Back in HM training....

And it has been an adventure.

I am in the middle of the Runner's World's "Run Less - Run Faster" program. I am running three days a  week. One day is a speed workout. One day is a tempo workout. The last day is the big long run. My body has really taken to the program very well, but wiped out after my tempo and long run days. Those days require a lot of careful planning afterwards. I learned last Sunday that rest is very important after when I went to the Chicago Auto Show afterwards (BIG mistake!!). I am in the 5th week out of the 16 week program.

I also have registered (*gasp*) for the Twin Cities Marathon in October.  My game plan this year to focus on just two big races and some little races in between. Thank GOD that I have a 4 week break between training programs.  I am going to seriously need it!!

School has an adventure. I have been learning a lot. I am looking forward to my first EVER Spring Break week off from school.  Yes, kids, in the years of undergrad and my first graduate degree, I did NOT have a Spring Break or a summer break or a break between semester period. I am surprised that I did not go coo-coo during the previous programs.

Anyways, I really need to seriously blog more. This will be a big help during the course of my training plan.

Laters!

Introducing Denise Nathan, M.A.

I know this is a little late, but I have GRADUATED!!

Is it okay to breathe yet?

I have been knee deep in Ph.D. applications since September. I am only applying to four schools so far, but the task is still overwhelming with the essays and orchestrating all of the school transcripts with the deadlines. I had to deal with a very intense term between late-August to mid-October to make things very interesting. Almost everything is finished. I won't feel better until I have all of the transcripts turned in.

In the meantime, I have been doing a lot of running as a way to cope with stress during this process. I have been able to increase my weekly mileage to 12 miles so far. I have decided to start half-marathon training next week for the Early Chicago Half-Marathon on April 1st.

I am excited about the prospect of training for a major race. The weather is getting colder, but I plan to bring my training inside on the treadmill. It will be another long winter, but I am ready for it.

Bring it on!

Physical Therapy, GRE, Psychopathology...OH MY!

I am sorry that I have not posted anything in a while since my 2nd knee surgery. Things have been semi-crazy here since the surgery. Here's a short synopsis of my life since the surgery:

• Physical Therapy - I am still going to Physical Therapy twice a week. It's a very, very slow process getting healed up from the surgery. I have had to learn a lot of patience and control my frustration during the process. I still have fluid in my knee as I come up to the end of my 2nd month since the surgery. I can confidently ride an recumbent bike without much pain, but looking forward to riding the real thing very soon. (And looking forward to the weather to warm up too.) It really restricts my ROM (Range of Motion) and interferes with some activities that I take for granted (and won't take for grant ever again.)
• Grad School Applications/GRE - I am in the process of studying for the GRE, which I have set for June 18, 2011. I have have cramming as much as vocabulary words as my brain can handle. I also have been continuing to look at the programs that I am interested in and slowly moving forward so I can start working on essays, transcripts, etc.
• I have taken up more and more knitting in order to deal with the lack of running and cycling in my life. I have finished a couple of projects so far and working on two more in the works.
• Current School - I am still on a straight "A' streak. I hope for it to continue in this challenging class that I am in right now.....so far so good. It really will help come the application time. I am enjoying myself and looking forward to the challenges that I wait for me for the rest of the program. I can't wait to add, "M.A." to the end of my name, but not as much as "Ph.D".

That's all I have for now. Until next time...

Still no running/Grad School search STARTS

Well, I have not had much to write about because.....I haven't.

I still have not been running again since my re-injury on Christmas Eve. I saw the orthopedic doc this afternoon who attempted to tape my tape to help my patella with little help. I have to go back to PT.....again for 4 more weeks to help with Patello-femoral Syndrome issues. I am also dealing with a possibility of having to make another trip to the OR...again...for another arthroscopic surgery to have a complete synovitectomy on my already surgically fixed knee (and previous had the same procedure done last time too!) due to acute (and possibly chronic) synovitis issues. I learned today that the synovial lining on my knee grows back within 6 to 8 weeks with hopes of it growing back the right way instead of pitching nerves, tendons, and ligaments. Well, it looks like this regenerated synovial lining is a reject so far. We will have to wait and see if it helps or not. I don't mind the rest part, but would like to be able to be up and active instead.

While I have not been active, I have spending my time researching schools to attend for a PhD program. Graduation is just over year and half away and getting closer by the day. I am excited at the prospect of moving out of Chicago and going somewhere else to complete the last piece of the pie.

Here are some of my selections (or suitors):

1. Florida State University

They have one of the first American Psychological Association (APA) sanctioned and approved programs for Sport and Exercise Psychology that I have seen so far. Plus I would have a lot of opportunities to work with athletes. But I did I mention the warm...er winters than in Chicago.

2. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Okay. I just went to the other extreme. But it's close to my kids and it's in an area where I familiar with.

3. University of North Carolina - Greensboro

Another great program that has been highly recommended after looking at other schools. The area would be great for Josh to get a job while I am in grad school. The weather and climate is also very nice as well.

4. University of West Virginia

I like this program, but not as much as Florida State. The plus side is that I would be admitted to the Doctoral program in Sport and Exercise Psychology and also admitted to the Master’s degree program in counseling. Thus, upon completion of the doctoral program, I would be awarded a 2nd Master’s degree in counseling and can sit for the licensure examination as a professional counselor.

5. University of Utah

I found this program is very eye-opening for me. The area is near one of the USOC training sites for the Winter Olympics. Plus the program is another highly regarded within the country. The weather would be similar to Chicago, but some issues with the smog which I didn't take well when I was in LA.

So many choices. I just have to get my butt moving to take the GRE and hope to get in one of these programs.

Meet MNFirefly: The Graduate School Student

Yes, you have read that right. In a few short weeks, I will be starting my adventure of starting graduate school. I was accepted into the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in the middle of July and will be working towards my Master of Arts in Psychology with an emphasis in Sports and Exercise Psychology.

I was bitter in December when things with the LSAT didn't go so well, but I ended up stepping aside and doing some soul searching of what I wanted to do next. I knew that I wanted to go forward with my education and take it to the next level.

In fact, it was Josh that helped me with the soul searching. He kept on commenting on that I only read magazines that had to do with health, exercise or running. With that little bit of hint and inspiration, I decided to look into getting sport psychology. I did a little research on programs, job field, etc and then started the application process in June when the Fall program opened up.

I expect to finish my program by the end of 2012. It's going to be a fun adventure.

What I learned about the GRE...

....and it's a lot! I took the practice exam yesterday after being a little nervous taking it. I learned a few things about myself.

1. My algebra skills went away with the do-do bird.
2. I need to pace myself better with the verbal skill portion of the exam.
3. I have a lot of work to do in order to get the minimum of 1000 combined score on the GRE. (Got a combined score of 720)

I am sorry for not posting the WI trip pictures yet. Hopefully I can get it done this weekend.

(UPDATE: MY orthodics ARE IN! YAYYYYYYY! I am almost free to buy new running shoes and get back to RUNNING!)

GRAD-U-A-TION gets CLOSER....

....as I just registered the LAST three undergrad core classes that I need to take. THIS IS SO DAMN FUCKING AWESOME! WHOOOHOOOOO! Plus I calculated my GPA for the 60 credits that they will examine as part of the Graduate School application. They need a MINIMUM of a 3.0 GPA to get in. My GPA - 3.64 How's THAT?! DAMN! Now I just need to find a way to make the GRE not so scary. HELP! I am not going to worry about it this weekend because it's PARTY TIME....or PARTY BUS. Talk about serious FUN! JESUS TAKE THE WHEEL (as Josh is driving!)