Leaving my comfort zone… one mile at a time.
Leaving my comfort zone ... one mile at a time.
On this episode of #DaniDishes, I'm sharing how I constantly think about food and asking you for your thoughts and advice!
My Game Plan For Tackling This:
1) Eat On A Schedule
2) Try To Keep Busy/Distracted
3) Plan Indulgences To Avoid Worrying/Dreading Them Thus Enjoying Them Guilt Free
This run would be mine! That's right. Despite seeing a real feel of -4 for this morning's group run with Tedy's Team I was excited for it.
Today (January 10) is my three-year anniversary of hitting goal with Weight Watchers (60+ lbs shed through WW and 80 overall). So there was a little extra pep in my step.
My usual running mates weren't going to make it due to injury and sickness so I know this would be more a of a solo run. I opted to leave the music at home since I'm now so used to running without it (thanks triathlon training).
The wife dropped me off at 7:50am and thankfully I had enough time to get some foam rolling in before we departed.
Today would be our first Riverside run of the season. A Riverside run means we take the green line of the MBTA (train) from Kenmore Square to the end of the D Line (Riverside stop). Once at Riverside, we run the 10.6 or so miles back to Kenmore. Why do this? Because we get to run on the actual Boston Marathon course and get some much-needed practice on Heartbreak Hill.
For those that don't know Heartbreak Hill is about three miles of rolling hills that hit you at Mile 17 of the marathon. So the hills themselves aren't horrendous, but when your legs already have 17 miles on them - they seem enormous! ;)
When we departed the train at Riverside (after a 30 or so minute ride - worst part of the experience), I bee-lined it for the bathroom (shocker I know) and had to take a picture of this awesome sign. :O)
After retying my shoes and locating satellites, it was time to get this run in motion.
Thankfully I've now done this run enough times that I actually know where I'm going. Tiny win! It takes just two rights and one left until you are officially on the marathon course. Oh the memories. Every time I step on that course I am transported back to race day for both 2013 and 2014.
Mile 1: 8:27 Mile 2: 8:42
Then THE right happens... on to Comm Ave and the start of Heartbreak Hill. I was all ready to snap a pic of the iconic Newton Firehouse, which is kind of the welcome committee to Heartbreak, but my phone decided to say this.
Apparently the iPhone is too lazy to have a "too hot" and "too cold" message so it gives the same one either way. Because as I mentioned earlier Real Feel was -4, which doesn't scream warm to me. How about you?
Mile 3: 8:35
Just before hitting Mile 4, I saw the familiar faces of our Tedy's Team water stop! YAY!
I look forward to these social stops WAAAYY too much! haha
Teammate Patricia and I
And I know you were all waiting for the obligatory: Margaret and Dani pic! :)
So apparently I was out there to run not gab! Huh. Who knew? So I hit Start on the Garmin and continued on OWNING Heartbreak. ;)
I was feeling really good. I don't know why, but I felt strong and in the zone.
I didn't look at my watch at all for pace, but instead focused on how I was feeling.
Mile 4: 8:07
Just before Mile 5, my phone decided it was "cool enough" to work again. Bring on the selfies!
And now I could show the slushy snow covering the ground adding a little cross training to today's run.
Mile 5: 8:38
Now as I mentioned Heartbreak is actually 3 miles worth of rolling hills with the biggest and baddest at the end... of course!
Here is where I mentally have to prep myself. There could be some swearing going on, there could be some internal high fives and there could be some promises of beer to myself if I make it up and over.
Hey! Whatever it takes right?
While running up this final leg of Heartbreak, I saw the kids of Dreamfar out there putting in some serious work.
Dreamfar High School Marathon (DHSM) is New England’s first high school marathon training program. We are a Greater Boston-based program that teaches high school students that anything is possible, even completing a marathon. With hard work, perseverance and guidance from dedicated mentors, our runners realize their potential as they train for the Cox Providence Marathon.
This lit another fire under my booty and I gave the hill everything I had.
This is why when taking mid-run selfies you take mulitple. They aren't all winners. :P
The final push was tough, but felt better than I expected. Not sure what was different about today's run than runs past, but I went with it.
Mile 6: 8:46
The amazing sight when coming off of the final Heartbreak Hill push is BC.
During the marathon there is a huge blow up arch that says:
From Boston 2014
A magical sight during the race.
With the major hills being over, the run continued to familiar ground: Beacon St through Brookline and back to Kenmore Square.
Mile 7: 8:17
The great thing about all the charity runners out on the course together is the sense of community. Folks stop at each other's water stops. There are tons of smiles, high fives and of course runner nods. :)
Our final water stop of the day was 7.6 miles in.
John was ready for us with water and gatorade. I enjoyed my mini luna bar before heading out to finish this thang. Am I cool enough to pull off thang? I don't think so. Doing it anyway.
I bobbed and weaved my way through the downtown Brookline as folks were out for brunch, etc. I tried to stay in the bike lane to avoid as much congestion as possible.
Mile 8: 8:28 Mile 9: 8:06
The only downfalls to running downtown are the people and the stoplights. Nothing like getting in a running groove and hitting every single red light. I was on that path this morning.
As I made my way down Beacon, I could see the final incline between me and coffee.
I've mentioned before this incline is just before the Mile 25 marker for the marathon so on it's own not that bad - at the point of the race it is? Killer.
As I looked ahead all I could see of the Citgo sign was GO... and GO I did.
I was going for 10.9 miles to make my 2015 year to date total a nice round 53.
Mile 10: 8:11
So I took an extra long route to Dunkin, which left me at 10.9 miles exactly.
I felt great at the end of the run. Could I have run 15.3 more? Not at that same pace, but I could've kept going.
I know I need to slow my long runs down as they should be slower than projected marathon pace, but today I let my body guide the pace and it felt okay the entire run.
I can tell being back at my goal weight is helping my pace and my overall feeling while running. Keeping excess weight off my back keeps that and my knees feeling better.
I opted to grab a coffee and wait for my wife at Dunkin. Of course I did some stretching while I waited.
Now I will miss the team's 12-14 mile run next weekend as I will be taking on 22.4 miles (5k-10k-Half) at Disneyland. I will miss the group, but I will be happy with the weather, costumes and character stops! :)
***
Week 5 Workouts:
Sunday, January 4: 5k run Monday, January 5: 4-mile run Tuesday, January 6: Hill Repeats (2.8 miles) & 45-min Spin class (Turnstyle) Wednesday, January 7: 4-mile run & 2.5-mile walk Thursday, January 8: 5k run Friday, January 9: 5-mile run Saturday, January 10: 10.9-mile run
***
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Last week's gain could've sent me in one of two directions: 1) Farther down a spiral of eating whatever I want, but letting myself do it since I was still "tracking it"
or
2) I buckled down and got down to serious business to undo the damage
Which do you think I did?
Because I have honestly taken both in the past...
Well...
1 or 2?
I'm waiting here nicely folks.
Okay okay I'll just show you and let you figure it out. ;)
Yes! #2!
Adios 5.8 pounds and hello being right on the mark at goal!!
<<insert embarrassing video of me doing a happy dance>>
(no there isn't really a video of that)
Now I know that losing 5.8 pounds is a lot in one week and has only happened a few times in my weight loss journey, but it did follow a 3.8 pound gain last week. So I don't think it is out of the realm of possibility to happen.
Could this result in a small gain next week? Absolutely. The body fluctuates all the time and sometimes out of our control.
But for now I will celebrate.
I am happy to report that I have tracked every day since that November 7th weigh-in. I am happy to report that through the holiday season I am still down 6.4 pounds.
Now THAT is a win! :)
I indulged, enjoyed myself, but still tried to keep some balance AND increase the activity.
This past week I really stuck to:
^ tracking honestly
^ weighing and measuring all of my foods - I heart my food scale
^ earning the most Activity Points (101) since August 22-28 (105)
^ staying in the positive
Now using my tracker as feedback, I learned I didn't make the best choices with my points - few too many spent on salty snacks rather than a more satisfying choice. Lesson learned and noted!
***
So what is on the horizon? An awesome weekend away with my wife at Disneyland (Jan 15-19) to take part in the Run Disney Star Wars Weekend, which includes three races: 5k, 10k and Half.
What is my game plan? I am going to indulge, but hopefully not go off the rails.
I told myself that I can take the weekend off from tracking, but will let the weekend go as it does. Maybe I will still be in the tracking mood.
Either way I am going to enjoy my time away with my wife, stay super active and either way get right back on the horse as soon as I get back.
I am going into the weekend okay with a small gain, but I would prefer to maintain while gone.
***
But for now I am feeling pretty awesome and giving myself a big high-five... and maybe a beer! :)
Do you use a gain on the scale as motivation?
Are you looking for a one of a kind indoor cycling class? Ready to have your booty rocked?
Excited to head to a studio that welcomes all those from novice to Spinning addicts?
Do you live in the Greater Boston area?
If you answered yes to any of these questions... and probably mainly that last one ... then Turnstyle Cycle is for you!
Turnstyle Cycle studio is located in Kendall Square in Cambridge, Ma. It is a new studio - opening this past July - and is gaining popularity quickly.
I had heard rumblings of this Turnstyle Cycle from many friends, but had never had a chance to get in.
Then my girl Caroline of Trendy Trainer invited me out to one of her group cycle class.
This lady is persuasive so before I knew it I was signed up for her 6:45pm class on January 6th. Alright it was on.
Turnstyle offers validated parking in the Kendall Square parking garage ($4 for up to 2 hours), which saved me from driving around Kendall looking for street parking. Tiny win! :)
I made sure to get to the studio 20 minutes before the 6:45pm class so I had plenty of time to check in at the front desk and get situated.
Photo Courtesy Gilt City Boston
Caroline was nice enough to give me a tour of the studio before class.
In addition to group cycle classes, Turnstyle also offers small group TRX classes. Yes she is now working to get me into one of those. My abs are already shaking. ;)
Photo Courtesy Gilt City Boston
After checking out the small group room, we headed into the cycling studio. It was small and intimate (28 bikes total).
Photos Courtesy Gilt City Boston
And this is where I learned that the Turnstyle cycling experience would be unique.
Why?
Because of the Real Ryder bikes.
RealRyders will build core strength and burn ~20% more calories per workout than a standard stationary bike. They will take a class or two to get used to, but the results will not disappoint.
Okay okay I was ready for the extra challenge.
I had brought my own spin shoes, but since this was my first class at Turnstyle I opted to use their spin shoes. Free for first time riders and $2 rental per class following that.
Once the bikes were cleaned after the previous class and towels put on each bike, we headed in to get ready. Caroline did a great job setting up my bike and explaining how the class works.
Turnstyle uses a computer on the bike to measure speed/intensity of the ride. So Caroline relayed certain RPM ranges to hit during the hills, sprints, etc.
The first time I stood up in third on the bike, I felt all out of sorts since the bike moved along with me. I thought this would be one long 45-minute class. But after the first couple of lifts out of the saddle, I actually got the hang of it. Yay me!
Since the bike moves side-to-side, Caroline was able to add "turns" to certain tracks. On one 60 second sprint, we did 30 seconds of it on a right turn and 30 seconds of it on a left turn. Oh hello core work! Yes I am feeling those moves today.
Caroline had some sick beats. Music will always make or break a cycle class for me. She delivered. Thankfully I don't think anyone heard me singing along to certain tracks. ;)
With the lights off, the Turnstyle logo behind Caroline is the only light in the room and changes depending on what type of ride we are in. It looked like Caroline decided when to use red, blue, green, etc.
I'm finally getting used to cycling in the dark since it looks like most studios go that route. I like it because it lets me zone out the other people in the room and focus on my own ride... especially when trying out a totally new type of bike! :)
We ended the class with two 60 minute sprints and I was toast. Note to Self: Next time don't do hill repeats right before this class. :P
The class ended with some light much-needed stretching and a round of applause. I love a good round of applause.
***
Overall the class was a truly full body workout and didn't feature any difficult choreography. It was a great cycling experience that I could see using to replace a bike workout during triathlon season (like how I have used Flywheel in the past).
While I tried the standard Turnstyle Cycle class (which is a 45-minute class), I am looking forward to checking out the Neon 60 ride, which is a 60-minute ride complete with black lights, body paint and glo sticks. Sign. Me. Up.
***
If anyone is looking to try out Turnstyle Cycle, they are having a deal for first time riders:
ENDING at 3pm EST today (1/7), NEW customers get one FREE class credit (value $25)! Here's how it works: (1) Create an account: http://www.turnstylecycle.com/reserve/index.cfm… (2) Click BUY CLASSES (3) Enter "firstclassfree" in the PROMO CODE box at the bottom of the page
***
Have you ever Turned It Up with Trendy Trainer and Turnstyle?
On this episode of #DaniDishes, I'm looking to the new horizon of 2015 and sharing with you all what my word is for 2015...
Do you have race bibs taking up space in your drawers or cast around the house? Are you not sure what to do with those pretty little pieces of memories? Are you wondering how to keep hold of those race wristbands needed for medal pick-up, post-race beer or VIP access? I've got the answer for you!
Well Gone For A Run has your back... and mine!
I've been seriously collecting my race bibs since I fell back in love with running in 2011 after having back surgery for a herniated disc.
I keep all of my bibs and medals as reminders of:
* how much stronger I am than I think
* the amazing memories created during each and every race. I can look at a bib or medal and be instantly transformed back to the race course and all feelings attached to it
* the honor I have to compete in these awesome races
* my health
* my determination
Now I had all the bibs, but had no idea what do with them until I came across Gone For A Run's BibFOLIOS.
So what is a BibFOLIO (retail $39.99)?
It's a race bib holder you can display on a coffee table, desk or bookcase.
The BibFOLIO is made from hand-finished wood and printed using our proprietary high resolution printing process. The twist cable rings easily unscrew as you add your race bibs. Simply slip the holes on the top of your race bib through the rings to add your bibs. You worked hard for those race bibs and they should have a BibFOLIO - a special place to be kept, shared and remembered.
For my BibFOLIOs, I pay the extra money for the vinyl protector sheets.
The vinyl protector sheets have little pockets so you can slide the bib in to keep it nicely preserved.
Plus since it has a little pocket, you can store race momentos in there as well - like my Dopey Challenge wristbands!
Since I am a little Type A ;) I use the gray area at the top of the vinyl sheets to jot down notes about that race: Date, Name, Finish Time, PR or not, etc.
If I wanted to get wicked detailed, I could purchase the race RECAP or STAT inserts for the BibFOLIO as well, but the gray area treats me just fine so far!
If you want to display your BibFOLIOs up right on a table or bureau, you can order a BibFOLIO stand for $8.
Thankfully my bookcase type thing (technical right?) is working just fine so far! :)
If you are worried you have too many race bibs for the BibFOLIO, think again. I have my fair share of bibs and they have fit easily in the BibFOLIOs so far.
Plus 52 races in 2014!
But there are 3 inch expansion rings ($3.99) available for purchase to help you out.
***
If you are ready to proudly display your race bibs, head on over to the Gone For A Run BibFOLIO site and check out the dozens available: rustic, quote, photo, engraved, dry erase, personalized and so many more.
So what are you waiting for... buy yours today! :)
Happy New Year... now bundle up it will be a chilly one!
Not sure it is smart to look at the weather before a run when winter hits New England. It just chills me to the core and makes me want to roll over and stay in bed.
THEN I remember that I must train in any weather conditions AND I had convinced folks to register for the 1st Run 5k so I had to show up! Plus, it was a real feel of 6 degrees... down right balmy in my opinion! Did that sound convincing?
Well it worked enough for me.
The wife and I bundled into the car around 9:30am to make the 35 minute ride north to Lowell. The 1st Run 5k starts at 11am, which is nice for spectators and runners alike. Really for those that actually celebrate New Year's Eve. We did not so it didn't matter to us what time it started.
This was the third-consecutive year I'd be running the 1st Run 5k so we have directions, parking and packet pick-up down!
On the way to the VFW (race HQ), we bumped into Leah.
I met Leah through social media and she is an awesomely inspiring mom and runner. She would be taking on the 10k - two rounds of the windy 5k loop - and looked ready to crush the PR she was after. We snapped a quick pic before she went off to meet her friends and I went to find my bib.
I love the swag - winter knit hat and running clothes. :)
I took my time putting my bib on and having my pre-race snack while we were in the warmth of the VFW. With about 20 minutes to go before the race, I dragged my feet and finally headed back into the cold to hit up the port-o-potty.
It was awesome seeing some familiar faces before the run and meeting some of the wife's hockey teammates who were also taking on the 10k.
The announcer let us know there were 10 minutes til go time so I gave the wife a kiss and headed to the Start corral to get some stretching in. The 5k and 10k start together so I tried to get closer to the front since I know it can bottleneck when the gun goes off.
Look at that dynamic stretching in action. ;) I saw a race photog snapping pics when I was in the corral, but didn't notice this one until a friend pointed it out. :P
The corral starting filling up and it was time to go. I didn't know what the legs would do - I had run 6 the day before - but I was hoping for a course PR if nothing else.
The National Anthem was played by a local resident on the trumpet, the countdown counted and off went the gun - it was Go time!
We headed down the chute, which takes you out of the VFW parking lot, and took our first right on to Old Ferry Road. It is a brief stint on Old Ferry Road before a right on to Varnum Avenue.
I knew there was an incline at the turn, but forgot it continued to climb during the first mile. Apparently I blocked it from my memory. ;0)
Being in a neighborhood did shield us from the wind that would inevitably meet us later in the race.
I once again opted to run without music as I am slowly but surely getting used to training/racing without it (for the most part). However, listening to the breathing of the folks around me and the heavy steps were throwing me off mentally on this day in particular. So I made the decision to speed up a tad to get away from the distractions.
Mile 1: 7:17
Alright faster pace than I expected, but I felt strong through the first mile or so. I even felt up to a mid-run selfie.
I have been slacking in the mid-run selfie department of late so trying to step my game back up.
Plus it wasn't as icy and slippery as the previous year so there was that to celebrate!!
Just past the halfway point in the 5k, you take the downhill out of the neighborhood and a right on to Pawtucket Boulevard. Now you take Pawtucket Boulevard straight back to the Start Area. Pawtucket Boulevard however is where the wind decides to join the party. I tried to prep my friends for it. The wind just all of a sudden hits you and it's like you are running in place for the remainder of the race. Fun right?
As we made our way down Pawtucket Boulevard, we stay in the breakdown lane. Thankfully it is wide enough that you can avoid a single file line and stay in your own rhythm.
Just before Mile 2, there is a DJ blasting some tunes and calling out names of runners. Pretty sweet set-up.
There you also find the one water stop of the race.
Mile 2: 7:10
To distract from the wind, I focus on the beautiful Merrimack River across the way. It truly is a wonderful sight while running.
The wind picked up as if to say I needed more of a challenge on this run. FYI I didn't. :P
I saw the race photog, but wasn't in a good position to get a good shot - as you can see above. At least my Sparkle Athletic skirt (teal) looked good. ;)
As the tenths of miles clicked by, I felt for the 10kers who would have to do this twice. Good for them - I was happy with the 5k! :) Especially since the 10 folks have to run past the Finish chute for their second loop - no thanks.
Just before the Mile 3 marker, we take a right back on to Old Ferry Road to re-enter the VFW parking lot. The start chute doubles as the finishing chute. Make sense?
Mile 3: 7:28
How about that wind for killing my Mile 3 pace. Can I blame the wind?
I happily moved to the right of the 5k/10k sign and tried to give it everything I had into the Finish. I was wicked close to a course PR.
The wife took this awesome shot as I was about to cross the Finish Line.
DONE!
Yes 6 second course PR. Still 1 minute and 2 seconds slower than my 5k PR, but I was happy with how it went on such a windy course.
I grabbed my medal and went over to meet the wife.
The timing company - Yankee Timing - offers on-site results. You wave your race bib in front of a sensor and the info is displayed on a large TV. It's such a cool concept. Now placement results - at least for me - can change as more folks finish, but the time itself was confirmed. Woo!
We headed to a sunny spot to wait for friends to finish. It is so awesome going to a race and seeing so many friends start the New Year kicking some asphalt.
Antonette, Melissa (my WW member) and I
Heather (friend and fellow WW leader) and I
Susan (friend and fellow WW leader) and I
Plus I have the pleasure of meeting some amazing online friends and readers.
Instagram friend Michelle and I
Big thanks to readers Kathy and Becky for saying Hi post-race! It made my morning...
Since I was able to say Hi to everyone I knew that was going to be there, we headed inside to see what the race was offering post-race for runners: soup and Bud Light. Yeah I opted to pass on the Bud Light and have a good celebration beer at home!
Once safely warm at home, I checked my email and saw the official results were in.
It was funny that the results had 23:01, but the rankings had 23:02. I opted to take 23:01. :)
Second place in my division? Say whhaa?? I doubted that 100%. And here's why.
Two of the three top females overall actually belonged in my division too. It looks like the officials keep the Top 3 overall females separately from the division placements.
Really I was fourth in my division not second - but I will pretend along with second if that is what Yankee Timing wants to give me. ;)
***
Overall it was a great morning and a great race. I will continue to take part in the 1st Run 5k as long as I am able to and it is offered.
***
So my New Year’s Day races are:
1/1/11 – I had a herniated disc and had to walk the New Year’s Day 5k in Chicago so it took the wife and I finished in 48:37 (15:41 min/mile)
1/1/12 – I was healthy, besides a small knee injury and was able to run the New Year’s Day 5k in Chicago in 25:27 (8:13 min/mile)
1/1/13 – I ran in honor of my Grampa and hopefully made him proud in the 1st Run 5k finishing in 23:07 (7:27 min/mile)
1/1/14 - I had such a fun time at the 1st Run 5k in 2013 I came back for more finishing in 23:43.1 (7:39 min/mile)
1/1/15 - I went for a New Year's Day PR at 1st Run 5k and it happened in 23:01.2 (7:25 min/mile)
***
Did you run into the New Year?
This run would be mentally tough. I knew that going into it. Last week's run was emotional as it marked the 2-year anniversary of my Grampa passing away. This week would be more of a mental game. I was tired when I woke up. I opted to run 5 miles and do an intense Flywheel Spin class the night before today's 12-miler. What was I thinking? I was thinking I need to push myself to get better. Plus, the class was being taught by my Tedy's Team teammate and friend Melinda. She would also be running 12 miles today. If she could teach the kick ass class then I could take it... and come in first on the Torq board! ;)
I made sure to sleep in my Zensah compression shorts and socks last night to help the legs recover for today's hilly 12-miler.
That's right folks! It was time to face Heartbreak Hill for the first time since June.
I made sure to dress up for the occasion and rock my Comic Book Sparkle Athletic skirt.
I would have the pleasure once again of running with Page. I was worried I would slow her down today due to tired legs, but she was feeling under the weather so we decided no matter the pace to stick together.
It has been great having the accountability with Page to get me through our #FridayFive runs (5 miles every Friday morning) and these last couple training runs. Usually Page works on Saturday so from here on out she will miss our group runs. Darnit!
After stretching and foam rolling inside Joint Ventures in Kenmore Square, it was time to buck up and hit the road for some miles.
While it was cold (real feel 18 degrees), the sun was out and there wasn't any snow or rain. So really nothing to complain about on that side. It is winter in Boston of course it will be cold.
Instead of the normal out and back, we would be heading out Beacon Street for just under 6 miles, taking a right on to Centre Street in Newton, taking a right onto Comm Ave (hello Heartbreak) then a final left on to Beacon Street. All told that loop is roughly 11.6 miles. So you know I would be making Page add on a little extra at the en to get the 12. :P
Mile 1: 8:33 Mile 2: 9:15 Mile 3: 8:59
Boy those inclines/baby hills during Mile 2 get me every week. I always think we are running faster in mile 2 than mile 1, but the splits never measure up with that. :P
Just after making it through Mile 3 at Coolidge Corner, we have a quick break at our first water stop of the morning.
And Margaret and I can take our weekly selfie! 4-for-4
While we headed towards Boston College, I knew another hill would be ahead of us. Yes this route is hilly all over the place. ;)
As we buckled down and pushed up the hill, I could feel the previous night's Spin class! I tried to use it as fuel rather than an excuse to slow it down. I wanted to push myself up the hill, but save some in the tank for Heartbreak.
Mile 4: 9:00 Mile 5: 9:07 Mile 6: 8:50
Can you tell where I celebrated the downhill?
We headed through Newton center, passing other runners along the way and took our right on Centre Street. We took a quick moment to grab a pic of cool street art.
I appreciate running with Page since she doesn't mind stopping for pics along the way. I know it can be annoying to run with a blogger sometimes... or rather this blogger! I know there is a difference. ;)
After a quick run down Centre Street, which offers cute shops, beautiful church and a little incline, we were ready to take the right on to Comm Ave.
Since we were meeting Comm Ave at Centre Street, we weren't getting the full tour of Heartbreak Hill today. For those that don't know, the historic Heartbreak Hill isn't just one hill - it is about three miles of rolling hills with the toughest at the end. So yes we were getting the biggest beast today.
It's so awesome seeing so many runners out on the course. Lots of head nods, smiles and high fives along the way. I mean we are all out there grinding away so folks feel your pain.
2015 will mark Page's fifth Boston with Tedy's Team and my third so it is great to swap "war stories" or memories while running on familiar terrain.
Mile 7: 8:51
It is a great sight seeing BC again because you know the hill is over and a water stop is ahead.
Long runs with Tedy's Team means that Swedish Fish are back in my life! :) I can't express how excited I get seeing these at Mile 20 of the Boston Marathon. It is the little things in life sometimes.
After a quick snack break - Gu for Page and mini Luna Bar for me - it was time to crank out the final few miles.
We made our way back to Beacon St and the final stretch.
Mile 8: 8:36
One final water stop awaited us just before Mile 9 so we stopped one last time to catch up with our amazing Tedy's Team support crew: Margaret and Lauren.
And we had a surprise visit from our teammate Lisa, who was out on her own 16-miler.
It was an awesome pick-me-up.
Apparently these Saturday morning runs aren't all about chatting and laughing with folks, you actually have to run. Page and I bid adieu to everyone and went about finishing this 12-miler.
Mile 10: 8:42 Mile 11: 9:03
After pushing up and over the final incline/hill into Kenmore Square, Page and I opted to add the final .4 to hit 12 on the dot. Since we were both looking forward to some Dunkin' Donuts coffee, we figured out the route to drop us right in front of Dunks. Winning!
Mile 12: 8:45
Yes hilly 12-miler in the books! First run-in with Heartbreak - OWNED. I won't lie and say that entire run felt awesome because it didn't. BUT it felt great to push through the hills and finish strong.
Each run I learn I am stronger than I think I am.
These training runs are so inspiring. I love getting out learning more about why my teammates are running. It's also motivating to see so many runners out on the course getting in their work early in the morning.
While enjoying our coffee and getting some stretching/foam rolling in...
... we enjoyed a talk by some of the folks at Marathon Sports. They were sharing tips on finding the perfect running shoe and winter running apparel for you.
It was a great little clinic and I walked away wanting to spend all my money on new winter running gear. Shocking right? ;)
Week 4 long run done and next week we do our first Riverside Run. What is that you ask? We take the green line to Riverside stop and run the 10 miles back to Kenmore Square - all on the marathon course.
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Week 4 Workouts:
Sunday, December 28: 4.5-mile run Monday, December 29: 5-mile run Tuesday, December 30: 45-min Spin class (The Handle Bar), 45-min walk & 5-mile run Wednesday, December 31: 6.1-mile run (4 in AM & 2.1 in PM) Thursday, January 1: 5k run & 5k walk Friday, January 2: 5-mile run & 51-min Spin class (Flywheel) Saturday, January 3: 12-mile run
Okay the Spin classes had some strength training elements to them - so improvement - but I am looking for even more. I reached out to the Tedy's Team coach to help me write up a detailed training plan with specific strength training exercises. I'm much better at following a plan than trying to wing it!
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Wicked pumped to be $85.60 away from goal!
I did it. I faced the scale. I didn't want to. I thought of 1,000 reasons not to.
Then I got a text from a friend saying she would be facing the scale every Friday no matter what and that I would be her accountability buddy.
Fiiinnnee universe. I will take that as a sign to just get it over with.
Also, I made the promise in last week's Face It Friday post (read here) that I would continue to weigh in AND after a holiday just to stay connected.
The number on the scale does not measure success or failure for me, but rather feedback. Yes I would love to stay at a certain number, but if that numbers goes up I will no longer say I failed. I will look at my tracker, reassess what worked and what didn't and move on.
So today I got up and faced it.
I knew it wouldn't be pretty. I had a heavy point day the day prior, I drank 2 beers (which I never do the day before weigh in) and got my period. Lucky me, huh? :P
Plus I hadn't weighed in since Christmas Eve morning and had a ROUGH week foodwise.
While I tracked it all or estimated as best as possible, it wasn't good. I indulged too much and didn't have enough fruits/veggies.
But I owned every decision.
And the scale read...
Ick! I was hoping to at least stay in the 150s. Oh well. I got my feedback and today started a fresh clean week.
Boy I love the look of a new week.
I followed two weeks of losses with two weeks of gains, not okay for my goals.
Now my immediate reaction was to shy away from posting about the gain. But you know what folks gain. Heck I gained that 20 lbs back in the Spring. I wasn't happy about it, but I am human. Sharing about the struggles are par for the course in this tricky world of maintenance.
So I am working past the negative comments in my head and focusing on the positives of this past week:
^ Faced the scale when I didn't want to or could've taken a NWI
^ I've kept the streak alive for hitting goal on my activelink - 27 days and counting
^ I earned 100 APs this week. Also the gain proves that you cannot out workout a bad diet!
^ I extended my tracking streak to 56 days. Not every PPV entered was exact, but I estimated as best as possible.
^ Set a course PR at my New Year's Day 5k!
It was the fifth-straight New Year's Day I kicked off with a 5k.
^ I used recipe builder even though I wanted to pretend the homemade cookies from my dad were less PPV than they were.
So my dad makes these delicious cookies with raspberry jam and this gooey glaze. I was counting them this past week as 2 PPV since I could eat them in 2 bites (tiny cookies). But I knew that had to be low. I asked my dad for the recipe and he happily gave it to me. Okay he gave it to me after saying: "I don't think you want to know how many points these cookies are!" Oh dad, that is exactly when I do! :)
I proceeded to enter the recipe into recipe builder and got the PPV of the whole recipe. My dad said the recipe should make 36 cookies, but his batch is usually around 30. I put 36 cookies into the builder and got 3 PPV per cookie. THEN I looked myself in the mirror and said put in the actual number - 30 - which turned it to 4 PPV each!
OUCH!!!!!
But I went back into my tracker and correctly tracked the cookies.
I was proud of myself for 1) not pretending the cookies were less PPV than they were and 2) taking the bull by the horn and saving the recipe/PPV in my tracker so I am prepared for the next time I come face to face with those cookies.
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While this week wasn't ideal, I am still proud of the things I learned and truly did enjoy ever PPV I used. Facing the scale can be scary, but it doesn't define you as a person:
See the number, accept it and learn from it!
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How do you face the scale when you don't want to?
2014 Total Mileage To Date: 1,111.1 January: 90.0
February: 73.9
March: 106.1
April: 104.2
May: 94.8
June: 53.0
July: 79.0
August: 57.2
September: 74.3
October: 100.0
November: 121.6
December: 157.0
Happy running!
My name is Dani and I am blogging out of the Boston Area. I started this blog in May of 2011 after suffering a back injury and subsequent back surgery in December 2011-January 2011. This space was to serve as a way for me to release the inner feelings I was carrying around and maybe help some other people going through similar situations: eating disorders, depression, weight loss and more.
