Brick?

I'm not really sure if today's workout would technically count as a brick because there was around three hours between my run and my bike ride.  It's okay, though, because I still feel like a total bad ass for running three miles AND biking three and a half today:).  Faith is still a sicko so I was solo once again.  It's odd how quickly I've gotten used to having a daily running buddy after years of running solo on week days!!  This has been a very active week for me and it has left me feeling pretty energized and looking forward to a good long run on Saturday;).  Wish you could be there with us, Jody!!  

 

Aerial Yoga

So, I had my first aerial yoga class today.  But, first, let me tell you about yesterday!!  Faith has been ill with a cough and the chills so she's wisely opted to rest.  Yesterday, I ran a fast 3 miles at 9:15 pace which was followed by some body work.  After that, I headed to my first Pilates class.  My abs were already fairly well worked from the Socks class so Pilates was a killer workout!!  We did a decent about of core work and then spent the second half of the class doing some good arm work.  Basically, all my muscle groups were well worked yesterday!!

Today, Faith was on rest again, so I opted for a longer 5 mile run which I did in a 10:10 pace - nice and slow as compared to my recent Wednesday night Red Lizard runs.  Then, I went to aerial yoga - which was both awesome and a little scary.  First of all, all the moves involved either a set of straps with three handles of varying lengths and/or a sort of fabric sling - both of which are securely hung from the ceiling.  A lot of the moves are done with one foot on the floor which allows for some really great stretching as the sling naturally sways.  I even had one successful inversion - the instructor could tell that I was super nervous so she really helped me through that one since I was the only newbie:).  The rest of the class was kind enough to clap for me once I'd completed the move which was both nice and welcoming.  Overall, it was different but in all the right ways.  I'm looking forward to more and I'd really encourage you to give it a try if you ever get the opportunity.  

Fitness Class

Aerial Yoga

 
All the strength training talk from Jody and Faith was inspiring me right about the time that a Groupon came up for the Diva Den.  The place is near my house, the Groupon was $32 for a month of unlimited classes and they had class that I was interested on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday around 5:30.  So, I bought one!  Then, when I was exploring their website, I found another deal for a week's free pass.  Add it all up and I have pre-registered for SIX weeks of classes!  


Tonight was the first class and it was called Sock It To Her.  Basically, there were eight of us in a big class room with eight poles and no shoes.  It was primarily a leg workout with particular focus on the inner and outer thigh areas but I can already feel that we did some good stuff for the abs too!  I'm impressed by how shredded my legs feel in just a thirty minute workout.  


Tomorrow, I'll be going to a 45 minute Pilates class and then Wednesday will be a 45 minute aerial yoga class.  I'm very anxious to see what the heck aerial yoga is all about...  stay tuned for updates on the other classes. 

Austin Marathon Project

Have you noticed that for each required element in marathon training, you have to drop a hundred bones (pardon the expression)? Nothing seems to be less than $100 - good shoes, entry fees, plane tickets, and, optionally, coaching. At least GU is cheap. And since our next marathon requires no travel on my part, I dropped some cash on a training program this morning instead.

I've been debating in my mind whether or not to join - it's cheaper to just train on my own and join free running clubs in town for the longer runs - but in the end I decided that this particular program will be worth it.

The "Austin Marathon Project" is being sponsored by the Texas Running Company, which is, like me, a newcomer to Austin this summer. Because it's new, the group is small, the coaching will be tailored specifically to the individual runners, and they are very enthusiastic. I had a great time running 5 miles with the half marathon group this morning, and am planning on bumping it up so I can run with the full marathoners soon. ALSO! There are Wednesday afternoon track workouts and core workouts, which sounds HARD but also FUN.

Also, it sounds like they are planning on doing a progression like Hal's with the step-back weeks, so hopefully it will align perfectly with my beautiful training calendar.

Since I won't have Jess and Faith to keep me company on the long runs ahead, I'm looking forward to meeting some new runners... but they will have some big five-fingers to fill!

Biking!

My fellow bloggers, Faith and Bones, are both accomplished bikers.  Faith doesn't drive so she does the vast majority of her commuting (both work and personal) by bike.  Jody and her boyfriend Eli have biked the McKenzie River Trail which is a 26 mile trail with several highly technical stretches.  I, however, have not been on a bike much since I was 15 years old.  

About two years ago, I decided that I wanted to start biking again to add a cross training  element to my running.  So, out we ran to the bike shop and bought two bikes.  Which have pretty much sat uselessly in our garage ever since.  After a trip to the bike shop last night to have my tires filled and get some advice, all that changed today!  

As Ty and Onya headed out on their three mile run, I was right beside them on my bike!  It was wonderful - it felt really good.  Growing up, my step-dad and I did a lot of biking.  I fondly remember the beat up, faded blue pouch on his handlebars where we could stow our books on the way to the library or the little treasures that we found along the way.  As we passed a bunch of fallen apples, I really wished that I had something like that so that I could bring some home to the chickens.  Once that childhood memory was triggered, I found that I was reliving some of the joy that I had as a youngster biking.  My mom never joined us so it was something that was just for the two of us and it was a special bonding time whether we were out running errands or on a ride for fun.  My step-dad, as seen below, was a man ahead of his time with the bike commuting thing!  

Joe and Jess dressed up for Halloween - he was dressed as a member of Devo and I was a witch;). 

That little tangent down memory lane aside, I'm really excited to incorporate biking into my regular exercise.  After a three mile run at lunch plus tonight's biking, my legs feel good but tired - just the way I like them:). 

Red Lizards!!

Last night, I did the Wednesday run with the Red Lizards for the third time.  They are a super friendly group and their unofficial Wednesday night motto is 'no runner left behind'.  The route starts at the Fulton Pub (YAY!!) and heads down to the Waterfront then turns south.  When the trail ends, we run along the railroad tracks and then cross the Sellwood bridge and continue to the Oaks Pioneer Church where there's one of Portland's famous bubblers.  There, people drink, catch their breathe and wait for the slower runners (me) to rejoin the group.  We then continue through a small park and then onto a mile-ish long dirt trail that ends up at Oaks Bottom - where the second break and regrouping takes place.  We then head out of Oaks Bottom towards the Springwater Trail and take the Springwater back to the Oaks Pioneer Church for the final break and regrouping before retracing our path back to the Fulton Pub. 

I must say, this is a group of generally fast runners.  Or, fast as compared to ME anyways!!  This run always ends up being a great mid-length tempo run for me - at least taking into account where my running is at the moment.  Here are my splits:

Mile 1 - 9:35
Mile 2 - 9:24
Mile 3 - 10:00 (trail)
Mile 4 - 8:58
Mile 5 - 9:09
Mile 6 - 8:35
Overall - 55:06/9:18 pace

The best part of this run might be the beer and burgers at the Fulton Pub at the end!!!  There are usually at least 6 and up to 20 or so runners who stay afterward to socialize, eat and drink.  It is a good time of comparing races and running experiences. 

Upcoming posts:  biking and fitness classes

Shorty Shorts

So, I'm currently obsessed with shorty shorts for running.  I've seen a couple of really well built women wearing them and I am toying with the idea of getting some.  They look super comfortable but I'm hesitant...  I mean, I'm just not as fit as some of the women who I've seen wearing them.  BUT, what better inspiration?  Or would it just trigger depression everytime I see them in the drawer and pass them over? 

Hmm...  to shorty short or not to shorty short?!?!  Stay tuned.