Citified Jogging

While I didn't yet cross off barefoot running on my mental list of things to try/do, I did accomplish another must-do, while simultaneously conquering one of my tenacious fears. Today, I took a run in the city by myself. I have always had this irrational fear of getting mugged, sexually harassed, held-up, you know, all that frightening felony jazz. This fear has gotten in the way numerous times to prevent me from being fully comfortable while by myself at school. So while I would frequently go running by myself back home, I'd never dare to do such a thing at my college in North Philly.

Coming from a small town home tucked back in the countryside, college was one of the first times where I was really immersed in city life. That's not to say I never visited the city. My parents were some of the few in my rural town who thought it important to familiarize their kids with diverse environments and introduce us to cultural settings. We would frequently visit Baltimore, which was about an hours drive. Though it was never for more than a day or night, and I was almost always accompanied by someone who knew what they were doing.

So while I was more culturally adept than a lot of my grade school peers, I never really got the chance to become comfortable in the city. That, added with the fact that I already have this inordinate preexisting fear, has made it so running on my own time at school has been quite difficult. Unlike at home, I haven't felt like I can just lace up my shoes and go for a run whenever my body/mind tells me it wants to. Instead, I spend numerous text messages and minutes of my time coordinating schedules and compliances with my own limited free time. Meaning, I don't always get to run in the best weather (for me, when it's sunny), or at optimal times. This has been quite frustrating for me considering the fact that back home I'd run anytime, day or night, whenever I felt like it. Since pretty much week one of my freshman year, I had already been missing running admist greenery, wildlife, fresh smells, and peaceful, quite atmospheres. Not being able to run on my own time made it so I even further longed for my previous welcoming outdoorsy environment, at least when it came to exercise.

But I just kept on adhering to the fact that I'd never be able to run by myself and decided it was just one of the sacrifices I'd have to make if I wanted to live in the city. So today when I felt like taking a run, I shot one of my running partners a text asking him if he could join me. He replied that he was swamped with work. I looked out the window: Sun shining, cool, fall breeze, about 70 degree perfect running weather. That was it, I made a quick decision to put down my phone, stop wasting my time looking for other available running partners and threw on some running clothes. This was a big step for me, considering that even when I run with partners and get a few feet ahead of them, I get scared witless. But this time, I was determined to take a run in the city, by myself, without getting robbed, raped, or murdered.

I decided I'd stick to the main streets, and in broad daylight I convinced myself I'd be fine. However, the whole way down the stairs leading out of my apartment, I was thinking to myself how nerve-racking my run was going to be and how I would never be able to get into a relaxing rhythm. But still, I needed to do this, for myself.

So I hit the pavement and started running. Turned down the first street to start racing through the first, and some of the worst, blocks of my run. The streets were crowded, and immediately I felt pretty safe. In fact, there were so many people on the streets, that instead of finding them comforting, I wanted them to get out of my way so I wouldn't have to keep dodging them!

Except for a couple cat calls, I made it past the "ghetto" blocks and into Center City. And even while striding through the impoverished North Philly blocks, I didn't really feel scared. There were numerous other bikers out on the street and a lot of other people doing what I was doing: Simply enjoying the nice day outside.

It's amazing how much you notice when you run solo. Not being engaged in conversation or concentrating on speaking while breathing at the same time, I was able to notice so many details of my surroundings. Like how beautiful the architecture and landsacape of the historically renovated Eastern State Penitentiary is. Or the somewhat inviting shopping strip I had never noticed before, in a place that I had previously deemed nothing but dirty, desolate "ghetto". Welcoming shopkeepers stood at their doors, and smiling kids and adults chatted on their stoops. While I was stopped at traffic lights, a few cars even hit their brakes to let me J-walk (J-run) across the road. This is something that's never happened to me before while running with a partner.

On one street, I witnessed someone (surprisingly not me) who stumbled on the sidewalk and fell flat on their stomach. However, within less than a few seconds, several strangers gathered around to help the man up. These types of little interactions prove that the city truly can be a beautiful place.

While you wouldn't have found me looking straight into the eyes of everyone I passed, I did manage to squeeze out a few hellos, especially to those amiable-in-an-unpedophile-way passerbyers. I felt at ease and was completely happy with my decision to spend an hour of my afternoon outdoors, alone. Time to think, time to be, time to enjoy myself.

So after running through several blocks of the ghetto, weaving through countless people, passing the 90 flags on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, impersonating Rocky and running up the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps, and swinging by the cutesy town of Fairmount, I made it back to Temple University, 5 miles later, safe and sound.

For now on, if I want to take a run, I'm taking a run. Since I've grown accustomed to running with a friend and have even taught myself how to run and talk (all at the same time haha), I'll probably still see what my running buddies are up to. But a "no" won't prevent me from running on my own and enjoying the great outdoors. And who knows, I had such a great time today, maybe I'll be taking more planned solo runs in the future. The outdoors is what keeps my sanity in tact.

Lose the Shoes- A Barefoot Run

The other week when a guy in my outdoor club overheard that I am a runner, he asked, "Want to run barefoot with me on the indoor track?" I responded by giving him an odd look, giving him time to start explaining himself. He told me about a book titled Born to Run written by Christopher McDougall that addresses the issue of running barefoot, a book of which lead my fellow outdoor club friend to losing his shoes upon running.

While the book is still on my list of must-reads, I went home and googled the book to obtain a brief synopsis of what it's all about. In the book, McDougall takes his readers on a journey to the Mexican lands of the Tarahumara Indians. Through watching this idegenous tribe of Mexico, McDougall discovers that our modern-day running is entirely all wrong. The Tarahumara Indians could possibly be the world's greatest distance runners, and one of the key reasons for this may be linked to the fact that you won't see any restricting, cloppy running shoes strapped to their feet. Instead, the tribe is said to wear thin sandals and to be able to remarkably run hundreds of miles without getting hurt.

McDougall stays in Mexico for a period of time in order to uncover the secrets of the Tarahumara, as he prepares himself for a 50-mile marathon. After his experience, McDougall now makes the case that running barefoot is the way to go. He says that running shoes make our strides sloppy and ruin our form. A New York Times gave the barefoot running a try and quoted in an article that his "running form changed immediately". He said, "I was landing gently on the middle and balls of my feet rather than striking with my heel. I was more upright than before. My stride was shorter. I didn’t make any changes consciously; they just seemed to happen on their own."

While running barefoot may look a little strange, it is believed to ultimately prevent injuries. Running shoes may increase the risk of ankle sprains and chronic lower leg injuries, whereas running barefoot is said to particularlly strengthen the ankles and muscles of the legs. By landing on the balls of the feet, the ankles are further protected.

To learn more about this issue, I would say read the book, which is definitely on my list of things to do. And while running barefoot may help prevent injuries, experts say it's best to start slow in order to acclimatize the feet. Although I like to walk around barefoot as much as possible, most Americans, including me, are stuck in shoes almost 24/7. While careful observance during running can help avoid hitting any rocks or other objects that could cause punctures to the feet, they still won't be used to working the neglected muscles, which is why it's best to slowly include barefoot runs into your weekly routines. Lightweight, form fitting shoes, such as Nike Free or Vibram FiveFinger, shoes can also be worn, creating a similar effect to that of running barefoot. The thin shoes will similarly allow the feet to absorb shock and balance the impact from the ball of the foot rather than the heel.

I'm always looking for ways to spice up my run and considering I love being shoeless, this upcoming trend may be the perfect way for me to do that. Kick off your shoes, put it on your mental list of new things to experience, and give it a try, and then maybe we can swap stories.

A Week in My Life

For a class project I had to document a typical week in my life. Check it out, and you'll notice I live a pretty active, vegetarian lifestyle, which may help give you an insight into the theme and credibility of this blog. Take a moment to reflect on one of your typical weeks. Is it a good reflection of you? If not, you might just want to change/shift something in your life.

The dorm room where the majority of the time I spend inside takes place.

Two of my best friends, Deirdre and Max, hang out for the evening in my apartment.

As I venture out of my apartment, I like to lace up my shoes and "hit the ground running".

I also frequently hit the courts where I enjoy playing a good game of tennis.

My love of staying outdoors and being active leads me to Temple's outdoor club. This is one of our weekly gatherings.

As an active girl, my body constantly needs refueling.

In the evenings, my roommates and I enjoy cooking. I specialize in vegetarian cuisine and often make dishes like rice and beans, as shown above.

Deirdre and I like to restock our refridgerator with local produce. We often venture out to Philadelphia's farmers markets, like the one shown above which was held on South Street during Philly's Green Festival.

To wind down and rejuvenate myself after my often busy days, I love to practice yoga.

Naked Bike Ride

Here's an interesting idea...Ever wanted to ride your bike around town, naked? I imagine it could be like skinny dipping- freeflowing and fresh-feeling- only on a bike. Well, if you're from the Philadelphia area, here's your chance to try it out.

On September 6, 2009 a naked bike ride is being held to raise awareness of fuel dependency and to advocate the beauty of bicycle riding and its riders. The event also is aimed towards building community fellowship and a positive self awareness.

The exact route of the ride won't be given until arrival at the meeting place, which I surmise might be due to legal issues. If you choose to sign up you will receive the meeting place. The ride takes off in the early evening and is supposed to last around 90 minutes.


For more information, or to sign up, check out http://phillynakedbikeride.org/.

Opening of the U.S. Open

The U.S. Open has begun once again. It is the 41st year of the U.S. held tennis tournament, one of the largest tennis tournaments in the world. Serena Williams is back to defend her title as well as Roger Federer who hopes to win his 6th U.S. Open, to achieve the record number of wins. Check out these two NY Times articles and get yourself pumped for the final matches. Also, use this as motivation to dust off your racquets and hit the courts... only a few final weeks of summer-lovin' weather, so take advantage!

Overcoming Knee Woes, Nadal and Venus Advance

Toss the Ball. Hit the Ball. Oops! Oops!

Backpacking Day 3

The final day! I can't believe the trip has come to an end so soon. I'll definitely be going for at least a week next time. So last night was fun, getting to know each of the random individual's personalites that stayed at the shelter. Each one was so distanct and so open. Ironically, one of the packers was a journalism teacher! Maybe it was all the good energy that helped me get a little better night's rest last night. Though I still woke up a few times, feeling my neck being strained with out its usual comforting prop of a pillow. Nonetheless, I was already beginning to adapt to this style of sleeping.

Woke up before 7 this morning, just in time to catch a glimpse of the sunrise. We ate breakfast alongside the whistling sound of a distanced train. I've been hearing the traveling of a lot of trains this summer. I'd also get to listen to them toot their whistle during almost every morning meditation at Yogaville. If I didn't already have a romanticized image of trains from listening to others such as Thoreau, I surely do now. They are now linked to the multiple good memories of great experiences I have been able to take part in.

We hiked a 7-mile straight stretch today, right into the town of Harper's Ferry. My body was really starting to complain today, and I have to admit that the idea of a shower never sounded so good before. However, there wasn't too much time for my mind to spend thinking about my aching body and a nice cool shower. We passed through numerous overlooks and views today which were, to say the least, amazingly surreal. I found where the noise of my early morning train was rooted at one of the views. Shortly after we arrived, a several minute long train came chugging through the trees along a track that lied alongside the river. Picture perfect.

Most of today was downhill, which to many sounds like a relief. Although I could run downhill for hours and never want to stop, I find backpacking downhill quite difficult. In fact, I may even say it's as challenging as hiking uphill, though in a different way. Your legs have to use a lot of muscle to keep you and the weight of your pack from tumbling down the mountain. I feel like it tones a part of your legs that doesn't often get reached, or at least get pushed.

After making it down the mountain, we walked for several miles on a bike trail that lined the Potomac river. This led us into the town of Harper's Ferry, our ending destination. After unloading our gear, we stopped in at a restaurant to eat our first real meal off the trail. I'm sure we got a few looks because I'm also sure we didn't look spick-and-span clean. The tourist-type couldn't quite relate to our grunge. Anyways, lunch was great, and I enjoyed the fresh, cooked food.

I'm going to miss these days traveling peacefully through the beautiful green tunnel. Overall I have to say that hiking without a backpack is in many ways more enjoyable, however the experience of living your life straight out of a backpack is irreplaceable. All you need to survive encompassed in one little backpack that you humbly sling over your shoulders; Carrying your life with you as you travel to places you'd never be able to go otherwise. I've had just a few days to take in the innate peacefulness of nature, coming across blackberries, frogs, sassafrass and other little treasures along my way. And now its time for me to go back to living in civilization. Only a couple weeks before I'll be in the hustling and bustling city again. Hey, life's meant for changes, and good can come from anywhere. Peace can be made anywhere.

Backpacking Day 2

Made it ten miles today! That was a great work-out. However, we stopped to talk to several thru-hikers along our way who aimed for 20-25 miles in a day, so I can't be so proud of my distance. Although, they assured me that ten miles was great for a novice.

When we arrived here at the shelter, there were about 8 young guys awaiting us. Too bad they had already planned on continuing further to the next shelter until settling in for the night. Bummer, haha. Everyone we've met on the trail so far has been more than friendly. Though I can recognize a lot of tired faces, they are all happy nonetheless. I sure as hell am having a blast and would love, love to try going for a longer period of time on my next backpacking adventure.

There is lots of talk in the book of which hikers can write in when they stop at this shelter about bears being near this shelter and using the spring. There are also entries warning us that we may be sharing the shelter with other creatures, such as snakes in the rafters, and bees. That's comforting. Hope I don't run into any of those going to the bathroom at night. Speaking of night, the noises last night were beyond phenomenal. It truly did sound like a live symphony, and since I was having trouble falling alseep (yeah, try sleeping without a pillow on a hard surface sometime) I was visualizing myself conducting the insects' orchestra, haha. However, the orchestra didn't really need a conductor, it was utterly beautiful as is.

After a long, restless night, we got up bright and early (around 7). I was too uncomfortable to sleep any longer and figured it'd be good to start hiking earlier while it was tad cooler. However, being in the 90's for consecutive days, it really wasn't much cooler in the morning. Though we did avoid the beating sun overhead for a few hours. After a couple of miles into the hike, we can to some large overhagning rocks overlooking a beautiful view of the mountains. We stopped there for awhile to take in the scene and load up on some protein bars. Go figure, my appetite has been pretty ravenous throughout this experience. My new appetite matches my new additional weight. Although I'm pretty sure it'd be impossible to gain any real weight out here with all the strenuous hiking we're doing. After our stop, we continued about another 3 miles to a cutesy, historical park where we breaked for lunch and talked to a mom who was backpacking with her two little boys. They looked about nine or ten years old! From doing this with my mom, I'm able to fully see that this is a great opportunity to spend some quality bonding time with none other than the one who birthed me. There are long stretches of trail where it's just me, my mom, and nature. This allows me to really get down with her, no outside eyes on us. She let me in on some of her childhood stories (which were actually quite comical, like the imaginary family of lice she pretended to keep in her hair), and I shared with her some experiences of my first year of college, my first year away leaving my mom in an empty house. Her last kid off to college, at the same time she begins to slowly distance herself from her irresponsible, often absent husband. A space she'd been dreaming of for awhile, yet almost too much space for her to handle. A new beginning for her as well as me. And there were also long stretches of the trail where we were both silent. At times almost reading each others thoughts, for I know her better than any other being in my life, and other times just simply enjoying each other's presence. This is the kind of experience that builds memories that stick. And I knew that those two little nine year old boys backpacking with their mother would have something spectacular to look back on, something that'd they never forget. And their mom was probably overly joyed to be able to share these moments with her two sons, be able to learn with them, be with them, and have their almost undivided attention, undivided company for those few days hiking on the trail. I thought about my own joy of being here with someone I admire and love as I drifted off to sleep on a bench in the middle of the park.

My mom woke me up after my much needed nap. We hiked to the uncanny, bear-tenured shelter which leaves me where I am now- comfortably sitting on a bench, leaning back against my pack which has positioned itself perfectly against a nearby, towering tree. We actually just got company, so it looks like we won't be alone (human-wise) tonight like we were last night. Maybe I'll persuade one of our visitors to take a hike to the spring with me and scare away all the bears. I'm going to go get on that...and go do a little socializing. Peace and Joy.

Backpacking Day 1

Whew. Just made it to the shelter where I'll be spending the night. It's actually a relatively nice place, conveniently located next to a fresh spring and accommodated with a wooden swing which I'm currently seated on as I write. I'm backpacking with my mom, which is great because she's super fit and keeps an even pace with me. It looks as though we'll have the place to ourselves tonight which alleviates us from having to set up a tent. I'm not really in the mood to use the last of my energy to put together a tent.

Halfway into the hike I felt surprisingly great and was even bummed that we hadn't planned on tracking more mileage the first day. However, around the 7th mile I started to change my mind. My shoulder's were screaming for me to take of my pack, and my legs were starting to feel all the extra weight I had added to them. I was relieved when we finally made it to the shelter. At last I could shed my pack, prop myself up against a tree or in this case a nice, wooden swing, and relax. Although, I can't seem to shed these incessant gnats that are swarming around my head. They're everywhere! I'm trying to decide whether gnats enjoy dirty humans or freshly clean humans better. I've heard that insects are attracted to the perfumey scents of soaps and shampoos, but I imagine they also like sweat, and at this moment I'm a pretty sweaty, dirty girl. Anyways, they've been attacking me since I've stopped hiking, looking at me like I'm the juiciest thing they've seen all week. It's not quite as bad under the roof of the swing...maybe it's the intricately strung spider web on the side that's keeping them out. There are quite a few gnats trapped in the web.

So accessing my body...my shoulders are pretty tight, and I'm pretty sure they'll be sore tomorrow. Other than that, I feel pretty good. I'll probably do a little yoga later to loosen up.
I've learned that I could definitely benefit from some hiking boots. My beloved running shoes aren't so lionized by me while I'm backpacking. Definitely not enough support for me and my extra 20 or so pounds. How could I ever be a runner and overweight at the same time? Let's hope it never gets to that point...Though I'm not discouraging overweight runners, especially those trying to lose weight. More power to you!

Anyways, like I mentioned before, I'm super dirty already. Oh sweet Earth, inclined to cover my body within a few hours. It was definitely a scorcher outside today- somewhere in the 90's when we began our hike. It didn't take long at all until I looked like I had just gotten out of the shower with my shirt on and everything. Nothing beats a well-deserved sweat though. Pumping oxygen, having fun, both are worthy of breaking a sweat.

It's super peaceful right now. At the beginning of our hike, we ended up crossing paths with a lot of dayhikers and crossing several noisy roads. I was actually a bit irritated because I just wanted to be in the tranquility of nature. But that doesn't matter anymore, because I've alas made it to a place of complete stillness, with the exclusion of some furry little creatures and beatiful-winged animals running around. Ahhh, the sounds out here are amazing. I'm sure I'll enjoy them even more tonight, when nature's sounds become magnified creating a live orchestra performed lullaby. Helping me drift off into a well-deserved sleep. It's actually going to be strange sleeping out here all alone (besides my mom) in the wilderness. There was a sign on the way that warned us to watch our gear because of recent bear activity...so maybe I won't actually be so alone tonight, haha. I do hope that the flies and gnats go home soon and let me be alone...though I'm sure the mosquitoes will be willingly taking their place to join me.

Anyways, I'm going to go. My rehydrated, dehydrated meal of beans and rice is awaiting me...oh boy haha. I'm actually pretty hungry, so I'm sure it will taste great whether it's really good or not...Night.

Backpacking AT

Backpacking was an unbelievable experience. Living and being in complete harmony with nature for a moment of life, what could be more peaceful? Symphonies of bugs, sights of mountains, scents of flowers, scenes of creatures.... an experience you can only come across once you leave the artificialness of civilization and discover for yourself what nature really means to you. The Appalachian Trail isn't even the most bona fide experience of Mother Earth you could observe. To get a real taste of the candid wonders of nature and absorb yourself in its true natural state you'd have to go out into the unmapped, untracked wilderness. (Like in the movie I just watched last night, Into the Wild...great movie!).

Meeting and observing other backpackers on the trail was almost equally as fascinating as the beautiful outdoors itself. These interactions revealed the beauty of nature in a whole different light. People from all different walks of life all joined together with the shared commonality of wanting to be on the trail, in nature, just living and loving the moment. Around the moments when you felt like you could use a little outside-world socializing, you'd come across a fellow hiker, where you could open up each other's stories, letting the words run out. So many interesting life stories, tales, views, bits of information, so many unique and different personalities. Almost always crossing paths in at least one area of sentiment, almost always sharing a similar regard for nature. Beautiful.

I did some brief writings of my daily experiences while out on the trail that I thought I'd share. For the next couple of days I'll be posting my thoughts and brief summaries of a few of my experiences. Tomorrow I will begin the series with day 1 of my backpacking extravaganza.

Backpacking Extravaganza

Tomorrow I am leaving for a few days to go backpacking for the first time in my life! I will be taking off on the Appalachian Trail in an area located in Maryland/West Virginia. Since it's my first time, I'll only be going for two nights, 3 days, but I feel that this will be long enough to at least introduce me to the joy of backpacking. Hopefully after this I can find time in the near future for a longer endeavor.

Just from packing for this I feel like I've already learned alot... Like the fact that I'm gonna be one smelly girl, who will extremely desire a massage after I get back haha. But for real, I've learned just how important every pound, 1/2 a pound, even 1/4 of a pound matters when packing your pack. All of these semi-pounds start to add up, weighing your pack down. And I'm pretty sure that the lighter the pack the more enjoyable the hike will be for you, the hiker. However, lighter gear often equivalates to being more expensive gear. It's like underwear, the less cloth you get the more you have to pay (makes a lot of sense, right?). But from what I've heard from fellow backpackers, light gear such as tents and sleeping bags is often worth spending the extra dollars.

I've also discovered that I'll be eating a lot of nuts! I have like 3 bags of nuts that I'll be taking with me. Since hiking all day with a heavy pack requires a lot of calories, nuts are the perfect way to pack in some energy with a punch of protein. I'm also taking some cereal, a couple PB&J's for the first day, and a few dehydrated meals for dinner....who knows how those will taste... I'm going to set my standards low so that I won't be dissapointed but instead maybe pleasantly surprised? Even that last statement however is likely to set me up for dissapointment, haha, but who knows, maybe they're better than I imagine. Either way, this diet is definitely off track from my normal diet which is packed with fruit and vegetables. The closest thing I'll be getting to fruits and vegetables is freeze-dried carrots and some raisins in my trail mix. Maybe I'll throw in some apples for the first lunch. But that's just part of the experience of backpacking...roughing it.

I'm pumped to get going (walking) and begin yet another first-time experience of my summer. I've already done long day-hikes on the Appalachian Trail, and all of my experiences have been wonderful and beautiful. I have yet to do any hiking in West Virginia, so I'm hoping it too is a scenic stretch of the trail. The AT stretches across 14 different states and is 2175 miles long. Thousands of hikers attempt to do the whole trail each year, but statistics have shown that only about one in four ever make it to the end (10% quit in the first week!). The youngest person to walk to the whole trail was just six years old, the oldest, 81! Wowzaaa.

Wish me luck, and hopefully I have lots more to say for when I get back!--Peace and Joy

Incredible

This is insane. Federer truly shows his nearly perfect poise and skills here. Check it out. Even if you're not a Federer fan, you will at least gain a little respect for him after viewing this recent 2009 Wimbledon clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYhj22n4aBc&feature=related

Federer is to play Soderling on Monday, a reproduction of the 2009 championship French Open where Federer had a fairly easy 3 set win over Soderling to win the French Open trophy. This time, on grass, will Soderling be able to pull through and beat the ledgendary Roger Federer to advance to the next round of Wimbledon? I guess we'll find out. I'm hedging my bets on another victory for Federer.

Dig a grave....for your fruits and veggies :)

In correlation to a few posts ago, I wanted to show that composting is not solely beneficial to the environment. Composting does your body good as well. Yes, composting makes great fertilizer, conducive for growing a garden of which can fortify your body with lots of nutrients and fiber. But after a recent experience, I am able to say that composting can also whip your body into shape. Fast.

I dug a compost pit last summer. And afterward, I remember saying how it might've been the toughest task I had ever performed. Shoveling through soil hard as rock isn't quite the easiest thing to do.

Well, even after coming to that conclusion, I obviously still didn't work hard enough because the pit quickly filled up, calling out for me to dig another pit this summer. This time I wanted to do it better. I wanted to make it last, which meant digging a hole deep enough to last for at least 2 years. This time I knew what I was in for and was semi-prepared for the hard work that lay ahead of me.

I set out, digging through the dirt, letting the shovel in my hand know who's boss. Digging a huge hole in the ground allows you (forces you) to really get to know the soil. I used the first layer of soil to bury the old, filled-up compost pile. This was the easy part, clearing the moist, crumbly topsoil from the intended compost area. I thought, "Hey, this isn't so bad. Plus, it's a great way to calm my racing mind." Next, I plowed through several feet of clay. This was the heavy stuff, the stuff that required me put some oomph into my task and made my muscles burn. After getting several feet down into the ground, I started to remember how much of a workout digging the compost pile is. My calm mind started straying towards, "This is hard. I remember why I didn't really enjoy this last year."

Eventually the hole gets so deep that you have to get inside it, dig, and throw the dirt up and out of the hole several feet above you. This is the hard part and requires a lot of strength, and eventually stamina. Five or six feet into the soil, you start to wonder if you'll be able to continue throwing the soil high enough to make it out of the hole. After a couple hours, I decided to call it a day.

The next evening, I went back at it again. Grabbing my shovel and getting ready to come to the finish line. I eventually reached the last layer of soil of which I would get to: the part that's half rocks. This part is the annoying, pain-in-the-ass layer of soil. Of course the pain-in-the-ass layer comes at the end, when I'm already agitated and ready to quit digging the pitiless compost pit. Every other time I'd throw my shovel into the ground, it'd bounce right back up at me after hitting a rock. As you can imagine, when you hit rocks with your shovel, you're unable to dig up any dirt...making the process ten times slower. But I wanted to plow through some of this layer so that I wouldn't be out there again next summer busting my butt off, remembering how grueling the compost pit digging is. So I continued. Until the soil pretty much became one big rock.

Drenched with sweat and covered in mud (for the 2nd day in a row), I finally finished digging a compost pit that I could say I was highly proud of. A good four hours overall, and then I was at last able to put the shovel down. So much for trying to relax either of those days... pretty much demanded the strength and energy equivalent of several workouts. Exhausted.

So enough said, composting is good for the environment AND the body. If you dig your own hole, you'll probably be feeling it in your muscles the next day. A little outside work will make you sweat as much (if not more) as your normal workout at the gym. For the average person, shoveling/spading dirt to plant a garden burns roughly 340 calories per hour. And let me tell you, this is some more intense shoveling than using a spade to dig a little hole (meaning it definitely burns even more calories than that!). Vary up your routine, skip the run or the gym for the day, and get your workout digging up some soil. Yeah, I know, it might not sound that enticing, but hey, at least you'll be doing something to help out the environment too...You can't really say that about working out in an excessive-energy using air-conditioned gym, right?

2009 French Open

The past few days the tennis French Open has been airing. Tennis is probably my favorite sport to watch. Considering I played all throughout high school and was pretty much obsessed at one time with the sport, I find it rather entertaining. However, even for nonplayers, I think tennis would be relatively enjoyable to watch. If you've never watched it before, give it a shot. You'd be surprised how fast paced the sport is, and it's amazing how fast/hard the players can hit and serve the ball. And every once in awhile, you'll catch an attractive player to watch (such as Del Porto (for girls to watch) or Sharapova (for the guys).

My favorite, Raphael Nadal, to my surprise got knocked out by Robin Soderling in the fourth round of the Open. Nadal was undoubtedly favored to win as he had priorly won four consecutive titles; so congrats to Soderling who achieved one of the biggest upsets of all time. Soderling has made his way to the finals where he is to play against the notoriuos Roger Federer.

Federer has previously beat Soderling 9 times (Soderling has not grabbed any matches from Federer). However, in the past few rounds Soderingly has played astoundingly well, proving both his accuracy and form to be exceptional. The two are scheduled to play tommorrow, where Federer will try to become the sixth man ever to achive the Tennis Grand Slam (meaning he will have won the Australian Open, US Open, Wimbledon, and the French Open).

This morning was the French Open women's finals, where Svetlana Kuznetsova swept a victory over Dinara Safina. This is Kuznetsova's second Grand Slam title. She successfully and quickly clinched a 6-4, 6-2 match. The match, played by two 23-year-old Russians, was over in a mere 74 minutes. This was the second straight year that Safina has lost in the finals, as her hopes of winning her first Grand Slam title were once again crushed. Safina had held a 8-5 record over Kuznetsova prior to coming in to the French Open final. No.1 seeded Safina seemed to be letting her nerves get to her as she began timidly hitting the ball and slowing down the pace on her serve. For a bitter end, she double faulted her last chance of staying in the game, giving victory to Kuznetsova. Although she was defeated, Safina will still hold the #1 WTA ranking. This is Kuznetsova's 6th time defeating a world #1 ranked player. She will move from #7 to being ranked #5. Congrats to Kuznetsova for triumphantly making is this far in the French Open and in her career!

Tips for Running In the Summer Sun

I love running, and summer is when I have the most free time to take advantage of my passion for it. However, summer is also the hottest time of the year, creating heat which can sometimes hinder performance. The seemingly bright, inviting sun I gaze at from indoors doesn't always seem so pleasant when I lace up my shoes and take my first steps outside. And if one is not careful when running in the heat, he/she might just not make it to the finish line. Below are a few steps on how to prepare for a summer run and how to conquer the heat.

1) Wear Cool Clothes- The past few years as I have gotten more and more into running, I have increasingly been investing in running shorts. And let me tell you, they make all the difference. They are usually made out of Supplex nylon, a light-weight, fast-drying material that is optimum for runners. My running shorts actually encourage me to go running now.
When it's really hot outside, I tend to just run in a sports bra and some shorts. If you're a guy, go shirtless, which will decrease your weight and allow you to run more freely. If you aren't comfortable with doing this, then make sure to choose a shirt that is ideal for running. Avoid cotton. Cotton is heavy and quickly soaks up sweat. This will weigh you down and cling to your skin, making your feel extra sticky and sweaty. Instead, opt for light-weight synthetic materials. I know Nike makes both t-shirts and shorts that are great for runners. However, I'm sure there are numerous other brands that sell clothing well suited for runners as well.

2) Stay Hydrated- Drinking water is an essential tip for a runner. If you avoid this step you will see the consequences! Drink a large glass of water 30-45 minutes before embarking on a run. If you plan on taking a long run, make sure to bring a bottle of water with you. While you should drink a glass of water ever 10-15 minues of exercising, I wouldn't mandate that you carry water with you on your run unless you are running for a time greater than 45 minutes (however, this can vary from person to person). Personally, I find it bothersome to run with a bottle of water in hand, but sometimes it is necessary for my longer runs, so I just choose an optimum light-weight bottle.

3) Wear Sunscreen- I'm sure you see everywhere the dangers of sun and its relation to skin cancer. The majority of what you are reading is probably the truth and is important to keep in mind before you head out for a run. Even just a 30 minute run can dangerously expose you to the sun, so it's important to lather on the sunscreen. Apply at least 10 minutes before heading out, and choose water-resistant varieties. They make several "sports" based sunscreens that you might want to consider trying out.

4) Avoid Midday Times- Between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. is when the sun is strongest and also the heat! Try to avoid running between these times to avoid heat exhaustion as well as sunburn. Instead, try a morning run which will awaken you and get you up on your feet making you ready for to tackle rest of your day. Or, engage in an evening run, watching the sunset as you trail down the road. This can be relaxing and ease you into a peaceful run.

5) Gradually Build Yourself Up- Don't go out for an hour long run in the middle of the summer if you have only been doing 30 minute conditioning prior to this. It's important anytime of the year to gradually ease yourself into taking longer runs, however it's especially pivotal during the summer. Your body has to deal with the extra burden of cooling itself down, and if you push yourself too much it will be unable to perform this task and will shut down on you. You should also acclamitize yourself to the summer weather, since your body will not be used to the excessive heat. Even if you have been taking hour-long runs prior to the summer, you many need to shorten these runs the first few weeks of hot weather. Also, don't have too high of expectations and know that is okay to slow down your pace in the heat. All of this is to prevent overheating and excessive stress on the body.

6) Avoid Blacktop- If possible, run a course that limits the amount of time spent on blacktop. It's black surface captures and radiates heat. I've heard you could fry an egg on blacktop during hot summer days. Let's not experiment with this and fry our bodies too. Choose a gravel or dirt path, or even opt for concrete over blacktop. If possible, look for paths in the shade.

7) Don't Be Afraid to Take a Pause- Don't be surprised or embarrassed if you need to take a break. Heat can take its toll on your body, and its okay to pause your run or take a walking break. If you are experiencing heat cramps, stop immediately and get some water in your body. Heat cramps are often warning signs of worse problems to come. If you start to feel faint, dizzy, or confused also stop, for these are signs of heat exhaustion. If you ignore these warning signs, you may trigger the even more dangerous condition of heat-stroke. Heat-stroke is characterized by increased dizziness, chills, nausea, and a decrease in sweat production. Seek help if this occurs.

While it is definitely possible to keep running all throught the summer, it is important to be cautions and keep these tips in mind. If you do all of this, you should be good to go. So get out there, get running, and get that beach-toned body that will make the opposite sex drool.

2009 Broad Street Run In Action

One word: Amazing

There is no way I won't be partaking in this next year. It looked like the rush of a runner's dream! Just watching it made me pumped for when I'll finally get to run it. Congrats to all who completed the course!

Philadelphia Broad Street Run

This Sunday at 8:30 a.m. is Philadelphia's annual Broad Street run. They will be celebrating 30 years of athletic community involvement. The course is the largest 10 miler in the United States! The race will start at the athletic fields of Central High School and will end at the Marine Parade Grounds at the Navy Yard in South Philadelphia. Along the way, runners will pass by Temple University, which means I get to cheer my fellow running partners on while they race to the finish! Yes, sadly I won't be participating, because due to taking time off for mono, I do not feel quite ready to run a ten miler (I ran 7 miles last week and to say the least, it was quite tough. I'm on my way though, I've been running consistently these past few weeks and am working myself back up! Next years runners better be ready for me :-) )

The course is entirely flat, and actually contains a slight downhill slope at parts. This makes the course one of the fastest courses and very agreeable for runners who want to achieve record times. The fastest finisher completed the course in 45:14, which also happens to be the fastest 10 mile ever recorded in the United States. Throughout the course, there will be 11 water stations, clocks at each mile, and various entertainment. Also, since the race is ran along a main road, Broad Street will be blocked, making the course traffic-free.

The race was between $30-45 depending on the date you signed up. However, the last day to register was yesterday (Yeah, I'm a little late, but now you have the info. if you're not signed up and want to run next year). Benefits from the Broad Street Run go to the American Cancer Society. There is an estimated 25,000 people signed up to run...Sounds like it's going to be a traffic jam! At least it won't be an agitating stand still, considering everyone should be speeding to the end.

First place male and female participants will win $1,500. Second place will receive $750. Third place- $500, fourth place- $400, and fifth place- $300. An additional $1,000 will be given if the course record time is beaten.

There will also be a one-miler for kids ages 6-12, in case you want to get some energy out of your rambunctious kids (or start them on the healthy path at a young age with a little friendly competition and fun).

For those in the race, or even those watching, remember to fuel up on one of the Earth's greatest beverages: WATER

Good luck to all participants!