After you’ve been running for a while you can get into what I like to call a “steady state” of flow during a run. It’s that blissful state of cruising along and feeling good, letting your mind wander and feeling grateful for just being out there while letting go of expectations for pace or mileage. I feel like I’m in the steady state of life right now with everything flowing. Obviously it’s only a matter of time before the crash but, while I’m in it, I’m going to enjoy it for all it’s worth!
Soaking up the sunflowers while they last.
WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2017
RUNNING
As I steadily increase my mileage to ramp up for the Las Vegas RNR half marathon in November, I’m enjoying my long runs more and more. I had an 11 miler this week which is the longest I have run in quite a while but instead of being intimidated by it, I embraced whatever happened and didn’t shy away from a hilly route. It paid off in that euphoric feeling you get when it’s over…and there’s food…and coffee.
My hardest run of the week was definitely the track session on Monday. Holy hell! I was not feeling my steady state because I was breathing too loudly and then, just as I was closing in on the end of my ladder 2 x (1600, 1200, 800, 400, 200) a gym class came out and was playing, of all things, disc golf! WTF? I felt like a jackass and then had to use only half the track, lest I become the target of the discs…since I’m pretty sure that’s what I would have done in high school. Karma is a bitch.
Don’t mind me youngsters. Just doing a nerdy track workout.
Monday: track session | 2 x (1600, 1200, 800, 400, 200) | 9 miles | 7:35 average pace
Tuesday: easy run after ride | 4.12 miles with Star | 8:13 average pace
Friday: long run | 11 miles | average pace
Total = 24.12 miles
CYCLING
So I got a new bike computer since I haven’t had one for about a year and it’s basically impossible to look at my watch while riding, if I don’t want to die. The new toy is the Garmin 520 and it’s fantastic but I just hate setting up new equipment! They make it almost idiot proof but it took a few rides to get all the data I want to see. I guess that makes me…
My two rides this week were fantastic and I can only hope this beautiful weather holds out a little while longer…
After a long ride and run with the baby girl.
Tuesday: strength endurance ride then run | 16 miles
Thursday: VO2 Max ride | 13.3 miles
Total = 29.3
SWIMMING
I gave my coach the shock of her life when my notes after one of my swims was “this was downright pleasant!” After she recovered, and realized I wasn’t talking about a run, she was deliriously happy.
We also have a group now that can meet at the local Y at 5:30am on Tuesdays and Fridays. I’m going to try desperately to get to at least one of them since the thought of swimming with other people makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. Of course the very first week my husband is gone on Tuesday and I’m gone Friday morning. I can see how this is going to go…
As it was I only made it to the pool once last week…which is probably why it was so pleasant.
Wednesday: endurance and form | 2,250 yards
GEAR
One of the things I love about fall running and riding is the use of the arm sleeves! Where I live there are only a handful of weeks where you can slip those babies on and off so you’re comfy at the start of the run or ride and can easily peel them off when you inevitably heat up.
Some people love pumpkin lattes and cider donuts. I love arm sleeves and these ones from Orange Mud are the bomb because they have a pocket! Genius!
THINGS I LOVE
Making time to get a massage. I’m back on the “I will book a massage once a month” train and so far I have gotten two, very much needed massages! It’s amazing how good you feel after just one hour of working out the kinks. For the locals, Dawn at Body Secrets in South Windsor is amazing and knows how to work on athletes.
THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH
Being the grammar police. If everyone could go ahead and get a copy of this, it would be appreciated:
I could not resist this book when I randomly spied it at Anthropology in Boston. It is filled with so many words people abuse on a daily basis from “acai” (pronounced ah-sigh-EE) to “yin-yan” because it’s YIN-YAN and not ying-yang. It also gives a history and description of the word with a lot of hilarious misuses. Early Christmas gift? Yes. Please give it to everyone you know! (and yes, I already have a calendar for 2018)
READING
I am currently reading a book by an author that I had dismissed as trite and for the masses. Well, I’m happy to tell you I have been throttled off my high horse where Jodi Picoult is concerned as I’m in the depths of Small Great Things for book club.
I’m horrified and disgusted by some of the content, since it’s a story about a psycho racist (was that redundant?) white supremacist and a black nurse. The story is captivating from the beginning and, if you can stop feeling sick every time you read or hear (I’m mostly listening to it on Audible) racist slurs, it’s actually worth it because I cannot wait to find out what happens. Another cool aspect for me is the story takes place in New Haven, Connecticut so I can picture the scenery and some of the places mentioned.
I have yet to finish it but I would say it’s absolutely worth the read.
It’s also being made into a movie starring Viola Davis and Julia Roberts, which will obviously be worse than the book so read it before it’s too late.
RANDOM QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Miles to Vaughn: Remember when I pranked you by putting that cup in the toilet?
Vaughn: Oh yay, that was hilarious. I tried to flush it but it wouldn’t go down!
Me: You put a cup in our toilet and then Vaughn tried to flush it?
Miles: No. *with a tsk and a roll of his eyes*
Vaughn: No mom, we did that at school.
Dear Lord help me. At least I didn’t get a call from the principal or a bill from the plumbing company. Miles added that he simply reached into the bowl to remove the cup after the prank was complete. I’m sure he washed his hands afterward.
[Tweet “The Rundown is in a steady state with long #runs, new #gear and a must have book for everyone! #train4life”]
How was your week?
Are you in a steady state?
What is your favorite piece of fall gear/clothing?
I am farthest possible from steady state right now. Unless that’s a steady state of hurting myself. Ugh. I’m all about the once a month massages. I’ve been doing it for over a year and I love it. It doesn’t necessarily keep me injury free but it helps to get the knots out.
Oh honey I know!! I actually thought of you on my run today because I twisted my ankle in a pothole!! Luckily it was fine after about a .25 mile of slow running. I almost had a heart attack though!! Yes to massages because they are awesome and so necessary.
Definitely not in a steady state right now, but getting the hang of it! I also feel like literally all I say at night and on weekends is “Don’t forget to flush the toilet and wash your hands.” Followed immediately by “Did you flush the toilet and wash your hands?” Which is inevitably met with “I forgot.”
No you are not but you’re having some amazing adventures as per usual.
And I don’t even bother with the toilet flushing reminders since that is all I would say all day. And turn off the light. Pick up your socks. Don’t hit your brother. Don’t eat food off the floor.
They are ALL the same!
And I love the “I forgot” excuse. 🙂
I want to be in a Steady State. My training feels “pretty good”… I have my last Tri of the season on Saturday. I really want to get one more open water swim in this week. My running actually feels better than it has in awhile.
However, in contrast my MOM/WORK Life feels like a total hot mess. We are only two weeks into the school year and I am DONE with making lunches and this morning and I had to search for white socks… ONLY TWO WEEKS and we are out of socks, how is that even possible.
Small Great Things is AMAZING! Jodi Picoult is one of my favs and this book was so good! I have recomended it to so many people.
Why is it that personal/mom life can never quite be on the same page as training life? I hear you with the lunches. Why do they have to eat everyday? It’s exhausting. As for the socks, I swear I buy more socks than milk at this point. What in God’s name do they do with them???
Hang in there and hopefully you get that ows in before it gets too cold!
I’m going to just pretend that I did not read that whole bike computer Garmin 520 thing and not tell Babak about it…. I would much rather my kids cause a plumbing problem at school where I’d have to just pay the bill than a plumbing problem at home where I’d have to pay the bill and sit at home for a 4hour window for the plumber to show up…. I want to see the facial expressions of the other people when you show up to the ymca swim group in all your buffness… picture please
Oh you NEED to get it for your husband!! I wish I had a spare one 🙂
You are so right about the plumbing problem. We actually had a toilet issue and I fixed it all by myself after watching a YouTube video. Gotta love technology.
And my swim group is my coach’s team so I will hardly be anything astonishing to them…but I appreciate it 🙂
I read that book! It got a little boring in the middle but then I liked it by the end again. She’s not my favourite author but she did a great job with this book.
5:30am is so early to do anything, let alone jump naked into cold water. People think I’m badass, and for a second I will agree until I read things like that, what YOU people do, and then I feel like a ninny.
Hilarious about your boys and the cup. And yes, karma is a bitch when it comes to what I did in high school. It’s ALL coming back to me now with MY teenagers. God help me.
LOL I love that you think swimming inside in a pool at 5:30 is badass when you run like 150 miles a week and didn’t skip a beat while pregnant and even now with a newborn! YOU my friend are the badass…
I love that steady state place! Hope it lasts for a nice long while.
And …boy mom stuff!! I cannot imagine… although some days I’d happily take that over the emotions and crying and sass.
Yep, we all have our issues. I’m only hoping things get easier (?) when they are teenagers. Is that ridiculous? Probably. *sigh*
Well yes now I HAVE to read the book! Anything with Viola will be simply amazing. That is a fact. Good luck with those 5:30 am swims!! I am so excited that you are doing RNR Vegas! I totally wanted to do that one but I am taking entirely too many trips for the rest of 2017. That conversation sounded like a total normal convo in this house…..imagine what we DON’T hear!!
Oh yes you HAVE to read this book. I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions, especially with how she handles the race situation and how she defines racism. It’s so interesting and totally opened my mind to a whole new idea of what racism really is. Heavy stuff but so important…obviously.
And I love you for saying that boy convo is so normal. Amen to boy moms!!!
So bummed you can’t do the Las Vegas RNR. I know you have been traveling all over so something has to give…
Love how your pup joins you for workouts, she’s so cute! And yay for monthly massages! I’ve been keeping up with massages every 4-7 weeks in recent months. They’re not all that relaxing because I have them do myofascia release therapy on my muscles that tend to get “stuck” but they are SO beneficial. I feel so much better afterwards!
She is so fun to run with! And yes, a big part of my massages hurt like crazy, but then all the tension that is released is so worth it.
That steady state place of training is my bliss. I’m hoping to get there soon with marathon training. You’re kicking ass at your training – that speed workout is no joke! I did about half that workout the other day and one round was enough for me.
Come to Seattle, arm sleeve weather lasts from now to November! Um, if you don’t mind it being rainy. I love arm sleeves also, they’re the best accessory for fall running.
Thanks for saying that about my workout Laura. It was TOUGH and I felt great afterward but whew.
I would love to come visit in Seattle. Someday!
Oh my stars. Hands in the toilet. Fab u freaking lusss. My girl just got a double ear infection and pink eye and a yeast infection at daycare. Needless to say she ain’t returning. Ain’t ain’t ain’t! Haha sorry grammar police. I’m about to throw in the towel at germs. Despite all her ailments my little mini me has been climbing the stairs and furniture like a pro. No signs of a sick kid around here. Just a crap ton of snot and eye goop. And she loves sharing food with our dogs. Waiter bring me a cocktail. I’ll have a double!
I’ve been working on my base lately. Like I’m actually going to try to intelligently and consciously build my base miles rather than just running around like a monkey without a clue. I’m in it for the long haul and that requires discipline in the form of slow my roll the eff down. Boring easy running. But it’s good. I can do it. I know I need to. Plenty of time to get faster later. Like when my babe turns 3. Watch out world!
Hahaha – yep, they are super germy at that age and especially around other kids. We have had our share of pink eye and ear infections – so horrible!!
Glad you are getting on a plan and doing some base building!! Your body will thank you 🙂
I have so many comments…
1. Your legs look awesome.
2. At a glance, I thought those arm sleeves had blood on them. That should be a design. You’d look like a total bad ass.
3. I need that “You’re Saying It Wrong” book. Who say “supposedly” wrong?!
4. I need that book too. I really have good intentions when it comes to reading more.
5. Your kids crack me up. That sounds like some shit I’d have done.
I have so many responses:
1. THANK YOU!!! I always think they look ginormous but they are great on a bike and running up hill 🙂
2. Blood bath sleeves should be a thing!
3. Yes you do. I need extras to randomly hand out to people who say supposedly – LOL!!
4. That is also why I bought it.
5. They are hilarious and the constant comedy is one reason I keep them around 🙂