April 2, 2011

Despite being unable to train for this race as I should have, I decided to wing it.  All it takes is putting one foot in front of the other, right?  As it turns out, this principle can be pretty challenging.  I'm still learning what does and does not work for me during a race when it comes to hydration, salt, and mid-race eating.  Thus, by around mile 17 or 18, I was stumbling down the trail swearing I had just seen the Loch Ness Monster lurking about the forest.  I am so grateful for the wonderful people at the aid stations, who filled me up with PB&Js, M&Ms, Oreos, salt pills, ice cold water, and popsicles.  Thus, despite my exacerbated ankle sprain, IT band issues, and general ignorance about running a 50K, I finally finished the race after running for 10 and a half hours . . . dead last, which I was actually beyond excited to find out  about and which explains my toad trophy with "DFL" ("dead flipping last")!  Next up?  Capt'n Karl's 10K and 30K to train for the Wild Hare 50K.

April 1, 2011

As part of UT Law's Clerkship Placement Program, the school hosts a Clerkship Workshop to which we invite a number of federal district and circuit court judges to discuss applications, the interview process, the clerkship experience, and the benefits of clerkships.  Students are chosen to help with various parts of the program, from introducing the judges in their discussion sections to taking the judge around town.  I was chosen to chaperone the Honorable Judge Royce Lamberth of the District of Columbia Circuit.  With this responsibility came the opportunity to spend time with a handful of federal judges on a one-on-one basis for the morning.  I've always been fascinated by the federal judiciary, so it was a unique experience to be able to speak with these judges on such casual matters.  A once in a lifetime experience, in fact, unless one secures a coveted clerkship.