The (Re)Taper: A Top 10 List

RUNNING...

As most of you  know, I opted out of the Hyannis marathon last Sunday due to bad weather.  At one point, it looked like the race was not even going to go on because of a winter storm that was threatening the Cape with 50mph winds.  In the end, it wasn't as bad as they predicted and the race took place as planned.  I like to think I can brave almost anything out on the road but in the end, I just didn't have it in me to run against a winter storm for 26.2 miles.  Kudos to all those runners who fought the wind, rain and cold last Sunday, including my bad-ass sister-in-law who completely rocked it.  Rather than throw away four months of training, my running partner and I got online and found another marathon to run the following week-end.  Then we scrambled like mad to make it work logistically - not easy with five kids between the two of us.  This is a long-winded way of telling you that this week is just about the longest week I've ever lived through.  How the hell is it only Wednesday?  And what am I supposed to do with myself for the next 2 days once the necessary and usual stuff gets done?  I admit, it's not a bad problem to have....too much time.  But in this case, it's accompanied by nervousness, anxiousness and a little bit of doubt, so I'd almost rather not have it.  In any case, here are some ideas for things to do when you are tapering, or in this case, tapering again, for a marathon:

Top 10 Things to Do When You Are (Re)Tapering for a Marathon

1. Re-pack your race bag. In my case, I'm now running in Georgia instead of Cape Cod.  It will likely be 50 degrees, sunny & a bit humid, instead of 30 degrees and rainy.  Lots to think about there.

2. Pick up a book about running or anything else that you might be interested in learning more about.  I happen to be diving into two books this week - "The Youth and Running Encyclopedia" by Mick Grant and John Movar  and "Running the Rift" by Naomi Benaron.

3. Focus on your other jobs and/or hobbies.  I have ample time to hang with my girls this week as well as time to work on my spring track schedule for my girls' high school team - two things I've been meaning to spend more time on.

4. Go see live music.  It might take your mind completely off of running for a few hours - music, in general, can be such a solid distraction.  Me? I'll be seeing the Eels tonight at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston.  Only 11 hours until they go on.

5. Take a nap.  How often do you get to do THIS?  Personally, it happens very rarely.  30 minutes. Such a treat.

How cool is this?

6. Grab a coffee and/or take a walk with a friend you haven't caught up with in a while.  I did both with my neighbor yesterday.  It was lovely.

7. Clean out your closets or your kids' closets.  Huge pain in the ass.  But, incredibly rewarding when it's done.

8. Make one of the walls in your kitchen a chalkboard using contact paper (see right).  Ok, this one is a little specific and a bit random, but you would not believe how much time this took me yesterday.  There was a lot of cursing and I might have broken a sweat, but in the end it looks AWESOME and the girls love it.

9. Carbo-load. Again.  Not that fun, but you can try and make it interesting by loading up with different foods and meals than you used last week.  Yes, I'm reaching here.

10. Relax. Embrace the time.  Remind yourself that if you were ready last week, you're going to be ready this week.  It's all good. 

And I have 2 more days to fill, so feel free to share your ideas at this point.  Please? 

...AND MUSIC

Listen to this:

So Lucky - Dana Buoy

Listen, Obsess, Share, Repeat

MUSIC....

Recently, someone emailed me and asked me why the music on my blog isn't available to download for free.  He feels, he noted, as though we shouldn't have to pay for music.  First, I should say that we're all entitled to our own opinions and I'm not passing any judgement here. I wrote him back and explained that while I do love sharing music, I don't agree that music should be free.  A lot of the artists I dig up are relatively unknown and probably living on a shoe string budget in order to do what they love.  Bands like AWOLNATION, though far from unknown at this point, are still touring non-stop, living on a bus, and working their tails off to make it happen.  I don't think these guys have taken a break since I first saw them live (for free, I should note) in Boston in 2011.  Do they love it?  I'm guessing, they do.  But, I'm also guessing they don't get a lot of sleep and that they're not dining out at five-star restaurants every night.  Just a hunch.  One of my goals with this blog is to create some interest and enthusiasm for these artists with the hopes that, assuming you like them too, you'll spread the word and they'll continue to put out good music.  I realize that album sales are not necessarily how these artists make the big bucks, but still, it's a small part of the package that, in the end, keeps them going.  Several of the bands I write about (ie. Tegan & Sara, AWOLNATION, The Rebel Light, Five Knives) do offer up some of  their music for free on their own web sites or through music sites and/or blogs such as My Old Kentucky Blog, Gorilla vs. Bear & Stereogum - three of my personal favorites.  Undoubtedly, they realize the power of "word of mouth", so it is out there for the taking.  But, if I can support these guys in any way beyond simply writing about them, I'll do what I can.  Again, it's not going to make a huge impact on their careers, but maybe a few downloads from RWM readers will get them a well-deserved dinner out and a nice bottle of wine or two.  Maybe.  The deejay of SiriusXMU often shouts out, LISTEN, OBSESS, SHARE, REPEAT.  In a nutshell, this is kind of what it's all about for me.  And this, my friends, is what I will continue to do.

...AND MORE MUSIC

Listen to this:

And We're Off

RUNNING...

Winter Storm Q's trajectory into the North East

Up until two days ago, I was planning to run the Hyannis marathon.  The race is tomorrow.  As I did when I was planning my wedding, I started watching the forecast about 2 weeks out.  For a few days, I was relieved that conditions were looking good.  That was pretty stupid of me as we all know weather is fickle and can't truly be predicted 2 weeks out.  I mean really, why do they even HAVE 10 day forecasts? The reports started to change rapidly as WINTER STORM Q, which was stirring in the the mid-west, began (and is still) threatening to blow through New England on Saturday and hang out until Sunday night.  Not awesome.  In my mind, I was ready and wanted to run this race.  At the same time, knowing how hard I have worked over the past four months, the thought of running 26.2 miles in a rain/snow mix with winds up to 40 MPH was slightly devastating.  What to do?  On Thursday, my running partner and I weighed out our options.  We could wait and see and decide the day before with the risks being 1. the race is called off (which it still might be at this point) or 2. that we're running against Storm Q.

Works for me. I do like Snickers.  

Or......we get online, find another marathon, and try to get ourselves there as cheaply and quickly as possible.  We opted for plan B.  I scrambled for hours online, first finding a marathon - thank you Albany, GA - second, finding an affordable flight - thank you USAir - and third, finding a decent hotel room.  This one didn't work out as well as we have to share a bed the night before the race.  But, we have a bed and that's better than nothing.  Oddly, I just posted  last week on how these marathons are "marvelous journeys and unexpected adventures."  We are flying down to Tallahassee, FL on Friday afternoon, renting a car and driving 80 miles north to Albany, picking up our numbers that evening, hitting the hay, and waking up to run a marathon that starts at 7:00 Satruday morning.  Talk about adventure.  Am I nervous.  Hell yeah.  I already tapered.  Is there such a thing as a re-taper?  I was ready for tomorrow.  Can I be ready again in a week from tomorrow?  It's hot & often humid in Georgia and I trained for four months in temps colder than 20, and sometimes 10, degrees.  Can my body handle it?  I don't know.  All fair questions, right?  So, yeah, I'm a little anxious.   Or maybe a lot.  But, I'm also excited, relieved and fired up for something new.  To be honest, this is is kind of what it's all about.  Because really, when you toe the line at a marathon, it doesn't matter where you are; at that moment, you are facing the unknown and the journey has just begun.  Aaaaaaand, we're off!

...AND MUSIC.


Listen to this:
Cheated Hearts - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

A Few Things Worth Sharing

RUNNING...
This week is our winter break and we're in NH skiing and, in my case, tapering.  Um, what?  Clearly, the timing is not ideal as it's a bit tricky to sit back, relax and embrace the vacation when I know I have a marathon at the end of the week.  It's my own fault for choosing this particular marathon.  Note to self - no more marathons during vacation weeks.  Anyhoo, I'm going to make this quick as I'm really trying to 'check out' this week and just focus on my family.  So, here are a couple things that are worth sharing and then I'm signing off for a bit.  See you on the flip side.

First, congratulations to Anne. W who won the Janji giveaway.
Anne WFebruary 7, 2013 at 9:04 PM

-->I think a racerback tank would be great :) Such a cool organization and a great way to raise awareness and start people thinking about helping others!

Yes, Anne, yes it is.  Enjoy your new 'Haiti' shirt and Janji water bottle.  Thanks again to Dave at Janji for letting me highlight the company and donating the great prize.  Keep these guys on your radar as they are doing such good work and, as they let Anne know, they have a running tank in the pipeline that, I'm sure, will be a sweet piece.

Second, consider sending a note or making a call to a friend to let them know how much you appreciate them.  Yesterday, I got a text from my friend Jackie R. that said only, "You are the best".  First, I thought he had mistakenly sent it to me and meant it for someone else and then I thought perhaps it was in response to my "Thank You" post.  It was neither of those.  "I was just thinking of you and wanted to write and let you know" he said.  He asked how the break was going and I told him it was good so far but hard to truly enjoy with the marathon on the horizon.  His response, "You are an amazing person and a great runner.  You know this.  Running is you and you are great."  Not only is this one of the nicest things someone has ever said to me but it boosted my mental state about 150%.  I know I'll be replaying this note in my head throughout all 26.2 miles next Sunday. Huge impact in just 5 short minutes.  Amazing.

...AND MUSIC.

Third, take some time with this self-titled album by the The Epochs.  It's not new (2010), but I just discovered them on Pandora, so it's new for me.  I'm really digging it.  I think you will, too.

Listen to this:
The Epochs - The Epochs



And that's it. Over and out. 

Thank You

RUNNING...

The theme for an art exhibit at the Arlington Center for the Arts - 
perfectly sums up the marathon experience for me.

Next week, barring any treacherous weather situations, I'm running my 6th marathon.  Every marathon I've done has been a totally different experience, from the training all the way through to the race itself.  This time around, my experience has felt more like a team effort than a solo mission.  Perhaps it's because I've been coaching high school cross country and track to an energetic group of girls who love running.  Or, it might be because I'm blogging about running on a regular basis.  Or maybe it's because my network of fellow runners has grown exponentially since I started running marathons six years ago.  Regardless of the reason, this particular journey has been different and in some ways, more fulfilling.  I have felt incredibly supported by a variety of people including my family, friends, and coaches as well as by some specific companies, their products and the people behind them.  Before I even get to the finish line, I feel like I need to throw out some words of gratitude to a lot of these people for all they have done for me and/or given me over the past four months.  This marathon thing...it's, well, it's a beast.  And there are only a few people out there who both understand why we take them on and can appreciate what they do for us.  To all of you out there who rode this crazy wave with me, thanks.  What an 'marvelous journey' and 'unexpected adventure' it's been.  Cheers to the next one; wherever that may be.  Feel free to come along.

THANK YOU....

~ To my husband, for his unconditional support and understanding of my crazy running habits.

~ To KH (aka Team Bacon) - for running with me, talking about running with me, bitching about running with me, being an amazing running partner and and being an incredible friend.

KH & I after the Providence Marathon last May.
We were most likely planning our next one in our
 heads while this pic was being taken.

~ To Oiselle, for including me as a member of such an amazing group of women who share my passion for the sport.  And for helping me keep my running wardrobe fresh and ridiculously stylish.

~ To Coach Ladd for providing advice, support and humor and helping to keep my feelings of doubt and worry at bay.

~ To Greater Boston Running Co. in Lexington for providing great running gear, emotional support, good humor, a fun place to hang out and most importantly my PR shoes (fingers crossed).

PR Shoes - John hasn't
let me down yet!

~ To John Lui - for running with me.  I know it hasn't happened yet, but I might as well thank him now.  And if for some reason he isn't able to make it, then for being with me in spirit bc I know he will.

They all hugged us after
this 20 miler.

~ To Patty and her team at the Winchester Starbucks for supporting my insane coffee drinking habit.

~ To dailymile, for keeping track of the 450 miles I've run over the past 4 months and linking me up with other runners who are doing the same thing.

~ To Trampas and Pedro at New Balance for aiding me with the transformation of my running form which has helped me become a more efficient runner and most likely kept me injury-free (knock on wood).

~ To Apple's iTunes for supporting my music exploring, sharing and purchasing habits.

~ To my daughters, Rosie & Grace, for both understanding & not giving me a hard time when I have to run instead of skiing/playing/hanging etc. with them.

This is a cute shot but if you ask them, they'll   
tell you that watching the race is boring, "especially
the long ones".  They are REALLY good sports.

~ To Pediatric Dental Associates of Winchester for letting me use their bathroom on my long runs.

~ To Coach Greg McMillan for creating a plan specific to me and my goals that was both challenging and incredibly rewarding.

~ To my friends, family and all the RWM readers who listen and respond to my stories, complaints and issues without questioning why I continue to put myself through it over and over again.

~ To my legs and feet for carrying me and my head for helping me keep it all together (sort of).

Regardless of the outcome of this race, thanks to all of you for being who you are and doing what you do.

...AND MUSIC

Listen to this: 
Let It Go - Dragonette

The Little Things

RUNNING (sort of)....

 So yesterday I turned 38.  It was a lovely day.  But, in general, it's relatively unexciting age.  Not quite 40 and yet the mid-30s are looonnng gone.  It's all good.  I'm not sweating it.  As a friend and fellow runner recently said to me, "You're only as young as you feel."  And to be honest, these days I'm feeling pretty spritely.  Over the past couple weeks, I have been giving some thought about how this year played out for me.  While nothing monumental happened while I was 37, there were some little, yet notable changes that, together, add up to something worth feeling damn good about.  And as we all know - it's the little things in life.  So high-fives all around.  Another year behind me and, hopefully, another great year ahead.

LFTF stands for LIVE FOR THE FUNK .
And, yes, I still do - even at age 38.

In 2012 I became (in no particular order):

1. A little faster.

2. A little stronger.

3. A little more energetic.

4. A little wiser.

5. A little closer to my daughters.

6. A little more content with my marriage.

7. A little happier in my jobs - both of them.

8. A little less concerned about what I wear or look like.

I don't have this shirt but I wish I did.

9. A little more patient.

10. A little more into music.

11. A little more into running.

12. A little goofier.

13. A little less concerned about #12.

14. A little less focused on the past.

15. A little more focused on the here & now.

16. A little more excited about the future.

17. A little more willing to forgive.

18. A little more grateful for family & friends.

19. A little more sure of who I am, as a runner, a mother & a person.

20. A little more appreciative of all the little things.

...and MUSIC

Listen to this:

Hummingbird - Alex Clare  



ONE MORE THING: Don't forget to enter the Janji Giveaway for a sweet 'Haiti' tech shirt and Janji water bottle.  Contest ends on Friday. It takes 30 seconds. Go!

The (Badass) Running Angel...Returns

RUNNING...

When I ran the Providence marathon last May, I had the good fortune or meeting John Wayne Lui.  Actually, it went beyond a meeting.  I had seen him running near me, sometimes solo, sometimes with other people, always a little bit ahead or behind me depending on the water stops.  At around the halfway mark he got a read on the pace I was trying to hold and decided he would scoop me up, so to speak, and run with me to the finish.  And that was all done with a look and a nod between the two of us.  Maybe a smile.  But no words.  When the race was over; first, I turned and hugged this running angel, made sure he was real, and then I asked him what our time was.  No joke.  It was such an incredible experience.  And, really, there were not enough ways to thank him for what he did for me.  In two weeks, I will be running the Hyannis marathon on Cape Cod.  To my great surprise, I have just learned that John will be coming up to run it as well.  Wait, what???  Once again, we get to run together, and we're shooting for my goal time - a time he seems perfectly happy with and ready to help me hit.  I am so pumped and, as my teammate continues to remind me, ridiculously lucky.  Melody Parry Jones, a fellow runner and author of the 'Will Run for Margaritas' blog, did a bio on John last year that is worth sharing.  His story is so unique and inspiring.  On top of that, he's a total badass - primarily for being the youngest person to complete a marathon in every state in under 4 hours.  For real.  So, today, I just want to highlight this cool cat.  Thanks to Melody for letting me share this bio.  And thanks to John for being so awesome.

Athlete Bio: John Lui

AUGUST 21, 2012 BY MELODY 

This year, John became the youngest person to run 50 marathons in 50 states in less than 4 hours.  Each marathon is a different story, a different experience, of the people he’s inspired along the way (scroll all the way to the bottom to read about his favorite memory).  He’s also a Marathon Maniac (duh!) and hoping to run marathon #100 by March 2013.  John is such an inspiration to the running community, I hope you enjoy getting to know him better.        

Name: John Lui

Age: 24

Location: Washington, DC

Years Running: About 6 years.

Favorite race distance: I only run marathons.

PR: Marathon – 3:12

How did you get into running? I strictly wanted to lose weight. A few things have changed, and now I’m addicted to running marathons.

How many marathons have you run? 75. I hope to run my 100^th next March in DC.

Do you cross train or lift weights: Absolutely. I lift weights about 5-6 times a week. I also Crossfit.

How do you find/make time to train: There is always time. In my honest opintion, it’s all about priorities and time management.

Favorite place to run: All the way up Massachusetts Avenue NW, and all the way to the DC/MD border… and back down.

Favorite/most memorable race: I love the DC marathons simply because all of my family and friends can come out to spectate and cheer.

Favorite pre-race meal: Indian, Mexican, Chinese. I have experimented with it all.

Favorite post-race food: Something light. I am trying to watch my figure.

Favorite quote: “I just felt like running.” – Forrest Gump

Best running advice: Don’t forget to cross-train. It’ll help protect your joints.

Running accomplishment I’m most proud of: I am currently the youngest to run a marathon in under four hours in every state.

What races are you currently training for? I am not training for any particular race, but I am scheduled to run more than 20 marathons this fall.

You just completed 50 marathons, in 50 states.  Tell us about the journey, and what made you take on this {massive marathon} journey? The journey took about 19 months. It began in Philadelphia, PA in November 2010 and ended in Valentine, NE in June 2012. I went on this adventure because… I just felt like running. Also, you only live once (YOLO).

You’re the youngest person to complete 50 marathons, in 50 states, in under 4 hours.  How does this make you feel?  What does this mean to you? It feels great. I took down notes after every marathon, and now I can share a mini-story about every single race. Some of my favorite ones include running and working with complete strangers to accomplish their personal goals.

What are your next plans?  Any more marathons in your future? After my 100^th next March, I will transition into triathlons, and more specifically, the Ironman.

You made new friends at almost every race, what’s your favorite story/person you met? Her name is Rebecca, and we met in Providence, RI. From her blog: At around the half, out of nowhere a running angel appeared quietly next to me and flew with me all the way to the finish line. There were no words exchanged while we were running but I could tell he knew I was trying to hold on and he made it clear that he was willing to help me out. Because of him, I had the will to keep up my pace for the last 10K when my body was telling me it wanted to stop. We crossed the finish line together and I immediately hugged and thanked him.

...AND MUSIC

Listen to this:

Miracle Mile - Cold War Kids   

JANJI:Cool Name, Cool Company, Cool Giveaway

RUNNING...

Mike & Dave of Janji

Hundreds of thousands of people run races of various sorts to raise money and awareness for a specific cause.  It is truly a great thing that people like to give their time and/or money to something they believe in, particularly if they work it through a channel that they already do and love.  Personally, I have raced and even coached for a number of different charities.  Every time I decide to run for a cause I feel REALLY good about it, both throughout the training as well as during the race itself all the way through the finish line regardless of my overall performance.  But, once the race is over, the time I dedicate to my cause, well, it tends to dwindle down to very little.  Understandable, but not ideal for the charity.  I recently discovered Janji, a company that designs and sells high-performance running clothes for a cause....several causes actually...with the goal being to create a community of runners dedicated to run for another.  And, in this case, there is no race required.  Mike Burnstein and Dave Spandorfor, the founders of Janji noticed that while people do tend to give through running, the giving tends to end on race day.  Both competitive runners, through their sport they saw an opportunity to keep it going.

Classic Haiti T-shirt

Janji, which means 'promise' in the language of Malay, was created specifically to address the global food and water crisis in countries around the world such as Kenya and Haiti, in a way that is both meaningful and, more importantly, that will last.  Each piece they make is designed with the needs of a specific country in mind.   The organizations that they partner with within these countries are carefully chosen through a long list of criteria.  It's an incredibly thorough process that, they believe, ends with the perfect fit - no pun intended.  About 25% (it varies slightly by country) of each purchase goes toward the designated organization that Janji has partnered with for that specific country.  So, now, when I am wearing my Haiti tech t-shirt, I am not just running for myself, but for 'another', simply by wearing a shirt.  I have to wear a shirt, so I might as well make it count.  It's a perfect formula that addresses some major issues with an incredibly simple and cool solution.  I highly encourage you to go check them out, pick your favorite piece and then go run for another.  

ENTER THE JANJI GIVEAWAY
Mike & Dave have generously offered up this sweet Janji water bottle and the Classic Haiti T-Shirt (men's or women's) to one lucky RWM reader.  Here's all you need to do:
Talk about it, share it, tweet about it, basically do whatever you can do to spread the word about Janji.**
1. Comment below. Why do you think Janji is so cool?  Who else might you want to give to?  How else do you give through your sport?  What item of clothing should Janji create next? Tell us something.
2. 'Like' Janji on Facebook - tell me that you did.
3. 'Follow' Janji on Twitter - tell me that you did.
Bonus Entries
1. 'Like' RWM on Facebook - tell me that you did.
2. 'Follow' RWM on Twitter - tell me that you did.
3. 'Join' RWM through Google friend connect - tell me that you did.
* If you already do any of the above, just tell me which ones.  Please be specific so I can count each for an entry.

...& MUSIC

Listen to this:
From Nowhere - Dan Croll  



**Please note: This contest will run through Friday, February 25th.  The winner will be chosen through random.org.  It is available to US & Canada residents only.  Good luck!

My Starbucks Drinking Habit: A Top 10 List

After a long run or a hard workout I often reward myself with a mocha from Starbucks.  In Winchester, we don't have a lot of coffee shop options so, despite the name, our Starbucks is more like a local cafe.  When I'm training for a marathon, which is usually about once a year, I spend a slightly absurd amount of time at said establishment during the four months prior to the race.  My teammate, who I often do these particular workouts with, also enjoys to treat herself when we've pushed hard and "earned" it.  Both of us recognize that it's a bit of an expensive habit.  But, truly, it could be a lot worse.  I mean, we're rewarding ourselves with a hot drink after 20 miles.  That seems (sort of) justified.  Anyway, lately I have become aware of the fact that I am spending a ridiculous amount of time at the Winchester Starbucks.  I'm not too worried about it and I'm not likely to change my drinking habits, but some of the reasons I came up with when I realized this made me chuckle.  And, as I told Coach McMillan recently, I need to find some humor during these brutal months of training or I might go a wee bit crazy.  So, as I was enjoying my last mocha, here's what I came up with:

Patty, me and Katie post long-run.  Yes, it's that bad.

Top 10 Reasons I Might Be Spending Too Much Time at Starbucks:

1. I know almost all of the baristas by name, including Patty, Allysa, Kremena, Katie, Jamie & Mary.  There's also a new guy that I will likely get to know within the next 3 weeks - if not well, at least by name.

2. Patty, the manager, not only knows what I order, but knows to ask how far I ran that day to determine whether or not I have "earned" a grande.

3. When there is no more 'SUGAR IN THE RAW' left in the bin I just go in the cabinet and replace it myself.  No need to disturb anyone for that.

4. Patty calls me "Bec" which is what my closest friends call me.  She didn't ask, it just sort of happened.  I'm totally fine with it.

5. When I show up without KH, my teammate, people wonder if something has happened to one or both of us and when I tell them we're all good, they then assume I know exactly where she is and what she's doing.

6. I have accidentally forgotten my card and/or money and Patty will let me get, not one, but 2 drinks, and trust that I will come pay her back later in the afternoon.  Her reply last time this happened, "No worries, Bec.  We know you aren't going anwhere."

7. Twice, they have reminded me that I am due for a free drink and should check my rewards before I order.

8. A previous employee, Nancy, recently moved to Florida for school and a new job and I made sure to go in on her last day, give her a hug and wish her good luck.

9. When I show up at 6:30 in the morning, which is rare, but has happened, Patty will ask whether it's because I'm out of beans or my machine has broken down, the only 2 reasons that warrant purchasing 2 coffees for myself in one day.

10. I am a Starbucks gold card member and I have already earned the necessary stars to guarantee my membership through 2014.

A big 'thank you' to all the good people at the Winchester Starbucks who support my habit.  Now, I'm off to run a 16 miler.  Patty, I'll see you in a couple of hours.

Listen to this:
High School Lover - Cayucas   

New Music & GBRCo. Winter Giveaway Winner

This past week I pushed my body as far as it would go from a running standpoint.  When I woke up yesterday I felt as though I had absolutely nothing left in the tank.  Zip.  Zilch.  Nada.  Each step was a monumental effort.  I debated (with myself) for a solid 45 minutes as to whether or not I could pull off a 5 mile run.  I did get it in, but it wasn't pretty.  I should note, here that my older daughter recommended that I run inside at the gym so I would have some friends to distract me.  Solid idea.  Definitely a runner in the making. This will be my 6th marathon.  I know that I am supposed to feel physically drained at this point in my training.  It's standard.  And I'm ok with it.  Sort of.  But, it's funny how I forget about this part of the cycle each time I sign up for another marathon.  (Insert eye roll from my husband here)  This is a very long-winded way of telling you that my creative juices are frozen solid.  I have little to offer you today beyond the above information which isn't much.  What I can give you is some new music to tune into.  And this, my friend JR told me last night, is sometimes just enough.  Thankfully, the music never seems to dry up.  All three of these albums were released this week and all three of them, in my opinion, are worth your time.  Happy listening.




Tegan & Sara - Hearthrob  










Wake Owl - Wild Country - EP  

Local Natives - Hummingbird   






AND....

This winner of the Greater Boston Running Co.'s winter giveaway is:

AnonymousJanuary 29, 2013 at 3:32 AM

I've done my part... and yes, I do prefer to run listening to music! :)

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1611336395779&l=d4937d0dfb

Please email me at rebecca.trachsel@yahoo.com so I can get you these treats.  A huge thank you to John and his team at GBRC for keeping this lucky reader warm and accessorized through the rest of the winter.