When I lived in Houston for a year in 2001-2002, I often frequented Sherlock's Pub on West Gray. On Thursday, they opened one in Austin, so I went with my brother, his fiancee, and some other friends to check it out on Friday night. It's a pretty big place with pool tables, darts, food, and, of course, beer. What I like most about it is the location; it's in Northwest Austin on the corner of Burnet Rd. and 183. It is a good alternative to going downtown for a beer.
Here is a video that my cousin referred me to. When my brother and I watched it, we were in tears laughing. I kind of feel guilty for laughing, but I guess that's what she gets for cheating. Listen and watch carefully when someone says, "Stop."
On the exercise front, I did go down to Town Lake on Saturday and ran 4 miles; although, I could feel the remnants of the cold on the respiratory system. I had to walk for a couple of minutes after mile 3. The 10k this weekend should be interesting. I plan to run 4 miles tomorrow, Wednesday, and Thursday to get ready for the race.
Sunday, April 24, 2005
Thursday, April 21, 2005
On the Road Again
Actually, on the "dreadmill" again. I haven't blogged since April 3rd, two days after the last time since I have run...until today. I was sick with a terrible cold and upper respiratory infection for two weeks. I felt well enough to run last weekend and intended to do so, but it was just so easy to give in to excuses. I guess I was a victim of Newton's first law, objects at rest stay at rest, and objects in motion will stay in motion.
It amazes me how hard it is to start running again after you have lost the momentum. I brought my running gear with me to work every day this week and placed it under my desk with the intention of running at lunch, but every day I found an excuse to delay my run until after work. After work, I quickly found an excuse to run first thing in the morning and would set my alarm for 5:30 am. At 5:30 am the next morning, I told myself I would run at lunch as I pushed the snooze button...repeatedly. And the vicious (downward) spiral continued.
One day I was watching PBS television during one of their support drives, and there was a gentleman speaking named Dr. Wayne Dyer. Dr. Dyer, affectionately called the "father of motivation" by his fans, is one of the most widely known and respected people in the field of self-empowerment (from his website). One of the things that I remember from his PBS special is that you must "contemplate and surround yourself with the conditions that you want to produce in your life." When I went to my friend's wedding on April 2nd, I put on my regular watch and have had it on ever since. But for some reason, today I put back on my Polar heart rate monitor watch, and I just *felt* like a runner. Oddly enough, this subtle suggestion was enough to motivate me to run today, the first time in 20 days. I contemplated and surrounded myself with running!
During my running hiatus I ordered The Pose Method of Running and the accompanying DVD based on one of Patrick's posts. I figured I would try this new technique on my first day back running, especially since I was running on the treadmill. Basically, the technique is to run on the balls of your feet and to visualize pulling straight up from the ankles. It was sort of difficult concentrating on form at first, but got easier as the run went along. There were no epiphanies for me; however, I did realize that I was definitely running with a heel strike before. This method is supposed to enhance endurance, raise speed, reduce recovery time, increase flexibility, and reduce injuries. These are all things that I could benefit from, so I'll try and stick with it for awhile.
As soon as I finished running, I could feel my calf muscles and expect to be sore; I can definitely tell that I was running with different form. I only ran 3 miles which wasn't difficult, but the rate of perceived exertion felt like about 4 miles. How quickly we erase the endurance gains!! I am looking forward to the 10k next weekend.
It amazes me how hard it is to start running again after you have lost the momentum. I brought my running gear with me to work every day this week and placed it under my desk with the intention of running at lunch, but every day I found an excuse to delay my run until after work. After work, I quickly found an excuse to run first thing in the morning and would set my alarm for 5:30 am. At 5:30 am the next morning, I told myself I would run at lunch as I pushed the snooze button...repeatedly. And the vicious (downward) spiral continued.
One day I was watching PBS television during one of their support drives, and there was a gentleman speaking named Dr. Wayne Dyer. Dr. Dyer, affectionately called the "father of motivation" by his fans, is one of the most widely known and respected people in the field of self-empowerment (from his website). One of the things that I remember from his PBS special is that you must "contemplate and surround yourself with the conditions that you want to produce in your life." When I went to my friend's wedding on April 2nd, I put on my regular watch and have had it on ever since. But for some reason, today I put back on my Polar heart rate monitor watch, and I just *felt* like a runner. Oddly enough, this subtle suggestion was enough to motivate me to run today, the first time in 20 days. I contemplated and surrounded myself with running!
During my running hiatus I ordered The Pose Method of Running and the accompanying DVD based on one of Patrick's posts. I figured I would try this new technique on my first day back running, especially since I was running on the treadmill. Basically, the technique is to run on the balls of your feet and to visualize pulling straight up from the ankles. It was sort of difficult concentrating on form at first, but got easier as the run went along. There were no epiphanies for me; however, I did realize that I was definitely running with a heel strike before. This method is supposed to enhance endurance, raise speed, reduce recovery time, increase flexibility, and reduce injuries. These are all things that I could benefit from, so I'll try and stick with it for awhile.
As soon as I finished running, I could feel my calf muscles and expect to be sore; I can definitely tell that I was running with different form. I only ran 3 miles which wasn't difficult, but the rate of perceived exertion felt like about 4 miles. How quickly we erase the endurance gains!! I am looking forward to the 10k next weekend.
Sunday, April 03, 2005
Sick and Tired
Last Saturday night I went to a friend's birthday dinner at Moonshine Patio Bar and Grill.
Susan's Birthday Dinner at Moonshine.
I had the Texas Flat Iron steak with a bleu cheese butter sauce that was delicious. I want to go back and try the rainbow trout which was subsequently recommended by a coworker that I ran into while leaving the restaurant. The place was nice, not too pretentious, and off the beaten path compared to other downtown restaurants. The $2 valet parking made it really easy to get in and get out. Definitely not a F&L (first and last) dining experience.
On Easter Sunday, I went to my grandmother's house and celebrated the resurrection of Christ by proceeding to gorge myself on barbecued chicken, sausage, ham, and too many sides and desserts to mention. I didn't go to Easter Mass, but I did watch Joel Osteen's service at Minute Maid Park and Tivo'd it. Does that count? I was raised Catholic, but recently have been trying to figure out what religion/church to attend. I am definitely a Christian, but don't necessarily believe in all of the teachings of the Catholic church; some of the canons seem contrived and man-made versus divine. But I guess that's what faith is all about.
Yesterday I woke up with congestion and a stuffy nose. I lied around the house resting and watching CNN for the latest on the Pope's health conditions. At 2:00 I went to a friend's beautiful Catholic wedding but began feeling achy and feverish so I didn't attend the reception. What the heck? I was sick just two weeks ago!! Needless to say, I have only run 14 miles over the past two weeks.
Susan's Birthday Dinner at Moonshine.
I had the Texas Flat Iron steak with a bleu cheese butter sauce that was delicious. I want to go back and try the rainbow trout which was subsequently recommended by a coworker that I ran into while leaving the restaurant. The place was nice, not too pretentious, and off the beaten path compared to other downtown restaurants. The $2 valet parking made it really easy to get in and get out. Definitely not a F&L (first and last) dining experience.
On Easter Sunday, I went to my grandmother's house and celebrated the resurrection of Christ by proceeding to gorge myself on barbecued chicken, sausage, ham, and too many sides and desserts to mention. I didn't go to Easter Mass, but I did watch Joel Osteen's service at Minute Maid Park and Tivo'd it. Does that count? I was raised Catholic, but recently have been trying to figure out what religion/church to attend. I am definitely a Christian, but don't necessarily believe in all of the teachings of the Catholic church; some of the canons seem contrived and man-made versus divine. But I guess that's what faith is all about.
Yesterday I woke up with congestion and a stuffy nose. I lied around the house resting and watching CNN for the latest on the Pope's health conditions. At 2:00 I went to a friend's beautiful Catholic wedding but began feeling achy and feverish so I didn't attend the reception. What the heck? I was sick just two weeks ago!! Needless to say, I have only run 14 miles over the past two weeks.
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