With winter officially arriving, it’s been fun to look back on my Fall and (early) Winter race seasons. While I’m taking a couple weeks off this winter (which I’m in the midst of recovery right now) — Fall was fun, just as I trained for.
Since September, I’ve completed 9 races — 4 of those half marathons and 6 with close to 100% humidity. While the extended summer temps was a bear for outdoor races, I also started trail running, culminating into my most difficult (but most awesome!) race to date. Many of these races I intend to repeat in 2017, and overall I had positive experiences at each — you know, despite all that humidity.
the week:
Thanksgiving! No Turkey Trots for me this year, as we’re hosting some friends that are also staying in town — and my dad decided to fly out to Des Moines to join us! So, I’m on airport and hosting duties (but I did get my morning miles in to offset all those calories). I ended up getting to use PTO for Friday, too, so I have a very short work week!
weekend:
My dad is staying through Saturday, so we hope to do a little sight-seeing to show off our new city! On Black Friday, there is a Market Day Iowa pop-up in Capital Square — featuring a bunch of local artists and vendors. Did you take advantage of any Black Friday deals for yourself?
A week off from racing, but I plan to get out for a preview run of the Nature Center in Council Bluffs for my 12-miler this Sunday with a couple of fellow Turkeys.
seven things, seven days:
1. Pumpkin Cranberry Way Better chips season!!!!!!!
2. So thankful for my biweekly chats with my running coach. I was feeling a lot of anxiety about my upcoming trail race, and she helped remind me about the excitement and fun factor of doing a new challenge. I lose sight of that far too often.
3. I took a new cardio-based yoga class this week at my gym… and it was awful. -_-
4. I’ve also had an awful experience with Trunk Club and finally requested a new stylist. I am still not very impressed. I guess that I expected more from a Nordstrom service.
5. This article about psychologists Kahneman & Tversky got me all excited about Michael Lewis’ upcoming new book! {via Vanity Fair}
6. Just in time for Turkey Day: The Psychology of Comfort Food {via Luvo blog}
7. Tis the season to buy your loved ones discounted race registrations!
The Hillbilly Hike is a race series in south-central Iowa (just a short drive from Des Moines) consisting of a 10k and half marathon distance. While not necessarily a themed race, some runners really tapped into the spirit of their inner hillbilly. The race was fun yet peaceful — a really picturesque backdrop to a difficult half marathon for me.
For this race, I was playing mental games with myself — attempting to run completely by feel and never looking at my watch. I decided this at the start line, committed to not looking at my Garmin until 5 miles. Five miles came, and I wondered if I could make it 10. Well, I went 10 and decided again that I wouldn’t look at my watch until I stopped it at the finish line. I really was interested in what kind of race I could do (since I didn’t have a time goal) when I was in tune with my body and acknowledging my effort level. Well, I felt like crap by Mile 11 and was definitely feeling symptoms of dehydration before I hit 6 miles (not sure how that happens when it’s only 50 degrees!). I was determined not to stop though, as I didn’t want a repeat of Dam to Dam. I still REFUSED to look at my watch (half contemplating to stash it in my belt, so I wouldn’t accidentally see it).
ALL SAID, I’m so excited and proud of what I accomplished! And Half marathon #8 is in the bag.
Registration and Cost: I initially didn’t want to run another half marathon so soon after the Des Moines half, but the cost was the same for the 10k and half (at least, that’s how I remember it lol). Because of that, I decided to run another half. That’s how we do, right Runners? 😀 With a $5 discount for being a Capital Striders member, after fees the race only cost me $38.69 — it’s a helluva deal for a half!
Packet and Bib Pick-Up: Race organizers reused timing bibs from Dam to Dam (those big honkin’ ones that I complained about) – with a new number stapled to the front. I appreciate their ability to reuse and cut costs, even though I prefer the race-specific keepsakes for my bib wall. Packet Pick-up was the night before at Fitness Sports in Clive (thankfully, local, so I didn’t have to drive out to Indianola twice); I’m pretty certain there was packet pick-up in the morning before the race, too. Side note: In the race day info email, it was stated that 70% of the registration of this race goes to Indianola Christian Union Church mission charities, so it’s all for good cause. Thank you, race sponsors!
Free Swag: Another short-sleeve tech tee for the collection, and the first 320 to register for the half got a special die-cut medal at the finish. I love this medal — including the corn cob on the ribbon!
Parking and Transportation: Plenty of Parking in Indianola at the high school, though there were school busses available to shuttle runners from Carlisle to the start line (me and my car sickness don’t get along very well with this option, so I got dropped off).
Bag Drop: This race offered a Hillbilly Bag Drop for both races. Hillbilly Bag Drop = a car with the trunk open. LOL Just look for the Hillbilly parked near the start line to take your bag!
BONUS: the bag drop Hillbillies were ALSO sweeping the course to collect any discarded clothing found in the first 1/2 mile and bringing to the finish line for a “Lost and Found” pile.
Weather: Holy moly, 50 degrees feels really chilly when there’s no humidity! I kept my long-sleeve on and was thankful that I decided to wear my tall socks, too. There were several points within the course where it felt chilly again (mostly, in the shaded trail areas in the woods). Though, it was that weird in-between weather where you’re not really sure if you’re overdressed or underdressed.
Course: The Hillbilly Hike half course is a point-to-point race starting in Indianola and ending in Carlisle. The trail is mostly flat, paved… yet net downhill. I really enjoyed seeing the various landscapes — lakes, woods, farms, wetlands and prairie — and running over the wooden trail bridges (there were several throughout the course) gave me some intention for picking up my feet.
There were water stops about every 2 miles — it seemed like Gatorade was at most stops, with the exception of maybe Mile 10? At least I didn’t see it there (when I probably needed it most). Most of the aid stations were volunteered by the Girls Scouts (yay!). They rocked it!
Start line: We started in front of Indianola High School – before curving around the campus and entering the McVay Trailhead. There was a DJ in the parking lot making announcements and getting the crowd pumped up and SUPER long lines for the Kybos.
Random BS: Even though the temps were somewhat cool at the beginning of the race (and I took at GU before the race, and half a salted caramel GU about half-way) I REALLY needed more sodium, as my fingers were swollen like it was 100 degrees outside and I was starting to get weird cramps. BLARGH.
Finish Line: The race ended in Carlisle at the Summerset trailhead. The finish line flags seemed to appear quickly on the trail, that I almost looked at my watch to make sure that the race wasn’t short (I guess I was feeling better by the Gatorade that I took at Mile 12, though my split tells a different story).
So you know me and post-race food — this race had apple pie, cherry pie, and biscuits and gravy. The chocolate milk and bananas looked sad by comparison. And gluten-free Mel was very, very sad.
FINISH LINE PIE!
There was also a set up for a fun photo booth with props:
Fans and Experience: fans at the finish line were AMAZING. Volunteers along the trail, amazing. Everyone helping out at the finish line and food tables, amazing. The volunteers TRULY made this event top-notch, and I’d definitely come back to run this again. Panfoto was out taking pics and the Dead Line String Band was playing mid-race on the trail. It was just very, very fun.
After party: While I really, REALLY wanted a root beer float from A&W, I wasn’t feeling so great and opted to return home for my usual post-race steaming shower and 2-hour nap.
OVERALL The Great: Everyone who worked/volunteered at this race really made it a top-notch event! The Good: SO MUCH FOOD AT THE FINISH LINE! (and very good for all you gluten-havers ?) The Bad: Dehydration. ☹ The Ugly: Um, active hunters (and gun shots) in the distance as we were running the trails.
the week:
Well, management theory is over, and I’m doing less-than-awesome in Statistics (which is really bumming me out). I’m all caught up on my grant writing course, however; last week I also started a sociology class about Workplace Diversity theories. No derby has opened up a “free” schedule of my dreams for studying and homework and general Getting Ahead. Another adaptation though (and really hoping it has a positive effect on my sleeping patterns).
We went to the post season Pirates game last Wednesday and had the most amazing seats (and were, embarrassingly, on the Kiss Cam *cringe*). I also got a foul ball souvenir from my seatmate. Too bad about those Pirates though; it was a bear of a game to watch… save for Bumgarner’s incredible pitching.
weekend:
I worked all day on Saturday, so I feel like I need another weekend from my weekend… sigh. That’s the worst, right? (Especially upon coming home you realize that your new class assignments are due on Saturdays and not Sundays). At least I could join a couple neighbor friends for delicious Sunday brunch at Kaya (still one of my favorites in this city), and I ran 3 miles! My body is starting to accept this change in exercise behavior.
seven things, seven days:
1. Thanks to Ashley from Our Little Apartment for the “unfilth” your habitat app. {NSFW language on the app, but go search in Apple store!}
2. I can’t be the only annoyed by the word “sweetie,” right? Please tell me that I’m not overly-sensitive about this. {This, I find from both men and women, but feels especially condescending from women for some reason.}
3. The sink cabinet that I adored and drooled over (and pinned!) for months is too big for the master bathroom renovation. And I’m angry devastated. Stupid row house space constraints.
4. But the contractors are starting this week on demo, so…
5. I LOVE RUNNING IN THIS COOL WEATHER!
6. We had to turn on the heat though. Good thing it works?
7. I’ve always preferred the word “adapt” to “change” — it’s all in the optimism, I think. Regardless, this article is appropriate given the season: Adapting to Change. {via PsychCentral}
the week:
For real, the most exciting thing to happen this week was this enchilada casserole for dinner that we ate THREE DAYS IN A ROW. Pathetic, but my days are so much more relaxed when I work out in the mornings. I can almost say that waking up at 5am for 7 weeks of CrossFit has made me a morning person. Almost.
weekend:
Oh em gee, I have a weekend off work (and then an extra two days). The boyfriend and I get to do fun things, like, discuss our 2014 home renovation projects, budget and furniture wants. And then I’m drinking rum-and-cider for the rest of my free minutes because we will probably definitely be arguing by the end of that.
Kidding. Mostly.
But on Monday, I get to take boyfriend for his pre-birthday surprise.
seven things, seven days:
1. Did I really just buy threeseparateitems for holiday decorating? I did.
2. Oh, and then my boyfriend told me that he special ordered the live Christmas tree, so I guess we’re both feeling the spirit? We also figured out where we’re putting the tree this year. Note: not in the dining room.
3. My boyfriend commented that the new dining room layout looked “like a grownups dining room.” *swoon*
4. WHAT IS HAPPENING? I HATE CHRISTMAS!
5. I used my chalk paint AGAIN — HATE the blue tape for edging. Each project the tape peels up big chunks of paint from the surface, resulting in multiple touch ups. So #dumb.
6. I unpacked boxes from our move two years ago… We have so much freaking glassware in storage, but I think I have a new idea for our collection.
7. And I must be in some kind of nesting phase because I just reorganized all the stuff in my kitchen cupboards (BUT IT’S SO MUCH BETTER!)
the week:
It’s finally stopped raining. Yesterday, we were on six straight days of rain. This kind of weather is so depressing — even a pair Wellies wasn’t enough to make me enjoy the puddles. Alas, I’ve been pretty much living in my new sweatshirt and fleece pants for the entire week because everything is all… blah.
And drinking hot chocolate.
Thankfully, our area was free of damage from the storms, but I had buckets at the ready for any leaks. It was sad to see on the news some of the places of my previous vacation locations underwater and experiencing the devastating destruction of Sandy. My heart goes out to the East Coast (and some friends in Cleveland, who seemingly got the midwest brunt of the storm, and are still without power).
weekend:
I was excited when I didn’t see anything on my schedule for the weekend — it would be an opportunity to relax, catch up on housework, put away all the Halloween stuff… wash my gear. But that “freedom” didn’t last long: Halloween was rescheduled to Saturday evening because of this week’s storms; since I was without a car for an entire week those overdue errands need crossed off the to-do list FOR SERIOUS (I’m also sans car for tomorrow when I was hoping to DO all of this stuff *sigh*); my brothers’ band is touring through town; and I have marketing responsibilities to task for derby.
{deep breath}
I need some yoga therapy, but spinning will probably be more my speed for the next three days.
I’ll also try to squeeze in some time to watch roller derby. CHAMPIONSHIPS!
seven things, seven days:
1. Consider making a donation to the Humane Society or the Red Cross to help with relief work for those people and animals affected by Sandy.
2. This post from J’s Everyday Fashion is a great read: the anatomy of a trend. Are you an early adopter?
3. Currently on a Spending Strike for November. More on that later…
4. Seriously, I made three more batches of this Apple Pie dip — first, for our bowling league last weekend (and another separate just for me because, well…) and another for the boyfriend’s work/food party. EVERYBODY LOVES IT!
5. Speaking of bowling, I had my best game last Friday and totally screwed up my average (95) in the process. Hooray, 121!
6. Back to home team practices next week! As much as I enjoyed personal leave and NOTHING TO DO, I’m ready to be back in my skates.
7. Twelve ready-to-style Fall outfits: time to shop my closet.
A friend and I visited an apple orchard in our area to celebrate her recent engagement. Sunday was just SUCH a beautiful Fall day to be outdoors. And apparently, the perfect day to be at an apple farm (fried food! hayrides! live music! live… CHICKENS!).
Fun outdoor activities like this make me so happy — MY kind of therapy!
There are several apple farms and orchards in the Pittsburgh area; we decided on Simmons Farm, since their website confirmed we could actually PICK the apples off the tree in the orchard. But no climbing. That was Rule #1. Rule #2 was no stealing. If I had my guess for Rule #3, it would be to NOT fill the bag until it’s so heavy you can barely carry it back to the car.
SOME rules are made to be broken. 😉
Not only did I come home with a half bushel of apples (52 made it to the sink to be washed. I lost 2 in the street and 3 to just plain being “bad apples” — but I also gained a wasp and two dead spiders, the horror!), but I also managed a large pumpkin roll, sugar cookies and apple cider (so wonderful heated up in my mini crockpot, served over rum). I will soon be in treatment for a sugar overdose.
GET YOUR APPLES! Simmons Farm is South of Pittsburgh in McMurray.
In the North Hills, you’ll find crowd-sourcing favorites: Soergel’s and Shenot Farm & Market.
Pittsburgh also has a number of wonderful farmers markets that carry delicious ripe apples this time of year — probably the same for whichever city you’re in too!
Meanwhile, I will be eating apple-this and apple-that for quite some time. And enjoying every minute of it.
Here’s what I plan to do with some of those 52 apples:
Crockpot Applesauce
Apple Crisp (possibly, multiple individual servings throughout the week — so easy to make in little ramekins!)
Apple Chips
My FAVORITE apple-cranberry oatmeal cookies.
And then a twitter friends recommended a Sharlotka — a Russian Apple Cake — so I attempted it. And the dessert came out MARVELOUS! (and is already half eaten.)
the week:
I don’t even know how one person can be sick for this long. What started as the flu — and went away — is now some kind of cold. And it is LINGERING. I suppose that I should be thankful that those dry cough episodes at night have ceased. The little things… but it’s totally throwing me off my game — and my workout schedule.
I usually kill my cold with lots of Vitamin C and Zinc. These new Hall’s Zinc & Echinachea drops have totally helped the sore and dry throat.
And you can’t beat three cuddly cats who want to snuggle in the warm bed all day.
Now pass me a tissue, please.
weekend:
Besides some necessary work to catch up on, this weekend we’re attending an anti-baby-shower baby shower, followed by a dinner of Mexican proportions with friends of ours who recently engaged. So much excitement and celebration happening around us. (Maybe one day we’ll finally have our housewarming.) Naturally, I have no idea what to wear.
I’m the worst kind of procrastinator — I’m procrastinating on my procrastinating!! — and it’s certainly something I need help with. I filed for a tax extension, which expires on the 15th. They’re “done,” they just need to be filed and paid. PROCRASTINATOR: YOU MUST BE STOPPED! So add that to my weekend To Do list.
seven things, seven days:
1. Hot Toddies and apple crisp (with ice cream, natch) for Friday lunch pick-me-up? Best decision EVER this week.
2. Does anyone have a greater tendency to bake or crave sweets when sick? Because I’m making these pumpkin doughnut muffins on Sunday (thanks, Brown Eyed Baker!). Having a mid-week S’mores treat was fun and delicious too.
3. I found a fun Halloween costume… but I’m not sure that we have any party plans this year. Outside of passing out POUNDS of candy at our house! (so. many. kids.)
4. Also trying to plan the boyfriend’s upcoming birthday. I had one idea, but we couldn’t make a mid-week travel schedule work. And he thinks he’s old now and doesn’t need birthdays, which means he needs to celebrate even more, of course. With alcohol.
5. Cursing Netflix for not having “It’s a Funny Kind of Story” on Instant. It’s been on my must-watch list for too long. I’m not much of a movie person, but when you’re sick and recovering, you need things to pass the time.
6. I have no idea why I’m dreaming of a road trip, when I JUST RETURNED from a long weekender to Vermont (and have been sick since). That was a brutal ride in a 12-passenger van, however.
7. IT’S FALL, PEOPLE! And I’m a brunette again. 🙂
So, not only was I super impressed by a recent Fall sale online, but I was totally smitten with cute separates. Furthermore, I was BLOWN AWAY by quality. That’s saying a lot about a mall store that (as much as it pains me to admit) for the longest time I thought was catered to plus sizes.
NOT THAT THERE’S ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT.Â
But, I’m decidedly small and borderline petite, so this misconception was keeping me away from a store that I haven’t shopped at for many years (the days when I was pushing size 12-14, which to be honest, I don’t even know where plus sizes begin). The misconception, of course, is my own.
I haven’t brought much attention to my “secretary spread of yesteryear” — mostly because I feel shamed at talking about body issues when I’m so tiny. But just as it happens to many women, I fell into an overweight (for my body frame) phase in my late 20s. I’ve always wanted to be larger-but-fit, especially because I’m now a roller derby player (and I have the sport to thank for creating some amazing curves on my small frame). The boobs? Yes, that’s why there’s Victoria’s Secret. I’ve become most fond of t-shirt bras that don’t make me look lumpy. But with being fit, working out makes my metabolism jump into overdrive. Thank you, genetics?
For disclosure: I typically fall somewhere between a size 2 or 4 (depending on the store/designer, natch); I’m 5’4” (heh, used to be an extra 3/4 of an inch… harumph), and I weigh around 125 lbs (but that fluctuates weekly between 122-127). My bust is 33; my hips are 36. Most of everything I bought (tops) is a small; bottoms can be tough, since I’m super small waisted, with a growing bottom (YES!!!), but I usually size up (then take what I need to the tailor). Regardless, these measurements might/not help you shop NY & Company clothing.
BE THAT AS IT MAY… wow, this post is getting away from me.
My bounty of awesome (that cost me only around $150, for serious):
Zig-zag knit vest — I could kick myself for tossing all my old sweater vests. I don’t own much in the red color family, mostly because of how it looks on my skin, but this deeper, almost-burgundy is spot-on.
Pointelle Sweater Vest — ahem, next verse same as the first. There was something about the style, the flow and color of this. It was irresistible.
A couple skinny belts: skinny lizard and shimmering skinny (in silver). A woman who is short with a long torso needs to define her waist. Always.
Smocked Tunic Shirt — all the waist skimming with the belting! Also see: need more white blouses; this one is just a pullover, which is nice.
Ruffle Placket Shirt — I bought this in powder blue, since I just donated an old, shrunken short-sleeve blouse that I wore tirelessly in the same color. Alas, it was DECIDEDLY shrunken, and PERSONAL OPINION: I don’t think that women over 30 should wear “belly shirts.” Just saying.
Ruffle Front Mesh Cap Sleeve Shirt — this is probably my favorite item I’ve purchased in a while. This color blue is so hard to find (even though I have three tops almost the same color in my closet; different styles, of course), AND IT LOOKS THE BEST ON ME! So, I’m excited to rock it. A lot.Â
Silky Abstract Feather Drawstring Dress — true story: IMPULSE PURCHASE. I don’t do well with silky fabrics (they make me sweat! seriously, why is that?!), but I loved the style and print and POCKETS of this dress. It needs a little tailoring (length), but it’s not too often anymore that I purchase something crazy — and I was in the perfect mood.
Wow, that was some therapy, eh? Ah, I feel better. 🙂 THANKS FOR THAT, NY&CO!Â
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