I was just looking at some old posts and saw my July 19th post about Google texting. If it hasn't convinced you to convert to Google texting, then you need to reread it until you reach that point.
We used the google translation function often on our trip. Unfortunately, "Supresso" in Italian also means "supresso" in English, so it was not helping us in discovering that our train was cancelled due to a rail strike. Other than that, however, it was usually helpful.
Ok thats all. :)
Friday, August 8, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Google Texting: A New Era
So, as you may know, my mom and I are off for Europe tomorrow. (I know you are never supposed to post that personal stuff, but, whatever.) We will be visiting the following cities: London, Rome, Pompeii, Florence, Venice, Lugano, Murren, Munich, Rothenburg, Amsterdam, and Brussels. I'll try to post from an internet cafe, perhaps. (I can still get texts and emails on my phone)
In my absence I will leave you with this tidbit of very valuable information:
Google Texting
If you aren’t already google texting, you probably need to start. (Obviously you are internet savvy already, so join the mobile club). Google Text is phone number 46645 (GOOGL). Here’s what you can use this for:
Phone Numbers/Addresses/general 411. Text “Starbucks, Goleta CA” to get a list of the ones nearby.
Weather. Text “Weather, 93117”
Flight updates. Text “Flight Status: AA 134" (or something like that)
Movies: “Dark Knight, 93117” for listings
Translations: “Translate cama Spanish to English”
Definitions. Text “Definition:”
Um…this is what I use it for mostly…you can also get directions…and I think a slew of other services, which you can google to figure out. Enjoy!
In my absence I will leave you with this tidbit of very valuable information:
Google Texting
If you aren’t already google texting, you probably need to start. (Obviously you are internet savvy already, so join the mobile club). Google Text is phone number 46645 (GOOGL). Here’s what you can use this for:
Phone Numbers/Addresses/general 411. Text “Starbucks, Goleta CA” to get a list of the ones nearby.
Weather. Text “Weather, 93117”
Flight updates. Text “Flight Status: AA 134" (or something like that)
Movies: “Dark Knight, 93117” for listings
Translations: “Translate cama Spanish to English”
Definitions. Text “Definition:
Um…this is what I use it for mostly…you can also get directions…and I think a slew of other services, which you can google to figure out. Enjoy!
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
So, so, so THE RACE!! Its been 3 days of recovery since the half and I can happily say I have been wearing heels since yesterday. Sunday and Monday were kind of like learning to walk again though. Recovery aside, I’m sure you want to hear about the running!
So I ran the half marathon with my Aunt Beth. (Correction: she ran it much faster than I did). We had to be AT the field by 6:30am before the roads got closed off. Needless to say, it was a pretty early morning for me since I was determined to get my beloved Starbucks Misto before the race. Some “real athletes” would never drink caffeine or coffee before a race but its pretty much a morning necessity for me, and I drank it by 7:00 which left plenty of time to hit el bano prior to our 8am start time. At 5:30 am I woke up to my alarm (after not sleeping very well, and a dream at 2am that I missed the race but was still trying to get my Starbucks at the local high school) and a bunch of text messages from well-wishing friends. It was 44 degrees outside and very windy.
When Beth and I got to the starting field, it was still freezing and we were tired. We hung out mostly in the car resting. (And I did my hair.) (Yes, running requires doing hair. Its called bobby-pinning my bangs out of the way. [example shown in pre-race car picture] And no, it does not take longer than about 3 minutes).
Well, finally 8am rolled around and we sauntered out with the other 3500 people running too. Although my finishing time goal was under 3 hours, I decided to try following the 2:30 finishing time pacer runner for a mile to see if I could keep up. Turned out, I could keep up. I even thought about passing her, but I did not want to fall victim to the “starting out too fast and running out of energy” theme. So I decided to stay with her for an hour and see how things went. By the beginning of the second hour (and my first energy gel) it was all I could do to stay up with the 2:30 group. I was starting to get bored of running and starting to approach my normal training run limits – 6 to 8 miles (and usually some walking along the way!) I held on to the 2:30 group until about 1:45 into the race. Then we had an uphill bend coming, so I prepped with my second energy gel. Once we got to the top of the hill, I truly unfocused my view and started just staring at the road in front of the pacers’ feet. Doing this blocked everything out and I began to slowly, slowly, slowly pull in FRONT of the 2:30 group. This kind of shocked me. At mile 10 (granted, my longest training run was 8 miles) I was probably about 30 seconds ahead of the 2:30 group but my legs were dying and I wanted to never run again. Somehow my best music started playing on my ipod and I zoned out again to that. At this point I was a little nervous because I didn’t know the way (although plenty of runners to follow) but most people around me were losing steam. I started to pass them, hating every step, but just wanting to finish. The last 3 miles, in retrospect, I guess seemed pretty quick and I sprinted the last .1 mile into the baseball field where the announcers and finish line was. I found out later that night my finish time was 2:27:24.9. I met all 3 of my ½ marathon goals: 1) to finish 2) to run the whole thing 3) to run it in under 2:30. I honestly was saving the 3rd goal for my second ½ marathon, now it looks like I’ll actually have to train tough to beat that if/when I do my next race.
So I ran the half marathon with my Aunt Beth. (Correction: she ran it much faster than I did). We had to be AT the field by 6:30am before the roads got closed off. Needless to say, it was a pretty early morning for me since I was determined to get my beloved Starbucks Misto before the race. Some “real athletes” would never drink caffeine or coffee before a race but its pretty much a morning necessity for me, and I drank it by 7:00 which left plenty of time to hit el bano prior to our 8am start time. At 5:30 am I woke up to my alarm (after not sleeping very well, and a dream at 2am that I missed the race but was still trying to get my Starbucks at the local high school) and a bunch of text messages from well-wishing friends. It was 44 degrees outside and very windy.
When Beth and I got to the starting field, it was still freezing and we were tired. We hung out mostly in the car resting. (And I did my hair.) (Yes, running requires doing hair. Its called bobby-pinning my bangs out of the way. [example shown in pre-race car picture] And no, it does not take longer than about 3 minutes).
Well, finally 8am rolled around and we sauntered out with the other 3500 people running too. Although my finishing time goal was under 3 hours, I decided to try following the 2:30 finishing time pacer runner for a mile to see if I could keep up. Turned out, I could keep up. I even thought about passing her, but I did not want to fall victim to the “starting out too fast and running out of energy” theme. So I decided to stay with her for an hour and see how things went. By the beginning of the second hour (and my first energy gel) it was all I could do to stay up with the 2:30 group. I was starting to get bored of running and starting to approach my normal training run limits – 6 to 8 miles (and usually some walking along the way!) I held on to the 2:30 group until about 1:45 into the race. Then we had an uphill bend coming, so I prepped with my second energy gel. Once we got to the top of the hill, I truly unfocused my view and started just staring at the road in front of the pacers’ feet. Doing this blocked everything out and I began to slowly, slowly, slowly pull in FRONT of the 2:30 group. This kind of shocked me. At mile 10 (granted, my longest training run was 8 miles) I was probably about 30 seconds ahead of the 2:30 group but my legs were dying and I wanted to never run again. Somehow my best music started playing on my ipod and I zoned out again to that. At this point I was a little nervous because I didn’t know the way (although plenty of runners to follow) but most people around me were losing steam. I started to pass them, hating every step, but just wanting to finish. The last 3 miles, in retrospect, I guess seemed pretty quick and I sprinted the last .1 mile into the baseball field where the announcers and finish line was. I found out later that night my finish time was 2:27:24.9. I met all 3 of my ½ marathon goals: 1) to finish 2) to run the whole thing 3) to run it in under 2:30. I honestly was saving the 3rd goal for my second ½ marathon, now it looks like I’ll actually have to train tough to beat that if/when I do my next race.
I had blisters on both feet, but they’ve mostly healed now. I have been pretty unmotivated to do much – post runners’ high, I guess, but apparently this is decently normal after a big athletic endeavor.
So…I still like running…but I want to go back to more swimming, climbing, and racquetball too!!
Monday night I saw Tara, Kyle, and Kristin at the Placer House and we hung out a bit in the hot tub. Kyle is growing so much and is so hilarious!!
So…I still like running…but I want to go back to more swimming, climbing, and racquetball too!!
Monday night I saw Tara, Kyle, and Kristin at the Placer House and we hung out a bit in the hot tub. Kyle is growing so much and is so hilarious!!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
4 days to Race Day!
I am excited about Sunday’s half-marathon. I know I won’t have a great finishing time, but I’ve learned a lot about running in the past 3 months and I think after this I’ll stick to improving my speed for a while and then run another one. I’ve still been experimenting with energy gels, although energy gels AND energy drinks should not be combined on the same run because then your run will be over. My favorite is vanilla or chocolate Gu, and then next favorite is Power Bar (I think) Chocolate. I tried some fruity ones, and a Clif Bar (I think?) brand one and those were just awful. I love running with caffeinated “Invigorating Propel” or “G2” Gatorade because mentally (and physically) the caffeine really makes a difference.
My goal for the race Sunday is to shuffle along at a 12 minute mile pace. Running straight through this would put me finishing at 2:36. I’m sure I’ll stop for water/gels/bathroom along the way, so I’ll probably be more like 2:50, but I’m hoping since I like to sprint at the end of most of my runs that I can average a faster pace than 12 minute miles. (I like to set low expectations).
I was actually hoping to document this training process, along with concepts of training while traveling/keeping fit on the road to write into an article for a magazine, so I’ve been taking some pictures along the way (a few) and brainstorming what to write about. I don’t know if I’ll have the time/ambition to actually write the article, but hey, why not?! It might not make a runner magazine, but those corporate/travel magazines are always talking about exercising while on the road, etc, so maybe I could try there. Anyhow. That’s a not-so widely known interest of mine.
I’m putting in a post-run picture, mostly because blogs are more fun with pictures. I don’t mean them to always be of ME, not trying to be self-centered, but, that just happens to be what has been near my camera.
In other fun worlds, last week in Dallas it snowed TWICE while I was there. I took a picture in my hotel room to document 1) the lightweight blue hooded sweatshirt I brought from California and 2) the mega-weight jacket someone from work brought me so I wouldn’t freeze. My coworkers love me.
Lastly. Between when I wrote this blog in MS Word and logged into my blogger to post, I forgot my blogger password. Does anyone else have trouble reading those security things where they distort a word and make you human-read it and type it in to validate that you aren’t some computer spammer?! Lately I have been having issues with those things!!
My goal for the race Sunday is to shuffle along at a 12 minute mile pace. Running straight through this would put me finishing at 2:36. I’m sure I’ll stop for water/gels/bathroom along the way, so I’ll probably be more like 2:50, but I’m hoping since I like to sprint at the end of most of my runs that I can average a faster pace than 12 minute miles. (I like to set low expectations).
I was actually hoping to document this training process, along with concepts of training while traveling/keeping fit on the road to write into an article for a magazine, so I’ve been taking some pictures along the way (a few) and brainstorming what to write about. I don’t know if I’ll have the time/ambition to actually write the article, but hey, why not?! It might not make a runner magazine, but those corporate/travel magazines are always talking about exercising while on the road, etc, so maybe I could try there. Anyhow. That’s a not-so widely known interest of mine.
I’m putting in a post-run picture, mostly because blogs are more fun with pictures. I don’t mean them to always be of ME, not trying to be self-centered, but, that just happens to be what has been near my camera.
In other fun worlds, last week in Dallas it snowed TWICE while I was there. I took a picture in my hotel room to document 1) the lightweight blue hooded sweatshirt I brought from California and 2) the mega-weight jacket someone from work brought me so I wouldn’t freeze. My coworkers love me.
Lastly. Between when I wrote this blog in MS Word and logged into my blogger to post, I forgot my blogger password. Does anyone else have trouble reading those security things where they distort a word and make you human-read it and type it in to validate that you aren’t some computer spammer?! Lately I have been having issues with those things!!
Friday, February 1, 2008
Today I bathed our Cat!!!
Hello. This has been a very eventful week but I think the most bizarre event had to be today's cat washing. Our oldest cat, Rudolph, is a long haired cat we've have forever. At Christmas I noticed poop stuck to his tail and he obviously wasn't really able to clean himself. On top of that, he acted like his tail was all hurt and wouldn't let you touch him. Fast forward to the end of January. He hasn't really been able to clean himself off (still!) and his hair is soooooo matted, its horrible. There was this one clump of hair at his chest that i could pretty much clench in my entire hand (like bigger than an apricot or something).
So, I knew I had to do something. I had just come back from a run (wimped out after 5 miles-too dark and I'm a wimp) so I figured as long as I was sweaty and disgusting, I might as well do the job. I figured since my sister has a little 1/2 sized bathroom, I could just clear off the counters and floor and Rudy and I could duke it out until he was clean.
It turned out I got a helper. Brenda came over. I invited her into the bathroom for the cat washing mostly to keep me company, but she ended up helping too. I filled the sink with warm soapy water and got some scissors to cut off the clumps of hair. Rudolph of course freaked when I first set him into the sink, ("Claws come out, scene 1") but once I grabbed his arms (little scared of squashing him) and held him against my body with his butt in the sink, he pretty much calmed down. I'm sure it was the soothing, "Sshhh, shhhhh, its ok, Rudy, its OK" that made a difference. Yeah right. So after his initial shock I think he figured out that fighting wasn't going to help much. Brenda and I didn't know what to do so we started cutting off some of the clumps that we could sort of get to while we waited for his nasty tail area to soak for a while.
I really, really wish we had gotten a picture of poor Rudolph during the bath. He was really good, except for when he clawed Brenda ("Claws come out, scene 2") and then towards the end ("Claws, 3") when he was getting tired of being washed. We sorta tried to shampoo him a bit (he still needs to be like shaved or something) but at least he is cleaner than before. We wrapped him up in a towel and Nathan came to check on us. He started purring for Brenda right away and looking at us with these tortured eyes. We gave him some milk and left him in the bathroom for a while to dry off.
After a while we checked on him, he was dying to get out but still wet so we left him in there. Finally I let him into the laundry room and tried to cut off some more hair clumps. He got tired of that after a bit so I finally let him go outside. Poor guy. Then I decided
to try to get a picture of his terrible looking tail, which, of course he wasn't too thrilled about the idea of me getting close enough to him again.
So finally this story comes to an end, here are a couple pictures of Rudy, the Bathers, and how horrid and mangy he still looks. (I might try again tomorrow).
So, I knew I had to do something. I had just come back from a run (wimped out after 5 miles-too dark and I'm a wimp) so I figured as long as I was sweaty and disgusting, I might as well do the job. I figured since my sister has a little 1/2 sized bathroom, I could just clear off the counters and floor and Rudy and I could duke it out until he was clean.
It turned out I got a helper. Brenda came over. I invited her into the bathroom for the cat washing mostly to keep me company, but she ended up helping too. I filled the sink with warm soapy water and got some scissors to cut off the clumps of hair. Rudolph of course freaked when I first set him into the sink, ("Claws come out, scene 1") but once I grabbed his arms (little scared of squashing him) and held him against my body with his butt in the sink, he pretty much calmed down. I'm sure it was the soothing, "Sshhh, shhhhh, its ok, Rudy, its OK" that made a difference. Yeah right. So after his initial shock I think he figured out that fighting wasn't going to help much. Brenda and I didn't know what to do so we started cutting off some of the clumps that we could sort of get to while we waited for his nasty tail area to soak for a while.
I really, really wish we had gotten a picture of poor Rudolph during the bath. He was really good, except for when he clawed Brenda ("Claws come out, scene 2") and then towards the end ("Claws, 3") when he was getting tired of being washed. We sorta tried to shampoo him a bit (he still needs to be like shaved or something) but at least he is cleaner than before. We wrapped him up in a towel and Nathan came to check on us. He started purring for Brenda right away and looking at us with these tortured eyes. We gave him some milk and left him in the bathroom for a while to dry off.
After a while we checked on him, he was dying to get out but still wet so we left him in there. Finally I let him into the laundry room and tried to cut off some more hair clumps. He got tired of that after a bit so I finally let him go outside. Poor guy. Then I decided
to try to get a picture of his terrible looking tail, which, of course he wasn't too thrilled about the idea of me getting close enough to him again.So finally this story comes to an end, here are a couple pictures of Rudy, the Bathers, and how horrid and mangy he still looks. (I might try again tomorrow).
Thursday, January 17, 2008
1/2 Marathon Training, Continued
This has been an interesting week.
First of all, I am having this recurring dream of running through the airport. SERIOUSLY! The theme is usually that I’m going to Europe, meeting a friend or somebody at a connecting airport, I’m running late, and forgot my passport. So I am running back and forth between the car looking for my passport and the security line and it seems like miles and miles between the two, running with all the luggage. Strange.
So along the running theme, I am trying to test out energy gels. I figure with a run of 13 miles, I need to keep my body fueled properly. I am very into the science/technique of running (ahem, jogging) right now. I’m trying to read up on what a good diet is for runners, what to eat before and after a run, etc. The whole concept of a higher carb diet is fun and shocking since the Adkins push years ago carbs have seemed so off-limits. Not that I really diet or anything, I just usually try not to go on a carb overload.
So yesterday on my 6 mile distance run I tried the vanilla power bar gel. It was super syrupy. I don’t know if I really needed it, but I ate ½ on mile 4 and about ½ of what was left somewhere at mile 5 or so. I was pretty bored running on the treadmill. I was thinking, “geez what is the point of this??!!” I think I prefer running outside but LAX isn’t exactly an ideal area for that.
Lastly, here is the link to the web page in case anyone else wants to sign up. There is a rule of no ipods/music players, which apparently is new, and I guess not all races enforce it. I’m not sure how it’ll be happening for this race.
http://www.fleetfeetsacramento.com/shamrockn-half-marathon-5km
Oh yeah, and this week at work sucked. I tried to quit Tuesday but after getting some good food in me and a good nights rest and a resolution to not talk to the person driving me NUTS, I am starting to tolerate the project again. Wednesday I actually had to bring my regular misto drink AND a java chip frap (light) to work to nurse my attitude back to health. (That and some prayer.) 76 days until the project “go live.” Maybe in some other blog I’ll actually describe what some of these project terms mean. Booooring!
First of all, I am having this recurring dream of running through the airport. SERIOUSLY! The theme is usually that I’m going to Europe, meeting a friend or somebody at a connecting airport, I’m running late, and forgot my passport. So I am running back and forth between the car looking for my passport and the security line and it seems like miles and miles between the two, running with all the luggage. Strange.
So along the running theme, I am trying to test out energy gels. I figure with a run of 13 miles, I need to keep my body fueled properly. I am very into the science/technique of running (ahem, jogging) right now. I’m trying to read up on what a good diet is for runners, what to eat before and after a run, etc. The whole concept of a higher carb diet is fun and shocking since the Adkins push years ago carbs have seemed so off-limits. Not that I really diet or anything, I just usually try not to go on a carb overload.
So yesterday on my 6 mile distance run I tried the vanilla power bar gel. It was super syrupy. I don’t know if I really needed it, but I ate ½ on mile 4 and about ½ of what was left somewhere at mile 5 or so. I was pretty bored running on the treadmill. I was thinking, “geez what is the point of this??!!” I think I prefer running outside but LAX isn’t exactly an ideal area for that.
Lastly, here is the link to the web page in case anyone else wants to sign up. There is a rule of no ipods/music players, which apparently is new, and I guess not all races enforce it. I’m not sure how it’ll be happening for this race.
http://www.fleetfeetsacramento.com/shamrockn-half-marathon-5km
Oh yeah, and this week at work sucked. I tried to quit Tuesday but after getting some good food in me and a good nights rest and a resolution to not talk to the person driving me NUTS, I am starting to tolerate the project again. Wednesday I actually had to bring my regular misto drink AND a java chip frap (light) to work to nurse my attitude back to health. (That and some prayer.) 76 days until the project “go live.” Maybe in some other blog I’ll actually describe what some of these project terms mean. Booooring!
Friday, January 11, 2008
Christy is new to blogging
Well hello there. Sarah was telling me I should start a blog since I'm kind of tired of myspace. Today when I was running (I always talk to myself) I started to mentally write this blog so here I am, I guess, with a blog!
I just started running - um, excuse me, JOGGING, a lot more lately and so I also figured maybe I can track some of my experiences on here in an attempt to keep up with it. I'm training for a half-marathon in Sacramento on March 16th.
So why shamrock80 for the blog name? Well, because shamrock was taken. Why Shamrock? I dunno. I didn't want my real name, and since Nathan has an amazing puppy and it took 3 days to name him and during that time I thought, "gee, I'd like to name my dog Shamrock" and it kind of stuck. SO, here I am, permanently Shamrock80 the blogger.
I suppose I could try and get some pictures up on this but since I am still a newbie and I left my camera at my dad's house, that won't be happening. At least this is a start!
I just started running - um, excuse me, JOGGING, a lot more lately and so I also figured maybe I can track some of my experiences on here in an attempt to keep up with it. I'm training for a half-marathon in Sacramento on March 16th.
So why shamrock80 for the blog name? Well, because shamrock was taken. Why Shamrock? I dunno. I didn't want my real name, and since Nathan has an amazing puppy and it took 3 days to name him and during that time I thought, "gee, I'd like to name my dog Shamrock" and it kind of stuck. SO, here I am, permanently Shamrock80 the blogger.
I suppose I could try and get some pictures up on this but since I am still a newbie and I left my camera at my dad's house, that won't be happening. At least this is a start!
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