Bar Season

Posted on July 5th, 2008 by Sharoool at 7:21 pm

I can tell that the bar is coming up because the number of hits I’ve been getting from searches related to the bar have gone up exponentially.

The experience of studying for the bar was horrible and it stayed with me for almost a good year. Last July, I got a queasy feeling in my stomach for those sitting for the bar at that very moment. Nowadays, I can’t say I really remember all that much =P which is a good thing, I guess, because I’d rather not think bout those days and that darn test!

Although, I have to say… things were bit simpler back then. You had certain goals you had to meet everyday, and you hoped that in the end, you’d attain the ultimate goal of all, passing the bar. Now, I just find myself drifting aimlessly in a way. Yes, there is work, and that in a sense is a kind of “goal,” but I guess I still see it as a different thing.

Anyway, enough babbling.

Good luck to those studying for the bar! I know 2 months may not seem like enough time, but you just have to trust in the process and trust in the work you’ve done. You’ll be fine =)

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The S/Cheryl Sandwich Reunion and Wanted

Posted on July 5th, 2008 by Sharoool at 2:29 pm

Last night I got together with Cheryl, Lucky, and Mawk for dinner and drinks at Houstons. We have lots of fond memories at that Houstons, including one particular memory involving cheese that we still laugh about =)

It was really great seeing Mawk again, who we haven’t seen since last year! Way too long!

Pics from the night =)

the lovely, expecting couple =)






the S/Cheryl Sandwich reunited!

Cheryl couldn’t stick around after dinner =( But Mawk and I continued on to watch Wanted. I’ve been wanting to watch it since I saw the trailer a while ago. I’m like… so in love with James McAvoy =) hahaha he was such a freakin’ badass in the movie! Loved every minute of it! I agree with Cheryl, he does a great job disguising his accent in this movie… And he was also nice to look at haha! Angelina Jolie was fine, although we both noticed that she was bone thin in the movie. I don’t think she was always that thin? Overall, it was a great action movie with a not entirely predictable plot. I would recommend if you’re in the mood to be entertained or if you’re a big James McAvoy fan =)

I know it’ll be hard once Cheryl gives birth to her little boy, but Cheryl, Mawk, let’s not wait so long before the next Sandwich get together! When you’re ready, Mawk and I will definitely be by to visit you and your little one (= Mawk said he’ll totally change diapers! hahahaa

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Back in Business!

Posted on July 5th, 2008 by Sharoool at 3:44 am

Ahhhh… feels good to be back!

A big THANK YOU goes out to Ken who, in 10 minutes, managed to get my site back up and running after I botched the upgrade. *hugs!* Thank you thank you thank you!

I just finished a 3 hour wild search for my cell phone that has left my condo in complete disarray. I am now completely exhausted and face a huge clean up day tomorrow. But by gosh I will get it done!

Will write about the S/Cheryl Sandwich reunion and the yumminess that is James McAvoy later today =)

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Week 5: 2×1600m at 11:15

Posted on July 2nd, 2008 by Sharoool at 10:27 pm

So, I was wrong in my last post. Today, I had to do 2×1600m, not 3×1600m. You don’t know how relieved I was when I found out that mistake! =) Today’s run was tough, but not bad. It’s the fastest I’ve run, ever, and that’s pretty awesome! I did struggle a little bit, but I didn’t struggle as much as I thought I would. Here are my splits.

Warm up: 0.47 miles in 6:02

Split 1: 11:17
Split 2: 10:55 (helllllllll yeah!)
Total: 22:12
Average Pace: 11:06

Total mileage: 2.98 miles (including warm up and cool down)

Calories Burned: 338

Shoes: Asics Nimbus

I knew I would never have a chance of maintaining an 11:15 pace running the whole way through. I mean, I can’t even maintain an 11:45 pace consistently for my tempo runs! So, I broke these 1 mile sprints into 3 segments. I basically ran about 3 segments of about .3 mile at a 10:30 min/mile pace. After each .3 segment, I had a 30-45 second recovery period before jumping into another .3 segment at the same pace. This seemed to work out perfectly.

I’m going to toy around with changing up my intervals for my tempo on Friday. Hopefully, I’ll be able to hit my tempo pace for the first time =D

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One year ago today: T + G, Routine #2 and Meow Sale

Week 4: 8 Mile Long Run

Posted on June 30th, 2008 by Sharoool at 10:49 pm

Alrighty boys and girls! Today’s run features a whopping 8 miler at a 12:30 min/mile pace. At least that was my goal for the day =)

Today’s run didn’t feel as good as last week’s long run. In fact, I really wanted to quit during the 3rd mile (as you can see from my dismal 13:17 time). My legs were still feeling a bit tight from the strength training. My arms were in the worst condition. They’re extremely sore and caused my shoulders to tense as I ran.

The thought of walking back home and taking a nice, cold shower was dangling in front of me like a juicy carrot. But then I also started thinking about how going back home would mean I would have to try to do the 8 miler either tomorrow or the day after, and how that would push my schedule off track. I also thought about how I wouldn’t be able to put a happy face sticker on my calender for today’s run.

So, I gritted my teeth and I decided to go for it. At the very least I wanted to do 7 miles…

but as you can see below, I hit all 8 =D Even though it wasn’t the greatest run (time-wise), I’m so incredibly happy I did it!

Split 1: 12:36
Split 2: 12:20
Split 3: 13:17
Split 4: 12:01
Split 5: 12:36
Split 6: 13:16
Split 7: 13:33
Split 8: 13:05
Total: 01:42:44

Average Pace: 12:50 (yes!!!! It’s below 13 minutes! But still over my 12:30 goal. boo)

Shoes: Asics Nimbus

Total Distance: 4.58 (including warm up and cool down)
Total Workout Time: 01:55:00

Calories Burned: 987 (wowzers!)

Week 5 will be a tough training week for me. Wednesday features 3×1600m sprints. Friday showcases a 5 mile tempo (soooo not looking forward to this). And finally, this Sunday I have to do a 9 mile long run. I definitely feel more confident about the 9 miles. But the speedwork and the tempo run?

I’m scurrrrrrrrrred!

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Good, Grasshoppah!

Posted on June 30th, 2008 by Sharoool at 1:41 am

I’ve been meaning to change my blog theme ever since I got back from Asia. But I’ve been either too busy or too lazy to actually do it. This weekend, I finally got around to it and what you see above is the result of my efforts =) You probably can’t tell but that pink animagus up there is a grasshopper =) Just thought I’d clear that up now so you knew what it was haha What can I say? I’ve not very good with drawing!

Anyway, there’s a story behind the pink grasshopper. While we were in Asia, we’d run across some baffling situations and after some thought, I’d come up with a useful suggestion/answer to which Christine would respond, “You’re so smart, grasshoppah!” It kind of became this running joke with us and so Christine suggested that it become sort of a mascott for my blog. I thought, why not? It’d be a nice change from flowers, right? =)

So, I hope you enjoy the pink grasshopper! Hopefully I’ll get a little better with drawing and be able to come up with a better looking grasshopper in the future ::fingers crossed::

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Week 4: Tempo Run

Posted on June 27th, 2008 by Sharoool at 8:17 pm

My tempo pace continues to elude me. Today’s goal was to run 4 mile at 11:45/min mile. My muscles were still extremely sore from yesterday’s strength training. Hopefully, they will have eased back to normal by the time I have to do my long run on Sunday or Monday.

Split 1: 11:30
Split 2: 12:13
Split 3: 12:44
Split 4: 13:20

Total milage: 4.12 (including cool down - no warm up =/ )

Calories Burned: 489

Shoes: Asics Nimbus

By the time I hit my 4th mile, my legs were as heavy as lead. I was so tired I figured I might as well call it quits for the night. So, I started walking. But after 3 minutes of walking, I decided… NO! I will not quit! So, I started to run again. I figured, even if I didn’t finish in the time I wanted to, at least I ran the full 4 miles, right? So there ya go. A 13:20 mile in the end. The last training session, I would have been really happy with that time, but this time around I’m just so-so. It’s definitely far from my tempo pace goal. But it’s something I’ll just have to keep on working on =)

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One year ago today: Experimentation, Self-Control

Pooped

Posted on June 27th, 2008 by Sharoool at 1:17 pm

I took my boys out for another 2 miler this morning and this is what they looked like when they got home…

hahahahahaha =)

Totally and completely pooped =) Whether they like it or not, I’m taking them out for another long walk tonight! muhahaha!

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One year ago today: Experimentation, Self-Control

Week 4: Cross Training/Strength Training

Posted on June 27th, 2008 by Sharoool at 12:11 am

So, I finally did my first bout of cross and strength training. For cross, I walked two miles with the doggies. For strength, I did the following:

- Back extension (2 sets of 15)
- Modified Plank (2 at 30 secs each)
- Tricep Dips (2 sets of 12)
- Modified Pushups (2 sets of 12)
- Forward Lunges (2 sets of 15)
- Seated Knee Lifts (2 sets of 15)
- Skater Squats (2 sets of 15)
- Lateral Lunges (2 sets of 15)
- Close-Arm Wall Push-ups (2 sets of 15)
- Superman (2 sets of 15)

My quads, my glutes, and especially my arms feel like complete jelly! Hopefully I won’t be too sore tomorrow for my tempo. ::fingers crossed::

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One year ago today: Experimentation, Self-Control

A new addition!

Posted on June 26th, 2008 by Sharoool at 3:13 pm

Introducing a new addition to the L-V pack…

DOLCE! =)

She came into our lives as a stray. My neighbor saw her running around on the streets, and she managed to get her into her car. Little Maggie (that’s what Christine and I called her) had no collar, no tags, no microchip. She was incredibly scared and shy. Since then she’s opened up and seems pretty acclimated to her new environment and new family.

I’m so happpy that she’s a fit! =) Can’t wait to have a playdate with you guys and your new little one! Scruffy misses her like crazy already (=

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One year ago today: Frisky/Naughty Manx