I am sick!

At least that's what my co-worker told me upon hearing my account of my 22 miler over the weekend. I think he might be onto something though. In my euphoric post-run state, I did the unthinkable. I registered to run the Richmond marathon with friends Kristi and Carrie (maybe), which takes place on November 15, almost exactly three weeks after Marine Corp. Kristi thought it would be fun to be able to say we ran two marathons in a year, and I thought it would be fun to partake in the junk food stops they offer at miles 16 and 22! (my life is ruled by food)

I'm so excited!!!

Message for Darin

Remember that one time I told you I'd make you a cd that included the song by Paramore that I sang so beautifully when we played Rockband? And you said, yes Anne, I'd love one? And then I said, well, what kind of music do you like? And you said...well, I like what Adam listens to, but different stuff? And I said, ok, I totally know what you mean? Well Darin, truth is I had absolutely no idea what you meant by that, but that wasn't going to stop me from making you that CD. So this is me publicly telling you that I made you a CD or two! I'm going to give them to Adam at work to give to you, so if you don't receive them you can blame him, not me. Or, here's a thought, maybe we should all do lunch sometime this week because we are next door neighbors!

Here's what you have to look forward to:

Disc 1:
1. The Golden Path - the Chemical Brothers
2. Switching Off - Elbow
3. Polaroid Solution - Faded Paper Figures
4. Crushcrushcrush - Paramore
5. Maps - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
6. Four to the Floor (Thin White Duke Mix) - Starsailor
7. Handlebars - Flobots
8. Boneless - The Notwist
9. Kids - MGMT
10. Left Behind - Cansei de Ser Sexy
11. Metropolis - Faded Paper Figures
12. So This Is Goodbye - Junior Boys
13. 5 Years Time - Noah and the Whale
15. Extra Ordinary Thing - Aqualung
16. 1234 - bikini
17. A Smalltown Monday Solution - Superbass vs New Order vs Bronski Beat
18. Alala - Cansei de Ser Sexy
19. Insomnia - Electric President

Disc 2
1. Exodus Damage (Alias Remix) - John Vanderslice
2. Chasing Dreams - Magnet
3. In a State - Mojib
4. What You Gave Away (Alias Remix) - The One AM Radio
5. L.E.S. Atistes (XXXChange remix) - Santogold
6. Little Lovers So Polite (The One AM Radio remix) - Silversun Pickups
7. Fit But You Know It - The Streets
8. Great DJ - The Ting Tings
9. The Gutterati? - The Fratellis

Hope you like em!

lunch time conversation

The scene: Tysons II food court with friends Rachel and Scott. Rachel and I bought two different pizzas to share (4 cheese and vegetarian if you must know). I was down to my last two slices (one of each) and was having a hard time deciding which flavor I would like to linger on my tastebuds. This is not an uncommon occurrence with me; In fact I think about it every time I eat, and I explained this to my friends.

Scott: (funny look)

Me: "You think I'm strange don't you?"

Scott: awkward.silence.

Me: "Your hesitation speaks volumes"

Scott: "Well, it's just that we like you because you are strange."

Me: Thanks Scott

Rocking out

I played Guitar Hero for almost 4 hours straight on Saturday night and I am hooked! I even faked my way through half of the game on hard. I'm pretty much amazing. I would like to play it every second of my life, please.

The longest run

I ran the most I've ever run while training today. I was supposed to run my 22 miles on Saturday, but thanks to a bad burger, had to postpone a day (no missing this week, as I probably won't be running at all next weekend). I had a pretty great run as I zig zagged my way from Virginia to DC to Virginia to DC and back home to Virginia again. While I might have averaged about a 13 minute mile pace (told you I was slow!) as a result of lots of walking breaks, I felt like when I was running, I was running better and stronger. Whether that is thanks to my strength training or carbo loading the night before or it was all in my head, I don't know, but this bodes well for the marathon. My body feels surprisingly good, with only a bunch of blisters to remind myself of what I accomplished today. Go me!

This means I've officially started my (extra long) taper. Only 29 days until the big day!!!

mileage

Tomorrow is supposed to be an easy 13 miler, but because I will be out of town next weekend (in New Mexico for the hot air balloon festival) when we have our scheduled 22 miler, I get to do that this weekend, all by my little lonesome. Well, that's not quite true. My friend Carrie will be joining me for the first 10ish miles, but after that I'm flying solo. Despite the fact that I'll be spending half of my waking hours on saturday run(walk)ing, I'm kind of excited. I'm going back to my old stomping grounds with my favorite route along the Mt. Vernon trail and the monuments, which I have missed greatly. However, I'm not quite sure that I logged a training run longer than 18 last year, considering my injuries, so this might be uncharted territory for me. If any of you happen to be in the area tomorrow and see someone who looks like me either passed out or about to pass out or limping on the side of the trail, please help. Thanks in advance.

Oh, and if you have any great songs or podcasts you could recommend to help pass the time, please leave your comments. I might even reward you with cookies.

Can you believe Marine Corp is exactly one month away?? Eeek!!!

wardrobe choices

My friends found this outfit hilarious. I call it weather appropriate, not to mention educational...those are the Lebanese mother tongues on my shirt...

On a related note...according to H&M magazine, short hair is IN this season. Looks like I'm ahead of the trends. Go me!

Oops, wrong number

I had to contact my credit card company this morning to inquire about the $0.05 balance on my card (gotta love rounding for claiming work expenses) and was having difficulty accessing my account online. So I went to their homepage where they have the customer service number published. They posted their number: 1-800-2 (insert abbreviated company name here), and right below provided the numbers that correspond to each letter for ease of dialing. So, I call the number, 1-800-2 and then the numbers provided below. It rings, and then a woman's voice says to me "Hey there sexy guy" before I realize I have the wrong number. So I try again...1-800-2 and the number, and I'm greeted with "Hey the..." Dumb me, didn't realize that when they provided the translated number that they already added the 2. An honest mistake, and kind of funny considering I was given an award last year for acting with integrity.

A crying shame

I saw Ghost Town with my friend Rachel this evening (welcome back to the lower 48, Rach). The movie was fun, I definitely laughed loud and often. I just think that Ricky Gervais is a hoot. You should go see it. It takes place in one of my most favorite places in the world, New York City and I realized that it has almost been a year since I've visited, which is beyond unacceptable! Considering I have family there and a place to rest my head, there are no excuses. Well, except for stupid marathon training, but that's not really an excuse is it because technically I should be able to run anywhere? I need to go asap, especially considering there is a chance our traditional NYC thanksgiving feast might take place somewhere other than NYC this year. I miss it!!

What do you do...

...when your friend calls you just as you're getting out of the shower to come pick her up from the airport (after traveling for almost 24 hours)? Well, you put on your fluffy pink robe and jump in the car, that's what.


And when you get to the airport you definitely get out of the car to help her with her 4 very heavy suitcases.

Anything for a friend.

best website ever

I know most of you are watching the season premiere of Heroes right now, but I've got better things to watch, like How I Met Your Mother and new show Worst Week (which was sooooo funny btw). I'm also watching the premieres of Chuck and Life even though they don't officially premiere until next week. How is that even possible you ask? It's all thanks to the Greatest Website Ever Invented, called hulu. If you haven't been there yet, please redirect your browser. You won't regret it...or maybe you will, when you find your time sucked away by all of the awesome goodness found there. First thing I did? Watched the entire series of Arrested Development and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. Time well spent, which is more than I can say for all the hours wasted on Paradise Hotel 2 (it's like a bad car accident, you can't help but watch). THey even have oldies like Doogie Howser MD and The Facts of Life!! Enjoy!!

Fame

A few weeks ago my supervisor said she’d like to spotlight me in our quarterly admin newsletter. Since I secretly love a little attention I agreed to participate, thinking that it would just be distributed to the local admin group.

Imagine my surprise when someone I don’t even know walks up to me and said she liked that I described myself as funky. *this is me looking for a rock to crawl underneath* Apparently the email was not sent to my little group at all, but to all of management (meaning managers and above) in both our Tysons Corner and DC offices.

So, for your viewing pleasure, mostly my mom’s, here is most of the email (edited for the interweb):



Cut off was some valuable advice and the final paragraph, which says “Anne describes herself as athletic, generous, kind, creative, funny and funky. While she is definitely all of those things, she is also a valuable member of the Transaction Services team – and (our company).”

After reading this bio, my friend Jake sent me the following email:

“When asked about what she liked about Salt Lake City, she cited the proximity to the mountains, outdoor activities and national parks.”

Funny, I’ve never heard you mention those things. In fact, I always thought you said quite the opposite – that you never partook in any of the outdoor activities!!!

Kidding, nice little bio on you – will that make your blog?

And my response:

Oh my…I didn’t realize that would be going out to the whole world. How embarrassing!!

I'm shameless, of course it will make my blog!

*I can’t believe I described myself as funky

cell phone clean up

It's been a long time since I've posted my cell phone pics (I think the last time was December of last year...crazy!!), and since my memory is now full it's time for another edition of "Random Cell Phone Pics"

Me and my initial at California Adventure. I love the little minnie mouse posing in the background.


I've posted this one from the relay before...but still find it hilarious, so here you go:


On my way back from the relay in June I had a longish layover in Vegas and Christy was kind enough to save me from sitting in an airport forever. Thanks again Christy!!


The closest I'll ever get to the eiffel tower if my face never clears up!!


Lounging in my favorite spot in the city:


I took this picture so I'd remember to check out the random blog advertised. Never did...

Incriminating photos of my nephew in my oh so cute heels:


He moved surprisingly well in them...


He may regret this one day...


A Philadelphia sunset:


This was me excited to go to the Poconos. This smile quickly disappeared as the traffic got heavier and heavier:


Evidence that I sometimes eat things other than pretzels and Ben & Jerry's ice cream:


Speaking of food...I just remembered I cooked up some chicken and put it on the counter oh, three hours ago...Oopsie!!

Movin on up

For being a lowly admin assistant, I had a pretty sweet setup on the 2nd floor. I was close to all of my work buddies and most importantly, I had my very own window. Well, with my bosses promotion came some new digs. He was given a big office with a conference room on the 5th floor and of course, I had to move with him up there.

My old view (I miss you so much!!):


And this is my new view:

Yeah...a boring wall and a textured window that looks into my bosses conference room. Now I have absolutely no idea if it's been raining or when traffic is backed up so badly that I would be better off putting in an extra hour of work in than fight my way through. I'd be lying if I said I didn't shed a tear or two on moving day (but maybe that's because I had to move both my stuff and my bosses single handedly). At least now when I get to look out the window I appreciate it more. And!! Guess what?! Because we're much higher now, I can see the tip of the Washington Monument peeking through the trees in the distance. Yay!

Cool pics, revisited

Thanks to all of you who participated in my little poll. I learned something from all of you; that more than 3 people read my blog. Yay!! Kidding. You all had great opinions why you liked what you did, which I appreciate. So after a lot of consideration and moving around of pictures, I decided on this (please disregard the fact that they are crooked and taped to cardboard):


The original plan was to put all four pics together once I could get a mat cut, but I think I'm going to leave it like this and frame the fourth on its own, mainly because I like how the pictures look side by side on the horizontal better than one on top of the other on the vertical.

Anonymous said that I should do a little research on the origins of the pictures so I did. Turns out they are pictures of a town in Spain called Avila. The medieval walls surrounding the city, as featured in the center picture, were built in the year 1090 are the best preserved in Spain. I am not exactly sure what the left hand picture is, but the building in the right hand photo is the St. Vincent's Church. The town is apparently an hour outside of Madrid. Perfect! I think I want to go for a visit. Who wants to come with? Small hiccup though, I still don't have a passport, so we'll have to wait. But I'm getting it! My application is all filled out! I just need the zit on my chin to go away (and no new ones to form).

Ouch

I'm sore. I have been for days now. Not everywhere all the time, but a traveling soreness. Just when one muscle starts to feel better, another one screams. At the present, the lucky winners today are my abs. They hurt so bad that I can't stand up straight. I look not unlike the Hunchback of Notre Dame, or a homosapien at the beginning of the evolution chain. On top of that, I have allergies. Try to satisfy a sneeze without aggravating your stomach muscles. It's a very fine balance, one I'm too often tipping the wrong way. I don't like this, I don't like this at all.

I also received guidance about my diet. The detailed instructions left me overwhelmed and crying my eyes out (yes I realize I'm overly dramatic and sensitive...that's why you like me though, right?!). Check it out:

Daily Totals – 1435kcal per day
Protein: 130g
Carbohydrate: 150g
Fat: 35g

Once every 3-4 days (2x/week) reefed with the following totals. Try to make this day fall on a day that you run long distances for your marathon training
Daily Totals – 1710 kcal
Protein: 110g
Carbohydrate: 250g
Fat: 30g

Macronutrient Timing
Total Meals: 4-6 per day

Protein: spread your protein intake evenly over all your meals
Carbohydrate: -approx 15% of total carbs at breakfast (23g-25g on a normal day/38g-40g on a reefed day)
-approx 30% of carbs preworkout (45g on a normal day/75g on a reefed day)
-approx 30% of carbs post workout (45g on a normal day/75g on a reefed day)
-The remaining 25% of your carbohydrate intake can be spread out over the rest of the
day in anyway you see fit. (you can split it into 4 meals, or you can have it
all in one and then just have zero carbs at the other meals)

Fat: keep your fat as low as possible at pre and post workout and spread the rest of
your daily fat evenly over your other 3-4 meals.

My mind is swimming...I don't even know where to begin.

I can't believe I voluntarily signed up for this! What was I thinking?!

a confession of sorts

I haven't been running well lately. Last weekends run was absolutely horrible. I basically hit the wall at mile 3 of 15 and ended up walking the majority of the way. Towards the end I was using the power lines that parallel the running trail as my interval markers and the minute that it took me to run from one to the next was almost unbearable. If I were to "run" the marathon in this condition, I would most definitely be picked up by the loser bus. I am certain that this lack of energy and my horrible performance is related to my diet, or lack thereof, and to a lesser degree, the absence of cross-training in my marathon training schedule.

I've known for a while that I needed to make some changes to my habits, but I am incapable, mainly as a result of my own laziness, of doing it on my own. Inspired by my friend Eric and his health and fitness goals, I contacted the fitness director at my gym about personal training options. I've never ever considered hiring a personal trainer. It's a lot of money to spend just so someone can subject you to torture for an hour each week, and that's on top of the ridiculous amount spent on the gym membership each month. But when I learned about a special program my gym offers, called "Million Dollar Lady," I immediately signed my life away (or at least my birthday money, thanks parents and grandpa). Ok, so maybe the name of the program is a little ridiculous, but the premise is awesome. It's a 6 week intensive fat loss camp (yes...I signed up for fat camp!!) and included in the cost are two hour long sessions each week, one day is spent doing strength training and the second is spent in the Pilates studio working out on the Reformer machines (the Portuguese medieval torture device shown in a previous post). I also added the "Energy Club" for the first few weeks which provides me with nutritional consultations as well as 4 meals a week prepared according to my caloric needs. I need all the help I can get. My current diet is so pathetic. There are many days I eat too few calories (I once took an online evaluation where you input all of the food you eat on a typical day and it tells you if you're eating too much...yeah, I wasn't eating nearly enough) and when I am eating enough calories it's only because I'm meeting my daily caloric quota from Ben & Jerry's ice cream and Taco Bell. Yeah, not too healthy.

The next six weeks are going to be rough...really rough, but it's definitely going to be worth it if I can get my act together and stop eating the swedish fish and candy corns I have next to my bed. Wish me luck with fat camp, I'm going to need it!!

In related news; if you're so inclined, you can virtually track me as I run my marathon on October 26 (39 days and counting!!!), as I'm sure you'll all be dying to know if I'm able to beat the bridge! Sign up to track me here.

Pilates

Some people call this a Reformer. I say it's an instrument of torture.

future's so bright

Reader poll

Forever ago I found these four awesome photographs in an antique shop in St. Michaels. I've intended to frame them ever since but haven't quite gotten around to it. Well I just realized I have some pre-matted long frames in my basement, but there are only spots for three pictures. So, until I can get a custom matte cut to include all of them (Amanda, can I use your matte cutter when I come home for Christmas...pretty please??) I will have to sacrifice one. I'm having a difficult time deciding which will become the sacrificial lamb, so I need some help. Dear readers (all three of you *wink*), if you had to pick, which one would you leave out?

#1

#2

#3

#4

Labor Day weekend

I have felt a little uninspired with regards to my blog lately, but wanted to post a few pics from the weekend. Holly and I spent a good chunk of time (and change) at Eastern Market. There seemed to be so many more vendors there than I'd ever seen before which didn't bode well for the pocketbook.

I loved this wall of mirrors, so I had to take a shot. You can only kind of tell, but I'm wearing the necklace I bought about 10 seconds before I took this (first purchase of many):


There were also these way cool tin ceiling tiles that I wanted so badly, but for 65 dollars a pop, I decided it just wasn't meant to be.

I did find tables and tables of lantern slides, which are basically old photo slides developed on panes of glass. There were a million different categories, including every state, animal and a jillion other things. I of course gravitated toward the Utah section and picked up a few goodies. This one looks like the Huntsman Center (Is that what it's still called? The place where the Utes basketball games are held?) but it's really the tabernacle...it looks like it was taken shortly after it was built:

And this one is a picture of Main Street. It kind of looks like a big blur, but the blob in the center is a horse and buggy and the rectangles on the middle left are trolley cars. So cool!!

Now I just need to figure out how to display them!


Sunday night we went to see Les Miserables at Wolf Trap which was a total blast. Les Mis was the first musical I ever saw and I remember spending all of my pre-teen years listening to the soundtrack. *Nerd Alert* during this time, my parents had their voicemail through the phone company, so I would spend my alone time calling our own number, record myself singing "Castle on a Cloud" on the machine, and then listening to it over and over critiquing my performance. I was convinced I would make the perfect young Cosette on Broadway. Anyway, back to the present...Wolf Trap is an awesome venue. They have an open air ampitheatre with lots of lawn seating and food and drink is allowed, even encouraged, so it was fun to have a picnic and do a little people watching before the show began. The show was awesome of course and I'm really glad it was dark outside. I mouthed all of the words I remembered and I may or may not have cried during various moments of the show. Watching this outside was incredible. The smells were unique (alternating alcohol and cedar) and the cicadas and crickets added a fun little twist to the soundtrack. If you ever have a chance to go see a show at Wolf Trap, do it! Just remember that it gets a little chilly once the sun goes down...despite a daytime high in the 90's. (we didn't and i looked pretty ridiculous with my legs and feet tucked into my shirt and fleece scarf fashioned like a shawl around my shoulders)


Thanks Holly for such a fun weekend!