2 on Tuesday

The weatherman was predicting another weekend of brutal temperatures and I knew I wouldn't leave my apartment if I didn't pre-schedule some items.  Not that I don't love being home... but it's nice to get out and speak to other people.  So on Sunday, we made plans to go see a movie.  We decided on Kingsman and it did not disappoint.  It's not a movie about the "real" secret service, but an awesome spy movie.  It's a little tongue in cheek and very funny.  It was a prefect way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

I've been trying to cook more for a variety of reasons - it's cheaper, I eat healthier, I enjoy it and find it relaxing.  This weekend was no different and since it was Valentine's Day, I made myself a nice steak dinner.  I used this recipe for the steak and it was delicious.  I paired it with some simple roasted tomatoes and brussels sprouts.  I am a firm believer that you don't need to be in a relationship to celebrate Valentine's Day.  In the words of Tom and Donna (from Parks and Recreation) - Treat Yo Self!

Training recap week of 2/9 (Pixie Dust Challenge Week 6)

To say I'm over this winter would be understating it.  I am beyond sick of the cold and wind.  Luckily, we haven't been getting snow like Boston, but the temperatures have been brutal.  I am over not being able to feel my fingers and toes on runs.  Thank god for hand and toe warmers!

Fortunately, this upcoming weekend is Princess and I'll be heading to sunny Florida soon.  I am really excited to be in warmth and sunshine. 

Another good week for me with cross training.  I can definitely feel myself getting stronger!

Monday
Scheduled: Rest
Actual: Rest
Cross training: 35 minutes elliptical and 3 Ab Moves (Tone It Up)

Tuesday
Scheduled: 3 miles easy
Actual: 3.00 miles, 28:59, 9:40 pace
Cross training: 3 Moves for Upper Back and Sleek and Slender Abs (Tone It Up)

Wednesday
Scheduled: Speedwork - 3 x 0.5 mi @ 10K pace (7:50)
Actual: 5.03 miles total
Paces: 7:57, 7:48, 7:40
Cross training: Best Ab Routine (Tone It Up)

Thursday
Scheduled: 3 miles easy
Actual: 3.17 miles, 31:25, 9:54 pace

Friday
Scheduled: Rest
Actual: Rest

Saturday
Scheduled: 13 mile long run
Actual: 12.02 miles, 1:53:34, 9:27 pace

Sunday
Scheduled: Cross Training
Actual: Cross training - Refine Method

Total miles: 23.22

Total February miles: 47.36

Miles until goal (1,250): 1,125.59
Cross Training: 4/4

Thursday night ramblings...

So much swimming in my mind, so I thought it would be a good time for a Thursday night rambling...

1.  Registration for the Disneyland Half Marathon weekend opened this past Tuesday and as expected, it sold out quickly-ish.  Dumbo sold out the quickest in like 30 minutes - completely unsurprising.  The 10K and 5K followed next.  But the Half took almost a day to sell out.  Much slower then in past years.  I'm guessing now that they've added the Avengers and Star Wars half there is less of a demand for the DL Half?  Kinda wish it would go back to the old days when you didn't have to register in the first 30 minutes of it opening.  I wish I could go again (I love this race!), but since I'm already going out for Tinker Bell, it's not really feasible this year. 

2. Disney Parks blog shared some of the merch for the Princess Weekend (1 week away!) and I have to say, I'm not a huge fan.  I like the front of both of the jackets - but that back design?  Not a fan.  Sorry, there is just no way I am going to wear that outside of Disney and those jackets cost too much to only wear it in Disney.  I do like the teal Princess tank and the Princess tumbler.  I am hoping they have a tumbler like that for Glass Slipper.  No Sweaty Bands designs released yet, but hoping they have some cute ones!

3. I don't understand why shoe companies feel a need to constantly change shoe designs.  From the time I found my current shoe (the Asics Nimbus 15) to now, they have come out with 2 designs.  They are now on the Nimbus 17.  Since I am a creature of habit and dislike change in my sneakers, I bought 2 pairs when they came out with the 16's.  Now those pairs are done and I am in need of some new sneakers.  So of course, I went online and found some 15s to order.  I am going to have to stock up before they are gone completely!

4. Is anyone out there watching Jane the Virgin?  I just started watching it over the holiday and I have to say I'm a fan.  It's really cute (definitely a little cheesy) and funny.  I am trying not to start watching too many new shows as I can barely get through the ones I do run - but this one is worth.  Do you know which show I won't be watching?  The Slap.  Seriously, it just does not interest me at all.

What's going on in your head?  Share some of your ramblings with me!

Two on Tuesday

You might remember I did the Hot Chocolate 15K last year and it was a lot of fun!  I registered this weekend to do it again in April.  One of the best parts of this race is the swag - in addition to the awesome chocolate bowl at the end, you get a great jacket.  Mine from 2014 is really warm and has been in constant rotation this winter.  They've redesigned the jacket, so I won't be getting the same one.  They've also introduced medals this year - I love it (above).  How could you not love a chocolate bar medal?

In other race news, I am officially registered for the Route 66 Marathon!  I mentioned this in my Year 2 recap, that this was on my list year to complete Oklahoma.  Registration opened yesterday - I am all registered and excited for another marathon!  And similar to Hot Chocolate, you get a jacket with your registration.  Love that!

Anyone else running either race?

Training recap week of 2/2 (Pixie Dust Challenge Week 5)

The brutal cold continues here in the northeast.  Although, compared to Boston, we are definitely getting off easier.

Speedwork on Wednesday didn't quite go as planned (pace-wise), but I was still happy with them.  I didn't have the completely dead feeling the next day as I did last week, so that is a definite improvement.

This weekend's long run was a challenge.  The team (I volunteer as a pace leader for long runs for Team in Training in case you didn't know), was supposed to run over the GW Bridge into Palisades Park.  After making it one way over the GWB in brutal wind (totally exposed on the bridge), we found out that the park was still too snowy and icy to be safe for running.  So back over the bridge to Manhattan it was.  We ended up doing the rest of the run on the West Side Highway in a surprise snow storm (seriously, it was not in the weather report!).  The run wasn't ideal, but we got it done!

I did good again this week with cross training.  I can really feel the difference it's making!

Monday
Scheduled: Rest
Actual: Rest
Cross training: Bikini Abs (Tone It Up)

Tuesday
Scheduled: 3 miles easy
Actual: 3.01 miles, 30:28, 10:07 pace
Cross training: Bikini Series Yoga (Tone It Up)

Wednesday
Scheduled: Hill Repeats - 4x Harlem Hill @ 10K pace
Actual: 4.07 miles total
Paces: 8:26, 8:08, 8:04, 8:27
Cross training: Love Your Booty (Tone It Up)

Thursday
Scheduled: 3 miles easy
Actual: 3.00 miles, 29:29, 9:49 pace
Cross training: Love Your Arms & Abs (Tone It Up)

Friday
Scheduled: Rest
Actual: Rest
Cross training: Love Your Total Body (Tone It Up)

Saturday
Scheduled: 10 mile long run
Actual: 9.94 miles, 1:42:46, 10:20 pace

Sunday
Scheduled: 4 miles easy
Actual: 4.12 miles, 39:24, 9:34 pace

Total miles: 24.14

Total February miles: 24.14

Miles until goal (1,250): 1,148.82
Cross Training: 5/4

How did your workouts go this week?  

Book Club Friday: Crazy Rich Asians

It's been a while since I did a Book Club Friday, but I've been reading up a storm lately, so thought it was time!  This week I'm sharing Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan. 

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

Crazy Rich Asians is the outrageously funny debut novel about three super-rich, pedigreed Chinese families and the gossip, backbiting, and scheming that occurs when the heir to one of the most massive fortunes in Asia brings home his ABC (American-born Chinese) girlfriend to the wedding of the season.

When Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, she envisions a humble family home, long drives to explore the island, and quality time with the man she might one day marry. What she doesn't know is that Nick's family home happens to look like a palace, that she'll ride in more private planes than cars, and that with one of Asia's most eligible bachelors on her arm, Rachel might as well have a target on her back. Initiated into a world of dynastic splendor beyond imagination, Rachel meets Astrid, the It Girl of Singapore society; Eddie, whose family practically lives in the pages of the Hong Kong socialite magazines; and Eleanor, Nick's formidable mother, a woman who has very strong feelings about who her son should--and should not--marry. Uproarious, addictive, and filled with jaw-dropping opulence, Crazy Rich Asians is an insider's look at the Asian JetSet; a perfect depiction of the clash between old money and new money; between Overseas Chinese and Mainland Chinese; and a fabulous novel about what it means to be young, in love, and gloriously, crazily rich.

My thoughts:

My friend Tess had shared this book and she's usually spot on, so I went for this one.  At first, I wasn't sure if I should have - it started a little slow and flips between several families so it took me a bit get the lay of the (familial) land.  

However, once I got through that, I couldn't put it down.  The stories of these crazy wealthy Singaporeans was so entertaining.  I basically read the entire thing in a weekend and wanted it to keep going at the end.  Thank god there is a sequel coming out later this year.  I can't wait to hear what happens to everyone!

Oiselle Takes Refine

As I mentioned in my training recap from the week of 1/19, I was able to take part in a Oiselle Team + Flock Refine class.  Dori, a fellow Oiselle Flock member organized a class for us at Refine's new West Village location.

Our class was taught by Brynn, who created and founded Refine.  I'd taken a couple of Refine classes two years ago, but didn't stick with it.  It had been a while (obviously) and I had forgotten how difficult they are!  The class is structured as a unique mashup between a HIIT workout, TRX and a personal trainer session.

The format uses a weighted pulley system for resistance training, kettlebells, straps and medicine balls.  You also do a lot of body weight exercises - squats, lunges and pushups.

The class is small so you do get personal attention.  Brynn walked throughout the studio for the whole class, correcting form (if needed) or working with you to get the most out of the exercise.

You might not feel sore right away, but oh man, I was sore for 2 days after both classes!

As you might remember, doing more cross training was one of my New Year goals, so Refine classes align perfectly with that goal.  I've already bought a 10 class pack and am looking forward to getting stronger!

And what is a blog post without pictures?  Luckily, Dori was nice enough to document the class so you get to see some of the moves!  And since it was a Oiselle class, be prepared for lots of #FlyStyle.

Matching Flock members looking fly in grey pre-class

Lunges with Kettlebells.  That's Brynn in the orange top helping with form (and me on the left side).

Medicine ball throws.  Great way to release stress!

Bridges.  Oh so many bridges.

Toe taps on the medicine balls

Bicep curls on the pulley system

And of course, side planks for core!

Oiselle Takes Refine!

 Of course, we followed class with brunch in the neighborhood.  It was a great way to get know some more Flock members and spend a Saturday afternoon!

If you are in NYC and looking for a good cross training class to add to your schedule, I highly recommend checking out Refine!

Training recap week of 1/26 (Pixie Dust Challenge Week 4)

Happy Monday!  Did you all have good weekends?  Mine was incredibly productive - solid running, took a Refine class, cleaned (including laundry) and did meal prep for the week.  It felt so good to be productive - but I wasn't running around like a chicken with my head cut off, it was a relaxed productivity which I like even better!

Who watched the Super Bowl?  I did... but mainly for the commercials.  Neither team is my team (honestly, I'm not a big football fan in general), but I was rooting for Seattle.  You know what I was a fan of?  The half time show.  I love Katy Perry and I thought it was a great show.

Anyway, this weeks workouts went well.  I got all my runs in despite snow on Tuesday and some freezing temperatures on Saturday.  Haven't really started to ramp my mileage up yet, but this week's schedule called for my first tempo run (starting slow, just 3 miles plus warmup/cooldown).  Honestly, I had no idea how this would go, so figured if I could keep them at 9:00/pace, I'd be happy.  My 3 miles ended up faster than 9:00/pace and the average for the whole run was 9:00/pace.

I was pretty happy with that until Thursday, when my easy run felt horrible. My legs felt like bricks and it was pretty slow.  Win some, lose some, right?

I also got my 4 cross training workouts in.  I think I can actually see some abs coming in!

Monday
Scheduled: Rest
Actual: Rest
Cross training: Love Your Legs and Booty (Tone It Up)

Tuesday
Scheduled: 3 miles easy
Actual: 3.05 miles, 29:01, 9:31 pace
Cross training: Summer Arms (Beach Babe 1 DVD) and 3 Moves for a Sexy Upper Back (Tone It Up)

Wednesday
Scheduled: 5 miles total, 3 miles tempo pace
Actual: 5.06 miles total, 45:25, 8:58 pace
Tempo Paces: 9:07, 8:24, 8:01

Thursday
Scheduled: 3 miles easy
Actual: 3.00 miles, 31:41, 10:33 pace

Friday
Scheduled: Rest
Actual: Rest
Cross training: Tone It Up in 30:00 Workout (Tone It Up)

Saturday
Scheduled: 8 mile long run
Actual: 8.00 miles, 1:17:48, 9:43 pace

Sunday
Scheduled: Rest (Cross Training)
Actual: Rest
Cross training: Refine Method class

Total miles: 19.12

Total January miles: 77.04

Miles until goal (1,250): 1,172.96
Cross Training: 4/4

How did your workouts go this week?