Vente Fiesta

Ok alright I know I have been super lame and haven't updated in a month. Now that that's out of the way, let's get down to business. Bullet points are in order:

- Two weeks ago I was supposed to run 18 miles but broke from the pack and accidentally followed the 20 mile route. Big oops. Upside: I ran 20 miles.
- Proceeded to get overwhelmingly busy and fell behind on mid-week training.
- Went apple picking instead of running 12 miles. It was worth it.
- It was worth it until today that is. I had to run 20 miles again with my marathon team (City of Oaks woop woop) and it was a killer. It was a terribly humid day and I just was not prepared. Live and learn.
- I tell my mom tomorrow at her surprise birthday soiree at Lois and John's!!!!!!!!!!! It was really ad hoc but I really wanted to make it something special and to be able to include friends and family that gave so generously. Lookout for a party post.

I don't really feel like typing much more because I am super tired from being up since 6am for my run and preparing for the fiesta. I am so excited about tomorrow!!

Stuffed

I came to DC Monday night to help Zack finish moving and to bid farewell to one of my co-workers who is about to return to Uzbekistan after two years stateside. Last night I satisfied my craving for Thai X-ing with three delicious plates and a soup shared with Zack and Justine while we watched the best show, "I didn't know I was pregnant". We gorged on tofu panang, pad thai (you've never had one like this!), pineapple-tofu curry, and a bowl of tom kha. It was my first pad thai experience there. So good. I feel like that is usually one of those dishes that is good but in no way exciting as compared to curries flavor-wise, but this thing was awesome. There were so many elements and the noodles actually had a bit of sauce on them that spiced up the dish. Most important though was my Tom Kha. The soup stands alone.

Today, to celebrate Ahmad's last day (and birthday!) we went to Fogo de Chão, a Brazilian churrascaria steakhouse. Guys dressed as gauchos walk around with giant forks of meat and serve it table side cutting desired portions onto your plate (see below). As a non-meat eater this place is obviously ridiculous to go to. Or so you would think! While it is definitely too pricey to justify going to outside of occassions where you are joining a large group of beef/chicken/lamb/pork lovers, if you do find yourself in this position, have no fear because they have a seriously decadent salad bar with amazing cheeses and vegetables (including fresh artichoke hearts!). This place also has these incredible little buns about the size of a golf ball that hold within them a soft, barely glutinous, cheesy center that's not melty but perfectly melded together and mouth watering. Then they bring unlimited fried polenta squares, fried bananas and mashed potatoes. Craziness. Oh we also got a giant piece of chocolate mousse cake covered in ganache. I can barely move.

Craziness

New kicks

I got some new running shoes. I went to the store thinking I could get away with some inserts but the guy was like no way these shoes are busted. He was right, I am just cheap. Oh well. Considering my foot magically healed after getting these new guys, it was well worth the money I don't have.

Poor feet

On Saturday I did a 15 mile run with the training group. It went surprisingly well. Until about 10PM that is. I could kick myself for not coming straight home and putting my feet in an ice bath (ahh!), but I was sleepy and climbed into bed as soon as I got out of the shower. Then I proceeded to do my dogwalks for the day, then went to see The Never/Hammer/others play which required standing up, then I walked down the street for Lady DJs. I think my fatal error was wearing these really crappy shoes with zero arch support. The next day walking was excruciating. Unfortunately I had more dogwalks so I had to take it really easy and forced Zack to come with me in case I had to give up. My feet are feeling much better today as I have basically stayed off of them completely since Sunday night. I am definitely going to the running store to get some new inserts before I run tonight.

Whining complete.

Ahh!

Sorry I couldn't come up with a more clever title to express the way I am feeling about the marathon these days. Race day is closing in really fast. I cannot believe it's almost September!!! This is seriously scary. Training is still going pretty well, this past week was probably my worst training week though and I really just need to shake it off. It's so easy to slip into a negative mentality especially when you are out there running alone a lot of the time with no one to push you forward but yourself. My cassette player is a bit of a nuisance on 12 mile runs in addition to my water bottle, so it's just me and the sound of my heavy breathing. I try to keep reminding myself about what I am doing and why I am doing it and it does help, but sometimes I do give in and start walking or decide not to go as far as I had originally planned. This never feels good in the end though.

This morning I went out to do at least an 8 mile run and I managed to do that, which is good. This coming weekend the training team is doing a 14 mile run and I will be joining them because I don't want to do it alone. I usually can't make it out with them on Saturdays because of my dogwalking, but I gotta work it out because I need that group motivation or peer pressure or whatever you wanna call it! I am not giving up! I will run 26 miles!!!!!!!!!

♥ Dolla Dolla Billz ♥

So despite the fact that I took a few too many days off from training and then went out today with spirits low and had a really sad little jaunt full of walking breaks, things really are looking great. The most recent batch of donations I sent in just processed and we (yes, YOU!) raised $7000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just can't believe this. Never in my wildest dreams did I think this would happen. The love and support I have received from friends and family so far is blowing me away. On top of that, there's the support from people I have never met. People that knew my mom many years ago and didn't even know she had been sick have sent me words of encouragement and unspeakably generous donations. I will be thanking every one individually in the coming weeks, but I just want to say it right now because I am so ridiculously full of gratitude: THANK YOU SO SO SO MUCH.

Tarheel running

I have been staying in Chapel Hill the last week taking care of my pal's dog Nona (see last post for pics). I am so so so in love with this pup and so is everyone that meets her. Even though she chews on stuff and can be a little naughty tryin' to sneak on the bed while her mom is away, she is just so cute it is impossible to be mad at her. Oh god just thinking about how cute she is...eeetz keeeeling me! And I digress...

The point is I have been running around Carrboro and Chapel Hill this week which has been pretty nice for a change of scenery. It was crazy hot Monday and Tuesday so I had a couple pitiful jaunts (no seriously, it was sad), but I picked it up last night when the weather was perfect with a nice 8-miler.

Oh did I mention my favorite boyfriend (I have a few) has finally moved down here? Yay.