2015 -YEAR IN REVIEW

2015 was another fun and eventful year in the lives of the Southern Sole Sisters. Filled with much joy and only occasional stumbles. We continue to enrich each other's lives whether it be through encouraging each other through exercise or sharing news of a new sale or opening. In compiling this, I tried to capture key highlights but it is likely I am missing some. Feel free to ping me with a good moments to capture in text and/or photo and I will update this post.

Let's kick off our retrospective with how very wonderful it is to have three new Southern Sole Sisters in our midst. In our tradition, I asked them to share their old lady names. Clairice, Ruth & Edna are all just awesome. It has been a pure pleasure getting to know them and share our morning runs and other workouts. Each has also added their own panache to our non-exercise gatherings. We can’t imagine SSS without them.

RUN, RUN, RUN

****of course that is pretty much our roots and if all else fails, that is what we do. It was a very eventful year in running. After only ever running 5 miles before she met us, Ruth decided to train with us for a half marathon. With Zelda and Rose by her side, she completed the AthHalf. She is already signed up for her 2nd half so we think we have got Ruth hooked.

Ruth 1st HM-AthHalf

****A couple of years ago, a few members of our SSS decided to train and run a marathon. Petunia was on this plan but pregnancy diverted her to another path. (Of course that pregnancy did not stop her from running two half marathons but that another story). This year she started morning runs, from her new home base, with a friend who was set on training and running a marathon. Petunia decide to train and run the Indianapolis Marathon. Her very first marathon and sub 4 hours at that. Stellar Marathon Debut!

Petunia Insta post

**** Half Marathon Anyone? Scarlett took on the Silver Comet Half. Blanche completed her first post baby half in Savannah...woot!  Nell and myself enjoyed earning our turkey at the Thanksgiving Half. Zelda, Scarlett, Hazel and myself toured the lovely course of the Galloway 13.1. Here are  some photos from a few others that members of our group conquered.

Thanksgiving HM

Galloway 13.1 with Mr. Galloway himself

And then there is our annual Seaside Adventure. In 2015, Hazel, Claree, Blanche, Alma, Bea, Petunia, Pearl and myself had an amazing trip and stay and did a little running.

Post Seaside Mug Photo

Great Southern Brunch

WHAT GOES UP MUST COME DOWN?

The few stumbles I referenced were oh too real in that Zelda, Alma and myself all took a tumble (or two in my case) while running. None of them were fun and took awhile to get back to "normal". We missed Zelda at Seaside due to that fall but, it was scary, and we are just glad she is back at it.

GOT JOBS?

Well some Sole Sister's jobs came and some went but, at the time of this writing, we have some changes 'round here. Most notable and beneficial to our squad is Betty's new gig at Burn.

Betty's first Day on the job

Clairice also got a job beneficial to our needs by becoming a Walt Disney World consultant. Making our kids' dreams come true!

Zelda, Petunia and myself all quit our jobs. A little pause to spend some time with our families. Alma also quit her job but to change companies that will provide her with a better work environment and culture.

FUN FAMILY NEWS

Topping our this category is definitely the upcoming new baby boy addition to Bea and her family. So very excited to meet this new son of a Southern Sole Sister.

Petunia joined Bea in living in OTP in a really fabulous new home.

Speaking of new family additions, France, Claree & Zelda all added to their families in the furry variety.

 

AND MANY MORE....
So many fun adventures with you girls, whether it be flying, burning, stellaring, dtoxing or finding new ways to celebrate how young we are. Photos from some of these great times below.  Love ya girls! XOXO Sadie

    

Burning in September

Nell comes to visit from TX-October

Holiday GNO-December

Statue Run-December

Another Mother Running Book Signing-April

Friends that Fly together -

GNOing after Fred Fly - July

Surprise Bday GNO- June

More Surprise Bday GNO

 Claree Bday Run & Cupcakes Of course- March

Birthday Run Tailgating -June

GNO-October

GNO-March

Hazel Bday Run & Cake-September

Hazel's 1st Fly - April

Sole Sister Divas-December

Post Run Alon's & Scarlett Bday-December

Betty Bday Run - August

Big Fish Run- May

Comfort Zone-Outside it

Posting a little early this week as likely not to have computer accessible with the holidays..

Should have written this post months ago since it has been about that long since I took the big leap out of my COMFORT ZONE. Within less than six months of turning 50 years old (midlife crisis, anyone?), I quit my senior executive position of 25 years to become a SAHM. This SAHM role includes the traditional job roles of cooking, cleaning, shopping, kid raising but has the twist of homeschool teacher. It was also at this time, I signed on to be a first time half marathon coach and oh yeah, I might be perimenopausal.  Most of my fellow sole sisters are too young for this life phase but I had no idea the menopause thing has a pre-phase that can last up to two years before and you get to experience foreshadowing of what is to come with the big M.

Well I could go on and on about me and my comfort zone and possibly entertain you with my innate  inabilities and challenges (just ask to see my latest cooking burns) but that is not what this blog site is about. I will short circuit the story to say it was and is the right thing for me and my family and I continue to be ever so happy about my choices.

I want to share the part of this adventure that involves my southern sole sisters(SSS). This concept of comfort zone was not something I knew about or had ever really thought about until I entered outdoor boot camp back in July 2008. This boot camp, of course, is the place where the journey with some of the sole sisters started...In this camp, our instructors constantly talked about and urged us to get outside our comfort zone mentally and physically. At the time, that often mean running harder and faster. This getting out of the comfort zone however, would make you feel like you left nothing in the tank at the end of a workout. I mean this energy wise, you knew you gave it your all not a reference to the nausea and emptying out that other tank. If you kept this up at camp, there were rewards through the accomplishment of being able to run at a faster pace, better your mile time or run faster than a camper that always beat you in sprints.

My life comfort zone had been one that many are familiar with..trying to find balance with job, family, self. And coming to the end of the week and feeling like I was not doing any of it to the very best of my ability and particularly when it came to my children. As the internal discourse threatened to over take me, it was some of my sole sisters , in the course of regular runs,  who noted it, cultivated it, brought it to the surface, listened, listened, then listened some more. Then encouraged perhaps emboldened me to take the leap, jump outside the comfort zone, take a risk. It is quite possible that you, my friends, did not know that you helped me, that you moved me over to the other side but you did. Sometimes speaking things out loud to a sole sister during a run creates an unexpected accountability.Your best running friend might text/email you or worry about you or check in with you ..or ASK YOU ABOUT IT on the next run together. You might have pushed the thoughts to the back burner, as busy people so often do, and just lose yourself in the "get through the day routine".  This caring or even making conversation inquiry from a BRF brings the thoughts out from wherever you buried them and strengthens the voice inside that says "you must do something about this". Best running friends provide food for thought, perspective, examples and role models. Role models, as one of you have many traits, skills, and expertise that I so admire and in many cases, aspire to incorporate into my being and life.

THANK YOU to my southern sole sisters who ran/worked out, coffee'ed, texted, listened, advised, and consoled me during this inner turmoil phase on whether to make a change. You ultimately supported me to get OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE and continue to have my back while I settle into this new zone. Just like the boot camp push out of the comfort zone, this push is bringing rewards to my family and to me.

It seems like 2016 is going to bring (continue to bring) a lot of change for many of us, sole sisters. I hope I will continue to have to the opportunity to support you  as you have supported me. May the changes all be positive and fulfilling for you and your families. 

Sadie

Southern Sole Sisters take on Galloway 13.1

Last weekend, Scarlett, Zelda, Hazel and I took on the Jeff Galloway 13.1. I ran this event last year with Nell and really enjoyed it. This year did not disappoint.

This is only the second year of the event. The "normal pricing" for this half is pretty hefty at $125 but if you register early (like now), your fee is $49.  I am already registered for 2016 and happy to share the code if anyone wants to join.

This half is a point-to-point starting near the Midtown MARTA station and ending in Piedmont Park. Nell scored us an awesome midway parking location which was perfect although also a little pricey when you have to pay the full price ($30). Nell got us in for free last year.

There is an Expo the two days before to pick up your race packet at 200 Peachtree Street, which is a hike into downtown. But they did validate parking for it to only cost $5 and allow you to pick up others numbers. At the expo, besides your number, you got a nifty race bag and a very nice long sleeve V-neck womens cut technical shirt.  The expo had about 20 vendors and talks that you could attend by running legends: Jeff Galloway, Amby Burfoot, etc.

Race Day-we met at 6:15am at Starbucks to carpool. This was probably a little earlier than needed but I was not confident in my abilities to navigate us to the parking garage. Just for the record, it is right near Joe's on Juniper. Hazel was awesome to drive us and provide us entertainment while we passed the time in the parking deck. She popped on Eddie Murphy's Delirious DVD and time flew by with laughter.  It was about 2-3 blocks to the start line with time for porta potty visits.

Next thing, we knew, we were off and running. This is my very favorite Atlanta course.  Water stops were plentiful and two stops along the way with gu.  Course navigation was easy and the Galloway style walkers/runners blended well with the crowd.There were just under 2,000 participants.

At the really lovely finish line in Piedmont Park, they called our name over the microphone. Gave you a need recovery jacket, water, a very large medal and a fitful box of food. Don't get me started on fitful boxes of food which are also provided by the Atlanta Track Club at their events. That rant could fill a whole column. There were coffee and other vendors there as well as a station you could get your medal engraved. We had our photo taken with the one and only Jeff Galloway and then headed about 2-3 blocks to our car. Pretty easy in and easy out.  Our fast and lovely Hazel was 7th in her age group and sub 2!


SCARLETT'S REVIEW:
I loved the race!  I  am so thankful I was able to take part in it (thanks Sadie for the number!).  When I think about whether or not I want to run the race next year,   I think the most difficult thing is the timing.  It is in the middle of the holiday season, so you never know if you have a great party  to attend the night before. Sometimes it is hard to abstain from drinking (at least for me.).  Also, the weather could be challenging. That race would be harder to run in the cold and rain.  The starts aligned for me for the race.  I had a mellow party to attend on Saturday night and the weather was incredible.

The sights that I ran by during the race are picturesque and nostalgic.  There were remnants of fall, as there were still leaves on the trees.  I saw the places I used to hang out when I was single in Virginia Highlands.  The beltline was a wonderful piece of the run.  I enjoyed looking at the art and Atlanta skyline all around.   They have done so much work to Piedmont Park, the dog park, tree plantings, the orchard.  Loved seeing all of this too.  I was able to enjoy music the whole time on the run and my unreliable phone didn't die.  The food after wasn't anything to write home about. I always enjoy the chocolate milk after the Publix race and this was not to be had.  We were only handed a cardboard box of snacks and water. There were some samplings from Sweet Tomatoes and a couple of protein and smoothie companies.  This didn't change my opinion of the run though, as that part isn't as important to me.  It was impressive to see how many older people were running the race and using the Galloway method.  It was very encouraging the me that I could continue running at 65 and beyond!  Praise to Galloway for introducing running to so many people. There was a long line of people who wanted to take a picture with him. I hear that we get one free photo from the race!

The walk back was easy thanks to a great parking deck we found that was close to the start and finish.  So convenient!

Scarlett

That's all for today's blog. Can't wait to figure out what I am going to write about next week.

May the Force Be With You,

Sadie

RUNNING, AGING...maybe I am faster than I appear

Okay so a bit of a fail to my weekly posting plan. Gotta get on the discipline train and have the focus needed to do this consistently (along with many other things. don't get me started on the lack of discipline in my eating regimen or wine restraint). 

Dear Southern Sole Sisters,
It has been 30 days since my last blog post. My head is swimming with them but sitting and writing..that is where the fail happens. So making this one happen and hope it sets a trend. Blogs don't have to be long, my friends, just hopefully interesting. Here is a short one pool side from swim practice...

CHECK OUT THIS RUNNING AGE GRADED CALCULATOR

www.runnersworld.com/pace-calculators/age-grade-calculator

Try it, you will like it. . As explained by Runners World, "Age grading is a way of putting all race participants on a level playing field, regardless of age or gender."

I love running. I keep on running despite slowwwwiing down considerably over the last few years. I partially attribute that to aging and depending on the day, partially attribute to the "L" word...lazy. Just don't feel like pushing myself to breathlessness and have rather enjoyed being able to breath evenly over many miles. It has been so long since I felt decently speedy for a non-elite weekend kind of athlete. I have given up counting my PRs as PRs (I read in a running etiquette piece PRs expire after so many years) and focus on the pure joy that running brings me. Nevertheless there are those moments where I linger on PRs, feel a little sad, grieve maybe, that those days are gone. Then, cue Cher in Moonstruck with an emotional slap across the face ....Snap out of it! 

For those moments when you might be feeling a little slow (or like Nicholas Cage?), pull out this calculator and plop in your stats and voila (or slap)! My age graded recent half marathon time is faster now than 6 years ago.  Don't get me wrong, I'm no Kara Goucher at age 50 but I am faster than a lot of women my age and especially the ones that don't run:)

In search of my blog mojo,
Sadie