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RYAH

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 Wednesday

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Rest day!

  • I found out my bib number for the NJ Marathon is 700.  Winning!  Not only is it lucky, it’s an even number!
  • I went back to yoga last night for a 75-minute Vinyasa class with my favorite teacher, Candace.  It was a nice n’ easy class which is exactly what I wanted.  Candace does a ton of swan-dive-forward-folds (sometimes I get dizzy) and always throws in the pigeon pose at the end which makes my glutes/hamstrings happy.
  • Since my plan to cut out all sweets until after the marathon failed miserably, I am going to try portion control (imagine that).  Matt and I don’t have sweets in the house because we have no self-control around them.  So I bought ice cream yesterday (well, 2 actually) and I told Matt that we need to practice portion control and make these 2 cartons last as long as possible.  Surprisingly, Matt agreed!  It’s a good thing we’re both on the same page or we’d be out of ice cream.
  • I never posted these pictures from our DC trip.  Hawk is pretty darn cute…

Brick Legs

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3/2/11

8 miles tempo

1:11

8:52 avg pace

What the plan called for:  2 mile warm-up, 3 miles just under 8:00 pace, 1 mile cool-down

What I did:  2 mile warm-up, 3 miles (8:00, 7:57, 7:58), 2 miles at GMP, 1 mile cool-down Hell no.  After those 3 miles, I did a 3 mile cool-down.

Ouch!  I got me some brick legs.  During yesterday’s speed work and today’s tempo my legs have been so tired and heavy.  I’m sure doing 2 hard days back-to-back doesn’t help.  But last week was a drop-back week!  Shouldn’t my legs feel more refreshed?!

Then the light bulb went on during my run this morning!  Ah ha!  Noticeably absent from my fridge is chocolate milk.  I have been refueling within a 1/2 hour after my long runs (I always do) but what about my speed and tempo runs?  They are hard runs too!  I do them in the morning and then I rush to get ready and get to work.  I eat breakfast at my desk but sometimes it’s up to an hour and half after my run.  Opps.  Last week I ran hard on Monday and Wednesday and didn’t refuel properly.  This week I ran hard on Tuesday and didn’t refuel properly.  Sounds like I need to practice what I preach (note:  I did have a heaping spoonful of PB after this morning’s run.  No chocolate milk but it has protein and carbs).

Last night I went to RYAH for a vinyasa class.  My favorite teacher, Candace, was supposed to teach but another teacher subbed for her. I liked this teacher but she kept saying the word “blossom”.  Push your shoulders back and open up that chest.  Really let it blossom.  Of course, I fought the urge to giggle.  I have no idea what’s with me and yoga teachers.  I completely fixate on their words.  But come on…”blossom” is a strange word, right?  Reminds me of the TV show Blossom from the early 90s.  Anyone remember that show?  I used to love it.

Off to rest these legs with a little Gossip Girl.  Tomorrow is a rest day 🙂

 

Friday Favorites

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2/25/11

60 min yoga

I went to RYAH for their lunchtime vinyasa class today.  I walked in, rolled out my mat, and glanced up at the teacher.  NO!  Remember the mm hmm lady?  Well I totally forgot she teaches the Friday lunch class.  D’oh!  Thankfully she kept her “mm hmms” to a minimum.

Time for Friday Favorites – Music Edition!

Pearl Jam
Love, love, love Pearl Jam…and have since high school.  I’ve seen them close to 20 times.  No lie.  When they come to Philly (or in the surrounding area) I often go to at least 2 shows.  I’m in the fan club (super fan!) so I’m eligible for pre-sale tickets and can get some pretty good seats.  And don’t get me started on Eddie Vedder.  Saw him solo = amazing show!

At the Tower Theater - June 2009

For a really long time, I didn’t like any other bands.  I would just listen to Pearl Jam.  I’m making more of an effort these days to listen to the radio so I’m “in the know” musically.  I rely on my friends Michelle and Trish to tell me what is “cool”.  I don’t know what songs Katy Perry sings and I only know a few Lady Gaga songs (and this is all because of Michelle and Trish).  Matt says I haven’t updated my iPod since 2005!

A few months ago I found a band (well Matt started listening to them first) that I love almost as much as Pearl Jam (no worries Eddie, you’ll always be number 1)…the Airborne Toxic Event!

Airborne Toxic Event
This band has been around for awhile but, as I already stated, I’m a little slow in the music arena.  I cannot get enough of them!  Matt and I went to the Keswick Theater last June to see them and they were incredible.  I have been looking all over for a chance to see them again and found out they are playing at the Trocadero in May.  YEAH!  Actually, Matt was going to surprise me with tickets but I heard about it on the radio and ruined the surprise.  BOO!

I don’t have a 3rd favorite band…yet.  Maybe after I listen to the radio some more I’ll find one…

Have a great Friday!

 

 

 

I Love Yoga and Week 7 Recap

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This morning I went to the wonderful Candace’s vinyasa class at RYAH.  I feel amazing; like I never ran 20 miles yesterday.  I did lots of stretching and tiger tailing post-run and chugged some chocolate milk within a half hour of finishing.  I think the combination of those things plus yoga are responsible for me feeling so good.

Anyhow, here’s how week 7 of NJ Marathon training shaped up:

MON:  rest (flew back from SF)
TUE:  5 miles speed
WED:  7 miles tempo
THU:  rest
FRI:  6 miles easy
SAT:  20 miles
SUN:  75 min yoga and 3 miles easy (just to put me at 41 miles for the week!)

41 miles this week.  Finally.  Seems like it took me forever to get to 40 miles.  I’m generally happy with the FIRST training plan because I only do quality runs and my legs are fresher overall compared to previous training cycles.  I just can’t shake the low mileage thing.  I need to get over this.  I’m happy with where I am and should focus on that.  I feel stronger and faster than I did last training cycle.  I need to believe in the training, believe in the training…

Week 5 Recap

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Week 5 of NJ Marathon training…

MON:  rest
TUE:  7 tempo + yoga
WED:  6 speed
THU:  rest
FRI:  8 easy
SAT:  lazy rest (should have went to yoga)
SUN:  18 long (duh)

Total of 39 miles.  Finally getting up there.

Heading to a power yoga class at RYAH tonight!