These Shoes Were Made for Running

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You guys! Yesterday, I laced up my new sneakers (Asics Cumulus) and went for a run. ALL THE EXCITEMENT IS HERE.

New shoes, new socks and a sexy new running partner.

New shoes, new socks and a sexy new running partner.

My last run was the Nike DC half in April, after which my foot ached something awful, and swelled to the size of, well, a foot much bigger than mine.

April was a long, long time ago. It’s been a moody four months around my house, if we’re being completely honest.

I’ve been doing some conditioning, as my doctor recommended, as well as other forms of cardio when I’ve had time (which wasn’t often), but yesterday, I decided that it was time.

The best part? I ran PAIN FREE.

Wheeeeee!

My doctor recommended that I ease back into running by doing intervals. Specifically, 10 minutes of walking, 10 running, 10 walking. I’m supposed to do that every other day for 10 days, at which point I can try 10 minutes of running, 10 walking, 10 running. And so on, until I’m running comfortably for 30 minutes. After that, I can slowly increase my mileage.

Day one. So far, so good.

SO HAPPY TO BE BACK.

Pop some nuun into your glass and celebrate with me. Cheers! What’s making you happy on this beautiful Monday?

Oh, Just Another Blog Post About Mental Illness

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I’m sure you’ve read lots of stuff this week about mental illness but I sat down at my computer today and this was the only thing I wanted to talk about.  The death of Robin Williams hit me right in the gut.  He was a beautiful human being who dedicated his life to finding the funny.  He was a good father and husband.  He loved his job and used his position to better the lives of those in need. And now he’s gone.

I was diagnosed with depression and ADHD a little over three years ago.  I have lived in my pajamas for days and days.  I have barricaded myself in my house and fed my babies macaroni and cheese for every meal.  I have gone days without sleep and then had to pinch myself to stay awake while I drove to work with my children in the car.   I have cried hysterically because of the massive amounts of laundry piled on my floor.  Because my mind was spinning, spinning, spinning.  Because I felt like a failure.  Because I was neglecting my kids. Because my marriage was falling apart.  Because I couldn’t get my shit together.  And there was nothing I could do to stop it.

The hardest part about mental illness is that there is no physical indicator that someone is sick. It’s not like a heart attack or cancer.  No one disputes a broken arm.  I was really good at faking happy.  And I quote: “But you’re always so happy!  You have nothing to be depressed about!  Your life is perfect!  You’re always cracking jokes and smiling!”  Of course I was.  I didn’t want anyone to know I’m a basket case.  There’s a huge stigma in our society when it comes to mental illness.   Manic.  Depressed.  Bipolar.  Obsessive.  Schizo.  Weak.  Impulsive.  Crazy.  Psycho.  Emotional.  Lazy.  Slacker.  Unreliable.  Why would anyone choose to live like this?  It’s not being ungrateful, or selfish, or ridiculous.  It’s biological.  And it’s unavoidable.

Luckily, I got help before the situation got any worse.  I mixed therapy with drugs and was able to function.   Sometimes, better than function!  I often get to the point where I feel like I’m fixed and I don’t need the pills.  I hate the pills.  The side effects suck.  I’ve gone off them three times in the last three years.  Just today, I thought “I don’t really need this anymore.”  But then I always I do.  There are only so many self-help books I can read, so many affirmations I can make, so many miles I can run.  Some days, it catches up with me.  Those days, I’m really grateful I have health insurance and can get my meds and see my doctor for the low, low price of my copay.  Those days, I say eff-you to the stigma and tell everyone that I’m feeling down and I need help.  I’m one of the lucky ones.  So many can’t get help or don’t want to admit they need help.  I didn’t want to admit it.  I fought it for a long time. When you’re in it, it’s really hard to see a way out.

I’ve seen a lot of articles about mental illness this week, probably the most I’ve seen in the media ever. I don’t know the stats but I know lots of people on this planet deal with mental illness.  I know many people hurt themselves or others because they are biologically not in their right mind.  There’s a lot of us head cases out there!  And yet, the media doesn’t take notice until the disease claims an influential, radiant, profound life.

But I have hope.

I have hope that we won’t waste this opportunity to shed some of the social stigma that plagues mental illness.

I have hope that the conversations will continue and that brain research will be a priority.

I have hope that less people will suffer from mental illness and get the tools to live with it instead.

I have hope.

“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all
-Emily Dickinson

Symptoms of Depression

Depression Management Techniques

National Suicide Prevention Hotline

 

 

Is It Hot In Here?

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Not for long.

Have you heard about the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge? If you have Facebook, you probably have. It’s basically monopolized my feed for days!

The #icebucketchallenge was started by Pete Frates, former captain of the Boston College baseball team, who was diagnosed with ALS. He challenged a few friends and family. They challenged a few friends and family. Yesterday, Ethel Kennedy challenged Barack Obama.

What does dumping a bucket of freezing cold ice water over your head have to do with ALS? NOTHING. But it’s certainly raising money, to the tune of 1.35 million dollars in just over ten days, and hopefully awareness about ALS.

Plus, fun to make your friend’s dump water on themselves! So, in lieu of a traditional post today, I direct you to the video below.

And to all of you, I nominate you guys as well. Get wet. And then try and get your friends and family in on it. And, if you’re able and so inclined, you can donate to ALS here.

 

 

I Can… But Then I Think Mmm, Better Not

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Wait a minute, that’s not my manta. My mantra is I can and I will. It’s about Meridith power and how much I rock and how I can do anything. Kelly Clarkson sings about me being Stronger! Katy Perry wants to hear me ROAR!

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Except that I’ve been thinking about this full marathon I signed up for and rather than being excited for it and looking forward to the training, I’ve been coming up with the reasons of why I should NOT do it.

The cons are totally outweighing the pros in my mental list and that can’t be a good sign. I’m assuming that in the history of running, I can’t be the only one who ever felt this way. Back in March, I listed reasons why I planned to sign up for the full.

Well, now here are my reasons that I’ve decided that now is not the time.

#1 My foot has actually been feeling GOOD

Confused? Let me explain! I spent a good seven months in pain thanks to plantar fasciitis and this little beauty.

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Seven months of wincing every time I got up in the morning out of bed. Seven months of hurting during and after every. Single. Run.

Slowly the pain faded away and I don’t think I even realized that it no longer hurt until a month of non-hurt. I was so accustomed to the hurt.

Now, I’m not hurting. And I don’t really want to mess that up.

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#2 Training

Victoria and I have had this discussion more than once: you can’t fake a marathon. I mean, you probably could do it with minimal training (I’m sure that some people choose this option); I know I’d be downright miserable.

WHO WANTS TO BE MISERABLE? Not me! I like feeling good. Bring on the happy!

That’s not to say I haven’t been training. I have the Dumbo Double Dare at the end of this month and I’ve been having some great runs. Additionally I’m signed up for another 19.3 challenge in October (the Atlantic City Marathon series). Bumping up training runs to over 13 miles is where my issue lies.

Piggy-backing on the training point…

#3 I have other things that need to get done

My kiddos start school in September and both will be going full-day for the first time. In my delusional mind, I thought that this meant I’d have all the time in the world.

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But uh, I already know that’s not going to be the case. Marathon training is an all or nothing type of thing. I don’t think I can give it my all at this point – there are things I need to do (PTO, laundry, food shopping, dog training) and there are things that I want to do (volunteer work, seeing my friends, spending weekends with my family). Which brings me to point 4.

#4 I don’t want to and you can’t make me. But what’s more is that I can’t make me.

To quote High School Musical, “You’ve gotta get’cha head in the game”. To quote myself, “No.”

Zac Efron, you’re adorable but even you can’t talk me into this.

Seriously though, I have the most supportive friends and family. They were all about me signing up in April. Conversely, as soon as I started expressing doubts and concerns, they were just as supportive in the other direction. Mentally, I’m just not at the full marathon level. I might be able to physically push through but I don’t want to.

So fast, they were blurs. Literally.

Just look for me with the Elite runners.

 #5 There’s a half marathon option!

Oh Philly, you can’t get rid of me that easily. You were my first road race, first spectating experience and my first volunteering experiences and I adore you. I have yet to run the half during the Philadelphia Marathon weekend so let’s not cut corners!

Who will I see on November 23rd?

People can be downright nasty

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Most of you know what I do for a living.

My boss often says: You don’t want Victoria writing about you. It means you – or your loved ones – are having a really bad day.

I cover crime, courts and breaking news for Gannett and the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.

Monday was rough – two fatal crashes (on the same road, no less), a news conference on the state providing funding for bulletproof vests for police officers, and what appeared to be a drowning in the river.

Tuesday was even nuttier with more on the river search and the sentencing of a 22-year-old man who brutally beat his girlfriend to death with objects around her college dorm room, including a coffee mug and a clothing iron. He wept throughout the court appearance and ultimately was sentenced to the max – 25 years to life in prison.

You don’t want to hear the gritty details. Trust me.

While I love what I do, some days can be damn hard.

victoriaWorking the scene a few years back. Photo by Carlos Ortiz

Sometimes the news hits home. Sometimes it becomes personal. Sometimes you hug the source bawling on your shoulder. Sometimes you realize you are a person first and a reporter second.

I often see my work posted on websites and shared via social media. That I love. But what’s grown increasingly disheartening is how people commenting on the work can be downright nasty.

On a piece about the arrest of a single working mom who left her 4-year-old child in the car while she was working, I see people ridiculing her, calling her names and questioning her ability to care for herself, let alone her son.

Regarding an article about a fatal crash involving a wrong-way driver, people badmouth the motorist, the intersection then turn on one another.

And Tuesday’s sentencing? Let’s just say comments like “rot in jail,” “where’s the firing squad” and suggestions for someone to stab him with a sharpened toothbrush in prison are among the kinder ones.

While I love so much about social media, such as its ability to connect people of common interest, it seems to have also made it increasingly acceptable – not to mention easy – to publicize and amplify any gripe with a business. Many people post a vicious complaint, even berate a company online, to ensure a response rather than take the time to speak with an employee, go to a store or make a phone call.

I’m wondering – where’s our compassion? When did it become acceptable to ridicule others in a public forum? When did it become acceptable to throw a public tantrum to get our way? Is this degrading discourse a bigger sign of what’s to come? Is this the fault of online communities and social media?

I certainly hope not. Whenever I want to respond to nasty comments, to reply and ultimately feed into the negativity, I type my response and promptly delete it.

What do you think of people’s insta-reactions on news articles, some blogs and other newsworthy items online? Do you filter yourself when posting?

Side note: I have a work-related Facebook page. If you wish to see more of what I cover or join the conversation, I’m “Victoria Freile” on Facebook.

I’M SO EXCITED, I’M SO EXCITED, I’M SO…

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EXCIIIIIIIIIIIIIITED.

Here is something you should know about me (how many times have I said this? I should make a post about me and this phrase): I get really excited about things. I’m either really excited about something, or it doesn’t interest me at all. I have no middle ground. And you’ll know when I’m excited because it goes something like this:

Person: (mentions something that I am into)

Me: OH MY GOD OH MY GOD (proceeds to talk about it for fifteen minutes while person eyes all available exits)

Or, alternately, via email or text:

Person: (mentions something that I am into)

Me: OH MY GOD OH MY GOD (proceeds to talk about it for 70 texts/30 paragraphs)

I force everyone I know into reading a book I love (most recently, Making Faces by Amy Harmon) or a show I’m obsessed with (The Fall. Oh my god, I am serious, this show is the. Best. EVER.) I bug them until I know they have started it. I demand regular updates. I want to have in-depth discussions about plot points and characters. I abuse caps lock more than Kanye West. When I latch on to something, I worry over it and obsess and think about it and, if I’m being honest, neglect everything else until my obsession runs its course. I know no other way of living. It’s intense, but it’s how I do.

Lately, my excitement cup has been runnething over. The other day, I was so amped up about so many different things that I was exhausted by midday. I wish I was joking. Sometimes, the only way to relieve myself of all of this excitement is to share it with people. And that, my people, is what I am doing today.

Right now.

Top things I am excited about.

It’s happening.

Buckle up.

Enjoy the ride.

1. The Disneyland Half Marathon. Now I know I said in my last post that running is boring, and I stand by that because, despite your amazing tips, I still want to fling myself off the treadmill every time I’m on it. However! This is not just running. This is FOUR DAYS WITH TWO OF MY FAVORITE PEOPLE! It’s Disneyland! It’s carbo-loading! I love carbs and Disneyland and favorite people! My excitement for this is off. The. Charts. Cannot. Handle.

2. Beyonce and Jay-Z’s concert. You guys. I am attending this very special show tonight and it’s unlikely that I will leave AT&T Park the same person. Mister Jess scored us 6th row tickets, which means that Queen Bey and I will likely be sharing the same air particles. I spent the entire day at work yesterday asking all of my co-workers if A) they were attending (answer: yes) and B) if they were emotionally and mentally prepared for this spectacle (answer: no). ME NEITHER.

3. Mark Ruffalo. Generally as a human being, I find him delightful. However, he had a most adorable kinda-run in with Paul Rudd at Comic Con that I still can’t watch without literally clawing at my face because I can’t deal with how adorable it is. You can watch the video at Popsugar.

I mean. Come on.

Gif credit: Popsugar

Gif credit: Popsugar

4.  Soccer. Yep. Still obsessed.  Mister Jess and I went to see Real Madrid (my favorite team) play Inter Milan. Despite the fact that they lost (womp), my favorite player wasn’t there (EXTRA WOMP, #14), and it was miserably hot trying to get into the stadium (can’t even talk about it), it was amazing seeing a professional game in person. The love affair STILL isn’t over, futbol.

That's a beaut.

That’s a beaut.

5. Baseball. We are an Oakland Athletics family. Actually, first and foremost we are a Cubs family, but the A’s are near and dear to our hearts, too. This year they are gunning for the World Series, and by god, they just might do it. The excitement in our home is PALPABLE, people. Expect to hear our screams of joy if when they win.

Also, baseball stadium food is delicious, which is the only reason I attend Giants games (I don’t say this to other locals, for fear of being shouted at/smacked). The view’s not too shabby, either.

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6. The Fall. Seriously. Please watch it. Netflix. Do it. It’s amazing. Do it.

What are you currently excited about? Tell me so that maybe I can become obsessed with it, too. Clearly I don’t have enough on my list. 

Oh, Summer. I Miss You Already.

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Summer lovin’, had me a blast…
Summer lovin’, happened so fast…

I introduced my daughters to Grease this summer, and this song has been on repeat the last few weeks. That line is appropriate for how I’m feeling now, because we’re in our last week of summer vacation. SAD FACE. Last Friday, I took my kids shopping for school supplies (which is one of my favorite activities. Paper, pencils, markers- oh my!). Today begins a flurry of back-to-school prep, including a PTA meeting and kindergarten orientation.

I’m excited to get back to our routine- which will mean regular gym time for me and consistent naps for the baby- but I’m sad to lose all this fun time with my kids. We’ve been swimming, visited museums, had movie nights every week, read lots of books, eaten all the cupcakes, baked pies and just enjoyed hanging out with each other. (Oh, and I reached our summer goals- Teaching my oldest to tie her shoes- check. Getting my middle one to start reading- check. Full night of sleep for the dude- CHECK AND HALLELUJAH. For me, learn to play chess- check, and the new goal is to kick J’s butt in a game. Or all the games. Checkmate, baby!) I had date nights, girls nights, moms nights, and while I rarely slept in, I basked in the contentment that comes with balancing adult time and kid time.

Here are some favorites from my summer vacation:

These were almost too cute to eat! The kids and I loved the tour at Chocolate Kingdom.

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One of our field trips was to The Container Store, because I was desperate for something to organize all of my makeup. I’m happy to report that two months later, things still look this neat.

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This book! I’m still thinking about it. I read a lot this summer, but this, Last Letter to my Lover by Jojo Moyes, and Astonish Me by Maggie Shipstead were my faves.

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One of my only naps with this guy (He is obsessed with those cute Honest brand diapers- he calls this one is “zoom zoom,” and the skull and crossbones pattern is “yo ho”). Now he naps in his crib! Glad I got a picture of this. Sniff.

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Ice Cream smoke! If you’re a run Disney person, and you bring your kids with you, try to check out Abracadabra Ice Cream. You choose your mix-ins and they use liquid nitrogen for a little ice cream magic. My kids loved it.

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My best friend is a teacher, and her daughter is six months older than my son. We saw them at least twice a week, usually more, for the first half of summer (before they traveled north to visit family. LEFT US, I MEAN.). She and little dude love each other the most, and I get bff time. How cool is that? Here’s our little crew at Chipotle.

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We spent so much time at the pool. We also spent a week at the beach with my wonderful inlaws. Flying kites, night swimming, boogie boarding in the ocean, collecting shells…that’s the life, man.

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The girls love baking with me. I let them bake m&m blondies for July 4th, and my oldest also helped make the crust for my berry galettes. At the beach, she helped with a strawberry-rhubarb pie (store bought crust here) and I taught her how to make a fluted crust. She’s my picky eater though, so she still won’t try most of what she makes. Silly girl!

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We also celebrated my middle one’s 5th birthday. We had a big party with friends back in May, and a small celebration with family while at the beach. She chose a menu of crescent roll hot dogs and s’mores. I made my husband’s s’more with a Reese’s Cup instead of Hershey’s and I don’t think he’ll ever have a plain one again. (Speaking of, have you tried the peanut butter cup Oreos? OMG.)

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I hope you’ve enjoyed your summer as much as I’ve loved mine! Tell me what you’ve been up to. Any book recs? What would you mix in your ice cream? The kids mixed cotton candy, white chocolate and marshmallow. I think they get their sweet tooth from me.

Road tested: PRO Compression socks

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Anyone who follows the scoot chicks knows we love to run — and we love to look and feel good when we run.

Last year, I came across a coupon code for PRO Compression socks and decided to give them a whirl. It was love at first wear.

558Styling with pals Brandi and Sean after the 2013 Broad Street Run

Now I use them regularly – for long runs, to recover after long runs even when at the office, a party or doing yardwork.ProCompression Logo

PRO Compression is a California-based company makes socks for endurance athletes, to be used before, during or after exercise such as running or golf.  The idea is for enhanced blood flow in your lower extremities. And THAT feels fantastic!

Nov13 to May14 2009Racing in my purple PRO Compression socks in the spring

The company offers four running styles – Marathon (my fave), PC Racer, PR Runner and Trainer Low – in a variety of colors. For folks who prefer calf sleeves or love arm sleeves, PRO Compression has those too!

And – this is a big things for me – the socks are made in the USA!

Thanks to a partnership with Fit Approach, I had the chance to test run and review a pair of marathon socks. I already knew I loved them – hi, I have six pairs and wear them regularly. But I jumped at the chance to test run a brand new pair and share my thoughts with you all.

20140729-134601-49561489.jpgMeet my newest pair of PRO Compression socks – and they are white!

I’ve worn this pair a few times now – mostly on long runs as I’m ramping up my training for my fall marathon. Like my other pairs, they look and feel great. While running, my legs don’t feel strained when I wear them, which makes for a far more comfortable long distance run.

20140729-134603-49563260.jpgAnd look! My legs weren’t tired at the end of this hill 8-miler last week, in part because of the socks. So I sped up at the end of the run. Success!

I also wear the socks for recovery, which means I lounge around the house – or spa (riiiiight) with them on. I’ve worn them to work under my pants and to the store, with shorts, because I totally rock that look.

These compression socks promote circulation in your legs by pushing fluid up from your feet toward your knees. In other words, the sock helps reduce swelling and inflammation while also providing support to muscles and tendons.

Other features I love about these socks – there’s arch support with compression, a wide cuff at the top to make sure my calf fits in, they’re moisture-wicking (so, so important) and I’ve never had blisters from wearing them.

If you’ve not checked out PRO Compression socks or sleeves I have a discount code for you – “PINK” Will save your 40% on your entire purchase. That’s a sweet deal!

Have your tried compression socks or sleeves? What do you think of them? What’s your go-to brand?

I was provided one free pair of marathon socks by PRO Compression so I could use and review them. My opinions and words are entirely my own.

That Time I Ran Ragnar Northwest Passage

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Last weekend I traveled to the great Northwest to run 196 miles with 11 awesome old and new friends.  I had some really hard runs but felt very satisfied with how I performed.  I brought along my Skoras and my ninja sword and thoroughly enjoyed running in misty weather.  Here are the highlights from our adventure!

That Time We Unleashed Our Ninja Skillz at the Start Line

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That Time the Girls Were Photo Bombed by One of Our Own

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That Time We Encouraged Random People with a Smack on the Behind

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That Time We Took All the Selfies

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That Time We Recreated Things That Happened at Previous Ragnars

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That Time Ian Got All the Sleep

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That Time I Tried to Draw on All the Faces

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That Time We All Jumped

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That Time We All Wanted to be Like Robert

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The Original

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That Time We Ran 196 Miles in 30 Hours

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Hitting the Road

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Tonight, I embark on a journey. I know that as I travel this journey, some parts will be smooth and others will be rocky. Some parts of it will fly by, and other parts will slow to a crawl. It will have its ups and downs. And at the end of the journey…I will never want to get in my car again.

That’s right. This isn’t a figurative journey. It’s an actual road trip. A six day road trip from Massachusetts to North Carolina, and back, with my husband and our two kids. (If you just got visions of National Lampoon’s Vacation in your head, I promise, you are not alone). My husband and I lived in NC when our daughter was born, but we moved home to Massachusetts when she was two and a half, and we haven’t been back since.

You guys, I’m scared. We’ve never done a vacation like this before and I’m really hoping we don’t all want to kill each other halfway down the Eastern seaboard.

Our typical summer vacation includes a three hour drive to North Conway, NH, where upon arrival, we unload into the family summer house, a condo with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a FULL KITCHEN. This is approximately four times the driving hours, hotel rooms and a whole lot of eating out.

Which brings me to the oh-so-important part of this post. How the HELL am I not going to gain 47,000 pounds????

I don’t know if you know this about me, but I’m kind of control freaky. Wipe that shocked look of your faces. Part of having issues with disordered eating, for me, means that I really crave control when it comes to food. I don’t even have to be ‘on program’ to want this control. I pretty much always want it. But especially when I’m trying to stick to an eating program, which I am. And even if I had control over where we were going to be eating, and had a kitchen to prep my own food, my standard vacation mode means eating everything in sight, finding the stuff out of sight, and eating that too.

And as if that weren’t enough, we’re going back to the place where I got fat. I gained over 100 pounds in the almost five years we lived in NC. There was a time when I could tell you the exact location of every fast food restaurant in the Fayetteville area.

BUT…

I’m a different person now, and I need to remember that. This trip is about the experience of taking my daughter to her birthplace, not a six day excursion to Krispy Kreme. I can make health(ier) choices even under less than ideal circumstances. I’ve made sure every hotel we’re staying at has both a gym, and a pool, so I can still get exercise in. I’m packing up a bag of portable road snacks so that I won’t get over-hungry and thus, more prone to bad choices. I’ve got the WW app on my phone, so no matter where we wind up eating, I can check the points and plan accordingly. I’m as prepared as I can be in this scenario. And if I decide to say the hell with it and eat whatever I want, points be damned, for six days? That’s okay, too. (Being totally real, I can see this happening).

My Weight Watchers leader said something last night that hit home, and was relevant to this. She said that when you feel like you’re slipping, you should ask yourself “Is this worth it?” Sometimes, you will find that the answer is no.  And sometimes, the answer will be ‘yes’, so you eat it and move on with your life. So, that’s what I’m going to try and do.

For the record? Sonic? So worth it.

How do you stay on track on vacation? Suggestions for healthy road snacks? Give Bec your tips!