| How to build a death ray with only duct tape and glue |
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| On the bucket list. |
[27 Aug 2010|01:27pm] |
Long term goals:
-- Thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail. (Hike the 2600+ miles in one hiking "season," requiring about 5-6 months.)
-- Hike across the US.
-- Expedition kayak the west coast of the US.
-- Become a registered dietitian in addition to being an MD. (So I can go "Point to the ceiling. Now point to the person who went to med school. That's right.")
-- Complete an Ironman distance triathlon.
Will I complete any of these? We shall see.
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| On how I am not a girly girl. |
[16 May 2010|05:27pm] |
A lizard had gotten lost inside the house so I picked him up and let him outside. I then realized that the stereotypical reaction would have been to scream and freak. Whoops.
Was sick for Bay to Breakers. Sad. Mostly have my voice back now, though.
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| On the Parkway Half Marathon |
[01 May 2010|06:17pm] |
Cross-posted to kickmass.blogspot.com
3:14:31, chip time. It took longer than expected (I was hoping for 3 hours) but I'm just happy I finished. This was my first double digit run EVER. That's right, I never trained over ten miles. I actually never trained over about 7, so I pretty much doubled my distance for a race.
The moral of this story is to never, ever, ever do that. I hit my usual slump at mile 5, got my second wind, and then hit the wall HARD at mile 10. I mostly walked the last three miles, running when I got tired of walking or when I was able to force myself to run for a bit. ("Okay, to that sign... now to that tree...") My feet hurt. My legs felt dead. I felt utterly defeated. But, I wasn't last, there were still people, it was pretty, and I was going to finish. So I did.
I would most definitely run this race again. It's fun, it's scenic, it's mostly flat. The only downside was that the aid stations were not as well stocked as they should've been. (One ran out of water, two ran out of cups.) So next time, I would bring my own sports drink. I used my Annie's Organics Bunny Fruit snacks and they seemed to work well, though they got a little squished in my pocket. I ate them around miles 4 and 8 and it was a nice break from just running. The upside of the Clif Shot Bloks is that they're big so you can just shove one in your mouth, run, and repeat 3-6 times. Mine required a few more repeats which wasn't bad, but could be if you're really looking to PR. (I was just trying to finish!)
Amusingly, I ran the bike trail that I biked in high school for a bicycling unit in PE. I was like "Hey, I know this place!" It was pretty cool.
My legs are also more tired than I remember them ever being. Which, I suppose, is a good thing.
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| On Insanity. |
[19 Apr 2010|02:30pm] |
Cross-posted to kickmass.blogspot.com
So I was feeling down and negative yesterday, so I went on the Fleet Feet calendar to see if there were any cool events coming up. I saw a Half Marathon and 5K, so I went to the site. Well, if this isn't the most perfect half marathon anywhere! They give you over 4 hours, it's well stocked and they don't close the course. Only problem is, it's May 1st. So, you know, in two weeks. But against my better judgment, I signed up for it anyways!
Now I'm all excited and giddy! And I get to train for a week and then taper for a week. And when I finish the race, I get to stick a 13.1 sticker on my car!
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| On rest days. |
[12 Apr 2010|07:16pm] |
I know I need rest days, so I take them, but whenever I'm bored I just want to run! I'm so addicted.
Also, one of my running friends DID pass me in the last mile of the Zoo Zoom. I couldn't find him afterward, but I found him in the results. 5th in his age division. I envy his skillz.
And now, to clean so I can move. Ugh, moving. I hate moving, because moving means cleaning, and I hate cleaning. Also need to get rid of a bunch of stuff I've accumulated. Not looking forward to this at all.
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| On the Zoo Zoom. |
[11 Apr 2010|11:46am] |
10K PR get! Don't have the exact results up, but by gun time I was around 1:20. Whoo!
I didn't eat much the night before so I ate breakfast and figured an hour and a half would be enough to digest it. Not so much, as I spent the first 3 miles feeling like puking. I was seriously considering dropping down to a 5K (It was a two-lap 10K) but when I saw the lap split, I decided to go all the way. I'm glad I did, actually, because by mile 4 I was feeling great. I actually swallowed some Gu this time to keep my blood sugar from dropping, and I really think it helped. I had NO kicks left at the end, though. I don't know about other people, but when I'm running races I often feel I have enough to increase my turnover a little bit. I had NONE of that by the end. Then again, I was finishing with fast people (I started early) so maybe I just felt slow trying to keep up with them. Hard to say.
I started with the 5K runners, 30 minutes ahead of the 10K start. We had to finish in 1:25 for the 10K and I just wasn't sure if I could do that. Turns out I could, but I'm glad I got the early start. Running with the fast people kept me motivated. And yes, 30 minute head start and I still was passed. I'm a back-of-the-packer, what can I say?
Mile 1 for me is always terrible as I try to find my groove (especially hard in a crowded race like today where there were a lot of beginning runners, so there was some jostling). Once I can get past mile 1, I'm great, but when I'm running alone it's hard for me to push through that first couple of miles until I just get into the running routine. I think I'm going to get a running watch with a footpod so I can track how far I go.
Also on my wish list: A shirt that says "Who moved the finish line?"
ETA: Since I started with the 5Kers and results were based on gun time, I accidentally cheated and was placed first in my division. Whoops. =(
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| On Nutrition Fuels Fitness |
[09 Apr 2010|01:00am] |
I ran my first 10K a couple weeks ago and loved it. Well, not during mile 5 or so, right about then I was bonking pretty badly because I didn't take my Gu like I should've. Nevertheless, it took me 1:22:00 and it was fun! I ran the first 5K pretty easily in about 39 minutes. Mile 4 was easy. Mile 5 started to hurt and by mile 6 I was starving hungry, because I didn't refuel and was starting to bonk. I wanted to rest and eat something but I had to finish! Amusingly, it takes me about a mile to find my groove, but once I'm there, walking feels weird and I have to keep running.
As for why I didn't Gu... the water station was around mile 5. Right then, I didn't feel the need to Gu and well, you can't gel without water, right? So I took my cup of water and went on my merry way. Which turned out to be a one-way trip to bonksville. Not so great. I have since learned to preemptively gel at around 45 minutes. I'm actually gonna switch to those gummi things because gels are messy, sticky, and terribly terribly sweet. Think concentrated Gatorade. Yeah.
Also, I am on a one month soda ban. Bob Harper put it up as a challenge and I'm doing it! It's surprising how much I was drinking soda out of convenience. (It's everywhere!)
I've been running more and eating less and (not surprisingly) losing weight. My goal is 10 pounds in 3 months, but I may actually get past that. Depends on whether I can consistently do 3-6 milers, aiming more for the 6 miler side. I am training for a marathon, after all, and a half marathon in July.
I have a shirt that says "Runaholic." It suits me, I think.
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| On kids and food. |
[20 Feb 2010|06:39pm] |
Jamie Oliver talks about how Americans are feeding their kids to death:
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/jamie_oliver.html
In this, there is a video of kids (Maybe 5-7?) asked to identify various vegetables. Now, I understand if a kid doesn't know what an eggplant looks like, but a POTATO? Tomatoes? How can you go without knowing what those look like?
Now, I understand I grew up differently. I've always been enamored with produce. Hell, I read this encyclopedia of food just for the produce section, so as long as I can remember I've always been good at picking out good produce and did just that with my mom. We ate steamed cauliflower, snow peas with sesame, blanched spinach. I didn't know instant mashed potatoes existed until much later in my life.
Even still, I can't believe these kids have never seen a baked potato. They've never seen tomatoes sliced for sandwiches. This has to change.
I realize how lucky I am, living in Berkeley, where you can get cherimoyas at the farmer's market.
I just hope that when I have kids, I will be able to cook wholesome, healthy foods for them.
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| On Noble Vegetarian |
[11 Jan 2010|06:28pm] |
Went to a place called Noble Vegetarian for lunch today. It was so so so good. It may be my new favorite vegetarian restaurant. They have real vegan pho. Not just rice noodles in veggie broth, but pho, with all the herbs and spices and deliciousness. So. Good. They also have what they call "Longevity Rolls" which are rice paper rolls filled with greens and shredded tofu. Unlike other places, they actually flavor their tofu so every bite is just pure awesome. It's a bit out of the way but I'm definitely going back when I can. I now feel like I must try everything on the (rather extensive) menu.
I joked about having make-your-own rice paper rolls at my wedding, whenever that would be, and I'm not so sure if I was really joking. Though having Chipotle cater would still be hilarious and tasty.
I don't have a race coming up soon so I feel like a total slacker. I'm still pushing myself to run every day, though, because I rarely regret running but I almost always regret not running. Might run a 5K on the 24th. I'm going to try for a 10K on February 7. I'll do a Valentine's run, somewhere, as well. Because I love to hate myself, and what better gift to give myself for Valentine's than aching legs?
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| On the Lou Gehrig run. |
[09 Jan 2010|06:40pm] |
41:00. It was a hilly course, but really pretty. I felt great the whole way. Though my time sucked, it was probably the best run I've had so far. I loved it and wish all my running went like today did.
Also, I am making candied oranges.
I should convince my dad to make a run for diabetes, as he does a lot of work with groups for diabetes research. It'd be awesome!
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| On My First 5K |
[03 Jan 2010|07:52pm] |
This wasn't actually my first 5K, nor was it the first 5K of 2010 even-- that honor goes to the Resolution Run. It rained on the first, making the Resolution Run a total mud run. It was a really steep downhill and then an equally steep uphill. The uphill was mostly single file, unpaved mud. It was like a hike, except with mud and running. My shoes are now a mess. My time was over 51 minutes. It was grueling and brutal and I'm not sure I'd do it again, though the views were great.
My First 5K was awesome. Don't get me wrong, I was sore as hell from the Resolution Run, but I still ran it because I'm crazy like that. The course was easy to run-- around the capitol. Not too scenic especially cause of the mist but a flat, fast course. Unfortunately, even with all that going for me I still took 41:44. ;__; I shall blame my legs which were in screaming pain until mile 1. I'll make this my first run of the year next year, assuming I don't do a duathlon by the lake instead.
All in all, a good start to the new year.
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| On the Run with Santa |
[25 Dec 2009|12:48pm] |
40:41. I walked a lot. It was hilly. I have a lot of excuses but none good enough to explain why I went over 40. Oh well. It was fun, it was pretty. I got passed by a couple 10K people at the end. D: It was a tiny run, maybe 50 people? Good paved trail, a little hilly, but lots of fun. I'd totally do it again. My new insoles mean a slightly more cramped toebox so I might need to change the way I lace my shoes. (Dual laces, perhaps?) But no shin splints! There was a Santa, and he ran the 5K. He was fast, too! So much for tubby Santas, this guy was fit! I asked him for a pony. I don't think I got a pony. =(
And now to continue making Christmas dinner.
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| On running. |
[04 Dec 2009|12:21am] |
I never thought I could run. I'm built all wrong, with my short legs. I was always one of the slowest runners whenever I had to run for PE or for Ultimate. So I gave up on it. Why do something I'm not good at? I'd run on the treadmill every once in a while and get discouraged at how slow I was.
Then a couple of my friends started doing triathlons. That was fine, they were all fit guys who could do that kind of thing, I knew I couldn't. No way. Then, one day almost a year ago when I was in Japan, I was walking on the treadmill and watching a show where a celebrity (I can't recall who, now) was challenged to complete a triathlon. So he trained like crazy for it, and did. I guess that never left me, because I started to think, "Why can't I do that?" My friends are completing Wildflower and other triathlons, and here I can barely run a mile. Hell, I couldn't run a mile without running out of breath.
On Thanksgiving, I completed my first 5K. I was painfully slow, it took me 39 minutes and 2 seconds. That's a 12:35 minute/mile pace. Still, I ran 3.1 miles. Never before did I think I could do that. I was too busy thinking I sucked at it to give it a try. Now I'm hooked on running. My goal is actually a triathlon (Eppie's Great Race) but that requires a 5.8 mile run, so why not work up to a 10K? And if I'm going to a 10K, why not do a half marathon? If I'm doing a half marathon, why not a full marathon, to say I've done it?
Why not?
On a related note, I always said I was bad at rock climbing cause I have short limbs. This is true, but for years I let that stop me. I am currently in love with climbing and wish I could do it more often.
I guess the moral of this story is, I need to stop letting my negativity stop me. Just cause I may not start out good at something, doesn't mean I shouldn't try it at all. Now I just need to follow my own advice!
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| On Freudian slips |
[16 Nov 2009|04:09pm] |
Last night Kaz and I were talking and I tried to say that I've never dated a suave guy as they aren't generally attracted to me. What came out of my mouth was "I don't date attractive guys."
Kaz was less than pleased. ;__; -50 approval rating.
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| Persimmon cake |
[25 Oct 2009|12:21am] |
3 c flour
2 c brown sugar
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup oil
3 cups persimmon pulp (I used super ripe Fuyu persimmons, but I don't see why the more traditional Hachiya pulp wouldn't work here. This came from about 6 persimmons.)
2 TBSP apple cider vinegar
Mix the dry ingredients, then slowly incorporate the wet (except vinegar) until "just mixed." Add the vinegar and stir to incorporate. (It will bubble.) Transfer to a greased and floured Bundt pan and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
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| On SiO2. |
[08 Oct 2009|05:48pm] |
A large buyer of colloidal silica is McDonald's. What do they do with it, you ask? Put it in the milkshakes to improve mouthfeel. The thing is, silica is also known as SAND. And GLASS. D: (The amounts that are put in are harmless, but still. Principle.)
My mom's friend sells Herbalife and she gave us a sample of their weight-loss shake, and it had silica in it too.
The peril of being a chemical engineer is that I know what those chemical ingredients actually are. Like, after I synthesized one of the 23 parts involved in strawberry flavoring, I... can't have artificial strawberry flavor anymore. It smells like what I made in a test tube. That's just freaky.
Colloidal silica, I may add, gives a creamy mouthfeel (thanks to particle-particle interaction) without the fat. Don't say I never taught you anything.
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[06 Oct 2009|04:51pm] |
So last farmer's market I found matsutake for $30/lb. For those of you who don't know, (ie non-Japanese people) Matsutake literally translates to "pine mushroom" and as the name implies, only grows at the base of red pine trees. They're pretty much impossible to cultivate and thus are the Japanese equivalent of the truffle mushroom. $30/lb might sound like a lot, but most markets carry them for something like $100/lb and they're even more in Japan. These were small (early in the season) but the real thing. So I bought half a pound, and split them with my mother. We both made matsutake-gohan out of them. XD This is matsutake rice, where you cook the mushrooms in with the rice and let the aroma spread to all of the rice. I think I actually used more matsutake than I should, but that's okay!
In other food news, I went to VegFest over the weekend. It was pretty fun, especially since I got in for free as a student. I even got a free banana from the Rainbow Grocery table! I wore my tofu robot shirt which I think was well-accepted. (Maybe not from the raw people, I don't know.) I also had this vegan tuna sandwich that tasted really frighteningly like the non-vegan version. The food was fantastic! I got a vegan cupcake! The same stand also had vegan marshmallows, and Kaz was like "YOU MUST MAKE RICE KRISPIES TREATS OUT OF THESE" so I bought some for that purpose. We'll see how that turns out. I'm saving them for a DnD night so I don't eat a whole pan of rice krispies treats on my own. Because, you know, this can happen. Poor Kaz felt a little out of place, being an omni. I almost feel bad for him but I pass on stuff all the time cause it's not vegan, so =P to him.
One midterm down, two to go. Ugh.
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| On being at Peet's |
[02 Sep 2009|04:05pm] |
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Iced coffee makes me happy. People leaving their trash on tables does not.
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