I’m kind of loving the spin cycle my weeks are on right now. I’m racing on the weekend, taking a few active recovery days (which means swimming!), running long and then resting like a boss. The downside of this magical mystery marathon ride is my compromised immune system. Luckily, family time in the green mountain state came just in time.

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WEEK OF OCTOBER 5, 2015

RUNNING

Last week was a blur of activity and this week will be more of the same. Ready, set, go!

Monday: Since I raced the Maine Half Marathon last Sunday, Monday was one of those “active recovery” days which meant swimming. This should have been easy. It wasn’t. See below.

Tuesday: Spin class and strength training. Just a few more classes to go!

Wednesday: 4 x 1 mile on the elliptical. I have to say, the elliptical has become my go-to for speed work since I’ve been racing on the weekends and have long runs on Fridays. It works. It really does.

1.5 mile warm-up at 8:20-8:30 pace

4 x 1 mile at 6:30 pace with 800 easy in between

1 mile easy cool down

The worst part is whoever is next to me has to listen to my breathing. It’s panting really. Ok, I’m gasping for air and this is my public apology.

Thursday: 7 miles easy – this felt so great and the scenery this time of year makes you feel like you’re running in a magazine.

Friday: 21 long slow distance miles with two great friends. The weather was odd – windy, somewhat humid, but overcast and much better then my long run last week! I also felt much better then last week and managed just sub 9:00 min pace, finishing the last three miles a little faster. It’s always scary to have that last long run before the main event. This was it and I’m as ready as I will ever be.

Post 21 mile run stretch...before getting in a car and driving 5 hours north. Ugh.

Post 21 mile run stretch…before getting in a car and driving 5 hours north. Ugh.

Saturday: Resting in Vermont.

Sunday: Treadmill run with hill repeats: Hill repeats in the green mountain state!

Since I was literally staying on a mountain in Vermont (Smuggler’s Notch), I needed only to put on my running shoes and step outside. It was one of the most gorgeous runs I have ever had! It even made the climb seem slightly less brutal.

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Total mileage: 46

SWIMMING

My first swim of the week was a complete disaster. I showed up to the Y and the lap pool was closed. I had no other clothing or shoes with me so the warm water pool was my only option. The warm water pool is as gross as it sounds but, since I was “only” pool running, and it’s only about 3 feet deep, it worked out perfectly…or so I thought.

I put on my Waterfi music and set off to run for about 40 minutes. Around the 20 minute mark I noticed the bottom of the pool surface and my bare feet was a bad combo. Around the 30 minute mark I thought I was probably bleeding. Around 35 minutes I finally succumbed to the pain in my right big toe, pulled it out of the water, and it poured blood. It was pretty disgusting. I wish I had a photo for you.

So, because of that moronic move, I had to wrap my toe with Neosporin and a band-aid for the rest of the week. #Fail

Luckily, my second “swim” of the week was with the kids at the indoor pool and hot tub in Vermont. This took place, miraculously, without incident.

There was no blood shedding in this pool.

There was no blood shedding in this pool.

RACING

Here we go again! In just a few short days I will be leaving for Pennslyvannia for the Runner’s World Half and Festival. I will be running in all four races – 3.8 mile trail race on Friday, 5k and 10k on Saturday and yes, another half-marathon on Sunday. I’m planning to only really race the 5k on Saturday. It will be a very interesting weekend so stay tuned to Instagram and Facebook

FUEL

I don’t usually drink beer but, when I do, I make sure it’s with my brother, at a gorgeous brewery in Vermont, and wearing a funny hat.

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THINGS I LOVE

Seeing more blog friends IRL (in real life)! If you missed it on social media (because that’s what we do!) I met up with recently transplanted New Yorker and Fine, Fit, Day friend – – > Carly!

The best part? Meeting baby Tanner and having all our boys meet one another, run around, yell, scream, throw stuff and generally carry on as boys do. It’s pretty funny that the boys acted as though they had also known each other for years. I think they’re reading our blogs and perhaps corresponding in ways we have yet to discover.

No, I could not stop smushing his cheeks!

No, I could not stop smushing his cheeks!

Let's pretend our kids weren't yelling, screaming or otherwise being little terrors as we were smiling and taking this. Ok? Ok.

Let’s pretend our kids weren’t yelling, screaming or otherwise being little terrors as we were smiling and taking this. Ok? Ok.

Yes, that's Miles laying on top of Roman, Vaughn is eating his coat and another random girl decided to get in the mix. #Normal

Yes, that’s Miles trying to tackle Roman, Vaughn is eating his coat and another random girl decided to get in the mix. #Normal

It was a truly fantastic time and I only wish we could have ditched the kids (except Tanner) and sat down to a proper meal together. Next time!

THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH

My son becoming a street performer. Kidding! Miles was actually chosen to participate in a ridiculous live show at a local arts and crafts festival in Stowe, Vermont. The “performer” was truly hilarious (I mean look at his shorts) and Miles was thrilled to be a part of the show. Of course I did what any blogger mom would do and I immediately started Periscoping the whole thing.

It was as weird as it looks but Miles earned five bucks for his "performance."

It was as weird as it looks but Miles earned five bucks for his “performance.”

RANDOM QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Since I was utterly confused about the use of the hashtag BAE (#bae), I Googled it:

Bae,” Urban Dictionary says, is an acronym that stands for “before anyone else,” or a shortened version of baby or babe, another word for sweetie, and, mostly unrelated, poop in Danish.

I think I’ll go with the “poop” version since the last place I saw it was on an ad for McDonald’s all day breakfast.

How was your week?

Is there beautiful scenery where you are?

Did anyone race this past weekend?

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