Monday, April 19, 2010

if only I were Teyba Erkesso

Left after ToK, I was basically dying in class - not a coherent thought in my mind. I feel like crap right now, stuffy nose and a slight fever. I am not running that last long run today (hopefully tomorrow, tomorrow is the last day I can do a long run and be in prime condition to race on Sunday), hopefully I'll be able to muster some kind of energy to do at least a standard 11k but even walking from ToK to the office left me exhausted. I feel so bad for Jimmy (a classmate) b/c I took K's seat today and I literally turned around and slept on Jimmy's desk b/c I couldn't keep my head up. I feel like crap.

On the brightside, b/c I came home early, I was able to watch the finish of the Boston Marathon - I wish I could run like Teyba Erkesso. At one point she had a 2 min lead! wow. If only I could run that fast - my goal is to make it to Boston on my first try - which isn't impossible since the qualifying time is 3:40 for W18. I hope I can pull off a fast time on Sunday but right now, even finishing sounds amazing to my extremely stuffy nose and exhausted body. I have no desire to eat or do anything whatsoever.

Need to somehow get the engery to study for that bio test.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

95% better - only stuffy nose left

I finally gave in and took a Tylenol (I hate swallowing pills; I need to bit them) and I'm feeling a lot better - to the extent I even felt a bit hungry and made my mom make me chocolate covered pretzels - b/c I had no appetite for the last 2 days she wasn't pissed at my rather unusual request at all. For the last 2 days even the thought of running made my head hurt but right now my legs are just twitching to run (if it were not 10 at night and I have school tomorrow I would head out now). I take this as a sign I can do a long run tomorrow. I think I'm going to period 1 &2 but I'm going to skip the last 2 tomorrow so I can sleep, catch up on work (bio & math), and run - the long run. I take this as a sign I'm almost better - other than the fact my nose is still a bit stuff. I hate being sick.

Fexibility - I hate Being Sick

I did not make 80k last week:( - the training for the half on Sunday did not go well, I have a feeling this spring road racing season will not be that great. I don't think I've made 80k for the whole 3months that I set out to train for the race. I feel so disappointed in myself since over the summer for 3 months I was doing 3 x80k/week + 1x 66k+/week, equally to over 300k a month. I think I'm a stronger runner since the last half but I'm not where I had hoped to be, I was hoping for a time b/w 1:29-1:38 but now if I even hit 1:38 I would be very thankful.

I would have made 80k last week but I started feeling sick on Friday night so I didn't do my 2nd run, and yesteday I didn't even head out. I think I was sick b/c I was doing multiple workouts in a day last week and on top of that I wasn't sleeping well so my body was pretty tired & weak and since everyone at school was sick the virus was able to invade into my cells (I know it's a virus b/c I don't have a fever and only a sore throat and a slighty congested nose). I am 90% recovered though - surprised b/c viruses usually need 5 days to run its course, but then I normally have a really strong body, I can't do my long run today b/c I'm not fully recovered but I plan on doing the last long run before hitting off my racing season tomorrow.

Yesterday was hell, my throat was just killing me. I had no clue what to do since it was viral and I didn't have a fever so all I did was lay there and try to sleep - which I had issues doing; I can usually sleep anytime anywhere but for no more than 3-4hstraight before waking up. Swallowing was not cool, I was living on Halls. I had to go to Italian yesterday b/c I had to hand in my essay, present, and write a test as well as ask the teacher questions about the oral & b/c I couldn't eat in the morning (other than a tiny apple) I became fully drugged on Halls - I'm kind of lightweight when it comes to drugs (you know those Mortin pain patches? they knock me out). I'm just so glad my throat is no longer killing me and I can swallow without flinching - just so happy my body was able to stop the virus inhibiting my cells for a even longer time. Apparently vitamin C doesn't really help with the prevention or recovery from a virus unless you are exposed to extreme exercise - I wouldn't call what I've been doing extreme but I guess there's correlation - my friend J was probably the one who gave me the virus (same issues, only she had a stuffy/runny nose too) and I totally recovered faster.

I'm so behind b/c I didn't do anything yesterday, I need to do everything I meant to do this weekend in one day - kill me now. But I guess since I'm no longer doing my long run today I have more time - but then I need to do what I planned for tomorrow, today. I hate being sick.

I guess what I learnt from being sick is that I have to be fexible, I have to be able to rearrange my activites from one day to the next if something happens.

Spring Road Racing:
April 25 - Southlake Half
May 2 - Sporting Life 10k
May 9 - Markham Women's 5k

Spring Track:
April 30 - Cardinal Carter Track {9:00 - Steeplchase| 3:45 - 3000m} - crap going to miss Bio
May 13 - BCSS Track {1:00 - 3000m}
May 17 - YRAA Day 1 {9:00 - Steeplechase} - ah. going to miss Bio again. Ciobanu is going to hate me
May 18 - YRAA Day 2 {11:00 - 3000m} - going to miss Bio trip, once again, Ciobanu is going to hate me

These track dates & times are not to my favour, steeplechase = missing bio which is not good - when I missed Monday b/c of an upset stomach (don't eat pineapple on an empty stomache) I was left so far beind. arg. I'm not sure if I should run the 1500, in track I'm not expected to do well since it's so long (well I don't expect myself to do well but the head coach does even though I've explained multiple times that I hate the shorter distances), I kind of want to do get more racing experierence but at the same time the 1500 is usually run on the mornings and I can't skip morning classes (anymore than I already am skipping) - afternoon classes I'm fine w/since we're basically done.

***Didn't realize the Cardinal Carter meet was so soon, will have to do the half, take 2-3 days off to recover then pop in some speed work before racing (say yay to less than 2 practices)

Friday, April 16, 2010

I need more time in a day

Since I skipped my run Tues I needed to do a double today but I slept through the "appropriate" time for running, woke up at 9 and my parents starting yelling about how dangerous it is to run at 9 - I find this hilarious and upsetting b/c during the summer I had some runs at 11 at night. B/c of this I need to do a morning run at 6am and an evening run at 6pm tomorrow - so I can have enough recovery time for my last long run before the half (next week!).

My thighs are still sore from my triple workout on Wed - weightroom, track, long run - arg. But they're not as bad as yesterday; I could barely walk yesterday. I hate how some people seem to think running is such an easy sport (namely the guy rugby players, drivers, & cyclist (I once heard one tell his friend that they were faster than me, I would hope so considering you're on wheels)). Running isn't just about running, it's about the number of k you run a week, how fast you can run, and building up the less used muscles to balance the body. It takes time and effort - especially those double workouts & speed work (I hate speedwork). Running is such a mentality sport I'll sometimes be fine physically after a hard workout but mentally I'm falling apart - I need to work on my picturing & visioning skills for racing. I need to be able to convince myself I CAN get to the top and own the rankings b/c physically I should be at least in the top 5 but mentally I'm not doing so well do to recent injuries (shin splints, that fall a few weeks ago) and that slump.

I need more time in a day, not only do I need more time to dedicate to running but I need more time for schoolwork. As of right now I have an italian dialect essay due tomorrow (which will need to be presented to the class - need to work to get rid of that heavy french accent) & an italian test on the history of italian opera & the future tense. I also need to work on that Italian oral. I have until 4am in the morning to get all this done (I haven't started anything yet) so I can get a 2h nap before my run. I need more time in a day.

I have my weekend all planned out, Saturday is dedicated to finishing all the math revision packs I haven't finished and to relearn statistics, probability, & integration. Sunday I have to rewrite those exams from Jan & do the practice exam for math. I also need to find time to hardcore study for the bio test on Wed - I just love translation & transcription of DNA. I need some time to take back and chill but with the math exams in less than 3 weeks I really need to buckle down and spend literally every single waking minute studying for it.

If only a day had 28h in it, that would make my life so much easier - as long as no more time is spent in french class - love the language but I hate sitting in the classroom - french trip on Wed! we're heading to see a play then lunch at Le Marché Richtree - amazing food.

***Excited for track season - we're actually heading to invitationals this year, instead of 1 track meet (no exclusive I'll make it to Centrals & OFSAA) we are heading to 3:). I'm kind of excited but not really, I hate the shorter distances but at the same time it's cool to see the pro people run. I really want to make Centrals & OFSAA this year but I don't think I will be able to - unlike with the longer distances, middle distance is really hard for me as I have to run fast. Hoping the 3000 and the steeplechase will get me to Centrals and we'll see from there. Track meets this year is the death of me, I have to miss a bio trip for the 3000, if I make Centrals I have to skip the Sudbury trip and if I make OFSAA i have to skip UNYCA - but then since I probably won't be making Centrals or OFSAA this year I can relax.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Standard Protocol: Lane One for Runners

I just had one of the better days of my life today, the bio test was EASY. Easiest test I've written all year:). It does suck that I somehow managed to miss some of the questions (2) for the assignment which means I have .5 off for each and I managed to somehow do questions that didn't need to be done - can we say I had a blonde moment?

I'm a little behind for the math reviews but I'm going to spend all weekend studying for that bio test & the math exams - so scared about the math exams. I can't believe my IB math exams are 3 weeks away - need to buckle down and STUDY.

Went to track practice today, full practice though I have to admit I was late (but I have a good excuse; I stopped by the weight room for a quick workout first).
2x400 warmup
4x400 steady pace (I'm guessing 4:45/4:40/k pace)
1x800 - 2:59, yeah it's really slow. I was boxed in for maybe the first half lap, my split was negative, and I had so much energy left but it's understandable since this is the first 800 in a long time and I'm not sure how to run it
1x400 warmup after stretching
3x400 -1:21, 1:25, 1:27, could have been been faster but I was trying to get steady times for each, my back stretch was fast, had so much energy left in me
Got to run 11k in about 15 min - just enough time to finish blogging & have a 12 min nap

***
-some rugby guys were walking on the inside lanes (lane 1) during warmup today and I told them to get onto the outside lanes if they were going to walk (standard track protocol), they then proceeded to tell me,"f**k you" to which I replied, "why don't you f**k yourself" before running away (simply b/c they were traveling too slow for me to continue the talk). As I passed them again on my 2nd lap they stepped into lane 1 on purpose to piss me off - honestly, you play rugby, you don't need lane one so why are you hogging it? It's standard protocol. Guys like this are such douches
-I love it when Gr 12 guys randomly come up and say stuff like "whaddup" to me - I always wonder why they do so since I don't know them....

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Cibo in Little Italy

Trip down to Little Itay, downtown Toronto with my Italian class today! Other than the fact the bus was 1h late the trip went by pretty smoothly.

Prazo a Capitol Trattoria Pizzeria

Rating: 4/5
My friends and I got to the restaurant a bit late so I didn't really get to look at the menu before ordering but upon looking up the menu online my mouth is watering just thinking about the stuff I'm going to get when I go back.
We prepaid for the trip beforehand and the deal the teachers made called for pizza for lunch - before you cringe and think about the soggy, greasy, pizza from the generic places come Pizza Pizza, Pizza Hut, & Pizza Nova, take a deep breathe and refocus. I ordered a Margheritta (first pizza on the menu) which normally calls for tomato sauce, mozzarella, e oregano but b/c I don't eat cheese I requested a no-cheese pizza which was granted - they were very accommodating to my wishes.

I quite enjoyed my very plain but very delicious Margheritta - I love the crispy thing crust and the tomatoy flavour of the sauce and there was just the right amount of oregano. I haven't touched pizza in around 3 years (since a rather unfortunate experience at the caf) but I loved my experience today - I am definately heading back to Capitol for more pizza.
[DSC05014]

Post pizza, we actually had dessert at Capitol which really surprised me b/c we paid 20-25$ (can't remember exact price) for the trip and I know for a fact the cost of busing was 12$+ (school buses are expensive). The apple pie they gave us wasn't the best - it would have been amazing had it been warm but I did love the fact the apples were not soggy but rather sweet, slightly tart, and munchable (is this even a word?).
[DSC05016]

Overall Capitol Trattoria Pizzeria is a 4/5 - loved the pizza and I thought the restaurant was very accommodating as they had closed it down for us, not to mention they granted my no cheese pizza request. I am absolutely going back there again - can't wait to take my friends there.

Dolce Gelato
What's an Italian theme trip w/out some GELATO? (well gelati since we're using plural)
I forgot to take pictures but my experience at Dolce Gelato was amazing. I wanted a scoop of every single flavour - it all looked so good! but I couldn't since my stomach & wallet weren't big enough. After eye raping every single flavour I settled a scoop of limone - it was amazing. It was sweet, tart, smooth, rich, and just pure lemonly - I love the taste of lemons. It was such a clean, crisp, springy flavour. Yum. Io amo gelato! I absolutely loved my experience at Dolce Gelato - the guy serving me my ice cream was kind of cute which helped but the woman there was just so cute as she took in my excitment over gelato. This was my first experience with gelato and I am so happy it was at Dolce Gelato

Capitol Trattoria Pizzeria
597 College St.
Toronto, ON M6G 1B5
Tel: (416) 534-2942
http://capitol.sites.toronto.com/index.html

Dolce Geltao
697 College Street
Toronto, ON
Tel: 416-915-0756

***also bought my mommy some kind of rolled spreadsheet cake with chocolate filling - it's amazing - not sure what it was though
***as I was leaving Dolce Gelato I called back, "I will be back" and guess what? I"m looking forward to my next visit already!
***I wanted to buy a pint of gelato to take home but I was scared it would melt - but next time I'm totally buying myself a pint of limone and just eating it out of the tube

Friday, April 9, 2010

Got to go with Spinoza

Normally I am a Voltaire girl - "I may disagree with what you say, but will defend to death your right to say it" but after an incident on my last blog where a white surpremist left me a slug of comments which I started to find really offensive to my background I am now a Spinoza girl - "Everyone has the right to an opinion, but no on has the right to be wrong about the fact that opinion is based". At first I didn't have any issues with the fact the poster's comments were slightly offensive b/c I was interested in what he was saying but after a while, it got pretty offensive - he was literally attacking my culture and background. I dont think I've blocked anyone before but now I have. (this is from my xanga blog)

Moving onwards, was my friend's sexy 17th birthday so we headed over to Baton Rouge for dinner. My burger was awesome, baked beans were soo yummy and the fries that I jacked were great. 4/5 - waiters were a bit snobby.
**R: OOO I want a cake like that
**everyone else: that is your cake!

Bio Lab:
-had to get to school by 7am arg.
-we cooked the liver by accident - we were supposed to heat it to 25C but we kind of forgot about it and cooked part of it by accident, such geniusness
-getting the liver out of the test tubes after it has been soaked with hydrogen peroxide is nasty and guess who had to do that? me. excellent. ew.

Speed work:
800 warmup
4x400 1:26 each (roughly) - could be faster, wind was a nasty cunt - expected 1:18 or less so disappointment
but long run was better than expected b/c of how stiff I still am from lifting