Tried It

Lately I have been trying a lot of new fitness related items. Here are some of the ones I have tried and what I have thought about them. 

Waxelene: This is described as an "eco-friendly alternative to petroleum jelly. It has the same protective, waterproofing, moisturizing and soothing properties that doctors love, but contains no petroleum or hydrogenated oils." I tried it as an alternate to Body Glide. I don't chafe very often, except when I wear a tank top. Then I chafe under my arm. So I smeared it on for my last long run and...no chafe. Sweet. It can also be used for chapped lips or dry skin as well as several other uses. I love the idea that it's all natural and only has 4 ingredients. I don't like that it comes in a heavy glass jar which doesn't bode well for my already overfull running bag! 

Cool Off: These are little individually wrapped cooling towelettes. I really like them! They give me a minty fresh feeling! The only thing is, the first time, I used them on my face and it was burning a little! I would stick to body use only. They fit great into my purse and running bag. I have tried other wipes and they are basically just baby wipes with a different name. These are much more refreshing than a baby wipe! 

Topricin:  A homeopathic cream that provides pain relief by improving circulation and attracting and stimulating the body's healing chemistry at the site of pain. I was sent three different kinds -- Regular, Junior and Foot Therapy. I tried the regular one on my sore calf a few weeks ago and it seemed to help. It also doesn't smell like a hospital, like some of the other sports creams do, which is a definite plus! 

Celcius: I don't normally like energy drinks. They have a certain taste to them that is just wrong. However, Celicius is quite good. I received four kinds: Raspberry Acai Green Tea, Strawberry Kiwi, Sparkling Orange and Outrageous Orange. Of the four, the Raspberry Acai Green Tea was my favorite. It was a little sweet, but definitely did not have the nasty taste that some of the other energy drinks have. It is supposed to do several things: boost metabolism, improve endurance and provide lasting energy. It contains caffeine in the form of green tea extract and guarana and it really does give you a nice energy kick! 

I love getting to try new things, as I am really kind of one of those people who once I find what I like I stick to it. So it is nice to have friends who use something different, or to get a sample from somewhere, because you never know when you are going to find your new favorite thing! 

Do you try new things or do you stick with the tried and true? Do you chafe a lot when you run? What is your favorite energy drink?

Disclaimer: I was given these products for free in return to an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

The Old Ball Game

This last week has been very fun filled and was gone in a flash! I thought that when August was over, things would slow down, but that hasn't been the case so far. I am having a hard time lately juggling fun, family, friends, work, running (I am not counting that in the fun category, even though it is) and necessary things like grocery shopping and errands and chores (and eating. Who has time to eat as much as I do?). But that doesn't mean I am not doing some of each of those categories anyway!

I found an old end table on the street and did a quasi DIY project. 

My version of DIY: paint it white. Voila. 

Note the other half finished painting project next to it. That is done now too.

I went to A's vs Red Sox game (with my friend, who is a Sox fan). 

I am still a Giants fan but it was fun. 

Do you like this guy's "shirt"? 

 

Running, running, running...

This is the French Trail I talked about before. 

Total this week: 52 miles.

 

I harvested. 

This week: round zucchini, scallop squash,tiny tomatoes. 

I went to the Giants game. 

We saw a double rainbow. It was awesome. 

The Giants lost. It was not awesome. 

 

I went for a long run and then ate this.

Okay, I am joking, kind of.

I did make carrot cake with butter cream frosting.

So, maybe I only ate half of this.

I will eat the other half tomorrow.

 

These ladies came over to help me make (and eat) the carrot cake. 

While we waited for it to bake, we went to visit the goat next door. 

 

I packed my lunch for today. 

White bean chicken chili, edamame, carrots/celery and hummus, 

grapes, plum, salad. 

I am very hungry. Every day. All the time.

(not pictured: craisins, almonds, and the 5 cups of coffee I will also have before lunch)

 

How was your weekend? Do you pack your lunch the night before / the morning of / not at all? Have you ever seen a shirt as sweet as that guy's shirt?

Happy 2nd Birthday Travel Write Draw!!

Hello My Loves,

It's TRAVEL WRITE DRAW'S 2ND BIRTHDAY YAY!! Can you believe it?! It's already been two years since starting this heartfelt journey of blogging and illustrating for the worldwide web. I am so beyond grateful for this experience, everything I've learned from it, and all the opportunities that have come my way as a result. I've made incredible friendships with inspiring individuals through this blog. I've been found by wonderful people from my past. I've traveled the world even if I was just sitting behind my computer screen in Manhattan.

Travel Write Draw means everything to me. I like to think of my blog as my raison d'etre. It pushes me to be better, to challenge myself, to grow, to communicate, to fail, and to be stronger. Whenever I feel down, or disconnected, all I have to do is prepare a post here and I know I'm not far from anyone. I never dreamed that I would have come this far and I'm that much more encouraged to see where it goes from here. Thank you to EVERY ONE of my loving supporters, my family and friends, and all of you who continue to root for me along the way.

I promise to pay you back one day ;)!! I must sign-off so my blog can blow its candles and make its wish for the year.

Much love,
Meag xx

LOVE FROM LONDON

Across the Atlantic and back again...a picture from my last night in LONDON TOWN!!

Thank you immensely to my incredibly gracious hosts for showing me the best of the best in London & Paris. My experience in both cities was so much different than it has ever been and I'm more in love with London than I thought possible. Visions of driving through the city in a Zipcar blasting Feel The Love by Rudimental will live on in my memory forever and ever.

But it doesn't stop there my darlings. Off the plane and onto the launch party of Allie Kingsley's novel The Liar, the Bitch, and the Wardrobe (thank you Mr. Heisler ;), and Fashion's Night Out at Lord & Taylor tomorrow evening!! NYFW will soon be in full effect and the city is already sizzling with the influx of Fashion's power-players. I shall catch up with you all when the madness dies down this weekend. Until then, HUGS & KISSES from yours truly!!

Much love,

Meag xx

Glass Boys

Glass Boys by Nicole Lundrigan

Set in a small town in Newfoundland, this story starts with two young brothers. When one is killed accidentally by a neighbor, the remaining brother, Lewis, tries to put the incident behind him, but he can't help in blaming the man who killed his brother. As he gets older, he keeps a close eye on the man and his family and their lives end up becoming entwined more than Lewis could ever realize.

Full of small town strife, sibling rivalry, hatred and love, this book really causes the reader to become involved in the character's lives. She creates people that you know and ones that you don't want to know. Her characters are real, although they are not necessarily all likeable.

This book reminded me of the small town that I grew up in. There is the sheriff, who knows what everyone is up to and is involved in everyone's lives. There is the shopkeeper, the bad boy, and the farmer. I know these people. I remember times at the river like they have and boys like these boys.

However, this book has a dark side that I have not been privy to in my home town (and don't really want to be privy to). There are some mean people and some sickos and you spend a good part of the book wishing they would just go away. However, they don't. Not all of them.

I would recommend this book. It was an intriguing read and it was kind of disturbing at times but it never kept me from continuing to see what would happen next.

I gave it three stars on Goodreads.

Check out other reviews of this book here:   Chaos is a Friend of Mine --   Read React Review --  Comfort Books --  Cmash Loves to Read  --  Booksellers without Borders NY  --  Leafing Through Life  -- Pieces of Fate  --  My Life in Not So Many Words --   I'd Rather Be At The Beach 

Disclaimer: I was given a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Have you ever experienced small town living? If you don't like one of the main characters in a book, can you still enjoy the book? Would you be able to forgive the person who hurt/killed one of your family members?

Currently: September

Current Book - Looking for Alaska by John Green

Current Hot Celebrity - Mila Kunis. I think she's adorable.

Current Drink - Coffee. Way too much of it. 

Current Excitement - I went to the A's/Redsox game the other day, got to watch the batting practice on the field, got to sit in row 5 above the A's dugout and got a photo with one of the players! It was so cool. I mean, hey, I am still a true Giant's fan, but I will take a photo with any of the players! 

Current fashion trend - Boots. I wear these all the time. Now I need black -- I want these.

Current Favorite Blog/Website - www.runningintheusa.com -- If you haven't used this site yet to find races, you should! Also, ultrasignups for Ultras.
 

Current Garden Item - I have zucchinis! 4 different kinds. Here are three of them. 

 

 

Current Love - The short work week! 

Current Food - I made a whole chicken in the crock the other day and it's delicious! It was so easy. Just put an onion in and then rub the chicken with spices and leave it for 5 hours. When you come back, voila, chicken! I even made stock with it as well!

Currently Pondering - Fires in CA near my Parents. Supposedly they are out finally.

Current Indulgence - Popcorn, and lots of it! I have been a popcorn eating machine! Today's favorite way to eat it? With butter and nutritional yeast. And lots and lots of salt. 

Current Mood - Hungry. Is that a mood? 

Current New Find - French Trail. It's a beautiful, redwood filled trail that is just the right amount of ups and downs. You can also easily do a shorter or longer loop (anywhere from about 3 miles to 8), so it's good for all levels of runner/hiker!

Current Outfit -  

 

Pardon me. I did not comb my hair that day.

 

Current Peeve - I had to remind three runners at the SR Marathon who were blocking the whole path that it was "hard to pass them when they were running three abreast". Those were my exact words. After I said, "on your left" about 6 times and they didn't get over so I had to run around through the bushes to pass. I had some more choice words, but I kept it cool and remained polite. 

 

Current Song - Till I Collapse by Eminem. It makes me run faster! Also I think about the first part of the song when I feel like giving up/slowing down: 

 

'Cause sometimes you just feel tired,
Feel weak, and when you feel weak, you feel like you wanna just give up.
But you gotta search within you, you gotta find that inner strength
And just pull that s*** out of you and get that motivation to not give up
And not be a quitter, no matter how bad you wanna just fall flat on your face and collapse. 

Current Triumph - My brother has started running! He emailed me and said he would like to do a half marathon together. Hurray! I am so excited! Speaking of my brother, today is his birthday! Happy Birthday Bro!

 

Current TV Show - Parenthood. I am sad to say that I am caught up now. When does the new season start!? I need me some Braverman! And what about Grey's? Do they all die?

Current Wish-List - A tiger tail, an entry in the Boston Marathon, more hours in a day, extra motivation. 

Currently Delaying - Running. But I sure do end up getting a lot of other things done on my to do list when I am procrastinating running! 

Do you have any good crock pot recipes? What website do you use to find races? What's on your current wish list?

In Running News

Happy Labor Day! I hope you get today off and are enjoying it! I have finally gotten some errands done that have been on my To Do list for ages! This weekend I also participated in the Mommy Run Fast Labor Day Virtual 5 and 10 mile race. Laura, of MRF, is a Texas runner, spin teacher and mom who has some great recipes! I especially love, and have made several times, her Garbanzo Brownies and her Apple Oat Cookies. You can find all of her recipes here.

On Saturday, I ran the 10 miler. I did two loops around the lake, which is a little over 3 miles. That, coupled with the 1.5 miles each way from my house to the lake equaled out to a nice round 10. I procrastinated this run and did not do it until about noon, but luckily the day was not too hot. However, the lake was crowded with people, which reminded me that I need to go earlier if that is where my route is. I finished this run with a time of 1:22:45, which is an 8:17 average. After the race, I went to a baseball game and ate nachos and beer. Post race carb loading is the best!

On Sunday, I ran the 5 miler. I went with a friend to the lake, walked around once with her for a warmup, then ran around once and then ran back home to complete 5 miles. I finished in 41:31, which is, you guessed it, an 8:17 average. You can't get much more consistent than that! I did not take any photos either day, which is too bad, because it was beautiful out!

Also, I found out my registration date for Boston. It's September 14th! Here's hoping that there are not already 25,000 people in line ahead of me. You probably already know how they do the registration, but in case you don't, they let people who qualified by 20 minutes or more go first, on the 10th. Then, those who met the standards by 10 minutes or more go on the 12th. Then on the 14th, anyone who met the standards by 5 minutes or more (me!) get a chance. If you qualified by :01 - 4:59, you get to register on the 17th. However, if all the slots are filled by your registration date, you don't get in. So, keep your fingers crossed for me that there were not a lot of really fast people this year.

Last but not least, the winner of the book giveaway is... Steph The Book Worm. Thanks everyone for participating! Steph, email me your address so I can send the book your way!