Review: SPI Belt

I started running 3 years ago, following a couch to 5k program.  I had downloaded an app for my phone that would tell me when to walk and when to run.  Carrying it on an outdoor run sucked. I hated the arm bands, I didn't like wearing my Camelbak just because I wanted to carry my phone, and I really didn't like carrying it in my bra.
As I was running more and more this year having signed up for the Spartan Sprint in Amesbury, I wanted something to hold my phone while running.  I had seen on other blogs a type of band that would hold your keys and phone, I don't remember what it was called.  This band didn't look like it would work well with my current body type.
I found a different belt that had a small pouch much like the fanny pack of my childhood.  This belt was just big enough for a phone, a key, and ID.  It was called a SPI Belt and seemed perfect.  I hemmed and hawed and spent several weeks debating the purchase.  Finally I took the plunge and purchased one. I went with the peace sign design and couldn't be happier with it.
I have worn the belt hiking, running, walking, bike riding, tubing down the river, it stays in place, is comfortable, most of the time I don't know I am wearing it.  I even wore the belt under my clothes out to the bar to hold my ID, money, and cards.  I wasn't needing to constantly check my pocket or carry a bag.   You can even get a waterproof pouch to fit inside the pocket.
I highly recommend a SPI Belt for everyone who runs, hikes, walks, and is generally active.

Hurricane Heat - My introduction to the Spartan life

In 2012 I signed up to volunteer for the Death Race in Pittsfield. I didn't realize until I was almost done my shift that I would get a free Spartan Race out of it, I signed up to volunteer purely because I like to volunteer and I live only 30 minutes away.  When it came time to utilize my voucher and sign up, I joined the NE Spahtens at the suggestion of Heather Gannoe, the Death Race volunteer coordinator. I couldn't have made a better decision.
I was given a great glimpse of what to expect from the group when I put out a feeler to see if I should consider the Hurricane Heat despite the fact that I had never done an obstacle course race.  The responses ranged from "of course," "no one is going to discourage you," "yes," and every other positive response imaginable. I had looked into the Hurricane Heat but didn't really know what I was getting myself into.
Fast forward through the summer, some trail runs, tire dragging and the weekend was here. I didn't feel as prepared as I could, I was nervous, I was shaking.  I got up at 2:15 in the morning to drive down with my friend Traci who offered to take photos and drive my ass home.
Upon pulling into the parking lot I saw lots of NE Spahtens shirts and after pulling my shit together, I walked over and introduced myself.  It didn't take long before we were doing burpees, lining up, and counting off.  At this point I couldn't tell you the name of anyone, I was too busy gasping for breath and feeling my muscles burn.

Running after the truck.

 As the Spartan Race truck pulled away, we were to run after it. The pace was fast, much faster than I run.  It wasn't long before I was falling back, sucking wind, and trying not to cry.  Someone who I couldn't see was giving me instructions on how to breathe, telling me it was okay to go at the pace I needed to, that we were to work as a team.  That someone turned out to be two people and they would carry me, literally at times, through the entire day.  Another someone ran ahead to let our team know I was slow and that I would be the one setting our pace.  We did planks, signed the wall, lined up, and I had my first experience with the buddy carry.

Swapping out on the buddy carry.

It was at this time I learned the woman who helped me get through the run was named Mercedes and the second voice belonged to Sandy.

Sandbag Carry

They became my battle buddies and they were amazing.  There were others, Amy, Jessica, Pierre, and many more.

Traverse Wall

I helped carry my team mates and they carried me.

We had to get our entire team over the 8' wall without ropes.

I tried to climb a rope for the first time, I crawled in mud.

Lots of teamwork... This is just after climbing up and over the ladder contraption.

I listened to a coach hammer us with PT until my legs wanted to fall off.

Planking... IT SUCKED!

There wasn't as much teamwork as I expected but I did things I never imagined I could do.  It pushed me and challenged me in ways I didn't expect and ways I did. I will certainly be out there again.

Hurricane Heaters

Falling Off the Wagon

After a fantastic trip to Maine for my step brothers wedding, I fell off the wagon.  I stopped paying attention to what I was eating and how much and I stopped running and hiking. I am still under 200lbs, but I am not losing like I was. It is time to get back into motion.
Back to the fun run this week, a hike of some sort, and something else that is more than just a walk.
I got this.

Remembering to Rest

This week has been about remembering to rest. After Saturday's 10k and my near fall, my body hasn't been in the best of states.  My hip still bothers me and while I want to push, I will get further from a rest. 

I was supposed to run Monday but canceled that when I realized it was league night for disc golf. Disc golf was hard enough on my body, I had to stop playing as the approach for the drives was making my hip hurt. Took Tuesday off completely hanging at home on the couch.  I was determined that I could do the fun run on Wednesday. I ran 2.5 miles before my feet just wouldn't pick up and I had to walk the last half mile.  I could feel my hip starting to hurt and when I got up the next morning it was sore.  So I took Thursday off from volleyball and all activity other than walking to and from work. Tonight was a nice easy game of disc golf, not sure what tomorrow will bring, but I do need to get at least a walk in.

Rest is not always convenient but always necessary.  Its okay to push but its important to know the difference between pushing through the pain and pushing towards an injury.

UPDATED: Summer 2013 Bucket List

This post has been updated and republished!

There are things I say I want to do every summer and they don't all get done. I am hoping by creating my summer 2013 bucket list I can keep track and get to do all that I want to do. Feel free to join me!

Corn maze - :-(
Camping - Completed Memorial Day Weekend at Silver Lake State Park in the COLD AND RAIN!
Camp somewhere new :-(
Kayak down the river - Paddle Power, first time down the Connecticut River
Go tubing :-(
Hike - Completed May 18 up Spruce Mountain with Traci.
Hike Camels Hump -  :-(
Hike somewhere new - Does the Spartan Beast count as I have never hiked Killington?
Complete a 5k - Completed May 12 at the Dirty 5k Trail Race
Complete a 10k - Completed June 8 at the West Windsor 5 & Dime
Complete a 5k without walking - Completed June 5 at the weekly Randolph Runners Fun Run
Complete a Spartan Sprint - Completed August 10 at Spartan Sprint Amesbury
Do a mud/color run - Completed September 14 Color Vibe
Fill the Vermont Wine Passport :-(
Train excursion :-(

Windsor 5 & Dime - Race Recap

I have been running.
Monday, June 3, 2013, I was supposed to meet up with friends to walk/run up Payne Mountain in Northfield, VT.  I was running a few minutes late, they didn't wait. I had a personal best on my time as I went up Payne Mountain by myself.

At the top of Payne Mountain!

I have been running.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013, at the weekly 5k fun run, I ran a 5k without taking a walking break for the first time ever.

I have been running.
On Saturday morning, June 8, 2013, Jim and Mary stopped to pick Jeremy and I up at 7:15 in the morning. We were ready. It was time to head off for our first 10k race.  Not only was this our first 10k, it was a trail race.  The West Windsor 5 and Dime, the first of the year in the Western New Hampshire Trail Running Series. The forecast was for rain. We had received emails the night before that the race would go on, to be prepared for wet, muddy, slippery, slick trails. To pack dry clothes and be prepared to have fun.
The race started 15 minutes late as people were still registering. So far no rain. We zigzagged through a field  and were into the woods.  It didn't take long for the rain effects to be apparent as we splashed through puddles and were hitting the mud almost immediately.  I ran and walked at varying intervals, passing the first aid station without stopping, glad I had my Camelbak on.  Then came a hill, steep, but relatively easy to climb up.  We veered off from the 5k course, and started to loop back and forth through the woods.  I stuck to my main goal to never walk down a hill, even if it was only two or three steps. Mary pulled ahead of me as soon as we had hit the first set of woods, but I never let her too far out of my site.
It felt like I had been on the trail forever, my Runkeeper app told me it was only 2 miles and change.  I passed my first two people.  There was a waterfall on course, they wanted a photo. I was happy to pass someone as usually I was the one being passed. Another half mile and I caught up to a younger girl walking.  It appeared she had gassed herself early as she never caught back up to me.  It wasn't long before I reached the top.  I had made it. There were two woman in front of me stopping for water, I kept going. I passed another two people! That makes five.  One of the woman was Lois, an ex-coworkers Mom.  She looked fantastic.
It was on the downhill that I caught back up with Mary. I would have stayed with her the rest of the run had I not almost face-planted, wrenching my left leg.  Apparently the scream I let out had Mary turning around, expecting to see me on the ground.  A quick walk, which was luckily flat, to make sure I wasn't done for and I was off again. I never did catch back up with Mary. Took more walking breaks on the downhill than I would have liked but it sure beat injuring myself.
Along the way I picked up a lost roll of duct tape, a pen, and played tag with another runner.  I was back into the field, down the hill, and running through the finish line.
My goals:
To never walk down a hill - COMPLETE!
To finish - COMPLETE!
To be under two hours - COMPLETE!
To not finish last - COMPLETE!
Stretch Goal:
To be under 1h 45m - COMPLETE!
To not finish last in my age division - COMPLETE!

Crossing in under 1h 45m - Super pumped!

While I was far from being a contender for placement in over or age division, I conquered every goal I set out for myself for this run.  Finishing with an official time of 1h 44m 27s. I was 102 our of 107 overall, 7 out of 8 in my age group.

We got muddy!

Jim, Mary, Jeremy, and I all muddy and sweaty.

Jeremy has been an AMAZING support on this journey.

Payne Mountain

Its hot. Really hot. So instead of sitting at home on the couch in the AC, I decide to join Jeremy and our friend Jim for a run up Payne Mountain.

The first time I ever went up Payne Mountain I opted to take turns dragging a tire. I spent far less time running but my heart was racing like I was.

This trip up, I ran more than I thought I could. At one point I knew I had run more than my previous trip up the mountain. So I set a goal: 3 more running sections and I would feel like I had really accomplished something.  Then I was not as close to the top as I expected, so I did two more running sections. Whew. That kicked my butt.  I pushed at each of the running sections going at least 3 strides if not 30 plus feet past my designated walking point.  I was so proud of myself when I reach the top.  Jim pretty much stayed with me although he would run again, find a trail that would loop back around to me and pass me again. Worked well to push me.  Jeremy on the other hand flew up and down and was back at the bottom I am pretty sure before I ever reached the top. Both guys are MANIMALS!

Jim and I at the top... Hot sweaty messes.

I had told Jim before we started, I wanted to run down the trail instead of the road. That is the only reason I ended up walking any down hill.  There is more attention that must be spent as there are roots and rocks. I would get to the point where my feet were shuffling. Since it wasn't an appealing idea to face plant, I took several walking breaks. Just long enough to get my legs refreshed.  I still flew down the mountain.

Can't wait to go back up. I want to beat my time. I think it was 1 hour and 40 minutes total.

Dirty 5k Race Recap

I have been pushing myself more and more to be active, lose weight, eat healthier, and find a lifestyle I can live with. As part of that, I have been running more, signing up for races so that I do not have the option of not running.

The first race this year that I signed up for was the Dirty 5k in Hanover, NH.  It is put on by the Western New Hampshire Trail Running Series.  It is a fun and "easy" 5k trail race.  I know the race director, Chad Denning, as I have volunteered for other events he has put on.  He knows how to put on a great race.

Jeremy, Me, Mary, Jim - All ready to run! What a team.

We started out going down a steep hill, around a corner, and on to what I have heard people refer to as the roller coaster! It certainly kicked my butt, I walked more than I wanted, but it was so fun. That is, until I hit the dreaded field. The field is demoralizing. You want to cut straight through but you can't. You must go up an down and around. Having run this portion before when I participated in the Stoked Standard Triathlon two year ago, I knew what to expect. Then it changed. We went back into the woods. What a fun section! I saw a bit of Storrs Pond Recreation Area I had never seen before. Great addition.  Up into the woods we went, hooking onto the screaming downhill.  As I started the downhill there was no looking back. I put everything I had left into me and sprinted through the finish line. Whew. What an awesome trail. Great kick start to the summer and trail running.

I had a great time. Came in 23 seconds over my goal of 45 minutes or less.  Official Time: 45m 23s.

Powering through the finish line. Giving it all I had. 

Slowing down. What a beautiful day.

The event started on time. AWESOME!

Food and water for after. AWESOME!

Free raffle for all participants and volunteers. AWESOME!

Look, I won! Some Emergen-C and a pocket knife.

Jeremy won too! A water bottle and a pocket knife.

Next up? The West Windsor Forrest 5 & Dime Trail Run

Review: A Celtic Witch

A Celtic Witch by Debora Geary

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Read this is in one day. Could not put it down.

As with the entire A Modern Witch series, the fetching spell finds a witch. Only, this one doesn't fetch in the usual way. Instead, it almost seems to guide the witch, Cassidy, to Fisher's Cove. I wish there had been a small explanation why she could see the purple dot but that could just be my geeky side coming out.

We see a side to Marcus that we have never seen before, he is growing and changing. There was a rawness to him that touched me in a way I didn't this his character ever would have been able to.

This is right up there was one of my favorite in the Witch Central world!




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Review: A Different Witch

A Different Witch by Debora Geary

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Wow. Powerful. Incredible. I couldn't put it down.

Beth's character was so real, so vivid, I felt like she really existed. Not that the other characters aren't as vital, there was a rawness to her that spoke to me. She presented as unlikable for much of the story and yet she tugged at my heartstrings. There were challenges, there were sides to characters of Witch Central that we haven't seen before.
Stereotypes were suggested, but only partially developed, much as the way a person is in real life.

Overall, I think this is my favorite thusfar. For being what I call a Brain Candy series, this was a very powerful read hidden within.



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Fall Jewelry Goals

With Fall fully upon us, the dark setting in earlier and earlier, it is time to start putting more time into my jewelry making. I want to have at least twice as many pieces as I currently have for shows so that when I sell a piece, I have something to fill the hole. I want to learn some new techniques and I want to get better at some techniques I currently use.
This spring, I started a 30 Day Bead Challenge from Fusion Beads. I want to finish the challenge. I will pick up where I left off and then find another challenge. I want to broaden my jewelry horizons.
I want to bead with friends more.

What about you. What are your goals for this fall?

Review: To Have and To Code

To Have and To Code by Debora Geary

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



After having spent so much time getting to know Nell in the Modern Witch series, it was really wonderful to go back and read about her beginnings with Daniel. This definitely classifies as Brain Candy and I found it impossible to put down. Even though this story was written after the characters were already developed, I really enjoyed how it felt like the characters were younger and slightly more naive.

* Brain Candy is my term for reads that are easy and fun to read, that offer nothing more than an escape from reality.



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Review: A Modern Witch

A Modern Witch by Debora Geary

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Witches are real with very real powers although Lauren doesn't yet realize she is one. This story follows her journey as she finds out, struggles, and eventually accepts her new found power. This read is Brain Candy*, pure and simple. The characters are warm and enjoyable. The story line is fun and easy to follow. I found it to be a quick read that left me anxious for the next book. Take it for what it is, don't try to turn it into something it is not.

* Brain Candy is my term for reads that are easy and fun to read, that offer nothing more than an escape from reality.



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Etsy Sales and Another Show!

I had my first two Etsy sales over the last few weeks. So exciting!
I finally ordered and received my business cards. Love them.

I have been accepted at the Bethel, VT 'Our Community Festival' formerly the Bethel Forward Festival.  It is September 22, you should come see me!
I have applied to the Queen City Craft Show in November. Fingers crossed.