Wish me luck in Paris!

After 200 days of training and 637 miles in 4 countries and 1 republic I hope that I am ready for the marathon scheduled in one week from today. It has been an exciting adventure in Sukhum but my time here is quickly coming to a close. Thank you to everyone who has sponsored me in support of MSF. Next Sunday when I run in the marathon I will set my intention for all of my patients who have struggled with and those who lost the battle against DR-TB. It is an awful and devastating disease. Hopefully, one day soon the diagnostics and drugs will improve and this disease will be eradicated once and for all.

Foodie Scooter Club anyone?

Just wondering if anyone but myself would be interested in starting a foodie scooter club in the city. . .You know, we would plan trips to interesting (high brow/ divey) restaurants to the 5 boroughs and then talk about the experience. Sounds like a dream to me. . .
Are there other people out there who share my love of good food as well as scooting around the city?

Happy St Patricks Day!!

Hope the parade in the city was a blast (not that I ever go mind you but still it is nice to observe that SPD was today).

Only 25 Days left before the Paris marathon! I truly hope that I am ready! This weekend I have my final and longest run yet, after that I begin the taper to the race. . . I think I can I think I can.
Merci beaucoup to all those people sponsored me in this effort! I will do my best to make it count!!!

Yerevan, Armenia

This is a picture, courtesy of Paul from admin, of Mt. Ararat (and lil' Ararat) in Yerevan, Armenia. Isn’t it beautiful? I went there for a 2-day conference at the end of February. This area of the world is really fascinating: culturally, geopolitically, & architecturally (in a sovietic aesthetic sorta way). I even managed to get in a run up the Cascades (500+ steps!!) of the brand new Cafesjian Center for the Arts. The best part was getting to see Ferdinando Botero statues on the lawn- I LOVE LOVE LOVE BOTERO!! But then later that afternoon, any benefit from running was negated when I bought and promtly inhaled an ungodly amount of dried fruits with nuts dipped in chocolate from the aproposly named candy store, Grand Candy.
For some reason former soviet countries like sword wielding amazon statues overlooking their major cities. Apparently, it symbolizes the protective mother, Armenia has theirs as does Georgia (however, Queen Tamara, in Tbilisi, has a glass of wine in her hand which, according to my Georgian companions is an obvious indicator that they are a more hospitable people than their neighgbors to the south east). I also picked up some famous Armenian cognac, which hands down is superior to the Georgian variety (sorry Tiniko and Dali but you have the market on wine in these parts)! The last night there, after dozens of presentations and debating issues ad nauseum we had a delightful dinner celebration at a traditional Armenian restaurant where the alcohol flowed freely, the BBQ was outstanding, and we all danced til the wee hours of the morning.
On the return trip we stopped at Lake Sevan, one of the largest high-altitude lakes in the world..Ah, the Caucasus!! What a fantastic place and incredible people.

Marathon Fundraising

How can you run 26.2 miles (42 kilometers) without some greater purpose you ask? I have been wondering the same. Naturally I have chosen to set up a fund raising account with MSF.

This probably won’t surprise anyone but just in case you are wondering why you should give your hard earned money to them rather than some other cause, I will tell you . . .

MSF is one of the top actors in addressing the global medical needs of the world, especially in emergency situations. When the earthquake hit Port au Prince on Jan 12, MSF sent an additional 70 volunteers within 48 hours to their existing project of 300 employees. Their ability to mobilize and respond quickly to situations is due to support of individuals who recognize and believe in what they are doing.

As a volunteer I can personally attest to the importance of the work that MSF is doing.

If you can, please donate to this cause! (Of course, it is tax deductible)

www.firstgiving.com/jenniferjennings1

Big thanks!

Holiday in Turkey

Aside from the rain, cold and occasional cat call my holiday in Istanbul was fabulous! Seriously, a lot of people expressed concern that I was traveling there alone but I had very few problems. Maybe it was because it was winter or the spirit of Ramadan, I don’t really know.
Aya Sofia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and the Basilica Cistern are impressive must-see places but more than anything I enjoyed the people, culture, and food.
There are tons of interesting restaurants and not only Turkish ones. A couple stand out. One was a place called Furreyya, near the Galata Tower where I had hamsi (Black Sea anchovies). And the other was on the Asian side in Kadikoy at a place called, Ciya, which has been called “Anatolian comfort food” by the NYT. The chef incorporates local produce in interesting and inventive ways: delish!
One night we saw this gypsy band, Selim Sessler at a casual wine bar, Badehane in Beyoglu, a bohemian albeit slightly gentrified neighborhood in Karikoy. Earlier in the day I found this great record store, Lale Plak. They were very helpful and made great recommendations! I picked up Selim Sessler and Ceza (rap). I also picked up a couple of David Byrne recommendations, Sezen Aksu (pop diva) & Baris Manco (Anatolian psychedelic funk). Music is a welcome return to my life since my ipod died 3 months ago.
Doing that and going to Kadikoy (Asian side) were highlights of my holiday. Actually it was all great: taking a ferry ride up the Bosphorus, getting completely lost in the Grand Bazaar and being harragued by the salesmen (yes, it was fun), agonizing over the perfect carpet, buying fruits, nuts, and lokum at the spice market, people watching while eating fish bread for 4 lira (about 3 USD) from the garishly decorated boats near the Galata Bridge, early morning jogs along the Sea of Marmara, waking up to the call to prayer (my hotel was next to a small mosque). I also went to Cagalogu Hamami in the Sultanhamet. It is one of the oldest and most beautiful hamams in the city. It’s rated as one of the 1000 things to see before you die: 1 down, 999 to go!
It was a really great experience.
There was one very nursey think I am proud to say that I did. I went to the Selimiye Barracks in Uskandur to the Florence Nightingale Museum. This is where she worked with British soldiers during the Crimean War (1853-1856). The Turkish military converted the barracks into a hospital for British soldiers. The building itself was beautiful: when it was originally built in 1800 by Sultan Selim III they didn’t excavate the land but would build into it, creating different levels at different points. The view from where she worked, at the top tower from the north end has an incredible view of the European and Asian sides of the city.
Because it was December there were few tourists. I would like to someday return when the weather is warm and go to Prince Islands. Such a great place to spend holiday!

The little engine that could

I can’t believe I’ve been in Abkhazia for nearly 4 months! This means that I have less than 3 months left in the field.
It also means I only have 99 days left to prepare for the Paris marathon!
Apparently, I should be wearing a heart rate monitor! The good news is I only need 12 weeks to train.
Our new field coordinator, a former runner who has trained people for marathons informed me of this. She ran the Paris marathon in less than 3½ hours!
If I do it in sub-four I will be more than satisfied. She said that when you’re training your resting heart rate will noticeably decrease. Hers went from 60 to around 47. Mine has been consistent at 60 even though I have been on a progressive running schedule for the past 3 months. This is how I know I am not training properly.

I have to remember the little engine that could: I think I can, I think I can!!!