#RnRLA recap.

Last Sunday, I ran my 15th half marathon — at #RnRLA in DTLA!  I am not sure I would totally recommend running two half marathons in two consecutive weekends, but I had a lot of fun at #RnRLA with my DTLA Running Group posse.

I headed to the expo Saturday morning.  I was obviously swooning over these themed pint glasses, but I saved my cash for some Nuun and a couple of Gu gels.

I also hit up the Got Chocolate Milk? booth for a tweet-up hosted by Pavement Runner.  I met Pavey at this race last year, so it was cool to reconnect.  I also got to meet Andrea Barber and Michael @ Point One Miles.  I love a good tweet-up because I love having the chance to connect with people who share a hobby that is so important to me.

Later that day I obviously organized all of my stuff (I went with the Halloween colors theme, way too lazy and also way too gunnerish to wear a costume). I also got a playlist together.  This was the perfect blend of heavy beats and some up-tempo tracks. 

On Sunday morning, I set my alarm for 5:30.  My first thought was “wait…why am I getting up? OH YEAH….13.1.”  That was weird.  I had some GF oatmeal and grabbed a coffee on my way to my running group’s meet-up spot at LA Live.  We chatted strategy and took some photos before heading over to the start in time for the 7 AM Race start. 

 

I didn’t really have any discernible goals for the race.  Sure, a PR is always nice, but I knew that would be pushing it after my amazing race at NWM the week before.  My running buddy and training partner Andres was hoping for a PR.  Last year, I ran 1:42:42 on this course and he ran 1:46.  His goal this year was to go sub 1:40 which I knew would be a cake walk for him.

I know this course well after having done it last year and training regularly on the route.  It starts out really flat for the first 4 miles over to USC and around the Coliseum.  There’s a very gradual uphill on the way back.  I prefer the second half of the course – up Flower street to 3rd, down to Central, over to 6th and across the 6th street bridge, and then back.

I started in the second corral and just kind of tried to do my own thing.  I knew Andres and I would run similar paces, but he was in the third corral. I listened to my music and didn’t really focus on my watch.  For the first few miles, I was trading places with another DTLA Running buddy of mine, Kevin, who was running his first half-marathon!

My splits were a little bit all over the place, but I felt pretty good for the first half.  I thought I *might* have a chance of PR-ing because my pace was relatively similar to Nike Women’s and the course doesn’t have any big hills.  The start was pretty uneventful, except as always there were people who should not have been in the second corral that I had to dart around to avoid at first, but that’s okay.  In the second mile or so I saw Pavement Runner at the turn-around for the 5k — he is a beast and ran the 5k super fast and then did the half while they were still letting out the later corrals. I let out a “get it, Pavey!”

Out to USC was pretty fun and fast and uneventful.  I liked scoping out the costumes (the guy in the Dorothy outfit complete with Toto in a basket was…aggressive).  I kinda just did my thing out there for a bit.  I took water at every aid station for NWM and that worked for me, so I did the same for this race – except I took Gatorade when I could because electrolytes.

The funny thing about the way #RnRLA releases corrals is that you can see people in higher or lower corrals on two out and back portions of the course.  Last year I saw a bunch of DTLA Running people this way so I kept my eyes peeled.  At maybe mile 4 or so I saw my long lost friend Joe heading toward the Coliseum while I was leaving — he was super loud and energetic which put a little pep in my step.  Pavey told me later he said he saw me twice on the out-and-back portion, and YELLED  “Gillian” both times and then said in a softer voice “. . . is wearing headphones.”  Guess my music was a little too loud and I was in the “zone” for awhile. Whooooops.

On the way back toward LA Live, I could start to feel a little soreness in my IT band.  This is my least favorite part of the course — it’s pretty monotonous and there’s some gradual uphill.

The biggest hill is up the 6th street bridge — it’s not a typical hill, but it’s relatively steep.  This is where I saw some of my DTLA peeps — I saw my buddy Steve coming down when I was about half way up. I saw Andres *right* behind me at the turn-around, and I saw a few other people not to far behind him.  I bumped into speed demon/my running idol Cynthia going back through the tunnel.

I turned onto Flower and headed into the finish. In the end, I was pretty close  to a PR, but alas, no cigar.  I ran 1:37:02.  My Garmin has 13.51 total miles (7.11).  I know the course is a little bit long, but I think the 3rd street tunnel could mess up the GPS a little bit.

Andddd the splits:

• Mile 1 – 7:02
• Mile 2 – 6:50
• Mile 3 – 7:08
• Mile 4 – 7:09
• Mile 5 – 7:25
• Mile 6 – 7:34
• Mile 7- 7:22
• Mile 8- 6:51 (no clue, maybe some good music?)
• Mile 9 – 7:20
• Mile 10- 7:48 (hill)
• Mile 11 – 7:22
• Mile 12 – 7:51
• Mile 13 – 5:54 (wrong, I think the tunnels messed it up)
• + change – 3:30

no clue how my feet function.

Although I don’t like to “lose,” I like it when my friends PR even better.  Andres finished behind me, but he crushed his PR by 10 minutes and beat me.  Pretty awesome. (Also, check out how close our paces were.)

Kevin and Cynthia finished right with us as well — the four of us took a few pictures, grabbed some food in the finish chute, and headed to our obvious first stop, the free beer.

Kevin, Andres, Me, and Cynthia.

Pretty quickly, I was getting antsy for actual beer. Andres and I moved the party over to Tom’s Urban.  I had an IPA  (obvi) and delicious breakfast sliders. There was some football on in the background but I was too busy social media-ing and riding the endorphin high to really engage.

Overall, #RnRLA was a great event and I had a ton of fun with my running buddies and supporting some first-time half-marathoners. But, this course also made me HUNGRY to try and see a 1:35, which is scary to even type.

My body DEFINITELY took a hit on this one, though.  Walking was a struggle the rest of the day and all day Monday, but I felt better after lifting Tuesday morning.

Any suggestions for a 1:34:xx course? 

the best weekend in the bay

I spent last weekend in the bay area, and if you follow me on social media, you probably saw me use the hashtag #bestweekendever a few times.  Well, it was. When you combine all of my favorite things and many of my favorite people, it’s bound to be memorable.  Here’s all of the fun things I crammed in:

To maximize time in SF, my friend/former roommate/coworker/sorority “sister” Jenn and I flew up EARLY Friday morning so we could work out of our firm’s SF office.  We took a lyft from my apartment at 4:45 and got to LAX with PLENTY of time for our flight.  We chatted the whole way and were ready to hit the ground running when we landed.  Jenn joked that the commute from LA to SF was shorter than her commute from where she lives to her office in LA – sad, but true.

We did some work, and popped over to a local mexican food place for lunch.  This was the view from the guest office where I planted myself on Friday.

I am such a sucker for a pretty view.

After we wrapped things up, we met some of our friends from our sorority at Local Edition on Market Street.  Our friends Megan, Kathleen, and Michelle joined us — as well as Michelle’s boyfriend and Jenn’s fiancé who also flew up for the weekend from LA.  Old friends + IPAs + SF + a race on the horizon = Gillian in her element.

We shared old embarrassing stories (mostly about them, I never do anything embarrassing) and caught up.  It was so nice and I need to make the LAX –> SFO jaunt a routine. We also went out to dinner at a place whose name escapes me (hello sleep deprivation and IPA haze).  Afterwards, I spent the night at Kathleen’s apartment in NoPa (two blocks from Alamo Square — you know, where the Painted Ladies are — aka the Full House houses).

Reasons I am the worst guest ever: at 6:30 AM, my alarm went off so I could be in Union Square for a shake-out run #NikeLA invited me to.  I am so glad I went.

After waiting in line for a little bit, we got to hear Nike greats Shalane Flanagan and Joan Benoit Samuelson offer tips about race day.  The common themes were to run your  own race, trust your training, and to do nothing new on race day.

Afterward, we headed out for a 2 mile shake-out run.  Nothing but silence and chills as I ran with these amazing Olympians.

Rosa and I took a mid-run selfie – there’s Shalane!

After the race, our group of “Nike VIPs” headed out to a private location for brunch!

I realize I never gave the full low-down on how I got involved with #NikeTrackClub: Over the summer, I got a twitter DM from the @NikeLA twitter account, asking if I’d be interested in running the Nike Women’s Marathon on Nike. UM YES I WOULD.  I went to a training party/kick-off at the Nike Track Club/Finish Line Del Amo store in Torrance one night as a “study break” before the bar exam and met these girls and got amped for the race.   Over the course of the training, Nike sent us gear and positive vibes for the race.  The brunch was an amazing final send-off.

Nike Track Club is a partnership between Finish Line and Nike, and these stores are beautiful — they have all of the latest running gear as well as running clubs and events. I wish the Torrance location wasn’t so far from DTLA or I’d probably be there all the time.

We headed to the Dirty Habit for a seated multi-course brunch.

Busted doing the Instagram thing.

At our tables were our bibs and race packets, the Nike Women’s singlet, Nike socks, a gorgeous overnight bag, and this jacket which is now my favorite thing to wear.  On our way out, we also got portable phone chargers — the perfect gift for runners with social media problems. 

(Again, the fact that I was at an event as a Nike VIP blows my mind).

After brunch, I headed back to Kathleen’s and got ready to BART over to the East Bay to head to Berkeley for the Cal/UCLA game.

Before heading onto BART, Kathleen introduced me to the wonder of Philz coffee. I am a self-proclaimed Blue Bottle fiend, but Philz was pretty amazing. I let Kathleen select her usual (Jacob’s Wonderbar with medium milk and sugar) and it was one of the best cups of coffee I have ever had).

We took BART to West Oakland where we met up with my Uncle Casey and my Dad who were also going to the game with us (s/o to my aunt Melinda for giving us a ride to Berkeley!) My Dad has not been to a Cal game since he was a sophomore in college (at USC) and came up for the “weekender.” (Pretty sure only USC calls it that, at Cal away games are just “away games.”)  My mom opted not to come to the game, so instead she ran 7 miles around Lake Merritt. #boss.

Our first stop was the obvious Henry’s. Pitchers of Racer 5 for everyone!! (Well, at least for the people in my immediate vicinity or those who have a refined taste in beer).

My Dad was hesitant about coming up for the weekend at first, but I am pretty sure the Henry’s experience changed his mind.  We’re planning on making it to an SC game later this season but I am not sure how anything can top this.

Here’s a photo my Dad and I *both* posted on Instagram.  My Dad is trying to coax my Uncle into joining some form of social media, but he reads my blog which is probably all you really need.  

We drank, recapped the last night, and looked for people we know. I ran into BOTH of my little sisses from my sorority (so awesome).  It is weirding me out that we are now those old alums who comes back and say things like “WHAT!! This wasn’t here?!” and “Yeah, our two favorite bars from back in the day don’t exist anymore.” (RIP Raleigh’s and the Bear’s Lair).

Me (probably blinking), Jenn, and Kathleen.

I ran into my good friend Bryan’s sister, Rachel.  Rachel has lived down the street from me almost my entire life, so it was awesome seeing her randomly!

After the beer, we made it to the game!  It was a nerve-wracking and close game, but in the end Cal couldn’t get its act together in the 4th quarter and we lost.

After the game, my Dad, Uncle, and I headed over to Clark Kerr for a BBQ put on by the players’ families. My uncle is family friends with #38  so we had a beer with him and his family and friends before heading back to Oakland.

My aunt and uncle cooked a delicious meal for me and my parents, and I drank a ton of water in an attempt to undue the stadium food and beer I’d fueled with all day. The remainder of the weekend was spent at the race and driving back home with my parents.

All in all, this was an amazingly memorable weekend and a reminder that I need to make it up to the bay area more often 🙂

What three things make up a perfect weekend for you? 

In no particular order…

1. A race

2. Some event involving beer

3. Family and Friends

booze + sweat (aka what i did when i wasn’t studying).

I know you’re all sick of hearing about the bar — I’m sick of talking about it — but I WAS able to squeeze in (very small) pockets of fun throughout the summer.

The weekend after the test, I met up with my parents for a mini Conejo Valley IPA crawl of sorts.  Our first stop was The Lab Brewing Co.  I enjoyed their house DIPA and we all shared some candied bacon.

We headed to dinner at my very favorite place just down the street — Ladyface Alehouse & Brasserie — for brews, chow, and to watch the sunset (my mom is also a sucker for a good one).

They didn’t have my fav beer of all time on tap (Cheseboro IPA) so I opted for my second favorite, the aptly titled Ladyface IPA. I also tried a sampler of a new IPA they offered – the Cataclysm IPA.  This one wasn’t my style, it wasn’t hoppy at all.

Ladyface IPA with Ladyface Mountain in the background.

Notice how the mountain looks like a woman’s profile? Imagine the woman is lying on her back…

And then my dad caught me in the act…

Also that weekend, I celebrated with my BFF Whitney at a bar down the street from her apartment called The Chestnut Club.  Would definitely recommend.

When I haven’t been boozing, I was doing what I normally do (working out, obviously).  On July 20th, I ran the Griffith Park Trail Marathon Relay with a team formed last-minute with some social media friends. When Tiffany reached out to me via twitter, there was no way I could say no, and I’m so glad I didn’t!  We had a blast each running 5.25 miles through the super-hilly Griffith Park trails, and soaking up the morning.  I would definitely do this race again.

On the team:

• Linzi @ See Sharp Run
• Matt @ Paws in Motion
• Me
• Tiffany @ Running Hutch
• Mike 

Race bling in the form of a STICK!!!!

so worried I was gonna drop my phone…

It was a great morning.  I love doing relays because I love being surrounded by “my people” — meaning people who “get it.”  These guys understand the compulsion to wake up super early on a Sunday to go run 5+ miles through hilly terrain with people you barely know.  I am also so grateful for the power of social media connections for making this team come together!

The week before the bar, I heard about an event taking place at my favorite building on the planet – the Ritz Carlton/J.W. Marriott in DTLA. I dropped everything and RAN when Whitney wrote about a free yoga/mini-spa treatments event taking place at the Ritz spa. I got a hand massage and headed up to the rooftop for a short and very relaxing yoga session.

#swoon

That about rounds out the fun things I did during the bar (I told you, it wasn’t a ton).  I start my job in a few weeks and until then have a lot of downtime, so I’m trying to enjoy the relaxed schedule and do some fun LA-only events. Please drop a comment if you have suggestions on fun things I should do!

WEST weekend.

Hi everyone!  Just wanted to share some highlights from last weekend.  You may have seen me hashtagging some photos #WESTWeekend.  My best friend (Whitney) has a hyphenated last name, and her initials are WEST.  The weekend was named in her honor because her two college best friends (Dominique and Riley) and I kidnapped her for a night and we spent a night in San Diego. It was so much fun!

Whitney thought she and Riley were spending the day together in Orange County.  Dominique and I met up with them at their favorite little bar in Orange, CA near where they all went to college at Chapman.  Whitney was so surprised — she almost cried!

Whitney, Dominique, Riley, and me behind the bar at O’s. Please don’t mind my entire arm of bracelets.

We had a drink at O’s and some really intense purple shooter and then headed to begin the weekend!

Our first stop was Stone Brewery in Escondido.  I had been wanting to check this place out since my IPA obsession began.  It was PACKED but we scored a table near the outside bar.

I did a flight of 5 different beers

1. Stone Ruination IPA Wildflower Honey & Carolina Reaper Peppers (SO peppery I couldn’t drink it). 
2. Cali-Belgique
3. Go To IPA –> my fav
4. Grapefruit Slam IPA –> second fav 
5. Stone IPA –> a classic 

alright alright alright.

It was so fun incessantly quoting lines from #SELFIE relaxing and catching up with these girls! [Side-note: Riley recently got engaged (!) and I hadn’t seen her since, so it was also fun to celebrate her this weekend!]

Of course I had to commemorate the trip with a candle.  Don’t worry — it’s pomegranate scented.

We drove to DT SD and made a pit-stop at Ralph’s before checking into our hotel for some supplies (read: Chex Mix and tequila).  Everyone’s goal was to “drink like college.” Well, that’s a lie, my goal was NOT to do that.  There’s no way I can do that anymore. #old.

We got ready and goofed around a little and mostly took some selfies.

 

…and headed out for a late dinner and drinks.  We explored The Gaslamp and noshed at Las Hadas.  The service was great and we all enjoyed the food.

After dinner, we bumped around at various bars (amidst a gaggle of bachelorette parties).  The first place we ended up at (The Reef?) lured us in with it’s $2 beer specials and overly friendly security guard.  He personally escorted us to the next bar — sweet of him, but not our scene.

We ended up at Barley Mash. I have no clue whether or not this place is “cool” or not but we had a good time.  Things that were awesome:

• not having to wait in line due to some friends we met outside.  Shout out to the guys in town for the Padres/Tigers game who let us stand with them.
• early 2000s hip hop music. (To the windows! To the wall!)
• #SELFIE and Drunk in Love being played.  That’s all I need.

I drank the least, but somehow ended up being the biggest mess at the end of the night. #sweatmonster.

The next morning, I woke up at 8 and squeezed in a super short run before everyone else was up and about.  I headed out from our hotel for an out and back along the marina.

 

I enjoyed checking out the “Unconditional Surrender” statute and seeing so many people out on a Sunday morning! 

 

We caffeinated and hydrated and then headed up to La Jolla for brunch before we got on the road.  I enjoyed my challah french toast at Nosh.

It was a great 24 hours and we accomplished our main goal of surprising Whitney with a fun weekend!  I’ve gotten to know Riley and Dominique really well over the years and I always enjoy spending time with them!  I also accomplished my secondary of keeping a secret for more than ten seconds — so that was a victory.

• Favorite things to do in San Diego?
• Favorite IPA?
• SD people What’s Barley Mash’s reputation?

 

 

weekend eats. (or, the one with all of the bars).

I know, I know…another post?  I did a lot of fun things last weekend and wanted to share them before another weekend is upon us.

Last Thursday, I kicked off the weekend (enjoying my last few months — ever — of 3 day weekends.  Law school is the best)  with an evening session of yoga at YogaHop.  So far I’m on track with my “do yoga 50 times in 2014” goal).  It just so happens YogaHop is next to a Pinkberry, and I was there while Pinkberry was giving away free yogurt for National FroYo Day or something.

I indulged in a small original with strawbs, mochi, and fruity pebs (a dream combo if I do say so myself).  Fun fact, summer 2007 and winter breack 2008  I worked at a Pinkberry.  I’m a pretty good swirler.

That night I went to Casey’s Bar and Grill for Loyola “bar review” and hung out with some of my section 3 peeps.

On Friday I was being super lazy — I went to Back on My Feet after 4 hours of sleep (whoops), came back and slept for 3 more hours, and then lolly-gagged around my apartment sort of cleaning, sort of catching up on TV shows…I know, #roughlife.  Luckily I ran into my friend Jordan as I was finally getting my act together stumbling out of my apartment in gym clothes to run some errands and we concocted a plan to hang out later.  I love when lazy days get salvaged!  We (+ Armita) went to DTLA’s brand new City Tavern.  I noshed on the brussels sprouts and the burger — both were excellent — and sipped on a Ladyface (!)  IPA. Our waiter was witty and well-versed in the menu and I ran into a friend from middle school so I’d say City Tavern was a success.

After dinner we headed over they indulged my inner beer fiend by letting me drag them to Sixth Street Tavern for more IPAs.

city tavern//las perlas//spring st. bar

On Saturday,  I had a little spin class action with my favorite crazies (I may or may not have had to rearrange an entire playlist to make sure one of my regulars got to hear “Drunk in Love” before he had to leave early). #Surfboard.

After spin, I headed over to Echo Park to celebrate the one-year anniversary of my friend’s vintage shop truck (think a food truck but for vintage clothes).  I loved checking out the truck and bought two rings I had been eyeing.  Check out Selvedge Dry Goods.

That night, Jordan and Armita and I did DTLA drink fest part II.  We started at Las Perlas (because tequila).  I enjoyed a marg and Armita got some crazy cinnamon infused tequila with pineapple.  It reminded me a little bit too much of fireball.  After awhile we went to Spring Street Bar, mostly because I knew they have a good list of beers IPAs.   How I have any friends is beyond me.

Anyway, I had a lot of fun — it’s always a good night when a random stranger asks one of your friends if he can kiss her, and she makes up a fake boyfriend.  

On Sunday, I got up and lifted weights like a crazy person.  The highlight of Sunday was finding this awesome $7 bouquet in DTLA’s Flower District (and going to bed at 8:30 to prep for my 20 miler).

Anyway, Happy Thursday!  My day is going to include some Business Associations, getting my computer back (!) and some yoga.

What’s on your agenda for this weekend?  

Fav DTLA bar? 

goings on.

The last week has been filled to the brim with Dodger excitement, a couple of good runs, and some even better eats.  I’ve also been busy with school stuff — but that’s not nearly as fun to read about.

On Thursday, I watched NLDS (National League Division Series) Game #1 at Yardhouse and sipped a couple of IPAs. Dodgers beat the Braves — the series was off to an exciting and good start for the Boys in Blue in the ATL!

The next game was the following day.  Armita, Aviva, and I started off watching the game at Big Wangs and I had my first “beergarita.” I didn’t like it, but Armita insisted this one was not very good. When PS 612 finally opened at 4 we transitioned over there where I had some gift cards to cash in. (They sent me $40 after I wrote this Yelp review).

But anyway, I digress.  We had some delicious apps and zerts at PS 612, kicked it with some law school friends, and sadly watched the Braves defeat the Doyers.

On Sunday, I went to NLDS Game #3 at home.  This game was insane — the rally towels, the post-season vibe, the #MockTheChop.  The Dodgers won 13-6 and the Dodgers were truly playing like the Dodgers.  This Bill Plaschke column said it best: Yasiel Puig was Yasiel Puiging.

Also —  a quick note about my own fandom to clear up any bandwagon speculation: I grew up a Dodger fan and grew up going to games, but I have never really made the decision to “follow” any sport at all.  Early this summer, however, I started getting more into following the team.  This can partially be explained by my living 3 miles from Dodger Stadium, and partially by witnessing Puig’s MLB Debut on June 3.  From that point forward I have followed the ups and downs of the team this season — and will continue to do so when this season ends.  Also, for the record, when I became  a more serious fan the Dodgers were in last place in the NL West, and 5 games out of first. (It got wayyyy worse before it got better).

On Monday, I ditched one of my classes to see the Dodgers clinch the NLDS.  The game started at 6:37, but my Dad wanted to ensure we had no LA Traffic problems.  We were at the stadium before the gates opened at 3:30.  Needless to say, we had plenty of time to walk around and chow down on Dodger dogs and beer before the game got going. 

Our seats were in the Top Deck which I actually like — it’s less crowded than some of the lower sections. Also, the Elysian Park Grill on the Top Deck serves Point the Way IPA. They don’t do that at Anaheim. [Inside joke for my Dad. Really they don’t serve IPAs in just about any other food stand in all of Dodger stadium]. 

The game was incredible. Morale was low for a little while there — and it looked like we were going to lose 3-2 to the Braves, despite two home runs by Carl Crawford.  Finally, after Puig puig’d his way to a double, Uribe knocked out a homer and the Dodgers clinched it, 4-3.

I found a shot of my family from this cool feature on MLB.com:

nervousssss.

Making this even sweeter was the fact that the W gets attributed to relief pitcher and former orange-and-black wearing Brian Wilson (Juan Uribe is also a former Giant).  Seeing them win was awesome — there was an excitement that is hard to describe, and a general buzz in LA about the Dodgers that is unlike anything I have seen in my lifetime.

Looking forward to seeing how the Dodgers fare against the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLCS. GO DODGERS.

I also went on a couple of great runs this week.  On Saturday, I met up for a bright and early 8 miler down through DTLA and Chinatown and back across the hidden pedestrian path along the 110 freeway.

Tuesday’s run featured a speedy jaunt up to Vista Hermosa Park, down through Echo Park Lake, and back along Sunset and then Grand Ave.  We raged afterward with some brews (IPA, duh) and some tacos. These people are fun to run with + have made me faster, no doubt.

Despite all the dodger dogs, I’ve had a couple of good eats and new drinks lately as well.

On Saturday, September 28th, I joined my BFF Whitney at Septemberfest for some beer in the Indian Summer sunshine. These are our “omg we are trying PEANUT BUTTER beer” faces.  [Belching Beaver Peanut Butter Milk Stout, Vista, CA].

Last Saturday,  Whitney came to Gold’s to take my spin class.  Afterward, we hit up Tiara Cafe for brunch. Whitney and I agreed the Breakfast Pizette nearly changed our lives.  The “bearded” french toast was tasty, but it needed an extra kick. 

This afternoon, I got my fall fix with a Pumpkin Pie Protein Smoothie. I used this recipe from Julie over at Peanut Butter Fingers, and modified it slightly.

Combine the following in your blender (or other smoothie making device?)

1/3 c. canned pumpkin

10 ice cubes

1 scoop of vanilla protein powder

1 banana

3/4 cup almond milk

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

This hit the spot LIKE WHOA.  It gets a full-fledged #endorse.  I will be making this again — especially when I get a pumpkin or PSL craving. (Also, I had a PSL the other day and it was OVERLY sweet to the point where I thought “you need to remember you don’t actually like this and never order it again”… so I’ll be making this instead.)

If you made it this far — answer one of the following please:

(1) Is your baseball team still in the playoffs? Who is your team?

Yes they are. Dodgers, duh!

(2) Do you have any races coming up?

I’m running the Long Beach 13.1 on Sunday! Then the Rock n Roll LA Half on 10/27, and Santa to the Sea on 12/8.  I told you fall racing season hit me HARD.

(3) Favorite Pumpkin recipe/treat?

This smoothie will be up there, but nothing tops my mom’s pumpkin bread.

olympic (and other) inspiration.

I love the Olympics. But what I really love is the running events. These are the moments I remember, the athletes I follow during non-Olympic times, and the sport(s) I can relate to. There have already been some amazing and inspiring races.

I spent 2.5 hours on Saturday watching the women’s marathon. As I typed that, I realized that 2.5 hours is closer to my half-marathon time than what I could ever dream of running 26.2 in, but that’s okay. I was disappointed to see the Americans struggle (Shalane Flanagan was HURTING, and I think the tough course and conditions didn’t make things easy for Kara Goucher). Desiree Davila had to drop out before mile 3 due to a hip flexor injury. I LOVE Monica‘s reflections on what that must feel like in this post.  Watching the finish between the leading four women, though, was awesome. I ended my viewing session feeling empowered and with my game-face on to run a marathon.

(source)

The men’s 10,000 was pretty awesome as well, seeing Mo Farah and Galen Rupp go 1-2 at the finish. They’re friends and training partners, and Rupp HAULED at the end.

(source)

My FAVORITE moment of London 2012 so far, though, was the finish of the men’s 400 m semi-final, where the winner (James) asked Oscar Pistorius (who is a double amputee) for his name bib. Pistorius finished last, and this gesture was incredible. Pistorius will undoubtedly remain one of the heros and inspirations of these games. So touching.

(soure)

I’m excited to watch more track events – particularly the 400m men’s final, the decathlon, the women’s 100m hurdles, and obviously all of the distance events. Running is the best.

—

In other random news – here are so me tidbits from the last week or so:

Last Thursday was National IPA Day. Thank goodness Katherine alerted me about it on Twitter – I HAD to celebrate. Luckily, Jenn and I ended up in the Conejo Valley to run an errand (more on that later) so she suggested we hit up my very favorite micro-brewery in LA: Ladyface Alehouse and Brasserie. I sipped on a Ladyface Ale.

Ladyface IPA.

And we shared the Panzanella Salad (which they recently changed – it used to be a little better) and the mac n cheese.

That errand we were running? To pick up my new favorite piece of furniture I bought off Craigslist from someone out in Simi Valley! For months Jenn and I have wanted a bar cart or something to fill out our apartment. I even reached out to Twitter I was so frustrated with the high prices I was seeing everywhere:

On Thursday morning, my mom emailed me a link to a bar she had found – it was in my price range, originally from Pottery Barn and rarely (if ever) used, matched my other furniture, and was still available! It was meant to be.

Here it is with our “collection” before we put it away….

…and after:

Best. Purchase. Ever.

I already recapped the Hood Internet show I went to on Friday. On Saturday, I high-tailed it back out to the Conejo Valley for a dentist appointment at home. I ran some errands out that way (including buying a new suit for OCI interviews).

That evening, my mom and I headed to my friend Garrett’s home for his wedding reception. I wasn’t able to make it to his wedding in June, so it was so nice to see him and his wife, Elizabeth, and his family. I even spotted old prom photos that I may or may not be in on the wall. Those crack me up every time. Maybe one day they will make it on the blog. I was also stoked to be able to see some of my old friends from my cross-country days. In particular, Garrett and I were both friends with a group of guys two grades below us. 8 years later and I can still make fun of them. It’s mildly weird now that they can drink legally, though.

evan, doug, me, garrison, and garrett.

So fun. When my mom and I left, we noticed someone had egged my car (?!) so that was a minor nuisance.

On Sunday, I “slept in” til after 8 and set out for a 9 mile run. I had left my Garmin at my apartment, so settled for an estimate my Dad suggested. I think it was a little short (maybe 8.5) but it was nice to run on some familiar territory. I am in “Olympics mode” and running long felt great. I spent the rest of the day watching the Olympics and preparing for OCI. (A separate post on OCI and my 2L plans to come!)

This weekend was fun – and reminded me of two things I cherish: running and old friends.

Last week’s workouts were admittedly uninspired. I think finishing work sort of left me a little bit lazy. Game on this week. (I say that now…)

• Monday: Yoga (Core Power Yoga)
• Tuesday: OFF
• Wednesday: 4 mi. run
• Thursday: 3 mi. run + Yoga (Runyon Canyon)
• Friday: 1 mi. run and LIGHT weights at the gym (I decided I did not want to be there, at all)
• Saturday: OFF
• Sunday: 8.5-9 mile run in Agoura

What is your favorite Olympic moment from 2012 so far? Favorite Olympic moment ever? 

a short stint in san diego.

This last week was a blend of relaxation, low-key workouts, and a short trip to San Diego for the Rock n Roll Half Marathon on Sunday. As I mentioned earlier this week, my workouts were sort of “blah.” I guess it was foreshadowing that I was ready for Sunday because (spoiler alert) I PR’d.

Here are last week’s workouts:

• Monday – 7 mi. hike in the Palisades
• Tuesday – 1 hour Kayak with my mom, weights in the evening
• Wednesday – SoulCycle
• Thursday – 4.5 mile run
• Friday – Yoga at Runyon Canyon, 30 min. on treadmill
• Saturday – 3 mi pre-race run
• Sunday – 13.1!

the view from my mat: yoga at Runyon Canyon.

I loved this yoga class – and since it’s donation-based, I’ll try and come a lot. It was nice getting some chaturangas going in the sun!

Other highlights for the week include FINALLY trying often-raved about (double) IPA, Pliny the Elder, at Library Alehouse in SM with Aviva and Armita. It. was. bomb.

Pliny the Elder!

Friday night involved a trip back to Santa Monica for dinner at a new-t0-me place called West 4th & Jane with my usual  law school crew (Aviva, Armita, Taylor, and Blake, plus Blake’s fiancee, Heather!). I was bummed at first because the restaurant claimed they had Estrella beer on tap, but they didn’t when we got there. I lived and got an IPA, and then tasted one of Armita’s beers from her sampler and knew instantly what my second beer would be.

beer 101 for armita and blake.

I had the Smog City Coffee Porter. Espresso and a Dark Beer? Literally my two loves merging. The food was great too, and the company was alright too, I guess…

Friday morning I got up early to log a couple miles before I high-tailed it to SD. I decided to run the RnRSD Half relatively recently when my buddy Blake had to bow out due to a knee injury. I did something that is frowned upon by the race group – and bought his bib – but I probably wouldn’t have done it anyway and I couldn’t let a perfectly good bib go to waste. I booked a local Motel 6 and Jenn agreed to go down to San Diego with me. Since it was a last-minute decision and a super early wake-up call, I knew this would be easier than trying to arrange to stay with anyone.

We left around 10 am Friday and got to San Diego around 12:30. Even managed a pre-check in In-N-Out trip.

Advice for Motel 6 guests: bring your own shampoo and conditioner and arrange to have someone bring you a hot cup of coffee at the race. Oh, and be charming to the check-in guy and he’ll give you a 10% discount.

We headed over to the expo where I met up with Blake and Heather to grab “my” bib. We explored the expo and nabbed some free samples. I heard Deena Kastor was there but didn’t see her.

Jenn and I said bye to Blake and Heather and then explored Downtown San Diego for a bit. I kept my eyes peeled for SkinnyRunner but didn’t see her. Sad.

We eventually met up with Jenn’s friends, Joe and Kate, for dinner.

goat cheese pizza.

I obviously carbo-loaded. We headed back to the hotel early after arranging to carpool to the start tomorrow with Kate and Joe since Joe was also running, and hit the hay early, but obviously not before I went into OCD mode and laid everything out, including my now “lucky” PR shirt. Other things I decided were lucky: this was half-marathon #7. Boom.

my gear.

It ended up being a great race. Full recap to follow, but for now, here’s all you need to know:

Oh, and I started my judicial externship today for a judge in the criminal courts building downtown. It’s gonna be super interesting, that’s for sure!