Friday, October 23, 2015

Loving/Not Loving: The Friday Five Edition

There's just so much to love lately. 


I am loving the fall weather that we have been blessed with! It has been amazing, with temperatures in the 60s and 70s, and minimal rain. It was super windy earlier this week, but with those winds came the warmth. I didn't love that it was warm for the marathon, but it could have been so much worse. I have to admit that after crossing the finish line, it was nice to be warm. I'm not loving that the Farmer's Almanac is predicting a cold winter for us again. I hope they are wrong, and that this warm trend continues into the winter.


I'm loving not being in training for anything! My runs are easy and relaxed. With no paces to hit, I can take time to smell the roses--well, it's fall, so not the roses, but maybe the leaves? Do you know that smell? When I was a child, we used to rake the leaves. There were no blowers back then. We made leaf houses and leaf piles to jump in. Today the smell of the leaves took me back to those days. I love not having to hit a pace or meet a distance goal. But what I'm not loving is in spite of all my free time, I can't seem to get anything done! My house is still cluttered. My closet is in disarray. Maybe I shouldn't have been blaming my marathon training for all that...


Speaking of the marathon, I'm still loving that my oldest son came to spectate with his girlfriend. And he even put his arm around me for the picture she took of us. He and I have had a tough year or 2. I'm starting to feel like he's coming around. We actually have conversations now. This past week, he baked a pumpkin and used the filling to make pumpkin muffins, which were delish. He also made scones. This is stuff he used to do when he was younger. This really warms my heart. But I'm not loving that he quit his job (he's going back) and that yesterday, he decided he wasn't going to school. No reason, he just didn't feel like it. Sigh. Baby steps, right? He did go to school today... small victory...

Looking vibrant as always!

Yesterday I had lunch with Marcia. I am loving that I have met some really nice, like-minded friends through blogging and Facebook. Marcia is one of the first bloggers that I followed. I have gotten to know her pretty well over the past couple of years and I really enjoy her company. Plus we are supportive of each other, and not at all competitive. Marcia has given me a lot of guidance, especially with running and my blog. At lunch, we talked a lot about blogging and one thing both of us are not loving is the undercurrent of ageism that seems to be pervading the blogosphere. Why do sponsors need to know the age of the blogger? Isn't it enough to be a good runner? A good writer? Gotta love those comments I've heard from people (not on the blog thankfully) after running Chicago about how I did well for "someone your age". Yikes.


I'm loving my new Apple Watch. Do you have one? This was a totally indulgent, "I want it" kind of purchase. I do love my gadgets. I'm still figuring it out. But I can't get enough of Mickey Mouse dancing on my screen. I need a watch with a sweep second hand for work, and you can switch watch faces to one that has that feature. Pretty cool. My patients are really intrigued by it. There's a basic fitness tracker, which I haven't tested out yet. Nike Plus has an app for the watch, and I've been playing with that a little bit. I've never used Nike Plus in the past, but I like the look of the screen and maps. Using it with the watch requires a couple of extra steps, but I'm slowly figuring it out. For now, I'm wearing both my Garmin and my Apple Watch on the run. Stay tuned....I'll be writing more about it as I get comfortable with it. There's nothing not to love here.

What are you loving these days? Not loving? Are you training for anything? Have you met any friends through social media? 

This week's Friday Five Linkup hosted by the DC Trifecta is 5 Things I Love. They are also celebrating their 2nd Linkupversary, so be sure to not only check out all the posts, but congratulate them on hosting a very successful linkup! Plus Courtney at EatPrayRunDC is getting ready to run MCM this weekend, so wish her luck!

86 comments :

  1. It is AWESOME that your son came to your race! I get what a big deal that is. Tell me more about your Apple Watch ... I have a birthday coming up and so far Lock Laces are the only thing on my list.

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    1. I'm going to write a post on the Apple Watch once I figure everything out. That was on my "after the marathon" to do list!

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  2. OH Wendy, this post makes me so happy for you!! Everytime I see that pic of you and your son I get the chills and so hopeful that things are turning around! I have met so many wonderful people as a result of social media, it is really amazing! I hope you are next on the list ;)

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    1. Same here! I would love to meet you! Although I fee like we aready have...

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    2. Ditto to Sue, in every respect, especially the chills.
      I think about his photo often and it always moves me to tears. Been there. It does get better. And better.

      ..."next on the list" as well.

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    3. Both of you are on my must meet list. Ah, geography....

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    4. Agreed, it does feel like we already have ;) xoxo

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  3. My husband just got the Apple Watch and loves it. I still think it's not for me??

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    1. Totally a fun, indulgent kind of thing. Sometimes, you've just got to.

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  4. I LOVED having lunch with you again! Running friends are the best! So is that pic with your son. Priceless!

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  5. Awesome about your son! I think the age thing has to do with the demographic sponsors want to reach.

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    1. We talked about that. Funny thing is, what age group has the most disposable income? Hmmm....

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  6. I would have punched those a holes in the face. Good "for your age"? I'd like to see them try! also, what about Deena Kastor??????

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    1. Haha! I could so take them! But since it really isn't nice to punch people, I have to just nod and acknowledge their half ass backward compliment.

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  7. Definitely loving this weather too! Winter is going to be rough though. Love that your son came to the finish to see you. I'm kind of on the fence for the apple watch-do you like it?

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    1. I do like my Apple watch, but I'm still getting used to it. I'll post on it in a couple of weeks, now that I'm not in training. I'll test it all out...

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  8. What a HaPpY post ;-) Actually, all of your posts make me happy because there's always some of your humor mixed into the text. And I also LOVE the smell of leaves! Growing up, we didn't have any big trees, so I was one of those who would volunteer to rake other peoples' yards. I have since grown (and wised up)...I now rake leaves more because it's a chore that needs done rather a conquest to create a huge pile for jumping. Oh well how's that for perspective, from someone of my age LOL

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    1. I still prefer raking leaves to blowing them--actually my husband doesn't trust me with any yard equipment that has a motor!

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  9. Oh this post makes me smile :) I too love that picture of you and your son. And Marcia seems so awesome! I tire of the rules of blogging. I feel a lot of the same as an over 40, minority female believe it or not.

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    1. I totally believe you...the advertisers are really discriminating. Too bad...

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  10. I also love the flexibility I have when I am not training for something... which is most of the time! Right now I am training for my first race in over a year. It will only be about 8 weeks of training so I think that will be just the perfect amount of time for me to have to follow a plan, and then go back to just doing whatever I want each day.

    I am glad you are making baby steps with your son. That was so heartwarming that he came to spectate at your race! My parents came to watch the 10k I ran last year and it made me feel SO GOOD that they took the time to do that- and they were LOVING it! So my dad just started running like a year ago (he has been a cyclist and life lone athlete, but just now is into running) and has started doing some races. I can't wait to go support him the way he supports me!

    I do not understand the ageist comments. I can only assume those that are making them are too young and ignorant to realize what they are saying. As for sponsors, I do understand that to the degree that certain products want to advertise to a certain demo. That the majority of blog readers are in the same demo as the blogger. BUT we are all runners and fitness enthusiasts, so wouldn't that essentially put us in the same demo right there???

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    1. I love that your dad just started running! It just goes to show you that it is never too late...and he's going to have a blast!

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  11. Midwest running in the fall is the best! What a great fall we are having. Enjoy! (You know what comes next)

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    1. This fall has been amazing. As was last fall, and we all know what followed that...

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  12. I'm also loving this weather and I hope it's no indication that we are having a harsh winter too!

    That's great that your son came to spectate and that he's coming around!

    I also blame marathon training for all the things I can't get done around the house...lol -M

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  13. The Apple watch is on my Christmas list.

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  14. Love this post! Currently I'm NOT loving the crazy weather we've had here this week - 75 degrees one day, 40 degrees the other day. I kind of wish Mother Nature would make up her mind!

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  15. I have been bothered by the agism from blogging sponsors for a while. I'm sure that I have been skipped for campaigns because of my age. It's frustrating. I really don't want to be writing about Poise all the time :-).

    So glad to hear that things with your son are starting to improve. I did, I believe, say that on my first ever comment on your blog way back when, having survived similar troubles myself. It will continue to get better. But it is sometimes like a hilly road. :-)

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    1. I wouldn't want to write about Poise pads all the time either...LOL!!!

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  16. I love the weather right now too. I wish it would stay like this all year.
    Good to hear about your son.

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  17. Wow...someone really said that to you? People sure can suck. So glad to hear about your son coming around some...seems to be in the air as my daughter has turned a bit of a corner too. I too am loving the weather and not training for anything. xoxo

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  18. Ahhh the smell of leaves, I know!! When I was little out my backyard we had several sweet gum trees. Yea the gum balls were a pain especially if you stepped on them barefoot but in the fall I would rake the leaves into lines that represented walls of rooms in my play house. Gosh I would have my house take up the whole back yard! Fun memory! :)

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    1. We had hickory trees and the nuts would always be underfoot. But I loved eating them!

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  19. I am not loving that my Nike+ app does not have Instagram share option on it and no one can figure out why. Gggrrrrrrr.
    I am loving fall weather too. Nice and warm here, even if the days are getting shorter and we are changing our clocks this weekend.

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  20. I am loving the fall weather and I have to say I've loved my lazy post race week this week! :)

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  21. I too am loving not training for anything specific at the moment. My body needed a break. I am happy to hear that your son is coming around at least a little bit! No apple watch for me but they look really great!

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    1. I'll post on the Apple Watch when I get a little more experience with it!

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  22. Weather. Fam. Apple Watches. <3

    I have met a couple of bloggers while here in Chicago, and a couple from when I lived in Texas. YOU'RE NEXT! (And I mean that in the coolest way possible.) :D

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    1. Oh yes! We need to do that! I contacted Susie about a blogger meet up...maybe after the holidays?

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  23. aahhh - I love your son came too - that means a lot, doesn't it?

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  24. I'm so loving fall right now too! The colors are just amazing and beautiful!! Jealous of your apple watch. I would love to get one, but I think I really need a new running watch and saw that they are coming out with new Forerunners so I am thinking of splurging on a new Garmin.

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    1. I'm hoping that my Apple Watch will be my everything. I don't know how it will function in the rain/cold. Review to come...

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  25. Awww, that's so sweet that your son came to spectate! I love the fall weather as well - so cool and beautiful!

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  26. I can't wait to hear what you think of the Apple Watch. Christmas is coming soon! I feel like I've "met" so many wonderful people through the blog and I hope to meet you in person one day, since my other opportunity kinda tanked.

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  27. Eeek! Really on the age comments?!? That's so ridiculous! And irrelevant. I need to find me some Philly bloggers...there is a huge crew in DC that I I found out about when I started blogging after I moved away. And all you Illinois/Chicago folks are not too far from where my parents live, but I don't get back there really often.

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    1. Well, if you do get back here, let me know because I smell a meet up....

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  28. I just wrote about how much I am loving not being in training for anything! It's so laid back after all the structure of following a training plan.

    I haven't met any of my blog friends in person yet. I feel like it will happen one of these days.

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    1. It's really great when it happens! I've met quite a few of my local blogging friends and It's really fun to meet up at races and stuff!

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  29. Oh my! I've never had someone ask me for my age before. Only my stats!

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  30. The ageism thing is weird. Why would they need to know age :( but I love that photo of you with your son and his baking sounds amazing! I don't have an apple watch but I just entered a raffle for one :)

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    1. Oh fun! I haven't seen any giveaways for an Apple Watch! I hope you win!

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    2. It was a give away at work. If you finished a survey, you got entered into the raffle. Definitely a good way to get people to take the survey!

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  31. Sounds like some great things to be loving! I'm with you on the weather; it's been beautiful here! It's starting to get pretty cold, but we haven't had nearly as much rain as we normally do by this time.

    I'm loving the fact that this is my last race weekend of the year and I get to put together a fun strength training program to do through the winter! Since it's my last race my runs have been pretty relaxed anyways, but I'm looking forward to experimenting with new paces and distances through the winter as well.

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    1. I'm excited to follow your training! This is the time to try new things out.

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  32. I would love it if one of my kids baked something pumpkin.... neither of my sons has ever expressed an interest in making anything.... I'm loving your fall pics!

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  33. Blogging and running friends are the best kind of friends! Meeting in real life is one of the best things about blogging. We need to meet :)

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  34. We actually talked about you--we were worried because you haven't been blogging much! I'm so glad to hear from you!!!

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  35. Fall is my favorite time to run and the colors where I am are beautiful right now. I'm envious of your blogging-buddy! I have a hard time making friends, much less running friends, so it is a pretty solitary experience for me outside of social media. There are several people in my area who blog but don't live super-close to get together, nevermind the fact that they are so much faster.

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    1. Oh, you have to let that pace difference go! We are all runners and that's what brings us together. It's great to have friends who think like we do! Plus hanging out with people who are faster or more experienced seems to have a good influence on me at least!

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  36. How awesome that your son came out to cheer your on during the marathon! Even if he doesn't say it much, he definitely loves you, mama!

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    1. It meant the world to me to have him there! And he and his girlfriend had a blast. She even told him they should run the marathon some day!

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  37. I'm loving the fall weather too! I'm not training for anything right now either and it seems a bit weird after my marathon. It is nice, but I feel like I should keep up some sort of schedule. The Apple Watch seems cool but I'm excited about the new Garmins they're releasing in November.

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    1. I'm definitely keeping up a schedule...it's my "off season" schedule...lol. Just keeping up a base. I'll go back to Becky in another week or so.

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  38. What? People want to know how old we are? UGGG, well there is lots to love right now. I get excited too when my kids show an interest or come to see me run or decide to run with, even if I have to wait on them finish :) The Apple watch sounds cool- I just got the Ftibit Charge HR and I am having fun with that! I hope to get back to Chicago so I can go to lunch with you and Marcia!

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    1. Oh that would be awesome!!!!! And then there's Sarasota in March. No pressure or anything... :p

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  39. I am loving not having to get up early on Saturday mornings for long runs. Next month I will start training for RnR NOLA. Believe it or not but I have never officially trained for a half marathon. I did a whole bunch in 2013 and didn't really care about time but just to finish. Now my goal is to finish one under 2 hours.

    As for sponsors, ridiculous that they ask you about age. Not only that but they always seem to cater to those that always have a strong following (Instagram, Twiter, etc) which I understand but in reality some of those "suck". I prefer blogs from average and normal people like you and I. :-)

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    1. I've never "officially" trained for a half either. I usually do my thing, throw in some long runs, and call it training.

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  40. Wow, I thought I was having a tough time getting sponsors but I never even cosidered the age aspect of it. Very interesting. And I look forward to hearing more about your thoughts on the Apple watch!

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    1. I don't think they should ask our age. Certainly, if we have good engagement and a lot of followers, then who cares?

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  41. I am also loving the weather lately! But not the dark mornings. Looking forward to the time change this weekend!
    I love the connection I have made with other runners through blogging. I find that I miss checking in with everyone when I don't get around to blogging for a few days!

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    1. I know, right? I'm doing a couple linkups with posts I already wrote, and I'm missing some blogs today...

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