Not only is today Friday, it’s the Friday following an awesome week and it’s the Friday leading up to a mostly plan-free weekend.
Life is good, don’t you think?
This week has been great, though it’s been a total whirlwind. I was up at 4 am yesterday to catch a flight from Orlando back to NYC. I squeezed in a sweaty, disgusting mess of a run, and then spent the afternoon attempting to catch up on work.
Note: I will not actually be caught up on work things until…ever. But I’ll keep trying. My email inbox is just barely under 100 right now and I plan to keep plugging away at it in lieu of sleeping.
Continuing with the work-filled week, last night was my favorite event of the year. Despite the fact that I was completely exhausted, I was happy to put on a dress to go to the New York City Dance Alliance gala.
I don’t write about work too much on here because, honestly, I’d rather obsess over running-related things. But I will say that my favorite part of my job is watching young dancers grow over the years and seeing them turn into amazing, talented people.
Plus, the people watching is always good at these events.
In unrelated news, I’m getting “steroid face.” Though I’ve started to taper off the steroids, I can the side effects in the photos I took while I was in Florida and definitely see the dreaded “moon face” creeping in this photo. I know it’ll go away and I won’t complain because I’d rather have puffy cheeks then, well, frequent bathroom issues.
Anyway.
It was a late night and I didn’t get to bed until 12:30.
So yeah, I was super pumped when my alarm shouted in my face at 5 am today.
The main motivation to get to the gym for spinning this morning? Running the air conditioner in my apartment all the time is about to start costing me a fortune. The gym is cold and I pay the same amount every month to go there.
Win.
Things that were not a win today: taking the bus to the gym and missing my stop, forcing me to power walk a mile back north to make it to class.
Oops.
This morning’s spin class was good, though it was nothing special. I was glad I still made it there with enough time to do some ab work and have some arm fun. I don’t know why I love tricep dips so much, but I really do. They’re a good time. And they work. So go do them.
I’m also slowly starting to like the whole “getting ready at the gym” thing. Granted, I don’t put a whole lot of effort into how I look on these days, but I appreciate the speediness of getting ready when I’m not playing on the computer, watching the “Today” show or looking longingly back at my bed.
Since today is Friday, I technically only have to be at the office until 1 pm, though I’m thinking I’ll be here longer. There’s much to be done.
And then: freedom.
I couldn’t be more excited about a plan-free weekend. The only thing on my agenda is a hot running date — 15 miles! — tomorrow with Kelly, Megan and Lindsay.
I’m really excited to attempt to tackle what will be my longest distance ever. I ran 14.5 miles back in April, so this will be a new challenge. And you bet I’m up for it.
To be honest, though, beyond the initial excitement I’m a little terrified. I’m still kind of new to the whole “running with friends” thing, and these three girls are certified running badasses. They’re marathoners, track club stars and the types of girls who place in races. It’s both intimidating and motivating. I’ll take it.
And I’m going to do my best to keep up.
Coach Cane also wants me fueling during tomorrow’s run, which will be new for me. I bought a bunch of different options and haven’t decided which I’ll be going for, but hopefully whatever I try cooperates with my stomach and doesn’t send me running for the bathrooms. Though I’m kind of awesome at that.
Until then, have a fabulous Friday, everyone!
Cheers!
NOW TELL ME: Who’s running this weekend? It seems like everyone is kicking off training season for something, whether it’s a 5K, half marathon, marathon or something crazy I’ve never even heard of. Share your plans — let’s get motivated and inspired!
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Training for a half marathon in the fall, but doing a 4 mile race tomorrow night.
I use GU shots, which took some time to get used to, but settled better than the chomps or blocks. What works for one person doesn’t always work for another, so now is the time to experiment with different things and flavors. I do the vanilla and jet blackberry, but I have to be careful on the blackberry because the caffeine in it can really mess with my GI tract.
Good luck!
I’m starting my Disney Half Marathon Training, do you have any suggestions for a first half marathon training plan?
Exciting! I’m definitely not qualified myself to help you out with a training plan, but I’ve heard great things about Smart Coach on runnersworld.com. Check it out!
I’m doing anywhere between 8 – 12miles on Sunday, following a day of wine tasting Saturday haha…I’m training for the Queens Half so I should probably be doing closer to the 12miles, but I did a 10miler last week so I feel like I’m in a good place if I decide to take it a little easier 🙂
Good luck on your run!
You always put together the cutest work outfits!!!
I am so excited to run with you all tomorrow!! I promise PROMISE you will have no issues keeping up, I am just looking forward to getting in some relaxed easy miles with company. Seriously the only reason I’m pumped about waking up that early. If you need to relax the pace or stop for bathroom or anything, please please let us know…promise I am not a scary badass machine runner 🙂
I started marathon training 2 weeks ago, so this will be a low milage week still with 6 miles! But it’l slowly go up! Enjoy the long run!
What is your secret to looking so cute when getting ready at the gym?!?!
I plan on running an 8 or 9 miler this weekend, and I have my longest run ever next week!
I’m doing 7 tomorrow and 18 on sunday – wish me luck!
(7 innings of baseball, 18 holes of golf)
you have nothing to be worried about – i promise we will run between 8:45-9:00 pace tomorrow. no faster!! and if the pace *does* start creepin’ up into the fast range (which is doubtful because i have been slogging lately) – just let me know and we will slow down 🙂
you are going to crush 15 miles!!
I’m running… and biking and swimming tomorrow to complete my first ever triathlon, ahh! Good luck on your long run; I hope it’s fantastic and stomach-trouble (and just general trouble) free. 🙂
My Gu of choice is jet blackberry, just for the record! Try it!
I’m so jealous you got to meet Chelsie Hightower! I loved her “Bleeding Love” dance of SYTYCD and love her on DWTS.
I am running a 15K this week and kicking off my new attitude for my marathon training leading up to NYC. Be 100% of what you are today, no doubting, no goal too big.
Megan and Lindsay are the true badasses slash speed demons! I’m just a middle-of-the-packer hoping to get faster soon 🙂 I’m a little nervous too though, because I’m planning about 9 miles before meeting you guys and hope I won’t be dead on arrival at the engineer’s gate! BUT it will be awesome. And we can look forward to 16 Handles visit(s).
Good luck with your run!!
I’m working this weekend (ahh the life of a nurse) but I’ll be spinning and running because I’m training for my first Triathlon! huzzah! haha!
I woke up this morning had a great cross training workout at the gym. Tomorrow is a rest day for me and then Sunday morning I have 12 miles planned! Chicago marathon here I come!
I am a big fan of Gu for longer distances. It took me a long time to get used to it, but anything you were supposed to chew became a really bad idea by later in the race and also had tons of sugary flavors that upset my stomach. Good luck finding something that works well for you!
I have a race this weekend! I’m doing a race in the Trek Women’s Triathlon series! 🙂
Stumbled upon your blog the other day and really enjoy your posts/positivity. I haven’t tried shot blocks but suspect you’ll find Gu/gels the most stomach-turning. They work, and I take them, but they’re still pretty gross. I love Gu Chomps (esp watermelon), although I do feel like they don’t give you as much energy (plus they take longer to…well, chomp). I’ll be attempting an 8-10miler tomorrow (didn’t sign up for the 10k before it filled up,but am looking forward to the 4 miler next weekend!).
I have 6 planned for Sunday morning with my running girls across the Brooklyn Bridge, through Manhattan, over the Williamsburg and back down to Atlantic Terminal. I’m actually looking forward to it even though I’m a novice runner (looking forward to running? Who AM I?! It’s fabulous).
I have 7 or 8 on tap for tomorrow and hope to get it done super early and then follow it up with yoga! I haven’t decided where I’ll run since there is the race in the park. I sort of want to try the bridle path for the first time. Hmmm..
I’m running 12 miles tomorrow! Longest run before I start to taper for my half marathon in Queens at the end of the month!
10K in central park tomorrow and will run at least 2 before and 1 after to give me 9 for the day. Enjoy your long run!!
Good luck with the 15 miles! You’ll rock it!!
I’m volunteering at the 10K this weekend at Central Park, and since I have to be there @ 630, I decided to just run there. (who needs sleep, right?) I’m trying to find a creative route that will still get me atleast 4 miles in anticipation of next weeks 4 mile race, and hoping it doesn’t take me 3 years to pull it out….
Not sure where you are coming from, but if you do a loop around the reservoir and then a loop around the great lawn that will give you just over 2, plus the run to the meeting point and possibly the distances from your home to the park might give you 4 in total?
Thanks for the suggestions, Melissa! 🙂
I am in my first marathon in September and I have a long run planned for Sunday (12 miles) because tomorrow I am running/jogging a 5k with my 8 year old daughter….we hope to break her best time of 37 minutes. I love seeing her face as she sprints to the end. My 11 year old son will have been at the finish line for 10 or more minutes ….
a) if you have steroid face, you can’t tell at all. But I can relate to how awful it is. and b) I was supposed to run my first 5 mile run ever this morning but I over slept and wasn’t about to do it in this heat and humidity. So looks like I’m going to be up early to do it tomorrow. This is the longest I’ve ever attempted, so I’m kind of nervous :
Damn, girl! 15 miles!! I have no doubt you will rock it!
I have a half-marathon coming up on August 13th in Colorado – VERY excited about that. And I’m also now in official marathon training mode in anticipation for Rock ‘n’ Roll Savannah on November 2nd. This week kicked off week one one of a 16-week plan, so I’m pretty stoked.
Except it’s entirely too hot and humid here…which I hate. A lot.
I have an 8 mile run planned for Sunday. It’s my first official “long run” for NYC marathon training. Tomorrow is my little sister’s baby shower that I planned, so Sunday I should feel a weight lifted off my back and be able to enjoy my run. Enjoy your plan-free weekend!! I swear those are th best kind.
I am just starting to be okay with getting ready at the gym! I used to dread it and never go to the gym befre work.. but once I actually did it, I found out it wasn’t so bad!
No races or anything for me.. going to the Yankee game tonight hoping to see Jeter’s 3000th hit! And hoping to get a long run in either Saturday or Sunday morning!
You look great today! When I have to get ready at the gym I actually do look bad, you have no idea. I agree on how much quicker the getting ready process is though.
I’m running the 10K tomorrow (my first race since my injury!) and I plan to do 2 slow miles before as well since I need to get in 8. Good luck on your 15 — that is crazy! It will also be me pretty soon. I can’t believe you’ve never fueled. I recommend trying coconut water in your water bottle too. (And I am a fan of shot blocks). Hope it goes well!
I agree on the shot blocks 🙂
Q on the shot blocks: How do you store them? I want to buy a box to last me several weeks (would prob only use on the Saturday long runs). Do you freeze/refrigerate them?
I agree on the shot blocks, the jelly beans are good too. Wish I could do coconut water because I’ve heard it’s great for hydration, but the taste makes me gag. Also recommend Vitamin water!