Summer running

Running counts as travel, right? Well, Cole and I decided to sign up for 2 running races this summer: Dam to Dam and Warrior Dash. Dam to Dam is 20K race (12.4 miles) in Des Moines on June 4th-- I've done it several times before, although not in the past couple years, so I'm excited to do it again! It's a pretty long race, but lots of fun and very rewarding when you finish. There is also tons of food and beer at the end of the race, plus the Des Moines Farmer's Market is right there too! Anyways, we have a 9-week running plan from Runner's World to prepare us for the almost half-marathon distance. More on that later! 


We also signed up for the Warrior Dash, a 3.28 mile race with some crazy obstacles along the way, such as jumping over fire, climbing a cargo net, scrambling through mud under barbed wire, and more. Check out the link above for more info on that race. That one takes place in Channahon, Illinois on June 19th. That's about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Iowa City. After Dam to Dam, hopefully Warrior Dash won't seem too bad!


In other exciting workout-related news, I have 2 pairs of new shoes for working out and running. I plan on continuing to do P90X in my Vibram FiveFingers Bikila LS shoes. The LS just means they have laces, as opposed to the regular Bikila which just have a velcro strap. I have narrow feet so they fit well. They are great for working out! It really feels like you are barefoot, but with a little extra support. I haven't run outside in them yet, but I'd like to start soon. 

My Vibram Bikila LS shoes

I also have a new pair of Nike Free Run shoes. These are great too-- not exactly like running barefoot, but very light as well! I ran in these the other day for the first time, and they were extremely comfortable. My ankles hurt a little afterwards, but I think the shoes are just working different muscles than I'm used to. 

My custom Nike Free shoes

Between the two races and continuing P90X, it looks like I have my work cut out for me this spring/summer!

Cole in Transit

Back home in Iowa City, Cole has been biking to school lately now that it has been (sort of) nice outside. I'm really proud of him-- he's doing his part to help the environment, and get some exercise and fresh air too. So, props to Cole! 

Ready to bike to school in the AM!

(it's still a little chilly outside)

...And the rest of the week

After a crazy and amazing first few days, it was time to start work. Yes, we went there mainly to do legal service work! The group was split up among 4 different work sites-- I worked with Sylwia and Luke at Health law Advocates of Louisiana. Sylwia and I really enjoyed working with Sara, the HLA director. We had many interesting conversations about health care reform, New Orleans, Katrina, and where to go for lunch. She definitely gave us some great restaurant recommendations! To name a few of our great lunches: Juan's Flying Burrito (best nachos I've ever had), Theo's Pizza, and Italian Pie. I reviewed all my New Orleans restaurant experiences on Yelp, so check those out.

One of the weekday nights, we took a stroll down to Frenchman Street to hit up the jazz bars. There was some great music playing, and the drinks were much cheaper than Bourbon Street! There was even a piano in the women's bathroom.

Alex playing the bathroom piano!

Besides excellent food, the main event of the week was St. Patty's Day on Thursday. Here are a few pictures to sum up the night.

Scott and I wearing St. Patty's underwear 

(we found these at the bar, no idea where they came from)

Liz, Whitney, Sylwia and I

NOLA roomies again-- Kelsey, Liz, Sylwia and I at the bar

Everyone was pretty tired on Friday, our last day, so we had our final group dinner at House of Blues and took it easy that night. The drive back Saturday was also uneventful-- lots of sleeping in the van. I was exhausted and ready to get back home, but also sad to leave so soon! I will definitely take another trip to New Orleans when I get the chance. 

Cajun Encounters

In a haze of hangovers, we managed to wake up the next morning for brunch at Muriel's near Jackson Square. The highlight: BLOODY MARYS with little green beens in them.

Alex has never been so pumped about a green bean. 

Super excited about the bean; Anel's disapproving look.  

Following our delicious brunch (see my yelp review about Muriel's), we headed to the Cajun Encounters swamp tour! Our guide was great and knew just about everything there is to know about swamp plants and wildlife. 

Pre-tour photo op: Whitney, me, Sylwia, Jessie and Alex riding a gator!

Gator coming at us!

He's just a baby gator

Up close and personal with Gary (the Gator)

Gary loves weenies (and marshmallows)

CHOMP!

Shrimpin' boat on the bayou

Quality real estate 

How the swamp people do laundry?

Cajun Playground

More swamp houses

Handicapped boat parking spot!

Actual house boat

Broke-ass house

All in all, a true Louisiana experience. 

First Night on Bourbon Street!

This is the first of a series of posts commemorating the amazing week that was our New Orleans Service Trip (SPRING BREAK 2K11!!!).

After a LONG drive down from Iowa City to New Orleans (16 hours in a van with 9 other awesome law students) we finally arrived at the Maison Dupuy hotel on Saturday night. With not a minute to lose, we got ready and headed out to Bourbon Street. Some of the more notable things: people drinking out in the street (no "open container" laws) and the SMELL. Oh my, the smell. We would later have the foul liquid that runs in the streets (a mixture of vomit, urine, alcohol, and other mysterious substances) described to us as the "party gravy." Ugh.

Anel and I starting the night off right with some LARGE (and expensive) beverages. 

Me and Alex

Alex and Jessie in the smoke-filled bar

Whitney, Sylwia and Anel

NOLA roomies! Me, Liz, Kelsey and Sylwia

Later in the night, we also made it to "the Beach," a bar featuring a mechanical WHALE (as opposed to a bull). Unfortunately, I was too busy dancing and fending away creepers to take any pictures. Props to the girls who rode the whale that night!

MAUI family vacation

This year, my family decided to spend Christmas in Maui, Hawaii! We went there last summer, and stayed at the same resort-- the Kaanapali Ali'i. I love this resort. This vacation was the perfect break after a stressful semester and four tough finals. Some of the highlights were whale watching and the Weston Luau (see pictures below). Other than that, we cooked a lot of meals as a family and spent some quality time by the pool and on the beach! Here is the photographic evidence:

Beautiful flowers at the Kaanapali Ali'i!

Maui sunset on our first day :)

On the beach 

Pool at the Ali'i

With Jules on the porch on Christmas!

Julie, Dad, Mom, me, Elaine and Sandra at the Maui Brewing Company

Julie and Mom at Gerard's Restaurant (AMAZING!)

WHALE! It came so close to the boat!

Family at the Weston Luau-- best luau ever!

Sunset at the luau

Me and Jules with the luau fire throwing man. His wife is from Marshalltown, Iowa!

Roadtrip part 5- Cole's House

Leanne belting it out

I stole Cole's favorite hat!

Cole's friends-- Chantz and Adam

At the concert

After our scenic drive through Teton and Yellowstone, we were off to our final destination on the epic roadtrip-- Sidney, Montana. Home of the legendary Cole Prevost.

This was my 2nd time in Sidney, since we roadtripped here around the same time last year. Cole's family is so sweet and so much fun to be around. Leigh (Cole's mom), his sisters Lexi and Ali, and his brother Beau were all there. Also, since it was the week of the Richland county fair and Beau's last week in Sidney before heading off to college, his aunt Nikki and her 3 kids (Cole's cousin's Tylee, Kade and Sayer) came to stay as well. I don't have any cousins (me and Jules have always been the only kids in the family) so it was fun to meet Cole's family and hang out with everyone!

I also finally got to meet Cole's friend Chantz-- after 2 years of hearing about him it was great to finally meet him! We hung out with him and his girlfriend Bridget a bunch of times, and also Cole's friends Matt and Adam who have their own place in Sidney now.

We went to the fair a few nights and hung out at the "beer garden" where everyone was drinking beer outside and 2-steppin' in the barn. Cole and Chantz taught me a little bit about 2-stepping but I don't think I was the greatest to say the least! It was lots of fun though.

The last night of the fair we also went to the Leanne Rhymes concert which was great! She sang some new songs and some oldies too (some that even I knew, haha). It was a really fun time!

After a really awesome week in Montana, we made the long trek back to Des Moines, and we finished the drive all in one day. What an epic roadtrip! Now its time for back to school...