I Live My Love
![This weekend started out rough (there were tears by 9am on Saturday!) - brought on by a DNF at the Brooklyn Half marathon. (Long story short, I kept a slightly faster than easy pace for the first 5k, but then tried to pick up my pace and when I try to run faster, I change my stride length. These longer strides tug on my IT band/oblique/love handle, and after a few miles of this, I was in tons of pain [enough that my whole body was shaking and running was extremely uncomfortable/not fun]. Since the most important reason I run is to have fun, I pulled the plug before mile 6 and hopped a train to meet the husband at Coney Island. Ironically enough (thank you, Universe, for this cosmic intervention), the D, N. and F trains all run from Coney Island. Hah.
After lots of thought (an hour and a half ride home will do that to you), I realized that all the long, slow runs I’ve been doing, and skipping all the hard runs (speedwork, hills, etc), doesn’t bode well when I try to pick up the pace, even slightly. I obviously have some sort of muscle imbalance, and some stride issues (since I am constantly having some sort of injury/pre-injury). When I run fast, I extend my legs further, and that tugs on my core. It’s obviously all not about speed (in fact, I’m kinda out of my PR’ing mindset - and have been for the last year or so), but I want to be able to pick up the pace and not feel like I’m going to die.
The rest of the day was spent doing grown-up things (like housework, yardwork, laundry, etc) and wanting to go for a run (the mid-afternoon rain showers would have made for a great running adventure, but since I was walking around the house with an ice pack attached to my hip, and I just DNF’ed a few hours earlier, I figured rest would be best).
Sunday was my favorite kind of day. I ran (or more like slow jogged) the Color Me Rad race with my mom and sister. We had a wonderful time, dancing in the bursts of color, pausing to take photos, and getting as messy/colorful as possible. We then went for breakfast at an awesome cafe, where I had a delicious Eggs Benedict with pulled pork and goat cheese (holy yum!) and then went to a local running store where my mom replaced her shoes. (Side note - I totally experienced shoe envy at the awesome neon colors out there right now! I stocked up on shoes last fall/winter while my favs were on sale but man, mine are so boring in comparison!) I came home, showered, and went to Trader Joe’s - where I bought ALL THE FOOD. Seriously. The back of the car was full.
The evening ended with some quality time with the husband and dogs, where they reminded me, that yes - blondes have more fun.
I started the weekend by bawling but ended with tears in my eyes from laughing so hard. Such is life, right?](http://25.media.tumblr.com/280fcb372b5547267be3c64da0437132/tumblr_mn3qjfMKph1qb8906o1_500.jpg)
This weekend started out rough (there were tears by 9am on Saturday!) - brought on by a DNF at the Brooklyn Half marathon. (Long story short, I kept a slightly faster than easy pace for the first 5k, but then tried to pick up my pace and when I try to run faster, I change my stride length. These longer strides tug on my IT band/oblique/love handle, and after a few miles of this, I was in tons of pain [enough that my whole body was shaking and running was extremely uncomfortable/not fun]. Since the most important reason I run is to have fun, I pulled the plug before mile 6 and hopped a train to meet the husband at Coney Island. Ironically enough (thank you, Universe, for this cosmic intervention), the D, N. and F trains all run from Coney Island. Hah.
After lots of thought (an hour and a half ride home will do that to you), I realized that all the long, slow runs I’ve been doing, and skipping all the hard runs (speedwork, hills, etc), doesn’t bode well when I try to pick up the pace, even slightly. I obviously have some sort of muscle imbalance, and some stride issues (since I am constantly having some sort of injury/pre-injury). When I run fast, I extend my legs further, and that tugs on my core. It’s obviously all not about speed (in fact, I’m kinda out of my PR’ing mindset - and have been for the last year or so), but I want to be able to pick up the pace and not feel like I’m going to die.
The rest of the day was spent doing grown-up things (like housework, yardwork, laundry, etc) and wanting to go for a run (the mid-afternoon rain showers would have made for a great running adventure, but since I was walking around the house with an ice pack attached to my hip, and I just DNF’ed a few hours earlier, I figured rest would be best).
Sunday was my favorite kind of day. I ran (or more like slow jogged) the Color Me Rad race with my mom and sister. We had a wonderful time, dancing in the bursts of color, pausing to take photos, and getting as messy/colorful as possible. We then went for breakfast at an awesome cafe, where I had a delicious Eggs Benedict with pulled pork and goat cheese (holy yum!) and then went to a local running store where my mom replaced her shoes. (Side note - I totally experienced shoe envy at the awesome neon colors out there right now! I stocked up on shoes last fall/winter while my favs were on sale but man, mine are so boring in comparison!) I came home, showered, and went to Trader Joe’s - where I bought ALL THE FOOD. Seriously. The back of the car was full.
The evening ended with some quality time with the husband and dogs, where they reminded me, that yes - blondes have more fun.
I started the weekend by bawling but ended with tears in my eyes from laughing so hard. Such is life, right?
7. Better Yourself. Go running. Floss. Drink more water. Take vitamins. Buy food that does not come in a box. Do push-ups. Wake up at an AM hour. Do not sleep away your weekends. Stop Googling that spot on your arm. Read books. Learn an instrument. Think of others. Stop blaming other people. Stop blaming yourself. Turn your strengths against your weaknesses. Turn your hatred of every missed word or tarnished day into the next day. Do not merely need to do better; actually do better.
Say It, Do It (week of 5/13)
- Work Out: 3 super easy runs (it’s taper time for my half this weekend!), a strength session, a yoga class, 1 full rest day, the Brooklyn Half Marathon (yay!/eeeek?).
- At Work: Cross things off my list. Be proactive.
- Eating: Plan meals! (Which as of today includes the following: Monday - big salads using up misc. things in the fridge; Tuesday - salmon burgers with Fiesta Bean salad; Wednesday - Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Soup, Thursday - pasta with whatever’s in the fridge, Friday - in BK for the half marathon. Pack my lunch every day, including leftovers or Sweet Corn, Bacon, and Scallion Green Yogurt Chicken Salad.)
- At Home: Pick up the house. Put away the laundry. Brush the dogs, ‘cause their fur are starting to make tumbleweeds in the house. Stretch and ice and foam roll every day. EVERY DAY.
I started today by sleeping in (yay for taper and yay for 6am wakeups when the sun is already out!) and drinking a big ol’ latte. Even though I’m fighting some dark under-eye circles, I’m ready to start this week.
Smile Friday (the ‘Remember When I Rode A Bike Across The Golden Gate Bridge?’ edition):
It’s hard to believe this was a year ago!
I’m choosing to remember this trip as a vacation to San Francisco/Northern California, rather than the time I signed up for, yet did not run, the Big Sur Marathon.
Here are a few of my favorite things on this gorgeous, spring Friday:
- Half-priced Starbucks frappuccinos: The husband and I stumbled upon these last weekend and I’ve managed to sneak out of work once to grab one. The combination of caffeine and 130 calories of deliciousness in the mocha light is perfect to help me power through my afternoon.
- Varied workouts: I’ve decided to just run the Brooklyn Half for fun (rather than gun it hard and push for a PR) and now I’ve been so much less stressed, since my mindset ins’t ‘all running, all the time.’ I managed to fit in two strength sessions this week (including this morning’s workout which has left my arms and hamstrings shaky) and a yoga session. I ran go the gym for fun (without worrying about mileage or pace) and I had an awesome early morning, hilly run with a friend.
- Coming into the office late:I had to run errands and do some work-related tasks (competitive comparisons and store visits) this morning, so I pulled into the office around 10am. Getting here late has made my morning (and my day!) fly by!
- Chocolate milk: I forgot how delicious chocolate milk is (and how great it is as a post-work out treat!) My running buddy brought me one for after our jaunt yesterday and it was delicious! I need to start keeping this on hand!
- Lazy Friday night plans: My plans for tonight include going for a much needed massage, grabbing some sort of takeout for dinner - which will be eaten on the couch while drinking a margarita, and wrapping our gifts for Mother’s Day (I bought my mom this kate spade purse and these crochet Toms - although those presents are from my sister, brother and I. Think she’ll care if I keep ‘em both for myself?)
Earlier this week, I was out of town for 36 hours. This means the husband needed to fend for himself for dinner, for just one night. I casually mentioned that he should eat the leftovers in our refrigerator (which consisted of Chinese food, misc. pieces from a cheese plate - including bleu and mozzarella, a piece of chicken sausage, and pasta salad).
He decided to make a pizza out of this. Out of all of this.
The piece above doesn’t fully reflect the glory (or grotesqueness) of his creation (since there’s no sausage or pasta salad), but I think you get the idea.
Boys are weird.
Things Which I Can Never Find When Needed
- Tweezers
- Dog leashes/collars
- Lint rollers
- Body Glide
- My access card to get into the office
- Scissors
No matter how many I buy, or how many times I put these things in a “special place” where I’ll be “able to find them,” I’m always frantically searching the house - and I usually come up empty handed.
Sock bun, low cut dress, and a blazer. Pulling off a quick change (post-meeting, pre-account awards dinner), in a bathroom. My life never ceases to amaze me with it’s randomness.
This weekend was filled with running (11 miles on Saturday wearing my USTF Texas shirt that I bought at the Houston Marathon Expo), a trip to the farmer’s market, so much good food (I made the most amazing fish tacos that we ate in lettuce wraps), a trip to Starbucks for half priced frappuccinos (and I’m still so very confused as to how this was the husband’s first time trying one), and running wedding errands with a friend (where I tried I convince myself that an eternity band under my wedding band is a bit obnoxious - but I still think I want one!)
I’m now off to Minneapolis for less than 24 hours, sporting a freshly chipped manicure (even though I just got my nails done yesterday evening). I hope your weekend was the best combination of fun and relaxing too!
Please tell me I’m not the only one who keeps worn (but not super sweaty) workout clothes hanging around the house. I feel like if I washed every item of clothing every time I wore it to work out, I’d be doing far too much laundry! If they’re extra gross after a workout, they’ll get thrown in the laundry pile. If they’re seemingly okay (not stinky nor extra sweaty) I’ll wear ‘em again (no more than two to three times, max).
The husband thinks this is awful, but that’s what towel racks are for, right?
