I started marathon training in January. I still have 22 states to finish and I had hoped to do them all last year. I’ve been following the Runners World advanced marathon training plan. It’s not that advanced if you’ve done any running before. It’s been a rough winter but somehow I’ve managed to get most of the runs in and I even had a beautiful run Friday night after it had snowed 16″.  I’ve even been able to stand running on the treadmill since I care so much about getting my mileage in.

Yesterday there was a 4 mile race in Prospect Park. I looked forward to finishing it because I thought I would be at under an 8 minute/mile pace by this point in my training, but I finished a disappointing 32:02, so right at 8 mins. My finish time was partially due to a slow first mile (9 mins+) because there were something like 5,000 runners on the course, but if only I had been a few seconds faster…

My first marathon in over a year is just a couple weeks away! At this point it’s actually difficult for me to find races that will fit with my schedule, since a lot of the states I need to do are in the fall. I still haven’t gotten my drivers license so I have to stick with urban marathons in general to make transportation easier. Hopefully all my training pays off and I have a quick marathon this month.

Dude, you can still call me.

I didn’t get into the NYC Marathon through the lottery this year but I HAD to do the race. I went to the marathon expo with Luis to see if I could find someone selling a number. I didn’t find anyone.

Luis was a celebrity at the expo. While standing in line people came up and shook his hand and yelled his name.

So I ran the marathon anyway. I had to watch out for the bandit chasers but I didn’t go all the way to the finish so I could avoid them.

Elvia, Me, Lisa at mile 14 drinking coffee and having warm blueberry muffins.

Since I wasn’t officially in the race I was actually able to enjoy it and not stress about time. I felt good enough to play tennis the next day. I applied for the lottery again, hopefully next year I’ll get in.

Since quitting my last job I worked on a movie.

I had one scene with max:

But was all made-up:

Most of the time on set was like this though:

I put off taking the LSAT’s until September because the USPTA certification was around the same time. (I’m a certified pro now- want a tennis lesson?) I decided to be prepared this time around and signed up for Kaplan’s LSAT Extreme and it starts tomorrow. Hopefully they’ll help me ace analytical reasoning. I’m dreading the first day because they do a full-length diagnostic test.

A cat on the subway platform:

In Progress:

Mormon Murders/Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith

Completed:
Bonk /Mary Roach
The Hunger /John DeLucie
Born to Run/ Christopher McDougall

Up next:

Ultimate High My Everest Odyssey/ Göran Kropp
Joseph Smith Rough Stone Rolling/ Richard Lyman Bushman

QUEENS, NY April 26, 2009- May 2, 2009.Performance artist Shishaldin will embark on a difficult 6 day journey as she competes in the Self-Transcendence 6 dayrace beginning April 26th. The race is held annually and is attended by approximately 40 runners and hundreds of spectators.Shishaldin will be running and walking for 6 consecutive days, all the while not using any spoken or written language to communicate. Shishaldin has completed the 6 day race twice with a personal best of 338 miles and knows how essentialcommunication is in this extreme environment.  Stating basic needs like pain, hunger, and requests for special assistance facilitate a successful race.  Chatting with other runners makes time go by more quickly, as well as releases emotional and psychological weight. “Bets are already being placed that I won’t be able to make more than 52 hours” Shishaldin said of her latest piece, “but I’m going to make it all 144. I will sing a song of truth with the music of my hamstrings.” The race is set-up with on site tents and food, Shishaldin’s only job will be to run in a one-mile loop repeatedly and achieve spiritual transcendence.For more information: shishaldin@hotmail.com

I start the 6 day on Sunday. Luis already started the 10 day.

I took ski lessons at Vail and day 1 I had Howard as an instructor. He told me I had to loosen up, that my upper body was stiff while I was skiing. To do that I should have a shot of Jack at lunch. Just one shot. I didn’t go for it. Howard like eating a big quantity of meat and various condiments and I had a hard time being at the table with him.

Howard, me, Scott visiting us, and the other girl in my class.

I prettied up my foot. If it’s not clear in the photo, the toenail on the big toe is mostly gone just skin is left. If you’d like to see it in person, just ask.

My feet looked better during the 6 and 10 day races…sheesh.