Monday, February 25, 2008

Norwegian Naturalists

I get my nature-loving side from my Norwegian ancestry. They love the outdoors, enjoying it via hiking, boating, and skiing. In the midst of dwindling habitats around the world, the Norwegians have stepped up to the plate to be the ultimate botany conservationists. They have created an underground seed storage warehouse to house precious seeds from all over the world, including seeds of plants that are on the verge of extinction. While these efforts may be framed in the name of 'doomsday', 'nuclear war' or other gut-wrenching events, I know that the Norwegians are simply doing what they do best, conserving and valuing our natural environment so it can be enjoyed for years to come despite human encroachment.

Doomsday seed vault to open in Norway


Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Monday, February 11, 2008

update-Track Team

Sometimes the right opportunity arises, and all you have to do is recognize it..

My last post I mentioned I really want to coach youth track.
So, this weekend was warm and BEAUTIFUL, so Sunday morning I decided to take a walk through the Park, it just so happened that on my way to the park, I pass Kezar stadium, and see some sort of of track meet going on. It ends up being a youth meet. I watch for a bit, then decide to go home grab some lunch. After lunch I head back to watch the end of the meet, I ended up getting there a bit too late, but there were a bunch of people cleaning up, so I meander down by the officials tent, just sort of walk around. After introducing myself to a few people and expressing my interest in coaching, I meet with the director of a track team for youth in the tendorloin, who just so happen to practice at Kezar twice a week, who just so happen to need some shot put coaching experience for their athletes, as well as other things (they throw the turbo jav!). How EXCITING is that?!!?

So now I'm going to start helping out on Wednesdays and Saturdays. I am really amazed at how this opportunity fell into my lap, and I am so happy that I took a chance to try to talk to some people and express my interests. YAY!


Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Track team

I really want to start a track team for youth (6-18).
I have a track 2 blocks away from where I live.

How do I get the word out?

any advice or inspiration would be appreciated!!!

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Running Goals

Trying to avoid politics for the moment (my heart can't take it!), I'm going to focus this post on my new running goals.

I've been building up my mileage recently, I've ran 76 miles total in 2008. I've even gained some running buddies, which is making my increased mileage way easier to handle.

I've decided to shoot for 2 running goals for the first 6 months of the year. so basically I want to reach these goals by my 23rd birthday (oh my!).

Goal #1: sub-20 minute 5k
Goal #2: 5:30 mile

I ran a 22:11 5k at the 2006 Turkey Trot, and I've ran a 6:00 mile when I was 12, so I think these two goals are feasible-barring injury of course.

My training plan for these two goals are focused around two themes:
1. Mileage
2. Tempo runs
I'm really going to focus on increasing my mileage, up to 6-7 miles 3 days a week. I'm also going to really try to push myself in some faster paced 1-3 mile runs. I think this will give me both the endurance and speed required to hit my goals.

So exciting-will keep you posted!

Friday, February 1, 2008

Dissemination of new surgical techniques

Today was the first day of the Breast Oncology Program Retreat here at UCSF. I got some free food, listened to some cool presentations and also read a lot of posters. One thing really got me thinking.

One of the doctors had a poster on a relatively new type of surgery for breast cancer called a total-skin sparing mastectomy. After reviewing the poster, it was apparent that this results in wayyy better cosmetic outcomes, and if done properly, avoided any additional complications. Really, very cool. Then I asked her, how many other surgeons are doing this in the US? She said about 10. Now, it only started two years ago, and they needed to get data on the results, but it got me thinking. When will this new technique be disseminated across the country so that every breast surgeon in the country is not only aware of it, but technically mentored on how to do it? This thought made me sad, I wish that every woman in the country could have this option available to them, and this is just not the case.

I think that one of the reasons this problem is so compelling to me is that it reminds me of technical events in track and field. Take the high jump for example, until Fosbury came along, everyone was round-housing over the high jump bar, now with the Fosbury flop, we have men and women jumping a whole foot higher!! I wonder how this new technique was advanced and spread throughout the world? Another event that comes to mind is the javelin, do you throw with a bent knee or a straight knee? Do you torque or do you not torque? Does more speed always mean farther throws? I clearly was not the origin of any of these techniques, since I don't have the answers, but I am sure that someone out there does, and why don't I know about it??? Athletes and physicians are sometimes in the same boat. We want to lift up our sport (or specialty) to new levels, but we also have our individual desires to fulfil that cannot be sacrificed. Learning new techniques can be difficult and cumbersome. How can we help to aid the widespread distribution of technical advancements in the sport of track and field? In the specialty of surgery? Really intriguing, and an easy answer escapes me.

Fun news!

My Mom and Abs are visiting this weekend!

I'm going to Kauai in two weeks!