Mail Time!

Please tell me I'm not the only one who still has flashbacks to Blue's Clues upon the arrival of the mail. Anyone? Bueller?

Wow, two 90s references in three sentences. I must be in a mood.

Anyway, I'm really excited. Two amazing things came in the mail this week. The first was a post-marathon gift from my mom, as if she hadn't already done enough by driving across the state to cheer me on at a sport that, for non-runners, can be pretty boring to spectate.

After seeing so many runners in skirts at the race, she told me she thought they were adorable and wondered why I didn't run in one. I told her I had one, but it didn't have enough pockets for a marathon, and I'd bookmarked one I really wanted to get when the time was right.

She went ahead and bought the skirt I've been coveting from SkirtSports. I instantly fell in love. The skirt boasts three roomy pockets (two on the undershorts and one zippered pocket on the waistband) that are all large enough and secure enough to fit my iPhone.

I'm in love with the pleats!

 The shorts have a wide rubber grippy along the hem that keeps them from riding up even an inch, and they're long enough to prevent any kind of chafing.

Showing off one of the pockets.

Of all my shorts/skirts with rubber grips along the legs, these work the best.

The skirt fits so nicely and goes well with every top I own. Somehow wearing cute clothes makes me feel awesome during my run; I couldn't stop smiling Sunday when I took it for a test run!

 I want like...a million more of this skirt. It will definitely be my go-to for long runs from now on.

The other piece of mail that made my week was, of course, also running related! My new race decals finally arrived!

 Matt applied the stickers and I did the honors of carefully pulling the backing off. They turned out just how I waned them to!

I've been having a little trouble motivating myself to get back into a set schedule for running. I'm sure my lethargy will pass once winter break starts. Two days, people! I know I can make it!

Oh, and it's the first night of Hanukkah! So happy Hanukkah to any of my fellow MoT out there. I can't wait to have some latkes this week; I just have to decide which kind I want to make!

Click here for recipes!

Do you ever wear running skirts?

What was the last piece of mail you got that made you smile?

ABK

Post-Marathon Recovery

It just doesn't seem right that I've been talking about the Space Coast Marathon as an upcoming race and then, boom, suddenly it's in the past and I'm talking recovery! I'm not ready for the fanfare to die down!

The newest additions to our medals shelves!

Luckily for me, recovery is just an extended chance to celebrate my accomplishment. I literally slept until after 12:30 on Monday, and when I finally got out of bed I was walking almost normally.

Still, after going back to work, I could tell my legs were still fatigued. I was only too happy to use that gift card Kristin gave me a few weeks ago!

Besides a big knot in the calf that seized up the most, the masseuse also found a really painful one in my lower back. Guess I need more core work!

I also had the wonderful surprise, upon returning to school, of seeing flowers from an old student of mine! She must have stopped by while I was still out and dropped them off, but the minute I saw the handwriting on the card I knew who they were from. She goes to school out of state, which makes her taking the time to think of me that much more special.

Seriously beyond thoughtful. They immediately made my first day back better!

Besides rolling, planking, and volleyball, I've been resting this week. (I do think "ready position" and volleyball-related squats have been great recovery tools!) My foot is still sore but I know exactly what's wrong with it and I know all it needs is rest, so even though I really want to run again already, I'm going to take at least a full 10 days off.

I went through the video clips Matt took of the race and pulled this adorable screenshot of Kristin and her daughter running a bit with me:

...and then Matt created a little video to commemorate the whole occasion!

Click here for the video! I can't get it to embed.

We've also ordered my new 26.2 car sticker! I didn't want to buy one beforehand and jinx anything, and I'm very picky about how my bumper stickers look so it took me a few days to decide on one. I'll be replacing my original 13.1, too, because I want a sticker for both distances but I want them to match.

This isn't my car, but those will be my stickers!

Over all, recovery is going much more smoothly than I expected. I'm so relieved that I still want to run, because I was really worried that I'd face burnout post-race, or at least the blues...but I haven't really dealt with either! (But maybe that's just because I still can't believe I ran a marathon! When will it sink in already?!)

What's your favorite method for recovery after a big race?

Do you get post-race burnout or blues?

Can you believe I ran a freaking marathon?! I can't!

ABK

Sticker Overload

There is seriously nothing better than winter and early spring in Florida. There's a route I really love running, a lovely loop with a nice sidewalk and quiet streets. Being on the back curve of this loop just brings an immediate sense of serenity. The curve feeds out onto a busy, well-lit road that feeds a straight shot back to the starting point. Basically, it's a perfect 2-miler with a relaxed first mile and a heart-pounding finish.

The perfect loop.

The bad thing about it, though, is that the back curve of the circle is unlit. Running this loop means running in daylight, and of course that means running in heat. But! Ah, we've had a bit of a late cold spell, and yesterday evening the sun was up and it was 62. I was excited to have a short, slow run before my race tomorrow. It's only a 5k, a course I've run before and really enjoy. I'm still recovering from whatever sinus bug I had, so this lovely short loop was just what I needed.

By the time I got out there, it was 7pm. The sun was just about down but there was plenty of blue sky and pre-dusk light. The run felt wonderful, and although I tried to keep it slow, I ended up running it way below my usual pace. With negative splits! By the time I was on the main road, it was full dark and I was happy to be bathed in the light of the streetlamps. It was a perfect run.

So, needless to say I was happy. I'm looking forward to a fun race tomorrow.

To finish up, just a quick funny picture. Mind the bad quality - no smart phone, of course, and I was taking this in bright sunlight from my car, so I had to darken it a bit so you can see what I was seeing, and it's still nearly impossible. I wish I had an iPhone...

2nd "13.1" and TRI sticker not shown because I cropped the license plate.

I mean, really. I love race stickers; I have a 13.1 sticker myself. But do we need multiples? This car had a TRI sticker and two each of the 26.2 and 13.1. Oh well, whatever floats your boat! Soldier on, Corolla.

ABK

A Very Merry Christmas

This Christmas, I received all a runner-girl could ask for.

As my family is entirely Jewish, Christmas is all about the in-laws. We spent the holidays catching up with a lot of family, including my brother-in-law, who flew in from LA for the first time since moving there almost 6 months ago. Needless to say, the days were packed. And, like it does every break, my immune system decided it was time to be on vacation. I spent Saturday, Sunday, and Monday fighting a mild but irritating cold - I felt fine except for non-stop sneezing. However, my symptoms let up enough Monday for me to enjoy the day.

Shopping is calling my name!

We spent Christmas Eve at M's mom's, where I received my first excellent running gifts. She and her sister generously gave me two fully-loaded cards to Fit2Run. I've been coveting a long-sleeved running jacket, compression socks, and a couple new tops. There's no Fit2Run local to where M and I live, so I'd like to spend everything on the cards before we go home.

My next running gift was one I gave myself.

I had plotted and planned to have a run Christmas morning, and despite being up late Christmas Eve (and having early plans Christmas day), I successfully peeled myself out of bed in time to go. I'd set my goal at 5 miles. I hadn't had a long-run in two weekends, and it was important to me to have some solid mileage. Christmas (holidays in general, for slightly asocial people like myself) can be overwhelming, and I knew I'd need some alone-time and peace - some time to be with my thoughts.

M and I always stay at my parents' house when we're in town, and their neighborhood never ceases to fuel my urge to run. It's simply made for running. It's well-lit, full of twists and turns, hills if you want them, and multiple routes to choose from. No matter the route you take, it's sure to be gorgeous - wide sidewalks curve between grassy golf course hills and beautiful homes, around lakes and trees. There's sure to be wildlife. As someone who likes to run on pavement but tires of busy roads, this is a little piece of running heaven.

Still, I was a little wary. I had run 2.95 miles with M on Sunday and had had to walk a bit because I'd overheated and was having so much trouble breathing. Also, I'd never run five miles totally alone, and I was worried I'd be strapped for time and wouldn't be able to do the full route. But M was fast asleep and I had promised myself this run, so off I went.

This is one I want to remember the feeling of.

It was 55 degrees and the sun was just beginning to burn the fog off the lakes. Frost dotted the golf course. The run was immediately refreshing and soul-lifting, and I started off a little faster than I meant to.

As I neared the exit of my parents' street onto the main road, I passed two deer grazing in a field; as I turned the corner, I startled a third deer who was not even a foot from me. The tone for the run was immediately set: I was alone in the chill morning with nature surrounding me.

There's something so wonderful about running when no one else is out. The world appears in a different light. It's like there's a secret life beneath the world we see daily; before we think to step outside, the world is already alive. It doesn't wait for us. I felt invigorated and peaceful all at once.

Anyway, the run was totally successful. I felt alive and free with every step. I only passed one other runner quite early on, but I did pass some walkers (mostly elderly couples with dogs). Doves swooped along the sidewalks; sand hill cranes and white egrets searched for their breakfast in the dewy grass.

The little squiggle is a runner!

I kept my pace fast, moving myself forward into the morning. I not only ran the full 5 miles, diligently beating down any mental voice that told me to cut the run short, but I also ran pain-free. All-in-all, it was a Good run.

After the run, we made our way to M's dad's for breakfast and gifts. My final running gift was from M, who had a specialty 13.1 decal made for me. Not only can I now proudly display it on my car, but it's different than the ones I usually see. Like I mentioned in a post before, the sticker is about the running lifestyle; it's not about bragging, but about offering a secret handshake to other runners out there. I've dragged my feet about getting the sticker, but M getting it for me, and giving it to me on the morning of such an awesome run, really solidified something for me. One more check-mark in the column of things that makes me feel like I can call myself a runner. I belong to this club, for better or worse.

Opening gifts with M.

Besides these gifts - which made the runner in me ecstatic - I spent the holiday surrounded by devoted and loving family, good food, and the blessings of a full, happy life.

I hope those who celebrate had a wonderful holiday as well!

ABK

PS: I forgot to mention that even before Christmas, my sister sent me a monthly running calendar, complete with motivational photos, quotations, and (best of all) a running log! What more could a girl ask for?! 

I can't wait to post this in my classroom!

Sticker Shock

One of the great things about being married to M is that our parents all live in the same city, just under two hours from us. On our way home from the cruise port, we stopped there for a rest. This particular city has one of my favorite running stores, called Fit2Run. The people there are always friendly, knowledgeable, and they carry an awesome selection.

On this particular rainy Sunday, we ventured over just to check some things out. But like most addicts, I couldn't leave the store without a purchase. One thing that caught my eye was a perfectly-sized oval car decal. You know the kind. "13.1". Not too big, not pink, not an eye-sore. Just perfect. Only $2!

I actually abstained from buying it because I wanted to buy two exactly the same, and they only had one. (I did, however, get a water bottle and a new singlet.) I decided to find some online. In my search, I came across an interesting debate. Apparently, there are people out there who believe that runners or tri-athletes who post distances on their cars are 1) show-offs, or 2) weak. One poster even claimed they were personally offended by such stickers.

Now, most of the people who have posted these sorts of blogs aren't runners themselves. They may play other sports, but they have little understanding of long-distance running. They claim a Half Marathon is just that - half a race. "Why post that you quit at the halfway point?" they sneer. Or worse yet, "Real distance runners laugh at Half Marathon stickers; 13.1 is nothing." This vitriol (and believe me, some of it was really hateful, which is why I won't post the links to the sites here) was shocking at first, and then disheartening. Would people judge me if I stuck a 13.1 sticker on my car, after only finishing one Half, and in a time I wasn't pleased with? Was I weak, or show-offy, or lame?

Here's the thing: I love seeing those stickers. Seeing them is like seeing a runner on your way home from work; it's motivating and makes you feel like you've seen a soul common with your own. You feel an instant connection. You think: ah, look! Another of the tribe!

As many commented on the posts, we shouldn't judge people for these stickers. Even a 5k sticker means something to the person who put it on there. These stickers aren't about bragging; they're about tipping your hat to fellow runners. It's like a secret handshake, a welcome sign...sometimes, even, just proclaiming a way of life. It's akin to having a political sticker, a band name, or a stick-figure family on your car. It states, "This is important to me; it is part of my identity." If you're going to put a sticker on your car in the first place, you'll probably offend someone in doing so. Running distance stickers seem so innocuous in the grand scheme of things.

People also pointed out that a Half isn't half a race. It takes a different kind of training and strategy to complete than a full marathon, or a triathlon.

Veteran runners should understand and remember that we all start somewhere. The runners who want to tear down those who are still working up to their goal distance are missing the point, and clearly don't want to be part of this beautiful, competitive, encouraging family. I will never understand runners like that. I would never scoff at a 5k sticker, because completing that race/distance must mean a lot to that person if they bothered to put it on their car.

I remember the days when completing a mile without walking was a pipe dream, never to be attained, and cannot fathom laughing at someone for being proud of a 5k. Moment of humbling honesty here: I am still proud when I finish a 5k.

I want a 13.1 sticker for a few reasons. 1) Because I ran one, darn it! 2) Because I want to get to the point in my running where Halfs are my usual race goal; it would be motivation for this new way of life. And finally, 3) to offer a little salute to those other runners who, seeing the sticker, will feel a jolt of recognition, pride, and solidarity upon seeing it.

As for the negative voices...well, if they need to tear others down to make themselves feel good, then I guess they're running for way different reasons that I am. More power to them, but it seems an exhausting and miserable way to live life. It seems a heavy burden to carry during a long run, that's for sure.

I say, if you want a distance sticker, and you ran that distance...get it! You don't need to explain yourself to those who don't get it, and it may serve to encourage those who do.

ABK