I can sympathize tremendously. In Chicago, we're blessed right now that there's currently no snow on the ground. Heaven knows we've certainly had our fair share of awful winter blizzards in the past, though. We're not out of the woods here yet, either.
Note to all: It is not a good idea to leave your car doors open during a winter storm:
MONDAY: Pure Barre class and run 3.1 miles on treadmill
TUESDAY: Yoga class and Pure Barre class
WEDNESDAY: Zumba class
THURSDAY: Pure Barre class
FRIDAY: Yoga class and Pure Barre class
SATURDAY: Pure Barre class
SUNDAY: Run 7 miles
Whew! It was a very busy but very productive week.
- My Pure Barre membership ended yesterday, so last week I was really gunning it to the finish. I ended up completing a total of 22 classes in 35 days. It's been a good 5 weeks but whew, I am worn out!
- I had my first long run in 6 weeks scheduled for this morning. Unfortunately, I was so sore and beat up after my last barre class yesterday that I thought a lot about skipping the run. My couch was looking sad and forlorn and was in need of some quality company. (Doesn't it always???)
- How to recover? After I got home yesterday, I came across a free sample of protein powder that I got at an expo. I made it into a shake and slurped it down. It tasted like a chocolate milkshake, which helped. It quickly made me feel a lot better (thanks Erin for the tip!) Then I took a nap. Yes, the joys of the weekend! By last night, Voila! I was feeling as good as new. As I've said before, the body is an amazing thing.
- My first running miles of 2016 have finally been logged, three weeks into the year. Last Monday night, I ran 5K on the treadmill run and felt really good. At the time, I only allowed myself to be cautiously optimistic, given the short distance. But oh my goodness, the exhilaration of having fresh legs!
- My 7-mile run this morning was my first long-ish and outdoor run in 6 weeks. It felt great to get outside, breathe in the fresh winter air, and let my mind wander. I got hungry around 4.5 miles and didn't have water to take a GU, so I pushed through the 7 mile total before calling it a day. Had my fueling been better, I believe I could have done 10 without issue.
- I can't even begin to describe how thrilled I am about seemingly maintaining my conditioning despite all the time away from running!
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| This picture doesn't have anything to do with the topic at hand. I just thought it was adorable! |
- My Pittsburgh Half Marathon training is now underway. Dare I say that I am feeling genuinely excited to challenge myself with hill/incline work? What is wrong with me? I will share my training plan later this week as part of the Tuesdays on the Run link-up.
How about you? How was your week?
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I am happy your first runs back went well! :) I look forward to my hillwork, so I don't think that's odd at all. It's fun to challenge yourself :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Kim! I'm not surprised you look forward to your hillwork because you are a force of nature. =)
DeletePure Barre Classes are not joke. Good luck with your training.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nicole! You are right about Pure Barre being no joke! I was so sore after my first one that it hurt to walk for days!
DeleteGreat week, what will you do to replace your barre classes you think? Or will you just use your training for your half? Yes I agree the pictures I've seen of all the snow is just crazy. Times like this I'm glad I live in Mississippi! :) Thanks for linking up with us, tell me do you like the new opening time of 5PM?
ReplyDeleteThanks Tricia! Yes, half marathon training will most certainly fill the void previously occupied by barre! I do want to keep up with strength training in general, though, since it's so effective. It's hard to squeeze everything in! I do like the 5 PM opening time. Thanks for co-hosting, as always!
DeleteI get to do hills for my Big Sur training. Unlike you, I"m not excited! I hope the snow melts so I can head to Payton's Hill for some real hill work. If it was good enough for Sweetness, it's good enough for me.
ReplyDeleteAhhh, Payton's Hill! I've heard about it a few times and need to research more about it! Please share your thoughts on it when you have the chance!
DeleteI have not been doing any hill work yet. I will need to at some point since my Olympic Tri in June (Rev3 Quassy) has a hilly run course. I love the pic of the jumping dog. How adorable!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kelli! OOOOOH, good luck training for your Olympic Tri in June! I look forward to following your training journey!!!
DeleteThat dog pic is hilarious! You did amazing by getting 22 Pure Barre classes in. I think you've proven there are ways to stay running ready. The main thing is to be committed to something. Unfortunately, sitting on that coach doesn't work. I'm excited that you are excited about your Pittsburgh Half Marathon training. I can't wait to follow along! Thanks for linking with us Emily!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, HoHo! Likewise, you are the queen of being able to maintain her running fitness without running! I am so inspired by all that you've been able to accomplish and your drive. Thanks again, as always, for co-hosting the link-up!!!
DeleteI wouldn't say hills themselves are fun, but seeing progress and finally being able to conquer them is pretty cool :)
ReplyDeleteOf course you maintained your conditioning - you were still staying pretty active! Good luck with your training!!
You hit the nail on the head, Anne! I hate how much it hurts when we are trying to challenge ourselves (aka why I struggle with doing speedwork) but I do love seeing the results. =) Thank you so much for the well wishes on my training!!! Really appreciate it!
DeleteGlad to see you're back at running. Isn't it amazing what some rest can do for you?!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Natalie! I do struggle with feeling guilty about resting, but it really does make such a difference!
DeleteI love seeing everyone else complain about snow while I sit here in Chicago looking at GRASS ha I mean, I obviously want everyone to be safe and warm. But after that it's a bit funny.
ReplyDeleteLOLOLOLOL, we were joking with some of our friends out east that they could have come to Chicago for better weather in January. Imagine that, right!?!?!?!? I LOVE SEEING GRASS IN JANUARY!!!!!
DeleteThanks Karen! I think you NAILED it with how bad we feel when we miss training runs, but the body is much more resilient than we think. I do think I'll do barre again someday - but not for awhile. I need to take a break! =D
ReplyDeleteOne my favorite Bob Newhart episodes is a Christmas one when he gets caught in a Chicago blizzard. Everything he says he went through to get home has me laughing every time.
ReplyDeleteLOL, I've never seen that episode! It sounds hilarious! I'll have to see if I can dig up a copy on Youtube or something. =D
DeleteYou are getting back into running! Yay! Glad to hear that it was easy for you to get back into. You probably know this, but I talked to Mo at the F^3 and she is doing the Pittsburgh Marathon. Hey, there is that happy running dude again!
ReplyDeleteThanks Pete! Ooooh, I actually did not know Mo had officially signed up for Pittsburgh this year! I'll reach out to her. =D How are you enjoying your post-F3 success!?!?!?!?
DeleteIt has been a non-stop party. Well, not really. Mostly just doing laundry and sitting on the couch.
DeleteThose are by far the best ways to recover!!! None of us spend enough time with the couch. =)
DeleteHaha love that pic of the car in the snow with the doors open. Definitely not a good idea. :p Sounds like a great week of pure barre, yoga and running. I'm looking forward to following along with your Pittsburgh Half Marathon training!
ReplyDeleteDon't you feel so awful for whoever the owner of that car is? Who knows if insurance would cover something like that! Thank you so much - and I am enjoying following your training for Davis Stampede, too!!!
Delete22 barre classes is impressive! I'm sure that helped keep your running conditioning up, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Erin! Incidentally, the Pure Barre website has a FAQ where it addresses whether or not barre has aerobic benefits. They claim it does and it looks like they're right!
DeleteThat is a lot of PB classes! My GF is an instructor. Do you think it has any improvement to your running game? Curious :) #weeklywrap
ReplyDeleteOh wow, how awesome your friend is an instructor! It must be so motivating to watch students making progress over time. I do think it has improved my running game! It's done a lot to strengthen my hips and core, so I feel more stable now while running!
DeleteGreat work for you! I am excited to read more about your training for the half marathon. So now I am curious but which protein powder did you take? It sounds like it made you feel like a million bucks. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Zenaida! I bought a tub of Pure Protein powder a few weeks ago, but the sample I tried this week was Optimum Nutrition Whey Protein. I liked the ON sample so much that I'm considering buying more of it!
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