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Rocking the Solo Long Run

While running with Theodora is always fun, sometimes it’s great to get out and enjoy the fresh air alone. It allows for day dreaming, random running paths that are chosen at a moment’s desire, and singing along to a great playlist.

Even though I enjoyed my normal pre-run breakfast at 9am, I didn’t make it out the door until past 10!

IMG_0831 (800x598) (640x478) The next hour was spent cleaning, debating what to wear, and organizing the house.

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Since the weather was sunny but still a tad cool (41 degrees) when I started I opted for the following outfit:

  • Champion Sports Bra
  • ING Marathon Aasics long sleeve technical t-shirt
  • ING Marathon windbreaker
  • Lululemon crop pants
  • Lululemon headband

It was the perfect outfit until around mile 8 when the sunshine was out and the temperature had reached almost 50 degrees!

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I left the house with one goal in mind: stay as close as possible to my half marathon goal pace for the entire run.

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It was absolutely gorgeous out as you can tell from some of today’s pictures! I was definitely all smiles for the first five miles of the run!

IMG_0840 (800x598) (640x478)Seeing the view above reminded me of the last mile of the marathon!          IMG_0847 (800x598) (640x478)

By the time I reached the resevoir my legs were screaming at me. IMG_0849 (640x480) (640x480)

I didn’t realize my upper hamstring/glutes were so tight.  I suppose that is what a return to spinning will do! I took a 5 minute break for fuel, water, and a few downward dogs.

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I left the park around mile 8.5, ready for a quick run DOWN Murray Hill and midtown. But, before I could escape the park area I had to capture a few more pictures of the crazy things one sees when visiting the park.   IMG_0860 (598x800) (478x640) IMG_0859 (800x598) (640x478)

The daffodils have broken ground which means Spring has arrived! Between my allergies, the number of people in the park today, the green grass, and birds it is clear that Spring has arrived in New York City!

Since my last mile was my fastest of the day, the run home felt like nothing! But, I did spend the last few minutes dreaming of a massage, a much needed yoga class, and cleaning my Camel Bak. Oh yes, you read that right, I haven’t cleaned my Camel Bak with anything stronger than water since I bought it back in July.

10.18 miles done in 1:43! If I can keep this pace in the half, I’ll be able to reach my goal!

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But, after stretching, that was the first thing on my to-do list! I bought this cleaning kit from Amazon and was very pleased with it! The dark gunk quickly dissolved and my CamelBak is now fresh and clean!

After the cleaning session, my stomach was growling. I finally enjoyed one of Caitlin’s amazing grilled banana sandwiches!

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After a quick shower I’m heading to the grocery store to buy the ingredients for tomorrow’s brunch! I have a lot to do this afternoon so I better get moving in fast gear!

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ashleyd /

The Perfect Friday

 

Every now and then you have one of those days that are so wonderful, you just can’t stop pinching yourself. Yesterday was definitely one of them!

Earlier in the week I had decided that after weeks of long hours, I was in need of a Friday half day. This would give me the chance to enjoy a special event with some other bloggers (more to come later), finish my long run for the week, and enjoy some pampering at Bliss.

Theodora nor I knew what to eat for lunch that would be filling, gentle on our stomachs, while fueling us for our run a few hours later. I’m so accustomed to early morning runs that are fueled with peanut butter and banana. It is hard to find this option in Pax , Pret, or Toasties and I only had 5 minutes to grab lunch.

I settled on a ham Pressata from Pax minus the cheese. When I returned to my desk I realized that the sandwich wasn’t ham and tomato alone as I’d requested. Instead, there was a small piece of cheese that added some delicious melted goodness.

IMG_0729 Within an hour I regretted this decision. Even though the caloric information said it was only 515 calories, including the cheese, it was far richer than my stomach is accustomed to digesting. Luckily, by the time I arrived at Theodora’s apartment, 3 hours later, I was feeling better.

We hung out watching The Ellen DeGeneres show while catching up. It would have been easy to forget about our long run and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing. But, luckily, after this tweet we decided to continue catching up on foot during our run.

imageGetting out of the house was the best decision ever! We didn’t put any pressure on ourselves, instead promising that we’d run until we wanted to turn around even if it was only 3 miles.

Our only stop during the run was at our turn around point, approx 4 miles up the Hudson River.

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By the end of our run we had logged 9 miles at a decent pace while also finding redemption in a good run after a few less than stellar runs this week and last.

Our fun wasn’t done though! After the fastest stretching session ever, we hustled back to midtown for an evening of pampering and dinner with Bo. We redeemed our birthday gift cards at Bliss 49 while enjoying a manicure and pedicure. IMG_0750

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The spa lived up to it’s name but by the end Theodora and I were quickly becoming Hangry Pants.

Bo rescued us and quickly persuaded us to enjoy Dos Caminos for dinner. Actually, this didn’t take much persuaded especially since it was only a few blocks away.

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I enjoyed the ceviche trio for dinner which was the perfect size after enjoying a few chips and guacamole.

Can every Friday please be like yesterday?

Question: What is your favorite entree at a Mexican restaurant?

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Why I Love Running with Friends

Today was not the 10 miles it was supposed to be. 

IMG_0597I was excited to run with Theodora, Melissa, and possibly Ali today while we caught up on all the week’s events. I enjoyed my favorite four mushroom thin crust pizza from Vezzo last night while relaxing. IMG_0593I cleaned out my Camelbak which hadn’t been used since the marathon. I even enjoyed 8 hours of sleep AND put my clothes out last night before bed.

This morning I tried to eat a banana, peanut butter sandwich but I couldn’t finish it for some reason. Regardless, I was excited and ready to chat my way through 10 miles with Theodora, as Melissa ended up postponing her run. It felt like marathon training season all over again!    IMG_0595Though we were both in great spirits and the weather was gorgeous, the run was rough for miles 3 through 8. As we were weaving through the outskirts of Chinatown, making our way towards the East River path, Theodora found one of the only ice patches left in the city. Her fall sent both of us flying while knocking a huge city trash can into the middle of the street. Instead of helping, the bystanders just snickered. For a split second, I thought I’d lost my running buddy. Thankful that neither of us were injured more than a scrape and a bruise, we continued running; vowing to finish the mileage together. But, the wind coming off the water today made it feel like we were moving in place. Our splits went from around a 9:45 to a 10:15 for these middle miles.

As you can see, we had enough fun to smile, continue chatting, and snap a few pictures.  IMG_0598 IMG_0599

Are we done yet? This wind is about to blow me over!

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Yay, we finally see buildings near Theodora’s; that must mean we’re close!  IMG_0601 (800x598) IMG_0602 (800x598)

I took a rest break at Theodora’s apartment which allowed for plenty of Bailey time!

 IMG_0604 (800x598) IMG_0609 (800x598) All too soon, it was time for me to head back into the cold ready to sprint home. Since Theodora had sprinted 1.5 miles to my house this morning we ended at her apartment when my Garmin only read 8.75 miles. Therefore, in order to have the “same” run, I needed to run home to finish my 10.5 miles.

I kissed her views and Bailey goodbye one last time before heading out into the wind.

IMG_0612 (640x480)IMG_0615 (800x598) IMG_0614 (800x598) The break did my body good as the last mile and half home were two of my fastest miles of the day, around a 9:13 pace. IMG_0613 (640x480)

One sweaty and windburn face later, I remembered why I love running with friends.

They keep you going when you want to stop, they make you laugh during the worst miles, the constant conversation makes even the toughest miles fly, their apartments are perfect bathroom breaks, they are there to help you up when you go flying on ice or over a trash can, and they get really upset when random Chinatown people snicker at you!

Now, if you don’t mind I have a long lovely bath to enjoy and a huge bowl of post run cereal and milk.

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