Hi friends! Thank you for your kind comments on my Rock ‘n’ Roll DC Half Marathon race recap! I can’t wait for the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler in a couple weeks. :) Fingers crossed for good and not too hot weather!
In other news – happy St. Patrick’s Day! Anyone have any fun plans? I suggest my making my Healthy Shamrock Shake, Whole Wheat Irish Soda Bread, and/or Vegan and Gluten Free Shepherd’s Pie to celebrate. ;)
I started my St. Patrick’s Day at the track! This was my first run since the race on Saturday – felt good to get back out there, especially on such a nice morning – it was gorgeous out! Cold and crisp but sunny by the time we were done. It was harder to get up since it’s dark again at that hour now thanks to daylight savings… although I am loving having bright evenings again!
This morning, our coach had us do a 20 to 30 minute tempo run at around half marathon pace – so pushing a bit but sustainable. I did 20 minutes because my legs are still a bit tired from the race! We finished out the workout with some 400’s at a 10k pace. I didn’t push it too much on those and just did 2 of them (most of the others did 4). Good workout – just the right amount of speed and distance without overdoing it. Between the workout (on my watch) and my warm up and cool down I ended up doing 4 miles total.
As for my recovery earlier this week, on Monday I had another great stretching session with Paul from Capital Energy Training that helped loosen up my tight muscles a lot! We focused on stretching out my glutes, hamstrings, calves, and hips, and did a lot of the same stretches that I shared last week. I think the stretches really helped pre-race and they felt good post-race, too – really loosened everything up! I think we’re making progress on fixing my hip imbalance and tightness situation, which is exciting.
Tuesday was a rest day with some light walking, and Wednesday I was feeling good and ready to get back after it so I met friends Kathleen and Chelsea for a little Urban Athletic Club boot camp action in the morning via ClassPass. Kathleen and I actually convinced our gentlemen to come too – I decided not to torture them with a photo after class but we had a great workout – fun to get everyone together! It was mostly upper body, too, which was good for my legs. :)
Speaking of my friend Kathleen, she was working near our house yesterday so I invited her to come over for lunch and a walk! We enjoyed the last of my Walnut and Mushroom Vegetarian Enchiladas (<—recipe) out on the deck since it was gorgeous out. I roasted some cauliflower to add to the mix, too – it was coated in a little olive oil and garlic salt and roasted at 350 for 20 minutes along with the enchiladas. It added some nice volume and texture! I also served it atop some arugula – gotta get in those greens! Plus avocado, cilantro, and Cholula chili garlic hot sauce. Delicious.
I’m finishing up some work at home this morning and then I’ll be spending the rest of the workday on the train up to NYC! I’m headed up for my future sister-in-law Morgana’s bachelorette weekend – should be a fun time. :) I’ll share some of the (PC) adventures over on Instagram while I’m away! One of the things on the agenda is a pole dancing fitness class tomorrow morning, which I’m pumped about. Anyone tried one of those classes before? I bet a lot of upper body strength is required!
As for here on the blog, though, stay tuned because tomorrow I’ll share a recap from the super cool event I got to attend at the White House on Tuesday! Here’s a sneak preview. More to come!
Have a great day, my friends – and for those near DC, enjoy this lovely weather today! Sounds like it’s going to get cold again this weekend – bummer!
What do you do for recovery/workouts the week after a race? I usually do a mix of swimming, yoga, and light walking until later in the week when I’m ready to run or hit my usual classes again!
From around the web:
Yep! I take pole fitness classses at DIVAFIT in Falls Church since 2010. It’s an awesome workout. Can’t wait to get your feedback.
Don’t wear lotion before your class or you will spin off the pole:-)
Ooo — great tip, ha! I was also thinking shorts are probably smarter than tights, right? So you don’t slip?
I think you have a better grip on the pole if you wear shorts and don’t slide as quickly but girls who take pole classes for the first time tend to be self-conscious/nervous so capris are okay as well (I currently work as a receptionist at the pole studio lol).
Shorts it is :) I’ll go with short tights so I don’t flash everyone! Thanks!!
A few years ago I did a pole dancing class for a bachelorette party and it was a blast! Much harder than it looks and the next day I had so many bruises on my legs! But, it was such a fun time and made for a lot of laughs :)
I was thinking it would probably be a TON of upper body strength! Glad it was fun :)
Love your outfit for the WH event. Stitch Fix?
The dress is Banana Republic! Unfortunately it’s from about a year ago though so I don’t see it online anymore. :(
I’ve actually never had Irish Soda bread, but this healthier recipe might actually force me to try it. I can’t wait to read your recap of your WH visit! It is SO cool that you guys got invited. By the way, I love your dress! Where is it from? It’s a great lawyer/law firm dress, so I would love to snag it (or something like it) if I can.
Thank you! The dress is Banana Republic but unfortunately it’s from about a year ago and I don’t see it online anymore. :(
Good to see that you got back on the track. Tough, as always, but likely the ingredient in your training that enabled a near-PR in the RnR Half!
For sure!
Absolutely love Irish Soda Bread. It is the best. Great recipe.
Thanks, Lauren!
I have a side job at a cooking school near my apartment here in NY, and we made savory (cheddar-scallion) Irish soda bread for a St Patrick’s Day themed class this week — delicious! Topped with Kerrygold butter, obviously.
Sounds amazing! I wouldn’t have thought to do a savory soda bread – yum.