This was the first really good week I have had since returning from Cuba so I’m giving a big high five to Friday by linking up with Angela from Happy Fit Mama! I kind of don’t want this week to end because next week is going to be a big one. I’ll be taking the week off for my kid’s spring break and to celebrate (wait for it) their 8th birthday! How in the hell is that possible? Let’s try not to think about how quickly time is passing since it’s Friday and we want the next couple days to slow way down.
THE PODCAST
Have you heard about S-Town yet? If not, I’m sure you soon will. The “s” stands for “shit” and the podcast is from the same people who brought you Serial. Yep. I was super excited to read about it in the New York Times but was cautiously optimistic.
Well, I can tell you that after only listening to the first two episodes I am hooked! S-Town, from This American Life is about possibly the most backwoods, white trash location on the map – – Bibb County Alabama – – where a murder of a high school student may or may not have taken place and been covered up by a wealthy family. The “star” of the podcast is one of the most interesting characters you may ever hear. He seems to be part genius, part savior and part nut job. I guess I have to listen to it in it’s entirety to see exactly which he truly is. All of the episodes are currently available so I suggest you hurry up and listen before the spoilers start coming out!
THE BEARS
They are out of hibernation and residing in my neighborhood. I know because a neighborly message was posted on our Facebook page warning everyone there was a black bear among us (once again) and to be aware of dogs and kids.
This photo was taken by a friend who lives just a few miles away. Thanks for the pic Stacey!
Unfortunately for me, I also have to be aware of myself running around and attracting them. My husband literally escorted me in his car from my house down to the main road, horn beeping and laughing the whole way. Better to be safe than sorry, right?
Two things that will do almost nothing if I encounter a bear – – pepper spray and a puppy!
THE NEW GEAR – ROKA RUN WEAR
In case you missed it, ROKA now makes fitness gear and accessories and so far, I’m in love! I now have the Phantom Sunglasses ($275) and Women’s Elite Race Singlet ($55). I’m currently patiently waiting for the Women’s Elite Low Rise Short ($70 shown below) to be restocked so I can check them out too! The short patterns are adorable in the best possible way…
Just what runners need – more amazing gear choices. You’re welcome.
THE ONE POT MEALS
With (hopefully) lots of good weather for everyone on the horizon, who wants to spend more time cooking or cleaning up? I never do so, when I discovered these one pot meals in an article on Greatist, I was hooked! So far, all of the recipes I have whipped up have been delicious crowd-pleasers. My husband even cleaned up after the last one I cooked, in case you needed proof of how easy it is.
53 Healthy One Pot Meals | Greatist
THE QUIET
I am one of those people who needs time utterly and completely alone and quiet. I thrive in silence since a lot of my life exists in chaos. When I don’t get enough quiet, people notice. And by “people” I mean my family. And by “notice” I mean they think something is seriously wrong with me and start offering for me to go somewhere (anywhere) by myself.
I think that’s why one of my friend’s sent this link to me…but I could be wrong.
The Busier You Are, The More You Need Quiet Time | Harvard Business Review
Now I’m not saying I’m so busy and over scheduled because everyone is, or thinks they are, and it’s become trendy to be “busy” doing nothing. I have, in fact, made some decisions lately to push my life forcefully in the direction of less busy and less scheduled. It’s slow going but I’m working on it.
Which is actually the perfect segue into bidding you adieu until April 17th! Have a great week everyone…
[Tweet “High 5 #Friday with #quiet time, @rokasports for #runners and #stownpodcast”]
What are you high 5-ing today?
Have you heard about S-Town?
Do you need quiet time?
I think I found my next podcast for when I’m aimlessly treading water calling it pool running! The first episode of Serial had me hooked. The second? Not so much. This sounds like it would be a hooker…haha…you know what I mean! 🙂 Have a great weekend and week! Time needs to slow down. My kids are almost 7! What the what?!!?
“A hooker!” Yep, I know what you mean and it is. Happy pool “running!”
I had to take a mini nap yesterday. I just had to. I had studied, I had worked on my blog post, and I just needed to cuddle my freaking smelly puppy and take a mini nap. It was so delightful. I need to start S Town. Everyone is going on about it!
Good luck next week…
Almost everyday I wake up and think I will take a nap in the afternoon and it never happens!! One of these days…
It’s really good and I would be interested to hear what you think about S-Town.
Thank you!!
Sometimes I feel as though I overschedule myself as well. It sounds like you had an incredible week and I couldn’t be happier for you (and jealous, yes).
It was a GREAT week and next week they are saying the temps will rise and we will finally see the SUN!! Yeah!!! I hope you have a race scheduled in some sunshine soon my friend
Love that you made mention of the article! Enjoy your “break” next week. Wish you were going to Vegas :(. The next conference in October is in Monterey instead of Napa this time, mark your calendar!
I loved the article so thank you so much for sending it…of course I love everything you send me!
Next week will be challenging in a lot of ways – as you know – LOL!!
October is so crazy busy. I need to get the dates of that conference from YOU since you know who hasn’t even mentioned it yet. *sigh*
Silence is golden is actually a thing!!! I never thought I’d crave but having two boy toddlers I cannot wait to just in the quiet, lol! Can’t imagine the chaos as they get older
Yes, the chaos of boys only gets worse – sorry. Sometimes I drive in my car in complete silence and it just makes me so happy
Have a great weekend…
My husband is obsessed with bears, but they would terrify me if they were just walking around the neighborhood! One poked outside our tent once at Rainier and that was too close for me. Be safe with those bears! Enjoy your week and weekend!!
I’m terrified of them and so is my husband, who is afraid of nothing, which just makes me MORE terrified!! I have yet to see the neighborhood bear but I’m seriously like the only one!!…I want to keep it that way.
Have a great (bear free) weekend!
See, I’d probably get overwhelmingly busy making plans and rearranging my life to make it less busy, and I’d never actually get to the end result–I’d get busier trying to get less busy.
I need someone to put me in a time-out. Can I get spanks too?
You definitely need a time out woman! And seriously why is it so hard to be less busy? I’m trying my butt off to just stop already! Perhaps a spanking is in order
Look out for those bears! I always fear coming across one on my run! Love that Roka now makes running wear! Definitely going to have to take a look! And S-town sounds like a must listen. Big hugs to you Allie!
You know I was never so terrified of wildlife as I was when I spent two months in New Hampshire!! Be careful out there my friend. And yes, the ROKA gear is so great for us triathlete/runner cross over people
HUGS!!!
Oh wow, bears!! That is definitely something that will keep you “on your toes”!! I am just so happy I finally have a chance to sit down and read one of your blog posts-life as a teacher and mom to an almost 16 year old daughter, has kept me busy lately!! I would love to “turn back the clock” about 8 years on my own daughter. Some days, I am just like-“gulp, how did time pass so quickly?! As for quiet time- I crave it, being surrounded by chatty fourth graders all day! My running time is my quiet time! Enjoy spring break with your boys:)
YES running (and swimming and cycling) is my quiet time as well and I cannot imagine being surrounded by 4th graders all day. Bless you woman!! And thank you for making me feel better about 8. Eight is a lot better then 16!! Yikes! xoxo
When my husband and I were dating, my 12-week old puppy spotted a bear in the distance, totally saving us from a nasty encounter. It was right on the trail and we would have had no other reason to look that far ahead. It still freaks me out to think about it!
oh.my.God!!! Maybe my puppy WILL save me! Thanks for this and so glad you managed to avoid the bear that day!!
I have heard about S-Town from multiple friends this week, so now I must start listening! As soon as I finish the book I’m listening to (America’s First Daughter, which is excellent). One of the great things about a young dog is she needs her walks, which means plenty of listening time for me! Enjoy your spring break, Allie.
My husband just started listening to S-Town this week and was telling me about it this afternoon! I rarely have time to get into podcasts… my runs are without any entertainment and I do little driving these days without kids but I’m curious about.
Yikes, stay safe with those black bears! Oh- and I am so with you on needing silence and lots of it. It brings me back to my happy place.
OMG. That bear is HUGE! Please be careful. I’ve heard many good things about S-Town. I have a 5.5 hour flight on Tuesday, so I think I’ll download some episodes to keep me occupied. 🙂
Don’t worry – I’m being extra careful! Hope you were able to listen on your flight…and I hope you were going somewhere fun and warm!!