April 19, 2019 Paris, France
Race Review: Paris Marathon 2019 + Breaking 4 Hours!
I wasn't sure what to expect this race. Less than two weeks before, I struggled to fall asleep several days in a row, clocking as little as 4 hours of shut-eye one night. During this period of sleep deprivation fog, I also went on a hiking trip. I was supposed to be tapering, not traipsing up and down mountains and making my legs sore.
I sometimes put a lot of pressure on myself to perform in races--I become so stressed about getting enough sleep and rest that I actually keep myself tossing and turning for hours. I'm constantly reminding myself that I run because I love it--and if I'm making myself miserable, it's time to step back.
Eventually, I found some peace the week before the race. I was going to have fun and do my best, whatever that was.
Here's how the race went down, and my thoughts on how the event was run:
Paris Marathon Expo:
I arrived at the expo mid-afternoon on Saturday, the day before the race. It was at Porte de Versailles, a convention center on the outskirts of the 15th arrondissement. Despite there being 60,000 registrants, it took only a couple minutes for me to get my bib. I'd say there were at least 12 bib pickup stands, each organized by estimated start time and number, which divided up the traffic efficiently.
From there on, I grabbed the free race backpack and got my required bracelet (to show that we were real participants on the day of the race, and hadn't copied a bib or something). The bracelet was one of those wristbands that don't loosen once on, so don't tighten it too much if you're reading this for future editions of the race.
There was no free t-shirt at the expo, as you would get a finisher's t-shirt at the end of the race. The event t-shirts being sold at the expo were really well-designed though, and I almost wish I had gotten one since the finisher's t-shirt was very garish (you'll see what I mean later).
There were a TON of running-related vendors, but not a whole lot of free food/samples (the real priority haha). I snagged a couple free cookie packs and a key chain, but that was really it. There was a food court, which is probably why there wasn't a lot of free food.
Note: since this is a French race, a physical/medical exam is required to participate. You can upload your medical certificate on the Time To portal beforehand (which I did), so you don't have to worry about bringing it to the expo.
Thanks Henry for the above two photos!
Start Line of the Paris Marathon:
The race starts on the Champs Elysées, the major street leading to the Arc de Triomphe. I set up a meeting spot with a friend who came from Boston to run the race--we picked Le Duplex, a night club (lol) on Avenue Victor Hugo near the Arc de Triomphe. It was right past the bag drop/finish line area, and it was a great meeting spot since the part of the bar above ground was this black shell--so very noticeable, and good shelter from the wind/cold.
The weather for the 2019 Paris Marathon was actually very chilly for mid-April. It was only in the mid-30s at the start, and warmed up to maybe the high 40s/low 50s by the end. I was not very excited about the cold, but it really was ideal racing weather--once warmed up, your body wouldn't need to expend energy trying to stay cool (though my arms were numb for the first 4 miles).
My friend Henry and I made our way to our 3:45 corral (while we were pretty sure we weren't going to run 3:45, the 4:00 corral started half an hour later at 9:30, which is pretty late). The corrals close 15-20 minutes before the start, so be sure to come early. They are very strict about these closures, and we saw hordes of late runners jump the fence to reach the 3:30 corral (some even took the fence apart!).
There are porta potties in the corrals, but the lines get massive as early as 30 minutes before the start. They also run out of toilet paper, as I was delighted to discover :( Get in line as early as possible, and maybe bring yourself some TP!
The atmosphere is pretty energizing though, with music blasting through the speakers, and lots of friendly runners around. The race also donates any clothes left at the start, so I wore some old leggings and a sweatshirt that I later let go of.
I look pained, but I promise I'm having a good time!
From the official website
Paris Marathon 2019 Course:
I'd heard that this race wasn't the easiest, so I was bracing myself for a tough course. I was pleasantly surprised though--here's why:
- The course is relatively flat; my Garmin recorded 528ft elevation gain and 489ft elevation loss. It's not the flattest course ever, but it's not really hilly either. There are some inclines, but they're not really noticeable until mile 15 on, where you have to run down and up a few road tunnels.
- There are both mile and kilometer markers (hooray for the Americans still stuck on the imperial system haha).
- You get to see many major Parisian sites: obviously Arc de Triomphe, but also Place de la Concorde, Palais Garnier, Place de la Bastille, and the Eiffel Tower, among others.
- The cobblestones are really not that bad. We're not talking the horribly uneven cobblestones in medieval villages; the ones along the course are flat, and I barely noticed them.
- There is a green line along most of the course that helps you avoid adding too much distance when turning. The closer you stick to it, the closer your total distance should be to 26.2.
- The course is all on the road; I mistakenly thought that the sections through the parks would be on dirt paths, but we stuck to the roads winding through them.
- Despite so many participants, there's usually enough room to run your pace.
I started off with the intention of running 9:30 miles, but ended up clocking some sub-9s. I didn't feel like I was overexerting myself, so I tried to keep a 9 minute pace or slightly quicker. Henry and I started together, but we split up within the first mile--he had run LA 3 weeks before and his goal was to enjoy the course.
I made it to the halfway point in 1:58:42, on track to run a sub 4-hour time (this was the goal in the back of my mind, but I wasn't sure that I could do it after the sleep deprivation, and I wasn't sure that I had done enough speed work). I was feeling relatively good, but I knew that the race wasn't over until it was over. For my first marathon, I ran the first half in 2 hours, but slowed down by 8 minutes in the second half. In my second marathon, I also had a positive split of 8 minutes.
I kept chugging along though, and didn't hit a wall until mile 21. Until that point, my pace had felt manageably challenging. The last 5 miles felt horrible. My calves and quads were on the verge of seizing up--I knew that if I pushed myself too hard, I'd end up with non-compliant legs. I could no longer keep the 9-minute pace, and really had to fight to keep moving.
You didn't run 21 miles on pace to lose your sub-4 marathon now. I repeated this to myself so that I wouldn't slow down too much. I'd wanted to run in under 4 hours since my first marathon, three years ago.
Nearing the finish line, I vaguely recall yelling. Probably some ugly "AHHHH" mixed with a massive grunt. It was one of those races that was satisfying because I know I couldn't have run faster; I know I gave it my all.
I crossed the finish line in 3:59:27 (9:08/mi or 5:40/km). It was a 9-minute PR, and my first PR in 3 years.
Paris Marathon Fuel Stations:
I was expecting a major feast at the finish line for such a big race. Unfortunately, there was really only water, fruit (apples, oranges, bananas, dried apricots), gingerbread (pain d'épices), pretzels, and Stimium recovery sticks (kind of like an energy gel). There were some street food vendors who took up the chance to reach a large, hungry client base though, and their prices were relatively cheap (I got a large order of fries for 3 euros).
Along the course, you could expect similar fare. There was always water, and usually some fruit; I didn't grab any solid food, so I couldn't tell you for sure. There were aid stations every 5km or so, but the first one wasn't until about 4 miles in. Like most races in France, there also weren't any energy gels or sports drinks at the fuel stops. I carried my CamelBak since the aid stations were infrequent and guzzled 1/3 of an IsoTone before the race (a drink like Gatorade). During the race, I consumed 1 Rocatane Gu (miles 1-5), 2 Honey Stingers (miles 10-13 and 17-21), 1 pack of Stimium chews (miles 8-10), and 2 salt tablets (mile 7 and mile 15).
Reflection/Summary:
I loved this race--not only because I PR'ed, but also for how scenic the course was, and how well-run the event was. There was also a decent amount of spectators on the course, though it varied. It seemed to be either a sea of people, or only a sprinkling.
Of course, some points of improvement would be:
- The medal design was pretty basic this year compared to past years, and the shirt was Halloween colors.
- Would love to see energy gel, or at least sports drinks at the aid stations. Food at the finish could also be more generous/filling.
Performance-wise, I think it was my trail training that helped me finally run a sub-4 on this course. When I hit the hillier section along the Seine, I told myself that the inclines could be much worse. I also think that racing and training for the Barcelona Half Marathon 2 months before helped me get in a decent base of speedwork, even if I didn't PR then. I had followed a similar pattern for the Lyon Half Marathon in October 2018 by training to race a 5k over the summer. The 5k didn't go super well, but the track workouts I did were a strong foundation for a 1:45 finish in Lyon (my first sub-1:55 in 3 years!).
Based on my half marathon PR (1:44:03), race calculators say I should be capable of running faster marathons (around 3:40, though race predictors have never been super accurate for me). Still, I'm very happy with how the Paris Marathon went. Marathon training can be pretty volatile for me, as I've burned out in both previous training cycles. I only tasted similar fatigue once during this cycle, about 3 weeks out, and I took it easy from there.
I'm looking forward to chasing more PRs and challenges, but I'm happy to get some rest and travel for now. If you're looking for an international spring marathon in 2020, registration is already open for Paris. Entry starts at 90 euros and goes up to around 130 by the fall. I'm already feeling nostalgic about this race, and can heartily recommend it.
If you ran Paris too, I'd love to hear about your experience. If you ran another race that you think I should consider, I'm all ears too!
Run happy,
Why to Pick the Forerunner 235:
- The Forerunner 235 latches onto GPS signal immediately, while I've had to wait several minutes with the Vivoactive 3, especially if I've changed geographical location (like one country/state to another). After that initial GPS signal search, the Vivoactive 3 still takes 10-30 seconds to find signal.
- This watch comes with a recovery advisor, which recommends the amount of rest time you should take after a run, based on your effort. It's also equipped with a race predictor, which gives you projected race times based on your runs. I've heard that both these aren't entirely accurate, but I've also not tested them firsthand.
- There's talk that the Forerunner 245 will soon be released, so prices should drop on the 235 soon.
Why to Pick the Vivoactive 3:
- This watch feels more "modern," probably due to the touchscreen and sleeker design (the Forerunner 235 feels very plastic-y and bulky). The Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music was released in 2018, while the Forerunner 235 is from 2015, so the Vivoactive 3 is newer technology for about the same price. The prices are currently $219 vs. $245, respectively, though the price gap was even smaller at time of purchase. You can use camelcamelcamel to track price changes and get alerts if the price drops to your desired amount.
- The Vivoactive 3 Music has a music storage function, so you can connect Bluetooth headphones and keep your tunes with you on the run (you can even access Spotify Premium now!). If you don't listen to music while running, there is the non-music Vivoactive 3 that is currently cheaper than both the Vivoactive 3 Music and the Forerunner 235. I actually have never tested the music function as I don't own Bluetooth headphones, and I prefer to be lost in my thoughts while running haha. I got the music version primarily for aesthetic reasons, to be completely honest (if I'm gonna spend $200+ on a watch, I better like how it looks!). The non-music Vivoactive 3 has a metal bezel that I'm not particularly fond of.
- The heart rate monitor of the Forerunner 235 juts out and sticks into your wrist, which is uncomfortable if you're wearing the watch for an extended period of time. The Vivoactive 3 HR sensor doesn't protrude, so it's much easier to wear.
- The Vivoactive 3 can track more activities; I was particularly interested in the swimming stats (pace per 100m, average number of strokes, etc). Note that in swimming mode, heart rate is disabled. Also, the swimming function is currently pretty inaccurate. Despite changing pool distance settings, I've gotten total distance numbers more than twice as long as I've actually swum! Hopefully this function improves with updates though.
The Bottom Line:
March 27, 2019
6 French YouTube Channels to Improve Your French
At the end of my Bordeaux study abroad program in 2016, I resolved not to lose all the progress I'd made in those four months. I had moved on to an anglophone country, however, so I had to go out of my way to keep practicing my French.
Looking back, I was a little overzealous in my efforts. I would watch daily French YouTube videos, push myself to think in French, look up English words for which I didn't know the French equivalent, and even talk to myself in French to improve my pronunciation. I was obsessed.
During this time though, I stumbled upon some entertaining YouTube channels that I'd recommend to those looking to improve their oral comprehension, or learn more French vocab and expressions. The channels I'll be sharing aren't necessarily language-focused; I think that having exposure to real colloquial French is just as valuable as academic learning.
So if you're looking for a good laugh while still working on your French, here are the YouTubers I'd recommend.
Looking back, I was a little overzealous in my efforts. I would watch daily French YouTube videos, push myself to think in French, look up English words for which I didn't know the French equivalent, and even talk to myself in French to improve my pronunciation. I was obsessed.
During this time though, I stumbled upon some entertaining YouTube channels that I'd recommend to those looking to improve their oral comprehension, or learn more French vocab and expressions. The channels I'll be sharing aren't necessarily language-focused; I think that having exposure to real colloquial French is just as valuable as academic learning.
So if you're looking for a good laugh while still working on your French, here are the YouTubers I'd recommend.
6 French YouTube Channels to Help You Learn French
1. What The Fuck France
These first two listings aren't actually French YouTubers, but the people behind the channels have spent enough time in France that they know the culture and language impressively well.
Paul Taylor, the man behind What The Fuck France, is actually English, but he's lived in France for years now and speaks with an impeccable accent. What The Fuck France is exactly what it sounds like--a channel dedicated to poking fun at French stereotypes and the French culture. The channel has almost 50 videos, ranging from topics like les boulangeries (bakeries) to French expressions. Paul Taylor's videos are mostly in English, but have built-in French subtitles, so you can still pick up some vocabulary.
I'm sharing one of my personal favorites below, on the French administration--it's notorious for being a huge headache to navigate, to the point that it's almost funny.
These first two listings aren't actually French YouTubers, but the people behind the channels have spent enough time in France that they know the culture and language impressively well.
Paul Taylor, the man behind What The Fuck France, is actually English, but he's lived in France for years now and speaks with an impeccable accent. What The Fuck France is exactly what it sounds like--a channel dedicated to poking fun at French stereotypes and the French culture. The channel has almost 50 videos, ranging from topics like les boulangeries (bakeries) to French expressions. Paul Taylor's videos are mostly in English, but have built-in French subtitles, so you can still pick up some vocabulary.
I'm sharing one of my personal favorites below, on the French administration--it's notorious for being a huge headache to navigate, to the point that it's almost funny.
2. Damon and Jo
Damon and Jo are two best friend travel bloggers originally from the US. They've both spent a significant amount of time in France and speak French fluently. On their channel, you can find travel/lifestyle/language videos in English, French, Portuguese, and sometimes other languages. They have great energy and their videos are always quite entertaining.
Damon and Jo are two best friend travel bloggers originally from the US. They've both spent a significant amount of time in France and speak French fluently. On their channel, you can find travel/lifestyle/language videos in English, French, Portuguese, and sometimes other languages. They have great energy and their videos are always quite entertaining.
3. Norman Fait des Vidéos
This channel was actually recommended to me by a French friend. Norman is a French YouTuber who vlogs about all kinds of topics, from cats to video games to toilets. The toilet video is my personal favorite--what I love about Norman's channel is that it's so relatable.
4. Shera Kerienski
Shera is another French YouTuber that covers a myriad of topics, though I think I could safely classify her as a lifestyle vlogger. She has a lot of energy and isn't afraid to be open about her personal life. Some of my favorite videos include "Comment faire fuire un mec relou" (How to Escape Annoying Men" and the video below, "Les pires façons de se faire larguer" (The Worst Ways to Get Broken Up With). Her channel is a particularly good place to learn French slang, as you might already notice from the titles of these two videos.
5. Le Rire Jaune
This channel is run by two Chinese brothers living in France (I'm actually not sure of their names, as they're not listed in their "about" sections). They're hilarious together and alone, whether they're talking about the French schooling system, travel, or Asian culture. I quite like their video on the Chinese language, which you can watch below.
6. Fabien Olicard
Fabien is what you'd call a "mentaliste" in French. I don't really think we use the word "mentalist" in English, but it's basically a performer who demonstrates exceptional mental or intuitive abilities (kind of like a mental magician?). Some of his videos are a little too specific for my interests, but I like the ones where he gives tips applicable to real life, like how to figure out when someone is lying, or how to persuade people to bend the rules for you (he got into Disneyland for free after forgetting his season pass!).
March 18, 2019 Boston, MA, USA
Hidden Boston Gem: The Boston Athenaeum
I was enamored with the Boston Athenaeum as soon as I stumbled across photos. For such a stunning library, I was surprised that it wasn't a common tourist attraction.
The Boston Athenaeum is an independent library that opened in 1849 at its current location, in the heart of the city. It houses a wide variety of texts, from modern photography collections to rare books and manuscripts. What first caught my eye, however, were photos of the iconic 5th floor reading room (first photo). I'd say that the layout and colors rival the historic libraries at the University of Oxford, especially that at Brasenose College. (Come to think of it, the two reading rooms are uncannily similar...)
If you're looking for something a little more offbeat to do in Boston, I highly recommend taking a tour of this hidden gem. Here are my tips for a smooth (and inexpensive!) visit.
The view from the 5th floor.
General information:
Address: 10 ½ Beacon St, Boston, MA 02108, USA
Nearest T stop: Park Street (red and green line) or State Street (blue and orange line)
Phone: (617) 227-0270
The private library is just a hop away from the iconic gold-domed Massachusetts State House, right next to the Boston Common. Membership starts at a hefty price of $220/year for patrons under 35, or $315/year for those over 35. Children under 18 are included, and it costs $25-30 extra to add a second adult in the household.
For non-members, the public visiting hours are 12-8pm on Tuesdays, and 10-4pm Wednesday through Saturday. Admission costs $10 for adults, and $8 for students.
The iconic 5th floor reading room
How to Visit The Boston Athenaeum for Free:
There are unfortunately some major caveats to general admission. For one, you are only allowed to visit the first floor, which pales in comparison to the stunning 5th floor reading room. Entry fees are also not cheap. I would not recommend paying full price, unless you also sign up for a tour that takes you through the entire library.
Tours cost $2 plus admission and are Tuesdays at 5:30pm, Thursdays at 3pm, and Saturdays at 11am. These fill up pretty quickly, so reserve your spot at least a couple weeks in advance (I would say even a month, to be safe). The tour lasts about an hour and is pretty informative and engaging.
If the $12 total price tag is a little to pricey for you, the Boston Athenaeum offers free admission every second Saturday of the month (this was true as of August 2018). This free entry will still only get you access to the first floor, but if you sign up for a $2 tour on a free day, you can see the entire library for $2. If you do go this free route, definitely call a month or so ahead to save your spot on the tour.
Overall Impressions:
Access is pretty restricted, and admission is pricey, but you get a pretty good deal if you can snag a $2 tour spot on a free day.
The 5th floor reading room remains my favorite spot in the library, and I wish that we could've actually walked through it on the tour. We were only allowed to ooh and aah at the entrance of the room so that we wouldn't disturb the members working there (it was disappointing, but I would also not want to be distracted by tourists if I was paying $220/year for a membership).
Once the tour is over, you can also hang around the first floor and browse their book selection. I particularly enjoyed a photography book on endangered species, if you can find it haha.
If you're looking for more unusual things to do in Boston, I also recommend the Mapparium, a stained-glass, 3-story globe from 1935 that you can walk inside. If you're a fan of escape rooms, I also loved Boda Borg in Malden.
Have any other suggestions for cool spots to visit in Boston? Let me know as I'd love to check them out (I consider Boston a second home at this point).
Happy exploring,
February 27, 2019
Wastetarianism: An Alternative to Veganism?
"Something died for those steaks!" Our friend swiped the three abandoned plates of tough meat and began working on them. He cut and chewed each piece resolutely.
He was normally vegetarian, but this was an exception: meat would've been wasted otherwise. I was impressed.
I first heard about "wastetarianism" about a year ago (coined by a mutual friend), but I'd encountered the philosophy well before, at this formal dinner in Oxford.
The premise is simple: you follow a plant-based diet, unless food is about to be thrown out. The term has yet to become common usage, but I'm hoping the concept will spread. Here's why I'm excited about wastetarianism:
What is wastetarianism? How is it different from other diets?
Wastetarianism is basically a subset of flexitarianism (yay, more crazy food terminology haha); flexitarians eat mostly a plant-based diet, but do occasionally consume animal products. The motivation is often to live a environmentally-conscious and healthy lifestyle, without being overly restrictive.
The philosophy behind wastetarianism focuses more on minimizing food waste. Flexitarians might eat meat just because they feel like it, but wastetarians will only eat animal products if they would've otherwise been thrown out.
That's not to say that wastetarians will only consume discarded food (that would be more freeganism). They follow a normal vegan/plant-based diet, which can involve cooking meals and going out to eat. The "waste" part comes in as they strive to prevent food from being needlessly tossed out.
Why should we care about wastetarianism?
Around one-third of the world's food is wasted (Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN), and a significant portion of that food waste occurs at the consumer level. In North America, consumers are the cause for 40% of food waste, while the other 31% happens at the commercial/industrial level, and the last 29% at pre-production (Institute of Food Technologists). Since nearly half of food waste is negligence on our part, we can actually do something about it (rather than pin total responsibility on corporations, grocery stores, etc).
The plant-based component of wastetarianism also has a positive environmental impact. The Guardian reports that limiting animal products is the most significant way we can reduce our footprint. If everyone were vegan, we could reduce farmland by 75%. This would not only lead to a decrease in land use, but also water consumption and greenhouse gases. Certain threatened species might also be able to reclaim their homes.
This doesn't necessarily mean that we should totally eliminate meat and dairy consumption as a society. Produce farming comes with its own baggage, as ploughing leads to increased carbon emissions from the soil. Pasture-fed animals can also be essential to maintaining a natural equilibrium in the food chain (Isabella Tree).
That being said, it's clear that reducing consumption of conventional meat helps counter inefficient and cruel food production, and limits our environmental impact. The plant-based diet of a wastetarian does just this, and their efforts to reduce food waste also ensure that no step of the complex food production process--raising livestock, ploughing fields, transporting goods--was for naught.
What being wastetarian looks like (examples):
- Taking home your own leftovers when eating out, and maybe even the leftovers of those you're eating with. Don't be shy in asking--most people don't care; I've taken home leftovers from work lunches. Bonus if you bring your own container to prevent plastic/paper waste :)
- Ordering less at a restaurant, especially if you know that the people you came with won't finish their food (which you can then snag for yourself).
- Eating parts of produce that normally get thrown out (i.e. broccoli stems--they're actually quite tender when cooked, cauliflower leaves--you can bake them, the deep green section of leeks--great for soups, etc.)
- Rinsing out your smoothie blender with water, and drinking the water + smoothie residue mix.
- Asking what happens to leftover food at events (and salvaging it if it would otherwise get tossed out).
- Reusing oil used for frying food to cook new dishes.
- Sometimes having food that isn't super fresh or particularly tasty (i.e. the tough steaks), but having the satisfaction that nothing got wasted.
Why I love wastetarianism:
While I don't consider myself a true wastetarian, I'm enthusiastic about the concept (I'm more of a flexitarian who's conscious about food waste--I'm not as zealous as some "real" wastetarians).
For one, I like how wastetarianism allows the flexibility to still consume animal products. A lot of people say that they couldn't go vegan because they love meat or dairy too much; since we're constantly surrounded by animal products, you're sure to encounter (good) meat or dairy that someone wants to discard, which you can then claim for yourself.
I also appreciate how wastetarianism isn't pretentious--on the contrary, it's humbling to eat what someone else wanted to throw out. While I love vegan food, the movement of veganism has an undeniable tinge of elitism, and there seems to be a certain pressure to eat specific trendy foods, or to have picture-perfect meals.
Finally, wastetarianism seems more environmentally-conscious than veganism or vegetarianism, and is more concerned about the value of food. By refusing to let that leftover chicken or those broccoli stems go to waste, you're recognizing the effort put into producing that food. Like my friend said: "Something died for those steaks!" Likewise: something died for that chicken; someone cultivated that broccoli; water, sunshine, and soil nourished that produce; someone transported those products; someone prepared that dish.
The other popular diets might seem complex or restrictive (whole 30, keto, raw veganism, etc.), but wastetarianism is definitely accessible and straightforward. You don't have to become a strict wastetarian--simply reducing animal products in your regular diet and adopting a friend's tough steak every now and then is progress. It pays just to be more purposeful about our food consumption. Maybe people will even find your wastetarian gestures amusing and think a little harder about the value of food.
Eat well and be well,
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