I never published this!! Written on 10/9 :)
The remainder of my runs last week went well and I felt much stronger as I got my legs back. I ran 18 miles on Saturday and felt pretty great. Following my long run, I baked a delicious breakfast for myself, my running buddy, and my husband: Nutella Raviolis. That's right, you heard me correctly. Nutella stuffed inside wonton wrappers and baked in the oven...coated with powdered sugar, served with vanilla ice cream and drizzled with chocolate sauce. I ate five of them. Incredible. Since I'm not mature enough to have Nutella in my house and not polish the entire jar off with a spoon, I made cookies with the remaining Nutella. Nutella and Sea Salt Stuffed Sugar Cookies. I know what you are thinking...this girl needs to go for another 18 mile run ASAP...however, I was very well behaved and only ate two, and I sent the rest off to work with my husband today. There is NO WAY in hell those can be lying around my house. No. Freaking. Way.

I have a 20 miler scheduled for Saturday, and another new recipe to try afterward. It's one of those no-bake type things - Nutter Butter Butterfinger Bars. I usually steer clear of the no bake recipes. If I'm going to make a mess in my kitchen, I want some warm, gooey deliciousness straight from the oven. But how could I possibly pass something like that up? Nutter Butters? Butterfingers? Um, yes please. I'm telling you - Pinterest will be the death of me...I am only allowing myself to try these treats on days that I run long. I also give the leftovers away. It's a solid strategy. It's a little time consuming, but I take the recipes and actually enter them into my Fitness Pal application on my phone so I can really hold myself accountable and not overdo it. 

Back to running, I managed to get up and go to the gym for a track workout this morning - 2x(6x400) with some rest intervals, warm up and cool down. Held a 6:49 pace for my 400s, and finished the entire eight mile run in 62 minutes. Felt good, but I feel like I'm coming down with a little cold. Tea and lots of rest. I'm not running again until Thursday, anyway - just lots of yoga and maybe a bike ride. I can't really say until after I run a few more marathons, but I am LOVING the amount of extra time I have from dropping 2-3 days of running. I also love how my hamstrings feel since it's less wear and tear on my body.

Week 2

I was excited to run last week. Tuesday went okay, but by the time I ran on Thursday and Friday, my legs were DONE. I attempted to return to running at full force - and follow the plan for a 3:30 marathon in the FIRST book. In reality, I ran hard last Tuesday and then did all easy runs through the remainder of the week. No more PRing this fall. Just fun, relaxed fall running. I decided to follow the 3:45 plan instead of the 3:30. Ahhh, much better. I busted my ass all summer, now I want to maintain my endurance and enjoy my yoga practice.

This morning, I got up at the crack of dawn to hit the treadmill. It was going to be rainy today, and I haven't gotten a lot of sleep - so, I thought it would be ideal to get my run in this morning and avoid the crappy weather. Now I can go home, heat up my yoga room, and do a nice easy primary series practice. I did a "track workout" - 6x800 with 90 second rest intervals. My warm up and cooldown was around a 9 minute pace, but I busted out a 6:55 for my 800s. It felt good - I was tired by the end, but my legs felt fresh and responsive. Yoga and epsom salts tonight...and a nice hearty pasta dish for dinner.

Speaking of pasta, I may have developed a slight addiction to Pinterest. I keep pinning recipes like it's my job. Even worse, I keep cooking/baking said recipes. I mean, I am adhering to my calorie goals set by my Fitness Pal application, but some of the foods are pretty rich. Problems...tonight's menu: Pasta with Mascarpone, Chicken, Sun Dried Tomatoes and Spinach. YUM!

Namaste and Happy Running!!!

FIRST Things First!

I'm only one run into my FIRST plan, but I'm thinking I am going to like this. On Monday, I ran my first tempo run. It was kind of ugly since the scheduled pace was a little faster than I could handle for my first run back, but overall it felt okay. Today I have a track workout, and it's definitely faster than I am used to - so I'm just going to do the best I can and not be too hard on myself. I'm planning to do my long run tomorrow so I can hit up a yoga class on Saturday.

Since I'm doing less running, I've had more time to do some cooking and enjoy the fall. I've been really enjoying Pinterest and the recipes I've found on it. Yoga feels pretty good and I like having more time to focus on my practice. I'm not sure if I am making the right decision by using the FIRST plan because I already feel like I am barely running, but I am willing to give it a shot and see how it goes.

I'm sure I'll have more to report on as I complete a few more runs, so until then...happy running!

BOSTON IS ALL IN!

I GOT IN!

When registration closed on Friday, the BAA announced that registration was re-opening on Monday for all qualifiers. Although I still didn't have formal confirmation at that point, I was feeling fairly confident that I was in. I checked my email all day on Saturday but didn't really think anyone was confirming applicants over the weekend. I REALLY didn't expect anyone to be confirming applicants on Sunday, but when I returned home from my yoga class in Philadelphia, there it was. BOSTON MARATHON ENTRY CONFIRMATION!

I can't wait. It's such a great race - the crowd support is incredible and the BAA really knows how to organize a race. Everything from the race expo to the race day transportation, and the aid on the course. Last year, the weather took such an odd turn for April - 95 degrees and humid - and they were prepared. I'm excited for another year in Beantown!

To celebrate my acceptance, I am going for my first run since VIA today. According to the FIRST plan that I am going to follow, it should be about seven miles, and a tempo run. I'm going to do the full seven, but I might go slower than the recommended pace (one mile warm up, five @ 7:14, one mile cooldown) just to see how my legs feel after a break. I'll warm up for a mile, pick up the pace for five miles - whatever that pace may be - and cooldown for a mile. I'm going to use the Saucon Trail, since it's flat and softer than pavement.

I'm sure I'll be a little sore tomorrow since I took a little break for the past two weeks. Can't wait!

Registration Day!

Registration opened up last Monday for the 117th running of the Boston Marathon. Since I didn't meet my qualification time by 20 minutes or more, my registration had to wait. Last Wednesday, it opened for qualifiers who made it by at least ten minutes, and Friday was for those who qualified by five minutes or more. Being a "slower" qualifier (3:33:11) and making it by one minute and 59 seconds means that I have to wait until today at 10am to register. There are no guarantees that my time will be accepted, though it is comforting to know that only 8,000 applicants were received as of Friday - including those that deferred due to the extreme weather last year. I know, I know - I was already fortunate enough to run it twice...I'm hoping for one more shot! It's still my favorite race. For most people, it's super expensive to run due to the travel costs. Not for me - no airfare since it's relatively close, and no lodging costs since I stay with my aunt and uncle. Basically, I pay the fee, gas up my car, buy the obligatory jacket, and run. It's great.

Over the weekend, I still didn't venture out running - one more rest week until I'm ready to begin again. However, I did lots of yoga and headed out on my road bike! I only rode for about 12 miles, but it felt pretty good. Somehow, I got a flat tire and had to change it about eight miles in, and my friend looked at my tires and recommended that I get some new ones. I've said that since I had my bike - I always get flats and really think it's due to the tires. So, time to go tire shopping - ASAP! I'd like to get out and ride again next weekend.

Nine minutes until registration opens for me! Yay!

Namaste and Happy Running

I was tapering last week, which meant a significant decrease in my mileage. I'd leave work at the end of the day - 2:35, since I teach high school :) - and out into the muggy, blazing heat. It's not that I didn't want to run, but after being able to go out around 6-7 in the morning all summer long and avoid the scorching temperatures, I was feeling a little unmotivated. The day before the race, it poured - and the humidity was magically gone, yielding ideal running weather. I'm taking a rest from running for all of this week and next week, but the weather is just too perfect for running...however, I definitely have a packed fall schedule and don't want to risk injury. Luckily, I have my other favorite hobby to keep me from feeling lazy and out of shape...my ashtanga yoga practice.

I finally understand why being both a runner and a yogi is pretty much impossible for most people. Yes, I am fortunate - I can run 60 miles per week, and still maintain a decent level of flexibility. I can go for a 20 mile run on Saturday and find myself breathing somewhat comfortably in Dwi Pada (although it isn't very pretty) on Sunday. I often find myself wondering that since I can do these poses and be a runner what my yoga practice would be like if I quit running. And then another race happens, just like the one on Sunday, reeling me back in.

I used to say that though the running didn't help the yoga, the yoga helped my running. As an ashtangi, I complete my two hour practice six days per week. Since I had the summer off, maintaining a six day per week rigorous practice and a six day per week running schedule was possible, though extremely uncomfortable at times. By the end of my summer, my hamstrings ached from being repeatedly stretched in yoga and tightened while running. Running was becoming painful and I was certain that the level of intensity that I was practicing yoga was finally catching up with me. After Sunday's race, I also took a complete rest day on Monday. I resumed my yoga practice on Tuesday, expecting my sore muscles to scream obscenities as I completed the primary series postures. Much to my surprise, I had an excellent practice and left feeling restored.

 On Wednesday, I was back to my second series practice - legs behind my head and all. There was a woman who showed up to the class I took on Wednesday in need of some gentle stretching since she also ran the marathon on Sunday. She was stiff, sore and could barely move - completely normal for someone who ran a marathon and something I remember well. It made me wonder if maintaining an intense practice during my marathon training helped with a speedy recovery. I don't want to say I'm completely recovered by any means, because the damage a marathon does to the human body is not something to be taken lightly.

As fall progresses and I find myself preparing for more races, I am even more confident that the FIRST plan is the right choice to maintain my running. I can still prepare for my races and have time to practice, and I might even be able to get out for a walk or a bike ride once or twice per week. More importantly, it will allow more time for recovery in between the days that I run. Ideally, I feel as though this plan would be suitable for me to repeat until next summer. I could maintain my level of fitness until I'm ready to bust out another PR (if I ever feel like I need to do such a thing!).

My running friends don't always understand my commitment to yoga, and my yoga friends don't understand my commitment to running. I understand both arguments since I can't seem to pick either sport. And so the balancing act between yoga and running will continue through yet another season...

...namaste and happy running.

Run Less, Run Faster...Take 2

The first time I ran The Boston Marathon was a bit of a disaster. My fastest season yet was back in 2010, and right at the end of the season I ended up with a calf strain in my left leg and a tibial stress fracture in my right leg. So, as I attempted to train for my first Boston, my doctor had me pool running, swimming, and using the elliptical until I could resume road running. By the time I could get back out on the road, I was so burned out and over the process that I basically just winged it.  However, when I was first diagnosed with the stress fracture, I was pretty set on trying the FIRST plan, detailed in the book, "Run Less, Run Faster". By the time I could actually get back out there, I was so over running that I never really gave it a try.

I spent almost a year hating running. After the 2011 Boston Marathon, I stopped running completely. My hiatus lasted from April 2011-October 2011. I was already signed up for a slew of fall marathons: the Akron Marathon, the Chicago Marathon, and the New York Marathon. I blew all of them off (I deferred NY, thankfully - so I am doing it this year!). In September 2011, one of my high school students (we'll call her B) wanted to sign up for the Lehigh Valley Half Marathon and wanted me to run it with her. I signed up, though my attitude was still pretty terrible. In my fast season, I also ran another Boston qualifier and decided that if I were going to train for one spring race, I might as well give Beantown another shot. I didn't expect to get in since they were taking the faster qualifiers first. I got in. My first thought: oh crap.

One rainy Saturday in October, I figured I should start running again. I met B for three mile run on the Ironton Trail - a nice flat trail in our area, perfect for my return to running. My first run back, three miles, piece of cake - right? Wrong. Let me tell you, if you are coming back from a running hiatus, I don't suggest running with someone on your first attempt to get back out there. Or at least, don't run with a new running buddy.  Everything hurt and I wanted to cry, and I realized how much endurance I lost. Of course, I had to put on a happy face for my new, eager running buddy so by the time it was over and I got in the car, I nearly collapsed. Okay, that's a little dramatic. Still - it was rough and I left feeling defeated.

I officially began training for Boston and the LV Half in November 2011, using my tried and true plan from the book, "Run Faster - from the 5K to the Marathon". I begin the level one plan, but my heart just wasn't in it. I was going through the motions, but it was all just a show. I didn't want to be a runner anymore. About five weeks before Boston, my husband and I stumbled upon a foreclosed farmhouse that we wanted to buy, and suddenly all of my time and energy was going towards that. I stopped following my training plan and skipped my long runs - resulting in a torturous day at Boston. I still had to run the Lehigh Valley Half and I somehow got talked into signing up for the Cleveland Marathon at the end of May, so I kept doing the bare minimum. I was certain that after Cleveland, I was done for good.

I'm not really sure when things changed. I think it was during the Cleveland Marathon, but I can't really pinpoint an exact moment. I loved the race, and almost broke four hours that day. I just had fun, and enjoyed the atmosphere. Something about that race turned things around for me and I finally felt normal again. I came home from Cleveland and took a week off, but I was anxious to start again. I was ready to turn everything around - lose some weight, sign up for races, and train seriously. I signed up for a few summer trail races, the VIA Marathon, NY, Philly, and the Rehoboth Beach Marathon. I signed up for the Runner's World Festival - the "hat trick" (the 5K, 10K and Half Marathon all in one weekend!) and began completing the same tried and true training plan - but I kicked it up a notch and started the level two program.

It took me about eight weeks until I didn't need to take breaks when I was out for runs. It took me the whole summer to drop 15 pounds, and I also kicked my yoga practice up a notch. By the end of the summer, I was still enjoying running but wanted to focus on more on my yoga practice. After VIA, I was thrilled about my time and how great I felt during the race. I have a long fall ahead of me and don't want to get injured, so I am taking a two week break and then completing the FIRST plan from that point until the Rehoboth Beach race. I don't know that I'll be PRing again this fall but I do know that I am excited to spend this fall season out on the roads and the trails. The name of the book IS "Run Less, Run Faster", but I don't know that I'll actually be faster. I will be using my Ashtanga practice as my cross training, and possibly adding a fourth day of running or a day of cycling depending on how I feel. That fourth day is optional. I'll take it one day at a time, listen to my body, and hopefully avoid getting burned out again.