Raising an Olympian

"Do you want me to hide?"

Training to be Ultra Crazy

Since I managed to not die on this hilly 12K run last May: Lari Masuk Desa, I suddenly feel that I need to convince myself about my first half marathon.

But, I missed the registration for Bali Marathon (booooo to self!), and the closest thing I have in the country is... an Ultra Marathon of 25K in September!

"Suddenly" I found myself registered for the race and now panicking! What was I thinking? I cannot do 25K! And it is an ULTRA; the trek will be hilly and hard and it's basically a trail run!

Fortunately my two Marathon runner friends (like 10 half Marathons a year kinda people) convinced me that with proper training, my body will be able to do it. 

"It is your mind that needs convincing." she said.

Last weekend, I did a 10K run on Saturday at 7:10 pace. And on Sunday, I ran a 15K!! My pace was slower in 15K (7:20) but it was such a new found glory! I never thought that I could do that and now I know that I can, I cannot wait to run farther!

My training game is still long and far but now I feel that my mentality is at a much better stage.

Also, I am training with Nike Zoom Pegasus 32 and I recently learned that compression socks are helpful for me in running a longer distance. No more shin problems!


Any of you training with the same type of shoes or running gear? If not, please share with me what's your fave gears are and why.
 

Indonesian Female Police Recruits subjected to Virginity test

I am not kidding.
And I could not believe that I have missed this.

While am jotting this with shaky fingers, I am waiting for my friend who works in a major newspaper publication in Indonesia to get back to me with more details and if he can give me any kind of petition or forums to sound my opinion.

My beloved Tanah Air... people have gone to the moon and back, land on comets and recycling 99% of their trash (kudos, Sweden), yet here we are... objectifying women instead of supporting their dreams. 

This is not OK: Indonesia police recruits virginity test. 

Sign the petition here, I know... I know we cannot guarantee how fast is this going to be fixed, or if it ever will be. But, if we do not do anything then nothing will happen...
Petition to stop virginity exam.

Pinterest

New Beginning

I am 45 minutes early, thanks to my early-riser habit! 

So, I am taking advantage of the smooth WiFi, very tasty coffee and the breeze to post this one.

Today is my first day working at the place that reminds me of how I started with the industry, a part of me feels like coming home... as many of the people here are long time friends and people I have known for years. Another part is feeling giddy and nervous as well as ecstatic!

Am I getting closer to where I want to be? The answer is, yes. Baby steps, but a new trail is in the making. Not a marvelous or triumphant victory, but I have won by being so sure of what I am doing, and the move I have made.

May God's grace stay within me. While I am taking one mental note on this one:

"Unicorns are everywhere. Jut waiting to be released...."

ps: Psalm 90:17 , and a song to kick this off; Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end.

You are not flawless. And that's perfect.

I asked a few friends this question: What is the one flaw that you would not want to change about yourself?
Here are their brave and witty answers.

Y.A: My full of freckles face. I look like Pippi Longstocking but I do not care. It makes me special, people often stare at me but they will smile at the end realizing that these dots are just making my face looks super friendly. And I really am, a friendly person. I guess all people with freckles are.

E.R: I have a thin-close to transparent line in between behaving like a lady and acting like a douche because I curse all the f-ing time! But hey, it wakes other people up in a boring meeting! I mean what the f**k are people thinking keeping us for a two-hour meeting on Fridays?!

D.H: Well I have to be really careful with my weight. But now that I am breastfeeding my baby, the fact that I am a bit used to having that 'extra pounds', enables me to not stressing out as much and it effects my breast milk production and my baby's health.

Me?: My NOT a-button-nose. It represents where I am from, an inheritance from my ancestors from North Sumatra. Oh, us Bataks have strong jaws too!:))

How about you?

HHGG