Marathon

So I decided to train for the Torino 2008 marathon this year to give myself some occasional distance from the library and my computer screen. It will also contribute to my determination to maintain a routine lifestyle here in Munich. So I've never run a race longer than a 10K (6.2 miles) and am a bit daunted by the half-marathon experience of my training partner. So far this week, since Sunday, I've run 20 miles with four more planned on Saturday and an eight-mile long run on Sunday. Although I've been able to run the prescribed mileage each day, I've felt sore and tired all week. I guess this is the usual shock reaction your body makes when you transition from laziness into a fitness routine. Although since my knee injury I've done a good amount of running, and clocked in a personal record at the Cincinnati Redlegs 5K in 2006, I haven't maintained a schedule like this since I was an undergrad. For cold and rainy days like last Sunday when I did a seven-mile run, I would have remained indoors. Now I have to weather all kinds of conditions and wash my winter running clothes twice a week.

What has made me enthusiastic about this training is a recent purchase, the Nike iPod. The receiver plugs into the bottom of your iPod nano and a sensor is either installed in one of Nike's special running shoes, or attached to the shoe laces of a different brand. Nike has never made a shoe comfortable for my flat feet, and since I'm getting ready to change from Brooks to Mizuno running shoes in a month or so, I'm glad there is a flexible option. The great thing about the Nike iPod is that it tracks your time, speed, etc. as well as save your previous running data, which you can upload online and share/track with friends. If you clock in a personal record, the voice of Lance Armstrong appears: "This is Lance Armstrong; congratulations you just set a personal record for the mile!" As you run, you iPod shuffles or goes through playlists as normal. You can even select a power song before you start running that you can activate immediately any time you need a boost--just imagine switching on the Rocky song everytime you get slow halfway up a hill. I also got one of those iPod arm bands you always see the celebrities wearing in gossip magazines. I feel like a hardcore runner now.

Wake-up call Munich

I'm now in my second week of research at the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek in Munich. I haven't really been very productive, since Oktoberfest has been going on. One particular weekend morning I woke up with intentions to work at my desk in the apartment while the weekday hustle and bustle was over. To my surprise, a parade began right outside my window. This consisted of several Bavarian marching bands, Alpine hornists, and singing choruses. Oktoberfest had begun, right at my weekend study spot.