Don't tell me this isn't G-d's Cathedral

Late to post this week. My self set standard is to post  Thursdays unless you all pre-empt me..which is most welcome. However, there was a twofer last week thus cutting myself a little slack:). My head is swimming with blog post ideas and I really have to focus in on what may be of interest to others versus my own folly. Well this week I got something stuck on replay that may fall in the folly category . However, I decided I am going there.  Perhaps just to memorialize and stop the record from skipping in my mind (yes, that reference may totally fly over the head of some of our younger sisters..vinyl records?!), OR maybe because this thought line is powerful/empowering to me or possibly meaningful to you. If it is none of the above, it will be a sure siren for one of you to prepare a blog and save yourselves from my future follies.

Folly, here we come....

In Boot Camp Year One (where the sole sister journey began), I was in my early 40s, had not worked out for pretty much 5 years and was struggling. Thinking about my age made me feel old amongst the younger aged folks that were present in boot camp. I experienced lots of aches, pains and injuries (so many it seems like I should say it again... lots of aches, pains and injuries)  with a deep rooted fear that I would terribly injure myself. I was having trouble differentiating from just the pain of exercise versus something really wrong with me.

Do I have a stress fracture? Go to podiatrist. Do I have a hip fracture? see orthopedist. Have I done something terrible to my knee? see orthopedist. Twisted ankle? See podiatrist. Broken wrist from a fall? Nope deep bone bruise, see orthopedist. There's more but I'll stop right there, you get the point.

That fear was further compounded within my healthcare administrator role heavy on sports medicine & orthopedics, I was present for a regular infusion of  medical continuing education which explained injuries, the surgery/intervention, and recovery. Example: Lecture on the latest hamstring repair surgery.  Guess which type of humans were most likely to suffer hamstring rupture? Yes, you guessed it 30-50 year old females doing athletics! We would do the Chariots of Fire bootcamp work out and  I was convinced that intense 48 hour muscle pain was my call for a surgery where in the recovery you are not allowed to sit down to go to the bathroom for 12 weeks. Can you imagine? An active analyzing brain is not always a good thing.

Anyway starting to question was I too old to exercise? I loved how I felt working out and the energy and uplift that occurred during working out and through the day. But these aches, was I supposed to be working out this hard? this regularly?....THEN cue the angelic music, I was watching ABC News and happened to see the Person of the Week segment. Here I learned about the Iron Nun.  As a nice Jewish girl, it is interesting to think that in both my athletic world and my professional world, I have been profoundly influenced by nuns. Professionally Sister Irene Krause helped me on the course to push forward with the hard parts of my job in healthcare. And now, here in 2009, was my athletic inspiration in Sister Madonna Buder. She started at the age of 47 and is currently the record holder as the oldest person to finish an Iron Man. Here is the actual TV segment. It's just a few minutes, please watch, she is so great.

Sister Buder showed me that I am not too old to exercise the way I want to and in fact, I have many many, more years to go. I love the thought of the priest who suggested Sister Madonna  run for "spiritual enrichment", and I entitled this post after my favorite thing she said, "Don't tell me this isn't G-d's cathedral".  There have been so many moments of gratitude, clarity and enlightenment for me during runs, I believe I have a hint of the references of the priest and Sister Madonna. Hope that transmitted to my Rabbi when I ran past him walking to synagogue on a recent Saturday morning.

For those moments, when I say what the heck am I doing as a 50 year old training for my umpteenth half marathon or some other sort of crazy, I just reflect on my touchstone of the Iron Nun and know I could not possibly give up what I gain spiritually as well as health wise in the form of a run or a swim or a spin. Sister Buder is one of my inspirations to keep on running into my 80s.

If you read this and watch the video, thanks for enduring my folly. When I first typed the word in this piece, I double checked my use of this word looking at the definition below. Ha! I don't know if I appreciated all the contexts of folly but I think they all sort of meet me where I am at.

Nuns...hmmmm, They give me a lot to think about.

Full of Folly,

Sadie

fol·ly

[ˈfälē]

NOUN

1. lack of good sense; foolishness:

   "an act of sheer folly"

   • a foolish act, idea, or practice:
     "the follies of youth"
     synonyms: foolishness · foolhardiness · stupidity · idiocy ·

     [more]

     lunacy · madness · rashness · recklessness · imprudence · injudiciousness · irresponsibility · thoughtlessness · indiscretion · craziness
     antonyms: wisdom
2. a costly ornamental building with no practical purpose, especially a tower or mock-Gothic ruin built in a large garden or park.
3. a theatrical revue, typically with glamorous female performers:

   "the Ziegfeld Follies"

ORIGIN

Middle English: from Old French folie ‘madness,’ in modern French also ‘delight, favorite dwelling’ (compare with sense 2), from fol ‘fool, foolish.’

Powered by Oxford Dictionaries · © Oxford University Press

Fashion Confession & Question Volley

My Fellow Sole Sisters,

When I was querying each of you for best 2015 books and it gave me a chance to reach out to our Texas based runner gal, Nell.  She sent me an email with the subject line: “Confession & Question” which started a clothing dialog. We concluded this would make a great back and forth with the collective so I submit Nell's starter email and a little bit of our volley and asked you to weigh in on this most important matter. This blog represents the amazing collective knowledge synergy of the Southern Sole Sisters.

NELL writes:

So, Pandora advertises Fabletics constantly to me.  I’m usually like whatever but there is now a really cute pair of running pants that are mostly black but have fun bright designs on the lower part of the leg so I’m intrigued.

But going to the website, you have to join and that looks like something else I have to sign up and manage in my life?  Yeah, no thanks.

Just curious… I don’t know of anyone that buys it so it got me thinking to ask you? 

I’ve also boycotting Athleta as their stuff doesn’t hold up AT ALL.  I’m becoming more and more in love with Lululemon.  I prefer to try to buy stuff at the outlet but the stuff I have holds up so well, I’ve succumbed to their awful prices.  My  husband will buy me stuff there but he gets so mad at their unfriendly snobbiness! 

SADIE writes:

You know I belong to this amazing Facebook page called Buckhead/Referrals and Advice and people post all kinds of questions and get feedback. I know I saw something about this and copied it below. (Sisters – ill send you that feedback if you want to see it).  I do buy from Athleta for clothes but I don’t really buy their work out stuff. I really like workout clothes that hold up and are functional and inexpensive over fashionable. So I often shop sales at Dicks or on Roadrunner. For my Bottom half though I pretty much am addicted to compressions so I buy pricey CWX on sale but it lasts for many years so I probably spend less over all. My new favorite for workouts-cycling, yoga, stellar bodies, etc is MPG. I went to Westride and could not believe a pair of capris was $54 and the store owner told me they are well made and relatively (compared to all else) inexpensive. So now I have two pairs of their capris and they are my favorites.    This would be a fun topic if you want me to expand and get more feedback. Alot of our tribe are Lulu devotees and they might be able to tell you their tricks for sales, etc.

NELL writes:

Yeah, those replies are in line with what I expected.  I don’t want to join anything. Sometimes its worth over paying if you only have to buy one and love it!

 Sure.  Could be fun to see everyones fav?  Mine is definitely lululemon which really conflicts with my cheap side.

So NELL AND I want y’all to weigh in with your work out wear favs, is it all about the Lulu for you or do you have other guidance? HAZEL and ZELDA were just discussing this at coffee yesterday.

CLAIREE:

I LOVE Lululemon, but I don't love their price point.  I usually try to hit the sale rack, or order online. However, I got "schooled" if you will when my teenager wanted a pair of their tights and I refused to pay $125 for the pair she wanted.  We spoke to the salesperson and she was very nice and informed us of a few things.  Some I knew, some I didn't.  She said that most of their running and cycling gear is made from medical grade compression fabric that is meant to circulate blood flow more efficiently and thus help you perform better.  They also stand behind any product for 5 years, so if you experience a hole, pilling, anything fundamentally wrong with the fabric, they will make it right.  She also mentioned that the sizing runs very small, and that you generally need to buy a size bigger than you wear in clothing.
Lululemon aside, I have had wonderful luck, and very close to the same level of quality from tights and sports bras that I've purchased from marshalls and old navy for $12.99 and up.  Fun designs on plain and fleece lined tights that are super comfy and hold up well.  They don't have the cute Lululemon head or the Nike swoosh, but they work all the same.  A pair of tights that I get compliments on every time I wear them cost $16.99 at marshalls- it's the MPG brand I believe.  Love Nike as well, but again, I try to catch the sales- found my last Nike stuff at Dillard's.  Nordstrom rack has a great selection, also.  

BETTY:

I love Lululemon too :) another brand for tights is onzie. I have them in Capri's and long tights, price point is around $60 at Nordstrom, they have some really cool patterns which I love!!   They don't have the compression of some of the other tights but are perfect for yoga and I wear them to fast twitch. One of my friends always has the cutest tights and everytime I ask her they are Nike :) 

Hope everyone has a great day!!

BLANCHE:

I'm pretty loyal to Nike in the tights & Capri categories. I love the way their "Nike running" line fits.  For tops, layers, etc. I'm all over the board mainly using UA, Nike, and some Brooks. No matter what I buy, it's always on sale at Sports Authority (unless it's Lulu than it's neither of the before statements)!

PETUNIA:

I'm all about lulu for the fit  (not the price) and it lasts. I haven't had anything fall apart on me. I will also get random pieces off the sale rack at marshals or sports authority but I ways find myself disappointed with the lack of pockets and features so end up back at lulu. 

seems like Tory joined the athletic apparel market - for you research.  http://www.torysport.com/shop-by-sport/running/?icampid=hp_sbs_run

HAZEL

I like certain brands for different things, so I thought I’d break it down by piece.  Here it is:

 BOTTOMS:

Long Tights:

            *Lightweight:  Lulu 

            *Fleece-lined: Nike & Reebok

Capri Tights:

            *Running:  Nike

            *Cycling (no padding) - Lulu

            *Yoga: Lulu, Onzie, Teeki, Nux

Shorts:

            *Running:  Athleta, Lulu

TOPS:

Tanks:

            *Running: Lulu

            *Cycling:  Lulu or any thin cotton tank (Mossimo, Flywheel, Chaser)

            *Yoga: Lulu

Long Sleeves:

            *Running:  Lulu, Nike

Long Sleeve Fleece:

            *Running: Lulu, Nike

             *love Nike 3/4 zip or hoodie with front pocket sweat shirts

Down Vest:

            *Running:  Lulu makes the best vest and down options 

Hat:  Mizuno & Lulu

Gloves:  Mizuno 

Socks:  Feetures & Smart Wool (winter)

Bra:

            *Running: Nike

            *Cylce: Nike & Athleta*

            *Yoga: Onzie & Athleta* 

*I use to be a big Athleta fan, but definitely think the quality has gone down since being purchased by Gap. Still purchase for casual summer clothes.    

I hope this is helpful.

Can’t wait to run, cycle or yoga with all of you in your best fashions!

One more note about Onzie. In my opinion, they are definitely constructed and marketed as a studio (yoga, stellar, spin, fast twitch...) tight, rather than a running tight. They do not have the support or compression found in running tight, thus they may end up around your knees😳. 

ZELDA:

Thought I would add to some of what Hazel said (see purple below). 

 I think Lulu has the best features relative to pockets, detailing, etc. I have found their quality has gone down but in general, I still find most of their stuff to be good quality and worth the price - mostly for the features and because it's so damn cute and doesn't look like just workout wear.

 I am a big fan of Athleta and haven't experienced any changes in quality. I think Athleta is a more affordable option than Lulu but they are still expensive. 

 Fleece-lined tights are the best! My favorites are from Lulu from several years ago as well as some newer ones from Athleta.

 No one has mentioned Title Nine yet and they have great running (and other types) of gear. They sell lots of different great brands like Oiselle and Moving Comfort.

 I also agree with Clairee and Sadie on MPG - my new favorite, affordable brand.

Shorts:

            *Running:  Athleta, Lulu - NorthFace makes some of my favorites - light weight and do not ride up.

Skirts: Favorites are all from Athleta or Title Nine. Skirt Sports also has a lot of cute running skirts that come in different lengths. I don't personally own any but I know some in our group do.

Gloves:  Mizuno (Best gloves ever!- http://www.amazon.com/Mizuno-Running-Breath-Thermo-Glove/dp/B00DVFMXXS)

Socks:  Feetures & Smart Wool (winter) I like Experia for both. They have wool for winter.

Bra:

            *Running: Nike, Moving Comfort

            *Cylce: Nike & Athleta*

            *Yoga: Onzie & Athleta

FRANCES:

-          I feel like such a loser as I don’t have one stich of lulu clothing.  All our lulu $s are used up by  my husband and daughter (she’s an Ivivva fanatic).  I think I was put off by the sizing when they first started out and I had to buy a super large size.  If you make be buy a large size, I won’t buy your clothing.

-          I really like the athleta tights.  Only had one issue but they policy is so great it was no problem to return.

-          Used to love my Nike capris until I was hiking in them in CO and split a seam in a very revealing area.  Not cool.

-          Def going to try Onzie and MPG based upon the below.

-          I know you all think I only own like 3 tops.  I really have a bunch but my favorite one that I ALWAYS wear is only $8-$10.  Mari used them for her bootcamp instructors and for whatever reason I love them. Brand is Next Level and you’ll see that a number of boutique gyms use that brand for their logo shirts.   http://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Tank-Top-Burnout-Racerback/dp/B00OWJCC3S/ref=pd_sim_193_3?ie=UTF8&dpID=51QCcrRssLL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL200_SR160%2C200_&refRID=08F8072EVPY22KJXMZ0T.  Cotton, thin, long and they don’t cling.

RUTH:

I trust you all more than the internet but came across this post when searching for some much needed fleece-lined tights. Interesting that UA came in #1 with a $38 tight.

https://www.rankandstyle.com/top-10-list/best-winter-running-tights-2014/

SUCH GREAT STUFF SOLE SISTERS!!! If you have more to add or did not yet get a chance to comment, just reply to original email and I'll update the blog.

Blogging Away,

Sadie

Read Any Good Books Lately?

There are a few regular check in topics when we see each other and this is one of them. Queried y'all for your best read in 2015 and here are the results:

Alma - The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman

Bea - The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Betty - The Bible

Clairee- The Gift of an Ordinary Day by Katrina Kenison

Clairice-The Girl on A Train by Paula Hawkins

Edna- Love Does by Bob Goff

Frances-We were Liars By E. Lockhart

Hazel-The Girl on A Train by Paula Hawkins

Nell - Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff

Pearl - Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Petunia -Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

Ruth - Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Sadie - The Clasp by Sloane Crosley

Scarlett - The Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

Zelda - The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
My intention was to get a list of 16 books but...I got a little something extra which I put below. For some of us, this was not our best reading year or reading anything beyond what a two year old likes to read but nevertheless if your plan is to read more in 2016 what a lovely list to work from...here's the something extra...

Alma 

I will say there were several suspenseful books that I could NOT put down and had to finish in 2015.  I am pretty sure I passed them to everyone so you know what they are.  (Girl on a Train, Luckiest Girl Alive, plus another I can't think of).  I liked these books because you literally could NOT put them down and had to finish them.  I can't say that I LOVED  the main women characters in these suspense novels.  This is mainly for Girl on a Train and the other one I can't think of.  I wanted to slap these women for being so weak, but I had to read it! 

Another suspenseful read with no ending and isn't even a book has to be mentioned in the blog...Seriel :)! 

I loved Alice Hoffman's The Dovekeepers.  It is a very hard read at first because it is so slow and it is very long.  Once you get into it, you fall in love with these incredibly strong women (the complete opposite of the women in the suspense novels).  It is a book about an actual event in history, but the tale is fiction.  Here is a link to a synopsis  http://alicehoffman.com/books/the-dovekeepers/synopsis/.  These women were amazing.  What can I say, women rule the world.  Then and now.  Men just think they do, but they have no idea we are holding the strings and can out survive them in even the toughest of situations!  It is one of those books that you remember where you were when you read the end.  That is how much I loved it and the ending :)!  Or maybe I remember because I was sitting in a beach chair on  the beach in Destin with the sand in my toes when I finished it!  Either way!

Honorable mentions are Orphan Train and The Book Thief.  I can't remember if I read these in 2015 or maybe in 2014.  Just had them on the mind cause I saw both yesterday when I was in Barnes and Noble. 

Clairee
For kind of a no-brainer read, and if you are a fan of the Bridget Jones series, Mad About the Boy was great.  Finally, for a very cool look into Hollywood, I read Johnny Carson's Biography. 

Pearl
I read all the kids books. I need to join an adult book club to get me to read books for me. The kids' books are great too. My favorite kids/young adult books this year are:
Smile by Raina Telgemeier
I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Ruth
or The Lost Wife by Alyson Richmam

Scarlett

Non Fiction: The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer.  It sounds morbid, but I really enjoyed reading about this “layman’s version” of cancer and how it works. The book covers when cancer was first discovered, how it has been treated over the years, early theories about it, and how far we have come from since then.  There are a lot of stories that are referenced about people who have helped combat this horrible disease.  Pulitzer Prize winner.   Very well written.

Biography: Yes, Please: Amy Poehler’s book about  her life is funny, vulnerable and easy to read.  

Classic: The Count of Monte Cristo, what a great story!  Full of adventure, love, heroics.  A great book to pick up if you are looking for a wild ride. 

Fiction: The Rules of Civility:  Takes place in New York City in the 20’s.  A tale of 2 girls and their lives during that time.  Loved reading about what life was like during that period. 

Yours in the Blogosphere,
Sadie

What to Wear

It looks like it is here in Georgia.... cold weather. Although I have run for many a cold weather season, every year it is like starting anew in figuring out what to wear. Is it cold enough for gloves, a second layer of pants, how many shirts, etc, etc, etc?

Sharing this helpful chart I found posted on facebook:

Even better, check out this What -to-Wear customizable calculator doohickey (can't think of what to call it) from Runners World online. You put in your conditions and it suggests what you should wear.

http://www.runnersworld.com/what-to-wear?

Here are a couple of my favorite cold weather running wear go tos.  Maybe you will share yours in the Comments?

• Jacket/sweatshirt with a hood. Inevitably you warm up, and you just push down the hood. No hat to tuck in a pocket or carry.
• Smart wool socks rule for warmth and no blisters.

This past Saturday, I was reminded of last year's gotta-have-cold weather-apparel item as I was running behind, as usual, Hazel who was in her Hot Cheeks.

As described by Lululemon - When the temperatures drop we like to keep ourselves warm - everywhere. We designed these down-filled shorts to throw over our running tights so the only cheeks that get rosy on cold weather runs are the ones on our face.

Sadly I don't think Lulu is offering these short this year. Looking forward to the latest gotta-have cold weather running gear for this season.


LATE BREAKING FIND: Skirt Sports Ice Queen Ultra Skirt

Text from the Sales Site:

With enough features to keep even royalty happy, the Ice Queen Ultra Skirt will bring you warmth in the coldest of temperatures.  Windproof and water-resistant panels in the Skirt and leggings (through the knees) block the cold, arctic air. Two pockets on the leggings and one on the Skirt hold all your necessities.  Reflective, zippered gussets on the leggings accommodate different types of shoes for all types of winter play.  ADDED BONUS: The leggings contain a hidden drawcord to cinch to a fashionable, customizable inseam length. Yes, designed for both the shorties and the long legs!

Run cold but run strong,

Sadie