Thinking Out Loud : Training Thoughts and Pilates Fest

Hi everyone and happy Friday Eve Thursday!  I'm joining Amanda, as usual, for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.  Instead of having a structured theme like usual, I decided to fully embrace the idea of the link-up and just share what's going on in my life and mind lately!

1

I've been taking it very easy since my half marathon on Sunday.  I talked about the horrible pain I had in my leg, and it's getting a lot better.  I still have some stiffness when I wake up, but walking and foam rolling is really helping!  The (FREE!!) race photos came out, and you can see the pain here!  Not quite as cute as the picture my mom took towards the end of the race!


On Monday, I went to the Humane Society with my mom to walk some dogs, and I think that helped a ton.  The longer I walked, the better my leg felt! I also have been trying to walk more while I'm at work- getting up at lunch time and walking to the Point and back is so nice.  I love how small Pittsburgh's downtown is!

I also went to group Centergy at my gym on Tuesday.  Some of the moves and stretches really hurt and made me realize how tight my legs were, so I took it nice and easy.  All that stretching helped and I'm going to take another yoga class this weekend.

 2

Speaking of yoga, I wanted to share an awesome event happening this weekend in the Pittsburgh area.  On Sunday at the Keystone Health Club, there is a free Pilates Fest- picture tons of fun classes to try out as well as a pancake bar, massage therapist and vendors.  The event is completely free, but any donations benefit the Women's Shelter and Center of Greater Pittsburgh!

Source: http://www.pilatesfest.com/


The idea is for people who are intimidated about trying new workouts (umm...ME) to experience different classes for free, or just simply observe and ask questions.  There are so many options to try- from Bokwa to PiYo and Yoga- and I can't wait to try them all, especially because each class is only 30 minutes long!  Here is some more information if you're interested.

 3

I'm already getting excited for my next training cycle to begin.  I feel like I already have a solid(ish) base, and need to keep building on to that and improving my long runs.  I'm going to take it easy the rest of the month of June, but starting in July will hit training hard.  My "goal race" will either be at the end of September or the beginning of October (still deciding which race I want to do), as well as a few shorter races the rest of the summer.  

Can't wait for morning runs again!
I found an intense training schedule specifically targeted for a sub 2-hour half marathon.  I think this will really help me feel more confident and push myself a bit more!  Every race that I've done, I have used the Hal Higdon half marathon plan, and I never feel ready when it's race time.  I'm switching it up this time around and I hope it'll help out!

4

On a completely different topic, did anyone watch the French Open?  I'm really happy for Serena, who won despite having a fever and not being able to get out of bed the day before the finals.  I'm SO disappointed for Novak Djokovic though.  Not only did he beat the "King of the Clay" Nadal in quarter-finals, but had an emotional roller-coaster win against Murray in the semifinals which lasted two days!  The French Open is the only Grand Slam he hasn't won, so it must have been really tough to get so close and then lose in the finals.  On the bright side, Wimbledon starts in just a few weeks!

5

I mentioned last week that the Mizuno Wave Inspires didn't work for me, and I exchanged them for the new Brooks Pureflow 4's. I think I might love them even more than the 3! They feel so amazing, and after I wear them more I'll be sure to write a review! 

What are you thinking about today??

Comments

  1. Those leg muscles though. Get it, girl!

    I felt sorry for Djokovic too, but did you see him congratulate Wawrinka at the end!? He's such a great guy!

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    1. Haha thank you! He does seem like SUCH a nice guy...that's why I always have to cheer for him!

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  2. Ow. Sorry to hear about your leg pain, girl! But I'm glad that it's getting better. Pretty amazing how walking and foam rolling help with that, even though I have a love/hate relationship with foam rolling and seriously hate my life whenever I'm doing it lol. And I love that you volunteer at the humane society. I used to do that when I was younger, and I seriously loved it.

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    1. Thanks Amanda! I hate/love the foam roller as well, but it seems like the more I do it the less it hurts (or I just get used to it!). Volunteering is the best, mostly because it introduced me to Selma!

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  3. Stretching is great for recovery, but I don't do yoga as much as I should. I'll get it in my schedule, then I'll drop it, and repeat.

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    1. I do it so much more in the summer because Pittsburgh has so many free classes! I should probably keep it up in the winter as well, but I just do my centergy classes :)

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  4. I can't live without my foam roller! What plan are you using to sub 2? I haven't had much success with HH either.

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    1. I'll be posting more details soon about my plan, but it's based on this one: http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/racing/rws-10-week-sub-150-half-marathon-schedules/97.html

      It's actually for 1:50, but I really liked how it was structured and will just adapt it for myself!

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  5. I am totally thinking about the weekend and how much I'm looking forward to relaxing and spending time getting my life back together haha. I love to do a lot of downward dogs and foam rolling after a race. Also epsom salt baths are the best for recovery!

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    1. Downward dog = amazing! Selma loves to join in on that pose as well haha! Epsom salt baths are the best!

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  6. Great muscles in those stems! I'm glad your leg is starting to feel better.

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  7. Walking shelter dogs is just good karma. :) Course I got 2 of my own (both rescues) to walk. And feed, and brush, and clip claws . . .

    I love Brooks, too, although of course I keep trying other brands. I still run in my Pureflow 2s sometimes!

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    1. That's where we found Selma! I don't go quite as much as I used to before we got her, but try to walk at least once a week! Having a dog is a lot of work! I also try other brands but keep going back to Brooks. First love never goes away :)

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  8. Glad to hear your leg is getting better!! I watched only one match during the French Open - wish I could've watched more.

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    1. Thank you! Feeling much better :) I only got to watch a few matches as well (stupid time difference and work!) but I'm hoping to catch more of Wimbledon and of course the US Open!

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