Sunday was a wonderful day of rest and eating.  I popped out of bed at 5am totally energized, followed by coffee and my staple half bagel with Mara Natha peanut butter and honey.  Followed by eggs, boca sausage and piece of rye toast about 10:30, then we were off to the movies to see Juno where kiddie popcorn and a coke followed.  A coke, what a nasty treat that was.  BJ opted for the red fish and after my popcorn was down I opted for the red fish too.  Then off to Whole Foods for shopping and lunch (salad bar baby).  Home for a nap, then a more episodes of Big Love, fish tacos for dinner and finished the day with a half piece of Fresh Berry Chantilly Cake!  Big pig, that was me and I loved every minute of it.  Popcorn, soda, red fish and cake are absolutely not a regular with me so needless to say I was popping the Papaya pills and drinking peppermint tea before going to bed.

Recovery from my big run has gone quite smoothly, I feel great but with all recoveries I put alot into it.  Following my run on Saturday I took a long hot epsom salt bath, then stretched, then did some indirect moxa on my joints, then arnica massage.  Sunday I took another bath and continued with the arnica.  I’m officially tapering for the marathon and I’ve never felt better going into taper.  I’m so grateful, I’m so very grateful for that.  I’m really excited about AZ.

Yep, I did it…20 miles and boy was it an adventure. Along my way today I encountered knee deep snow drifts, blinding wind and blowing snow, stretches of nothing but ice, snow pack, pavement, slush, detours and puddles. The elements were interesting but I embraced the challenges and up until the last mile or so I had the sun. I was so grateful for that. Physically I felt the best I’ve ever felt on a long run it was more of a mental challenge today realizing that the only people out running today were crazy or professional or both. Overall, it was a huge success, I felt like a runner today (a slow runner but a runner nonetheless). I was able to quiet my mind and forge ahead in all my steps. There was only one time today when I thought negatively; at mile 7 I thought….’I'm not even half way done’. That was the first and last time I looked at the glass half empty today.

We watched Without Limits last night and I kept a few key pieces from that movie in my mind today. I also kept some advice near by that a client gave me a few weeks ago, he said to relax all unnecessary muscles. For some reason that resonated so much more than just the word relax. It helped me keep my legs ‘on’ and the rest of me ‘off’ including my mind. Knowing the anatomy and musculature of the body so intimately gives me such an advantage to visualize what is going on, what I need, what I don’t and who I need to recruit to get me through the tough spots. A big accomplishment today, a key workout done….hay in the barn as Craig would say. So thank you body, thank you mother earth for the day you gave me and thank you Pre for reminding me that we have no limits.

Most of all, thank you BJ for riding next to me for the last 5 miles and saying all the right things. Well almost…I had to ’shh’ him when he started singing the The Final Countdown during the last mile. Just couldn’t handle the acoustic version of one of the worst hair band songs. Other than that babe, you were right on per usual.

Neglecting the blog a bit over the holidays but I’ve been training strong all week. I have to say training for a marathon feels so much lighter than training for triathlon. Even though I’m officially training for Ironman, my marathon is taking precedent as it is only weeks away. Over the past few days I’ve been feeling rested and strong. Yoga for Athletes on Christmas (great dvd), a short 3 mile run on Wednesday, 18 mile bike Thursday, 750 yds in the pool today and tomorrow 19 mile run. I’m embracing the new snowfall and my YakTrax - those two things should have me finishing strong tomorrow. I’m quite addicted to the thought of doing 20 tomorrow as that was my original goal in training for this 2nd marathon. We’ll just see how it goes, want to finish the workout healthy with the mental feeling that I could go longer.

Christmas was tons of fun and activity. Above is a photo of my mom, sister and I with my kids. Another of BJ and I with the kids on our christmas walk, it was a beautiful day. Our guests vacated yesterday and our house is like a library again. I really enjoyed all the activity and company, my family is a fun group. They love their wine and laughs. We had lots of both, at one point I think I saw tannins in my eyeballs and brie cheese seeping out of my pours. I must remember the joyous holiday celebrations next time I’m deciding to be in the height of my training in late December. Although an east-coaster at heart, my body knows how to play and work hard in tandem.

Finished up my stabilizer week with yoga and rest, I’m so glad I did because I think I was starting to get under the weather. Today I had a small run, 3 miles, followed by 2250 in the pool. My body felt really strong, my legs are ready for a marathon. I have my big run this week before taking it down to taper. I have 19 on my plan but if I feel good I’m going for 20. I’m looking forward to the race, 3 weeks from now I’ll have another 26.2 under my belt. I think this will be very important at Ironman, so many people run their first marathons at Ironman but I’m sure that wouldn’t have been a good idea for me. I earn every step and have little to no genetic blessings. I think the more distance I can do the better.

My parents arrived yesterday from Cape Cod and everyone has moved into our house for a few days. My sister and her pup Stella are up from Denver and tomorrow should be a nice day at home. It’s great to have my folks here but they definitely add a new dimension to our life. They are alot of fun so many laughs to come. Happy and safe holidays to all!

Raced last Saturday and got my big run done - actually about a mile shy of the 16 miles. The 10K was a challenging course but I gave it my all and finished in an hour. Frankly anything under 10 minute miles makes me smile. Plus I haven’t been doing any speed work in the last few months so I really can’t complain. Anytime I cross the finish line I’m happy as that is and always will be the overall goal.

As you can see, we got a cat on Sunday…his name is Weke (way-key), named after the road we stayed on in Hanalei Bay. He’s proved to be a pretty cool dude over these last few days. He has settled into the family and seems to be fine with his canine siblings. I’m glad we saved him, he’s a good boy.

Harry and Lhasa received an early Christmas gift yesterday - jingle bell collars from our friends Alex and Lisa. Of course, they put them right on without a fuss and are not bothered at all by the jingle or the jangle.

This week I’ve been on stabilizer and was feeling great at the beginning of the week getting all my workouts in but about Wednesday I started to feel tired.  By Thursday I felt like I had been hit by a truck and didn’t workout yesterday.  I’ve done 12 hours of massage so far this week and have another 4.5 tomorrow.  I’m feeling extreme tension in my neck and head so self massage will be in order after this post.  Not sure why I’m feeling so run down but I’m listening and that is the most important thing.  We have to listen to what our bodies are telling us.  I’m thinking core power yoga is in order today, need to get the toxins out, I just feel so sluggish.  Need to recover so I can hit it hard next week in my final prep for my marathon on January 13th.

Friday morning I begrudgingly got out of bed and got on the bike.  Another big day filled with too many commitments and the need to catch up on things at work. Pounded a few strong , black cups of my legal drug and climbed on.  It was an easy spin but I just didn’t want to do anything but lay in bed with the dogs.

By the time I finished my bike, I felt awake and ready to attack the day which I did until about 7pm when I started to fade fast.  BJ and I carbo loaded for Rudolph’s Revenge today which we are getting ready for now and watch the last two episodes of the Sopranos saga.  Carm, Sil, Bobby, Paulie, Tony….the girls at the Bing - I’m going to miss you guys!

Beej just went to Cafe Sole for 2 tall black ones to get things started and we’ll be outta here in about a half hour.  I have 16 miles today so I’ll be warming up before and then doing the course twice.  We’ll see how that goes, I’m shooting for 56 minutes for the actual race.  I know that is slow on many levels but hey, this stuff is all relative.  So for me to put down 9 minute miles and have an additional 10 miles on top of it will be a great day for me.  Its snowy and freezing but I’m embracing the elements and I’m sure that will be a big part of my success today.

I wish I received 5 hours of massage….no, no, no, I worked in my practice today.  Another fabulous day treating my clients that I am truly blessed to have.  It’s good to record how much massage I am giving because it can double my activity level some weeks so its helpful to have a record.  Before I started work I ran 6 miles today, great run.  My body felt great, the areas I’ve been battling for the last few months have finally started to subside.   I haven’t really taken the rest necessary to heal so I attribute this healing to weekly massage, acupuncture and some serious self-care.  Stretching, ice baths, yoga, epson salt baths, self massage and indirect moxa treatments (you can buy moxa sticks at Whole Foods).  You always have to put back into yourself  at least a percentage of what your asking of it.  Although sometimes you must put 100% and even more back into yourself in order to heal so you can continue to train.  The key is to listen, tune into your body and to act on your intuition.

Yesterday I was back in the pool after not swimming for over a week - it was a slow start just becuase I was having trouble waking up. Hit the gym at 6am for a quick 2.5 on the treadmill then into the pool for my big swim of the week. I just love these so called big swims and I’m embracing them as they come because I know that over the course of the next 6 months my big swims are going to grow by gargantuan proportions. With that said, once I woke up a bit I felt light and strong for my entire workout. Craig, my coach has been giving me bigger sets overall (pre and main) which I love, I really prefer to get into a rhythm with 300 or more yards per drill then 10 sets of 25 or 50. I think getting into the groove is great practice for longer swims like 1/2 and full ironman. Being able to hold a certain pace and not just sprinting from wall to wall. All in all, great swim yesterday.

Another early day today, BJ was up at 4am and even though I stayed in bed I didn’t sleep all that well for the next hour. I got up and did yoga in preparation for a day of working in my practice. Yoga is money, I feel incredible after an hour practice. Why is it so hard to make time for an hour of yoga but we can always find the time for a 5 hour bike or 3 hour run? I’ve thought about this for a long time and I think its because yoga forces us to quiet our minds. I can make my laundry list of things I need to do while riding on the bike or plan my holiday shopping but to really get the most out of my yoga practice I need to turn my eyes inward and clear my mind. That is one of the most challenging yet rewarding skills. I will continue my yoga practice at least once a week throughout my training. It’s very important to counteract the linear movements of tri-training and the craziness of a busy life.

Just thought I throw in a pic of my hot hubby!

So with vacation last week I didn’t quite get everything in but I felt that taking today off was needed mentally (not so much physically).  Coming back from vacation was smooth and welcoming just extremely busy.  I worked all day yesterday with clients.  Had an extra wonderful day in my practice yesterday and looking forward to receiving my massage on Tuesday…90 minutes of extremely deep work (borderline brutal), it will take large breaths and mental strength but I always feel reset after receiving.  Massage is an absolute necessity in my life, I find that it supports every angle of who I am and how I function.

Well, I’ve officially returned to meat eating after being a fish-etarian for a few years.  The change happened shortly after (or maybe even during) my visit to the cadaver lab.  Funny enough not becuase I was grossed out by seeing a dissected human but because I started to disassociate during the experience and got very hungry.  I’ll leave it at that, all in all, I freaked myself out so badly that I haven’t eaten meat (human or animal) since that day.  Yummy story, I know.

Gotta get my swim and run stuff ready for tomorrow and off to bed…..drank wine this weekend need to rest and recharge for the week ahead.   Early ups tomorrow.

Today was one of those days that should not have felt memorable but nonetheless it did. Today was one of those days when I just couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. It was ‘east coast’ cold at times but I felt strong and energized (fyi: if I ever reference the east coast, I always and will only ever mean the Northeast). Early on in the run I told myself to just immerse my mind in the run and nothing else.

As a multi-tasking control freak, I tend to have lots going on in my ole’ noggin. Today I was able to shut it off and simply be a runner. When things got tough at the end I would pick a landmark and ‘get to there’ then I would pick another and ‘get to there’ soon enough I was in a luke warm (we have the original water heater in our house) epsom salt bath with my Golden Harry, threatening to drop his tennis ball into my tub. By the way, Harry is featured in the main image above, he’s my sweet baby boy.

Today was an excellent training day - they are not always easy and many feel impossible. This is why it is all the more important to celebrate the perfect ones.