Half marathon tomorrow!

Tomorrow is the Illinois Half marathon. After working at the Expo today, my legs were pretty shot.

I donned my Recovery socks and went to the store for some ice. The boyfriend said that I looked pretty fob-y:

Socks with Birkenstocks!

Ice bath, though most of the water drained out... :(


How does Bodger feel about the race?


The weather is looking pretty gross for tomorrow: probably rain, humid, windy, and fairly warm at gun-time.

First on tomorrow's agenda: Have a good experience. Second: PR.

Squeezing my radishes.

I have been dealing with some kind of calf tightness or strain for the past month. I hope that it won't rear its ugly head during Saturday's half marathon, but just in case, I am trying some last minute treatment:


I bought a pair of Recovery Socks to wear tomorrow afternoon and after the race on Saturday. They are the Small (not XS) size, which makes them somewhat difficult to get over my calves. Once they're on though, they feel pretty good.

The weather for Saturday is looking less than ideal: warm, humid, and windy. I'm not sure that this is PR weather, but depending on how I feel after tomorrow's expo, we'll see if I'm even in PR mindset.

엄마

네가 보고싶어 죽겠어.

부탁함니다.

May I have that?

Hey! That [brownie] looks yummy!

May I have some?



C'mon, man!

Tuesday Tempo run

Today marked my last tempo run before Saturday's Half marathon. It was a short but good one.

• 1-mile warm-up - 9:35
• 20 minutes @ 8:53 avg. page (2.25 miles)
• 4 strides + 1-mile cool-down - 11:05 pace

I hope the race goes well so that I may confirm that all my hard work and training has done something...

Today, I heard this back from the adoption agency social worker:

Dear Mica,

I'm sorry that I can't tell you where your birth mom currently lives before she decides to meet you in person. She moved to other city from Busan long time ago. Hope your understanding.

Warm regards,
이은정

By process of elimination, I currently know this about my birth mom's location:

• Seoul
• Busan
• Everywhere else in Korea

Instead of working on my Psycholinguistics study guide, I am sitting here, trying to will my birth mom to get up the courage to meet me in May. It is currently 12:15pm in Korea.

Birth mom, are you eating lunch? Please change your mind!

Bodger says, "Hiiii!"

And here are my splits from an easy five-miler with Lena:

• 10:26
• 9:49
• 9:56
• 9:55
• 9:38
  

"Radish legs"/무다리

Yesterday, I learned a colorful Korean expression: "무다리" (pronounced 'moo taree') This insult literally translates to "radish leg(s)" and describes legs with big calf muscles.

Calf reduction is a popular surgery in South Korea. There are many ways of undergoing this procedure, but the most common is cutting away some of the gastrocnemius (calf). Another option is nerve-blocking through injections of toxins into the legs, which causes the muscles to atrophy and shrink. You can read about it here.

Ew, what-the-frick?!? I really like my 무다리/radish legs! They are big and strong, and they carry me over long distances. I also think they look pretty great, and I'm definitely not embarrassed to wear skirts or shorts because of my calves.

I would most definitely never undergo some kind of hideous reduction surgery in the name of skinnier calves. Gross.

For comparison, here is my 다리 ('leg') next to a 무 ('Daikon radish'):


My gams look like edible root vegetables, not like little chicken legs.

Today, I took my radish legs out for an eight-miler in the rain. I'm not sure if I'm going to run a very speedy race next weekend. I'm psyching myself out, and I'm not sure if I can hold goal pace for 13 miles. Here are my splits:

• 10:37
• 10:06
• 9:54
• 9:52
• 9:53
• 9:08
• 8:52
• 8:20 (Ran the last half-mile with the boyfriend, wheee!)
  

I also made banana crumb muffins:


Last night, I tried my hand at fudgey brownies from my new Dorie Greenspan cookbook. They were ridonculous:


Check it out with the flash on:


So now, if you will excuse me, my radish legs and I are going to go get some salmonella poisoning from undercooked brownies!

My adolescent heart.

Today, I went out for an easy five-miler. Unfortunately, I've been having some tightness and worrisome pain in my left IT-band this week. My legs felt pretty fatigued, but I didn't have any major flare-ups with the ITB. I hope it gets better, but I'm prepared not to run all out next weekend at the Half Marathon. Here are my splits:

• 10:39
• 9:45
• 9:35
• 9:21
• 8:55

The boyfriend and I went out to dinner with Alice, one of my new friends from Stats class. She is an exchange student from Korea University in Seoul, and her English is quite good. Since she doesn't have a car, we drove off-campus for Vietnamese food and then for frozen custard.

Haha, hilarious!

Alice just finalized her return trip plans for coming back to Seoul. Fortunately, she will be there when the boyfriend and I are visiting, so I hope we can meet up!

And in WTF news, I just learned that Something Corporate, my favorite band of all time, has reunited for their ten-year reunion and is playing a concert in Chicago. The catch? It's the day we leave for Japan!

Um, hold on a minute here. WHAT?!?


Obviously, I am mature and realize that the opportunity to go to Japan and Korea (my freakin' birth country) far outweighs the chance to see a pop-rock-alternative band from my adolescence.

That said, I am pretty sure that Andrew McMahon is the love of my life...

(Look familiar?)

Oh Andrew, I will be thinking about you as I fly over the Pacific Ocean. I know that our brief encounter when I hugged you across the merchandise booth at a concert six years ago made a lasting impression on you too...

5x800, for the win!

Today, I did my penultimate interval workout before the Half Marathon. I'm not going to lie--it wasn't that fun. However, I feel pretty satisfied with my performance:

• 1-mile warm-up - 9:57
• 5x800m - 3:56/3:58/3:54/3:51/3:53
  
• 3-min. rest in between
• 1-mile cool-down - 9:31

My IT-band started twinging this afternoon, so I better stretch it out and hope for the best.

Oh crap. Bodger is sleeping behind me, and he just let out a really stinky fart. It smells like poop. Here he is all groggy and grumpy about being woken up:

Sunshine award & Killer thighs

Christina over at She Runs, She Eats just awarded me the "Sunshine award." What an honor to receive two awards in the span of a few days! And on top of it all, people say I'm funny.


I am supposed to nominate 12 blogs that I enjoy reading.

• Healthing It
• I Blog What I Eat
• Kilax (Insert the boyfriend saying "KILAX!" in a deep and imposing voice)
• L.A. Daze
• Mix & Bake
  
• Selby's Food Corner
• The Health Nut
• Brick Effect
• Ambitious Aspirations...
• Echers
• Cross Country Squared
• RunningLaur

Since I did my long run yesterday, I joined Lena for the last six miles of her 12-miler this morning. Here are my splits:

• 10:33
• 10:01
• 10:04
• 10:27
• 10:07
• 10:07

After doing a tempo on Saturday and a long run on Sunday, I felt pretty wiped today. For the rest of the day, I had some soreness in my quads, especially when going down stairs.

Whenever my quads hurt from a long run or race, I feel the need to announce to everyone in the vicinity that I am in pain. More often than not, my utterance of choice is "MY THIGHS KILL!" which, if taken out of context, is pretty awkward. I bet I made plenty of undergrads feel uncomfortable as I hobbled my way down to my French class in the basement today...

Honest Scrap award

L.A. Daze gave me the Honest Scrap award. I am honored to receive an award from such a chic and fashionable lady, especially since I am neither of those things.

I am supposed to reveal ten honest things about myself, so here goes:

• I have a really deep belly button, and it often gets all kind of funk in it. I just scrubbed it out yesterday with a washcloth. Yum.

• It annoys me when people pretend that they are not judgmental. Everyone makes judgments about his or her environment, assessing whether a situation is good or bad.
  

• When I was little, my mom took me to the local Korean mart. For the first time, I really wanted to be Korean and identify with the people in the store. As such, when the cashier asked me where I was from, I said "Korea" with an accent. My mom later called me out on it, and I was really embarrassed.
  

• I think I give off the impression that I am a "fun" person, i.e. "fun" by conventional 20-something standards. As it turns out, I'm a homebody who doesn't like music, crowds, drinking, dancing, or roller coasters.
  

• Today, Bodger farted, but I mistakenly thought that the tooting sound came from the boyfriend.

• I bite my fingernails a lot when I'm bored in class. Then I don't know what to do with the fingernail pieces, so I usually stick them in my pocket.
  

• I have a terrible grasp on the concept of "full." Thus, I will often eat until the point of feeling like I have a distended stomach and then curse myself later. Two desserts? Yes, please!

• Grad school is really bumming me out right now. Like, a lot.

• A lot of the people who were mean to me in middle school are now quite hefty and old-looking. I take great pride in the fact that by comparison, I am youthful, fit, and healthy. (That was the most tactful way I could think of to say this.)
  

• I hate to admit it, but I stopped to stretch several times on my long run today. Here are my splits:

• 10:03
• 10:00
• 9:57
• 9:43
• 9:45
• 9:49
• 9:36
• 9:40
• 10:26 (Gu time!)
• 9:48
• 10:04
• 9:39

Now, I get to nominate people to make their own honest confessions. Unfortunately, I think that a lot of people have already participated. Here are three ladies that I don't remember reading about:

• Suzanne, my fellow SPARC-er.
• Lauren from Bananas and Toast
• Christina from She runs, she eats
  

April Flowers and Tempo Runs

Today, I did six miles at easy tempo/half-marathon goal pace. (Lena joined me for the first four but was later fell victim to pollen.) I hate to admit it, but in the last two miles, I stopped a few times to stretch and remind myself that "I LOVE running!" Um, yeah.

• 10:31 (Warm-up)
• 8:57
• 8:53
• 8:59
• 8:55
• 8:52
• 8:41
• 9:27 (Cool-down)
• Avg. heart rate - 162 bpm

The last tenant in our apartment planted some beautiful daffodils and tulips in the backyard. Since we still occasionally have a night with below freezing temperatures, I thought that I should document the flora of the backyard:




And here is some backyard fauna:

(Gnawing on a stick)

Then I ate it.

It is spring time in the Midwest! I know this for a fact because the local Parks & Recreation decided to turn on the water fountains in the parks!

My French office-mate Julie and I have taken a few of our lunches out on the Quad:


The warmer temperatures also mean that I have to start putting on lots of sunscreen. I'm really not into tanning, mostly because I am afraid of looking like a disgusting, wrinkled prune when I'm older.

Also, whenever I slather on sunscreen, I can almost convince myself that I'm going to the beach...instead of out for a 5x1000-meter workout, like today!

• 1-mile warm-up - 9:53
• 5x1000m - 4:57/4:58/4:57/5:01/4:58
• (3-min. rest in between)
• 1-mile cool-down - 9:19

Overall, I'm very pleased with this workout, especially considering that I wanted to wuss out and run it on the treadmill. I hit pretty consistent paces, and I didn't feel like I was dying the whole time.

Yesterday, I participated in a lunch-time presentation at the Asian American Cultural Center, talking about my experience as a Korean-American adoptee. Elana, Kean, Beth, and I fielded a lot of really good questions about being adopted, and I hope that we made a positive impression on the audience.


One issue that we raised involved common things that we wish people wouldn't say:

• "You're really lucky to have been adopted!" (You're really lucky to know your medical history.)
  
• "I don't look like my parents. My dad is tall, and I'm short. I must be adopted." (That sounds like your mom had an extra-marital affair.)
  
• "Oh, you're adopted. You're not really Korean." <--True story, a Korean-American said this to me on the first day of college. (Fuck you. I was born there.)
  

In other news, Running Buddy Lena was disseminating good information about sexual health on campus today:

Bodger loves going to the vet for check-ups because all the vet techs fawn over him and give him treats (Wouldn't you?):


Oh, and I totally wiped out on my bike today. While I was rushing to campus, I made a sharp turn, and my pedal scraped across the pavement. This sent me sprawling, and my bike landed on top of me. I arrived on campus sweaty and bleeding. Awesome.

Here's the damage:



Now, my left knee hurts when I bend it. I'm a little concerned with the race coming up soon. Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation! Now!

High School Musical

This is for you, Sam. And also, for you, birth mom (if you're visiting), so you can glimpse into my high school years.

(Freshman year - Global Studies)

(Junior year homecoming)


(Senior year - the only time I have ever been to P.F. Chang's)


(Sophomore year - Driver's Ed.)


(Freshman year - 5.5 Asians)


(Sophomore year. Um.)


(Junior year - AP English/Am. Literature)


(Sam, what year was this?)

Man, that was painful.

A reason to be vain

First, did I mention that I registered for the Marine Corps Marathon? I did.

Last night, I was Lena's date for a fund-raising event to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of Planned Parenthood Illinois. It was good fun to celebrate an organization devoted to health care resources AND education for women and the greater community. We even got fancy cupcakes:


Lena and I got to dress up all fancy. I complemented my dress with a pair of banged up knees:

Prom photo!


Today, we did a practice 13.1-mile run on the actual half course. It was very sunny and somewhat windy, and it was really a struggle for me to finish. I'm somewhat apprehensive about trying to PR at this race since it might be somewhat warm on May 1st. Here are our splits:

• 10:18
• 9:54
• 9:58
• 10:05
• 10:00
• 10:03
• 10:03
• 9:54
• 10:08
• 9:56
• 9:31 (Was almost run over by a lady who rolled through a stop sign. Shared some verbal niceties.)
• 9:57
• 9:36
• 0:56 (The last 0.10)
• Total: 2:10:25
• Average Heart rate - 158bpm
  

Speaking of running, I received a Tina's birthday package yesterday, and it contained shirts from the local Charlottesville running store, Ragged Mountain Running. I will wear it proudly, though my inability to run on hills makes me a disgrace to this shirt.

(Bodger just tooted.)

And re: my cryptic last post: No, the boyfriend and I are not getting married--unless it's for health insurance. (Kidding. Kind of.)

Recently, the social worker at Holt contacted my birth mom to tell her about my second letter, but my birth mom was unwilling to run the risk of receiving it. Following a suggestion from reader Kim, I asked the social worker to send her my blog address. I think that my birth mom is curious to know about me. Certainly, if I were in her situation, I would be curious to see how my daughter turned out.

On Thursday, I received this e-mail from the Holt social worker:

"Dear Mica,

Guess What the news is I have for you.

I could talk with your birth mother three times this afternoon. I gave her the address of your blog and she visited it once and saw your face from the photos. And, finally she decided to receive your letter even it is still risky.

She is opening her heart for you more and more. This is a good sign and my prayer is that she eventually meet with you in May. I'm not sure it will be possible but want to.

Now what we can do is just wait for her.

Thank you, Mica for your patience and [continuous] love on her."

I hoped that seeing photos of me as a young adult would help my mother overcome some of her fear. The Holt social worker told me that my birth mother had cried when she heard that I was looking for her, but I think that a photo is much more powerful; she can see her own physical traits in my face, as well as those of my late biological father.

It looks like my "plan" worked. I hope that my birth mom will continue to visit my blog as a less risky, non-identifying way to find out more about my life. And even if she is unable to meet me in May, I take it as a good sign that she has not completely shut out all contact attempts from Holt on my behalf.

In the mean time, I will continue to be vain and post many pictures of myself and of my life in the hope that she will enjoy them. (It is unclear whether she speaks English, so photos will have to do.)

엄마

1986

(Me, Cousin Rachel, Grandpa)

2010

Apologies for the cryptic nature. I will explain tomorrow.

Bodger's Tuesday thoughts.

My God, woman! What have you put in my ears? Acid? It burns! Oh, the humanity!

(Note: It was ear cleaner. We do this every week.)

Oh, were you trying to take a picture of my face? How strange, I managed to turn around at just the wrong moment!

Here's what I think of you and your Illinois bandana (a gift from Jessica):


Maybe if I smile, I'll get more treats!

So this is 24.

Of course, everyone loves birthday presents, but I was particularly happy this year because I received a wide variety of really thoughtful gifts. It seems that my friends and family pay attention to my interests and are really creative in their gift-giving.

The boyfriend's parents sent me the Dorie Greenspan baking cookbook, which I am very excited to use! My parents sent me a nice set of cookware, including a cast iron skillet. And Runner Jessica bestowed upon me a lovely madeleine pan. Now, I, too, can unconsciously evoke memories by dunking small cakes in tea. (Proust reference.)


A lovely bouquet of lavender roses arrived from Dad and Pat.


In preparation for our trip, the boyfriend gave me a guidebook to Seoul. I also received an unexpected present from a Korean girl in my Stats Class--two little keychain bears wearing traditional Korean hanbok.


To celebrate, Dan, Brian, the boyfriend, and I went to Korean-style karaoke joint on Friday night. Instead of serenading the entire bar, you go into a smaller room (norae bang) with your friends. Inside, there is a karaoke box with approx. 43924389204832 songs, and the lyrics play on the television screen.


In honor of the occasion, we selected a song called "Birthday Sex" by somebody named Jeremiah. None of us had ever heard of it before, but apparently, it was popular at some point. I surmise that the original lyrics led to its rise in popularity:

("G-spot, g-spot")

We had a delicious meal of Korean food:


Though it was not immediately clear what the different dishes were:


I'm pretty good at "I Want it That Way." Tragically, I cannot come close to the vocal fortitude required for "Lady Marmalade," though I think Dan and I made a notable attempt.


Fellow adoptee and birthday boy Shane was also celebrating at the karaoke restaurant. He shared a slice of his birthday cake with me:


"Two" for April 2nd birthdays! Right.

On Saturday, we had a more traditional style party to celebrate for me and "Blonde Dan" in the French department. Somehow, I was afraid that we would run out of dessert, so I made cinnamon rolls and two kinds of cake. For the adventurous, there was "Oreo Cake." For the purists, there was yellow cake with homemade chocolate frosting (from scratch!):

Many people sent me Facebook messages asking how Bodger was helping me celebrate my birthday. First, on Friday, he let me fish a slobbery piece of stick out of his gigantic mouth. Then on Saturday, he stepped on the boyfriend and snored loudly during the party.


And on Saturday, I used my Garmin heart rate monitor from the boyfriend for the first time. I had a very successful five-miler, despite Mother Nature's best attempts to drown me with a soaking rain:

• 9:54
• 9:20
• 9:14
• 9:06
• 9:02

Today, Lena and I ran long. It was the first sunny and somewhat warm long run that I have done, and our splits suffered accordingly.

• 9:54
• 10:12
• 9:50
• 9:57
• 9:57
  
• 9:51
• 10:02
• 10:04
• 10:02
• 9:50
• 10:19
• 10:01

Then we ate delectable curried chicken salad and shirked our academic responsibilities, wheee!

All in all, I have had a lovely birthday weekend. I am fortunate to have such a diverse group of people who care enough about me to celebrate the 24th anniversary of my birth.