14.4 miles DONE!

14.4 miles done!!!

We’re heading back into the city to meet friends for drinks and dinner but I wanted to share some pictures I took during my long run today. I took a page from Ashley’s book and enjoyed the run by taking pictures throughout the run. It was a blast and really helped me focus on my surrounding even more! After the 14.4 mile run (which was definitely a personal distance record for me) I also took my first ice bath. Cold but AMAZING! A full recap will come later! Huge shout out to fellow runners today Kath (Charlotte Race Fest Half), Ashley, Caitlin, and others who ran the 15k! (pics are in reverse order! oops) 14.3 MILES DONE!!! Also, don’t forget to enter my Pearly Whites giveaway here.

Gorgeous tulips in the Greenwich Village

How cool is that TREE growing up this Greenwich home?
The view of Frank Gehry’s building from the West Side Highway

Leaving the park just North of the Harlem Hills via 110 street

I always wonder where all the little paths in Central Park lead?
Going down the Harlem Hills is a lot more fun than trudging up them!
Waiting for the subway on our way into the city!

All smiles before the run!


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A Pret Surprise and Workout Happy Hour

*Don’t forget to enter my Pearly Whites giveaway here!**
Yesterday our office was a ghost town due to multiple all day meetings taking place. This was the perfect environment for a productive Friday. In addition, yesterday’s cloudy skies made me happy that it was Friday intsead of Saturday. My ideal week is when it’s overcast Monday through Friday morning and then gorgeous Friday evening through Sunday evening. I know, that’s demanding a lot but a girl can dream can’t she.
Lauren suggested we try somewhere new for lunch since we both normally have a big salad every day. We’ve tried almost everywhere within a block or two of our office but I realized I’d never journeyed into Pret. She was craving one of their baguette sandwiches so we headed that way. The place was packed! I was immediately impressed with their salad and sandwich assortment. Pret is the perfect lunch spot for people who want quick combination options to go. For example, their sandwiches are all offered in full or half portions and they have both large and small salad options. I quickly chose the beautiful tuna nicoise salad as I was craving something a little different.
It was even more gorgeous when I opened it back at the office. My lovingly handmade salad was absolutely divine and the fresh cucumber and olive flavors blended with the egg and tuna perfectly. I loved that the lettuce base was arugula which provided a peppery flavor combination. This hearty salad packed a whopping 30 grams of protein, 5 grams of fiber, and 310 calories. The lemon shallot dressing I chose to top the salad had a great rich flavor that highlighted the freshness of the salad. I only needed 1/4 of the container since the salad’s flavors and freshness stood wonderfully alone.
Unfortunately, my soup choice was not quite as delicious. I was intrigued by their miso soup and decided to try it instead of their chicken soup. However, my medium miso soup included ONE measley piece of tofu and maybe four pieces of kale. It was an utter failuer and left me immediately regretting my choice.
I only had three sips before pouring the rest down the drain. Luckily I had a bag of Baked Lays in my desk drawer that were able to jump in as a perfect backup.
Bo and I decided to meet at Equinox after work since we’d set the alarm clock for PM versus AM that morning. We thought it’d be fun to take their Body Conditioning class together before staying for half of a spin class to ensure we had a great Friday workout before our date night. We both rushed from work to make it in time for the class only to find a room packed to the gills! I forgot how much room step platforms and weight equipment takes up in a studio. I’ve become accustomed to group yoga classes which only have a mat and block as tools. I have mentioned on Twitter and the blog lately how much i’ve been missing Body Pump. Since I thought this would be very similar to Body Pump I fought the urge to leave and made myself a spot. The class was described as:
Informed by the latest findings in exercise science and functional exercises, instructors focus on strengthening and fine-tuning major muscle groups. This cutting-edge workout makes use of various equipment.

Carl was a hilarious instructor who kept the class interesting and the music flowing. His attitude was light hearted and he wanted to make sure everyone was enjoying themselves since after all it was a Friday night. The class was not Body Pump but it was cutting edge and focused the majority of the time on my “trouble areas” of arms and thighs. I enjoyed the class and will most likely make it a weekly addition. His spin class directly following was VERY intense filled with climbs and sprint intervals. At the thirty minute mark my thighs were screaming and I was more than elated to head out since Bo and I had to shower before our dinner reservations. Overall, we both LOVED working out together on a Friday night. It was a great way to start the evening, refresh our energy which is often drained after a long Friday, and feel relaxed and happy before going out!

Our surprise date night post will come later this afternoon, after our spur of the moment long run is completed. We just found out that the leasing office will be showing OUR apartment ALL day today since we’re the only apartment available with a May 1 lease that offers a balcony. Lovely. Glad we cleaned this morning. Hmmph! The bears ARE NOT HAPPY with this sudden change of plans. Oh well, long run here I come!


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The dreaded hamster wheel…

Thank you mother nature for ruining my long run plans. It was a beautiful occasion in my head. An hour of quality time with Dori enjoying Central Park and the East River path. Instead, thanks to the more than ten inches of snow NYC has received thus far, I will be confined to a hamster wheel for tomorrow’s 10 mile run. I know it isn’t impossible as of done plenty of six mile runs on the treadmill and have even read inspiring storys like Ashley’s 20 miler!
I found this article on Runner’s World when I was searching for inspiration:
December 23, 2008


18 Miles on a Treadmill: Can It Be done?
Is there anything wrong with doing my long run on a treadmill? I have to run 18 miles this week and I live in the Midwest where it’s 0 degrees and we’re expecting another snow storm today! I realize a real runner would be outdoors, but I just don’t want to risk my marathon by falling or getting injured in the extreme cold. (I know, I’m a wimp!) Do you have any tips for getting through an 18-miler on my treadmill? – Jim P.

First, Jim, you’re not a wimp! Any person who asks if running 18 miles on a treadmill is OK is a “real runner”! A few years ago, while I was training for the Goofy Challenge, Chicago was hit with a winter storm. The paths were covered in ice and snow and the temps were in single digits. I chose to run my 18-miler on a treadmill while watching all four parts of The Thornbirds. Not only did I get in a quality long run, I was also able to run in shorts and acclimate to running in warmer temps.
There are a lot of perks with treadmill running: Bathroom stops are convenient; you don’t have to hide or carry fluids; and you can keep a consistent pace. Marathon training is all about being flexible as you go, and getting in what you can.
So, you can’t run outdoors in the extremes; it really comes down to which terrain will allow you to get in the best quality long run. In this case, the risk of running outdoors outweighs the benefit. Plus, there’s a point where running outdoors in extremes is more about ego than wisdom, and the marathon gods don’t care much about ego. So saddle up, my friend, and try these tips for running long on your treadmill:
Watch an exciting flick (definitely not The Thornbirds) or two that will get you through the duration. Make it running specific, as there is nothing that will keep you going quite like a movie about runners! Some of my favorite running movies include: Chariots of Fire, The Spirit of the Marathon, Without Limits, and Running on the Sun. Some other motivating movies that will put an extra spring in your step are Rudy, Rocky, and Breaking Away. The time will fly by!
Don’t have a TV? Develop a special long run music mix for your iPod.
Break up your run into 10-minute increments. Every 10 minutes take a few sips of fluid and every other 10-minute increment, pick up the pace to target marathon pace for 1 minute. Adding 1-minute surges every 20 minutes will mix up your muscles, break the monotony, and give your mind something to target.
Run a low-level hill profile on the treadmill. It will help balance the difference in effort in running indoors versus outdoors. If you normally run hills on your long runs, simulate the grade percentage. If not, stick with 1-3% hills at the most.
Put a notepad and pen next to the treadmill so your mind can clear out “to do” tasks as you go. There’s nothing worse than thinking something brilliant and stressing out trying to remember it while you run. Write it down and keep on plugging.
Happy Trails,
Coach Jenny Hadfield

What are your tips for making a long treadmill run more enjoyable, less boring, and easier?
I’m heading over to a brand new wellness center that just opening in NYC, Dasha Wellness, this afternoon for a tour. I’ll definitely share and review later this weekend. Have a great day!


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