Post Marathon Blues

So, I ran a marathon.  I trained for 16 weeks, devoted countless hours to the road, gained a "family" of runners (and a few support folks), learned the ins and outs of hydration and fueling, experienced many of the not-so-attractive parts of running, showed up at the start line, ran 26.2 miles and finished.  The cherry on top was that I finished on my own two feet, upright, and lived to tell about it.  

I accomplished something that most people will never dream of; statistics say that only 0.5% to 1% of the population ever completes a marathon.  That's pretty crazy when you really think about it (or maybe it means that I'm crazy).  Nonetheless, the feeling when you finish is beyond words.  

Now that it is all over and done with, it feels like something is missing.  I feel kind of lost, without a lofty goal in mind, bored, and generally unmotivated. I could care less if I ever ran again, and find it difficult even to motivate myself to make it to the weekly Team Adrenaline workouts.  And from what the rest of the marathon crew reports, I'm not alone.  It's crazy to think that we went from a moment of greatness, to very little motivation at all.  Thinking of that in itself makes me even more depressed.

I was surprised to find out that feeling this way after a marathon is not uncommon.  In fact, if you Google the term "post-marathon blues" you actually come up with a plethora of articles.  Is it weird that the fact it has a name makes me feel a little better?  I know, I'm weird like that.

So after reading up on it quite a bit, I've come to the conclusion that I need a new goal.  Now my problem is deciding what goal to chase after.  Running faster or longer both come to mind.  A triathlon is something I've been thinking of as well.  My indecisive mind can't quite come to a conclusion yet, and any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Guess Who's Back!?

So the last time I was on here was February.  In the 9 months since I've been on here a lot could have happened:

• I could've gotten pregnant and had a baby.

• The average person could have grown about 4.5 inches of hair.

• I could've trained for and ran a marathon.

Only one of those things really happened, and no, I do not have two kids now.

Regardless of what could have happened in 9 months, the important thing is that now, I'm back! (cue Eminem)

I'm running low and sleep and laptop battery, but I can at least give you a brief run down of what I've been up to:

• Supervisor of Special Education Certificate - Finished!

• Tough Mudder Ohio - cold, wet, misery

• Vacay 2014 - Salvo, NC

• 40 Before 40 List - I actually crossed a few things off!

• Beast on the Bay - talk about improvement!

• M - 5 going on 15

• Marathon - I ran a marathon, that's right, 26.2 miles!

I'll get into more detail later, but wanted to announce my triumphant return to blogging (before something else caught my attention again).  Expect to hear more from me soon!

Tea and Detox

After last week's fun and festivities, this week has been a little rougher on me.  

School has been tough, several new kids and lots of paperwork to finish.  Add in one snow day and one two hour delay due to the Polar Vortex and that's even more of a downer.  My desk looks like a tornado came through, with piles upon piles of things that need finished.  If the desk fairy came through my room, I think she'd be quite disappointed in me.

I'm sure I'll catch up and everything will be fine, however stress and me never really get along.  

My normal go-to is a nice glass of wine, or three or four.  Seeing as I have quite the assortment (especially after my birthday) this would seem like a good idea.  

However,  I have embarked on another journey to help me "detox" from the holidays.  Doc (our fearless leader of Team Adrenaline) decided that a detox to start the new year would be a great thing.  In short, the detox consists of avoiding processed and artificial sugars, caffeine, and alcohol for six weeks. Here's his version for anyone that is interested.

The detox is very similar to what I did in the spring with Challenge Erie.  I had more or less stuck to the no sugar rule since then, with exceptions from time to time (and very frequently over Christmas).  

Always a glutton for punishment, I decided to also eliminate dairy and gluten.  I had toyed around with eliminating both for a while and discovered I felt a lot better without them.  But still, it makes for some difficult eating.

Instead of starting January 1 with all the other detoxers, I decided to wait until after my birthday.  After all the hoopla I had put around turning 30, the last thing I wanted to do was worry about what the labels said on everything I ate or drank that day.  

Since starting the detox, I feel a lot better.  My energy is back and I'm not feeling as "bloaty."  I've gotten past the first week of feeling crappy and cranky, which I'm sure Tim and M really appreciate!

When the detox was first starting, one of the more discussed topics was that of tea.  Because we are detoxing from caffeine, coffee is a no-no.  Decaf is ok, but unless you drink it black there really isn't much you can add to it (no sugar means no lactose means no milk).  I've never been big on coffee but I've always liked tea; so, I was excited about the green light to try so new types of tea.  It was through this discussion (and an impromptu Team Adrenaline trip to Wegman's) that I was introduced to the world of loose leaf tea.

Always some type of shenanigans when TA is involved.

I was excited to say the least.  In fact, I was so excited I immediately purchased my very first tea infuser, the Tea Rex!

I admit, I bought it more because he was cute than anything.  I learned very quickly, Tea Rex is only good for big, chunky teas.  The tea I was using ended up making its way through the holes and soon I was drinking chunky tea.  To add insult to injury, the thing was a pain in the ass to clean!

After sharing my Tea Rex saga with my TA friends, I received this adorable guy from Leslie.  She had seen him at the Co-Op and couldn't resist.

RoboTea (as I lovingly named him) did much better than Mr. Rex, although still  had some flaws.  My tea didn't end up near as chunky, although there still were bits of tea floating around.  And I quickly learned the importance of securely closing him, as the first time I tried he popped open spilling his contents all over my kitchen floor.

Finally ended up with a new tea infuser that has done the job.  This one, made by Teavana, not only came with a sample of tea (which I can't drink until after the detox because it has added sugar), but also has done a great job of allowing me to enjoy my new Green Tea with Blueberry obsession.

The way this detox is going so far, I have a feeling it is only going to get more and more interesting, but more on that later!

Year in Review

It's almost been a year since I started this journey.  A journey that started with me flipping out about my age, and feeling as if I was missing out.  It's hard to think that in a week, that "end point" that I had in my mind will be here.  I will be 30.  As much as it bothered me, there was nothing I could do about it.  

I started this year with a list of 30 things I felt I needed to accomplish before I hit the big 3-0.  Thirty things I wrote down to "prove to myself" something.  What that something was, I'm not so sure about now, but I was definitely out to prove something.  

Regardless of what I was out to prove, I started this year vowing that I was going to stop sitting back and start doing something.  That vow became the catalyst to a life-changing year.  So to commemorate an awesome year, recognize the end of my 20s, and to satisfy those who were wondering, I figured I would go through my list one more time.

30 Things to Do Before I'm 30

1.    Run a 10k - Funny how this was actually my second running accomplishment of the year.  I finished a very slippery, cold and snowy Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning.  My time was far from ideal, but I did convince the hubs to break out an early Christmas present! We also coordinated and ran a Christmas Story 10k to raise money for a local charity.  I will say, there is nothing quite as fun as running through the city in an elf costume!

2.    Finish a half marathon - At one point mid summer, I didn't think this was going to happen.  After the whole shenanigans with my broken foot, I had my doubts.  Still, I finished, which was my goal to begin with.  It wasn't the best time, but it was my time, and that was all that mattered.

3.    Travel further west than Toledo - I came close, but actually did not make it much further West that the "Toledo line."  Still, our trip to Asheville, NC got us kinda close and I still got the chance to visit an awesome city!

4.    Shoot a gun - I can thank the hubs for this one.  He got into sporting clays about a year or so ago.  Ever since he has been joking about me going with him.  Finally, I agreed and he took me out.  One hundred targets later and I was at least holding the gun right!  

5.    Visit New York City - Although discussed several times, this was something that did not happen.  Yet, looking back at my year, I don't feel as if I missed out on everything.  I will say that there is a trip to New York (state) in my near future....but more on that another time.

6.    Start a blog/journal - Done!  It's been hit and miss.  Sometimes I get really into posting, and other times I feel as if I'm just writing for me.  Still, I put myself out there and that is a HUGE step for someone like me.

7.    Go to an NFL football game - Maybe next year!

8.    Read at least 10 books off of Time’s Top 100 Books of All Time list - I got started on a few, but couldn't find any that could keep my attention (and that I could understand!).

9.    Take a class unrelated to teaching - I did participate in a few different cooking classes throughout the year.  The funny thing is, once I started on my new journey of wellness, I sort of made my own class.  I started learning about things for me, and actually put down my sappy love stories and started reading books related to health and wellness.  I'm considering this one accomplished!

10. Finish re-painting the house (Master Bedroom, Guest Bedroom, Downstairs Living Room, Basement Bath) - We repainted the downstairs living room and bought the paint for our room.  That's about as far as that one got.  

11. Have the equivalent of one month’s salary in savings. - At one point this year, I could have checked this one off.  Then things happened and slowly that stash got depleted.  Still, I'm better off than where I started.  

12. Host/Cook a holiday meal for the family. - I tried on this one,  but my mom's love of all things "get together" got in the way.  Until she is willing to give up the reins for a holiday, it looks like I'm going to have to take a back seat.

13. Take a weekend trip focused on M. - Because of schedules and money, we weren't able to travel anywhere.  But we definitely did way more than we ever have before.  Children's museums, the beach, every park imaginable....we made sure to carve out time each week for our girl.  For that reason, I'm considering this one edited, but accomplished.

Loving the Kidzu Children's Museum in Chapel Hill, NC!

14. Go to a concert. - Talk about a great night!  Not only does the Zac Brown Band put on a heck of a show, I was there with some of the most awesome people I know!

Zac Brown awesomeness!

15. Have a girl’s weekend somewhere other than Erie. - Running the Color Run in Cleveland provided an impromptu weekend with the girls.  I originally planned on going with a different friend and leaving the morning of the race.  But, plans changed and soon some friends of mine from high school were inviting me to not only ride with them, but share a room overnight and have a great time.  

16. Golf a full 18 holes, and keep score - Nope, and I'm blaming this one on Tim.  I asked, several times, for him to take me out.  It just never happened.  At least my pretty golf shoes are still clean!

17. Pay off at least 2 of my 3 credit cards. (and keep them that way!!) - Another nope, and this one is a bit of a touchy subject with me.  But I'm getting there.

18. Get another tattoo - On hold for now until some issues with the dermatologist get sorted out.  

19. Organize all my pictures and back them up.  Maybe even get some printed out. - I love that this was on here, because it was exactly the opposite of what happened.  Instead, over the summer our old desktop went kaput and I thought we lost ever picture of M we had ever taken.  Luckily, my computer genius brother-in-law was able to recover them for us!  I assure you that since then, I have made sure to back EVERYTHING up!

20. Try at least 3 new foods (or re-try foods I haven’t tried in a while) - I lost count on this one.  Sushi, rye bread, and BBQ chips were a few of the starters and it has continued from there.  I now try to taste at least one bite of something new if it is presented to me.

Who would have ever thought spaghetti squash would be come a regular meal in our house?

21. Ride on a motorcycle - Tim sold it before this happened...but I did get some nice basement furniture out of the deal!

22. Change my hairstyle/hair color - Several times!  Ombre, highlights, ombre & highlights, and it's looking like next time it may be an all over color.  My stylist and I have seen more of each other in 6 months, than in the past 6 years!

23. Complete at least one random act of kindness/pay it forward type action - This was another ironic item on my list, as this year I was at the center of the pay it forward movement sparked by #ajo.  Not only did I pay if forward several times, I also was on the receiving end several times.  It was little things like someone paying for my child's Happy Meal that helped to restore some of my faith in humanity.

24. Make/build something - Spurred by my every growing Pinterest boards, this year I vowed to check some of the projects off my list.  I can confidently say that I started several projects.  However, I did find that finishing them became my problem.  Instead, I often decided I either didn't need it or it wasn't good enough and would through things away.  Now that I have a better idea of where I want to go with my house decorating I think that maybe I can actually finish, and use, a project....maybe.

25. Surprise someone - Thanks to my new found friends, I've happily been part of many surprises this year.  Talk about a great feeling, doing something unexpected for someone who truly deserves it!

Love these people!

26. Learn to play the guitar (at least some of the basics) - At one point I think I changed this to playing the piano more, and then changed it back.  Needless to say, with all my other activities going on this year, this item fell by the wayside.  

27. Improve my Spanish - Thanks to Duolingo I not only brushed up on my Spanish, but also learned a little Portugese and French.  Can I hold a conversation?  No.  But I can name a few items!

28. Learn to drive a stick shift - Nope, didn't happen.  It would probably help if I knew someone who drove a manual vehical...maybe before I'm 40.

29. Have a spa day – Surprisingly, this is the one I felt the most guilty about.  I treated myself to a shellac mani and getting my makeup done on a day off.  After I was done, I looked nice (and fell in love with shellac manis) but could think of a million better ways to pamper myself.  Oh well, live and learn.

30. Celebrate my 30^th in style! (think Limo, sequins, bubbly!) - Since I'm not 30 yet, this one obviously isn't completed.  Ironically enough, through this year of change, so has my perception of the perfect way to turn 30.  Now, instead of a huge production, I'd much rather a night with my friends.  Comfortable and informal, as long as I'm surrounded by those I love I couldn't ask for much more.

So I "failed" on about a third of my items, yet I would call this year anything but a failure.  This year was pivotal in helping me discover myself.  I'm happier, healthier and more fulfilled than I ever have been.  I'm looking forward to my 30s and what is to come.  Stay tuned!

Happiness

What the South taught me

“Every person needs to take one day away.  A day in which one consciously separates the past from the future.  Jobs, family, employers, and friends can exist one day without any one of us, and if our egos permit us to confess, they could exist eternally in our absence.  Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for.  Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us.”  ― Maya Angelou, Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now

When I last wrote I will admit I wasn't in a very good place.  My foot injury came at quite possibly the worst time.  Between grad school, the impending school year, and many other stressors, I had begun to rely on running and exercise to help manage my stress (it did a pretty awesome job).  Take that away, and I was just a ball of nerves.

Call it perfect timing (or not), but all of this happened just in time for vacation.  Earlier in the year M and I had agreed to join my parents in a trek down to Durham to visit my sister, followed by several days in Asheville for a music festival.  Overall I was looking forward to the time away.  Still, I tend see vacations (especially those with my family) as more of a stressor than anything else. 

Our first few days in Durham provided a mish-mash of miscellaneous activities.  Shopping with the family (always an interesting venture) helped to highlight some of the vast differences the South provided.  Everyone was so much nicer.  Store clerks said hello, not just because they had to, and inquired about the boot (now lovingly known as Bertha).  We were in one store that provided free balloon animals and face painting for M (she still says it is one of the highlights of her trip).

We were planning on attending a Durham Bulls baseball game, however soon realized that with a 3-month-old and a 3 year old that may not be the best idea.  Instead, my sister directed us toward the restaurant that was located on the far wall of the stadium.  Here we were able to pay attention to the game, and eat some wonderful food all at the same time.  Plus, when the kiddos were ready to go, we could easily leave without feeling guilty for spending money on tickets.  This was especially nice, since we ended up seeing only an inning and a half of baseball.  Through this experience I got to try both fried green tomatoes and hoppin' john, two southern staples I had never tried before.

Monday and Tuesday of our vacation were pretty laid back.  Both my sister and her husband had to work, so we were staying home with their daughter.  My mom had that job taken care of, so M and I decided to use those afternoons for some quality bonding time.  Our first afternoon consisted of a lunch date to Red Robin, another first for both of us.  It was nothing spectacular, although M is still raving about the delicious milkshakes.  Our second afternoon had me venturing to Chapel Hill to the KidzU Children's Museum.  Although small, M had a blast!  For me, just the drive into Chapel Hill was an adventure.  I don't do well with directions, and have been known to get lost even with a GPS.  So I was pretty proud of my self for navigating the 5 lane highways of Durham.

Wednesday we left for Asheville.  A three car caravan, led by my dad, seemed like a good idea at the time.  Still I soon realized that I much rather driving on my own that following others.  As we approached Hendersonville (where our cabin was located), we were quickly reminded of the mountains surrounding us.  We left the highway only to be greeted with winding mountain roads with steep cliffs to one side.  Definitely not ideal if you are afraid of heights.  As we approached the road for our cabin, we first were greeted with a sign indicating that only four-wheel drive vehicles were recommended.  Seeing as my parents were in their mini-van, this was going to be interesting.

Turns out, the road up to our cabin was a mile and a half of winding dirt road going up the side of the mountain.  I think my sister said that our cabin was at 2800 feet. The driveway to the cabin itself was even more daunting at just about 45 degrees!  Luckily, we all made it and were greeted with a gorgeous cabin.  We spent the rest of the afternoon just enjoying the accommodations.  Although I'm not "into nature" I definitely enjoyed spending time out on the deck, just me and the trees (and M singing another one of her made-up songs).

Thursday we decided to venture out to get some BBQ.  My brother-in-law had gotten a recommendation from a buddy of his, so we ventured down the mountain and into Hendersonville to 12 Bones Smokehouse.  Talk about some of the best bar-b-que ever!  I enjoyed the pulled pork sandwich (yes I know it isn't sugar free but it was TOTALLY worth it!) while others in the group tried the ribs and the brisket.  No one had anything negative to say.  Even M loved the mac and cheese.  I loved it so much that I had to get the T-Shirt. 

Friday was the first day of the Bele Chere music festival.  My dad is a music fanatic, and is always looking for new bands and places to hear good music.  Finding this festival helped to solidify the Asheville portion of the trip for us.  I will admit I was a little worried about taking M.  It was a lot of walking, in the sun, with some pretty sketchy characters.  But, we had a good time.  Once again, I was amazed by the food selection.  You could get everything from fried candy bars to fried rice, BBQ to seafood to vegan fare.  Just choosing what to get for lunch was a daunting task.  I chose the crab cake sandwich from a local restaurant (Yes, I am aware this is again not sugar-free.  I was on vacation, give me a break!).  It was delectable.  M had some freshly made chips with some ice cream.  I learned that I was quite fond of the food in the South.

Just the people watching was entertainment.  You had all walks of life including hippies, the street corner preachers, and the occasional girl walking around topless (apparently you can do that in Asheville).  We spent a lot of time looking at all the different vendors selling just about anything imaginable.  The festival had a children's center that took up the entire floor of the civic arena.  M got to enjoy several bounce houses and slides, a tea-cup-like ride, and even bumper cars.  This was all on top of enjoying the live music.

Our original plan was to stay through Sunday.  However, over a week without daddy was proving to be difficult for both M and I (and I think daddy was a little lonely too).  Friday we found out he would be going back to work the following week, so the decision was made to leave a day early.

Waking up to rain Saturday morning, I was happy that I made that decision.  The rain would make it pretty hard to enjoy anything outside, and that is what most of our plans consisted of.  So I packed up the car and M and I were on our way.  Back down the treacherous hill and through four states.  I will say, the low clouds laced through the mountains made for some spectacular sights along the way home.

Going into the vacation I was in a rut.  Partially depressed because my "stress reliever" had been taken away, I needed a change of pace.  The South provided just that.  I learned a lot from the South.  It taught me to slow down a bit, enjoy the moment and enjoy some good food.  Be kind to one another and have confidence in yourself.  I learned that riding in the middle seat in the back of my parents van is a recipe for nausea.  Sometimes it is the simple things in life that are most valued, like sharing a milkshake with your daughter on a random afternoon.