Possibility of first of many firsts

Due to my strained calf/muscle/tendon what have you, I thought maybe the shoes that I currently am running in might be the reason that exacerbates the tightness that is reserved especially for my lower left leg.

So, I decided to bite the metaphorical bullet and walk into my local running gear store and ask them to fit me for a pair of running shoes. However, after a quick assessment, and (slightly painful) manipulations on my calf, they sent me out the store with a reference for a masseuse and a cheery wave saying that I should come back after I see her.

Instead of purchasing a new pair of running shoes, I ended up meeting a masseuse and allowing myself to be touched by someone I've never meet before. I have to say, granted it felt weird initially, my masseuse was incredibly friendly and she herself was an accomplished swimmer and runner to boot! During the whole session, not only I got my muscles worked on, I also learned so much more about running races in general.

Now, my whole body just feels like it is on a fluffy cloud and I'm able to walk without feeling tension in my legs. AMAZING! I might just have to start a massage fund on the side so I'll be able to make this a monthly event.

Anyways, prior getting side tracked...what I really wanted to say, from the runner/workers at the local running store, to my masseuse....not only they were generous with their advice to a newbie like me they were all so nice!

Even though I didn't get a new pair of shoes (will get em soon though), I got something even better. AND, maybe the rumor tis true....runners are a bunch of nice people!

Learning

A couple things have been happening during the past couple of days. Somethings aren't mature enough to share, but the situation is looking pretty interesting.

In the midst of all these things happening around me, I remembered a poem that was in a book that a previous friend have gifted me with. I'd like to think, that since then, 3 and half years ago, I've learned and will continue to learn.

Learn with Every Goodbye

Unknown

After a while, you learn the subtle difference

between holding a hand and chaining a soul,

And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning

And company doesn't mean security,

And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts

And presents aren't promises,

And you begin to accept your defeats

With the grace of a woman,

not the grief of a child,

And learn to build all your roads on today

Because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans,

And futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight

And after a while, you learn That even sunshine burns if you get too much.

So you plant your own garden

and decorate your own soul,

Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.

And you learn that you really can endure...

That you really are strong

And you really do have worth

And you learn

and learn...

With every goodbye, you learn.

Dumb dumb-ness

So, I pulled/strained a muscle on my lower calf (or ankle) after my long run yesterday.

Not before, not during, but AFTER. *TEARS* I'm only on week 2 training for my half and this genius thing happens when I was stretching after my run. I guess the upside of the coin is that most likely it is a muscle (not ligament) since I can still move my foot in all sorts of directions and there is no swelling...just can't really put too much weight on it for long. (Thanks co-workers for diagnosing me!) And the injury should be okay in about a week if I promise to not to make it do too much work. *crosses fingers* Wish me luck!

On a happier note... I ran four miles!!! I amaze myself in what my body is able to do. After the run, before I started stretching...I was like....did I just run 4 miles? Damn I'm good. And the rest......you guys already know from above.

Oh, also, Fall is here!!!! Hello pumpkin spice latte and hot cocoa!

The Amazing-ness of Ben Folds

Just discovered Ben Folds.

AMAZING!

That is all for now. :)

oh yea...and training officially starts today. Go! go! go!

Home after Travel

After spending 9 days travelling abroad, it is definitely nice to be back home and in familiar surroundings. Though I have to say, being back in the grind at work definitely was not fun. Got back at 8PM Thursday evening, and went to work 9AM the next day, and immediately discovered that there are experiments that need to be tend to and worked on. In short I didn't get to leave work until 6:30PM. Easy day back= FAIL. That and the zen that I rediscovered while on vacation is just slightly cracking....

Regardless of the stressful welcome back I got from work....looking back on these past couple of days, taking time from my hectic schedule was definitely worth it. The talk went alright, though the question answer part definitely had a lot for me to improve on. But as I discovered, earning an experience to talk in front of experts of the field and having them pay my stay at a five star hotel is an experience that will not come by easily again...so I might as well get as much as I can out of it.

A short picture recap:

Cascais, Portugal: Morning view from the balcony of my hotel room

Lisbon, Portugal: view of the city after a grueling climb

Pastel de Nata: YUM

Sintra, Portugal: Palace de Pena, House of Portuguese Royalty till the early 1900s

Madrid, Spain: Plaza Mayor for less than 20 hours

Of the two countries that I have visited, Portugal may have taken my breath away, but Madrid will forever keep a piece of soul. All I can really say is that....I will definitely go back.

And now back to work and continuing to figure life out.

Things to be Thankful For

Being over worked while being pressured by a workaholic boss is no easy feat. And the funny thing is it is really easy to let myself be caught up in the craziness and beat up myself over e-mails that are delayed, projects that are put on hold, and presentations that are well past their due date.

So tonight I am going to try something different and think about the things that make me happy and remind myself that maybe it isn't all that bad after all.

- Had fried mushrooms and shrimp tacos with siblings tonight

- Will be going out for tapas tomorrow night with siblings

- Am able to pack my luggage for my pending trip of 9 days all into my backpack. Package includes: sleep liner, 2 pairs of pants, 3 dress shirts, 2 t-shirts, 1 set of pj's, small wash towel, black wedges, and a 15 in macbook. With plenty of room to spare for 2 pairs of socks, underwear, and other random knick nacks. Yes if you can't tell, I'm proud. And it will be all carry on for me baby!

- Have the most awesome pillows...EVER!

- Allowed my self to buy cool random stuff from REI

- Ankle isn't bothering me that much, so maybe a run is in the near future.

- Weight has been relatively maintained +/-1lb after a week of inactivity and eating...(nom)

- I am most likely not dumb dumb when it comes to putting together my work in science talk, just simply inexperienced. And the only way to fix this is to trudge through this current experience.

- Tomorrow will come one day at a time, just breath and everything will be ok.

Hopefully everyone else in the blogsphere is doing well, and if not, it is okay, we will all be okay in the end.

And it begins...

I realized in the past two weeks that whenever I stop posting, it also seems like I stop running as well. Then like a positive feed back loop, the vicious cycle will continue until I decided that it is enough sluggishness for me and do something about it.

Labor day weekend activities that brought me out of my "funk" so to speak were the following: (not so) hot yoga, paddle boarding, hanging out with visiting high school friends, and most of all, running a mile (still sore from paddle boarding).

So tonight I sit here in front of the computer, pensive; despite knowing that this coming short week will be crazy, I somehow feel alright about it. Last minute change of travel plans, need to get started on presentation for Portugal, planning experiments, dinner parties for friends birthdays....etc...and the list goes on. So many things, so little time.

Like running, one step at a time and one breath at a time. No?

Let us hope that I will be less sore tomorrow and will actually be able to go out for a proper run. It is definitely over due.