Whew! There has been some sad-assed posting going on in October. Judging from this blog alone you would think I 1. anticipated a marathon 2. ran and crashed and brooded over a marathon and 3. maybe read too many books. But that is not accurate! There is so much more! I have been:
1. Spending time with Husband curled up under blankets watching Ugly Betty.
2. Camping, paddling, running, and eating amazing pancakes topped with whipped cream, maple syrup, and berries with friends alongside the Red Cedar River.
3. Crafting, trivia gaming, and ginger cardamom pear butter-making with a friend at the cabin.
4. Seeing old friends, doing yoga, and playing racquetball.
5. Shimmying in my kitchen to music as I make big batches of comforting fall foods
And not so novel or exciting:
5. Working like a madwoman
6. Running (I'm still in training, yo)
In honor of my October, I give you the following links:
Amazing butternut squash macaroni and cheese
Good and simple and comforting French-style yogurt cake
A trivia game that works with two players and that justifies your liberal arts degree
She needs no links, but my shimmying companion has lately been Amy Winehouse
and of course the ginger cardamom pear butter recipe (canning not required!)
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
Marathon #3
Last week was pretty rough.
Not finishing the marathon and being sent to the hospital in an ambulance from Mile 25 left me physically and emotionally shaken. Why had my body failed me? Why I had failed my body? How could I have put my parents through the nearly two hours of panic, wondering where I was and borrowing cell phones and searching for me, only to get a call saying I was at the hospital?
Not to mention, why is race day always record-setting hot and humid?
The outpouring of love that comes after disappointment from family and friends helped heal my pride, and grieve for the loss of something I'd dreamed about for months. Getting the test results that confirmed that I hadn't done permanent damage to my body also helped.
It wasn't until Friday that I started feeling physically like myself again, and I headed to the post-marathon run club party excited see everyone and congratulate them on their race, especially the first-time marathoners that I'd proudly watch gain confidence and skill. I was enveloped by hugs, martinis, and plans for continued running and future races, and as we danced tipsily around the table, passionately singing along to We Are the Champions, I had this moment of sublime peace and happiness when I realized that I was equally a part of the celebration... that I didn't have to feel bad about what had happened... that I really was a champion.
Then the congo line started. And someone's boob was grabbed. And Husband wiped out on the front walk while spinning someone around.
Not finishing the marathon and being sent to the hospital in an ambulance from Mile 25 left me physically and emotionally shaken. Why had my body failed me? Why I had failed my body? How could I have put my parents through the nearly two hours of panic, wondering where I was and borrowing cell phones and searching for me, only to get a call saying I was at the hospital?
Not to mention, why is race day always record-setting hot and humid?
The outpouring of love that comes after disappointment from family and friends helped heal my pride, and grieve for the loss of something I'd dreamed about for months. Getting the test results that confirmed that I hadn't done permanent damage to my body also helped.
It wasn't until Friday that I started feeling physically like myself again, and I headed to the post-marathon run club party excited see everyone and congratulate them on their race, especially the first-time marathoners that I'd proudly watch gain confidence and skill. I was enveloped by hugs, martinis, and plans for continued running and future races, and as we danced tipsily around the table, passionately singing along to We Are the Champions, I had this moment of sublime peace and happiness when I realized that I was equally a part of the celebration... that I didn't have to feel bad about what had happened... that I really was a champion.
Then the congo line started. And someone's boob was grabbed. And Husband wiped out on the front walk while spinning someone around.
Friday, October 05, 2007
Nerves
You may since its my third marathon I wouldn't be as nervous.
But that is not the case.
I still put a lot of pressure on myself to do the absolute best I can do. Maybe even more so, since this is my third and I now know what I can do.
And there are so many factors--weather, strategy, water and fuel intake, various minor injuries, group vs. solo running--to rethink and make minute adjustments to.
But I decided yesterday to stop worrying about the weather forecast and get my game face on. It's going to be super fun. I'm going to run strong. I've trained hard and listened well and know what to do. I've done most of the course, running the last 11 miles on legs nearly as tired as they'll be on Sunday. I'll do my best to plan for what I can, but I'll handle whatever else comes up that I didn't plan for.
Most of all, I'm going to take it all in and have fun. I'm getting really excited just thinking about it. See you at the finish line. Woot!
But that is not the case.
I still put a lot of pressure on myself to do the absolute best I can do. Maybe even more so, since this is my third and I now know what I can do.
And there are so many factors--weather, strategy, water and fuel intake, various minor injuries, group vs. solo running--to rethink and make minute adjustments to.
But I decided yesterday to stop worrying about the weather forecast and get my game face on. It's going to be super fun. I'm going to run strong. I've trained hard and listened well and know what to do. I've done most of the course, running the last 11 miles on legs nearly as tired as they'll be on Sunday. I'll do my best to plan for what I can, but I'll handle whatever else comes up that I didn't plan for.
Most of all, I'm going to take it all in and have fun. I'm getting really excited just thinking about it. See you at the finish line. Woot!
Monday, October 01, 2007
Monthly book post: September
September list:
Literacy and Longing in L.A. - Jennifer Kaufman and Karen Mack
This book's protagonist is a self-described "book binger" who is refreshingly not mousy or socially awkward, but attractive and well-dressed, as appropriate for the book's L.A. setting. Her enthusiasm for reading is infectious, making you want embark on a multi-day wine/bath/bookfest of your own. When she's not reading, Dora is navigating a messy relationship with the hip clerk of her favorite bookstore and figuring out what to about her nearly-ex-husband.
Bento Box in the Heartland: My Japanese Girlhood in Whitebread America - Linda Furiya. This memoir starts out with the childlike ignorance of a young girl, then deepens in complexity as Furiya grows up and realizes that her life is different not just because her family is Japanese, but also because of the way her parents have raised her. Find out why her parents laughed when she complained about an old WWII GI pawing at her at a potluck, and what her teacher did when a classmate made his finger into a gun and shot at her during a lecture on Hiroshima. A food writer at heart, Furiya ends each chapter with a recipe from her youth.
Fourth Comings - Megan McCafferty
Although McCafferty's tetralogy (Sloppy Firsts, Second Helpings, and Charmed Thirds) is often shelved in the adult section, they're really well-written young adult novels. If say, your husband or boyfriend is out of town and you want to curl up with a fun yet indulgent book and some artichoke brie dip, you might choose these books. You could start with this one (post-college), if you wanted something more adult than the first one (her junior or senior year of high school).
The Discomfort Zone - Jonathan Franzen
Follow Jonathan from his youth as a church group attending-school prankster geek through his post college romantic foibles to his unexpected transformation into a bird watching devotee, all framed within the context of his strange relationship with his parents, brought about by reflections on his mother's death. (Memoir).
Also read:
I checked out Ann M. Martin's new youth series, The Main Street books, as well as new graphic novel adaptations of her Babysitter's Club classics. I've also been following a new graphic novel imprint aimed at teen girls, unfortunately titled Minx. The latest title, Good as Lily, would be great for junior high girls.
Still Life with Chickens: Starting Over in a House by the Sea - Catherine Goldhamme
The Lost: The Search for Six of Six Million - Daniel Mendelsson
The Best of Friends: Two women, two continents, and one enduring friendship - Sara James and Ginger Mauney
Women, Water, Wisdom: Voices from the Upper Mississippi - Nancy Scheibe
Mary Reilly - Valerie Martin
Why Do Men Fall Asleep After Sex?: More Questions You'd Only Ask a Doctor After Your Third Whiskey Sour - Mark Leyner
Literacy and Longing in L.A. - Jennifer Kaufman and Karen Mack
This book's protagonist is a self-described "book binger" who is refreshingly not mousy or socially awkward, but attractive and well-dressed, as appropriate for the book's L.A. setting. Her enthusiasm for reading is infectious, making you want embark on a multi-day wine/bath/bookfest of your own. When she's not reading, Dora is navigating a messy relationship with the hip clerk of her favorite bookstore and figuring out what to about her nearly-ex-husband.
Bento Box in the Heartland: My Japanese Girlhood in Whitebread America - Linda Furiya. This memoir starts out with the childlike ignorance of a young girl, then deepens in complexity as Furiya grows up and realizes that her life is different not just because her family is Japanese, but also because of the way her parents have raised her. Find out why her parents laughed when she complained about an old WWII GI pawing at her at a potluck, and what her teacher did when a classmate made his finger into a gun and shot at her during a lecture on Hiroshima. A food writer at heart, Furiya ends each chapter with a recipe from her youth.
Fourth Comings - Megan McCafferty
Although McCafferty's tetralogy (Sloppy Firsts, Second Helpings, and Charmed Thirds) is often shelved in the adult section, they're really well-written young adult novels. If say, your husband or boyfriend is out of town and you want to curl up with a fun yet indulgent book and some artichoke brie dip, you might choose these books. You could start with this one (post-college), if you wanted something more adult than the first one (her junior or senior year of high school).
The Discomfort Zone - Jonathan Franzen
Follow Jonathan from his youth as a church group attending-school prankster geek through his post college romantic foibles to his unexpected transformation into a bird watching devotee, all framed within the context of his strange relationship with his parents, brought about by reflections on his mother's death. (Memoir).
Also read:
I checked out Ann M. Martin's new youth series, The Main Street books, as well as new graphic novel adaptations of her Babysitter's Club classics. I've also been following a new graphic novel imprint aimed at teen girls, unfortunately titled Minx. The latest title, Good as Lily, would be great for junior high girls.
Still Life with Chickens: Starting Over in a House by the Sea - Catherine Goldhamme
The Lost: The Search for Six of Six Million - Daniel Mendelsson
The Best of Friends: Two women, two continents, and one enduring friendship - Sara James and Ginger Mauney
Women, Water, Wisdom: Voices from the Upper Mississippi - Nancy Scheibe
Mary Reilly - Valerie Martin
Why Do Men Fall Asleep After Sex?: More Questions You'd Only Ask a Doctor After Your Third Whiskey Sour - Mark Leyner
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