Guess what? We all survived Halloween week and made it to another Friday. Congratulations. Seriously. I don’t know about you but I feel like I deserve a medal for making it to the end of this week with everything I have going on. And yes, “everything I have going on” exists only as stress in a third world country, but this is where I live and deal with them. How do I do it? By writing and reading, naturally.
Shamelessly, several of the must reads on this list are written by me. I’ve been busy and, if I don’t self promote, how will I get hate comments?
Here is what I thought was worthy of your time and eyeball strain this past week:
Bullet Journaling: What the hell is it and why should I care?
Ok, so that is what I would have titled it if I didn’t write it for Women’s Running but, I have to be somewhat professional when I’m not in this space. Adulting is hard.
If you have read, seen and heard all about this phenomenon called “bullet journaling” but are confused AF about what it is and why it’s so popular then this article is a must read.
The Awesomeness of Sheri Piers
Also not the title of the piece I wrote but it sums it up nicely. I already wrote about the wonder that is masters elite runner Sheri Piers in this space but I wanted to share her realness with the world since, there is so little pure honesty these days.
Obviously the sensational tag of the article is how Piers eats candy daily (Skittles, Necco wafers and gummy bears among her favorites) but a hater reader was quick to point out an important fact on Facebook. I referred to her eating habits and elite running status being an “anomaly:”
Dr. Karp then friended me so I forgive him. That and he has a valid point. However, how do we know what Piers may have done if her diet was more inline with what similar athletes of her caliber ate? I guess the point is that it doesn’t matter and not to let other “experts” influence how you eat if your fuel works for you. Obviously candy and orange soda are amazing for Piers. I totally wish cheese and bread would propel me to a 19 minute mile swim.
How Much Suffering Can You Take?
I did not write this one and no, it’s not about parenting.
Randal C. Archibold wrote it for the nytimes.com and here is a hint to the subject matter:
“The sores from chafing are so bad you will think nothing of tugging open your shorts and squirting in ointment in full view of strangers. There is no modesty here; they seem to understand.
Actually, no. They don’t really understand. They are not competing in this race. And nobody not competing in this race understands.”
It’s one of the most equally grueling and fascinating things I have read about sports and athletes. These masochists partake in what equates to seven ironman races – – 703 miles of swimming, biking and running – – over five days.
And, that isn’t even the worst part!
The worst part is that all the legs are done in confined loops (30 laps in a section of the lake, 101 laps of a more-than-five-mile course for the bike and 75 laps of a nearly two-mile course for the run) at Lake Anna State Park, earning the course the moniker “the squirrel cage.”
Shanda Hill being massaged by her father during the third day of the race. Hill took up ultratriathlons after she was hit by a car, ending her BMX racing career. Source: nytimes.com
Oh.dear.God.just.no.
I Told My Kids I Ate All Their Halloween Candy
I will leave you with a laugh because I feel like we need one after that last article.
Although this is apparently the sixth time Jimmy Kimmel has done this, it was my first time seeing it. I was crying and laughing and then really laughing. It’s cruel but, why have kids if you can’t mess with them once and a while…
Happy Friday everyone! See you on Monday when The Rundown gets VITA ready for Vegas baby!
Read anything good this week?
Did you watch the video? Do you want to do that to your kids next year?
I loved your article about Sheri. She’s our BFF after all! Bullet Journal – I looked it up on how to start one and I immediately stopped because it looked like too much work. Who has time for that tedious stuff?!?! And that tri from hell? NO THANK YOU!!! High 5 we made it to the weekend!!!!
The funny thing is that the guy who is credited with started the bullet journal is doing it on such an easy and basic level. Apparently when the universe got a hold of it is when it went off the rails. Go figure.
Amen to Friday!!!!
Thank you for sharing. I always enjoy reading your posts because they are raw, honest and funny.
Best compliment always!!! Thanks for all your support Hollie. It’s so appreciated.
I loveed your article on Sheri! And that would have been a perfect title for the bullet journal article. They’ve sort ot struck me as a frivolous use of time when you could be actually getting things done, but to each their own. Your conclusion on the bullet journal article was great! I watch the Jimmy Kimmel Halloween candy thing each year. It never disappoints. Have a wonderful weekend, Allie!
Thanks Laura!
The thing is that I think the bullet journal isn’t supposed to be so complicated and time consuming but that is what it has morphed into. I couldn’t agree more with your comment. It’s ironic.
omg fueling is SO TOUGH! I wish there was one solution for everyone because figuring it out is annoying!! I thought I was all good on gu’s and gels and then you guys introduced me to dried fruit and boom no more tummy pain!! I’ve heard swedish fish are awesome and when I started the mini snickers would work for me too. haha
I’ve seen this Jimmy skit and it’s awesome. Kids are legit devastated. Good thing they don’t have any access to deadly weapons 🙂
I know!! Running is supposed to be “so simple” but the details are extremely complicated!!
GOOD LUCK ON SUNDAY!!!!
Thank you for the list, will be sure to look at the articles.
The Squirrel case race sounds way intense! I got sore just from reading about it.
Those videos of the “I ate your Halloween candy!” they are so funny!! I think my kid would run away crying and tell me I am not his Mom.
Right? It’s the worst race ever!! 🙂
And my kids would have probably tried to hit me like a few of them did on the video. Hilarious but so sad…but hilarious.
HA ha ha ha I’ve seen those videos before. They’re hilarious! I love the nutrition info on elites because it enables me to keep eating like crap.
I actually thought of you and your “diet” when Sheri was telling me about hers 🙂 You are both such rockstars that people will now start eating cinnamon donuts and skittles just to run the way you do!!
Bullet Journaling is just over my head. I am more of a ‘traditional’ calendaring/planner person.
Also I used to love those Candy videos – I get that it is supposed to be funny, but it just seems very mean to get a couple laughs and national exposure.
Agreed about the bullet journaling. I’m definitely all about the technology!
When I first started watching the video I thought the same thing – that it was just so mean. I think the AGE matters a lot because older kids will remember it’s a joke but the little ones don’t have that capacity yet. I definitely wouldn’t do it to my kids!! And I love how the kid at the end is totally onto his mom 🙂
I’m always glad when you link you articles here because I don’t want to miss them! Keep the self-promotion going, please. 🙂
Have a great weekend!
Awww, thanks so much Laura.
All the love and luck to you on Sunday. I will be cheering you on from here!!!!
Great reading! My first thought when I read about bullet journaling was HELL NO. my second thought was maybe I’ll consider it like never. My third thought was I probably really need this in my life. Fourth thought: I should give a shit but don’t. Lol. I like my old fashioned chicken scratch writing bullet lists in my planner. And my Google calendar. Everything I do is in my Google calendar so why fix what ain’t broken?
Oh my gosh the crazy masochistic crazies out there never cease to blow my mind. I’ve suffered a 60 mile ride with a giant cyst and that was terrible enough. Can’t imagine doing that over and over for days straight. WTF ouch. That’s a new level of pain. I guess once I see blood and puss I’m tapping out in the near future. At least usually lol.