I finished my second AFC half marathon on Sunday! Woo hoo! That is a new accomplishment- I have never done the same half marathon twice. In fact, I am pretty sure I have never done any race twice. Oh except maybe the Father Joe's Thanksgiving 5K, which we have walked with Toby for the last 2 years. We will definitely be doing that one again this year. I am always amazed that my dog Toby can last for over 3 miles. He has such short little legs- but I think he just keeps following his nose and the adventure keeps him going.
So yes, I finished my half marathon on Sunday. It was actually nowhere near as bad as I thought it was going to be. My goal time was 2:30. I figured I hadn't trained, and I wasn't planning on running the entire thing. Well it turns out that, despite having to take a 5 minute bathroom break in the first 2 miles (I had coffee on the way to the race! And of course there was a line), I didn't do too badly! My time ended up being just short of 2:20, so without that bathroom break it could have been close to 2:15. Considering my best time is around 2:03, that's really not bad. I think the main part of the race my non-training affected was how sore I was afterward. I could tell it would be worse than normal, and on Monday I found out that I was correct. I think it had something to do with only getting 5 hours of sleep the night before (we got home from a baseball game/Dierks Bentley concert around 11 and I woke up at 4 to walk to the race buses 2 miles away). But the feeling of finishing was all worth it.
After the game, my friend Kate met me bearing gifts. She is who I want to be when I grow up (and yes, I have told her this). She may only be a few years older than me, but she is my role model. I know that might be weird. But seriously, she is the nicest, sweetest person ever, and not only that but she is an awesome hostess. Whenever I show up at her place for dinner or wine, she has a cheese plate prepped and cupcakes in the kitchen. Amazing! And of course this time she didn't disappoint- she brought homemade lemon scones. I had had coffee before my race (luckily Lestat's coffee shop was on the way to the buses in the morning, and they are open 24/7- sidenote: there was a couple on a date there, I am pretty sure, at 4:30 in the morning! What the hell??), and my stomach was a little bit iffy when I finished. I also felt kind of lightheaded during parts of the race, more overexerted than I normally feel (again, attributed to my lack of training), but I ate the scone anyway. It made my stomach hurt a little worse, but it was definitely worth it. It was delicious.
After chatting with Kate for a few minutes, I walked over to Jeff's baseball game across the bridge and watched his team, Cali's Finest, demolish the competition! It was a great game; I am pretty sure the final score was somewhere around 12-4. And how they are in the finals! Ashley and I will be going next Sunday to cheer him and the other guys on to win the championship! After his game, we showered and then walked over to Small Bar, our Sunday brunch place of choice, to meet Ashley for brunch. We were both tired from our respective athletic feats of the morning, and Ashley was hungover. The perfect brunch combination. The only thing missing was a bloody mary. How does a brunch place that specializes in bloody marys run out of them?! To be fair, I could see that lots of people that had run the race went there for brunch (in their running gear and tech shirts). So I guess we runners sucked them dry of tomato juice. I settled for a mimosa and a beer, and proceeded to walk home and pass out for 2 hours with the dog. If Toby knows how to do anything, it's nap. He is really good at it.
In addition to my 2 hour nap, I slept another 10 hours Sunday night. I woke up at 8:15 Monday morning in a daze- I really needed that sleep. I could barely pull myself out of bed even after all that sleep, I was so sore. Walking was difficult. Luckily I knew that would happen, and made no real plans for Monday, sans a dentist appointment. I ended up going to Corepower Yoga later in the day to do their Hot Power Fusion class, a class that blends regular Bikram yoga (poses) with vinyasa (flow). The room felt way hotter than normal to me, and with my soreness I struggled a lot during the class. But boy did I feel great afterward. The teacher adjusted me during class, and afterward asked if it was okay or too much. I told her that it was just enough, I really needed the extra push.
I took yesterday off from all activity (not including going to work and back, and walking Toby), and today I am going to more yoga, although not hot yoga this time. Ashley's new workplace, Fitzee Foods, offers free yoga on Wednesdays and boot camp classes on Saturdays. Their whole philosophy is centered around a healthy lifestyle, and their main business is making packaged meals that are healthy, organic, and sustainable. Pretty cool! I have tried the banana flax pancakes with agave, and those were awesome. And last night I tried the tilapia with rosemary hash, which was amazing. I can't wait to try more healthy dishes! I may pick some up tonight after yoga... Not only will the yoga help de-stress me tonight, I am treating my heart to some antioxidants- by way of red wine. Ashley and Kate (different Kate than the aforementioned, but just as great) and I will be going to Wine Steals and continuing our de-stressing post-yoga. Some girl time during the week is a must for me, it really helps me decompress. So does hanging out with the boys! But having balance is key.
I am really not sure how my running is going to go from here on out. My next race is the Silver Strand half marathon, in November. If I train, I really think I can hit my PR. But I am not sure if I feel motivated to do that. It's a flat course, so even if I don't train it won't be a terrible run. I will just have to see how I feel in the next week or two. I am perfectly happy with my hot yoga 3 days a week and my spinning and bodypump classes in between... I am getting a little too complacent with that and I maybe need to switch it up a bit. Hmm... lots of thinking to do!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
Anticipating A Lazy 13.1
Wow, it's been over 2 months since I last posted- I am pretty lame!
I haven't posted much because I have not run much in the last couple months. Not only that, but I haven't really even wanted to THINK about running. My marathon was not only physically taxing, but it completely mentally wore me out. I kind of lost interest in running for a while, and I am sure it was because running pretty much took over my life for a good few months. I have a half marathon coming up in 2 days (the AFC Half, which was my very first half marathon a year ago), and I am not really looking forward to it. I guess I am not NOT looking forward to it either... I am just indifferent. I haven't been training for it, so I am looking at it like a leisurely run. I am going to take my time, take in the scenery along the ocean, and just pretend like it's not even a race.
Not training for a marathon has freed up my time for other things I had been wanting to do on the weekends, which is great. I have been able to go to Jeff's baseball games, which is always fun. His team, Cali's Finest, is 8-2 this season and in the playoffs! His first playoff game is right after my half marathon on Sunday, and very conveniently within walking distance from the end of my race. I have been able to go hiking, go to the beach, go to street fairs, and just relax on my days off. When I was training for my marathon, my Sundays would be spent running and my Mondays would be spent doing errands. So it's a very welcome change. Actually, Jeff's team is taking a season off from baseball so when he is done with the playoffs, I plan on making some quick weekend trips. Camping, hiking, and wine tasting (oh my!). It will be really nice to just get away with him for a few weekends.
I have still been exercising since my marathon, of course. I have just been doing everything except running (okay, a tiny amount of running maybe). I have kept up my lifting routine (taking Bodypump classes at 24 hr fitness helps keep it fun), have been training with Angela, and have been spinning with my fave teacher, Najia. Actually, funny story, she said that one of her other students googled "Najia's spin class" to find class times, and stumbled upon my blog! So funny! Najia, maybe you are even reading this now... haha :-)
The major change in my exercise routine has been getting back into yoga. Hot yoga, specifically. A little over a month ago, I decided to purchase a Groupon for Corepower Yoga. My friend Ashley makes fun of me because I have Groupons and Livingsocials for pretty much everything, BUT $59 for a month at Corepower was a pretty good deal. Usually a month by itself is $159 (a membership is a little cheaper)! Hot yoga is a whole different experience, you come out of class all sweaty and exhausted- it's gross and refreshing at the same time. Especially yoga sculpt which is my favorite- weight lifting and hot yoga go surprising well together, if you like torturing yourself, as I do.
Because I had a month unlimited, I ended up going 3 times a week. I like to get the most for my money... I am by no means a yogi, but I have tried to adapt some of the yogi lifestyle. I don't think I could ever be a vegan, or give up caffeine (no more cappuccinos from Twigg's? Not possible), but I have tried to mentally put my yogi shoes on (although I don't think yogis wear shoes...). Before when I took classes, they would just be another workout class to me, and my mind would still be running at full pace. But I have tried to really listen to my body and release my thoughts while in the classes, and I think it has really helped me deal with the stress going on in my life.
Not that there is much stress in my life at all. I have a great life and I am incredibly happy.
I just started a Corepower membership this week, as soon as my month was done. It's pricey, but for me is a worthwhile investment. I plan on taking full advantage of unlimited yoga; it keeps me grounded and makes me feel great. Well, I guess it's a combination of yoga and the awesome people (and Toby) in my life that keep me grounded and make me feel great!
Namaste :-)
I haven't posted much because I have not run much in the last couple months. Not only that, but I haven't really even wanted to THINK about running. My marathon was not only physically taxing, but it completely mentally wore me out. I kind of lost interest in running for a while, and I am sure it was because running pretty much took over my life for a good few months. I have a half marathon coming up in 2 days (the AFC Half, which was my very first half marathon a year ago), and I am not really looking forward to it. I guess I am not NOT looking forward to it either... I am just indifferent. I haven't been training for it, so I am looking at it like a leisurely run. I am going to take my time, take in the scenery along the ocean, and just pretend like it's not even a race.
Not training for a marathon has freed up my time for other things I had been wanting to do on the weekends, which is great. I have been able to go to Jeff's baseball games, which is always fun. His team, Cali's Finest, is 8-2 this season and in the playoffs! His first playoff game is right after my half marathon on Sunday, and very conveniently within walking distance from the end of my race. I have been able to go hiking, go to the beach, go to street fairs, and just relax on my days off. When I was training for my marathon, my Sundays would be spent running and my Mondays would be spent doing errands. So it's a very welcome change. Actually, Jeff's team is taking a season off from baseball so when he is done with the playoffs, I plan on making some quick weekend trips. Camping, hiking, and wine tasting (oh my!). It will be really nice to just get away with him for a few weekends.
I have still been exercising since my marathon, of course. I have just been doing everything except running (okay, a tiny amount of running maybe). I have kept up my lifting routine (taking Bodypump classes at 24 hr fitness helps keep it fun), have been training with Angela, and have been spinning with my fave teacher, Najia. Actually, funny story, she said that one of her other students googled "Najia's spin class" to find class times, and stumbled upon my blog! So funny! Najia, maybe you are even reading this now... haha :-)
The major change in my exercise routine has been getting back into yoga. Hot yoga, specifically. A little over a month ago, I decided to purchase a Groupon for Corepower Yoga. My friend Ashley makes fun of me because I have Groupons and Livingsocials for pretty much everything, BUT $59 for a month at Corepower was a pretty good deal. Usually a month by itself is $159 (a membership is a little cheaper)! Hot yoga is a whole different experience, you come out of class all sweaty and exhausted- it's gross and refreshing at the same time. Especially yoga sculpt which is my favorite- weight lifting and hot yoga go surprising well together, if you like torturing yourself, as I do.
Because I had a month unlimited, I ended up going 3 times a week. I like to get the most for my money... I am by no means a yogi, but I have tried to adapt some of the yogi lifestyle. I don't think I could ever be a vegan, or give up caffeine (no more cappuccinos from Twigg's? Not possible), but I have tried to mentally put my yogi shoes on (although I don't think yogis wear shoes...). Before when I took classes, they would just be another workout class to me, and my mind would still be running at full pace. But I have tried to really listen to my body and release my thoughts while in the classes, and I think it has really helped me deal with the stress going on in my life.
Not that there is much stress in my life at all. I have a great life and I am incredibly happy.
I just started a Corepower membership this week, as soon as my month was done. It's pricey, but for me is a worthwhile investment. I plan on taking full advantage of unlimited yoga; it keeps me grounded and makes me feel great. Well, I guess it's a combination of yoga and the awesome people (and Toby) in my life that keep me grounded and make me feel great!
Namaste :-)
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