MAY Your Day be Sweaty and Bright!

 

 

Hey Jenne!

 

 I can't believe it's MAY! We might actually be out of winter and into Spring!  HELLO outdoor sweat sessions!  I love the fitspo pic I posted, it really is a great feeling, isn't it?!  I really loved your updates this week.  I am so glad you are able to do workouts with your challange buddies- working out with friends makes it about so much more than just weights and reps.  We need to plan our girls weekend of biking and beaches!!  We are so close to bikini season... I have never been excited to get into a baithing suit, but this year I actually feel strong and empowered and ready to strut.  I have my eye on a saucy black number from VS!  How about you, will you treat yourself to a new suit after all of your hard work? 

 

  This week I was short on time, so I focused on my kettlebell workout (which I am freakin' loving!!) I feel bad ass with my new imporved abs!   I have read so many articles lately about the benefits of weight training for runners.  I am seriously interested in becoming a more balanced athlete.  Nutrition, strength, running and stretching need to be in balance, not any one should be more important than the other.   It is now just 15 days until my next half marathon and I have a GOAL to meet! 

 

  Your chia seed pudding looks so delish!  There is a paleo restaurant in the city that Mel and I went to the night before our race last month that had baller chia seed pudding, I am so hooked.  I didn't realize how simple it is to make.  Hello weekend treat! 

 

  What's on your agenda this weekend?  Looking forward to your updates!

 

Keep up the good work lady!

xo

Jeni

Don't Forget about Downtime

Hey Jenne!
  The last three weeks have all been about pushing myself.  As a result I am now teetering on the fence between full blown sickness and oh, I better rest in hopes of avoiding it.  Last night when I got home from teaching I fell instantly into bed and into such a deep sleep (only to be woken up at 9 by my phone and then stayed up till midnight).  Today has been the same so far, I just feel exhausted and have spent all day in bed drinking tea.  (I just woke up from a nap)  Yesterday should have been a strength training day and today should have been an easy 3.5 mile run, but instead I have chosen to take it easy.  I know that when I am stressed I hold so much tension in my hips and shoulders... so the last few days, in addition to not feeling well I have been insanely tight and uncomfortable.  So this morning I did a half hour "yoga for runners" practice and it made such a difference.  I notice that just being present to what is happening and breathing with intention are typically pushed aside when I am hustling and bustling between activities.  It felt great to relieve some stress and be present.

 
Even though running isn't your main event, you should try this out.  Especially if you sit at a desk for most of the day!

How important is post-workout stretching to you?  I am terrible about it... part of why I love yoga, it helps to fix my many mistakes...
Do you schedule downtime in to your routine?  How do you feel when you miss workouts?  I am trying to feel ok with allowing myself a moment to relax.  Clearly getting sick is my bodies way of communicating it doesn't get enough restorative downtime... so I guess I shall give it some now.

Hope you're having a great week!
xo
jeni  

Cabin Fever

Hey Jenne!

  I can't believe tomorrow is Friday!  I had such a crazy busy week!  (I know, I say that every week)  I really do feel that every minute is accounted for and when I let the schedule slip at all, everything is thrown off for days.  I have to say that I am really proud of myself for taking the time for my health the last 2 weeks and running no matter how much is on my plate.  Today, in between work, a doctors appointment and running to the studio at school to do four hours worth of homework, I fit in a 5k.  I was sort of feeling myself resenting the idea of running on a treadmill... but It was only 20* out... I did something I was very proud of.  I borrowed Everett's snow pants and windbreaker jacket and I layered up!  I felt fearless and so badass to be running outside.  The air hurt my lungs at first and my nose was certainly cold, but it was so incredible to be outside and viewing the incredible sights that yesterday's snowstorm provided.  About a mile in I was so overheated and the extra layers did not help my pace at all, and I sure did look like the abominable snowman... but I did it.  I ran in below freezing temps!  I now feel like I can run outside any time I want... no matter what the elements!  By the time I finished my run it had heated up to 27*-  whoa!!  Running outside in Winter has always been something that scared me.  I'm really afraid of slipping on ice (you did visit me in the hospital when I broke my back, so I'm sure you understand my fear of falling...) but look at me, one step closer to overcoming that fear!

  What about you, how do you feel about being active in questionable weather?  For me, I could never ever ever get on a bike in the rain.  Even the idea of it gives me anxiety.  

  Fridays are my non-exercise day- my training plan and everything I have read say you need at least one day a week to recover.  So I eagerly await Saturday.  I am hoping to run a 5k in under 24 minutes and 30 seconds... FINGERS CROSSED!  

Jealous of your 8 hours of sleep!!!  Some day I'll get that!

xo

Jeni   

Bad Workouts are Great Lessons

Hey Jenne!

  I know all about those days, where despite your best intentions, your workout is NOT what you hoped it would be.  I remember a few summers ago that there was a week I went from running 6 miles a day and then all of a sudden the very next week, I literally could not make it past 2 miles.  Just like you said, it's great practice to push through your training sessions, not just when it feels good.  My favorite book is called Mile Markers.  In it, Kristin Armstrong talks about how running (or cycling in your case) and all of our training prepares us for things much greater than a scheduled race.  It helps strengthen and prepare us for the worst of what life can/will throw at us.  Besides, it's the hard days that help us see how strong and far we've come and allows us to enjoy the great days/workouts!  As nutrition is something we talk a lot about, I will say, good nutrition and eating for strength can make all the difference in your ability to push or the cause of failure.  Everett always says to me that eating right for myself is like putting my air mask on in a plane-crash, I can't help others if I don't help myself... something to remember... 

  I really like rituals and habits.  I like to be spontaneous too, but need consistency at the same time.  Simple things like starting my day with a cup of green tea.  Without it I tend to feel disoriented and rushed.  As for working out, I love knowing that Sunday is my long run day.  It is guaranteed time for myself, to breathe, reflect and like you said, organize my thoughts for the upcoming week.  It also usually means eating a LOT of carbs on Saturday night!  

My dreadmill 2 miles, at least I logged something.

  I have now run 2 half-marathons and am training for my 3rd, 4th and 5th (they are all within 4 weeks of each other).  The first one I followed a training plan and the second one I just ran what I wanted to when I had the time and the race went fine.  I didn't improve my time at all, but I finished in 2 hours and 9 minutes.  This time around I want to be sub 2 hours, so I found a training plan that I think will certainly get me there... especially since I ran my fastest 3-miler just a few days ago!!!  So yesterday I was supposed to run an easy 3 miles, but the day really got away from me.  Our house is being renovated and E and I went to pickup our new fridge and grocery shop at the new Honest Weight Co-op in Albany and didn't get home until after 8pm.  I couldn't run in town, I just don't think it's safe in the dark, so I decided to just book it to the gym and log whatever I could on the "dreadmill"... I made it to the gym 20 minutes before they closed.  I hopped on and pushed out 2 miles as they were vacuuming and closing down shop.  I know I did a mile less than I should have, but I was more proud of the fact that I went and did something rather than just calling it a missed workout!  Erin, my soon-to-be-sister-in-law and I both agree that each mile logged on a treadmill should count as 10 regular miles... I really hate treadmills.   

  Today we are getting incredible amounts of snow!!  I was called last night to say that school would be closed today due to the impending weather... so I am home, not having to work.  How fabulous is that! E and I are hoping to go cross-country skiing later today, when things die down a bit!!

What would you do with a surprise day off?  Would you relax and watch movies all day or would you go do something active?

Have a great week!  Drink water, Fit thoughts!

xo
Jeni

Inspiration

Hey girl.  Am I right in saying this past week has been insane for both of us??  I haven't had a second to think, let alone workout.  With my hectic teaching schedule and finishing up this dress for the Grammy Awards and starting class at Marist, I averaged 5 hours of sleep or less each night this week.  I also ate terribly!!  I hate it.  I have made a decision though this week that I am taking a break from Crossfit for a month and joining a gym called ixl.  I want to have use of a treadmill- running keeps me sane and the temps outside are just too insane!!  I also want access to traditional workout classes that I can attend with some of my lady friends.  I don't have enough time to be healthy, socialize and workout separately.  I hope that joining the gym will let me do all 3 in one shot.  Anyway, here is a video that I just love watching for inspiration.  Hopefully it will pump you up too.

How was your week?  Did you stay on course with healthy goals and being active??  Or was this week just as crazy for you? 

xo
Jeni

No longer MIA!

Jeni! 

I haven't given up on us! I am here! It's been a busy past few days! But very productive! 

Let's see...  I've been to the gym everyday this week so far. I have been trying out different classes at my gym, it's fun to try new things right? It also lets me check on my progress.  Sometimes you start working different muscle groups and you realize there are some muscles you haven't been working! 

So on Monday I took this class called Cardio Strength. One of my areas for opportunity is strength training. I don't do a lot of it. I like my cardio burn! So I thought this class would be a good mix. Holy cow... The reps were fast, I'm not sure I even remember what I did. But it was a challenge! I hope to ace that class sometime in the future- it will certainly not happen overnight! 

Yesterday I did WERQ again. It was fun. I am definitely learning the moves so I feel less dorky! 

Today I also tried a new class! It was called Core Dynamics. It was core work, obviously, but there were some different exercises. I liked it! I tried my best in the class, I was really proud of walking in plank with sliders at my feet. I did need to take a few breaks but I found resolve when I did it to keep going. I felt the muscles working. We'll see what happens! I also rode on the bike for a bit too.  

I've made some really good recipes this week. Simple, fresh, and yummy.  But first, what have you been up to? Have you recovered? Have you been doing any core work? 

Xoxo

Jenne