This is all I want – – just some room to breathe. I’m so sick of rushing through my days and being exhausted in my nights. Lately my workouts and managing my work with the boys’ schedules and family traveling has been mentally and physically exhausting. I’m so grateful for a full life. I know I will miss the craze-filled days and nights and, I tend to thrive in a fast-paced environment but these days, I just want some space.
My winter ski vacation came just in time to give me some much needed space and air and peace. I wasn’t being greedy, all I wanted was 15 minutes of quiet and to exchange the constant “Mom! Mommy! Mom! I need! I want! I need!” in my ears for rushing wind, as I race down the mountain, and my own screams of freedom.
This is how I breathe…
WEEK OF FEBRUARY 15, 2016
RUNNING
My only regret is I was not able to run in Central Park while in NYC last week because it was – 20 degrees. For real. The dangerous cold only lasted the weekend and, by Tuesday we were deluged with rain and 50 degree temps. It’s insanity.
Overall this was a low mileage week since I was in NYC to start the week and then left for Vermont the following Thursday. #KeepBreathing
Channeling my inner Rocky for my ride and run last week.
Monday: 20 minute recovery run after 1:30 bike
Tuesday: 7 miles with hill repeats
Wednesday: 4 miles after bike with some hills
Thursday: 7 miles with 4 at tempo (6:45) < – – this was a very hard effort since it was after a 2900 yard swim with speed work. I really had to ask “how bad do you want it,” and I guess the answer is “BADLY!” because my splits were 6:38, 6:50, 6:39, 6:42.
Total = 21 miles
SWIMMING
I feel like Goldilocks in the pool these days – – two weeks ago it was too cold and this past week it was too hot! I definitely prefer the cold because swimming in a warm pool is gross.
I had some quality workouts but I’m itching to get into open water. I should probably book a trip south!
Invoking the spirit of the bull before a particularly hard swim/run!
Tuesday: 2400 yards, fist and paddle drills
Thursday: 2900 yards, speed sets < – – then 7 mile run with 4 @6:45. I nailed it! #BeTheBull
Total = 300 yards or 3 miles
CYCLING
I so wanted to take my bike out on the roads when the temps reached the 50s, however, there were torrential downpours and ice so…
Grinding out the miles in my basement. What you cannot see is Homeland streaming on my iPad!
Monday: 1:30 endurance ride
Wednesday: 5 x 4 big gear – 75 minutes
Total = 2 hours and 45 minutes
SNOWBOARDING
One of my most favorite trips is our annual ski trip to Jackson Gore in Ludlow, Vermont. The boys are getting better at skiing every year and I get to tear up the mountain all by myself. I’m a long distance runner at heart so it’s no wonder I love being alone on the mountain so much. Plus, I get to overhear the most ridiculous and interesting conversations on the lifts!
Did I mention the on-mountain, hot waffles with infused maple syrup? I really should have.
The only thing better then a run in the sun is a ride down the mountain.
GEAR
In addition the the Momentum Jewelry campaign to #SharetheSPARK, I received some new Betty Designs cycling gear in my mailbox this week!
First things first – – I absolutely love the idea behind the Momentum Jewelry #sharethespark campaign. We were given four wrap bracelets, in the new blue color, with two different motivations:
The instruction was simple – share the bracelets with family, friends, neighbors, strangers – anyone who needed a little spark in their life. Luckily, because I was traveling, I had plenty of opportunities to share but I started with my best friend who, coincidentally, is always saying to me : YOU GOT THIS!…well now sista, you do!
Also – during the campaign (now though March 14th) you can buy the new color and sayings for just $10! Come on people – share the spark!
This also was a spark sharing opportunity. I love my dentist…and not just because she is a runner.
I gave my awesome dentist some spark while I was there. She’s a runner, after all and gave me a cavity fill instead of a root canal. Love!
FUEL
I have one name for you – Victor’s. It’s not a person (well, it is) but a Cuban restaurant in NYC serving the most fantastic food on the planet. My father has been a frequent guest at Victor’s for over 30 years. As soon as we sat down, they started making his tostones (fried bananas) and wine and other appetizers seemed to appear out of nowhere.
Doesn’t Vaughn have the face of an angel? And, if you’re wondering what the hell happened to my hair, I was wearing a winter hat all.day.long!
We were probably there for three hours just gorging ourselves on a cultural feast of food and drink. I highly recommend the Mojitos made with Cuban rum!
After dinner, my dad and stepmom took the boys back to the hotel so my husband and I could listen to the music in the bar and indulge in one more cocktail.
The musicians corner with a little light, at the bar.
We needed some room to breathe, and we deserved it after literally running around in the freezing cold of the city and enduring the hell that was Toy Fair*.
*more on that in ‘things I don’t love as much…
THINGS I LOVE
My nutritionist Bob Seebohar and learning more about metabolic efficiency! Now, before you think I’m jumping on some crazy bandwagon of low-carb, high protein and fat diet, please remember that I am a sane and logical individual who loves carbs. Like, really loves them.
The trick, as I am learning is the timing of the carbs vs protein and fats. My body is responding better and I’m getting back to thinking about what I’m putting in my mouth vs just grabbing and going. Although I have always been a healthy eater, I never really thought about the nutritional make-up of the food I was eating, nor the timing of it.
I also find it very comforting to know that Laura at Mommy, Run Fast is talking about this exact thing and even wrote a post, basically about Bob’s philosophy, of which he wrote a book:
What is Metabolic Efficiency for Runners? < – – click the link and Laura will tell you!
#GreatMinds
THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH
I hate to say it but the Toy Fair in NYC was a huge disappointment. It was horribly organized, the toys just plain sucked and it was extremely overcrowded.
The issue is there were two events happening simultaneously, Toy Fair and Play Fair. Toy Fair is for the media and other industry professionals and Play Fair was for the dregs of society. Seriously. I had credentials for Toy Fair but wanted to go to Play Fair with my family first. Well, I never even made it to what I’m sure was a completely different event (Toy Fair) because I spent so much time and energy dragging my family around Play Fair hoping it would get better. It didn’t.
Oh look an old toy we already know about. The worst part? We couldn’t even buy it!!!!! WTF Play Fair?
The boys were very disappointed but were over it pretty quickly. They did enjoy playing with Legos (although could have done that at home for free!) and, we went to the Hall of Science in Queens on Sunday which was fantastic.
Not.even.cold Also notice Vaughn is not wearing gloves and it was about -10 degrees. I’m telling you, these kids are part animal.
3D Robot movie? Yes please! And yes, THAT is the hat I basically wore for 48 hours.
TELEVISION
The Walking Dead, Homeland and Better Call Saul. I’m in TV heaven this week. The return of The Walking Dead was a complete zombie blood bath, which was obviously amazing. Homeland keeps getting better and better and Better Call Saul is just ridiculous but clever…very clever.
The one huge disappointment to me is X Files. After watching the first four (?) episodes, I have finally declared it unwatchable. I have zero interest in even watching the season finale. Total bummer because it started out with so much potential! Damn you Moulder! The truth is out there — your show sucks.
RANDOM QUOTE INSTAGRAM OF THE WEEK
This guy is hilarious. If you’re not following him, you should!
How was you week?
Did you get any new gear?
What do you do to breathe?
This is my FAAVE post of yours each week as I feel like I am there with you.
EXCEPT I WAS SO SO WANTING TO BE THERE WITH YOU AT THE WHOLE TOY SHEBANG.
and now?
I be so so glad I was not :0)
I’m so glad you were not with me…although if you were, I’m sure they would have improved my enjoyment by 100%!
It sounds like last week was the week you needed. I can only imagine how relaxing and fun the skiing was. Even though I’m not a skiier!
I just got a couple of new pairs of running shoes that I’m excited to try out. I think they are going to be awesome.
New running shoes are definitely something to be excited about and, I really think you need to try skiing at some point!
Just breathe! That’s my favorite Momentum wrap which I wear to work every day. Because I need to be reminded…
Life with little guys is hard and then you blink and it’s over. You’re doing great. Just keep swimming! And running. And biking…
Thank you for the encouragement. It was nice to be around all the other families with little ones at the mountain because everyone is dealing with the exact same thing…and we all meet in the bar to discuss 🙂
Keep breathing Wendy – you are killing it!
So glad your watching Homeland, I have never been more captivated by a tv series, I have been telling Mike you guys need to watch it stat!
OMG Jess I am obsessed! I have never watched TV while running or biking but I watch Homeland because it keeps my heart racing!! Thank you for suggesting this…and, Mike is now like 4 episodes behind me because I just.cannot.stop!
So yes Victors is the bomb. So classy. So old school. If the sopranos were Cuban, they would fine there!!
My husband watches th x-files and he is highly disappointed. I feel bad because he was legit looking forward to it coming back!!
I love those momentum bracelets, I’ve been meaning to get one since forever, nows the time!!
Play fair was an epic fail. It’s a shame because it could have been so much greater.
LOL – “if the Sopranos were Cuban, they would be there!”
I share your husband’s pain and, it is very painful.
I SO wanted to share my spark with you in NYC and I totally brought two of them with me but, alas we never met up 🙁 BOOOO!!
I’m so glad you agree with me about Play fair and you’re absolutely right – total shame!! I should have had my shame bell up in there!!
That totally stinks that Play Fair was so horrible! WTH? But it does sound like you did get a much needed chance to breathe. Me, I think I’m holding my breath…at least until the kid turns 18. Haha. I know what you mean about schedules, travel and just generally feeling packed in. But when it all slows down I start to go crazy!
I’m nodding my head with your last sentence because yep, as soon as I have a slow day I start thinking I’m not working/cleaning/organizing/training enough. It’s a sickness.
I like the little skulls on the betty design…I may need to check that out… I am only wearing LA marathon shirts for the next 6 months, people will need to deal. And I think I’m going to go buy myself a little marathon push present:)
You should wear your LA marathon gear for the next six years! And yes, a push present is absolutely in order!!
I think Betty Designs is ALL YOU! The fit and feel is as fantastic as the design.
I’m off to the mountain myself this week. And don’t get me started on the lift conversations. It’s like being at a bar! And The Walking Dead?!?!!? I was full of anxiety for the majority of the episode. CARL!!!!! SO glad it’s back and better than ever.
OMG Angela – the things I heard!! My ears are bleeding! Wear ear plugs.
And the entire beginning of TWD first episode I was in shock. I kept yelling things like “wait! what? OMG! Carl?! Was that…? OMG!” It was crazy town. I have yet to watch the second episode and it’s taking all of my willpower not to go put it on right now!
Enjoy your skiing!!!
That swim + tempo- you killed it!! I’m so inspired. I’ve been having a ‘tired legs’ week the last few days… hoping this week is better, starting with a speed workout tomorrow.
I’m glad you’re having such a good experience with Bob! I’m trying to convince him to come to the east coast and do a training here. He said he will for 20 people, so if you know anyone, spread the word… 🙂
I’m sure it will be. Tired legs rarely last and, if you’re changing your diet to be more metabolically efficient, the carb depletion will even out. Of course, you already know that!
I mentioned you to Bob when we spoke last and I was going to tell you the same! I will definitely get the word out because I would love to take it just for my own personal knowledge.
Those skiing photos are beautiful!! I’ve never been skiing but it looks like so much fun. I read Laura’s post on the metoblic effect book and seriously thinking about purchasing it. I’m all about learning as much as possible. I still really struggle with wanting to eat “the right way”. Just give me pizza all day every day. Ha!! To breathe I lock myself in the exercise room and practice yoga. Or go for a loooooong trail run. I’ve been in this strange mode lately where I feel like everything is too much. Make any sense? Anyway. Your kiddos are ridiculously cute and you’re a total training rockstar. You go woman!!
It was so gorgeous and we were very lucky with the weather!
The book is definitely worth the read because I’m sure, like me, you’re already eating well but could use a few tweaks. And, the pizza is absolutely included. There is no taking away the pizza!!
And being in a mode where you feel like everything is too much makes perfect sense. Keep going to your breathing places!
And thank you 🙂
The 1st picture of you running in the forest is pure running heaven, that encapsulates the ‘Runner’s high’, and bliss for the mind.
Inner Rocky is quite impressive, deeply introspective, a reflection of the storm to come.
Yes, I love being on the mountain alone, skiing by my lonesome all day long. That’s what I did at Mammoth last time I was there: 1st on the lift at 8am, last off the mountain at 5pm; no breaks, just the fluffy white powder and all the black diamonds.
The dentist is fun, I’m getting my molars in order, from caps to fillings over the next 3 months. Last installment was quite thrilling. 6+ decades of heavy feeding have taken their toll; but it was worth every minute, and all the excess culinary delights.
I have an EXCELLENT recommendation for your reading list. ‘The Science of Running’ by Steve Magness.
The 1st part is quite heavy on the scientific aspect of research in the sport citing many studies: VO2max, lactate, biomechanics, elastic energy, stride characteristics, monocarboxylate transporters, etc.
The 2nd part is what coaching has discovered and what works in the field (think Meb K). The premise of the book is to bridge the chasm between the two and facilitate advances in training design, thereby obtaining faster runners.
This is NOT a read quick book! It will elicit a lot of critical thinking, analysis, and thought about how to apply some of the findings to your personal situation.
I’m 15 pages away from the 2nd part, I’ve been on the last 104 pages since the 1st week of 2016. I might be done in about 2 months.
I love this stuff; but I’m a bit twisted too in my fascination, I’ve always thirst to figure how every nut and bolt mated to create the outcome: what makes the whole greater than the sum of all its parts? What is the molecular, chemical, or metabolic union that translates to the finished product?
I know this will be boring to most; but I’ve always been of the opinion that understanding why you train in a certain way is just as important as doing the training, in fact, it multiplies and magnifies the results. What say U?
Thank you for the recommendation! I already ordered it as it sounds exactly like what I need right now – a long, slow, detailed read. Perfect. As I have been training for MANY years now I’ve become more and more interested in the details and the fine tuning. I couldn’t agree more about the WHY in your training and specifically how MY body works and what the best way to train (eat, sleep, workout) is for me. It’s always evolving which is what makes it that much more interesting…at least, to me 🙂 THANK YOU!
And, good luck at the dentist!
I love cuban I was actually close to there this weekend at Guantanamera with the bf. I’ve kind of forgotten about Victor’s for some reason so now need to get my butt there. I grew up skiing and this makes me miss it. My dad had us all on skis as soon as we were able!
Get your butt to Victor’s and then to the mountain!
I love Cuban food and it’s been too long (like, years) since I had it. Your ski trip looks so fun! I love being in the mountains and have been so eager to go snowshoeing or skiing before the season ends.
My grandma used to make Plantains all the time so I definitely miss eating them once a month or so. It was so great to have my whole family there, eating traditional food. I wish I could get some of that closer to home but I guess I will just have to make it myself…which is scary. I really hope you can get out in the snow before the end of the season. It was amazing to just be out of the grind and have a completely different day and focus!
Toddler tears. I’m dying.
I love that you openly admit to the need to breathe. So many mammas think there’s something wrong if they can’t do it all. ALL the time.
Don’t think I missed that caption about the maple syrup and waffles. Gimmie.
Thank you for saying that. It’s all just so hard and when parents admit it to one another it makes it so much more manageable. Misery loves company 🙂
Oh the waffles!!!! I bet you could make them just as good and a hell of a lot healthier.
You shared the SPARK with your dentist – I love it! And that shot of your bike is just so darn cool 🙂 Living a good life, Allie 🙂
Yes I am! And my dentist is so cute and just getting started with running. I feel like she is so intimated and need a SPARK to get her confidence up!! Thank you for creating this great campaign and, of course, for the jewelry itself. I wear one every.single.day and it makes a difference.
Inhale. Exhale. Repeat. And please don’t forget the repeat part 🙂 Sending you all the hugs, time and patience I possibly can. And LOVE the pic of you guys at the theater. xoxo
Thank you so much Jes! I will take it!! And the repeat part is the hardest sometimes…
I am definitely going to have to read more about Metabolic Efficiency Training. Thanks for the intro. I was jealous for a minute when I thought you got outside on your bike! I saw two guys riding outdoors over the weekend which is somewhat nuts consider how crappy the roads are. Looks like you had a great vacay and found a few moments to breathe.
You should definitely look into it more! I think you would love it and it involves a lot of egg eating 🙂
I’ve seen some crazy cyclists out there too and they are just too badass for me!
You and me both with just wanting to breathe. So I am. Taking a step back. Inhale. Exhale. It feels so amazing and I’mm laughing a lot. Coincidence?
I think not!
Keep it up Jill 🙂
I’m totally with you on TWD (did you see Sunday?) and The X-Files…what the hell did they do with my show? It’s bizarre.
I’m going to remember Victor’s Cafe – I must go there! You had me at tostones, but the mojitos sealed the deal.
I did – it was almost comical. I’m anxiously awaiting what Jesus will do next…
You will love Victor’s for those reasons and more!
I’m jealous of the waffles on the mountain! Eric and I are going skiing in a month (Jackson Hole), and I think those waffles would make it worth eating all the snow. (I fall…….a lot.)
I’m sorry you were in NYC during our coldest weekend! Let me know if you ever need a running tour guide! And I will definitely be checking out this restaurant of yours…
Someday I will make it to Jackson Hole. We’re going out to Breckinridge in March but who knows how the skiing will be then? I’m sure they will have amazing waffles in Jackson Hole as well…
It was brutal in the city so we stayed indoors a lot which wasn’t that fun. Definitely let me know what you think of Victor’s and I would love to run in the city with you sometime!
OMG, I feel like i’m totally suffocating right now. The kids, snow days, studying, new job starting….I can’t fit it all in and I’m exhausted. Hubby and i haven’t had a date since November. I need to breathe or scream or something! Looks like you had a great snowboarding trip and yay for parents who take the kids for some well deserved date time!!
I feel for you woman. Every time I’m solo parenting and things are going rough, I think of you!! You absolutely need some room to breathe and then some!! You and your husband need like a trip to Hawaii for a month after the winter you have had. Hang in there…
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