Lunch Reviews and a Bad Run

Yesterday, Dave (dpl) and I were going to try locally famous burger place Casino el Camino, which doubles as a bar on 6th street. Turns out it is more of a bar than a burger place, because they don't even open until 4:00 in the afternoon. I say the best bars are open by 11:00 anyway, so C. el C. may not make the summer list of lunches. We scrambled to decide on another place, and did not want to get back in the car, so we walked to Moonshine, near the Convention Center. I would describe the food at Moonshine as "safe." They have to please downtowners and conventioneers, so the food lacks a sense of adventure. Already in the mood for a burger, I stuck with that, while Dave had a chicken sandwich of some sort. For the price, these should have been better than they were. The burger was dry and overcooked. When asked about the quality of his meal, Dave replied, "The steak fries were great." They were, but a ringing endorsement for the sandwich it is not. Dave looked smashing, by the way, in his crisp white shirt, suit pants and tie. So that Dave would outdress me by only several degrees, I found a shirt with a collar to go with my shorts. We both fit in at Moonshine.

Today I went to Astor's Ethiopian Restaurant, around 28th and I-35. I took a chance on the #1 (I couldn't pronounce it, and I can't spell it now), which was described as "spicy." Sort of a stewed meat with sauce that compares texturally with carne guisada. Flavorful mixes of vegetables come with it, served atop a flat piece of bread, that if you chose, you could pick it all up wrapped like a burrito. I accepted the offer of silverware. The first bite or two, the spices got my attention, but after that, with the help of the veggies, it was all just good complex flavors. I did not care at all for the bread, which was like a big, spongy, bland pancake. Emphasis on the spongy. At $6.50, it was a bargain, and the service was first-rate. All Ethiopians should eat so well. Worth a return visit.

The Austin Chronicle, in their critic's picks, recommended the Tuesday Turkey and Dressing lunch special at the Stallion Grill on Airport. I don't know why. The dressing was good, but the rest of the meal I had there last week was an epic battle between the forces of bland and salt. Other people's burgers looked pretty good, but there are burger places I haven't been to yet this summer. Time is getting short in the Summer of Jay 4.

Bad run yesterday. I set out to do 10 miles, and finished nine. Early on, I felt a twinge in my upper left leg, around the hip flexor. It came and went several times, and I could tell that I was adjusting my stride because of it. Any number of things might have led to this happening. I need new shoes. (Hurry up, Runtex, with my on order Mizunos.) I ran some hill repeats last week. I've had fewer days off since we returned from Arkansas. I have not been doing much stretching. Some combination of these, and other mystery factors, have led to what feels like a relatively minor injury. Now I have to follow the simple yet almost impossible, best advice, "Listen to your body." My body says, "Don't run today, and probably not for a few days." So far, I'm listening. It is better today. I went to the gym, did some upper body stuff with the weights, and stretched a lot.
This is particularly frustrating timing, because next week, I am set to start my 18 week training plan for San Antonio in November. I've been able to get my mileage up to a good level in recent months, and I've felt really healthy the whole time. Now this. I don't think it is a big deal, and I won't lose any fitness by taking a week off, but I would have preferred to start my official training plan in a better state of mind and body.

Peace,

js4