A Tease

Spring made a guest appearance yesterday.  Temps have been in the 50's and 60's yesterday and today, snow has melted, and although it was grey on my run yesterday, I wore capri's and a long sleeve t-shirt.  No headband, no gloves, no tights.  It was warm enough to get the taste of spring.  The flowers I got this weekend brought a spring-like pop of color to my house and my classroom.  The sun even shined through my classroom windows for a short time yesterday -- and yes, I did stop the kids from working again to make them all look out the window and soak up some vitamin D. 

It may just be a 2-day tease, but the spring temps remind us that winter won't last forever. 

Pop Quiz Day!

Answer any or all of the questions in the comments.  Pick and choose, or do them all.  Keep answers simple, or elaborate all you want! 

Come on, how long has it been since you've had a pop quiz?  Play along! 

1.) True or false:  Treadmill running is a last resort choice.

2.)  True or false:  Running in cold weather is better than running in super hot heat.

3.)  True or false:  Stretching after a run is important.

4.) Circle one:  I  always/never/sometimes stretch after running. 

5.) Circle one:  I always/never/sometimes listen to music when running. 

6.) Circle one:  I always/never/sometimes check out other people's running style when I'm running.

7.) Fill in the blank:  I currently have __________ different pairs of running shoes in my rotation.

8.) Fill in the blank:  When it comes to my running, I wish I could improve _______________.

9.)  Fill in the blank:  The best thing about my running is _______________.

10.) Quick fire short answers: 
             a) Favorite drink on a long run _______________
             b) Favorite fuel on a long run _______________
             c) Favorie piece of running gear _______________
             d) Favorite time of day to run _______________
            
11.)  True or false:  Running itself is WAY better than taking random quizzes. 

12.)  True or false:  I'm curious about other reader's responses to these questions.


You're done! 
And if you answered TRUE to number 12, you better leave an/some answer/s in the comments so others can see your responses, too!   *wink*

I'll put my answers in the comments, too... 

Snow, Sleet, Swimming (NOT!), and a Saying

Once upon a time, it was a cold, wet, dreary day.  It started as a little snow, then turned to freezing rain, then just straight rain as I left work.  I planned a legs-rest day, so I made my way over to the pool.  I'm glad I remembered how to get there, seeing how I haven't swam in about three whole weeks. 

I passed right by the sign on the locker room door that said

Pool and Spa

Closed

because I was pretty certain I'd seen someone swimming out of the corner of my eye on my way to the lockers.  (The pool is in its own room, with windows out to the treadmill, etc. area.)  Another guy was also heading into the pool area, and I asked him if there was a sign in their locker room about the pool being closed.  He said nope, and sure enough there was someone in the pool.  Hmm. 

I couldn't imagine why the pool would be closed -- they just redid the whole thing last winter/spring.  But sure enough, the guy I walked in with, who got in the pool and immediately got back out, confirmed that, in fact, the heater must be broken.  I got in, determined to make this swim happen. 

And then I got right back out.  I've done this before -- tried to swim in the pool when the heater's broken -- but today I just couldn't make it happen.  It was too cold.  So I left the gym, ticked about the timing because I could've gotten to a yoga class at the yoga studio if it was 20 minutes earlier. 

So what did I do?  I went food shopping.  I did situps and pushups at my house.  I took a long, hot shower, and I thought about a clever saying I need for myself...

We are putting our picture and a saying/quote/etc. that we like/that relates to us/etc. on the running store's website and I got this email from the manager today:

I'll get pictures tomorrow night and let me know a clever saying to include with your pic



But I'm not clever!  I don't know what to say!  One person is using, "I'll sleep when I'm dead."  Another is playing off of Robert Frost's Miles to go before I sleep lines of that poem.  A third is using, "I sell smiles." 

I may just steal my dad's quote that I've sort of adopted for my own life:      

Earn Your Shower (every day)

That is, unless you can suggest something better?  Give me your ideas! 

Jetty + Waves4Water East Coast Rising event

What an amazing event.  I've talked before about how Jetty + Waves4Water has helped my brother rebuild his store on Long Beach Island, NJ.  The amount of help this combined organization has provided is staggering:  more than $200,000 given directly back to the local community to rebuild and restore homes and businesses hit by Superstorm Sandy. 

Last night they held a fundraiser event (that's the pic above) and they asked my sister-in-law to speak as someone who has directly benefitted from the aid they've provided.  It was a fantastic night.  And, any time I get to spend with my brother is an added bonus. 

We paid $20 each for our tickets, and with over 300 people in attendance, the event was sold out (by Thursday, actually!).  We paid an additional $10 for beer and wine, and there were silent auction items as well as a raffle for other items through the night.  There was a small buffet of food that was included with your ticket price, and the viewing of the film.  I heard today that they raised over $15,000 last night, and immediately wrote 4 $5,000 checks to different people/businesses in the community.  Outstanding. 

There was also a table set up with postcards that gave information about the relief efforts on LBI and urging people to come visit and support local businesses.  Those of us attending were urged to bring addresses of people outside the area that we could send those postcards to -- and there were even stamps provided so we could do it right then and there.  Keeping the efforts moving forward.  Fantastic. 

As the amazing evening came to a close, we were given "goodie bags" to take with us. 

Cans of drinking water, a surf calendar, a Jetty knit hat, several can cozies, a ready pac meal (I'm intrigued!  I've never tried one!), a packet of the postcards, various stickers and flyers, and two nose/mouth masks (which I, upon first glance after many glasses of wine, thought were weird diapers or something!).  Fun! 

While I was there, and even moreso afterwards, I was so heartened by the sense of community and caring that was evident amongst all who were there.  You could feel such a cool vibe in that room, and it carried through conversations last night and reflections today.  A truly amazing event, put on by an even more incredible group of people.  I've known the founder of Jetty for many years, and I've worked with him in the past, and it was so great to be able to thank him (and his partner) in person for all their help.  Really wonderful people. 

And when I woke up this morning, this is what I saw across the street from my parents' house:

So you know I had a great run before leaving the shore :)



Snow, Sleep, and a Long, Slow Run

We got some snow last night that actually stuck!  It wasn't a lot, but it was enough to cover cars and the roads and make driving tough.  And even though I am powered by the sunshine and generally don't like the freezing cold and lots of snow, I can admit it was kind of pretty. 

I worked at the running store right after work at school yesterday, and then went out for a friend's birthday.  By the time I got home, I was so exhausted I went right to bed. 

I love my bed, but I really think it's time I get a new mattress.  I'm not a good sleeper at.all., and although I flip my mattress often, I've had this one for a while and it's losing its comfy-ness.  (I think I just made that word up.)

After letting myself sleep in a bit, I got out for my long run of the week.  The footing was tough because of the snow, but it wasn't icy so the run actually went well.  I kept it at a slow pace -- which I haven't been great at lately -- and by about mile 6 I was starting to enjoy it.  I decided to make it an 11 miler, but misjudged the route I took and it ended up being a 12 miler.  Whatev -- these days I'm just running what I want until I start training again. 

So now I'm headed to the shore for a big fundraiser for the organization that's been helping so many people affected by Sandy.  More to come on that tomorrow! 


Thoughts on running in the snow?  Like it?  Hate it? 

Adizero Tempo Shoe Review

406 miles and counting....

Years ago I broke up with my orthotics and started just running in mild stability shoes.  For a while it was the Saucony Guide, then I fell in love with the Brooks Ravenna.  The Ravenna has been my go-to shoe for a long while now -- it's the shoe I've worn for at least the past 3 marathons I've run and most of the races I've done in the past 3 years. 

But last summer our Adidas rep asked me to try this shoe.  The Adizero Tempo 5.  And I loved it. 

This shoe is lightweight (about 7.3 ounces) and just slightly narrow.  It fits true to size (I generally wear an 8 for my running shoes -- about a .5 size bigger than I measure), and the laces are long enough to let me lock-lace them (the key to a secure fit!) AND double knot them.  There is a mild post to the shoe, so I still get the stability help I need, and yet they aren't clunky like some posted shoes feel.  Since they are (in my mind) less shoe than the Ravenna, I feel lighter on my feet.  I wore them for the run in sprint tri I did this summer, and I wear them normally on regular runs, even up to 12-14 miles.  I have worn them for an 18 miler, and I remember thinking I might not want to wear them for a longer run since they are less cushioned, but I may re-experiment with that as I get into my next race training round. 

The best part about them?  I wore them on my 7 miler yesterday, putting the total miles on this pair at over 400+ miles.  Normally I get great mileage out of the Ravenna -- easily 350+ miles -- before I've worn out the soles and I feel like I need to replace them.  It's only one of the reasons I love the Ravenna.  But on my run today, with more than 400 miles on my Tempo's, my legs were fine.  I can see the tread is getting worn on them, but there's still life left in this pair.  And while I'm lucky to get my running shoes for cost or even for free sometimes, I like the idea of my shoes lasting longer before having to be replaced. 

I still love my Ravenna, and I still wear them often, but these days I'm LOVING my Tempo's. 

So if you're a mild overpronator, and you like a lightweight, mild stability shoe, try the Adizero Tempo.  You might just surprise yourself, too, and become an adidas wearer! 

What's your go-to shoe? 

It's a BIG deal! x2!

First, check out this DELICIOUS veggie wrap I made for my lunch:

This is BIG, BIG news!  Seriously -- I have been struggling to find easy, quick prep, healthy and delicious lunches to make for work every single day.  This was an experiment, and while my wrapping skills are definitely lacking and it was everything I could do to keep the stuff from falling out the end as I ate it, it was so good! 

Ingredients:

*Whole wheat wrap                         *roasted red pepper hummus                   

*thinly sliced cucumbers                   *shredded spinach leaves                         

*black beans                                    *baby bella mushrooms (I sauteed these)

*roasted red pepper slices                *avocado

*shredded carrots

Once I sauteed the mushrooms and sliced the cucumbers the other night, this became an easy wrap to throw together each night this week to pack for my lunch!  Sweet! 

And the other BIG deal is...

I wore long tights for the first time in forever for my run yesterday.  Yep, this is a big deal, too!  I kind of really hate having stuff on my calves/lower legs and around my ankle area when I'm running. I usually wear capri length running tights through most of the winter.  But with a whipping, cold wind making the wind chill temps in the single digits, I knew I'd want the legs covered.  

(By the way, I'm also LOVING my Brooks running jacket.  Not only does it have that super cute flower stitching on the right hip (and on the back shoulder), it also keeps me ridiculously warm on cold running days.)

OH!  And if those two things weren't big enough for one day, I just thought of BIG deal #3!  I left my house at 5:30pm for my hot yoga class last night and (drumroll, please!).......

....... IT WAS STILL A LITTLE LIGHT OUT!!!!!!!!!!  Wheeee!!!!!!!!

What's been a big deal in your life lately?