Rock 'n' Roll -ing in the Nation's Capitol

Rise and shine, troops!  It’s my first big race out of the year - the Rock ‘n’ Roll National Half Marathon.  While I had been training for a strong base all winter, racing is still a different story!

Having already raced some of their races in other cities, I was excited that the Rock ‘n’ Roll series was coming to DC!

Under the guidance of a nutritionist, I did not carbo-load the night before (she claims I don’t need to, but I claim, “Where’s the fun in that?”).  I started off my morning with my new pre-race breakfast favorite:  Steel cut oats microwaved with milk, egg whites, and topped off with banana slices for sweetness (nutritional translation:  300 calories of carbs. protein, more protein, and fructose/glucose).  

With so many athletes, it was a slow walk to get to the start.  But the energy was great!  I was surrounded by everyone from newbie runners bonding in the anxiety of their first big race to experienced runners saying hello to familiar faces from the trails.  Realizing that I wouldn’t need my headphones, I tucked them away and got ready to experience a band at every mile marker.  Finally, we got to the start and...HURRRAAAYYYY...we were off!

At Mile 2, I noticed some friends from DC Tri Club waving at the runners while they were pedaling their own bikes on trainers.  Do these guys ever stop?  

At Mile 4, I thought to myself, “Hey, this isn’t so bad.  Maybe when I get to the Half Marathon split off, if I’m still feeling good, I’ll just keep going for the Full Marathon.”  This is the person who looks at a glass and says it is still half-full.

I made my way up 18th Street from Constitution Avenue towards Adams Morgan for the first and only big hill of the whole half marathon.  The hill lasted until Mile 7.  It was a steep hill, but it helps to know it’s just one.

By Mile 8, I started to feel the effects of a first big race in several months.  Ughh, how do I still have 5 more of these miles?  This is the person who looks at her glass and says it is half-empty.

At Mile 10, with 3 miles left, I pushed myself through with the reminder, “C’mon, this is less than your short morning runs.”

At Mile 12, I turned a corner in Capitol Hill and came across the largest inflatable Rock ‘n’ Roll doll I’d ever seen, straddling both sides of the street.  Like a child, I couldn’t help but smile at the novelty of such a surprise.  As I prepared to run underneath him, I burst into laughter when I noticed a sign that someone was carrying:  Did you smell something?  I needed the mental break to take my mind off of the physical pain.  

I reminded myself that this was a short trek up to the grocery store and back.   I knew the finish line was around the bend.  I also reminded myself that it was time to leave everything on the course.  I hit the ground as fast as I could.  Seriously, it was a “vomit or die trying” mentality to get to the end.  And with a sigh of relief and a huge smile on my face, I finished my 9th Half Marathon of my career.

As if the race wasn’t fun on its own...Safeway was a sponsor.  Why was this so exciting?  Well, on top of the awesome coupons I picked up at the expo the day before, the post-race area had so much more than just bagels and bananas.  There were fruit cups and Open Nature GREEK YOGURT (nutritional translation:  100 calories of protein and live active cultures for those of us who are lactose-intolerant)!  And competing for the slot of best post-race recovery drink, there was a truck of chocolate milk AND a truck of Muscle Milk giving out samples!  By far, this was one of the best post-race recovery zones.  

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon was a great start to a 2012 Race Season.  The DC community came out in full force.  It was nice to hear the cheers of friends, see fellow athletes on the course, and listen to some of our local music acts at different mile markers.  

Now, on with the show....

Oatmeal, the Office Microwave, and Me

It's the epic battle between good and evil.  Will the office microwave stand in between my ability to have a healthy breakfast today?  A poll from my Facebook provided various ideas on how to resolve this issue:

• Use a bigger bowl brought from home and don't cover it.
• Pour hot water from the coffee machine over the oats, cover, and allow to steep until ready.
• Microwave for 4 minutes at 50% power level
• Make a big crockpot of oatmeal on Sunday night to feed you for the entire week

Oats, via their high fiber content, are known to help remove cholesterol from the digestive system that would otherwise end up in the bloodstream.  It's a healthy breakfast item that is more importantly...CONVENIENT!  These days it is relatively common to find oatmeal in most coffee shops or breakfast places.  Just because you are on the go or traveling for work, it doesn't mean you have to compromise your diet.  I usually keep a container of quick-cooking oats in my office drawer just for those mornings I forget to make breakfast at home.  In addition, after having read many, many, many articles by professional triathletes and marathon runners on their pre-race habits, I can tell you that a bowl of oatmeal is often on that list.  After all, how easy is it to pack an envelope of instant oatmeal for a race that you are traveling out to? 

I always choose plain oatmeal (not the pre-sugared kind) and will fix it up myself.  My favorite toppings include:

• Fresh blueberries and cinnamon
• Dried cranberries or raisins (another thing you can easily keep in the office drawer)
• Granola and a touch of maple syrup (be careful of the high glycemic content of maple syrup)

Go ahead and consider adding oatmeal into your morning routine.  Unlike beans, oatmeal is good for your heart without making you...well, I'll let you finish that little nursery school rhyme. 

Local Music Review: Justin Trawick -- No Two Shows are Exactly the Same

Justin Trawick is a local DC/Arlington-based singer-songwriter.  His music is self-described as Urban Folk Rock. It has a bit of funk, country, rock, country, and folk.  There’s the influence of blues (he’s got a lot of songs heartbreak…what are these girls doing to him?!!) and bluegrass.  But his live shows are each unique experiences, with the inclusion of special guests who he seems to treat like an old college friend who happens to be visiting in town.

I first caught Justin Trawick’s full piece band at the Hamilton, the latest addition to my list of favorite DC-area music venues.  First of all, Justin can really sing.  The lyrics are amazingly deep.  And the musicians in his band are multi-talented.  His drummer, Ben Tufts, did a fantastic drum solo, but then left his drum set to break out a performance on the washboard.  This night, the band also had two special guests on stage, Flex Mathews, a fast thinking, fast talking DC-area master Freestyle rapper, and another performer on a percussion box called a Cajon (courtesy of observation and Wikipedia, you too can learn something new every day). 

This past weekend, I attended Justin Trawick’s SOLD-OUT Birthday Show at IOTA, another laid back music venue that I always complain about not going enough to.  High energy Flex Mathews was back, but so were a special guest saxophonist and an amazing french hornist.  Now, what does hip hop have to do with jazz and an instrument you probably haven’t seen since high school?  Yes, exactly -- and yet, Justin Trawick makes it completely work. 

At the ripe age of 30, Justin Trawick appeals to many ages.  He’s lived long enough to experience muses for his song-writing; and he’s young enough to throw down a good jam.  I never feel too old or too young at his shows.  And I’m never the only person dancing either.  There’ll be some jumping, feet-tapping, swaying, and sometimes even a waltz (seriously, there wasn’t enough room at the Hamilton on the impromptu dance floor for all of the couples who broke out for a grand waltz).

There are some performers who sound better in the studio than they do in person -- so you buy their CD and sing in your car.  There are some performers who do a better live performance than they sound on CD -- so you buy a concert ticket and party in person.  And then there are some performers like Justin Trawick who you’ll dance to in person and clean house to while listening to his latest CD.

I picked up his latest CD “You & I” so I could listen to his storytelling a lot more coherently than I’ve been capable of while dancing on the floor with a beer in hand.  It is a live performance recording so you get Justin’s story-telling and band banter that you would get on-stage.  The CD is a chill soundtrack that gives you the great impression that Justin is just Justin. 

So support a local talent who is clearly doing what he loves the most before he breaks out to be so big you can’t catch him (aka another DMB pre-1993).  Attend a Justin Trawick show.  Buy a CD.  And don’t forget to wish Justin a Happy Belated Birthday! 

2011 - The Year of the Rockstar

If I thought I was Supergirl-mode in 2010 (I could do ANYTHING), I thought I was a Rockstar in 2011 (I could do EVERYTHING).  The year's busy round up included:

Travel:

• Three international trips:  Costa Rica, Haiti, and France
• A couple of domestic trips:  Tampa/Orlando, Miami, Anaheim, Las Vegas

Education: 

• Taking a comedic writing course and a story-telling course
• Building up my skills in Spanglish, Salsa, and Bacchata
• Confirming that I could speak some French (even if alcohol had to help a little bit)

Athletics:

• Three triathlons and two marathons, including the Goofy Challenge.  PR-ing at several races.
• Inspiring others -- including 2 friends to run their first Half Marathons and 1 who ran his first Full Marathon

Service:

• Joining High Cloud's Dream Team and raising funds/awareness for children and women in distressed situations in international countries through my athletics
• Strengthening the bonds of my alumni community
• Helping to develop future leaders in my professional community
• Raising funds for the Homeless and assisting at the Winter Shelter in my neighborhood

Health and Sanity:

• Eating more salad than I did last year and truly buying fruit because it looked more scrumptious than the cupcake
• Getting a juicer and discovering the taste of fresh veggie and fruit juices
• Splurging more occassionally on good chocolate, good gelato, and fresh flowers for home
• Making room for lots of new friendships, while growing a lot of old ones as well

It's important to take notes on your accomplishments, regardless of how small or big they may seem to you.  You have to recognize your own contribution and impact on society.  You have to give yourself some credit for your own strengths and flexibility.  Life's too short to wait for something to happen.

An Athletically Bigger, Badder 2012

2011 was a great year.  I remember when I used to bargain with myself to do 2 races a year.  Then, the goal was a race per quarter.  This year was a lot more insane.  Here was 2011's Race Calendar:

So, what's next?  How does 2012 become bigger and badder?  Oh, let's just say, it is already.

1)  February - We start off by stripping to our undies and running around the Capitol.  Yep!  Unfortunately, I'm not kidding.  Remember that nightmare where you show up to school in your underwear?  Well, I'm running in the Cupid's Undie Run to raise funds for the Children's Tumor Foundation.  To support the cause and my utter embarrassment of all things, help by making a donation.

2)  March - Why-oh-why did I sign up for a Spring marathon?  Yep, I'm running the Suntrust Rock 'n' Roll Marathon on March 17th.  With a band at every mile, I already know of 2 friends who will be playing and look forward to the local entertainment.

3)  April - I love me some Crystal Run 5Ks.  Those were some of the best sprint workouts I had all year  in 2011.

4)  May - I'm heading to the West Coast to the city gave birth to the crazy sport of triathlons - San Diego.  I'll be competing in the ITU World Championship - Olympic Distance.  I look forward to supporting the DC Tri Club and seeing the rest of the country (and world) and my new favorite sport.

5)  July - The Big One.  Here we go.  Big gulp.  I am going after my first Half Ironman Distance.  Musselman, here I come.  It's a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike ride, and 13.1 mile run.  I know...I know...I'm crazy.

6)  September - I'm bringing it back home and racing Nation's Triathlon again.  In 2011, the swim was cancelled due to some torrential downpours, so hopefully this will get to be a full race.  Yes, that's right.  I'm taking my chances and diving back into the Potomac River again.   

8)  October - I tuck the goggles and bike away.  I'm going after another Race Wishlist Item:  The Chicago Marathon.  With a flat course worth bragging about, I plan to focus on some speed workouts to go after a true PR at this marathon.  Then, I'll be happy with my marathon career.

9)  November (tentative) - I said "happy," not retired.  Yep...I think I'm going back to Philly for the Philadelphia Marathon again of the year.  With good friends already scheduled to go, I just hate missing out on a great party.

That's about nine races planned and 2012 hasn't even begun.  I guess I better get to the gym.

What does your badass year look like?!!

Beyond refreshing: Carrot, Grapefruit, Ginger Juice

Has the lethargy set in after a month of holiday parties, cookies, and candies?  Does your body hate you for all of the crap you've fed into it?  Well, no need to wait another week to start your New Year Resolution -- start doing that body some good today. 

This refreshingly sweet juice will speed your metabolism, offers some keen carotene for your eyes and skin, and the ginger is great for your overall digestive system.

Serves 1

2    Grapefruits (peeled)
4-5 Organic Carrots
1 inch Ginger (peeled, chopped)

Process through the juicer and drink immediately.

**Tip:  When time crunched, it is fine to refrigerate/store fresh juice for up to 24 hours.

Restaurant Review: Thai X-ing

Some sad misconceptions about Thai food in the US that I want to clear up:

 

1)  Adding peanuts to a dish does not make it Thai.
2)  Thai people don't use chopsticks.
3)  Pad Thai is not actually popular in Thailand.

Being Thai and having a mother who was a very good cook leaves me to be highly critical of Thai restaurants in the area.  I was particularly curious to check out Thai X-ing after the reviews I had read.  It was absolutely necessary to make reservations in advance before dropping by this rowhouse which is nonchalantly located in the Shaw neighborhood of DC.

 

It's a $30/pp Chef's Choice menu with a BYOB benefit. So what was on tonight's menu?

• Stuffed Cucumber Soup and Papaya Salad

• Pumpkin Curry, Beef Kra Pow
• Red Chicken Curry
• Pad See Ew
• Sticky rice in banana leaf
• ...and a cabernet sauvignon from home (only because the riesling wasn't properly chilled)

 

I think the "cucumber" in the soup is actually called bittermelon.  At least, that's what my mom called it growing up.  The soup was a light, flavorful broth that you don't typically find available at local Thai restaurants.  I enjoyed this soup because I haven't had it since I was a kid when my mom would still make it.

As for the papaya salad, this salad is from the Isaan (northeastern) region of Thailand.  As a result, cityfolk (Thai people from Bangkok) don't make this as well as the countryfolk.  While I could be wrong, I think the chef is from the Thai countryside.  And I have the say that this was one of my favorite papaya salads that I've had.  It was a bit sweeter than other versions that I've had and the papaya was very tender (a result of being hit by the mortar and pestel quite hard).  I loved it.

The curries were very fragrant.  I enjoyed the pumpkin curry in particular because most Thai dishes that I've had don't have many vegetables.  Many Thai restaurants in the US have added veggies like broccoli, red pepper, etc. but the authentic versions don't actually use these veggies.  The pumpkin absorbed the coconut milk rather well.  It was also a nice thick consistency. 

The fresh noodles in the pad see ew.  I also loved the banana leaf sticky rice dessert -- a welcome departure from the mangos and sticky rice that have become so mainstream in the US. 

All-in-all, I would give Thai X-ing 4.5 stars out of 5.  The food was "good" -- like I said, I'm a hard critic of Thai food.  It was much better than the average Thai restaurant in the DC area...and they are almost ALL average.  However, I also enjoyed the friendly service and casual ambience that made me feel like I was eating in someone's family home.  And at the price of $30...it's no wonder that it's considered a DC area best bargain.