National Bike Month

Jen!

  I can't believe neither of us has mentioned this yet, May is National Bike Month!  What a great way to officially welcome Spring and to be active! I am  absolutely loving my bike.  You know I've broken several bones and had some pretty wacky sports related accidents (keep in mind I broke my elbow by flipping over my handle bars), so I am typically pretty hesitant about activities that have the possibility of injury... There is something different about "roberrrrto" though.  I just feel so secure and I have felt myself become a much more confident rider in the last few weeks.  When Everett and I ride together he always has to wait at the bottom of hills for me... he likes to FLY down them and I like to hold my brake.  Well the other day I started embracing the hills and coasting!  It felt pretty cool.  Last week we went for a date night to Woodstock.  We rode along a stream and on some pretty wild hills... they were like nothing I have ever experienced before.  It was only a short ride (I had already run 9 miles that day) and I was starving- but my GAWD, it was beautiful!  We are both loving that with Spring and our bikes our dates are now much more action packed!  

  What type of riding do you like best?  On Sunday when I ran the rail trail in Millerton, E biked (he was able to cover 22 miles).  He said it wasn't as enjoyable to be on a flat course as it is to be on the roads with mixed terrain.  How do you feel?  Will you celebrate National Bike Month in a special way??

Alright biker babe.  Back to the sewing machine I go.  

Can't wait to hear what you've been up to! 

Fit dreams,

xo

Jeni 

A Challenging Run

A difficult run!  But proud I pushed through!

Hey healthy girl!

  I love the idea of your salad!  I'm not a huge fan of store bought tomatoes but when E's are ready on the farm they are outstanding!  (He actually made me a tomato salad on our 5th date that made me like tomatoes, I knew he was the one after that!!) I can't wait to try this once they are ready!  

  There's a line from the song "Sorry Ms. Jackson"- "you can plan a pretty picnic, but you can't predict the weather."  That was my day today.  E and I made plans to go to Millerton to run the rail trail and eat at the Oakhurst diner.  Just one week until my race and today should have been 11 miles.  I wanted to test myself to see if I could do 11 miles at the sub 9:00/mile pace... I did all the things I should have done to make this possible.  I hydrated sufficiently, bought body glide gel so I wouldn't suffer from chafing, and applied sun screen as not to burn.  However, this morning I was having some stomach troubles... I thought it would be ok after my 5th trip to the bathroom... however, at mile 3 I had to dodge in to the woods to avoid a complete p**p disaster.  Let me tell you, it is not fun to be unprepared for this...  all of the grass and greenery seemed to vanish when I needed it... 1" blades of grass are NOT comparable to toilet paper...   So, I know this is a bit of an over share, but if you can't tell a girl friend that is also an endurance athlete, who can you tell?!?!?  Have you ever had this experience??  I felt so sick, I was instantly dehydrated and weak.  I considered turning around and walking back to the car but I realized I'm way too determined to let a little p**p get in the way of my run!  I ended up running much slower than I wanted to but when I called the Nike+ customer service to add my run (my phone died part way through the run) I told him the story and we laughed about it together and he told me I was badass!  AAAAW YEAH!  

So what did you do this weekend?!?  Did you do outdoor workouts or stay indoors?  It was so beautiful the last 2 days!!  Sadly the next 5 are supposed to be thunderstorms.  Oh well, I guess I can have a bit more time to work on healthy meals and yoga.  I have a great paleo muffin recipe to share with you tomorrow! 

Looking forward to your update!

xo

Jeni 

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

A Little Fresh Air

Hey J,
  I can't believe January is almost over, how did that happen?!?  Only 11 months left in this year... I really hope to make the best of every day.  Today was great!  While we're renovating the farm house E and I are staying in the apt we have in town.  Without having daily access to our farm I forget how much being in the fresh air and nature really helps to reset my soul after dealing with intense stress.  E spends two days a week down in the city and is leaving this afternoon, so today we decided to have a bit of quality time together, as a little family of 3 (don't forget the dog).  So we bundled up, cause yes, it was only 10* and headed outside.  There is an incredible land conservation area about 2 miles outside of town that offers incredible views and is such a restorative experience.  We covered 2.5 miles of trails, weaving in and out of the woods, over frozen streams and around fallen trees.  We sometimes complain about there not being enough date-worthy activities in town... the minute we stepped foot into the conservation area we both said, there are no dates we like better than being outside.  What a nice reminder.
  What about you?  Which do you prefer, the gym or outdoor activities?  For me there's nothing like being outside, no matter how cold it is... with that being said, I can't wait till I can walk out the door in the morning with just a light jacket on!  Yay, it's almost February!

What's going on with you today?  How will you get active?

Work hard, eat well!
xo
Jeni