Das Wort des Tages: Hochwasser

German Word of the Day: Hochwasser

Hoch: High
Wasser: Water
High waters.

Hochwasser = flood, high waters, flood waters

So a few days ago, I wanted to go my usual run along the Rhine (German: Rhein).  The nice thing about living in Bonn is that I'm über-close to the Rhine River, which (1) makes for nice, long, and straight runs and (2) warmer weather because of the water. Well, there is a disadvantage - Hochwasser. Now, I have seen these signs before indicating Hochwasser, but the water wasn't that high. Unfortunately, the water WAS high that basically the entire running/cycling paths were in the Rhine. Mind you, this is a major thoroughfare for cyclists and walkers.

I had to run along a major street which actually suits my longer distances more. There are a few major intersections to cross (oh, an off and on ramp to a freeway) and two tram tracks, but nothing too bad. But I noticed that the others who also run in the morning along the same path along the Rhine were also running along this same street.

Here are some pics of the Hochwasser.

Yup, there goes the running the path!

I really like this ship that's usually docked. It's called the Moby Dick and kind of looks like a whale. But you know there are problems when (1) you need to walk UP the gangway to get onto a ship and (2) the ship looks like it's about to attack you on land.

So usually there's a paved sidewalk probably the width of this gravel walkway to the left that is basically inundated with water.

At least they have a nice sign.

Hmm ... I don't think I'll be sitting on that bench anytime soon. I might swim to it. ;)

26.2 = 42.195

While I've been meaning to actually post pictures and blog-worthy items for a while (i.e. 3-4 months), I think I might just start fresh and talk about things happening now, rather than try to remember what the heck happened months ago. On December 31st, I, Julian Jon Reyes, signed up for my first marathon! Why that date you make ask? Well, that was the last day for a special price for signing up. I think I saved like 3-4 EUR, which is like 2-4 days' worth of meals, right? Okay, more like chocolate, bread, cheese, salami, and like juice. But still.

I signed up for the Deutsche Post Marathon in Bonn on Sunday, April 22nd. The route takes the runner through most of downtown Bonn and down south to Bad Godesberg (where the HARIBO shop is located) and across the southern bridge (I forget what it's official name is - Kennedybrücke?) to the rightside of the Rhine and through Beuel and back through Bonn. The 1/2 Marathon is this length, while the full marathon is this route twice. To be honest, I am terrified at running this distance and for such a long time.

While I have been running for the past two years and have built a very good base for running with 9 (I think) half marathons under my built, the marathon is "a whole 'nother beast" from what others have told me. The half marathon is the perfect race/distance because you can still go "all out" at the beginning trying to get the fastest time, yet the distance is just right that you'll probably poop out near or at a distance after you've finished. The marathon is different. 26.2 miles or 42.195 km. Double the 1/2 marathon. You can't expect to keep up that kind of fast pace for 26.2 miles ... or more than 2 hours. That's crazy. Most people have to tell themselves to start slow and not go too fast at the very beginning. That will be the hardest part for me. I run at a constant pace for all my runs. I have an internal pace and it's hard to just stop that and start running slower! In addition to running with "feeling", I do not wear a watch while running. I pretty much am within 1-2 minutes of knowing how long I've ran if I know the distance and vice versa. If I know the distance, I can say how long I've been running. It'll be difficult to change this route of mine, but the 2nd week of marathon training is in full gear and we'll see how my second "official" long run goes - 9 miles.

The goal of my first marathon is around 3 hours and 20 minutes. I'm giving myself enough time in case I have to walk a little bit or something happens. That equals about a 7.6 min/mile pace. My fastest half marathon was about 1:29 ... which is a pace of just under 7 min/mile. I will just have to remind myself to start slow ... I'll have to check on how I'm feeling physically, emotionally, and mentally when I reach the half-way point!

But speaking of goals, I've gone further and made another goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon! Of course, for 2013 (which, if I did qualify, and if I was actually able to sign up - which is difficult b/c of the many people who want to race - many qualify and many aren't able to sign up), the time for my age group is 3:05. And the Bonn Marathon isn't a recognized race. So I've also decided to run in the Würzburg Marathon (i-Welt, or something like that), which is later in May and recognized by the Boston Athletic Association (BAA). There and then, I hope to qualify for the BM. Sigh. I think I'm setting goals that are too lofty for myself. But I feel like I've been stuck in a rut - running every day is great, but I need a new goal. Also, half marathons are great, but at what point can I move on to a longer distance? Or maybe I should shoot for faster paces?

Anywho, these are my feelings about running and a brief update. While I like thought of starting a new blog called "Running through Germany", which can be taken literally as well as traveling, etc, I think gallivanting engineer still suits. I like traveling and I like running. Gallivanting is like both ... except maybe more aimless?

I'll leave you with two pictures from the Oldenburg Half Marathon back in October. I really like the first one, which is quite awkward with two Germans behind me and their most amazing faces.

Last days in Marburg

The last six weeks in Marburg have been amazing. I'm going to miss all the fun trips from Studentendorf to Rudolphsplatz or Stadthalle on the number 7 bus! The language course was really awesome and definitely helped my German. I think the best thing to come out of the six weeks in Marburg were the friendships. I know that I'm going to be seeing these people again around Germany sometime and later on in life. In ten, twenty, or thirty years, we'll think back to Marburg and whatever else comes our way (there will be a post on Oktoberfest) and reminisce about the good ol' days.

 Mostly everyone from the Fulbright language course (2011-2012) with most of our teachers!

 Two of my favorite people in the world, Marianna and Kim, and I in front of the Elisabethkirche.

Picture with Raphael, our fearless leader for the language program who basically was a savior for our problems and everything, at my last BBQ at Jose's! Thanks for everything! Also, this was the night before our exams and the next morning we were going to leave at 4 am for train to Munich for Oktoberfest! We had a few *bottles* of wine ... i.e. look at Marianna's face.

These pictures aren't in order, but above is the group going to our favorite Auflauf place for Mary's birthday! Mary, me, Dave, Natalie, Mariko, Amie (and her head), Kirsten, and Tyler. Auch, the above is pretty much a must-take-photo when in the Aufzug (elevator) to the Oberstadt. We've become elevator mirror photo experts. Lol.

During our language course, we also had a cooking class with German recipes! Kim and I ended up doing this smoked trout-apple salad. It didn't look appetizing at first, but it turned out really well!

I also got to cook Spätzle! Exciting!

Heidelberg

A few of the Fulbrighters and I visited the very famous and romantic city of Heidelberg, which is located along the Neckar River and most famous for its old castle situated above the Neckar Valley.

The beautiful Heidelberg from the Schloss. Apparently it takes about 300+ steps to get up here, which we  tackled!

The ruins of the Heidelberg Schloss.

Along the side of the "Old Bridge" or Alte Brücke with the Heidelberg Schloss in the background.

The group at the Schloss. 

Canoeing on the Lahn River

Today was the Fulbright Language Course's canoe trip in the River Lahn. I was both scared and excited for the canoe trip. In German, canoeing is "Kanu fahren", which is more like "driving a canoe". After a week of thunderstorms and some not so sunny, summer-like weather, today totally made up for the crappy week. It was definitely in the upper 70s and maybe 80s. I didn't put any sunscreen on, since I really don't burn. I asked him to be my partner for the canoe-ing and she accepted! Lol. Little did we know, we both weren't experts at "Kanu fahren".

With two people the canoe, the back person is usually in charge of steering, while the person in front just keeps paddling. I steered the first 8 km and after lunch I was in the front. I think after running into so many branches along the river Lahn, we learned how to successfully navigate the river in the later half. The trip was awesome, however, two people ran into a branch with a hornets' nest. They had to go to the hospital, but they are okay now. After this incident, which occurred near the beginning of the trip down the Lahn, I was freaked out about running into trees/branches. But we made it! I think the main goal of the trip was not to tip over, which we did not!

We ended up turning ourselves the wrong way so many times, but we had so much fun! I'm glad to have gone canoeing, despite my inability to swim and encounters with the trees. It's all about the experience as a whole! Plus, I got a nice tan and amazing lunch. ;)

Here are some pictures of others canoeing!

Mariana and Tyson successfully paddling their way downstream!

Below is the group picture before the trip. Unfortunately, we didn't get a group shot after the 16 km trip down the river. I'm pretty sure we weren't as happy and also much darker.

However, we did manage to snag one of Kim, Mariana, and I after cleaning the canoe and just before we had to get onto the bus. You can see Kim's sweat stains from all her hard work at keeping us away from those branches and trees! Way to go!

running

It was bound to happen that I would post something about running, considering that I have been running over 40 miles per week for the past 2 or so weeks. This weekend is supposed to get up to 70 so I might take a break from strength training and (1) take advantage of awesome running despite what my feet may tell me (they haven't been hurting from 40 miles surprisingly) and (2) take advantage of some needed "natural tanning". Although I'm Asian, the the latter will help me looking EVEN MORE Asian. Just kidding. It'll at least revert me back to my natural colors and not this whatever color I am now due to the lack of sunshine in Pullman.

I've been thinking about running a marathon. I mean it only seems logical now that I've run 5 or 6 half-marathons.

Okay, I'll make sure and drink plenty of water ... maybe not as much water as the blubber guy above. Lol.

But from what I've heard, the marathon is whole 'nother beast. Here are a few differences I've come across from my readings online:

1. Distance. Obviously. Half is 13.1 miles, while full is 26.2 miles.

2. Mile time. This is an issue for me. 13.1 miles is perfect for keeping a 7 minute or 8 minute mile pace. I see people with those fancy Garmin watches and calculate their mile times, but my body internally knows how fast it is going and I just go. I don't think I would be able to sustain a 7 minute mile for 26.2 miles. While that is the Boston Marathon qualifying time, I don't think I'm quite ready for that. So I would need to train my body to run longer distances at longer paces ... which I don't know if I can do ... but that's why it's calling training, right?

3. Training. Nice transition. The training time is also quite longer for a marathon, from what I've seen. While most training plans only have one long run on the weekends and shorter runs during the week, I just like doing 8+ miles 4 times a week. So I would have to change that. BUT it's so difficult for me to NOT run more than 4 miles when I get out there.

4. Cost. Marathons are more expensive. I never understood this. It's like, oh, I'm paying more to RUN MORE on public sidewalks/paths? I mean from the races I've been in, we all the get same medal, tech shirt, and freebies at the end. Sure their medal/shirt may say "marathon" ... but really?

Despite these differences, there is one similarity: the feeling of great accomplishment.

One of the main reasons I run is that I feel good after running 8+ miles in the morning right after I wake up. It's a sense of accomplishment at the onset of the day, which helps fuel the rest of my workday. Otherwise, I don't think I could continue on without that run/workout. In addition to feeling great, you'll look great. In a society that is very visual, aesthetics is important. Not only that, running is YOUR time. Research, meetings, phone callings, etc can't bother you. Unless they can catch up! Ha! It's a time to just have your brain on auto-pilot not thinking about the

crazy world with background music (for me, usually Lady Gaga, hehe).

So if I become a marathon-runner, I'll probably look like the guy on the left in the photo below. Lol. OH BOY.

(http://www.crossfitoakland.com/archives/2009/06/marathon_runner.html)

I'm running the Seattle Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon on June 25th, so we'll see how that goes. I'm already thinking about running a few races in Germany, such as the Cologne Marathon. We'll have to play it by ear!

While I've read that runners can't just eat whatever they want, I think that's a lie. The good thing about running is I mostly eat whatever I want and after a marathon, I think I might want to gorge myself on chocolate-y goodness.

Summer Countdown!

So I've been working on a post for a while, but Blogger was down yesterday. I also just have way too many ideas that need festering in order to make a good post. Anyways, I thought of this blog in the interim. The items listed below are the number of days until SIGNIFICANT, IMPORTANT dates for me and maybe others:

6 days - When my iPad that I won from UREC for the Pac-10 Well-U challenge comes in! YEAH BABY!

10 days, May 23rd - Gaga's album comes out. Lol.

22 days, June 4th - This is my little brother's graduation. It'll be exciting, that's for sure! AND I'll be in the Seattle area.

43 days, June 26th - Seattle Rock and Roll Marathon - I'm running the half! Should be awesome weather!

58 days, July 10th - Leave for Boston, week-long conference in Maine, visit Alan the next weekend. This is also exciting.

63 days, July 15th - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part II - I am UBER-excited for this. Those little dressed up kids have nothing on HP. I mean, they probably weren't even born when HP first started. At least I grew up with it.

~79 days, August 1st - Tentative date for flying out of Seattle to Germany!!!!! What will I miss the most from my year long Fulbright experience? Probably peanut butter. But I will replenish that sugar intake with NUTELLA. REAL Nutella. None of that fake stuff.

Hmm, okay. Those are all the significant dates I could think of. Definitely a busy summer. It'll fly by real quick. I just need to remember to live in the moment. For example, soaking up as much sun RIGHT NOW and running as much as possible before the weather gets crappy again. Because you know it'll get all nasty on us. La Niña. Ugh.