Workaholic

I have entered the most hellish month of my entire work year. Despite the fact that I might look like I’m keeping it all together, I’m a total mess. Maybe I look like a mess, too. My work/life balance is no more.

Well, I think most of you know I plan high-profile recruitment events for the university. And tis the season for recruitment. On Sunday, I hosted my third and final overnight visit program for admitted students. I had 46 students and over 60 parent/guest attendees. I think the event went well, and now I can finally stop worrying about 17 year-olds staying overnight in the dorms. At least until next year.

I’m now planning an event for 100 8th graders on Monday, which includes a press conference with the Governor and several University big wigs. Just this morning, the Governor’s press secretary called to let me know that we will need to start the event 15 minutes early to accommodate a last minute change in the Governor’s schedule. This makes me want to scream. Did I mention I was given two weeks to plan this event? And called during my vacation in Vegas to do so?

Also next week, is an event for which I plan all year. It’s our 16th annual Counselors Observing Wisconsin Schools (COWS) bus tour in which we partner with 4 other Wisconsin schools and colleges to host ~45 high school counselors from all over the country for a week-long bus tour. The counselors fly into Wisconsin on Tuesday, and will be at UW–Madison on April 16-17. I’ve planned their time on our campus to include a campus tour, an admission information session, an academic site visit to the Genetics/Biotechnology Center, an evening social at the Memorial Union terrace, and a formal dinner at the School of Business with our admission counselors and current students.

Also on my plate for April, are two Admitted Student Visit Days (this Friday and next), which is a full day on-campus for admitted students. And then finally, our High School Counselor Breakfast Series, which is a series of 7 events throughout April in the cities of Eau Claire, Janesville, Madison, Marinette, Marshfield, Richland Center, and Waukesha. All high school counselors, principals, superintendents, and state legislators in the state have been invited. Essentially, they are PR events for our office in which we talk about transfer options and other pathways to UW. My role is to plan the events and coordinate all event logistics including budget, staff travel, invites, presentation, registration, venues, catering, etc.

And so my life feels extraordinarily overwhelming, and I’m just trying to do as my mom always says, take things one day at a time. The following e-mail from a father who attended the overnight visit program this past weekend makes me smile. And although I've learned this type of praise comes few and far between in the life of an event planner, you have to relish it while you can.

Kristin:

Thank you for inviting us to the Wisconsin REAL program. It was a great way for me to get introduced to the University and it provided a real student experience for Anne.We came away from the session with enthusiasm for the University. Your entire staff and volunteers were great. The impression we got was that Wisconsin staff and students were caring and had a strong sense of a university community. . You're to be complimented by the Director of Admissions. I'm sure that you've improved your commitment rate among admitted student by a meaningful amount due to the warm welcome and introduction provided by Wisconsin REAL. Thank you.

Best regards,
Bruce

Vinylux

A few weeks ago, I purchased this "vinyl bowl" at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA) Museum Store.

It's made by a company called Vinylux, whose mission is "active participation in the green revolution." According to its Web site:

While literally billions of LPs still exist in the world, most will soon become garbage. Vinylux harvests obsolete piles of records and gives new life to this neglected, but not forgotten, material. Over the past 5 years, we have recycled about 400,000 records - about 120,000 pounds of vinyl and cardboard. Leftover vinyl from coaster production is collected by a plastics recycler and re-processed. Our non-usable album covers are recycled into chipboard. Vinylux is committed to using post-consumer materials whenever possible, as well as non-toxic printing inks and minimal packaging.

While I totally disagree that "most LP's will soon become garbage," because there is, in fact, a rather devout crowd that still listens to vinyl, including myself, I do like many of their products, which range from coasters, to clocks, to picture frames, to snack trays, to ornaments. You just won't be seeing any of my records being turned into art and trinkets anytime soon! But at least I can admire someone else's neglected Frank Sinatra LP turned Kristin's living room art decor.

Taper Time

With my last long run (a 20-miler on Sunday) finally under my belt, I’m officially in taper mode for the Boston Marathon, which is quickly approaching on Monday, April 21. A “taper” is essentially a training phase in which you reduce weekly and long run mileage during the final few weeks leading up to a marathon to recover from previous workouts and rest up for peak race performance.

Despite the fact that I’m officially “tapering”, it’s still a tough training week. Yesterday morning, I had my second-to-last interval session, which was a set of 8 x 800 meters. I’ve found that interval sessions are even more mentally challenging than heading out for a 3-hour long run. But the benefits of interval training are undeniable. Bottom line—If you want to speed up your marathon time, you have to put in the speed work.

I am a firm believer in Yasso’s 10 x 800’s theory. Definitely the best marathon specific workout out there. I have no idea who Yasso is, but essentially you incorporate 800 meter intervals into your weekly training plan, eventually building to a final set of 10 x 800’s, two weeks before your race. Your target time for each interval in minutes and seconds should be the same as your target time for the marathon in hours and minutes. So if you hope to run a 3:20 marathon, then run each 800 repeat in 3 minutes, 20 seconds. If you can do 10 x 800's at that pace, then you're in good shape to reach your marathon goal on race day. And, holding all other things constant (most notably weather and health), I swear it works.

And that’s probably where I’d stop listening to me for marathon training advice. I've found that despite having completed 8 marathons, I'm still an idiot when it comes to training. I am the girl who ate two pop tarts before my long run on Sunday, did not bring any water along, and decided that it would be a good idea to “break-in” a new pair of running shoes that I had just bought that morning. Seriously. I don’t think marathon runners, or anyone over the age of 10 for that matter, eats pop tarts. And during the run, I found myself salivating over the water bottles that any passing runners were carrying along. I almost started eating snow, but couldn't quite bring myself to do it. It was so dirty. And the new shoes? Many blisters later, my feet finally seem to be recovering. Well, at least it can't get much worse on race day, can it?

And...More Food Porn

This just in from Seif. And just when you thought it couldn't get any better. This just might be the best food/recipe site ever. Check it out. TasteSpotting. Feed your addiction.

Derby Countdown

In just five weeks time, for the first time since my virgin appearance in 2005, I'll be heading to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby. Amazingly, but certainly not without a hefty price tag, my friends and I have secured box seats (row 117, finish line) for the Kentucky Oaks (a grade 1 stakes race for 3-year-old thoroughbred fillies held the Friday before the Kentucky Derby.) I'll be heading to Louisville this time with a slightly bigger entourage, but still the same great friends from my days in Ann Arbor as a graduate student at UM.

On Saturday, we'll join the masses for the more economical infield seats, which are sure to offer plenty viewing opportunities for alcohol-induced craziness. And yes, of course, horse racing. Particularly, the Kentucky Derby, which is known as "the most exciting two minutes in sports." It's a Grade 1 stakes race for 3-year-old throughbred horses.

And that, my friends, brings me to the most important part of the Derby. Hat selection. Above, you will see my hat selection for the Kentucky Oaks. The somewhat less important derby hat is yet to be selected.

In addition to hat selection, I am also brushing up on my betting terminology. There's the trifecta, exacta, quinella, and more costly/complicated superfecta, etc. So many types and forms to keep straight! Hat selection is so much more my thing. Ahh...I can't wait for derby day. Let the festivities and racing begin!

Jeopardy! College Championship Comes to UW

Tickets scored. On the evening of Friday, April 11, I'll be in the audience for the taping of the "Jeopardy!" 2008 College Championship at UW-Madison's Kohl Center (http://www.jeopardy.wisc.edu/).

Vacation Highlights

-Running from Nevada to Arizona with my dad (Boulder Junction to the Hoover Dam).

-Watching my mom, who recently taught herself how to swim, skillfully swim laps at the pool with confidence and ease.

-Finding a beautiful hat for my upcoming trip to the Kentucky Derby.

-Enjoying many meals out—including delicious pizza at Grimaldi’s Pizza, a small chain based out of Brooklyn, and a mouth-watering burger and freshly-cut fries from In-N-Out Burger.

-Completing a 19-mile Boston training run and having my dad by my side for most of the way.

-Enjoying Henderson, Nevada (where my parents live), which, although only 10-miles from the strip, seems worlds away.

-Chatting over daily coffee at the District with my mom.

-Enjoying the sun, laying by the pool, and feeling consistently warm outside.

-Bouldering at Calico Basin, Red Rock Canyon, and proudly realizing that my mom is in the best shape of her life!

-Hitting 4 deuces on video poker and leaving Vegas $60 richer!