Despite waking up sick to my stomach on Wednesday morning and dropping my laptop on a bathroom floor, this has been a great week. I’m at the point where I’m starting to see some payoff in my training. I also won a fabulous pair of Reebok ZQUICK sneaks from Jess at Blonde Ponytail so there’s that. Free, amazing running gear makes me smile…and I won it on Valentine’s Day which is appropriate since running is one of my true loves. Did that make you throw-up in your mouth a little? Try to keep it down people, I promise it gets better…
WEEK OF FEBRUARY 9, 2014
RUNNING: It’s hard to change your running form. I know this is shocking but truly, once I did the video analysis with CRS (Coach Rocket Scientist) she broke down my form and showed me how to build it back up. I now have a pre-run warm-up, post run exercises and boat load of form to think about while running. When CRS asked me to do a 30 minute, all out effort around an indoor track without music I didn’t even care because I have enough in my head to occupy that time and more! I’ve never thought so much about my form and movement and, it’s paying off! I’m getting stronger, faster and having less aches and pains. CRS is an angel sent straight from running heaven. Ok, sorry that’s the last time I make you throw-up in your mouth – I promise!
I did some hard workouts this week, including 13 miles on a treadmill, for a total of 28 miles. I woke-up sick to my stomach Wednesday morning and I have no clue why. I mean, I couldn’t get out of bed and my husband had to bring the kids to school! I slept until 11am and then, miraculously, I felt a lot better. Very weird. I was supposed to run a 7 miler with 3 miles at half-marathon pace in the morning. When that didn’t happen, I got to the gym as early as I could with the kids in tow so I could run for 30 minutes on the tread before my Power Sculpt class. When I lamented this lack of a workout to CRS this exchange took place:
ME: A little update on my training: I woke up sick to my stomach yesterday morning. Not sure what it was but luckily it passed by noon. Unfortunately that was when the kids were at school so I wasn’t able to get my full run in. I tried to get to the gym a little early before I had to teach my evening class but again, I had the kids in tow and can only keep them in daycare for so long!! I’ll try to make up the 7 miler tomorrow.
CRS:
BIKING: I’m really getting comfortable on my bike and I’m loving it! Snow crashed one of my spin classes for the week but I took to my trainer in the basement with the boys and had a great workout. I also logged additional miles on Tuesday and Sunday. I dare say I’m starting to feel like a real cyclist! Who am I?
One boy IN the picture and the other TAKING it. My loves!
SWIMMING: I knew I would get in the pool this week! Swimming around with the boys for an hour on a Monday afternoon totally counts, right? Plus, getting everyone dressed, in the pool and then out of the pool, toweled off, showered and dressed for freezing outdoor temperatures, totally counts as cross-training!
CROSS-TRAINING: Speaking of…in addition to my endurance training with the boys at the pool, I taught Power Sculpt as planned and I’ve added some clam shells, single leg dead lifts, single leg squats and monster walks to my routine as much as I can to strengthen those glutes!!!…and keep my back feeling good. It’s working.
RACING: I’m getting involved with the March of Dimes to promote a local 5K race. I’m beyond excited to be a part of this amazing organization that helps so many families when they need it most! More on this to come but the race is slated for April 27 in Hartford, CT. Local peeps – mark your calendars!
FUEL: I may have gone to Mohegan Sun casino for a concert over the weekend and I may have gone to Dylan’s Candy Bar and filled up a little bucket with dark chocolate and almonds. Maybe.
I know this doesn’t look like my normal hang-out but I’m a sucker for dark chocolate!
SPEAKING SPANISH: It’s become a family affair. I now put my Rosetta Stone app though my car phone speakers and the boys join in with me in repeating all the Spanish words and phrases! I think they’re learning more then I am. Occasionally, they break out into a Spanish word, followed by gibberish, and ask “Mom, am I speaking Spanish?” Si hijo, mio eres. (yes my son, you are)
THINGS I LOVE: An overnight at Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino with my husband and some great friends! Food, drinks, concert, gambling, shopping, dropping. Good times.
THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH: Dropping my freakin MacBook Pro on a bathroom floor so hard I dented it! What the *&^%!!!!! It was in a computer bag and I went to hang it on a hook on the back of the stall door. It somehow slipped off and smacked the floor hard. I immediately opened it up, praying the screen wan’t smashed since it’s only seven months old! Imagine dropping your seven month-old on a dirty bathroom floor?! I had a total meltdown once I got home and realized it was dented and, when I turned it on, was making a weird clicking noise. I had to back up all my files and my anxiety went through the roof! I wonder how many calories that burned! Too bad I wasn’t wearing my HR monitor.
MUSIC: I saw the Kings of Leon in concert at Mohegan Sun. I’m going to leave it at that since my mama told me “If you don’t have anything nice to say…” I usually pay zero attention to this rule and instead, I’m more a fan of what Olympia Dukakis’ character said in Steel Magnolias “If you can’t say anything nice about anybody, come sit by me!”
TV: I’m all over the Olympics. I’ve been watching a lot since my last post and I’m overwhelmed by the losers. That’s right. The defeated. The fourth place finisher…or worse. The skaters who are wearing the fastest slowest uniforms ever made. Why? Because they have been training their whole lives for this moment. Some are so close to gold they can literally see it being snatched away by either seconds or a total disaster – I’m not sure which is worse. I think I’m so intrigued by them because I’m putting so much pressure on myself for my Duathlon in Spain. My Olympics. I’m learning from these true Olympians what it means to be an athlete. That it all comes down to one day, one hour, one minute and sometimes it’s just not your day but it doesn’t make you less of an athlete. Onward fourth place finishers!
READING: Despite my best effort to avoid it, I started reading Glitter and Glue by Kelly Corrigan. I was trying to avoid it since it’s centered around mother/daughter relationships and, since I lost my mom at a young age, it’s usually too much for me. However, the book is so well written and so compelling that after I read my downloaded “sample,” I bought it immediately.
RANDOM THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: Treadmills should come with applause buttons especially when you have to do a long run on them. Who couldn’t use that kind of encouragement?
Have you ever experienced major computer problems? What was the outcome?
What was the worst concert you ever saw?
Did you cross-train this week?
KOL wasn’t good?! They’re one if my favorite concert experiences (Madison square garden 3 years ago). So sorry it wasn’t the best! Do you have a Spanish speaking friend? That’s the best way to practice: a Spanish only get together makes your mind work harder to truly acquire the necessary language skills!
All they played were songs from their new album and it’s really hard rock! They are amazing musicians and I love a live show but yikes.
My dad speaks Spanish but he talks TOO fast! I’m not ready for him yet but you’re right – that is the best way to learn. Thanks Kristin!
hahaha love the applause addition to treadmills! So I dropped my Mac on the carpet a few months ago and have a black streak through the center. You get used to it!
OMG – that makes me feel a lot better. Shouldn’t these VERY expensive pieces of equipment be better able to handle falls?? Jeez!!
The whole letting go of the missed workout doesn’t work for me. I don’t make it up because I know I am not suppose to but man does the thought linger for a while. The Olympics are always so exciting an heartbreaking at the same time. Shaun White, Bode Miller, the American Skeleton guy, the american female snowboarder who went down hard…something to be learned from all of them but my heart breaks for them (and their parents!)
We are cut from the same cloth my friend. I definitely have a case of the “lingers!”
My heart breaks too. So much training and being so close to your dream – I can’t imagine it but I know it must make them better, stronger, somehow. I have to see the good in it.
So jealous of your sneaker win and those look so cute! As for the MacBook Pro, I think it would have had a heart attack myself if I would have dropped mine and felt your pain just reading about it. I hope yours is Ok and got all fingers crossed here for you. Also, so try you weren’t feeling well and hope you are totally on the mend now!! 🙂
I can’t wait to get the new sneakers and try them out!!
I’m taking my laptop to the Apple store today. It *seems* to be working fine but it’s still making some odd noises. Fingers crossed that it can be fixed!!
All better now – thank you!! Let’s hope it’s over!
Sick only in the morning, tired and then feeling better by noon? Hmmmmmm
Bite your tongue completely OFF!!! There is zero chance I’m pregnant and if I were, I would need to be hospitalized for hysteria. 🙂
The only saving grace during the never ending snow week was the Olympics! And oh my Gosh, dropping the computer…I felt anxiety for you!! P.S. Dylan’s Candy Bar…SO JEALOUS!-Ashley
I know!! I’m taking it in today b/c it’s still making weird clicking noises. Fingers crossed!! Maybe I should bring my candy with me, just in case 🙂
Seriously Allie. Your workout regimen makes me feel like I prancercize all the time…even during Ragnar.lol. Your body probably needed to recover a tad bit more, so it gave you a sick tummy…I’m just sayin 😉
You are so inspiring. I wish I had you energy…half the time running after my kids totally does me in. I say it totally counts for cross training and swimming. I’m so motivated by your posts!
Ragnar is NO JOKE! Don’t sell yourself short. The fact that any mom can do anything like that is amazing to me. I feel like I just need to keep moving because if I stop, I’ll stop ALL of it!!
Thanks so much Hope! I can’t wait to read about your Ragnar!!!
You rock my friend! What an awesome week you had! I got my laptop in December and I worry about dropping it every time I pick it up. At least yours still works. I did cross train this week too. Pretty good week.
Nice!! Good for you. Cross training will keep your legs and lungs strong for all the running you’re doing 🙂
Oh now! Why was Kings of Leon so terrible? I like their music. At least you had a fun getaway!
Awesome job on all your training as always!!! Sorry you were not feeling well on Wednesday. Looks like it really has not slowed you down!
Your sons are so cute learning Spanish. They will probably end up remembering a lot of it.
I like your CRS! She seems so cool.
Computer problems. Man, I took the bar on my 3 year old PC laptop and it was so touch and go. It could only show one screen for months and then I showed up the day of the bar and it was magically fixed. So crazy. But recent technology troubles: the Hubs wore my Go Pro in the waves on his head. He went under and came back up without the GoPro! We found it in the surf 10 minutes later.
KOL only played their “new” stuff and it’s really hard rock. The tickets were a gift to a friend who LOVES them so I went into it with mixed feelings anyway. They are incredible musicians and so talented but just too hard and you couldn’t really understand what the lead singer was singing. Overall, it was a great night so I can’t complain!
CRS is the bomb. She’s the perfect coach for me.
I cannot believe that about your GoPro!!! I would have had a total panic attack!! SO glad you were able to find it – wow!!
Weird about waking up feeling sick – I had a day (actually an entire night) like that a week and a half ago and then I was totally fine – ate normally and everything. My DR said it could be a form of GERD – great one more thing about getting older to deal with!!!
Bummer on the MacBook – that would do me in and there would be some major curse words spewing.
Love that you are getting the boys in on the Spanish!!!
It almost felt like a touch of the stomach bug – which made me VERY nervous, but then I was able to sleep it off. Probably a combo of things but glad it passed quickly.
Just got back from the Apple store and all seems to be well. I guess I just have to get used to the dent and the new added feature of a clicking noise – bonus.
I fell down the stairs once holding my computer! I was a wreck, and had bruises all over my body but I saved my computer! And if you count snowshoeing cross training, then I am, because that is all I’ve done over the past week!
OMG Michelle – that is awful! It’s almost like you were holding your child!! HA HA – I totally get it.
Snowshoeing is one of the best forms of x-training. Love it!
Bummed to hear that about Kings of Leon, b/c I like them. Guess I’ll make sure never to see them live!
You are rocking and rolling with the training! All this hard work is gonna have you flying in Spain. So fun!
And glad the computer was ok–that is always a fear of mine. We are so dependent on these machines these days!
Apparently they played everything from their new album so that kind of sucked. I only knew two songs but, they are incredible musicians and it’s always fun to hear live music!
I so wish I wasn’t do dependent on this thing but YES I so am. I need to carry it around in a metal case apparently.
YES, the applause feature on the treadmill would be amazing! I know it’s my day off, but I had to stop by (before my massage – YIPPEE!!) to tell you what an incredible badass you are! You are going to kill it in Spain!
Thank you so much Nicole! Who needs an applause button? I should just read all your supportive comments once I’m done 🙂 Enjoy that rub down. So jealous!!!
Your comment about applause made me think of a quote from the book Wonder: ‘I think there should be a rule that everyone in the world should get a standing ovation at least once in their lives.’ I love that – and I think it should be a rule. I personally would give you a standing o after every workout – that would be my exercise 🙂
YES!!! Love that so much. Thank you Dana!!
I love Dylan’s Candy Bar! They have some of her products up here at Yankee Candle Mecca of the world.
Weird about your stomach! Wonder if it was just something you ate, or that you just needed to sleep more.
I really need to figure out the worst concert I ever attended. It was probably something I fell asleep at, which definitely did happen once..or twice!
Oddly enough, I have never been to the Candle mecca even though it’s well within my driving range. Now, I just might! I think the stomach issue was something I ate b/c it came and went so quickly.
Glad to know I’m not the only one who can fall asleep at a concert!!
After all the vomit in my mouth (hahaha!), I fully agree with you on the applause app for treadmills. Maybe even throw in an ass slap? 🙂
I like the way you think Angela! 🙂
Somehow it doesn’t shock me that you are so into the Olympics!! With your current training and pending trip to Spain I can totally see why 🙂
I love that your coach is easier on you that you are on yourself–crazy!
Spanish has become a family affair? That is fantastic!!! You are doing double duty by teaching the kids too 🙂
Congrats on the sneaker win!! That was a great one!
Thanks Nellie! I have to admit that my Olympic watching has lagged a little with all this ice dancing and bobsledding! At least the curling seems to be over – jeez!!
My heart hurts for your mac Book. Seriously, that’s the worst. Next to those olympian heartbreaks. You totally look like a real cyclist in that photo, I must say!
Thanks Ilene! Luckily my Mac is going to live. I need to leave it overnight for testing at some point but the preliminary tests were all positive and everything is backed up so I’m feeling better. It was very scary!
this doesn’t relate to worst concert ever but best—had a dream last night that I went to a spice girls concert followed by a backstreet boys one. not ashamed. sad when I woke up.
OMG that is hilarious! I can’t say I’m a fan of either of those but you rock it out!! Sounds like it was a great dream 🙂
I’m sorry I’ve been so behind in reading your blog but in true fashion, you had me smiling (you snarky girl) and sending you virtual hugs (feeling sick AGAIN?! that MacBook situation – yuck!) and knowing I need to meet you IRL more than ever because OMG, “Steel Magnolias”!!! My favorite line, “You know I love you more than my luggage.”
xo Congrats on the Valentine’s Day win!
Of course it is!!! So crazy. We must have been best friends in another life or possibly the same person 🙂
Applause button for treadmills? Genius.
Go you with all that training!
Right?! Thanks Alison.
Hey, I think I’m with you on that treadmill thing 🙂 I had fun reading this.
I’m so glad. Thanks for stopping by!
So much good here: letting go a little, time away with the hubs, getting comfortable on your bike. But a big huge BOOO to dropping your laptop.
I know! It was SO beyond awful hearing it smack the floor. Luckily, it survived and I just now need to get used to an odd little clicking noise every once and a while. I think I got VERY lucky!
trying hard not to laugh at the candy store as I’m thinking yup visited a couple of those on my travels lately where my sugar craving was off the charts :0) I think maybe I’ll walk on by for awhile now!
Great week and what a very smart coach you have
I’m reading the title of your post today and laughing! Sugar can be evil, but in the best way possible 🙂
Coach is the smartest. She’s scary smart.
I DID NOT read your post about your laptop but HOLY HELL I would have DIED!!! My computers are my best friends, oh I am sorry, does that make me sound PATHETIC!?!? Well, I don’t care – laptops are EXPENSIVE MAN, I don’t need to break one! I baby the crap out of mine. HOWEVER – back like 5 years ago (WOW, time flies), I remember doing a cross word puzzle with my dad and I knocked my peppermint tea ALL OVER my computer and BAM – it went black… I FELL TO THE FLOOR LIKE a family member died, because essentially one did – my beloved laptop!!!! The wonderful thing though is that APPLE FIXED IT and I didn’t lose any of my documents and that laptop lived on another 5 years (and it’s still alive, but I just got a new computer for XMAS)!!
That gives me hope!! This one is still trucking along but it makes weird noises every once and a while…kind of like a baby. I have to leave it at Apple so they can do major diagnostic testing but the preliminary ones showed everything working correctly. Thank you laptop Gods!!!
Just downloaded the sample and took a quick peek. I’m a sucker for good book. That running trainer sounds exciting. Nice that as much as you run and love it that they are still able to teach you something. Sorry you got sick again. Good deal skipping that workout, did I mention I like the CRS trainer 🙂 You’re an everyday Olympian by the way!
Joi, that is the single best compliment ever! I may copy it and hang it on my wall.
Coach is awesome and is just the right dose of calm that I need.
Thirteen miles on a treadmill! You’re a champion!!! I was so proud of myself because I finished 5 miles on the dreadmill yesterday. That’s like a miracle treadmill distance for me!
The only way I could have done it was with my friend on the treadmill next to me! We talked the whole time and, I wish I could say it wasn’t that bad, but it pretty much was. I hope I never have to resort to that again!!
I’m exhausted just reading about your week. And I love – LOVE! – your idea about applause buttons on treadmills.
Everyone should get applauded for just being on that thing!! Thanks Sue 🙂
Type triple A — that’s probably me too! I’m not surprised KOL wasn’t that great–their sound has really changed. And I love, love, LOVE Steel Magnolias, especially that line from Olympia Dukakis. She had so many good lines in that movie.
I’m glad you can relate to my obsessive behavior!
I was never a huge fan of KOL but yes, they were playing some pretty hard rock. Quite a departure from their earlier stuff.
It really doesn’t get much better then Steal Magnolias, right? Best.movie.ever!