ashleyd /

11 Weeks Later: Reflections on my 2016 NYC Half Marathon Training Plan

NYC-Half-training-plan-1024x1024

Ten weeks ago I shared my 2016 NYC Half Marathon Training plan with you guys. This training plan is the first one I’ve created solo, without the support of a formal coach. Instead, I spent hours reading prior recaps and training plans before developing one that worked for me. As you may recall, my weekly workout schedule/training plan included 6 workouts:

  • 3 runs (1 speed/1 long/1 mid-distance)
  • 2 strength training workouts
  • 1-2 yoga/pilates/barre classes

When creating this plan, I had a few goals:

  • Avoid injury.
  • Avoid running burnout.
  • Be able to continue cross training via ClassPass (<– Get $25 off your first month)

Now that I’m enjoying a few days of rest and relaxation during my week long taper before Sunday’s race, I thought it’d be a good idea to reflect on the past eleven weeks to see how the training plan worked out. Since I didn’t have the financial obligation to a running coach, was I able to hold up my end of the bargain? Heck yes! I’ve wanted this sub-2 hour half marathon for years and this time around I put 100% into training!

runhappy

  • 3 runs?
    • Each week, I ran three times, without fail. Even during the crazy snow, I bundled up and head to Prospect Park or to the treadmill at Blink. I took eight classes at Mile High Run Club which most weeks served as my speed training. As part of the NYRR coached running group, I ran in Prospect Park six nights completing 4 – 6 miles as part of our weekly tempo workout. The only area where I could have improved is the long run. Two of my runs were cut short due to wind or extreme cold, which means that instead of 8 miles I ran 6 and instead of 10 miles I ran 8. The strength that I felt during my last two 10 mile long runs, gave me the confidence I needed to realize that these two shorter runs didn’t ruin my training plan. I do think that I will build in a 12-13 mile run before Brooklyn and Flying Pig Half Marathon just to give myself an added boost of confidence.
  • 2 strength training workouts?
    • I took 11 strength training classes during this training cycle which surprised me as I felt like I was taking them more often. As there are only so many days in the week, I definitely reduced the number of strength workouts I was taking during my Brooklyn Body Burn challenge in February.  I want to really focus on getting these strength workouts in as I know that increasing my lean muscle mass will only help me get faster. The best way to ensure this is by reviewing my training plan each Sunday as I plan my ClassPass schedule. This extra rigor will help hold me accountable.
  • 1-2 yoga/pilates/barre classes?
    • I took 10 yoga classes, one barre class and five Brooklyn Body Burn (aka megaformer) classes during this training schedule. I believe that the consistent yoga practice really helped my body stay injury free and improve my mental state during the tough first six weeks of the year. I would like to add a few more barre/pilates classes to the schedule during the next round of training as my body definitely leans out when I’m taking barre or reformer classes on a consistent basis.
  • Sleep? 
    • Over the past ten weeks I’ve averaged 7 hours of sleep which seems to be the perfect amount for my body. As part of the taper this week, I’m trying to get 8 hours of sleep each night.
  • Food/nutrition?
    • This one is a bit of a question mark right now. For the past few weeks I’ve felt a bit off (nope, I’m not pregnant, trust me friends) and I can’t pinpoint the reason. I’ve started eliminating things this week to try and pinpoint the culprit. I think the biggest culprit is evening dessert (dang you Thin Mints) and my afternoon snack. I’m focusing on smaller, more frequent meals which will allow me to better stabilize my blood sugar and hunger. During the week,  I’m going to do my best to go back to enjoying a cup of tea after dinner versus actual dessert.

So there you have it. My training plan wasn’t perfect but I feel pretty dang strong and ready to run my heart out on Sunday!

*As I mentioned, I am not a personal trainer nor a certified run coach. Therefore, I am providing this information to you based on my experience and suggest that you consult and expert before starting any new training plan. 

Share Button
Follow:
ashleyd /

A Fun Couples Wedding Shower

 

IMG_0090

As you guys know, I have the pleasure of being the Matron of Honor in my sister-in-law’s upcoming wedding. As soon as Russell and Meg started planning their wedding, Bo and I knew we wanted to do something special for them. After years of hearing about their wonderful co-workers and friends, we were finally able to bring families, friends and loved ones together this weekend for a co-ed wedding shower which we hosted in our Brooklyn apartment.

IMG_0070

Over the past few weeks, in collaboration with Bo’s parents, we went from a simple idea to a perfect party that left everyone smiling. The entire night was near perfection.   Her fiance surprised her by flying in Amelia, her wonderful maid of honor.

meg surprised

We kept the decorations simple, chic and fun – just like the couple. We were able to prepare all the food ourselves, saving on expensive catering costs, and did our best to build in special touches along the way.  We rented the below, adorable LOVE sign from a local wedding rental company while we used the colors of the Spring season as an inspiration for the fresh flower arrangements we designed as well as the table runners and decor.

IMG_0072

Instead of buying wedding theme decorations, we found this polka dot wrapping paper at Paper Source as well as this contrasting paper, these matching napkins and this fun banner to bring a pop of fun to the party.  I found these sparkly I Do cupcake toppers which we not only used on the cupcakes but also as a way to bring sparkle to the food and photo display. We used place cards to write little stories and notes for each piece of decor, explaining why we chose it. As you can see below, we chose the blue hydrangeas since those are the brides favorite flower. Buying the potted flowers was less expensive than cut flowers and now they are happily planted in our back yard! They also were the perfect way to hide our microwave. Last but not least, we printed ten photos of the couple and put them in picture frames and on display throughout our home which turned out to be an inexpensive, personal touch as well as something they could take home from the shower to decorate their own apartment.

 

IMG_0082

IMG_0076

IMG_0073

In planning the shower, we knew we wanted to make it more of an engagement party than a shower. No embarrassing games or themes – just a night filled with laughter, good food and wonderful friends and family members.

IMG_0089

IMG_0088

Menu:

Upon arrival:

Dinner

  • Grilled beef tenderloin served with potato slider rolls, homemade horseradish sauce and mustard
  • Wisconsin Mac & Cheese (an ode to the grooms home state of Wisconsin)
  • Green Bean Salad (one of the brides favorite dishes)

Dessert

  • Assorted cupcakes and cake pops (an ode to the grooms enormous sweet tooth)
  • M&Ms (one of the brides current clients)

IMG_0084

IMG_0080

IMG_0075

 

It was a perfect party that allowed us to celebrate the bride and groom-to-be without spending too much money or getting too overwhelmed! Thank you so much to Bo’s parents who helped make this wonderful night possible!

Do you enjoy the typical games at wedding and baby showers?  If you’ve been to showers, what was your favorite detail? 

Share Button
Follow:
ashleyd /

Friday Favorites – March 11th, 2016

run along brooklyn

Happy Friday gang! If you follow me on Instagram or Snapchat (@healthyhappier) you know that I kicked off the day in my favorite way – a long run. I’m actually taking today off from work so I can get our house prepared for the wedding shower we’re hosting tomorrow night. My mother-in-law and I are spending the day together cooking, arranging flower arrangements, decorating and getting organized. I’m so excited to see the finish product come together tomorrow and hope that Russell, Meg and all their friends enjoy the evening!

As promised, in regular Friday fashion, here is this week’s version of Friday Favorites. So, as you count down the hours until the weekend begins, let’s dive into this week’s edition of Friday Favorites, including recipes, articles, posts and other things that caught my eye this week.

Warm weather means the opportunity to reintroduce some of my favorite items back into my wardrobe. For this morning’s errands I sported my Chuck Taylors, ripped jeans and my new sunglasses!

Do you find yourself doing push-ups but not seeing results? You could be doing them all wrong. Dara, one of my favorite Fhitting Room instructors, shows everyone how to do the perfect push-ups in this helpful and inspiring Daily Burn post.  Suns out guns out?

house of cards
The House of Cards addiction is real friends. I have no idea why it took me so long, but I’m officially obsessed with this series. Certain aspects remind me of Scandal, though darker. I’ve made it through eight episodes and am so curious to see where the series goes. Don’t worry, everyone has warned me that season 3 is horrible but season 4 makes up for it. Bo and I also get a kick out of the fact that the two main characters share our same workouts – running and rowing.

Running the NYC half marathon next weekend? If so,  this post is for you. Elizabeth is a running coach who has run the NYC half marathon seven times. Her course strategy, tips and tricks for the NYC Half has me excited to race and I’ve already printed her helpful pace bracelet!

Slowly but surely I’m updating my skin care regimen with natural products. The Acure day cream  absorbs quickly, fights aging and helps stimulate cell renewal. It’s light enough to wear under makeup and leaves my face feeling silky smooth. In just a month of use, my face looks brighter and more vibrant than ever before!

If you loved Spotlight as much as us, you’ll love this Washington Post article that Martin Baron, past editor of the Boston Globe wore about what the movie meant to him and the industry.

This marathon playlist helped add some spice to this morning’s long run. The first song, Downtown, reminded me how much I love running to Macklemore which then lead me down the Spotify rabbit hole, adding Swedish House Mafia, Daft Punk and Red Hot Chilli Peppers to my half marathon playlist.

Lately I’ve been practicing yoga on an almost daily basis in the comfort of our home. I light a candle, roll out the mat and spend five to ten minutes unwinding. This routine is great for recovery or relaxation and just the way I like things – short, sweet and to the point.

The arrival of Spring and a few upcoming trips have me inspired to shop again. My J.Crew Factory shopping basket is overflowing with bright pieces including this necklace, a fun, eyelet dress perfect for any Summer party and this top that is screaming to be paired with white jeans.

That’s a wrap for this week’s Friday Favorites! Hope you have a wonderful day and a great weekend!

Your turn: What’s your favorite running or workout song these days? 

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored and instead is a list of the things of my favorite things this week. As normal, it includes lots of beauty and fashion items which means there are a few affiliate links via ShopStyle. It takes time and money to maintain a blog so I thank you for the support and few cents that come from clicking through the links!

Share Button
Follow: