March 2014 - Page 7 of 7 - My Healthy, Happier Life

ashleyd / March 3, 2014

Geneva Half Marathon Training–Week 1

Happy Monday!

I’m definitely riding an endorphin high right now following an incredible trail run. Renaud introduced me to a new trail tonight after work which was perfect. It was challenging but not intimidating. The muddy trail provided us with views of the river and due to the clear Spring like evening I was gasping at the views of Mont Blanc.

Needless to say, this run couldn’t have come at a better time. I have chosen a new goal half marathon and Gia and I have one hell of a plan in place. We’ve already built in the ski weekends and upcoming travel to make sure that I can still log enough quality runs and miles to feel strong on May 4th.

Last week was a perfect kick off week. I enjoyed runs with friends and solo. I embraced the treadmill for speed and still enjoyed one rest day and one day of cross training.

Monday: rest day

Tuesday: 2 miles at 8:55 and 10 minutes of chest, arms & abs

Wednesday: Tempo run including 10 minute warm-up, 2 miles at 9:00 pace repeated twice, followed by a 10 minute cool down

Thursday: A deep tissue massage and 20 minute yoga for runners

Friday: 8 mile long run along Lake Geneva bright and early with a new running buddy, Lauriane, while keeping under a 9:45 pace

Saturday: 6 miles of walking through Lyon while taking in the sights

Sunday: 4 mile run along the Rhone River and through Lyon

This week includes lots of running Monday through Thursday as Friday and Saturday will be spent skiing in Verbier. I am excited for next week in New York City which will be a balance of running and catching up with friends during some of my favorite workout classes!

Your turn: If you had to choose, would you run through sand or mud?

Follow:

ashleyd / March 2, 2014

Café Des Federations–Lyonnaise Cuisine

On a small little street in Lyon sits a culinary treasure – Café des Federations. Suggested to us by one of my dear friends in Geneva, Lauren Collins, who is a talented free lance writer for the New Yorker magazine, this restaurant was nothing short of amazing. The small space is ornately decorated with posters, pictures and memorabilia from the region while the noise carries from table to table as people coo over the delicious Lyonnaise cuisine.

Lyonnaise cuisine refers to the cooking traditions and practices of Lyon, brought the the region in the 16th century by Catherine de Medici. She brought her cooks to the court and requested that they prepare dishes using the local produce while still leveraging their Florence training. Since then the cuisine has become known across the world and it had since helped put Lyon on the map as the ‘’world gastronomy capital”.

The common dishes include coq au vin, Lyonnaise potatoes, poached eggs in red wine, pistachio sausage, charcuterie, and Beaujolais red wine. Sharing a bottle of wine at lunch felt like such an abnormal treat as it isn’t often that mom and I have wine with lunch, much less sip our way through an entire bottle!

Their lunch menu is quite simple, which after a few overwhelming menus this weekend was a welcome change. The classic menu, which is 19.50 euro per person, included the following delicious dishes:

Delicatessen Lyon
Caviar de la Croix Rousse
Salad of the day (lentils)
Rillette herring
A hot dish of our choice – Stewed pork cheek, crayfish dumpling and chicken liver

There really is no way to describe the lunch other than to say that every dish was absolutely incredible in a rustic, French way that left us craving more but too stuffed to think of having another bite. The staff, including the owner, was so sweet and hospitable that we found ourselves laughing and making conversation with them. It didn’t hurt to see that for once we had planned accordingly, thanks to Lauren’s guidance, and made reservations. In the two hours that we sat enjoying our meal more than 40 people walked in, trying to snag a table to no avail.

When in Lyon, go to Café des Federations. We just discovered that they also serve dinner which will be a no miss destination on our next trip. Until then, when in Lyon, do not ask questions, do not question the menu, do not think about a diet, but instead indulge and enjoy everything they serve or offer you. It will be incredible and you’ll remember the meal for ages.

Bon appetite!