November 2011 - My Healthy, Happier Life

ashleyd / November 30, 2011

Marathons+Moderation Guest Post #23

Good morning readers! I’m Victoria from The District Chocoholic, where I write about everything related to chocolate – chocolate shops around the country, reviews of truffles and chocolate bars, and of course, delicious chocolate recipes that I put together.

Ashley has kindly offered to let me write in her “Marathons and Moderation” series, and I am thrilled to do it because I was in awe of her dedication to training for the New York City Marathon (did you read about the time she woke up at 4:45 am to run twelve miles in San Francisco while there for business travel?) I can relate to how much discipline this requires, because my job in the nuclear energy sector requires extensive travel, and I’ve had to find places to run all over the country, sometimes long before dawn. It was worth it, though, when I ran a very evenly-paced and fun race at the Richmond Marathon on November 12 this year.

So how did I manage to do it without burning out or (totally) losing my mind? I get asked that often, since in addition to a fairly demanding full time job with travel and long hours, I am the head coach for a local synchronized swimming team, which requires more travel and time dedication. I made it possible, and here are a few tips that you can use yourself if you are wondering how on earth you could fit marathon training into your own hectic life.

Tip 1: Pick a race that works well with your life

In March and April, I spend a lot of time traveling to coach the awesome synchronized swimmers on our team at meets that run 12-14 hours a day.

Fun, yes? Conducive to sticking with a solid marathon training program? Not so much. This is why I picked a November marathon – seven weeks of my training cycle was during the synchronized swimming off season, and the remainder was prior to the competitive season getting underway.

Tip 2: Cross train

Running 5-6 days a week for a 16-20 week training cycle can make you hate running and pine away for days off. Solution? Cross train!

I personally love swimming for my days off running, since I swam four years in college. I even did a few open water race during marathon training to keep myself mindful of the fact that there IS a life outside of running. As an added bonus, this can help prevent injury in and running burnout. You don’t have to swim, just find another aerobic activity that you enjoy.

Tip 3: Have a cabinet filled with chocolate at your disposal

This tip needs no explanation.

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ashleyd / November 30, 2011

A Rookie Travel Mistake

Good morning and happy Wednesday!

Well, for someone who considers herself to be an avid traveler, I definitely made a novice mistake yesterday!

We didn’t return to our hotel room on Miami Beach until 11pm, at which point I thought I was going to fall asleep standing. In my exhausted haze, I adjusted the thermostat quickly as my room was freezing. I switched on the heat, headed for the shower, and hoped the freezing room would warm right up. Upon stepping out of the shower I was bit with an icy breeze! I quickly called down to the front desk requesting help with my thermostat when the woman laughed and stated that I’m in Miami and should realize there is no such thing as heat.

Therefore, the boxers and tank top that I packed to sleep in did not keep me warm. I slept with the comforters from both beds on top of me and a towel wrapped around my head all night! Still, I woke up almost every hour freezing!

Now that I’ve made this rookie mistake once, I will always pack both warm and cold weather pajamas. If I’d had a pair of warm flannel pajamas I would have been plenty warm! You never know if you’ll have a working thermostat or in last night’s example, heat!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday! I’m off to squeeze in a few miles along Collins Avenue or the boardwalk before another long day of store visits. Late this morning this week’s Marathons+Moderation guest post will be posted and it’s a good one!

Question: What’s the biggest travel lesson you’ve learned?

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ashleyd / November 29, 2011

Time to Travel Again?

Happy Tuesday! This morning was another early one as I had to be at JFK bright and early for a flight to Miami! I can’t believe it’s already time for me to travel again! This month I’ll fly Delta at least 6 times!

New York to Miami
Miami to New York
New York to Savannah
Savannah to Atlanta
Atlanta to Cozumel
Cozumel to New York

Having enjoyed a travel hiatus during late October and early November, it felt very weird to be back in the airport only 48 hours after our Sunday flight back from Savannah!

There was very little traffic this morning which meant I arrived and made it through security in time to grab a delicious breakfast from my favorite JFK Starbucks right in the middle of the Delta terminal.

I grabbed a large banana, venti unsweetened Iced Green Tea, perfect oatmeal, and a Chobani yogurt to enjoy later. You can tell from my overflowing bag that I’m heading down on a work trip. I always debate which folders to bring but worry about not having something I need so end up packing everything! Needless to say, I think I’ll be leaving half of these in my hotel room so my shoulder doesn’t die during our store visits!

I enjoyed breakfast as soon as I sat down in my seat with a side of US Weekly.

My flight feels like a fraternity party as there is a group of 75 students heading down to the Art Basel show in Miami and they are hopping from one row to another catching up with their friends.

I doubt that my next post will be any earlier than this evening as we have a jam packed schedule starting as soon as we land in Miami.

Until then, feel free to enjoy my previous Miami adventures, which took place this Summer!

Joe’s Stone Crab

Seafood+Pool+ Spa in Pictures

Boardwalk Fun

Tap Tap Restaurant

Welcome to Miami

Until later, have a great Tuesday!