrived at Bunker Hill that we promptly laid down on the grass. It felt good.

End o' the line!

After a good rest we headed back, retracing our steps along the trail. When we went through Little Italy, there was a festival going on! There was a band playing and lots of guys parading around with a saint. We had dinner at an Italian place (obviously), even though neither of us really had much of an appetite after our calamari and pie. Of course that didn't stop us from getting cannolis for dessert either.

And then we proceeded to walk the rest of the way back to the hotel. Which was a pretty long way. We measured it afterwards and discovered we'd walked well over seven miles by the end of the day. Our tour started at 2pm and we finally got back at 11pm.

Saturday my tired legs got up and ran ten miles. I ran on the paths on both the Boston and Cambridge sides of the Charles River. It was overcast but pleasant.

Stretching next to a William Lloyd Garrison statue.

After my run I headed off to Quincy by myself. The one thing I knew I wanted to try and do while in Boston was go to Quincy to visit the home of John Adams. I took the T (subway) to Quincy and found my way (eventually) to the Adams National Historical Park visitor center. The last tour available was another hour-and-a-half away, so I visited the cemetery across the street and the church next door while I waited. The United First Parish Church is where John, Abigail, John Quincy, and Louisa Catherine are all buried, and you get to go right into the crypt next to them. Pretty cool.

Back at the visitor center I bought a postcard of an engraving of old John Adams to hang in my office, and then it was finally time for my tour. A trolley takes you from the visitor center to the actual houses (there was more than one! who knew?). You get to tour the house where John Adams was born (in 1735, yikes) and the house next door where he lived when Abigail had John Quincy.

Then you get back on the trolley and it takes you to Peace Field, the house John and Abigail ended up in and that was passed down through several Adams generations. This one is neat because it's pretty much as it was left by the family in the 1920s, and has tons of original furnishings and wall art.

When my tour ended I had to book it back to the hotel, freshen up and change in five minutes, and then head to the closing party for the conference. They bused us all (and there were hundreds of us) to this outdoor concert venue on Boston Harbor, where they had a carnival for us. There were clowns and games and lots of free food. And then the Boston Pops Swing Orchestra played an entire concert, including Stars and Stripes Forever, and the evening was topped off with fireworks over the Bay. This conference goes all out, I tell you what.

Not a bad way to enjoy the Boston Pops!

Sunday was our last day. Unwilling to hang out in the hotel for hours when there was still more of Boston to see, I headed out on my own again. I took the T to the North End and then walked over the bridge along the Freedom Trail again, back to the USS Constitution. I toured the boat, which was pretty neat. Kinda crazy to think it was used in the War of 1812.

Final sighting.

Santa Claus was on my tour of the USS Constitution! For reals!

After that I walked to the Paul Revere house and toured it, too. Then I ate lunch.

And then it was time to head back to the hotel and to the airport. The only good thing about ending the trip and arriving back in Virginia was that we brought some lobsters with us on the airplane (crazy, I know, but my aunt makes things like this happen) and cooked 'em up when we got back to the house in Richmond. That was the first whole lobster I ever ate.

Sorry little guy.

So that was Boston. It was pretty neat, and I had fun with Sunni and my aunt and Apo. I imagine I'll go back someday.