running

Weekly Therapy: fueled by turkey

- Mel

the week:
This Thanksgiving week has been cray-zay, and I’m happy to be on the other end of it. Bring on the holiday madness and anxiety! And cheese plates. More of those, please. Approaching Thanksgiving was really stressful, and I had to deal with some last-minute disappointment (which I ran off in an anger-fueled 5-mile Turkey Trot); alas, keeping some perspective, I am so thankful for so many people in my life and my present opportunities and future prospects. And we had one helluva gluten-free, nightshade-free Thanksgiving meal.

Did you run enough?
Did you run enough?

weekend:
I feel overwhelmed by homework (story of my life), so I’ll be consumed by two-sample hypotheses and group conflict (in more ways than one). THREE WEEKS left in this semester.

seven things, seven days:
1. Upgraded and ran the Turkey Trot 5-miler this year! I love having runners-as-neighbors too, for the camaraderie to approach the start line.
2. I also love being able to walk to/from the start/finish line.
3. Received my virtual race packet for the Christmas Story 10k. I’ve never done a virtual race, and this race swag is sweet. SO EXCITE.
4. Having reverse heat problems now where the bedroom is the warmest room in the house, which… NOPE.
5. Also, we finally had a plumber out to fix the calcified water line to the house humidifier (since the furnace company doesn’t have its own plumber, #dumb), and when the furnace is switched to “winter,” the furnace doesn’t work. HOORAY, OLD HOUSES!
6. Another week before the glass doors are installed in the new shower, but we’ve basically moved in. SO HAPPY to not have to run to the other side of the house in the middle of the night to pee!
7. On Life Lists and Bucket Lists and such: Why you’re more likely to run a marathon at an age ending in “9.” Crisis of Meaning is an interesting spin on things. {via Research Digest)

Weekly Therapy: just a little further…

- Mel

the week:
Guys. The contractors have promised me that the master bathroom, bedroom wall, hallway, and master closet will be DONE before Thanksgiving. Praise, baby turkey Jesus, I need to clean my house.

AIRPLANE EARS!
AIRPLANE EARS!

weekend:
Woof. Another mid-point statistics exam today. Send me some wisdom, Math Gods! There’s also Light Up Night (and its usual hijinks). Since taking on a full-time role at work, I will regularly work over the weekends — though I’ll still get out in time to enjoy Friendsgiving dinner Saturday night. The contractors are planning to work Saturday too so that our home is in working order by Thanksgiving (that will certainly be something in which to give thanks!). Homework and a long run planned for Sunday, and I fully intend to move into my NEW WALK-IN CLOSET.

If you’re in Pittsburgh and into social media and blogging and podcasting (and not working, like me), you should go to PodCamp!

seven things, seven days:
1. The East Nash Dash I ran in Nashville sent me such a wonderful letter about the benefitting charity Progress, Inc. ALL proceeds from the race go towards the organization — how amazing is that?! I wish more organizations stayed in touch this way.
2. Happiness Conspiracy this week left me feeling… well, less happy. I don’t know if I can really explain it, but I feel as though I am lacking in self-awareness, identity, and confidence. I need to work on my authenticity and living an authentic life.
3. Current status: sleeping in the guest room because of the work (and dust) in the master. Everyone should sleep in their guest room to ensure it’s comfortable and cozy. Mine is probably the coldest room in the house besides the kitchen, so I hope you’re into that! Or, you get an air mattress in the attic.
4. Anticipating the end of this project, I have been on something of a spending spree. Probably has something to do with winter hibernation, right?
5. 9 Quotes About Life from the Movie “Garden State” – wisdom from one of my favorite movies. {via PsychCentral}
6. Some call it “ghosting,” some call it “pancaking.”
7. I’m (still) fascinated by (and want to study) motivation — this research is in reference to the motivation behind selfies {via The Red & Black}

Hot Chocolate 15K: To Columbus, with marshmallows

- Mel

Has this turned into a running blog? Well, that’s about all that I’m doing right now, so… join me in my therapy. And for the record, running is still terrible. Kinda.

THIS was the race I was, ahem, “training” for over the last 8 weeks. A group of friends talked me into running it with them, and a 15K seemed like the perfect post-derby season challenge. Plus: hot chocolate stations and marshmallow stops seemed like a good incentive. See also: a sweet finishers medal. I’ve run for less.
Ahem, apple crisp.

hot chocolate 15k

Downtown Columbus was a mad house for the Hot Chocolate 15K/5K. I was already feeling anxious-excited, and my race day room service breakfast was late (but then, free), and we got lost trying to find the start corrals (this, after somehow realizing we were at a Mile 2 water station… uhhhh)… AND bubble guts. I got assigned to the J group with a bulk of people running/walking the 5K and was grateful for all my lateral training and avoidance of hits from derby. I did step on the back of someone’s shoe trying to side-step the walkers (whoops). It was smooth sailing, err running, after the course split at about 2.5 miles — which was marked and VERY obvious for the runners, thank the… weather gods? Oh, the weather (thanks, Ohio!). EFFIN’ FREEZING. My fleece-lined pants are good for cold 5Ks, but I need something a little warmer for these long distances.

IMG_9149

I had no real goal other than thinking I should probably run the 15K faster than my 10-miler (duh). I also wanted to keep my pace around 10:30. That first 5K though… it took me a long while to warm up. But I basically ran the whole thing (save for the water station pass-throughs), of which I am ultimately proud. I didn’t get that overwhelming hunger at Mile 8, but boy, did I experience the WHY THE HELL AM I DOING THIS?! Especially when my left thigh started cramping up. But then… I felt something that made me feel as though I might be enjoying this whole running thing.

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Splits
5K: 33:29 (pace 10:47)
10K: 1:05:37 (pace 10:34)
Finish: 1:38:38 (pace 10:35)

So long, and thanks for all the fondue!

IMG_9144

Weekly Therapy: run for yourself… but also run for all the chocolate.

- Mel

the week:
Holy recovery! All things considered, I didn’t feel too bad this week for running 10 freaking miles. My hip was really bothering me the day after the race, so I’ve been foam rolling all week and stretching between customers at work. I would also really, really like to get a short 2-mile-ish run in before the end of the week to “stretch” everything out.

weekend:
Race weekend is finally here! There will be all the hot chocolate with ALL THE MARSHMALLOWS.

seven things, seven days:
1. New gluten-free bakery in Columbus? CHECK. Gimme all of your Oatmeal Creme Pies!
2. Basically, I will be in a sugar coma until Wednesday.
3. Did I tell you that I signed up for the Pittsburgh Half Marathon? Yep. DOING IT.
4. MY MASTER BATHROOM IS ALMOST DONE. Up next: master bedroom walk-in closet. What.
5. Have any advice for how to manage extreme hunger during long runs? I seem to be an anomaly, whereas other runners don’t think about food for ALL THE MILES.
6. The age-old question: Can Money Buy Happiness? Well… kinda. But you’re probably doing it wrong. {via The Wall Street Journal}
7. The Psychology of the Supermarket. Don’t shop hungry, Phil. {via Bon Appetit}

Weekly Therapy: diagonal*

- Mel

the week:
I’m recovering from a wild weekend of roller derby in Nashville. We didn’t play in the Championships games, but I was probably just as exhausted! My friend booked the Gaylord Opryland resort for our vacation — a place that I fell in love with nearly a decade ago — and it was every bit as amazing as I had hoped (and we got a fantastic rate on the room AND an atrium view AND I ordered room service twice).

opryland, nashville, hotel, gardens

Already decorated for Christmas.

weekend:
My training starts tapering off after this weekend in preparation of the Hot Chocolate 15k next weekend in Columbus, but I still need to get in a long run before Sunday. I’m considering doing the EQT 10-miler in Pittsburgh. Am I crazy?!

seven things, seven days:
1. I missed two different events this week due to being overwhelmed, exhausted, and stressed out (and, forgetful). Is it time for winter break yet?
2. At least I didn’t spill wine on me (or my seatmate) on either of the flights? Even if the flight attendant confiscated my concourse sippy.
3. I’ve been treading A/B waters in Statistics, but this week I finally drowned in confidence intervals. Someone send a life raft!
4. The contractors said the bathroom should be done next week (hooray!). Though we have to wait another 2-3 weeks for the glass shower doors.
5. Shazam for BIRDS! {via gigaom}
6. My new quote when needing motivation: “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” Thomas Edison
7. In other words, I’ll be re-doing all of my statistics assignments from last week because there’s another exam coming.

*does everyone else know the secret code for “Bed All to Yourself”? That is referred to as “diagonal” amongst my circle. HELLO, VACATION!

Weekly Therapy: what is your greatest fear?

- Mel

the week:
I finally went to Scarehouse! Four years of being in Pittsburgh, and a friend who works there took me. We also did The Basement, which… well, I’ll leave it for you to experience.

Question for you to ponder: What is your greatest fear?

While we were visiting Scarehouse, we were asked to participate in a research study about fear emotions. The researcher hooked us up to an EEG headset, and as a pair, we took a series of “tests” before and after touring the haunt. Interesting addition to an already-interesting evening, nonetheless.

scarehouse bunny selfie
Scarehouse is scary.

weekend:
Friday night was the season opening of Pittsburgh Ballet, with Sleeping Beauty. How awesome for the boyfriend, to celebrate his birthday with me and the ballet? *wink* Have I mentioned how much I want to do adult ballet classes? I think I’m going to start soon, especially since we get a discount with our subscription to PBT. We had dinner before the show at Grit & Grace downtown, which I am just in love with — and I can find multiple items every visit that are gluten-free! See also: ONION RINGS (!!!)

Otherwise, I’ll be getting a head-start on assignments, so I’m not concerned with them while I’m traveling next weekend (ha, right).

seven things, seven days:
1. I ran five miles. Does that deserve an exclamation point? Less than a month away from my 15k. I had to query other runners about nipple chafing, btw. So…
2. Apparently you make a lot of friends on twitter when you ask people about nipple chafing.
3. We cleaned the fridge TWICE and cannot find the source of a deathly smell. The boyfriend and I will be flipping a coin to see who opens and cleans the ice maker.
4. 90% on my Statistics mid-term. WHO AM I???
5. Non-petroleum jelly does NOT effectively combat nipple chafing. TMYK.
6. Finished Redirect: The surprising new science of psychological change. I don’t think I’ve highlighted so much information in one book!
7. A topic that I’ve been talking a lot about lately with friends and family. Because, I don’t think many of us are prepared. We’re older, but not wiser about menopause. {via

Weekly Therapy: two steps forward, two steps… harder.

- Mel

the week:
Well, that was a short week. Thankfully, I was able to switch my Monday shift to visit friends up in Chautauqua for some fall outdoors and boating fun. But whew, I have been feeling like unmotivated crap since. Thanks, sugar.

weekend:
Both the boyfriend’s parents and my dad and aunts are visited this weekend, separately. I opted not to attend a neighbor’s chili cookoff (not much there for me anyway). I also fit in homework (a research paper AND a proctored exam). What was that about me wanting to take a full-time position at work? Remind me about the money. Also, also: I had this bright idea to run the Fineview Step-a-thon race. 371 steps and 5+ miles. WHO AM I?!

You know that whole thing about “my weekend needing a weekend”? Yeah, that.

seven things, seven days:
1. Trying new cat boxes and litters… again. And new Feliways in a couple new spots. I’m determined NOT to put my cat on anti-depressants.
2. This gluten-free food study scares me and makes me SO MAD.
3. The personality trait that doubles Alzheimer’s risk. Welp. {via PsyBlog}
4. After two-and-a-half years in my part-time role at work, I’m moving into a full-time position. Not the dream, but it will get me through the end of school.
5. Speaking of school: OMG FINANCIAL AID. Why is there a lapse in communication with students ALWAYS. Until they need money.
6. Been thinking a lot about being mindful since my last Happiness Conspiracy. This Psychology Today article about How to Spend the First 10 Minutes of the Day makes sense.
7. Why resilient people are happier: And how to be more like them {via The Muse}

Weekly Therapy: picking up where I left off

- Mel

the week:
RECOVERY is the word of the week. After skating 4 games in 3 days and driving 8+ hours to/from Evansville, Indiana, with 1 (revenge) win and 3 losses, an elbow to the nose and a trip to the ER, my body and mind is ready for a mini break. Alas… feeling conflicted about the end of the season.

weekend:
My favorite event in the Cultural District: Gallery Crawl! This one also features the Night Market again, which has been a popular feature of the quarterly gathering. It’s also date night, which… we need right now.

Also: here’s hoping I can actually finish my Statistics homework this weekend. I’m taking MUCH longer than the estimated time for these assignments, and basically burned out last week — unable to take the weekly quiz. Really hoping to make up the score too, but I feel like nothing is possible right now. SIGH.

seven things, seven days:
1. Went to my first Happiness Conspiracy meet-up, and it was so wonderful to meet new women who are doing amazing things in Pittsburgh. We also did something creative called black-out poetry, and I’m kind of obsessed with it!
2. Hahahahahahahahahah I signed up for my first 15K. In November. I’m so dumb. But, hot chocolate and peer pressure wins. And no, that 1 in front of the 5 was not a mistake… Probably.
3. Got all new bloodwork to see where my Vitamin D levels are. It was really good to hear confirmation from my doctor that I was making good diet decisions. Now, let’s hope my results agree.
4. Kinda-sorta-hadda start over on my diet restrictions, since I cheated with sugar during my tournament travels (baby needs her sport beans).
5. OMG you guys, I’m only 5’3″! My entire life being a 5’4″ woman is a lie. But at least I’m now officially petite?
6. I love Kate and her blog. Now that she’s in the 30 Club, I wanted to show off her recent post about cultivating personal style as a “jazzy old woman.”
7. What’s the #1 thing that prevents you from changing your habits? Summer Tomato with another wonderful post about limiting beliefs.

Weekly Therapy: inspiration, perspiration… and probably a sweets coma.

- Mel

the week:
The contractors were totally right when they said things were going to start moving quickly. Because, OMG we have a room! Save for the random items that keep ending up on the back-ordered list (and that we need to find time to go mattress shopping for our new bed in the master), this guest suite is basically done. You know, expect for carpeting (ugh, delayed until the end of the month).

Last week, I’ve felt the most crappy since I started my food elimination diet. I was back to being lethargic every day… feeling like my body was caving in on me. Thankfully, it feels like I’m out the other end (glutened pun intended?) of a really bad contamination period. Can you believe I’m approaching my six-month mark?

last weekend:
I ran a mile! And then I had a margarita. The end. Oh, my summer semester ended too (two more A grades!). Then there was the annual APA Convention. So much in the way of travel stories and inspiration and things I learned that have to come later in another post — but it was an amazing experience.

this past weekend:
So much busy: happy hour dinner with the boyfriend, then the Steelers game, and then our neighbors hosted an alley party/dance party. ‘Tis fun, but I need a weekend!

seven things, seven days:
1. I’ve totally been stuck on the same book for over a month. The struggle is real.
2. Well then, that week off before Fall semester went by quickly. Starting off Fall semester with a management theory class. Woof.
3. Gluten-free baked goodies from a bakery in Rhode Island (mail order cinnamon buns!). You’re welcome.
4. Still craving ketchup. This helps.
5. Really sad about Robin Williams, right? Read: Depression when you have it all {via PsychCentral}
6. I was really hoping to do a SUP Yoga class before the end of summer. Know of any sessions available in Pittsburgh?
7. I poked myself in the eye with some sidewalk chalk (those big crayon-shaped instruments), and had a blood mark on my eye white for nearly three weeks. It’s finally dissipated (thankfully!). I swear, these weird situations seem to find me. And I need to stay away from blunt objects.

How’s your week?

Weekly Therapy: More Thanks

- Mel

the week:
We were anticipating “Gobblegeddon” to arrive in Pittsburgh just prior to Thanksgiving, and we were thankfully spared (but definitely not from all the doomsday MAKE SURE YOU HAVE TOILET PAPER AND BREAD!!!! style weather reporting).

Hosting our first Thanksgiving dinner with mixed family was so wonderful, and we were squeezed in! I loved having people in our home and planning a meal for 12 people… and decorating the table for a REAL dinner party. I loved not having to drive somewhere (especially considering my work schedule around the holiday). My nieces were adorably high strung; the cats were beyond terrified. And besides the boyfriend chopping off a small section of his finger cutting the absolutely last item (ahem), there was no bloodshed! My dad took over turkey carving duties — his first attempt; he cut that dang bird perfectly.

weekend:
CHRISTMAS DECORATING! Our tree isn’t being delivered until the first week of December, but I’m bringing up the bins from the basement to prepare. And there WILL be glitter nutcrackers adorning my mantel.

seven things, seven days:
1. I started Thanksgiving running the PNC YMCA Turkey Trot. Not only did I run the entire 5K (my ultimate goal of the race), I freakin PR’d that thing! Did I mention it was 17 degrees?!
2. I wore my new Splendid boots the ENTIRE day of Thanksgiving. They were so comfortable, I wanted to sleep in them. Hey, I wonder if Splendid makes slippers…
3. My Black Friday treat this year was a MVP pass to Rollercon.
4. A portion of our back roof is getting replaced. Finally. The contractor is going to seal the chimney too. Praise Tiny Baby Jesus, these leaks just may stop in time for Christmas!
5. I found someone on Etsy that makes frames for those photo booth strips. We have so many of those cute pictures that I want to hang.
6. Doctor bills are SO much more manageable when your yearly deductible has been met. And I get to see hot doctor again this week.
7. If you missed it on Facebook, I shared this story from Door Sixteen about her 30-something experiences with acne and skin problems. I can’t tell you how much I can relate.