Fais Do-Do

Hey y'all!
Long time since my last update, but let me fix that for ya'!

The Running Prep

We're lowering intensity (imagine a graphic scale here) and then increasing it again this month. It's supposed to get our bodies better prepped for the intensity of the marathon and it helps us with our endurance. I've come to kinda hate Mondays again because we do speed work these days, and endurance work during the rest.

All the speed work takes place at the track, and we started by doing 8 x 200m, first with 200m for recovery, and then with just 100m After that, we went up to 400m and so forth. Basically we run at a fast-but-steady pace for the specific distance, then we take it easy in the recovery distance, and then we go faster again.

I think I was definitely made for short distances (maybe my short legs are a sign) because I ran those 200m quite fast! The rest I did well, although by the time I hit 600m I did not look very attractive (unless you consider the racehorse-reaching-the-finish-line look a good one).

As for lately, I've had to sit down for a few practices for various reasons. Although the knotty leg is "fixed", my blood pressure has dropped a few times this month, and there's something about running while dizzy that people don't really recommend. (Gee, I wonder why?!)

Also, with the wedding being SO close, I've been feeling exhausted. So tired that last Friday I was supposed to call back my mentor and I fell asleep so deeply that when she called the next morning to wake me up I didn't even hear the phone or the 500 alarms I have set. Work has been quite intense as well, which adds to the mix.

Meanwhile, I've baked like a *&$#%, but it's been great! Baking has always been therapeutic to me, and now there's a purpose to it besides force-feeding baked goods to my friends and colleagues (force-fed because someone's always in a silly diet!). My [famous] Pumpkin Bread is still famous, and the brownies have done quite well (although it would help if I stopped eating them!). I have until January to finish my fundraising, so I need to keep my bake sales on the GEAUX.

The Wedding Prep

Speaking of health things, not too long ago I went for my bridal dress fitting and got a candid speech from the seamstress about how I had dropped too much weight and how the dress was a bit loose. She had to "anchor" it more inside, and told me to do something to gain a few pounds.

This made me freak out a bit (given the BP issue), and I contacted my personal TextMD buddy for an iConsult. The result: no running the week of the wedding, staying hydrated, and eating. He said healthy carbs and lean protein, but all I pictured was stuffing my face with donuts, cake, and macarons while chugging maple syrup  à la Super Troopers.

So I'm supposed to turn into a sloth next week, which sounds quite convenient since I'm also not allowed to fall, trip, or get permanently injured before the wedding. (Apparently after the wedding it is allowed!)

The Bachelorette

Speaking of not being allowed to fall on my butt, I got to spend some time in my old hometown recently. There's this song performed by Louis Armstrong (a personal favorite) titled "Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans?" which has been a bit of my life summed up in a song. Boy, how I missed my old town!

Obviously I will not disclose my bachelorette festivities, but I will say that being back in town was great. NOLA looks beautiful, Uptown looks more awesome than ever, and the melancholic feelings I had when I left the city hit me hard.
Back in my days the St. James Cheese Co. had just opened, and it was a couple of blocks away from my condo. One of my best friends lived on Prytania (right above Creole Creamery, mind you), so we'd all hang out near his place. Once St. James opened, Saturdays spent there were simply perfect. The Wine Seller was right next door, so [weather permitting] we would just sit outside to eat cheese(s) and drink wine(s). My trip [obviously] included a visit to the "Cheese Disneyland".

As a perk I got to finally meet my friend Ashley's baby, Lilli (the warrior princess). Being the daughter and granddaughter of two fabulous Muses, this girl came into the world with some sparkle of her own!

Lilli was born with Down Syndrome and, as of this week, had to undergo surgery for a "new" heart. She's a warrior princess for having an open heart surgery so soon in her life, which is quite convenient for her: You see, these kids are SO loving and adorable that it is no surprise they need to get their hearts "fixed"-you know, to make them big enough for all that love! After hanging out with Lilli, I could already tell she's gonna be one heck of a hugger!

WHO DAT NATION, Y'ALL!

As for the rest of the trip, I got me a new WHO DAT?! top, subtle enough I can wear it to go out, so people here stop looking at me weird for wearing a Saints jersey on Sundays, I got to bring with me more Tony Chachere's (helloooo, Gumbo!), and a few other things. (Funny enough, when you hop on a plane with the remaining evidence of a bachelorette party people give you a special look. True story!)

Sweet Potato Fries + Tony's. 'Nuff Said!

I was unable to go antiquing like I used to (it's the wine & cheese's fault!), but my friend Michelle was incredibly sweet and she got me a beautiful antique heart-shaped locket for my bouquet. Since my grandfather won't be with me (in person) at my wedding, I'm taking him along in my bouquet, and for that I thank her!

There's a lot going on in the next 10 days, and it feels like that part of a roller coaster ride when you're basically lying on your back because you're going up slowly before the ride picks up speed... I shall keep y'all posted!

In the mean time, as we say down here:
Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler! 
-B