Author: Mel

Every 30-something needs: new workout gear for 2015!

- Mel

The holidays are a great time to take stock of your athletic equipment and think about what’s missing, what needs replaced, or what you need to reach your goals and resolutions. Several of my needs included items of a $20-price point that were inexpensive to add to lists for gift exchanges and stocking stuffers. Boy, was I was incredibly spoiled this holiday by family and the boyfriend, receiving almost every piece of athletic gear on my wish list. (Still need to upgrade my phone armband, which is probably good considering I’ve upgraded to another phone model since the holiday.)

gym bag yoga mat
Christmas Loot!

Under Armor ColdGear Infrared hat — I’ve been running in a fleece-lined Browns winter hat, which offers up some quiet fist bumps on the start line from secret Cleveland fans, but it gets VERY sweaty. This UA hat not only is awesomely purple and properly retains heat, but has reflective elements AND a ponytail hole! {similar item}

Knuckle Lights — Considering Pittsburgh’s short days, some of my training runs are going to be in the dark. When I found these lights online, I knew that I needed them. They’re not bulky at all, and have three power options for high, low, and blinking.

Gaiam Everything Fits gym bag — my gym stuff is currently carried in one of those khaki fabric totes and does not a proper gym bag make. Of course, I fell for the teal color of this bag by Gaiam, but extra bonus of a bungie at the bottom of the bag to carry a yoga mat or foam roller. See also: TONS OF POCKETS, including a separated, mesh pouch for smelly shoes.

Amphipod — carrying a water bottle wasn’t a huge necessity… until I started on longer runs. And then there was that time one of those “foldable” flat water carriers leaked down my pants during a cold holiday run. Yep, I needed a water bottle option, but didn’t want another belt. This amphipod is pretty sweet: comfortable, lightweight, and has another pocket option for when I won’t need my winter running jacket.

Running Buddy — I ooooh-ed at this bag at the Hot Chocolate Expo, and the boyfriend remembered! Not only good for running, this magnetic “fanny” pack will be good for derby travel too.

Garmin Forerunner 15 and heart rate monitor – YAY! Definitely top of my list this year, and I’m excited to try it out for the first time (and be more conscious of pacing). There will certainly be a learning curve, as I’ve never used a running watch.

Tell me about your new gear!

Running goals for 2015: UPDATED!

- Mel

I have quite a few things that I will attempt to accomplish in 2015 — graduation, a priority, and derby and personal goals. I have some running goals set for myself too. This post is about the running, however, because this year will be my first half marathon.

Let-The-Games-Begin_huge

I’ve selected a charity as well, and will be running for the National Aviary — an avian zoo here in Pittsburgh that is dedicated to education, conservation, research and respect for birds. Check out my Crowdrise fundraiser page.

I’ve set 2:20 as my goal to finish, based on my finishing times for other races. As its my first half, I hope this is not unrealistic. I’ll reassess this time, of course, as my training and season progresses.

I also plan to do 100 individual runs (not including races), which breaks down into two training runs per week. I know this might seem like not a lot of running, but I need to keep up a solid training base, alongside a crazy derby practice schedule AND doing my strength training through CrossFit. Basically I do a LOT of two-a-days, which doesn’t bother me, and still allows me to have 1-2 days of complete rest (my favorite!). Mileage-wise really depends on my (hopeful) goals to also complete a full marathon this year, but I might be kidding myself. I will also reassess this plan as my derby season progresses. For now, I will set a 500 mile goal for 2015 — which, at about 40 miles per month and 10 miles per week, I think is completely doable.

My 2015 race schedule is really up in the air, since I work weekends right now, but I would like to complete one race per month. Here is what I have on my radar… Suggestions welcome!

RACES FOR 2015
January: Frigid 5 Miler (1/11) DNS, wasn’t prepared.
February: Cupid’s Undie Run Didn’t feel like doing this one by myself. DNS.
March: Just a Short Run 5K (3/28) I am doing SWELL on my running goals! DNS.
April: Cherry Blossom 10 Miler (4/12)
May: Pittsburgh Half Marathon AND 5K (5/03)
June: Stride for Pride 5K (06/07)
July: Liberty Mile (7/31)
August: Rock Hall Half Marathon (Cleveland, 8/23)
September: Akron Relay (9/26)
October: Niagara Falls International Marathon (10/25)
November: I’ll likely do the EQT 10 Miler again Dang it, the date moved! Ugly Sweater Run 5K
December: Christmas Story 10k (12/05)

Have any fun races that I should add to my calendar? Do you struggle with or benefit from doing two sports?

Weekly Therapy: holiday detox

- Mel

the week:
Recovery is the theme of the week. I still haven’t been motivated enough to play with all my Christmas “toys.” I wasn’t able to work out for a week because of the holiday and changed schedule implemented as result of the holiday week — and it was basically driving me crazy town. No runs because I’ve either been working during daylight hours or driving around from crazy town-to-crazy town. This is the part I hate about the holidays.

weekend:
Work (duh), but we have a game night planned with our neighbors.

52 books in 52 weeks:
Did I really only read 9 books this year? That’s embarrassing. Of course, that doesn’t count all the reading for my classes and corresponding textbooks. Alas… finished “On Top of Your Game: Mental Skills to Maximize Your Athletic Performance” by Carrie Cheadle this week in preparation of the new derby season and upcoming tryouts.

seven things, seven days:
1. New Year’s Eve: asleep by 11pm…
2. And an eye sty for good health!
3. YAY! My sister from Phoenix came to visit for a night!
4. Catching up with friends these last couple of weeks of break has been so valuable.
5. I finally went to the Cathedral of Learning and visited its nationality rooms! It was so beautiful — especially that the building was still decorated for the holidays.
6. This New Year’s post from TWLOHA was like a punch in the gut. In a good way.
7. 7 Psychological Tricks to Make Your Resolutions Stick {via Time}

My not-so-year of running.

- Mel

Three months ago I would NOT have called myself a runner. I hated running — especially when it was part of a CrossFit workout or warm-up because WHY TWO WORKOUTS IN ONE SESSION?! Yet, here I am, having finished (I think) 7 races at various distances, experiencing something of a coming out party. I ACTUALLY LOVE RUNNING. Running goals are part of my plan for 2015, as I incorporate CF and roller derby into my year full of activities and intentions.

Inspired by Miss Zippy’s Year of Running post and other running bloggers that I admire around the Web, the following is a summary of my 2014.

medal hang runner wall hooks
Medal, bib and PR display from Gone for a Run

Best race experience: Finally lining up for the Hot Chocolate 15K — the race that my friends encouraged me to train for when derby season ended, and what sparked this whole experience. Bonus factor: HOT CHOCOLATE, duh.

Worst race experience: Miles 8-10 of the EQT 10-miler. Woof. I was definitely not prepared for this race. Whomp-whomp factor: HUNGRY.

Best run: Just a couple weeks ago, I did 6 miles, and I am continually in amazement that I AM RUNNING 6 MILES. Plus, I hit a 8:10 pace in the middle of that run. It was an incredible realization (and further amazement) at what my body is capable of.

Worst run: I could barely run a mile without stopping four months ago, so that’s tops. But the run that you wouldn’t really call a run that was the worst, was the Fineview Step-athon. Man, that race kicked my ass. And I got lost! But probably one of the best race endings and celebrations. Tie breaker: that time a foldable water bottle leaked down my leg during the (very cold) holiday run. Yeahhhh.

Best new piece of gear: SHOES! Holy cow, my Saucony Ride 7s have changed my life!

Worst (old) piece of gear: Headphones are the bane of my existence. Even the $50 pair that I invested in only work half of the time. At least they don’t fall out? Also, can we please stop making race tech shirts with shortened long sleeves? I’m petite, but everything is still so short on me!

Best piece of running advice: “If you run, then you’re a runner.” – comment on an internet post.

Worst piece of running advice: “I have to run 8 miles this weekend anyways, why not sign up for the 10-miler?” – myself, naturally

If you could sum up your year last few months in a couple of words, what would they be: Life changing.

Total miles: Since late September, I’ve logged 81 miles. Nothing earth-shattering in the running world, and I expect that number to explode next year. Just in November, I ran 35 of those miles. Seriously though, that’s 81 more miles than last year!

Looking ahead: I can’t wait to start my training program in a couple weeks for the Pittsburgh Half Marathon. I’m doing the Frigid 5 Miler in January, followed up by derby tryouts in the same week. The theme for this year will definitely be balance.

Holiday Therapy: it’s Christmas… ALL OVER. Again.

- Mel

Christmas:
Heading home to Ohio just for Christmas Eve, which means a lot of driving in one day. I am looking forward to relaxing in Pittsburgh on Christmas Day in front of our tree (and piled on the couch with three snuggly kitties). Trying not to stress out about one gift that hasn’t yet sent me a shipping notification. *sigh*

xmas tree

New Year’s Eve:
We decided to stay home again this year (“home,” aka: neighbor’s house) playing games and listening to ridiculous records. Since I have to work both NY Eve and Day, and most restaurants have fixed menus on the holiday, I have no desire to get dressed and dolled up for a few hours of drinking. I can also then bypass all the drunk idiots.

seven things, seven days (or maybe eight crazy nights?):
1. More therapists recommending cooking to treat anxiety, depression, and other psychological conditions. {via WSJ}
2. 10 Mantras to get you through the holidays (and stressful family situations). {via PsychCentral}
3. Is your holiday happiness influenced by social media? {via Science of Relationships}
4. I had so much fun both ice skating outdoors with the boyfriend (he actually enjoyed it too!) AND doing a social run downtown around all the sights and lights. I know it’s cold for most of you, but I can’t emphasize enough to just GET OUTSIDE and enjoy some winter activity. I find that it is better to embrace the winter than to hide from it.
5. The Inspired Room has some ADORABLE (and free!) printable gift tags.
6. The holidays can be especially tough for some (including myself) when experiencing depression. PsychCentral offers some guidance on how to approach this time of year when you’re depressed.
7. Gluten-free SPICY gingerbread cookies. Will be making a home in my belly for these guys this week. {via Gluten-free Canteen}

A Christmas Story 10k: SAY UNCLE!

- Mel

I was originally supposed to run The Christmas Story 10k at the beginning of the month, virtually on race day, while I was in Buffalo. But a different type of Mother Nature rained down on me — and I didn’t have the right gear to run. So I grasped the opportunity during a cold Friday afternoon in Pittsburgh to complete my 10k distance.

Let’s be serious though, being a native Clevelander and a fan of the movie, I was running for the swag:

christmas story race packet 10k
Say Uncle!

I originally wanted to complete a route that circled around some of the holiday decorations downtown, but I decided to save it for the holiday social run with Fleet Feet. My 6.2 miles took me mostly along the North Shore, and over the river into downtown, running around a completely empty and lifeless Point Park (creepy without the fountain going).

Is that an outlier?
Is that an outlier?

I was really happy about and comfortable with my pace, keeping each mile under 10:30. And that Mile 4 split again… holy crap! 8:30 is my target pace for a 5K NEXT YEAR, but maybe I should aim for 8:00? I want all miles to feel that good, so I will work to get there. Also, I hope I get the opportunity to run this in Cleveland next year — definitely one for the race Bucket List and a fun Christmas tradition.

RESULTS (not official, obviously — can I say that I finished first?)
Time: 1:00:33
Pace: 9:41

Weekly Therapy: “it’s not a 15-foot inflatable Rudolph, but it will do.”

- Mel

the week:
I honestly don’t know how I’m surviving this week. I am beyond exhausted after working six days straight, with events two nights in a row; now, an interview and finishing up final papers to wrap up my last class for the semester.

That two week winter school break is right within reach…

weekend:
Looking forward to three days off in a row! You bet I scheduled a 90-minute massage for my weekend.

We’re also going ice skating at PPG Place with two other couples, and attending an eggnog party Saturday night (making a gluten-free eggnog cupcake to bring!). I plan to get a couple fun runs in too — one with some derby friends and another with SCRR.

PS: for the BEST eggnog recipe, I use go by the Velvet Tango Room standard.

seven things, seven days:
1. Finishing up some Christmas shopping, but mostly finished. Bah humbug, give me a hamburger or something.
2. Our last Happiness Conspiracy was Wednesday night, and it was bittersweet. You should definitely consider signing up for the next set of workshops! This experience — and the connections — was so valuable to me. Psssst, there’s an early bird special discount code until 12/31/14!
3. One of the cats already peed on the tree skirt. I GIVE UP!
4. The holiday run for Fleet Feet downtown was SO MUCH FUN. I need more nighttime social runs in my life.
5. Still waiting for my Stats final exam grade. Don’t make me all caps something else…
6. A really amazing write-up about roller derby — and the awesome Fisti Cuffs. {via Medium}
7. The secret to learning while you are distracted {via PsyBlog}. I think I mastered this growing up the eldest of 7 children.

Weekly Therapy: excuses and mulligans.

- Mel

the week:
So, I didn’t run the virtual Christmas Story 10k last weekend. I really wanted to, but it was raining in Buffalo. I had all my winter running stuff, but was not prepared for running 6+ miles wet. And then it didn’t stop raining in Pittsburgh, but after doing some Christmas shopping, I was flat-out exhausted. I’m hoping to get a run in this week, but, you know, FINALS WEEK. I will try not to beat myself up too bad for not really doing much else outside of homework and studying.

I did eventually run my 10k this week, so more on that in a later post!

weekend:
FINALS! And a handful of holiday parties (that I’ll probably end up canceling on account of exhaustion). And working.

seven things, seven days:
1. If this isn’t a week for a massage, I don’t know what is.
2. I participated in an #instabestie gift exchange, and I was so pumped to shop for my unknown “bestie.” It’s all based on personal Instagram account, so it will be interesting what my shopper gleans from my photos. Also, we had a minimum charity gift as part of the exchange, which added more holiday cheer to the experience.
3. Oooh, my first full-time paycheck from my new position!
4. Booo, working 6 days in a row!
5. I did FRAN this week at CrossFit. HOLY CRAP.
6. And I booked a derby camp IN AUSTIN at the end of February. (YAY!)
7. I really enjoyed this list (I fell for the bait!): Alas, 7 Morning Rituals to Empower Your Day {via LifeHack}

Running Therapy: why I run.

- Mel

During my run this afternoon, I was reminded of the mindfulness that I experience when I run. As I was approaching the descent down Allegheny Avenue towards Heinz Field, and the subsequent path along the Allegheny River, I hear some girl over my headphones asking why in the world I was running in this? (I’m assuming the “this” was the 30-degree temperatures and flurry conditions, but maybe that’s my own narrative). Two months ago I wouldn’t have considered myself a runner. Truth: I HATED running. But the meaning of running now, and why I run, holds a lot of weight. It’s quite heavy.

happy feet, sad heart.
happy feet, sad heart.

I run in “this” because my self-esteem is at an all-time low. I’ve been going in and out of bouts of depression for over a year, since the death of both of my grandparents and my diagnosis of skin cancer. Every time I feel like I’ve recovered, it’s there like a frying pan to the face. I feel like I don’t belong anywhere — that I have no value to anyone. It’s an identity crisis that is wrapped in in-authenticity, as I have no idea who I am anymore.

But at least I’m a runner.

My thoughts overwhelmed me as I run across the pedestrian/multi-use bridge over the river and approached the dead-for-winter fountain. And the tears started. I know a hundred things that are making me unhappy, but I’m not really sure what is going to make me happy again. The tears froze against my face, but I ran through them, looking for guidance or inspiration in my meditation of each and every step… which never came. Because life is more complicated than that. I feel incredible while I’m running — like I can accomplish and overcome anything, as my arches ache and my lungs hurt from the cold, and my stupid nipples chafe. But the things that are making me unhappy are still there when the run needs to eventually end. I want to be able to translate this power to my real world.

So, that’s why I run: to be alone in my thoughts, to see if I can clear my head and find the answers I need… to find myself. And I know that those questions and answers will change from mile to mile, or short run to long run, or even on race day. I run angry, I run happily to soak in the sunshine, apparently now I also cry-run. I run for me.

It’s my therapy.