So, anyone watching the new season of 24? If you have, you might have noticed an interesting storyline involving yours truly. No, I’m not moonlighting as a CTU agent in the Empire State. However, I did manage to get written into the storyline.
Let’s begin here:
Dana Walsh, CTU. Beginning with the obvious. But not only is her name Dana, she’s also a Senior Analyst at CTU. Sound familiar? Hey, me too!
We’re just getting started.
Wait a minute, Dana’s name is actually Jenny? Okay, we get it.. we look alike. TWINS!
Uh oh, this guy seems to have as much trouble telling Dana and Jenny apart as our mom does! Maybe it’s hereditary? No you say, it’s this dude having the name amnesia and not The Twins. Oh wait, did we mention that THIS GUY’S NAME IS KEVIN?!
Let’s recap:
So there’s this Senior Analyst named Dana, who also goes by Jenny, and she is harassed by a dude named Kevin. Yup, this sounds like my life story with a little government ineptitude.
Throw a little Sark in there, and you’ve got the best season of 24 EVER!
While my life coach/personal stylist, Miss S, might be the expert in all things fashion, I can claim the master of all things athletic apparel related. The connoisseur of swoosh, if you will.
From time to time I get questions about running/cycling equipment, clothing and accessories. One such inquiry came recently from the hambeefjustinsteak lover, ms. leenmcdermott.
1. Recommended training programs for a 5K/10K/marathon/etc.?
I’ve very loosely followed training programs because 1) I hate doing speedwork and 2) I’m generally lazy and never follow instructions and 3) just try to run everyday/regularly and usually that will suffice to run/race fast (for me at least). But structure is always good. I have Nike+, so you can record and view your runs with a plug of a USB port, which is always good for a number crunching MBA type like yours truly. While it’s not as precise as a GPS running watch, for $60 and a much cooler look, it does just fine.
There are a number of training programs out there, as a quick internet search would suggest. Runners World, Jeff Galloway and Cool Running are well known race training resources. Most importantly, find a schedule that accommodates your life and schedule — fitness level, rest days, duration (# of weeks before slated race day), etc. Also, remember that you can change the days of the training program — so if you don’t want your rest day to be Monday, just adjust the schedule to match up with the days of the week that work for you, but generally try to keep the order (you don’t want two rest days in a row). And if the duration is slightly off, say you have an extra week or two before the actual race day, I would repeat the second to last week on the schedule — usually the final week involves some tapering.
And all this is subjective — if you feel good, you can up the mileage/intensity. If you’re not feeling good, you can take it easy for a workout — there’s no shame in walking for a segment (sometimes I’ll get a cramp and just take a small break and then start up again). It’s more important that you’re getting out regularly and building general fitness than meeting a specific pace.
The most helpful thing for a beginner or advanced runner is to find a running partner or group. For beginners, it makes you accountable not to skip the workouts, for advanced runners, it’s a good way to make sure you’re getting your speedwork and drills in. The one time that I regularly did speedwork was for the NYC Half Marathon, with the Nike Run Club, and it turned out pretty well in the end.
2. Clothing
Most important winter clothing: gloves and dri-fit base layers. Layers are good cause you really warm up and you don’t want to sweat — that will make you cold. I always try to dress so that I’m slightly uncomfortable when I start out running — by a mile in, you’ll be warm but not overheating. Here’s a clothing calculator of sorts that you might try. Generally, here’s how I gauge temps and outfits: 60 degrees + = tshirt or tank, shorts upper 40s-60 degrees = base layer tshirt, long sleeve shirt, shorts 30-mid 40s = base layer tshirt, long sleeve shirt, long running tights – I always wear long pants once the temps get down to the 40’s, not so much for the overall warmth, but just to protect my knees from the cold. Knee injuries are forever. Below 30 = base layer tshirt, fleece lined long sleeve shirt and/or wind jacket, fleece lined running tights Below 20 = treadmill. Hey, I’m a southern belle at heart, especially when it comes to cold weather.
Other FAQ’s:
Favorite shoe: Nike Zoom Miler, circa 2004-2006. I’ve had several instances of this shoe, including multiple pairs that got busted airpockets. Sadly, they only exist now as cross country spikes. I do have one last pair of Zoom Milers still untainted in their original shoebox which I found on ebay that I have been holding onto for the right moment/race. I believe this pair makes six total. Currently running with the Zoom Victory, which was based on the Zoom Miler and launched for the 2008 Olympics.
Favorite shorts:Nike Tempo Shorts. Nike keeps releasing the same short in various colors for the last 5 years now, so I oblige by picking up the entire spectrum — from blue to burnt orange to pepto pink to white hot. If it ain’t broke, buy the whole line.
Why Nike?: Capitalism got me young. Just before I turned two years old, barely talking, for Christmas I asked for ‘Nike shoe’. My mom didn’t know how I even knew what Nike was. In my more hardcore running years though, I simply like the way they fit — I have narrow, flat and skinny feet. And generally, I like their stuff — the fit, style and variety. Just cause I’m athletic doesn’t mean that I don’t care about fashion.
I could write a novel on running stuff, so I’ll continue in future posts..
“as your running email was so nice and comprehensive, i would now like one about google wave. GO.” -KMM
Speaking of people who recently started blogs, a shoutout goes to my b-school friend/stylist/wedding planner/life coach, who just launched a new blog, Project Shannon. She is to style as what I am to bacon. (Enthusiast, connoisseur, expert, consumer.. take your pick.) Read on for content which its subject matter does not involve TiVo, sneakers or Snuggies (likely a welcome relief for you all)!
Auto Response from SPOON10 (4:04:37 PM): I liked that policy the first time I heard it.. from the Kool-Aid man.
-Stephen Colbert
skybil: we were just talking about you!!! dp: OH NO dp:ABOUT WHAT
m++: i wonder what my gf is donig skybil: Prolly blogging about Colbert m++: baffling skybil: Indeed
——–
dp: omg i think i’m in love with stephen skybil: MT is concerned that you love another skybil: I told him to send you a bacon basket to win you back skybil: He asked: Would that work? I mean, DUH!!! dp: it might have to be the twice a month bacon club dp: it was a holy experience dp: it was like ghetto burgers for the soul skybil: WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! skybil: I think that’s the title of your first business how-to guide
Never a dull moment in Harrisonburg! Oh wait, are we talking about the Turkey Capital? The same place where Walmartin’ is a verb? So something indeed very exciting and slightly panicking happened while at home in the ‘burg for the Thanksgiving holidays. Contrary to popular belief, I was not cooking.
Turns out we had a suspected gas leak, so mother dearest called 911, and asked the operator specifically to NOT send trucks. So obviously she sent 4.
As they came blaring up our dead-end street, The Twin and I ran for cover, due to sheer mortification. The troops came in FULL gear (hats, oxygen tanks, masks, etc.) and rather disappointingly did not resemble anything that I had learned about firemen from the internets.
After it seemed improbable that the house was going to spontaneously combust from a gas leak, I took the opportunity to inquire if the firemen had slid down the pole for us. (No).
The house was eventually cleared by the firemen and gas guy. We are saved!!
So my friends at Chase Visa gave me a call last week, to inform me that they were shutting down my card, as they feared it had been compromised. It was a little odd, since they called to tell me they were giving me the kabosh, rather than asking if I wanted it to be shut down. But I digress, that’s not the point of the story.
After the rep said that they were putting the card on hold, he wanted to go through some recent transactions to make sure that they were legit. Sure, no problem. But I had no idea that going over one’s purchasing habits with a total stranger would be so…. revealing.
Rep: Niketown in San Francisco on 11/5? DP: okay, so it wasn’t purely a business trip. At least I didn’t put it on the corp AMEX?
Rep: Walgreens on 11/9? DP: Hmm.. oh yes, that was the dog Snuggie.
Rep: International Bicycle for [let's just say a lot of money]? DP: I obviously needed a new cyclocross bike. Don’t judge.
Rep: Educational Consulting Services for $1.50? DP: That one definitely sounds suspicious.
I hope being credit card-less will be an acceptable excuse not to buy anyone xmas presents this year. Right?
It has been debated endlessly: is BC truly Notre Dame’s rival? With chicken and egg arguments like this you have to turn to an unbiased and trusted judge…like the Snuggie Company. If the maker of the revolutionary blanket with arms think the Irish and Eagles are rivals, than I think the case is closed.
VEGASSSSSS. Ignoring the fact that there has already been another trip taken and in queue for the blog report, we will get on with the Vegas weekend recap. As you can already tell, it was a huge success — a $13 cashout at the airport slots (off of a $5 investment). I came, I saw, I conquered.
So this summer has been packed with weddings and wedding related events, but this one was more difficult to swing in the workplace. A bachelorette? Hmm. A bachelorette in Vegas? Yup, my coworkers must think I’m a ginormous hooker.
Things learnt while on our inaugural trip to Vegas:
- throwing [new] underwear all over the bachelorette’s bed is a normal activity
- you can visit any major landmark, regardless which country it actually resides in. Don’t consider this an appropriate substitute for the real thing.
- we have a very classy broad entering the Prey family..
- the Bellagio brunch with all you can drink champagne is quite possibly the greatest activity (and bargain at $29) in the world
- Keno is the new blackjack
- Wet Republic (the VIP pool) is like being on MTV
- I might have been the only person in the world to bring an issue of Business Week to said pool
- Stacey is the queen of getting us invited into expensive cabanas
- bring your walking shoes.. The Strip goes on for milessss.
- one can’t be afraid of seeing boobs and equally offensive imagery, as inappropriate fliers completely litter the streets
- Grey Goose comes in gallon-sized bottles
- I really don’t own any Vegas appropriate [ie slutty] clothes
- chicks can get in anywhere they want in town
- it’s totally appropriate to take a stretch Hummer to get around town
- not at all a shocker: Pete Rose in Vegas
- Six Sigma training is brutal on its own. Six Sigma training the day after Vegas is suicidal.
2. But neverfear, as long as said couple is not on Twitter, you can still receive sound advice:
- @jaredlombard @dpnation See if they registered on theknot.com?
- @Cybil @dpnation Forget finding out where they are registered, bacon always makes a lovely gift.
[for the record, they were indeed found on theknot.com. And they will be receiving a deep fryer shortly]
3. If you are male, deny deny deny:
- @jaredlombard @dpnation I plead the 5th about knowing about theknot.com.
4. Don’t call it a comeback!
- @uvatexn Excited about the ‘triumphant return’ to #ATL of @dpnation
- @CybilMentally preparing for Dana’s atl invasion
5. Make sure you check your receipt prior to driving off in the economy lot.
6. Invite friends to brunch, realize they are all on Twitter! (Except for Mrs. @uvatexn)
7. Attempt to combat friend theft.
- @Namski09 @dpnation You ran away from me, now what am I suppose to do. @Cybil is a last resort! haha! I can’t wait to hang out @Cybil!!!
Aaaand the transition never ends. In addition to needing some key pieces of furniture, I also had to figure out the whole legality of my residency in a new state. I begrudgingly headed to hell on earth, aka the DMV, to attempt getting a new license, tags and title done in one fell swoop (it took me at least 3 tries in Virginia). Things didn’t look so promising when I arrived at the state offices 20 min early, with a good 15-20 people already in line. Shockingly enough, not only did I actually have all the necessary paperwork (CP, you will need – 1) auto insurance 2) tags 3) state inspection — in that order), but I also made it out with the best non-personalized license plates I could ever get! No, it’s not death car. Behold:
DP!
Although, I have another idea up my sleeve having to do with this, so stay tuned.
The first of many wedding-related events took place in North Carolina. Pig roast to celebrate the impending nuptials of big bro, but really a good excuse for the families (ie parents) to meet one another. It was a grand success, but then again, how could people not get along famously when feasting on 110 pounds of pig, hush puppies and jello shots? (not kidding, even my mom did one — she was probably trying to be polite).
110 pounds = a whole lotta bacon
Next up on the travel itinerary?That’s right! I have a few more weeks to work on my poker face and learn how to count cards. I will be refraining from using the cliche Las Vegas saying though.
And everything else in a nutshell:
- shopping for a new cross bike, turns out I picked out Gisele’s all on my own! In the meantime, I am borrowing a bike to try CX out.
- CP is moving here!
- I finally bought a couch. Welcome to adulthood.
- got the most epic flat tire 10 mi into an attempted century with an Ironman-in-training. 120psi to flat in a matter of seconds. So we patched the tire with a wrapper found on the side of the road, made it back to the bike shop, where I got some snazzy white-walled tires and Chuck ended up with neon green tires/tape and a squeeky sumo for his aero bars. We still managed to get 75 mi in and I got an Anna’s burrito while watching CD do hill climbs.
- I got an inflatable pool for my backyard. True story.
- meet the cutest dog in the whole world. And yes, that XS BC dog sweater is from yours truly.
Entering: The Next Episode. Once again, I’m heading into the workforce. Welcome, paychecks, benefits and the next career step. Goodbye, summer vacation, Thirsty Thursdays and accounting class.
Going along with the grown up phase of my life is a new place to live. After tireless weeks/months spent researching and a whole lotta legwork (who knew realtors were so sketchy? I’m looking at you, RE/MAX), behold:
My new place! Even my car has a place to live, something that I thought was such wishful thinking, that I didn’t even bother to look for it during my property search.
So the entry way once you get inside the foyer has this little nook that is begging for something to be put there, like some fake flowers or an homage to yours truly (Kathleen’s idea — turns out, it looked more like a memorial). So I think I’ve found the solution: lighted slate wall fountain!
John: “That may be even better than the marathon picture, very inviting and soothing sounds for the hall way. Much like a holiday inn. Excellent choice.”
Kathleen: “hahahah the only thing better than that would be a virgin mary”
To go along with my grown up house and grown up job, I’ve decided to get grown up furniture. The days of being excited over IKEA stuff are gone (although, for a temporary fix, they are perfectly adequate — not trying to knock IKEA like I do the Olive Garden.) So after dropping the 2nd most money I have ever spent (Ridley still wins that honor), I am now equipped with some great pieces. Thank god for relocation money. Now that I have all this fab stuff, I guess it’s time to show up to work to start earning my keep. Goodbye, grad school life. It was fun while it lasted.
Egypt! The days have been packed with sand, pyramids, camels named Lufthansa, and some hard time at the pool. Oh, and there’s a NikeWomen store in the building next door. Who knew that Africa in July would be such a success? My only complaint: no bacon. Yeah yeah, Muslim country.. they don’t know what they’re missing.
QOTD2: "Be sure to check out your future office (top floor, corner) while you're there." -my boss, on me visiting the Madison Ave office 1 day ago
QOTD: "Wait.. His last name doesn't start with J. He's out." -The Twin, trying to make the towel monogramming mishap right 1 day ago
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Posted by dpnation 
It has been debated endlessly: is BC truly Notre Dame’s rival? With chicken and egg arguments like this you have to turn to an unbiased and trusted judge…like the Snuggie Company. If the maker of the revolutionary blanket with arms think 
VEGASSSSSS. Ignoring the fact that there has already been another trip taken and in queue for the blog report, we will get on with the Vegas weekend recap. As you can already tell, it was a huge success — a $13 cashout at the airport slots (off of a $5 investment). I came, I saw, I conquered.
haha! I can’t wait to hang out @
That’s right! I have a few more weeks to work on my poker face and learn how to count cards. I will be refraining from using the cliche Las Vegas saying though.
dpnation: Lawsuit free since 2004!
