New Lulu Obsession: Swiftly

Prior to running NWM 13.1 I was urged by a friend to try out the Run: Swiftly Tech Racerback and I must say I'm now obsessed!

I had tried lots of Lulu tops before without much success but I'm really glad I found this line.  I also purchased the short sleeve and long sleeve options (mainly driven by varied workout regime).  The racerback is great for runs, Pilates, and spin class.  The tops are long so I feel comfortable that my butt is covered regardless of what exercise I'm doing at the time.  I like the short sleeve and long sleeve for boot camp (depending on temperature) as they provide a bit more coverage/warmth.  Lulu markets this as running attire but I love it for everything!

Lululemon Swiftly.  Happy Shopping!

Back to Basics

I know I've been away for quite a while.  I had gotten into a exercise rut and just recently was able to get myself out of it.  I started doing a bootcamp that was recommended by a friend.  It required waking up at 5:15 and involved the most intense 75 minutes of exercising.  I have had trouble going regularly but last week was able to wake up both Tuesday and Thursday.  We have this week off but next week we start up again for a 6 week session.  Besides a couple days where I will be on trips I'm promising (you heard it here) to attend all the days.  I also have started back up with Spin Class at BodyRok as well as Pilates at The Pad Studios.  I also signed up for a 5 mile race on Thanksgiving Day while I'm home in New Orleans.  I'm using the last two months of the year as a renewed exercise push.

Week of 10/22:

• Monday: 55 min Pilates Reformer
• Tuesday: 40 min Spin Class
• Wednesday: 55 min Pilates Reformer
• Thursday: 40 min Spin Class
• Saturday: 60 min Walk/Hike

Week of 10/29:

• Tuesday AM: 75 min Boot Camp
• Tuesday PM: 40 min Spin Class
• Wednesday: 55 min Pilates Reformer
• Thursday AM: 75 min Boot Camp
• Thursday PM: 40 min Spin Class
• Friday: 55 min Pilates Reformer

Happy Exercising! Stay tuned for a catch-up post on NWM 13.1.

Life Got In The Way

So I have made an executive decision today about my training for the SF Half Marathon.  I have decided that I will not run the SF Half Marathon.  I had planned to go for my last long run before training starts to wind down and my heart was just not in it.  First of all, my knee was bothering me before I even put on my running shoes so I knew that was enough to stop my run right there.  That combined with the fact that work has been crazy and I have a bachelorette party to go to next weekend made it seem like it just wasn't in the cards for this year.  I am also in the middle of applying to grad school (MBA).  After much thought over my latte this morning, I think that I need to focus my effort on getting healthy (losing some pounds) and working on my essays.  I am currently planning to run the Giants Half Marathon in September and I still want to run that.  I decided that I need to put together a schedule that I can stick to based on all my important dates (trips/applications/weddings/work).  Like many things I need to find something that works for me.  I think that is what I have been missing in this training.  I have felt so defeated when I have missed a run or when a run wasn't as good as I wanted that I lost sight of why I was doing it in the first place.  I am signed up for a bunch of Pilates classes coming up and also need to work on getting some cardio in.  I am going to try to get some short runs (3 miles) in for the rest of the month before focusing on ramping up mileage (on my schedule) for Giants Half.  I am still determined to run in the SF Half so I am hoping next year the running gods are on my side.  I will keep everyone posted on my progressive over the next couple of weeks.

Happy Exercising!

Funky

So I must say that recently I've hit a wall with my training.  I am simply not motivated.  I am loving my Pilates classes and hitting the elliptical at the gym but I am not motivated to go for a run.  I think part of this is related to work.  Last night I was at the office until 8 and by the time I got home I had a migraine and was hungry.  I just could not bring myself to go for a run.  With 18 days to go for the SF Half Marathon that is not a good place to be.  I need to get in a 10 mile run this weekend and I'm also participating in the Color Run on Saturday which is a 5K.  I have been getting in some exercise but not nearly the mileage that I should be doing.  I am disappointed in myself and sad that my motivation dropped off so close to the end.  Also, work has been stressful and unsatisfying of late which leads to me coming home in a bad mood.  That should be a great time to go for a run to clear my head but I am simply so tired that I don't want to do anything but lay in bed.  I am in a funk and I need to get out of it ASAP.  This week I did make it to the gym on Sunday for an hour and went to Pilates on Monday.  I'm trying to motivate myself to head to the gym tonight to at least get in some exercise.  I would say this is the hate portion of my love-hate relationship with exercise.  Blah.

Just Keep Swimming (or Running)

The past couple of weeks have been pretty tough.  Last week I didn't go for a single run and I must say I felt extremely guilty.  I'm getting ready to go on vacation and the half marathon is only 31 days away! I had a pretty good run on Tuesday (3 miles) and had my fastest mile yet (11:48).  I've also gone to Pilates three times this week and it has been great.  I am loving getting back into it and starting to feel like I'm actually able to do most of the things in class.  I'm still freaked about the race because my longest run so far is 6 miles.  I need to make sure I get in my mileage during vacation which has always been tough.  It will be especially tough as I'm going to the gulf coast for the next week where the heat and humidity make working out pretty tough.  I just need to hunker down at get in my mileage while staying healthy.  My knee and hip have been bothering in my last couple of runs so hopefully they can hold out until the half marathon.  Only a month left!

Posted a new running playlist! Go and check it out!

Blown Away

That is exactly how I felt during my run today and not in a good way.  The wind along the Marina on a given night can range from mild to Cat 5 Hurricane.  Tonight it was leaning towards Cat 5 Hurricane.  I have no idea what the actual speed was but it was brutal.  I felt good going into the run and knew that I would really be able to pick up speed on the second half of the run.  That being said I almost didn't make it to the half way point due to the wind.  There were points during the first 1.5 miles where I stopped and walked because I felt like running wasn't any better.  I knew my time on mile 1 was going to be bad (and it was) but knew I had to push through.  I'm proud of myself for sticking with it.  I could have easily turned around and gone home but I didn't.  The second half of the run proved to be worth it and mile 3 was one of my best miles yet.  In total the 3 mile run came in better from an average pace/overall time perspective compared to my other 3 milers recently.  After Saturday's run (if you even call it that) I was feeling pretty down on running and today's run was really able to turn it around.  I feel like I am making progress and consistently working on both distance and speed which are both going to be crucial for conquering the SF Half Marathon.  This Saturday's run will be the real test at 6 miles.  It doesn't get much easier from here on out so there is no turning back now.

Side note - I went back to Pilates on Monday for the first time in quite a while.  It was definitely tough but I felt like muscles were dusting off the cobwebs.  I wasn't able to hold positions as long as I would have liked but that will come with time.  My current plan is to try to get in two Pilates classes per week (and maximize my use of my unlimited pass) as well as the two runs and bootcamp provided as part of my training program.  I'm also trying to squeeze in some spin classes but we shall see.  Working out 5 times per week while attempting to have a social life is draining.  I feel like I am constantly coordinating my social schedule with my exercise schedule.  I've become extremely dependent on my Google Calendar.  I schedule my workouts (runs/bootcamp/spin/pilates) so that I can fit them in with work as well as with other social events.  As things come up I always try to reschedule my workout on the spot. I feel like it makes you more responsible to your routine.  

Run Like The Wind! 

Picking Up The Pace

Sorry for the long delay between posts.  I have fallen into my old overcommitting habit.  Last Thursday alone I had three different things to do after work.  I ended up choosing Kickball as it was our last week of the league and didn't go to my training program or book club.  I had even read the entire book club book so I was pretty disappointed that I didn't get a chance to make it for the discussion.  Last week was also pretty busy at work with a short week and two days off-site.  I only made it to one run (2-miler) and spin class.  I was proud of myself for fitting in spin class even though I was meeting up with friends after for dinner and drinks.  It made me feel not as guilty for going out drinking.  My favorite spin instructor was back and it made my day!  I also missed the long-run (5-miles) with my training program but I didn't compete in my first race (just a 5K) since my injury.  My time wasn't great (42 minutes) but I was proud of getting back in the swing of things and my first mile was pretty good (12:42) which leaves hope for finishing the SF Half in under 3 hours.  This week has started out okay.  I made our run yesterday (2-miler) and made it to the gym today (50 min elliptical).  I have an event tomorrow but need to make it up with a workout Friday.  We have our recovery run this Saturday so I will only be logging 3 miles.  I am starting to get nervous about being able to get the miles for SF Half.  There are 53 days until the SF Half Marathon and my longest run yet is 4 miles.  I know that the training program will pick up the miles in the coming weeks but still a little queasy! Also,  FINALLY signed up for Pilates.  I'm hoping that a combination of elliptical, pilates, and spin will help on my cross-training days.  I really missed pilates and had been avoiding going back due to the high upfront $ commitment.  I finally took the plunge today and am trying to fit the classes into my already busy schedule.  I know that pilates will help build my core which will come in handy during my runs.  We shall see how it goes!

Side note - posted my latest running playlist.

Happy Running!