Picture Perfect?

Out in the Storm

Got in some Cross Country Skiing this past weekend, which was fantastic.  It is a great total body workout, I’m out in the wilderness, and I get to go down hills.  Fun!  I started a Vimeo account to post some videos of the skiing- check em out!

http://vimeo.com/user1188661/videos

The Last One

I went for my last run around the park with my running buddy today.  She leaves for LA January 20th and since we’ll be in NH next weekend I won’t get another run in.

It has been great to have someone to do longer runs with, as it gets me out there and running.  When I was unemployed and going out of my mind, having a run around the park every Wednesday to look forward to was fantastic.  It got me out of the apartment and moving when I had to be (espeically pre 1/2 Marathon).

During the colder months it has been great to have a push to get out and run in the cold.

Today was a lovely afternoon, it didn’t snow as much as I thought it would and the sun was out and bright as we started the run.  I dressed a little too warmly and my jacket opened for most of the run.  Once we got closer to the bottom of the park the sun was hidden and I felt comfortable again.

We definitely struggled a little bit and finished in 54 minutes instead of our usual 53.  Hopefully Matt is up and running long distances with again soon so I don’t have go solo for too long.

I love the park loop so I’ll for sure be out there on my own often, but having someone to chat with, gossip about our old job with will definitely be missed.

Long Update

I got in 2 spinning classes this week which was great.  The morning I wanted to run I was foiled by rain, and I’m hoping my 6 mile run set for Sunday isn’t foiled by snow.  I actually really like running in the snow, but my running partner called me a “crazy NH girl” for it.  Haha.

I got the email about my first event of the season!  The mini tri as I like to call it is 5/17.  It is more expensive than I remembered to register, but it goes to a good cause and is totally worth the price for me.

Post visit home for my birthday I’ve been struggling with eating right which I’ve found really effects my drive for workouts, espeically since they come at the end of long days.  I decided walking home tonight that I need to switch to morning work outs, as unappealing as early wakes up are.  When I’m committed, I get right up and get to it and I just need to keep that up.  I’m sure it will be easier in warmer weather and earlier light.

Anyway, I’ve decided to do a 3 day juice cleanse next week to get myself back on the right foot.  I know that if focused enough I can get back on my own, but I just can’t seem to focus properlly.  Last year I dove in and did it, and this year I’m struggling a bit more because there isn’t my wedding.

The cleanse is through blueprint cleanse.  They’ve gained a lot of great publicity and popularity for their juices and I’ve been wanting to try it.  I’m a little hesitant because of the cost, but I’m excited and think it is just what I need to focus in.

This isn’t supposed to be a diet blog, so I’ll stop now and just say I’m excited that it is 2009 and I have fun races ahead of me to train for!

I’m also excited to get back to the training schedule I used last year, I liked it a lot and as is obvious from the lack of posting, the maintenance plan I found was not inspiring.

New Gear!

So, I put on all my new gear yesterday and headed out into the 10 degree air for a run!  My new pants kept me nice and warm, but not too hot and the two Nike winter weather running tops were great!  I was the perfect temp which definitely helps since I think the cold slows me down.  It was great to get out in the cold air and feel my body working, and I had a feeling that the cars who passed me had drivers who were shaking their heads.  I kind of like that feeling!  It feels a little bit warmer today so I’m looking forward to getting back out there!

So I’m all geared up now for winter running, and just in time because it is really starting to feel like Winter in NY!  Tuesday I got in another weekly run with Andrea, and even with the holiday tired and me not having run 6 miles in weeks, we still did the loop in 53 minutes!  I really think I’ve become faster than I used to be, and I can’t even help it!  A week prior I went out to do 3 miles and couldn’t help but do it and then some in under 25 minutes even though I was tired.  yikes!

Now that I’m probably outfitted, I’m hoping for some inspiration for morning runs and to keep up with the spinning and to get myself back in the pool!  Although those aren’t my resolutions at all, I’m just going to do it!

Happy 2009!