About Me...

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Cincinnati, OH, United States
I'm a scientist , yogi, book worm, scifi junk, and I'm a little obsessed with my pup. My life is full of discovery both in the lab and out of the lab. This blog is my place to share my experiences as a person trying to stay happy and healthy in this crazy world.

Friday, November 23, 2012

Being thankful...

Finishing the 40 days to personal transformation has been a challenge.  The excavation questions during each week dug deep into how I felt about a lot of situations in my life.  Some of the questions seem benign, such as, when do you feel most alive? While other questions dug more deeply, How much do I believe in myself, and how much does this play out in my everyday life?  While answering the questions, I attempted to be the most honest and genuine with each specific question.  Not surprisingly, I found some recurring themes and patterns to my thoughts and feelings about things in my life.  Combining these thought provoking questions with daily yoga and meditation was in fact transforming.  I have to admit, that I didn't stick to the program fully due to having a busy life with other obligations.  

I feel like I went through a great therapy session and a little bootcamp at the same time.  I feel stronger both mentally and physically.  The program ended right before thanksgiving, and all the reflection made me even more thankful this year then in years past. 

Spending time really contemplating the things in my life has made me feel so much more calm and "ok" with everything.  I've found some acceptance.  That being said....I'm no buddha or enlightened creature, but I feel more equipped for life.  

Saturday, November 10, 2012

3 day fruit fast

As part of the Baron Baptiste 40 days to a personal transformation I did a 3 day fruit fast this week.  I started the three days with a preponderance of fruit that I thought I would never be able to consume in 3 days, turns out I was wrong.  When it's the only thing you are eating, you end up consuming a lot to get enough calories.

There are some foods we usually classify as vegetables that are actually fruits such as avocados, peppers, tomatoes, and squashes.  Butternut squash and peppers were great for some hot foods.  I also got some dates to eat to satisfy those cravings for chewy foods.

The first day of the fast wasn't too bad and the thing I missed the most was caffeine.  Day 2 was more tough then day 1.  I woke up with a headache so I drank half a cup of black coffee.  Alas, I had the headache all day and felt exhausted and fuzzy all day.  I walked across the street and realized I never actually checked the crosswalk sign....so I was really fuzzy.  I went to bed super early that night with a splitting headache.  Day 3 was the best day.

I missed caffeine and oatmeal the most during this process.  The process has allowed me to gain more understanding of my actual hunger and when I'm full.  I've become more aware of my body and what it needs.

Friday was my first day eating "regular" food again, and I got a almond milk mocha from coffee emporium.  I appreciated and savored every sip of that drink!  The hardest part of the 40 days program is over, now I can focus on the meditation and the yoga.

p.s. All the yoga is helping me recover from the marathon much more quickly! :)

Friday, November 9, 2012

Indianapolis Monumental Marathon review ...

I'm nearly fully recovered from running the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon last Saturday.  This race was well organized and a flat course.  Honestly, I chose this particular race because it was described as flat.  After running the half-marathon for this race three years ago, I wanted to revisit the city in the state I grew up in and run the full marathon. 

The morning of the race was very cool and crisp with a small chance of rain.  As the race was starting I watched the sun rise.  The course was just as advertised, flat.  The most enjoyable section of the course was running through the indianapolis art museum grounds.  

Around mile 18 it started sleeting, then light rain at mile 20, and complete down pour for about the last mile or more.  Normally, during a marathon I would have gotten very upset and been tempted to start walking.  Luckily, I was mentally very strong for this race, which allowed me to push through.  

I finished in 4:30:13.  I'm very excited about my time and how I felt during and after the race.  

As I finished I saw a friend and Jonah waiting for me at the finish!  Being in Indianapolis allowed us to see some of our dear friends before and after the race.  

Overall, great race and I would recommend it to anyone wanting to run a flat course.