Nine years of marriage, as of last week.
Eight months spent planning for that big day.
Seven years together in our first home.
Six different apartments, otherwise, between the two of us.
Five years combined of us supporting each other in graduate programs.
Four cities we’ve since called “ours.”
Three different states in which we’ve resided.
Two furry children, along for the ride.
One brand new adventure together.
“August is the Sunday of summer.”
I’ve been hearing this sentiment crop up lately as we enter our final stretch of summer. But it’s hard to share in that all-too-familiar melancholy when you feel as though you’ve made the most of the past few months, life-wise.
Admittedly, I haven’t been the most disciplined or the most goal-oriented when it comes to training and racing this season. But you know what? I needed a mental break, plus my body needed a breather. And I’m going to stop feeling guilty and/or apologizing about it.
This is primarily a health and fitness blog, though, which is why I always put pressure on myself to keep pushing boundaries. I like it that way; not only for accountability, but to keep things fresh and fun and for the support of a community in which we reach for things once never thought possible.
But it’s also real life. And the truth is that the reality of living a healthy lifestyle isn’t always about testing the limits of strength and endurance or earning new PR’s and shiny finisher medals.
Those are wonderful — not gonna lie — but as my “off-season” stretched further than usual this year, I’m less concerned at the moment about living and dying by a strict training plan and more preoccupied with thinking about priorities, motivation, goals and how they’re evolving as I grow older.
As you can probably tell, I’ve had ample time to reflect this month. Maybe too much. But that’s one of the perks of an extended off-season, as well, I suppose.
So, you can see how it’s also hard to believe that this is the last summer edition of my monthly recaps; the next one will be after the official start of fall, and I’ve got something a little different in the works for September… Stay tuned!
Read more about the five goals toward which I’m working this year.
Here’s the latest on my progress:
1. Seeking Balance
In August we officially wrapped up the summer edition of the Portland Trail Series. There were two final races this month, one of which I paced friends and the other I ran with Ben (or rather, behind him) to finish the series just as we began it: together.
What I’d really been waiting for, however, was a visit from my parents from Michigan! I can count the number of states my dad hasn’t been to on one hand — and Oregon was one of them, so it was especially thrilling to be able to explore with them and show off the beauty of summer in Portland.
2. Training Smarter
I like to think I’m pretty in tune with my body, but this month I honed my skills on the subtleties of hearing versus really listening. Hearing can be tuned out, but actual listening takes effort to decipher what’s going on — i.e. sometimes a nap with the dogs is warranted instead of a tough workout.
Along that same theme of body awareness, I’ve taken a deeper dive into yoga, Pilates, barre, cycling and strength training this month. In the absence of playing with my usual running numbers (pace, mileage, etc.), I’ve found it very satisfying to keep my brain engaged with these types of technique-driven classes.
3. Facing Fears
Gah! Another month slipped by, and I’ve only made it into the pool once to practice those drills I learned in July. I did give Ben a long-desired birthday gift, however — a waterproof iPod and ear buds — which I’m thinking I will likely be stealing borrowing for upcoming water workouts.
That’s right; no more excuses! I’m making it a goal to get in the pool at least once per week for September so I’m holding myself accountable — right here, right now.
4. Pushing Myself
Although I opted out of this year’s Hood to Coast in favor of cheering Ben on, I softened the blow by registering for a 5k with my sister in October. I’m also keeping an eye out for fun, holiday-themed events in November and December to round out the year. Because who doesn’t love a turkey trot?!
And my eyes are already on the prize for 2016. The wheels have been turning, and I’m thinking I’d like to do a fall marathon, as well as some shorter distances (5k’s, 10k’s) in between to focus on speed over distance for a change. More on that soon…
5. Giving Back
Finally, our LUNA crew has really been blossoming over the course of the season, and I love ending Mondays with these beautiful, smiling faces. Our regulars are killin’ it with PR’s and all kinds of race distances, and we’re getting a steady stream of newbies popping by to check us out (if you’re interested, #justshowup — we really are ALL levels, walkers through runners)!
In addition to sponsoring our second Portland Parks and Recreation $5 5k, we also started promoting our big Spin-a-thon charity event, which is taking place on September 27 from 3-5 pm at Revocycle in the Pearl. Get your sweat on, enjoy entertainment and refreshments, win some amazing raffle prizes and go home with a swag bag packed with goodies — all for a great case: the Breast Cancer Fund.
Join us — space is limited, so reserve your bike here before we sell out. And be sure to follow along in the fun via our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
We’re also still actively recruiting, so whether you want to get out and stretch your legs with a vigorous walk or challenge yourself with a tough track workout, we’ve got something for everyone at practice each week. Bring a friend, and start your week off on the right foot!
From big box gyms to boutique fitness studios. From hot yoga to cold workouts. From barefoot to maximalist running shoes. From quality of life to quantified self.
No matter which way the pendulum seems to swing, we never seem to tire of chasing after the latest fitness fad. And while each new twist on tradition is encouraging — it means that the general population recognizes the importance of being active — I can’t help but think that the more we’re consumed with distracting ourselves from the actual task at hand, the more we’re missing the point.
Don’t get me wrong; I’m all for keeping fitness fun and mixing up workouts to make things more interesting. But where’s the line between science and marketing, safe and potentially dangerous, effective and inherently counterproductive?
Case in point: ThighMaster, Shake Weight, 8-Minute Abs, Ab Roller (and countless more). ‘Nuff said.
Sure, fads can be fun; I’ve tried my fair share over the years. But when they derail you from legitimately pursuing better fitness, they do more harm than good.
So how do you avoid getting scammed? I’ve got five tips for deciding whether or not you should jump on the bandwagon or throw in the towel when it comes to that next trendy workout:
As your body evolves so will your fitness program, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for everyone.
The secret to getting fit — for good — is actually a lot more simple than you’d think: Find and do what works best for you.
“Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
To wave or not to wave? That is the question.
This is a topic I’ve been wanting to explore for quite some time — not only because I find the social dynamics of the dilemma fascinating, but also because I’ve seen geography come into play during my time living (and running) around the country.
Growing up in the Midwest, it was customary to greet everyone with a smile and a wave, nod or some other form of friendly acknowledgement. But it wasn’t until I moved to Boston for grad school that my advances made in passing were met with an utter lack of response from fellow joggers along the Charles River.
At first I took it personally. I’d go out of my way to try to catch someone’s eye and say hello. But then, not wanting to infringe on what was potentially their personal meditative time, I backed off and would cautiously wait for some kind of signal before making my move.
California was a mixed bag; I’m assuming because there are so many transplants in the Bay Area that a runner’s propensity toward waving is entirely dependent on where he or she claims roots. In the ‘burbs (where we lived for seven of our 10 Golden State years), it was much more common than in the city; I attribute that mostly to the hills, though, which made made breathing (let alone any other type of exertion) increasingly difficult.
But now that we’re living in Oregon — the “Midwest of the West Coast,” as I like to call it — I’m determined to re-incorporate the wave into my running routine. That’s right; as a staunch pro-waver, I’m officially campaigning to make the mid-run wave a show of solidarity.
Why? Well, as this Runner’s World article states, it’s first and foremost about acknowledging the presence of a fellow human being who clearly shares an affinity for the sport.
It’s also a mutual acknowledgement that you’re both out there, putting in work. It’s an unspoken conversation about the gorgeous scenery or change in seasons. It’s a show of empathy for some particularly tough terrain or crappy weather.
But it’s also as simple and paying it forward with a small gesture that has larger meaning.
Case in point: Just the other day, I overheard a gentleman in my apartment building lobby practicing his Spanish. I held the front door for him as we were leaving, and he said, “Gracias!”
“De nada,” I responded with a smile. To which he nodded, laughed and said, “Have a blessed day!”
It was a 15-second exchange, but I like to think we both went about our mornings with a little bit brighter outlook on the day.
The same goes for the runner’s wave: It’s not about disrupting someone’s train of thought or derailing a workout; it’s about creating more camaraderie in a sport that’s often a solitary endeavor.
So if you see me out there on the roads, the track or the trails, you know what to expect and what I’ll be looking for in return. Now, who’s with me??
This is a re-post of my latest Huffington Post article, which went live yesterday.
Son, little brother, loving husband, newly-minted dentist, doting dog-father and awesome “nuncle.”
Eternal optimist, die-hard sports fan, fiercely-loyal friend, Beaver believer, crazy sock wearer, football aficionado, goofball and Italian foodie.
From Boston (then) to Portland (now), plus a handful of cities in between, the past 12 birthdays we’ve celebrated together have been full of adventures.
But they’re what got us here (and there and everywhere…seriously, I know we’re both glad we’re finally in our forever city!), so I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Your wardrobe is almost entirely orange and black. I still can’t figure out how you never, ever, get cold. When we met, you weren’t a runner, and now you kick my butt on a weekly basis. You know entirely too many useless football stats.
A natural people-person, you’ve got a genuine interest in people and their stories, which I admire. You’ve got a huge heart and leap before you look, often with both feet (which can sometimes drive me crazy!), but I love your zest for life and hope you never lose that irresistible sparkle.
Here’s to many more birthdays and trips around the sun together.
Summer is in full swing, and we’ve been soaking up the sun here on the West Coast. From trips to the beach, kayaking around the lake, hiking excursions and dining al fresco, weekends are for taking full advantage of all the outdoorsy goodness that Oregon has to offer.
There may be no fall marathon on the horizon this year, but we’re still staying plenty active, too. I’m taking this unofficial off-season as a time to finally kick some of those chronic running injuries (SI joint, plantar fasciitis), as well as focus on getting stronger in cycling and — yes — swimming!
Read more about the five goals toward which I’m working this year.
Here’s the latest on my progress:
1. Seeking Balance
Between the heat and a packed summer schedule, Ben and I have been dialing back weekend workouts for a change. And you know what? Now that I’m over the initial anxiety of not being on a strict training schedule, it actually feels good.
Don’t get me wrong — I’m still researching races as I mull over my next move. But listening to my body and being active when and how I want to (like an afternoon bike ride for ice cream or a lunch run with friends or a leisurely morning coffee walk with the dogs) versus doing only what’s prescribed for training has been really refreshing.
2. Training Smarter
My SI joint pain has all but subsided thanks to quitting kettlebell swings. And while I still run a few times a week to maintain my mileage, I’ve been hitting it hard and cross training with all kinds of barre, yoga, pilates and interval training classes.
My newest discovery, though? Racing for fun.
Ben and I signed up for a weekly trail run series here in the Portland area and have been enjoying running without worrying about pace. Plus, I’ve paced new trail racers for the past two events, and helping them get across the finish line and accomplish something they weren’t sure they could do has been an incredibly rewarding experience!
3. Facing Fears
Huge news on this front: I took an informal swim lesson last week with a few friends! Mary Anne, who did the swim portion of the Pacific Crest long course triathlon along with Ben, kindly offered to hop in the pool, check out our form (or lackthereof) and share a few pointers.
As it turns out, I’m not totally hopeless in the water! There were three major takeaways: I need to work on my body position (straighter vs bending at my waist), kick (full leg vs at the knee) and stroke (relax and extend more).
I also learned that I need to CHILL OUT in the water because I’m literally trying so hard and moving so rigidly that I’m actually working against myself. Mary Anne shared some great drills, so we made a pact to get in the pool more often to practice. Exciting!
4. Pushing Myself
As I mentioned last month, in lieu of setting training and racing goals in the immediate future I’ve been pursuing professional ones instead. Pulse Creative is officially up and running, so I’ve been digging into client projects, networking and meeting all kinds of interesting entrepreneurs in the process.
That’s not to say I’m not thinking about my next challenge. On the contrary, I’ve been eyeing some destination races for fall travel, as well as potential events to add to the calendar for 2016. More on those soon…
5. Giving Back
Boom! It’s time for the official Team LUNA Chix Portland Run update. But first — how awesome are these ladies?!
In July, we participated in our first sponsored event, the Portland Parks $5 5k Series race at Gabriel Park (note: we’ll be at August’s event at Laurelhurst Park, as well — join us!). We’re also growing in leaps and bounds — we’ve got an amazing group of regulars who are killing it every week.
Check out our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts for more info. Come join us, and bring your friends; we’re all levels (walkers and runners) and love seeing new faces each week!
Son, engineer, metallurgist, PhD, husband, father, pop-pop.
Cherry-bomber, banana-smusher, pea-smasher, we-gotta-get-outta-this-placer.
Oreo aficionado, pen collector, name-that-tune title holder, keeper of the peace and answer-er to all of our questions.
Devoted family man, caring boss, generous soul and common-sense adviser with a wicked sense of humor.
From your pre-dawn childhood paper route to dodging melted metal on the foundry floor to logging long hours while leading the charge as an executive, your work ethic and commitment to our family has been something I both admire and appreciate.
And, as I always say, isn’t it a funny thing that the older I get, the smarter you get?!
Well, we’ve been listening to your advice for years, and although it may not have seemed like much was sinking in (for example, that time I crashed my car into yours…in our driveway), we heard every word.
Thank you for always being there “time after time” — from middle-of-the-night calls to providing a shoulder to cry or lean on before gently guiding us back on track.
Daughter, sister, doctor, best friend, mom — single-handedly raising one of the cutest kiddos ever (I’m a tad biased as a #ProudAuntie, but it’s still true).
Role model, natural-born leader, deal-seeker, stylish dresser.
Compassionate caregiver, avid baker, mindful lifestyler and all-around smartypants.
Not only do you humor me and my harebrained ideas, but you fully commit to anything you put your mind to — not just doing it, but doing it well.
Case in point: A self-professed non-runner who completed not one but two half marathons in Chicago (above) and Detroit (below) in 2009 and 2011, respectively.
Life may have given you some lemons these past few years, but you’ve certainly made some pretty damn fantastic lemonade.
You’re the strongest person I know, and I’m thrilled to see you flourishing, happy and healthy.
Source: Huffington Post
Beware the barrenness of a busy life. ~Socrates
Now that I’m taking a short breather from training and racing, you’d think I’d have all this extra downtime with which to play, right?
Wrong. Somehow I quickly filled up all those extra hours — and then some.
Granted, launching your own business isn’t exactly conducive to oodles of work/life balance, but being “busy” is something I’ve been pondering a lot lately.
Whether it’s with respect to work, relationships or just life, in general, I grow increasingly anxious as my calendar books out weeks in advance. Days fly by, to-do’s add up, appointments are made…and somewhere lost in that shuffle I find myself hoping that time will stop flying.
So I’ve decided that it’s time to take a stand.
Let’s rebel against our hectic schedules, reassess our priorities and take some time to actually enjoy the life we’re living instead of constantly looking ahead for the one we think we should have.
That’s not to say we should delete our social media accounts, pack up, head for the hills and live entirely off the grid; it’s more about eliminating the automatic ‘yes’ from our vocabulary and being mindful about how, where — and with whom — we choose to spend our time. It’s a precious resource, after all.
Wanna join me? I wrote previously about why I’m slowing down, but I wanted to talk a bit about how with some of my favorite strategies. Here are seven of ’em:
1. Do less.
What sets successful people apart is not that they do a lot, but that they don’t do a lot. I’m making a conscious effort to try to filter out extraneous “stuff,” and deliberately choosing to focus instead on just a few important tasks to make meaningful strides instead of feeling like I’m running in circles.
2. Just breathe.
Life coach, lifestyle guru and friend Ashley Paquin gifted me with an invaluable tool for bringing myself back into the moment. Her “5-2-5” breathing technique — breathe in for five seconds, hold for two, breathe out for five, hold for two, and repeat — works wonders by quieting the nervous system and taking the body out of fight-or-flight mode.
3. Be mindful.
I know, I know. It’s become a bit of a buzzword. But paying attention to my thoughts and sensations — and accepting them, without judgment — has helped me tap into a whole new level of awareness that’s been incredibly helpful and empowering.
4. Limit multitasking.
Sometimes this feels more like an addiction — especially when I’m toggling back and forth between 17 open tabs while on a conference call and absolutely getting nothing accomplished. Going cold-turkey is tough, though, so I’m easing into the art of “single-tasking.”
5. Be present.
Slowing down doesn’t help much if you’re not mindful of what you’re doing at the moment. Again, I put Ashley’s sage advice into play: When I find myself thinking about something I need to do, or something that’s already happened, or something that might happen…I gently tug my mind back to the present moment, like a playful puppy on a leash.
6. Disconnect.
Being constantly tethered to computers and phones where you’re either distracted by or at the mercy of others is hardly conducive to being able to focus. Whether it’s weeknight phone-free dinners or weekend traipsing out of cell service range, Ben and I try to unplug every so often.
7. Enjoy nature.
Warm sun, serene water, salty sea breezes and the damp musk of the forest are all good for the soul. I try to exercise outdoors as much as I can, whether it’s running the trails, hiking the mountains, wading in the river or simply rolling around in the grass with our four-legged family members.
Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. – Ferris Bueller
After a blur of races in 2014, better judgement prevailed for 2015 and as you’ve heard me say a few times now, my mantra has been “train smarter, not harder” with five forward-looking goals for the year.
But, as they say, the best-laid plans of mice and men oft go astray…
Because somewhere along the way I talked myself into thinking that a century ride and an ultramarathon within a two-week span this summer was also part of this program.
For the record, I give full credit to my body for finally knocking some sense into me; my SI joint, which previously only felt sore after long marathon-training runs last fall, decided enough was enough and put the kibosh on pretty much all speed and distance work this spring.
Try as I stubbornly might to power through, I’ve gotten to a point where all the strength training, chiropractor appointments, cross-training, and core work in the world aren’t helping.
So I’ve decided to do something different for a change: Nothing.
Novel concept, huh?
Well, long story short — and two cancelled races later — I’ve realized that taking a break isn’t just about giving your body time to recover. It’s also about keeping the passion for your sport alive…and sustainable for the long run.
I run because I want to, not because I have to. And that desire is something I want to protect; not just for now, but for a long time to come.
That’s not to say I’m completely clearing my race calendar; it’s just that I’m wiping the slate clean and being more mindful about which events I choose and why. Put simply, I’m making a conscious decision to get off the further/faster/harder bandwagon that’s so easy to jump on when you’re working in the fitness industry and constantly meeting people who are all doing incredible things.
So instead of literally and figuratively racing my way through my first Oregon summer, I’m slowing down. Training will continue, but at a more leisurely pace.
And you know what? Those 2016 goals will be right there where I left them if/when the time comes to pick ’em back up.
Or — who knows?! Maybe taking a step back will inspire me or give me the perspective to define entirely new ones, such as tackling my old high school PR in the (highly-underrated; I completely agree with Lauren Fleshman) 5K distance.
But, either way, having a choice in the matter and being mindful about my running is what makes — and has always made — the endeavor such a delight. And I’d like to keep it that way.
Kinetic Fix 