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easy run

Ugh

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After the knee fiasco on Saturday things got better and then got worse.  I had a great time at the wedding (more on that later) but tossed and turned all Saturday night because my body just ached.  Not long run aches, flu aches.  I was so uncomfortable I barely slept.  I woke up feeling awful, kinda like the flu – achy, feverish, chills.  I took some Advil and we made our way back home.  We got home, I slept for a few hours, parked myself on the couch, and watched TV.  I also begged Matt to get me a DQ Blizzard (hey, there was nothing wrong with my stomach).  Since I know I can’t have the flu, I’m chalking it up to the damn tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis vaccine.  Not only does my arm hurt, it made me feel crappy…for two days!  I’m home from work today because I still don’t feel good.  This needs to end now.  I hate being sick.

Onto more fun stuff!  The wedding was a good time and Camille never looked happier.  Some pictures…

The new Mr. and Mrs.
With Amy and Albert (also friends from grad school)
A little flashed-out but a good table pic nonetheless

I Survived

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6/8/11

5 miles easy  / no Garmin

Yesterday I took my first strength training class in ages and I lived to tell about it.  It wasn’t so bad actually.  I’m a little sore today but not as bad as I was expecting.  The class did confirm that my leg strength is >>>> my upper body and core strength.  This is what I would expect when my legs do all the work and my upper body and core are just along for the ride.

The class was set-up like a circuit and we did lots of different things:  kettlebells, pilates reformer, stability ball, etc.  There were only 2 students in the class (including me) which I liked.  I was able to learn each circuit with the help of the instructor.

It wasn’t terribly difficult but I’m not sure if I want anything difficult right now.  I do have to be able to run a lot so I’d like to keep myself somewhat mobile!

Speaking of running, I’ve been getting up at 5AM to run and I’m oh so tired.  I crawl into bed at 9-9:30 every night and pass out.  I love to run in the summertime but sometimes fitting it all in is hard.  We are away most weekends until August so I find myself squeezing in as much a possible Monday through Friday so I can enjoy the weekend (weddings, shore, etc.).

How do you fit running in around your social life (or life in general)?  I know there’s no magic answer.  I used to get pretty creative with fitting in my long runs when I would have plans on both Friday and Saturday nights.  But that was back in the day (my 20s) when I used to go out much more!

Random Friday Thoughts

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6/3/11

5.4 miles easy
My legs were a little tired this morning so I used my Garmin to get to the 2.7 mile turnaround and then turned it off.  I need to go slow on easy days! 

1.  Check out these pictures from my 5K on Monday.

Finish line. Looks like I ate something bitter or just did a shot. See #121? She's the woman I sprinted past at the end.
Getting my medal. I was trying to act nonchalant (like this happens all the time) but I was really, really happy!

2.  Matt and I have date day/night – part II this weekend.  Again, it’s going to be a Hawk-friendly weekend.  Dogs parks, staying in a dog-friendly hotel (in Philly), and eating at dog-friendly restaurants.  This is completely normal, right?

3.  Head over to Kara and Alyssa’s blogs and wish them luck on their 50K tomorrow (that’s 31 miles)!  Good luck ladies!

Book Review: Kara Goucher's Running for Women

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6/2/11

8 miles easy / 1:14 / 9:15 avg pace (little too fast for an easy run)

I was thrilled when Kara Goucher came out with a running book. I’m a huge fan was hoping the book would share some of her training tips. But then again why would she share them? She’s got lots of competition and training is probably kept hush hush. Her blog doesn’t even reveal that much.

Anyway, I knew the book was geared towards beginners but I bought it anyway and read it on the way home from Ireland. Hmmmm. Well…let’s start positive with what I actually liked.

* I think if you are a beginner you can definitely benefit from this book. She does have all the classic running tips listed out and easy to read.

* I did like when she shared some of her personal stories: emotional eating and subsequent weight gain while she was injured and her decision about when to get pregnant. It made her seem…human! I won’t say anymore because I don’t want to give anything away.

* I did like her advice on running while pregnant (she did dispel some myths).

What I didn’t like…

* The Q&A sections. I swear they were written by my 16-year-old niece (no offense, Catherine). I like a cute boy in my running club, what should I do? Should I wear make-up when I run? I’m paraphrasing of course, but I felt like I was 16 again, reading Seventeen magazine! I could do without the make-up tips.

* Like I said before, I wished she would have shared more personal stories.

Overall, I give it 2.5 out of 5. And I’m still a Kara Goucher fan 🙂

I’m reading Born To Run now and so far, so good.  I’m really amazed that I like it as much as I do.

Did you read Kara’s book? What did you think?

Weekend Fun

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5/9/11

5 miles

46:55

9:23 avg pace

My mind wanted to run last week but my body apparently needed a full rest week post-marathon.  I went for a run last Friday and my quad was still a little sore.  I decided to rest over the weekend and start up again today.  I felt fine today but didn’t want to push it.

I want to get in a good “base maintenance” week (not sure what else to call it) since I leave for Ireland in a week and won’t be running while I’m over there.  Matt and I did look for races to do in Ireland and we found one – the County Clare Marathon – but it’s not going to work out schedule-wise.  We were going to do the “mini-marathon” (as they call it) of 6 miles.  A complete and total fun run.  I’m bummed.  It would be nice to be an international racer 🙂

So Saturday was our date day/night and we started off by going to a dog park in Radnor.  Radnor is a posh suburb of Philly, also known as the Main Line.  We (and our Honda) don’t fit in.

It was a beautiful day.

Hawk played around in the creek…

and looked for squirrels.

A photo shoot ensued.

After Hawk was sufficiently exhausted, Matt and I headed into Philly for drinks, dinner, and a concert.  It was a good day.

How was everyone’s weekend?  Any races or good training runs?  Tell me about it, I’m in running-withdrawal!

Friday Favorites

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4/8/11

6 miles easy

56:53

9:28 avg pace

A nice, easy run to shake out the legs for tomorrow’s dress rehearsal (that’s how I like to think of the last 20-miler before the taper).  It looks like the weather is going to cooperate too – high of 59, low of 48…that’s shorts-wearing weather!

Time for a random edition of Friday Favorites!

Saint Joseph’s University
Oh, I know this is so obvious.  But what would Friday Favorites be without one of my all-time favorite things?!  Brief background for newer readers:  SJU is where Matt and I went to college (and met).  Our dog is named Hawk (after the SJU mascot).  My brother is also a SJU alum.  We are slightly fanatical about what I consider the best school on earth.  The proof is in the pictures…

Where Matt proposed...right on SJU's campus
Post-proposal pic taken by the SJU president who just happened to be walking around campus after we got engaged.
Naturally our wedding pictures were taken at SJU. Some of our bridal party were SJU alumni.
Walking down Lapsley Lane.
We even had the SJU Hawk come to our cocktail hour!
Hawk on Hawk Hill
Standard family uniform

Nuts, right?  My sister-in-law says it’s a cult.

Wawa
Wawa is a convenience store (think upscale 7-11, minus the funny smell that most 7-11s have) found in PA, NJ, MD, VA, and DE.  Wawa is awesome.  Good coffee, no surcharge ATMs, and actual healthy food options (although I often find myself in there getting ice cream).  Sorry to the folks outside of these 5 states…you are missing out.

Yes, you do!

(source)

Flats
I think I’m officially giving up on wearing heels.  OK, I rarely where heels to begin with but I’ve been wearing flats to work for the past couple of weeks.  Yesterday I wore my boots, with a small heel, and I could not wait to get them off.  Not to mention my ankles were wobbly all day.  They are just no good for you….they are torturous!  Jen did a post a few months ago about high heels, bringing up some great points why we should not be wearing them.  At least I don’t have many heels to swear off…luckily my standard uniform of Uggs, flip flops, and running shoes are all flat!

Is anyone obsessed with their college like me?

Any thoughts on heels?  Yay or nay?