July Miles to Date: 6.95
July Average Pace: 15:50
2016 Miles to Date: 175.4
Yoga Sessions this week: 5
Streak Day: 85 (Maximum: 85)
The American 200: 175.8/200 (9/16/16 Deadline)
When you spend your mornings packing and your afternoons teaching and your evenings hanging out with people one last time, apparently you do a lot of yoga. I ran on Wednesday and intended to run this weekend, but Friday and Saturday night I was out late and slept too long. I also have a very tight IT band so maybe it's for the best that I concentrate on getting it stretched out. I will run my normal schedule this week. I don't want to lose my running.
It's my last week in Texas. It happened so fast. I don't think I realized how soon after the defending and the turning in of the dissertation this would be here. Oh! And I turned in my dissertation this week. Now I just have to wait and hear from the grad school about whether everything is "technically" correct.
My last week in Texas so I've been trying to make the most of my time. I think that's part of the reason there's been more yoga than running. Because hanging out with people at night means I oversleep and in July in Texas, there's a very small window in which I can go running. This won't be the case after this week. And like I've said multiple times here this summer, I am looking forward to that very much.
You may have noticed (Idk, maybe not. I don't know how many people actually read and follow this) that we have our own Instagram now! So I'm posting pics for the blog there (post-run selfies and watch-shots and the like). I did it so that I could also post those things directly to the Facebook page. Are you following the blog on Facebook? I'm going to try and do better with having content there besides the blog posts (IG will help). I know that nothing is really ever going to come from this blog, but I want to at least engage with those of you who tell me about the inspiration I give you.
It's been about 10 days since I became Dr. Clark. And it's surreal. It's hard to pick a "weirdest" part. Maybe it's hearing students address me that way for the first time this week. Maybe it's having to sign emails to the students that way. Maybe it's both. Maybe it's some other part I'm forgetting. But it's surreal nonetheless.
I will get back to the running this week. I can't lose it now. After all, if I could train prior to my defense, why should a little thing like moving stop me???
Sunday, July 17, 2016
Sunday, July 10, 2016
The Road to Dopey: Week 27 - Two Things
July Miles to Date:
July Average Pace: 16:40
2016 Miles to Date: 173.4
Yoga Sessions this week: 4
Streak Day: 78 (Maximum: 78)
The American 200: 173.4/200 (9/16/16 Deadline)
So two things happened this week. One was much more important than the other. I didn't run a lot this week, instead choosing to do a lot of yoga to let go of the stress and anxiety that accompanies defending a doctoral dissertation. If you've never defended a doctoral dissertation, let me tell you. It's intense. It's insane. And it's entirely unpredictable. My closed-door questioning session lasted nearly 2 hours. And I felt ill-prepared and stupid through most of it.
But in the end, I passed. I am now Dr. Clark.
Saturday, I went on my first run as Dr. Clark. I only make it 1.7 miles because my body and my mind are still exhausted. I'm hoping for a more regular schedule this week to allow me to do what I normally have been doing. I have two weeks left in Texas. It's all happening so fast.
The second thing that happened this week is that I started an Instagram just for the blog. So Run-fies and Medal pics will be coming through there (and posting to FB). I'm thinking of starting something on there called "Medal Mondays". I'm not exactly sure what it's going to be, but I thought it would be fun to take everyone through the medals I have earned in my 2 year running journey.
This week's blog is short because there's not a lot to report. Two weeks left in Texas heat. I can do this. I can do this. I can do this.
July Average Pace: 16:40
2016 Miles to Date: 173.4
Yoga Sessions this week: 4
Streak Day: 78 (Maximum: 78)
The American 200: 173.4/200 (9/16/16 Deadline)
So two things happened this week. One was much more important than the other. I didn't run a lot this week, instead choosing to do a lot of yoga to let go of the stress and anxiety that accompanies defending a doctoral dissertation. If you've never defended a doctoral dissertation, let me tell you. It's intense. It's insane. And it's entirely unpredictable. My closed-door questioning session lasted nearly 2 hours. And I felt ill-prepared and stupid through most of it.
But in the end, I passed. I am now Dr. Clark.
 |
| Dissertation-brain didn't let me think to put Dr. Clark on this delicious cake |
The second thing that happened this week is that I started an Instagram just for the blog. So Run-fies and Medal pics will be coming through there (and posting to FB). I'm thinking of starting something on there called "Medal Mondays". I'm not exactly sure what it's going to be, but I thought it would be fun to take everyone through the medals I have earned in my 2 year running journey.
This week's blog is short because there's not a lot to report. Two weeks left in Texas heat. I can do this. I can do this. I can do this.
Sunday, July 3, 2016
The Road to Dopey: Week 26 - A Wedding and a Defense
July Miles to Date: 3.2
July Average Pace: 16:47
2016 Miles to Date: 172.0
Yoga Sessions this week: 3
Streak Day: 71 (Maximum: 71)
The American 200: 172.0/200 (9/16/16 Deadline)
My defense is three days away. It feels long and short. Soon and far away. Simultaneously. I'm ready, and I'm not. I will probably never be fully ready. So instead I am taking it one day at a time, reviewing what I can, and practicing. All your good thoughts on Wednesday please.
For a bit of a study break (and a bit of fun), yesterday I went to a wedding of a former labmate. It was absolutely beautiful and a great time. I saw two labmates who I haven't seen since they graduated in 2014, which was wonderful. These were the two women who taught me most of the things I turned around and applied in my research. I didn't realize how much I had missed them until I saw them again, so I was really glad I went.
As I was driving home, I realized just how quickly my time in Texas is drawing to a close. That is most likely the last time I will make that drive to Austin. I only have three weekends left here. And that is so weird. I don't know how it happened. I just turned around and it's almost over.
I won't miss Texas. I really won't. It's hot, and sprawling, and dusty, and full of pollen I'm allergic to. But there have been some great people here. And I've learned a lot of things, both in my education and about myself. I'm not the same person who moved here 5 years ago. And that's not a bad thing.
Streak day 71. 71 days of showing up for me. Wow. I know I say it every week, but when this started, I honestly didn't think I'd make it this far. I didn't think that every day for 71 days I'd do my workout. Just because I'd been doing such a capital 'B' Bad job of that for over a year. Something would obviously have derailed me. But it hasn't. I've been determined to keep this alive. And it led to over 40 miles in June!
Defense day will be a real test of the streak, however. I know I probably won't think I have time to run on Wednesday morning, so I'll have to do yoga that afternoon or evening. I am so nervous about Wednesday. It's just the unknown that scares me. The fact that they can literally ask me anything, and even though I'm reviewing and reading and studying, there is no way I can be prepared for everything. Which is terrifying to admit or comes to terms with.
So I'm going to go back to studying.
July Average Pace: 16:47
2016 Miles to Date: 172.0
Yoga Sessions this week: 3
Streak Day: 71 (Maximum: 71)
The American 200: 172.0/200 (9/16/16 Deadline)
 |
| Oh yeah, and I made my dress. |
For a bit of a study break (and a bit of fun), yesterday I went to a wedding of a former labmate. It was absolutely beautiful and a great time. I saw two labmates who I haven't seen since they graduated in 2014, which was wonderful. These were the two women who taught me most of the things I turned around and applied in my research. I didn't realize how much I had missed them until I saw them again, so I was really glad I went.
As I was driving home, I realized just how quickly my time in Texas is drawing to a close. That is most likely the last time I will make that drive to Austin. I only have three weekends left here. And that is so weird. I don't know how it happened. I just turned around and it's almost over.
I won't miss Texas. I really won't. It's hot, and sprawling, and dusty, and full of pollen I'm allergic to. But there have been some great people here. And I've learned a lot of things, both in my education and about myself. I'm not the same person who moved here 5 years ago. And that's not a bad thing.
Streak day 71. 71 days of showing up for me. Wow. I know I say it every week, but when this started, I honestly didn't think I'd make it this far. I didn't think that every day for 71 days I'd do my workout. Just because I'd been doing such a capital 'B' Bad job of that for over a year. Something would obviously have derailed me. But it hasn't. I've been determined to keep this alive. And it led to over 40 miles in June!
Defense day will be a real test of the streak, however. I know I probably won't think I have time to run on Wednesday morning, so I'll have to do yoga that afternoon or evening. I am so nervous about Wednesday. It's just the unknown that scares me. The fact that they can literally ask me anything, and even though I'm reviewing and reading and studying, there is no way I can be prepared for everything. Which is terrifying to admit or comes to terms with.
So I'm going to go back to studying.
Sunday, June 26, 2016
The Road to Dopey: Week 25 - The Dissertation is almost Done
June Miles to Date: 35.9
June Average Pace: 14:09
2016 Miles to Date: 163.6
Yoga Sessions this week: 2
Streak Day: 64 (Maximum: 64)
The American 200: 163.6/200 (9/16/16 Deadline)
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - Chesire Cat: 15.6 miles
My dissertation is due in three days. My defense is in 10. Which means this week has been...stressful? Interesting? Terrifying? Exhausting? Let's go with all of the above. That seems easiest (and most accurate). it even caused a few interesting, stress induced dreams including, me being stuck in a weird version of Jurassic Park, my parents announcing they were getting divorced, and the engine seizing up in my car due to an oil leak.
There was a time that all of this going on would have meant I would have quit working out. But thanks to the streak I had going into this, it meant I had to keep my workouts. And I'm convinced it is the only thing that has helped me keep an ounce of my sanity. Run out the stress, chase away the bad dreams.
And so we arrived at 64 days of showing up for me. And I'm on track to exceed 40 miles in June, which I haven't done since January of this year.
I have to finish my dissertation this week, and my slides soon after so that my advisor can see them before he leaves for the July 4th holiday. Yeah, he's going away before my defense. That doesn't add to my stress though...
My plan for today is to do some studying for my defense, hit the grocery store for food, and generally try to rest a little bit so that I can make it through this very last final stretch.
June Average Pace: 14:09
2016 Miles to Date: 163.6
Yoga Sessions this week: 2
Streak Day: 64 (Maximum: 64)
The American 200: 163.6/200 (9/16/16 Deadline)
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - Chesire Cat: 15.6 miles
My dissertation is due in three days. My defense is in 10. Which means this week has been...stressful? Interesting? Terrifying? Exhausting? Let's go with all of the above. That seems easiest (and most accurate). it even caused a few interesting, stress induced dreams including, me being stuck in a weird version of Jurassic Park, my parents announcing they were getting divorced, and the engine seizing up in my car due to an oil leak.
There was a time that all of this going on would have meant I would have quit working out. But thanks to the streak I had going into this, it meant I had to keep my workouts. And I'm convinced it is the only thing that has helped me keep an ounce of my sanity. Run out the stress, chase away the bad dreams.
And so we arrived at 64 days of showing up for me. And I'm on track to exceed 40 miles in June, which I haven't done since January of this year.
I have to finish my dissertation this week, and my slides soon after so that my advisor can see them before he leaves for the July 4th holiday. Yeah, he's going away before my defense. That doesn't add to my stress though...
My plan for today is to do some studying for my defense, hit the grocery store for food, and generally try to rest a little bit so that I can make it through this very last final stretch.
Sunday, June 19, 2016
The Road to Dopey: Week 24-Texas Pollen, you are a terrible person
June Miles to Date: 23.5
June Average Pace: 13:59
2016 Miles to Date: 151.2
Yoga Sessions this week: 4
Streak Day: 57 (Maximum: 57)
The American 200: 151.2/200 (9/16/16 Deadline)
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - Chesire Cat: 3.1 miles
I didn't run again this weekend. Friday night, I had a sleepover with my book club, which was a whole lot of fun, but I decided not to take my running stuff with me. I didn't want to wake everyone up, have to shower there, etc. But then this morning, I woke up feeling terrible. I hope it's allergies, but my head is congested, especially in my ears. So I'll do yoga later today to keep my streak alive.
57 days. Who'd have thought that I'd have made it 57 days. I certainly didn't. Now I'm to the point where quitting seems impossible. What was the point of 57 days if I stop now? What did 57 days mean?
I increased my running this week (or at least, I tried to. It should have had a weekend run attached to it). I ran Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (3.1, 2, and 3.1, respectively). I wanted to do 4-5 today, but it's just not gonna happen. I still need to adjust my routine (I'm still not happy with exactly what it is), I'm thinking I'm going to do my Abs workout MWF, instead of just W with my shorter miles.
Other than that, I just continue to inch forward to my defense date. It's only terrifying when I think about it. It's starting to get really annoying to have to convince my boss to do the things he's required to do, but it's really nothing different than it's been for the past 9 months. I'm ready to be gone if only so that I don't have to deal with that anymore.
I'm so excited that I will get to go home in like 5 weeks. I'm ready to be home. I'm ready to have some time off from all of this before I start the next phase of my life. It's going to be good.
Until then, we keep running. Or we try to anyway.
Stupid allergies.
June Average Pace: 13:59
2016 Miles to Date: 151.2
Yoga Sessions this week: 4
Streak Day: 57 (Maximum: 57)
The American 200: 151.2/200 (9/16/16 Deadline)
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - Chesire Cat: 3.1 miles
I didn't run again this weekend. Friday night, I had a sleepover with my book club, which was a whole lot of fun, but I decided not to take my running stuff with me. I didn't want to wake everyone up, have to shower there, etc. But then this morning, I woke up feeling terrible. I hope it's allergies, but my head is congested, especially in my ears. So I'll do yoga later today to keep my streak alive.
57 days. Who'd have thought that I'd have made it 57 days. I certainly didn't. Now I'm to the point where quitting seems impossible. What was the point of 57 days if I stop now? What did 57 days mean?
I increased my running this week (or at least, I tried to. It should have had a weekend run attached to it). I ran Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (3.1, 2, and 3.1, respectively). I wanted to do 4-5 today, but it's just not gonna happen. I still need to adjust my routine (I'm still not happy with exactly what it is), I'm thinking I'm going to do my Abs workout MWF, instead of just W with my shorter miles.
Other than that, I just continue to inch forward to my defense date. It's only terrifying when I think about it. It's starting to get really annoying to have to convince my boss to do the things he's required to do, but it's really nothing different than it's been for the past 9 months. I'm ready to be gone if only so that I don't have to deal with that anymore.
I'm so excited that I will get to go home in like 5 weeks. I'm ready to be home. I'm ready to have some time off from all of this before I start the next phase of my life. It's going to be good.
Until then, we keep running. Or we try to anyway.
Stupid allergies.
Sunday, June 12, 2016
The Road to Dopey: Week 23 - Another Step Backward, but the Finish Line is in sight!
June Miles to Date: 14.9
June Average Pace: 14:00
2016 Miles to Date: 152.6
Yoga Sessions this week: 4
Streak Day: 50 (Maximum: 50)
The American 200: 142.7/200 (9/16/16 Deadline)
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - White Rabbit: 15.0 miles
I'm at a loss for what to do. I didn't do a long run this weekend. I woke up tired yesterday and today and opted for yoga instead. I couldn't wrap my mind around the thought of 7 miles when it was already 80 degrees at sunrise. I just couldn't psych myself into it. So I did Yoga Tone, which is a work out, let me tell you, and it will have to do.
My anxiety around my defense and my move is building. There's so much to do and there's a lot of pressure (from myself) to get things right the first time I write them and I have to keep showing up for me because I know that's the only thing keeping my anxiety from being worse, But I also know I don't need the pressure of my run to be a cause of my anxiety - they're supposed to relieve my stress, after all.
50 days of showing up for me. It may not look like I wanted it to, but I'm still here. I'm still showing up for me in some capacity. When I started, I never actually thought I'd make it to 50. I had so many false starts between now and then. But if we apply that logic to the current situation, we arrive at my marathon training eventually taking effect.
I've decided to restart marathon training for the third time once I move in August. The climate will be cooler, it will give me a chance to increase my mileage at the higher altitude, and I will be less stressed and anxious (at least slightly). I may even start once I get moved out of my apartment. I'm trying to figure out how to run in the mean time (I'm thinking my 3 milers from the week and 4-5 on the weekend, this way I get some miles in, but I'm not pushing myself too much and have a manageable amount of time to devote to it). I currently have a call for advice out to my running community, so if anyone has alternative suggestions, I'm open to them.
I want to keep this streak alive. I want to keep showing up for me even as I reach the end of this stressful adventure. And I think the only way to do that is to lower what I'm doing. I need your support in this final stretch, friends.
Much love to you all.
June Average Pace: 14:00
2016 Miles to Date: 152.6
Yoga Sessions this week: 4
Streak Day: 50 (Maximum: 50)
The American 200: 142.7/200 (9/16/16 Deadline)
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - White Rabbit: 15.0 miles
I'm at a loss for what to do. I didn't do a long run this weekend. I woke up tired yesterday and today and opted for yoga instead. I couldn't wrap my mind around the thought of 7 miles when it was already 80 degrees at sunrise. I just couldn't psych myself into it. So I did Yoga Tone, which is a work out, let me tell you, and it will have to do.
My anxiety around my defense and my move is building. There's so much to do and there's a lot of pressure (from myself) to get things right the first time I write them and I have to keep showing up for me because I know that's the only thing keeping my anxiety from being worse, But I also know I don't need the pressure of my run to be a cause of my anxiety - they're supposed to relieve my stress, after all.
50 days of showing up for me. It may not look like I wanted it to, but I'm still here. I'm still showing up for me in some capacity. When I started, I never actually thought I'd make it to 50. I had so many false starts between now and then. But if we apply that logic to the current situation, we arrive at my marathon training eventually taking effect.
I've decided to restart marathon training for the third time once I move in August. The climate will be cooler, it will give me a chance to increase my mileage at the higher altitude, and I will be less stressed and anxious (at least slightly). I may even start once I get moved out of my apartment. I'm trying to figure out how to run in the mean time (I'm thinking my 3 milers from the week and 4-5 on the weekend, this way I get some miles in, but I'm not pushing myself too much and have a manageable amount of time to devote to it). I currently have a call for advice out to my running community, so if anyone has alternative suggestions, I'm open to them.
I want to keep this streak alive. I want to keep showing up for me even as I reach the end of this stressful adventure. And I think the only way to do that is to lower what I'm doing. I need your support in this final stretch, friends.
Much love to you all.
Sunday, June 5, 2016
The Road to Dopey: Week 22 - Dear Texas Summer...I WON'T MISS YOU
June Miles to Date: 8.8
June Average Pace: 14:04
2016 Miles to Date: 146.5
Yoga Sessions this week: 3
Streak Day: 43 (Maximum: 43)
The American 200: 136.5/200 (9/16/16 Deadline)
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - White Rabbit: 8.8 miles
Dear Texas Summer,
I won't miss you. I won't miss that it's 70 degrees when the sun comes up and it's only June. I won't miss that the sun is bright and hot and beating down on me when I run. I won't miss that it makes me have to stop short of my long run goals consistently because of how terrible it makes me feel.
I won't miss you, Texas the place. I will miss Texas the people.
Today is streak day 43...43!!!! I never thought I'd make it to 43. I bet you didn't either, but here we are! The past two weeks have been hard. I wake up exhausted (the home stretch of dissertating will do that to you) and the last thing I want to do is run or even do my yoga. I want to sleep. I want to start working because the sooner I start, the sooner it's over. But instead, I get up and I do my yoga with Adriene (on my TV), or I lace up and go running. I feel better afterward, but that first go is so hard. You would think it would get easier as the habit formed, but it hasn't.
This week was long and too short at the same time. And it was definitely eventful. I finished my dissertation. I FINISHED MY DISSERTATION. 188 pages, 42,000 words. It is done. Well, okay, it's drafted. I proofread it on the tail end of this week, and now I'm applying all the changes I found. I also had my technical review and ordered my regalia for graduation. I also got a date for my defense. It's about a month away. Which is terrifying.
I also had to say goodbye to two of my book club girls. They are moving on too and they left this weekend. It was so hard. I won't miss Texas the place, but I'll miss Texas the people. I wish I could just pack everyone up and take them with me.
But we keep running. Literally. The plans for the end of this summer are coming together. And the next adventure is quickly approaching.
June Average Pace: 14:04
2016 Miles to Date: 146.5
Yoga Sessions this week: 3
Streak Day: 43 (Maximum: 43)
The American 200: 136.5/200 (9/16/16 Deadline)
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - White Rabbit: 8.8 miles
Dear Texas Summer,
I won't miss you. I won't miss that it's 70 degrees when the sun comes up and it's only June. I won't miss that the sun is bright and hot and beating down on me when I run. I won't miss that it makes me have to stop short of my long run goals consistently because of how terrible it makes me feel.
I won't miss you, Texas the place. I will miss Texas the people.
Today is streak day 43...43!!!! I never thought I'd make it to 43. I bet you didn't either, but here we are! The past two weeks have been hard. I wake up exhausted (the home stretch of dissertating will do that to you) and the last thing I want to do is run or even do my yoga. I want to sleep. I want to start working because the sooner I start, the sooner it's over. But instead, I get up and I do my yoga with Adriene (on my TV), or I lace up and go running. I feel better afterward, but that first go is so hard. You would think it would get easier as the habit formed, but it hasn't.
This week was long and too short at the same time. And it was definitely eventful. I finished my dissertation. I FINISHED MY DISSERTATION. 188 pages, 42,000 words. It is done. Well, okay, it's drafted. I proofread it on the tail end of this week, and now I'm applying all the changes I found. I also had my technical review and ordered my regalia for graduation. I also got a date for my defense. It's about a month away. Which is terrifying.
I also had to say goodbye to two of my book club girls. They are moving on too and they left this weekend. It was so hard. I won't miss Texas the place, but I'll miss Texas the people. I wish I could just pack everyone up and take them with me.
But we keep running. Literally. The plans for the end of this summer are coming together. And the next adventure is quickly approaching.
 |
| My Alice medal came this week. This is probably my least sweaty medal selfie ever. |
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