Fair-Weathered Friend

There, I admit it.

When it comes to running, I'm sort of a fair-weathered friend.

Maybe I don't belong here...

Confession: I only run when I feel like it and want to.

Sure, if I'm training for an event, I'll stick to my schedule and get out the door if I'm dithering.

But right now, I'm not training for an event and I'm just running when I want to run. Given the serious crap the sky has been unleashing upon my hood lately, I haven't been spending too many days outside. Yesterday was an outside day.

I laced up my Mizuno's, updated my iPod, put on sleek shades, strapped on my watch, and I was out. [Don't worry, the clothes had already been put on]

I headed south down the middle or the road. It was the middle of the day and there were few cars out. I cranked my music and felt the sun on my body. It was pure bliss.

I went about a mile and found myself at the bottom of one big, ass mofo of a hill. I stretched it out briefly, found my inner-beast and sprinted up that hill, hard. I did sprint intervals the entire way up (1.5miles) before walking the entire way down. At which point I realized I was better off sprinting up 100m, walking down. Rinse repeat. I did a few more repeats from the bottom and jogged home.

It felt so good. My booty was feelin' it the next day and I loved every second of it.

Mmmm, I missed you.

Fitness Forums

In December of 2009 I graduated and had a lot more time on my hands. I started frequenting Oxygen Magazine's fitness board. I LOVED it there. I "met" the most amazing women with a range of inspiring stories. There are distance runners, bodybuilders, weight loss success stories, and fit mommies! But what we all have in common is our dedication to a generally healthy lifestyle consisting of healthy heating and activity. It's awesome to be "around" like-minded females and to have so many resources directly at your disposal.

I don't necessarily love Oxygen magazine and all that it represents, to be honest with you. It's gotten quite commercial and the advice can be shady at best.

Recently, the magazine sent us out an e-mail letting us know they were shutting down the forum and launching a new site, etc. [We're unsure if there will be a new forum with the new site]. To make an already long story a touch shorter, the online community there isn't thrilled.

However, two beautiful projects have come out of it. It's amazing to see people pull together and when there is a need to be met, really go the extra mile.

Two stand out members of the board have each created new forums.

So if you're ever looking for advice on anything and everything related to health, fitness, pregnancy, sport-specific training, etc. go check out:

Female Fitness Forum

or

Strong Chic

Each has its own vibe. The first is arguably more informative while the second is more laid-back.

Nevertheless, both are brand new so you can say that you were there when...

AND, there's some phenomenal experts in their field eager to give advice and chat.

So, if you're in Upstate NY like me and experiencing a rainy weekend [or MONTH], browse around.


End plug.

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder...

Absence from what you may ask?




...Absence from school.

From reading nonstop, from typing up papers, from doing research, from constructing powerpoints, and even driving 40miles one way to get there.

It gives me juice;
provides me with a certain 'up'.

When I'm fully immersed in all things school I get the pleasure of feeling satisfied, fulfilled, challenged, and strong.

Do I get these reward elsewhere? Sure.

But not as much mentally. I run. I go to the gym. I have an amazing boyfriend and a lovely family who fill me up to the brim. But sometimes when I'm not mentally stimulated my mind turns to mush.

So what project am I taking on this week you may ask?

We have an old picnic table [aka eyesore] on our patio. I decided I'm going to learn how to mosaic, go find some old plates, etc. at thrift stores, pick a design [aka random chaos], and get to it. It will give both my hands and my mind some work for a while, plus with a great reward.


I'll let you know when things get really going and share some pictures.

Cookie Monster

Dear Celebratory Moments,

Why do you always have to come with so much crap food? Why must you find me when I am so stressed? I love how you share your time with red velvet cake, home made double chocolate brownies, and ooey-gooey cheese dips. But, alas, we need some time apart. With celebration comes a wealth of emotions, a lot of work, and a lot of pounds. I will see you again in June.

I need my own month to find myself

Love,

Sarah

Wherefore art thou?

So, in the past four months I have been blessedly busy.

Goose and I traveled to Houston, TX for the first time so I could interview for the Psych PhD program at the University of Houston.



We then flew from TX to San Francisco to spend 10 days there. I attended my first big-girl Psychology conference for school/work.

We also visited our families. Goose's brother lives just north of San Fran, as does my brother and his new fiance. Such a good trip.



While there, I also celebrated my birthday with copious amounts of cupcakes, froyo, and things of the like.


Oh yeah...and it snowed!



We came home to pipes that froze, busted, dripped all over the electrical box, fried EVERYTHING, but thank God, no fire. We're still putting the finishing touches on the complete re-model of the bathroom.

I got offered one of five spots for the aforementioned PhD program. [Stoked!]

I quit running [temporarily] to fully heal and instead took spin classes twice a week.

Continued plugging away at my current schooling.

Traveled to Philadelphia to meet my brother's fiance's family. We were able to be there with her when she picked out her bridal gown- how lucky!!

Successfully gave up sugar for Lent.

Successfully took it back on a little too heavy after Lent.

Gained about 6 pounds, meh.

I've been busy planning [read: obsessing over] our big move South. Classes start August 22nd.

Got a new job which I'm amped about. There is a summer camp just up the road a few miles and they hired me to be their boat driver/instructor for water sports. SCORE!




Hmh, I guess I really haven't been that busy.

But I'd like to get back to chronicling some of my goals/aspirations.

Right now I'm trying to do yoga for at least five hours a week. [Ideally, that is five one hour blocks, but if time is prohibitive I'm allowing two half-hour blocks, etc.]. Before I jump [er, crawl] back into running I'd like to really be in the habit of spending time stretching thoroughly. Dedicating a chunk of time to yoga helps me build that into my day. I also just love the way that it makes me feel. I always do yoga from the comfort of my own home because I don't particularly enjoy yoga classes. At the risk of offending others, zen-yoga stuff isn't really my style. I admire those people who can just sit and be still and meditate but I'm not one of them. Really, I consider myself to be fortunate that I'm at a point in my youth where I don't need an extra time of respite. Generally, my stress levels are pretty low. I do however LOVE the fitness, stretching benefits from yoga at this point in time. I also think the balance helps me in some of my other sports such as wakeskating and snowboarding.

In addition to my month long yoga goal I would like to form mini-weekly goals. For this coming week I am going to focus on completing all necessary paperwork, finals, etc. for school so that I can finish strong.

Even though I haven't been here, I've been reading. Congrats to ALL the Boston folk, Chloe, I've been praying for that little baby inside your belly, pbfingers Happy Belated Birthday... :)

I know that you like my style

Have you read this fine gentleman's (grandfathers!) blog? Apparently he's over 40 but you wouldn't know it to look at his pictures. He's been blogging for what, four days now? (I kid.) and he has taken off running (pun intended). He has this fantastic outlook on training and life plus he is a marathoner extraordinaire. The point is, go check out his blog.

Jim was kind enough to pass the torch of 'Stylish Blogger' down to my humble blog. Gracias muchacho.

Let's get crackin'...

WARNING: lengthy self-absorbed blog post in the making.

1] These are my nearest & dearest. We used to work together at a bank several years ago. Although we've all since changed jobs, relocated, etc. we remain close and get together at least twice a year. These women hold my heart.


2] I over-think EVERYTHING. My mind never stops and I'm always thinking, figuring, analyzing, planning. As a psychologist I do a phenomenal job conceptualizing ideas or concepts for clients but can over emphasize the importance of understanding them.

3] I love my Mom so much. I have always valued her wisdom, admired her strength, sought her advice, appreciated her unconditional love, and hope to one day be a fraction of the Mother that she is. I'm so blessed to have her.



4] Anyone familiar with Manchester Orchestra? I got to listen to a private acoustic jam with the singer (Andy Hull) and the amazing keyboardist/drummer/everything man. It was a really heart felt performance. I first learned of them off the [AMAZING] wakeboard movie Transgression.


5] I LOVE being active [running, wakeskating, snowboarding, cycling, hiking, snowshoeing, rock climbing, ice skating, weight training, swimming, etc.] but don't enjoy watching sports hardly at all. In fact, we canceled our cable and gave away out television two years ago February. BUT my favorite 'sports' movie of all time is the Junction Boys. If you're a fan of either football or Texas A&M, rent it!!

6] For my undergraduate degree I transferred to/from five sschools until I felt at home. I learned a lot about myself in the process and really solidified some of my values, expectations, standards, and worldviews. This is where I lived at the fourth one. So beautiful from the outside.



7] One time I went duck hunting and just giggled through the whole experience. Just so you know, I probably wouldn't have shot a duck even if we saw one.



I would LOVE to hear from:
The very busy & fun-loving Ms. Runnin Sole
And the wife of the soon to be happy family of three, Chloe from Tryin' to Throw my Arms Around the World

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