So, when working towards a goal, it's nice to see what sort of progress you're making, right? I have zero patience, I expect immediate results/instant gratification with everything (you name it) so, for me, knowing that I want to be XX big and YY strong, I need to tracks progress as I go, knowing I'm going in the right direction and taking the right steps.
So I have been weight lifting on the regular (six days a week) since the first week of July. Before that, after the marathon, I total break from running, in order to heal, and set my sights on getting strong. A friend connected with me on Facebook and we became workout buddies and this has been awesome!
Note that I didn't get "serious" with this until July. I was waiting for my leg to heal and I had a lot of other things happening, most importantly, preparing for Lizzie's departuretk Germany (she has been there for 4 months, only 10 months to go!) and figuring out my schedule/priorities.
Today I am very happy to lift six days a week, one body part a day, and watching what unfolds. Each workout with L is around 45 minutes. There's some HIIT in the form of complexes/bike sprints but basically zero cardio. And, hello, I am coming from months of running, on average, 25 miles a week!
Today, as they say in the Planet Fitness world, "I lift things up, I put them down." And I love it.
So! Back to progress. It's there. I have photos to prove it.
Lets just say that I am SUPER excited about this and can't wait to see what's to come!
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Marathon weekend recap
Hey everyone!
I know it has been a million years since I last posted and a lot has happened. I began this blog to track my training for the Lansing Marathon in April of 2012. I began in November (I think) and, by March, I was feeling pretty good. I did all my long runs (best one was 20 miles!) and my endurance was amazing!
But I didn't run the Marathon. I got injured! I mean, j injured myself. How? The usual culprits: overtraining, under-stretching and, well, basically ignoring a lot of good advice. So what ended up happening was that I pulled (and I mean pulled in italics and bold) the very origin of my hamstring. I did this approximately two weeks before the Race and tried to ignore the pain.
But I couldn't! I am not kidding.. I struggled with every step to walk. I was limping, ice didn't really help and forget standing up from sitting down. I felt like the top of my leg was on fire. At one point I was going on a short training jog with a friend and had to stop at less than one mile. I actuay had to crawl off of the path in Prospect Park and rested/cried a little bit as I waited for the pain to subside.
So... Five days before the Marathon I decided that I just couldn't run the thing. But I was going to gk to Micjigan anyway because, of course, I had a lot more than running 26.2 miles to look forward to! My family, the All Saints Coffeehouse and my family! Lizzie couldn't go with me because she had to be in DC but I took her awesomeness with me.
Long story short? So the first thing I did when I saw each of my parents was cry about missing the marathon. Everyone was so incredibly supportive during the entire training months (even in the dead of winter and Lizzie, you were/are spectacular!) and especially when I told them I wasn't running. Thank you, everyone. Your support means so much!
So the Marathon weekend carried on with Friday night Coffeehouse at All Saints, organized for the third (I think!) year by my Dad. Lisa was in town (hurrah!) but heather had to work.
Or so I thought!
I went up to sing (first) and had three songs lined up: "for you," "a story" an... I can't remember the third.
So I'm up there, about to sing Lizzie's song and what happens? She comes into the under croft! With Heather! My brain and wart were all *%#~€\¥!!!!!!! Because Lizzie was supposed to be NYC and heather was supposed to be working!
So I was so, so surprised. And Lizzie came with a ring and proposed to me in front of my entire church family. And we sang her song together! And it was magical.
And I said yes and a few days later Lisa made a music video from the night which is on YouTube an it was just so amazing. And so we are double engaged and my life is so amazing, I am so grateful.
So all of this is to say that I stopped blogging when I couldn't do the Marathon and now I may be back. I'm working on getting super big and strong for not only the wedding but also my life. I might write about it here.
Maybe I should change the title of this blog from Fin on the Run to Fun having fun? Because that's really what's going on!
Thanks for reading and, also, thank you for your support!
Xox
I know it has been a million years since I last posted and a lot has happened. I began this blog to track my training for the Lansing Marathon in April of 2012. I began in November (I think) and, by March, I was feeling pretty good. I did all my long runs (best one was 20 miles!) and my endurance was amazing!
But I didn't run the Marathon. I got injured! I mean, j injured myself. How? The usual culprits: overtraining, under-stretching and, well, basically ignoring a lot of good advice. So what ended up happening was that I pulled (and I mean pulled in italics and bold) the very origin of my hamstring. I did this approximately two weeks before the Race and tried to ignore the pain.
But I couldn't! I am not kidding.. I struggled with every step to walk. I was limping, ice didn't really help and forget standing up from sitting down. I felt like the top of my leg was on fire. At one point I was going on a short training jog with a friend and had to stop at less than one mile. I actuay had to crawl off of the path in Prospect Park and rested/cried a little bit as I waited for the pain to subside.
So... Five days before the Marathon I decided that I just couldn't run the thing. But I was going to gk to Micjigan anyway because, of course, I had a lot more than running 26.2 miles to look forward to! My family, the All Saints Coffeehouse and my family! Lizzie couldn't go with me because she had to be in DC but I took her awesomeness with me.
Long story short? So the first thing I did when I saw each of my parents was cry about missing the marathon. Everyone was so incredibly supportive during the entire training months (even in the dead of winter and Lizzie, you were/are spectacular!) and especially when I told them I wasn't running. Thank you, everyone. Your support means so much!
So the Marathon weekend carried on with Friday night Coffeehouse at All Saints, organized for the third (I think!) year by my Dad. Lisa was in town (hurrah!) but heather had to work.
Or so I thought!
I went up to sing (first) and had three songs lined up: "for you," "a story" an... I can't remember the third.
So I'm up there, about to sing Lizzie's song and what happens? She comes into the under croft! With Heather! My brain and wart were all *%#~€\¥!!!!!!! Because Lizzie was supposed to be NYC and heather was supposed to be working!
So I was so, so surprised. And Lizzie came with a ring and proposed to me in front of my entire church family. And we sang her song together! And it was magical.
And I said yes and a few days later Lisa made a music video from the night which is on YouTube an it was just so amazing. And so we are double engaged and my life is so amazing, I am so grateful.
So all of this is to say that I stopped blogging when I couldn't do the Marathon and now I may be back. I'm working on getting super big and strong for not only the wedding but also my life. I might write about it here.
Maybe I should change the title of this blog from Fin on the Run to Fun having fun? Because that's really what's going on!
Thanks for reading and, also, thank you for your support!
Xox
Friday, April 13, 2012
Oh no I'm injured!!
Yes, that's right... Majorly pulled muscle in my right leg, I think my hamstring. OY I hurt it last week and have tried to rest it. Today a friend lent me her foam roller which feels amazing and I have been instructed to ice, ibuprofen and stretch. Which I do, a lot. I'm grateful for the loving and gentle support of Lizzie and everyone who remind me that I can't do my best if I'm not at my best. Love you guys!
So I am resting, stretching, doing a little yoga... No biking or running for the time being. I feel like a frwaking delicate flower so I'm not even weight training or anything but right now I am feeling both defiant and like I can't bother. Let's just say I haven't been in the best of moods the past few days...
But the marathon is in eight days! I can do it and I will do it! I have stronger legs than ever before so here I go!!
So I am resting, stretching, doing a little yoga... No biking or running for the time being. I feel like a frwaking delicate flower so I'm not even weight training or anything but right now I am feeling both defiant and like I can't bother. Let's just say I haven't been in the best of moods the past few days...
But the marathon is in eight days! I can do it and I will do it! I have stronger legs than ever before so here I go!!
Sunday, April 8, 2012
JEAN & KATE + EIGHT: playing with film...
So this doesn't have anything to do with the marathon but... I just have to talk about my amazing friends, Jean & Kate, who have started their own awesome business:
JEAN & KATE + EIGHT: playing with film...: Basically, the iphone can do anything...
Jean & Kate specialize in homemade granola and pottery and one Saturday night each month they hold "Jean & Kate + 8" which is an 8 person 4-course vegetarian dinner party. Kate plans and makes the menu, Jean makes all of the pottery for it (they do linens, too!) they host it at Jean's house in Brooklyn and they donate the proceeds of the evening's deliciousness to charity! In the past, they have donated exclusively to God's Love We Deliver!
They couldn't be cooler or more awesome people and I'm honored to have them as my friends, as colleagues and as cookes in the great borough of BK! They're the new Martha Stewarts of Brooklyn and Martha has no idea what she is missing!
Follow them on Facebook b/c they post really great photos on their page!
JEAN & KATE + EIGHT: playing with film...: Basically, the iphone can do anything...
Jean & Kate specialize in homemade granola and pottery and one Saturday night each month they hold "Jean & Kate + 8" which is an 8 person 4-course vegetarian dinner party. Kate plans and makes the menu, Jean makes all of the pottery for it (they do linens, too!) they host it at Jean's house in Brooklyn and they donate the proceeds of the evening's deliciousness to charity! In the past, they have donated exclusively to God's Love We Deliver!
They couldn't be cooler or more awesome people and I'm honored to have them as my friends, as colleagues and as cookes in the great borough of BK! They're the new Martha Stewarts of Brooklyn and Martha has no idea what she is missing!
Follow them on Facebook b/c they post really great photos on their page!
Sunday, March 11, 2012
20 miles! Ow.
Hey! So it has been far too long since I last wrote and my completely supportive and awesome mother reminded me that I should update today because I accomplished something I never thought possible!
What happened?
I ran 20 miles!
Yup, did it in 3 hours and 33 minutes and, besides the fact that my entire body feels like an achy mess, I feel so amazing! Never ever ever in my life did I think I could do this.
I can't really sleep for more than three hours at a time, let alone RUN for more than three hours. Freaking incredible.
There were several things that made today possible, besides the mantra of our high school inspiration quotes and my friend, A.M.: "See it, believe it, achieve it." Hey now! That's helpful!
Other helpful points: Lizzie supports me and encourages me. So do my roommates and my friends and my co-workers ad everyone who knows I am running a marathon. So that feels super great, for real. Lizzie gave me a sweet present for Valentine's Day (see photo) and I wear tht and feel strong and powerful.
Today was also helped by the fact that I had two running buddies meeting me on the road at specific times/distances so I couldn't stop/cheat. Unfortunately one person had to cancel at the last minute and, while that shook my confidence for a moment and j almost turned around and went home, I kept on going because I had to meet my other friend 1.5 hours later! She was there and she joined me for the last six miles.
Those last six miles? Damn, they were tough. But not impossible! Having enough energy is crucial and so I had my banana break at the co-op approx thirteen miles in but I didn't have any water. Every water fountain around Prospect Park was broken (what the hell, NYC, I will be writing an angry letter/email/tweet about this!) and by 17 I was feeling almost kind of out of it. Luckily, a cafe was open so I purchased a bottle of water (ugh) used the bathroom.
The last two mea were ok! I felt hope! I felt success! I felt on top of the world despite the pain in my knees, ankles, lower back and feet. Note that I did yoga for the first time in months yesterday so my muscles were sore from that on top of the long run.
Anyway, I feel awesome about today and I think the marathon is six weeks away.
Bring it, Lansing!
In case it isn't clear, thank you to everyone who is supporting me on this journey. I'm really grateful!
Love
Em
What happened?
I ran 20 miles!
Yup, did it in 3 hours and 33 minutes and, besides the fact that my entire body feels like an achy mess, I feel so amazing! Never ever ever in my life did I think I could do this.
I can't really sleep for more than three hours at a time, let alone RUN for more than three hours. Freaking incredible.
There were several things that made today possible, besides the mantra of our high school inspiration quotes and my friend, A.M.: "See it, believe it, achieve it." Hey now! That's helpful!
Other helpful points: Lizzie supports me and encourages me. So do my roommates and my friends and my co-workers ad everyone who knows I am running a marathon. So that feels super great, for real. Lizzie gave me a sweet present for Valentine's Day (see photo) and I wear tht and feel strong and powerful.
Today was also helped by the fact that I had two running buddies meeting me on the road at specific times/distances so I couldn't stop/cheat. Unfortunately one person had to cancel at the last minute and, while that shook my confidence for a moment and j almost turned around and went home, I kept on going because I had to meet my other friend 1.5 hours later! She was there and she joined me for the last six miles.
Those last six miles? Damn, they were tough. But not impossible! Having enough energy is crucial and so I had my banana break at the co-op approx thirteen miles in but I didn't have any water. Every water fountain around Prospect Park was broken (what the hell, NYC, I will be writing an angry letter/email/tweet about this!) and by 17 I was feeling almost kind of out of it. Luckily, a cafe was open so I purchased a bottle of water (ugh) used the bathroom.
The last two mea were ok! I felt hope! I felt success! I felt on top of the world despite the pain in my knees, ankles, lower back and feet. Note that I did yoga for the first time in months yesterday so my muscles were sore from that on top of the long run.
Anyway, I feel awesome about today and I think the marathon is six weeks away.
Bring it, Lansing!
In case it isn't clear, thank you to everyone who is supporting me on this journey. I'm really grateful!
Love
Em
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Mom and Dad
My parents are awesome and I'm super grateful for their support. They got me this sticker in October when I ran the Staten Island Half Marathon!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
10 weeks to go!
So... Ten weeks to go! Yesterday India 12 before work which was just over 2 hours. Never in my life did I think I could do that! Im going tonHouston this weekend and worried I won't get in long runs in but I'll just wake up early how I do and take care of them. I should be doing 16 on the weekends for the next several weeks then an 18 and then a little ret and them the actual marathon! Oh hurrah I am actually getting really excited! I plan on getting my plane ticket next week. Will I see you in Lansing on April 22?
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