If you read this blog regularly, you know that I am training for the Mississippi Blues Marathon on January 9 (19 days from now!). Last week, I said I was going to just get my 20 miler done this past weekend a little early, so I didn’t have to worry about doing it over the holidays. Spoiler alert: it didn’t happen.
I’ve finally cancelled my gym membership. There are just too many free running paths and too many (expensive but really, really) good boutique studios.
Even though access to the gym was unlimited, I found that when I made it there (rarely), I didn’t get as much out of it as Orangetheory or a reformer pilates class. I just sort of wandered around for 25 minutes, lifted a few weights while trying not to get in people’s way, and struggled to find something good on the TVs while stair-stepping and wishing I was outside. The yoga instructors were good, but it was hard to fit the classes in with my work schedule and even harder to motivate myself to get up early for a class I hadn’t specifically paid for. (There is always that calculus in the dark hours of the morning, when my bed is so so warm – losing the $30 I paid for my pilates class and sleeping for another hour, or sucking it up? Money is a pretty good motivator.) The barre classes at the gym were too crowded and were generally not as good as barre at Xtend Barre and Barre3. The spin instructors couldn’t keep a beat. I don’t like setting my own weights or counting my reps, so I only really like lifting with a trainer or my husband:
Now that I’ve freed up my conscience and an extra $100 each month, here are some of the great things I’m looking forward to…
This time of year, I think it’s really common to get in a little bit of a fitness rut. The start of the holiday season, some increased intensity at work, important social events, and the colder weather have all been challenges for me the past few weeks. I’ve been working out, but I haven’t made it to Orangetheory, I skipped a few longer runs, and two weeks ago I even walked to work all week instead of running. Although I’m doing well at the Tea Streak and the Vending Machine Challenge, and really haven’t had many sweet treats apart from birthday cake(s), I’ve been taking in more calories than I’m burning. (Binge eating clementines probably doesn’t help.) I can feel some of the pre-wedding weight creeping back, which I was hoping to avoid because I know that I run faster and easier, with less risk of injury, when I’m a little leaner.
This past week, I’ve been working on crawling out of the rut!
I turned 30 this week! And that’s about all I accomplished. It was a busy week at work, plus there was RAIN! And coldness! And family obligations! I could make a million excuses, but whatever. Back at it next week.
Here’s the summary…
Is the Mississippi Blues Marathon in only 6 weeks?! Time flies when you’re eating pumpkin cheesecake… or something like that.
Goals for This Past Week:
How did I do?
Turkey trot results are at the bottom, but first, a list of things for which I am thankful on this Thanksgiving.
In no particular order:
Now that I’m all emotional…
Goals for This Past Week:
How did I do?
As I mentioned last week, I was ready to start No Sugar November on Sunday. I stocked up on No-Sugar-November compliant snacks such as apples, bananas, Babybel cheeses, avocados, and some olives. But physically, I was hurting from dropping my computer on my toe on Saturday night. (I swear I am not a complete baby. I’ve run through lots of pains. But this toe thing was something else! Even putting on a shoe was tough.) Luckily the pain subsided after a few days.
Short Recap: This week was not what I would call “spectacular” from a fitness and nutrition perspective but I am not really in the mood to beat myself up about it.
Long Recap
Monday: Soulcycle
Only 10 weeks to go until the Mississippi Blues Marathon. This past week was a doozy with Orangetheory Hell Week Monday through Friday (recap here!). Lots and lots of intervals, which were part of my 5K training plan, plus some good strength training. I happily took my rest day on Saturday instead of Sunday.
Unfortunately, on Saturday evening I dropped my laptop squarely on my big toe. Yikes. Based on the amount of pain, I was questioning whether it was broken, but now I’ve decided it is just badly bruised. (I’ll spare you the picture.) As runners, we are often so scared about injuring our knees or dealing with IT band pain and shin splints. But sometimes just having butterfingers is what will thwart you!
As you probably quickly realized when reading this blog, I’ll do a lot for a commemorative t-shirt. This past week, I earned a free t-shirt and lived to blog about it by completing five days of Hell Week at my local Orangetheory studio. Here is my recap of the pain and glory.
athlettuce 