Weekend Things

Things are happening with the house again! We had the plumber and electrician out this weekend for a few little things. They needed to get finished because insulation work starts tomorrow!

We actually started talking about paint colors today - it's happening! We aren't going to live in a construction zone forever!  :)

The plumber was going to be here early on Saturday morning, so I didn't think I would be able to meet up with my running group. He ended up having a schedule change which worked out nicely for me.

I was up and out the door early on Saturday and ran just shy of 7 miles on the trails with my group. Some of our normal trails still had snow/ice on them from last weekend's storm, so we were a little limited in our route.

I came home and lounged around with the pooch and some coffee.

My post-run clashing game is only growing stronger.

I got my race packet for the Nuun Year Dash, a virtual race that's being held next weekend. I'm not usually big on virtual races, but when it's hosted by Nuun, you know I can't say no!

There's a new flavor of Nuun coming out next week - I've heard a rumor that it's orange mango. I'm not usually big on all things mango, but I'll definitely give it a try!

Today was mostly errands and chores. I took our recycling in, which we only do about once every 6 months or when it threatens to take over the kitchen. Today's haul was 215 bottles and cans, which may be a record for us. The afternoon was spent moving firewood from the wood pile to the front porch, necessary, but no fun.

Today was also the last day of Yoga Camp. I have really enjoyed yoga camp, and I'm really impressed that I did every single day. It showed me that I can always find/make time to get a little yoga/stretching in. I'm really good about getting my runs in, but I'm also really good at convincing myself I don't have time for the other stuff.

So, what's next? Well, I'm almost definitely signing up for a free trial week of Adriene's subscription site, and we'll see how things go from there.

I may have started looking at fall marathons this weekend. Maybe.

Clashing and Running

Some randomness from my day:

My car has a little spot that is just right for a container of Nuun. 

I'm not sure I could clash any more if I tried. In my defense, I don't go out looking like this.

You can't tell, but it was snowing really hard when I took this picture.

So I quite naturally changed really quickly to go for a run in the snow. It was snowing harder than I thought it was and I had snow flying in my eyes for the first half mile. It was fun though!

I can't believe that Yoga Camp is almost over! There are only two days left, and I'm very seriously considering signing up for Adriene's streaming subscription. She has tons of videos on YouTube, but there are a lot more (and longer ones) on her member site.

I haven't done any headstands in a while. I got a little in my own head after I fell out of one last year and tweaked my neck. I decided it was time to start working on them again, because I really do like doing them. After yoga camp today I managed to kick up (near a wall, but without using the wall) into a headstand. Hopefully soon I'll get back to doing them in the middle of the room.

Buddy's ready for the weekend. He's been running with Tom a lot lately, so he's even sleepier than usual. I'm sleepier than usual too, but that's mostly my own fault since I can't seem to get to bed at a reasonable hour lately.

A Fast Run!

A quick blog pet peeve: when you have so many pops ups (ads, newsletter sign ups, etc.) I can't read the post I was genuinely interested in reading. It's the quickest way to get me to hit the x in the corner, not make me want to subscribe to your newsletter.

I REALLY did not want to run yesterday. I was super tired, and oddly sore. My training plan called for a tempo run, and I wasn't sure I was up for it.

Tom was taking Buddy out for a couple of miles, so I decided to go with them and see how I felt. Once I was warmed up, I actually felt pretty good and decided to keep going.

I'm so glad I did, because I ended up having a really good run, and even hit a 7:58 minute mile in the middle of my 3+ miles! It's the fastest I've run in a while, and I needed that boost after some lackluster runs lately.

I was definitely slow on my run today, but it was supposed to be a recovery run anyway. I'm taking it as a good sign that I'm not instantly ready to go the day after I do speed work. Maybe that means I am finally pushing myself hard enough. I definitely fall into the habit of doing all my runs at a moderate pace, even though I know you're not supposed to.

Hard days should be hard, and easy days should be easy, right? Right.

I got a new pair of slippers today (my olds ones are falling apart). They're super cozy and extra stylish with my running tights ;)

Buddy has been making paths in the snow. It's pretty funny to see his patrol area, he really follows the same track most of the time when he goes out.

Tom made pad thai for dinner last night (I helped by cutting some things and generally staying out of the way). It was a combination of several recipes and turned out really good!

Dinner tonight is pizza, because time got away from us and we didn't feel like cooking.

What are your favorite pizza toppings? My absolute favorite (lately) is onions. Tonight we're getting meatball, mushroom and onion.

Pondering Pace

My day felt backwards today. Normally I teach classes in the morning and run when I get home. I didn't have any classes until this afternoon, so I ran in the morning. It definitely made a difference in my energy level when I finished with class. It actually took me a little while to realize why I was so tired. 

My run today was mostly good. I didn't check my pace until I got home, I just ran and listened to a podcast (TED Radio Hour). I felt strong and really enjoyed myself, but I was a little disappointed in my pace when I finally checked it. 

I feel like marathon training took all my speed away last year. I know I will get it back, but right now I'm just feeling really slow. It's frustrating.

I somehow didn't take any pictures today, so enjoy watching Buddy run through the snow yesterday.

More Snow

We ended up getting around 8 inches of snow yesterday, which is much nicer than the 18 inches they thought we were going to get. 

I threw on some trail running shoes (for added traction) and hit the road for four miles this morning.

The roads were clear for the most part. There were just a few areas of slush and snow. The real danger was the people driving like maniacs through the neighborhood. One car flew by way too fast and way too close and ended up kicking a (small) rock up into my face.

Thanks.

On the bright side, it didn't leave a mark, but it definitely stung.

It was really pretty out though!

I took Buddy out to run around the yard when I got home. It doesn't take much to wipe him out for the rest of the day.

I can't believe how fast this month has gone. There is only a week left, which means only a week of yoga camp left! I'm already trying to decide what I'm going to do when yoga camp is over. I want to keep doing yoga, and it's been proven that I'm more likely to stick to something if I have a plan.

Snow Day

My training plan called for 5k at race pace today. That didn't end up happening. Barely anything ended up happening. 

The snow started at 8am and pretty much hasn't stopped. If it were just snow, I probably would have gone out for a run, but the wind made that a little lot less appealing. 

Buddy and I ran around the yard this afternoon - we've gotten a lot more snow since I took these pictures. 

It seemed like a good day to try out one of the hot chocolates that Tom's parents gave us for Christmas.

We only had jumbo marshmallows from making s'mores this summer, so I tore one up to add to my mug.

I did today's yoga camp video and 3 minutes of planks (not all at once), but otherwise spent a lot of time playing on my computer and watching Harry Potter.

There are worse ways to spend a day.

ALL the Cookies!

It's impossible for me to walk past new Oreo flavors. I can't help myself.

These ones are really good - I like the cinnamon cookie - though I do question if it's really an Oreo if it isn't chocolate.

Tom made really amazing clam chowder for dinner last night.

I may have had more than one bowl.

My run on Tuesday was 6x400m repeats at 5k pace. Every repeat was into the wind and it was super cold out, but I did it. Apparently it took more out of my than I thought it did, because my run today was insanely slow. It was supposed to be an easy run day anyway, so I didn't push it, but I haven't run that slow in a long time.

Does anyone else lounge around after a run rather than actually showering and putting on clean clothes? That's not just me, right?

Yoga camp has been great this week (and the whole month, really)! It has been more mellow and less power yoga, which feels great and has helped improve my mood on more than one occasion.

Buddy hasn't been able to go running lately because the roads are covered in salt right now. He looks so sad every time I leave without him, but I don't want the salt to hurt his paws. I also don't want him to eat any of it. I periodically chase him around the yard instead, which he seems to accept as an alternative.

He's so cute.

Windy Running

I miss my treadmill. 

The wind is SO cold right now, which makes me really miss the temperature controlled basement where my treadmill used to live. I didn't have to wear all the layers, I could just go downstairs. 

Yes, I realize that I was just saying I wanted it to be winter, but I am not a fan of the wind we have had the last few days. 

I don't mind the cold - I have gear for that, but the wind just cuts through everything. 

Running outside definitely provides a prettier view than the treadmill though. 

The 100 day fitness challenge group that I'm in is in the middle of a plank challenge. I hate planks. We're up to 2 1/2 minutes and I just cannot hold my plank that long. I made it about 1:45 today and did a couple more after for a total of 3 minutes of planks.

I know core work is good for me, I just don't like it.

Do you have a favorite way to work your core? Or do you just ignore yours like I do?

Bright Lights, Big City

I'm not sure how it happened, but the weekend got away from me again. 

One of my cousins was in town for a wedding, so we got to have lunch with him and his super sweet 11 month old. We realized it had been over 6 years since the last time we saw each other. 

Time is crazy. 

On Saturday we took the train down to the city to go to a baby shower for one of Tom's friends. Sometimes I forget how close we live to NYC, I don't have a reason to go there very often.

The party had a pretty great view, and way too much champagne.

I'm always impressed by how bright Times Square is.

Buddy was glad that we came home. He's always pretty sure we're gone forever. 

I managed to drag myself out for a few miles this afternoon, and, by some sweet miracle, Yoga Camp was only 15 minutes today. I wasn't really up for anything super intense.

My training plan is a mess this week. I pretty much didn't follow it at all, and my mileage was lower than I would like. I could come up with plenty of excuses, but I just didn't make it a priority this week. On the bright side, I did make it to the mat for all of my Yoga Camp days.

There's always next week.

Procrastination and Motivation

The thing I like about having a race to train for is that even on days where I just don't want to get out the door, I do. I did not want to do anything after work today. I spent a while laying on the bed and playing with my phone rather than getting changed into my running clothes. 

I did eventually hit the road for an easy three miles and, after even more procrastinating, I rolled out my yoga mat for day 13 of Yoga Camp. If you want/need a nice, relaxing bit of yoga today, look no further. It was awesome. 

I had to share this picture of the boys from this afternoon. They're too cute.

We made this for dinner from Blue Apron - I didn't actually manage to take a picture of it when it was done because I was busy eating it.

It was really good, and we're already trying to figure out where we can buy these little rice cakes (tteok) so we can make it again. You can check out the recipe HERE. I love that they have their recipes up so you can see them even if you don't get deliveries.

What keeps you motivated to workout? Race sign ups? Bribery? Reward system?

Buddy vs The Peanut Butter Jar

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I love when Buddy lays like this. Crazy frog legs.

He was following me all over the house and driving me crazy earlier. I gave him a peanut butter jar so he would get out from under my feet.

It worked.

So, I got another pair of fun tights. But, in my defense, they were free! Victoria's Secret was having a sale where if you bought a sports bra, you got a pair of workout pants for free! Plus, I actually needed a new sports bra. They're super comfy, and they're thicker than some of my other tights.

They apparently also glow in the dark.

I had to shift my runs around for the week so I could spend hours at the laundromat yesterday. I had put it off longer than usual, so everything took forever to dry. I can't wait until we have a washer and dryer again!

My post-laundry sock collection was pretty impressive.

These Balega socks are definitely my favorite running socks. Tom gets me new ones every Christmas. I have THESE and THESE. They're the best.

My run today was a kind of loose-y goose-y tempo run. It was only supposed to be 30 minutes, so I ran comfortably hard (such a runner term) for the middle 15 minutes. Aside from the headache I got from breathing the freezing air, it was a really nice run. As much as I always dread speed work, the more I do it, the better I feel about it.

Would you rather do speed work or run long? I will run all day long - just don't make me sprint!