I didn't run 5K last Monday, or anything at all last week. I think I was making preparations for Thanksgiving on Monday.
Today's numbers:
Time: 37:36 (-2:21 from two weeks ago)
Distance Run: 3.60k (+0.20 k)
Running Speed: 6.0 mph (+0.5mph)
Distance Walked: 1.40 km (-0.20k)
Walking Speed: 3.5 mph (same)
30 November 2009
16 November 2009
Monday 5K
I have decided to be able to run a 5K by New Year's Day. Well, actually by Monday, December 28. I have done a couple of 5Ks, but I haven't run the whole thing, and for a long time I have wanted to actually run five kilometers.
Plus, I need to get in better shape. If you know me, you know that I function on goals and deadlines. I live for goals. I love deadlines. And unfortunately, the nebulous goal of not getting diabetes and heart disease sometime in the future despite the fact that they run rampant in my family has not been cutting it as far as fitness goals and deadlines go. I need short-term things to work toward.
My "get hott for wedding" fitness calendar was an excellent motivational tool. June 13, 2009 was the day I had to look awesome in wedding pictures, and I exercised to meet that deadline. Unfortunately, that fitness deadline passed (and it was a very happy occasion at which I married an awesome guy and threw a rockin' party to celebrate). Ever since, I have not really cared about exercising.
But like I said, the killer combination of diabetes and heart disease runs in my family, and despite a reasonably healthy diet, my cholesterol numbers are already inching their way toward a heart attack, and I could stand to lose a few pounds. So I need to exercise.
So here's the plan: I have six weeks to get from where I am now to able to run five kilometers on a treadmill without stopping. I don't care how much weight I lose (though hopefully some). I don't care what the time is. I just want to be able to run that far. Every Monday I will post some stats to keep you, and myself, informed about how awesome I am getting.
Today's Monday 5K by the numbers
Time: 39:57
Distance Run: 3.40 km
Running Speed: 5.5 mph
Distance Walked: 1.60 km
Walking Speed: 3.5 mph
Plus, I need to get in better shape. If you know me, you know that I function on goals and deadlines. I live for goals. I love deadlines. And unfortunately, the nebulous goal of not getting diabetes and heart disease sometime in the future despite the fact that they run rampant in my family has not been cutting it as far as fitness goals and deadlines go. I need short-term things to work toward.
My "get hott for wedding" fitness calendar was an excellent motivational tool. June 13, 2009 was the day I had to look awesome in wedding pictures, and I exercised to meet that deadline. Unfortunately, that fitness deadline passed (and it was a very happy occasion at which I married an awesome guy and threw a rockin' party to celebrate). Ever since, I have not really cared about exercising.
But like I said, the killer combination of diabetes and heart disease runs in my family, and despite a reasonably healthy diet, my cholesterol numbers are already inching their way toward a heart attack, and I could stand to lose a few pounds. So I need to exercise.
So here's the plan: I have six weeks to get from where I am now to able to run five kilometers on a treadmill without stopping. I don't care how much weight I lose (though hopefully some). I don't care what the time is. I just want to be able to run that far. Every Monday I will post some stats to keep you, and myself, informed about how awesome I am getting.
Today's Monday 5K by the numbers
Time: 39:57
Distance Run: 3.40 km
Running Speed: 5.5 mph
Distance Walked: 1.60 km
Walking Speed: 3.5 mph
14 November 2009
Candied pecans
These are delicious and really easy to make.
Ingredients
1 egg white
1 tbsp water
1 lb. pecans
1 cup white sugar
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Directions
0. Preheat oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9x13 pan with butter or cover in foil.
1. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine egg white and water. Whip until fluffy.
2. Add pecans to liquids. Toss until covered.
3. In another medium or large sized mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients.
4. Transfer liquid-coated pecans to the other bowl. Toss until evenly coated with sugar mixture.
5. Spread pecans evenly in the pan. They need not be one thin layer.
6. Bake for 1 hour at 250, stirring pecans with a wooden spoon every 15 minutes.
This recipe is slightly modified from one I found at allrecipes.com. We buy nuts at Costco. They sell 2 lb bags of pecans and walnuts for somewhere between $8-10 (I no longer have the receipt) which is half the price of pecans at the ridiculously-named Kroger store down the street.
Ingredients
1 egg white
1 tbsp water
1 lb. pecans
1 cup white sugar
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Directions
0. Preheat oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9x13 pan with butter or cover in foil.
1. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine egg white and water. Whip until fluffy.
2. Add pecans to liquids. Toss until covered.
3. In another medium or large sized mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients.
4. Transfer liquid-coated pecans to the other bowl. Toss until evenly coated with sugar mixture.
5. Spread pecans evenly in the pan. They need not be one thin layer.
6. Bake for 1 hour at 250, stirring pecans with a wooden spoon every 15 minutes.
This recipe is slightly modified from one I found at allrecipes.com. We buy nuts at Costco. They sell 2 lb bags of pecans and walnuts for somewhere between $8-10 (I no longer have the receipt) which is half the price of pecans at the ridiculously-named Kroger store down the street.
08 November 2009
Just an update
This is what the menu plan looks like. We went to Costco this afternoon because we were pretty much out of food (except for frozen meat from the last time we were at Costco and spinach). We have to go through six bell peppers this week because that's the smallest package of peppers you can buy at Costco.
This week in Denver, we've had gorgeous fall weather -- cool enough for sweaters but warm enough to keep the heat off. Unfortunately, the two feet of snow from a couple of weeks ago expedited the process of leaves falling from trees, so we had an abbreviated colorful season.
We are settled into life here in Denver. Ross has started working at the Wizard's Chest, which he affectionately refers to as a "nerd supply store." He and Jess (our roommate) got jobs there together. It is retail, which I think I would hate, but they both like it. I am enjoying my job at the doctor's office. This past week I got to spend more time in the back of the office -- taking vitals, giving shots, and assisting with procedures. It was a good week for gynecology; I got to assist with a pap and an IUD insertion. It was awesome, although I still have no interest in being an ob/gyn. Family practice, though, appeals more and more as a specialty. There really is a lot of variety. There are also a lot of people with diabetes, hypertension, and the flu though.
29 October 2009
This has been on my mind
Give thanks for life, the measure of our days
Mortal, we pass through beauty that decays
Yet sing to God our hope, our love, our praise:
Alleluia, alleluia
- Shirley Erena Murray
It's really just that second line I like so much.
I wish I had a photo of bright red trees covered in snow from this week, but I can't find my camera battery charger.
16 October 2009
Swine Flu
I'm over swine flu. No, I don't mean I've recovered from it. (Despite being exposed to that and all sorts of other illnesses rather frequently, my immune system is still truckin' along without assault). I mean I'm done dealing with it. Or more specifically, I'm done dealing with people freaking out about it.
I've been working at the doctor's office since the beginning of September -- right when the H1N1/swine flu epidemic hit Colorado full force. As someone who answers phones at a family practice office, I am privileged with hearing the general public freak out about swine flu every day.
Seriously. Every day. Plenty of them ask reasonable questions, but so many of them have common-sense answers. And then there are a few questions that are just dumb. And the worst ones are the questions that start out, "I heard on TV that..."
Oh, I just shudder when I hear somebody start out with that.
Here is my Swine Flu FAQ, including questions both reasonable and unreasonable.
Q: I have a fever, sore throat, fatigue, chills, body aches, and diarrhea. Do I have the swine flu?
A: Probably. According to the medical practitioners here, the health department, and the CDC, you can assume so.
Q: I have the flu. Can I come in and find out if I have swine flu or regular flu?
A: No. The health department won't even test any more samples, and P.S. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHICH FLU YOU HAVE. They both make you feel like crap. They both resolve in about a week. You can get secondary infections on top of either one. They both in rare cases can cause severe complications including death. Knowing which virus you're infected with won't change any of that, and you don't need to know which virus you have to take care of yourself and watch out for complications.
Q: I have a sore throat, fatigue, and body aches, but I don't have a fever or diarrhea. Do you think I have swine flu?
A: You could. You could also have another virus. But let me just use my special fiberoptic-cable-transcending swine flu detector to find out so you can freak out appropriately if the virus you have is H1N1.
Q: I think I have a mild case of the flu. Can I schedule an appointment to come see the doctor?
A: Sure, if you want to give us some money, sap all your energy getting to the doctor's office, expose some people to whatever you do have, and have the doctor tell you to go home and get lots of rest and fluids.
Q: My cousin's stepdaughter has the flu and they think it's swine flu and I am perfectly healthy and don't have any symptoms and I can't come in for an office visit. Will you prescribe me some Tamiflu?
A: Seriously? There's a Tamiflu shortage. Hell no you can't have it if you feel fine and won't even come in for an office visit.
Q: I think I have the flu. Will you prescribe me some antibiotics?
A: Antibiotics won't help with your virus. Dumbass. Do you want your grandchildren to have antibiotics that work?
Q: I feel like I'm getting the flu. Do you have the swine flu vaccine yet?
A: No we don't, and even if we did it wouldn't do you any good because you already have the virus in your system. Don't you understand how vaccinations work?
Q: On TV they said that swine flu is going to kill me and my children, incite riots, and drain all the joy from the world. Should I be stocking up on canned goods? Can I have some Tamiflu?
A: Only if you fill the bottle with explosives and throw it at your television.
I've been working at the doctor's office since the beginning of September -- right when the H1N1/swine flu epidemic hit Colorado full force. As someone who answers phones at a family practice office, I am privileged with hearing the general public freak out about swine flu every day.
Seriously. Every day. Plenty of them ask reasonable questions, but so many of them have common-sense answers. And then there are a few questions that are just dumb. And the worst ones are the questions that start out, "I heard on TV that..."
Oh, I just shudder when I hear somebody start out with that.
Here is my Swine Flu FAQ, including questions both reasonable and unreasonable.
Q: I have a fever, sore throat, fatigue, chills, body aches, and diarrhea. Do I have the swine flu?
A: Probably. According to the medical practitioners here, the health department, and the CDC, you can assume so.
Q: I have the flu. Can I come in and find out if I have swine flu or regular flu?
A: No. The health department won't even test any more samples, and P.S. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHICH FLU YOU HAVE. They both make you feel like crap. They both resolve in about a week. You can get secondary infections on top of either one. They both in rare cases can cause severe complications including death. Knowing which virus you're infected with won't change any of that, and you don't need to know which virus you have to take care of yourself and watch out for complications.
Q: I have a sore throat, fatigue, and body aches, but I don't have a fever or diarrhea. Do you think I have swine flu?
A: You could. You could also have another virus. But let me just use my special fiberoptic-cable-transcending swine flu detector to find out so you can freak out appropriately if the virus you have is H1N1.
Q: I think I have a mild case of the flu. Can I schedule an appointment to come see the doctor?
A: Sure, if you want to give us some money, sap all your energy getting to the doctor's office, expose some people to whatever you do have, and have the doctor tell you to go home and get lots of rest and fluids.
Q: My cousin's stepdaughter has the flu and they think it's swine flu and I am perfectly healthy and don't have any symptoms and I can't come in for an office visit. Will you prescribe me some Tamiflu?
A: Seriously? There's a Tamiflu shortage. Hell no you can't have it if you feel fine and won't even come in for an office visit.
Q: I think I have the flu. Will you prescribe me some antibiotics?
A: Antibiotics won't help with your virus. Dumbass. Do you want your grandchildren to have antibiotics that work?
Q: I feel like I'm getting the flu. Do you have the swine flu vaccine yet?
A: No we don't, and even if we did it wouldn't do you any good because you already have the virus in your system. Don't you understand how vaccinations work?
Q: On TV they said that swine flu is going to kill me and my children, incite riots, and drain all the joy from the world. Should I be stocking up on canned goods? Can I have some Tamiflu?
A: Only if you fill the bottle with explosives and throw it at your television.
11 October 2009
Homecomings
I've been experiencing homecomings lately.
Last weekend was Bethel's Fall Fest -- homecoming weekend. And homecoming in another sense, as Ross and I went our separate ways and I stayed in my old mod, with my old modmates (who are all a year younger than me and so were all there, with the exception of one who is studying in Ecuador). I slept my old futon mattress which I've long-term loaned to Meredith. I had coffee with a favorite professor -- really a mentor and friend -- whose office I used to stop by frequently for good conversation. As before, I stood around a bonfire in the woods, had a couple of beers, and talked to the people I already knew. It felt like home.
This weekend, I went to Kansas City. The impetus came from a good friend informing me a few weeks ago that she was planning to go wedding dress shopping and another friend (also in the wedding party) was flying in to visit too. Affordable plane tickets and the desire to see my family convinced me. I stayed at my parents' house, slept in my comfortable bed in my ice-cold room. I visited with my grandpa for a few hours and helped him move plants inside, anticipating a freeze. The house, and the family, has changed since it was really my home. I am comfortable there, but it is not my space any longer.
I went out for drinks with Laura and Lauren and talked about our jobs and long-term relationships, which felt good but reminded us that we're at least two life stages beyond sleepovers in Lauren's basement, which happened almost literally half our lifetimes ago (granted, our lifetimes are not that long yet). I'm grateful for these friendships, for relating despite living in three different cities, having spent four years mostly apart, and not really knowing each other's significant others.
And now I've come home -- really home -- to my apartment in Denver. Ross is here, and Jess and other friends, and all my stuff, and a shower and toilet that I am used to. It is freezing cold like my parents' house and with friends like Bethel, but this is my space.
Last weekend was Bethel's Fall Fest -- homecoming weekend. And homecoming in another sense, as Ross and I went our separate ways and I stayed in my old mod, with my old modmates (who are all a year younger than me and so were all there, with the exception of one who is studying in Ecuador). I slept my old futon mattress which I've long-term loaned to Meredith. I had coffee with a favorite professor -- really a mentor and friend -- whose office I used to stop by frequently for good conversation. As before, I stood around a bonfire in the woods, had a couple of beers, and talked to the people I already knew. It felt like home.
This weekend, I went to Kansas City. The impetus came from a good friend informing me a few weeks ago that she was planning to go wedding dress shopping and another friend (also in the wedding party) was flying in to visit too. Affordable plane tickets and the desire to see my family convinced me. I stayed at my parents' house, slept in my comfortable bed in my ice-cold room. I visited with my grandpa for a few hours and helped him move plants inside, anticipating a freeze. The house, and the family, has changed since it was really my home. I am comfortable there, but it is not my space any longer.
I went out for drinks with Laura and Lauren and talked about our jobs and long-term relationships, which felt good but reminded us that we're at least two life stages beyond sleepovers in Lauren's basement, which happened almost literally half our lifetimes ago (granted, our lifetimes are not that long yet). I'm grateful for these friendships, for relating despite living in three different cities, having spent four years mostly apart, and not really knowing each other's significant others.
And now I've come home -- really home -- to my apartment in Denver. Ross is here, and Jess and other friends, and all my stuff, and a shower and toilet that I am used to. It is freezing cold like my parents' house and with friends like Bethel, but this is my space.
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