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NYCM Training Week 8: Running on Tired Legs

It’s amazing the difference a few weeks can make.  But before we get into running, I want to share a few fun links and things I’m loving right now. Because hey, sharing is caring, right?

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Okay, back to marathon training.

Last week I was excited to embark on another week of training, feeling far better than the week before after a few quality runs. Overall my mind was in a better place. This week I’ve already spent time analyzing this week and next week’s plan, figured out how it will work with my upcoming travel plans to Seattle and Los Angeles, studied this week’s running splits, and spent time focusing on the other important non-running aspects of marathon training. Instead of being worried I’m really excited for this week training, especially after tonight’s tough run. Gia is great at reminding me that every workout won’t be easy and the ones that happen on tired legs tend to be some of the most important. There will be times during the marathon that my legs feel “too tired” but I’ll need to push through. So, while I didn’t hit the 30 miles I so wanted this week, I did log each of my runs and felt stronger during them than weeks past.

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Tonight’s 5 mile run over the Queensborough Bridge after 19 miles in the past 2 days was no walk in the park. Instead of worrying over my speed I told my co-workers that my legs felt heavy and that I’d run behind them. In his normal style, Marcial refused, and instead made up for my silence as I focused on running by telling me about his fun weekend. Since I had gone out slow and steady, by the time we came back over the bridge I was able to let loose and pick up speed to the point that I finished our last mile running down 2nd Avenue at a sub 9 pace. Not bad for tired legs!

This week’s workouts will include a new mid-week distance record and some fun West Coast running with Bo!

  • 5 mile run
  • Personal training session
  • 5 mile progression run
  • 8 mile mid-week run
  • Yoga/Cross Training DVD
  • Hiking
  • 10 mile bridge race+warmup+cooldown miles

Oh and last but not least, guess who crushed his first double digit run in over a year and then has done 8 more miles since Saturday? BO! His doctor has given him a clean bill of health to start training for the New York City marathon and we’re both so thrilled. Fingers and toes crossed he’ll make it to the starting line with me this year! What better time now that we’ll have his sister Meg to cheer us on along the sidelines?! I’m so pumped to have my running buddy back!

If you’re training right now, how’s it going?

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ashleyd /

Physique 57 NYC

Since moving to New York City over three years ago, I’ve made my rounds to the different bar method studios in the city. Each time a new one opens I feel the need to give it a try, especially as more and more open near Gramercy.

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Bar Method NYC Review

Core Fusion Review

Figure Four Review

Physique 57 Review

While I may try numerous different places, every single time my heart eventually leads me back to Physique 57, the very first bar class I tried back in April of 2009, when Bo was living down in the Financial District. I used to walk the mile to the Spring Street location and enjoy evening classes during my May unlimited package. During that month I took more than 15 classes and loved each and every one for the same reason: the level of instruction and attention to detail. All pictures courtesy of Well+Good.

Friday evening Well+Good NYC and Physique 57 hosted a group of bloggers for a class with the co-founder, Tanya Becker. This was such a treat as we had the opportunity to enjoy an intense workout while laughing and getting to know each other since many people were visiting the city for BlogHer. I loved sharing the class with them, especially those who questioned the light weights in the very beginning. This is definitely a high repetition class incorporating resistance training and deep stretching while working the entire body with small movements.

Even though it had been a year since I walked through the doors of Physique, as soon as I saw the familiar bar,  blue carpet, and playground balls I knew it would be a wonderful workout. While this was one of the most intense classes I’ve taken, I never once worried about injury or not “feeling a movement” as both Tanya and her assistant were circulating the class constantly, adjusting form and providing very detailed instructions.

Physique 57 and WellandGoodNYC.com bloggers event

I dare you to try one of their classes and leave without working each of your muscle groups or feeling your legs quiver. Due to the class diversity and instructors’ watchful eye this just isn’t possible. There are times when I wish I lived or worked closer to one of their New York City locations as I truly love every class I take and feel that after only one class I can feel myself standing taller and engaging my core muscles. I do not question whether I would see results equal to my personal training sessions. But, much to my wallets elation and my marathon training legs, taking regular classes just isn’t possible right now.

But, if you’re ever looking for someone to accompany you to a Physique 57 workout, just shoot me an email and I’ll be there! If you don’t think taking a class in NYC is in the cards, I can’t recommend their DVD’s enough! My favorite DVD is the Physique Arm & Ab Booster since it is only 30 minutes in length but includes 14 minutes of arm workouts that engage each and every muscle and leave my arms screaming by the end. You can read my full review here.

If you want to read more about Physique 57, check out the other review from Meghann, Caitlin, Gina, and Theodora!

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NYCM Long Run #1: First Avenue

Yesterday morning one of my favorite dates returned to my calendar, a long run with Theodora. As you may recall, we spent many miles training together last year as we each conquered our first marathon. You learn a lot about someone when you spend 18 miles running through Central Park or 15 miles exploring New York City and Brooklyn.

I was up by 6:15 to prep my CamelBak and enjoy some pre-run fuel.

IMG_3016 (640x478) I was excited to enjoy our first long run of marathon season and the hour of catching up.

IMG_3018 (640x480) Theodora met me at my place where we quickly stretched a few minutes and talked about our route. We are both tired of the West Side Highway so we chose to conquer the East River Path instead. Our initial plan was to run up the East River to the Upper East Side before heading back down towards Union Square.

Unfortunately we were met with some East Side barricades including running up the FDR on ramp by accident before having to hop over a concrete barricade. After that we were only able to progress a half mile before hitting another dead end. Come on NYC, why can’t you make the East River Path as nice as the West Side Highway? Frustrated, we headed over to First Avenue to continue our run up towards the UES.

I actually remember spending a very long 3 miles on First Avenue last November, with Melissa by my side, hating every minute. During the marathon you hit First Avenue around mile 17, right after the Queensborough Bridge, and then stay on it all the way until crossing the bridge into the Bronx.  It’s not the intimidating type of hill like a bridge or Central Park’s Harlem Hills, instead it’s a quiet gradual and consistent incline for two straight miles.

imageOnce we hit the 3.5 mile mark, we turned around and headed back down First Avenue until reaching 14th street where we cut over towards JackRabbit. IMG_3019 (640x480)

By the time we arrived we were disgusting, to say the least. We had dirt on our legs from our East River escapade and sweat everywhere else. Theodora was worried she’d get sweat in her eyes if she actually opened them.

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Only the two of us would decide to conquer a long run and then go directly to a Well+Good NYC free yoga for runners and athletes class. The second Saturday of each month, they host a free class at the Union Square and Upper East Side Jack Rabbit locations. These free classes are amazing because they specifically address the concerns of runners, cyclists, and other athletes.

IMG_3020 (640x478) By the time the class started there were six of us in attendance, enjoying an hour long class with an instructor from a local yoga studio. The small class meant that she adjusted us frequently which was a bit uncomfortable yesterday due to my sweat and stench. But, her adjustments did make me move into deeper stretches which felt amazing.

After class I ran .9 miles home to make my long run a total of 8 miles. My overall pace for the entire run came to 10:09 based on my faster last mile run home after yoga. Our pace for the 7 miles together was 10:17. While this is slower than normal it is still well within my marathon training pace and not bad considering the heat,  humidity, and gradual incline.

I used RunKeeper to track yesterday’s run with my iPhone and am overall very pleased with the output it provides.

image My goal is to try doing First Avenue again in a few weeks and see if I can improve the pace.

Question: Are you training for the NYCM or another race? How is your training going?

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