massage needed

Training Week 8: Niagara Falls International Marathon

- Mel

Week 8 was an OK training week! I know that this upcoming week is going to be hit-or-miss what with traveling and finals. I also realized that my scheduled 5K is on SATURDAY (not Sunday), and I have my final presentation an hour later, so I’ll probably be too stressed to run it. *sigh* In any event, I look forward to taking some run-selfies in Toronto this week. (God, I hope it’s not 80+ degrees!)

MONDAY: Rest Day

TUESDAY: I experienced technical difficulties in between my MapMyRun and my Garmin. My stupid watch wouldn’t connect to GPS (again!) downtown, so I ran around for a half mile or so to the Point in hopes of connecting. I did the reverse loop from the Point over the Ft. Pitt Bridge and over through the South Side trail, back up Smithfield and through downtown again. MMR also logged me doing a 4-minute mile swim over the Allegheny again, so… I guess I’m going to start pausing my workout when I run around the Convention Center.

Anyways, one app tracked me at 6.06 miles, the other at 4.5; I split the difference and figured I ran somewhere around 5 miles.

lululemon running tank pink
Sweating it out in my awesome new lululemon top — a gift from my run club buddy for my 5K PR. *love* (see also: cat photo bomb)

WEDNESDAY: Weekly workout with run//yoga club — 3.2 hot, slow, and sweaty miles and 75 minutes of hot and sweaty (and not slow) yoga, with an added emphasis on heart openers. This was probably my favorite practice so far with Megan at Urban Elements.

THURSDAY: Extra rest day (since I had to work a 12-hour day, oof)

FRIDAY: Liberty Mile! And yep, only that one mile. Once again, no connectivity with my Garmin, so I had NO pacing function. Recap of this race to post this week!

SATURDAY: I was really getting that urge to run again today, but I decided that resting for Sunday’s long run was more important. I did get a massage in the morning, which was overdue and much-needed.

SUNDAY: Run 9 miles Kind of run 10.01 miles. Admittedly, this was a TOUGH run. I waited until late afternoon, where the heat index was still somewhere in the mid-80s and felt like my shoes were melting on the pavement. I took several walk breaks, and went out too far on the South Side trail. And, well, by the time I was downtown, I was still a mile away from home. I kind of run-walked that last bit only because I was going to pass out if I stopped (and I seriously contemplated calling the boyfriend to come get me).

Total runs: 4
Total weekly miles: 19.21
Total training miles: 92.01

Training Week 4: Niagara Falls International Marathon

- Mel

The most important WIN from this week is that I did all four of my scheduled runs. They weren’t fast or pretty and one was a mile short, but I went out there (in this humidity, ugh) and did it.

MONDAY: Active rest day: foam rolled with a new app, called simply Foam Rolling, that targets areas for runners. The app is great! There are instructional videos, sport specific “exercises” and timers for each release. Today I also had a few bonus miles by walking to/from work.

TUESDAY: Run 2.06 miles at 9:06/mi pace (yay?) The plan was for three, but there was a heavy thundering in the air that provoked me to run straight home. I followed up with some upper body work with weights at home. Also, walked to/from work today.

saucony shoes run club pittsburgh
Saucony Party!

WEDNESDAY: Lunchtime restorative yoga for an hour, then run//yoga//run club at Urban Elements after work. We did 3.06 miles at 9:47/mi pace and 75 minutes of hot yoga. I didn’t feel strong today at ALL and found myself not being able to keep up in the flow much, which was disappointing, but… meh. The instructor did a LOT of core-based movements too. I also walked to/from work/yoga studio today.

THURSDAY: Rest day; walked to the hair salon from work which is a little bit further than my normal walk home (boyfriend was nice and dropped me off before he went to golf for the morning).

FRIDAY: NO WORK, NO EXERCISE. FREAK OUT ABOUT FINISHING PROSPECTUS. [repeat] I have no excuses for not running, other than I was just plain tired and decided to listen to my body. I moved this run to Saturday morning.

SATURDAY: Ran 3 miles at 9:43/mi pace and then did some core work at home.

SUNDAY: This week dropped back into a foundation week, so no “long” run today (I move up to 7 miles next weekend!). I completed 4 miles at an average 10:44/mi pace — another hot and muggy day AND IS IT OVER YET. I scheduled a 90-minute massage for the afternoon, and let me tell you: BEST. DECISION. EVER. Not only has my shoulder felt messed up all week (yay, sleeping injury!), but when he got to my feet, I was in 7 minutes of pure heaven.

I’ve probably talked about this here before, but getting a monthly massage is part of keeping my body healthy and I consider it my physical therapy. Admittedly, I don’t stretch as much as I should, so I get deep tissue or sports-specific massages and it REALLY helps my muscles relax.

Weekly Runs: 4
Weekly Miles: 12.12 miles
Total Training Miles: 36.07 miles
*Walking miles from commute not included in mile totals

Weekly Therapy: take a picture, it’ll last longer

- Mel

the week:
My main goal this week was to get a massage. Of course, my usual therapist is on vacation, so I scheduled a late-Tuesday appointment with another lady in the office. I’ve been stretching and rolling and walking and generally still feel pretty crappy. Considering I don’t normally feel soreness after my runs, this is giving me major anxiety about the half marathon in a couple weeks.

More Cherry Blossom pictures!
More Cherry Blossom pictures!

weekend:
Boyfriend and I have ballet tickets for La Bayadere tonight; otherwise, Holy moly, I don’t have anywhere to go or be, and I’m going to keep it that way. (Naturally, there will be homework.)

52 books in 52 weeks:
#13: Finding Ultra by Rich Roll — if only for this passage, but for so much, much more:

“Surrender is a beautiful movement in which you gracefully, willfully, languidly fall, only to find midway that you have been gathered in some unimaginable embrace. Surrender is letting go, whether or not you believe the embrace will occur. It’s trust to the hundredth power — not sticking to your idea of the outcome, but letting go in the faith that even the absence of an outcome will be the perfect solution.”

The first Rich Roll podcast I listened to, I was immediately drawn to him (and his voice provokes some sort of meditative trance). Of course I had to read his book. I don’t think I’ve ever been more affected so soulfully by someone’s story to find my own meaning and what I am capable of — this book has transformed so much of my thinking. Some chapters I found myself unable to breathe; some weird empathetic response? No clue. But something in me has changed.

seven things, seven days:
1. THIS APP >>>>> Disposable Camera.
2. Decision Fatigue: The struggle is real, 30-somethings.
3. Thinking about (planning!) a 30-day challenge for after the half AND a 100 Day Project.
4. Made a MAJOR splurge for one of those special edition PopSugar MustHave boxes. Aaaaand I’m now on a spending freeze.
5. Last week of Social Sciences research! I really wish I had the time and opportunity in this class to do a content analysis. Another day, another course possibly.
6. A fascinating series The Ten Today, referencing the Ten Commandments of modern society, the “Thou Shalt Not Covet” article about money and its connection to happiness is mostly old news — but goes deeper about what DOES buy happiness. {via Deseret News National}
7. In the essence of savoring the moment, Stop Multitasking. {via Entrepreneur}

Weekly Therapy: “it’s not a 15-foot inflatable Rudolph, but it will do.”

- Mel

the week:
I honestly don’t know how I’m surviving this week. I am beyond exhausted after working six days straight, with events two nights in a row; now, an interview and finishing up final papers to wrap up my last class for the semester.

That two week winter school break is right within reach…

weekend:
Looking forward to three days off in a row! You bet I scheduled a 90-minute massage for my weekend.

We’re also going ice skating at PPG Place with two other couples, and attending an eggnog party Saturday night (making a gluten-free eggnog cupcake to bring!). I plan to get a couple fun runs in too — one with some derby friends and another with SCRR.

PS: for the BEST eggnog recipe, I use go by the Velvet Tango Room standard.

seven things, seven days:
1. Finishing up some Christmas shopping, but mostly finished. Bah humbug, give me a hamburger or something.
2. Our last Happiness Conspiracy was Wednesday night, and it was bittersweet. You should definitely consider signing up for the next set of workshops! This experience — and the connections — was so valuable to me. Psssst, there’s an early bird special discount code until 12/31/14!
3. One of the cats already peed on the tree skirt. I GIVE UP!
4. The holiday run for Fleet Feet downtown was SO MUCH FUN. I need more nighttime social runs in my life.
5. Still waiting for my Stats final exam grade. Don’t make me all caps something else…
6. A really amazing write-up about roller derby — and the awesome Fisti Cuffs. {via Medium}
7. The secret to learning while you are distracted {via PsyBlog}. I think I mastered this growing up the eldest of 7 children.

Weekly Therapy: excuses and mulligans.

- Mel

the week:
So, I didn’t run the virtual Christmas Story 10k last weekend. I really wanted to, but it was raining in Buffalo. I had all my winter running stuff, but was not prepared for running 6+ miles wet. And then it didn’t stop raining in Pittsburgh, but after doing some Christmas shopping, I was flat-out exhausted. I’m hoping to get a run in this week, but, you know, FINALS WEEK. I will try not to beat myself up too bad for not really doing much else outside of homework and studying.

I did eventually run my 10k this week, so more on that in a later post!

weekend:
FINALS! And a handful of holiday parties (that I’ll probably end up canceling on account of exhaustion). And working.

seven things, seven days:
1. If this isn’t a week for a massage, I don’t know what is.
2. I participated in an #instabestie gift exchange, and I was so pumped to shop for my unknown “bestie.” It’s all based on personal Instagram account, so it will be interesting what my shopper gleans from my photos. Also, we had a minimum charity gift as part of the exchange, which added more holiday cheer to the experience.
3. Oooh, my first full-time paycheck from my new position!
4. Booo, working 6 days in a row!
5. I did FRAN this week at CrossFit. HOLY CRAP.
6. And I booked a derby camp IN AUSTIN at the end of February. (YAY!)
7. I really enjoyed this list (I fell for the bait!): Alas, 7 Morning Rituals to Empower Your Day {via LifeHack}

2014 Resolutions & Intentions

- Mel

IN WITH THE NEW

The big BUT: take the word “but” out of the conversation; replace with “and” when necessary. Work on everyday conversational language skills.

Procrastination, full stop: I need to get my shit together. And I need to stop overdrawing my checking account. I mean, I HAVE the money in my other account, and I just have to transfer it over, but… well, I’ve just felt like an irresponsible mess. It’s bad enough that I’m making nowhere near the salary that I did five years ago… ugh, just GET IT TOGETHER.

30-something problems: My self confidence has taken a nose dive this year on account of aging (and its associated havoc wrecked on my face) and not being able to find a job. Both have seriously made me feel worthless — as a woman and as a partner. I’M TRYING SO HARD, and I basically feel like a failure at life. The job market is tough right now — especially for someone at my age without a completed bachelors degree. School was obviously the next step, and I’m enrolled, and I have a plan, and graduation is within a two-year reach. So… breathe? I’m also meeting with a friend in a couple weeks who works with dermatologists to discuss some options (she seemingly knows everything about skincare and she’s a fantastic make-up artist) AND was referred a new dermatologist office (one that has all the new technology for face fixin’). It’s not like I don’t have plans, but lack of full-time income really does hold me back.

Let’s get cooking: Stop making excuses in the kitchen. Oh, I have many: I don’t know how, everything I make tastes like crap, I have no time, bones are gross, I hate doing dishes (I really just hate messes in general — even when the boyfriend is cooking)… I just don’t want to cook. Welp, this is going nowhere fast, see? Then I read about Feast from Summer Tomato. The 30-day “cooking bootcamp” with Feast includes online classes that teach the fundamentals and how to enjoy being in the kitchen. Yes, this will be one of my 30-day Challenges for 2014!

Me Time: Get more massages. Seriously. I need to start taking care of ME. My body is just miserable with knots and sore muscles — it truly is much needed therapy when you play a sport like I do.

In pants we trust: Find a pair of pants that fit. Last fall I had a complete breakdown in my closet, and subsequently had to rid it of at least 15 pairs of bottoms. As my glutes and hams continue to grow (I’m not mad!), I’m now busting out of the pants that remained. I have a problem with tights too, so generally dresses are out, at least for this time of year. The last 5 skirts I purchased needed serious tailoring to fit my shape (short, muscular people problems?). Regardless, I’m just a pants person. So help me, I’ll find a tailor and have pants made for me, if I have to!

What goals or resolutions are you setting for yourself this year?