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Geneva Half Marathon Training–Week 3

I can’t believe that my PR race, the Geneva Half Marathon, is just 47 days away! Life isn’t going to slow down at all these next few week as we have more friends coming to visit, vacations planned, plenty of work meetings and long days but I’m excited to have a goal to focus my energy on during the second half of March and April. It has taken me a while to realize it but after a long day nothing makes me feel better than either a power yoga class or a run. Even that glass of wine or comfortable couch taste and feel better once I’ve detoxed some of the negative vibes via a sweat session – either solo or with company.

 

I’ve been finding a lot of inspiration from Katy and Caitlin, two ladies who have balanced motherhood and crazy schedules while training and running strong PR races. I’ve dusted off my 10 pound dumb bells, bought a 10 class pass to a Geneva yoga studio, reunited with my foam roller, and reviewed the plan Gia has in place while keeping in mine that PR will require more than running alone.

But more than anything else, I’m looking forward to spending time running along the lake with gorgeous views like tonight’s sunset.

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Last week I traveled to NYC for work while also making time to catch up with as many friends as possible. There were late night laughter dates over one too many glasses of wine, margaritas and guacamole enjoyed in the West Village, mad dashes uptown for out of the way dinner dates, and 8 hours of sleep enjoyed each night from the comfort of my hotel. Before leaving on this trip I promised both Bo and my parents that I wouldn’t compromise my health. A trip to NYC can be stressful due to the travel and burning the candle at both ends. Instead of coming back exhausted or sick I made sure to treat my body well while there including plenty of green juices, sleep and just plain giving myself a break. Before arriving in NYC my email chain with friends included 6 different workouts I wanted to squeeze in a four day period.

This week’s training recap shows my best attempt at maintaining balance while still logging some miles and enjoying a few of my favorite NYC workouts!

Monday: A 4 mile run along the East River after work. This run wasn’t spectacular. I didn’t make it out of the office before the sun set so I didn’t get to soak in any much needed sunshine. But it was strong, efficient, mind clearing and just what I needed before dashing uptown to meet a friend for dinner.

Tuesday: A perfect workout day, I kicked off the morning with a wonderful Soul Cycle class and ended the day with a 4 mile run through Central Park with my fabulous co-workers.

Wednesday: I finally had the opportunity to try I.Am.You Yoga studio in NYC with the lovely Jen and Meghann who joined me for the Well+Good class. The class was one of the hardest yoga classes I’ve ever taken and I was sweating after the first sequence thanks to the fast flow and strong poses. The instructor, Lauren, was 100% funky but totally in touch with the students, adjusting us throughout the entire class and pushing us further into poses. The music was loud, the yoga was hard and I walked out feeling loose, limber and relaxed. In case Theodora, who got locked out of the event due to a faulty elevator, ever doubted that we saved her a spot, you can see the empty spot two spaces to my left in the below picture.

Thursday: Rest day!

Friday: Bo and I caught up after a week apart over a 2.5 mile shakeout run through the cobblestone streets of Old Geneva as soon as I landed Friday afternoon. It was the perfect way to shakeout my legs after 14 hours of travel!

Saturday: What do you do when you have guests arriving at the airport bright and early but have a run to complete before they arrive and a house to clean? You spend an hour cleaning the house and then run TO the airport to meet them! We had no idea that the 6.5 mile run would include hills that never ended! The good news is that it was an AWESOME training run and I felt really strong the entire time!

Sunday: We spent the day skiing at Le Tour in Chamonix and by the end of the day I think I conquered almost every single run on the mountain! We skied from 9am when the lifts open until 3:00 when nothing sounded better than one of the lounge chairs and a beer under the shining sun. It was 60 degrees by the end of the day and the final few runs felt like “hot skiing” done in a warm, humid room thanks to my jacket and pants.

Your turn: I’m in the department for some new workout gear just in time for the warmer temperature. Any favorite items that you’re loving right now?

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Jumping for Joy

Man has today been incredible!

How can you not jump for joy when the weather is this beautiful? I can’t appreciate today’s weather nearly as much as my NYC friends who have dealt with the freezing weather but it’s still amazing! I also think it’s impossible for me to do anything fun like jumping without opening my mouth! #akwardforthewin

019I woke up this morning for a Soul Cycle date with my sister in law Meg and running buddy Meghan. Did you know that there are two Soul Cycle locations within two blocks of each other? Yup! I showed up at the 19th street Soul Cycle big as life this morning thinking that it was just a renovated Union Square studio. Or maybe it was just early and I hadn’t had any coffee. 007 006A few minutes later I found myself on bike 39 jamming out to an awesome playlist and Isabel’s inspirational and very arm heavy class. It was my first time spinning with Isabel but I really liked her format. The class was a sweat fest and filled with lots of pushups and touchbacks but her music took our mind off everything. The class flew by and before I knew it we were stretching. I appreciate the fact that Soul Cycle is such a full service studio offering you everything from shoes, towels, shower toiletries, and even hair ties. It’s so nice to know I can spin in New York and not have to pack spin shoes and not lug all my beauty products to the studio and then to work. 010 We followed our spin class with a trip to Liquiteria Union Square which just opened at 13th and 4th Avenue. The All Greens with lemon, ginger and apple was perfect to sip on all day as the ginger kick kept me mindful of how much I enjoyed. I loved their assortment and the fact that they also make smoothies and other fun treats like acai bowls. The past few days have inspired me with so many fun new ingredient combinations for my Geneva juicer beginning next week!012 013After a long day of meetings there was no where I wanted to be other than Central Park. Our work run club hit the streets for a fun, relaxed run through Central Park Zoo, over the small bridges, up the hills and through the tree lined row of statues enjoying the almost 60 degree weather! The park was filled with runners all enjoying the weather and fresh air!

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I’m so thankful to enjoy business trips to New York City which allow me to have great face to face meetings with my co-workers and business partners during the day and then enjoy quality time with friends during workouts and dinners.

Your turn: What about Spring has you jumping for joy?

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What If Everybody Ran

My love for Mizuno has known no boundaries over the past few years. I’ve purchased them in three different countries (US, England and Switzerland) and I’ve sported multiple styles while training for two marathons, five half marathons and countless other races. While I’m currently rocking both the Sayonaras for treadmill workouts and the Wave Riders for outdoor runs, I’m excited to pick up a new pair when I’m in New York City next week.

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So today when I saw both the Twitter and Facebook world spreading the good Mizuno word this morning I had to check out what all the fuss was about. It turns out that Mizuno commissioned a study to show statistically the ways the world and people just like you and me would be affected if everyone ran. Their What If Everybody Ran info graphic left me laughing, smiling and in complete awe. Sometimes I forget that while I run on an almost daily basis and many of my closest friends take to the streets each day, we are a very small group and not the norm. I can’t believe that the study was led by UNC Kenan-Flagler students! My uncle is a professor in their business school so this caused even more excitement as I perused the full study.

Here are some interesting tidbits from the study:

  • After running on a treadmill, women performed 20 percent better on memory tests.
  • Exercise reduces anger by 83%and increases mood by 37%
  • Americans would spend 7 billion more hours outdoors (No wonder they’d be happier!)
  • 10% improvement in self esteem (This statistic seems very low.)
  • People who exercise during their workday are 23% more productive than those who don’t. (Hooray for lunchtime runs!)
  • 200 million inches would be lost from American waistlines!

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If you want to find out more about that study or the movement, follow #ifeverybodyran hashtag on Twitter or head over to their site!

If you’re a runner, what has changed in your life since you started running? I’m definitely more confident overall!

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