RunSingTeach

Over the years I’ve tried just about everything in terms of endurance nutrition. I’ve had good success with lots of different choices from chomps to blocks to gels to gu’s. But after 10 years of endurance training, they really did start to take a toll on my tum. When i stopped taking them, I saw almost immediate improvement. In my last few races, I’ve taken them but not with the best results in the world.

Last summer I started experimenting with making my own gel. I started with a chia seed and water base and over the last few months, I think I’ve finally found something that really works! Yippee. Today I used it on an 11 mile run, taking a serving at mile 5 and a serving around mile 9. No stomach upset during or after the run and no sense of bonk whatsoever. Woo Hoo! I thought about posting a picture, but quite frankly, it is NOT pleasant looking at all. It sort of looks like poo, but tastes delicious. I swear!!

Homemade Endurance Gel

2 tbsp chia seeds

2/3 cup of water

1 scoop VEGA ONE chocolate Protein powder (I have also used raw cacao powder and agave but I like the result with the Vega One.)

2 shakes of cinnamon

2 pinches of salt

Directions: mix chia and water until it forms a light gel. Mix in the protein powder, cinnamon, and salt. Add an extra dash or two of water if it becomes too thick. Transfer to fuel belt flask and refrigerate until use. (The transfer profess can be a little messy if you don’t use a funnel, but just use your hands and embrace the mess!)

When consuming-uncap the flask and push out about 1/2 tbsp servings that you can pop into your mouth from the flask. I take about three “pops” as a serving. 2 oz was plenty for my 11 miler today.

Happy Running!

Two of my fave gals: Lindsay and Lindsay started this kind of post today and since it has been a while, I thought I would jump in.

Here is what I’m currently up to:

Current Book:

Where’d You Go Bernadette. Started this last night and am already engrossed. Love it.

Current Music:

Wait, do we have current music? Am I supposed to pay attention to this sort of thing? I’m kind of an NPR all the time girl. So if that counts, then check out Science Friday and Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me.

Current Nail Color:

I don’t know its name but it is preventing me from eating my poor little pixies down any further-stress much? I’m calling it Wicked Green because it has a little touch of Elphaba in it. 🙂

Current Drink:

Holy Live Soda Batman. I’m in love with this drink. Kombucha goodness and soda bubbles. Dr. Better was a delicious weekend treat. Of course it is from the ATX because all good things come from Austin.

Current Food:

Can you say CRAP? My diet completely sucks right now. (Yes, all words I don’t allow students to say.) After a super awesome 21 Day Sugar Detox, this girl fell off the wagon and got hit by a sugar truck. However, in this crap eating bliss, may I introduce you to Talenti Sea Salt Caramel Gelato and Steve’s Ice Cream (all flavors, really….) If you’re gonna eat sugar and dairy, at least eat the good stuff!

Current Favorite Show:

I have reached season 5 of LOST thanks to Amazon Prime. Do NOT tell me what happens. I’m so confused and excited at this point….And…I would kill to have Evangeline Lilly’s body but alas, see “Current Food”

Current Wish List:

That I had time to read books all day. And salt water in my hair and sand between my toes. July is coming…I swear.

Current Needs:

A new right knee. The MRI is clear but it hurts, a lot…all the time. This doesn’t jive well when a girl is training for marathon #12.

Magical Movers to come to my house in July, pack up, and unpack in our new house on August 2nd.

Current Indulgence:

See “Current Food”. Darn it.

Current Blessings:

We have 9 full days of school left. I love my babies but I’m ready for a change in routine for a few weeks!

These two boys keep me so very happy….

 

 

Current Outfit:

I’m late to the TOMS bandwagon but these are my new favorite things….

Current Excitement:

Hello…did I say, 9 days of school left? What more could a girl ask for…Oh WAIT-a trip to my college town to run a half marathon with girlfriends, eat Pagliai’s, and see some COWS! Go Bearcats!

What are you up to these days? What should I eat, read, or try?

I am about to hit week three of my six-month training program for the Marine Corps Marathon this fall. This is the first time in a few years I’ve done a structured marathon program and I’m really psyched for the experience. This will be my 12th marathon and I’m pretty sure my last…(for now, says she.) I want to embrace this as if it were the first time. I’m running at the same pace as I was 10 years ago at this point and while I have a much deeper wealth of experience, I don’t want to take this for granted. So I’m documenting. A lot. I’m taking lots of pictures and keeping a time lapsed album on facebook. Pictures of my Garmin, me, my dog, my knees, my feet, all with the hopes of staying on track and remaining accountable.

Part of me feels like this is a gross over-sharing of my life. I’ve been reading a lot about social media addiction and trying to be quite mindful of my compulsive desire to check instagram, facebook, email, twitter. As part of my life seeks to find balance of my social media, this other portion of me, the portion documenting training, seeks the accountability found in posting. For all the pro and con arguments on social media, I find the accountability factor quite fascinating. So I’m attempting to harness this element in order to keep me (extrinsically) motivated for training. As I teacher, I profess loudly against excessive uses of extrinsic motivators (rewards) for behavior and performance. As Sarah, I recognize that in this area of my life I need the accountability, so onward I post. For those that find it an unnecessary over-share, I simply ask they turn their heads.

I want to write more about my thoughts on social media dependence but oh, I have to go check on the #blend2013 posts on instagram. 😉

Want to hold me accountable? Remind me to keep going and don’t let me slack off!

I love having sisters. I am the middle of two amazing, intelligent, beautiful, thoughtful, and hilarious women. My older sister will wow you with her vast knowledge of classical literature, art, mathematics, and constitutional law all while whipping you up a dish with 80 ingredients like it was nothing. My younger sister will bring peace to the world with her empathy, compassion, easy going personality, and love of cocktails all while building us new infrastructure made with sustainability in mind. We have each had the chance to be an “only” child at home given our age difference and now as adults we have the pleasure of being not only siblings but great friends.

About 10 years ago, Cait took the plunge into the running world by joining me for the AFC Half Marathon in San Diego and again leaped into the crazy club and ran the Philadelphia Marathon to celebrate her 26th year of life. What an amazing adventure. Sister #1, Rebecca, decided a few months ago to take the plunge into our weird world of endurance running by signing up for the Iron Girl Half Marathon and bringing us along for the ride. We met up when we could to train long miles and there was a lot of encouragement, suggestions, and even a good old MRI in the process.

On Saturday, we had a delicious take out dinner to prep our bodies for Sunday morning, each in our own diet (vegetarian, paleo, and regular eaters) and went to be early. But not before Rebecca experienced “Sarah’s going Manic” for the first time. My OCD routine of laying everything out in order with bibs and chips all attached, gu on the side and nothing left to chance on race morning. It is always an experience to witness me in my “prep zone”. (Back away from the lady with the safety pins!)

Race morning we were pumped. Coffee taken in, breakfast eaten and we headed early so we could get rock star parking. We succeeded and found our way to the signature pink port-o-potties. Women milling about filled with excitement. Men in tow looking bleary eyed and supportive. We met up with Mom, texted with Dad, and finalized plans for Rebecca’s girls to meet up with Ken. Our adventure would soon begin.

We took out of the gate with big smiles and excited hearts. Our bodies warmed quickly in the morning sun and we took our steps easily. Middle sister often yelling out-pull back, take our time. We moved quicker than expected. We saw Dad at mile 2, complete with a sign featuring Latin (Excelsis!!), Ken, Mom and the girls at mile 5 and then each of them several more times along the route. What a blessing to have a crazy supportive family!! Friends on foot and friends on the sidelines called out cheers. Great signs lined our route including “Go Random Stranger Go” and “Shake your Pom Poms!” It was a very pink environment. Passing the ASA athletes gave us great encouragement and reminded us of how blessed we are to be able to run with our own bodies.

As we ran, I felt in such awe of the physical prowess of my sisters. They moved along at a good clip-fueled by endorphins, the enthusiasm of the crowd and for Rebecca in particular, the amazement that this was possible. For me, to do something I love this much with two people I love THIS much was something so very special. To be a part of a big event where my “big” sister was able to be a role model for her two amazing little girls—this was a dream come true. To hold hands with my sisters and cross the finish line together is something that I will not soon forget. We have come through a lot as a family, especially in the last five years. And through it all, we have come closer together in love.

 

I am a proud Thomas Girl and could not be more proud to call these women sisters.

 

 

Like the rest of the global running community (and country at large), the last few days have included a lot of asking “why?”. Why in the world does this keep happening? Why is violence so prevalent in our world and why can’t we stop it? Why do those who wish to perpetrate evil target the innocent? I have no answers. Just a lot of prayers. For hope, for peace, for healing, for comfort, for strength, for resolve.

Yesterday, runners around the world joined the throng by “running for Boston”. Our track team and our family both joined in and ran 26.2 minutes in honor of Monday’s tragedy. For my students, it was about helping them see their place in a global community. For a few minutes, I wanted them to understand that running isn’t just a sport-it is a way of life. Runners are weirdos, marathoners in particular. I embrace it! And we are one of the strongest forces for good you will find in the world. For our family, it was about starting. We have to keep starting our races, our training, our jaunts on the roads and trails. We cannot let an act of violence draw us away from our beloved sport. We cannot allow ourselves to say, “oh, I’ll just do local races, but nothing big.” This lets the evildoers win. We cannot allow ourselves and our community to be paralyzed by fear. We must keep starting.

There have been tons of blogs, tweets, articles, videos, and memes floating about the internet in the last few days but it wasn’t until this morning that I felt like what I was feeling was truly captured. Thank you Stephen Colbert, for totally getting it.  http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/425527/april-16-2013/intro—4-16-13

We will not be deterred. We will not be afraid. For we are runners. We run through rain, snow, heat, mud, wind, lost toenails, sore knees, and taped up hips. We must keep starting.

 

I never quite got around to a wrap-up post after finishing the 21 Day Sugar Detox. I finished over Spring Break and spent a lot of time relaxing so I put it off. I am glad I did because now 3 weeks post-detox I can reflect on everything I’ve done wrong since.

I had great success with the detox. I found myself feeling really great. My stomach didn’t hurt. I wasn’t having crazy cravings but mentally-I was ruled by what I would eat next. I was hungry, a lot. I wasn’t eating enough protein to sustain fat adaptation, but at least I wasn’t being ruled by sugar. I lost 10 pounds and my pants fit again. I slept like a dead person and was not feeling massively lethargic. Overall, I feel like the 21 days was completely worthwhile and I would recommend it to anyone.

In the last week of the detox, I started to lose my will. I wasn’t reaching for reese’s or bowls of cereal but I was definitely interested in trying the reintroduction process. It was in that process I quickly learned what the no-no’s were for me. Rice is, unfortunately, a no-no. Same with most cereals (even gluten free). But I did not follow the rules of re-introduction as the detox lays out. I just dipped the toe into trying new things and waited for a one-time reaction.

In the weeks after the detox, I didn’t just fall off the wagon-I fled. I have allowed myself to lose the sense of moderation and dig into Easter candy. I had three days straight where dinner was a quesadilla. I have not gone whole hog back to soda but I certainly haven’t abstained. And I can feel it. My lethargy is back, my stomach aches are back, and while I can’t notice it in my pants yet, I fear it.

So my moral of the story is this-it has be keep going. It has to be about life transformation and change, not just 21 days of this or 30 days of that. If I am truly going to take control of my health and wellness, I have to make long terms shifts. So now I am in that process. What can I live without permanently? What am I will to take on as rare treats worth a small consequence? This is a difficult process and right now I simply hope for more good days than bad.

Have you ever made a diet or wellness transformation that took time? Do you have any tips? I’ll take all the advice I can get!

*This is a cross post from my teacher blog. I admit, it might be a little risky for me to post it on my teacher blog-a blog that is meant to be my reflection as a professional educator. But I could not let it pass.*

I think it is no surprise to anyone that my focus during this spring break has been on the pending cases before the Supreme Court. From a personal standpoint, I look to the repeal of Prop 8 and DOMA as an imperative for equality. For my friends, for my neighbors, for my family, and for people I do not know. I believe that equal rights are granted under the constitution and that includes the right to marry for gays and lesbians as well as local, state, and federal benefits for these couples.

So what does this have to do with our schools? We are setting a precedent for our children. Just as our predecessors did during the first Civil Rights movement. We are in a time where we can tell our children that all people are equal in the eyes of the law but more importantly, in our own. For those that use the Bible as an argument against this imperative, I turn their attention to their high school civics course on the separation of church and state.

While many of us as educators might shy away from this topic because it deals with a “family matter”, I think we have a great opportunity. The biggest teachable moment about character we may see in our lifetime. We have the opportunity to show our children that all people, truly all people, deserve the rights and protections given to us by the Constitution.

Our schools can only benefit when we embrace the diversity of our communities. As our world continues to flatten, our children cannot be isolated from it. We must teach them well. We must teach them to see people and reach out in love. We must expand the reach of our schools and welcome families of all configurations into our halls of learning. We will all be better for it.

Where ever you stand on the moral or judicial points of these landmark cases, I hope that you do not shy away from embracing the opportunity to grow love and acceptance in our schools. Be courageous and open the doors!

 

**Two Great Articles**

Dr. Peggy Drexler: How to Talk to Your Kids about the New Normal

American Academy of Pediatrics Supports Same-Gender Marriage

Rarely do I post about politics or social issues. I don’t hide my faith in any way, nor do I hide my social values. However, they don’t make it to my public reflections very often. I tend to avoid being a polarizing figure and hope to live a life of inclusion and love. It is for this reason I blog about my experience today. This morning’s experience was a powerful one for me and publicly reflecting upon it is, I believe, an important cap to the day. I hope you read on…

This morning joined several hundred Episcopal brothers and sisters to walk “The Way of the Cross” in downtown D.C. The walk was initiated by the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut and was titled: “Challenging a Culture of Violence”. This walk from The White House to The Capitol was just one way to respond to the murders at Sandy Hook ES and the prevalent culture of gun violence in the US. We joined together, over 20 bishops, dozens of clergy and lay persons, young and old, gay and straight, all colors and many diocese to pray the stations of the cross . As we enter this holiest of weeks for many Christian traditions, this was our moment to publicly proclaim our hopes for peace and justice and to do so in a place of great political power.

The liturgy was designed specifically for this event and each station featured a theme, a hope, readings, prayers, and a meditation. We battled the slushy snow, the cold rain, and the gloomy skies to lift up our petitions to the Lord. After renewing our baptismal covenant, we proceeded through town; stopping along the way to reflect on our themes and hopes. In Lafayette Park and the White House, we prayed that we would have the wisdom and courage to witness and build reconciliation in our land, affirming the dignity of all people. Along our way we repented of our own blindness to injustice, our judgements, and our prejudice. We turned our hearts and attention to remember that violence is not a local or national problem, but a global one and prayed for victims and peace. We gave thanks for those who picked up the cross in our own time to battle division, suffering, and injustice. We turned to our neighbors and  sought out prayer for ourselves, sinners in His sight, that we might turn from our own exclusions and cultural attitudes towards love and peace. We decreed in the words of Abraham Lincoln, “then, thenceforth, and forever free” to accept the call to leadership in challenging our culture. We mourned the lives of those lost to violence, the suffering of their families, and call upon ourselves to be their advocates. We specifically named those lost in the shooting at Sandy Hook-the teachers, the children, and the shooter, that they may be held in the loving arms of Jesus. We prayed for the dignity of all people, created in the image of God. We prayed and shared peace. We prayed for our proper use and care of creation-that we do not reap violence upon the natural world. As we took our walk to the Capitol, in the shadow of the statue of Freedom, we prayed for our leaders that they may follow the way of St. Francis and sow peace, love, pardon, union, faith, hope, light, and joy in a world so desperate for it.

We did all these things in the name of the Jesus Christ, in public, in front of tourists and businessmen, locals and visitors, police and the homeless. All to try to bring light to the dark culture of violence that plagues our country. The meditations that were recited at each station could each warrant their own blog post, they are so rich with wisdom and beauty. I am struck by the great thoughtfulness found in these church leaders as they bring words to help us understand our pain and our brokenness. Not once did we speak of weapons bans or background checks, though many of these bishops (and I) publicly support both. Rather we focused on the messages of love, reconciliation, justice, and peace. We turned inward to our own hearts–to search them fully and repent of our own hatred or ability to hurt. For it is in changing ourselves that we can truly begin to change the world.

I did not know what to expect on this cold day. When I arrived I saw a lot of purple and black cassocks and not a single person I knew. I saw a few of the female leaders of our church whom I hold in great reverence (pun intended…) and a great number of young women clergy, which always gives me great joy and hope. I was struck by the dedication of the people-strangers and friends walking in the snow and rain for blocks and blocks. The hearts turned towards love. The great miles traveled by the congregants of Connecticut, New Jersey, and so forth to take this holy Monday to put their pain into action. This is why I love the “church” and biased-ly love my Episcopal church. I love that we can come together as strangers, around a common liturgy, and sow love into the world.

We did not solve the problem of violence today. We did not walk into the violence directly and take action. But we did what we knew we could on this day-we prayed. We prayed in love and out loud, not to draw attention to ourselves (which I’m sure we did when stopping traffic on Pennsylvania Avenue…) but to draw attention to the cause. If we turned one heart today to challenge the violent culture in America, then we have succeeded.

Pray for us, dear reader. Pray that our hearts may be so filled with love that we will strive to challenge and tackle the problems that lead to violence in our nation and world. Pray for those who mourn, pray for those who hurt, and pray for those whose hearts are turned toward hate. Pray for the lost and pray for the perpetrators. Pray for those who are courageous enough to take up the cross and pray for those that live in fear. If you do not pray-spread love in your own way-building empathy, justice, and peace in your world.

May this Holy Week bring you peace and may the message of Easter ring true every day.

Peace.

We’ve seen you before Mr. Fox. You are large and fluffy and have eyes that gleam. Your thick winter fur switches between gold and red and begs an unwise man to pet you. Our typical encounter begins with us spotting you, stopping for pleasantries from many yards away, and then you skittering away into the brush. We enjoy these encounters, Parker and I. They bring us delight and make the human among us feel connected to nature.

Our relationship changed this morning Mr. Fox. We did not see you at first. You surely saw us. Taking our morning jaunt in the dark for the doggie constitutional and heading back on the lamp-lit path, there you were stalking us. You froze. We froze too. In anticipation of our typical greeting, I said hello but you had other plans.

And follow us you did, as my canine companion pulled and pulled to greet you. But his smart Mama knew better. You did not yield to my bark and my often moderately aggressive lab-pit bull pal chose this day of all days to be mute. So you followed us some more. Pursuing us as if to say, “come play my nocturnal friends”. But this human, full of pulsing adrenaline, was not interested in a mammalian play-date at six o’clock in the morning. So I pulled along my fifty-five  pound partner, even knocking into a large, orange traffic barrel to move away from you. You crept nearer. But you could not be victorious.

We finally lost your pursuing fox feet when the lights of the oncoming traffic were too much for you to bear. My heart leaped in fear as their headlights reflected in your eyes. For though you caused heart palpitations in me this morning, I certainly want you to live a long and happy foxy life. A smart fox you are, you rushed off to the trees out of harm’s way.

As our walk continued and my heart slowed, I felt an odd sense of wonder at what would cause your morning pursuit. I pray only that your intent was good and not that you have been inflicted by something quite terrible. Stay in the forest, Mr. Fox. I’m sorry we, the humans, have taken so much of it away. Find a foxy lady friend and make more foxes. We will encounter you again, but only at a distance for our morning greetings. Then off on our separate ways.

I just received my email from Diane that I am on Day 14 of the 21 Day Sugar Detox. Two weeks!! Quite frankly, it seems like an eternity. I feel like every single day is an experiment in patience and discipline more than any other time in my life. (Yes, even more than IM.)

So how do I feel?

I feel like there is a lightness in my stomach. I feel like the puffiness around my face and hands has slimmed out. The nausea from week 1 has completely subsided. I do notice that when I’m hungry I am “get me food right now” hungry but this is because I don’t prep in the way I should. I am sleeping hard and have had some crazy weird dreams. I have lost a little weight, mostly from inflammation I would gander. My pants are generally fitting more comfortably.

What’s on my mind?

I am mildly concerned that my constant thinking about eating is detracting from the other important things in my life. I’m also concerned of how to create a balance between what I currently see as deprivation and what is healthy. I want to be able to have chips and guacamole with my family out at dinner. (Last night, I ate the leek-poblano guac with a fork.) I want to be able to enjoy a scoop of ice cream. But I don’t want to go back to feeling like crap 24/7. I want my pants to keep fitting comfortably instead of going back to the squeeze every morning. I’m also afraid that I won’t learn balance. That I will immediately go back to my old ways and that is bad.

So what about running?

I need to run. I need people to run with and people to push me. Now that I’m on week 3, I think I am at a place nutritionally where I have the fuel to run. But I don’t have the motivation. My jammies have won over more days than I would like to admit. I miss my HoCo running pals more than I can possibly say. And, of course, my girl MM.

And finally, a shout out to my saviors…

I am so grateful for the support of my family, particularly K, who has kept me to task when I want to throw in the towel. I’m thankful for my co-workers who are also keeping me on task and asking me what day I’m on! I’m thankful to the 21DSD crew on facebook and the daily emails. Talk about a good kick in the pants. Finally, a big shout to my three go-to snacks. I’m not over indulging, but I know I couldn’t do it without these.

Justin’s Classic Almond Butter. Like a little shot of manna from heaven.

21DSD Approved Trail Mix. Extra Nuts….(amazing in Brown Cow Plain Yogurt)

Vintage plain Seltzer. (My soda stream is outta gas.) And hey, it’s Kosher! (I need a friend to explain the need for water to be Kosher….)

So 7 days to go. One week. And then comes the true test, a road trip for Easter. Can I be smart while the twizzlers at the rest stop in Delaware tempt me? Can I focus on veggies when the cheese tray calls? We will have to wait and see.