Category: Thoughts

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Christmas Party in February, Reflecting on Friendship

Love & Light

This past weekend I attended a Yankee Swap Christmas Party with my friend Jeff. This group of friends have know each other for almost 30 years. To me, that is simply amazing. While I have friends I’ve stayed in touch with for about 25 years, we don’t see each other regularly much less have an annual gathering. The party was delayed from December so that everyone could attend. I love that – the day was changed several times to allow all (about 40) people to come.  

Jeff and I have been friends since around 1995 when we worked together at an insurance company in Portsmouth, NH. He’s visited me in all the places I’ve lived: Bethel, Maine, Killington, Vermont, Granby, Colorado and Tucson, Arizona.

The invitation to the party came through text: “Would you be up for a scary group gathering for a few hours, meet new people?”

Ha! Attend an event with a group of people I don’t know. OMG. The invitation made me laugh and since I’m trying to do things that force me to break out of my comfort zone I replied, “Oh sure I need to have new experiences.”

The night was very fun and Jeff’s friends are pretty awesome. Everyone was very friendly. Doing what introverts do, Jeff and I sat on the sofa and played cribbage. I almost won. I rarely win against Jeff, however I was 5 points from the win when he came from behind with a great hand. 

The especially fun part of the night was the Yankee Swap. I drew #21 – a good number to pick a gift I really liked. My gift was a beautiful, heavy blanket. I loved it and kept it. But a few numbers later I lost it to a bag of gifts that contained a Love pillow, candle and lottery ticket.

I left before the food came and headed home to beat a snow storm. I got home and thought about the evening and my gift.

Here’s what I think:

I really enjoy hanging out with people my age.

I think the evening was very symbolic especially at a time in my life where I’m more reflective than normal. I’m writing more than ever, and once again, trying to figure out how all the pieces of my life fit: career, relationships, travel, adventure, faith.

I am so thankful for the friends in my life who show up, call, text, email and invite me on adventures. I’m especially thankful for my parents. 

The Yankee Swap gift was symbolic:

  • The LOVE pillow: I need more love in my life. I need to give love and be more open to love.
  • The candle: I need more light in my life – give light, be the light.
  • The (losing) Lottery Ticket: I don’t need more money or things. Having enough money is good but I have what I need.

Travel Light, Be the Light

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Trying New Products: Altra Torin 2.5

This weekend I bought a new pair of road running shoes and testing them out today. I bought the Altra Torin. I wear a size 11 shoe and the men’s shoe fit the best.

When I lived in Tucson, I ran in a pair of Lone Peaks for trail running. I like them, but didn’t love them. But giving the road shoe a chance.

On Saturday I actually bought these from a running store, Runner’s Alley in Concord. The sales person was great and offered his advice on different options. Originally I wanted to buy a pair of Hoka’s but they didn’t fit well. I have some issues with my left foot: neuroma and a bunion so I need a bigger toe box. I’ve run on Asics and Pearl Izumi’s for so long and they have been good to me but it was time to try a different road shoe. And, as you know, Pearl Izumi isn’t making running products anymore ;-(

The Altra brand says that their Zero Drop running shoes can help improve technique and with the Toe Box will maximize shock absorption – all things that will be good for me.

I’m trying them out this morning and will let you know.

Things I do: Every time I buy a new pair of shoes I buy a new pair of socks. This time I bought a pair of Darn Tough socks made in Vermont.

Buy Local, Run Local – that’s my new motto. I don’t buy from Amazon anymore. Even though I could buy a few last pairs of Pearl Izumi road shoes from Amazon I chose not to. I’m buying from my local stores and local products. Speaking of making changes, I saw this online yesterday about The Small Change Initiative – geared to trail runners. “The idea is our small change, be it $5, $10, $20, or more adds up to big impact for organizations making a difference in the places we visit for our races and other adventures.” I think it’s a pretty cool idea. Here’s Adventures in Thumbhole’s blog.

Do you ever make bets with yourself and as a reward you sign up for something fun?

I do it all the time. Sometimes it works for motivation, sometimes not. Last night I found out from Facebook that there is a trail marathon in Bear Brook State Park; 11 miles from my house. I’m so used to driving hours for a race and don’t want to do it anymore – I want to run local. One of the many benefits of living in Concord is I’m central to so many events and activities. Plus, I need to sign up for a race that is long and on a trail, that is half way to my 53K race in September. I told myself if I got up today and ran the 7.5 mile loop I would sign up for it. I’m ready to hit the road with my new gear and to sign up for more races!

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How to Recover Right

I’ve always been pretty good at recovery after a hard workout.

On long bike rides I pass the time thinking about what I will eat when I get home and what show I’ll binge-watch on Netflix as I stay off my feet and recover.

After long runs – the same.

I love food and I long binge-watching my favorite TV shows.

As I get older I’ve been focusing on much more stretching and foam rolling post workout, and making sure I have enough time to do it well especially when time is short in the morning mid-week.

When I lived in Colorado my gym even had a class on Fridays called Stretch that was really a foam-rolling class. It was a great lesson on the importance of long-slow rolling on every major muscle group; and not rushing through it, which I have a tendency to do.

TriggerPoint has some great videos on foam rolling basics:

There is even a Pinterest board to help figure out the best ways to roll.

Happy Friday. See you out on your Long Run tomorrow!

Kristen

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Outdoor Products I love: Isotherm Jacket by The North Face

As part of the North Face Locals Ambassador program they send athletes a box of products to try each year. This year when I received it I was living in Colorado. It doesn’t rain as much as it does there as it does here in New Hampshire where I now live so I didn’t get much of chance to try rain hear. Now, I wear the Women’s Isotherm jacket almost every run and it’s my go-to running jacket to stay warm and dry.

Here’s me in my jacket in February when I ran a loop near Rye Beach.

isothermjacket
Running by the New Hampshire Coast in Feb. 2017

The jacket has always kept me dry and warm. I’ve been running in all kinds of weather: wind, rain, misty rain, rain and wind and earlier in March snow.

With all the rain and cold temperatures, I wear this jacket, a long sleeve shirt, running tights and I’m good for any distance. This morning, Tuesday, May 9, 2017 it is 32 degrees. I will be adding a beanie and gloves.

runninggloves

I’m a bit biased when it comes to The North Face products because I’ve tried so many of their winter jackets, running tights, hats, vests and backpacks. The products have never let me down and I’m proud to be an ambassador.

Today’s run.

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Foot essentials: rain boot and compression socks

After living in Colorado and Arizona for the last 13 years I never needed rain boots.

After moving back to New Hampshire in February and several continuous days of rain it was time to buy rain boots.

I bought these LL Bean Wellies by chance at the LL Bean Outlet in North Hampton. With rain in the forecast for the next four days, they have become an essential.

LL Bean Wellies
Walking home from work on Friday, May 5 – in the rain.

Speaking of taking care of your feet, after this morning’s run I remembered that I should wear my compression socks to aid recovery from the street pounding.

I’m a big fan of Smartwool. My socks are the Standup Graduated Compression Socks. I don’t wear them as much as I should so these I’ve had for about two years and still hold up; meaning they really help soreness.

I’m glad I put them on this morning, and wore them all day at work, because I don’t feel so sore tonight. I’m slowly building mileage for my A Race – Jay Peak Trail Running Festival in September. I’m signed up for the 53.1k Ultra. I’ve finished a 50K in February 2013 and had a DNF during a 50K in November 2014. I’m ready to try again.

This blog is about ultra running in New Hampshire although I’ll be racing around New England. I was signed up for a 50 Mile race in Arizona in March 2017 and deferred to 2018 so I have an even bigger race next year.

The reason I started this blog is to write about ultra running as I get older and to share tips and strategies for training and nutrition. I’m 46 and started running and racing triathlon over 10 years ago. It’s harder to recover now, yet I still have ambitious goals for racing and competition. Racing is a relative term: I’m not fast. I like competition and finishing races in new places. I rarely raced the same event twice.

Thank you for reading and please come back again.