On Tuesday afternoon, I took a lap down Main Street in Falmouth, noting the seasonal transformation of pumpkins and scarecrows into Christmas trees and lights.
Wednesdays are special with two work-outs built into the workday instead of just one. This week, I joined Jenalyn and some of the boys at the gym in the military barracks during their morning routine. With a newfound appreciation for strength training, I vowed to build a solid foundation and education to take with me when I leave. I have no intention of "bulking up," but I do realize the benefits of strength training to my running performance and overall health. I must admit, though, that entering the world of weight-lifting is a perfect mirror to how I felt stepping into the military world--a lifestyle so different than my own, yet so intriguing. During the lunch hour, I joined Jenalyn for our daily trail run. Everything in moderation.That night, I joined some friends from clinic for Trivia Night at the Fishmonger's Cafe in Woods Hole. April, Zach, Tai and his civilian girlfriend, and myself formed the dream team--the Irish Wristwatches. Just kidding, we lost terribly. But it was fun, and a nice change of pace from a social perspective.
Thursday was uneventful other than it was my last day with my pharmacy preceptor, Jenalyn. She would be leaving to spend the next two weeks with her family in Utah. Unfortunate timing, as it felt premature to say our goodbyes after just three weeks together. Still, I swore to make an effort to maximize my learning and experiences in her absence.
Friday was the much-anticipated Thanksgiving potluck. I had originally planned to pick up a freshly-baked pie that morning, but it seemed that there was a need for someone to bring stuffing. So I volunteered to cook--sorry, Mom--stove-top stuffing. Even with my sometimes questionable cooking skills, it was too easy to mess up. The morning in clinic flew by, and I headed to the "Chief's Hut" down the road around 11:00 to make the stuffing. Co-workers and a few of their family members gradually filtered in, each with their contribution to the holiday feast. There were two turkeys--one smoked and the other fried--apparently a tradition. In general, there was a consensus that the meat of the smoked turkey was superior, while the skin of the fried turkey dominated. In the end, however, the Chief's fried turkey took home the gold medal by one vote. Aside from turkey, there was a wide spread of stuffing, potatoes, chicken pot pie, casseroles, chili, and more. And for dessert, a buffet of pies, cookies, and cheesecake. It was entertaining to watch my military friends struggle with their internal battle to avoid overeating. There was agreement, however, that monthly potlucks are an exception to their otherwise healthy lifestyles. Despite the morning rain, the afternoon cleared up to allow for leisure conversations, seasonal brews, and games of horseshoe.
For some reason, I thought that it was smart to go for a run after such a feast. So I headed to the nearby Cape Cod Canal Bike Path. The Cape Cod Canal is a man-made canal located on the Upper Cape. The bike path runs along the canal on either side for about 7 miles, starting just before the Bourne Bridge and ending in Sagamore on the coast. The canal was beautiful, and I somehow managed to squeeze in 14 miles before sunset (and before my uncomfortably-full belly gave out). I recently decided to incorporate "cut-back weeks" into my running schedules. Therefore, instead of continuing to increase my long run mileage to 22 miles this week, I took it easier to give my body extra time to recover and, thus, to prevent injury.
I laid low the rest of the night, contemplating my future career goals, and accepting that I had had a recent change of heart regarding my plans for next year...
