Category Archives: doin things My way

by | October 27, 2011

TTT: I meant it when I said it

{ Three Things Thursday, a la Morgan }

1) My first date with Quinoa involved a sweet potato, and it did not disappoint. I wrote:

“…a fun mix of textures and flavors, plus some greens on the side!… You can’t go wrong with a plate full of veggies and healthy grains.”

As for the latter, that will always be true. I’ve since learned that this particular healthy {protein-packed} grain goes well with a lot of other things! Last night I paired the sweet potato with it again, alongside a different kind of green, and was once again pleased with how well the date went. Dinner success!

10.26.11 00710.26.11 005 In the mix: sautéed sweet potato (peeled & cubed) + carmelized red onion + cumin, ground red pepper, pepper + quinoa + a drizzle of barbecue sauce.

All together: stuffed in a pita with avocado slices.

I meant it when I said you can’t go wrong!
Quinoa & sweet potatoes are good friends.

2) I’ve had crazier weeks – and by “crazy”, I mean that I once declared myself in a state of manic-taper-mode. This time around, “it looks like we – me and my sane mind – might actually make it to Sunday, crazy-taper free!” I put there it out there, and I meant it.  We’re 3 days away, and still going strong!

How to stay sane during the taper week: RELAX. Seriously, just calm down. Chill out. You’ve put in the miles; you don’t need another Long Run. You’ve sacrificed nights out, mornings sleeping in, countless hours planning routes & runs & your bank account balance at the grocery store, running store & maybe even on iTunes purchasing a few new tunes (but then proceeding to start running without music? what? Dang.).

Now? You get to relax. Take advantage! Run easy miles; let your run-buddy take you for a speedy, hilly run; run more easy miles. Go to the expo and snatch up a bunch of freebies. Sleep in a little bit more every morning. Add a few more carbs to those meals when it’s time.

Enjoy the butterflies you get every time you think about the day to come.

3) Set a goal*; hold yourself accountable; take on a challenge.
Think optimistically.

IWillBostonQualify

I meant it when I said that I want that BQ.
*But, we’ll talk about that tomorrow.

*****

Say what you mean, and mean what you say! Anything you want to put out there, and add to the list? Let’s hear it.

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Filed under dinners, doin things My way, food, Goals, making plans, MCM, recipes, running, training

by | August 23, 2011

The Flexi-Plan

{Mystery clue-of-the-day is at the bottom!}

Last weekend, I didn’t run 16 miles. It was on the plan, and I couldn’t have cared less whether or not those miles got a check in the box.

Instead, I ran 3 miles on Saturday, only to turn around and realize that time would be much better spent with D while he was home for the weekend.

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Sunday morning, after the airport drop-off, I headed out with my camelbak and snacks, just in case the motivation came to me at some point. I met up with Martha at Wash Park, and rounded out a little more than 8 miles. Then I decided that day would be much better spent doing things like grocery shopping, getting a haircut, lounging on the couch and reading.

Miles for the weekend: 11+. Regrets: 0.

It’s official; for the time being, I’m on the Flexi-plan. For the time being, there is just too much to think about. The legs will get those miles, it just may not always be according to the schedule.

We decided we’re okay with that, me and this attitude of mine.

*****

In the spirit of flexi-planning, I had to skip my double-Monday routine yesterday. Between an early work morning and a late work-dinner night, it just wasn’t going to happen. Instead, I woke up at 5:30  today, and hit the road!

As it turns out, the sun is sleeping in later than me these days. It was a dark start, with a realization that Fall is quickly creeping up on us!

Today, I ran 7.1 miles of purely distracted bliss. My mind was in an entirely different place, with a million things to do and one big thing to be excited about.

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What’s that “Big” thing?

Clue #1: I’ll be doing my first 20 miler of this cycle in a different city!

Clue #2: We sold D’s car on Saturday; we’re down to one, for good reason!

{ Friends who know, I still expect you to shhh. Sorry, Epod. I’ll put wind back those sails soon!}

14 Comments

Filed under doin things My way, early morning, making plans, running, training

by | July 18, 2011

The Start of MCM

Last weekend started with a test; I had finally “rested” up, reminded my muscles what it was like to run easy and hard during the week, and had no remnant lactic acid joining the party by Friday morning.

Plan A? Successful!

This meant I had 10 miles to run, a double-digit adventure I hadn’t tested in way too long. It seems to be the distance that always seems to humble my “I’ve run it before, I can run again” ego.

Thankfully my ego learns quickly, and was completely armed to be dropped on the trail if needed. Road rash only burns for a few days.

Luckily, we both made it through:

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10 miles – 1:29 (avg pace ~8:55)

Test, passed! Muscles & mind in agreement, we’re ready for this marathon-training stuff – bring on Week 1!

*****

Given the sporadic running attitude I’ve had over the past two months, this plan was a little trickier to conjure up. Unfortunately I don’t think the Smart Coach really gets me – No, I won’t stick to a 5 run/week plan, I don’t like doing my speed-work on Wednesdays, and I’m not taking two days to “Rest / XT” before every  long run.

Geeze, don’t you know me by now, Coach?

Computer-generated training won’t cut it this time, so I’ve spent  hours (tough business, this whole “planning” thing) creating the next 16-week layout. I’ve taken the set travel days into account, and highlighted a few weekends where things may need to be swapped.

Here’s hoping none of my 20-milers will be on weekdays, after work, or before 5 a.m.! Good times.

It will all start with this, nice n’ simple (with Track days TBD, as I’ll only know those schedules the week of):

MCM.Week1

Tonight, those four miles will be checked off with the lululemon Run Group – easy pace with fun people? Not a bad tone to start off with!

Marine Corps, I like you. I think we’re going to be best buds for the next 16 weeks!

12 Comments

Filed under doin things My way, making plans, marathon, new things!, running, training

by | May 2, 2011

Approaching Another 13.1

Today marked Day 1 of yet another training cycle; it seems never-ending, and I love it that way.

Today also marks a significant turn in American history, which was a good distraction as I logged miles that seemed very insignificant.

*****

I finally found a race that worked, timing-wise, with my goals and schedule. I have a five week training plan, with a brand new approach. After ten half-marathons, a fresh strategy is long over-due.

Rather than relying in the trusted RW Smart Coach, I created this one all on my own. Every time I create one of those plans, I follow it, but always make my own adjustments and almost never pay attention to the recommended pace. I know my body better than an online calculator, right? I also know my schedule better!

Taking into account the way my weeks already play out, this made more sense. I factored in Yoga and Ryders’ classes that I refuse to miss, and that only add to the plan as a whole – stretching and strengthening on a consistent basis? Yes, I can finally get behind that notion.

All of that being said, here’s how my month will look:

Taste of Louisville Training

Wednesdays = Lululemon Group Run (typically a very easy pace, conversational and just enjoying the company of new runners).
Sundays = “Restorative Yoga”. D joined me for this last night; it’s half an hour of poses and stretching, and half an hour of 2-3 very relaxed, resting poses. In other words, it’s amazing.

Monday, Progression Run: 5 miles? Check!

This is one of my favorite workouts; don’t push as hard as a Tempo Run, but let the legs warm up and settle into a faster pace. The goal is to aim for Race Pace by the end, without feeling like death when you get there. Today, that looked like this: 8:58, 8:06,7:43, 7:35, 7:30.

Things are off to a good start!

*****
Have you made your own training plan before? What was your strategy?

I’ve made two for my Sister now, but had yet to really create one (from scratch) for myself. I don’t know what took me so long, and my fingers are crossed that this brings me to the starting line ready to race!

18 Comments

Filed under about me, doin things My way, new things!, running, Speed workouts, strength train too!, training, Yoga

by | January 26, 2011

My Home Yoga “Studio”

At the beginning of December, we cleared out the back room, got new furniture (a Lot of it, whoa), and totally revamped the “design” of things around the apartment. We had a vision, and went with it. Three bikes in one room makes it a little crowded, but it’s functional nonetheless!

I just hadn’t tested out its function, yet…

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An hour of yoga in the morning always starts my day right, but wow are those muscles of mine tight at 7 a.m.. The majority of my late morning/early afternoon was spent in front of a computer, and suddenly I was over it. At 2 p.m. I chose a Yoga-break instead of a computer-screen staring contest. I rolled out my mat, and had no plan or routine. I was amazed at how warmed-up/flexible I felt, compared to that early hour, and I went with it!

Plan 1) USE the yoga room! Check.
Plan 2) Document progress (which I meant to do after my 25-day Yoga challenge, and never did). Here we go…

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Stretch, wake up the I’ve-been-sitting-for-hours muscles, and get ready to Flow.

Ready now? Here’s one of my favorite flows – it was the first “challenging” pose that really came easily to me and felt fun to experiment with. Crow –> Headstand:

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The challenge now is to see how long I can hold that. Long enough for the self-timer on the camera – leading up to one+minute? We’re getting there. The shoulders and abs usually cooperate, as long as there’s no fear of what my feet will hit in the event my balance fights gravity. Crow –> Headstand: check!

And while we’re upside down, we might as well get in a few handstands, right?

1.25 026 I can’t hold this free-standing quite yet, it’s something I practice often and love the challenge of – flex the feet, bring hips over shoulders, and engage that core.

*******

Next up: Eagle! The first Bikram class I attended (i.e. my first Yoga class) involved this twisting pose; my palms weren’t even close to touching. Wrap my right foot around my left calf? Really? That didn’t happen. Now…

1.25 022 (Sidenote: That one is not so easy to get into within the 10 second self-timer window.)

…it’s another favorite. The leg twist success is satisfying (and makes it a little easier to balance), my hips will level with me, and the arm twist provides the best shoulder stretch (pull your elbows out and up – you’ll feel it).  Eagle: check!

While we’re twisting, let’s open up the shoulders. Another pose that didn’t come easily, but is so satisfying once those fingers can link together: The bind.

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Check! My groin and hip muscles aren’t yet the biggest fans of this decision, but they go with it. And that’s all I ask for now!

Rest, breathe, take it all in, and relax.*

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*After inversions, always give the back a good stretch! Wheel or bridge, spinal twists & laying in savasana for as long as you want ;) .

Clearly I had fun during my first “class”in my Home Yoga Studio. I’ll be back there often, and love that My space is there for me whenever I want it.

Do you practice (yoga or any other free-form exercise) at home? As many posts have mentioned, there are tons of Free downloads, podcasts, etc available so you don’t always have to pay the fee to be at a studio! I love the class atmosphere, and having interaction with instructors to keep you challenged and moving forward. But, I also loved doing things on my terms! All you need is some open space and a creative mind.

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Filed under about me, doin things My way, good days, new things!, things that make me Happy, Yoga