Physics, Eat, Sleep & Repeat

The thoughts of a sleep-deprived physics graduate student.

[the-more-u-know]

A Guide to Marathon Running 

by ANTHONY CAPONITI on JANUARY 31, 2012

I started running competitively at the age of 9 and continued to do so until graduation from college. I loved my time as an NCAA athlete, but as many people will tell you, I had zero intention of ever running another mile after hanging up my spikes 5 years ago. Then along came that fateful first marathon due to peer pressure—the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC—and that was five marathons ago!

So, when I came across the Taking it to the Streets: a Guide to Marathon Running infographic on CheapSally.com, I couldn’t resist sharing with our readers. In general, the design is pretty appealing with the exception of the glossary on the road—I think the graphic would start with a pop if the terms were visualized in circular icons like much of the other info!

The visual guide discusses peoples common fears of running, provides a basic 12 week half marathon training schedule (not sure why this doesn’t show an extended 18 week marathon schedule),  and then ends the infographic with a list of major marathons across the country. I was a bit disappointed Cheap Sally didn’t list the dates of each marathon … that would have helped newbie runners!

Beyond the novelty of the infographic itself,  I like how Cheap Sally presumably partnered with Dick’s Sporting Goods to promote coupons for the sports retail giant. Below is from the Cheap Sally

Marathon Factoid: Did you know you can prevent some pretty major running injuries by having the proper running shoes? I had no idea! Good thing I had a Dicks Sporting Good coupon to use on a new pair of sneakers, or I may have been in some serious trouble!

Here are few highlights we found interesting from the infographic:

503,000 runners finished a marathon in 2010

Most common running injury is muscle pulls at 32%

Youngest runner to complete a marathon is 34 years old

Oldest female do the same feat is 92 years old

*Note: There is one error on the infographic regarding the 2012 marathon schedule. The Twin Cities Marathon takes place on Sunday, Oct 7, 2012 not in December.

[Source]

[i-am-fighting-for-fit-deactivat]

i don’t really thing i want to do a full marathon, but i would definitely do more half marathons. :)

[therealestthingheknew-deactivat]

The Twin Cities Marathon would be really cold to run in December I’m glad they don’t hold it then

[cafetina-blog-deactivated202204]

[maelstromscientist]

Yup. Sums me up pretty well.

[maelstromscientist]

Greatest Workout Quote I've Ever Heard

"You know what they tell you about going to the gym? Losing weight, feeling good about yourself, blah blah blah.  You know what they don't tell you? Nipple Chafing. The heat of an exploding white dwarf star, the fires of Mordor, and the wrath of Khan, all simultaneously exploding on your chest, not once, but twice.  Friends, that's an awareness ribbon that needs to happen."

-Chris Pocock

[maelstromscientist]

Time to break in my new shoes! #running #Brooks #AdrenalineASR10 #new #shoes #letsgetsomeshoes #betch

[maelstromscientist]

See this glorious beast of a pizza? This is an extra-large half hawaiian, half white sauce pizza, baked to perfection from the best local pizza place in La Mesa. It is also the last pizza I will be consuming until February 1, 2014. Until then, it is clean eating and tough training until Surf City. Here's to keeping me in check, Tumblr. So delicious.

[maelstromscientist]

Surf City Half and Full Marathon

I just registered for the Surf City Half-Marathon on February 2, 2014. I'd rather be running 13.1 miles down beautiful California beachfront than sitting in front of my television watching football anyway. Plus, who doesn't want that cool-looking surfboard finishing medal? Seriously. Come out and run!

[maelstromscientist]

Photos from my first Half-Marathon! 

[maelstromscientist]

Pomona Holiday Half Marathon

So two weeks ago I decided to increase my training regiment.  I have increased daily mileage from 3-4 to 5-6 miles.  I have also increased the treadmill incline, as well as run more hills.  Finally, I have incorporated a more intensive stretching regiment - because as I've learned the hard way - it's important to stretch especially for the longer runs.  Anyway, with the increased intensity came a mild case of Achilles tendinitis.  Wonderful news a week away from my race. 

I thought about calling it quits.  I thought about taking a break.  And then I said 'fuck it. I'm gonna run anyway.' 

I had so much fun! And I cut 5 minutes off my half-time, a personal record.  I also got to see an old friend April, with whom I'll be running the Surf City Half Marathon in February.  What was even more impressive, was my pace (in blue):

Also, I've never had so many friends like a post of Facebook before.  I'm so happy to have so many supportive friends!

[maelstromscientist]

Some Running stuff

So after I ran my first practice half-marathon at Lake Murray (see post below), I decided to push myself even further mentally and physically.  In a fit of stupid ambition, I Google mapped the nearest lake to where I lived.  It turns out that about 45 minutes away from me is a lake that is every runner's dream.  A 21-mile loop around the beautiful Diamond Valley Lake, relatively flat, and a combination of dirt and paved road.  Coolest part is that if you go during the week, you will be one of just a few people on the path.  You have an entire lake all to yourself!

I made about 19 of the 21 miles around the loop before my legs just couldn't handle it anymore.  Was my body ready for such mileage.  Hell no! The most I had ever run before that was 13.1 miles, and I barely finished that.  Let's just say that it took a lot of self-motivation to keep going after about mile 15.  After that it was all pain.  But that was exactly the point.  If you don't know your limits, you won't know how far you can push yourself and what you need to do to get stronger.  I didn't complete the loop, but now I know exactly what I need to do to run a full marathon.  I'm on my way.

[maelstromscientist]

woah I completely forgot about this thing

So my first quarter as a first-year graduate student just came to a close, which is my official excuse as to why I haven't posted in awhile.  I know I'm already dropping the ball on this personal goal of maintaining a blog but here I am to make a huge post to catch up on current life events...

So shin splints are a thing of the past but here is a picture of me icing said shin splints:

Also, JP (my roommate) and I finally got our climbing hangboard up (with the great help of our handyman Dave)!  V.16 here we come!

Date #4 We last left off at Nov. 9 - Beach Day with Cute Starbucks Girl - which was a lot of fun.  Date #4 would be the following Saturday, November 16.  I recall she was going to go out of town for some reason, but I guess she cancelled her plans.  On the off occasion it didn't rain, we were going to go on a hike.  However, since we weren't sure about the weather we decided to go to Pasadena instead, where we window-shopped and had dinner.  We couldn't think of anything else to do that night, so she took me to one of her favorite places overlooking the Inland Empire.  It was a good night. 

Date #5 Cute Starbucks Girl was planning to see the new Hunger Games movie and she invited me.  We battled the opening night lines filled with giddy teenagers and to my surprise, it was actually a lot better than I expected.  It was a short date, but well worth it.  Things are going well with Cute Starbucks Girl, by the way.  Turns out she does actually like me.  I did something right.  Yay!

Thanksgiving Both my parents and my brother were going to work on Thanksgiving, so coming home would just mean me ordering a pizza and eating alone.  Instead, I decided to go to a Thanksgiving get-together my fellow Physics cohorts threw.  What I was expecting: lots of pizza, beer, funny jokes, absolutely no canonical Thanksgiving food.  What I got: a great camaraderie of my fellow nerd-friends, domestic and international alike, no pizza, beer, funny jokes, and probably the best Thanksgiving dinner I have ever had in my life!  Nick made a wicked delicious turkey, and Christina & Jason made some mouth-watering ham.  I can't cook if my life depended on it, so I made something more delicious:

I know.  I pull it off really well. 

Overall, awesome Thanksgiving.  My cohort is the best!

Being a goofball to make Cute Starbucks Girl laugh

Finals Week I barely survived.  Need I say more?

 Date #6 Three weeks since we've actually gone out, mostly because we've been busy with Thanksgiving, family, and finals.  So I planned a date out in Downtown LA.  We went to the Los Angeles County Museum of Arts (LACMA), where we became sophisticated and mired at the seemingly incomprehensible culture that is modern art.  It's always nice, and she had never been there before (or at least in a really long time). After that we went down the street to The Grove.  I didn't really think about it, but The Grove was really busy, maybe because it was that time of year.  Needless to say, it took awhile to get food, but we eventually got dinner at the Cheesecake Factory, which is always delicious.  The Grove is beautiful this time of year, and if you can brave the crowds and traffic, it is totally worth it to hear some live music, see some lights, people watch, and get good deals on absolutely nothing.

The night ended at around 9:30, which was probably a good idea, since I had to run my first official half-marathon the next morning!

And then my friend Jon texted me: "Hey, some people are over and we're having beers.  Want to join."

Irresistible.  Plus, I was going to feel shitty regardless of how much sleep I got, so I spent the rest of the night at Jon's socializing with my physics friends.  I left at around 1 am.  I had to wake up at 5.  I am not a smart man.

[maelstromscientist]

Date #3

Cute Starbucks Girl got Saturday off, and just as planned, we went to the beach. I picked her up around 1 and we drove down to the beautiful city of Newport, I set up my towel, and put some sunscreen on. Was the water cold? Let's just say that everyone in the water, all of them surfers, were wearing wetsuits. Remembering that this is Southern California, and not the North Atlantic, I said "why not?" The water was not cold at all, and I caught a few waves bodyboarding. Super fun. Also, didn't get sunburnt at all. Perfect execution. After we got tired of sitting around the beach we walked down to the Newport Pier and then back to my car because we were getting hungry and cold. So many missed opportunities to just reach out and put my arm around her. I need to get bold. We went to Fashion Island and ate at Yardhouse. Altogether the night ended pretty well! Unfortunately she's going out of town next weekend, which means I have to surprise her when she gets off work on Friday. Muhuhuhahhahahahahhaaaaaa.

[maelstromscientist]

Ran a Half-Marathon Today!

So i woke up this morning in my bed back at home (San Diego) and...NOPE.  Back hurts too much, stay in bed, don't go running.  After slowly and painfully crawling out of bed I unrolled a yoga mat and started stretching, hoping to ease some of the pain away.  My mom told me there was no way I had a herniated disk, so of course - in my great wisdom - took that as my excuse - or rather lack of an excuse - not to go running.  

So there I was with my strained back, as stiff as my... I can't sit or lay comfortably, and can strand straight up, but hell, who the hell does that running, right?  So I drive over to the last place I was most in shape in my life: The Lake Murray Reservoir:

Around it, a 5.5 mile, well-maintained asphalt road.  The beauty of it was not the nice view of the lake, mountains, or foliage; it was the fact that it does not make a complete loop.  You get to the end of the 3.2 mile loop one way (1/2 a lap) and have to turn around.  Many people think this sucks.  I think its perfect.  Because you get to the end of the road and say, "Well, I'm not getting back to my car any faster, so now I have to turn around and run to get home." In a sense, it forces you to run longer.  Evil, but clever.

So at the end of my first lap (~5.5 mi) I'm feeling pretty good.  So I do something I normally don't do, which is get to the end of the road and turn around a keep on running.  About halfway through my second lap (~6-6.5 mi) my left knee is beginning to hurt.  I adjust, and then my left ankle starts to hurt.  "Fuck it," I say, and kept on running.  Eventually the pain went away, and fortunately my shins didn't hurt at all - strange, considering I have really bad shin splints on my left leg.  This is all while my back is straining to stay in a comfortable posture, so I can't bend too far back, nor twist my torso at all.  So at around 11 mi I'm closing the second lap, and I feel like absolute shit.  My groin muscles, having never been stretched before a run, were beginning to become uncomfortably sore.  But 11 miles in and you're so close to 13.1 that the pain is tolerable.  I just wanted to be able to say I ran a half-marathon on a whim made the night before, as part of a training run for a half marathon coming up in December.  Well here it is, the fruit of my labor.  Proof

  There it is.  Everything I worked for.  Recorded.  Two and a half-laps around this beautiful lake, and where does it all end? Where does my half-marathon finish? On the fucking side of the lake opposite my car.  Like I said, evil, but clever.  

But I'm still running my two half-marathons in December.  Now it is no longer a matter of IF I can complete.  Now its just a game of dwindling my time down.  I'm going to shoot for 1:40 in December.  Just watch me.

[maelstromscientist]

Well this week sucked

Monday.  November 4, 2013.

In a futile attempt to increase my endurance for my upcoming half-marathon, I increased the incline on the treadmill by one level.  I do this because it is actually better training than I can get outside.  What is better than a never-ending hill to run up? Well my shins didn't agree, and now my shin splints have spread from the side, to the front of my shins!  There is bruising all up my leg from the micro-fractures.  Not that the pain is a problem, I just don't want them to get worse.  I have a half-marathon to run and I need my legs for that.  So I'm taking a week off from running, doing low impact cardio and weight training instead.

"Just a week," I tell myself.  I'll probably be running again in a few days.  A week feels like a lifetime.

Update: Wednesday. November 6, 2013.

Two days of low impact cardio and weights have given me a herniated disk in my spine.  I cannot walk, sit, or lay down without pain, and my over-the-counter pain meds aren't cutting it.  My brain has completely melted from studying and taking an E&M midterm today, all on three hours of sleep.  I'm just physically and mentally broken, and not even the extra large Hawaiian pizza sitting in front of me can grant me solace.  In fact, it makes me feel like crap even more.  Kill me now.

Fear not.  I'm going running tomorrow.  My spine may be in pain, but my legs aren't.

[maelstromscientist]

Past two weeks: First and Second Dates

(October 26, 2013) So for the first time in awhile I took a girl out on a date. It was everything you would expect out of a first date. In fact, it was the most cliche date in the history of dating. Took her to dinner and a movie. Yeah, yeah, I know it was a very dumb of me. I can hear the screams of forewarning in the distance: “Rem, you’re so boring,” “Dating: you’re doing it wrong”, “Learn to be original.” But hey, dinner and a movie was all I had to work with. Also, she liked Gravity, the movie we saw. So I think things went fine. So was it a date? Well it showed all the signs of a date. I hope she picked up on that.

(November 2, 2013) I took this special girl (Let’s just call her cute Starbucks girl) on another date. I feel that she is really easy to talk to, but that is probably because she is just good at keeping a conversation because there is no way I can keep a conversation with a girl. This time I actually planned a decent outing. Took her hiking at Griffith Park, took her out to a nice restaurant, and then taught her how to drive my manual transmission car! She sounded like she had a good time. I asked her if she wanted to go to the beach next Saturday and hopefully she doesn’t work so I can see her again!

[maelstromscientist]

Pilot: What am I even doing?

Hello.  My name is Remington Oliver.

 You found my post either by accident or some very clever web-searching, but either way, welcome to my blog.  I guess this space is room for me to vent, document, or record, any thoughts, ideas, emotions, or events in my life.  Why? Who knows.  Maybe I'll feel nostalgic and want to look back on my life 20 years from now.  If such is the case, I better get started. 

I'm a physics graduate student and yes I am sleep deprived.  While these things are important, nothing is more important to me right now than my physical and mental health, so the majority of this blog will be devoted to how I cope with the stresses of being said graduate student.  It will also be a space I can set standards or goals for myself, and by having a public domain for people to find and keep track, will be a means to keep such goals and standards in check.

Enjoy reading!