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/

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

On Thin Ice

Well as most of you have experienced first hand or have seen on the news, we have had one rough winter here in the Northeast.  Its been very tough to get outside to work out and even tough to make it to and from the car at the grocery store.  We have had a coating of ice and snow on the ground for over a month now.  That being said, we all just have to cope with it in our own way, but safely.

That’s where Stabilicers come in.  Stabilicers are put on the bottom of your current outdoor shoes.  You can wear them with anything, sneakers, boots etc.  They won’t work with dress shoes or sandals.

Unlike other devices I’ve used on the bottoms of my shoes, these are actually easy to get on. I didn’t pinch a finger or crack a knuckle.  I put them on the bottom of my running shoes.  My favorite thing was that it didn’t feel like I had something on my shoes.  Again, I’ve used other devices to gain traction and while you are walking on them, it feels like you have stones under your feet.  These are comfy and smooth.

I ran on a few inches of snow in these.  It was very slick out and I didn’t slip once, uphill or downhill.  When I was done, I slipped them right off with no troubles.  However, they do stay on while you’re running or walking.  There was no movement of the Stabilicer on my shoe at all.

Some of the best things about these that have nothing to do with their performance.  The first is that this particular model, Sabilicers Lite comes in a few colors, including pink.  A little tropical color goes a long way in New England in the winter.  Secondly, they made here in the US by a Maine based company.  After all, who knows snow better than Mainers?

They do have lots of other options available and on some you can even replace the cleats when they wear out.  For running, walking or just getting to and from, I love these.  I would happily throw these on over my shoes to make it into a meeting confidently.   They aren’t pricey either.  The Stabilicers retail for about $23.00 on their website.  You can find them at lots of retail locations as well.  Check out their site for full details.

http://www.32north.com/

Business Travel

Okay, I travel a lot in my tri state area for business, however I usually don't need to hop on a plane to conduct business.  However, in February I'm traveling twice.  So, in traditional organizer style, I am already planning.  My first concern is where I will run.

I am using sites such as Map My Run to find routes.  I'm also going to ask my fellow colleagues if they want to run with me.  As its a strange area, I will skip my ipod, make sure to bring my safety vest and wear my whistle.  Most importantly, I will make sure someone knows where I am headed and when I expect to be back.

Secondly, I am planning ahead for my eating.  I've made sure the conference director knows about my dietary restrictions.  I've also made sure I have access to buy a case of water bottles upon my arrival and there is a fridge in my room. Finally, I'm packing my Nuun tablets and a case of Lunas.

Just another example of a little planning going a long way...

Solixir

Okay so I normally don't review food, but I was sent a six pack of Solixir and being a health food but I figured I'd give it a try.

The first thing I noticed were the cute cans.  The three flavors come in three different colors, blue, red and green.  They have a cute design to them.  Its soothing.  (As opposed to a vibrant can such as Red Bull.)

There are three flavors.  The first is awaken.  Its meant to give you "gentle energy".

The second of the flavors is restore.  This one is meant to make you feel like yourself again.  While it was very tasty, I'm not sure exactly what I was supposed to feel after drinking this one.  However, it satisfied my sweet tooth and saved me from a bigger caloric splurge midday.

Finally, there is my favorite, relax.  Its meant to not make you sleepy, but to just "chill you out".  While I'm very skeptical I figured I'd give it a shot and even if it didn't do anything at all, it was tasty.  Well soon after I drank it I felt mellowed out.  I completely didn't even attribute it to the drink at first. I just thought I was in a good mood :)  Then I realized it just might have been the drink.  Either way, its yummy and I'm willing to try anything to relax more!

The drinks are all natural and made from fruit juices and sparkling water.  They don't have added sugar or artificial sweetener, so they do have about 60 calories each.  However, its a well spent 60 calories.

The drinks retail for $1.99 a piece and can be purchased at Whole Food and the Vitamin Shoppe.

You can take a peek at their website here:
http://www.solixir.com/index.html

ADD is a serious thing....

AAADD
KNOW THE SYMPTOMS.....PLEASE READ!
Thank goodness there's a name for this disorder.
Somehow I feel better,even though I have it!!

Recently, I was diagnosed with A.A.A.D.D. -
Age  Activated Attention Deficit Disorder.

This is how it manifests:

I decide to water my garden.
As I turn on the hose in the driveway,
I look over at my car and decide it needs washing.

As I start toward the garage,  I notice mail on the porch table that
I brought up from the mail box earlier.

I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car.

I lay my car keys on the table, put the junk mail in the garbage can under the table,and notice that the can is full.

So, I decide to put the bills back
on the table and take out the garbage first.

But then I think,since I'm going to be near the mailbox
when I take out the garbage anyway,I may as well pay the bills first.

I take my check book off the table,
and see that there is only one check left.

My extra checks are in my desk in the study,
so I go inside the house to my desk where
I find the can of Pepsi I'd been drinking

I'm going to look for my checks,but first I need to push the Pepsi aside
so that I don't accidentally knock it over.

The Pepsi is getting warm,
and I decide to put it in the refrigerator to keep it cold.

As I head toward the kitchen with the Pepsi,
a vase of flowers on the counter
catches my eye--they need water.

I put the Pepsi on the counter and
discover my reading glasses that
I've been searching for all morning.

I decide I better put them back on my desk,
but first I'm going to water the flowers.

I set the glasses back down on the counter,
fill a container with water and suddenly spot the TV remote.
Someone left it on the kitchen table.

I realize that tonight when we go to watch TV,
I'll be looking for the remote,but I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table,
so I decide to put it back in the den where it belongs,but first I'll water the flowers.

I pour some water in the flowers,
but quite a bit of it spills on the floor.

So, I set the remote back on the table,
get some towels and wipe up the spill.

Then, I head down the hall trying to
remember what I was planning to d o.

At the end of the day:
the car isn't washed
the bills aren't paid
there is a warm can of Pepsi sitting on the counter
the flowers don't have enough water,
there is still only 1 check in my check book,
I can't find the remote,
I can't find my glasses,
 and I Don't Remember What I did With The car Keys.               

Then, when I try to figure out why nothing got done today,
I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all damn day,
and I'm really tired.

I realize this is a serious problem,
and I'll try to get some help for it,
but first I'll check my e-mail...

Do me a favor.
Forward this message to everyone you know,
because I don't remember who the hell I've sent it to.

Running Necklaces

When I started my search for "running jewelry" I was looking for something small, easy to wear, and feminine.  However, I still wanted it to announce that I am a runner.  I didn't find a lot that met my criteria.  Then I came across Jessica's Gifts.  Jessica's Gifts is an Etsy store with tons of adorable athletic options.

I was sent the "Miles to Go" charm and necklace.  When it arrived, it came in its own cute purple pouch that protected it during transit. The disc and necklace were very shiny and were quite striking.  While I love her photos on Etsy, they don't do these necklaces justice.

The necklace is adjustable so you can change its length according to your tastes.  Its quite delicate and strong at the same time.  (Necklaces are sold separately.)

I wore the necklace and charm for a few days.  What struck me is how lightweight it is.  You don't feel it on your skin and you certainly don't feel its weight on your chest.  Its flat so its comfortable.  I wore it through running, showering and daily wear.  I'm particular about things on my skin, etc. So if I think something is comfortable you will too!

The charms are available with all sorts of running mantras, and for other sports as well.  You'd expect custom charms like this to be pricey, but they are super reasonable.  Since the shop is on Etsy you can always get in touch with the creator and even have something custom done.  For the athlete in your life, Jessica's Gifts is a great one stop shop.  Check it out here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/JessicasGifts

Super Powers

I used to say all the time, that I feel like I have to accomplish so much in a day that I wanted a cape.  Well as time went on it became less of a joke and more of a statement.  Friends I would joke with would also laugh, but then say "Do you think they really make those?"So one day I sat down and decided to do a Google search.  Well I found Power Capes.  You guessed it, they make custom capes.

Okay, not only do they make custom capes but the possiblities are endless.  They offered to allow me to review a cape.  I thought they would send me one out of inventory but they allowed me to pick my own designs, colors etc.

I need to warn you, this is not an easy process.  First, you must pick your length of cape.  Review samples are always the shortest, so that is what my cape is.  Its called the sidekick (how cute is that?).  From there, you must select your emblem.  There are lots of emblems to chose from, eight to be exact.  Then you can chose the color of your emblem.  There are 29 of those to chose from.  See how quickly the process becomes very hard?

I will admit I spent about an hour designing the cape.  The best part of the design process was that the website offers you a preview of your choices.  It takes only a second to update and it gives you a clear visual of exactly what it will look like.

I finally made my choices and submitted them.  My cape arrived in the mail as quickly as if a super hero had delivered it.  It was in a tiny package and for a moment, I was concerned.  I shouldn't have been.  The capes colors were bright and vibrant.  The attention to detail was amazing.  Even the thread used to sew the emblem on was a beautiful rainbow thread.
The fabirc was bright, thick and soft.

If I didn’t already love the idea of a cape, I’m now in love with my own cape. Not only would a cape make a great gift for the super hero in your life, of course kids of all ages would love their own cape!

Check out their whole selection of capes and items here:
http://powercapes.com/
They do also have tee shirts, super hero masks, arm bands and for the less creative, ready made capes. 
AND my readers get 10% off!  Enter code JOYFUL10 upon checkout.