There have been a lot of hills this past week, both literally and figuratively. Before I was out running hills in Napa, CA I had some uphill battles to work out at home. Just little things really but, you know what happens to my molehills when I don’t address them properly.
Let’s see if any hills got out of control this past week before I can even wrap my head around the current week. A word of caution – – I have had a lot of wine, little sleep and travel stress. Be gentle.
The hills were gorgeous and covered in grapes for harvest season in Napa, CA. This was at the hotel Meritage.
WEEK OF OCTOBER 10, 2016
RUNNING
I’m back to running more than cycling and swimming and, I have to say that I’m truly enjoying it. Since I was traveling for most of the week I was looking forward to seeing some of Napa on foot and not having to overthink packing!
I of course had hills repeats on the schedule for one of the days I was in Napa since hills are kind of the only way to run there. I found a perfect one with a gorgeous statue at the top. I was sucking so much wind but, each time I thought about how lucky I was to be there, running through a mountain of grapes ready to be made into wine! Amazing. But still very, very difficult.
Tuesday: 4 miles easy after strength training | 8:24 pace
Wednesday: 7.56 miles with intervals | 7:32 pace
Saturday: hill repeats in Napa | 8.26 miles total | 7:56 pace
Sunday: 5 easy miles with some strength training/core intervals | 7:36 pace
Total – 24.82
I ran all the way up there. Five times!
CYCLING
I was only on the bike once this past week and it was inside on the trainer. I definitely wanted to take advantage of cycling in Napa but since my husband would rather do almost anything else there, and it was his birthday weekend, I resigned myself to the one day of biking at home.
It was also raining in Napa pretty much the entire time we were there so I didn’t feel like I was missing out.
Thursday: 1 hour | intervals and drills
I like to get my sweat on before I’m stuck on a plane all day.
SWIMMING
Sadly, I only had one day of swimming, and it was a quick one. I was given the freedom of basically doing whatever I wanted for a 45 minute swim. I took it mostly easy but stuck in 8 x 100 for speed! It felt good to just play in the water and not have a time goal.
Little did I know I would feel as though I was swimming for my long weekend in Napa. It rained almost the entire time I was there and everyone wanted to make sure I knew that was the only rain they had in months. Thanks. That makes me feel so much better.
Just hanging out in the rain with my husband at Inglenook winery. #littlewomanbigshoes
STRENGTH TRAINING
The beatings have continued at Boundless Performance in Hartford. I had another great session with Hannah that included burpees, Russian twists, good mornings, lunges, planks and whole bunch of other things I’m probably forgetting…on purpose.
One thing that has remained fresh in my mind is this…
I pulled a very heavy, very long chain with a kettle bell on the end of it to finish my workout. Yes, finish. It took me 38 seconds and my arms almost fell off.
I loved it.
FUEL
I probably should have an entirely separate post for the food I inhaled while in Napa but, I’m not a food blogger so this quick recap will have to do.
The very best food we had while in town was at Brasswood Bar and Kitchen in St. Helena. The second best was The Girl and the Fig in Sonoma. Everything was incredibly fresh and prepared in such unique and fantastic ways, it was if I were eating it for the first time. And, no I’m not exaggerating even a little bit.
This was dessert at The Girl and the Fig because, you really should start with dessert first. I haven’t a clue what it was called but it was toasted marshmallow and chocolate amazingness in a glass…
Our feast at Brasswood consisted mainly of tapas and wine (of course) with burrata so creamy it melted, roasted Brussels sprouts, meatballs, tomato drenched in vinaigrette, prosciutto, more cheese and more wine. Incredible.
The company was incredible too. My college roommate and her husband live near Napa and played tour guide to our palettes when we were off resort. You really cannot beat great friends and food!
Cheers to great food and friends!
THINGS I LOVE
My college roommate. She and I spent only one year together at Boston University but, in that time managed to create a bond so strong, it has lasted for nearly 25 years! We celebrated turning 21 together, went skiing every chance we could, traveled all over the country and have gone though so many milestones together, I stopped counting. Ok, fine, some of them I don’t remember because, college. Regardless, she is a true friend who just wraps you up in her bubble of awesomeness and never lets go. Either that or, smacks you out of it which such ferocity it makes your head spin. I love her for being both!
We need a refill!
THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH
Having to celebrate my husband’s birthday flying all day and night to get home. It probably would not have been so bad except that our plane hit massive turbulence (complete with people screaming!) that I had a total panic attack and was like a mental patient for the duration of the flight. And then I had to get one another one. Not my best day and certainly not what my husband wanted for his 44th birthday.
Luckily we celebrated for three days prior to that nightmare, but something tells me I have more making up to do!
There was a lot of laughing on the wine tours!
MUSIC
I haven’t included a music category here in a while but, the DJ at one of the work events my husband had, I have been waiting to hear! His name is DJ Michael Toast and his reputation and mohawk precede him. On this particular night he brought an accompanying violinist to rock out to his mixes. It was so fantastically unique and entertaining because seriously, how can a room of over 40 adults who are not on ecstasy enjoy a DJ? He made it happen!
READING
I absolutely love everything about this post from Salty Running. It captures a lot of my feelings and thoughts about women’s only races while providing a little history as well as the races that do it well. Regardless of whether or not you would wear a tutu in a race, I think we can do better ladies!
Women-Only Races: Awesome or Awful?
“The Nike Women’s Marathon’s gimmick centers around male firefighters in tuxedos handing out necklaces to finishers. At the Women Rock races, shirtless men hand out post-race gifts to the female finishers. To me, that screams sexism and objectification. Could you imagine a race where women in slinky cocktail dresses handed out watches to men at the finish? Is this actually equality in the sport of running?”
I think not.
The inaugural Crazylegs Mini Marathon, the first women’s-only competitive road race. Source: SaltyRunning.com
I also feel really strongly about the piece I wrote for Training Peaks on running cadence and how important it is. I explain exactly what cadence means, how your stride length effects it and how you can improve yours for better performance and to reduce your risk of injury. I feel it’s one of the easier things to improve your overall running game. Check it out…
Finding Your Perfect Run Cadence
RANDOM SIGN OF THE WEEK
Because this is laugh out loud funny and probably the best marathon sign ever made:
Don’t forget you can still enter to win some very cool gear and discounts from Rise.Run.Retreat until 10/18/16 right HERE!
[Tweet “The Rundown in battling #hills, recovering from #Napa and reading up on #cadence! “]
How was your week?
Are you running any hills?
OH
MY
GOSH
THAT
SIGN. Too funny and too terrifying still until the election is over over over.
I love your love and admiration for your husband. You two together make me smile and those shoes on yer feet? The clogs? Make me wanna shop. <3
I know! Please let it be OVER already.
It’s so great spending alone time with my husband. The boys make us all crazy and they need time away from us too. win/win/win 🙂
The clogs are Michael Kors. LOVE THEM!!!
That sign. I laughed out loud too. Sounds like a lovely weekend away even with the rain. And now I want to hear that DJ because I really need to hear music that adults want to rock out to without being on ecstasy. Off to read your article on cadence…something I’ve worked on and helps a ton!
HAHAHA!!! Sounds like you are feeling better and I’m so glad!! 🙂
That sign made me LOL for real. I think part of my funk is this whole election. It’s so icky. Trump has dragged us all into the trailer park.
I saw those shoes before I saw the hashtag! #greatmindsthinkalike
Agreed! I actually saw an article about how to deal with election stress. It’s THAT bad.
Yes we do 🙂 #mindpower
Seriously? Glad to know I’m not alone in my distress. I think I’m going to have PTSD after November, no matter what the outcome!
Okay, I think I need to get to Napa. I would even go if someone made me run hills once I arrived! Great trip 🙂
Absolutely!! The hills were not so bad when powered by stunning views and delicious wine 🙂
Thanks for sharing my article! It sounds like you had an amazing weekend despite that storm that turned the entire West Coast into the Wet Coast. You and your husband are adorable! Oh and that sign – too funny, too relevant, too disturbing. It would do the trick at mile 23!
Of course! You know I loved that article and it was so well written.
Isn’t that sign the best?
It all sounds amazing other than your very turbulent flight!! I would be a mess thinking my kids will be orphans. Believe it or not, I have not been to napa yet…. we’ve done wine tours in solvang, santa barbara, ojai, temecula…. but haven’t done napa…. it’s on my list.
Orphaning my children is precisely what freaks me out!! The worst.
I seriously cannot believe you haven’t been to Napa yet!? WHAT? Can’t you have Jake organize a yoga retreat there? Come on!! 🙂
It’s interesting about the cadence. The Altra founder, was just talking about that this weekend. My cadence is actually a little high because I have an awkward, short stride.
I am not surprised at all that your cadence is through the roof. You absolutely killed it at RW this past weekend so congrats!!
Bring on more celebrations! the turbulence sounds awful, but I’m hoping despite that, you still had a great trip! and it looks like you did!
I am very jealous of all your eating this week! The tapas sound amazing!!
Those shoes!! Are they comfy? They look high!
The Trump sign!! that is awesome! I have to admit that one of the things that I was most grateful for in my half marathon this past weekend, was to go for hours completely disconnected from Election Coverage.
That article is very interesting. Women only races have not interested me, and I love all shades of pink. But the thought of the dragged out stereotypes and clichés sound like too much stress for an even that is supposed to be fun. Thank you for sharing!
We absolutely had a great trip – the turbulence was on the flight home so…
The shoes are very high but also extremely comfy. I wore them all day and my feet were fine!
I think this election is making everyone bananas and more people are probably picking up running to do just what you did! We’re going to see the next running boom because of it 🙂
Glad you seemed to enjoy the article as much as I did…
Each and every time I read about your swimming, I want to jump into the pool. I swam when I was pregnant with Callum and I ended up loving it. I sucked, but it was fun.
I love the pic of you and your friend with the empty wine glasses. Totally something I would do. And happy birthday to your husband! The pics of you guys are so cute! I can’t even handle talking about the turbulence on the plane. I WOULD LOSE MY SHIT.
You should totally just jump in the pool! Suckage matters not.
Don’t worry – I completely lost it and I’m already dreading my next flight 🙁
Rain at Napa is such a bummer! But it still looks like you had an amazing getaway. The plane? I am getting more and more anxious as I get older and turbulence of any kind does me in, but if there were people screaming?! Gah! So sorry you had to experience that.
Awesome running workouts- I’m enjoying my 3 miles at ten minute pace this week but itching to do something harder soon!
The rain was definitely a bummer but we didn’t let it stop us, plus they needed it so badly there!
The turbulence on the plane was pretty much the worst I have ever experienced. It was THAT bad. 🙁
I’m sure you are ready to get back into the swing with running. Not to worry – NYC is coming right up!! So exciting!!
Girl. I know how you feel about flying so i’m so sorry you had such terrible turbulence!! Honestly I feel like turbulence is way worse than it used to be back in the day! Glad you had a good time with hubby and your college roommate!! I saw that trump sign on the innanets somewhere and laughed from my belly.
Thank you for saying that and YES I feel like the turbulence has gotten a lot worse. What is up with that???
And that sign – OMG I could have used some of that comedy on the flight 🙂
Stop it!!! I love, love, love The Girl and The Fig!!! That place is so fantastic and now you have me dying to get back there. Sigh…
What an awesome trip and HBD to your hubby!!
So glad you got to experience those Napa hills and bummed that it rained (although it is always needed!), but Napa is beautiful no matter what.
Off to read your Training Peaks article!! 🙂
xoxox
SO great that you know the place!!!! It was dream worthy food and wine – OMG!…but, you already know that.
And yes, the locals were so grateful for the rain so it didn’t bum us out too much. Plus, it’s such a gorgeous place.
Hope you got something out of the cadence article 🙂
Despite the rain I am jealous that you went to NAPA. My birthday celebration was less than stellar, wish I could have snuck into your bag to have shared some of the wine in napa. I am sorry to hear about the scary plane ride. Not cool and I know how much that scares you. Happy your vacation was ok otherwise. I get neurotic when I travel too. Perhaps our hubbies could compare notes. Ha!
Oh and the commentary about the women’s races I totally agree!
I wish you could have too!! I would have loved to have celebrated your birthday out there!!
And yes, I’m sure our poor husbands would have a lot to discuss 🙂
I was excited to tell you how pretty all your Napa pics were and how I also enjoyed the Girl and the Fig while we were there but now all I can think about is that race poster and I am LOLing. Ha!!! Great week of training with all the travel. Your strength training looks awesome too!!! xo
So great that you know exactly what I’m talking about with The Girl and the Fig – YUM!!!
Thanks so much Jesica.