What you lookin' at?

Oh how I love Burlington. The weather today makes the months of cold, snow and ice worth the wait.

Melissa texted me this morning to see if I wanted to run Mt. Philo with her, but with the jogger I didn't think it would be a good idea. The going up part doesn't scare me as much as the coming down part. I brought a stroller up the access road once and coming down was hairy. Don't worry, Green Mountain Runner, I will tackle Mt. Philo with you. I don't think I'll kick it's butt quite like you did, but I'll try.

I suggested we run on the waterfront, but due to my miscommunication we left without her. I had intended to run about five miles, but ended up doing 7.3. It was just so perfect. I couldn't help myself.

The last couple miles were a little stop and go. Jack wanted a drink, then a snack, then I needed some water, then he threw his hat out of the jogger.

I love the Burlington bike path along the waterfront. It has a beautiful view and it is FLAT. We crossed paths with an older man on a bicycle (wearing a neon yellow vest) about two miles in and then saw him again around our mile seven. He said, "You're still going strong?!? You're awesome!" I was feeling really tired at this point but he gave me the boost to finish strong. Coming in on the waterfront on the boardwalk, a husband said to his wife, "she's really cooking." People really knew what to say to make my day. How did they know I love compliments?

For the most part, I think the Burlington bike path is a safe place to run. That being said, it was nice today because it was very crowded and I felt very safe. There are sections that are isolated and can be a little creepy if you're on your own.

I was at Barnes and Noble last week with Jack because he loves to play with the train in the kids' section. I like to grab a book to peruse while he plays and I picked up a Runners' World guide to running (I couldn't find Kara Goucher's book). The section that caught my attention was the guide to safety for women.

Some tips that stuck out for me:

1. Run in the morning. Crimes usually occur during the evening, so run in the early morning because the "bad guys" (yes, it said "bad guys") are still sleeping.

Um, seriously?

2. When approaching a male, act confident, shoulders high and make eye contact. If you look down, it shows that you are weak.

Well, I crossed paths twice today with a sketchy looking fellow. The second time, I made it a point to make eye contact with him and he said, "What are you staring at?" Not the response I was looking for.

3. Don't run in tight or revealing clothing. Wear long, loose and baggy clothing to deter men from offering lewd remarks. The "bad guys" can't see your body so they won't want to attack you, and if you wear form fitting clothing you are inviting such comments.

I seriously thought this section was completely ridiculous and outdated. I didn't check the date, but I think it was pretty recent because it addressed the use of iPods for women runners (a big no-no). What do you think about these rules?

Attempts at Being a Fashionista

Back before mommyhood, before running and yoga-ing around, I was into fashion. I put time and energy into my outfits and I truly cared what I looked like.

Today, comfort often trumps style and far too often I fall into that trap. Don't get me wrong, I still love a great pair of jeans, but usually now they're paired with clogs or flats. I'm now more interested in cute running and yoga clothes than "real life" clothes. Blow-drying my hair and straightening it suddenly isn't a priority anymore.

I always said that I would be that mom that looks so put together, but it's hard!

 

 

 

But still feel like I'm falling a little short. I just got into the skinny jean craze, and now flare and wide leg is back.

Has anyone else fallen into a fashion rut? How do you get out of it?

Paranoia

Ah, how I love running in the sunshine. Jack and I went for a five miler this morning before I had to go to work. It was very fun, counting the school buses along the way. He's really into school bused right now and got very excited every time he saw one.

I went to Bodypump last night and wore my heart rate monitor. Last week during the hour-long class I burned 350 calories, but last night I burned 250. Was I not working as hard? She used an older release last night so I'm wondering if that makes up for the difference. I took advantage of living a half mile from the gym and walked there last night (with J in the backpack).

I tend to be extremely clumsy, bumping into things and walking into walls several times a day. On Saturday I stubbed my toe and it had been hurting, but only when I pressed on the toenail. It didn't bother me while running, I think because of the big toe box on my sneakers. I have been mentally sabotaging myself, thinking the toe is broken. Thankfully it doesn't hurt at all today. This always happens close to a race for me: I become completely paranoid. Does this happen to anyone else?

April Recap

It's a little late, but here's a quick April recap:

117 miles

I was discouraged because it's not many more miles than March, but when I looked back at March I realized I made a mistake and included ten extra miles.

In April, I completed 10, 11 and 11 mile long runs. Four speed sessions, focusing on 9:00s (sometimes faster, sometimes slower) and alternated between mile repeats and tempo runs. All of the speedword was done on the treadmill.

I used the jogger a ton last month. It doesn't help with my speed, because when using it I slow down about a minute a mile, but helps with my strength and cardio endurance. Me, Jack and the jogger are going to be bffs all summer.

I managed to get in several cross-training workouts. Aside from teaching yoga, I took several yoga classes and have been consistently attending bodypump on Monday nights. All those lunges and squats really help with powering up hills.

Thank you to all my friends and family for the support and encouragement in my running. Thank you Liz and Melissa! I've met many new bloggy friends, too, and I have to say, it's been awesome. This running blogging community rocks.

I'm still working on my Middlebury Maple Run review/recap and should have it up today. I know you all are dying to read it!

Three Weeks!

2nd to last long run before the half marathon is done!

12.3 miles / 2:12:29

I did stop for water and gu around mile 7 and didn't stop my watch. I was all ready to rock out to my yoga playlist from yesterday but forgot to charge my ipod and it died about 30 minutes in.

My pacing was right on track with where I wanted to be for this long run. It felt really hard though, I think in part because I didn't get started until noon and the sun was shining and it was warm (around 60 degrees- warm is relative when you live in the tundra for half the year). My allergies were also in full bloom today and sneezing and nose running were serious issues.

Lesson learned today: sunscreen. Wear waterproof with more than SPF 15. And apply it to places other than your face. I'm burning up.

I had a great second Mothers' Day. Spent the day with family and had a great brunch and dinner. Not to get all sappy, but I feel so blessed to have been given this opportunity to be a mother. Jack is such a sweet little boy and everyday is doing something new, and can't imagine what my life would be like without him here. I am so happy to be on this ride of parenthood. It's a little crazy sometimes, but I wouldn't change it for anything.

Happy Mothers' Day to all you mamas out there!

Achoo

I am obsessed with today's yoga playlist.

I used Genius and this is what it gave me. Obsessed.

I am also currently obsessed with side plank.

Form isn't looking so hot

I love side plank and all it's variations. It works so many different muscles all at the same time. Sometimes when I'm teaching I like to hold it for a minute or more.

What am I not loving? Allergies! Ugh itchy eyes, running nose and sneezing. I was fine all day today and then this afternoon it hit me. And once I start itching my eyes I just can't stop.

Jack and I spent the night in tonight, just hanging out. I realized just in time, though, that we were out of milk. The kid loves his milk. So I put him in the backpack and we walked to the corner store.

The new workout: baby on your back and gallon of milk in your arms. Walk 1/2 mile.

Top Rack

Update: My iPhone is okay! It obviously takes me several times making the same mistake before I learn. Maybe that's why I'm always learning? You cannot use an old USB cord to update a new iPhone, it just doesn't work. I've made this mistake probably a dozen times. And today tried to fix the phone three times before I remembered what the problem was. The good news is, the phone updated before the software tried to be installed so I didn't lose anything. Phew.

Jack and I went for a nice "easy" run today.

It was hard! We took the hilly route up by the golf course.

We only had to dodge a couple runaway golf balls.

I actually love running with the jogger, but hills are extra difficult. It's harder pushing an extra fifty pounds up, but it's even harder going downhill. I was holding onto that thing for dear life, praying it doesn't get away from me. I really have to slow down going downhill.

When I used to babysit, I would always unload the dishwasher. And when the mom would come home and see what I had done, she was always so grateful. She couldn't thank me enough and I didn't understand why.

Now I do.

This is almost a daily occurance in our house. And the family I babysat for had three kids! No wonder she loved it. It's a real pain in the arse matching up all those sippy cups with their tops. They all have these weird plastic inserts so each cup has at least five pieces to it.

If I was smart, I would have stuck with one type of sippy cup so the matching up would be a little easier.

P.S. Thanks, Designer Athlete for the glass baby bottles! Yes, he's 18 months and he still uses them.

Yoga-ing in the morning- can't wait!

Did anyone see the changes made to the Vermont City Marathon course this year? What do you think? All I can say is I'm glad I'm not running the first leg- an extra 100 feet on the beltline? No, thank you!