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!

Ice Ice Baby

As part of my regular post workout routine I have been icing my bad knee.  I have used a variety of items to get the job done but this weekend I finally broke down and bought an ice pack.  I went all the way and picked up the Moji One at Fleet Feet Sports.

I have used it a couple times so far and it definitely makes a big difference.  I can leave it in the freezer and grab it when I get back from working out.  Also, because I can wrap it on I don't have to be confined to the couch during my icing time.  I'm able to accomplish things around the apartment while still icing my knee.  AND I don't have to worry about spilling ice everywhere!  I'm definitely glad I took the plunge and purchased this item.

Another key item in my running arsenal is my Road ID.  I purchased it while I was training for NWM 13.1 after much persuasion from my mother.  Anyone who runs alone on the road should invest in one of these items.  I often run without my phone or ID so this allows for a bit of peace of mind.  I got the Wrist ID Slim in Pink (of course) and it doesn't get in the way while running.  The price is also extremely reasonable!  I went with the original version as opposed to the interactive version.  I don't know about you but if I'm lying on the side of the road I want the person to be able to know right away who to call.

Side note: I was really proud of my run from tonight.  I was able to finish two miles in under 26 minutes so I'm slowly getting my mile times down.  YAY!!!  I need to crack the 3 hour mark for SF Half Marathon and I'm shooting for 2:30.

Back to Work

So I've finished my first week of my half marathon training and I'm feeling pretty good. I worked out 5 times this week without even trying.  We had 3 workouts with the program (short run, bootcamp, and long run) and then two cross-training sessions (elliptical and cycling).  Today's long run (~4 miles) was pretty tough.  We ran through Golden Gate Park on one of the trails along JFK Dr.  Running along the trail was tougher than I expected and my first two miles were pretty tough.  I walked much more than I would have liked.  My third mile was much better and my pace matched that from our 2 mile run earlier in the week.  I'm shooting to keep my mile paces sub 13 minutes and work my way down to 10 minute miles eventually.  I wore my usual running uniform of Wunder Groove Crops and Define Jacket.  I was glad I brought my jacket as it was freezing at Ocean Beach but had to take it off once I got in the park.  Definitely a variety of climates on the run.  I was able to finish strong even though I started out pretty slow.  Looking to work on more steady pacing on future runs.

Also, I am posting all my runs to DailyMile so feel free to friend me on DailyMile to get course maps and more detailed mile splits!  Happy Running!

And They're Off!

So I must say I failed quite miserably at sticking to my workout schedule last week.  I went into the training kick-off on Saturday feeling pretty crappy.  I had prepared myself to be one of the slower people there and was just shooting to get a time under 30 minutes for 2 miles.  I must say I actually surprised myself.  The first mile was pretty good and I was able to run most of it.  Second mile was a bit tougher but was proud of myself for finishing.  I know I have a lot to work out to crack the 3 hour mark in July but think this program will definitely help me.  This week kicks off our first full week of training and I'm already trying to figure out how to fit in my runs/cross-training with my schedule.  I'm going to try to sneak in some cardio during lunch today.  Also, check out the sweet DailyMile widget I installed on my blog.  Last week I spent some time researching blogs in order to make some updates to mine and came across this on someone else's blog.  I already use DailyMile and thought this might help me stay more honest with my workouts.  DailyMile syncs with my Garmin so its super easy to upload my runs.  Be on the look out for more changes to the blog!

Overworked

And I don't mean overworked out.  Between traveling, work, and family commitments I have been struggling to get in good workouts.  Tuesday, May 1st was the last time I worked out.  Jazz Fest in New Orleans was great and I got to hang out with good friends and eat good food.  I was unable to get out for any workouts and felt pretty bad by the time I got back to San Fran.  This week at work was crazy and I was unable to get a chance to workout.  I tried to make up for my lack of workouts by going for a 2-hr walk today with a friend.  It was great to get back out there and we were able to get in over 5 miles.  I start my Half Marathon training program on Saturday so I need to focus on getting back into the swing of things this week.  Two of my friends just joined me in signing up for the Giant Half Marathon.  I am excited to start running with some of my friends and feel that it will motivate me to train more/harder.  Below is my hopeful workout schedule for the week.  Wish me luck!

Monday - Run
Tuesday - Spin Class
Wednesday - Off
Thursday - Trying for a Morning Run because I have a Bowling Event and Kickball in the afternoon
Friday - Morning Run
Saturday - TRAINING KICK-OFF!

Working It Out

So lately I have been struggling to balance work and working out as well as eating right.  This week I was able to only workout 3 nights.

Sunday - 3.5 mile walk
Tuesday - Spin Class
Saturday - 2 mile walk

I am still trying to work my way up running 2 miles in time for my training program that starts on May 19th.  This week I had to stay at work late on Wednesday, went out on Thursday, and laid low on Friday night.  This week I am heading to New Orleans on Wednesday so will have to find a way to work in some work outs while on vacation.  I'm heading to New Orleans from Wednesday - Monday for 4 Days of Jazz Festing!  Today I also signed up for a 5K and 10K to get ready for my upcoming Half Marathon.  Right now I am planning to run in the San Francisco 1st Half.  Also, I found out on Thursday that I was picked to run NWM 13.1 again!  I am pretty excited to run the race again with my mom and excited that my good friend Rosa will be running with me.  She just completed Country Music Half this weekend and am so proud of her for finishing her first half marathon.  Head over and read her running blog if you have a chance - Rosa Runs.

See Jane Run 5K - June 3rd
Packard Summer Scamper 10K - June 23rd

Hot Hot Hot (Pink)

Run/Walk - 3.2 miles / 50 minutes

This week has been crazy but I was glad to finally get out for a good walk/run today.  The weather in San Fran has been quite warm recently.  I'm not sure exactly what the temp was when I headed out but I returned with a very red face (typical).  Today I tested my Garmin and the Nike+ app head-to-head to see which was more accurate/user friendly.  The Nike+ app seemed not quite as user friendly or as accurate as my Garmin.  The Garmin definitely got the distance right (and I verified with Gmap Pedometer).  Gmap Pedometer is a great tool if you weren't able to record your run and want to know your distance.  I will say that my Garmin has had a couple incidents when it hasn't worked (one of significant importance - NWM 13.1) but overall it seems to have come back to life.  I also purchased a new armband (incase Sports Armband Deluxe) today and tested that out as well.  I really liked the armband because it is easy to detach your iPhone from the band without taking it off.  Also, it is easy to put on which I had struggled with other armbands.  I would definitely recommend for anyone looking for a new armband.  Overall it was a great walk/run (very very warm) and I was glad that I got in about half a mile of running (baby steps).  I was wearing another favorite Lulu outfit (Wunder Groove Crops in Black and the Tame Me Tank in Hot Pink).  I picked up the Tame Me Tank last Saturday as a reward for conquering Divis.  I didn't get a chance to walk Divis today but hopefully should make it into one of my workouts this week.  Take a look below for a quick photo shot (love GGB) from my workout and the rest of the week's workouts.

Monday - 30 minutes Stairmaster (the real one with stairs)
Tuesday - 40 minute Spin Class at BodyRok with my fav instructor Margo
Wednesday - 30 minute walk
Thursday - Kickball!
Friday - Off

Shoes Shoes Shoes (And Socks)

So one of my favorite things about working out is running shoes (and socks).  I just absolutely love them!  I have fallen in love with the Asics Kayanos.  I currently am sporting the Kayano 18.  I have loved Asics since I bought my first pair in college.  They are a great fit and extremely comfortable.  The Kayano is a structured cushioning shoe which is made for those who lean more towards being flat footed.  I love buying my shoes from either Fleet Feet or Road Runner Sports because they offer 30 day free trials which is great for trying out new shoes!  I would definitely recommend doing that.  I have tried out some New Balances and Sauconys that I didn't like and it was easy to bring them back (and get the love of my life Kayanos).  Also,  I ran my half marathon in my old Kayano 17s and my feet felt great even after 13.1 miles.  I do recommend having two pairs of shoes during training as it definitely helps splitting the miles between two pairs.    

I have also invested in a new Excel 33 from the new Asics' 33 Collection.  They are lighter shoes that more closely resemble the Nike Free line.  I use them mostly for walking to/from work and doing cross training at the gym.  They are definitely a different feel from my structured Kayanos.  

Last but not least....I have discovered Feetures! socks and I am in love.  I picked up a pair once at Fleet Feet and loved them.  I then found them at Sports Basement on sale and picked up a couple more pairs.  I am definitely partial to them and feel they provide a much better fit.  See below for a couple different types.  I am partial to the no show tab and have both the Ultra Light and Light Cushion versions.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Divis Up

4/14 Workout - 3.5 Miles/1 hr

I must say I'm feeling pretty good about exercise this week.  I was able to exercise (at least 30 minutes) everyday this week except for Thursday.  I purposefully took Thursday off after a pretty long day at work ( 7 - 7).  I must say that today was the most rewarding of my workouts.  It was my first day back outside since my half marathon last October.  The weather was on my side but technology was definitely not.  I brought out my Garmin Forerunner 405 from hibernation and charged it up thinking that I would use it during my walk.  I put on my cute Lulu outfit (Wunder Groove Crops-cross between the waist band of the groove crop and the regular wunder under crops & Define Jacket) and headed it out.  As soon as start walking I realize my watch is definitely not working.  I had brought along my iPhone so I downloaded the Strava app that I had heard about and tracked my walk on there. Technology crisis averted.  I walked along the Marina Green and said hello to my old friend Mr. Golden Gate Bridge.  I had really missed running/walking along the water and was glad to be back.  I wasn't the only one as the path was quite packed with runners/walkers/bikers.  While I was walking I decided I wanted to try walking Divisadero from Lombard to Broadway.  This is one of the steepest stretches in the city and I really wanted to prove I could do it.  The two pictures above are the view from the top and the bottom respectively.  I was quite possibly the best feeling to make it to the top and have a 360 view of San Francisco and the bay.  I then headed back down the hill (which is actually much more dangerous than walking up).  My new goal is to be able to run up Divis by May 19th when I start my half marathon training program!  On a separate note: my walking pace outside is faster than my treadmill walking pace.  Proof that exercising outside is better!

Other workouts from this week:
Wednesday - got creative and brought my running shoes to work so I could walk from work to the Vandy cooking event for a good 30 min walk
Thursday - took the night off
Friday - headed home early from from work and got in a 3-mile walk before dinner with a friend

Call Me Maybe

Yup.  I know I'm only a couple months behind but it is kind of awesome.  And great songs make going to the gym easier.

But seriously.  Workouts.

Monday - Treadmill.  So I wasn't feeling great Monday.  My body was giving me hints not to go to the gym but I was ignoring them.  I have been trying to walk on the treadmill before I get back into running so Monday was a walk on the treadmill day.  I was shooting for 3 miles but only made 30 minutes (about 1.5 miles).  My left leg (not the PT leg) was killing me!  I listened to my body (my PT Heather would be so proud).  I was disappointed for not finishing my work out but knew that I was doing the right thing.  I went home, took two advil, and iced my leg.  I'm learning that advil and ice are my new best friends and I should get to know them very well.

Tuesday - Spin Class.  I having going to a new workout studio that opened recently - BodyRok.  It is awesome and they have great spin classes and teachers.  I was racing home from work to try and make my 6:20 spin class.  Fail.  I got home at 6:10 (starving) and knew it was a 15 min walk plus 5 min to get ready and grab a snack.  The classes are only 40 minutes so I knew I would come in quite late and disturb everyone else.  I felt guilty (I had to pay for these classes) and I could have sat on my couch and watched some great shows from my DVR BUT I didn't.  I looked up the group fitness schedule from my local crunch and motivated myself to go to a 7:15 spin class.  I got there earlier to reserve a bike.  I hadn't had much luck with getting a bike at crunch before.  The class was great and pushed me which I needed after yesterday's depressing work out.

Now I need to find time over the next couple of days to exercise.  Like I mentioned I tend to overcommit. Tomorrow I have a cooking class from 6:30 - 9.  Thursday I have Kickball and Happy Hour.  Friday I am meeting up with a friend for drinks.  Saturday is SF Vintner's Market.  I am going to need some creativity to find ways to make it to the gym.  I'll let you know on Sunday how it goes!

Me

One of the reasons I started running in the first place was to get in shape.  My weight has always fluctuated and I wanted to get rid of those pounds for good.  I still find myself saying that same statement a year later.  Ever since graduating from college I have had trouble getting to the gym consistently.  Work runs late.  I'm tired.  I'm hungry.  The gym is closed.  The gym is boring.  These are all excuses I've used in the past three years to avoid working out.  I am picking 2012 as the year to get out of my funk for good.  I am picking this blog as the place to keep my honest about my workouts.  As I mentioned in my previous post I am working on coming back from a knee injury so I am working my way back into running.  I am ready to rock cute outfits and not freak out when I see myself in pictures.  Plus the cute Lululemon workout clothes are another good motivator!

Coming Back Stronger

2011 Goal - Run a Half Marathon.  Done.

One thing I didn't expect leading up to the race and during the race was the extreme knee pain I would experience.  I'm a busy person.  I over commit.  I don't like to say no.  These three statements lead to a disaster when attempting to train for a half marathon alone.  I was convinced that I didn't need a proper training program to learn to run.  Wrong.  Before 2011 I had never run more than 10 minutes consecutively.  I am the person they develop training programs for.  I've always wanted to be a runner so I put my mind to it and made it happen.  I also got a side of 4 months of Physical Therapy to go with it.  Lesson Learned.  Training Program Booked.  My target return to racing is the SF First Half Marathon at the end of July.  I am proud to say I will be training with Marathon Matt!