tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28538469445989689952024-02-20T07:56:07.413-05:00Run BrightlyReflections on running, writing, and living ultra!Sera Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120417461447755328noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853846944598968995.post-63431437021949745312021-08-16T11:52:00.003-05:002021-08-16T11:52:23.505-05:00Marathon Music Motivation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8wzdhmV_PKhPtsf_XAdlLAhvMTHRP-cYxOL1-oMc6Dq-rN89JdtidfGOc2f_DFPC_Yo7A5Hp30U0905nAd7h-QNBw9AQrVjFV5LRVT3wAegO4Xz3gz0zhvfa1iDKx_Ksiw4LE8MVYEH_/s2048/IMG_2549.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8wzdhmV_PKhPtsf_XAdlLAhvMTHRP-cYxOL1-oMc6Dq-rN89JdtidfGOc2f_DFPC_Yo7A5Hp30U0905nAd7h-QNBw9AQrVjFV5LRVT3wAegO4Xz3gz0zhvfa1iDKx_Ksiw4LE8MVYEH_/s320/IMG_2549.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Last weekend, Mike and I completed our longest training run—a whopping 20 miles! No matter how much I train, I'm always anxious about the 20-miler run because it truly informs how I'll do on marathon day. This year, especially, had me very nervous. With the pandemic and working remotely, we haven't been nearly as mobile as we used to, and with our hectic work schedules, we haven't been hitting every training run. And let's not forget my various injuries that have slowed down my training. No wonder I barely slept the night before our 20-miler! To make matters worse, I was nauseous at the start. </div></span></div><div><br /></div><div>I told myself: "Sera, you just need to get the miles in. Fast, slow, walking, crawling...20 miles is 20 miles!" </div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTnsieVeIDX-cpIM_qdHk9-BOIeCpaIETDpu3iz4B6U-ti5UQ1RachpdM0Tar1URR0OimD8GAfP-lfXVuyrmZ4GGwimi8slEyjaw0mD7owbyIjN2WRZ8xhsS3Yi_KLQrt7MpUJ0syAdswP/s2048/IMG_2543.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTnsieVeIDX-cpIM_qdHk9-BOIeCpaIETDpu3iz4B6U-ti5UQ1RachpdM0Tar1URR0OimD8GAfP-lfXVuyrmZ4GGwimi8slEyjaw0mD7owbyIjN2WRZ8xhsS3Yi_KLQrt7MpUJ0syAdswP/s320/IMG_2543.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Acting silly at mile 15! Love that my <br />IllumiNITE <a href="https://illuminite.com/search?q=pony" target="_blank">Ponyband Headband</a> helps secure my AirPod!</span></td></tr></tbody></table>I also told myself I just had to get to the halfway mark because once I hit ten miles, I had no option but to get back to my car. This is why I LOVE running long miles on a bike path. It's mindless: out and back with minimal road crossings. Isn't that boring? You ask. Sure, it can be. Running on a straight path with minimal scenery change for hours on end can be mind-numbing. But I look at that as a positive. I don't have to worry about traffic lights or who gets the right of way or getting hit by a car or running around people milling about on the street. Though, I do have to follow the rules of the bike path. But those are simple. Stay in your lane, announce when you're passing others (always on the left!), and look before passing so you don't get run over by a bicyclist!</div><div><br /></div><div>Running on the bike path helps me concentrate on my performance and fatigue level as well as zone out for long stretches of time. And to keep me motivated, I listen to music! It really helps me stay on track and keep my pace and cadence high. To make sure that I get continuous music for hours on end, I carry my AirPods charging case with me and listen to just one AirPod bud at a time—this also helps me hear my surroundings to keep me safe!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4xRkkdtclR4Mpa9PUG6GQid_Rg5g-N7qrT5zUwvgHxCYwFK-Q4yAPrYbzzB1e3MpcGKmkZJaoCOUDY_dAVcmcCu49MNvOLKiB0M9nz9gi5dscxvxgNEGWZb7Ih2flJbdiVLM5_wWQwT2/s1792/IMG_2547.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4xRkkdtclR4Mpa9PUG6GQid_Rg5g-N7qrT5zUwvgHxCYwFK-Q4yAPrYbzzB1e3MpcGKmkZJaoCOUDY_dAVcmcCu49MNvOLKiB0M9nz9gi5dscxvxgNEGWZb7Ih2flJbdiVLM5_wWQwT2/s320/IMG_2547.PNG" width="148" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Mike wore my AirPods ONCE, <br />now they're named after him</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>My taste in music is really eclectic. I listen to songs from many different time periods and genres, individual singers and bands. </div><div><br /></div><div>Some of my favorite musicians to listen to while running are:<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Aretha Franklin<br /></div><div>R.E.M.</div><div>Beyoncé</div><div>Thirty Seconds to Mars</div><div>Elvis Crespo</div><div>Janet Jackson</div><div>Linkin Park (RIP Chester Bennington!)</div><div>Lenny Kravitz</div><div>Kenny Loggins (The majority of the Footloose movie soundtrack, actually!). </div><div><br /></div><div>But one thing all the songs I listen to have in common: they are all fast-paced, pump-me-up songs! My absolute favorites are the songs about running and empowerment! For example:</div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEoNMuDmcuTniOFb9CWiAYlcWK3Wks7bYDIOBlARgpyGIZnHT6FRayAiiDkadGeP3DxvZeqVvQHJc9gxc93m5TVEmqSqabz3s460wODRmpA9Z-HIcnUuQPYrD9kB-aEGdyYRaLr0AWsTL/s2048/IMG_2536.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEoNMuDmcuTniOFb9CWiAYlcWK3Wks7bYDIOBlARgpyGIZnHT6FRayAiiDkadGeP3DxvZeqVvQHJc9gxc93m5TVEmqSqabz3s460wODRmpA9Z-HIcnUuQPYrD9kB-aEGdyYRaLr0AWsTL/w242-h320/IMG_2536.jpeg" width="242" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Mike is so fast! I don't know if I'll ever catch up to him!</span></td></tr></tbody></table>"Run for Cover" by the Killers<br /></div><div>"Run Loves Out" by One Republic</div><div>"Run the World (Girls) Beyoncé</div><div>"Point of No Return" by Nu Shooz</div><div>"Dog Days Are Over" Florence + the Machine </div><div>"I'm Gonna Be (Walk 500 Miles) by the Proclaimers</div><div>"Run" Foo Fighters</div><div>"I Wanna Go" by Britney Spears</div><div>"Highway Unicorn" by Lady Gaga</div><div>"Formation" by Beyoncé</div><div>"Woman" by Ke$ha</div><div>"Whatever It Takes" Imagine Dragons</div><div>"Mr. Rager" by Kid Cudi</div><div>"Freedom" by George Michael</div><div>"Survivor" by Destiny's Child</div><div>"Work B**ch" by Britney Spears</div><div>"Too Legit to Quit" by MC Hammer</div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5oIQayNXky8PpT2VPFxlPnmtJtzK9WgZbwfsyVTsPXLvPQsCoGYjM2YF95_tsro9838qQvnGUeZ2foCkT_WlgIIax9USfUn5wBo2UES4h_OlsURl4tRHslw83XpkCCFwpKG2L_N56Rnrs/s2048/IMG_2555.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5oIQayNXky8PpT2VPFxlPnmtJtzK9WgZbwfsyVTsPXLvPQsCoGYjM2YF95_tsro9838qQvnGUeZ2foCkT_WlgIIax9USfUn5wBo2UES4h_OlsURl4tRHslw83XpkCCFwpKG2L_N56Rnrs/s320/IMG_2555.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Mike got in twenty-two miles! So proud of him!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>These songs just truly get me moving! Before I knew it, Mike and I had completed our 20 miles, and we made good time too. Well, I ran 20 miles. Mike ran 22 miles. He's so much faster than me; he often runs up ahead and then walks back to where I am just to stay with me. I keep telling him he doesn't need to do that, but he takes "training together" seriously. I'm so relieved that we made it. I can now rest easy a bit—mentally, that is! Gotta keep the body moving!</div><div><br /></div><div>Now that the marathon is coming up in JUST 13 DAYS (Ahhhh!) I really want to switch up some of my music to keep me super motivated. I'll be running for about five hours, give or take! </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I could really use your suggestions. <b>What are your absolute favorite songs that pump you up for hard workouts and/or long runs? Please leave a comment below!</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwCSPGnJfOP2KdnupBeRotUd0c6_tOJCjetZgPASP6qkf6P1iAMMSayhJYYKhxtr1aUB_JlwpQDWtTaaYm5Pw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /></div><div><b>Sera is wearing</b> <a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE's</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/kids-reflective-ponyband-headband-in-black" target="_blank">PonybandHeadband</a>, <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/womens-reflective-shirts/products/womens-short-sleeve-savannah-shirt-in-flo-lime-dark-gray" target="_blank">Short-Sleeve Savannah Shirt in Flo Lime</a>, and <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/womens-reflective-bottoms/products/womens-jammer-mid-length-reflective-running-short-in-magma" target="_blank">Jammer Mid-length Reflective Running Short in Magma</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Mike is wearing</b> <a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE's</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/reflective-unisex-multiwrap-in-graphite" target="_blank">Reflective Unisex Multi-Wrap in Graphite</a> and <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/mens-reflective-bottoms/products/mens-endeavor-long-running-short-in-black-white" target="_blank">Reflective Endeavor Long Running Short in Black/White</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can get these great looking more AND 15% your order with discount code <a href="http://illuminite.com/discount/sera15" target="_blank">Sera15</a> at <a href="http://IllumiNITE.com">IllumiNITE.com</a>!</div>Sera Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120417461447755328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853846944598968995.post-66917091866566916712021-07-22T12:32:00.002-05:002021-07-22T12:35:10.271-05:00Weather You Run This SummerThe first time I signed up for the <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://newenglandgreenrivermarathon.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JlRJ1SzyrWp0CgymQhJA0-trtzBc7aEYT6Zh_1vbC-zzpQiux4Q6Xw8AmvZrsI48l54vX_qSOO4nOIjs_qJpwvhc7CIw6iP4P9fTvAciksmEJ9hXxnp42Ajft0IldzRhirPVfVOYxP6B/s320/MikeDyinginHeat.HEIC" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://newenglandgreenrivermarathon.com" target="_blank">Mike cooling down near the end of our 13-mile run.<br />IllumiNITE's Endeavor Tank and Long Running Shorts<br /></a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://newenglandgreenrivermarathon.com" target="_blank">New England Green River Marathon</a> I was very nervous that it was taking place during the hot, humid summer. All my prior marathons had been in the fall and winter months. While I had trained over summer months before, I always ran super early in the mornings to avoid the summer heat. Green River didn't start until about 7 a.m., so I knew I needed to train for the weather as well as the mileage.<div><br /></div><div>A friend told me the best way to train for heat was to not use air conditioning in my home and to run later in the day when it was hotter so that my body acclimated. I drank 100 ounces of water every day—at least—to stay hydrated, and I took salt tabs every 30 minutes while running. Suffice to say, I trained alone because my friends all trained in our usual early mornings. I was surprised to discover how quickly my body did acclimate to the heat. Running in 95-degree weather started to feel great!</div><div><br /></div><div>Come race day, I was actually cold as we rode the shuttle from Greenfield, Massachusetts to Marlboro Vermont. I was cold at the start line while my friends worried about the humidity settling in. I was cold during the first ten miles of the race, finally warming up at mile 11, and I didn't get hot until I hit mile 21 when the course opened up to black asphalt without the canopy of trees that covered most of the marathon route. I had been so cold, I was grateful for the heat, and I finished strong.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>In fact, <a href="https://newenglandgreenrivermarathon.com" target="_blank">Green River</a> was my fastest marathon ever. Now granted, it is the only marathon with an elevation loss of 1,450 feet, but I do believe that training for the humidity and heat paid off. When I sprinted across the finish line, I was so excited! My friend who was trying to qualify for Boston had crossed already, and I jumped up and down exclaiming how much I loved the course. </div><div><br /></div><div>"Are you kidding me?!" she yelled. "I started throwing up at mile nine, and I almost called it quits." The heat had destroyed her. As my other friends crossed the finish line, they also looked beat up. Some swore they'd never run a summer marathon again. I hadn't thought too much about plan to train for the heat in the heat until I saw how miserable my friends were at that finish line. </div><div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkdlOs7JgcpBHAcjPE4MAJYG7Yg3VAIW04cujJAvW-b_44ZdRaA-tcwkDHuJb1G0NELkgbxv5PfM01WF0Kea6qA0rmwmLdNAulX7DBJqbPTa0ws5AOnGZ8_Ch388kvJBYalLaNt78acLm/s2048/SeraMikeHEIC.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkdlOs7JgcpBHAcjPE4MAJYG7Yg3VAIW04cujJAvW-b_44ZdRaA-tcwkDHuJb1G0NELkgbxv5PfM01WF0Kea6qA0rmwmLdNAulX7DBJqbPTa0ws5AOnGZ8_Ch388kvJBYalLaNt78acLm/s320/SeraMikeHEIC.HEIC" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">I love being the brightest thing out there, especially<br />on hot, humid, summer days!<br /><a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE's</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/womens-reflective-shirts/products/womens-short-sleeve-savannah-shirt-in-flo-lime-dark-gray" target="_blank">Savannah Tee</a>, <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/womens-reflective-bottoms/products/womens-jammer-mid-length-reflective-running-short-in-magma" target="_blank">Jammer Mid-Length Short</a>,<br />and <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/kids-reflective-ponyband-headband-in-black" target="_blank">Ponyband Headband</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table>Mike and I are training for this year's <a href="https://newenglandgreenrivermarathon.com" target="_blank">Green River Marathon</a>, and the pandemic has totally thrown me off my game. It's been difficult sticking to a regular running routine now that we work remotely and were socially distanced and quarantined for over a year. I'm just starting to find my groove, but the heat and humidity have snuck up on us. I forgot to start conditioning before the hot summer months really set in. It's interesting to see how weather can completely deplete you of energy—or put a little more pep in your step. On one 13-mile run, we had to stop for so many walk breaks, it took an additional hour to finish than our normal time because the hot sun beat down on us with no mercy; the humidity clung to us like dead weight, and the temperature reached a whopping. The following weekend, we rain seventeen miles with no issues whatsoever because the day was overcast and rainy. And then, the weekend after that, we ran eighteen miles along the beach, a bright sunny day of seventy with the ocean breeze and mist cooling us as we ran. And yet, somehow the following week's thirteen-miler destroyed me again, even though we ran along that same cool coastal route.</div><div><br /></div><div>"We need to up our game," I told Mike, as I humbly walked the last mile or maybe two back. I must remind myself during these struggling run days, that not giving up is a success within itself. I got the mileage in, even if some of those miles I walked.</div><div><br /></div><div>Summer running is no joke! It's important to be prepared for anything, as you never know what you're going to get. Your run could start off cloudy and cool only to become blazing hot and humid in just an hour or two. So here's what I recommend:</div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Hydration and Fuel</h2><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Salt tabs are vital for keeping electrolytes on track and muscles limber—<a href="https://saltstick.com" target="_blank">SaltStick Fast Chews</a> are my FAVE!. </li><li>A hydration pack that holds two liters minimum is lifesaving when going on longer runs, especially when the weather can add unanticipated, additional time. </li><li>It's especially important to have food to stay well-fueled and energized. I like <a href="https://myspringenergy.com" target="_blank">Spring Energy</a> gels; they're easy on my stomach, easily packable in my vest pockets, and taste great!</li></ul><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGt4Vg9ikNIPxzsYeWQ4a6n12M3cD3fADT7OlbgX_-wj0CnRZySWF-R5Kpx1O4vX2uW0wfq3fJocCMTtJ9pGofXFb4ob4xARAuCgDeQiFmnHZONMbgjGGXYIIRS28VSK1lrfBfmfORpYRZ/s2048/SeraRainJacket.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGt4Vg9ikNIPxzsYeWQ4a6n12M3cD3fADT7OlbgX_-wj0CnRZySWF-R5Kpx1O4vX2uW0wfq3fJocCMTtJ9pGofXFb4ob4xARAuCgDeQiFmnHZONMbgjGGXYIIRS28VSK1lrfBfmfORpYRZ/s320/SeraRainJacket.HEIC" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Rainy days provide cool relief, <br />while <a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> keeps me dry and bright! <br /><a href="https://illuminite.com/products/waterproof-reflective-womens-colorado-jacket-in-mimosa-floral" target="_blank">Colorado Waterproof Jacket</a>; <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/reflective-unisex-velocity-mitten-in-hot-pink" target="_blank">Velocity Mitten</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table>Gear and Clothing </h2><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>A packable rain jacket will keep you dry during inclement weather—being cold and wet can be just as detrimental to the body as being too hot. </li><li>Multi-Wraps and other full head coverings protect against the hot sun while also keeping sweat out of the eyes.</li><li>Lightweight, moisture-wicking clothing keeps the body cool, dry, and comfortable.</li><li>Lightweight, moisture-wicking smart wool socks keep the feet cool and dry and blister free. I love <a href="https://darntough.com" target="_blank">Darn Tough</a>'s running socks, especially the tall ones when running on trails.</li><li>Sunglasses to protect the eyes from the piercing sun!—<a href="https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=CwYEqIp75YKOUHKfavdMPkfOGYJXR-vJj_aPE6ccNiN_S3pMKCAAQASC5VGDJ_paN6KSMGKAB1Lz0xgPIAQHIA9ggqgQ-T9AQ2nqigYgeMQZFZ9yummxESkcAt2mAUGWT9pJHC6Z982aNVnxNpjk1p5E1a4PFrTk-uYhtxNiCPAhqn0XABP7ax9qtAYAFkE6gBmaAB5TDizmIBwGQBwGoB6a-G6gHuZqxAqgH8NkbqAfy2RuoB_PRG6gH7tIbqAf_nLECqAfK3BuwCAHSCAUQAiCEAZoJEWh0dHBzOi8vZ29vZHIuY29tsQkMt77JiUseYLkJDLe-yYlLHmD4CQGYCwGqDAIIAbgMAYgUAcgUk-6f_OjYx9An0BUBmBYB-BYBgBcBkhcIEgYIARABGHE&ae=2&ved=2ahUKEwjUtbLpjffxAhXKbc0KHUK5CNkQ0Qx6BAgCEAE&dct=1&dblrd=1&sival=AF15MECO-3nAMxxiyVbo0vm077sW2BK_yZyUpxz31Jb0NrSDnBCLS42NKBU7IaLmi2H8swG2plXemOwnHwzl-u6OfPdRM15Ry_2JU02kc0537WGN0Fa_njuwQgSJv5k1_Uy6gyJ5eBiJjbfeASWXj1PXNiIYlNtbClfdjXgY-dsTRzGbQCV5m9A&sig=AOD64_32xf2wn_PbqlpHhmZZX-Tv8Sl62g&adurl=https://goodr.com" target="_blank">Goodr</a> sunglasses are amazing! They stay on my head no matter how fast or how hard I run so they're always at the ready!</li></ul><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">Routes and Running Buddies</h2></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMO2WxITvjfdUDwVP9rdRIsUrAzlm7aChGaxmY6-rstiTQOxwAajh4h9UgrsiqK_nZxyVy4MOjUPlsPasBDJFBmLTmJ1_QetcMZhA0Whu4dUT86i653acz3GSaTk9UlGlZoohcgePuSGU/s2048/SeraMikeSantaBarbaraCoast.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMO2WxITvjfdUDwVP9rdRIsUrAzlm7aChGaxmY6-rstiTQOxwAajh4h9UgrsiqK_nZxyVy4MOjUPlsPasBDJFBmLTmJ1_QetcMZhA0Whu4dUT86i653acz3GSaTk9UlGlZoohcgePuSGU/s320/SeraMikeSantaBarbaraCoast.HEIC" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">We made the most of unexpected travel for work by <br />running along the cool coastal route of Santa Barbara!</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Pay attention to weather forecasts, and don't run in dangerous conditions, like extreme heat waves.</li><li>Stay on well-traveled and well-marked routes during hot and humid conditions, and let someone know where you're running, your anticipated return time, and update them along the way.</li><li>Run with a friend so that you can keep each other accountable on water, salt, and fuel intake, and recognize any potential signs of <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/warning.html" target="_blank">heat-related illness</a>.</li></ul><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Adapting Accordingly</h2><div>When conditions aren't safe:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Run on a treadmill at a gym.</li><li>Cross-train at home—there are so many free exercise videos that you can workout in the comfort of your home.</li><li>Run super early in the morning or late at night when the temperature is cooler and the sun isn't high in the sky (IllumiNITE's reflective clothing and accessories keep you shining brightly in the dark).</li><li>Run by water where it's cooler, or in the forest where it's shaded.</li><li>Switch your run day—adapting your training schedule during inclement weather will keep you safe and still on track.</li><li>When all else fails, skip your run—missing one run is not the end-all, be-all of marathon training, especially if it's a shorter run (3–6 miles). What most important is not injuring yourself before race day.</li></ul></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihiAs8E3acj4U5Rcy_SvheTEGi9FuoxZLPUIEjlqn7gVvBur18joJnB05uWhnsrvRIXQ9MJ_wGVaFqhBUianSlY11R26AuBDdL_QFMO-kZs8T1b379yyfZnb3uXnc2q0Medfs_R_sQG5CW/s2048/SweatyRun.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihiAs8E3acj4U5Rcy_SvheTEGi9FuoxZLPUIEjlqn7gVvBur18joJnB05uWhnsrvRIXQ9MJ_wGVaFqhBUianSlY11R26AuBDdL_QFMO-kZs8T1b379yyfZnb3uXnc2q0Medfs_R_sQG5CW/s320/SweatyRun.HEIC" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sweaty but satisfying run!<br /><a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IlluimiNITE's</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/reflective-unisex-multiwrap-in-graphite" target="_blank">Multi-Wrap</a>, <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/reflective-ponytail-headband-in-black-coral-glo" target="_blank">Ponyband Headband</a>,<br />and <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/mens-reflective-shirts/products/reflective-mens-endeavor-tank-in-black" target="_blank">Endeavor</a> and <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/womens-vigor-singlet-in-white" target="_blank">Vigor Singlet</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/search?q=tank" target="_blank">Tanks</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Last but not least, it's most important to listen to your body. It's one thing to push yourself past your comfort zone; it's another thing to push yourself into the danger zone. Know the signs of <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/warning.html" target="_blank">heat-related illness</a>, and stop running if you feel dizzy, disoriented, cramping, nausea, or anything that surpasses mild discomfort.</div><div><br /></div><div>Mike and I continue to struggle this training period, but we're chugging along toward marathon day. The best we can do, is continue to train to our best ability and hope for perfect race day conditions. Dear Universe, throw us a cloudy, misty day for <a href="https://newenglandgreenrivermarathon.com" target="_blank">Green River</a> race day. Or at least a cool breeze to envelope us as we run.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Do you have any tips for running in hot, humid weather? I'd love to hear your tips! Please leave a comment below!</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Don't forget to check out <a href="http://IllumiNITE.com">IllumiNITE.com</a> for these styles and more! And use my discount code <a href="https://illuminite.com/discount/sera15">Sera15</a> for 15% off your order!</div>Sera Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120417461447755328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853846944598968995.post-70106866786789407242021-06-25T10:48:00.004-05:002021-06-25T11:01:27.782-05:00Marathon Color Themes: Orange You Glad? <p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAz17ik6udrpwsiC3g1D_qwJn4VyizeVfKcUrB7SYWI77ZZeEmAzdEfDh2HDJyIHbSIT1S5cqA18Jb7VPop1GZkgadJpT92n3q2gzvrZnb6iCsUMWmVQ2iGTKDPNAZI7sAtS6qnyDJx80/s2048/mizunoorangeHEIC.HEIC" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAz17ik6udrpwsiC3g1D_qwJn4VyizeVfKcUrB7SYWI77ZZeEmAzdEfDh2HDJyIHbSIT1S5cqA18Jb7VPop1GZkgadJpT92n3q2gzvrZnb6iCsUMWmVQ2iGTKDPNAZI7sAtS6qnyDJx80/s320/mizunoorangeHEIC.HEIC" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/womens-jammer-mid-length-reflective-running-short-in-magma" target="_blank">Jammer Mid-length Short</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table>Spring has passed by in a blur, and time still feels like a concept. I honestly don't know how April turned into the end of June, and so many things seem up in the air. But one thing is for certain: we're in the thick of marathon training! With just 65 days until our <a href="https://newenglandgreenrivermarathon.com" target="_blank">New England Green River Marathon</a>, I'm suddenly feeling ill-prepared. Mike on the other hand, is running circles around me—he's a speed demon, and I swear he's a robot sent to me from the tech gurus of Silicon Valley as an experiment of love between humans and AIs. But that's a story for another time.<p></p><p></p><p>I've had a few setbacks this year—a rotator cuff injury and stiff muscles that are still angry at me for not running any marathons last year. But I'm practicing self-care by stretching every day, using my<a href="https://rollrecovery.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw_dWGBhDAARIsAMcYuJwwc4cpz7yig2zVFoYpwfGT11LPwY5kmGkUHLpEYEWuK3l6ipi5MKgaAncxEALw_wcB" target="_blank"> Roll Recovery R8</a> every day (ouch!), and making sure that I push through the muscle aches but stopping at the pain. One of the best pieces of advice I received from my physical therapist is if it's sore keep going but if you experience sharp, sudden, jolting pain, stop. We should have been up to 15 miles as of last Sunday, but I've only managed 11 miles for my longest run. I know my body will slowly catch up. I just need to keep at it, slow and steady, and remind my body that it really does love running long distances. </p><p>To help me stay injury-free, I bought myself a new pair of running sneakers. I buy a new pair every year because the life of a running sneaker is about 400 miles. Since I also own a pair of trail running sneakers, my road shoes usually last the full year, even when training for a marathon because I split the mileage between the two pairs. My trusty <a href="https://www.garmin.com/en-US/" target="_blank">Garmin</a> keeps track of mileage for me. But I digress. I always go with the same brand—<a href="https://www.mizunousa.com" target="_blank">Mizuno Wave Inspire</a>. I usually choose the men's style because the toe box is slightly wider than the women's, and I really like the bright vibrant colors. </p><p><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAi3RBmcKbIWOMFYIV8syrLP5QpeeszCxyxam9nGbWcepMG5EkzY610VfIftLdo9T6mUyWJH15bL3_ykSl9gUdFokjMUlBzDen-jvY2Nc0yvbfPms9ezL5M_6iKeEKItai7R4pOMNSziR/s2048/purplemizuons.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAi3RBmcKbIWOMFYIV8syrLP5QpeeszCxyxam9nGbWcepMG5EkzY610VfIftLdo9T6mUyWJH15bL3_ykSl9gUdFokjMUlBzDen-jvY2Nc0yvbfPms9ezL5M_6iKeEKItai7R4pOMNSziR/w130-h97/purplemizuons.JPG" width="130" /></a></b>This time, as I was scrolling through the different options on the Mizuno site, I told Mike I didn't know which color I liked best. He said, "Just pick the one that's cheapest." I looked at him in horror. He ignored my dramatics and pointed at my computer screen. "Look, the blue one is on sale."</p><p>"I can't buy the blue ones!" I threw my hands up! "I wore the blue ones the year Indigo turned 21!" Mike blinked at me in pure confusion.</p><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimFcjLqhsVvcTUJOkzVpMqYaRXEDtT948koBLiQXahT-8JKfNhap7dl8CCG0HOFPghzN4IjZH-4yIkeeWCPRXSJOzKGxvGQf8Cp_OAZ0S7isVf6qNMxf76WJyz4q7jzkKXt-lF9pmoW_N/s2048/bluemizunos.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimFcjLqhsVvcTUJOkzVpMqYaRXEDtT948koBLiQXahT-8JKfNhap7dl8CCG0HOFPghzN4IjZH-4yIkeeWCPRXSJOzKGxvGQf8Cp_OAZ0S7isVf6qNMxf76WJyz4q7jzkKXt-lF9pmoW_N/w99-h132/bluemizunos.JPG" width="99" /></a></p>That's when it hit me: The color of the sneakers I've chosen each year always have some significance. It all started when I purchased: <b>Purple</b> Mizunos the year Prince died. Prince shared a birthday with me, and it felt right to honor him while I ran, especially since music is a major part of my running experience. Then:<p></p><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAk47_T3NR0hqfOivgYBeA3dHxFj8isCA8uuqQiKmpSVwpgzWrdebs4bBMDhAkGtV-62GF99uDIi8ETucEMnYRLxb_ubegn8hJ3ZkxLVpbY-G96TPy5qCMzPZk8tK6Fakv1ReGN94ee01y/s2824/silverandblue.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2824" data-original-width="937" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAk47_T3NR0hqfOivgYBeA3dHxFj8isCA8uuqQiKmpSVwpgzWrdebs4bBMDhAkGtV-62GF99uDIi8ETucEMnYRLxb_ubegn8hJ3ZkxLVpbY-G96TPy5qCMzPZk8tK6Fakv1ReGN94ee01y/w59-h176/silverandblue.jpeg" width="59" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">IllumiNITE</span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /><a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/womens-reflective-shirts/products/womens-vigor-singlet-in-graphite" target="_blank">Vigor Singlet</a><br /><a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/womens-reflective-bottoms/products/womens-shortie-in-black" target="_blank">Shortie</a><br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table> <b>Blue</b>—to honor my son's 21st birthday<p></p><p><b>Silver with blue—</b>I wasn't feeling my best, and I needed to be reminded that I could shine nonetheless. That color theme came from the song "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdSTrqYj4Wo" target="_blank">For My Brother</a>" by <a href="https://www.blueoctober.com" target="_blank">Blue October</a>. I highly recommend listening. All the feels...</p><p>The lyric that sticks with me to this day is "<b>Believe you can shine when you're silver, and I promise you gold</b>." Justin Furstenfeld is such an inspirational poet.</p><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdiaQXFuw5kCW5t1aAxGqBEEC3ewVLyzMQRihe6VxzL_XrmJhmLMP65PsV-KK2t_P98rVP6Jnv-FfprOvqyMf1YwLcVuusFM4MAP8Nbh7XbwqxXPyjklcSZCnY_jqBEk-PvK_IPB_NVJrN/s2048/aqua1mizunos.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="94" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdiaQXFuw5kCW5t1aAxGqBEEC3ewVLyzMQRihe6VxzL_XrmJhmLMP65PsV-KK2t_P98rVP6Jnv-FfprOvqyMf1YwLcVuusFM4MAP8Nbh7XbwqxXPyjklcSZCnY_jqBEk-PvK_IPB_NVJrN/w124-h94/aqua1mizunos.jpeg" width="124" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/womens-reflective-shirts/products/womens-vigor-singlet-in-graphite" target="_blank">Vigor Singlet</a><br /><a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/womens-reflective-bottoms/products/womens-shortie-in-black" target="_blank">Shortie</a></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><b>Grey (aqua tint) with aqua and pink stripes inside—</b>They reminded me of the Mediterranean Sea and were the perfect motivation for our marathon in Greece.<p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8JFDu1xMk36a1SyPzd4qsY8qSzrke7xESMr1etjj-Np4Shmnw_usscWmQKPjWUiehyphenhyphenAstnq3b0nJjdce-RZG-8K69KFTBUG8e0Wpogl4dseBKuBp-e2L3Eu5keV-v5vd6SS8ho_AoLP0s/s2048/blackwithgoldsneakers.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8JFDu1xMk36a1SyPzd4qsY8qSzrke7xESMr1etjj-Np4Shmnw_usscWmQKPjWUiehyphenhyphenAstnq3b0nJjdce-RZG-8K69KFTBUG8e0Wpogl4dseBKuBp-e2L3Eu5keV-v5vd6SS8ho_AoLP0s/w87-h116/blackwithgoldsneakers.jpeg" width="87" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <br /><a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/womens-reflective-bottoms/products/womens-satellite-running-tight-in-black-firenz" target="_blank">Satellite Tight</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><b>Black with gold—</b>At the beginning of 2020, I felt at the top of my game. That gold feeling I had been praying for, finally settled in! Litle did I know the pandemic was about to hit...that "gold" reminded me that even when I felt more silver than gold, brighter days would come back again.<p></p><p></p><p><b></b>And before I knew it 2021 was upon us. Here I was coming out of a pandemic year, not having run one single marathon in over a year and a half. I needed a new pair of sneakers. Again, I wondered: What color signifies this year? It felt like the most important running decision of my life. This past year has been so challenging, so difficult, but we had survived it. </p><p>And then I saw them:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><p></p><b><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3IrsqZSlFqhLpCqFuu5zhlVwYsw46AWEqr6BJ00cnVkr1FccNkyVJWJ67gU-tuDw_ONQ3RjCtol4mMhwXiSVuiO7TfzYSPXMH6y3MJ1nD_HcC2a9w3sReLyAf9sAWzbOd_gK6Akw4oqz/s2048/orangemizuno.HEIC" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3IrsqZSlFqhLpCqFuu5zhlVwYsw46AWEqr6BJ00cnVkr1FccNkyVJWJ67gU-tuDw_ONQ3RjCtol4mMhwXiSVuiO7TfzYSPXMH6y3MJ1nD_HcC2a9w3sReLyAf9sAWzbOd_gK6Akw4oqz/w91-h121/orangemizuno.HEIC" width="91" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a><br /><a href="https://illuminite.com/products/womens-jammer-mid-length-reflective-running-short-in-magma" target="_blank">Jammer Mid-length Short</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Salmon buff black</b>—The brightest, happiest color I've seen in a long while. Mike's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "Well, we can't miss seeing you in those!" <br /><p>"They match my favorite shorts! And my running vest! They're perfect!" I exclaimed, and I didn't care that they cost $10 more than the blue ones. Because they go with this year's marathon training theme: </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="background-color: #2b00fe; color: #ffa400; font-size: x-large;">ORANGE YOU GLAD?</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITv1e0XbSHW56__1l_mFvIM7gomtOMBoZWOy8UM_FZPfkTMfIIX0vEtGH33mnPfgy-m8bfFKrfACNqsLVWhxl4t1ZxneCoIdvhBrjUzcJrpKc07WJodARHcN0f7Ujd-TpXou8Ku4RWBtU/s2048/orangeyouglad.HEIC" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITv1e0XbSHW56__1l_mFvIM7gomtOMBoZWOy8UM_FZPfkTMfIIX0vEtGH33mnPfgy-m8bfFKrfACNqsLVWhxl4t1ZxneCoIdvhBrjUzcJrpKc07WJodARHcN0f7Ujd-TpXou8Ku4RWBtU/s320/orangeyouglad.HEIC" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/womens-reflective-shirts" target="_blank">Reflective Tee</a> and <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/womens-jammer-mid-length-reflective-running-short-in-magma" target="_blank">Jammer Mid-length Short</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="background-color: white;">Orange you glad millions of people are getting vaccinated?</span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">Orange you glad the pandemic is winding down?</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">Orange you glad the world is opening back up?</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">Orange you glad we can start traveling again?</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">Orange you glad we made it through this difficult year?</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">Orange you glad we can hug our family members again?</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">Orange you glad we can visit with friends again?</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">Orange you glad marathons are happening again?</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">Orange you glad we're running partners?</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">Orange you glad, Orange You Glad? ORANGE YOU GLAD?!</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">I am!</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">And now, my marathon accessories are complete! I can run as happy as a summer day's sunrise and sunset and shine bright day and night!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></div><p><b style="background-color: white;">What's your color theme? Are you a bright and bold apparel runner? Or a dark and stealthy runner? Leave your comment (or picture!) below.</b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfd1OUGdxx6KoZWcmOUR3WbLQSRa4LtlAm4okJIRZhXUJY9tDxgQUmtjvEDENV4j8pSPlfZJupx4-AIJAVJr63jnJ3nP2IlMGMsxcJWozTaZdoPlfHbnzpfwLcmo9fEENiEhymyKSWe-2/s3088/OrangeRaincoat.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfd1OUGdxx6KoZWcmOUR3WbLQSRa4LtlAm4okJIRZhXUJY9tDxgQUmtjvEDENV4j8pSPlfZJupx4-AIJAVJr63jnJ3nP2IlMGMsxcJWozTaZdoPlfHbnzpfwLcmo9fEENiEhymyKSWe-2/w150-h200/OrangeRaincoat.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">IllumiNITE</span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/waterproof-reflective-womens-colorado-jacket-in-mimosa-floral" target="_blank">Colorado Waterproof Jacket</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> has something for everyone—for the most flashiest or most incognito running personalities, they've got you covered literally. And no matter what color theme you prefer, <a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> keeps you shining bright when it matters most—at night, early morning, and in cloudy, rainy weather. <p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;">Check out their latest styles at <a href="http://IllumiNITE.com">IllumiNITE.com</a>, and use my discount code <a href="http://illuminite.com/discount/runbrightly15" target="_blank">RunBrightly15</a> for 15% off your order.</span></p>Sera Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120417461447755328noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853846944598968995.post-82722494636637356212021-04-22T08:07:00.000-05:002021-04-22T08:11:11.843-05:00Culture Shocked: Pacing Myself Back Into the World<p></p><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gVy6xkHibQv89GdvkXKLARdbByQbrl1p8NVIMqlTbxzFWTDXyBkoIF0sOEQi8gTgHYT0fDpmVVMYrsnk7z8wPND-BbHlpMBkB7OePCIdQFDCu8yuAwsyXYYKqGcfSSC3Y4iLp9XpcDTD/s2048/Accountability.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sera and Mike Shocked" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gVy6xkHibQv89GdvkXKLARdbByQbrl1p8NVIMqlTbxzFWTDXyBkoIF0sOEQi8gTgHYT0fDpmVVMYrsnk7z8wPND-BbHlpMBkB7OePCIdQFDCu8yuAwsyXYYKqGcfSSC3Y4iLp9XpcDTD/w151-h200/Accountability.HEIC" title="Earth Day" width="151" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard, serif;">It's been 400 days?!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard, serif;">Sera in </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="about://" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: -webkit-standard, serif;">IllumiNITE</span></a></span><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="about://"><span style="color: blue; font-family: -webkit-standard, serif;">Vigor Singlet</span></a></span><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard, serif;">;</span><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard, serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="about://" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: -webkit-standard, serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Synergy Headband</span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table>Today is Earth Day! Today is also Covid-19 Quarantine Day number 400! That's 400 days since the world shut down due to the pandemic. 400 days with no races, music concerts, writing conferences, indoor dining or shopping, parties, or family gatherings. 400 days of social isolation. <p></p><p>Yet, somehow, the idea that the world is rapidly opening up feels like The Earth is spinning way too fast. Wait, what do you mean the marathon we signed up for in 2019 is now happening at the end of August?! Wait, what do you mean we qualify for the vaccine? We can actually get it NOW? Wait! What do you mean we'll start traveling on trains and airplanes again?</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUU8Q4a9fJaNwmnRz7VJ4SCuEoCYWT_v71U7fiY904rpbKi3xWrPfcsnXYjGmQzCfTq-3tdGwKtZpGHjlwAVrVhrNwg-gXy9Y9jqShwv1KGh17iIfz16U3MrN3MZk7KgkNwhc_XKuQBl_0/s2048/wallmapCloseupIMG_1188.HEIC" style="clear: right; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="wall map of the world with push pins" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUU8Q4a9fJaNwmnRz7VJ4SCuEoCYWT_v71U7fiY904rpbKi3xWrPfcsnXYjGmQzCfTq-3tdGwKtZpGHjlwAVrVhrNwg-gXy9Y9jqShwv1KGh17iIfz16U3MrN3MZk7KgkNwhc_XKuQBl_0/w151-h200/wallmapCloseupIMG_1188.HEIC" title="Wall World Map" width="151" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Close-up of our wall map; can't wait<br />to add more pins to it!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Don't get me wrong. I am thrilled that millions of people are getting vaccinated every day. And I am thrilled that the world is opening up again. </p><p>So thrilled, in fact, we booked a trip for this fall to hike the <a href="https://www.nationalparks.org/connect/blog/grand-canyon-rim-rim-hike" target="_blank">Grand Canyon—Rim to Rim!</a>—and then explore Las Vegas. I have never been to Arizona or Nevada before, and I am so excited to be doing both in one trip. I cannot wait to see <a href="https://www.redrockcanyonlv.org" target="_blank">Red Rock Canyon</a> as well, and if it 's safe to do so, I'd love to see a live show again—<a href="https://www.cirquedusoleil.com" target="_blank">Circe du Soleil</a>! </p><p>Mike and I both love to travel so much; it's been odd to be stationary in one space for so long. To pass the time, we've been dreaming about all the places we want to visit all over the world. We even bought ourselves a GIANT wall map with pins to track every place we visit.</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HauPkRLCLyERKdoDwEnUSzXOYBdGKmSVYd4u0_uTy3LUbokAY4cTnCOgBCT1WZLv-3UMlMu8JxH_YF3Q_I51OjvHceBTrXLm6ABIRAuTH0HUcXygjFxl1gkViIeFCjk7bX0Dq2LQqqzp/s2048/IMG_5426.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Posing like a runner; Athens Authentic Marathon in Greece. Wearing IllumiNITE Vigor Singlet; Shortie" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HauPkRLCLyERKdoDwEnUSzXOYBdGKmSVYd4u0_uTy3LUbokAY4cTnCOgBCT1WZLv-3UMlMu8JxH_YF3Q_I51OjvHceBTrXLm6ABIRAuTH0HUcXygjFxl1gkViIeFCjk7bX0Dq2LQqqzp/w200-h151/IMG_5426.jpeg" title="Sera Running Athens Authentic Marathon" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Mike took this photo of me during the <br />Athens Authentic Marathon in Greece.<br />Wearing <a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/womens-vigor-singlet-in-white" target="_blank">Vigor Singlet</a>; <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/womens-reflective-shortie-in-feather-black" target="_blank">Shortie</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>But after being in complete isolation for more than a year, I suddenly feel ill-prepared. I am culture shocked! It is a strange feeling to have such conflicting emotions. I am trying my best to focus on the positive, but the anxiety lingers.</p><p>I must remind myself that just like marathon training, I must pace myself. I would never step outside my door and run 26.2 miles on a whim without training first or carrying water and fuel. Likewise, I don't need to reenter the world all at once. I can do it gradually. Perhaps I'll start with having a couple people over in my backyard, still socially-distanced, now that the weather is getting warmer. Perhaps I'll eventually sit outside at a restaurant. Perhaps I'll sign up for another race. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4fWvuNKdZA9PHtrznRudBsc2hJoKsQa6KKVCz0V5OPBz5yBAMvu5H6BF_GUOPDiDQII7U9LY3Os3uxLX04yBNNOujBCgFysZEkXwnuq2TXeOzl-La9cPTWgrjmmxVkcXd7s5P1-winQu2/s2048/IMG_0718.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sera in IllumiNITE Colorado Waterproof Rain Jacket; 3-in-1 Mitten; Mike in Skull Cap; Ascent Parka" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4fWvuNKdZA9PHtrznRudBsc2hJoKsQa6KKVCz0V5OPBz5yBAMvu5H6BF_GUOPDiDQII7U9LY3Os3uxLX04yBNNOujBCgFysZEkXwnuq2TXeOzl-La9cPTWgrjmmxVkcXd7s5P1-winQu2/w200-h153/IMG_0718.jpeg" title="Rainy Day Walk" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">It is exciting to venture out into the world aagain!<br />Sera in <a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/waterproof-reflective-womens-colorado-jacket-in-mimosa-floral" target="_blank">Colorado Waterproof Rain Jacket</a>; <br /><a href="https://illuminite.com/products/three-in-one-mitten-with-glove-liner-in-black" target="_blank">3-in-1 Mitten</a>; Mike in <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/illuminite-reflective-mesh-skull-cap" target="_blank">Skull Cap</a>; <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/men/products/men-ascent-parka-in-red-black-with-roma-print" target="_blank">Ascent Parka</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p></p>Or not. I must also remind myself that I do not have to drastically change the lifestyle I've adopted when this pandemic shut everything down. I can take it one day at a time; one decision at a time; and before I know it, I will cross that finish line into this new world, which will feel similar yet never the same as it was—and perhaps that's a good thing. <div><br /></div><div>Happy Earth Day! Let's shine bright as we re-enter the world! As a special treat, <a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> is offering 15% off your order on April 22. Just use code <b>Earth21</b> to get any of the gear shown in this post— and so much more! You can also use my discount code <a href="https://illuminite.com/discount/sera15" target="_blank">Sera15 </a>for 15% off your <a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> order any time! <p><b><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2SpXvhSMeFUalD868RMZA1veSn36zXzKPZuKciVOYFzffyO4uMyDgVD6WRxthG3blje7J_hYjwPvOVoj0VhG1Yhbdr8mU_Vh0p1EsoknFKE1_DNB6VXKZFN00O5Q5ujRi2hBVnZ8x-4El/s2048/IMG_7870+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Masking up before heading out; Sera in IllumiNITE Ambition Hoodie (on sale now!)" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2SpXvhSMeFUalD868RMZA1veSn36zXzKPZuKciVOYFzffyO4uMyDgVD6WRxthG3blje7J_hYjwPvOVoj0VhG1Yhbdr8mU_Vh0p1EsoknFKE1_DNB6VXKZFN00O5Q5ujRi2hBVnZ8x-4El/w151-h200/IMG_7870+2.jpeg" title="Selfie in Mirror, wearing masks" width="151" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Masking up before heading out;<br />Sera in <a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/ambition-womens-hoodie-in-beetroot-silver" target="_blank">Ambition Hoodie</a><br />(on sale now!)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Do you have anxiety about the world opening back up? </b></p><p><b>Are you excited?</b></p><p><b>What is the first thing you want to do? </b></p><p><b>Share a comment below. I'd love to hear your thoughts. </b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><br /></p></div>Sera Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120417461447755328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853846944598968995.post-64643389183581774982021-04-07T07:15:00.000-05:002021-04-07T07:15:10.408-05:00Spring MarathonTraining: In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8a9HBNiKqRsn-iiRs8b9waI9wC-nPC-BiQZfZyESOh2z8s2Le4SmDZO29TpaKxyaGFTO7i6PrI9Fih1mvtP3EOAWyfXA9YaHpuTcO9e3jmtEOAhy65tLM0386h159eIzH8M_2QW2aXi3/s2048/foggyraincoat.HEIC" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8a9HBNiKqRsn-iiRs8b9waI9wC-nPC-BiQZfZyESOh2z8s2Le4SmDZO29TpaKxyaGFTO7i6PrI9Fih1mvtP3EOAWyfXA9YaHpuTcO9e3jmtEOAhy65tLM0386h159eIzH8M_2QW2aXi3/s320/foggyraincoat.HEIC" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Foggy, rainy morning for our run; but we stayed bright <br />and dry in IllumiNITE's <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/waterproof-reflective-womens-colorado-jacket-in-mimosa-floral" target="_blank">Colorado Jacket</a> and <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/mens-reflective-squall-jacket-black" target="_blank">Squall Jacket</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Marathon Training has commenced, and it has been rough, rough, rough. I'm at that beginning all over again where running just two miles feels like a death sentence. I'm at the stage where I wonder how on earth did I manage to run for three, four, five hours on end and then jump into a social activity afterwards without any issues. But that's the beauty of running. Am I rusty from taking off most of the winter because my couch was too cozy to leave? Yes! But....will my body remember that it can handle a marathon? Also, Yes! Eventually.<p></p><p>I equate my spring marathon training to the children's analogy for the month of March: It comes in like a lion—with everything muscle in my body roaring like a lion and my lungs heaving. But this rough start also means that it will go out like a lamb—with every muscle bounding through the air without a care in the world. If it wasn't difficult to get back into it, running wouldn't feel so rewarding when I hit my goals.</p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpm7wKFoEY9bJvH1RTwEW3Y1MvARP3KgGsUhfHHZrM2aSzG1-2rL4fBE7qJgVjLdj1opFy5YRghAnct0Qlp14WUj5TIUDMhJHQrrTRofzCG0ICsK-_WOK7_mx_dvz0bCzrJ3Cf85qOnrE/s2048/pulloversSeraandMike.HEIC" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpm7wKFoEY9bJvH1RTwEW3Y1MvARP3KgGsUhfHHZrM2aSzG1-2rL4fBE7qJgVjLdj1opFy5YRghAnct0Qlp14WUj5TIUDMhJHQrrTRofzCG0ICsK-_WOK7_mx_dvz0bCzrJ3Cf85qOnrE/s320/pulloversSeraandMike.HEIC" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">I love our coordinating pullovers:<a href="https://illuminite.com/products/inspire-reflective-womens-pullover-in-pink-white" target="_blank"> Inspire </a>and <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/early-riser-reflective-mens-pullover-in-hawaiian-blue" target="_blank">Early Riser</a>;<br />even their names fit our personalities! And, our <a href="https://illuminite.com/search?q=headbands" target="_blank">Headband</a> <br />and <a href="https://illuminite.com/search?q=multi-wrap" target="_blank">Multi-Wrap</a> keep the wind out of our ears!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />It doesn't help that I have a rotator cuff injury, or that my back has been spasming, and my knee decided to shift out of place for a week. Getting old is no fun at all. Wait! I'm not getting old! I'm just out of practice. Okay, phew! I've been consistently doing my stretches and exercises to heal my shoulder and strengthen my back, as I mentioned in <a href="https://runbrightly.blogspot.com/2021/03/stay-flexible-avoid-injury.html" target="_blank">my last blog post</a>. And since Mike and I really are out of practice, I started us off slowly with <a href="https://www.halhigdon.com/training/15k-10-mile-training/" target="_blank">Hal Higdon's 15k Novice Training</a> plan because it really starts with the basics: just two miles to start, gradually adding miles each week until we hit our 15k—that's 9.32 miles! Miraculously, this training transitions perfectly into <a href="https://www.halhigdon.com/training-programs/marathon-training/novice-1-marathon/" target="_blank">Hal Higdon's Novice Marathon Training</a> plan (with a minor adjustment) to meet our marathon goal at the end of August. <a href="https://newenglandgreenrivermarathon.com" target="_blank">New England Green River Marathon</a>—here we come! I'm surprised Mike is willing to run another marathon with me after running his first and only marathon—The <a href="https://www.athensauthenticmarathon.gr/site/index.php/en/" target="_blank">Athens Authentic Marathon</a>, with a whopping 20 miles of hills! Due to the pandemic, <a href="https://newenglandgreenrivermarathon.com" target="_blank">Green River</a> was postponed from last year to this year. I hope that Mike falls in love with running marathons this time—<a href="https://newenglandgreenrivermarathon.com" target="_blank">Green River</a> has a 1,450 feet elevation drop—it's the least I could do to redeem myself. Athens was so difficult (but rewarding)!<div><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY83uhR96Js0614d4JFGhfctOAF-8gGFc0_Ldzc2RC6KCnE6NESDpP3slQmn3S9MJFDDsCsrsiNRYzujgk1qbaj9R83wzwgp4AtKpgNGuxEwGLvYiDomBuiqynr3Y15abRh9JgHxO8TLNK/s2048/vestonmountain.HEIC" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY83uhR96Js0614d4JFGhfctOAF-8gGFc0_Ldzc2RC6KCnE6NESDpP3slQmn3S9MJFDDsCsrsiNRYzujgk1qbaj9R83wzwgp4AtKpgNGuxEwGLvYiDomBuiqynr3Y15abRh9JgHxO8TLNK/s320/vestonmountain.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Repping our love for mountains with <br /><a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE's</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/womens-long-sleeve-reflective-love-tee-in-pink-white#" target="_blank">Love Tee</a> and <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/vision-reflective-mens-pullover-in-flo-lime-graphite" target="_blank">Vision Pullover</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table>Once we're back in shape, we'll be double-downing on our long runs, adding in the half-mileage the day before or after (for example, if we run 18 miles on Saturday, we run or hike 9 miles on Sunday) to prepare us for <a href="https://sites.google.com/site/ghosttrainrailtrailrace/" target="_blank">Ghost Train Ultramarathon</a> in the fall. I really want to do 45 miles before my 45th birthday, over the course of two days. Mike is a trooper and agreed to run 30 of those miles with me. It's all very exciting...in theory. Right now, I'm really wishing this lion would get off my back so I can feel as free as that cute little lamb frolicking in the fields.</div><div><p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojF34qi6sDFIPo9UxO3l-bIM8noipC6YK0vahmk-vZwidsMKJhFx6gqmqAAqNfEjtRmlFavxn0qQY-jwJOaxjjRjz6DFou14UG1RRisYIGCewZ6VqZ1Qd5uQuaoqn7tGBIdZRl0rucTOE/s2048/Jammershorts.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojF34qi6sDFIPo9UxO3l-bIM8noipC6YK0vahmk-vZwidsMKJhFx6gqmqAAqNfEjtRmlFavxn0qQY-jwJOaxjjRjz6DFou14UG1RRisYIGCewZ6VqZ1Qd5uQuaoqn7tGBIdZRl0rucTOE/s320/Jammershorts.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">I'm obsessed with my playlist that has only songs related <br />to jets and flying...and with my phone secured in <br />my <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/womens-jammer-mid-length-reflective-running-short-in-magma" target="_blank">shorts side pocket</a>...it really keeps me moving!</span></td></tr></tbody></table>How do I keep myself motivated when running feels so laborious? I've created some pump-me-up Spotify playlists to listen to as I run, and I take advantage of all my fun <a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">Illuminite</a>* clothing and accessories that are perfect for New England's unpredictable spring weather. Every running day, I check the weather. Do I need my <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/waterproof-reflective-womens-colorado-jacket-in-mimosa-floral" target="_blank">lightweight, waterproof rain jacket</a>? My short sleeve shirt with my separate sleeves? My <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/womens-jammer-mid-length-reflective-running-short-in-magma" target="_blank">jammer shorts</a> with the deep side pocket for my phone? Or my <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/tahoe-womens-performance-reflective-jacket-in-graphite" target="_blank">performance fleece</a> and <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/reflective-unisex-velocity-mitten-in-hot-pink" target="_blank">Velocity Gloves</a> to keep me warm? Anything goes in these early spring months. But that just adds to the fun of it all.<p></p><p>So, yes. It's normal for legs to feel like lead with every step, and lungs to feel like deflated balloons, and the throat to feel on fire from breathing heavy. It's normal for two miles to feel like 100 miles and for clothes to not quite fit the same and for the brain to feel all foggy. Soon, the groove will come back and 15 miles will fly by in a blink, and it will be summer and warm and all will be right in the world again. </p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjtdrL3hB00kyTUUOHqKJXo9NXyHjBc06YQh1M0dPLAYkM5SM6TtpWnaINXMo86cSHxOV11XzOcSFPwFhEehRfx3xJh5FEDqkc4SKfyfwmCFLz3LueDuUwPCLSYdl5vIGPc1SbxuS8rjjh/s2048/velocitygloves.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjtdrL3hB00kyTUUOHqKJXo9NXyHjBc06YQh1M0dPLAYkM5SM6TtpWnaINXMo86cSHxOV11XzOcSFPwFhEehRfx3xJh5FEDqkc4SKfyfwmCFLz3LueDuUwPCLSYdl5vIGPc1SbxuS8rjjh/s320/velocitygloves.HEIC" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE's</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/reflective-unisex-velocity-mitten-in-hot-pink" target="_blank">Velocity Mittens</a> are lightweight and warm,<br />and their bright color makes them so fun to wear!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The most important thing to remember: just like March, spring marathon training may feel like the beast of the lion, but soon you WILL find that peaceful bliss of the lamb.</p><p><b>What races are you signed up for? </b></p><p><b>What are your tricks and tips to get you moving again now that it's spring? </b></p><p><b>I'd love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment below!</b></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">*Get 15% off your order at <a href="http://IllumiNITE.com">IllumiNITE.com</a> with my discount code <a href="https://illuminite.com/discount/runbrightly15" target="_blank">RunBrightly15</a>.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Sera Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120417461447755328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853846944598968995.post-70695634837380766532021-03-02T12:31:00.000-05:002021-03-02T12:31:00.463-05:00Stay Flexible, Avoid Injury<div class="separator"><div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></div></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcIEGycRe5wqNku0WONgp5J8TscIdZ39PuJIaq7KfZk1CS8HjnlQjSNJPX5w27JLwD8ssKBjIqAMuSnK22nCIzg0K-vwhIZEjl7hcs6nlNciyp3pYgD87N3gko2Zz3BYY38ckBlkLA7Ou/s2048/IMG_1256.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1855" data-original-width="2048" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcIEGycRe5wqNku0WONgp5J8TscIdZ39PuJIaq7KfZk1CS8HjnlQjSNJPX5w27JLwD8ssKBjIqAMuSnK22nCIzg0K-vwhIZEjl7hcs6nlNciyp3pYgD87N3gko2Zz3BYY38ckBlkLA7Ou/w200-h182/IMG_1256.heic" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Wearing <a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a>'s <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/long-sleeve-reflective-womens-piper-tee-in-afterglow" target="_blank">Long Sleeve Piper Tee</a> <br />and <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/womens-satellite-running-tight-in-black-firenz" target="_blank">Running Tights</a> keep me comfortable and <br />fashionable while I work from home</span></td></tr></tbody></table>I feel like roadkill on the side of the road that has frozen solid. Ugh! In hindsight, it was inevitable that I would throw my back out this winter. Before the bitter cold settled in, I’d been pretty good at keeping active, despite the pandemic keeping me at home most of the week. But as the months got colder and my reading chair and afghan got cozier, it became more difficult to motivate myself to get moving.<div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEino1CwHMsNKWQ25dFwLavKLl5tHJvGCXBYdwrnM-FXy3oqDWeT-E7jDhT9JlfImF_wTyyiR9QRfCtglUw40xBUbyBOlF0v-85Eq5gUVc2x1SM05L_K9JujaASv4wIZtzQ63Pz2kGDYxDgU/s2048/IMG_1247.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEino1CwHMsNKWQ25dFwLavKLl5tHJvGCXBYdwrnM-FXy3oqDWeT-E7jDhT9JlfImF_wTyyiR9QRfCtglUw40xBUbyBOlF0v-85Eq5gUVc2x1SM05L_K9JujaASv4wIZtzQ63Pz2kGDYxDgU/w150-h200/IMG_1247.HEIC" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Wrist stretches help my hands and<br /> arms from cramping up</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />For the past month, my shoulder has been hurting. It finally got to the point that it woke me up every time I tossed or turned while I slept, and trust me, I toss and turn all night long. Long story short, I eventually threw out my back, which spasmed for three days, which in turn caused new pain on the left side of my neck, back, and arm—all in addition to my right shoulder pain. <br /><br />“It sucks getting old,” I told Mike.<br /><br />Truthfully, the issue isn’t that I’m “getting old.” The issue is that I drastically cut back on minor <br />everyday routines that kept my body limber and strong. I didn’t realize that these little routines had such a great impact on my body’s well-being. I’m seeing a physical therapist now, and the words "you're a complicated situation" came out of her mouth. Not good. She can't seem to find the source of the pain. I can. It's call being a sloth. So now, I'm reimplementing all those little things that kept my body limber in addition to the new stretches she wants me to do each week.<br /><h1 style="text-align: left;">Standing Desk and Fatigue Mat</h1></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Y8VvzTESfUKLuU_a5Ev8884AgAHPi3o5t1Ab6RW-P048cZ-U7WYnS62-hq43SLf6HXKv6Z3OpFFXaGDFqfDEVYn7rXpj9GRJpjjMWeR4PgyxywdSJ0KSz-jNClO5oayztXQP3KjY1GIv/s2048/IMG_1244.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Y8VvzTESfUKLuU_a5Ev8884AgAHPi3o5t1Ab6RW-P048cZ-U7WYnS62-hq43SLf6HXKv6Z3OpFFXaGDFqfDEVYn7rXpj9GRJpjjMWeR4PgyxywdSJ0KSz-jNClO5oayztXQP3KjY1GIv/w150-h200/IMG_1244.HEIC" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Don't judge! No one can see <br />my slippers on Zoom! <br />Tree pose keeps <br />my posture straight!</span></td></tr></tbody></table>For years, I’ve had a standing desk at work. It took some getting used to. But after slowly adjusting to standing one hour a day to three hours a day and so on, I found myself standing at home during activities I’d normally sit for…like standing against the wall while reading a book or standing in the kitchen while paying bills, my laptop sitting on the counter. In other words, it didn’t take long before the “standing” part faded away from the “desk” part—the same way we don’t really acknowledge the “sitting” part. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2mlPkgc3GEQey9DNLQuE3WNXoCmYS-Hxv4pf4OlKB8GEWX8Td4hMcxnKjYsHfEFkQYt1j0e2dobJk28F2FfqSh7P4Bb_odzbpmNNlQ1ufWJHfgIFykY4oEVWwZTmWChnZPoFkLYLbQBj/s2048/IMG_1254.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2mlPkgc3GEQey9DNLQuE3WNXoCmYS-Hxv4pf4OlKB8GEWX8Td4hMcxnKjYsHfEFkQYt1j0e2dobJk28F2FfqSh7P4Bb_odzbpmNNlQ1ufWJHfgIFykY4oEVWwZTmWChnZPoFkLYLbQBj/w150-h200/IMG_1254.HEIC" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">I've got to remember to lessen up <br />throughout the day!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div>I cannot promote a standing workstation enough. Whether you work from home or not, look into purchasing a standing desk. They aren’t as expensive as they used to be. Mine, which takes up the width of my office, was under four-hundred dollars (I like a lot of surface space). Don’t have the space or funds for a standing desk? There are various ways to create one. Before I bought mine, I placed my laptop on the counter and raised it up with books so that it was eye height. A separate keyboard and mouse kept it all ergonomic. If a standup workstation isn’t an option, look at your workstation setup and make sure it’s ergonomic. The <a href="https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/computerworkstations/">Occupational Safety and Health Administration</a> share great tips on making sure your computer workstation is safe. </div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJnP1Vxfko6ktbWjUQCL5oAuulFwL5lnSPhcfEnqoBy94fejOh0wvulG8Qyg8jUaAN-2Z4Vqi23LsEn3IHvuZOsn9gp98wc2YQfssm0KbKca9_LDKsGUSqsSiNJhRPtzccX7A2C__FU_J/s2048/IMG_1236.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJnP1Vxfko6ktbWjUQCL5oAuulFwL5lnSPhcfEnqoBy94fejOh0wvulG8Qyg8jUaAN-2Z4Vqi23LsEn3IHvuZOsn9gp98wc2YQfssm0KbKca9_LDKsGUSqsSiNJhRPtzccX7A2C__FU_J/w150-h200/IMG_1236.HEIC" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">I'd be lost without my fatigue mat!</span></td></tr></tbody></table>A fatigue mat is essential to standing all day. It absorbs the shock to relieve pressure from your back and knees. Just remember to buy a fatigue mat that is at least half-an-inch thick, though I prefer three-quarters-an-inch thick. There are a number of stretches you can do right at your desk, whether you’re standing or sitting. Healthline shared some tips in their article <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/deskercise#TOC_TITLE_HDR_1">Stretches to Do at Work Every Day</a>.</div><h1 style="text-align: left;">Stretch, Move, Exercise</h1><div>Working at a standing desk makes stretching a mindless activity, and I often catch myself in the middle of a stretch before I even realize I'm stretching. Simple movements like standing on one leg with the sole of the other leg on the ankle or calf (often called tree pose) really helps me gain better balance and engages my core muscles. Then I’ll cross my leg over my knee and “sit” into it (variation of a pigeon pose). I also perform neck, arm, and hand stretches throughout the day so that I don't stiffen up or wake up the tendinitis in my wrist. </div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmMN3v3olAF4Fw7Y4ZBi3EgmqZEqXxbsqLCkywshbNy_jh-6b4GbbAr04ZmchaV1CdY6sG4VZJaE-e7tfY2YweArXlneyKKXyioOX5RAesLEJgDN45rD1eBb8fXA3-jvLei-Y7RU2WBA1/s2048/SeraGym6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmMN3v3olAF4Fw7Y4ZBi3EgmqZEqXxbsqLCkywshbNy_jh-6b4GbbAr04ZmchaV1CdY6sG4VZJaE-e7tfY2YweArXlneyKKXyioOX5RAesLEJgDN45rD1eBb8fXA3-jvLei-Y7RU2WBA1/w150-h200/SeraGym6.jpeg" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">I loved going to my gym at work!<br />My <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/womens-short-sleeve-savannah-shirt-in-red-gray" target="_blank">Savannah Tee</a> kept me cool <br />while I worked up a sweat!</span></td></tr></tbody></table>But then I got lazy; sitting in my reading chair all day prevented me from performing these small but effective stretches, which I‘m sure added to the current state of my stiff and sore body.</div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>There are also a number of strength-training exercise routines that can be done right at home. The plethora of YouTube channels and pay programs out there are endless. My sister swears by Beach Body. I like to stick with old school moves, such as sit ups, pushups, leg lifts, etc. I look forward to slowly incorporating those back into my routine once my back is properly healed.</div><h1 style="text-align: left;">Water Cooler Breaks</h1><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRYha01j72kQiM-fMsbSOnuPqoAkeblGQD1nVqxHEzmCwAaUqQ13fMkfPZzYLtLmxpAf3HzFzEf9dgbzZWoCnNNw3hqHMWFp3tmQpna6wly9mp7zlDJOSLa2O4XHjablSvOqyfjdFY4_v/s2048/IMG_9752.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRYha01j72kQiM-fMsbSOnuPqoAkeblGQD1nVqxHEzmCwAaUqQ13fMkfPZzYLtLmxpAf3HzFzEf9dgbzZWoCnNNw3hqHMWFp3tmQpna6wly9mp7zlDJOSLa2O4XHjablSvOqyfjdFY4_v/w200-h150/IMG_9752.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Staying cozy and bright in <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/womens-satellite-running-tight-in-black-firenz" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a>'s <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/womens-long-sleeve-reflective-love-tee-in-pink-white" target="_blank">Love Tee</a><br />and <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/womens-reflex-powerstretch-reflective-capri-in-black" target="_blank">Powerstretch Capri</a><br />while I strengthen my core</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Do people still say water cooler anymore? I’m seriously dating myself. I am getting old! When I worked in an office, I took way more breaks than I do now that I work from home. I refilled my water bottle multiple times, got up to get a snack from the breakroom, which was always on a different floor, walked to colleagues' offices for a quick chat—work-related or not—and took daily walks at lunchtime. </div><div><br /></div><div>But working from home provides no real distractions, and since we’re all working remotely, we check in on Zoom. I often find myself eating lunch in my chair during yet another Zoom meeting. I forget to refill my water bottle. Forget the snacks…what snacks? There’s no one to bring junk food into work anymore since work is my house and Mike and I eat whole foods. I have to remind myself that water cooler breaks can still happen, just more conscientiously. </div><div><br /></div><div>Set timers, alarms, or reminders on your phone to take quick breaks throughout the day. After thirty minutes—60 max—walk away from your workstation, even if it’s to check the mail, throw in a load of laundry, or do ten jumping jacks or two minutes of a Spotify dance party. Refilling that water bottle is a good excuse to break from work—and will help keep you hydrated. Hydration further aids in preventing muscle injury.</div><h1 style="text-align: left;">Daily Walks</h1><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-Il6Xq8JGb181oXZ2msUBPQ8kXY-ie3AsoCxUZCg_KoS3UOBXSauFs3mh1JHGQhuueeBbDjac9U0oPR1NNqZ4VGfhg3osqJ19_Cdx7Ov5ugnu8ShBp7cMM1lGQ3Uqvzzs8oq8lt3S0Oj/s2048/2C7A0950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-Il6Xq8JGb181oXZ2msUBPQ8kXY-ie3AsoCxUZCg_KoS3UOBXSauFs3mh1JHGQhuueeBbDjac9U0oPR1NNqZ4VGfhg3osqJ19_Cdx7Ov5ugnu8ShBp7cMM1lGQ3Uqvzzs8oq8lt3S0Oj/w200-h133/2C7A0950.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Miss my daily walks! <br /><a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE's</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/waterproof-reflective-womens-colorado-jacket-in-mimosa-floral" target="_blank">Colorado Jackets</a> keeps us <br />warm and dry!<br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo credit: </span><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">© Matt Francis</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table>When I worked in an office, I took daily walks…even in the dead of winter. It was much easier to get out there in the cold when I did so with a group of colleagues. Mike and I rarely have the same meeting breaks so we were walking first thing in the morning or right after work. But the shorter, colder, darker winter days did not make leaving our cozy home appealing, especially after a long day's work. Where's that afghan? </div><div><br /></div><div>It's time to schedule those walk breaks again. Cold weather never stopped me before. It’s amazing to think that simply sitting all day and staying inside could have such a damaging effect on my body. But it has, and then some! I noticed that being more sedentary has also increased my irritability and darkened my mood, which in turn has made me more lethargic and unmotivated. It’s so easy to fall out of habits, but much harder to get back into them. </div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKrVOj-C3JPtgjrL6VMfyPKkbCXGY-piN-fJUzU8D40UJZpq20QqTnx4cACxhefrvDMp6G3VNyqreZZyLmNxh-4IJdWWH44bYFBdwD6gHQ-kDUp0fkLd-BiJOoC9voJ4U-As1Q77gE_eK/s2048/SeraMikeStretchHotCocoa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKrVOj-C3JPtgjrL6VMfyPKkbCXGY-piN-fJUzU8D40UJZpq20QqTnx4cACxhefrvDMp6G3VNyqreZZyLmNxh-4IJdWWH44bYFBdwD6gHQ-kDUp0fkLd-BiJOoC9voJ4U-As1Q77gE_eK/w200-h133/SeraMikeStretchHotCocoa.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Reminder: I will be able to fully stretch again! <br />Especially in <a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE's</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/comet-reflective-womens-running-tight-in-black-flo-lime" target="_blank">Comet Running Tight</a>!<br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Photo credit: </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">© Matt Francis</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table>I feel so foolish that I let myself slip so far into sloth mode that I can’t even touch my toes anymore. Was it that long ago that I could drop my hands down to the ground and grasp the earth with my palms while my legs held perfectly straight? I must hold faith that I can find my way back to the Sera who could just spring into a fifteen-mile run without thinking twice about it on any given day. I will find my way back. There’s no use beating myself up for falling so easily back into a slump. It’s more important to focus on getting back on track to the healthy lifestyle that keeps me limber and happy. Reimplementing these everyday routines is a good start. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>What do you do to keep your body flexible and strong? Leave a comment below. I'd love to incorporate new ideas into my everyday routine.</b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Don't forget! You can get 15% off your <a href="https://illuminite.com/discount/runbrightly15" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> order with my discount code <a href="https://illuminite.com/discount/runbrightly15" target="_blank">RunBrightly15</a>, including the items shown in the pictures on my blog!</div>Sera Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120417461447755328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853846944598968995.post-76984921064000105682021-02-12T16:59:00.001-05:002021-02-12T17:04:57.962-05:00Keep Your Loved Ones Safe This Valentine's Day, and Always<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFb7LmCtgXJruqdxstefq_neSJ6rF3T0bGB9lgSfSMGYxyjoLxsGx7-xAPI5tY5uPAkWxxABN6nw8t-ksrPMQu8Idz3ZP56i14bYee0mK2L5tmgF9ISrT2QNL3atWOhcYDJjZnRCcS05gS/s1116/DSC06862.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="755" data-original-width="1116" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFb7LmCtgXJruqdxstefq_neSJ6rF3T0bGB9lgSfSMGYxyjoLxsGx7-xAPI5tY5uPAkWxxABN6nw8t-ksrPMQu8Idz3ZP56i14bYee0mK2L5tmgF9ISrT2QNL3atWOhcYDJjZnRCcS05gS/w200-h135/DSC06862.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">My baby boy, circa 1998</span></td></tr></tbody></table>A few weeks ago, I dropped my son off at college, and it was more emotional than I expected. See, my son has been in college for a few years now. Dropping him off and picking him up has become old hat (that phrase makes me now feel old, but I digress). It's been a mundane routine over the years of packing him up, shipping him out, packing him up again, and shipping him home. <p></p><p>But, this year felt so much different. For starters, he had been living on campus mostly year-round, as he took summer courses in addition to his fall and spring semesters. When I moved in with my partner last summer, my son had only stayed at my house about ten nights of the year. Even when the pandemic hit, my son was one of the few allowed to stay on campus. But when the college opened up its campus to students again in September, my son decided he wanted to learn remotely.</p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54RPvVA1lBd0LgviIH94AThIyfOtKfy0-mYnskT1D4J6IhJKkyumuBU_8_xz3Slh5iO1Pcxqh5H8nYmJWqCKgxXE9arXls8p3gYjAeBXN7nEX3IwgXBpslpkrHgJCRvIWucMNXGsjiTQ8/s2048/threeofusoncouch.HEIC" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54RPvVA1lBd0LgviIH94AThIyfOtKfy0-mYnskT1D4J6IhJKkyumuBU_8_xz3Slh5iO1Pcxqh5H8nYmJWqCKgxXE9arXls8p3gYjAeBXN7nEX3IwgXBpslpkrHgJCRvIWucMNXGsjiTQ8/w200-h150/threeofusoncouch.HEIC" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">This pandemic brought us closer together <br />with family nights on the couch</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Being in a new place and having my son move into that place took a lot of adjusting on all of our parts. Mike had to renovate a room for him; we had to figure out where to store all his belongings; we all had to learn to live in harmony together, while having different daily routines and eating habits. After a few rocky weeks, we found our living together groove. We established family routines, such as eating dinners together no matter what the rest of our day looked like; going for hikes and walks and runs together; watching a dedicated TV show together. <p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemMsUp5MMK3Rwx3Ig7YlKJyZbonY9y3QjR4SLFVu5oou4pVUVefzE1jzlIUVX9l4PYz6SpNYQD8hszDNnyFq-qqeSWzqLzFClKPBvMRlnlvSnJ_FcMxYYBcq-Vlw3znwJthfqWKOtrItY/s2048/accepted.heic" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1343" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemMsUp5MMK3Rwx3Ig7YlKJyZbonY9y3QjR4SLFVu5oou4pVUVefzE1jzlIUVX9l4PYz6SpNYQD8hszDNnyFq-qqeSWzqLzFClKPBvMRlnlvSnJ_FcMxYYBcq-Vlw3znwJthfqWKOtrItY/w133-h200/accepted.heic" width="133" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">So proud of his achievements!</span></td></tr></tbody></table>This pandemic offered an opportunity I don't think I would have had otherwise. My son is at the point in his life where he'll soon go off and live on his own, create his own life, and our time together will lessen. Having my son in my home during the pandemic also gave me a sense of relief knowing that he was safe. I hadn't realized that I hold this nagging anxiety when he's away from home—that he's out in the world on his own and there's nothing I can do about it. Of course, this is what every parent wants to achieve ultimately—to raise their children to be self-sufficient, successful. But it's still hard to say goodbye to the baby boy that used to love cuddling on the couch with a good movie and hot cocoa.<p>When my son got accepted into a new college more than three hours away, I felt a little anxiety about the distance, about the pandemic, about him being so far away in a new place on his own. But I was also very excited for his new adventure. I was also ready to go back to the calm, quiet lifestyle that Mike and I had become accustomed to before my son moved in. So I set about packing my son's life up once again and making sure he had everything to be self-sufficient and successful at his new school.</p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tvaZIwKeZEeCzPGnIuWfc5b5-JuJsKbbKvK38hKb1vPpHukUiem63mFQl0QEbHgkPVFYI6rSi7AkkO9A_6j7X4MnQItRC0bAtdMk6QUkQYLCFxcQ9NMRByjQL-EyeCGpOEHVhD4OUzHw/s600/bikehelmetcover.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tvaZIwKeZEeCzPGnIuWfc5b5-JuJsKbbKvK38hKb1vPpHukUiem63mFQl0QEbHgkPVFYI6rSi7AkkO9A_6j7X4MnQItRC0bAtdMk6QUkQYLCFxcQ9NMRByjQL-EyeCGpOEHVhD4OUzHw/w200-h200/bikehelmetcover.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://illuminite.com/products/waterproof-helmet-cover-in-black" target="_blank">IllumiNITE's cool, reflective design</a> will keep<br />my son visible to drivers despite dark and winter conditions</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Before I knew it, time ran out and it was moving day! We packed up a rented minivan (with unlimited miles!) and made the three-plus hour trek to upstate Vermont. Due to the pandemic, we weren't allowed to help him move into college. We had to stay outside, so we unpacked the minivan, left them on the steps of his dorm, and gave a quick farewell—did I mention that it was only nine degrees out? Brrrrrr! <p></p><p>My son's been living in Vermont for the past few years, so he's fully equipped for Vermont <br />winters with thermal wear and a heavy duty jacket and gloves. Since he doesn't have a car, we bought him a mountain bike so that he can get around campus—and have some fun in Vermont's epic wooded trails! I made sure he had all the safety accessories: helmet, blinking lights, reflective strips. But on the drive home, I realized exactly how remote he was, remembered how quickly it gets dark in the winter, and panic seized me. Why didn't I buy him reflective clothing before he left? And then it really hit me: my baby boy has once again left the nest, and I missed him terribly already.</p><p></p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyauCDvhEpkF0SSZ0lDhg4Il4Uwi1TjXLVbiOu6SeMu8PIuQWbMwHRC4D_1S_T5xgsa3w_-e3EoJFYJC-_c5lbHUyr3lw-wrpPGvFTtPb-06Z8PDrz-T44uHPWNf9fz3dgf7vtaAK17vJi/s2048/IndieandIbeingSilly.HEIC" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyauCDvhEpkF0SSZ0lDhg4Il4Uwi1TjXLVbiOu6SeMu8PIuQWbMwHRC4D_1S_T5xgsa3w_-e3EoJFYJC-_c5lbHUyr3lw-wrpPGvFTtPb-06Z8PDrz-T44uHPWNf9fz3dgf7vtaAK17vJi/w152-h200/IndieandIbeingSilly.HEIC" width="152" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Who's that sneaking up in the dark? <br />Phew! It's just my son being silly <br />on our evening walk!</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Thankfully, Mike is very attuned to my feelings, and he comforted me on the ride home. "We can always go hiking in Vermont and visit him when it's safe to do so." Tears welled up in my eyes. </p><p>"He's only a car ride away, not across country." I nodded. </p><p>"We can finally watch whatever we want on TV." That one made me laugh.</p><p>And now that we're watching <i>The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel </i>on Amazon Prime (highly recommend!), I remembered that it's a good thing to have such an ambitious, driven child who wants to venture out on his own. </p><p>"He takes after him mom," Mike said.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNzkGRHzPMEC72dRGQ6dSwqLIkyttsbf9rWt_PJ0ghLmy_og8mTZrgc3EqaigJxI49PC3hyLt-BAylerNpbCNm-NNKWAmmOwmDXuCITxjtGi4voyIwm7evvhdjix4x8RpVpCEGJ3sLmol_/s600/safetyvestillumiNITED.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNzkGRHzPMEC72dRGQ6dSwqLIkyttsbf9rWt_PJ0ghLmy_og8mTZrgc3EqaigJxI49PC3hyLt-BAylerNpbCNm-NNKWAmmOwmDXuCITxjtGi4voyIwm7evvhdjix4x8RpVpCEGJ3sLmol_/w200-h200/safetyvestillumiNITED.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://illuminite.com/products/vizi-reflective-bib-in-safety-orange" target="_blank">Safety orange </a>will keep my son safe from hunters<br />when he's on the trails in the woods</span></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p></p><div><br /></div>And then I remembered just because he's not home doesn't mean I can't keep him safe. There's this wonderful thing called online shopping where purchases can be shipped anywhere in the world. And since I love the safety that <a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> provides, I opened up my browser and bought my son their <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/waterproof-helmet-cover-in-black" target="_blank">Reflective Waterproof Bike Helmet Cover </a>and their <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/vizi-reflective-bib-in-safety-orange" target="_blank">Vizi Reflective Orange Bib in Safety Orange</a>.<div><a href="https://illuminite.com"><span style="color: black;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span></span>IllumiNITE</a> is more than an athletic apparel company; they offer a variety of products for <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women" target="_blank">women</a>, <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/men" target="_blank">men</a>, <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/kids" target="_blank">kids</a>, and even <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/pets" target="_blank">pets</a>; Safety is <a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE's</a> top priority. From <a href="https://illuminite.com/search?q=tote" target="_blank">tote bags</a> to <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/halloween" target="_blank">Halloween capes</a> to <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/pets" target="_blank">dog leashes</a>, <a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> has something for everyone. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzyN8Mqossggiddw2Ci42kOdjMsHQ32hBEp2cZTMWbyUPYu-i3dtrgzfqMvbK-tBVmM564WUo8QWef5K35EghUX8P1RDgCVaSpoyjKLmKEaAaESSxpUrzAq4ZwtU4xWh6_QIqcX3Dht0Cj/w150-h200/threeofus.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="150" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">My favorite Valentine's</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>Looking for gift ideas for Valentine's Day? Give the ultimate gift of love with <a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE's</a> reflective products. Use discount code <a href="https://illuminite.com/pages/bogo-50-on-reflective-jackets-and-more">BOGOVALENTINE</a>* (automatically applied at discount) to <b>get 50% off a second item</b> when you buy one at full price! That's an amazing savings...especially if you're buying one of their <a href="https://illuminite.com/search?q=jackets">Winter Jackets</a>! And you can keep your loved ones safe the other eleven months of the year with my discount code <a href="http://illumiNITE.com/discount/runbrightly15" target="_blank">RunBrightly15</a> for 15% off your order. </div><div><br /><div><div><b>How do you keep your loved ones safe? </b></div><div><b>Leave a comment below!</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Have a very Happy and Safe Valentine's Day!</b></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>*</b>Buy one regular price item, get one regular price item of equal or lesser value 50% off; Active from 12:00 AM Feb 12 to 11:59 PM Feb 19; May be used more than once; cannot be combined with other discounts</span></div></div></div>Sera Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120417461447755328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853846944598968995.post-99358915319284522021-02-02T12:32:00.005-05:002021-02-02T12:34:38.429-05:00I'Masking You to Hang Out<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdgT9tNHgka17JQpS5GgHFVJRYTjo5sCtJVo3kSpSwa0sFdXIp-p4quiPhjeCNkSQinpGLNmx6rLxShg_t4T-lsNS_RWBSIk6JSumXZ6bD8nlrKjdTe7id5qwHhG3oobRGWfYJwOszs0A/s2048/DSC06214.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdgT9tNHgka17JQpS5GgHFVJRYTjo5sCtJVo3kSpSwa0sFdXIp-p4quiPhjeCNkSQinpGLNmx6rLxShg_t4T-lsNS_RWBSIk6JSumXZ6bD8nlrKjdTe7id5qwHhG3oobRGWfYJwOszs0A/w400-h270/DSC06214.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE's</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-face-and-neck-wear" target="_blank">Face and Neck Wear</a> double as a face mask while keeping you warm for all your outdoor winter adventures!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />It has been 323 days since America shut down due to the pandemic. What's worse! Here in New England, the past 93 days have been cold and bitter wintry months! I woke up this morning to my weather app shivering its five degrees at me, and all I wanted to do was crawl further down into my blankets and sleep until spring.<p></p><p>Let's face it—COVID fatigue is legit. I'm so beyond tired wearing masks everywhere when I need to venture into the world to get essentials, like food and medicine. I'm so beyond tired to make sure I don't touch my face until I get home and sanitize my hands, my phone, and everything else I've touched while out. It's exhausting! I know I'm not the only one wishing this pandemic would just end. BUT, we can't just <b><i>will</i></b> the pandemic away. Fatigued by it or not, COVID still exists. </p><p>These days, I'm struggling even more with trying to explain to people I care deeply about why I won't gather indoors; why I won't visit without a mask on. Some people take offense; they think "No" means I think they have COVID; they think "No" means I'm judging them; they think "No" means I don't really care enough to spend time with them. I try to explain this is not about them as an individual. Any one of us could have COVID (and not know it)—including me! I will not gather indoors BECAUSE I care. I have seen too many people become really ill with this virus (some with long-lasting effects!), and way too many people I know have died from it. It's heartbreaking. This pandemic won't end if we don't continue to stay hunkered down.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnNsQdakvQbCirv3GCwV6oqyWs8DgWmV3L1aIN0TBdbARLrjPt8cKRDVnjEjwutIi86-hO2qJfm6NU61tDWvU2nEkDdjRxAZZ0YqBPXbozm1qWZEPJISED4PjFE7RE3yVyt7xttV2P0t4/s2048/zoomedout.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnNsQdakvQbCirv3GCwV6oqyWs8DgWmV3L1aIN0TBdbARLrjPt8cKRDVnjEjwutIi86-hO2qJfm6NU61tDWvU2nEkDdjRxAZZ0YqBPXbozm1qWZEPJISED4PjFE7RE3yVyt7xttV2P0t4/w242-h320/zoomedout.JPG" width="242" /></a></div>In addition to being COVID-fatigued, I am also screen fatigued. My workdays have become nonstop Zoom meetings and phone calls and eight hours a day of screen time! I've taken to locking my phone in my home office Friday nights and praying I don't need to talk to a single person outside of my household just so I can feel rested come Monday morning. I'm totally Zoomed out, Phone-Called Out, Social Mediaed Out! Breaks really help.<p></p><p>Okay, end rant. I do miss hanging out with my friends and family. It's really hard to say "No" to invites for cocktail nights and dinners and other such gatherings. A few people reached out to me sharing that they also are struggling with people not understanding social isolation, especially during these cold, dark days when everyone is locked inside. As I've thought more and more about it, I've gathered some ideas for how to safely gather OUTSIDE during this cold, dreary winter.</p><h1 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h1><h1 style="text-align: left;">Host a Backyard Gathering</h1><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYcTryeqdl06VeMzg-QDrd1mIJnft0v0t4KJ_Wqbwi3EZ03X_Sz78kVfmmA18te_r_PU3JAvP1ffgDWOrk0zAiIBibq1gZOzeujyMKA4TBM9pSekHCRIgpIEqaJ7TuU3wsMGetYaVs5LV/s2048/SeraandRobPhotoshoot.HEIC" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYcTryeqdl06VeMzg-QDrd1mIJnft0v0t4KJ_Wqbwi3EZ03X_Sz78kVfmmA18te_r_PU3JAvP1ffgDWOrk0zAiIBibq1gZOzeujyMKA4TBM9pSekHCRIgpIEqaJ7TuU3wsMGetYaVs5LV/s320/SeraandRobPhotoshoot.HEIC" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Grateful for my <a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IlumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/tahoe-womens-performance-reflective-jacket-in-graphite" target="_blank">Tahoe Performance Fleece</a> to</span></div><span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: right;">keep me warm during a socially-distanced photoshoot<br />for my son's graduation in our local park</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Bring the cozy warmth of home outdoors! Build a fire pit or rent/buy one of those outdoor propane <br />heaters to keep everyone warm. Ask everyone to bring their own chair and blankets. Serve hot cider, hot chocolate, coffee or tea—all of which can be spiked with spirits for those 21 and over. Crockpots do a great job keeping mulled wine and spiked cider warm; insulated travel mugs are great for keeping beverages warm as well. For food, offer s'mores to roast over the fire, chowder or soup, and warm bread. </div><div><br /></div><div>Make one person the server, and have that person wear gloves and a mask while serving to keep everyone safe. You can also ask everyone to bring their own drinks and food for extra precaution. If you have a projector and screen, host a movie night, or use a portable speaker to create a dance party...with everyone outside of individual households distanced six-to-ten feet apart.</div><h1 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h1><h1 style="text-align: left;">Traverse Your Nearest Bike Path</h1><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpej1N18s-JwNfqhBYVWUMT67CYkIoFKNQpLVvLIBxoHbWwzF3pI6qjcZmo1X72GRN0sKuWpYLzwal5zXyK7bdyG7WqFiqvVE69cb0SYLehvMYo75uvQ1A592P6zkW0jF4L_wRHKPZEWT2/s1080/73921_Cycle_Glove_Nite_1000px_sq_1080x.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpej1N18s-JwNfqhBYVWUMT67CYkIoFKNQpLVvLIBxoHbWwzF3pI6qjcZmo1X72GRN0sKuWpYLzwal5zXyK7bdyG7WqFiqvVE69cb0SYLehvMYo75uvQ1A592P6zkW0jF4L_wRHKPZEWT2/w200-h200/73921_Cycle_Glove_Nite_1000px_sq_1080x.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Mike and I are athletes, so we often forget that not everyone is "up" for a mountain climb (see what I did here?) or a run. The bike path offers a multitude of ways to connect with family and friends. You can walk, bike, rollerblade, roller skate (for you old school peeps!), hoverboard, or skateboard. The little ones can ride their big wheels and tricycles, or get pushed in a stroller or wagon. </div><div><br /></div><div>Plus, bike paths are wider than sidewalks, which makes social distancing easier. Most bike paths get plowed when it snows, but check with your town first to make sure. </div><div><br /></div><h1 style="text-align: left;">Travel Separately Together</h1><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXiERVP1yevzSlHtXAveuyHYnWKIXwC7c3vzgN9BqSBEXLHvJcxyyaJB1KW-Sl-NFHrXbM2SQKY9BxyxDVj07b1zS0dbPpw6B4PInXyUNXkQ84UwbVCj8_CAY73o26VXfrBDmxJxveGa1/s2048/hikingmoutnainwithdanandnancy.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXiERVP1yevzSlHtXAveuyHYnWKIXwC7c3vzgN9BqSBEXLHvJcxyyaJB1KW-Sl-NFHrXbM2SQKY9BxyxDVj07b1zS0dbPpw6B4PInXyUNXkQ84UwbVCj8_CAY73o26VXfrBDmxJxveGa1/w300-h400/hikingmoutnainwithdanandnancy.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Socially distanced hike on a local mountain with Mike's aunt and uncle;<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><div style="text-align: left;">Geared up with my <a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IlumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/tahoe-womens-performance-reflective-jacket-in-graphite" target="_blank">Tahoe Performance Fleece</a>, </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://illuminite.com/products/cold-weather-hood-in-black" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://illuminite.com/products/cold-weather-hood-in-black" target="_blank">Cold Weather Hood</a>, and <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/unisex-second-skin-glove" target="_blank">Second Skin Gloves</a> </div></span></td></tr></tbody></table>How often have you thought about all the history and significant places in your own state? We often overlook tourist attractions nearby because we're too busy looking up touristy places everywhere else! I've lived in Western Massachusetts my whole life yet I'm surprised at how many historical places I have not yet visited. </div><div><br /></div><div>Do some research online; google your town or state websites, and nature conservatories, museums, and other outdoor attractions in your area. Check out touristy places, such as historical estate grounds and cemeteries, natural attractions, such as hiking trails, nature conservatories, waterfalls, caverns, spiritual. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then invite friends or family to meet you there!</div><h1 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h1><h1 style="text-align: left;">Visit a State Park</h1><div>State Parks offer a lot of activities, all in one convenient outdoor place. Many have hiking trails, basketball and tennis courts, open fields, picnic tables and grills, playgrounds, and more. Nothing beats cold weather like playing a team sport (no contact!) like baseball/softball, flag football, soccer, or disc golf. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h1 style="text-align: left;">Explore Winter-Only Activities</h1><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG6CiX51xXRKB8j3HO3O6MePM4ciCrNUmmm2rXnFdCfDipmRK1bJmYwBNLQI5ygBCjZofn6wr75qKGn2l2imf8thUuQddBBWi1sPmneNJt1fAemP7ZRK-xGHODSRgj-_rcWhdFt5-mw7c-/s1000/Versa+Gaiter.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG6CiX51xXRKB8j3HO3O6MePM4ciCrNUmmm2rXnFdCfDipmRK1bJmYwBNLQI5ygBCjZofn6wr75qKGn2l2imf8thUuQddBBWi1sPmneNJt1fAemP7ZRK-xGHODSRgj-_rcWhdFt5-mw7c-/w200-h200/Versa+Gaiter.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE's</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/reflective-cold-weather-versa-gaiter-its-convertible#" target="_blank">Reflective Cold Weather Versa Gaiter</a> provides versatiility <br />for a multitude of outdoor winter activities!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Besides running and hiking, which you can do pretty much all year round, there are a number of outdoor winter activities that could be fun to try with others. Go snowshoeing! Try cross-country skiing or regular skiing/snowboarding for the more adventurous types. </div><div><br /></div><div>Have you ever been tubing, sledding, or tobogganing? Just be sure only people within the same household double up! </div><div><br /></div><div>For those who enjoy less active activities, look up places near you that offer ice sculpture shows and winterfests. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><h1><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8RYGFwU2TBFnVmhaajImxMNNQW5DxhRHxgA9whNGbrCdNew2BMHPkucfDedQjfhhdJzQnl-dn_c-rOh8lTw1aRkwEKeND9rYsXly7_oNSREt3wDahRhZcw4asIUV8e6NZ2NqFOgBhOX3/s2048/IMG_1827.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1056" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8RYGFwU2TBFnVmhaajImxMNNQW5DxhRHxgA9whNGbrCdNew2BMHPkucfDedQjfhhdJzQnl-dn_c-rOh8lTw1aRkwEKeND9rYsXly7_oNSREt3wDahRhZcw4asIUV8e6NZ2NqFOgBhOX3/s320/IMG_1827.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> like to steal Mike's <a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/men-ascent-parka-in-red-black-with-roma-print" target="_blank">Ascent Parka</a>; <br />it's like wearing a warm boyfriend hug <br />on our cold morning walks!</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Layer Up, Gear Up, and Mask Up</h1></div></div><div>However you choose to gather with loved ones outdoors, be sure that everyone is properly prepared for <br />New England's unpredictable weather patterns. It's so important to wear layers, as finicky New England temperatures can plummet quickly—especially once the sun starts to set. IllumiNITE reflective athletic wear layers well without added bulk, keeping you cozy warm, comfortable, and fashionably bright! Remind everyone to wear their cold weather gear as well. Layers won't do you any good if your head, neck, and extremities are exposed to the cold. Share a winter weather checklist that includes hats, hoods, neck coverings, gloves, mittens, wool socks, and proper foot attire. For especially cold days and nights, add Hot Hands or heating packs to the list. And last but definitely not least, mask up! It adds a greater level of safety, and as an added bonus, it keeps your face warm and protected from harsh winter winds!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: red;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGorBANAkhKU1qnbsUctlJ2RHY8YkhX4tcbFMaS7qA2JvByJQNwegzNWLXmK0IkRXYkjQDxOgqtOvsouViSdxOq6fYX5Am4DzBKogl2ZYPGg8LyxOM_KvRF7NAyut6eegXak1AUGLyds7e/s2048/seramaskmountain.HEIC" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGorBANAkhKU1qnbsUctlJ2RHY8YkhX4tcbFMaS7qA2JvByJQNwegzNWLXmK0IkRXYkjQDxOgqtOvsouViSdxOq6fYX5Am4DzBKogl2ZYPGg8LyxOM_KvRF7NAyut6eegXak1AUGLyds7e/s320/seramaskmountain.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">MASKUP with <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-face-and-neck-wear" target="_blank">IllumiNITE's Reflective Face and Neck Wear Collection</a>!</span></td></tr></tbody></table>IllumiNITE makes it easier than ever to MASKUP with family and friends! Now through the end of June, use discount code MASKUP for 20% off <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-face-and-neck-wear" target="_blank">IllumiNITE's Reflective Face and Neck Wear Collection</a>*. Check out the multiple ways you can use their Multi-Wrap in the video below! </span></div><div><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red;">Already have IllumiNITE's Face and Neck wear? Keep yourself and your loved ones warm, cozy, and fashionable with IllumiNITE's cold weather product line. Use discount code SERA15 for 15% off your order.</span></div><div><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="font-size: 11pt;">What have you been doing to beat pandemic winter doldrums? I'd love to hear your tips and ideas! Share them in a comment below!</b></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hsscH4KwDvY" width="320" youtube-src-id="hsscH4KwDvY"></iframe></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">*Discount code expires June 30, 2021 at 11:59 PM. Customers can use it more than once, and they can share it. Discount code cannot be combined with other offers. Discount is only available on the Reflective Face and Neck Wear Collection. Products and prices subject to change without notice.</span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Sera Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120417461447755328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853846944598968995.post-28227147653122460722021-01-13T10:34:00.002-05:002021-01-13T14:29:26.668-05:00Reset, Reflect, Recalibrate: This is 2021<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMw6jMN0x-klDmOAGXfY0Tsl-wEAaZoH6aAxSjSkB-tAvvh3b5ICyjh1pxyiH4IEGnoyiRzyODQaqg2GGzBzXkjyHXTczGkkdS_KWFntFiwEwY8yLkqR56LMCiaWKedFyNex8cc0BfoXMV/s2048/January2021Plan.HEIC" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMw6jMN0x-klDmOAGXfY0Tsl-wEAaZoH6aAxSjSkB-tAvvh3b5ICyjh1pxyiH4IEGnoyiRzyODQaqg2GGzBzXkjyHXTczGkkdS_KWFntFiwEwY8yLkqR56LMCiaWKedFyNex8cc0BfoXMV/w150-h200/January2021Plan.HEIC" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Our kitchen whiteboard keeps our<br />goals and progress front and center</span></td></tr></tbody></table>It's 2021, and I'm sure I'm not the only person who is grateful to see a new year. A new year does not magically end a pandemic, erase all that we've experienced, or restore order in the the world. But a new year does bring with it the hope for positive change, for a brighter future. We must hang on to hope to give us the strength to continue on after a year of hardships and loss and a country divided. It's important to acknowledge this before moving forward, before setting new year's resolutions and goals for the upcoming year. I am still processing all we've been through on a personal and national scale, and that will take a long while. With that, I felt the need to reset, reflect, and recalibrate my experiences in 2020—the tragedies, the successes, all of it. Then I asked myself what changes can I make right now to kickstart this year to give myself the self-care I need to move forward with a healthy body and mind.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKihsuyesXnief4s0IT0WPh3_JzufmKjosy4cLrsuMpY7l4nCepuTQhBvsYLL8K6fEPJ8znSPkXhlXyFPO-87IkvUn-LZkyzHE0KqPTgTWUqBVsAjYaW0PuN0EntgmT5nE7-pt5SKhjxP/w150-h200/Greensmoothiecleanse.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="150" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">10 days of detox tea and green smoothies<br />help restore our energy and mental clarity </span></td></tr></tbody></table>To reset, Mike and I started off the year with the <a href="https://www.jjsmithonline.com/books/" target="_blank">10 Day Green Smoothie Cleanse</a>, created by nutritionist <a href="https://www.jjsmithonline.com" target="_blank">JJ Smith</a> (as I do every year). This cleanse really helps me reset physically, mentally, and emotionally, especially after a month of unhealthy eating and drinking for the holidays. It also helps me reset food habits; my cravings for unhealthy food goes away. And, I'm not going to lie; losing 9-10 pounds is a nice added bonus. I can fit into my clothes again. Phew! </div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>With my head and body clear again, I was able to reflect on the past year and revisit my goals for 2020—<a href="https://runbrightly.blogspot.com/2020/01/balance-this-is-2020.html" target="_blank">finding balance</a>. I think I did a good job with that, all things considering. Being quarantined at home due to the pandemic definitely helped me prioritize my personal goals, and it really solidified how important it is to say No to things and people that distract me from said goals. It also solidified the fact that the world won't end if I set boundaries and put myself first. While the year was filled with obstacles—such as navigating a new job remotely, helping my sister plan a wedding during a pandemic, and dealing with family issues, such as my son moving home to finish college remotely and caring for my mother who underwent severe medical conditions and surgery—I'm impressed that I was able to achieve my goals of finding balance...for the most part.</div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAQdF_OoV23cstJo99FdvPsvWAgMxzovWkAEzbmSm9Lz0HQJKGHTsR9WC53NNIY6GnXDF6dv8LyTYeWFpQ0gXMefBR7We9r2D31f4SKB6zn_Hq-uBTUA8SHyseoVMMkgU9TV_TpDRyP3u/s2048/warmwinterdaylake.HEIC" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAQdF_OoV23cstJo99FdvPsvWAgMxzovWkAEzbmSm9Lz0HQJKGHTsR9WC53NNIY6GnXDF6dv8LyTYeWFpQ0gXMefBR7We9r2D31f4SKB6zn_Hq-uBTUA8SHyseoVMMkgU9TV_TpDRyP3u/w150-h200/warmwinterdaylake.HEIC" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Layered up on our <br />quiet winter walk in the woods; <br />(see below for what I'm wearing)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I had four specific goals: finish my novel; explore nature in greater depth; maintain a clean eating lifestyle, and find downtime, I'm proud to announce that I finished the new draft of my novel on December 20 (my personal deadline was December 21), and I focused more on exploring mountains and trails (the pandemic definitely made this goal easy as all races were canceled this year). Since Mike and I ate at home all year, we easily adopted a mostly <a href="https://whole30.com" target="_blank">Whole30</a> diet, with exceptions for holidays; and I treasured my downtime by integrating more reading, games, movies, and other leisurely activities into my weekly schedule.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqjol3nG0vorZo45BiB46zZuS7H7GeW94U938Jw4ORm-_3zWCnYxf2oX8_jKd9ijbM_iNAd1kR7ZKOnaM9V7jOSH5tPr5mBpbIES-EFeemd9MZJaMRuCEH1Qvvz4vmLjArGToGkvdoRMi/s2048/happytogetheroutside.HEIC" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqjol3nG0vorZo45BiB46zZuS7H7GeW94U938Jw4ORm-_3zWCnYxf2oX8_jKd9ijbM_iNAd1kR7ZKOnaM9V7jOSH5tPr5mBpbIES-EFeemd9MZJaMRuCEH1Qvvz4vmLjArGToGkvdoRMi/w150-h200/happytogetheroutside.HEIC" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">We truly are happiest when we <br />spend time together outdoors <br /></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">(see below for what we're wearing)</span></td></tr></tbody></table>So what's in store for 2021? With the pandemic still plaguing the country, social isolation and quarantine continues...303 days and counting! And that can make life at home a bit too routine and mundane. Pandemic fatigue is a real thing! It's also exhausting continuously having to advocate for why I won't visit with people indoors, especially during these cold winter months (that's a whole other post!). So my phrase for 2021 is self-care. And what steps will I take to implement self-care?</div><div>We're continuing this clean-eating reset by jumping right into <a href="https://whole30.com" target="_blank">Whole30</a> again. This time, we've made a list of recipes from the Whole30 book that are most appealing to us. We love cooking together and trying out new meals. <a href="https://whole30.com" target="_blank">Whole30</a> has become a lifestyle choice now that we've mastered how to identify clean foods, and we are super excited to try these recipes out—especially after 10 days of green smoothies as meals. Tonight's meal is <a href="https://www.primalkitchen.com/blogs/recipes/balsamic-glazed-salmon-with-kale-avocado-salad?utm_campaign=Build%20Whole30%20Starter%20or%20Advanced%20Kit&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_content=Primal%20Kitchen&_ke=eyJrbF9jb21wYW55X2lkIjogIlFqVk0yayIsICJrbF9lbWFpbCI6ICJ3cml0ZWxvdWRseUBtZS5jb20ifQ%3D%3D" target="_blank">Balsamic Glazed Salmon with Kale and Avocado Salad</a> (Thank you, <a href="https://www.primalkitchen.com" target="_blank">Primal Kitchen</a> for this <a href="https://whole30.com" target="_blank">Whole30 </a> approved recipe!)</div><div><br /></div><div>It's been difficult to stay as active as I was before the pandemic when I was also trying to navigate life during a pandemic and all the struggles that brings. My total miles for last year was only about 550. This year I plan on stepping up my activity level now that I am better able to balance the other aspects of life that are equally important to me. </div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58WgJ5O8emVgMA_BmUgF0aXAuU3cvYxyh0JrEb6hmbJF3ZtKRm7x9PI073PbQuG01Ut4cM673q7MC9Xt7we1TWwVGU0u1-tnBuIOumA-j-qzEHpN5jAfs-4EIcGjBLk4mYklbUSFjib41/s2048/noveldone.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58WgJ5O8emVgMA_BmUgF0aXAuU3cvYxyh0JrEb6hmbJF3ZtKRm7x9PI073PbQuG01Ut4cM673q7MC9Xt7we1TWwVGU0u1-tnBuIOumA-j-qzEHpN5jAfs-4EIcGjBLk4mYklbUSFjib41/w151-h200/noveldone.JPG" width="151" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">At almost 500 pages, the draft of my <br />novel is finished!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Deadlines truly help me stay accountable and achieve what I set out to achieve. Even made-up, guesstimated deadlines that I choose give me an ending to look forward to. I wrote my novel throughout 2020, I kept that December 21 personal deadline in my mind's eye. I wrote to that end date every day, even when it felt eons away. I scheduled dedicated time for my writing, set up writing chats with my critique partner, took a solo vacation to immerse myself in my project, and even joined virtual write-ins with other writers to keep me motivated and on schedule. </div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BSIp0vafmWgJVptUVhCGIMm7W042XrbCtBvZyL27VjE6kpwmNjg3nrhBsYioDSuzg01T82cxOSyqf2ASi_6G8AvdcCLYzbr5_FJbzYTeGoGUsrbWkKlZla0RMcGOVrRm6lBQVEEmc2ns/s2048/novelrevisions.HEIC" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BSIp0vafmWgJVptUVhCGIMm7W042XrbCtBvZyL27VjE6kpwmNjg3nrhBsYioDSuzg01T82cxOSyqf2ASi_6G8AvdcCLYzbr5_FJbzYTeGoGUsrbWkKlZla0RMcGOVrRm6lBQVEEmc2ns/w152-h200/novelrevisions.HEIC" width="152" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Let the revisions begin! I always do<br />a read through before strategizing<br />a revision plan</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>With the draft of my novel finished, it's time to revise! I've signed up for an outlining class with author <a href="https://lisapapa.com" target="_blank">Lisa Papademetriou</a>, I purchased a large Moleskine journal and a set of gel pens to storyboard my whole novel (thanks for the tip, <a href="http://wiredforstory.com/story-genius-1" target="_blank">Story Genius</a>!), and I have a plan in place to finish revisions by June (fingers crossed). It took me some time to get back into the flow of working on my novel every day, but I'm finally back in the swing of things!</div><div><br /></div><div>Race dates (even virtual races and activity challenges) have the same motivational affect on me as they also provide a set deadline. This year, I plan on joining more virtual races and challenges to keep me moving! Mike and I are signed up for New England Green River Marathon, which was rescheduled from 2020 to August 29 of this year (tentatively, as everything is). Having eight months to train provides a doable marathon-ready goal to achieve. We'll be able to slowly build our running stamina back up over the year. We have also planned a trip to the Grand Canyon to hike from rim to rim this fall (tentative on the state of the pandemic). So even if the race gets rescheduled once more, training for a marathon will help strengthen us for the grueling hike we're praying we can embark on this year. It also gives us something new to look forward to.</div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYRQwtYCzzBskjdsRdqXK8b8ny7vrlTMs0W_Un3R1WPu-_oC-F1z6MRNB7X9FhENaVRc0XlSMCW6qjcuK3l-ynML-ipzDYD36VqnV9LQYwgJNuhlvfc9hZo34rqvZXWmh4BGXgfyD3ADm/s3088/seramaskmountain.HEIC" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2316" data-original-width="3088" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYRQwtYCzzBskjdsRdqXK8b8ny7vrlTMs0W_Un3R1WPu-_oC-F1z6MRNB7X9FhENaVRc0XlSMCW6qjcuK3l-ynML-ipzDYD36VqnV9LQYwgJNuhlvfc9hZo34rqvZXWmh4BGXgfyD3ADm/w200-h150/seramaskmountain.HEIC" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">I never tire of mountain top views, especially<br />when I'm toasty warm in my <a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">(see below for what I'm wearing)</span></td></tr></tbody></table>The winter months are the hardest to stay motivated. But we're finding ways to make these dark, cold days brighter. We drink more herbal tea (<a href="https://shop.celestialseasonings.com/Bengal-Spice-Herbal-Tea/p/CEL-053283&c=CelestialSeasonings@Herbal&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adtype=pla&kw=?gclid=Cj0KCQiArvX_BRCyARIsAKsnTxOVORiuIEACmTUv4IOrHwqRX4eggYnP7DaI3jdpoRbSDVQB9HImVVUaArmfEALw_wcB" target="_blank">Celestial Seasonings caffeine-free Bengal Spice</a> is my newest obsession!), we tackle various home projects so we don't stay sedentary, and we bundle up layer upon layer before venturing outside (Thank you, <a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a>!). Despite cold temperatures, winter isn't so terrible when the skies are blue and the air is crisp, as long as we keep our bodies warm! What's more, all the people who flocked to mountains over the warmer spring, summer, and fall months, due to the pandemic, have fled back indoors. The silence and serenity of just the two of us in nature brings me much peace after being connected to the virtual world all week for work. </div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQa9v7Ah7VzdQZLCDVG3ALD-5pusL2plL6Y9Ogapt_xFYkZt5Eq0BzMMPL0jhyphenhyphenmJrjhUa36L2R8TkF7jgz7wMBmcWLIDvscixqGgRkn68pHPEFF49m2RLpsrRlBmm16zvtpspPqkuSf1O/s600/bikehelmetcover.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQa9v7Ah7VzdQZLCDVG3ALD-5pusL2plL6Y9Ogapt_xFYkZt5Eq0BzMMPL0jhyphenhyphenmJrjhUa36L2R8TkF7jgz7wMBmcWLIDvscixqGgRkn68pHPEFF49m2RLpsrRlBmm16zvtpspPqkuSf1O/w200-h200/bikehelmetcover.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">I'm gifting this </span><a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">IllumiNITE</span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> bike helmet <br />to my son to help keep him safe, </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">day and night, <br /></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">while he rides his bike </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">on his college campus</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Mike and I have saved a lot of money by not going out to restaurants and other entertainment places since the pandemic shut everything down. I've truly found joy repurposing the money we've saved to support local businesses and charities. As I did last year, I will again sign up for virtual races and challenge events that donate proceeds to charities (such as the <a href="https://p2p.onecause.com/hotchocolatechallenge2020/home" target="_blank">Hot Chocolate Challenge</a>, which supports <a href="https://safepass.org" target="_blank">Safe Passage</a>, an organization that helps survivors of domestic violence). It feels good to know that my entry fees help others while also helping me stay committed to my physical and mental health. Win, win! I also discovered I really find joy in giving 20% tips when I order take out. The gratitude in the voices of food service workers brings a smile to my face. And, I'm still saving so much more than staying a long while in a restaurant where I'd be ordering drinks, appetizers, you name it. This year, I'd like to take this a step further by continuing to support local businesses, such as <a href="http://www.illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> as much as I can. It isn't that difficult to find the local equivalent to major conglomerate organizations. I just purchased books for a friend who lives in North Carolina. It only took about five minutes to research local bookstores near her and another five to place my order. Local businesses need our support to keep them alive. I want to do my part to help them thrive.</div><div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqlMwDwQhPwYa_VKnZC1NxFTJfOKBEKw6VDt16RmJ05mnRsMZuzXWsOrL55XlEFoMKbuszmXYwo4_6FKAcACYTa8oF0Swny2AJWLIK2-pqcQKntcDmqVOPk9lQN6_bBl_PeazOc0gFpg6r/s2048/coffeelitup.HEIC" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqlMwDwQhPwYa_VKnZC1NxFTJfOKBEKw6VDt16RmJ05mnRsMZuzXWsOrL55XlEFoMKbuszmXYwo4_6FKAcACYTa8oF0Swny2AJWLIK2-pqcQKntcDmqVOPk9lQN6_bBl_PeazOc0gFpg6r/s320/coffeelitup.HEIC" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Layering keeps our core temperatures just right <br />and our bodies bright on our neighborhood <br />coffee and tea dates </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">(see below for what we're wearing)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Do all these goals sound wildly familiar? Sure they do! Positive change is a long-term goal taken in micro steps. I had to find balance in my life in order to take these next steps to living the clean, healthy lifestyle I'm trying to achieve. So little by little, I make tiny changes to achieve the things that are so important to me. I am responsible for my own happiness, for how I live my life. And that means including people in my life who support me and love me for who I am. I feel very blessed to have a life partner who has similar personal goals. It's so much easier to implement these positive changes together.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>What are your personal goals for 2021? I'd love to hear what your plans are for this new year! </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>I hope self-care is on the list. Wishing you a safe, healthy, happy and BRIGHT New Year!</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Start your new year healthy and bright at <a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a>! Use my discount code <a href="https://illuminite.com/discount/runbrightly15" target="_blank">RunBrightly15</a> for 15% off your order. Not sure what to wear? Check out some of my faves, as posted in this post's pics:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://illuminite.com/products/reflective-synergy-hat-in-black?_pos=1&_sid=3d6bde702&_ss=r" target="_blank">Synergy Hat in Black</a></div><div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://illuminite.com/products/cold-weather-hood-in-black?_pos=1&_sid=d439dc863&_ss=r" target="_blank">Cold Weather Unisex Reflective Hood in Black</a></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://illuminite.com/products/unisex-second-skin-glove?_pos=4&_sid=801a7d286&_ss=r" target="_blank">Unisex Second Skin Reflective Glove in Black</a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://illuminite.com/products/tahoe-womens-performance-reflective-jacket-in-graphite?_pos=1&_sid=270d056a5&_ss=r" target="_blank">Tahoe Woman's Performance Fleece Reflective Jacket in Graphite</a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://illuminite.com/products/mens-reflective-squall-jacket-black?_pos=1&_sid=4111989dd&_ss=r" target="_blank">Mens's Reflective Squall Jacket in Black</a></p></div><div><a href="https://illuminite.com/products/early-riser-reflective-mens-pullover-in-hawaiian-blue?_pos=2&_sid=a75731f93&_ss=r" target="_blank">Early Riser Reflective Men's Pullover in Hawaiian Blue</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://illuminite.com/products/inspire-reflective-womens-pullover-in-pink-white?_pos=3&_sid=2057196a1&_ss=r" target="_blank">Inspire Reflective Women's Pullover in Pink/White</a> (on clearance!)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://illuminite.com/products/womens-long-sleeve-reflective-love-tee-in-pink-white?_pos=1&_sid=17804b732&_ss=r" target="_blank">Women's Long Sleeve Reflective Love Tee in Pink/White</a> (on clearance!)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://illuminite.com/products/waterproof-helmet-cover-in-black?_pos=1&_sid=27eddb00d&_ss=r">Reflective Waterproof Bicycle Helmet Cover in Black</a> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Sera Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120417461447755328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853846944598968995.post-58545282316875167142020-12-12T12:27:00.004-05:002020-12-12T12:33:26.061-05:00Winter Activities: Think Safety First <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyPco1gaeD4YGL2kskEUXztFHf6I__mE5ZUZ1BG8RQDM1AX-6RLd4BnOlNJjL5Q55zhBUYAkCQkxjgZCytUXgmwDae4yzE7YPTDljJqOtXHaSMvsnShJl9uEKcC5m-AQAN3whjYX4TylG/s2048/Stop.HEIC" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyPco1gaeD4YGL2kskEUXztFHf6I__mE5ZUZ1BG8RQDM1AX-6RLd4BnOlNJjL5Q55zhBUYAkCQkxjgZCytUXgmwDae4yzE7YPTDljJqOtXHaSMvsnShJl9uEKcC5m-AQAN3whjYX4TylG/s320/Stop.HEIC" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Thank god for <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-stocking-stuffers/products/three-in-one-mitten-with-glove-liner-in-black" target="_blank">Three-in-One Mittens</a> for extra warmth</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Mike and I just completed the <a href="https://p2p.onecause.com/hotchocolatechallenge2020/activities#activities" target="_blank">Hot Chocolate Challenge</a> and the <a href="https://www.hartfordmarathon.com" target="_blank">Hartford Marathon Foundation</a>'s <a href="https://www.hartfordmarathon.com/hmf-12ks-of-christmas/" target="_blank">12ks of Christmas</a> challenge to walk or run 12ks (7.46 miles) a day for twelve days! We'd gotten a bit lazy, for our standards, since the colder weather set in, so I thought this challenge would be a great way to ramp up our activity during these cold, winter months. Our friend, Lauren, joined us (virtually, of course), but Mike and I decided to aim for 3.75 to four mile walks each day. We really needed a swift kick out the door. <div><br /></div><div>An hour's walk each day really did our bodies good. But...what we didn't consider during these challenges was potential inclement weather. I guess we were too excited about the sweatshirt, finisher medal, and the opportunity to win prizes on each of the 12 days of #HMF12ks challenge. But last Saturday, we woke up to freezing rain that made for a very slippery, wet, miserable trek. We had to pay attention to the sidewalk so we didn't slip or step in deep puddles. We were only out for one hour, but I realized that as close to the house as we were, that hour could have been dangerous if we hadn't been well-prepared.</div><div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DiyepK_WptiFor-l7UcMR4Q53HJ4v7kY7vQPbNda3bBNL52CNKBx358xp_0DWbkH5x_9MY40r_mDB_qP-fLV_2DypIOAO7fDDvhyVAa2RLI1NVWjfRqwecF2PSa5gSTIXQYwWUgQq4_n/s2048/RacebrookFalls.HEIC" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DiyepK_WptiFor-l7UcMR4Q53HJ4v7kY7vQPbNda3bBNL52CNKBx358xp_0DWbkH5x_9MY40r_mDB_qP-fLV_2DypIOAO7fDDvhyVAa2RLI1NVWjfRqwecF2PSa5gSTIXQYwWUgQq4_n/w150-h200/RacebrookFalls.HEIC" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-accessories/products/reversible-reflective-stretch-headband-in-white-graphite" target="_blank">Eclipse Headband</a>, <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-accessories/products/reflective-unisex-velocity-mitten-in-hot-pink" target="_blank">Velocity Glove</a>,<br /><a href="https://illuminite.com/products/ambition-womens-hoodie-in-beetroot-silver?_pos=4&_sid=01c45805a&_ss=r" target="_blank">Ambition Hoodie</a>, <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/early-riser-reflective-mens-pullover-in-hawaiian-blue?_pos=2&_sid=3d8188ce6&_ss=r" target="_blank">Early Riser</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table>This made me think about how so many people have become more active this year, due to the pandemic, which made me think about safety. Families are exploring in the woods and couples are going for scenic drives, stopping alongside the road when they see a sign for a "scenic hike." This is great, of course! There's so much of the world to explore, right in our own backyards. But, Mike and I have seen so many ill-prepared people wearing casual clothing like sandals and jeans on advanced mountain trails with no water or backpack of supplies. I can't even count how many people Mike and I have passed by who've asked us if they're "almost there" when they've only hiked half a mile of a two-mile climb that ascends a thousand feet.<div><br /></div><div>Thinking about all of this reminded me of an <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/3-people-die-6-days-climbing-hiking-accidents-new-hampshire-n1241373" target="_blank">article I recently read</a> about three hikers who all died in the White Mountains in a span of six days in September, all from tragic accidents. My heart goes out to their friends and families. Life is so precious, yet when we decide to "just go out" for a hike, or a run, or a climb. we don't always consider the dangers. Over the years, I've learned, often from experience, the importance of being well-prepared when heading out. I'd say these are the most important things to consider, especially during the winter months.</div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Check the weather.</h4><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGVnHhyNGcUcy2m4cTwWYCQThZ4iYcsEUYPPQC1PA2D9zwhIutOMPwdYRRQ2LE69FZDrfRrQJhdYqCkrsUSJ6uAnL5JpeOeuzJ3fhMOLJNzwShIV_n6tz4zXyhGn9CCnbpOC68Llj5-dz/s2048/IMG_0675.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGVnHhyNGcUcy2m4cTwWYCQThZ4iYcsEUYPPQC1PA2D9zwhIutOMPwdYRRQ2LE69FZDrfRrQJhdYqCkrsUSJ6uAnL5JpeOeuzJ3fhMOLJNzwShIV_n6tz4zXyhGn9CCnbpOC68Llj5-dz/w242-h320/IMG_0675.jpeg" width="242" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/men/products/mens-reflective-squall-jacket-black" target="_blank">Squall Jacket</a>, <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/men/products/men-ascent-parka-in-red-black-with-roma-print" target="_blank">Ascent Parka</a>,<br /><a href="https://illuminite.com/products/cold-weather-hood-in-black?_pos=1&_sid=cc4e2ac00&_ss=r" target="_blank">Cold Weather Hood</a>, <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-accessories/products/reflective-unisex-velocity-mitten-in-hot-pink" target="_blank">Velocity Glove</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table>This one seems like a no-brainer, but sometimes I look outside and see blue skies and don't realize that a brewing storm will hit my destination while I'm out there. So check out your phone's weather app or <a href="http://Weather.com">Weather.com</a> for a detailed hour-by-hour forecast. If you're heading to the mountains, check out <a href="http://Mountain-Forecast.com">Mountain-Forecast.com</a>. Mike and I have started out at the base of a mountain seeing only a foggy, dreary morning, but by the time we reached the summit, clouds have parted and the sun came out to shine. Fortunately, Mountain Forecast knew the fog would roll away by the time we hit the top.</div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Venture out with a buddy and stick together.</h4><div style="text-align: left;">This is especially important when going somewhere remote or that has technical trails. Even the most experienced mountain climbers can twist an ankle or get lost at a wrong turn or run into unexpected inclement weather. Or worse. Most importantly, don't take off ahead of your group, even if you just want to get to the top of that peak or explore a side trail "real quick." </div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;">Always tell someone where you're going.</h4><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-W7eh01WYd4iwcAWaaRC_JduU9l_nsNoLlPmwWPuPhtMBOCO4Ys2_IRhKMDuSQNhy6z1S-mtAcYwTNI6R7H2J7NAWcbW6XqqKr6ibhffNJIDdxl8JZl0lfAScw5tgp31pY7MzImuV3Wm/s2048/Garmin.HEIC" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-W7eh01WYd4iwcAWaaRC_JduU9l_nsNoLlPmwWPuPhtMBOCO4Ys2_IRhKMDuSQNhy6z1S-mtAcYwTNI6R7H2J7NAWcbW6XqqKr6ibhffNJIDdxl8JZl0lfAScw5tgp31pY7MzImuV3Wm/w242-h320/Garmin.HEIC" width="242" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/tahoe-womens-performance-reflective-jacket-in-graphite" target="_blank">Tahoe Jacket</a>, <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/unisex-second-skin-glove?_pos=4&_sid=39cbf78e8&_ss=r" target="_blank">Second Skin Glove</a> </span></td></tr></tbody></table>Whether you're running or walking a five-mile loop in your neighborhood alone, or going for a hike with a group of people, let a loved one know where you're heading, the route you're planning to take, and what time you expect to get back. If you get lost or hurt, it will be easier (and quicker) to find you if people know your general location and the general timing of your trek. </div><div><br /></div><div>Once your adventure is over, and you're safely back home or your car, be sure to let them know so they don't worry. </div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;">Use GPS to track your location. </h4><div style="text-align: left;">Wearing a GPS watch, like a <a href="https://www.garmin.com/en-US/" target="_blank">Garmin</a>, an activity tracking app like <a href="https://www.strava.com" target="_blank">Strava</a>, or a family/emergency dispatch location tracking app, like <a href="https://www.life360.com" target="_blank">Life360</a>, could literally save your life if you're in an emergency situation in a remote location. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Pack up your back up supplies. </h4><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzCTGTJXeODYjHv8kwD97A5vT0uL-gds3zmPBtoTH7VYfuohzZkkd3L0PzNjMeCJ573vkqfHT5gli7vopQhGsA2O4YLXDy4W1SZfjDo2m-Kel_dXJ3V1CEiI3Nj5BFr5_xrWSKWjGpkFi/s2048/IMG_1564.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzCTGTJXeODYjHv8kwD97A5vT0uL-gds3zmPBtoTH7VYfuohzZkkd3L0PzNjMeCJ573vkqfHT5gli7vopQhGsA2O4YLXDy4W1SZfjDo2m-Kel_dXJ3V1CEiI3Nj5BFr5_xrWSKWjGpkFi/w242-h320/IMG_1564.jpeg" width="242" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-accessories/products/reversible-reflective-stretch-headband-in-white-graphite" target="_blank">Eclipse Headband</a>,</span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://illuminite.com/products/ambition-womens-hoodie-in-beetroot-silver?_pos=4&_sid=01c45805a&_ss=r" target="_blank">Ambition Hoodie</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table>Even if you're going for a short hike through the woods, bring a backpack for supplies. Choose a backpack that's comfortable but also has the capacity to carry emergency supplies, such as a first aid kit, water, food, flashlight, headlamp, bear spray, portable cellphone charger, rain poncho, utility knife, MicroSpikes or YakTraks, trekking poles, etc. and still have enough room to pack extra layers of clothing, such as an extra pair of gloves, socks, head coverings, and thicker shirts.</div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;">Time management is key during winter months.</h4><div>It's important during the shorter, darker days to know what time the sun rises and sets before you plan your outdoor adventures, or you may find yourself wandering blindly in the dark. <a href="http://TimeandDate.com">TimeandDate.com</a> has accurate sunrise/sunset times, but most smart phones can also give you this information. Even if your plan is just a short hike in the early afternoon, it's best to be prepared with a headlamp and/or flashlight, just in case something unexpected arises.</div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Reflective clothing and accessories keep you visible to others.</h4><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bzFCm4-XlR61NOUdGMNREqCY6rBDqkMkB23IBwm9MZlGa_4TOH0wKZ59xXH8pJ2nYMFFHgTGO1IDKO6_JeaNGkUToC2xdZJnZitRdMn2CfePGolcZ9xmb6SM4A9sLgONE87bGah74PrF/s2048/SeraNotLitUp.HEIC" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bzFCm4-XlR61NOUdGMNREqCY6rBDqkMkB23IBwm9MZlGa_4TOH0wKZ59xXH8pJ2nYMFFHgTGO1IDKO6_JeaNGkUToC2xdZJnZitRdMn2CfePGolcZ9xmb6SM4A9sLgONE87bGah74PrF/w150-h200/SeraNotLitUp.HEIC" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://illuminite.com/products/cold-weather-hood-in-black?_pos=1&_sid=cc4e2ac00&_ss=r" target="_blank">Cold Weather Hood</a>, <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/tahoe-womens-performance-reflective-jacket-in-graphite" target="_blank">Tahoe Jacket</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8U-EXQt_pRrJdQoJdWf0Qa91pgX8hUuC_a-28R74MOXClF7NG9LTWdGHnWLZrhodCkfCg17HnkVWMzfCXF65UbM93dM9S9xi8T1mJ_VOeXuyNPCcH6ob75ZKw6m7_feA5-JTlTg2aJCY/s2048/SeraLitUp.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8U-EXQt_pRrJdQoJdWf0Qa91pgX8hUuC_a-28R74MOXClF7NG9LTWdGHnWLZrhodCkfCg17HnkVWMzfCXF65UbM93dM9S9xi8T1mJ_VOeXuyNPCcH6ob75ZKw6m7_feA5-JTlTg2aJCY/w150-h200/SeraLitUp.HEIC" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://illuminite.com/products/cold-weather-hood-in-black?_pos=1&_sid=cc4e2ac00&_ss=r" target="_blank">Cold Weather Hood</a>, <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/tahoe-womens-performance-reflective-jacket-in-graphite" target="_blank">Tahoe Jacket</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div>I wear my <a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> reflective clothing and accessories, even when I'm going on a sunny daytime adventure. Mike and I are seasoned hikers and runners, and we usually can gauge how long a trek will take. But we have found ourselves in situations where we've been out two-to-three hours longer than expected. Fortunately, no matter how dark it gets, Mike and I light up brighter than the insanely lit-up houses and lawns in the movie <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0790604/" target="_blank">Deck the Halls</a> with Matthew Broderick and Danny Devito. I feel so much safer knowing how visible I am to drivers and other runners and walkers wearing headlamps. </div><div></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;">Layer, layer, layer...you can always remove, but you can't add what you don't have.</h4><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvgNHAHlBQ6YKOIzP9ntGz5ItpCvDAlLP2We7xmBXuPm_QEEE9lqiMvdB3KNmZVm4Hnrcu-jaEFGPvb3rORe3U9u4AXs1U1ooq5iTWM0bkBLIZjO40VASlFWjEaLLkm2HsGkVvgfNmPtT/s2048/FreezingWalk.HEIC" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvgNHAHlBQ6YKOIzP9ntGz5ItpCvDAlLP2We7xmBXuPm_QEEE9lqiMvdB3KNmZVm4Hnrcu-jaEFGPvb3rORe3U9u4AXs1U1ooq5iTWM0bkBLIZjO40VASlFWjEaLLkm2HsGkVvgfNmPtT/w320-h242/FreezingWalk.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://illuminite.com/products/ambition-womens-hoodie-in-beetroot-silver?_pos=4&_sid=01c45805a&_ss=r" target="_blank">Ambition Hoodie</a>, <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/tahoe-womens-performance-reflective-jacket-in-graphite" target="_blank">Tahoe Jacket</a>, <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/reflective-synergy-hat-in-black?_pos=1&_sid=dace8c773&_ss=r" target="_blank">Synergy Hat</a>, <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/men/products/men-ascent-parka-in-red-black-with-roma-print" target="_blank">Ascent Parka</a></span> </td></tr></tbody></table>I've learned the hard way that cold legs, toes, and fingers are the worst. Muscles freeze up, hands stop working, and trying to get warm after being outside in subzero or wet weather can take hours. So now, I make sure that I layer up. Mike and I always start with a long-sleeved shirt as our base, then layer it with a thicker pullover, and then throw on a warm outer shell over that. We also throw an extra long-sleeved shirt and/or pullover in our backpacks for longer hikes/runs, in case we need a dry change of clothing midway through our adventure. For pants, we layer tights under our pants, and we often wear two pairs of socks! Thanks to <a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a>'s <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-stocking-stuffers/products/three-in-one-mitten-with-glove-liner-in-black" target="_blank">Three-in-One Mittens</a>, our hands are layered as well...and if it's really cold out, I'll throw in hot hands for extra warmth. For head wear, I often like to wear a hood with face mask or a hat with a hood over that. My head lamp on night walks/runs also keeps my headwear extra snug against my head.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHWlPjWPaWwCGxyY489XvEbxg65_DqP3kGRmY9fkL51VCL3cO815Z4sw7gMEC5YzXTbz5u6Pnqiyk2ez9oRvDLz4_aXtjvCe3f_S1iV9OBLYsH-wp3U9cdhLko7CgJTKSDCkHMbuThq7K/s2048/PeaceSignLitUp.HEIC" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHWlPjWPaWwCGxyY489XvEbxg65_DqP3kGRmY9fkL51VCL3cO815Z4sw7gMEC5YzXTbz5u6Pnqiyk2ez9oRvDLz4_aXtjvCe3f_S1iV9OBLYsH-wp3U9cdhLko7CgJTKSDCkHMbuThq7K/w320-h242/PeaceSignLitUp.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://illuminite.com/products/reflective-synergy-hat-in-black?_pos=1&_sid=dace8c773&_ss=r" target="_blank">Synergy Hat</a>, <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/tahoe-womens-performance-reflective-jacket-in-graphite" target="_blank">Tahoe Jacket</a>, <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/unisex-second-skin-glove?_pos=4&_sid=39cbf78e8&_ss=r" target="_blank">Second Skin Glove</a>, <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/men/products/mens-reflective-squall-jacket-black" target="_blank">Squall Jacket</a>,</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>During these winter months, it's so important to be properly prepared—overly-prepared even—before <br />exploring the outdoors, especially as the days grow darker and inclement weather makes outdoor activities treacherous. So before you head out on your next outdoor adventure, check out the weather, wear layered, reflective clothing, make sure you're properly prepared, and think safety first. It's always best to cut an adventure short if you think your situation could get treacherous.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Thinking of gifting yourself and your loved ones <a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> this holiday season, use my discount code <a href="http://illuminite.com/discount/Sera15" target="_blank">Sera15</a> for 15% off your order.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>I'd love to hear about how you stay safe outdoors during these winter months. Please share in the comments below.</b></div>Sera Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120417461447755328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853846944598968995.post-37035573300617075222020-11-30T13:14:00.002-05:002020-11-30T13:14:36.679-05:003 Merry and Bright Gift Ideas for 2020<p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWFjYyts1canj_BhuGOBlYOB52HeWTWN9LFeG66rs2eZPt2BbGAeltyRwe9P0N4OZDBCCkz69f0GSWwR8_YUZaIIJEJnfDDB_MiGcHYal6Fq1l9VUQXm53uWOT_ZLH9FJl2M-yqLU8atm/s2048/IMG_0360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWFjYyts1canj_BhuGOBlYOB52HeWTWN9LFeG66rs2eZPt2BbGAeltyRwe9P0N4OZDBCCkz69f0GSWwR8_YUZaIIJEJnfDDB_MiGcHYal6Fq1l9VUQXm53uWOT_ZLH9FJl2M-yqLU8atm/w320-h242/IMG_0360.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Merry and Bright in our <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/reflective-synergy-hat-in-black?_pos=1&_sid=1a8b33508&_ss=r" target="_blank">Synergy Hats</a>,<a href="https://illuminite.com/products/three-in-one-mitten-with-glove-liner-in-black?_pos=4&_sid=0d8384c51&_ss=r" target="_blank">Three-in-One Mittens</a>, <br /><a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/tahoe-womens-performance-reflective-jacket-in-graphite" target="_blank">Tahoe Performance Fleece</a>, <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/men/products/mens-reflective-squall-jacket-black" target="_blank">Squall Jacket</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table>I cannot believe tomorrow is the first day of December. Already! The year has felt like the longest year ever, but somehow it'll be over before we know it...well, okay, we know it will be over in 31 days. But do you know what that means? With Thanksgiving behind us, the holiday season is in full effect and I haven't even started my Christmas decorating or shopping yet! Yikes!</p><p>I don't know about you, but this year's holiday season has given me a bit of anxiety and sadness. It's still not safe to gather indoors, and the weather has turned grey and cold here in New England. But as I mentioned in my last post, <a href="https://runbrightly.blogspot.com/2020/11/creating-joy-during-stressful-times.html" target="_blank">Creating Joy During Stressful Times</a>, it's important to focus on what brings us joy. There will be future holidays to celebrate indoors with family and friends. In the meantime, this holiday season can still be merry and bright. We just have to think more creatively about how to celebrate. Here are a few gift categories that are sure to brighten this holiday season.</p><h1 style="text-align: left;">Virtual Races</h1><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_8Bbdr6qn1isB1Ho-xujC8J1Pl9ysmDkN3UjeO48jNKxkrh5rn_3NGeLgkH99tdMJeSwlgKQSUXOn0w7letwcR8pLfD9abhplalmxXWh72n6zqrApQFZM0shrj77hb9ifQPhtycjYXycm/s600/hotchocolaterun.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_8Bbdr6qn1isB1Ho-xujC8J1Pl9ysmDkN3UjeO48jNKxkrh5rn_3NGeLgkH99tdMJeSwlgKQSUXOn0w7letwcR8pLfD9abhplalmxXWh72n6zqrApQFZM0shrj77hb9ifQPhtycjYXycm/s320/hotchocolaterun.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">You can donate to <a href="https://safepass.org" target="_blank">Safe Passage</a> through <a href="https://p2p.onecause.com/hotchocolatechallenge2020/sera-rivers-2" target="_blank">my race page</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table>Just because the days are shorter, colder, and darker (if you live in New England) doesn't mean you can't stay active. There are so many virtual race options, and many of them donate to various charities so your gift keeps on giving. Virtual races are a fun, healthy way to stay connected with family and friends while keeping your head clear and your body moving. There are races for every athletic ability, including races that count walking toward your team's goals. The more the merrier! Sign the whole family up! Gift a virtual race to your friends! Celebrate your "wins" with a post-race Zoom party!</div><div><br /></div><div>Mike and I have already signed up for the <a href="https://p2p.onecause.com/hotchocolatechallenge2020/sera-rivers-2" target="_blank">Hot Chocolate Challenge</a>, which supports <a href="https://safepass.org" target="_blank">Safe Passage</a> (<a href="https://p2p.onecause.com/hotchocolatechallenge2020/sera-rivers-2" target="_blank">donate here!</a>) and the <a href="https://www.hartfordmarathon.com/hmf-12ks-of-christmas/" target="_blank">Hartford Marathon Foundation's 12ks of Christmas</a>, which supports <a href="http://site.foodshare.org/site/PageServer?pagename=index" target="_blank">Foodshare</a>. Check out my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/writeloudly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> for <b>#HMF12ks</b> tags each day from December 1-12 if you want to follow along! There's still time to register (11/30 deadline!). Check out details at <a href="https://www.hartfordmarathon.com/hmf-12ks-of-christmas/" target="_blank">HMF 12ks of Christmas</a>. And if you'd like to join our team, we're the <a href="https://team.hakuapp.com//teams/f4465d3c53b7a6611fb6/public_page" target="_blank">Delicate Freaking Flowers</a>!</div><div><br /></div><h1 style="text-align: left;">Virtual Events</h1><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqPjYImYERv6cSMFXeWPOAwAQsAirH1btF1WT4f-e6yKmLY4ErqhHe7UYfbDlaZ3LZrt7Q6KGma7n0j5msNOhIbXiZubG00N4qUF5HgBQLQUY_hTq_CkFGFmSg60RCp4RmRayPHF3om5Y/s1259/IMG_3004.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="1259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqPjYImYERv6cSMFXeWPOAwAQsAirH1btF1WT4f-e6yKmLY4ErqhHe7UYfbDlaZ3LZrt7Q6KGma7n0j5msNOhIbXiZubG00N4qUF5HgBQLQUY_hTq_CkFGFmSg60RCp4RmRayPHF3om5Y/s320/IMG_3004.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.hawksandreed.com" target="_blank">Hawks & Reed Performance Arts Center</a>, Oct 2019</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>As society adjusted to the national shutdown due to the pandemic, more and more events have turned virtual. While virtual events aren't quite the same as in-person, there are many perks to attending them. For example, they often cost less (especially when the whole household can watch on one screen), you can attend any virtual event anywhere in the country (world, actually), and you can enjoy them from the comfort of your own home. There are so many options: musical concerts, theatrical plays, and college events, story slams, museum tours, and more!</div><div><br /></div><div>I've already attended a few prerecorded virtual writing workshops and live mingles for writers. I've also attended live virtual story slams. </div><div><br /></div><div>Don't know which virtual event to choose? I'd love to see you at mine! I'm actually performing in a live virtual event on <b>January 16</b> for the <a href="https://aomtheatre.ticketfly.com/e/best-of-valley-voices-story-slam-122464973031/" target="_blank">Best of Valley Voices Story Slam</a>, hosted by the <a href="https://www.aomtheatre.com" target="_blank">Academy of Music</a> and <a href="https://www.nepm.org/#stream/0" target="_blank">NEPR</a>, where virtual audience members can choose their top storyteller! Who will be the Best of the Best? <a href="https://aomtheatre.ticketfly.com/e/best-of-valley-voices-story-slam-122464973031/" target="_blank">Buy your ticket here</a> to watch and participate! The storyteller lineup is phenomenal! You won't want to miss it!</div><div><br /></div><h1 style="text-align: left;">Winter Clothing and Accessories</h1><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhne7JX11paAQfCGIDLU0QxldCNe1F1Ojm-TBMhlTGv6ARS-F_6UWI1-Fz3W30HuiqGUQRpxfNCiV-RtzriNo15ysBUtJxUTRINujAK8hen_ZPPCDpktOBgthKIeTPDRYiaf67IQYcjvkwx/s4032/IMG_1531+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhne7JX11paAQfCGIDLU0QxldCNe1F1Ojm-TBMhlTGv6ARS-F_6UWI1-Fz3W30HuiqGUQRpxfNCiV-RtzriNo15ysBUtJxUTRINujAK8hen_ZPPCDpktOBgthKIeTPDRYiaf67IQYcjvkwx/w242-h320/IMG_1531+3.JPG" width="242" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/men/products/early-riser-reflective-mens-pullover-in-hawaiian-blue" target="_blank">Early Riser</a> for this early hike!</span> <br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Make sure your loved ones are properly dressed for the holidays! Since outdoor activities are the safest way to socialize right now, check out <a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a>'s new winter clothing line for warm, comfortable winter clothing that protects against the elements and looks fashionable. <a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> uses <a href="https://illuminite.com/pages/how-illuminite-works" target="_blank">reflective ink technology</a> that lights up as bright as a Christmas tree in the dark when light shines upon it. If you shop on Cyber Monday, use code 20CYBERMONDAY for 20% off. But if you don't have time to shop on 11/30, don't worry. You can use my discount code RUNBRIGHTLY for 15% off your order at anytime! </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSe7yLZ1zL3eou4s_Ykh9pALGP1n4B02FtTaKA8fuZv3RP5tdQxjE2fnZJyLQSxGneUpA8gIns8natcmALQ8Z0cGvlWy-GfUAGQ0TPW-f4hdOSndMgJWr2ncM9hK1Aw3VVbo77D8T0zY8/s2048/2C7A1219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSe7yLZ1zL3eou4s_Ykh9pALGP1n4B02FtTaKA8fuZv3RP5tdQxjE2fnZJyLQSxGneUpA8gIns8natcmALQ8Z0cGvlWy-GfUAGQ0TPW-f4hdOSndMgJWr2ncM9hK1Aw3VVbo77D8T0zY8/w200-h133/2C7A1219.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/mattfrancisphotos/" target="_blank"><o:p></o:p></a></span></p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/mattfrancisphotos/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: start;">© </span>Matt Francis Photos</a><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Our winter favorites include:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/long-sleeve-reflective-womens-piper-tee-in-afterglow" target="_blank">Long Sleeve Reflective Women's Piper Tee</a>—This has become my go-to shirt for every day comfort. It's so soft and cozy! And I love the pop of color! Whether I'm watching one of my virtual events or heading outdoors for a run, this is my fave thing to wear! </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/men/products/early-riser-reflective-mens-pullover-in-hawaiian-blue" target="_blank">Early Riser Reflective Men's Pullover</a>—As much as I love my long sleeve tee, Mike loves his <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/men/products/early-riser-reflective-mens-pullover-in-hawaiian-blue" target="_blank">Early Riser</a>! It's perfect for any occasion, and keeps him warm and bright outside. Plus, the Hawaiian Blue looks absolutely amazing on him!</div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcwcQgEiNu0ED3LnP7fmCtLj-icefP0SA0bmckKv5-Fr4DJN7JwmJFrCWm3mE5bd54z1lnM0JCCWTJgyc3gN069qY6aG_XMGKmm9VdOMDHoaxDbEZ2MfFFRHjboeHrd_MaN3h83kRiplw/s2048/IMG_7271.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcwcQgEiNu0ED3LnP7fmCtLj-icefP0SA0bmckKv5-Fr4DJN7JwmJFrCWm3mE5bd54z1lnM0JCCWTJgyc3gN069qY6aG_XMGKmm9VdOMDHoaxDbEZ2MfFFRHjboeHrd_MaN3h83kRiplw/w200-h150/IMG_7271.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">All bundled up on this cold <br />but bright day</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/womens-satellite-running-tight-in-black-firenz" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Satellite Reflective Women's Running Tight</a><span style="text-align: center;">—What are jeans these days? I'm all about comfort. These are my go-to pants, whether I'm at home, running errands, or staying active outside. Plus, they look great paired with my </span><a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/long-sleeve-reflective-womens-piper-tee-in-afterglow" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Piper Tee</a><span style="text-align: center;"> or a nicer sweater when I want to look good but stay cozy for one of my virtual events!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/womens-windbrite-pant-in-silver" target="_blank"><br />Women's Reflective Windbrite Pant</a>—Not only do these pants have fleece lining for extra comfort, their outer shell protects me from the coldest, windiest conditions. They've saved me too many times to count!</div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWbOtAcUKFktiHjdDLV9eEb7SHIs9TCgFx5ggO9GXzIQYxs9RDYXbyuNMUJ0GP0hSw-N4Emfo7r8EuVNkNF7aFhJWJAwmxNVP_qIWVN0IMrCHjQJGTzy1Oa0B9tk2BHn4tsSHKdJncoa_/s2048/2C7A1150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWbOtAcUKFktiHjdDLV9eEb7SHIs9TCgFx5ggO9GXzIQYxs9RDYXbyuNMUJ0GP0hSw-N4Emfo7r8EuVNkNF7aFhJWJAwmxNVP_qIWVN0IMrCHjQJGTzy1Oa0B9tk2BHn4tsSHKdJncoa_/w133-h200/2C7A1150.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/mattfrancisphotos/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: start;">© </span>Matt Francis Photos</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/men/products/mens-reflective-mercury-tight-in-black-roma-print" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/men/products/mens-reflective-mercury-tight-in-black-roma-print" target="_blank">Men's Reflective Mercury Running Tight</a>—These tights keep Mike dry and visible during cold night runs, and also are great for layering under a more technical pant for hiking. They wick moisture away while keeping him warm.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/tahoe-womens-performance-reflective-jacket-in-graphite" target="_blank">Tahoe Performance Women's Softshell Fleece Reflective Jacket</a>—I swear by this jacket no matter what activity I'm doing: running to the grocery store, hiking up mountains, or running 10 miles on a ten degree day/night. This jacket keeps me warm, comfortable, and bright—and also is quite stylish, if I do say so myself!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/men/products/mens-reflective-squall-jacket-black" target="_blank">Men's Reflective Squall Jacket</a>—Not only is this jacket warm and bright, it's waterproof. Mike throws this wherever we go to keep him warm, dry, and bright all day and night.</div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkNS6MwZ9tewW4J6-bY1LA4ZEPGvAonX4-JurDH__OM74HeOOIN-eI9YDcoeV9_FnC_oxqVnNEdQGrRkMx-FLa9HHZn4xIW-jdLMAqa0TRMVti8cZg1p2C3YLkFngRkpUbIE9RizkQv8j/s2048/IMG_0507.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkNS6MwZ9tewW4J6-bY1LA4ZEPGvAonX4-JurDH__OM74HeOOIN-eI9YDcoeV9_FnC_oxqVnNEdQGrRkMx-FLa9HHZn4xIW-jdLMAqa0TRMVti8cZg1p2C3YLkFngRkpUbIE9RizkQv8j/w153-h200/IMG_0507.HEIC" width="153" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-accessories/products/cold-weather-hood-in-black" target="_blank">Hoodie</a> / <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/tahoe-womens-performance-reflective-jacket-in-graphite" target="_blank">Tahoe Performance Fleece</a><br /> and <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/men/products/mens-reflective-squall-jacket-black" target="_blank">Squall Jacket</a> for the win!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-accessories/products/three-in-one-mitten-with-glove-liner-in-black" target="_blank">Three-in-One Mitten with Removable Glove Liner</a>—What we love most about these is they can be used together or separately. Plus, there is enough room to throw in a hand warmer when you want extended heat on those longer runs or hikes. When not wearing them, we store the gloves inside their mitten for easy storage.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-accessories/products/cold-weather-hood-in-black" target="_blank">Cold Weather Unisex Reflective Hood</a>—The fabric is versatile enough that you can wear it as a full face covering, or lower the face mask when you get too hot. It's also a quick way to mask up when passing by other runners or walkers.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>What are you must-have gifts year? I'd love to hear your ideas! Leave a comment below!</b></div>Sera Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120417461447755328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853846944598968995.post-68370512276198428292020-11-10T09:45:00.002-05:002020-11-10T09:45:44.275-05:00Creating Joy During Stressful Times<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy16Oa-jk-_1ZgMwvjGJXc3_lzGSiFzYuZDr_BndfWtyEEPw9yt3t-qdB5jJ3GHqFJr17kL7XhUMY3htLhVE3QafB1tXrxoGK2I8vprP-IbUpbnU5iYCd0xQ68vd3fypJu3_tJ5xkWLgnD/s2048/IMG_8457.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy16Oa-jk-_1ZgMwvjGJXc3_lzGSiFzYuZDr_BndfWtyEEPw9yt3t-qdB5jJ3GHqFJr17kL7XhUMY3htLhVE3QafB1tXrxoGK2I8vprP-IbUpbnU5iYCd0xQ68vd3fypJu3_tJ5xkWLgnD/s320/IMG_8457.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Let's get moving! We lift each other up when feeling down</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">IllumiNITE <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/womens-featherlite-reflective-jacket-in-graphite" target="_blank">Featherlite Packable Jacket</a> & <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/men/products/reflective-mens-endeavor-tank-in-graphite" target="_blank">Men's Endeavor Tank</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table>Last week, I popped a blood vessel in my eye. I have no idea how. I just looked in the mirror one morning and noticed the red blotch near my cornea. Stress, so many people said. And I agree. <div><br /></div><div>The world is definitely on shaky ground these days. Covid-19 cases are on the rise again, one-by-one, the schools in my area are going fully remote, the election coverage is nonstop, and the high anxiety and anger and sadness emanating out of social media feeds feels rampant. </div><div><br /></div><div>And the holidays are fast approaching, which means, cold weather and dark days are also fast approaching. </div><div><br /><div><p></p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrhDFZ3aYwH-0Ayl0-RzFPZoRhWIbdXSVX6S1uwU7-yLV4wT4AwbcslsclGRhQsXQHGdZksD_RwrSYTaQtZkkZxa-ze1f7t_B33HpyJpaNYkOOnOAWISLH8SA615NgpZ7yl1vnGZvH6Mf/s2048/SeraLaughing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrhDFZ3aYwH-0Ayl0-RzFPZoRhWIbdXSVX6S1uwU7-yLV4wT4AwbcslsclGRhQsXQHGdZksD_RwrSYTaQtZkkZxa-ze1f7t_B33HpyJpaNYkOOnOAWISLH8SA615NgpZ7yl1vnGZvH6Mf/w320-h213/SeraLaughing.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-size: small;">To destress, laughter is the best medicine</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />IllumiNITE <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-jackets/products/waterproof-reflective-womens-colorado-jacket-in-honeydew-floral" target="_blank">Waterproof Colorado Jacket</a> & <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/womens-windbrite-pant-in-silver" target="_blank">WindBrite Pant</a><br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/mattfrancisphotos/?hl=en" target="_blank">© </a></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/mattfrancisphotos/?hl=en" target="_blank">Matt Francis Photos</a></span></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>This year has been far from normal, but it's important now more than ever to manage stress levels and find the calm, find the joy, find the peace every way we can. Mike recently finished the book <a href="https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/ingrid-fetell-lee/joyful/9780316399289/?utm_expid=.OyywKgKNQfKo0ZgN1WBZtg.0&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F" target="_blank">Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness</a> by<a href="https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/contributor/ingrid-fetell-lee/" target="_blank"> Ingrid Fetell Lee</a>. It's one of those books you read for a bit, then put down, then pick back up again after pondering its philosophy. </p><p>With stress levels on the rise, we're doing our best to implement most of Lee's advice. Some of it seems like common sense, but when times are tough it can be easy to forget that the little things in life really do bring a great sense of calmness and joy. So, we looked into what we have right in front of us that can utilize. Here's what we've come up with, and it's working1 </p><p>To destress, we:</p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSQU9p-WD4ve_qVJpPqYAIa1SdCKJ94Yo2i0qMVKoQ_ZeLtQgC3mq58c_LicmLpiy95xIC4-BKvhLecCdjsOoVXZ1oa__g3bbHlKEll7XSSQ4vvFMTbQplFfWL254BW_Q2tC5YoOhVCGE/s2048/BrightColors.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1641" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSQU9p-WD4ve_qVJpPqYAIa1SdCKJ94Yo2i0qMVKoQ_ZeLtQgC3mq58c_LicmLpiy95xIC4-BKvhLecCdjsOoVXZ1oa__g3bbHlKEll7XSSQ4vvFMTbQplFfWL254BW_Q2tC5YoOhVCGE/w160-h200/BrightColors.heic" width="160" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">He lights up my life...and my tee</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">IllumiNITE <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/men/products/vision-reflective-mens-pullover-in-flo-lime-graphite" target="_blank">Vision Pullover</a> & <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/womens-long-sleeve-reflective-love-tee-in-pink-white" target="_blank">Love Tee</a></span> </td></tr></tbody></table><br />1. Add bright colors to our wardrobe to brighten our mood<p></p><p>2. Move our bodies every single day (even a 15-minute walk around our neighborhood on our most busiest days helps)</p><p>3. Run in the rain </p><p>4. Run in the dark </p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPOBfyV1G59rPNZFBWuLuqlovZ3dzOBWISXVobVmrnsNmrv-F49tgPcqnmdGoVAewXvut-xJmrvqObv7K3NTXpRf6yb8GwE_3xD-5eXxBdVh_-ax1Lv-yliWlZ10aZx1kwlv2xZgXyjlM/s2048/RuninRain.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPOBfyV1G59rPNZFBWuLuqlovZ3dzOBWISXVobVmrnsNmrv-F49tgPcqnmdGoVAewXvut-xJmrvqObv7K3NTXpRf6yb8GwE_3xD-5eXxBdVh_-ax1Lv-yliWlZ10aZx1kwlv2xZgXyjlM/w150-h200/RuninRain.HEIC" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> When it rains...you run!</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">IllumiNITE <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/womens-short-sleeve-savannah-shirt-in-red-gray" target="_blank">Savannah Tee</a> &<br /><a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/womens-jammer-mid-length-running-short" target="_blank">Jammer Running Short</a> </span></td></tr></tbody></table>5. Take long walks through the woods and point out all the animals we see<p></p><p>6. Go for a hike on a mountain</p><p>7. Visit with family outside and socially-distanced</p><p>8. Plant flowers and trees and spruce up our backyard</p><p>9. Physically put away our phones, computers, TV for much needed breaks from the outside world</p><p>10. Play a board game or cards </p><p>11. Cook flavorful, healthy meals together (usually also full of color!)</p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHiw0v5v5EPJraXYwBz4hWK81Jq4GE00OmJ5JvXLr_3_T2COXhz6UYhE84tfIYWWThsNTiaY-R-O9RJejt_K2f_2tLCSfIqHQHjaVIdTRRxiAJvTqwrEFcXlcGzs-onOZLMC6G92K2PQC-/s2048/IMG_7868.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHiw0v5v5EPJraXYwBz4hWK81Jq4GE00OmJ5JvXLr_3_T2COXhz6UYhE84tfIYWWThsNTiaY-R-O9RJejt_K2f_2tLCSfIqHQHjaVIdTRRxiAJvTqwrEFcXlcGzs-onOZLMC6G92K2PQC-/w150-h200/IMG_7868.jpeg" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">It's all about perspective</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />12. Sit quietly on the couch or outside with our favorite mugs or glasses filled with coffee, tea, or wine (okay, sometimes bourbon too), and just be in the moment<p></p><p>13. Read uplifting books about the underdog winning</p><p>14. Journal for ten-minutes a day (writing prompts from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/590781648071880" target="_blank">The Creative Wave Facebook group</a> by author <a href="https://lisapapa.com" target="_blank">Lisa Papademetriou</a>)</p><p>15. Watch our favorite sitcoms and funny movies and laugh, laugh, laugh</p><p>16. Go to sleep at the same time every night in a quiet, dark room (no electronics allowed)</p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzDDwLdkDve3cKcH-fpT2hXDmn8ZGfIIAYUOv3nVkQY1faHSuAN1l_-Vhe0MQCSL-E4fMFBuDy3Zv81XzEY_Wn4ufYDmzEpztNuAGPpc20FtxMVtvZP58Ydbt0fVO-tOPVtdw7tyLkTrw/s2048/IMG_7759.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzDDwLdkDve3cKcH-fpT2hXDmn8ZGfIIAYUOv3nVkQY1faHSuAN1l_-Vhe0MQCSL-E4fMFBuDy3Zv81XzEY_Wn4ufYDmzEpztNuAGPpc20FtxMVtvZP58Ydbt0fVO-tOPVtdw7tyLkTrw/w150-h200/IMG_7759.jpeg" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Game night...healthy snacks <br />& strategic sneak attacks</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />17. Surprise each other with love notes or small gifts "just because"<p></p><p>18. Be spontaneous and throw our routine to the wind for an impromptu activity, like getting takeout from our favorite restaurant, going for a long drive, or even just opening that specialty chocolate we've been saving for a rainy day</p>19. Put on music from "the good old days" and dance, dance, dance in the living room<p></p><p>20. Name five things that bring us joy each, even if it's something minor like enjoying a sunny day, spotting a woodpecker, or saying hello to a neighbor </p><p>I'm sure I could go on and on, but really, these 20 things have become our go-to ways to destress, unwind, and find joy. Implementing little bits of happiness into our lives each day helps us remember that everything is temporary, including these uncertain times, and having a positive attitude eases stress and anxiety. </p><p>Sound too simple? Don't believe me? Give it a try for a week, and then let me know how it went.</p><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9rzJ5C21XwVOHLMbzRZoxKocmdiqX22LPK45BK2R9usoTt49lycbTGVufPHTlIsWaWcGro9efq29nEZyaThUZPoH7EYnYO21ME-cg4S5lv2ELJoCQOgJUYJqO24S5hxh8gIHJmHcUQy_/s2048/MikeLaughing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9rzJ5C21XwVOHLMbzRZoxKocmdiqX22LPK45BK2R9usoTt49lycbTGVufPHTlIsWaWcGro9efq29nEZyaThUZPoH7EYnYO21ME-cg4S5lv2ELJoCQOgJUYJqO24S5hxh8gIHJmHcUQy_/w400-h266/MikeLaughing.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Give a smile, receive a smile! </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">No matter what's going on in life right now, <br />a smile always helps. </span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">IllumiNITE </span><a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/men/products/colorado-waterproof-reflective-mens-jacket-in-graphite-flo-lime" style="font-size: x-small;" target="_blank">Waterproof Colorado Jacket</a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> & </span><a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/men/products/sentinel-reflective-mens-long-sleeve-shirt-in-rust-grey" style="font-size: x-small;" target="_blank">Sentinel Longsleeve Shirt</a><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/mattfrancisphotos/?hl=en" target="_blank">© </a></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/mattfrancisphotos/?hl=en" target="_blank">Matt Francis Photos</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p>And don't forget, adding bright colors into your life is easier now more than ever. Just use my discount code <a href="http://illuminite.com/discount/runbrightly" target="_blank">RunBrightly</a> for 15% off your order at <a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IlllumiNITE</a>.</p><p><b>What do you do to destress? Please share in a comment below. I'd love to add more joy into my life! </b></p></div></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div>Sera Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120417461447755328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853846944598968995.post-64049100296733690562020-10-24T13:35:00.000-05:002020-10-24T13:35:34.713-05:00Gearing Up for Colder Months in Quarantine<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh4BUh_K3zYyrC9KxQDlvc6H9-uiXk-QOxQaN5XauFljX_Nod42U03m3EO6anTXpSLCK0rzHUKI_w95mnBNV1ONCmyR9lnHVpR_iSXqQF03350KqZLJari0tQy35qoaU3SW1nVwyNlFwfa/s2048/SeraTrekkingUp.HEIC" style="clear: left; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh4BUh_K3zYyrC9KxQDlvc6H9-uiXk-QOxQaN5XauFljX_Nod42U03m3EO6anTXpSLCK0rzHUKI_w95mnBNV1ONCmyR9lnHVpR_iSXqQF03350KqZLJari0tQy35qoaU3SW1nVwyNlFwfa/w245-h320/SeraTrekkingUp.HEIC" width="245" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Trying out hiking poles for the first time<br />Wearing<a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank"> IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/ambition-womens-hoodie-in-beetroot-silver" target="_blank">Ambition Hoodie</a>, <br /><a href="https://illuminite.com/products/reflective-ponytail-headband-black?_pos=3&_sid=ea123fbd1&_ss=r" target="_blank">Ponyband Headband</a> & <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-accessories/products/reflective-unisex-velocity-mitten-in-hot-pink" target="_blank">Velocity Mittens</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Brrr. It's getting cold out there! Where has summer gone? It's getting harder to wake up early now that it's darker and colder in the mornings. But I can't deny how good it feels to breathe in the brisk air and stare at the colorful trees against the bright blue backdrop of the sky once I motivate myself to get up and get moving. Staying active during the colder months is like going to the gym after the shininess of New Year's resolutions wears off. It takes a lot to get yourself out there, but once you do, you wonder why you hesitated in the first place. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Since we're still in a pandemic, Mike and I talked about the importance of not staying cooped up inside all winter. In normal years, I always sign up for a few fall and winter races to keep me motivated to run, including trail and mountain races (like the <a href="https://runbrightly.blogspot.com/search?q=ghost+train" target="_blank">Ghost Train Ultramarathon</a>, or the "Movember on Mt. Tom Fun Run" to raise awareness for men's health). But all races have been discontinued. Likewise, we won't be able to socialize indoors at theaters or restaurants or gatherings with friends. What do we do?</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXB8KT-j6uiw0N6N4h1y25KpeMVApJQqaXatXbyNZEtTgAQxAH7xobLNX0Rhg39aVxukHIY2wqbYC1Je5maiihgyb_udf-cyE_LunrucVFXVgAye9y1taPRwdF1ZEYkFb9p-yDEg7Z0fE/s2048/SeraMountainTopAmbitionHoodie.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXB8KT-j6uiw0N6N4h1y25KpeMVApJQqaXatXbyNZEtTgAQxAH7xobLNX0Rhg39aVxukHIY2wqbYC1Je5maiihgyb_udf-cyE_LunrucVFXVgAye9y1taPRwdF1ZEYkFb9p-yDEg7Z0fE/w150-h200/SeraMountainTopAmbitionHoodie.HEIC" width="150" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />We decided to stick with what we do best: hiking and running. We also agreed to try snowshoeing come winter to spice things up. We went through our colder weather inventory to see what we already own. Then we went on a five-and-a-half hour hike on <a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/massachusetts/racebrook-trail-to-mount-race" target="_blank">Mount Race</a>, my favorite mountain in the Berkshires, to figure out what we still need to stay dry, warm, and safe outside during the fall and winter months.</span><br /><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSYI1VTnEX2EKKcMvx69QrH4KliBFHR9kvj18n4jZvJ-MqSSjEPpSPtC5JhD6JucTAiz8mgPnlGATYjRzD_KuouDeKnQMzHzjiZ6Bx43hYq3bPF8SY_7nsP4Rl2LODY4plP9JgbJtenUG/s2048/SeraTrekkingRiver.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSYI1VTnEX2EKKcMvx69QrH4KliBFHR9kvj18n4jZvJ-MqSSjEPpSPtC5JhD6JucTAiz8mgPnlGATYjRzD_KuouDeKnQMzHzjiZ6Bx43hYq3bPF8SY_7nsP4Rl2LODY4plP9JgbJtenUG/w243-h320/SeraTrekkingRiver.HEIC" width="243" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Crossing Race Brook Falls; </span><a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-accessories/products/reflective-unisex-velocity-mitten-in-hot-pink" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Velocity Mittens</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <br />help me get a better grip my trekking poles</span> </td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">While hiking, we paid attention to the changing landscape. Fallen leaves and muddy terrain after the previous night's rainfall made the trek slipperier than usual. Fortunately, Mike's aunt lent us her trekking poles to see how we liked them. Why have I never used trekking pokes before? Wow! They truly gave me "extra legs" as I maneuvered up and down muddy terrain, crossed rivers, and navigated boulders. I have terrible balance, so I will definitely be getting myself a pair of these. Once winter sets in, I'll be adding MICROspikes so I don't slip when walking and climbing on sheets of ice. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">As for clothing, here is what we decided works best for the fall and winter months: </span></p></div><h1 style="text-align: left;">Layering is Key</h1><div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2s_IK5lteAUKFY_3Ri3wV609fVa_r7DjxCUK8-A-3brvU7cs91RX91gK7PNfRRN1sI90ju3BJQhZh7YN2yQVGqGwnDaciT_vhyphenhyphenTmpMqdoyVySlFgfoB6TbH5BYl4I8s8TuTty7b-gRk85/s2048/IMG_7874.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2s_IK5lteAUKFY_3Ri3wV609fVa_r7DjxCUK8-A-3brvU7cs91RX91gK7PNfRRN1sI90ju3BJQhZh7YN2yQVGqGwnDaciT_vhyphenhyphenTmpMqdoyVySlFgfoB6TbH5BYl4I8s8TuTty7b-gRk85/w200-h152/IMG_7874.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I'm all layered up from head to toe; <br />can you see my Velocity Mitten <br />making a cameo?</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">New England weather is finicky. The temperature can go from 48°F to 72° to 30° all in one day. It can be sunny, then cloudy, then windy with hail, then calm and balmy. Yes, we often have the four seasons all in one day. Weather definitely keeps things exiting. But no matter where you live, it's important to be prepared for the elements, especially on mountains. Mountains don't care if it's January or July; they have their own climate.</span></p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaF4DRnK4pVGDdH6YgfiE_65ziT5uRxMX6Gv4OvVXsBlgnBFiK1LDWx9YFildcBd2pgCmV2e2I9fk_WE8rbZaCrnggeWjUbXpwwxJXX4OR6B1uUowGTvbKkqattHf03whjsu17Nx8mREE-/s2048/IMG_6212.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaF4DRnK4pVGDdH6YgfiE_65ziT5uRxMX6Gv4OvVXsBlgnBFiK1LDWx9YFildcBd2pgCmV2e2I9fk_WE8rbZaCrnggeWjUbXpwwxJXX4OR6B1uUowGTvbKkqattHf03whjsu17Nx8mREE-/w150-h200/IMG_6212.jpeg" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Packable Jacket is lightweight,<br />and keeps me warm and dry <br />in cold, wet weather</span></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">One thing I love about <a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> clothing is that they're easily packable and lightweight. Even their warmer clothing doesn't feel bulky. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Therefore, I love to layer a shortsleeve like their </span><a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/womens-short-sleeve-mockingbird-shirt-white-peri" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Mockingbird</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> or </span><a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/womens-short-sleeve-savannah-shirt-in-red-gray" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Savannah</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Shirt underneath a warmer shell like the <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/ambition-womens-hoodie-in-beetroot-silver?_pos=4&_sid=57cbedd47&_ss=r" target="_blank">Ambition Hoodie</a> or <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/womens-featherlite-reflective-jacket-in-graphite?_pos=1&_sid=a6182234c&_ss=r" target="_blank">Packable Jacket</a> for the fall months. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Once that bitter winter weather sets in, I exchange my <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/womens-featherlite-reflective-jacket-in-graphite?_pos=1&_sid=a6182234c&_ss=r" target="_blank">Packable Jacket</a> for the </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;"><a href="about://" style="font-family: inherit;">Tahoe Performance Softshell Fleece</a></span>. It protects me against the elements while still allowing me to move freely, whether I'm running on the road or climbing up the boulders of a mountain. </p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKiYaQgoBd2HJKF6ALydaeP-pspg-MPRd2dM7yOy-qsnmYwtnFMNAtNQgaVpYKsRQ_YdaxmCUal3NVFNJK8A-GcKipLRMKVnGua8xwMcAM102Pdx9-SmN_smvGlmmXrvJGSgwqIirSn3h/s2048/SeraMiketights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKiYaQgoBd2HJKF6ALydaeP-pspg-MPRd2dM7yOy-qsnmYwtnFMNAtNQgaVpYKsRQ_YdaxmCUal3NVFNJK8A-GcKipLRMKVnGua8xwMcAM102Pdx9-SmN_smvGlmmXrvJGSgwqIirSn3h/w133-h200/SeraMiketights.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sera in <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/womens-reflex-powerstretch-pant-black-firenz" target="_blank">Powerstretch Pant </a><br />(bootcut pairs well with hiking boots) <br />Mike in <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/mens-reflective-mercury-tight-in-black-roma-print?_pos=2&_sid=0307f4af6&_ss=r" target="_blank">Mercury Running Tights</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The women's <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/womens-satellite-running-tight-in-black-firenz" target="_blank">Satellite Running Tights</a> and men's <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/mens-reflective-mercury-tight-in-black-roma-print?_pos=2&_sid=0307f4af6&_ss=r" target="_blank">Mercury Running Tights</a> keep us dry and warm during the early autumn months. </span>I love how <a href="https://illuminite.com/search?q=tights" target="_blank">IllumiNITE tights</a> can be layered beneath hiking pants, running shorts, or sweatpants for added warmth and protection. They also prevent chafing and wick away moisture. I also recommend wearing wicking underwear made specifically for running or hiking. It makes a world of difference in comfort level. </p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">There's really nothing worse than sweating through your layered clothing only to become chilled to the bone. That's the type of bitter cold that sits inside you for hours. </span>So, when the weather turns damp and cold, the <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/womens-windbrite-pant-in-silver" target="_blank">Windbrite Pant</a>, which is windproof, prevents windchill from settling in.</p><p></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><h1 style="text-align: left;"></h1><h1 style="text-align: left;">Accessories</h1><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhU3dphxW8spaKGyafX5vUg9XHkSi_pkmfxPLKmoTXFU_iE4ObO4O-wAYo5ozA7gnKFzwl9f6pfd537SlC7TAATm0me0noUH9eojwFfSfgxwJlXmNkulNrH7tQyPAyb3pAOkCMBrkV_YX7/s2048/SeraSleeveBright.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhU3dphxW8spaKGyafX5vUg9XHkSi_pkmfxPLKmoTXFU_iE4ObO4O-wAYo5ozA7gnKFzwl9f6pfd537SlC7TAATm0me0noUH9eojwFfSfgxwJlXmNkulNrH7tQyPAyb3pAOkCMBrkV_YX7/w150-h200/SeraSleeveBright.HEIC" width="150" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I don't know what I would do if I didn't have my go-to <a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> accessories. They all make my life so much easier because they prepare me for anything. </span></p><p>A super fun accessory that is also practical is my pair of <a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> Sleeves. When it's a tad chilly, but I know I'll heat up as I run, I wear a shortsleeved tee with my detachable sleeves. They easily stow away in a pocket if I get too hot, but add just the right amount of warmth and brightness on chilly and/or damp days.</p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">And I'm totally obsessed with accessories for my head! My <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-accessories/products/reflective-unisex-multiwrap-in-white" target="_blank">Multi-Wrap</a> has multi-purposes. I can use it as a hat, double it up to create a face mask for when we're passing people on the road or trail, or use it as a buff to keep sweat out of my eyes and bugs out of my ears (especially during pesky spring and fall months when the insects are especially buggy!). <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcw-up_6qQHfd_WSgKL-OcixgQ4DRK58ZL5XzQc1YIXXJ08EPBzWYwyuRaTb1gP5I6SfycsNus9K1hHFYK2uyTujJdYmKzm4wD-NxNZA1k0qhVJthrLE-PiAl1W5JVByoGSi3UaQS2PTb6/s2048/SeraMikeEarlyRiserAmbition.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcw-up_6qQHfd_WSgKL-OcixgQ4DRK58ZL5XzQc1YIXXJ08EPBzWYwyuRaTb1gP5I6SfycsNus9K1hHFYK2uyTujJdYmKzm4wD-NxNZA1k0qhVJthrLE-PiAl1W5JVByoGSi3UaQS2PTb6/w150-h200/SeraMikeEarlyRiserAmbition.HEIC" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mike wears his Multi-Wrap <br />like a</span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-small;"> headband; <br />I cover my whole head<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">When I don't want full coverage, I really love the thicker <a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> </span><a href="https://illuminite.com/search?q=headbands" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">headbands</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> because they still keep sweat out of my eyes and bugs out of my ears. Some even come equipped for ponytails (the <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/ambition-womens-hoodie-in-beetroot-silver?_pos=4&_sid=57cbedd47&_ss=r" target="_blank">Ambition Hoodie</a> is also perfect for ponytails!) </span></p><p></p></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRMeLEaIVP3xHqU0sF5gf8OVzLD3a0AjSJtTFBSmNBOf1JMldwP7RMbVaVrMzRYzhKx_uRez5Zz1IGljtXr1BGdEtQ0jjNBMAbGaixvQUZJ_uw9PgR4bOnmwK_RcG219QkFgiO2S-9ao8/s2048/SunergyHats.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRMeLEaIVP3xHqU0sF5gf8OVzLD3a0AjSJtTFBSmNBOf1JMldwP7RMbVaVrMzRYzhKx_uRez5Zz1IGljtXr1BGdEtQ0jjNBMAbGaixvQUZJ_uw9PgR4bOnmwK_RcG219QkFgiO2S-9ao8/w150-h200/SunergyHats.HEIC" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Shining bright on <br />our morning walks—<a href="https://illuminite.com/products/reflective-synergy-hat-in-black?_pos=1&_sid=abfdae361&_ss=r" target="_blank">Synergy</a>!</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">For our early morning walks, I switch out the elaborate head coverings for my <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHPnOslOGcI49tNeCLbrc0zqWCGWqRVUXyszLSX71b_vEBSCxIH12CZQmpiG21GNKJPWM6C-RlTMhCi4WAEhAGZSfoABhRbloDZvhoV44kTZAgLZ59hWsjj7gr82XNFaS6i940MHMj9qv/s2048/IMG_4246.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHPnOslOGcI49tNeCLbrc0zqWCGWqRVUXyszLSX71b_vEBSCxIH12CZQmpiG21GNKJPWM6C-RlTMhCi4WAEhAGZSfoABhRbloDZvhoV44kTZAgLZ59hWsjj7gr82XNFaS6i940MHMj9qv/w151-h200/IMG_4246.jpeg" width="151" /></a></span><a href="https://illuminite.com/products/reflective-synergy-hat-in-black?_pos=1&_sid=abfdae361&_ss=r" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Synergy Hat</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">. I can keep my hair down while wearing it, and it keeps my head warm—and visible!—while we walk through our neighborhood. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">But as the months get colder, I exchange these head coverings for the </span><a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-accessories/products/cold-weather-hood-in-black" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Cold Weather Unisex Hood</a>. It's so versatile! You can rearrange it to either cover your head, mouth and nose, and neck; Or, your head and neck; Or, just your neck, depending on how hot or cold you get. It's especially easy to pull down the face covering for a quick snack break without any complications.</p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a>'s <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-accessories/products/reflective-unisex-velocity-mitten-in-hot-pink" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Velocity Mittens</a> keep my hands dry and warm while also allowing me to use my phone—gotta capture our amazing adventures on camera. Though, come winter months, I will need warmer gloves such as their <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/unisex-second-skin-glove?_pos=4&_sid=4f5cd0c1e&_ss=r" target="_blank">Second Skin Gloves</a> or <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/three-in-one-mitten-with-glove-liner-in-black?_pos=5&_sid=4f5cd0c1e&_ss=r" target="_blank">Three-In-One Mitten</a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhf69lf_JFkFh5NT51JmkaaXnkoxuKhj6SZD5LrGFCa3Ipm5XIE2iSYx4EIH-UdH5QwnCpbdGXP2E4ffL1lt238yPGnaTxHnEEPbBJtuQl_erFt2J-DvoY-_iu0tyZDpEOBMYQIlKYJM2R/s2048/RacebrookFalls.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhf69lf_JFkFh5NT51JmkaaXnkoxuKhj6SZD5LrGFCa3Ipm5XIE2iSYx4EIH-UdH5QwnCpbdGXP2E4ffL1lt238yPGnaTxHnEEPbBJtuQl_erFt2J-DvoY-_iu0tyZDpEOBMYQIlKYJM2R/w150-h200/RacebrookFalls.HEIC" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ready for outdoor activities<br />this fall and winter!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;">I spoke with our friends at <a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> to see what they recommended for warmer gear for the colder months, and they gathered some of their best products for us. Our shipment just came in, and I can't wait to see what we got! Stay tuned for more. In the meantime, check out <a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> for all your reflective athletic wear needs, and use my discount code <a href="https://illuminite.com/discount/sera15" target="_blank">Sera15</a> for 15% off your order!</span><p></p><p><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'd love to hear your must-have gear for fall and winter! </span></b><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Please share in a comment below!</span></b></p></div><div><br /></div>Sera Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120417461447755328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853846944598968995.post-39585874426174943802020-10-06T16:39:00.000-05:002020-10-07T08:27:32.960-05:00Virtual Races: A Reminder I Didn't Know I Needed<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Pj2bUzzP1X9F-XgMwFV95jonQJ7L7o0VFHeYCcKM4IRc4fDTE_3S9FymLvJFLU857bADRtleBk6lC_RQp_QjB1nA2vLZaPNm-6yGH5yNxWY9aO_HEnddmIzTLivMMSFuKZ2RUr9Q1u8i/s1895/IMG_4602.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IllumiNITE reflective packable jacket" border="0" data-original-height="1895" data-original-width="1402" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Pj2bUzzP1X9F-XgMwFV95jonQJ7L7o0VFHeYCcKM4IRc4fDTE_3S9FymLvJFLU857bADRtleBk6lC_RQp_QjB1nA2vLZaPNm-6yGH5yNxWY9aO_HEnddmIzTLivMMSFuKZ2RUr9Q1u8i/w237-h320/IMG_4602.jpeg" title="IllumiNITE reflective packable jacket" width="237" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Cod Marathon Start Line<br />Oct. 2019</td></tr></tbody></table>Every year, I <a href="https://runbrightly.blogspot.com/2020/02/train-hike-race-repeat-illuminited.html" target="_blank">plan out my races</a> to keep myself motivated and moving. I sign up for my fave (fun!) races, such as <a href="http://runwestfield.com" target="_blank">The Westfield Flat Fast 5k</a> and the <a href="https://hotchocolaterun.greatfeats.com/page/event-history" target="_blank">Hot Chocolate Run 5k</a> for <a href="https://safepass.org" target="_blank">Safe Passage</a>, and I choose one or two favorite long distance races, such as the <a href="https://runbrightly.blogspot.com/2019/10/falmouth-bound-cape-cod-marathon.html" target="_blank">Cape Cod Marathon</a> or <a href="https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=72340" target="_blank">Ghost Train Ultra Marathon</a>, and then I sprinkle in a few races I've not tried before to spice things up. Destination races are my favorite, so I try to incorporate those when possible.<p></p><p>But this year, all races were cancelled due to the pandemic. I had signed up for the <a href="https://newenglandgreenrivermarathon.com" target="_blank">Green River Marathon</a>, a one-way marathon from Vermont to Greenfield with a 1,450 foot overall drop in elevation (to make up for making <a href="https://runbrightly.blogspot.com/2019/11/marathon-bound-were-in-greece.html" target="_blank">Mike run his first marathon ever in Greece</a> where the elevation gain was 1,150 feet!). And I had also signed up for the <a href="https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=72340" target="_blank">Ghost Train Ultra Marathon</a> again, where I planned on running 45 miles in two days (30 Saturday; 15 Sunday). I told Mike that we should just train anyway, do the miles on our own, but it's been a real struggle getting high mileage in. </p><p>Yes, we've been active every day, especially since we created our accountability schedule. But our long runs have plateaued at about ten miles...wah, wah, wah! And here it is October already, and I haven't run one marathon yet. I'm usually on marathon number two (or even three!) for the year by now. I feel the negative difference in my body and my mood, and I don't like it!</p><p>So the other week, I told Mike that we had to run a half marathon. No matter how long it took, we were</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSOBv34SudDmNlXnhGocnsKbIKzt6Ts_hEYU7Fepo6Z7nFGHIV96Y7gnpY0XiBN9X2eL2wthVSTtZrcgMy9U_-HmJ-9AgKsN6QjwHNM8L85Lmy0GERve3b3DCint0pOdGkEJSP7gullL1/s2048/HalfMarathon.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSOBv34SudDmNlXnhGocnsKbIKzt6Ts_hEYU7Fepo6Z7nFGHIV96Y7gnpY0XiBN9X2eL2wthVSTtZrcgMy9U_-HmJ-9AgKsN6QjwHNM8L85Lmy0GERve3b3DCint0pOdGkEJSP7gullL1/s320/HalfMarathon.HEIC" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unofficial Half-Marathon Complete<br /><a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/reflective-unisex-multiwrap-in-graphite?_pos=1&_sid=802224f26&_ss=r" target="_blank">MultiWrap</a>, <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/early-riser-reflective-mens-pullover-in-hawaiian-blue" target="_blank">Early Riser</a>, <br /><a href="https://illuminite.com/products/ambition-womens-hoodie-in-beetroot-silver?_pos=4&_sid=758e9b801&_ss=r" target="_blank">Ambition Hoodie</a>, and <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/reflective-unisex-velocity-mitten-in-hot-pink?_pos=9&_sid=99138e17f&_ss=r" target="_blank">Velocity Mitten</a></td></tr></tbody></table>not stopping until we hit 13.1 miles. I was slow, real slow, but I just kept moving one foot in front of the other, and before I knew it, we were finished! It definitely helped that the sky was blue because it was cold! A mere 41 degrees. Thank god we wore our <a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/search?q=pullover" target="_blank">pullovers</a> AND <a href="https://illuminite.com/search?q=gloves" target="_blank">gloves</a> to keep us warm. But it gave me a sense of accomplishment. We may not be marathon ready, but we're halfway there.<p></p><p>I had planned on signing up for the <a href="https://www.oiselle.com/pages/womxn-run-the-vote-relay" target="_blank">Womxn Run the Vote</a> relay race, where proceeds went to <a href="https://blackvotersmatterfund.org/donate/" target="_blank">Black Voters Matter</a>, but time got away from me. By the time I went to registered, they had hit their 10,000 athletes capacity! Whoa! I had no idea virtual races capped participation. Mike and I still logged about 35 miles that week, and I am still donating money to <a href="https://blackvotersmatterfund.org/donate/" target="_blank">Black Voters Matter</a> because it's such an important cause! But missing the sign-up bummed me out! I didn't realize how much I missed my running community until I missed out on an amazing race opportunity for a charitable organization.</p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lPcOGe4KFTw_v5KwQoGR8HKSE6x5aCDcx5eCHpyqBgckIkG60_NEdeLxkmDAjgGVab0Bwr6JBp76_i6KgQQV464FJYUQxu2GxYGzOZBSXOb2JUsTbk2Q4t25cFKjy4H1-54vaWhkWwrJ/s3669/IMG_9813.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3669" data-original-width="857" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lPcOGe4KFTw_v5KwQoGR8HKSE6x5aCDcx5eCHpyqBgckIkG60_NEdeLxkmDAjgGVab0Bwr6JBp76_i6KgQQV464FJYUQxu2GxYGzOZBSXOb2JUsTbk2Q4t25cFKjy4H1-54vaWhkWwrJ/s320/IMG_9813.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a><br /><a href="https://illuminite.com/products/vision-reflective-mens-pullover-in-flo-lime-graphite?_pos=7&_sid=d280c5c06&_ss=r" target="_blank">Vision Men's Pullover</a><br /><a href="https://illuminite.com/products/mens-endeavor-long-running-short-in-black-white?_pos=2&_sid=ee0a46b57&_ss=r" target="_blank">Endeavor Shorts</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />So, to keep our momentum going, Mike signed us up for the <a href="https://racewire.com/register.php?id=11794&topic=2#event_info" target="_blank">Running from 2020</a> virtual race. The finisher shirt definitely captures how we feel about this year. Then, on October 3, Mike asked me what day it was. Okay, okay, he didn't ask; he told me: Race Day! But I needed my total <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0377092/" target="_blank">Mean Girls</a> moment! Don't judge! Anyway, I was not feeling the race whatsoever! But I knew I couldn't let him down, and I also wanted that shirt! So I pushed my grumbling deep down, and we set off. Once Mike passed me, my racing instincts kicked in and I ran harder than I've been running most days. I'm so proud to say that I ran nonstop. I even sped up with each mile. </p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;">10:42...</div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">10: 25...</p><p style="text-align: center;">9:45...</p><p style="text-align: center;">9:06...</p><p>I tried my hardest to catch Mike, but he's just too fast for me. He won by four minutes! Yowza he's fast! But it was so much fun, and it made me realize how much I love racing. </p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20nYbhkE2oLNfN8gD2I477v9XqzMQad3POnUc8FMUE4CIVypsDyR1VveYuuO98GcJc5ZU561NezUHDzrj2KfMS8gHdWWJem3JtFr9cy_hwZ38bFx6Qk-_FjfqZ6UIxYyzo6KBMUyBs9Sm/s2048/PostRaceOct3Tree.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20nYbhkE2oLNfN8gD2I477v9XqzMQad3POnUc8FMUE4CIVypsDyR1VveYuuO98GcJc5ZU561NezUHDzrj2KfMS8gHdWWJem3JtFr9cy_hwZ38bFx6Qk-_FjfqZ6UIxYyzo6KBMUyBs9Sm/s320/PostRaceOct3Tree.HEIC" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeling accomplished after our 5k<br /><a href="https://illuminite.com" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/synergy-headband-in-black?_pos=1&_sid=c95b97ea5&_ss=r" target="_blank">Synergy Headband</a>,<br /><a href="https://illuminite.com/products/womens-featherlite-reflective-jacket-in-graphite?_pos=1&_sid=f4f7e38eb&_ss=r" target="_blank">Packable Jacket</a>, <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/womens-short-sleeve-savannah-shirt-in-red-gray?_pos=1&_sid=c234cc1f8&_ss=r" target="_blank">Savannah Women's Tee</a>;<br /><a href="https://illuminite.com/products/vision-reflective-mens-pullover-in-flo-lime-graphite?_pos=7&_sid=d280c5c06&_ss=r" target="_blank">Vision Men's Pullover</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />So, what's next?</p><p>I truly believe in races that raise money for charitable organizations, so that's priority for me right now. I may not get my marathon in this year, but I plan on staying active throughout the winter. I'm hoping that the annual <a href="https://hotchocolaterun.greatfeats.com" target="_blank">Hot Chocolate Run</a> that I run every year goes virtual this year. Proceeds go to <a href="Safe Passage" target="_blank">Safe Passage</a>, an organization that helps "families achieve safety, build justice and rebuild their lives in the wake of domestic's violence."</p><p><b>What virtual races have you done this year? </b></p><p><b>What virtual events are you looking forward to? </b></p><p><b>Leave a comment below.</b></p><p><b>Perhaps we can run one together in the virtual world.</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p>Check out the styles we're wearing and use my discount code <a href="http://illuminite.com/discount/sera15" target="_blank">Sera15</a> for 15% off your entire <a href="http://illuminite.com/discount/sera15" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> order.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Sera Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120417461447755328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853846944598968995.post-14958345129988041642020-09-23T09:12:00.000-05:002020-09-23T09:12:22.390-05:00Covid-19 Quarantine Day 195: Love on Lockdown<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-JTXYHPKS5reY9S_ZRarHxKBcXn2uHNj0i3ZA3bnJwuNij2OKYxBGVWYWp1ULCdCsTfQsGh6FduDGKIbliLMGa8w8R_WW1qI0NKCaKyF55eiJrl5JAI2-U7dABO26h5Id14PDy1ueBLQ/s1600/LoveOnLockdown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1408" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-JTXYHPKS5reY9S_ZRarHxKBcXn2uHNj0i3ZA3bnJwuNij2OKYxBGVWYWp1ULCdCsTfQsGh6FduDGKIbliLMGa8w8R_WW1qI0NKCaKyF55eiJrl5JAI2-U7dABO26h5Id14PDy1ueBLQ/s320/LoveOnLockdown.jpg" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Masks on!<br />
Sera in <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/ambition-womens-hoodie-in-beetroot-silver" target="_blank">Ambition Reflective Hoodie</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Today is day 195 of quarantine, and while I still <a href="https://runbrightly.blogspot.com/2020/04/overwhelmed-covid-19-is-not-new-normal.html" target="_blank">refuse to accept that this is the “new normal,”</a> I can’t dispute the fact that other than my <a href="https://runbrightly.blogspot.com/2020/08/thickly-settled-slow-down-part-1.html" target="_blank">eight-day solo writing retreat</a>, Mike and I have been together 24 hours a day, every day, since the pandemic started.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That’s 27 weeks of social isolation. In other words, six months—half-a-year!—trapped (ahem, blessed) together. <br />
<br />
When the pandemic hit and we both transitioned to working from home, the days and nights blurred together (they still do!). Mike and I learned that creating an <a href="https://runbrightly.blogspot.com/2020/07/covid-19-quarantine-day-125-where-has.html" target="_blank">accountability schedule</a> was key to giving us a routine and keeping us active—it’s worked wonders!</div>
<div>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="text-align: center;">Still, when I watched Mike change the quarantine day on our whiteboard to 190 last Friday, it shocked me. On our morning walk, I presented our current situation. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6F_xUa0VCKU4xgi4Em4W8kgarzaVzFC9KSMotGDJjbuQLgwdDpFbJ09gySqDhlC7E7ye-PPXdTWPIw2kHsxlzQib7nMAQUYfX8CQHA1ZM2VPtTLp4xhrt-SRd4uB4xKOzWZNO5wqeN2p/s1600/Day195.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6F_xUa0VCKU4xgi4Em4W8kgarzaVzFC9KSMotGDJjbuQLgwdDpFbJ09gySqDhlC7E7ye-PPXdTWPIw2kHsxlzQib7nMAQUYfX8CQHA1ZM2VPtTLp4xhrt-SRd4uB4xKOzWZNO5wqeN2p/s200/Day195.HEIC" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Accountability Schedule and <br />
Quarantine Day Tracker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
“How are we not sick of each other?" I asked.<br />
<br />
Mike, being the methodical, list-making, strategizing side of our relationship, had us review the past six months; then, we made a list of all the things that work for us: <br />
<br />
<b>MORNING ROUTINE</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b>Every morning, Mike and I start our day on the couch with our cups of coffee. We compare our workday schedules so we can plan meals/domestic duties/errands accordingly. Once I’ve woken up completely—which often takes at least thirty minutes for caffeine to work its way through my veins—we venture outside.<br />
<br />
Since we no longer commute to/from work, our morning walk/run now <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4TycuTcUEeq5-xVmKVIaIc3Hak8vo1WREqYw4S2IPBKjNjIZOOJxtMrSrwED3f0vX2dP0VAVFBcnx7DrdFFSu91WvBpW77WxO33CYqwA7J3l6MKD3B_r9HEtUBAg4SffV4-GUJZ2kLqKp/s1600/ColdHalfMarathon.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4TycuTcUEeq5-xVmKVIaIc3Hak8vo1WREqYw4S2IPBKjNjIZOOJxtMrSrwED3f0vX2dP0VAVFBcnx7DrdFFSu91WvBpW77WxO33CYqwA7J3l6MKD3B_r9HEtUBAg4SffV4-GUJZ2kLqKp/s320/ColdHalfMarathon.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cold 13.1 miles on our morning run<br />
Grateful for warm <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-accessories/products/reflective-unisex-multiwrap-in-black" target="_blank">Multi-Wraps</a>, <br />
<a href="https://illuminite.com/products/early-riser-reflective-mens-pullover-in-hawaiian-blue?_pos=2&_sid=228d24c27&_ss=r" target="_blank">Early Riser,</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/ambition-womens-hoodie-in-beetroot-silver?_pos=4&_sid=9a9fed52c&_ss=r" target="_blank">Ambition Hoodie</a><br />
and <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/reflective-unisex-velocity-mitten-in-hot-pink?_pos=9&_sid=ab14f57c5&_ss=r" target="_blank">Velocity Mittens</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
serves as that transition. To keep us motivated, we challenge each other to go faster or father; sometimes, we take detours, and we often take pictures to capture special (and silly) moments. <br />
<br />
When we get back, we make breakfast together before. Some mornings, we even have enough time to eat together before work begins—added bonus.<br />
<br />
I love our morning routine; it allows us to connect first thing. <br />
<br />
<b>FOOD, FOOD, FOOD</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7LPrbYQTnIVF7MNs1BM-5cqW3Uvb0lp2nMG1F9pOXpVm1r5HEXJYdwPqMwTHnPiYB7dA_Bk_4YGs709sC_R5KUf_EmNK0un4sYEIrw21sRiGb9XQD-Y4x3oCakd8PAiTowD06-H-CCt2w/s1600/PortobelloBurgers.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7LPrbYQTnIVF7MNs1BM-5cqW3Uvb0lp2nMG1F9pOXpVm1r5HEXJYdwPqMwTHnPiYB7dA_Bk_4YGs709sC_R5KUf_EmNK0un4sYEIrw21sRiGb9XQD-Y4x3oCakd8PAiTowD06-H-CCt2w/s200/PortobelloBurgers.HEIC" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burgers w portabello "buns" and<br />
fresh zucchini and tomatoes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Last year, Mike and I tried <a href="https://whole30.com/" target="_blank">Whole30</a>, which taught us a lot about ingredient labels and healthy eating habits. We learned how to cook fun, new recipes that were both nutritional and delicious. So, when everything shut down, eating every meal at home didn’t phase us. <br />
<br />
We make our staple go-to meals, but we also like to experiment with spices and cooking methods we’ve never tried before. We cook together as often as we can. It’s a fun way to connect, and it also serves as a transition from “work to home” as we share about our workdays.<br />
<br />
<b>WEEKEND ACTIVITIES</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b>In addition to keeping active during the week, we plan our weekends to include hiking and other outdoor adventures. We research which mountains we’d like to hike, which trails to wander, or which <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuIWpL3eHu9ZsdCCH0hSc64g3Q028OCFJXq4755TzZmG7CxUidctmjLX01K8MwItFOLYDmMENT4FpqUJ_Jk66Lz5pLkt8Qs7jdQd4Y0hp-8gDjdXZINoPJwsFOqPmFGNfYE1M5Q-IGcOpS/s1600/CapitalA.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuIWpL3eHu9ZsdCCH0hSc64g3Q028OCFJXq4755TzZmG7CxUidctmjLX01K8MwItFOLYDmMENT4FpqUJ_Jk66Lz5pLkt8Qs7jdQd4Y0hp-8gDjdXZINoPJwsFOqPmFGNfYE1M5Q-IGcOpS/s200/CapitalA.HEIC" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Capital "A" in its natural state</td></tr>
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bodies of water we want to visit. Then we plan how many miles/hours we want to explore and what supplies/food to bring. This always gives us something to look forward to during the week. We have so much fun exploring different places, some practically in our backyard!<br />
<br />
We started a game to find all the letters of the alphabet in nature. The one rule is the letter cannot have any man-made aspect to it. We’ve found most letters, but we’re still searching for capital “Q” and a few others. <br />
<br />
I’ve also discovered that eating a picnic comprised of fruit, mixed nuts, and the occasional Lara bar on top of a mountain overlooking a vast valley below is far more romantic than eating at a fancy restaurant. Who knew? <br />
<br />
<b>AUDIOBOOKS</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b>Mike and I both love to read, and we often snuggle on the couch reading our own books, each in our <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiseuNSEiGxRGr_RcPqGO5k6qWApA5QTan1vLQdELj7zM0LuNegeNAFpayl6IlBDdgZaR-qEMmljretzlcwyWOqLqwsyvYHmsKaTtPEh2KsL59wcFstc8kG7A53g6WldZ-y20JUOS_6UI8i/s1600/WildCherylStrayed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiseuNSEiGxRGr_RcPqGO5k6qWApA5QTan1vLQdELj7zM0LuNegeNAFpayl6IlBDdgZaR-qEMmljretzlcwyWOqLqwsyvYHmsKaTtPEh2KsL59wcFstc8kG7A53g6WldZ-y20JUOS_6UI8i/s320/WildCherylStrayed.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Listening to Wild via AirPods on a morning walk<br />
Sera in <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/womens-short-sleeve-mockingbird-shirt-white-peri?_pos=1&_sid=be4c7efab&_ss=r" target="_blank">Mockingbird Shirt</a> (final sale)<br />
Mike in <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/men/products/sentinel-mens-short-sleeve-shirt-in-black-white" target="_blank">Sentinel Shirt</a></td></tr>
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own world. We always share about what we read and discuss the various topics we learn about. Recently, we’ve begun listening to audiobooks together. We just finished <a href="http://knopfdoubleday.com/2012/03/20/wild-by-cheryl-strayed/" target="_blank">Wild</a> by <a href="https://www.cherylstrayed.com/" target="_blank">Cheryl Strayed</a>; it spawned so much conversation about solo-hiking and thru-hikers and about our own traveling goals. When we finished the book, we watched the movie and then compared the two. <br />
<br />
Now, we’re listening to <a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Rosie-Project/Graeme-Simsion/9781442363021" target="_blank">The Rosie Project</a> by <a href="https://graemesimsion.com/" target="_blank">Graeme Simsion</a>. We’re only an hour in, but it’s brought us quite a chuckle…especially as we compare our own relationship (and personal) habits to the main character’s.<br />
<br />
<b>ALONE TIME</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
When you’re together all day, every day, what is there to talk about? <br />
<br />
Surprisingly, Mike and I never run out of topics. In analyzing our conversations, we realize we always have things to discuss because we spend a good amount of time doing our own thing. During the workweek, we <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlaO7865OlQw8WdJOHOprqwofWwKD6mzI6JpdtagBviqQf413kDSKhG2aKtcP_NL19xtEhuRilxapQkjqUCduZqjcwcgpsmFlJpGCxqNl44YRWw_prnnsCf1hJPeO58W-jsKkyHOp1XYho/s1600/SnackDropOff.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlaO7865OlQw8WdJOHOprqwofWwKD6mzI6JpdtagBviqQf413kDSKhG2aKtcP_NL19xtEhuRilxapQkjqUCduZqjcwcgpsmFlJpGCxqNl44YRWw_prnnsCf1hJPeO58W-jsKkyHOp1XYho/s200/SnackDropOff.HEIC" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike drops off grapes to<br />my office, with a side of love</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
work in different parts of the house and do not physically see each other all day—except for the occasional snack or lunch drop-off to each other’s office (Thanks, Mike!).<br />
<br />
We also make sure to schedule alone time outside of work hours as well. Whether I’m in my office <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-NEcQDhhd1ZXuOG349642StADDkD9ILx75sw1-4sN5HmfRpJZeGUEj5bCitHR2Ua2gVZSpHn877_alqVJabMEx-sdrY4rb8OBxpQNHaWm3AWr1-rn7yuqeK48fa16Z0-m-iBrGuj1Q3O/s1600/MikeHammock.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-NEcQDhhd1ZXuOG349642StADDkD9ILx75sw1-4sN5HmfRpJZeGUEj5bCitHR2Ua2gVZSpHn877_alqVJabMEx-sdrY4rb8OBxpQNHaWm3AWr1-rn7yuqeK48fa16Z0-m-iBrGuj1Q3O/s320/MikeHammock.HEIC" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snuck a pic of Mike enjoying<br />
<a href="https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/ingrid-fetell-lee/joyful/9780316399289/?utm_expid=.OyywKgKNQfKo0ZgN1WBZtg.0&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F" target="_blank">Joyful</a> on a sunny day</td></tr>
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writing (like now) while Mike’s outside gardening, or one of us visits with a friend/family member on the phone (or Zoom!), or we read different books, we acknowledge the importance alone time plays into our relationship. It gives us the space we need to explore our own interests and stay in touch with our own selves. And it broadens our topics of conversation.<br />
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<b>ADAPTABILITY/SPONTANEITY</b></div>
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<b><br /></b>While having a routine has kept us sane through this pandemic, we also recognize the importance of adaptability and spontaneity. For example, now that the days are getting shorter (and colder!), we’re discovering that it’s getting harder to motivate ourselves to get outside in the early morning. But we also recognize how much better we feel when we move first thing. So, we’re switching up our schedule to include a shorter walk in the morning (about 20 minutes) and then our longer walk or run after work. We’ve also decided to add some more core training into our schedule, so we’ve implemented squats, sit-ups, and pushups on<br />
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our walk days. This minor adaptation keeps our daily routine feeling fresh and fun.<br />
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We also find so much joy in spontaneity. “Wait, you finished work early? I just wrapped up my day! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAKWD7Tz65vkCb0dL02WU2DWn418C1FDq-s2YWugpghlaMGwAEMVzMjXVo0Jmf9JX-SrWr9VW6g80sxHUh9IviSJdJc9Ym1sjpTxy3IQzuoPTVnC43XVEnQoddepVpTMXD0bNhy1yaIdC/s1600/Peonies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1589" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAKWD7Tz65vkCb0dL02WU2DWn418C1FDq-s2YWugpghlaMGwAEMVzMjXVo0Jmf9JX-SrWr9VW6g80sxHUh9IviSJdJc9Ym1sjpTxy3IQzuoPTVnC43XVEnQoddepVpTMXD0bNhy1yaIdC/s200/Peonies.jpg" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike surprised me with peonies<br />
from our garden!</td></tr>
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Impromptu date night! You get the wine; I’ll get the cards! Hooray!”<br />
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It’s fun to switch things up on a dime every now and then. Mike and I look for these special impromptu moments to do something out of the ordinary, like go for a drive and pick up our favorite Mexican food, discover a new movie we both haven’t watched (that’s a tough one), or surprise each other with a gift “just because.”<br />
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It doesn’t seem like much, but Mike and I recognize that we’ve managed through this pandemic because we openly communicate about what’s working and what’s not. We respect each other’s perspectives and support each other’s needs. We check in with each other to see where we’re at— Sera’s at 40% capacity; Mike, can you cover that extra 10% <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCej0MwfdEJIPCPeLiCnzGw8Jh2oUxzlg0DmhSPLhlxaWEfQhj8ImfNV-AvbeedkA9bE-SXL1wG-OH0lWOa5EFvOE4ozlNFHS39OmCJg3uxhb88-qjfdfTY8LNVRljkYU7_r0DUKtsHLN1/s1600/AppleKiss.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCej0MwfdEJIPCPeLiCnzGw8Jh2oUxzlg0DmhSPLhlxaWEfQhj8ImfNV-AvbeedkA9bE-SXL1wG-OH0lWOa5EFvOE4ozlNFHS39OmCJg3uxhb88-qjfdfTY8LNVRljkYU7_r0DUKtsHLN1/s320/AppleKiss.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Much needed apple and kiss after a grueling<br />
hike on <a href="https://www.cannonmt.com/" target="_blank">Cannon Mountain</a><br />
Sera in <a href="https://illuminite.com/discount/runbrightly15" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-accessories/products/reflective-unisex-multiwrap-in-black" target="_blank">Multi-Wrap</a>; <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/womens-vigor-singlet-in-white?_pos=3&_sid=a7503ecac&_ss=r" target="_blank">Vigor Singlet</a></td></tr>
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today?—and we adapt accordingly (Thanks, <a href="https://brenebrown.com/" target="_blank">Brené Brown</a> for the <a href="https://www.today.com/parents/bren-brown-s-advice-peace-home-during-covid-19-t177083" target="_blank">family gap plan</a>!). <br />
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We actively work at keeping our romance fresh and exciting while also stable and comforting. Love may be on lockdown, but it doesn’t have to feel like punishment! </div>
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<b>I’d love to hear what you’re doing to keep sane through this pandemic! </b></div>
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<b>Please share in the comments below.</b></div>
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Like our style? Check out <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> and use my discount code <a href="https://illuminite.com/discount/runbrightly15" target="_blank">RUNBRIGHTLY15</a> for 15% off <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QY7iUw_x9a0yjUMqkseShyphenhyphenqB-Yw3v-tRjPEZIqdfiECOFDelD6zuDJ1Lgt_CICyaM5dmbPpqsh8SaMEXdAl9aROWQrK6tBEN1iK5XKV9Y-i7fe9lDAKiouwyocS1TXE83v5vx63Os7E6/s1600/Masks.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QY7iUw_x9a0yjUMqkseShyphenhyphenqB-Yw3v-tRjPEZIqdfiECOFDelD6zuDJ1Lgt_CICyaM5dmbPpqsh8SaMEXdAl9aROWQrK6tBEN1iK5XKV9Y-i7fe9lDAKiouwyocS1TXE83v5vx63Os7E6/s200/Masks.HEIC" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/synergy-headband-in-black?_pos=1&_sid=6d94e9213&_ss=r" target="_blank">Synergy Headband</a>;<br />
<a href="https://illuminite.com/products/womens-short-sleeve-savannah-shirt-in-red-gray?_pos=2&_sid=e22b53d88&_ss=r" target="_blank">Savannah Shirt</a>; <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/sentinel-mens-short-sleeve-shirt-in-black-white?_pos=1&_sid=2b6863ecc&_ss=r" target="_blank">Sentinel Shirt</a>;<br />
<a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-accessories/products/reflective-unisex-multiwrap-in-black" target="_blank">Multi-Wrap</a></td></tr>
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your order!</div>
Sera Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120417461447755328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853846944598968995.post-27252860061438668362020-09-04T15:03:00.003-05:002020-09-08T05:58:43.990-05:00Thickly Settled: Slow Down, Part 2<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_SdvA4GTw8m9XvzAtVQPJ0GeP9BNF4h6hprdiTsf4ZUjYr-WhZMG-JOi06M4TjAIEIirAgL1zkH8oEX-SwZRg9oyKIKwF3v4auuEXKzjUzBqoIX7koQI2ndTgiArwi1f2VEWRMwtnVYDT/s1600/BearCaveCloseupFlumeGorge.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_SdvA4GTw8m9XvzAtVQPJ0GeP9BNF4h6hprdiTsf4ZUjYr-WhZMG-JOi06M4TjAIEIirAgL1zkH8oEX-SwZRg9oyKIKwF3v4auuEXKzjUzBqoIX7koQI2ndTgiArwi1f2VEWRMwtnVYDT/s320/BearCaveCloseupFlumeGorge.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do I go in the cave?<br />
Sera in <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-accessories/products/reversible-reflective-stretch-eclipse-headband-in-feather-black" target="_blank">Eclipse Headband</a>, <br />
<a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/womens-vigor-singlet-in-white" target="_blank">Vigor Bling Singlet</a>, and <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-accessories/products/reversible-reflective-stretch-eclipse-headband-in-feather-black" target="_blank">Reflective Shortie</a></td></tr>
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Like most children, I had a favorite stuffed animal—a teddy bear named Theodore Bear, or Teddy for short. Teddy went everywhere with me; every night, I read him stories under my blankets with a flashlight long after bedtime, and I told him all my secrets.<br />
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I have photographs of me at eleven years old camping with my dad, happy as can be in the woods, with Teddy in tow of course. Yet, everyone who knows me now knows I am terrified of bears, the real ones. I don't know when this phobia began, but it's kept me out of the woods for most of my adult life. Until one day, I decided I had to face my fears. I started trail running and fell in love with the woods and the mountains all over again. This brings me to the second part of my two-week respite from the world: my White Mountains escapade with Mike (Missed <a href="https://runbrightly.blogspot.com/2020/08/thickly-settled-slow-down-part-1.html" target="_blank">Part 1</a>? Read it <a href="https://runbrightly.blogspot.com/2020/08/thickly-settled-slow-down-part-1.html" target="_blank">here</a>).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhif-q4zvR6UBG_QojDRI1ROlUz-74iFC-XIvnYoy63LI2rNtcQRyqfiolLGAH0molhMGXgklL0oIWEHKoqIkjd1iOEZwxtj9ylMoeTzabvg65aKoxXtYEB19w1EfvMEjploWrOLqoNYMqs/s1600/IMG_1021.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhif-q4zvR6UBG_QojDRI1ROlUz-74iFC-XIvnYoy63LI2rNtcQRyqfiolLGAH0molhMGXgklL0oIWEHKoqIkjd1iOEZwxtj9ylMoeTzabvg65aKoxXtYEB19w1EfvMEjploWrOLqoNYMqs/s200/IMG_1021.HEIC" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Date night <br />
on the screened-in porch</td></tr>
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After eight days alone on the Cape, I was ecstatic to get back home to Mike. I quickly did all my laundry (<a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> athletic wear hang-dries so quickly, it's amazing!), packed our suitcase with hiking essentials, games, and new books, and pre-packed my hiking backpack—including bear spray and a knife! The next day, we set off.<br />
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Sunday was our travel day, so we checked into our cabin before heading out to find dinner. The one-room <a href="https://www.pemicabins.com/" target="_blank">Pemi Cabin</a> we stayed in was so adorable, perfect for a couple. Due to COVID-19, they also had contactless check-in as well, so we didn't have to interact with anyone. At dinner, we analyzed the mountains' weather patterns and decided that Monday was our best bet for our long hike: <a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-hampshire/mount-lafayette-and-franconia-ridge-trail-loop" target="_blank">Mt. Lafayette and Franconia Ridge Trail Loop</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqWuaGPt76fSA6w_Ke7ZWY-0x_ngeU-y4HTxc5aPpVltYFqYw4pMOj280OHgLOTT3rzDmeIzV9TTq8UA6xaPBjlT-B98tBYcVMG-hEY0EMtUcrsi_WqWKfNfLGy_M93Ngz32Aj3QS892f/s1600/IMG_0871+2.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqWuaGPt76fSA6w_Ke7ZWY-0x_ngeU-y4HTxc5aPpVltYFqYw4pMOj280OHgLOTT3rzDmeIzV9TTq8UA6xaPBjlT-B98tBYcVMG-hEY0EMtUcrsi_WqWKfNfLGy_M93Ngz32Aj3QS892f/s320/IMG_0871+2.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing the waterfalls was so fun!</td></tr>
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The 9-mile loop included hiking up alongside a waterfall, climbing up boulders and tree roots, and walking up-down-up-down a ridge over three four-thousand-foot mountain peaks.<br />
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Being so deep in the heart of the mountain felt magical—like I was a kid exploring mystical lands in an imaginary faraway kingdom.<br />
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The only world that existed was one of massive entities: trees that stretched to the heavens, boulders stacked so high they created caves between them; waterfalls so powerful, they carved rivers into rocks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Eqpv1Qk4GmzB2jEExfSwtob9DyZZmM22nrTJiU6caSoKKHGzc1FTEMvBDlNrpGQrbSp6M8ZTx9FLfKOLNjyPfVWpD7Cyu2Pck_foNIWVlVzskhyphenhyphenoosW7Mo7m-DB4GMhVPxGkbYjovELg/s1600/SeraTreeRootLL.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Eqpv1Qk4GmzB2jEExfSwtob9DyZZmM22nrTJiU6caSoKKHGzc1FTEMvBDlNrpGQrbSp6M8ZTx9FLfKOLNjyPfVWpD7Cyu2Pck_foNIWVlVzskhyphenhyphenoosW7Mo7m-DB4GMhVPxGkbYjovELg/s320/SeraTreeRootLL.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture doesn't do this tree justice!<br />
Sera in <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/womens-short-sleeve-mockingbird-shirt-white-peri?_pos=1&_sid=d39f7d2dd&_ss=r" target="_blank">Mockingbird Shirt</a></td></tr>
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When we arrived at the top, our view was obliterated by the whiteout of the fog. Mike was disappointed because he really wanted me to see the view, but I enjoyed the drama it created. People faded into the mist. Entire mountains evaporated into thin air. Miraculously, the fog dissipated just as we began our descent back down, revealing magnificent views of the Ridgeline we ascended as well as a view of <a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-hampshire/hi-cannon-trail-to-kinsman-ridge-trail" target="_blank">Cannon</a>, the next mountain on our agenda.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT96gMESvIZ-m-x2dBQVvOJo21U6hghUeEMHOYb15anaxZTmD3hauduxfKcfeodAiHEHoH2LQAV_MByRz9-snIeMHg1sn-4pUKeqdYNvIMp7zzZKaFjtvS0d9RZui2dyOAjPgHAbNn157c/s1600/SeraFogTopPackLL.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT96gMESvIZ-m-x2dBQVvOJo21U6hghUeEMHOYb15anaxZTmD3hauduxfKcfeodAiHEHoH2LQAV_MByRz9-snIeMHg1sn-4pUKeqdYNvIMp7zzZKaFjtvS0d9RZui2dyOAjPgHAbNn157c/s320/SeraFogTopPackLL.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reaching for my <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/womens-featherlite-reflective-jacket-in-graphite?_pos=1&_sid=9d281317c&_ss=r" target="_blank">Packable Jacke</a>t<br />
while resting after a vigorous hike <br />
to the windy mountaintop;</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dEFIXIb9LsCRxNxAccsU6KaGg4kOBg8J7IFX8Nqr8-auT3m_aHG-UuTofhsQG-JK3RX82uJXS9sC0BFxXCzeOLQJx_hBLokhnhqW89guB2STCuwD3HoieTeNPklhTSOWIRevMgBySxMI/s1600/SeraMtRidgePoseLL.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dEFIXIb9LsCRxNxAccsU6KaGg4kOBg8J7IFX8Nqr8-auT3m_aHG-UuTofhsQG-JK3RX82uJXS9sC0BFxXCzeOLQJx_hBLokhnhqW89guB2STCuwD3HoieTeNPklhTSOWIRevMgBySxMI/s320/SeraMtRidgePoseLL.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun came out as we hiked back down; <br />
so thankful for my <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/reflective-unisex-multiwrap-in-white?_pos=2&_sid=1e8f88cf4&_ss=r" target="_blank">Multi-Wrap</a> <br />
to protect my head from the sun and pesky bugs!</td></tr>
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We saw enough people on the trail it curbed my anxiety about bears. The sheer beauty of the natural world around me truly made me forget all about my everyday life. Nine hours later, we made it back down to our car. I was exhausted yet invigorated.<br />
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The next day was a rest day, but we wanted to explore! We happened upon the <a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-hampshire/franconia-falls-trail" target="_blank">Franconia Falls Trail</a> in Franconia State park, a flat trail that used to be a railroad track (you could see the ties!). I'm so glad we hiked the 3.6 miles out to the promised Falls. The trail opened up to a swimming hole that gushed water through boulders, creating natural waterslides and surging waterfalls.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6YNhz_cLQoTPVWmWlhoFj8pqFyqq9K0jVyuIuS8Xaqdw3xcgEXOy-i2CpQVChMI-QoAIL3qRwfMQQEhMCiqd_56qglawbIEGuoKzPDYNylFX9sC8NHUol-5NQgspZJJpNdwIREuGKQ_c/s1600/SeraRiversSprawlRestDay.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="1600" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6YNhz_cLQoTPVWmWlhoFj8pqFyqq9K0jVyuIuS8Xaqdw3xcgEXOy-i2CpQVChMI-QoAIL3qRwfMQQEhMCiqd_56qglawbIEGuoKzPDYNylFX9sC8NHUol-5NQgspZJJpNdwIREuGKQ_c/s320/SeraRiversSprawlRestDay.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the numbingly cold water of Franconia Falls;<br />
love how quick-drying <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> athletic wear is; <br />
made for a comfortable hike back</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The water was so crystal clear it looked blue, and its numbingly cold temperature felt really good after the previous day's hike.<br />
<br />
Walking back made for a total of seven-point-two miles, but we weren't done with our "rest day" just yet. We headed over to the <a href="https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state-parks/flume-gorge" target="_blank">Flume Gorge</a> and walked the three-mile loop, marveling at the sites. Though, my anxiety came flooding back when I saw the Bear Cave. Mike laughed at the sign and suggested I go inside the cave so he could take my picture.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyEeUdKC5OgtfUqDwBE5SCyTxqfCDVov-EyhBxOL9Y0g13AVLrpKhNfnrh9t2LPjWjFCUDNxwihgR25E4uErVxpya9qcuuRy6S7PjHmVaGQW-6F7CWW4XJ_VgmFFIRuTxHjOKhtkUTM5iY/s1600/SeraINBearCave.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyEeUdKC5OgtfUqDwBE5SCyTxqfCDVov-EyhBxOL9Y0g13AVLrpKhNfnrh9t2LPjWjFCUDNxwihgR25E4uErVxpya9qcuuRy6S7PjHmVaGQW-6F7CWW4XJ_VgmFFIRuTxHjOKhtkUTM5iY/s320/SeraINBearCave.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't let my smile fool you; <br />
I hide my anxiety well</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
ME: Is there a bear in there?<br />
<br />
MIKE: I'm positive there's no bears.<br />
<br />
ME: Why deny you sit in there first?<br />
<br />
MIKE: I'm pretty sure there's no bears.<br />
<br />
Logically, I knew Mike was right. There were no bears. <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1a2a22;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(26, 42, 34);">But Anxiety is so </span></span></span><span style="color: #1a2a22;">exhausting! Sometimes, I just have to prove Her wrong with real proof. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1a2a22;">I'm not ashamed to say I made Mike go all the way in the cave to scope it out first. </span><span style="color: #1a2a22;">In my defense, Mike knows I'll "leave you for dead" if a bear comes along. Being the greatest boyfriend in the world, he obliged me. Once he came back out of the cave in tact (as my <span style="caret-color: rgb(26, 42, 34);">logical</span> self knew he would), I shakily walked into the darkness, sat on the cold rocks, and smiled for the camera, despite my fear. </span><br />
<span style="color: #1a2a22;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1a2a22;">As we walked away unscathed, I laughed at the ridiculousness of my anxiety. But Mike stopped me, held me close, let me have a moment to recover. Before I met Mike, I always thought I had to manage my anxiety on my own. I am so grateful to have such a supportive, understanding, patient partner. We don't have to suffer alone. That's truly <span style="caret-color: rgb(26, 42, 34);">freeing</span> to learn.</span><br />
<span style="color: #1a2a22;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1a2a22;">So accidentally, our rest day turned into a ten-mile hiking day. And while the terrain was relatively flat with little elevation gain, it definitely took its toll on our bodies....</span><br />
<span style="color: #1a2a22;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15EtW1-88biQBzG5M_YaZzfrYFJRWAOTP0aAk0_kEH0oEndSM7O6l1zyjAMeLiTehWfRFbkWNJrsX9f-NPXFQL_eQW-nzbVw2uIOCzknB5kGOrVH70DRqRZJCeRmoFbhv0w2Dy00KkJnh/s1600/SeraTopofLadderCannonMt.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15EtW1-88biQBzG5M_YaZzfrYFJRWAOTP0aAk0_kEH0oEndSM7O6l1zyjAMeLiTehWfRFbkWNJrsX9f-NPXFQL_eQW-nzbVw2uIOCzknB5kGOrVH70DRqRZJCeRmoFbhv0w2Dy00KkJnh/s320/SeraTopofLadderCannonMt.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Despite my misery, I smiled all the way up;<br />
check out the video of my ladder climb<br />
and more White Mountain adventures<br />
on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/writeloudly/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #1a2a22;">...which might explain why our third day on <a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-hampshire/hi-cannon-trail-to-kinsman-ridge-trail" target="_blank">Cannon Mountain</a>, a six-mile hike with just 2,400 foot elevation gain, made me so miserable I couldn't even stand my miserable self! My anxiety tested me on that mountain more than I could have anticipated. Besides the steep ascend 2,400 feet straight up a darkly-shadowed mountain that loomed over me, the trail was so narrow in places I feared I'd fall off the edge. Oh, and then there was that ladder bolted into the side of the rock-face I had to climb, followed by the narrowest trail that dropped off the edge of the cliff. There were the boulders that were so steep I had to scale them with my hands and feet, and the ones even steeper Mike had to hoist me up. I cut my knee, cut my ankle, and bruised my shins. </span><span style="color: #1a2a22;">We were the only people on the trail, and that amped my anxiety even more. Not a single soul in sight the entire way up. </span><br />
<span style="color: #1a2a22;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1a2a22;">The terrain would have been magical if I wasn't so scared. It reminded me of my childhood fairytales: </span><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091369/" target="_blank">The Labyrinth</a><span style="color: #1a2a22;">, </span><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032138/" target="_blank">Wizard of Oz</a><span style="color: #1a2a22;">, </span><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043274/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2" target="_blank">Alice in Wonderland</a><span style="color: #1a2a22;">—a place where mystical and mythical creatures safely hid away from the world; a place where ominous monsters lurked, waiting to capture their next victims. There were mossy carpets so lush with green that sprouted tiny red mushroom houses, and forests so dense shadows danced ominously around me on all sides. </span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIlDsKaBoHKg8M5_8xWfCeVIq5gkuIlJztPDsw935IMGL344RNA1-3zcp7wqQVJcjBu0-nshUZzQQ2OfHKIcIJNDa0xtPwFIBNIVnR00wh8oSf4PxuTtcjCD9WBa6wncEt6riTu976SaO/s1600/spookyforestCannon.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIlDsKaBoHKg8M5_8xWfCeVIq5gkuIlJztPDsw935IMGL344RNA1-3zcp7wqQVJcjBu0-nshUZzQQ2OfHKIcIJNDa0xtPwFIBNIVnR00wh8oSf4PxuTtcjCD9WBa6wncEt6riTu976SaO/s320/spookyforestCannon.HEIC" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The silence and shadows<br />
made for a dream-like state</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgupAaOOuAgwtx3HTCdIyg_Xzf3fC03phgdw__5ZFCbYbRpxDq-ADLU3piZXpjphZXdzyM9R84MOSSK21SElMMxcL59BRBYbogL4YrSJI6jOfeQ3lr5m4pMZYtKtW-hig6GHqSGVRinGe-j/s1600/RedMushrooms.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgupAaOOuAgwtx3HTCdIyg_Xzf3fC03phgdw__5ZFCbYbRpxDq-ADLU3piZXpjphZXdzyM9R84MOSSK21SElMMxcL59BRBYbogL4YrSJI6jOfeQ3lr5m4pMZYtKtW-hig6GHqSGVRinGe-j/s320/RedMushrooms.HEIC" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wondered if I'd see<br />
a caterpillar smoking </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKrlSYF0hXvuLvGevcCRgjyWTvL_vYdtG32agcRCvnhdKik_qAUy4evjSIazJe3ZxmcGyspDczcUHpCipwx0K3FGGSS_X7-xf5nMAYHFz-l0fzpu9E1jgQIwrSW136JCi3oHDTqkonxH3/s1600/SeraCLimbCannon.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKrlSYF0hXvuLvGevcCRgjyWTvL_vYdtG32agcRCvnhdKik_qAUy4evjSIazJe3ZxmcGyspDczcUHpCipwx0K3FGGSS_X7-xf5nMAYHFz-l0fzpu9E1jgQIwrSW136JCi3oHDTqkonxH3/s320/SeraCLimbCannon.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am not amused...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #1a2a22;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1a2a22;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1a2a22;">On our way back down, the boulders were so big and spread so far apart, they created caverns in between them. As I stepped down, I wondered what creatures might snatch me. When we ran into our first humans, two women climbing up as we climbed down, one of them said, "Be careful. We heard a growl a short way down, the direction you're heading, but we didn't see anything."</span><br />
<span style="color: #1a2a22;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1a2a22;">Did she say <i>a growl? As in a BEAR? </i>When we were out of earshot, Mike said, "Bears don't growl. They grunt." </span><br />
<span style="color: #1a2a22;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1a2a22;">"They growl!" I said. "When they feel threatened...Or, hungry!" I shouted back. "I know. I've seen it before!"</span><br />
<span style="color: #1a2a22;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1a2a22;">Despite my growing fear, I couldn't hasten my pace. The descent was just as steep as our climb up.</span><br />
<span style="color: #1a2a22;"><br /></span>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(26, 42, 34); color: #1a2a22;"><br /></span>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(26, 42, 34); color: #1a2a22;"><br /></span>
<span style="caret-color: rgb(26, 42, 34); color: #1a2a22;">By the time we got to ground level, I was so miserable I refused to walk around the beautiful landscape of </span><a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-hampshire/lonesome-lake-trail" target="_blank">Lonesome Lake</a><span style="caret-color: rgb(26, 42, 34); color: #1a2a22;">. I wondered if it got its name from the number of break-ups that occurred after climbing </span><a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-hampshire/hi-cannon-trail-to-kinsman-ridge-trail" target="_blank">Cannon</a><span style="caret-color: rgb(26, 42, 34); color: #1a2a22;">. "You better ply me with drinks tonight," I told Mike. "Or we're through." </span><br />
<span style="color: #1a2a22;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjnQ3F7ERpvrGfxfgYLUvRDpD08GugbipfyKqN3TOud8BEN_0o_0cx_BGaNW1YK_RwdWN9qgRqYrm00ryABqru1Vl31r36kBR0XQMkoqpTjhj5pDdgx671pEdlEOJa0677tLpLWiLtKqo/s1600/IMG_1053.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjnQ3F7ERpvrGfxfgYLUvRDpD08GugbipfyKqN3TOud8BEN_0o_0cx_BGaNW1YK_RwdWN9qgRqYrm00ryABqru1Vl31r36kBR0XQMkoqpTjhj5pDdgx671pEdlEOJa0677tLpLWiLtKqo/s400/IMG_1053.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best thing about this miserable hike<br />
was knowing if we got lost in the dark, my<br />
<a href="http://www.illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> would shine like a beacon<br />
so the rescuers could locate me</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #1a2a22;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1a2a22;">Don't worry, don't worry. I was totally joking. As we sat on a log recovering from our exertion, we laughed about my misery together. But in all honesty, </span><a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-hampshire/hi-cannon-trail-to-kinsman-ridge-trail" target="_blank">Cannon Mountain</a><span style="color: #1a2a22;"> truly slayed me. I'm determined to go back next year and conquer it. In hindsight, I was in a real-life fairytale, but I couldn't appreciate it until after the fact.</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_xcXl3sayJp8EJGAUXFHf0J3hrS8B91UOfgSeQOhOPIkA-l6zzyyK8vLFHo5htCiQByZiEOY-G_3x5H204e1gTInLLYVU4Pqn7CUnt5lcQpA_FG-xfSPIvKlrUUIKWn5tFREOsXuNDrj/s1600/IMG_0956.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_xcXl3sayJp8EJGAUXFHf0J3hrS8B91UOfgSeQOhOPIkA-l6zzyyK8vLFHo5htCiQByZiEOY-G_3x5H204e1gTInLLYVU4Pqn7CUnt5lcQpA_FG-xfSPIvKlrUUIKWn5tFREOsXuNDrj/s320/IMG_0956.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture captures my inner child;<br />
exploring with no cares in the world...<br />
dreaming of endless possibilities</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #1a2a22;">After three days of hiking with a total mileage of 26 miles (that's a marathon!) and almost eight thousand feet elevation gain, we did reward ourselves with drinks that night! The next day, we lounged by </span><a href="https://www.cannonmt.com/things-to-do/activities/the-basin" target="_blank">The Basin</a><span style="color: #1a2a22;">, reading books in the sun before heading back home. It was a nice to get away, to push myself physically and mentally, and enjoy the natural world around me like I used to do as a child.</span><br />
<span style="color: #1a2a22;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1a2a22;">As I mentioned in my <a href="https://runbrightly.blogspot.com/2020/08/thickly-settled-slow-down-part-1.html" target="_blank">last post</a>, I believe in exposure therapy. I won't let anxiety rule my decisions. But just because I face my phobias head-on doesn't mean I do so gracefully. And I'm okay with that. I've accepted that my anxiety is a part of me, lingering in the background, making me slightly on edge at all times. But our quirks are what makes us who we are, and I love the woman I am. It took me a long time to love me for me, but it's a beautiful discovery. </span><br />
<span style="color: #1a2a22;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1a2a22;">When I set off on my sixteen-day respite from the world, all I knew was that I needed to escape everything and everyone so the loudest voice I heard was my own. I knew there'd be introspection, but I didn't expect to discover my inner child; the girl who loved her Teddy more than anything; my purest self before world experiences influenced me. </span><span style="color: #1a2a22;">When is the last time you've been alone with your thoughts? Maybe now is the time to listen again. </span><br />
<span style="color: #1a2a22;"><br /></span>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJPldBIS5vBU78Ab9tnCu6Ea1oXm3Ex_Z4fo1yNHPcRGlGrjjXvgvuVap3fneBrQ9TJEkCwX6edfs04sZbx1XJOLs04WIrf_8OzFXuB1CJD2mUxj1FOowoLMIZ4R8ilmTpdrqlFGt7Rff/s1600/SeraBackStaringLonesomeLake.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJPldBIS5vBU78Ab9tnCu6Ea1oXm3Ex_Z4fo1yNHPcRGlGrjjXvgvuVap3fneBrQ9TJEkCwX6edfs04sZbx1XJOLs04WIrf_8OzFXuB1CJD2mUxj1FOowoLMIZ4R8ilmTpdrqlFGt7Rff/s320/SeraBackStaringLonesomeLake.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I'm alive! </i>I shouted inside my head;<br />
Every nerve of my being on fire;<br />
I'm alive!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
<span style="color: #1a2a22;"><b>So I ask you...</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #1a2a22;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #1a2a22;"><b>What do you fear? </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #1a2a22;"><b>How do you cope with that fear? </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #1a2a22;"><b>What do you do to face that fear? </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #1a2a22;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #1a2a22;"><b>Please share in a comment below. I'd love to hear your thoughts and advice.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1a2a22;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1a2a22;">Check out the clothes I'm wearing (and more!) at <a href="http://iluminite.com/">IlumiNITE.com</a>. Use my discount code RunBrightly15 for 15% off your order.</span>Sera Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120417461447755328noreply@blogger.com0Lincoln, NH, USA44.0380087 -71.67250659999999143.8555607 -71.995230099999986 44.2204567 -71.3497831tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853846944598968995.post-2581368055245673952020-08-21T08:52:00.000-05:002020-08-21T11:39:23.023-05:00Thickly Settled: Slow Down, Part 1<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWD0uZYFyDqBgjwJjf57kZv4neI03M6k_81zDGGXuu0LY8QxwqtqCE6f5HAh8A5jI49RKxt8EPCZ25Lia4PnfDRxDpEddV0ZNPr8uWS74hjvfhD9E7TuwLswTRShe6KQVWS89x_me_bINj/s2048/SeraRiverRestDay.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWD0uZYFyDqBgjwJjf57kZv4neI03M6k_81zDGGXuu0LY8QxwqtqCE6f5HAh8A5jI49RKxt8EPCZ25Lia4PnfDRxDpEddV0ZNPr8uWS74hjvfhD9E7TuwLswTRShe6KQVWS89x_me_bINj/w240-h320/SeraRiverRestDay.HEIC" title="Sera Rivers at Franconia Notch River, RunBrightly" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soaking in nature, Lafayette State Park<br />
Wearing <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/womens-vigor-singlet-in-graphite" target="_blank">Vigor Singlet</a><br />
and <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-accessories/products/reversible-reflective-stretch-eclipse-headband-in-feather-black" target="_blank">Stretch Eclipse Headband</a><br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I just got back from a two-week respite. Sixteen glorious days of no work, no Internet, no phone, and mostly, no people. The first part of my vacation was spent in solitude on the Cape; the second half was spent with Mike in the White Mountains. I decided to divvy up this vacation recap post into two parts because each week felt entirely different, and there is so much to talk about—so much I've discovered about myself...again.<br />
<br />
I've been taking solo vacations for the past ten years. I started taking them because I was actually terrified to be a woman alone in the world. I knew exposure therapy was the only way to cure that, so I started off small—a trek to Cobleskill, New York, for a weekend exploring Howe Caverns and built my solo-travel bravery up to Scotland, a country I've never visited, to run an <a href="https://runbrightly.blogspot.com/2019/08/run-brightly-pack-lightly.html" target="_blank">ultramarathon in the remote wilderness</a>.<br />
<br />
What I love most about my solo vacations is they often come up unexpectedly—an urgent impulse to escape the world. The calling for solitude starts weeks, sometimes months beforehand, and a mystical, faraway place lingers somewhere in my bones until it possesses me so strongly I must go. Magically, when this urge to escape takes over, a serendipitous opportunity like the <a href="https://youtu.be/6MSn68AsIgc" target="_blank">Kintyre Way Ultramarathon</a> presents itself to me.<br />
<br />
But with this time of COVID-19, I couldn't imagine such an opportunity. Plus, I'm working from home and my social lifestyle has settled down to such a domesticated routine, did I really need to escape the world? Didn't quarantine already provide that escape? This is also the first time in twelve years that I've been in a significant relationship. Did I really want to leave my partner? The calling for solitude pulsed, coursing through my bones in a restless pattern. I ignored it, but it didn't ignore me.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSv1woPNQikr0Z0Trmg-bwj7bVk4_WdPO0blwUPatTaSIEMSZlfgvKY7NelOT-PtJEi9BSwwCD8xsyzLiGG17AM0drW9s_MzFM-1w1dYC6kNeBAtgqWsRZdNk08P1rvpP4rIXFXYIqfvl/s2048/SeashellsCC.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSv1woPNQikr0Z0Trmg-bwj7bVk4_WdPO0blwUPatTaSIEMSZlfgvKY7NelOT-PtJEi9BSwwCD8xsyzLiGG17AM0drW9s_MzFM-1w1dYC6kNeBAtgqWsRZdNk08P1rvpP4rIXFXYIqfvl/w320-h240/SeashellsCC.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remembering collecting seashells <br />
by the seashore when I was a little girl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My sister is getting married in October. As the maid of honor, my responsibilities include all the celebratory pre-wedding parties: bridal shower, bachelorette, sisters getaway (am I missing something?). But COVID-19 had messed all that up. Until I remembered a friend of mine had a cottage by the sea that she rented out. I sent her a message. <i>Is your cottage available this summer, despite COVID-19?</i> She responded that it was and asked if I wanted the rental for me, for a writing retreat. She's a writer like me so her response is a typical writerly response. But it startled me. <i>No</i>, I wrote. <i>A girls' getaway for my sister who's getting married.</i> But then I thought about it: a solo writing retreat by the sea. Then I joked about it to Mike.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>You should go</i>, he said. <i>You should write.</i> The very next day, I booked the cottage for eight days.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJdH6U0sLjohxfg9nHRX467TmwWm805-D8ITWTVKhabWX7Wdc_AQfyMXcJGO8Rf4cyoHFggLgUFYWwjw7UW4ZkM9cXRmtsAh5yJPU_ALbC7XxjzQvFwXvbaeA3GKyWT7cvtNZ6K90gnRL/s1600/WritingnookCC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="898" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJdH6U0sLjohxfg9nHRX467TmwWm805-D8ITWTVKhabWX7Wdc_AQfyMXcJGO8Rf4cyoHFggLgUFYWwjw7UW4ZkM9cXRmtsAh5yJPU_ALbC7XxjzQvFwXvbaeA3GKyWT7cvtNZ6K90gnRL/s320/WritingnookCC.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Writing spot for the week; first day, <br />
it took 5 hours to write my daily goal <br />
of 2,500 words; by week's end,<br />
I wrote 4,100+ words in just 4 hours</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2>
<b>West Harwich, Cape Cod</b></h2>
I shut off all notifications on my phone so that no one could get through to me via text, email, social media, not even by phone call. Only Mike could get through in case of an emergency. I packed my bag with only essentials: my bathing suit, a couple pairs of shorts and tank tops, my <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/womens-vigor-singlet-in-white?_pos=3&_sid=c3375d4b7&_ss=r" target="_blank">tanks</a>, <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/womens-reflective-shortie-in-feather-black" target="_blank">shorts</a>, <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/reversible-reflective-stretch-eclipse-headband-in-feather-black?_pos=8&_sid=8c0c8aa64&_ss=r" target="_blank">headband</a>, and <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/reflective-unisex-multiwrap-in-white?_pos=2&_sid=9d5de96b1&_ss=r" target="_blank">multi-wrap</a> (which doubles as a face mask!), sports bras, flip flops, running shoes, my computer (for writing only), groceries for the week, wine, and a large stack of books that took up an entire backpack. Upon arrival, I instantly fell in love with the cozy cottage and found my writing spot immediately.<br />
<br />
The first day of solitude always feels strange, electric, as if the outside world is pressing in, trying to keep its hold on me. But after a much-needed twelve-hour rest, I fell right into my creative zone, and words flowed out of me. I wrote 15,000 words of my novel rewrite; I wrote a letter to a friend who was just diagnosed with a serious medical issue; I wrote a letter to Mike pouring out my soul about everything and anything; I wrote a letter to Future Sera, reminding myself how much I need Sera Time. And I walked everywhere.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgeMvSrtQJME4khHXNG3nf1GJ3ZfaBBQZPEzJuh5YajX1Hu-2YZF3Meo5p_bhM7fUnglPmGSb8eomADLjdpE2y7GcMmhR0R654wLgWvBKSOMj97rvdhTchJIe9m5ISTZNA2ujdTKhTdaQ_/s1600/WineandFlowersCC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="869" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgeMvSrtQJME4khHXNG3nf1GJ3ZfaBBQZPEzJuh5YajX1Hu-2YZF3Meo5p_bhM7fUnglPmGSb8eomADLjdpE2y7GcMmhR0R654wLgWvBKSOMj97rvdhTchJIe9m5ISTZNA2ujdTKhTdaQ_/s320/WineandFlowersCC.jpg" width="172" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying a glass of wine while listening <br />
to <a href="https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/Why_Not_Me?id=AQAAAAB4_XX9HM&hl=en_US" target="_blank">Why Not Me?</a> by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mindykaling/?hl=en" target="_blank">Mindy Kaling</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I walked to the beach and back. I walked to the bike path two miles away and then up and down the bike path for miles, taking in the beauty of the marshes and nature conservatory around me.<br />
<br />
I read those books I bought. Six books to be exact. I "read" audiobooks as I drove to the cottage and as I walked the bike path. I read hardcovers and paperbacks by the sea and in my private backyard and on the couch and in the bed.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span>
Each day, I woke up to silence, strong black coffee, and a simple breakfast of peanut butter on toast and a bowl of strawberries. I felt a strange luxury as I slipped into the same familiar clothes every day to write and then the same cozy <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> athletic wear that carried me all through town on my walks.<br />
<br />
I read.<br />
I wrote.<br />
I walked.<br />
I sat by the sea.<br />
I read some more.<br />
I walked some more.<br />
Occasionally, I wrote some more.<br />
Each night, I fell asleep listening to an audiobook.<br />
Each day, I fell more in love with words and the new<br />
vast worlds they brought me.<br />
<br />
Being solely in my head with no one to talk to all week brought the nostalgia of a simpler time I couldn't quite place. But it comforted me.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHF7tYTWEn2VjZfFrtQ-xzwIarMe48gyqI21c_f6t2BV2rlZc6YGVr-cNToRSZbXUZZjOOtq0uYIZ88XngfdnqN82DvVWDb4xV3y10nS8qOXjC3h1Uy51qDdf9tjWOwO8-CHA_33qPRqY/s1600/CapeCodMarsh1.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHF7tYTWEn2VjZfFrtQ-xzwIarMe48gyqI21c_f6t2BV2rlZc6YGVr-cNToRSZbXUZZjOOtq0uYIZ88XngfdnqN82DvVWDb4xV3y10nS8qOXjC3h1Uy51qDdf9tjWOwO8-CHA_33qPRqY/s320/CapeCodMarsh1.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I always feel larger than life, and integral part of the Universe <br />
when I travel solo and wander places I'd never see otherwise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Every time I travel solo, I wonder: What am I really looking for? Where am I really going? The physical destination hardly matters; the real destination is me. My thoughts, my company. But why?<br />
<br />
It wasn't until I arrived back home from this solo vacation that it dawned on me during the walk in our neighborhood that Mike and I take every day. Sometimes, we talk nonstop about everything under the sun; other times, like this time, we walk in silence just marveling at our existence, enjoying a quiet solitude together. In this silence, a memory bubbled up.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBNmf1MpOs0_ctg5PaP8cgKqgxjZoAmGBSyaVBmoD8bquXPiiYX7VvO40-5aTJWJnO5yhqglDhr2bveUApKCArUfF6z1gJQB6UcKWdfrFwjEW3tfRbnLGWQC2p9nlUAcL8ccsLniuNrJu/s1600/TreesPicFrameCC.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBNmf1MpOs0_ctg5PaP8cgKqgxjZoAmGBSyaVBmoD8bquXPiiYX7VvO40-5aTJWJnO5yhqglDhr2bveUApKCArUfF6z1gJQB6UcKWdfrFwjEW3tfRbnLGWQC2p9nlUAcL8ccsLniuNrJu/s320/TreesPicFrameCC.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serenity found on a 6.5 mile walk on a bike path <br />
from West Harwich to Dennis on Cape Cod</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I was a child, somewhere between the ages of eight and ten. I was in my bedroom writing a story, completely in the creative zone. A knock came on the front door, and then my mom stood in my doorway. My best friend stopped by. <i>Do you want to go play outside?</i> my mom asked. Not wanting to hurt my friend's feelings, I begged my mom to tell her I wasn't feeling well or I was grounded or I was in the bathtub—anything to not have to leave the comfort of my solitude and creativity. Another memory flashed, the same scenario, only I was reading a good book; another similar memory flashed, but I was playing with my stuffed animals, creating entire worlds and lives for them. <i>I know you're not really sick</i>, my friend said one day, when I tired of being in my head and longed for company again. She didn't understand, and my childhood self couldn't explain why I needed that solitude. But I desperately did. I still do.<br />
<br />
This memory brought an epiphany: These solo vacations bring me back to a simpler time, a time before instant access to everyone through the Internet and cell phones. A simpler time when being outside all day, every day, meant no one had access to me until I returned home. A simpler time when I spent hours lounging in the grass with a book; other times, racing my bike down the path, the wind hugging me, whispering that nothing else matters but this very moment. Vacationing alone brings me back to my childhood, when I was completely and utterly in my head, my imagination running wild, my curiosity of the world still innocent enough.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMB_UwGc7I2tCryfquxIDPCBPd2Ebe5tpkfxVltJ3Z_SL9gbBbBG-4W9zFEU-3AQ_Desj5HD3nkkVONhyr_v32Ix02ZBeYiGS6v3kX2y7nAm7tnnK0gToo5MemvwS6u7xnGXKB1jo4XpxB/s1600/ZombieCicada.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMB_UwGc7I2tCryfquxIDPCBPd2Ebe5tpkfxVltJ3Z_SL9gbBbBG-4W9zFEU-3AQ_Desj5HD3nkkVONhyr_v32Ix02ZBeYiGS6v3kX2y7nAm7tnnK0gToo5MemvwS6u7xnGXKB1jo4XpxB/s400/ZombieCicada.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He fluttered his wings so loudly, I jumped. What is this insect? I discovered<br />
it was only half an insect. I didn't have my phone to film it. The next day,<br />
I took a photo. <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/zombie-cicadas-infected-mind-controlling-fungus-west-virginia/" target="_blank">Zombie cicadas</a> in 2020? What else is next?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXfR-2ytoJOVrM3AQ649y5E8bYYA3uz_XOR93ta4EV3ArcFWto9gtQaYLHzWUNBkp-411nHpu-2iWpN_77G4Rj9N9-b_cr-_kU1ttHL4S-R9p6rL9tOEwSjbIfTGaZcO4BAimqZcBbaGs/s1600/SeraandMikeRiverSelfieLL.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXfR-2ytoJOVrM3AQ649y5E8bYYA3uz_XOR93ta4EV3ArcFWto9gtQaYLHzWUNBkp-411nHpu-2iWpN_77G4Rj9N9-b_cr-_kU1ttHL4S-R9p6rL9tOEwSjbIfTGaZcO4BAimqZcBbaGs/s320/SeraandMikeRiverSelfieLL.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike and Sera wearing <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-accessories/products/reflective-unisex-multiwrap-in-graphite" target="_blank">Multi-wraps</a><br />
Sera in <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/womens-short-sleeve-mockingbird-shirt-white-peri" target="_blank">Mockingbird short sleeve shirt</a> (now final sale)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After eight days, I packed up my belongings and drove back home. But I dwindled in my head, sharing with Mike all I discovered with my novel and on my wanderings and the stories I read. After washing a week's worth of laundry and getting a good night's sleep in my own bed, I once again packed up my belongings, exchanging the books I read for new ones.<br />
<br />
Mike and I set off to spend the next five days in Lincoln, New Hampshire, where everything is green and vast, and anything is possible.<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
Stay tuned for <b>Thickly Settled: Slow Down, Part 2</b>, where I go from lounging around all day to nearly plummeting off a mountainside, three-thousand feet above ground. In the meantime, I'll share with you a sneak peak video of what's to come.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/1G8tjaQoWVI/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1G8tjaQoWVI?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Me, wearing<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://illuminite.com/" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-accessories/products/reversible-reflective-stretch-eclipse-headband-in-feather-black" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Stretch Eclipse Headband</a>, <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/womens-vigor-singlet-in-graphite" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Vigor Singlet</a> <span style="text-align: center;">and <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/womens-reflective-shortie-in-feather-black" target="_blank">Shorties</a></span></span></div>
<br />
ME; Is there a bear in there?<br />
MIKE: I'm positive there's no bears.<br />
ME: Why don't you sit in there first?<br />
MIKE: I'm pretty sure there's no bears.<br />
<br />
Everyone who knows me knows I'm petrified of bears! Did I go inside the cave?<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Do you ever you feel the need to escape the world? Where do you go and what do you do when solitude calls you? Leave a comment below. I'd love to hear your stories!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Sera Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120417461447755328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853846944598968995.post-39373623579942845132020-07-30T08:29:00.003-05:002020-07-30T08:29:51.054-05:00Covid-19 Quarantine Day 139: Where Have All the Masks Gone?<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMiWPVRaKkrCvBt4jSeAicfsmg612tWGkXEZqETN-N3GcvRjxA8kVdYX3PJyqQW8XaETWA1dPwlATaQHwmWPlxjpJGjCSyrw92LlKQPneBjVxX4jDyL8d6bny9fyLY4kWGvB3_n2kTKTJ/s2048/IMG_0484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMiWPVRaKkrCvBt4jSeAicfsmg612tWGkXEZqETN-N3GcvRjxA8kVdYX3PJyqQW8XaETWA1dPwlATaQHwmWPlxjpJGjCSyrw92LlKQPneBjVxX4jDyL8d6bny9fyLY4kWGvB3_n2kTKTJ/w241-h320/IMG_0484.JPG" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the trees are shocked!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When the pandemic first started, right before we went into quarantine, Mike and I went to the supermarket and saw one or two people wearing masks. Everyone stared at them as they walked by. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But 139 days later, Mike and I finally took a chance at going into a grocery store, and I was relieved to see that everyone wore masks. Then we saw ONE woman NOT wearing a mask. Everyone stared at HER. I honestly don't know how she was allowed in the store. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
During an 8-mile hike on Mount Greylock last weekend, Mike and I came across another couple on the trail. We pulled up our <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-accessories/products/reflective-unisex-multiwrap-in-white" target="_blank">MultiWraps</a> to cover our nose and mouth and stepped off the path to let the other couple pass.<br />
<div>
<br />
They said: "Thank you for wearing masks." </div>
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<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvEDOs93UxId1acp9f-K09xGWdc_o2kVH6A_xdJDVUyd-yLvk9Ttq2PS4X8kbNcb1WcYqYv-yV-EGRRlx6Kx4adQS-FDfty6_lLCqP0EwRBRubquF3dup91MoP6yPgiwJuCMkvGLpIU2q/s2048/IMG_7946.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvEDOs93UxId1acp9f-K09xGWdc_o2kVH6A_xdJDVUyd-yLvk9Ttq2PS4X8kbNcb1WcYqYv-yV-EGRRlx6Kx4adQS-FDfty6_lLCqP0EwRBRubquF3dup91MoP6yPgiwJuCMkvGLpIU2q/s320/IMG_7946.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-accessories/products/reflective-unisex-multiwrap-in-white#" target="_blank">MultiWrap</a> keeps us cool, dry, and safe <br />when we encounter other hikers!</td></tr>
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<br />
We said: "Thank YOU for wearing masks."</div>
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<div>
The woman said: "We wear masks to keep US safe, and to keep YOU safe. I don't understand why some people don't!"</div>
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These two experiences made me think about my friends at <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> who have been making masks for essential workers since the pandemic shut everything down, and then found inventive ways to make new products versatile to double as mask-wearing. I'm impressed with how quickly they rallied despite the many obstacles the coronavirus has created. So I decided to sit down with them and talk about their mask-making ventures.</div>
</div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<b>How many face masks has IllumiNITE made for hospitals and other essential workers? How many people are making masks? </b></h3>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsFXCzn0glaKjHfCVvO6wpDMCb932wsggHpv4SRaF40L7gIVmBLkMFKNUJjhDGhLUMWPIdIerStIHjL5cVeseKoCltWI4MCwNU8P5dJXfxBSkK3-B9aNmhIkngowpK2lIMeOwZuoVwrb7/s1600/neckscruff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsFXCzn0glaKjHfCVvO6wpDMCb932wsggHpv4SRaF40L7gIVmBLkMFKNUJjhDGhLUMWPIdIerStIHjL5cVeseKoCltWI4MCwNU8P5dJXfxBSkK3-B9aNmhIkngowpK2lIMeOwZuoVwrb7/s320/neckscruff.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Model wearing <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/unisex-reflective-neck-scruff-in-black" target="_blank">Neck Scruff</a> in Black<br />Photo courtesy of <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a></td></tr>
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We made about 30,000 masks. Our factory collaborated with several companies from Rhode Island and South Eastern Massachusetts to get the mask production up and running as quickly as possible. Most of the masks were sold to essential businesses and some were donated to certain non-profit organizations in and around Providence, RI. These were not FDA approved masks, so we didn’t feel comfortable selling to hospitals directly. </div>
<div>
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<div>
As <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a>, we developed face coverings that combine the best of <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> reflective technology with a functional product for our active customers. We know how hard it can be to wear a mask while exercising! We designed our <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-accessories/products/reflective-unisex-multiwrap-in-white" target="_blank">MultiWrap</a> with that in mind. We have about 40 people in the whole operation and about 16–20 stitchers. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<b>Who is the fastest mask maker? Do you have friendly competitions? </b></h3>
<div>
All of our stitchers have their own area of expertise and we work collaboratively. Since many of our stitchers are already related (sisters, sister-in-laws, etc), we don’t need any more (friendly) competition. </div>
<div>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<b>How have your business practices changed since the pandemic started? What new processes have you adapted? What positives have come out of changing the way you do business?</b></h3>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNy0VAPT9rHe0w8Ub68gWWP3yjCvk5WlXr-tBH-ePyMUgz34uLVlxaczcto6mb8tPaj0ph87Tk9JuzlVqmE_9S2WvrK17jrQoNcntZB9g9t_eNrQugpIrMfKlCVVG16HY-MrnmTnn7pEGf/s1600/makingmasks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="300" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNy0VAPT9rHe0w8Ub68gWWP3yjCvk5WlXr-tBH-ePyMUgz34uLVlxaczcto6mb8tPaj0ph87Tk9JuzlVqmE_9S2WvrK17jrQoNcntZB9g9t_eNrQugpIrMfKlCVVG16HY-MrnmTnn7pEGf/s400/makingmasks.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> designers making masks<br />Photo courtesy of <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a></td></tr>
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It has certainly been challenging finding our best practices. We have, of course, taken up social distancing. Fortunately, due to the size of our factory, this was not a big challenge as all workstations were already 6 feet apart. Certain office people have been working from home and are slowly starting to come back to the office. We clean daily and have sanitizer all over the place. Masks need to be worn in all common areas. We currently don’t allow any visitors without an appointment. One big positive that came out of this is the manufacturing community in Fall River coming together to help each other and to pool our resources to make PPE of all kinds. It’s heartwarming to know that we have such a great community around us. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
What is something that’s surprised you during this pandemic?</h3>
<div>
How quickly we could turn things around to start manufacturing masks. From design to production—something that should have taken months!—we managed to do in weeks. It was challenging to shift focus so quickly, but we knew it needed to be done and done quickly. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was a big 180 for our <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> team to put on pause our new fall and winter development in order to devote all our energy into developing and producing PPE. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
What advice would you give independent, local businesses at this time? What advice would you give customers?</h3>
<div>
To other small businesses: Know that everyone is struggling right now to find their way safely through these crazy times. No one has the perfect answer, but we need to come together as a community and help each other out. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
To customers: Please support all your local businesses. <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> is fortunate to be based online. However, all the brick and mortar stores, bars, and restaurants out there are really struggling and need your support in any way you can, now more than ever. Thank you for your support through these times.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdE9jz2t-HX4Gfel2tsyuP_Z3cgxXwzJgqUxy9uVfl6RM9YBnvonMgDP5IRCK0YiE8MpEcRSXXQ21uTPkOQ4cT18p6t_YCLjYijzJdGaauWPKNmdCZIkp1BQ_-NfgaRG06E7IapQrhaIZ/s1600/IMG_2540.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdE9jz2t-HX4Gfel2tsyuP_Z3cgxXwzJgqUxy9uVfl6RM9YBnvonMgDP5IRCK0YiE8MpEcRSXXQ21uTPkOQ4cT18p6t_YCLjYijzJdGaauWPKNmdCZIkp1BQ_-NfgaRG06E7IapQrhaIZ/s320/IMG_2540.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/womens-featherlite-reflective-jacket-in-graphite?_pos=1&_sid=079e60bbe&_ss=r" target="_blank">Featherlite Packable Jacket</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
<b>Have you been able to start designing a new fall/winter line? What is something that IllumiNITE customers can look forward to in the coming months? Any new product or design you’re hoping to implement soon or are working on?</b></h3>
</div>
<div>
We do have some new products coming out in the fall. We are doing a Packable collection as well as designing new colors with new and improved fabric in some of our best sellers for men and women.<br />
<br />
In the next two weeks, we are going to release a new Day Bright Wicking Short Sleeve Shirt for Men and Women. We have a lot of ideas for this coming winter and spring, and we hope that we are able to get them all done! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<br /></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
I LOVE my <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/womens-featherlite-reflective-jacket-in-graphite?_pos=1&_sid=079e60bbe&_ss=r" target="_blank">Featherlite Packable Jacket</a>. I cannot wait to see new products in the Packable line! Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to inform readers about mask-making and business during this unprecedented time.</h3>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihumaVPEVqEgbrFDNx7qZwxctJCI0yiE41vrYDv6Val9rpMepPYzM3qxO2oHhlY7DgE-YUJG0viYEYI-YYeq5lwrQqKokoAnSiF11BKLeRdu1puJSURrtH5_0pI3mdrnKs2X3rG6C4E06O/s1600/SeraMountainTopSerious.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihumaVPEVqEgbrFDNx7qZwxctJCI0yiE41vrYDv6Val9rpMepPYzM3qxO2oHhlY7DgE-YUJG0viYEYI-YYeq5lwrQqKokoAnSiF11BKLeRdu1puJSURrtH5_0pI3mdrnKs2X3rG6C4E06O/s320/SeraMountainTopSerious.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/reflective-unisex-multiwrap-in-white" target="_blank">MultiWrap</a> and <a href="https://illuminite.com/products/womens-vigor-singlet-in-white?_pos=1&_sid=5b9569719&_ss=r" target="_blank">Vigor Singlet</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
These are scary times we're living in, and I don't quite understand why some people are so against<br />
wearing masks. We don't protest the rule "No shirt, no shoes, no service." We don't protest the speed limit while driving. And, we don't protest other societal rules, such as getting our bags searched before entering concerts, sporting events, and other large-crowd gatherings. We all want the economy to recover, and independent businesses are a big part of that. The best way to bounce back is to buy local and wear masks while out in public to keep us all safe. Please wear a mask so this pandemic can end and we all can move forward with our lives.<br />
<br />
As an incentive, use my discount code <a href="http://illuminite.com/discount/sera15">Sera15</a> to receive 15% off your entire <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> order, including the <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-accessories/products/reflective-unisex-multiwrap-in-white" target="_blank">MultiWrap</a>, which is so versatile it can be used as a hat, a headband, a face covering, or a scarf!<br />
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Watch the video to see how!</div>
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Sera Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120417461447755328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853846944598968995.post-85672651371354490862020-07-16T08:10:00.002-05:002020-07-16T08:10:57.051-05:00Covid-19 Quarantine Day 125: Where Has All the Accountability Gone?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBDTENyzAH-p6MmztUPoEhzv2dWaS0Q8DCZwge9nFNvB1PApL4YG68s6vOzlI8iPlZ3dC1E_erVAvEqr8VrGNHvyfuxenOBbo4GJRQJEfu-ZzhFSie-MTqWd8oVO-r29OOQC0m3hJ44Yu/s1600/Accountability.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBDTENyzAH-p6MmztUPoEhzv2dWaS0Q8DCZwge9nFNvB1PApL4YG68s6vOzlI8iPlZ3dC1E_erVAvEqr8VrGNHvyfuxenOBbo4GJRQJEfu-ZzhFSie-MTqWd8oVO-r29OOQC0m3hJ44Yu/s320/Accountability.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm wearing <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <br /><a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-accessories/products/synergy-headband-in-black" target="_blank">Synergy Reflective Headband in black</a>; and<br /> <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/womens-vigor-singlet-in-graphite" target="_blank">Women's Reflective Bling Singlet</a><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Don't worry! We are running! Since my last blog post, Mike and I have put together a new running, hiking, and walking routine for every day of the week. AND...I'm proud to say that we've stuck with it these last 19 days! But, I'm still struggling with my daily posting on social media. What is it about this time of social isolation that I feel less inclined to be online? I truly think I'm mentally burned out.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I started a new job in January and was only six weeks into learning my role when we were all sent home to work remotely. What a huge adjustment! I'm used to working remotely, as I have for many jobs in the past, but not when I'm learning a new career. In addition, I had been going, going, going nonstop for quite a few years until I lost my previous job last August. I think I am still recovering from such a chaotic lifestyle. This year is all about finding balance, and the key word here is "finding."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I think it's time that we all give ourselves a little slack for not having it all together. We are living in uncertain times, and we forget that uncertainty takes a greater toll on our mental capacity than we realize.</div>
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<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-Dp7HdTNW5lkIawXRSvWRejXglQn0zEclbtsCkV2sAFRWusoOAn2iT0f1e7EieIrb6PbDCDN5xHYB6eg6qEI7QwTA-mh42wkcbaNR47GvGV1WEhl3t7w0nxBBXloZXlSjDW9T_J9S7dP/s1600/MikeMorning.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-Dp7HdTNW5lkIawXRSvWRejXglQn0zEclbtsCkV2sAFRWusoOAn2iT0f1e7EieIrb6PbDCDN5xHYB6eg6qEI7QwTA-mh42wkcbaNR47GvGV1WEhl3t7w0nxBBXloZXlSjDW9T_J9S7dP/s320/MikeMorning.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleepyheads ready to run brightly early morn!<br />Mike: <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/short-sleeve-reflective-shirts/products/reflective-mens-endeavor-tank-in-graphite" target="_blank">Endeavor Tank in Graphite</a><br />Sera: <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/short-sleeve-reflective-shirts/products/reflective-mens-endeavor-tank-in-graphite" target="_blank">Featherlite Packable Jacket</a></td></tr>
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The good news is, I am getting outside and exercising every day! Mike is a great accountability partner! And he's such a good sport for waking up at five every morning to run with me before work—especially because I am not my sparkly, talkative, funny self before my coffee. haha </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So, what are we doing every day to get back to healthy living? <b>Here's our schedule:</b><br />
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<div>
<b style="color: red;">Mondays</b><span style="color: red;">: 2–3 mile walk</span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="color: orange;"><b>Tuesdays</b>: 5k run</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Wednesdays</b>: 1–2 mile walk (rest day)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><b>Thursdays</b>: 5k run</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: purple;"><b>Fridays</b>: Long run (marathon training) or 5k</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: magenta;"><b>Saturdays</b>: Hike/swim/walk (or long run if not done on Friday)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Sundays</b>: hike/swim/walk</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
We're getting our exercise in early for two reasons: It's less humid in the early morning and it jumpstarts the rest of our day. Running this early also gives me a bit of time to write afterward before my work day, so I feel doubly accomplished.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6uWJRjzZ3WRtzucMnY-KQ6DN4d2L3lPWc2029CtMf-q4ZjFtCSQSWmdkAmdu3cNvuhOmVBj_CyUoBBxNNiZi8yivorQ7DRQlQKwjz92X83C5Tkb5Zpe3b-6_Eg4Vlo2pAULTGK8jZCFf/s1600/MtTobyHike.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6uWJRjzZ3WRtzucMnY-KQ6DN4d2L3lPWc2029CtMf-q4ZjFtCSQSWmdkAmdu3cNvuhOmVBj_CyUoBBxNNiZi8yivorQ7DRQlQKwjz92X83C5Tkb5Zpe3b-6_Eg4Vlo2pAULTGK8jZCFf/s320/MtTobyHike.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caves at Mt. Toby Wearing <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <br /><a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/womens-vigor-singlet-in-white" target="_blank">Singlet</a> and <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/womens-jammer-mid-length-reflective-running-short-in-magma" target="_blank">Jammer Mid-length short</a><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
I've noticed that for my shorter walks and runs, I prefer my <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-running-bottoms-for-summer/products/womens-reflective-shortie-in-feather-black" target="_blank">IllumiNITE shorties</a>; whereas, I prefer my <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-running-bottoms-for-summer/products/womens-jammer-mid-length-reflective-running-short-in-magma" target="_blank">IllumiNITE mid-length shorts</a> for longer runs and hikes! When the weather is super humid, I'll grab one of my <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-accessories/Women" target="_blank">IllumiNITE headbands</a> to run (it also secures my AirPods in place), but I prefer my <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-accessories/products/reflective-unisex-multiwrap-in-white" target="_blank">IllumiNITE Multiwrap</a> when hiking or walking because it keeps the sweat off my face while also doubling as a face mask if we happen upon other hikers. Mike is enjoying his new <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/men/products/mens-endeavor-long-running-short-in-black-white" target="_blank">IllumiNITE Long Running Shorts</a> for all our running excursions. He pairs them with his<a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/men/products/sentinel-mens-short-sleeve-shirt-in-black-white" target="_blank"> IllumiNITE Sentinel Short Sleeve Shirt</a> for most runs, or his <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/men/products/reflective-mens-endeavor-tank-in-graphite" target="_blank">IllumiNITE Endeavor Tank</a> when it's super humid. I'm seriously loving how Mike looks in his new tank, but I digress (the things that keep me motivated haha) We still debate whether he needs water on our shorter runs/hikes, but fortunately, I always win this argument. A small 12 oz bottle fits nicely in his <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/men/products/mens-endeavor-long-running-short-in-black-white" target="_blank">IllumiNITE Shorts' pocket</a>.</div>
<div>
<br />
But, my question is this: If I'm not posting our activities on social media every day, does it really count towards my accountability? What I'm really asking is:</div>
<div>
<br /><b>What is the definition of accountable?</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJ8gNQilVO4KUHqGTC0XBtj38MSuEz-3I1tKA0C3dgEhAwzuDY-BwRlfuwJBwo_S9ro-jl-GquEgWz5YuXSLULzysoG0xb9V_-J4a2FPrVyPYTYTo49IBC9hUNd95MWvfDlzYmv3adEBx/s1600/SeraMikePose.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJ8gNQilVO4KUHqGTC0XBtj38MSuEz-3I1tKA0C3dgEhAwzuDY-BwRlfuwJBwo_S9ro-jl-GquEgWz5YuXSLULzysoG0xb9V_-J4a2FPrVyPYTYTo49IBC9hUNd95MWvfDlzYmv3adEBx/s320/SeraMikePose.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New clothes motivate us!<br />Sera: <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE </a><a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-accessories/products/synergy-headband-in-black" target="_blank">Synergy Reflective Headband in black</a>;<br /><a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/womens-short-sleeve-savannah-shirt-in-red-gray" target="_blank">Short Sleeve Savannah Shirt in Red</a>; and <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/womens-shortie-in-black" target="_blank">Shortie in Black</a>;<br />Mike: <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE </a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/men/products/sentinel-mens-short-sleeve-shirt-in-black-white" target="_blank">Sentinel Short Sleeve in Black</a>;<br /><a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-accessories/products/reflective-unisex-multiwrap-in-graphite" target="_blank">Multiwrap</a>; and <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/men/products/mens-endeavor-long-running-short-in-black-white" target="_blank">Endeavor Long Running Short</a><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Like I said, in this uncertain time, it's been difficult to "do it all!" And I've discovered that maybe trying to "do it all" is what's killing my motivation. Mike is a lists guy, and I truly appreciate that. I've found that writing down a DOABLE schedule, having an accountability partner, and actually sticking to our written schedule by getting outside and "just doing it no matter what" is what's most important.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>I'd love to hear your thoughts on the matter. How can I help you stay motivated? And please, share your tips and tricks that help keep you accountable and on track to a healthier you!</b><br />
<br />
And don't forget to use my discount code <a href="https://illuminite.com/discount/sera15" target="_blank">Sera15</a> to get 15% off your order at <a href="https://illuminite.com/discount/sera15" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a>!</div>
Sera Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120417461447755328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853846944598968995.post-5308131885527174922020-06-27T10:44:00.003-05:002020-06-27T10:45:08.513-05:00Covid-19 Quarantine Day 106: Where Has All the Time Gone?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifTT6aX_nEf-itC5yiCdFluKdsAl0oRLZ-SVC1iQfubWYk2W7v8xbIWyS7MdNc-HNsUiO7c2UZW4kIhYgcopk9W3d6AQPc9h91GqSeyyd4rMrc4JnS0WbDFZ18OjWbfRggaT6-S2VBsLlW/s1600/67BC7796-60A3-484C-8956-2CD72DF25F57.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifTT6aX_nEf-itC5yiCdFluKdsAl0oRLZ-SVC1iQfubWYk2W7v8xbIWyS7MdNc-HNsUiO7c2UZW4kIhYgcopk9W3d6AQPc9h91GqSeyyd4rMrc4JnS0WbDFZ18OjWbfRggaT6-S2VBsLlW/s200/67BC7796-60A3-484C-8956-2CD72DF25F57.heic" width="150" /></a></div>
It's been 64 days since my last post. Where have I been these last two months? I've been so caught up inside this little universe I've created since we've gone on lockdown that I can't comprehend that it's already the end of June. Time feels like a concept more than anything these days. And if I'm being honest, I'll admit, I started writing this blog post at 100 days....adding a day, then another, then... well, here we are!<br />
<br />
One-Hundred! Six! Days! Of social isolation!<br />
<br />
Where <b><i>has</i></b> all the time gone?<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKslpX4-jK2F6px2qS5cqTdQpQE-L-kp8vvFUGS8vOK79iIn5CP87XO3Dxlqi1iBzERZCnGMeBpSWIxxeuXFmaSvlrwp0oFp8NoPmEXiAwzjj8vlPXUyQUFR3FYWvSU2FexCjW9fT2ibRp/s1600/09FDA1AF-38EB-4069-97B1-90C186703316_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1455" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKslpX4-jK2F6px2qS5cqTdQpQE-L-kp8vvFUGS8vOK79iIn5CP87XO3Dxlqi1iBzERZCnGMeBpSWIxxeuXFmaSvlrwp0oFp8NoPmEXiAwzjj8vlPXUyQUFR3FYWvSU2FexCjW9fT2ibRp/s320/09FDA1AF-38EB-4069-97B1-90C186703316_1_201_a.jpeg" width="291" /></a><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">RUT-ine</span></b><br />
Back in March, it was easy to tell myself that it was okay to take a break from marathon training for a little bit. After all, we're living in a pandemic! Back then, I thought I'd be back at work within two weeks, four weeks tops. Now, I'm wondering if I'll go back into the office at all before 2021. Mike and I haven't been total sloths since our social quarantine. We've gone hiking on various mountains and we've run around our neighborhood, but we haven't been consistent. Some days, it feels too mentally exhausting to gear up to run after working a long day on the computer. Logically, I KNOW that's even more reason to get out there and run! Being stationary all day is not healthy! I'm more grateful than ever for buying my standing desk; sitting all day, every day was killing my lower back!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xcLLS218AZESx3x_DG5xagX-GlvYao_krT985vyCyWhUoaQnjaREa2-qU4rXtiqfru_55CO9Ks2LlZaUW5MoE_bPX-6VAc7zTBUzGxQ0yGxGOSS-DCyh9iXiwo6BWDv0JVBHiLy57Lxc/s1600/F981526D-EB1C-4A77-8D01-DCD23F850E37.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xcLLS218AZESx3x_DG5xagX-GlvYao_krT985vyCyWhUoaQnjaREa2-qU4rXtiqfru_55CO9Ks2LlZaUW5MoE_bPX-6VAc7zTBUzGxQ0yGxGOSS-DCyh9iXiwo6BWDv0JVBHiLy57Lxc/s320/F981526D-EB1C-4A77-8D01-DCD23F850E37.heic" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; text-align: center;">Finding zen in the middle of the mountain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Even though I haven't <b><i>physically </i></b>fallen off the face of the planet, I feel like I've disappeared virtually. I've been terrible at posting my activities on social media. I've found myself thinking, <i>I'll post this later tonight</i>. Then later tonight turns into a week, and we're already out on our next hiking adventure!<br />
<br />
It's been difficult to find technological balance when we're on the computer all-day-every-day for work—emails, phone calls, Zoom meetings—all in addition to my actual work. Without my morning and evening commute, I don't get that downtime from my computer screen; that little break to reset. So I find myself ignoring phone calls and texts from friends, and sometimes I forget that I even have a social media community. Oh! There's all my friends! HiHiHiHiHi<br />
<br />
I need to get out of this rut, and find a NEW routine that works during this social distancing lifestyle.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Accountability</span></b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglF5hZpjr5BlCjkhbemL15Ao6nc87JmETvVOF9i36kwWaKRnSFL2NSjyyu7RrauApGc8Y4dm-l164C34SBuJ0LDm6s8wNXJY7isvsoPMeHG7m97ANEZtAo0gUq9Xk2djJaPqdPdwP4wCp_/s1600/453AD5E7-A52A-4605-B27B-5E3692196E10.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglF5hZpjr5BlCjkhbemL15Ao6nc87JmETvVOF9i36kwWaKRnSFL2NSjyyu7RrauApGc8Y4dm-l164C34SBuJ0LDm6s8wNXJY7isvsoPMeHG7m97ANEZtAo0gUq9Xk2djJaPqdPdwP4wCp_/s320/453AD5E7-A52A-4605-B27B-5E3692196E10.heic" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; text-align: center;">Where has all the time gone? I don't even know anymore.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My motto used to be: "Write a five a.m.; run at five p.m!" That motto motivated me finish a novel revision and train for my first marathon! What helped me stay accountable was an online group of writers who also wrote early mornings. Knowing I wasn't the only one cuckoo enough to wake up at the crack of dawn to write before work really kept me motivated. To keep me accountable for marathon training, I found a group of newbie runners also training for their first marathon. Again, knowing I wasn't the only one spending all my free time running, running, running when many of my friends were busy doing literally anything <i style="font-weight: bold;">other</i> than running for hours on end kept me going.<br />
<br />
But it's been a long while since I maintained that level of productivity.<br />
<br />
Since all of my races this year have been cancelled or postponed indefinitely, I've been finding it difficult to hold myself accountable to get into marathon shape. The less active I am, the worse I feel. And the worse I feel, the less motivated I am to get out there and move! But enough is enough, already. This pandemic <a href="https://runbrightly.blogspot.com/2020/04/overwhelmed-covid-19-is-not-new-normal.html" target="_blank">may not be the new normal</a>, but social distancing is not going away anytime soon. I need to stop making excuses and jump back into training. Races canceled or not, I feel my best self when I am marathon ready!<br />
<br />
But how do I get out of this <b><i>rut-ine</i></b>?<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgm5Hp2SN3dgGObXt0O6tbKGDjmSa7triKeL7xGTHmOUDp1n8BHpXKxyRGrX2FFovm5fiSaI8JKt4PkvgJzkftxaLb1UTYpXD1gqQhr3HZ1iChxE-kE-2OrQV7YOzjlCe7MhyRGAPG_JF/s1600/B79AB4AE-EA4D-4B38-A485-B32943EA8E78.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgm5Hp2SN3dgGObXt0O6tbKGDjmSa7triKeL7xGTHmOUDp1n8BHpXKxyRGrX2FFovm5fiSaI8JKt4PkvgJzkftxaLb1UTYpXD1gqQhr3HZ1iChxE-kE-2OrQV7YOzjlCe7MhyRGAPG_JF/s320/B79AB4AE-EA4D-4B38-A485-B32943EA8E78.heic" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; text-align: center;">I've started plotting out my novel's emotional arcs<br />
to show character growth as the plot unfolds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A couple weekends ago, I participated in a virtual writing retreat. The "retreat" was two full days of writing. To hold us accountable and motivated, the organizers set up check-ins via Zoom in the morning, at lunch, and at the end of each day. I could only participate in one of the days, but it was the most productive writing day I've had in a long while! It was so great to connect with my writing friends who I've seen every year at in-person writing retreats for the last ten years, except this year due to COVID-19 shutdowns. It made me realize how motivated and supported my writing community makes me feel. My writing routine is back on track (though, admittedly, not at 5:00 a.m anymore, though in my defense, working remotely allows me to sleep in a tad bit more).<br />
<br />
I knew if I could get myself out of my writing rut, I could get my physical self back on track too.<br />
<br />
My friends at <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> have been so great at checking in on Mike and me to see how we're doing. Mike and I were supposed to go on a spring fashion photoshoot in May, but clearly, that had to be postponed until it's safe to gather. In the meantime, the <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> team has been busy making masks for essential workers the past few months. I'll be sharing more on that in a future post!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOY2O4pC1W2K3GfcJmHGS8pswIquh5zAxEoj8DIZZJrpRo9DUR2nKmpJmSSDh3zciPBh3DwRZ1vASvLF2nz2RzTmzwbvesErwkMs6Kc40sK7l026FPQxhMwvjkrDtwR7BnHUS5ZcSBGbr/s1600/0D5AC710-FEAC-40B5-B009-CD7B62837422.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOY2O4pC1W2K3GfcJmHGS8pswIquh5zAxEoj8DIZZJrpRo9DUR2nKmpJmSSDh3zciPBh3DwRZ1vASvLF2nz2RzTmzwbvesErwkMs6Kc40sK7l026FPQxhMwvjkrDtwR7BnHUS5ZcSBGbr/s320/0D5AC710-FEAC-40B5-B009-CD7B62837422.heic" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> is giving away beautiful wraps (like my<br />
floral one) w every $50 purchase while supplies last)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> just started back up on clothing design and production, and we just had the most fabulous phone meeting! Chatting with the designers about upcoming styles truly inspired me to get out there and run again! We discussed some of the adventures Mike and I want to go on this summer and we brainstormed what would keep us dry, cool, and comfortable in this hot, summer heat—as well as what would keep us warm on New England mountain tops where the weather can be anything from windy to rainy to icy and bitter cold—yes, even in the summer.<br />
<br />
Lucky for Mike, <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> just came out with new tank tops, among other clothing items and accessories for men! We just received our latest shipment from <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a>, and I'm so excited to incorporate these new pieces into our running and hiking activities! I'll share our product reveal video soon! In the meantime, here's a sneak peek at what we got!<br />
<br />
<br />
So now, Mike and I have the clothing and accessories and support from our <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> team to help us get out of this rut! But what will help us maintain accountability?<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">The "U" in Community</span></b><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfK3KQ-2-SV6YIDu1ifDk0cxh5GUUgeFoi7WxsFCTnygy8m4yMfLI8C3T0nmxvtcuRnhYVTbzGgmP8cZuWgFvN4rTOezIvotBeeGgp5WgLetvS1L0ILTyzBdZD8OuCagOOMf7ctMzX4sKn/s1600/D7B0A9C7-EECF-4045-9F15-8FD918D6D0DE.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfK3KQ-2-SV6YIDu1ifDk0cxh5GUUgeFoi7WxsFCTnygy8m4yMfLI8C3T0nmxvtcuRnhYVTbzGgmP8cZuWgFvN4rTOezIvotBeeGgp5WgLetvS1L0ILTyzBdZD8OuCagOOMf7ctMzX4sKn/s320/D7B0A9C7-EECF-4045-9F15-8FD918D6D0DE.heic" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; text-align: center;">Our latest <a href="http://www.illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> shipment.<br />
Could there be something inside for YOU?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'm turning to YOU—my online community—to help us stay motivated, inspired, and accountable for getting back in shape! Hopefully, we can motivate and inspire you, too!<br />
<br />
Stay tuned for a series of blog posts and social media posts on Instagram for our new workout schedule, running and hiking tips, and a few <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> GIVEAWAYS!<br />
<br />
Let's wrangle time back into a tangible tool to get us all back on track to become our most healthy, most active, most <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">illumiNITEd</a> selves we can be. Until next time, run brightly, my friends!<br />
<br />
What are you doing to keep yourself motivated? What would help you stay motivated? Are you interested in an accountability group? <b>Post your comments below!</b>Sera Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120417461447755328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853846944598968995.post-50795701979811618252020-04-24T07:33:00.001-05:002020-04-27T07:24:59.531-05:00Story Slam: Five Minutes Or Less<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHNsR2OcQWaPTsZmQdOjvFqR4wB3IuAEpzqHEpJRmhvZVPsFtW-RmYVM27NxpTxsFGdqIdy5U1L0jsimZNzWZKU6HfgHHwIRYzXsmliu-hF4QVrkVVFJVN4RLs_faEoa5QSpse8TrFlyj/s1600/IMG_3009.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHNsR2OcQWaPTsZmQdOjvFqR4wB3IuAEpzqHEpJRmhvZVPsFtW-RmYVM27NxpTxsFGdqIdy5U1L0jsimZNzWZKU6HfgHHwIRYzXsmliu-hF4QVrkVVFJVN4RLs_faEoa5QSpse8TrFlyj/s320/IMG_3009.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local Dirt Productions "The Unexplained"<br />
Spooky Concert and Story Swap, Oct. 2019</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: center;">I fell into story slamming by accident when I was a creative writing instructor. I was about to start a new eight-week session, and I was searching the Internet for topic ideas. I came across a call for auditions for the <a href="https://digital.nepr.net/podcasthub/valleyvoices/" target="_blank">Valley Voices Story Slam</a>, hosted by <a href="https://www.nepr.net/" target="_blank">New England Public Radio </a>and <a href="https://www.aomtheatre.com/" target="_blank">Academy of Music</a>. </span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;">I clicked the link. A theme was presented, and to audition, you had to call into a phone line with the first line (only) of your true story. If you were chosen, you had to perform on stage with no script or prompts. And you only had five minutes maximum!</span><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>What a perfect premise for the next eight weeks of writing</i>, I thought. I chose an upcoming theme for the <a href="https://digital.nepr.net/podcasthub/valleyvoices/" target="_blank">Valley Voices </a>audition line that coordinated with my writing session timeline and presented it to my students.<br />
<br />
"Here's the catch," I said. "We're going to perfect those stories, and then perfect those first lines, and then you're going to actually audition." I explained we'd also hold our own story slam on our last writing night of that session with their finished stories.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoQIj2sqY95i2jfhmFcVdZLHfVfLcoJIO9MhmLPZprnh7KNwiiXXRnGrVL6gDokcYUFQf2U-FxH-tPYtF3n1S9J9DKNBzVO7Fo6Wq_V_o294qrY07-_smb5uDR9YlX9JY1Xxt-w6O-p0L/s1600/IMG_1621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoQIj2sqY95i2jfhmFcVdZLHfVfLcoJIO9MhmLPZprnh7KNwiiXXRnGrVL6gDokcYUFQf2U-FxH-tPYtF3n1S9J9DKNBzVO7Fo6Wq_V_o294qrY07-_smb5uDR9YlX9JY1Xxt-w6O-p0L/s200/IMG_1621.jpg" width="200" /></a>My students are clever. They all agreed that if they had to audition, I had to audition. "Fine," I said. In my mind, I added, <i>What are the odds I'd get chosen?</i><br />
<br />
Who knew? One of my students got in as well. Proud teacher moment!<br />
<i><br /></i>
I didn't win that story slam, but it was the first time I ever performed on stage in my life. I had no idea how exhilarating it felt to perform! I fell in love with the rush of nerves, the energy of the crowd, the captured attention of an entire room—even if only for five minutes. I was hooked!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKeHGupUHJdNh_AmtbimbLZDC8waobPcBra_ELh2rOI8TE95KoWUb0RHGs6a7UPJclmDW2gezSYNjy_tDgXGyOTj8cU99lrEm3Ryq8YoFdALPCn6NlCZriatrJ2Z4h8QCJW6b7L4pRZB2f/s1600/IMG_7561.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKeHGupUHJdNh_AmtbimbLZDC8waobPcBra_ELh2rOI8TE95KoWUb0RHGs6a7UPJclmDW2gezSYNjy_tDgXGyOTj8cU99lrEm3Ryq8YoFdALPCn6NlCZriatrJ2Z4h8QCJW6b7L4pRZB2f/s320/IMG_7561.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://digital.nepr.net/podcasthub/valleyvoices/" target="_blank">Valley Voices</a> Best of the Best Story Slam<br />
on the <a href="https://www.aomtheatre.com/" target="_blank">Academy of Music</a> Stage, April 2015</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Since that first show in 2014, I've performed in multiple <a href="https://digital.nepr.net/podcasthub/valleyvoices/" target="_blank">Valley Voices Story Slams</a>, twice making it to the Best of the Best competition on the <a href="https://www.aomtheatre.com/" target="_blank">Academy of Music</a> stage. I've also had the honor of performing at other events, such as a Halloween storytelling event that Local Dirt Productions hosted at <a href="https://www.hawksandreed.com/" target="_blank">Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center</a>, <a href="https://marktwainhouse.org/event/the-mouth/" target="_blank">The MOuTH</a> storytelling event at the <a href="https://marktwainhouse.org/" target="_blank">Mark Twain House</a> in Hartford, and a few other local events. I even got into the filming of <a href="https://www.pbs.org/show/stories-stage/" target="_blank">Stories From the Stage</a>, and I felt like a celebrity for an evening. My story wasn't chosen for the aired show, and I'm okay with that. You can't win them all. For me, it's about the experience of performance more than the win. Though, I can't deny it feels incredible when my name gets announced as one of the winners!<br />
<br />
The writer in me really enjoys the writing aspect of story slams. It's a lot harder than it might look to tell a complete story in just five minutes. A story must have a strong opening hook, a meaty middle that's compelling enough to keep the audience engaged, AND a complete story arc that ends with a punch—all that in about 700-ish words! Every single word counts. Text for speech is written differently than text for reading. It's quite a fun puzzle to put all the parts together and rearrange-rearrange-rearrange until the words magically snap together. I'm often editing in my head until the very last minute as I practice out loud without a paper in front of me—sometimes I'm even editing on stage as I'm telling the story live! Yes, I'm a word nerd, and proud of it!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTj__09tQbKW5L6q84c2I9IeEMHPs1D5J1lxjJiSaIK2x1jSYiaSw1DTtUgB4xjAMbTT4oKdl_e4W5vFXhsTOY_Ci2ucsQk-SvlCM5lSMwpLvPRAAcs4K6oC1PH0upXG3a5Cbh_XVR_s2_/s1600/SeraHawksandReed1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTj__09tQbKW5L6q84c2I9IeEMHPs1D5J1lxjJiSaIK2x1jSYiaSw1DTtUgB4xjAMbTT4oKdl_e4W5vFXhsTOY_Ci2ucsQk-SvlCM5lSMwpLvPRAAcs4K6oC1PH0upXG3a5Cbh_XVR_s2_/s400/SeraHawksandReed1.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://digital.nepr.net/podcasthub/valleyvoices_storyslam/" target="_blank">Valley Voices</a> "Sweet & Salty" Story Slam,<br />
March 2020</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Right before social distancing was placed in order, I won second place at the "Sweet & Salty" <a href="https://digital.nepr.net/podcasthub/valleyvoices/" target="_blank">Valley Voices Story Slam</a> competition at <a href="https://www.hawksandreed.com/" target="_blank">Hawks & Reed</a>. I'll be heading back to the <a href="https://www.aomtheatre.com/" target="_blank">Academy of Music</a> for my third shot at the Best of the Best title when it's safe to gather again. Here's hoping that's sooner than later.<br />
<br />
I'll admit, I've been bummed that the next two <a href="https://digital.nepr.net/podcasthub/valleyvoices/" target="_blank">Valley Voices Story Slam</a> for this season were postponed due to <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCov/index.html" target="_blank">COVID-19</a>. I love attending shows as much as performing in them. I get sucked into someone else's world, five minutes at a time, and it mesmerizes me. But it's for the best that we all do our part to stay home to help save lives.<br />
<br />
<br />
When the producers of <a href="https://digital.nepr.net/podcasthub/valleyvoices/" target="_blank">Valley Voices</a> asked me to participate in a virtual story slam, I jumped at the opportunity. What a great idea! It definitely made for an exciting week of putting a story together, figuring out the lighting and staging of the kitchen, and recording a story—over and over and over again—until it felt natural. Talking to a camera feels so bizarre. I can't gauge the energy like I can with a live audience, so I focused on my own excited energy, like when I tell a story to a friend. The nerves remained so hopefully my story feels alive and fun. Thank you to the <a href="https://www.aomtheatre.com/" target="_blank">Academy of Music</a> and <a href="https://www.nepr.net/" target="_blank">New England Public Radio</a> for continuing to bring joy to our community during this unprecedented time.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2oxFJ4p1SaSeVT5fyh2U5nbRH2EO_Kx-JbPmWOB98pwMU1nz5AdN4bBx4MmmIJlYUJOyY-pVtPkmbixRM3Q_K9LqdslfvKPjzfJwW2MM73FIQiTZXl3nnyiBaCETQQlzLGHV9vQ_4jQdt/s1600/IMG_7524.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2oxFJ4p1SaSeVT5fyh2U5nbRH2EO_Kx-JbPmWOB98pwMU1nz5AdN4bBx4MmmIJlYUJOyY-pVtPkmbixRM3Q_K9LqdslfvKPjzfJwW2MM73FIQiTZXl3nnyiBaCETQQlzLGHV9vQ_4jQdt/s320/IMG_7524.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/newenglandpublicradio/videos/649557885978673/" target="_blank">The Game Plan</a> virtual story slam, April 2020</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I hope you take the time to watch the stories on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/2726694797562198/" target="_blank">Around the Dinner Table</a> this week. Stop by a different storytellers home, virtually of course, to see what story they've cooked up for you. My story <a href="https://www.facebook.com/newenglandpublicradio/videos/649557885978673/" target="_blank">The Game Plan</a> was aired on Monday night, but it's still up for you all to see. And you can VOTE for me starting Sunday, April 26th!<br />
<br />
Welcome to my kitchen! I can't wait for you to hear my story <a href="https://www.facebook.com/newenglandpublicradio/videos/649557885978673/" target="_blank">The Game Plan</a>. If you like it, please vote for me at <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/vvssdinner" target="_blank">SURVEY MONKEY</a>! Voting is open through Tuesday, April 28th and it literally is just two clicks!<br />
<br />
And hopefully someday soon, I'll be able to see you from the stage at a live event.<br />
<br />
<b>What new can't-live-without hobbies/projects have you accidentally discovered during this time of social distancing? </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Leave a comment below. I'd love to hear!</b><br />
<br />
<br />Sera Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120417461447755328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853846944598968995.post-64413580404792892372020-04-03T17:07:00.000-05:002020-04-03T17:07:00.352-05:00Overwhelmed: COVID-19 Is Not the New Normal<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbFxUz3Puu-zZLa2pL14rLBWcnQGARtz1nrCZ8UjMbzX5An5p1j0rqRcqcNu-Dfh5X1HwOfggh0mmWgeqSpGs3OBhF5mMmk1_nFiLvR4bCInnvYqPpMkmucMUQQ-kZDbpHYukZ49EJ40X/s1600/workingremotely.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbFxUz3Puu-zZLa2pL14rLBWcnQGARtz1nrCZ8UjMbzX5An5p1j0rqRcqcNu-Dfh5X1HwOfggh0mmWgeqSpGs3OBhF5mMmk1_nFiLvR4bCInnvYqPpMkmucMUQQ-kZDbpHYukZ49EJ40X/s320/workingremotely.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grateful for the sun while I work remotely; <br />though it's mighty chilly in this room lol</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It has been three weeks since I started working remotely, and two weeks since I've stepped foot in a store or have seen a friend or loved one outside of the house. I'm so grateful to have Mike, and we've done our best to keep to as normal a routine as we possibly can with us both working from home. We set boundaries on work time, we take daily walks, we make meals together, and we have alone time and virtual time with friends. But despite this new routine we've settled into, I am feeling vastly overwhelmed. And I know I'm not alone.<br />
<br />
Friends and colleagues have shared how overwhelming this "new normal" is, and one person this week said something so profound; it hit me right in the gut. It was something like:<br />
<br />
"We're going about business as if everything is normal except for the fact that we're working remotely. But everything is NOT normal. This new normal is NOT normal. People are really sick. People are dying."<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxXHbLRK2s83ylsCBgGPKrjkxx7R3rpv8fgHPKAGdpXrE7m4CZ2u52Shf-70edy_deX4Aa4u0sp3LIX7Y3Mw5R1kGqH54p2wGeMLkwsntD3_It1Hp_Mipqi4hVp9wlbclUoSTyH85N7-e/s1600/kindness.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxXHbLRK2s83ylsCBgGPKrjkxx7R3rpv8fgHPKAGdpXrE7m4CZ2u52Shf-70edy_deX4Aa4u0sp3LIX7Y3Mw5R1kGqH54p2wGeMLkwsntD3_It1Hp_Mipqi4hVp9wlbclUoSTyH85N7-e/s320/kindness.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Kindness counts;" "Spread love;"<br />"#bethechange"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I know people whose loved ones have fallen ill with <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html" target="_blank">COVID-19</a>, some have lost lives. I have friends who are essential staff, many in the medical field. I worry about them and their families every day. It is a thankless job, and I appreciate their dedication to caring for sick people on a regular basis.<br />
<br />
This is a serious pandemic, and I'm shocked at how many people are still carrying on as if this isn't a big deal. I'll admit, way back in January (god, that feels so long ago), I was one of them. I thought <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html" target="_blank">COVID-19</a> was all media hype. These days, it's hard to believe what's real and what's fake news. But, by this point, we should all recognize that this is serious.<br />
<br />
I am overwhelmed. Overwhelmed by the amount of time I'm spending on my computer, not just to perform the everyday functions of my job, but also for <a href="https://zoom.us/" target="_blank">Zoom</a> meetings, messaging with friends, virtual visits with my son who is isolated (safely) in another state. Then there's texting and phone calls and personal emails and social media, and I feel like my eyes are glued to a screen every waking moment of every day.<br />
<br />
I've become that friend who flakes on people because I'm in the middle of something when someone contacts me, or I'm mentally drained and just can't handle anything other than the task-at-hand, and then I forget to message back—for days, weeks (what is time right now, seriously?). Anyone who knows me knows this is not my norm.<br />
<br />
But we are not living in normal times, right now. So, I am being extra kind to myself. I am not beating myself up for needing to sleep in, even though that may mean not writing in the morning. I'm forgiving myself for not texting someone back in a timely manner. And yes, I am eating more chocolate. It's the comfort I need right now.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTsy6lvz4Z08UvOLsnDfXb_lawC-bG18876yFQOz7r-D3k0SF1ec0jn6Ky6l4UjHp9chzGmKG8IkSJgYXeMMuPDcl8Y7u32WAUpty4E-MbdMnvNoM07LJjjEAnJn6LGohr5fE8uldjsyI/s1600/cocktailhour.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1465" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTsy6lvz4Z08UvOLsnDfXb_lawC-bG18876yFQOz7r-D3k0SF1ec0jn6Ky6l4UjHp9chzGmKG8IkSJgYXeMMuPDcl8Y7u32WAUpty4E-MbdMnvNoM07LJjjEAnJn6LGohr5fE8uldjsyI/s320/cocktailhour.jpeg" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thursday night "Cocktail Hour" with running friends</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I don't mean for this post to be all gloom and doom. I have seen many wonderful things in my brief moments away from this virtual world.<br />
<br />
I have seen sidewalk chalk messages and "bear hunts" in the neighborhood that let me know we are all in this together.<br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;">I have had meaningful "visits" with my friends on <a href="https://zoom.us/" target="_blank">Zoom</a>. </span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;">I have had silly moments with my son on FaceTime.</span><br />
<br />
I am reading <a href="https://twitter.com/StephenChbosky?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor" target="_blank">Stephen Chbosky</a>'s newest book <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781538731338" target="_blank">Imaginary Friend</a> (though, it's beginning to feel like a premonition to <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html" target="_blank">COVID-19</a>).<br />
<br />
I am enjoying quiet moments on the couch with Mike drinking coffee before the world wakes up in the morning.<br />
<br />
And I'm enjoying family dinners together every night, sharing highlights of our day, to remember that we can still communicate in real life.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLn-fp3efK8H37ps2-1xTVIz1sQBhWh4XMlhJqdIJ6c2FXaYq2rkhRv627RISp8MY9spKncQ4hzRWBaB-Zs74MJxJfdNrSXf9mCbwjC4Z9k7BT_r8EZnu7yjMD2RqvnpqjTgIfSGYrCPOT/s1600/IMG_1552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLn-fp3efK8H37ps2-1xTVIz1sQBhWh4XMlhJqdIJ6c2FXaYq2rkhRv627RISp8MY9spKncQ4hzRWBaB-Zs74MJxJfdNrSXf9mCbwjC4Z9k7BT_r8EZnu7yjMD2RqvnpqjTgIfSGYrCPOT/s320/IMG_1552.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first picture together as an official couple!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But I realized I need a bit more. I need to reset. Mike and I are taking Monday off work to celebrate our one-year anniversary. HOORAY! This seems like an opportune time to break from the virtual world to just live in the real world, despite how small "my world" is right now. So, I am signing off social media, the internet, my computer—hell, even my phone—until Tuesday. I want to take the time to celebrate the love we share with no distractions. I want to live in the here and now—even if it's just for three days—to focus on what's most important in life.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJbmusv_oPY32pIRO4sbEo9c1fyJ28jP-HcY4GDkXY5jDweYEHMuQ-zMxlvuWg0wVhnFKtBTab7N3XF83vE8HqH_5EFUimPF9FTRyEyJKoYnPaQqRgfrvIQd-ArnXlMbooRK6jHdR_-IF/s1600/60683349223__22889573-73E1-49CA-B27D-0AA73B44B88C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1095" data-original-width="1282" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJbmusv_oPY32pIRO4sbEo9c1fyJ28jP-HcY4GDkXY5jDweYEHMuQ-zMxlvuWg0wVhnFKtBTab7N3XF83vE8HqH_5EFUimPF9FTRyEyJKoYnPaQqRgfrvIQd-ArnXlMbooRK6jHdR_-IF/s320/60683349223__22889573-73E1-49CA-B27D-0AA73B44B88C.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our last picture together: working remotely!<br />(yes, I might be wearing pajamas)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Are you feeling overwhelmed? How are you managing during this stressful time? </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>What will you do this weekend to recharge? Please post a comment below.</b><br />
<br />
And please, stay safe, be well, and practice social distancing. Let's help end this pandemic!Sera Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120417461447755328noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853846944598968995.post-53929241524259115382020-03-27T08:18:00.000-05:002020-03-27T08:27:02.039-05:00Going Stir-Crazy? Explore the World of Color<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXlvjPUUZWy-xy33JoZhwRTemk0Gh0_6XMI1kGBnSuP-jFZv5IWdPH8DNWXhfvSfdYVsKTXr4YDWlUb-y1oKkCvMtL0xArLPp94Y5nKyX6ifraqej1ycoZ73GvYzlwKrnXV1IjzjBxj0q/s1600/Time.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1494" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXlvjPUUZWy-xy33JoZhwRTemk0Gh0_6XMI1kGBnSuP-jFZv5IWdPH8DNWXhfvSfdYVsKTXr4YDWlUb-y1oKkCvMtL0xArLPp94Y5nKyX6ifraqej1ycoZ73GvYzlwKrnXV1IjzjBxj0q/s320/Time.jpeg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time for a hike? Loving this pop of hot pink!<br />
<a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-accessories/products/reflective-unisex-velocity-mitten-in-hot-pink" target="_blank">Unisex Velocity Mitten</a></td></tr>
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It's week two of isolation, and I must admit I'm going a bit stir-crazy. I've worked remotely for years, and I've gotten pretty good at it. I know to set specific hours to avoid working nonstop. I know to take little breaks throughout the day to stretch, get water, have a snack. I know to break down my work station at the end of every day, and yes, even shut off my computer and store it out of sight. This gives a sense of transition from work time to down time at the end of the "work day."<br />
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But I'm not JUST working remotely. I AM remote completely—away from friends and family and people in my community. I never fully appreciated how integrated my world was. Besides driving to work, there's going to the store or bank or gas station. There's stopping by the local library to pick up a new set of books. There's going for a run with my run club. There's the impromptu coffee or drink with a friend. All of this is gone. And it takes its toll, more than we realize.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wearing <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/womens-long-sleeve-reflective-love-tee-in-pink-white" target="_blank">Pink Love Tee</a> <br />
to brighten my day</td></tr>
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I read a great article by <a href="https://hbr.org/" target="_blank">Harvard Business Review</a> entitled <a href="https://hbr.org/2020/03/that-discomfort-youre-feeling-is-grief" target="_blank">That Discomfort You're Feeling Is Grief</a>. And it makes sense. Even though I'm getting more sleep than ever and my daily routine is solid, I have to look at the calendar every day to see what day of the week it is and what date it is. Is it really <b><i>only</i></b> Tuesday? How is it Friday <b><i>already</i></b>? Wait, is <b><i>today</i></b> Saturday, or Sunday? Time has become a concept, one big, blurry mess.<br />
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I'm having a harder time waking up in the morning, my brain feels foggy and groggy, and I wrestle between experiencing bounds of energy to wanting to sleep until this <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html" target="_blank">COVID-19</a> pandemic is over.<br />
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In this new normal, I'm trying to find ways to add more joy into my life. For example, I'm definitely eating a lot more chocolate! haha But that alone, isn't cutting it. But I noticed that working near a window and looking out at the world around me has given me more joy. Spring is in the air, the buds are sprouting on the trees, and slowly the world is blossoming into color: bright blue skies, greener grass, red cardinals! Each pop of color creates this surge of joy inside me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUCHar2fC0MqG_CHj4U52Dg4cUN6TSNFF96INGhy2UkxNfeDMwj69yt6IoFHCd3GG9K2lgWVWamuZ08YfxntJWtfr4mO8cUm5gr2cuUwxDMKD-rvy1rH8Ua28guCCGZO2BDRoUrQhxHIN/s1600/GartnerSnake.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUCHar2fC0MqG_CHj4U52Dg4cUN6TSNFF96INGhy2UkxNfeDMwj69yt6IoFHCd3GG9K2lgWVWamuZ08YfxntJWtfr4mO8cUm5gr2cuUwxDMKD-rvy1rH8Ua28guCCGZO2BDRoUrQhxHIN/s320/GartnerSnake.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you find the garter snake?</td></tr>
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As I stated in my last post, <a href="https://runbrightly.blogspot.com/2020/03/covid-19-stay-remote-not-isolated.html" target="_blank">COVID-19: Stay Remote, Not Isolated</a>, I'm getting out in nature to explore as much as I'm able! last weekend, I came across the cutest little garter snake while on a hike. I wouldn't have seen if it didn't rustle up the leaves as it slithered away—it was completely camouflaged.<br />
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Seeing this nearly invisible snake made me remember a conversation I had with a friend a while back. She had painted her fingernails bright colors, which surprised me because she doesn't normally paint her nails, let alone paint them all different colors. When asked about it, she mentioned that she had just read the book <a href="https://www.aestheticsofjoy.com/the-book/" target="_blank">Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness</a> by Ingrid Fetell Lee. She said the book mentioned that adding color, shapes, and textures into your life bring you pops of joy. (mental note: I must buy this book!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEaewDjapXcBmywAxkqGbY6N16Kjj9ywqbekEKuY0Ba_SVFoSaOSnDqPu19W20LN8VDhChzjypkJxIxr8HnEHx4PHdrsbroEDX4n9GKQAh3qfyFzMfxWCPAGn5rTM1hyjwfpO_9nZLvhMJ/s1600/SeraMountainHeartShirt.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEaewDjapXcBmywAxkqGbY6N16Kjj9ywqbekEKuY0Ba_SVFoSaOSnDqPu19W20LN8VDhChzjypkJxIxr8HnEHx4PHdrsbroEDX4n9GKQAh3qfyFzMfxWCPAGn5rTM1hyjwfpO_9nZLvhMJ/s320/SeraMountainHeartShirt.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div>
Thinking about this concept of color bringing joy while watching this adorable little snake trying to blend into its background made me realize: This <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html" target="_blank">COVID-19</a> pandemic is making me feel like I'm fading into the background! Every day, my work outfits have been a rotating array of black and blue hoodies and sweatpants. What else would I wear while being cooped up in my house?! But...I realized that "dressing up" to go for a hike or a run has been my happiest moments of the week. Yes, a large part of that is the fact that I'm doing something outside of the house. But the other part of that happiness is: I'm wearing bright colors!<br />
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Wearing these pops of color has become my social outlet; my pops of joy throughout the week; it's my way of being seen when we can't socialize, my way of announcing to the world: I'm here! I see you! Do you see me?<br />
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Maybe it's the stir-crazy, but the most exciting moment last week was when Mike noticed that my <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/ambition-womens-hoodie-in-beetroot-silver" target="_blank">Ambition Reflective Women's Hoodie</a> has a ponytail pull-through! How have I never noticed this before? So what does one do when discovering this amazement?<br />
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PHOTOSHOOT! No autographs, please! haha<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBjidtHJlXQDCBvN8-YMAuSmedvubf0dtTHvsLOeUapwZO0sWv6ZXUuL1i1_6w4xU3Vx-mcKcUvUdJfWPT8VZAkpr_scviNlXNn5-1QBsNyFgN20X1wwZNEWAJCgG_7TfGKAZNf8KmRGb/s1600/PonySideView.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBjidtHJlXQDCBvN8-YMAuSmedvubf0dtTHvsLOeUapwZO0sWv6ZXUuL1i1_6w4xU3Vx-mcKcUvUdJfWPT8VZAkpr_scviNlXNn5-1QBsNyFgN20X1wwZNEWAJCgG_7TfGKAZNf8KmRGb/s200/PonySideView.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWkvxnrZQCG2erpSjLcRYCTbVMot3w0c4-zYNnQ_-6QrlEGFHCB7HMbk1PbN3KFZseGqpZG7SmNYwSLqs1f-Djj3zYS2O-qlVdd4nM3VFdCQReqhpZT5yQaEk6LS8_vshSV9Bc9f7whgp/s1600/HeadHole.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWkvxnrZQCG2erpSjLcRYCTbVMot3w0c4-zYNnQ_-6QrlEGFHCB7HMbk1PbN3KFZseGqpZG7SmNYwSLqs1f-Djj3zYS2O-qlVdd4nM3VFdCQReqhpZT5yQaEk6LS8_vshSV9Bc9f7whgp/s200/HeadHole.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlaVqtQ9at3cyFIjiIgNAc2zKDt99o_XfRRWDcpSSm1GEoYSb8fCcYcR51WP4v5gbINPzlSGOzSlnff124hOcIxP0YNmnJGcG209jKfFyFwOjwqROE7lheSmUHDwRZ4IBHDi6L8bbDOIqZ/s1600/PonyTailHole.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlaVqtQ9at3cyFIjiIgNAc2zKDt99o_XfRRWDcpSSm1GEoYSb8fCcYcR51WP4v5gbINPzlSGOzSlnff124hOcIxP0YNmnJGcG209jKfFyFwOjwqROE7lheSmUHDwRZ4IBHDi6L8bbDOIqZ/s200/PonyTailHole.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ7ylU2fwuPqQ__I_vURAgln1JgfRrw9fLDxyraoR-TXWZVqMW5k7brHQ_Py_TM2p2kxhTuRSDsOCGbkbkm08f4PjHlrvhEsahqepcafbtbZHQVk1yeveCb1uIopWc6m-9BGBRixrwxg14/s1600/PonyHaveFun.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ7ylU2fwuPqQ__I_vURAgln1JgfRrw9fLDxyraoR-TXWZVqMW5k7brHQ_Py_TM2p2kxhTuRSDsOCGbkbkm08f4PjHlrvhEsahqepcafbtbZHQVk1yeveCb1uIopWc6m-9BGBRixrwxg14/s200/PonyHaveFun.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0na5xANXkRmioipBQzUp4N81poyEyFAvgGyVa5EiAZUsaN_wiB93yjOEYdrbsB-be1NVPF8OjZBfOITQjMoJ0X490wnOlQN5m1GugpQmiw77TNpFhyPSVA17mObuwOJXwquzGKhsQd669/s1600/PonyUpHigh.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0na5xANXkRmioipBQzUp4N81poyEyFAvgGyVa5EiAZUsaN_wiB93yjOEYdrbsB-be1NVPF8OjZBfOITQjMoJ0X490wnOlQN5m1GugpQmiw77TNpFhyPSVA17mObuwOJXwquzGKhsQd669/s200/PonyUpHigh.JPG" width="150" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlnRHEEPZvk1HtyZZnP9hjIECj8UFlnro0wi7m16g_K1DbBkfe-tnMGSyZHMiWL9_36Bb7VlsQDEQZ_iVdvWobYfWDC43Ck7z7C-IGNOYaOUJUxTDkgreZLkFFEJSNmeHVnVwXDwB_FCQ/s1600/PonyUpHighWink.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlnRHEEPZvk1HtyZZnP9hjIECj8UFlnro0wi7m16g_K1DbBkfe-tnMGSyZHMiWL9_36Bb7VlsQDEQZ_iVdvWobYfWDC43Ck7z7C-IGNOYaOUJUxTDkgreZLkFFEJSNmeHVnVwXDwB_FCQ/s200/PonyUpHighWink.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqLFM0WAma-VqykO5a_SKM4HxZuTO_4QEh50S6_QqKZf7TAFVnJ9TZnjoHr1Z9JPfUZ3zgt__348k8ng2hUv1TvH7pPmsSreuEr6eoXxJ1PLjuPfMaO5thsKOQTXM8M89uf7GksLPU3DX/s1600/SeraMikeCOLORS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqLFM0WAma-VqykO5a_SKM4HxZuTO_4QEh50S6_QqKZf7TAFVnJ9TZnjoHr1Z9JPfUZ3zgt__348k8ng2hUv1TvH7pPmsSreuEr6eoXxJ1PLjuPfMaO5thsKOQTXM8M89uf7GksLPU3DX/s320/SeraMikeCOLORS.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm wearing Beetroot/Silver<br />
Mike's wearing Hawaiian Blue</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;">And, I just found out that the </span><a href="https://illuminite.com/" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/ambition-womens-hoodie-in-beetroot-silver" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Ambition Women's Hoodie</a><span style="text-align: center;"> AND the <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/men/products/early-riser-reflective-mens-pullover-in-hawaiian-blue" target="_blank">Early Riser Men's Pullover</a> are on final sale! So get yours before it's gone! Don't worry! You can order online! And if you use </span><a href="http://illuminite.com/discount/Sera15" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">discount code Sera15</a><span style="text-align: center;">, you'll get 15% off the rest of your order (non-sale items).</span><br />
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Okay, so maybe this blog post is all over the place...this is the state of my scattered mind. But seriously, get some COLOR into your world! It will make you happy! And...it will brighten the day of anyone you may pass (remember: 6 feet apart) on the road or hiking trails! It seems there are a lot more people exploring the outdoors now that businesses are closed. Are you one of them?!<br />
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<b>What are you doing to bring pops of joy into your life during this time of social isolation? </b><br />
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<b>Leave a comment below!</b><br />
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<br />Sera Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120417461447755328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853846944598968995.post-71615032997158491722020-03-13T06:13:00.001-05:002020-03-13T06:13:30.993-05:00COVID-19: Stay Remote, Not Isolated<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxuydWvqHQB1e6DGSP4kd3J8fVb7cjbUTj9bR_Ib0GedVf7Oejogn5f3YX2gdYTFeScoovqRhMiZYJDFIXKCpkeibHEi-ok-woMga_SlqCCFXyxVUwj-FARR3IEIZR_EFkYspquFcsw-6/s1600/SeraClimb1.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxuydWvqHQB1e6DGSP4kd3J8fVb7cjbUTj9bR_Ib0GedVf7Oejogn5f3YX2gdYTFeScoovqRhMiZYJDFIXKCpkeibHEi-ok-woMga_SlqCCFXyxVUwj-FARR3IEIZR_EFkYspquFcsw-6/s200/SeraClimb1.HEIC" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing mountains<br />keeps me centered</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: -webkit-standard, serif;">The world is in complete chaos right now, and my head is spinning from the constant <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html" target="_blank">COVID-19</a> updates in my news and social media feeds. With businesses and schools closing and store shelves clearing out, I know that we will be hunkering down at home, working remotely, in the very near future. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: -webkit-standard, serif;">It's hard to predict what the next few weeks will bring. While I'm taking necessary precautions, such as washing my hands more frequently, limiting social activities, and shopping online to support local and independent businesses, I'm also sticking to my daily routines as much as possible. This includes adhering to my hiking and running schedules. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finding balance and peace<br />on mountaintops</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: -webkit-standard, serif;">April begins our rigorous mountain running training—ski slopes and jagged, rocky inclines galore—so I've increased my hiking activities this month to prepare my body for the increased intensity that mountain running adds. Despite the lingering cold weather, </span><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard, serif;">my <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/tahoe-womens-performance-reflective-jacket-in-graphite" target="_blank">Tahoe performance jacket</a>, <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-accessories/products/cold-weather-hood-in-black" target="_blank">cold weather hood</a>, and <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/womens-satellite-running-tight-in-black-firenz" target="_blank">Satellite running tights</a> (pictured) have kept me warm. T</span><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard, serif;">he sun has been shining and the skies have been blue. Spring teases the air, and it's bringing me so much joy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: -webkit-standard, serif;">Being amidst the trees and rocks helps me feel centered to clear my head and regroup. The breathtaking views at the tops of these mountains reminds me to stay positive, even when it feels society is falling apart, and to remember that beauty exists in this world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizcmgGzUnR8ERUnxpDDbjcuxRSPfMYa1HJMykbWeCHMT2zKYzFT_QeG64u5otKPggQan6tdc2BNFat8HgEqafUthlD_pgzpvvjEis5sG6_NxVOg2rJU_rvfRCOkCzcpfSzfXgTTloioLO/s1600/SeraMikeMountainTop.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IllumiNITE Tahoe Performance jacket and cold weather hood" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizcmgGzUnR8ERUnxpDDbjcuxRSPfMYa1HJMykbWeCHMT2zKYzFT_QeG64u5otKPggQan6tdc2BNFat8HgEqafUthlD_pgzpvvjEis5sG6_NxVOg2rJU_rvfRCOkCzcpfSzfXgTTloioLO/s200/SeraMikeMountainTop.HEIC" title="IllumiNITE Tahoe Performance jacket and cold weather hood" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Staying warm, despite <br />this cold New England weather </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: -webkit-standard, serif;">I truly urge you: get outside and enjoy the walking trails, forests, and mountains near you. Escape the news feeds and anxiety-ridden posts. Take the time to center yourself and be present with the here and now. If you need <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard, serif;">activewear that keeps you warm and dry, I highly recommend supporting independent retailer <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a>. Use my discount code <a href="https://illuminite.com/discount/Sera15" target="_blank">Sera15</a> for 15% off your entire order. And remember, stay safe! </span></div>
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<b style="font-family: -webkit-standard, serif;">What are YOU doing to find balance amidst the chaos? </b><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard, serif;">I'd love to hear your ideas. Leave a comment below.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Sera Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120417461447755328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2853846944598968995.post-72511231540338196072020-02-28T07:12:00.000-05:002020-03-13T04:37:54.941-05:00Train, Hike, Race, Repeat: An IllumiNITEd Agenda<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0krCs8AlEZyt6R15ITrtxlhq3YiqgYnDlRmm1CwgSSHrr8wtA_2ZzB8XkeCaTzzqON4-SvtqJ9Wktv3r6KJgcv7QBZS5dqwv1aXIF5qBV_3wN7dibhYkHvLLp50VNApQGzl2GGu0TgLSt/s1600/SeraGym7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0krCs8AlEZyt6R15ITrtxlhq3YiqgYnDlRmm1CwgSSHrr8wtA_2ZzB8XkeCaTzzqON4-SvtqJ9Wktv3r6KJgcv7QBZS5dqwv1aXIF5qBV_3wN7dibhYkHvLLp50VNApQGzl2GGu0TgLSt/s320/SeraGym7.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/womens-short-sleeve-savannah-shirt-in-red-gray" target="_blank">Savannah Shirt</a></td></tr>
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January and February are always my lowest miles months. The cold, short days really zap my enthusiasm, but I figure if there is any time to rest and recover, winter is the perfect excuse to kick off my running shoes and catch up on my shows. Remember, 2020 is all about <a href="https://runbrightly.blogspot.com/2020/01/balance-this-is-2020.html" target="_blank">finding balance</a>.<br />
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So far, I'm finding my groove. I've settled into my new 5:00 am writing routine before going into my day job.<br />
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I've been working out at the gym with my sister on our lunch hour, adding in strength training and speedwork on the treadmill.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3dTicNJWXqrzkW9uMgL9dt-m2Vf3r55_8sPaQ2jHc3OWWQgHfS4pz3oyXMdzZMLcEwL9Hh5aiNxfAzB0mVMySUZDAvGkfzJIQSb7zhm23uCV-G5A5bnr6m8DjPms3x_PUM6OcELuaier/s1600/SeraMikeTekoaMountain.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3dTicNJWXqrzkW9uMgL9dt-m2Vf3r55_8sPaQ2jHc3OWWQgHfS4pz3oyXMdzZMLcEwL9Hh5aiNxfAzB0mVMySUZDAvGkfzJIQSb7zhm23uCV-G5A5bnr6m8DjPms3x_PUM6OcELuaier/s320/SeraMikeTekoaMountain.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sera: <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/womens-dovetail-short-sleeve-reflective-tee-in-white-gloxinia" target="_blank">Dovetail Tee</a> <br />
and <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/womens-reflective-shortie-in-feather-black" target="_blank">Women's Shortie</a></td></tr>
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And I've officially planned out my hikes and races for the year!<br />
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Yes! As part of goals for living a balanced life, I'm incorporating more mountains back into my athletic activities. Why? Two reasons:<br />
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1) I promised my life partner that I'd hike more if he ran a marathon (his first) with me (he did! and he signed up for two more!).<br />
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2) In 2018, I ran my fastest marathon and was in the greatest shape of my life. I truly believe it's because I incorporated mountain training/races into my running routine that year.<br />
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So what's on my <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITEd</a> agenda this year? I thought you'd never ask!<br />
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<h2>
<span style="color: #990000;">THE BOSS</span></h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbgnpyGvI2BhveCXewptb3Cs4WfKmD7shvEI0HpdnkqM3ulbnhFUJkY7HOKuso0HlCxeCKajH8wXfEAAb43jH-vjbIzdmEKrUvQ_EFngJSY-WJmRh1JgV3Nag9MeTlIu-_yyBnO1KWxJZz/s1600/LoonJuly2019_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbgnpyGvI2BhveCXewptb3Cs4WfKmD7shvEI0HpdnkqM3ulbnhFUJkY7HOKuso0HlCxeCKajH8wXfEAAb43jH-vjbIzdmEKrUvQ_EFngJSY-WJmRh1JgV3Nag9MeTlIu-_yyBnO1KWxJZz/s320/LoonJuly2019_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IlumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-accessories/products/reversible-reflective-stretch-eclipse-headband-in-feather-black" target="_blank">Eclipse Headband</a>, <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/womens-vigor-singlet-in-white" target="_blank">Vigor Singlet</a>, <br />
and <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/womens-reflective-shortie-in-feather-black" target="_blank">Women's Shortie</a></td></tr>
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First up is <a href="https://loonmountainrace.com/" target="_blank">Loon Mountain Race</a> in Lincoln, New Hampshire, in July. This race is 6.6 miles straight up a mountain—with the last kilometer on a black diamond ski slope—a 45-degree angle!<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=11&v=5xzAHROP974&feature=emb_logo" target="_blank">Check out the Upper Walking Boss video</a> to see for yourself. Hang onto your couch...you'll get vertigo just watching!<br />
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<b>It's brutal; it's dizzying; it's So. Much. Fun!</b><br />
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Instead of taking the gondola ride that's included in the race fee, I always run back down the mountain afterwards. And then I cool off in the river!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-x_jdI-1KFzP6jZE7xuISX4B4_q5M9iqZh6zVp0oMRSZjU9xabu0JD-YhWW8s5T_LSBLJwfuFKstyHrRkeXjj6yzZfKf_mo8imEU7B1WhGM5tIaBFFHd7pp-KbeTqsqpW9ddDtzlfBzn/s1600/LoonJuly2019_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-x_jdI-1KFzP6jZE7xuISX4B4_q5M9iqZh6zVp0oMRSZjU9xabu0JD-YhWW8s5T_LSBLJwfuFKstyHrRkeXjj6yzZfKf_mo8imEU7B1WhGM5tIaBFFHd7pp-KbeTqsqpW9ddDtzlfBzn/s320/LoonJuly2019_4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IlumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/reflective-accessories/products/reversible-reflective-stretch-eclipse-headband-in-feather-black" target="_blank">Eclipse Headband</a>, <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/womens-vigor-singlet-in-white" target="_blank">Vigor Singlet</a>,<br />
and <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/womens-reflective-shortie-in-feather-black" target="_blank">Women's Shortie</a></td></tr>
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Ahh, best mini-vacation ever! Since we're there, we'll hike up <a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-hampshire/mount-lafayette-and-franconia-ridge-trail-loop" target="_blank">Franconia Ridge</a> a few days before the race as well. That weekend is a 16-miler training weekend for us (for our marathon), so the hike and race will fulfill that requirement. This will be my third year doing this race, and I seriously cannot wait to run it with Mike!<br />
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Training for this race will include the <a href="https://7sisterstrailrace.com/" target="_blank">Seven Sisters</a> race route and <a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/massachusetts/mount-tom" target="_blank">Mt. Tom</a> ski slopes. My quads and glutes are already burning thinking about it!<br />
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<h2>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>THE RIVER</b></span></h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5tSnDC2lQz4eSQGGJNUh3hT4h_VcnMi2IaH6SRnKrPBkSaarf4t6Ni3snBPDlj1Q8-oeSkeJNQ5lXkksBNIyVaa17i7OUvNmYLXLC0xgBEJoYiCZnmJynRb3mhUpa55_HlaEyNpLM84q/s1600/GreenRiverHolySocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5tSnDC2lQz4eSQGGJNUh3hT4h_VcnMi2IaH6SRnKrPBkSaarf4t6Ni3snBPDlj1Q8-oeSkeJNQ5lXkksBNIyVaa17i7OUvNmYLXLC0xgBEJoYiCZnmJynRb3mhUpa55_HlaEyNpLM84q/s320/GreenRiverHolySocks.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I ran so fast, I burned holes in my socks! haha</td></tr>
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What goes up, must go down! Everyone who knows me knows how much I hate hills! So to reward myself for all this climbing, I've signed back up for the <a href="https://newenglandgreenrivermarathon.com/" target="_blank">New England Green River Marathon</a> in August. The course is one way, from Vermont to Massachusetts, on a tree-canopied road alongside the cooling <a href="https://vtstateparks.com/grriver.html" target="_blank">Green River.</a> The elevation LOSS is an appreciated 1,450 feet.<br />
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I ran this race ONCE, and it was my fastest marathon yet! At the time, I was at the peak of my mountain racing, so I'm hoping I can beat my record now that I'm adding mountains back into my routine!<br />
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I chose this marathon again because it's the perfect FIRST marathon, and since Mike's first marathon was the ever-grueling, mostly uphill, jam-packed <a href="https://www.athensauthenticmarathon.gr/site/index.php/en/" target="_blank">marathon in Greece</a>, I thought <a href="https://newenglandgreenrivermarathon.com/" target="_blank">Green River</a> would make for a nice contrast (he's still not convinced he likes marathons, but soon he will LOVE them, haha).<br />
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Training for this will include hikes on <a href="https://www.mass.gov/locations/mount-greylock-state-reservation" target="_blank">Mount Greylock</a> and <a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/massachusetts/racebrook-trail-to-mount-race" target="_blank">Mount Race</a> (gotta keep up our strength) and speedwork (intervals) on a track.<br />
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<h2>
<span style="color: #cc0000;">THE GHOST TRAIN</span></h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGAEtqIRIUhjFv-VWg6z58CN-XGs2ZYwONqN7VM1v_gjAx-WSkhLprjMZpcqIGX5NUMIdh51A6-nZ1IVGURDygW_d23g-GupMsqeVeRzVD1lgGVoELKyjhoPDGKUPoCScUfetU2UV8CFy/s1600/SeraIndieCostumeGhostTrain.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="690" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGAEtqIRIUhjFv-VWg6z58CN-XGs2ZYwONqN7VM1v_gjAx-WSkhLprjMZpcqIGX5NUMIdh51A6-nZ1IVGURDygW_d23g-GupMsqeVeRzVD1lgGVoELKyjhoPDGKUPoCScUfetU2UV8CFy/s320/SeraIndieCostumeGhostTrain.jpeg" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My son and I costuming it up at <br />
<a href="https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=72340" target="_blank">Ghost Train Ultra</a> in 2018 </td></tr>
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We'll end the year with <a href="https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=72340" target="_blank">Ghost Train Ultra Marathon</a> in October. This was my first ultramarathon (I did 30 miles), and it's 15-mile out and back course makes it perfect for the newbie (or seasoned) ultramarathoner. The course is relatively flat with just one hill (that goes up both ways!), but is hardly boring as it's filled with spooky, Halloweenie decorations, costumes galore, and a tunnel—yes! a tunnel!—to run through!<br />
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This year, I'd like to accomplish 45 miles, 30 on Saturday and 15 on Sunday. We'll see how my year goes before I officially commit to that! What I'm most excited for is dressing up in costume for this race! Maybe this year, we can wear capes! I'm already feeling like a superhero as I think about bounding up all these mountains and racing at the speed of <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a>!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkUywR0C4nl-W21AsKgexFh3uiKb6C57nPgjX1xE4pEBEA0TCba8oIQOtj1JmfsiEGyaymQJl29RNkrV3sC5Ls81E8nLMhecatC89YtLEMURdf5tKvN4lMcnbzIelVEIEmYEWVmazZIne/s1600/63101-YWFB+Split+Sq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkUywR0C4nl-W21AsKgexFh3uiKb6C57nPgjX1xE4pEBEA0TCba8oIQOtj1JmfsiEGyaymQJl29RNkrV3sC5Ls81E8nLMhecatC89YtLEMURdf5tKvN4lMcnbzIelVEIEmYEWVmazZIne/s200/63101-YWFB+Split+Sq.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/illuminite-reflective-clearance/products/yellow-fishbone-kids-reflective-halloween-cape" target="_blank">Fishbone Halloween Cape</a></td></tr>
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<a href="https://newenglandgreenrivermarathon.com/" target="_blank">New England Green River Marathon</a> is perfectly timed 7 weeks before this ultra! I'll just continue on with <a href="https://www.halhigdon.com/training-programs/more-training/ultramarathon-50k/" target="_blank">Hal Higdon's Ultramarathon</a> schedule to stay on track, maybe doing half-distance the day after my long distance runs to get used to running long stretches back-to-back. For example: 26 miles on Saturday and then 10 miles on Sunday. And I'll have to shave off one week, so I'll just skip week 21 and go right to week 22.<br />
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I'm crossing my fingers that Mike will feel motivated to "go the distance" and join me with my ultra training. He is thinking of running 15 miles on Saturday and 15 miles on Sunday for a total of 30 miles that weekend...but I'm wondering if all the excitement and magic of race day will get him to do 30 all at once!!! No pressure (yet!)!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9mF45Xmhr1oary88fnZQr4HJqkPOCL1QoWHt2-lQHKyj_fySo5zLCdz1FFqegmMcKcUCysHjMzdX23nXgb28hj3mmq0sr0iE1nGhErz2K91NOPxQN4FvXc-fdyns01qbhP9QXdpY8hZm/s1600/SeraMikeIllumiNITEPullovers.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9mF45Xmhr1oary88fnZQr4HJqkPOCL1QoWHt2-lQHKyj_fySo5zLCdz1FFqegmMcKcUCysHjMzdX23nXgb28hj3mmq0sr0iE1nGhErz2K91NOPxQN4FvXc-fdyns01qbhP9QXdpY8hZm/s320/SeraMikeIllumiNITEPullovers.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sera: <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/women/products/ambition-womens-hoodie-in-beetroot-silver" target="_blank">Ambition Hoodie</a><br />
Mike: <a href="https://illuminite.com/" target="_blank">IllumiNITE</a> <a href="https://illuminite.com/collections/men/products/early-riser-reflective-mens-pullover-in-hawaiian-blue" target="_blank">Early Riser</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So tell me:<br />
<br />
<b>What races are you signed up for this year?</b><br />
<br />
<b>What's your training plan? </b><br />
<br />
I'd love to hear! Leave a comment below!Sera Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18120417461447755328noreply@blogger.com2