Linking up today with Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney for Friday Five.
While I'm not doing any racing or running currently, I'm starting to think about what I might do for my comeback next summer, and reminiscing about my favorite races that I've done.
1. Portland Marathon (2013 and 2015). I can't imagine doing the work of training for and running a marathon without it being this one. It's well organized, not too hard of a course (relatively speaking, that is), great swag, and shows off the beautiful city!
2. First Run 5k (2013, 2014, 2015). The fact that this takes place at midnight doesn't hurt (I'd much rather stay up than get up extra early!), but this is a super fun way to ring in the New Year!
3. Bloomsday 12k (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016). This race has a long history in Spokane (and is one of the biggest road races in the US), but also with my family (my dad grew up there). When I realized I was really a runner and could handle doing this race, I was so excited to take part in the family tradition.
4. Foot Traffic Flat half marathon (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015). Held on Sauvie Island, in north Portland, this race lives up to its name. It was my second ever half marathon and I've done it every year since, usually setting a new PR. Even with the summer heat, it's a great way to celebrate the 4th of July.
5. Best in the West triathlon. Though not my first triathlon, I wish I'd done it for my first. It's really beginner-friendly, with a clear body of water and well-marked course. My impression may be biased since I performed so well and set a great PR, but I really enjoyed it. I'm definitely leaning towards doing this one next year as my next triathlon to get back into things.
Linking up today with Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney for Friday Five.
Although sometimes I think I have a strong stance on never buying something or participating in a trend, it's not that infrequent that I eventually get convinced. However, at the moment, these are the things I currently believe I won't cave on.
1. Sending phone alerts to a smart/fitness watch. For better or worse, technology makes us more connected than ever. And I'll admit to being far too tied to my phone for my own good, glancing up everytime it makes a noise while it sits on my desk or couch beside me (though I turn off most app notifications, so I at least have to open up, say, twitter or facebook, to know if there's something to see). How is it beneficial to brig that even closer to yourself, to literally have your wrist lighting up every time someone sends you a text or likes a facebook post? I totally fail to see any actual benefit!
2. Locking your car by remote from far away. This is more about how the technology is used than the thing itself (I have no issue with car remotes in general). It seems like nearly everyone I know seems to make a game out of seeing how far away they can be from their car and still have the remote be close enough to lock it. I suppose there's some fun in that kind of experimenting, but in the meantime you're leaving your car unattended and unlocked, and often in a parking lot without a completely clear line of sight. If I were going to break into someone's car, I'd totally do so by watching for people who walk away without locking it, and open the door before they do, a full minute later.
3. Cashing checks by phone app. I don't really have a good reason for this, I just somehow don't trust it. And, I don't want to be responsible for disposing of people's checks! I'd rather give the checks to the bank and let them take care of it.
4. 3D ultrasounds. They're creepy! Really, even the regular ultrasounds aren't exactly cuddly and cute, in my opinion. It's cool to see my baby and know that it's really in there and doing ok, but it looks just like any other baby on an ultrasound.
5. Airport check-in before you arrive. What's the point of checking in? It's to confirm you really are going to arrive and be on the flight, right? How can you do that if you're not at the airport yet?! You have no idea what could happen. You could get sick, you could get caught in traffic, you could get in a car accident. Telling the airline you'll definitely be there is just asking for something to go wrong, in my opinion. I assume there must be some procedure to get your ticket transferred even if you've already checked in, if something out of your control prevents you from showing up. But surely it's easier if you haven't checked in yet.
Linking up today with Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney for Friday Five.
I'm trying to keep running as far into my pregnancy as possible. I'm even doing an occasional (short) race! Obviously, it's been a fun hobby of mine for a while, and I'll be sad when eventually (whether that's at 6 months or 8.9 months) it will end up becoming too uncomfortable for the time being (and hopefully it'll be my choice to make, and no complications will make it inherently unsafe). But as much as I appreciate any time I get to enjoy it, there are definitely both pros and cons to continuing to run.
Con: No matter how many times you go to the bathroom before your run, you'll still start feeling like you have to pee no more than 10 minutes into your run.
Pro: But you know the real reason you make sure to use the bathroom before a run? No longer that crucial. The lovely pregnancy symptom of constipation (which has actually been fairly mild for me) means even all the jiggling of your intestines on a run no longer makes a bathroom stop for #2 even remotely urgent.
Con: It can be a bit disheartening to know you're not going to set any PRs, and will in fact probably be getting slower each week.
Pro: You don't have to train for a PR. No need to follow a set schedule - do whatever you feel like doing. A nap feels more appealing than a 5 miler? No problem, take nap! No need to do quarter mile repeats literally as fast as you can, pushing yourself to the limit of having to catch your breath. You get to just do the easy, fun, relaxing running. (Or push yourself when you feel like it, but only when you truly feel up for it.)
Con: None of your cute running shirts fit you anymore.
Pro: You finally have a use for the unisex or just too big (cause standardized sizing is apparently just too much to ask for) race shirts you've accumulated.
Con: In part due to those unisex race shirts, you spend a large portion of early pregnancy with a stomach that maybe kinda looks like you're pregnant, but could very easily just bea little extra weight. So presumably everyone who sees you run - so incredibly slowly - is assuming that you're a brand new runner trying to run off that beer gut.
Pro: Eventually, you'll have an obvious baby bump, and it will make sense to everyone why you're chugging along so slowly.
Con: Even if you want to challenge yourself, do some races, keep up with a modified race goal - your body often just isn't having it. Some days it's just going to be a slog fest no matter what.
Pro: Maybe you can't brag about a new PR, but everyone you talk to is in awe that you're still running at all. It's never been easier to be so impressive!
Linking up today with Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney for Friday Five.
I did my first race of the year last weekend, the 5k at Race for the Roses. Here's what I'm planning for the rest of the summer. Obviously it's a little different than usual! No big race, no real goal race. I think the I'll max out around 10k distance. No triathlons - I'm going to keep biking (indoors) and swimming to maintain a certain level of specific fitness so I can pick that back up next year, but I'm not comfortable doing those sports in the context needed to prepare for or during a tri. (Open water swimming and road biking make me fear for my life, not that they're inherently dangerous but feel like it to me largely due to where I still lack certain skills. When it's just me I think it's worth facing and working through that fear; when I'm also responsible for someone else I can't justify doing something that feels so dangerous (whether it truly is dangerous or not).)
Here's how this summer's racing is panning out:
1. Low-key, cheap 5ks - Abe is signing up for more of these (his focus for the summer is a new 5k PR, and he hates paying for anything), and I'm joining him for a couple of the Portland $5 5k fun runs. You get a bib and there's some sort of timing, but no shirts or medals, just low key and fun. It'll be a good way to keep myself challenged without spending tons of money on races when I'm not PR-ing or otherwise having a major goal to meet.
2. Themed/game race - Abe and I are also going to do together the Oregon Trail Game 5k. While part of it is completing the 5k distance, somehow during the race you also get game pieces, and so you're also trying to "survive" all the way to Oregon City, and not die of dysentery or whatnot.
3. Walking - After running Bloomsday for a few years, I've been trying to talk my parents into doing it too - it's very walker friendly. Finally, I told them if I was pregnant for it this year, I'd walk it with them, so that's what I'm doing! It'll be somewhat of a different experience than running it, but I think it'll still be a blast.
4. One 10k - I need to give myself some time to rebuild some endurance after my running being more sporadic throughout tax season and the first trimester, but I think I can safely built back up to more than just the three miles or so at a time that I've been doing. I'm thinking of perhaps the Twilight run in July, which has a 10k option - that'll give me some time for quasi-training, but before I get super hugely pregnant (this would be when I'm about six months along).
5. Disc golf tournament - Ok, not "race", but a physical event I'll doing. Abe talked me into doing a disc golf tournament! This one, the Chick Flick, is all women and super supportive of beginners. There's a "novice" division that I'll be in, so I'm just hoping everyone's playing as poorly as me. I went out and played on a course yesterday, though, for the first time in a few months, and haven't lost as much of my few skills as I feared I might. I think it'll be a lot of fun so long as I don't put too much pressure on myself.
Linking up today with Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney for Friday Five.
Today's theme, for the first Friday of the month, is "fitness". Not something that I've been working on lately to the degree that I'd prefer! Due to a variety of factors, most notably that it's tax season and I'm supposed to be working 60 hours a week (and somehow thought I'd join a choir, and keep up Toastmasters... yeah, smart choices...), it's been super challenging to fit in even what I'd consider a bare minimum (4 days of running plus at least a couple workouts of something else).
This always a challenge, and I suppose I knew going into this career that something always has to give for this portion of the year. I still think it's important to do what you can. For me, it's very integral to my mental health to keep up some activity. It's also beneficial to training cycles the rest of the year to maintain some kind of base, not to mention just general health. Here's what I try to keep in mind to make it work to do something.
1. Fit it in where you can. For me, that often means taking advantage of a slight lull in brain power in late afternoon anyway, and taking a "dinner break" to go for a run (and when I'm back, it's after normal business hours so it doesn't matter what I'm wearing). On Fridays or Saturdays, I might run after getting home, at say 7 pm. Feels like the wrong time to be exercising instead of socializing on a weekend night, but it's when I have the time.
2. Something is better than nothing! Wednesday night this week, I got home even later than usual and felt like crap. I decided to head out for a run (in the rain, even), and only got 1.6 miles - even in the offseason, doing super slow, I like to think of 2 to 2.5 as my minimum! But really, I felt better after, it was still better than spending an extra 20 minutes on the couch.
3. Speaking of that 1.6 mile run - that was at night, about 9 pm, in the dark, in the pouring rain. It was pretty much the least ideal running conditions I could come up. That's what it takes when you have minimal time. You can't put off the run until the rain lets up, or fit it in earlier before the sunset. You have to be willing to take the time you have when it happens.
4. Though I always do the vast majority of my running alone, I have been trying (and enjoying!) doing some group stuff. When I got into triathlons I did a season with a local tri group, and more recently I did some runs with the local No Meat Athlete chapter. There was a run this past Sunday that I thought I'd join - I'm actually available on Sundays! But realistically, by the time I got there in the week, I was exhausted. I only had that day to get stuff done around the house and to relax. Though it'd be fun, meeting up with the group would take an hour round trip of driving, plus the socializing was just that much more time when I was already limited. I did about the same length of run on my own, but I just couldn't rationalize making time for the social aspect, right now. I'll get back to running with the group when it's not tax season! Right now, doing it by myself is usually what it takes to make it happen.
5. Accept that sometimes, it's just not going to happen. Swimming is just pretty much a no go. Unlike running that I can head out at any time, I have to go at certain lap swim times, and if I need to work later and it eats into that - too bad. It took weeks to fit weight lifting back in to start the last phase of NROLFW - and what ended up happening was it just replaced biking. I'm trying to fit in a minimum of 10 miles of running a week (ha! it wasn't that long ago I was aiming for a minimum 10 mile long run each week!), and at least one other workout on top of that. If I can do more, that's great. If I can't - it is what it is.
Linking up today with Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney for Friday Five.
Despite the fact that I've been running (to varying degrees) for over five years now, I've hardly read any books about it! I've gotten lots of information online, through blogs, etc., but have done fairly little in depth studying/research through books. Reading the Hansons Marathon Method in preparing for my last marathon, and Born to Run more recently are some of the few exceptions. But I want to read more! Here's some of the running-related items on my Goodreads list. These ones are mostly memoir-type books, explaining the journey that an athlete has taken, generally including both life experience and tips for others following in their footsteps.
Any other great running books you recommend I put on my to-read list?
1. Marathon Woman: Running the Race to Revolutionize Women's Sports, by Katherine Switzer
The woman famous for breaking the barrier for women to run in the Boston Marathon tells the story of that achievement.
2. Eat and Run: My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness, by Scott Jurek
The vegan ultrarunner talks about his life, giving advice and inspiration.
3. What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, by Haruki Murakami
A memoir reflecting on the interaction of running and life.
4. A Life Without Limits: A World Champion's Journey, by Chrissie Wellington
The story of rising to a win at the Ironman World Championships.
5. The Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance, by David Epstein
So how did the athletes in the other books above reach their peak? Hard work, or are they just lucky with innate talent? This book explores that.
Linking up today with Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney for Friday Five.
Especially after the 22-day challenge in January, I'm leaning more and more vegan-ish. But plenty of people in my life anything but! If I want to go out for lunch with my coworkers, dinner with my in-laws, or drinks with probably about half of my friends, I'll need to be as accommodating to their preferences as I'd like them to be to mine.
Here's what I've come up with so far as some options that have truly vegan options (not just like, well, we can do a house salad without the bacon...?) but aren't fully vegan so everyone can find what they want. (And as far as supporting vegan versus nonvegan businesses - I think there's something to be said for letting mainstream companies know you support them providing vegan options! It'll probably never become their sole thing, but it certainly might increase as a percentage.)
1. Personal pizza places. All those quick-oven-fired pizza places that are popping up all over are perfect for letting you get your own thing, while everyone else enjoys a conventional pizza. Spots like MOD and Blaze even have non-dairy cheese available (in addition to the option of just not getting any cheese).
2. Thai restaurants. You can get tofu for your "meat", and otherwise be enjoying the same dishes as everyone else! Do be aware of recipes that could have non-vegan ingredients like fish sauce (or, uh, just choose not to ask if it's not obvious and remain blissfully unaware), and ask to have the eggs left off things like pad see ew. Thai Basil in Lake Oswego is my favorite in the Portland area.
3. Chipotle, or other built-your-own Mexican food. Everyone can customize to their hearts' content. Chipotle's beans, rice, and sofritas are all vegan; just leave off the cheese and sour cream.
4. Middle Eastern food. While others try meat kabobs, you can enjoy a mezze with hummus, baba ghanoush, and tabbouleh. Habibi and Ya Hala are a couple of Lebanese restaurants in Portland I've liked.
5. Places with full veg menus or clearly marked veg options. Departure is an upscale such restaurant we went to recently. This list of veg-friendly restaurants from NW Veg provides a lot of options. Cafe Yumm is a great for a quick and casual pick.
Linking up today with Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney for Friday Five.
I'm almost done with the 22-day vegan challenge! On Sunday, if I want, I can eat aaalll the cheese and ice cream I want. Am I going to? Well, probably a little. We have some such products in the freezer to use up; and although going through something of a "boot camp" to force myself into finding the options has been useful, I think to keep it permanent, allowing it back in and more gradually phasing it out will also be beneficial.
But, I still do want to continue seeking alternatives, especially when it comes to socially. I want to find restaurants that I go with options for me but without limiting the choices for omnivores in my life (plan to do a Friday Five for that sometime soon!), and I want to pick crowd pleasers to take to events that will please a mixed audience. Next big event? The Super Bowl of course! We're going to a get-together at my sister-in-laws, which will be mostly omnivores, and some gluten-free thrown in to boot.
I want to take something vegan that I can enjoy with my newly adopted standards, but that isn't too far out there and can show others that vegan food can be great! (The cake that a veg-friendly coworker brought in for my birthday this week was a good example of that!) Good vegan food is basically an ambassador to this way of life.
Here are some sources for vegan superbowl snacks that I found to pick from.
1. Oh She Glows - The Big Vegan Super Bowl Recipe Round-Up
The warm vegveeta dip looks amazing!
2. Vegan Richa - 15 Healthy Vegan Super Bowl Recipes
Not sure if they fit the "an omnivore wouldn't find them weird" threshold, but the melty cashew mozzarella sticks are very intriguing.
3. Veg Kitchen - 12 Easy and Fun Vegan Super Bowl Snacks
I'd like to try the artichoke and white bean dip - close enough to the real thing, I'm sure, but without subbing in anything too weird (tofu or a processed nondairy cheese or whatnot).
4. Running on Real Food - 14 Healthy(ish) Vegan Super Bowl Snacks
While not something that'd really be my favorite (vegan or not), the jalapeno poppers are something I think many people would love.
5. Veg News - Vegan Super Bowl Eats That are a Culinary Touchdown
I love the idea of the roasted red pepper dip - it's not trying to be a substitute for anything else, just a dip that happens to be vegan.
Linking up today with Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney for Friday Five.
A couple weeks ago I talked about weight lifting, but I also think it's important to do other kinds of cross training - even though we love running, there are benefits to be derived from branching out into other activities (aka doing a triathlon). Here are some of my top reasons for doing cross training for even cardio, instead of just running.
1. You can get some impressive weekly mileage by including biking. Check this out - I'd never get to 65 miles on running alone! (And I'm not even doing anything like training for the 112-mile bike leg of an Ironman...) If you've ever thought you didn't want to take up biking, perhaps this can convince you otherwise. (Swimming, on the other hand, will have the opposite effect - I'm currently working to build back up to an entire mile in a single swim session.)
2. It helps you mix up your tan lines. You get the short shorts and racer back from running, the longer shorts and farmers tan on your arms from biking, and then put on a swimsuit to reveal it all!
3. You can hurt in different parts of your body. Calves tight from running? Not to fear, spend today making your quads sore with biking instead!
4. You get more options for not wearing underwear. It starts with bike shorts - everyone knows you don't wear underwear with bike shorts, that's the whole point. Then you add in a swimsuit. Eventually, you become ok going commando in your running shorts (fine, I guess I knew that's why that panty thingie is part of them anyway). And then, just for good measure, the next term I take ballet class I plan to actually buy the real gear and do it in tights and a leotard.
5. On the (hopefully rare) occasions when you just don't feel like running, you still have something to do to find some endorphins. If pounding the pavement doesn't sound good, maybe a relaxing swim or fast-paced pedaling will be exactly what you need.
Linking up today with Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney for Friday Five.
As I've developed as a runner over the past five years, my goals and abilities have changed. I didn't start with any goal more specific than "finish a 5k with my friends", but since then have accomplished many more. As I think about my next goals, some of my favorite moments throughout that time came to mind.
1. My first marathon. The only run or race I've ever cried at the finish. I've never been so relieved to be done with something, yet still so glad to have done it. Even before I was a runner, and didn't think of myself as a runner, if you'd told me sometime I'd run 5ks, I'd be "eh, seems possible". If you'd told me I'd run marathons, I'd say you've gone bonkers. There's definitely something to be said for doing something beyond your wildest dreams.
2. When I did a 5k with my whole family. They walked it, I didn't convince them (that I know of) to start training to run anything. But I got to share an experience with them that's become a huge part of my life, and I think they enjoyed the accomplishment of their own!
3. My first 10k under an hour. While PR-setting races are often pushing the boundaries of what I think I can do, this one was seriously past what I truly thought I was capable of. It was only a random conversation with a colleague the day before that made think it was a reasonable goal to even pace myself so that it was possible from the start.
4. My first 5k, when I didn't know if I'd be able to run the entire way without stopping, but I did! It was slow, but I finished it without walking. I've taken walking breaks in plenty of runs and races since then, but it set me on a the path of setting goals that are at least a smidge beyond what you think you can do.
5. The first mile I truly ran - in 8th grade, for the miles test in PE. Before that, I just walked/jogged the mile with my friends (somehow having the idea that it was around 12 minutes in my head, then as an adult wondering how the hell I was that "fast" without even trying!). The last year the Presidential fitness tests were required, the time for my age was 9:00. I don't know what set it off, but I decided I wanted to finally beat the standard. My parents took down to the bike path to practice running for a month or two beforehand, and the day of, I finished the mile in 8:56 or 8:54! (I can't even remember which! I have the 4/6 stuck in my head, but can't remember if it was 56/beat by 4 seconds, or vice versa.)
Linking up today with Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney for Friday Five.
For the first time in a while, I've been lifting weights pretty consistently over the past year. I started the New Rules of Lifting for Women program in December 2014, and, while I've taken some breaks - during and in between phases - I've made it to halfway through phase 6 (of 7)! That's 58 strength workouts over the past 13 months - ok, I was hoping it'd average to more like 2 per week before I added it up, but I suppose for me an average of once per week is still pretty decent. I've done various DVD and other workouts off and on for years, but this is the first time I've stuck with a program this consistently.
I've also been bugging my mom to do some strength training. She's never been a person into sports or athleticism, but as she gets older, it's more important to maintain, or at least minimize loss of, what muscle mass she does. I've been trying to incentivize her by pointing out that eventually (hopefully) she'll have a grandkid that she'll need to be capable of picking up.
But really everyone should be lifting weights. Why?
1. Weight lifting will help your other sports, like running or triathlon. It will enhance your leg and core strength, improving your endurance in ways that running alone can't build.
2. It will also prevent injuries, by building balanced muscles, which helps you keep good form and your joints stable.
3. If you won't do it for your sport, lift weights for your weight. Muscle burns more calories than fat, so having more muscle mass increases the calories you burn throughout the day (even though while exercising, lifting will generally burn fewer calories than cardio).
4. By the time you're in your 30s, your muscle mass will start declining if you don't do something to prevent it. No one wants to be that hunched over, frail, old lady! It's not an inherent part of aging, it's an inherent part of not taking care of yourself. Take care of your body by deliberately building that muscle mass instead.
5. It makes you a bad ass. Because of strength training, I can life my entire body in a chin-up! (Ok, just once, but still.). I think that's pretty impressive! I know a lot of people (women, in particular) who cannot do that, who cannot even fathom doing that. But when you think about it, just being able to lift your own body weight like that, seems like a pretty basic thing, something you should be able to do. Don't lose that!
Linking up today with Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney for Friday Five. Today's theme is Holiday Wish List. The vast majority of things on the lists I've given to family members over the past couple weeks are sports related - running and tri really are my biggest hobbies, so the splurges for things I can't quite justify buying for myself are all related to that. Here are some of the things I'm hoping to get!
1. No Meat Athlete shirt. Especially now that I'm joining up occasionally on group runs with the Portland branch of NMA running, it'd be great to represent my beliefs at races.
2. Winter/fleece lined tights - something like this. I tend not to have to ever run in too ridiculous cold of weather - due to living in a climate that's pretty fairly mild (lows in the teens were an oddity during a cold spell last winter), plus I tend to run in the afternoon or evening, rather than in the morning when you'd feel the coldest temps of the day. But sometimes we do have that cold spell, or I need to run in the morning for scheduling reasons or a race. I've layered up then, with shorts and tall socks underneath my regular leggings, but something warmer would be nice even if I only need it on occasion!
3. Running rain jacket - specifically liking reviews of the Patagonia Houdini. It may not get super cold here, but it does rain all winter! 35° and rainy can be pretty miserable, so a lightweight, water resistant layer is something I've been wanting for a while.
4. Lock laces. These let you quickly pull on your shoes without having to tie them, which would be great during transition in a triathlon.
5. Shoe lights - along the lines of this. While I do have a handlamp (including a blinking red back light) and a blinky reflective vest to wear when I'm running in the dark, there's plenty of data that says what's actually important so drivers can distinguish that you're a person and not a sign is to have lights on your moving parts - e.g., your feet/legs or hands/arms.
Linking up today with Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney for Friday Five. Today's theme is dream vacations - we mean destination races, right?
Here are the races that have been in the back of my mind to do eventually. Some are more realistic than others...
1. Run for the Hill of It - A race that goes up the hillside near my hometown. 2,000 feet up over 8 miles! The Lewiston hill is the hill of the valley, the highway that leads out of town, the signal to know which direction is east. Though this would obviously be a ridiculously tough race, I'd love to say I made it up the hill.
2. Boston Marathon - What runner doesn't dream of Boston? Of course, it's totally unrealistic for me - no, not because of the qualifying times (I just have to maintain my current ability until I'm 75 or 80, no biggie) - because the third Monday is always in close proximity to April 15th, tax day. While I've trained for (and PR'd) a half marathon to keep myself moving during tax season, training for a full is out of the realm of possibility. Will have to save that for after I retire.
3. The Great Wall of China Marathon - Any trip to visit such an icon would be amazing, but to race on it seems extraordinary. And really the tour packages (that you're required to buy with the marathon entry) look like reasonable enough packaged tour purchases, so if I were going all the way to China might as well do it this way and see some sights on foot.
4. A US-Canada border crossing race - I've heard of the Detroit Marathon before, and there are others, such as the Bay of Fundy International Marathon. While I'm sure a marathon hurts just as bad in any country, the novelty of the border might be somewhat of a distraction.
5. A Ragnar Trail relay - I've done the Hood to Coast twice now (and haven't ruled out doing it again), but I don't really see doing any other road relays, such as the Ragnar ones - it's more about the iconic event of HTC and living in Oregon, than it being a relay per se. But the Ragnar Trail events, where you camp in a central spot and relay on three set trails - sounds more enjoyable. There's still the running at odd hours part, but no cramped van, at least.
Linking up today with Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney for Friday Five. Today's theme is favorite cool weather drinks. While I tend to skip the non-running related link up topics (I can think of plenty of off-topic, rambling thoughts to force invite you to read on my own), this one sounded fun to join in, primarily because it's a chance to share my mom's spiced cider recipe.
1. Hot chocolate. Probably one of the most obvious! Lately on rainy afternoons at work, going to the kitchen and putting together a mug of hot chocolate (we have some packets of powdered mix in with the tea supply) has been a lovely pick me up.
2. Hard cider. Not a warm-up kind of drink, and sure you can get it year-round. But it tastes better in the fall! I love the Cider Boys combo ciders (e.g., strawberry apple).
3. Lemon tea. It reminds me of visiting my great-aunt after holiday get-togethers like Thanksgiving and Christmas. She'd have home baked goodies and tea, and my family would meet up with her for breakfast.
4. Peppermint hot chocolate. There are only a couple things I get at Starbucks - double chocolate chip frappuccinos (which I fully acknowledge are basically a milkshake), and the peppermint hot chocolate when it's in season. It's delicious and tastes like Christmas!
5. My mom's hot spiced cider. It's fairly basic, but she's made it for parties and holidays for as long as I can remember, and I love it!
Mom's Spiced Cider
2 quarts apple cider or juice
2 Tbsp brown sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
1/2 tsp whole cloves (can put in a teaball for easy removal before serving)
dash of nutmeg
dash of ginger
dash of cinnamon (optional)
orange slices (optional)
Combine all ingredients in a crockpot or large pot. Heat on low heat for a few hours.
Linking up today with Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney for Friday Five. Today's theme is best race signs. I've probably seen some during races that, at the time, I liked even better then these - but I often forget them not too long after the race! I'm almost always focused enough on my time goal that I don't like taking pictures, either. But here are my favorites as best as I can recall.
1. Worst Parade Ever
Especially as a former marching band member who's suffered from far too many parades (in a stuffy uniform, holding a heavy instrument) to possibly enjoy spectating one, I find this quite on point.
2. You're not almost done
In the last miles of a marathon, this realism can be greatly appreciated!
3. Mortuary ahead - look alive
I don't think there was actually a mortuary coming up, but it's also quite appropriate near the end of a marathon.
4. Inspirational message
The cynic in me adores this.
5. Press here for power
I don't think I'd seen this variation of sign until this year's marathon, but then it was all over the place. At first I thought they were rather silly, by again, by the end, it was a cute little burst of inspiration, and a fun way to interact with spectators to get some energy.
ETA:
Bonus #6 - actually one of my favorites that I saw during this year's marathon that I totally forgot about until twelve hours after publishing this post:
Pain is temporary. Race results are on the internet forever.
Linking up today with Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney for Friday Five. Today's theme is running tips. I wanted to use this to share some tips that aren't often shared - about being a slow runner. I've always been, and still am, a slow runner. It's all relative, sure I'm still "lapping the people on the couch", but in the running community, I am objectively slow. But still a runner!
1. Run fast and push yourself sometimes. Sometimes it might not feel worth it, because your "fast" isn't that fast in the grand scheme of things. It might occur to you that people are running full marathons at the pace you're sprinting at for quarter mile repeats. So what?! Do your best, and push your limits. Your natural abilities will limit you at some point, you might never be a sub-3 marathoner - or even a sub-3 half marathoner - and that's ok. But put in your best effort, and you'll slowly but surely improve and make progress along your own path.
2. But run your easy runs easy, no matter how slow that feels. Run slow because it builds your aerobic base (which you need for long distance running!). Run slow because it's active recovery from your hard runs. Run slow because it's relaxing and enjoyable.
3. No, seriously, run even slower. Run embarrassingly slow. In order to build an adequate aerobic base and be able to sustain running for long distances, you have to run ridiculously slow at least some of the time. My "easy" pace has actually gotten slower over the past few years I've gotten more serious about running (even while my fastest possible speed - for mile trials, quarter mile repeats, 5k PR, etc. - has gotten significantly faster). I seriously had no idea when I started how wide a spread there should be between your fastest possible pace and your truly easy pace. It's really really slow. Embrace the slow.
4. Don't necessarily rule out running with other people. During tax season I ran with a coworker who can hold 7 minute miles for an hour! Obviously I didn't run with her for that - I ran with her the day after she did that, at a tempo/fast pace for me, which was a good recovery pace for her. Maybe a friend who runs faster will be willing to run at your speed regardless, but it's also a great opportunity to let someone who knows they can keep up your goal pace help you maintain it, while they recover from harder runs on other days.
5. Have fun and be proud of yourself! As long as you're enjoying running, it's worth doing, even if you'll never win a race.
