Today: Twenty is plenty.
[tweetmeme source=”elizabethev” only_single=false]On any other Tuesday, I’d be at the office, working to bring home the imitation bacon bits. I spent today, however, running through the streets of South Boston, the South End, the Back Bay, Brookline, Chestnut Hill and Newton. For hours. With work events keeping me busy all weekend, I took today off to get ‘er done. By the time I made it back to our condo, I had logged nearly twenty-one miles. Twenty would have been plenty, but I wasn’t about to take an ice bath at a stranger’s place a mile from home.
After a good cry (I am not sure why the waterworks seem to turn on after the 15 mile mark, but a light breeze or falling acorn could make me weep after a certain point) and a quick shower, I housed two bananas and essentially anything else I could get my hands on, and headed to the gym. Sort of. Sarah at Stonyfield Farm kindly invited me a few fellow bloggers to take a yoga class at Equinox, followed by a chat with one of Stonyfield’s nutritionists. In other words, this invitation was exactly what the (imaginary) doctor ordered following this morning’s long run.
I was the first to arrive and got a chance to chat with Roger Kuhn, our yoga teacher for the event. He was kind enough to incorporate a hip sequence at the end of class, something he highly recommends for runners. The class was a great mix of flow and postures, and felt both relaxing and challenging. At one point, my legs were shaking like… I don’t know… something that shakes a lot.
After class, we headed to Equinox’s main studio for yogurt (jackpot!) and some no-nonsense nutrition advice. In addition to being a nutritionist, Mary Kennedy is an experienced marathon coach and offered five takeaways for fueling an active lifestyle. Her reminder that behavior change and setting smart goals is at the core of healthy living really resonated with me. It’s one thing to know it all (or a lot, at least), and it’s another thing to really plan for smart pre- or post-workout fueling. I feel like today’s event could not have come at a better time.
I’m looking forward to spending the next 19 days cutting back on my mileage, focusing on smart eating, and getting plenty of sleep. Twenty may have been plenty today, but twenty-six-point-two awaits.
Is this a bad time to admit that I ate ice cream for dinner? Probably.
Also On Tap for Today:
- How cute are these in-an-apple salads?
- Firing up the fireplace for the first time this fall 🙂
- Congratulations, Ali!
Comments (7)
Janel
October 18, 2011 at 9:01 pm
Nice job!!!!!!! I’m sad I had to miss that Stonyfield event. I went to grad school with Mary and she’s a ROCKSTAR!!! I’ll be looking for you in NYC on the course (from the sideline) to yell and cheer loudly!
Elizabeth
October 18, 2011 at 9:45 pm
Thanks, Janel! What a small world! Looking forward to seeing you and your sister in New York! (Whoa, so many exclamation marks…) 🙂
Sarah Dussault (@DietSarah)
October 19, 2011 at 12:53 pm
So good to see you and good luck in New York! One day I will run a marathon… one day soon I hope.
Stonyfield Sarah
October 19, 2011 at 1:48 pm
So glad you could join us for such a fun event yesterday! It was great meeting you, Elizabeth!
Best, Sarah
Tina
October 19, 2011 at 6:12 pm
Wahoo! You are a rockstar! 🙂
A Twist and A Shake
October 20, 2011 at 12:59 pm
O man! That’s awesome, great motivation. My boyfriend just ran a half marathon this week. I hope to do one in the spring. Cait @ Twist and A Shake
Today: Running wild in my backyard. «
November 1, 2011 at 11:24 am
[…] let alone a second marathon. I would have never believed that on a random Tuesday, I could run over 20 miles. By myself. As I crossed the old railroad bridge near the courthouse, I was overcome with […]