Spring Training

It's definitely hard to ignore the birds chirping and the general sense of rebirth, even when we're still surrounded by so much snow. I know it has to melt at some point, right? It just seems like that will never happen. Regardless, I gotta keep the faith. March in NH is a good time to remember that without faith, we're sort of just going through the motions. As I'm finally getting back to my 20 miles a week I thought I'd get back to posting. The sky was incredibly blue yesterday, so I stopped to snaps some pics. I actually skipped the music for my 6 miles, and worked out some ideas and planning for our summer camping trip out to Sequoia National Park, which I'm beyond stoked about. As I ran along the snow lined trails and roads I mentally packed for my trip: 2 pairs of cutoffs, 7 tee shirts, 1 hoodie/fleece, 2 long button shirts and1 pair of jeans. Meals while gypsy living for 2 weeks? Seed bread with avocado, banana/almond butter/honey wraps, CA grown fresh fruit and veggies, beans and rice, repeat. The one and only thing I can do right is pack light. It's usually just one big Patagonia duffel filled with stuff for Solvieg, Lila and me and we're never at a loss. We'll be out in that general area for a couple of weeks as soon as school lets out. 8 snow days this year, so we're in school seemingly forever....

    Nothing but blue skies 3 miles in

 Last wknd in the Whites, I'm behind Jeff (whose pulling Solvieg) pulling Lila in a pulk. This was a glorious ski for us and a great wknd with friends.

I found some dirt to run along  amidst the leftover snow about mile 5 - it's still hard to come by. I never thought I'd be so excited for dirt. Now, if only the snow would vacate our garden....

There's a lot of snow out there and it's not leaving any time soon. In fact, we got 4 more inches on top of about 30 just today while I ran. I have to admit that running in the snow is just totally exhilerating. Once you abandon the solid workout for sheer living in the moment, it's instant prozac. I probably could've gotten my heart rate up a little more on the spin bike today, but I definitely wouldn't have felt as alive and spirited as I did trekking through inches of snow with my running sneaks. 

 Lugging Lila and her sled up the hill was quite the workout

 My morning run into an Ansel Adams photograph

 Snow up to her armpits

Everything, including the patch of house Jeff couldn't reach with his paintbrush, looks better with snow

Obstacles. They can take any form and come at any time. Family, weather, injury, money.  We can either ignore them, let them get the best of us or do something I've only recently embraced: thank them.
Thank you frozen ice path that interrupted my morning trail run. How still and humbling the woods were as I carefully walked around you. Thank you Lila, for continuing to be my sweetest lunch date even though working evenings so I can stay home with you is often exhausting. Thank you frigid January and the onslaught of new students for reminding me that my mom was always right - wear a hat, be nice to people, work hard - which applies to both fleeting and enduring circumstances. Obstacles or opportunities? It's not how you see them that makes the difference, but how you see yourself.

 Visiting Grandma at the nursing home in lieu of a weekday run

 late lunch date after a day's worth of errands

My trail run becomes an ice run at mile 3

Started From the Bottom

The best thing you can do to accomplish something is simply tell yourself to do it. It has been weeks since I've felt like running, as the temps and conditions have been brutal, but today I woke up ready to begin again. I've been staying active up on our third floor, where a spin bike awaits. I usually go up there with my coat on and Drake on Pandora, and sweat it out for at least a half hour. But, it's just not the same as running for me. Not even close. So I told myself I would run today and then didn't think about it again until I was actually hitting the pavement. I can talk myself into and out of anything, so now I keep my words minimal, like "hell yes" or "nope".  After dropping Lila off at preschool I finished my coffee and went to it. Yes, it was snowing. Yes, my legs felt like sacs of cement. But, I got 'er done. And, it was kind of a fun 5 miles. Going to just try for 20 miles a week, and a long xcountry ski if possible on the weekends. 

I am loyal to my oversized puffy that I use only for running  (it's stinky)

 Stayed on the road, which looked like this the whole time

Our third floor office/music room/gym with a big pile of layers I've shed while on the bike these last few weeks.

Winter running. Except, it's still technically fall. But really, most New Englanders know fall ends Thanksgiving weekend. I'm trying to not join the gym this winter, as it just feels mentally better to run outside. I only have about one free hour 4 mornings a week, but it's always worth it to bundle up and get to it.  Good head time, good time to check in with the last of the migrating birdies, and this week it has been particularly good to listen to the great Charlie Parker among the cold winds and the crisp, peaceful trails.

 My morning run

 little tree trimming dance party

Thanksgiving day sledding

Back at it

  It's crazy to think that Thanksgiving is right around the corner.  Fall has certainly been magnificent thus far, with lots of hikes, visits from family and more races  - this time for Solveig and Lila. I am eying an xcountry 30K ski race in January, and another marathon in the spring. These last couple of weeks I've just continued biking into school with the girls, and running here and there if the weather permitted. I'm going to try to make a concerted effort to do yoga more regularly - who's with me? I can barely touch my toes.  In the meantime....

 Here we are with Jeff's brother Andy, his wife Julie and my way too cute nephew Soren, who were visiting from Montana last week. I got to take them on a 17 mile back road bike ride around our area, which was just incredibly beautiful - and fun!

 Solveig and Lila getting in on some haywagon action

 We had a little open house trick or treating night, which was fun, Solveig has been Thing One and Lila some sort of princes of her own design....all about the princesses these days.

 Hiking along the trails at Adam's Point in Durham

 Solveig did a one mile trail race, which she rocked. She was with the older kids (mostly 9 year olds) and she came in about 8th out of 20.

 Solveig got to lead her class during the Halloween parade - she had a blast!

 I love how these kids are on $300 mountain bikes and Solveig's on her side of the road princess bike. She still smoked them:) 

The girls did a trick or treat fun run to help raise money for the Rainbow Fund (my most dear local charity) out of Exeter Hospital. This was their 2nd year doing it. Here's Lila, Thing 2.

Not just where Dylan plugged in

     Well, the third time (or in my case, third attempt) was certainly a charm. My first intended marathon was back in May, Sugarloaf. I was well prepared and well trained for that race, but we all fell ill a week before so I couldn't skip town. I did get the great shirt to keep me motivated.  I next planned on the Mad Marathon in VT, but it was mid July  - the heat and a hip injury kept me out and led me to take much of the summer off from running. Finally there was Newport, RI, Columbus Day weekend.

             Jeff took this one, it was at mile 26, I laid eyes on him and the girls and I was just so, so happy.   (apparently happiness also looks like the running dead) This was just before running through the finish line. Not sure if you can tell, but I'm full on balling my eyes out. 

 Spent the entire week before the race run free -  just beautiful walks with the girls and morning bike rides into school with Solveig...so far we have biked every single day - her new goal is to make it until the first day of winter (used to be to Halloween). 1.5 miles each way doesn't sound like much, but she's the only kid in her school who does it and it's a great way to take the edge off the start of a long school day. She cruises on her own, and I ride with Lila on a bike seat - not gonna lie, every day I just want to drive!

Solveig and Lila exploring Newport's Second Beach, the same beach I explored and enjoyed on Sundays when I was a child.  This was also around mile 15.

I love how the beaches in Newport aren't developed whatsoever. Just dunes and ocean. Not even a snack stand. Certainly not any beach houses. What you can't see is the actual vast, sandy beach. It's also across from Norman Bird Sanctuary, one of the most precious places on the East Coast.

      This was right before the start, beautiful sunrise

         This was right after I registered, sunset Saturday on the beach. I took Mary's advice and ran for two miles just to warm my legs up - got me pumped!

            

              So I sort of let this race happen. There was no intense training, no inlaws needing to pick up the kids from school so I can get a long run in, no Goo, no carb loading, etc. September came, and when Lila went to school (4 days a week), I ran for an hour. When she didn't, I walked with her to get Solveig from school, did some walking lunges around the house (thank God for our high hedges) and just relaxed. I think the longest run I had pre Marathon was a ten mile run on a bright Sunday morning. September is also my busy work season, so I was seeing students and editing college essays every night of the week and on weekends. My students took the SAT the day before I ran this marathon. Like them, I kept faith in myself and just trudged on, one mile at at time, one question at a time. One memory at a time (about my late sister Mary, mostly) one algebraic formula at a time. I am as proud of them as I am of myself. Few things are as poignant as seeing a personal goal, seemingly so out of reach, come to fruition. We do so much for others so much of the time we forget what it feels like to do something  entirely for ourselves. I chose my "something" wisely. A massage? A pedicure? No thanks, I'll take a marathon. Give me five hours to reflect, regroup, rejuvenate, rewind and reinvent. 

      About the race. When I trained for Sugarloaf I was all about the playlist. Beck, Wilco, Tony Allen, Pink Floyd, Cat Power. Newport was Beyonce. Period. Anyone who knows me would be completely surprised but her latest self titled album was on repeat and I enjoyed every hour of it except when I pressed pause to run for an hour with a great guy from North Attleboro, Ma, where my mom lived before we moved her into a nursing home last month.  It's a sexy, raw, powerful album. I certainly didn't feel sexy in my shiny white compression socks, but I did feel empowered.

                                                 Lila's token smile. I tried to channel it often...

        

             I had heard only the night before that the course was hilly. But truthfully, RI hills are nothing like NH hills, so that wasn't too much of a factor at all, just made the scenic vistas more stunning. And stunning they were. The only offensive part of the run was the mansions. But otherwise, it was just stunning coast line, farms, large green expanses, charming stone walls and gorgeous blue skies. Encouraging high school kids worked the water stops, and families cheered and gave out halloween candy. The only downside was that the bulk of the runners run the half marathon. As they finished, we just kept going right by them without any fanfare. The runners thinned out immensely, as did any food and celebration at the finish. But really, just crossing the finish line was all the celebration I needed. 

             As it was a holiday weekend and also parents weekend at many neighboring colleges, there were no rooms to be had in Newport. We stayed about 20 minutes away in Fall River, which ended up being perfect. The day before the race, we went to visit my mom, took her out to lunch with Anna (bonus) and then headed to Newport to register and take in the scene. When we got back to the hotel the only place to eat was a Lebanese restaurant about a hundred feet from our hotel. Pure fate! Being Lebanese, this is by far my favorite cuisine. The whole experience seemed surreal to us. We walked in and the owner literally got on his knees and welcomed the girls with opened arms. He sat with us while we ate and played a game with Lila, who loved him. Solveig got a falafel wrap and I got Majedra  (great recipe here) we then gave each other half of our dinners so we could try each. Lila had two spinach pies and fresh mango juice. Back at the hotel we all shared a king size bed. I slept for about one hour that night. I thought for sure that if I got injured, it would stem from the lack of sleep. I just couldn't get comfortable and my mind couldn't stop racing. One hour of sleep! I ate my usual breakfast, chia seeds and goji berries soaked in a cup of coconut milk. I also had a banana. I never got hungry and I never got dehydrated during the race. Everything just sort of worked out. At the start a women told me she only had 3 hours of sleep before doing an ironman, which made me feel a lot better. Adrenaline can sure go a long way....

           I felt great going into about mile 15 and then I just elected to walk through water stations and run  as much as I could. In retrospect, I probably should've just gone for it, but I didn't want to get injured. My left knee bothered me after mile 16, but my back and calves felt great. I got tired. I ran as much as I could and let myself walk when needed - my walking stride was actually faster than my running stride, but at times running felt better. One huge hill near the end almost stopped me entirely. I just felt this immense wall pushing toward me. Only then did I truly have to force myself to keep going. 

           Lots of great things about this race. Lots of great things about so many things we experience and accomplish independently and with others. What I kept with me was this certain feeling I haven't felt in a long time.  I felt it when I decided to move to Southern Utah to climb red rocks and volcanos and teach Mexicans English, and prisoners' GED. I get little tastes of it each morning I put my still too tired ass on a bike and through downtown while riding along with Solveig to school. It's about getting out of your comfort zone. It's about doing and committing to something because you don't know exactly what will come out of it but you do know that sometimes you want to just feel, as Beyonce says, like you're a superpower. Of course a day later I feel more like a 90 year old who fears stairs, but I'm still smiling.

great review of the album. don't worry, it's back to guitar and banjo for me. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/14/arts/music/beyonces-new-album-is-steamy-and-sleek.html?_r=0

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_Dylan_controversy

A time for every purpose under heaven

There are those who live full lives and there are those who live life to the fullest. I am beginning to realize that I fall into the latter category. It just doesn't take much to make me happy these days. We've had a jam packed summer, don't get me wrong, but my life has been simple: some teaching here, some gardening there, lots of cooking and time outdoors with the girls spread throughout. On my sunset run tonight (courtesy of the Byrds),  I began to realize that I didn't do everything I may have wanted to do this summer but the things I did do, for myself and for my family? I rocked. What else matters really? Luckily I'm not a bucket list kind of person - I'm more of a timing is everything kind of person. If you feel like you don't have enough time then you're doing too much. Over the last few weeks we've harvested more of the most ridiculously yummy veggies (which have made incredible salsa, pickles, and salad), climbed Mt. Washington (just Jeff and me, for our 9th anniversary), surfed surprisingly warm NH waves, camped waaay up North with friends, plied through Frozen dance camp (the girls, of course - although I was tempted), rode water slides with visiting family, hiked and dined with friends, and learned a new song or two under the apple tree. Here's a little bit of that:

It's hard to run in the summer. Any chance I get I just want to enjoy my kids and my surroundings. It has also been mostly hot and humid, with some gorgeously perfect days in between. I'm still trucking away though. Lots of Ben Harper of late, keeping it all as mellow as possible as we head into August. Here are some glimpses of our summer, with a few sunset runs in there for good measure. Tonight I ran sprints at Philips Exeter Academy's track. Good times. Few things feel as good as running as fast as your body and mind permits. Do it while you can, I always say.

                                                                           Stratham Fair

                                                  Stratham Fair (first and last time, I hope!)

                                                   ran by a little concerto at the gazebo midweek

                                               Along my run before the mosquitos ate me whole

                                                 little playground action, which happens daily

                                                spending as many afternoons as possible at the shore

                                       Jeff in Lila at the Adirondacks Musuem

                                     Great week at the cabin, with the lake all to ourselves

                                         Solveig rode her bike every day of summer camp - 1.5 miles each way. I rode  with her....her new goal is to ride to school until Halloween, I hope we can make it. She also got in some great hikes, being active really brings out her strengths.