I’ll take another week like that!

February 14, 2011 by 9 Comments

Last week was a good one!

There were no snow days, which meant schedules were fairly normal for the first time since the begining of January.

I got all of my planned workouts in except for an easy 3 miler which I opted to skip in favor of yoga to keep my ITB happy. On Friday, I treated myself to a Thai Massage which was heavenly and really helped to relieve some of the pressure/tightness I’ve been feeling in my hips and lower back.

Saturday night we went to a fun event to raise money for a new school playground and I walked away a silent auction winner for a pair of Vibrams! Cannot wait to get them – more on that to come.

And finally on Sunday, I got to run outside again for the first time in 3 weeks!! Without our weekly snow storm I figured the roads would be clear enough to venture out. And despite having to dance around black ice and being a bit tired (did I mention we went out Saturday night…did I mention there was a lot of wine involved?) I was psyched to say goodbye to my new BFF and get my 7 miles outside!!

On the decks for this week:
Rodney Yee's Yoga for BeginnersToday: Yoga. I was tweeting with Sage Roundtree and she forwarded a couple of her podcasts to try. I also just got Rodney Yee’s Yoga for Beginners DVD.

Tuesday: 4 miles

Wednesday: My weekly TRX/Pilates class

Thursday:  Tempo run or speedwork — with less than 2 weeks to go until the Hyannis 10k I’ve been trying to figure out which workout is more beneficial.

Friday: It’s suppose to warm up around here (read 40’s) so I’ll probably run again with some yoga as well.

Saturday: my weekly Pilates Reformer group

Sunday: my first attempt at 8 miles!

How was your week? What have you got planned this week?

Happy Running!
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Filed Under: Hyannis 10k, Pilates, Thai Massage, training, TRX, Vibrams, Yoga

Just Stylin’

February 12, 2011 by 5 Comments

The lovely Kittee over at Running Half Crazy was sweet enough to bestow this lovely award on me. Now many of you have seen this so you know the rules:

  • Make a post and link back to the person who tagged you. – If you have not checked out Kittee’s blog, please stop by and say hi!
  • Share 7 things about yourself
  • Pass the award along to 7 other bloggers
Hmm…ok…so 7 things about me….
  1. I’m mom to two little boys who are really quite the characters and keep me on my toes. It’s funny I always knew that I would be mom to boys. And, I’m accepting the fact that my house will never be quiet!
  2.  I love food! I love to cook and I love to eat. Sharing a great meal with family and friends and lots of wine is a perfect evening!
  3.  I use to own a artisan olive oil company. I love running my own business and given that I’ve lost my “self-edit” button it’s probably better that I work for myself. I’m looking for my next biz idea.
  4. I’m a huge football fan – my hubs actually gave me tickets to see my favorite football team as an anniversary gift (at the time the 49ers in Candlestick) – still one of the best gifts ever 🙂
  5. I’m an avid reader – though at the moment I’m way behind on my reading wish list.
  6. I love to decorate – a wall of paint samples can seriously make me giddy!
  7. And, yes Emz, I did play rubgy. I played in college first as a hooker (my parents are so proud!) and then I quickly wised up and got out of the scrum to play fly-half. You gotta love a sport where you beat the tar out of each other and then share a beer or two (or twelve!)

Now to pass this on…since many of you have already received this award and because I have too many favorites I’m breaking the rules and I’m not going to pick.  But if you haven’t played yet and want to, consider yourself tagged!

Have a Great Weekend!!
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Filed Under: awards, food, football, general musings, kids

Thursday Thoughts – aka 3 things

February 10, 2011 by 6 Comments

  1. A few weeks back I put out there that I was debating whether or not to sign up for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Providence Half in August. Well as some of you pointed out, RnR races are a lot of fun and with one right in my backyard why miss this opportunity? So I’ve bit the bullet and registered! Now I’ve got two half marathons on my race schedule — given that I haven’t run longer than 7 miles yet, is that crazy?!
  2. And, speaking of crazy, I’m starting to feel like a magnet for crazies at the gym….or at least bad singers! Seriously the last few times I’ve been at the gym I get the one person who wants the treadmill next to mine who feels the need to break out into song! One time might be an accident, but by the 4th time I’m starting to wonder! And it’s never the same person. Going to the gym is starting to turn into one long bad American Idol audition!   
  3. I’m going to try out Thai Muscular Therapy tomorrow. TMT is a unique combination of Traditional Thai Massage, Tui Na (Chinese Medical Massage), and Neuromuscular Therapy. One of my Pilates instructors, who also runs marathons, suggested it for my on again, off again ITB issues. I’m open to trying anything once so I figure I’ll give it a whirl!

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Filed Under: 3 things, gym crazies, RnR, Thai Massage

New Day, New Attitude

February 6, 2011 by 6 Comments

Thanks to those of you who indulged me in my little pity party on Friday – I really appreciated the encouragement!

So I’ve shaken off my mini funk, tweaked my plan and am ready to get going again! After a week off, I wasn’t sure how the run was going to feel this morning or how far I was going to go. It was back to the treadmill and after the first couple of funky miles, I finally settled in, found a rhythm and decided that running a 10k would be good for my psyche. 6.2 miles done!

This week’s revised plan:

Monday — Yoga
Tuesday — Easy 4 miles
Wednesday — TRX/Pilates class
Thursday — Speedwork
Friday — 3 miles
Saturday — Pilates Reformer
Sunday — Long Run (7 or 8)

Looking forward to a good week!

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Filed Under: training, treadmill run

Best laid plans….

February 4, 2011 by 8 Comments

The plan was to kick February off with a bang!

After a step back week, I was going to up the mileage this week, I had my strength workouts laid out and the plan was to start and end every day with a little yoga. Sounds good, right?

Yeah well…the combination of Mother Nature, early school closings, no school and the dreaded stomach bug quickly turned this week into the week that wasn’t. So now I sit here, almost two pounds lighter (but I would strongly advise against this diet approach) trying to tweak my plan so I can stay on my goal to improve my 10k time at Hyannis at the end of the month. I must admit that I’m not feeling very confident. I honestly feel like I’ve been getting slower on the treadmill….is that possible or am I just psyching myself out? Well, whatever it is I’ve got three weeks to shake it off…hmmm, better get back to tweaking….

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Filed Under: goals, Hyannis 10k, treadmill run, weather

January rewind

February 1, 2011 by 2 Comments
Good things this month:
  • Logged 56 relatively pain-free miles – ice and foam roller helped to keep the ITB in check.
  • Did not miss one scheduled run despite weekly snow storms of biblical proportion (ok slight exaggeration… or not if you listen to our local weatherman!)
  • Added TRX to my weekly routine and I’m loving it! It kicks my arse in a good way.
  • Finally took on hill work, and on the treadmill no less!
  • Added yoga to my training….ok on the last day of the month, but technically I did add it
  • Completed the first week of the Chopra Center’s 21-day Meditation Challenge. I’m not zen yet, but I’m working on it.
  • 63 of you now following my madness…er…journey — I appreciate the support!
Things I could do without:
  • Treadmill as my new BFF….I need to start keeping better company. I miss the road. I will take the bitter cold temps if Mother Nature will just give the snow show a rest!
  • Shoveling as a form of cross-training…ok I’m done whining.
  • hmmm…that’s it…short list!
On the decks for February:
  • More…more TRX, more yoga and more miles…more ice.
  • Want to do a better job paying attention to what I’m eating – I don’t eat a lot of junk, but I could fuel and hydrate better, especially as I hope to increase my miles.
  • Hyannis 10k

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    Filed Under: Chopra Center, Hyannis 10k, meditation, month in review, treadmill run, TRX, weather

    Today I learned….

    January 30, 2011 by 6 Comments


    …. how much staying up with a sick little one can take a toll on the next day’s run

    …. it is important not to short-change hydration just because it’s the dead of winter
     
    …. I should not pick the treadmill closest to the wall at my gym because there’s no air circulation

    The Bourne Supremacy (Widescreen Edition)…. how much I miss Patriots football

     …. watching Matt Damon (ala Bourne Supremacy) certainly helps to pass the time

    ….  some days running is as easy as putting one foot in front of the other

    …. and sometimes it’s as hard as putting one foot in front of the other

     …. I would be in big trouble without ice, compression socks and a foam roller 🙂

     What did you learn today?

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    Filed Under: foam roller, general musings, Matt Damon, tough runs, treadmill run

    Odds and Ends

    January 28, 2011 by 3 Comments

    I’m trying to not let cabin fever set in here! We got more snow yesterday so instead of running I cross-trained by shoveling and playing in the snow with my dog – always a good workout!

    It was back to the treadmill today – I had thought about running outside but most of my routes are still being dug out and I just wasn’t up for playing Frogger with the morning commuters 🙂 I’m just trying to look at this time on the ‘mill as an opportunity to work on maintaining a consistent pace….but I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m starting to go a little stir crazy. I’m crossing my fingers I can get outside for Sunday’s run. My hubs and I were laughing the other day about the fact that it’s turning into one of the snowiest winters on record and we’ve got a race on the decks at the end of February! Truthfully I’m really glad I’ve got this race coming up otherwise it would be just a little too easy to hibernate and wait for spring.

    Speaking of races, I’ve just added another race to my 2011 schedule. Jeff at Detroit Runner is sponsoring the “I Just Felt Like Running” virtual 5k on March 5th. He’s got a good group of participants so far and is trying to get at least one runner from all 50 states. Stop by to check it out!

    Also, I have been meaning to say a big thanks to Jake at Broken Hearted Runner for including me in his list of top Running Blogs. He’s got a great mix of blogs on the list and I’m honored to have been included. I really enjoy reading about others’ ups and downs, challenges and successes and I can always find something to draw inspiration from!

    Have a Great Weekend!
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    Filed Under: race, running community, treadmill run, weather

    Putting myself on the list

    January 26, 2011 by 6 Comments

    I am a notorious list maker and there are times when I feel like I’ve been hijacked by my to do list. Today was definitely starting to look like one of those days. Juggling the usual family routine and a long list of “must do’s” – including Kindergarten registration for my little guy – meant my usual morning run was not going to happen. That’s ok I kept telling myself I’ll fit it in later.

    As the day wore on, I was cranking along and checking things off…but I still hadn’t fit a run in yet. Then as I was checking email I spotted my reminder for the 21-day Meditation Challenge from the Chopra Center. I’ve meditated on and off over the past few years, and when I do it regularly, I find I’m calmer, more patient – plugged in. I had signed up for the 21-day challenge to get back to the practice. So I opened that email and  followed the guided meditation – it only took about 10 minutes. But when I  finished, a simple thought crossed my mind – put yourself on the list! Whether it’s going for a run or just pausing to breathe deeply, it’s important to take that time just for me.

    So it took until after homework was done and the kids had dinner, but I did get my run in. An easy 4 miles on the ‘mill and much needed me-time….check!

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    Filed Under: Chopra Center, me time, meditation, to do list, treadmill run

    Sunday 7

    January 23, 2011 by 8 Comments

    Ran 7 miles this morning – first time I’ve seen this distance in a while thanks to my irritable ITB. The 4…yes 4 on the thermometer also meant this was to be a new distance on my new BFF the ‘mill. Well, what can I say…7 miles is a long time to be on the treadmill. I mean seriously, how much Sports Center can a girl watch? At least,  watching with the sound off and my music on meant I didn’t have to listen Rex Ryan – I’m a Patriots fan after all…and yes I’m still bitter about last Sunday’s loss!

    Having now watched the ChiRunning DVD a couple of times, I tried to take today’s run a little slower and focus on maintaining my posture. It’s amazing how many times I caught myself slumping. There a couple of different “body focuses” in ChiRunning and it’s definitely going to take a little time to master all of them, but I’m going to give it a shot and see what kind of results I get. I’ll update more as I go along.

    For now, I’m off to an afternoon of Wii games with the kids and some football – bitterly rooting for the Steelers! 😉

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    Filed Under: ChiRunning, football, treadmill run