photo a day

Last year during the month of January I followed a fun photo-a-day challenge on Instagram. Each day a prompt is given for that day's photo. You can then post your photo to Instagram (or another social media outlet) with the hashtag #fmsphotoaday. It was fun, but I didn't want to keep going after the month was up. There was too much pressure (that I probably put on myself) to be creative and I just didn't feel like it. Ha!

It came up again this January by someone I follow on Instagram. I decided it would be fun to do it again, but I didn't want to just post the pics to Instagram. I wanted to share them with you! And since this is a running blog, I am trying to make sure each photo has something to do with being active, if not running specifically.

With that intro, I give you the first 9 days of #fmsphotoaday!

1. Lunch - Often at lunchtime I'll try to sneak in a run. It's been awfully cold here so I did a T25 workout in the basement of my office building instead. (Truth be told, I took this one on Jan 2nd.)
2. Starts with G - My friend gave me this shirt for my birthday. It's a reminder of why I push myself and who I'm taking care of my body for.
3. My Town - You all know how much I love where I live! This is heading thru town towards Lake Quannapowitt - my favorite running route.
4. Words to Live By - I saw this on runnersworld.com. A good mantra for running, and for life.
5. Found - Last Sunday I found time to run 3.6mi (the mileage is a little off on my watch here, for the record).
6. Happens Everyday - Coffee, coffee, coffee! Even on race day (especially on race days!), I always have a cup of coffee.
7. Upside Down - When stretching with T25, this is how I always see my feet... I wore leggings tucked into my boots all day, that's why my ankles look wrinkly. They don't look like that for real.
8. Favorite Number - My favorite race distance is a half marathon, hands down.
9. Natural - I drink a lot of green tea. A lot. I prefer mine with a natural fruit flavoring - this one is raspberry.

cold. too cold.

I'm not sure where your line is but I'd have to say mine is around 10deg. And that's with no windchill. If there's a windchill colder than that, I am not going to run outside, no way. Perhaps others enjoy proving how tough they are by running outside in that kind of weather, but I'm comfortable enough to say that I'm a big ol' wimp.  

This morning I woke up to -7deg temperatures. NEGATIVE seven. I had six miles on my plate for the day and there was absolutely no question I was going to the gym. I spent about 10min outside yesterday (in similar temperatures) shoveling and cleaning off my car and was frozen to the bone - running tights are not made for negative temperatures. 

We're supposed to have some weird weather this week - 45deg on Monday?! - so I hope to get a few runs outside but for days like yesterday and today I am thankful for the gym and for at home workouts - shout out to my T25 people!

What's the coldest you feel comfortable going for a run or whatever outside?

two...so far

Well, happy new year to you! The Northeast is celebrating by welcoming another snowstorm - this one bringing about 15in. As I sit here at my desk, I am watching the flakes get bigger and come down faster. Yipee. I like the snow, but it just makes training runs more difficult. And sometimes I resort to going to the gym for long runs - 15mi on a treadmill is not fun (something I learned in 2013).

"Training runs for what?" you may be wondering. The very best motivation for sticking with my training (and staying sane) through the cold, snowy months is by signing up for a race. This year, I've signed up for two...so far.

The Black Cat 10miler on March 1st is held in Salem. The course will be a familiar one to me as it is one I have run many, many times. From historic downtown Salem up to Marblehead Neck and back. It's a beautiful course and I'm excited to run with other people this route I typically run alone!

The Maine Coast Marathon is on May 11th - aka Mother's Day - and will begin in Kennebunk, into and around Kennebunkport (perhaps President Bush-the first one-will be at the vacation home!), and on into Biddeford. Judging from the website the name is very fitting as most of the course is along the ocean providing beautiful views to distract runners from the pain only a marathon can produce. I hope to run this one with (but not really with) my friend John (indispensable in my own training for Boston) who will be trying to qualify for Boston.

If you're interested in racing and are looking for someone to run with, let me know and sign up for one of these two!

happy thanksgiving

There's so much to be thankful for today and everyday. Here's the short list:

the tryptophan warriors (minus John and Karla)

• faithfulness of God
• family
• friends
• coffee
• sunshine
• my iphone
• clean water
• mexican food
• cheesecake
• flannel sheets
• and of course, the ability to run.

Today, a few friends and I met up in Andover for the annual Feaster Five Road Race. Three of us ran the 5 miler and ten others ran the 5K. Everyone finished and had fun, despite the cooooooold, windy weather. I'm thankful for each and every person pictured and so many more that are not.  I'm now off to celebrate my thankfulness by eating too much food and enjoying some wine and football. 

Happy Thanksgiving to each of you and all of yours!

dear asics

Dear Asics,

I love your shoes. I truly do. Every pair of shoe I've run in since I was fitted properly at a local running store have been Asics. Since then I've gone through at least 20 pairs. Some have been Kayanos, some have been 2100 series, a trail running pair, a Gel-Lyte pair, and most recently a couple pairs of 2000's.

When a pair has done it's job of getting me through training for and running a marathon, they are demoted to "everyday" shoes. A new pair comes out of the box and takes it's first spin. (After I smell it first. Please don't judge, there is something wonderful about the smell of a brand new pair of runners!)

I am always satisfied with your products. I am able to wear the shoes right out of the box and they fit perfectly and comfortably. While training for Boston, I pulled a brand new pair out and headed off on an 18mi training run. No blisters, no hotspots, just a perfect fit.

notice the front of the left shoe

If someone asks for a shoe recommendation, I tell them Asics. I love the narrower fit along with a roomy toe box. I love the bright colors. I don't always love the price. And that's where this letter and my dilemma comes into play. I go through two pairs of shoes a year - that's not a lot...but it is $240+ each year. So, I typically will get one pair a year at a local running store and one pair at a box store (Dicks, Sports Authority, etc) or Amazon.com. Which is where I purchased my latest pair that after two runs - just TWO! - began coming unstitched. Unfortunately, I had purchased them in anticipation of my previous shoes being demoted and had passed the 30 day return window.

holey shoes!

I am disappointed that my current shoes are literally falling apart, but I know that it's a combination of my fault for purchasing them through Amazon.com and the manufacturers fault for poor construction. I will continue to wear Asics and recommend them to anyone who will listen. But I will no longer be a sucker for a "deal" price from an online outlet.

reinforcement and defectiveness

Additionally, I appreciate the reinforcement on the inside of the shoe just after the toe box. My former pairs all developed holes in that spot and I noticed on my current (defective) pair that will hopefully not be a problem.


Thanks for making supportive, solid shoes.
Angela 

does a body good

Nope, not milk. Although, yes milk, as well. But I'm talking about a run in the cold, crisp, sunshine. Today a friend and I took off for a run at lunchtime. (Have I mentioned that I'm so glad to work at a place that I can do that?!) It was somewhere in the twenties, but the sun was shining, clear and bright, and there was not a cloud in the sky.

I haven't been running regularly since - well, for a long time. At least a couple of months. And I really  need to get back into it. I'm planning to register for this marathon in the next few days. Not to mention I need some semblance of sanity and order to return to my life. I feel far too off balance without a regular exercise/running routine.

As we headed out today, I just keep thinking one thing: AHHHHHH. This feels so good. So. Good. And despite the red cheeks, runny nose, and frozen fingers that come with winter running, there is also a intangible magical thing about it, too. There is something about the clearness and the crispness in the air. That doesn't happen in the summer when it's a billion percent humidity. When I pull on my tights, mittens, hat, and running jacket and head out the door into the cold air, something happens to my spirit. I immediately feel better.

Yes, there are days when it's grey and so windy that even the shortest run is miserable...but then there are the days, like today, when it is just good. And it does my body, and my mind!, so much good. May you experience the good of getting out for physical activity during these cold winter months that lay ahead.

odds and ends

A few things have come across my radar that I thought I'd share with you; odds and ends that are running (sometimes loosely) related. Enjoy!

First, a video that accurately depicts the stages of marathon running:

Second, the tumblr that I found this video on: http://whatshouldrunnerscallme.tumblr.com/

Third, about a week ago an editorial post came out in the Wall Street Journal. Some rant from a dude who really, really, really hates those pesky 13.1 and 26.2 stickers.

Then there was the rebuttal from Mark Remy of Runner's World., who we all know as snarky, sarcastic, and - in most cases - spot on! At least one of Mark's articles have made an appearance on A Marathon Journey before.