Peace Out, 2019

I suppose we're overdue for an entry, eh? I mean, it is the last day of the year and it's been two weeks. I may or may not be still listening to Christmas music. Judge me, please.

So, my feed is filled with 'top 9' posts and people reaching milage milestones. Maybe you're one of the few that doesn't care about any of that. Please, step into my corner. Someone tweeted on my feed recently regarding this and said: "Just run or rest as you ought to in order to stay on the trajectory of adding fitness every day." Finally, my thoughts put into an actual proper sentence. If you hit a million goals, PRs, and ran 8 million miles in 2019, that's great! If you didn't hit a single mark, guess what? You're still improving whether you think you are or not. No one wrote a handbook on what's expected of someone to be classified as a "proper runner". You aren't required to sign up for x-amount of races, achieve one specific finish time, or run a set amount of miles. Run because you want to. Run because maybe it's a great form of therapy that comes at no charge other than maybe feeling sore. Run because maybe someone you know can't and you want to for them. Now, I'm not saying don't set any goals. They're a great way to have something to work toward. I'm saying if you do have goals and you don't make them, your life will still commence. You will wake up tomorrow into a new calendar year and it doesn't change a damn thing. Maybe make 2020 the year where you take a load off your shoulders and stop being hard on yourself when your performance lacks. I've been exceptionally more positive with myself since I've changed my tune but that doesn't mean I don't have doubts on myself ever. I just texted my coach and go-to for honest feedback a few days ago and told her this is the least prepared I think I've ever been for a race. You know what she said? "You have 6 weeks and a lot can happen!" Stop doubting and start doing.

Alright, reflection time. Queue the music. 2019 has been eventful! Let's start with the non-running related things. We settled in on our first full year living in Arizona. I still wouldn't trade it for anything. We survived our first summer with 115-120 degree days. I graduated from college (again). We went to Disneyland and it literally was a dream come true just like the commercial makes it out to be. I became a certified Registered Health Information Administrator. Don't ask me to explain it because I can't in normal terms. We flew back to Michigan twice on unwilling occasions and spent a weekend in Vegas. My dad survived his first major surgery and was benign of cancer. I finally bit the bullet and got my wisdom teeth out at the age of 31. Seriously, why did it take me so long? I dove into adopting a vegetarian lifestyle and more recently transitioned into trying to be more vegan. Lots of car shows, museum visits, new restaurant finds, and art shows. We did some great hikes and I peed out in nature for the first time. Bet you wanted to know that. I learned to crochet and I don't completely suck at it like I did at knitting. Brittany Runs a Marathon, Downton Abbey, and Star Wars were seen. Oh yeah, and Game of Thrones ended which still really sucks. 

Shall we move on to running now? I started the year slow, coming off of injury from the fall. I trained for a 5K in February and an attempt at a PR. I failed. I joined the club of having a hydration vest (Osprey Dyna 15) and it literally was a huge game-changer. I don't know how I ran with a belt before.  I went on my first proper trail run. Like, one with actual inclines and declines. Not just a flat gravel path like Michigan has. I joined Team Nuun, Honey Stinger, Squirrel's Nut Butter, and became an ambassador for the Mesa Marathon. I started training for a half marathon PR attempt and ended up with major knee issues putting me out for almost two months. I started physical therapy (still in it) and am so blessed to have the best team of therapists helping me become stronger and build my endurance. After being a faithful Saucony shoe owner for years, I switched sides to Hoka One One. The Clifton 6 has been my lifesaver not only for my feet but just overall everything. I learned that my actual foot size was smaller than I thought and my overpronation wasn't as bad as previously suspected. I deferred my fall race plans in favor of putting my marathon on the front lines instead and I'm glad I did, despite having serious FOMO. I spectated my first ultra race (Javelina Jundred) and boy, did that light a fire under me. Having Kaci Lickteig within an arm's length and talking with Catra Corbett are memories I'll never forget. Just typing that sentence gave me goosebumps. Lots of highs and lots of lows but the most important turn of events was mental. I finally let go of trying to fight for faster speeds and personal records and just run because I love the idea of reaching for the stars. My training has become so much more positive and I look forward to setting out. I can't wait to run this upcoming marathon with no expectations but to just finish and have fun.

2020 brings a lot of the unknown. Do I have races in mind? Yes. Of friggin' course I do. The Mesa Marathon will be my last road race for a long time unless someone tugs my arm to join them in a fun run. I've enjoyed my miles on the road but the trail is calling and I'm answering on the first ring. I encourage you to try something new and out of the ordinary. Maybe you want to do that aerial silk stuff. I saw a woman do that in Vegas and it was mind-blowing not to mention her back muscles were amazing. Maybe you want to learn how to cook more meals as opposed to eating out. Maybe ride your bike to work or learn to stand up paddleboard. I don't know. The possibilities are endless when you open up your mind more instead of having tunnel vision. 

Shall we raise a glass? Whether it's an adult beverage, coffee, tea, or whatever you like; cheers. We'll see you next year.

Achievement Unlocked

I didn't know whether or not to start this entry with my great news or to share the pizza I had. I'm going to go with the latter.

I take my snacks very seriously, you guys. Yes, this was a snack. Pizza is a very important food group in my life. If you've been living under a rock, Whole Foods has one hell of a salad bar, hot/cold bar, AND a pizza bar. This here is their vegan BBQ chicken 'za and it was fantabulous. And no, you don't have to be rich to shop there. That's a big misconception. It's quite affordable if you know to buy the right things. The end!




Just kidding.




Let's talk about why we're really here. I could go into this huge lengthy paragraph about therapy and what not but I'm a little busy today so let's make this easy: I GOT CLEARED TO RUN!

You and me both, Brad. My therapist said I could start with some walk/jog progressions. Nothing heavy or fast, just some light work. I'm totally okay with this because, well, I get to run! He also told me it's time for new shoes, which I was aware of, but appreciate him keeping an eye out for that. I was well overdue for a completely new analysis anyway. It's been a few years and I've just been buying the same shoes each cycle. I've been a huge fan of the Saucony Guide. I was told many years ago that I over-pronate and needed a good, stability shoe. It helped a ton. That was then, though.




Clearly there are no Hansons Running Shops in Arizona but damn, that would be awesome. I do truly miss them. Alas, I went to Road Runner Sports in Scottsdale, hopped on the treadmill for a gait analysis and was on some machine thing to measure whatever else it does. Side note, getting properly fitted for shoes is SO FREAKIN' IMPORTANT. Stop going to Dick's Sporting Goods and buying whatever shoe says "running" on the sign next to it. If you do this sport on the regular, do yourself (and your body) a favor and treat it the way it should be. The lovely people at our local running stores are there for a reason. Let them help you. If you PR, maybe send them a card or something.




Okay, phew. Back to the analysis. I learned so much. I don't pronate as much as I used to, my arches are flatter, and my true foot size (not shoe size) is a 7. I also would benefit more from a wide shoe. I literally said out loud to the poor guy, "NO WAY THIS IS RIGHT". You guys, change doesn't scare me in anything that doesn't involve running. When it's my running, I'm pretty set in my ways. I wear this shoe, these shorts, body glide these parts, same song, and dance every day. I think I scared him a bit but I reassured him that I trusted him and that I'm willing to try anything new. A clean slate, once again. I tried on the new Saucony Guides. Remember when I said I loved that shoe? I do not like the new model. It felt heavier and not as comfortable. I tried the Ride ISO and really liked it. The wideness was just right. The Brooks Ghost was too narrow and quite frankly, not for me. And then there was Hoka. I have never even put a pair of Hokas on my feet before but I always knew they were a great company. My husband is a huge fan and they are the only tennis shoes that have successfully fit his extremely picky feet. I put on the Clifton 6 and didn't want to take them off. I also tried the Bondi but the Clifton definitely was a gamechanger. I walked around. Walked some more. I ran on the treadmill. I was probably on the step right before you reach heaven. I walked around with one foot in the Ride ISO and one in the Clifton. Probably looked silly but whatever it takes. I made my choice and walked out joining team Hoka.

Does color really matter? No. But this shoe comes in black with teal soles that look incredibly badass but alas, it didn't come in a wide. Though I was very excited to have new shoes as would any runner feel, I still felt a bit skeptic. Would they actually work? What the hell am I doing without Saucony shoes? I don't know how I feel about this. What if they don't work? Literally, I don't think I've ever been so unsure of something I'm so sure about. But the only way to find out is to test them.




After talking with my coach because at this point I'm friggin' lost as to how and where to begin aside from just going, she gave me advice, I programmed a workout and went.

Aside from my heart rate going into shock because I haven't done any type of cardiac activity in almost two months, it felt good. It felt good to press start, it felt good to breathe the air, it felt good to see all of the people I would always see at the park walking. I went with comfort and enjoyment. For a split second, I thought my knee was going to act up but I also believe it was my mind expecting it to. It felt fine! But the shoes, how did they feel? I didn't feel them at all and I mean that in a good way. They are so light, it's almost mindblowing. Now, I'm not going to sit here and say they will carry me across the finish of my next race because I still have time to adjust but, for now, they'll most certainly work.




Back to recipe sharing, yay! Fall is slowly coming here to Arizona. When I say slowly, I mean it's still in the mid-80s to low 90s, but it's not 100+! This time of year, I certainly get a big craving for comfort food. I mean, I do all the time but like especially right now. My favorite chili recipe was simmering on the stovetop yesterday. Fartlek chili isn't just for runners! It's so hearty and delicious. I used Beyond Meat's ground "beef" myself, which worked great, but regular or turkey works too if you're a meat-eater! I also used one green pepper and one red instead of 2 green. I simmered mine for an hour and paired it with some Bob's Red Mill gluten-free cornbread! It also makes enough leftovers for a few nights. You can find the recipe here!

I swear, one day, I'll be better at this whole food picture stuff. We'll continue the week of slowly base building, progressing, more therapy, and everything in-between. See you next time and thanks for coming!