There’s this place near my work called Soma By Nature. It makes amazing Korean food, and I discovered this gem after ending up employed in the area, in November and disillusioned by the dearth of good places to eat.
After eating here consistently through last winter, Jenny, Dave and I started calling it the “crack lunch” place.
Bi Bim Bap aka "Crack Lunch"
We started calling it “crack lunch” because we came to the unanimous decision that they had to be putting crack or something in the food; we all craved it the day after eating it. The urge to eat at this wonderful place was so strong that I went there three times in one week. I’m not even kidding.
But this is a huge bowl of food. Underneath the tofu in the sauce, you have five different veggies, brown rice, seaweed and an egg, if you so desire. Today, I did not desire, but I asked for extra broccoli and an entirely new packet of pickled seaweed.
I ate it all.
People, normally, I consume half this for lunch, saving the other half for the next day or dinner. This was gone. And I was still ready for dinner that night.
To say that running more makes you hungry is an understatement. To say that people notice is also an understatement. I’ve had several well-wishers ask if I gained weight during training. Now I’m thoroughly self-conscious. “Really?” I think. “You had to go there?” It’s funny how this is suddenly not rude if the individual asking the question knows you’re in training. Were I just going about my business, this would be a highly, socially unacceptable thing to inquire.
What I’d love to say is: No, I haven’t. Maybe a pound or two, but that’s muscle. However, after two months of running 30+ miles a week, and a 22-miler coming tomorrow, I feel enormous and in a bit of pain. Plus, I’ve been eating like a beast, so kindly refrain from giving me a complex. And really, is it any of your business?
What I actually say is:Heh, not really. I’m running a lot and they say it’s bad if you lose weight, so…*shrugs*
What I think is:I’m going to run 26 miles. I’m fitter than I’ve ever been in my life. OMG I’M STARVING AND IF YOU DON’T MOVE I MIGHT EAT YOU. Also: why don’t you ask how much all this food is costing me instead? Also: who really gives a shit. I’m tired.
So there you go. Don’t ask a hungry marathon-training lady a) if she has gained weight, b) how much she eats and c) how much all this food is costing her. Just offer up your seat on the subway for her if she is wearing full running regalia and maybe smells a little.
Damn, I would like some crack lunch. I feel like I always go for Vietnamese, Thai or Japanese and painfully neglect Korean too much. That needs to change.
Keep on rocking (and eating) on!