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ING Hartford Marathon Training Week 2

Last week was an awesome week of friend filled fitness activities that probably neared the line of over-training. But, since in just 10 short days I won’t be able to sweat with these lovely ladies or at these studios, Gia and I agreed that for a short duration it was okay. Also, most of the work was body weight that was monitored by instructors in small group settings so chances of injury were reduced.

It was the first EPIC training week I’ve had on Daily Mile in months thanks in part to the fact that I tracked every single workout. 

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Here are a few thoughts from the week and then the actual workouts that took place!

  • I am really proud of myself for practicing yoga at least 1x per week for the past month. I think it is definitely helping me especially since the classes are all at least 75 minutes.
  • I think that the classes I’ve done recently have really helped inspire me to keep up the weight training in Geneva even if done in my apartment. There is so much you can do with a pair of 15 pound dumbbells and body weight!
  • Though it may not be perfect, I’m really happy with where my body and physical ability is right now. I felt strong during EVERY workout last week and loved the candid pictures which were captured.

So here’s how the week shaped up in workouts:

  • Monday: rest day
  • Tuesday: 3 mile treadmill run before Liz Barnet’s Uplift Strength class with Jen
  • Wednesday: Barry’s Bootcamp (2.5 miles of running included in class) 5am class with Michelle Z
  • Thursday: 5 miles in Central Park before work with Jen and Heather
  • Friday: 3 mile walk + 75 minute hot yoga class at Yoga 216 
  • Saturday: 9 mile long run and a 60 minute Runner’s Bootcamp hosted by Jen and her trainer Amanda Rose Walsh (more on this class tomorrow)
  • Sunday: rest

Total Running Miles: 20 miles

Workout summary: 1 yoga, 3 strength, 3 runs

Really my only miss was that I was supposed to have a shakeout run yesterday but between moving stress and staying out too late the night before, it just didn’t happen. Honestly, I can sleep when I’m in Geneva is my motto right now as I’m going to miss New York City a great deal and want to soak up every moment!

If you strength train at home, how do you find the motivation or what is your favorite tool/DVD/streaming workout?

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Ain’t No Party Like A Long Run Party

Before we get into today’s post, just a friendly reminder to everyone that as of Monday the beloved Google Reader will no longer exist. If you’re someone like mom (hi mom!) and don’t know what Google Reader is then you’re clearly not affected. However, if you would like an easy way to keep up with your favorite blogs and read them on your smart phone or PC then Follow my blog with Bloglovin’ target=_blank>Bloglovin’ and Feedly are two great options. They both have pretty easy one click Google Reader import capabilities and it’s easy to add your favorite blogs if you’re new to using an organizer.

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In addition, while we’re at it you, you can also follow all my running and travel filled adventures through social media. I’m a huge fan of each of these for different reasons but tend to post on each at least once daily.

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The past 24 hours have been wonderfully workout filled!

24 hours of sweat

Plans for this morning’s long run started early in the week when Meghan and I decided to use it as a way to catch up since we haven’t seen much of each other lately due to work and travel schedules. As you may recall she was one of my long run buddies during marathon training. It’s true what they say – you learn a lot about people during an 18-20 mile long run. But, as the week progressed each day someone was asking about long run plans so we decided to make it one of the best types of party – a long run party!

We decided via text last night that we’d meet in Union Square at 7am to beat the heat and ensure that our run didn’t monopolize our day. We all agree that getting a run done early is the best option as there is so much going on in the city during the summer. Note: If you ever need to meet people for a long run Union Square Starbucks or McDonalds are both great options as there are tons of subway options at Union Square and it’s equidistant to the East River Path and West Side Highway.

By 7:10 we were all (Jen, Theodora, Meghan, & me) together and ready to run 8 miles. Each of us had a different distance goal due to varied training plans but establishing our group distance in advance made it easy for people to tag on mileage at the beginning and end as needed.

Our route together ended up being ~9 miles due to construction detours near the Financial District end of West Side Highway and a few extra turns. Not bad considering that by the time we ended for smoothies I’d logged almost 9.5 miles versus the planned 8!

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Our goals for the run were to log our miles together (at least 8) and have fun. I’d say we accomplished that mission very well considering the number of conversations and laughs that were shared.

aint no party like a long run party

Jen, Meghan, and I ended at Barry’s Bootcamp Smoothie Bar for some delicious smoothies after the sweaty run. I love their assortment of smoothies and that all the ingredients are clearly listed on their chalkboard! I will definitely be recreating the Blueberry Cobbler smoothie at home! It was made with vanilla protein powder, Almond Breeze, blueberries, cinnamon, and Better N Butter!

Barry's smoothie

Hope you guys have a great day! Bo and I have a long moving to-do list this weekend along with some time with friends! Luckily it looks like the weather is going to be perfect!

Are you team bagel or smoothie post run? I’m a smoothie girl!

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4:30 Marathon Treadmill Workout

Happy Wednesday! This week is flying by both socially and work wise. As I mentioned, every single night is jam packed with another fun event as I try to savor every last minute with friends in the city! It’s a bit overwhelming to have plans every single night between now and July 11th but at the same time I feel very blessed!

Last night Jen and I sweat our way through a VERY tough Uplift Strength class with Liz Barnet before having dinner at the new to me Hu Kitchen.

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Per Jen’s recommendation I went with one of their bowls filled with a mix of quinoa, raw vegetable medley and the tasty roast vegetable mash. I topped it off with their incredible roasted wile mushroom medley, almonds, shallots, and a little dash of salt & pepper. It’s a good thing I don’t live or work closer to Hu Kitchen or I’d eat there ALL the time! If you are anywhere near Union Square I highly recommend you check it out for a healthy dinner or lunch option!

On top of that great workout that we enjoyed together, I was up at 4:15 this morning so I could meet Melissa Z for my favorite Barry’s Bootcamp class (arms and abs) with Josh Arden! As if the squats and lunge work didn’t leave my legs tired enough, this morning’s class reminded me why I love Barry’s so much. It is an efficient workout with great music and they have classes at just about every hour of the day. As a testament to that, I was in the 5am class while Bo took a 9pm class.

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Of all the workouts that I’ll miss while living abroad, this it the one that will be hardest to replicate on my own. Oh well, luckily I’m sure I’ll have new fun ways to break a sweat whether running up mountains or cycling along Lake Geneva!

But, what I really want to share with you guys today is an awesome treadmill workout my girl Laura prepared. After we spent an epic Saturday biking around Central Park and talking about workouts, she figured that having a handy treadmill workout would help ease my mind about training for a stretch marathon goal (4:30!!) and traveling. Less than a day later she shared this great workout with me which I was able to use last week in Geneva since I was bound to the hotel gym for each of my workouts. It is a workout that changes the speeds or incline constantly so getting bored isn’t an option. I must also say that at first glance it looks easy but by the end I was cursing it just like 400 repeats!

This is designed to help me hit my 4:30 marathon goal by prepping me for both hills and making the 10:18 pace feel easy. Maybe Laura is secretly getting me ready to run the Saleve again with Renaud when I arrive in Geneva next month! Either way, it’s only 20 minutes long and is a combo of hills and speed, based on the 4/3 rest principle. Note that no efforts last more than one minute, and if you don’t feel like you’re going to die in the final 30 second sprint, you should take the pace faster.

So far I’ve done this workout two times and love that it reminds me of Barry’s Bootcamp treadmill workouts that helped me run a half marathon PR back in April and literally changed the shape of my legs. If you really want a challenge or want to make sure you log at least 4 miles, try doubling the workout!

If you want to read more about this workout and the rational that went into creating it, head over to Laura’s blog!

This kitten has the right idea and I’m about to go do the same thing!

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