Training Recap Week of September 28th

Good morning and happy Tuesday!

coffee

This week is off to a wonderful but busy start. Tonight I finally get to catch up with my long lost London girl, Charlie, as we enjoy a new to us yoga class called REST followed by a delicious homemade dinner and pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.

charlie and ashley

I have a lot to do this evening before the fun begins, including writing this post, a speed workout and multiple conference calls!

You know how the weekly training recap works. At the beginning of each week I share the past week’s workouts with you all in order to give you a glimpse into my training, hold me accountable and help me keep a record so I can see what works and doesn’t work after each races comes to a close. Last week was all about staying active and healthy but not pushing myself. I changed the order of workouts around but overall stuck to Jess’ training plan.

Monday: I started the week with an evening Bar Method class.

Tuesday: I moved my run to later in the week so I could join my friend Elizabeth at Brooklyn Body Burn. Okay, okay Jess I hear you loud and clear. When she says stick to schedule she means the EXACT schedule posted in Google docs. While I enjoyed certain moments of the class, it was everything I’d heard (hard, humbling, sweaty) and more. I will definitely not be taking another class until my two back to back half marathons are done because it left me sore for THREE days! I will hopefully get my full recap of the studio posted later this week.

Wednesday: Before flying to Dallas, I joined Theodora for Nike Run Club’s Morning Miles. It was my first Nike Run Club and I really liked it even though the weather was less than stellar. The coach planned a route for us in advance, leading us from the Flatiron Nike store to the Williamsburg Bridge and back. I split with the group at three miles to head back home and finished a total of five miles. It was a great way to see Theodora and run a new to me route.

Thursday: My original running buddy, Amy, and I were finally reunited in Dallas last week. We ran five easy miles through Downtown Dallas before a day of dark conference rooms. It was so much fun to catch up with her in advance of our half marathon together this Saturday.

Friday: Amy and I did a recovery workout together in the hotel gym which included 40 minutes on the bike, some weights,and lots of stretching.

running

Saturday: The previous day’s recovery workout paired with nine hours of sleep had me ready and anxious for Saturday morning’s long run. The weather in Dallas was crisp and perfect as I ran six miles, finishing the final five miles at an average pace of 8:48. It wasn’t easy but it felt great to know I could hold that pace for that distance.

Sunday: A complete rest day including nine hours of sleep, some foam rolling and time spent in compression socks.

Share Button
Follow:

Virtual Date

Have a seat friends and refill that glass of wine or coffee, depending the hour of day you’re reading this, because it is time for a virtual date. A lot has transpired since our last date together. We are both happily immersed in our new roles and life in Brooklyn.

-If we were together today, I’d tell you that making a 1,600 square foot space feel like a home has been a bigger challenge than either of us imagined. Since we’ve tried to be responsible in decorating the space, we’ve stuck to a monthly budget which means a slower process. It still doesn’t feel complete but we are making progress slowly but surely.

-If we were sitting together today, I’d tell you that while we haven’t found ourselves in the ordering or eating out habit, our dinners haven’t been quite what I imagined. I have over 100 recipes pinned which I’m hoping to start making sooner or later, but so far dinner has been a grilled meat, a large salad and roasted vegetable. Between work, workouts and house updates I just haven’t had time.

 

If we were sitting together today, I’d tell you that lately, weekends with my girlfriends have been quite different as many of them now have little boys or girls in their lives. In Dallas this weekend Blake and I enjoyed lots of quality girl talk, wonderful food, gorgeous weather, and shopping but we were in bed each night by 11 pm and spent some of most treasured time playing on the floor with her daughter. 

IMG_4887

If we were sitting together today, I’d tell you that I had the serious urge to chop my long hair into one of the popular “lob” (long bob” styles earlier this week before flying to Dallas. Even though I had a trim just a month ago, it is longer than ever and driving me insane. I love the bangs I have these days but on bad hair days it is unruly and takes longer than ever to blow dry. Any tips?

If we were sitting together today, I’d tell you that my mom is training for her second half marathon – the Savannah Rock’N’Roll Half marathon which is a month from now. I’m so proud  of her for taking her walking to a new level and choosing to conquer this distance again. This time my aunt will be joining her but my plan is the same – run the half as quickly as possible then rush back to walk the final miles with them.

If we were sitting together today, I’d tell you that I am not sure what it is about the South but I craved Diet Coke the entire time I was in Dallas. I never caved, instead sipping everything but including a delicious green juice, sparking water, and wine. Going home in November and December, I know that the urge to stop for a big gulp of Diet Coke with chewy ice will be there but I have to remind myself how much healthier I’ve felt since giving it up.

If we were sitting together today, I’d tell you that over the past few weeks, I donated one to many things to Goodwill. I purged my closet down so much that the only black dress I had for this week’s NEW (Network of Executive Women) meeting was the dress I wore to our engagement dinner seven years ago. I saved it due to the special place it holds in my heart and it’s classic look, but haven’t been able to fit in it for at least six years due to the unforgiving lace bodice and sizing. After months of cleaner eating, it fit like a charm Thursday night.

IMG_4824

If we were sitting together today, I’d tell you that one Saturday during college football season, without fail, both my teams lose miserably. Luckily, my gir’ls day in Dallas kept me from watching either game or I know that I would have drowned my sorrows in pumpkin beer. Yesterday was definitely upset Saturday with multiple Top 25 teams being facing defeat.

If we were sitting together today, I’d tell you that after years of using only a tinted moisturizer, I crossed into the world of foundation yesterday while at Sephora. I’ve found myself using a primer, tinted moisturizer and a powder in order to achieve a more finished look. When my latest tube of Laura Mercier’s Tinted Mousturizer started spurting it’s last drops, I decided to use it as an opportunity to try something different. I just did a quick makeup application in the Dallas airport and loved how smooth and even the coverage of my new Laura Mercier foundation is even without a primer or powder.

If we were sitting together today, I’d tell you that traveling this week seemed foreign after three months in New York. I made three novice mistakes – forgetting to pack my liquids separately, over packing for the conference and girls weekend and forgetting to download my book or show for the three-hour plane flight home. It was a great primer for the next six weeks of more frequent travel.

IMG_4911

If we were sitting together today, I’d tell you that Vera Bradley reminds me of high school graduation when every girl in our graduating class received an abundance of quilted bags, purses, wallets and id holders before leaving for freshman year. After seeing how handy Amy’s old jewelry roll and hanging toiletry bag were while rooming with her in Dallas, Blake and I made the North Park Mall Vera Bradley our first stop yesterday. I can’t decide what shocked me more – that Blake didn’t know what Vera Bradley was or how expensive the items are these days. Luckily the classic black items will last for ages and be used often.

Displaying IMG_0548.JPG

If we were sitting together today, I’d tell you that we became aunts and uncles today to an adorable seven week old miniature toy golden doodle. Sully stole our heart today when we held him for the first time and we can’t wait to spoil him rotten!

Your turn: What would you share with me today if we were together?

Share Button
Follow:

Training Recap Week of September 21st

Another week of training is in the books which means another week closer to the beginning of half marathon craziness. I’m running three half marathons in a one month period and while I know my body will be ready for a break come November 8th, I couldn’t be more excited!

The fact that my body is healthy and has responded well to training provides me with the energy and motivation needed to focus these next few weeks. I know that this is the time to be smart and not dabble in too many extra-curricular workout classes which could leave my legs and body tired for race day. For the sake of my legs, I’ve made a commitment to myself and Jess that last week was the last week of saying yes to all the workouts for the sake of being social. Even though cross training is important, too much is not a good idea.

IMG_3774

Based on my training schedule, most of my October ClassPass workouts will be either running or yoga classes though I can include a few Bar Method classes in there for cross training; as long as that is what the plan calls for that day. The HIIT classes will have to make a return to my schedule come November.  I can’t wait to return to Brooklyn Body Burn as well as try Exceed, BFX and ShadowBox!

Last week’s workout schedule

Monday: I joined a few of NYC blogger friends  for an evening Barre3 class. While it was a fun friend date and good workout, I’m not sure I’d do Barre3 again. I didn’t love the class format as I felt that it was very leg focused, whereas most barre classes I’ve taken balance the movements and engage the entire body equally. There also wasn’t as much stretching and lengthening which I’ve come to enjoy in Bar Method classes.

Tuesday: Thanks to ClassPass, I discovered that there is a great yoga studio just two blocks from our apartment. I really enjoyed the early morning open level yoga class at Area Yoga. The teacher opened all the windows, allowing the fall breeze to keep us cool and treated each student to a lavender neck rub during savasana! Later that night I headed down to Brooklyn Bridge Park for an easy, five mile run enjoyed while listening to Another Mother Runner podcasts.

Wednesday: I listened to my body and slept in well past my typical 5:15 wake-up. Ten hours of sleep was exactly what my body needed as I felt fresh and strong when I did my speed work that night. I looked like a crazy person doing the 8 x 400 repeats up and down my block but hey, keeping it close to home made things really easy. I headed over to Bend and Bloom Yoga during my cool down run, looking forward to taking a yoga class from Christine, one of my favorite bloggers. I didn’t realize that it was an Open+ class, meaning a more advanced version of their open class. I muttered a few expletives during the billion standing splits but by the end my body felt like a loose, melted noodle and was very thankful for another day of yoga.

IMG_4549

Thursday: Even though their morning classes typically book the fastest, last week’s 6 AM Bar Method class only had four people! The small class allowed the teacher to adjust us constantly and focus on our form. In case you can’t guess, the result meant more butt burning and ab screaming fun. The last thing I wanted to do that night was head to into the city for New Balance Girl’s Night Out workout but I knew that I was meeting Zoe and Sashea there for the workout. I’m proud of myself for playing it smart and not pushing myself too hard and instead doing many of the modifications.

Friday: I’ve come to embrace REST days, making sure to make the most out of each one. This week I treated myself to ten hours of sleep, a longer than normal shower and a 30 minute massage at a small Asian body works place down the block. While it looks a bit sketchy on the outside, the Yelp reviews and multiple recommendations from friends is enough to keep me going back to enjoy their inexpensive massages.

Saturday: After a day of pumpkin shopping, gardening and housework, Bo and I headed out for an easy 3 mile shake out run late Saturday afternoon, focusing more on our conversation than our pace. Neither of us tracked the pace and instead focused on making sure we were running a relaxed pace.

Sunday: I had the opportunity to run one of my favorite races; the Bronx 10 mile race, after three years away. I’ve already penciled this race on my race calendar for next year. If you’re a NYC local, I can’t recommend it enough. If the distance is what worries you, embrace it and either download a new book or podcast on your iPhone to help the subway ride pass more quickly or make a day of it enjoying brunch up there before heading home.

Your turn: In preparation for the upcoming half marathons, I need to build a new playlist. What is your favorite song right now!? 

Share Button
Follow: