Michelle

At the moment….

June 30, 2014 by Michelle 18 Comments

At the moment….

…. I haven’t been running much….in fact just 6 very slow miles last week. The good news – they were pain-free!

…. I’m going for session #2 with the chiro this morning. He believes he’ll have me fully-operational shortly as long as I do my exercises and roll daily. He’s also urging me to get off the pavement for a bit – on trails, grass or at the very least the track – a more forgiving surface would help my cause.

…. while I wish I were running more, I’m embracing what I can do now – enjoying other workouts like TRX, basketball in the driveway with my kids, walks with my injured BRF and weekly barre classes. I had stopped T25 last week, but I’m going to add it back into the mix with my chiro’s OK.

Filed Under: chiropractor, injuries, Updates

Back to the Chiro I go

June 23, 2014 by Michelle 16 Comments

So my right hip has not been cooperating…in fact it’s been downright cranky. During the course of all of our vacation adventures I threw something out of whack – I’m pretty sure it was while scaling the Dunns River Falls. I knew something felt a little off towards the end of the trip…and by the time I got off the airplane I was flat out uncomfortable.

I stretched and rolled like it was my job last week…but continued to workout (you see where this is going, right?) Pilates and T25 was fine, but when it came to my runs not so much. The hip was ok (but not great) as long as I stuck to an LSD pace…and even then, 4 miles taxing (and I could start to feel my ITB talking). This was not boding well for Sunday’s 10K. After a quick chat with Coach Bennett, I knew I would not be racing this weekend – it just wasn’t worth it to risk doing damage for a race I’d signed up for on a whim…not with fall training starting in a couple of weeks.

I’m determined to go charging into my fall training…not limping in. So, I didn’t give the race a second thought, had a great weekend, and am now wholly focused on doing everything I need to to get on top of this. I’ll be heading back to the chiro this weekend…he’s been my miracle worker in the past so hopefully he can help me get back in balance fast!

Have you ever worked with a chiropractor?

Filed Under: chiropractor, listening to your body

Back to Reality

June 16, 2014 by Michelle 8 Comments

Ah yes…after a glorious 8 days away, I’m back.

We had a fantastic vacation – spent time in some great tropical locations, got up-close and personal with both dolphins and stingrays, hiked waterfalls, snorkeled, kayaked, and spent enough time in both pools and the ocean that we should all have gills! We each got to try something new – for me it was zip-lining 🙂 And overall, we had great family time – completely unplugged! If you haven’t tried a cruise, I highly recommend it!

OK so before I get completely carried away with exclamation points…

Now it’s time to settle back into reality…and with that some form of a normal workout routine. While I do have the BAA 10K coming up on Sunday, the early weather forecast is showing that it’s going to be a hot one, so this will more likely be a leisurely run through Back Bay. Fall training doesn’t begin until next month, so I plan to spend the next few weeks focusing on core work and cross training and running without much concern for time.

So fill me in…how was your week? When will fall training start for you?

Filed Under: general musings, no training plan, vacation

Friday Five – Summertime!

June 6, 2014 by Michelle 30 Comments

Happy Friday all!

With the weather finally warming up around here, school done for one son and quickly winding down for the other it’s starting to feel like summer! So I’m linking up with the fun ladies of the DC Trifecta (Mar, Cynthia and Courtney) for a Friday Five summertime theme: “This summer I will_____________”

This Summer I Will….

Travel — With our vacation starting tomorrow, I’m off to a good start on this one! We’ll also be looking to get some shorter day trips and overnighters throughout the summer.

Learn a language — Or more specifically brush up on my very rusty Spanish. After getting to try out 3 languages this past school year, my son settled on Spanish and he’s inspired me to join him!

Train for the Fall –With two half marathons and a PR to chase, training will start in earnest in July!

House Projects — There are a number of projects I’ve had on the backburner, but with more free time available this summer I’m hoping to conquer some of them. At the top of the list – declutter and build out our mudroom.

Relax and Have Fun! — Summer is such great time to slow down, re-group and re-connect. I’m looking forward to lazy days at the beach, meals on the deck and lots of time with friends and family!

What’s on your must do list for summer?

There are so many great bloggers joining the DC Trifecta link up – be sure to stop by and check them out!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Happy National Running Day!

June 4, 2014 by Michelle 4 Comments

Happy National Running Day ~ a coast-to-coast celebration of running!

I kicked off the day with a 4-mile run before getting my youngest off to school. With the weather finally warming up and showing real signs that summer’s coming, I decided this morning would be a good time to start to make the shift back to early morning runs (that was before I realized it was going to pour this morning!) Nonetheless it was a good way to start a morning! I love that feeling of having accomplished something for myself before the day gets going and other demands take over.

So how will you be celebrating National Running Day?

A group run?
Solo time on the trails?
A little race shopping?
Purchasing some new summer running gear? 🙂

Maybe I’ll sneak another quick run in with my son this afternoon – he wants to start training for his next 5k! And you know I love hearing that!

What have you got planned for today?

Filed Under: Nat'l Running Day

Friday Five: Run to Remember Race Recap

May 30, 2014 by Michelle 12 Comments

Over Memorial Day Weekend I ran what has really become one of my favorite races – Boston’s Run to Remember!

I’ve been trying all week to get around to writing a race recap but it kept slipping further and further down my to do list. So instead of my typical recap, it’s coming at you Friday Five style….

Oh the Humanity! – I think the first time I ran this race in 2011 there may have been 7,000 runners total running both the half marathon and the 5-miler. This year there were 12,000 of us hitting the streets! The race announcer said if you totaled all the human mileage we’d reach half way to the moon!

Public Garden

Sights and Sounds — Police cadet chants as they ran, “Boston Strong” cheers and cow bells, high-fiving police officers lining the route and super enthusiastic volunteers! Passing Faneuil Hall, Beacon Hill, the Public Garden and Boston’s waterfront.

Keep it Simple — My runs have been so schizophrentic lately that I really had no idea what to expect from this race. My goals were simply to have a solid run and enjoy the race. Coach Bennett suggested that I just run by effort and not worry about a specific pace. For half a second I considered not even wearing my Garmin, but I knew I’m just too Type A for that! I did manage to not really look at it until I hit the final mile.

New Distance — While it was my third time running RTR, this was my first time running the 5-miler. I like this distance – it’s not quite the all-out gut-wrencher that a 5K can be. And I think it (or a 10K) makes a better pairing with a half marathon than a lot of the 5Ks I typically see (oh race directors are you listening?!)

Camaraderie and Community — From the expo the day before to volunteers throughout the course and at the finish line, I saw many friends and familiar faces — and I know there were so many more out there that day that I didn’t get to see! Despite the large crowd there’s something about this race that makes it feel very “local” if you know what I mean. I loved how encouraging runners were to each other and especially appreciated the older gentlemen who ran next to me in the final stretch. He must have sensed I was tiring – we chatted for a brief minute and then he urged me to get going and finish this thing…and I thanked him and I did!

This is race is really well done. If you ever plan to be in Boston on Memorial Day weekend, I highly encourage you to register for this one!

Do you have a favorite race you’ve run again and again?

Filed Under: #14in2014, Boston's Run to Remember, Friday Five, race report

Almost Wordless Wednesday – Cruise Edition

May 28, 2014 by Michelle 6 Comments

The countdown to vacation has begun in the RWA household! We’re a mere 10 days away from making this crazy large ship our home! Seriously can believe how big this thing is?!

We’ll be first time cruisers so any advice you want to share?

Do you stick to your workout routine while on vacation or do you take a more laid-back approach?

Filed Under: vacation

Stop Apologizing for Your Running

May 22, 2014 by Michelle 16 Comments

“I just a beginner”

“I only run 5Ks”

“No it was just a half (marathon)”

“Um I run but I’m really slow.”

Any of those phrases – or some version of them – sound familiar?

Why do so many of us feel

the need to apologize for our running?

Of late, when talking with other runners I feel like more and more people feel the need to explain/justify their runs. I caught myself doing it yesterday when someone asked me if I was running a half marathon this weekend and I answered “No just a five-miler.” – Why the need for the “just?”

If you have made a commitment to yourself to run – then you are a runner. Period. Celebrate your efforts and stop feeling the need to apologize!

Filed Under: no excuses, observations

Training Check-in Week 11

May 19, 2014 by Michelle 8 Comments

It’s Monday again and time for my final training check-in before Boston’s Run to Remember 5-miler this Sunday.

So here’s how last week went (Actual in blue)

Monday: Cross training — Took an extra rest day

Tuesday: 6 miles with negative split on 2nd 3 — Done

Wednesday: Rest day — Pilates Barre class

Thursday: 6 miles with 10 x 300m repeats — 4.6 miles with 10 x 300m repeats

Friday: Rest day — Done (and so needed after those repeats!)

Saturday: 6 mile LSD — 6 miles

Daily: rolling — Done!

A week ago I got a little ambitious in my Pilates class doing “Swan” and tweaked my back, so I decided to put T25 on the shelf last week and was diligent about my yamuna rolling. It paid off as I had no linger affects and could get my runs done. With the race on Sunday, I’ll be logging less miles this week so T25 will be back on the plan. Still haven’t figured out my goals for Sunday – I’ve got some RP miles on the plan for tomorrow so I’ll see how that goes.

How was last week for you?

Filed Under: Boston's Run to Remember, training

Five Reasons to do Pilates

May 16, 2014 by Michelle 21 Comments

How is it Friday again already!? I feel like we’re just streaking through this month!

Well today I am once again linking up with the Courtney, Mar and Cynthia, the DC Trifecta for their Friday Five link-up. This week’s the ladies are asking everyone to share their “Five Reasons to….”

Now that I’ve returned to my weekly Pilates classes I cannot believe I ever stepped away from it! In my opinion there are many reasons to do Pilates – especially if you’re a runner…but here are a few:

1) Builds Core Strength — Pilates focuses on strengthening your core muscles which is critical not only for runners, but really to perform any function.

2) Aids Muscular Balance — The repetitive motion of running (or many other sports, like golf for example) can create muscle imbalances. Pilates’ whole-body approach works to correct any imbalances and helps you to re-align your body.

3) Can be Adapted for Almost Everyone — With a wide range of exercises and modifications, Pilates offers something for everyone. I can attest to the fact that I did Pilates all through my pregnancy with my youngest son – right up to a week before delivery! I’ve had both seniors and 20-somethings in the same class with me. I’ve also had friends who were injured who used Pilates as part of their PT.

4) Improves Posture — Pilates both strengthens and lengthens your spine, and with its focus on core strength and proper alignment, you will see an improvement in your posture.

5) Offers Mind-Body Awareness — My Pilates instructor is always emphasizing the importance of the total attention necessary to activate various muscle groups as you move through the various exercises. Pilates founder Joseph Pilates spoke of “the complete coordination of body, mind, and spirit.” Through Pilates key principles of centering, concentration, control, breath, and flow, Pilates believed that the mind and body work together to help the practitioner get the most out of each exercise.

Honestly, I could go on and on about the benefits of doing Pilates! I really love that it truly offers a full-body workout – building core strength while helping to develop long lean muscles, strength, balance, flexibility and an increased range of motion – what’s not to love?!