Jan 1st 2020

Today I went for a run and celebrated the new year with barre class. I slept 8n, made the kids breakfast before lacing up for a quick run. I really wanted to get to my barre class at 10:15, so I only ended up doing two and a half miles.

I quickly changed and was off to barre. It’s been almost a year since I picked up barre and tried something new. What an incredible experience this has been! Barre has helped me gain strength in my legs, confidence in my skin and just a great way to interact with other strong females. Barre class gives me a group atmosphere that is fun and up lifting. It really is a change of pace to be lunging, planking and squattig in impossible positions, but comforting that your in it together. I’m glad I leaped and picked up barre. It was a great new years resolution to try something new. Now… new goals…

NJ long, long run

Today I went for a run that felt like it took FOREVER. It was just one of those days when a run feels ten miles longer than it should. Despite taking in my favorite sights on a familiar route, I just could not get into my run.

I completed my first eight miles thinking I was going to throw in the towel and do a split run and complete eight more later. However, my sister and family were coming over and we planned to make golumpki tonight. I guess that means, just get it done.

Despite my sluggish legs I kept pushing forward. I had my rock mix playing and soon enough Joe Walsh, The Police and Queen were pulling me up hills. I made my way towards the small airport where the annual balloon festival takes place each year. Planes were flying low and circling the area to land. It was a pretty neat process to watch and eventually I timed it perfectly to snap a quick picture before I ran back towards my parents.

I made my way back through the final stretch and as almost tripped and fell due to a broken branch on the side of the road. I was angry, frustrated and ready for this run to be over. I couldn’t believe it. I had an amazing run earlier in the week and now I just felt like I was dragging. And then I remembered this:

Deena wrote a pretty solid book titled, “Let Your Mind Run.” She discussed the ups and downs of training, injuries, and just running comradarie. Sometimes everything aligns and sometimes it’s a wreck. In the end today’s run doesn’t define me or my running. It was just one of those days, but at least I had some great views, tunes and golumpki to be eaten later!

Point Run with a Kick

Today I went for a run with new running friends at The Point! We were going to meet for another group run, but Paul and Shawn were caught up after school. My coworker and I met up with another group member and we took on the Point run as three. We kept a steady pace going out and then talked about picking it up on the way back. At the turn around we quickly increased the pace and had a goal of keeping it under 8 minutes. It was a tough run and I instantly regretted not drinking more water during the day. After we finished I was pretty happy to keep up with the guys, despite the instant fatigue that was setting in. I guess you never know when you’re going to meet a new running friend!

Time To Get Back At It

Today I went for a run after school with a great group of school colleagues. We met at a local high school and took on the scenic route which lead down an old service road before entering North Point State Park. The best part of this run is the final stretch out over the water. The white cap waves were hitting hard, but in the disstance you could still make out The Bay Bridge and other area lighthouses. A well needed run to exhale the long work day and take in calming breathe of fresh air.

First 20 miler!

Today I went for a long run and finally completed a 20 mile run for this training cycle! Amazingly the temperature has cooled off, making our 4am start an amazing 67 degrees! We completed a new route by doing ten miles first around the harbor and second meandering downtown streets for the last ten miles. It was a great change of scenery and overall strong run!

Later that day we drove up to Philly to drop the kids off for Grandparent vacation. What better way to refuel after a long run than by having a Philly cheesesteak! It’s always tough parting with kids, but after a great lunch at Pat’s I know that nothing can replace the love from a mom…. with cheesesteaks.

Sidelined

Today I did not go for a run, but biked along with guys on the hills of Kingsville. My calf/achillies was not feeling any relief despite the compression, ice, rolling and attention I was providing. It was a perfect morning, cooler temperatures in the 60s, and I was sidelined. In hopes that I might get lucky, I asked Paul if he had a bike to use – he did!!! This was awesome, yet terrifying due to the many hills!!! We began our route and I hung with the guys, only leaving them when I needed to accelerate up a hill. At the top of the first hill my heart was pounding. For someone who thought they were in shape, it was alarming how my heart felt like it was going to jump out if my chest!!! We continued on, enjoying the route I hadn’t seen since early spring. Reminders of the rolling hills kept my cycling until the end.

Wednesday Honeygo Joggers

Today I went for a run with the guys before heading to work. Due to our traveling if feels like we haven’t had a run with Paul in what feels like ages! We met up at 5:30am and did an easy six miles, despite the thick humidity. Fun details about summer vacation, upcoming sports seasons and usual aches and pains dominated conversation. The summer has brought on many solo runs and this run provided me a moment of gratitude – it was nice to have a husband and friends who enjoy the same heathly habits and madness to wake up early and run. Now bring on my rest day!!!!

Tuesday Double Time

Today I went for a run on a steamy Tuesday morning around Honeygo. I slept in a little and after Shawn left for baseball I headed out for a comfortable run, which turned out to be super steamy and uncomfortable. I had downloaded a few new tunes and luckily Santana got me through the run! Later that day I met my friend for barre where we were destined to lunge the entire hour. 😭 Overall I was pretty happy to get three days of barre in and not feel worn down. Although, I’m still a little sore due to being out of a barre routine for the last month. I really think barre has helped to keep my hips looser and piriformis from acting up.

Long Run Sunday!

Today I went for a run with Amanda and completed our famous Taco Bell Harbor Half! Due to the terrible heat and humidity that has plagued the area, we decided to meet downtown at 5am at the Taco Bell. We snaked around the harbor while catching up about the past few weeks and before we knew it we were at the entrance to the Domino Sugar Plant. At this point the sun had begun peaking through the buildings and we both needed to stop and refill our water bottles. We made our way back to the Canton and luckily felt the long run tiredness, but not overly achy! Running solo is great to clear the mind and get lost in the scenery; however, sometimes a solid long run with a friend is just plain ol’ fun!

Perfect Sunny-day

Today I went for a run with Shawn on a picture perfect day! I iced my leg after yesterday’s run and today took to the backroads of Kingsville with Shawn. Although I stopped to take pictures and had a dog jumping on me attempting to tag along, I finished with only a dull ache in my IT band. The day was pretty, picture perfect and I was happy to enjoy some run time with Shawn. Maybe Spring is finally here to stay – one of my favorite times to run each year!