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Geneva Half Marathon Training–Week 1

Happy Monday!

monday dog

(pic source)

I’m definitely riding an endorphin high right now following an incredible trail run. Renaud introduced me to a new trail tonight after work which was perfect. It was challenging but not intimidating. The muddy trail provided us with views of the river and due to the clear Spring like evening I was gasping at the views of Mont Blanc.

ash mont blancmud bogging

Needless to say, this run couldn’t have come at a better time. I have chosen a new goal half marathon and Gia and I have one hell of a plan in place. We’ve already built in the ski weekends and upcoming travel to make sure that I can still log enough quality runs and miles to feel strong on May 4th.

Last week was a perfect kick off week. I enjoyed runs with friends and solo. I embraced the treadmill for speed and still enjoyed one rest day and one day of cross training.

Monday: rest day

Tuesday: 2 miles at 8:55 and 10 minutes of chest, arms & abs

Wednesday: Tempo run including 10 minute warm-up, 2 miles at 9:00 pace repeated twice, followed by a 10 minute cool down

Thursday: A deep tissue massage and 20 minute yoga for runners

Friday: 8 mile long run along Lake Geneva bright and early with a new running buddy, Lauriane, while keeping under a 9:45 pace

Saturday: 6 miles of walking through Lyon while taking in the sights

Sunday: 4 mile run along the Rhone River and through Lyon

This week includes lots of running Monday through Thursday as Friday and Saturday will be spent skiing in Verbier. I am excited for next week in New York City which will be a balance of running and catching up with friends during some of my favorite workout classes!

Your turn: If you had to choose, would you run through sand or mud?

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Mexican & Romantic Comedies

Hey gang!

How is your week going so far? This week is flying by in the best way possible. I have had an insane amount of energy this week which can’t be accounted for as I was exhausted when the weekend ended. I’m not sure if it’s the power of positive thought, healthy eating, strong workouts, or just a good mindset but I can’t help but smile this week.

I was up too late last night making travel plans as I’m heading back to the United States two times in the next 8 weeks. Cue the excitement but also a wee bit of overwhelming craziness as each of the trips are pretty quick. I’ll be in New York City for business March 9th through 13th and then I’ll be in Cincinnati in April to greet a new bundle of joy, Amy and Ryan’s son.

Long time readers may remember Amy and Ryan as a couple with whom we’ve traveled multiple times and they were also the first people to visit us in Geneva this summer. When they told us they were pregnant we promised to return the gesture by being the first friends to fly over and meet their new son. While Bo won’t be able to make the trip this time, I am so thrilled to have snagged an amazing deal on Delta.

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If you’re looking to travel, check out Delta’s deals to and from Europe right now!

While I’m going to be in New York for business, I am excited to fill my early morning and evening time with as many workouts and friend dates as possible! While I love Geneva I definitely miss the boutique fitness scene and am therefore going to spend every morning catching up with some of my favorite instructors at Barry’s Bootcamp, Soul Cycle, Uplift and hopefully try the new City Row!  When planning dinner dates I think things will pretty much revolve around Mexican as that is the one cuisine that I haven’t been able to enjoy in Geneva or London. I’m craving an Agave margarita and their guacamole like you’d never imagine!

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Can you tell I’m a little bit excited to catch up with friends, food and workouts in New York? This will all have to occur between 5:30am-8am and 6pm-11pm so it is going to make for some very long days but is so worth it. I’m thankful that some of my work and projects require me to go to New York at least once a year as I so value the time while I’m there.

The rest of last night was spent watching one of my favorite movies, Notting Hill. Now that I am more familiar with London the movie was better than ever. Though I have to say, the amount of smoking in the movie amazed me. I forgot how normal it was for people to smoke in movies and in general fiftneen years ago.

Notting Hill (1999) Poster

I enjoyed Notting Hill so much that I went through iTunes to find other similar movies and ended up renting and downloading Bridget Jones’ Diary, You’ve Got Mail, My Best Friend’s Wedding, Pretty Woman, and The Holiday. While I love a good Academy Award contender such as Dallas Buyer’s Club I have a soft spot in my heart for romantic comedies.

What is your favorite romantic comedy?

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Silverstone Half Marathon Training Week 5 & 6

These past two weeks were as different as two training weeks can get. Last week was absolutely perfect. I completed every single workout Gia prescribed on my training plan and I felt great! Sunday night as I finished my shakeout run I couldn’t help but smile. Everything felt wonderful and my energy levels were through the roof as I signed up for another Spring half marathon – the Hampton Court Half Marathon. Running through the magnificent grounds surrounding the Hampton Court Palace before spending the afternoon touring the grounds with Bo and my family sounds like heaven!

But, let’s talk about this week. This week was the complete opposite. Unfortunately Bo and I suffered through the worst case of food poisoning this week. I was so sick on Monday that I had to cancel my flight back to Geneva and spend the entire day in bed. While in Italy for business I couldn’t enjoy any of the evening events or even the delicious Italian food as my stomach couldn’t handle any food richer than plain pasta, crackers, or Ginger Ale. My unpredictable stomach along with constant headaches meant that I couldn’t handle running Monday through Friday. Yesterday’s run, although brief, felt incredible after so much rest.

Who knows what a week off from running means for my upcoming half marathons but all I can do is give this upcoming week of training 110%! Luckily, Charlie has agreed to run the Hampton Court Half with me which means we’ll have a complete blast!

Silverstone Half Marathon Training Week 5 & 6

Monday: 4.5 mile speed workout on the treadmill

Tuesday: rest day

Wednesday: 2.6 mile run followed by arms & abs

Thursday: 40 minute trail run with Renaud in Geneva along the Rhone River

Friday: 2.3 mile run commute followed by 75 minute Yang and Yin yoga class at Good Vibes Fitzrovia

Saturday: An 8 mile run through London with Bo, Emily and lots of lovely ladies under rare London sunshine.

Sunday: A three mile shakeout run through Regents Park at dusk was the perfect way to end the week.

Wednesday: After two days without any workouts I was craving some time in the hotel gym by the time our meetings were done at 5pm. My stomach wasn’t feeling up to running so instead I did 45 minute of incline walking followed by this five minute plank workout.

Thursday: The hotel gym didn’t open in time for a workout before meetings so I kept things simple yet effect with a 15 minute hotel room workout repeated twice.

Saturday: Four mile run through Regents Park and Primrose Hill followed by a 2.5 mile walk through the neighborhoods.

Sunday: We kicked off our Sunday with a 2.5 mile run commute to Boom Cycle followed by a 45 minute spin class with Charlie led by Denis Bail. I am going to do a further review of Boom Cycle along with some other London spin options but suffice it to say there were 3 people in the class wearing Soul Cycle gear. Based on this observation, the friendly staff and the lit candle at the front of class, this must be a close substitute for many London residents with ties to Soul and the states.

How do you bounce back after a week of illness?

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