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.

Weekly Therapy: the final countdown

- Mel

the week:
Feeling really sleep deprived, but inspired and grateful and hopeful about a lot of things (see what some new paint and some shopping can do?!). There are three weeks left in Fall semester before a two-weekish break. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can…

We legit opened up a mini bottle of champagne and toasted the end of this construction. I slept in until 9am on my day off this week. Ahhhhh.

weekend:
Off to Buffalo to do some early holiday gathering and socializing. I’ll also be running the Christmas Story Virtual 10K while I’m up there — for the full Cleveland experience, if you will.

seven things, seven days:
1. Any one else tired of their inbox this week? UNSUBSCRIBE.
2. But definitely not the reminder email about the Naked on the Run palette. MINE!
3. Received an early Christmas present at Thanksgiving — 16 (16!!!) champagne flutes. Err, I guess we have to host a brunch or NYE party now (or maybe we should have invited the neighbors over to toast our renovation). WHO WANTS MIMOSAS?!
4. Yes, I know, YELLING. I am nothing if not emphatic.
5. StitchFix WIN this week: a winter coat, black collarless blazer, lace-sleeved blouse, velvet-flocked animal print pants and another light sweater.
6. Well I guess I picked a good activity! Here’s to growing old and awesome and active! {via NY Times}
7. Benefits of being a curious person {via Huffington Post}

PNC Turkey Trot: Five miles for food! Or something.

- Mel

The 2013 Turkey Trot was the first 5K I was able to run in full without stopping (and gasping and generally dying from running). It was also the first Thanksgiving I stayed “home” for nearly my entire adult life. It was also a proud (and awful!) moment. And here I am, a year later, running a full five miles. No stopping, no gasping. No dying! WHO AM I?!

WOWS and runners! (and me in my Browns hat again)
WOWS and runners!

I’m glad my friend and neighbor snapped this, as I didn’t take any pictures this race.

I really enjoyed this course, except for that last mile loop up-and-back around Heinz field. It felt the longest, and there are a lot of people (and cars, wtf) darting between two lanes of runners and just resonated as chaos in my brain. I hated knowing the runners on the other side were almost finished, and I had no idea where the turn around point was (even though I looked at the map before the race, my brain was not processing the length). Not to mention, the course ran long (again!). I wasn’t really sure where my point would be to quicken for the finish line either.

I have pacing problems though. I seriously could not believe my pace time at my first mile (I use MapMyRun for mile updates on pace, splits, etc.). But once I was in the 9:30 zone, I was not slowing up until I finished (or my body gave up). A race is when you are supposed to challenge and push yourself a little, right? Or a lot. Overall though, my body felt good, and a couple days later, I’m ready for another couple miles.

Finished: 48:59
69th in my age group

I don’t have anything else planned for November, but that’s 4 races completed in one month!
East Nash Dash (4 miles)
EQT 10-miler (10 miles, duh)
Hot Chocolate 15k
and Turkey Trot (5 miles)
Total mileage for November: (lots of race mileage, and not a lot of training… yikes) 35.01 miles

I don’t anticipate my training changing much until January (when half-marathon training starts), since December is a cluster-you-know-what.

Next up: Christmas Story Virtual 10k on December 6.