A Better way to Fuel (meet my new belt)

Hey Jenne,
  My computer hasn't been working the last few days and so I haven't been able to tell you about all the fun things happening or comment on the amazing things you've been up to...  Technology can be frustrating.

  Let me start with my run last night.  My half is in 9 days and I am now focusing on speed in my long runs.  In the past I have only cared about covering the miles and it didn't matter how fast or slow I went.  This round of training I have found that I have been comfortable running at an 8:30/mile pace in my shorter distance runs but I wanted to see if I could do the same at longer distances.  My goal for my upcoming half is to be running no slower than 9:08/mile, this would bring me in at just under 2 hours. (This same half last year I finished in 2 hours and 9 minutes- so I'm looking to cut off a big chunk of time this year.)  I have found that fueling and hydrating every 2 miles makes a HUGE difference in my performance.  So recently I bought a fuel belt to keep me prepared.  Last night I took my new fuel belt for our first run together.  I chose a new route that added extra hills to my run.  I remember a few years ago when I started running again after 4 years of not running (thank you broken back) I avoided hills.  Now I actually find them to be exciting..  I completed 9 miles last night at an 8:55 pace.  I am happy with the outcome but I know it could have been a lot better.  There were a few things wrong last night: 1- I felt slightly dehydrated, 2- I had not consumed enough calories beforehand, 3- my feet started blistering around mile 7, and lastly, the most painful, 4- I have this one spot under my right arm that rubs against my right armpit area that causes the most terrible chafing rash. At mile 8 I didn't think I could take another step the chafing was so painful... but I pushed myself home and hit 9 miles.  I have to go out and buy some body glide this week.  I can't possibly do that again.  The course for the Steel Rail Half is completely flat, only one DOWN hill!  So I have no doubt that I will meet my goal and possibly come in under my goal!

Now, let me express all of my excitement about your week!  First off, Jungshin class looks like the coolest thing EVER!  I can't even imagine how much fun that must be!  Do you feel like one of Charlie's Angel's?!?  I bet I would get a little too into that class! I really have gym envy when you talk about the awesome classes you can take.
  Now, tell me about yoga.  I know you said you had a difficult time letting go of thoughts... which is something I'm known for too... but what was your favorite part of the class?  Did you learn anything new?  Try a new asana or go deeper in a pose than before?  Did your teacher say anything that struck you as profound?  No matter how anxious or distracted I feel in a class I always leave with something new.  Which is an incredible feeling.

Oh my gawd, I almost forgot to tell you that I made your chia seed pudding and it was so stinkin' good!  Everett and I devoured it!  I mixed mine with almond butter and some fresh berries to give me a real shot of protein.  Delish!  E said we should always have it on hand in the fridge.  Thanks for the inspiration!

Can't wait to read more of your adventures!
Au revoir!
xo xo
Jeni

Me and Roooobertooo

Hey Girl!  

  Yesterday was an incredible day!!  Since October I have sold 15 dresses and have been in a constant state of stress and low on sleep.  Yesterday I shipped the last two dresses on my list!  I am now officially caught up!  To celebrate I rode my bike to the post office.  I felt so free and happy.  I had a beautifully wrapped package tucked in my messenger bag while enjoying the rolling hills and spring time sounds.  It was raining but I just could not bring myself to drive- I couldn't figure out why I had such a strong aversion to driving and as it turns out, it was Earth Day!  My subconscious knew!  I felt so baller, me and my bike.  You asked me the other day if I named it yet... I haven't really thought about it much just yet, but I'm sorta feeling Roberto, heavy on the 'o' rooooobertoooo (roll the R too).  

  How was your Earth Day?  Were you active or did you take the day to be restorative?  I really wish we lived closer together, I day dream about us biking and doing yoga. 

What are your plans for the rest of the week?  I am hoping to run 30 miles in the next 6 days.  I want to make it to 75 miles this month.  

Eat healthy and be adventurous!   

xo

Jeni 

Progress is a Great Reward

Jenne,

  What great progress you made in your challenge!  You set a goal and you reached it- that is so impressive!  I love goals.  I find they keep me focused and motivated.  I also love reaching goals.  I ran my 3rd half marathon on Sunday and I loved it.  It was such a different experience than my other races. At the end of my first two I was depleted and begged for the finish line.  This time around, perhaps because I had several more long runs in my training or maybe my dietary changes, it felt different.  I felt strong the entire race and I didn't need to distract myself from pain or discomfort.  Talk about progress.  I ran this race with my friend Melissa, it was her first race ever.  I registered to run this race WITH her which meant I let her choose our pace, we ran at a pace of 9 minutes and 35 seconds per mile, which is somewhere around a minute faster per mile than my last time around.  I also finished feeling as though I could have kept going, I could have sprinted.  It was such a show of progress that I felt elated all afternoon.  I registered for another half next month where I plan to run sub 2 hrs- which is a pace of 9 minutes and 8 seconds per mile- which I now know I can obtain with ease!  I plan to spend the next 5 weeks with varied training, adding sprinting and weight training, to really give myself some reserve power.
  As for your ride- I am so impressed by your strength and progress.  Now that you crushed the first part of 2014 with weight loss what is your next goal?  Do you have a goal time for your tour de cure ride?   Everett got me a bike for my birthday (yes, back in January) that arrives tomorrow, finally!  For months we have talked about our hope to start a weekly tradition of riding to a little breakfast spot we like called Murray's in Tivoli every Sunday morning.  I think we get to start this week!!  I can't wait.

Congrats on your hard work and results!

You amaze me friend!

xo
Jeni

Go the Extra Mile

  

 Hi Friend!

  The last update I gave you was about my weekend of poor running performance.  Since Sunday I started to feel doubtful of myself and if I could reach my running goals for this Spring.  Wednesday night I went to the gym.  I decided not to set an intended distance.  I don't know what it was, but I felt fantastic!  UNSTOPPABLE!  I blew right through miles 1 and 2 (I hate running on the treadmill and getting past 3 miles while staring at the wall is usually impossible and I tend to count every second...) I made it to 6 miles. Just after I hit mile 6 my phone died and there was only 20 minutes until the gym closed so I decided to end my run there and give myself some much needed deep stretching.  It was one of those runs that left me feeling so invigorated- if I had the time I know I could have made it at least 10 miles.  (i'm pretty excited about that, considering this is only 3 weeks in to training and I was sick the last few days).   I'm not really sure what happened over the last few days...Here are some things that I think may have contributed to my success.  During the day while on a break from teaching I was drinking tea and scrolling through Pintrest and saw the above Inspo quote- I want to be able to go the extra mile whenever it is asked of me: on my run, in a pinch, in love or in life.  I had also compiled a new super kick-ass play list and it started with a Maclemore and Ryan Lewis Song- White Walls, which just gets me so pumped up!  I was also wearing a new bracelet that I had ordered off Etsy a few weeks ago that says "be brave".  The company is Words to Sweat By... they have incredible things, you should check them out!  Lastly, I was feeling so exhausted before going to the gym that I got an iced coffee... so maybe the caffeine had something to do with it.  I was so happy!  I even threw in some AB exercises and squats afterwards!  Not bad if I do say so myself!

  How are things in Rochester?  We got buried in snow last night.  E and I spent the morning digging out our cars. I was actually excited to do it.  It's good cardio and a way to put our team skills to the test on Valentine's Day- we only had one shovel and we took turns digging.  February 14th has always been just another day to me, but this year I feel so happy in my relationship with Everett (and also with running!)  Why not give in a bit to "tradition" or pop-culture??  Do you have any fun plans?  We are going to Lake Placid to celebrate together, just our little family of 3 Monday and Tuesday!  We are trying to make some other plans for tomorrow- to be active and enjoy the winter wonderland.

If you were a cucumber and I was vinegar- I'd PICK(le) you for my Valentine!  

Go the extra Mile!  Don't forgot to tell yourself all the reasons why you ROCK this Valentine's day!

xo

Jeni