Just Keep Swimming, Swimming
This is one of my favorite pictures from the Marine Corps Marathon.
It looks like a moment from a Broadway play - they are all arranged in triangle formation behind me and will break into song at any moment:
Do you hear the people sing, Singing the songs of angry men?
It is the music of a people, Who will not be slaves again! (JAZZ HANDS!)
Yeah, I sing Broadway songs when I run so this could have totally happened!
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{Face Down all Your Fears!}
With only a few days left, my training was reduced but felt mentally intense.
I ran without music a lot and hours on the mat (at the studio and home) just made me focus on race weekend.
I tell myself nervousness is good and pressure is great - it makes you always want to be better than your previous reached goal. Here is my training breakdown:
Monday, 5/7: C2 Hot Yoga, 60 Minutes
Tuesday, 5/8: C2 Hot Yoga, 60 Minutes; 3.5 miles, 35 minutes.
Wednesday, 5/9: Hot Power Fusion Yoga, 60 Minutes
Thursday, 5/10: 5 Miles in 49:19.
Friday, 5/11 + Saturday, 5/12: REST DAY, PT + Foam Rolling
Sunday, 5/13: 3.1 Miles in 29:55 + Core Restore Yin Yoga.
11.6 running miles is over a 50% reduction from my highest mileage weeks and the four hot yoga classes kicked my tush.
Ramping down the running has left me sluggish, a normal thing according to the books I’ve read.
This week, the final few days before the marathon, I will run even fewer miles but I will sprint a lot to keep my legs bendy. I’m getting antsy and anxious and just can’t seem to relax or sleep.
At these times I have to ask - what would Dory do? She’d just keep swimming. :)
Eat With Me!
Some days are yummy from tip to toes.
I wanted to share my food with everyone because every meal hit the spot with deliciousness. Come on over peeps! :D
My morning fuel makes me very happy because I’m an egg lover now - at least the dippy kind!
Did you see the article over at Runner’s World on the benefits of eggs for runners? Pretty darn impressive that a humble egg can fight inflammation, protect your heart, and help you maintain bone strength!
I have no will-power around grapefruit. I had big plans to save the leftover half for tomorrow’s brekkie, but it called to me and became my post-run snack!
Is there a fruit you could eat all day? Grapefruit, honey crisp apples, and berries are my weaknesses - I can’t ever save blackberries or raspberries! :D
I had a late lunch and I was glad I had packed so much food - roasted zucchini with sea salt and cumin.
And a huge plate of salad greens, mini-orange, yellow, and red bell peppers, and an ounce of raw goat cheese dressed with balsamic vinegar and black pepper.
Dinner was a little different - I was craving a bowl of “cold n’ creamy oats!”
I soaked the oats during yoga and the bowl contains oatmeal, plain Greek yogurt, almond milk, and blackberry-cherry preserves. I also ate a slice of whole toast but don’t have a picture.
I dare you to make this and not think you are eating ice cream. You will be addicted!
12 Miler + Francesca Forno + New Goal Times!
Fargo marathon here we come! This week’s running had a lot of fun numbers and new time goals reached! (Click here for my training chart).
I ran 26.2 miles in total. Since I’m in my fourth week of marathon training, it’s fun to see the marathon distance on my chart. I’m such a nerd. :D
I fueled with toast and jam because pasta is one of my least favorite foods and is way too heavy for me even two days after a pasta meal. So jealous of all of you who get to enjoy it!
John and I ran twelve miles this Sunday for our long run.
We ran from Wicker Park/Bucktown, through Old Town, the Gold Coast, and to the lake-front path going alongside Lincoln Park. I’ve provided a handy map so you can see all the Chicago neighborhoods in relation to one another.
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It was so lovely today with everyone out enjoying the weather by the water and we moved our run from Saturday to Sunday so we could take advantage of the warmer temps. I love the lakefront because I can run in one long line gazing at the beautiful water.
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Everything hard in life is a mental game, and this run was great because I was able to push myself through to some better super results.
New Ten Miler Unofficial Time: 1:37:48
(My last ten miler was in 1:41)
And my New Twelve Miler Unofficial Time: 1:57:19.
I am obviously excited that things are going this well. This bodes really well for my half marathon time and hopefully, for my full marathon running.
One of my marathon books mentioned cherry juice as a post recovery drink and I had picked some up for our long runs. It is tart and refreshing after a hard workout but only time will tell if it’s actually helping!
Cherry juice contain anthocyanins which can reduce inflammation: ”one reason drinking cherry juice daily for one week before a race has also been shown to stifle runners’ post-marathon pain.” Neat, right?
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday were yoga abs days and I used Tara Stiles’ great routine.
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We’ve also started a new tradition, combining our long run with finding a new restaurant!
Last week was Big Star Taco. After this run, we took Nigel for a long walk to Wicker Dog Park and decided on a dinner at Francesca Forno.
It’s a lovely Italian spot but the meal was fantastic and even on a Sunday night, the tables were packed!
It’s definitely a date place so the dim lighting and candle light made pictures impossible but John’s dish was too pretty not too share.
I had a FABULOUS polenta with mascarpone cheese and wild-mushrooms that counts as one of the best things I’ve ever eaten in my life!
That Awkward Moment When You Are About to Hug Someone Sexy
And then you hit the mirror.
That’s right, you’ve been hit with feel good about yourself Friday! Pass on the happy, lovely people!
A day without yoga isn’t a day at all. I decided to practice at home instead of going to a hot yoga class because I felt more worn down then usual.
I’m so glad I took a break - I needed a relaxing practice and used some of the routines in Tara Stiles’ book for an hour long practice in front of the fireplace.
Nigel was my practice partner - doesn’t he look great?
He doesn’t know what the big deal is about yoga - he’s been downward dogging since before it was cool.
Can I please brag a little about last night’s Abs 365 fitness streak? As I was doing my push-ups, John said, “Babe, you look so good!”
He totally noticed me getting stronger! I used to struggle doing ten push-ups in a row and now I can crank them out!
Dinner is what happens when Fresh Picks happens! :D
Broccoli, yellow, orange, and red bell peppers, corn, baby string beans, carrots, peas, and sweet onion roasted in the oven with sea salt and pepper and dressed with a few tablespoons of spicy peanut sauce.
On the side, I enjoyed roasted tofu pillows that were seared/roasted to perfection - this meal hit the spot. Some nights, simple trumps complicated recipes. :)
When John finished his run, there was hot chocolate, snuggling, and early bedtime - BLISS IS MINE!
Stellar Workouts + 5K Speed Test!
Nigel, as a baby puppy, captures how intense my workouts have been this week- and how awesome!
I had a surprise six miler yesterday.
During that run, I decided I wanted to make my Wednesday runs my speed work day and focus on the 5K distance.
It doesn’t tax me as much as my five miler speed tests, allowing me to aggressively keep increasing my weekend long runs which I run at a fast pace (rather than a slower pace as recommended by some books).
Today, I went out on my first 5K speed test and finished it in 28 minutes. When I came home, I checked my Garmin data and apparently, this is my 5K P.R.! It’s only a little over a nine minute pace and it’s my starting point.
I paired my run immediately with a Hot Power Fusion yoga class - I haven’t taken these since I’ve mostly been doing the C2’s but it was nice to have some aggressive flows.
Hot yoga and running, goes together like a PB&J sandwich!
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What I’m really proud of though is my strength training this week.
Today and on Monday, I adapted my yoga routine along with the Tough Mudder strength training routine and created a routine I really enjoyed doing!
On Tuesday, I worked on my pull-ups and planks.
I have no pull-up strength but I read in a book that pull-up hangs, where you hang from a pull-up bar with your knees bent, are a great way to build strength. Women might need to build up to a 2 minute hang before they can do five perfect pull-ups!
I finally feel like my Abs Fitness Streak was working for me and allowing me to integrate more strength training into my regimen.
It’s a mental game - yes, strength training isn’t as fun as running or hot yoga for me, but doing these routines without rest gets me going!
My training journal is available here! Hope everyone is having a good training week!
Lululemon Mardi Glow Run + Resolutions for Lent
John sent me a notice about Lululemon sponsoring a 5K fun run for free and I was jumping for joy because it was FREEEEEEEEEE!
I hate paying for races under five miles!
It was this evening though (and we forgot about it) so when I was able to get home, I scrambled trying to get some of our running gear out since I didn’t know what John would want.
Since we were supposed to “glow” John wore a neon yellow fleece and I went all pink. Technically, I run like this all the time and I’m sure people are like, “Look at that chick in all that pink.” To which I reply:
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We both had five milers on our marathon training plan so we ran the two miles from our home in Wicker Park to the Lululemon in Lincoln Park.
I loved seeing the sun come down and passing through a different running route - really puts a pep in your running step.
They gave us glow sticks, water, and coffee and there was a crowd of about fifty people in masks, beads, and some serious costumes.
Somehow, we ran four more miles. Yes, that would not be a 5K which is 3.1 miles. The run was supposed to be between the Lululemon store in Lincoln Park and ending at the Lululemon store on Michigan Avenue at Bloomingdale’s.
John, me, and another guy surged ahead near the lake front and our merry band kept going ahead in the wrong, or “creative” direction. Apparently, lots of people split off and the people following us were sadly, also led down the longer path.
We got to the store and when I looked at my Garmin, we had run a total of 6 miles in 55 minutes. I’ll take it!
Umm…this might have happened too. But look! The pants are marked down! I also need it for a new adventure we are planning! It has “back vents for maximum air flow!” I’m out of reasons.
We had dinner at our favorite little spot near the Magnificent Mile for a quick meal, the Soupbox, where I had a lovely fire roasted veggie soup and John had a lobster bisque, with sourdough quarters for each of us.
And then we celebrated Fat Tuesday. John is Catholic and takes this very seriously, enjoying fried homemade doughnuts as a child. No fries here, but I thought ice cream is always a good decadent treat!
Yes, you just suffered from an ice-cream and sugar headache just by looking at this picture. It’s a waffle cone (my first ever!) with vanilla ice cream, warm peanut butter and chocolate and nuts. John gave me the cherry.
We didn’t enjoy it at all. :D
It was a happy day and I had a truly “fun run” - I hope I can find more of these events for us soon because it’s a great way to stay motivated for our mid-week five to eight mile runs!
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With Fat Tuesday out of the way, here is our Lenten resolution.
We will be in bed by 11pm every night - exceptions will be made for non-negotiable deadlines, outings with friends, or if we are travelling.
However, from now until Easter there will be no staying up for just one more thing…and even if we end up staying up till the wee hours, we have to be in bed by 11.
Goodnight everyone! See you all tomorrow!
I’ll Tumble For You + Morning Long Run
I woke up around 6 am this morning. That never happens on a Saturday. :)
I decided I might as well get up, take the dog out, and prep for my long run.
I started with a cup of coconut milk and pumpkin spice coffee so I could get some Ibuprofen into my system.
I made some peanut butter Ezekiel toast with blackberry jelly and this happened…
Nigel was on a different floor, in our bedroom with the door only partially open, and snuggling with John. HE HEARD ME OPEN THE PEANUT BUTTER JAR and ran to assume the position.
Cutie face got him the jar of peanut butter since it was almost done.
John heard the ruckus and decided to join us so he got some of the toast and coffee. Two and a half hours later we were off!
I ran my first ten miler for my marathon training this morning.
I completed ten miles in 1:41 and kept a nice 9:30-10:00 minute pace throughout. John ran nine and a half miles in 1:25 and we separated around mile 2. I didn’t get into a groove until then, but once I did, the run felt good.
Around mile seven, I took a really bad spill. My foot caught on something and I flew down the sidewalk.
The run was going great until that point but after the tumble, my knees felt like someone had kicked each of them. My tights tore and favorite Lululemon running gloves tore and I kept running through the mind-numbing pain.
I wasn’t trying to be hardcore. I decided that during a marathon, I might fall, and I need to train the brain to keep going.
I came home took off my tights and apparently my knees were bleeding - in fact, I lost an inch of skin on my right knee and a quarter inch on the left knee, with some odd swelling right underneath.
So. Sexy. :D
Since John finished fast, he went and brought Nigel to come meet me and the pupper ran a quarter mile with me! That’s like a half-marathon for him because English bulldogs aren’t supposed to run for too long. He came in and decided to do some hip openers. ;D
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Hope you had a great morning and your weekend is ouch free.
Be Pushed by Your Dreams And Not by Your Problems
So Downton Abbey was my awesome weekend (link contains spoilers). I have plans to watch Season 2 through the Super Bowl and luxuriate in the costumes. Oh, those costumes!
I was obsessed with Manor House when it aired and this show fills the hole in my life for Edwardian drama. The series is written by Julian Fellowes (of Gosford Park fame) and is fabulous!
As my father would say, the youngest daughter has “a face for the ages.” I think she is unbelievably lovely - and probably the most pleasant to watch onscreen. She looks like an Edwardian portrait, no?
This was a deliciously lovely weekend. I totally finked on watching The Woman in Black because I freak out when I’m home alone! Snuggles under a blanket instead with Downton Abbey! The show needs an English bulldog. :D
Marathon Training
This is the third week that I have been able to run four times for a total of 16.1 miles.
My long run this week was 6.51 miles - no knee pain during and only a mild twinge after.
Hot Yoga
I was only able to make it to four hot yoga classes this week - one advanced, two beginner, and a Core Restore, which was much needed because my run left me so tight. The increased mileage is making me a bit cautious but I need to hit six classes next week - I don’t feel right anymore when I don’t have enough yoga in my life!
My workout log is available here!
I’m 36 days into my abs routine streak and I’m making some changes. First, John wasn’t able to keep up the streak so I’ll be going it alone. This will be much easier for me to get the routine done earlier and to make it longer!
Thursday’s Routine
I focused on transitions - moving from plank in side planks without rest. And yes, I wiped out on the seventh plank! :D I hoping that by adding these quick transitions with difficult moves, I’ll get stronger and bring it to my yoga mat!
Friday’s routine was just a hodge-podge - I didn’t feel like an abs routine so I got this one done.
I did this routine on Saturday and today and it’s one of my favorites. It’s the “Ab Ripper” section from P90X and it’s such a great routine. All the descriptions are available here!
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In the following week, I will continue with marathon training and I will aim for six hot yoga classes, including a Core Restore class.
I also want to change up my abs and strength routine to serve me more - I am going to be tracking my routines in a seven day segment here. This week I will be focusing on the Ab Ripper routine and the Tough Mudder Routine and allowing myself two restorative core routines - I have to find something that will work for that!
IOnlyWearDresses Yoga-Pose-of-The-Month Challenge: Crow Pose!
One of my 2012 resolutions was to focus my hot yoga practice with a Yoga-Pose-of-the-Month Challenge, I wanted to perfect a pose, add a new pose to my practice, or extend the length of my poses. My January record for crow pose is 37 seconds - one second more than my last position record.
Crow pose is now a part of my practice and the pose is wondrous because you feel like you are flying!
Outtakes - It’s tough concentrating on the pose and commanding Nigel to get out of the frame. :D
In January, I beat my goal of fifteen hot yoga classes with eighteen hours of hot yoga classes, and this makes me so happy. I would love to complete twenty hours of hot yoga classes in February alongside my marathon training.
For February, I will be concentrating on two of my balance poses: dancer’s pose and cosmic dancer. First, I am stronger on one leg and I want to correct this imbalance and second, I hope to really use the poses to strengthen my knees for running.
Hope everyone is having a happy Tuesday!
The Breakfast of Champions + New P.R.
I was starving before bed last night and I realized my two meals didn’t equal much food - so an Indian quesadilla and some peanut butter helped me fall asleep.
This morning I was up bright and early and determined to go to an early yoga sculpt class (hot yoga with weights!). My breakfast of champions was this Clif Chocolate Cherry shot + a La Croix beverage.
I came home to this. :D Class was amazing and early yoga sculpt works with my body. I got a message asking what the difference between crow and crane pose is and I made a handy collage to see the difference!
Crow pose (kakasana) is illustrated by the first picture and not surprisingly, the youngest model. The arms aren’t straight, the feet are slightly apart, and look at the positioning of the knees - the triceps act like a shelf for the legs.
As you get stronger, you transform into a big girl crow - straight arms, feet together, straight neck, eyes down. The knees are prominently positioned closer to the arm pits - some people are strong enough to position the knees on the triceps.
Crane pose (bakasana) is a bird of a different feather. You aren’t “craning” unless the knees are in the arm pits. Even though the arms are pushed forward from this motion, they are straight and strong, the feet are together and should be pulled tightly to the bum.
I had a p.r. (position record, hee hee). Today in class, with a timer, I was able to hold crow pose for 36 seconds! I’m a juvenile crow causing trouble - somewhere in the middle of the first and second picture. :D
After class, I had my breakfast - a Chobani peach yogurt and a pear!
Hope everyone has a good morning!
