Weekly Therapy: The person you were.

November 13, 2015 - Mel

the week:
I have a very social week: two happy hours to catch up with friends, another friend’s birthday party, a chocolate-theme party and a business-kinda morning coffee break. Monday spin class. Back to my weekly run//yoga club. Open skate on Saturday afternoon. Tailgating with Pittsburgh Browns Backers (and more friends).

I hope I don’t hate people by the end of this seven-day stretch! But I’m honestly feeling some really good energy in making time for everyone and finding a need to connect (and re-connect).

weekend:
As mentioned above, I plan to put my skates on for the first time in ten months. WFTDA Champs got me all fired up inside about playing roller derby again. So, I’m starting with an open skate and a league practice on Monday to see where I am skill-wise (and to be minimum skills-tested again). And… well, we’ll just go from there. But it probably means more crossfit/weight-training in my life, despite my post last week about watching my money. HA, sorry money! I spent $200 already updating some of my derby equipment!

Saturday night is the much-anticipated (and sold out!) Chocolate Bar event by the Cultural Trust. Oh boy, I hope it’s not lame and that I can eat all the chocolate. In any event, there will be booze, so… I’m set. Sunday, I’ll be (hungover, likely) cheering the Browns with my fellow Backers at Heinz Field (and its proximal parking lots)!

Also: THERE’S AN INTERNET CAT VIDEO FESTIVAL HAPPENING IN PITTSBURGH! (WHAT?!)

52 books in 52 weeks:
#40 Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson — I really enjoy Jenny’s writing style, and this book did not disappoint. At one point I was CRY-LAUGHING that I started almost-sobbing. It was hilarious, maniacal laughter. And you’re dead inside if you don’t laugh while reading this book!

#41 The Woman I Wanted To Be by Diane von Furstenberg — I had this book on my nightstand since receiving it in one of my Popsugar Must Have boxes, and I finally read it. Meh. Pretty boring overall, to be honest, but not completely eye-rolling (though I found it wholly impossible to relate to her life experiences and at times thought there was much fabrication). I found her failings (and subsequent successes) as a business person to be the most interesting and I wish those moments were expanded upon in her memoir.

#42 Popularity Explained: The Social Psychology of Grade School — SNORE. I mostly skimmed through. Incredibly boring and he even admits to a lot of the info being more of what we already know.

#43 Coming Clean by Kimberly Rae Miller — Somehow I ended up reading two memoirs about growing up with hoarders for parents. I’m still finishing the other one. I have a lot of respect for the author, especially considering her strength to maintain a relationship with her parents and their mental illnesses (and regularly, literally, cleaning up their messes).

seven things, seven days:
1. I bought these new capri pants from Fabletics in the Northern Lights fabric (which are amazing because the little stars are all reflective at night)!
2. Went to the annual “Cleaning of the Chandeliers” champagne toast at the Omni hotel yesterday. What a fun little celebration!
3. Preparing for skating again, I pulled my gear bag out of the basement and HOLY SHIT. It smells real bad after ten months.
4. NEW MISSY ELLIOTT!
5. YIKES: Alarming new research on perfectionism {via Science of Us}
6. My boyfriend forwarded this one to me (he knows me so well): The Secret History of Mac n’ Cheese {via Huffington Post}
7. What we think about when we run {via The New Yorker}

Training Weeks 14 and 15: Niagara Falls International Marathon

September 21, 2015 - Mel

I have no reason to split out Week 14 since… well, my only run was the Movie Madness Half Marathon. Every other day I was hit by a major struggle bus. I don’t know if that’s a typical point where wannabe-marathoners feel super exhausted and like everything is impossible, but I feel those things.

So, Week 14 — total runs: 1; total miles: 13.1 (those were 13.1 GOOD miles though!)

Week 15
MONDAY: Rest Day

TUESDAY: Didn’t realize that my afternoon meeting was scheduled through 6pm (and I had to walk home), so unfortunately, my scheduled run didn’t happen. I probably could have done a quickie workout at home, but I was so exhausted from traveling over the weekend (and again all the way to the North Hills for a dinner party Monday night) that I fell asleep early. The boyfriend said he pulled my iPad out of my hands and I didn’t even move.

WEDNESDAY: run//yoga//run club with Urban Elements. Tonight we did just shy of 4 miles. No splits. Followed up with some really powerful hot yoga. Body felt pretty good and yoga felt strong.

THURSDAY: Rest Day

FRIDAY: Today was National Run @ Work Day, so I took advantage of the group run that Steel City Road Runners was hosting from Point Park. It was hot, and I was sweaty (for a long time after the run too). But I befriended a couple guys for the five-mile loop, and they kept me motivated to finish at a quicker pace than I anticipated my body would do in the mid-afternoon. It felt good. I might make that part of my work-week schedule (I purchased some scented body sprays this weekend to stash at my desk too).

5.06 miles at average 9:42 pace. Splits: 10:02 / 10:16 / 10:30 / 7:50 (??) / 9:58

SATURDAY: Recovery Day with a massage and facial (and a little retail therapy at the mall).

SUNDAY: I was so glad that I saw someone post a group run from downtown in the SCRR group. While I wasn’t doing the full 20-mile Bridges of Pittsburgh course, I knew that I needed some running camaraderie to get in my 16. I seriously lucked out with this group, who all shared great marathon and training advice — and their own long-run courses and schedules. I’ve been looking for a “tribe” so to speak to keep my training in check, and they really made me feel welcome. I never needed my headphones, and I was able to converse throughout the run. I think I got 12 of the 14 total bridges (I also crossed the 10th Street Bridge off my list!).

Side note: I woke up SUPER early for this run: 4:45am. It was still dark out when I left the house around 6:15, and I had a scary almost-incident with some guy yelling after me in the park by my house. I freaked out (honestly, I was truly scared) and my fight-or-flight response took me quickly back to the house, where I locked up and set the alarm and sat still in the bathroom for 10 minutes. Anyway, I waited for the skies to lighten up a bit (and more signs of life to appear) before I set out to meet the group at the West End Bridge at 7:05 — just in time for the perfect sunrise over Pittsburgh.

I would never have paced this fast if I was alone, but it was really cool to see that my body was totally capable of handling it (until I got a side stitch at Mile 10). I split off from the group at Mile 13 to take the North Shore Trail back home. After showering, I immediately napped for nearly two hours. I felt really, really sore for the remainder of the afternoon (and hungry!), so I spent half an episode of America’s Next Top Model (ha!) stretching and rolling my feet.

16.01 miles at average 10:20 pace (total time: 2:45:21). Splits: 11:12 (1) / 10:52 (2) / 10:24 (3) / 10:18 (4) / 10:05 (5) / 9:53 (6) / 10:04 (7) / 10:28 (8) / 10:48 (9) / 11:07 (10) / 10:13 (11) / 8:27 (wut 12) / 10:28 (13) / 10:16 (14) / 9:58 (15) / 10:43 (16)

Total runs: 3
Total miles: 25.02 miles
Total training miles: 191.74 miles

New Store Opening in Pittsburgh: Chelsea Collective

August 20, 2015 - Mel

This post is sponsored by Vocalpoint and Chelsea Collective. All opinions in this review are my own.

Tuesday evening, I had the pleasure of being invited to a special event preview for the new fitness apparel store opening at Ross Park Mall: Chelsea Collective.

Chelsea Collective is the only fitness-focused specialty store that provides head-to-toe product diversity across footwear, apparel, accessories and beauty — with a variety of fitness interests from studio to running and more. Chelsea Collective selects every piece to be as high-performing as it is sophisticated.

I brought along my friend and fellow running blogger/enthusiast Chelsea (appropriate, right?!) of Pittsburgh City Girl to the preview, which included a store tour, passed appetizers and a yogurt parfait bar, specialty cocktails (champagne!), and some amazing surprises. This preview proved that this store was MUCH more than just about fitness apparel. Can we call it a lifestyle store? Because this store pretty much nailed my life AND style. Chelsea Collective is the brainchild of Dick’s Sporting Goods. The brand is said to cater to all types of women with varied athletic interests. I found that to be true and then some. There are plenty of options from the casual lifestyle to the fitness enthusiast and all body types in between.

This Chelsea Collective location carries a LOT of Nike-branded apparel — nearly half the store! Familiar brands like Adidas, Asics, and Calia (Carrie Underwood’s label) were set up in different sections throughout the floor plan too. There is even a bra bar with trained fit specialists to help make sure that you are shopping the correct size. I was particularly impressed by new-to-me labels Zobha and Lorna Jane and their respective merchandise. I really wanted this short-sleeved hoodie from Zobha which had already sold out in my size by the time I circled back around the store.

And OMG an entire section devoted to Splendid, which is one of my favorite brands! (I even saw Hunter boots, and their website teases me that Sorel boots will soon be carried in stores). We received a $25 gift card when we arrived for the event, which I used towards a pair of Sanuk sandals — you all tell me how awesome and comfortable they are, so it was a good “deal” to finally buy a pair.

I was absolutely SHOCKED by the additional generous gift that Chelsea Collective provided to all attendees to the party — a “build-a-bag” that included a workout bag worth over $250 (from Nike), which we were able to fill with four additional self-selected items from several shelves of goodies. I got a new yoga face towel, sport headbands from Nike, an infinity bracelet from Pure Vida (an organization close to my heart), and a Nike scarf (it’s SO soft). They also had yoga mats, straps and blocks (which I just purchased doubles of) and other fitness accessories. For signing up for their rewards card, I also received an extra gift at the register: a multi-strap leather bracelet with the brand’s logo.

The store is fairly large and there is a lot of merchandise to look at, with additional beauty products and fitness accessories surrounding the register area (many of my favorites here too!). The changing room area is basically a social lounge, which is important for me when shopping (because, exhaustion) — with chairs and tables to relax at (for you or any of your shopping buddies) and stations available for charging your phone while you shop. It’s beautifully accented by a live plant wall and gorgeous fixtures.

You have to experience it for yourself!

Chelsea Collective opens this weekend and will be celebrating its official Grand Opening on August 22 and 23. They’re located on the second level near the Nordstroms wing. They’ll be hosting in-store styling demonstrations, offering complimentary services and refreshments — and experts will be on-site to offer advice. The first 25 guests will receive a special gift. I already wish I could return this weekend.

Find Chelsea Collective on social:
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Weekly Therapy: Play to win or play to have fun?

May 29, 2015 - Mel

the week:
It was a short week for me work-wise having both Monday and Friday off, but I certainly crammed a week’s worth of work into those three days. I feel like next Monday will be unbearably long…

weekend:
I won’t tire of bragging about my retreat — I am positively elated and looking forward to a weekend full of yoga and relaxation. And being on the lake. I might even play some air hockey at one of the arcades nearby.

52 books in 52 weeks:
#17 Moody Bitches: The Truth About the Drugs You’re Taking, The Sleep You’re Missing, The Sex You’re Not Having, and What’s Really Making You Crazy.

While my overall feel of this book was lukewarm and I wished it would have pursued more where my interests were (and a lot less where they weren’t), it prompted me to take action in regards to stopping my birth control last month (it took me a while to get through this book). I’ve been talking about it for a few years already and after reading about the long-term effects (that my doctor certainly has never talked to me about), it was time to give it up — and to enjoy what’s left of this glorious perimenopausal time of life.

seven things, seven days:
1. My allergies were out of control this week. POLLEN VORTEX.
2. I was seriously so pumped that I had the opportunity to see Neil DeGrasse-Tyson’s lecture earlier this month; naturally, I was extra-excited when a friend pointed this limited edition poster out to me. It’s GLOW IN THE DARK.
3. Nicky’s Thai for lunch on Tuesday, means Nicky’s Thai leftovers for lunch on Wednesday and Thursday.
4. Contractors who came out to do an estimate for cleaning the basement after the sewer backed up have STILL not given us the freakin’ estimate. So annoyed.
5. My “new” chair is finished! Urbane Reclamation customized this AMAZING vintage chair for us with new fabric and a new stain. I can’t wait to show you the finished project once it’s in my living room!
6. This post “Why Kids Quit Sports” include several reasons why I finally quit roller derby this year. Important viewpoints for adults here too, if you have kids who play sports {via Changing the Game Project}
7. I enjoyed this article immensely — especially as I’ve struggled with overcoming nagging injuries leftover from roller derby and finding a passion for CrossFit again. A Different Version of CrossFit: How I made my training sustainable and injury free {via Breaking Muscle}

30-Something Summer Plans

May 26, 2015 - Mel

I’ll be honest, summer is not one of my favorite seasons. While it’s awesome to be outdoors a lot more often than other times of the year, the above-80 heat makes me miserable. Great time to be training for a fall full marathon, eh? As with a lot of my life focus recently, I’m facing all the things I hate to be more at peace with things, like: humidity and sunburns within 7 minutes and OMG CAN’T STOP SWEATING.

I’m a little jealous at the boyfriend that he has a lot more free time and flex time (and vacation time) than I do, so it’s not really at all like my last few summers have been (now that I have a full-time job AND attending school full-time) where we can jet away wherever and whenever. We have a couple weekend trips planned for back home. We’re going to Toronto in August. School ends in August. But otherwise, I’m looking at a number of fun weekends in Pittsburgh. Alas, here are some of my plans:

I plan to use my courtyard A LOT. More coffees outside in the morning. Feeding the birds when I feed the cats in the AM. Maybe I’ll allow the cats some patio time with me. LOTS of hammock time to unwind from work. And probably a LOT of Claritin, if yesterday’s pollen index is representative of how summer will be.

I plan to do much outdoor yoga this summer too. Starting this weekend, I’m going to a yoga retreat on the lake, and then I’ll be looking for weekly weekend sessions in the city, in the park, on the mount, in a barrel house, by myself, with instructors, with friends. Wherever.

I’m probably going to eat a lot of ice cream. Just saying.

I plan to make good use of our membership at the club too. I will probably take some golf lessons. I will definitely be in that pool on the warmest days of the year. Above all, I’m looking forward to the time I can hang out together with the boyfriend on those days. I truly think there’s much to be said — and gained — about doing active things together.

Blogger, May I? pals: what’s on your summer schedule?

A Tourist in Pittsburgh.

May 16, 2015 - Mel

We’re more than halfway through! Today’s Blogger, May I? prompt is Tips on How to be a Tourist in Your City.

While I consider Pittsburgh to be home, living here for just shy of five years, I still find myself playing the part of tourist. There are still several neighborhoods that I’ve never stepped foot in. I’ve never been to the zoo. I am lost as to what suburbs are in what direction. The East End confuses me to no end. And I still have no fucking clue what the Parkway North is. I haven’t been on a ducky boat. For shame!

Now, living within city limits provides me certain geographical advantages, and it’s been helpful starting from the center outward. Being a former downtown resident, and now a downtown worker, I can help other tourists navigate to their interests. I cannot, however, recommend a convenience store downtown for you to purchase beer, Chicagoans (yes, that happened yesterday). My favorite way to see the city is by foot, but you MUST get a view of the skyline from the water. I’d recommend kayaking — one of my favorite things to do in this city. Also, thanks to Uber, you don’t need to feel “stuck” to one neighborhood any more. Which is why for the first time, since ever, I am excited to go hang out in Lawrenceville tonight.

In any event, I still have a list of things that I’d like to do in Pittsburgh (here are 10):
1. As previously mentioned, go to the zoo…
2. And quack-quack my way onto a Just Ducky boat
3. Visit the Carnegie Museum of Art
4. Go bar-hopping one night in Shadyside
5. Have drinks at Bob’s Garage – and marvel at all the Christmas decorations
6. I gotta Regatta!
7. Get to the Allegheny Observatory during one of their lectures
8. Tour Trundle Manor
9. See a laser show at the Carnegie Science Museum
10. Do a COMPLETE cheat of my diet restrictions, and eat at Jozsa Corner

So that’s some random, huh? What’s on your list?

Weekly Therapy: Fröhlichen Geburtstag!

May 8, 2015 - Mel

the week:
It’s my birthday week! I ran a half marathon this week! This week is also payday! It’s also finals week, but… eh. I’m basically already done (and looking forward to a week off). It’s a good freaking week! Everything with exclamations!

And dessert.

weekend:
Waking up early tomorrow for a BIRTHDAY MASSAGE. (And then, yes, I can stop milking this birthday week.) I have a party planned at Howl at the Moon, and I’m super-excited about one opening in downtown Pittsburgh. I am a sucker for dueling piano bars and celebrations! Then my Dad is coming into town; hopefully we can find better tickets to the baseball game on Sunday.

The irony is that it’s Mother’s Day, and I’m hanging out with my dad. Have I mentioned that I’m a Mother’s Day baby?

52 books in 52 weeks:
#14: Breaking the Fifth Wall — my boss handed me this soon after starting my new job, and since it’s related to what I do at work I could read it at my desk in between projects. Quick read, easy to understand concepts about knowing the appropriate marketing tools to reach your art audience. I enjoyed it.

seven things, seven days:
1. Uber came and picked up three huge bags of clothing donations that have been sitting in my basement for nearly three years — they partnered with Goodwill for this donation drive. OMG, this was quite possibly the best thing ever. Please deliver me burritos, kthxbai.
2. Bonus: we had a contractor haul away all the excess paint cans sitting in the basement from this house’s previous owner. You guys, I CAN WALK IN MY BASEMENT.
3. Upon forgetting to bring my charge cord to work AGAIN for my phone, purchased this cool gadget.
4. Went to a breakfast seminar, everything was gluten. #storyofmylife
5. Nerded out to Neil deGrasse Tyson last night (!!!). He talked for over three hours and is a fantastic lecturer. I can have him as my teacher?
6. Early birthday dinner at ELEVEN. Disappointed that I didn’t receive my birthday coupon this year (this has been an annual tradition since moving to Pittsburgh), but my meal and experience, as always, was wonderful.
7. Among the generational tags, I’ve never felt the categories “fit.” Oh, but this one does: The Oregon Trail Generation

Flying Friends & Five Favorites

May 2, 2015 - Mel

I’m participating in a month-long series of posts for Blogger, May I. Today’s prompt is: Five Favorites

I mentioned in a previous post about my fundraising efforts for the National Aviary during my half marathon training. Today’s post is about THE BIRDS that make the Aviary one of my favorites places in Pittsburgh, focusing on my five cute little (and sometimes big) guys that keep me coming back. I stopped in today after the 5K to pay my feathered friends a visit — and tell them all about the goodies coming their way as result of my donations. *wink, wink*

1. Bubba is a Palm Cockatoo located (most days) in the Tropical Rainforest exhibit. Many former visitors may remember him when he was in the atrium area. Unfortunately, he wasn’t visible today on my visit, but I got SO EXCITED when he returned my “Bubba, hi!” call from his holding area. He endured through many of my long shifts at the Aviary when I had no one else to talk to, so he’s my favorite-favorite.

2. Crested Wood Partridges, much like Bubba, brought me a lot of joy when I was working at the Aviary. I mean, how can you not smile at that cute little red Mohawk and their little round bodies?

3. Franklin, the Spectacled Owl, is not an exhibit bird, but you can get lucky and see him on occasion being walked through the halls during open hours. He’s probably my favorite bird to get a selfie with — and I lucked out seeing him today with a trainer, who let me take a selfie recap.

4. Aleutia, one of the Steller’s Sea Eagles, and I love to have staring contests. Or, I love to stare and admire her, while she conspires up ways that she can have me for dinner. Either way, she’s a magnificent bird to see up close — and the Aviary has two of these eagles!

5. The Aviary has private encounters that are an AMAZING way to get up-close-and-personal (or, “nose to beak”) to a bird. You can make reservations to meet a penguin, a bird of prey, or even go down to the beach and hang out with the flamingos. For my birthday last year, I treated myself to a bird of prey encounter and the trainer selected a Lanner Falcon for my half hour exerience. And, well, the picture speaks for itself how incredible the experience is and how the falcons moved up my list of favorites.

If you haven’t been, you really should make a visit — it’s a somewhat-small place, so you don’t need an entire day to see everything (a couple hours to walk through the open exhibit areas, and see a live bird show or feeding is highly recommended for the whole experience!). And THANK YOU to those who have already donated — and many thanks in advance to YOU if you make a donation before tomorrow.

And I’d be remiss if I didn’t include a bonus picture of the Roadrunner (Aviary just recently added two of these guys into their Cloud Forest exhibit):

Weekly Therapy: Do the Thing! Win all the Points!

April 10, 2015 - Mel

the week:
Hey guys? It’s BASEBALL SEASON! I walk past PNC Park every day on my way to work, and I couldn’t be more excited — watching as updates and clean-ups have occurred in and around the stadium. I’ve been able to see the flags hoisted, the lights and scoreboard checks, and yesterday they were testing PA announcements. While it’s not the homestand of my beloved Cleveland Indians (RIP, The Jake), I can get behind some gluten-free burritos at the ballpark this summer!

Now if you don’t mind me, I’m heading home to curl up with a glass of wine and some MLBTV.

weekend:
It’s Cherry Blossoms weekend in DC and my first long race of the season. Every time I think about it, I get nerves, so I’ll have to save those emotions for another post.

52 books in 52 weeks:
#12: Need To Know: Social Science Research Methods — another day, another textbook. I’ll just say this: this book helped little for preparing me for course assignments or quizzes. Ugh, the worst.

seven things, seven days:
1. Speaking of sports, did you guys see that Hostess twitter post this week? I thought it was brilliant and hilarious.
2. Attended an info session with the local Girls on the Run affiliate and looking forward to being involved with the organization. That is, if they can place me for a coaching position.
3. Rejected a previously-RSVP’d-yes blogger invite this week upon receiving an email that stated “dress to be photographed” in the “can’t wait to see you!” update prior to the event. NOPE. Although I’m sure the event was cool, that’s just not my scene.
4. I failed the “why did you unfriend me?” test when asked on FB. And now I feel even shittier for not being honest.
5. Speaking of which, I don’t know… if Facebook makes you feel depressed, why are you using it? The Psychology of Healthy Facebook Use: No Comparing to Other Lives {via The Atlantic}
6. I am VERY excited for extraVEGANza to open in Pittsburgh. {link is to their indiegogo campaign with some sweet perks!}
7. “Comfort in our failures allows us to act without fear, to engage without judgment, to love without conditions.” The Confidence Conundrum {via the ever-amazing Mark Manson}

Touchdown, Cherry Blossoms!

Weekly Therapy: SPORTS and spring and all the things.

March 20, 2015 - Mel

the week:
Happy First Day of Spring! And Happy International Day of Happiness! And Happy International Macaron Day (freebies at both Jean Marc and Gaby et Jules, by the way). And OMG Gaby et is setting up a location within the new fancy-schmancy grocery store opening in downtown next month). (I’ve had a lot of sugar today, including chocolate-caramel popcorn from Pittsburgh Popcorn Company.)

Oh yes… it was also my 6-YEAR anniversary this week! We celebrated by going for burgers at Benjamin’s (I drank almost a full bottle of wine, save for the glass that I knocked over and the glass I gave to my neighbor) and went to see Cold War Kids. Ah, blissful normal-ness.

weekend:
OMG does my house need some spring lovin’ (that’ll be me up on a ladder, trying out the new fan blade cleaning trick with a pillow case that I saw on Pinterest!) I also have to tweak the living room layout, clean the wood floors, lay down a new rug, replace my one off-sized window panel, vacuum EVERYTHING… I’m putting the boyfriend to work outside to clean up the courtyard. Because, SPRING!

seven things, seven days:
1. Registered for the Niagara Falls International Marathon in October. Half-excited, half freaking out.
2. Also getting more serious about training now, and signed up for coaching through Steel City Road Runners.
3. And so long as I make it through this year’s longest of long runs, I’m planning for Prague Marathon in 2016.
4. I also now have a mentor through AASP.
5. While we’re on the topic, The Sports Psychology of March Madness. {via Sporting News} FWIW, I’m in the “Sleepers” bracket category at work for only properly guessing 9 out of 16 in the first round. First prize is a free vacation day. GIMME!
6. Designer juice is for assholes. YES, THIS. {via The Financial Diet – add to your blog reader!}
7. The Methodology for Psychology Podcast gets me moving (and smarter!) in the morning. But as the days get nicer, I’ll be walking to work more, and I’m already going through more episodes than there are sunny days. Have any interesting psychology podcasts to recommend?

Heartland Transplant

Pittsburgh Places