Sunday, August 31, 2008
Labor Day!
Hooray! A three day weekend. I've already got some good runs in and I'm thinking about heading to the beach to try my luck learning to surf. Not sure how it will go, wish me luck. I'm dressed in my best outfit to not be mistaken for a seal...
The Long Run...
Gradually getting a bit fitter. My friend and co-worker Erika and I joined up with a group yesterday for a run. The first lap - starting at 7am, I might add - was a 6.53 mile loop around the perimeter of Coronado, a great (and very flat!) place to run. The second lap we diverted to the beach by Hotel Del and after hitting the 11 (actually 11.1) mile mark, stopped to stretch and check out the inside of Hotel Del. It was pretty amazing.
For the total run, we finished in about 1:32.51, which comes out to an average 8:22/mile. I'll double check the time on my Garmin, but if it's correct, I'm pretty happy with it. The first lap was blazing, I hit the wall around nine miles and continued to push through...
For the total run, we finished in about 1:32.51, which comes out to an average 8:22/mile. I'll double check the time on my Garmin, but if it's correct, I'm pretty happy with it. The first lap was blazing, I hit the wall around nine miles and continued to push through...
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Heaven
For a yogurt lover, leaving Chapel Hill was made even more painful by the fact that I would no longer have Yogurt Pump within a 2 mile radius from my house. TCBY is okay and there are some other frozen yogurt spots that are above average. However, I think San Diego has the best of all worlds in my new favorite place - The Golden Spoon (www.goldenspoon.com). It is "healthy" frozen yogurt that is amazing. The location in Hillcrest has amazing flavor selection and even if you get a small you get to pick up to four flavors. Right now I'm stuck on the pistachio, chocolate malt, cake batter and peanut butter combo. My favorite place to head to after I've finished a long run...
Cool New "Sandals"
Check these "sandals" out - www.sanuk.com
I wandered into a surf shop in PB (Pacific Beach) and happen to notice that all sandals were 20% off. Since I will be spending more time at the beach, I decided I should probably take advantage of the sale and pick up a pair or two. I found these really cool new sandals call Sanuk Sandals. They really aren't traditional sandals but I thought they were pretty cool so I bought a pair. Kind of ugly but kind of fun and really comfortable. Check out the women's "sidewalk surfers."
I wandered into a surf shop in PB (Pacific Beach) and happen to notice that all sandals were 20% off. Since I will be spending more time at the beach, I decided I should probably take advantage of the sale and pick up a pair or two. I found these really cool new sandals call Sanuk Sandals. They really aren't traditional sandals but I thought they were pretty cool so I bought a pair. Kind of ugly but kind of fun and really comfortable. Check out the women's "sidewalk surfers."
New Job + Moving In = Slacking on Blog Posts
Unfortunately I have almost abandoned my blogging efforts now that my job is in full gear. After staring at a screen all day it can be hard to come home and fire up the computer again.
Anyways, the running is progressing. I did a 10 mile run Saturday starting at Torrey Pines State Park with a group from MeetUp. Unfortunately I didn't read the fine print to realize the first part of the run was going to be a trail run and the first 1/2 mile of the trail run was straight up a hill. Oops. The overall pace was slow but I definitely got fitter. This morning I did a six miler through Balboa Park, which is quickly becoming my new favorite running spot. Lots of great scenery and shade (and it is very flat, which is the opposite of Torrey Pines).
This afternoon I spent some time at Pacific Beach, walking on the beach and observing the surfers. I need to at least give surfing a shot - I feel like it's an obligation now that I live in SoCal. I've decided the first step is to study the surfers and figure out which ones are the best and watch their techniques (or their abs, one of the two). Maybe next week I'll get out there and give it a crack...
Anyways, the running is progressing. I did a 10 mile run Saturday starting at Torrey Pines State Park with a group from MeetUp. Unfortunately I didn't read the fine print to realize the first part of the run was going to be a trail run and the first 1/2 mile of the trail run was straight up a hill. Oops. The overall pace was slow but I definitely got fitter. This morning I did a six miler through Balboa Park, which is quickly becoming my new favorite running spot. Lots of great scenery and shade (and it is very flat, which is the opposite of Torrey Pines).
This afternoon I spent some time at Pacific Beach, walking on the beach and observing the surfers. I need to at least give surfing a shot - I feel like it's an obligation now that I live in SoCal. I've decided the first step is to study the surfers and figure out which ones are the best and watch their techniques (or their abs, one of the two). Maybe next week I'll get out there and give it a crack...
Monday, August 11, 2008
My Favorite Olympian So Far - Jason Lezak
Hopefully everyone caught the finals of the men's swimming 4 x 100 freestyle last night. For those not familiar with the background, apparently the French relay team was talking some serious smack about how they were going to "smash" the Americans in the final. Even the broadcasters conceded the Americans would probably have to swim a near perfect race in order to have a shot at defeating the French team.
After the first three legs, the French had a nice little lead built up and their strongest swimmer Alain Bernard hopped in the pool. Things were going according to plan for the Frenchies until Jason Lezak started closing the gap after the final turn. He inched closer and closer and then eventually overtook Bernard and won the gold for the Americans in literally the last inches of the race. The Americans' time crushed the previous world record by something like four seconds.
All the drama and suspense with the fantastic finish definitely made for one of the best Olympic moments I've ever seen. Congrats to the American swimmers, particularly Jason Lezak who made an unbelievable comeback and a great contribution to his team capturing the gold!
After the first three legs, the French had a nice little lead built up and their strongest swimmer Alain Bernard hopped in the pool. Things were going according to plan for the Frenchies until Jason Lezak started closing the gap after the final turn. He inched closer and closer and then eventually overtook Bernard and won the gold for the Americans in literally the last inches of the race. The Americans' time crushed the previous world record by something like four seconds.
All the drama and suspense with the fantastic finish definitely made for one of the best Olympic moments I've ever seen. Congrats to the American swimmers, particularly Jason Lezak who made an unbelievable comeback and a great contribution to his team capturing the gold!
Random Observations about SoCal after a week
1. People here LOVE tattoos. I don't think I've seen this much ink since watching highlights of an NBA game on SportsCenter. And the weird thing is the tattoos aren't small or subtle. People here have their entire arms and backs inked. Do these people ever have to work because I really don't think there is an easy way to hide any of these tattoos? Many of the people with a significant part of their body tattooed aren't really the people you'd expect to see all inked up. Weird. Definitely not a trend I'll be embracing.
2. Old people here love to work out. It is kind of strange to be jogging along by the beach or through downtown and see so many old (and I'm talking like 70s and 80s old) people jogging as well or cruising along on their road bikes. I mean, I know people on the West Coast are generally much fitter but I didn't expect to see this trend prevalent even in senior citizens. I'm impressed - as Ali G would say, "Respect!"
3. Downtown San Diego probably has more bums per capita than another place I've ever been to. I guess if I was a bum, I'd probably make San Diego my home as well, but it is pretty staggering. The guy who stocks the bread shelf at Ralph's downtown warned me to not walk too far from shopping cart (where my purse was stationed) because bums are keeping an eye open for silly transplants like me that wander too far away from their valuables...
2. Old people here love to work out. It is kind of strange to be jogging along by the beach or through downtown and see so many old (and I'm talking like 70s and 80s old) people jogging as well or cruising along on their road bikes. I mean, I know people on the West Coast are generally much fitter but I didn't expect to see this trend prevalent even in senior citizens. I'm impressed - as Ali G would say, "Respect!"
3. Downtown San Diego probably has more bums per capita than another place I've ever been to. I guess if I was a bum, I'd probably make San Diego my home as well, but it is pretty staggering. The guy who stocks the bread shelf at Ralph's downtown warned me to not walk too far from shopping cart (where my purse was stationed) because bums are keeping an eye open for silly transplants like me that wander too far away from their valuables...
Slowly Creeping Back Into Shape
Baby steps. Today's run was much easier than any of last week's and the time was respectable. I went out this morning around 9am for a 5 mile goal pace run and finished it in 42:40, or an 8:32/mile pace. So, not yet down to 8:00/miles, but slowly creeping closer.
The run from my apartment down to Embarcadero and along the water is amazing. Even if the weather does creep up into the low to mid-80s, the nice breeze off the water keep things pretty cool and there are many great sights to see. I definitely miss running across the bridges to and from Kentucky but I think I can get used to these new running routes...
The run from my apartment down to Embarcadero and along the water is amazing. Even if the weather does creep up into the low to mid-80s, the nice breeze off the water keep things pretty cool and there are many great sights to see. I definitely miss running across the bridges to and from Kentucky but I think I can get used to these new running routes...
My New Favorite Website
Although I've been aware of it for a while, I had not previously been a big user of Pandora Radio (www.pandora.com). However, over the past couple of days, I've spent a good bit of time on the site listening to new tunes.
If you're not familiar with Pandora, you can type in your favorite artist or song and it will stream other similar music for FREE (and it plays the entire songs). You can then choose which songs you like and don't like so it will likely choose music closer to your taste in the future.
It's a great tool for discovering new music. I'm currently listening to some "Vampire Weekend Radio,"which includes a song from the new Death Cab for Cutie CD "Narrow Stairs" (which ironically I just purchased on iTunes yesterday). Good stuff.
If you're not familiar with Pandora, you can type in your favorite artist or song and it will stream other similar music for FREE (and it plays the entire songs). You can then choose which songs you like and don't like so it will likely choose music closer to your taste in the future.
It's a great tool for discovering new music. I'm currently listening to some "Vampire Weekend Radio,"which includes a song from the new Death Cab for Cutie CD "Narrow Stairs" (which ironically I just purchased on iTunes yesterday). Good stuff.
One of the best movies I've seen in a long time...
...is "Dark Knight." I don't typically have much interest in superhero movies but I joined a couple of friends last night for this flick and was extremely pleased. Heath Ledger, Christian Bale and Michael Caine did not disappoint. Heath Ledger was very chilling and very dark (definitely not a movie for kids) and in addition to having great special effects, it's actually one of those movies that makes you think about it for a while after you leave the theater.
If you haven't checked it out yet, I strongly suggest you do - you won't be disappointed!
If you haven't checked it out yet, I strongly suggest you do - you won't be disappointed!
Saturday, August 9, 2008
August 9th is a very special day...
...because it is Leslie Gaston's birthday! For those of you who know Leslie - give her a shout out. She is creeping closing to 30 (like yours truly) and one of the best friends a girl could ask for. I am guessing she is probably out on the town now with her finance David. Enjoy, you two!
On the Beauty of 10th and J Street
I officially ventured out for my first night on the town in San Diego last evening with my very cool co-worker Judy. We had dinner and a drink at a very cool spot called Basic Pizza (which actually has a fantastic "Basic Salad" as well). Great spot for food - their thin crust pizza is amazing - and quite a happening social spot as well. Even more exciting - less than a block from good old 321 10th Ave., my new home.
I also realized last night that there are at least four great spots - two of which we hit up last night, Basic Pizza and The Corner - within a block of my new place. Plus, the "It's A Grind" coffee shop is also just up the street. A very nice set up indeed!
I also realized last night that there are at least four great spots - two of which we hit up last night, Basic Pizza and The Corner - within a block of my new place. Plus, the "It's A Grind" coffee shop is also just up the street. A very nice set up indeed!
The Long Run
I barely made it through my eight mile run this morning. I drove over to Coronado and ran along the beaches there. Beautiful view, great weather, still need work on the endurance. I pushed through and made the eight miles at a 9:00/mile+ pace. Still lots of work to do.
Yesterday was a 40 minute interval workout on the elliptical followed by some weight lifting and abs. Starting to get back in the swing of things in workout world...
Yesterday was a 40 minute interval workout on the elliptical followed by some weight lifting and abs. Starting to get back in the swing of things in workout world...
Friday, August 8, 2008
Food for Thought
One of the most exciting things about moving to a new place is finding your new favorite eateries. Conversely, moving anxiety can be heightened when you realize you will no longer be right down the street from your favorite spots.
Every time I visit Chapel Hill, I make an effort to have the Oreo cookie yogurt at Yogurt Pump, a piece of pizza at Pepper's and the whole wheat fettuccine at 411 West. In Cincinnati, I will NOT be missing the "Skyline Chili" on every other corner. However, there are some great places I was sad to move away from. In fact, the week I left the 'Nati, I was able to visit three great spots that were all new to me - Scotti's, a great (and divey) Italian spot downtown; Riverside - a Korean restaurant in Covington with amazing beef; and Chalk Food + Wine, one of Jean Robert's places in Covington (right next to Greenup Cafe on Greenup Street). My friend Linda and I shared this amazing S'mores dessert at Chalk that I think was one of the best desserts I've ever had.
My most missed meals in Cincinnati include: Mahi mahi tacos with chips and guac at Nada, the Godzilla burger at Habit's, the honeybee roll at Teak Thai (conveniently located just up the street from my old place), the peppercorn ranch salad and Edgar Allan Poe pizza at Dewey's, the Aztec at The Echo in Hyde Park, and the Buckeye Blitz and raspberry chip ice cream at Graeter's.
Fortunately, I've already had some outstanding food in the greater San Diego area. Favorites thus far include the hardwood smoked bacon, avocado, onion & swiss farm scramble at Hash House a go go (www.hashhouseagogo.com) in Hillcrest, the eggplant parmesan at Filippi's Pizza Grotto (www.realcheesepizza.com) in Little Italy, Bernadino's Huevos Rancheros at Americana (www.americanarestaurant.com) in Del Mar and the taco salad (although it's called something different) at Fidel's Little Mexico in Solana Beach. If only there were a Yogurt Pump here, I think I'd be all set...
Every time I visit Chapel Hill, I make an effort to have the Oreo cookie yogurt at Yogurt Pump, a piece of pizza at Pepper's and the whole wheat fettuccine at 411 West. In Cincinnati, I will NOT be missing the "Skyline Chili" on every other corner. However, there are some great places I was sad to move away from. In fact, the week I left the 'Nati, I was able to visit three great spots that were all new to me - Scotti's, a great (and divey) Italian spot downtown; Riverside - a Korean restaurant in Covington with amazing beef; and Chalk Food + Wine, one of Jean Robert's places in Covington (right next to Greenup Cafe on Greenup Street). My friend Linda and I shared this amazing S'mores dessert at Chalk that I think was one of the best desserts I've ever had.
My most missed meals in Cincinnati include: Mahi mahi tacos with chips and guac at Nada, the Godzilla burger at Habit's, the honeybee roll at Teak Thai (conveniently located just up the street from my old place), the peppercorn ranch salad and Edgar Allan Poe pizza at Dewey's, the Aztec at The Echo in Hyde Park, and the Buckeye Blitz and raspberry chip ice cream at Graeter's.
Fortunately, I've already had some outstanding food in the greater San Diego area. Favorites thus far include the hardwood smoked bacon, avocado, onion & swiss farm scramble at Hash House a go go (www.hashhouseagogo.com) in Hillcrest, the eggplant parmesan at Filippi's Pizza Grotto (www.realcheesepizza.com) in Little Italy, Bernadino's Huevos Rancheros at Americana (www.americanarestaurant.com) in Del Mar and the taco salad (although it's called something different) at Fidel's Little Mexico in Solana Beach. If only there were a Yogurt Pump here, I think I'd be all set...
Training for the Half
Training has started out strong. Tuesday I ran five miles along the beach in Del Mar and then did a little hike on the cliffs. Pretty amazing scenery but my running left a little to be desired, as I was strolling along at about a 9:00/mile pace.
Wednesday I boldly ventured back into the world of intervals. I rolled up to the beach at Cardiff-by-the-Sea and did a mile warm up run. I had the intention of doing about five 800s but after the first one realized I should start out with 400s. So all in, I ran an 800 followed by 8 400s. The beach shredded my legs and my last two intervals were quite slow but I made it.
Thursday a did a tempo run. I ran a warm up mile at about a 9:20/mile pace and then ran three miles at about 8:40/mile. I walked for half a mile and then did a mile cool down jog. The time on the tempo needs to come down to about 8:15-8:20/mile. Still have some work to do!
Wednesday I boldly ventured back into the world of intervals. I rolled up to the beach at Cardiff-by-the-Sea and did a mile warm up run. I had the intention of doing about five 800s but after the first one realized I should start out with 400s. So all in, I ran an 800 followed by 8 400s. The beach shredded my legs and my last two intervals were quite slow but I made it.
Thursday a did a tempo run. I ran a warm up mile at about a 9:20/mile pace and then ran three miles at about 8:40/mile. I walked for half a mile and then did a mile cool down jog. The time on the tempo needs to come down to about 8:15-8:20/mile. Still have some work to do!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
San Diego…a city discovered by the Germans
In case you didn’t know, San Diego is actually German for – well – check out the attached link for one of my favorite movie discussions of all times from Wikiquote (http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Anchorman):
Ron Burgundy: Discovered by the Germans in 1904, they named it San Diego, which of course in German means "a whale's vagina".
Veronica Corningstone: ...No, there's no way that's correct.
Ron Burgundy: I'm sorry, I was trying to impress you. I don't know what it means. I'll be honest, I don't think anyone knows what it means anymore. Scholars maintain that the translation was lost hundreds of years ago.
Veronica Corningstone: Doesn't it mean "Saint Diego"?
Ron Burgundy: No. No.
Veronica Corningstone: No, that's - that's what it means. Really.
Ron Burgundy: Agree to disagree.
For those of you crazy kids who think San Diego is Spanish for “Saint Diego,” we’ll have to “agree to disagree.”
Ron Burgundy: Discovered by the Germans in 1904, they named it San Diego, which of course in German means "a whale's vagina".
Veronica Corningstone: ...No, there's no way that's correct.
Ron Burgundy: I'm sorry, I was trying to impress you. I don't know what it means. I'll be honest, I don't think anyone knows what it means anymore. Scholars maintain that the translation was lost hundreds of years ago.
Veronica Corningstone: Doesn't it mean "Saint Diego"?
Ron Burgundy: No. No.
Veronica Corningstone: No, that's - that's what it means. Really.
Ron Burgundy: Agree to disagree.
For those of you crazy kids who think San Diego is Spanish for “Saint Diego,” we’ll have to “agree to disagree.”
The Latest Running Challenge…
I figured since I am moving out to California, I would move up the next big race and start getting back in shape. As Will Ferrell said in Anchorman, “When in Rome…”
Race date = November 16th. I am running the Silver Strand Half Marathon (http://www.kozenterprises.com/Running/halfdf84.htm) from Coronado to Imperial Beach. Consider this an open invitation for any friends to come join me in this race.
More blogging about race training to come, but I did have a nice little run on Sunday, my last day in Cincinnati. A five-mile trot down at Lunken Airfield at about an 8:32/mile pace. Not too shabby. I think I was just trying to keep up with KP for the first three miles (and hit the wall around the four mile mark – still lots of work to do).
Stretch goal pace = 8:00/mile pace. En route to qualifying for Boston (eventually). Now that I will be living in a climate with an average high temperature year round of 65-77 degrees F, there are no excuses.
Race date = November 16th. I am running the Silver Strand Half Marathon (http://www.kozenterprises.com/Running/halfdf84.htm) from Coronado to Imperial Beach. Consider this an open invitation for any friends to come join me in this race.
More blogging about race training to come, but I did have a nice little run on Sunday, my last day in Cincinnati. A five-mile trot down at Lunken Airfield at about an 8:32/mile pace. Not too shabby. I think I was just trying to keep up with KP for the first three miles (and hit the wall around the four mile mark – still lots of work to do).
Stretch goal pace = 8:00/mile pace. En route to qualifying for Boston (eventually). Now that I will be living in a climate with an average high temperature year round of 65-77 degrees F, there are no excuses.
The Top 10 Lists…
Top 10 Things I Will Miss About Cincinnati
1. Friends
2. Morning runs through downtown and Eden Park
3. The view from 961A Hill Street
4. Give Back Cincinnati
5. Nada
6. Dive of the Month Club (DOMC)
7. Graeter’s Ice Cream
8. Wine night with the girls
9. Broomball (although I might have to fly in for the finals next year)
10. Cost of living
Top 10 Things I Will NOT Miss About Cincinnati
1. Airfare out of CVG
2. FBs in the W&S Café (and generally their ubiquity in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky areas)...just ask Joe Woods
3. Skyline Chili
4. People asking what “school” I went to (as in high school)
5. Bengals getting arrested
6. Driving the Crossfire up to Mt. Adams in the winter
7. The humidity in August
8. Driving on I-75
9. Two and a half degrees of separation
10. East side vs. West side
1. Friends
2. Morning runs through downtown and Eden Park
3. The view from 961A Hill Street
4. Give Back Cincinnati
5. Nada
6. Dive of the Month Club (DOMC)
7. Graeter’s Ice Cream
8. Wine night with the girls
9. Broomball (although I might have to fly in for the finals next year)
10. Cost of living
Top 10 Things I Will NOT Miss About Cincinnati
1. Airfare out of CVG
2. FBs in the W&S Café (and generally their ubiquity in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky areas)...just ask Joe Woods
3. Skyline Chili
4. People asking what “school” I went to (as in high school)
5. Bengals getting arrested
6. Driving the Crossfire up to Mt. Adams in the winter
7. The humidity in August
8. Driving on I-75
9. Two and a half degrees of separation
10. East side vs. West side
Monday, August 4, 2008
Vocabulary: Chicane
On my last weekend in the 'Nati, my little sister Alicia - whom I affectionately call "Elle Belle" - made the journey down from Cleveland (or Aurora, to be more exact) so we could hang out a bit before I move.
During our time together, Elle Belle taxied me around town. She informed me several times that my navigating skills needed a little improvement (i.e. need more than 2.5 seconds notice that we should be making a left turn here). Upon approaching Mt. Lookout Square, I warned her of the upcoming chicane. I think she thought I made the word up, but I did not. Below is the official definition, care of Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicane):
"A chicane is a sequence of tight serpentine curves (usually an S-shape curve or a bus stop) in a roadway, used in motor racing and on city streets to slow cars."
During our time together, Elle Belle taxied me around town. She informed me several times that my navigating skills needed a little improvement (i.e. need more than 2.5 seconds notice that we should be making a left turn here). Upon approaching Mt. Lookout Square, I warned her of the upcoming chicane. I think she thought I made the word up, but I did not. Below is the official definition, care of Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicane):
"A chicane is a sequence of tight serpentine curves (usually an S-shape curve or a bus stop) in a roadway, used in motor racing and on city streets to slow cars."
Fun, Useless Facts...
I am sitting at the Cincinnati airport waiting for my one-way flight to depart. I will officially be a left coast-er as of 10am PST today. Hooray!
A few fun, useless facts I thought you all would appreciate. My good friends Beth and Karl (and their dog Sampson, too) very kindly gifted me Frommer's San Diego 2008 as a going away present. I will be reading the book voraciously on the plane to figure out what I should spend my days doing before the first day of work on August 15th. This book is fantastic. Several interesting facts:
1. According to Pleasant Weather Rankings, published by Consumer Travel, San Diego's weather is ranked the number two most pleasant climate in the world, behind Las Palmas in the Canary Islands
2. Hottest month in San Diego is August; average daily high in August is 77 degrees F (the average daily low is 66 degrees F)
3. Coldest month in San Diego is January; the average daily low in January is 65 degrees F (average daily low is 46 degrees F)
A few fun, useless facts I thought you all would appreciate. My good friends Beth and Karl (and their dog Sampson, too) very kindly gifted me Frommer's San Diego 2008 as a going away present. I will be reading the book voraciously on the plane to figure out what I should spend my days doing before the first day of work on August 15th. This book is fantastic. Several interesting facts:
1. According to Pleasant Weather Rankings, published by Consumer Travel, San Diego's weather is ranked the number two most pleasant climate in the world, behind Las Palmas in the Canary Islands
2. Hottest month in San Diego is August; average daily high in August is 77 degrees F (the average daily low is 66 degrees F)
3. Coldest month in San Diego is January; the average daily low in January is 65 degrees F (average daily low is 46 degrees F)
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