I hate the offseason. I don’t especially know how to turn myself off and away from hard training. It’s an addiction and, right now, my dealer (aka coach) is only handing out small doses. I’m trying my best to relax and enjoy this time off but, in all honesty, it’s hard for me to kick back. I’m sure this is shocking to you.

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The good news is that in this offseason I can rebuild my strength, get my nutrition on track and maybe even do some yoga. But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves…

WEEK OF OCTOBER 3, 2016

RUNNING

Coming off of the Leaf Peepers Half Marathon, I was riding a runner’s high. That race, although incredibly hilly, felt amazing to my legs, lungs and heart. If only I could run every race with nine of my best running friends, I would PR every time, I swear!

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The highlight of my running week was getting to run in downtown Hartford. I was there for a strength training session (see below) and took advantage of being able to run “in the city.” It was a little awkward as no one else was running and I received a lot of stares, but once I made it to the water front and though the park, it was amazing!

I also did some pool running which was much less amazing.

CYCLING

Sadly, I had two indoor sessions this week but I was just so happy to be back in the saddle that it didn’t matter much where I was. One of my rides was spilt up with core work so, every 20 minutes I was getting off the bike, which is much needed for the first few sessions on the bike trainer.

If you’re looking for a cycling interval workout (and really, who isn’t?), try this:

Warm up 10 min easy

3 sets of – – 4 min hard, 30 seconds all out, 2:30 recovery then off the bike for 1 min plank, 1 min side plank right, 1 min side plank left, 1 min bridge, 1 min single leg squats right, 1 min single leg squat left

My second indoor ride was 90 minutes so I caught the last of Sunday Morning and finally saw the Ray Donovan season four finale. That show never disappoints and this was no exception. #everybodydies

SWIMMING

There was no near drowning this week so sorry to disappoint. My coach actually gave me a break and set my intervals at breathable levels. Bless her.

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STRENGTH TRAINING

A local gym reached out to me to see if I wanted some killer strength training in exchange for some props on my blog. It’s perfect timing because my strength training has been non-existent for the last six months or so and, the offseason is the perfect time to get back in the game. So, until Barre starts up again, I will be taking a beating getting strong at Boundless Performance in Hartford.

Me and my trainer Hannah who is super sweet, even while kicking my butt, which is incredibly hard to pull off…

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I’ll be writing a few posts about my experiences and the owners and trainers but this is a little taste.

For the record, I absolutely loved the assessment and workout and was sore for days. Days!

FUEL

As everyone found out at Rise.Run.Retreat (although it’s no secret) I hate to cook. How did they find out? We were tasked with making a meal from Chef’d as one of our dinners. Lest you think it was all glamorous at this retreat, this night we had 10 women making three different recipes, each enough to feed 10 people, while scrambling around a kitchen made for two.

It was totally worth it.

My favorite of the three was this salad. As far as salads go, it was the best I have ever had. Seriously. It’s way more than a salad, it’s a meal. I already ordered it for next week.

Arugula Salad with Gorgonzola Vinaigrette | Chef’d

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[Tweet “One of the best meals @riserunretreat via @get_chefd #foodisfuel”]

GEAR

After once again experiencing massive, painful chafing from the heart rate monitor my coach insisted I wear during last week’s half marathon, I decided it was high time I tried to use the Victoria’s Secret sports bra with the snap on heart rate sensor. It had been sitting in the back of my drawer for about a year. I have issues. I know.

Guess what? It’s freakin’ amazing! Guess what else? I don’t think they make it anymore. I found exactly one on Amazon and it was like a 42 double D which is not quite my size. #Icouldliveinabrathatsize

I did find one from Adidas so I ordered it up and will let you know if it’s just as good.

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You simply snap your monitor onto the front (my Garmin worked with it), wet the built in strap underneath and presto! It’s accurate and the bra is machine washable. Just be sure to take the monitor off first!

THINGS I LOVE

When a movie version of a book does it justice. I went to see The Girl on the Train this past weekend and it was fantastic! My SIL and I had read the book and both agreed that it followed it closely enough to really work on film.  My husband and BIL just enjoyed it without having read anything about it, in book form or otherwise. Imagine that?

There was only one small part at the end, where the audience actually laughed when it was definitely not a moment meant to be funny, that I wish didn’t happen because it was over-the-top cheeseball. Other than that? I highly recommend seeing it.*

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*I had half a bottle of If You See Kay red wine when I watched it so I really cannot be held accountable for an accurate review.

THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH

Not running a fall marathon.

I have to say, it was tough to watch my social media feed this past weekend and see so many amazing runner friends and family having incredible half and full marathons! After running two marathons last year, it’s incredibly hard to not be a part of it but, I have to accept my decision to focus on triathlon and that my season will be here before I know it.

Huge congratulations to everyone who ran this past weekend! I hope you are all recovery nicely and riding the high of your accomplishment!

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READING

ICYMI I have a three page spread in Women’s Running Magazine October issue all about how to safely return to running after a break. Regardless of why you took or needed the break, there is a healthy way to get back on the roads and into your running routine. I took the liberty of mapping it out for you and, I was psyched to see it in print.

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RANDOM QUOTE OF THE WEEK

We took the boys to their first Celtics game this weekend. At halftime, the very young, very thin, very talented Celtic dancers took to center court. My son Miles was sitting on my lap when we had this exchange:

Miles: Mom, they would never ask you to do this.

Me: What? Why not? What do you mean? 

Miles: Well, because they all have long hair.

My hair length also keeps me from being a Victoria’s Secret model.

Boston Celtics cheerleaders perform during game three of the NBA Finals against the La Lakers on June 8, 2010 in Boston. Kobe Bryant scored 29 points and Derek Fisher finished with 16 as the Lakers beat the Celtics 91-84 to take a 2-1 series lead in the NBA finals. AFP PHOTO / DON EMMERT (Photo credit should read DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images)

Is saying “Happy Columbus Day” even a thing? If so, happy day to you. If, like me you’re suffering at home with your kids, happy yelling day to you!

How was your week?

Are you in an “offseason” of any kind? Do you wish you were?

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