Running is Complicated

So I am now solidly into my half-marathon training. Sure, my race isn't til mid-December, but I wanted to take the training slow and steady in case issues popped up. I have a history of foot issues related to running so I especially wanted to make sure I didn't further hurt them. As I just completed my 6.5 mi run today (the FARTHEST I have ever run, by the way), I felt like I should check in and let you know how things are going.

Feet. So on the issue of feet. Dude they're complicated. So I got some orthotics to prevent the issues I was having and they're all well and good. I haven't had any flare ups related to my toes and no steroid injections, so I count that a win. However, before I started training I got new running shoes, and apparently the heel is much thicker than the heel of my older shoes. After longer runs, my right heel was pretty sore. I figured it was the shoes and I would just get used to it. Oh no, not at all. It just got worse. One of my professors/running advisers suggested I try running in my old shoes and sure enough, no pain! So I get to go back to the running store, plead my case, and hope they give me a discount on some new shoes. 

Nutrition. This is certainly a learning experience in proper nutrition! Once you have been participating in exercise for over 1 hour, you have to start replenishing your nutrients while you exercise. You also need to make sure you eat the right things before and after the work out. It is all about getting the proper balance of protein, carbs, and sugars, so I've been trying out different running gus and chews. As Matt and I have started incorporating more weight training into our workouts, we are also making different smoothies with protein powder. The smoothies are certainly delicious and I know Matt hasn't minded us having bagels for breakfast on the mornings of my long runs!

Source

Weather. I haven't run outside in over a month because it has been so hot and humid in Texas lately. We should be getting a cold front soon and I can't wait to be back outside! The treadmill just gets so boring, no matter what podcast is on or what's on TV. 

And that's about it. I know, a real exciting post, but I wanted to chronicle my experiences with my first half and I figured some of you may find it remotely interesting. Feel free to give me any advice you may have for training for a half-marathon :)

Life Update

I know my posting has been sporadic at best, but that's because my life mostly consists of studying for comps. I figure you really would rather not hear about incapacitation effects (or how hard they are to estimate) or proper model specification. Sure, Matt & I do make time for fun things, especially on weekends. Our Labor Day weekend was especially exciting-- between painting (see post below this one), having friends over, and going to a friend's house for a backyard BBQ. Oh yeah, and watching Texas A&M BTHO South Carolina! Whoop! Here are some other random happenings and thoughts I figured I would share:

• The less I have to do, the less productive I am. Note this post. I have a few other things I could be doing, like writing flash cards, clearing out some emails, or getting ahead on reading, but none of them have to happen today. This is a new habit of mine and I'm not sure I like it. After this post, I'm going to do... something. I'll figure that out later :P
• We get to go to an A&M game in the next couple of weeks! We haven't been to College Station since 2013 and we haven't been to a game since Fall of 2011-- it's been too long! We got tickets for my birthday and I'm SO excited! 
• Oh yeah, my birthday is coming up. That's crazy. I've just gotten used to saying I'm 25, what gives?
• Comps are officially less than 3 months away. I've been feeling the first rounds of panic and I don't like it. I'm very thankful for a husband that reminds me to pray and listens to me talk for hours about comps. 
• I get the chance next week to go interview those formerly incarcerated. I'm very excited about this opportunity to not only hear their stories in person but also expand my research skills. I'm not going to lie, I'm a little bit nervous as well. Gotta practice my poker face.
• I'm making jambalaya with some Andouille sausage from New Orleans tomorrow night-- thank you, Paula! Too bad I can't get NOLA French bread to go with it...

And because no posts are complete without pictures, here are a few things from my birthday wish list:

I would love this above my desk; source

Yes, I really want an ice cream cake. source

                                           

See above; source 

So I think that about does it. What are your plans for this weekend? Do you also tend to procrastinate when you have fewer things to do?

Where we try to be artistic

One of the gifts I got Matt for our wedding anniversary was a Groupon for a painting class. Now this sounds really unusual for either of us to want to do as neither of us are in the least bit artistic. Art class was historically my least favorite class throughout grade school. However I had seen pictures of people who had done similar classes and it seemed really fun. Plus, we could bring our own drinks & snacks so that was a plus! 

About 2 months ago we had looked at the local studio's website where they had posted the paintings each class would be doing. We decided on one that was listed as 'beginning/moderate' skill set and we would get coordinating paintings. Our class was this past Saturday and we had a great time! The instructor and her assistants offered great instruction throughout the session. The only thing we didn't freehand was the bird's body. Everything else we did on our own, which if you know me is a huge deal! In the end, we were very surprised at how well each of our paintings turned out. They are now hanging above our TV in our living room and they look great. 

My bird & paint before class started.
We stenciled the bird's body

Taking a break during class, this was before all the 'detail' work

And our completed paintings! 

So moral of the story-- good to break out of your comfort zone and try something new. :)

Miscellaneous Wednesday

Yes, I know the title is a little boring but it's the best I can do. I have comps brain bad and wanted to write down a few non-CRIM related things before I go crazy.

• Comps brain? Oh it's a thing. One, all I want to talk about sometimes is comps. I have a little under 4 months until the test and I'm already completely absorbed by it. Two, my brain is mush. There are so many other things I need to be doing and just can't. 
• We aren't traveling for the next month and I couldn't be more excited. I have loved getting to see cool places and visit with family, but between schedules getting off, not being able to study, and eating way more than I should, it hasn't been the best thing ever. I'm excited to spend some more quiet weekends at home.
• Speaking of weekends at home, this past Saturday Matt & I hosted some friends over for dinner. This was especially significant because they were friends older than us. It was the first time we've had people older than us that weren't family over for dinner. It just felt very adult-like and dinner party-esque. Thankfully it all went well and we had a great time. 
• Don't go to prison or jail, k? Really don't commit crimes. Very unpleasant things occur. I've been transcribing interviews of those formerly incarcerated and am very glad to be the very prosocial, law-abiding person I am. 
• Running 5.5 miles on a treadmill is SO boring, but it has been too hot lately to do any of my runs outside. 6:30 AM, 80 degrees outside or more plus decent humidity? No thanks.
• The half-marathon training is going well other than that. Plus I got Matt to sign up for a 10K with me in October! Very proud of him :)
• We just booked some trips- one in December and one in May 2015. Very excited to be going back to this place:

Gatlinburg, TN! We just went a few years ago, but know we will
be wanting another restful vacation following the next few months

We are very excited to be heading back to the Smoky Mountains!

I'm looking forward to more hiking and exploring

And Matt's looking forward to more delicious breakfasts at our beloved B&B

Hope you have a great Wednesday!!

DC Trip: Food and Hotel

Come on, did you think I was going to recap a trip without including where we ate and stayed? If so, you clearly haven't read many of my posts! As always, we made a point to research some good dining options and we also tried something new. 

For our lodging, as opposed to paying something like $200 a night for a hotel room, we went onto the website AirBnB, searched for rooms in DC during the time we would be there, and booked something for less than $100 a night! If you've never heard of the website, it allows people to post listings for a spare room/house/trailer/whatever to those visiting their city and AirBnB handles the logistics of communication and payment. There are many checks into both the renter and rentee's backgrounds and all of the communication goes through AirBnB website. We read a plethora of reviews prior to choosing the room we did and they were a great help in helping us narrow down the choices. Overall, we really enjoyed our first experience!  

Our hosts were Stefanie and Taylor and they couldn't have been nicer! Even though they were moving that weekend we were there, they made sure we had everything we needed and helped us with our touring. They live really close to a Metrorail stop so it was very convenient for getting to the attractions we wanted to visit. We stayed in their spare bedroom and bathroom and also had access to their kitchen, which was great for breakfasts! 

The bed was so comfortable!

If you recall, I mentioned when we first got back that we now have a close connection to a former presidential candidate. Well, apparently Taylor worked as Newt Gingrich's financial manager for his 2012 presidential campaign. Though the campaign did not go so well, Taylor is still working for the Gingrich's as the CFO of their company. So that was cool-- regardless of one's politics it is neat to know someone who literally works for a former presidential candidate! 

We also ate really well. I'll spare you more text and just give you the food pictures :)

Our first dinner was at Old Ebbitt Grill-- SO GOOD

Appetizer of the pork belly tacos

My crab cake

Matt's pork chop

Our amazing dessert- chocolate chip bread pudding

Our deep dish pizza from District of Pi Pizzeria

When we visited Georgetown, we ate at Clyde's. I really enjoyed this salmon salad.  

Matt's steak

Our peach crisp, made with locally-sourced peaches

Before we left for the airport, we enjoyed Sunday brunch at Founding Farmers 

My Crab Benedict. Yes I took full advantage of having
fresh seafood available to me

Matt enjoyed his Whipped Blueberry Butter Pancakes, with a side of sausage.
These pancakes were definitely amazing- very light and flavorful! 

One of the cool things I liked about the restaurants we visited is they all had many if not all ingredients locally-sourced. They also had many more healthy options for quick lunches then you see here in Texas. As someone that wants to eat well and healthfully while traveling, I really appreciated that!

DC Trip: Arlington National Cemetery

Along with touring the White House, the Capitol, the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, and the Smithsonians, we made a point to head over to Arlington to the Arlington National Cemetery. We got there right when they opened and we able to walk around the grounds mostly alone. There really are no words to describe our visit so I'm going to be brief save for some pictures. If you have been, I'm sure you remember the awe and respect you felt. From the changing of the guard ceremony to the Eternal Flame marking President Kennedy's grave, it is truly a unique place to visit and remember the history of our country.

By the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

By the Arlington House (the residence of General Robert E. Lee),
overlooking Pierre Charles L'Enfant's grave and DC. Very fitting for
the city planner of DC to be buried overlooking the city

By President Kennedy's gravesite

The Eternal Flame, looking up back towards the Arlington House

I'm sure I sound like a broken record but I highly recommend going to see this. Go early to avoid the crowds and take your time to walk around and look at the 'big' things like the changing of the guard as well as the rows upon rows of graves. It is great to escape the hustle and bustle of the National Mall area and think about the significance of what our service men and women did for us.

DC Trip: The White House

Along with making plans to tour the Capitol and the Supreme Court, when Matt & I first found out we were going to DC I quickly contacted one of our congressmen's offices and requested a tour of the White House. While nothing exciting happened and we didn't meet see any major political players, it was still one of the highlights of our trip! It was really interesting not only from a historical point of view, but also a security perspective as well. You are not allowed to bring any bags with you into the tour (pretty much only wallet, cell phone, and keys) and you're still searched relatively thoroughly. 

The tour is self-guided through several rooms of the White House and you aren't allowed to take any pictures. However, you can totally take a virtual tour here if you want to see the rooms we went into. It was so awesome knowing you're in the same room our past presidents have been in. For instance, several of the presidents' family members were married in the East Room. Several items in the rooms were owned by the first few presidents. It was just cool taking it all in! 

This was right after our tour. As soon as you step out the
back of the White House, you are free to take pictures.

Though we won't do it again unless it is during the Christmas season, I recommend taking the time to tour the White House at least once. It is truly cool to see and it is worth the time and effort!