October 2011

Marathon Week is Here!

by blueeyedrunner on October 31, 2011

Running has opened up so many adventures for me, not just running in the trails I run or new routes, but also in the friendships I’ve made and the confidence it has given me.

~Meelah Shank, Runner and Spin Instructor

I cannot believe marathon day is almost here. After 16 weeks of training we are mere days away from the New York City Marathon. For some reason, this training cycle seemed to fly by for me.

Today I managed to complete a 4-miler (8:17 pace), which is traditionally unheard of for me during marathon week. For my previous 3 marathons, I have been sick and/or injured and my training pretty much feel apart during the last 2 weeks of taper. So far this week, I am feeling a little sniffly, but certainly nothing compared to how I was feeling in the days leading up to Boston. Similar to my previous marathons, I will be attending very few days of work. In the past, I got so sick leading up to the marathon that my body temperature rose over 102 degrees. This time around, the recent storm caused many of the local towns to be without power and my school {and my parents} are some of the many left without power.

I found this fitting:

 

Fortunately, we do have power so I have been taking advantage of these “snow days” to get relax and tackle my to-do list. On the agenda for tomorrow- perhaps a few more easy miles, a light vinyasa class at the gym, and so grad school work and reading.

High five for days off!

Have a great night!
xo

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High Fives and Treats

by blueeyedrunner on October 30, 2011

I’ve got more confidence. My figure is better. I’m more athletic and fit. My lungs are clear. My hair looks shiny. I’m more proud of myself. Running has completely changed my life.

~Sara Ferguson, Duchess of York

Hello!
Yesterday, NY/NJ got hit with a record breaking snow storm (for October, that is). There are downed trees and power lines, leaving many people without power, including my parents. They are told they will not get power back until Thursday. Last night, they even went to a wedding that took place in the dark because of the power issue! Apparently, the venue had a back up generator but they had to use it for more important things than the light- like the food and music. They ended up having a good time and in any event, everyone will remember that wedding!

This morning, my dad and I were supposed to race an 8K- it would have been our first cross country race, but it was cancelled due to the weather. Dan went to a soccer game for the day and my parents and sister came to our apartment to watch the Giants game.

Cooper was excited we had company.

High Fives

We ordered pizzas and had snacks. It was a fun afternoon.

Yesterday, we celebrated Dan’s dad’s birthday. I made a cake for the occasion.

Mocha Buttercream Chocolate Espresso Cake

I found this cake on pinterest and knew I had to make it.

Do you want the recipe?

I thought so.

This will be my next baking project. Or this. And considering I already have a snow day tomorrow, it looks like I will have the time to do it.

Good night friends.

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10 Days and Marathon Training Comparison

by blueeyedrunner on October 27, 2011

You are defined by who and what you love, which in turn drives what you do, where you go and how you choose to spend your time.

~Lucy Danzinger, Editor-in-Chief, SELF Magazine

I can’t believe there is just a little more than 1 week until the NYC marathon. this training cycle seemed to fly by…I have been reading this book:

 

 

 

 

and the NYRR Marathon tips daily…

As always, I like to look back on my training and analyze. My dad put together an interesting comparison of his previous marathon training stats and I tweaked it to add Boston.

Marathon Training Comparison

 

I thought it was interesting to see. Some of the Boston info is missing because I did most of my Boston training on the treadmill. Even though I completed less runs during NYC training, those runs were longer and faster.

To read more about our previous marathon training, check out these posts:

Previous Marathon Training Posts
*Philadelphia: 3:55:42
*Steamtown: 3:29:34
*Boston: 3:29:51
*NYC: ???

Lately, my NYC training has not been up to par, between tutoring and grad school, its been tough to get lots of miles in during the week. Fortunately, today is my last day of tutoring and I hope to get in a few easy runs next week before the race.

Now that we are 10 days out from the marathon, the obsessive weather checking can begin! Right now it says low 50s and a drizzle for marathon morning…

Have a great Thursday!

*What do you do in the weeks leading up to a peak race? How do you prepare?

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Life Well Lived: Looking Your Best

by blueeyedrunner on October 25, 2011

A few weeks ago, I volunteered to participate in BlogHer’s Life Well Lived Campaign. I recently received an email that it is my time to contribute. The topic I was given?

Purses, Belts, Boots, Scarves and Bling –
How can you bring your look to life with accessories?

Now, my friends know that I love accessories, especially sunglasses, scarves and headbands. Of course, most of you only see me in my running clothes, so here is a peek at some normal accessories:

As you can see, scarves are one of my favorite go-to accessories.

Headband : )

But, when do I feel like I look my best?

When I’m running of course!

And I still try to accessorize in anyway I can…

I love to match my purple new balance shoes to my lulu top :)

Ribbon and arm warmers

And of course, my running headbands:

*When do you feel you look your best??
Edited to Add: I FEEL like I look my best when I’m running but I’m pretty sure I don’t actually look my best…I guess it all depends on who is looking, right?

**What is your favorite way to accessorize?

*Be sure to share your accessory tips here and enter to win a $250 gift card here!

**Disclaimer: I volunteered for this project and was not compensated to participate :)

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Hot Yoga and Recovery Run

by blueeyedrunner on October 23, 2011

Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.

~Thomas Edison

This morning I did something I told myself I would do all summer but never did- I took a yoga class for the first time in months. Despite badly wanting to sleep in this morning, I met my mom at 8:15 for LifePower Hot Vinyasa and it was glorious. The class was slow paced but tough! {because of my extended absence, I’m sure…} I’ll admit- I’m not the biggest yoga enthusiast; I’m more of a Pilates fan, but I do enjoy the occasional class and today my body craved it.

The instructor must have read my mind {or saw my warm up} because in the beginning of class she announced we were to focus on hamstrings today. After yesterday’s run this was just what my hamstrings needed- an hour of torture, I mean a good stretch.

After class I met my dad for a recovery run.

*6.04 miles @ 8:30 pace

My legs felt heavy, but it was another perfect fall day to run.

Lots to do today!
*Hot Yoga
*Run
*Finish Freelance Article
*Finish Magazine Pitch
*Work on Proposal

Off to tackle that list with my vanilla chai : )

Some advice I found on Pinterest:

 

Enjoy what is left of your weekend!

*What is your favorite yoga pose?
**Favorite fall activity??

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