Life After Grad School

- George Washington encouraged his soldiers to bathe in the Charles River.

- Like many of their human counterparts (albeit for other reasons), bears who live in the suburbs are gaining weight.

- According to a recent poll 59% of Americans were in favor of increasing the gas tax if the result was less gasoline consumption and less global warming, yet politicians continue to treat this topics like the third rail of politics.

- It is now legal to take home unfinished wine bottles from restaurants in MA. One of my first CA memories included overhearing a person asking to have his bottle of whiskey “doggie-bagged” at a restaurant. Drunk dogs, anybody?

I did this workout the other day when I felt I needed to work on my technique and really liked it:

Warm up (1000 yards)
400 swim, 300 kick, 200 pull, 100 IM

Drill Set (1500 yards)
Drills are by 25 unless otherwise noted.
5 x 100, right arm, left arm, catch-up, swim
4 x 100, scull on stomach, scull on right side, scull on left side, swim
3 x 100, both fists, left fist, right fist, swim
2 x 100, 6 kick, switch sides; 3-kick, switch sides; double-stroke on each side (2 left, 2 right); swim
1 x 100, 4 strokes back, 3 strokes free, alternate for 75, 25 swim

Speed and turns (500 yards)
2 x 50 build, finish fast
2 x 50 fast through turn, then cruise
6 x 25 cruise to middle of pool, stop & balance till no longer moving, sprint to end (wicked fast, as coach Bill says)
3 x 50 freestyle from middle of the pool, work turns (fast turns, no breathing within flags)

Cruise and warm-down (500 yeards)
200 pull cruise
200 kick cruise
100 warm-down

3,500 yards

The first and fourth drill set work on balance, the second and third on feel for the water. The last one is a reminder to rotate around one’s axis while leaving the head stationary. More drills including videos can be found at the Go Swim website.

When I got this usual Monday morning question at work today I had to think for a second. What did I do this weekend? Oh yes, it came back quickly: I ate. A lot. If you know me this probably does not strike you as unusual (picture a girls college swim team raid an all-you-can-eat restaurant - yeah, I was part of that back in the days).

Dining out all weekend long and finding excellent food along the way on the other hand is not that common of an occurrence. The weekend started Friday night at Artu in the North End with lobster ravioli and other good Italian dishes (although no self-respecting upscale Italian restaurant should offer butter with bread instead of olive oil and the name always makes me think of my favorite Star Wars character). Despite mediocre service we enjoyed the meal and a good time was had by all. Saturday the seafood theme continued at Fugakyu in Brookline. Best Sushi I’ve had on this coast - the fish was so fresh and buttery it melted in my mouth. Eating at Fugakyu reminded me that raw fish is my favorite source of protein.

Sunday morning swim practice was followed by the usual visit to Sunny’s Diner. Sunny’s special is the best breakfast deal in town (Cambridge that is) and we loooove the folks behind the counter! Just a few hours later I had dinner at the Navy Yard Bistro, a hidden gem in Charlestown. The steamed mussels were to die for and how can one not be impressed with salmon prepared like this: Grilled Sake, Ginger & Soy Marinated Salmon Filet, Steamed Jasmine Rice, Seaweed & Cucumber Salad, Wasabi Crème Fraiche, Soy Syrup. The food was amazing, in presentation and taste, down to the almond creme brulee, and the service was excellent.

Of course, any culinary experience is enhanced by good company and I certainly wasn’t lacking in that department. Thank you all!

All that eating left little time for other activities, except for a yoga session, a couple of swim workouts to justify the food indulgence and for watching “The Taking of Pelham 123″ to satisfy my inner transit geek. It was a good weekend indeed!