new state update

I haven’t done too much on my list yet and we are about 2 months into 2012. But no worries. I’m a bit more relaxed about this year’s list since there are only 12 things I’m going to do as opposed to 30! And some of these will have to wait for warmer weather. However, I do have #1 planned out.

I’m a big geography nerd. Especially when it comes to the US of A. You know that game that Chandler plays with the group on Friends where they have to come up with all 50 states? I love that game and occasionally play by myself. I also like to guess the capitals. When it comes to the world I like to try to get as many countries as I can, but there are just too many and there is like a new country every day. Whenever there is a map laying around, I have this urge to study it. I'm a nerd.

A life goal of mine is to visit all 50 states. I made it more interesting by setting a goal to visit all 50 before I turn 50. Good thing I have 20 years to go. So far I’ve visited 21 states in 30 years. Only 29 to visit in the next 2 decades. I think I can do it. And 3 of them will be checked off this year.  

It looks like I have my 3 new states planned! Next month I’ll be hitting up Texas in a big way. In April, Kentucky will get celebrated Derby-style. And in August, what better way to get to know this small state, than to run 13.1 miles around it. I’m hoping to add a couple of more states, but for now this is a good start!

Stay tuned for how these (and other trips) turn out!

2012 race plan

I haven’t blogged too much about running this year. Only to complain about stupid guys who have a problem with girls being faster than them. It’s all good. I’ll just keep running faster.

Moving on… a couple of weeks ago I signed up for my 6^th marathon. I can’t believe I’m running another one. Coming from the girl who said she’d never do one—ever. It’s in my DNA to keep trying at something until I get what I want to achieve. And since Boston has continued to elude me, I gotta keep trying. And it’s too late now. I paid the $150, so I’m running Chicago this October with my friend Lindsay.

My goal is to obviously BQ. Even though I checked if off my 30 list last year, I didn’t technically do it. Shocking I know. I broke 3:40—which was my goal at the beginning of 2011, but then Boston decided to change their standards later in the year. I now have to get 3:35. So that is my running goal for this year—again. Except Chicago is notorious for having non-ideal running conditions. For too many years there were ridiculous heat waves in October and one year it was incredibly cold. And since I’ve been lucky with pretty good running weather for the last 5 races, this year is the one that is bound to be not ideal. Knock on wood. Seriously. Do it. Given that, I'll try my best, but I will also acknowledge that some things are out of my control. As much as I would like to think they are.

Last year was a bit nutty with traveling for work, but this year, hopefully it won’t be as much. I should be able to get into a nice running routine, which may or may not include a running team. For my last 3 marathons I’ve pretty much trained on my own. I’ve gone to a few speed classes, but due to work it didn’t happen as much as I would have liked. I also didn’t make it a priority. This year that will change. I’ll also explore joining a running team that will take me. I would like to find a team that will take me and my slow ass, but will also challenge me. I think NYAC is out of the picture. Last I checked, I won’t be competing in the 2016 Olympic Trials.

My yearly marathon is usually the big race that culminates my year of running. Usually it’s the last major race I do—minus our local Turkey Trot of course! In the months leading up to it, I usually do a bunch of shorter distances, including ½ marathons. So far I’m officially signed up for three ½ marathons.

First up is the Vermont City Marathon Relay Memorial Day weekend. Since it’s a relay, I plan to run ½ the distance of the full marathon. As of now, my sister Emily will be the other leg. A couple of friends may also sign up and run the full marathon. I’ve never done a marathon relay, so this should be fun. And as a celebration, I decided that I will be visiting Magic Hat Brewery.

I also plan to do a couple of ½ marathons with Rock ‘n Roll and in August will make my way to Providence. In September, I will run Philly for the 6^th year in a row. When I first ran that race in 2007, I didn’t realize I would be running it every year since then. Let’s see how long I can keep the streak going.

Other than that, I may sign up for the Brooklyn ½ in May and do a bunch of smaller races. I’d like to get a faster 5k or 4-miler at some point. I would also love to another relay similar to Ragnar. Let's see what 2012 brings! .

Check back for more updates! And I leave you with this:

super bowl sunday

This isn’t on my list for 2012, but since it was on my 30 list last year and I did it again for the 2^nd year running, I had to add it—polar bear plunge!

On Sunday, my friends, Sara and Emily, and I decided to jump into 40-degree water—more specifically the Atlantic at Long Beach. Sarah is the one that asked if we were doing it again, and since my brother did one on New Year’s Day, and I'm not shy when it comes to cold water, I figured why not.

Luckily the weather turned out pretty similar to last year—40’s and sunny. Not a bad day to hang out in your bikini and take a dip. It was cold. Just like last year. But the beers we had prior to the jump helped—a lot. Also, there was so much energy and excitement. Thousands of people showed up, and I think even more to show Giants pride. I mean, we got to the Super Bowl against all doubts and ended up beating the Pats. Just like in 2008. The way I like it. Another good outcome to a New York/Boston rivalry.

We stripped down, ran with loads of other people into the ocean, went under, and got our butts right back out. Afterwards (after drying up and putting warm clothes on), I made my way home to get ready to watch some football! The game wasn’t overly exciting, but did get a bit nerve-wracking there for a bit. The Giants came through in the end and a whole bunch of revelers watched the players go up the Canyon of Heroes yesterday. Unfortunately I decided to go to work. Oh well, next time!

Also, I think we’ve started a new tradition, and every year I’m in NYC for the Super Bowl, I will plan to jump in the Atlantic that afternoon. Brrrr.

P.S. Donate to Make a Wish.

january book update

Since my last book post, I’ve read a few more books. Have I mentioned that I love my kindle? It does beat carrying around heavier books. Anyways, this isn’t about raving on about my e-reader…. Let’s move onto the books I read last month!

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua

This is a memoir written by a Chinese-American mother raising her Chinese-American-Jewish daughters. Amy Chua highlights her parenting tactics with a mostly Chinese influence—well pretty much an only Chinese influence.

You see the extreme parenting typically seen with Chinese families and how that differs from the stereotypical American parenting. Obviously I only know of American parenting with my own experience with American parents—which is not indicative of all American families. Just my own.

In the book, I think there were definitely some extreme actions taken, but I could also see some of the humor that Amy tried to pull through. I didn’t grow up in a strict household—I think there were too many of us for my parents to be strict, but somewhere along the line hard work was instilled in us. I was never rewarded for making honor roll like other kids, but I do think there was some level of expectation when it came to work. But my parents didn’t harp on it. Like I said, there was just too many of us. Maybe since I was the oldest, I took my homework and dedication a bit more seriously.

I obviously don’t have children, but it does get you thinking about what approach is the best one when raising kids. I guess I’ll find out some day. But my kids won’t be rewarded for doing good work. They will be expected to do good work and to work hard. I want them to question what they are being taught, but be respectful and not complain unless it’s warranted.

Honestly, I think I could go on and on about this book and would love to discuss this more. This past Sunday, a group of us went to a discussion with the author on the Upper East Side at the 92Y. It was nice to see the author discuss the book and provide a bit more background on her memoir. I do think she did go to an extreme with her kids, but I also think it’s obvious that she cares for her children. Which I think is definitely important. High expectations are good too. I think it grows confidence and is good to draw on throughout life.

Like I said before, I could go on and on, but I won’t. time to move on to the other books I read last month!

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

I finally finished Little Women. Now I’ve already read this book. A couple of times. Like 15+ years ago. I decided to read again, but in the midst of reading it, I read about 5 other books. It’s not on my list for 2012 and it doesn’t count for the year since I started in 2012, but still wanted to blog about it anyway.

Luckily it’s been so long since I last read it, that there were some things I forgot. I mean, you can’t forget Beth dying—the saddest part of the whole book. Sorry if I ruined it for everyone, but I would hope you’ve read it by now. I still go back and forth on how Amy gets Laurie in the end, even though Jo is cool with it. My roommate did suggest I read Jo’s Boys since I never have. I’ll have to read that and Little Men sometime.

1984 by George Orwell

I read Animal Farm last year for my 30 list and since I downloaded both as one book on my Kindle, I still had to read 1984. Before I forgot about it, I began reading it after Little Women.

This book is similar to Brave New World, which I read last year, in regards to its dystopian society. As with every book, I get lost in the story and imagine myself as part of the story and always wonder how I would act in certain situations.

So what if I lived in a world where you pretty much had no freedom and was full of lies? I think if I knew my current life and something changed drastically, I would do something about it. But what if I was born in this type of society? Would I make an effort to rebel? I have no idea. I’d like to think I would. But I don’t really know.

I was a bit disappointed in how the book ended. I mean, I didn’t see there being a rebellion of some sort since those in power had too much influence and their torture was just too extreme. It does make you somewhat grateful for current society though. Even though there’s always room for improvement.

After I finished 1984, I started to read Utopia by Thomas More, but couldn’t finish it. I thought I had read it before, but it seems I haven’t. I wasn’t really paying attention, so I decided to give it a break and read it some other time.

The Grimm Curse (Once Upon a Time is Now) by Stephen Carpenter

I downloaded this free on my kindle and figured it would be a quick read. And it was. It took me like 4 days. I also downloaded it because it sounded similar to the new Grimm series on NBC. Turns out the author is one of the writers on the show.

The writing wasn’t at its best as far as I’m concerned, but it was good enough from a Young Adult point of view. And since the author contributes to the show, I was ok with it. The premise in the book is the same as on the show, but definitely different plot.

I started Bossypants by Tina Fey a couple of days ago and will highlight in my February update. So far it’s funny—as expected.

3/30 books in 2012 done.

nyc ballet

First to do for 2012 is done! My friend Sandra is in the middle of her 30 list and she wanted to go to a dance performance. She narrowed it down to the NYC Ballet, so I decided to add the ballet to my 2012 list since I’ve never been.

We made our way to Lincoln Center to watch Firebird, The Steadfast Tin Soldier, Tschaikovsky Pas de Deux (from Swan Lake), and Who Cares? It was a selection of performances that ranged from classic to a bit more modern.

I’ve never been to the ballet and didn’t ever have a particular interest in going, but I’m glad I decided to tag along with Sandra and her friend Casey. I’m definitely no expert when it comes to the ballet, but I did enjoy myself and thought it was beautiful. I’m a bigger fan of the theater, but it was nice to see a different type of art. Especially since the requires such a level of athleticism that I know nothing about. I consider myself an athlete and there is no way in hell I could do some of the stuff the dancers were doing—not even close. I would tell you that running a marathon is easier than doing a pirouette or any other move.

I will go to the ballet again—just not anytime soon. It’s a once in a while type of thing—mostly because it can get a bit pricey, but I also have a lot of other interests that occupy my time. Maybe next year I'll finally get ot the opera. I'm getting more and more cultured as every year goes by.

notes

#12 on my list is to send out 12 handwritten notes this year. Who loves getting mail? I do. Usually my mail is full of credit card applications, but I love seeing a colored envelope (usually a Christmas or birthday card) and seeing what’s inside. I love it even more when there’s a note inside. I remember when I was a kid and had a pen pal from France. Getting those letters were sooo much fun. Although I was not so great at responding.

It’s 2012 and we live in a technology-filled world. We all 'write letters' via gmail, facebook, twitter, and our blogs—at least those are my main lines of communication. Over the last couple of years I’ve heard about people, including friends, making more of an effort to send out handwritten notes. This year I wanted to take that extra step to send cards to my friends and family throughout this year. My goal is to send one a month over the course of 2012.

I’m not going to tell you who I’m sending them to (it’s a surprise!), but I will let you know how my progress goes. My first note is now in the Chelsea post office waiting to be sent out!

girls are faster than boys

Ok. That may not be necessarily true. Boys have always beaten girls in running events. I mean, Usain Bolt is the fastest person in the world. However, there are a lot of girls out there who have beaten a lot of boys. And this particular girl is faster than some of those boys. I’m no Shalane or Kara, and I personally know a lot of people who are way faster than me, but I can hold my own. My 400m record from my junior year of high school still holds (at least I think it does). My first and only timed mile was done in 6:20 and that was in the middle of an 18-miler. I can run a 7:16 5k. And last fall I ran a 3:39 marathon. So yeah, I’m no slouch.

So to the douchebags that I constantly pass in Central Park, grow a pair. Seriously. I know when I’m passed by someone faster. It’s clear right away and it’s cool. They speed off into the sunset and I salute them. For those who I pass, and then realize that a girl is running by them, so they speed up—grow up. It’s 2012. Get over your egotistical mentality that guys are faster than girls.

And guess what? This infuriates me and what does that make me do? Run even faster.