Conference

Well I've spent the last few days at an organizer conference in Florida.  While its MUCH warmer and sunnier here than it was in New England I haven't been able to take complete advantage of it.  I've been fighting a chest cold for some time now.

However, I did find a running trail directly behind my hotel room.  I've realized that running is one of my favorite ways to explore a new place.  I'm focused on my surroundings, what's under my feet, what's in front of me.  So often when we sightsee, we are simply looking for the next destination, the next stop along the tour.  Running gives you the whole picture.

This morning I got to notice the trees and how different they are than what we have in New England.  I got to see the ocean and hear the sound of the waves.  I felt the warm, muggy air on my face instead of the harsh, cold, New England, air.

I have yet to take advantage of the pool as I've gotten back to the hotel room late every night and I've had work to do, but while I love running and I love my routes at home, a change of scenery can really do wonders for your perspective and your routine.

New Addition

Well as some of you may know from Facebook or Twitter....my husband and I just welcomed a new addition to our small family.

Her name is Roxy, and she is a two year old border collie.  She LOVES to play, run, hike and well, just be silly.  She can't sit still....and we call know I can relate to that!

We decided to adopt a border collie because we love the breed and they are abandoned a lot by people who don't understand their quirks.  Roxy was abandoned by her first owner, adopted and sent back.

The application and interview process took a LONG time and then when we were finally approved, we drove up to Morris, NY about four+ hours away (on my most recent birthday) and met her.  We stayed with her for about two hours and then officially made the decision to bring her home.

Although she has her challenges, she is super sweet and loving and has tons of energy.  She loves to play frisbee, and she loves to walk.  We are trying a run tomorrow.

I will keep you all posted as Roxy is already a big part of our lives and she will be a big part of my morning runs!

Here is a very grainy picture the adoption agency took.

Haircut

Okay, I've been thinking about getting my hair cut for a long time.  I've been growing it out for years...probably about five.  At some point, more wasn't more and it because just a mass of long, long, hair that was hard to manage.

So I made up my mind to get it cut, made an appointment with "my guy" (although i hadn't seen him in over 18 months) and picked a date!

I went today and told my hairstylist all of my qualifications
1.  I had to be able to wash and wear-no hair dryers for me
2.  It had to look good curly or straight
3.  It HAD to fit into a ponytail

I thought I might be asking for the impossible but TJ was up to the challenge.  I originally wanted to lose only three inches...well, I lost about ten, but it was worth it.  I'm loving me new hair and I'm thrilled to have let go of some of that weight and all it represented.  I'm happy to start fresh...I think its a representation of all the new things I have going on in my life.  I'm thankful TJ pushed me a little out of my comfort zone and I'm thankful for be going on this new journey with you.

Tri it, you will be glad you did

I was recently sent a sample of Trislide...a lubricant designed to help prevent chaffing, ease use of thigh clothing, etc.  

I've used items like this before and haven't been thrilled.  So I was skeptical.  I don't have a ton of chafing when I run, but I can always use a little help in the prevention department.  More importantly, I wanted to try Trislide to help me get on my compression tights. 

I read the directions and sprayed on Trislide as directed.  I thought it might dry and form a powder finish but it did not.  I was even more skeptical as I didn't think my compression tights would go over over something that was wet.  Well, they did, and they did so super easily!  I usually spend five minutes just getting into the tights...today they slid right on.  And as I went about my day (I left them on to try out the Trislide), the Trislide stayed true and helped me in and out of the tights every single time.  My legs didn't feel sticky or gross like they have with other lubricants.  

I love the fact that it sprays on and I don't have to worry about a stick melting in my bag.  (Don't worry though its an environmentally friendly can.)  And, because its in a can, you can share it without worry of bacteria.

Trislide is water proof and sweat proof.  However, it washed off easily in the shower after.  Its different from other chafing products because its silicone based instead of petroleum based.

Trislide isn't just for athletes.  You can use this to prevent thigh chaffing, especially during trips where you are walking a lot or the warm summer months.  Trislide sells for about $16.00 and you can get yours here:

http://shop.triswimbeauty.com/TRISLIDE_c3.htm

They also have products to prevents your goggles from fogging and to help you in the water.  

Balancing Act

So lately I've been walking on a tightrope.  For those of you who don't know, I run a company, The Joyful Organizer, my husband recently opened his own business, Matt Dewkett Photography and I'm a full time grad student.  The three of these things really keep me on my toes.  I get asked a lot how I keep it all together and the obvious answer is, planning.  However, sometimes I feel like the real answer is thinking ahead, a little bit of luck, and just keeping my chin up.

There are lots of down days where I feel like I will never accomplish everything I want to or need to.  There are days when I wonder what the hell I have gotten myself into.  Why don't I work a mindless 9-5 and come home at night and not worry about work? And then I remember that I was miserable working for someone else, and as a self employed person my creative nature can come out.

And so, each and every day brings with it new challenges and new joys.  Each day needs to be carefully planned so that I can possibly come up with five free minutes of time to deal with whatever crisis comes up that day.  Each day I learn how to stretch a little more, make something out of nothing and work a little magic.

In all of this I have my running.  It grounds me, keeps me sane and is the time of my day where I'm not attached to my phone.  I can brainstorm and come up with all sorts of new ideas that I don't have time or money to implement.  However, the time is all mine and no one expects anything of me when I come home from a run.  No one is asking me for help, or to meet a deadline or to have more information.  Its just me, my shoes and the road.

Run Pretty

Okay I will admit it, I'm a sucker for cute running clothes.  I'm not the girl who is going to go out in a pair of shorts and a tee.  I'd love to say I'm that low maintenance, but I'm not.  I love a good running skirt, a frilly tank and a matching sports bra.  I've been thinking about why I love these things, especially since I'm not a girly girl or really into pink or ruffles anywhere else in my life.

I think its the juxtaposition of it.  Out on the trails, dirty, sweaty and huffing and puffing, who couldn't use a little more cute?  The other reason is that my life is so busy I don't often get to run home and shower after I've gone for a run.  Many times I have to run some errands on the way home or I end up on a conference call afterwards.  Since I'm a business owner in the area, my cute workout clothes give me a little more confidence to hit the stores and know that while sweaty and probably smelly, I at least still look cute.

So who are my favorites?  Well, although over priced, I do love Lululemon.  As a friend said to me the other day "I drank the Lululemonade".  I have a sneaky way of affording their clothes.  We have the country's only Lululemon outlet near my home and they often have this season's new arrivals on the racks for 1/2 off their normal price or more. Things are returnable so I always spend a lot of time trying things on and debating.  (this is where my husband goes to Starbucks)  I do also have a thing for Nike. Its cheaper, more readily available and I can find it on sale and on great sites like Zappos.com.

I also love to accessorize a little bit.  I mean, I have to have my hair off my face, but why can't it be cute?  This winter I'm loving a pink pigtail hat from Bondi Bands.  When I'm inside I'm in love with Sweaty Bands Diva Sparkle Headband in silver (so it matches everything).  I mean, who doesn't love a little sparkle when they are out on the trail?

Some say this is a waste of money, time or its just plain silly.  To this I wonder "why not"?  Why don't I want to look and feel my best at all times?  So many people deny themselves of feeling great because they feel they aren't worth it.  And if you aren't worth it, then who is?

So that all being said, I often wonder why I have my "normal" clothes in my closet and my running clothes in a drawer.  Maybe I should swap them out...I know I have much more love and affection for my running clothes.  I also love wearing them much more than any pair of jeans and top.  And after being forced to wear sneakers non stop for the past few months due to injury, I don't know if my heels will ever see the light of day again.

Roll It Out

Okay, we all know that we need to take time to breathe, relax and stretch, but how many of us really do?    Coming off a recent and pretty serious injury has made me realize that if I don't take the time to do those things, I will spend more and more time on the disabled list. 

While I was in physical therapy my therapist suggested I use a foam roller.  Well I got one and although it was helpful it was painful to use.  While I'm okay with a little pain, the foam roller because the dreaded part of my workouts. 

I recently came across Thera Roll.  They work under the same principle, roll out your muscles and help you stretch them.  However, they are textured to help you get deeper into the muscle.  So I tentatively tried out Thera Roll.  I used the blue model which is their softest.  

It did give me a great stretch and instead of pain the process felt good.  I felt like it was a massage.  While I can't medically tell you if I was stretched out as well, I can tell you it was a MUCH more enjoyable process and I would want to use the roll.  The blue is great for beginners, and those who are recovering from an injury. 

The rolls come in soft, medium and firm so you can decide which is right for you.  They also come in various sizes.  

The second roll I tried was the "medium".  It was just as comfortable to use.  This one could be used on its own or after using the blue roll.  I received the 3x8 size in the purple roller and I'm in love with its size.  When I travel I often have to leave my gym equipment at home and this little roller is lightweight and the perfect size to get packed into a bag!

So if you need to stretch more, and are looking for a product to help you do it...give Thera Roll a try.

Take a peek at their website here:

http://theraroll.com/