Small successes

Hey Jeni! 

How has your week been? How is training going for your half marathon? I admire your will to try winter running.  As I go to the gym each morning, I see a lot of runners that's are out in the 5am hour with all of their gear. It sends a shiver down my spine when I see that the temperature is in the 30s! 

This week was week 2 of my morning workout routine. I can say that I am still going strong in waking up and getting to the gym before work. I had some sleep glitches towards the end of the week, but I am hoping to continue to work on my sleep hygiene with at least 7 hours per night. 

Overall I have been enjoying the morning workout. It is difficult to want to go to bed between 9-10 pm because I am such a night owl! I have been able to become pretty organized and able to stay committed. The feeling is wonderful. I am starting to feel better that I am working out more frequently. I find that when I am working out I have a desire to eat better and treat my body better. 

On Tuesday, we had a really warm day! At some point in the day I believe that I saw 70 degrees outside! I chose to do an outside 3 miler. I will say, I had some difficulty! I had a hard time breathing and I felt really heavy. On the second half of the run, I cooled down to interval speed walking and running. Overall, I finished with about an 11:00 minute pace, which is interesting because when I first started running my pace was between 11:00-12:00. I think that even though I walked some, it shows how my pace has improved since I decided to try this running thing.  

My response to the workout was the highlight. Generally if I have a less than successful workout, I tend to get frustrated! However, this time around I tried to remain grounded and reminded myself that it's ok that this workout wasn't perfect! If I am always hard on myself it can certainly lead to more stress and frustration, which isn't good! 

Hope you've had a stellar week! 

Xoxo

Jenne

Mixing it up

Hey Jeni! 

Glad we are back on track here. I can tell you for the past few months I haven't been focusing much on fitness. It's been a side bar to my life, and I haven't liked it! 

I've been doing some things that haven't been too healthy- not enough sleep, not enough exercise and eating a lot of processed foods. Overall, this has contributed to some weight gain (ugh!) 

So I sat down and re-evaluated my priorities recently and realized that the reason I haven't been working out as much is because I am too tired after work. I've been working a lot recently so it's been difficult to balance my workout plan. When I am working out and feeling good, I tend to want to match appropriate eating behaviors with that. In the end, I decided that I needed to make a change to ensure that I have proper balance in my life and can resume consistent workouts.

I am going to work out in the morning! Woah! Now, to ensure I accomplish this, I have to get up between 5am and 5:30am to get to the gym by 6am so that I get in a proper workout and am able to make it to work on time. What a rush! 

I'm happy to report that I was able to follow through on this plan four out of five workdays! I am now on track to have a five day workout week, which is not bad while I am getting back on track! 

On the weekends I am going to do what I can for workouts at whatever time I want. 

We'll see how next week goes. What do you think?

Xoxo

Jenne 

Double Header

Jen, Jen, Jen, 

  I am loving this week!  I am in such an incredible mood since Monday!!  It's because of all my running! Tuesday was my intense NY day filled with interviews and tutoring and I set a goal of waking up at 5:30 to get in 5 miles before getting on the train...  I did it!  It was a beautiful sunrise- as you see in Picture 1. Then when I came home Wednesday, I sewed all day and despite how much work I had yet to do, I laced up, threw on my headlamp and hit the road for another 5 miles- as you see in picture 2.  I have such a feeling of calm the latt few days and I am sleeping soooo much better!!  5 runs in one week sure makes a positive difference in who I am!!!  Check out photo #3- after glow- the only time in life I ever feel truly beautiful is after a run when my skin is glowing from sweat and I'm not wearing a stitch of makeup. (Gotta keep this up!!)

Tomorrow is another busy day. I plan to be up by 7, hit the road for a 4 mile run, eat a super protien packed breakfast and then get back to sewing.  

Now you fill me in... I'm dying to hear everything. 

Xoxo

Jeni 

Training Plan

Hey Girl,

 This past weekend was rainy, blustery and darn right cold!  I find "nasty" elements to be so utterly inspiring- and before I knew it, I was picking out a January half marathon. Why I have this reaction I have no idea!  I guess it's better than wanting to hibernate.

  Since last year I have been using the Nike+ app to record my runs- yesterday I set myself up with a 12 week Nike+ intermediate coaching plan. Today was training run #1. Just a gentle 3 miler. Boy was it beautiful out.  Because of how cold it was the last few days I expected it to be the same today, despite the blue skies- so I layered up in all my best "cold weather gear". A few minutes in it was clear I was WAY overdressed and had to ditch my hat, gloves and neckwarmer along the route.  I was on an absolute runners high afterwards!!  

Tomorrow I have a long day in the City and an early train to catch. I have two job interviews and am tutoring a middle schooler.  It's also voting day!!  The plan has a 5 mile run scheduled for me and I refuse to let a busy day get in the way- i need this run for so many reasons. My mental health, a reminder that things that are important to me are infact valuable things and to relieve some of this major stress I'm barely managing... So I have decided to set my alarm for 5:30am and hit the pavement before the sun comes up!!  I am hoping that when my alarm goes off knowing that I have stated this all to you will help insure that I don't snooze myself outta a good run. 

What are your voting day plans?!  

Look forward to reading all about em.

Xo

jeni

And just like "that", it's November

Hey Jen!

  November- my goodness it's November!! Gosh I am so excited!!  Cold weather running is my favorite!  Maybe because it's invigorating or maybe because it signals the start of such a beautiful and magical season and the closing of yet another year.  The last few days I have been daydreaming about a Turkey Trot and wondering which to do this year?!  And making plans to finish this year off strong. I have so many things to catch you up on and I'm sure you do too!    I'll start with recaping my first cold weather run and over the next few days will fill you in on the rest. 

 Check the picture- it was crisp!!  My ears were cold and my cheeks were rosy!  I purchased new kicks on Thursday and broke them in this weekend by going slow and steady. I was short on time and it was great to get outside. I am always so proud of myself when I choose to use a half hour to get in a few miles rather than cruise pintrest. 

What's your favorite "short on time" workout?  

What is going on with your fitness?  

Can't wait to catch up. 

Xoxo

jeni

Miles and Puddles

Hey Jen!

  I just wanted to check in and tell you about my day!  I'm in Lenox, MA this week staying with a student of mine from last year and her sister while their parents are out of town. I set my alarm for 6am today, to get up and make a good breakfast for the girls before school. I woke up to pouring rain and instantly knew I had to go for a run once I dropped tbe girls off at school. I'm not sure what it is about the rain, but I am so motivated, especially to run when it rains. Strangely, a sunny day does nothing for me. This town is so beautiful, even when it's grey and wet. I haven't been able to go over 3 miles since June because of my knee, but today I set out knowing I could do more.  I ran 5 miles and didn't want to stop!  I was running through puddles and leaves were falling all around me- it was magical. I feel like myself again!!  A slower version of me (hey, i'm out of practice) but still like me!  

So now, tell me, how is everything?  Were you able to get back on track after your vaykay in Belgium?  How does it feel to be a runner again?!  I'm so proud and excited for you!  Now we can chat all about gear and share inspo quotes!  

Looking forward to your update!

Xoxo

jeni

The Rosy Cheeks are Back!!

Jen,

  Oh my gawd. I can't believe it has been so long... What's new???   I see on FB that you're running!  I can't wait to hear/read all about it.  I have to admit that my fitness level and activities drastically dropped off for a few months. Back in June I hurt my knee so badly that there were days over the last few months that it was excruciating to walk up or down the stairs at home.  Well over the last month I got back in the habit of walking 2-4 miles a day with Roscoe and it seems as though my knee is better!!  I'm in the city this week and went for a run through Ditmas Park last night and there was no pain!  I was back to my normal self!  I went for a run 7 weeks ago and was near tears i was in so much pain... I was "running" or rather limping at a 12min/mile pace... Last night I felt like I was flying!!  And then nike+ told me I was running a 9:47/mile, which is actually very slow for me, but hey, compared to 7 wks ago, that is flying. I am soooo sooo sooo beyond happy to be back!  I just don't really feel whole when I'm not running. I'm going to run again today and this time through Prospect Park- wish me luck!   There's really nothing that compares to exercised-induced rosy cheeks, am i right?!?!  

Xo xo

-Jeni