Monthly Archives: April 2012

Apr30

April Wrap-Up and May Goals!

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Hey Guys! How was everyone’s weekend?  Mine was good, productive but relaxing.  What’s better than that?! So since today is the final day of April I figured I’d do a bit of a wrap up since it’s been quite the month for me and we missed the usually mid-month update!

My first goal for April was to run the Boston Marathon.  Even the day was 90 degrees and sunny I successfully completed the marathon in a time of 4:25.27!  For the full recap of the day, read The Boston Marathon Mile By Mile.  I also shared my recap of the Boston Marathon Expo and some of my post marathon thoughts.   One of my favorite posts was about the history of women and the Boston Marathon as this year marked the 40th Anniversary.

Hard to Believe This Was Just Two Weeks Ago!

The second goal for April was to take my NASM Personal Trainers Exam.  I recently took my exam and I’m proud to say I PASSED! I started studying for my exam in November and probably took about a month off from studying during that time.  I finished reading and reviewing the chapters at the end of March and then spent about 2 and half weeks taking practice exams.  By the time exam day came I felt very prepared.  I’m so relieved the test is over and that I passed!  I’ll do a full post on why I choose NASM this week.

My third goal was to start a new book.  I just started 50 Shades of Grey and I’m very interested in seeing what everyone is talking about.  It feels really good to be relaxing and reading for pleasure.

My other goals were to rest, relax and have fun.  I have to say April was a very busy but fun month!  The marathon was a really fun weekend from start to finish.  Going to the expo, the Saucony party, my family coming to town and all of the Team in Training events were really fun, as was the marathon itself.  Michael and I also have been out with our friends quite a bit lately and I’ve really enjoyed it.

Marathon weekend was so fun!

For May, my goals aren’t as defined and that is OK.  The last few months have been so productive that it is nice to take break and catch my breath.  May’s goals include:

Yoga. 

My plan is to get back to my regular yoga routine.  I usually take a 45-minute class 3 days a week and an hour and a half flow over the weekend.  My strength has diminished a bit since my practice was not as strong in the final weeks of marathon training so I want to work to gain that back.

Need to build my yoga strength again!

Running. 

My goal for running right now is to focus on shorter distances and running “free”.  I want to try running without my knee strap since I feel like my body doesn’t need it any longer but my mind uses it as a crutch.  So short runs without a training plan and knee strap are exactly what I need to just run for fun and enjoyment!

I also plan to keep reading, I’d like to finish a book or two this month.  Aside from that Michael and I have a lot of fun things plan so I really hope to enjoy those!  Ok, I’m off to start the week!

Are you NASM certified?  Did you accomplish your goals for April? What are your goals for May?

Apr27

Danskin Triathlon Series!

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Happy Friday! I’m so happy for the weekend and a chance to relax and have some fun!  I feel like it’s taking me a while to decompress from the craziness of training for the marathon, fundraising and studying but I’m very much looking forward to this downtime.  I hope to get in a short run this weekend and get to yoga on Sunday.  We have a fun night out planned with some friends on Saturday so hopefully I’ll be up and rested in time to get to yoga!

If there is one thing I love to see it’s women helping to EMPOWER and ENCOURAGE other women.  Let’s face it, women aren’t always the nicest to each other and often snark on other women’s looks, bodies, careers, families, and lives.  But I believe that mentality is slowly changing and there are increasingly more opportunities to support women and more examples of this being set.  When I was approached a few weeks ago by the Danskin Triathlon Series to write about the series and do a giveaway I said yes immediately.

The Danskin Triathlon Series is 8 races held around the country.  They are sprint distance triathlons (½ mile swim, 12 mile bike, 3 mile run) where WOMEN can compete individually or as part of a relay team.  I love the relay team option since it really gives women who may not be fit enough to compete in the entire race the opportunity to join in.  Danskin says the following,

Sprint distance triathlons (½ mile swim, 12 mile bike, 3 mile run) that empower women by
challenging them in a motivational, supportive, and safe setting with “cheerleaders” every step of the way.

I love it! Danskin wants to help get women moving.  I stand behind this 100%.  So many women sacrifice time spent working out and staying healthy for their families, careers and more.  I’d love to see more women taking time for themselves to get healthy and stay active because I honestly believe it makes us better women.

If their mission to empower women and get them moving wasn’t enough a portion of the race fees goes to Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Team Survivor nationally; as well as a local food bank and women’s shelter in each of the Race cities.  You can get moving for a good cause!

Here’s a look at all of their races:

May 13 – Clermont, FL (greater Orlando area)
June 3 – Austin, TX
July 22 – Webster, MA (greater Boston area)
August 5 – Howell, MI
August 19 – Seattle, WA
August 26 – Chicagoland
September 9 – Sandy Hook, NJ
October 7 – Palm Springs, CA

Are you ready for a giveaway?!

The Danskin Triathlon Series wants YOU to TRI something new!  They are offering a complimentary entry to one winner! Get your girl friends, sisters, daughters, and nieces involved by signing up to do this fabulous women’s fitness event together – of course if you win, your entry will already be paid for.

To Enter Leave a Comment Telling Me How Doing a Triathlon Would Empower You! 

For an additional entry tweet the following:

@LiveRunLoveYoga is giving away one entry for the @DanskinTri Series! Share how triathlons EMPOWER you to enter!  http://wp.me/p1E9ET-Ky 

Leave a separate comment telling me you tweeted! The deadline to enter is May 1 2012 at Midnight! I’ll announce the winner on Wednesday May 2nd!

Have you TRIed a Triathlon before? How would competing in this event empower you?

Apr26

Regrets, Thoughts and A Winner!

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Hey Guys!  It’s hard to believe it’s Thursday already!  It’s been a strange week to say the least.  I’ve been rather scatter brained all week and as a result todays post is rather random.  But hey, that’s ok!  So where to begin?

Let’s start with running.   I ran for the first time since the Boston Marathon.  It was an easy 3 miles and let me tell you I definitely felt like I ran a marathon in 90 degree heat last week! During the marathon my quads were cramping badly.  It started at mile 7 and continued on and off for the rest of the marathon.  I fear what would have happened if I hadn’t started downing salt packets.  Anyway (told you I’m scattered brained!) my quads started hurting less than a mile in but I didn’t care if I was running slow or fast I was just happy to be out running, feeling the cool air and the sunshine and releasing some stress and tension.  It felt so good to be running free, free of training plans or a goal to accomplish.  Definitely a highlight of my week!

I’m newly obsessed with Essie nail polish.  Yes, I realize I’m a little late to the party on this one! I wish I had tried this before! I LOVE their new spring line.  I just got a wonderful post marathon pedicure with their Pansy pink color.  And I had a manicure for the marathon with their Playdate purple color which I LOVE.  In fact, I just bought a bottle of my own to have for at home manicures.   And while I was at it I got the Turquoise and Caicos color too! I am a big fan of this color for spring and LOVE it for my nails.  Love, Love, Love. 

Essie Turquoise and Caicos

Michael sent me this post by a nurse who aided the dying for years.  She talked about the top 5 regrets people shared before death and I thought it was very interesting. What were the top 5?

1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.

2.  I wish I didn’t work so hard.

3.  I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.

4.  I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

5.  I wish that I had let myself be happier.

I have to say numbers 1, 3 and 5 really resonate with me for a variety of reasons.  I love number 5 though.  Happiness is a choice.  We choose to be happy or we choose not to be.  I hope you all remember that.  The whole article is worth checking out, its a short good read!

And lastly the winner of the Rock n’ Roll Marathon Entry courtesy of Gatorade is Mattie from Comfy and Confident!  Her win from within moment was…

Mattie, send me an email to LiveRunLoveYoga at gmail dot com and I’ll get you all the details!

*Note:  Winner was randomly selected using Random.org*

I LOVED reading all of your win from within moments!  I really enjoyed hosting this giveaway, many thanks to Gatorade for the opportunity!

That’s all of my random thoughts for this Thursday!

Have you ran free lately? What would be your biggest regret? Tell me something random!

Apr25

What I Ate Wednesday!

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Happy Wednesday! It feels like forever since I’ve done a What I Ate Wednesday post!  It’s the last week of April which means we will be wrapping up the challenge to get an extra cup of veggies each day!  How have you been doing with the challenge?

I’ll be honest my eating habits have been a little bit off lately.  Since finishing the marathon I’ve been a little bit out of my normal routine and definitely indulged a few times over the last week.  But as Michael says I’ve kind of earned it.  I couldn’t agree more and have definitely enjoyed it.  Take out Chinese food, sushi, Thai food,  and fresh bagels have all graced my plate.  All good things must come to an end though and I’ve been working on getting back to my normal eating habits and sticking to healthy foods.

Breakfast. 

Saturday morning was glorious.  I slept in on Saturday for the first time in months! Once I woke up I enjoyed a very relaxing morning, watched the news and sipped my coffee before making one of my favorite breakfasts! I made some scrambled eggs, with spinach and cheese.  On the side a toasted everything bagel with veggie cream cheese.

Scrambled Eggs with Spinach and an Everything Bagel

It was delicious and kept me full and satisfied all day even though I was busy packing and moving things around my apartment!

Lunch. 

My job has been VERY busy lately.  While that is a good thing since it makes the day fly by it does affect my normal eating routine and coupled with my lack of running things are definitely a bit off.  I’ve been trying to snack on healthy snacks when I may not feel hungry enough for a full lunch.

Red Grapes, Greek Yogurt and Peanut Butter Granola Bars

When I do eat lunch I’ve been gravitating towards some broccoli cheddar soup that I have frozen in my freezer.  It’s very convenient and keeps me full without feeling heavy.

Dinner. 

If there is one thing I love it is definitely Tex-Mex.  I love making my own at home.  I go through phases where I love tacos, or quesadillas.  Lately it’s definitely quesadillas I’m loving.  I usually saute onions, red bell pepper and chicken with some cumin, salt and pepper.  I add olives and cheese when I crisp them up.  A quesadilla is not complete without guacamole! I always make my own at home.  I also love Mexican rice.

Chicken Quesadilla with Rice and Guacamole

So good and satisfying! I love it!

So tell me, how do you adjust your eating habits when your routine changes?  Do you adjust how much you eat when you’re not running as much? What is your favorite mid day snack?  Tex- Mex, love it or hate it?

Apr24

Inside My Mind Post Boston Marathon

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Hey! I have to tell you all that I absolutely loved all of your win from within moments you shared yesterday!  You are all amazing and inspiring…definitely some tough runners! If you haven’t entered yet but would like a chance to win a Rock n’ Roll Marathon Entry from Gatorade leave a comment on yesterday’s post telling me about a win from within moment you’ve had!  I’ll announce the winner on Thursday!

Well it’s been over a week since I ran the Boston Marathon.  It’s hard to believe that only a week ago I was recovering from having run 26.2 miles in 90 degree heat and blazing sunshine.  I don’t think I’ll ever forget that marathon, or those moments where I wondered how I’d finish.  I must admit that on that Tuesday morning I was debating about signing up for the Vermont City Marathon and running that on Memorial Day Weekend.  The thing was though that I had made a promise.  I promised Michael, I promised my Mom and more so I promised myself that I’d give myself a chance to rest.  A chance to have nothing on my to-do list.  A chance to be able to come home from work and do whatever I wanted for a while.  Too many times while training for Boston I had desperately wanted a break.  I had wanted to do nothing.

Hard to Believe This Was Just Over a Week Ago!

Then last Wednesday the reality of life post marathon began to set in.  I felt lost. Part of me wanted another marathon.  Another training schedule to follow and more long runs to look forward to.  Training for a marathon seemed easier than doing all the things I had neglected to do and needed to get done.  I was overwhelmed and  I kept thinking, “I thought when the marathon was over I’d get to do nothing?!”.

Marathons are lot, it’s a lot to train for months and months.  It’s hard to stay motivated and mentally tough and to deal with the inevitable challenges that come your way.  It’s hard to race a marathon, to stay in the game for 26.2 miles.  The hardest part though? Dealing with the physical and emotional exhaustion that comes afterward.  I was feeling both of those in a big way.

Last week there were more days than not where I just wanted to cry.  I’m not really sure why and I don’t think I could accurately describe it.  I just felt sad and like something is missing.  It seems kind of silly because I have so much to look forward to and a lot of good things happening but I just felt off.  I  wanted to get to yoga or head out for a run but my body was just telling me not to.  Actually Friday night I was walking with Michael to the train and we were in a very big rush so it was more of run than a walk and after about a minute I felt like I was back at mile 24 again.  It was not fun.

The reality is that I was struggling with the post-marathon blues.  I was struggling to deal with what comes next  and it just seemed easier to sign up for another marathon and focus on training schedules and long runs.  That seemed familiar.

In life we can get so caught up in our routines and our schedules and to break away from them even for something we desperately need or want can be so challenging.  But sometimes life is about letting go.  That’s exactly what I needed to do.

Over the last week I’ve let go of the training plans and the long runs.  I’ve tucked the list of marathons I plan to run to the back of my mind. I promised myself  a break.  I’m going to take it.  I know there will be marathon #4 and #5, #6, #7, #8 and at that point I’ll probably go #10 too.  I love marathons but now’s not the time.  I’ll dream more times than I can count about my goal to run a sub 3:30 marathon.  But  I know that when 2013 comes I’ll be ready, excited, motivated, focused and dedicated towards accomplishing my running goals.

So what comes next right now? 

Right now my focus is on the final days of studying before my NASM certified personal trainer exam.  The last task in what has been a winter of ambitious goals.  And then comes the opportunity to rest, recover, relax and recharge my mind and body.  It is a chance to read a good book for fun, get coffee or dinner with friends.  I want to find my way back to my yoga mat and build my strength.  I want to go for short runs and give up my knee strap that I can tell my body doesn’t need but my mind uses as a security blanket.  I want to have some fun at summer 5ks and running groups.  I want to enjoy the changes coming in my life.  I want to feel stress free for a bit and do whatever my heart desires.

In August, I want to start yoga teacher training feeling refreshed, and rested.  This is a goal I’ve saved for, dreamed of and wanted since I moved to Boston in 2009.  I want to enjoy every step of the way.

I’m not sure who I write this blog for at times. Sometimes it’s for you and sometimes it’s for me.  Today it’s for me.  I think this is the 5th version of this I’ve written.  My take away for you today is to approach your goals and life with an intention fueled by the desire to want to accomplish your goals.  Don’t just do things because it’s easy and familiar.  Do it because you want to and it is a goal you hope to accomplish.  If I signed up for marathon #4 now, it’d be because it feels familiar and easy to me.  Resting, listening to my mind and body and taking a break is hard but I need it.  It’s something I promised myself and it’s my intention to get it.  I want to accomplish my yoga goals, my running goals and so much more.  This will help me do that!

How do you approach the post marathon blues?  Do you struggle with change, even if it’s changing your focus to another passion? Do ever give yourself a break?