Today I ran.

Today I ran. I ran because it's what I know how to do. I ran because it's how I manage my thoughts. I ran because it's how I cope with my feelings. I ran because I miss it. I ran because it feels good. I ran because it hurts. I ran because I can.

Because I have two legs that can run, and that's what they know how to do.

This was my first run in over a month and only my third run in the last four months. I am three days late for the B.A.A. 5k and a day late for all of the memorial runs, but it was the first day I felt ready to run. It wasn't easy, and it hurt just a little bit, but every step reminded me of how grateful I am. And with every step, I thought of how terrifying running was Monday afternoon.

I ran wearing my B.A.A. shirt, and when the chaos clears from Copley Square, I will run the B.A.A. 5k course. Originally, I was running it for me, so I could say I did it, so I could complete the Distance Medley this year. Now, I will run it as my memorial run, and I will finish where it ended for three young people who didn't deserve the fate handed to them.

Today I ran. Because this is the only way I know how to cope.

April 15, 2013

I'm still in shock and speechless, but I feel like I need to say something. I somehow need to get it out and make sense of what happened.

Simply put, my heart is broken. I'm sad. I'm scared. I'm disappointed. I'm offended. I didn't grow up in Boston; I spent my childhood 45 minutes away with occasional day trips to the city. But, I lived there for four years during college, and in this vast, crazy, sometimes senseless world, Boston is my home. It's the city my soul identifies with.

I wanted so badly to be at the marathon yesterday. I knew people running, and I was really excited about the race. I watched the elite runners via live stream at work. After I heard the news, I was immediately worried for everyone I knew that I was in the area, but then all I wanted was to be in my city. I still want to be in my city. I want to walk the streets I know and love and put my arms around them.

I devoured the news coverage yesterday afternoon, but after a couple of hours, I just couldn't listen, watch or read anymore. That numbing feeling I usually get when absorbing the coverage of tragedy never hit me. Each word was a fresh wound. Of course I want to know what happened, but no one knows right now, and I can't stand to see my city in pain.

This feels like 9/11 all over again, except more real. I'll never forget where I was. I'll never forget the helplessness. I'll never forget what it felt like.

A bloodied battlefield on the street I walked every day? It is unimaginable. Yesterday was Patriots Day -- a day commemorating the start of the Revolutionary War, over 200 years ago when those streets were battlefields. The significance is not lost. Boston was a strong city then, and it remains a strong city to this day. We have always held each other up and stood united, and we will continue to do so.

I can't end this post without acknowledging the marathon. I consider myself part of the B.A.A. family since I have run several of their races, and I am so upset that my family was hurt by this senseless act of violence. I am praying and hurting for the victims and their families, but my heart is also with all the runners whose incredible accomplishment, hard work and feat of strength has been completely overshadowed by this horrible event. I know no one cares about whether or not they finished the race, what their time was, or getting that medal, but I want them to know that they are in my thoughts and their strength has not been forgotten. I know many did everything they could to help immediately after what happened, and they made us proud.

Since running the B.A.A. half marathon in October, I have been thinking of tackling the marathon distance, but it scared me. Well, nothing scares me as much as what happened yesterday. I want to run Boston. And, now, after this, I want to run Boston in 2014. I'm not going to qualify, but I'd love to get a charity bib. Even if I can't, I'll run bandit. Every mile will be in memory of yesterday and all those affected.

I can't think of a better reason to run Boston.

British consistency vs. counting sheep

Image credit: Scientific American

I stumbled across a useful, interesting and amusing article the other day, and I wanted to share it with you. I want to preface this with letting you know that I work for a British company, and half of my coworkers are British. My ancestors were British, and I love tea, along with the pomp and circumstance that inspires many distinctly British traditions.

Therefore, I chuckled as I read this because it is so... British! At the same time, however, I wondered if this is truly the trick to getting a good night's sleep every night.

According to The Telegraph, getting a consistently good night's sleep is all about... Consistency.

The article references a study done by surveying several Brits on their nighttime routines, and there were several common variables among those who reported sleeping well on a consistent basis. Apparently, by adhering to the following steps nightly, one will sleep perfectly every night without fail.

HOW TO ACHIEVE A PERFECT NIGHT'S SLEEP
1. Watch 1 hour and 46 minutes of television, preferably a soap opera or comedy quiz show
2. Spend 41 minutes talking to someone (partner, on the phone to mother, etc.)
3. Browse the Internet for 51 minutes
4. Have at least 2 hours and 7 minutes rest after cooking, washing up and doing the chores
5. Last food before bedtime --usually an evening meal -- should be eaten at 8:29 p.m.
6. Last drink before bedtime -- usually a cup of tea -- should be consumed at 9:10 p.m.
7. Go to bed at exactly 10 p.m.
8. Spend 20 minutes in bed reading
9. Finally fall asleep at 10:26 p.m.
10. Lie on the right side of the body
11. Sleep on the right side of the bed when facing the ceiling
12. Sleep with partner cuddled into back
13. Wake at 6:47 a.m. to the sound of the alarm clock

What do you think? Will it work? Will you try it? What is your nighttime routine, or do you not have one?

I have a nighttime routine, but the timing of it fluctuates. I usually spend my evenings cooking dinner, cleaning up, watching TV while enjoying a cup of herbal tea, then I try to read for a bit in bed before going to sleep. I do think consistency is important when it comes to sleep, and I am trying to get myself into a consistently timed routine to improve my sleep quality, productivity and energy level. I think the above is worth a try.

This is just disgusting, but let's not rush it.

I've posted about this before, but this is the first news I've seen or heard in a while, so I thought I would speak out on it.

Oil is still gushing out of the BP Deepwater Horizon well in the Gulf of Mexico, after three months of so-called officials and experts debating like dummies. THREE MONTHS. I find it almost impossible to believe that NO ONE has been able to resolve this issue in three months. That is one whole fiscal quarter, people! Down the drain... literally. That is disgusting. Why was this thing even built and put into production if we didn't know how to STOP it? Such a classic case of a company rushing forward without thinking.

The latest news is BP has developed a cap for the well with three shutoff valves, which will be shut one-by-one while the pressure in the well and against the cap is evaluated. Sounds like a good plan to me, but the US government wanted to hold off until some additional research was conducted. The concern? The pressure in the well would cause another, and possibly worse, leak.

For once, I'm agreeing. This was a valid concern, and I'm glad someone actually stopped to consider the consequences before taking action. Kudos to the US!

Now, let's cross our fingers and say our prayers that this cap works. Even if only a valve or two can be closed off, the remaining leaking oil can be siphoned by ships on the surface.

Sound off: What do you think about the government holding BP back while the cap solution was thoroughly investigated? What do you think about the whole Deepwater Horizon situation in general? Have you felt any effects where you are?

{Image via TODAYshow.com}

This post was inspired by:

Prompt #1: Choose a headline from The Today Show website and write up an opinion post based on the story you chose.

We should all think like teenagers...

**Note: I tried to post this a half dozen times today with no success, so I'm truly sorry it's so late in the day.**


Minus the angst-ridden drama, of course.

Watching The Early Show yesterday morning, I was struck by something a guest psychologist said about teenagers and their risky behavior. She said that teens are, and act, very much in the present; their brains are not developed enough yet to really focus on the future and the consequence of their actions.

While this is a horrible thing as it relates to the recent YouTube phenomeneon of teenagers seeing videos of other teens engaging in risky stunts and shoot their own videos to "one-up" their peers, I think there is something positive in the teenage mindset of living in and for the present.

I never had this mindset as a teenager, and neither did the majority of my friends. We were good, conservative, high-performing, forward-looking kids. My parents raised me to believe that school was the most important thing, that good grades were crucial to my life's success and that choosing my friends well was the most important decision I could make.

Therefore, I was focused on my academic and dance success. I surrounded myself with like-minded friends. Our idea of fun was giggling through school group projects and drinking Shirley Temples at Father-Daughter dances. I always looked to the future and how my actions would affect that future, positively or negatively. First it was making honor roll and getting perfect attendence, then the goal was getting into the National Honor Society and the top of the class, next it was all-important to get into a good college, then I needed to succeed at that college so I could get a good job... then... Well, then I realized that I spent what was probably some of the best years of my life so concentrated on the future that I forgot there was a present.

Everyone seems to be harping on the importance of staying in the present, being mindful, not obsessing over the past or worrying about the future... as adults. Yet, I guarantee when most of us were teenagers, that was the furtherest thing from our minds. Now, we're examining this notorius teenage mindset in a negative light.

But, is it really negative? Wouldn't we all benefit from throwing our adult worry and stress to the wind and embracing the invincible, carefree mindset of a teenager? Shouldn't we stop analyzing the consequences and just take the risk? After all, our minds are developed now; we can, within a much shorter time than we think, realize whether a risk is good or bad, beneficial or harmful.

Pretend: You're a teenager. What risk are you going to take today?

It hit home.

I'm talking about the Gulf oil spill, friends. This picture made it hit home for me. I don't even like birds -- I'm rather petrified of them, actually -- but this image of oil-soaked Great Storks made me scared. I wanted to cry.

Watching the live feed on the news of hundreds of thousands of gallons of oil gushing into the Gulf of Mexico is disturbing enough, but actually seeing the effects on the ocean and shoreline habitats is crushing. I'm sick of reading about the poor hotels who are seeing cancellations. What about the marine and wild life? What about the beautiful beaches? What about the water quality we all depend on?

I hate to think of an entire ecosystem being destroyed because of our greed, our need to put gas in our cars. I'm scared that the oil will make its way up the East coast and wash up on the New England beaches I love. I don't want to be cruising through oil slicks on my Caribbean cruise this fall.

This reminds me of the Saved by the Bell episode where they dig for oil at Bayside High only to destroy the pond where students have adopted wildlife pets.

It's sad.

It's tragic.

It's maddening.

It must be stopped.


{Image via USA Today Travel}

Out drinking, don't want to drive, but don't want to leave car?

Photo by Christopher Evans, Boston Herald

Oh don't you worry, if you're in Boston and live within 20 miles! These guys will get you home, for a fee. Designated Driver, Inc., started by a couple Bentley College grads, is who you can call from the bar, instead of a cab, when you've had too much to drink. Unlike a cabbie, they'll drive you home in your own car, and another employee will follow to bring your driver back.

Check out this article in the Boston Herald I found via my friend's blog.

Are your Loubies hurtin'?

Oh, I know so many of my fellow Blogger friends who are going to just love this article (the images are just for you, ladies!).

Stylish Shoes Have a Serious Price Tag

BU study shows it’s heels today, pain tomorrow

| FROM BU TODAY | BY DAN MORRELL

Karen Fabbri is always in heels. As the owner of Moxie Shoes, a boutique with locations in Beacon Hill and Wellesley, it comes with the territory. And sometimes her fashion statement prompts a warning.

“Women of a certain age will come up to me and say, ‘Oh honey, I love you in those heels, but you come talk to me when you’re 60,’” says Fabbri. “You hear it from the women who have paid their dues and are now they’re paying the price.”

Christian Louboutin New Helmut, barneys.com

A recent study led by a Boston University researcher offers scientific evidence in support of cautionary tales from stiletto veterans, finding a strong tie between footwear and foot pain as wearers get older. Based on evidence gathered from 3,378 people, with a mean age of 66, lead author Alyssa Dufour (GRS’06,’11), a biostatistics doctoral student in the School of Public Health, finds that women who consistently wear shoes with support ranked “good” or “average” are 67 percent less likely to report foot pain later in life than those who spend most of their time in shoes with “poor” support.

The study defines “good” and “average” as sneakers and shoes with rubber soles; “poor” includes sandals, slippers, and high heels. While more than 13 percent of women surveyed reported wearing “poor” shoes, less than 2 percent of men did — none said they wore high heels regularly. The small number of men reporting wearing “poor” shoes made it hard for researchers to identify a link between their footwear and foot pain.

Results of the study, conducted in partnership with the Hebrew SeniorLife Institute for Aging Research, appeared in an October issue of the journal Arthritis Care & Research.

The pain reported by women with a history of shoes with poor support was centered in the area between the heel and the back of the ankle, which takes the brunt of each step’s shock and goes unprotected in “poor” shoes. The study also suggests that pain in the back of women’s feet may be caused by pumps that impede the heel cord from stretching fully, resulting in soreness.

Miss Dior Platform Pump, bergdorfgoodman.com

According to Kathleen McDermott, a fashion historian and an instructor at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, this unfortunate connection between fashion and pain traces to the 1950s, when designer Christian Dior unveiled his “New Look,” pointy shoes with a steep, thin heel. Before this, McDermott says, women’s shoes were blunt in the toe, sensible, and not intended to be sexy. “Dior wanted women to be like flowers, dainty and feminine,” she says. “It was the exact opposite of the utilitarian design that came before it. And a stiletto heel was a big part of that change.”

Heels remain in vogue today, their height continuing to rise. “We are in a weird heel blip right now,” says McDermott. “Every fashion spread these days has these giant heels.”

Christian Louboutin Ginevra, barneys.com

“When I started my business eight years ago, I wouldn’t go beyond two inches for a heel,” says Fabbri. Today, she stocks heels as high as five inches. “It’s always the same argument: ‘Oh, how am I going to walk in them?’ But then the customers fall in love with them. We have a lot of shoes that, if women want to wear them, they will have to take a taxi wherever they are going.”

Dufour is realistic. “Women aren’t going to stop wearing heels,” she says. Even Dufour — at 26, a prime target for the study’s findings — admits she still wears them. “I haven’t given up anything,” she says. “But it does make me think before I put on some horribly uncomfortable heels.”

Christian Louboutin Lady Claude, barneys.com

The popularity of such physically damaging apparel suggests that hidden social forces are at work, says Shari Thurer, a Boston-based psychologist and a former associate professor of rehabilitation counseling at Sargent College. “It’s a signifier,” Thurer says. “When women are wearing high heels, it forces their body into a more suggestive posture,” arching the back and elongating the legs.

“It’s ironic,” she says. “They make you taller, but you can’t move in them. They are utterly bad for you.” But in the battle between comfort and fashion, it’s another win for style

“What can I say?” Thurer concludes. “Sex wins.”

Christian Louboutin Tashaf, barneys.com

What do you think ladies? Is it worth the price?? (P.S. These fabulous Tashaf pumps are on sale at Barney's for 40% off! They also come in blue with silver accents. Heart!)

I too am guilty, although not usually with high heels; my FUggs and flip-flops are just as bad.

Announcement: OWN

via

Call me a middle-aged housewife, but I heart Oprah. I'm not sure how I feel about her as a person -- I know there's many people who can't stand her personally -- but I love her BRAND. And, for building up such an amazing, global brand I give her kudos. That is a feat, and one of the best personal accomplishments I can think of (if you're going the entrepreneur career route).

I mean really, who hasn't heard of Oprah? Who doesn't automatically associate her with delving interviews, happiness, fulfillment, achievement, spirituality and positive thinking? At least, that's how I think of her.

I never really watched her show, minus a few episodes, but I really got hooked on her magazine a few years ago after reading Cathie Black's Basic Black (great book for all you female professionals out there). Cathie single-handedly won Oprah to Hearst Publishing in creating a magazine. She SOLD Oprah on this idea, which I guess puts Cathie higher on my list than Oprah herself in women I admire. So, I decided I would check out the magazine.

It inspired me. It motivated me to focus on my personal and spiritual growth, to become a better person (cue the butterflies, hearts and flowers).

So, now that I've been working from home, I've checked out a couple shows. I loved her interview with Patrick Swayze's wife. I was amazed at her candidness. And you can bet I was glued to the screen when she did her first jobs show and revealed footage from her first job as a local television reporter.

Now the show is disappearing... and being replaced by an entire network: OWN. The acronym certainly does fit. I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of material she comes up with. I guess after the publisher win, the networks started courting her.

What do you think of Oprah? Will you miss the show? Are you excited about the network? (Don't worry about offending me if you hate her.)

A giant THANK YOU to Nordstrom!

No, Nordi's didn't cross of my Christmas list for free.

No, I didn't find my dream {insert clothing/accessory item here} at Nordstrom.

Nah, they didn't hire me (although I'm sure they would if I wished to work there).

My parents, who are not really into designers or trends but value quality and good service, have always told me how great Nordstrom is. Not Macy's, not Sears, not Filene's, not even Lord & Taylor.

My dad, when an airline lost his luggage on a business trip once, went to Nordstrom and bought an entire new wardrobe for his trip. Everything from that one store. My mother applied to work there (she works at the Gap), and was so close to accepting their generous offer to be a manager.

Well, I now see why my parents respect Nordstrom because I now respect them too.

Seen on consumerist.com

FINALLY! A retailer that GETS it! You won't see a wreath or tree, or hear holiday tunes in a Nordstrom store the day after Halloween. Whew. For this, just for this (are you listening every other store in the mall?), I am now considering doing ALL of my Christmas shopping at Nordstrom. {This is going to be a pricey holiday...}

P.S. Do you like the shameless promotion of Nordstrom in this post? I think they've earned it.

Tickle Uh Oh!

Oh my... I just saw an ad on TV for these Elmo Tickle Hands. While the hands themselves are adorable, and the kids wearing them are equally adorable, I can't really promote this product for children. I thought we taught children not to touch each other? Now we are creating toys that encourage them to touch each other??? Yikes!

So, my future children will not have Elmo Tickle Hands, despite how they might beg. Boyfriend on the other hand...

Blame Unemployment on College?

Photo Credit: Albert L'Etoile, BU Photo Services

Hmm... Maybe I could reclaim income from my flailing journalism career from my Alma Mater. What do you think? Is it rational for students to expect colleges to guarantee them jobs after graduating or sue?

On one hand, most colleges and universities claim to deliver the training, education and networking to obtain your dream job upon graduation. On the other hand, doesn't a lot of that also fall into the student's/job seeker's lap to use the information and resources placed at their feet?

Are universities guilty of false advertising?

Hugging Taboo?

Hugging: a physical display of affection, romantic or platonic. According to Wikipedia: A hug is a form of physical intimacy that usually involves closing or holding the arms around another person or group of persons. The hug is one of the most common human signs of love and affection, along with kissing. Unlike some other forms of physical intimacy, it is practiced publicly and privately without stigma in many countries, religions and cultures, within families, and also across age and gender lines.

It's simple and uncomplicated!

Well, not according to this report by Sarah Kershaw in the NYT on May 27, 2009 -- yes, a little old in terms of news, but I just stumbled across this previously unknown issue to me while reading one of my fav blogs, Chelsea Gwynne.

In this harshly PC world (I am not a PC subscriber), I can see how schools are concerned about students of both genders embracing in the hall between class. But, stepping outside our paranoid perspective, I admire these students. They have actually made hugging cool. Someone, at some time, decided to hell with social standards and hugged his best friend before school, and no, he was not gay. Whoa! Revolutionary. To the principals who have banned hugging, get your mind out of the gutter! You should be glad your students are hugging, not fighting.

I always hugged my friends in high school. Publicly. I was never reprimanded for it. Granted, I went to a parochial high school where love was always the word of the day, but isn't that the way it should be? I am all for expressing feelings, I think it's healthy, modestly of course, not going to advocate French-kissing in the halls.

Hugging of acquaintances is a bit different, although I still don't discourage it. Who doesn't want a hug from someone they know? I, personally, find it a bit awkward these days though. When greeting a friend of a friend, or a friend I haven't interacted with in a while, do I hug them? Are they going to hug me? I think in these instances, I go with my gut, which usually turns into, as Kershaw describes, a "dap," a handshake of sorts that segues to an embrace of some sort.

So, in my opinion, hug away! Young, old, guys, girls, at school, at work, on the street!

Am I wrong? Should hugging be allowed in school? Is it the greeting of the 21st century?