I often choose to do “rolling hills” when teaching spin class. We play around with the tension, and are either climbing or speeding. I like the change up, my muscles like it too, and it gives my mind something to think about other then the burning sensation in my legs and lungs. However, this past week, I felt like my life was on rolling hills – big ups and downs. I had the awful 20K race on Monday, a great day in NYC on Wednesday, re-injured my quad on Thursday and then saw my best friend get married on Saturday. It was just one of those weeks. Here’s what else happened…
WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 1, 2014
RUNNING: I wasn’t able to do much in the way of running this week, and that may be to blame for some of my bad mood. Since the 20K and injuring my quad, I’ve been sticking to low mileage and cross-training. And I’m not happy about it.
Running total (including the race): 26.1
CYCLING: Once again, the only cycling I got in was on my spin bike. The weather has been fabulous but the boys only going to school in the afternoon is killing me! I vow to do more fall riding!
Cycling total: 55 miles
CROSS-TRAINING: I’m happy to say that I actually did some open water swimming…and I loved it! I’m hoping to get in a few more sessions before it’s too cold!
I also braved the Metro North train into NYC and walked the streets like a boss. I think that counts, don’t you?
RACING: I’m psyched to announce that I will be running the Reach the Beach Relay in New Hampshire, at the end of this week, with two of my most favorite bloggers – Melissa of theValentineRD and Christine of Love,Life,Surf and an entire team of fabulous women I haven’t met yet!
New Balance is going to hook us up with a factory tour, gear and some VIP treatment for the race and I’m also beyond psyched to be able to meet Angela of HappyFitMama and see Sarah (again!) of RunFarGirl who will also be racing! This is like my fantasy girls weekend. Seriously.
FUEL: I’m going to brag that I once again made something from Pinterest (originally from RunningWithSpoons)! That’s TWO things in like a year people. Give it up. Seriosuly though, this Spiced Greek Yogurt Applesauce Bread was amazeballs. I couldn’t even keep it in the kitchen because my husband was wolfing it down and asking me, in between mouthfuls, “This is healthy, right?” Um, have we met?
EAT ME!
THINGS I LOVE: Weddings. Two nights alone with my husband. Champagne toasts. Seeing happy people everywhere, if only for a few days.
THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH: Weddings (because I miss my own that happened 8 years ago), two nights alone with my husband (because I miss my kids), champagne toasts (because I keep toasting and toasting!), seeing happy people everywhere (because, really, enough already).
The wedding was in beautiful Mystic CT and yes, we ate at Mystic pizza, because it’s like a law when you’re there.
MUSIC: My new favorite – TURN DOWN FOR WHAT!? It was actually playing at the dreaded New Haven race and made me feel great…for 40 seconds.
TV: I have one word and it’s not Scandal. It’s FOOTBALL! Go Pack Go.
READING: My own! Check me out on Healthline where I present to you the 10 Essential Stretches for Runners! Are you doing them?
RANDOM THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard, and their life is better then yours.
How was your week?
Do you enjoy rolling hills – in spin or otherwise?
What are you reading?
Every week is like rolling hills here. I hope your quad gets better soon! I know how a nagging injury can dampen your spirits. I hope that this week for you is more like an open, flat road with the wind at your back!
Oh thank you so much Kris! Me too!!!
Woohoo to RTB!!!! We need to coordinate some kind of massive meet up. There’s going to be so many of us! And booooooooo to your cranky quad. That definitely would make me cranky. Hope it’s feeling better asap!
YES!!! I think I emailed you my cell but if not, I will 🙂
I’m so jealous of you’re running RTB and your amazing team! It’s going to be a blast I’m sure!
I have to say that I am SUPER excited!!! I cannot wait for the whole experience. Thanks Jill.
I had a feeling this was going to be your announcement. I’m so jealous, I have always wanted to do RTB!!! Hope you have an amazing time!!
Oh the suspense!! Haha 🙂 Thanks so much Sue. I seriously made so many notes from your post – it was super helpful. I hope we get to meet up for a race one of these days!
Your welcome! Glad it was helpful!! And yes, we definitely need to meet up for a race sometime soon!
That is awesome, Allie! Can’t wait to hear how it goes and I love that you are doing it with fellow bloggers! I don’t mind rolling hills when I am running…but I don’t like the huge ones that never seem to end these days. Believe it or not, I used to love hills, especially in cross country races because I was always more of a strength runner back when I raced…now not so much. Haha. But I am back running on a regular basis and I have signed up for the Disney Princess half…not sure what I have gotten myself into, but it is done!
I know! I’m so excited for you, and that race will definitely be flat and fun. 🙂
Sounded like a crazy week, but do love that you got to go to Mystic for your friend’s wedding. I haven’t been to Mystic Pizza in a few years myself, but totally agree when in Mystic you have to go there!! 🙂
I had actually never been there! Is that crazy or what?? It was super fun and the pizza was actually really good 🙂
My week was a little too chaotic but looking forward to this week…which is time-crunched but not as chaotic! I like rolling hills in spin but I am all about the rolling hills in my life right now. John and I are both reading Spartan Up! by Joe DeSena about his vision for the Spartan Races and a Spartan lifestyle. Enjoy your weekend with those awesome ladies! Sounds like it is going to be a ton of fun.
Interesting read. Let me know how you both like it.
As for this week? It’s crazier then last!!! It never ends…
I’m so excited to see you this week!!! Yes, ups and downs and hills all over lately. And there will be more this weekend! 🙂
Yes there will be but I’m really so excited. Please remind me of this when I get no sleep. ugh
Hey! Not sure if you changed the lyrics on purpose but it kinda goes my milkshake brings all the boys to the yard and damn right it’s better that yours…. Or that could be my fun remix lol
Good luck on the new balance race this week, I can’t wait for the recap it’s gonna be off the chain! Turn down for what is a great song for like 30 seconds but there is a remix out there with lyrics that exist…
That yogurt applesauce bread looks great! Glad you and hubby had a great time at the wedding. It’s so funny how our kids drive us crazy but the second we are away from them we miss them terribly. Ah the life of a mommy!
Oh I’m laughing!!! I think BOTH of those lyrics are accurate!? You know I don’t have a problem with swearing up my blog post 🙂
I was unaware of the remix to turn down for what. I’ll have to steer clear…
The bread was so, so good and the boys actually got a bite too…I think. And yes, I miss them terribly and then, after the first fight breaks out once I get home, I wish I was back on vacation! hahaha
I’m so sorry to hear about your quad! That is terrible! I totally count walking around NyC as cross training! Even though you had some downs, it sounds like you had some pretty good things happen this week!
The quad was better on my run today but it’s “there” and that’s a bad feeling 🙁
NYC was gorgeous the day I was there. I was sad not to be able to see any bloggers…it was a quickie visit.
Not being able to run as much as I want would put me in a bad mood too .Your weekend in New Hampshire sounds SOOOO fun!!!!! It is going to be a blast!!!!! Those are some great ladies :). That bread looks so good… I am going to make it like today!!!! I am a total bread lover :).
I run rolling hills pretty much everyday…they are hard to avoid where I live and I actually don’t mind them. It is the crazy straight uphill mountains that I mind!
I hear ya! You should definitely make the bread. The girls may love it too!!
I’m excited for your upcoming beach run! Woohoo!!
Me too! woot woot!! Now I just have to pack…
I’m feeling very jealous of you reach the beach ladies! What a great crew and what a great race. You will have a blast!
Sorry about the quad–keep being smart, though.
Love your dress for the wedding! You look fabulous.
I actually like hills, but then, we have plenty around here and you don’t have much of a choice!
Thanks so much Amanda. I wish you were part of our team! Someday?
I’m trying to be very smart with my quad and so far, it’s working.
You say “open water” and the first thing that comes to my mind is sharks. Please stop with all the dangerous terminology. It’s traumatic. If I end up needing therapy I’m sending you the bill.
Swimming in open water IS traumatizing for me! The only saving grace is that I cannot see the giant fish swimming around me.
I’m sending you a check now…
that bread looks Ah-mazing! You are such a boss for handling NYC by yourself 🙂
It IS!!!
Oh navigating the city is hilarious. I was trying to hide my phone so people wouldn’t notice that I was following my GPS to take me like 8 blocks! hahaha #loser
LMAO… I think I just peed my pants with laughter reading this..
Hahah Love that turn down for what is your favorite song right now! You make me smile missy 🙂 I can definitely see how the lack of running would make mood swings happen…..but mine seem to happen whether I am running a lot or a little…….I need to find a job quick……I hate being a stay at home! Rolling hills will definitely help a ton, I had a lot this morning on my run, not fun, but SO good for you!
When you get a job you’ll probably miss being home! 🙂 Yes, rolling hills are good for the muscles!!
So unbelievably excited about RTB!! Cannot wait to meet you see what else NB has in store for us!
Me too!…although a little scared about running in the middle of the night! 🙂
My week was good, thanks, and it did not involve any running. I do enjoy hills in spinning class, though. And right now I am reading Stephen King’s latest, Mr. Mercedes. It’s cop/killer mystery drama and not horror at all. And King is such an awesome writer, whether you like his stuff or not.
Agreed, although I can’t remember the last book of his I read. Thanks for the reminder Dana!
ha! I love your random thought.
I’m excited about the relay! I read Christine’s announcement this morning and now it’s just two reasons to be excited to hear about it!
Ah, two nights without kids. I’d feel the same as you. It would be a pro and a con!
I’m really excited yet, a little scared. I think one of my legs is in the middle of the night. I don’t do well after 10pm and I’ve never run alone in the dark…well except for in the wee hours of the morning but only in my ‘hood. This will be interesting for sure!!
Oh – I’m beyond jealous!! I want to do the relay with all of y’all – maybe one year!!
Have a super time – i hope your quad is feeling much better!!
It’s been a long time since Chris and I had a night away – it seems like it would be easier now that our boys are older but it really hasn’t been. Oh, well – before long it will just be Chris and I so I just want to enjoy these last couple of years that the boys are home!!
I so wish you were on our team too Kim!! Don’t you have a BIG race this weekend too??
I have to say, it was like a mini-vacation being at the wedding for two nights! It was so refreshing, and then so good to be home. We needed that!
Ah that sounds like an amazing girls weekend at Reach the Beach with plenty of swag! I just ran Hood to Coast a few weeks ago as my first relay of that sort and LOVED it. Just bring compression socks/sleeves and a stick/foamroller and drink plenty of water!
I read your first recap and can’t wait for more! I will absolutely bring ALL my compression wear. I think it’s going to be pretty chilly in the middle of the night in NH!! Thanks Lauren 🙂
Walking like a boss around NYC always counts! You can really a work up a sweat if you do it right– Sounds like a great week! any week that involves champagne toasts is a great week, in my opinion 🙂 (sorry about your injured quad though) My one word on tv, however, is Scandal 🙂 !!
Ha ha ha! You and most everyone else I imagine 🙂 Thanks Charlotte!
I’m so sorry to hear that you are battling that injury. Take it easy and get it well so you can come back strong. That bread looks amazing (and dangerous). I’m pinning it so I can make it over the weekend 🙂 As you probably know, I despise and am often terrified of hills. It is one of the big reasons I wanted to run the Kauai Marathon last month because I wanted to conquer my fears. My recent half marathon PR is also on a hilly course, so like most things in running, our minds are really the thing we need to workout the most. Thinking of you! xoxo
So, so true!!! Just signing up for that marathon in Hawaii is just so amazing. That is what life is all about!!
Can’t wait to see you in a few days. Bummer on the cranky quad. Grr. My calf is just starting to behave itself. Hoping it holds up for RTB!
Thanks Sarah! I’m sure it will be fine. I did a 7 miler yesterday and it was “there” but I can keep it quiet 🙂 Cannot wait to see YOU!!
Can’t wait to see you in a few days. Bummer on the cranky quad. Grr. My calf is just starting to behave itself. Hoping it holds up for RTB! Still wish I was running with you!…oh well. next time. i really hope there’s a next time!
OMG OMG I AM SO ENVIOUS OF YOUR MEETING everyone for your RACE!!! And the New Balance SWAG?! TURN DOWN FOR WHATTTTT???!!! I should come and cheer you all on at the finish line 😉
Finish line? You should be in the VAN WITH US making food and drinks!!! 🙂