Busy!

I've been busy! I meant to blog about the Land Between the Lakes trail runs, but I'll just refer you to Rob's blog - he has a nice race report and pictures. Since LBL, my running has been really blah, even after a five (!) day hiatus. So I decided that was a good reason not to push it this weekend, combined with the fact that this weekend has been work work work (though I did run about 8 miles this morning). I'm taking another break now because my head hurts - mentally and physically. I have 18 papers graded, and 17 to go! And then a bunch of other stuff!

Anyway, Madeline has interrupted my work with comic relief. Once again, licking the soap (but not as vigorously as she licked the candles):



Not budging while I sheeted the bed:



And just posing like the little darling she is:

Umstead Trail Marathon

As you can see from my March 3rd post, last week began with enough snow to close down schools and lows around 11F. But the week ended much differently, weather-wise. On Saturday in Raleigh, N.C. it was bright and sunny with a high temperature of nearly 80. It was a beautiful day to be outside...except for those of us running the Umstead Trail Marathon. I've certainly done long runs in temps this warm, but I've never raced long in such conditions. Well, I guess there were those two Mahomet half-marathons, but at least they were flat and over with in a couple hours!

I actually have no idea how I was able to finish in 4:39:47. That's 10 minutes faster than I did LBL last year, and Umstead was way hillier and hotter (LBL had snow, but heat is even worse), and I was just as poorly trained. I started worrying about whether or not I could finish at mile 11 - ELEVEN! My stomach felt like it usually does at the end of a marathon, where the thought of another gel makes me want to barf and nothing seems to quench my thirst. The Gatorade on the course tasted really concentrated, which was good - it's sometimes watered-down on race courses - but I still had trouble staying hydrated. My friend had salt tabs at the mile 21 aid station (thank you Mickey!). I've never used salt tabs before, but the way I was feeling I figured they couldn't hurt! It's hard to tell if they actually helped because I still felt lousy the rest of the race, but maybe I would've felt even worse without them.

Anyway, I don't have any pictures from the race itself, and if any get posted on the website, I probably won't re-post any of me here, because I am sure I looked awful. I got splotchy sunburn and my arms and back still ache from my hunched-over, trying-not-to-collapse running form. But I do have a picture of my...handmade frog award! In this race they give awards to the top 15 male and 15 female finishers. Somehow, I just made it - I was number 15!



Also, all finishers got a pint glass:



And our goody bags had some of the best schwag of any races I've done. Socks perfect for Sandra Cooke, Ph.D.:



Gels, chews, lotion, organic lip balm, and a body glide sample:



Speaking of body glide, I have never used it because I have NEVER had major chafing issues...until this marathon. Andrew says I've been lucky. But I am worried that it means my thighs have gotten fatter! Anyway, I am totally gonna be a body glide user from now on (but I'll also try to slim my thighs!)

And then of course, the technical race tee-shirt:



Also, the post-race food was pretty good - veggie and chicken burritos, chips, fruit, oreos, and more. So all in all, it was a good race. Besides the usual soreness (and chafing and sunburn!), my left foot hurts today, but it's better than it was yesterday. So hopefully I'll be able to start AND finish the LBL 23K this Saturday!

Kitty weed

You all know I love cats, right? So hopefully you don't consider me cruel because I think what this man did is hilarious rather than abusive.

Snow Day!

We actually had a snow day on Monday! 2-3 measly inches is all it takes for Duke to cancel classes. I was mostly cozy and productive at home, but I did take a couple walks around the neighborhood. Here is my snow-covered street (well actually the snow-covered vegetation bordering the street):



I thought my neighbor's snow-covered trees across the street looked really pretty:



My house doesn't look that exciting - I need to get a shrubbery! (but not too expensive, haha):



I walked through Northgate park near my house. It wasn't as pretty as I thought it'd be - the snow was melting pretty rapidly - but this little creek looked kind of nice:




This March snowfall caught some of the flowers off-guard. My daffodils aren't blooming yet, but lots of my neighbors' flowers were. I saw quite a few snow-covered blooms on my walk. I should have gotten a close-up shot of my next door neighbor's flowering bush - it's in the picture to the right of my house - all the egg-yolk-yellow flowered were frosted with snow.

Speaking of flowers, Andrew's mom gave me this lovely pink bouquet for my 30th birthday: