Still Running and Still Learning 

In two weeks, I will race in my third half-marathon.  Traveling through downtown Baltimore, the course loops around Lake Montebello, passing by John Hopkins University and ending at Camden Yards.  I can’t think of a better way to become familiar with a new city.

I decided to register for this after running my second race.  Clearly I’m a little into this whole running thing.  There are the obvious pros; it keeps me in shape, it keeps me active, and it gets me outside when I’ve been stuck at my desk reading scientific words all day.  I hesitated in the decision to do this, because it’s in October.  Sitting in front of my computer in July, I had no idea what my life would be like in three months. All I knew was that I’d probably have homework, I’d probably be working 9-5 type days, and I’d probably be stressed out. I had no idea if I’d have time, or energy, to train for another one. 

When I clicked  “Register,” I decided I would make time. Just for me. And that’s exactly what I’ve done.

Whether it’s this year as an intern, or next year as a full-time employee (um, *fingers crossed*), I need to know that somewhere in the craziness there is time to do what I enjoy. I need to know that I won’t always let a stressful work day lead into a long and grumpy night.  I need to know that I can have a crazy work day, and come home to something that lets me vent.   And at the end of any day, I need to know that I can make time for things I want to do. 

So, I’ve been training.

There have been some unexpected challenges, but overall it’s been interesting. If anything, I’ve learned a lot about the area I live in. I’ve found the neighborhoods, and I’ve also found the roads that don’t even have bike lanes. Not good.  I’ve used online mapping tools (www.mapmyrun.com is genius), and drove around trying to get a feel for what’s safe, where the hills are, where I’ll definitely get run over, and where I’ll be in the company of other runners and walkers. 

It’s been a lot like the beginning of this internship. Through the different rotations, I’m getting a feel for things. I’m realizing where I feel safe and knowledgeable, and also where I feel like I’m constantly climbing uphill. I’m discovering what challenges me.   I’m figuring out the roads that will lead to certain careers, and the ones that would lead me to a dead-end. 

And through it all I’ll continue to learn what I’m capable of, and what works for me.

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Just keeping things interesting 

Routine has set in: every Monday is a class day, and Tuesday through Friday are days spent at our current rotation.  I’m getting used to the area, and I’ve got my days in order.

I come home, work out when I’m not completely exhausted, make dinner, and do homework. Every night. That’s it.

By no means is this a boring schedule. On the contrary, it’s always changing. Our hours depend on where we’re working, and the longest we’re at any site is eight weeks.  Then come the weekends, and I’m kind of lost. The area I’m living in is almost scarily close to Baltimore, and D.C. Not far from where I went to school, or some of my best friends, or five other states.  Assuming I’m up for braving the traffic, there is certainly no shortage of places to explore.

After a week of learning, reading, studying, homeworking, and actually working…..it’s too easy to lounge around alllll day on Saturdays and Sundays, and relax.  This is exactly what I’ve done, most weekend days. And then I get ambitious and realize I need to keep things interesting. I need to take advantage of this craziness. I need to explore!

So that’s exactly what I’m doing. If for no other reason, it’s just to keep things interesting. The roommate and I have already made two day trips, venturing to D.C. and Annapolis. 

D.C. was certainly a learning experience, learning: to use the Metro, that you have to get there early or all of the museums have lines, that you will pay at least $3 for a bottle of water, how to read a map so you don’t end up walking all the way around Capitol Hill just to get to the Air & Space Museum (that’s a loooong detour), and that it’s nice and easy (and pretty cheap!) to get there and back.  Yesss. Good exploring skills.

Annapolis was beautiful.  Always is. I’ve been there a couple of times before, so I knew how to navigate. This is a necessary skill in these old American towns. Gah.  Certainly makes you appreciate wide highways and four-way stops.  Annapolis has narrow roads, lots of parallel parking (um, not my strong point), and roundabouts. When the GPS system says to take the fourth exit of a roundabout that means you are driving in circles and thinking “Um, which one is the “first” exit???” Clearly GPS was created long after the streets of Annapolis.

Aside from that, it’s hard to find anything not to like about this coastal town. Water, yachts, tons of shopping (which I’m avoiding, right?), book stores, the Naval Academy, lots of restaurants, and a plethora of places to get ice cream. Yummm.  And it’s all found by walking the streets downtown. Wonderful.

Our little day trips are time to unwind.  To realize that while this year is going to be (well, already is) stressful, it’s also a year to experience and enjoy this area.  It’s almost too easy to get lost and frustrated and possibly end up in New York City thinking, “Um, oops.”. But that’s how you learn. And that’s definitely one way to keep things interesting.

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