Miami, Florida

Posted on February 25, 2024 by Melanie Woods

I ventured south to escape the cold, stopping in Orlando first to see family then heading down to Miami via the Brightline for a couple nights with my college roomies. It ended up being rainy and not as hot as we would have liked for most of the trip, but we still had a great time.

The Brightline

I was so excited to ride the train! It was a smooth ride and overall a better experience than flying. The ticket was only $49 with no baggage fees for carry on size items, security was a breeze, the seat was roomy and comfy, the bathrooms were ADA-compliant, and we even arrived early. I wish we had a high-speed option like this from Indy to Chicago.

The hotel

We stayed at The Edition on Miami Beach and loved it. All of the meals we had onsite were very tasty, as well as the cocktails. The spa was peaceful and my deep tissue massage was one of the best I’ve had. They had a great beachfront area with chairs and umbrellas for guests along with chairside food and beverage service. We got up early one day to watch the sunrise and I also got a run in on the beachwalk path. We could have easily spent the entire time at the hotel and been perfectly happy.

The rest of it

This was my first time in Miami so I’m glad we ventured out a bit from the hotel. We did dinners at two other Miami Beach hotels and it was giving me Vegas vibes seeing how elaborately decorated each lobby and restaurant was. Cecconi’s felt like we were in the middle of a garden and Los Fuegos had luxurious reds and randomly a gold mastodon skeleton outside. The chimichurri steak at Los Fuegos was the best bite of the trip and the waiter surprised us with mini alfajores at the end, bringing me back to my time in Argentina.

We didn’t make it to Little Havanna but did go to Wynwood Walls, which was well worth the $12 entry fee. The murals themselves were impressive, but we also had fun with the augmented reality experience some of them offered by scanning a QR code. And around the corner, we popped into The Taco Stand for a quick and delish lunch.

What I read in 2023

Posted on January 1, 2024 by Melanie Woods

This is the 10th year I’ve tracked what I’ve read and I definitely plan to keep up the tradition. Once again, there were so many good books on my list but I settled on these for my favs:

Non-fiction: The Country of the Blind; Grace; MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios
Fiction: The Bee Sting; Yellowface; Really Good, Actually (honorable mentions: Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow; Klara and the Sun)

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow – Several friends recommended this one, and for good reason. I loved it.
Women Talking – Another one that came highly recommended and is also now a movie. I wasn’t familiar with the horrifice real life story it’s based on. It’s really well written and makes me want to look at her other novels.
The Girls in the Stilt House – Would not have known this was the author’s debut novel. Set in 1920s Missippi and follows two girls whose lives are intertwined – unknowingly then quite literally after a series of terrible events.
Long Bright River – couldn’t put this one down
Bad Vibes Only – This collection of essays was funny, thought-provoking, and relatable. This line in particular stuck with me: “Every choice I made eliminated other versions of myself.
The Lost Apothecary – Another one I couldn’t stop reading! I love this style of time jumping storytelling. It sometimes falls flat in one of the stories, but this novel kept me entranced the entire time.
Every Summer After – quick, steamy read
Night Watch – Took me awhile to get into it but I liked it.
Local Woman Missing – kept me hooked enough to read in one setting
Please Report Your Bug Here – interesting concept of tech taken too far
All the Birds in the Sky – unintentionally stayed in the tech world but this time with a side of witchcraft.
I Have Some Questions For You – I’m a little over the true crime obsession and wasn’t sure how I’d feel about this fictional story with that plot element. It was powerfully written though.
Gone Like Yesterday – the premise was interesting and the writing was great. It just never quite came together for me.
Decent People – A whodunnit set in the south during the 70s filled with misdirection, secrets, and revelations
The Paris Apartment – really liked this one. Had some Only Murders in the Building vibes, without the comedy.
Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl – I haven’t seen the movie adaptation but I feel like this is one of those rare cases where a movie might be better than the book.
The Barbizon – Not the easiest read for a vacation but I loved hearing the stories of the hotel and the women who stayed here over it’s 50+ years in operation.
The Reunion – This would have been better for the resort trip. Not much to it but perfectly fine for a quick, easy romantic story
Really Good, Actually – Wow. The writing was so raw, real, and relatable.
Audition – There were some really interesting parts but overall it was too long and too detailed.
Vagabonds! – it took a bit to get into but once I settled, the stories were touching.
Never Let Me Go – It’s hard to talk about this one without giving away too much, but I liked it.
Grace – The author spoke to my work team in May and I put his book on my reading list immediately. It was so good! I was completely nerding out with the behind the scenes look at how Obama’s speeches came together.
The Summer House – this showed up in the free Prime users section and I took a chance based on the description. Quick read that kept me intrigued til the end.
The Puzzle Master – this one had a lot of elements I love
Going Zero – I was super enthralled by this one until it lost focus a bit at the end for me. Not surprised to find out it was written by a four-time Academy Award nominated screenwriter since it felt like a story you could easily see being adapted.
Yellowface – a sharp commentary on the publishing industry, cancel culture, social media, cultural appropriation, white privilege, and so much more.
Hidden Pictures – good enough for a long day of flight delays. Recommend a hard copy, not an e-reader
Illuminate – I ordered this after attending a Duarte workshop about the same topic. It was great to read through in more detail and I’m excited to have a physical copy to reference.
A Little Blood and Dancing – another one that was entertaining enough for a travel day
Kala – great for a debut novel, but felt like there were too many layers to the story in the end and it didn’t all fully work for me
The Guest – an anxiety-ridden book that almost made me hope it would end quickly. But then when it reached it’s conclusion, I was desperate for more.
Feel Free – I liked some of the essays but skimmed through the others
The Silent Patient – it was good but not as good as the hype
The Invisible Hour – read it without stopping. Loved the tribute to libraries and reading and storytelling.
The Country of the Blind – the author writes about gradually losing his eyesight and his discovery of blind culture along the way. Highly recommend!
The Bee Sting – Not the most practical choice for an international trip to bring a 600+ page hardback. But it was so, so good!
MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios – I’m not a comics book fan but I’ve seen every Marvel film and most of the TV shows. Joanna Robinson is also one of my favorite podcasters who has gotten me into things I might not have watched otherwise because of her enthusiastic, insightful commentary. This book is that and more, with so many interesting behind the scenes tidbits. Highly recommend, whether you’re pop culture obsessed like me or not.
The Hating Game – quick, steamy read
Fourth Wing – read this and Iron Flame back-to-back on vacation. The world-building was great and kept me turning the page. But I got annoyed with the main character a bit, specifically with how she approached her relationship.
Iron Flame
Let Us Descend – Had one of the most powerful opening lines: “The first weapon I ever held was my mother’s hand”
Straight Shooter – This isn’t one I would have read on my own, but I got a free copy after Stephen A. Smith spoke at work. The journalist nerd in me was very into the behind the scenes stories, and I always appreciate learning more about public personas.
Klara and the Sun – this one has been on my list for awhile, recommended often by one of my favorite podcasters Mallory Rubin. It was really good!
Wretched – A steamy, somewhat delusional tale of star-crossed lovers
Hot Springs Drive – A devastating tale of female friendship, motherhood, desire, pain, and more.

San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

Posted on December 1, 2023 by Melanie Woods

For Thanksgiving, we traveled to Nicaragua and had the unique experience of staying in a house that Dwight’s friend designed, built, and has on the market right now. It was so luxurious with lush, jaw-dropping views and served as a great home base for exploring the area.

Their neighborhood was crazy hilly so I counted two walks around there as hikes and sprint repeats on their relatively flat, long driveway as my run. We also got out on the water with Nica Sail. The coastline is beautiful, the water felt great when we hopped out in a cove, and we also saw a few dolphins and watched the sunset.

My favorite bite of the trip was tostones con queso with crema and pico de gallo from Restaurante El Timon, which also had a great view of the bay being right on the water. Hush Maderas was a bit of a climb to get to but worth it to watch the sunset. Other highlights: The breakfast we had at the house, a traditional Thanksgiving dinner at Peace & Cake, multiple meals at Tuani’s, and drinks at Nica Craft Beer (shout out to Daniela for taking care of us despite the power going out).

This was my last trip of the year and I’m thankful that I was able to visit five countries and five states.

New York, New York

Posted on November 6, 2023 by Melanie Woods

It finally happened. I finally made it to NYC! Work brought me there, but I was able to tack on a few extra days and definitely made the most of it.

The office

One thing I appreciate about our offices is that they have the same décor and general layout so no matter where you are in the world, you know what to expect and instantly feel comfortable. What makes them unique is the literal location, and our NYC tower certainly stands out being across from Bryant Park and a block away from Times Square. The view from the top floor was just a little different from the one back home in Indiana.

The eats

I didn’t research any restaurants since I knew the work dinners would be fire (shout out to Sarah and Donna who planned our team onsite!) and figured whatever I stumbled upon after that would be, too.

Zucker’s and Bagel to Sandwich (BTS) checked all the boxes of what I hoped for with my first (and second) NYC bagel sandwich
Keen’s Steakhouse has been around since 1885 and is steeped in history and tradition. The food was great and it was a fun atmosphere for our first night together.
Barn Joo had one of my favorite bites of the trip – soy garlic wings!
Connolly’s was convenient for drinks and a quick bite before a show
Los Tacos No. 1 had tasty post-show tacos
The Tipsy Baker is a “bakery by day, bar by night” so naturally I got a flight of pastries and a glass of wine for a late breakfast
Carnegie Pizza was my fist, and regrettably only, slice of the trip
Boqueria was in my hotel and the tabla de quesos y embutidos and cuvee were perfect
Cafe Un Deux Trois had me with steak frites, though I was also intrigued by the pre fixe theatre dinner
O’Donoghue’s was a solid option for killing time between dinner and a show

The sights

I focused on my top bucket list items and left very happy but motivated to get back soon. Luckily Dwight grew up in the Bronx and still has family there so it’ll happen and I’ll enjoy seeing a different borough.

Our team visited the Empire State Building which took the office tower views to the literal next level with both observation decks.
I loved The Museum of Modern Art (Starry Night! The Persistence of Memory!) but had mixed thoughts on The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The collection was incredible—I especially liked seeing progression and planning in the studies—but I was distracted by the confusing layout. And I wasn’t alone based on how many heads were buried in the maps and how many questions people asked the docents.
I ran (and later walked) in Central Park, which was one of the most iconic ways to check off a state.
I also walked along the High Line, which is accurately described as an urban oasis.
And I was literally on Broadway!!!! I can’t count the number of shows I’ve been to over my life but none have had this level of starpower.
- The Cottage was over-the-top humor that resulted in non-stop laughs. I do wish I had gotten to hear Laura Bell Bundy sing but her acting is just as good. And Dana Steingold was an absolute scene stealer as Deirdre.
- Sweeney Todd ‘s powerful chorus was thrilling and Josh Groban was great as Sweeney, but Annaleigh Ashford was incredible as Mrs. Lovett. The obvious physical comedy was hilarious, but I was more impressed by the subtle points of her performance.
- Merrily We Roll Along was a hit. I admittedly didn’t know anything about the show’s history nor was I familiar with any of the songs going in. But I would have watched anything with Jonathan Groff and Daniel Radcliffe in it. The chemistry between the three leads (we had the understudy for Mary) was so pure and genuine and wonderful. And Daniel absolutely crushed Franklin Shepard, Inc.

It was an amazing first time in NYC and I can’t wait to get back!

Southwest Germany and Luxembourg

Posted on October 19, 2023 by Melanie Woods

I’ve been thinking about this trip since the moment I found out Dwight lived in Germany for a few years growing up. We finally made it happen and took advantage of the time over there to squeeze in a lot.

Frankfurt

The JW Marriott was a great homebase. We threw our bags in the room and took off walking toward the old town square. Our first bites came from some food stands: bratwurst, currywurst, and raclette paired with pilsner and apfelwein. We also had good meals at our hotel, Paulaner Biergarten, and the super cute Liebieghaus cafe. I added Frankfurt to the list of places I’ve run (love a good river/bridge route!), we did a hop on/off bus tour, and we also visited the Stadel Museum.

Heidelberg

We could have mostly navigated by train from there, but decided to drive to give us flexibility and since you can only get to his small town by car or bus. I was a little nervous since I’ve never driven in another country. But the studying I did before leaving helped a lot (shout out to this site and this YouTuber), along with the fact that Germans are way better drivers than Americans.

In Heidelberg, we took the funicular up to the top of the mountain for some stunning views, then walked around the castle grounds on the way down. We didn’t do a formal tour, but there was enough to see on our own, including the Germany Apothecary Museum.

Kaiserslautern and Erzenhausen

For the nostalgic leg of the trip, we stayed at the cozy Barbarossahof Hotel. We ended up eating dinner at the hotel both nights since it was convenient but also super tasty. They had some of the best schnitzel I’ve ever had and randomly a really good turkey caesar salad.

We stopped by the church they went to and walked around Kaiserslautern a bit before driving over to Erzenhausen, the 700-person town where they lived. It looked like a scene out of a movie—totally picturesque, situated among rolling hills and farmland—and was definitely a highlight of the trip.

Moselle River wine region and Luxembourg

The other highlight for me was visiting the wine region along the border of Germany and Luxembourg. We did a tour and tasting at Caves St. Martin, learning a few new things about the process of making cremant (their version of champagne), and did a tasting at Domaine Vinselle. In hindsight, I would have loved to stay one night here since it was such a beautiful area and I loved the cremant, but we ventured on to the capital city.

Luxembourg delivered the quintessential European city experience. We stayed at Hotel Parc Beaux-Arts and had a good dinner there the first night. Le Chemin de La Corniche lived up to its nickname as the most beautiful balcony in Europe. Nathalie Bonn’s Chocolate House put a unique spin on hot chocolate. The Museum of History and Art was interesting but we could only visit half the floors since the elevator wasn’t working. We had drinks at one of the oldest bars in town, dinner at the more modern Urban, and a great final lunch at Oberweis. And I ran through a few parks and across a bridge, naturally.

Our last night of the trip was uneventful at the Frankfurt airport Marriott but they had a nice dinner spot and it was convenient for our early flight home the next morning.

It was an amazing trip, so good to be back in Europe for the first time since the pandemic, and especially wonderful seeing where Dwight lived as a kid.

The journey continues

Posted on September 17, 2023 by Melanie Woods

To borrow from my Monumental 5k race recap, I’ve had quite a health and fitness journey over the last 12 years…

In 2011, I lost over 75 pounds.
In 2012, I ran my first half marathon then started crossfit.
I’ve since ran 15 halves and one full and am over halfway to my goal of running in every state (plus every country I visit).
My weight has fluctuated a bit throughout all that, increasing when the pandemic hit.
I got covid in March 2021 the day before my age group became eligible for the vaccine. I had long haul symptoms for a solid nine months and was diagnosed with “exertion intolerance.” Basically doing any exercise put me on the couch the rest of the day. It led to depression and about 40 pounds of weight going back on. Ten years of work felt totally erased.
In 2022, I started getting back into working out. Some stuff came back relatively easy, like weightlifting, but some stuff was still challenging, like running.

The 5k was an emotional return to racing that I think planted the seeds of wanting things to change for real. I was tired of not feeling good about myself and not happy with how much I turned to drinking to deal (or more realistically, not deal) with everything.

In January, I set three goals and I’ve been tracking my progress in a Google sheet (one tab for daily totals of the current month, one tab for monthly totals for the year):

Drink less days than more
Get outside more days than less
Exercise more days than less

I realize these aren’t very specific, but that was intentional. I knew it wouldn’t be realistic to never drink again, and that’s not really something I want to do. I just needed to reset my relationship with booze. And I very purposefully didn’t include a weight loss goal since I know how easy it is to fixate on that. I debated whether I should even weigh myself but settled on doing it once a week, starting at the end of January.

In the 259 days so far this year, I was sober for 200, got outside for 216, and exercised on 197. And as of September 15, I am down 30 pounds.

It’s taken a lot longer than it did in 2011, but I’m doing it in a much healthier way that I hope is also more sustainable since it’s about more than just the number on the scale. I feel better on so many levels but there’s still more work to do.

I’ve lost all the post-long haul covid weight but still have 15 more to go to get to my pre-pandemic weight. And while the weight may be gone, the long haul impacts are still there. My average running pace is still several minutes slower than before. My symptoms randomly come back; today, for example, I’m having trouble getting a full breath and took some B-12 after my workout to help. And after the wildfire smoke completely demolished me after only 20 minutes of exposure back in late June, I now check an air quality app every day before leaving the house.

I believe that I can get these final 15 pounds off, but I’m not setting any expectations on when. I’m just taking it week by week and seeing where this journey takes me.

Summer 2023 getaways

Posted on September 9, 2023 by Melanie Woods

The last few trips we took were only a few nights each and had specific reasons for going there, so I combined them into one post with highlights for each location.

Grand Bend, Ontario

Fun fact: Every time I’ve visited Canada, it’s been on Canada Day. This trip (my third), was for a wedding. Grand Bend has the classic lake town vibes—Main Street lined with shops, bars, restaurants, and multiple putt putt courses. Sadly we didn’t have time for Jurassic Par but did end up at Willie’s Beach Bar the first night and on Canada Day for the fireworks and festivities.

The wedding was at the Oakwood Resort, where we also stayed. Dave’s Pub & Grill has a solid menu and a balcony that overlooks the golf course, and Tim Hortons is a quick walk or car ride down the street. We also had access to a private beach a couple blocks away from the resort which was a nice break from the Main Street crowds.

Tip: if you’re in a wheelchair or have mobility issues, I recommend staying near Main Street where it was flatter and the beach was easier to roll or walk onto.

Orlando, Florida

A week later, we traveled in the opposite direction for my cousin’s wedding and stayed at The Celeste. We loved every aspect of the hotel (gym, pool, restaurant, courtyard) and the space-themed decor and lobby art. I also ran through UCF’s campus one morning, which abuts the hotel.

The best part though was being with my 91-year-old papa. He lives about an hour away from where the wedding was so I booked him a room too and drove us around all weekend. He couldn’t stop talking about how cool and relaxing the hotel was and how he didn’t want to leave me. I am so, so grateful for that extra time with him.

San Antonio, Texas

We went down for Dwight’s brother’s Air Force graduation festivities. Staying at the TownePlace Suites was convenient for seeing some of the Riverwalk and getting a quick glance at the Alamo. We didn’t have a ton of time to explore, but had some good bites and drinks at Smoke Shack, Devil’s River Distillery, Voodoo Doughnut, Alfredo’s Gelato, and Real Real Jamaica.

Pittsburgh

This was my third time visiting Pittsburgh, and our second going to see Dwight’s friends. We always eat well there and this trip was no different, starting with Di Anoia’s Eatery and one of the best bread appetizers we’ve ever had followed by drinks at Kingfly Spirits. The next day we drove out to Chalkhill for camping-adjacent activities (aka we set up in Shellie’s brother’s quiet, secluded backyard in the mountains). We stopped at Pappy’s Takeout for lunch and also picked up some meat at Stone House Butcher & Provisions to grill back at the house. From there, we explored the Ohiopyle area, getting breakfast at Bittersweet, wading into the river (avoiding the water snakes and spiders!), and ending with some ice cream from the general store.

On the way home, we took a not-long-enough pitstop at Reverly Tavern to see my college roomies. Highly recommend the Nashville Hot Chicken Dip–the pita bread that came with it was so good!

These were all great trips in their own way but I’m excited for our next adventure that will be longer and overseas. Stay tuned!

What I read in 2022

Posted on December 30, 2022 by Melanie Woods

When I went to publish this post, I had to double check that the Harry Potter reunion special did, in fact, come out in 2022. That felt like a lifetime ago. It was a great year of reading though. I had several contenders for favorites, ultimately settling on:

Non-fiction: She Said by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey, Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara
Fiction: True Biz by Sara Novic, The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams

Covers of the four books I listed as my favorite

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – after watching the reunion special on HBO, I couldn’t help but dive into a re-read for the umpteenth time.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Prizoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
The Maid – this one had a lot of hype but lived up to it. Enjoyable read, especially being poolside on vacation.
A Net for Small Fishes – I enjoyed this based on real life story of two women in the early 1600s forming an unbreakable friendship and navigating the burdens of women in that era.
My Dark Vanessa – this is a tough read, but does a god job examining the complexity of being a young sexual abuse victim.
How to be Perfect – I love every show Mike Schur has been involved in. This book is inspired from The Good Place, which I’ve watched in its its entirety multiple times (and finally got my boyfriend to start watching after I got this book!).
Beautiful World, Where Are You – just like Normal People, she’s captured her characters in such a real, raw way.
A Simple Favor – I saw the trailer for the movie adaptation when it came out but never watched. Decided to give the book a chance. Luckily it was a quick read since I didn’t care for it.
The Turn of the Key – I liked other books from her, but this one was just okay.
When Women Ruled the World – A fascinating examination of six Egyptian women who rose to power. I recognized two of the names going in, but learned so much more about them and the others.
Edinburgh – this was well written but tough subject matter.
Girl in Ice – I was initially hooked by the premise of a linguist trying to communicate with a girl who woke up after being frozen to death in ice. Nerdy, sure, but it took me back to my grad school days a bit when I studied some linguistic theory and the power of words. That aspect of the novel was the part that kept me reading, with the rest just being okay.
The Cartographers – “What is the purpose of a map?” The answer might seem straightforward but this story turned that upside down in a unique way.
The Night Shift – this was a quick read that I mostly liked but it felt like it ended a little too abruptly.
The Glass Hotel – I’ve had this one on my list for a while. I really liked this it and read it in one setting.
Verity – this was also on my list forever and I read it in one setting. It was a legit thriller but the ending was just sad more than twisty to me.
The Overnight Guest – started out strong and mostly kept my attention/interest.
The Last Thing He Told Me – really enjoyed this one. It kept me hooked and none of the reveals were too obvious.
Great Circle – loved this look at a fictional female pilot. She was so interesting and inspiring, I immediately googled after finishing it to see if she was real.
Pachinko – I heard the tv adaptation was really good but I wanted to read the book first. I couldn’t put it down. The show ended up being good but not as good as the book.
Finding Me – I had no idea Viola Davis had been through so much.
These Silent Woods – a captivating story about PTSD and grief that was just the right length.
By Her Own Design – so glad to have stumbled across this in an airport bookstore. Highly recommend this fictional story based on the life of Ann Lowe, the black fashion designer who created Jackie Kennedy’s wedding dress and so many others for high society.
The Summer I Turned Pretty – I heard a lot of hype about this one and wanted to read the books before watching the show. They were very quick reads but good.
It’s Not Summer Without You
We’ll Always Have Summer
Stay Awake – very strong Memento vibes, but I didn’t mind since I loved that movie.
Just Like Home – Vera’s mother is dying so she returns to her childhood home where terrible things happened. I read this disturbingly good read in one setting.
Several People Are Typing – quirky premise but didn’t quite deliver
The Lost Girls of Willowbrook – based on a true story about the horrific conditions of a Staten Island institution.
The Minaturist – I kept waiting for it to pick up but it was meh to the end.
How the Future Works – good read for companies trying to define and navigate flexible work.
True Biz – this was a fictional story but provided such great insight into the Deaf community – its history, challenges, nuances, and more. I wasn’t ready to leave the characters when the book ended.
The Night Shift – I liked this one a lot. Jean recently left her 9 to 5 and became a bartender with a second super late night job at a bakery. She discovers shortcuts that help her move through the city quickly, but have a darker element to them.
The House of Fortune – I got on the library waitlist for this one at the same time as The Miniaturist. Decided to read it but felt the same as the first one.
The Dictionary of Lost Words – I absolutely loved this fictionalized telling of the people who published the Oxford English Dictionary and thought a lot about my master’s thesis while reading. From the author’s note: “This book began with two questions: Do words mean different things to men and women? And if they do, is it possible that we have lost something in the process of defining them? [It’s] my attempt to understand how the way we define language might define us.”
How to Read Now – a collection of essays that examines the politics and ethics of reading, but really consuming art of any kind.
We Ride Upon Sticks – I loved the way this was written. Timing also worked out that I read it just after Halloween .
She Said – the journalism major in me was enthralled by the story of how they reported the story. The feminist in me was cheering for the relentless pursuit of accountability.
I Found You – fine for an airplane read
Bones and All – the movie trailer looked interesting so I wanted to read the book first. It was just okay though – wouldn’t recommend it.
Unreasonable Hospitality – I am slightly obsessed with the inner workings of restaurants, despite never having worked at one and or having any skills whatsoever when it comes to cooking. I loved the behind the scenes stories this book offered but was also really inspired. It’s the best book on leadership, teamwork, and creativity that I’ve read in a long time.
Feral City: Finding Liberation in Lockdown New York – NYC experienced the pandemic in a way maybe no other U.S. city did, but there was so much I could relate to from his observations.

On the road in New Mexico

Posted on December 21, 2022 by Melanie Woods

My goal to run in every state influences where I decide to vacation, usually favoring a new state over somewhere I’ve already been. Our recent trip took us back to New Mexico, and even though I didn’t inch closer to my goal, it was great to see more of a state we fell in love with last year.

Our three-city tour started with two nights in Truth or Consequences, then one night in Alamogordo, and ended with two nights in Albuquerque. I was worried it would be too much driving, but the beautiful views helped and each area offered something different. The only thing I might change is adding one more night in ABQ or at least staying outside of the touristy Old Town area.

Truth or Consequences

Riverbend Hot Springs was absolutely idyllic. We had unlimited access to seven pools that ranged from 101 to 107 degrees and looked out over the river and mountains. It was the most relaxed I’ve been in a really, really long time. We also went to El Faro (twice) and T or C Brewery, and I got a run in on the Healing Waters trail.

Alamogordo

White Sands National Park isn’t something you can properly describe or capture on camera; it must be seen to be truly experienced. Walking up the dunes and only seeing white for miles and miles is very surreal, a bit off putting, and totally enthralling. We stayed the night nearby to break up the drive and enjoyed a nice dinner and drinks at Lescombes Winery and Bistro.

Albuquerque

The Sandia Peak Tramway is an experience in itself, capped off by the views up top. We popped into Ten 3 for a couple appetizers and a delicious gin toddy to warm up before the return ride, which happened to fall as the sun was setting.

In Old Town, we visited the Albuquerque Museum, did tastings at Noisy Water Winery and Sheehan Winery, and ate at Sixty Six Acres and 12th Street Tavern.

New Mexico delivered once again, and the trip pushed us to finally start watching Breaking Bad for the first time. It’s been fun to see if we recognize any of the filming locations and soak up the mountain views a little more.

Monumental 5k

Posted on November 11, 2022 by Melanie Woods

On November 5, I ran my first race since getting covid and dealing with long haul, and my first non-virtual race since the pandemic. It was way more emotional than I anticipated so I thought I’d process some of that here.

Some background

In 2011, I lost over 75 pounds.
In 2012, I ran my first half marathon then started crossfit.
I’ve since ran 15 halves and one full and am over halfway to my goal of running in every state (plus every country I visit).
My weight has fluctuated a bit throughout all that, increasing when the pandemic hit.
I got covid in March 2021 the day before my age group became eligible for the vaccine. I had long haul symptoms for a solid nine months and was diagnosed with “exertion intolerance.” Basically doing any exercise put me on the couch the rest of the day. It led to depression and about 40 pounds of weight going back on. Ten years of work felt totally erased.
This year, I’ve been getting back into working out. Some stuff came back relatively easy, like weightlifting, but some stuff is still challenging, like running. My average pace has been 2-3 full minutes slower and I’ve only ran 5 miles twice since getting covid.

Some good things from race day…

Standing in the corral with a hat and poncho on

The forecast was rainy with 14 mph winds. Outside of temporarily forgetting how to dress—it’s been three years since my last non-virtual race—the weather didn’t even phase me. I’ve ran in worse for longer distances.

I wasn’t sure if I would ever want to race again after getting covid, but I was excited once I got moving. It felt great to push myself again and feed off the energy of the community.

Me at this same weight back in 2010 before I originally lost it all never would have been out there doing a 5k. I could have walked that distance but not run it, and not likely at the pace I finished in.

…and some other thoughts

Race finish print out. 32:11 with 10:21 average pace

I was on the verge of tears several times that morning, but started actually crying when I saw my time. On one hand, I’m super proud of the pace I hit. I haven’t been timing myself much but when I have, it’s been 11:00 minutes or slower. Hitting a 10:21 average and feeling like I had a little more in me is unreal, especially thinking about where I’ve come from since the exertion fatigue diagnosis.

But 10:21 for a 5k?! And the fact that I was even running the 5k and not the half?! Pre-covid I would have been so disappointed in that. 10:00 used to be my warm up/chill pace so I would have pushed for a lot faster.

I didn’t wear a watch. I thought about it at the last minute but it wasn’t charged, which I think ended up being for the best. I let my body run what it felt like it could rather than being wrapped up in all that.

I got hyped when I made the final turn and realized I had enough left to sprint. But then equally disappointed wondering if I could have pushed it more throughout and finished with a faster overall time. But that’s how it always goes and something I would have been battling even without the covid of it all. Go out too hard and you may not be able to hold on. Reserve too much and get upset that you could have finished faster.

At the end of the day, I know I should be proud—full stop. I’m working to get there and quit comparing myself to my past. I want so badly to feel like “me” again, but maybe I need to redefine what that even means. I went through something life changing so I literally need to change my expectations of life. For now, I’ll keep putting one foot in front of the other and see where it takes me.

Some thank yous

Dwight: My brain is a scary place and you have to hear me overanalyze everything and be overly critical of myself day in and day out. Thanks for always listening.
Dad: Every race, no matter how big or small, you are by your phone waiting to hear how it went. Sorry this time it was mostly just me sobbing. Covid has turned me into a crier but that convo felt like almost 1.5 years worth of emotions releasing.
Sarah and the team at Myo-Fit: I would be in way worse shape without our monthly maintenance appointments and pre/post-race tune ups.
Bri, Brian, and Laura: Thanks for waiting in the rain to watch me finish. It was a super fun boost at the end. And congrats Brian and Laura on your own race!