On My Mind

There's no rhyme or reason to this post; there are a few things swirling around in my head right now, so today HtGR is going to take on a diary-esque feel. Sometimes I just need to let a brain-dump happen!

1. I have no shame about being completely and totally devastated by both David Bowie and Alan Rickman's deaths. When I first heard about Bowie, I immediately went into denial mode, and since Sunday I've been listening to his music nonstop. Growing up, my siblings and I watched Labyrinth literally hundreds of times - anytime my parents had a date-night, that was the movie we put on. Of course my parents were big fans of his music (our first dog was named Bowie, in fact) so he was a big part of my childhood. His willingness to try new things and test boundaries was always something I admired, and his artistry is unmatched in the musical world.

(Bowie released his final album as a parting gift to the world, and this song is just haunting. Below is a favorite from Labyrinth. Fun fact: the album from Labyrinth was my first CD.)

Likewise, Alan Rickman has always been a favorite of mine. I was in the middle of teaching when I received my sister's text that he had died, and I literally stopped mid-sentence (this is the one con of wearing an Apple watch - I got the text and saw it immediately, rather than waiting to check messages at lunch like usual) and had to check for confirmation.

The nuance in his acting in everything I have ever seen him in was just brilliant; I'd forget I was watching an actor, even though I loved the actor, and that's really the highest compliment I can pay. Of course, he also brought one of my favorite book characters to life as Severus Snape - that's one complex and complicated character, and he portrayed Snape convincingly, honestly, and compassionately. I love watching Rickman play conflicted characters - his role as Harry in Love, Actually is simply gorgeous. He brought a lot of depth to a movie that is, at its heart, just a rom-com.

My biggest gripe about the HP movies is their casting - the older characters (from Harry's parents' years at Hogwarts) should have been in their 30s. But I could forgive the mistake with Rickman, because he was literally the perfect Snape, even if he was twenty years too old.

More importantly, Rickman was an outspoken feminist and activist. As wonderful an actor as he was, I appreciated his character - not those he played - the most.

2. We've been having July weather in January this year, and for us, that means hurricanes (or hurricane-like weather). Florida isn't known for tornadoes, but we've had those, too. Our district announced that Friday would be an excused absence for any students who missed school because the weather looked bad, and sure enough, school was interrupted twice for tornado watches. I guess those drills we practice paid off; our kids were well-prepared and the teachers kept our cool.

One of our most popular half marathons was canceled due to the storms...this is the race course right now; it's completely submerged.

One tornado hit thirty minutes from us, and Sunday morning four hit my parents' city. They're okay, and so are Matt's parents, but there were casualties and our most famous beach was hit pretty hard.

We don't get these kinds of storms in winter. It's disconcerting, to say the least.

3. After the storms cleared, it was still crazy windy all day. No more 60 mph gusts, but doing my long run in 21 mph winds was...challenging. Still, I got it done. My right leg felt like rocks this weekend, so I'm trying to figure out the best way to treat it! (It feels like when you've done a million crunches and your muscles are just super fatigued and you have lactic-acid buildup, but it's been feeling that way within the first mile, and it didn't go away until mile 6 of my long-run Sunday.)

Midway through my run, I tried to figure out where my mind is on A1A. I know I don't have to decide yet, but next weekend is my 20-miler, so I need to at least decide if I'm interested enough in possibly running the full to do 20. If my leg feels like it did today, I don't think I will; it was not good. But if I can rest and recover nicely this week and nail my 20, then the full is still a possiblity.

Why do hats make me look so weird?! Anyway, Elizabeth conquered her longest run ever: 9.1 miles! It was weird to start this run at 3pm. I'm definitely not a fan of evening long runs.

4. I've been binge-watching The West Wing this weekend. I was going to watch Labyrinth but Matt wanted me to wait until he can watch, too, so instead I chose another old favorite. TWW reminds me of my dad; watching it with him was what introduced me to politics, and I always liked that it was something we shared.

I love that, despite being 10 years old, this show was so on-point! It covers abortion rights, Islamophobia, war in the Middle East, gay rights, mandatory minimums, assisted suicide...you name it...and it's funny! I guess it just goes to show that politics is always the same old argument rehashed over and over again.

Another timeless, perfect moment.

5. It's been cold. Finally! I hope it lasts!

What's on your mind this week?
Any tips for my leg situation?
Are you a Bowie fan?

ABK

Friday Five

I don't usually do these "themed" posts, but May is just one of those months. My brain is completely overwhelmed with a million things; a random Friday post is just what I need!

1. Lately I've been kind of addicted to true-crime novels about serial killers. I just find them intriguing! Of course, the downside of this latest reading binge is that I've been a little wary about running alone at night. My head is filled with terrifying, true-life murders!

Killer Clown was surprisingly good despite the corny title. I'm really enjoying Harold Schechter's writing, too.

2. I needed a pick-me-up the other day and decided a new shade of lipstick would do the trick. I rarely wear anything brighter than a berry color, but lately I've been loving this red! I've gotten a few comments on it; the funniest thing is that I haven't changed the rest of my makeup routine at all, but suddenly people are like, "Oh, you're wearing makeup!" I guess a red lip is pretty noticeable.

I'm especially loving that this color stays on through a whole day of teaching!

3. Our gardenia plant is in full bloom right now. Matt has been picking the flowers and putting them around the house. They smell amazing and are just so pretty and delicate. I hope they last all summer!

Who needs to buy flowers when these grow in your backyard?!

4. One of my oldest childhood friends is getting married May 24 and I wanted to buy a new dress for the occasion. After ordering four dresses, I've finally found a winner. The only problem I'm facing now is deciding on my hair! It's time for a trim, and I can't decide how much shorter to go. I'm probably over-thinking this, but if I leave it how it is I could wear it up; if I cut it shorter I could wear it down, but it won't look very formal if I wear it down at its current length. I foresee a haircut in my future.

This is actually a super unflattering photo, but you get the idea. I don't usually wear light blue, but I think I like it! Also, I spy an Archie-bird.

5. The end of the year is looming! My students have been presenting their research this week and their final papers are due today. Their finals for ELA are early next week, we're on the fast-track to finish 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by next Thursday, and the following week we'll be in DC for the 8th grade trip! I need to have all the projects and finals graded before then. I love this time of year but it's understandably stressful and overwhelming. Emails like this from old students really help me remember why it's all worth it.

This student created a surprise for a teacher she loves this year, which is what she's writing about at first, but the bit about the research project is what really made my day!

We 8th grade teachers spend so much time trying to convince our students that high school is a whole different playing field and that we're trying to empower them to be successful in the future; every year current students don't believe us and previous students come back and tell us how right we were. I guess hindsight is 20/20 haha.

So that's it! I'm looking forward to a restful weekend. May is never a big running month for me, and I'm trying to stay active, but I'm also not stressing about missing runs. I'm not in training right now and I'm truly in survival mode; getting rest when I can is my top priority!

What five things are on your mind?

ABK

On My Mind

On my mind lately, and in no particular order...

Does everybody's hunger feel the same? How do people seem to assuage hunger with something as small as yogurt?!

I've been enjoying using Matt's Indo Board lately. I fell off once and skinned my elbow, but it's a nice little full-body workout if you do it right!

This is harder than it looks, I swear!

I could seriously watch Forensic Files and Dr. G: Medical Examiner for hours straight. Thanks, HLN.

At what point do TV shows cross the line from adorably/ironically corny to totally lame?

I'm looking at you, Bones. (I like that David Boreanaz is totally like, what us?, in this pic.)

I've signed up for paperless billing and statements; why do I still get so much mail from my credit card and insurance companies?!

How the heck did we have a cold front on May 1st?! No, no...don't look a gift horse in the mouth here. 

I hope this lasts until tomorrow morning and I can enjoy my first "long run" in cool weather!

I wonder if those teens from last weekend got found out...I wonder what their blog post about the incident would look like?

Is it better to count down to summer including or excluding weekends?

There are this many days left. That's all I know.

Why does my internet work for every device in the house except my laptop? (I am constantly using my hot spot to get online!)

I do not "meal plan" but this week I did a great job making extra food so we could have leftovers all week. Go me!

Salmon, shrimp, peas, and yellow rice. Yum! I also made a week's worth of chicken on Sunday night.

I know that changing your mindset is the first step in getting healthier, but how do I get my taste-buds on board with that theory?

Oh this is dangerous...I can buy things off Amazon using accumulated credit card points?! That makes it FREE!

Running is clearly the fountain of youth!

Have you tried this robot yet? It guesses your age...I've gotten everything from 27 to 37! I apparently looked really rough after my marathon and while we were camping.

I'm trying to figure out how to download Instagram videos to my computer so I can make a playlist of fun at-home workouts.

Full Body Blast! 💪 double tap & tag your partner 👫 perform 10 reps each exercise for a total of 4 sets! @alexajeanbrown

A video posted by Alexa Jean Brown (@alexajeanfitness) on Apr 16, 2015 at 6:01pm PDT

Finally, I don't realize how much I'm not myself leading up to my TPE/follow-up meeting, and then when it's over, I feel totally weightless! I suddenly feel so happy in my classroom again!
Aaah, that brain dump felt good!

What's on your mind lately?

ABK

My Running Favorites

Jess over at Fairweather Runner tagged me to share some of my running favorites! I actually had to put a lot more thought into this than I expected.

Favorite Running Place I don't have any really pretty routes that I just love. I don't live in that part of Florida I guess. I have favorite running places for different purposes. Lately, I've been loving running on the golf course behind my house. The winding, sandy paths are easier on my knees than concrete and some of the views are quite pretty. It's a nice place to run when I want to relax and zone out.

I mean, it's pretty gorgeous for a stupid old golf course!

(Secondarily, my favorite places to run are actually anywhere out of town. I just get extra motivation out of traveling I guess!)

Favorite Time of Day I really hate waking up early, so usually I prefer to run in the evenings. But summer's come early to Florida, so morning runs (before the sun is up) are a little less painful! My favorite time of day to run is evening in winter, but early morning in summer.

4am on my street last week. I'm already repeating, "Summer miles make fall smiles" to myself over and over.

Favorite Weather Overcast, misty, 50 degrees. Nothing beats that!

Favorite Fuel I absolutely love Glutino toaster pastries before a run! After being diagnosed with Celiac, Pop Tarts were the #1 thing I missed. (How weird and random is that?! I didn't even like Pop Tarts that much when I could eat them!) When Glutino finally came out with their toaster pastries, I drove 40 minutes to Whole Foods and bought an entire case! Luckily, my local grocery store now stocks them so I don't have to hoard them like a doomsday prepper

Some of my breakfast marathon morning...gf pop tart included!

Favorite Accessories My Pro Compression PC runner socks. I love the sleeves, but the marathon socks are too thin to run in. The PC runners are slightly thicker/cushiony and fairly tight/supportive. Plus, they're so colorful! I never get squishy, sweaty feet in these babies, and I've never had a blister in them either!

I've convinced quite a few people to try these and they all love them!

Favorite Reward Nap time. I almost said food, but honestly, nap time trumps even the most delicious post-run feast!

I'd love to read about Meg, Heather, and Lizzy's running favorites!

How do you reward yourself after a workout?

What's your favorite thing about running?

ABK

Behind the Blog

Remember the days when VH1 had those really awesome "Behind the Music" shows? Remember when MTV actually played music videos? ...I don't know, naming this post has sent me back to the 90s haha.

Anyway! A few weeks ago those uplifting, warmth-inducing awards we all know and love made the rounds again, and I feel so lucky to have been nominated by three different, amazing bloggers who make my feed so entertaining and inspiring!

Courteney at Runner Girl nominated me for the Sunshine Award, given to bloggers who are inspiring, creative, and positive! I have been making a concentrated effort to be as positive as possible since my rut in January of last year, so being recognized makes me feel like I've been doing a pretty good job!

For the Sunshine Award, I'm supposed to share 11 facts about myself; as you'll soon see, I've got plenty of questions to answer from the other award, so I think I'll double up on those!

Jessica at Run Your Mutt Off and Heather at Girl Goes Running both nominated me for the Liebster Award. This award is meant to promote new bloggers; Liebster is German and can be translated to mean dearest, lovely, and valued. What a sweet award!

 Questions from Heather:

1. What is your favourite distance to run? Okay, first of all, I love that Canadians use the British spelling of words. I think my favorite distance for running is 5 miles, but for racing it's the half marathon. It's just the perfect distance for a real challenge that leaves you feeling that you've really accomplished something!

2. When did you start running? In 2009! It's the only New Year's resolution I've ever kept.

3. What is  your favourite brand of running shoe? Asics. I really love my Kayanos, but I love trying out new brands all the time.

4. Solo Runner or Buddy Runner? I used to need a buddy to stay motivated; learning to keep myself accountable has been a huge accomplishment to me. But I still love running with other people!

5. Favourite post-run snack? Chocolate milk. It's pretty much the only thing I can stomach after a run.

6. What made you start blogging? I wanted to keep myself more accountable. Blogging has been such a great gift. I love the blogging community, it has helped me reach out to friends and encourage them to begin running, and it has definitely helped me stay on track!

7. Do you have a pet? If so what kind? I've got little Archie, of course!

8. What is something not related to fitness that you think others don't know about you? This is a tough one. Um, I love science! I think biology and physics are beautiful and simply awe-inspiring.

9. What is your favourite TV show? I have a whole list! Shamefully, I watch Real Housewives (but only certain cities). I also love Community, Suburgatory, Bones, and The Daily Show and Colbert Report.

10. What do  you do with your race bibs? I keep them on the medal-holder I made for myself!

I seriously need to take an updated pic...I'm in need of new hooks I've accumulated so many medals lately!

11. What is a pre-race ritual you have? Coffee, breakfast, 5+ bathroom stops. Then, at the starting line, I jump up and down like I'm on a pogo stick.

Questions from Jessica:

1. What is your favorite race you’ve run, and why? My most recent half, probably, because I signed up alone and did most of my training alone. I learned a lot about myself in this race. It wasn't a PR, but I had more fun and felt more positive than in any other race I've run!

2. Who is your biggest supporter/fan? Definitely my husband. He cheers me on at 98% of my races, and even runs some of them with me. He would have a right to complain about how much money I drop on running clothes, shoes, and races, but he always encourages me to trust my instinct and get what I want/need.

3. What is your favorite piece of running gear? I looove my new Nike spandex shorts. They're so comfy and have a pocket, which is hard to find in spandex!

4. What is your tried-and-true pre-race meal? Dinner the night before is either sushi or spaghetti with meat sauce, hands down. Breakfast is a banana, peanut butter and honey toast, and coffee.

5. Have you met any of your twitter/blogger friends in real life? If so, when & where? I've met one of my blog friends from BEFORE blogger...I'm talking the days of Livejournal! She came to my wedding, and I can't wait to return the favor and go to hers in October this year!

6. What is your favorite non-running workout or exercise? I have lately become obsessed with squats. Someday I'll even learn to do them with weights! haha

7. Tell me the most memorable thing about your wedding or someone’s wedding that you’ve attended. A friend of ours surprised us by requesting the Hora from the DJ. We hadn't planned to do it, but it was so fun, I know my family loved that extra Jewish touch, and it really made the night special.

8. If you were stranded on a desert island, what 3 things could you not live without? Carmex, my kindle (and WiFi so I'd never run out of books and music), and Matt. 

9. What is the last book you read? I just finished Hollow City by Ransom Riggs. If you liked Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, I highly recommend it.

10. What is your all time favorite book? This isn't fair! I'm an English teacher! This is like asking a parent which kid is their favorite...it depends on the day of the week ;o)

11. Pick one – pizza, beer and a movie OR pasta, wine and a good book. Why? Love this question, but I wish I could mix and match. I really prefer wine and a good book, but I'd take pizza over pasta any day! (Gluten free, of course!)

It's truly awesome to me that the blogging community can really bring people together. I hope to be able to run with all these far-away friends someday!

The only thing I hate about these awards is having to choose just a handful of people to share them with. So many small blogs have so much to offer! Comment below with a synopsis of you blog and the URL...I encourage everyone to check out a blog that's new to them from the comments!

ABK

10 Things You Learn When You Start Running

Earlier this week, my cousin posted an article on Facebook about the ten things that happen when you join cross-fit. I was pleasantly surprised and giggling as I read, not because I have ever tried cross-fit myself, but because every single item applied to running.

In my mind, I happily converted every word the author wrote into a running-related example. Here's my list, partially-plagiarized and tweaked.

1. You will find out how truly out of shape you are. I can clearly remember the beginning of my running days, and how difficult it was to run a full mile...the first few times out, I barely held a "running" pace for a minute before I needed a walk break. Here I was wearing small sizes and thinking I was probably fitter than my friends...and then running humbled me. Running has taught me to never judge others by how they look, because that dude with 30 years and 50 pounds on you may just be able to smoke you in a race.

2. You will realize how fat you and other regular people are compared to real athletes. Even training for a marathon, I avoid calipers like crazy. When I happen to see an honest-to-goodness athlete in the gym (or at a race) and they're 50 years old, toned up, slimmed down, and everything I want to be...Well, yeah. I'm definitely no elite athlete. And that's not to say that normal people are "fat", but elite athletes are seriously in a class of their own!

Keep your dignity intact and avoid these like the plague.

3. You will begin learning the lingo and using it without feeling like a dork:

•  Fartlek
• Tempo
• Intervals
• Pronation
• Repeats 
• Race pace

Need I say more?

4. Your friends and family will start Googling [running] and giving you warnings. If I hear one more person rant on how my knees are going to give out, or how marathoners drop dead at the finish line all the time, I may explode. Recent studies show that runners' knees and joints are actually healthy and strong, and few people die from over-exertion in running unless they have a health condition. It happens; it's tragic; it's rare. Isn't it ironic how the ones giving you the advice are always the worst of the couch potatoes?

5. You will get insanely good at counting. Figuring out your pace for beating a PR, your tempo pace, interval times, your race pace, your 800 pace, etc. takes a little mental math. Not to mention the last couple miles into a long run when you see "10.56" on your GPS and have to figure out how many miles left you have to hit your target of 13!

6. You'll begin to respect endurance and stamina. I mean...do I need to even comment on this? The farther I can run, the more respect and awe I have for those who have been running long distances since before I was even a runner. Every time I hit a milestone, I look up to see someone completing twice my distance. The ability to just keep going? That's truly amazing.

7. You will gain weight at first. Because suddenly you are rungry all. the. damn. time.

Sad truth: there were tons more food pics on my phone than just these.

8. You'll notice an uptick in energy, even when you're dead sore from [running]. The days I was running before work, I'd spend the day zippy and peppy, full of energy from the run. When I take too many rest days, my energy plummets. I know I'm not the only one! Sitting still becomes nearly impossible when in the midst of training.

9. You will learn about your mental weakness. You begin to realize, as you tack on mileage, that certain miles are harder than others. Jumping from 5 to 6 miles was tough, but 7 miles was a breeze. 9 miles was easy, but pushing to 10 - and seeing double digits - was mentally exhausting. Runners are notorious for superstition: the shoes we wear, the colors we race in, having our lucky headband, etc...these are crutches we create to combat perceived mental weakness. The best thing ever is breaking through it.

10. You will learn a lot about your mental toughness. Like I wrote in my guest post on Alyssa's blog See This Girl Run, you've got to just break down your mental barriers and learn to be mentally tough. Nike had it right all these years. Just do it. We are truly capable of doing so much more than we think we can; our minds give up long before our bodies do.

As Matt (my cousin, not my husband) pointed out, these things apply to any sport or exercise routine we undertake, especially if we stick with it long enough.
 

If you want an extra laugh, go read the comments on the original article. They're so negative - like most comments on things of that nature - and I just know that the negativity comes from a place of jealousy and bitterness. Nothing is stopping you, naysayers. Get out there and join in.

What would you add to this list?

What's the #1 "warning" you get about running from friends/family?

ABK