Throughout the summer I have been focused on qualifying for triathlon nationals. Mission accomplished. It’s now time to shift gears to all running, all the time, and start to seriously think and train for the New York City Marathon!
Someone hold me. I’m scared.
WEEK OF AUGUST 31, 2015
RUNNING:
So here we are again my old friend! I have spent this past week doing mostly running and it has been fantastic. I did quite a few hot, humid and sweaty runs and tried to focus on feel and not pace since I raced hard on Aug 30 and had a 20K race yesterday (Monday, Sept. 7th). Not ideal but, this is what I do…
Post run downward dog smile pose.
Week total: 30 including the race!
CYCLING
I had exactly two opportunities to cycle this past week and one of them was the spin class I teach. Class was once again held in the lobby do to the annual clean-up of the facility. It was abusively hot but I had a full class and we made it though!
I was also able to cycle outside, which is so preferable to running in this heat, for a nice long ride last Friday. Did I tell you how much I’m loving my new schedule?
Total miles: 58
SWIMMING
This is super sad but I only swam 1000 yards this past week. I was solo parenting from Thursday though Sunday and I just wasn’t able to get more then 20 minutes in. Clearly I need an indoor pool in my house.
However, I was able to get to the ocean for an amazing day with the family and managed to not be eaten by a shark. #ItHappensALot
STRENGTH TRAINING
As part of the annual clean up and clean out at my local YMCA some changes were made – amazing awesome changes – in the form of a new functional fitness area! Finally I have tons of space in which to do my strength training and some new equipment too.
I did two strength training workouts this week and focused (as I usually do) on hips, glutes, quads and core.
RACING
Once again it was a ridiculously hot day for the New Haven 20K Road Race. The only reason I still run this race is because it’s a tradition with me and some of my best running friends.
Plus, this year I ran a less then stellar 1:32:18 (7:20 pace) and still managed to place third in my age group. #ThisIs40
Because the “before” picture is always better.
THINGS I LOVE
Getting massages. I was finally able to schedule a much needed massage last week and my body needed every minute of it. I felt amazingly better afterward and so did all my achy spots. I think I need this twice a month until the marathon.
This giant mural is in the waiting room at my massage therapists office. The weird thing is I would always rather be at the massage place then the beach! #NoContest
THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH
Star Wars. Here’s why:
I went to Target at 8:30am foolishly thinking I would be able to whip though the aisles to get just a few things. No, really, this time I just got a few things…
Ever since I read about Body Armor on Tina’s blog, I’ve been addicted. Unfortunately the only place that sells it out in Boonetown where I live is Target.
Unfortunately for me, early rising nerds were out in droves searching for Star Wars toys. Apparently another movie is coming out and the awesome Star Wars marketing people held a sort of midnight madness event which was now spilling into my otherwise sunny and amazing Friday morning. The worst part was the digital coupon for all the plastic Darth Vader heads and oversized Chewbacca stuffies were not working. Of course.
Luckily I wasn’t late for my coffee date at Starbucks. God forbid! #FirstWorldProblems
READING
I’m in between books right now, although I’ve started to sort of read To Kill A Mockingbird. I’ve actually never read it (gasp!) which is kind of crazy since I love literature and, reading and writing were two things I never skimped on in school, so I’m not sure what happened there.
Anyway, I’ve been reading very important newsworthy headlines in the mean and in between time:
The Secrets of an NFL Locker Room – because you have always wanted to know and it’s almost time for football!!!!!
Is Running Good for Weight Loss? – excellent question! Most people assume it is but we could all be wrong.
Chelsea Handler mistakes Apple for Underwear… – apparently Chels is having some kind of feud with Instagram over them not allowing nakedness. I think I have to side with Insta on this one, although some of her photos are hilarious.
TV
Solo parenting is not all bad. Since my husband has been away I was able to watch all eight previously missed episodes of Ray Donovan. In three nights.
Unfortunately, I’m not loving it. I like my Ray with zero affect, facial expression and feeling. So far this season he’s cried (a few times!), smiled (when not kicking someone ass) and has said more then two sentences per episode. What’s worse, he seems to genuinely care about his annoying wife. Kind of. What’s happening? Make it stop!
RANDOM QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
“I can do all things through sarcasm and profanity.”
Thanks to my bestest friend for gifting me this mug. You truly get me,
What would be your ideal saying on a coffee mug or t-shirt?
What are you focusing or re-focusing on this week?
I’m refocusing on myself. I’ve been traveling and everywhere for the last month or so and now I just need time to relax and focus on me and my priorities.
I can’t wait to see how you do at NYCM. As I said before, it was my first marathon and I truly enjoyed the experience and the people!
Now that is a great focus!
I can’t wait for the whole NYCM experience. I cannot believe that was your first one!
Great job on the running and ummmm a 7:20 is less than stellar?! I need a massage desperately, my upper back and shoulders are really paying the price of my hubby being gone for so long. I’ve been single parenting for 2 weeks now…..I’m tired, really tired. The little guy needs to start school ASAP, this mama needs a break!
Comparatively it wasn’t my best 20K but whatever, I wasn’t training for it and it was ridiculously hot!
Solo parenting can be brutal. Luckily I call for reinforcements and the boys were pretty good. I think school is making them too tired to be their usual crazy selves…although I’m sure it will be short-lived.
Here’s to starting school! *cheers*
3rd in AG is great!!! Congrats!! I love that mug! My mug would probably say something like “Whatever the problem is, the solution is a margarita”
I love that solution. I may need that very soon…
Thanks Paria!
Congrats on 3rd place! Still killing it even when “subpar” smh. Lol!
I’m not refocusing on anything actually just trying to STAY focused with my insane schedule for the next 2 months. I’m too close to screw things up now!!
So while we were in Floridaover the weekend we took a spur of the moment trip to downtown Disney and our uber driver went on and on about Star Wars weekend and force Friday and how much trouble he had with passengers with sabers and plastic costumes damaging his car. I had no idea. The traffic was crazy!!
I love that cup.
Off to read! Especially the locker room story. Because. Football!!!!!
It was kind of flukey since the the other two women in my age group blew me out of the water! I seriously still do not know how I managed 3rd but I will take it!!
That is SO funny about the uber guy in Florida! I feel you man!!!!!
Yay football!!! Bring.it.on!
Definitely refocusing! Gah! So unfocused it’s not even funny. While we love Star Wars in our house, I don’t love the Star Wars on everything business because that means my youngest wants to buy all the things! I’m so excited for you to run NYCM! Can’t wait to cheer you on! And glad you weren’t eaten by a shark #metoo.
You deserve a few days (possibly a week) to remain unfocused.
And even one of my best friends who loves Star Wars, had no clue all that was happening and wasn’t too happy for the same reasons!
You were in much more danger then me with the fishes. So glad you’re home safe 🙂
I nearly dropped my coffee when I walked into target and had Chewie growl at me. Give me some warning people! I’m definitely refocusing as I figure out my new schedule and get down to business.
LOL! Seriously!!!
Good luck with the refocus!
Do you happen to love SUGAR SCRUB massages?? 😉
You know I do! ALL THINGS SUGAR!!! 🙂
wow your half marathon time is still freaking amazing 🙂
my random quote of the week is brought by my favorite funnypeople at the oatmeal: “shoot for the moon. even if you miss, you’ll still be amongst the stars….. suffocating” 😀
OMG that is hilarious. Thank you for the laugh so early this morning Danielle 🙂
I’ve spent the entire summer focusing on the NYC marathon and I’m still nervous as hell. It’s my second and I’m worried the excitement I had during the first race that helped carry me through won’t be there and I’ll have to rely entirely on my training. Well one more intense month and then I begin to taper, yay! Good luck with the rest of your training!
I don’t see how the excitement could NOT be there!? This is NYC!!! I think it’s going to be the most exciting marathon – ever. I’m counting on it!! Good luck with the rest of your training!
This week I am still focusing on Triathlon as I have the Lobsterman OLY this weekend but after that its back to a more solid focus on running which I am looking forward to. I may also try a boot camp. I didn’t realize you were training for NYC. So exciting!
I wish I was doing the Lobsterman! I heard so many great things about it. I’m telling you Sandra – next year I’m all about triathlon so I will have to compare my schedule with yours so we can meet up at some of these great events!!
Ha! You crack me up.
I like it when my husband goes away for short periods of time so I binge watch TV. Real Housewives, Scandal, Greys Anatomy…all of the real quality TV he usually loves.
I’m glad we have the same solo parenting pastime 🙂 I JUST starting watching Orange is the New Black and I’m totally addicted!
I never read to Kill a Mockingbird in school – and I have a bachelor’s in English! I did read it on my own, but it amazed me that it never showed up in any of my high school or college classes.
We love Star Wars in our house, but the marketing for the new film is SO overboard – probably because they’re owned by Disney now.
Congrats on 3rd in your AG!
Well that makes me feel better. Maybe it was never assigned to me either?
It makes total sense to me now – I didn’t realize Disney was involved with SW. No wonder it’s a marketing hurricane!
Thanks Laura.
You are a racing machine! Can’t wait to hear more about them all. I don’t race very often, typically just a handful of times per year. I am considering running a half marathon (for fun) on Halloween though and maybe a local holiday race in December. This year is not about goal racing though so it takes the pressure off. I’m excited to train for a goal race again at some point soon. #LetsGetPreggoAlreadySoICanTrainHardAgain
I typically only race a few times of year but somehow this year went off the rails!
Enjoy every moment of “no pressure” racing, although I have a feeling there’s some fight in there when the gun goes off 🙂 Winter/holiday fun runs are the best though…if the weather cooperates. Obviously you don’t have that issue this year!
That mug is perfect for me too…and more than a few friends. Which is why they are friends!
I’m not loving Ray Donovan this season either…Katie Holmes annoys me. But I will soldier through.
Which is also why we are friends 🙂
OMG how could I have forgotten to mention her?? She is completely annoying and what’s with the braces? I hope it gets better…
I am focusing on running again! I am loving every minute, not that it’s easy. My body is taking its time to readjust and I have to be patient. At this point, 3 miles is a huge deal for me – but I’m RUNNING!!!! I am so thankful for that!!!
I really, really need a massage too Allie. I am going to schedule that, stat!
I am so excited for your marathon training!!!!
You absolutely deserve and need a massage! It’s like a tune-up for your car – regular maintenance is a must 🙂