tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4089493912525192392024-03-14T06:29:29.036-04:00Swim. Bike. Run. Write. My goal for 2014 is to improve my swimming and biking, and complete the Double Mussel and REV3 Poconos 70.3 races. I'm in the process of moving from Rochester to Albany, and am looking forward to making some new friends! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491339063669847840noreply@blogger.comBlogger353125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408949391252519239.post-34275108930216719742014-04-19T15:03:00.000-04:002014-04-19T15:03:30.263-04:00On learning to love the pool<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvs-gniVr-RGIAIm9HABaTEDmoVD7N_6FqAMN2YGhRU7qcwS62yiNcKewJfdA3SWurUrHbMax-L1kuOapWIQPOahqPLn2PL9ftL_EH7D8vx5tBTUzniv3bZXdlJrClRBW-7Pz44_1vCR4/s1600/11949858161540683653hotel_icon_swimming_poo_01.svg.med.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvs-gniVr-RGIAIm9HABaTEDmoVD7N_6FqAMN2YGhRU7qcwS62yiNcKewJfdA3SWurUrHbMax-L1kuOapWIQPOahqPLn2PL9ftL_EH7D8vx5tBTUzniv3bZXdlJrClRBW-7Pz44_1vCR4/s1600/11949858161540683653hotel_icon_swimming_poo_01.svg.med.png" /></a></div>
At first, swimming was just that thing I had do so I could make it through the triathlon. Last year, though, I found myself <a href="http://speedyjessica.blogspot.com/2013/08/that-moment-when-you-lose-yourself.html" target="_blank">loving open water swimming</a>.<br />
<br />
But the pool was still the pool, and up until recently I equated lap swimming to running on the treadmill.<br />
<br />
I'm down injured right now (still.) Since February, swimming has been all I've been allowed to do.<br />
<br />
(It stinks.)<br />
<br />
(One tiny upside: It's an excuse to wear sneakers to work every day.)<br />
<br />
(But it still stinks)<br />
<br />
(Occasionally I miss my heels.)<br />
<br />
(Just occasionally.)<br />
<br />
But in the past two months I've really embraced swimming, and brought myself to a point where I look forward to getting in the water.<br />
<br />
LEARNING TO LOVE THE POOL STEP 1: BE A BETTER SWIMMER<br />
<br />
Last year, I just wanted to get good enough to make it through the race. But since the running shoes are hung up for the moment, I might as well learn how to do this correctly.<br />
<br />
That's by no means knocking the people who taught me how to swim. Randall's tips ring through my head to this day.<br />
<br />
A friend from work and I signed up for a master's swim program in March, and this was really helpful. The coaches helped me with my stroke. I wasn't bringing my arms far back enough, making too small a circle, not reaching far enough, focusing on this was a godsend.<br />
<br />
Then they told me that I was picking my head up too high to breathe. This was and still is harder to master, but I'm working on it! A woman at the Y gave me a good tip: try to keep one goggle in the water (don't actually do it, but try). It's working!<br />
<br />
In the master's class I learned the proper way to do breast stroke, I learned the fly kick, and the back kick (which I love and use for all my cool down laps.)<br />
<br />
I've gotten a lot faster, which has made swimming much more enjoyable, because I feel like I'm actually getting good at it instead of flailing around in the water counting laps.<br />
<br />
The lifeguard at the Y even asked if I was on the swim team yesterday.<br />
<br />
(Perhaps we all look like we're in high school when we're wearing swim caps and goggles.)<br />
<br />
STEP 2: EMBRACE THE THERAPEUTIC BENEFITS<br />
<br />
When I step out of the pool, I feel so cleansed, even though the first thing I want to do is shower.<br />
<br />
The mental health benefits of running and cycling are wonderful and I miss it, but swimming is different somehow. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/15/opinion/sunday/the-self-reflecting-pool.html" target="_blank">The New York Times even wrote about it</a>.<br />
<br />
The pool is the only place where I'm forced to detach myself from my iPhone. If there's a chance work or someone might need me, they get the message that they're probably getting used to seeing by now: "I'll be off the grid for an hour or two. I'm going swimming."<br />
<br />
Sometimes I even tweet it, so there's no question, I'm inaccessible to the outside world when I'm in the pool.<br />
<br />
Swimming in itself is so mechanical. There's so much to the stroke and the kick. There's so much counting involved, laps and strokes. As a result, everything else in your head gets pushed out.<br />
<br />
Then, when you get out, you're thinking clearer. That lede I didn't know how to write? That thing I couldn't think of before? That's when it comes to me.<br />
<br />
It's good to get a break.<br />
<br />
(Usually no one misses me.)<br />
<br />
STEP 3: HAVING A PLAN<br />
<br />
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After seeing someone else with it at the Y, I ordered this book for myself: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Swim-Workouts-Triathletes-Practical-Endurance/dp/1934030759/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397933451&sr=8-1&keywords=swim+workouts+for+triathletes" target="_blank">Swim Workouts for Triathletes</a> by Gale Bernhardt and Nick Hansen.<br />
<br />
The book has 75 swim workouts, drills, training tips and plans. Right now I'm not following a plan but have been doing the endurance workouts and really like them. They're anywhere from 2,200 to 2,600 meters and take me a little over an hour. Yesterday there were sets of 3-5 laps, alternated with drills and kicks.<br />
<br />
I really only have one speed in the pool, so I'm not that good at doing the workouts that require you to vary speeds, but I'm getting better. Having workouts broken up really makes them go by quicker, and the tips in the book have made me a much better swimmer.<br />
<br />
(I really hate that buoy.)<br />
<br />
(The book's authors love it.)<br />
<br />
SO…<br />
<br />
I can't wait to brush the dust off the Asics.<br />
<br />
But I can deal with the pool for now.<br />
<br />
High elbows… catch… follow through…Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491339063669847840noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408949391252519239.post-3605946492801431292014-02-25T18:00:00.000-05:002014-02-25T18:00:03.796-05:00Injured :( Means one month off the road, and in the waterI have an epic post coming, the tale of a fabulous weekend with some wonderful friends and an amazing race. It's halfway written.<br />
<br />
I'm posting this first though, because I want that post to be on top. I'm back on the DL. I can't run for a month.<br />
<br />
My lower back has been pestering me lately. Not intense, serious, killer pain, but instead a lingering "maybe I should take care of this at some point" discomfort. I had tried two different chiropractors here, didn't like either of them (crack crack crack that'll be $20 goodbye), but with a half marathon Sunday I figured it wouldn't be a bad idea to get adjusted. I ended up in a small family chiropractor's office, and the doctor spent more time with me than the other two combined, and after running several tests with that hammer they use to test reflexes and this scary pinwheel torture device, he concluded something was wrong with a disc in my fourth lumbar (medical term over my head).<br />
<br />
He told me no running for a month. "But I have a half marathon Sunday." Negotiation ensued. I could run it if I agreed to see him the day after.<br />
<br />
Despite this, I wasn't very happy, and wallowed in my own pity Friday night.<br />
<br />
Saturday morning, Facebook presented a solution.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/15/opinion/sunday/the-self-reflecting-pool.html?_r=2" target="_blank">This New York Times column</a> perfectly describes why I love swimming. In this smartphone ridden world, there's no chance to get away from screens, from people, from noise—except when you're under water. When I'm swimming I think about nothing except counting laps and my stroke, and I come up relaxed and clear headed.<br />
<br />
But I haven't had any swim training since <a href="http://speedyjessica.blogspot.com/2012/08/swimming-lesson-day-1.html" target="_blank">I took lessons at the Y</a> more than a year ago. Since then I've practiced, slowly working my way up to the point where I did the Musselman 1.2 mile swim <a href="http://speedyjessica.blogspot.com/2013/07/musselman-2013-my-first-703-part-2-swim.html" target="_blank">in less than 50 minutes</a>. But I haven't had any more formal training, I figured I can get by, do the distance in a reasonable amount of time, so I'll focus on the other two sports.<br />
<br />
On Facebook that morning, I saw an opportunity to join a master's swim program.<br />
<br />
It starts Sunday, and it is four days a week through the month of March. The water will be good for healing my back, and a nice distraction from not being able to run.<br />
<br />
Friday I'm going to go swim the 1.2 miles as a benchmark. We'll try it again at the beginning of April, to see how much faster I get! :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491339063669847840noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408949391252519239.post-55975885844009281172014-02-20T21:23:00.001-05:002014-02-20T21:26:39.810-05:00The weather is finally warming up... and this is why I'm a little bummed about itI know I'll get some backlash for this one.<br />
<br />
I haven't been quiet about my hatred toward this winter. <a href="http://speedyjessica.blogspot.com/2014/01/fighting-winter-madness-im-losing.html" target="_blank"> Exhibit 1</a>. <a href="http://speedyjessica.blogspot.com/2014/01/hey-winter-you-win.html" target="_blank">Exhibit 2</a>. It has been dark, depressing, terrible and COLD.<br />
<br />
This weekend it'll be a tropical 40 degrees, with nature's free car wash pattering down from the sky just enough to save me $10 and melt some of the snow. Perfect running weather, and I'll be headed to Syracuse to meet Allison and Tara for the Lake Effect Half Marathon Sunday.<br />
<br />
So why am I secretly just a little disappointed that it's warming up this weekend?<br />
<br />
Because I like having a story to tell.<br />
<br />
Less than 6 months from now I'll be cursing life as I run up and down the hills of Geneva in the <a href="http://speedyjessica.blogspot.com/2013/07/musselman-2013-my-first-703-part-2-swim.html" target="_blank">Musselman half ironman</a>, July 13. I'll recall how I survived last horrible winter as I'm sweating buckets, wearing a tank top and shorts and stopping in front of every kid with a squirt gun or, if I'm lucky, a garden hose.<br />
<br />
As I tag back and forth with the other weary runners, starved for any conversation to help us through the miles, what would be the better story?<br />
<br />
"Gee this winter was really horrible wasn't it." "Yea, I'd kill for some of that snow right now." "Hey did you do the Lake Effect half marathon?" "Yea, we really lucked out because it warmed up that one weekend. It was a little wet but not bad."<br />
<br />
OR...<br />
<br />
"Gee this winter was really horrible wasn't it." "Yea, I'd kill for some of that snow right now." "Hey did you do the Lake Effect half marathon?" "Yes!! Oh DEAR GAWD! One would think it would get warmer through the morning, how did the temperature drop from -2 to -4." "And yes! There was that freak blizzard that hit around mile 7. I couldn't see anything." "Oh and then those kids threw snowballs at us." "Dude, a polar bear chased me for like a mile, fortunately he got distracted by a penguin." "Remember how everyone's eyebrows were white and frozen?" "I totally PR'd because I wanted to be done."<br />
<br />
OR just the basic reaction from non-runner folk.<br />
<br />
"What did you do this weekend?" "I ran a half-marathon." "****puzzled, quizzical look**** ****sly grin**** "You're bats#$t crazy."<br />
<br />
I always say I run for me. I do it because I enjoy it. I do it because it changed my life. I do it for that great feeling of accomplishment.<br />
<br />
But I must confess, sometimes I also do it for the stories.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491339063669847840noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408949391252519239.post-61520571640871338542014-02-06T16:31:00.000-05:002014-02-06T16:33:08.795-05:00Several quick "WOO-HOOs"I don't have time to tap out the many posts I've been plotting, but hate that my last post was SO negative, so I need to quickly counter that...<br />
<br />
...The weather warmed up, went up to 40 degrees this weekend. Yea it snowed again but at least the bitter cold is GONE (for now)!<br />
...In the nice weather I ran 10 miles and felt great, my first double digit run since Dirt Cheap!<br />
...Two days later I swam a full mile for the first time in awhile!<br />
...Tuesday I held a plank for 1:10!<br />
...I've been lifting again, following the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-New-Rules-Lifting-Women/dp/1583333398" target="_blank">New Rules of Lifting for Women</a>.<br />
...I launched my first major project for Capital New York, a bill tracker, and we've been getting good feedback.<br />
...I ate two oranges and a banana today, and made <a href="http://onceamonthmeals.com/slow-cooker-beef-and-broccoli/" target="_blank">a delicious beef and broccoli dish</a>. #freggies<br />
...I'm making <a href="http://glutenfreecooking.about.com/od/breakfast/r/Gluten-Free-Granola-Recipe.htm" target="_blank">homemade granola</a> this weekend. #yummmmAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491339063669847840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408949391252519239.post-22206743785767224122014-01-29T21:48:00.000-05:002014-01-29T21:48:00.033-05:00Fighting winter madness. I'm losing.<div>
I'm feeling pretty defeated right now. I'm ok writing that, because I know I'm not alone. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This winter has been cruel. The bitter cold temperatures have not only made it nearly impossible to be outside, but has made us all cranky and anxious. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We all know it's going to get better. One day a few weeks ago the weather broke. I ran 7 miles around downtown Albany and it felt amazing. But now running means a choice between the bitter cold, an endless moving belt or a dizzying indoor track.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But when it's so cold outside, getting up and out is a challenge. Being out in the cold takes it out of you, after making it home from work all you really want to do is curl up under a couple blankets and watch dumb television. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'd like to write about how Musselman is in six months but... I just want to bum on my couch instead. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Yuck. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491339063669847840noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408949391252519239.post-24560890654055025852014-01-22T14:53:00.000-05:002014-01-22T14:53:13.742-05:00Hey winter: You win<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7gHbAC5HTPEOfm-EUhPJDeHz8gwPcXnaSStROUW8U4dZLHqPvjmtA1lHuyO1gGFaxDMMK6cXcfM66A9zMNdxkrq-BEc2HVvjNSU289cWy3GtZxFQ6aMH6mU9IXyC4whH5LEszKNmB5QI/s1600/colcoldcolc.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7gHbAC5HTPEOfm-EUhPJDeHz8gwPcXnaSStROUW8U4dZLHqPvjmtA1lHuyO1gGFaxDMMK6cXcfM66A9zMNdxkrq-BEc2HVvjNSU289cWy3GtZxFQ6aMH6mU9IXyC4whH5LEszKNmB5QI/s1600/colcoldcolc.PNG" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking screenshots of the weather is the thing to do.<br /><br />It's cold out.</td></tr>
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Warning: Do not read if you're sick of people whining about the cold.<br />
<br />
Normally I put on a tough face when it comes to winter. I'll run in the rain and the snow. I'll bundle up and show up to races despite conditions. I'll admit to being a baby about extreme triple digit heat, but I've lived in Maine, Cleveland and Rochester. Winter I can do.<br />
<br />
But today I'm crying uncle.<br />
<br />
Uncle.<br />
<br />
Normally I reliably get one or two colds a winter. That's throughout the entire thing, ya know, April or something like that. I'm currently on cold #3 (including my bronchitis bout.) It's January.<br />
<br />
I'm down from work with less than half a voice, hacking up a storm and can't breathe. I pumped my heat up to 70, am huddled up under three blankets and I'm still freezing.<br />
<br />
I'm mindlessly working on a database for work, but Scandal is my escape. And man, it's gotten good.<br />
<br />
It's thrown off my routine because all I want is to be indoors. Every time I get into a good routine a cold spell hits and I get thrown off my game.<br />
<br />
So winter, ease up a bit. Double digits. That's all I ask.<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491339063669847840noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408949391252519239.post-15193005554489537582014-01-20T14:17:00.004-05:002014-01-20T14:17:59.929-05:00A delayed post for the new yearHappy 2014. Now that we're 20 days in I'm way belated in looking at the year ahead.<br />
<br />
My big goal this year is to complete two half ironmans, the <a href="http://www.musselmantri.com/races/" target="_blank">double Mussel</a> and <a href="http://rev3tri.com/pocono/news-pennsylvania/" target="_blank">REV3 Poconos</a>, with one of them under 7 hours. I also want to settle on a **gasp** full ironman to do in 2015, and volunteer this year for preferred entry. I'm between Mont Tremblant, which would be a cool trip, Lake Placid which is close to home, and Chattanooga, which is late in the year and benefits Crohns and Colitis.<br />
<br />
Beyond that, no big goals, no New Years Resolutions that I'll no doubt abandon in a month. Instead, I wrote out three things I want to accomplish this week. My goal is to take one week at a time.<br />
<br />
I'm taking the long-ramble-y approach to blogging today. Lots of stuff swirling around I've been meaning to put down. Actually I have about four unfinished drafts. I deleted all of them. Starting anew.<br />
<br />
So, first, <b>how are things going</b>? Leaving Rochester was a tough decision, but overall the move to Albany has been positive. Living on Center Square suits me. I'm finding new haunts and getting better at that parallel parking thing. The job is great, I'm learning a lot, and I've met some really great people.<br />
<br />
But, <b>I fell of the wagon</b>. I fell out of shape with the move and put on a few pounds that I'd like to get off. After Christmas, it was basically one excuse after another. Not that some weren't valid. Starting a new job is always taxing, and as awesome as tri training can be, the day job must always come first. Plus, getting my apartment together was a chore in itself. Crippling single digit temperatures (we did dodge the polar vortex) and a couple snowstorms did not help the situation.<br />
<br />
Once you're off, it is so hard to get back on.<br />
<br />
I thought about running after work for days and ultimately it didn't happen. The<b> first thing that finally got me off my lazy butt </b>was so entirely random, but you can't argue with what works. After it played on a loop while I was curled up in my favorite Lark Street coffee shop/hiding spot, I ended up on a <a href="http://www.deathcabforcutie.com/" target="_blank">Death Cab for Cutie </a>kick. Most of their music is perfect for winter, lethargic yet cozy at the same time. But as I'm at work with my head in a database Spotify pulls up this gem:<br />
<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/PEumpmiCwHI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
My normal not-being-a-fan-of-dance-remixes aside, all I wanted to do was run to this. So, after work, I did. That was the first push I needed.<br />
<br />
<b>The second push</b> came when I was in the middle of something and my Facebook starts blowing up. Who are the morons who included me in their frantic conversation, breaking my concentration?<br />
<br />
<b>Tara, Allison and Kim!!!!!!!!!!! Yay! </b>(You are welcome to distract me anytime.)<br />
<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_BJRtmdKI0eNVIZOHijRmw5uJVRPsO6rX2TEQdnoJWT8xduOPA8EK4WkoxpPb5pealoGo1K_bTcxhcQKo9n3RoqFWyQp1fXiq-TVYJMU6vOgI5kjY2QCBrLkBUBrXeZ-x_mQ5eD2eM0w/s1600/Happy+Dance.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_BJRtmdKI0eNVIZOHijRmw5uJVRPsO6rX2TEQdnoJWT8xduOPA8EK4WkoxpPb5pealoGo1K_bTcxhcQKo9n3RoqFWyQp1fXiq-TVYJMU6vOgI5kjY2QCBrLkBUBrXeZ-x_mQ5eD2eM0w/s1600/Happy+Dance.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first thing that came up when I Google imaged "happy dance". </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our previous Facebook conversations had ceased. My initial plan had been to run a race sometime this winter somewhere in New York with these ladies, but while I was in laid-off-no-money-land the race sold out. (Sad face.)<br />
<br />
As I was busy not-running, though, I secretly thought "I am sure glad I'm not on the hook for a (longer race) right now."<br />
<br />
But as I quickly discerned from the back and forth I was sneaking glances at while pretending to pay attention to something else, Kim had a conflict and couldn't make the race. There are no bib transfers, so somebody needed to pretend to be Kim.<br />
<br />
I think I can look like a Kim.<br />
<br />
Hence my vagueness on the race, which will be revealed after "Kim" runs this longer race somewhere in New York sometime this winter.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
I was a little nervous that I couldn't run like a Kim though. I've been slacking. But Saturday I pulled out (half the race distance) on my own. If I can pull out (a longer run) then (an even longer run) I should be ok. Not fast. But able-bodied enough to crawl across the finish line.<br />
<br />
Sad Kim can't make it, but I'm so excited to catch up with my other Rochester friends!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ceTjtgmg4P42Wf52PTAhdY-3d3zuBkE5USnacuMOs5eMLeLuZ_Uc5r5_wTs98BJUtPGLD2McRw-E1eMc5jLwby1s_eQvVigwzTWBfyShTXeADjI_gI_ZdVnBF_s6I2nDQ9vrDs4xA4sD/s1600/Snoopy_happy_dance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ceTjtgmg4P42Wf52PTAhdY-3d3zuBkE5USnacuMOs5eMLeLuZ_Uc5r5_wTs98BJUtPGLD2McRw-E1eMc5jLwby1s_eQvVigwzTWBfyShTXeADjI_gI_ZdVnBF_s6I2nDQ9vrDs4xA4sD/s1600/Snoopy_happy_dance.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The second thing that came up when I Google-imaged "happy dance". </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Then my third motivation</b>, which actually came before the second but I was more excited about that so I wrote about it first. I joined the Capitol District Triathletes! There hasn't been a lot of club activity, it is January, but it's a very big and very active group that I'm convinced will serve me well as it warms up and I'm looking for long distance bike routes and places to swim.<br />
<br />
So, I'm feeling better. I swam and lifted today. I feel like I have something that resembles a plan.<br />
<br />
Bring it, 2014!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491339063669847840noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408949391252519239.post-825246285900444682013-12-24T10:09:00.001-05:002013-12-24T10:11:26.972-05:00Recalling the one year anniversary of the West Webster tragediesOn Facebook today, my former Democrat and Chronicle colleagues are posting their recounts of Christmas Eve 2012 and <a href="http://www.cnycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=986917#.Urmia2RDvlc" target="_blank">the tragedies that happened</a> in West Webster. I will follow suit.<br />
<br />
It was a day that was hard to forget.<br />
<br />
That morning I figured I was in for an easy day at work and thought I could sleep in a bit. Then I checked my phone and leapt out of bed, barely took time to put myself together and went to the office. I saw the footage of smoke streaming up over Lake Ontario on the various TVs as I headed into the building.<br />
<br />
As we'd later find out, a man named William Spengler had killed his sister, set the house ablaze and waited to ambush first responders. Two were killed. Two were injured.<br />
<br />
"Don't take your coat off," my editor said when I got to the fourth floor. Beats aside, all hands on deck, I was going to Webster.<br />
<br />
I stood out in the cold for several hours with the other reporters trying to gauge what was up before I was tasked with community reaction. Normally we were a chatty, social bunch but today things were tense and worried.<br />
<br />
I went to a Webster bar. Instead of catching up and blowing off steam from shopping and cooking, people sat quietly around the tables, jumping and crowding around the television whenever a reporter cut in.<br />
<br />
It had gotten late in the newsroom and people were working hard on a day they should have been cutting out early. Very apologetically, I was asked to cover the vigil back in Webster. I assured them I didn't mind, I had celebrated Christmas with my family a week earlier, but it was still hard standing there knowing those outside the fire house surely would rather be doing something else on Christmas Eve, but felt a pressing need to be there instead.<br />
<br />
The fire chief hadn't planned on making a statement, but seeing the overwhelming crowd he came out, but barely choked out a few words.<br />
<br />
One week later I covered the funeral of Tomasz Kaczowka, a 19-year-old who had volunteered for duty that day. Firefighters from across the state and beyond came to honor him.<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491339063669847840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408949391252519239.post-28884157323074068872013-12-19T09:00:00.000-05:002013-12-19T11:48:22.268-05:00Life in AlbanyOnce again, I've been a bad blogger. Life has been moving in fast-forward since I moved here, I feel like I blinked and the move, my birthday and the NYC trip went past, and I'm realizing it's probably about time to buy some Christmas presents.<br />
<br />
(I still have 7 days. #plentyoftime.)<br />
<br />
So here are some random notes from the past few weeks:<br />
<br />
Since I moved here, I've gotten exactly <b>one run</b> in. Part of that's by design, since I'm not training for anything at the moment, I might as well put my expendable energy into getting my apartment together. I'm getting close. Amazon is delivering a table. I just need a couch.<br />
<br />
Bronchitis is singlehandedly the <b>worst thing on the planet</b>. I reliably get a cold-flu-sinus thing when the seasons change, and two weeks ago after being a little sniffly I thought I had gotten off easy. But the next week I'm sitting in a hearing in New York City and my nose won't stop running. I limp through the rest of my trip, go home then later end up in urgent care. The next three days become a haze of falling in and out of drug induced naps as Despicable Me plays on a loop in the background. Thank you, Redbox.<br />
<br />
Do<b> I love New York</b>? I haven't been since 2008, but I spent a couple days there last week. Knowing my superior sense of navigation, I was quite proud of myself for not getting lost on the subway system. I generally don't love crowded places, but the energy was fun. Plus getting to finally meet many of my coworkers was wonderful. Next time I go, though, I'd prefer it to be a few degrees warmer, and you know, not be coming down with bronchitis.<br />
<br />
<b>I guess I'm 30 now. </b>Doesn't really feel any different. Plus I'm no longer competing with all the speedy 20-somethings at races. Yea. #brightside.<br />
<br />
<b>About the job.</b> After almost two months, I'm finally starting to settle in. I work in New York's capital building in a small windowless area with all the other reporters. Our four-person (we're adding a fifth soon) office functions well, it's a good and talented team. In between my immediate colleagues and the New York City office there's a lot of passion for what we do, and it's exciting to work in such an environment. I'm excited for the hustle and bustle of the legislative session.<br />
<br />
<b>And the apartment</b>. It still has a ways to go, but I'm enjoying where I'm living. I ordered a kitchen table online, so next I need a couch, then a TV. Brandy dog is relieved that there are no tile floors, which she has trouble walking on.<br />
<br />
My neighborhood is <b>Center Square</b> in Albany, and my apartment is a half mile away from work. Living on Lark and State is great, everything is so close. The dogs love walking through Washington Park. I realized the downside of street parking with the snowstorm this weekend, but fortunately the job comes with a parking spot, so I've been leaving the car at work so I don't have to deal with it.<br />
<br />
I found a new coffee shop. In Rochester, I lived at Boulder Coffee Company. Here my place of choice is <b>The Daily Grind</b>, right near my apartment. I'm dangerously addicted to their lattes.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491339063669847840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408949391252519239.post-57866726676111301942013-11-22T12:41:00.002-05:002013-11-22T12:41:59.559-05:00Two things come to mind while moving<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpeAaLbZz0dhHge21yYba3C0OIzVj84kWYstrEkDFvlrwNUYcd2fq1be226Y3KIU_b2E6W5VMG_CE4gh1DNWnmP82ovJJJQruvKkT5L3QY8fO8aOQVXPpec2v39iJpYALwAlpkzAUEFYu/s1600/anniesmove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpeAaLbZz0dhHge21yYba3C0OIzVj84kWYstrEkDFvlrwNUYcd2fq1be226Y3KIU_b2E6W5VMG_CE4gh1DNWnmP82ovJJJQruvKkT5L3QY8fO8aOQVXPpec2v39iJpYALwAlpkzAUEFYu/s320/anniesmove.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#AnniesMove</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When it's time to move, two things always come to mind: The #AnniesMove episode of Community, and this cartoon from <a href="http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/11/dogs-dont-understand-basic-concepts.html" target="_blank">Hyperbole and a Half. </a><br />
<br />
Annie's Move, well,<a href="http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/annie's-move" target="_blank"> just because it's hilarious. </a>The Community gang destroys Annie's old apartment above a porn store as they move her in with Troy and Abed where -- SPOILER ALERT (seriously if you haven't seen the episode by now...) her room is revealed to be a blanket fort. They tweet the whole thing, which is how Jeff gets busted for faking illness and going to the mall instead where the dean blackmails him into hanging out, and Shirley and Britta pick up an interesting passenger.<br />
<br />
In the Hyperbole and a Half post, the author, in great detail, describes her dogs' complex and not-so-complex emotions as they move.<br />
<br />
The characterizations of "simple dog" and "helper dog" fit my two to a T. Lizzie is "simple dog." She's fairly intelligent, independent and carefree. She doesn't let things bother her until they really bother her, then she breaks down into a bundle of nerves.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The first canine breakdown came when I brought her home from the sitters. I had taken a carload of stuff, packing the car after I dropped them off, and when she came home, she paced around the house, looking for all the missing things.<br />
<br />
Then she stopped. Her eyes got wide. Her ears pointed. Like she just remembered something really important. She rummaged around her crate, emerged with her tail wagging, prized green ball in her mouth. We tossed it around, and all was well with the world again.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdaUel3qq7j1XiTDqifDEgywVOgpk9TmJuKI0f-YtS71tEmwzrF4Gk5AfQz-nd6rKfxTKqfaeSHsn89x9tvps7CJWmfU2h7NaXSuHg_ziqDfNBgKOCUntarn9Yp7_ijSGPuD6FjpdBt38/s1600/lizzieball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdaUel3qq7j1XiTDqifDEgywVOgpk9TmJuKI0f-YtS71tEmwzrF4Gk5AfQz-nd6rKfxTKqfaeSHsn89x9tvps7CJWmfU2h7NaXSuHg_ziqDfNBgKOCUntarn9Yp7_ijSGPuD6FjpdBt38/s400/lizzieball.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It squeaks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The next week it happened again. I was packing and Lizzie was hanging out, unphased. Then someone came to buy my dresser. This was her tipping point.<br />
<br />
As the strangers carried my dresser out the door, she started whining, and it didn't cease for 15 minutes. I tried petting her, coaxing her, feeding her, nothing worked. She finally laid down on my bed. I sat down next to her, talked to her like an adult, and promised her everything was fine.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8LMQhisCK3oetsMroQ3lxBayF8N5pbTdCg2n4m_EDIw-R9Y6ndalopl0J7o45l742rVfxGiNBD4dI_2ewdIlivNOqXIUhv-igo4MnbQ8NXIf-BOoEwLZsE4gbW5sMbaZq6wIzNNU3u9Os/s1600/lizziebed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8LMQhisCK3oetsMroQ3lxBayF8N5pbTdCg2n4m_EDIw-R9Y6ndalopl0J7o45l742rVfxGiNBD4dI_2ewdIlivNOqXIUhv-igo4MnbQ8NXIf-BOoEwLZsE4gbW5sMbaZq6wIzNNU3u9Os/s320/lizziebed.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, Lizzie.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I scratched her ears for awhile. Then she suddenly jumped up, rummaged around her crate, again emerged with her ball, and all was well again.<br />
<br />
While Lizzie is having her ups and downs, Brandy has settled into the role of "helper dog".<br />
<br />
Brandy is a quiet, shy girl, and gets startled easily. Unlike the dog in the cartoon though, she didn't pick up on the fact that her environment was changing.<br />
<br />
Until Lizzie had her first panic attack.<br />
<br />
While Lizzie recovered, Brandy hasn't wanted to be alone. She gets anxious when I leave, and when I get back. She hoovers over me when I'm packing. She freaked out when I moved the couch.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnAiNdf1XCE2Nl6Py3k5acMpWlFg3sTf37WtP1l3ihS8yqtrBue0fgurJaZPFfDyIee3v74i7RC20XlU7_m3Cq4X7i6Nnhni73qctnsbUJBuSZDG-v5k1KB7IIUbwW-r07U5NX-0ux0yr/s1600/helper+dog.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnAiNdf1XCE2Nl6Py3k5acMpWlFg3sTf37WtP1l3ihS8yqtrBue0fgurJaZPFfDyIee3v74i7RC20XlU7_m3Cq4X7i6Nnhni73qctnsbUJBuSZDG-v5k1KB7IIUbwW-r07U5NX-0ux0yr/s320/helper+dog.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
My landlord was showing prospective tenants my apartment. When I go running, Lizzie and Brandy take turns lapping around Corn Hill with me. One tenant showed up early, Lizzie was with me, Brandy was at home.<br />
<br />
Steve described her reaction when the strangers walked into the house: "She was like, umm, I don't know if you're supposed to be here and I don't know if I'm supposed to do something about it." So she stayed on the couch and watched intently.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlKiXAaX6caYUvGkWbmNKImcjS86eiQz-2cCV23dhTHeaBg2d0907og5F4tonilRsKPTtBgsXa5siKiW2ffBs3OSxYZ_LxQZ47THzfr3vAQapFaxMpQD5zqoOska40rOQTu4PqVwzQe8c/s1600/brandycouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlKiXAaX6caYUvGkWbmNKImcjS86eiQz-2cCV23dhTHeaBg2d0907og5F4tonilRsKPTtBgsXa5siKiW2ffBs3OSxYZ_LxQZ47THzfr3vAQapFaxMpQD5zqoOska40rOQTu4PqVwzQe8c/s320/brandycouch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Lizzie wears her emotions on whatever the canine version of a sleeve is. Brandy is harder to read, and I can't tell the difference between her worried look and her "feel bad for me and let me on the couch" look.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxbHRhRqul2ep7yV2lxsDYjxIfc8wkKM6DuveDAzZODloGSskd0Dz2S8txDG-zqZDRcc6P3K6W83pEORqCM1MwzpjRfeI_lZ41UPyHm3J2T9eZH5ZSrpVmLpQPf3NB0_kL9ThuZ9vdnWWI/s1600/brandycouch2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxbHRhRqul2ep7yV2lxsDYjxIfc8wkKM6DuveDAzZODloGSskd0Dz2S8txDG-zqZDRcc6P3K6W83pEORqCM1MwzpjRfeI_lZ41UPyHm3J2T9eZH5ZSrpVmLpQPf3NB0_kL9ThuZ9vdnWWI/s400/brandycouch2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Brandy look.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Either way, our lives will return to normal soon enough.<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491339063669847840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408949391252519239.post-66644478505623441412013-11-22T12:08:00.001-05:002013-11-22T12:15:15.368-05:00In defense of Candy Crush Saga<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2tENZ4mXdpazfHJNmgiVGd3sxsxs4hTPGYgOTzfAB-Q82lOiLt84SVEBSgPjm1NlLLWhgY6lv6ljeSS4IGi7am6eyWmZbikNuwgvkLqZs9ss9uy1Uh_EI-6SbQQXYZm2NHnpq9ZczkS4j/s1600/ccs.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2tENZ4mXdpazfHJNmgiVGd3sxsxs4hTPGYgOTzfAB-Q82lOiLt84SVEBSgPjm1NlLLWhgY6lv6ljeSS4IGi7am6eyWmZbikNuwgvkLqZs9ss9uy1Uh_EI-6SbQQXYZm2NHnpq9ZczkS4j/s400/ccs.PNG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Level 254. I'm stuck. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There's a communal thing going on in social network land that's been around for awhile, and not going away anytime soon: A minor addiction called Candy Crush Saga.<br />
<br />
I normally resist the Facebook crazes. I refused to change my profile picture to a giraffe. I never posted 5 or 7 or 10 or 25 things about me. And I never played games, until now. I was that person who silently cursed that Facebook friend I haven't talked to in years who would send me daily invites to FarmVille. I never played Angry Birds.<br />
<br />
I'm not quite sure what made me pick up Candy Crush Saga. Possibly the perpetual ads on Facebook or friends announcing their achievements. I think I was just bored one night. The latest news is that the <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2013/11/18/taste-success-candy-crush-saga-hits-half-billion-downloads/" target="_blank">game has reached 500 million downloads</a>.<br />
<br />
I'm one of them. At first I'd sigh reluctantly. "Yes, I'm one of those people. A <i>candy crusher.</i>"<br />
<br />
But, as I played through the levels, I grew to appreciate it. It's a very good game. We'll get to why in a minute. But first my one major criticism: It does try to trick you into Facebook spamming your friends. Sorry about that. But there's a way to block it. So hide all requests from Candy Crush and get over it.<br />
<br />
I've been on a roll lately, passed about 20 levels in a week. But I think my streak has come to an end. Enter Level #254, you have to line up two disco balls or whatever they're called, together. I have yet to get close.<br />
<br />
First, it's a game for intelligent people. You need smarts to make it through. Especially in the later levels, you have to think strategically and think ahead. But it's also a game of chance, you don't know what candy will come from the top.<br />
<br />
Some people like to say the game uses the science of deprivation. I like to think it looks out for my best interests. You can only play five lives at a time, then you have to wait a half hour for another one. So, it's impossible to kill hours, instead you just make slow progress. This also makes it last so you don't get sick of it.<br />
<br />
It's free. You can pay if you want to, and I'll admit that I've thrown King, the game's maker, a few bucks. At first I didn't want to bug my friends to get to the next episode so I payed to unlock the first few (but then realized everyone else was doing it so what the heck.) I'll also confess, I was stuck on a level for weeks, the move was one away, and I paid for extra moves. It befuddles me to think people spend <a href="http://www.kirotv.com/news/business/addictive-candy-crush-saga-game-makes-divine-reven/nbRGR/" target="_blank">hundreds of dollars on the game,</a> I guess it feeds a gambling addiction. But I've gotten a lot of entertainment from the game, and the $4 or $5 I've shelled out is not a big price to pay.<br />
<br />
It encourages interaction with people. Real, live people. Well, on Facebook, anyway. Every 15 levels, you can either pay $1 or find three Facebook friends to send you a train ticket. As you go through the levels, you can see how your friends have scored and what level they are one. Sometimes they send you lives. I consider a life played that came from a friend good karma for the level.<br />
<br />
The game seems to sense when I'm getting frustrated with a level, because at some point the right pieces will magically fall into place. Normally I'll play all five lives before bed, but if I'm getting sick of a level that will slow to once or twice, or none at all. I'm sure there's a probability factor at play, but that disco ball-striped combo that saves the day always seems to come when I'm getting frustrated enough to quit.<br />
<br />
So well done, King, and please send a double disco ball soon to get me out of Delicious Drifts.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491339063669847840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408949391252519239.post-23950792261964664912013-11-20T22:55:00.000-05:002013-11-21T08:34:11.611-05:005 in 1 blog: The #ROC, The Lizzie, The Y, The iPhone and The BirthdayLife has gotten a little crazy lately.<br>
<br>
I've been splitting my time between Albany and Rochester. My Albany days are consumed by the drive, hitting the road before dawn, spending the night, then coming back around 9 or 10 p.m. the next day. On the road I've been playing the license plate game. I have six states left: Hawaii, West Virginia, Wyoming, South Carolina, North Dakota and Nevada.<br>
<br>
While I'm in Rochester, every moment I'm not working, I'm cleaning, packing or running around town dealing with the logistics of the move.<br>
<br>
I'm in Rochester through the weekend. Most everything is done now, so I can finally relax a bit.<br>
<br>
As I'm shuttling back and forth, I've written a dozen blog posts in my head, only to find myself too exhausted when I get home to get them in type.<br>
<br>
So here's a potpourri of sorts, little things that have been floating around in my head that I've been anxious to get down.<br>
<br>
ON ROCHESTER<br>
<br>
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</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0p5sEtoYAdRIiVjvmoHuMcw1e9qeGJU7CRQ5WE8i_DOuAHTck5sCyRpwlq_eim4eKlcWhJNExxmKJVRZLhe3i4hgVrlFUSNP7wIoPDhhhQuN82V42zXa2AbEwGCCTTySUZCkKUZubLnhp/s1600/rochester.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0p5sEtoYAdRIiVjvmoHuMcw1e9qeGJU7CRQ5WE8i_DOuAHTck5sCyRpwlq_eim4eKlcWhJNExxmKJVRZLhe3i4hgVrlFUSNP7wIoPDhhhQuN82V42zXa2AbEwGCCTTySUZCkKUZubLnhp/s400/rochester.jpg" width="225"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rochester</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
(Cross posted from Capital New York's anticipations, coming out Friday)<br>
<br>
<div class="p1">
After college, I lived in a series of small towns. Then one day I'm sitting at my desk in Newark, Ohio (somewhere between Columbus and I-77) when Len, a former editor and mentor, called me up and told me about an opportunity in Rochester, New York.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br></div>
<div class="p2">
Rochester was my first experience in a bigger city, getting to be a young professional in a place with a culture of young professionals. I have loved living there: The unique neighborhoods, the culture, the recreation, the friends I've made. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br></div>
<div class="p2">
It's my last weekend in the Roc, and I have a long list of "lasts" I'd like to get in: Last run around the South Wedge and Park Avenue, last dog walk around Corn Hill, last trip to the public market, last drink at Tap and Mallet, last cup of loose leaf tea at Boulder Coffee Company.</div>
<br>
<div class="p1">
<br></div>
<div class="p1">
I'm going to dodge weekend Pittsford traffic, where I'll give Rochester's beloved grocery chain Wegmans a sizable portion of my paycheck to stock up on some of their more unique goodies, have another eyes-bigger-than-stomach moment at the Food Bar and grab a couple cases of Finger Lakes vino from Century Pittsford Wines.<br>
</div><a href="http://speedyjessica.blogspot.com/2013/11/5-in-1-blog-on-rochester-lizzie-dog.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491339063669847840noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408949391252519239.post-87149649602331989742013-11-11T13:00:00.000-05:002013-11-11T13:00:07.836-05:00Dirt Cheap Stage Race report: Lingering in last place, running with the devil<i>Last weekend I participated in Fleet Feet Rochester's Dirt Cheap Stage Race, three races, two days, 19 miles. I took the races easy, <a href="http://www.yellowjacketracing.com/2013-results" target="_blank">with a combined time of </a>4:23:46.</i><br />
<br />
Report on Stage 1.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_ZaZKB5xkSxX12a3ubVmfrLloi4IDniv5skagWqea9eQDwRgG00sgNq61sH2VZFQV0B0AEvocX3la6EFfwvMxSSWLAPWrRCv26JmS8fUQ2Wma1-BysfFchkWfb3PUxvN-gPRx6Tuxz-N/s1600/536955_10151950623229729_1660305089_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_ZaZKB5xkSxX12a3ubVmfrLloi4IDniv5skagWqea9eQDwRgG00sgNq61sH2VZFQV0B0AEvocX3la6EFfwvMxSSWLAPWrRCv26JmS8fUQ2Wma1-BysfFchkWfb3PUxvN-gPRx6Tuxz-N/s320/536955_10151950623229729_1660305089_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Devil's Bathtub.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Stage #2: Devil's Bathtub</b><br />
<br />
Stage #2 was a 5-mile (4.82 by my GPS) run around a landmark called Devil's Bathtub, a kettle hole. I finished in 1:08:43, and this involved a small but well-worth-it set back.<br />
<br />
Allison had already given me one heart attack earlier that morning. As I snoozed in my car in our downtime, I had misread her texts and thought she was en route. I'm parked overlooking Devil's Bathtub at Mendon Ponds State Park. It's beautiful.<br />
<br />
Several cars are parked next to me. We're all resting up.<br />
<br />
The race starts at 1 p.m. Just before noon, I hear from a mildly panicked Allison. She's still tied up, hoping to break free soon, and still in Greece.<br />
<br />
12:10 comes along. She's getting gas, she's coming!<br />
<br />
12:15. I can't get ahold of her. I don't want to give up on her... but... I make a playlist. Just in case.<br />
<br />
12:30. Ok, she forgot her ATM card, now she's really getting gas, she's finally coming. I GPS it, 40 minutes from Greece to Mendon.<br />
<br />
"Step on it!" I tell her. "Drive like there's a pregnant woman in your backseat. Actually, no, drive like <i>you're </i>the pregnant woman! Traffic laws don't apply to you right now." (But do be safe.)<br />
<br />
She curses the many grannies on Ridge Road.<br />
<br />
"Allison, I don't know if you're going to make it."<br />
<br />
"Oh I'm going to try!"<br />
<br />
I love this girl.<br />
<br />
But wait, isn't the race chip timed? I go up to a race official. "If we start ten minutes late, is it a big deal?" Yea, he said, it kind of is. "We pick up the flags after the last person."<br />
<br />
So I hatch a brilliant scheme.<br />
<br />
With Allison zooming down Clover Street, the race starts. I trot along at the back of the pack, Allison on the line. "Keep coming. I'll be that last person, and I'll go slow and speedy you can catch up."<br />
<br />
(Another thing the old me would have hated.)<br />
<br />
So I shuffle along, chatting on the phone as Allison is pulling in, trying to keep the person ahead of me in sight, but stay ahead of the guy coming up behind me, picking up the flag. I can just feel him looking at me. "Are you really being that person barely running and talking on her phone in a trail race?"<br />
<br />
Yup.<br />
<br />
After seven minutes, I'm a half-mile in and Allison is at the start. They don't know if she can find me, the trail was curvy and relatively easy to follow up until this point, but now we're in the woods. Dilemma. "Wait, I can see a mile marker from here, I'll just wait for you there!" Allison said.<br />
<br />
Perfect.<br />
<br />
"The guy here is probably thinking 'Are you really being that person jumping in mid race.' I should probably explain," she said.<br />
<br />
Whatever. But wait! I'm in last place. I don't like being in last place! I step on the proverbial gas, pass a few people, and then there's a grinning Allison, standing with a volunteer one mile in. "We did it!" We're both laughing hysterically.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilEJUkDajVk0oZYGG4IM4dSs0NiVyI3PpMu5WJuOXsy4aUTuFvFafaPP3lC6TxaJRb_X3UmgPAyqShqFdjzMspjIN2IvoUffvMci_V1_B1XG__BmM1ooKWzkZMFSaMeVfpGViT26F4qltN/s1600/1425771_10151950904304729_291216273_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilEJUkDajVk0oZYGG4IM4dSs0NiVyI3PpMu5WJuOXsy4aUTuFvFafaPP3lC6TxaJRb_X3UmgPAyqShqFdjzMspjIN2IvoUffvMci_V1_B1XG__BmM1ooKWzkZMFSaMeVfpGViT26F4qltN/s400/1425771_10151950904304729_291216273_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Allison. We found each other!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The course is challenging, but easier than the first. The scenery is breathtaking. Allison, full of adrenaline from rushing to the race, keeps pulling ahead. I'm exhausted from the morning, and trying to keep Sunday's 11-miler in mind. We eventually find a rhythm.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLY74J2JQ1ZC4wumF2WsnsWqvUKp0YeA1cIMlM3TxnkfoiJWuoEzZcuA1SwBqLHTvwdhwu2ptvgRpZzN4YPGww91Ukepqsb6KhFFJQ94C4YZi_DBtFHkQA1FkEdI-amEfl78j1NED9k4OJ/s1600/6321377604_de08089179_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLY74J2JQ1ZC4wumF2WsnsWqvUKp0YeA1cIMlM3TxnkfoiJWuoEzZcuA1SwBqLHTvwdhwu2ptvgRpZzN4YPGww91Ukepqsb6KhFFJQ94C4YZi_DBtFHkQA1FkEdI-amEfl78j1NED9k4OJ/s320/6321377604_de08089179_z.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Staircase to the finish. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Allison and I, along with Tara, my Wine Glass buddy, Kim and Nupur all met on Facebook knowing two things about each other: We ran at about the same pace, and we all had fall marathons. We got to know each other in an online Facebook chat, conversations often drifting away from running.<br />
<br />
This is just the third time Allison and I have gotten together. We ran once, before she did the Rochester Marathon and I met her at the finish line of her race. But in this new world order, we know each other well.<br />
<br />
We caught up as we followed the flags, twisting and turning through the woods, then attacked the staircase to the finish.<br />
<br />
"Great teamwork ladies" Ellen says as we cross.<br />
<br />
I eat more than one hot dog, and we part ways.<br />
<br />
I get home, stumble around the block with the dogs, then collapse to the tune of Arrested Development on Netflix.<br />
<br />
I wake up hacking. This always happens to me, I cough excessively after the first cold-weather run of the year. I took some Sudafed, rested the rest of the evening, and woke up Sunday well-rested for Stage #3.<br />
<br />
I don't know how Allison does all that she does. She worked all night, and has two children.<br />
<br />
Part 3 will post at 9 a.m. Tuesday.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491339063669847840noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408949391252519239.post-87835172028823048182013-11-11T08:28:00.000-05:002013-11-11T08:34:30.205-05:00Dirt Cheap Stage Race series report: Adventures in Mendon Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGPtiBJiDLM5Br4LiPUND83b8Q7NdFGObdRTKuNKxaByvcRn0kFdx6AC7oq3o_q94y9uWLLFdzXjT6s55mnSVPM1_HKo7nqAJR_lk2dNG0_Pt8UqnQlrGsZeFBf6Tdu6Enm_hRAViv1I3/s1600/1452048_10151952665409729_1855879633_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGPtiBJiDLM5Br4LiPUND83b8Q7NdFGObdRTKuNKxaByvcRn0kFdx6AC7oq3o_q94y9uWLLFdzXjT6s55mnSVPM1_HKo7nqAJR_lk2dNG0_Pt8UqnQlrGsZeFBf6Tdu6Enm_hRAViv1I3/s320/1452048_10151952665409729_1855879633_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exhausted selfie. The point is, I got the <br />
coveted sweatshirt.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This weekend I ran 19 miles through the woods, split up over three races in Fleet Feet Rochester's Dirt Cheap Stage Race in Mendon.<br />
<br />
Last year I did Stage #2, at Devil's Bathtub, billed as a 5.5 mile race but actually a little shorter. I was jealous of all the people who did all three and got the coveted sweatshirt. <a href="http://speedyjessica.blogspot.com/2012/11/race-report-fleet-feet-dirt-cheap-race.html" target="_blank">I vowed to come back</a>.<br />
<br />
Life being as crazy as it has been lately, though, there was a good chance I might have let this one fall through the cracks. Enter Allison. We decided to do this series long ago, before our marathons, and she kept reminding me. She had me on the hook, I couldn't back out.<br />
<br />
I was by no means trained for a trail race. I've just run casually since the <a href="http://speedyjessica.blogspot.com/2013/10/race-report-wineglass-marathon-and.html" target="_blank">Wine Glass Marathon </a>a month ago. I haven't done hill training in eons.<br />
<br />
So I took it slow, walked all of the hills, Allison stuck with me in the last two stages (more on that saga, an adventure in itself, in Parts 2 and 3.) I finished the series <a href="http://www.yellowjacketracing.com/files/user/660_2013_3_OV_DCSRSeries.htm" target="_blank">with a combined time of </a>4:23:46.<br />
<br />
This will be a 3-part blog. Stage 2 will post this afternoon, and Stage 3 Tuesday morning, then a special post on Wednesday.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<b>STAGE 1: Time Trial</b><br />
<br />
The first stage was a 3-mile hilly time trial Saturday morning, which I finished in 40:46.<br />
<br />
The morning started with an adrenaline surge. Alarm went of. Hit snooze for ten minutes. Drifted away again. I wake up to the phone ringing. The caller ID says "Allison."<br />
<br />
I immediately assumed it was a runner's first nightmare: I overslept and Allison was going to say "where on earth are you?" I relaxed when I saw it was still 7:30-something. The phone call wasn't good news, she had a family matter to attend to so she'd have to miss the first race. Bummer, but I'd still have her for the second two stages.<br />
<br />
Took the dogs out. It wasn't that cold. Drove to Mendon. What a difference 20 minutes makes, burr, why didn't I bring gloves?<br />
<br />
They lined us up, and we started one runner at a time, 5 seconds apart, I was #145, so I had about a 10 minute wait. In this time it started snowing oh so slightly. We started on a slight uphill grade, my legs hated me immediately.<br />
<br />
When they said hilly, they meant hilly. These were some of the most treacherous, brutal climbs I've ever faced. I walked most of the inclines, some I couldn't have run if I tried. I laughed at my old self who might have forced myself to run the whole way. The light snowfall made the run absolutely beautiful.<br />
<br />
The best volunteer ever stood at Mile 2. She cheered us on as we turned a corner and started to attack a giant hill. "This is a bad hill, it is not the last hill, and you are not almost there," she said.<br />
<br />
The well-intentioned-yet-lying volunteers at Musselman constantly promising me that "this is the last hill" still haunt me. Gotta love the honest ones.<br />
<br />
I clawed my way up the beast, which seemed never ending, and at the top was Boots, coowner of Fleet Feet. "This is a no standing zone" he says as I'm huffing and puffing my way to the top. I grin. "It's all downhill from here, right?" I say, repeating an oft-heard but rarely true phrase that comes from most volunteers.<br />
<br />
"Nope. There's a little one, it doesn't last long."<br />
<br />
"Thanks for being honest!!"<br />
<br />
I slog my way through the remaining mile, then head back to the lodge for delicious Nutella and cashew butter. A chiropractor there adjusted my back, oh so good, then I got coffee and drove to Devil's Bathtub, the start of Race #2, put my headphones in and closed my eyes for a bit.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491339063669847840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408949391252519239.post-32647243278677563502013-11-03T19:27:00.003-05:002013-11-03T19:42:57.160-05:00Updates on life: Getting used to AlbanyLess than a month until yet another move.<br>
<br>
This one is different from the others because I get to do it slowly instead of throwing everything on the cheapest moving truck I can find.<br>
<br>
Being given the luxury of taking my time to find an apartment for me, Lizzie and Brandy, it was only natural that I had a total a-ha moment with the second apartment I walked into. I will be living in a brownstone near the intersection of State Street and Lark. The apartment is two blocks from work, in a wonderful neighborhood called Center Square. The place is close enough to the fun (which includes a wine store and a gluten free bakery in a very easy walking distance) and close enough to a few parks will be great for the dogs.<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcTPp_rHuKSPE5v36JhG_fUX1vt1gLwkRujCtdTse3Yk2n2DNaHW5np-L3d4FSFTlMs2VCTBXflZS17aM32eMsmzP1MujKQCI-S6Ylaf_U_EZe578DtlGT-naMC5iynATd1ltHERtud1C/s1600/1385432_10151898625319729_687279107_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcTPp_rHuKSPE5v36JhG_fUX1vt1gLwkRujCtdTse3Yk2n2DNaHW5np-L3d4FSFTlMs2VCTBXflZS17aM32eMsmzP1MujKQCI-S6Ylaf_U_EZe578DtlGT-naMC5iynATd1ltHERtud1C/s400/1385432_10151898625319729_687279107_n.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Though this is the second apartment I've had to give up a few luxuries. When I moved from Newark to Rochester, I had to give up quite a bit of space, in-unit laundry and a dishwasher. Now I'll be giving up off street parking and on-site laundry.<br>
<a href="http://speedyjessica.blogspot.com/2013/11/updates-on-life-getting-used-to-albany.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491339063669847840noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408949391252519239.post-73101793415664484692013-10-14T08:17:00.000-04:002013-11-03T19:43:53.919-05:00The excitement and challenges that lay ahead<div>
Exciting news: I have accepted a job as a reporter with Capital New York, and am beginning the process of relocating to Albany.<br>
<br></div>
<div>
The job offer happened so quick, amid an already crazy week, so it has just been in the past few days that I've been able to catch my breath and start to get really excited.</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
Capital New York is a startup project run by <a href="http://www.politico.com/" target="_blank">Politico</a>, a publication that I've always admired and sought to work for. It's growing, it's profitable, and<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/14/business/media/politico-editor-given-chief-executive-title.html?smid=tw-share&_r=0" target="_blank"> I agree with the direction the company is going in. </a></div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
After my layoff, I had my hesitations about staying in journalism. But there's one area of journalism that is staying strong: Publications with a niche audience. Politico has mastered the business model, one that is a hybrid model of free and paid content. The bigger stories are free, but the more specialized stories that you can only get from us are behind a pay wall.</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
My new colleagues are some of the best in the business, and I'm considering it an honor to have my byline next to theirs. </div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
I'll be covering campaign finance, ethics reforms and lobbying, all issues I am passionate about.</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
But it does mean another move. Another stop on Jessica's east coast and Midwest road show. And that was the hard part about taking this job.</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3bxe56hDefb7AR_hanmaJIgvFSIeuur1WwBQtJcjTobtrh6PzZRPsifzGE8Wxb66YsSjFD8MkGQZtQUzoBiyR6vPpCrqZkDyV3jO5_SBtJAGIkAAUw9YySrGv6KbQOvTtGsyOffhQozA5/s1600/homes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3bxe56hDefb7AR_hanmaJIgvFSIeuur1WwBQtJcjTobtrh6PzZRPsifzGE8Wxb66YsSjFD8MkGQZtQUzoBiyR6vPpCrqZkDyV3jO5_SBtJAGIkAAUw9YySrGv6KbQOvTtGsyOffhQozA5/s400/homes.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple: College. Blue: Professional life. Yellow: Albany.<br>
</td></tr></tbody></table></div><a href="http://speedyjessica.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-excitement-and-challenges-that-lay.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491339063669847840noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408949391252519239.post-29660335990503116652013-10-12T11:00:00.000-04:002013-11-03T19:44:19.069-05:00Post race recovery, and what's next for meFirst, happy<a href="http://www.ironman.com/triathlon/news/ironman-world-championship.aspx?d=ironman&intcmpid=hphero1#axzz2hU42JIXD" target="_blank"> Ironman World Championships </a>day. I'm excited to <a href="http://triathlon.competitor.com/2013/10/news/how-to-watch-the-ironman-world-championship_86294" target="_blank">check in on the race</a>, especially Jennie Hanson, from Rochester, who is competing.<br>
<br>
It's been a relaxing week of laziness following the <a href="http://speedyjessica.blogspot.com/2013/10/race-report-wineglass-marathon-and.html" target="_blank">Wine Glass Marathon</a>. I haven't run at all, and haven't done anything outside classes and dog walking.<br>
<br>
I did cycling just two days after my race, and spent the class pedaling with no or little resistance on the bike. I think this really helped my recovery, allowing the blood to start flowing without impact or pressure.<br>
<br>
Tomorrow I'm going to attempt a slow 3 or 4 miles followed by yoga and maybe a half hour swim.<br>
<br>
Things will be changing for me. I have accepted a job in the Albany office with Capital New York, which has recently become an arm of Politico. More on that in coming days.<br>
<a href="http://speedyjessica.blogspot.com/2013/10/post-race-recovery-and-whats-next-for-me.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491339063669847840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408949391252519239.post-82628175745918701592013-10-06T20:50:00.000-04:002013-11-03T19:44:55.350-05:00Race report: Wineglass Marathon, and running with Bart Yasso<i>Note: My tired brain is posting tonight, since the running buds want to read it. I'll clean it up tomorrow, fix the typos and add more links!</i><br>
<br>
I went into today's race knowing it wouldn't be great. My training wasn't great to begin with, I had some burnout after my half ironman, caught a cold the week before then rolled my ankle last Wednesday.<br>
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I managed my expectations and set a reasonable goal and race strategy. Then, when the race strategy wasn't working out, I took a break, reassessed, and changed my plan to something that did work.<br>
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The goal was to beat my Flying Pig time of 5:21, and I ran<a href="http://results.bazumedia.com/event/results/event/event-2377?entryID=4576232" target="_blank"> the Wineglass Marathon today in 5:11:08</a>. The race started in Bath and went to Corning. I'm proud, not because it was a PR (4:13) or anything close, but because I was realistic, resisted the temptation to try to do something I was once capable of, and ran smart.<br>
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I also found myself running side-by-side, and then getting career advice from none other than<a href="http://www.bartyasso.com/" target="_blank"> Bart Yasso</a>, the Chief Running Officer of Runner's World magazine.<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn30NpVpzhEYLxJHjqonvSR-Zg43bXbTwOfZbkLTJhru6Ou3ASBlkpXSvv9ywz9IganZ_w-wQxiUUuHQmsMbD73MjJia81Fy4Nn7TouW2Rbjnr53aG6tqy-4SPUxSZ2Mr0WnDyQ30eRzYi/s1600/WG2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn30NpVpzhEYLxJHjqonvSR-Zg43bXbTwOfZbkLTJhru6Ou3ASBlkpXSvv9ywz9IganZ_w-wQxiUUuHQmsMbD73MjJia81Fy4Nn7TouW2Rbjnr53aG6tqy-4SPUxSZ2Mr0WnDyQ30eRzYi/s320/WG2.jpg" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Bart after the race.</td></tr>
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There were beautiful fall colors, on a course that ran through a series of spectacular towns. At the end we got a wine glass (of course), a split of champagne and a HUGE medal made of glass.<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_7cgYJLR1jeJjF2olv2UlWWbi47byF_o9QJSQMuoQH1qtz27uf26irD0dhTI3TK9HSL9QcuBtzDKIq77ytax0fuRoYd0X2B-XhUB4o9wWMsdYmI9wFvqt-LrIuNs14oQwNAjxglEAOcr/s1600/WG3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_7cgYJLR1jeJjF2olv2UlWWbi47byF_o9QJSQMuoQH1qtz27uf26irD0dhTI3TK9HSL9QcuBtzDKIq77ytax0fuRoYd0X2B-XhUB4o9wWMsdYmI9wFvqt-LrIuNs14oQwNAjxglEAOcr/s320/WG3.jpg" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The medal needs two hooks</td></tr>
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<a href="http://speedyjessica.blogspot.com/2013/10/race-report-wineglass-marathon-and.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491339063669847840noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408949391252519239.post-84616334515277703362013-10-05T19:14:00.000-04:002013-11-03T19:45:29.715-05:00A busy day of race prep: Wineglass Marathon tomorrowThe leaves haven't started to change in Rochester yet, but they are in full bloom an hour and a half south, between Bath and Corning, where I'll be running the <a href="http://www.wineglassmarathon.com/" target="_blank">Wineglass Marathon</a> tomorrow.<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLuOXxL1DUJfaQDQiFhE6kZU1LFoOSqWTwA0MkxRm8trgfRXPqLnY47kFXZFzrc0Oj4OlXmYZY5Sp6UfU_UBVLU81w1ZTFuwo8v2BOosYFJj4fBXB5Z-MwI7PgQrP__Sz8ex5DpkolkMJ/s1600/corning4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLuOXxL1DUJfaQDQiFhE6kZU1LFoOSqWTwA0MkxRm8trgfRXPqLnY47kFXZFzrc0Oj4OlXmYZY5Sp6UfU_UBVLU81w1ZTFuwo8v2BOosYFJj4fBXB5Z-MwI7PgQrP__Sz8ex5DpkolkMJ/s320/corning4.jpg" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This out-the-van-window photo does not do the scenery justice.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtDR3VAAv6uerX9snw2AWcydML_i0kMvMSAHquv8cS7izMsHcizWvdow-PP13wIpuwqqJ2BKJX7GCrCVIAwN7L3T-jTexShvE70ezDSVV2dEdF2ZrTsm-N77q-2AMxHeJIrnpDG80GPDY/s1600/shirtbib.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtDR3VAAv6uerX9snw2AWcydML_i0kMvMSAHquv8cS7izMsHcizWvdow-PP13wIpuwqqJ2BKJX7GCrCVIAwN7L3T-jTexShvE70ezDSVV2dEdF2ZrTsm-N77q-2AMxHeJIrnpDG80GPDY/s200/shirtbib.jpg" width="200"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shirt and number.</td></tr>
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My running buddy Tara and I drove down to Corning this morning to pick up our race packets and check out the course. The Wineglass Marathon is a nationally reknowned race. It's also smaller field and sells out quickly. The course is beautiful. It is 26.2 miles point-to-point, and they shuttle you from the either the finish to the start or the start to the finish, depending on where you park.</div>
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Starting in Bath, we run through Savona, Campbell, Coopers Plains, Painted Post and then arrive on Market Street in Corning. It's all country roads, and is cumulatively downhill. All the uphills are very gentle. </div>
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At the end, you get a wine glass (of course), champagne and a beautiful glass medal.<br>
</div><a href="http://speedyjessica.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-busy-day-of-race-prep-wineglass.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491339063669847840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408949391252519239.post-91651229948131727682013-09-24T15:37:00.001-04:002013-11-03T19:46:00.983-05:00An open letter to the Wall Street JournalDear editor,<br>
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As a slower marathoner, I took offense to Kevin Helliker's article Sept. 19, <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324807704579085084130007974?mg=reno64-wsj.html?dsk=y" target="_blank">"The Slowest Generation"</a>.</div>
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Not everyone gets a medal. Actually, very few people do.</div>
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The people who stop training because it's too hard, or too much work? They don't get a medal. The people who train dumb and wind up injured or burned out? They don't get a medal. The people who don't train and drop out midrace? They don't get a medal.</div>
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The people who don't even try? They definitely don't get a medal. </div>
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What's left, the people who train hard but smart, who get out of bed at an ungodly early hour whether it's 100 degrees, raining or snowing to run 3.1, 6.2, 13.1 or 26.2 miles, they deserve medals regardless of if it takes them 3 hours or 6.</div>
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Saying the decline in elite runners has something to do with the boom of nonelites is false logic, and faulting a generation of people who are racing to get fit and have fun is downright insulting. We run because we love it. We race for the camaraderie, the support, to raise money for our favorite causes, and -- yes -- for the competitive atmosphere.<br>
</div><a href="http://speedyjessica.blogspot.com/2013/09/an-open-letter-to-wall-street-journal.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491339063669847840noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408949391252519239.post-66963592227043361102013-09-22T16:56:00.002-04:002013-11-03T19:46:24.992-05:00Volunteering at the Rochester Marathon<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS959LaxY7MeeUk5Xadhtfe3vqGhoXbXf4PnX3hFVL7rC7xFKT1l0xc2P9SfkjuoOOXrYqU2rAtIXd_ilF4cPSiXPc9ifg_jCUD7dwIqBpL3Ds8gAZQs9yR7s1X_07k6cYZDOnh1lZ3hoI/s1600/bucket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS959LaxY7MeeUk5Xadhtfe3vqGhoXbXf4PnX3hFVL7rC7xFKT1l0xc2P9SfkjuoOOXrYqU2rAtIXd_ilF4cPSiXPc9ifg_jCUD7dwIqBpL3Ds8gAZQs9yR7s1X_07k6cYZDOnh1lZ3hoI/s320/bucket.jpg" width="180"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big bucket of medals.</td></tr>
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I spent most of this morning sorting and handing out medals at the Rochester Marathon.<br>
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Seeing the faces of everyone crossing the finish line -- those I knew and those I didn't -- was a wonderful experience. I hope to find more volunteer opportunities in the future.</div>
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I hadn't wanted to race this event this year, instead I'm planning on the Wine Glass full in **gulp** two weeks. But two weeks ago on Facebook Yellow Jacket Racing put out a desperate plea for volunteers.</div>
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Close to home. I know people running. Why not? I contacted them, and said they could put me where they needed me, happy to give back to the running community. But please, fingers crossed, not road marshal. Standing at an intersection for five hours with a flag did not sound like fun.</div>
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Ok, the volunteer organizer wrote back, how about the finish line?</div>
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Absolutely!</div>
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I arrived at about 9, just in time to see my friends doing the half start to finish. I was put on full marathon medal duty, and started pulling the medals from a giant bucket, unraveling them and sorting them into piles that would be easy to grab when the masses started coming through.<br>
</div><a href="http://speedyjessica.blogspot.com/2013/09/volunteering-at-rochester-marathon.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491339063669847840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408949391252519239.post-91996553825082170802013-09-20T15:59:00.002-04:002013-09-20T16:02:43.660-04:00September: A good running monthI've been on a great streak lately.<br>
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Every run lately has felt great, and I'm back to the point where I look forward to each run.</div>
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To recap, I burned out from running after the Flying Pig Marathon in 2012. Then I moved to Rochester, didn't have my running buddies, so I started training for a triathlon instead. In July, I checked the half iron off my bucket list, then turned my sites to the Wine Glass Marathon.</div>
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Training did not start out well. On Aug. 8,<a href="http://speedyjessica.blogspot.com/2013/08/with-wine-glass-in-two-months-kicks-in.html" target="_blank"> I couldn't find the motivation to train</a>. On Aug. 17<a href="http://speedyjessica.blogspot.com/2013/08/catching-up-but-losing-heart.html" target="_blank"> I regretted signing up for the race</a>. </div>
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But now I feel strong and ready.<br>
</div><a href="http://speedyjessica.blogspot.com/2013/09/september-good-running-month.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491339063669847840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408949391252519239.post-7213741538758339522013-09-17T18:44:00.001-04:002013-09-20T16:03:13.892-04:00Tips for the first time marathonerRight now is the running boom. More and more people are taking up the sport, and I'm so excited that so many people on my Facebook and Twitter feeds are about to run their first marathon or half marathon!<br>
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My first was the Cleveland Marathon in May 2011. I've run two others since and am about to tackle the Wine Glass full on October 6. In my mind, I'm still very much a beginner, but I'm happy to offer some tips to the first timers out there, pulling off my limited experience. I'm no pro, but I'm happy to answer any questions you may have leading into your first!<br>
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In this post, I'm assuming you trained well, or as well as you could. I'm assuming you know the very basics, nothing new on race day, carb up, hydrate, eat smart, arrive early, use the facilities before you go, remember to fuel, dress for the weather, yada yada yada.<br>
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The following are things that I'm either glad I knew or wished I would have known, or just things I believe are really important and want to reinforce!! In the comments, feel free to add your own, I'll do my best to add suggestions from others into the main part as I see fit, or ask questions!!<br>
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(Computer is being difficult right now, I'll add a couple photos and links and make this post look pretty later!!)<br>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>BEFORE THE RACE: </b></span><br>
</div><a href="http://speedyjessica.blogspot.com/2013/09/tips-for-first-timer-marathoner.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491339063669847840noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408949391252519239.post-57534297414254864092013-09-16T23:25:00.000-04:002013-09-20T16:04:03.681-04:00A long overdue music post (that's not about Miley Cyrus.) It's been awhile since I've done a music post. A long time. So here's what I've been listening to lately.<br>
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(Disclaimer: This is not a post about new songs. Because I really have no clue what's new nowadays.)<br>
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Much music talk nowadays involves Miley Cyrus ramming the final nail into the coffin of Hannah Montana. Even though search engines love it when you talk about Miley Cyrus, I will absolutely not mention Miley Cyrus' name on my blog as a shameless attempt to get web hits. I'm one of those snobs that's above cheap music, so again, I will not talk about Miley Cyrus.<br>
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But I will talk about Katy Perry. I cringed at the fact that I had to talk about Katy Perry. I heard this song on the radio, loved it (apparently they play it all the time, but I don't listen much), then found out it was by her. I guess the part of her that isn't completely plastic can sing.<span style="color: red;"> (UPDATE: One week later, I'm sick of this song.)</span><br>
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Then a new hit by an old band, "Rebel Beat" by the Goo Goo Dolls. The song got my attention with the lyric "We'll take what's ours for once, and baby, RUN LIKE HELL!!" It's a bit generic, but I still love it.<br>
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<a href="http://speedyjessica.blogspot.com/2013/09/a-long-overdue-music-post-thats-not.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491339063669847840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408949391252519239.post-61075816565536874972013-09-16T22:14:00.001-04:002013-09-20T16:04:22.344-04:00Looking ahead: Wine Glass Marathon logisticsTraining has had its ups and downs, but my excitement is ramping up for the Wineglass Marathon Oct. 6, 18 days away.<br>
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I got my long run in with Tara, a Fleet Feet connection, on Sunday. I'm feeling prepared.<br>
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I'm hoping for nice, cool weather and incredible scenery. The race starts at 8 a.m. so I'll probably start with a throwaway then go with whatever the forecast calls for. According to the <a href="http://www.wineglassmarathon.com/comfort-stations.html" target="_blank">FAQs </a>the weather traditionally is in the 40s, but it's been so wacky lately.<br>
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It's a smaller race, 2,250 in the full, 2,000 in the half. It doesn't look like headphones are banned so I'll come with a fully charged phone so I'll have music.<br>
<a href="http://speedyjessica.blogspot.com/2013/09/looking-ahead-wine-glass-marathon.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491339063669847840noreply@blogger.com0