Christmas season is here!

I need to finalize my Christmas shopping, gift making, and wrapping!

It’s been cold and snowy, and we had our first fire of the season.  I’ve started to re-appreciate the treadmill once more, since it allows me to run safely when the roads are hazardous and the sidewalks icy or un-shoveled.

I’ve been glad that I’m not signed up for another half marathon until June, because with the extra time commitments of the holiday season, and the winter weather conditions, I haven’t done a long run in all of December.  Perhaps it’s a good time to relax into running fewer miles more frequently, to keep my spirits up and fight the winter blues, but give me more time to spend celebrating the holidays with friends and family.

On my to-do list this week:

Finalize our plans for when we’re in Maine over Christmas so my parents and in-laws know when to expect us for meals.

Pull out all the random things I’ve bought this year and tucked into a corner of the gym closet, inventory and wrap them.

Finish any additional Christmas shopping and wrapping.

Attend Will’s holiday party at his school, and remember to write in my “Will journal” about it afterwards.

See if it’s possible to get up at 6 a.m. and squeeze in a run on the treadmill without waking up the kids or my spouse with the noise.  (This requires a lot more sleep than I’ve been getting!)

Convert my favorite Christmas bread recipe to a healthier version and bake it for our neighbors.

Write down all the crazy ideas I’ve had for New Year’s resolutions and actually pick some to focus on!

Relax and enjoy all the special moments.  Sometimes doing half as much and feeling half as rushed makes your holiday twice as fun 🙂

If you have children, you may enjoy the post on my parenting blog about ways to include them in decorating for Christmas 🙂

I recently wrote the post Who Are You and What Do You Stand For? asking a question that’s influenced me for over a decade.  As New Year’s approaches and we all reflect back on the past year, and our goals for the New Year, we tend to ask ourselves if we’re living our best life.  I believe that standing for something, and making changes in your every day life to support what you stand for, makes us happier, healthier people who get to the New Year hoping to keep going in the same direction, instead of needing major change.

Standing for something can make us feel powerful, give us the incentive to make positive changes in our own lives, connect us with like-minded people, and keep us from feeling as frustrated by the negatives in the world around us.

So what do you stand for?

Sometimes it’s easier to answer this question by asking yourself what you DON’T stand for.  What makes you disappointed, angry, or upset when you flip on the news or open up your social media accounts?

How can you harness that negative energy you feel, flip it into something positive that you stand for, and then find ways to act?

Some Examples:

Negative: The rising rates of cancer, heart attacks, and type two diabetes. I stand for: Living and promoting a healthier lifestyle.  Actions: Watched Forks Over Knives, switched my family to a whole foods plant based diet, and I’ve made running an important part of my life.

Negative: Seeing photos of trash in Africa. I stand for: Being a conscious consumer and environmentalist.  Actions: I avoid bottled water & beverages, and bring a reusable water bottle with me everywhere.  I buy bulk and avoid products with extra packaging.  I try to buy less.  I use reusable wash-cloths instead of paper towels.  I cloth diapered both my sons.

I’m a bit of a firecracker sometimes, and there are lots of things that make me irritated, and little ways I fight back to regain control over my household at the very least.  When something bugs me, I ask myself what I can do about it.  Sometimes it’s as easy as exercising  consumer choice.  I can’t fix the world’s problems, but I can resist them.

It makes me feel better when I act, when I resist the societal forces and trends that upset me.  I’m always calling catalog companies to get removed from mailing lists because I dislike the environmental impact of junk mail, and the consumer culture of catalogs creating desire for items we were perfectly happy without five minutes ago.  Have you seen the news about the toxic smog in Shanghai because of all the factories?  We need to buy fewer things.  I don’t like catalogs.  It makes me feel better when I call and get off those lists.

I don’t like guns, either, and after Newtown last year, I wrote a blog post on my parenting blog encouraging people to send their extra holiday cards to legislators asking them to prioritize gun-control legislation.  Several thousand people saw that post.  A few months later I saw a photo of my local police chief shaking hands with the Vice President of the United States at the White House in a meeting about gun legislation.  I did not cause this.  What caused this was the many people there are out there, who, like me, were so upset by what they saw that they felt compelled to act in some small way.  Whether those people sent cards, or commented on social media, or called legislators, there were enough.  All of those small actions added up to an unavoidable sway in public opinion that urged our politicians into action.

What can you do?

You have power.  You can keep a plastic bottle from being produced to replace the one you bought, by avoiding bottled water.  You can reduce the demand on a factory in China by asking for holiday gifts like memberships to museums, consumable gifts like wine and coffee that you might have purchased anyway, or dinner out to eat as a big family, all instead of something made in a factory that you probably didn’t need.

You can promote non-violence by exercising love and patience in your own home, and plant seeds for your children to have healthy relationships by asking them if they want a hug and giving them space when they say no.

You can reduce the media images you see that drive down your satisfaction with your own life by subscribing to fewer or different magazines, and turning the television off and reaching for a book instead.

We have enormous power, especially over our own lives.

As you think about your New Year’s Resolutions, and living your best life, maybe you’ll want to exercise some positive changes that combat the things in the world that get under YOUR skin.

Sometimes I think about the way I live my life and raise my children and wonder if I’m stubborn, or crazy, or both.  But then I turn on the news, or flip through an issue of National Geographic, and my question is no longer whether or not I’m crazy.  It’s whether I’m crazy enough.

What makes you crazy, and what are you going to do about it?  I would LOVE to know!  Please comment 🙂  You may even inspire someone to join you.

Yesterday’s gorgeous, snowy run was impeccably beautiful… but it might not have been so pretty if I hadn’t worn the right running gear.  Here are some thoughts on dressing right for those snowy runs!

Some Tips On Figuring Out What to Wear:

If you’re not sure what you should be wearing, do a test run around your neighborhood as your warm up, and loop back to the house to ditch or pick up mittens or gloves.  It’s a good way to find out if you’ve layered correctly, too.

Check out the guide from Runner’s World for what you should be wearing – they have it down to a science!

Keep notes on the temperature and what you wore and whether it was comfortable for future reference.  This sounds a little type-A, but I’m pretty sure I figured out my winter running wardrobe last year, and then forgot what I wore for different temperatures.  If you have some notes somewhere, you’ll know what’s comfortable for YOU, not just what an online guide somewhere says.

Remember to adjust your wardrobe based on whether it’s windy, sunny, cloudy, or precipitating.  If you’re going on a long run, remember that the temperature may change while you’re out there, particularly if the sun is going up or coming down.  Layering and getting comfortable tying a lightweight jacket around your waist is a good idea.

Questions to Consider When You’re Buying Winter Running Gear:

Will I have enough pockets to stash the things I like to carry on my runs?

Will this be comfortable once I’m moving – ie, are there zippers too close to my ankles, or are they just a little too short so I’ll get cold if I don’t wear long socks, etc.

Does this coordinate with my other running gear, or will it sit in the bottom of the drawer because it clashes with my favorite running hat?

How often will it be cold enough to wear this?  Would I be better off saving some money by layering, or is this item a good investment for me?

I find it helpful to buy one of any particular item, and see how much I like it before I purchase a second one.  If you’re running 3-5 days a week, chances are you’ll need more than one pair of tights and a couple different running tops.  Getting them all at once is tempting, but giving them a test run (run, hah!) is a great idea.

Here are my current favorites for Winter Running Gear:

A Winter Running Hat With a Pony-tail Slot: Mine is from REI and was a Christmas gift, I love it.  I don’t see it on their website anymore, but any running hat (running = breathable fabric so you don’t get too hot) that covers your ears, is machine washable, and has a pony tail holder if you need one will become your best winter friend.  I like mine because it’s thin and fitted, so it doesn’t feel bulky, fall over my eyes, or make me too hot.  I can also put a baseball cap on over it to block snow from my eyes if I’m running in really snowy conditions.  Wearing two hats doesn’t look incredible, but it keeps my ears warm, and increases my visibility and running comfort.  Priorities.

Sugoi Sub-Zero Running Tights: I got a birthday gift certificate to Marathon Sports in Boston from a close friend, and I put it towards a new pair of winter running tights – they’re awesome.  Sugoi Women’s Sub-Zero tights were less expensive than some of the other brands, and they were fuzzy on the inside, just enough to feel like a soft second skin that you want to have between you and the cold.  They don’t have a zipper at the ankle, so nothing chafed while I ran, and they’re long enough to tuck under your socks so your ankles don’t get cold.  You can find them online at Amazon and other sports retailers, or check your local running store so you can try them on!  They’re my new favorite winter running item, right up there with a winter running hat from REI that has a pony-tail slot. (Sugoi, if you’re reading this, please feel free to send me another pair for free 😉  They don’t have pockets, so you’ll need to have another place to stash phone or fuel.  I’ve warn them in 10 degree weather and in 37 degree snowy weather and they’ve been perfect both times.  I tend to be colder than some people, so if you’re on the warm side, you might enjoy their mid-zero tight.

A thermal, zip up running top with thumb holes: These come in a variety of weights, pick yours based on your weather conditions and how warm or cold you tend to be when you run.  I like having one that zips up, because you can really change how warm or cold you feel by adjusting the zipper to get cold air to your neck.  Thumb holes are great because you can put gloves or mittens on, then pull the sleeves down over them and hook your thumbs through so that you don’t get any freezing cold air around your wrists when it’s super cold out.  You can also skip mittens or gloves in borderline temps if you have that extra coverage over your knuckles.

Mittens or lightweight gloves: Mittens are great because your fingers aren’t separated, so they stay warmer.  But they’re bulky, so you want to make sure that it’s cold enough for you to want to keep them on – if you’re taking them off midway through a run, they’re harder to just tuck into your waistband.  That being said, when it’s 10 degrees out, they’re the only way to go.  Lightweight gloves are awesome for winter running because on those borderline days they fit easily into a pocket, and they’re not cumbersome and aren’t likely to make your hands sweat.

A wind-breaker / lightweight jacket: These are a great layering piece, because they’re often so thin that you barely notice them when you wrap them around your waist mid-way through a run.  When it’s windy or raining, nothing protects you more than a lightweight jacket designed to protect you from those conditions.  I have the Brooks Women’s Nightlife LSD Lite Jacket III, mostly because it was over fifty percent off at my local running store when I was looking for a windbreaker.  It’s not incredibly flattering on me, but it does the trick.

Sunglasses: Don’t forget this summery item on winter days – the sun reflects off the snow and can reduce your visibility and comfort, not to mention the potential sun damage.  Cataracts, anyone?  I’ll even throw them on during windy but overcast conditions to protect my eyes from the wind.  Goggles would just be a little too much… even for me.

Happy running!

What are your favorite winter running essentials?

Ever worn the totally wrong thing for the weather?

After 3.5 miles on the treadmill last night, it was exciting to have a babysitter this morning so I could drop Will of at preschool and go for a run.

It was 37 degrees out and snowing, which meant the ground wasn’t frozen, and the snow was sticking to trees and grass but melting on sidewalks.  I had all the beauty of the falling snow around me, without losing traction while I ran.  It doesn’t get much better than that.

I first headed out in my favorite winter running hat, but running into the falling snow was impacting my visibility and I decided it would be more pleasant if I had a visor to keep the snow out of my eyes.  Not wanting my ears to get cold, I threw my adjustable Nike women’s running hat right over my REI winter running hat, so my ears were covered and my sight was clear.  I didn’t look as cute and wintery, but anyone out on the trails would be too busy looking at nature to notice.  (I’ve always been practical over stylish, but I do prefer it when I don’t have to pick!)

Running while it’s snowing is an ethereal experience.  It is so beautiful, and so peaceful.  I ran to a nearby lake path that came highly recommended, and my phone died just in time for me to lose my music as I approached the lake.  The snow softened all noise, and when I stopped to appreciate the view of the snow over the lake, I heard nothing but quiet sounds of birds in the distance.

I now remember why I loved being outdoors in the winter as a child… because when you’re outside playing, or sledding, you’re moving enough so that you’re not cold even when you stop.  You’re radiating warmth, and you know it’s cold, you can FEEL that it’s cold, but you’re perfectly comfortable.  When you’ve just stopped running to appreciate the view, you’re more than comfortable, because you feel the sense of peace and relaxation that comes from stopping when you’ve been running.  Your heart rate is descending pleasurably, your breathing becomes more relaxed, you’re still warm, but you’re surrounded by cold, peaceful beauty.

I used to joke in the beginning of my running that I only ran because it felt so good when I stopped.  It might actually be true.  If you run outside on a beautiful wintery day, and then stop and feel your body descending from exertion into rest, surrounded by air that should make you shiver, feeling nothing but warmth, you will know what I mean.

It’s surreal.  Fantasy.  Dream-like.  Too many things feel abnormal, in the most beautiful way.

It’s hard to believe that it’s real, and it’s healthy.

I now know why people ski and do all sorts of other outdoor winter activities that I used to find baffling when I associated being outside in the snow with freezing my butt off.  I had lost the child-like energy of my eight year old self pulling a sled up the hill and keeping warm enough from the exercise to enjoy the snow for hours.  Now I have that back.

What a beautiful gift… thank you, running 🙂

 

My first run in over a week!  After catching a cold from Will & Andrew, and running a race I probably shouldn’t have while sick, I took a week off to let the antibiotics and steroid inhaler do their trick before lacing up again.

I was planning to get outside for an easy four or five miles, but it gets dark so early that by the time my babysitter was here the sky was black, the roads were slushy, and running outside would have been treacherous as well as unpleasant.

So I hit the treadmill.  I’m not good at watching television or movies on the treadmill.  I tend to get distracted, particularly by action scenes, and lose my balance.  Yes, I have fallen off our treadmill watching Matt Damon in a car chase scene.  He didn’t even have his shirt off.

This leaves me with pod-casts, books on tape, or music to entertain me while I stare at my bobbing reflection on the blackness of the turned off television.

Not that exciting.

But you know what is exciting?

Intervals.

When I do an interval workout on the treadmill, I have to focus just on completing each interval, which means I wouldn’t be paying attention to the t.v. or a podcast anyway.  By the time I’ve recovered enough to feel bored, it’s time for the next interval.

Awesome.

This afternoon, I tuned my i-phone to Pandora, ran .5 miles at 10:30 pace to warm up, then alternated .5 mile challenging intervals of 8:57 pace with recovery intervals of 10:30 pace.  I picked 10:30 because it’s about my half marathon pace, ie, a pace that I could comfortably run for A LONG TIME.  I picked 8:57 pace because it’s under 9 minutes, and for someone who races her 5ks in the 9s, and half marathons in the 10s, running in the 8’s is cool.  My big achievement was not hitting the pause button on the treadmill to recover from each interval.  I have a bad habit of taking too much recovery time in between intervals, and I was determined to recover without stopping.  It’s tough during that first minute of the slower pace, because it doesn’t feel like I’m breathing any easier, or that I’m running that much slower.  But if I give it a minute, and fight the urge to stop, I really do notice my heart rate decrease, my breathing ease up, and my legs get ready to run fast again… all while I’m still running.  How awesome is that?

I finished at 3 miles, ran a half mile cool down, and did one lousy plank and some stretching before calling it a night.

I love intervals on the treadmill because it removes any need to concentrate on maintaining your target pace.  I find it tough to run a pace I’m not used to without constantly checking my Garmin when I’m outside… with the treadmill, I just listen to the music and keep up with the ‘mill.

There’s nothing like hearing Usher shout “Gotta push it to the limit, give it more!” towards the end of a half mile interval at your push pace.  For a little over a dollar on i-tunes, you too can have Usher for your running coach.  😉

The only one who was bored was my cat.