I feel accomplished this past week. Here goes a completely random update:

I woke up early to workout on Wednesday
I definitely surprised myself by getting out of bed when my alarm went off a little after 6:15AM (I actually don’t know what time my alarm is set to because I had to have one of these “fancy” non-digital clocks so I can feel grown up!). I signed up for a barre class so I knew that if I missed it, I would be upset with myself for wasting a pretty expensive session.

I completed a tempo run on Thursday
I liked the feeling of accomplishment so much after my intervals in Florida that I decided on a tempo run but on a treadmill on Thursday. I ran a 12-minute warmup followed by a 36-minute tempo run at half-marathon pace (random number so I could get to the full 60 minutes that the treadmill will allow me) and then a 12-minute cool down.

I am starting to really hate the treadmill, especially for long(er) runs
The treadmill and I have always had a love-hate relationship. On Saturday, I really wanted to tackle 10 miles, again no reason why except that I wanted to get into double digits. My stride felt off, my shorts (though these were one of my favorites) kept riding up, and overall, I just felt sluggish and only managed a little over 7 miles. Though I like snow days so I can work from home, I am really tired of this cold and would like to be able to run outside again.

I ran a 5K on Sunday
On Sunday, I met up with a couple of teammates and we ran the Washington Heights Salsa, Blues, and Shamrocks 5K. I didn’t race it; I actually ran it slower than I did last year. Because of the darn snow, there were still patches of snow/ice on the road and potholes everywhere. Also, it was super crowded and I think I spent the two full miles zig-zagging and dodging people. However, it is still a favorite course as it goes through Fort Tyron Park and the Cloisters all overlooking the Hudson River.

Josh attempting to save me half of each cookie at our friends’ apartment

I had a very social last week
I ate dinner or ran with so many friends in the last week. It really reminds me of how lucky I am. I am lucky for all the friends I meet through all different walks of life whether it is from previous jobs, current job, middle school, friends of friends, or running friends. They are all awesome people and even if we don’t see each other all the time, when we meet up, it’s as if no time has passed. Also, on the social front, Josh and I went to see Machinal on Broadway right before it closed. We’re don’t go to shows often, but in the last two weeks we’ve seen two shows, this one and Dinner with Friends. Both are excellent, about relationships, and really makes you think. I highly recommend Roundabout Theater Company productions.

I made some key running decisions this weekend
After going back and forth for a couple of weeks, I decided to run the Long Branch Half Marathon (now I just need to sign up). I was originally thinking about the full since one of my friends is signed up for it but due to injury, she’ll likely end up running the half so I decided to join her. I also honestly don’t think I am ready to race a marathon with less than two months of training. It seems like a smarter idea to focus training on a half marathon. I’ll have two chances at that distance – this one at the end of April and then the Brooklyn Half Marathon in mid-May. I’m also excited for the Long Branch Half because I ran the full last year so I know the course and since my cousin is running the full there, I’ll hopefully get to cheer her on afterwards. Since I won’t be running a spring marathon, I am really considering running one (or two) this fall. I am still deciding which ones though.

Dove dark chocolates are better than fortune cookies! This was my “fortune” today and it totally inspired me.

I am taking swimming lessons starting next week
Along the making decisions front, I finally decided to sign up for the swim lessons that I’ve been thinking about for the last couple of weeks. I’ve taken swim lessons before and I really stink at it. My real issue is that I cannot breathe right with each stroke so I sink. More to come on how I do and what I think of the lessons. If I can get my act together, maybe I’ll have a triathlon in my future. Ha, wishful thinking (for now at least)!

Enough of my random rambling update. How was your weekend? Any big decisions made recently?

I’ve been so indecisive about whether or not I should sign up for a spring marathon (likely, if I do, it will be the New Jersey Marathon, which I ran last year), the New York City Marathon, or another race all together. I am registered for a couple of shorter distance races in March and April, and then the Brooklyn Half Marathon in May. However, I can’t bring myself to setting a routine or training schedule for the half. I sound completely ridiculous but it doesn’t feel right training for a half; in part because my goal after the marathon in November was to stay in shape enough to be able to run a half if I wanted to. I know full well though that if I want to PR in any race though, I better get my act together and actually focus on technical runs.

So even though I am not “really” training for anything specific, I decided last week that I need to stick to a training routine of some sort. Even though I consistently exercise between 5-6 times a week, I don’t stick to any real sort of mileage plan. I also decided last week that I should work on trying to get some of my workouts in before work. Inspired by a tweet I read, I downloaded the book, What The Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast by Linda Vanderkam. I figured I needed the inspiration. It was such a fast read that I finished it in 30 minutes on the plane ride to Florida. While tonight will be the first night I attempt the going to bed earlier and tomorrow morning, I am signed up for a barre class to hopefully encourage me to get in the routine, we’ll see if I can stick to this plan. The book though did call a good evaluation on things that you take time doing at night (like watching TV in our case and eating dinner late because of work schedules) and in the morning (for now, I wake up, lie in bed reading my emails and scanning Facebook and Twitter, make and eat breakfast, catch up on some light reading – either the WSJ and or some blogs, shower and get ready for work). I’d like to see how I do this week with the morning workout plan and evaluate my evening and morning habits as necessary.

Also, in my attempt to “train” for something, I was prepared tackle some good distance running while in Florida for work. I figured with the warmer weather, I could get in an longer run and then an easier run. However, I only managed an easier run one day, as a result, I decided on the second day to work on my speed. I can’t remember the last time I ran a speed workout (maybe a tempo run in October?). I ran a nice easy warmup of roughly 1.7 miles to this nice lake, cove, not sure what you call it – a small body of water that is about 500 meters right by where I was staying, ran 5K pace around the lake 4 times with a recovery lap in between each one. Then I ran the shorter way back for a cool down. It was nice and hard to get my heart rate up. My legs weren’t feeling as tired as my breathing, so definitely a sure sign I need to get the heart rate more often.

I noticed while in Florida though that my legs felt heavier than they have been up north. Even though I am wearing less clothes in Florida, I felt generally heavier. My strides didn’t feel as easy or comfortable and neither did my breathing. I blame part of that on my body’s stark adjustment from the frigid polar vortex temperatures to the balmy, humid near summer weather but I am wondering despite all of my complaining if I am more a cooler weather runner (notice my choice of words – cooler, not colder)?!?!?

Anyway, enough of my ranting for the day. I am off soon to attempt a recovery run outside in the brisk high 20s back here in the north and hopefully plan for a efficient evening so I can wake up up for my barre class tomorrow. I have a couple of after work events the rest of the week so I look forward to updating you on how I do with my morning workout routine.